The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the Smithsonian Institution co-hosted a symposium titled The African Diaspora: Integrating Culture, Genomics and History on September 12, 2013, at the National Museum of Natural History. The event convened scholars and scientists to explore how genomic data, historical records, and cultural narratives intersect to illuminate African ancestry, identity, and health. Discussions emphasized the value of interdisciplinary approaches in understanding the experiences of African-descended populations.