CINCINNATI – The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is excited to announce the hiring of Dr. Ashley Jordan as Senior Director of Development. Dr. Jordan will lead the Freedom Center’s fundraising, donor cultivation and philanthropic efforts.
“We’re excited to welcome Dr. Jordan to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center as we look to her experience, talent and passion to elevate our organization,” said Woodrow Keown, Jr., president and COO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “We know she will be transformational in our efforts to pursue a bigger, bolder impact on our local and global community in pursuit of inclusive freedom.”
Dr. Jordan is no stranger to Cincinnati or to the Freedom Center. She previously served as curator at the Freedom Center prior to leading the Evansville African American Museum as Executive Director in 2018. In her time with the Evansville African American Museum she helped shift the perception of the small-scale museum to be a regional destination.
“I am thrilled to be coming back to the Freedom Center,” said Dr. Jordan. “I love the mission of this organization and I look forward to connecting more people to the enduring message of freedom.”
Dr. Jordan earned her doctorate in U.S. history and Masters in public history from Howard University. In addition to her previous experience with the Freedom Center and the Evansville African American Museum, she has worked at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio and served as an adjunct professor for North Central State College in Mansfield, Ohio.
Among the many accolades Dr. Jordan has earned in her career are the Pace Setter Award from the Association of African American Museums, doctoral fellowships from the Filson and the Kentucky Historical Societies and the Black Excellence Award from the NAACP. Dr. Jordan is an active member of the Association of African American Museums, the American Association for State and Local History, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and the American Alliance of Museums.
Dr. Jordan begins her role as Senior Director of Development immediately.
