African American Heritage Commission Staff

Director

Adrienne Nirdé, M.A.

Adrienne Nirdé (pronounced "Near-day") was appointed as the Director of the NC African American Heritage Commission in June 2023.  Prior to this role, she served as the Commission's Associate Director, where her role focused on grant project management, heritage trails, and communications. For over ten years, Adrienne has worked in museums and cultural institutions, including the President James K. Polk State Historic Site in Pineville, NC, and the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, NC. She holds a master's degree in museum studies and bachelor's degrees in history and anthropology, all from Indiana University. Adrienne is a graduate of the Jekyll Island Management Institute and the Smithsonian's Ethical Interpretation Workshop. Adrienne has always had a primary interest in sharing diverse stories, particularly those that have not yet been told, and centering on the communities that hold them. Adrienne lives in Wendell, NC, with her husband and their daughter.

Associate Director

Natalie Rodriguez, M.A.

Natalie Rodriguez has served as the Associate Director since March 2024. She is a North Carolina native raised in Durham with roots in Eastern North Carolina and Puerto Rico. Natalie attended the historically Black university, North Carolina Central University (NCCU), for her undergraduate career and earned her B.A. majoring in History with a minor in Education. She attended North Carolina State University's Master's program and earned her M.A. in Public History. She has interned with the National Park Service, the Greening Youth Foundation, and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources with the NC Historic Sites and NCAAHC. For 5 years, Natalie was the Tour Coordinator at the North Carolina State Capitol and NC Executive Mansion with the division of North Carolina State Historic Sites. Her responsibilities included planning and implementing educational programs for visitors and volunteers. She is a contributing researcher for the N.C Capitol's website, FROM NAMING TO KNOWING. Natalie uses Public History as a tool to promote, protect, and preserve NC history for all people. She enjoys bringing her passion for history to the public. Natalie currently lives in Raleigh with her daughter. 

North Carolina Freedom Park Manager

Khadija McNair, M.A.

Khadija McNair has served as the Freedom Park Manager since January 2024. Originally from Durham, NC, Khadija has a strong background in historical research, historical interpretation, and community engagement. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from North Carolina Central University in 2017 and went on to complete her Master of Arts degree in History with a concentration in Public History in 2020. Prior to joining Freedom Park, Khadija worked within NC State Historic Sites, including Historic Stagville State Historic Site, Duke Homestead State Historic Site, and Charlotte Hawkins Brown State Historic Site. Additionally, Khadija has lent her expertise to various public history projects, such as the Orange County NC Slave Deed database and the Durham Black Burial Grounds Collaboratory. By conveying the richness and depth of African American history, Khadija aims to foster a greater appreciation and understanding of the contributions and experiences of those who have improved the spaces we call home.

Education and Interpretation Specialist 

Shafantae Desinord, Ph.D.

Dr. Shafantae Desinord has served as the Education and Interpretation Specialist since August 2024. She is a Haitian-American woman born and raised in Belle Glade, Florida. Her research is linked to her culture and experiences growing up in South Florida with immigrant parents. She is a University of Florida alumna who graduated in 2017 with a B.A. in African-American Studies, minoring in Anthropology. She then joined the AmeriCorps non-profit organization City Year, where she taught Social Studies at Turner Elementary in Washington, D.C. After her year in the corps, she enrolled in graduate school at Howard University, earning her M.A. in history with a concentration in diaspora studies in 2020. 

Program Coordinator

Vincentt Craft Sutton

Vincentt Sutton has served as the Program Coordinator since December 2022. Vincentt Craft Sutton is a native of Danville, Virginia. He is a graduate of William Peace University and a current student at North Carolina Central University pursuing a Master’s in History.

Juneteenth and Black History Month Coordinator

Anaya Wallace, J.D.

Anaya Wallace has served as the Juneteenth and B.H.M Coordinator since March 2025 . Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Anaya Wallace earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Africana Studies from Rutgers University – New Brunswick in 2019. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, she ventured on a journey to pursue her legal dreams. In August of 2020, Anaya moved to Durham, North Carolina, to attend North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Law. In May of 2023, Anaya 
graduated from NCCU School of Law with her Juris Doctor degree. However, while in law school, she decided that she also wanted to continue her studies in Black/Africana Studies. Thus, in January of 2022, she was accepted into the Graduate School at NCCU, where she is currently completing her Master of Arts degree in History.

Administrative Assistant

Mikayla Medley

Mikayla Medley has served as the Administrative Assistant since August 2024.  Her Biography is coming soon.