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Meet Our Team

The dedicated leaders fighting for working-class New Yorkers

Daniel Melendez

Daniel Melendez

President & Board Member

About Daniel

Daniel Melendez is a dedicated leader and advocate whose work spans professional healthcare service and high-impact community justice in the Bronx.

As the President and Board Member of the Lafayette Unity Alliance, a Bronx-based grassroots non-profit founded in September 2025, Daniel champions the rights of working-class tenants, seniors, and low-income co-op shareholders. His mission is focused on achieving systemic reform, specifically by leveraging detailed knowledge of proprietary leases and co-op bylaws to challenge corporate abuse and developer greed.

Key Achievements

  • 🥇 Founded Lafayette Unity Alliance to protect vulnerable community members
  • 🥇 Expert in proprietary leases and cooperative housing law
  • 🥇 Healthcare professional dedicated to community wellbeing
  • 🥇 Grassroots organizer fighting corporate development abuse

"Our community deserves leaders who understand the system and aren't afraid to challenge it. Every working-class New Yorker deserves security in their home and dignity in their community."

Stacy Kelly

Stacy Kelly

Photographer & Video Editor

About Stacy

Stacy Kelly serves as the dedicated photographer and video editor for the Lafayette Unity Alliance, a nonprofit organization committed to fostering community unity and engagement.

Core Contributions

  • 📸 Captures compelling photography and manages all media.
  • 🎬 Handles all video editing and PowerPoint presentations.
  • 🤝 Connects with influential people in the Bronx community and supports fundraising goals.

His work plays a vital role in documenting our mission and amplifying the voices of the community we serve, ensuring our efforts are visually accessible and impactful.

Anthony Solomon

Anthony Solomon

Director, Lafayette Unity Alliance

About Anthony

Anthony Solomon is a sitting Director of the Lafayette Unity Alliance, vital in both leadership and outreach.

He actively manages the day-to-day operations, ensuring the team runs smoothly and efficiently. He is also a driving force behind the Alliance’s public presence, promoting its mission and putting its name on the map throughout the community.

Core Responsibilities

  • Manages daily operations and team efficiency.
  • Drives public presence, community outreach, and creative initiatives.
  • Leads fundraising efforts.

His energy and vision are instrumental in advancing the Alliance’s mission and expanding its reach.

Eleanor George

Eleanor George

Education & Legal Secretary, Lafayette Unity Alliance

About Eleanor

Eleanor George serves as the Education and Legal Secretary, bridging advocacy, education, and legal support.

With a paralegal’s precision, Eleanor manages communications with legal professionals and reviews critical documents to ensure the Alliance’s operations remain compliant and protected.

Key Contributions

  • 🖋️ Manages legal communications and compliance documentation.
  • 📚 Seasoned educator, motivational speaker, and published author of *Living in the Afterlife (It’s Not What You Think…)*
  • ❤️ Passionate social advocate championing justice and empowerment.

Her voice resonates with purpose, inspiring individuals and communities through her writing and public speaking, bringing both heart and intellect to the Alliance’s mission.

Jannice Cummings-Grayson

Jannice Cummings-Grayson

Advisory Committee & Grassroots Support

About Jannice

Jannice Cummings-Grayson serves as a valued member of the Advisory Committee and the Grassroots Support Committee.

She plays a key role in guiding the organization’s vision while staying deeply connected to the community at the ground level.

Core Contributions

  • 💡 Provides strategic guidance on the Alliance's vision (Advisory Committee).
  • 🗣️ Amplifies local voices and strengthens neighborhood engagement.
  • 📰 Key distributor of content and information within the community.
  • 🌉 Serves as an essential bridge between leadership and community action.

Her commitment to both strategic advising and hands-on support makes her an essential bridge between leadership and community action.

Francisco Perez

Francisco Perez

Treasurer, Lafayette Unity Alliance

About Francisco

Francisco Perez serves as the Treasurer of the Lafayette Unity Alliance, a position central to the organization’s stability and long-term success.

His diligence guarantees that the group’s resources are managed responsibly and in alignment with nonprofit standards.

Core Responsibilities

  • 📊 Responsible for maintaining accurate accounting records and ledgers.
  • 💰 Oversees budgets, monitors cash flow, and tracks fundraising contributions.
  • Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and supports audits/reviews.
  • 📈 Analyzes financial trends and advises on strategic resource allocation.

