Staff
Barbara Ferman, PhD
Founder & Executive Director
215-204-6276
​
Role: As founder and executive director, I have responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the Collaborative including visioning, planning, staffing, fundraising, networking with other organizations and funders, grant reporting, and interacting with the board. Given how amazing the staff is, however, I have tons of help.
Hobbies/Interests: Working out, playing tennis, reading mysteries, and writing.
Sign: Sagittarius
Hopes for the future: That people come to realize that extending dignity, justice, and economic security to all people is not a zero-sum game; that in fact, we will all be in a much better place.
Johannah Bennett, LSW
Assistant Director
215-204-6185
​
Role: As the assistant director, I oversee the administrative requirements for the UCC and ensure that our programs operate in compliance with city and state guidelines.
Sign: Sagittarius
Hobbies/Interests: cooking, collecting rocks and being out in nature.
Hopes for the future: Justice.
Kashara White
POWER Internship & Consent Club Coordinator
215-204-6185
​
Role: I am the Program Coordinator for POWER and I also manage the Consent programming for the UCC! At the UCC, I work to build lasting relationships with our participants who work together to develop political education and media literacy skills, as well as, with schools and teachers to bring our consent education workshop to youth all over the city of Philadelphia.
Sign: Aries/ Sidereal Pisces
​
Hobbies/Interests: I love reading and watching Sci Fi, Fantasy and Folklore!
​
Hopes for the future: I envision a future where life is valued above all things.
Helena Esdaile
VOICES Coordinator
215-204-6185
​
Role: I run the VOICES program which provides project based learning opportunites for our youth participants.
​
Sign: Gemini
​
Hobbies/Interests: World travel, business development and fitness.
​
Hopes for the future: freedom.
​
​
Stormy Kelsey
Media and Communications Coordinator
215-204-6185
​
Role: As the media and communications coordinator at the UCC, I help maintain and amplify the digital presence of the organization. I also have the exciting responsibility of managing our youth media program, POPPYN. In this role, I am constantly engaging with our youth participants and supporting them in the media making process.
Hobbies/Interests: Nature walks, reading, cooking, and melomania.
Sign: Capricorn
Hopes for the future: I foresee our most marginalized folks being supported and having access to equitable resources. I foresee a world where we are all free.
Aliyah Jefferies
POPPYN Assistant Coordinator
Role: Using my background in film and TV production, I help guide the participants through every stage of media production.
​
Sign: Libra
​
Hobbies/Interests: Photography, travel and reading.
​
Hopes for the future: media made by us, for us.