Historic AP Randolph Pullman Porter Museum Elects New Young President

Feb. 2, 2012 - PRLog -- AP RANDOLPH PULLMAN PORTER MUSEUM ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT
NEW LEADERSHIP SIGNALS NEW DIRECTION FOR HISTORIC MUSEUM

February 2, 2012 - The Board of Directors of the A P Randolph Pullman Porter Museum in Chicago has elected David A. Peterson, Jr., as its president. He replaces the Museum’s Founder and Director Emeritus, Dr. Lyn Hughes, who is stepping down after 17 years at the helm.  

The Museum, which is located at 10406 S. Maryland in Chicago’s Historic Pullman District, was founded in 1995 and is dedicated to promoting, honoring and celebrating the legacy of A. Philip Randolph and contributions made by African-Americans to America's labor history. It is the only Museum of its kind worldwide.

The new president’s election and subsequent rise within the organization signals a change of the leadership guard as his ascension is being billed as a resolve to Preserve, Rebuild and Move Forward, with a fresh mindset. He is under 30 years old so his youth, passion, background and vision are symbolic of the qualities the Museum needs to go forward with conviction and purpose.

Under Dr. Hughes’ leadership, the Museum gained acclaim as one of the leading institutions for preserving and celebrating the African-American contribution to the labor movement. Mr. Peterson is expected to build on Dr. Hughes’ success while taking the Museum to the next level.

In handing over the leadership reins, Dr. Hughes pointed out that Peterson has been involved in many facets of the museum since he was a child. While in high school, he lived in the historic north Pullman community, and often volunteered at the Museum.  While he was in college during the summers, he worked at the Museum.  Finally from 2008-2010 he toured nationally for the museum with Amtrak, as the coordinator for the Museum's traveling exhibit. In that role, part of his job was to work with union labor in the various cities setting up the exhibit for display.

Peterson has already made significant strides in safeguarding the Museum’s future by cultivating the next generation as he established the young adult division, MUSEUM 44, in honor of the 44th President Barack Obama. This is in recognition of his conviction that attracting a younger demographic is key to the survival and sustainability of the Museum. Peterson has also begun the rebuilding process with a completely new multi-generational board of directors. Among the new directors is Alvis Martin, Field Director - Illinois AFL-CIO.

Explained Peterson, "Aside from being a cultural institution, we are also a part of rapidly-growing multibillion dollar tourism industry. It is our desire to maximize tourism opportunities and attract new audiences.

One of his first tasks is to preside over the Museum’s 17th Anniversary ”Gentle Warrior Awards Banquet,” which takes place on February 25, 2012 at the Historic Marmon Grand 2230 S. Michigan Avenue 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Peterson credits his mindset and approach to the museum environment as being honed at DePaul University's School of New Learning where he is completing his master's degree in Applied Professional Studies.  His focus area is in facilitating the design and development of small business and entrepreneurial endeavors, in the urban setting.  He says this background and entrepreneurial perspective will be beneficial in growing the Museum.

Peterson, a Chicago native attended Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) where he graduated with a BS in Political Science concentrating in Urban Planning and Economic Development.

The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum was founded in 1995 by Dr. Lyn Hughes and is named after Asa Philip Randolph and Pullman Porters who made up the membership of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) union. Randolph was the chief organizer and founder of the BSCP, the first African-American labor union in the country to win a collective bargaining agreement. With the help of Randolph, the Pullman Porters fought a valiant battle for employment equality with the corporate giant, the Pullman Rail Car Company. These pioneering efforts created the first bona fide union for the African American worker. This victorious struggle in America’s early labor movement was also the doorway through which many civil rights gains were made. The A. Philip Randolph Museum is locally recognized as a historic site and is a unique addition to the tourism sites of the Pullman community of Chicago, Illinois. The Museum is also nationally recognized as a valuable and unique African-American museum.

Since its founding, thousands have visited the Museum.  Among the highlights of the cultural institution are exhibits, artifacts and original porters memorabilia donated by descendants of the labor pioneers.

For more information on the Museum and to arrange tours, log on to aprpullmanportermuseum.org.

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