The Black Equity & Excellence Advisory Council is charged with reviewing grant proposals and making funding recommendations as well as identifying gaps and opportunities to create a more equitable and economically inclusive Central New York for the Black community.

Me’Shae Brooks-Rolling, CEPF®, M.P.A.

Executive Director, Upstate Minority Economic Alliance and Serial Entrepreneur
Headshot of Jalyn Clifford

JALYN CLIFFORD

Director of Human Resources, Syracuse Housing Authority

Cal Corriders

Community Development Officer, Pathfinder Bank

Shawni Davis

President/CEO of Luminary Electrical Contractor, LLC
Headshot Bishop Dewberry

BISHOP RONALD B. DEWBERRY

Senior Pastor and Founder, New Life Temple of Praise; CEO, Center of Hope International, Inc.

Lekia K. Hill

President & CEO of Lekia Tech LLC and Founder of Powerful Voices
Headshot Tanisha Jackson

TANISHA JACKSON, PH.D.

Executive Director, Community Folk Art Center; Professor, Syracuse University College of Arts & Sciences
Headshot LaToya Jones

LATOYA JONES

Regional Healthcare Organizer, Healthcare Education Project

NAQUIA (KIA) LACEY MSN, RN-BC

Clinical Training Specialist, Joslin Diabetes Center, SUNY Upstate Medical Center

Chris Montgomery

Director of Syracuse Build at CNY Works Inc.

MARK MUHAMMAD

Syracuse Representative, Nation of Islam; Citizen Diplomat, O.U.R. L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. Collective

Black Equity & Excellence Stories

Blogs July 8, 2023

Reflections: A Strategic Focus on Equity

Bea González, board of directors vice-chair, explains how proximate leadership is a driving element of ...

News Releases June 6, 2023

New CNY Vitals Section Disaggregates Local Data by Race

We invite you to explore new data disaggregated by race on CNY Vitals in the ...

Woman standing in front of statue
Publications May 2, 2023

Gwen Webber-Mcleod

Gwen's parents grew up in the Jim Crow South and met while studying at North ...

News Releases April 13, 2023

Community Foundation Announces New Black Equity & Excellence Fund Advisory Council Members

The Black Equity & Excellence Advisory Council is charged with reviewing grant proposals and making ...

Blogs April 8, 2023

Reflections: Helping Organizations Enhance DEI

Colby Cyrus explains how a new grant opportunity was designed to help organizations enhance diversity, ...

News Releases April 3, 2023

New Grant Opportunity Launched for Organizations Seeking to Enhance DEI

A new grant opportunity is available to help nonprofit organizations enhance their efforts in diversity, ...

Blogs July 8, 2023

Reflections: A Strategic Focus on Equity

Bea González, board of directors vice-chair, explains how proximate leadership is a driving element of ...

News Releases June 6, 2023

New CNY Vitals Section Disaggregates Local Data by Race

We invite you to explore new data disaggregated by race on CNY Vitals in the ...

Woman standing in front of statue
Publications May 2, 2023

Gwen Webber-Mcleod

Gwen's parents grew up in the Jim Crow South and met while studying at North ...

News Releases April 13, 2023

Community Foundation Announces New Black Equity & Excellence Fund Advisory Council Members

The Black Equity & Excellence Advisory Council is charged with reviewing grant proposals and making ...

Blogs April 8, 2023

Reflections: Helping Organizations Enhance DEI

Colby Cyrus explains how a new grant opportunity was designed to help organizations enhance diversity, ...

News Releases April 3, 2023

New Grant Opportunity Launched for Organizations Seeking to Enhance DEI

A new grant opportunity is available to help nonprofit organizations enhance their efforts in diversity, ...

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