Anthony Alvarez

An artist, fine arts and commercial photographer and adjunct professor. He earned a BFA in Photography from Pratt Institute and an Ed. M in Adult Education with a certificate in Higher Education Teaching from Rutgers GSE. Anthony is a nationally recognized photographer whose fine art work has been exhibited in venues such as the Armory Show in NYC, Art Basel in Miami, the Center for Fine Art Photography in Colorado and the Newark Museum of Art. Commercially, Anthony has worked on various national political campaigns, with international leaders, and Fortune 500 companies. His work has been published in Vogue, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Huffington Post, Downbeat, and Jazz Times, and more. A published author, his article on art and gentrifying communities has been printed across the county including Fast Company, Los Angeles Post, and the Houston Chronicle, among others.

Sakina Pitts

Sakina Pitts is a fearless, thoughtful, and bold leader. She learned these very principles growing up in Newark, NJ and being educated by the Newark Board of Education’s public schools. Sakina has been the proud appointed Principal of Chancellor Avenue School located in the South Ward of Newark "Brick City" for five years prior to her becoming the appointed Principal of Newark School of Fashion and Design in 2021. Sakina’s love of the children of Newark and her vested interest in supporting her community while enhancing the lives and experiences of children in this district began at the very school she was appointed to lead, Chancellor Avenue School.

Sakina graduated from Chancellor Avenue School in 1990, so walking into the school every morning to lead the children and administration of her beloved Chancellor felt like walking into her home. Sakina is an advocate and change agent for the students in this great historic city and for over twenty years, she served in various capacities at Chancellor Avenue School. She now continues to effectuate change for students as the Principal of one of Newark's newest CTE magnet high schools, Newark School of Fashion & Design.

Principal Pitts, as she is affectionately known, also graduated from one of Newark's first magnet high school curricula, Science High School, where she excelled. Sakina has been a lifelong leader and learner. She took her talents to Baltimore, Maryland after graduating Science High School at age 16. In Baltimore, she earned a B.S in Business at the National Treasure, leading research institution and acclaimed historically black university, Morgan State University. She then enrolled straight into the top mortuary school in the nation, AAMI, becoming a licensed Funeral Director in the State of NJ.

Sakina prepared to lead a career as a funeral director, but her heart led her back into education and back into her hometown to educate Newark children. Sakina’s educational continuum would lead her to earn a master's degree from Seton Hall University in ELMP. Sakina taught, attended school, and raised her son Zaire and all along the path, she mentored and participated in community initiatives that solidified her efforts as a transformative community partner.

Principal Pitts knew early on that she found her passion educating students in Newark’s metropolis. She masters the arduous and daunting daily tasks of ensuring that her students are in an environment where cultural relevance, safety, nutrition, discipline, and most importantly maximizing their fullest potential academically, socially, and emotionally are on full display. Under her leadership, test scores, school wide community relations and parent involvement have improved. This is all a testament to her leadership and developed trust with the administration and the community she serves.

Principal Pitts recognizes that she could hardly do this work without the support provided by numerous community partners. She is an active member of the Educational Coalition “Off School Grounds” (OSG) since its inception and collaborates weekly with like-minded School Leaders around the country who are dedicated to closing equity gaps and creating real change in the school-wide communities they are servant leaders of across the nation.

Principal Pitts is also an engaging public speaker who is passionate about infusing Hip Hop culture into education. She uses rap as an artform to connect the learning to the students’ sensibilities. She can be seen around her school building, in her educational leadership forums, leading administrative meetings and connecting with her community dropping lines. Any chance she gets, she is quick to “spit barrrrzzzz,” especially in the name of education... “ergo” Principal Barrrrzzzz.”

Principal Pitts continues to remain passionate and committed about walking in her educational purpose. Spider Man's alter ego Peter Parker once said, "With Great Power....Comes Great Responsibility!” This is the motto Principal Pitts continues to live by.

Surprise Honorees

Information soon to be announced. Stay tuned.