Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson: A Visionary Leader Transforming the Association of African American Museums Celebrates Six Years
Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson’s leadership has ushered in a transformative era for the Association of African American Museums (AAAM) since her appointment as executive director in 2019 and president and CEO in 2024. Her leadership has driven a 270% surge in membership and generated over $6.5 million in fundraising, achievements of critical importance given the heightened challenges facing Black museums nationwide. AAAM serves as a vital resource as institutions face difficulties with leadership development, sustainability, and funding — disparities starkly revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lonnie G. Bunch III, the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, recognizes Dr. Coleman-Robinson’s impact. “In recent years, AAAM has been more than an Association of African American Museums. It has been a shining light leading museums through challenging and often disturbing times,” he said. “What has made AAAM more effective and more necessary has been Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson’s leadership. She brings a commitment to scholarship, organizational savvy and a courageous spirit that makes her the right leader in a time where leadership and courage are sorely needed.”
Empowering Museum Professionals
Dr. Coleman-Robinson is dedicated to equipping current and emerging museum professionals with the tools needed to preserve African and African American histories. Celebrating her sixth year at the helm, she remains keenly aware of the critical support AAAM members require to navigate the current climate. Working alongside the Board of Directors, she fosters connections between members and industry leaders, provides professional development opportunities, and disseminates grant funding information.
“Dr. Coleman-Robinson’s ability to create strategic alliances, appeal to emerging professionals, and meet the needs of our more seasoned members will continue to solidify the impactful intergenerational legacy of AAAM. She has successfully maximized the organization’s ability to serve as the premier voice for the African American museum movement as we approach our 50th anniversary in a few years,” said Omar Eaton-Martinez, AAAM’s board chair.
For Dr. Coleman-Robinson, her role as AAAM President and CEO goes beyond training museum professionals. She is committed to addressing systemic inequities. Her work emphasizes sustainability, capacity-building for emerging museums, and mentoring the next generation of Black museum leaders. As a historically Black civil rights organization founded in 1978, AAAM is dedicated to achieving these goals through innovative programming, partnerships, and a targeted focus on high-need areas within the museum field.
“Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson maintains her focus on why AAAM exists while implementing impactful and measurable programs to promote institutional growth,” said former AAAM President Lawrence J. Pijeaux, Jr. Ed.D. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, AAAM offered leadership training programs virtually for members. Those meetings included former association presidents and board members who shared their leadership experiences while interacting with program participants. Dr. Coleman-Robinson implemented programs including, but not limited to, internships, executive training partnerships, regranting funds, building partnerships, strengthening collaborations and creating an increased visibility for the association through print and electronic media including other relative sources, all while growing membership and improving the financial position of AAAM. Those efforts and others are pillars of our Association’s institutional development.”
“Two key attributes of organizational leadership are stamina and vision. AAAM is fortunate to have a president and CEO that brings forth both attributes. Dr. Coleman-Robinson’s tireless stamina fuels the strength of AAAM while her expansive vision makes way for its accelerated growth,” said LaNesha DeBardelaben, immediate past chair of AAAM’s board.
Masterful Fundraiser and Strategic Visionary
Hailed by the AAAM Board of Directors as a “masterful fundraiser and strategic visionary,” Dr. Coleman-Robinson has secured several of the organization’s most profound fundraising successes. These include funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to underwrite the AAAM x Howard University School of Business Advanced Leadership Training; $500,000 from The Lilly Endowment, Inc. for capacity building; a three-year $1 million grant from The Mellon Foundation; and a partnership with the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Network to regrant funds to organizations within the network. These efforts have significantly enhanced AAAM’s ability to address the needs of its members while ensuring long-term sustainability. Other initiatives include a National Membership Assessment, a Staffing Needs Assessment for Black Museums, and the development of a four-year strategic plan to address gaps in the museum field. Her unwavering commitment ensures African and African American-focused museums, both nationally and internationally, continue to thrive as vital cultural and educational hubs.
“Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson has been a transformational force in the Black Museum field. Leading the AAAM with confidence, excitement, and industry leading initiatives, she has taken AAAM to new heights,” said Sam Black, past president of AAAM.