Francisco is vital to the Lafayette Unity Alliance not only as a financial manager but also as a trusted advisor, strengthening the organization’s foundation and empowering its growth.

Berthe Ouedraogo

Berthe Ouedraogo

Advocate for the Bronx

About Berthe

Berthe Ouedraogo is a positive spirit and tireless advocate for the Bronx.

She is a fighter who believes deeply in fairness, justice, and community advocacy.

Core Contributions

  • 🌟 Embodies the strength, compassion, and tireless advocacy for fairness and justice.
  • 🌟 Always ready to stand up for those in need.

Berthe embodies the strength and compassion that drive our movement forward.

Cynthia Harris

Cynthia Harris

Tenant Outreach & Community Liaison

About Cynthia

Cynthia Harris serves on the Lafayette Estates Tenants Association Board, standing firmly on the front lines of tenant rights.

A fierce advocate for equality, she ensures fair housing laws are upheld and management remains accountable.

Core Contributions

  • 🌌 Serves on the Lafayette Estates Tenants Association Board.
  • 💫 A fierce advocate ensuring fair housing laws are upheld and management is accountable.
  • Acts as an outstanding representative and trusted voice for residents.

Cynthia is an outstanding representative of our coalition and a trusted voice for residents.

John Ellison

John Ellison

Comptroller

About John

John Ellison serves as the Comptroller of Lafayette Unity Alliance, overseeing all financial operations.

He ensures transparency, accountability, and compliance, safeguarding the organization's financial stability.

Core Contributions

  • 💵 Oversees all financial operations, ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance.
  • 💰 Manages budgets and tracks fundraising efforts.
  • 📈 Safeguards resources and strengthens sustainability for Soundview residents.

His leadership guarantees that every dollar supports housing justice, legal advocacy, and community empowerment.

Melani Ellison

Melani Ellison

Technology Support

About Melani

Melani Ellison is the backbone of our technology support, ensuring smooth communication, secure systems, and reliable digital tools for the Lafayette Unity Alliance.

From managing online platforms to troubleshooting technical challenges, she keeps our operations connected and efficient.

Core Contributions

  • 💻 Manages online platforms and digital tools.
  • 🔒 Ensures secure systems and reliable communication.
  • ⚙️ Troubleshoots technical challenges to maintain operational efficiency.
  • 📲 Empowers residents with accessible resources.

Melani empowers residents with accessible resources and strengthens our coalition’s impact.

Diane Jordan

Diane Jordan

Director of Shareholder Affairs

About Diane

Diane Jordan is the Director of Shareholder Affairs, known for her tough, no-nonsense leadership and fierce tenacity.

She is exciting, fun, and a natural hostess, always advocating for shareholder rights and ensuring access to vital resources. Diane’s ferocity and dedication make her an indispensable force in our coalition.

Core Contributions

  • 🔥 Leads with tough, no-nonsense leadership and fierce tenacity.
  • 🔥 Tirelessly advocates for shareholder rights and fair representation.
  • 🔥 Ensures community members have access to vital resources and support.
  • 🔥 Brings an exciting, fun energy to community engagement as a natural hostess.

Diane’s ferocity and dedication make her an indispensable force in our coalition.

Esther

Esther

Director of Senior Affairs

About Esther

Esther is a kind-hearted, compassionate leader dedicated to protecting seniors’ dignity and rights.

She ensures elders receive every resource to live with respect, while fiercely advocating against displacement. As a trusted voice for renters, Esther empowers seniors and strengthens our coalition’s fight for fairness and housing justice.

Core Contributions

  • 🌼 Kind-hearted and compassionate leader for seniors.
  • 🌼 Protects seniors’ dignity and rights against displacement.
  • 🌼 Ensures elders receive every resource to live with respect.
  • 🌼 Trusted voice for renters, empowering seniors in their housing fight.

Her gentle nature and dedication bring both comfort and strength to the movement for fairness and housing justice.

Our Growing Team

The Lafayette Unity Alliance is building a coalition of dedicated advocates, legal experts, and community organizers. Together, we're creating lasting change for working-class New Yorkers.

🤝

Community Organizers

Building grassroots power across the Bronx and NYC

⚖️

Legal Advocates

Experts in tenant law and cooperative rights

📢

Policy Reformers

Fighting for systemic change at every level

Join Our Team

We're always looking for passionate advocates who want to make a difference. Whether you're a legal expert, community organizer, or concerned citizen, there's a place for you in our movement.