Abaka MFA ’24 to Lead National Center of Afro-American Artists: Bay State Banner, Globe

Akiba Abaka, MFA ’24 and former creative producer with Emerson, is the new Interim Executive Director of the National Center of Afro-American Artists (NCAAA) in Roxbury, founded by Elma Lewis ’43, one of Boston’s most important Black female luminaries in the arts, education, and civil rights work.

Barry Gaither, the inaugural Museum Director and Curator since its beginning in 1969, serves as Executive Director Emeritus, after a storied career growing the Center’s collections and prestige.

“I feel that I have been preparing for this role my entire career. I’m knowledgeable and experienced in arts management, on all levels, as a technician, artist and as an executive,” Abaka said. “It is very rare to fall in succession to the dreams of your heroes. Miss Lewis was my hero. Mister Gaither is my hero.”

The Board of NCAAA said it intends for Abaka to assume the leadership role for the Center in a permanent capacity after a fundraising initiative.

Read the Bay State Banner and Boston Globe pieces.