The American Association for State and Local History is pleased to announce that Dr. Rex M. Ellis has been honored with the association’s Award of Distinction.

This personal award is given infrequently and only in recognition of long and very distinguished individual service. Recipients are noted for their contributions to the field of state and local history and are recognized nationally as leaders in the profession.

Dr. Ellis was the founding Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs at the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian Institution. He was charged with the responsibility for planning, developing, directing, and managing all curatorial, collections, education, and outreach programs and activities.

Prior to this position, Dr. Ellis was Vice President of the Historic Area for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, where he oversaw all programs and operations. Ellis was the first African American Vice President in the Foundation’s history and served in that position for eight years.

He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Masters in Fine Arts from Wayne State University, a Masters of Divinity from Virginia Union University, and an Ed.D from the College of William and Mary.

He has contributed articles to such publications as The Journal of American History, The Colonial Williamsburg Journal, August House Publications, History News, and the Smithsonian Journal. He is the author of two books, Beneath the Blazing Sun: Stories from the African American Journey and With a Banjo on My Knee which chronicles the history of black banjo players from the time of slavery to the present.

“Since his initial entry into the museum field in 1979, his work has influenced how the field approaches the telling of stories of historically marginalized communities,” wrote AASLH Council Member Richard Josey in his letter of support for Dr. Ellis. “Throughout his career, he has pushed the field into new directions and trained many who continue to do so today. I will never forget when he told a crowd of guests, ‘African American history is a part of American history. It is simply a lens by how we view it to see what has often been unseen.’ The logic and care behind his words fueled many who currently strive to achieve a greater sense of belonging for all connected with museums, history organizations, and academic institutions.”

Dr. Ellis will be recognized during the Leadership in History Awards Presentation at the 2024 AASLH Annual Conference in Mobile, Alabama on Friday, September 13.