Our Staff
Terri Arnold-McKenzie, MBA
Operations Consultant
Terri Arnold-McKenzie, MBA, is a dynamic leader, strategist, and community builder whose career is rooted in loyalty, service, and faith. With over a decade of experience in program development, operations management, and workforce initiatives, Terri brings a wealth of expertise to the Urban League of Long Island as its Operations Consultant.
Her career spans leadership roles in corporate affairs, higher education, clean energy, and community development, including designing and implementing workforce development pipelines, supporting entrepreneurs through capacity-building programs, and advancing supplier diversity efforts. From onboarding more than 80 MWBEs and SDVOBs into multimillion-dollar contracts with the MTA, to leading the flagship Grid Collective program at National Grid, Terri has consistently delivered innovative solutions that expand opportunity and build equity.
Terri is also the President & CEO of TAM Business Consulting, LLC, where she has partnered with government, corporations, and nonprofits to develop strategies that strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion across industries. She has held senior program management positions at Hofstra University, National Grid, and the U.S. Tennis Association, where she built bridges between organizations and underrepresented communities.
A proud lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Terri wears her red with pride, continuing a legacy of service and sisterhood. She is equally grounded by her firm foundation in God, which guides her leadership, integrity, and passion for uplifting others.
Terri describes her work at the Urban League as “the best job I’ve ever had, we get paid to help people in the community what’s better then that.”
Whether advancing workforce development, entrepreneurship, or clean energy innovation, Terri brings her loyalty, resources, and knowledge to strengthen the Urban League’s mission of economic empowerment and equity.
“My love language is loyalty and trust, it’s at the heart of everything I do because when we work together with those values, we can accomplish anything.”
– Terri Arnold-McKenzie
Cheryl Rhoda – The GOAT of Connections
Partnership and Relationship Specialist
Born in Harlem, raised in Queens and Suffolk County, Cheryl Rhoda has been in the business of people her entire life. Some call it networking. Cheryl calls it living with purpose. With her, it’s never just “seven degrees of separation.” If Cheryl’s in the room, there’s no separation at all.
Her career reads like a masterclass in versatility: she started on 23 Wall Street as a credit analyst, rose through the ranks at AT&T in management, became a personal fashion stylist to A-list clients, thrived in the 5-star hospitality industry, and even managed utility operations for major institutions across New York. Each chapter sharpened her gift for connection, problem-solving, and building bridges where others saw walls.
Today, Cheryl brings all of that brilliance to the Urban League of Long Island, where she channels her energy, creativity, and passion for people into empowering small businesses, especially women and minority-owned enterprises. Her philosophy is simple: never come empty-handed. Whether it’s an introduction, an opportunity, or a spark of encouragement, Cheryl makes sure those around her always leave with more than they came with.
Her leadership and service have been recognized across New York, including her time as Vice President of the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce and her active roles with the Greater Harlem and Brooklyn Chambers. Nassau County has honored her for her community service, but her proudest titles remain mother and grandmother her son and two granddaughters are her greatest treasures.
Cheryl is also a human jukebox (yes, she really knows them all across genres and decades!) and loves to travel, proving that joy and curiosity are the best companions to success.
“Connections are more than business cards. They’re bridges to dreams, and I never stop building.”
– Cheryl Rhoda
Jordan Thomas
Director of Youth Advancement & Partnership Innovation
Always an athlete at heart, Jordan Thomas has carried the values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience from the field into every stage of his career. With a deep love of sports especially baseball he has dedicated himself to creating opportunities that bring the transformative power of athletics to young people and communities who have historically been left out of the game.
Jordan brings more than five years of experience in partnerships, sales, and community engagement, helping global brands, sports teams, and nonprofits grow through creative collaborations and impactful campaigns. His career includes leadership roles with the Long Island Nets (BSE Global), the Dallas Wings & Panther City Lacrosse Club, and the Major League Baseball Players Association, where he built authentic connections between organizations, communities, and the audiences they serve.
At the Urban League of Long Island, Jordan channels his skills into expanding youth access to baseball, softball, and other sports programs while strengthening partnerships that uplift families and create long-term opportunities. His work consistently combines business strategy with heart, driving impact that goes far beyond the scoreboard.
A proud graduate of Bethune-Cookman University and Temple University, where he earned his Master’s in Sports Business and Athletic Administration, Jordan brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal passion to the Urban League’s mission of empowering communities and changing lives.
“Sports have always been more than a game for me, they’re a gateway to opportunity. My mission is to make sure every young person has the chance to step onto the field, discover their potential, and realize that they can win in life.”
— Jordan Thomas
Justin Williams
Foundations, Grants Management & Development Strategic Implementation
Justin Williams serves as the lead for Foundations, Grants Management & Development Strategic Implementation at the Urban League of Long Island, where he drives the organization’s philanthropic strategy, resource development, and long-term funding growth. A mission-focused strategist, Justin brings deep expertise in grant acquisition, donor engagement, and program development to advance the Urban League’s work across economic empowerment, education, community transformation, and workforce development.
With a strong background in higher education leadership and youth advancement, Justin has managed major state and federal grant initiatives, led multi-site college readiness programs, and overseen STEM-access projects for historically underserved students. His previous roles include Director of NYGEAR UP, Associate Director of the STEP Program at Nassau Community College, and Grant Manager & College/Career Readiness Instructor at Hempstead High School. In each position, he strengthened partnerships, implemented evidence-based strategies, and delivered measurable outcomes for students and families.
As founder of Policy Titans, Justin has also advised nonprofits nationwide on grant strategy, organizational development, and equity-centered program design—helping mission-driven organizations secure the funding needed to grow and innovate.
Justin’s academic journey includes studies in Comparative Religion at Princeton University, a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Rider University, and graduate studies in Political Science at Rutgers University. He is also the author of Reborn: The Virtues Constellation, a creative work that blends mythology, mental health themes, and personal storytelling to inspire readers on their own journeys of resilience and transformation.
Passionate, strategic, and community-driven, Justin Williams plays a vital role in strengthening the Urban League of Long Island’s capacity, expanding its reach, and securing the resources needed to uplift communities across Long Island.