A discussion that pulls from the CWP to ask questions and share stories of memories of water and connections with Jamaica Bay. The panel may include Angela myself and a member of each of the following organizations: Sadhana, United Madrassi Association, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and Culture Push. Each panelist will share their work and connection/memories with Jamaica Bay or water, which will lead into a conversation about the beloved waters of Jamaica Bay.
Speaker bios:
Vijah Ramjattan is a spiritually conscious interfaith community activist, artist, organizer and leader who advocates for social, environmental, and ecological justice. In 2017, Vijah founded the United Madrassi Association Inc. (UMA), and has served as President since its inception. The United Madrassi Association Inc. is a progressive volunteer-based non-profit organization based out of New York State and is committed to bringing about UNITY-IN-THE-COMMUNITY, within the Madrassi/Tamil Caribbean-Diaspora and with other, Hindu/Non-Hindu Sects, NGOs, NPOs and Grassroots Organizations. Through active civic participation, collaboration and meaningful humanitarian work, Vijah aims to create a culture of “Devotion-in-Motion”. Vijah’s areas of interest are in Interfaith Tolerance, Eco-Friendly Worship, Youth Development; Fostering female Empowerment and Creating Meaningful Platforms for the younger generation to develop a sense of belonging where they can build, maintain and share their identity through hands-on community service.
Elizabeth Velazquez is an interdisciplinary artist and a public school visual arts educator. She is one of the founding members of SEQAA- the Southeast Queens Artist Alliance, which is an artist collective focused on working in SEQ. In 2020 she participated in the Winter Workspace Residency Program at Wave Hill, located in the Bronx. Velázquez has exhibited and performed at venues throughout New York, including Cigar Factory, Knockdown Center, and NARS Foundation. (photo courtesy Robin Michals)
Angela Miskis (b. Ecuador, 1987) is visual artist and community organizer based in South East Queens. Her work is influenced by her family upbringing, dedication to social service, and building a healthier and more sustainable future in her immediate community. Angela Miskis graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 2013 with a degree in Visual and Critical Studies. Her honors include the Silas H. Rhodes scholarship (2011), and the Visual and Critical Studies Scholarship (2013) which awarded her a five-month artist in residence at the Leipzig International Art Programme (2014) in Germany. Recently, Miskis was awarded a residency at ChaShaMa's ChaNorth International Artists Program (2019) in Pine Plains, NY, and the ArtWorks Inc. Seminar Fellowship at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (2019 - 2020). She is currently a 2021-Create Change Fellow with the Laundromat Project in New York.
Aminta Kilawan-Narine, Esq. is the co-founder of Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, a decade-old organization dedicated to merging the values at the heart of Hinduism with those at the heart of social justice. In this role, Aminta has organized monthly beach cleanups at Jamaica Bay to foster ecological stewardship and environmental justice. Aminta is also the founder and director of South Queens Women's March, a hyper-local gender justice movement-building organization with a mission to meet women, girls and gender fluid people where they are and connect them to the tools necessary to thrive. Aminta is a columnist for her local newspaper, The West Indian, as well as Brown Girl Magazine. Professionally, she is a legislative attorney at the New York City Council with a portfolio including homelessness, public benefits and child welfare.
