THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

BLACK MALE INITIATIVE

Eleventh Annual Conference Schedule

The Power of Words: Black & Latino Voices of Change

Bronx Community College, The City University of New York

Friday, October 7, 2016

8:30 am to 9:30 am Continental Breakfast/Registration

Breakfast and Registration Location: Colston Hall (CO)

9:30 am to 10:30 am Welcome Remarks and Introduction

Location: Gould Memorial Library Auditorium (GML)

Jermaine Wright

University Director

The City University of New York

Black Male Initiative

Dr. Thomas A. Isekenegbe

President

Bronx Community College

The City University of New York

James B. Milliken

Chancellor

The City University of New York

Michael Garner

President

One Hundred Black Men of New York City

Ruben Diaz Jr.

Bronx Borough President

Vanessa Gibson

New York City Council Member

District 16 - Bronx, NY

Inez Barron

Chairperson, Higher Education Committee

The New York City Council

Michael Blake

New York State Assemblyman

District 79

Cyrus Garrett

Executive Director, Young Men's Initiative

NYC (Office of the Mayor)

Denise Arbesu

Senior Vice President Relationship Manager

Citi Commercial Bank

Morning Keynote Address and Earl Afternoon Panel Discussions

10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Morning Keynote Lecture and Film Screening

Wes Moore, Author of “The Other Wes Moore” and Producer of All the

Difference

Location: Gould Memorial Library Auditorium (GML)

12:35 pm to 1:45 pm Early Afternoon Panel Discussions (Concurrent)

1. Started from the Bottom Now You’re Here: High School to College

Moderator:

Clifford L. Marshall II, BMI Director, Bronx Community College

Panelists:

Jon Roure, Director of College Bound Initiative

Charlene Holmes, Bridge to College Learning Strategist, The Door-A Center for Alternatives

Theory Thompson, Good Shepherd Services, Program Director, Bronx Lifelink College Bridge &

Retention Program

Michelle Danvers Foust, Director of TRIO Pre-Collegiate Programs, Bronx Community College

Location: Gould Memorial Library Auditorium (GML)

2. From Incarceration to Education: Creating Pipelines

Moderator:

Alan Newton, CUNY BMI, Research Associate

Panelists:

Ronald Day, Associate Vice President of the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy, The Fortune

Society

Mark Bodrick, Future Now, Bronx Community College, Reentry Coordinator

Tiheba Williams, Reentry & Social Justice Advocate, Educational Mentor

Location: Hall of Fame Playhouse (HOF)

3. Back- to-Back: Moving from HSE to College

Moderator: Elizabeth Payamps, Director, Future Now at Bronx Community College

Panelists:

Jaye Jones, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Literacy Studies (ILS)

Claudia Ramirez, Associate Director, Future Now, Bronx Community College

Terrance Coffie, Former BCC College Initiative Student, NYU Student

Suri Singh, Principal, Pathways to Graduation- Bronx: Preparing for High School Equivalency and

Beyond

Location: Begrisch Hall 228 (BH)

4. All the Difference: Facilitators College Bound Guide

Moderator:

Marcia Cantarella, Ph.D., Higher Education Consultant, Cantarella Consulting and Co-Director of the

BMI Funded Project at Hunter College/CUNY, Brothers for Excellence

Location: Nichols Hall Auditorium (NI)

5. Going to College is on Fleek

Moderator: David Tavarez, A.I.S. Coordinator, Urban Male Leadership Program, Lehman College

Panelists:

Esteban Alcantara, Urban Male Leadership Program Student, Lehman College

Raziel Gracia, Urban Male Leadership Program Student, Lehman College

Salim Sabi, Future Now Student, Bronx Community College

Ervin Torres, Future Now Student, Bronx Community College

Location: Meister Hall - Schwendler Auditorium (ME)

1:50 pm to 2:40 pm Lunch

Location: Colston Hall (CO)

Afternoon Keynote Address and Late Afternoon Panel Discussions

2:45 pm to 3:55 pm

Afternoon Keynote Lecture

Christopher Emdin, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics,

Science and Technology at Teachers College, Columbia University and

Author of “For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood...and the Rest of Y’all

Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education”

Location: Gould Memorial Library Auditorium (GML)

4:00 pm to 5:10 pm Late Afternoon Panel Discussions (Concurrent)

6. Mentoring: Building a Network

Moderator: Bernard Gantt, Dean of Student Services, Bronx Community College

Panelists:

Stephen Powell, Chief Program Officer, National CARES Mentoring Movement

Michael Deas, Director, Urban Male Leadership Program, Lehman College

Lynette Cook-Francis, Vice President of Student Affairs, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Location: Gould Memorial Library Auditorium (GML)

7. Change Agents for a Second Chance: Re-entering the Classroom

Moderator: Susan P. Sturm, George M. Jaffin Professor of Law and Social Responsibility

Panelists:

Michael Blake, New York State Assembly, 79th Assembly District

Walter T. Mosley, New York State Assembly, 57th Assembly District

Keith Wright, New York State Assembly, 70th Assembly District

Luis R. Sepúlveda, New York State Assembly, 87th Assembly District

Location: Meister Hall - Schwendler Auditorium (ME)

8. Game Changers: HSE as the New School Reform

Moderator: Darryl Rogers, Senior Director, Continuing Education and Professional Studies

Panelists:

Emmanuel Rosa, Director of Community Relations, Governor’s Office of Faith-Based Community

Development Service

Bruce Carmel, Deputy Executive Director, Workforce Professionals Training Institute

James Johnson, Assistant Director for Education, The Door- A Center of Alternatives, Inc.

Amos J. Ryan, MSW, LMSW, School Social Worker, The East Flatbush Community Research School

Location: Begrisch Hall 228 (BH)

9. Undocumented and Unafraid: Achieving the American Dream

Moderator: José Luis Morín, J.D., Professor and Director, Latin American and Latina/o Studies Department, The

Ron H. Brown Law School Prep Program Director, John Jay College

Panelists:

Kirssy Martinez, The Dream.US Scholar Immigrant Rights Advocate

Monica Sibri, Founder and President, CUNY DREAMers

David Velazquez, The Dream.US, Program Officer

Cesar Vargas, 1st Dreamer Admitted to NY Bar

Location: Nichols Hall Auditorium (NI)

10. Love, Hip Hop….and Education!

Moderator:

Eugene Adams, Director of Collaborative Education Office of Academic Affairs, Bronx

Community College

Panelists:

Darnell 'Gizmo' Hargett, CEO of Motivational Innovative Concepts

Roderick Giles, CEO of Clarendon Entertainment Inc. and RG Filmworks LLC

Location: Hall of Fame Playhouse (HOF)

5:15 pm to 5:45pm Closing Plenary

CUNY CAT Performance

Location: Gould Memorial Library Auditorium (GML)

6pm to 7pm Reception

Location: Colston Hall (CO)

*The Resolution Project Competition will be held in Roscoe Brown Student Center RM 211*

Bios

Eugene Adams has over 35 years of corporate, non-profit, and education leadership experience. Mr. Adams’ basic

philosophy embraces the belief that children are our only real gift to the universe and that they must be respected and

cultivated. At present Mr. Adams is the Director of Collaborative Education Programs at Bronx Community College. Mr.

