Meet our team

We’re proud of the coalition of people Blueprint 15 has brought together. Residents, community organizers, elected officials, business owners, and other local leaders all contribute to the important work our organization has undertaken. 

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Executive Director

Raquan Pride-Green

Raquan Pride-Green was born in Syracuse NY on September 16, 1983. He spent his childhood primarily in the Pioneer Homes at his grandparent’s residence in Tyler Court.

Prior to becoming the Executive Director of Blueprint 15, Raquan was the Program Manager for the Promise Zone program, which is a non-profit organization that supports students in the Syracuse City School District and their families. Raquan holds a BA of Communication Studies from the University of Rhode Island as well as a Masters in TV, Radio, and Film from Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

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Lead Neighborhood Navigator

Tara Harris

A lifelong Syracuse resident, Tara Harris continues to serve her community in many ways.  A proud graduate of Henninger High School, Tara serves as a Neighborhood Navigator with Blueprint 15 and a Resident Health Advocate with the Healthy Neighborhood Partnership and RADAR at Upstate University Hospital. A 2021 graduate of the Citizens Academy through FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Tara serves on several neighborhood action committees including the City of Syracuse Urban Forestry Committee and serves as the Secretary and Vice Chair of the Pioneer Homes Tenant Association. A passionate resident advocate, Tara advocates for positive change within her community and believes that change can come from within.

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Neighborhood Navigator

Quwanka Ellerby

Quwanka Ellerby, a Blueprint 15 Neighborhood Navigator, is a lifetime resident of Syracuse, New York, and a Syracuse City School District graduate of Henninger High School. She currently works for the SCSD, serves as the Treasurer of the Pioneer Homes Tenant Association, and she is a Locally Consecrated Missionary of the Northwestern New York District. During her free time, she volunteers for different projects in and around the Blueprint 15 footprint. She goes the extra mile to make sure her neighbors get information on current events that are held by various community organizations. Quwanka has also been a devoted cheerleading coach over the last 30 years.

Board of Directors

Jaime Alicea

Jaime Alicea

Retired Public Educator

Latoya Allen

Latoya Allen

4th District Common Councilor, Deputy Director of Home HeadQuarters, Inc.

Executive Committee, Communications + Community Engagement Committee

Robert (Bob) Corona, MD

Robert (Bob) Corona, MD

Chief Executive Officer, SUNY Upstate Medical Hospital

Calvin Corriders Sr.

Calvin Corriders Sr.

Retired Community Banking Executive

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis

Superintendent, Syracuse City School District

Derek TH Galloway

Derek TH Galloway

Senior Pastor/ Overseer, The Connected Church

Curtis Harris

Curtis Harris

Resident, Fire Prevention Plans Examiner, City of Syracuse

Helen Hudson

Helen Hudson

Common Council President, AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison, United Way of CNY

Communications + Community Engagement Committee Chair, Ad-Hoc Nominating Committee     

Cydney Johnson

Cydney Johnson

Vice President of Community Engagement and Government Relations, Syracuse University

Robert	Mike

Robert Mike

Pioneer Homes Tenant Association President,Syracuse Housing Authority<br />

Communications + Community Engagement Committee, Ad-Hoc Nominating Committee

Christopher Montgomery

Christopher Montgomery

Chair, Syracuse Housing Authority Board of Commissioners; Director, Syracuse Build

Margaret (Meg) O’Connell

Margaret (Meg) O’Connell

Executive Director, Allyn Family Foundation

Board Treasurer, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Communications + Community Engagement Committee

LaDan Osman

LaDan Osman

Resident Advisor

Sharon Owens

Sharon Owens

Deputy Mayor, City of Syracuse

Board Chair, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Communications + Community Engagement Committee, Ad-Hoc Nominating Committee

Stephanie Pasquale

Stephanie Pasquale

Director of Neighborhood Advancement, Allyn Family Foundation

Board Vice Chair, Communications + Community Engagement Committee

Tim Penix

Tim Penix

Vice President, SUNY Educational Opportunity Center

Dr. Ofrona Reid

Dr. Ofrona Reid

President & CEO, Syracuse Community Health Center

Ann Rooney

Ann Rooney

Deputy County Executive, Human Services, Onondaga County

Finance Committee

Laiza Semidey

Laiza Semidey

Chief Community Investment Officer, Home HeadQuarters

Dr. Simone Seward, DrPH, MPH

Dr. Simone Seward, DrPH, MPH

Director, Center for Civic Engagement, Health Equity Research and Programs, SUNY Upstate

William (Bill) Simmons

William (Bill) Simmons

Executive Director, Syracuse Housing Authority

Wayne Sistrunk

Wayne Sistrunk

Faith Leader, Tucker Missionary Baptist Church

Board Secretary, Executive Committee     

Randy White

Randy White

Managing Partner, Amenity Real Estate Brokerage Co.

Communications + Community Engagement Committee, Ad-Hoc Nominating Committee

Our Partners