King Arts Complex appoints Corey Favor as president and CEO, with April 8 start date

Leadership transition at a Near East Side cultural institution

The King Arts Complex has named Corey Favor as its next president and chief executive officer, with a start date of April 8, 2026. The appointment comes after a year that included leadership turnover and an internal investigation involving the organization’s prior executive.

Favor, 46, is expected to lead the nonprofit as it continues its programming and community engagement work centered on Black history, arts and culture in Columbus. In public remarks following the announcement, Favor said his priorities include building on the complex’s legacy and expanding its relevance locally and nationally.

Context: a vacancy following a suspension and departure in 2025

Favor will succeed Regina Ann Campbell, who was named president and CEO in September 2024 and began the role in October 2024. Campbell was suspended in June 2025 while the board conducted an internal investigation. She left the organization in July 2025, and the board did not publicly detail the personnel matter.

The leadership change places renewed attention on continuity at an institution that has served as a public-facing arts anchor for Columbus’ King-Lincoln Bronzeville area. The complex operates at 835 Mt. Vernon Ave., a building associated with the neighborhood’s cultural and civic history.

Favor’s professional background and civic involvement

Favor has worked in roles that bridge community engagement, arts programming and institutional partnerships. Since 2020, he has served as senior director of community engagement, arts and culture at Orange Barrel Media, where his work focused on building partnerships across arts, education, nonprofit, business and cultural sectors.

Earlier in his career, Favor held positions at OhioHealth and at The Ohio State University in marketing and communications. He has also been involved with several boards and advisory groups in the arts and civic ecosystem, including roles tied to local cultural institutions and statewide arts advocacy.

• Announced role: President and CEO, beginning April 8, 2026
• Recent position: Senior director of community engagement, arts and culture at Orange Barrel Media (since 2020)
• Prior experience: Roles at OhioHealth and The Ohio State University

Financial snapshot and near-term expectations

Public nonprofit tax filings for 2024 show the King Arts Complex reported $1.77 million in revenue and $1.67 million in expenses. Favor has described the organization as financially stable while indicating that potential new programming ideas will be discussed as he begins the position.

Favor has said his goal is to build on the complex’s history while expanding its impact for the next generation.

The April start date sets up a transition period in which the board and staff will align on operational priorities, programming direction and community relationships following the 2025 executive vacancy.