Who We Are

Earl Davis   is the Founder of Project Brownstone, Inc. and a former recording artist whose career spanned Europe. He holds a master’s degree  from the Fundraising Management Program at Columbia University and has extensive experience in nonprofit development and community engagement. His work includes serving as a Program Specialist with the National Council of Churches in Christ in the USA and developing one of Harlem's first computer learning centers through the Jericho Project, providing  job readiness training  and expanding digital access for local youth.

Alicia Diana Barksdale is  a dedicated community leader, nonprofit executive, and advocate with more than 30 years of experience in public service, youth development, community engagement, and organizational management. A lifelong volunteer and champion for Harlem communities, she led educational, workforce development, tenant advocacy, and civic engagement initiatives, building strong partnerships and creating opportunities that empower youth, families, and residents throughout the community.

Marc Wilson  is the Founder of The Style Marc and Director-at-large for  International Live Events Associations (New York Chapter). He has  created weddings, anniversaries, private events, product launches as  well as private celebrity events. Most recently, Mr. Wilson was  nominated for the 2016 Big Apple Award. His work has been featured in  New York Times, New York Magazine, Essence, Brides and Town &  Country.
 

Coco Mitchell  is a former Supermodel who's walked the runway for well-known  international fashion brands throughout Europe and the United States,  and appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, is now a brand  ambassador for fashion. Coco has a degree in education from the City  University of New York.

Terry Robison is the VP of Sales  at Douglas Elliman Real Estate Company. Besides a love for selling real  estate, he is an amazing performer. He has many interests but likes to  focus his energies on the educational pursuits of underserved youths.

EMERITUS
Sheila  Abdus-Salaam (Deceased April 12, 2017) has recently been nominated to the New York State Court of  Appeals, the state’s highest court. Before that, she was an associate  justice of the Appellate Division of the NYS Supreme Court and a judge  in Manhattan Supreme Court. Prior to serving on the bench, Ms.  Abdus-Salaam worked as the general counsel of the New York City Office  of Labor Services, as an assistant state attorney general, and as a  staff attorney at Brooklyn Legal Services. Ms. Abdus-Salaam received her  B.A. from Barnard College and J.D. from Columbia Law School.

The name Project Brownstone is symbolic. It speaks to a trajectory of  history journeyed by members of the African Diaspora in the United  States.
During the Great Migration, 1910's through the 1970's, black  people escaped the yoke of racism and terror of the Jim Crow south with  hopes of better days, many finding their way to Harlem.
Out of a  brownstone the Harlem Renaissance was born - this is where the  perception of blacks was challenged and changed, both in the United  States, and globally......forever. It's a place where black people were  active participants in establishing new identities.

Project Brownstone is a 501(c)(3) organization  dedicated to the ongoing work of maintaining this legacy.