Utica Royalties

06/04/2026

Excited about a new partnership! Thank you to the team at First Source Federal Credit Union for a great meeting today. We look forward to working together to create more opportunities for youth, families, and our community. This is just the beginning of something special!

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is more than a day off or the beginning of summer—it is a moment of reflection, gratitude, and respect. We pause to recognize the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of those who protected our freedom, even at the highest cost.

As we spend time with family and friends, let us also take a moment to remember the heroes who are no longer with us and the families who carry their legacy forward. Their service will never be forgotten, and their sacrifice continues to make a difference in our lives today.

05/21/2026

As An Army Combat Veteran. Art Is Healing. It Touches The Soul, Brings Community Together, And Reminds Us We’re Alive And Connected.

05/13/2026

Video 2 – Director & Founder of Utica Royalties, Hawa Peters, addresses the final winter session class and receives a warm surprise from board member and volunteer Lashawn Ford.

This moment was truly heartwarming and a beautiful reminder of how meaningful it is when someone’s dedication and impact are recognized.

One more video coming from the last winter session from last week. Stay tuned!

05/13/2026

Video 1 – Candid Interview with Utica Royalties Director Hawa Peters, Board Member/Volunteer Lashawn Ford, and Board President Abdelshashakour Khamis.

Last week on May 7th, we wrapped up the final session of our winter season. In this video, hear from three members of the team as they reflect on the impact of this winter, the growth they witnessed, and what this journey has meant to them.

This isn’t the end... with our summer session starting soon, there’s so much more ahead for our youth and our community. Let’s keep moving forward.

05/10/2026

What an amazing evening at the Cinco de Mayo Celebration on May 7th! 🎉🇲🇽✨

It was truly a beautiful and powerful event filled with culture, community, music, joy, and connection. So many people came together to celebrate and support the Latino community here in the Mohawk Valley, and the energy in the room was incredible.

A huge kudos and heartfelt thank you to Sonia Martinez and the Mohawk Valley Latino Association for putting together such a wonderful and successful event. Your hard work, leadership, and dedication to the community truly showed throughout the night.

Thank you for creating such a memorable experience for everyone who attended. Looking forward to many more amazing events in the future! ❤️💚🤍

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mothers, grandmothers, aunties, guardians, and mother figures in our community! 💐✨

Today we celebrate your strength, love, sacrifices, guidance, and the countless ways you uplift families and communities every single day. Thank you for the care you give, the lessons you teach, and the love you pour into the lives of others.

To every mother — we see you, we appreciate you, and we honor you today and always. ❤️

Wishing you a beautiful day filled with love, joy, peace, and appreciation. Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Utica Royalties! 👑💖

05/09/2026

An emotional and powerful night this past Thursday at Utica Royalties. With the winter season coming to an end, the youth stood proudly in front of everyone, sharing what they were thankful for, what they learned, and the new connections and friendships they made.

There was also a touching moment when board member and volunteer Lashawn Ford presented Utica Royalties Director Hawa Peters with a bouquet of flowers as a sign of appreciation and thanks.

I have witnessed many amazing things with the youth, but the moments that stay with me most are the smiles...the way they shine when they feel empowered to express themselves and let their creativity come through.

Even though the winter session has ended, stay tuned. There is much more to come for the summer session.

To learn more about Utica Royalties or to enroll your youth, visit https://www.uticaroyalties.org/ Volunteers, donations, and sponsorships are always welcome.

05/08/2026

Thank you to WKTV NEWSChannel 2 and their amazing team for running a story on this journey in the Johnny Depp Presents The People’s Artist contest. I’m truly grateful for the support. The more attention we can bring to this, the better chance we have of making it to the next round and with a little luck, maybe even bringing home a big win. A win that will not only benefit me but benefit our youth and veterans.

https://www.wktv.com/news/local/utica-photographer-competes-for-25k-in-national-art-contest/article_294a5798-800c-4144-bc84-ed611b95f94e.html

Currently bumped up to second place. Thank you!

To vote or browse my submissions and profile https://peoplesartist.org/2026/brian-shannon-lazore

Utica Center for Development INC. Brian Lazore

A Utica photographer is competing in a national art contest that could help support local youth and veterans programs.

05/08/2026

Utica Royalties Youth Program wrapped up its final session of the season today with smiles, laughter, gratitude, and even a few tears of joy. This group shined bright... all a reminder of what community, teamwork, and opportunity can do for the future of our youth.

More photos and some fun videos are on the way. And don’t worry… this isn’t the end. Utica Royalties has a full summer session ahead, along with field trips, events, and more for our young people to experience.

As you’ll see on our website ( https://www.uticaroyalties.org/ ), Utica Royalties is more than an organization...we are a movement. A movement where young voices are heard, talents are nurtured, and dreams are within reach.

Also do not forget your daily vote for Johnny Depp Presents The People's Artist as some of the proceeds will be donated to Utica Royalties if Lazore Photography wins. https://peoplesartist.org/2026/brian-shannon-lazore