GlassRoots Announces Board Leadership Change, New Board Members

Kenny

Butterfield

Simpson

Markel

NEWARK, NJ,  July 9, 2018: This year marks GlassRoots 17th year serving the greater Newark community and the organization is making an unprecedented push to plan its future and meet community needs by honing and  expanding its offerings. On Saturday, June 2, 2018, GlassRoots Board unanimously voted to elect Sheila Kenny, Esq. as its Chairwoman and to add two new members to its Board of Directors to help guide the Glass Arts Non-Profit’s mission to "ignite and build the creative and economic vitality of greater Newark, with a focus on under-served youth and young adults, through the transformative power of the glass art experience."  The new board members are Dr. Sherri-Ann Butterfield and Will Simpson.

     The organization also announced that its immediate past chairwoman, Kathryn Markel, will chair GlassRoots Campaign 20/20 to raise capital funds as the organization renovates the first floor of the old St. Michael’s Hospital – an abandoned historic building – into a creative hub that will serve youth and adults throughout Newark and throughout New Jersey. The re-imagined site will connect community members with arts and education and drive economic growth towards revitalizing a once blighted neighborhood. GlassRoots is planning its move from its current location at 10 Bleeker Street in Newark to the new Newark Arts Common at 111 Central Avenue in the early spring of 2019.

     Upon assuming her board leadership position, Ms. Kenny said, “I am excited to lead our outstanding Board of Trustees at this exciting point in GlassRoots’ history.  As we prepare for our move to the Newark Arts Commons, our Board will serve an important role during this watershed year.  We have the talent and energy to make this happen.  I am fortunate that my predecessor, Kathryn Markel, is taking her talents to lead our crucial Capital Campaign.  She will be a tremendous partner in the year ahead."

     Sherri-Ann P. Butterfield is Executive Vice Chancellor and Associate Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University–Newark. Her scholarly interests are immigration, race and ethnic relations, sex and gender, identity development and culture, and urban education within the Afro-Caribbean diaspora.   William Simpson is the Director of Collaborative Action at My Brother’s Keeper Newark Initiative. Prior to working with MBKN William served as Program Manager for Congressman Donald M. Payne Sr. of New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District.

    "GlassRoots board is an exciting place to serve right now - and we have the right people at our leadership table!” said Barbara Heisler, GlassRoots CEO. “GlassRoots is in a growth phase, adding and enhancing our programs and strengthening our organization. We have a very strong foundation in place and we are excited to welcome our new Board members. Each of these individuals’ deep professional backgrounds and passionate commitment to youth development and Newark will bring insightful perspectives to our Board.”