#aaam

Love did win after all!

Photo: Gathering of Pioneers, Detriot, 1978, Courtesy of the Archives and Research Library of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

In Detroit in 1978, leaders of African American Museums, including Chicago's Margaret Burroughs (seated, center), and the Smithsonian's John Kinard (standing, second from left), formed the African American Museum Association, later renamed the Association of African American Museums (AAAM). Today, AAAM serves the interests and needs of black museums and cultural institutions around the world.

Photo: The state of the African American and African Diaspora museum field, convenings, 2017.

The services provided by AAAM enhance the ability of those museums to serve the needs and interests of persons of African Ancestry and those who wish to know more about the art, history, and culture of African –derived communities. Association member organizations include cultural organizations, historical societies, and museums that collect, preserve, and exhibit objects valuable to art, history, and science, in addition to educational institutions, research agencies, and cultural centers which promote the shared cultural history of this field.

AAAM works as an advocate for the interests of its membership, and seeks to strengthen member institutions through improved communication, shared resources, training, annual conferences, technical aid and assistance, and through fund raising guidance. The Association also provides services supportive for the professional needs of its membership through newsletters, placement bureaus, networking opportunities, and professional development.

Our Museum is honored to host the AAAMs 39th Annual Conference from July 31–Aug. 4th. This conference brings together over 500 leaders of African American and African-descent museums and cultural centers from across the country, the Caribbean and Latin America to engage in a series of academic sessions, speakers, authors’ dialogues and visits to cultural institutions around the Washington area.