Tuskegee, Alabama — October 19, 2026 — The Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie Coley as its new Operations & Museum Director, following a comprehensive six‑month national search to strengthen leadership and support the Center’s expanding mission.
Coley succeeds Deborah Gray, who served as Managing Director for 26 years and helped shape the Museum into a trusted regional and national resource for civil‑rights education. Her appointment honors Gray’s legacy and positions the Center for its next chapter of institutional growth, community engagement, and national partnership.
“Stephanie brings a rare combination of operational discipline, community insight, and mission‑anchored leadership,” said David Fleer, Executive Director. “Her presence strengthens the Center at a pivotal moment, and her commitment to Tuskegee’s history and people aligns directly with the legacy entrusted to us.”
A Mission Rooted in Truth‑Telling, Remembrance, and Community
The Tuskegee History Center ~ one of the Center’s two pillars ~ preserves and interprets the multicultural history of Macon County and honors the 623 Black men harmed by the U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee, a 40‑year government study that inflicted profound suffering and shaped national conversations about ethics, race, and justice.
The Museum also documents and celebrates the civil‑rights legacy of Attorney Fred D. Gray, whose advocacy transformed Alabama and the nation. His work continues to guide the Center’s mission and informs the programming of the Fred Gray Institute, the Center’s second pillar, which advances national initiatives in civil‑rights education, narrative work, and public history.
Coley’s appointment strengthens the Center’s capacity to serve as a partner to organizations committed to justice, historical accuracy, and community restoration.
About Stephanie Coley
Stephanie Coley is a multidisciplinary business professional with more than three decades of experience guiding projects, organizations, and community‑based initiatives from vision through implementation. Coley has worked across civic, educational, cultural, and nonprofit sectors to strengthen institutional capacity, improve operational systems, and support mission‑driven organizations in achieving sustainable growth. Her leadership is marked by a systems‑oriented approach, a commitment to community relationships, and a deep respect for place‑based history.
She has collaborated with organizations throughout Alabama and the Southeast, helping institutions build the structures, partnerships, and programming needed to expand their reach and deepen their impact. Her work reflects a long‑standing commitment to community empowerment, historical stewardship, and the advancement of justice‑centered education.
Coley’s Role at the Center
As Operations & Museum Director, Coley will oversee:
- Museum and visitor center operations
- Visitor experience and interpretive engagement
- Volunteer coordination and community partnerships
- Exhibitions, collections stewardship, and interpretive planning
- Systems that support daily activity and long‑term institutional growth
- Operational support for the Fred Gray Institute’s statewide and national programming
Her work will focus on building the partnerships, programming, resources, and organizational capacity needed to strengthen the Museum’s place‑based mission, broaden its reach and engagement, and support the Center’s continued growth and strategic expansion.
Statement from Stephanie Coley
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue my relationship with the Center in this new capacity. I look forward to working alongside its staff, Board, community, and partners to strengthen the Museum, expand its reach, and ensure the histories entrusted to us continue to inform and connect the people we serve.”