About

Board of Directors

Carolyn Farrar, President
Joan Joyner, Vice President
Brady Odom, Recording Secretary Aaron Pearl-Cropp, Treasurer
Dr. Sheila Caldwell
Vincent “June” Chappelle
Robert Davis
Kathryn Harris
Tom Hutchinson
Ann Joseph, PhD
Lazell Logan
Gail Simpson
James Lewis,
Board Member Emeritus
Vincent “June” Chappelle,
Museum Coordinator

Current President,
Carolyn Farrar

Congratulations to Carolyn Farrar, Springfield and Central IL African American History Museum's new President. Carolyn graduated from Middlebury College, in Vermont and from the University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana, earning an M.Ed in elementary education.

Carolyn is a member of Union Baptist Church and a lifetime charter member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Carolyn and her husband, Curtis, have been strong supporters of the African American History museum since its establishment in 2012. She volunteered at the museum before becoming a board member in 2018.

We look forward to your continued support of the AAHM as you join us in welcoming our new Board President.

-- E.G.Alexander

Outgoing President,
Nell Clay

We want to express our deep appreciation to Nell Clay for serving the museum and the community for the last few years as President of the Springfield and Central IL African American History Museum. Nell has invested a large part of her life into this museum with zeal, energy, and love. There was almost a feeling of "if Nell can't do it, nobody can." Every nook and cranny of the business, exhibits, programs and finances received Nell's attention and expertise. Thank you, Nell, thank you. We are thankful also that although you are stepping down from that position you are still deeply involved in the museum.

--E. G. Alexander