After-School Leadership
Moyo Afolabi
Director of Elementary After-School Programs
Moyo's passion for youth development began in his early teenage years. Having personally benefited from after-school programs and summer camps, he developed a deep appreciation for the transformative impact that high-quality youth programming can have on young people's lives. He began his career as a counselor with community-based organizations, including the YMCA and Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx, where he built the foundation for a lifelong commitment to serving youth.
While earning his bachelor's degree in economics from Wheaton College, Moyo complemented his studies with coursework in child development. It was during this time that he realized youth development was the most meaningful way he could invest in and give back to his community.
After graduating, Moyo returned to New York and joined Manhattan Youth as a Teaching Assistant and Activity Specialist at City Knoll Middle School. In his third year, he was promoted to Program Director, a role he held for four years, leading one of the organization's model middle school programs. He then served as a Multi-Site Supervisor for four years, overseeing operations, staff development, compliance, and program quality across more than five middle school sites.
With over a decade of experience at Manhattan Youth, Moyo now serves as the Department Head of Elementary Programs. In this role, he partners with school leaders, families, and staff to strengthen programming, develop future leaders, and ensure students across the city have access to safe, engaging, and enriching after-school experiences. His leadership is grounded in collaboration, continuous improvement, and a belief that every child deserves opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive beyond the school day.
×Gabi Ajami
Deputy Director of Elementary After School Programs
Working with Manhattan Youth since 1998, Gabi spent several years as Director of our IS 289 After-School Program, Summer Camp Director and many other roles at Manhattan Youth. Her extensive experience in youth and recreation programs compliment her enthusiasm for working with our children, families, and staff. Gabi works closely with our site directors, specialty staff, and counselors to ensure that we provide a safe, exciting, and fun-filled environment for our campers.
×Tiffany Keitt
Deputy Director of Elementary After-School Programs
Tiffany has been working in after-school programming since she was a fifteen-year-old Counselor-in-Training. She later went on to obtain her Bachelor of Arts from Lehman College and later her Masters in Public Administration from the Colin Powell School at City College. Before coming to Manhattan Youth in 2018, she served as a Program Director at The YWCA in Coney Island and The New York Mission Society in Harlem.
Tiffany takes pride in spending her day focusing on the social-emotional development of her students. Having participated in a CBO through her developmental years, she developed her passion for representing leaders who looked like her in spaces they didn’t frequent. She loves providing youth with resources and opportunities they may need more of within their three to four-block radius.
Outside of program, Tiffany enjoys reading and cooking.
× Elementary School Site Directors
Jason Lumpkin
After-School Site Director
DCC Afterschool
Jason Lumpkin
After-School Site Director
DCC Afterschool
Office: 347-846-0620, Site Phone: 646-629-8929
Email
Jason assumes the role of the DCC Afterschool Site Director after a long career at Manhattan Youth, with duties ranging from head counselor to club teacher to Downtown Basketball League coach to MY Athletic Coordinator to P.S. 234 Site Director. Beyond the field of education, Jason has extensive experience as an Event Manager and Production Assistant, working on such projects as the US Open (NYC), the TOUR Championship (Atlanta, GA), the PGA Championship (Minneapolis, MN), US Open Men's Golf Championship (Bethpage, NY), the Tribeca Film Festival (NYC), and the Ryder Cup (Louisville, KY). During his spare time, Jason enjoys playing sports and spending time with his family.
×Brad Lewis
After-School Site Director
PS 276
Brad joins Manhattan Youth after successfully directing the after-school and summer programs at the Franciscan Community Center on the upper west side. Before diving in to the after-school world, Brad taught high school in both Long Island City and Seattle. During his Seattle years (sipping great coffee and enjoying seafood) he also gained valuable experience with Amazon doing customer service and in another tech company in a sales role. Yet education and serving kids and families remained his central passion which he brought to New York City when he and his wife moved here in 2013. During his spare time, Brad enjoys travel whenever possible, tennis, running, cheering on his hometown Seattle sports teams, and taking in all variety of arts and culture (and food) around NYC
×Noelle Safar
Program Director
PS 234
Noelle holds her Master's Degree in Elementary Education and comes to us with years of experience being the Educational Director of The Barclay Street School in Tribeca and at The Ivy League Early Learning Academy in Chelsea. Before working in education, she co-owned a hair salon with her sister in South Beach, Miami. During her spare time, Noelle enjoys playing sports, traveling, and spending time with her family.
×Kara Spencer
Program Director
The River School
Kara started working in youth development at the age of sixteen in after-school programs and summer camps. She joined Manhattan Youth in 2016, first as an activity specialist and then later as a program director for 289 and then Lab before coming to The River School. Each year, Kara continues to grow her program and relationships with the community. She loves sharing her passions through the after-school schedule and curriculum, and she always welcomes new ideas for classes in arts, STEM, sports, and more.
She enjoys the energy and creativity of working with young people, and hopes they take their leadership and teamwork skills with them as they progress through their educatio
×Daniel Garcia
Assistant Director
The River School
Daniel came to Manhattan Youth in 2017 as a teaching assistant, which he did for six years, assisting with many of the school’s sports teams. He was promoted to assistant director in 2024.
At The River School, Daniel’s interest in technology enables him to bridge generational gaps, as he can discuss the latest trends and tools that resonate with his students. His interest in sports also allows him to relate to young people through shared experiences in teamwork, competition, and perseverance.
Outside of work, Daniel is passionate about sports and technology.
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