Shakia Gullette Warren
Executive Director, Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
Shakia Gullette Warren is an experienced museum professional with in-depth knowledge as a public historian and community engagement specialist. Warren obtained her Bachelor of Arts in History from Fisk University in Nashville, TN, and has been a public historian for over ten years. During her tenure in the museum field, she has received recognition from The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), the Association of Midwest Museums, the Museum on Main Street, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. She has initiated and managed numerous projects throughout the country, significantly contributing to preserving the under-told stories of African Americans.
She brings her passion for community engagement to connect communities to the museums and historic sites where she works. Shakia believes museums should be places of learning, exploration, and inspiration, and she has been credited with bringing this atmosphere to the institutions she has led. Her north star is equity and fostering a workplace of trust, honesty, and integrity. Shakia champions museum education/exhibitions and works to ensure that museum visitors can see themselves in the rich historical tapestry and culture that museums offer. She has been featured in the book Women | Museums: Lessons from the Workplace, a collection of stories from inspiring women in the museum field. Her commitment to museums made Shakia a nationally recognized leader for her dynamic public engagement work.
In addition, Shakia has been instrumental in developing the African American History Initiative at the Missouri Historical Society in St. Louis, Missouri, and served as its inaugural director. During her tenure as the African American History Initiative director, Shakia created the groundbreaking intergenerational program series How Did We Get Here: Conversations about Race, Anti-Blackness, and Identity. Before her work in St. Louis, she was Curator of Exhibitions for the Banneker-Douglass Museum in Annapolis, MD, where she created numerous exhibitions highlighting Maryland’s African American history and culture, including “Untold Stories: Athletes of Maryland’s Four Historically Black Colleges and Universities” which collectively showcased the often-neglected importance of HBCU sports history.
Warren has received numerous awards and recognition throughout her career, including being named to the St. Louis American’s Salute to Young Leaders 25 African American Leaders Under 40 and is a Focus St. Louis, CORO Women in Leadership member. She is also an active member of the Association of African American Museums, the Seminar for Historical Administration (SHA, now History Leadership Institute), the American Association for State and Local History, and the National Association of Interpretation (Certified Interpretive Guide). Additionally, she was selected to participate as an inaugural cohort member of the Association of African American Museums and Howard University School of Business Advanced Executive Training Program for museum leaders. Shakia is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc. and enjoys spending time with her loving husband Gerald, family, and friends.