About AAMP

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In Memory Of...

We are saddened to share the news of the sudden passing of Helen M. Shannon.  Helen was an invaluable member of the AAMP family, having served the museum in many capacities over the course of several years.
​Click here to learn more about Helen Shannon and how you can help keep her legacy going!

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Museum History

Founded in 1976 in celebration of the nation's Bicentennial, the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) is the first institution funded and built by a major municipality to preserve, interpret and exhibit the heritage of African Americans. Throughout its evolution, the museum has objectively interpreted and presented the achievements and aspirations of African Americans from pre-colonial times to the current day.

The museum is committed to telling the story of African Americans in all its permutations: family life, the Civil Rights movement, arts and entertainment, sports, medicine, architecture, politics, religion, law and technology. The AAMP currently houses four galleries and an auditorium, each of which offer exhibitions anchored by one of our three dominant themes: the African Diaspora, the Philadelphia Story, and the Contemporary Narrative.

Our Mission
The African American Museum in Philadelphia brings diverse communities together in greater appreciation of the Black experience through the combined narrative of art, culture and historical witness.

Our Vision
The African American Museum will be an integral asset of the Philadelphia cultural landscape that makes a meaningful impact on visitors’ lives as they experience the stories of people of African descent through art, history and culture.

AAMP Staff

Patricia Wilson Aden
President & CEO

Amber Mays
Assistant to the President & Administrative Manager

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Leonie Alexandre
Vice President of Finance & Administration

James Claiborne
Public Programming Manager

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Ivan Henderson
Vice President of Programming

Dejay Duckett
Director of Curatorial Services

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Gina J. Range
Vice President of External Relations and Development

Cassandra Murray
Group Sales Coordinator

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Jeanette Morton
Education Coordinator

Hannah Wallace
Educational Programming Manager

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Helen Haynes
Grants Manager and Special Projects Coordinator​

Margaret Smyth
Development Coordinator

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Kysha Williamson
Staff Accountant

Richard Watson
Exhibitions Manager / Artist in Residence

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Melvin Waites
Security / Maintenance Manager

John Waites
Security / Maintenance

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Larry Kemmer
Maintenance Associate

Marcia Gray
Gallery Guide

Board of Directors

Officers
Kevin D. Nesbitt, Chair
Sabrina Brooks, Vice Chair
Patrick Oates, Ph.D., Vice Chair
Jonathan Saidel, Esq., Treasurer
Sabrina Brooks, Secretary (Interim)

President & CEO
Patricia Wilson Aden

Directors
Todd Agostini
Stephanie Mays Boyd
Samantha F. Butts, MD, MSCE
Brian Cohen
Leslie P. Graves
Shawn Hendricks
Michael G. Horsey, CPA
Melanie Johnson
Adé Lawal
Lisa D. Love, Esq.
Cheryl McClenney-Brooker
Samuel F. Quartey, DPM
Mustafa L. Rashed
Donn G. Scott**
Marciarose Shestack
Samuel Staten, Jr.
Rick Staub
Lowell L. Thomas, Esq.
Roberta Torian, Esq.
Joseph S. Zuritsky

Ex-Officio Members
Sandra Dungee Glenn
Obra S. Kernodle, IV
Linda Waters Richardson

Chairmen Emeritus**
Harold T. Epps
Michael B. Hill 
Ernest Jones, Esq.
M. Claire Lomax, Esq.
Carl E. Singley, Esq.

Founder
Clarence Farmer