73rd Annual Eastern Region Teen Conference

Welcome to the Mighty Eastern Region’s 2023 Teen Conference!

This year’s theme, We Are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dream was particularly significant for me, as I experienced examples of why this was indeed a critical and important truth in my role as Regional Teen Advisor during our momentous 85th anniversary year of exemplary service to children. I created goals to help secure I met the primary responsibility of my position, which encompassed assisting the Regional Teen Officers (RTOs) with developing their leadership skills and exploring and putting into action how they could make a difference in the world and their Jack and Jill community. I kept this year’s theme at the forefront of every action I took with, and for them. Some of my goals included:

• Developing and practicing strategies that enabled the RTOs to work effectively as a group.

• Helping the RTOs build confidence in public speaking.

• Assisting them in defining and understanding their personal leadership style and how to work with other styles to effect positive change and influence

• Guiding them in amplifying their voice and creating strong and cohesive messages and initiatives to propagate throughout our phenomenal organization.

• Illustrating to the RTOs that while being a leader comes with an inordinate amount of responsibility, it also yields a tremendous amount of joy and triumph.

I am extremely proud to report that these goals and expectations were not just accomplished but exceeded. I wanted to acknowledge some of what I believe the socioemotional aspects of our ancestors' wildest dream would be and how it was showcased this year in my role and goals.

Unfaltering Love, Faith, Support and Encouragement…To My Darling Husband, Suni; my phenom Jack, Brantley; my Mother, Colleen; and every family member that has lent a hand so I could stand where I am today, know that words will never be able to truly articulate what I hold in my heart and soul for you, forever and always I love you.

Commitment to Excellence, Wisdom and Leadership…RD Melinda, NRS Ily, RT Melissa, RS Niya and MAL Alexis. There has not been one time that I have approached you and not received these attributes and more Your warmth, favorable presence and ready support, continue to be invaluable to my growth as a leader, wife and mother in Jack and Jill.

Sisterhood, Laughter, Resiliency and Engagement…The Fearless and Fabulous Women of the Eastern Regional Team provided these in droves. I am grateful for the tremendous teamwork, wealth of knowledge and unwavering willingness to assist and support the Regional Teen Officers, Assistant Regional Teen Advisor (ARTA) Sequana and myself. Your kind words and deeds do not go unappreciated or unnoticed, thank you

Understanding, Empathy and Friendship…Madam Presidents of the Mighty East, achieving balance in Jack and Jill especially when navigating more than one role is not necessarily an easy feat. I am deeply honored to serve alongside such a selfless and loving group of women Having you all to rely and call upon, continues to fill my life with joy and inspires me to do and be a better leader, on mission, on purpose

. Innovation, Creativity and Partnership…To the Mothers of the Warm and Wonderful Westchester County Chapter, thank you for being consummate hosts. Your planning and execution of this conference, will engender lasting and precious memories! Your tireless efforts on behalf of our teens is greatly appreciated.

Fortitude, Adaptability, Diligence and Determination…Have you hugged your LTA today? Heartfelt thanks to our wonderful Mighty East LTAs and their Teen Advisory Councils for working extremely hard to make certain that not only everything aligned for our teens to be at Teen Conference and have an optimal experience, but for all they do to help grow and shape our next generation at a chapter level.

Upliftment, Service and Tenacity…To the Mothers of the Numinous New Haven Chapter, thank you for championing me and for being part of the Mighty Eastern Region’s vibrant community of Mothers!

Devotion, Loyalty and Passion…Mothers, Tiffany, Kimberly, Lori, Hope, Jalila, Adel, Suzanne, Nicole, Ruth and Regina, there is absolutely nothing that compares to the deep and abiding love and confidence a mother shows her child through thought, word and deed. You have raised exceptional humans and given them the latitude to shine so very brightly. ARTA Sequana and I are grateful to you and your families for entrusting us with your children, and for your unerring support of our vision and mission which ultimately helped the RTOs reach their fullest potential in their roles. Thank you for seeing them for who they are and loving them unconditionally!

Promise and Hope…Congratulations to the Class of 2023! Challenges, adventures, and opportunities await you. Know that along with your family and friends, the ancestors celebrate everything you have achieved, everything you have become and everything you have yet to accomplish

Accountability, Happiness, Balance and Excellence…ARTA Sequana, I am ever so thankful that RD Melinda had the foresight to pair us together. Your shining optimism, insight, loving care and kindness, organizational skills, and genuineness were a priceless component of the Regional Teen Officers success this year. Thank you for not just showering the RTOs with love but me as well I am immensely blessed to be able to count you as a forever friend and confidante.

Pride, Admiration, Love and Inspiration…Last but certainly not least, to the ten reasons that have put me in the position to pen this letter: Addison, Billi, Max, Dawn, Torey, Victoria, Alexa, Love, Isabel and Antonio. What an extraordinary adventure we embarked upon this year! Witnessing your growth as leaders and your evolution as individuals has been nothing short of amazing There was never a task set before you that you did not wholeheartedly embrace. Thank you for your honesty, your joy, your creativity, your vulnerability, your patience, your talent and your magnificence! ARTA Sequana and I love each and every one of you as if you are our very own, and are here to support you in any and all endeavors you choose to undertake. Knowing that our future will be shaped and manifested by your brilliance, makes me so very optimistic for what lies ahead.

Throughout this program year, I have come to understand that our Jacks and Jills need us to dream bigger, think inward, and ensure that our (and their) experiences are transformative and lead to a road of peace. They need us to learn and be more proactive about decolonizing our parenting and progressing further and faster on the path to healing, individually and collectively. The journey to being a more conscious, focused mother is never easy but, for our Jacks and Jills, and for the culture, it is definitely worth it. Thank you for joining me on this path of being more conscious, more intentional and more connected, breaking generational chains, and truly embodying what it means to be our ancestors' wildest dream!

In Service and Tribute to Our Children,

Ayana Brantley-Lewis

Eastern Regional Teen Advisor

Greetings Teens, Mothers and Families of the Mighty Eastern Region of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated,

After yet another successful and prosperous Area Workday Cluster season and sharing enriching experiences, I am excited to welcome you to the 73rd Annual Eastern Region Teen Conference in NYC! Through the tireless efforts of myself, and the Eastern Regional Team, this year's Teen Conference is guaranteed to be an experience we will never forget.

As your Eastern Regional Teen President, hailing from the Washington D.C. Chapter, it has been an honor serving you for the 2022-2023 program year This year I worked with my fellow Regional Teen Officers to create a meaningful vision. Together, we have established connections and made strides to continue living out the Jack and Jill legacy produced by our founders We pushed out numerous initiatives showcasing the amazing teens of our region, and the great things they are doing. All in all, we connected teens across the Eastern Region via our social media platforms and engaging activities with hopes of broadening the Eastern Region’s recognition.

The 73rd Annual Eastern Region Teen Conference theme is “We Are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dream”! As our generation leads movements and continuously accomplishes amazing exploits, there is no doubt that we are fully and unapologetically living our ancestors’ wildest dream. The potential we all have to lead and break barriers is due to the strides our ancestors made in ensuring the future for us is bright. This year we celebrate being together, and look towards the sky to find the limit!

To our extraordinary Regional Director Melinda Alexis-Hayes, our phenomenal Regional Teen Advisor Ayana Brantley-Lewis, and our Assistant Regional Teen Advisor Sequana Robinson, all of whom have worked to aid us since the beginning of the program year and assisted us in starting legendary initiatives that serve our teens and elevate the region, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

My sincere appreciation to all of the mothers who work so hard to ensure that their children can be a part of this great organization and receive enriching experiences Since I was 12 years old, I have enjoyed my time in Jack and Jill and could not imagine growing up without being a part of this organization Jack and Jill has fostered the importance of being proud of who I am, while allowing me to embrace African American youths' uniqueness and talent as a whole, and just as importantly celebrate our differences

I would be remiss if I did not thank my mother for the endless work and support she has put into guaranteeing that my Jack & Jill experience is nothing short of outstanding! Her dedication and commitment allowed me to get the most out of this organization and what it was to offer. Mom, your love and sacrifice has meant the world to me, thank you!

To the best Chapter in this organization, thank you for your unconditional support and encouragement. You all saw something in me that I could not necessarily see in myself, without you I would not be who or where I am today! I will forever be indebted to all of you.

To my Regional Teen Executive Board thank you for your commitment to improving our region in Jack and Jill! I have been blessed to develop and lead the Eastern Regional Teens with you all Our experiences and memories will stay with me for the rest of my life. I appreciate you being an amazing example of the true meaning of teamwork and friendship.

