Staff
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. Ronald Cook, First 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.
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.
Ms. 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.
Mrs. Debi Jackson, Board Member
Debi B. Jackson is a long time friend of Gregory Bell whose relationship dates back to the 1970's, so when he called and asked assistance with Insight For New Housing, she was delighted to respond.
Debi Jackson is President of Hal Jackson's Talented Teens International which for the past 40 years has awarded scholarships to young women 13 to 17 with performing talents from around the world. She is also on the boards of the New York Urban League, Black Women for Black Girls, Wheelchair Charities and the Committee for Positive Youth. Ms. Jackson believes in volunteerism and donates her time, expertise and resources to community causes.
On Sundays Debi B (her radio name) can be heard co-hosting the Sunday Classics from 3:00 - 6:00 PM on 107.5 WBLS beside her legendary husband Hal Jackson.
Mr. Ralph Porter, Board Member
Ralph porter: As a community developer and activist I have watched Mr. Bell develop his corporation and consider it quite an achievement. When he came to me and asked me to be a part of developing a whole community that was a place for all people to have an equal respect for life and the pursuit of anything that was within their grasp, I was pleased to accept. I have served as executive director of a major housing nonprofit development corporation, an executive for the boy scouts and an executive in the administration of the boys club. Understanding how a community through community planning boards, which I served on for many years, allows me to bring all of my experience to the table for Insight for New Housing.