Our Story
JGF was formed by the two sisters dedicated to their father Joseph Gabriel, educator and community activist, who valued books and believed in education, as a solution to combat racism, poverty, and illiteracy found in low-income communities. The JGF Foundation will continue Joseph Gabriel's legacy through Programs and Community Initiatives. The event will be hosted by CEO Ms. Michelle Gabriel, along with her sister and VP Gabby Gabriel Moran, who co-founded JGF Not-for-Profit Organization.
In today’s world, trauma is incredibly relevant.
There are many social experts who argue that today’s Youth/Teens and their families are in crisis and under attack. Gang warfare, street stabbings, school shootings, the proliferation of drugs, anxiety & depression just to name a few make life tough. The JGF is a trauma-informed youth and family service organization that will serve to support those who have experienced trauma and bridge them back into the community. This gathering on May 27, will highlight JGF Programs and Community Campaigns.
In today’s world, trauma is incredibly relevant.
There are many social experts who argue that today’s Youth/Teens and their families are in crisis and under attack. Gang warfare, street stabbings, school shootings, the proliferation of drugs, anxiety & depression just to name a few make life tough. The JGF is a trauma-informed youth and family service organization that will serve to support those who have experienced trauma and bridge them back into the community. This gathering on May 27, will highlight JGF Programs and Community Campaigns.
JGF Speakers
Our Mission
The Joseph Gabriel Foundation’s programs aim to inspire, empower and connect people back into a healthy space in order to make a positive and lasting change in their communities.
The Joseph Gabriel Foundation’s programs aim to inspire, empower and connect people back into a healthy space in order to make a positive and lasting change in their communities.
JGF Speaker
Michelle Gabriel
Founder, Advocate, Educator & Chief President Of Programs
Michelle Gabriel, MS. Ed, SBL demonstrates over 15 plus years of experience in the K-12 Public and charter education system. An advocate on behalf of children and women in underserved marginalized communities. She has volunteered with many organizations as a Speaker, Educator, Advocate & Literacy Ambassador for Organizations such Red Cross, Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Manhattan District Attorney Sexual Assault Outreach, Settlement Health Teen Program, Mt Sinai LGBT Advocacy Center, NYC Sexual Assault Alliance, and RAINN. Throughout her career, she has planned, designed, and implemented various academic community incentive programs for student achievement, targeting SWD, ELLS, and Underserved populations. She is known as an excellent communicator, advocate, planner, coach, mentor, and organizer. Michelle received her B.FA & MS.ED from NYC CUNY Lehman College and her MS.ED in Administration, and School Builder Leadership from CUNY City College of NY.
JGF Speaker
Gabby Moran
Executive President Social Services & Mental Health Counseling
Gabriel Moran, MSW, LSW is a clinical professional, Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor for Adults, Youth, and Veterans, with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Mrs. Moran’s primary goal is to educate on Mental Health, identify effective interventions and assist with personal goal attainment and enhancement of overall quality of life. Mrs. Moran encompasses working in intensive units with Combat Veterans living with PTSD, and Substance Use; as well as working with unhoused adults with severe emotional, and behavioral, psychological disorders. Prior to her role in mental health, Mrs. Moran served overseas in Combat as an Army officer, Captain, and Brigade Level.
As a Military Veteran with strong Human Resources leadership skills coupled with a double Master’s degree, Gabriel Moran has a passion for Mental Health. Graduating with a Master‘s in Social Work degree (MSW) from Fordham University; as well as a Master’s of Science in Mental Health from Long University and Addiction Counselor Certified, she brings a unique perspective to the world of behavioral health and social services.
As a Military Veteran with strong Human Resources leadership skills coupled with a double Master’s degree, Gabriel Moran has a passion for Mental Health. Graduating with a Master‘s in Social Work degree (MSW) from Fordham University; as well as a Master’s of Science in Mental Health from Long University and Addiction Counselor Certified, she brings a unique perspective to the world of behavioral health and social services.
JGF Speaker
Angela Stevens
Fashion Designer, Caterer, & Executive Vice President of Senior Citizen Community Program
Angela Stevens, move to New York City from the Caribbean islands because it was the center of fashion design & modeling. She was a fashion model, in the late 80s and found interest in designing, decorating, and eventually collecting vintage clothing. Angela Designs Homes, Lofts, and Costumes In 1998, she focused her interest on opening a boutique and selling her collection in well-known New York City Flea Markets …" Grand Street," "Grand Bazaar," and "Avenue A Flee Market"… as well as a variety of annual vintage shows at the Javitz Center. She is presently a successful Costume Designer and Caterer, in New York. Angela became involved in the community catering to the local artists, theater, and musicians, as a stylist. Angela teamed up with Michelle and designed all costumes in "The Dove Musical" productions.