Lastly, Class of 2023, we did it!! It is our time to show the world what we are made of. We represent Black Excellence and because of our experiences in Jack and Jill, will be able to continue to grow successfully beyond it. I am so proud of all of you!

Long Live Jack and Jill!

Yours Truly,

Addison Rose

Eastern Regional Teen President

Hello Teens, Mothers, Middle Schoolers, and all of the Beautiful Jack and Jill Families, I am Billi Hall, I hail from the National Harbor Chapter, and I had the honor of serving as your Eastern Region Teen Vice President during the 2022-2023 program year

This has been a year full of learning and triumphs! I was blessed with the opportunity to attend each cluster and get to know the amazing teens who make the Mighty East, mighty You all have interacted with us through social media, parties and other cluster social events, and even some of those long election processes, all the while contributing to making events that much more fun. Making the most of the few chances we get to foster relationships with other teens in the region is what makes Jack and Jill such a special organization

Our 73rd annual Teen Conference theme is “We are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dream”, something I believe leaves a tone of hope and encouragement with all of us. It can be easy to lose sight of how far we have progressed both as a community and in our own individual pursuits, as the world around us moves so quickly. Let this theme, this teen conference, and this program year serve as a reminder to you that by you, simply existing and thriving, you are fulfilling the wildest dreams of those who came before us. We gather together, creating a hub of excellence, to show the embodiment of their dreams and to keep dreaming of a world we wish to see for those who will come after us. And, to the Class of 2023, I am so excited to see how we can further emulate and grow into the amazing Black leaders our ancestors dreamed we would be.

As your Eastern Region Teen Vice President I set out to increase awareness and conversation surrounding Black teens and their mental health. I put the “What Matters” initiative into action, a series of conversations to hopefully foster further conversation and thought on the intersection of our Black identities and the uphill battle that mental health can often be The talk included my own perspective, the viewpoints of other Black teens, and that of mental health professionals, in the hopes that listeners would feel inspired to reflect on their journeys and seek out the help or tools they needed to continue to succeed. I also worked with the Eastern Region Teen Task Force to facilitate our annual “Spread Love the Eastern Region Way” service initiative, which experienced another year of success. It was heart-warming to see our region exemplify love by giving it to those who may have been missing it this February.

I want to reiterate my gratitude to the teens of the Mighty East for trusting me with the opportunity to serve on the regional board this year. My thanks do not stop there, because, without my fellow Regional Teen Officers, RD Melinda, and the other regional board members, RTA Ayana, and ARTA Sequana, this year could not have made a fraction of the impact it did; so I thank you all I thank my family for their support, and I thank Jack and Jill for playing an important role in making me the young woman I am today.

With Gratitude,

Billi Hall Eastern Region Teen Vice President

Greetings Mothers, Teens, and Middle Schoolers of The Mighty Eastern Region,

My name is Dawn Mitchell and I hail from the Greater Union County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., in New Jersey. I am honored to have served as your 2022-2023 Eastern Region Teen Recording Secretary. I had the opportunity to work with an amazing teen board this year and we successfully launched all of initiatives we planned Working together has allowed us to form great friendships that will last a lifetime. It begun with our efforts for the Area Work Day Clusters and will end with our 73rd Annual Teen Conference. We look forward to seeing all of you there!

This year as your RTRS a large portion of my role was spent managing the Regional Teen Officers social media platforms. Noticing that more was needed in terms of building connections with fellow teens, and using the resources at my fingertips, I released the Eastern Region Teen Spotlight on Instagram It publicized teens in the Eastern Region and allowed them to showcase all that they are doing in and outside of their chapters. This was important to me because I know how vital it is to be recognized and seen. Being able to highlight your accomplishments is a great way to do so Please know how very proud the Regional Teen Officers are of what you have achieved, and I am so happy that I was able to feature you and learn such wonderful things about you.

The Regional Teen Board has been working quite hard leading up to Teen Conference and I cannot wait for you to see what we have prepared. This year’s theme is We Our Ancestors' Wildest Dream To me, this means living up to what our ancestors wanted for us through and within the different activities that we do, such as school, sports, community service, etc. Everyday I put my interpretation into action and strive to live up to my Ancestors' Wildest Dream and I am so thankful for the role Jack and Jill has played in letting me do so.

Thank you RD Melinda, RTA Ayana, and ARTA Sequana for all your support, leadership, and care. Seriously, I cannot thank you all enough for everything you have poured into me. I would also like to thank my hometown chapter, Greater Union County, for their support, when I expressed and interest in running for a regional teen position Thank you to my family for their constant guidance, love and for encouraging me in all of my endeavors, including wanting to run for a regional position. Without you to help uplift me, I do not know if I would be here today, and for that I, THANK YOU! I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by, and I am so grateful to have served as your Teen Recording Secretary this past program year, and I owe it all to you guys for making it happen.

I want to congratulate the Class of 2023! I wish you all the best next year with your plans after high school whether that’s college, trade school, a gap year, getting a job, or traveling; you will all do great things in your future Keep up the good work!

As I am a senior and moving on to college next year, I will miss Jack and Jill and all it brought to my life I will forever be grateful for this opportunity and will not take it and the amazing lessons I learned from it, for granted. “Long Live Jack and Jill…”

Sincerely,

Dawn Mitchell

Eastern Region Teen Recording Secretary

Hello Teens, Mothers, and Jack and Jill Families,

My name is James West. I am from the Metropolitan Chapter where I have been a member for eighteen years. This year I had the pleasure of serving as your 2022-2023 Eastern Regional Teen Treasurer.

During my time as a Regional Teen Officer I have had the pleasure of working with an excellent team to create opportunities and experiences for Teens of the Eastern Region.

While all of our programming is important, I am especially proud of our work with financial literacy. I hope you had an opportunity to participate in the Financial Literacy Initiative I sponsored as Regional Teen Treasurer and that you take a moment to view some of the posts on social media where I provided tips to help you improve your own financial literacy - a life skill that helps you make responsible financial decisions

This year with our We Are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dream Teen Conference theme, we are spotlighting our future endeavors and celebrating the many ways we continue to embody this dream. Let us also remember to seize the opportunities ahead of us.

As my term comes to an end, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you I am grateful for the trust and support my fellow Regional Teen Officers gave me during the past year. I have learned so much from each of you, and I know I am a better person and a better leader because of you.

I am grateful for having had the pleasure of connecting with teens from around the Eastern Region. The insights and the perspectives you shared during the Area Cluster Workdays and our series of webinars were invaluable Your kindness and hospitality are greatly appreciated, and I am thankful for the warm welcome you extended to me.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your Eastern Regional Teen Treasurer. Thank you RD Melinda, RTA Ayana, and ARTA Sequana for your leadership and unfailing commitment to excellence. I am grateful for your incredible generosity.

And thank you to my Mom, my Dad, and my entire family for your unconditional love and support and for always encouraging me to be active in Jack and Jill.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Region. I thank all of you for making my experience in Jack and Jill unforgettable.

Sincerely,

James “Max” West Eastern Regional Teen Treasurer

Greetings Mothers, Teens, and Middle Schoolers of the Mighty Eastern Region,

My name is Torey Bullock, Jr , I hail from the Pittsburgh Chapter, and I have had the pleasure and honor to serve as your Eastern Region Teen Foundation Chair for the 2022-2023 program year. We have truly had an amazing year– from the Area Work Day Clusters, the virtual sessions and webinars, and now Teen Conference! I have enjoyed this year as a Regional Teen Board member immensely, and I have loved the networking, and fellowship that I have been part of and contributed to.

The Eastern Region’s dedication to community service and quality programming is a prime model of our distinction and merit. We are a brilliant example of excellence. Our Chapters provide engaging programming that involves exciting opportunities for Black children. Our region promotes philanthropy and consistently serves our communities. The Jack and Jill Foundation continues to strive for the betterment of disadvantaged groups, fostering growth and a service-oriented mindset in our organization.

Our teens have shown the world that ‘We Are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dream,’ and through leadership and with strength, we have fought for our voices to be heard. We fight in unity, struggling for the fulfillment of values such as social justice, Black liberation, and community betterment. We recognize our position as trailblazers of the next generation of differencemakers.

I am thankful for the opportunity to serve on the Regional Teen Board this year with my fellow dedicated, talented, and exemplary Teen Officers. I look forward to meeting and seeing everyone at the 73rd Annual Teen Conference!

Sincerely,

Torey Bullock, Jr.

Eastern Region Teen Foundation Chair

Hello Mothers and Teens of the Mighty Eastern Region,

Hailing from the Reston Chapter in the beautiful state of Virginia, my name is Victoria Felder and I proudly served as the 2022-23 Regional Teen Nominating Chair.

