African-American/Caribbean Education Association, Inc.
                        "Working to better the education of our children"

   MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS




                    Rosalind O'Neal, Founder and CEO
                             
Shawneequa Callier, Esq.                         
                     Mildred Collins
                     Shirley Phipps
                    
 Patricia Troche
                     Hon. Ernestine Washington

       As Board Members of the African-American/Caribbean Education Association,
       we recognize the importance of making known to this membership, the community
       that we serve, and the general public, the ethical principles that guide the work    
       of the Board of Directors. We adhere to the following
Code of Ethics policy.
       The Code of Ethics is expressed in broad statements to guide ethical
       decision-making and provides a framework. The Code of Ethics envelops   
       governance for the following areas of concern.

  •        Professional standards to administer and implement AACEAINC programs,   
              endeavors, and projects
  •        Pledges commitment, integrity, and performance of duties
  •        Purports partnerships with stakeholders entrusted to the well-being and
              education of African-American and Caribbean children
  •        Purports education, politics, and cultural advocacy for the enrichment of the  
              community and our mission "to better the education of our children"


           [Click Code of Ethics to view in its entirety]


Please take a moment to read about us.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kente Meaning:
"Courageous Leadership"
    Rosalind O'Neal--is the Founder of the AACEAINC organization and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. In
    addition to spearheading AACEAINC, she provides services as an education and business consultant specializing in strategic
    management. A proponent of education options, she works diligently with parent and education advocacy groups to
    accomplish goals. Actively working toward successful outcomes for our children she also serves as the education chair to
    New York State Senator Malcolm A. Smith's Education Advisory Committee; and directs Moving Thoughts to Action, an
    intellectual think tank that empowers leadership and organizational capacity building. Ms. O'Neal has an interesting
    background in Education, the Arts, Community Leadership, Public Relations, Unionism, Curriculum Development,
    Instructional Supports, Strategic Management, and Business Administration. Her "passion" for the betterment of the
    community has attracted favorable media, press, and community attention; and in her quest to make a difference, she is
    proud of the following defining moments in her service to the community: running as a candidate for City Council in 2001;
    leading the way in successfully bringing the "U.S. Department of Education Smaller Learning Communities Grant" to  
    Southeast Queens; and being nominated in 2004 for Governor George Pataki's, "New York State Martin L. King Jr.
    Humanitarian Award". She is a motivational speaker and frequent guest on various programs. She has appeared on television
    and radio talk shows, and as a panelist at various workshops, conferences and symposiums. She is the recipient of various
    awards from the Community, the City Council, and the New York State Senate. She was the proud recipient of two
    outstanding awards from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. In 2008 she
    received their " Distinguished Education Leadership" award at the United Nations, presented by the International Division, an
    NGO of the UN; and their National "Sojourner Truth" award in 2011. The National Association of University Women
    (Queens Branch) honored her with their  "Community Service Award" in May, 2009. In Ocotober 2009, she was proud to
    be honored by her alma mater, Dowling College, with their "Top 40 in 40" award that recognized outstanding alumni in
    celebration of their 40th anniversary. Her organizational and leadership skills have meticulously brought the AACEAINC
    organization into its 15th year of service. As Founder and CEO, her commitment to the AACEAINC mission is to ensure
    total quality management. Ms. O'Neal holds a Baccalaureate degree in Health, Physiology, and Physical Education from
    Hunter College; a Master of the Arts degree in Dance Education from New York University; and a Master of Business
    Administration degree in General Management from Dowling College.

    Shawneequa L. Callier- is an attorney in Bioethics and Health Law, presently working as an assistant professor at George
    Washington University. Her practice, and  biomedical research, includes analyzing federal, state, and international laws
    related to stem cell research and egg donor compensation, the ethical, legal and social issues in genetics, and advance
    directives. She is also the author of several articles germane to Health Law, Bioethics and Biotechnology. Her background
    extends to teaching medical ethics at Monash University, in Melbourne, Australia, interning at the World Health Organization
    in Geneva, Switzerland and the Nuffield Council on Bioethics in London, England. She was a part of the team advocating for
    human rights in Swaziland with the Georgetown University Law Center's "International Women's Human Rights Clinic".  
    Committed to student and parent empowerment, she is an active volunteer working with at-risk high school students and a
    strong proponent of the Arts and Youth leadership. She is firmly committed to supporting the mission of the AACEAINC
    organization and plans to recruit an outstanding network of corporate stakeholders that will embellish the organization's
    efforts in strategic planning and capacity building. Ms. Callier holds a Baccalaureate degree in Political Science with the
    academic honor, Certificate in Political Theory, from Princeton University; a Master of Arts degree in Bioethics with High
    Distinction from Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; and Juris Doctor Law degree from Georgetown
    University.

