Our History
President & CEO
Dr. Mary Lee
Ph.D Education, M.Div, Ordained Pastor
NCI is the brainchild of Dr. Mary Lee – born out of her personal experience, innate understanding of business and ability to serve all people.
Her track record as a business and grant/funding consultant is incomparable, resulting in winning proposals in the tens of millions of dollars. She is a skilled communicator, instructor, and project leader.
Dr. Mary Lee actively participated in Barack Obama’s Presidential Campaign and worked in both of his Inaugural Committees. While campaigning, she felt the energy of inclusiveness that she only witnessed during the times of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in her teenage years.
Dr. Mary Lee’s drive and determination are seeds planted by her parents. Her father never learned to read or write, instead working in southern plantations from the age of six, whereas her mother, who finished the 12th grade in a southern school, did not officially graduate due to Jim Crow laws. Yet, they both valued education and contributed in every way to support Dr. Mary Lee’s efforts in learning and development.
Dr. Mary Lee’s life is the history and driving force behind NCI. She firmly believes in economic equality for all and understands that knowledge is Power.
The Problem We Address
Those hit the hardest by economic downturns are ordinary people living in moderate to low-income communities throughout America. Black people within these communities are further disconnected from the mainstream recovery strategies and stimulus initiatives. Their economic and social positions bar opportunities for inclusivity. Stimulus initiatives for building businesses are not reaching 2% of Black, aspiring entrepreneurs throughout the USA, resulting in thousands losing their homes, jobs, businesses, and in many instances, their family during economic crisis.
Our Solution
NCI On the Ground
NCI efforts are underway to amplify grassroots, economic efforts. Our network is extensive, operating via hundreds and thousands of individuals, small businesses, churches, and non-profit organizations in communities nationwide.
We are the catalyst, ensuring access to strategic planning, organization, development, and management oversight to entrepreneurial efforts for a period of five (5) years from the start of services. Thereby, assisting individuals in growing self-sufficiently.
Our Team
Dr. Claud Anderson is the creator of the concept of PowerNomics®, and is described in his Amazon #1 bestselling book available at https://powernomics.com. Known as “The National Plan to Empower Black America”, The PowerNomics® concept and plan teach Blacks how to pool resources and employ aspects of power so they can produce, distribute, and consume in a way that creates goods and wealth.
As Vice President of Neighborhood Commerce Institute, Willie D. Harris is a dedicated consultant responsible for developing and implementing strategies that optimize NCI’s operations; ensuring the efficient allocation of resources; and executing the power of teamwork while collaborating to create an environment that encourages state-of-the-art thinking, continuous learning, and organizational success. He has a strategic mindset; a wealth of leadership training and experience; and a strong commitment to community development and advancing economic growth and sustainability. Willie is an experienced Senior Executive that has served in various roles within the federal government for over 30 years. Within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), he has served as a Director of Operations, Program Manager, Biologist, Regulatory Official, Researcher, Trade Compliance Specialist, Phytosanitary Specialist, Canine Handler, Plant and Animal Health SME, Investigator, Biotechnology Regulator, Animal Welfare leader, and Wildlife leader working within diverse program areas of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). In his last federal role as Regional Director for USDA’s Wildlife Services program and a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) core of federal employees, Willie was responsible for managing half of the U.S., encompassing 983 employees and a $94 million dollar budget to resolve wildlife conflicts to allow people and wildlife to coexist.
Dr. Kofi Appiah Okyere, Ph.D, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Mergers & Acquisitions Professional (CMAP) is operating as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Neighborhood Commerce Institute. For 17 years, Kofi has served as the current Professor of Accounting Practice at Whitman School of Management—Syracuse University. Kofi has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses such as Doctoral Seminar in Accounting, Financial Accounting, Special Topics in Financial Reporting & Corporate Governance, Accounting Information Systems, and Managerial Accounting. He has participated in major conferences and presentations such as European Accounting Association Annual Conference, American Accounting Association Annual Meeting, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Center for Financial Research, World Risk and Insurance Economics Conference, plus many more. Professor Appiah Okyere focuses on corporate governance and financial reporting, managerial incentives, financial statement quality, and financial disclosure. As Chief Financial Officer of NCI, he brings a wealth of financial expertise, a commitment to financial stewardship, and plays a vital role in ensuring NCI’s financial sustainability and effectiveness.
As Corporate Attorney-at-Law for Neighborhood Commerce Institute, Orlando Avant, with 26+ years in providing legal counsel and guidance, is dedicated to leveraging his expertise to ensure compliance and support NCI by navigating complex legal landscapes and facilitating its success. Orlando is highly skilled in strategic planning, legal research, negotiation, commercial litigation, contract negotiations, civil litigation, arbitration, legal writing, and real estate. Orlando actively engages with the organization’s leadership to provide legal advice and support in matters ranging from contracts and agreements to intellectual property and risk management. He is committed to proposing effective strategies that safeguard NCI’s interests. Orlando is proud to contribute to NCI’s mission-driven work of economic sustainability by providing sound legal counsel and ensuring that the organization operates ethically, responsibly, and in compliance with the law.
