Urban Art Beat has been in my life since I graduated from SUNY Albany three years ago. They really helped guide me into the best teaching artist I could be. My experience with youth prior to them wasn’t fully artistic so it was interesting finally incorporating my art. They also helped me realize my passion of fighting mass incarceration. Almost all of the projects that I’ve done with youth via UAB have coincidentally focused on the criminal justice system to some extent. So when we went into Rikers, it was truly a blessing. It was youth like Rashaun that kept us wanting to go back and give em a chance to have fun in such a dark place.

Rashuan’s presence was one that was always felt at Urban Art Beat's sessions at Rikers Island. He shared many touching moments and conversations with teaching artists. So when we were made aware of Rashuan's violent passing, we felt the need to organize this memorial concert to honor Rashaun’s life. 

Proceeds will go to his family!

The amount of talent from Urban Art Beat’s Team Rikers is electrifying, daring, and down-right revolutionary. Imagine all that talent under one roof? The UAB concert is a collaborative effort meant to highlight and celebrate the hard work Team Rikers has effortlessly given, sacrificing their time and energy to the youth at Rikers. It is also a celebration of the talent we believe our audience, including ourselves, should be made aware of.