Experience a unique celebration where STEM meets dance in a vibrant summer showcase! Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to enjoy creativity and innovation coming together in one inspiring evening. Friday, August 7th at 6:00 PM. This program is made possible through the generous support of STEM From Dance and The National Grid Foundation.
See the 2026 Program
SFD 26 virtual showcase program
Learn More
Learn more about STEM From Dance Syracuse in this WSYR-TV story by Ashley Cafaro
Get to know our high school and college interns! Throughout the summer, these dedicated interns have played an important role in supporting the STEM From Dance Camp, assisting with daily programming, event rentals, and daily operations. Thank you to Syracuse University, CNY Works, Say Yes to Education, and On Point for College for investing in the next generation and helping make this incredible internship experience possible.
Molly Keegan is a recent graduate of SUNY Oswego, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Cinema and Screen Studies. She enjoys reading, sewing, and writing scripts, and is passionate about storytelling and the creative arts. While her professional experience has primarily been in inventory management, Molly is excited to expand her skills by working with youth and helping plan engaging programs and events. She looks forward to contributing her creativity and enthusiasm while supporting participants throughout the STEM From Dance program.
Di’ana Outley is a sophomore at Onondaga Community College with a strong interest in psychology, art, and media analysis. Her passions are reflected in her hobbies, which include reading, writing, and creating visual art. She particularly enjoys drawing with pencil and has recently been expanding her skills through painting. As a summer intern, Di’ana has discovered a passion for working in the arts. This is her first professional experience in an arts-centered environment, and she is excited for the opportunity to contribute, grow, and support creative programming through the STEM From Dance program.
Daejhor Huddleston is a recent graduate of Manhattanville University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Commercial Dance. He has been dancing for over 8 years, with expertise in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Ballroom, and Tap. Through his work at the Community Folk Art Center, he has been able to share his passion for the arts while fostering creativity, cultural appreciation, and inspiration within the community.
Reedima Thapa is a rising senior at Henninger High School with a passion for creativity, hands-on projects, and connecting with others. She enjoys playing tennis with friends, crocheting, and creating handmade bracelets for herself and those around her. In her free time, Reedima also enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Through her internship, Reedima has developed an appreciation for working in the arts, particularly through event planning and creative disciplines such as dance and visual art. She is excited to continue gaining experience, exploring her interests, and contributing to arts-focused programming.
Hakima Musa is a rising senior at Henninger High School with a passion for exploring different cultures and learning about the diverse backgrounds of others. She enjoys trying foods from various cultures, discovering new music genres, traveling to new places, and embracing new experiences. In her free time, Hakima enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, cooking, creating henna designs, and experimenting with different makeup styles. She is especially excited about the opportunity to work with youth and connect with students who share a passion for dance and creativity. Through this role, Hakima looks forward to helping plan and create engaging events for youth while supporting their artistic journeys and witnessing the incredible performances they bring to life.
Mia Funderburg – STEM Facilitator
Mia Funderburg is a dedicated K–12 science and technology educator with over 15 years of experience in the field. A proud native of Detroit, Michigan, Mia is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Motivational Communication and Spanish, followed by a master’s degree in K–12 Instructional Learning. Currently, Mia serves as a 5th-grade teacher at Citizenship Academy and as a co-advisor for the NSBE Jr. (National Society of Black Engineers) chapter, supporting youth in the Syracuse area. Passionate about empowering students through STEM education and mentorship, she actively fosters future leaders and innovators. Mia is also a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., through which she continues her commitment to community service and outreach in the area where she lives and works.
Iris Williams – STEM Facilitator
Iris Williams, known as “Irises Eyes,” is a visual artist working in both digital and traditional mediums. Her work focuses on fostering connection and healing through art, using creativity as a therapeutic process for herself and her audience. Iris is dedicated to empowering representations of Black women, celebrating their strength, beauty, and individuality. Her mission is to create art that inspires, uplifts, and builds meaningful connection
Jaquaia Reid – Dance Facilitator
Jaquaia Reid is a dynamic dance instructor, licensed social worker, and community-based facilitator who uses movement as a tool for empowerment, self-expression, and connection. With a dance foundation that began at the age of five, she brings a rich and diverse background rooted in Afro-diasporic styles and hip-hop, blending Afrobeats, Caribbean movement (Soca, Reggae, Kompa), R&B, and freestyle. Jaquaia is also a member of Adanfo African Dance Ensemble, led by Etse Nyadedzor. She has worked with youth and adults across a wide range of settings and is known for creating welcoming, high-energy spaces where individuals of all skill levels feel confident, supported, and free to move. Drawing from her background in social work, Jaquaia intentionally incorporates confidence-building, emotional expression, and body awareness into her classes, making movement both accessible and deeply meaningful.
