Imagine a little girl from New York City struggling to read in English because it was her second language. Her family could not teach her. Her parents were immigrants not yet fluent in English. Her siblings could not help because they could not yet read. Her family’s income level was incredibly below the poverty line.
One day in 2nd grade, during silent reading time, the little girl asked her teacher: “How do I read in English?” Without even looking at her the teacher said, “Read it how you see it. Figure it out!” In 3rd grade her standardized test scores were in the 40% range due to no Math, English, Science, Social Studies taught to her class. In 4th grade, she met her favorite teacher that inspired her to believe in herself. Over the years, the little girl navigated the New York City Public educational system on her own.
Fast forward to high school, this little girl became a young woman who cared about the world around her and making things better. She was a self-proclaimed Planeteer. She understood education was key towards advancing in life so she registered herself for honors classes and Advanced Placement in Biology, Environmental Science, U.S. History, Spanish Literature, Mathematics, Shakespearean Literature - graduating with all regents exams and 14 Advanced Placement Credits - which counted towards her college degree. This little girl went on to become the first in her family to graduate from high school and college in the United States of America.
As an adult, she married a fellow Dominican-American scholar who also cares about making things better - and earned his Masters and Juris Doctor degrees from Harvard University and Cardozo Law School, respectively. Over the past decade, she has dedicated her professional life to supporting youth and their families towards actualizing the American Dream. Learn more here.
Formal Leadership Roles & Awards
Chair, New York City Neighborhood Advisory Board
Public Member, Manhattan Community Board 12
Steering Committee, Uptown Youth Collective
Alumni Advisor, Syracuse University
Personal Leadership Award, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health (2024)
Unsung Community Heroes Award, NYPD 33rd Precinct Community Council (2023)
Volunteer Appreciation Award, Liga Deportiva Dario De Leon/ Little League Baseball Team (2023)
International Women’s Month Award, NY City Comptroller & Association of Progressive Women (2021)
Board of Directors, Dare To Run, Inc. (2020-2022)
Civic Leadership Citations, New York State Assembly & New York City Council (Pre-pandemic)
Contact
Community Development Portfolio
Project Beauty Experience
Nonprofit Organization. Youth and family programming focusing on teaching emotional intelligence, academic resilience, personal leadership and professional development training. Serving residents of low-income backgrounds in Manhattan and The Bronx.
Las Mayimbas
Affinity group and support network for Immigrant-American women between 40-70 years old. Serves women through ongoing educational workshops, workforce development training, wellness events to improve quality of life, sharing of resources.
Uptown Think Tank
Incubator for social impact initiatives. Inter-generational civic hub strengthening fabric of democracy through community service initiatives and direct educational engagement around local issues in New York City & State.