Kim Dulaney, former vice president of education and programs at Chicago's DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, has filed a whistleblower and retaliatory discharge lawsuit against the museum and its CEO, Perri Irmer. Dulaney alleges she was wrongfully terminated in October after repeatedly raising concerns about misuse of restricted funds, improper financial practices, and workplace misconduct to museum leadership, the board, and government agencies. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court on December 1, seeks reinstatement, damages, and injunctive relief. The museum has denied the allegations, stating that Dulaney's termination followed a thorough review process and that it maintains strict financial controls.
This lawsuit matters because it highlights ongoing governance and financial troubles at one of the oldest and most prestigious museums dedicated to African American visual art in the United States. The DuSable Museum has faced high staff turnover and financial difficulties in recent years, including a previous lawsuit from its former chief curator alleging similar financial mismanagement. The case raises broader questions about accountability and oversight at cultural institutions, particularly those that rely on public funds and donor grants.