Cjala Surratt

Cjala Surratt is a dedicated advocate for equity and restorative justice in the arts and culture sector. She focuses on socially engaged practices, site-specific projects, and public interventions. An artist herself, she fervently champions historically excluded artists, cultural workers, and creatives, using her art to amplify their contributions.

After graduating from Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts, Cjala has devoted over two decades to various arts, culture, and social justice organizations in public relations, marketing, and community outreach roles.

As the former Public Relations Director of The Redhouse Arts Center, she effectively bridged theater productions, film screenings, concerts, and art exhibitions with the broader community. At the Community Folk Art Center, she advocated for the visibility of visual artists from the African-American Diaspora. Her commitment to emerging and underrepresented artists was evident during her eight-year tenure as Communications Coordinator for Light Work and Urban Video Project at Syracuse University.

Beyond her artistic pursuits, Cjala actively engages in multiple boards and advisory committees, working to create equitable spaces in the arts. Her roles include the Everson Museum of Art Members' Board, Racial and Equity Task Force, Gifford Foundation Board, and Community Folk Art Center Advisory Board. As a co-founder of the Black Artist Collective, Cjala plays a pivotal role in elevating the concerns of Black and Brown communities in politics, arts, and cultural spheres. Her contributions were recognized in 2021 when she received the Interfaith Works: Racial Justice Catalyst Award. Cjala holds critical positions as a juror, commissioner, and advisor to influential organizations.

Notably, she served as the Central New York and Finger Lakes Regional Advisor for Creatives Rebuild New York, a transformative initiative supported by the Mellon, Ford, and Stavros Foundation with a $125 million investment. This initiative secured income and employment opportunities for 2,700 artists in New York State, aligning with Cjala's mission to foster inclusivity and diversity in the arts. Currently, she serves as a Museum Hues: HUEARTS NYS Advisor, capturing the stories and data of arts entities founded and led by Black, Latine, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and all People of Color across Upstate NY. This initiative offers insights to address inequities and acknowledge their vital contributions.

Additionally, Cjala curates and owns the Black Citizens Brigade, a vintage 1950s-80s fashion and book store that stands as a homecoming and an extension of the legacy of Black-owned businesses once thriving in Downtown Syracuse, NY. The store is a hub for Black history, culture, and movements through her thoughtful curation. This dedication to preserving and celebrating diverse narratives within her community is powerfully reflected in her store's books, records, and ephemera collections.