Micah Parzen: When Museums Confront their Colonial Core

Sep 18

Micah Parzen: When Museums Confront their Colonial Core

In this episode, Kristine Michie sits down with Micah Parzen, CEO of the Museum of Us, for an honest conversation about what it takes to transform an institution. Running a museum that no longer speaks of “artifacts” and “collections” and instead embraces “belongings” and “ancestors,” Micah talks about the journey of repair and repatriation. In it all, listeners are invited to reflect on leadership that centers care, accountability, and courage while navigating moments of applause and critique. This dialogue offers a rare chance to consider how curiosity, language, and love can reshape organizations and embrace the communities they serve. Prepare to come away challenged, inspired, and equipped with new ways to think about change.

Key Takeaways:

Reflect on your organization’s history and take responsibility for repairing harm, as the Museum of Us has done in confronting its colonial legacy.
The Museum of Us shifted from being known as “Grandma’s attic” to becoming a leader in anti-racist and decolonial museum practices.
When backlash comes, use it as an opportunity to clarify what your organization stands for instead of retreating.
Micah’s personal experiences of privilege and proximity to immigrant communities shaped his lifelong awareness of justice and equity.
Create a culture of care in your workplace where people can bring their full selves and thrive over the long term.
Philanthropy must examine the origins of wealth and direct resources toward repairing the communities harmed in the process of its accumulation.
Balance serious change work with intentional play, joy, and rest to sustain energy for yourself and your team.

"Most wealth didn’t just fall from the sky in a way that you know does not have its own history... really focusing on using those monies to make it right by those communities is something that is difficult for philanthropists and philanthropic organizations to think about... So I think continuing down that path is critically important." — Micah Parzen

"We began to focus on contemporary issues that are sort of vexing to you know, our society and our community, whether it's race, immigration, indigenous, lived experience... slowly but surely, we transformed [the museum] into a very different place." — Micah Parzen

"We spend as much time on an organizational cultural perspective, and creating a culture of care, both among our team members and our board, and creating a space where people feel like they are truly welcome and belong and can bring their whole selves to work." — Micah Parzen

More about Micah Parzen:

Micah Parzen is a nonprofit leader, anthropologist, and attorney who has served as CEO of the Museum of Us since 2010, focusing on anti-racist and decolonial museum practices and sharing them to create a ripple effect in the field. He was board chair of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership from 2020 to 2024 and has also served on several nonprofit boards. He holds degrees in anthropology and law from UC Berkeley, Case Western Reserve, and UC Davis, and is regularly invited to speak nationally and internationally about the Museum of Us’ journey.

Connect with Micah:
Website: https://museumofus.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-parzen-b683898/

Connect with Kristine:

Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/