Joy Ford Austin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joy Ford Austin
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Joy Ford Austin at Uline Arena by James Kagley
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| Education | St. Rose's High School |
| Alma mater | McMaster University Trinity Washington University |
| Occupation | non-profit executive, philanthropist |
| Spouse(s) | Bobby William Austin |
| Children | Princess Ariana Austin Makonnen |
| Parent(s) | John Meredith Ford Sarojini Janki |
Joy Ford Austin is a remarkable Guyanese-American leader. She is known for her work with non-profit organizations, helping people, and supporting the arts. She has dedicated her career to preserving culture and history, especially for African Americans.
From 2000 to 2020, Joy Ford Austin was the executive director of Humanities DC. This organization is connected to the National Endowment for the Humanities. After leaving Humanities DC, she became the president of AustinFord Associates. She also serves as the chief executive officer of Joy Ford Austin Arts and Humanities Advocacy.
Early Life and Education
Joy Ford Austin was born in Georgetown, Guyana. Her father, John Meredith Ford, was the Lord Mayor of Georgetown from 1970 to 1972. Her mother, Sarojini Janki Ford, worked for the Ministry of Education.
Joy's family history is quite interesting. Her mother's family came from India to Guyana as indentured servants. This means they worked for a set period to pay for their travel. They joined the Canadian Presbyterian Mission. Her grandfather, Thomas Janki, was the first ordained Presbyterian elder in British Guiana.
Joy was raised in the Presbyterian faith. She attended Burns Memorial Presbyterian Church. In 1968, she graduated from St. Rose's High School. This was a Catholic school run by the Ursulines.
She then studied English literature at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She graduated in 1972. Later, in 2002, Joy earned a master's degree. This degree was in organizational leadership from Trinity Washington University.
Career Highlights
Joy Ford Austin worked as a program manager. This was at the Center for Arts and Culture in Washington, D.C.. She held this role from 1998 to 2000.
From 2000 to 2020, she led Humanities DC. This organization helps people learn about history and culture. In 2005, she started the D.C. Community Heritage Project. This project helps save historic buildings in D.C. It also records the stories of people who lived and worked there. As a leader, she also created the D.C. Digital Museum. She also managed Culture Capital.
Joy was the first director of the African American Museums Association. She held this position from 1980 to 1987. She worked with many important museums. These included the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. She helped these places preserve African-American culture and history.
Today, Joy is the founder and president of AustinFord Associates. This company works with big organizations. These include the Presidential Commission for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. She also works with the Smithsonian Institution. Since May 2020, she has been the chief executive officer of Joy Ford Austin Arts and Humanities Advocacy.
Personal Life
Joy Ford Austin became an American citizen when she was twenty-six years old.
She is married to Bobby William Austin. He is a sociologist and a writer. One of their daughters is Ariana Joy Lalita Austin. Ariana is married to Prince Joel Dawit Makonnen. He is a great-grandson of the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie. Joy is also the aunt of Priya Dadlani, who works in culture and community organizing.
