Shantrelle P. Lewis's Page

I am the PRODIGAL DAUGHTER, a native of New Orleans who returned home in September 2007 from a 12-year stint on the east coast. The granddaughter of local New Orleans artist, Charles Lewis and a fourth generation graduate of HBCUs, I was introduced to the African aesthetic at an early age. Seeking a broader experience, I left New Orleans for Washington, DC to seek higher learning.


Upon my return to post-Katrina NOLA, I accepted a position as Executive Director & Curator of the McKenna Museum of African American Art, an institution that I resurrected with vision, gallons of sweat, the help of a childhood friend and support of the community. When I'm not curating, I also serve as an adjunct professor in the African World Studies Department at Dillard University. Having received both my B.A. and M.A. degrees in African American Studies from Howard and Temple Universities respectively, I have demonstrated a commitment to researching, documenting and preserving African Diasporan culture.


In 2005, myself and a group of friends founded the Young Friends Society of African Diaspora Institutions (YFS), a 501(c)3 organization committed to supporting cultural institutions globally through the support of a collective of artists, scholars, activists, entrepreneurs and professionals in the 20 – 40 something demographic. Currently, YFS has chapters in Philadephia, New Orleans and New York City.


My Gemini self keeps me working on multiple projects desiring to be in more than one place at time. So quite naturally, my next passion after educating people about Africana culture and history, would have to be... boosting my passport's ego. My travels to places throughout the Diaspora such as Ghana, Nigeria, Brazil, Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Toronto, Spain and London have afforded me the opportunity to observe and research the manifestation of the African Aesthetic first hand.


Current projects: The McKenna Museum has a line-up featuring the work of several New York-based photographers including Laylah Barrayn and Delphine Fawundu-Buford. Later this year, the McKenna Museum is honoring internationally renowned artist, Renee Cox.


Upcoming projects: I've recently been asked to lead an Oral History Project of one of New Orleans' former infamous housing projects. I'm honored to work with my good friend and internationally renowned photographer, Jamel Shabazz, to document the stories of the people of New Orleans.


For more information about the McKenna Museum, please visit www.themckennamuseum.com.

For more information about the Young Friends Society, please visit www.youngfriendssociety.org.


What am I passionate about? All things African Diasporic. Where am I going? Into an Afro-Future...and I intend to take some beautiful, brilliant folks with me.

In Light.