MEET THE BOARD
Quentin Walcott
Co-Executive Director, CONNECT NYC Affectionately known as “Q,” is a leading national and international anti-violence activist, educator and writer. A hallmark of Quentin’s work over the past 22 years has been engaging men and boys as allies and activists in the movement to prevent intimate and gender-based violence. The foundation of Quentin’s work is a focus on the intersections of violence—race and gender—and its impact on marginalized communities. Quentin is one of the U.S leaders selected by the NoVo Foundation to participate in its groundbreaking Move to End Violence initiative, a 10-year program to strengthen the movement to end gender-based violence in the United States. He is co-founder and chief organizer of the NYC & National Father’s Day Pledge Against Violence, an annual event established in 2010 and which is observed in 50+ U.S. cities. Q was a speaker at the first White House United State of Women Summit (2016) on gender equality, and shared the dais with TV actor and activist Matt McGorry. Quentin has participated in international anti-violence forums and led trainings in Brazil, Canada, Fiji, France, India, Kenya, Saint Martin, South Africa, Switzerland and Thailand.
Dr. M.T. Speller
Dr. M. T. Speller is the CEO and founder of Ivy Learning Services. She is an educational leader with more than 15 years of experience. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Rochester, and her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Speller’s decision to become an educator was born from a desire to provide equity and access for students of color. She believes that all students can succeed with the right resources and support. She intentionally pursued teaching and leadership opportunities in areas where young people were experiencing the most challenges. As a former high school teacher, assistant principal, principal and executive director, she never settled for mediocrity from her students or staff. During her tenure as principal at the Harlem Children’s Zone, Promise Academy Charter High School, all of her students graduated on time, and all were accepted into college. While serving as the executive director in the same district, students continued the tradition of excellence. Under her leadership, students were accepted into some of the country’s top colleges and universities, including Cornell University, Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Speller’s experience as a teacher, school leader, district leader and executive director give her a unique perspective. Dr. Speller’s is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University and the College of Staten Island. Her research focuses on culturally relevant leadership, school reform, college and career readiness and college persistence with a special emphasis on Black and Brown students.
THE YP BOARD
The Canvas Institute Young Professional Board is represented by young professionals who are dedicated to youth mentorship and programming for the next generation of civi leaders, artists and business owners. The board functions as a board without fiduciary responsibilities and receives council from the senior board. The Junior Board is instrumental to providing guidance for youth advocacy and empowerment.
Calvin Cress
Calvin is a basketball coach and mentor for student-athletes in the Staten Island community. His passion for basketball has allowed him the opportunity to work with many athletes to help guide them in the right direction and pathway to success. Calvin is an Academic Athletic Coach at the youth development foundation called Athlife, where he creates high impacting programming to tap into a student’s passion for sports. Calvin participated at the 9th annual Island Voice Youth Empowerment Summit at Wagner College where he was inspired to create a youth empowerment day for students in the Department of Education. He now works with student-athletes in Berta Dreyfus Intermediate School to facilitate the event. Calvin also coaches for Above & Beyond, a youth basketball program that works with youths in the community.
Antoine Beland
Antoine has worked with kids and teenagers in Montréal, Canada for over ten years in various contexts: as a high school assistant, basket-ball coach and volunteering in an after-school center, although his greatest passion has always been for his work as a summer camp counselor. Guided by his experience of the realities of young people and his drive to improve the lives of all children, he also got to be part of the founding team of two education non-profits and got involved in coordinating the Young Lasallians movement, a community of tens of thousands of youth who are dedicated to community and social justice across 80 countries.
Antoine now spends most of his time with the Center for Systems Awareness organizing a global community of local youth groups dedicated to intergenerational well-being and social transformation.