Meet the 2019-2020 Power of 3:00 Cohort!

Naa-Shorme earned her BA in Sociology and English from Georgetown University and her Masters’ degree in Education from Fordham University. As a product of NYC schools and enrichment programs, she is passionate about empowering youth to take advantage of and create opportunities to excel while also giving back to their communities. This passion was heightened during her time as an elementary school teacher and Civics Coordinator in Harlem. She has been able to advocate for young people through her policy work around trauma-informed approaches and de-escalation policies in Washington, DC.
Since then, she has worked abroad, teaching high school English and coordinating after school programming among community schools as a Fulbright Fellow. She recently transitioned from her role as a Program Manager at ExpandED Schools where she provided coaching and training in areas of student engagement, social emotional learning, behavior management and more, to her new role as the Director of Policy. In this new role, she looks forward to advocating for sustained and high quality expanded learning and enrichment opportunities, among many other policies that set our youth on a path of lifelong wellness and success.

Margie Baker, M.S. Ed. is a career educator and youth development professional. She began her career in youth services with RBSCC a/k/a RiseBoro. Over seven years, she held progressively responsible positions, including Entitlement Advocate, Program Director, Unit Director, and Assistant Executive Director.
Margie grew increasingly passionate about educational equity and decided to join the New York City Department of Education as a teacher. She felt disparity could best be addressed from an administrative lens and transitioned from teacher to district staff developer, Assistant Principal and Principal. During her tenure at the Department of Education, Margie wrote and was awarded a myriad of grants, increasing opportunities for her school and students. In addition, she presented innovative work, pedagogy and programs at state and national conferences.
Upon retiring from the Department of Education, Margie joined New York Edge as Director of Education. She is responsible for supervising curriculum and instruction at over 100 sites; she spearheads and oversees the agency’s monthly professional development for educational specialists and supervises six in-house educational professionals who counsel and support program sites from Kindergarten to eight grade. Over the past two years, Margie has continued working to present innovative work on New York Edge’s behalf and has presented at five youth development conferences at state and regional level. Recently, Margie was part of the team that negotiated for New York Edge to become a SACC Host Agency. She is looking forward to expanding this work with the Network for Youth Success as an Ambassador of 3:00.

Kristen Marie Hada is from Sloan, NY. She has been working at Cheektowaga-Maryvale Union Free School District as the 21st Century Community Learning Center Program Director since November 2018. She was born and raised in the Cheektowaga-Sloan area, and is grateful to have the opportunity to work and give back to School District and community in which she resides. She has been working in the field of education since Spring of 2005. She has worked in various placements in her career, starting out as a Teacher Assistant, then becoming a Literacy Specialist/Response to Intervention Specialist, Special Education Teacher, Staff Specialist for Professional Development, Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Principal, Principal, Behavior Specialist and now a 21st Century Community Learning Center Program Director. She is a member of the After School Network of Western New York (ASNWNY).
The 21st CCLC Program is offered at Maryvale Primary and Maryvale Intermediate Schools, and is offered to 350 students in Grades K-5. This program really allowed Kristen to make connections and build relationships with many community organizations in the area as well as school staff and families. The community organizations are welcomed by the program and spend time working with the students in the 21st CCLC Program, as well as providing resources and supports to the students and their families. The students in the program receive academic support and enrichment opportunities, as well as have a safe and nurturing place to be after the school day ends. The program offers monthly Parent Information Cafes to allow community organizations the opportunity to connect with families right at the school during program.
Kristen is excited for her participation in the New York State Network for Youth Success Power of 3:00 Ambassador training and for the opportunities to focus on initiatives and policies that promote the important of after school programming that can involve the support of the local community. She is looking forward to connecting with like-minded, driven individuals who have a common goal and want to be a catalyst for change to support youth.

Shams Harper is currently the Healthy Lifestyles Community Coordinator at the United Way of Broome County. Shams is also the program leader for the Fresh Cycles program, a free community bike shop and youth educational program, which has steadily grown and focused its mission in the six years that Shams has held this title. Shams strives to make positive impacts on youth development, physical and social health, and skill building through Fresh Cycle’s bicycle repair programs, group rides, and summer employment program Bike Works.
In partnership with school staff and the Roosevelt Committee, Shams coordinates and assists Binghamton City School District’s Roosevelt Elementary Garden Club, an afterschool club focusing on building student’s agricultural and team-building knowledge. Shams’ work is dedicated to engaging youth, parents, and community members in experiential programming at the intersection of pressing social issues such as transportation autonomy, food justice, opportunities in technology. His passion is empowering youth most affected by the disparities in these fields. Shams is excited to participate in the Power of 3:00’s efforts to build upon advocacy networks in Broome County that push for expanded opportunities for youth.

