In its second year, TPFF's Community Matters Awards & Benefit Gala will gather attendees from all over to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of dynamic community leaders within the arts and wellness field.

Join us for a celebration through the power of storytelling as we honor the recipients of the 2024 Community Impact Award, The Bent Not Broken Award, and The Cultural Enrichment Award.

Funds raised from our benefit gala will provide essential support for TPFF's community members, with specific emphasis on programs, scholarships, and building a Performing Arts & Wellness Center.

TPFF salutes our wonderful event committee chairs for their continued support & dedication.

The Gala will be held at:

New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) | 1216 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029

Get tickets here: TPFF2024.givesmart.com

We are pleased to share that TPPF Program Director, Music, Darryl J. Hoffman, had 3 music premieres recently.  In March, his compositions were featured in Hubbard Street Dance Chicago program at The Joyce Theater!
And in April, Darryl had commissions with Abraham in Motion and Cincinnati Ballet and performed at the SUNY Purchase for the Performing Arts. Darryl continues to break ground with his unique sound designs and innovative music compositions.

Please join us in congratulating Darryl!

To stay connected and to share information about the Nutrition Partners program, please see the March News Letter from Tina McGeough MPH RDN CDCES, Stop & Shop Dietitian.

Email: christina.mcgeough@stopandshop.com

We are deeply grateful to Mayor Eric Adams, Speaker Adrienne Adams, Commissioner Cumbo and the City Council for their continued support of The Paige Fraser Foundation’s (TPFF) work. We are pleased to inform you that the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) has supported our application for the fiscal year 2024. Through the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), we have been designated a 3-year award of $16,840 for each of fiscal years 2024, 2025 and 2026. This grant will enable TPFF to continue offering community-based programs under our “Bent but Not Broken,” flagship program which includes: “Dance is Healing,” “Dance to Bond,” “Dance Strong,” and “Tai Chi Flow Dance.” Building a stronger and healthier community is TPFF’s core mission and these programs allow us to reach and engage several populations in our community including youth, adults, and healthcare workers.

The Bronx, New York: The Paige Fraser Foundation, Inc. (TPFF) announced today a grant award totaling $20,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the nonprofit arts and culture sector. Through New York State’s continued investment in arts and culture, NYSCA has awarded over $80 million since Spring 2023 to over 1,500 artists and organizations across the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Research confirms what we’ve always known here in New York: arts and culture are a powerhouse, with a staggering return on investment for our economy and our communities. Nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences generated $151.7 billion in economic activity nationwide in 2022 and New York’s unparalleled arts and culture sector is leading the way to benefit our residents, our students and our visitors every day. I commend these grantees on their achievements and look forward to their contributions in the coming year."

NYSCA Chair Katherine Nicholls added, “Thanks to the unwavering support of Governor Hochul and our Legislature, NYSCA is so proud to support the work of organizations and artists from all across New York. Spanning the entire breadth of the arts and culture sector – from world-renowned performers to after-school programs, from long established museums to community arts collectives – these organizations and artists together are a powerful driver of health, tourism, economy and education for our residents and visitors. On behalf of Council and staff, congratulations to The Paige Fraser Foundation, Inc. (TPFF) and thank you for your perseverance, your creativity and your tireless service to New York State.”
About the New York State Council on the Arts

The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts will award $127 million in FY 2024. The Council on the Arts further advances New York's creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources. Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit www.arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA's Facebook page, Twitter @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.

Anita Lee has been Awarded a New York State Council on the Arts Support for Artists Grant in the Bronx, New York. Anita received a Support for Artists grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support her creative work. Sponsored by TPFF, this award will fund “From Loss to Abundance”-Chronicle of a Widow’s Journey. Through New York State’s continued investment in arts and culture, NYSCA has awarded over $80 million since Spring 2023 to over 1,500 artists and organizations across the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Research confirms what we’ve always known here in New York: arts and culture are a powerhouse, with a staggering return on investment for our economy and our communities. Nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences generated $151.7 billion in economic activity nationwide in 2022 and New York’s unparalleled arts and culture sector is leading the way to benefit our residents, our students and our visitors every day. I commend these grantees on their achievements and look forward to their contributions in the coming year."

NYSCA Chair Katherine Nicholls added, “Thanks to the unwavering support of Governor Hochul and our Legislature, NYSCA is so proud to support the work of organizations and artists from all across New York. Spanning the entire breadth of the arts and culture sector – from world-renowned performers to after-school programs, from long established museums to community arts collectives – these organizations and artists together are a powerful driver of health, tourism, economy and education for our residents and visitors. On behalf of Council and staff, congratulations to Anita Lee and thank you for your perseverance, your creativity and your tireless service to New York State.”

