Our Team

Monetta White, a San Francisco native, has dedicated her career to preserving African American culture and advocating for the community. With over 20 years of experience in civic engagement, and entrepreneurship, she has collaborated with numerous non-profits, donors, and corporations.

Under her leadership, the museum has played a pioneering role in showcasing renowned Black artists and curators locally and internationally. Additionally, she forged a partnership with SFMOMA to establish a joint curatorial position aimed at nurturing the next generation of BIPOC art leaders.

Guided by her expertise, the museum has achieved remarkable success, including record-setting donor campaigns and art auctions, doubling its budget, expanding its global reach and digital audience, and creating new opportunities for Black curators and artists.

Key Jo Lee is chief of curatorial affairs and public programs at the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco. In this role, Lee oversees the strategic direction for the museum’s exhibitions and programs; leads globally on identifying and promoting emerging artists from the African diaspora; and works to expand MoAD’s reach and influence locally, nationally, and internationally. She is responsible for the overall management and execution of the museum’s curatorial vision, including its exhibitions, publications, and public and educational programs, and plays an important role in the organization’s outreach, communications, and digital strategy.

Lee has a master’s degree from and is PhD candidate in History of Art and African American Studies at Yale University. Her first book, Perceptual Drift: Black Art and an Ethics of Looking, was published by Yale University Press and The Cleveland Museum of Art in January 2023.

Genesis A. Emery-Foley is an award-winning Chief Marketing Officer, esteemed entrepreneur, speaker, and frequent guest lecturer. With over 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, brand strategy, and public relations, Genesis excels in building stakeholder relationships, developing multi-channel campaigns, and crafting marketing strategies to drive growth and visibility for startups and nonprofits ready to scale and make an impact.

Her recognized talents and impactful leadership have garnered national media attention on platforms like ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS, and Inc. Genesis has also been featured as a speaker and lecturer for global corporations like IBM, Dell, and LinkedIn, prestigious universities like Loyola University Chicago, UC Berkeley, and Morehouse College, and at industry events like Black Tech Week and Chicago's Women's Leadership Summit.

Under her visionary leadership and strategic expertise in marketing, the Museum of the African Diaspora is set for significant global impact. Her distinguished career, marked by innovative campaigns and a commitment to diversity and cultural enrichment, is driving the museum’s mission forward and amplifying the institution’s digital presence.

Since joining MoAD as the newly appointed CMO, Genesis has significantly expanded opportunities for Black curators and artists, while also enhancing the museum's global impact and reach. Her innovative strategies in marketing and brand development have broadened MoAD's audience and strengthened its digital presence. As a dynamic leader, she continues to elevate the museum's influence on the world stage, driving forward its mission and cultural significance.

Jason M. Blackwell has dedicated his career to uplifting communities through the power of the arts. With over 15 years of experience stewarding resources, building capacity, and advocating for the arts across the cultural landscapes of New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, he has had the privilege to learn from, collaborate with, and support numerous artists, non-profits, cultural practitioners, and arts enthusiast.

He is the Chief of Staff at the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco. In this role, Blackwell focuses on operational alignment, cross-departmental collaboration, and impact expansion. He is integral to fostering MoAD’s influence locally, nationally, and internationally by streamlining internal processes and building external partnerships. Reporting directly to the Executive Director and CEO, Blackwell oversees strategic initiatives, maintains key relationships, and collaborates with leadership to align activities with MoAD’s core mission and audiences.

Blackwell earned a Master of Professional Studies in Arts and Cultural Management from Pratt Institute and attended business school at The College of William and Mary for his undergraduate studies.

Elizabeth leads MoAD’s Public Programs department; she is a critical thinker with excellent research, writing and communication skills. She has been developing and running public programs at MoAD since 2010. She has launched new program series on spiritual practices, folktales, sacred music, film and dance and overseen the development of two residency programs, the Chef-in-Residence and Poets-in-Residence programs at MoAD. She directed the transition to exclusively virtual programming during the novel coronavirus pandemic for MoAD. Elizabeth has a B.A. (with highest honors) and a Ph.D. in History from University of California, Berkeley.

Elizabeth participated in a Museum Studies program at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation that ignited her interest in working in museums. She loves to tell the extraordinary stories of resilience and joy, and to showcase the historical, cultural, and intellectual contributions of the global African Diaspora. She enjoys collaborating with other institutions and non-profits in the Bay Area and around the world. Elizabeth likes almost any activity she does with her family and her dog, Nova.

Paul Plale is currently Museum of the African Diaspora’s Brand Design Manager. He joined MoAD during its renovation in April 2014 as a graphic design intern. He has been involved in the brand’s evolution ever since, from exhibition graphics to web presence to program branding to print advertising.

Paul studied at Academy of Art University in San Francisco pursuing Web Design & New Media with a focus on brand design, where his work was featured multiple times in the AAU Spring Show.

Born in Albuquerque, raised in central Pennsylvania and educated in San Francisco, Paul interprets life and art from many angles at once. He enjoys exploring the conflux of subcultures as they interrelate and spark new ideas. These ideas find their way into his art, writing and design.

I have been involved with MoAD since its opening in 2005. I have served as a volunteer and now as an employee. It has been my great pleasure to work with an outstanding staff in a worldclass institution, the only one of its kind in the Bay Area.

‍

Alicia is a photographer, writer, and dancer born in Hong Kong and raised in Beijing, China. She joined MoAD in 2023 and has previously worked at various other museums in the Bay Area, with a focus on Visitor Experience. Alicia moved to the Bay Area in 2017 while pursuing a degree in Cognitive Science at the University of California, Berkeley; her current favorite activities in San Francisco include walking in the botanical gardens, museum hopping, and discovering new places to eat. In her free time Alicia can be found learning new languages, muscling through writer's block, and organizing self-portrait photoshoots.

