Keep reading for a peek at our panel, “Integrating Workforce Development and Lifelong Connections between Young People and Caring Adults."
This year, Urban Alliance kicks off 2023 by leading discussions on our program model’s impact in launching high school seniors on a pathway to success in an evolving labor market. Session attendees will hear first-hand from interns, program leads, and mentors as they share insight and lessons learned. Register to attend our panel at the National Mentoring Summit in Washington, D.C. on January 26, 2023.
Get to Know the Urban Alliance Panelists
Emani Brooks
Emani Brooks is an Urban Alliance Alumnus. She was a participant of Urban Alliance’s flagship High School Internship Program (HSIP) and completed her internship at Power to Decide in Washington, DC. In 2022, Emani was named the Urban Alliance Intern of the Year for the Greater DC Region. Emani is a graduate of Suitland High School where she was also the President of the National Honor Society during her senior year. She continues to support her alma mater as a tutor to help and encourage high school students to succeed. Emani attends Bowie State University where she is majoring in Business Administration and plans to fulfill her career in marketing and communications.
Sam Meisenberg
Sam is the Director of Product Experience at CyberVista, where he’s responsible for designing and creating educational content for cybersecurity professionals. Sam is also an instructor for many of the courses he helps build and considers the best part of his day to be when he gets to interact with students in a live online classroom. He is a private tutor for many industry certification exams, such as CISSP, Security+, and CEH. Sam graduated Summa Cum Laude with Special Honors from George Washington University, double majoring in Political Science and Political Communication, and is an avid New York Yankees fan.
Seema Sabnani
Seema Sabnani is the Chief Program Officer for Urban Alliance. She brings two decades of experience building strategic partnerships and programs in the non-profit sector. Seema started her career as a high school teacher in Harlem. She has held multiple roles at a variety of nonprofit organizations including Harlem Center for Education, Sadie Nash Leadership Project, South Asian Youth Action, and Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence. Just prior to joining UA’s team, she was the Chief Program Officer for Free Arts NYC, a youth mentoring organization, where she created pathways for youth to pursue careers in the creative industry through internships and career readiness programs.
Seema has a B.A. in International Community Development from the University of Illinois and M.A. Degree in Teaching from Fordham University.
Laurentiis M. Gaines, Jr.
Laurentiis M. Gaines, Jr. is the Program Director for Urban Alliance, in which capacity he oversees internships for over 200 high school youth in the Greater DC Region. He joined Urban Alliance in 2018 where he has served youth in various roles on the Greater DC team. Previously, Laurentiis interned for US Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. in his Albany, GA District Office, and later in the Congressman’s Capitol Hill office through the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.
A native of Augusta, GA, Laurentiis is a 2016 graduate of The Unsinkable Albany State University with a degree in Political Science. While at Albany State, he had the honor of serving as the President of the Student Government Association for the 2015-2016 academic year. He is a Spring 2014 initiate of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and a 2015 initiate of Alpha Psi Omega, National Theater Honor Society. During his time at Albany State, Laurentiis also served as a 2016 Fellow with the Georgia Democrats and a Campus Organizer with the Clinton for America campaign.