With over two decades devoted to youth and community development, Dr. Lamy champions cross-sector collaborations, uniting stakeholders for collective impact across local, state, and national levels. Her leadership fosters unity and progress, leaving an indelible mark on every initiative.

Before her pivotal role at NextUp RVA, she was instrumental in expanding educational resources for underserved youth and families as United Way’s director of education. Her founding of Newark Thrives! and co-chairing of the Newark STEAM Coalition exemplify her commitment to enhancing educational opportunities reaching over 25,000 of Newark’s youth.

Academically astute, Dr. Lamy’s journey, from a psychology degree at Rutgers University to a PhD in educational policy at Michigan State University, echoes her dedication to scholarly excellence. She embodies the spirit of a research practitioner, valuing continuous learning as a catalyst for community transformation.

Dr. Traymanesha Lamy’s narrative resonates as an inspirational anthem—an embodiment of tireless dedication to inclusive, innovative, and community-centered programs. Her legacy as a trailblazer in social advocacy and youth empowerment beckons collaborative action, education, and heartfelt community engagement, paving the way toward a brighter, more empowered future.

Timothy K. Eatman is the esteemed inaugural dean of the Honors Living-Learning Community (HLLC) and a distinguished professor of urban education at Rutgers University-Newark (NJ). With a background as an associate professor of higher education in the School of Education at Syracuse University (NY) and as the faculty co-director of Imagining America: Artists and Scholars in Public Life, Eatman has made significant contributions to the field.

His research delves into institutional policy and equity issues in higher education, with publications in esteemed journals such as the Journal of Educational Finance, Readings on Equal Education, and Diversity and Democracy. Additionally, he has co-edited the Cambridge Handbook of Service Learning and Civic Engagement (2017) and authored numerous book chapters and reports.

In national roles, Eatman serves as a faculty member for the Association of American Colleges and Universities Summer Institutes on High Impact Practices and contributes to the advisory panel for the Carnegie Engagement Classification for Community Engagement. His expertise is sought after by higher education associations and institutions for collaborative research, keynotes, workshops, and consultancies.

Brandon Fletcher is a dedicated program associate with Vera’s Restoring Promise initiative, spearheading efforts to transform the living and working conditions within prisons. He was instrumental in establishing the North Dakota State Penitentiary housing unit (U.N.I.T.Y Village) and is a key contributor to the Towards Liberation project.

Prior to joining Vera in 2021, Brandon excelled as a paralegal in the expungement division at Legal Services of New Jersey. He holds an associate’s degree in paralegal studies from Essex County Community College and a BS in criminal justice from Rutgers University.
   

Sandra Florent is a Haitian-American seasoned digital marketing and social media strategist, with a rich background encompassing over 10 years of comprehensive experience in management, agency work, and in-house expertise.

Currently serving as the Senior Social Media Manager at SHI International Corp., a formidable $14 billion IT company, Sandra spearheads the development of the company’s robust social media strategy.

Beyond her corporate role, Sandra is the principal and founder of Solo Dove Consulting, a thriving firm focusing on Social Media Marketing, Crisis Communications, Strategic Communications, Digital Marketing, and Communication services tailored for small to midsize businesses. Her consultancy thrives on delivering tailored strategies that resonate with evolving digital landscapes.

Throughout her career, Sandra has demonstrated her prowess by launching digital divisions, creating influential brand ambassador programs, devising robust data reporting systems, curating diverse content, managing online communities, and orchestrating large-scale events across multiple states. Her commitment to bringing innovative practices and fresh ideas defines her approach in every role she undertakes.
   

Lana brings a wealth of experience, having held pivotal positions at prestigious institutions like PNC Bank in Paterson, N.J., where she served as a Business Banking Relationship Manager and Branch Manager. Her tenure as a Business Development Officer at Spencer Savings Bank in Elmwood Park, N.J., further solidified her proficiency in navigating intricate financial landscapes.

Residing in Wayne, N.J., Lana’s dedication to community engagement mirrors the bank’s commitment to serving local areas. The bank boasts an expansive branch network spanning New Jersey and Highland Mills, N.Y., offering a comprehensive suite of banking products and services.

