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Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County gets new leadership

88.5 WFDD - Public Radio For The Piedmont | By David Ford
Published February 3, 2026 at 4:34 PM EST
Arts Council President and CEO Shannon Henry began her tenure on February 1, 2026.
Courtesy Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County
Arts Council President and CEO Shannon Henry began her tenure on February 1, 2026.

The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County has new leadership. Shannon Henry has been appointed President and CEO, effective February 1. 

Henry steps into the role after several months as interim leader, following the abrupt departure of former Arts Council head Samantha Howard last July, less than a year into her tenure.

As interim, Henry oversaw the Council’s 75th Anniversary Celebration. In a press release, Board of Trustees Chair Howard Upchurch praised her for demonstrating exceptional leadership, strategic insight, and operational expertise.

Before joining the Arts Council, Henry served as Winston-Salem State University’s chief strategy officer. Prior to that, she was chief operating officer at PBS North Carolina. 
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Arts arts councilleadership
David Ford
Before his arrival in the Triad, David had already established himself as a fixture in the Austin, Texas arts scene as a radio host for Classical 89.5 KMFA. During his tenure there, he produced and hosted hundreds of programs including Mind Your Music, The Basics and T.G.I.F. Thank Goodness, It's Familiar, which each won international awards in the Fine Arts Radio Competition. As a radio journalist with 88.5 WFDD, his features have been recognized by the Associated Press, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, and Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas. David has written and produced national stories for NPR, KUSC and CPRN in Los Angeles and conducted interviews for Minnesota Public Radio's Weekend America.
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