409 Schenectady Street, Schenectady, New York 12307, United States
Meet the Board
President
Co Secretary
Vice President
Angela Williams
Vice President
Co Secretary
Vice President
Jessica Hunter
Co Secretary
Co Secretary
Co Secretary
Tricia Pedro
Co Secretary
Co Secretary
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
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
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.
