As recently as last year, the African American Museum was in such fiscal turmoil that it had to lay off its staff. Help came last May when the city advanced the institution $135,000 from its annual contribution. Still, it needed a new start, and that came in the face of Romona Riscoe Benson, who, nine months after the financial Band-Aid, was tapped to lead the institution. Two weeks before a press conference scheduled to address the museum's upcoming plans—she couldn't answer every question we had—Benson talked with City Paper about what she sees in the museum's future.

City Paper: How did the museum fall into financial troubles to begin with?

Romona Riscoe Benson: Well, I wasn't here of course, but I would venture to guess that the cost to operate exceed[ed] levels of support that came in. … I don't think that what happened at the African American Museum is any different than what has happened with a number of other arts and cultural institutions. Very few of [the city's] cultural institutions are financially healthy.

CP: Can you describe your six-month recovery plan? What were some of its specific goals?

RRB: We developed seven recovery drivers, and key among those are museum leadership, fiscal solvency and fund development. The board of directors needed to be reconstituted and additions were made July 1. We needed to complete two audits and set up a structure of checks and balances for financial management.

CP: What is the museum's current financial status? Is it still in crisis?

RRB: We have stabilized financially. We have reduced our debt. We have received commitments of support that we hope to have in place over the next couple of months. Also, a director of development is to be hired soon to look for other means of support.

CP: What is your outlook for the museum?

RRB: Our forecast is sunny and bright and I think this museum will certainly be around for the next 30 years to come. We have the best ingredients for a successful institution and the ability to showcase and highlight accomplishments of people of African-American descent.