Lana Molina’s professional accolades are aligned with Provident Bank’s esteemed recognition, including being named New Jersey’s #1 Best-In-State Bank by Forbes and Statista. Her commitment echoes the bank’s ethos, promising a collaborative and impactful approach to outreach and service.

President at Abundance for America, LLC.

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Dr. Jett launched a volunteer project in New Orleans, which enlisted residents, students from over a dozen colleges and universities, and hundreds of others to field map the city’s Gentilly district, Lower Ninth Ward, and New Orleans East. Dr. Jett is an innovator in higher education, bridging the divide between academic research and the other priorities of the modern university, including student access and diversity, community engagement, and providing foundations for life-long learning in today’s rapidly changing world.

Dr. Jett has particular expertise in ‘organizing from the bottom up’, which has growing potency in networked societies that have extensive adoption and use of smart mobile devices and Internet. He also has expertise with ‘enterprising nonprofits,’ specifically those that seek to employ management science techniques to inform strategy, choreograph operations, and grow capacity through digital technologies and stakeholder engagement. Since 2016, Dr. Jett has served on the Resilient America Roundtable, a convening of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to address whole-community preparation and response to extreme events, across the nation’s regions and localities.

In 2019, Dr. Jett founded Newark Provisions, LLC, as means to offer and democratize his expertise through coaching, consulting, curricular design, and publishing. Forthcoming in late 2020 are publications on his faith and leadership experiences in New Orleans after Katrina: an academic book chapter (“Is God Greater Than Tenure?”), and a novella-length book (“Please Help Me, God: Walking by Faith in a Dozen Days”).
   

Atiya Jaha-Rashidi has nearly 30 years of experience leading and coordinating community outreach initiatives at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey where she worked in numerous leadership roles, including Director of Clinical Engagement of the Community, Director of Patient Experience, Interim Vice President of Community Relations and Director of Special Projects. In 2021, Ms. Rashidi was named Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey’s first Chief Equity Officer where she oversees the development and implementation of employee and community initiatives that foster equity. In addition, she continues to develop strong community partnerships with the aim of improving population health and reducing health care disparities.

Ms. Jaha-Rashidi currently serves as President-Elect of the National Association of Health Services Executives, 2nd Vice President of the Middlesex Regional Black Nurses Association, and Board of Commissioner Chair for the Mary Elizabeth Mahoney Health Center. She is also an active member of various non-for-profit boards including the Newark NAACP, Health Committee and community-based organizations. She is a staunch advocate for access to quality healthcare, safety and environmental preservation.

Ms. Jaha-Rashidi holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Administration from Rutgers University and a Master of Healthcare Administration from University of Arizona Global Campus.

Adele Ann Taylor, a dedicated philanthropist and Thorn’s Youth Digital Programs and Partnerships Manager, is committed to empowering youth in literacy and online safety through her leadership of Thorn’s NoFiltr youth brand.

At 13, she founded Adele’s Literacy Library (A.L.L.), impacting over 35,000 globally, and co-founded the Greystone Learning Center in Kenya, contributing 5,000 books. In 2017, Adele launched ‘GlobalCurlz,’ a platform spotlighting the international natural hair movement’s diaspora, fostering education, empowerment, and equality.

Beyond her role, Adele held the title of Miss Monmouth 2020-2021, championing her Social Impact Initiative: One Book At A Time. She collaborated with organizations, delivered keynotes for esteemed events, and inspired change while celebrating impactful initiatives.

A Spelman College graduate with a BA in International Studies, Adele earned a Master’s in International Peace Studies from Trinity College, Dublin. Her diverse educational background includes studying post-conflict resources for youth in five countries. As a former Campaigns Manager for DoSomething.org , she led partnership campaigns for Fortune 500 companies.

In her leisure time, this Jersey Girl indulges in global travel, freediving, and beachside reading, guided by the motto: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Adele’s journey underscores her unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, online safety, and global literacy.