Adams specializes in developing and strengthening local and global educational partnerships with schools, community

partners, and industry. He considers himself a ‘Possibility Broker’ who brings diverse perspectives, needs, and resources

together in the development of sustainable educational partnerships. Mr. Adams most recent projects includes the BCC

Urban Drone Pilot Academy, literacy and science partnerships with the comic book industry, operational and leadership

development for Pre-K – 12 schools and universities in West Africa and Southern Africa, advocating academic and school

to work initiatives with community service agencies, and advisory membership within an emerging charter school

network. Mr. Adams has served as a consultant for many of New York’s agencies including The United Way of New

York City and the New York City Department of Education. Mr. Adams attended Rochester Institute of Technology,

Columbia University, New School for Social Research, and the University of Havana.

Esteban Alcantara is a Physics major at Lehman College. He plans to graduate in June 2019 at City College. He

participated in the UMLP LEH 100 course during Fall Semester of 2015 and was officially inducted to UMLP in May

2016. As a member of the UMLP he obtained confidence in his first year of college. When I first entered I was anxious

and insecure but as soon as I step foot in UMLP LEH 100, I exited the class every time with courage and motivation

because of how outreaching Professor Michael Deas is. He met his mentor Joseph Fordyce through the UMLP with whom

I actually have a few things in common and can have long endless conversations. By being a part of the UMLP I was able

to understand that anyone, even me coming from a Hispanic background, can obtain their dreams in a country where I’ll

only be seen as a hopeless minority. The UMLP gave him courage to stand his ground as a Physics major. He has earned

through UMLP that he does not have to do it all on his own. There will be people who will support him in achieving his

goals and will assist him in time of need.

Esteban plans to attend New York University to obtain his PhD degree in Physics, specifically in Theoretical High Energy

Physics (Particle Physics). His dream is to propose new theories in physics that can further advance our knowledge of the

universe.

Denise D. Arbesu is a Senior Vice President in Citibank, N.A.’s Citi Commercial Bank Group and Chair of the Board of

Directors of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest such organization in the U.S. She is responsible for

developing new business relationships in the Middle Market segment covering the Outer Boroughs of New York City, as

well as maintaining and expanding existing Middle Market accounts. Ms. Arbesu has developed an expertise in lending

to Not-for-Profit and Healthcare organizations, and serves on the Board of Directors for several organizations and on

various fund raising committees. The market equity realized through the years of Not-for-Profit work and business

organizations has resulted in significant market and community equity which has produced a substantial pipeline of new

business. Born in Cuba, Ms. Arbesu settled with her family in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and moved to New York City

where she began her financial career. She is very active in the community and is currently involved as Board Chair of the

Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Long Island City Partnership Board member and Board member of BRIC Arts | Media |

Bklyn. Ms Arbesu also raised funds for the Arthritis Foundation and the American Cancer Society and PENCIL – its

Principal for a Day educational programs. Ms. Arbesu received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Concordia

University, Loyola Campus Montreal, Quebec, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the New York Institute of Credit’s

Graduate Finance Program and completed the Advanced Credit Training Program. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.

Tiheba Bain is a senior at City College under the CUNY Baccalaureate Interdisciplinary and Unique studies program.

Her focus and field of study is Psychosocial Empowerment of Women through Policy. Ms. Bain is also a Justice-in-

Education Scholar graduate of Columbia University. Tiheba is a formerly incarcerated single mother who after serving 10

years shares her experience and views as an Educational Mentor, Social Justice Advocate, motivational speaker, organizer

and Recovery Coach. Ms Bain also sits on the Hostos, College Initiative Summer Program Advising Committee. Ms. Bain

graduated from B.C.C with her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts with a 3.4 G.P.A. Ms. Bain believes higher education is

a catalyst for economic stability for self-sufficiency, and allows her the ability to provide for family while strengthening

the community.

Inez Barron was elected to the NYC Council in 2013, after having served 5 years in the NYS Assembly. Her political

service follows a distinguished career of public service in the NYC Department of Education. Inez is the daughter of

George and Margaret R. Smith, who raised her to “put God first.” Inez credits her parents with instilling in her the value

of education and pride in her culture. Their encouragement to her was “always give your best, do your best, be your best

and expect the best.” Inez Barron is succeeding her husband, Hon.Charles Barron as Council Member of the 42nd Council

District. Inez and Charles are the parents of Jelani Johnson and Jawanza Barron. For more than fifty years, Ms. Barron

has been actively engaged in protesting against civil and human injustices such as segregation, discrimination, apartheid,

exclusion of Africa from the NYC curriculum, police misconduct and environmental racism

Michael Blake is the Assemblymember of the 79th District in New York State, representing parts of Concourse Village,

Morrisania, Melrose, Belmont, Claremont and East Tremont. He is passionate about urban entrepreneurship, Minority and

Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), community learning, building sustainable communities and empowering

young men of color. He served as the senior advisor for Operation Hope and is the founding principal of Atlas Strategy

Group, which focuses on political and economic empowerment for communities of color.

Blake also serves on the My Brother's Keeper Alliance as a national advisory board member (the only state legislator in

the nation); is the newly elected 2nd Vice-Chair of the NY Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus;

and is Chair of the Mitchell-Lama subcommittee and a member of the Corrections, Housing, Banks, Veterans, Election

Law and Governmental Operations committees. Blake passed three legislative bills in his first year in office, including his

signature prompt pay bill which will require New York State to pay contracted companies with 200 employees or less in

15 days instead of 30 days. In conjunction with The Libra Group, Blake secured $500,000 for Bronx entrepreneurs

through the American Entrepreneurship Award, secured a historic $2.2 million for New York City Housing Authority

improvements for developments in his district, addressed gun violence among residents through partnership with L.I.F.E.

CAMP for the annual peace week, and garnered more than $16 million for schools in his assembly district. The Bronx,

New York native is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. He is also an exhorter in

the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Church.

Mark Bodrick was born in Charleston, South Carolina. His family relocated to New York, where they moved frequently

and experienced many difficulties. He is a former student of Riker’s Island R.I.E.F (Riker’s Island Educational Facility-

currently East River Academy) where for the first time he found himself focused on his education and not so distracted

by life problems, I developed my learner’s identity. While on Riker’s Island, he connected with CUNY Catch (Elizabeth

Payamps) and was able to receive his GED in 1998. Mark was released from Riker’s Island in 2001 and went to

Covenant House. He enrolled in Bronx Community College. He began working at CUNY Catch in 2002 as a Student Aide

and was eventually promoted to Coordinator of the program. This transition allowed Mark to visit Riker’s Island

educational facility to do outreach to others in school at Riker’s Island. He has been working at Bronx Community

College for half of his life. Mark received an A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems and his B.A. in Sociology. He is

working on Master’s in Dietetics, Food, Nutrition and plans on continuing his education until he receives his PhD. From

GED to PhD!

