Statement from Dr. Vedet Coleman-Robinson, President & CEO, Association of African American Museums
The Oakland Museum of California, a valued institutional member of AAAM, is part of our extended museum family. Today, we stand in solidarity with them following the heartbreaking theft of more than a thousand irreplaceable artifacts—most of which were generously donated. These were not merely collection items; they were living testaments to history—stories, memories, and legacies entrusted to museum professionals to safeguard for future generations. Their loss is deeply felt across the field, reminding us all of the sacred responsibility we carry to protect our shared cultural heritage.
AAAM stands ready to support our colleagues in Oakland and to amplify the importance of preservation, security, and community vigilance within the museum sector. Together, we reaffirm our collective commitment to honor, protect, and preserve the histories that define us.