From Recovery to Renewal: Carriacou Historical Society Announces New Leadership Team

CARRIACOU MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Paterson Street, Argyle, Hillsborough, Carriacou, Grenada, W.I.

www.carriacoumuseum.gd • info@carriacoumuseum.gd • +1 (473) 443-8288

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday. July 14, 2026

Carriacou Museum Appoints Majella Mark as Executive Director and Curator, Announces 2026–2027 Board of Directors

HILLSBOROUGH, CARRIACOU, GRENADA — The Carriacou Museum and Historical Society (CHS) is pleased to announce that Majella Mark will succeed Clemancia Alexander as Executive Director of the Carriacou Museum, effective July 1, 2026. This appointment marks a significant milestone in the museum’s ongoing rebuilding and revitalization following the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.

Majella Mark has been at the forefront of the museum’s recovery since 2024, serving as a Board Member and Director of International Affairs & Special Projects. In that capacity, she helped spearhead the “Rising from the Waves” oral history initiative, documenting local voices and mobilizing diaspora and international support for the museum’s restoration under Dr. Christiana Best of the University of Saint Joseph. She collaborated closely with architect Erik Johnson on the physical rebuild, and worked in partnership with fellow Board Member and renown artist Benaiah Matheson, Director of Diaspora Engagement & Cultural Partnerships, to advance the museum’s global reach, fundraising efforts and community connections.

“Majella’s leadership has been central to everything we have accomplished since Beryl. Her vision, her tireless work, and her deep love for Carriacou make her the ideal person to lead this institution into its next chapter. We are proud to formalize what she has already been doing, building bridges between our island and the world, and ensuring our heritage is preserved for generations to come.” — Bryan Whyte, President, Carriacou Historical Society

About Majella Mark, Executive Director & Curator

Majella Mark is a cultural strategist, filmmaker, producer, and oral historian dedicated to preserving the stories, heritage, and resilience of Caribbean communities. A proud Grenadian-American, she brings over a decade of experience spanning research, project development, and cross-cultural programming across the Caribbean, the United States, and Africa.

Among her most notable credentials, Majella has served as a consultant to start-up companies focused on the African Diasporic market, including work with Disney’s Onyx Collective, the premium content brand dedicated to championing Black audiences and creators globally. This experience in building culturally resonant brands and programs for Diasporic communities directly informs her approach to reimagining the Carriacou Museum as an institution with both deep local roots and global significance.

As a filmmaker and producer, Majella’s credits include the award-winning podcast “Black Women of Amherst College,” a historical project that received wide recognition for its rigorous archival research and community-centered storytelling. She brings this same commitment to historical integrity and compelling narrative to her curatorial vision for the museum’s exhibitions and public programming.

As Executive Director, Majella will lead the museum’s strategic operations, institutional partnerships, fundraising, and collections stewardship. In her secondary role as Curator, she will oversee the development and interpretation of the museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions, ensuring that the stories of Carriacou’s Indigenous origins, African heritage, and living cultural traditions are meaningfully preserved and accessible to residents and visitors alike. Her expertise in sustainable development and climate resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will also guide the museum’s long-term institutional planning.

Her storytelling and advocacy work has been featured on major platforms including Carry On Friends. She is the founding board member of the Caribbean Futures Forum Think Tank and a sought-after speaker on climate justice, Caribbean identity, and diasporic responsibility.

“The Carriacou Museum is more than a building, it is the living memory of this island. I am honored to step into this role and to continue the work of rebuilding, not just the structure, but the connections between Carriacou and its diaspora, between our past and our future. The skills I’ve honed in brand development, film, and cultural strategy are all in service of one mission: ensuring that Carriacou’s story is told, preserved, and celebrated on the world stage.” — Majella Mark, Executive Director & Curator, Carriacou Museum

2026–2027 Board of Directors

The Carriacou Historical Society is also pleased to introduce its 2026–2027 Board of Directors, whose collective expertise in community development, cultural preservation, finance, the arts, and diaspora engagement will guide the museum through its next chapter:

Bryan A. Whyte — President

David Mark, MBE — 1st Vice President & Communications Strategy Unit Lead

Milton Josiah Coy — 2nd Vice President

Andy Matheson — Secretary

Maria Hamlet — Treasurer

Benaiah Matheson — Director of Diaspora Engagement & Cultural Partnerships

Augustine Charles — Director of Capital Projects and Museum Development

Terrance Mc Lawrence — Director of International Affairs

Ingrid Lewis, BSc — Director of Regional Affairs and Strategic Coordination

Randy Cornelius — Director of Local Community Engagement

Agnes McKenzie — Director of Museum and Collection Oversight

Chris Pearson — Director of Collections Stewardship

Andy Matheson — Director of Finance and Administration

Majella Mark, MBA — Executive Director, Curator

Susie Ribeiro — Special Advisor to the Board on Finance

Patricia Hollingsworth — Superannuary Director

The Society also announces two changes to its officer roles this term. Andy Matheson was elected Secretary, replacing Elizabeth Bedeau, who stood down from re-election. Maria Hamlet was elected Treasurer, following the departure of Patricia John from the role. The Board extends its sincere thanks to both Elizabeth Bedeau and Patricia John for their long and dedicated service to the Society.

About the Carriacou Museum & Historical Society

Founded fifty years ago in 1976 by local residents committed to preserving the artifacts and stories of Carriacou, the Carriacou Museum and Historical Society is a gateway to the rich history and vibrant culture of Carriacou, the Isle of Reefs. Located in Hillsborough, Carriacou, Grenada, the museum preserves and celebrates the island’s Indigenous origins, African ancestry, colonial influences, boat-building traditions, and living cultural festivals through its collections, public programming, and community partnerships. The museum is a proud member of the Museum Association of the Caribbean.

Media Contact

Carriacou Museum & Historical Society

Attention: Ingrid Lewis

info@carriacoumuseum.gd | Ingrid.lewis@hotmail.com

+1 (473) 443-8288

www.carriacoumuseum.gd