Association of African American Museums

Association of African American Museums A non-profit member organization established to support African and African American focus museums. Visit our website at www.blackmuseums.org.

A special congratulations to all of our AAAM2026 awardees! Your leadership, service, scholarship, and commitment to our ...
09/01/2026

A special congratulations to all of our AAAM2026 awardees! Your leadership, service, scholarship, and commitment to our field continue to inspire us.

We’re sharing a quick rewind of a few moments that made AAAM2026 so special. There’s much more to come!

This Land Holds Our Stories.

- Swearing in of Tamar Smithers-Diakhi, MBA as Board Chair
- Swearing in of re-elected and newly elected Board Members: Shakia Gullette Warren, Kamila Pritchett, Regina Bain, Xavier Buck, Ph.D.
- Museum Leadership Award - Michelle Lanier
- Bill Billingsley Volunteer Award - Hezekiah Watkins
- Pace Setter Award - Kyra March & Stacey Watson
- Burroughs-Wright Fellows - Melaine Ferdinand-King, Ph.D. & Mekhi DeLeon
- John & Marjorie Kinard Award - Fred Gray (accepted by Dr. Joy Kinard)
- Proclamation for Dr. Elizabeth Clark-Lewis provided by the Trust for Public Land and presented by Jocelyn Imani

Our Awards Committee was led by Board Members, Robert T. Parker and Dr. Melanie Adams - along side Tara Morrison and before becoming a Board Member, Dr. Xavier Buck was a AAAM member serving the organization in this important role! Thank you for your service!

IMAGES PROVIDED BY Megapixels Media

August 28: A Day in the Life of a PeopleThe Association of African American Museums is proud to partner with the Nationa...
08/29/2026

August 28: A Day in the Life of a People

The Association of African American Museums is proud to partner with the National Museum of African American
History and Culture (NMAAHC) and award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay to
celebrate the museum’s 10th anniversary with a special screening of August 28: A Day
in the Life of a People.

We invite you to join us on tonight via the AAAM website at 9:15 pm ET for this meaningful event.

Created by acclaimed writer and director Ava DuVernay, August 28: A Day in the Life of
a People was originally commissioned by NMAAHC in 2016 as part of the museum& #39;s
grand opening experience. The film explores six pivotal moments in Black history that
all occurred on the same date, August 28, illuminating the resilience, struggle,
achievement, and transformation that have shaped the African American experience.
As NMAAHC celebrates ten years of preserving and sharing African American history
and culture, the museum is bringing this powerful film beyond its walls for a limited
series of screenings across the country. Through this special anniversary initiative,
communities nationwide are invited to reflect on the stories that connect our past,
present, and future.

This screening is part of NMAAHC’s 10th anniversary celebration, Welcome Home:
Our Legacy Continues; which honors those who helped build the museum and
welcomes all who have found inspiration, connection, and belonging through its work
over the past decade.

Refer to the link below for additional information and to view the video:

https://blackmuseums.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-people/

Congratulations to AAAM’s Re-Elected and Newly Elected Board Members!The Association of African American Museums proudly...
08/24/2026

Congratulations to AAAM’s Re-Elected and Newly Elected Board Members!

The Association of African American Museums proudly recognizes the leaders elected by our membership to serve on the AAAM Board of Directors.

RE-ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS
• Tamar Smithers-Diakhi — Incoming Chair
• Shakia Gullette Warren — Interim Vice Chair
• Kamila Pritchett — Secretary

NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS
• Regina Bain
• Dr. Xavier Buck
• Andre Taylor

We thank each of these leaders for their commitment to AAAM, our members, and the institutions and communities we serve. Their experience, vision, and willingness to lead will help strengthen the Association as we continue advancing the work of African American museums and cultural institutions across the country.

Please join us in congratulating our re-elected and newly elected Board members as they begin this next chapter of service and leadership.

Learn more about the AAAM Board of Directors:
https://blackmuseums.org/board-of-directors/

PLEASE JOIN US IN GIVING THE AAAM TEAMA ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR EXECUTING ANOTHER STELLAR YEAR!!!!! Thank you for making ...
08/24/2026

PLEASE JOIN US IN GIVING THE AAAM TEAM
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR EXECUTING ANOTHER STELLAR YEAR!!!!!

Thank you for making AAAM2026 a powerful and SOLD OUT success.

As we close out this year’s conference, we extend our sincere appreciation to our Board of Directors, Host Committee - led by the African American Museum in Philadelphia -, Sponsors, Speakers, Guests, and Attendees for helping to make this gathering such a memorable and meaningful experience.

Your support, leadership, partnership, and presence helped make AAAM2026 a true celebration of our field and our community.

The AAAM office is now closed August 24–28, 2026, and will reopen on August 31, 2026.

