BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT ANTONIO REYNOSO LAUNCHES CITY-AFFILIATED CHARITY BROOKLYN FOR ALL, INC.

Brooklyn for All, Inc. aims to promote the cultural diversity of Brooklyn through services, events, and programming

 

BROOKLYN, NY (June 13, 2022) Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso today announced the launch of Brooklyn for All, Inc. (BFA), the Brooklyn Borough President’s city-affiliated charitable corporation. BFA aims to promote the cultural diversity of Brooklyn through services, events, and programming that support Brooklyn’s residents, businesses, community-based civil and cultural institutions, and the community at-large to enhance the lives of Brooklynites. BFA will achieve this primarily through fundraising activities and organizational support.  BFA’s fundraising efforts will mirror Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso’s guiding principles of transparency, forging strategic partnerships with organizations and individuals that reflect the administration’s ethical standing, and a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 

“I was elected as the President of the greatest borough in the world eager to enhance the borough’s future by tackling massive issues we’ve been faced with, including closing crisis-level maternal mortality rates, advocating for more affordable, high-quality housing, supporting the creation of more high-paying jobs, reducing the gun pandemic, making our borough greener, cleaner, and more sustainable, and so much more. But we mustn’t forget all of the incredible qualities of Brooklyn that begin and end with our diversity, culture, and energy,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Through an equally diverse Board of Directors, BFA will serve as the engine that will ultimately promote unity and celebrate the rich diversity, history, culture, and future of the greatest borough in the world, Brooklyn.”

 

“It’s an honor to have been tapped by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso as a co-founding director of Brooklyn for All, Inc. and as chair of its Board of Directors,” said Director and Board Chairperson Dr. Debbie Almontaser. “As an educator, non-profit leader, and authority on cross-understanding, I am exceptionally proud to work with other board members – together representing all corners of the borough – to amplify and uplift the vast diversity of Brooklynites. I look forward to working with the Board to preserve, create, and expand programming and events that will unveil the depth and breadth of communities to date unheard and unseen.”

 

“Antonio understands that true change comes from the community, from the ground up,” said Director, Board Vice-Chairperson and Secretary Jenna Bimbi.  “Knowing Antonio for nearly a decade, I have seen firsthand his dedication to progress. He has been a tireless champion for improved maternal health care, safe open streets, environmental equity, and a more prosperous future for our borough.  I am honored to work with him as a founding director to build a Brooklyn that lifts everyone, in every neighborhood.”

 

“I am really excited to be part of Brooklyn for All as a founding director and Treasurer, and feel privileged to be working alongside an outstanding group of fellow directors,” said Director and Board Treasurer Peter Restler.  “Borough President Reynoso’s vision for BFA is exactly what’s needed to support the energy and enthusiasm central to Brooklyn’s culture.”

 

BFA’s Board of Directors, appointed by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, is comprised of Brooklynites – natives and long-term residents – each with diverse backgrounds, relevant to promoting the inclusion of underrepresented groups and communities in Brooklyn. Board members’ demonstrated professional expertise, competence, or experience in the areas of corporate finance, non-profit fundraising, corporate governance, or management will support the intention and goals of the organization.

 

The Brooklyn for All, Inc. Board of Directors are:

 

• Dr. Debbie Almontaser, Ed. D is an internationally recognized, award-winning educator, entrepreneur, speaker, authority on cross-cultural understanding, and author. She’s a 25-year veteran of the NYC public school system as a teacher, teacher trainer, administrator, and diversity advisor. Dr. Almontaser is the Director and Chairperson of Brooklyn for All, Inc.
• Jenna Bimbi, currently the co-founder and Executive Director of the NY Birth Control Access Project, has a background in political consulting, having worked on impactful community-based campaigns across New York City and State. Having started her career at the grassroots level, Jenna recognizes the value of driving messaging one person at a time to create meaningful change. Bimbi serves as Vice-Chairperson and Secretary of Brooklyn for All, Inc.
• Peter Restler has a financial career that spans five decades. The first 20 years were spent as an advisor to corporations and governments after which he co-founded a private investment firm. His expertise is in working with small and mid-sized businesses to support their growth. Peter retired as Chairman of the investment fund he founded in 2021. Restler serves as Director and Treasurer of Brooklyn for All, Inc.
• Jon-Paul A. Bernard is a partner at a law firm focused on joint ventures and financial services mergers and acquisitions. He also has extensive corporate finance experience and has counseled non-profit service organizations on formation and compliance mattes.
• Rasmia Kimani-Frye is the interim Executive Director of Hester Street, an urban planning, design, and development non-profit that works to ensure neighborhoods are shaped by the people who live in them.  She is a consultant focusing on urban problem solving, housing, movement building, governance design, non-profit management, narrative development, and strategic planning.
• Deborah Lauter brings three decades of non-profit and government leadership in civil rights, inter-group relations, education, and advocacy for justice and fair treatment for all. As an attorney and former Executive Director of the NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, Lauter created strategies and programs to support the communities most vulnerable to hate violence until her retirement in 2022.
• Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, Ed.D. is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of corporate management experience and a leader in the non-profit sector in New York City. She is the current Executive Director of the Brooklyn Community Foundation and serves as member and trustee of various boards of NYC-based organizations.
• Lisette Nieves has served in a variety of cross-sector leadership positions for over 25 years.  Currently the President of the Fund for the City of New York, she is an experienced social entrepreneur, public sector leader, and scholar. She has held senior leadership positions in the municipal and federal government.  She serves on the BFA board with the Vice-President of the Fund for the City of New York, Jill Borrero, serving as her alternative.
• Shelley Worrell is a cultural entrepreneur born in New York and raised between Brooklyn and the Caribbean. Worrell also led the movement to name Brooklyn’s Little Caribbean, to support and celebrate hyperlocal Caribbean-American communities and culture.

 

 

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