Commissioner Interview: Alexandra Cenatus

Alexandra Cenatus serves in one of three nonprofit seats on the MD Two Fifty Commission, representing Maryland Humanities.  

Born and raised in a civically engaged family in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Alexandra was exposed to culture, arts, and literature, from an early age. Coming to the United States with her Dad in 2016 was a significant adjustment, until a program called Close Up brought Alexandra and her sister to Washington, DC, and transformed their horizons. 

Meeting students from throughout the United States and from a variety of cultures inspired Alexandra to major in political science at the University of Florida and to focus on Latin American Studies and Women’s Studies in graduate school. Her interests have remained consistent, and Alexandra is now pursuing her PhD at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Alexandra envisioned a career in the nonprofit sector and followed her core values which guided her to a career in community service.  

Actively engaged in the campus community as an undergraduate, Alexandra was encouraged to be part of the change she wanted to see. Volunteering in a variety of student leadership roles, after graduation she served as Assistant Curator of the Haitian American Dream Timeline project at the University of Florida Libraries and then as  Assistant Director at the University of Florida Humanities Center where she spearheaded a program series connecting campus and community, increased participation in the humanities, and  coordinated a humanities grant program. 

This experience led her to Maryland Humanities where as Director of Programs she implements the organizational mission while keeping close watch on community needs. Alexandra works with the Maryland Humanities team on programs such as Maryland History Day, the Marilyn Hatza Memorial SHINE grant program, Regional Humanities Networks, Museum on Main Street, and One Maryland One Book, and believes that humanities programming can bring to life the past, present, and future. 

When asked what America means to her, Alexandra shared that as her home, she sees America as a place where people can pursue their dreams, forge connections across experiences, and work together to make America better with all its complexities, with service and care for both local and global communities as the unifying force.

Alexandra sees the potential of the MD Two Fifty Commission and the 250th in Maryland as a powerful catalyst for civic engagement and as an investment in a Maryland where all residents see themselves. She also referenced the Executive Order as an opportunity to share the history of marginalized communities and their contributions in Maryland. 

She encourages Marylanders who want to see change to get involved in their local community and to be bold. She believes that in the context of today’s budget cuts, the humanities remain a long term investment in our next generation, and that we must figure out our past, present, and future, to preserve our complex history.