Deirdre Cross

Deirdre leads a team of museum educators, program specialists, and digital producers to develop various highly successful participatory, collections-based public programs at the museum, focused on social justice issues of historic importance and contemporary significance.

Deirdre has worked for NMAAHC for 12 of the 20 years she has spent at the Smithsonian Institution. Deirdre received a BA English and an MA in African American Studies and Literature from the University of Iowa.

MuseumNext Digital Summit
Tuesday, 7th June 2022

Facilitating Meaningful Conversations on Social Justice in a Virtual Space

In-person events have been sorely missed the past two years. The energy of live speakers and meaningful conversations fostered by face-to-face communication is hard to replicate in virtual spaces. However, online events can capture these essential qualities and offer additional benefits, as evident in “A Seat at the Table: The Triumphs and Challenges of Black Education.” The National Museum of African American History and Culture held an online event that featured a dynamic speaker panel and drove lively conversations among audience members. We’ll discuss how this event can serve as a template for future events at NMAAHC and other museums.

Full Schedule Here