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ISSUE 1

African American Museums: Financial & Programmatic Sustainability

The beginningsof Heritage Salon

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Editor’s Letter Greetings & Welcome to the Preview Issue of Heritage Salon Magazine.

Heritage Salon Magazine is dedicated to the African American Museum Culture. It offers readers an opportunity to learn about museums, cultural institutions and historic homes/sites that are very much in need of exposure and support as they continue to bring art, culture and history to society. We hope to retain the spirit and thirst for supporting these institu-tions through interviews, discussions and feature articles. Heritage Salon will hopefully introduce people and enhance other’s knowledge about museums and cultural institutions.

Heritage Salon Magazine is an indepen-dently published magazine, which started as a dream to change the face of the museum world with support to African American Museums. We believe that through this publication, more people will be interested in visiting museums, becoming museum professionals and possibly donating to these entities. Our society is constantly changing and in order to sustain our beloved institutions, support is needed.

On the cover of this magazine, you will find a photo of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and the Mary McLeod Bethune Founda-tion, home of Dr. Bethune. It is here that I had one of my first opportunities to work in the museum field. There is also a photo of the Malcolm X Homesite, where I pursued some of my initial research and studies in the field. I chose these photos to pay homage to my beginnings in this career.

As you read the preview issue of the magazine you will learn about Heritage

Salon and how it began, an article about sustaining museums, and spotlights on a cultural institution and a museum professional. Soon there will be a full issue of Heritage Salon; I urge you to join our mailing list (subscribe@heritagesalon.com) to ensure you continue to receive the magazine. I would love to hear your ideas, suggestions and stories, please email me at: editor@heritagesalon.com

I want to thank you for taking the time to read this issue and hope you enjoy reading what has become my passion, my love and life’s work!

With Museum Love,

Jada Wright-Greene Founder, Editor & Publisher

I later discovered I was the first African-American to graduate from the program. I felt excited and very disappointed at the same time. How could I be the only one to graduate from this program? Where were all of the African Americans in the museum studies field? I thought about my job at the time with the Michigan Historical Museum and how I saw no more than three African- Americans a week in the museum, except for school groups.

After graduation, I moved to Detroit, Michigan, confident that I would land a dream job in a museum. For approximately six years, I networked, sent resumes, went on interviews, to no avail. I spent fourteen years at non-profit organizations and a short time at a Living Museum. I persistently noted that there were not many African-Americans in the museum field, nor as visitors to museums, or even as students in the museum studies program. I felt strongly compelled to create a way for people to be attracted to museums, cultural institutions and historic homes/sites. I was not in my dream job in a museum, but I had to create a way to get this message out.

In April 2009, my vision for Heritage Salon began to take shape: a “promenade” through the African American Museum Culture, manifested as a blog/website. I was thrilled when friends were excited about my new venture, but even moreso when individuals in the museum field began to send me compliments about the site, also. After three successful years with the blog, I felt I needed to do more, to get more people to see what I was doing. With the encouragement of my husband, friends and family, I decided Heritage Salon would be published into a magazine. I had to show the world what I was doing in a hard copy way and take people from the everyday world into the African American Museum and cultural institution world. I had to do more than just write about it on my website and “tweet” about it on Twitter. I wanted to give people a visually stimulating and editorially driven content magazine that would increase interest in these fields, from museum professionals to everyday visitors.

And so. . .welcome to the preview issue of Heritage Salon!

In 1995 I arrived on the campus of Bethune-Cookman (College) University as a freshman. After the first week of classes I visited the Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation, home of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. There was something inside of me that was very attracted to the home. I can remember the scent of the books, the vintage chairs and her black dress. I could always feel her spirit when I walked in the home and a lot of days when I was alone in the home. Even as a 16-year-old I knew that I had to work at this home, to embrace the rich history and spirit of Dr. Bethune in my daily life! It was something surely needed in my life at that point. I began working there not understanding the deep passion for historic homes and museums that I possessed and was developing. I spent three years volunteering there under the leadership of Mrs. Helen Bronson, who was like a godmother to me. I worked at the Foundation during every free moment I had. Mrs. Bronson tells the story of how I continued to arrive at the Foundation, day after day, with no schedule, but just being so drawn to this enchanted place in my mind.

