Dear Friends,
After countless magical moments over the last nine years, I am delighted to step down in September and welcome Chiwoniso Kaitano into the Girl Be Heard family. If I had dreamed of all the things I wanted in an incoming Executive Director, Chi surpasses them all. Can’t wait for you to meet her in person!
Chiwoniso Kaitano comes to Girl Be Heard from Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, a 30 year old Brooklyn-based youth empowerment and arts and culture organization where she served as Executive Director.
Chiwoniso’s nonprofit career has been dedicated to helping organizations at the forefront of arts and culture, social justice, youth education, and social services. Prior to joining Ifetayo, Chiwoniso served as the Director of the All for One Collaborative, a collective impact partnership spearheaded by three major Brooklyn-based Community Development Corporations: Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, IMPACCT Brooklyn and Bridge Street Development Corporation. Under this initiative, Chiwoniso was charged with launching and implementing the All for One initiative, a collective impact project which focused on promoting economic mobility within low-resource communities of color in Northern Brooklyn.
Chiwoniso has long been involved in the arts scene including running the long-standing literary series The Salon, and founding Africa Redux, a platform that promotes the art, culture, and music of Africa. Chiwoniso also serves on the Board of Trustees of two New York City-based nonprofits, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Willie Mae Rock Camp.
Chiwoniso holds a law degree from the London School of Economics and a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School for International and Public Affairs. Originally a native of Zimbabwe, Chi lives in Brooklyn with her family.
If you haven’t RSVP’d for our August 14th event (RSVP here), please do so today! Even though Chi formally starts at Girl Be Heard on September 6th, as part of this major transition, we want you with us, every step of the way, as our community warmly welcomes and plans for her to take the helm.
Huge thanks to our Board of Directors for leading the search!
As we mark a new era in Girl Be Heard her-story, it is important to recognize the sheroes at Girl Be Heard — the fierce and fabulous staff, past and present, in the US and in Trinidad. I can never thank them enough for their service to the organization, developing, amplifying, and celebrating the voices of young artists and activists in New York City and abroad. It has been ever-humbling, educational, and inspiring to work with sheer genius of heart and mind. The organization is in amazing hands.
Can’t wait to celebrate this transition together on Wednesday!
Sincerely,
Jessica Greer Morris
Executive Director
JOIN US
Wedneday, August 14th
6:30pm: Complimentary Food & Cocktails
7:15pm: Special Girl Be Heard Performance
7:30pm: Tribute to Jess
7:45pm: Introduce Our New Executive Director
RSVP
TOWN STAGES (tribeca)