Raeesah Islam is the founder and director of Utopia Feni, a nonprofit serving artists of every kind locally and in Feni, Bangladesh. This organization provides a sustainable platform for creatives to collaborate and develop their professional journeys. She is also the co-founder of #VAweloveyou, a creative movement which connected creatives during uncertain times. They organized community projects, protests, and recently launched the annual festival Where the Heart Is. This festival was designed to unify local creatives, business owners, and various communities through common goals. In addition to her own curated projects, Raeesah serves as an Arts and Humanities Commissioner in Virginia Beach and teaches Branding at The Governor’s School for the Arts so students have the potential to direct their creative journeys before entering the professional world. Raeesah dedicates her time to provide inclusive safe spaces and uplift creatives throughout many facets of the community and is committed to raising the value of the local art scene.