Marcia Cantarella is the author of I CAN Finish College: The Overcome Any Obstacle and Get Your Degree Guide

(www.icanfinishcollege.com) which educators, parents and students say is a goldmine of information and strategies

especially for first generation, low-income and students of color who struggle to complete college degrees. Dr. Cantarella

has been an Associate Dean at Hunter College, a Dean at Princeton University and part of the Dean’s staff at New York

University’s College of Arts and Science. In these functions she has been responsible for academic advisement, career

development, preparation for postgraduate fellowships, development of diversity programs, and strategies to generally

enhance students’ academic experience and outcomes. She has drawn on 15 years of corporate experience gained as a

Director in Public Affairs and then in Marketing at Avon Products to apply those skills and background to

communications challenges, financial and strategic planning in a higher education environment. As Vice-President of

Student Affairs at Metropolitan College of NY she was responsible for web development and rebranding of the College as

well as admissions and student services. She now consults and speaks to students, faculty and administrators regarding the

challenges around college success and graduation. She co-directs the CUNY Hunter Black Male Initiative Program. She

has worked with Prep for Prep, the Achievement First Schools, Harlem rbi and many others. She also serves on the boards

and advisory boards of Eagle Academy Schools, Minds Matter, The Greater NY Boy Scouts Council and the READ

Alliance. Her blogs can be found on http://icanfinishcollege.wordpress.com/ and Huffington Post at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcia-y-cantarella-phd/. She is a contributing expert at www.howtolearn.com

Dr. Cantarella graduated with Honors from Bryn Mawr College and has her Masters and Doctoral degrees from New

York University in American Studies. She is the daughter of late civil rights leader Whitney Young.

Bruce Carmel is the Deputy Executive Director of Workforce Professionals Training Institute. He has been an educator

for a very long time. He has worked in public schools, colleges and universities, libraries, summer camps and community-

based organizations. Bruce has a broad range of experience, having worked as a classroom teacher, researcher, staff

developer, program director, and curriculum developer. He was done much to advance policy and advocacy work in New

York City and the State, especially around GED and HSE. He is a founding member of the New York City Coalition for

Adult Literacy, co-chairs NYCCAL’s HSE work group and sits on the State Education Department’s HSE Advisory

Group.

Terrance Coffie is a 2016 graduate of New York University, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Social Work.

A 2014 graduate of Bronx Community College and member of CUNY’s Black Male Initiative, Terrance was selected by

The Presidents’ Roundtable: Men of Color Student Leadership Institute as a Peer Leader, named a Global Fellow by the

International Study Program, Salzburg, Austria, he is also a 2013 inductee into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, recipient

of the Coca Cola and New York State All-Academic Team Awards and named the 2014 NYACCE Student of the Year.

During his senior year at NYU Terrance received the 2016 President’s Service Award and Excellence In Leadership

Award for his development of The Doe Fund’s College Pathways Program, which assist formerly incarcerated men with

obtaining higher educational opportunities.

Lynette Cook-Francis, with over thirty years in higher education, has held faculty and administrative positions in public,

private, research and community colleges and universities. Since coming to John Jay, her focus has been on increasing

student services and encouraging engagement of all Bloodhounds through community service, campus activities and

interactions with faculty. Before coming to John Jay, she was most recently the Senior Assistant Vice President for

Student Affairs at the University of Arizona where she oversaw student success and faculty programs. She is the co-chair

and faculty for the NASPA Region II Mid-Managers Institute; the author of several articles on multiple topics in higher

education, and has presented at dozens of conferences nationally and internationally. She has twice been a dean for

Semester at Sea where she sailed around the world with her family on a floating college campus.

Michelle A. Danvers Foust is the Director of TRIO Pre-Collegiate Programs (Upward Bound; Upward Bound Math and

Science, Talent Search Programs) on the campus of Bronx Community College and has served in this capacity for the past

thirty-one years. TRIO are federal grant programs funded by the United States Department of Education whose goal is to

motivate, assist and equip low-income, first-generation youth to successfully graduate from middle and secondary school

“college ready”; enroll in a postsecondary institution of their choice; and graduate with at least a baccalaureate degree.

The BCC TRiO pipeline has over 600 participants and provides critical educational/cultural/social outreach services to

low-income, first-generation youth from grades six through twelve. Michelle was also the Director of the Northeast

Consortium, an intensive STEM program for middle school students, funded by Brookhaven National Laboratories, the

Department of Energy and General Electric. Ms. Danvers Foust graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Arts

degree in Sociology, prior to her appointment at Bronx Community College. Her educational credits also include a Juris

Doctorate degree from New York Law School. A seasoned and exceptional administrator, Michelle is also a skilled grant

writer who has authored many successful competitive educational grants.

Ronald F. Day is Associate Vice President of the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy (DRCPP) at the Fortune

Society, where he oversees advocacy efforts to reduce reliance on incarceration, promote model programing for the

incarcerated population, change laws and policies that create barriers for successful reintegration, and foster a just and

equitable criminal justice system. He is passionate about reentry, reducing recidivism, promoting desistance, dismantling

mass incarceration, and addressing the stigma of incarceration. Ronald formerly served as the Director of Workforce

Development for the Osborne Association, where he managed youth and adult job training, placement, and mentoring

programs. Ronald has been the recipient of several awards, including the Citizen’s Against Recidivism Bridge Builder

Award, and the Justice Research Fellowship. Ronald is the host of Fortune’s original show Both Side of the Bars on

Manhattan Neighborhood Network. He has spoken on dozens of panels relating to criminal justice issues, and has been

featured in documentaries on access to education and incarceration’s stigma. Ronald is Fortune’s representative on

numerous coalitions, including but not limited to: New York Reentry Education Network (NYREN), Education from the

Inside Out (EIO), Coalition of Reentry Advocates (CoRA), and Coalition of ATI/Reentry and Victims’ Advocates

(CAVA). Ronald has a Master’s in Public Administration from Baruch College (CUNY). He is a criminal justice doctoral

candidate at the CUNY Graduate Center / John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an Adjunct Instructor at John Jay.

