Welcome

I’m Melissa Koby, a Jamaican born, Tampa based Artist.
I fell in love with art at the age of 4 when my mom gifted me with my very first paint set and easel.

Visual art has always been my passion and my default way of self healing. My illustrations are a direct reflection of how I feel. My current work is inspired by my need to process our climate. There are themes addressing social justice, but the underlying themes are always a celebration of people of color and the peace and tranquility that comes from beautiful landscapes. 

The people in my artwork are faceless because I was everyone to be able to see themself in each piece. I want to normalize looking past the color of the skin of the people. I want each viewer to focus on how the art itself makes them feel.

All of my artwork is created either digitally or by hand paint with watercolor.

Artist Statement

“Stand Firm” was created for the Jack and Jill Foundation as a reminder to remain hopeful and to stand firm as we work towards equality, equity, and liberation for our future generation.

Majestic Moms Print Project in support of the Jack and Jill  Foundation

Jack and Jill of America, The Miami Chapter commissioned Ms. Koby to create “Stand Firm” a limited edition  digital print as the 2021 Fundraiser for the Jack and Jill Foundation. 

The sales of the print will go to the Jack and Jill Foundation and a local 501c3 charity.

There will be a 83 prints, marking 83 years of  service the Mother’s of this organization have committed to our children and to the underserved.

The prints will be signed by the artist. The prints are 18 x 24 in dimension and will be $83 plus shipping and handling. The Prints will go on sale February 15th through March 15th and will be shipped in April to the designated purchaser.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact, Lauren N’Namdi  

Foundation Chair, The Miami Chapter of Jack and Jill, lfitzcope@gmail.com. 

The Miami Chapter of Jack and Jill and the Jack and Jill Foundation thank you for your support.

Long Live Jack and Jill!

Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc. is the philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Since its inception in 1968, the Foundation has distributed millions of dollars to communities all across America.

The ultimate goal of every Foundation grant dollar is to empower young people to make the right life choices. Programs funded by the Foundation are improving academic test scores, raising literacy and mathematical competencies, encouraging cultural consciousness, and instilling moral and social responsibility in America’s youth.

Mission Statement
To promote the excellent preparation of succeeding generations of children as leaders, in all walks of life, so that they may attain their fullest potential as individuals, enjoy rewarding and fulfilling lives, and contribute to world peace, progress, and prosperity.

Philosophy
Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc. believes leaders are made, not born. The Foundation supports programs that not only create opportunities and challenges for children to learn and practice leadership skills, but also build leadership character in youth. The ultimate goal of every Foundation grant dollar is to empower young people to make the right life choices. Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc. has a tradition of putting young people first. Strengthening our ability to champion solutions essential to the future success of our children is at the top of our agenda.

Five-Point Strategy for Building Tomorrow’s Leaders
Since building tomorrow’s leaders is at the core of the Foundation’s activities, we have developed a five-point strategy for achieving this goal. This strategy, along with the community service agenda, sets the framework upon which the Foundation’s grant making rests. Programs the Foundation funds must embrace at least one of the following five points.

1. Seek to foster the building of character within children.
2. Aim to instill cultural consciousness and intellectual, moral, practical and emotional responsibility in children.
3. Cultivate and promote projects that provide children with the opportunities and challenges to learn about leadership.
4. Target Foundation resources toward grant proposals that emphasize listening, learning, thinking and problem-solving.
5. Design, implement and support programs that provide leadership training for children.