This past year has been nothing short of a dream, and I am endlessly thankful for every moment of it. Through my position, I was blessed with the one of a kind opportunity to travel and meet people from across the region throughout our exciting Area Workday Cluster season When I think about this past year, my experiences, and the people I met along the journey, I cannot help but agree with the notion that the members of our mighty region truly embody what it means to be our ancestors' wildest dream.

Our ancestors once dreamed that the black community would come together and raise its children to change the world. Moreover, in his famous “I Have A Dream” speech, Martin Luther King, Jr stated that he dreamed that his children would “one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character”. The teen members of the Jack and Jill organization are living proof that those dreams have become a reality.

Each and everyone of the teens in our region are bright, talented, accomplished, and gifted with the potential to leave an everlasting impact on the world We have successfully brought our ancestors’ vision to life through our strength, vibrance, resilience, ambition, and determined hearts. Teens, if our ancestors could see us now, they would be simply astonished.

I am eager to see you once again at the 73rd Annual Teen Conference and celebrate the phenomenal accomplishments of our community. I wish each of you a memorable experience over the course of the event You are in for an exceptional treat, so buckle up and prepare to enjoy! This conference is going to be full of excitement and moments that will give you a lifetime of memories.

To the Class of 2023, congratulations, we did it! It is our time to shine and take on the world. I am proud of each and every one of you and wish you well on your journey in this next chapter of your life.

Sincerely,

Victoria Felder Eastern Region Teen Nominating Chair

March 16, 2023

Dear Friends:

It gives me great pleasure to welcome everyone to the Westchester County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. (JJOA)’s 73rd annual eastern region teen conference. New York’s strength comes from the generations of individuals who have made our city their home and chosen to share their wealth of knowledge and talents with those who live throughout the five boroughs Over time, their contributions have transformed into a powerful legacy that has helped alleviate the burdens of raising a family and established an exciting place for our youth to explore. One organization that has propelled New York along this path is the Westchester County Chapter of JJOA. Established in 1954, the chapter has organized hundreds of enrichment events and increased educational programming in the area. By encouraging our youth to explore the arts, join in recreational activities, and learn about historic Black leaders, this group has nurtured the minds, bodies, and spirits of the next generation. The ties made here have the potential to positively transform our city and state as each of its members comes together to build a more informed and active community. On the occasion of tonight’s conference, I am pleased to recognize the Westchester County Chapter of JJOA for its efforts to embolden our youth and inspire New York’s future changemakers.

On behalf of 8.5 million New Yorkers, please accept my best wishes for a fruitful and fulfilling event.

Sincerely,

Eric Adams Mayor

Dr. Kendell & Kainon Jasper, AKA- The Doc-N-daDude are two brothers from Brooklyn NY, who bring an honest, common sense, comedic and most importantly real life clinical approach to addressing mental health in all communities.

The scope of the Doc-N-da-Dude’s experience spans from clinical and, sports psychology (both being HS and College athletes) to marketing, engineering and the authenticity of street psychology. While their outlook and methodologies may surpass the line of nontraditional by a few steps, the legitimacy of the experience is relevant when addressing issues that impact most communities regardless of race, color, creed, religion or economic status.

Doc-N-da-Dude has used this platform to promote the importance of treating and maintaining mental wellness as a necessary extension of your physical wellness. Their methodology has proven successful with individuals from communities of color, disadvantaged communities, current and former pro athletes and entertainers.

Doc-N-da-Dude have recurring appearances on syndicated radio shows including, Sway in the morning, and The Breakfast Club. They have shared their message through their multiple facilities, podcast appearances, television appearances and college speaking tours. Most recently, they’ve been expanding their media platform by combining with Essence Communications and being newly recognized as community leaders in the Ebony 100. The Doc-N-da Dude have provided custom programs for the National Urban League, NBA, NCAA, National AAU circuit and brands like Nike and PowerAde.

Camille began her career in education as a public school teacher before tragedy pusher her into careers in mental health and social work. She is the CEO of CBL Psychotherapy LLC, her solo private practice in New York. She has been featured on Peace of Mind with Taraji P. Hinson and has worked with the NBA Players Association on creating safe spaces for men to talk about real issues. She has appeared on numerous podcasts and is a mental health public speaker with topics such as grief and loss as well as perfectionism, authenticity and self-esteem.

Camille Banks-Lee, LCSWR, is a psychotherapist in private clinical practice. She served as a middle school teacher and administrator for ten years in the Ossining Union Free School District. Camille has been an adjunct professor at Manhattanville College and served as the Executive Director for the City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau. Camille is on the Board of Trustees for Fordham Preparatory and sits on the Advisory Board for the Child Development Institute at Sarah Lawrence College.

DLeslie Mayes Low is a weekend evening anchor at NBC Connecticut News and the creator and host of “Connecticut in Color” - a program edicated to highlighting the stories and discussing the issues of onnecticut’s communities of color.

orn and raised in Washington, DC, Leslie joined NBC in 2015 from harlotte, North Carolina where she was a morning reporter at News 4.

Prior to her time in the south, she covered national politics as the Washington Bureau producer for a network of cable local news stations. While in the nation’s capital, she covered both of President Barack Obama’s inaugurations and several State of the Union addresses.

Leslie began her career behind the camera as a news assistant and photographer in New York City for NY1 News. While there, she traveled across the United States “on the trail” following the Hillary Clinton and Obama presidential runs, the New York State Senate coup and then resignation of Governor Eliot Spitzer.

As a native of the nation’s capital, Leslie credits her DC roots with her early love of news and national politics. She holds a degree in Government & Politics from St. John’s University in New York City.

Leslie is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists, enjoys working with children from under-served communities, and telling stories that might often go unnoticed. When she’s not chasing Connecticut’s latest news, you can usually find her making plans for her next international trip, cooking at home or looking for a new local restaurant to enjoy a good meal.

You can follow Leslie on Facebook and Instagram @LeslieMayesTV

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR FINANCIAL SUCCESS AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR COMMUNITY

Allan Boomer is the Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Momentum Advisors — a certified minority-owned investment management and financial planning firm in New York City with over $330 million in assets under management. Boomer’s 27year Wall Street career includes 7 years at Goldman Sachs, where he was a Vice President in the Investment Management Division and 7 years at Merrill Lynch in the Private Client Division.

Allan has grown Momentum from a one-person shop to a diverse firm of 10 professionals across three offices. The firm is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) and has received national recognition for diversity and socially responsible investing.

Outside of his role at Momentum, Allan is an active investor in real estate and franchise businesses. He and his partners own nine Zips Dry Cleaning franchise stores (with 24 more locations in the development pipeline), two fitness gyms and several real estate investments.

Additionally, he is the co-host of “The Momentum Advisors Show,” a weekly podcast which educates the public about building wealth through investments, financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Boomer is a frequent guest in the media, including CNBC, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance and SiriusXM, where he co-hosted a radio show, entitled “The Momentum Advisors”, for 3 years.

Within the community, Allan serves on the Board of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation where he is a member of the Investment Committee, and he serves on the Board of the Raritan Valley Community College Foundation where he is the Chairman of the Finance and Investment Committee. Additionally, he serves on the Board of the Marion P. Thomas Charter School where he leads the Finance Committee, and he serves on the Board of Trustees of Good Shepherd Church of Christ. He is the former Chairman of the NYU Stern Alumni Council and a former member of the NYU Stern Board of Overseers.

Allan holds an MBA in Finance from the NYU Stern School of Business, where he was a Robert A. Toigo Fellow, and a BS in Marketing from Morgan State University.

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR FINANCIAL SUCCESS AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR COMMUNITY

Tiffany Hawkins is a transformational, forward-looking C-suite executive and entrepreneur with a career record of notable results leading wide-scale operational, business development, and strategic initiatives As the COO of minority-owned wealth management firm, Momentum Advisors and a multi-unit franchisee, Tiffany has leveraged a drive for operational programming, governance, risk tolerance, and capital allocation to lead startup, turnaround, and growth efforts and employ culturally sound practices, attract key clients, outperform competitors, and maximize ROI as a fiduciary.

A socially conscious champion of diversity/inclusion and women/minority leadership, over the past six years in the wealth management sector Tiffany has maintained a strong focus on ESG, socially responsible investing that considers environmental, social, and governance factors An engaging public speaker, she is a frequent presenter on topics that include innovative ESG strategy and implementation, entrepreneurship, and the equity of wealth across diverse factions, domestic and international.

