Lady Brion

Dr. King-Hammond earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Queens College, City University of New York, and her Master’s and Doctorate in Art History from Johns Hopkins University. She served for many years at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), including as Graduate Dean, and was the founding director of MICA’s Center for Race and Culture, where she helped shape national conversations on race, art, equity, and cultural responsibility within higher education and the arts.

Her curatorial work includes landmark exhibitions such as The Global Africa Project and Ashe to Amen: African Americans and Biblical Imagery, which challenged traditional narratives and expanded the canon of art history by foregrounding Black creativity, spirituality, and global connection. Through her teaching, writing, and mentorship, Dr. King-Hammond has influenced generations of artists, curators, scholars, and cultural leaders.

Dr. King-Hammond’s contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Studio Museum in Harlem and the Alain Locke Award from the Detroit Institute of Arts, affirming her enduring impact on art history, curatorial practice, and cultural leadership.

As a Legacy Award honoree, Dr. King-Hammond embodies the very spirit of Women of the Movement—excellence grounded in purpose, leadership rooted in service, and a lifelong commitment to opening doors so that others may rise.