Craft Keepers Inc — Culture-Driven Education
Education & In-School Programs — NYC (North) & Richmond, VA (South)
Craft Keepers Inc
Culture-Driven Education. In Every Classroom.
Founded by the late Tivon Skinner and Beatrice Salandy — Craft Keepers Inc carries forward a legacy of culture-driven education. A nonprofit organization and certified school vendor operating since 2018, serving 50+ schools across all five NYC boroughs and New Jersey, reaching over 2,000 students. North Chapter: New York City. South Chapter: Richmond, VA. Phone: 833-337-0777.
Program Overview
See What We Do.
Flip through our full program overview — browse at your own pace or let it play automatically.
Our Mission
Excite. Educate. Encourage.
Craft Keepers Inc is on a mission to excite, educate, and encourage scholars to gain a greater understanding of their core subject areas — by providing tools that are relatable and relevant to their interests.
Our Model
Connect the Dots.
- Connect traditional academics with modern interests
- Create positive relationships that foster minds for the future
- Engage scholars with curriculum in new and exciting ways
- Provide teachers with interactive tools to fortify lesson plans
Our Curriculum
STEM/STEAM + Arts.
Our STEM/STEAM curriculum combines academics with the skill sets of podcasting, DJing, music production, photography, gaming, and much more.
We also provide 6 annual community giveaways — deeply committed to outreach and information for low-income and underserved communities.
Gallery
Classes & Events Through the Years
A look back at the students, schools, and communities we've had the privilege to serve.
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In-School Programs
Programs in Action.
We bring these programs directly to schools, organizations, community centers, and more — no commute, no barriers, just transformative learning wherever people already are.
Fundamentals For The Future (FFF)
A fun approach to financial literacy that assists in mathematical comprehension by incorporating participants' passions. Covers entrepreneurship, credit scores, and business concepts — available as an in-school program, community workshop, or professional development session for educators and teams building toward intergenerational wealth.
Enroll NowIt's Game Time
Introduces participants ages 10+ to the world of coding and careers in video games. Covers C/C++, Python, Scratch, soldering, electronics, app building, and game development. Delivered in schools, after-school settings, or as a standalone workshop for youth groups and community organizations.
Enroll NowTheater of the Mind (Podcasting)
Participants develop their voice through broadcast journalism and podcasting. Builds communication, time management, and critical thinking skills. Available for students, adult learners, and as a professional development workshop for educators looking to integrate media literacy into their practice.
Enroll NowM.I.D.S. — Making Intellectually Designed Sneakers
Explores sneaker design, customization, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Participants develop concepts, bring them to life visually, and apply math skills to color blending and budgeting. Suitable for youth programs, school curricula, and creative team-building workshops for adults.
Enroll NowFood For Thought
A food-focused curriculum covering culinary arts, healthy meal planning, budgeting, and core math. Available as an in-school program, community workshop, or team-building experience — adaptable for youth, adult learners, and professional groups seeking hands-on, collaborative learning.
Enroll NowT.U.N.E.S. — DJ Arts
Transforming Uniquely Needed Educational Skills — blends core subjects with the craft of DJing to nurture problem solving and creativity. Delivered in schools and as standalone workshops; also available as a creative professional development session for educators and organizational teams.
Enroll NowProduced By You (Music Production)
Participants learn music theory — chord progression, pitch, rhythm, melody — and use professional recording software and hardware to create original music. Available for school programs, community workshops, and adult professional development sessions focused on creative skill-building.
Enroll NowThrough My Lenses (Photography)
Empowers participants to use a camera as a tool to tell stories, build community, and drive social change. Available as a school program, seasonal workshop, or professional development experience for educators and teams — covering visual literacy, personal vision, and leadership at every level.
Enroll NowGaming & Guidance Tour
A high-energy 2-hour experience using gaming to spark socio-emotional discussions on bullying, communication, tolerance, and careers. Features a video game competition, prizes, celebrity guests, and a panel Q&A. Available for schools, community organizations, and corporate team-building events.
Enroll NowCraft Keepers
Grant Program
We are actively working toward launching the Craft Keepers Grant Program in 2027 — beginning with 3 grants awarded to students who demonstrate creativity, drive, and a commitment to their craft.
This initiative marks the next chapter in our mission — moving beyond in-school programs to directly invest in the futures of the young people we serve. Three grants to start. A foundation built to grow.
Grants Awarded to Start
Three inaugural grants will be awarded in 2027 — a deliberate, intentional start that allows us to invest deeply in each recipient's journey.
Target Launch: 2027
We are building toward this milestone now — developing the criteria, partnerships, and funding infrastructure to make this program a reality.
Built to Expand
Three grants is the beginning. As the program grows, so will the number of students we're able to directly invest in each year.
Student Stories
Voices of Our Graduates
"The financial literacy podcast program didn't just teach me about money — it taught me how to communicate, how to research, and how to tell a story. I use those skills every day."
