FULL STAFF
WILLIAM MACK
William Mack knows creative writing. He has been creating worlds and telling stories for decades. His love of story and his passion for the arts led William to the University of Kentucky where he studied Theater Arts with an emphasis in African, African American and Latin folktales.
His adaptation of Frank X Walker’s book of poetry, Affrilachia, toured for a year and was featured by PBS. Mack was featured in several main stage productions, including El Mudo De Los Suenos, 12 Angry Men, and The Colored Museum among others. He cofounded the Sankofa Educational Theatre Troupe (SETT) which toured the state performing culture shows and workshopping original pieces at schools and community centers for over two years. His other accomplishments include serving as the Outreach Director for the Lexington Children’s Theater, Director of Arts for Lexington Parks and Recreation, and Artist in Residence for the KY school system.
Mack currently serves as the Founder and Creative Director for The Griot Project which recognizes the power of story to stir consciousness and create spaces for community and conversation. Since 2017, TGP has produced several mainstage productions. TGP also provides teaching artists to schools, churches and community centers to promote literacy through the arts. TGP partners include the African American Museum, Louisville Tourism, and Alpha Kappa Alpha.
JARED MILLER
Jared Miller has a passion for the power and potential of Portland. After moving to Portland in September of 2006, Jared has been a community organizer and developer updating and revitalizing Portland one block at a time. He has been instrumental in training, equipping and encouraging his community in ways big and small: from learning how to balance a budget to carpentry skills and other trades. As a community organizer, he has been instrumental in recruiting other like-minded people to move into Portland and empower their neighbors through intentional living. They, along with many partners and friends, have dedicated their lives to seeing their community revitalized. In 2014 Jared and several other community leaders started the not-for-profit 29V Inc. to serve various community initiatives. Jared’s gift is developing environments where groups of people can synergistically use their individual gifts powerfully. The result is freedom and creativity. Jared is a husband and father of six children as well as a friend to many who call the wonderful city of Louisville home.
TIM STRADER
With over 10 years in the entertainment industry and youth camps, Timothy Strader is an experienced filmmaker with a demonstrated passion for teaching and nonprofits. He has taught film to youth in Los Angeles, New York City, Vermont and Louisville. He got his start over a decade ago in Louisville, KY teaching film to refugee youth through Louisville’s Americana Community Center. Timothy pairs a passion for teaching with a dedication to his craft. His films have earned him Official Selection awards at the Louisville International Film Festival, Fort Worth Indie Film Showcase, and a nomination for Best Short Film at the Madrid International Film Festival. Most recently, he served as Associate Producer of Los Angeles’ premiere Indie Film Festival DWF:LA. He lives with his family in the historic neighborhood of Portland.
NATHAN STOESS
Louisville native, Nathan Stoess, is a man of many talents and is passionate about music production and creative writing. He is currently working on his newest album and often performs neighborhood concerts in Portland. He is an alumnus of the Youth Performing Arts School where he concentrated in theatre and creative writing. He is a winner of Actors Theatre’s New Voices playwright contest. He has worked as a music director for the Church of the Promise and traveled as a spoken word poet for the Goshen College Gospel Choir. Alongside Nathan’s artistic achievements has been a constant commitment to serving in underserved neighborhoods. Always willing to offer a helping hand whether it’s giving guitar lessons at the local community center, leading a group in painting a mural in the park or decking out your car for the annual trunk-or-treat.
JAMI YOUNG
Originally from Detroit, MI, Jami Young is a pianist influenced by Nina Simone, Andrea Bocelli, Fela Kuti and the Pentecostal church. She began playing for churches at the age of 12 and hasn’t slowed down since. Jami has a diverse skill set, playing with and composing for Affrilachian Poets, The Griot Project, and other local Kentucky creatives. She has a history of working with the community. She has received trainings in Peer Mediation and Prejudice Reduction from Peace Ed (a local Louisville non-profit) and has implemented said trainings in Lexington, KY with local non-profit Lexington United. She has worked within the Lexington School System and within the Lexington Juvenile Justice System. She is currently composing and producing an EP fusing African spiritual music with the traditional sounds of Buddhist meditation and functioning as the Music Director for a local Louisville church.
