Board Chair

Anthony is an accomplished senior leader with expertise in program development, human relations, and program management. Extensive background in staff recruitment and retention, with 18+ years of experience in managing both youth and adult programs. Currently, Anthony is the Executive Director of the Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center, where he is responsible for all areas of institutional operations and development.

Vice Chair

Michelle is a Senior Sales Executive with over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and health care industry. She currently works with Merck & Co., Inc. and serves as a Senior Account Manager in the Surgical and Anesthesia division. Over the course of her career, she has worked in several institutions including the National Institute of Health, Harlem Hospital, and the New York City Department of Health. She has a special interest in addressing community health care disparities and barriers related to HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Nutrition, and Alopecia. Michelle is a certified trichologist and received her BA in Economics and African American History from Wellesley College and a Master in Public Health from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

COO & Former President

Dr. Joseph L. Tait, a University of Pennsylvania-trained Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Harlem Commonwealth Council, Inc., its subsidiaries, and affiliates from September 2004 until September 2020, when he retired. Under Dr. Tait's leadership, Harlem Commonwealth Council initiated programs that focused on investing in the human capital of the Harlem community. Among its initiatives, Harlem Commonwealth emphasized fostering the success of students in Harlem through healthcare-related scholarships to those pursuing careers in medicine, radiology and nursing; orchestrating summer internships for high school juniors and seniors in private-sector business corporations; providing adult basic education for the emerging immigrant population in Harlem; and delivering entrepreneurial training programs as well as providing revolving loans and technical skills to existing and start-up businesses.

Board Director

Richard serves as an SVP/client advisor with the Bessemer Trust Company. He has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry as a financial analyst. J.P. Morgan Chase, Mark Asset Management, and Scudder Kemper Investments are just a few of the firms he has worked with. Richard received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Boston University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Columbia Business School. He is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA), and has Series 7 and 63 licenses.

Board Director

Michael has worked in the real estate industry for over 25 years. He is a principal of Uptown Gambit, Inc., a real estate brokerage and development firm located in Harlem, where he manages real estate sales, finance, and developments. Michael is a graduate of the University of Florida.

Board Director

Barbara Askins serves as President and CEO of the 125th Street Business Improvement District in Upper Manhattan (Harlem) in New York City. She has over 20 plus years of experience in the field of improving cities as a public involvement specialist on transportation, environmental, and facility planning projects, working on major projects in several cities that included reconstruction of highways and city streets, upgrading rail and bus systems, improving sewage-treatment facilities, creative public spaces, and sport and convention centers. Ms. Askins has received numerous proclamations, citations, and awards for her contributions.

Board Director

Robert Horsford, President and Chairman of Apex Building Company, is a third-generation real estate professional, having cut his teeth in the industry while working with his immigrant entrepreneur grandfather, Victor Horsford, founder of Victor Horsford Realty Corp., a real estate fixture in Harlem since 1945. Robert earned a Bachelor's in structural engineering and business economics from Brown University. Before founding Apex in 1997, he worked as a project manager for Verizon Global Construction and as a project engineer at Gilbane Building Company. Robert sits on the Greater Harlem Real Estate Board and the New York State Association for Affordable Housing.

Board Director

Zevilla Jackson Preston is a registered architect with 30+ years of experience. She is principal of JP Design (JPD), a family owned and operated design/ development firm. Zevilla's primary focus is the architectural division which provides a full array of architectural services from pre-design through construction. Zevilla grew up in Harlem during the height of urban blight and abandoned buildings. This impacted her to the extent that her architectural philosophy in centered on the thoughts of economists who believe that sustainable community development is about the development of the people themselves — not just the physical plant. Hence, she engages in a design process that recognizes the interconnection of the economic, social, physical, environmental and cultural vitality of a community. Additionally, Zevilla positively contributes to the Harlem community and New York City at-large through a host of volunteer activities.

Board Director

Sharon Joseph serves as CEO and Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem. She has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry as a Private Wealth Advisor and Management Consultant. Prior to joining the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem she worked at Goldman Sachs. Sharon was instrumental in the development of Harlem Lanes, the country’s first Black Woman owned and built bowling alley and family entertainment center. Sharon received her B.A. in from Tufts University and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. Sharon has won numerous awards and recognition for her contributions in the Harlem Community including from President Bill Clinton, Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Patterson.