Michael Deas was appointed Director of The Urban Male Leadership Program (UMLP) at Lehman College in August of

2008. He continues to create an abundance of program awareness across the Lehman campus as well as other Black Male

Initiative campuses. Always putting the needs of the student first, he has developed a program to strengthen academic

skills, personal development and character enrichment. Prior to Mr. Deas’ appointment as Director of the UMLP, he was

the New York City Director of Social Work for the Administration for Children’s Services Juvenile Justice Initiative. He

is an Adjunct Professor at Herbert H. Lehman College (African and African American Studies Department) and at The

College of New Rochelle (Social Work Department). In 2006 he became the Recipient of the Adjunct Excellence in

Teaching Award at Lehman College. Mr. Deas is a skilled orator, who has often delivered speeches at Lehman College’s

Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy celebration. Michael Deas, the director of Lehman’s Urban Male Leadership

Program (UMLP) was recently honored by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, as a leader who has made significant social

and educational contributions to the city. Director Deas was recognized alongside luminaries such as former New York

City Mayor David Dinkins, newly elected Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl Heastie, and keynote speaker,

State Senator Ruth Hassel-Thompson. The recognition is part of the chamber’s African-American heritage celebration, an

annual event honoring leading African-American men and women for their dedication to the community. Michael Deas

earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Lehman College and holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from

Fordham University. Mr. Deas has a long history working in public and private agencies providing support and services

for children and families. Additionally, he serves as a motivational speaker, and is a U.S. Army Disabled Veteran.

Dr. Christopher Emdin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology at

Teachers College, Columbia University; where he also serves as Director of Science Education at the Center for Health

Equity and Urban Science Education. He is also the Associate Director of the Institute for Urban and Minority Education

at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is an alumni fellow at the Hutchins Center at Harvard University, and

currently serves as Minorities in Energy Ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy and the STEAM Ambassador for

the U.S. Department of State. Dr. Emdin is a social critic, public intellectual and science advocate whose commentary on

issues of race, culture, inequality and education have appeared in dozens of influential periodicals including the New York

Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post. Dr. Emdin holds a Ph.D in Urban Education with a concentration in

Mathematics, Science, and Technology; Masters degrees in both Natural Sciences and Education Administration, and

Bachelors degrees in Physical Anthropology, Biology, and Chemistry. He is the creator of the #HipHopEd social media

movement, and a much sought-after public speaker on a number of topics that include hip-hop education, STEM

education, politics, race, class, diversity, and youth empowerment. He is also an advisor to numerous international

organizations, school districts, and schools where he delivers speeches, and holds workshops/ professional development

sessions for students, teachers, policy makers, and other education stakeholders within the public and private sector. Dr.

Emdin provides regular commentary on Al Jazeera and the Huffington Post; where he writes the Emdin 5 series. He is the

author of the award winning book, Urban Science Education for the Hip-hop Generation and For White Folks Who Teach

In the Hood and the Rest of Ya’ll too, which is currently on the New York Times best sellers list.

Stacie Evans is the Adult Literacy Advisor in the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development. Her focus is the integration

of foundation skill development into the workforce system to ensure that employers can find local talent for their open

positions and that jobseekers of varying skill and experience levels can access the education and training supports needed

to enter higher education, skills training programs, apprenticeships, and career-track employment. She comes to the

Mayor’s Office from a career in adult education and community development. She has directed literacy, basic education,

high school equivalency, English language, and workforce training programs, and co-directed a community revitalization

project that included education and training opportunities, including the creation of a worker-owned cooperative. She is

committed to strengthening New York City’s education and training system to better meet jobseekers’ needs.

Mel Gagarin is the Public Affairs Associate at College and Community Fellowship (CCF) and helps coordinate the

Education from the Inside Out Coalition (EIO). His responsibilities include working with EIO leadership to develop and

implement legislative and communications strategies, with the aim of reducing barriers to higher education for currently

and formerly incarcerated individuals. Mel has dedicated his career to serving the public good and advocating on behalf of

social justice issues, both through the employ of elected officials and non-profit organizations. Mel has worked for the

National Foundation for Women Legislators, New York State Senator Jose M. Serrano and former U.S. Congressman

Anthony Weiner, as well as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Planned Parenthood of New York City. He received his

B.A. in Political Science from American University in Washington, D.C.

Bernard J. Gantt is a seasoned professional with higher education experience in both public and private institutions as an

educator, administrator and leader. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Education from the Richard W. Riley College of

Education and Leadership at Walden University. He has also participated in and graduated from several leadership

institutes. Dean Gantt’s higher education career started at Columbia University and he currently serves as the Dean of

Academic/Student Services at Bronx Community College. In addition, he has presented at several national conferences

across the country and is a member of several national organizations including: the National Academic Advising

Association, the National Council on Student Development, the Middle States Association of College Registrars and

Admissions Offices, the Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers, the American Association of

Community Colleges, the National Council on Black American Affairs and the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher

Education.

Raziel Garcia is a rising Sophomore, with a major in Health Services Administration and minor in Psychology at Lehman

College, CUNY. Mr. Garcia is a Spring 2015 Inducted Member of The Urban Male Leadership Program (UMLP) at

Lehman College. He serves as a UMLP Peer Mentor and volunteers with several UMLP campus programs. Mr. Garcia is

honored to represent the UMLP and serve as a panelist at this year's 11th Annual CUNY BMI Conference. His academic

knowledge, interpersonal, leadership and analytical skills have been enhanced through his participation in numerous

UMLP workshops and events. He is dedicated to becoming more involved within Lehman College and his local

community, in order to improve social relationships and serve as an effective role model for underrepresented Black and

Latino Males in college.

Michael Garner has more than twenty years of experience in developing and creating business opportunities for minority

and women-owned businesses to foster economic development and bring new jobs to New York. As Senior Director of

Business Development at the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA), Mr. Garner was responsible for the

short and long term business development of qualified emerging Minority, Women-Owned and Locally Based Business

Enterprises (MWLBEs). Under his direction, the SCA created one of the most comprehensive small business development

and inclusion programs in the nation including implementation of a Graduate Mentor Program; creation of a surety

bonding program, which provided surety bonds to 22 MWLBEs totaling $56 million. Mr. Garner received a Bachelor of

Science Degree in Business Management from the State University of New York, College at Buffalo and is close to

completing his studies for a Master of Business Administration from SUNY.

Cyrus Garrett is the Executive Director of New York City’s Young Men’s Initiative. Prior to his appointment, Mr.

Garrett served as a political analyst for Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization funded by former Mayor Michael

Bloomberg. Mr. Garrett earned this honor after serving as a Deputy Field Director in Ohio for President Obama’s 2012 re-

election campaign. Prior to the 2012 Presidential Election, Mr. Garrett served as a speechwriter to the Assistant Secretary

of the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) for the U.S. Department of Education. From 2009-2011, Mr.

Garrett was the special advisor to Director, Gray-ling Williams at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of

Counternarcotic Enforcement (CNE). Mr. Garrett attended both the University of Illinois and University of Northern

Iowa (UNI) and obtained his bachelor’s degree in criminology from UNI.