Joe Newland is an established street photographer and humanitarian. His street photography is on permanent display at The Table restaurant in Portland. He also works for Louisville Metro in the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods with several years of experience in Homeless Services. Joe worked as the Homeless Youth Coordinator at the Coalition for the Homeless as well as a Family Resource Specialist with Home of the Innocents.
He facilitated the Youth Action Board to provide insight on policies related to young adult homelessness in Louisville. Joe received a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the University of Louisville, and he believes in the collective power of individuals to make an impact in their communities. His beliefs are rooted in the desire for a safer, more equitable Louisville. Outside of work, he likes to spend time fixing up his house and spending time in the Portland Neighborhood with his wife, neighbors, church, and friends.
Joe Newland is an established street photographer and humanitarian. His street photography is on permanent display at The Table restaurant in Portland. He also works for Louisville Metro in the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods with several years of experience in Homeless Services. Joe worked as the Homeless Youth Coordinator at the Coalition for the Homeless as well as a Family Resource Specialist with Home of the Innocents.
He facilitated the Youth Action Board to provide insight on policies related to young adult homelessness in Louisville. Joe received a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the University of Louisville, and he believes in the collective power of individuals to make an impact in their communities. His beliefs are rooted in the desire for a safer, more equitable Louisville. Outside of work, he likes to spend time fixing up his house and spending time in the Portland Neighborhood with his wife, neighbors, church, and friends.
JOE NEWLAND
STEPHEN PHILLIPI
Stephen is a filmmaker and production engineer who lives in the Portland neighborhood of Louisville Kentucky. While using his skills to work as a freelancer in video production and film sets, he earned his bachelor’s degree in communication with an emphasis on broadcasting. Stephen has serviced small businesses and non-profits with video/film production for nine years.
JACLYN SCHEISS
Jaclyn Schiess is an undergraduate student at Western Kentucky University currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a double minor in Performing Arts Administration and Musical Theatre. She is highly involved on campus in student organizations like the Potter College Dean’s Council of Students, where she serves as President; the WKU chapter of National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) where she served as the National Honors Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) administrator and fundraising head; Alpha Psi Omega, Mu Lambda Cast, where she serves as Treasurer and fundraising head. Her involvement at WKU has led her to many opportunities for leadership, training, and community engagement. She is currently training in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, improvisation, and choreography, as well as pedagogy, anatomy and kinesiology, visual media in dance, and stage management to help her become a well-rounded artist. She has performed and choreographed in several shows during her time at WKU as well. Her future plans at WKU include applying for the Lifetime Experience Grant for her research in dance accessibility and continuing her classes and her passion for dance. Jaclyn will be graduating from WKU in the fall of 2022.
Multi-instrumentalist Aaron Craker has spent the last two decades touring with bands, recording his own music and teaching youth. He spent his childhood absorbed in guitar, piano and drums and went on to graduate from University of Louisville's School of Music with a BA in piano. He loves working with kids and has directed summer camps, taught in JCPS, Walden Theater and the Blue Apple Players. From his own experience learning different instruments, he particularly loves to help students get right to the heart of music and find what they love about it. He believes learning music should be fun and tailors his lessons to the students' interests. He has released music under the name Frederick the Younger with his collaborator, Jenni. They now have a new project called Genevva with their debut album coming out in July, 2021.
AARON CRAKER
ZARIAH SCOTT
Dance is my passion. I wouldn’t be who I am if it wasn’t for the art of dance. I specialize in hip hop but I’ve taken other genres like ballet, jazz, jazz funk, contemporary, breakdancing, and the list goes on and on. I am part of two programs called Women Of Worth and Sources Of Strength. I also dance for a team called Rated PG!!! I’ve been dancing since I was 3 years old and am absolutely passionate about dance.