Interim Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs and Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement
Phone: 704.378.1243
Economic Development, Philanthropy, Community Engagement, Real Estate Finance and Strategy
BS - Davidson College
MBA - Wake Forest University
D.Min - James Walker Hood Theological Seminary
Dr. Boris J. Henderson is a graduate of Davidson College (2001), where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Football in 2013. Boris earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Wake Forest University in 2006, and he also holds a Doctor of Ministry degree with a specialization in community advocacy and social justice from the James Walker Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, NC.
Boris is currently the Director of Economic Development and Community Engagement within the division of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs at Johnson C. Smith University. He is primarily responsible for overseeing the University’s partnerships and civic engagements, including with members of the Historic West End Corridor. Additionally, Dr. Henderson leads initiatives related to housing, land use, infrastructure development, and facilities planning.
Before joining Johnson C. Smith University, Boris spent over six years as a Senior Director of Real Estate, Community Engagement, and Philanthropy at Aldersgate. Previously, Boris was the Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Development and Special Projects at DreamKey Partners. His primary focus was mixed-income housing, commercial development, economic development initiatives, and community engagement. Before joining DreamKey, Boris held roles in commercial real estate finance, underwriting, and community development at Wells Fargo and Wachovia Securities. Professionally, Boris has a deep background in community engagement, economic and real estate development (encompassing all property types), and affordable housing.
Boris remains deeply involved in Charlotte and the broader community. He currently serves as the founding Board Chair of the Brenda H. Tapia Family Foundation, is a Past Board Chair of Habitat for Humanity Charlotte Region, and currently serves as a Board Director for Habitat for Humanity International. Additionally, Boris serves on the Crosland Foundation Board, and he remains very engaged within communities across Charlotte and the surrounding area. In 2017, Boris was recognized as an Outstanding Emerging Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his tireless efforts to support the Charlotte community