Author and journalist A’Lelia Bundles has been elected chair and president of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for the National Archives. Bundles, who succeeds Ken Lore, was elected to serve a three-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2012.
The foundation is an independent nonprofit that serves as the private-sector partner of the National Archives in the creation of the National Archives Experience, which includes permanent exhibitions, educational programs, websites, traveling exhibits, special events and screenings, educational literature, and historical/records-related products and media.
“As a journalist and a biographer, I work every day with historic documents, so having an opportunity to serve as president and chair of the Foundation for the National Archives is an absolute thrill,” Bundles told the Recorder. “We have a very passionate board, a skilled staff and in David Ferriero, a visionary archivist, so I am honored to have been elected to work with such a great group of people.”
Ferriero had kind words for Bundles as well.
“We are all honored and delighted that A’Lelia is assuming foundation leadership responsibilities,” he said. “Her history of scholarship, media sophistication, and passion for the mission of the National Archives will serve us well.”
Bundles became involved with the Foundation for the National Archives in 2005 and most recently served as an officer and on the board’s Executive Committee.
“Every time I walk through the doors of the Archives, I’m struck by the magic and magnitude of the institution, a place that represents the strengths and aspirations of our nation,” said Bundles, the great-great granddaughter of Madame C.J. Walker. “In some ways that magic is akin to what I feel when I visit the Madame Walker Theatre Center, where I’ve been fortunate to have been a long time board member representing the Madame Walker family.”
For more information on The Foundation for the National Archives, visit www.archives.gov/nae/support/ or www.archives.gov/index.html.
