MEET THE TEAM
Tia Byrd
Emanuel Powell
Emanuel Powell
Board President
Tia Byrd is an Alumni of Tennessee State University. After relocating to St. Louis in early 2014, she began working in social justice, land use, and economic policy as the executive director of a nonprofit. Her work in urban agriculture coincided with this. Studying permaculture design and food preservation she began stewarding a garden space and working with youth and returning citizens in the St. Louis region.
Emanuel Powell
Emanuel Powell
Emanuel Powell
Board Vice President
Emanuel Powell III is an attorney based in Washington, DC. He served as a Skadden Fellow in St. Louis from 2020-2022, litigating civil rights cases and organizing on behalf of families who had lost loved ones to fatal state violence in the region. Before law school, he advised nonprofit and philanthropic organizations as a strategy and design consultant.
Toni Thomas
Emanuel Powell
Carlitos Burgos
Board Treasurer
Toni Thomas is a gifted singer, educator, and child advocate. A recent graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Cognitive Neuroscience and Educational Studies, she has a wealth of experience working in child advocacy throughout the St. Louis region.
Carlitos Burgos
Carlitos Burgos
Carlitos Burgos
Board Secretary
Carlos Burgos is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. He uses cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to assist clients in working through emotional struggles. Carlos received his Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Webster University.
Andrew Gibson
Carlitos Burgos
Miles Dela Cruz
Executive Director
Andrew Gibson has been an artist, educator, and organizer since he was a teenager. As the Executive Director and co-founder of Freedom Arts, Andrew directs all fundraising and marketing campaigns, participates in all programs, supports staff in day-to-day operational and programmatic tasks, facilitates workshops and classes, and mentors the youth.
Miles Dela Cruz
Carlitos Burgos
Miles Dela Cruz
Director of Program Integrity
Miles Dela Cruz is an artist, educator, audio engineer, and mentor who has a wealth of experience working in multiple creative, educational, and technical fields. As Director of Program Integrity and co-founder of Freedom Arts, Miles organizes programs and events, trains teaching artists and tutors, mentors and tutors youth, and facilitates many Art & Academic Workshops.
Nikki Ellis
Jay-Marie Hill
Nikki Ellis
Teaching Artist
Nikki Ellis is a performing and teaching artist who has worked in the creative nonprofit space for more than 10 years. As a key Teaching Artist, Nikki supports the youth of Freedom Arts and our partner organizations, and also assists with event design, marketing campaigns, and fundraising initiatives.
Prospect
Jay-Marie Hill
Nikki Ellis
Teaching Artist
Eric “Prospect” White is a teaching, performing, and recording artist whose creative hustle and advocacy for youth makes him one of the most in-demand facilitators in St. Louis. Having been a Teaching Artist for Freedom Arts since 2015, Prospect mentors the youth and facilitates music, creative writing, and multiple educational workshops and classes.
Jay-Marie Hill
Jay-Marie Hill
Jay-Marie Hill
Teaching Artist
Jay-Marie Hill is a sought after musician, educator and "creative mind asking the questions that will shape the future of culture.” A Bay Area born, St. Louis based Black & Boricua award-winning artist, Jay-Marie has worked at high levels in the arts, education, and policy sectors for over 20 years.
Maya Foster
Garrett Lacy
Jay-Marie Hill
Teaching Artist
Maya Foster is a St. Louis native singer, rapper, DJ, and model. After graduating from University City High School, Maya immersed herself in the world of musical theater before shifting her focus to music performance in 2015. She quickly became an in-demand singer throughout St. Louis backing up several major artists, headlining with her own band, and opening for international stars such as Jason Derulo, Nelly, Ashanti, & Melanie Fiona.
Garrett Lacy
Garrett Lacy
Garrett Lacy
Teaching Artist
Garrett Lacy is a St. Louis native percussionist, composer, and educator. After graduating from Ritenour High School, Garrett went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Entrepreneurship from Webster University in 2013.
Tysean Brown
Garrett Lacy
Garrett Lacy
Youth Artist Organizer
Tysean Brown is a St. Louis native poet, musician, and emerging organizer. Starting out on the drums, Tysean discovered a talent for both music and the written word, and has released several songs and dozens of poems.
Our Story
In the Press
In the Press
Freedom Arts was officially founded in 2012 by this team of likeminded artists, educators, and organizers who wanted to make a positive impact in St. Louis by advocating for the arts, providing academic enrichment, and making opportunities available to children living in systemically under-resourced areas.
In the Press
In the Press
In the Press
- We Raise Foundation’s interview with Andrew Gibson (Oct 2021)
- Voyage STL’s interview with Andrew Gibson (Sep 2021)
- Freedom Arts’ After Sessions program featured on an episode of “The Thread STL” (Mar 2020)
- St. Louis Community Foundation Tours Freedom Arts & Education Center (May 2019)
- Regional Arts Commission’s interview with Miles Dela Cruz (Jan 2019)
- St. Louis Civic Pride - Champion’s Corner: Andrew Gibson (Nov 2018)
- Arts & Education Council: Freedom Arts Energizes Communities (May 2018)
- LinkedSelling announces support of Freedom Arts & Education Center (Jan 2018)
- Webster University’s interview with Andrew Gibson (Nov 2017)