Bed Stuy campaign Against Hunger
A Community’s Approach to Caring
Board of Directors
Mrs. Kathleen Armstrong - Chair
Vice President Banco PopularRev. Alton Samuels
Senior Pastor, Full Gospel Tabernacle of Faith ChurchDr. Orville McLelan
Family PracticeMr. Steven Rivera
VP of PHSP Facilitated Enrollment HealthfirstMr. Paul Reid
VolunteerBonnie Bernstein, ESQ
(of counsel), Polizzotto & Polizzotto, LLCSway Calloway
News Anchor, MTV Networks Inc.Bernice McRae
Director of Business Services, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Project
Key Staff
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Dr. Melony Samuels
Executive DirectorDr. Melony Samuels serves as the founder and executive director of Bed Stuy Campaign Against Hunger, a community based service organization in Brooklyn, NY. As the Executive Director, Dr. Samuel s is responsible for the daily operations, vision planning and resource management for BSCAH. While Dr. Samuels serves as the leader and public face of BSCAH, she credits the many faces who depend on the program, serve the clients and support the organization as the real engine behind the organization’s success. "I knew that God placed it on my heart to start this organization. I just never expected that so many would show up and be just as committed, just as passionate and just what we needed when we needed it."
Prior to starting BSCAH, Dr. Samuels was an insurance executive and administrator for Full Gospel Tabernacle of Faith. After starting BSCAH Dr. Samuels became a leader within the hunger network by serving on the Advisory Community for NYC hunger programming at FBNYC and starting the Bed-Stuy Providers Network, a collaborative of 18 emergency feeding programs in her community. Dr. Samuels currently serves on the Steering Committees for both the Manhattan Borough President and the Politics of Food Conference.
In the past year alone, Dr. Samuels earned her Doctorate in Religious Education, was named one of NY’s everyday heroes by the NY Post’s Liberty Award and received the 2009 Can Do Award from Food Bank For New York City’s star filled gala, Can Do Awards. However she counts her most significant accomplishment as being a wife to a wonderful husband for over 20 years and a mother to four strong, accomplished and loving children.
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Tamara Dawson
Program ManagerTamara Dawson serves as the director of programs at Bed Stuy Campaign Against Hunger. As the primary manager of programming Mrs. Dawson is responsible for ensuring that client needs are met. Mrs. Dawson is responsible for the effective daily management of the SuperPantry, Victory Garden, social services and nutrition classes. In addition to managing programs, Mrs. Dawson is also responsible for volunteer outreach and supervision.
Prior to assuming her role at BSCAH, Mrs. Dawson was the Assistant Marketing Manager at Citigate Global Intelligence. She has also worked in several marketing positions where she managed sponsorships, utilized her skills as a graphic artist and community outreach professional. Tamara holds Bachelor degrees in both Biblical Theology and Business Administration.
In her (very little) personal time, Mrs. Dawson teaches Sunday school at her local church and spends quality time with her loving husband and children.