About the New York State Council on the Arts

The mission of the New York State Council on the Arts is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts, culture, and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts will award $127 million in FY 2024. The Council on the Arts further advances New York's creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources. Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit www.arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA's Facebook page, Twitter @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.

Our Theater/Drama program, “Creating Theater in the Curve” - Twisted was offered to the participants of Project Friendship at the Spreckman Community Center. Under the direction of MaryAnn Penzero, TPFF Program Director, Theater/Drama. Participants included staff community members, caregivers/takers who shared experiences with scoliosis. This program in keeping with our goals, opens conversations about coping with and overcoming the challenges we face. In and through the arts, we share and connect and work toward wellness. Watch for the remaining workshops for this program through the end of December.

This year, we are thrilled to share that we are holding our first annual, “Community Matters” fundraising Gala at the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) on Monday, October 23, 2023 from 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.  Please join us. All funds raised through this event will be used to offer free community programs in dance, music, folk & traditional arts, theater/drama, visual arts, wellness, scholarships for students and creating a performing arts & wellness center in the Northeast Bronx.

Register Here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/xJR/

Lehman College 2023 Alumni Achievement Award Recipient
Lesmah J. Fraser ’75
Founder and President/CEO, The Paige Fraser Foundation

Fraser is the Founder, President, and CEO of The Paige Fraser Foundation (TPFF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to inspiring young, emerging artists, with or without physical and mental health challenges, to reach their full potential. A seasoned healthcare professional and innovative educator, Fraser has more than 30 years of experience in executive leadership roles. She is currently a professor of Healthcare Management at New York University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) in the Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies (DAUS) and a former Director of the Ambulatory Care Network at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia.

Fraser holds a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) from the New School for Social Research and is a Life Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (LFACHE) as well as a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM). She is the COO and Treasurer of The Leslin Healthcare Leadership Foundation (LESLIN), a nonprofit whose mission is to discover and activate the leadership potential that resides in us all, as well as a Board Member of the Bellevue Literary Review.

The last of our Healthy Eating webinar series occurred on August 10th and Tina McGeough offered insights to support a healthier community. This session focused on “Better-for-you Convenience Foods to Make Fast & Flavorful Meals.” The series was a ground-breaking one for us as we continue to develop our wellness programs. Special thanks to our community partner Stop and Shop for introducing us to Tina and for supporting this program. If you missed the webinars, you can view them anytime on our website (Wellness Programs – Healthy Eating Series).

TPFF has been selected for the Stop and Shop Giving Community Bag Campaign for August 2023! The Community Bag program was launched by Stop and Shop in 2019 and offers shoppers a reusable bag. For each $250.00 bag sold, TPFF receives $1.00 to support our community goals and work. Our Stop and Shop partner is located at 2136 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, New York and information about TPFF is posted on the bag racks and on their information tables. This is the second time that TPFF has been selected for this program. We are very grateful to Stop and Shop for supporting us.

What an ending it was! On August 9th, we held the last session of our “Dance to Bond” classes. Children and their parents/guardians moved and danced to beats and performed dances they learned during the class. We’ll be sharing more pictures and videos soon but for now just had to share a moment from the end of the program, as Maribel Flores prepares to give medals to the participants.

We are pleased to announce a viewing of our new film, and second collaboration with BLR, "Reading the Body: Recovery - Dialogues on Creativity and Healing". After the showing of the film, a panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Danielle Ofri, will follow. The film has already won the 2023 Kiez Berlin Film Festival Award!

Light refreshments will be served at the historic New York Academy of Medicine.

Register Now: https://www.nyam.org/events/event/reading-body-dialogues-creativity-and-healing/

Here is Mary Ann Penzero, TPFF Program Director Theater/Drama, with Lincoln Center Chief Artistic Officer, Shanta Thalle, at Lincoln Center for a performance of "Parable of the Sower". Octavia E Butler's "Parable of the Sower" The Opera , composed by Toshi Reagon and Bernice Johnson Reagon, was presented at the Wu Tsai Theatre , David Geffen Hall as part of Lincoln Center's Summer For the City Fest. Mary Ann joined The Songs of the Living Community Choir for the performances at Lincoln Center. Each performance was sold out!

