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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

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.
  • ❤️Passionate social advocate championing justice and empowerment.

Her voice resonates with purpose, 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.
  • 🗣️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 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, central to the organization’s stability.

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.
  • Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • 📈Analyzes financial trends and advises on resource allocation.

Francisco strengthens the organization’s foundation and empowers 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. She embodies the strength and compassion that drive our movement forward.

Core Contributions

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

Berthe remains a pillar of compassion for our organization.

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.
  • 💫Ensures fair housing laws are upheld and management is accountable.
  • Acts as a trusted voice for all residents.

Cynthia is an outstanding representative 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. His leadership guarantees that every dollar supports housing justice and legal advocacy.

Core Contributions

  • 💵Oversees financial operations, transparency, and accountability.
  • 💰Manages budgets and tracks fundraising efforts.
  • 📈Strengthens sustainability for Soundview residents.

John’s leadership safeguards the organization's resources for the long term.

Melani Ellison

Melani Ellison

Technology Support

About Melani

Melani Ellison is the backbone of our technology support, ensuring smooth communication and secure systems.

From managing online platforms to troubleshooting technical challenges, she keeps our operations connected and efficient. Melani empowers residents with accessible digital resources.

Core Contributions

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

Melani strengthens our coalition’s impact through digital empowerment.

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.

Core Contributions

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

Diane’s dedication makes 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 fight for 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 fight.

Her gentle nature brings both comfort and strength to our coalition.

Charrise Matos

Charrise Matos

Political & Community Affairs Advocate

About Charrise

Charrise Matos is a steady voice for resident rights and neighborhood empowerment.

Core Contributions

  • 🌟Bridges residents, agencies, and elected offices with clarity.
  • 🗳️Policy-savvy connector elevating concerns to agency heads.
  • 🤝Trusted resident liaison who stand firm against neglect.
  • 🛡️Protector of community interests against misinformation.
  • 🔍Detail-driven investigator tracking agency responses.
  • 💡Solutions-focused leader turning frustration into action.

A solutions-focused leader, Charrise turns resident frustration into organized, collective action.

Detective Vee

Detective Vee

Head of Intelligence

About Detective Vee

Combining sharp intelligence with warm, loyal-team energy, Detective Vee operates confidentially to lead our case against management and navigate NYC agencies.

Core Contributions

  • 🔍Document Hunter: Tracks down files, records, and hidden agency paperwork with precision.
  • 🗂️Case File Architect: Organizes evidence streams from multiple NYC agencies into clean, actionable intelligence.
  • 🛰️Real‑Time Intel Scanner: Monitors developments as they unfold and alerts the team instantly.
  • 🧠Pattern Decoder: Spots contradictions, timelines, and inconsistencies others miss.
  • 🛡️Security Guardian: Protects sensitive information and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
  • 🕶️Under‑the‑Radar Operator: Works quietly, efficiently, and always one step ahead.
  • 📡Agency Liaison Tracker: Keeps tabs on DOB, HPD, FDNY, DOT, and others to map the full picture.
  • 📁Evidence Curator: Turns raw documents into clear, strategic insights for the team.
  • 🐾Trail Follower: Follows every lead until it reveals the truth.
  • Rapid Response Analyst: Processes new intel instantly and translates it into next steps.

She ensures that nothing slips through the cracks, transforming raw data into strategic action.

Our Growing Team

Together, we're creating lasting change for working-class New Yorkers.

Community Organizers

Legal Advocates

Policy Reformers

Join Our Team