Content Creators Academy (CCAJC) is a labor of love. When I thought of the idea almost a year ago, I knew that in order to make things happen I needed to do it with people who already make an impact in this community. The first person on my list was Brian Platt, Jersey City Director of the Office of Innovation.

Two years ago, Brian messaged me on Facebook and asked to meet me for coffee, and since then we’ve been great friends. Brian has done amazing things for Jersey City and he is really just the kindest (and dorkiest) person I know. I called him right away, told him my ideas and asked him to be on the board. He gave me a high five and said, “Let’s do it.”

Then came Marelyn Rivera, fellow boss lady and bad ass entrepreneur who is also a dear friend. I’ve known Marelyn for longer than most people I do business with. Marelyn actually helped me plan ChicpeaJC Turns One! We’ve worked together, cried together, laughed together, we’ve been through it all. Now Marelyn is also extremely involved in the community, she basically knows everyone who is worth knowing and she has a lot of experience with non-profit organizations. She was an obvious choice. When I told her my ideas, she was so on board and pushed me to keep going when I felt like things weren’t going well.

Then came Angela McKnight. Angela is a force to be reckoned with, she is someone I really look up to. Angela’s resume is really impressive, she has around 10 jobs (not even exaggerating) which includes being an Assemblywoman and the founder of AngelaCares, a non-profit organization that supports seniors in Jersey City (amongst other things). Since she is obviously so incredibly busy, I didn’t think she would agree to be on the board. When we met and I told her my ideas, she lit up. Angela believed in me and the academy, and for that I will be forever grateful. When she agreed to be on the board, that is what solidified this whole journey for me.

Last but not least – Bryan Kuan. Bryan runs a high-profile production company Premiere Vibes. I met him over the summer and we hit it off right away. Since then we worked together on many successful events, most notably Terminal of Terror which brought in around 2,500 people. Bryan has a huge heart and he’s an incredible business man. When I told him about the Academy, he said “What can I do to help?” The rest is history.

So meet the board members of Content Creators Academy, which will officially launch May 13th at ChicpeaJC Turns 3.

We are still looking for one or two board members to complete the theme. We are looking for someone with a strong background in Digital Media and Content Creation. Email info@ccajc.org.

Find more information on ChicpeaJC Turns 3 and the launch of CCAJC on Facebook.

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Angela V. McKnight is the newly elected, 1st African American Assemblywoman for the 31st District for the state of New Jersey. She belongs to the Education Health committee, the Senior Services and Human Services committee, and is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA). She is also the Carepreneur, who is the Founder & CEO of the 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization AngelaCARES, Inc., an organization meant to serve as an advocate and support system for senior citizens, their caregivers, and a mentor to the youth by educating and empowering them to volunteer. Angela is the owner of Care About You, LLC, which provides consultant services for the elderly population.

Angela does it all. She’s an activist, advocate, author, entrepreneur, mentor, educator, innovator, trainer who possesses a BS in Business Management from University of Phoenix, 25+ years of experience working in the customer service arena, and so much more. She finds it important to work with people, care for others, and empower people, and it’s visible in everything she does for this community.

Brian Platt is the Jersey City Director of the Office of Innovation and has worked under Mayor Steven Fulop since 2013.  Brian previously worked for McKinsey & Company, taught kindergarten in Newark, NJ with Teach For America, ascended to the rank of Captain of his local volunteer Fire Department, and recently completed his Masters in Public Administration at Columbia University.

Currently, Brian is also a volunteer emergency medical responder with United Rescue, serves as President and co-founder of the Hudson County Young Democrats, and teaches Olympic weightlifting at Crossfit Jersey City.

Marelyn Rivera is an entrepreneur/small business owner, digital marketing professional, and community activist in Hudson County, New Jersey, where she is presently a county legislative staffer – Chief of Staff to County Freeholder Anthony Romano. She oversees constituent and media relations, district office operations, and liaising with the County Executive, county departments, and local, state, and federal elected officials and government agencies in an effort to better the lives of the citizens of Hudson County.

In addition, since 2011, Marelyn has been the CEO of Allure Consultants, an event planning, digital media, and business development firm where the clientele has included municipal and county political candidates, state legislators, small and midsize businesses. She is also presently on the Board of Directors of Party With Purpose and the Hudson County Young Democrats, and she actively volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties and the Jersey City Youth Foundation.

Bryan Kuan (Event Producer/Designer), a New York native, has been part of the hospitality and event industry since a very young age.  Coming from a proud family of hospitality professionals and culinary specialists, Bryan has parlayed his inherent skill-set of catering to guests and clients to serve the event and entertainment world.

Bryan has produced events for several high-profile clients, corporations, hotels, restaurants, and event-planners. Finding the creative value and unique identity of an event is what Bryan strives for. In addition to being the owner and Event Producer for Premiere Vibes, Bryan is also a partner for weddings at Platinum Entertainment, as well as a operating partner in Partners In Sound Productions, NJ.  Aside from event production and event design, Bryan‘s entrepreneur mindset has driven him to own/invest into several small businesses and investment opportunities that span from restaurants, real-estate, commercial laundry facilities, to independent consulting.

Bryan is thrilled to be on the board of the Content Creators Academy!  Helping others progress with their own creativity is something Bryan is truly humbled to be part of.