BRIC & ICAC - Artist In Residence Showcase Presents: Threadz Of Healing

Introducing our 2025 Intergenerational Community Arts Council (ICAC) Artist-in-Residence Dr. Zuleka Henderson.

A proud East New York native, Zuleka is on a mission to create spaces that make healing feel joyful, welcoming, and rooted in community. With a background in therapy, mental health, research, and social work education, she’s spent her career transforming wellness concepts into creative, culturally resonant experiences.

During her 6 month long residency, Zuleka will work with the ICAC to explore Healing in Art Form, a community developed immersive art and performance experience and exhibit centering the healing wisdom of Brooklyn.

Anthony Jay Van Dunk moved to Fort Greene in 1968. He attended Queen of all Saints elementary school and Brooklyn Technical High School. He credits Fort Greene for giving him a strong educational foundation. Anthony attended the College of Staten Island, Parsons School of Design (New York, Paris), and finally New York University where he studied sports marketing.

Anthony started working early as a furniture cleaner at the age of 5. By 16, he had delivered flyers, worked at a motel restaurant, worked at a newsstand, and rented TVs to hospitals. Anthony grew up in the Scouting community, and accepted the role of Scoutmaster of Troop 181 at the age of 18. Prior to attending Parsons, he worked at a grocery warehouse and drove taxis. As a full time taxi driver and full time student, Anthony was able to squeeze in an Art Directing job at the music trade magazine, CashBox. This position led him to become the design director at Fountain Technologies.

In the first semester of his senior year at Parsons, Anthony moved to Paris to continue his education abroad. He liaised with world class designers and became the art director of The Planet, an English language newspaper. He completed his degree at Parsons in New York and thus began the life of an entrepreneur. Anthony founded AVD Graphics in New York, and then opened additional offices in
Philadelphia, Boston, and San Francisco. The company serviced smaller clients along with 3M and Nippon. The next step in Anthony’s entrepreneurial journey was in pharmaceutical advertising and other boutique work. Still working in design, Anthony created trophies for the National Basketball Association, promoted the largest amateur bike race in New York City, designed furniture featured on Martha Stewart Living, and opened Anthony Van Dunk: Woodworker and The Community
Woodshop. His fine art prints were displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
Bronx River Art Gallery, and the African Burial Ground National Monument.

While building his career, Anthony felt a calling to service the tribal nation which his family is from. His father registered with the Ramapough Mountain Indians, which suddenly placed Anthony and his brother, John, in the middle of the tribal organization. Anthony and his family started out as volunteers to many of the tribal events. While learning about members of their tribe and traveling to other Lenape tribes they got to increase their understanding of belonging. Learning traditions, ceremonies and language moved them up the leadership ladder. Anthony’s brother became Clan Chief of the Deer clan, and Anthony became Tribal Chief during one of the most tumultuous times of the tribe’s existence. Through this experience, Anthony received a crash course in governmental politics, police negotiation, trauma counseling, and media control.

Most recently, Anthony has worked as a construction worker, handyman, actor, horseman, script writer, and community producer. Introducing BRIC into his life has brought a new set of skills. TV and film production education has allowed him to help other producers share their ideas. He has received two B Free Awards and his work has been nominated into seven seven festivals. Since 2018 Anthony has created over fifty shows, with two shorts in rotation on FNX, a national Native Network. At Àhwáaleew Stories, he is currently working on a feature length movie called House Music: A Love Story and four short films, all with an expected release date of 2025.

DaQuan Herring is a multi-talented artist and modern-day renaissance man with a background in fine arts, education, music, performing, hosting, TV studio production, and film. Born and raised in Brooklyn, DaQuan was honored in 2014 with the Citywide Rising Star Award by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation for his outstanding contributions and potential. As a dedicated mentor, he is passionate about creativity, community impact, and helping others succeed. DaQuan dreams of building an entertainment empire inspired by visionaries like Oprah.

A devoted admirer of Patti LaBelle, DaQuan lives by her words: “You don't have to be an angel, just be someone who can give.”

