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CUNY SPH is pleased welcome three new members to the dean’s advisory council: Curtis L. Archer, Deneane Brown-Blackmon, and Jennifer Walden Weprin.
Curtis Archer has been the president of the Harlem Community Development Corporation since 2006. He sees his role as essential in enhancing the economic climate for both businesses and residents in the greater Harlem community. Curtis began his career as a development manager in the NYC Office of Business Development under Mayor David Dinkins. He was senior project manager at the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) where he was responsible for moving several retail projects ahead in the Bronx, and was later appointed by Borough President Claire Shulman’s office as their director of economic development and liaison to the African American community. His other positions include director of small business development for the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and executive director of Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation (RDRC), where he was successful in promoting the revitalization of the peninsula’s economic base and neighborhoods.
Deneane Brown-Blackmon is the director of the Upper Manhattan Office of Rent Administration, a position she has held for 11 years. Prior to this, she was employed by the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation as a labor relations mediator where she counseled supervisors and employees regarding trainings, and handled time and attendances issues as well as disputes. She also prepared statements for arbitrations and collective bargaining negotiations. Deneane also serves on Community Board 10, where she is chair of the personnel committee. Raised in Harlem, Deneane is a community activist, leader, advisor, liaison, consultant, policy maker, and friend. Deneane enjoys working and helping her beloved community thrive and grow. She has served on many boards including those of the Harlem Justice Center, the National Action Network, and the Harlem YMCA.
Jennifer Walden Weprin is the executive director of the Queens County Farm Museum, the longest continually farmed site in New York State dating back to 1697 and the second largest cultural institution in Queens. Prior to that, Jennifer served as the director of cultural affairs and tourism for Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. In that role, she served as policy advisor on cultural affairs and tourism initiatives representing 2.3 million New Yorkers. Jennifer was appointed to serve on the mayor’s citizens’ advisory committee for NYC’s first cultural plan, CreateNYC. She also has served as ex officio director for the borough president on twenty cultural boards of directors including NYC & Co. MoMA PS1, Museum of the City of New York, New York Hall of Science, Queens Botanical Garden, Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, and Flushing Town Hall. Jennifer was recruited by Borough President Katz in August 2016 from her role as director of marketing and external affairs at the Louis Armstrong House Museum where she developed new programming to enrich visitor experiences and positioned the museum as a key player in NYC’s competitive cultural landscape.
“Our three new members have a wealth of experience that makes them exceptionally suited to advise CUNY SPH leadership in fulfilling their mission to foster health equity in New York City and beyond,” says Council Chair Freida Foster.
“We are thrilled to welcome these esteemed professionals to our advisory council,” says CUNY SPH Dean Ayman El-Mohandes. “Their unique expertise will be essential as we expand and mature as an institution.”
