Our Team
OUR TEAM
The We Do It 4 the Culture™ team, consultants, and advisory board are an incredible collection of educators, leaders, creatives and activists. We are grateful for their support and their commitment to our work.
Jamila Sams, MA.Ed.
Kareem McQuilkin, MA.Ed.
Jarelis Cabrera
Kaylah Woodard
Liz Youngblood
Jamila Sams, MA.Ed.
CEO & Founder
Jamila Sams, MA.Ed. is the creator of We Do It 4 the Culture™, a culturally responsive social emotional learning curriculum grounded in hip-hop culture for grades 6-12.
Jamila is a self-proclaimed hip-hop head and educator with more than 20 years of experience working with youth of all ages and backgrounds. Her areas of expertise include educational leadership, youth development, nonprofit management and strategic partnership development.
Through Go to Ms. Sams Inc., her education consulting company, Jamila works to provide services to educators, nonprofit professionals and members of the business community around three core areas: School Climate and Culture; Youth Program Development and Training; and Strategic Partnership Development.
Her clients include the Maryland State Department of Education; the New York City Department of Education; QLIK Corporation; Mentor Foundation USA; The University of Maryland Baltimore; Mentor International and El Desafio (The Challenge) in Rosario, Argentina. Jamila has been a featured speaker for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the National Gathering for the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color and the Center for the Promotion of Social Emotional Learning National Conference. Jamila’s breakout TEDX entitled “Why Are You” has been viewed over 900 times to date.
Jamila is a proud native of Philadelphia and a first-generation college graduate of Lincoln University. She obtained her Master’s degree in Educational Administration & Supervision from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and serves on the executive board of Words Beats & Life.
Kareem McQuilkin, MA.Ed.
Education Manager
Kareem McQuilkin is a Brooklyn native, hip-hop enthusiast, and seasoned educator with more than 14 years of experience. Kareem spent seven years teaching high school social studies and special education, keeping SEL at the heart of his pedagogical practice. He then dedicated five years as a citywide teacher leadership coach, enhancing systems of collaboration in schools and districts.
Jarelis Cabrera
Social Media
Jarelis Cabrera is a full-time social media manager and graphic designer. She has previously worked with The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, Butler Center for Leadership and Service, Marlin Co. custom designs, and more!
One of her biggest accomplishments was creating the first ever Latinx graduation ceremony at her undergraduate institution! In her free time, she enjoys attending live slam poetry events, listening to music, spending time with family, and walking around local farmers markets.
Kaylah Woodard
Administrator
Kaylah Woodard is an experienced administrative assistant, supporting We Do It 4 the Culture™ by assisting in meeting scheduling, email correspondence, and more. Her work focuses on building trusting connections with clients, identifying innovative solutions to problems, and encouraging team enthusiasm.
Liz Youngblood
Operations
Liz is a freelance digital marketer, specializing in using storytelling, strategy, and website design to help individuals and businesses stand out and build connections with their customers. She previously worked in marketing and communications in various nonprofits.
Liz lives in Chicago with her wife and two (almost always) perfect dogs.
CONSULTANTS
Gary Hook
Dr. Melanie Battles
Samantha Pugh
Dr. Anissa Reilly
Dr. Sunne-Ryse Smith
Gary Hook
I am a passionate, energetic, innovative educator, a DJ, and a lifelong fan of hip hop culture. I understand, firsthand, the power of education, and hip hop, to shape and change a life. It is this understanding that drives my passion for education and my commitment to create meaningful opportunities for young people to connect with caring adults, experience support and success, and know their value, in and beyond the classroom. I currently spend most of my time working with Nashville Big Picture High School or serving as a school design coach with Big Picture Learning and We Do It 4 The Culture.
Dr. Melanie Battles
Dr. Melanie Desmuke-Battles, founding consultant of Scholars for the Soul: An Educational Solutions Firm, has over a decade of experience working in education as a K-12 literacy educator, college adjunct faculty member, instructional coach, and educational consultant. The team at Scholars for the Soul works relentlessly to support schools, educators, and leaders in cultivating spaces where the climate and culture thrives on the frameworks of social emotional learning, culturally responsive teaching, and culturally responsive leadership.
