WS Chronicle

Curator of the Arts Honoree

If Cheryl Harry has her way, every local man, woman or child will learn to embrace the richness of beauty of African American culture.

Cheryl has made it her mission to educate and enlighten. Through innovative and creative means, she engages the masses in black history. A lifelong educator, Harry created the nonprofit Triad Cultural Arts to preserve and promote African American culture and art. The organization sponsors the city’s popular Juneteenth and Kwanzaa celebrations.

Through her Coming Eventz web site and e-newsletter, she keeps the community abreast of concerts, exhibitions, forums and other area happenings. Old Salem Museum and Gardens made the right call last year when it brought Harry on as its director of African American programming. Cheryl has vastly broadened the museum’s offering and put a fresh focus on Old Salem’s rich black history.

Earlier this year, Cheryl realized a longtime dream with the release of her local black history book. “Winston-Salem’s African American Legacy” is a rich pictorial collection that takes readers on a decades-long journey. The book fills a void that has been left empty for far too long.

For embracing a mission to bring the past to the present, The Chronicle and the community are proud to proclaim Cheryl Harry as a Curator of the African American Arts.