STAFF

Jada Wright-Greene is a passionate advocate for Black museums, history, and culture. Deemed as the “Black Museum Activist, she is a writer, independent museum professional, and nonprofit leader, dedicating her career to elevating awareness of Black museums and Black history across the United States. In August 2024, she made history as the first Executive Director of the Manasota Branch of ASALH, the largest branch in the country, based in Sarasota, Florida.

Jada is the Founder and President of Heritage Salon, the only magazine dedicated exclusively to museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions that center Black history. Her writings have been featured in prominent publications such as HuffPost and The Florida Times-Union, further establishing her voice in the field of Black museums and history. 

Her educational background is as distinguished as her career. Jada earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Bethune-Cookman University, followed by a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning. In 2004, she became the first Black student to complete the Museum Studies program at Michigan State University. She went on to earn a Master’s in Museum Studies and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Johns Hopkins University in 2015. Most recently, she completed executive leadership training at Howard University’s Business School and earned her third Master’s degree in History from Jackson State University in 2022.

With more than a decade of research centered on Black historic homes—particularly in Florida and the Malcolm X Homesite in Lansing, Michigan—Jada authored the groundbreaking book Florida’s Historic African American Homes (Arcadia Publishing), the first of its kind to document residences owned by Black Floridians who helped shape the state’s history.

As a member of the Florida Humanities Speakers Bureau, she shares her deep knowledge of Black Floridians and their homes. Her expertise has been sought at institutions including Harvard University Extension School, Johns Hopkins University, Florida A&M University, and Howard University. A highlight of her public speaking career was serving as the keynote speaker for Mary McLeod Bethune’s birthday celebration at Bethune-Cookman University in 2015.

With over 20 years of experience in nonprofits and museums—spanning program management, operations, and fundraising—Jada brings a dynamic and visionary leadership style to the Manasota ASALH Branch. Her work continues to inspire the preservation and celebration of Black history, ensuring it remains a vital part of our shared national narrative.