Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Dace.
Hi Jacqueline, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am the sixth of six children, born and raised in Centreville, IL. My experience in the nonprofit world started in 1992 when I was hired as the Receptionist/Security officer with the Missouri Historical Society. I continued with that organization for 16 years, and my final position was Curator of African Collections. My museum career took me to several places, including serving as Collections Manager with the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago, IL; Project Manager with the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, MS; Director of Internal Affairs, and Interim Executive Director with the National Blues Museum, in St. Louis, MO, and Deputy Director with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, in Cincinnati, OH.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the words of Langston Hughes, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair but all the time I’ve has been a-climbin’ on, and reachin’ landings, and turnin’ corners, and sometimes goin’ in the dark where there ain’t been no light.” My childhood helped frame who I am today despite many obstacles to overcome. At the age of eleven, my mother, who was the light of my life, died, and the following year, we lost our home to a house fire. By the age of twenty, both my oldest brother and my father had transitioned. While all of these events were life-altering, I was lifted by my remaining older siblings and extended family members. In 2016, just when I thought that our family had settled into a comfortable routine, my second eldest brother and our family, Superman, was afflicted with cancer and joined our ancestors. It was through all of this and all of who I knew they believed that I could be that kept me going. No matter the battles I incurred during my work career, I had the strength of my family to continue pushing me forward, and it was my goal never to let them down. I have never known life without struggles, but my faith allows me to continue to “Break every chain” and believe that “No weapon formed against me shall prosper” as I continue to move on.
As you know, we’re big fans of your work. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with it?
I have worked in and around museums for over thirty years. As mentioned previously, I began my career as a receptionist/security officer, and my journey has led me to leadership roles at several museums and with the Association of African American Museums. This experience has also enabled me to teach St. Louis African American History as an adjunct faculty member at Washington University.
A project I led almost twenty years ago called “Through the Eyes of a Child: Growing Up Black in St. Louis” laid the foundation for my career. This oral history research project focused on four African American neighborhoods: the Ville, Kinloch, Carr Square, and the South End of East St. Louis, IL. The project resulted in the development of an exhibition, a curriculum unit for middle school students, an award-winning documentary video (Hollywood Black Film Festival and Kansas City Film Festival Awards), and a theatrical play. It also led to an off-shoot program titled “In the Voice of a Child,” allowing middle school students to develop oral history projects. I am particularly grateful to have played a significant role in developing the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, highlighting civil rights movement veterans. Despite the challenges faced during that project, the opportunity to engage with my heroes and heroines of the movement was enriching.
I have made significant connections in history, music, and education throughout my career. These moments bring a smile to my face as I reflect upon them. I have been fortunate to be involved in the Inaugural Public History Institute at Yale University, to work with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Racial Equity program, and to participate in various leadership programs such as the American Express Women in Music Leadership Academy. Notably, a documentary I co-produced, “Mandela: Prepared to Die,” while in Cincinnati earned us an Emmy award. In recent years, I have been humbled by the recognition received from organizations, including the 2022 Outstanding Alumni Speaker at the Undergraduate Ceremony for the College of Arts & Sciences at Webster University, the Museum Leadership Award from the Association of African American Museums, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Webster University.
Bringing together my career experiences and connections to support the youth at St. Louis ArtWorks has been an unexpected delight. Watching these young individuals grow and witnessing their dedication to their artwork inspires me. I aim to rally more people to support our youth as they strive to impact our community positively. Collaborating with our passionate teaching artists, apprentices, and my “small but mighty” staff motivates me to elevate this program to new heights.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://stlartworks.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stlartworks/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stlartworks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StLouisArtWorks
Image Credits
Emmy left to right, Alphonzo Wesson, Jonathan Knosp, Jacqueline Dace, Dion Brown Webster Distinguished Alumni Award, Percy Dace, Jacqueline Dace, Shawn Dace
