Our VISIONARY TEAM

Jorge Luis Vasquez, Jr. is an Associate Counsel at LatinoJustice PRLDEF and litigates on a broad range of civil rights matters. Jorge is a second generation Nuyorican and a proud product of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University at Albany, a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law, and an LL.M. in trial and advocacy from Basely School of Law, Temple University.


During law school Jorge served as a student mediator, representing pro se litigants with pending employment discrimination claims before the Southern District of New York. He also participated in the Immigrant Rights/ International Human Rights Clinic, where he successfully represented a detained Guatemalan national before an Article I Judge.
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After law school, Jorge served as a judicial law clerk to a Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey. Previously, Jorge was an Agency Attorney with the New York City Commission on Human Rights where he was responsible for enforcing New York City’s Human Rights Law. Prior to the Commission, Jorge was a housing attorney with Legal Services NYC the nation’s largest provider of free civil representation.
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Jorge is a lifelong advocate. Because of his dedication and leadership to the community in undergraduate, he received the President’s Award for Leadership. In law school, he was the recipient of the Adeline Lillian Memorial Award for making the law school experience more life-affirming for others through compassionate contributions to the community, and Public Interest Scholar during his LL.M. In 2016, he was named the New York County Bar Association’s Young Lawyer’s Division, Star of the Bar.

Pascale Bernard is a dynamic leader with extensive government, non-profit, education and labor experience.  Pascale is the former Deputy Commissioner for the Community Relations Bureau New York City Human Rights Commission.   During her tenure at the Human Rights Commission, Pascale led a team that created progressive programming related to Muslim and LGBTQ communities as well as pregnancy accommodations.  Pascale worked for the last three New City Council Speakers.
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At the City Council, Pascale worked on housing, gun violence, MWBE, women’s issues, small business and public safety.   Ms. Bernard worked for Political Action and Legislation Division of District Council 37.  During her time at DC 37, Pascale was responsible for the management of the union’s federal political action committee.  She was also involved in the union’s advocacy efforts in Albany and New York City.  Pascale assisted in developing the union’s Election Day activities for local, state and national elections.  

Dr. Marilyn M. Brown is the Sunday School Coordinator at the First Baptist Church of East Stroudsburg. She is a community activist and firmly believes in spiritual, emotional, and academic education. While living in Staten Island, New York, she founded Girl Scout Troop #5363; the first GS Troop within Staten Island with an Afro-Latina as a troop leader. While in Staten Island she was a member of Community Board #1 as well as Youth Services Chair for eight years. 

Having been raised in a single-parent household, Dr. Brown has a deep passion for children as well as single parents. Dr. Marilyn M. Brown attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School and graduated with a Regents Diploma from Curtis High School in 1992. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Psychology from Medgar Evers College. She attended Touro College where she earned two dual Master of Science Degrees in Special Education, Childhood Education, School Building, and School Leadership. In February 2018, successfully earned her Doctorate in Special Education with a focus on Behavior Modification from North Central University.
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She has worked for the City of New York for the last eighteen years; five as an NYPD Police Officer, and thirteen as an appointed certified Special Education Teacher within the New York Department of Education. Dr. Brown’s educational expertise is attributed to working in Title I schools, students with disabilities, facilitating workshops regarding the Common Core Standards and how it relates to Special Education, Teachers’ College Reading and Writing Project, mentoring educators. She also serves on various hiring committees for the 18-D and the C-30 processes. In her career thus far, she has placed 25 students into a least restrictive environment (LRE).
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Currently, she serves as Conflict Resolution Teacher, Mentor, SLT member, and Sustainability Coordinator. Since moving to the East Stroudsburg, PA in 2013, Dr. Brown has continued to serve the community. She belongs and holds offices in various organizations such as the Monroe County NAACP, Greater Pocono Section NCNW, Monroe County Republican Women’s Committee, Council of Exceptional Children, Silver Queens, Chapter #43, P.H.O.E.S, NYAFT, a PROUD member of the UFT, as well as East Pocono Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Marilyn M. Brown is happily married, in like and in love with her husband, David S. Brown.
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Her educational philosophy is, “Education is a pathway to liberty; hence it takes a village to raise a child.” Her testimony to everyone who is a student of any level is, “My faith and earning an education saved my life.”

Her motto, “the pain is never in vain.”

Dr. Miller holds an Ed.D in Executive Leadership and a Masters of Education Administration both from St. John Fisher College. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Teacher Cert. from SUNY Brockport.  

Dr. Miller has 16 + years in the Urban Public Education system; specializing in school redesign and reform, creating effective change for schools through collaborative missions, visions, and teamwork. Dr. Miller has been a successful at Green Tech for the past five school years with stellar results, more than doubling the graduation rates recognized by the State of New York for Black males.    

Additionally, Dr. Miller has over seven years of executive experience as Director of Operations for Team E Foundation, a not-for-profit organization. Dr. Miller has been successful at operating and organizing all aspects of one of the nation’s largest cash paying street-ball basketball tournament, which raises funds to provide full tuition scholarships for inner-city youth who deserve a second chance.  

Dr. Miller was nominated and accepted to join the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) an international civil rights organization, as a council member for the Next Generation Leadership Council.  He is working to improve youth issues throughout the country and on an international level. The NAACP recognized Dr. Miller by awarding him with their “Living Legend” award in 2017.  In 2015, Dr. Miller was recognized by Israel AME Church and received their Men of Honor “Man of the Year” (2015), also he was nominated By Congressional Representative (CHCI) as Top 20 Educators in the Country (2015), St. John Fisher College Distinguished Leadership Award (2015), and Kappa Alpha Psi Distinguished leadership Award (2015.)   