I graduated from Bethune-Cookman, and my time of working at the Foundation came to a close. At that point, I decided to follow my parent’s dream for me and enroll in law school. However, after three terms of law school, I had very little contact with the outside world and was filled with despair. I decided to withdraw from law school and instead, enrolled in the master’s program of Urban & Regional Planning at Michigan State University. Within weeks of beginning the program, I researched different careers and came upon historic preservation and museum studies.

I began to spend hours upon hours researching everything I could about these topics. I woke up day and night, driving my car and eating thinking about museums, historic homes and history. I located the Museum Studies Department at Michigan State University and knew I had to enroll IMMEDIATELY! I had to incorporate this subject in my curriculum, but I just did not know how. As I drove home one day, I decided to gather the department head of my Master’s program and the department head of the Museum Studies program in order to have these courses integrated for my completion of the program. I was successful and graduated as the first African-American with a Master’s Degree in Urban & Regional Planning and a Museum Studies Certificate.

Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation

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I had a constant battle about what I wanted to write about as it relates to a feature article for this preview issue. I realized that I needed to dedicate and pay homage to the people that I have encountered along this journey to beginning Heritage Salon (Homage), people that have assisted me in my efforts (Gratitude) and museum leaders that I hope to feature in the full publication of the magazine (Aspiration).

Homage: I must pay homage to Mrs. Helen Bronson, who led the Bethune Foundation, home of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, where I worked tirelessly during my college years. Ms. Margaret Symonette took over the reign over the home and has continuously carried the torch that provides visitors the opportunity to feel Dr. Bethune’s spirit.

Gratitude: Ms. Juanita Moore, President of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and Dr. Tara White, a scholar and expert in the museum field, both have guided me through the professional world of museums. Their support and candid advice as I attempt to change the museum field has been invaluable in my journey. Most recently, I have held several conversations with Ms. Ramona Bass-Kolobe and Ms. Brenda Bell Brown who have both enlightened me with the spirit of the Black Museum Movement and guided me to understand how to progress in publishing this magazine. I am forever grateful to these

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Scurlock Studio Records, Archives Center,

National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

(Source: http://www.cpnas.org/aahp/biographies/bethune-mary-mcleod.html)

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History - Detroit, MI

Photo courtesy of Quick Fix, Wikimedia Commons

Juanita Moore, President & CEO Charles H. Wright Museum of African

American History - Detroit, MI

women for imparting their knowledge and wisdom to me.

Aspiration: I now must share that I aspire to hold conversations and interviews with several people that I believe are leaders and trailblazers in the field. The first person on my list is Dr. Rowena Stewart, whom I consider to be the Mother of the Black Museum Movement. Her groundbreaking leadership in the field has paved the way for many, many current museum directors, CEO’s and Presidents of institutions in the nation. Dr. Lonnie Bunch is next on the list for his work towards bringing to reality a national museum dedicated to African-American History & Culture. Next, Ms. Thelma Golden, who brings groundbreaking exhibitions and worldwide attention to The Studio Museum in Harlem. Ms. Golden’s interview on The Black List, a television program featured on HBO, left me inspired. These remarkable people I pay homage, give gratitude and aspire to bring their voice to Heritage Salon.

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Sustainability and museums is a topic that I have tackled in my mind repeatedly. I have touched on the issue in the blog version of Heritage Salon. My initial thoughts on how museums can stay viable include the raising of sufficient funds, the commit-ment to unique programming and keeping these institutions accessible to the public for many years to come.

From my observation of the many events, emails and letters I receive in the mail, museums that are focused on African American history, culture or art are soliciting my money or the money of a potential donor for their institutions. Not only are they asking for funds directly, but they are also holding gala events to raise these funds. They are attaching celebrities to their events to gain even more support from their community.

