{ VISIONARY MINDS }
MARIA MALDONADO-LEWIS BY TAMMY REESE I PHOTO BY A.J. WILLIAMS
Maria Maldonado-Lewis born in Brooklyn NY, raised in Schenectady NY came to Syracuse NY when she was 10 years old with her family. Attending all of the public schools in Syracuse, which include McKinley Brighton Magnet School, Clary, Lincoln, YMED, Fowler High School and Columbia College. Raised on the South Side of Syracuse on Brighton Avenue and South Avenue for most of her youth years. As a young lady there was very little life direction and not many goals in mind. Becoming pregnant with her son at the age of 15 and birthed him at 16 years old. After having her son she grew up really fast. Maria’s son changed her life for the better and being a young mom made Maria start dreaming and creating goals. Starting a beauty school in Downtown Syracuse at Contemporary Beauty School, but they closed down before she was able to graduate, so she found a job and started working at Family Planning Services for a few years and that is when Maria’s career started. Thanks to the mentors at the time Cynthia Pace and Dana Jackson at
the Results Program Maria started to volunteer at the Spanish Action League and Seymour Elementary through a great program called Americorps. After volunteering she stayed as a full time employee with The Spanish Action League and created a program called The
Festival Chair, Co Chair and Parade Coordinator for over 5 years, Jubilee Homes Showcase Sundays MC and Coordinator for over 4 years and MC for CJack Productions with Charles Jackson at The New York State Fair for over 7 years. With her husband Keenan Lewis they share 3 children Antwan DaysMy Marine, Kamari and Kiara Lewis. Keenan is a Supervisor for ACR Health in the Health Home Department, which is a program that helps families with multiple health issues.
Learning Program. It was dedicated for youth ages 12 through 21 to keep them in school, learn life skills, abstinence and counsel them and their families with anything they need and referred them to other Community Resources. Volunteering for many years in the Syracuse community at The Southwest Community Center as a MC for Juneteeth for over 3 years, The Latino
With her husband Keenan Lewis together they have started a radio program called I Know I Can Radio. Starting the Radio program in order to Uplift and Empower the Community. After noticing a lot of negative news and negative social media feeds they both felt the community needed some Positive Life skill real talk, Health and Mental Health discussions and tips and uplifting music with guest speakers from the community that will provide community resources. The radio program is every Thursday at 7pm. You can listen online at wvoaradio. com/ 87.7FM or Tune In phone App. To contact this Visionary Leader you can by emailing Mmmariam6@gmail.com
CENTRAL NY WOMAN ONLINE :: OCTOBER/NOVEMBER EDITION 2019
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