The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago has responded to allegations of a retaliatory firing. Former vice president of education and programs Kim Dulaney was terminated on October 3 by museum president Perri Irmer, who cited institutional restructuring. Dulaney had previously filed complaints with HR alleging retaliation after she criticized museum operations. The museum denies the allegations, calling them "outrageous and categorically false," and states the termination followed a fair review process.
This controversy matters because it highlights ongoing instability at one of the oldest public museums dedicated to African American visual art. The museum has experienced high staff turnover and financial turmoil in recent years, including a 2017 lawsuit by former chief curator Leslie Guy over unpaid vendors and misused grant funds, and the resignation of seven board members in 2018. These repeated governance and financial issues raise concerns about the museum's leadership and long-term sustainability.