CEO’s Transition | LaNesha’s Letter
Dear Friend:
I am writing to share important and exciting news! After prayerful consideration and reflection, I have decided that the time is right for me to pursue a long-held passion of mine to pursue completion of my PhD in educational history at the University of Washington.
This means that I will be stepping away as President & CEO of the Northwest African American Museum. I placed my studies on hold to steer the museum. Now is the time for me to transition from that role and pursue my doctoral studies full-time in a way that will enrich my future contributions to the museums field as an experienced leader credentialed with a PhD.
However, I will proudly still support the museum and I hope you will too! Together, with board, staff, volunteers, community, and donors, we have prevailed forward in our mission. Increased attendance numbers, record-setting fundraising, expanded regional presence, dynamic programming, and more! I am proud of all we have done together.
I am incredibly grateful for your support that helped make so much possible including:
Eliminating the museum’s debt; exceeding all fundraising records, taking the museum’s Unity benefit proceeds from $100K to over $900K annually, and doubling the operating budget over four years.
Steering a $1.3 million renovation of the museum for its post-COVID grand reopening.
Attracting national partnerships and producing award-worthy programmatic innovations that fulfilled the museum's educational mandate, including Knowledge is Power Book Giveaway (KIP), James Baldwin Circle, leading the museum to write its own children’s book entitled Hakeem’s Song, creating the African American Cultural Ensemble (ACE) – the first permanent traveling choir of any museum in the nation, and leading the Youth Curator program to be nominated for a regional Emmy award, and more.
Attracting national speakers such as Lonnie Bunch, Dr. Cornel West, Dr. Eddie Glaude, Nikki Giovanni, Martin Luther King, III, Illysah Shabazz, and others by elevating the caliber and quality of NAAM’s programming.
Being named national finalist for the prestigious 2019 Institute for Museum and Library Services National Medal for Museum Service.
I thank you for believing in this work and supporting us to make our museum’s dreams a reality.
As I transition from this role and move into this exciting period of personal sabbatical, I will value staying connected with you. You can find me at https://www.laneshadebardelaben.com/contact.
Thank you for your continued support of NAAM! I remain here in Seattle, joyfully serving and empowering the community.
With a grateful heart,
LaNesha DeBardelaben
