Bonita Buford promoted to Harvey B. Gantt Center CEO

HARVEY B. GANTT CENTER

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is transitioning in leadership with the promotion of Bonita Buford as president and CEO.

Bonita Buford is the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture’s new president and CEO.

Buford, the Gantt’s chief operating officer, will start on Jan. 1, succeeding the retiring David Taylor. The nonprofit will mark its 50th anniversary in 2024 with a year of programs and events.

Buford, who has been with the Gantt since 2015, started as a consultant with the then-Afro-American Cultural Center in 2005 and was hired as director of communications and operations in 2011.

“The Gantt is a beacon for showcasing Black excellence and I am excited to become the next President & CEO,” Buford said in a statement. “I look forward to honoring our founders’ mission, providing exceptional arts, cultural, and educational experiences that have been transformational in the community for the past 50 years.”

An engineer by education and training, Buford worked in the corporate sector at KoSa, the former Hoechst Celanese, before transitioning to marketing, sales, and project management with nonprofits. One of her clients was the Gantt Center, where she designed and managed events, including South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s visit to Charlotte in 2005, its annual fundraiser and the Founders Society Gala in 2009.

Buford directs the Gantt’s creative unit, which includes education initiatives, public programs, collections and exhibits, and marketing. 

“We are excited to have Bonita serve as the Gantt Center’s next president & CEO. She will assume this important leadership role with an invaluable wealth of institutional knowledge, a respect for and belief in the mission of our founders, and a strategic vision to guide the Gantt towards a bright future,” said Jim Dunn Ph.D., chair of the Gantt’s board of directors. “We have witnessed Bonita’s impactful leadership of many initiatives and multiple departments and we can think of no one better to lead our institution.”

Among the initiatives ahead of Buford is growing the Gantt’s art collection as well as exhibitions of established and emerging artists across the region, including next month’s Black Carolina Artist Residency, a first for the center. The Gantt will also focus on expanding the reach of programs and resources for students and adults in the virtual space.

“The Gantt serves as ‘brave space’ telling African American and African diaspora stories through exhibitions and programs; and a ‘safe space’ where the community can explore and engage with African American culture,” Buford said.

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