Her mission is to build a community of soul scholars: one who is a lifelong learner and critical thinker; one who strives to connect the soul to learning. With a vision to foster soulfully safe spaces where student joy and genius are centered, along with the support of loving and well adults who are on the journey of life-long learning WITH their students, her team helps schools to foster mentally safe spaces where teachers, students, their families and communities can thrive both emotionally and intellectually.
Samantha Pugh
Samantha Pugh is a visionary educational leader with over 25 years of experience spanning every K-12 grade level. As a first-generation college graduate from an underserved community, she possesses a deep, personal commitment to transforming educational outcomes in similar environments. Samantha has notably turned around four failing schools, steering them to thrive, and has also successfully launched two schools from inception.
Currently the CEO of her educational consulting firm, she has previously excelled as a Chief Academic Officer and Head of Schools. Her leadership is marked by a relentless pursuit to foster equity and excellence in education through strategic development, robust community engagement, and the formation of empowering partnerships.
Samantha’s profound impact is driven by her unparalleled dedication to creating inclusive, supportive spaces that enhance educational opportunities for all students, truly embodying transformative leadership in action.
Dr. Anissa Reilly
Meet Dr. Anissa Reilly, the visionary force steering Giant Step 6 LLC* as its dynamic Chief Executive Officer. With an illustrious two-decade career as an elementary school principal in NYC, Dr. Reilly draws on her diverse educational background from Morgan State University, Bank Street College, Harvard University, and The Sage Colleges of Albany. This unique blend of learning experiences has finely tuned her acumen in identifying, nurturing, and training leaders. Driven by an innate ability to cut to the core of issues, she specializes in fortifying skill sets for unparalleled results. Step into a world of leadership refinement with Dr. Anissa Reilly!
*Giant Step 6 LLC is a New York State Education Department (NYSED) approved Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) sponsor.
Dr. Sunne-Ryse Smith
Dr. Sunne-Ryse Smith is a trained facilitator, consultant, coach, and published author. She is a skilled and highly effective Doctor of Psychology with over 20 years in emotional development and team dynamics. She is well-regarded in education, psycho-emotional, and leadership spaces. Dr. Smith, a former school district executive, assisted in managing the emotional support programming for 40,000 students in New Jersey’s largest school district.
In addition, she has trained school staff throughout the country and on the island of Bermuda. Her passion for helping schools create powerful experiences for young people motivated her to assist non-profit organizations that focus on school-aged children’s needs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology and psychology and a Master of Arts and Doctorate degree in school psychology. Throughout her professional journey, Dr. Sunne-Ryse has been consistently rated high and described as a thought-provoking, intuitive, and results-driven professional with a gift for motivating people.
OUR BOARD
Brandon Frame
Director of Social Emotional Learning, The Urban Assembly
Brandon Frame is a visionary leader, social innovator and educator. He is the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of TheBlackManCan, Inc., an award-winning nonprofit that amplifies the stories of what black men and boys can do. Guided by his vision, TheBlackManCan, Inc. has impacted over 10,000 black men and boys across the world, established a MENtor network of over 500 black men and built a socially conscious online community that has over 500,000 followers and generates 7 million impressions weekly.
Accomplishments and accolades are no stranger to Brandon, but what makes him extraordinary is the humility and servant-leadership that marks his life. Brandon is the Deputy Director of Social Emotional Learning at The Urban Assembly (UA) where he leads a portfolio of schools to build the capacity of the staff in implementing and sustaining Social Emotional Learning. Under his tenure as a leader of the UA’s Resilient Scholars Program, participating schools saw dramatic reductions in suspensions and improvements in school culture, and the program expanded nationally to states including Texas, Virginia and California. Brandon is also co-founder of the award-winning twitter chat #hiphoped and the author of Define Yourself, Redefine the World: A Guided Journal for Boys and Men of Color and the children’s book My First Tie.
For his service to his community, Brandon has received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Award, Change Maker of the Year, and was named Next in Class in the field of Education by Black Entertainment Television. Brandon’s work has been featured in Black Enterprise, Boston Globe and Essence, and he has appeared on CBS, NBC, ABC, HLN and NY1 as New Yorker of the Week. Brandon pursues excellence with impeccable effort in all that he does. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Boston University, a graduate of Morehouse College and resides in Bronx, NY.