Dr. Miller was recognized in 2012 by the City and the County of Albany as a Man of Valor, and as one of the top 40 under 40 Top African American Leaders in Rochester (2011). ​ Additionally, Dr. Miller has made appearances for local news stations and colleges, as a guest panelist with an expertise in Black female’s experiences with cyberbullying. Currently, he is one of the only researcher’s nationally who has viewed cyberbullying from the Black female’s perspective. Dr. Miller also adds to his credentials by having assisted with the writing of The Cyberbullying Manual, with Dr. Jim Colt and Dr. Sam McQuade. 

Recently, Dr. Miller wrote two books which are published by Chalfant-Eckert publishing, a nationally recognized publishing company.  The first book is called Cyberbullying: Breaking the Cycle of Conflict and the second one is We Need to Do Better: Changing the Mindset of Children through Family, Community, and Education. This Year No More Failures.  Both books aim at taking an action based approach to breaking negative cycles within the urban community, in order to improve the quality of life for children. 

Dr. Miller proclaims that his biggest professional accomplishments are when students graduate and walk across the stage towards an adult life filled with potential success, unhindered by societal woes, because they have an education. Dr. Miller takes pride in knowing he played a part in their lives and began a cycle of paying it forward for future generations. He said the best feelings arise when students, who may not have previously seen the light at the end of the tunnel, wake up and not only become productive but are now willing to help others become productive as well.  

Tonya Turner served as the National Training and Technical Assistance Director during her tenure at GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring services). GEMS is the only organization in New York State designed to serve girls and young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking.

With extensive prior experience working within Fortune 500 companies at all organizational levels, where she created, promoted and delivered solutions designed for large scale growth. Tonya is considered a master trainer and business strategist leader. 

During her recent tenure at GEMS she led a team to conduct hundreds of trainings and to provide technical assistance across the country for legal professionals, law enforcement, and social service directors, start-ups on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. 

Notable past participants include the Administration for Children’s Services, Department of Education, New York’s’ Police Task Force, and various government agencies.

Ms. Turner is a highly sought keynote speaker, and strategist focusing on assisting organizations in defining program gaps, restraints and drivers, and develop business plans to achieve overall goals in alignment with their missions.

After spending years in the working-class culture, I decided to join the  intellectual crowd and pursue a degree in Public Administration. I have years of sales, hospitality, brand ambassador and administrative  background and wanted to increase my skills and future earning potential  so attending college was the best option for my goals. I enjoy being  challenged and expanding my network and CUNY has provided both elements  in my experience. Since attending school, I have discovered my desire to  practice Law and pursue a career as an attorney in NYC. With my current  continuing education, and my multi-faceted career skills I am currently  seeking a position in a Law Firm as an administrative assistant, or a  marketing firm as an entry level brand ambassador. I enjoy interacting  with people, expanding my network, and love doing research! With all the  vast variety of fields I have had the opportunity to work in, I believe  that I am able to quickly adapt to any work environment and possess  competitive skills that prove I can be an asset to any organization. I  look forward to networking with you!

Dawn Shawnt'e Blackman, Sex trafficking Survivor, and Domestic Violence Activist Against Human trafficking. 

Dawn's life work is to educate communities on the dangers of Sex-Trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children. 

to empower young women around the world. Her message to the trafficked community is,WE ARE NOT VICTIMS. WE ARE SURVIVORS. WE ARE MORE THAN SURVIVORS. WE ARE WARRIORS." 

As a survivor, she is committed to using her personal journey out of "the life," to empower young women around the world. Her message to the trafficked community is,, "WE ARE NOT VICTIMS. WE ARE SURVIVORS. WE ARE MORE THAN SURVIVORS. WE ARE WARRIORS." 

Amanda Gloria Valdes is an actress, yogini, and teaching artist. Amanda began performing at age 9 and decided wanted to make this a lifelong love. Amanda studied acting at Rutgers University and William Esper Studio. After studying the craft went on to perform on the silver screen to the stage.
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Amanda had a calling to do something more to really help and unify with her community. So, Amanda began teaching artist work at Nite Star St Luke's Hospital to CUNY Creative Arts team using theater in the classroom. In the midst of her teaching artist work, Amanda started to explore Yoga by becoming a certified yoga teacher in 2012.


Since then she has gained 525 yoga teaching certification hours in Ayurvedic Medicine, Bhakti, Restorative yoga, Energy/Subtle body, Fly and Super sequencing. Amanda manages and teaches at Laughing Lotus NYC. Amanda has explored India learning about the history of the ancient practices to then leading a yoga retreat in Thailand. 

Amanda has been featured in Yoga Journal, Self Magazine, Refinery 29 and Daily Burn. 

Craig Hunter is a Meditation Wellness Coach, Certified Energetic Practitioner and Group Fitness Expert. In addition, he is an educator at the NYC Department of Education. 

Craig Hunter has meditated since 1981, and is influenced by Satyananda Yoga Nidra, and Kundalini Kriyas, and practices at the Shambala Institute. In 2006 he studied Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, at the Mindfulness Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School. Craig has been certified by Yogi Charu, master teacher of Savi Yoga and co-head instructor training at Pure Yoga.

Craig developed a new innovative approach to fitness called Cycletherapy. A moving meditative practice that enhances well being through the energy centers of the body. Also developed profound new healing meditation practices which has been well received by NYC's top fitness clubs, ABC TV and Agapi Stassinopoulos of The Huffington Post. 

He was named "Urban Zen Dude" by clients at Equinox Fitness in NYC where he leads meditation classes with relatable warmth and integrity.