BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Solomon Middleton-Williams
BOARD CHAIRPERSON
Principal Consultant of Grace Solutions
A dedicated strategist and community advocate, Solomon Middleton-Williams is a driving force behind initiatives that foster housing justice, community empowerment, and violence prevention.
With a proven track record of building and supporting successful community violence intervention programs, Solomon has spent the past 6 years making a tangible impact in Newark, NJ, reducing violence and fostering community ownership.
His experience also includes guiding young men transitioning from incarceration at Boystown and coordinating health and wellness services for low- to moderate-income residents at Community Housing Partners. Solomon's expertise extends to board leadership for various organizations in NJ and RI, and he serves on the New Jersey Opioid and Remediation Advisory Council.
He is a sought-after national trainer and technical assistance provider, sharing best practices for community violence intervention with organizations, institutions, and government agencies. Beyond his professional commitments, Solomon values travel and cherishes time spent with family.
“Together, we're building more than programs and events; we're cultivating a movement of social renewal, where every greeting, every shared moment, and every artistic expression strengthens the bonds that make our community whole.”
Solomon Middleton-Williams, Board Chairperson
Mark Comesañas
ACTING SECRETARY
Executive Director of My Brother’s Keeper Newark
As a lifelong Newarker, Mark worked as a middle and high school teacher and educational leader within Newark Public Schools for 13 years, including as the founding principal of UPLIFT Academy.
Following this role, Mark served as the Head of Schools and a founding board member of LEAD Charter School, the first and only alternative education charter district in New Jersey.
Mark holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University and is currently working towards a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania.
"Unfortunately the impact of violence reverberates in our communities for many years. Restoration however, is possible. Particularly if we include those who have inflicted harm as a way of truly finding healing for themselves, our families, and ultimately our community. This form of reconciliation is necessary and benefits us all."
Mark Comesañas, Board Member
Jordan Costa
BOARD TREASURER
Senior Project Manager at Giffords’ Center for Violence Intervention
Currently serves at Giffords’ Center for Violence Intervention, a national organization that seeks to uplift community-led strategies to reduce violence, identify best practices, and advocate for sustainable funding at various governmental levels.
Jordan serves as a doctoral fellow at New Jersey’s Center on Gun Violence Research where she investigates system-level violence, community trauma, and the well-being of community violence intervention workers.
Having experienced the personal loss of a parent to gun violence, Jordan is committed to strengthening safety and support structures. She is presently completing her PhD at Rutgers University, Newark.
"To tangibly demonstrate our commitment, we must channel our resources into the very culture shift we envision."
Jordan Costa, Board Treasurer
Andrew Binger
BOARD MEMBER
Cofounder and Artistic Director of Yendor Theatre Company (YTC)
Andrew Binger is an artist, arts administrator, and educator with over a decade of impact across arts, culture, and education. He is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Yendor Theatre Company (YTC), which produces accessible, professional theatre centered on Black and Brown storytelling in Newark, NJ.
YTC has staged world and NJ premieres by playwrights like Reg E. Gaines and Pia Wilson. Andrew also serves as Program Officer for Community Partnerships at the NJ State Council on the Arts, co-leads its Arts & Health Initiative, serves on several boards, and is pursuing a Master of Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary.
"Art is a vital tool for community healing. It fosters empathy, strengthens social bonds, and gives voice to those who might otherwise go unheard."
Andrew Binger, Board Member
Tenisha Malcolm-Wint
BOARD MEMBER
Principal Consultant & Owner, TNM Consulting
Tenisha Malcolm-Wint is a dynamic change agent with 20 years of experience leading programs and building partnerships across the private, nonprofit, philanthropic, and faith-based sectors nationwide. She collaborates with social impact leaders and elected officials to launch and scale high-impact community initiatives.
Her expertise spans policy development, leadership training, organizational strategy, program evaluation, and philanthropic advising. Through strategic philanthropy and partnerships, she has leveraged over $20 million to strengthen communities. A servant leader and mentor, Tenisha believes that “service is the rent we pay to live on this earth.”
"My values must align with an organization’s leadership and mission, but also with how it shows up for community. The Village Revival Project embodies fidelity, stewardship, cultural reverence, and integrity in a way that rises to that standard."
Tenisha Malcolm-Wint, Board Member