Timothy Jones
Education Content Creator and Curator, Techniques4Learning HipHopEd
Timothy is a writer, trainer, educator, ordained minister and pundit of hip-hop culture and youth development. Timothy is a lecturer and Hip-Hop Scholar in Residence at Teachers College, Columbia University. His writing credits include contributions to the anthologies “Be a Father,” “Souls of my Brothers” and “HipHopEd: The Compilation of Hip-Hop Education.” Timothy’s innovative view of hip-hop as a mindset allows him to engage and encourage educators to identify the multiple intelligences and transferable skills that are on display among their students who engage in various hip-hop art forms. Timothy established himself as a youth engagement and youth development specialist during his 22-year career at Martha’s Table, a community-based organization in Washington, DC.
Timothy became an innovator in the integration of hip-hop pedagogy and youth development as pillars in establishing after school and summer programs for middle and high school students.
As hip-hop continues to expand its reach into every aspect of our society’s culture, Timothy has helped pioneer hip-hop as a teaching and prevention strategy tool by working with the Youth Popular Culture Institute and co-authoring “Hip-Hop 2 Prevent Substance Abuse and HIV” (H2P). H2P is the only hip-hop based prevention program listed in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) registry.
Timothy is the Chief Visionary Officer of HipHopEd and the curator and moderator for the weekly “Cyber Cypher” #HipHopEd Twitter, presenting timely discussions on education, hip-hop and youth development that serve as professional development for educators, parents, practitioners and youth.
Timothy is currently the owner of Techniques4Learning LLC, a company committed to supporting various organizations and academic institutions in the areas of youth engagement, youth development, business development, training and program content creation.
In addition to establishing his company as a sole proprietor, Timothy is a 2018 New School Creation Fellow with the High Tech High Graduate School of Education.
Timothy is married with two children and resides in Silver Spring, MD.
REACH OUT
Dr. Ian P. Levy
Assistant Professor of School Counseling, Manhattan College
Dr. Ian Levy is an Assistant Professor of School Counseling at Manhattan College, New York City native, former high school counselor and the Vice President of Counselor Educators for the New York State School Counselor’s Association. His research interests include the examination of mental health practices in urban schools, which entails exploring the effective use of the school counselor and other school staff to support the emotional lives of young people. Most notably, Dr. Levy piloted the development, implementation and evaluation of a hip-hop-based counseling framework.
His work has been featured on various news outlets including the New York Times and CNN, and he has published in a variety of reputable academic journals. In 2016, he was named the New York State School Counselor of the Year. Dr. Levy is the author of the HipHopEd: The Compilation on Hip-Hop Education, Volumes 2 & 3. Dr. Levy is also an emcee and released his album, And Then It Glistens, in 2020.
REACH OUT
Dr. Dennis B. McKesey
CEO and Founder, In Our Best Interest LLC and Off School Grounds
One school district at a time is the objective of Dennis B. McKesey and his approach towards enhancing America’s education system. As a dedicated, innovative and resourceful education professional, with more than twenty five (25) years of experience in working for private, public and charter schools in New York City, he believes that when we support educators’ passion to learn and grow, we enhance their capacity to facilitate students’ learning and growth.
Featured in Paul Tough’s book Whatever It Takes and Davis Guggenheim’s Waiting for Superman, Dennis has a passion for direct involvement with the education of children through effective school leadership. As President and Senior Lead Consultant of In Our Best Interest, LLC., Dennis works directly with clients to provide face-to-face, electronic and phone consultation aligned to leadership development and school improvement efforts. He tailors and delivers professional development in areas of leadership and staff development as well as curriculum and instruction.
McKesey has the proven ability to create and monitor policies and practices that promote a safe learning environment; ensure a school culture that encourages continuous improvements for teachers and students; develop an environment that encourages open communication with colleagues, students, and the community; and mentor educators in the creation and implementation of class instruction, lesson plans, and student assessment in conjunction with state learning standards.
The former principal at one of the most premier charter schools in the country, he has built a proven track record of success and desired to share his effective and beneficial strategies with other educators in the area and across the nation. As a graduate of Mercy College, with accreditations in School Administration and Supervision as well as the Columbia University Graduate School of Business Leadership Development Program, Dennis is a very passionate educator. He consults nationally with teachers and administrators at schools and districts and has presented at-school leadership conferences.
