Tiffiney Davis (she/her/hers)

Tiffiney Davis, Brooklyn raised, has dedicated her life to breaking barriers in the name of the arts. Using different disciplines to uplift a child’s voice, increasing graduation rates, providing a creative space for children achievement, community awareness and building connections and collaborations with local Red Hook/Brooklyn residents. Through the years, Tiffiney has shown extreme dedication and selflessness, especially throughout the sudden pandemic that left a lot of families and businesses without. While many were under quarantine, Tiffiney was still able to transition to a virtual setting and host over 100 virtual art classes to ensure that children were still receiving support. While many families were low on food, Tiffiney hit the pavement and made connections with local restaurants and grocery stores to help get food into homes in need; as well as establishing two community refrigerators. Tiffiney’s dedication and resilience assisted in her promotion from Managing Director to Executive Director at Red Hook Art Project.

Justin Ruffin

My name is Justin Ruffin i am a pre R.H.A.P student that is now a R.H.A.P alumni and first rhap part-time student employee. Due to the support of R.H.A.P, I was able to pursue my dreams as a concept artist, and now I'm a character designer/comic book artist

Malaezia Davis, Administrative Intern

My name is Malaezia Davis, 21, I'm a young entrepreneur that grew up in Brooklyn, NY. From the age of 9 I knew I was fond of art. I found every form of art interesting but I was most drawn to music which then led me to be the first music student at RHAP where I had a space to grow and create. I then graduated HS at the age of 16 , and I went to cosmetology school to advance my makeup skills. I have created a small business selling mink eyelashes & handbags.

ASPEN Villar, Studio Intern

Hello, my name is Brimaldi. I'm 21, I’m transmale, I’m a young digital artist who grew up in Brooklyn, NY. I've been doing art for a few years, I joined at the age of 14-16, and it's what has been keeping me motivated to keep going; I graduated from Edward R Murrow high school and will continue my life as an artist.

Angelly Suero-Perez, Co-facilitator

Hi! My name is Angelly Suero-Perez, I am 19 years old. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, specifically Red Hook. It has always been my home. I am an artist who loves to always find new art techniques and different types of art skills. My goal in art is to learn and to teach others. A fun fact about myself is that I was literally born on the Smith 9th Street bridge. I first found my interest in art when I was in elementary school. I had an art teacher who saw something in me that I didn't and decided to put my art into a museum in Manhattan. After that experience I couldn't get my mind off art. I never stopped drawing and doodling and it wasn't until I found Tiffiney and the RHAP program. Tiffiney really made my artistic side shine. After joining the program eight years ago it helped me be my true self and ever since then I haven't stopped learning, seeing and experiencing new things. I am grateful that I am able to get many opportunities to prosper and to help the future with the next generations to teach and even learn from.

Knowledge Westbrooks, Co-facilitator

Knowledge is a Professional Musician and producer.  Researching instruments and music theory he was able to expand his knowledge and skill set as a modern Musician/Artist. Graduating from The High School Of Art & Design with alumni such as A$ap Ferg, Fabolous, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein; Knowledge as able to obtain essential art business education.  He also obtained a CTE Diploma In Visual Arts at this time.

Knowledge is a Songwriter, Producer, as well as an Audio Engineer backed by a performance-rights organization ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).  In addition, Knowledge is the CEO of media production company, Freeboot Media LLC.  At the time of this knowledge aka Joe Grammer has tracks released on every streaming platform available as well as Free platforms including Soundcloud & YouTube platforms. 

His updated work can be found here! https://linktr.ee/joe_grammer_

Rosana Zapata, Co-facilitator

Hello! My name is Rosana Zapata. I’m 17 years old and I’m a high school student! I’m originally from Miami but moved to NY when I was 4 and grew up in Brooklyn. Art has always been my creative outlet and it can be in any form like theater, painting and filming. I’ve been interested in the arts since I was 3 years old. I first joined rhap from my cousin who is a rhap member. I joined in elementary school! I hope I can create a place to help others express themselves, share their art and be them! I look forward to teaching and even learning from the next generation.

Tashawn Davis, Co-facilitator

Tashawn: I grew up in the streets of Red Hook, Brooklyn. Studied art with the Red Hook Art Project which helped me get into an art high school. I graduated from Edward R. Murrow High School, which specializes in the arts. I left FIT after a year and moved to LA when I was 18. I spent two years making my way to becoming an artist and building my brand. During that time I developed a love for vintage fashion and art. The ‘70s was a time where both style and politics seemed to be welded together, and self expression was omnipresent, globally. The 70’s fashion and culture specifically in New York became a lifestyle for Me. Fully embodying history by wearing all vintage clothing and accessories and even decorating my apartment to look like you stepped into the 1970s. In 2019 I moved back to New York and I’ve worked with brands/companies like FILA, pro-keds, AT&T, Vogue, Amazon, KITH and so on.

Rachel Schapira

Rachel Schapira is a working artist living in Brooklyn. She makes theater, puppets, books, drawings, fiber art, prints, poetry. She is a member of the arts collective Eat Drink Tell Your Friends and of Monster Trux

Kat Stec

Kat Stec is a Product Designer in Brooklyn with a background in Interior Design. She enjoys experiencing the cultures and creativity of others, whether that is through the fine arts, food, or architecture. As a native to Queens, an alumnus of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and the Fashion Institute of Technology, she has first-hand experience with the value of accessible art education. RHAP is a place of shared discovery, expression, and celebration of each other - and she is so grateful to be a part of each student's creative journey

Tevina Willis

Tevina Willis is a lifelong Brooklynite, community organizer, educator, Local Leader, and resident of Red Hook Houses. Tevina participated in the first cohort of Local Leaders five years ago and today runs the English-speaking program. Shortly after graduating from the Local Leaders program, Tevina founded her own non-profit organization which trains residents in community organizing and builds capacity of local non-profits. “I really enjoyed working with my friends. I think people are more inclined to come when they see we’re the ones leading. We see them out in the community and we can hold them accountable. People have a different level of respect when it’s their neighbors up there.” Tevina is very passionate about helping her community to be able to advocate for themselves and work together and make positive change for themselves and their neighborhood.

Luquana

Luquana is a Red Hook native who has a passion for baking, hospitality, and unique events. She started A Cake Baked in Brooklyn in 2016, which has grown to become an award-winning boutique dessert caterer and baker. As first-generation entrepreneur, she brings new life to time-tested Southern family-recipes with unique decor and all-natural ingredients. She specializes in seasonal treats that bring excitement and novelty to hospitality. She also works at Williams-Sonoma as a Chef where she teaches classes and cooks for store demos.

Previously she was a former member of NYPD as a Police Communication Technician and she has worked at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) as a Chief Assistant. She attended Culinary School at Hostos Community College in the Bronx. Her background is in social work, graduating from the College of New Rochelle with a BA in Sociology and Graduate School at Touro College for Early Childhood Education. Luquana has been teaching sugar art to the students of the Red Hook Art Project. She has also decided time to Red Hook N-Stat Team. Luquana is now part the Red hook Biz Alliance Team.