The Moton Museum continues its staff profile series. With this profile, we feature Leah Brown is the Assistant Director for Education at the Robert Russa Moton Museum (Moton). Prior to her appointment at Moton, Leah served as a Digital Outreach Educator for the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Previous roles include serving the U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum and Virginia Tourism Corporation. Leah has a love of history that inspired her to choose museum education as a career that would allow her to blend a love of learning about diverse topics with her teaching skills. Leah specializes in American history with a special emphasis on Virginia history. Leah attended North Carolina State University where she obtained a Master’s in Public Education
How Long have you been with the Moton Museum?
I started on October 10, 2019.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Engaging with students is absolutely the favorite part of my job. We teach difficult history at Moton, and it is a privilege to guide students through the Moton School Story. I’m also a big fan of questions. Providing space for students to discuss and ask uncomfortable or complicated questions is important. I’m glad Moton is a space for them to do just that.
What’s your favorite part of our permanent exhibit Moton School Story: Children of Courage?
Gallery 5 is a favorite of mine. It features oral histories allowing visitors to listen to and learn from those that lived the Moton Story.
A first-person perspective is a powerful way to engage in the past.
What do you like to do when you’re not at the museum?
I am an avid reader and traveler. Three of my top authors are Jacqueline Woodson, Nicola Yoon, and Tomi Adeyemi.
Two of my favorite places are Raleigh, NC, and New Orleans, LA
What are you excited to see Moton do in the future?
I am excited about the opportunities we will have to engage with students. The 2020 school year didn’t go according to anyone’s plan, but it was awesome to see how teachers devised ways to stay connected with their students. I look forward to helping teachers share Civil Rights content with their students.
Anything else you’d like people to know about you or Moton?
The Moton Museum tells an American story. It gives us an example of what students can do within and for their community.
I want Moton to become a place where students can learn history and techniques to help their communities.