Out of Many, One: Advancing Equity and Justice for All | BKYR Meeting

Veterans, Jason Loughran, Associate Director of Special Programs & Initiatives at Department of Veterans Affairs,

Jason is currently serving as the Associate Director of Special Programs & Initiatives at DVS. In this role, Jason synchronizes the efforts of public, private, and not-for-profit agencies to creatively and successfully overcome the barriers hindering New York City veterans from accessing mental health, employment, entrepreneurship, and educational resources.Jason is a veteran of the US Navy. He deployed to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010. He holds a BS in Homeland Security from St. John’s University and an Executive MPA from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College.

Women's Empowerment, Felicia Kalan, Founder of Elevate Her Consulting, a freelancing collective that supports moms in finding remote work with a mission to end the gender-based wage gap.

She is a social entrepreneur and started several companies and passion projects, including UNCHAINED, a national anti-human trafficking organization that empowered survivors of human trafficking with scholarships in partnership with THE LIMITED, and  co-founded Novel Garments, an ethical, fair trade clothing line. I’m also the former Vice President of COhatch, a co-working, private-office and social-enterprise that uses community spaces to revitalize communities and incubates start-ups.

She currently work as the Founder of Elevate Her Consulting, a freelancing collective that supports moms in finding remote work with a mission to end the gender-based wage gap. I came from a struggling single-mother household and have a deep passion for ending cyclical poverty through education and empowerment, and fighting for underprivileged children and families.  When I am not working, I am serving alongside my husband at the Bridge Community Church in the Queensbridge community of Long Island City and raising my kids in Astoria, Queens.

Entrepreneurship, Anthony J. Finkel, Founder of DPH Property Maintenance Service, a company that address a need in his community for high-quality, low-cost property maintenance services.

In 2013, Anthony founded Ditmas Park Helpers to address a need in his community for high-quality, low-cost property maintenance services. Anthony has developed Ditmas Park Helpers, now known as, “DPH – Domestic Personal Helpers” from a neighborhood business into a company proudly serving clients throughout the tristate area.

Looked to as a community leader, Anthony has been interviewed by publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. He also hosts a radio show called “Let’s Talk About It” on Cortelyou Road Radio, and has interviewed interesting luminaries like Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and urban artist Laolu Senbanjo.

Hercules Emile Reid went from a homeless young adult to a community leader fighting for youth, low-income communities and immigrants’ rights. Hercules ran for New York City Council District 45 to represent the neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Flatlands, Midwood, and Canarsie. He started his career as an organizer for higher education and is now a mentor to several youths from across New York City. Hercules most recently served as the Legislative Director of the University Student Senate at the City University of New York.

Hercules most recently served as the Legislative Director of the University Student Senate. He oversaw the organization’s legislative priorities and direct advocacy work with the New York City Council and New York State Legislature.He is currently Assistant to the Deputy Brooklyn Borough President.

Clean & Transparent Government, Devin Balkind, President of the Sahana Software Foundation, a nonprofit organization that produces the world’s most popular open source information management system for disaster relief and humanitarian aid.

He currently serves the president of the Sahana Software Foundation, a nonprofit organization that produces the world’s most popular open source information management system for disaster relief and humanitarian aid. He regularly speaks about disaster relief and urban resilience at events organized by groups such as the American Red Cross, US Department of Defense, American Institute of Architects, International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), and the United Nations.

Community Advocates Panel

Veterans, Jason Loughran, Associate Director of Special Programs & Initiatives at Department of Veterans Affairs,

Women's Empowerment, Felicia Kalan, Founder of Elevate Her Consulting, a freelancing collective that supports moms in finding remote work with a mission to end the gender-based wage gap.

Entrepreneurship, Anthony J. Finkel, Founder of DPH Property Maintenance Service, a company that address a need in his community for high-quality, low-cost property maintenance services.

Education, Hercules E. Reid, Assistant to the Deputy Borough President and Legislative Director CUNY Student Senate.

Clean & Transparent Government, Devin Balkind, President of the Sahana Software Foundation, a nonprofit organization that produces the world’s most popular open source information management system for disaster relief and humanitarian aid.

Price

Members: FREE

Non-Members: $5 (Pre-Purchase), $10 (At the Door)

CLUB BUSINESS, AGENDA:

I. Welcome in the 2020 New Year, President Joel Acevedo

A. What's New About the BKYR and Its 2020 Direction.

B. Submissions of Issues, via Online Form, that YOU want the club to tackle for the 2020 New Year.