NY4NY Honoree Spotlight: Bobby Digi Olisa
Bobby Digi Olisa’s passion for community-building is clearly rooted in his hometown of Staten Island, New York. Raised in the multi-ethnic Clifton section of Park Hill/Stapleton, he has always had a desire to build bridges between people of diverse backgrounds and help the residents in his neighborhood to thrive. As he has grown businesses, founded nonprofit organizations, and mentored youth, Bobby has been a true changemaker for communities in Staten Island, New York City, and beyond.
In 2018, Bobby founded the Canvas Institute, the first Black-owned, multidisciplinary arts and culture space in Staten Island. Located downtown, the nonprofit organization has fostered a strong network of artists, scholars, civic leaders, and other community members through public programs, quarterly art exhibits, and interactive discussions. Their current Pan-African library holds the largest collection of books on African, African American, and Caribbean history in the borough.
CitizensNYC has been a long-time partner of the Canvas Institute, supporting its efforts to respond to community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and advance youth anti-violence strategies using Compassionate Systems. As an MIT-certified master practitioner of Compassionate Systems, Bobby helps provide students with the necessary tools and mechanisms for getting to know themselves and interacting directly with their peers and community through dialogue and self-exploration.
Bobby is also the founder of Island Voice, a nonprofit organization that promotes economic empowerment opportunities for marginalized communities living on the North Shore of Staten Island. Island Voice’s programs include the borough’s Black Cultural Arts and Heritage Festival and Parade, an annual Youth Empowerment Summit that was held this year at the historic St. George Theatre (co-sponsored by the Canvas Institute), and other initiatives to cultivate a positive environment of unity amongst the African, African American, and Caribbean communities.
Most recently, the Wagner College Holocaust Center recognized and honored Bobby as an exceptional educator on the front lines of anti-bias work during one of the largest “Youth Stand Up to Hate” days in New York City history. At the Holocaust Remembrance Commemoration event, Bobby was named ‘Community Builder of the Year’ for his work strengthening the relationship between the Jewish and Black communities in NYC. His partner, Laurie Cumbo, NYC Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, presented him with the special award.
Bobby has been an active and integral member of CitizensNYC’s community leader network for nearly two decades. We are excited to honor him as a 2023 New Yorker for New York and celebrate the lasting impact he’s made for Staten Islanders and all New Yorkers!