Everley Davis | Peoria Heights, Illinois
Assistant Curator and Community Engagement Coordinator, Peoria Riverfront Museum
Everley Davis is the Assistant Curator and Community Engagement Coordinator at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. She manages the museum’s innovative flagship program, the Every Student Initiative, and works closely with the team of curators to provide interpretation and program opportunities for the community. Regarding the Every Student Initiative, John Morris notes, “Since its development and inception, almost 100,000 local K-12 students have participated in the program, including students from two of Illinois’ poorest zip codes, and new schools/school districts are added each year.”
Davis has curated exhibitions like “Life and Legacy of Annie Malone,” and co-curated “Glenn Ligon: I Am Somebody.” Davis served as executive producer for “The Unseen Majority,” associate producer and historian for the documentary, Bronzeville to Harlem, and writes articles for the Bronzeville to Harlem affinity, a group of readers interested in Black art, culture and history. “I’m proud to work in a place that inspires the next generation of leaders and problem-solvers,” writes Davis.
Words of Wisdom:
“Whatever you do, by choice or necessity, do it with confidence and to the fullest…You have room to do more, explore, network, and grow within your skillset and interest. Say yes to opportunities that don't have glaring red flags even if they don't make sense to you yet. Seize the chances to learn and meet your community. If you need to say no, be firm. Self-preservation is real.”
As a child, Davis dreamed of being the first Black, female president of the United States, wanting to change the discord and inequality affecting the people that she loved. Davis is still making a major impact in her community today. She serves as chair of the Sky Art committee, sitting on the board of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, and as a founding member of Peoria Grown. These organizations “provide space for a person to safely explore their diverse channels of creativity and provide resources or relationships that can help turn that passion into living.”
Davis believes “A great leader wants to be impactful, not in power…to effect change or lead people, they will work toward a solution that will continue to be successful in their absence…” When Mayor Rita Ali chose 100 emerging role models in Peoria’s Black community, Davis was honored to be among those selected.
While Davis loves to travel, she is a Peoria native, has strong hometown ties, and loves to spend time with family.
A Love for Peoria:
“I was born and raised in central Illinois, so nothing beats the feeling of home. Anytime I go on a road trip and the landscape flattens out to corn fields kissing the horizon, I'm like, ‘I’m back!’”
