Who We Are

Bios:

Brad Pruitt, Interim Executive Director, began work on the museum’s reemergence in 2010, after initially being invited to work on a film exploring Dr. Cameron’s life a few years prior.

For the last decade, Brad (an award winning filmmaker, writer, producer, and director) has been working on the rebuilding of the museum. From early advocate to interim Executive Director, Brad served for an extended period as ABHM's Executive Consultant. He continues to work on varied projects and initiatives, from community relations and engagement to strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational and physical space development.

Cydney Key, Director of Operations

Cydney, an experienced real-estate and non-profit management professional, was hired as Executive Assistant in September of 2018 and was promoted to Director of Operations in March of 2020. As Director of Operations, Cydney oversees all administrative and facilities management, relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and supervises the Operations Staff and Volunteer Coordinator.

Mia Phifer, Education and Research Coordinator

Mia is a Public Historian and Museum Professional who started working on behalf of ABHM as a consultant in September of 2018. In March 2020, she was promoted to Executive Assistant to the President/CEO where she also assisted with developing operations and strategic plans, communications, fund development, and programming. In February 2022, Mia was promoted to Education and Research Coordinator and is currently in charge of creating educational tools for schools, managing logistics of educational programming, researching and implementing traveling exhibits relevant to ABHM, developing and maintaining collaborations with local and professional organizations, and collections management and research.

Rodney Williams, Director of Visitor Services

Rodney, a native of South Carolina, has over fifteen years of experience within the non-profit and community relations field as a former YMCA Program Director and as a law enforcement officer. Rodney was hired as the museum’s first Visitor Services/Membership Coordinator during the historic reopening in February of 2022 and was promoted to Director of Visitor Services in November of 2022. As Director of Visitor Services, Rodney oversees all Visitor Service’s needs, supervises the wonderful Visitor Services Specialist team members, membership, merchandise, daily tours and events, and ensures top-tier facilities to offer a welcoming visitor experience.

Amanda Garry Aliperta, Fund Development Consultant

Amanda is the Founder & Principle of Momentum Nonprofit Strategies, LLC and was hired as ABHM’s Fund Development Consultant in April of 2020. As our Fund Development Consultant, Amanda has helped with the museum’s overall development strategy, including grant writing, donor, corporate, and foundation relations, as well as with our programs.

Kim Eubanks, Human Resources + Volunteer Management Consultant

Kim has worked in the museum field for over 20 years and began volunteering her time and services with ABHM in the summer of 2019. In March of 2020, Kim was hired as the museum’s Human Resources and Volunteer Coordinator Consultant to lead ABHM’s planning, recruitment, training, management, and evaluation process for our volunteers, staff, and consultants.

Dr. Robert Smith, Resident Historian

Dr. Rob has been the resident historian for ABHM, alongside his roles as the Harry G. John Professor of History and the Director of the Center for Urban Research, Teaching & Outreach (CURTO) at Marquette University. Rob's research and teaching interests include African American history, civil rights history, and exploring the intersections of race and law. He has helped further position ABHM as an Academic Center of Excellence by bringing his scholarship to our internal infrastructure and programmatic elements.

Dr. Fran Kaplan, Virtual Museum Coordinator/Consultant

Dr. Fran Kaplan is the Co-Founder and Lead Trainer/Consultant for Nurturing Diversity Partners (NDP). Fran holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and a Master of Social Work. She has spent fifty-five years working against poverty and for social justice and peace locally, nationally, and internationally. She founded ABHM's Virtual Museum and was part of the group of community volunteers who worked to rebirth the physical museum. Fran and NDP continue to manage the America's Black Holocaust virtual Museum. Fran has served as an adult educator, social worker, community organizer, and executive, program, and training director in farmworker rights, women’s healthcare, child protection, parenting education, and public history. Dr. Kaplan and her work were commended in the 2017 U.S. Congressional Record and the National Association of Social Workers’ 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award, among many other honors.

Reggie Jackson, Consulting Griot

Reggie is the Co-Founder and Lead Trainer/Consultant for Nurturing Diversity Partners. He volunteered as ABHM's Head Griot from 2003 to 2008 and was part of the group of community volunteers who worked to reestablish the physical museum. Reggie has been a much sought-after speaker, researcher, and writer for over a decade – regionally and nationally. His work helps institutions and individuals understand how our country’s racial hierarchy developed historically, its impact on our lives today, and how we can realize America’s promise for all citizens. Reggie shares seldom-told stories and facts about the experiences of African-Americans and other peoples of color past and present. His award-winning online column and other writing and speaking provide background on current racial issues to regional, national, and international media.