JGF Speaker
Arthur J Louissaint
Executive Director, Civic Engagement, Teen Boys Mentorship & Community Outreach
Arthur J Louissaint B.A Criminal Justice, Retired Police Officer. Arthur has worked with communities at risk for over 30 years. Growing up in Harlem, Polo Grounds Housing Project gave him a first-row view of the problems that plague communities of color such as Gang violence, drug abuse, and poverty. Arthur served as a Police officer for the NYC NYPD for over two decades and during his career, he has had the privilege of policing some of the most diverse communities in this major city. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to community-driven, problem-oriented, intelligence-led policing. He worked with the department’s Gang Enforcement Unit, Walking Beat Unit, and Precinct Resources Teams. He has served as a mentor to teens in the Violent Crime Bureau, the Drug Enforcement Bureau, and the City Manager’s Office. He has also served as the department's Night Watch, along with the commander overseeing some of the most dangerous beats. As a retired Police officer, he now focuses on partnering with non for profit agencies, where he built many relations during his time as an office, and community programs to provide solutions to inequitable access, information quality, risks to safety and privacy, skills and housing problems, and spaces for participation, civic engagement, and innovation.
JGF Speaker
Aldemar Moran
Executive Director, Blue Light Bridge Mentorship & Media Programs
Aldemar Moran B.S Social Work, Retired Police
Officer. Aldemar, raised in the Bronx, always wanted to make a difference in his community, which was filled with poverty, crime, and gang violence. Aldemar spent over two decades on the streets of NYC, as a police officer and Throughout his career, he has been a strong proponent of Community Based Policing and has remained steadfast in his commitment to problem- solving and partnership-building with the citizens of NYC.He worked closely with the mayor's office and was tasked with heading the Department's Community Services Division. This Division was responsible for the development and implementation of effective community engagement and outreach programs, recruitment and hiring of both sworn and civilian staff, basic training for new recruits and advanced training for existing personnel, and all public information and social media for the Department.Throughout his career he has enjoyed handling major crime scenes, investigations, personnel issues, training and mentoring officers, sergeants, Lieutenants, Commanders and others, along with public speaking and community outreach. He is currently retired and enjoys working with community and Youth.
Officer. Aldemar, raised in the Bronx, always wanted to make a difference in his community, which was filled with poverty, crime, and gang violence. Aldemar spent over two decades on the streets of NYC, as a police officer and Throughout his career, he has been a strong proponent of Community Based Policing and has remained steadfast in his commitment to problem- solving and partnership-building with the citizens of NYC.He worked closely with the mayor's office and was tasked with heading the Department's Community Services Division. This Division was responsible for the development and implementation of effective community engagement and outreach programs, recruitment and hiring of both sworn and civilian staff, basic training for new recruits and advanced training for existing personnel, and all public information and social media for the Department.Throughout his career he has enjoyed handling major crime scenes, investigations, personnel issues, training and mentoring officers, sergeants, Lieutenants, Commanders and others, along with public speaking and community outreach. He is currently retired and enjoys working with community and Youth.
Keynote Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Sean Tidd
Vice-President, Private Wealth Management at IG Wealth Management
Experienced Vice President of Private Wealth Management with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Main focus is to support Private Wealth Management practices serving high net worth clients by providing direct access to resources, knowledge and programs that enable teams to enhance client outcomes. As a certified coach, I also enter into coaching relationships upon request with the objective of aggressively growing the Private Wealth Management practices.
Keynote Speaker
Corazon Pineda-Isaac
Yonkers Mayoral Candidate
Corazon Pineda Isaac obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Long Island University- C.W Post with a Major in Finance. Upon graduating, she began her financial career with one of the largest financial institutions throughout the world, AXA Advisors, where she currently holds the title of Financial Professional and maintains the FINRA Registrations Series 7 and Series 63, as well as Life and Health Insurance licenses. Being the daughter of Dominican immigrants, she has fully embraced her Latino heritage. At the age of 16, she moved to Westchester with her parents, allowing them to raise their growing family and make Yonkers their permanent home. Taken by the beauty of the City of Hills, Corazon and her family took great pride in being Yonkers residents and she immediately began integrating herself into her community.
