Museum lays off chief fundraiser : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

GREENSBORO — The chief fundraiser at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum has been laid off, bringing to six the number of full-time employees who have lost their jobs in the museum’s first year of operation.

Amelia Parker had been the museum’s executive director for six years during the project’s planning stage before being replaced by curator and program director Bamidele Demerson in April. At that time, she was named the managing director for development and was primarily responsible for raising money to support the operating budget.

Parker, who was paid more than $100,000 annually, declined to comment.

Demerson said the restructuring shouldn’t be taken as a sign that the museum is in trouble.

“I would say that it’s a sign that we, like all other institutions, are trying to behave in a manner that is fiscally responsible -- that we, like all other institutions, want to make sure we spend our dollars as wisely as possible,” Demerson said.

The museum has drawn 65,000 visitors since it opened Feb. 1, 2010, on the 50th anniversary of four N.C. A&T students’ insistence on being served at the segregated lunch counter in the F.W. Woolworth building that now houses the museum.

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com

yardman1

January 26, 2011 - 2:20 pm EST

She says it not a sign the musem is in trouble? That was a joke,right?
If you want any chance of the place to survive thenyou better get somone over there that's actually ran a business before.

laughing

January 26, 2011 - 2:41 pm EST

She was paid over $100,000 a year for that job? Really??
That is the one thing that I find shocking in this article.

Amethyst

January 26, 2011 - 3:22 pm EST

I was thinking the exact same thing. Seems like a pretty steep salary to me. Not, that I'm familiar with that job description, but still.

dandyseniors

January 26, 2011 - 3:57 pm EST

That's W-A-Y too much money!

luvdowntowngso

January 26, 2011 - 4:38 pm EST

Wow! Over $100,000 to do fundraising! There are a ton of people that would do the same job for a lot less and likely do a better job. It would be very interesting to know some of the other salaries there!

Bosco

January 26, 2011 - 3:12 pm EST

You want to really be shocked, let's see the first year's operating statement. If they know what that is

terrier2003

January 26, 2011 - 3:37 pm EST

That place has been a fiscal disaster since it opened. Maybe they can get things straight soon. I mean, between taxpayers and grants there is a lot invested into that place.

skinsfan

January 26, 2011 - 4:12 pm EST

Well, unfortunately I am not surprised. This project truly has been doomed from inception. Look at all the years of delays in opening due to funds being mismanaged. Heck this "museum" couldn't even afford to purchase the bus that Rosa Parks rode on when it was available for sale. Most importantly, let's not forget that Skippy Alston and his trusty sidekick Earl "video poker" Jones purchased the old Woolworth property, and appointed themselves board members for life of the Civil Rights museum!

January 26, 2011 - 6:17 pm EST

If there is a hint of corruption, Alston would be involved.

They had such high pormises for this place too... Skip and the folks try to paint a bright picture for the place. however you can paint a skunk to look like a fox...but it still will smell like a skunk.

Tristar500

January 26, 2011 - 3:24 pm EST

Seriously, is anybody surprised this project is failing?

thomassw

January 26, 2011 - 3:36 pm EST

I for one would like to see the Museum succeed for a number of reasons. It can provide a valuable service to our community and enhance the downtown business district. If letting this person go will enable the facility to operate more efficiently while maintaining its standards, it a positive move...though no doubt not an easy one.

January 26, 2011 - 3:38 pm EST

If she was bringing in business like her title seems to inducate she would have been doing, she wouldn't have been terminated. Additionally I think that pay should be performance based in that situation.

goodtimes

January 26, 2011 - 3:40 pm EST

The museum is a joke and a money pit. I congratulate her on ability to get a 100k spiff off the project though!

January 26, 2011 - 4:02 pm EST

I bet if they put some "fancy" downtown hotel across the street from this landmark it would be a booming success. (rolling eyes)

jimsa

January 26, 2011 - 3:53 pm EST

I really would like to see this place succeed for many reasons including the fact that it has a vital story to tell. Whats most shocking is that I have yet to see this place advertised in any regional or national publications. Additionally this should be a required field trip for NC Elementry school children. I do not know ANYBODY who has visited the museum. Besides the initial opening day festivities i have yet to see where this has been marketed at all or generated anything positive for the community. Such a shame.

ghost from white oak

January 26, 2011 - 4:32 pm EST

I don't think it should be a required field trip for anybody!

