Black Empowerment Summit
Contact the DEI
Wendy Nicholson
Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Black Empowerment Summit 2025
“The Black Code: The Influence of Politics, Wealth, Culture and Education”
Keynote Speaker: Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams
April 9, 2025
10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
E-Building, E-242 and E-111
The Black Code represents a strategic framework for empowerment, emphasizing the interconnected roles of politics, wealth, culture, and education in shaping Black excellence and progress. It embodies the principles of knowledge, leadership, and economic strength, inspiring individuals to harness their influence and create lasting change within their communities.
Event Schedule
| Time | Event | Location | RSVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 – 11:15 a.m. | Keynote Address: Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams Refreshments will be served around 9:30am before the Keynote session. | Little Theater | Register for this event |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Lunch | Poolside Cafe | No RSVP Required |
| 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. | Workshop Politics: The Power of Your Voice: Navigating Politics for Impact | E-111 | Register for this event |
| 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. | Workshop Culture: Roots to Rise: The Power of Black Culture in Shaping the Future | E-242 | Register for this event |
| 2 – 3:15 p.m. | Workshop Wealth: Securing the Bag: Building Financial Power and Generational Wealth | E-242 | Register for this event |
| 2 – 3:15 p.m. | Workshop Education: Knowledge is Power: Leveraging Education for Success | E-111 | Register for this event |
| 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Networking Mixer Event | Skylight Area | Register for this event |
Workshops
12:45 – 1:45 p.m.
Politics shape the world around us, but how can students make a real impact? This session breaks down how policies affect education, careers, and communities while empowering students to engage in advocacy, voting, and leadership. Learn how to use your voice to drive change and influence decisions that shape your future.
Moderator:
- Kurt Sealey, Executive Director, (MentorUp)
Panelist:
- Glenn Ford, President (Rankin PA Council)
- Dr. Lessie Branch, Special Assistant for Community Engagement
Culture is more than identity—it’s power. This session dives into the influence of Black culture in media, business, and social movements, highlighting how students can leverage their heritage to drive innovation, representation, and community upliftment. Embrace the power of your story and learn how to shape the future while honoring the past.
Moderator:
- Jamie Corrodus, Fatherhood Academy (CUNY LaGuardia)
Panelist:
- Dr. Jamel Hudson, Lecturer of Rhetoric and Public Advocacy, Communication Studies (Baruch)
- Kurt Sealey, Executive Director, (MentorUp)
- Dr. Maria DeLongoria, Associate Provost for Academic & Faculty Affairs (CUNY Queens College)
- Dr. Theodore Andrews, Assistant Professor of History (CUNY Medgar Evers)
2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Financial freedom starts with knowledge. This session explores the fundamentals of wealth-building, from budgeting and credit to investing and entrepreneurship. Discover practical steps to take control of your financial future, break generational cycles, and create long-term economic success.
Moderator:
- Ron West, Special Projects Coordinator, CUNYBMI (CUNY Central
Panelist:
- Rohan Dalal, Senior Banking Relationships Manager (Bethpage Credit Union)
- Sharmir Findley, General Manager, Old Navy
- Melvin Greene, Tax Professional
Education is the key to unlocking opportunities, but success goes beyond the classroom. This session explores strategies for academic excellence, career preparation, and using education as a tool for social mobility. Learn how to navigate resources, build networks, and position yourself for success in a rapidly changing world.
Moderator:
- Dr. Allia Abdullah-Matta, English Professor (CUNY LaGuardia)
Panelist:
- Dr. Jonathan Quash, Executive Director, (CUNYBMI)
- Kurt Sealey, Executive Director, (MentorUp)
- Nadait Gebremedhen, MD, Chief Executive Officer (Hagush)
- John Chaney, Professor (CUNY LaGuardia)
Networking Mixer Event
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Skylight Area
It’s a time for business owners, poets, entrepreneurs, authors, and changemakers to attend and connect, collaborate, and share insights with other attendees.