As Vice President of Engineering, Cheri Avant brings a wealth of technical expertise, leadership skills, and a passion for innovation to Neighborhood Commerce Institute. Cheri has a strong background in the IT Engineering industry and is skilled in IT Solutions, Information Security, Qualitative Research, CAD, MES, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and much more. Cheri demonstrates a track record of success in leading and managing engineering teams and overseeing the development of complex projects, managing budgets, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality solutions.
Dr. Aubin Sinclair Sandio is a physician, public-health strategist, and healthcare systems architect driven by a lifelong commitment to health equity, access, and dignity in care. Born and raised in a remote region of Cameroon, Africa, he witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of inadequate healthcare facilities, lack of infrastructure, and systemic health inequities. These early life experiences did not discourage him — they ignited a lifelong calling.
Despite earning his high school education in Cameroon, Dr. Sandio entered his undergraduate journey with a different vision: to build networks of care, support systems, and pathways that would serve both underserved communities and global health advancement. From that point forward, his life became centered on one mission: to close healthcare gaps and eliminate disparities wherever they exist.
“I am proud to be one of the leaders of this organization and to elevate inclusion and the sense of belonging for every community I serve.”
Dr. Sandio is deeply passionate about advancing health equity through healthcare delivery. He remains committed to addressing healthcare disparities and eliminating inequities embedded within healthcare systems. His life’s work centers on ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind — whether in rural Africa, urban America, or emerging global regions.
He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology and Global Health, equipping him with the clinical and systems-level expertise to build sustainable healthcare infrastructures. His professional career has included leadership roles in:
Dr. Sandio has led major hospital-based clinical research initiatives, including cardiology, chronic disease, vaccine, hypertension, dementia, and cardiac rhythm disorder studies, ensuring patient safety, regulatory excellence, and ethical medical governance.
Dr. Sandio believes healthcare is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. His personal mission is to strengthen healthcare ecosystems through:
“My goal is to advance the work being done across nations to achieve health equity around the world.”
As Executive Director of Healthcare Development at Neighborhood Commerce Institute, Dr. Sandio leads the design and deployment of healthcare infrastructure across both U.S. and African initiatives. His leadership ensures that each facility, clinic, and care model reflects compassion, ethical stewardship, and long-term sustainability.
He is bilingual in English and French and is recognized for his humanitarian leadership, cross-cultural sensitivity, and relentless commitment to transforming healthcare systems where they are needed most. Dr. Sandio’s life’s work is not just a career — it is a calling.
Professor Kelly Mua Kingsly is a Cameroonian finance expert with extensive experience in public finance, investment, and strategic financial management. He has served in senior leadership positions within the Government of Cameroon and has held advisory and board roles with international financial institutions, including the African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI). He is an Edward S. Mason Fellow of Harvard Kennedy School and has lectured and written extensively on finance, public policy, and economic development. His experience includes public finance management, investment strategy, and international development. Professor Kingsly currently serves as an international consultant to Neighborhood Commerce on strategic finance initiatives.
Mr. Alassan Kouotou is a highly accomplished Mining and Field Engineering Executive with more than a decade of hands-on experience in mineral extraction, process engineering, water treatment, field operations, and large-scale industrial project development, combined with academic teaching and technical workforce development leadership.
He brings a rare dual background in both field execution and engineering education, having served as a Mining Instructor at the School of Mines, University of Bertoua, Cameroon, where he taught:
In this role, he also provided professional mentorship to engineering and energy-resource students and promoted industry-level safety and environmental best practices. As Executive Director of Mining Engineering at Neighborhood Commerce Institute, Mr. Kouotou leads the technical execution and operational development of NCI’s gold mining and natural resource projects, including oversight of:
His expertise bridges technical engineering precision, university-level instruction, and large-scale development strategy, making him uniquely qualified to manage mining operations in emerging regions while aligning with international best practices in ESG compliance, environmental stewardship, and community-integrated resource development.
Mr. Kouotou is widely respected for his disciplined leadership, academic rigor, and ability to stabilize and scale technically demanding operations. He combines technical mastery with a strong ethical foundation and a commitment to ensuring that resource development contributes to local workforce empowerment, infrastructure expansion, and long-term economic sustainability.
