Empower My Hood Team Members
Meet Empower My Hood’s dynamic team of young professionals!
Empower My Hood Team Member Bios
Ayana K. Cole-Price MD, MSc
Co-Founder | Chief Operating Officer
FUN FACT: Ayana co-hosted a weekly radio show on WHCR 90.3FM, Health in Harlem, featuring health professionals from Harlem hospital, to educate her 16,000 listeners on topics ranging from heart disease to medical insurance.
Ayana K. Cole-Price, MD, MSc is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Resident at the University of Michigan and is currently in her fifth year of training. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science from the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education and earned both her Medical Doctorate and a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Research from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine.
Dr. Cole-Price completed a dedicated research fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where her work focused on perioperative outcomes following head and neck cancer reconstruction. Her research has been presented at multiple national meetings, including the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons. Her academic interests span reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, with plans to pursue a career in aesthetic surgery following residency.
In addition to her clinical and research work, Dr. Cole-Price is deeply committed to mentorship and advocacy. She serves as Chairwoman of the annual Plastic Surgery Research and Education Preparation Program, a structured initiative focused on mentorship, research exposure, and career guidance for underrepresented and under-supported medical students interested in plastic and reconstructive surgery. She is also the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Empower My Hood, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to educational resources, career development, and college preparedness for underserved communities through initiatives such as the Southeast Queens College Fair and annual Scholarship Gala.
Dr. Cole-Price is also an Executive Producer of the documentary United in Healing, which highlights the journeys of five Black physicians from New York City and explores themes of resilience, purpose, and community within medicine. Her work reflects a commitment to advancing surgical excellence while amplifying diverse voices and fostering the next generation of physicians.
Delonie A. Plummer, Esq.
Director of Advocacy
FUN FACT: In college, I was President of my step team.
Delonie A. Plummer is a true product of Southeast Queens, growing up in the neighborhood of Cambria Heights. Delonie attended Bard High School Early College Queens where she earned an Associates Degree, a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Albany, and a Juris Doctorate from Pace University School of Law.
Delonie currently works an attorney focusing on management-side traditional labor and employment matters. Delonie previously worked as Global Employment Counsel for New York University and Vice Media Group. Through her practice, Delonie works to promote cultural awareness and equity in the workplace.
Outside of her practice, Delonie serves as a board member for Black JD, a non-profit organization comprised of African American women attorneys who strive to provide pre-law resources to black and brown pre-law students.
Chanei Bryan, M.S.Ed
Director of Education
FUN FACT: In high school I was on a team that competed on a televised academic game show called "The Challenge"
Chanei earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from City College of New York in 2015. She went on to achieve her Master's in Education and Advanced Certificate in School Psychology from Brooklyn College in 2020 and 2021, respectively. With her permanent New York State certification, she works as a tenured School Psychologist in a middle school on Long Island.
Chanei has held and continues to hold a variety of leadership roles that reflect her dedication for education. She serves as the Co-Coordinator of the Summer Bridge Program for her school district where she creates and leads activities for students to help ease their transition from elementary school to middle school. Chanei is also the advisor for the chapter of Girls Inc. of Long Island that operates in her school building.
Chanei is involved in many organizations aimed at giving back to the community, such as her high school alumni group. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, IncorporatedⓇ. Chanei is passionate about tutoring, mental health, social justice, access to resources, and dismantling the school to prison pipeline.
Sadé Batchelor, M.Ed, M.A., LMHC
Director of Mental Health Resources
FUN FACT: I love to travel!! In my last semester of undergrad, I lived in Argentina and traveled South America for 3 months.
Sadé is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York. She currently works as Senior Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) Specialist and Consultation Team Manager for Northside Center for Child Development. In this role, Sadé works closely with early childhood centers across New York City to promote equity, wellness strategies and positive relationships in the classroom and home settings. Through her clinical work, she provides therapy services in both English and Spanish to a variety of clients ranging from early childhood to adulthood in areas of relationships, mood disorders, trauma, identity development and behavioral concerns. Sadé is the Director of Mental Health Resources for Empower My Hood Inc. She received her M.A and Ed.M in Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in Bilingual Latina/o Mental Health, from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2018. Sadé has a passion for educating and empowering youth to explore holistic wellness. As a result, She founded the @HeySade_Therapy Instagram account. This account highlights the importance of self-awareness, self-love and self-care to foster a safe space in social media to normalize mental health in the BIPOC community.
Atira B.E. Pressley, M.A.
