Meet 9 Durham Influencers Leaving Their Mark on the Bull City

Close connections paint personal portraits of these instrumental community figures

Photography by John Michael Simpson

Michael Lee
chef/owner, M Restaurant Group

I appreciate the way Mike operates. If you give respect to the people around you, the people who work for you, the people who you do business with, you get respect back. I really believe that’s how he operates, and that’s a very important thing to note about him.

There are a lot of things I really like about Mike. He certainly sources out and is not scared to pay for the best ingredients that he could possibly get. If any of my so-called people who are in the business come into town and say, “Hey, man, let’s go to your favorite restaurant,” the first thing I ask is, “Do you like sushi?” If they say yes, I know where we’re going, because he’s as good a sushi chef as I’ve seen, and I eat a lot of sushi. I go to New York quite often and will have sushi at least once while I’m there, and it’s never a cheap endeavor for me – those chefs are built around a similar concept in that it’s about the quality of the fish, the quality of the product. Don’t screw with it too much, you know?

And then Mike’s got a couple of things that he does technique-wise that are, I imagine, old-school concepts that he brings to sushi. I think the shortcuts in this profession are pretty easy to tell these days, but Mike doesn’t bypass important techniques. The food that doesn’t finish [in terms of flavor] – it might look like something, but it doesn’t taste like anything. His quality and execution are sound. He’s also approachable, and I appreciate that about him. I am really excited, now that I’m not doing it anymore, that I’ve got a guy who I can count on to go to for a good meal. – by Scott Howell, retired chef and former owner of Nana’s and NanaSteak

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Durham Sports Commission

Marcus Manning, executive director

“New week. New opportunities.” Marcus’ favorite mantra perfectly fits his personality and approach to leading our team. As our quarterback, he is forward-thinking and aspirational, all the while encouraging us to help ‘coach him up’ when asking for further details or explanation on a topic. His use of this simple phrase acknowledges our expertise and empowers us in the most approachable and genuine way.

In the year that I’ve worked at the DSC, I’ve seen him push forward and navigate conversations that would result in transformational outcomes for Durham – like presenting to the City Council and the Board of County Commissioners about the potential of a new sports facility. At every turn, Marcus has a consistent eye for offering Kaila’Shea and me as many professional development opportunities as possible, something that is unfortunately still all too rare of an occurrence for women working in sports. Besides his family, his dog, Hines, and his love for the Pittsburgh Steelers, I can’t imagine him being more passionate about our community benefiting from sports, and for Kaila’Shea and me to further our careers along the way.” – by Lulu Black

Kaila’Shea Menendez, deputy director

The first time we met Kaila’Shea, I knew she was going to be a game changer for the Durham Sports Commission and for Durham. I remember her repeatedly wanting to “help operationalize our vision” in her job interview – she’s gone on not only to do just that, but has also grown into realizing and operationalizing her own vision, too. She’s creating innovative, fresh programs and partnerships for us. The Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit returning this spring to the Durham Convention Center in partnership with the industry-leading team at Women Leaders in Sports, for example, is hers from start to finish.

She’s making so many waves, and we’re not the only ones who know she is a game changer now. Others across the state have also noticed, like the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame – which elected her to its board of directors in early 2023 – and the North Carolina Travel Industry Association that named her its 2023 Rising Star.

For every setback, she’ll remind you that “champions adjust.” For every meeting, she starts with a clap and contagious enthusiasm. For every new recognition, she works harder. She’s an MVP, and I’m proud to be on her team. – by Marcus Manning

Lulu Black, assistant director

You’d never know Lulu recently graduated college for all that she’s accomplished already. Well, maybe once you realize that she’s a two-time NCAA National Champion cross-country runner, it won’t come as a surprise that she hit the ground running with the DSC. Lulu brought the energy from Day 1, showing an equal eagerness to learn with valuable perspectives and ideas that come from immersing herself in every opportunity she sees.

Lulu has played an integral role in events like the Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit, the ACC Baseball Championship, the Champion Durham Classic and the NAIA Football Championship since she started at the DSC. She’s taken the DSC’s community engagement to new heights, partnering with youth organizations like the local YMCAs to drive our team’s mission of creating social impact in our community. Not only has Lulu taken over the internship and volunteer programs and already tripled our number of volunteers, she also goes out of her way to make sure everyone involved with the DSC has a valuable experience.

