Neyda Martinez Cultural Diplomacy in DC

This week (Feb 21-24) is the UN's conference on Cultural Diplomacy. Habana/ Harlem Founder and Executive Producer Neyda Martinez is one of only a chosen few to attend this years conference. The goal of the United Nations and Cultural Diplomacy Conference is to induce new momentum in the debate about the role of international institutions such as the United Nations, the working of global governance as a whole and effectiveness of Cultural Diplomacy. In discussing these issues The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy hopes to facilitate new tools to promote international relationships and cooperation in a globalized world. No doubt Neyda's lifelong passion for the arts and the empowerment of communities of color has drawn much attention lately as she sets the stage for a series of community healing events and a Northeast tour with  Sak Tzevul, Mexicos leading contemporary Indigenous band from Chiapas state. Neyda's  most recent accomplishments include having conceived and developed, a micro-entrepreneurial, arts immersion, audience engagement initiative, Proyecto Nueva Audiencia/The New Audience Project™ which garnered a major competitive grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to the nonprofit theater company, Teatro Círculo. Also in the works is the release of Habana/Harlem's very first compilation CD and production of a debut feature-length documentary with journalist/director, Laura Checkoway.