Leadership
Jennifer Brown
BOARD CHAIR
Jennifer Brown is the Director of the Mount Kisco Public Library and Adjunct Lecturer in the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies at Queens College.
Jennifer has 24 years of experience in public libraries across Texas and New York. During her library career she has raised over $500,000 in grant funds and looks forward to applying those skills towards the Black Diamonds Academic Success.
She is a member of the Rotary Club of Peekskill, Peekskill NAACP and Friends of The Field Library. Among her many volunteer activities she also is the New York and New Jersey State Coordinator for the American Bullmastiff Association Rescue Service.
Tamika Nelson
BOARD SECRETARY
Tamica is a mental health counselor. She holds a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling and has worked extensively with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, combining cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices to support clients in achieving emotional balance and personal growth.
Tamica is also a successful entrepreneur, owning and operating a wellness center hub called I Heart Soul that provides a range of services including yoga classes, counseling sessions, and wellness workshops. Her Pop- Hub is haven for those seeking to improve their overall health, offering a supportive community and a holistic approach to well-being.
Tamica’s unique blend of skills allows her to offer a comprehensive approach to health and wellness, addressing both the mind and body.
Juliette Dudowitz
BOARD TREASURER
Juliette is a dedicated and accomplished individual with a passion for community service and youth empowerment. Born in Washington Heights, Juliette brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to the Peekskill community.
Juliette pursued higher education at Fordham University earning her BS Degree. Her academic journry laid a solid foundation for her successful 30-year career in banking. Throughout her banking career she demonstrated exceptional leadership and a keen understanding of financial management.
Juliette’s dedication to community service extends to her role as a volunteer at BDAS, where she works tirelessly to create a positive environment for young black and brown men in the community. Her vision is to see BDAS flourish and become a cornerstone organization in communities across New York State
Andrew Hardy
BOARD MEMBER
Andrew Hardy is a distinguished addition to the Black Diamonds Academic Success board. Leveraging a robust background in construction management, Andrew infuses our team with his strategic prowess and collaborative ethos. His years of orchestrating intricate projects underscore his commitment to precision and effective leadership. With Andrew's arrival, the path to empowering the next generation gains a guiding force, poised to elevate our impact. Andrew's arrival adds a guiding force to our mission of empowering the next generation, bolstering our impact in meaningful ways.
Janice Haughton
BOARD MEMBER
Janice Haughton, Community & Citizenship Director for Turner Construction Company, leads and administers outreach initiatives for small business compliance, economic/community development and youth mentoring programs for the business unit. She maintains senior management awareness, employee engagement and policy communication of these Programs, by identifying strategies for procurement and referring small businesses to assists Turner in meeting its commitments and inclusion goals. She works closely with clients, procurement, project construction teams and community leaders to create an environment of inclusion for small businesses, local residents and community based organizations. This includes the development and execution of customized utilization programs with strategic community outreach plans and monitoring mechanisms for compliance reporting.
Felix Flores
BOARD MEMBER
Felix retired after working 26 years as an elementary school educator, including 16 years as an administrator. He has been an adjunct instructor and professor for Mercy College since 2013 and continues to enjoy the interactions with graduate students who are prospective teachers.
He is presently the Professional Development School liaison for Manhattanville College working with schools in the Ossining and Peekskill School Districts. He also currently volunteers supporting programs and activities of the Peekskill City School District and its Parent Resource Center.
Donald M. Ruff, Jr.
BOARD MEMBER
Donald is the President & CEO of The Eagle Academy Foundation (EAF). This nonprofit organization educates and mentors young men of color into future leaders committed to excellence in character, scholastic achievement, and community service and promotes these principles nationally.
Mr. Ruff is a charismatic visionary who works tirelessly on behalf of young people and their families to improve communities. He joined EAF in 2007 as the founding Director of College Counseling, helping establish strategic partnerships resulting in $2 million of in-kind support, including corporate collaborations, enrichment programming, internships, and travel abroad opportunities for Eagle students.
Martin McDonald
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Martin McDonald is the Founder and Executive Director of the Black DIamonds Academic Success Program. Martin recently retired from the Ossining School District after 20 years of service as their Cable TV Station Manager and Programmer, creating video content for the district for grades K-12. He also managed the local high school radio station WOSS 91.1 FM and served as Advisor to the Radio Club and Video Club. Additionally, Martin served as the creator and Advisor to Project Earthquake, a Black male mentoring program, for 9 years. Martin is married, with 4 loving children. He is a member of Mt Olivet Baptist Church, Peekskill NAACP and Peekskill Rotary Club. He also served 3 years as president of the Peekskill NAACP.