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Our Team

Dr. Kelly M. Downing
Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Dr. Downing was a former Senior Faculty & Partnership Specialist at The Writing Revolution (TWR). He has over 15 years experience as a former NYC DOE educator (A.Philip Randolph Campus High School) & Parent Coordinator (Frederick Douglass Academy I) and earned his Ph.D. in Literacy from St. John's University.

Charles Thompson
Director for Advancement & Communications
Charles Thompson is the Founder & Executive Director Emeritus of Sound Business, Inc. (SBI), a not-for-profit education services organization established in 1989 and was the Executive Director through June 1, 2022. Thompson now serves as the Director for Advancement & Communications to the organization and is a member of its Board of Directors.

Precious Byrd
Operations Coordinator
Precious Byrd was a former Professional Mentor with Friends of the Children (New York) and proudly served in the Americorp. She has spent 11 years in child development and education; serving children of all backgrounds both domestically and abroad. As of May, Byrd has received her certification in Google Data Analytics.

Our Team
Aris Munoz
On-Site Operations Associate
Kelly M. Downing, Ph.D.
Student Advancement Center
Interim Program Manager
Jose Mitaynes
Creative Arts Director
Gregory Caldwell
Stage Manager
Krystina Buckley
Bookkeeping & Human Resources
Chris Calienes
Program Assessment
Geordano Abreu
Graphics & Multimedia

"The desire to reach the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise and most possible."
Maya Angelou
"Equality is at the heart and essence of democracy, freedom and justice, equality of opportunity in industry, in labor unions, schools, colleges, government, politics, and before the law. There must be no dual standards of justice, no dual rights, privileges, duties, or responsibilities of citizenship. No dual forms of freedom."
Asa Philip Randolph
