Dexter D. Evans serves as Deputy Director of Strategy & Advancement at the National Museum of African American Music, where he leads fundraising, marketing, K-12 education, community engagement, and artist programming to advance NMAAM’s mission as the premier destination for African American music heritage.

Under his leadership, the museum has sustained transformative partnerships with corporations like Amazon, Nissan, and Pepsi while establishing celebrity engagement protocols that brought A-list artists including 50 Cent and Billy Ray Cyrus to NMAAM.

As a transformational philanthropy executive, Dexter has generated $25MM+ across cultural and educational institutions through innovative advancement strategies. His proven achievements include creating NMAAM’s “Where Legends Live Forever” tagline and brand strategy, and being recognized as Nashville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2024. His artistic foundation as a former saxophone player, drum major, and stage performer provides authentic cultural authority for building relationships with recording artists and industry professionals.

Dexter’s journey from Muskegon Heights to becoming the first Paul Quinn College graduate at an Ivy League institution reflects his commitment to empowering communities through servant leadership. Currently pursuing his Professional Doctorate in Philanthropic Leadership at Indiana University as an inaugural cohort member (completion May 2026), he combines academic rigor with authentic passion for preserving African American musical traditions that drives NMAAM’s national cultural impact.