Supporting the B.B. King Museum Through COVID-19

The B.B. Ambassadors program offers Delta teenagers the chance to develop leadership skills while acting as ambassadors for the region's history and culture. NEH funding helped the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center transition programs like this one online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Image courtesy of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. — The B.B. Ambassadors program offers Delta teenagers the chance to develop leadership skills while acting as ambassadors for the region’s history and culture. NEH funding helped the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center transition programs like this one online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Image courtesy of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center.

The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center celebrates the life of blues musician B.B. King while preserving the history of the Delta Blues and culture of the Mississippi Delta. Located in the town of Indianola, pop.~10,000, the museum supports the local economy by bringing in tourism dollars while providing employment and essential arts, humanities, and leadership opportunities for local community members. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an NEH CARES grant helped the B.B. King Museum shore up its operations, keeping staff employed while transitioning to a virtual work environment.

“[NEH funding] was critical to maintaining the education department throughout the pandemic.”

–Malika Polk Lee, executive director, B.B. King Museum

Most importantly, NEH funding helped the B.B. King Museum continue serving local youth. The museum transitioned its B.B. Bridge Building Ambassador program online. The leadership program for high schoolers continues to offer internship and training opportunities while encouraging teens to engage with local history. The museum also moved its Be Smart community health program and children’s book club to virtual formats. The B.B. King Allstars program, a music program for Delta area children, offered virtual training sessions and rehearsals.

With NEH funding, the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center were able to continue programs like the Be Well initiative, pictured here, in virtual formats throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Image courtesy of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center.

The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center holds educational programs throughout the year. The annual Dr. Seuss Silly Birthday Celebration is one of the museum's most popular programs for children. NEH funding was key to supporting the museum's educational staff throughout the pandemic. Image courtesy of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. — The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center holds educational programs throughout the year. The annual Dr. Seuss Silly Birthday Celebration is one of the museum’s most popular programs for children. NEH funding was key to supporting the museum’s educational staff throughout the pandemic. Image courtesy of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center.

B.B. King Allstars provides opportunities for youth to develop their musical talents. NEH funding helped the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center transition programs like this one online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Image courtesy of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center.

According to Malika Polk-Lee, the museum’s executive director, NEH funding “was critical to maintaining the education department throughout the pandemic.” The funding also provided for updates to the museum’s webpage and the purchase of software for virtual programming, building new capacities in terms of technology and helping the museum reach new audiences—two impacts that will last beyond the pandemic.