Dr. Kenvi Phillips has been appointed the inaugural Director of the Barack Obama Presidential Library at the National Archives in Chicago. She will lead the planning and administration of all library programs and activities. It is the first fully digital Presidential library. The digital library will change the way we think about access to stories and information that have helped to shape our nation.
Dr. Phillips grew up at Washington Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where Bishop Anthony Witherspoon is the current pastor. She was involved with the youth ministry and Sunday School, ushered, and sang in the choir. Many of her relatives were lifelong members, and her mom, Cherrye Phillips, is still working and worshiping at the Met.
She graduated from Nerinx Hall High School. Her mother fondly remembers that even back in high school, Kevin wrote several poems and was an avid reader. She has hundreds of books today. Journaling is one of her favorite activities, but the family sport was bowling. It is not a surprise that she has had jobs that follow her passion.
She earned a B.A. in history from the University of Tulsa, a master’s degree in public history, and a doctorate in U. S. history, both from Howard University. She has worked in libraries and other historic sites over the last 20 years and served as the first Curator for Race and Ethnicity at Howard University’s Schlesinger Library, Assistant Curator of Manuscripts at Howard University, and Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Brown University Libraries, just to name a few.
Congratulations, Dr. Phillips!
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