The founder and CEO of Joe's Academy of New York, Jolander Headley was awarded the 2021 Community Leadership Award for Arts and Culture by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and the African American Heritage Committee during the Annual Black History Month Celebration.
Joe’s Academy of Music Founder and CEO Jolander Headley was presented with a prestigious Community Leadership Award on February 25th, 2021 for outstanding leadership in arts and culture in Queens, New York. Jolander Headley won the award along with other nominees in other fields of leadership.
The virtual celebration included community discussions and the presentation of awards to five other community leaders including:
- Arts & Culture Award — Joe’s Academy of Music Founder and CEO Jolander Headley,;
- Business Award— NYC Health + Hospitals Chief Growth Officer Christopher Roker;
- Community Service Award — SCO Family of Services President and CEO Keith M. Little;
- Civic Award — Longtime community leader Adoa Esinam Gzifa, who will receive the;
- Education Award — Kelly Johnson, principal of the Baccalaureate School for Global Education.
Borough President Richards and the African American Heritage Committee also awarded scholarships worth $1,000 each to Queens high school students to help cover educational expenses.
“This Black History Month, we are beyond proud to not only celebrate our heritage as Black New Yorkers, but honor some of the most selfless and influential members of the Black community serving our families in Queens and beyond.”
— Donovan Richards, Queens Borough President
The timing of the award feels very appropriate following Black History Month, St Alban’s and the celebrated and rich history in arts and culture and March being Women’s History Month, to celebrate the contributions of black women to this history. Jolander Headley and Joe’s Academy of Music are honored to be able to continue the legacy of St Albans and other giants of music and arts that came from St. Albans and Queens at large.
Joe's Academy of Music also contributed to the celebrations with a special performance of Hallelujah by Kareem Headley.
Born in Trinidad, Jolander Headley, is a multi-faceted entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Joe's Academy of Music. Passion met purpose, as music had been a large part of Jolander's life since an early age. Following her education in Piano Studies and Music Theory from Juilliard School of Music and Berkeley College of Music, Jolander became known to her community for teaching children music. Starting as a home-operation with only a few students to establishing multiple locations throughout New York City, Joe's Academy of Music has grown to be one of the largest privately-owned arts schools in Queens and Brooklyn under the leadership of Jolander. Bringing 26 years of corporate experience, Jolander seeks to continue to expand Joe's Academy of Music to help people of all ages and backgrounds find their rhythm—both in music and in life!
