HKNAC meeting with the Tenth Precinct - 8 FOR 8 Officers
Meeting with Manhattan Borough President Brewer
and Senator Hoylman
Manhattan Borough President Brewer, Holly-Anne and the Urban League Young Professionals Census Day
Co-Founders Holly-Anne Devlin and Marisa Redanty meet with Speaker Corey Johnson and Chief of Staff, Erik Bottcher
THE TEAM
HOLLY-ANNE DEVLIN, CO-CHAIR
Holly-Anne attended Fordham University at Lincoln Center and has been a Hell’s Kitchen resident since 2000. She is a notable arts philanthropist and grassroots organizer, and has sat on the board of numerous museums and theatrical non-profits on the national level. After Hurricane Katrina, she split her time between New York and New Orleans, assisting in the rebuild of New Orleans’ arts and culture sector and community organizing. In 2016 and 2017, she was awarded Gold Leadership status from the Boy Scouts of America’s national office for her work in re-invigorating scout programming and community growth in under-served communities. She is a longtime volunteer with Stand Up For Kids and Covenant House, organizations serving homeless youth and works with the Center for Common Ground and League of Women Voters.
Professionally, Holly-Anne is an award-winning director, writer and producer. She has worked on Broadway since 2003, and has been a part of the creative teams for mega-hit Broadway shows including JERSEY BOYS, 700 SUNDAYS and BRING IT ON, and as well as dozens of National and International productions and tours.She specializes in helping to further develop small businesses in the arts sector and focuses on creating unique, interactive productions that are best enjoyed in non-traditional venues. As an entrepreneur, she is the President/CEO of four theatrical production companies based in New York City. Her company KALEIDOSCOPE ENTERTAINMENT has continued to produce musical programming all during the covid pandemic using savings and donated funds and she is currently launching a virtual show SPEAKEASY ON DEMAND featuring local artists, small businesses and vendors.
MARISA REDANTY, CO-CHAIR
Marisa is proud to be a two term Democratic District Leader in AD 75 Part B (Hell’s Kitchen). She has the distinction of being the longest-serving President of the Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association (awarded Emeritus). As co-lead negotiator with Mary Lou Westerfield when Related Companies bought the property she crafted an agreement which still protects the affordability for Manhattan Plaza's 3500 residents to this day. A long time community leader, she’s fought excessive development, has been a champion for small businesses and actively involved in reducing street crime.
Awards: New York State's Women of Distinction Award. Proclamations for her work awarded by: NY City Council, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, NY State Assembly, NY State Senate.
As a union activist and actor she was very involved in the merger of SAG and AFTRA. (Selected TV: Orange is the New Black, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Sex and the City, Blacklist, 30 Rock, The Sopranos and all incarnations of Law & Order) Marisa grew up in East Rochester, NY, and was the first in her family to attend college, graduating from Ithaca College with a BFA in Acting/Directing. She is a breast cancer survivor.
TRAVIS RODGERS, COALITION LEAD
A resident of Hell’s Kitchen for nine years, Travis Rodgers is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion professional who cares deeply about Hell’s Kitchen, its residents, its diversity, and the neighborhood’s unique character.
For the past 5 years, Mr. Rodgers has spearheaded national efforts to address diversity and equity in education across the country. He holds a law degree from Northeastern University, graduating in 2009 and obtaining his Massachusetts bar license later that year. He also holds a Master’s in Social Work and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!).
Travis routinely declares Hell’s Kitchen the best neighborhood in the five Burroughs and is deeply concerned about the rise of crime and lack of support and services provided to Hell’s Kitchen from the City recently. His goal is to work with the HKNAC to ensure that Hell’s Kitchen is a safe, clean, and welcoming neighborhood for its residents, businesses, and visitors.
ALETA LAFARGUE, COALITION LEAD
A life-long resident of Hell’s Kitchen, Aleta has been serving her community since she was a child working beside her mother who with a group of neighbors created the Manhattan Plaza AIDS Project. She became politically active in her teen years, campaigning for local and presidential candidates, as well as working with NARAL as a lobbyist for a woman’s right to choose. She marched on Washington against the Gulf War.
Beyond our shores, her community service extended to the mountains of Costa Rica, where she traveled with other volunteers to help rebuild septic systems and assist after the devastation of hurricane Cesar. She returned to community service in 2016, initially as Secretary of the Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association. The following year she put a slate together and was elected President. She and her team continue to be unanimously re-elected for the 3rd year in a row to serve the 3500 tenant body.
Raising her son and serving her vibrant community are the joy and passion of her life.
DOMINICK COSTA, COALITION LEAD
Dominick Costa is the official unofficial mayor of Broadway and runs Treadwell Park at the Cachet Boutique Hotel.
He attended both the French Culinary Institute majoring in Pastry Arts and Columbia University for Economics. He’s an avid foodie and has been in the NYC hospitality scene for nearly 2 decades as well as featured on leading television programs in the culinary world.
At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, he teamed up with Holly- Anne Devlin and other community activists to counter the deterioration and crime within Hells Kitchen.