Red Hook Farms - Columbia Street Farm

As an anthropologist and educator, Michael Partis has a deep understanding of the historical and social roots of injustices faced by the Red Hook community. Michael most recently was the Executive Director of the Bronx Cooperative Development Initiative (BCDI), a nonprofit focused on community wealth building. Michael also currently works as a researcher at the Bronx African American History Project at Fordham University. He co-founded The Bronx Brotherhood Project, a college success and mentorship program for Black and Latino teens at the New Settlement College Access Center. Previously, Michael was the Director of South Bronx Rising Together (SBRT), a “cradle-to-career” education initiative. He also previously taught in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, as well as in the Department of Anthropology at Brooklyn College. Michael is also the Co-Chair of the Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance, a Board Member for the New Economy Project and the New York Foundation, and the Adult Board Chair for the Youth Power Coalition. Aphia Messiah has over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, primarily working in operations and leadership roles. In her previous role with New York Peace Institute (NYPI), she served as the Director of Operations. She was instrumental in scaling the organization by focusing on people and culture, financial management, technology, and overall administration of the organization. Before joining NYPI, Aphia was the Head of Operations, Participant Experience at IIE, an organization that supports educational and cultural exchange programs. She was responsible for implementing new systems, processes, and centralizing operations. Aphia is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics & Statistics and Sociology from Stony Brook University. Aphia is an innovative leader who is passionate about supporting mission-driven organizations. She grew up in the Bronx but has been living in Brooklyn for past 18 years. Catherine leads a team of five community-based staff members in advocating for Red Hook public housing residents through a multi-pronged program strategy. Under her leadership, RHI launched the Local Leaders Program in 2014, which has trained over 250 Red Hook public housing residents in emergency preparedness and local organizing. The Local Leaders have since led Participatory Action Research and led campaigns to address critical public housing health issues related to mold and lead. Catherine served as Co-Chair for the New York City Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee from 2015 to 2016. Catherine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from NYU and an MSW in Community Organizing, Planning and Development from Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work. Michael has served as a non-profit leader with a focus on workforce development and education strategies for 14 years. During this time he has committed to stand in solidarity with vibrant communities; investing in the people of the South Bronx, East Harlem, Suffern, N.Y. and the West side of Chicago. Michael leads a team that provides academic, employment, advocacy and socio-emotional services to 300, sixteen to twenty-four year old residents of Red Hook. Prior to joining RHI, he was a program and strategic initiatives manager for City Year and acted as co-chair for the Afrolatin@ Forum. He also co-founded a Lower East Food Pantry. Michael is dedicated to bridging opportunity gaps alongside marginalized people as they develop their communities. Karen V. Ross is the Senior Director of Youth Development & Social Emotional Learning (SEL) who works with Red Hook Initiative to help shape RHI programs to support the mental health and wellness needs of its participants and direct efforts to increase access to health and mental health services and resources for residents of the R