Almeta Whitis

Featured Leader: Almeta Whitis

Almeta Whitis is a renowned storyteller, theatre artist, author, and poet who has taught on five continents. Combining diverse stories and traditions, alongside history, she encourages students to explore movement, dance, film, and the visual arts; and helps them gain knowledge of academic subjects and the world at large. Her experience as an educator, university professor, and Master Teaching Artist has resulted in many awards, among them, Phi Delta Kappa’s 1995 Lay Teacher of the Year, National Endowment for the Arts’ Most Skilled and Experienced Community Artist, and Governor Mario Cuomo’s 1993 Decade of the Child Award. In 1996, she received SUNY Brockport’s Distinguished Alumni Public Service Award and she was a professor at University of Rochester and SUNY Brockport. She is featured in Rochester Museum and Science Center’s “CHANGEMAKERS: 200 Rochester Women Who Have Changed The World” exhibition.

Photographer: Selena Eyob

Selena Eyob is a multidisciplinary artist who harnesses culture and diverse experiences as her creative bedrock. Her work moves beyond traditional boundaries to evoke profound emotions and connect deeply with her audience. Through her art, she seeks to challenge perceptions, ignite conversations, and foster empathy. Her commitment to authenticity and her ability to capture the essence of fleeting moments make her a distinctive voice in the realm of visual arts.

Essayist: Dr. Gaya R. Shakes

Dr. Gaya R. Shakes is a retired secondary English teacher and lead teacher mentor in the Rochester City School District. She was also an adjunct professor of urban education at Nazareth College. Dr. Shakes is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (BA) and Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (MA). She completed her doctoral work in teaching and curriculum from the University of Rochester (EdD). She was an American Federation of Teachers Distinguished Fellow, a Wright Fellow, and a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow. Dr. Shakes presents and consults widely, and has published articles about culturally relevant pedagogy, teacher reflection, and the intellectual empowerment of African American women. She is married to actor and director David A. Shakes.