Project Team

Mark Bussell is the former Picture Editor of The New York Times and The New York Times Magazine. He worked with the Museum of Modern Art to produce the book and exhibit “Pictures of the Times: A Century of Photographs from The New York Times”. He conceived and edited the award-winning book “Without Sanctuary”, a collection of photographs dealing with lynching in America, then helped organize the accompanying exhibit at The New-York Historical Society and the project’s Web site, withoutsanctuary.org. He has edited and written introductions for many photography books, and developed and researched “Campaigns: A Century of Presidential Races From the Photo Archives of The New York Times”. He has been commissioned by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts to document it’s 6 year redevelopment project in photographs and video. His video work includes “Accidental Chronicle,” which was first shown at the Pingyao International Photography Festival in China, and “View From a Rented Room” a multi media piece exhibited the Dali International Photography Festival in China, where he also curated exhibitions of the work of Jason Eskanazi and William Coupon which won the Best In Show award. He worked with Providence Pictures on 2 documentaries for NOVA/PBS in the United States and ARTE in Europe entitled “Riddles of the Sphinx” and “Building the Great Cathedrals” which received Emmy nominations for Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography. His images have appeared internationally in newspapers, magazines, documentary films, Web sites and on book covers. He writes for The New York Times Lens column on photography, video and visual journalism. Bussell currently teaches at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and the International Center of Photography.

Alex Arbuckle is a graduate of the Photography and Imaging Department at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, studying photography and politics. His work has appeared on the New York Times Lens blog, New York Magazine, in The New York Daily News, at The South Street Seaport Museum as well as other places. He is originally from Portland, Maine. 

The corner stone of Old St. Patrick's - the city's first Cathedral Church - was laid on June 8, 1809 and was the original seat of the Archdiocese of New York for 70 years. The Cathedral, recently designated a Basilica by the Pope Benedict is the first and only of such a structure in New York. The structure and its surrounding properties house a rare historic organ and the grave sites of several Bishops and prominent New Yorkers. In 1966, St. Patrick's Old Cathedral was one of the first sites to be named a New York City landmark by the New York City Landmarks Commission as was St. Patrick's Old Cathedral School. Old St Pats has been an avid supporter of the local arts scene and championed several large scale cultural events on the Basilica and surrounding properties in recent years.

Charlé-John Cafiero is a technology analyst and President of CJC Strategists, a Manhattan-based integrated digital marketing and content communications, PR, & branding consultancy for business to consumer (B2C) as well as business to business (B2B) products and services.

CJC Strategists specializes in creating SEO–optimized content for digital & mobile marketing communications, national & international brand identity campaigns across evolving media channels. Utilizing cutting-edge SEO/ SEM, 2.0, social media and networking tools, delivering exceptional ‘Critical Path Strategic Positioning and Messaging,’ (CPM).

Experts in creating mind share–thought leadership programs for international branding messages–B2B & B2C–while maintaining a holistic view of a company’s brand through all media channel platforms. CJC ensures consistent-optimized marketing content messaging across multi-tier niche markets while creating 'critical path' components, owning that market’s mind-share. Expertise includes: creating integrated global social media policy, communications, public relations, branding and identity programs/campaigns to position or re-position a company as the definitive leader in specific target markets for lead-generation and sales.

For over half a century, Two Bridges Neighborhood Council has nurtured the unique character of Manhattan's Lower East Side. Two Bridges develops affordable housing, promotes the recognition and preservation of the area’s living history and culture, and advocates for local residents and merchants through community based programs and events. By engaging in relevant and constructive dialogue with residents, local leaders and partner organizations, Two Bridges provides authoritative commentary on critical issues facing Manhattan’s diverse Lower East Side communities.  In 2010, Two Bridges spearheaded the successful designation of the Chinatown & Little Italy Historic District to the National Register of Historic Districts.  

In June 2012, Elisa Rae Espiritu, joined Two Bridges as Director of Development, where she oversees the organization’s fundraising initiatives and events. A New York City native, Elisa has nearly a decade of experience working on innovative, community-based cultural programming with many premiere non-profit organizations including The Posse Foundation, The Chinatown Working Group, the International YMCA, and the Council of Urban Professionals. Elisa holds a B.A. in English Literature from Bryn Mawr College; and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.