Winners of the Black Lives Matter Summit Creative Writing Contest 2024
The Black Lives Matter Summit Committee was pleased to receive several submissions of prose, poetry, and creative non-fiction from student writers engaging with this year’s theme of “Black Creative Expression, Politics, and Social Change.” These writers used their voice to address topics such as racial justice/injustice, inequality, resistance, resilience, and the politics of social change.
After careful review, we’ve selected the following three pieces as winners of the competition — read their work below:
- “Echoes of Resilience: A Black Lives Matter Ode” by Rubi Bastola
- “Echoes of Resilience” by Miguelangel Guerrero
- “Dear Black Women” by Aliya Edwards
Congratulations to Rubi, Miguelangel, and Aliya for their outstanding work!
Upcoming Events
Panelists
Dr. Ikemba (Theodore) Andrews
Dr. Ikemba Andrews serves as an Assistant Professor and the History Committee Coordinator within the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department at Medgar Evers College. Originally from Philadelphia, Dr. Andrews relocated to Brooklyn in 2002 to advance his career and further his education. He commenced his academic journey at Medgar Evers College, earning an associate of arts in Liberal Arts and a bachelor of arts in Liberal Studies by 2009. Subsequently, he obtained a master of arts in Political Science from Brooklyn College in 2012 and completed his doctoral studies in history at St. John’s University in 2021.
Read More
His doctoral research concentrated on the transnational dynamics between Americans and Sierra Leoneans, with a specific emphasis on the transplantation of American educational practices onto the African continent. His dissertation, titled “American Mission Schools and the Albert Academy School for Boys: Roots and Legacy of Colonial Education,” was published in 2021. Dr. Andrews’s scholarly interests encompass colonial education, postcolonialism, neocolonialism, Africana Studies, and Pan-Africanism.
Beyond his academic endeavors, Dr. Andrews is actively engaged as a community organizer and political activist. He co-established the AKERELE Leadership Academy, a freedom school, and has served on the board of directors for Regeneration180, an African-centered school. His leadership experience includes significant roles within the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement (InPDUM), The Black is Back Coalition, and The Black Autonomy Federation. Currently, he oversees operations at We Charge Colonialism Media and Think Tank and is a member of various initiatives, including the Claim Malcolm X Day Committee, Philadelphia Peace Park, Curbfest for Political Prisoners, and the Philadelphia Reparations Task Force.
Dr. Lessie Branch
Dr. Lessie Branch, an award-winning author, is a U.S. Navy Veteran, a public and urban policy scholar, and engagement strategist with a focus on racial socioeconomic and political disparities. She uses her skills, knowledge, and abilities to raise the visibility of human rights challenges and uses her public policy training to mitigate the disparities and create policy solutions to close these gaps. As an equity advocate, Dr. Branch works to make the invisible visible by exposing and reframing harmful speech and language in social policy and other narratives. She does this by helping people to think critically about how language assigns and transfers blame for inequity to those at the margins of society. She promotes social justice-minded education and restorative policies that advocate targeted economic, political, and social rights and opportunities. Dr. Branch cultivates strategies for individual and collective action for success.
Read More
Dr. Branch is the author of Optimism At All Costs: Black Attitudes, Activism, and Advancement in Obama’s America, and authored a chapter in Reimagining Historically Black Colleges and Universities, titled Don’t Believe the Hype: HBCUs and MSIs Are Still Necessary to Black Political and Socioeconomic Development and Advancement. Additionally, Dr. Branch is the creator of The F.I.R.E. Drill DEI Workshop.TM
Dr. Branch earned a B.A. in Political Science from Fordham University, an M.A. in Politics from The New School for Social Research, and an MPhil and Ph.D. in Public and Urban Policy from Milano, The New School for Public Engagement.
Professor John Chaney
Professor Chaney is a widely recognized authority in developing productive collaborations between law enforcement and non-governmental organizations that deliver transitional resources for incarcerated individuals returning to the community. In addition to teaching, he currently serves as the principal investigator for the federally funded Accelerated College Transition (ACT) project, a three-year initiative that delivers pre- and post-release educational, training, and wraparound services for the residents of Queensboro Correctional Facility, a New York State prison located near LaGuardia’s campus.