Director of Brand Marketing & Strategic Partnerships
FUN FACT: In undergrad, I was the captain of a dance team and made our uniforms from scratch using hot glue
Atira B.E. Pressley is a digital culture researcher exploring how technology intersects
with identity, race, and representation. With expertise in cultural analysis, equity-focused
research, and emerging media practices, she works at the intersection of critical theory
and innovation—supporting inclusive tech development and ethical storytelling across
platforms.
Atira is a PhD student at Regent University and the Director of Brand Marketing &
Strategic Partnerships for Empower My Hood Inc. Born and raised in Brownsville,
Brooklyn, she has served the Central Brooklyn-20th Senate District in the Office of
Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie for five years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media &
Strategic Communications and a Master of Arts in Public Relations from Iona University.
Her academic research currently focuses on how embodied digital practices can hold
memory and care—bridging cultural theory and technology to ask how we can embody
digital practices that remember us ethically and speculatively.
Jade V. Mackie, B.S.
Director of Community Outreach
FUN FACT: I danced for Michael Jackson at the age of 5.
Jade Mackie is an experienced Litigation Paralegal at Covington & Burling LLP, with a demonstrated history of working in the law practice industry. She is a strong legal professional with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science concentrating in American Government and a minor in Dance from The American University. With experience as a legislative intern at the U.S. Senate under Senator Charles Schumer, a judicial intern at the King’s County Civil Court, and an intergovernmental affairs specialist at the New York City Council, Jade is experienced in several fields including politics and law. She plans to become an attorney and is currently in the process of applying to law school. Jade is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she has held several positions in her chapter including Community Service Chair and Financial Secretary.
Empower My Hood Executive Officer Bios
Bobbie D. Cole
Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Cole is an experienced professional with 30+ years in the financial services industry. She is a visionary with a keen sense for strategy and forward thinking, a champion for progressive community redevelopment. Ms. Cole is passionate about mentoring students in underrepresented communities to grow the reach of higher education.
Diane M. Plummer
General Manager
Mrs. Plummer’s 40 years of criminal justice experience has allowed her the opportunity to interact with the youth on both sides of the fence. She is deeply driven and motivated to equip our youth with the tools necessary to make a smooth transition from the educational setting to their career. She is interested in community collaboration and youth engagement. Mrs. Plummer is and continues to be an advocate for the youth in our underrepresented educational/careers paths.
Aaron McKissick
Treasurer
Mr. Aaron McKissick has 35 years of experience as a Financial Services Professional, with a background in Relationship Management and Corporate Trust. He is a community advocate who is actively engaged in a host of various community-based projects. Mr. McKissick was formerly the Assistant Coach for The Village of Hempstead PAL Track Team and he is currently the Head Coach of the Baldwin PAL Track Team. He is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc
Margaret J. Denson
Fundraising Chair, Community Relations Liaison
Margaret J. Denson, views her life as a mission “to help her fellow human beings and the institutions which serve them.” She credits her success and her inspiration to her parents.
In a life-changing- event, Margaret Denson worked tirelessly as the Director of Event and Community Relations for NYS Senator Leroy Comrie and Council Member I Daneek Miller. Since her retirement, Mrs. Denson remains active supporting Southeast Queens by serving on numerous Boards, Community Event Planning and ensuring Community Based Organizations remain connected through her continued Community Relations efforts.
Natasha Joassainte
Program Director
Mrs. Natasha Gray-Joassainte is a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) currently working for the NYC Department of Education. She has 25+ years experience as a social worker, including 19 years working for the Administration for Children's Services. Natasha has always been passionate about helping children and families. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Vanessa Sparks
College Access Financial Advisor
Vanessa L. Sparks work focuses on parent and student advocacy and providing families information and access on post-secondary financial aid process. Ms. Sparks has assisted families with the college admission and financial aid process for 25 years, her training in financial aid mentorship includes the U.S. Department of Education, College Access Consortium of New York (CACNY), Davidson College and Goddard-Riverside OPTIONS College Access Program.
Empower My Hood Officers & Board Members
Kevin Jeter
Chairman
Bobbie Cole
CEO/President Principal Owner
Ayana Cole-Price
COO - Chief Operating Officer Principal Owner
Diane Plummer
GM/General Manager Board Member
Margaret Denson
Fundraising Chair, Community Relations Liaison
Aaron McKissick
Director of Administration Board Member
Delonie Plummer
Director of Advocacy
Jade Mackie
Director of Community Affairs
Karen Rogers-Bullock
Board Member
Natasha Joassainte
Board Member VP