Her persistence and dedication are amazing to see, and she’s not slowing down. She greets every stranger like she’s known them for a lifetime and meets every challenge with contagious optimism. I am so thankful to have her on our team, and I can’t wait to see what she does next. – by Kalia’Shea Menendez

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Charlotte Wray
graphic design and marketing manager, The Cast Iron Group (Ponysaurus Brewing Co., Dashi, The Cookery and The Rickhouse)

Charlotte joined Cast Iron Group just before the pandemic in January 2020, and she showed us immediately what she was made of as we weathered that storm together. To put it bluntly, Charlotte is f—— awesome. She is an incredibly passionate, driven and creative woman who is unabashedly and completely herself. She is the definition of tiny but mighty, and she is mighty in so many ways. She is an electric force who uplifts all who surround her in her work and in her personal life. I am so grateful to work alongside her and am equally grateful to know her and call her a friend.

Charlotte cares about her impact on her colleagues and her wider community. Our company is made of people and serves people, and I think Charlotte loves her work because she genuinely loves people and all their kookiness and in bringing them joy. When she’s not snapping a picture of a Don’t Be Mean to People can of beer or taking a video of a steamy tonkotsu ramen bowl, she takes the time to milk goats, carve wooden spoons and make homemade pastas (just to name a few of her amazing talents). In being so unapologetically herself and so exuberant about life, her infectious energy and excitement
draws many people to adore and admire her, including me.

Coming from a journalistic background, Charlotte has a unique perspective on her work as a marketing manager for a hospitality group. She has immense compassion and humor that is easily seen in the content she creates while also having a deep knowledge of her community. She is a ray of sunshine in the hospitality scene and will rarely be found sitting alone at the bar – even if the person she is having an animated conversation with is someone she only met five minutes ago. We could all be a little more like Charlotte Wray. – by Nick Hawthorne-Johnson, co-founder of The Cast Iron Group

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John V. Brown Jr.
vice provost for the arts, director of the jazz program and professor of the practice of music, Duke University

I cannot remember the first time I met John Brown, and I think that’s because he is ubiquitous – both in his presence and in his influence throughout the Triangle and beyond. I first knew John as a musician – he is a bassist and has played in the North Carolina Symphony and was a member of the great Elvin Jones’ band, and he continues to be a prominent bandleader here in Durham. He is a Grammy and Emmy nominee and has served on the jury for the Pulitzer Prize for Music multiple times.

When I think of John now, though, his work as an artist is nearly overshadowed by all he has done for the next generation. John is a forward-thinking leader at Duke University, where he leads Duke Arts as vice provost for the arts, and in the cultural community at large here in the Triangle. He has spent decades dedicating his personal time to building opportunities for Triangle youth to get involved in formal music activities. He has founded initiatives that have turned into long-standing music programs such as the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble and Jazz@ The Mary Lou. In addition to his work with Duke Arts, he has been on faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State University, North Carolina Central University – and that’s just a few! But what I think is most special is that, even in the position he holds today, he still spends his spare time in grade schools, performing and teaching about music throughout the state of North Carolina.

John is passionate and visionary, and his impact on the community as a musician, bandleader, administrator and leader cannot be overstated. He’s also a wonderful daddy to his son, Jonathan. I’m proud to have worked closely with him over the years and look forward to seeing his reach continue to expand through his work at Duke. – by E’Vonne Coleman, former COO, Discover Durham

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Shelley McPhatter
president, BridgePoint General Contracting

I have known Shelley for more than 20 years. In the early 2000s, we worked together at Skanska, locally here in Durham, on various construction projects for Duke as our client. I remember when Shelley took the ‘leap of faith’ to start her own firm and leave Skanska. I was amazed by the courage she displayed to start her own endeavor, especially in a time where the industry had just begun to weather the first waves of the ’08 financial crisis. It was a risk, but a calculated one, taken while raising a young family.

