CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - November 6, 2009) - The Board of Trustees of the DuSable Museum of African American History has announced the appointment of Carol L. Adams, PhD as the Chief Executive Officer of the Museum. Dr. Adams will assume the leadership of the nation's first and oldest African American History Museum on Monday, November 9, 2009.

As one of the nation's most esteemed educators, Dr. Adams helped to bring about the convergence of art and education in Chicago, particularly in its museums and public schools. As founding Director of MAPS (Museums and Public Schools), she worked with teachers and museum educators to develop curricula that utilized the museums as a living teaching resource and integrated their holdings into approved lesson plans for elementary school students in Chicago Public Schools. In addition, during her tenure at the Chicago Housing Authority, Dr. Adams founded the Museum Consortium whose mission was for each major museum in Chicago to adopt a public housing development and mainstream its youth into their activities.

Dr. Adams brings to her new position a proven track record in the fields of grantsmanship, administration and organizational development. A consummate fund-raiser, Dr. Adams has raised a staggering total of almost $400 million for a diverse and varied group of institutions of higher learning, governmental agencies and not-for-profits. She was formerly the Chairman of the African American Studies Department at Loyola University; Director, The Center for Inner City Studies at Northeastern Illinois University; and most recently the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services. Upon making the announcement of Dr. Adams appointment, Cheryl Blackwell Bryson, Esq., Chairman of the Board of Trustees stated, "Carol is indeed a heavy-hitter. She comes with her own range of contacts not only from around the country, but also globally and she knows almost everyone who is relevant in not only the Museum and Cultural Arts communities, but also the worlds of commerce, politics and finance, so she will be able to create a very special synergy."

Upon accepting the position, Dr. Adams stated: "I am excited at the opportunity to help the DuSable Museum realize its vision of becoming one of the world's great museums. Each of my predecessors has had a role in the evolution of the institution, but we all stand on the extraordinary shoulders of the Museum's founder, Dr. Margaret Burroughs." Adams continued, "During the last 48 years, DuSable Museum has grown from one-room in Dr. Burroughs' home to a first-class institution recognized around the world for its exhibitions, programs and events. My focus will be on the physical expansion, capital development and fiscal sustainability necessary to support, conserve and augment the DuSable Museum's remarkable collections."

Educated at Fisk University, Dr. Adams matriculated at Boston University, the University of Chicago, and The Union Graduate School. She has also had additional courses of study at the John F. Kennedy School of Governmental Affairs at Harvard University, and Yale University. In addition, she holds the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa key.

Carol Adams has spent much of her career engaged in cultural arts research, analysis and production. Her unique perspective on art and its integral role in shaping and defining culture and community is informed by her parallel study of sociology and Africana history and culture.

Dr. Adams is affiliated with eta Creative Arts Foundation, and the Harold Washington Research and Policy Institute, among others. Her memberships in professional associations include: the American Sociological Association, the Conference of Minority Public Administrators, and the Council on Blacks in Philanthropy.

Among her many awards and honors are: the Illinois Arts Council Governor's Award in the Arts, the Outstanding Humanitarian Award from the NAACP, and the Outstanding Leadership Award presented by the Senior Citizens of the Chicago Housing Authority. She was recently inducted into the Central High School Hall of Fame and is the recipient of the Certificate of Merit presented by the Board of Alderman, both in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

The DuSable Museum of African American History, the oldest institution of its kind in the country, has been dedicated to the collection, preservation, interpretation and dissemination of the history and culture of Africans and Americans of African descent for 48 years. For more information on the Museum and its programs, please call (773) 947-0600 or you may visit our website at www.dusablemuseum.org

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Contact: Raymond Ward 773-947-0600 ext 228 Email Contact 740 East 56th Place Chicago, Illinois 60637 (773) 947-0600