Today we’d like to introduce you to Saeeda Dunston.
Hi Saeeda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities was founded more than 60 years ago in Queens, New York, during a period when Black communities were organizing to demand greater access to resources, opportunities, and self-determination. With roots connected to the Black Panther Party and its philosophy of community empowerment, Elmcor was built on a simple but powerful principle: “People for the People.” The idea was that communities should have the power, resources, and leadership to address their own needs and shape their own futures.
As someone with deep personal and familial ties to Queens and the East Elmhurst/Corona communities, that mission has always resonated with me. I’ve had the privilege of serving as Elmcor’s CEO since 2014, building on the organization’s legacy while helping to expand its reach and impact.