Thank you again for helping us make Philadelphia unforgettable.

Thank you to Quatrefoil Associates for sponsoring our photo booth! It was a blast!

08/22/2026

Thank you to our Host Committee Museum, African American Museum in Philadelphia, under the leadership of Dr. Ashley Jordan,
for curating a spectacular experience for our AAAM2026 conference with receptions which were BAR NONE, tours that were absolutely fantastic, and a Closing Plenary which was out of this world! We are thankful to our Host Committee for bringing all of the LOVE that Philadelphia had to offer to make this year’s conference a SOLD OUT EVENT!

Okay, we heard you. 😂 Everybody is tired of the AI-generated flyers… so we took it back to pen and paper! ✍🏾But the mess...
08/17/2026

Okay, we heard you. 😂 Everybody is tired of the AI-generated flyers… so we took it back to pen and paper! ✍🏾

But the message is VERY real:

🚨 AAAM2026 OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT ON AUGUST 9, 2026! 🚨

We have reached capacity, and NO registrations will be sold at the door.

Philadelphia, we hope you’re ready because the Association of African American Museums is coming — and we’re bringing a SOLD-OUT conference with us!

📍 Philadelphia, PA
📅 August 19–21, 2026

To everyone registered: pack your bags, bring your museum gear, and get ready. We’re taking over Philly!

For conference information and updates, visit blackmuseums.org.

Questions? [email protected]

Discover Philadelphia Beyond the Conference!The Association of African American Museums is excited to share a collection...
08/10/2026

Discover Philadelphia Beyond the Conference!

The Association of African American Museums is excited to share a collection of Conference Excursions thoughtfully curated by our AAAM2026 Host Committee to showcase the rich history, culture, and spirit of Philadelphia.

These experiences were originally made available to registered conference attendees. However, in the true spirit of brotherly and sisterly love, we are delighted to extend the opportunity to our AAAM friends and family as well.

Join us for the Black Philadelphia Neighborhood Experience, Bougie, Boozy, Book Club, or Sunday Service at the historic Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church. Each experience offers a unique opportunity to connect with the city, its history, and one another.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today. We look forward to exploring Philadelphia with you!

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE: https://blackmuseums.org/aaam2026-excursions/

We're excited to announce that AAAM2026 is officially SOLD OUT! Thanks to your incredible support, we have reached full ...
08/10/2026

We're excited to announce that AAAM2026 is officially SOLD OUT! Thanks to your incredible support, we have reached full conference capacity, and there will be no on-site registration in Philadelphia.

This milestone reflects the continued growth and impact of the museum and cultural field and the extraordinary commitment of the AAAM community.
Thank you to our members, Board of Directors, Host Committee, sponsors, presenters, exhibitors, and volunteers for making this a record-breaking conference.

We look forward to welcoming everyone to Philadelphia, August 19–21, for an unforgettable AAAM2026! Safe travels, and we'll see you soon!

WATCH THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO:
https://youtu.be/3nfiwEyRDsU

History is Under Pressure. Are Our Institutions Ready?Join us for the AAAM2026 Opening Plenary:History Under Pressure: ...
08/07/2026

History is Under Pressure. Are Our Institutions Ready?

Join us for the AAAM2026 Opening Plenary:

History Under Pressure: The Future of Black Institutions in an Era of Public Scrutiny

📅 August 19
🕞 3:30 PM ET
📍 Philadelphia, PA

Hear from nationally recognized museum and advocacy leaders as they discuss how Black institutions can navigate today's challenges, strengthen public trust, and lead with purpose.

Featuring Desmond Bertrand-Pitts, Dr. Tonya Matthews, Dr. Jocelyn Imani, Kamau Marshall, and moderated by Shakia Gullette Warren.

Don't miss this powerful conversation as we kick off AAAM2026! Register Today: https://blackmuseums.org/aaam2026-conference/

Strong careers are built through meaningful relationships.Join the AAAM Emerging Museum Professionals (EMP) for Building...
07/29/2026

Strong careers are built through meaningful relationships.

Join the AAAM Emerging Museum Professionals (EMP) for Building Meaningful Mentorships, an engaging webinar exploring the power of mentorship in career growth, authentic relationship building, and professional networking.

Hear from Dr. Synatra Smith and Kyra March as they share their experiences and practical insights, followed by a live Q&A. Whether you're just beginning your museum career or looking to expand your professional network, this conversation is for you.

🗓 Tuesday, August 12
🕖 7:00 p.m. ET
Register today:
https://blackmuseums.org/aaam2026-emp-zoomevent/

The event is free; however, registration and an active AAAM student or emerging museum professional membership is required? Not a member, become one today: https://lnkd.in/db9-gZna

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