Reverend Don J. Horakhty Tynes, MD, F.A.C.P., is the Chief Medical Officer of Moncrease & Associates, LLD. Rev. Dr. Tynes is an ordained minister, an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, and was the recipient of The Wayne State University Medical (WSUSOM) Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018. Dr. Tynes and Dr. Carolyn King are Co-Founder of the WSUSOM and the Michigan State University “Reach Out to Youth Program” that targets Detroit students age 7 to 11 years old who aspire careers in medicine and their parents. This program, over its 31 year history has over 7000 students who have participated with many becoming physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals. Dr. Tynes is an alumnus of the WSUSOM Post Baccalaureate Program, WSUSOM, and of the Internal Medicine/ Pediatric Residency Program at WSU Affiliated Hospital. After fulfilling his National Health Service Corp obligation in the Benton Harbor, MI area, Dr. Tynes chose to remain there and open his private practice. He serves as Benton Harbor, MI Director of Public Health and the Medical Director of the Benton Harbor Health Center. Dr. Tynes also serves as Medical Director, Limb Preservation at the Save The Leg Program at DMC—Detroit Receiving Hospital. Dr. Tynes during the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a leader in prevention and early intervention in combating this deadly disease. He is becoming a nationally and internationally recognized expert on the outpatient treatment of the COVID-19 virus.
Dr. Anita Moncrease, MD, MPH, is the President of Moncrease & Associates, LLC, Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine (WSUSOM) in Detroit, Michigan, the Historian of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church (HMBC) and the Herstorian Detroit Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Dr. Moncrease is a native Detroiter. Dr. Moncrease obtained her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, MI. She completed a residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Wayne State University Affiliated Hospitals. She attended Harvard University in Boston, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health, and was one of the first three persons to complete the Harvard/Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy. Dr. Moncrease’s research interests are in the areas of Minority Health, Health Policy and African American History. She has done clinical research and is published in the areas of hypertension, hyper cholesterol, breast and cervical cancer screening in African American Women. She has also done in-depth research in health disparities; Childhood Obesity, Asthma, and Youth Violence. She is recognized as an authority on the History of Black Alumni of Wayne State University School of Medicine; the history of Black Hospitals in Detroit; and on the History of Black Medical Schools and Departments in the United States. Dr. Moncrease is a former Medical Director of Adolescence Health at the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion; and Associate Program Director of the WSUSOM Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Residency Program. She held leadership position on the design and implementation on projects such as the City of Detroit/Wayne County response to Hurricane Katrina, the Detroit-Wayne County Health Authority, Super Bowl XL (chaired Detroit’s Response for the Homeless and Detroit’s Warming Centers Initiative) and the City of Detroit Youth Violence Initiative, Dr. Moncrease has served at Health Resources Services Administration as the Acting Director of the Division of Data and Analysis for the Midwest Cluster (10 states including Michigan) and the Director of the Division of Health Professions Diversity for the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
Dr. Curtis Oliver Longs, M.D., is an experienced Adult, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist based in Southfield, MI. With a strong educational background including a Doctor of Medicine degree from Wayne State University, Dr. Longs has extensive postgraduate training in Adult Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Psychiatric Administration. He is board eligible in Adult & Child-Adolescent Psychiatry and Neurology. Throughout his career, Dr. Longs has held various positions, including Medical Director roles. He has worked in prestigious institutions such as Detroit Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, and Harbor Oaks Hospital. Dr. Longs has also been actively involved in professional associations, including the American Medical Society, American Psychiatric Association, and The Black Psychiatrists of America Association. Currently, Dr. Longs serves as the Owner of Behavioral Health Associates, PLLC, a private practice office, where he specializes in Adult, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. He is dedicated to providing compassionate care and conducting research in the field. Dr. Longs is also involved in nonprofit work through L.L.S.M. Behavioral Health Initiatives, a 501C organization. In addition to his professional commitments, Dr. Longs is a member of various alumni associations and community organizations. He has made significant contributions in the field of psychiatry, particularly in working with children and adolescents. Dr. Longs continues to serve the community and make a positive impact through his expertise and dedication.
Doc is the inventor & developer of The Human Potential Index providing governments and the press with a live display of Humanity’s actual key performance indicators. He is also the author of The A.I.R. Algorithm (Allostatic Inheritance Renderer) & the Founder of Justice Coin, the economic justice pillar of the decentralized economy. Doc oversees NCI’s data and technology stack.
As CSC of Neighborhood Commerce Institute, Domonique McMullen is driven by a deep commitment to creating positive social change and improving the lives of those in underserved communities. With a track record of successful leadership, Dom brings a strategic vision and an unwavering dedication to building legacies and creating generational wealth.
As CSC, Dom is committed to ensuring that NCI operates with the highest standards of governance and ethical practices. By effectively communicating NCI’s goals and achievements, Dom is cultivating strong support networks and forging strategic partnerships that amplifies NCI’s mission of economic sustainability. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Dom actively engages in advocacy efforts to raise awareness and leverages his expertise in business & community development to tackle the challenges faced in underserved communities, create innovative solutions, and inspire others to join in the mission of driving positive change in our communities and beyond.
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