Dr. Cortasia L Solomon-Carter
President
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Northeastern Seminary, Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York.
Master of Science in Psychology , Concentration Cognitive Psychology, University of Phoenix
Ordained Minister of American Marriage Ministries, 2012
The decision to undertake the demanding challenge of community service is the result of my aspiration to improve the quotidian of people’s lives, and I believe that Community Service is about serving this main purpose. It is toward this purpose that my keen interest in Community service and quality of life is based on. This aspiration to change people’s lives grew additionally into the form of true service and change. I therefore believe that through hard work and determinism, one can have a durable impact on this environment. As a result, I am an individual that is not afraid to be out of her comfort zone when challenges are tough. My previous experiences include the ability to understand, Analyze and quantify information. I am a confident team player with strong communication skills and have mature and polished leadership capabilities. These skills have been evident throughout my work experience, and I am proud to have always delivered the very highest levels of expertise and service.
Grace Tate
Vice President
Grace Tate is the Vice President of Community Initiatives and Human Resources for the Buffalo Urban League (BUL). In her position with the Buffalo Urban League, Tate directs the Housing and Youth Build programs, as well as BUL’s Minority and Women’s Revolving Loan Trust Fund. Tate is a founding member of the Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo (CHWNB), and serves as a trainer for the Core Competencies and Stakeholder training. She is Vice President of the CHWNB’s Board of Directors. She also serves on the boards of the Black Leadership Commission on AIDS of Buffalo, Community Advisory Steering Committee for Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and the American Diabetes Association. Tate is the President and Board Chair of the First Shiloh Housing Corporation. As a volunteer, Tate has previously served for many years as Buffalo Urban League Guild President and a member of the Board of Directors, and on the board of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf.
Paula Kovanic Spiro, MPH, LMSW
She/Her/Hers
Director, BRAVE
Buffalo Rising Against Violence at ECMC
SNUG, Site Administrator
ECMC, Level I Trauma Center
462 Grider St.
Adel Munassar
Businessman, activist, and family man loves his community and always does the most that he can in giving back. Adel was born and raised in Buffalo, NY and his parents immigrated from Yemen at a young age, he is the eldest of six siblings. After high school he attended ECC for Business Administration, and while attending school Adel found his passion for assisting the underserved population of his community.
Adel has worked & managed his family’s businesses in the city of Buffalo for the last eighteen years. He was exposed to an underserved community and took it into his own hands to help and make a change. Mr. Munassar is currently the President of the Arab American Community Center, Arab American Business Association, was an advisor at ACCESS WNY a nonprofit organization that serves low-income families, has organized many community events such as food drives, school supplies drives, community appreciation events, and so much more. Adel has also been instrumental in assisting The Healthy Corner Store Initiative in improving access for residents which focuses on corner stores in lower-income communities. These neighborhoods often have the lowest access to healthy foods and the highest rates of diet-related disease. He has made so many strides with community members, organizations, and public officials to make sure his community is a better place for all. Adel is truly an outstanding, dedicated, and special individual and deserves to be recognized for his humanitarian work in our community.