JEANNIE W. SALOMON
Founder & Executive Director
Jeannie Salomon is the Founder and Executive Director of the first AAPI History Museum in the United States. After launching the AAPI Mobile History Museum statewide, she realized her vision with the Grand Opening of the nation’s and world’s first brick-and-mortar AAPI History Museum on March 26, 2025.
Since its opening, the Museum has welcomed teachers, students, community groups, and public officials, making AAPI history visible and teachable across Rhode Island while drawing visitors from other states eager to see these stories represented for the first time. Amid a challenging funding climate, Jeannie has sustained the Museum through strategic partnerships, disciplined operations, and a volunteer team that ensures public access five days a week.
In 2025, Jeannie also seated an all-women, all-AAPI Board of Directors and Advisory Council, reflecting her commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders. She is advancing a city-level vision with Providence to create a shared cultural hub alongside Latinx, African American, Cape Verdean and Native American partners, while leading the Museum’s role in the RI 250 Commission to ensure AAPI stories stand at the forefront of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Guided by a succession plan and a community-first ethos, Jeannie is building an enduring institution rooted in rigorous public humanities, cross-community collaboration, and the conviction that a fuller understanding of American history strengthens civic belonging. She continues to expand the Museum with new exhibits that reflect the depth and diversity of AAPI experiences.
GABI NIEVES
Graphic Designer
Gabi Nieves is a graphic designer and illustrator with over three years of experience creating compelling and functional visual designs. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from Johnson & Wales University in Fall 2024.
Gabi is proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and other industry-standard design tools. Her specialties include visual brand development, print design, editorial layout, packaging design, wayfinding and environmental graphics, marketing communications, and illustration. Passionate about impactful storytelling through design, she brings creativity and clarity to every project she works on.
Working with Cultural Society and the AAPI History Museum has been an exciting and invaluable experience. As a recent graduate of Johnson & Wales University, Gabi is incredibly grateful to Director Jeannie Salomon for the opportunity to jump-start her career. The dedication and passion behind the museum’s work are truly inspiring, and Gabi is proud to contribute her design skills to a mission that positively impacts individuals and communities. She encourages others to visit and support the AAPI History Museum to explore AAPI culture and engage with its powerful storytelling.