Ashley "Ms. Black" Yates, Program Director
Ashley Yates - or as she’s affectionately known to many in the arts and culture landscape of Baltimore, Black Assets - is a Mississippi born and Baltimore bred soul, funk and indie songstress whose performances feel like a plate of sweet potatoes, greens, macaroni and cheese and fried chicken...with a slice of yellow cake afterward. Yates is an alumna of Coppin State University '17 with her degree in Social Work and musical performance. Instead of practicing as a social worker, Black feels called to the task of healing Baltimore through song and simple gatherings with family. Yates started The Living Room Social in the Fall of 2016; in the early summer of 2021, it celebrated its 5th year with a big gathering of performances akin to a glass of sweet tea! Her latest contribution is the creation of She Is Music:101 and We Are Music:101, an intro to music, mindfulness and entrepreneurship curriculum developed by Yates.
Todd Marcus, Executive Director of Intersection of Change
Todd Marcus is a community activist, musician, and resident of Jubilee Arts’ Sandtown-Winchester community since 1997. He is the Executive Director of Intersection of Change (IOC), which is the umbrella organization that includes Jubilee Arts, Martha's Place, and Strength to Love II. As a musician, Marcus is a bass clarinetist, composer, and bandleader. He actively leads several ensembles including his Todd Marcus Jazz Orchestra, Quartet, Trio, and Duo and was selected as a 2014 winner of a Baker Artist Award.
Genifer Fraser, Program Manager
Genifer Fraser is a Maryland-based community artist and educator who uses a multitude of mediums and expressive colors to create paintings, installations, and immersive experiences. In 2016, she graduated with a B.A. in Art History, a second major in African American Studies, a minor in History, and a certificate in Community Engagement from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2021, she earned her MFA in Community Arts at the Maryland Institute College of Art and completed two terms in the Community Art Collaborative AmeriCorps Program as the Community Artist in Residence at Port Discovery Children’s Museum. She hopes to continue to expand her craft, pushing the themes of her work with the goals of meaningful social engagement and empathy building in mind.
Anaya Fraser, Artist in Residence
Anaya Fraser is a Baltimore based digital illustrator and graphic designer who graduated from Baltimore Design School in 2020. working as an artist in residence, they are currently teaching, assisting in administrative work, and operates as Jubilee Arts' gallery curator. As a teaching artist, their goals are to motivate younger artists and encourage growth. One of the ways Anaya has and continues to support their students is by hosting a curating the "Comic Artist Festival." In their free time, Anaya also offers commissioned art. Doing this helps them to explore themselves as a creative, offers a way to express themselves, and simulates their imagination. Every day they work hard as a freelance illustrator and an activist to help anyone who is dealing with the unfairness that the world gives to people.
Jazz Kearse, YiB Program Manager
Jazz Kearse is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Baltimore. Whether through photography, drawing, writing, fashion or other mediums, his main focus is to empower the Black Man and Black Woman. His goals are to promote and uplift in our communities, encourage unapologetic authenticity in our displays of life, and showcase the victories that shine through our struggles. Jazz is a member of one of the first graduating classes of YiB and a staunch advocate of giving back and paying things forward, "pulling as you climb." His role in the program now consists of aiding in overall management while also being in direct assistance to current youth.
Nate Anderson, YiB Sales Coordinator
APoetNamedNate, a versatile artist from Baltimore, boasts a diverse artistic background as a poet, music producer, songwriter, creative director, filmmaker, author and curator. Renowned for his poetry productions, including the esteemed Charm City Slam, he brings together nationally ranked and amateur poets, fostering a space for authentic poetry experiences. With two notable short films under his belt, he served as the co-director and executive musical producer of The Unveiling of God / a love letter to my forefathers and as the creative director and music producer of A Black Girl’s Country. Both films have been showcased in museums, schools, and universities. In 2023, Baltimore Magazine honored APoetNamedNate as Best Filmmaker of Baltimore. He currently sits as the Outreach Coordinator for the Black Arts District and his book, Anticipational Love Poems, a sobering rumination of love, desire, and conflict is currently available everywhere books are sold.