Most recently, Dennis has launched Off School Grounds, a virtual hub for dozens of school leaders from across the nation, where they engage in leadership development and shared best practices alongside entertainment special guests (e.g., Doug E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, Dame Dash, etc.) and their cultural perspectives. In addition, Dennis serves as a Graduate Professor at his alma mater, Mercy College, in the Educational Leadership Department. He inspires his students to promote success by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community. A multi-layered approach, towards improving a multi-layered education system; it is indeed in our best interest to have the Dennis McKeseys of the world, at the helm.
REACH OUT
Noni Robinson
Founder, Robinson Nutrition Group LLC
Noni Robinson is the founder of the Robinson Nutrition Group LLC, a consulting firm that develops sustainable and culturally relevant nutritional regimens using innovative approaches to health and wellness.
She is passionate about the natural and powerful connection between the health of an individual and the health of a community and builds strong communities by providing access to wellness resources to those who need it most. She currently serves as a consultant for Head Start Programs, NYC DOE, the Woman Infant and Children’s Program, DC Government, NBA & NFL athletes across the United States. She ensures that child nutrition programs are developed and administered in compliance with federal guidelines to support families from underserved communities while providing robust comprehensive Nutrition Education programming.
Ms. Robinson is an accomplished Nutritionist with over 25 years in the Nutrition field, which encompass the following: Community Nutrition, International Nutrition, Nutrition Research, and most recently Sports Nutrition. Her most recent accomplishment is landing a strategic partnership deal with an NBA All Star and becoming a NBPA, WNBA, and FIB agent.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University and earned her master’s degree in Nutritional Science from Howard University. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
REACH OUT
Armani B. Scott, Esq.
Counsel, Strategy Park Management
Armani Baraka Scott is an accomplished attorney and a creative mind who has successfully merged his love for the law and for the world of innovative thought into a career that positively impacts both. He is the founder of the Law Office of Armani B. Scott in Brooklyn, New York. As a member of the New York State Bar, Armani was admitted to practice in United States District Courts and serves as Business Counsel and Executive Producer for Strategy Park Management. Mr. Scott believes in the power of helping others to solve problems and manifest their visions. It is with this higher purpose that he provides his signature services which cover all aspects of law, business development, art curation, brand development, and creative writing.
With over 20 years of legal experience, Mr. Scott is a member of the United States Federal Court. He is skilled in nonprofit corporate and entertainment law, including intellectual property protection and copyright and trademark procurement. Mr. Scott has provided business counsel, art curation, and art development for exhibits, murals, and multimedia campaigns on behalf of clients including serving as counsel to Cy. Jones Foundation, Smif-N-Wessun, Roc Nation, Pepsi, Champion Sportswear, Bronx Brewery, the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Yankees.
Jason Torres
Owner & CEO, TerribleMedia
Born and raised in Harlem, USA, Jason Torres is a writer, producer, director, creative problem solver and hip-hop culture devotee. He relocated from New York to Baltimore to attend Morgan State University. After an internship at The Source magazine, he began his career as a hip-hop journalist covering the local music scene for the Baltimore City Paper. During this same time Jason developed a passion for mentorship while working in the Baltimore School system teaching Middle School and coaching basketball and lacrosse.
Today credits include: Desus & Mero, The Carbonaro Effect, Charlamagne & Friends, Cipha Sounds: What’s Your Thing? and others. He’s created content for BET, HLN, truTV, YouTube Originals and more.
REACH OUT
Ron Walker
President, Coalition of Schools to Educate Boys of Color (COSEBOC)
Ron Walker has served in the noble profession of education for five decades. During that time, Ron has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, staff developer and co-director of a national school K – 12 transformation organization called ATLAS Communities.
Since 2007, Ron has served as the founding Executive Director of the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC). The mission of COSEBOC is to advance the affirmative social, emotional, cultural and academic development of boys and young men of color. This occurs through the provision of high-quality professional development and supports for school, district, family and community advocates.
Ron believes that COSEBOC must continue to focus on intentional efforts to disrupt and eliminate the school to prison pipeline and any policies and practices that dehumanize boys and young men of color in pre-K – 12 school environments. Ron has been recognized at the national, state and local levels for his efforts to illuminate best and promising practices that serve to accelerate the potential and genius of boys and young men of color.
Ron often shares the mantra that guides his work: “There is a difference between schooling and education. Schooling too often leads one to compliant thinking; education leads one to liberation.”
