Conceived by María Magdalena Campos-Pons, "When We Gather" celebrates the women who have played an elemental role in the progress of the United States and offers a call to create a path forward for the leaders of the future. It was performed live for the first time at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. as part of the programming around the museum’s landmark exhibition, Afro-Atlantic Histories, where Campos-Pons’ work was presented. This project was the first time the National Gallery of Art commissioned a performance art piece.

The performance was led by María Magdalena Campos-Pons and featured Dell Marie Hamilton, Jana Harper, Sue-Ann Letta Forde, Stephanie Mercedes, Helina Metaferia, and Jessica Sandhu.

The project was made possible by major support from the Phyllis & Jerome Lyle Rappaport Foundation and a grant from the Alice L. Walton Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, Craig and Kathryn Hall, and Leah R. Bennett.