Born and raised in Buffalo’s East Side, Aitina Fareed-Cooke knows the value of art as a tool for building community and healing trauma.

“The sad thing about being a creative and becoming a parent is thinking you have to put that creativity on a shelf. But the best gift you can give your child is to be 100% of who you are. My children know me — all of me.” – Aitina Fareed-Cooke

From Nina Simone to The Grateful Dead, Trinidad-born artist Sanga Of-The-Valley has worked with some of the most celebrated musical acts to bring the djembe to the mainstream.

“In New York, it’s very hard to make a living as an artist. CRNY helped me in all my life. Without that help, who knows where I’d be right now.” – Sanga Of-The-Valley

Awkwesasne-based artist Kiera Pyke creates traditional Mohawk quillwork and beadwork while caregiving full-time.

“It’s hard to get a lot of quality time with my son if I’m always working, but if I don’t work, we don’t make money. The guaranteed income allowed me to not be working all the time and bond with him and take care of him.” – Kiera Pyke

Colombia-born visual artist and fashion designer Juliana Castaneda is committed to sustainability and accessibility in their art, offering a commentary on the climate crisis and the consumerist culture that exacerbates it.

“New York has the most opportunities, but it also has the most competition. The guaranteed income program has allowed me to do so much.” – Juliana Castaneda

Alexa Dexa is an electroacoustic composer-performer and crip xXgrandmacoreXx sound witch creating rituals that honor Disabled brilliance and belonging.

“Everyone deserves to have access to stable income to be able to enjoy their lives, to be able to rest, to be able to experience celebration and literally just pure joy of existing and being alive on this planet.” – Alexa Dexa