Who we are

Jill Raufman

Jill Raufman

Executive Director of Kiboko Projects, has directed projects nationally and internationally using models which have resulted in successful cultural exchanges between groups in the USA, Kenya, South Africa, and Russia. Jill has documented through interviews, video, and photography such projects as the Youth Project USA-Kenya, which have been exhibited in New York, Nairobi, and St. Petersburg. She is currently the Associate Director of the Global Health Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from Hunter College in NYC, as well as a MS in Nutrition in Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University. She also belongs to the Bronx Health Literacy Collaborative. [email protected]

Mark Scheflen

Mark Scheflen is an internationally recognized visual artist, photographer, educator, and humanitarian entrepreneur who has created a nonprofit organization, Kiboko Projects. He uses art, writing, photography, and video to build collaborative relationships with global partners to promote cultural understanding in schools and universities worldwide. His work serves as an inspiration to others seeking to make a meaningful difference in the world.

Scheflen’s upbringing on a farm during the Civil Rights Movement instilled in him a deep passion for humanitarian causes and a keen interest in carpentry, photography, world history, anthropology, and African literature. Through his travel experiences, he focused on cultural studies and received a degree in Anthropology from the State University of New York.

Mark Scheflen’s dedication to humanitarianism and artistry has allowed him to foster cross-cultural awareness in New York City and around the world. Through mask-making workshops, creative writing, video, and photography, Scheflen empowers individuals, families, and communities to express their ideas, capture their stories, and explore their lives. He also integrates art into curricula and promotes environmental and health education for U.S. and African high schools and university students. Scheflen’s inspiring work is evident in his management of projects for a university medical mentorship program, a Bronx public high school, and a Ugandan secondary school.

Mark’s expertise and creativity as a birder and wildlife photographer have allowed him to capture the true essence of nature in his photographs and videos. His work has been exhibited in community centers and galleries nationally and internationally, showcasing his passion and dedication. He inspires everyone who knows him with his unwavering commitment to his vision and passions.

 

Elaine Port

Elaine Blaustein

Masters Degree in Educational Psychology and ABD (PhD) in Education from New York University.  Over 40 years working as a special education teacher in an underserved school district in Bedford Stuyvesant Brooklyn, New York.  Worked as a district Staff Developer and Mentor with teachers and parents.