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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laura Reeder Email: [email protected] Website: www.arc-c.org Cazenovia, NY — The Anti‑Racism Coalition of Cazenovia (ARC‑C) proudly presents “Freedom Now: Honoring the 1850 Anti‑Slavery Convention,” a commemorative event recognizing the historic Fugitive Slave Law Convention held in Cazenovia in August 1850. Join us on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., as we gather to remember, reflect, and recommit to the struggle for freedom and justice. Event Highlights:
ARC‑C invites individuals of all backgrounds to engage in dialogue, honor historical courage, and consider what abolition means today. What solidarity actions can our community take next? How do we carry forward this legacy for future generations?  Dr. Tanisha M. Jackson Executive Director, Community Folk Art Center, and Assistant Professor, Syracuse University Dr. Tanisha M. Jackson is an accomplished scholar, educator, and cultural leader serving as an assistant professor in the Department of African American Studies and the executive director of the Community Folk Art Center at Syracuse University With a strong commitment to advancing diversity, and excellence, Dr. Jackson combines her expertise in Africana Studies, cultural programming, and community engagement to inspire creativity and foster meaningful connections through the arts. At CFAC, Dr. Jackson oversees a multidisciplinary art and cultural space that highlights the contributions of artists of African descent while providing transformative experiences for the Syracuse community. Her leadership has expanded CFAC’s reach through dynamic exhibitions, artist residencies, and community-based programming that integrates art, education, and wellness. Dr. Jackson’s academic work focuses on the intersection of art, identity, and wellness, with a particular emphasis on the experiences of Black women artists. Her recent book chapter, “Believing Our Own Hype: Black Women Artists Cultivating Wellness through the Strong Black Woman Narrative,” reflects her dedication to exploring themes of resilience and self-care within the African American community. She recently completed a single-authored manuscript title, Black Women Art Ecosystems: Sites of Wellness and Self-Care that will be published next Fall 2025 with University of Illinois Press. She has also published peer-reviewed articles internationally and nationally, including Me-Telling: Recovering the Black Female Body Through Digital Narratives and Mixed Methods” Visual Culture and Gender Journal v.8.2013, and “Visual Images and Worldview in a Self-Reflective Millennial Space” in The Journal of GEARTE, 2018. In addition to her role at CFAC, Dr. Jackson is an active collaborator across campus and the broader Syracuse region, forging partnerships that emphasize the transformative power of art in addressing social and cultural challenges. Her work includes initiatives like bridging arts and wellness for students and developing creative programs for youth in collaboration with local organizations. Dr. Jackson holds a Ph.D. in Art Education, an M.A. in African American and African Studies, and a B.A. in English, all at The Ohio State University. She also earned an Executive Master of Business Administration from The University of Toledo. She brings a wealth of experience in higher education, community engagement, and cultural advocacy to her role at Syracuse University. She is deeply passionate about using the arts to inspire change, build community, and celebrate the rich legacies of African and African American cultures.  Marcia Andrews-Hagan
Marcia began singing at an early age at her father’s church in Alabama. After relocating to Syracuse NY, Marcia’s musical abilities were noted by several organizations. She auditioned and was the youngest person ever to be accepted into the Syracuse Chorale. She was also the only person of color to be accepted. At age 14, Marcia was awarded a 3 year musical scholarship to Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music for voice and piano. As a founding member of the Soul Generation, a group of talented teens in the Syracuse area, Marcia wrote and choreographed several dance dramas that were performed at the Regent Theater in Syracuse, colleges and universities on the east coast, Ghana, Nairobi, Kenya, Tanzania, the Ivory Coast, Italy, Germany, and France. Marcia was a contracted background singer in Stevie Wonder’s Electric Lady Studio in NYC. As a playwright, Marcia’s stage plays have been performed before sold out audiences on the United States east coast, Salt City Playhouse, the Onondaga County Civic Center, The Landmark Theater of Syracuse, and The Paul Robeson Performing Arts Co., Black Box Theater. Marcia has performed with such notables as; Mrs. Coretta Scott-King, Shirley Ceaser, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Mario DeSantis Orchestra, The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, The Syracuse Symphoria, The Count Basie Orchestra and Lionel Hampton. She has performed by special invitation for; Maya Angelou, Wilma Rudolph, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Whitney Young, Rev. Ralph Abernathy and Alex Haley. Marcia served as a teaching artist of music and theater for over ten years for the Syracuse City School District, Paul Robeson Performing Arts Co., and the Community Folk Art Center. Marcia was inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Awards Hall of Fame. Recently, she has been awarded the position of Choir Director for a children’s choir project, funded by New York State Council of the Arts. Marcia is a current director and a member of the Creative Team of the Syracuse Community Choir. Marcia was an in-service trainer for Syracuse University’s Literacy Core. As an Administrative Specialist for Say Yes to Education, Marcia coordinated mentoring and tutoring sessions, assisted SCSD students in applying for college, provided financial aid workshops, summer student employment program. Comments are closed.
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