The Oklahoma Eagle Newswire
The Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center Board of Directors recently concluded a 6-month national search and selected Dr. Raymond Doswell for the role of Executive Director. The search was conducted by Nonprofit Executive Search & Recruiting – m/Oppenheim Executive Search (moppenheim.com) [moppenheim.com].
“I’ve met Dr. Doswell and I personally am impressed with his qualifications and professional demeanor. I have no doubt he will take Greenwood Rising to greater heights,” said Phil Armstrong, Interim Executive Director, Greenwood Rising, “Thank you to the Greenwood Rising Board of Directors for making a decision that was rooted in long-term vision and sustainability of this world class institution.”
An accomplished museum curator and scholar, Dr. Doswell has served the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum for more than 20 years as Education Director, Interim President, Deputy Director, and Vice President of Curatorial Services. He holds a Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Leadership from Kansas State University, a Master’s in History – Program in Historic Resources Management from the University of California-Riverside, and a Bachelor’s from Monmouth College.
“We are looking forward to Dr. Doswell’s experienced leadership and expertise in the museum industry as we work to build a visionary strategy and implementation plan for this great institution,” said Jessica Lowe-Betts, board chair. “As a start-up board, our goal was to set precedent and due diligence in creating an operations and governance practice that honors the history and legacy of Black Wall Street, the descendants, the Greenwood community of business owners and residents, our donors and philanthropic partners.”
“I hope the community appreciates the Board of Directors, current leadership and staff for the stellar work in bringing Greenwood Rising through its infancy,” said Dr. Raymond Doswell. “Upon visiting the museum, one senses the commitment this team has for the institution. I am excited to continue nurturing its growth and I look forward to working with the community, staff, and especially Mr. Armstrong for a beneficial and seamless leadership transition.”
Armstrong has been Greenwood Rising’s Interim Executive Director since the museum opened in August of 2021, a role he accepted following his term as the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission’s Project Director. In the first year of opening, Greenwood Rising attendance averaged 4,500 per month (2,000 more than anticipated) with the two highest months being June 2022 (7,100 attendees) and July 2022 (8,000 attendees).
“When I moved to Tulsa in 1997 I had something many Oklahomans weren’t afforded: I attended Central State University, an HBCU in Ohio, and was taught the incredible history of Black Americans in Oklahoma including the tragedy-to-triumph story of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. To have been embraced and trusted by this community to lead the initiatives of the Centennial Commission and the building of this world-class institution is something I will forever cherish.”
“Phil has led the History Center, the Centennial Commission’s capstone project, with relentless passion, purpose, and commitment,” said Lowe-Betts. “The work he has done is the foundation we stand upon and will build from. You simply can’t talk about Greenwood Rising without talking about Phil Armstrong.”
Dr. Doswell’s official start date is early January and Armstrong will be closely involved in the transitionary period through the end of January.
“I am confident that my years of experience as a museum executive can be leveraged to amplify the mission of the History Center. My family and I look forward to becoming part of the Tulsa community,” Doswell said.
