Contributed
The Forest Park Historical Society began a series of talks by “Great Grads,” alumni of the local school district in 2023, with the purpose of celebrating how an education in an open and welcoming community such as the Winton Woods School District uniquely prepares students for the 21st century.
On Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. the historical society features Robyne Walker Murphy, a Winton Woods High School 1992 “Great Grad,” who earned a bachelor’s degree in English- African American Literature, from Clark Atlanta University in 1997 and an MFA in acting from the University of Washington (Seattle) in 2000.
She will talk about her growing up and getting educated in the Winton Woods school district—prior to college and graduate degrees leading to national prominence as an art and social justice educator and administrator.
A nationally recognized leader in the arts and culture sector, she was a 2004–2015 member of the DreamYard Project in Bronx, N.Y. , serving as director of the DreamYard Art Center beginning in 2008. During her tenure, the program was recognized by the Obama White House as one of the top 10 youth development programs in the nation.
She launched her consulting firm, Robyne Walker Murphy Consulting, specializing in arts and cultural strategy. Her recent clients include The Ford Foundation, Bedford Stuyvesant Corp/Billie Holiday Theatre, The Brooklyn Museum, and the Joe and Clara Tsai Social Justice Fund, among others.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art recognized her as a Women’s History honoree, and former Mayor DeBlasio appointed her to serve on New York City’s Cultural Affairs Advisory Council.
This is the second in a new series of “Great Grad” programs, specifically celebrating Winton Woods performing arts graduates, free to the public at the Forest Park Library, 660 Northland Boulevard.