Alicka Ampry-Samuel

Former NYC Council Member & Presidential Appointee; SSP Alumna

Alicka Ampry-Samuel has dedicated more than 25 years to transforming the lives of individuals, families, and organizations in housing and community development.

Growing up in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood, Alicka developed the grit and determination that would drive her success. Brownsville faces some of the highest disparities in housing, unemployment, crime, education, and social determinants of health. Yet, despite these challenges, her mother ensured she had access to better educational opportunities by enrolling her in public schools outside their neighborhood. Facing family challenges that led to involvement with social services, Alicka turned tragedy into triumph by securing a Student Sponsor Partners (SSP) scholarship, setting her on a path to higher education.

She graduated from St. Michael Academy in 1994 and earned a degree from North Carolina A&T State University, followed by a Juris Doctor from the City University of New York School of Law. Her passion for social justice led her to serve three years at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, focusing on human rights and humanitarian aid. Upon returning to the U.S., she took on leadership roles as Chief of Staff in the New York State Assembly and as a senior official at the NYC Housing Authority.

In 2017, Alicka was elected to the New York City Council, representing Brooklyn’s 41st District—including her beloved Brownsville, home to the highest concentration of public housing in North America. Her dedication to her community earned her the role of Deputy Leader and Chair of the Public Housing Committee.

In 2022, President Biden appointed Alicka as HUD Regional Administrator for Region II, overseeing housing programs in New York and New Jersey. Having grown up in public housing herself, she brings a deep, personal understanding of the challenges faced by HUD’s most vulnerable residents.

Ne’Kiya Jackson

Student, Xavier University of Louisiana

Ne’Kiya Jackson is a sophomore at Xavier University of Louisiana with a passion for research, science, and the humanities. While a student at St. Mary’s Academy High School in New Orleans, they worked on an innovative proof of Pythagoras’ theorem alongside their advisor and classmate Calcea Johnson. The proof, which avoids circular reasoning, demonstrated their ability to approach complex problems with creativity and logic.

With aspirations to become a Doctor of Pharmacy, they are dedicated to exploring the intersection of healthcare, innovation, and society. Their curiosity drives them to seek out new learning opportunities, engage in research, and contribute to academic and professional spaces that promote meaningful impact. Beyond their studies, Ne’Kiya Jackson enjoys delving into history, mythology, and cultural narratives, always eager to broaden their perspective and connect ideas across disciplines.

Ne’kiya and Calcea were featured on 60 Minutes, or read about their accomplishments on CNN.

Calcea Johnson

Student, Louisiana State University Ogden Honors College

Calcea Johnson is a junior studying Environmental Engineering at Louisiana State University’s Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College. She has always had a passion for STEM and STEAM because of the resources provided to her through Girl Scouts and programs hosted by her community. In 2023, she graduated from St. Mary’s Academy High School in New Orleans as Valedictorian. She also worked on creating novel proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem in her senior year of high school alongside Ne’Kiya Jackson and their advisor. In her freshman year of college, their joint findings were published in the most widely read math journal in the world: The American Mathematical Monthly. This achievement garnered worldwide attention, with recognitions from First Lady Michelle Obama, South Korean math magazines, the NAACP, and many more.

Calcea firmly believes in the power of education because of the myriad of opportunities it has provided her. She studied abroad in Paris, France in her second semester of college — an experience she never believed she would have. In addition to her studies, Calcea is employed at the 3D Fabrication Laboratory at Louisiana State University. She is an active member of her campus community as a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, Coalition of Black Women Engineers, National Action Council of Minorities in Engineering, and more. In her spare time, whenever that may be, her hobbies include playing video games, listening to K-Pop, and crocheting.

Ne’kiya and Calcea were featured on 60 Minutes, or read about their accomplishments on CNN.