We offered our second webinar session on "Healthy Eating" with Tina McGeough. She discussed “Healthy Ways to Stay Hydrated!" and shared creative and fun ways to do so. Staying hydrated is good for your health. The next and final session is:

8/10: Better-for-you Convenience Foods to Make Fast & Flavorful meals

Register now, IT’S FREE! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tpff-healthy-eating-series-tickets-627675092097?aff=oddtdtcreator

We started our 2nd annual Dance to Bond Program on July 5th!

Dance to Bond is a fun workshop for children 4-8 years old and their parents or guardians is a place to move together and have fun together. Maribel Flores leads this hour-long dance session. Move to the beats of the latest music, move together in teams, create your own steps!

Dance to Bond is offered through August 9th.
Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center. And… It’s FREE!

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dance-to-bond-tickets-662975366167?aff=oddtdtcreator

Dance Strong started Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 5:15 p.m. at Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center. It runs on Wednesdays until June 21st. The program is free and includes adaptive yoga, breathwork, movement and creative expression. It's fun too!

Cohort 1: May 17 to 31 - Ages 8-12

Cohort 2: June 7 to 21- Ages 13-17

Please use this link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/611135100537

TPFF offered Tai Chi Chuan demonstration and class to 20 students at the Harlem School of the Arts (HSA). The program, a collaboration between TPFF and the New York College of Health Professions, was taught by Joseph Cheung, Master, Tai Chi Chuan. The class included discussion of Tai Chi, its evolution, and practice as well a demonstration of the “Short Form.”  Students learned about and practiced breathing techniques, postures, movements, and the benefits of studying Tai Chi Chuan.  Tai Chi Chuan is a part of the TPFF Wellness program, watch for more news about this program.

On Saturday, April 29th, we offered a “First Look” event for our new visual arts program, Explorasaurus: The Dino Tourist, at Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center. Michael Tudor, TPFF Program Director, Visual Arts and David Akey, Graphic Artist. In the interactive session, they shared drafts of their illustrations and poems for emerging childrens’ book. The program aims to activate interest and participation in the visual arts and is supported through a NYSCA grant. Watch for upcoming community events and become a Explorasaurus Dino Tourist!

Time if running out, register now for Dance Strong that starts tomorrow! Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 5:15 p.m. at Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center.

The program is free and includes adaptive yoga, breathwork, movement and creative expression. It's fun too! Just click on the link and register!

As we continue to expand our community efforts to build a healthier community, we are pleased to share a new partnership with Stop & Shop and Tina McGeough, Registered Dietician. Beginning in June, Tina will be offering 30-minute, on line sessions, providing recipes and information about ways to eat healthier. Based on her expertise as a Dietician, Tina brings and understanding and respect for our cultural preferences in the food we choose and how we prepare it. She offers real-world, easy and fun suggestions for improving nutrition. Sessions are on Thursday evenings from 7-7:30 p.m. - 6/8: Plant-Based Eating; 7/13: Healthy ways to Stay Hydrated; 8/10: Better-for-you-Convenience Foods to Make Fast & Flavorful meals. All sessions are free. Watch for registration information.

We are pleased to announce a new Wellness Program, Tai Chi Flow Dance. The program combines the practices of Tai Chi and Eastern Dance/Movement. Professional instructors from each discipline lead workshops that offer ways to help participants improve balance, motor skills, posture, and gait. Gentle movements, breathing exercises, and guided "flow" steps enable participants to learn the practice quickly.

TPFF and BLR (Bellevue Literary Review) partner again to produce a short film, Reading the Body:  Recovery.” "Reading the Body: Recovery" is an exploration of recovery using poetry, dance, and music. Bellevue Literary Review and The Paige Fraser Foundation invited dancers to create original works of dance based on BLR poems about recovery. These dances were woven into a short film with original music and integration of poetry, movement, art and American Sign Language. It premiers on-line, Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 7 p.m. (est).  Register at: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/bellevueliteraryreview/883341#

On February 11, 2023, TPFF received a Heroes Day Award for Generosity and Commitment to Youth, Families and our Community from Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center.  We are deeply honored by this award and grateful for the recognition and support of Mind-Builders.  “Heroes Day is our celebration of African-American icons, legends, heroes and movements, through performances of our dance, music and theater students. It is an opportunity to honor our community, to educate and collaborate as we recognize achievements and struggles. Heroes Day also serves as inspiration for future generations as we continue to work toward our development and liberation, so come out and join us!”

