With a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, completed graduate degrees in counseling and special education, and a current student of theology, Dr. Rogutsky (she/her) is a multifaceted educator with a passion for creative expression.   In addition to her work with All Souls, she teaches in the Graduate Mental Health programs at Manhattan College.  Previously, she served as the Principal of a public arts school, where she integrated many artistic exercises to help students express themselves and find creative outlets for social justice issues of importance.

Beibei Lubin (she/her) is a Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Student at Manhattan College. Through her roles as a yoga teacher and photographer, she realized her calling to cultivate space for people to grow interpersonally and intrapersonally, drawing her towards therapy for families. She enjoys spending time in nature, at community events, with friends, and with her two cats Minú and Miguel.

Fatima Logan-Alston (she/her) is a dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist. She is the Artistic director of VashtiDance Theater, a music and dance company that uses dance and music to uplift the community through inspiring performances that blend the cultural styles of Africa and its Diaspora with classical Western dance. Fatima has more than 15 years of experience teaching dance to youth and adults in various styles of dance.  She holds a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University with a minor in African-American studies, as well as a Teaching Artist Certificate from Teacher’s College at Columbia University.

Neal (he/him) is a seasoned, dedicated technological jack-of-all-trades, who for over a quarter century, has helped computers (and those who love them) work better for scientists.  He currently works for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.  For over 10 years he was the founder and director of a small tabletop game publishing company.  He holds a BS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Mechanical Engineering/Space Technologies and a Minor in Education.

Rochelle (she/her) is a school counselor who holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Manhattan College and a BA from the University of Connecticut.  She has served as Youth Group leader and community organizer for many years.  She is a warm, empathetic person who loves working with children and loved her work with the High School Youth Group at All Souls last year.

Rev. Strano (she/her) is passionate about working with healthcare leaders in creating supportive programs that strengthen whole-person care; finding creative and innovative solutions to strengthen operations; and building dynamic relationships and community.  She is currently the Director of Spiritual Care at Mt. Sinai.  She holds a BA from Mount Holyoke in Psychology and a M. Div. from Union Theological Seminary.  She is a Board Certified Chaplain and an Ordained UU Minister with many years of experience working with both children and adults.

David (he/him) is an accomplished musician specializing in World and Classical Percussion and is also a Teaching Artist, and Composer. David studied Percussion and Cello at Durham School of the Arts and North Carolina Central University. David has toured with The African American Dance Ensemble and Urban Bush Women. He has traveled to Hong Kong/Macau China, Tokyo, Japan, and Toronto, Canada. David has taught Percussion at Future Leader’s Institute, and has been a teaching artist with Bronx Children’s Museum, Ethical Culture Fieldston, and Young Audiences New York. He is currently the Musical Director of VashtiDance Theater and a Musician for the Ailey School and Alvin Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs.

Vida (she/her) is the Director of the Children’s Cultural Center of Native America.  She is a graduate of  La Guardia Performing Arts H.S. and holds a  BA degree form Lehman College with a major in History.  Vida has performed at the New Nuyorican Cafe as spoken word artist, The Bowery and the Painted Bride in Philadelphia.  She is  also an  Indigenous make-up Artist who has been commissioned to do face painting at many schools, community center /organizations and Pow Wows.  

James Backmon (he/him/his), a long-time resident of East Harlem, graduated from local public schools and attended Queens College’s Aaron Copland School of Music. He has worked with a number of choirs in the NYC area including the Boys Choir of Harlem, New York Boys Choir, and Rainbow Voices. In the late 90s, Backmon worked with the legendary folk singer Pete Seeger and other New Yorkers to form the intergenerational choral organization NYC Street Singers. He is a the Director of the New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir and serves on the board of directors of Project 142 (a concert-presenting organization). 

Rich (he/him) is an interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn.  Early on, Rich worked as a teaching artist at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Brooklyn Museum. Later, he freelanced as a guide and artist educator around NYC at places like the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Lefferts Historic House, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He enjoys working with kids, and for a long time taught them photography and darkroom techniques at a Lower East Side community center. There, neighborhood photo walks branched into gallery and art studio visits geared towards his adult mixed-media students. Since that time he has fully integrated walking into his art in both practice and product. He enjoys inspiring others to find their own creative platforms, and is especially eager to facilitate under-represented voices and activism.