Dionne Castor

Dionne Castor is the Executive Director of the Africatown Redevelopment Corporation (ARC), bringing more than 30 years of leadership in strategic communications, community engagement, organizational development, and public‑sector partnership building. She leads ARC’s mission to preserve, revitalize, and economically strengthen Africatown through community‑driven development, cultural stewardship, and equitable growth.

Castor oversees ARC’s long‑range planning, operational management, and financial governance while advancing major initiatives in housing, economic development, and heritage‑based tourism. She directs Africatown’s residential redevelopment strategy, coordinating planning, funding, and contractor engagement to support new home construction and long‑term neighborhood stability. Her work centers on strengthening relationships with residents, descendants, and stakeholders to ensure redevelopment reflects Africatown’s cultural identity and community priorities.

Before joining ARC, Castor held senior leadership roles in higher education, municipal government, nonprofit development, and real estate. Her career includes executive positions at the University of Rochester, the University of South Alabama, Fairfax County Government, the City of St. Louis, and multiple national marketing and communications agencies. She has led multimillion‑dollar fundraising campaigns, managed high‑impact public relations strategies, and built cross‑sector partnerships that advance organizational growth and public trust.

Castor holds a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership & Administration degree from the University of South Alabama and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University. She also maintains advanced training in leadership, digital strategy, and community‑focused communication.

In her role at ARC, Castor serves as a visible ambassador for Africatown’s cultural and economic resurgence—championing preservation of historic assets, expanding opportunities for residents, and elevating Africatown’s profile locally, nationally, and internationally.