About the Cultural Roadmap Planning Group

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The Cultural Roadmap Planning Group will help steer the Cultural Roadmap from the beginning of the planning process to the final recommended plan. The Cultural Roadmap Planning Group represents the public and private sector, philanthropy, neighborhoods, education, cultural groups, artists, cultural workers, and other creatives, in addition to young people.  The Cultural Roadmap Planning Group members were selected by the Durham Cultural Advisory Board through a robust application and review process.  All members of the group live and/or work in Durham.   

The Planning Group meets regularly and reports to Durham Cultural Advisory Board on their work.  Responsibilities include: 

  • Inform development of the plan consultant scope of work and selection process; 
  • Shape and participate in the community engagement process; 
  • Advise on plan development, identify priorities, evaluation strategy, and plan outcomes; 
  • Monitor the plan as it develops, including risks and timelines; 
  • Recommend refinements to the planning process where needed; and 
  • Present the plan residents and elected officials. 

To learn more about the Durham Cultural Roadmap Planning Group, visit:  

Durham Cultural Roadmap Planning Group

Grupo de Planeación de la Hoja de Ruta Cultural 

Cultural Roadmap Planning Group Members

The Cultural Roadmap Planning Group is led by Co-Chairs Steve Schewel, former Mayor of the City of Durham and Zena Howard, Principal & Managing Director at Perkins & Will, along side the Honorary Co-Chairs, Mayor Pro Tempore Mark Anthony Middleton and Chair of the County Commissioners Brenda Howerton.  

Cultural Roadmap Planning Group Chairs

Mark-Anthony Middleton, 
Honorary Chair

Mayor Pro Tempore,
City of Durham
Brenda Howerton,
Honorary Chair

Chair, Durham County Commissioners
Zena Howard, 
Co-Chair

Principal and Managing Director, Perkins & Will
Steve Schewel,
Co-Chair

Former Mayor of Durham


Cultural Roadmap Planning Group Members




Antonio Alanis
Artist, Board Members Diamante Arts & Cultural Center
Susan Amey
President/CEO of Discover Durham
John Brown
Artist, Vice Provost for the Arts at Duke University

JB Buxton
President of Durham Technical Community College
Javiera Caballero
Durham City Council
E'Vonne Coleman
Cultural Leader,
Retired Consultant

Chelsea Contreras
Latino Community Credit Union
Lightsey Darst
Artist, Development Program Director for the Arts and Humanities at Duke University

Lois Deloatch
Artist,
Non-profit Advisor
Kathryn Desplanque
Artist, Art History Professor at
UNC - Chapel Hill
Sherry DeVries
Executive Director of the
Durham Arts Council

Rodrigo Dorfman
Artist,
Advocate
Akiva Fox
Artist, Bulldog Ensemble Theatre
Oscar Garcia
Engagement Specialist and Interpreter 
with Durham County Public Health

Lana Garland
Artist, Self-Employed,
Insibah Media
Chandra Guinn
Executive Director for Diversity, 
Equity and Inclusion, McKinney
Carrie Heinonen
CEO of the Museum of 
Life and Science,
Durham Rotary

Denise Hester
Small Business Owner,
 Phoenix Fest, Durham Business and Professional Chain Representative
Lilyn Hester 
Head of Southeast External Affairs and 
Government Relations, Google, 
Board Member of Durham Chamber of Commerce
Joseph Jordan
Vice Provost for Academic and Community Engagement at
UNC - Chapel Hill,
DCAB Representative

Barbara Lau
Executive Director,
Pauli Murray Center
Angela Lee
Executive and Artistic Director, Hayti Heritage Center

Girija Mahajan
Recreation and Advisory Commission
Nori McDuffie
Durham Office on Youth
Patrick Mucklow
Executive Director,
Museum of Durham History
Britney Nava Munoz
Youth Representative,
Changed by Youth Organization

Jodee Nimerichter
Executive Director,
American Dance Festival
Mimi O'Brien
Executive Director,
Mary Duke Biddle Foundation
David Young Oh
Owner, Radical Healing, 
Program Volunteer for OUTSOUTH: Queer Film Festival

Steven Pearson
Corporate Social Responsibility at IBM
Kym Register
Artist, 
Owner, Pinhook

Laura Ritchie
Self-Employed, Pop Box Gallery, Curator, Public Art Committee Representative
Pilar Rocha-Goldberg
President/CEO of El Centro Hispano, Inc.
Arthur Rogers
Durham Library Foundation

Aya Shabu
Artist, Village of Wisdom/Whistle Stop Tours


Casey Steinbacher
Executive Director,
Made in Durham
Nicole Thompson
President/CEO of
Downtown Durham Inc.
Bettina Umstead
Chair, Durham Public Schools Board of Education
Andre Vann
Archivist and Historian,
Public History Professor at
North Carolina Central University
Quay Weston
Business Owner, Designer with community non-profits