Dr. Tonya Matthews is the President and CEO of the International African American Museum in Charleston, SC. Scheduled to open in late 2022, IAAM is being constructed on the site of Gadsden's Wharf, one of America's most prolific internationally slave trading ports. 

Dr. Matthews, an experienced executive, thought leader and educator, has proven track records in organizational leadership, strategic planning, diversity and inclusion, program development, project management and vast visitor, and community engagements initiatives.

She is founder of The STEMinista Project, a ground-breaking, national initiative that inspires middle-school girls to consider tools and careers in STEM. 

Dr. Matthews is also a published poet and spoken word artist. Her works is included in 100 Best African American Poems edited by Nikki Giovanni.