Read More
The former director of Criminal Justice programs at LaGuardia, Professor Chaney was also a member of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office’s executive staff, serving as its Executive Director for ComALERT, a re-entry program that received national recognition for its effectiveness in reducing recidivism. He was also the New York State-appointed coordinator for the Division of Criminal Justice Services’ Kings County Reentry Task Force.
Professor Chaney is co-editor and author of Race, Education, and Reintegrating Formerly Incarcerated Citizen, Gifts from the Dark: Learning from the Incarceration Experience”, and is general editor for the international scholarly journal Dialogues in Social Justice. He has provided technical assistance for the Criminal Justice section for the American Bar Association; the ACCES-VR division for the New York State Department of Education; Nevada Workforce Connections; Uganda Prisons Service in East Africa; and was recently a guest lecturer at the famed Wellington Club in New Zealand.
Professor Chaney’s work in prisoner reintegration has received formal recognition from the New York City and State legislatures and he is featured in the documentary Counterstories: After Incarceration. His affiliations include active memberships on the New York State’s Queensboro Correctional Facility advisory board and as board treasurer for Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center.
Rohan Dalal
With over 20 years of experience in the banking sector, including 8 years specializing in business and commercial banking, Rohan has established himself as a seasoned professional. Throughout his career, he has successfully managed flagship branches for leading commercial banks, demonstrating his expertise in fostering strong client relationships and driving business growth.
Rohan has a proven track record of onboarding new businesses, providing tailored business lending solutions, and cultivating robust deposit relationships. His ability to work with businesses generating revenues of up to $25 million underscores his deep understanding of the unique financial needs of small to mid-sized enterprises.
Rohan’s leadership and commitment to excellence continue to make a meaningful impact in the banking industry, earning him recognition as a trusted advisor to businesses and a key contributor to organizational success.
Sharmir Findley
Sharmir Findley graduated from CUNY CityTech with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. During his time at CityTech, he actively volunteered with the Black Male Initiative Program which significantly shaped his development as a student leader and instilled in him a passion for mentorship and community service. After graduation, Sharmir worked for the Department of Environmental Protection as an Engineering Technician, later joining the Long Island Railroad as an Assistant Signalman. Eventually, he transitioned to the private sector, where he leveraged his extensive experience and skills to become a General Manager Old Navy, at times overseeing as many as 9 stores. In his current role, Sharmir also serves as a de facto career coach to many of his coworkers at Old Navy, helping them to grow and succeed in their professional journeys. Originally from Grenada, Sharmir now lives in Brooklyn with his wonderful wife of 3 years and their 7-month-old baby.
Glenn Ormand Ford
Glenn Ormand Ford is a trailblazing leader, community advocate, and entrepreneur dedicated to the growth and empowerment of Rankin, PA. Elected to Rankin Borough Council in 2023, he quickly rose to become the youngest council president in Pennsylvania history. In this role, he is committed to fostering sustainable development, advocating for residents, and implementing initiatives that drive positive change.
Beyond public service, Mr. Ford is a real estate investor with a growing portfolio. He owns and operates a property management company and a construction business, which is key in revitalizing local housing and infrastructure.
Read More
In addition to his work in government and real estate, Mr. Ford serves as the Director of the Woodland Hills Impact Center in Rankin, PA. Through this position, he leads community programs, events, and initiatives that provide resources, enrichment, and support for local residents. Ambitious and forward-thinking, Glenn Ford continues to break barriers, champion progress, and create opportunities for his community, ensuring a lasting impact for future generations.