Keynote Speaker
Tasha Diaz
Yonkers City Council Majority Leader Councilwoman
Tasha Diaz, a proud lifelong resident of Yonkers, is a wife, a mother of two children, and a product of the Yonkers Public School System. Diaz is the first woman of color to represent District 3. She ran for City Council in 2019 because she saw the need to help people in her community and could not ignore the problems they were experiencing. She now serves as the Majority Leader of the City Council and chairs both the Education Committee and the Environmental Policy and Protection Committee. Diaz has deep family connections within the community as her family has held membership in the Community Baptist Church on North Broadway for many years. Diaz is also a former Girl Scout and Co-Founder of the Jefferson Terrace Cooking Academy. She has served as the President of her tenant’s association and has helped many other communities start their own tenant’s associations as well. Diaz is also an active member of her community, Diaz runs a weekly food drive to distribute nutritious meals to those in need and then personally delivers food items to those who are unable to attend the distribution.
Keynote Speaker
Shanae V. Williams
Yonkers City Councilwoman
Councilwoman Shanae V. Williams is the first Jamaican-born American elected to the Yonkers City Council and is currently the youngest Councilmember in Yonkers. Williams chairs the Community and Mental Health Committee, Women and Children Committee, and is the former chair of Legislation and Codes Committee. Williams is the City Council’s liaison for the Yonkers Human Rights Commission, a Yonkers Democratic Committee District Leader, a member of the Westchester Black Women Political Caucus, Hudson River Community Association, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Young Elected Officials Network, Aquehung Women’s Democratic Club, and the National Council of Negro Women. She is a former board member of the Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Yonkers and served as the liaison to Mayor Mike Spano’s African American Advisory Board.
Keynote Speaker
Kameesha Stevenson
Aurthor & Educator
Kaimeesa Stevenson is a first-time author from the Bronx NY and is one of six siblings. She was a tutor & a teacher and now she currently works in the foster care system. Her goal in writing this book is to teach children about Christ and the importance of praying.
Keynote Speaker
Natalie Diaz Ludewig
LCSW-R & Master Hypnotherapist
Efficient Release of your underlying toxic energy using hypnotherapy techniques. Achieving self-harmony & harmony with others, knowing that you are supporting your body/mind/spirit by actively releasing that old energy that seems to always be there. Consider what it would be like to easily discern what’s in front of you & to actually know how to solve it. Learn what hypnotherapy actually is & how this intensive 10-hour treatment will align you with your highest and healthiest self. Discounts Today.
Music
Michelle Gabriel
as Diana Ross
as Diana Ross
Michelle Gabriel aka "DJ Dove" is a lead singer, musician, DJ, and songwriter. Michelle attended Lehman College of the performing arts where she performed at benefit concerts, museums, art galleries, and festivals. Michelle started playing guitar and singing in various bands for several years & worked as a backup singer for Grammy award-winning vocalist Melba Moore and has performed with the "Harlem Jazz Vocal Ensemble" she also performed with noted artists such as Cece Winans, at Gracie Mansion (at the invitation of Mayor Giuliani) and Sony's Atrium Holiday Celebration. She worked at Arista Records, working with recording artists Jermaine Jackson, TLC, and Whitney Houston, and at the academy awards, she assisted Micheal Jackson and REM.
UNI-G
Gabriel UniLias Adjei-Gyamfi, the Bronx native began his rise as an independent artist over a decade ago. Since then, Uni’s reinvented his sound, started the Cold Chili Clothing line, and charted nationally with singles like “Swerve”. He took over the radio with his singles "Summertime Party, Pablo, plus more and garnered attention, praise and sponsorships from the likes of Sway Calloway, Red Bull, BET, AllHipHop etc. Capitalizing on that and other successes, Uni’s debut tours the#SwerveTour, #UGXF Tour and #WTMU Tour saw him headlining and joining artists like Lupe Fiasco, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Tyga, Kota The Friend, Mickey Factz, Dave East, Phresher, Smoke DZA Nitty Scott & many more. The “Welcome To My Universe” album, led to the #WTMUTour, where Uni would work alongside notable industry names like Steve Lobel, HipHopMike (Hot 97), Polo [Roc Nation] and Success from (Atlantic Records), even being granted the opportunity to continue to tour with Lupe Fiasco across select cities & countries.
