DR. SHANTÉ WILLIAMS NAMED NEW GENERAL DIRECTOR OF OPERA CAROLINA
Williams will become first woman, person of color to lead organization.
Charlotte, N.C., (June 24, 2024) – Notable businesswoman Dr. Shanté Williams will become the new general director of Opera Carolina, effective July 1. Williams—a distinguished venture capitalist, business owner and private investor—succeeds James Meena, who currently serves as general director and principal conductor. Williams will be the first woman and first person of color to lead Opera Carolina, which was founded in 1948.
“Opera Carolina’s remarkable 75-year history of excellence in opera, education and community leadership make it one of the premier arts organizations in North Carolina,” Williams said. “Having been fortunate enough to serve on the board of directors, I am especially honored to carry the organization’s remarkable reputation forward. I look forward to leading the business operations as Maestro Meena continues to serve as Artistic Director. With a dynamic staff and passionate board, we will embrace and expand the company’s role as a leader in Charlotte’s artistic community and an agent for healing, inspiration and joy.”
Williams currently serves as CEO of Black Pearl Vision and global CEO of its parent company, Black Pearl Global Investments, a $25 million venture capital fund. She has used her wealth of scientific knowledge as well as her passion for innovation to solve complex problems across the industries of health, finance and real estate.
The organization initiated a multi-year succession-planning process to identify a new general director. Following an interview process with the board of directors, the group approved Williams’ appointment. The announcement advances the succession plan and brings dynamic new leadership to the acclaimed organization.
“On behalf of the entire board of directors, I am thrilled Dr. Williams is joining us as our next general director,” said Board Chair Carol Kendrick. “As a Charlotte native, she brings to the role a track record of success in fundraising and business, and we were collectively impressed by her extensive credentials and past support of Opera Carolina. We are confident we have found the right person to lead and inspire our community as we emerge from the pandemic and raise Opera Carolina to the next level of excellence.”
Opera star Denyce Graves, who starred in the title role of Opera Carolina’s recent production of The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson, touted Williams’ appointment as a testament to her hard work, dedication and exceptional leadership skills. Williams was instrumental in bringing the production to life and landing the famous mezzo-soprano for the main role.
“I am confident that under her guidance, Opera Carolina will continue to flourish and achieve great success,” Graves said. “Her commitment to excellence matched with her unwavering determination will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the company and its future.”
Another celebrated opera singer, Barbara Frittoli, affirmed the organization’s selection of Williams to take the helm.
“I don’t think there is a better quote than Jack Welch’s to describe it: ‘Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision and relentlessly drive it to completion,’” said Frittoli, who starred in last season’s opener Pagliacci with Cavalleria Rusticana.
Opera Carolina will launch its 75th season on Oct. 30 with a benefit concert featuring renowned Italian singer Andrea Bocelli. For more information about the upcoming season, visit operacarolina.org/75years.
About Dr. Shanté Williams
Dr. Shanté Williams is a distinguished venture capitalist, business owner, inventor, intellectual property strategist and private investor. She currently serves as CEO of Black Pearl Vision and global CEO of its parent company, Black Pearl Global Investments (BPGI). She also serves the community as chairman emeritus of the board of directors for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce.
In the venture capital sector, Dr. Shanté continues to break barriers with BPGI’s fund focused on reducing health disparities across the globe. For her work in the medical field, Dr. Shanté is widely recognized for her stellar discovery of innovative chemotherapy treatments for high-grade invasive brain tumors. She was formerly a vice president of technology acquisition in the healthcare sector, a director of mergers and acquisitions in the consumer healthcare industry, and a director of intellectual property in the electric drive vehicle industry. After her corporate career, she founded her first company, RW Capital Partners, which became an industry-leading firm specializing in real estate, technology development, start-ups and business disputes resolution.
She has received numerous awards for her business and entrepreneurship efforts, and her thought leadership is frequently published in national and international media outlets. Dr. Shante earned a bachelor’s degree from Winston-Salem State University and a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University of Charlotte. She holds a doctorate in integrated biomedical science, specializing in neuro-oncology and pharmacology, from The Ohio State University.
About Opera Carolina
Founded in 1948 by the Charlotte Music Club, Opera Carolina is the largest professional opera company in the Carolinas, annually serving more than 70,000 people in North Carolina, South Carolina and Northern Georgia.
The mission of Opera Carolina is to improve the quality of life throughout the Charlotte region by presenting excellent opera, education and community programs.
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