    Mildred Collins--she holds the organization's honorary title, First Lady. She is a scholar, educator, registered nurse,
    community activist, leader, mentor, church member, politician, businesswoman, role model; and recipient of numerous
    honors and awards in recognition of community service and outstanding achievements in the field of Nursing. First Lady
    Collins is an exemplary figure and icon that vibrates the educational, political, cultural, and social life of the Community. Her
    roots emanate from St. Kitts, where she attended the Basseterre Girls' School. As a young girl she was inspired by the Red
    Cross to pursue a career in Nursing. She became a nursing specialist in obstetrical, gynecological, medical and urological
    surgery and practiced her profession in St. Kitts and St. Thomas. She came to New York in 1959; passed the New York
    State Board; received her license as a Registered Nurse by the New York State Education Department; and joined the staff
    of the prestigious New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical College. She belongs to numerous community based
    organizations that advocate for education. Her desire to reach small children inspired AACEAINC's Adopt a School
    Program. A "fighter" for causes and a woman of grace and dignity, she has been chronicled in the New York Times, the
    Daily News, the Times/Ledger, and the Laurelton Times. She is a recent recipient of the "Senior of the Year" award from
    Councilman James Sanders; and the "Community Activist Award" from the Elmer H. Blackburne Democratic Club. The
    AACEAINC organization established the Nursing/Health Science/Medicine Scholarship in her honor. "First Lady Collins is
    committed to expanding the Adopt a School Program as her contribution to the AACEAINC mission". She holds a
    Certificate in Midwifery from the Central Midwives Board of England; a Certificate in Obstetrical Nursing and Public Health
    from the International Cooperation Administration of Puerto Rico; and a Nursing degree from the Cunningham Hospital
    Nursing Program renamed the Joseph N. Frances General Hospital of St. Kitts.

    Shirley Phipps--is a retired Correction Officer extraordinaire. Prior to leaving the New York State Department of
    Correctional Services, she orchestrated the founding of the New York State Guardians Association of the New York State
    Corrections and Law Enforcement Officers, Inc. She presently serves as Public Relations Director to the organization,
    whose primary role is to provide service to the community. A woman of courage and integrity, she served for 16 years as a
    Labor Union Activist and achieved the prominence and honor to be elected to the Union's State-Wide Executive Board
    Council 82, which is the collective bargaining unit for New York State Security Services Employees. Ms. Phipps is a
    proactive community leader; a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson; a commissioned Notary Public/NYS Department of State;
    a Security Ministry Volunteer at the Greater Allen Cathedral Church; a member of various community based organizations;
    and former President/CEO of the National Women's Political Caucus-Queens. To be able to live in this society with dignity
    and respect, she believes "Education is Key". In her quest for excellence in education, her commitment to the
    AACEAINC mission is to advocate Justice for parents whose children attend public school --Such action can ensure
    children a quality education. Ms. Phipps is a graduate of the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University.

        Patricia Troche--is a woman of integrity with firm priorities in God first, family second and career third.  Her
        management style is impeccable not only in her occupation, but also in leadership--her most outstanding quality. She is a
        dynamic, gifted human resources professional with remarkable problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Patricia has
        more than 20 years experience in staff recruitment, training and career development, planning, implementing and evaluating  
        personnel and  labor relations strategies including programs, policies and procedures to address organizations’ human
        resources requirements. She has a proven track record of effectively managing human resources, fiscal management and
        fundraising directives within the health and human service industry.  Ms. Troche has held many senior management   
        positions in corporate America, as well as, nonprofit organizations specializing in fundraising, health and human services,
        education, mental health, substance abuse counseling and rehabilitation. An experienced professional fundraiser, Patricia has
        spearheaded numerous and prestigious successful galas. She is the President of Troche Consulting, which empowers small
        business, nonprofits and parent groups with grant writing project planning and proposal advisement.  
She is inspired by the
        outstanding work and mission of AACEAINC and anticipates that her versatility, solid skills in events planning, fiscal
        management, human relations and commitment to excellence, will  instrumentally serve the organization’s compelling
        dedication to advance the education of our future generation, its growth and success.
She holds a Baccalaureate degree in
        management, graduating magna cum laude from Briarcliffe College and a MBA degree from Dowling College.

    Hon. Ernestine Washington--in addition to the duties she performs for AACEAINC, she serves as the current chairperson
    of the Social Concern Community Development Corporation. She is an Officer on the board of the Top Ladies of
    Distinction, Queens Empire Chapter; and the St. Albans Human Resource Center Headstart. Ms. Washington is a retired
    Librarian who served the New York State Public Library System and the New York City Board of Education. However, she
    is known for the work she performed as an elected member of the Community School Board District 29, where she earned
    the title, Honorable. As a proactive community activist serving the Queens community, she was a past president of the
    Queens Women's Political Caucus. A woman of excellence, Ms. Washington has inspired to "Greatness" many leaders,
    organizations, and children! She attributes her warm and caring demeanor to her background, rooted in the rural Gullah
    village of the famous Sol Legare, James Island of the County of Charleston, South Carolina; a place where everyone was
    family and everyone practiced loving and caring for each other. The community applauds her caring and accomplishments
    in these involvements: Co -Founder of the Black Librarians Caucus of New York; Co-Founder of the Laurelton Theatre of
    Performing Arts; and membership in numerous community based organizations for the betterment of the community. She is
    the recipient of numerous honors and awards in recognition of community service; among them the U.S. Olympic
    Committee Award presented by Dr. Leroy T. Walker, President of the U.S. Olympic Committee 1996. The AACEAINC
    organization established the Library Science/English Language Arts Scholarship in her honor. She is committed to providing
    the organization with a state of the art Literacy Program as her contribution to the AACEAINC mission. Ms. Washington
    holds a BS degree in Education from South Carolina State College, Orangeburg, S.C.; and a Master of Science degree in
    Library Science from Columbia University.