Board of Directors
Elaine Lane
CEO & Founder
Elaine is a native of Charleston, South Carolina, received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Johnson C. Smith University located in Charlotte, North Carolina. A graduate study in Learning Disabilities was taken at Montclair State University.
She was an educator in Newark, New Jersey for the Newark Board of Education for thirty years. She then became Lead Teacher for Montclair State University’s Pre-Collegiate Teaching Academy in Paterson shortly after retiring from Newark. She remained in Paterson for four years. At present, Elaine is an Adjunct Professor at Montclair State University teaching courses related to teaching. She also mentors student teachers.
Elaine’s dream is to make David’s Shoes’ full program dedicated to uplifting children and parents, making sure our child have roots and wings. Her greatest desire is to be a vehicle of change to at least one teenager.
Rev. Alphonsus E. Platt
Board Member
Reverend Platt was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was educated in the Newark Public School system where he graduated from Weequahic High School. He has an extensive education and music background. He has two Master’s degrees in Education from New Jersey City University and The College of New Jersey. He also has a Certificate in Christian Ministry from New York Theological Seminary. He has worked as a professional drummer with many well-known gospel artists.
Rev. Platt is a bi-vocational Pastor. He is currently the Principal of WOK Middle School in Hillside, NJ and he serves as the Pastor of the Nia Fellowship Baptist Church in West Orange, NJ. He has also made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of people since becoming a professional musician in 1975 and becoming a teacher in 1982. He has been the recipient of many community service awards. He works hard to improve the quality of life for all people. He believes that the healing formula to help our communities is the mixture of God, Education, and Love.
Rev. Platt resides in Union, NJ and is married to Gwendolyn Denise Platt since 1988. They are the parents of two lovely children a daughter Parminder, Marcus, and a Grandson name Gideon
Brenda Harris
Board Member
Brenda Harris has enjoyed selling Real Estate for over 30 years. She is a long-time resident of Essex County and her market spans from Northern New Jersey to Central New Jersey. She believes that home ownership empowers each neighborhood to grown. Brenda takes great pride in educating and guiding first time home buyers though the process of purchasing a home. As an experienced Realtor she has formed relationships with top real estate professional that provide excellent services to her buyers and sellers.
Tammy Hunter
Board Member
Tammy Hunter mother of 2, a deacon, and active member of Imani Baptist Church of Christ in East Orange. Tammy is a retired Verizon consultant and currently employed by a security and ID company. She enjoys traveling and doing volunteer work.
Gayathri Vedagiri
Board Member
Gayathri Vedagiri works in a leadership role for a global insurance company. She is a naturalized citizen of the United states who has made this great country a permanent home for many years. She has been involved as a volunteer in several NJ based non profits including NJ Homefront and One Simple Wish. She is also an Indian classical dancer and a Zumba instructor and believes in the concept of a healthy body and mind as a means to helping those who are vulnerable or those who are not so lucky to be able to afford a basic right to live a peaceful life!
Growing up in India, she has a master's degree in Public Business administration and is very strong in public relations and policy development. Her goal for David's shoes is very simple- help the founding members elevate the intent of this non profit organization to reach it's fundraising goals.
Dr. Antoine Gayles
Board Member
Bio coming soon
Michael Abdul-Qawi
Board Member
Michael has spent the last two decades working in advertising where he currently serves as an Associate Creative Director. He always aims for his creativity to bring people together and tell stories that evoke emotions.
Being a David’s Shoes Board Members is a huge honor. David Lane II, the namesake of David’s Shoes, was the first friend he lost to gun violence. This prompted Michael to stay active in various roles within the organization since its inception.
Interested in being a Board Member?
David’s Shoes is always looking for ambitious minds who are willing to lend their
time and talents to the organization’s mission.