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

Manager of Neighborhood Economic Development, CenterState CEO

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 March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

News Releases December 13, 2022

Community Foundation Hosting Best Selling Author Heather McGhee for Virtual Speaking Engagement

Join us for an upcoming virtual speaking event on January 17, 2023, featuring New York ...

Blogs December 7, 2022

Reflections: Bringing Residents to the Table

Qiana Williams, program officer, shows us how participatory budgeting is helping residents form solutions to ...

Angel Winfield and Lance Lyons stand in front of the Rev Theatre Company in Auburn
Publications November 21, 2022

Forging Pathways for the Future: Angela Winfield & Lance Lyons

Giving Voice Fall 2022: Donor Story

Group of teens sitting at a table
Publications November 21, 2022

Adding New Flavor to Grantmaking with Participatory Budgeting

Giving Voice Fall 2022: Granting Matters

Blogs October 29, 2022

Reflections: Creating a Legacy of Equity

Jan Lane, senior philanthropic advisor, explains the ways that leaving a legacy can help you ...

Children standing with paramedic
News Releases September 28, 2022

$240,000 in Grants Awarded to Black-Led Organizations

Seventeen grants from our Black Equity & Excellence Fund totaling $240,000 were distributed to support ...

Blogs March 11, 2023

Reflections: Asking the Important Questions

Danielle Johnson explains how we are working to distribute our discretionary grant dollars equitably.

Blogs February 18, 2023

Reflections: Learning and Working From DEI Principles

Ahmeed Turner explains how and why we prioritize with our staff the importance of learning ...

Blogs January 31, 2023

Reflections: Remaking the Mold

Guest writer Angela Outlaw-Matheny from Crewcial Partners explains how her personal experiences influenced her work ...

News Releases December 13, 2022

Community Foundation Hosting Best Selling Author Heather McGhee for Virtual Speaking Engagement

Join us for an upcoming virtual speaking event on January 17, 2023, featuring New York ...

Blogs December 7, 2022

Reflections: Bringing Residents to the Table

Qiana Williams, program officer, shows us how participatory budgeting is helping residents form solutions to ...

Angel Winfield and Lance Lyons stand in front of the Rev Theatre Company in Auburn
Publications November 21, 2022

Forging Pathways for the Future: Angela Winfield & Lance Lyons

Giving Voice Fall 2022: Donor Story

Group of teens sitting at a table
Publications November 21, 2022

Adding New Flavor to Grantmaking with Participatory Budgeting

Giving Voice Fall 2022: Granting Matters

Blogs October 29, 2022

Reflections: Creating a Legacy of Equity

Jan Lane, senior philanthropic advisor, explains the ways that leaving a legacy can help you ...

Children standing with paramedic
News Releases September 28, 2022

$240,000 in Grants Awarded to Black-Led Organizations

Seventeen grants from our Black Equity & Excellence Fund totaling $240,000 were distributed to support ...

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