She Builds: Beyond
The Bricks

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide women in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments with educational resources, career development opportunities, and empowerment services. Specifically, She Builds: Beyond The Bricks supports women through tailored programming to achieve success within their communities and beyond.

42.2%

NYCHA residents live below poverty levels.

We believe all women can embrace who they are,
can define their future, and can change the world.

Make this Mother's Day truly meaningful by honoring a special woman in your life with a donation.

Here's how:

Step 1:

Choose your donation amount. For every $20 contributed, allow us to send a heartfelt digital card, emailed with your message, letting her know of your thoughtful donation in her honor.

Step 2:

Select from a range of beautiful designs and customize your message to make it extra special.

Design 1

Design 2

Design 3

Step 3:

Leave the rest to us! Sit back and let us handle the delivery, ensuring your gesture of love and appreciation reaches her in a meaningful way.

Your donation to She Builds empowers moms and strengthens families in NYCHA communities.

Let's Make A Change

Raising funds to invest in women who reside in New York City Housing Authority so that they may build a brighter future for herself and others.

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Honorees

Ms. Lillie Marshall

Kiesha B. Roberts

was born into an enormous, loving West Indian household. This wealth of family provided Kiesha with a solid foundation built from love, support and life lessons taught by her elders.

Kiesha has over 10 years’ experience in higher education as she worked 5 years as a Computer Lab Manager at the College of New Rochelle, Rosa Park’s Campus in Harlem and an Adjunct Instructor for 10 years teaching computer applications, Internet Literacy and Career Development courses to adult learners.

Kiesha is knowledgeable in organizational law, program design,

creative, is very outcome driven, extremely passionate about

human development and progression.

Kiesha Roberts, MS

Detective Latoya McLeod

was born on the beautiful, sun filled, Caribbean Island of The Republic Trinidad and Tobago West Indies. She migrated to the United States at the age of 14.

Officer McLeod joined the New York Police

Department in 2002 severing the people of New York City for over twenty years. Her career began in the NYPD Housing Department, where she patrolled tough streets of East New York. Over 9 years she was assigned to the borough of Queens, PSA 9 still assigned to serve NYCHA Residents, and Community Affairs where she was better able to engage with NYCHA residents more intimately while serving them.
In recognition of her diligent work, officer McLeod was promoted to Detective Specialist in 2016 and later promoted again to Second Grade Detective in 2022 until this present time she continues to serve NYCHA residents with love, commitment, compassion and integrity.

Det. LaToya McLeod

Veronica Franklin

started her career at Riis Settlement as a tutor in 1997, and has since climbed the career ladder to a leadership role overseeing all youth programming at

our Riis Academy-Queensbridge campus. Ms. Franklin has helped improve youth’s performance so students can remain at Riis Academy from elementary through high school.

Ms. Franklin is the recipient of a PASEsetters Award, an NAACP Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award, an Award from Queensbridge Residents as an Unsung Hero and a Bank of America

Local Hero Award. Veronica is a lifelong Queensbridge resident.

She has worked within the Department of Education with over 35 years of experience in positive youth development, program design and implementation, peer mediation, and partnership development. Veronica is a mother of five and a grandmother of one. She is devoted, dedicated, and committed to her work in the community.

Veronica Franklin

Vanessa Jones-Hall

Astoria resident for 61 years and 32 years of community outreach experience,

Vaness has always been an active

member of the community.

Currently serving as the President of the Astoria Tenant Organization, member for 29 years. She is the Vice-Chair of the Housing Committee and serve on the Environmental Committee.

Currently work with NYPD as the Administrative Community Relations Specialist. The role allows her to bridge the gap of misunderstanding and miscommunications of the communities that the NYPD serves.

Vanessa conducts relationship-building with local community groups, churches, schools, public housing resident associations, parent groups and nonprofits to support diverse, innovative and successful recruitment of diverse participants, including at-risk, out-of-school and court-involved youth.

Vanessa Jones-Hall

Zarabia Evans

NYPD police officer working within NYCHA developments for almost 12 years. Known for working within many units in the department, domestic violence, community affairs and youth officer to name a few. Always serving her community. Evans has a heart for people and really loves when she can show up and be where she is needed to be in the moment. Serving her community offering referrals, a listening ear, bringing different programs to our youth with a mission to bridge the gap between cops and community.

Zarabia Evans

ONLINE EVENT

She Builds: Beyond The Bricks

presents

HEY SIS, ARE YOU OK?

Join us for a Zoom Webinar panel discussion on mental health and wellness, featuring insights from the empowering book, "Hey Sis, Are You Okay?"

We invite you to step into a safe space to reflect, exhale, and connect with like-minded women. Explore topics surrounding mental well-being, self-care practices, and the importance of community support.

Date: March 7th 2024 | Time: 7-8PM

Register to receive your webinar link.

RSVP Now

"A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and herself only."

Maya Angelou

Ways to Donate

Here are some ways you can donate:

Your donation Counts!