UCI Dance alumna Sakina Ibrahim receives an outstanding arts educators award

The author and artist put arts education at the forefront to shift the culture of society

 

UCI Dance alumna Sakina Ibrahim, M.F.A. '14, was recognized for Arts Advocacy from Orange County Music and Arts Administrators Awards (Orange County Department of Education) for her work with Santa Ana Youth at Orange County Educational Arts Academy. At OCEAA, she emphasizes culture and diversity with educational programming that includes Afro-Mexican heritage, Indigenous cultural history, Ballet Folklorico and African storytelling. She has helped establish ongoing partnerships for college readiness for middle school students with UCI's Claire Trevor School of the Arts and Henry Samueli School of Engineering. This upcoming year OCEAA will also participate in the Class Act Program offered by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.

 

"Santa Ana youth and families deserve access to every opportunity possible. It is truly an honor to be a catalyst for our students, helping them to imagine possibilities beyond their circumstances," said Ibrahim. "This can only happen if creativity is cultivated during these early years of their education. I am grateful for our school leadership, Mike Limon (Executive Director), Pedro Llorente (School Director), Miriam Ramirez (Activities Manager), and our dedicated teachers that support my ideas and vision for Arts Education." 

 

Ibrahim is an Image Award winning Author, Artist, and Social Entrepreneur who has spent over a decade performing and teaching worldwide, which has provided her an unparalleled experience in the arts as a Master dance educator and Diversity and Inclusion consultant. She has commanded the eye and ear of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Google Irvine Branch, Saddleback College, and more. She is the founder of Dance Arts Academy OC and looking forward to expanding the mission to empower through the arts. For more information, visit https://www.sakinaibrahim.com/