Jersey City Arts Council Appoints Cody Rapp and Mackenzie Griffin to Board of Directors
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (July 8, 2026) — Jersey City Arts Council (JCAC) today announced the appointment of Cody Rapp and Mackenzie Griffin to its Board of Directors. The two new board members join the organization as it continues to expand its role as an advocate, convener, and resource for Jersey City's arts and cultural community.
Rapp and Griffin will support the Council's strategic priorities by helping advance new initiatives, strengthen partnerships throughout the community, and advocate for policies and investments that sustain Jersey City's local arts ecosystem.
"We are thrilled to welcome Cody and Mackenzie to the Board of Directors," said Deonté Griffin-Quick, Executive Director of Jersey City Arts Council. "Both bring a remarkable combination of strategic thinking, creative leadership, and a genuine commitment to the arts community. As the Arts Council continues to grow its impact, their experience and perspectives will help us build stronger partnerships, expand opportunities for artists, and advance our mission to protect, promote, and strengthen the arts in Jersey City."
Amy de Jong, Chair of the JCAC Board of Directors, said the appointments reflect the organization's commitment to assembling a board with diverse expertise and a shared investment in the city's creative future.
"Cody and Mackenzie each bring unique strengths that complement the work of our existing board," de Jong said. "Their backgrounds in the creative economy, branding, community engagement, and cultural strategy will strengthen JCAC as we continue developing new programs, deepening relationships across the city, and advocating for a thriving arts ecosystem."
Community members will have an opportunity to meet Rapp and Griffin at the Jersey City Arts Council Summer Mixer on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The annual gathering brings together artists, arts organizations, community leaders, and supporters to celebrate Jersey City's creative community and connect with the Council's leadership.
About Cody Rapp
Cody Rapp is a dynamic leader whose career spans higher education, workforce development, and technology startups, including three early-stage companies focused on education, social justice, and economic mobility. He currently serves as Fractional Chief of Staff at CVL Economics, a creative economy consulting firm, where he leads strategic initiatives across business development, operations, and events while helping build coalitions that invest in creative talent and strengthen the creative economy. He also operates his own fractional Chief of Staff practice supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs.
Cody's leadership philosophy centers on the belief that creativity, connection, and human flourishing are essential to thriving communities. A former acrylic painter and self-described "recovering thespian," he considers himself a producer of experiences who brings a creative lens to every endeavor. A proud seven-year resident of Jersey City, he is passionate about supporting the local arts ecosystem and celebrating the markets, festivals, and cultural traditions that make the city feel like home.
About Mackenzie Griffin
Mackenzie Griffin is a brand strategist and production consultant whose work spans cultural institutions, entertainment brands, and public engagement initiatives. Her experience includes projects with the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, the Apollo Theater Foundation, the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, and the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board. She has also served as a curatorial assistant to prominent private art collectors.
Her work focuses on expanding public access to the arts through media strategy, event production, and community engagement. She is also the creator of Design Crimes, a growing digital platform that makes art history, design, and architecture more accessible through compelling stories about overlooked people, places, and movements.
Mackenzie believes that access, education, and meaningful storytelling are the foundation of a thriving arts community and is eager to help strengthen Jersey City's creative landscape.