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