St. Vincent Native Atiba T. Edwards Named First Black President & CEO of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
History was made on November 29th 2023 when the Brooklyn Children’s Museum announced the appointment of Atiba T. Edwards, a native of St. Vincent, as their new President and Chief Executive Officer. Edwards previously served as the museum’s Chief Operating Officer before becoming its 12th president and the first black man to hold the position in its nearly 125-year history. Edwards took over as acting president and CEO in mid-August, when former leader Stephanie Hill Wilchfort departed the museum.
Atiba T. Edwards, the new President & CEO of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Photo: contributed)Speaking on Edward’s tenure since joining the institution in 2019 as the COO, the museum describes him as a leader that, “…served with outstanding leadership, overseeing various critical functions of the museum, including adeptly managing the budget, implementing systems to increase staff efficiency, overseeing an incredibly successful rebranding effort, and spearheading an array of new offerings at the Museum, including the highly acclaimed ArtRink exhibition, launch of a mini-golf course and the inauguration of a state-of-the-art auditorium.”
His professional career path to this prestigious position began at JPMorgan’s Investment Bank, where he worked as a fixed income research analyst, focusing on the automotive sector. He continued to work in finance contributing his expertise to Nomura Securities, where he covered high-grade and high-yield fixed income research divisions across multiple sectors, including aerospace, automotive, defense, healthcare, and tobacco. He later became the director of operations at Brooklyn East Collegiate, a middle school within the Uncommon Schools network. Edwards also co-founded FOKUS, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting and building communities through the arts.
As someone that was raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Edwards relishes the opportunity to step up in the community he calls home as a black leader and wants to use his position to reconnect the neighborhood and ensure that everyone is welcome at the institution.
“I am deeply honored and excited to assume the role of President and CEO at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum,” Edwards said. “This institution holds a special place in the hearts of families and children in Brooklyn and beyond. BCM is a place I grew up coming to with my family during my childhood years. I am committed to continuing the museum’s legacy of providing a dynamic and enriching educational experience for all, and I look forward to working with our dedicated staff, board, and community partners to ensure the museum's continued success.”
Amanda Sue Nichols, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, stated, “We could not be more thrilled to welcome Atiba into this new role as President and CEO. Atiba has been a central player in the Museum’s success over the last four years, and was instrumental in guiding the museum through the Covid-19 pandemic. Atiba’s outstanding leadership during his time as Acting CEO and his proven dedication to the museum’s mission and the communities we serve make us confident that he is the right person to lead the Brooklyn Children’s Museum into the future.”
"Congratulations to Atiba Edwards on his well-deserved appointment as the head of the Brooklyn Children's Museum,” said New York City Council Member Chi Ossé, who’s in charge of the district that includes the museum and who also serves as Chair of the Council Committee on Cultural Affairs. “With his passion for education and community engagement, I am confident that Atiba will lead the museum with innovation and inclusivity, creating a positive impact on the children and families it serves. I grew up going to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. As I lived just a few short blocks away, it long served as a critical center of gravity for my childhood, as I’m sure it has for countless other children. I am grateful to know this Brooklyn gem is in good hands."
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is located at 145 Brooklyn Avenue in the Crown Heights section of the borough. Founded in 1899 as the world’s first children’s museum, Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) is New York City’s largest cultural institution designed especially for families. BCM serves 300,000 children and caregivers annually with exhibits and programs grounded in visual arts, music and performance, natural science, and world cultures. For more information, visit www.brooklynkids.org.
