The Barr Foundation has selected Jamilah Bradshaw and Francisco Torres as Program Officers, Arts & Creativity, following an executive search process led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG). They will begin their tenure on July 11, 2022.
In making the announcement, Director of Arts & Creativity E. San San Wong said, “Amidst the program’s continued growth, I’m pleased to announce the appointment of two new program officers, Jamilah Bradshaw and Francisco Torres. Their considerable experience, skills, and commitment to strengthening community assets add very welcome capacity to the Arts & Creativity Program Team.”
Interdisciplinary social justice leader Jamilah Bradshaw will join Barr with over 10 years’ experience in programmatic oversight. Throughout her career, her guidance has supported foundations and institutions in developing equitable program models, expanding program portfolios, and executing strategic grant recommendations. Bradshaw recently served at The California Endowment as Acting Program Manager, Schools – North. In this role, she managed, developed, and composed compelling grant funding recommendations in support of creating transformative change in schools across Northern California. Jamilah has also held the position of Program Associate, North and Program Associate, Building Healthy Communities at The California Endowment. She was the Founder and Principal at 10PP Arts and Acts Consulting and Health Equity Fellow at Greenlining Institute. An active changemaker in philanthropy, Bradshaw serves on the Advancing Racial Equity Leadership Council. She has participated on grants panels with the San Francisco Arts Commission, California Arts Council. Jamilah holds a bachelor of arts in Black Diaspora studies from Mills College, a master of arts in psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and a certificate in social sector leadership from University of California, Berkeley.
An accomplished grant program developer and community engager, Torres has been with the MassDevelopment Finance Agency as the Transformative Development Initiative Fellow for four years. Building and emphasizing the importance of mutual, trust-based relationships with the community, he has supported major growth in the city of Fitchburg. This includes the creation of the Lionel Rainford Artist Relief program for local artists, the organization of the first ever Light Festival, and redevelopment of abandoned properties. Torres has additionally served as Economic Development & Longer-Term Planner for the Town of Brookline and Economic Development Coordinator for the Town of Westborough. He has served on two boards including the Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Center for Women in Enterprise. Torres holds a bachelor of arts in social ecology from the University of California, Irvine; master of science in urban and regional policy from Northeastern University, Boston; and is completing a master of business administration in leadership concentration from Bentley University.
Wong added that, “in the ten years since Arts & Creativity became the third formal program at Barr, we’ve expanded the geographic footprint from Boston to Massachusetts with select national initiatives, as well as forged partnerships across sectors. Equity is increasingly central in our approach, and we look forward to building out portfolios that engage the power of arts and creativity to empower communities most impacted by inequities.”
“Congratulations to the Arts & Creativity team and the wonderful staff of the Barr Foundation on their selection of Jamilah Bradshaw and Francisco Torres as Program Officers,” said ACG President Bruce D. Thibodeau. “Jamilah and Francisco are both community-based leaders, thinkers, and listeners committed to the arts. We look forward to seeing the Arts & Creativity Program thrive with these two exciting additions to the Barr Foundation team.”
July 2022