Zayda Adams, BAA '22

. I was accepted into my dream school, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, as a drama major! I aim to become a screen actor and know that BAA has helped me on this journey, and NYU will continue to lead me to success... Being able to attend this university will also show aspiring actors at BAA that anything is possible and that they too can fight for their own dreams."

Zayda's journey through Boston Arts Academy as a Theatre major has been impressive. In the last year alone, she was accepted into the distinguished summer program at the NYU Tisch School Drama Program, named 

for her work in theatre and for her submission of two filmed monologues, and accepted into NYU Tisch School of the Arts for college! We are so proud of Zayda and can't wait to watch her grow and continue to achieve her dreams!

Students like Zayda have worked so hard to master their crafts, succeed in their studies, and be accepted to college. 

This is your chance to donate towards scholarships for Boston Arts Academy’s diverse, talented, deserving graduating seniors. Gifts of all sizes add up to make a difference!

Now Is The Time to celebrate and support Boston Arts Academy's Class of 2022!

Visit the link below to learn more and show your support!

Class of 2022 College Scholarships: Help Send Students like Zayda to College and Beyond

"The new location is a metaphor for who the students are...it's new, innovative, creative and it's worth paying attention to." - 

on the NEW Boston Arts Academy school building in the Fenway neighborhood. 

Watch the full clip on NECN, featuring interviews with Denella Clark, President of BAA Foundation; Anne Clark, Head of School at BAA; Jeff Rosica, Board Chair of BAA Foundation; Lee Michael Kennedy, builder of the new BAA school building and President and CEO of Lee Kennedy, Co., Inc.; Bekah Salwasser of the Boston Red Sox; and Natalia Reyes (BAA '20). 

The New, High-Tech Boston Arts Academy Will Blow You Away

In a powerful testimonial during BAA Foundation's inaugural 

 shared with guests her experience working with professional architects during her time at Boston Arts Academy to design the five-story glass curtain wall that graces the front of the new Boston Arts Academy school building (

"To me, this curtain wall captures the environment, culture, and diversity of the City of Boston. It also represents urban, city kids, like me."

During her senior year, Natalia worked with Studio M7, BAA's in-school student-run design firm, to create the concept for this public artwork. Natalia started the project’s creative process by coming up with words that represented the school like: illuminate, unity, support, diversity, inclusion, beacon, educate, and self-expression. 

"I wanted to translate the energy of the city, the lights, the moving people. The city is never quiet, nor still. So, I wanted to capture that through different components and perspectives using various shapes and patterning."

"My teacher, Ms. Gretta Olton, gave me an opportunity to focus on something I’m passionate about. She was an advocate for me and many other students. She helped me turn my vision into a reality," shared Natalia. "Now my art is alive, permanently on the new school building, on display for millions of people visiting the Fenway neighborhood to see."

"If it were not for BAA, I would have never had the opportunity to experience a project like this, building the curtain wall."

We are so proud of Natalia, currently a sophomore at Lesley University on a full four-year scholarship. 

Your contributions help us to continue to support deserving, hard-working, talented students like Natalia in their arts education and pursuit of their dreams.

Natalia Reyes seeing the curtain wall on the new BAA school building for the first time

Natalia Reyes (BAA '20) Powerful Testimonial on "Building the Curtain Wall"

We can't wait to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Boston Arts Academy school building & Boston Arts Academy's 25th Anniversary with you on October 8, 2022 during BAA Honors 2022.

To purchase tickets, advertisements and/or sponsorships, 

Save The Date: BAA Honors 2022, The Grand Opening Event

Happy Friday! I'd like to introduce you to 

Boston Arts Academy Foundation's new Vice President of Philanthropy, 

I sat down with Aisha to ask her a few questions about her experience in the non-profit industry, what she is most looking forward to this year in her new role at BAA Foundation, and why she wants to support the students of Boston Arts Academy.

Tell us about your background, and your experience in the non-profit industry.

 I started my career in the not-for-profit sector after working at the Boston Globe newspaper for 20 years. My goal was to take all my executive experience, board experience and governance experience and become a development or fundraising professional for mission-based philanthropic initiatives. Hence, the rest is history and subsequently I have held leadership positions at Wheaton College, Milton Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton, The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, and Parents Helping Parents.

Why are you passionate about BAA Foundation’s mission in providing equitable access to life-changing opportunities to Boston Arts Academy’s students?