She also welcomes industry professionals to AAAM’s annual conference, where attendees find inspiration and a reprieve from the rigor of their work. They value the time to connect with people who have similar experiences and missions, benefit from rejuvenation, and leave with new ideas to advance their missions.
“Our museums mean so much to the continuation of teaching people, especially our children, the history of America. It is very important work that the staff at AAAM has on their shoulders,” said Juanita Moore, past president of AAAM. “The field truly needs people who will continue to work, build, develop and grow our institutions. I want to thank Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson, the AAAM staff, interns and the Board for all of the work they have done to advance the organization.”
Joy Ford Austin served as AAAM’s first executive director from 1980-1987. As Dr. Coleman-Robinson assumed the role in 2019, Austin admired points of evolution for the organization such as the aim to better support African American professionals serving in majority cultural institutions. “I am so proud of Dr. Coleman-Robinson’s achievements over the last six years. I appreciate her graciousness in keeping in touch with me and sharing her contributions to ensuring that museums and museum professionals thrive. Dr. Coleman-Robinson’s strategy, passion, energy and vision have made her an asset to the entire museum community, in the United States and around the world. One of the joys of being the first full-time Executive Director is the sure knowledge that with Dr. Coleman-Robinson’s leadership, the AAAM will continue to thrive,” said Austin.
As AAAM prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2028, the organization is poised for growth and innovation. Dr. Coleman-Robinson’s visionary leadership is not only expanding programming and services but also redefining the role of Black museums in society.
“I had the pleasure of serving as AAAM board president when Dr. Coleman-Robinson was hired as executive director in 2019. She brought an incredible mix of talents and skills to AAAM in a crucial moment of organizational growth and evolution. I have proudly watched as she has increased revenue, membership, and programming across the board and further positioned AAAM as a leader and innovator in the museum field. I offer my congratulations to Dr. Coleman-Robinson on her anniversary and thank her for these years of dedicated service,” said Brian J. Carter, past AAAM board president.
With a focus on advocacy, training, and sustainability, Dr. Coleman-Robinson and AAAM are forging a bold path forward—honoring the rich legacy of African American culture while addressing present and future challenges. To recognize her extraordinary contributions, the AAAM Board plans to honor Dr. Coleman-Robinson.
“Not many people get to see the birth of an organization flower and bloom as the National Association of African American Museums has done under the leadership of Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson,” said John E. Fleming, Ph.D., former past president of the African American Museums Association – to later become under his leadership – the Association of African American Museums. “While not a founding member of what was originally named the African American Museums Association, I count myself among the early leaders of the association. I knew it had the potential of being another association for the study of African American life and history, our premier Black history organization. It also was apparent that Dr. Coleman-Robinson possessed the vision and leadership skills to move the Association of African American Museums to become the premier organization for Black museums. Thank you, Dr. Coleman-Robinson, for all you have done, are doing, and will do for the African American Museums Association.”
About Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson
Before joining AAAM, Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson worked with several museums in the D.C. Metro Area, contributing significantly to their diversity, sustainability, and outreach efforts. Her work included developing diversity plans for boards of directors, visitors, and staff; creating social media fundraising strategies; facilitating stakeholder meetings; and supporting the overall sustainability of various programs and grants. Key accomplishments include:
- African American Civil War Museum: Assisted the National Park Service in acquiring the African American Civil War Monument.
- National Museum of Women in the Arts: Spearheaded an initiative to strengthen relationships between the museum and the African American community in D.C., increasing African American visitation.
- The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture: Assisted with the museum’s opening, co-curated its inaugural community exhibition, and collected materials while fostering relationships across the State of Maryland.
- National Electronics Museum: Increased Board diversity and facilitated the appointment of the museum’s first African American Board member.
- Lord Cultural Resources/National Museum of African American History and Culture: Facilitated national stakeholder meetings with African American professional organizations, including AAAM, in 2008.
- National Park Service State, Tribal and Local Plans and Grants Division: Managed several million dollars in grant funds for programs such as Historically Black Colleges & Universities, African American Civil Rights, Underrepresented Communities, Preserve America, and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and Save America’s Treasures Grants.
