Reginald F. Lewis Museum Executive Director, Dr. A. Skipp Sanders (Photo Credit: Likisha Griffin)
Dr. A. Skipp Sanders, 73, recently announced his retirement as executive director of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore.
“I hear people say that 73 is the new 63—that’s not necessarily quite true in my case,” Sanders said jokingly in a Jan. 15 interview with the AFRO.
Sanders said after more than four decades of public service—including a decades-long tenure as an administrator in the Maryland State Department of Education and a four-year stint at the helm of the Museum—he wanted to refocus on the most important things in his life.
“When I first came on as executive director of the museum I was told you have to marry the museum. So, I had to get a certificate of separation from the museum to get back to my original marriage,” Sanders said, referring to his wife of 38 years.
“My wife has always been waiting for me to stop giving all my time to a state institution and then a cultural institution,” and he wanted to honor her sacrifice, Sanders added. “At my age, I really need to focus more on the primary values in my life, which is my family.”
Sanders said when he was first asked to head the museum he was uncertain because of his lack of experience in the nonprofit sector—though he was familiar with the institution, having served on a committee tasked with working with the museum to better integrate Black history into Maryland’s school curriculum.
“When it opened and I saw what a magnificent building this was and how dedicated people were to making this a success , I adopted their dedication,” Sanders said.
That dedication—adopted or not—saw Sanders leading the museum as it brought in major new donors, expanded its exhibition space, presented several award-winning exhibitions, became more nationally recognized and celebrated its 10th anniversary.
“Skipp has created a stellar legacy. He graciously agreed to stay on through the museum’s 10th anniversary, where he oversaw a year of exciting events and culminating in a sell-out gala,” said Board Chair Dr. Leslie King Hammond in a statement. “He has set the museum on a course for success that prioritizes being relevant, accessible, interactive, and thought-provoking.”
Hammond also praised Sanders’ leadership style, which was critical in bringing about the museum’s success in the past four years.
“As a leader, he is a gracious humanitarian. His style elicits the very best out of each person. He led the staff with compassion, patience, and an integrity that was compelling and inspired. It is for all those reasons that we are sincerely indebted to Dr. Sanders and are well poised to enter our next chapter,” she said.
Sanders told the AFRO his proudest accomplishment was the addition of several director-level staff members and all they were able to achieve as a team.
“I am most proud of the kind of talented new staff members we were able to add at the museum and how they blended with the dedicated staff who were already here,” he said. “ I’m proud of the quality of the things they did.”
Despite the accolades of those who praise his achievements at the museum, Sanders said he is the one who was blessed with new friendships, and insight, not just into history, but also into the unique challenges of the nonprofit sector.
“I take away so much more than I was able to give,” he said. “I’ve learned so much.”
And Sanders said when his retirement is official at the end of January, he’s going to channel all he’s learned into an important, history-changing effort:
“One of my major tasks is to get grandchildren,” he said with a laugh, adding of his intentions toward his 32-year-old son and 34-year-old daughter, “I’m going to start making a nuisance of myself.”