MCNY ALUMNUS, BRAIN SILVA FEATURED SPEAKER IN FALL 2015 LEADERSHIP LUNCH
October 21, 2015 — Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) is excited to announce the Fall 2015 Leadership Lunches Discussion featuring Brian Silva, Executive Director of Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) this Monday, October 26th at the Bronx MCNY Extension at 12:50pm and Tuesday, October 27th at the Manhattan Campus starting at 12:30pm sponsored by FreshDirect.
The dynamic discussion will be moderated by Professor Natasha Johnson, J.D. and will focus on what it takes to be a leader in the face of organized opposition and how to “stay the course” in civil rights struggles with dignity and determination.
Areas of focus include:
- Grassroots coalition-building
- Shifts in local and national public discourse on marriage equality “Staying the course” in extended civil rights struggles
- Engagement with opposition
Where & When:
Bronx: Monday, Oct 26 12:50-1:50pm
Metropolitan College of New York Bronx Extension Center, 529 Courtlandt Ave, Bronx, NY 10451
Manhattan: Tuesday, Oct 27 12:30-1:30pm
Metropolitan College of New York Manhattan Campus, 431 Canal Street, 12th floor, NY, NY 10013
RSVP here to join us! This event is open to the public.
About Speaker & Moderator
Brian Silva, Executive Director MEUSA
Brian Silva, MPA – Executive Director, Marriage Equality USA and MCNY Master in Public Affair and Administration Emergency and Disaster Management alumnus.
A passionate leader with a core commitment to diversity and the value of each individual, Brian has a steadfast dedication to LGBTQ equality, to non-profit work, and to collaboration with other organizations. Brian Silva and Marriage Equality USA were instrumental in the growing support for marriage equality and the decision made by the Supreme Court on Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). His success comes with a balance vision, strategy and tactics while supporting the volunteers that truly work for the cause. Silva brings his experience of leading large volunteer-driven organizations to the table when discussing the planning it takes to change policy. He has spearheaded, lead and organized efforts such as the International Association of Emergency Managers – Student Council, a global organization comprised of 1400 members, plus chapters. Prior to stepping into his current position with MEUSA, Silva served as Marriage Equality New York first at the Chapter Leadership level and later as Executive Director. Hailing originally from Northern California, Brian currently lives in New York City. He has been fortunate to visit and work in many places including Northern Ireland, South Africa, Mexico, Vietnam, and Laos.
Natasha Johnson, J.D.
Director of Academic Programs and an Assistant Professor at Metropolitan College’s Bronx Extension Center
Natasha R. Johnson, J.D. — Director of Academic Programs and an Assistant Professor at Metropolitan College’s Bronx Extension Center, Founder and Executive Director of Globalizing Gender, an international non-profit organization working to create a more ‘Gender Just’ world through education, advocacy, and reformation. Dr. Natasha Johnson is an activist, advocate, educator, and lecturer having previously served as an Anti-Trafficking Legal Specialist developing the capacity of the South Pacific to respond to trafficking and drafting reform legislation in the Solomon Islands. She has also served as an international gender consultant including her time in Haiti addressing voting access/mapping issues. Natasha also served as the Director of Education developing comprehensive curricula and working to serve homeless, foster care, and at risk LGBTQI youth and as legislative counsel to both the Immigration and Civil Rights Committees of NY City Council. As an attorney she created the only holistic legal services program- still to date-in NYC for continental African survivors of domestic violence.
About Metropolitan College of New York
About Metropolitan College of New York
Audrey Cohen, educational visionary and activist, founded the Women’s Talent Corps in 1964. Through development and training for new professional positions, the Talent Corps created employment for thousands of people. It became The College for Human Services, later Audrey Cohen College, and today Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY). For over 50 years, MCNY has continued the tradition of offering highly motivated learners an education that combines applied skills with professional knowledge to effect personal transformation and positive change in the workplace and community. MCNY is a not-for-profit, accredited, independent college. Full year-round offerings accelerate degree completion, and a unique approach to learning permits close integration of workplace activities and study. MCNY is conveniently located in Soho/Tribeca at 431 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013 and in the Bronx at 529 Courtlandt Ave Bronx, NY 10451. For more information on MCNY, visit www.mcny.edu or call 800.33.THINK.
About the MCNY Office of Academic Support’s Mentor Program
MCNY Leadership Week is sponsored by the Office of Academic Support’s Mentor Program. The Mentor Program pairs students with strong peer and alumni leaders to promote scholarship, academic engagement and development of personal management skills. MCNY Leadership Week is an opportunity for the entire campus community to reflect on founding principles of social justice and advocacy, and collectively add value to MCNY’s legacy.
