SFEA Spring Seminar - Tuscaloosa, AL

Natalie Steed serves as the Executive Officer of the Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission, where she helps lead statewide efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. She is also the Development Officer at American Village, a national historic site in Montevallo, Alabama, dedicated to civic education. With a master’s degree in Information Systems and a strong background in education and nonprofit leadership, Natalie is passionate about creating meaningful connections between history, civic engagement, and learning. A lifelong resident of Shelby County, Alabama, Natalie remains deeply involved in her local community through various service initiatives and outreach projects.

I am the Executive Director of Historic Tuscaloosa. Historic Tuscaloosa oversees and operates five historic buildings in Tuscaloosa County. These include The Old Tavern, the McGuire Strickland House (houses a portion of the Capitol School), the Battle-Friedman House and Gardens, the Murphy Collins House (houses the Murphy African American Museum), and the Jemison Van de Graaff Mansion. I am the former Director of the Tuscaloosa Museum of Art, which housed the Westervelt and Jack Warner Collections of Art. I was born here in Tuscaloosa and attended both the City and County Schools. I attended Huntingdon College in Montgomery and received my BA in History. I am also completed a Master’s degree in Museum Studies from the University of Oklahoma. I have been married to my wife for twenty-four years and have two daughters, ages elven and seventeen. I am a member of the American Alliance of Museums, Southeastern Museum Association and have served on the Programs Board. I have also have serve on the Tuscaloosa Symphony Board, Murphy African American Museum Board, the Tuscaloosa Virtual Museum Board, and a member of the Alabama Museum Association along with other civic groups.

Keya Nkonoki is a super-connector and natural explorer who loves uncovering the hidden gems within the community. She brings decades of experience in marketing, collaboration, and creative storytelling to every role she serves. Her superpower lies in her ability to cast a wide net(work), foster “boots on the ground” connections, keep a predictive pulse on cultural and creative trends, and help clarify values, vision, mission, and strategy. She currently serves in a leadership role at the Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy, where she champions the preservation and revitalization of one of the South’s most iconic stories of Black, female innovation. Through her work, she helps steward a living legacy rooted in creativity, resilience, and community power—woven deeply into the fabric of American history. Keya is the recipient of Alabama State Tourism’s “Rising Star” Award (2023)

Jessica Dees is an archaeo-cultural anthropologist and museum professional serving as the Education Outreach Coordinator and Festival Director at Moundville Archaeological Park, part of the University of Alabama Museums system. She leads all public and educational programming at the park, including large-scale events such as the annual Moundville Native American Festival and the Moundville Lithic Arts Festival. Her work brings together Indigenous artists, culture bearers, and community partners to create engaging, hands-on experiences that connect visitors to the cultural and historical significance of Moundville. My current research involves conducting ethnographic interviews and analyzing qualitative data to inform and influence collaborative museum practices with indigenous peoples.

Erinn Townsend is an archaeological anthropologist and museum professional. She is the Assistant Museum Educator and Assistant Festival Director for Moundville’s annual Native American Festival and Lithic Arts Festival at Moundville Archaeological Park, a part of the UA Museums system. She specializes in Cultural Resource Management (CRM) archaeology and Southeastern Native Americans. In her role, she contributes to public engagement through the development and facilitation of educational outreach programs and she helps coordinate large-scale cultural events that highlight Indigenous heritage and traditional technologies. Erinn Townsend is dedicated to advancing public understanding of archaeology through education, exhibits, and community engagement.

Samyra Snoddy graduated from the University of Alabama with a BS in Corporate Finance Investment Management and Human Resource Management. She received her MS in Management from the University of Phoenix. Samyra is a Revenue Officer and is employed with the City of Tuscaloosa in the Accounting and Finance Department. A native of Tuscaloosa, Samyra has a passion for servicing her community. She has served on numerous civic and community organizations, including Temporary Emergency Service, and United Way of West Alabama. She currently serves as treasurer for Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission and is a member of The Tuscaloosa Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and Tuscaloosa County Chapter of NAACP. Samyra is the founder and President of West Alabama Multicultural Alliance Inc. (WAMA). An organization, which focuses on educating people on the importance of diversity through heritages. She chairs the Tuscaloosa Heritage Festival, an event that highlights diverse cultural heritage of people of color through ethnic cuisines, film, dance, and music. Samyra served as the treasurer for the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Task Force; and she is the current treasurer for the Foundation.

Sheriah is a two-time graduate in Hospitality Management from The University of Alabama. She began her career in the hospitality industry as a young business owner in college in conjunction with a corporate career in hotel sales and venue management. Her multidisciplinary background is the key to her creativity, production savvy, and innate flexibility. As time has passed, Sheriah's skills have been utilized to encourage and inspire other business owners on a variety of topics. She truly understands the importance of everyone's role and believes in community above all. Sheriah's love for mentorship and education has evolved over the years to provide information for the future of the industry. Sheriah works as an instructor at The University of Alabama where her students and colleagues can count on her funny and candid yet inspiration and honest advice paired with actionable steps to get them into the careers of their dreams. ​ She is the recipient of the Jack Davis Professional Achievement Award, United Way of West Alabama Young Leaders Award among other recognition for her dedication to entrepreneurship and community. Sheriah has been blessed to speak at the Wedding Summit Series, Grow and Flourish Workshop, and is a regular speaker for mentorship/networking organizations locally.

Alicia L. Richards, M.S., serves as the Event and Partnership Services Manager at Visit Tuscaloosa, where she helps position Tuscaloosa County as a premier destination through strategic event development and tourism initiatives. In just two years, Alicia has supported more than 200 tourism events and played a key role in refine Visit Tuscaloosa’s annual offerings, including driving a 100% increase in attendance at Tuscaloosa Oktoberfest. Prior to joining Visit Tuscaloosa, Alicia served as the Community Engagement Manager in Special Events for the City of Tuscaloosa, where she led partnership development and organized logistics for eight annual City events and the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater. Alicia holds a master’s degree in Sport Management from Purdue University and has a decade of experience teaching at the collegiate level. She is passionate about developing future industry leaders, both in the classroom and through real-world event experience. Originally from Massachusetts, Alicia has lived in several college towns across the Midwest and South – but Tuscaloosa is the place that captured her heart, becoming the only community she’s left and chosen to return to.