The KweYao Agyapon Community Impact Award

 KweYao Agyapon was a New York-based father, husband, artist, performer, activist, scholar, teacher, musician and community member.  As a musician, he played for, and recorded with a long list of artists that included Baba Chuck Davis, Nana Kimati Dinizulu, Samite, Sekou Sundiata, Weather Report, Michael Hill’s Blues Mob, and Vernon Reid.  His work deepened this nation’s connection to the African diaspora, and he helped enthusiasts understand the presence of Africanisms across the globe. 

KweYao Agyapon also served as the musical director of the Williams College Dance Department.  There he, Sandra Burton, Ernest Brown and Holly Silva built a community of dancers, performers and scholars exploring the cultures of the world, finding common ground, sharing that wealth of knowledge through performance and storytelling, and passing traditions and repertoire on to those who would come after them.

His work was about addressing needs, bridging gaps, connecting people and ideas, improving lives and bringing joy and perspective to others.

2021 Honoree | Laurie Cumbo

New York City Council Majority Leader

As our first recipient of this award, Gotham Professional Arts Academy honors New York City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo for her commitment to equity in the arts, education and wellness across our borough and city.

Her legacy as citizen, Council Member and Majority Leader embodies the essence of KweYao Agyapon’s work. Among her achievements, Laurie Cumbo founded the ever-expanding Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, and she continues to advocate for arts equity. Majority Leader Cumbo has passionately argued the case for better programming in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics for our students while improving the facilities of many schools across Brooklyn. She supported increased minimum wage, and continues to fight for equitable access to mental health and family services. We thank you for your commitment to not only our city’s future, but the future and sustainability of Black Excellence.

Majority Leader Cumbo has been honored with a piece called “Eden” by Kiya Akintayo - Gotham Class of ‘20.

2022 Honoree | Dr. Sandra Burton

Lipp Family Director of Dance and Senior Lecturer in Dance at Williams College

As our second recipient of this award, Gotham Professional Arts Academy honors Dr. Sandra L Burton for her commitment to creating and sustaining spaces for the voices of our region's artists and innovators.

As we send our students off to spaces where  artists and scholars may have previously struggled to develop a sense of belonging, we recognize Dr. Sandra L. Burton.  New York Native, Dr. Burton has created safe spaces within institutions and organizations for all voices and embodiments of creativity  throughout a career spanning five decades.  These spaces have served as the birthplace for an abundance of socio-emotional, intellectual and artistic productivity.  Her work as a performing artist, choreographer, professor and scholar has pushed our limits while always offering us a place to call home.  Most recently, Dr. Burton has co-developed and co-facilitated a multi-semester curriculum bridging the intellectual communities of Gotham and Williams College for intergenerational dialogue centering activism and art-making. Under her watchful eye, young artists and scholars have learned to love themselves, their own culture, that of others, and they have developed a sense of pride in the potential and kinetic energy born only when we come together to make new meaning.

Dr. Burton has been honored with a piece called “Bob” by Sobeida Pozo - Gotham Class of ‘22.