STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement hosted its fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Wednesday night.
The event unfolded at LiGreci’s Staaten in West Brighton and drew community members, educators and local elected officials for an evening honoring service, partnership and nearly 20 years of youth-focused initiatives on Staten Island.
The gala, known as #AYE25, highlighted the continued legacy of the Institute’s Annual Youth Empowerment Summit and marked the organization’s ninth anniversary of providing arts, culture and civic engagement programs for young people and their families.
This year’s honorees included Hon. Edwina F. Martin, Esq., an attorney and community organizer; Frank “Turtle” Raffaele of Coffeed; Nicholas Mele, principal of Edwin Markham School; Jessica Jackson, principal of the Rocco Laurie School; Dr. John Piazza, an international certified chiropractic sports physician; Lamson Lam of Exalt Youth; and Taina B. Martinez, MSW, of Baltic Streets.
Bobby Digi presents awaard to honoree Jessica Jackson, principal of Rocco Laurie IS 72, at the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
Each community leader was lauded for their advocacy and commitment to youth empowerment, education, wellness and student-centered community programs.
“This year’s gala celebrates the spirit of service and partnership that keeps our mission alive,” said Bobby Digi Olisa, founder and executive director of the Canvas Institute, in his opening comments. “The evening represents not only reflection but momentum as the organization approaches its 20th Annual Summit and 10-year anniversary in 2026.
“We honor the community members and partners who continue to help us build a more equitable and inspired Staten Island.”
Throughout the night, to loud applause, speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration in sustaining youth leadership opportunities, workforce development programs, arts education and civic engagement initiatives.
Honoree Nicholas Mele, principal of Edwin Markham School, addresses the crowd at the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
Performers and student participants from past programs also took the stage, offering a firsthand look at the Institute’s impact.
“It’s powerful to look around and see students, families, educators, principals, partners, elected officials, business owners, elders, friends, all gathered with a purpose,” Digi added. “Everything we do at Canvas Institute begins and ends with students. And to our honorees, thank you for your example—you set it every day.”
In thanking the board of directors, Digi remarked: “Thank you for your work as the Canvas Institute approaches its 10th year of operation and the Youth Empowerment Summit nears its 20th anniversary.
“What began as a small idea to empower our youth on Staten Island has grown into a movement that has reached more than 60,000 young people and families, partnering with over 30 public schools across New York City.”
Honoree Edwina Martin, Public Administrator, addresses the crowd at the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
During her acceptance speech, Rocco Laurie School Principal Jessica Jackson reflected on the students who inspired her work and the partnership with Canvas Institute that helped shape a growing culture of youth leadership.
“The students truly are the reason we do this work, and they are the proof that the future is bright,” Jackson said. She described the daily privilege of “walking the halls of my school and watching young people grow into leaders—students who don’t wait for permission to make a difference, but instead use their voices, their empathy, and their creativity to shape a better community.”
Jackson recounted how the initiative began with a small group of sixth graders committed to resolving conflicts with compassion. “What started as a spark has grown into a movement,” she said, noting that the same students—now eighth graders—are in their third year of training under Bobby Digi Olisa and have begun mentoring a new cohort of sixth graders.
“They have taken ownership of the compassionate systems framework, transforming it from an idea into a living, breathing practice that empowers students to listen, to lead, and to lift one another up,” she said. “The school’s vision is to build the momentum into a peer mediation center, led by students for students, where empathy and problem-solving guide conflict resolution.”
Honoree Taina Martinez, right, is pictured with her daughter and Bobby Digi as she accepts her award, at the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
ABOUT CANVAS INSTITUTE
Founded by social entrepreneur Bobby Digi Olisa, the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement is a community-based organization dedicated to empowering underserved communities through art, education and civic leadership.
For nearly a decade, Canvas has served as a creative hub and civic platform, helping youth and families build sustainable pathways to equity, self-expression and success.
Honoree Dr. John Piazza, left, is pictured with his wife Susan Kim Pizza and their son Maximillian Piazza at the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
MAJOR EVENT SPONSORS
Sponsors for the event included NAMI NYC, The Road House Restaurant, Staten Island Performing Provider System, Renu Wellness, Harambe Realty, NYCID, Con Edison, Meals on Wheels, the Staten Island Museum, Universal Temple of the Arts, the National Council of Negro Women’s Staten Island section, Sports Science Lab, Baltic Street, and A Chance in Life.
Local businesses also supported, including Frank’s Bay Pizza, La Famiglia Pizza, Bari’s Pizza, Happy Feet 4 All and BCB Bank.
Local elected officials who support Canvas Institue include Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Council Member Kamillah Hanks, Council Member David Carr, Council Member Joseph Borelli, Council Member Anthony Morano, Assemblymember Charles Fall, Assemblymember Michael Reilly, State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.
Honoree Frank Raffaele is seen moments after receiving his award at the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
Scene from the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
Bobby Digi, left, is pictured with Dr. Lori Weintrob and her daughter, Sophia, at the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
Bobby Digi and honoree Frank Raffaele at the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
Assemblyman Chares Fall is flanked by his family members at the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
Scene from the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
Virginia Allen, left, and Diane Arneth enjoy the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
Scene from the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
Bishop Victor Brown and Bobby Digi enjoy the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
Charista Mroczek, left, honoree Edwina Martin, Public Adminstrator, Luanne Sorrentino, co-founder of the St. George Theatre, and Laurie Cumbo, Commissioner of the Dept. of Cultural Affairs, enjoy Scene from the Canvas Institute of Arts, Culture & Civic Engagement’s fourth Annual Youth Empowerment Gala on Nov. 13, 2025 at LiGreci’s Staaten, West Brighton. (Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali)Courtesy Kareem Moody and Annesa Ali
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