Executive Director

Organization
The St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. (SJHF), founded in 1975, is deeply rooted in Durham’s historic Hayti community. The once-thriving business and residential district was dubbed Black Wall Street by Booker T. Washington. That same year, the Hayti Heritage Center opened under SJHF’s management. Hayti Heritage Center is a cultural enrichment and arts education facility that promotes understanding through diverse events, activities, and programs that preserve the heritage and celebrate the experiences of Americans of African descent.

In the 1970s, when the St. Joseph’s African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church congregation moved to a new home, the original structure became the catalyst for the formation of the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation (SJHF), which sought to preserve the embellished old sanctuary and adapt it for community, cultural, and civic events. SJHF’s mission is to preserve and advance the heritage and culture of historic Hayti and the African American experience through programs that benefit the broader community locally, nationally, and globally.

The 34,000-square-foot church complex, renamed the Hayti Heritage Center, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Descendants of the neighborhood’s original residents continue to visit Hayti Heritage Center, along with other community members and visitors from surrounding areas.

SJHF’s goals are to consistently present high-quality cultural arts programs related to the African American experience, promote cross-cultural understanding between isolated and underserved communities, and foster intercultural support. Its mission is carried out through relevant, engaging, enlightening, and enriching programs in cultural arts and education. The St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation/Hayti Heritage Center remains an agent of social change, with a long-term commitment to using the arts as a conduit for bringing communities together and establishing common ground among diverse cultures.

SJHF also provides the local community and patrons at large with signature programs and other events throughout the year. Starting in 2026, Hayti Heritage Center’s programming spans music, dance, theatre, dialogue, a film festival, and a business expo.

Hayti Heritage Center is currently led by Interim Executive Director King Kenney. It is governed by a ten-member Board of Trustees, chaired by President Tarryn Henry. The executive director oversees a staff of three full-time and four part-time employees, including an artistic director, operations manager, marketing and guest experience specialist, ARPA coordinator, bookkeeper, community outreach coordinator, and site ambassadors. Hayti Heritage Center’s fiscal year 2026 operating budget is $1.24 million, with 30% from program revenue, 43% from contributed revenue (including individual donors), and 27% from grants and city support.

Community
Durham, North Carolina, is a welcoming, vibrant, diverse, and fast-growing city of roughly 300,000 residents and part of the larger Triangle region, home to more than 2.4 million residents. The tenth-fastest-growing metropolitan region in the country, Durham is anchored by world-class universities, a robust research and health care sector, and a thriving technology industry. Durham also offers a strong cultural, educational, and entertainment base.

Its celebrated food scene, energetic start-up culture, and nationally recognized arts sector help fuel an annual $232 million in economic activity from nonprofit arts and culture alone. With 134 nonprofit cultural organizations, thousands of creative professionals, and premier venues such as the Durham Performing Arts Center, American Dance Festival, and Carolina Theatre, the city has established itself as a cultural hub in North Carolina.

Durham’s identity is rooted in both innovation and preservation. The city’s tobacco-era warehouses have been transformed into bustling districts like American Tobacco, Brightleaf Square, and Golden Belt, which blend historic character with modern amenities. Outdoor recreation is plentiful, from city parks and cultural heritage sites to riverside trails. A diverse housing…