Art That Challenges & Connects
Experience the unforgettable journey of “Once Upon a Time There Was a Wolfe”. This visceral, genre-defying solo play takes you inside the mind of Grae Lilly Wolfe—a complex antihero navigating trauma, self-discovery, and the raw battle between vulnerability and power. Set in the aftermath of a harrowing incident, Grae unravels her story with brutal honesty and poetic intensity, leaving no part of herself hidden.
Financial Literacy
As project lead and director for a financial literacy panel titled “How Far Have We Come? Economics and Equality” at the City University of New York. In partnership with Sloane Celeste von Wertz, Ph.D., Lecturer and Developmental/ESL Coordinator CUNY ESL Discipline, Council Co-Chair Department of English and the College of Staten Island/City University of New York, the panel aimed to demystify financial concepts and engage the audience in discussions about economic equality.
GoalTrack App Development
Driven by a passion for innovation, Chela Simone created the GoalTrack App, a dynamic financial tool tailored for freelancers, gig workers, and artists. This intuitive app harnesses the power of the 50/30/20 budgeting rule to streamline spending categories and set achievable financial targets. Seamlessly integrating with users’ bank accounts and credit cards, GoalTrack simplifies the tracking of fluctuating incomes and expenses. Beyond this, she has enriched the AI community by contributing multiple advanced ChatGPT models.
Support for Women Artist
Championing women artists, particularly Black women, navigating structural barriers in the creative industries. She provided pro bono mentorship, offering guidance on project management, grant writing, and strategic development.
Fero Fest
Fero Fest, a women-led music festival in the San Francisco Bay Area that raised $15,000 to support local artists. Featuring performances by Aima the Dreamer, Jasmine Mitchell (Melodiousfly| SILKA), Chela Simone, Queens D Light, and Duckwrth.
The Witches Ball
Curated The Witches Ball, a two-day gala at the Andrew Freedman Home, showcasing work from 12 fine artists, 45 vendors, live performers, and short film screenings. The event raised $25,000 to directly support artists and cultural initiatives.
Notable contributors included:
Fabiola Jean-Louis: Conceptual photographer and paper sculptor, exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sara Bunn: Textile artist known for "A Day in the Life of Seneca Village: We Wore More than Shackles." Momar Clemons: An artist renowned for his mixed media work and impactful visual narratives. Navin Norling: Versatile artist exploring cultural and social themes. Cannon Hersey: Photographer and public artist focused on social justice. Natalie Collette Wood: Multidisciplinary artist addressing environmental and societal issues. Kool Herc: DJ Kool Herc is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of hip-hop. Yahzarah St. James: Vocalist with Grammy-considered album "The Ballad of Purple St. James." . Ida Divine: A soulful artist known for her captivating performances and powerful voice.
9 Degree Alchemy & Ina Noire
A certified herbalist, NLP, CBT, REBT practitioner, Women’s Empowerment Coach, and aromatherapist, founded 9 Degree Alchemy, a holistic beauty and wellness brand. She expanded her mission by creating 9 Degree LLC, which merges business success with philanthropy for social and environmental impact. She also leads Ina Noire, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering fiscal sponsorship and comprehensive wellness programs across eight dimensions of wellness. Ina Noire works with local leaders to enhance holistic practices and promote community inclusivity and resilience.