Malika Polk-Lee
Executive Director, B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center
Malika Polk-Lee first came to the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in 2012 as its chief administrative officer. Her strong background in corporate management was beneficial in her role of overseeing daily operations of the museum, which included financial reporting, personnel, purchasing, strategic planning, the development of education and outreach programs, and fundraising and donor development. After the departure of the museum’s executive director in 2015, Malika was the choice to step into that position.
As the current executive director, she ensures local programming excellence while maintaining the high quality of exhibits that welcome visitors from all over the world. She understands that service to the residents of the area is vital, and that it helps build a stronger community as well as offering guests a richer experience in the museum and the Mississippi Delta as a whole.
She has the ability to find, develop, and retain staff members that share her passion for carrying on the legacy of B.B. King through events and educational programs. She was fortunate to get to know Mr. King before his death in 2015, and she is now responsible for working with the board of directors, architects, and grantors to plan and implement the Memorial Garden, his final resting place on the museum grounds.
Malika holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science from Mississippi State University and a Master of Business Administration from Delta State University. She is currently serving on the board of AAAM on the Executive Council as Member-At-Large (a new position created to support members) and is in her second year as Chair of the Governance Committee.
Malika is active in the Indianola community through service organizations including Rotary Club, where she is program chair. She also gives back through her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, having chaired several committees including Fundraising and Environmental Ownership.
She is married to Gerald Lee and they have one daughter, London.
Malika currently serves AAAM as an Executive Committee member in the position of Member-At-Large and is also the Chair of the Governance Committee.