CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (August 29, 2024) — The Board of Directors of the African American Museum of Iowa announces that treasured leader, LaNisha Cassell, will be starting a new journey. After nearly nine years of dedicated service to the Museum and the community, Cassell will be pursuing an exciting new career opportunity out of state. Her last day with the Museum will be October 7, 2024, following their annual History Makers Gala.
During her tenure, Cassell has made an indelible impact on the Museum and the wider community. Under her leadership since 2017, the Museum underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation project and capital campaign from 2022-2024. The renovated Museum reopened on May 11, 2024. Under Cassell’s leadership, the Museum has seen significant growth in its programs, exhibitions, and statewide outreach initiatives. She played a pivotal role in enhancing the Museum’s visibility, increasing visitor engagement, and securing vital funding that has ensured the sustainability of the institution.
“We are deeply grateful for LaNisha’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the Museum’s mission,” said Abena Sankofa Imhotep, President of the Board of Directors. “While we are saddened to see her go, we fully support LaNisha’s decision and wish her nothing but success in her future endeavors.”
During LaNisha’s time as Executive Director, she has overseen numerous successful local and statewide collaborations and fundraising achievements. She has developed transformational relationships and has been a champion of the Museum’s mission to preserve, exhibit, and teach Iowa’s African American heritage. LaNisha’s efforts have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together at the African American Museum of Iowa,” said LaNisha. “It has been an honor to serve the communities reached by the Museum’s resources and to work alongside such a dedicated and passionate team and board. While I am excited about this new chapter in my career, I will always cherish my time at the Museum and the relationships I have built here.”Back to her east coast roots, LaNisha will be joining Voices Underground (VU) in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, as their new Executive Director. VU’s mission is to promote racial healing by elevating the story of the Underground Railroad through scholarly research, creative experiences, and historical memorialization.The Museum’s Board of Directors has initiated a search for a new Executive Director and is committed to ensuring a smooth transition. In the interim, Museum board president Abena Sankofa Imhotep and board vice president Anthony Betters Jr. will step in to fulfill any necessary functions during this transition period. Imhotep and Betters both bring institutional knowledge and their own business acumen to the task and are committed to ensuring the integrity and continuity of the Museum’s statewide mission. Deputy Director Brianna Kim will continue carrying on the Museum’s day-to-day operations and will assist with the transition of the Museum’s next executive director.
The Board of Directors invites the community to join us in thanking LaNisha for her years of service with a farewell “open house” style reception, sponsored by Des Moines based Sankofa Literary Empowerment Group, on Tuesday, September 24, 5-7PM, at the Museum. You can personally wish LaNisha and her husband and longtime community leader Karl Cassell and their family well in all of their future ventures.
About AAMI: The African American Museum of Iowa is a statewide museum dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching Iowa’s African American history. As Iowa’s leading educational resource on the topic, we educate more than 30,000 people each year through museum tours, traveling exhibits, research services, youth and adult education programs, and community and fundraising events.
