BROOKLYN, NY.- BRIC, the leading presenter of free arts and culture programming in Brooklyn, announced today that Michael Liburd has been elected to serve as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees, and that Susan Jurevics, Jin Kang, Martha Redbone and Kim Soule have been elected new trustees.

A believer in the power of media, art and culture to transform lives, Liburd has been on the BRIC board since 2010, helping to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the arts.

"It's an exciting time in BRIC's evolution. I'm humbled and honored to serve as the new Chair and to work with Kristina Newman-Scott, BRIC's talented staff and our engaged board to build on our 40 year legacy of serving the community. I love what BRIC adds to the NYC cultural landscape: television, podcasting, live events, visual arts, and arts education. All executed with excellence. No other institution offers what BRIC does under one roof, and has as part of its DNA a mandate to ensure that it's accessible to all," said Michael Liburd.

Liburd, a native New Yorker, runs Griffin Ward, LLC, a partnership that advises companies in management, marketing, live events and content distribution. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he contributed to the success of iconic consumer brands and media properties, such as Viacom's Showtime Networks and Kraft General Foods, through positions in live television programming, marketing, sales and promotions. He's also a trustee of the Brooklyn Public Library and Poly Prep Country Day School.

Michael succeeds Hilary Ackermann who had served as chair since 2013. Under Hilary's tenure, BRIC opened its multifaceted headquarters, BRIC House, featuring television studios and editing facilities, performing arts space, an art gallery, studio space for artists and classrooms for media and arts education. Ackermann worked with the board and senior leadership to significantly expand BRIC’s programming, education initiatives, and community engagement work to realize the full potential of BRIC’s multi-disciplinary arts and media center.

“For the past six years, I have had the pleasure of serving as Chair and working with Michael Liburd. As I step down from my role, I do so with an excitement for his tenure. He has been a dynamic leader and indispensable colleague. I look forward to seeing BRIC grow under his direction,” said Hilary Ackermann.

“We are thrilled to welcome this new group of board members and our new Chair Michael Liburd, who has been a stalwart board member and champion of BRIC for over nine years,” said Kristina Newman-Scott, BRIC President. “Each new member brings a unique perspective and skillset that will further strengthen and amplify our work. We are forever grateful for the time and energy they are dedicating to the success of BRIC.”

The new board members represent a broad cross-section of industries in New York, including entertainment and media, finance, and real estate:

• Susan Jurevics, General Manager of Audible Escape
• Jin Kang, co-leader of Aon Special Opportunities Group
• Martha Redbone, Award-Winning Independent Songwriter and Activist
• Kim Soule, Compass Real Estate Broker and Former Film Producer

These new additions will continue to reinforce BRIC’s voice as a leader in visual, performing, and media arts. The organization is thankful to its previous Board Chair, Hilary Ackermann, who was honored at this year’s BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival REVEL earlier this summer.