Sharif Kales
First picking up the trumpet in the seventh grade at the age of thirteen Sharif’s music teacher switched Sharif from trumpet to baritone horn because Sharif couldn’t get a sound out of the trumpet. So he played baritone horn for his first year, but being as determined as he was to play trumpet Sharif took a trumpet home over the summer to practice. By the time he returned to school within weeks Sharif was playing the first chair on trumpet and also when on to make the borough and city-wide bands.
After graduating from The New School Jazz program, Sharif is mainly versed in jazz, but his musical abilities are diverse. He plays many different styles of music such as funk, R and B, and Latin to name a few. Sharif has worked with the likes of Charli Persip, The Valery Ponomarev Art Blakey big band, The Ray Arbans big band, The Harlem Renaissance big band, Charles Tolliver, Buster Williams, Mulgrew Miller, Joe Chambers, and Wallace Rodney. Sharif is currently working with Legendary bassist John Benitez as well as freelancing and leading his own group. Sharif is also currently working on his debut album.
After graduating from The New School Jazz program, Sharif is mainly versed in jazz, but his musical abilities are diverse. He plays many different styles of music such as funk, R and B, and Latin to name a few. Sharif has worked with the likes of Charli Persip, The Valery Ponomarev Art Blakey big band, The Ray Arbans big band, The Harlem Renaissance big band, Charles Tolliver, Buster Williams, Mulgrew Miller, Joe Chambers, and Wallace Rodney. Sharif is currently working with Legendary bassist John Benitez as well as freelancing and leading his own group. Sharif is also currently working on his debut album.
Leonardo Catricala
Leonardo Catricala is a rising Brooklyn-based bassist. An alumni of the Jackie McLean Institute at the Hartt School of Music and the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queen College, Leonardo has performed throughout the east coast at notable venues including Side Door Jazz Club, Minton’s, Bar Next Door, and World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. He has also performed internationally in Mexico at Teatro Juarez and Parker & Lenox. Leonardo has performed for festivals including Festival de Jazz Irapuato, the Washington Heights Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Haven Festival where he accompanied Dr. Eddie Henderson. Branching off from his Jazz roots into the pan-Latin American music scene, he has played with Radio Jarocho, Guachinangos, and Chico Alvarez. Leonardo currently maintains an active performing schedule as an in-demand bassist in New York City and as a founding member of Nixtaband, an original project that combines modern jazz and popular Mexican music. Aside from performing, Leonardo is a dedicated and passionate music educator. He currently teaches privately as well as in schools and workshops.
Tony Davis
Tony Davis is an internationally renowned guitarist and composer in New York City. He regularly performs in NYC's top venues, such as The Blue Note, Birdland, Smalls, and Mezzrow. Having played at the Newport Jazz Festival, Davis currently leads several projects, including his band Cloud Nova, La Querencia Latin jazz trio, and a co-led duo with Brazilian vocalist Jamile. He recently toured internationally, playing at Mexico City's Zinco, Jazzatlan, Parker & Lenox, and Casa Franca.
In 2019 Davis was signed by the Posi-Tone record label. He released his debut album, "Golden Year," which features an all-star lineup of modern-day's most acclaimed jazz musicians, such as Dezron Douglas, Eric McPherson, and Steve Wilson. Since then, he signed with La Reserve Records for his co-led album with vocalist Jamile, "Daring Two Be," released in 2022. His next album as a leader will be released in the fall of 2023, featuring music from his latest project, Cloud Nova.
Romeo B
Romeo B is a new voice out of Brooklyn, NY. His warm vocals, fresh lyrics, and amazing harmonies bring something special to the R&B and soul genres. After releasing his first album to critical and popular acclaim, Romeo B is focused on promoting his album and enjoying live performances all across New York City. Romeo B's album, aptly titled "Different," is an exploration of his immense talent in singing, song-writing, and musicianship. Romeo's. voice is unique, soulful, and deep, with an ability to rise to the highest harmonies with effortless flow.
Countdown till the Showcase
Schedule of Events
Duration 4 hours 30 min
6:30-7:00 PM
Meet and Greet
8:00 PM
JGF Presentation &
Keynote Speakers
Keynote Speakers
9:00 PM
Music Showcase &
Diana Ross Tribute
Diana Ross Tribute
11:00 PM Till
After Party Birthday Bash - DJ Dove
Event Location
Tennis Club Of Hastings
"Paum Cafe"
100 River Drive Hasting on The Hudson
"Paum Cafe"
100 River Drive Hasting on The Hudson
Sponsors
Contact Us
For further information about the event, please let us know in the comment section.