When tackling the issue of sustainability and museums, I must discuss the uniqueness of programming that is needed. As I visit several websites of museums, I am excited to learn about all of the new and exciting programs that are being presented by museums. The entrepreneurial spirit that these institu-tions are bringing is assisting in the security of the museums sustaining themselves. The Houston Museum of African-American Culture has partnered with the African-American Film Releasing Movement to bring indie films to their local community. Other examples include using well-known celebri-ties as spokespersons for upcoming programs, displaying their artifacts from their personal collections (Chris Webber Collection at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan) and honoring their work in the community.

It is imperative that these types of partnerships and presen-tations of collections are intertwined in the programming of African American institutions in order to bring about change and new audiences. In the ever-changing world of technology and reality television, museums are competing to gain new patrons. In order to capture the minds of individuals we have to incorporate the historical and contemporary in order to be competitive. These young professional groups also raise funds for the museums through events, parties and activities that center around their friends and colleagues. The creation of these groups fulfills the challenge of making young people aware of these institutions and their legacy. Through events, parties and activities that center around their friends and colleagues.

I recently received notice that the Association of African American Museums (AAAM), a professional association providing support to African American Museums, will be addressing this issue in their 2013 conference.

There is currently a call for proposals for the conference that include, strategies for fundraising, defining board and trustee fundraising, the need to instill a business culture in museums and how to develop budgets for operations, programs, exhibits and collections management.

Reading this call for proposals from the AAAM gives me the answer I am searching for. Museums and Sustainability are an issue for African American institutions. I am thrilled about the association talking about this very important topic. Through Heritage Salon Magazine, I want to assist African American Museums, Cultural Institutions and Historic homes/sites and am open to dialogue through emails, phone calls and other contri-butions to this magazine. There will be a great conversation occurring in August of 2013 about the same thing I have been thinking since 2009 when I began Heritage Salon. I am excited that these institutions will be taking a thorough look at sustain-ability. How do we engage our board, how to develop budgets, defining roles for leadership?

To my beloved African American Museums, Cultural Institutions & Historic Homes/Sites I urge you to attend this conference in 2013 and I urge my readers of this article to stay tuned for an answer to museums and sustainability in the African American Museum Culture.

To learn more about the Association of African American Museums and the conference in August 2013 visit www.blackmuseums.org

Association of African American Museums

www.blackmuseums.org

The Business of Museums: Making Our Institutions Sustainable

Association of African American Museums Annual Conference

August 7 - 10 2013

Charlotte, North Carolina

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture

T he center was created from the vision of Bertha Maxwell, an associate professor at the University

of North Carolina (UNCC) at Charlotte and Mary Harper, an assistant professor of English at UNCC. There was a need to preserve the city of Charlotte’s historical legacy. The two ladies joined forces with the support of UNCC President Bonnie E. Cone to form a cultural center. They collaborated with elected offices and other leaders in the community to found the Afro-American Cultural Center (AACC). With the spirit of UNCC, the center provided the public with access to African-American Culture through exhibitions, presentations in the performing arts and educa-tional programs. Since it began in 1974 with the visionaries’ tireless efforts, the center has grown to unpredicted levels. In October 2009, the center opened as the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture. It was named in honor of Harvey B. Gantt, a prominent leader, business man, and trailblazer as the first African-American student admitted to Clemson University and former Mayor of Charlotte.

The Gantt Center’s President & CEO David Taylor states, “With our current exhibition ‘America I AM: The African-American Imprint’, we have seen the largest amount of visitors to the Gantt Center and we are still excited and anticipate even more visitors before it ends on January 1, 2013. We will further build on this with the dynamic upcoming exhibi-tions we have planned for 2013 which will continue to engage the community and visitors to the center.”

We salute the Harvey B. Gantt Center for presenting, preserving and celebrating African-American art, history and culture through their exhibitions, programs, theatre productions and community outreach. We also look forward to the Gantt Center hosting the 2013 Association of African American Museums Association conference. For more infor-mation please visit www.ganttcenter.org. Like on Facebook at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture and Follow on twitter @HBGanttCenter.

