About Us
Volunteers from the Mastermind Connect men’s collective go Camping to Connect in 2021
Camping to Connect is a program of the Young Masterminds Initiative, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded by members of Mastermind Connect, a collective of progressive men of color who believe in inspiring change by nurturing camaraderie, fostering accountability, and cultivating trust, leadership, and support.
Young Masterminds Initiative’s
Board of Directors and Officers
Manny Almonte (He/Him)
Founder, President and CEO
Manny Almonte, a passionate advocate for empowering men of color, is the visionary founder of both Mastermind Connect men's collective and the Young Masterminds Initiative nonprofit organization. Through these platforms, he curates transformative experiences, enabling men of color to forge profound connections with their passions, inner selves, and communities.
Manny's notable accomplishments include producing the award-winning, thought-provoking short film Wood Hood, which champions justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the outdoors. In recognition of his creativity, dedication, and steadfast commitment to changing the lives of young Black and Brown men and for his powerful work to increase access and inclusion for BIPOC youth in the outdoors through his Camping to Connect outdoor youth program, the National Recreation Foundation awarded Manny Almonte the 2023 Robert W. Crawford Achievement Prize.
Andy Isaacson (He/Him)
Board Member, External Relations Director
Andy Isaacson is a journalist, photographer, and creative producer who has reported from all seven continents for National Geographic, The New York Times, and many other publications. He also works with Shared_Studios, a company whose global network of immersive spaces, called Portals — placed in public parks, cultural institutions, and refugee camps in more than 50 sites worldwide — allow people from all walks of life to interact in meaningful ways across distances, as if in the same room. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Andy grew up hiking in the state parks of upstate New York, and loves sharing his passion for the outdoors with the youth that participate in Camping to Connect.
J.D. Weatherspoon (He/Him)
Board Member, Secretary, Curriculum Director
Globally-minded, grassroots-driven human catalyst and all around renaissance man, JD has played a hand in numerous initiatives and programs both domestically, and abroad. His field of expertise spans from peer education and youth mentoring, to program development and project management. A few of his exploits include the Harvard Center for AIDS Research (HUCFAR) "Forgotten Epidemic" project, the US Refugee Processing Center, El Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje, and the US Peace Corps (Cambodia). Also a co-founder of Mastermind Connect, JD now heads up the its development branch.
Brandon Slaughter (He/Him)
Board Member, Treasurer
For the past decade, Brandon has worked to improve education outcomes for young people through strategy, innovation, and leadership. Brandon's tenure in education has included a variety of roles and experiences both within nonprofits and public education. He began as a High School History Teacher in the Boston Public Schools and would go on to serve in a variety of roles both in Boston and in the NYC Department of Education including: Director of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs for BPS, Interim Acting Director of NYC's My Brother’s Keeper, and a Chief of Staff for the First Deputy Chancellor.
David Lopez, Esq. (He/Him)
Board Member and Legal Counsel
David is an attorney by trade, but an adventurer at heart. David graduated from Syracuse University in 2004, receiving a Bachelor of Arts, History and a Bachelor of Science, Political Science, magna cum laude.
David is an avid outdoorsman who is always looking for his next big adventure. His volunteer work with organizations such as YMI have given him an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young men of color. By sharing with them his love for the outdoors, David has learned the value of mentorship. David’s goal as a mentor is to lead and facilitate outdoor adventures for young men of color who are seeking to challenge themselves and expand their horizons.
Jamian C. Polk (He/Him)
Chair of Advisory Board
Jamian C. Polk, Chair of the Young Masterminds Initiative Board of Advisors, serves as the Managing Director at Microsoft. In this role, he oversees the Modern Work $1.8Bn Insurance and Capital Markets business and has been instrumental in launching Microsoft's innovative generative AI solutions, Microsoft 365 Copilot. His previous experience includes leading sales teams at startups backed by Sequoia and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z).
Beyond Microsoft, Jamian co-founded an angel syndication, focusing on FinTech, Sustainable tech, and Marketing startups, particularly those led by diverse entrepreneurs. As a founding Advisory Board Member of the Young Mastermind Initiative, he dedicates his expertise to developing leadership skills and self-awareness in young men of color. With over 17 years in the industry, Jamian's leadership extends beyond his professional achievements to his passion for community development and nurturing future leaders.