Aiesha Turman, Director
Stemming from over a decade of working with NYC youth in grades K-12 within non-traditional education settings, such as and at institutions such as, The Museum for African Art, The New-York Historical Society, the Queens Library Gallery, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, and the Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, Aiesha has experienced first-hand the complex lives many Black girls face.
Aiesha has combined her practical knowledge with her interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate degrees in order to help create change for a segment of society she is passionate about — black girls. Just as her education is interdisciplinary, so is her work. Aiesha is a documentary filmmaker, writer, activist and educator who is an English professor at a large public university in New York. She has developed and implemented curriculum, given talks surrounding youth, esteem, and hip hop culture, personally mentored young women, created media via her company Super Hussy Media, organized conferences, participated in roundtable discussions all with a singular focus — positively impacting the lives of Black women and girls.
You can reach her via her website.
Bianca I. Laureano, Board Member
Bianca I. Laureano is a first generation Puerto Rican sexologist living in NYC. Raised in the Washington, DC area in an activist environment, Bianca is the daughter of an artist and educator and a product of the public school system. In the field of sexuality for over a decade, Bianca has worked with and taught youth of Color, working class communities, national and international organizations advocating sex-positive social justice agendas. She has presented both locally and internationally on various topics concerning activism, Latino sexual health, feminisms, youth and hip-hop culture, Latinos and race, curriculum development, and teaching. She identifies as a LatiNegra, media maker, radical woman of Color, activist, sex-positive, pro-choice femme. Bianca earned a BA from the University of Maryland in Women’s Health & Latino Communities, MA from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education & Human Development in Human Sexuality Education and a MA from the University of Maryland in Women’s Studies with a focus on sexuality, race and ethnicity. Bianca is a professor at a private Catholic college in the Bronx and a freelance writer. She hosts the website LatinoSexuality.com. Find out more about Bianca by visiting her website www.BiancaLaureano.com.
LaWanda J. Abel, Board Member
With 10 years experience in community outreach, marketing and public relations, LaWanda J. Abel brings a strong background in communications, organizing and program planning. Her passion to help youth achieve healthy, balanced and successful lives along with her ability to create ideas that not only engage but also touch the lives of everyone involved, led her to create I Am Worth More, a nonprofit organization that works to counter the negative effects society and the entertainment industry has on today’s youth.
Ms. Abel’s past professional experience includes managing special projects at Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc., which included launching a corporate giving program and young professionals group to raise the visibility of the organization and expand its constituent base. During her tenure at the Ms. Foundation for Women, her talent and experience benefited girls and boys ages 8 to 18 involving over 2 million companies getting involved to help a new generation at work explore their future and dreams. As Program Manager for Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work® Day, Ms. Abel was responsible for building a program that helped our nation’s daughters and sons reach their full potential in all areas of their lives and expanded their vision of the opportunities available to them.
Ms. Abel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications with a specialization in TV/Radio Broadcasting from Iona College. In addition to working within the nonprofit sector, she has also worked in the music, television, fashion, and education industries. Ms. Abel’s strongest qualities are organizing, writing, and ideation.
Patrice Perry, Board Member
With over 10 years experience in New York City government, Patrice Perry currently serves as Special Assistant in the office of Intergovernmental Relations, for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development. She is responsible for formulating and securing necessary legislative changes in both the City Council and the State Legislature in order to complete critical components of the agency’s mission. Through analysis and research the proposal of new housing legislative changes and resources from which the agency’s program initiatives are developed.
Patrice has a B.B.A degree in Operations Management and is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Speech Pathology. She volunteers her time by instructing young disadvantaged men and woman on how to communicate their talents via a resume as well as the importance of workplace etiquette, respect and honor to others and their community.
By attempting to instill the value that “To those whom much is given, much is expected.” if granted certain opportunities in life take them and use every benefit to pay it forward to the next individual or group. Patrice teaches youth that this is imperative to the overall mission of the workplace as well as life in general.
Tamara Walker, Board Member
Coming from a diverse background spanning the corporate, advertising, fashion and public relations worlds, Tamara brings nearly a decade of experience to the table. She is an insightful strategist with high-quality communications talents that include trend story development, media relations and industry expert establishment.
Prior to her becoming the NY PR Diva, Tamara sharpened her tactics and writing skills at Total Media Corporation (advertising) where she created copy for radio and television for various clientele, She developed her event production skills at the Ground Crew (famed backstage/fashion production company) where she has worked backstage at high profile shows during New York Fashion Week, the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show and various top-notch off season presentations and showcases for designer and retail giants including Christian Dior, Hugo Boss, Donna Karan, Prada, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Ann Taylor. Tamara developed and mastered her public relations skill set during her time at double E communications (a boutique PR firm) where she worked with the design minds behind some of our favorite TV, film and commercial gems.
Tamara is a graduate of Wellesley College with a dual degree in International Relations and Spanish.
Zakeia Tyson, Board Member
With a background in marketing, development and event planning, Zakeia’s experience has given her the ability to view emerging concepts from various perspectives. Raised in Harlem, New York and later moved to Atlanta, Georgia to attend Morris Brown College, Zakeia continued her studies at Georgia State University, where she earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.
Zakeia has a passion for the arts; not only can she developed marketing concepts from nuts to soup but she is a talented poet and performer. She shares her life experience through poetry in efforts to reach the hearts and minds of young adults. One of Zakeia’s favorite quotes that she recites before each performance is “words carried by emerging thoughts, actions, desires and dreams”, “love is peace, be encouraged by your selfless motives”.
Zakeia is currently scheduled to complete her MBA with a specialization in Marketing.
