Urban Arts Partnership’s participants benefit from the support and instruction of many noteworthy and accomplished professional artists through our Master Class series, events and special projects throughout the year. We are especially grateful for the ongoing involvement of professional artists who have joined our Artistic Board, headed by long-time member, NYC youth and arts advocate, actor and angel Rosie Perez.
“The only thing that separates a privileged kid from an underprivileged kid is opportunity. I’ve seen too many walking geniuses grow up to fail, to not rise to the occasion. Urban Arts Partnership is unique because the kids are committed to the program. It brings me to tears.” – Rosie Perez, Artistic Board Chair
Rosie Perez (Chair)
Actor, Director, Dancer, Choreographer, Producer
Ms. Perez, a native of Brooklyn, NY, is an Academy Award nominee whose acting credits include the films Do The Right Thing, White Men Can’t Jump, Fearless and numerous studio and independent projects, as well as various television and stage roles. Her choreography has included music videos for LL Cool J and Diana Ross, as well as her troupe the Fly Girls, featured on every performance of the hit television series In Living Color. Rosie Perez is also a tireless activist for underserved youth, public schools, and the Latino community in America, reflected in her 2005 documentary "Yo Soy Boricua! Pa' Que Tu Lo Sepas!" Ms. Perez has served on the Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board since 1994.
Sway Calloway
VJ, Reporter, Executive Producer
Mr. Sway Calloway, known as Sway, is an Executive Producer and reporter for MTV News. Having been involved in the Hip Hop recording, producing and promoting community since the early ‘90s in Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago and New York, Sway is a versatile and savvy producer and star of his own radio programs, record label and television shows. Sway has served on the Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board since 2006.
Michael Ealy
Actor
Mr. Ealy is a Golden Globe-nominated actor who’s work ranges from Off-Broadway productions to studio films (Barbershop, The Fast and the Furious) to music video collaborations (Mariah Carey), and noteworthy television productions that include Their Eyes Were Watching God and Sleeper Cell. Mr. Ealy has served on the Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board since 2006.
Sarah Jones
Playwright, Actor
Ms. Jones is a Tony Award-winning playwright and performer, recipient of numerous other theater honors, including an Obie Award, and regularly featured guest on television and radio programs. Her social justice work also includes an ambassadorship for UNICEF and civil liberties related to artistic freedom, for which she has received the NYCLU Calloway Award. Ms. Jones has served on the Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board since 2007.
Aasif Mandvi
Actor, Writer, Reporter
Mr. Mandvi is a performer whose works range from his Obie-winning one man show to regular current features on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. A first generation New Yorker by way of India, England, and Florida, Mr. Mandvi’s tone on stage and screen has taken more political directions in recent years in his television appearances, as well as the recent production of Tony Kushner’s Homebody/Kabul and the docudrama Guantánamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom. Mr. Mandvi has served on the Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board since 2008.
Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels
Hip Hop Artist
D.M.C. is a pioneer of hip hop and founding member of the seminal hip hop group Run-D.M.C.
Pharoahe Monch
Hip Hop Artist
Pharoahe Monch is a Queens-born Hip Hop Artist known for his mastery of complex rhyme schemes, delivery and vocal innovations that have influenced many contemporary performing and recording artists. He has released numerous collaborative albums, two solo albums, and joint projects with other seminal artists, and his work has been featured in studio film (Training Day, Boiler Room) and television soundtracks. Pharoahe Monch has served on the Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board since 2008.
Diane Neal
Actor
Ms. Neal is best known for her role as a lead character on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Her work on screen only touches upon the incredible warmth and humor she regularly conveys as a participant in our events and performances throughout the year. Ms. Neal has served on the Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board since 2007.
Desmond Richardson
Dancer, Choreographer, Artistic Director
Mr. Richardson, co-founder and Artistic Director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, is a master artist in classical, contemporary and modern dance. A Tony Award nominee, Desmond has performed with Michael Jackson, Prince, Aretha Franklin and Madonna, and in film (Chicago), in addition to serving as a leading voice in his own dance company. Desmond has served on the Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board since 2008.
Fisher Stevens
Actor, Producer, Director, Writer
Mr. Stevens is an accomplished entertainer who has worked for over 27 years in film (Short Circuit) and television (Lost), both in front of and behind the camera (Executive Producer, In the Bedroom), as well as numerous stage roles. He has provided some especially memorable performances at our annual 24 Hour Plays on Broadway benefit, for which we and the New York theatre-going community are particularly grateful. Mr. Stevens has served on the Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board since 1996.
Marisa Tomei
Actor
Ms. Tomei is an Oscar-winning actor (My Cousin Vinny) whose work on stage and screen (In the Bedroom, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead) has garnered international attention and endeared her to countless fans of all ages. Ms. Tomei has served on the Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board since 1996.
Michael Kenneth Williams
Actor
Brooklyn-born actor Michael Kenneth Williams has performed on stage (La' MaMA Theatre Company, National Black Theatre Company) and film (Bringing Out the Dead, Gone Baby Gone), though is best known for his recurring breakout role as “Omar” on the hit HBO series The Wire. This latter role has won him wide recognition, including Entertainment Weekly’s 2002 Great Performance of the Year. Michael Kenneth Williams has served on the Urban Arts Partnership Artistic Board since 2008.
