Melisha Jackman
Executive Director
Melisha “Mel” Jackman is the Executive Director of Urban Word NYC, where she leads the organization in empowering youth through creative expression, literacy, and civic engagement. With over 19 years of experience in education and nonprofit leadership, Mel oversees Urban Word’s core programming, strategic direction, and partnerships to expand the organization’s reach and impact. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to advancing educational equity, expanding access to after school programs, and supporting college access initiatives to ensure youth have the resources they need to succeed. Mel has launched innovative initiatives such as a sensory gym in public housing to support children with developmental and learning differences and has designed programs that foster curiosity, self-advocacy, and critical thinking. Her leadership has been recognized with the 2024 Dr. Sandra R. Gould Women of Distinction Award and the 2022 Power Woman of Brooklyn Award. Mel holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, a Master’s in Chemistry Education, and advanced certifications in Educational Leadership.
Cassandra Quayson
National Youth Poet Laureate Program Network Manager
Cassandra Quayson is a Ghanaian American writer, educator, and graduate of the New York University MFA Program, where she was a Goldwater Fellow. She is a Writing Consultant at the Columbia School of Social Work and the 2024 Poetry Coalition Fellow at Urban Word NYC. Her writing, which is informed by love, abolition, and her studies in sociolinguistics, can be found in West 10th, Confluence, and The Gallatin Review. As Network Manager for the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, Cassandra supports the national network of 100+ partners while championing the artistic and civic success of youth poet laureates across the country.
Michael Cirelli
Founder, National Youth Poet Laureate Program
Michael Cirelli served as Urban Word’s Executive Director for over 15 years, and in 2008 he founded the National Youth Poet Laureate Program. His work supports the strategic growth of Youth Poet Laureate Programs nationally, and elevating platforms for young poets, leaders and changemakers.
Mahogany Browne
Artistic Director
Mahogany L. Browne, Artistic Director of Urban Word, was selected as Kennedy Center’s Next 50, is the Executive Director of JustMedia, a writer, playwright, organizer, & educator. Browne has received fellowships from Arts for Justice, Air Serenbe, Cave Canem, Poets House, Mellon Research & Rauschenberg. She is the author of recent works: Vinyl Moon, Chlorine Sky, Woke: A Young Poets Call to Justice, Woke Baby, & Black Girl Magic. Founder of the diverse lit initiative Woke Baby Book Fair, Browne’s latest poetry collection Chrome Valley (Norton) due to drop Spring 2023 is a promissory note to survival. She is the first-ever poet-in-residence at the Lincoln Center and lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Eboni Hogan
Program Director
Eboni is a Brooklyn-based poet, screenwriter, visual artist and educator. Her expertise in instructional design and differentiated learning was forged through over a decade of experience in youth-based nonprofits and educational technology. As a curriculum specialist, she co-authored Fresh Ed: A Field Guide to Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (2016), later serving as Project Director for the Fresh Ed integrative arts program. Eboni attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts before going on to become the 2010 Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion and the recipient of the 2018 Friends of Literature prize (Poetry Foundation). As Program Director at Urban Word, Eboni manages our roster of teaching artists as well as our core and off-site programming, including school residencies and general artist requests.
Board Of
Directors
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Eric Adisa
Board Chair
Assistant Principal, Hunter College
Elementary School -
Edward J. Jacobs
Partner
BakerHostetler LLP -
Amanda Jacobs Wolf
Visual Artist
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Luis (Lou) Abad
Principal
KPMG LLP -
Tina Jacobson
Chair
Space Matters Inc. -
Jason Wadlow
Standard Chartered Bank New York
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Kevin Buddhdew
Board Treasurer
Director , Credit Suisse -
Nkosi D. Shields
Counsel
BakerHostetler LLP -
Ayana E.S. Walker
Director
HBO
Product Management -
Camonghne Felix
Writer/ Poet Communications Strategist
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DK Bartley
Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer
Moody's Corporation
Interested in joining our Board of Directors?
Are you or is someone you know looking for ways to be more involved in your community, support a vital Black-led organization, and amplify the creative, educational, and professional development of young people in NYC and across the country? As we expand our capacity and community, we are excited to grow our board. We welcome expertise and fresh ideas from all industries. If this is exciting to you, email shanelle@urbanwordnyc.org and our Board Development Committee will quickly be in touch.