Gantt Center President & CEO David R. Taylor Retires at Year End

After 14 years at the helm of the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, President & CEO David R. Taylor announces his retirement, effective December 31, 2023.

As Board Chair from 2004-2006 and then Interim Executive Director at the Afro-American Cultural Center, Taylor represented the institution in the public/private partnership that funded the Levine Center for the Arts and in selecting the architectural firm that would build the organization’s new facility. In June 2009, when board members approached Taylor as a candidate for the CEO role of the newly named Gantt Center, he agreed to serve for what he envisioned would be a short term.

"When I joined the Gantt in 2009, I was so proud to see that the vision of the Uptown Charlotte location had become a reality. My plan was to lead the organization for three years, however, the many amazing opportunities opening up for the Gantt through the years kept me here. I realized that there would never be ‘a right time’ to retire, but with plans firmly in place for the Gantt’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, and beyond, I am confident that the institution will thrive and I can embark on my next chapter. The Gantt will always hold a warm place in my heart.”

He shared that in retirement, he looks forward to spending more time with his grandchildren and traveling.

Taylor grew the organization’s budget from $790,000 to $4 million and led the Vibrance endowment campaign, netting $1 million gifts from Bank of America, Duke Energy, Knight Foundation, Hugh & Jane McColl and the late Jerry Richardson.

Building long-term sustainability, while providing impactful programming, has been a major goal. During his tenure, the Gantt has presented the work of acclaimed contemporary artists including Sam Gilliam, Radcliffe Bailey, Jonathan Green and MacArthur Fellows Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons and Jordan Casteel, while continuing to feature the work of masters like Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Henry Ossawa Turner and Jacob Lawrence.

He also launched the Gantt Symposium bringing the brightest scholars and contemporary culture keepers Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Cornel West, Iyanla Vanzant, Hill Harper and Common to Charlotte.

Taylor ushered in contemporary art and provided a space for new and emerging artists to showcase their talent and flourish, establishing a biennial exhibition for Carolina artists in Visual Vanguard (2021) and my Presence is Presence (2023). Taylor brought visual art from the community into the inside of the building with works from celebrated muralists Georgie Nakima and Abel Jackson. He also led the challenge to integrate digital arts into the Gantt’s offerings and transitioned the arts classroom into a state-of-the-art digital arts studio, Mecca of Digital Arts (MODA), fulfilling the mission to reach beyond the walls of the Gantt.

Founded to serve the Charlotte community, in response to the Keith Lamont Scott police shooting in 2016, the Gantt launched its Initiative for Equity + Innovation. The initiative includes the Gantt Teacher Institute (GTI), which has helped more than 500 local educators build more equitable classrooms.

"It is with mixed emotions that we bid farewell to David," said Jim Dunn, Ph.D., Chairperson of the Gantt’s Board of Directors. "The Gantt has seen transformational growth under his leadership and our institution will continue to positively impact the lives of people in our region because of the strong foundation he built. He is leaving us well positioned to continue to ensure that the African American experience is shared and valued. We are deeply grateful for his commitment to the arts and to the community."

Prior to joining the Gantt, Taylor achieved a 30-plus year financial services career in leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies including Lincoln Financial Group and First Genesis Group, an office of Met Life Financial Services. After his tenure with those organizations, in 2003 Taylor co-founded Dillingham & Taylor Wealth Management, LLC, and served his clients well through interactive and pro-active financial planning until he joined the Gantt.

Taylor’s extraordinary accomplishments in the financial industry are rivaled only by his civic commitment. He has focused on creating environments which increase opportunities for African Americans and has been instrumental in forging partnerships between corporations and diverse communities. Taylor has won several civic awards including the People of Prominence award given by the Charlotte Post; one of Pride Magazine’s "50 Most Influential Black Men in Charlotte;" and the King Medallion Award from Charlotte-Mecklenburg MLK Jr. Birthday Celebration Committee.

He has served on several boards including the Urban League and the Arts and Science Council. Taylor stated, “I believe the arts can be the bridge that narrows the cultural divide that exists among us.”

The Gantt’s Board of Directors is active in the selection process for Taylor’s successor and is committed to ensuring a smooth transition. A farewell event to celebrate Taylor's contributions and provide an opportunity for the community and stakeholders to express their appreciation will be announced in the coming weeks.

About Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is a multi-disciplinary arts institution located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1974, the Gantt Center’s mission is to present, preserve and celebrate excellence in the art, history and culture of African-Americans and those of African descent through visual and literary arts, dance music, film, educational programs, theatre productions and community outreach. The Gantt Center features fine art exhibitions from around the world and is home to the nationally celebrated John and Vivian Hewitt Collection of African-American Art, which was generously donated by Bank of America, and is accessible online.

Named for Charlotte civic leader and former mayor Harvey Bernard Gantt, the Gantt Center is housed in an iconic, award-winning structure designed by architect Philip Freelon, co-designer of the Smithsonian National Museum for African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).

Contact
Ingrid Travis James
ingrid@ganttcenter.org
(704) 547-3764

Posted on Monday, November 20, 2023

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