A visionary for the arts

From a high school summer intern to Theater Marketing Coordinator at the Marshall L. Davis African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (DAHCAC), Carmen Morris has made a profound impact. Faith-driven and visionary, she believes in creating possibilities and elevating others.
   
Carmen played a pivotal role in connecting DAHCAC with the Redland Banyan Fund, leading to the Center’s 50th Anniversary celebration at the Adrienne Arsht Center, which included the screening of the documentary Instrumental Start: A Model for the Nation (directed by Brian Bayerl and Michael Huter). The documentary highlights the Center’s impact as well as the historic contributions of Black Miami.
   
This partnership also launched the Instrumental Start Fellowship, a public–private initiative providing students with instruments, lessons, and mentorship with the Cleveland Orchestra. Now expanded to dance, theater, and visual arts, the Fellowship was recently honored with a NACo Award. “Carmen is a resourceful powerhouse with vision and the willingness to create for the greater good. In a short time, she opened doors for our students and staff while bringing new energy to our mission,” said Marshall L. Davis, Sr., Managing Director, DAHCAC.
   
Carmen further elevated DAHCAC’s national profile by securing a feature on Good Morning America, highlighting alumni such as Robert Battle, former Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; Tarell Alvin McCraney, Oscar-winning playwright (Moonlight); and Ashlee Thomas, Interim Director of Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs. “Carmen’s gift for spotlighting the talents of students and staff at the Marshall L. Davis, Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center is remarkable. She shows outstanding marketing leadership and a deep understanding of our audience,” said Theodore “Teddy” Harrell, Jr., Theater Director at the Joseph Caleb Auditorium. He added, “Carmen is a world-class connector whose sincere relationships have greatly benefited the Center.
   
Before DAHCAC, Carmen served as Public Information Officer at Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services, where she rebranded the department, expanded community engagement, and led high-impact campaigns including the White House Tax Credit Initiative. She helped launch the Mayor’s Blue-Ribbon Commission on Children and co-organized the Mayor’s Children’s Summit. As Commission Aide, she created the Youth Pre-Apprenticeship Program, introducing high schoolers to skilled trades, and identified affordable housing solutions for Coconut Grove (West).
   
Prior to re-joining the County, Carmen founded Sanctuary of Moses, supporting single mothers in Miami and students in Benin, West Africa with scholarships, school supplies, microgrants, and clean water initiatives. She is also co-founder of NABJ South Florida and president of Carmen Morris & Associates, Inc., leading result-oriented campaigns for clients like Miami International Airport, Miami-Dade Transit, Publix, Colgate, the New World Symphony, and the Adrienne Arsht Center.
   
A graduate of Miami-Dade College and Howard University, with MBA coursework at Barry University, Carmen has earned recognition from the American Red Cross, Barry University, and the U.S. Congress. She has been featured on CBS Evening News, ESSENCE, and UPSCALE magazine. She is also the proud mother of a talented musician son, continuing her legacy of supporting the arts.