Mr. Gregory D. Bell, Sr., Executive Director
Gregory D. Bell is a veteran who became legally blind in 1989. Prior to that time, he worked for the City of New York. After leaving the employment market, Mr. Bell found himself homeless and was refused entrance into a city shelter accommodation. Returning to his roots, Mr. Bell re-associated himself with his church and began the process of educating himself so that no one in the visually disabled community would have to suffer in the same way that he did.
Unfamiliar with computers, Mr. Bell received training at the Lighthouse International. He received instruction on how to put together a concise business plan from the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp. (SOBRO). The Commission for the Blind helped by paying the registration fees needed for government approval for nonprofit status. Columbia University's law clinic supplied extremely capable students who put together the certificate of incorporation, along with all the necessary documents to establish a 501(C)(3) corporation.
In order to give something back to the community, Mr. Bell volunteers as a member of the Housing and Land Use Committee, and as recording secretary of the Economic Development Committee of Planning Board Four, City of New York, County of the Bronx. These two committees allow him to gain the skills necessary to approach community boards and politicians with proposals in a form that will benefit the community he lives in as well as the community he serves.
Mr. Bell also serves on the Bronx Borough President's Advisory Committee on the disabled.
Mr. Michael Felton, First Vice-Chair
As a friend and business partner of Mr. Bell's for over twenty years, Mr. Felton has been involved with Insight for New Housing from its inception. Mr. Felton is working with Insight because he believes in what Mr. Bell is trying to accomplish.
Mr. Felton attended the S.O.B.R.O. class on Sales and Marketing with Mr. Bell so that they would both have the knowledge to move forward with Insight. He has provided a sounding board and has been instrumental in suggesting board members and providing support to Insight and to Mr. Bell.
Mr. Felton is employed with the Verizon Corporation, and has been employed by what is essentially the New York Telephone Company for over 30 years. His job responsibilities include liaison, administration, sales, and consultation with all the other departments within the Telephone Company. He is currently working with customers in the federal, state and city government.
Mr. Felton is not new to not-for-profit corporations. He was the treasurer of The Inner City Resource Team, a not-for-profit corporation that specialized in interceding for adjudicated youth. The program later evolved into The New York City Outward Bound program. Mr. Felton is a graduate of The College of the City of New York. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English.
Mr. Ronald Cook, Second Vice-Chair
Mr. Ronald Cook has been with Insight for New Housing since its inception. He has helped to shape and focus Insight and has prayed much for its success. He is involved with Insight because he believes in what Greg Bell is trying to accomplish, and he also has a vision impairment.
Mr. Cook has worked with the Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem, New York for 24 years. His job responsibilities include administration and economic development for the church, as well as consultant to build Harlem's first Boys and Girls Club.
Mr. Cook serves on Community Planning Board #4 in the Bronx, as Chair of the Economic Development Committee. He is married to Rev. Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, pastor of the Bronx Christian Fellowship Church and they have two children, Samuel David, 9 and Christopher Daniel, who is 7 years old.
Ms. Temple L. Arthur, Treasurer
Ms. Arthur was invited to her position with Insight for New Housing Incorporated shortly after its inception. Her current full-time position as a Human Resource Specialist with CitiGroup Financial Services coupled with her banking experience in project management and critical analysis enables her to capture the full essence of her duties with Insight.
Ms. Arthur completely supports the vision of Insight and Greg Bell because her belief is that physically challenged residents such as the visually impaired should be provided with opportunities that will help ensure quality of life. Temple is grateful for her place within Insight because it is one of the paths in which God is using her many gifts and talents to assist and uplift others. Amongst her talents, Ms. Arthur is currently a Youth Leader as well as a Worship & Praise Team vocalist at The Greater Eternal Light Church located in Mt. Vernon, NY.
Ms. Arthur is currently enrolled at Manhattan College completing her studies in Industrial Psychology. However, of the many hats that she wears, the one that is most rewarding is her role as "Mommy" to her beautiful 3-year old daughter Jade.
Mr. Robert McMillan, Recording Secretary
Mr. McMillan has supported Insight for New Housing since its inception and has helped to shape the positive focus of Insight to insure its success and longevity.
Mr. McMillan was the Controller for District Council 1707 for six years and is presently self-employed as a Financial Education presenter for Concept Marketing International; which offers a Different Economic Reality for individuals by buying and selling a tangible asset.
Mr. McMillan is involved with Insight for New Housing because he believes in Insight's potential and vision for the visually impaired; and also believes in Mr. Gregory Bell's leadership ability and strong belief that our political leaders have long overlooked this area in our community.
Mr. McMillan wants the visually impaired to feel that we who are fortunate enough to have 20-20 vision are part of their extended family to eliminate their fears, and increase their knowledge in the use of technology that is available to them today.
Michael R. Baker, Advisor/Board Member
Michael R. Baker was born in New York City and is a graduate of Howard University College of Liberal Arts and the Howard University School of Law. Upon graduating from law school, he attended the United States Army Officer Adjutant Generals School at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He later worked as an Assistant to Congressman Charles B. Rangel in the Harlem District Office handling political, educational and community affairs.
After leaving the Congressman's Office, he went to work in the Law Offices of Hope R. Stevens handling various legal matters. He then worked as an Assistant District Manager for the US Department of the Census in the Harlem Office.
After working in the Corporate Trust Division of the Manufacturer's Handover Trust Bank, he returned to the Law Firm of Stevens, Hinds and White, PC. as Of Counsel. He is currently in private practice handling criminal matters, domestic relations, landlord tenant matters, real estate along with other areas of the law. He maintains an office in the East Harlem Community.
He is a member of the New York State Bar and belongs to numerous organizations including the NAACP, the Golden Award Committee, the New York Criminal and Civil Bar Association along with serving as the president of the Tenants Association where he resides.
When invited to become involved with Insight, Mr. Baker readily agreed. He strongly supports Mr. Bell's vision to providing meaningful programs for the disabled and especially the vision impaired. He believes as does Mr. Bell that "without vision the people perish" and that "evil flourishes when people of good will sit by and do nothing."
Emma Crystal, Board Member/Technical Assistant
Emma Crystal, firmly believing in assisting those with physical impairments, has helped with Insight for New Housing in any way possible from its inception. Building her own company, My Quest Productions, alongside Greg Bell at SOBRO, Ms. Crystal continues to grow as a businesswoman. Although Insight is based in New York, and she now lives in Memphis, TN, Ms. Crystal continues to lend support in various ways. Because of her dedication, she attends Insight board meetings in New York at her own expense and assists financially when necessary.
Working as a Trainer/PC Support technician in a prestigious law firm, Emma Crystal is also very active as a performing artist. For many years, she taught school children in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens the necessary skills of reading, math and social studies through the wonderful world of dance. She brings her knowledge of computer software and hardware, in addition to marketing, language skills and cultural awareness to the table at Insight for New Housing.
