The Bee-U Team

INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ateea@beeuniversitynyc.org

Ateea holds a BA in Political Science with a focus on human rights and a minor in Environmental Science from the City College of New York, Colin Powell School. Ateea has many years of experience working in community outreach and development for nonprofit organizations and the local municipality of NYC. Ateea’s involvement in Bee U started when she was the communication’s director for Ranti Ogunleye’s Campaign for City Council. As an advocate for youth and sustainable policy for BIPOC communities, Bee U encompasses an intersection of passions and interests for Ateea and is, hopefully, just the start of working to uplifting communities in need in creative sustainable ways.

ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CO-FOUNDER

Andre@beeuniversitynyc.org

André graduated from Niagara University with a BA in Political Science and International Studies and earned an MPA from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service specializing in Social and Political Advocacy. André is the Northeast Programs Manager for the non-profit organization Global Glimpse. André is passionate about education reform and believes that youth should have their education centered around more experiences outside of the classroom. André co-founded Bee-U alongside talented educators and positive change-makers and wants to see a world where youth are environmental advocates and are developing skills to become leaders in the green economy.

CONTACT FOR ALL PROGRAMS RELATED MATTERS.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, CO-FOUNDER

Tavion@beeuniversitynyc.org

Tavion graduated from Niagara University with a BA in Biology and Political Science. Tavion is currently a science and math educator in both New York and New Jersey. Tavion is committed to community education and balancing community control of land. The vision Bee-U has inspired Tavion to find new ways to engage the community and environment for the better. Tavion looks forward to the impact that Bee-U will bring to New York City.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Russia@beeuniversitynyc.org

Russia graduated from the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh with a BS in Public Relations. Russia is a Senior Account Executive at Smalls Girls PR a creative communication agency. Russia enjoys traveling, working out and surfing in her free time. Russia looks forward to building more awareness of Bee-U and is dedicated to work toward getting more POC youth in the outdoors and engaged in greenspaces.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS, CO-FOUNDER

Renel@beeuniversitynyc.org

Renel studied at CUNY- Brooklyn College and earned a B.A in Economics. Renel is a Educator, Musician and casual beekeeper! Renel wanted to bring his past experience in beekeeping and non profit management to assist in bringing value to a historically neglected and under-served community. Renel Believes there is a lot of untapped spaces that could be used to benefit communities all over the world. Creating the blueprint and resources with which others can use to create their own impact is Renel’s hope for his involvement in Bee-U.

GRANTS MANAGER

Umamah@beeuniversitynyc.org

Umamah received degree in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Lafayette College, and will be starting her masters in Public Administration at the University of Pittsburgh in Fall 2023. Umamah is currently a Client Services Associate at Mellinger Group and a Community Liaison for State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. Umamah’s new found hobby is recently hiking, which is a hobby she never would of thought I would do. She recently discovered how calming it is to take the time to hike a trail. Now, Umamah loves any excuse to ditch her phone and spend 3+ hours walking through a trail. Umamah was a community outreach liaison for Ranti Ogunleye's City Council Campaign in 2020. Bee-U has always been a project that she wanted to be a part of because of the impact it has made on Staten Island. Umamah wanted to join the team because she wanted to use the skills that she have built to bring resources to an organization that puts the community at the center. She hopes to use her experience at Bee-U to support other grassroots organizations that focus on marginalized communities.

STATEN ISLAND HIVES MANAGER

Greenstingertrading@gmail.com

Nick graduated from Curtis High School on Staten Island, and earned a BA from Hunter College. Nick is the owner of Green Stinger Beekeeping Services, a Staten Island no-kill bee removal company. Outside of Beekeeping Nick works for The Department of Sanitation. Nick is one of the Beekeepers at Makers Park and it is great to be able to teach Beekeeping to the public with Bee-U. Nick hopes that Bee-U will help spread awareness about honey bees and native bees on Staten Island, helping all people understand the impact they have on the environment and learn how we can all live more substantial lives.

FINANCE & OPERATIONS MANAGER

Chiweta@beeuniversitynyc.org

Chiweta holds a B.A. in Politics (with double minors in African American Studies and Legal Studies) from the University of San Francisco (USF) and a Master of Public Administration degree from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Chiweta currently works as a Analyst for Non-Profit Finance Fund.

Chiweta enjoys traveling, kickboxing, watching movies, and reading books.

GRANTS ASSOCIATE

Devisha@beeuniversitnyc.org

Devisha is a dedicated graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, specializing in Human Security. Her commitment to service is evident through her roles at the Center of Life in Hazelwood, Pittsburgh, as well as her active involvement on two Executive Boards within the GSPIA Program: the Students of Color board and the Pride in Public & International Affairs board. Before pursuing her graduate studies, Devisha served as a Team Leader and AmeriCorps member for City Year, a national nonprofit in Boston, where she gained valuable experience working with students of all ages. Now, she aims to leverage her passion for education and well-being by joining Bee-U, aspiring to create supportive environments that prioritize students’ mental and emotional health. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Devisha enjoys staying updated on Formula 1, playing tennis with friends, and engaging in community service initiatives.