Dr. Nadait Gebremedhen
Dr. Nadait Gebremedhen is the founder and CEO of Hagush, a social enterprise committed to building a just and inclusive economy. Originally trained as a physician, she later pursued graduate studies in cognitive psychology before transitioning into social entrepreneurship. At Hagush, she develops cost-effective, scalable solutions to global development challenges. Currently, Hagush is bridging the digital divide in Sub-Saharan Africa through digital device financing and enabling the impact of local technology startups advancing Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1: No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Kaysian Gordon
Kaysi is a seasoned professional who has worked in the financial industry for over 25 years. She is The Founder and Wealth Advisor at Kaysi Gordon Financial Planning. Prior to launching her firm, Kaysi was a Wealth Advisor with the Clarus Group. Prior to Clarus, Kaysi was part of an elite 13 person team at UBS where she spent almost 17 years providing financial guidance and investment strategies for the firm’s “ultra-wealthy”, and helping to manage in excess of $500 Million in investable assets. Her client base consisted of entrepreneurs, CEOs and CFOs of Fortune 500 companies. At the time, the team managed over $3 Billion. Prior to joining the team at UBS, Kaysi began her career in Public Accounting, where she earned her CPA license.
Read More
Due to her breadth and depth of knowledge, Kaysi works well with her clients’ other centers of influence, ensuring that there is a seamless process between her clients’ accountants, attorneys, and wealth advisor. She has a passion for helping her clients to achieve both financial and life goals and has a proven track record of giving guidance that is suitable for the client. Kaysi’s philosophy on financial success is predicated on taking the time to listen to the specific needs of each client, so that she can craft a detailed and tailored
solution – as she does not believe one solution fits all.
Kaysi holds an undergraduate degree from Queens College, City University of New York in Accounting and Information Systems, where she graduated as a Queens College Scholar. She holds minors in Economics, Business and Liberal Arts (BALA), an honors minor. She also holds a Masters in Business Administration from Fordham University – Gabelli School with a dual concentration in Taxation and Finance. In addition to her degrees, Kaysi holds licenses as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA), her insurance licenses and previously held other industry licenses – series 7 and 66.
Family and Community are important to Kaysi. She currently serves as an Elder in her church and was formally the chairperson for her church’s Finance and Stewardship Committee. She also is a Sabbath School Superintendent.
Kaysi is a blogger and published author of “Walking By Faith and Not By Sight: Learning to be Still in the midst of Life’s Chaos”, “Walking in Obedience: Learning to Trust God Each Step of the Way”, “Amelia and Her Many Talents”, and is in the process of publishing “Walking in Love: Learning to Love Better Each Day”.
She is a sought-after public speaker on both financial and faith topics. Kaysi enjoys being a mom, writing, reading and traveling with her daughter.
Melvin Greene
Melvin is an established tax professional who taught both taxation and accounting at the collegiate level. He worked as a corporate tax professional for Fortune 50 companies, including Pfizer, Mobil Oil, United Airlines and International Paper Company. He retired at Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. as global tax director and currently serves as founder and owner of TAX-R-US, a tax planning, preparation and audit resolution certified public accounting firm. He also volunteers his services as investment director for the Cedarmore Corporation’s Young Entrepreneurs Training Program in New York.
Melvin received a Bachelor’s degree from Benedict College, an MBA in Taxation from Governor’s State University and an MST in Taxation and Accounting from Fordham University Graduate School of Business.
He is passionate about seeing people move their finances in a direction they never thought possible.
Jamel Coy Hudson, Ph.D.
Dr. Jamel Coy Hudson, Ph.D., is a lecturer, professor, and rhetorician. He has dedicated his scholarly pursuits to rhetorical studies, culminating in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. He is a Doctoral Lecturer of Rhetoric and Public Advocacy in the Department of Communication Studies and an Affiliate Faculty member in the Black and Latinx Studies Department at CUNY Baruch College. In addition to his appointment at CUNY Baruch College, he has also taught as a faculty member in the Department of Writing Studies and Rhetoric at his alma mater, Hofstra University. Dr. Hudson also serves as the Assistant Imam at As Siraatal Mustaqeem Islamic Center, where he regularly delivers khutbahs for the Jummah prayers. He is a former Tri-chair of the New York State Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, an artist in the movement, and is committed to realizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the Beloved Community.
