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!
Meet the Team:
Nasiyra Clayton, LMSW
President
United States Army, Retired
"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."
Gina Connolly, LCSW
Vice-Chairperson (Youth Services & Fundraising)
Gina Connolly has 6 years of experience working with children and their families in a
variety of different settings. She is a licensed clinical social worker at a children’s
psychiatric residential facility, where she leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to
improving the emotional and psychological well-being of children and adolescents.
Through this work, Gina has helped many youths build skills, gain confidence, and
achieve academic and personal goals to help them be successful. Gina believes in the
mission of Umbrella Impact and sees the value of this program and its ability to
empower the youth in our community to thrive and lead.
John Thigpen
Vice-Chairperson (Community Services & Family Relations)
I am John Thigpen, a seasoned entrepreneur whose journey began in childhood with an unwavering belief in my ability to achieve whatever I set my mind and actions to. Guided by the principle "Faith without works is dead," I am passionate about lifelong learning and strive to inspire young minds in the 10 to Win program with my motto, "Nothing is a failure when you try," a lesson my mother instilled in me. My mission is to navigate the fear of both success and failure, and I attribute much of my growth to my supportive family, who continue to inspire generosity and community care. I champion the belief that wealth encompasses more than financial prosperity, including the success of paying it forward and enriching others' lives.
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."
Elinor Slomba
Collaborating Partner
President - ArtsWestCT
ArtsWestCT is a public-facing arts service organization in West Haven, CT. Its mission is to center creative expression and performance by and for the West Haven community. ArtsWestCT is governed by a Board of Directors and assisted by numerous advisors.
Kamara Taylor
Research Specialist
Kam brings a dynamic and passionate spirit to our program. Her ambition and relentless drive set her apart as a leader and innovator. Over the years, Kam has consistently demonstrated a commitment to personal growth, turning challenges into opportunities for advancement. Her demonstration of commitment and her drive is an example for our youth. Kam’s journey underscores the importance of perseverance, making her a beacon inspiring young leaders and an inspiring figure for our stakeholders.
Now Offering Therapy Services:
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 were 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 their 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 the 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, and 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's 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.
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
"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."