Donna M. Jackson is a mom to two wonderful teens, and a lifelong learner. She was raised in Mount Vernon, New York and is a positive product of the city’s public school system (MVHS ’87). She has fond memories of mentors and friends in after school programs and recognizes that the “Power of 3:00” nurtured her love of sports, arts and culture. Ms. Jackson has a native’s understanding of her hometown, and a track record of making it better through active community service, and in her current position as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of the Mount Vernon City School District.
As a bridge builder, she brings people together and draws upon her many experiences in the economic, educational and cultural worlds to champion innovation, opportunity and inclusion. Ms. Jackson is a graduate of Virginia State University, New York University’s Certificate Program in Public Relations, Fordham University’s Executive Leadership Program in Nonprofit Management, and most recently, Restorative Justice certification with Dr. Tom Cavanagh of Colorado State University and Pace University’s Masters in Educational Leadership Program. Her professional resume includes work with the Business & Legal Affairs departments of entertainment and law corporations. She produces educational workshops, cultural and recreational events. She finds joy in servant leadership through board service in Kiwanis International (Mount Vernon Chapter), Northeast STEM Starter Academy, supporting young women as a Girl Scout Leader, Appalachian Mountain Club’s Youth Opportunities Program and supporting initiatives that provide access and opportunity for youth: in-school, after school and during the summer months.
Ms. Jackson loves science, Maker Faire hand-on learning, and family research. She enjoys writing, and co-published First Black Autos with her father, Henry May. First Black Autos is a story about their ancestor Charles R. Patterson, America’s first African American automobile manufacturer. She collects Mount Vernon memorabilia and is a past trustee of the Westchester County Historical Society. A portion of her collection is included in the June 2009 Arcadia publication Images of America: Mount Vernon, New York and subsequent 2013 Arcadia publication of Mount Vernon Revisited by author and Mount Vernon City Historian Dr. Larry L. Spruill. Ms. Jackson looks forward to sharpening her advocacy skills for the benefit of Mount Vernon youth as a 2019-2020 Power of 3:00 Ambassador and networking with passionate Afterschool providers and supporters.

Korin was born to Military Family. Being in the Army, this meant her family moved around often and very far distances; sometimes even out of the county. Living this lifestyle and frequently moving, her parents heavily relied on the school and local afterschool programs an integral resource. Early in life, Korin knew education would be her calling. She later went to Buffalo State College to study Secondary Science Education.
During her undergraduate career, she worked in various educational settings, from public, to charter, to private Schools and with all types of students: At-Risk, High Needs, Special Needs, and general education. Through all of these educational experiences, she learned that out-of-school, afterschool, and summer enrichment are one of the largest factors to Youth Success. As a member of her local Board of Education, she has learned that a program is most impactful when it has the resources it needs, and the way to ensure this is through Advocacy. Korin will continue to advocate for her community’s youth in hopes of providing supports and resources so that they can achieve their goals and dreams.

Jonathan Lugo graduated from Baruch College with intentions to become an Investment Banker. However, during his college years, he spent his afternoons working for a non-profit organization: NIA Community Services Network. Jonathan has been with the organization for about 10 years now; he began as a line staff member and was eventually promoted to Multi-Site Program Supervisor. Over the years and through his experiences, he has grown a strong passion for inspiring the youth and ensuring students receive high-quality enrichment opportunities. As a Program Supervisor, he hopes to positively impact both the youth and his colleagues alike, through his dedication to the extended school day.

Simone Miranda is the Community Learning Center Project Manager at Schenectady City School District (SCSD), where she manages the 21st Century Program. She began working for SCSD more than five years ago and enjoys working with the diverse students and families in the District. She currently oversees programs in five school buildings/sites that serves grade levels 3-12 for afterschool and summer programs. Her passion is helping students develop their social and intellectual skills so they are able to transition into adulthood and the workforce.
She hopes to inspire students in the afterschool program to become leaders of the future. Recently, she successfully implemented a project-based learning program in the 21st Century Afterschool Program where students wrote and published their own books. She currently holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy and an Associate’s Degree in Computer Programming. As a Power of 3:00 Ambassador, she would like to spread awareness and showcase the impact that afterschool and summer programs have in students’ academic success.

Jessica Rowe is 25 years old and from Syracuse, NY. She works at the Hal Welsh East Area YMCA of Central New York. She is the School Age Child Care Coordinator at her YMCA branch. Jessica has worked in afterschool child care since she was in 11th grade. She has worked for low income programs, respite programs, and nonprofit programs. Jessica studied Human Services at Onondaga Community College. While there, she played college softball. Working with kids while in high school is what gave Jessica the passion for what I do now. The one thing she has learned while working with kids is that they all want the same thing; someone to show them that they are there for them, and will advocate for what they want. With her role with the Power of 3, she hopes to be able to make it feel like the voices of the kids programs serve are being heard and listened too.

Roberto has worked in youth development since graduating from Williams College. He started at Henry Street Settlement as a teen counselor. From there, he made his way to work in Boys and Girls Clubs in both Kentucky and New York. As the Executive Director of a small Boys and Girls Club in rural Kentucky, population 33,000 (the town, not the club) he doubled the agency’s budget and enrollment over 5 years.
Since returning to New York City, Roberto has helped built the brand of St. Nicks Alliance as a leader in afterschool excellence throughout Brooklyn, New York. Presently, he supervises 10 Site Directors in as many afterschool sites. He recently helped organize separate parent meetings with State Senators Brian Kavanaugh and Julia Salazar. Roberto is a lifelong learner who teaches First Aid/CPR and can talk for days about international politics.