Terza A. Silva Lima-Neves, PhD

Executive Director and Co-Founder

Known affectionately by her students as "Dr. T," is a distinguished higher education leader, scholar, award-winning educator, speaker, and unapologetic advocate for Black women and girls.

She holds a Leadership Foundation certificate from Harvard Business School for Executive Leadership, as well as degrees from Providence College and Clark Atlanta University. A past Fellow of the International Women's Forum (IWF), a prestigious global program for distinguished women leaders across 25 countries, Dr. Lima-Neves has established herself as a thought leader in education, community advocacy, social justice, cultural competencies, and workplace culture.

As a scholar and author, she is the editor of Cabo Verdeans in the United States: 21st Century Critical Perspectives and the principal editor of Cabo Verdean Women Writing Remembrance, Resilience, and Revolution: Kriolas Poderozas, both published by Lexington Press in 2021 and 2024, respectively. With two decades of experience, she has delivered keynote lectures, presentations, and workshops at institutions and organizations such as TEDx, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – World View and the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black History and Culture, Howard University, Providence College, Brown University, the National Humanities Center, the State University of New York at Buffalo, the Lincoln School, Bristol Community College (New Bedford Campus), Virginia State University, Bridgewater State University, Wingate University, Charlotte Teachers Institute (CTI), CNN Africa, and Vanguard Corporation. Her work has been featured in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, Women in Higher Education, and various other publications.

Dr. Lima-Neves has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including a 2024 citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Senate for her dedication to uplifting and empowering the Cabo Verdean community. She was also named a 2024 honoree of the Boston Red Sox Celebrate Cabo Verde Strelas Awards for her contributions to preserving Cabo Verdean cultural heritage in the U.S. and was awarded the 2024 Second Degree Professional Merit Medal by the Government of the Republic of Cabo Verde for her outstanding contributions to education and culture. Additional accolades include the 2022 Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Leaders award, the 2020 Martin Luther King, Jr. Vision Award for Social Justice from Providence College, and recognition as a 2019 finalist for HBCU Digest’s Female Faculty of the Year. She also made history as the first Black president of the North Carolina Political Science Association, serving in the 2019–20 term. Visit Terza’s website, terzalimaneves.com to learn about her work.

Terza lives in Charlotte with her husband, Luis, and their children.

Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

Lauraberth Lima (they/she) is a Professor of Museum Studies at New York University. Lima is also an established Cultural Consultant with 15 years of experience in education, community engagement, and cultural competence building in cultural institutions. Lauraberth brings a social justice lens to consulting through interdisciplinary expertise in intergenerational engagement, BIPOC representation in the arts, health equity, museum and art education, youth development, early childhood education, as well as programming for LGBTQ2SIA+/gender expansive communities.

Lima has worked with the Wellcome Trust, Art21, Visual AIDS, MoMA PS1, Columbia University Teachers College, Bard Prison Initiative (BPI), Vassar University, Little Sun, and more. Prior to consulting Lauraberth served as the Director of Education for No Longer Empty and managed Family and Community Engagement Programs and the Internship in Museum Education Program at the Museum of the City of New York. Lima has also served as an Advisor on health and gender for Creative Time Summit X, as the Family Programs Coordinator at the Brooklyn Museum, the Education Director at the Boys and Girls Club of Boston, a Teaching Artist, and more.

Lima is the founder of @CaboQueer, a founding member of the arts education organization, The Love Yourself Project, NYC, 501(c)3 and a member of The Committee to Empower Voices for Healing and Equity (led by NYC DCLA). They currently serve as Vice Chair of the Making Gay History Board, as a Board Member of Ranja CV, and on the New York Academy of Medicine’s Community Program Advisory Board. 

Lauraberth was born in Cabo Verde, West Africa, raised in Rhode Island, and has been based in NYC since 2009. They earned an MFA in Photography, Video and Related Media from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.

VICE-PRESIDENT

Ndaya Kasanda is a strategic and results-driven leader with a proven track record of driving business transformation for top organizations. She specializes in enhancing customer experience, optimizing operations, and leveraging data-driven insights to support sustainable growth and drive positive change.

Passionate about pioneering innovation within Africa and emerging markets, Ndaya is dedicated to cultivating, scaling, and elevating the next generation of global consumer brands rooted in the unique strengths and creativity of these regions.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Luis Neves is a seasoned information technology and audio visual professional with over 15 years of experience specializing in the education sector.Born and raised in Cabo Verde, he is passionate about bridging the digital divide and actively supports schools and organizations in his home country by donating essential technology such as laptops and tablets. He collaborates with organizations in the United States that donate these items, ensuring they reach communities in need. Beyond providing hardware, Luis offers comprehensive training on software and hardware, empowering educators and students with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital world. His commitment to community development extends beyond technology—Luis also donates sports uniforms to local schools and organizations, creating opportunities for young athletes. Through his efforts, he continues to make a lasting impact by enhancing both education and extracurricular programs in Cabo Verde.

SECRETARY

Frandine Lima-Ribeiro is a Radiologic Technologist R T (R) expert with 14 years of experience in various modalities. A native of Cabo Verde, she is known for her attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and results-driven approach to her work. Her dedication to excellence has made her a trusted professional in her field.

Beyond her career, Frandine is an active member of the Cape Verdeans of the Carolinas Association, where she contributes to initiatives that support and celebrate the Cabo Verdean community. A proud mother of two, she balances her professional and community involvement with her deep commitment to family.