Marcus T.
Financial Literacy Podcast Graduate
"I never thought I'd be designing sneakers in school. Craft Keepers showed me that creativity is a career — and gave me the tools to actually pursue it."
Aaliyah R.
Sneaker Design Graduate
"The entrepreneurship program pushed me to think bigger. I pitched my business idea to real entrepreneurs and walked away with feedback I still use today."
Jamal W.
Entrepreneurship Graduate
University Partnership
Prestigious Universities
Craft Keepers Inc has built partnerships with prestigious universities to create academic pathways that bridge our community-based programs with university-level credentials. These partnerships open doors for students who begin their journey in our in-school programs to continue into higher education with recognized credentials and institutional support.
The partnerships focus on culinary management, entrepreneurship, and workforce development — ensuring that Craft Keepers graduates have a clear, supported pathway from classroom to career to campus.
Learn About Our PartnershipsCulinary Management Pathway
Students completing Craft Keepers culinary programs gain recognized credits toward university-level culinary management curricula.
Entrepreneurship Track
Our entrepreneurship program graduates are eligible for accelerated pathways into university business and entrepreneurship programs.
Mentorship Network
University faculty and alumni serve as mentors for Craft Keepers students — providing guidance, networking, and career support.
Scholarship Opportunities
Partnership scholarships are available for qualifying Craft Keepers graduates pursuing degrees at our partner institutions.
School Partnerships
Partnered With Over 33 Schools
Since 2018, Craft Keepers Inc has partnered with over 33 schools across the New York area — bringing our six culture-driven in-school programs directly to students in all five NYC boroughs and New Jersey. We go where the students are.
Now expanding to the Richmond, VA area in 2025–2026, partnering with local schools and organizations to bring the same transformative programs to a new generation of students in the South.
Partner With UsNew York — 33+ Schools
Active in all five NYC boroughs and New Jersey since 2018 — serving 2,000+ students annually with six in-school programs.
Richmond, VA — Expanding 2026–2027
Now bringing our programs to local schools and organizations in the Richmond, Virginia area as part of our Southern expansion.
Inclusive Program Design
All nine Craft Keepers programs are designed to meet students where they are — same culture-driven content, delivered with flexibility and care.
Community Organization Partnerships
Beyond schools, we partner with local organizations to extend our reach and impact to youth in community settings.
Beyond the Classroom
STEM, STEAM & SEL Workshops
Beyond our six core in-school programs, Craft Keepers Inc has traveled to host STEM, STEAM, and SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) workshops for schools, community organizations, and youth events across the region.
These workshops bring hands-on learning experiences directly to students wherever they are — reinforcing the belief that education should meet young people where they live, not the other way around.
Book a WorkshopSTEM Workshops
Science, technology, engineering, and math brought to life through hands-on projects, experiments, and real-world problem-solving.
STEAM Workshops
STEM + Arts — integrating creative thinking and artistic expression into technical learning for a more holistic educational experience.
SEL Workshops
Social-Emotional Learning sessions that help students develop self-awareness, empathy, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
Travel-Based Programs
We travel to host workshops at schools, community centers, youth conferences, and events across New York, New Jersey, and beyond.
Our Foundation
The Legacy We Carry
Craft Keepers Inc was founded by the late Tivon Skinner and Beatrice Salandy — two visionaries who believed that every child deserved an education that spoke their language. Their work planted seeds in classrooms across New York, and that mission lives on in every program, every school, and every student we serve.
Co-Founder
The Late Tivon Skinner
A visionary educator and community builder whose passion for empowering young people through culture and creativity laid the foundation for everything Craft Keepers Inc stands for. His spirit lives on in every classroom we enter.
Co-Founder & Continuing Leader
Beatrice Salandy
Carrying the torch with purpose and dedication, Beatrice Salandy continues to lead Craft Keepers Inc — honoring the legacy they built together while expanding its reach, deepening its impact, and empowering the next generation of scholars.
Our Journey
Built to Grow
Founded in New York
Craft Keepers Inc is founded by the late Tivon Skinner and Beatrice Salandy — launching as a certified school vendor and quickly expanding across all five NYC boroughs and into New Jersey, serving 50+ schools and 2,000+ students. The legacy they built continues to grow.
Virginia Expansion
Craft Keepers Inc expands its school vendor footprint into Virginia — bringing the same six in-school programs to students in a new state.
Grant Program Launch — Upcoming Initiative
Working toward awarding 3 Craft Keepers grants in 2027 — the first direct financial investment in students who have come through our programs. Three grants to start, with a foundation built to grow.
Coming SoonBring Craft Keepers to Your School
We partner with schools across New York as a vendor to deliver our six programs directly to students. Reach out to learn how we can bring these programs to your campus.
Part of the Ecosystem
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