In 2014, Tiffany was recruited to the role of Managing Director of Momentum Advisors, a NYC-based minorityowned wealth management firm with over $600M in assets, where she advanced to serve as the organization’s first COO in 2020 Over a six-year tenure, she has led innovative strategic and cultural changes that have broken the mold of the traditional investment industry to gain national visibility, capture key clients, and grow assets 650% (from $40M to $450M in AUM and AUA).

Tiffany directed the launch of a sister organization, a full-service, minority/women-owned insurance brokerage firm, in 2019, serving as COO. Within 18 months, the firm generated an additional $500K in revenues and gained status as one of the country’s fastest growing firms of its kind. For the past three years, she has also served as CoHost of Momentum Advisors, a popular SiriusXM radio show covering diversity in wealth and entrepreneurship that has been integral to MA’s ever-expanding growth and success.

At the core of Tiffany’s success is a talent for identifying/creating new business opportunities combined with a keen ability to assess shifting market/client needs and break from the pack to change course A prime example of this rare ability is Tiffany’s influence in Momentum Advisors achieving status as Covid-19 investment thought leaders by putting in place strategic/marketing plans, gaining expertise in key federal programs, and reaching out to clients when the prevailing response was client avoidance. Earlier in her career, Tiffany served in strategy, marketing, PR, and business development roles in a range of industries. As PR Director with Footsteps Agency, an Omnicom company, she built a network of clients in the pro sports sector and as Executive of National and International Development for WCI, a private non-profit, she led global events raising $12M+. As Global Account Planner and Director of Blue Flame Agency (a Sean Combs Company), she launched multiple award-winning products across diverse sectors.

Tiffany has served as a board and committee member for multiple diverse organizations She is also an Investment Manager for an organization supporting multicultural professionals and Finance Business Manager for a social justice media outlet. Tiffany holds dual undergraduate degrees in Communication Studies and Biological Research and Statistics from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD, and she is a sports and cycling enthusiast.

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR FINANCIAL SUCCESS AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR COMMUNITY

Sharon Epperson, named one of “12 to Watch in TV News,” can be seen regularly on CNBC television and other media platforms. As CNBC’s senior personal finance espondent, Epperson covers the many facets of how people manage, grow and tect their money Her expertise includes saving and investing for retirement, paying college, managing mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and other debt, and ding a financial legacy through estate planning. She frequently writes for CNBC.com also contributes to NBC’s TODAY, NBC Nightly News, NBC News Daily, NBC News w as well as Today.com and NBCNews.com.

erson has been a lead contributor to “Invest in You: Ready. Set. Grow.”, a multiform financial wellness and education initiative at CNBC, and developed its mpanion 8-week online learning course and newsletter series, “Invest in You: Money ” , that is also available Spanish, “Invierte en Ti: Dinero 101”

paring your finances for the unexpected is another critical (and personal) aspect of reporting. In September 2016, Epperson sustained a ruptured brain aneurysm and nearly lost her life. She has become a staunch advocate for health and wellness es, raising awareness about brain aneurysms and funds for research. In September 2018, she and her family established “The Sharon Epperson Chair of Research” through the Brain Aneurysm Foundation to provide grants for research on early detection and innovative treatments.

Her book, The Big Payoff: 8 Steps Couples Can Take to Make the Most of Their Moneyand Live Richly Ever After, was a finalist for the Books for a Better Life Awards, honoring works that have “changed the lives of millions ” She also was a contributing writer for The Experts’ Guide to Doing Things Faster.

Epperson is committed to improving financial literacy, particularly in underserved communities. She was invited to the White House during President Obama’s administration to speak about financial literacy and to moderate a public meeting of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability at the U.S. Treasury Department. She also speaks frequently at conferences and events for local and national organizations, colleges and universities about many facets of personal finance.

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR FINANCIAL SUCCESS AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR COMMUNITY

Epperson has numerous industry and civic awards.

An adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, Epperson has taught courses at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. She enjoys teaching the importance of budgeting and building long-term savings as part of her professional development courses for graduate students

Epperson received her bachelor’s in sociology and government from Harvard University, a master of international affairs degree from Columbia University, and honorary doctorates from Carlow University in Pittsburgh and Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York. A Pittsburgh native, she has also been inducted into the Hall of Fame at Taylor Allderdice High School, her alma mater.

A wife and mother of two, she lives in Westchester County, N.Y.

THRIBIMG IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND BEYOND

Gena Rhone Archer is a native of Glen Allen, Virginia. She holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a M.Ed. from Virginia Commonwealth University. A lifelong educator, Gena has worked as a school counselor on all levels Her first job out of graduate school was as an elementary school counselor with Norfolk Public Schools. After serving 3.5 years in that role, she moved to one of the high schools within Norfolk Public Schools. In 2004, Gena relocated to New York to work as a high school counselor at Pelham Memorial High School (PMHS). While at PMHS, Gena was a member of various committees (e.g. Cultural Competence Committee) and an advisor to different clubs (e.g. Access Creates Equity (A.C.E.). In 2013, Gena organized a Counselor/College Debrief, an opportunity for public and independent school counselors across lower Westchester to come together and discuss college outcomes.

In October 2018 and April 2019, Gena was a presenter at the Guidance Expo held at the Westchester County Center She and her colleagues from Scarsdale High School and Bronx High School of Science spoke on Introduction to College Counseling: Perspectives from High School Counselors. In an effort to pay it forward, Gena has served as an internship supervisor for students from New York University, University of Denver, College of New Rochelle and Manhattan College. Many of her interns are now employed as school counselors in New York. In 2021, Gena made the decision to move from Pelham Memorial High School to Pelham Middle School. Although only in her second year there, Gena is already collaborating with peers on ways to increase diversity in the upper level high school classes by starting conversations in the middle school In February 2022, Gena’s work at both the high school and middle school was recognized by the Progressive Women of Pelham when she was named as an example of Black Excellence.

Outside of work, Gena holds professional memberships in American School Counseling Association (ASCA) and Westchester Putnam Rockland Counselor Association (WPRCA). She is also a member of the alumni associations of U.Va. and VCU as well as the White Plains PTA. Finally, Gena is a member of the Pi Iota Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Westchester Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc She and her husband, Omar, live in White Plains with their children Brandon (15) and Halle (13)

THRIBIMG IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND BEYOND

Alison Scott-Williams is currently the President of Studio in a School NYC (Studio NYC); an organization that annually serves over 30,000 New York Department of Education students by providing visual arts instruction to schools in underresourced neighborhoods Studio NYC supports teaching and learning through professional development for artists and art teachers Ms Scott-Williams joined Studio NYC from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), where she was the Vice President for Arts Education since 2015. At NJPAC, Scott-Williams provided strategy, administration, and program leadership in arts education. Earlier, she was Associate Vice President for Diversity and Campus Life at The Juilliard School in New York City, where she served in a variety of administrative positions for more than 14 years. Ms. Scott-Williams holds advanced degrees in voice performance and opera theatre from the Manhattan School of Music and Oberlin Conservatory, as well as a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College Ms Scott-Williams has two sons and is a 15-Year Lifetime Member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc During her tenure, she held multiple leadership positions including Vice President and President of the North Jersey Chapter, NJ.

THE JOURNEY TO BECOMING A BLACK ARTIST

Princess Grace Award Winning Director and Entrepreneur Nigel Campbell was born and raised in The Bronx, New York. He began his training at Creative Outlet Dance Theater and received his B.F.A. from The Juilliard School, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes. Campbell has received additional training from The School at Jacob’s Pillow, The Miami City Ballet School, The Alvin Ailey School, and Springboard Danse Montreal. While still at Juilliard, Campbell joined the Metropolitan Opera Ballet as a soloist. After graduating, he danced full-time for the Saarlandisches Staatstheater under the direction of Marguerite Donlon, Luna Negra Dance Theater under the direction of Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, the GöteborgsOperans Danskompani under the direction of Adolphe Binder and as a guest artist with Kyle Abraham’s A.I.M and Sidra Bell Dance New York. After two years as an Artistic Associate with Gibney Company, he was named Co-Director of the company in 2017, working alongside Gina Gibney and Amy Miller during a period of significant growth and transformation. In 2022, Campbell was named the inaugural Artistic Director of Gibney Center.

In 2015, Nigel co-founded MOVE|NYC| with his partner Chanel DaSilva with the mission of cultivating greater diversity and equity in the dance field and beyond. In 2019, he joined the faculty of The Juilliard School as an adjunct professor, teaching “Essentials of Entrepreneurship in the Arts ” Campbell has also served on the faculty of S U N Y Purchase Conservatory of Dance as an adjunct professor teaching contemporary A sought after master teacher, répétiteur, and lecturer, he has set dances and given workshops throughout the United States and abroad at institutions such as The Juilliard School, USC Kaufman School of Dance, SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, Boston Conservatory, NYU Tisch, Marymount Manhattan College, Princeton University, Yale University, Ballet Hispanico, The Ballet Akademien Göteborg, No)one. Art House, MUDA Africa, & Springboard Danse Montreal, among many others.

