Melanie Adams
Melanie Adams | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1969 (age 54–55) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Virginia University of Vermont University of Missouri–St. Louis |
| Occupation | Museum director |
| Organization | Anacostia Community Museum |
Melanie Adams (born 1969) is an American educator and museum administrator. She is director of the Anacostia Community Museum in Washington, D.C., a unit of the Smithsonian Institution, and was named interim director of the yet-to-open Smithsonian American Women's History Museum in July 2023.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Melanie A. Adams was born in 1969, the daughter of a teacher and a librarian, and she grew up in East Hanover, New Jersey.[2][3]
Adams received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and African-American studies from the University of Virginia.[4] She went on to earn a Master of Education degree from the University of Vermont and a doctorate degree in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.[5] Her 2014 doctoral dissertation was titled "Advocating for Educational Equity: African American Citizens' Councils in St. Louis, Missouri from 1864 to 1927".[6]
Professional career
[edit]Adams began her career in higher education working in student affairs at the University of California-Berkeley and California State University-Northridge.[7]
Adams moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1997 after being offered a position in student affairs at Washington University.[3] From 2002 to 2003, Adams served as the executive director for the St. Louis office of Teach for America.[3] She worked as a consultant for community organizations until 2005, when she became managing director for community education and events at the Missouri History Museum;[3] she worked for the Missouri Historical Society until 2016.[8]
She joined the Minnesota Historical Society as deputy director in 2016.[4] She brought her community engagement efforts to create a community outreach department to build relationships with local communities in each of the Society's 26 historic sites and museums.[5]
Adams became director of the Anacostia Community Museum in August 2019, aspiring to create more community-based partnerships in that role.[5][9]
Professional leadership
[edit]She was appointed to the St. Louis Public Schools Special Administrative Board in 2007, working with the community to regain accreditation for the district.[10] She served in that role for nine years.[8]
She served as president of the Association of Midwest Museums from 2014 to 2016.[5]
Adams is currently a member of the board of directors for the American Association for State and Local History.[5]
Notable awards
[edit]- St. Louis NAACP 100 Community Leader, 2009[10]
- Royal Vagabonds Foundation Extraordinary St. Louis Trailblazer, 2014[10]
Bibliography
[edit]- Doyle, Amanda E.; Adams, Melanie A. (2017). Standing up for civil rights in St. Louis. St Louis: Missouri History Museum Press. ISBN 9781883982911. OCLC 979567909.
References
[edit]- ^ Jacobs, Julia (5 Jul 2023). "Director of New Women's History Museum Withdraws, Citing Family Issues". Washington Post.
- ^ "Adams, Melanie A, 1969-". Library of Congress Authorities. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ a b c d Peterson, Deb (20 December 2009). "History Museum director relishes role with St. Louis Public Schools". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ a b McGlone, Peggy (23 May 2019). "Minnesota Historical Society deputy chosen to lead Anacostia Museum". Washington Post. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Melanie Adams Appointed Director of Anacostia Museum". Smithsonian Institution Archives. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ Morrison, David (24 June 2019). "Alumna Melanie Adams brings UMSL experience to new role as director of Anacostia museum". UMSL Daily. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ "Faculty". University of Minnesota Master of Science in Historic Preservation. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ a b Crouch, Elisa (22 August 2016). "Melanie Adams resigns from St. Louis district's Special Administrative Board". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ Kaplan, Joshua. "New Anacostia Community Museum Director Melanie Adams Talks About the Institution's Place in a Changing City". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ a b c McNeir, D. Kevin (2 October 2019). "Melanie Adams Assumes the Helm at Anacostia Community Museum". Washington Informer. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- 1969 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American historians
- University of Virginia alumni
- University of Vermont alumni
- University of Missouri alumni
- People from East Hanover, New Jersey
- African-American museum directors
- Directors of museums in the United States
- Historians from New Jersey
- 21st-century African-American writers
- 20th-century African-American educators
- 20th-century American educators