Cidra (she/her) is an educator, youth advocate and organizer. She has developed culturally-relevant, gender-affirming and arts and activism curricula; published Op-Eds about youth leadership development and DACA; appeared on radio and television outlets; and contributed to local and national policy-making regarding public education, youth leadership development and advancing adolescent girls.
A graduate of Hampton University and New York University, she was an executive leader for a social justice youth organization for nearly 20 years where she expanded youth and community programs; developed curricula; trained educators; coordinated study abroad programs; and shaped the organization’s policy work in the areas of education and gender equity. She was the co-chair of the Education Committee of the New York City Council’s Young Women’s Initiative. She co-planned the 2016 Black Girl Movement National Conference in NYC, which hosted 500 girls, educators, advocates, artists, and academics for a 3-day convening centering Black girls and gender expansive youth.
Cidra co-authored “Taking Back the Work: A Cooperative Inquiry into the Work of Leaders of Color in Movement-Building Organizations,” traveling to Atlanta, Brazil and the UK to share the work and discuss issues of leadership and race. She is an auntie, runner and creator whose imagination is fueled by the arts, travel and learning from others. Cidra was born on land traditionally kept and protected by Taíno people (Puerto Rico) and currently lives on land traditionally kept and protected by Canarsee and Munsee Lenape people (Brooklyn, NY).