Campbell’s multi-faceted contributions to the field of dance have been recognized with numerous awards and honors including a 2019 Martha Hill Mid-Career Award, a 2011 Princess Grace Award, a National YoungArts Level 1 Award and a NAACP ACT-SO Gold Medal Campbell is a 2004 Presidential Scholar in the Arts and at 17, was featured on the National PBS documentary American Talent In 2020, Campbell and DaSilva were Dance Teacher Magazine’s cover feature for its May/June issue, Changing the Face of Dance. The magazines main article, When you’re the Only Black Dancer in the Room, outlined the success and impact of MOVE|NYC|’s early years. In 2021, Campbell and DaSilva were recognized on Good Morning America’s inaugural “GMA Inspiration List: Who’s Making Black History Right Now?” Also in 2021, Campbell joined the Board of Directors at Culture For One, a non-profit with the mission to transform the lives of New York City children in foster care through the power of the arts. He resides in New York City.

THE JOURNEY TO BECOMING A BLACK ARTIST

Fredara Mareva Hadley, Ph.D. is an ethnomusicology professor in the Music History Department at The Juilliard School where she teaches courses on ethnomusicology and African American Music. Her work has been featured in academic journals in press including: The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Billboard Magazine Her commentary is included in documentaries including: The 1619 Project Docuseries and The Black Church. Her current book projects include her forthcoming book, I'll Make me a World, centers the musical ecosystems of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their impact on Black music and beyond. Her other book project is an edited volume about Aretha Franklin for Cambridge University Press. Dr. Hadley is a proud alumna of two Historically Black Colleges: Florida A&M University and Clark-Atlanta University She completed her Ph D at Indiana University and taught at Oberlin College & Conservatory before joining the Juilliard faculty in 2018.

Fadwa Hayes is from New Jersey, and began her studies at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University with a full tuition scholarship as a James Dickson Carr Scholar. There, she studied cello performance with Jonathan Spitz from 2003 to 2007 and received her Bachelor of Music Degree. Ms. Hayes then went on to receive her Master of Arts degree and an Advanced Diploma at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, where she studied Cello Performance with Marcy Rosen from 2007-2010. In addition to her masters, she was a recipient of the Discimus et Serviamus Award for 2 consecutive years and the Chamber Music Award for Excellence.

Immediately after graduating with her masters, Ms. Hayes began her career as an advocate for the students, healthy learning, and a bridge between the students, faculty, and administration. She worked as an Administrative Assistant from 2008 to 2011 at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Then in 2012, Ms. Hayes moved her administrative assistantship to The Juilliard School, and in 2016, she was promoted to Assistant Director of Admissions, where she met daily with prospective applicants. In June 2018, Ms. Hayes was promoted to Associate Director of Admissions, where she was responsible for the management of all 1500 plus music auditions at The Juilliard School. Ms. Hayes is widely known for her invaluable efforts in community outreach, contributions, and seminars Fadwa Hayes is now the Assistant Dean for the Music Division at The Juilliard School

SOCIAL MEDIA BRANDING AND CYBER SAFETY

Micah Beverly is a graduate of Morehouse College where he studied music composition, business and communications. After graduating, Beverly was offered and accepted a contract position at Meta (formerly Facebook) and currently serves as program manager on the Global Advertising Partnerships team at Meta, where his focus is driving growth for click to messaging partners worldwide.

Outside of his career at Meta, Beverly devotes his time to being a full time musician, artist and producer. He has built a studio in the heart of Atlanta for local creatives to collaborate and create free of charge, while managing and developing his solo career. A lover of God, family and friends, Beverly is passionate about the advancement of young Black creators, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to address you all and moderate today’s panel.

Ken Gibbs Jr is one of the foremost digital executives in the content space and the newly appointed Editor in Chief of Money 20/20. Prior to joining the Money 20/20 team, Gibbs Jr. held leadership roles at Spotify, BET Networks and Amazon Prime. Over the past 20 years, Ken has played a crucial role in building the digital foundation for brands like Urban One, Essence Magazine and more!

SOCIAL MEDIA BRANDING AND CYBER SAFETY

Throughout her career, God-is has been a strategic executive who is responsible for better sering and engaging diverse communities through digital channels all around the wo Id through brand marketing, campaigns with partners, and events and experiences. As a proud Black American woman hailing from the Bronx, NY, she is passionate about pairing an authentic community care approach with inclusive, culturally fluent marketing, community-integrated product and policy evolution and cultural insights rn show there is value in all communities, and that they deserve rn be recognized, respected and rewarded-not counted out.

As a marketing executive at Twitter for over 4 years culminating in 2022, she drove strategy to make sure that campaigns and programs were connective, inclusive

and reflective of the communities Twitter served. Externally, she both established and built on Twiner's work in developing relationships and programs with community leaders, content partners, influencers, creators, partners and brands.

Prior to joining Twitter in 2018, God-is was Director, Inclusion & Cultural Resonance for VMLY&R. In this newly created role she focused on bridging strategic inclusive marketing and strategy with internal processes and policies to foster an equitable environment at the agency, and produce inclusive work outputs Earlier, she held lead channel strategy roles at VMLY&R, global agency in Crossing, and Austin-based T3.

God-is has been profiled in digital trade publications Adweek. Ad Age, Marie Claire, Forbes, Digiday, Fortune, Campaign us, and The Drum. In 2018 she was 11 named an Ad Age 'Woman to Watch" and Adweek Disruptor" for continuing to fight for representation and equity in the advertising industry. In 2020 God-is was recognized for her work <1t Twitter amplifying historically marginalized voices as #28 on the Root 100 Most Influential African-Americans list, BETs Top 100 Most Innovative and Influential Business Executives, and by Fortune Magazine on heir esteemed 40 under 40 list of influential people in the technology category

In October of 2022 God-is joined The Walt Disney Co. as their first VP, Inclusive Marketing across all Disney streaming platforms and networks including content and IP across ESPN+, Hulu, and Disney+ where she is tasked with developing and leading strategies to connect with diverse audiences and amplify inclusive content. God-is resides in the greater New York City area with her husband and daughter.

SOCIAL MEDIA BRANDING AND CYBER SAFETY

Gabon Williams is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is currently serving as the Senior Software Security Engineer. In this role, he has discovered vulnerabilities, implemented remediation strategies, and created secure software development lifecycles Gabon has also provided mentorship to team members, automated processes, and served on the hiring committee as a technical and diversity recruiting representative. Gabon also does bug bounty hunting on the side.

Gabon's technical skills include proficiency in Python, Javascript, Java, C, and Penetration Testing, among others. He is certified in multiple cybersecurity certifications such as the Certified Checkmarx Engineer, GIAC Critical Controls Certification, and CISSP In his personal time, Gabon enjoys volunteering at soup kitchens, attending Celtics games, and participating in freelance web3 0 software development

SUCCESS

IS A WIDING ROAD

Prior to starting MoCaFi in 2015, Wole Coaxum served as Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase where he held a series of leadership positions in Business Banking, Card Services, and Treasury & Securities Services Prior to joining JPMorgan in 2007, Wole was a senior executive of Willis Towers Watson, where he served as Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer of Willis North America and Chief Executive Officer of Willis Canada. He started his career at Citigroup working in investment banking, asset management, insurance and corporate functions.

Wole currently serves as a Trustee of Phillips Exeter Academy and as a Director of Selective Insurance Group Inc His former board participation includes a member of the board of the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Chairman of the Board for Phoenix House New York, member of the Phoenix House Foundation Board and the Roosevelt Institute. He is the recipient of the Harlem YMCA – Black Achievers in Industry Award. He has a Masters of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance from New York University, a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in History from Williams College and studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Exeter College, Oxford University

HOW TO BE A VOTING RIGHTS ACTIVIST BEFORE THE AGE TO VOTE

Alvin Bragg is the 37th District Attorney elected in Manhattan. Alvin –– a lifelong Manhattanite who has served as a state and federal prosecutor –– has spent more than two decades fighting to make our communities safer and our criminal justice system fairer

Alvin served as an Assistant Attorney General at the New York State Attorney General’s Office and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. In these roles, Alvin handled a wide array of criminal cases, including armed robbery, assault, gun possession, witness tampering, narcotics and gun trafficking, wage and hour violations, public corruption, money laundering, and antitrust violations. For example, he successfully prosecuted a bribery scheme involving corrupt politicians of both political parties, the owner of a multi-million dollar business for laundering millions of dollars for an international drug cartel, an FBI agent for making false statements, a government contractor

for diverting approximately $1.7 million designed to provide internet access to public school classrooms, and individuals blocking a reproductive health facility.

