Page 58 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2021

WELCOMES NEW

LEADERSHIP

Photo courtesy of Patricia Wilson Aden

Editor’s Note: On October 1, 2020, Patricia Wilson Aden an exhibition of the gowns of the Supremes to the museum.
became the new President and CEO of The Blues Foundation, The exhibit, entitled “Come See About Me,” allowed us to tell
succeeding the retiring Barbara Newman who held the a larger story of American history through music; something I
position since 2015. The Blues Festival Guide was able to envision doing at The Blues Foundation through our educational
catch up with Patty about her first few months at The Blues programs and, of course, through the Blues Hall of Fame.
Foundation, meeting the challenges of the pandemic and After 10 years at the museum I was ready for my next
what’s on the horizon looking forward. professional adventure. When I was approached by The Blues
Tell us about your past experiences that have Foundation, I was excited about the opportunity to tap into the
led you to become the President and CEO of The expertise, experiences and contacts I have gained throughout
Blues Foundation. my career. My expertise in non-profit management, my role at
My move to The Blues Foundation resulted from the happy the Rhythm & Blues Foundation and my experience running a
confluence of time and opportunity. I have been privileged to museum are all relevant.
hold leadership positions in historic preservation and museums, What has been most challenging for The Blues
as well as music organizations. The consistent thread is that I Foundation during the pandemic?
have always run non-profit organizations that focus on the Our most immediate challenge during the pandemic has been
preservation and celebration of cultural resources – whether maintaining our signature events, the International Blues Challenge
historic architecture, fine art or music. I have come to specialize in and the Blues Music Awards. Before I came on board, the 2020
organizations that celebrate African American cultural resources, Blues Music Awards had already been presented as a virtual event
including rhythm & blues and now blues music. and the cancellation of the 2021 International Blues Challenge
Leading The Blues Foundation allows me to draw upon many had already been announced. I soon came to understand the
aspects of my experience and expertise. For instance, when I was crucial role these two events play within the blues community. In
President of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, many ways they serve as the glue that binds together our extended
we sold legendary R&B producer Kenny Gamble an historic family of legacy artists, blues musicians, industry professionals
theatre. He recruited me to lead the strategy to make Philadelphia and fans. During these events we celebrate the music, connect
“The Home of Rhythm & Blues.” Bringing the Rhythm & Blues and reconnect with one another, and tap into the vital energy
Foundation to Philadelphia was an integral component of our that infuses today’s blues music. The Blues Foundation Board of
strategy. During my three years there, I gained a deep respect Directors and staff have prioritized finding ways to present versions
for the artists, their musicality and their tenacity. My experience of the Blues Music Awards and the International Blues Challenge,
administering their grant programs are directly transferrable to understanding the importance of the events to the genre and the
The Blues Foundation. blues community. We are looking forward to bringing everyone
Following my time there, I worked at the African American together again for the 2021 Blues Music Awards that will be
Museum in Philadelphia for 10 years, serving as the museum’s presented virtually on June 6. We are optimistic that vaccines will
President and CEO for eight of those 10 years. One of my first mitigate COVID-19 concerns, and have begun planning for the
major accomplishments was to work with Mary Wilson, the 2022 International Blues Challenge. Stay tuned to our Facebook
original member of the Supremes who recently passed, to bring and other social media channels for the latest news.

56 Blues Festival Guide 2021