MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND mssi

OUR BOARD members

We are a group of  dedicated men and women from diverse cultural, ethnic, financial and educational backgrounds, who volunteer their time to serving the community and improving the lives of those around us

President

Tracy Atkins-Elabida

Tracy is committed to engaging in work that fosters the social-emotional and spiritual well-being of individuals, children, families, and communities. Tracy also has a keen interest in initiatives and work that supports academic achievement, professional learning, and community service. During her career as an educator with the New York City Department of Education, Tracy served as a teacher, attendance improvement dropout prevention coordinator, assistant principal, talent coach, and teacher development and evaluation coach. Tracy retired from the NYCDOE while serving as a Director of School Improvement. In recent years, Tracy was a member of the New York State Education Department’s Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Advisory Panel and co-chair of the Equity Alliance of Staten Island. Tracy is a certified Compassionate Systems Master Practitioner and is also committed to using the Courageous Conversation About Race protocol to guide her practice. Tracy believes in the promise and power of both anticipated and unforeseen experiences to foster individual and collective well-being and transformation, equity, and a sustainable future. Prior to serving as president of Muslim Sisters of Staten Island, Tracy was the recording secretary.

Board Secretary

Samiyah Ametov

Specializing in office administration, Samiyah brings to MSSI over 12 years of experience as a Government/Non-Profit Sector Administrative Assistant. 

By focusing on organizational structure, capacity building, and time management systems, the role of Board Secretary ensures that MSSI can deliver vital programs and maintain connections with our growing community.

CFO/Treasurer

Amal Mgaresh

MBA- with over ten years of accounting experience.
Amal Mgaresh is a Finance professional and mother. She has worked closely with survivors of homelessness and domestic violence by creating workshops that help support families to become financially literate and confident. Giving back and supporting the community is a significant aspect of her faith and helps her feel closer to her creator. As a board member of MISSI, she brings over 12 years of finance and accounting experience from the Corporate and Non-Profit sectors focusing on Financial Reporting, Budgeting, and Business Strategy. 

Board Member

Hina Naveed

Hina Naveed- RN JD Affiliate La Colmena, is a Registered Nurse, NYS License attorney. and Bar certified Lawyer. She has experience in Healthcare. Social Justice. Hina volunteered on the front lines during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as an NYC Medical Reserve Corps member. Hina is a fervent advocate of immigrant rights and for righting inequities in health care.

Board Member

Hamza Abdul-Latif

Hamza Abdul-Latif- Affiliate – Majudus Sabur
Member since 2016, Electrician by trade. People’s advocate, founding board member, and Ameer of Masjidus Sabur, Bronx. His vast community experiences have led him to leadership roles, such as Naib at Masjidus Sabur counselor, weekend school teacher, his recent role played was Interim Board Chair of Muslim Sisters of Staten Island. 

Board Member

Amany Abouelkhir

Chair of Special needs services 
Amany Abouelkhir has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration- She is an activist for individuals with disabilities. Affiliation: Center for the independence of the disabled, New York

She works as a benefits counselor and community outreach with the Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY.

Her passion for public service has led to her advocacy work. She prides herself in advocating for individuals with disabilities and/ chronic health conditions with various needs. Amany has served as a student representative for CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities to represent all CUNY colleges. She has worked with the Deaf Justice Coalition to develop a survey to monitor the successes and failures of the City’s new Text-to 911 program every year and has been involved in the development and staff training at LSNYC and for the Family Justice Center throughout five boroughs.

Board Member

Shahana Masum

Shahana Masum- Affiliate with Bangladeshi American, Advocacy Group (B.A.A.G.), and M.U.N.A. Inc. (Muslim Ummah of North America). 
Social work as a profession for the last 11+ years. She has been serving her community with local organizations, for the last 24 years,

She received a Certificate of Appreciation from the New York City Police Department, Community Affairs Bureau 2016. Another award from City of New York Comptroller, Scott M. Stringer 2015 for decades of extensive service to a community organization.

Board Member

Sadeaqah Adi

Sadeaqah Adi- Affiliate- Northwell health -SIUH

Health and Wellness Chair

Sadeaqah has a bachelor’s degree in Public Health, and a Master’s degree in Nursing  – She has been with SIUH for 10 years, working in community health and preventive medicine. Her focus is helping the community – chronic illness, health education, and wellness. 

Board Member

Husniyah Hassan

Trinidad-born Husniyah moved to the US in 2016 after attending the University of the West Indies to pursue her Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature with Education. Her life has always been governed by education and community work. Daughter of a teacher and one of the founding members of Halimah’s Helping Hands, a non-profit organisation in Trinidad geared towards providing educational supplies for children in need. 

Her work experience in Accounting enforced her attention to detail and gave her practical awareness of the financial intricacies of money matters. Whether volunteering at her masjid or her school, she always fought to assist those less fortunate in society. Program Assistant at the Staten Island Community Partnership Program.

MEET OUR Executive team

We are a group of  dedicated men and women from diverse cultural, ethnic, financial and educational backgrounds, who volunteer their time to serving the community and improving the lives of those around us

FOUNDER / CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SAFIYYAH ABDUL- QAWIYY

Safiyyah Abdul-Qawiyy – MSEd
Immigrant, Founding board member of Muslim Sisters of Staten. Her passion for women empowerment and support for children lead her to start the Muslim Sisters of Staten Island 8 years ago. Safiyyah is a mother and Grand Mother. She has served as Girl Scout leader of greater New York for over 12 years Safiyyah, served as a Girlscout leader for the first Muslim Girlscout troops on Staten Island. She has also worked as an adjunct professor at the College of Staten Island. Works as a Care Team Supervisor at a local health care facility, and currently serves as board secretary of Majlis As- shura New York.

GOASI Con Assistant

Cheyenne Clardy

She is an aspiring global psychologist, writer (authored 2 books) poet, and activist. She earned her Bachelors’s degree in International Studies at the College of Staten Island and her Masters in Psychology at Pace University.

Arts and Culture Director/ GOASI Con Chair

Najah Abdul-Qawiyy

Najah Abdul-Qawiyy – Poet, Artist, Masters degree in Art therapy. Creator GOASI Con 

Najah’s poems have been featured in 2 anthologies, She has advocated for and participated in social justice causes, performed in various poetry platforms.

Prior to serving as, Arts and Culture Director, Najah has served on MSSI’s Board at as secretary, Social media director and more