We are pleased to share that our new TPFF Board Member, “#NYP’s Andres Nieto, Senior Director of Community and Population Health, on being named one of Politics NY and amNY metro 2023 Power Players in Corporate Social Responsibility. With a lifelong passion for public health, he develops strong community partnerships to promote health education and disease prevention.”

We congratulate TPFF Music Director, Darryl Joseph Hoffman, on his music commission, “The Ride Through” for Parson's Dance, a collaboration with choreographer, Rena Butler.

The work debuts at the Joyce Theater and runs 3/15-3/26. You can still buy tickets at:
Parsons Dance | The Joyce Theater.

Poet, writer, folklorist, and educator(1919-2006)

“Ronald Alexander, director of education, emeritus, the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Youth Arts Academy in Brooklyn and currently ballet educator and administrator at The Ailey School, Stella Adler School of Acting, Black Arts Institute in NYC and Concepts Dance Academy in South Orange, N.J.” (Dance Teacher Magazine)

On behalf of Mayor Eric Adams and Speaker Adrienne Adams and the City Council, we are pleased to convey the outcome of the competitive Cultural Development Fund (CDF) process for Fiscal 2023. The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) received eligible proposals from nearly 1,300 organizations representing the diversity of the cultural field and convened a total of 52 peer review panels from June through September.  Panelists assessed the strengths of each proposal, including the services offered by each applicant and response to the stated criteria. 

The Paige Fraser Foundation (TPFF)
Celebrates its Fifth Anniversary

What an incredible journey it has been so far!

We are also pleased to share news about our first TPFF Pearl Fraser Memorial Merit Scholarship Award, presented to Omarion Burke, an alumnus of our DIH program.

We are pleased to announce that TPFF was funded for two programs: Dance to Bond and Dance Strong. Dance to Bond is a series of dance and movement workshops that combine socialization, therapy, and recreation through dance and movements. This program is designed for both parents and children ages 4-12 to engage in joint learning and sharing. The Dance Strong programs aims to use a dance and movement curriculum designed for individuals with cognitive and certain physical disabilities for ages 5-17. Both programs will be offered to the community and will begin in the Fall.

We congratulate Michelle N. Johnson, Esq., Executive Vice President/Secretary of The Paige Fraser Foundation (TPFF), on her recent appointment as Vice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Talent Acquisition at Sak’s Fifth Avenue. Michele holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Government from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law. She entered the New York State Bar Association in 2002 and has since built a multi-sector law career that spans healthcare, education, and retail. Michelle is a member of the TPFF Board of Directors and leads Compliance and Regulatory Affairs for the Foundation.

Darryl H. Hoffman, TPFF Program Director, Music, was part of the Princeton University Dance Festival (May 2021). Darryl’s work with dance companies is well known nationally. In 2017, his music was part of the premiere piece Synapse, by Visceral Dance Company of Chicago. In July, Darryl will be offering a Music Program with TPFF, watch for news and updates.

This July we are launching Dance to Bond,
a new program funded by the Bronx Council on the Arts!

About this event:
Dance to Bond is a series of workshops for children ages 4-12 years old in a supportive environment with their parents/guardians. The aim of the program is to bond, share and learn.

This summer, we’re introducing a new interview series to showcase members of our community who help make our division what it is. 

We invite you to get to know one of our adjunct faculty, Lesmah J. Fraser, who teaches Health Administration and Healthcare Management courses in the Division of Applied Undergraduate Studies.

Linda C. Lombardi, TPFF Chief Operating Officer/Treasurer, was recently certified by Planetree International as a Planetree Fellow in Person-Centered Care. The Fellow designation is a professional credential earned by individuals who have demonstrated knowledge, experience and leadership in person-centered care and have a commitment to supporting the development and improvement of others. In late 2020, Lin was recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review, a national professional journal, as one of 25 hospital and health system CXOs (Chief Experience Officers) to know for her work in improving patient and staff care and service.

Lawrence Hammond, TPFF Vice President/Community Development Board Member, has been named senior vice president, director of ACCESS and will lead a full-time team dedicated to rolling out and operating ACCESS. The Community Preservation Corp. (CPC), a nonprofit affordable housing and community revitalization company, has created the $20 million CPC Acquiring Capital and Capacity for Economic Stability and Sustainability (ACCESS) initiative that will provide flexible capital to create opportunities for people of color in real estate development and prioritize investment in communities of color. Hammond has decades of experience in finance and multifamily lending, as well as community relations and engagement as an ordained minister who advises local faith-based organizations on using their real estate assets for affordable housing to further serve their communities.