Karyne Tinord is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and braider who blends culture, beauty, and storytelling through her work. As the founder of Kay de Trés, she uses braiding as both a creative and cultural art form—celebrating the heritage of Black hair while modernizing its role in fashion and self-expression. Karyne’s photography and designs are deeply personal, capturing individuality and empowering clients to share their stories through style. Her work spans a wide range of clients, from everyday people to celebrities, and is rooted in connection, creativity, and community.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Karyne is the founder of Yadestiny Treasure Chest, a nonprofit organization that provides youth with sustainable career opportunities and development in fashion and media. Her passion for empowering others extends beyond beauty and fashion, as she continues to uplift her community through service.

As a proud member of ICAC, Karyne is excited to expand her artistic reach and further represent the diverse voices and stories that inspire her work.

Sukanya “SUKY” Fairweather is a multimedia artist and native of Brooklyn, New York. Suky is a self-taught artist working across various mediums, including digital art, singing/songwriting, poetry, painting, and curation. Her artistic journey began eight years ago in her apartment, with just a brush and canvas on a quiet day. She started translating her spiritual epiphanies into paintings, creating images that convey metaphorical lessons and beauty from her unique perspective.

Guided by her spiritual insight, Suky became a certified Pranic healer, holistically integrating her spiritual education into her life and work. Over time, she began attracting opportunities to collaborate with organizations that support artists in New York. She has worked with local groups such as BRIC NYC, University Settlement, and RAW Artists. Through these collaborations, Suky has grown into a significant and impactful force within her community and the broader creative arts scene.

Samuel Standard was introduced to the world of arts as a child by his mother, Sarah L. Standard, who was a dancer and ballerina. He attended Public School 45 and Westlane Middle School. Samuel graduated from Broad Ripple High School for the Performing Arts. He played football for three years and earned All-City Second Team football honors.

Samuel continued playing football at Central Lakes Community College in Brainerd, Minnesota, as a running back and cornerback. He was named to the Second Team All-Conference as a running back in both seasons. He then transferred to the University of Wisconsin–Stout, where he played strong safety during his junior year and outside linebacker as a senior. Samuel was selected to the Second Team All-Conference again in his senior season.

The Green Bay Packers showed strong interest in Samuel, but he realized that football wasn’t his true calling. After graduation, Samuel took a job at Ameri-Tech as a home security system salesman. After two years, he founded his own company, Standard Construction LLC, which focused on residential and commercial building and remodeling.

Following the housing market downturn, Samuel decided to pursue what had always been close to his heart—the arts. He dove full speed into acting, performing in film, television, and theater productions throughout New York City and the surrounding areas.

Samuel worked as a utility stand-in for Wayne Brady on the hit television series The Good Fight and appeared as a background actor in many other productions. His hard work paid off when he landed a principal role as a lawyer in Notorious Anteater, thanks to showrunner Brooke Kennedy. This role ignited his passion for acting and launched his journey toward the big screen in Hollywood.

In 2016, Samuel founded Rumble in the Jungle Filmworks LLC, where he focuses on producing film, television, and theater projects. His company is committed to hiring people from diverse ethnic backgrounds and runs educational programs centered on cultural and physical wellness to encourage productive living in the Brooklyn community.

Samuel has been a proud member of SAG-AFTRA for the past ten years. Among his personal achievements, he is most proud of completing the TCS New York City Marathon three times and the Brooklyn Half Marathon eight times. He is currently developing a fitness and wellness program for the Brooklyn community to help people overcome their fears and lead healthier lives.

Most importantly, Samuel values being a good and present father to his children and a dependable asset to his family. He volunteers at CHIPS, a shelter for homeless and pregnant women in Park Slope, and has also served as a caregiver for individuals in the Brooklyn community living with HIV and retired military veterans.

Samuel is excited to share his positive experiences in the arts, health, and physical wellness to uplift and support his Brooklyn community, and he is grateful for the opportunity to serve.