PURPOSE & MISSION

Odo (Aw/ dûh) in the Yoruba language means youth, and in most African communities the youth are revered as equally as the elders.

Odo Achievement Center focuses on promotion of teen development from the demeanor of children to the cultivation of responsible young adults. Odo is an organization for teens where they will have access to educational programming offered outside of the school setting.

For teens that are not enrolled in high school, Odo sessions provide an opportunity for them to interact with their peer group. The Overarching goal for this population is re-enrollment back into the school system, completion of an alternative program or entrance into the workforce. Odo generates an environment where teens feel comfortable to be themselves.

Our mission is to aid in children of color development with acquiring skills that will enable them to become functional and influential members of society. These skills will be developed through education & training, participation in life skills activities and community service.

BOARD MEMBERS

Meet our team helping to build a place for teens

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

Diane Price Banks, PhD, MPH

Board Chair, Fundraising Committee Member

Dr. Price Banks is Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at Bronx Community College in NYC, where she also serves as Program Director for the Medical Laboratory Technician Program. She has been a board member since its inception and board chair since 2014. She currently serves on the finance committee and focuses on procuring funds for Odo operations.

Lillian Brewer

Treasurer

Ms. Brewer brings a wealth of expertise as Odo’s Treasurer with a diverse background as an account executive specializing in small business funding for a local Newark CPA firm. This role is coupled with her current experience as a tax expert for a leading public finance company and as an account executive at Lb Tax Accounting. Her multifaceted skills in financial management and tax advisory services has prepared Lillian to drive progress toward the organization's mission.

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Latasia White

Social Media & Marketing Chair

Miss White graduated from Irvington High School in 2020. She attends Clinton College, majoring in Biology and is the Student Government Association President. Her career goals consists of owning multiple businesses, including a scientific research lab, crafts and baking businesses.

Former YOUTH BOARD MEMBERS

Josiah Ampofo

Recruitment Committee Member

Mr. Ampofo is a graduate of Irvington High School, class of 2022. He is a student at Skidmore College, majoring in Computer Science. His career goal is to become a skilled Programmer/Coder to create systems security & app development. In his free time, Josiah enjoys watching and playing football.

Marcus St. Vil

Recruitment Committee Chair

Mr. St. Vil is a graduate of Irvington High School, class of 2022. He is majoring in business management at New Jersey City University with long-term professional goals of becoming a content creator and providing start up services to businesses to assist them in becoming successful.

Neilsein St. Louis

Recruitment Committee Secretary

Mr. St. Louis graduated Irvington High School in 2022. He is enrolled in the Marines and his future job is to become a Marine Corps Administrative Specialist. Neilsein's immediate plans include graduating from Boot Camp and attending a reputable institution to study Nursing.

STAFF

Nadine Etienne

Founder / Executive Director

Ms. Etienne is the Founder of Odo Achievement Center. Her work with youth includes volunteering in a hospital pediatric unit during her teen years, creating and facilitating an adolescent pregnancy prevention program at a community center, training middle school students on peer mediation & conflict resolution, and working as an HIV Test Counselor for a teen clinic. Ms. Etienne’s goal is to enable the development of youth of color to become functional young adults through holistic education and health prevention.

Daphne Bishop Brown

Program Coordinator / Events Committee Chair

Ms. Bishop has worked in public libraries for over 30 years and currently works at Irvington Public Library as a supervising librarian. Ms. Bishop works with several nonprofits & ministries. She strives to make an impact on young people and her community.

Cynthia White Shabazz

Program Assistant/ Fundraising Committee Member

Mrs. White Shabazz is an office administrator and coordinator of community events at Echoes Grief Counseling Center. Mrs. White Shabazz's passion and love for the community includes providing connections through engagement and acknowledges working with youth in Odo as a part of her journey .