From 2013 to 2018, Alvin served in a number of leadership roles at the New York State Attorney General’s Office He ended his service there as the Chief Deputy Attorney General in New York State, overseeing more than 1,500 people, a budget of $225 million, and the office’s criminal and civil investigations and litigation, including health care fraud, public corruption, narcotics trafficking, wage-and-hour investigations, tenant harassment, and securities fraud. In addition, he served as the first Chief of a special unit that investigated deaths caused by police conduct.

Alvin earned his A.B. from Harvard University, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, clerked for Hon. Robert P. Patterson, Jr. in the Southern District of New York, and was a Visiting Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Racial Justice Project at New York Law School. Alvin is a former member of the Board of Directors of the New York Urban League and a Sunday School teacher at his church

HOW TO BE A VOTING RIGHTS ACTIVIST BEFORE THE AGE TO VOTE

Emmy® Award-winning journalist Ayana Harry has covered significant local, national and international news stories for over a decade Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Ayana is a television news reporter for the station she grew up watching, PIX11 News. Her reporting focuses on City Hall politics and criminal justice. At PIX11, Ayana was the first television journalist to cover Eric Garner’s police-involved death.

In 2020, Ayana was in the courtroom every day for the trial of disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. More recently she covered the daily developments in the races for New York City Mayor and New York Governor Ayana joined PIX11 from WTIC-TV in Hartford, Connecticut where she covered the Sandy Hook School shooting and Hurricane Sandy. Ayana’s career began at ABC News in New York, where she worked her way up from Intern to Desk Assistant, ultimately becoming a Field Producer.

HOW TO BE A VOTING RIGHTS ACTIVIST BEFORE THE AGE TO VOTE

With well over a decade of experience in politics, and over fifteen years in public speaking, L Joy Williams has made a name for herself as a respected, intelligent voice in modern politics Demonstrating a strong talent as a political planner and tactician, both in political campaigns and government, L Joy has been a regularly featured commentator on MSNBC (“Up with David Gura”; “Melissa Harris-Perry Show”; “AM Joy”), and NY1 (“Inside City Hall”)

L Joy’s passion for political and community activism was instilled at an early age, stemming from a deeprooted family history and commitment to civil rights and social justice In this tradition, L Joy currently serves as the President of the Brooklyn NAACP, one of the most generationally diverse branches in the country.

She is also the Legislative Coordinator for the New York State NAACP Conference of Branches Her outstanding leadership has increased chapter membership and engagement, making Brooklyn NAACP one of the leading civil rights groups in New York City.

Since embarking on her career as a political strategist with the 2002 McCall for Governor campaign, L Joy experience as a trusted political advisor and strategist has made her a go-to team member Recently she has worked with a number of prominent and notable political figures, including Letitia James, Jumaane Williams and Cynthia Nixon, for whom she served as Senior Advisor during Nixon’s gubernatorial run in New York State L Joy has also held key positions such as Campaign Manager for former New York State Assembly Member Karim Camara; GOTV Supervisor in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the Kerry/Edwards 2004 Presidential campaign; Special Assistant to former New York City Council Speaker Gifford Miller; Program Assistant at Demos, a nonpartisan public policy and advocacy organization; and Deputy Director of Community Relations for then–New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson. She went on to become Thompson’s Political Director in his 2009 mayoral campaign.

L. Joy is Chairman Emeritus of Higher Heights for America and now serves as Chair of the Higher Heights PAC. In these roles, L. Joy travels the country training, advising, and supporting efforts to build Black women’s political power and leadership potential. Working with Higher Heights L. Joy has assisted in the campaigns of Nina Turner for Ohio Secretary of State, Stacey Abrams for Governor of Georgia and several congressional campaigns. During the 2014 midterm election, L. Joy managed a voter engagement campaign for Higher Heights in Georgia and Ohio targeting Black women, who had only participated in presidential elections, encouraging them to vote in the federal midterm and state elections. The highly successful campaign increased enthusiasm and turnout by over ten percentage points.

HOW TO BE A VOTING RIGHTS ACTIVIST BEFORE THE AGE TO VOTE

A dynamic public speaker, L. Joy has presented at several conferences and has been on numerous panels, focusing primarily on the impact and power of Black women voters including the NAACP National Convention in San Antonio, TX and the interactive media conference SXSW about the political power of digital communities in 2018. From 2012-2016, she was a staple at Netroots Nation, where she presented “#BlackWomenLead: The Role and Importance of Black Women Organizers” and “#BlackWomenLead: Harnessing Black Women’s Political Power and Leadership

Potential w/ Sen Nina Turner”, while also airing live as a former co-host of “This Week In Blackness”, one of the first Black-run political podcasts and web series In 2015, she was a featured speaker at the Women’s Freedom Conference, the first all-digital conference organized completely by women of color.

Drawing upon her extensive career in politics, government and community work L. Joy believes in empowering communities with the knowledge and skills to be active participants in democracy. Recognizing the need for civic education and engagement in an accessible format L Joy created #SundayCivics to teach civics using the current political landscape. The weekly show now airs Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. on SiriusXM Urban View and is available on demand on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Radio Public and all podcast platforms. L. Joy’s passion for civic action and commitment to progressive growth for all Americans cannot be understated. Rooted in a generational family tradition of community service, L Joy walks in the steps of those who fought before her and encourages every citizen to become involved in America’s political process

DOES IT EXIST? TIPS AND TRICKS ON COMPLETING ADMISSIONS APPLICATIONS

Mother Margaret Y Ellis has been a high school Counselor for over 14 years in New York City and Westchester County, New York She currently works at Pelham Memorial High School, where she helps 10th through 12th graders prepare for life after high school. She thoroughly enjoys discussing academic acceleration, career aspirations, community involvement and her favorite topic of all, NCAA eligibility. Mother Margaret takes great pride in ensuring that studentathletes are aware of their high school courses, GPA, recruitment and amateurism requirements, along with understanding the discipline and stamina one must have to be a successful collegiate student-athlete. A proud graduate of Temple University, Mother Margaret earned her Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Public Relations and Advertisement with a concentration in Sports

Administration. Mother Margaret also holds a Master’s degree in School Counseling with a concentration in Sports Counseling from Manhattan College. Before becoming a School Counselor, Mother Margaret had a fascinating career in college athletics. She was the only full-time, female Director of Operations for a Division I NCAA Men’s Basketball team. The highlight of her career was serving under the leadership of the legendary Dereck Whittenburg at Fordham University from 2004-2008. During her tenure, she coordinated the team’s day to day activities- from practice to travel to game day meetings and interviews. In addition to managing the exciting aspects of the work, she was also responsible for navigating the academic side of her student-athletes’ lives.

Mother Margaret constantly reminded them that earning their degree was a priority and to never lose sight of the goal of attending college. Because of the emphasis placed on their education, she can delightfully boast that under her reign as Director of Operations, she had a 100% graduation rate. Mother Margaret’s love for sports stems back to her childhood years growing up running around Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium with her Dad as he, too, worked with and cared for professional athletes as the first 1st Black owner of an ambulance company in the state of New York. Being able to travel the world while doing what you have grown up loving is a blessing, and she will continue to motivate young athletes to do the same and to work hard to push their physical talents to the next level.

In May 2022, Mother Margaret was installed into Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated, Westchester County Chapter, where she is an active member of the Membership and Founders’ Day committees. Professionally, she is a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling and New York State School Counselor Association. Mother Margaret is also a 22 year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. When she is not chauffeuring her son, Aiden, to Group 3 activities, Cub Scouts, children’s choir rehearsals, basketball or baseball games, she can be found working high school athletic games, attending professional sports games or supervising her church’s nursery on Sunday mornings.

DOES IT EXIST? TIPS AND TRICKS ON COMPLETING ADMISSIONS APPLICATIONS

Shawn Felton is Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York. In this role, he oversees Undergraduate Admissions including prospect management, student recruitment and communication, admissions social media, application processing, admissions data and systems, the prospective student visit experience, yield strategy and coordination, market research, long-range planning, admissions (alumni) volunteer engagement, and recruitment, selection, and enrollment of underrepresented diverse students in the US and international students from around the world.

As Deputy Chief Admissions and Enrollment Officer, Shawn has responsibility for admissions policy and practice, and broader enrollment management work at Cornell University. Shawn is the lead international recruiter and undergraduate admissions expert for Africa and China, providing significant admissions committee support through international application review and credentials evaluation. Shawn has been with Cornell University for more than 19 years.