REACH OUT
Maimouna Youssef
Artist & Activist
In 2018, Maimouna Youssef became the songwriter and voice of Ford Motor Company’s “Roll On” campaign celebrating women of color. She was awarded the prestigious post of “Musical Ambassador for the United States,” traveling to Central America to support the rights of young women. Maimouna’s Afro-Native roots and rich activist history have spawned collaborations with philanthropic leaders including W.K. Kellogg Foundation, IMAN, Congressional Black Caucus and Global Citizens Festival.
As a performer, Maimouna has shared the stage with countless icons and legends in the making including The Roots, Dave Chappelle, Sting, Bobby McFerrin, Lala Hathaway, Erykah Badu, Rapsody and many more. In 2018, Maimouna received international acclaim for featured performances on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series as a solo artist as well as performances alongside Common, Robert Glasper, Karriem Riggins, Black Thought and DJ Dummy. NPR calls her “an abundantly gifted singer and emcee” with “multi-octave range and ferocious rap delivery.”
Behind the scenes, Youssef serves as a governor for the DC chapter of the Recording Academy’s Grammy Board as well as a mentor for several Grammy unaffiliated young aspiring artists. She has received recognition from several local non-profit organizations such as One Common Unity, Bmore News and WombWork Productions as well as international awards from Mayor Luis Fernando Castellanos Cal of Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico for her outstanding service and commitment to the youth worldwide. Maimouna’s work continues to establish her as a true global citizen, a musical healer, teacher, powerhouse performer and community pillar.
REACH OUT
Meshelle
Indie Mom of Comedy
Innovative and independent with individuality are the words that best describe Meshelle “The Indie-Mom of Comedy.” With a style that makes you stop in your tracks and say “she looks like ‘the Girlfriend,’ not ‘the WIFE’ and certainly not anyone’s ‘MOM.’” Meshelle is a serial monogamist, mother of 3 and sought after comedienne whose appearances include: Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks (truTV), Search for the Funniest Mom in America 3 (Nickelodeon, hosted by Roseanne Barr), Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand Up (STARz), The Blacklist: 20 Most Notable and Notorious Moments of 2009 & 2010 (TV-ONE), BET News Presents, Obama: Journey to the White House. She has also been featured on ComicView (BET, 2014), Laff Mobb Presents: We Got Next (aspireTV, 2014), Soulaughable Comedy Series (The Word Network), syndicated documentary (NBC), Walk a Mile In My Shoes: The 90 Year Journey of the NAACP. Meshelle pioneered the role of “Michelle” (portrayed by Kimberly Elise in the film adaptation) in the hit stage play “Woman Thou Art Loosed,” written by TD Jakes and Terry McFadden.
A graduate of Bowie State University and a former Temple University doctoral student, Meshelle opted for an extended leave-of-absence after three years of matriculation in the Department of School Psychology to pursue her comedic career. Meshelle is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a 2010-2012 Open Society Institute Community Fellow. She served as an alumni fellow of this noted social justice organization — founded by George Soros — which offers funding for programing/initiatives in 57 international countries and the United States. As a fellow, Meshelle implemented Goaldiggers The Sankofa Project, connecting inner city teen girls of African descent to education and tools to gain college access by introducing them to the study of their ancestry and ethnic identity and reinforcing a positive self-concept. Anthropological methodology, genealogical research and DNA testing uncovers and assures their ethnic identity.
REACH OUT
Brandon Frame
Director of Social Emotional Learning, The Urban Assembly
Brandon Frame is a visionary leader, social innovator and educator. He is the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of TheBlackManCan, Inc., an award-winning nonprofit that amplifies the stories of what black men and boys can do. Guided by his vision, TheBlackManCan, Inc. has impacted over 10,000 black men and boys across the world, established a MENtor network of over 500 black men and built a socially conscious online community that has over 500,000 followers and generates 7 million impressions weekly.
Accomplishments and accolades are no stranger to Brandon, but what makes him extraordinary is the humility and servant-leadership that marks his life. Brandon is the Deputy Director of Social Emotional Learning at The Urban Assembly (UA) where he leads a portfolio of schools to build the capacity of the staff in implementing and sustaining Social Emotional Learning. Under his tenure as a leader of the UA’s Resilient Scholars Program, participating schools saw dramatic reductions in suspensions and improvements in school culture, and the program expanded nationally to states including Texas, Virginia and California. Brandon is also co-founder of the award-winning twitter chat #hiphoped and the author of Define Yourself, Redefine the World: A Guided Journal for Boys and Men of Color and the children’s book My First Tie.
