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A’Lelia Bundles Becomes Chair, President of
the
Foundation for the National Archives
Washington, DC –
Author and journalist A’Lelia Bundles has been elected Chair
and President of the Board of Directors of the Foundation
for the National Archives.
Bundles, who succeeds Ken Lore, was elected
to serve a three-year term, beginning January 1, 2012.
The Foundation is an independent nonprofit
that serves as the private-sector partner of the National
Archives in the creation of the National Archives
Experience, which includes permanent exhibitions,
educational programs, web sites, traveling exhibits, special
events and screenings, educational literature, and
historical/records-related products and media. The
Foundation helps the public understand the importance of the
National Archives in our democracy by presenting the depth
and diversity of the records it holds in trust for the
American people. It generates financial and creative support
for the National Archives Experience from
individuals, foundations, and corporations who share a
belief in the importance of innovative civics education.
“We are all honored and
delighted that A'Lelia is assuming Foundation leadership
responsibilities,” said Archivist of the United States David
S. Ferriero. “Her history of scholarship, media
sophistication, and passion for the mission of the National
Archives will serve us well.”
Thora Colot, Executive Director of the
Foundation for the National Archives, said: “We welcome
A’Lelia at a critical time for the Foundation, as we look to
expand and enhance our support of the National Archives to
serve both museum visitors and researchers. Under her
leadership, and with the support of our major donors, we
plan to open a new introduction to research and retail space
at the National Archives Building in Washington later this
year, and we look forward in 2013 to the opening of a new
David M. Rubenstein Gallery at the Archives, which will be
the new home for the 1297 Magna Carta as well as permanent
exhibitions focusing on the rights of women,
African-Americans, and immigrants.”
Bundles became involved with the Foundation
for the National Archives in 2005 and most recently served
as an officer and on the board’s Executive Committee.
“Every time I enter the doors of the National
Archives, I’m struck by the magic and the magnitude of this
institution,” she said. “As the repository for the Magna
Carta and the Charters of Freedom, as well as the documents
that tell the family stories of all Americans, we embody the
strengths and aspirations of our nation. I’m honored to
serve as chair of the board with a passionate group of board
members, a talented staff, and a visionary Archivist. I’m
truly excited about our 2012 exhibits and the opportunities
that the new gallery and retail spaces will create for us to
reach even more visitors and researchers in 2013.”
After a 30-year career as a network
television news producer and executive with ABC News and NBC
News, Bundles now is president of the Madam Walker/A’Lelia
Walker Family Archives, the largest private collection of
Walker photographs, business records, letters, clothing,
furniture and personal artifacts. On Her Own Ground: The
Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker, her best-selling
biography of her great-great-grandmother, was named a New
York Times Notable Book. She is currently at work on her
third book, Joy Goddess of Harlem: The Life and Times of
A’Lelia Walker, a biography of her great-grandmother.
In addition to her work with the Foundation
for the National Archives, Bundles serves as a Columbia
University trustee, on the board of the Madam Walker Theatre
Center of Indianapolis, and on the Radcliffe Institute’s
Schlesinger Library Council at Harvard.
Bundles was graduated magna cum laude from
Harvard College
and Radcliffe College and received a master’s degree from
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She lives
in
Washington, D.C.
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About the Foundation
for the National Archives
The Foundation for the
National Archives is an independent nonprofit that serves as
the National Archives’ private-sector partner in the
creation of and ongoing support of the National Archives
Experience, which includes permanent exhibits, educational
programs, traveling exhibits, special events and film
screenings, and historical/records-related products,
publications, and media. The Foundation helps the public
understand the importance of the holdings of the National
Archives by presenting the depth and diversity of the
records through award-winning, interactive educational
exhibits and programs. It generates financial and creative
support for the National Archives Experience from
individuals, foundations, and corporations who share a
belief in the importance of innovative civics education.
About the National
Archives Experience
The National Archives
Experience, created by the National Archives in partnership
with the Foundation for the National Archives, has
transformed the visitor experience at the National Archives’
Washington, DC building, and includes a renovated Rotunda
for the Charters of Freedom, the award-winning Public Vaults
permanent interactive exhibition, the William G. McGowan
Theater, the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery for special
exhibits, and the Boeing Learning Center. In addition, the
Foundation has taken the Archives nationwide through online
initiatives such as the Digital Vaults online exhibit and
DocsTeach, a web-based educational resource. These
components make the rich resources of the National Archives
accessible to Americans nationwide.
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