Iberia African American Historical Society "Celebrating the True and Inclusive History of Iberia Parish"
Breighlynn M. Polk – Executive Director
Iberia African American Historical Society
320 E. Main St. New Iberia, LA 70560 (2nd Floor of the Shadows Visitor Center)
Phone: (337)352-2662
Email: bpolk@iaahsonline.org
Breighlynn M. Polk, a native of New Iberia, Louisiana, is a passionate story-liberator, heritage preserver, and cultural curator. As the Executive Director of the Iberia African American Historical Society (IAAHS), she brings a profound commitment to the appreciation, understanding, and teaching of the rich, long, and unique history of African Americans in Iberia Parish.
With the guidance of Founder Dr. Phebe Hayes, Breighlynn envisions the IAAHS Center for Research and Learning as a vibrant hub for scholarly activity and community engagement. Her goal is to create a sustainable space where academic research meets community storytelling, fostering a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical narratives that shape Iberia Parish. Through innovative programming and partnerships, she aims to make the center a cornerstone for cultural enrichment and historical research, empowering individuals and groups to share and preserve their unique histories.
Breighlynn earned her bachelor’s degree in History from Clark Atlanta University and a master’s in American Studies from Kennesaw State University, specializing in oral history with a focus on the southwest region of Louisiana. Her early career as an oral historian is marked by her significant work on “The Second Side: A Historic Retelling of African American Life in Iberia Parish, Louisiana.” In partnership with Shadows-on-the-Teche, a site of The National Trust for Historic Preservation, she assembled a compelling collection of over 60 oral histories recorded in New Iberia during the early 1990s and 2000s. These narratives chronicle the lives and adversities faced by African Americans in the Louisiana South during and after the era of Jim Crow.
With keen interests in cultural anthropology and ethnography, Breighlynn aims to expand historical knowledge and awareness of local, underrepresented communities through the preservation of personal narratives and experiences. She also served as the 2024 inaugural fellow for the HBCU Radio Preservation Project, developing educational models, resources, and training materials to advance the preservation of African American stories through HBCU radio. Additionally, she teaches courses in American and Black Studies as a part-time lecturer in the Interdisciplinary Studies department at Kennesaw State University.
In her daily work, Breighlynn oversees the management of the IAAHS Center for Research and Learning including the online-affiliate LDS FamilySearch Center, ensuring that community members have access to vital genealogical resources to explore and connect with their heritage.
She leads a team dedicated to the curation of exhibits, educational programs, and public events that engage and inspire the community.