Welcome two new iCouldBe board members!

We are delighted to announce that we have two new members on the iCouldBe Board of Directors. Sy brings expertise in multimedia strategy and producing social-justice focused content and Matt brings expertise in non-profit finance.

Sy AbuduSy Abudu

Digital & Multimedia Strategist – New York Civil Liberties Union

Sy Abudu is a Brooklyn-based multimedia strategist who specializes in producing educational and social justice-focused content. With nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit and education sectors, she is currently digital and multimedia strategist for the New York affiliate of the ACLU, where she produces video, motion graphics, design, and photo content. Sy earned a BFA in film and television from New York University. She lives in Brooklyn with her wife, Kait, and their cat, Pesto.

Matthew Estersohn

CPA – Marks Paneth LLP

Matt is a senior manager with the Nonprofit, Government and Healthcare group of Marks Paneth LLP. Matt specializes in providing audit and tax services and has extensive experience with schools, social service agencies, advocacy organizations, cultural institutions, community development organizations and private foundations. He has led training seminars in various accounting and auditing matters for nonprofits. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and has a bachelors degree in Economics from Cornell University.

Welcome Sy and Matt to the iCouldBe team!

Mentoring Youth in a Divided Nation – advice from Jean Rhodes

This week Jean Rhodes, a leading expert on youth mentoring, published an article on Mentoring Youth in a Divided Nation. Rhodes provides helpful insights to help mentors navigate difficult discussions:

If a mentee raises a topic in the news, the mentor should ask the young person what his/her opinion is on the issue and why. This helps the youth to clarify where s/he stands, what s/he understands about the topic or might still need to learn. Listening to the mentee’s views also sends a message that his/her opinions are worthy of respect, that adults should pay attention and take those ideas seriously.

Mentors should share their point of view as well. Regardless of whether they agree or disagree, as long as the exchange is respectful

Rhodes also provides a list of websites that are helpful for conversations around today’s topics:

  • Listenwise
  • Moving Stories
  • Learning Media
  • Kids Voting USA 

Read Jean Rhode’s full article on Mentoring Youth in a Divided Nation.