Press + Awards + Associations

A curated collection of interviews, articles, podcasts, and features highlighting Davita Galloway’s work at the intersection of creativity, culture, entrepreneurship, and community impact.

and, OTHER REALLY DOPE THINGS!

qc unleashed, art & community with davita from dupp & swat, 2026

queen city nerve, camp north end tenants react cautiously to property’s sale, 2026

queen city nerve, culture rewind: top 5 from charlotte creatives in jan, 2026

power98fm, parted: a love letter to black hair, 2026

creative mornings (jcsu), 2025 (THE ONLY PERSON TO HIT THE CREATIVE MORNINGS STAGE TWICE) mentor (‘25) + survival (‘17)

tuck school of business (dartmouth college), growing an established diverse business program participant, 2025

pride magazine, fifty women to know in north carolina, 2024

100 women to know in america, honoree, 2024

qcity metro, the great 28: black charlotteans who are shaping our city, 2024

axios, 25 people making black history in charlotte, 2023

metrolina theatre association, non-musical category, outstanding costume design nominee, 2022— WINNER, ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ (Brand New Sheriff Productions)

toms, impact video 2022

adweek, what female ad execs really think about the green m&m makeover, 2022

cltiscreative, do you know your creative worth? davita does., 2022

broadway world, best costume design of a play or musical, 2021

adweek brand storytelling judge 2021

fast company, code-switching op-ed , 2021

national coalition of 100 black women, candace award recipient (advocacy) | 2021

before 2021, just google me… LOL

Dr. Davita Galloway is a Black Girl, an Aquarius, and a creative entrepreneur who believes culture is one of the most powerful tools for creating change. She studied at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Parsons School of Design in New York, and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, bringing together art, business, and community to build experiences that leave lasting impact.

She is the CEO and co-founder of DUPP&SWAT, a cultural hub that has grown into a multifaceted creative ecosystem encompassing an events venue, gallery, retail concepts, educational programming, as well as beauty and barber services. She also serves as Executive Director of CrownKeepers, an arts-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering Black artists and expanding access to creative opportunity. Together, these organizations have generated millions of dollars in economic impact while creating meaningful pathways for artists, entrepreneurs, and communities to thrive.

Known for her authenticity and fearless approach to storytelling, Davita has built a career by refusing to separate creativity from purpose. She is a speaker, curator, host, creative director, costumer, strategist, and community builder whose work consistently challenges convention while inviting people to imagine what's possible. Her résumé includes serving as Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of SPREAD magazine and co-hosting the talk show Nita&Vita—a project that may soon make its return.

Whether she's producing exhibitions, mentoring emerging creatives, moderating conversations, developing new ventures, or reimagining what community can look like, Davita is driven by a simple belief: creativity should create opportunity. Her work centers social equity, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, and authentic collaboration, proving that community isn't simply something you belong to—it's something you actively build.

Among her many honors, a portrait of Dr. Galloway is part of the permanent collection at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. She has been recognized as one of the 100 Women to KNOW in America and is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her contributions to culture, creativity, and community leadership.