The Africa Middle at the moment introduced that Dr. Uzodinma Iweala will step down from his function of CEO in December 2024, after seven transformative years on the helm of the establishment. Beneath Dr. Iweala’s management, The Africa Middle advanced from a visible arts museum into an interdisciplinary middle with an expanded mission that features tradition and coverage programming that goals to alter narratives and create new alternatives for Africa and the Diaspora.
With its newly expanded mission, The Africa Middle at Aliko Dangote Corridor first opened its doorways to the general public in 2019, swiftly turning into a thriving cultural hub in Harlem. The Middle has since has produced greater than 280 applications throughout its thematic areas of tradition, coverage, and enterprise associated to up to date African life. The Middle has welcomed greater than 177,000 guests to up to date cultural exhibitions, artwork installations, performances, movie screenings, creator talks, coverage boards, and a myriad of particular occasions, together with Harlem-Day celebrations.
“After seven years of devoted service to The Africa Middle, I’ve determined that it’s time to flip the web page and write my subsequent chapter,” Dr. Iweala mentioned of his departure. “My journey at The Africa Middle has been extremely rewarding, not simply professionally however personally, as our staff has labored tirelessly to satisfy and increase our mission. I’m happy with what we’ve got achieved collectively, from opening our doorways to internet hosting applications and exhibitions centered on African folks and the African Diaspora that will not have occurred wherever else however right here. We’ve constructed a resilient and supportive group round our mission. I’m assured that the Middle is in a robust place to welcome new management to hold the establishment to even higher heights.”
“The Board of Trustees is immensely grateful to Uzodinma Iweala for his visionary management, ardour, and unwavering dedication to The Africa Middle,” mentioned Board Co-Chair Chelsea Clinton. Board Co-Chair Jendayi Frazer added that, “Uzodinma leaves behind a legacy of progress, innovation, and group engagement that may proceed to encourage our work for years to return. We’re dedicated to discovering a successor who will construct on his achievements and who will information The Africa Middle into its subsequent section of growth as an establishment and middle for the exploration of up to date African points in New York Metropolis and throughout the globe.”
Iweala’s notable accomplishments embrace creation of the Future Africa Discussion board, which initiated The Africa Middle’s interdisciplinary strategy to coverage programming. That signature discussion board convenes heads of state, senior political officers, business leaders, philanthropists, and luminaries in tradition for discussions through the United Nations Normal Meeting. Iweala additionally introduced The Africa Middle right into a trailblazing partnership with Africa No Filter and the College of Cape City to develop the International Media Index that gives a benchmark for the way in which Africa is roofed within the media. Among the many curatorial highlights, Iweala’s staff partnered with Museum of Meals and Drink to co-present the landmark exhibition African/American: Making the Nations Desk and with Unbiased Curators Worldwide to co-present the exhibition States of Turning into that featured cutting-edge 17 African artists from the continent and Diaspora.
Iweala labored intently with the Board of Trustees to barter a retirement of the museum’s debt, reinvigorate fundraising, jumpstart building of its flagship Aliko Dangote Corridor, and develop relations with its neighbors. Iweala established a strong basis of help for the Middle inside Harlem, the higher New York Metropolis space, on the African continent, and inside African Diasporic communities all through the world.
Isaacson, Miller will conduct the seek for The Africa Middle’s subsequent chief in live performance with the group’s Transition Committee that features Trustees Temi Adeniji, Jim Bildner, Jamie Cooper, Jendayi Frazer, Meredith Marshall, and Ben Stein.
