Atiba Edwards
:Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s Chief Celebrates the Joy of Youthful Imagination
Growing up in Brooklyn, Atiba Edwards frequently visited the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) to see his favorite exhibition—a sleek, 25-foot Burmese python named Fantasia.
“It was bright yellow with white spots, and the museum staff would take it out and let it slither around. It was the first time I had ever seen a python up close,” Edwards said. “There was a sense of freedom the museum afforded, but also a sense of creating a space for imagination.”
Established in 1899, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum is the first and oldest children’s museum in the world. Edwards joined BCM in 2019 as chief operating officer (COO) and executive vice president. Now, he is the first Black executive to hold the top dual position of president and CEO of the 125-year-old institution.
Born in St. Vincent and a graduate of Bronx High School of Science, Edwards earned an engineering degree from the University of Michigan, where he also studied poetry and music. He later founded the nonprofit organization FOKUS, dedicated to connecting and building communities through the arts. He also worked with youth and families as director of operations at Brooklyn East Collegiate, a charter middle school. His focus at BCM is to merge these experiences and skills to create meaningful educational play for children.
The Positive Community recently interviewed Edwards about his creative and educational mission for youth and families at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
TPC: What do you think makes Brooklyn Children’s Museum unique?
Edwards: BCM is one of the few spaces that allows a child to simply be a child. In school, at home, and in extracurricular activities, children’s time is often structured, guided, and graded. BCM creates an open world where each visit offers a new and different experience. These experiences foster independence and allow families or caregivers to see their children in a new light, as they make decisions and interact with other children at the museum.
TPC: Why is it important for children to have fun educational experiences at children’s museums?
Edwards: Playful learning is proven to have a profound impact on child development, including strengthening cognitive skills, creativity, communication, and decision-making. Generally speaking, the best learning takes place through hands-on, tactile moments. Children’s museums create meaningful learning opportunities, cross-cultural experiences, and lasting memories.