Nevertheless, I knew she was going to bring that same level of care, industriousness and resilience to her own firm. Her obligation to her team and the culture she fosters of acceptance and compassion were always evident with how she led a project back when we worked together and are still evident today. That facility could be there for 40 to 100 years, or even more, and she knows that it will have a positive impact on not just the community, but also on those who contributed to bring that project to their community. She doesn’t just construct impactful buildings; she creates a community and network along the way as well. She always had a passion for delivering projects and, most importantly, caring about those who are part of the process.

It is not easy to construct buildings; the key is to be a true “maestro” – both a leader and a teacher. Those skill sets combined are rare, but when applied to a cumbersome and challenging industry like construction, it is amazing what you can orchestrate. Shelley is a true maestro and a strong testament for women forging a path in what has been historically a male-dominated industry. – by Anthony “Tony” Baldassari, director of facilities, planning, design and construction, Duke Health

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Crystal Taylor
CEO/lead event curator, The Underground Collective; executive director, Get Happy; and co-founder, Black August in the Park and Black Farmers Market

Crystal is a pioneer who works with organizations to provide phenomenal experiences for people. She curates large events, music festivals, parades and marches, mostly in North Carolina. She’s the behind-the-scenes person – the one who’s pulling the permits, ensuring that everything is in place and monitoring along the way so that the events run smoothly.

She’s also someone who is not going to work just for the sake of money. For her to say “yes,” it has to be something that she genuinely believes in. She is going to scan the situation deeply and empathetically, and drill down to the needs of the community. Crystal is sincerely interested in people, specifically African American people, their needs, their struggles and what experiences could help bring about this idea of Black joy. It’s important to Crystal that events are created for populations of people who are sometimes overlooked. That is her wheelhouse, and anything she can do that would bring a smile to someone’s face, she does it, whether it’s a farmer, a young professional, a local resident or a 70-year-old musician. I think that is what fuels her. It shows up in everything that she does.

Crystal is partnering with larger organizations, companies, government, etc. to make North Carolina feel more inclusive and enjoyable for all, putting on these sort of big-city functions on a slightly smaller scale in North Carolina, but she is absolutely expanding. She already has international projects in places like South Africa and has many great connections beyond our state. She is working really hard to create warm, welcoming experiences in places that may not always feel welcoming for everyone.

My favorite event of hers is Black August in the Park. I’m originally from Brooklyn, New York, where we always do these block parties in the summer. And Black August feels like one big block party – it’s just people having a good time in Durham Central Park, but it’s magnified. There’s literally thousands of people, and there’s live music, food trucks, performances, drums, inspirational quotes, business vendors of all different nationalities and, overall, just greatness on display. She is intentionally saying to people who are often an oversight or afterthought that, “Hey, this is the safe space for you,” while remaining inclusive to everyone. It’s also family-friendly: This past year, I brought my 3-year-old daughter, but I also brought my oldest brother and his friend, and they’re in their 50s. You can go from early in the morning with your children to adults only at 10 p.m., and it’s completely free to attend. It’s fantastic, and I always look forward to it.

It’s in events like this that Crystal reveals the truth and the heart of the community. She shows that every year, and every year, these festivals get bigger and better. It’s all thanks to her. – by Melanie Pitchford, owner, Principal Blueprint Academy

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Kimberly Shaw
executive director, The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center

Kim Shaw – in my head – is a giant. Though petite in stature, her presence is large. She seeks to change things with her genuine nature, hard work ethic and perseverance. When I first met her, she was serving as second-in-command for the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau. She was always completely focused on her demanding work, yet found time to be a young mother and community servant. We participated together in the Durham Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Durham program. It was at the culmination of this program that she asked those of us in her Leadership Durham class to join her in a service project that would uplift the importance of acknowledging the city’s marginalized populations.

In her current role, Kim’s mission to serve her fellow man has been unwavering. She’s certified in nonprofit management; is completing participation in Leadership North Carolina’s 31st class among top leaders from the government, business, nonprofit and education sectors; serves as a member of the Rotary Club of Durham; and is mom to two good citizens who have their mother’s work ethic and desire to make this world a better place. Kim’s zeal is contagious, and she is ever-ready to usher the next person into servant leadership by mentorship or introduction. – by Crystal Roberts, director of strategic communications, Durham Public Schools

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Curious about other leaders making an impact in Durham? Learn more about the Influencers who we featured in last year’s issue!