Silo City Reading Series: Ross Gay, Aitina Fareed-Cooke, Readers of Gratitude

Featured Artists

• 

  Aitina Fareed-Cooke Entrepreneur, National Recording Artist, Educator, Writer
  

  Aitina Fareed-Cooke

  Entrepreneur, National Recording Artist, Educator, Writer

  Aitina Fareed-Cooke is an accomplished creative arts strategist who has developed a strong reputation for her work with a diverse range of creatives, entrepreneurs, educators, and emerging artists. With a wide range of artistic skills encompassing poetry, creative writing, photography, film, music, and graphic design, Aitina has provided creative services to tens of thousands of individuals, including youth, educators, and nonprofit organizations. Known for her exceptional creative problem-solving abilities, Aitina’s expertise has proven invaluable in delivering innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of each project, making her a highly sought-after professional in the industry.

  Aitina earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Masters in Science & Education from Buffalo State University. With an extensive career spanning nearly 20 years, Aitina has worked with numerous non-profit organizations, companies, artists and entrepreneurs throughout the country. During this time, she has successfully developed, managed, and implemented arts and education programs, effectively mobilizing youth, emerging artists, entrepreneurs, and educators to foster growth in creative problem-solving, social awareness, and entrepreneurship.

  Currently, Aitina is the Founder and Creative Director at Get Fokus’d Productions, which is a prominent award-winning Creative Media Arts company. As a nationally recognized recording artist, Aitina has executively produced and written 3 albums that have accumulated over 1 million streams collectively. Her work within music has earned her multiple prestigious awards and has garnered acclaim from esteemed figures in the industry, including Grammy award winners like Lecrae and Derek Minor. Additionally, she serves as a foundation board member at Buffalo State University and as a board member at CEPA Gallery. Aitina’s expertise and exceptional contributions have garnered her multiple awards, accolades, and substantial funding for a variety of creative arts projects.

  Aitina has received awards, recognition, and features through NYSCA, CRNY, Citizen’s Bank, Arts Services Inc., 43North’s Ignite Buffalo, Just Buffalo, CEPA Gallery, Buffalo State University, Canisius College, the National Society of Leadership & Success, Kingdom Choice, Buffalo Urban League, NPR’s Buffalo What’s Next, WBFO, Upstart New York, Challenger News, Buffalo News, Buffalo State Alumni Magazine, National Young Audiences Emerging Leaders, DJ Booth, Rapzilla, and Trackstarz.

  Aitina’s original and curatorial work has been exhibited at Buffalo State University, CEPA Gallery, Jamestown Community College, Thiel College, Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Burchfield Penney Art Center, Buffalo Arts Studio, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, Erie County Public Library, to name a few.

• 

  Ross Gay Poet + Essayist
  

  Ross Gay

  Poet + Essayist

  Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry: Against Which; Bringing the Shovel Down; Be Holding, winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. In addition to his poetry, Ross has released three collections of essays—The Book of Delights was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller; Inciting Joy was released in 2022, and his latest collection, The Book of (More) Delights was released in September of 2023.

  photo credit: Natasha Komoda