Community arts leader elevated to helm DC’s cultural anchor as it prepares for its next chapter.
WASHINGTON, DC — The Anacostia Arts Center (AAC) today announced the promotion of Messay Derebe to Executive Director, effective June 16, 2026. Derebe steps into an expanded leadership role as the organization prepares for the February 2027 reopening of its fully renovated facility, a milestone that will position AAC as one of DC’s premier cultural and creative economy destinations.
Operating since 2013 and owned, operated, and programmed by the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF), the AAC is what residents have long called the living room of Anacostia, a cultural anchor, a launchpad for artists and entrepreneurs, and a gathering place rooted in the history and future of the Anacostia corridor. It is the only place in DC where artists and business owners can showcase their work, grow their business, and access capital to scale, all under one roof, backed by the same organization. The AAC also houses The HIVE, a co-working and retail space serving entrepreneurs and creative professionals.
A Leader Shaped by This Community
Derebe has been at the center of the AAC’s most significant period of change, s stewarding the organization through a major renovation, deepening relationships across Ward 7 and Ward 8, and delivering meaningful programming both within the building and across the broader Anacostia corridor. Under her leadership, the AAC launched the Fusion Festival, a signature multidisciplinary celebration rooted in the Anacostia community and highlighting the dynamic, diverse programming under the AAC brand arts and culture; the Collective Wellbeing Program, expanding access to wellness and creative resources for residents; and the Seed to Storefront Initiative, developed in collaboration with Building Bridges Across the River and Wells Fargo to support aspiring retail entrepreneurs on their path from idea to business. Derebe was also behind the creation of the Beautiful Also Are the Souls final art exhibit at the AAC, a powerful final exhibit ahead of the renovation that honored the many individuals who contributed to the space’s remarkable legacy and impact so far.
“Messay brings the kind of leadership this moment requires,” said Shannan Herbert, CEO of WACIF. “She understands the importance of arts and culture, entrepreneurship, and community, and she understands what the Anacostia Arts Center means to the people who call it home. Over the last several years, she has earned the trust of our team and our community through her professionalism, her character, and her commitment to serving others. As we look ahead to reopening in 2027, I have complete confidence in her ability to carry the vision forward and help write the next chapter of the Arts Center’s story.”
A Career Built Across Capital, Culture, and Community
Derebe brings more than 18 years of experience spanning finance, arts management, philanthropy, and federal public service. Her career began at Ernst & Young conducting audits for Fortune 500 companies, developing expertise in financial analysis and operational efficiency. She transitioned to a career in social impact, including serving as Program Officer at the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation where she managed a $2.3 million grants portfolio supporting nonprofit organizations across arts, education, the environment and capacity-building sectors. she was formerly at WACIF the founding Program Director of the Enterprising Women of Color (EWOC) program. She holds a master’s degree in arts management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Most recently before rejoining WACIF, Derebe served as Program Analyst at a newly formed team at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she played a key role in overseeing planning for multi-billion-dollar national grant programs including the launch of a $125 million Capital Readiness Program designed to support underserved entrepreneurs across the nation with expanded access to technical assistance, incubators, accelerators, and capital. She also cofounded goARTful, a subscription service for art, designed to expand accessibility in the visual arts market.
“It is an honor to serve as a steward of the Anacostia Arts Center at such a pivotal moment in its history. As a violinist and someone with a background in entrepreneurship, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of access to opportunity. For years, the AAC has been a place where artists, entrepreneurs, and community members have not only found resources, but have felt valued and supported.
This renovation will allow us to build on that legacy and expand what is possible, creating more opportunities for creativity, entrepreneurship, connection, and economic mobility for the communities we serve.”
What’s Ahead: The 2027 Reopening
The February 2027 reopening will mark a new phase for AAC, with a reimagined facility designed to deepen its role as a cultural destination, modernize The HIVE co-working space for entrepreneurs and creative professionals, expand programming and strengthen its connection to WACIF’s capital, technical assistance, and small business development resources.
The Anacostia Arts Center is owned, operated, and programmed by WACIF as part of its long-term investment in equitable development, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation in Washington, DC.
To learn more about the reimagined Anacostia Arts Center and the 2027 reopening, visit https://anacostiaartscenter.com/reimagined/
About the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF)
Established in 1987, the Washington Area Community Investment Fund’s mission is to increase equity and economic opportunity in underserved communities in the Washington, DC area by investing knowledge, social, and financial capital in low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs. Our mission is driven by three strategic pillars: inclusive entrepreneurship, community wealth building, and equitable economic development, and is fulfilled by providing access to capital products and services, and capacity building technical assistance to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs. WACIF has been continuously certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) since 1996, making the organization one of the nation’s first CDFIs.
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