Audrey L. Hadden, Director of Education – The African-Atlantic Genealogical Society (TAAGS)

Audrey L. Hadden is a transformative educator, cultural curator, and justice-driven leader who serves as the Director of Education on the Board of The African-Atlantic Genealogical Society (TAAGS). With an expansive background in labor advocacy, racial healing, and cultural preservation, Audrey brings over three decades of experience in empowering communities, challenging institutional injustice, and developing dynamic educational initiatives rooted in Black history and ancestral legacy.

Audrey is a thoughtful and meticulous strategist known for her ability to challenge individuals and systems alike to think critically, act collaboratively, and lead with vision. She is a respected change agent with an unwavering commitment to race equity, emotional intelligence, and unearthing the deep cultural narratives that shape Black identity across the African Diaspora.

Her journey in activism and advocacy began in 1990 with the Civil Service Employee Association (CSEA) Local 830. Over the decades, Audrey has held numerous leadership roles, including Unit Secretary, Unit President, and Human Rights Chairperson for Region One. She made history by advocating for the first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) space in her union, and in 2024, she was appointed Chairperson of the Special Committee on Minority Issues by the CSEA Statewide President. Her expertise in racial equity and organizational change has positioned her as a powerful thought leader across statewide labor and justice spaces.

At TAAGS, Audrey has brought the same fervor and intentionality to her work. She curates educational programs and museum exhibits that illuminate the richness of African American history, traditions, and diasporic resilience. She has led the design and implementation of culturally engaging outreach initiatives, developed strategic educational plans for the museum, and cultivated meaningful relationships with community members, schools, and civic institutions to expand access to cultural learning.

In addition to her work at TAAGS, Audrey served as Assistant Director of Programs at the Joysetta & Julius Pearse African American Museum, further contributing to the development of programs honoring events such as The Maafa, Juneteenth, and Kwanzaa. Her past work includes founding the Sistah Conversations: Black Cultured Book Club, which created vital spaces for literary exploration and intergenerational dialogue on Black empowerment and culture.

Audrey’s activism is not only public but deeply personal. Raised in a spiritually grounded home, she lives by the principle that “we are all divine expressions of love.” She is a proud graduate of Queens College, holding a B.A. in Psychology with a focus on workplace disparities, and a loving godmother nurturing future leaders through faith, wisdom, and grace.

Guided by the words of civil rights matriarch Dr. Dorothy Height—“Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life”—Audrey continues to serve as a beacon of leadership, resilience, and radical love. Her core values—Altruism, Leadership, Empowerment, Empathy, Encouragement, Peace, Intentionality and Ambition—infuse everything she does, making her a vital force in the cultural and educational mission of TAAGS.