gillian_ebanks-knowles_web.jpgDELRAY BEACH  — Three new members — Margie Walden, William J. Whigham and Gillian Ebanks-Knowles — have joined the board of directors of the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum’s governing organization, Expanding and Preserving Our Cultural Heritage, Inc. (EPOCH).

The Spady Museum, at 170 N.W. Fifth Ave. in Delray Beach, is dedicated to showcasing the African-, Haitian- and Caribbean-American cultural contributions to the artistic landscape of Florida and the U.S., and is the only museum of its kind in Palm Beach County.

The newest board members bring strong backgrounds in professional work and community service:

Walden is executive vice president for the Alliance of Delray, a civic association of 82 homeowner and condo communities representing 100,000 people in greater Delray Beach, and is the Alliance of Delray representative to the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Whigham was raised in Delray, attending Spady Elementary School, Atlantic High School and Palm Beach Junior College (now Palm Beach State College) in Lake Worth. He has worked for Bellsouth Corp. since 1972, serving as employees union representative and vice president of Local 3104.

Ebanks-Knowles is the Assistant Branch Manager/Loan Officer/LEAP Mentor for the Boynton Beach branch of IberiaBank, a member of the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce and a past member of the Urban League Young Professionals of Palm Beach County and Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County.

Sponsors of selected Spady Museum exhibits, lectures and programs include the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, the State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and The Auburn Group.

The museum’s updated exhibition schedule includes:

• Scenes from Africa: Photographs by Samuel Spear Jr., extended through April 27

• Fort Mose: Colonial America’s Black Fortress of Freedom, May 2-July 29

• African Artifacts from the Collection of the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, August-September

The Spady Museum’s hours are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday by appointment; closed Sundays. Admission $5; members free. For more information call 561-279-8883 or visit spadymuseum.org

Photo: Gillian Ebanks-Knowles