board members

MEET OUR
BOARD MEMBERS

Our board is comprised of people from diverse backgrounds and professions, all with a dedication to helping the cause of our nonprofit organization.

Sean MartinChair Board President

Sean Martin – Entrepreneur, Mentor, and Motivational Speaker

Born and bred in the vibrant borough of The Bronx, New York, Sean Martin epitomizes the spirit of a true entrepreneur. Over the past 15 years, Sean has founded companies in marketing, event planning, billing and collections, and medical equipment. Guided by a profound desire to make an impact and a keen sense of purpose, he founded R.E.A.L. Success Mentors, an organization offering mentorship on essential life skills often overlooked in traditional education. He speaks on various topics, including entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and goal setting.
Joining the Tony Robbins Platinum Partnership in 2022 further honed his mission. Sean is now dedicated to becoming a top motivational speaker, championing the attainability of the American dream—especially for those less privileged. His goal is to inspire and transform the futures of 10 million inner-city youth by teaching them real-world skills to help them get ahead and by providing them with role models through real-life success stories, including his own.

Sean Martin currently resides in Long Island, New York, and despite his various successes, his proudest roles remain as a loving husband and father to Sophia and Lucas.

CARMEN FLORESVice Chair

Carmen is a Labor and Community Activist, Educator, Organizer, Trainer, and Union Ambassador. She works at District Council 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, the largest public employee union in New York City, as an Assistant Director for the State, Administrative, and Authorities Division. She has traveled around the country and U.S. territories organizing and advocating for workers.

Carmen Flores– Labor and Community Activist, Educator, and Union Ambassador

Carmen has established herself as an initiative-taker and leader through her volunteer experiences. She currently serves as the 2nd Vice Chair on the SOMOS, Inc. New York Executive Board and as the 2nd Vice President of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). Her unwavering commitment to the community is to strive to improve the quality of life while protecting social justice.

For over twenty (20) years, she has dedicated her life to the struggles of social justice, dignity, and the decent standards of living for working families. While growing up in the “Barrio” East Harlem, she participated in political activism and education, gaining strength and wisdom from mentors and pioneers like the late Senator Olga Méndez.

Carmen recognizes the importance and commitment to protecting workers’ rights. Her efforts to support campaigns for women’s pay equity, humanitarian efforts, and assisting others through acts of service are a true reflection of the positive impact she demonstrates with excellence. Raised in the village, “El Barrio”, as a Harlem resident and a strong Union Ambassador, she continues to support all efforts to improve the quality of life for others.

Carmen also volunteers as a Vice Chair on the Board of KR3T’S (Keep Rising to the Top)—a nonprofit dance organization that provides children, young adults, and their families a safe space for creative learning. She enjoys helping others, whether in the labor movement or her community, and can always be found giving her all.

Carmen loves her family, and all her attributes, grassroots activism, success, and inspiration for excellence are tools inherited from her #1 mentor—her beloved mother, Ángeles. Although her mom is no longer physically present to share this moment, the tenacity and responsibility she instilled continue to guide Carmen. As she pursues excellence, she remains dedicated to protecting her community and upholding her mother’s lessons, ensuring they live on forever.

HILDA CANDY VIVES-VASQUEZTreasurer

As a life-long resident, born raised, and educated in East Harlem/El Barrio, I’ve been a committed liaison and community activist as well as an advocate on various needs on housing, economic, education, social justice, and health for the ever-changing cultural fabric of East Harlem.

HILDA CANDY VIVES-VASQUEZ

KR3TS BOARD: Treasurer

I have been working for the 116th Street Block Association, Inc., a community-based organization located in East Harlem for the past 21 years, and advanced to Executive Director a position I have maintained with fervor for the past 20 years.

I have extensive experience in the community with business retention, economic development, and housing development; creating affordable (low income) housing opportunities in East Harlem for multicultural families and senior citizens leveraging over 18 million dollars invested into securing housing choice vouchers and section 8 based units. Work with assisting the formerly incarcerated with access to services as returning citizens so that they can have an opportunity to regain possession of their lives and change stigmatism. Continuously, I have spearheaded with community leaders, organizations, agencies, and institutions in creating opportunities and securing effective city and state services for our neighborhood.
During the Corona Virus Pandemic shelter in place, I was able to secure food service delivery and food pantry packages and PPE in partnership with elected officials, local and pantry organizations, museum institutions, restaurants, and local community garden members with the help of volunteers for the residents of the community, this service is continuous.
In addition, I coordinated the food pantry (funded by FEMA administrated under Catholic Charities) servicing families and individuals in need.

I served as a catechist, teaching religious faith to the youth, as well as formed and coordinated a youth group for the underserved young people and managed a haven environment sponsored by local businesses. These valued efforts resulted in food assistance programs, recreational programs, and extracurricular activities after school.