Roderick D. Giles knows how to tell a story. From his humble beginnings as a production assistant to CEO of Clarendon

Entertainment Inc., the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship Awarded recipient, and two time Emmy Award

nominated cameraman and director has spent the better half of the last two decades doing what he does best – chronicle

stories that are meaningful in the urban community. To date his directing credits consist of short and feature films,

documentaries, music videos and TV Shows. When not behind the camera, Mr. Giles taught video production, directing

and documentary filmmaking for Bronxnet Cable at Lehman College for over a decade. Mr. Giles has spent the last two

years developing a slate of intellectual properties through his production company RG Filmworks LLC, which are

designed for multi-platform distribution, and include webisodes, sitcom, documentaries and feature films.

Vanessa L. Gibson is the Council member for the 16th District of the New York City Council. She is a Democrat. The

district includes Claremont Village, Concourse, Concourse Village, Crotona Park, Highbridge, Longwood, Melrose,

Morris Heights, Morrisania, Mount Eden and University Heights in The Bronx. Gibson currently serves as the City

Council Member for District 16 and serves as chair of the Public Safety Committee. Gibson is a lifelong resident of New

York City and was raised in The Bronx neighborhood of Morris Heights. She graduated from Murry Bergtraum High

School in 1997. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the State University of New York at Albany in May

2001. Gibson then received a M.P.A. from Baruch College (City University of New York) in May 2009.

Darnell "Gizmo" Hargett is known around the Hip Hop community as 'Gizmo the Hip Hop Historian'. Gizmo was

a member of the early pioneers of Hip Hop music and culture. He is respected and has developed friendships with many

artists, deejays, producers, managers, promoters, club owners and music industry people. The name Gizmo the Hip Hop

historian was given to Gizmo by his Zulu Nation brothers. Gizmo is a contemporary of such as KRS ONE and Scott

LaRock, Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Kid Capri, DJ Red Alert, Teddy Ted and Special K, Dougie Fresh and Slick Rick, Little

Vicious, Grandmaster Caz, Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Neyo, Jim Jones, Fugees, Buju Banton, Super Cat, Mary J Blige, Steel

Pulse, Stone Love, Killamanjaro, DJ Scratch to name few. His professional and personal relationships with the Hip Hop

and reggae artists and DJ's extends through the 70's, 80's. 90's. Gizmo also worked with a number of R&B and Jazz artists

through promotion for the Village Gate, Blue Note, Roselands, Roxy's and many other clubs. Some of the jobs role roles

Gizmo has served includes DJ, Emcee, Hype man, Promoter, Studio Engineer, Road Manager, Producer to name a few. In

the area of production Gizmo has worked with the biggest sound systems, stage and lighting crews in the tri-state area.

Charlene Holmes is a new member of the youth development world by way of Mercy College. She studied Health

Sciences and Physical Therapy during her undergrad years. She had a passion to give back to her community and began

servicing youth at The College Success Office a program of The Harlem Children's Zone as a College Advisor. During

this time she has helped many students from the inner city persist to next level higher education and enter into the work

force. Students have gone off to UNC: Chapel Hill, University of Albany, University of Delaware, City College, John Jay

College, Hunter and Manhattan College. Charlene has facilitated many workshops for student enhancement which

include; How to Survive Finals Week 101, Resume Building and Networking, Math 05 Intimidation Crusher, English

Analytics and Comprehension, Survive Campus Crash Course; where the focus objective is to help students acclimate

sooner to their respective campus. Charlene is currently at St. John's University in Queens, NY, where she is studying

Sports Management at the graduate level. Once she has attained her masters, Charlene plans on entering the world of

intercollegiate sports where she can further service inner city youth to gain useful income competing in their given sport.

Charlene's youth development approach is active listening and encouragement.

Dr. Thomas Isekenegbe was appointed as president of Bronx Community College of the City University of New York in

2015. Isekengbe, who has an outstanding administrative, teaching and leadership record that spans nearly 30 years at both

two-year and four-year institutions of higher education, was appointed to the position after serving as the president of

Cumberland County College, a community college in Vineland, NJ, for the past six years. BCC’s newly appointed

president earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with honors from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a masters in

science education as well as an Ed.S. and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Indiana State University. As

president of Cumberland County College, Isekenegbe developed and implemented a community-based planning effort

that resulted in a strategic plan with three dimensions: student engagement and completion, leadership and service

learning and economic and workforce development - a plan that lead to successful reaccreditation of the college by the

Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

James Johnson is currently the Assistant Director of Education Services at The Door's Bronx Youth Center. He has been

working in young adult education for the past13 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from New York

University. James currently leads several initiatives at the Bronx Youth Center including, HSE instruction and curriculum

and the Bronx Opportunity Network, a college prep program that aims to reduce remediation. During the past four years

he has been designing and running Career Pathways programs for EMT and IT certifications. He was also a recipient of

the Literacy Assistance Center’s “Literacy Recognition Award.” James was born and raised in the South Bronx and is

committed to helping young people from this community.

Jaye Jones is Executive Director of the Lehman College Institute for Literacy Studies and oversees professional

development, program evaluation, direct services and research activities conducted under three affiliated programs: the

NYC Math Project, the NYC Writing Project and the Adult Learning Center. She received her PhD in Social Work from

the University of Chicago, an MS degree from Columbia University’s School of Social Work, an MA in Women’s Studies

from George Washington University, and a BA in Psychology from the University of Iowa. Her educational experiences

have fostered an interdisciplinary research agenda focusing on adult literacy learners with histories of trauma, and a

parallel commitment to emotionally responsive learning contexts that honor embodied knowledges and foster collective

empowerment.

Kirssy Martinez was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She moved to the United States at age 14. After

graduating High School, Martinez was out of school for eight years due to her immigration status. In 2012 she qualified

for president’s Barack Obama DACA program, a plan deferring legal action against Dreamers. In 2015, Martinez made

CUNY history by becoming the first Dreamer to be named class Valedictorian. The Dream.US scholar is a Senior, with a

major in Political Science and a minor in Public Policy at The City College of New York. Martinez is the executive

assistant of the organization XP Grupo Luz de Esperanza (XP Light of Hope Group), a genetic disease nonprofit seeking

to improve the lives of Xeroderma Pigmentosum patients whose lifespan is shorten every time they are exposed to

sunlight. Martinez has been awarded a position in the 2016 CUNY Women’s Public Service Internship Program, which

will place her at a local office of a public servant working to promote women’s issues and leadership in New York.

Isabel Martinez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Latin American and Latina/o Studies and the founder and

Director of the Unaccompanied Latin American Minor Project at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the City

University of New York. She has received various excellence in teaching and mentoring awards including from the

Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program and is currently revising her manuscript on unaccompanied,

undocumented Mexican youths in New York City. She received her B.A. in Sociology from Rice University, her M.A. in

Educational Policy, Practice and Foundation from the University of Colorado at Boulder and her Ph.D. in Sociology and

Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

James B. “J.B.” Milliken is chancellor of the City University of New York - the nation's largest urban university system.

