Isaac I. Scott is a dedicated community advocate and multidisciplinary visual artist who uses his lived experiences and participatory action research to drive impactful community engagement. As the Director of Community Initiatives at Another Choice Youth and Family Outreach Inc. (ACYFO), Isaac leads The Confined Arts program, harnessing strategic arts engagement to disrupt violence and enhance public safety in East Harlem. His work is deeply rooted in addressing systemic challenges faced by justice-involved individuals and their families, particularly focusing on youth and returning citizens. Isaac's engagement strategies are not only theoretically grounded but also resonate with the lived realities of the communities he serves, making them both impactful and sustainable.
In addition to his role at ACYFO, Isaac serves as the Human Services Committee Chairperson for Community Board 11 in Manhattan, where he collaborates with community stakeholders to address critical issues affecting East Harlem. His leadership in this capacity has been instrumental in developing long-term strategies to meet community needs, facilitating community planning exercises, and ensuring diverse voices are represented in decision-making processes. Through his combined efforts at ACYFO, The Confined Arts, Isaac’s Quarterly, and Community Board 11, Isaac has successfully integrated trauma-informed practices into public safety strategies, positioned the arts as a tool for social change, and secured the necessary funding to sustain and expand these initiatives.
In addition to his role at ACYFO, Isaac serves as the Human Services Committee Chairperson for Community Board 11 in Manhattan, where he collaborates with community stakeholders to address critical issues affecting East Harlem. His leadership in this capacity has been instrumental in developing long-term strategies to meet community needs, facilitating community planning exercises, and ensuring diverse voices are represented in decision-making processes. Through his combined efforts at ACYFO, The Confined Arts, Isaac’s Quarterly, and Community Board 11, Isaac has successfully integrated trauma-informed practices into public safety strategies, positioned the arts as a tool for social change, and secured the necessary funding to sustain and expand these initiatives.
RESUME
Professional SummaryCommunity advocate and visual artist with extensive experience in participatory action research, strategic arts engagement, and community leadership. As the Director of Community Initiatives at Another Choice Youth and Family Outreach Inc., and the Human Services Committee Chairperson for Community Board 11 in Manhattan, specializes in trauma-informed programs that disrupt violence, promote public safety, and provide holistic support to justice-involved individuals and their families. Proven track record in securing funding, building partnerships, and integrating artistic practices into community engagement strategies.
Isaac's Quarterly
Founder & Director
2014 – Present
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
Another Choice Youth and Family Outreach Inc. (ACYFO)
Director of Community Initiatives
2021 – Present
Community Board 11 Manhattan
Human Services Committee Chairperson
2019 – Present
Center for Justice at Columbia University
Social Relations Lab Technician and Resident Visual Artist
2015 – 2022
Core Competencies
EDUCATION
Columbia University, School of General Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts
May 2023
Professional SummaryCommunity advocate and visual artist with extensive experience in participatory action research, strategic arts engagement, and community leadership. As the Director of Community Initiatives at Another Choice Youth and Family Outreach Inc., and the Human Services Committee Chairperson for Community Board 11 in Manhattan, specializes in trauma-informed programs that disrupt violence, promote public safety, and provide holistic support to justice-involved individuals and their families. Proven track record in securing funding, building partnerships, and integrating artistic practices into community engagement strategies.
Isaac's Quarterly
Founder & Director
2014 – Present
- Established a culturally sensitive production and design firm dedicated to counteracting stereotypes and promoting artistic literacy.
- Develop and manage community arts programs that challenge societal narratives and support justice-involved artists.
- Lead a culturally sensitive production and design firm that focuses on counteracting stereotypes and fostering artistic literacy.
- Raise sufficient funds to support arts initiatives and expand the reach of the organization’s programs.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
Another Choice Youth and Family Outreach Inc. (ACYFO)
Director of Community Initiatives
2021 – Present
- Spearhead The Confined Arts program, utilizing strategic arts engagement to engage the East Harlem community in violence disruption and public safety promotion.
- Manage professional development and artistic literacy courses designed to empower local youth and returning citizens.
- Co-operate grassroots initiatives to address food insecurity, ensuring a holistic approach to service delivery by facilitating access to a diverse range of local resources.
Community Board 11 Manhattan
Human Services Committee Chairperson
2019 – Present
- Lead the Human Services Committee in addressing critical community needs and policy issues in East Harlem.
- Oversee the preparation of meeting agendas, facilitate committee meetings, and ensure compliance with parliamentary procedure.
- Engage community stakeholders and coordinate joint initiatives with other board committees and public agencies.
Center for Justice at Columbia University
Social Relations Lab Technician and Resident Visual Artist
2015 – 2022
- Conducted research and facilitated arts-based interventions exploring the social dynamics of incarceration and community reintegration.
- Engaged in participatory action research to inform the development of community-based art projects reflecting the lived experiences of justice-involved individuals.
Core Competencies
- Participatory Action Research
- Strategic Arts Engagement
- Trauma-Informed Community Engagement
- Public Policy Advocacy
- Program Development and Management
- Grant Writing and Fundraising
- Stakeholder Collaboration and Partnership Building
EDUCATION
Columbia University, School of General Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts
May 2023