Monique Woods – Dance FacilitatorMonique Woods was born in North Carolina and raised in Syracuse, New York. She is the CEO and choreographer of Blessings in Motion Kids African Dance Group, based at the Southwest Community Center, an organization she founded in July 2022. Monique is a member of Adanfo African Dance Ensemble, led by Etse Nyadedzor, and has also performed with Wacheva Cultural Arts, led by Biboti Ouikahilo. She has been studying and performing African dance since the age of 12 and is passionate about preserving and sharing its rich cultural traditions through education and performance. As a dance facilitator for the STEM From Dance program, Monique is excited to inspire the next generation by combining movement, creativity, and innovation. She looks forward to seeing the unique projects and ideas participants create throughout the program.
The Community Folk Art Center and The Syracuse (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated present : The 54th Annual Teenage Competitive Art Exhibition. Fifty-four (54) years ago, three high school art teachers, Charles Wollowitz, Roberta Braen, and Nancy Peck of Nottingham and Corcoran High Schools with Herb Williams, Director of CFAC, engaged in a strategic planning process that led to the development of an art show and competition in response to a need to provide competition and exhibition opportunities for African American, Asian, Latino and Native American students attending high schools in the Syracuse area. Subsequently, the Syracuse (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, in conjunction with the Syracuse City School District, joined CFAC and art teachers from the local community to continue these efforts.This year’s exhibition features 85 students with over 122 works including 3D sculptures, photography, Digital Art, Mixed Media, painting, and drawing. Participating schools include Cazenovia High School, Charles W. Baker High School, Cicero-North Syracuse High School, Corcoran High School, Cristian Brothers Academy, Henninger High School, and Nottingham High School. Special guest judges included visual artists, Brandan Rahim and Iris Williams alongside arts administrators Dr. Tanisha Jackson, Jess Posner, and Alexander Vamvakias.
Congratulations to this years participants and winners!
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BEST IN SHOW
Nola Johnson of Nottingham HS for watercolor painting titled Morality- “In this painting I aimed to capture an expression of innocence and child-like wonder, using the apple to symbolize the childhood themes of growing up and maturing.” 
DIRECTORS’ CHOICE
Ne’ Ari Ray of Henninger HS -for digital art titled Self-Portrait -“This digital self-portrait uses color and images to highlight everything that I love.”
DIGITAL ARTS
first place : Zeniya Jordan – Corcoran HS
second place : Lola Morin – Corcoran HS
third place : Janielle Grace Quiron -Nottingham HS
DRAWING
first place : Braelyn Cross -Corcoran HS
second place : Talasey Hussein- Henninger HS
third place: Andy Nguyen – Henninger HS
MIXED MEDIA
first place: Zeniya Jordan – Corcoran HS
second place Harmony Corrice – Corcoran HS
third place : Shirin Hamo – Nottingham HS
PAINTING
first place : Naveah Slaughter – Corcoran HS
second place : Sia Welling – Nottingham HS
third place : Yamalay Abad – Henninger HS
PHOTOGRAPHY
first place: Delsar Jimenz-Ortiz – Henninger HS
second place : Isreal Gaterwood Smith-Nottingham HS
third place : Lillyanna Freeman – Nottingham HS
SCULPTURE
first place: Evelyn Morocho- Corcoran HS
second place : Jacelyn Pena – Corcoran HS
third place: Mohammed Ahmed- Corcoran HS
The Community Folk Art Center (CFAC) has been awarded an $18,200 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support “Rooted & Rising,” an innovative artist residency program designed to uplift and amplify the voices of artists from the African Diaspora. This prestigious award reflects CFAC’s ongoing commitment to fostering artistic excellence, cultural preservation, community engagement, and educational enrichment throughout Central New York.
Led by Dr. Tanisha Jackson, Executive Director of the Community Folk Art Center and Assistant Professor of African American Studies at Syracuse University, the residency will begin in Summer 2026 and continue through the end of 2027. Over the two-year period, four artists will be selected to participate in the program, receiving dedicated time, space, and institutional support to create new work while engaging meaningfully with students and community members.
Through workshops, exhibitions, artist talks, mentorship opportunities, and free public programming, the residency will create dynamic spaces for dialogue, creativity, and cultural exchange. Participating artists will collaborate with Syracuse University students while also extending their impact beyond campus walls, ensuring that the broader Central New York community has access to transformative arts experiences.
“The Rooted & Rising residency embodies the Community Folk Art Center’s mission to celebrate and advance the artistic traditions, stories, and lived experiences of the African Diaspora,” said Jackson. “By supporting artists and connecting them with students and community members, we are creating opportunities for learning, reflection, healing, and collective growth through the arts.”
The residency program further strengthens CFAC’s role as a bridge between scholarship, artistic practice, and community wellness. By investing in multidisciplinary artists whose work sparks conversation and inspires action, CFAC continues its legacy of serving as a vibrant cultural hub where creativity and community flourish together.
