Urban League President/CEO Marc H. Morial to lead National Advisory Committee
The New Orleans African American Museum of Art, History and Culture (NOAAM) recently announced the formation of its National Advisory Committee, chaired by Marc H. Morial, president/CEO of the National Urban League and former mayor of New Orleans.
“I am extremely proud of the opportunity to be part of an effort to revive NOAAM. It was with great pride that we initiated and created the NOAAM during my days as mayor of our beloved city. Now, we must bring it back better than ever,” says Morial.
Advisory committee members include Arthel Neville, Jackie Harris, Lolis Eric Elie and Arthur Lewis, among other notable leaders organized with NOAAM Board Chairman Michael Griffin and Executive Director and Chief Curator Gia M. Hamilton.
NOAAM also recently kicked off a $15 million capital campaign to support redevelopment of its campus, honoring the late Leah Chase (creole cuisine chef, art patron and collector), her family and the Chase Family Foundation by establishing the Leah Chase Gallery in the Villa Meilleur (main house) which will showcase the museum’s permanent collection, and establishment of the Paving Our Way Home Brick Campaign.
The New Orleans African-American Museum of Arts reopened its doors last April with the unveiling of its offices, and a gallery and event space at 1417 Gov. Nicholls St. The museum had been closed for six years. And the capital campaign is designed to raise funds for the restoration of the main campus of the museum, including the Treme Villa Meilleur, the nearly 200-year-old mansion considered the jewel of the facilities.
“The NOAAM project is very important for city, and specifically highlights the significance of the Tremé neighborhood’s role in our unique history,” says Mark Romiq, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for New Orleans & Company, the tourism industry’s marketing arm. “The New Orleans Tourism community is fully behind the effort to bring this much needed exhibit space to our city. We have the opportunity to tell the story of resilience and determination.”
The first phase of NOAAM’s Paving our Way Home Brick Campaign is currently underway. Contributors will have an opportunity to highlight their legacy in the form of a commemorative brick on a wall honoring the memories and contributions of African Americans past, present and future within our community. Funds raised will help restore and continue the beautification of NOAAM.
“This capital campaign represents one of the most significant fundraising opportunities for New Orleans since the initial development of the National World War II Museum. Sharing the heroic stories of our people is key to our future,” says NOAAM’s Board Chairman Michael G. Griffin. “Totally restoring NOAAM’s campus into a world-class state-of-the-art facility is paramount to the overall success of this initiative. Adding the Leah Chase Gallery to the historic Tremé Villa enhances the important legacy and mission of this institution. Working with our newly established National Advisory Committee, Board of Directors and officers, I look forward to the entire community embracing this vision and celebrating NOAAM’s significance to our city, state, nation and world.”
Supporters may visit https://www.noaam.org/support now or complete a form while visiting the museum to make a donation to the Brick Campaign.