About Healing Art Together

Where creative expression meets compassion, healing, and community.
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Our Story

Healing Art Together, Inc. was born from the belief that art is more than beauty—it’s medicine for the heart, mind, and soul. Founded in 2024 on Long Island, New York, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to supporting those facing illness, trauma, grief, and adversity through painting, writing, music, and movement.

Our work is deeply personal. After losing her beloved daughter Shannan, our founder Janine turned to art as a way to move through overwhelming grief. Though she had never painted before, the canvas became a space where sorrow found color, and silence found shape. What began as a personal journey of healing grew into a calling to help others process pain and rediscover hope through creative expression.

From community workshops to hospital partnerships and transformative events, we bring the healing power of creativity directly to the people and places that need it most—because healing isn’t just possible, it’s something we can create together.

Message from The Co-Founder & Executve Director

Diana McCray, Founder & Executive Director

When I witnessed how a single act of creative expression could help someone move through grief, reclaim their voice, or reconnect with hope, I knew art was more than expression—it was healing in motion. That realization became the heartbeat of Healing Art Together.

Born from personal loss and a powerful belief, our work stands on a clear truth: creativity can transform pain into purpose. I’ve seen survivors of trauma turn silence into stories. I’ve watched people navigating mental health challenges find calm in a brushstroke, a rhythm, a written word. I’ve watched communities reconnect through shared creative experiences. This isn’t theory—it’s real change, happening every day.

Our mission is simple and ambitious: bring the healing power of art to those who need it most through inclusive workshops, artist-led programs, wellness events, and public art projects. We create safe, welcoming spaces where healing begins, resilience grows, and lives are restored.

But we can’t do this alone.

With your support, we can expand across Long Island and beyond—bringing art-based healing into more schools, healthcare settings, and underserved communities. Your investment fuels transformation. It puts brushes, pens, and music into the hands of those seeking strength. It turns isolation into belonging. Most importantly, it helps people heal.

Join us in building a world where healing is accessible, expression is encouraged, and every story matters.

With deep gratitude,
Diana McCray
Founder & Executive Director, Healing Art Together

About Diana McCray

Diana McCray is a visionary leader with 30+ years of experience across business, education, and nonprofit development. She is the founder of Healing Art Together, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses painting, writing, music, and movement to support emotional healing and community connection.

Diana holds a B.S. in Education with a minor in Psychology from Boston University, a graduate business certificate from Adelphi University, and a Certification in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. She is also a Certified Transformation Coach and Art-Based Life Coach.

Her career spans corporate leadership, business coaching, wellness advocacy, and digital media. As a board member and former VP of Wellness & Health for the Long Island Women’s Agenda (LIWA), Diana has helped shape initiatives that empower women and promote holistic well-being.

Inspired by her own family’s healing journey through grief, Diana is passionate about turning pain into purpose. Through Healing Art Together, she continues to build inclusive, creative spaces for growth, resilience, and joy.

Meet our Board Members

Our Board of Directors is comprised of distinguished professionals who provide strategic guidance and oversight to Healing Art Together, Inc. Their diverse backgrounds in healthcare, education, finance, and the arts enable them to offer valuable insights and support as we pursue our mission. The board’s commitment to our values and vision helps steer our organization towards sustainable growth and impactful outcomes.

Janine McCray-Booker, President & Co-Founder, Healing Art Together

Janine McCray-Booker brings over 40 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, with a lifelong commitment to caregiving, compassion, and community wellness. Her journey took a profound turn after the loss of her beloved daughter, Shannan, in 2022. In the midst of unimaginable grief, Janine turned to art—discovering not only a powerful outlet for healing but a new purpose.

Through painting, she found a way to honor her daughter’s life and legacy. Her emotionally rich body of work, The Multifarious Collection, has been featured in exhibitions at the Joysetta and Julius Pearse African American Museum of Nassau County and the Elmont Library, where her story was highlighted in local media.

As President and Co-Founder of Healing Art Together, Janine channels her personal experience into creating safe, expressive spaces for others navigating loss, trauma, and recovery. Her passion for healing through art now helps others find peace, purpose, and connection. She believes deeply in the power of creativity to rebuild what grief tries to take away—and leads with grace, empathy, and a mother’s enduring love.

Secretary, Healing Art Together
Associate Professor, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences

Dr. Nafeesa T. Nichols is a dedicated educator, scholar, and advocate whose work spans continents and cultures. Born and raised in Long Island, NY, she holds a B.A. in English/Creative Writing from Emory University, an M.A. in Comparative Literature (2004), and a Ph.D. in English Literature (2019). Her academic journey has taken her across the U.S., South Africa, and now Norway, where she resides with her husband and two children.

