TEEN PROGRAMS STAFF
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Ghana, but I grew up mostly on the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean.
What college did you go to?
I created my own major at Williams College. It focused mainly on the arts and culture of the Caribbean.
How did you become involved in the arts?
From an early age, my parents realized that I loved to dance and I was lucky enough to be put in dance classes early on. I performed for many years in a children’s dance and theater company until I left Trinidad for college. In high school, I studied visual art and it was the one place I felt successful as a student. It really helped me navigate those awkward years.
What’s your favorite thing to do in NYC?
I love taking the subway to new neighborhoods and arts events with my friends. There are so many stories to encounter on the subway and arts events to experiences in all 5 boroughs. We are really lucky to live in New York City, where the world meets.
One interesting fact about you from high school:
I was the captain of my swim team. My dad used to say I swim like a dancer.
Dionne Thornton
Director, Teen Programs & Community Engagement
Where did you grow up?
I’m a southern girl, born and raised in Tampa, Florida.
What college did you go to?
I graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont with a major in History (early European focus) and minor in Music (operatic voice).
How did you become involved in the arts?
Music has always been part of my family and was my entry point into the arts as well. I sang in school and church choirs but I always yearned to do more. Sadly, I kept that yearning secret because I lacked the supportive environments and opportunities to explore the arts in more depth. That lack fueled my determination to work in the arts: to support artists and champion creative expression.
What’s your favorite thing to do in NYC?
The culture and diversity of NYC is like no other city in America. This makes NYC an amazing place to explore the depths of one’s identity and find supportive community for what’s discovered. You can “simply be” in NYC but it does come at a cost because equality and equity are still significant issues here.
One interesting fact about you from high school:
I hated high school. That said, I knew extracurricular activity filled high school years would give me a path to escape Florida. So I did it all: sports, Student Government and was even President of the National Honor Society.
Shenell Bruce
Programs Assistant
Where did you grow up?
I’m Brooklyn born and mostly raised. I spent some of my childhood growing up in Barbados as well.
What college did you go to?
I graduated from LIM College with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. I majored in Visual Merchandising.
How did you become involved in the arts?
I have a family full of artists! Film-makers, sketch artists, graphic designers, poets, fashion designers, seamstresses, architects — you name it. So, art was always around me. However, my formal art education began when my elementary school art teacher encouraged me to pursue a career in visual arts and the rest is history.
What’s your favorite thing about living in NYC?
It’s a great place to be a creative. You can always find a group of artists all eager to express themselves through their creations.
One interesting fact about you from high school:
In high school I was a fashion design major. My two ultimate fashion goals were to look “effortlessly stylish” and to be a “trend setter”! Yeah, I know… (but between you and me, I pretty much was!)
Briana Thomas
Teen Programs Manager
Alumni Network
Arts-Making TRaC
Pizza and a Movie
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in The Boogie Down Bronx.
What college did you go to?
I majored in Art History and Spanish at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
How did you become involved in the arts?
My high school Art History class really hooked me. On one hand, I was excited looking over the images and the museum trips for the semester. On the other hand, I remember being intimidated by names I wasn’t sure how to pronounce and long lists of vocabulary terms. My professor was amazing, he taught me that I already had the best tools : my eyes and a perspective that was all my own; the vocabulary you’ll learn, that’s no problem. With those words, that became my favorite class and a place where I knew my voice was always heard.
I continued with Art History on through college where I worked at my school’s art museum giving tours to school groups. What I gained from that class drives me to keeping looking for ways to break down barriers and connect students to art.
What’s your favorite thing about living in NYC?
It never sleeps! No matter the time, stores are open, trains are running, people are out and the city is filled with possibilities (and material for the best stories you’ll ever tell).
One interesting fact about you from high school:
My fifth-period Conversational Spanish class was better than any gossip magazine or telenovela. My professor tended to go on tangents about his younger years and we gladly encouraged him.
Queena Chen
Teen Programs & Communications Manager
Culture Connected
Teen Advisory Council
Where did you grow up?
I am born and raised in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
What college did you go to?
I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology studying graphic design.
How did you become involved in the arts?
I always defaulted as the artistic kid in school. Hand me a pen or marker and I’ll be satisfied in the corner. But be prepared for anything and everything to be marked up.
What’s your favorite thing about living in NYC?
City hunting. Collecting inspiration from the endless unique characters and bustling life of the city. From the fashion icons in SoHo to the museums on the Upper West and the various food options in between.
One interesting fact about you from high school:
I was a pescatarian.
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