Staten Island community leader, arts pioneer honored with street co-naming

""This ceremony, in honor of Sajda Musawwir Ladner, is the catalyst in the transformation of Jersey Street," said Lorna Harris, emcee for the event. Located steps from 425 Jersey St., where the Universal Temple of the Arts center opened in 1990, the intersection now bears the name of the singular figure who spent decades of her life committed to the surrounding community. "My mother was here at a time when people encouraged her to go other places, and she stuck, she stayed the course and she affected so many young people," said Rashida Ladner-Seward, Musawwir Ladner's daughter and the current executive director of the arts group."

"Dozens of friends, relatives, and members of Universal Temple of the Arts lined the sidewalks near Jersey Street and Scribner Avenue to honor the legacy of "Miss Sajda," as many of those in attendance lovingly referred to her. "Her work transformed lives and strengthened this community," said Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, a Democrat representing the North Shore who spearheaded the street co-naming effort. "She believed that the arts would unite us." "She made sure that UTA reached young people who needed it most, using creativity to build confidence and opportunity and community," Hanks continued."

"On Sunday, the corner of Jersey Street and Scribner Avenue in New Brighton was co-named in honor of Sajda Musawwir Ladner, the longtime executive director of the pioneering non-profit Universal Temple of the Arts, who died in 2021. In addition to the co-naming, the family of Musawwir Ladner received official citations to honor her work and legacy from other public officials in attendance, including the offices of District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, and Edwina Martin, Richmond County public administrator."

A corner at Jersey Street and Scribner Avenue in New Brighton was co-named to honor Sajda Musawwir Ladner, longtime executive director of Universal Temple of the Arts who died in 2021. The intersection sits near 425 Jersey St., the site of the arts center that opened in 1990. Dozens of friends, relatives and UTA members attended the ceremony. Officials and family members praised Ladner's decades of community commitment and work with young people. Councilmember Kamillah Hanks credited Ladner with strengthening the community and using the arts to build confidence and opportunity. The family received citations from multiple public offices.

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