Before arriving in Ithaca to join Cornell, Shawn served for nearly three years as Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Virginia (UVA), his alma mater, where he led recruitment and admissions efforts for students interested in the performing and visual arts Shawn has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, and a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Music, specializing in Ethnomusicology and Music Composition, from the University of Virginia

DOES IT EXIST? TIPS AND TRICKS ON COMPLETING ADMISSIONS APPLICATIONS

Kevin C Hudson is Associate Director for Diversity and College Opportunity in the Office of Provost at Princeton University. In this role, Kevin manages strategic partnerships and a portfolio of activities aligned with Princeton’s commitment to combat inequities in education. Kevin coordinates projects and partnerships with nonprofit organizations, peer institutions, and researchers to support selective college access for traditionally underrepresented students. He additionally supports institutional collaborations with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). He also serves as Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity’s liaison to the Office of Advancement, providing facilitation and strategic guidance for diversity, equity and inclusionrelated alumni activities, outreach and interactions.

Kevin previously managed college and career readiness districtwide at District of Columbia Public Schools and served as director of college admission and advising at a NJ non-profit boarding school placement organization. He began his career as an admission officer at Princeton University. As a first-generation, lower-income college student, Kevin earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his Master’s degree in Higher Education Management from University of Pennsylvania.

He is currently pursuing an Ed.D at Rutgers University Graduate School of Education. He has served as a reader for several national scholarship programs by Gates Scholars Program, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and Dell Scholars Program and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Kevin serves on various boards including Delbarton School, New Jersey Scholars Program, Princeton Blairstown Center, International Baccalaureate College and University Relations Committee and several College Board regional and national committees. kchudson@princeton.edu

AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

André Branch is a general manager with a strong marketing core whose passion lies in building luxury brands His management expertise spans the full range of operational functions – Marketing, Sales, Ecommerce, Supply Chain, P&L ownership, Merchandising, IT, HR, Finance, Customer Care, and International

André is currently SVP and GM, MAC North America at Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) Prior to joining ELC, André worked at a number of world class Consumer Packaged Goods companies At L’Oréal, he ran Digital and Ecommerce Operations for the USA He also led some of the company’s most iconic luxury brands such as Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Diesel, Stella McCartney, and Ralph Lauren

After L’Oréal, André joined The Nature’s Bounty Co as part of the executive team put in place by private equity firm, The Carlyle Group He was there in various roles: As the CMO of the Consumer Packaged Goods division, a $2 billion entity and finally, as the President of ECommerce, overseeing a pure-play, global ecommerce business

Before L’Oréal, André spent 8 years at Diageo where he oversaw some of the world’s leading spirit brands, including Cuervo tequila, Smirnoff vodka, Captain Morgan rum, and Johnnie Walker scotch whisky In his final role at Diageo, he was the Global Marketing Head of the Diageo Reserve Portfolio, a $700 million collection of luxury spirits

Mr Branch is also an independent board director for Signet Jewelers, a publicly traded company, and Partnership with Children, a New York City focused non-profit

André began his post-MBA career at Kraft Foods in the Post Cereals division Prior to receiving his MBA, he worked as a CPA in Audit for Deloitte & Touche André holds a BA in Economics from the University of Maryland and an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business He’s a proud dad of two energetic kids – Cillian, 10 years old, and Isla, 8 years old –and his personal passions include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (he is a Renzo Gracie Black Belt), running, and travel

AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

Lauren Cantres is the Communications Associate for Estée Lauder and AERIN Beauty, North America, and an Influencer Marketing aficionado Born and raised in New York City, Lauren spent most of her life being a beauty and skin care enthusiast, and always envisioned herself having a career within the beauty industry. Previously, Lauren worked for luxury goods and accessories brand, Montblanc, in which she served as the Communications/Marketing Assistant for the North America region.

Monique Davis is Vice President, Global Local & Cultural Innovation, at The Estée Lauder Companies In this role, Monique works across brands to develop and expand product and commercial innovation to increase relevancy with global multiethnic consumers Monique also leads expertise across the intersection of Ageless and Skin of Color consumers to support acceleration across Multi-ethnic generations. With a passion for beauty inclusivity and deep product marketing experience, Monique has oversight of the Skincare and Fragrance categories, and collaborates with R&D, Product Development and Brand Marketing teams to ensure the company’s products meet and exceed expectations for skin of color consumers. With an extensive beauty background spanning over 15 years, Monique started her career at The Estée Lauder Companies as a Presidential Associate and has since held marketing roles of increasing responsibility at several brands within the company’s portfolio, including Bobbi Brown, Aveda and Clinique. Additionally, Monique led marketing categories at Avon, including Skincare, Makeup and Beauty Tools. She also held a marketing position at Conair Corporation, responsible for driving the Hair Dryer and Ladies Grooming categories for key accounts, such as ULTA. She is a recipient of the Cosmetics Executive Women “2021 Emerging Leader Award” for her business accomplishments in the beauty industry. Monique holds a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated and lives in Westchester, NY, with her husband and two children.

AN INSIDER’S LOOK AT THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

Maiah Martin is a passionate marketer committed to driving results, generating brand love and building equity through innovation and cultural relevance With over 10 years of marketing experience, 7 have been fully dedicated to beauty which is a passion point of hers

Maiah currently serves as Executive Director, Consumer Engagement for Clinique North America where she leads the development and execution of all multi-channel paid media strategies for the brand and it’s retailer partners along with all PR, Comms, Influencer and Eventing efforts

In 2022 she was named a Luxury Woman to Watch by Luxury Daily in their annual honoree list of exceptional women executives who show the most promise to “push the envelope”; and that has been and will continue to be a guiding principle throughout Maiah’s professional journey!

Brandon is a senior chemist professional and has had a successful tenure with the Estée Lauder Companies (ELC)

Brandon’s career spans over 19 years and he has an excellent track record of leading key initiatives, leveraging his knowledge of skincare formulations

Brandon started his career as a Junior Chemist for the Beauty Bank Brands in Skincare Formulation. He also spent nine years working on Estee Lauder Skincare as a formulator

Prior to his current role, Brandon served as Director, Research and Development, where he led the integration of DECIEM Brands, including skincare brand The Ordinary, from an ELC R&D standpoint bringing all R&D subfunctions together.

Brandon graduated from York College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Masters degree in Chemistry from New York University. His personal interests include spending time with his family, cooking, traveling and working on home renovation projects.

Ms. Austin is an attorney and legal analyst who has appeared on a number of networks including ABC News, CBS News, Inside Edition, Law and Crime, and Court TV. Previously she served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Journalism.

Prior to that, she served as Chief Corporate Policy Officer for S&P Global where she was responsible for implementing and monitoring corporate policies, standards, and procedures to ensure compliance with the highest industry standards. Previously, Ms. Austin served as the first Chief Diversity Officer for S&P Global where she managed an integrated diversity strategy across the businesses.

Prior to that, Ms. Austin worked at American International Group (AIG) from 1990 to 2010 in several roles including Chief Diversity Officer for AIG, Chief Compliance Officer for Domestic Insurance, and General Counsel for Domestic Claims. Prior to joining AIG, she was a litigation associate at Richards & O’Neil from 1986 to 1990, and an assistant counsel with the New York City Law Department from 1983 to 1986.

Ms. Austin holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Grinnell College, a juris doctor from Columbia University School of Law, and a master's degree from Columbia University School of Journalism. She is a member of the New York City Bar Association and has served on a number of non-profit boards including Riverdale Country School, Women’s Sports Foundation, Girls Inc of New York, and New Alternatives for Children.

Ms. Austin has received a number of honors including The Network Journal’s 25 Influential Black Women in Business in 2008, Girl Scouts Council of New York Woman of Distinction in 2010, Top Diversity Executive by Black Enterprise in 2011, and The Foundation for the Judicial Friends Leaders in Law in 2013. She lives in New York City where she has completed three New York City Marathons.

IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

Erika Munro Kennerly is a Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at Endeavor, a publicly traded global sports and entertainment company. Mrs. Kennerly leads a bi-coastal team of business affairs executives and legal staff charged with strategizing, negotiating, and drafting agreements related to all phases of the development, production, licensing, and exploitation of Endeavor’s non-scripted television programming and audio content offerings. Mrs. Kennerly works directly with her colleagues in senior management and the creative, production, sales, and finance teams to provide business advice and strategic insight related to the development, production, and distribution of a variety of non-scripted television productions (e.g. documentaries, reality programming, award shows, talk shows, game shows, sporting events, etc.) and in support of the Endeavor Audio division. She is a trusted leader, proven television executive, business strategist, dealmaker, relationshipbuilder, negotiator, diversity & inclusion specialist, philanthropist, and community advocate.

