Devon Akmon Named Director of Arab American National Museum

A new face has been chosen to lead the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn. The museum announced on Friday that it selected Devon Akmon as director.

The former deputy director has overseen daily operations for the past year and succeeds founding director Anan Ameri, who retired in May.

Akmon’s appointment came after an exhaustive search of top talent across the United States by a committee comprised of leaders of cultural institutions and non-profit organizations.

Akmon joined the museum as curator of community history days before the AANM opened on May 5, 2005. In its first two years, he was instrumental in securing the AANM’s Smithsonian Affiliate status. Akmon was promoted to deputy director in 2009.

“His hands-on experience at the AANM, his vision for its future, deep understanding of Arab American culture plus extensive experience in curation, capacity building and historic preservation, make him uniquely qualified to lead the only institution among America’s 17,500 museums to focus on Arab Americans,” said Manal Saab, chairman of the National Advisory Board of the AANM.

ACCESS Executive Director Hassan Jabe said Akmon has planned, designed and coordinated AANM exhibitions and led the development of new media and web-based initiatives, including “crowdfunding” social media campaigns. He also has experience training and coaching AANM staff in areas of customer service, time management, team building, professional development, communication and leadership.

“Devon holds the qualities required to lead the Arab American National Museum into its future,” said Jaber. "He’s been an integral part of museum leadership since day one. He is creative, innovative and possesses the tested talent to enhance this national treasure that attracts attention from across the globe.”

Akmon serves on several boards and committees. He is a current board member at Arts & Scraps and a past board member for Heritage Works, both in Detroit. His committee memberships include Health Alliance Plan’s Community Advisory Council; CultureSource’s Community Relations Team; and the American Alliance of Museums’ National Programs Committee.

He has also served as a coordinator for the First Aid Support Team of the American Red Cross, Washtenaw County Chapter. He is a graduate of Michigan Nonprofit Association’s Emerging Leaders Class IX and Leadership Detroit Class XXXIV.

Akmon earned his Master of Science degree in historic preservation at Eastern Michigan University, where he was a member of the Sigma Pi Kappa honors society. As an undergraduate, Akmon studied art history and psychology at Michigan State University.