409 Schenectady Street, Schenectady, New York 12307, United States

(518) 346-1262

(518) 346-1262

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    • Home
    • About Us
    • Programs
    • How we make a difference
    • Ways to Give
    • Rentals
    • Library
    • The Future of HHAC
    • Jerry Burrell Park
    • Associated Artists
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Programs
  • How we make a difference
  • Ways to Give
  • Rentals
  • Library
  • The Future of HHAC
  • Jerry Burrell Park
  • Associated Artists

Hamilton Hill Arts Center

Hamilton Hill Arts Center Hamilton Hill Arts Center Hamilton Hill Arts Center

Welcome to The Hamilton Hill Arts Center

Welcome to The Hamilton Hill Arts Center Welcome to The Hamilton Hill Arts Center Welcome to The Hamilton Hill Arts Center

About Us

Founded by Margaret Cunningham, an artist inspired by the Black pride and The Black Arts movements, the Hamilton Hill Arts Center’s mission is to promote the knowledge, preservation and continued development of the art and culture of the African Diaspora. 

  For 57 years, the Hamilton Hill Arts Center has provided exceptional Cultural Arts programming for people of all ages. We are a Black led and operated  501(c)3 cultural arts center with programming that serves over 10,000 people a year on and off site. We are Schenectady’s only African/African-American Arts Center and the only remaining community center in Hamilton Hill. HHAC was founded to address the needs of unsupervised youth in Schenectady’s inner city and has expanded to meet the needs of families and communities.     

The Future Of the Hamilton Hill Arts Center

Where do we go from here?

Find out more

Meet the Board

President

Vice President

Vice President

 Angela Williams

Vice President

Vice President

Vice President

 Jessica Hunter

Co Secretary

Vice President

Co Secretary

Tricia Pedro

Co Secretary

Vice President

Co Secretary

Monique Wade

Treasurer

Treasurer

Treasurer

Shavonne Sanders 

Treasurer

Treasurer

Betty Harper

Treasurer

 Dominicka Turner

Treasurer

Bianca DiLella

Ron Gardner

   Board member seat open

   Board member seat open

   Board member seat open

About Us

Meet our Faculty

Executive Director

Artreach Program Director

Artreach Program Director

  

Rachel Conn – Executive Director

Rachel Conn is a dedicated community leader, organizer, and visionary who brings a powerful blend of strategy, creativity, and heart to her role as Executive Director. With a deep commitment to Black liberation and cultural preservation, Rachel has spent over a decade building grassroots programs that center healing, justice, and self-determination.

Under her leadership, the organization has grown into a thriving community hub, connecting people through art, education, mutual aid, and movement work. Rachel believes in building sustainable systems from the ground up and ensuring that those most impacted are the ones shaping the solutions. Her work is guided by a belief in radical imagination, and her leadership reflects an unwavering dedication to collective empowerment and joy.

Artreach Program Director

Artreach Program Director

Artreach Program Director

 

Bianca DiLella – Program Director, After School Program

Bianca DiLella is a working artist based in New York’s Capital District, known for her evocative portraits and landscapes that weave together history, mythology, and the natural world. Her art is deeply narrative—each piece tells a story and captures emotion in a way that resonates with her audience.

As the new Program Director of our After School Program, Bianca brings her passion for storytelling and creative expression into her leadership. She is dedicated to building a dynamic, nurturing environment where young people can explore art, culture, and self-discovery. Bianca's vision centers on using the arts as a powerful tool for education, empowerment, and community connection.

Artreach Coordinator

Artreach Program Director

Artreach Coordinator

   

Valerie Lewis – Artreach Coordinator, Afterschool Program

Valerie Lewis has been a cornerstone of the Arts Center for over 45 years, bringing extraordinary skill, passion, and wisdom to everything she touches. A master of arts and crafts from the African diaspora, Valerie’s work preserves cultural traditions while inspiring new generations of artists and makers.

Her decades of service have earned her recognition at the city, state, and national levels—including the establishment of Valerie Lewis Day in her honor. Deeply rooted in community, Valerie continues to uplift others through teaching, mentorship, and a lifelong dedication to cultural enrichment and creative expression. 

