Community Voices Heard (CVH), the largest Black-led grassroots organization in New York State, named Juanita O. Lewis as its next Executive Director, effective September 1, 2021.
“I am excited and honored to be the next Executive Director of Community Voices Heard,” said Juanita O. Lewis, newly appointed Executive Director of CVH. “Over the last 12 years, we’ve gotten meaningful results for the communities we serve, and I’ll bring that focus on getting results to my new role as CVH Executive Director. We are at an important time in New York State where the need for equitable policies, systems of co-governance, and accountability is at an all-time high. I am ready to work with our dedicated boards, members, and staff on building a stronger and more powerful CVH.”
Juanita O. Lewis joined CVH in 2009, and currently serves as CVH’s Deputy Director. Lewis started as CVH’s Yonkers organizer, and worked with members to win an Affordable Housing Ordinance and Ban the Box for city employees.
She has played a central role in CVH’s housing justice work, leading a 100+ person action and winning the campaign for a Housing Needs Assessment as part of the People’s Agenda for Westchester County.
She led and won critical electoral campaigns in Newburgh and Yonkers, and helped create and now leads the Ella Baker School for Organizing, a leadership development program that builds the capacity of CVH members.
“In this critical period with so much at stake for women, people of color and all people economically challenged just to survive, we at CVH and CVH Power look forward to Juanita O. Lewis’ strong, caring, and dynamic leadership to continue our organizations’ record of Executive Director excellence,” said Joseph Mpa, CVH Power Board Chair.
“It is with great pride and delight that I share that the CVH Boards have unanimously selected Juanita O. Lewis to step into the role of Executive Director for CVH,” said Afua Atta-Mensah, Esq, outgoing Executive Director. “Her service to CVH and our members for the last 12 years is stellar and she is prepared to partner closely with our staff and Boards to continue leading CVH into a new moment that builds on all we have already accomplished together.”
Community Voices Heard (CVH) is a member-led, multi-racial organization that tackles tough issues and builds power to secure racial, social, and economic justice for all New Yorkers from Harlem to Hollis.
Through grassroots organizing, leadership development, policy changes, and creating new models of direct democracy, CVH is creating a truly equitable New York State.
More information can be found on their website: www.cvhaction.org.
Photo credit: Juanita O. Lewis from source.
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