Ketty Lynne Thelemaque was born in Chicago, IL to parents Majeur and Jeanine Thelemaque. Ketty is first generation, US born, as her parents emigrated from Haiti. Her Haitian/American background has been the catalyst that has guided her career path. Being a daughter of parents who risked everything to give their children and extended family greater opportunities, is the foundation she stands on. It is this heritage that has fueled her desire to work towards justice for all.
Ketty is the proud parent of one daughter, Camille A Thelemaque-Bearden. Being a single parent has also informed her commitment to helping others with access to all services. However, she also understands that it is her responsibility to be an example and that you are not defined by your circumstances.
She is an ardent advocate for youth. Although she has spent 15 years in corporate positions of employment, she answered the call to education and taught high school for 16 years. She is a graduate of North Carolina Central University and proudly proclaims she is a NCCU Eagle. She spent 12 years in the classroom as an English teacher before being a Teaching and Learning Coach for Durham Public Schools. Her passion for solution finding for students has led her to pursue a Graduate degree from North Carolina State University. Her focus is on finding ways to engage the community and identify how systematic processes and policies affect those furthest from justice.
Ketty’s faith has been her source of strength. She is a proud member of the Abundant Hope Christian Church where she leads their Praise Dance Ministry. She is a member of the Impact Praise Team and Christian Education Department. Through her work at her church, she became active in the work of Durham CAN(Congregations, Associations and Neighborhoods). She has actively worked in organizing through CAN for over 10 years. She was a Strategy Team member, Co-Chair and most recently Lead Organizer. Her desire is always to help improve life and community for those who are often discriminated against because of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation and/or socio-economic status.
Hunter Greene is from Stoney Creek, TN. He was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee where his family has resided for generations. It was here that he found his love for people, ministry, and organizing. At sixteen, Hunter began preaching mostly in small, country churches and local revivals. At nineteen, he was ordained and became the associate pastor of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church.
While pastoring, Hunter attended Milligan College in Johnson City, TN. In 2019, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Humanities while completing minors in History and Bible. His interests in theology and politics led him to Durham to pursue his Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School, where he graduated in 2022. His graduate work concentrated on political theology, community organizing, and social transformation.
Hunter is a former intern of Durham CAN and currently serves as CAN’s Project Organizer. He is a writer, Baptist preacher, and community organizer. His interests include moral theology, political advocacy, and economic justice. His passion is working alongside those who have been marginalized, silenced, and forgotten in hopes of recreating the world in ways that reflect God’s love for every person.