Bahia Ramos

Activist, Artist, Athlete, Change agent, Concerned citizen, Connector, Foodie, Global soul, Philanthropist, World traveler

As program director for arts, Bahia manages Knight’s $35 million annual investment in the Arts and develops strategy for the Knight Arts Challenge and Community Arts Grantmaking initiative. She was previously community foundation director for Knight, where she managed Knight’s partnership with community foundations across the United States. Bahia is a key leader in shaping and implementing strategy to support partners who create and present art that engages, educates and reflects the rich diversity of their communities. Her work in philanthropy uses resources the identify new solutions and expressions that help to build an inclusive and equitable society, and uplifts the assets of people and neighborhoods whose voices are often left out in decision making about the future of our cities. Her work, both institutional and entrepreneurial, works towards mindful transformation of cities and institutions, enabling new structures to be formed to attack old problems. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Ramos lived in London for two years, consulting with Man Group PLC in its corporate responsibility department. She has also worked as director of government and community affairs for both the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Her work with Brooklyn Children’s Museum helped to double the size of the museum, raising its profile as a world-class institution and improving engagement with the community. Working with Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Ramos garnered government support for a new visitor center, helping the garden reach out into the city to attract more guests, and connecting it with anchor institutions in the neighborhood. Ramos earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Williams College and a Master of Public Administration from the Baruch College School of Public Affairs, as a National Urban Fellow.

Economic equality, Cuba, Communal spaces for connection, Traveling the world, Empathy

Arts, Community Engagement, Philanthropy