FLORIDA HUMANITIES Executive Director Nashid Madyun & Andrew Quintana

Lunchtime Conversation host Nanette Wiser welcomed Florida Humanities Executive Director Dr. Nashid Madyun  and Communications Director Andrew Quintana to studio to talk about their collaboration with The Smithsonian, the upcoming exhibit this summer, their Florida Author Talks series and other America 250 events and initiatives, including the new Forum magazine.

Dr. Madyun grew up in the small historic town of Helena, Arkansas. The town has a rich cross section of important historical periods; Civil War, African American Leadership during Reconstruction, and Gospel and Blues Music Heritage. Dr. Madyun attended Mississippi Valley State University and Delta State University to obtain undergraduate and graduate degrees in History, and Southern New Hampshire University to obtain an MFA in Creative Writing. After working for the Department of Arkansas Heritage, he obtained a Doctorate in Management, conducting research in nonprofit sustainability and organizational leadership.

Dr. Madyun has served as the Director of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the Texas State History Museum, President and General Manager of Gibson Retail Group (a division of Gibson Music Instruments), the Art Museum and Archives of Hampton University, and most recently, as the Director of the Carrie Meek and James Eaton Sr. Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

He continues to teach courses in Humanities, African American Art, U.S. History and Graduate courses in Business. Dr. Madyun has served on a host of boards and public service commissions; including but not limited to, the Blues Foundation, the Austin Arts Council, Arkansas Black History Commission, Virginia State Heritage Preservation Board, and the Visit Florida Cultural, Heritage, Rural And Nature Committee, and the African American History Task force for the State of Florida.

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