Desmond Bertrand-Pitts

from AVID Magazine Issue #8 January 2020

AVID Magazine

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.

“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 am proud to continue the legacy he set forth.” Continuing the legacy, Desmond is responsible for jump starting the BSNM venue rental program that now exceeds 200k in annual revenue in addition to managing a 1.5-million-dollar capital campaign project. He is also credited with creating a pleasurable museum experience by adopting policies and procedures that make the museum more operable.

His initiatives include integrating technology, expanding educational programming, enhancing exhibitions, broadening donor reach, and giving an “in the now” approach to history that’s attractive to young people. He is planning to launch a multi-million-dollar campaign in 2020 to continue the renovation of the Houston Light Guard Armory which is home to BSNM.

Desmond was born in Mamou, Louisiana but became a Houstonian at the age of ten. He is a product of The High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice in Houston, Texas. After graduating HS, he then went on to Xavier University of Louisiana only to return to Texas in 2005 and finish from Lamar University with a Bachelors of Arts and Science with a concentra

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.

Desmond is married to his partner of twelve years Justin Bertrand-Pitts. Together, they were featured in Love Wins Texas in 2017, describing what it took to get to 10 years and the growth that happened along the way. After realizing there was an overwhelming need for mentoring, Desmond and Justin founded M.E.N. Incorporated, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young men by way of Mentoring Educating and Nurturing. Since inception in 2011, M.E.N. Inc has secured over 250k in grants, individual support and fundraising efforts. In addition to mentoring services and programs, scholarships are awarded to participants each year; 25k in scholarships have been awarded since the start of the program.

Continuing his entrepreneurial spirit, Desmond began a consulting business; 4.0 Consulting Services provides assistance to individuals seeking to start nonprofits, in addition to tax preparation, notary services, marketing/graphics and corporate training.

Desmond was a 2017 scholarship recipient of the Getty Leadership Institute, where he attended the Next Generation of Museum Leaders Certification Program. He was also a 2017 Smithso

nian scholar from the National Museum of African American Culture, where he attended the annual conference for African American Association of Museums. Most recently he was awarded the ICON scholarship from The Association of Fundraising Professionals to attended the 2018 International Fundraising Conference.

Desmond has served on the Mayor’s City of Houston Diversity Council, KIPP PALS Board, participant in the Houston Arts Alliance Grants Review Panel and is an active member of the following community organizations: Visit Houston Student Tourism Committee, Greater Houston Black Chamber, Houston Area Urban League of Young Professionals, Freedom Church Board of Directors, Lamar Alumni Association, AIU University Alumni Association, Xavier Alumni Association-Houston, Houston Museum District Association Board of Directors, Theta Chi Psi Fraternity Inc., M.E.N. Inc. Board of Directors, Young Museum Professionals Association, National Black MBAA, Texas Association of Museums Programs Committee.

When there is time to retreat, reflect and relax, Desmond enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with loved ones, dinning out, shopping and eating crawfish. He is the proud uncle of five nieces and nephews and godfather of three boys: he enjoys attending their baseball games and helping with science projects. Desmond is currently working on two books which are passion projects of his. He is a strong advocate for education and for mentoring youth, he intends to continue empowering young men and encouraging all people to dream, aspire, work hard and achieve.