Yexandra Diaz

Emerging Leaders of Color, Cohort 4

Yexandra “Yex” Diaz, long time New Haven Resident by way of Chicago, leads Strategic Development with Hang Time where she drives initiatives that strengthen the organization’s mission of empowering communities through dialogue, mentorship, and systemic change. In this role, she supports fundraising strategies, builds partnerships, and develops programs that advance social equity and amplify community voices.

 An interdisciplinary practitioner and cultural strategist, Yexandra has over eight years of experience in youth, workforce, and community leadership development. She has designed and delivered statewide and national workshops at the intersection of arts, culture and education with a social justice lens.

Also serving as Development Manager for the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, she supports the sustainability of the region’s creative ecosystem. An award-winning spoken word artist and certified AIR Collaborative Facilitator with the CT Office of the Arts, Yexandra’s work is grounded in the belief that equity, creativity, and community go hand in hand in building a more just society. She extends this commitment through civic service, having been elected to the Common Ground High School Board of Directors and appointed to the City of New Haven Youth Commission.