The Community Folk Art Center extends its deepest gratitude to the National Endowment for the Arts for recognizing the importance of this work and investing in artists and communities. We also thank Syracuse University, our dedicated staff, board members, donors, community partners, artists, educators, students, volunteers, and patrons whose ongoing support makes programs like Rooted & Rising possible. We further acknowledge and thank Diane Stirling and Syracuse University Today for helping share this exciting news and amplifying the impact of arts and culture throughout our community in the recent article “2 University Programs Receive National Endowment for the Arts Grants”. Together, we celebrate this milestone and look forward to welcoming artists and community members into this exciting new chapter of creativity, collaboration, and cultural expression.
At STEM From Dance Camp 2026, girls will dive into the world of STEM, light up the dance floor, and create something extraordinary. Through daily movement and tech-powered creativity (AI, Robotics, and Coding). While Camp lasts three weeks, the impact on her talent pipeline journey lasts a lifetime.
The Community Folk Art Center presents a theatrical performance of The Dolls. Directed by Annette Adams Brown and written by Lee Hunkins. To RSVP visit Eventbrite.
About the show : Set in a puppeteer’s and marionette maker’s shop, forgotten doll creations awaken, confront their maker, their fate, and discover their collective strength in the face of destruction.
Friday, June 5th 2026 at 6:00 PM
Check out the newest episode of the short film series, Black Arts Speak, featuring the visionary artist Amber Robles-Gordon. Following her recent exhibition Healing Forward: Rituals of Self-Repair, Cultivation of Community, and Collective Activation at the Community Folk Art Center, this episode highlights Robles-Gordon’s powerful journey through art and healing. This video is a compilation of segments from Amber Robles-Gordon’s artist talk, interview with curator Tanisha Jackson, and her commissioned Talking Stick Project Workshop, March 22, 2026, at the Community Folk Art Center
The Community Folk Art Center partnered with the Hip Hop Education Center and National Grid last week for a professional development event in Syracuse. The event featured multiple interactive workshops, including a live DJ set. The goal was to show families and educators how hip-hop can help students become more engaged in the classroom and even lead to a career in STEM.
Tanisha Jackson, the executive director of the Community Folk Art Center, said that hip-hop and STEM are gateways to opportunities for underrepresented communities in STEM.
“This is a way to really create more accessibility, more equity, and for people to see they belong in STEM,” said Jackson.
Justis Lopez is the senior director of teaching and learning at the Hip Hop Education Center. He emphasized the importance of using hip-hop to meet students where they are.
“Hip-hop has the voice of the youth; hip-hop is the voice of youth, and hip-hop is youth culture,” Lopez said. “If we really want to be intentional about supporting our young people, we need to follow their lead, and we need to follow what they’re already doing.”
Some students are already putting their skills to the test, including a 10-year-old DJ known as DJ Pop Pop. He said that being a DJ has helped build his confidence.
“Just being in front of an audience has made me confident and helped my self-esteem,” DJ Pop Pop said.
Overall, industry leaders want people to understand that hip-hop is more than a genre; it’s a community.
“It’s a genre of music that has really had an impact globally, it’s intergenerational, it really is a form of expression that really allows people to see something that is achievable, reachable in ways that connect with STEM,” Jackson said.
By Desiree Robinson | April 11 2026
Piano Students at Community Folk Art Center build confidence and connection through their shared love of music | See Video
Inside the Community Folk Art Center, beginners are discovering that learning piano is not just about technique. It is about confidence, creativity, and connection. The beginner-friendly class welcomes students of all experience levels. Some arrive with years of musical background, while others are touching the keys for the first time. Instructor Bernard Wiliford focuses on building comfort and curiosity, helping students feel encouraged as they grow. Learning an instrument can strengthen both mental focus and emotional well-being.
“ Not only will it teach you some sort of dexterity, it’s also good for the mind and the soul,” Wiliford said. “Whatever comes from your brain to your fingers is usually backed by whatever emotion you may be feeling at the time.” Wiliford says the class encourages students to explore sound and build confidence at their own pace. The goal is not perfection. It is progress.
For student Raymond Joseph, piano has become more than a hobby. It is both a creative outlet and a personal challenge. His journey with music spans more than 15 years, and he believes learning should never stop. “As long as you’re living you should be learning,” Joseph said. Joseph says playing piano allows him to express emotion while connecting with others through music. “It’s a good stress relief,” Joseph said. “A way to express myself. To bring smiles to people’s faces.” Learning piano requires patience and persistence. Students must coordinate both hands while staying focused on timing and rhythm. Joseph says that challenge is part of what makes piano unique.“Usually with piano, you’re like the main person that holds the whole band down,” Joseph said. “So the pressure could be on.”
Wiliford encourages students to stay motivated, reminding them growth happens over time “Never be discouraged,” Wiliford said. “Anything can be done at any time. It keeps your brain fresh and keeps you striving to be better.” Beyond learning notes and technique, students say piano provides a sense of calm that extends into daily life.“Peaceful,” Joseph said, when describing what playing piano feels like.
Each note played is another reminder that learning something new can open the door to confidence, expression, and joy.
