Art Ambassadors 2023

Markeisha Ross was born and raised in Newark and attended Newark Public Schools. She is the mother of five children. As a parent advocate, she brings awareness to parental rights in Special Education to equip other parents of children with special needs with the tools and skills they need to advocate for their children. This includes her recent book, A Mother’s Struggle in the Public School System, available through most booksellers. She is a partner of Arts Ed Newark, serving on the Engagement Committee, and has completed both our Healing Centered Training Series and Peer Learning Community. She currently resides in Orange, NJ.

​Richard Marshall is a true “child of Newark”. He attended several public schools in the area, later returning to pursue his BS in Chemical Engineering from NJIT. After a few years in industrial and corporate settings, he had brought his skills back to the community that raised him through the world of public service and education. Over the last 13 years, Richard has worked in over a dozen Newark schools serving in many different Science/Math/STEM and STEAM capacities of academic instruction and various opportunities as a dance teaching artist, overall leading him to deal with the population-at-large in and out of the classroom. He also produces, manages and hosts many events for different community organizations throughout the state in performance, competition and exhibition that has served thousands.

Alicia Pinnix Robinson is the Founder and Director of Artfikaa, an art initiative that represents the Art of the African Diaspora. Ms. Robinson recently retired as an Art Teacher from Newark Public Schools. During her 26 years there, her leadership and desire to serve the community led to her highest honor; the Governors’ Award for Excellence in Education. Ms. Robinson has been an active member of the International Women's Organization, Zonta, and The National Art Educators Association for over 20 years. Research of Black history and art is Ms. Robinson's passion as well as being an advocate for its inclusion in the arts.

Victoria Marie “Vicki” Fernandez (she/hers) is the Director of Thriving Communities for the Grunin Foundation. In June 2019, Vicki Co-Founded the Nonprofit Professionals of Color Collective with Tyneisha Gibbs (144th and Vine). The Collective seeks to support the whole BIPOC leader with personal and professional development, community support, and access to intentionally curated resources.Vicki is a nonprofit generalist working in the sector for 20 years in a variety of roles. Although her work has focused on a wide range of service areas, including youth