For his service to his community, Brandon has received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Award, Change Maker of the Year, and was named Next in Class in the field of Education by Black Entertainment Television. Brandon’s work has been featured in Black Enterprise, Boston Globe and Essence, and he has appeared on CBS, NBC, ABC, HLN and NY1 as New Yorker of the Week. Brandon pursues excellence with impeccable effort in all that he does. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Boston University, a graduate of Morehouse College and resides in Bronx, NY.
Timothy Jones
Education Content Creator and Curator, Techniques4Learning HipHopEd
Timothy is a writer, trainer, educator, ordained minister and pundit of hip-hop culture and youth development. Timothy is a lecturer and Hip-Hop Scholar in Residence at Teachers College, Columbia University. His writing credits include contributions to the anthologies “Be a Father,” “Souls of my Brothers” and “HipHopEd: The Compilation of Hip-Hop Education.” Timothy’s innovative view of hip-hop as a mindset allows him to engage and encourage educators to identify the multiple intelligences and transferable skills that are on display among their students who engage in various hip-hop art forms. Timothy established himself as a youth engagement and youth development specialist during his 22-year career at Martha’s Table, a community-based organization in Washington, DC.
Timothy became an innovator in the integration of hip-hop pedagogy and youth development as pillars in establishing after school and summer programs for middle and high school students.
As hip-hop continues to expand its reach into every aspect of our society’s culture, Timothy has helped pioneer hip-hop as a teaching and prevention strategy tool by working with the Youth Popular Culture Institute and co-authoring “Hip-Hop 2 Prevent Substance Abuse and HIV” (H2P). H2P is the only hip-hop based prevention program listed in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) registry.
Timothy is the Chief Visionary Officer of HipHopEd and the curator and moderator for the weekly “Cyber Cypher” #HipHopEd Twitter, presenting timely discussions on education, hip-hop and youth development that serve as professional development for educators, parents, practitioners and youth.
Timothy is currently the owner of Techniques4Learning LLC, a company committed to supporting various organizations and academic institutions in the areas of youth engagement, youth development, business development, training and program content creation.
In addition to establishing his company as a sole proprietor, Timothy is a 2018 New School Creation Fellow with the High Tech High Graduate School of Education.
Timothy is married with two children and resides in Silver Spring, MD.
REACH OUT
Dr. Ian P. Levy
Assistant Professor of School Counseling, Manhattan College
Dr. Ian Levy is an Assistant Professor of School Counseling at Manhattan College, New York City native, former high school counselor and the Vice President of Counselor Educators for the New York State School Counselor’s Association. His research interests include the examination of mental health practices in urban schools, which entails exploring the effective use of the school counselor and other school staff to support the emotional lives of young people. Most notably, Dr. Levy piloted the development, implementation and evaluation of a hip-hop-based counseling framework.
His work has been featured on various news outlets including the New York Times and CNN, and he has published in a variety of reputable academic journals. In 2016, he was named the New York State School Counselor of the Year. Dr. Levy is the author of the HipHopEd: The Compilation on Hip-Hop Education, Volumes 2 & 3. Dr. Levy is also an emcee and released his album, And Then It Glistens, in 2020.
REACH OUT
Dr. Dennis B. McKesey
CEO and Founder, In Our Best Interest LLC and Off School Grounds
One school district at a time is the objective of Dennis B. McKesey and his approach towards enhancing America’s education system. As a dedicated, innovative and resourceful education professional, with more than twenty five (25) years of experience in working for private, public and charter schools in New York City, he believes that when we support educators’ passion to learn and grow, we enhance their capacity to facilitate students’ learning and growth.
Featured in Paul Tough’s book Whatever It Takes and Davis Guggenheim’s Waiting for Superman, Dennis has a passion for direct involvement with the education of children through effective school leadership. As President and Senior Lead Consultant of In Our Best Interest, LLC., Dennis works directly with clients to provide face-to-face, electronic and phone consultation aligned to leadership development and school improvement efforts. He tailors and delivers professional development in areas of leadership and staff development as well as curriculum and instruction.