Currently an Associate Professor of English, Literature, Culture, and Didactics at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Dr. Nichols specializes in Black feminist theory, South African literature, and Afro-Norwegian women’s writing. Her forthcoming book, Popular Spaces in Post-Apartheid Literature: Race, Gender, and Liberation, explores narratives of liberation and identity in contemporary literature.

With a deep belief in the power of storytelling and cultural expression as tools for healing and justice, Nafeesa brings both intellectual depth and lived global experience to her role as Secretary of Healing Art Together.

Sheri Adebiyi, Treasurer, Healing Art Together
Director of Finance, Global Law Firm

Sheri Adebiyi is a seasoned financial services professional with over 25 years of experience across both public and private sectors. Her diverse background includes leadership roles as a former CFO for a nonprofit, Big 4 auditor, and consultant. Throughout her career, she has advised Fortune 500, multinational, and regional companies on operational efficiency, compliance, and risk management.

Currently, Sheri serves as Director of Finance at a global law firm, where she oversees Partner Compensation, Pension, and Payroll for over 2,100 U.S. employees. In addition, she runs a CFO consulting practice focused on supporting women-owned small businesses.

Sheri is deeply committed to service and volunteers with organizations that address food insecurity and youth mentorship. She was recently named a 2025 Mentor Recognition Award recipient by iMentor for her outstanding contributions.

Passionate about financial transparency and community impact, Sheri brings her expertise and heart to her role as Treasurer of Healing Art Together. She is honored to help steward the legacy of Shannan McCray and support the organization’s mission of healing through creative expression.

Dr. Bobbi Bernardino, Board Member, Healing Art Together
President & CEO, Prestige Managed Care, Inc.

Dr. Bobbi Bernardino brings over two decades of leadership in the insurance and managed care industry to her role on the board of Healing Art Together. As President and CEO of Prestige Managed Care, Inc., she leads a national organization dedicated to quality care coordination for self-insured employers, TPAs, and insurance companies. Her company is known for delivering results-driven service with a focus on professionalism, effective communication, and transparency throughout the claims process.

Bobbi holds an MBA from Hofstra University and has a strong background in customer service, workers’ compensation, liability, and account management. Prior to founding Prestige, she served as Vice President of Sales for several national firms in the workers’ comp and disability sectors.

A passionate advocate for community engagement, Dr. Bernardino actively supports organizations that foster healing, empowerment, and equity. Her commitment to giving back aligns deeply with the mission of Healing Art Together, and she is honored to contribute her expertise to its continued growth and impact.

 
 
 
 

Rhonda Branch, Board Member, Healing Art Together
Regional Director of Development, New York Metro – National Philanthropic Trust

Rhonda Branch brings over 20 years of experience in wealth management and private banking to her role on the board of Healing Art Together. She currently serves as Regional Director of Development for the New York Metro region at National Philanthropic Trust (NPT), where she partners with financial advisors and institutions to support clients in achieving their philanthropic goals.

Prior to joining NPT, Rhonda held leadership roles at top financial institutions, including Merrill Lynch and UBS, where she was Head of Consolidated Reporting for the Family Office Solutions group. Her deep understanding of financial strategy and charitable giving supports her passion for creating lasting social impact.

Rhonda holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from George Washington University and is based in Voorhees, NJ. Her commitment to mission-driven organizations and her expertise in strategic philanthropy make her a valued leader and advocate for Healing Art Together’s vision of healing through creative expression.

 
 
 
 
 

Kristina Gillespie, MHA, BSN, RN, CNML, NE-BC, Board Member, Healing Art Together

Kristina Gillespie is a highly accomplished healthcare leader and Registered Nurse with over 25 years of experience in clinical care, nursing leadership, and organizational advancement. She currently serves as Manager of the Magnet® designation department for two community hospitals, where she oversees initiatives focused on nursing excellence, professional development, and quality patient outcomes.

Kristina’s career has been shaped by a commitment to compassionate care and evidence-based practice. Her leadership journey began at the bedside and evolved into key roles promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative healthcare delivery. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Executive Leadership at Fairfield University, deepening her expertise in strategic leadership and systems transformation.

A passionate advocate for the intersection of art and healing, Kristina serves on the board of Healing Art Together to support the integration of visual art, music, and storytelling into healthcare environments. She believes strongly in the power of creative expression to foster emotional wellness, resilience, and human connection.

With a leadership style grounded in purpose and empathy, Kristina brings vision and heart to her work—championin

 

Join Us in Making a Difference

At Healing Art Together, your support can transform lives. Whether you choose to volunteer, donate, or participate in our programs, your involvement makes a significant impact. Join us in our mission to bring the healing power of art to those who need it most. Together, we can create a brighter, more vibrant community.

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