Donelle Wedderburn is a writer, designer, and arts educator. Her work sits at the intersection of Black history, oral storytelling, and landscape architecture. She has contributed to developing and producing a range of broadcasts and audio documentaries for NPR, Food Culture Collective, and The Heal Food Alliance. In her free time, she loves to write poetry and draw connections between literature and landscape. Black women writers like Toni Morrison and June Jordan moved through the worlds of narrative, urban planning, and architecture, showing me it was possible to do the same.

Massiel Alfonso is a Dominican author, award-winning poet, and multidisciplinary artist, who believes stories are medicine. Her debut, Handful of Poems, dives deep into human emotions with honesty and simplicity, earning First Place at the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards and Honorable Mention at the International Latino Book Awards. Through poetry, performance, and community workshops, Massiel creates art that challenges societal norms and makes space for conversations about beauty, identity, and change.

Francisco Eraso is a Colombian-American interdisciplinary artist, educator and access worker. He uses textiles and ceramics as well as minimalist sculpture and sound art to engage topics of liberation theology, family, and revolution. He received his MFA from Rutgers University and a BA/BFA from Parsons, The New School in Visual Studies and Fine Arts. He has recently received the Wynn Newhouse Award and has been a Keynote Speaker at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Sunaé Long (b. 1996) is a multidisciplinary African-American expressionist artist from New Brunswick, NJ. A Kean University alum and founder of SUNGOD, she creates paintings, murals, digital art, and clothing rooted in healing and storytelling. Inspired by childhood craft parties with her great-grandmother, she now leads Craft & Convos, a community-based art series. Her work has been showcased in London, NJ, and NYC– blending creativity, culture, and connection through vibrant, meaningful expression.

Jennifer Cabral is a Brazilian-American photographer and visual artist based in New Jersey. Her work blends documentary photography with cultural heritage archives to explore history, identity, and memory. She integrates text, imagery, and archival materials to craft compelling narratives. Cabral holds BFAs in Photography and Social Communications from Brazilian institutions and a Master of Information from Rutgers University, where she focused on the intersection of photography and archival preservation. Her family archive remains a key source of inspiration.

Craig Bradley is a social impact entrepreneur, poet, and community leader dedicated to transforming underserved communities through art, education, and sustainable business ventures. With a robust background in real estate and nonprofit work, Craig’s mission is to uplift individuals by creating opportunities for growth and change. He leads initiatives such as the “Free for the People” community arts program and “The Residency” an artist talent showcase located in Newark Nj which is being hosted monthly. Craig’s vision combines creativity and entrepreneurship, fostering equitable communities where everyone can thrive.

Philadelphia-born artist Cherie Lee (b. 1968) is internationally recognized for her mastery of intricately carved, genuine ostrich eggshells. Utilizing high-speed rotary equipment, she applies Renaissance tenets of sculpture and low-relief techniques to craft works that impart both narrative and literal depth on their delicate 1/16-inch-thick surfaces. This choice of material highlights her enduring fascination with themes of vulnerability and resilience.

Jonathan Yubi (b. 1993, Bronx, NY) is a first-generation Ecuadorian-American artist. His paintings draw inspiration from literature, weaving laborers into historical landscapes. He focuses on laborers—exploring themes of identity, work, and social struggle. His current series, Work i(s/n) Progress, examines labor as a central theme in American and Pan-American history. Yubi earned his BFA from Lehman College CUNY and previously studied at Memphis College of Art and the University of Central Florida. His work has been shown at the Montclair Art Museum, Anna Zorina Gallery, 17 Frost Gallery, and CityArts Factory, among others.

Isis Kenney is a visionary CEO and artist known for pioneering the genre of Hip Hop Fine Art (HHFA), blending hip hop culture with fine art aesthetics. With expertise in collage, digital art, and textiles, her work highlights African-American history and social justice themes. Kenney’s art has been featured in prominent exhibitions and public collections, earning acclaim for its cultural relevance. She also leads educational outreach programs, inspiring youth through art and advocacy for hip hop culture.

Maria is a painter dedicated to shining a spotlight on the often overlooked and under-appreciated aspects of people. Drawing
inspiration from everyday people and community life, Maria’s artwork celebrates the unique qualities in the human body. She skillfully captures the essence of her subjects, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on the beauty and resilience found in the ordinary. Maria’s paintings serve as portals into the rich inner worlds of her subjects, encouraging viewers to bring their own interpretations and emotions to complete her evocative compositions.