I am Diania Breakenridge and a proud mother of two beautiful young ladies. I enjoy staying active through exercise including hiking, and volunteering in a local non-profit organization. There is something to say about nature, the wonderment of it, from the skies, to the trees, to the sunlight peeking through, to the hidden animals or the chirping birds; it is simply amazing. 

I was born on the beautiful island of Jamaica and migrated to the States in my teens. I became an empty-nester a couple of years ago and after experiencing some challenges after my youngest left home for college and the unexpected passing of my mother a year later, I am now on a better path thanks to my unwavering faith. I am ready for additional growth and development while seeking ways to help those who need it. I enjoy writing to inspire and encourage others, and I have found that in doing so, I also inspire myself.

I believe that we all have a shared purpose and that is to help each other. The help that we may offer will look different from one person to another, and so it will be packaged and delivered according to the needs of the receiver.  In addition to our shared purpose, we also have other purposes to fulfill in this life. It is my desire to fulfill the purposes for my life while I am here, to give and share all that I was provided to give and share, and I am thankful for the opportunity that affords me to do so.

Laila Hernandez is a dedicated community leader as a Deputy Director of a nonprofit organization, the American Civic Association. Her experience and expertise in working in the immigration nonprofit sector drives her passion for social change.   

Laila’s career has spanned roles in leadership, immigration, Refugee Resettlement, and Internship Program Coordination. Her ability to help drive strategic initiatives has helped the American Civic Association in transforming vulnerable immigrant communities one project at a time. Her work at the American Civic Association has earned her the Pillar of Community Award from the Latin American and Caribbean Studies department of Binghamton University, where she earned her undergraduate degree. 

Laila is a two-time Alumna of Binghamton University and holds a Master’s in Public Administration. 

Hope Isom is a locally and nationally recognized Funeral Director, violence prevention strategist, and CEO with over 30 years of transformative service to youth, families, and underserved communities. As Founder of Hope Program Inc., H.I. Enterprises Consultant, and host of Voices of Hope Radio, she has built trauma-informed platforms that blend public health, education, and social advocacy, amplifying stories of survival into blueprints for leadership and legacy.

Her lived experience as a community first responder, businesswoman, and advocate fuels her commitment to interrupting cycles of violence through culturally grounded, evidence-based

solutions. Hope designed and facilitated “Building Safer Classrooms Together”—a New York State-certified violence prevention course for educators that promotes emotional safety, crisis intervention, and restorative culture in schools. She also leads H.I. Enterprises Consultant, where she equips nonprofits and corporations with customized crisis management and engagement strategies.

A graduate of SUNY Canton (Mortuary Science) and Bryant & Stratton College (Medical Assisting), Hope was featured in WNY Black Magazine’s Women to Watch and honored with the Outstanding Service in the Community Award by Travelers Insurance for her emergency response following the Tops Market mass shooting tragedy. A featured speaker for Dare to Dream, My Brother’s Keeper, and the Roswell Cancer Institute-Mayor’s Summer Youth Enrichment Program. Whether guiding youth through healing or helping leaders reimagine safety, Hope Isom ensures that every voice is heard, and every life is valued—because she believes youth should not just overcome adversity but THRIVE.

My name is Brittany Lane, and I am a 36-year-old woman who is learning to usher in time dedicated to healing and transformation. I love hard and advocate even harder for people who need a helping hand. I was born and raised in Rocky Mount, VA, and in my spare time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my spouse and special circle, and being anywhere that's surrounded by water. 

Lisa Marie Newcomb was born and raised in Syracuse, NY, and is a wellness practitioner and healing-centered leader whose work is rooted in transformation and collective care. 

Lisa is the founder of Thrive in Healing, a wellness initiative grounded in trauma-informed, accessible, and culturally responsive care. She is also the co-founder of The Syracuse Yoga Collective, a membership-based community of nine BIPOC wellness practitioners who practice shared leadership and mutual support.

With certifications in trauma-informed yoga and meditation and a background in social work, Lisa bridges clinical training with lived experience. She has supported families through crises as a caseworker with the Department of Children and Family Services, facilitated trauma-responsive programming for youth, trained educators and professionals in wellness practices, and helped systems leaders adopt equity-centered approaches.

Lisa knows firsthand the toll of burnout and speaks openly about the importance of boundaries, asking for help, and collective rest. She believes that recovery takes as much care as the labor that led to exhaustion. For her, healing-centered leadership is not about perfection but about presence, reflection, and accountability.

Lisa creates spaces where people can bring their full selves, without having to shrink or translate their experience.

Rene Petties-Jones is the President and CEO of the National Federation for Just Communities of WNY, Inc. and a member of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo’s Racial Equity Roundtable. She is Immediate Past Co-Chair for the National PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) DEI Committee and serves on the PRSA Northeast District Board of Directors as their first ever DEI Officer. Rene is currently Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Federation for Just Communities, an independent 501c(3) federation serving affiliates from across the country and internationally; the first African American woman to hold this position.