Si Mon' Emmett-Salah is a San Francisco based arts educator and director. She currently holds the Education Program Manager position at the Museum of the African Diaspora. Si Mon’ proudly hails from Dallas, Texas and studied at the University of Texas at Austin where she received her K-12 teaching certification in arts education. Her work outside of MoAD is centered on the performing arts and spans from directing theatre to producing and assistant directing film.

Mary began her career in the arts in the Bay Area in 2007 and has been committed to helping foster a vibrant and diverse arts community ever since.  Supporting public art has always been at the heart of her work leading her to roles focused on building and managing art collections for public and private entities, including galleries, museums, and health care institutions.  She is passionate about working with organizations who prioritize community involvement and making space and meaningful opportunities available to local and emerging artists.

Outside of work, Mary devotes time to her own studio practices including stained glass and glass blowing.  She loves travel, taking her dogs to the beach, and making food with friends.

Dariane Beamon, a proud Oakland native and UC Berkeley alumna, is an emerging mixed media artist and educator with a rich background spanning seven years in the field of education. Grounded in a profound passion for unraveling the interconnectedness of arts and education, Dariane commenced her journey at the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) three years ago as a teaching artist.

Today, in her role as an Education Program Coordinator, she plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between youth, educators, and the world of art. Dariane leverages her artistic expertise to cultivate a transformative learning experience, utilizing the arts as a powerful conduit for education. Her commitment to fostering a dynamic relationship between creativity and learning positions her as a driving force in helping to shaping innovative educational initiatives at MoAD alongside the Education Team.

Eden Tolico is a multi-disciplinary horror artist producing handmade apparel and fiber art in the Bay Area. During her time at California State University: Los Angeles, she received her bachelor's degree in art with a focus in Fashion & Textile Design.

Her work is centered on longevity and quality while still being evocative. She highlights the trans experience by experimenting with auditory and visual stimuli that fabricate diverse reactions.

Eden joined the Visitor Experience department at MoAD in 2024, where she gets to showcase her expertise in visual merchandising and customer engagement.

‍

Gustavo is part of our Education team.

A student of history, he graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Wittenberg University and completed his Master's at San Francisco State University, focusing on Religious Modern History. With over five years of experience in non-profits and educational institutions, including roles at AmeriCorps (BAYAC) and Peace Corps Rwanda, Gustavo brings a wealth of expertise and passion to his work.

At MoAD, he is dedicated to having discussions and exploring the historical and cultural significance of art.

‍

Guadalupe Pacheco-Gomez is a Visitor Experience Associate at the Museum of the African Diaspora. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Guadalupe graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and a minor in Film. An artist working in multiple mediums, including photography and graphic design.

Guadalupe brings a deep appreciation and knowledge of art to their role. This expertise enhances conversations with curators, artists, and visitors alike, creating a rich and engaging experience for all who come to the museum. Guadalupe joined the museum in early 2024, focusing on providing valuable insights about the museum and its exhibitions from the moment visitors arrive.

Their passion for art and dedication to fostering meaningful connections make Guadalupe an integral part of the museum’s team.

Gabriela Silva Myers-Lipton is a Visitor Experience Associate at the Museum of the African Diaspora. She has worked at various artistic institutions throughout the Bay Area, many of which focused on the curation of art from the African Diaspora.

She vehemently believes in creating dedicated spaces to spotlight unheard voices within the contemporary art world. Gabriela graduated from California College of Arts in 2024, with a BFA in Painting and Drawing. She continues her artistic practice alongside her employment at MoAD, and can be found @silvatooth on all platforms.

Michael is the Facilities Manager at the Museum of the African Diaspora, joining in 2025. With a background in facilities management, workplace services, construction, events, and audio, he brings a diverse skill set to enhance the museum's operations and visitor experience.

Passionate about creating efficient and welcoming spaces, he is dedicated to expanding MoAD’s services and capabilities. Outside of work, Michael enjoys exploring live music venues, museums, and bookstores.

Keisha Jones is a Tour Guide and member of the Learning and Family Engagement team at the Museum of the African Diaspora, where she has led hundreds of students, non-profits, and corporate groups on engaging and educational journeys. A military brat, Air Force Veteran and former Hebrew Linguist, she has since spent time in various arts-related roles, including as an assistant both to a museum director and to an executive director of a San Francisco arts initiative; as a curator of photography; and as a school programs facilitator at the Oakland Museum of California.

Keisha attended the San Francisco Art Institute and graduated from the California College of the Arts with a degree in the History of Art and Visual Culture (HAVC), where she became the inaugural recipient of the HAVC Award for African and Diasporic Studies. Having focused her thesis work on Black mermaids and female Afrofuturistic world-building, she has a deep love of African diasporic art.

Her interests outside of MoAD include teaching meditation, facilitating breathwork, studying to become a doula, arts policy, motherhood, reading tarot, and pondering the possibilities of the future.

‍

Linda joined MoAD in March 2013. Her financial career began as a cost accounting instructor at the University of Texas in Austin. Since then she has logged over 25 years as an accomplished financial and operational manager in the private and non-profit sector. As CFO, Linda successfully organized and grew a consumer product company to a multi-million business catering to Fortune 500 retailers.

She has also managed a cross-cultural exchange program and an international economic policy program. Linda’s expertise includes annual budgeting, financial modeling, cash flow forecasting, lending and legal negotiations, and audit management. Linda is also adept at creating order out of chaos and streamlining processes, making her an ideal member of FENG, the Financial Executives Networking Group. Before diving into the world of finance, Linda studied the German, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Japanese languages.