Hayti is proud to have a team of dedicated staff who curate cultural offerings, support community events who choose to be hosted in our facility, and speak to the future of Black art in our region.
Interim Executive Director
Director of Operations
Program Director
ANGELA LEE is the Executive/Artistic Director of the Hayti Heritage Center. During her 12-year tenure she has brought significant economic growth along with arts and humanities programs that greatly benefit local artists, artists of color, and diverse demographics. Under her leadership, preservation efforts have resulted in restoration of stained-glass windows and pews, a second listing on the national historic register, and an historic trail marker for the historic venue. The Hayti Heritage Center sustains key partnerships and collaborations locally and nationally. Lee recognizes that the arts and humanities are critical vehicles for social justice and change. Her advocacy and activism extend beyond her work at Hayti to active faith, charitable and board service.
MELODY LITTLE has served as Director of Operations, and more recently as Executive Financial Officer, for the Hayti Heritage Center for more than 20 years. The historic Hayti venue is the last remaining original structure, built in 1891, from Durham’s Black Wall Street district. It is managed by St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit. Ms. Little completed her undergraduate studies at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. She began her work in finance in Accounts Payable Management at Ryland Mortgage in Columbia, Maryland then later returned to her native North Carolina where she worked in fleet management for Budget Rent-a-Car. She also pursued computer programming at North Carolina Central University in Durham, following which she joined the Hayti Heritage Center staff. In addition to her work with Hayti, Ms. Little has provided accounting services for other local non-profit organizations. Her sound financial management skills and commitment to the organization have ensured that the Hayti Heritage Center continues to move forward fiscally, notwithstanding challenges such as economic downturns and a global pandemic.
Program Director for the Hayti Heritage Center and acclaimed for multiple talents, Quentin Talley is an accomplished poet, actor, director, and producer. Quentin is also the Founder and Artistic Director of OnQ Performing Arts, a 2012 recipient of the inaugural Leadership U Fellowship, administered by Theater Communications Group and funded by The Andrew Mellon Foundation, and 2003 graduate of Winthrop University with a BA in Theatre Performance. As a poet, he has performed throughout the country, appeared in the Borders Open-Door Poetry series and Turner South network, as well as shared the stage with such luminaries as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nikki Giovanni, Amiri Baraka, MC Lyte, Sonia Sanchez and Tavis Smiley. As an Actor, he has worked professionally with Children’s Theater of Charlotte, Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, Winston Salem Arts Council, and New River Dramatist. His directing credits include: Rise For Freedom, Dutchman, In The Blood, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, Day of Absence, Paul Robeson, Rhyme Deferred and Miles & Coltrane: Blue.
A consummate producer, Carol Lloyd has a career in arts, culture, and entertainment that spans over four decades, providing sustainable programming through multi-layered fundraising initiatives. Her broad base of expertise encompasses working with local, regional, and international artists and institutions while leveraging resources for strategic growth. She completed her studies in Journalism at Georgia State University. Carol was the producing manager of the Theater and Dance Programs of the Cultural Olympiad with the Centennial Olympic Games. She subsequently worked with numerous Atlanta-based nonprofits. With a full-circle approach to program development, Carol continues to “give back” to the foundations from which she came.
Sandra provides invaluable assistance to the team, from managing Hayti’s database of funders and donors to responding to telephone inquiries. Sandra is committed to faith as a member of Immanuel Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church; to family, especially her three daughters and two granddaughters; to finances having had an independent Avon business for over 20 years and working as church secretary at St. Paul African Methodist Church (AME) in Chapel Hill for over 22 years; and community, directing the Soup Kitchen at Immanuel and blessing so many families every week with abundant, healthy food choices.
Tarryn Henry is a full-time entrepreneur, obsessed with self-care, equity in tech, travel, and community-building. She has spent her career supporting small business owners and the development of early stage technology startups in various capacities. Her expertise is in ecosystem development, startup program management, and operations. In her commitment to build the Black tech ecosystem in Durham, she has worked with organizations like Google for Startups, Code2040, and ImBlackInTech.
Melanie Allen (she/her) is a leader in climate justice philanthropy with deep experience facilitating community-based solutions that put those most affected by policy at the center of decision-making and development processes. With 15 years in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, she has expertise in community development issues across many sectors, including conservation, affordable housing, and workforce development. She is co-chair of Grantmakers for Southern Progress and currently serves on the board of the Environmental Grantmakers Association. Melanie is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina and now lives in Durham.
Aidil Altagracia Ortiz is the founder of Aidilisms based in Durham, NC and has worked for over 20 years along themes of community engagement, equity, technical assistance and training, and organizational development. Utilizing the skills of facilitation, strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and coaching to support an equity-driven world.
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) would teach me books skills and knowledge and reveal a whole new world for me to conquer. I soon realized that Durham and NCCU would forever have a place in my heart.My career path led me back to NCCU for the last two decades. Even though I do not work with students daily, the impact of my job responsibilities affects their outcome and the community of Durham.
Josh, a real estate developer dedicated to revitalizing historic properties, is a North Carolina native residing in Durham with his wife and two young sons. A graduate of NC State, he furthered his education with an MA in International Relations from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and an MBA from Oxford University, UK. Josh remains committed to community engagement, also serving on the board for Durham’s Partnership for Children and the City of Wilson’s Downtown Development Committee.
