Desmond Bertrand-Pitts, MBA, M.Ed. Chief Executive Officer of The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum Center for African American Military History The Center for African American Military History dba Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, Desmond Bertrand-Pitts is the Chief Executive Officer of The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM) Center for African American Military History, a passion project of his grandfather turned National Institution, where he currently oversees all operations, programing and finances.
tion in Biology. He then went on to earn his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from American Intercontinental University graduating with a 4.0 GPA. Immediately following the MBA program, he completed his second Masters in Educational Leadership (M.Ed.) from Lamar University. Being a self-proclaimed career student, Desmond is now a Doctoral student at University of Houston where he intends to pursue a Ed. D in Professional Leadership Studies.
“I by no means thought that I would be at the helm of such a great institution but God had other plans and I had to walk into it. I Desmond is married to his partner of twelve years Justin Beram proud to continue the legacy he set forth.” Continuing the lega- trand-Pitts. Together, they were featured in Love Wins Texas in 2017, cy, Desmond is responsible for jump starting the BSNM venue rent- describing what it took to get to 10 years and the growth that al program that now exceeds 200k in annual revenue in addition happened along the way. After realizing there was an overwhelmto managing a 1.5-miling need for mentoring, lion-dollar capital camDesmond and Justin paign project. He is also founded M.E.N. Incorcredited with creating a porated, a nonprofit pleasurable museum exorganization dedicated perience by adopting polto empowering young icies and procedures that men by way of Mentormake the museum more ing Educating and Nuroperable. turing. Since inception in 2011, M.E.N. Inc has His initiatives include secured over 250k in integrating technology, grants, individual supexpanding educational port and fundraising programming, enhancing efforts. In addition to exhibitions, broadening mentoring services and donor reach, and giving programs, scholarships an “in the now” approach are awarded to particito history that’s attractive pants each year; 25k in to young people. He is planning to launch a multi-million-dollar scholarships have been awarded since the start of the program. campaign in 2020 to continue the renovation of the Houston Light Guard Armory which is home to BSNM. Continuing his entrepreneurial spirit, Desmond began a consulting business; 4.0 Consulting Services provides assistance to inDesmond was born in Mamou, Louisiana but became a Housto- dividuals seeking to start nonprofits, in addition to tax preparation, nian at the age of ten. He is a product of The notary services, marketing/graphics and corporate training. High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice in Houston, Texas. After graduating HS, he then went on to Xavier University of Desmond was a 2017 scholarship recipient of the Getty LeadLouisiana only to return to Texas in 2005 and finish from Lamar ership Institute, where he attended the Next Generation of MuseUniversity with a Bachelors of Arts and Science with a concentra- um Leaders Certification Program. He was also a 2017 Smithso20
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