Art, Activism & The Pursuit Of Food Justice

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“You see something blank, you want something on it” says Graffiti Artist/Community Organizer Cassie Aguilera. Aguilera was commissioned to design the Laurelton Community Fridge by Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman. Aguilera met Hydnman’s Chief Of Staff at the painting of The Black Lives Matter Mural on Jamaica Ave. Aguilera served as a technical painter of the mural . 

Aguilera speaks with a resident about the importance of access to healthy food.

The Laurelton Community Fridge is located at : 231-34 Merrick Blvd. The refrigerator  is situated between a local deli and the bud stop. Community members are encouraged to take food and replenish the refrigerator addressing the issue of food access. 

The vision of the community fridge was to transform the surroundings and encourage the community in sustainability .The colors of the mosaic on the refrigerator reflect food colors to encourage healthy eating. 

Ray Brown is appreciative of the community fridge.

  Cassie Aguilera has worked in the Southeast Queens community for over 20 years as an artist, community organizer and advocate for youth in foster care. She recognizes the importance of having transformative pieces in communities of color. 

If you are interested in sponsoring items for the Laurelton Community Fridge, please email: tunisia.29@gmail.com

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Clarisa James
Clarisa James is the Co-Founder/Executive Director of DIVAS (Digital Interactive Visual Arts Sciences) for Social Justice. For the past seven years DIVAS has provided free or sliding scale technology training to youth in underserved communities in Central Brooklyn and Southeast Queens. Ms. James has been dedicated to youth development work for the past 15years in the roles of Teaching Artist, After School Director, Curriculum Specialist and artist. Her life's work encompasses empowering youth in underserved communities to use technology for social change and think critically about the issues that are affecting them most. For the past seven years Ms. James has facilitated workshops that help youth develop multimedia projects around environmental justice, housing, leadership development and reproductive justice. Ms. James holds an MFA in Integrated Media Arts from Hunter College's Film & Media Department. In addition to DIVAS for Social Justice, Ms. James currently serves on the advisory board of the Children’s Cabinet, Office of the Deputy Mayor Strategic Policy Initiatives at City Hall. Clarisa James is full of gratitude to her parents for providing such a wonderful upbringing and having the foresight to move into the community of Laurelton in the early 1970's. Clarisa is proud to be a daughter of Laurelton.