Prior, Milliken served as president of the University of Nebraska from 2004 to 2014, where he was also a professor at the

School of Public Affairs and at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law. Milliken previously served as senior

vice president of the University of North Carolina's 16-campus system, from 1998 to 2004. Before joining the University

of North Carolina, Milliken was vice president of the division of external affairs of University of Nebraska.

José Luis Morín is Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) in the Department of Latin American and

Latina/o Studies. He is also the Associate Director of the Ronald H. Brown Laws School Prep Program of the Department

of Latin American and Latina/o Studies at John Jay College, which, in collaboration with St. John’s University School of

Law, seeks to increase the numbers of underrepresented groups in law school. Professor Morín’s areas of academic

specialization include domestic and international criminal justice, civil rights, international human rights, Latina/o studies,

and Latin American studies. He is author of Latino/a Rights and Justice in the United States: Perspectives and

Approaches (2nd

edition, 2009) and the forthcoming book, Latinos and Criminal Justice: An Encyclopedia. He is a

graduate of Columbia University and New York University School of Law.

NYS Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley represents the Brooklyn communities of Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, and

parts of Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Height. He is a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, husband, and proud father of two children. He

sits on the State Assembly standing committees on Housing, Education, Corrections, Codes, and Banks. Most recently Assemblyman

Mosley, worked on the blue ribbon panel for the New York State Board of Regents My Brothers Keeper’s Initiative, Inspired by

President Obama’s education initiative to address the enduring opportunity gap facing minority males. His efforts along with his

colleagues in the Assembly resulted in securing $20 million to implement the panel’s recommendations.

Clifford L. Marshall, II began his career in higher education in 1997 working at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn NY

as a job developer. In 1999 he was hired by Bronx Community College’s COPE Program in the same capacity helping to

rebuild their program. After 2 years he moved on to work at City College of New York located in his hometown, the

village of Harlem, as the first Customer Service Manager in CUNY. After working there for 3 years he was recruited to

come back to Bronx Community College. His career at BCC started as a Job Developer and proceeded to Customer

Relations Manager in Enrollment Management. He also is an Adjunct Professor, former Director of The Veterans Affairs

Program and is now the Director of the Bronx Community College Black & Latino Male Initiative Program.

Wes Moore is a decorated Army combat veteran, youth advocate and CEO of BridgeEdU, a national initiative focusing

on addressing the college completion and career placement crisis by reinventing the Freshman Year of college. He is also

the author two instant New York Times bestselling books, The Other Wes Moore, a story of the importance of individual

decisions as well as community support, and The Work, which chronicles Wes’s journey to discover meaning in his work

and how he found that meaning in service. Most recently he released, This Way Home, a young adult novel about the

choices we make and the friendships we keep. Wes graduated Phi Theta Kappa from Valley Forge Military College and

in 1998 received his Bachelor’s degree with honors from Johns Hopkins University. He completed an MLitt in

International Relations from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar in 2004. Upon graduation, Wes served as a

paratrooper and Captain in the United States Army, participating in a combat tour of duty in Afghanistan with the 82nd

Airborne Division. Wes has been featured by USA Today, People Magazine, “Meet the Press,” The Daily Show with Jon

Stewart, “The View,” MSNBC, and NPR, among many others. He is also the host of “Beyond Belief” on the Oprah

Winfrey Network and Executive Producer and host of “Coming Back with Wes Moore” on PBS.

Alan Newton served as a Research Associate with The City University of New York Black Male Initiative (CUNY BMI)

for over 6 years. He earned an A.A. degree from Dutchess Community College/SUNY and a B.S. in Business

Administration from Medgar Evers College/CUNY. Before becoming CUNY BMI’s Research Associate, Newton was the

Student Director for Justice Initiatives at The Male Development and Empowerment Center (MDEC) at Medgar Evers

College/CUNY. Among numerous duties, Newton provided counsel to students, organized off-campus seminars and

recruited prospective college students. He also supported the work of MDEC’s advisory group by scheduling meetings,

preparing program materials, and maintaining an online networking tool to foster increased communication between

MDEC and its community partners. As for his work related to MDEC’s community outreach efforts, Newton assisted in

developing partnerships with community organizations with goals and objectives that are directly aligned with MDEC’s

mission. Through this outreach work, Newton extended the resources of the Center beyond Medgar Evers College

through fostering collaboration and exchange with a diverse array of people as well as community organizations. Newton

also assisted students, at their request, with legal issues by interacting with their legal representatives.

Alfred Obiesie is a Liberian born, Brooklyn raised writer / producer / audio engineer. He has an online content

contributor (Onetrackmine.com, Cartermag.com, Essence.com), hip hop producer for over 15 years (Nas, Damien Marley,

DV Alias Khryst) and a fan of hip hop culture his entire life. Coming of age in the golden era of hip hop, Alfred gained

personal introspective into the motivations, rhymes and reasons behind one of the most revered genres in modern music.

Alfred has recently written his first book titled You Made It a Hot Line; The most influential lines in hip hop. The book

chronicles hip hop lines from the genre’s most notable artists, spanning almost 40 years. You Made It a Hot Line delves

into the societal impact of each line and influence on culture and behavior.

Elizabeth Payamps is the Director of Future Now at Bronx Community College (BCC), a campus-based HSE and

college program offering a wide range of classes for students ages 16-24. In 2012, Ms Payamps was recognized by the

NY Public Library’s’ prestigious Brooke Russell Astor Award and in 2014 she received the Literacy Assistance’s Center

Practitioner of the Year Award, for her significant contribution to New York City. As Director of Future Now, Elizabeth

has built a nationally recognized model of a high performing HSE and college transition program serving low income and

justice involved youth and effective peer mentoring and leadership development programs. In 2011, Future Now’s college

focused peer mentoring program, IMPACT, was chosen for replication as part of the NYC Mayor’s Young Men’s

Initiative and Ms. Payamps is overseeing the technical assistance to implement the Future Now/IMPACT model at other

CUNY campus-based HSE programs. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Queens College of the City

University of New York and a Master’s Degree in Administration of Social Work from Hunter College of the City

University of New York.

Stephen Powell is the chief program officer of the National CARES Mentoring Movement. Prior to joining the National

CARES Mentoring Movement he served as the executive director of Mentoring USA. Stephen served on the advisory

boards of the NYC Young Men’s Initiative (YMI) and the Newark My Brother’s Keeper Initiative and led a Campaign for

Black Male Achievement sponsored faith-based mentor recruitment initiative entitled “MEN-TOUR: Recruit. Reclaim.

Restore.” He has been recognized by GQ, Black Enterprise, the White House and other entities for his mentoring and

community engagement efforts. Stephen resides in Montclair, NJ with his wife and two daughters.

Carlos Quintana joined the Prisoner Reentry Institute in January 2016 as the College Initiative Program Coordinator.

