History of NAAM
1981
The idea of an African American museum housed in the Colman School building is proposed to Mayor Charles Royer by the Community Exchange, a multi-racial coalition.
1984
A Task Force is formed to establish an African American museum.
1985
The previous Colman School was selected to be the home of the museum. African American community activists Earl Debnam, Michael Greenwood, Charlie James, and Omari Tahir Garrett occupy the recently closed Colman School to establish and claim the site as the desired museum location.
1993
A not-for-profit organization called the African American Heritage Museum and Cultural Center is formed. A Board of Directors is selected to oversee the project with Mayor Norman Rice’s office.
2001-2003
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, under the leadership of the Board of Directors and CEO James Kelly, takes on the project and purchases the Colman School building purchased in 2003 from the Seattle School District.
2004-2005
Dr. Carver Gayton is appointed Executive Director and Barbara Earl Thomas is appointed Deputy Director of the Northwest African American Museum.
2006
The Museum gains independence from the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and obtains its own 501(c)3 status.
2008
The Museum opens its doors to the public on March 8, 2008—the realization of a dream 25 years in the making. 36 apartment units open up for affordable housing residents above the museum.
2012
The Museum completes a 5-Year Strategic Plan and adopts a new mission statement:
“NAAM’s mission is to spread knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of the histories, arts, and cultures of people of African descent for the enrichment of all. We accomplish our mission by working with others to: Present and preserve the connections between the Pacific Northwest and people of African descent; and to Investigate and celebrate Black experiences in America through exhibitions, programs, and events.”
2018
The Northwest African American Museum experiences a rebirth as it celebrates its 10th Anniversary upon the arrival of new Executive Director LaNesha DeBardelaben.
2019
NAAM is selected for the first cohort of the Standards and Excellence Program (StEPs) by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the American Association for State and Local History, one of only seven institutions in the country selected for the first cohort.
NAAM is one of 15 museums across the country named a finalist for the National Medal for Museum Service Award given by the Institute for Museum and Library Services. This is the highest award bestowed upon a museum. NAAM is awarded the 2019 Exhibition of the Year Award by the Association of King County Historical Organizations for its Bold as Love: Jimi Hendrix at Home exhibition.
2020
NAAM pivots to virtual and outdoor programming when COVID-19 causes museums to operate differently. NAAM creates brand new programs in 2020 such as its Knowledge is Power Book Giveaway Program, It Takes a Village virtual series, and the Black Education, History, and Heritage Alliance (BEHHA). NAAM moves its other programs virtually such as the Youth Curator Program, Black Santa, and Kwanzaa. Thanks to generous donors, NAAM exceeds its Unity Benefit goal in 2020.
NAAM declares 2021 as its Year of Excellence and Resilience, featuring programs with nationally-renowned thought leaders such as Dr. Eddie Glaude, Dr. Cornel West, and Ilyasah Shabazz (daughter of Malcolm X), among others. NAAM hosts its first ever nine-day Juneteenth Week and debuts its own choir called NAAM’s African American Cultural Ensemble (ACE), the first of its kind in any museum.
2021
NAAM's Youth Curator Program was nominated for a regional Emmy Award and NAAM achieved a record high funds raised for its Unity Benefit of over $900,000.
2022
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, NAAM reopened its building operations for the first time in nearly three years. Activist and acclaimed actor Jesse Williams was the King Day keynote speaker. The MLK Organizing Coalition March landed the march at NAAM for the first time in history. NAAM’s programming wins 2023 Program of the Year by the Association of King County History Organizations for its immense impact.