Mentoring Young Men
in Various Aspects of Life
Mentoring Young Men
in Various Aspects of Life
How We Came to Be
How We Came to Be
The Baldwin Legacy Project started with a vision by President Mario Simmons. He envisioned a place where young men would receive mentoring fostering good citizenship. Along the way, he elicited the help of Craig Miller, Jeffrey Williams and Brian Lawrence to carry out the mission.
These men formed a team of Dads with a history of service to the community. Combined they have more than 30 years of community service and leadership.
As Dads, we chose to mentor as a way of contributing and giving back to the community. Our current target ranges from the high school honors student, star athlete, or a celebrated musician to the student that may be overlooked because his gifts, talents or abilities have not yet been discovered.
We seek to impart the importance of community involvement and expose our mentees to motivational professionals by way of our speakers series. We encourage them to realize their goals through proper planning and self-reliance.
Board Members
Board Members
Mario E. Simmons, President
Mario E. Simmons, President
Mario E. Simmons is a native New Yorker and has been a Baldwin resident for more than 2 decades. He graduated from Marist College in Poughkeepsie New York with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Mario then received his law degree from Pace University School of Law.
Mario has been a practicing litigator for more than 25 years. He was a prosecutor with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and worked at a large law firm in New York City.
He currently serves as the Section Chief of the Medical Malpractice unit of the New York State Attorney General’s Office.
Mario has also been active in the community over the years. A former soccer coach with the Baldwin Eagles, he has served on the executive boards of the PTA of the Baldwin School District as Legislative VP at Lenox Elementary, Baldwin Middle School, Baldwin High School, and Baldwin District Council.
Mario’s civic engagement also includes serving on the Board of Directors of the United Black Golfer’s Association, where he also serves on the organization’s scholarship committee. He has two children with Dr. Nichelle Simmons. Both his son and daughter graduated from Baldwin High School.
Craig H. Miller, Vice President
Craig H. Miller, Vice President
Craig Miller is a third-generation Long Islander. He is a graduate of the State University of New York College at Old Westbury with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. In addition, Craig has also earned a Graduate certificate from Cornell University in Management.
Craig is a Human Capital Management Software Consultant. He’s also a Group leader and Facilitator for the International Christian Brotherhood Men’s Ministry at Christian Cultural Center located in Brooklyn, New York. Craig has served the Baldwin community as VP of Health and Safety for Lenox Elementary School’s PTA and VP of Ways and Means for the Baldwin High School PTA. He also served on the PTA Executive board at both schools.
Craig is married to Vernette Miller. Together they have 3 sons who are proud graduates of Baldwin High School. Craig and Vernette have both been bestowed with honorary lifetime membership in the New York State Council of PTA’s.
Jeffrey C. Williams, Treasurer
Jeffrey C. Williams, Treasurer
Jeffrey C. Williams, Sr. grew up in Queens, New York. He graduated from the NYC public school system and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance from Bernard M. Baruch College CUNY. Jeff also holds a master’s degree in religious education. He is employed as an Investigator with the NYS Office of Employee Relations. He's worked in NYS State Government for over 19 years.
Prior to working in Government, Jeff spent over 10 years in public accounting.
In 2003, Jeff became a Freeport/Baldwin area resident where he was continuously involved in several volunteer organizations, including Treasurer in the Baldwin school district PTA. He piloted a financial literacy group for grade-school children. He and his wife Tanya are the proud parents of five Baldwin High School graduates.
Jeff is a former Sunday school teacher and has been a featured lecturer for various community and civic groups. He brings an accumulated network of professionals, volunteers, and entrepreneurs (including doctors, lawyers, real estate investors, and investment bankers) and mentors to the Baldwin Legacy Project.
Brian W. Lawrence, Secretary
Brian W. Lawrence, Secretary
Brian Lawrence was born and raised in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York.
He is a graduate of West Virginia State University (HBCU) with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. While in college Brian was an all-conference baseball player. He also hosted and produced talk shows, was a radio announcer, and was a producer of basketball and football team broadcasts.
Brian has over 30 years of media marketing experience and is currently a Senior Business Solutions Consultant for a leading advertising management and software company. His responsibilities include working in production in a newsroom, advertising sales, media research, training, product development, and software account management.
After returning to Brooklyn from college, Brian sought to give back to the community by mentoring young men in his church and neighborhood. This included founding a grassroots, church-based program Sankore (named after the ancient African university).
Brian and his wife Hughette have been a part of the Long Island community for over 20 years.
Brian's civic activity includes being a member of the United Black Golfers Association Board of Directors, where he serves as Vice President of Marketing and works to introduce young people to the sport of golf.