Previously, he worked for nine years in after-school programs in New York City public schools doing Human Rights and

Social Justice programming. There he saw the front end of the prison to college pipeline and how young people in

particular communities were being pushed out of school and into criminal justice involvement. Carlos holds a BA in

Sociology and Education from Northeastern University where he studied to become an elementary school teacher. Carlos

is passionate about Social Justice Issues and cares deeply about higher education access for under-served communities.

Claudia Ramirez is the Assistant Director of the Future Now Program at Bronx Community College. Ms. Ramirez

graduated from LaGuardia Community College with an Associate Degree in Mental Health in 2007. She obtained a

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology in 2011 from Herbert Lehman College. In 2013, she also

completed an intensive leadership training program at Columbia University. In her role at Future Now, Ms. Ramirez

oversees the HSE component. She is responsible for scheduling HSE candidates to take the TASC Exam. As one of her

main responsibilities, she provides one-on -one/group counseling to students with personal, academic, behavioral and

psychological issues. She also manages daily operations of the program such as attendance policy, testing (placement test,

post-test and readiness test), interviews and orientations for incoming students. Thanks to her contributions, more than

1,000 students have completed the HSE diploma and transitioned to college at Future Now.

Darryl Rogers has a career as an educator, mentor and leader in the adult education world that has spanned over 25 years.

In particular, Darryl’s contributions have been through his dedication to serve the hardest populations, such as at-risk

youth, recent immigrants, and both the currently and formerly incarcerated. Upon entering Hostos Community College in

2012 as Senior Program Coordinator for the college’s Bridge-to-LPN Program, Darryl’s adept skill at developing

contextualized curriculum resulted in 100% completion record, resulting in all participants being able to enter the RN

program. Under his leadership, Darryl was able to secure CUNY’s coveted Fatherhood Academy Initiative grant, and the

creation of the College Readiness Program, whose students have an 80% success rate in passing the CUNY entrance

exams, with the remainder needing to pass only one component. Lastly, Darryl received the 2015 Outstanding Continuing

Educator from CEANY for his dedication and commitment to improving the lives of disconnected youth, immigrants and

nontraditional adult learners. Darryl holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration & International Affairs from the

University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Administration & International Affairs.

Manuel A. Rosa, “Manny” has enjoyed a career of public service that spans more than thirty-nine years, including his

current position as Director of Community Relations for the Governor’s Office of Faith Based Community Development

Services. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the Urban Studies Department at Queens College, City University of

New York. His community activism has led him to serve on the advisory boards of the National Latino Behavioral Health

Association and the Puerto Rican Family Institute; the Queens Hispanic Heritage Committee and is a founding board

member of the Association of Hispanic Healthcare Executives and as Vice President of the Board of Directors of the

Latino Leadership Institute. A native of the Bronx, Manuel is married to Iris Rodriguez-Rosa (currently the Bronx

Borough Commissioner of the New York City Parks Department), is the proud father of his daughters Rosa, Sylvia and

Jasmine and “grandpa” to his grandchildren, Noel, Sophia, Annabelle and Rafael.

Jon Roure, the Director of the CollegeBound Initiative (CBI), has more than 17 years of college counseling and

management experience in both the higher education and nonprofit sectors. Jon began his career at Columbia University

as an Early Intervention Initiative Coordinator for the Double Discovery Program and a College Advisor for Columbia’s

Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). In 2001, Jon was hired by the Young Women’s Leadership Network as

one of four inaugural counselors to pilot the CollegeBound Initiative in New York City’s Title 1 public high schools. He

served as a Director of College Counseling at Health Opportunities High School for almost five years where he worked to

build a college-going culture with its families, faculty, and staff that helped guide nearly 400 students to college. In 2006,

he was promoted to Director and has since lead the strategic development of CBI’s program, including program model

development and refinement, job descriptions, staffing structure, training, partnership development, new initiatives,

impact analysis, and program expansion. Jon spearheaded CBI’s growth and broadened its impact from partnering with 7

schools serving approximately 5,000 to partnering with 35 serving more than 18,000 in grades 6-12. The number of

seniors graduating and gaining access to college increased from approximately 500 in 2006 to 2200 in 2016. Since 2001

more than 8400 CBI students have enrolled in college. The class of 2016 will make it more than 10,000 students

accessing higher education. As Senior Managing Director, Jon will oversee the growth of the program to 35 schools in

the 2016-2017 academic year. Jon holds a B.A. in Sociology (1998) with a minor in Professional Youth Work from

Rutgers University and an M.A. in Student Personnel Administration (1999) from Teachers College, Columbia

University. He is a proud alumnus of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOF) at Rutgers University and is an

example of what opportunity and access to higher education can do for first generation and low-income students.

Amos J. Ryan is a School Social Worker at the East Flatbush Community Research School and licensed psychotherapist

working with students, families and educators in New York City. He received his Bachelors of Social Work degree from

the University of Valley Forge and Master of Social Work Degree from Stony Brook University, SUNY. In addition to

holding his LMSW he holds a specialization certificate in Higher Education: Student Community Development. This

Specialization is a unique professional partnership between social work and higher education that expands the arenas of

social work practice, community organization and systems development to include the urban college campus. For the

past four years Amos has worked with The City University of New York BMI program at Medgar Evers College to

provide mental health services, education and workshops that assist students who are transitioning to college. In 2013

Amos co-founded The Male Empowerment Network (M.E.N) at the East Flatbush Community Research School. An in-

house organization aimed at increasing the achievement levels of minority and disadvantage male students within

Brooklyn through academic enrichment, mentor-ship and leadership training. His current work includes providing training

to teachers and facilitators on restorative practices within education and developing strong social and emotional climates

in school communities.

Salim Sabi is a current student at City College of New York, majoring in Biochemistry. He graduated from Bronx

Community College (BCC) with honors in the spring of 2016. While at BCC, he was a peer mentor at the High School

Equivalency support BMI project called Future Now - one of the best program in all of New York City. Now he is

working toward his degree and his goal is to become a Cardiologist.

Assemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda was elected to the Assembly in 2012, representing the 87th Assembly District in the

Bronx, covering the Parkchester, Castle Hill, West Farms, Van Nest, and Park Stratton areas. The diverse district includes

sizable populations of Latinos, African-Americans, and Southeast Asians, particularly from Bangladesh. Assemblyman

Sepúlveda has been a staunch advocate for his constituents and the people of the state of New York, and he is a champion

of efforts to bolster economic opportunity and social service reforms especially as they affect middle class families and

the working poor. The assemblyman has been a leader in criminal justice reform, advocating to change the culture of

distrust between communities of color and the police, and to correct inherent racial biases in the criminal justice system.

Suri Singh is the Bronx Principal of Pathways to Graduation (P2G). P2G is part of New York City’s Alternative School

District, District 79, and prepares students to earn their High School Equivalency Diploma by passing the TASC exam.