Dr. Tara Y. WhiteDr. Tara White hails from Montgomery, Alabama where she attended Sidney Lanier High School. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she was heavily involved in campus activities including student government, community service and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Dr. White furthered her graduate studies with a Master’s degree in history museum studies and concluded her students at Middle Tennessee State University where she earned a Ph.D. in public history where she received the Thelma Jennings Graduate Award. Since 1994, Dr. White has worked in a number of history museums and historic sites in various capacities including serving as the site director for the Alabama State Capitol & the Montgomery Greyhound Bus Station of the Alabama Historical Commission. Other institutions include the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture at Alabama State University, National Museum of American History, Genesee Country Village and Museum, The History Channel, Heritage Philadel-phia, Heritage New York, Sloss Furnaces, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

While at the State Capitol she assisted in the plans of the Freedom Rides Museum at the bus station. Her teaching experience includes history and African-American Studies and currently she is a faculty member at Wallace Community College Selma. She also was ordained as a minister at Sword of the Spirit Ministries in Montgomery, Alabama. She founded Ropheka Ministries where she has created several ministries empowering young girls and the

spiritual needs of women.

She has served as a panelist at numerous confer-ences and as a consultant, lecturer, and guest speaker for a variety of local history organizations, museums, and universities in the areas of 20th century southern and women’s history, African-American history and culture, museum develop-ment and planning and interpretive planning.

When asked about her concerns for African American museums & cultural institutions she responded, “I am always concerned about what is being collected and how certain communities, especially African-Americans, are represented in archival and museum collections. What will be here when we are no longer here and the stories that these things will tell people about us. How complete will that story be? What will people in the 25th century be able to conclude about 20th and 21st century African-Americans based on the evidence that archivists and curators have accumulated at these repositories? “

Her commitment and dedication to the industry is invaluable to our mission in this field.

Heritage Salon Spotlight

Dr. Tara Y. White

Highlighting Museums, Cultural Institutions, Historic Homes/Sites and Museum Professionals

Harvey B. Gantt Center Exhibitions 2013• IGotFreedomUpOverMyHead:Portraits

by Julie Moos, Photographs from the Bank of America Collection

• JonathanGreen:SpiritualJourneyofLife

• DavidHerman:EtchedintheEyes

• ISeeYou

• HankWillisThomas,ChrisJohnsonincollaboration with Bayeté Ross Smith and Kamal Sinclair Thomas: Question Bridge: Black Males

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

Photos courtesy of Harvey B. Gantt Center

Stephen Hayes: Cash Crop

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Thank you to the Heritage Salon Magazine Preview Issue Donors:

Darryl Wright-GreenePhillip & Gwendolyn GreeneAaron & Afa DworkinDiane GrantTonya Brown-ReevesJohn MadisonLinda JohnsonAndre & Doris DowellSamuel SuraphelTracey WebbAnonymous DonorMay YangMr. & Mrs. Hugh Scott & FamilyRetired Judge Johnny Butler

Special Thanks to:Michelle May (www.michellemay.net), Copy Editor

Katrina Brown, Editor-in-Chief & Staff of City Talk Magazine

If you are interested in advertising please email your request to: advertise@heritagesalon.com

To subscribe email your request to subscribe@heritagesalon.com

If you are interested in donating to Heritage Salon Magazine, please visit our website at www.heritagesalon.com or contact us at: donate@heritagesalon.com

To contact the editor or if you would like to be a freelance writer, please email Jada Wright-Greene at editor@heritagesalon.com

Heritage Salon Magazine is a non-profit organization dedicated to the African American Museum Culture. Its mission is to expose the cache of African American museums, cultural institutions and historic homes/sites, through educating audiences, engaging more African Americans in the museum profession and increasing museum patrons to these institutions.

Heritage Salon Magazine Post Office Box 683228 Houston, Texas 77268-3228 Tel: 281-215-3361 Website: www.heritagesalon.com Email: info@heritagesalon.com

Endorsed by:Association of African American Museums Association for the Study of African American Life & History

Generously Supported by: Houston Museum of African American Culture

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