About Uplift Communities
Lifting Communities. Building Futures.
Who We Are
Uplift Communities educates adults, teens, and children on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, life skills, college readiness and career advancement. We provide workshops, seminars, webinars, classes, and one-on-one coaching online and onsite.
We work closely with government-funded institutions, nonprofits, and private entities to deliver impactful educational programming that meets communities where they are. Our approach is hands-on, culturally responsive, and results-driven -- because every individual deserves the tools to build a better future.
To empower individuals and communities through accessible, high-quality education that drives personal growth, economic mobility, and lasting change.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
— Nelson Mandela
Our Core Values
These principles guide every decision we make and every program we create.
Accessibility
Education should be available to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
Empowerment
We equip individuals with the tools and knowledge to transform their own lives.
Community
Together, we are stronger. We build networks of support and shared purpose.
Excellence
We hold ourselves to the highest standards in everything we deliver.
One of our financial literacy workshops in Brooklyn
Meet the Team
Achumboro Ataande, Esq., CEO
Achumboro Ataande is a 4x entrepreneur and investor. He is a licensed lawyer, angel investor, and owns a marketing and branding company based in NYC. Prior to Uplift Communities, Achumboro volunteered his time in advising 70 business owners bimonthly and speaking to various groups of teenagers.
J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School • B.A. from the University at Albany
Lorenzo Daughtry-Chambers, Partner
Lorenzo Daughtry-Chambers is a prophetic teacher, strategist, and systems architect. His calling is to activate clarity, alignment, and forward movement in leaders — and to build the infrastructures that support their God-given purpose. He serves at the intersection of the spiritual, personal, and organizational realms — guiding people into identity, structure, and impact.
B.A. in Government from Franklin & Marshall College
Jeff Lindor, President of Service Initiatives
Jeff Lindor served on the Board of the NYC Tech Alliance, Kingsborough Community College, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and the Fund for Public Housing. He is also an angel investor supporting black-owned startups. Jeff Lindor is the Founder and CEO of the Gentlemen’s Factory Inc., a dynamic membership community offering physical locations that house co-working spaces, Think Tanks, Barber & grooming stations, and incubators dedicated to empowering men of color.
Master’s in Urban Policy Analysis & Management from The New School • Bachelor’s from The City University of New York
Umaru Barrie, M.D., PhD, Director of STEM
Dr. Umaru Barrie is a board-certified Neurosurgeon at NYU Langone Health with an extensive background in academic medicine, mentoring, and global health. He earned both his M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Texas and has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications. Born in West Africa and raised in Harlem after arriving in the U.S. as a refugee, Dr. Barrie brings a lived understanding of resilience, opportunity, and transformation. He has traveled to more than 50 countries and is fluent in French. As Director of STEM, he leads programming that exposes youth from underrepresented backgrounds to the possibilities within science, technology, engineering, and math.
Texas University Medical School • B.S. from the University at Albany
Dr. Jasmine Ataande, Director of Mental Health and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Dr. Jasmine Ataande is a licensed mental health professional, educator, and advocate with a deep commitment to culturally responsive care and leadership development. She earned her Ph.D. from Montclair State University and has served as an adjunct professor at William Paterson University. Dr. Ataande is fluent in Spanish and brings a multicultural lens to all aspects of her work. She holds multiple credentials including Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). She runs a thriving private practice centering the mental health needs of people of color and those in leadership roles, and is a published scholar in counseling, equity, and emotional wellness.
Carolina Azate
Graphic designer, entrepreneur & teacher with more than 10+ years of professional experience in printed and digital media. Fluent in Spanish, Carolina was born and raised in Medellin, Colombia.
BA Graphic Designer – Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana • Advertising Graphic Designer – Institución Universitaria Bellas Artes • Branding Management – EAFIT • Web Design – Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
Annette Kabia, Esq.
Annette Kabia is a Business and Trademark Attorney. Her mission is to help creatives establish businesses and protect their brands so they can create generational wealth! Annette is an entrepreneur, she has her own law firm, Kabia Law.
J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law
Amel Khalil
Amel is an actress, producer, entrepreneur, and executive director of a nonprofit. One of the newest shows she has worked on is on HBOMax.
B.A. Montclair University
Catriona Lamerique
Catriona brings London to NY. She is studying finance and economics at Columbia University. Catriona has years of experience teaching young children.
Candidate for B.S. at Columbia University
Justin Cedric Lewis
Justin has worked in the U.S. and Costa Rica. He brings international experience in educating across cultures and at all age ranges. Justin is fluent in Spanish. He has a nontraditional education background and brings a wealth of cross cultural experience to our team.
Ritha Pierre, Esq.
Ritha Pierre is a zealous social activist, attorney, entrepreneur, radio personality, producer, and CEO of Black Ivy Media. Native to Brooklyn, NY, she always had an incredible passion for serving the community and empowering the masses. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government & Politics with a minor in Africana Studies from St. John’s University, a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law, and a Master’s in Bioethics from Columbia University.
B.A. St. John’s University • J.D. from Fordham University School of Law
PK Kersey
PK Kersey is a professionalism expert. He focuses on teaching people how to dress for success and define their personal style. He published various books on entrepreneurship and life skills: “Suited for Success,” “Still I Thrive,” and “That Suits You, Kid!”
Aaliyah Duah
Aaliyah Duah is a financial freedom activist. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, Founder of Financial Revolutionn, she has seen many people, including herself make poor financial decisions because of the lack of knowledge. Instead of depending on others to break this generational curse, she wanted to provide a way for people in the black community to be exposed to financial literacy and the concept of generational wealth. She focuses on teaching people how to develop their financial independence.
Ijangmarie Abam-DePass
Ijangmarie Abam-DePass is a business economics graduate, with honors, from the University of Exeter Business. Ijangmarie brings a unique experience of studying in the United Kingdom.
Miyoshi Days
Miyoshi Days is an entrepreneur with fashion industry experience. She is a menstrual advocate, activist, thought leader, and founder of Hate the Dot, a pre-launch tech startup that empowers women, girls, and menstruators to prioritize their health and self-care through education + community.
Eugene D. Johnson, General Manager
Eugene D. Johnson is a logistics and operations leader with 25+ years of experience in supply chain management and team leadership, including roles at UPS and in airport logistics. He brings a proven track record of optimizing processes, implementing strategy, and leading in fast-paced environments. A committed community leader and mentor, Eugene is passionate about building equitable pathways to opportunity through sustainable operations, inclusive workforce development, and community-centered initiatives.
Hayford Kesse
Hayford Kesse is a graduate of Baruch College. He is a Ghanaian-American UX designer, photographer, and illustrator from Brooklyn, New York. He spent his early years with his Grandmother in Ghana, where he discovered his innate artistic abilities, love for storytelling, and passion for adventure and creativity.
Rachel Go, Client Relations Manager
Interested in joining our team? View open positions
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
We are proud to be part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program and excited to create bigger impact on the community. This prestigious program has provided us with invaluable resources, connections, and expertise to scale our mission.
We partner with over 50 organizations across NYC. View Our Partners
Ready to Make a Difference?
Whether you want to participate in our programs, partner with us, or support our mission, we would love to hear from you.
Get in Touch