Finally, I was actively working with the Sisters of Charity Elizabeth Ann Seton with victims and survivors of Domestic Violence, PLWA/HIV fostering spiritual renewal for self-improvement and empowerment. My work with victims and survivors of Domestic Violence is a personal passion for me.

My work and life experience has been so diverse; it gives me pleasure to see the benefits of individuals positively impacted by the undaunted gift of personal community service.

Current member of boards

Manhattan Community Board 11

Member of the City Properties Land Use/Zoning, Housing and Oversight Committees

Served in the Executive committee as Vice Treasurer, former Chair of the following committees- Land Use, Landmark and Zoning, Housing Committee and Senior Citizen Committee

Served on Committees of Youth and Education, By Laws, Liquor License Taskforce and Economic Development

Mt. Sinai Hospital Community Advisory Board-member

New Leaf Coalition- Treasurer

James Weldon Johnson Resident Association- Executive Board member- Secretary

Young Bucks Sports-Member

Keep Rising to the Top 3 (KRT3)- member-Treasurer (2014-Present)

Former Board Member

Henry J. Carter Specialty Hospital-member

Metropolitan Hospital Community Advisory Board

Executive committee as Secretary and Treasurer

Chaired Patient Care and Finance committees

Awarded the Marjorie Matthews Award

Andrew Draper Academy Elementary School (Rename- Mosaic Prep)

Elected Title 1 Parent Representative (2005-2007)

Student Leadership Team (SLT) (2005-2007)

Mujeres del Barrio/Women of El Barrio(one of the Co-Founders)

East Harlem Chamber of Commerce

Aside from my community involvement I am currently a County Committee member, alternate Judicial Delegate and have served eight terms as elected female Democratic District Leader for the 68^th Assembly District- Part B (96^th Street First Ave. (part of First Ave.) to 125^th Street Park Ave)

Served as a Judicial Delegate and Democratic Presidential Delegate for the 2004 Presidential Campaign (Kerry/Edwards)

Media and Articles and Awards

Carmen Villegas Community Service Award-Ascendent

Certificate of Achievement – NYS Senator Bill Perkins

Community Activist- VAC/Veteran Action Group, Inc

Herspanic Community Service Recognition Award-East Harlem Chamber of Commerce

Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition-Congress Charles B. Rangel

Women of Service Award

Community Service Award-El Teatro Moderno Puertorriqueno, Inc

Shero Community Award- Council member Inez Dickens & Assemblymember Keith Wright

Community Service Recognition citation- City Council member Melissa Mark-Viverito

Community Service Award- Progress, Inc.

Featured in the NY Times as a role model community activist contributing to the Go Green Cook book published by then Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer input and recipes from community leaders, businesses and residents forever developing healthy cooking and eating as part of the fabric of New York City.

NY 1 – Featured as New Yorker of the week for the East Harlem Gas Explosion- During the gas explosion at 116^th Park Ave. -provided warm meals and extended late hours services for the residents impacted and/or displaced from their apartments due to the explosion.

JAIME SANTANA ESQ.Advisory Board

Founder, The Law Offices of Jaime Santana Jr., P.C.
Jaime Santana is a seasoned attorney admitted to practice in New York State and Federal Court, with over two decades of experience in criminal defense, civil litigation, and appellate advocacy. He is the founder of The Law Offices of Jaime Santana Jr., P.C., where he represents clients in matters ranging from high-profile criminal cases to civil rights and personal injury claims.

JAIME SANTANA ESQ.

KR3TS BOARD

Jaime Santana is a seasoned attorney admitted to practice in New York State and Federal Court, with over two decades of experience in criminal defense, civil litigation, and appellate advocacy. He is the founder of The Law Offices of Jaime Santana Jr., P.C., where he represents clients in matters ranging from high-profile criminal cases to civil rights and personal injury claims.

Jaime began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, handling complex investigations and prosecutions, before serving on multiple assigned counsel panels and presiding as a judge in Criminal, Landlord & Tenant, and Small Claims courts. He has also taught criminal procedure as an adjunct professor, sharing his expertise with the next generation of legal professionals.

A graduate of Hofstra University School of Law, Jaime is recognized for his trial advocacy skills and dedication to client-centered representation. Throughout his career, he has maintained strong working relationships with courts, law enforcement, and legal professionals across New York.

FRANCISCO DIAZAdvisory Board & Supporter

Strategic Advisor on Government and Community outreach initiatives.

Past & Present Affiliations:
President, FDJ & Associates Inc
*Strategic Advisor on Government Affairs and Community outreach Initiatives.
Twenty five years experience in community advocacy, city and state legisla

MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS

MEET OUR
BOARD MEMBERS