Meet our team

Neighborhood Navigator

Ms. Brandi Amerson is a dedicated professional consultant, educator, and community advocate committed to empowering individuals and strengthening neighborhoods. As a long-term resident of Pioneer Homes and a Livingstone College HBCU alumna, Ms. Amerson channels her passion for service into her role as a Blueprint 15 Neighborhood Navigator and a Syracuse Housing Authority mentee alongside USI. Her diverse professional background includes seven years as a Syracuse City School District substitute teacher, youth mentorship at the Boys & Girls Club, and corporate leadership as a former Burger King General Manager with a SERV Safe certification. Today, she operates as a career development consultant and a “human sounding board,” facilitating workshops on professional resumes, interview prep, and the psychology of hiring. Additionally, as a Certified Peer Specialist through Rebel Recovery, Ms. Amerson facilitates critical workplace workshops focused on mental health, emotional intelligence, self-care, and the Strengthening Families Program, always inspiring others to “never despise small beginnings.”

Neighborhood Navigator

Email: qellerby@blueprint15.org

Quwanka Ellerby, a Blueprint 15 Neighborhood Navigator, is a lifetime resident of Syracuse, New York, and a Syracuse City School District graduate of Henninger High School. She currently works for the SCSD, serves as the Treasurer of the Pioneer Homes Tenant Association, and she is a Locally Consecrated Missionary of the Northwestern New York District. During her free time, she volunteers for different projects in and around the Blueprint 15 footprint. She goes the extra mile to make sure her neighbors get information on current events that are held by various community organizations. Quwanka has also been a devoted cheerleading coach over the last 30 years.

Lead Neighborhood Navigator

Email: tharris@blueprint15.org

A lifelong Syracuse resident, Tara Harris continues to serve her community in many ways.  A proud graduate of Henninger High School and resident in Pioneer Homes, Tara serves as the Lead Neighborhood Navigator with Blueprint 15 and a Resident Health Advocate with the Healthy Neighborhood Partnership, Upstate Geriatric Department, and RADAR at Upstate University Hospital.

A 2021 graduate of the Citizens Academy through FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Tara serves on several neighborhood action committees including the City of Syracuse Urban Forestry Committee and serves as the Secretary and of the Pioneer Homes Tenant Association, as well as the Vice Chair of the Citywide (Family Units).  Tara recently completed the Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders program.

Tara has served on the Blueprint 15 Children Rising Center program design team since the project’s inception and ensures that the needs of residents and their perspectives are included in all decision making.  She works tirelessly to ensure the larger community is present at engagement and outreach meetings, as well as health and family resource fairs in the neighborhood.

As Lead Neighborhood Navigator with Blueprint 15, Tara helped to re-launch the much-loved and highly attended Women’s Empowerment Group and continues to design and manage the “Grandmas Read” grant programming and other intergenerational reading events to bring children and adults together to promote literacy. In 2024 she designed and implemented four community health and wellness events throughout the Blueprint 15 neighborhood.

Tara adds experience facilitating conversations and finding solutions as a problem solver.  A passionate resident advocate, Tara advocates for positive change within her community and believes that change can come from within.

Housing & Economic Vitality Coordinator

Phone: (315) 373-5903

Email: mhetherington@blueprint15.org

Marquita Hetherington is a dedicated Program Coordinator and former Neighborhood Navigator, recognized for her leadership in Blueprint 15 and commitment to the FAITH Program. She oversees community initiatives, fosters partnerships, and implements programs that promote economic vitality, health and wellness, mixed-income housing, and cradle-to-college education. Passionate about connecting residents with resources, she advocates for sustainable solutions that uplift communities.

Marquita is also a full-time student at Onondaga Community College (OCC), expanding her knowledge to enhance her impact. She proudly serves as an officer in both Zeta Amicae of Syracuse and Cayadetta Temple #113, reinforcing her dedication to service and leadership.

With a strong ability to build relationships and develop impactful programs, Marquita is a trusted advocate for neighborhood development. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing on the beach with her Kindle, finding peace in reading and recharging for her continued work in the community.

Executive Director

Phone: (315) 701-4061

Email: swlafave@blueprint15.org

Sarah (Walton) LaFave is the Executive Director at Blueprint 15, responsible for guiding the organization’s vision, strategic development, and implementation. In this role, Sarah advances resident-driven community development by connecting, strategizing, and facilitating thoughtful collaboration between residents, community partners, and local leaders. Sarah is a graduate of Syracuse University with a BA in Policy Studies and Geography. She has extensive experience in neighborhood revitalization, nonprofit leadership, and civic engagement. In her free time, Sarah enjoys reading, traveling, and trying new recipes.

Design with Community Fellow

Ivy Monroe is a Design with Community Fellow from Syracuse University. During their studies in architecture and policy studies, they are becoming more equipped to do what they love most, helping others through the built environment. They love writing and advocating about black spaces and how they can develop and thrive. In their free time, they play instruments and go to the beach. They believe in empowering communities through empowerment and strengthening the bridge between the community, partners, and the city! They are so excited to work with BP15 this summer!

Neighborhood Navigator

Email: losman@blueprint15.org

As a proud neighborhood resident, Ladan is passionate about serving the community she calls home and believes meaningful change begins with strong relationships. Through her work at Blueprint 15, she is committed to supporting residents and helping strengthen the neighborhood for future generations.

She is currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration at Onondaga Community College with the goal of building a career in community development. As a first-generation high school graduate and the first person in her family to attend college, she takes pride in breaking barriers and creating new possibilities for herself and others. Ladan brings a unique perspective shaped by navigating multiple cultures and values creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed and empowered. Outside of work, Ladan enjoys trying new experiences, embracing adventure, and continually learning—believing that growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones.

Neighborhood Navigator

Malaysha Pace is a lifelong resident of Syracuse, New York and is proud to serve the community that has shaped her life. A graduate of Corcoran High School, she earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Le Moyne College, and a Master of Social Work from Syracuse University. Malaysha currently works as a Therapist/Counselor in the CAPS Department at the Syracuse Community Health Center where she helps connect individuals and families to mental health and community-based services. She is passionate about increasing access to care, reducing mental health stigma, and supporting underserved communities. Her previous internship experiences with the Department of Veterans Affairs and a local justice-focused nonprofit provided valuable experience working with veterans, justice-involved individuals, and underserved populations. These roles strengthened her understanding of community needs and reinforced her commitment to helping individuals navigate systems, access resources, and achieve their goals.

Malaysha’s interests include addressing the school-to-prison pipeline, supporting justice-involved individuals during reentry, promoting youth engagement through recreational opportunities, and advocating for Black empowerment and breaking generational cycles. As a Neighborhood Navigator, she is committed to building relationships, connecting residents to resources, and helping strengthen the Syracuse community.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, lifelong learning, and spending time with family and friends.

Design with Community Fellow

Zahra Perkins is a recent graduate from SUNY ESF with her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. Believer of public service, Zahra is committed to representing people who have historically been marginalized and underrepresented. Having experiences as an artist, in economic development, and through landscape application, she is more than prepared to serve residents of the Syracuse Community.

Board of Directors