LaJuan Allen
LaJuan Allen was born in Brockton, Massachusetts and raised in Boston. Of Cape Verdean and African-American heritage, LaJuan became the first person in his family to graduate from college earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Public Policy and Sociology from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. A social justice enthusiast, LaJuan co-founded “Be Great”, a non-profit organization based in Berkshire County, MA which specializes in educating and empowering low-income populations and communities to achieve community betterment.
He currently lives in Providence and is the Deputy Director of Community Relations for Mayor Jorge O. Elorza in the Capital City of Providence, Rhode Island. Within his portfolio, LaJuan maintains relationships with neighborhood associations and crimewatch groups and supports the annual Mayoral Fellowship Summer program. Additionally, he serves as the team’s liaison with outreach specific to education, youth & cultural organizations and supports social justice efforts.
Alexandra Batista
Alexandra Batista was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. She is Latina, with both of her parents originally from the North End of the Dominican Republic. She came to Providence at the age of 15 and became the first member of her family to graduate from college, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Johnson and Wales University. She is a commissioner for the Dexter Donation Grant Commission.
She currently lives in Providence and is Deputy Director of Latino Affairs and Sr. Advisor to Mayor Jorge Elorza in the Capital City of Providence, Rhode Island. She is passionate about working with the community and helping those in need. When she is not working she enjoys going to the gym to relieve her stress! Within her portfolio, Alex supports citywide Neighborhood Associations and Crimewatch organizations, serving as a direct line to constituent community groups and the City. She also leads on small business support, serves as the liaison to the Latino community, DPW and leads the Mayor’s Latino Ambassador Group.
Shawndell Burney-Speaks
Shawndell Burney-Speaks was born and raised in Providence, RI. She was educated in the Providence Public School system and continued her educational studies at the Community College of Rhode Island and Roger Williams Universities – Adult Education Program. Shawndell has worked with inner-city youth and their families for over 20 years. She has been a Streetworker at the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence (ISPN), and a Coordinator for the Beloved Community Summer Jobs Program at ISPN. Shawndell established her first girl’s group with the support of a wonderful group of women at ISPN; then transitioned to after-school programs and working with young ladies in both middle and high school in the Providence Public School system from 2009-2013. Shawndell also worked as an Intervention Specialist in the Providence Public School system where she helped significantly increase the graduation rate at Juanita Sanchez High School.
Shawndell is a Certified Life Coach and creator of S.Burney-Speaks Life, where she specializes in providing services for individuals and groups. Shawndell believes she understands the daily struggles of those in her community. Shawndell and her family faced a major loss with the loss of her son Devin on July 1st, 2017. Shawndell Burney-Speaks is committed to taking back her community, even with and especially because of this recent and major loss. You can follow Shawndell on Facebook @sburneyspeakslife and Instagram @shawniespeaks1121. Shawndell is the Senior Community Relations Advisor for Mayor Jorge Elorza in the Capital City of Providence, Rhode Island. Within her portfolio, she leads on social justice initiatives and currently leads the Mayor’s African-American Ambassadors Group, a grassroots community group that meets weekly to discuss and advance a social justice agenda for the City of Providence.
