Groundswell is thrilled to announce the appointment of Yvonne Martinez Brathwaite as Executive Director of Groundswell Community Mural Project

Groundswell is thrilled to announce the appointment of Yvonne Martinez Bathwaite as Executive Director of Groundswell Community Mural Project. Yvonne is stepping into this role to lead our organization into the next chapter of growth, creativity, and community impact.

Yvonne brings a rich background into social justice work and youth development to her new position. She comes to us from Red Hook Initiative, where she was Chief Program and Policy Officer. 

We are confident that her vision and leadership with bring new energy to Groundswell and advance our work to empower youth, artists, and communities to use art as a tool for social change. 

Seendy Fouron, Groundswell Board President, says: "Yvonne's impressive background in youth development and social justice makes her an ideal leader to guide Groundswell into its next chapter. Her visionary leadership aligns perfectly with our focus on empowering young people and engaging local community partners and artists. The Board is confident that under her guidance, Groundswell will continue to grow and inspire change through the creation of transformative art." 

Yvonne Martinez Brathwaite is an experienced and collaborative nonprofit and social impact leader grounded in authentic DEI practices. She brings expertise in executive leadership and program management through he work in youth development, social justice and capacity building, and is excited to bring her love of public art to Groundswell. 

"Public art has a way of bringing people together and while I don't play favorites with art, I love when it taps into my feelings, thoughts and sense of wonderment." Prior to joining Groundswell, Yvonne serves as an executive leader and Red Hook Initiative, Global Kids and Partnership for After School Education (PASE). She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University and a Master of Public Administration from New York University. 

Yvonne was awarded the Adam Solomon Award for Excellence by Tanenbaum Center which recognizes education leaders who are committed to fostering and creating equitable and inclusive learned environements. 

As a native New Yorker, Yvonne was raised in East Harlem and has lived in Brooklyn for nearly 30 years. She expresses her own creativity as a self-taught knitter and is passionate about photography.