Professional Background

Nwaka Onwusa is a curator and music historian who has curated numerous exhibits celebrating the diversity of musical expression, including the captivating exhibition "Wake Me When I'm Free: Tupac Shakur" in 2022.  

Nwaka Onwusa joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 and served as Chief Curator and Vice President of Curatorial Affairs. She developed informative and immersive exhibits showcasing rock and roll's history and cultural impact.

Before her work at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Nwaka began her curatorial career at The GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE, where she curated over 25 unique exhibits, such as 'All Eyez on Me: The Writings of Tupac Shakur,' 'Legends of Motown,' and 'The Taylor Swift Experience.' Audiences across the U.S. and the U.K. have experienced her work.

She holds a Bachelor's in Sociology from U.C. Riverside and a Master's in Leadership from USC's Sol Price School of Public Policy. Nwaka's dedication and contributions to the museum industry have earned her numerous honors, including being named as a 40 under 40 by her undergrad, U.C. Riverside. In 2021, Rolling Stone Magazine identified her as a leader in music, named her one of Cleveland's Most Interesting People of 2020, and honored her as a Museum Rising Star by the Museum of African American Art in 2012.