The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has announced the expansion of its Early Childhood Education Initiative (ECEI) with a $1.5 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

“Lovers of language and storytelling the world over mourn the passing of Toni Morrison,” said Spencer Crew, interim director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. “Hers was a voice that spoke to our hearts, our minds and our souls with that rare thing called truth.”