Relevant Accomplishments:
  • BDJ Ventures has Ten years  of experience in designing, publishing, marketing and distributing high quality ethnic social expression products and images
  • Created a global distribution network of one thousand plus retail outlets (i.e.  Hallmark, WaldenBooks, Kohl’s, Target, K-Mart, Toys-R-Us, etc.)
  • Developed and managed licensing relationships with several African American Institutions including The Apollo Theater and The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
  • Strong relationships and leverage with creators and manufacturers of quality Afro centric social expression and gift items.

    BDJ Ventures Launched AA Museum Shops LLC in 2003.

    Currently operating the following African American Museum gift shops.
  • Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
  • Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
  • Frederick Douglass – Isaac Myers Maritime Park
  • National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
By Outsourcing Gift Shop Operations to AA Museum Shops the Museum receives:
  • An enhanced patron experience through a compelling in-store presentation of a wide assortment of mission consistent merchandise
  • Leveraged retail expertise, purchasing power and network economies to improve gift shop operations and profitability
  • Increased cash flow
  • Increased e-Commerce capabilities
  • Increased support of minority suppliers
  • The opportunity to focus additional resources on the core functions

Mission:

AA Museum Shop’s primary mission is to utilize best practices in gift shop operations to enhance African American Museum patrons’ experience while positively contributing to the museum’s revenue stream

  • Bernard C. Wright – Senior Director, Finance and Administration
    • MBA in Business Finance, BS in Economics, Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.)
    • 25 years of experience in Business Operations, Product Management and Procurement
    • 5 years of Retail Financial Management and Administration experience

  • Darnell K. Daisey – Senior Director, Operations and Museum Relations
    • MBA in Operations Management and Marketing, BS in Supply Chain Management
    • 22 years of Strategic Planning and  and Business Operations experience
    • 6 years of Retail Planning and Operations Management experience

  • Darryl B. Daisey – Senior Director, Product Development and Procurement
    • BS in Supply Chain Management
    • 18 years of Distribution, Logistics, Strategic Sourcing and Supply Chain Management experience
    • 5 years of Retail Product Design, Development and Shop Design experience

  • Joseph C. Jeter, Jr. – Senior Director, Marketing & Public Relations
    • BS in Systems Analysis, BA in Communications
    • 14 years of Technology Solutions Design and Development experience
    • 10 years of Sales, Marketing and Public Relations experience