Written By Paul Garwood

New scholarships are helping emerging Black Museum professionals get training, connections, and a seat at the table.

The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) has launched the 2025 Emerging Museum Professional (EMP) Scholarship, providing five scholarships to early-career professionals working in or aspiring to work in museums that serve Black communities. The scholarships help recipients attend AAAM’s 47th Annual Conference, where they gain professional development, mentorship, and a powerful network.

For young Black curators, educators, archivists, and directors, cost is often a barrier to accessing conferences and credential-building spaces. By lowering that barrier, AAAM is actively shaping a future where more museums—large and small—are led by people who understand Black history, culture, and community from the inside.

The Positive Black Network can frame this as an invitation: if you love history, storytelling, and community work, museum careers are open to you—and organizations are investing in helping you get there.