Prior to joining Endeavor, Mrs. Kennerly worked at Google (initially as Head of Strategic Partner Development on the New Business Development team within Google’s Global Partnerships division) as Global Head of Partnerships & Outreach on Google’s Employee Engagement team reporting directly to Google’s Chief Diversity Officer

Mrs Kennerly acquired extensive legal and business experience in the entertainment field at a variety of law firms and entertainment companies including Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP and Pryor Cashman, Sherman, and Flynn (as a litigator) and 360HipHop com, BET com, Arista Records, VH1/MTV Networks, and truTV/Turner Broadcasting System (transactionally). As an executive at these companies, her primary duties were to advise, counsel, and consult with her creative colleagues on a variety of development and business affairs matters; as well as cultivate and maintain extensive relationships in the entertainment industry.

Mrs. Kennerly is the author of the publication "Under Age, Under Contract, and Under-Protected: An Overview of the Administration & Regulation of Contracts With Minors in the Entertainment Industry in New York and California". Columbia-VLA Journal of Law and the Arts, Vol. 20, No-3, Spring 1996.

Mrs. Kennerly was a Presidential Scholar at Hampton University, graduating with Highest Honors and earning her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media /Communications. She received her Juris Doctorate from Columbia Law School and was named a Susan Price Carr Scholar.

Mrs. Kennerly was selected Turner Broadcasting System's 2012 "Working Mother of the Year", as awarded by Working Mother Magazine. She is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the “Emmys”), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and as a member of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York’s (PPGNY) Regional Leadership Council and PPGNY Board Equity Committee. Mrs. Kennerly serves as a board member of The Dance Theatre of Harlem, Legal Outreach, Inc., and Kicked It In Heels. The state of New York named September 16, 2017 as “Erika Munro Kennerly Day” in recognition of Erika’s philanthropic contributions and community advocacy.

IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

Sarah Dodds-Brown is an Executive Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at American Express. Sarah has held various roles of increasing responsibility over the course of her 17 year career in the General Counsel's Organization at American Express before becoming Deputy General Counsel in 2022. In her current role, her team leads support for many strategic and cross-functional initiatives and provides legal expertise and advice across a range of subject matter and regulatory areas, including digital transactions, technology, cybersecurity, intellectual property, antitrust, bank regulatory, advertising and marketing and privacy and data law.

In addition, Sarah coordinates the legal teams across the U.S. market and focuses on ways to enhance the operation of the legal department and management of legal risk. She serves as a member of the Company's enterprise risk management committee. Additionally, Sarah is a legal strategist who uses her field of expertise to influence business. She strives to thoughtfully challenge status quo thinking and widen the pipeline of professional talent to include more diverse and underrepresented candidates.

IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

Alexandra Thompson (she/her/hers) serves as Assistant Counsel at LDF, where she works on cases to advance racial justice in the areas of education and economic justice.

Prior to joining LDF, Alexandra was a Staff Attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights (Center). Alexandra’s litigation work included cases challenging various abortion restrictions in the United States such as pre-viability abortion bans, and targeted regulations of abortion providers. She also worked to expand access to medication abortion care, and co-authored a commentary published in the journal Contraception titled “The Disproportionate Burdens of the Mifepristone REMS.” Before joining the Center, Alexandra was a litigation associate at two international law firms, representing clients in white collar and regulatory investigations and complex civil litigation. During her time in private practice, she actively participated in pro bono matters involving education adequacy, prisoners’ rights, and immigration.

Alexandra received her J.D. cum laude from Howard University School of Law, where she served as Senior Articles Editor for the Howard Law Journal. Alexandra received her B.A. in Anthropology, with honors, from the University of Michigan.

Trained as an attorney, Carol Sutton Lewis has spent over 25 years focusing on parenting, child development and education, with a particular interest in how Black children learn and develop. Over the years she has been engaging parents and thought leaders across the country in conversations on parenting issues. Carol now shares best practices in her Ground Control Parenting blog and her award-winning podcast, Ground Control Parenting with Carol Sutton Lewis. The name explains the mission: helping parents become skilled members of the “ground control crew” who make sure their boys and girls have what they need for successful takeoff.

Carol recently expanded her podcast work to include producing and cohosting Season 3 of Lost Women of Science, a podcast sponsored by PRX and Scientific American, that tells the forgotten stories of female scientists who made groundbreaking achievements in their fields. She is currently co-hosting Season 4 of this podcast series.

Carol serves on the Common Sense Media Education Advisory Board and on the board of Stanford Law School. She has previously served on the boards of the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences and her sons’ K-12 independent school in New York City.

Carol is also passionate about the arts. She is the Vice Chair of the Studio Museum in Harlem and serves on the Collections Committee of the Addison Gallery of American Art. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford Law School

Dr. L. Susan Branche is a licensed clinical psychologist with 35 years of experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and families. Among her areas of focus are fostering healthy parent child communication from 2 to 25, and the challenges of raising teens during a life stage of exploration and discovery in an era of increasing uncertainty. Dr Branche has been senior psychologist and consultant at numerous hospitals and child development centers, and served on the boards of Northside Center for Child Development, Aprils Child Abuse Prevention Agency, The family Academy, and Planned Parenthood of NYC. Dr Branche has been a diversity and inclusion specialist, leading workshops and presentations in several independent schools, and currently maintains a private practice serving children and families. As a mother of grown sons, Dr Branche supports families transitioning through the many dynamics of empty nesting that arise for both parent and child.

DGina Parker Collins is the proud mom of two independent school scholars, a parent advocate, school advisor, and founder of RIISE - Resources In Independent School Education, plus, the co-host of Articulating -an Independent School Podcast.

RIISE is a support network for black and brown families seeking to navigate independent school culture grounded in the values of radical love, selfexpression, and acceptance honoring cultural richness, perseverance, and emotional wellness.

RIISE has developed a playbook, a toolkit, and signature events for prospective and enrolled parents of color, to ensure that students K-12 and their families thrive as they leverage every aspect of independent school education. Advancing recruitment and enrollment through an academic, cultural, and financial lens, Gina and RIISE deliver digital and live platforms that empower parent advocacy and partnerships for enduring legacy.

Before focusing on independent schools as communities of positive change, Gina was VP of Events for Working Mother Media, Director of Events for Meredith Corporation, and a graduate of Howard University. Gina has held several parent leadership roles in her children’s independent school such with the Parents of Color Affinity Group, Parent’s Association, and Head of School's Advisory Council.

www.4riise.org | gpc@4riise.org | socially on IG: @4RIISE + @artic.ultating

Eulas Boyd is the Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid at Brooklyn Law School. Dean Boyd practiced commercial litigation in New York for 9 years before transitioning to careers in workforce planning, talent acquisition, and law school admissions. Dean Boyd combines experience in corporate environments, financial institutions, non-profits, and law schools to inform his perspective on law school admissions, legal education, and the legal profession. He joined Brooklyn Law School in 2015.

Judge Jared R. Rice joined the bench in the New Rochelle City Court in January 2020, where he presides over criminal, civil, and traffic matters daily. In October 2020, Judge Rice initiated the Opportunity Youth Part (OYP), the first Emerging Adult Justice initiative in the 9th Judicial district, which works with defendants ages 16-24 who are justice-involved. Through the use of extensive community partnerships, OYP has engaged with more than 200 young individuals to provide workforce development, educational services, behavioral health, mentoring, housing assistance, and other key supports.

Prior to 2020, Judge Rice was a public defender in the Mount Vernon City Court for 14 years where he was the lead attorney in its Adolescent Diversion Part. Additionally, between 2011 and 2019, Judge Rice was a member of the New Rochelle City Council where among other things, he spearheaded Westchester’s first My Brother’s Keeper initiative, which focused on the cradle-to-career development of youth, particularly boys and young men of color.

Judge Rice is a lifelong Westchester resident and currently lives in New Rochelle with his wife Jasmine and their children, Jocelyn, and Jayden.

My name is Layla Ruiz and I am a bilingual xicana from Los Angeles, California. My debate experience began in 2015 as a policy debater under the Los Angeles Metropolitan Debate League. I then continued my debate career at Hofstra University competing in Lincoln Douglass and Parliamentary debate for 3 years. Today, I work as a Coordinator for the American Debate League where I coach and oversee the debate program for schools across the tri-state area. My passion and love for debate is fueled by my experiences as a low-income student with limited resources available and I want to provide accessible debate to students of color.