History is an Action Word: Designing Experiences that Empower

As an 18th century sugar plantation turned historic site, Whitney Plantation welcomes thousands of visitors annually to discuss the experiences of enslaved Africans and their descendants on Louisiana plantations and the legacies of slavery that still impact our communities today. For many of the staff, this unique work becomes personal. During this interactive presentation, Director of Education Amber Mitchell will discuss how her journey as a descendant and public historian combine to create experiences that encourage learners to listen, think, communicate, and activate.

This session is sponsored by Rackham’s Mellon Public Engagement and the Humanities program and is open to all students on campus interested in the topic.

Bio: Amber N. Mitchell is the director of education at the Whitney Plantation, a memorial site in South Louisiana that is exclusively dedicated to interpreting the story of slavery in the United States. As a public historian, Amber strives to tell the stories of underrepresented peoples in cultural institutions and transform cultural and historical institutions into accessible reflections of our communities. Before joining the Whitney staff, Amber worked at the National WWII Museum, the American Association for State and Local History, the Indiana Historical Society, and the Detroit Historical Society. She holds a master's degree in history from Indiana University and a bachelor's degree in history from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.