Open Call for BMRC Board of Directors positions

General Board Opportunities

We are especially interested in individuals with experience, expertise, or strong professional networks in the following areas:

● Philanthropy and fundraising, including experience cultivating individual, institutional, foundation, or corporate support

● Finance and accounting, especially in the realm of non-for-profit institutions, such as archives, libraries, museums, and cultural heritage

● Legal expertise, particularly individuals with experience in nonprofit governance, intellectual property, archives and cultural heritage, contracts, or related areas

● Community engagement and partnerships, especially individuals with strong connections to Chicago's Black communities and cultural organizations

● Archives, libraries, museums, and cultural heritage, particularly individuals with leadership experience in expanding access to and use of Black historical collections

● Black Studies and African American Studies, including scholars and practitioners with expertise in Black history, culture, politics, literature, art, or the African Diaspora

● Art galleries and art museums, particularly individuals with strong networks among galleries, artists, curators, collectors, and arts institutions

We welcome candidates whose experience bridges multiple areas and who can bring new perspectives, relationships, and resources to the BMRC.

Board Leadership Opportunities

In addition to general Board of Directors positions, officer positions are currently open and available for consideration, including:

● Chair (provides leadership to the Board, partnering with the Executive Director on strategy, operations, and fundraising; serves as the chief ambassador and spokesperson for the BMRC)

● Treasurer (Oversees financial management, budgeting, and audits in collaboration with the Board and Executive Director; will be responsible for the creation and chairing of a Finance and Development Committee of the Board)

Candidates interested in Board service should be willing to consider serving in an officer capacity, depending on their experience, interests, and the needs of the organization.

Board Service

BMRC Board members serve a three-year term and are expected to participate actively in the governance and development of the organization. The Board meets approximately six times per year (meetings are both virtual and in person), with additional time expected for committee work, organizational initiatives, and other activities as needed.

Board service is voluntary and is not monetarily compensated. We are seeking individuals who are prepared to contribute their time, expertise, relationships, and resources to help BMRC build a stronger and more sustainable organization.

Who Should Apply?

We encourage applications from individuals in the Chicago metro area who are passionate about Black histories, archives, cultural heritage, scholarship, and community access. Candidates may be affiliated with a BMRC member institution or may bring relevant expertise and community connections from outside the consortium.

We particularly welcome individuals who can help BMRC expand its networks beyond traditional archival and library spaces and strengthen connections among archives, museums, galleries, scholars, artists, cultural organizations, funders, legal professionals, and Black communities throughout Chicago and beyond.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials here:

● A short biography (maximum 200 words)

● A current CV or résumé

● A brief statement of interest (maximum 300 words) describing your interest in serving on the BMRC Board and the experience, expertise, networks, or perspectives you would bring to the organization

In your statement, please highlight the ways you envision contributing to BMRC's continued growth, sustainability, partnerships, programming, and impact.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the BMRC Board of Directors. Board appointments are subject to approval by the current Board.

All applications for this fall window must be received by Friday, October 23, 2026.

Questions about the open call may be directed to BMRC at bmrc@uchicago.edu.

The Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC) is a Chicago-based membership association of libraries, universities, museums, community/arts organizations, and other archival institutions. BMRC's mission is to cultivate and steward a network of all who seek to document, share, understand and preserve Black Chicago experiences. Through consortia programs and collaborative initiatives, BMRC works to expand access to materials documenting African American and African diasporic culture, history, and politics, with a particular focus on Chicago.