A proud University at Buffalo Alum, Rene has received the May C. Randazzo Outstanding Practitioner Award and the Board of Directors Distinguished Service Award from PRSA Buffalo Niagara, and the Women of Influence Award, Behind the Scenes, from Buffalo Business First. She is also on the Business First Power 200 Buffalo list for 2021,2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Rene is on the inaugural Power 100 Business Leaders of Color list and the same list for 2023, 2024, also from Business First. She was recently awarded the Racial Relationship Building/Equity and Justice Award from the City of Buffalo. Additionally, she is a Rockwood Institute Fellow, Oishei Leaders of Color Fellow, an FBI Citizens Academy graduate, a graduate of Harvard University Advancing Women of Color Leadership program, and a former member of the Commission on PR Education Research Panel.

Rene currently sits on the Superintendent Advisory Board for the Williamsville School District, the Alberti Center for Bullying Prevention, Shea's Buffalo HR Committee, the President’s Advisory Council for Buffalo State University in addition to numerous other committees and advisory boards.

Monique Ferguson Riley, MBA Founder & CEO | Freedom Youth Family Justice Center Inc. Minister | Advocate | Change Maker

Monique Ferguson Riley is the visionary Founder and CEO of Freedom Youth Family Justice Center Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of human trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic violence. With a strong focus on youth, families, and underserved communities, Monique has built a trauma-informed movement that delivers holistic wraparound services, survivor-led programming, and critical advocacy across New York City and Westchester County.

Holding a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Monique applies strategic leadership, operational excellence, and social impact innovation to every initiative she leads. Under her guidance, FYFJC has grown into a trusted community anchor, providing crisis housing coordination, peer support, court advocacy, youth mentorship, and survivor empowerment programs that foster long-term healing and independence.

In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Monique is a devoted minister, called to serve through faith, purpose, and community transformation. Her ministry work is deeply integrated into her mission to help individuals break cycles of abuse, discover their identity, and walk in wholeness.

Known for her bold advocacy and lived-experience insight, Monique continues to be a powerful voice for justice, healing, and equity.

Kadashea Smith, a proud native of Syracuse, NY, is a dedicated mother to a spirited 11-year-old son and a passionate advocate for her community. A graduate of the Syracuse City School District — let’s go Cougars! — Kadashea grew up on the South Side of Syracuse, where she discovered a deep love for nature through summer camps for inner-city youth and cherished family camping trips. Today, she finds joy in recreating those traditions with her son.

For the past decade, Kadashea has worked to develop programs that empower individuals with disabilities, helping them to live fuller, more integrated lives. She holds an Associate’s degree in Healthcare Administration and Management from Bryant & Stratton College and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Public Health at Capella University, with a focus on community innovation and organizing.

In addition to her professional and academic pursuits, Kadashea serves as the Cheer Coordinator for the Geddes Westvale Knights, an inner-city cheerleading program for children ages 3–14. Let's go Knights! She is also an executive board member of Families for Lead Freedom Now, a grassroots advocacy group fighting against childhood lead poisoning in Syracuse. Through this work, she helps lead efforts to educate the community, demand legislative accountability, and secure medical, educational, and environmental remediation for lead-affected families both locally and nationwide.

Kadashea Smith is a rising force in public health and community engagement, committed to building a healthier, more equitable Syracuse for future generations.

Elder Melody R. Smith Johnson is a Central New York transplant from Harlem, New York. She is a proud wife, mother, grandmother, ordained minister, award-winning entrepreneur, social justice activist, philanthropist and tenacious servant leader dedicated to empowering women and uplifting communities of color.  As Founder & CEO of “The Initiative” a non-profit organization, she works to empower the dreams of young women of color through scholarships, mentorship, and entrepreneurship coaching and since its founding in 2016, has awarded more than $90,000 in college scholarships to Black and Brown young women in the United States. 

She is a 25+ year HR professional who has worked with businesses to create, develop and lead organization-wide initiatives that are culturally sensitive and designed to strategically position themselves as employers of choice in the marketplace.

In July 2022, she opened Melody’s, the first co-working, intimate event, and retail space owned by a Black woman in Auburn, NY. Melody’s is where female entrepreneurs are embraced to elevate and master the skill of living their wildest dreams.  It is the base for her work as an advising partner with the WISE WBC, connecting women business owners and entrepreneurs in Cayuga County to an ecosystem of business counseling, education, resource referrals, and networking services. 

Elder Melody holds a Bachelor's in Political Science & Psychology, a Master's in Theology, and a Master of Science in Management. She sits on several nonprofit, workforce and economic development Boards as well as holds memberships with and supports local and national initiatives designed to create and increase access and equity for Black and Brown people.