 BAA is a Boston-based public school that is likely to be mistaken for a private school. However, its students and families come from the local neighborhoods and its diversity and inclusivity represents the community in which it serves. This 25-year-old inspirational arts institution is filled with committed leaders, faculty, and staff! The 25th Anniversary year of the school coincides with the Grand Opening of the new school building located on 174 Ipswich Street and stands as a beacon for all the supporters, funders, and numerous stakeholders. BAA has access to resources and opportunities that help students to be more effective learners in school and to be successful in future careers, including top notch jobs in Fashion, Film & Television, Visual Arts, Dance and Music. This is evident in the many success stories of BAA alumni.

What are you looking forward to contributing to this year, with the Grand Opening of the new BAA school building?

 As the new Vice President of Philanthropy, firstly, I am extremely elated to join such a stellar team of BAAF staff and to work each day knowing that I’ve made a difference in a young person’s life. Secondly, I consider myself a lover of the arts and my observation is that art represents culture, creativity, and stimulates all our innate senses as well as draws people together. Therefore, I am looking forward to contributing my people skills, work experiences, professional network, and resources to making the strategic and fundraising goals for the 

What’s your favorite shows, performances, and/or artists?

 My favorite shows and performances are The Wiz, The Phantom of the Opera, The Book of Mormon, Chicago, Beauty and The Beast, Dreamgirls, The Color Purple, The Lion King, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Black Nativity and Hamilton.

I particularly enjoy listening to music and my favorite genres are Jazz and R&B: Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock, Shirley Horn, George Benson, Nat King Cole, Hugh Masekela, Celia Cruz, Sade, Aretha Franklin, Jonathan Butler, Najee, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley...just to name a few!

Have more questions? Or, want to grab coffee with Aisha? 

Caitlin Durkin, Events & Communications Manager, BAA Foundation

Meet BAA Foundation's New VP of Philanthropy, Aisha Saunders-Jackson!

 A resident of Milton, Lorick-Wilmot holds a B.A. in Sociology from Trinity College – Hartford and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Northeastern University. She also holds a Graduate certificate in Women’s Studies from the Consortium for Graduate Studies in Gender, Culture, Women & Sexuality at Radcliffe College/Harvard University.

Lorick-Wilmot’s work focuses on issues impacting diverse racial-ethnic and immigrant communities across the country. She is an affiliated faculty member in the Africana Studies Program in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at Northeastern University and a sociology senior lecturer in the College of Professional Studies. She is also Northeastern’s first recipient of the Scholar-in-Residence award at the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute.

Stories of Identity among Black, Middle Class, Second Generation Caribbeans: We, Too, Sing America, 

several white papers and book chapters, and editor of a forthcoming anthology of creative works.

“Boston Arts Academy is full of talented and diverse students who represent the spirit and energy of our community,” said 

. “I am thrilled to join the BAA Foundation Board and look forward to creating opportunities for and supporting BAA students in their new state-of-the-art building as they continue to excel in the arts and their futures.”

“Dr. Lorick-Wilmot is an esteemed educator and activist,” said 

BAA Foundation President and CEO Denella J. Clark

. “Her commitment to supporting diversity and empowering our city’s youth align with our vision at the Boston Arts Academy Foundation. We are delighted to have Dr. Lorick-Wilmot join our Board.”

 In addition to her work in academia, Lorick-Wilmot hosts a podcast titled 

Talking Journeys of Belonging 2 Blackness

, with listeners in 30+ countries worldwide, and a YouTube channel to empower marginalized and historically disenfranchised communities to tell their own stories about challenging structures of oppression. She holds numerous awards, including the 2020-2021 Gloria E. Anzaldúa Award from the American Studies Association’s Committee on Gender and Sexuality; as well as several fellowships and honors from the American Association, the National Institute of Mental Health, “Women of Distinction in Race and Gender Equity” from El Noticiero Popular Panemeno, and the Institute of Pan American Affairs.

Read her profile in Boston Business Journal's People on the Move 

News

Class of 2022 College Scholarships: Help Send Students like Zayda to College and Beyond

The New, High-Tech Boston Arts Academy Will Blow You Away

Natalia Reyes (BAA '20) Powerful Testimonial on "Building the Curtain Wall"

Save The Date: BAA Honors 2022, The Grand Opening Event

Meet BAA Foundation's New VP of Philanthropy, Aisha Saunders-Jackson!

SCHOLAR-ACTIVIST, DR. YNDIA LORICK-WILMOT, ELECTED TO BOSTON ARTS ACADEMY FOUNDATION’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Talent is evenly distributed in society, but not opportunity. Help us change that reality in Boston.

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