JIMI 2023 Reflections

Quantia “Key” Fletcher , 2023 JIMI Alumna and Director of Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Little Rock, Arkansas

Stop the presses! I’ve always wanted to say that, and it feels amazing to finally get it out. It doesn’t quite have the same feeling coming from a museum director versus inside a newsroom, but it fits as I’m changing direction, reexamining copy, and shifting my narrative after my experience at Jekyll Island Management Institute (JIMI).

I’ve never fit in. I often wonder how I got into this interesting world of museums, preservation, and culture. In the beginning, I had no intentions of staying and yet almost twenty years later, here I am. Fitting in isn’t so much about where you belong, it’s more about spaces created for you. Growing up, I never saw space for me in the museum world. I didn’t know anyone in this industry or what a museum professional was. Through fate and blessings, I landed a job as a guide at the Cane River Creole National Historical Park. I fell in love with storytelling and understanding the history of southern culture. It became my passion to create space for the Black

As a young museum director, JIMI seemed like a great idea. The well-rounded course designed to give me insight into a multitude of museums, perspectives, and angles piqued my interest. The relaunching with an emphasis on incorporating diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion into all subjects sealed the deal. I was hopeful that I would do more than learn best practices and new skills, I was looking forward to experiencing a cultural shift.

I had no idea what to expect from JIMI. Was it going to be like a museum conference, a college course, symposium, or a late-night study session? The days were long and fulfilling. I would sit in class during the day and get to know my cohorts and hear about their experiences in the evenings. Of course, I can’t forget the awe-inspiring tours of the island. Our instructors provided the information and content, but my cohort provided the meat for our po-boy sandwich. I’m a New Orleans girl, so there you go! The presenters were some of the brightest in the field, but the questions that my passionate and dedicated team members grappled with challenged me.

As a museum director, I had the unique opportunity to listen to the instructors and those doing the work in a multitude of areas. My peers spoke of fear and change. Many of them grappled with questioning authority but not always having the final word in these conflicts. We examined our practices in a post covid and George Floyd world. Innovation and creativity flowed from each table, and the ingenuity of the solutions I heard made challenges seem doable. My little pen and notebook couldn’t keep up!

Often daily life and lack of resources force museum professionals into a mindset of “good enough.” In my cohort I saw fresh vision. In many of our teachers I knew that “good enough” wasn’t great, and they were willing to be challenged and to admit their mistakes for the sake of our development. In the constant give and take, with mutual respect and understanding of our differences and values, magic happened. We discovered that the sum of us all together was greater than the outside forces telling us what our museums should be. We understood the assignment. We hold the key to guide our institutions to the next level, no matter how scary and uncharted the future may feel.

After JIMI, I knew that I wanted to implement big changes at my museum, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and I had a small window of opportunity. We are working toward an entirely redesigned permanent gallery after a $3.5 million renovation campaign. I now know that I don’t want to just transform the space, I want to transform my culture. I’m always challenging my team to dream big, try new things and fail if we must. This was the petri dish moment.

I implemented six months of no new programming. No new rentals or space use, no adult or k-12 programs, no partnerships, no exhibit openings … nothing. Instead, we are doing the inner work. Creating new systems that will allow us to be more impactful and meaningful in how we serve our audiences. We’re reevaluating what success and stewardship looks like, and how onboarding experiences shape museum culture. We are redefining our museum post covid intentionally. When Mosaic Templars Cultural Center hosts its grand reopening in the fall of 2023, it will be amazing. With more innovation and technology, expanded stories and new layout, I have no doubt people will love it. What I will be most proud of is the foundation that it’s built on. My team is better equipped, I’m more prepared and we are ready to continue our spirit of Black excellence.

My experience at JIMI reminded me to keep challenging what I know to be true against new information and calibrating when needed. My vision is that Mosaic Templars Cultural Center will be the conduit that transforms the historic W. 9th street corridor of Little Rock into more than just a fading memory of Black economic brilliance, but to a main destination spot for people visiting Arkansas. I have a world-class museum in one of the best cities in the country. The intensive and deliberate relationship-building and experiences that I gained at JIMI helped me bring the future of my team and our museum more clearly into view.