Board Members
VICE CHAIR
John Ball
John Ball is a dedicated professional with a solid background in the field of Human Services. He earned his BA in Psychology from Medgar Evers College in 2010 and later completed his MA in Human Services at the University of Arizona in 2023. With over 15 years of experience, John has dedicated his career to supporting at-risk youth within the judicial system and special needs populations.
John's passion for advocacy and mentorship shines through his work, particularly in conducting workshops for the LGBTQ youth community on harm reduction. In his executive roles over the past 6 years, he has been instrumental in developing and implementing programs to help the homeless population access essential resources and services.
Whether serving as a mentor, advocate, leader, or program developer, John consistently demonstrates a profound commitment to empowering individuals to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.
Having navigated his own challenges as an at-risk youth, John's personal journey drives his mission to create pathways for young people to flourish and pursue their dreams. His transformative experience at the age of 13 serves as a catalyst for his advocacy on behalf of the next generation, ensuring that all youth receive the necessary support and guidance to thrive.
Rooted in a deep belief in the inherent potential of every individual, John is dedicated to helping others achieve greatness and make a positive impact on the world.
SECRETARY
Dana Strickland
Dana Strickland is a dynamic and dedicated individual, balancing her roles as a student, Soldier, and secretary. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design, where she is sharpening her expertise in design, pattern-making, and textile science with the goal of launching her own stylish clothing brand.
Alongside her academic pursuits, Dana serves in the Army as a Veterinary Food Inspector, a role that has instilled in her strong discipline, a robust work ethic, and meticulous attention to detail.
Dana is passionate about empowering young people through sewing and crochet. She aims to share her knowledge and skills to inspire creativity and help others develop valuable abilities that will benefit them in their future endeavors.
TREASURER
Dionne Christopher
An innovative, personable Property Manager, Dionne Christopher leverages over 2 decades of management expertise, an Accredited Residential Manager Certification from the Institute of Real Estate Management, and a Real Estate Construction Project Management Certification from NYU to deliver successful property management initiatives.
Her unrivaled leadership experience includes 12 residential luxury condominiums and co-ops in Manhattan with a total of 1500 units, evidencing superior operational and personal management skills.
Dionne also holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer
Information Systems from Queens College, demonstrating high technological expertise. She has multi-faceted expertise in unit management across rent-stabilized, rent-controlled, and market-rate apartments to ensure proper operations and maintenance.
Dionne is now the Director of the Property Management Program at the Neighborhood Housing Services of Brooklyn CDC Inc., in which she helps low-to -moderate income families from predominantly black communities create and preserve wealth as well as recover from disasters.
Her program aims to help advance wealth creation for LMI Black women through, community-driven solutions that foster collaboration and contribute to systemic, sustainable change.
As a mother her passion lies in helping others, specifically in
locating and securing affordable housing with ample resources to foster a sustainable place to call home.