HU Museum Director Elected President of African American Museums Association

Hampton, VA - Hampton University Museum Director Vernon S. Courtney was recently elected president of the Association of African American Museums (AAAM). Courtney was installed as the president at the 2007 AAAM Annual Conference, which was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Birmingham, Ala., on Aug. 29-Sept. 1.

Courtney’s long history with African-American museums and artwork makes him a well-qualified candidate for the position. He has been a member of the AAAM since 1987 and was formerly the director of the National African American Museum and Cultural Center located in Wilberforce, Ohio. Courtney received his AB degree and M.Ed. from Harvard and Pennsylvania State University, respectively. At Pennsylvania State, Courtney also completed doctoral coursework in higher education administration. He became the director of the Hampton University Museum in May 2007.

AAAM is a non-profit member organization established to support African and African-American focused museums nationally and internationally, as well as the professionals who protect, preserve and interpret African and African American art, history and culture. In 2008, AAAM will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Chicago, Ill.

Courtney said he is dedicated to the future of AAAM. “I hope over the next two years to significantly increase membership in the organization. I also want to strengthen professional services provided by the organization to its members and member museums.”

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For more information contact Yuri Milligan @ (757) 727-5253 or email yuri.milligan@hamptonu.edu.