McKesey has the proven ability to create and monitor policies and practices that promote a safe learning environment; ensure a school culture that encourages continuous improvements for teachers and students; develop an environment that encourages open communication with colleagues, students, and the community; and mentor educators in the creation and implementation of class instruction, lesson plans, and student assessment in conjunction with state learning standards.
The former principal at one of the most premier charter schools in the country, he has built a proven track record of success and desired to share his effective and beneficial strategies with other educators in the area and across the nation. As a graduate of Mercy College, with accreditations in School Administration and Supervision as well as the Columbia University Graduate School of Business Leadership Development Program, Dennis is a very passionate educator. He consults nationally with teachers and administrators at schools and districts and has presented at-school leadership conferences.
Most recently, Dennis has launched Off School Grounds, a virtual hub for dozens of school leaders from across the nation, where they engage in leadership development and shared best practices alongside entertainment special guests (e.g., Doug E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, Dame Dash, etc.) and their cultural perspectives. In addition, Dennis serves as a Graduate Professor at his alma mater, Mercy College, in the Educational Leadership Department. He inspires his students to promote success by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community. A multi-layered approach, towards improving a multi-layered education system; it is indeed in our best interest to have the Dennis McKeseys of the world, at the helm.
REACH OUT
Noni Robinson
Founder, Robinson Nutrition Group LLC
Noni Robinson is the founder of the Robinson Nutrition Group LLC, a consulting firm that develops sustainable and culturally relevant nutritional regimens using innovative approaches to health and wellness.
She is passionate about the natural and powerful connection between the health of an individual and the health of a community and builds strong communities by providing access to wellness resources to those who need it most. She currently serves as a consultant for Head Start Programs, NYC DOE, the Woman Infant and Children’s Program, DC Government, NBA & NFL athletes across the United States. She ensures that child nutrition programs are developed and administered in compliance with federal guidelines to support families from underserved communities while providing robust comprehensive Nutrition Education programming.
Ms. Robinson is an accomplished Nutritionist with over 25 years in the Nutrition field, which encompass the following: Community Nutrition, International Nutrition, Nutrition Research, and most recently Sports Nutrition. Her most recent accomplishment is landing a strategic partnership deal with an NBA All Star and becoming a NBPA, WNBA, and FIB agent.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University and earned her master’s degree in Nutritional Science from Howard University. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
REACH OUT
Armani B. Scott, Esq.
Counsel, Strategy Park Management
Armani Baraka Scott is an accomplished attorney and a creative mind who has successfully merged his love for the law and for the world of innovative thought into a career that positively impacts both. He is the founder of the Law Office of Armani B. Scott in Brooklyn, New York. As a member of the New York State Bar, Armani was admitted to practice in United States District Courts and serves as Business Counsel and Executive Producer for Strategy Park Management. Mr. Scott believes in the power of helping others to solve problems and manifest their visions. It is with this higher purpose that he provides his signature services which cover all aspects of law, business development, art curation, brand development, and creative writing.
With over 20 years of legal experience, Mr. Scott is a member of the United States Federal Court. He is skilled in nonprofit corporate and entertainment law, including intellectual property protection and copyright and trademark procurement. Mr. Scott has provided business counsel, art curation, and art development for exhibits, murals, and multimedia campaigns on behalf of clients including serving as counsel to Cy. Jones Foundation, Smif-N-Wessun, Roc Nation, Pepsi, Champion Sportswear, Bronx Brewery, the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Yankees.
Jason Torres
Owner & CEO, TerribleMedia
Born and raised in Harlem, USA, Jason Torres is a writer, producer, director, creative problem solver and hip-hop culture devotee. He relocated from New York to Baltimore to attend Morgan State University. After an internship at The Source magazine, he began his career as a hip-hop journalist covering the local music scene for the Baltimore City Paper. During this same time Jason developed a passion for mentorship while working in the Baltimore School system teaching Middle School and coaching basketball and lacrosse.
Today credits include: Desus & Mero, The Carbonaro Effect, Charlamagne & Friends, Cipha Sounds: What’s Your Thing? and others. He’s created content for BET, HLN, truTV, YouTube Originals and more.
