The lillie carroll jackson civil rights museum at morgan state university will expand staffing capacity and establish structured experiential learning opportunities to strengthen workforce…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded Morgan State University $999,990 under the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program on September 1, 2026, to expand staffing capacity and establish structured experiential learning opportunities at the Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum.

The project will hire a full-time Community Engagement Coordinator, a part-time Visitor Services Associate, and six fellows to meet growing demand for educational programming and visitor engagement. Activities include recruitment of critical staff positions, provision of visitor experience training for all staff, expansion of public programs and school tours, and development of university collaborations. The structured experiential learning pathway will provide students with hands-on training, mentorship, and professional development to prepare participants for careers in museums and cultural heritage institutions. Increased staffing will improve coordination of tours, exhibitions, and public events while strengthening relationships with local schools, community organizations, and university partners.

Performance occurs in Baltimore, Maryland, with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. The Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program builds the capacity of African American museums and HBCUs and supports the growth and development of museum professionals at these institutions.

The lillie carroll jackson civil rights museum at morgan state university will expand staffing capacity and establish structured experiential learning opportunities to strengthen workforce development, visitor engagement, and community-based public history programming. Project activities include recruitment of critical staff positions, providing visitor experience training for all staff, increasing the reach of public programs and school tours, and expanding university collaborations. The project involves hiring a full-time community engagement coordinator, part-time visitor services associate, and six fellows to expand the museum's ability to meet a growing demand for educational programming and visitor engagement. Increased staffing capacity will improve coordination of tours, exhibitions, and public events while strengthening relationships with local schools, community organizations, and university partners. The project will also establish a structured experiential learning pathway for students, providing hands-on training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities that prepare participants for careers in museums and cultural heritage institutions. As a result of this project, morgan state university students, museum staff, educators, and community members will gain expanded knowledge, practical skills, and deeper engagement with civil rights history and museum practice.