Who We Are

Share

About ABHM

Explore Our Galleries

Risking Everything - We Want to Vote image
Risking Everything: The Fight for Black Voting Rights
A group singing
More Information, Sources and Contributors
illustration of Black men voting in 1867
Voting Rights Post Emancipation and During Jim Crow
Mrs Vel Phillips
Fight For Voting Rights Today 
A nighttime rally outside the Atlantic City Convention Hall
Freedom Summer 
Impromptu Concert
Freedom Summer Music
Father Groppi, a notable Milwaukee pastor and civil rights activist, with children during the 1965 MPS boycott.
Voting Rights in Wisconsin and the Impact of Freedom Schools in Milwaukee

Breaking News!

Today's news and culture by Black and other reporters in the Black and mainstream media.

Ways to Support ABHM?

ABHM is operated by the nonprofit Dr. James Cameron Legacy Foundation. 

The Dr. James Cameron Legacy Foundation Board of Directors:

Michelle Ford, Director of Population Health and Well Being, Alliance for Strong Families and Communities – Board President

 

Dr. Russell Brooker, Professor of Political Science, Alverno College – Treasurer

 

Virgil Cameron, County of Milwaukee (retired) – Secretary

 

Aaron Bledsoe, Communications and Event Coordinator, LISC Milwaukee

 

Reuben Harpole, Bader Philanthropies (retired)

 

Ranjit Singh, Director of Special Education, Milwaukee Public Schools

 

Moshe Katz, Owner, Atid Properties

 

Staff:

See Staff members' bios and headshots below.

Consultants:

See Consultants' bios and headshots below.

 

Bios:

Brad Pruitt

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments Are Welcome

Note: We moderate submissions in order to create a space for meaningful dialogue, a space where museum visitors – adults and youth –– can exchange informed, thoughtful, and relevant comments that add value to our exhibits.

Racial slurs, personal attacks, obscenity, profanity, and SHOUTING do not meet the above standard. Such comments are posted in the exhibit Hateful Speech. Commercial promotions, impersonations, and incoherent comments likewise fail to meet our goals, so will not be posted. Submissions longer than 120 words will be shortened.

See our full Comments Policy here.

2 Comments

  1. Ruth A. Freeman on March 22, 2021 at 7:05 PM

    Are you located in Wisconsin state? Do you have to pay to visit the museum? Are there any discounts for seniors, if a payment is required? Are you currently open today? I saw the video clip about Dr. James Cameron on youtube and I am interested in visiting the museum.

    • dr_fran on April 7, 2021 at 5:18 PM

      Yes, the museum is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Due to covid restrictions, our physical galleries are not open at this time, but will be once it’s safe to gather. The best way to get information about the re-opening is to subscribe to our newsletter, The Griot. See the subscription box on our home page.

Leave a Comment