Theme: Who We Are

In our daily lives, it can be easy to lose sight of one's individual identities and roles in the larger context of the shared world. Throughout our life’s journey, we are shaped by the people and experiences we encounter. Life is often understood through a series of labels, which have the power to both marginalize and uplift. Ultimately, we have the agency to decide what defines us. Who we are is constantly evolving. Who we are is a culmination of our knowledge, choices and resiliency in the pursuit of unmasking our true selves. Are you ready to explore who you are?

Gerald W Lynch Theater
524 W 59th St
New York, New York, 10019
United States

Amara Lakhous

Italian author, journalist and anthropologist

Amara Lakhous is an Italian author, journalist and anthropologist of Algerian origin. Lakhous wrote his first book, titled The Bedbugs and the Pirates, in 1993. In 1994, Lakhous began work as a reporter for the Algerian national radio. From 1995, he worked in Italy as a cultural mediator, interpreter, and translator in the field of immigration. In 2001, he wrote another Arabic-language novel titled How to be Suckled by the Wolf Without Getting Bit. He then rewrote the novel in Italian, publishing it as Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio in 2006. The book has been translated into Dutch, English, and French and was made into a film in 2008. Between 2003 and 2006, he was a journalist with the Adnkronos International news agency, based in Rome. Lakhous is an editor of a new imprint, Shark/Gharb, that publishes Arabic translations of contemporary European works. He moved to New York City in 2014 and is currently a Visiting Professor at New York University.

Amy Morales Lara

Student

Amy Morales Lara is a daughter of immigrant parents and a native of the Bronx NY who is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree from the Silberman School of Social Work at CUNY Hunter College, as she working toward becoming a counselor for the diverse youth of the Bronx. Amy is deeply determined to merge her life's greatest passions: the creative arts and mental health work, as she finds that their intersection can bring healing and liberation in the lives of others. Along with being a graduate student and working full-time as a researcher coordinator at the Rose F. Kennedy Center, Amy also finds deep value and meaning in the community work she does with her local church. Amy is also a Cabrini-Hunter clinical fellow, published playwright, and emerging singer-songwriter. Her first EP, "In Bloom", is available on all major streaming platforms.

Arvolyn Hill

Coordinator of Family Programs at the New York Botanical Botanical Garden

Arvolyn Hill develops innovative nature and botany activities for the Gardens’ youngest visitors as the Coordinator of Family Programs at the New York Botanical Garden. In January of 2020, Arvolyn piloted the program Black History Month: Rooted in Plants which featured six activities around the incredible influence that people of the African Diaspora have had on the botanical world. Arvolyn is a 2019 Emerging Leader for the Beetles Project for Science and Teaching for Field Educators at the Lawrence Hall of Science. Arvolyn is a trained Racial Justice Facilitator and has taught Racial Justice and Equity workshops at the New York Botanical Garden.

Bryan Tapia

Student

Bryan Tapia is a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is a first-generation Hispanic student. Bryan grew up in Washington Heights in a very low-income household and learned how to make a single dollar last him a week. This fuels his passion to become a lawyer in the financial district as he doesn't know many lawyers who look like him and hopes to be a role model to future generations of Hispanic students worldwide. Bryan will stop at nothing to pursue his education to hopefully one day create an organization that helps marginalized groups fund their education and understand their finances to better their living situations.

Emily Rice

Associate Professor of Astrophysics

Emily Rice is an Associate Professor of Astrophysics at the Macaulay Honors College of CUNY, faculty in the Physics Ph.D. Program at the CUNY Graduate Center, and a resident research associate in the Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). She earned her Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics at UCLA and Bachelor’s degrees in Physics & Astronomy and German at the University of Pittsburgh. Emily is co-founder of the research group Brown Dwarfs in New York City (BDNYC), along with Prof. Kelle Cruz (Hunter College, CUNY) and Dr. Jackie Faherty (AMNH), named for the astronomical objects they study. Emily frequently gives public presentations about space and science, including at the Hayden Planetarium at AMNH, occasionally makes media appearances, coordinates Astronomy on Tap events at social venues around the world, creates and shares astronomy-inspired fashion through STARtorialist, and has been known to produce silly science parody videos.

Gina Keatley

Dietitian and Television Correspondent

Gina Keatley is an award-winning dietitian and television correspondent. She specializes in understanding culture through cuisine. Gina has been honored with The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition Community Leadership Award. Her passion for nutrition brought her to health media contributing to media outlets such as Food Network, ABC, Fox, Bravo and many more. As a Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist and Certified CBT Therapist she holds an MBA in Healthcare, BS in Nutrition from New York University, a degree in Culinary Arts and continuing professional education from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and certification from The Academy of Cognitive & Behavioral Therapies. A professor herself, she now teaches International Cuisine at The City University of New York. Her most recent adventure includes the use of her skills as an expert in olive leaves and culinary innovation as CEO for Sicilian Olive Leaf Tea Company.

Kristina Gowin-Lora

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Kristina Gowin-Lora works in the Wellness Center at Macaulay Honors College as the Associate Director of Wellness and Counseling. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and received her dual Master’s degrees in Psychology and Psychological Counseling from Teachers College at Columbia University. Kristina has experience working with young adults and families through non-profit organizations in settings such as foster care homes, schools, and community-based clinics. Kristina uses Cognitive Behavioral tools and Trauma-Focused interventions as well as working with people to discover their identities, passions, and values. She also supports the professional development of social service providers through training and consultation. Kristina believes in working collaboratively with people through a recovery-oriented and self-directed approach to help them reach their full potential and to feel empowered. Outside of work, Kristina enjoys cooking, podcasts, and college sports.

Mila Burns

Assistant Professor of Latin American & Latino Studies

Mila Burns is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Latin American & Latino Studies at Lehman College, CUNY. She is the Associate Director at the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies at The Graduate Center, CUNY. Burns is the author of Dona Ivone Lara’s Sorriso Negro, and Nasci para Sonhar e Cantar: Dona Ivone Lara, a Mulher no Samba. She holds a Ph.D. in History, a Master’s degree in Latin American Studies, a Master’s degree in Social Anthropology, and a B.A. in Journalism. Mila is a university professor with an interdisciplinary profile, with an emphasis on media, anthropology, and history. For two decades, she has worked as a journalist in Brazil and New York, having served as editor-in-chief and anchor of América News, a newscast dedicated to the Latinx community broadcast at TV Globo International. Her articles have been published in several newspapers, magazines, and academic publications.

Sherman Browne

Motivational Speaker

Sherman Browne is a game-changing personal and professional growth expert, dedicated to empowering the masses to unlock their potential. Through a nexus of works in business, education, government, and community relations, he has become a leading voice of inspiration both nationally and internationally. As Founder & CEO of AIMHIGH International, Sherman is profoundly impacting our educational system by helping students and educators enhance their vision for the future through the improvement of their M.A.P.P.S (Mental, Academic, Personal, Professional, and Social) outcomes. An authority on leadership, youth empowerment, and the psychology of motivation, Sherman has been consistently recognized for his insights and humanitarian contributions. His commitment to empowering the masses is surpassed only by his Faith in God and dedication to his family as a loving husband to his wife Shereece and their daughters Solaei and Sohaily.