Who We Are
ROC the Future Alliance
ROC the Future Alliance is a partnership of leading institutions and organizations that promotes the alignment of community resources to improve the academic achievement of Rochester’s children. We find our success through a collective impact approach. We recognize that no one individual or business can accomplish significant change alone–which is why our funders, providers, and staff members work toward a common goal. Collectively, we create opportunities for success for every child.
Our Story
Inception of ROC the Future
2011
ROC the Future Alliance was initiated by Monroe Community College, the Rochester City School District, and the United Way. Community-wide sessions were held to communicate intentions and gauge interest and feedback. As a result, the conveners selected third-grade literacy as the starting point of this work.
Transition to The Children’s Agenda
2013
ROC the Future Alliance appointed The Children’s Agenda to serve as the backbone organization and identified Dr. Leonard Brock as the first full-time director of the alliance.
Expansion of the Backbone Team
2015
The second director was hired, Jackie Campbell, and over the span of six years, ROC the Future Alliance hired six dedicated team members to build the Backbone Team.
Parent Engagement Collaborative Action Network (PECAN) Started
2016
In collaboration with the National Parent Leadership Institute, PECAN became the table where parents come together to inform systems-level change for improvements in cradle-to-career outcomes.
Launch of the HS Graduation Outcomes Team
2017
Factors are studied that contribute to on-time graduation from high school. Graduating from high school increases a student’s ability to gain employment, improve their earning potential, influence peers to pursue graduation, and more.
Launch Early Grade Literacy Outcomes Team
2018
Early grade reading is vital for each child’s ongoing academic endeavors. Reading is vital across all subjects, and lagging behind will affect student success significantly as they progress through middle and high school. ROC the Future Alliance is getting ahead of this issue by targeting reading by third grade.
StriveTogether Courage in Leadership Award
2019
At the tenth annual Cradle to Career Network Convening, StriveTogether recognized ROC the Future Alliance as the inaugural recipient of the Nancy Zimpher Courage in Leadership award.
Youth Leadership Coalition started
2020
Leveraging a national partnership with SpreadKarma Collective from Baltimore, MD, Kilolo Moyo-White, ROC the Future’s Family and Community Engagement Specialist, developed a “Train the Trainer” Youth Leadership Curriculum.
$1.5 Million Grant for Get Ready to GROW
2020
Congressman Joe Morelle announced a $1.5 million grant to help expand services for Get Ready to GROW, an initiative in which we provide free developmental checks and follow-up support for children ages one to five years.
Racial Equity Statement Published
2020
In response to the Black Agenda Group’s declaration of “Racism is a Public Health Crisis,” we published a statement on the need for racial equity in our community.
Transition to Children’s Institute
2021
As a result of COVID-19 pandemic impacts on our community and the move toward a more digital world, the Children’s Institute welcomed ROC the Future Alliance to greater support our efforts for systemic change.
The ROC the Future Alliance received $1.55 million for the Whole Child Initiative
2022
Initiative to realize transformative change in the system of support for parents, families, and children, prenatal to age 8. ROC the Future Alliance’s third director was hired, Brian Lewis.
Parent/Family Partner Power Cornerstones
2023
1. Recognizing and challenging power imbalances.
2. Holding lived experience as expertise.
3. Creating racial equity by partnering with those most impacted by decisions in decision making.
ROC the Future Alliance achieves Systems Change designation
2024
This advanced designation is reserved for members of the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network that are shifting policies, practices, resources and power structures to advance equitable outcomes for youth and families of color and those experiencing poverty.
Brian Lewis
Executive Director
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In my role, I am accountable for ensuring ROC the Future Alliance’s strategic direction is aligned with our mission and vision. As a collective, we effectively utilize a collective impact approach while centering the perspective and lived experience of our community to improve cradle to career education outcomes for all of Rochester’s youth and families.
Why am I passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes?
I’m passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes because…”what matters is not to know the world, but to change it” – Frantz Fanon
Contact Brian at blewis@rocthefuture.org
Willie Robinson, Jr.
Operations Director
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I am responsible for directing backbone functioning, processes & procedures, and strategic alignment of internal work. Critical functions include, recruitment, hiring and onboarding, staff supervision, contract development and oversight.
Why am I passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes?
I’m passionate about transforming systems because it not only impacts the lives of current generations but it also sets the framework and opportunities for future generations. In our work, we are intentional about allowing parents and youth impacted by the systems we seek to change, to not only inform the work of the alliance but to lead the work.
