About Us:
Meet our diverse team of dynamic organization members, learn more about Umbrella Impact's story and hear from those we've touched through our community efforts!
June 2023 Update
New Location!
We are thrilled to announce that Umbrella Impact and ArtsWestCT has joined to occupy an office space at
377 Main Street, Suite 105, West Haven, CT!
Our space is conveniently located across from the West Haven Green and 2 doors down from City Hall. Our new location will serve as a hub for Umbrella Impact’s character building and financial literacy project and ArtsWestCT’s winning formula of bringing and supporting creativity and business development goals within the West Haven community.
Umbrella Impact is excited to embark on this journey and look forward to making a positive impact in the West Haven Community.
377 Main Street, #105
West Haven, CT
Meet the Team:
Nasiyra Clayton
President
United States Army, Retired
Sociology, BS - Criminal Justice Minor
"My goal is to assist in enhancing the lives of children and their families who have limited access. By fostering community engagement, bringing to light reachable goals through coaching and navigation, and presenting pathways for improving financial outcomes - I aspire to enhance individual character, collective responsibility, and ultimately put a crack in the wealth gap."
Debbie Boyd
Vice President
Deborah Boyd has over 15 years of diverse experience as a human resource professional. Her past employment includes teaching English as a second language and tutoring math in the public school system for grades 4-8. Deborah’s interest in childhood education stems from her own bilingual schooling in the city of Bridgeport, as well as in a rural school system in Puerto Rico. Her exposure to the challenges facing students with differing backgrounds has led her to educational service.
Deborah’s favorite quotes are from Pakistan activist for female education and Nobel Peace Prize Laurete, Malala Yousafzai, who said, “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen, can change the world.” Deborah is retired and enjoys long walks on the beach, cooking and traveling with her husband Tom. She is a mother of sons and has two incredible grandchildren.
Bill Christmas
Treasurer
Bill Christmas is an experienced Finance Manager with
experience in both finance and marketing.
Bill spent over three decades in the telecommunications industry. Starting his career at SNET as a competitive analyst, analyzing threats, competitors and opportunities at a time when the industry was transitioning from a monopolistic to competitive environment. His most recent position was as a business manager overseeing the AT&T international business portfolio. This entailed monthly revenue reconciliation and foreign exchange conversions.
Outside of corporate work, Bill has been active in the non-profit sector, having served on the
Board of the Urban League, Leeway, Sickle Cell of CT, AIDS Interfaith, and The Children Center. Bill has also been a mentor through the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Ashlee Ciliberti, MBA
Secretary
Throughout her professional career, Ashlee has held various roles in event planning, customer service operations, administrative roles, and most recently human resources. She really believes in the mission of Umbrella Impact and knows the value the program brings to the youth in the community. Having a hand in helping set the next generation up for success is very important to Ashlee, not only because her children are a part of it, but also because every child deserves the opportunity to learn key skills to bring them to their full potential.
Outside of work Ashlee is a mother to three young daughters.
Barbara McClane
Photographer
"The manifestation of my vision coming forth is what encouraged me to establish Barkel McClane photography in 2017. I am a self-taught entrepreneur with some university classes. I have tailored my hands and my vision to turn my dreams into a prolific work of art. Photos remind us of good times, special loved ones, and moments in times that have passed. This is the driving force for me - being able to capture these special times either at weddings, birthdays, engagements, birth announcements or in my studio.
I ensure professionalism, quality products, and professional editing. I have been given a talent and I feel honored to share my creative spirit with others in my community and throughout the world."
Elinor Slomba
Collaborating Partner
President - ArtsWestCT
Our Origin Story:
Prior to reorganizing and applying for non-profit status, the Umbrella Impact Project began as a proposed charitable fundraising mission written by Nasiyra Clayton. Under the Christian Love Center Church (CLC) in the West River district of New Haven, CT, the initial purpose and goal of the ministry was to enhance the lives of youth in the church by raising funds to award their academic achievements. The fundraising ministry and committee was formed and decided to reach more youth therefore and adopted a class at the nearest school - Barnard Environmental Magnet School. The ministry adopted a Special Ed class in Barnard and, by using a non profit organization outside of the church that donates to classrooms directly, we were able to provide Chrome books for the class. In addition to that success, the fundraising ministry raised funds to purchase several adaptive equipment items for the students diagnosed with ADHD, ID, and those suffering from trauma.
The Pandemic caused the church and the mission to cease its efforts in all matters. However, while isolation was inevitable for everyone, Nasiyra decided to keep the mission alive and broaden it to reach all youth in cities of New Haven and West Haven once the pandemic was over. Umbrella Impact was birthed to become a 501c3 non-profit with a mission, not only to award students with incentives for academic progress but to empower students by addressing character, community, and financial skills. Students in families with low to moderate income households are the focal audience. Umbrella Impact recognizes academic education to be the cornerstone of successful minds coupled with character building and community consciousness as extra tools for success for the individual, family, community.
Umbrella Impact also recognizes the disparities in the black, brown, and underserved communities that would benefit from addressing the wealth gap and the need to enlighten the youth in business ownership and wealth creation. Therefore Umbrella Impact grass-roots approach was set in motion.
Testimonials:
Kiley Strong
"These past few years have been a bit of a struggle, but I can definitely say it was worth it! Attending a private all girls school was not easy, however now I am grateful to say I attend one of the best business schools in the country where I am constantly offered job opportunities-even as a freshman.
Howard’s School of Business consists of over 20 plus corporate sponsors that visit the campus weekly. Therefore, we are handed opportunities to network in ways that will make us successful.
I am so grateful for the grant I received from Umbrella Impact when they were with Christian Love Center
and I was a high school senior.
Going through a private school with the level of rigor that I did was expensive; essentially the award that was given to me made it easier for me to focus on my goals more than financial stability. Now I am a freshman majoring in finance at one of the top historically black college or university (HBCU) schools in the country. One day I pray I can contribute and give back to organizations like Umbrella Impact once did."
Jayda Ciliberti
From Jayda's Mother:
"Jayda, a now 11- year old 6th grader at Carrigan intermediate School in West Haven, received a monetary award towards an extracurricular activity for her community service efforts and academic success in 2019 from Umbrella Impact.
Jayda participated in a bottle return community service effort. She also excels at school, maintaining an A/B average in all of her classes.
She has been playing soccer since the age of 6. She used her award towards another season of playing the sport she loves. Fast forward 2 years later and she is still playing soccer and now is on the travel competition team for the City of West Haven.
Jayda continues to achieve academic success and looks forward continuing to be a part of Umbrella Impact."
