Zakiya Atkinson is an interdisciplinary artist, choreographer, educator and the founder/ director of Zaman Dance Theatre Collective and the Essex County MetroWest Dance Festival. She has received recognition for her commitment to the arts throughout the State of New Jersey and is actively involved in youth and social development. Zakiya Atkinson is committed to the development of artistic practices that explore humanity, sociopolitical themes and injustice. Her works have been commissioned and presented locally and internationally for concert dance, stage, film, theatre and educational programs. Zakiya Atkinson’s professional credits include concert dance, theatre, television and print.  She holds an MA in Dance Education from New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, BA in Communications Theatre from Temple University, where she also studied dance and a Certificate in Holocaust Genocide Education from College of Saint Elizabeth. Zakiya Atkinson has facilitated arts outreach in South Africa and Uganda and has been the recipient of an NEA Learning & Leadership grant and a Teacher Fellowship at Bates Dance Festival. She is currently the director of the Memorial High School Performing Arts Academy Dance Program and has served on the faculty at William Paterson University, Bronx Community College and the JCC MetroWest. Zakiya Atkinson is a member of Dance New Jersey and the National Dance Education Organization and continues to present her In-Practice research at arts, education and human rights conferences.