Joshua King
Joshua King is a visionary leader in influencer marketing, brand partnerships, and talent strategy with more than 15 years of experience shaping some of the most impactful campaigns across entertainment, fashion, beauty, sports, and tech. With a unique ability to blend cultural intelligence, data-driven insights, and creative storytelling, King has built multi-million dollar brand partnerships, amplified digital-first talent, and driven over $1B in earned media revenue for global brands.At the forefront of social and influencer marketing, Joshua has worked with Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Google Pixel, Adidas, Savage X Fenty, and Nike, developing end-to-end campaigns that don’t just make noise—they make impact. His expertise in talent management, influencer activations, and digital strategy has positioned him as a go-to architect for scalable, high-performance marketing strategies that resonate with today’s hyper-connected audiences.
Read More
Joshua has successfully managed and developed over 35 top-tier creators and public figures, securing more than $10M in brand partnerships since Sept. 2015. He has led high-impact influencer campaigns for over 60 film titles, contributing to more than $1B in box office revenue. His ability to negotiate and execute over $3M in brand collaborations has driven measurable ROI for both brands and talent. Additionally, he has built and scaled social media strategies, increasing audience engagement by 46 percent and maximizing organic reach. A culture-first strategist and relationship-driven dealmaker, Joshua seamlessly navigates the intersection of influence, innovation, and brand storytelling—connecting brands with the right voices to drive authentic engagement and revenue growth.
His approach is equal parts creative and analytical, ensuring that every campaign is both a cultural moment and a business win. When he’s not closing major brand deals or architecting digital-first campaigns, you’ll find him mentoring emerging talent, speaking on industry panels, and championing diversity and inclusion in influencer marketing. King is shaping the next wave of influence.
Kurt Michael Sealey
Kurt Michael Sealey, an inspiring immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, has carved a remarkable path as a Regional Advisor to the National Society of Black Engineers and CEO of the youth development non-profit www.MentorUp.NYC. A Certified Human Rights Consultant, Kurt also holds certifications as a Life Coach and Business Mentor. His professional work has included coordinating an SAT Prep Program that successfully sent ove0r 700 students to college in just ten years. He has also been a part of the Cuny CIty Tech Black Male Initiative task force for many years. Kurt’s commitment to uplifting others is evident as he personally mentors more than 100 young people of color in colleges and high schools across the country, fostering a legacy of empowerment and opportunity.
Ron West
A career educator, Ron West is currently the Special Projects Coordinator of CUNY’s Black Male Initiative (BMI). He has been a recognized director, manager, leader of student development programming and initiatives in CUNY and higher education for over twenty years. Specifically creating offices in career education and development, counseling, employer relations, career internship development and preparation. Westhas served as the BMI Internship Coordinator for the Lehman College Urban Male Leadership Program, where he developed keynote panels and identified professional service honorees for their Annual CUNity Student Conferences, hosted by Lehman College UMLP. He currently develops and produces our monthly “CUNY BMI Dialogues,” a series of topical discussion, featuring outstanding guests. In addition, he has recruited several dynamic new members serving on the CUNY BMI Advisory Committee.
Planning Committee
Special thanks to our committee members for their work in planning and executing the Black Empowerment Summit.
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Rachel Romain, Chair | Multicultural Exchange |
| Travis Alvarez, Co-Chair | Social Sciences |
| Allia Abdullah-Matta | English |
| Jessica Perez | Center for Career and Professional Development |
| Rhonda Mouton | LaGuardia CARES |
| Rochelle Spencer | English |
Planning Committee
Special thanks to our committee members for their work in planning and executing the Black Lives Matter Summit.
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Rachel Romain, Chair | Multicultural Exchange |
| Allia Abdullah-Matta | English |
| Kazembe Batts | Student Affairs |
| Ayoka Christopher-Skinner | ASAP Program |
| Andre Ford | Center for Career & Professional Development |
| Sultan Jenkins | Natural Sciences Department |
| Ryan Mann-Hamilton | Social Science |
| Wendy Nicholson | Office of the President |
| Sonia Rodriguez | English |
| Ingrid Veras | Natural Sciences |
| Charis Victory | ASAP Program |