Our Team

Meet the Brooklyn Arts Center team

Jay & Tara Tatum / Owners

Jay Tatum is a true blue hometown son, born and raised in our beloved Port City. Tara is a North Carolina native as well, hailing from Fayetteville. Together, they’ve built a life rooted in family, travels, concerts and community, celebrating 25 years of marriage.

They are proud parents to two sons. Noah is currently studying International Business at Appalachian State University, while Ethan is a senior at New Hanover High School and preparing to a attend a four-year university in the fall.

Tara is a CPA and serves as the practice manager at Wilmington Plastic Surgery. where her financial expertise and leadership help guide daily operations.

Jay launched Active Entertainment in 2001, building it into one of the area’s most sought-after DJ companies. Over the years, Jay and his team provided the soundtrack for nearly 300 weddings and special events at the Brooklyn Arts Center.

After spending so much time working in Brooklyn, it felt only natural that one day he would own the place. In September 2018, that vision became reality when he and Tara purchased the Brooklyn Arts Center-selling Active Entertainment and trading in his headphones for the keys of the BAC.

With their wealth of business and entertainment experience, Jay and Tara now put their full focus on maintaining and strengthening the Brooklyn Arts Center’s standing as the premier, multi-use event venue in the Southeast.

Charyl Williams / Director of Events & Marketing

Charyl has been a much loved member of the BAC family since more or less day one. She has been the owner—and Captain—of Social Butterfly Events for more than a decade and has designed and managed more than a hundred gorgeous weddings at the venue since 2011—and hundreds more locally and around southeastern North Carolina.

Few, if any, know Brooklyn better than Charyl, so the evolution from SBE to BAC has been effortless and, frankly, joyous. Why joyous?

Because that’s the perfect word for Charyl. Her smarts, experience, steady hand, and fabulous sense of humor have in the past and will in the future continue to light up N 4th Street. She was born and reared in Lockport, New York, but has called Wilmington home for over 20 years. She’s been married twelve years to her husband Eric Williams, and together they are the proud parents of a ten-year-old ball of pure awesome energy named EJ.

“I’m excited to still be a part of the Wilmington wedding community and thrilled to be involved with all the other fantastic BAC events,” Charyl says.

Dave Melton / Facilities Manager

Dave Melton is a Wilmington native who truly embodies the spirit of the Cape Fear area. From surfing to preserving historic homes, Dave’s life reflects his deep connection to his roots.

A surf shop manager job introduced him to Jenny, now his wife and lifelong partner of 29 years. Together, they’ve raised their son, Foxx, who is currently studying engineering at NC State.

Dave’s career in renovating and flipping historic properties in Wilmington paved his way for his role as the facilities manager at the Brooklyn Arts Center, where his expertise and passion for preservation shine. Over the last three decades, he has left his mark on historic properties throughout downtown and looks forward to pouring some of his soul into the BAC.

When he’s not working, Dave loves spending time with his family, exploring in their Sprinter Van, skiing on fresh snow, and soaking up the energy of music festivals.

Dave “TAZ” Ketcham / Facilities Coordinator

Originally from Long Island, New York, Dave brings a diverse, hands-on background to the Brooklyn Arts Center, with expertise in defense manufacturing, landscape design, and home remodeling.

After moving to Hampstead in 2016, where he met his husband, Addison, Dave relocated to Wilmington in 2018 and has proudly called the area home ever since. His love of historic architecture and preservation makes BAC a natural fit, where his organization, attention to detail, and appreciation for well-kept spaces support the care of the venue.

Outside of work, Dave enjoys life with Addison and their two miniature Australian Shepherds.