“My camera is my weapon of mass creativity and as the artist behind the lens I can capture reality’s truth with the hope to influence thought in those around me.” – Aitina Fareed-Cooke (GFP Founder & Creative Arts Director)
In Photo: Young Aitina and biological mother, Laura Parker
Aitina Fareed-Cooke was told at a young age that she would be a “failure to thrive” as a result of her biological mother's addiction to drugs. At 14 months old her and her 2 siblings were placed into foster care and diagnosed as “Emotionally Handicapped”.
When Aitina was three years old she and her sibling lost their mother due to substance abuse. Though the odds were against her she managed to strive due to her adoptive mother's efforts in keeping her involved in extracurricular activities, community arts programs which introduced her to photography, film, and creative writing.
In Photo: Young Aitina and adoptive mother Lateyfah Fareed
Aitina continues utilizing her camera or her “weapon of mass creativity” and her love of writing music and poetry as a type of “Art Activism” to ignite thought and expand perspectives within her community and beyond.
In Photo: Young Aitina performing at a Buffalo Public School event (“I’ve been a Bills fan since this years old….” - Aitina)
Aitina has worked within various non-profit organizations for close to 20 years throughout the city of Buffalo NY and beyond where she has developed, managed and implemented countless high-quality creative media arts programs.
Her unique and innovative ideas have assisted countless young emerging artists, entrepreneurs and educators in fostering opportunities for growth in creative problem solving, youth engagement, building strong collaborations, and community partnerships.
The skills that Aitina has developed over time has led her to developing Get Fokus’d Productions (GFP). Get Fokus’d Productions is an award-winning media arts production company specializing in capturing “human-first” stories through photography and film, teaching emerging artists and entrepreneurs how to capture and share their own stories, and giving back to the next generation of creatives.
Aitina’s original work has been exhibited at CEPA Gallery, Jamestown Community College, Darwin Martin House, Crzurles-Nelson Gallery at SUNY Buffalo State, Main Street Art Gallery, Blue Plate Studio, and PineAppleCo.
Aitina is now an award-winning photographer, teaching artist, creative director, and lyricist earning recognition through Citizen’s Bank Community Champion Award, Arts Services Inc. Trailblazer of the Arts Award, 43North’s Ignite Buffalo People’s Choice Award, Just Buffalo’s Civil Writes Grant Award, CEPA Gallery Exhibition Award, SUNY Buffalo State Young Alumnus Achievement Award, Canisius College Trailblazer Award, the National Society of Leadership & Success Excellence in Teaching Award, Kingdom Choice Up Next and Breakthrough Artist Award, BULYPNY Entrepreneurship Award, Mayors Citizens Participation Academy Award, and more.
In Photo: Aitina served as the Keynote speaker for SUNY Buffalo State’s First Year Convocation 2019
May you all be encouraged by my story and gain the courage to share your own. - Aitina Fareed-Cooke