Egypt Cecilia Brown – Founder
Cornell University, BA Anthropology (Phi Beta Kappa, Magna cum Laude in Anthropology, with Distinction in All Subjects) 1993
Princeton University, MPA Development 2006
Egypt grew up in and around Seattle. She was raised in a family of artists, activists, and musicians torn apart by America’s race war. The experience of this struggle informs both the practical and spiritual approaches of her life-work. CEC was inspired by: Egypt’s understanding of the deep inner work required to sustain social change, the desire to revitalize social justice work and to honor those who inspire with their courage, recognition of the heightened importance of healing and spiritual self-care for those driving social change, extensive experience creating and participating in successful cooperative living and work environments, belief in community-controlled development, and deep respect for local wisdom. Egypt’s creative outlets are poetry and prose, loving relationships, and continual self-discovery.
Eduardo Gomez
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, BS Materials Science and Engineering (with Distinction) 1987
Eduardo was born in Harlem and grew up in Venezuela. He currently works as Web Manager of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), contributing in a small way to the empowerment of women worldwide. He is keenly interested in promoting community development and empowerment by providing tools that community members can use. Eduardo is the creator of Washington Heights & Inwood Online, a website whose mission is to encourage communication, empower local citizens, and build community; and WaHIarts.com, a directory of local artists in his community. He is also the webmaster and a long-time member of the Board of Directors of NaBors Apartments, the cooperative where he lives. Eduardo plans to complete a masters with a focus in community development in the near future.
Deborah Becher
University of Virginia, BA, Mathematics 1991
Princeton University, MA, Sociology (with Distinction) 2005
Princeton University, PhD Candidate, Sociology (expected June 2008)
Debbie Becher is currently completing her dissertation, “Valuing Property: Competing Interests in Eminent Domain for Urban Redevelopment in Philadelphia.” Before entering graduate school, Debbie worked for over a decade in Tucson, Arizona in community development with government, nonprofit, and for-profit entities. Most importantly for her involvement with CEC, Debbie has both assisted grass-roots community groups work toward future visions, and facilitated planning processes for non-profit boards. Debbie has dedicated her leisure time to activist work, playing with her young relatives, and hiking and communing with her neighbors.
Collectively, our Founding Group is fluent in spoken and written: English, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, and Malayalam.