Dr. Margaret “Margie” Salazar-Porzio is a leader in public history and cultural preservation, with a distinguished record of promoting civic pride and fostering deeper appreciation for the diverse stories that shape America’s identity. Raised in East Los Angeles, California, with Mexican and Japanese heritage, she developed a profound respect for the rich narratives of American life and a passion for ensuring that future generations understand our country’s shared history. 

 As the curator of Latino History and Culture at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Dr. Salazar-Porzio made significant contributions, leveraging her community-driven approach to produce exhibitions with a nuanced understanding of cultural history. She co-curated the impactful exhibition Many Voices, One Nation and produced the book, Many Voices, One Nation: Material Culture Reflections on Race and Migration in the United States. She also led the creation of  ¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues / En los barrios y las grandes ligas, a bilingual exhibition and educational initiative that celebrates the contributions of Latino communities to America’s favorite pastime, currently on a national tour through 2025. Her additional work includes documenting the resilience of Puerto Rican communities after Hurricane Maria and developing a project with the University of Michigan highlighting the significant achievements of Chicana scholars over five decades.  

As Chair of the Division of Home and Community Life, Dr. Salazar-Porzio oversaw Smithsonian staff and contractors, leading operations, strategic planning, and collections care for over 250,000 objects. She serves as a distinguished lecturer for the Organization of American Historians, where she shares her insights and expertise with audiences nationwide, enriching public understanding of our collective history.  

 Before her tenure at the Smithsonian, Dr. Salazar-Porzio served as an Associate Research Scholar at Columbia University Law School's Center for Institutional and Social Change, where she led strategic planning and conducted research addressing barriers to participation in arts and humanities initiatives with 21 institutions of higher education. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies and Teaching Credentials from California State University Los Angeles, as well as an M.A. and Ph.D. in American Studies and Ethnicity from the University of Southern California.