REACH OUT
Ron Walker
President, Coalition of Schools to Educate Boys of Color (COSEBOC)
Ron Walker has served in the noble profession of education for five decades. During that time, Ron has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, staff developer and co-director of a national school K – 12 transformation organization called ATLAS Communities.
Since 2007, Ron has served as the founding Executive Director of the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC). The mission of COSEBOC is to advance the affirmative social, emotional, cultural and academic development of boys and young men of color. This occurs through the provision of high-quality professional development and supports for school, district, family and community advocates.
Ron believes that COSEBOC must continue to focus on intentional efforts to disrupt and eliminate the school to prison pipeline and any policies and practices that dehumanize boys and young men of color in pre-K – 12 school environments. Ron has been recognized at the national, state and local levels for his efforts to illuminate best and promising practices that serve to accelerate the potential and genius of boys and young men of color.
Ron often shares the mantra that guides his work: “There is a difference between schooling and education. Schooling too often leads one to compliant thinking; education leads one to liberation.”
REACH OUT
Maimouna Youssef
Artist & Activist
In 2018, Maimouna Youssef became the songwriter and voice of Ford Motor Company’s “Roll On” campaign celebrating women of color. She was awarded the prestigious post of “Musical Ambassador for the United States,” traveling to Central America to support the rights of young women. Maimouna’s Afro-Native roots and rich activist history have spawned collaborations with philanthropic leaders including W.K. Kellogg Foundation, IMAN, Congressional Black Caucus and Global Citizens Festival.
As a performer, Maimouna has shared the stage with countless icons and legends in the making including The Roots, Dave Chappelle, Sting, Bobby McFerrin, Lala Hathaway, Erykah Badu, Rapsody and many more. In 2018, Maimouna received international acclaim for featured performances on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series as a solo artist as well as performances alongside Common, Robert Glasper, Karriem Riggins, Black Thought and DJ Dummy. NPR calls her “an abundantly gifted singer and emcee” with “multi-octave range and ferocious rap delivery.”
Behind the scenes, Youssef serves as a governor for the DC chapter of the Recording Academy’s Grammy Board as well as a mentor for several Grammy unaffiliated young aspiring artists. She has received recognition from several local non-profit organizations such as One Common Unity, Bmore News and WombWork Productions as well as international awards from Mayor Luis Fernando Castellanos Cal of Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico for her outstanding service and commitment to the youth worldwide. Maimouna’s work continues to establish her as a true global citizen, a musical healer, teacher, powerhouse performer and community pillar.
REACH OUT
Meshelle
Indie Mom of Comedy
Innovative and independent with individuality are the words that best describe Meshelle “The Indie-Mom of Comedy.” With a style that makes you stop in your tracks and say “she looks like ‘the Girlfriend,’ not ‘the WIFE’ and certainly not anyone’s ‘MOM.’” Meshelle is a serial monogamist, mother of 3 and sought after comedienne whose appearances include: Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks (truTV), Search for the Funniest Mom in America 3 (Nickelodeon, hosted by Roseanne Barr), Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand Up (STARz), The Blacklist: 20 Most Notable and Notorious Moments of 2009 & 2010 (TV-ONE), BET News Presents, Obama: Journey to the White House. She has also been featured on ComicView (BET, 2014), Laff Mobb Presents: We Got Next (aspireTV, 2014), Soulaughable Comedy Series (The Word Network), syndicated documentary (NBC), Walk a Mile In My Shoes: The 90 Year Journey of the NAACP. Meshelle pioneered the role of “Michelle” (portrayed by Kimberly Elise in the film adaptation) in the hit stage play “Woman Thou Art Loosed,” written by TD Jakes and Terry McFadden.
A graduate of Bowie State University and a former Temple University doctoral student, Meshelle opted for an extended leave-of-absence after three years of matriculation in the Department of School Psychology to pursue her comedic career. Meshelle is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a 2010-2012 Open Society Institute Community Fellow. She served as an alumni fellow of this noted social justice organization — founded by George Soros — which offers funding for programing/initiatives in 57 international countries and the United States. As a fellow, Meshelle implemented Goaldiggers The Sankofa Project, connecting inner city teen girls of African descent to education and tools to gain college access by introducing them to the study of their ancestry and ethnic identity and reinforcing a positive self-concept. Anthropological methodology, genealogical research and DNA testing uncovers and assures their ethnic identity.