Welcome, New BKO Staff!

We’re so excited to welcome four new staff members to our Brooklyn Org team. As we forge ahead with our bolder vision of a fair and just Brooklyn, we know that each of their diverse expertise and passion for our borough will be crucial to advancing racial justice in Brooklyn and beyond.

Learn more about the newest members of our BKO family below:

Nicole G. Epps, Chief Operating and Financial Officer: Nicole, a Brooklyn native, has over a decade of progressive leadership experience in strategy, management, and meaningful engagement with philanthropic and program partners working within under-resourced communities. Prior to joining Brooklyn Org, she was the Chief of Staff at the Osborne Association and Executive Director of the World Childhood Foundation-USA.

Donna Lennon, Program Officer: Born and raised in Brooklyn by Jamaican parents, Donna has spent most of her life working for nonprofits that improve life for working-class New Yorkers, including most recently as Deputy Director at the Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers College. She is passionate about building the capacity of community-focused organizations and brings experience working in nonprofit management, program operations, fundraising and development.

Noel McKenzie, Nonprofit Engagement Manager: Noel is a Black, Queer, Jamerican social entrepreneur and capacity-building specialist. He is the former Executive Director of Represented Foundation, the nonprofit he founded in Brooklyn in 2017 to help Black and Brown social entrepreneurs grow their organizations. Noel is passionate about creating greater access and opportunities for nonprofit leaders and holds his Masters in Nonprofit Management from the Milano program at The New School .

Raven Blackstone, Office Manager and Board Liaison: Raven is a former English Literature professor turned administrative professional with a diverse career spanning the construction, social services, legal, and financial services sectors.