Staff

Elliott Dawes, University Director, CUNY Black Male Initiative
Elliott Dawes is the University Director of The City University of New York Black Male Initiative (CUNY BMI), a University-wide program dedicated to increasing the enrollment, retention and graduation rates of students from populations that are severely underrepresented in higher education, particularly African American males. A graduate of Cornell University with a B.A. in Government and Africana Studies, Dawes later earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the New York University School of Law. Before becoming CUNY BMI’s University Director, Dawes was the Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs at the Hofstra University School of Law. His work experience includes clerkships with federal judges; monitoring civil rights cases as a Trial Attorney in the Educational Opportunities Litigation Section, Civil Rights Division in the U.S. Department of Justice; teaching at two Brooklyn public high schools and serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of African American Studies at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice/CUNY. Dawes’ email address is Elliott.Dawes@mail.cuny.edu.

Jermaine Wright, Associate Director, CUNY Black Male Initiative
Jermaine Wright is the Associate Director of The City University of New York Black Male Initiative (CUNY BMI). A graduate of Binghamton University with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, Wright later earned a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) degree with a concentration in Management and Operations from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice/CUNY. Prior to becoming CUNY BMI Associate Director, Wright worked at the National Urban League as a Program Manager for the Urban Youth Empowerment Program (UYEP), a comprehensive workforce development model for disconnected and adjudicated youth between the ages of 18 -24. As a Program Manager, Wright managed several National Urban League affiliates across the nation that were operating UYEP. Additionally, he revised program policies/procedures to better serve participants' needs. Wright’s other work experience includes monitoring the employment status of clients transitioning from public assistance to the workforce as a Site Supervisor at Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, and developing workshops/special events for low-wage workers as an AmeriCorps member. In his spare time, Wright serves as a mentor to young people through Catholic Big Sisters/Big Brothers. Wright is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., an international service organization predicated upon achievement and the upliftment of underserved low-income communities. Wright’s email address is: jwright1@ccny.cuny.edu

Joseph Alston, Research Associate, CUNY Black Male Initiative
Joseph Alston is a part-time Research Associate with The City University of New York Black Male Initiative (CUNY BMI). A recent graduate of The City College of New York (CCNY), Alston earned a B.A. in Political Science with honors. As an undergraduate, he won a number of awards and participated in CCNY’s Model United Nations debate team which earned national recognition for oral advocacy and writing. Raised in Harlem, New York, Alston is interested in international affairs and urban policy, particularly the impact of criminal justice systems on diverse populations. At present, he is pursuing a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) at CCNY through the Charles B. Rangel Masters in Public Service Management Program, which awarded him a full scholarship to pursue his graduate studies. In addition to his interests in international affairs and criminal justice policy, Alston is committed to CUNY BMI’s mission of expanding opportunities for students from groups that are severely underrepresented in higher education, particularly African American males. Alston’s email address is jalston@ccny.cuny.edu.

McDonald-Ian James, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Liaison, CUNY Black Male Initiative
McDonald-Ian James is the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Liaison to The City University of New York Black Male Initiative (CUNY BMI) and the University Coordinator for Student Grievances and Inquires in the Office of Student Affairs. He earned an A.A. degree from Medgar Evers College/CUNY and a B.A. in Psychology and Political Science from the CUNY BA Program in 2004. James later earned a M.A. in International Relations from The City College of New York/CUNY in 2006. As a student, James was involved in a number of activities that would have overwhelmed someone without his time management and organizational skills. At Medgar Evers College, James was Associate Editor of the student newspaper Adafi, a member of the College's chapter of the American Black Social Workers, and a student leader in the Male Development and Empowerment Center (MDEC). He also served as a student representative on the planning and budgetary committees for Medgar Evers College's Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the campus Library and Information Services. James assisted his fellow students at Medgar Evers College as an English tutor and invested in the next generation of college students by serving as an after-school program mentor at a high school in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He represented Medgar Evers College at the 3rd annual Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund leadership conference as well as at a Congressional Black Caucus conference on The State of the African American Male. In 2003, James was a recipient of the Hawks International Youth Organization's "Project Under-Wing" Scholarship and the Diego Hidalgo Scholarship, both designed to assist students studying Political Science. Additionally, he received the Harriet Brows scholarship for social change and the Thomas W. Smith academic scholarship. In 2004, James served as an congressional intern in the office of United States Representative Major Owens. James’ email address is: Ian.James@mail.cuny.edu