Our Team
Nickey Nesbeth, Founder & Executive Director
Nickey Nesbeth is the Founder and Executive Director of the Caribbean Youth Club. She oversees the all aspects of the organization’s management and works closely schools, volunteers, community partners, youth and families. After 15 years of working with schools and community-based organizations, and specifically focusing on the development of at-risk urban youth; it was repeatedly brought to her attention, by Boston Public School staff and Caribbean community members that there is NO CULTURE SPECIFIC SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR CARIBBEAN IMMIGRANT YOUTH. Being personally familiar with their transitional challenges, Nickey decided "Step out on faith and do something". So in October 2010, she launched a pilot project at Boston's English High School; which had about 30 newly arrived Caribbean teens that needed support; both the school and the students were excited to have a culture specific support program. Nickey really loves teens and believes that disadvantaged immigrant youth in Boston deserve "a real shot" at achieving success.
Tashalee Jackson, Student President & Peer Leader
Tashalee Jackson serves as CYC's Student President and Peer Leader, and works collaboratively with staff and adult mentors to assist her peers with their transition to the Club and local high school. She serves as peer role model, youth liaison, advocate, and knowledgeable guide to newly arrived Caribbean immigrant youth. In addition, she assists peers with academics, help identify fun activities and resources, facilitates youth-led discussions, supervises on Summer job sites, reaches out to youth when they are having personal difficulties; and is always the first friend that each new member has. Tashalee is also a great source of humor, joy and encouragement to her peers and mentors -- as she always has something insightful and sometimes extremely funny to add to every group discussions. She is a tremendous assets to the CYC.
Keanna Green, Girls Coordinator & Mentor
Keanna Green serves as the Girls Component Coordinator and Mentor and works to coordinate and maintain the CYC's girls' component. She plans and implements all activities, builds and maintains school based partnerships, records all programmatic activities, assess and utilizes resources and ensure the smooth and effective operation of both the in-school, after-school and Summer components. Keanna has an organic connection to teen girls and engages them dynamic workshops and life skills training, exciting outings, recreational activities, group and individual counseling and ongoing mentoring support. Keanna is Jamaican-American connects fluidly with girls around cultural and gender-specific challenges as they transitions into their new American life.
Michael Jones, Boys Coordinator & Mentor
Michael Jones serves as the Boys Component Coordinator and Mentor and works to coordinate and maintain the CYC's boys' component. He plans and implements all activities, builds and maintains school based partnerships, records all programmatic activities, assess and utilizes resources and ensure the smooth and effective operation of both the in school, after-school and Summer components. Michael has a natural talent for working with young men and fluidly engages them in though provoking workshops, exciting recreational activities and mindful weekly check-ins to ensure that they are doing well. Hailing from the Caribbean heritage like our youth, he fully understands that challenges that they face not only as immigrants, but also as young men of color living in America.