Presenter

Michigan-native LaNesha DeBardelaben has spent her career in education and museum work. She relocated to Seattle in December 2017 when she was appointed Executive Director of the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) in Seattle. Under LaNesha’s strategic leadership, NAAM is repositioning itself for accelerated growth, community and regional engagement, and national accreditation. Through the hard work of a strong team, they have initiated new impactful partnerships and have expanded NAAM’s educational programming. In 2019, NAAM was one of only 15 museums in the country as a finalist for the nation’s highest and most prestigious award – the 2019 National Medal for Museum Service Award. Additionally, NAAM won the 2019 Exhibition of the Year Award from the Associaiton of King County Historical Organizations for its Bold as Love: Jimi Hendrix at Home exhibtion.

Prior to relocating to Seattle, LaNesha was Senior Vice President of Education & Exhibitions at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan, the nation’s second largest African American museum. Her 15+ year career in museums began at the National Museum of Kenya in Africa, and she has studied museums and libraries internationally in Ghana, South Africa, England, Germany, and Israel.

As a public historian, LaNesha has contributed scholarly writings to national publications. She is the national President of the Association of African American Museums (AAAM) Board of Directors. LaNesha also serves on the national Board of Directors of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and locally she serves on the Board of Directors of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.