The avenue Dream Team
#Fortheculture
reenah Golden, Founder/Artistic Director/Creative executive Officer

"The Avenue lives at the intersection of all that impassions and drives the work I wish to do in the world. The Arts. Youth Mentorship. Community engagement. Reenah’s dedication to her community is second to none and when you see how hard she goes at The Ave, all one can ask is “how may I be of service?”

"The Ave has always been a place I feel at home. A place where I’ve experienced youth step into their light, community sharing their talents, and activism being recharged, healed, and ignited."

More to come about this team member.

"The Ave provides a safe and brave space to all walks of life, creating many opportunities for the community to learn, to strive, and to be who you they desire to be."

"I got involved at The Ave just from fortunately knowing Reenah for so long. As a high school student, she came to my school so I knew firsthand her commitment to working with young people. I love that Reenah opened this space to welcome so many collaborations. "

"I contribute my time at the Ave because the youth are the future and they must know what's going on in our city and this world. This fight doesn't end with us and they'll have to carry the torch in their own way. I'm just here to offer guidance and a pair of oven gloves so they don't get burned catching and carrying that fire."

"I have watched The Avenue since its inception, be cultivated into a safe space for the youth of this city. I watched in awe, as a black woman (Reenah) ushered this space into a safe haven for black and brown artists such as myself. I have laughed, danced, cried, played, connected and explored aspects of myself that I never imagined I’d tap into."

"The Avenue Blackbox Theatre is a place I lend my light to for no other reason than that it cultivates creativity, community, self empowerment and youth engagement. There is no other creative space that empowers an artist to give of them [full] selves, to engage in self reflection & growth in finding and honing ones creative voice."

"The moment I learned of a new org popping up in the Northeast quadrant of Rochester, I knew that I would be supportive. Having been raised on the east side of the city it was very rear to see new developments. I felt the need to play my part to ensure that this new and very Black business would be a success."

"I was blessed to have been a part of the dream that was The Ave before the The Ave was the Ave. From the idea of this hood based theatre of us, by us and for us and to watch it grow into a living, breathing beacon of hope, light, art and community has been one of my greatest honors. I would sign on to help Reenah do just about anything but being a part of this beautiful safe space has been more of a gift than a service."

More to come about this team member.

"The Ave offers the ability for any being to transform at any moment. Personally, being able to experience theatre, contemporary art showcases, recitals and more while also being able to guide youthful minds in deep understanding of self and others is the highlight of my connection with the space."

More to come about this team member.

Everybody knows Shawn Dunwoody.

More to come about this team member.

"Since the very first time I stepped into the Avenue I could feel the energetic, embracing energy releasing from everyone and everything there. I always felt welcome at the Avenue Blackbox theater and as a creative director Reenah made sure I knew my ideas had a place to flourish right there."