TEAM CUMEP

Executive Director/Curicculumn Creator
Dr. Nia Nunn
Dr. Nia Nunn is a professor and poet. Creating curriculum, presenting arts programming for youth and offering performance lectures to people of all ages, the entire community is Dr. Nia’s classroom. Nunn creates innovative curriculum for youth/artists/teachers to feel joy and a sense of belonging when they’re expressing and discovering themselves through art.
Learn more @ drnianunn.com

Administrative Director
Shannon Frier
Shannon Frier

Website & Social Media Manager
Jacob Yale
Jacob is a teaching assistant in the Ithaca City Schools, as well as a board member at the Downtown Ithaca Childcare Center. He provides technology support to teachers and students who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices like the ones he used as a young child. Jacob is an advocate for social justice and disability rights. In his free time, he enjoys creating with LEGOs, practicing American Sign Language (ASL) and exploring.

DIrector of Nutrition
Sharon Payne
Sharon Payne loves CUMEP and the kids! She has been heading the food program at Southside and CUMEP for nearly 4 years. She loves seeing the kids smile as they eat her delicious food. When not in the kitchen, Sharon enjoys spending time with her friends and enjoying her community.

Co-Founder & Musical Director
Baruch Whitehead
Baruch Whitehead

Operations Manager
Daraisi Marte
Daraisi Marte

Production Manager
Jon Keefner
Jon Keefner has been a member of the CUMEP team since 2012, first as an Ithaca College student and later as an educator. He has taken on various roles at CUMEP from teaching drumming and modern band, to administrative work and video/audio editing. His favorite part of CUMEP is the love, joy, and creativity that emanates from every inch of the program and he cites CUMEP as his greatest influence as a now 10+ year public school educator.

Facilities Manager
Ken
Ken

Founder
Fe Nunn
Fe Nunn