Welcome to new staff member Naiya Speight-Leggett!

September 29, 2022

A warm-brown skinned femme in front of a vivid red background looks directly at the camera, hand resting against chin. Naiya has long dark brown box braids, a black top, and vibrant turquoise and copper earrings. We are thrilled to welcome Naiya Speight-Leggett on board as our new Development Strategist! Naiya Speight-Leggett (she/they) is a creative strategist, professional dancer, and visionary catalyst born and raised in ‘Washington, DC’—occupied Piscataway & Anacostan land. She is a lover of people, art, and equity who works in the radical tradition of Black Queer Feminism to inspire transformation that honors our inherent interconnectedness.

Naiya brings both robust proficiency and energizing ideas to their work with the Guild. Their experience spans: arts education; nonprofit, management, and DEI strategy consulting; community organizing; and social policy work—always centering people first. She co-facilitates MoneyPot, an anti-capitalist direct resource redistribution initiative for BIPOC abolitionist organizers. She has taught, performed, and created with various dance companies, The Kennedy Center, and U.S. + D.C. organizations. Naiya is launching their upcoming movement healing practice, prioritizing liberatory wellness and holistic joy.

Naiya earned her dual degree BA in Political Science & Black Diaspora Studies (Urban Studies concentration) from Yale University. She also has advanced training in business development. Naiya has received the Yale Creating & Performing Arts Award and National Society of Arts and Letters Award for Excellence in the Arts, among others.