Contact Willie at: wrobinson@rocthefuture.org
Sara White-Smith
Director of Collective Impact
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In my role as Collective Impact Director, I provide project management for the Whole Child Initiative.
Why am I passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes?
The Whole Child Initiative is committed to reimaging systems that affect our most precious and vulnerable resource, our children and improve the outcomes. I am passionate about transforming systems to improve systems because I believe that if we are to bring about true and sustainable systemic change in our community then we must focus on equity, specifically racial equity while also building the power of the parents of our children.
Contact Sara at: swhitesmith@rocthefuture.org
Briana Peterson-Scott
Executive Administrative Assistant
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In my role, I provide administrative support to the Whole Child Initiative Director.
Why am I passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes?
I’m passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes because I believe it will create a just and equitable future for generations to come.
Contact Briana at bscott@rocthefuture.org
Teara Davis
Family and Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.) Manager
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As F.A.C.E. Manager, I support the continued development of P.E.C.A.N. and its strategic goals and objectives. I develop and maintain relationships between ROC the Future Alliance, parent/family partners, stakeholders and the community at large.
Why am I passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes?
I’m passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes because high quality education is a fundamental right that every child deserves. I believe that prioritizing racial equity and empowering communities to create a more inclusive and collaborative learning environment is the key.
Contact Teara at tdavis@rocthefuture.org
Jessica Lewis
Communications Manager
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Why am I passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes?
I’m passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes because all kids deserve a world where their potential is not dictated by race, ethnicity, zip code or circumstance.
Contact Jessica at jlewis@rocthefuture.org
Chakeva Miller
Family and Community Engagement Specialist
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As a family and community engagement specialist, I collectively work with Parent/Family Partners to ensure the goals of the Whole Child Initiative.
Why am I passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes?
I’m passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes because treating the Whole Child is essential to academic success. Racial equity and inclusion for children and families is imperative as it fosters the development of safe, empowered, and trusting communities.
Contact Chakeva at
Ryan Lavoie
Continuous Improvement Specialist
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I work to ensure efficiency of alliance operations through a PDSA (plan, do, study, act) approach, implement and refine internal Backbone systems, and promote systems level action at Outcomes Teams by utilizing a results based facilitation framework.
Why am I passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes?
Every child deserves to grow up in a community where they feel happy, fulfilled, and supported, and I believe in a vision of Rochester that centers family voice by investing in the community and ensuring that those most impacted by decisions are at the forefront of decision-making.
Contact Ryan at rlavoie@rocthefuture.org
Nidia Benitez
Continuous Improvement Specialist
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I am responsible for analyzing and improving processes and systems to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Why am I passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes?
I’m passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes because I’m invested in the betterment of our youth.
Contact Nidia at nbenitez@rocthefuture.org
James Ross
Data Analysis Specialist
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Data analysis is the process of gleaning insights from data to inform better decisions. Responsible for identifying, collecting, inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making.
Why am I passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes?
I am passionate about transforming systems because I believe that every individual should have equity in their educational journey and career path.
Contact James at jross@rocthefuture.org
Kimberly Felton
Family and Community Engagement Specialist
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As a Family and Community Engagement Specialist, I work hand in hand with our invaluable parent/family, youth, community, and systems partners. Together, we work to eliminate systemic barriers and create racial equity to ensure that the community has a seat at the decision-making table for the success of every child.
Why am I passionate about transforming systems to improve education outcomes?
There is power in numbers. Collective impact allows us to transform systems by eliminating systemic barriers which is a crucial step in creating racial equity. Transforming systems gives our youth a future and a hope. It gets to the root of the problem and ensures that our children, our future leaders, receive equitable education and are supported and prepared for success from cradle to career.
Contact Kimberly at kfelton@rocthefuture.org
Chairs
Dr. Lorna Washington
ROC the Future Alliance Board Chair
Senior Program Officer, William and Sheila Konar Foundation
Dr. Shaun Nelms
Vice President for Community Partnerships, University of Rochester
Dr. Roosevelt Mareus
Executive Director and Dean of REOC
Dr. Shirley Green
Secretary
Commissioner of Department of Recreation and Human Services, City of Rochester
ROC the Future Alliance Convening Organizations
Funders
Careers
We are always looking to welcome committed leaders to our team. If you are interested in exploring open positions or learning more about our careers, visit our LinkedIn page.
Contact our team or call us for more information about joining ROC the Future Alliance.