As for knowing anyone who visited there, I was there in Feb. '60, found no need to return.

dusenberry

January 26, 2011 - 4:37 pm EST

Me to.

mahony

Wow. I hope the years catch up to you soon.

January 26, 2011 - 6:19 pm EST

Required Field trip? You can get everything you need from a book. And the parents won't be forced to support the failing enterprise...and the tax payers won't be forced to support it either for those kids who couldn't afford it.

Panacea

January 26, 2011 - 9:58 pm EST

I respectfully disagree: some things are best learned in interactive environments. Museum visits are a great way for students to visualize and connect with what would otherwise be remote experiences.

However, museums should not rely on school visits. There should be an ability to draw on multiple types of audiences and appeal to all kinds of groups. $100K for fund raising is excessive for a local homegrown museum. This isn't the Smithsonian or the British Museum.

January 26, 2011 - 4:03 pm EST

I believe the Federal Battleground and Tannenbaum Park would be more appropriate for elementary school children; they need to learn the foundation of our beliefs, the sacrifices made for them and what sacrifices are expected of them, before they learn how the country has advanced. The museum may be appropriate for junior and senior high school students once they have a firm foundation.

CherylP25

January 26, 2011 - 5:04 pm EST

What? You have to wait until Middle / High School to be taught about slavery and civil rights? But wars and violence are much more appropriate for Elementary School? I'm sorry, but it's comments like this that make you question if the race of the participants is what makes it acceptable history or not.

January 26, 2011 - 6:21 pm EST

the parks are free...

Museum costs $$$

Send them to the park and let them read about the woolworths in a history book. Besides, it almost February, they will hear about this.

January 26, 2011 - 10:01 pm EST

Goodtimes, elementary school is a perfect time to learn about inequality and civil rights: children this age tend not to have acquired racial prejudices yet.

And the struggles of early civil rights leaders is in the best tradition of this country. We should be reminded of what these leaders sacrificed: their homes, their jobs, their safety, their LIVES . . . in order to enjoy the same freedoms as everyone else. The beneficiaries of those struggles should be reminded that freedom is not free, and that they too have to do their part to maintain and defend their freedoms.

yakyak

January 26, 2011 - 4:51 pm EST

As long as Skip Alston and Earl Jones continue using the museum to spotlight themselves, the museum will continue to denigrate the Civil Rights movement and the people who accept jobs there.

I love how you can hold business meetings there for a nominal fee...

January 26, 2011 - 5:03 pm EST

Skip, Rev. Al, Jesse, etc... and this whole generation of social justice degenerates are a disgrace to Dr. King and his impassioned appeal: Let a man/woman be judged by the content of his character and not his skin color.
What a shame. The country opened it's arms only to slapped in the face. God help them.

January 26, 2011 - 5:06 pm EST

This country opened it's arms only to be slapped in the face? By who? Those uppity slaves who should've known their place instead of one day demanding equal treatment and recognition as fully human?

January 26, 2011 - 6:25 pm EST

They have been recognized as fully human... thye want to end segregation but the NAACP creates a line of divide all the time. They turn things that otherwise wouldn't be a racial issue into something racial.

I suppose you also agree with tax payers having to foot the bill for a kid to be bussed from one side of Wake County to the other. I guess if you have too much violence in one school you can spread to all over - that's an equitable distribution of crap...

January 26, 2011 - 7:19 pm EST

I don't understand how I ALSO agree with something in Wake County when I never said I agreed with anything in the first place.

I questioned a statement because it made no sense to me and I wanted clarification. Who is slapping this country in the face after being welcomed with open arms?

Do you always suppose things about people? I would ask that you stop supposing things about me. Thanks.

news-record.com

NEWS