Office: Hyde Hall, Suite 213
Tommie Watson is the Executive Director for the Institute for the Arts and Humanities. He provides leadership and strategy for the Institute while managing the day-to-day operations. Tommie supports a high performing staff and oversees programming, finances, human resources, communications and facilities.
Prior to arriving at the IAH, Tommie spent the majority of his career in the non-profit sector. He was the COO of Student U, a Durham college access organization working with Durham Public School students, and the Executive Director of the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Partnership. Tommie served as Community Organizer and promoted to Executive Director of Empower San Diego and Progressive San Diego.
Tommie serves as Treasurer of Fostering Families and served People’s Alliance board of directors in Durham, NC. He has completed training through the Safe Zone Project, as well as the Racial Equity Institute Phase I and II and Dismantling Racism. Tommie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College (MA) in sociology with a double minor in political science and psychology. In his spare time, he enjoys culinary adventures, nature walks, reading non-fiction, and watching shows.