TYLER, Texas — Gloria Washington has stepped down from her role as Executive Director of the Texas African American Museum.
“She's a great visionary and she's led that museum up to the point where it is now,” Tyler City Councilmember Dr. Shirley McKellar said.
Washington has been the Executive Director of the Texas African American Museum since the beginning eight years ago. Although she has stepped down from that role, the stamp she’s made on the organization above all others.
“It’s unquestionable this place wouldn’t be where it is if it wasn't for Gloria,” TAAM Advisory Committee Chairman Gregg Muckelroy said.
Her commitment to the organization and push for innovative ways to continue to grow the museum to showcase black history and excellence never went unnoticed.
“She's bubbly, exciting whenever she talks, she's excited, you can't help but to get excited or be excited, you can tell she loves what she is doing,” Mason said.
After eight years, the joy of serving comes down not to the artifacts, but the people coming to see them.
“My favorite part is being there to greet the public, to see the expression, to see their face,” Washington said.
Washington plans to continue her flower business and volunteering with the Hospice of East Texas.
“My intent is for the museum to continue to grow and grow and be a great part of Smith County and Tyler, Texas,” Washington said.
There’s one word to describe her time being on the forefront of the museum.
“Ecstatic…I feel ecstatic over this Texas African American Museum,” Washington said. “It has been a pleasure serving the Texas African American Museum. It has been a pleasure serving our community of Smith County. I know that by being here my presence has been felt all over the United States, and that gives me joy."
CBS19 is available live and on-demand on your favorite TV streaming device, anytime from anywhere in the U.S.
The free CBS19+ app for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and smart TV devices features a 24/7 stream with the latest from CBS19.
In addition to the live stream, watch the latest from CBS19 on-demand, along with additional programming from our partners at TEGNA (like Verify, "Murder at My Door" and "In the News") and Locked On Sports, plus special collections from CBS19 like Under the Lights, Hooked on East Texas and CBS19 Originals.
DOWNLOAD ON ROKU
Add the free CBS19 channel by searching for CBS19 East Texas News in the Roku Channel Store on your device, or add the CBS19+ Roku channel using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON FIRE TV
Search for the free CBS19+ app in the Amazon App Store directly on your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, or add the CBS19+ Fire TV app using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON APPLE TV
Learn more about the free CBS19+ app in the Apple TV App Store and download directly from your Apple TV device.
DOWNLOAD ON YOUR SMART TV
The CBS19+ app is also now available directly on "smart" or "connected" televisions made by Samsung, LG and Philips, as well as televisions with Android TV. Search for CBS19 East Texas News in your television's app store to add CBS19+.
OTHER FREE WAYS TO WATCH
The CBS19+ 24/7 stream can be viewed on any desktop or mobile web browser anytime on the Watch page here on cbs19.tv.