Our Team
LaNesha DeBardelaben
President & CEO
LaNesha’s passion is to drive success for Black museums. She specializes in organizational leadership and management, institutional programming, and strategic engagement. Prior to joining NAAM, LaNesha was Senior Vice President at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. With three master’s degrees, respectively in museum studies, history, and library science, LaNesha is currently pursuing a PhD, and is past national president of the Association of African American Museums (AAAM) Board of Directors. She has global experience with museums and libraries in Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, England, Germany, and Israel, and is involved in both the International Council of Museums and the International Women’s Forum.
Cali Slair, PhD
Education & Engagement Director
Cali R. Slair, PhD is a U.S. historian with a passion for creating engaging curriculum and using historical artifacts to advance our understanding of the past. She earned her PhD in history from the University of Texas at Austin and B.A. in history from the University of Miami. Dr. Slair has over seven years of experience as an educator for students ranging from pre-K to college. While attending the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Slair also completed a graduate portfolio in Museum Studies and interned at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. Dr. Slair has worked at several historical institutions including the Black Archives History and Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc. and Austin’s George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center. She spends her free time writing fiction and non-fictional works and exploring nature.
Jason Turner
Education Coordinator
Jason Turner has been utilizing his educational and musical skills for many years. He studied at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA in Communications Studies with a minor in Music Composition. After college, Jason taught and performed music for Seattle Public Schools and also within private schools in the Seattle area. He has conducted and has written original compositions for theater and writes and produces music for recording artists.
Kara Hunter
Grants & Development Coordinator
Kara Hunter utilizes the power of storytelling and relationship-building to inspire individuals and organizations to dig in, learn more, and support community-based programs. With an M.A. in Gender Studies from The School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and 5+ years of fundraising for organizations that feed and house our community and build power in communities of color, she brings a diverse range of development experience and a dedication to holistic and equitable development. Outside of work, Kara spends her time reading and writing science fiction and walking in the woods with her dog.
Imani Gaddy
Social Media Coordinator
Imani Gaddy has used social media over the years to tell compelling stories. She believes in the importance of ensuring audiences locally and globally have the ability to connect with the history, culture and essence of what NAAM offers. Before working with NAAM, Imani worked with companies across the country, big and small to help build their online presence, solidify their relationship with consumers, and to heighten the voice of their brands. Imani is a graduate of Georgia State University where she received her bachelor’s in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Entertainment Media Management.
Eric Salisbury
Project Curator
Eric Salisbury is a multifaceted artist, teacher, designer, muralist, gallerist, and curator. He creates works of art as well as exhibitions that draw responses which range from smiles and giggles to contemplation. His career expands over three decades and his art graces walls, buildings, and homes worldwide.
Board of Directors
Chair: Debbie Bird - Community Volunteer
Vice Chair: Sherry Williams - HealthPoint
Secretary: Janie Hendrix - Authentic Hendrix
Treasurer: Lisa Pascuzzi - UW Medicine
De’Aira Anderson, Seattle Kraken
Ty Cramer, Romerkoff Farms LLC
Kizha Davidson, YWCA Seattle/King/Snohomish
Hong-Nhi Do, Seattle Public Schools
Nick Hailey, Citi Private Bank
Faith McMillion, World Vision USA
Shauna Larson, Rainier Prep
Michael Malone, Hunters Capital
Robert Nellams, Former Director of Seattle Center
Eric Redman, J.D., Aether Fuels Inc.
Sally Richardson, Mozilla
Julian Saint Clair, Ph.D., Loyola Marymount University
Karen Wilkins-Mickey, Seattle Seahawks
Merrie Williamson, Microsoft
Aaron Holloway, J.D., Perkins Coie
Jordan Clark, J.D., Expedia
Nadim Damluji, J.D., Starbucks