by Sarad Davenport | Featured Photos by Anica Marcelino Kimberly Hayes took some time to sit down and talk with us about her journey from being a small-town girl from Charlottesville to a woman and a professional making moves on a global scale. We chop it up to look into her life, her achievements, and the values that have guided her path.

Early Life and Education

Charlottesville is a place where everyone seems to know everyone and there are very few degrees of separation—especially in the Black community. Kimberly’s grandfather, Apostle Emeritus Rufus Hayes, Sr. was a preacher with a commanding voice on the radio, and her family was deeply rooted in the community. This close-knit environment shaped her early years and instilled in her a sense of responsibility and service. “I come from a place of seeing a pathway where service is the rent we pay for being here,” she says, reflecting on her upbringing and the influence of her grandfather. Her journey to higher education was marked by determination and a bit of Divine intervention. Hampton University was her top choice, but she initially received a rejection letter. However, a bill from the university arrived a few weeks before Fall classes were scheduled to begin, leading to confusion and hope. Her grandfather, who attended the Hampton Ministers Conference annually, took the bill to the conference and shared it with people in his large national network of preachers and administrators at Hampton University, and soon after that conference, Kimberly was admitted. “I was given the shot. I went to Pre-College. I got into the Summer Bridge Pre-College program. So you got six weeks to show your chops,” she recalls.

At Hampton, Kimberly majored in Political Science and was actively involved in various student organizations. Her time there was transformative, thanks to the supportive network of friends who kept her focused. “I met a group of friends who were very focused and smart. They had me in the library, they had me kind of on track,” she says. This network played a crucial role in her development, helping her secure a prestigious White House internship during the Clinton administration. Yep, you read that right. 

Professional Journey

Kimberly’s professional journey is a testament to her versatility and ambition. After graduating from Hampton, she worked at Citibank in their commercial business loan department. However, her career took a significant turn when she moved to New York and entered the world of television. A chance encounter at Rockefeller Center led to a job at NBC Studios, where she started as a receptionist and quickly moved up the ranks to become integral to all parts of television production. Kim’s television career included stints with Judge Judy and Maury, but it was her time at MTV that truly showcased her giftedness. At MTV, she worked in sales and marketing, traveling extensively to pitch clients and launch new services. “MTV was great. You can imagine the connections. I’m a social person. I’m an extrovert. I said to myself, this is where I belong,” she says. Even though Kim found success in television, her journey was not without its challenges. She left MTV to become the Executive Director of a nonprofit in San Francisco, a role she eventually left due to the politics involved. Returning to New York without a job, she faced a tough job market but eventually landed a position at Goldman Sachs. “I get the bag as the kids say, you know,” she says, highlighting her ability to bounce back even from moments of adversity.

Balancing Multiple Roles

Kimberly’s ability to balance multiple roles is one of her most remarkable traits. While working at Goldman Sachs, she continued to nurture her passion for entertainment by working award shows and managing talent on the side. This multi-sector career path allowed her to work with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Stevie Wonder. “Stevie is the biggest talent that I’ve worked with during all of these award shows,” she says, recounting her surreal experience at the Grammys. Her professionalism and dedication have earned her the trust of many in the industry. “The same professionalism, the same dedication, the same confidentiality that I had when working at the White House and sensitivity around things,” she explains, emphasizing the qualities that have made her successful in both finance and entertainment.

Community and Service

Service to the community has always been a cornerstone of Kimberly’s life. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and serves on their National Social Action Commission. Her role as a delegate to the United Nations for Delta Sigma Theta focuses on issues relevant to Black women and girls, Africa, and Haiti. “We are the first NGO in the Divine Nine to have NGO status with the UN,” she says proudly. Her commitment to service extends to her hometown of Charlottesville, where she is involved in various initiatives, including the Charlottesville Sister Cities Commission. Hayes was recently appointed as the City Representative for their sister city in Ghana, a role she is particularly excited about. “I just visited Ghana for the first time with Delta back in November and we did a mission trip there and visited all of our international projects there, which was great,” she says.

Legacy and Future

Kimberly Hayes and her brother “Chucky” have taken up the mantle of their family’s legacy by continuing their grandfather’s long-running radio show, “Gospel Sermonette,” on WINA. The show, which has been a staple in the community for over 50 years, features a blend of gospel music, prayers, and sermonettes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many activities were halted, Kimberly and her brother stepped in to keep the show alive. They play tapes of sermons from their grandfather, interspersed with gospel songs, prayers, and scripture readings. The 30-minute program airs every Sunday morning at 9:00 am, maintaining a cherished connection to the community and honoring their family’s commitment to faith and service.

Photo of Apostle Emeritus Rufus Hayes, Sr.

Kimberly’s sense of responsibility to her family’s legacy is evident in her efforts to honor her grandfather. She successfully campaigned to have a street named after him, a project she completed just weeks before the sensitive period of the summer of hate in 2017. “As much as my granddad poured into the community, he was able to see the love shown back to him,” she says, reflecting on the significance of this achievement. Her journey from Charlottesville to the global stage is a testament to her resilience, versatility, and unwavering dedication to her community.