Capoeira Instructor

Coding and African Dance Instructor

Artreach Coordinator

 

Mestre Tubarão – Capoeira Master & Cultural Educator

Born in Brazil, Mestre Tubarão has been practicing Capoeira for over 35 years and teaching for more than 25. With a deep respect for the cultural roots and spiritual traditions of this Afro-Brazilian art form, he has taught students of all ages across Brazil and the United States.

Mestre Tubarão is known for his dynamic teaching style, blending discipline, movement, music, and history to create a powerful, holistic learning experience. His dedication to preserving the cultural integrity of Capoeira is matched by his passion for building community and inspiring the next generation of practitioners.

Coding and African Dance Instructor

Coding and African Dance Instructor

Coding and African Dance Instructor

 

Jessica Hunter – Board Member, VolunteerTeaching Artist

Jessica Hunter is a proud child of the Arts Center and now serves as a valued board member and multidisciplinary teaching artist. With a background in both STEM and the arts, Jessica brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative expression to her work in the community.

She holds a B.S. and M.S. in Nuclear Engineering from RPI and MIT. Passionate about education and empowerment, Jessica teaches coding, knitting, and African Dance. 

Jessica has been an active member of Umoja African Dance and Drumming for over 15 years, currently serving as an assistant instructor. 

Steel Pan Instructor

Coding and African Dance Instructor

Coding and African Dance Instructor

 

 Janiya Minor – Steel Pan Instructor & Performer

Janiya Minor has been performing and teaching steel pan for over 20 years. She began her musical journey as a teenager at the Hamilton Hill Arts Center, where she first discovered her love for the instrument and its cultural significance.

Today, Janiya is dedicated to continuing that tradition by sharing her passion with the next generation. Through her teaching, she introduces children in the community to the vibrant sounds and history of the steel pan, fostering both musical skill and cultural pride. Her commitment ensures that this powerful art form remains alive, relevant, and rooted in community.

Lecturer, Performer and Instructor

  Jermaine Wells is an award-winning writer, musician, lecturer and entertainer. He has appeared in films, commercials and has collaborated with such greats as Quincy Jones. An in-demand Masters of Ceremonies and lecturer, he has spoken at many universities and events.     

Lecturer, Instructor, Story teller

  

Miki Conn – Artist, Educator & Cultural Leader

Miki Conn, former Director of the Hamilton Hill Arts Center, is a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, poet, lecturer, and lifelong advocate for justice. A former civil rights activist, Miki worked alongside pivotal figures in the movement, including Stokely Carmichael, H. Rap Brown, and Bayard Rustin—an experience that continues to inform and inspire her work today.

Her artwork has been exhibited in Africa, Upstate New York, Long Island, and Boston, reflecting a deep connection to cultural heritage and community expression. As a published author and dynamic speaker, she lectures widely on the Civil Rights and Black Arts movements, offering powerful insight shaped by lived experience and historical context.

Having lived in Africa for several years, Miki also offers workshops in traditional African crafts, alongside classes in writing and visual art. Her teaching fosters creativity, empowerment, and cultural pride across generations.


Drum Instructor, Performer, Story teller

Drum Instructor, Performer, Story teller

 

Zorkie Nelson – Master Drummer, Composer & Performer

Zorkie Nelson hails from a distinguished lineage of Ghanaian master drummers and carries forward the musical traditions of his heritage with power and grace. A founding member of the internationally acclaimed Pan-African Orchestra (PAO), Zorkie has toured the world sharing the rhythms and spirit of West African music.

He was also a core member of the renowned group Odadaa!, performing alongside jazz great Wynton Marsalis. A dynamic multi-instrumentalist, Zorkie is a drummer, vocalist, and flute player with the eclectic jazz fusion ensemble HEARD, and leads his own group, Gballoi, blending traditional Ghanaian sounds with contemporary global influences

Find out more about our programs

Help Our Cause

 Your support and contributions will help us to serve Schenectady and the Capital Region with positive creative and educational opportunities for children and adults. 

Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card

Copyright © 2025 Hamilton Hill Arts Center - All Rights Reserved.

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