ArtsCONNECT 2023-2024 Panelists

2023-2024 Program Panelists

JJJJJerome Ellis 
Blk disabled animal, artist, and proud stutterer. He prays, reads, gardens, cycles, surfs, and plays. 
Norfolk, Virginia

Halley Shefler (she/her) 
Founder of ArtsBridge; previously Dean of Enrollment for The Boston Conservatory, Director of Admissions for Boston University’s College of Fine Arts School of Music, and Director of Academic Affairs for the Longy School of Music 
Newton, MA  

Gabrielle Wingate (she/her)  
George Washington University in the Office of Academic Planning & Assessment 
Arlington, VA   

Mesha Arant (she/her)  
Chicago-based musician, arts administrator, and consultant; Manager of Administration & Programs at 3Arts, a nonprofit arts organization that advocates for women artists, artists of color, and Deaf and disabled artists 
Chicago, IL  

Abena Makini Niliwaambieni  
Cofounder of the African People’s Action School where she developed and directed the Children’s Theater Company; previous Assistant Artistic Director for Memory of African Culture performing company; principal of a private school; and Academic Director of a charter school  
Washington, DC  

Dan Samuels (he/him) 
Director of Public Programs for the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History 
Philadelphia, PA