The program currently operates in 14 different locations in the Bronx, and supports students ages 17-21. The program has

partnerships with organizations such as Bronx Community College, the Department of Probation, The Children’s Aid

Society, and Small Business Services. Mr. Singh is a former Youth Pastor with a BS in Business Administration from

Messiah College, an MS in Education from Mercy College, and an MSEd in Educational Leadership from Lehman

College. He is most proud of his wonderful marriage to his wife and their 2 daughters.

Susan Sturm is the George M. Jaffin Professor of Law and Social Responsibility and the founding director of the Center

for Institutional and Social Change at Columbia Law School. Her publications focus on advancing full participation and

collective impact, higher education transformation, education and reentry, legal education, and institutional change. She is

the co-principal investigator for a Ford Foundation grant, in collaboration with Hostos Community College, on Building

Corridors to College in the South Bronx, and served as a Principal Investigator on a Ford Foundation grant on Building

Learning Communities at the Intersection of Education and Criminal Justice, and an Aspen Ascend Grant to develop a

multi-generational approach to education for communities affected by criminal justice involvement, and is on the steering

committee of C3--a Mellon-funded initiative to diversify the faculty as part of advancing full participation in liberal arts

colleges. She has facilitated dialogues about full participation, race, and identity for Imagining America and as part of the

Aspen Institute Socrates Program. In 2007, she received the Presidential Teaching Award for Outstanding Teaching at

Columbia.

David Tavarez is a recent Lehman College graduate, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a

concentration in International Business & Human Resource Management in May 2014. While at Lehman he excelled both

in and outside the classroom volunteering as an ambassador and a mentor for the Urban Male Leadership Program since

2010. David was a Lehman L.I.F.E. (Leaders Involved for Everyone) member performing community service in and

outside of his local community, including Caimito, San Juan, Puerto Rico; El Progreso, Honduras; and Jinotega,

Nicaragua. Mr. Tavarez remains an active part of his community, participating in Community Service programs such as

The Bronx is Blooming, NYC Full Marathon & NYC Half Marathon Fluid Stations, as well as POTS (Part of the

Solution). Mr. Tavarez has received various awards, including The CUNY Vice Chancellor’s Excellence in Leadership

Award for 2013-2014, Champion of Service Award for 2013-2014, Outstanding Leadership in Service by a Graduating

Senior for 2013-2014 presented, The Urban Male Leader of the Year award in 2012 and Most Outstanding Workshop

Leader for 2012-2013. Mr. Tavarez was also selected as one of five Lehman College recipients to receive the 2014 Bronx

Dominican Day Parade Scholarship. David currently works in the Urban Male Leadership Program (BMI) at Lehman

College as a College Assistant.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tavarez-9a0907118

W. Theory Thompson is the Program Director of the LifeLink College Bridge & Retention Program for Good Shepherd

Services, which is a non-profit social service agency in New York City. The LifeLink program assists high school

graduates with transitioning from multiple pathway high school programs into community colleges within the City

University of New York (CUNY) system and provides various support services for these students while enrolled. He

currently is an Adjunct Professor at Bronx Community College and teaches the First Year Seminar Course and he has also

served as an Adjunct Professor for the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz in the Black Studies

Department. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies from Morehouse College, a Master of

Arts degree in African and African American Studies from The Ohio State University and a Master of Social Work degree

from the City University of New York at Hunter College.

Ervin Torres is a senior at Bronx Community College, with a major in psychology. His academic knowledge did not only

grow larger through school but also through Future Now’s teachers, mentors and all other staff. He sharpend and evolved

his skills and the Future Now BMI project staff taught him new ways to think. Ervin has learned to think outside of the

box. He has improved his skills in leadership, communication and motivation to not only complete college but to surpass

college. All these skills were not acquired or enhanced via a step by step "how too” book, but through the faith both BMI

and Future Now staff has put into him through countless events and his participation in BMI and Future Now. In the

future, he plans to attend Lehman College and study Psychology in hopes to one day open his own private practice.

Cesar Vargas is the National Latino Outreach strategist and a nationally recognized leader and innovator at the forefront

of the fight for immigration reform and the DREAM Act. Cesar was brought to New York from Mexico at age 5 after his

father passed away. He excelled academically and was an honors student in both college and law school. As an

undocumented law graduate, he led the fight for equal opportunity and access to the practice of law. Cesar works at the

heart of the DREAMer movement, the most-vigorous pro-immigrant push by the advocacy communities to date.

Nationwide and on Capitol Hill, Cesar and his organization he co-founded, the Dream Action Coalition, have taken the

gloves off in the policy battle for a better immigration policy. His advocacy and story helped in the national efforts to

convince President Obama to broaden opportunities for millions of undocumented by expanding the Deferred Action for

Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and creating the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents

(DAPA), much needed programs in light of congressional inaction on immigration reform. Mr. Vargas has also educated

immigrants across the country on their rights, spoken on behalf of his community at congressional hearings, and

volunteered at clinics to help young undocumented immigrants apply for administrative relief. He has also appeared in

Immigration Court as a friend of the Court on behalf of children facing deportation. Cesar applied to join the New York

bar in 2012, but the Second Department's Committee on Character and Fitness recommended against his application

because of his immigration status. In June, 2015, and after nearly three-years legal battle, a five-judge panel in New York

ruled that Cesar can be admitted to practice law in the state he has called home for most of his life. On February, 3, he was

finally sworn-in as a licensed attorney making history as the first undocumented lawyer to openly apply to the state of

New York.

David Velazquez emigrated from Mexico with his mother and sister at the age of nine. Due to his mother’s unrelenting

focus on education, David excelled in school but, when he started studying for his SAT’s, he learned that even with high

scores, community service, and excellent grades, he could not attend any public university without paying out-of-state

tuition. He took advantage of a program offered to seniors at his high school, which allowed students to take classes at a

local community college without verifying immigration status. After a year at the community college, David was able to

obtain legal permanent residency and transfer to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. There, he became a

distinguished leader by instituting several organizations including the Hispanic College Awareness Program (HCAP), a

student-led organization providing guidance, mentorship, and support for first-generation aspiring college students. HCAP

played a key role in almost doubling the Latino student attendance at the university from 2007-2010. David graduated in

2009 from UNCC with a B.S.B.A in International Business, minor in Economics, and a Certificate in Translation. He has

been living in Washington, D.C. since 2011 and has worked as a Policy Associate at the National Immigration Law

Center and served as Legislative Aide for Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez before joining TheDream.US.

Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, a lifelong resident of Harlem, was elected to represent the 70th Assembly District in

1992. Since then, he has earned a reputation for getting results for his constituents and for improving the quality of life for

new Yorkers all across the state. A graduate of Rutgers Law School and Tufts University, he credits his parents for

teaching him the importance of strong values, commitment to community and defense of civil rights. He is the son of

legendary New York State Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Bruce Wright and his mother - Constance Wright - served as a

long time educator and former principal in the New York City public school system. Assemblyman Wright lives in

Harlem with his family.