“A giant of a judge”

The Brieant Youth Alliance, named after the late Ossining resident Charles L. Brieant, a former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, was established in recognition of his deep love and admiration for children. Judge Charles L. Brieant knew the importance of learning and played an instrumental role in developing a center where learning was made possible through active partnerships with the greater Ossining Public Schools, Communities That Care, Ossining Chamber of Commerce and working with kids that are incarcerated in the Westchester community.

Nonprofits in Westchester County faced many challenges and opportunities. However, several years ago Norman Fulton and the late Judge Charles L. Brieant embarked on a strategic planning process to provide a music program which started with an 8 piece combo. Demand for our program quickly grew and after-school programs for the Ossining Middle School and High School as well as for youth at risk and incarcerated within Westchester County were added. It was understood that the Charles L. Brieant Community Center (CBCC) would be established and partner with the Ossining public schools, Communities that Cares, Ossining Chamber of Commerce, CLUSTER, and Woodfield Cottage. These organizations would play a central role in helping to move the center forward. Over the last few years, the name has since been changed from the Charles L. Brieant Community Center to The Charles L. Brieant Center (CBC) due to the expansion of the programs reach, and today to The Brieant Youth Alliance (BYA), to fully express our mission and vision.

While several elements of this strategic plan addressed immediate needs, the overall plan was designed to ensure that the BYA was prepared for challenges, growth and what comes next.

The BYA understands that in today’s environment that our organizations’ reach needed to expand and that the programs that were implemented needed to be taken to the next level. This meant making plans for staffing, new program material, new instructors, additional board members, and more fund raising and grants writing in order to deliver critical programs so that the organization can be as successful as possible.

Mrs. Virginia Warfield Brieant

It is with great sadness that the Board of the Brieant Youth Alliance shares the news of the passing of Mrs. Virginia Brieant.

Mrs. Brieant was the mother of our Board Interim President, Charles L. Brieant III and wife of the late Judge Charles L. Brieant, Jr. a former chief judge of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York. The Brieant Youth Alliance (BYA), a non-profit 501( C)(3) organization, formerly known as the Charles L. Brieant Center, was established in recognition of the Judge’s concern for children of all socio-economic levels (especially at risk youth) and the importance that life-long learning played in their lives. Norman Fulton, Executive Director Emeritus, founded the non-profit organization in 2009 Judge Brieant’s honor.

After the death of Judge Brieant in 2008, Mrs. Brieant was the force behind the continued development of the Brieant Youth Alliance and has been a big supporter throughout the years. She loved the work and the contributions that the BYA provided to the community schools. Through active partnerships with the Ossining Public Schools and financial support from communities in Westchester County, unique after-school programs were developed and provided free of charge to the schools. Her wisdom and support will truly be missed.

The Brieant Youth Alliance Board of Directors

Diane Magri

Diane Magri

Executive Director

Diane Magri Fraser is Executive Director of The Brieant Youth Alliance since 2013. She has over 20 years of human resources experience in banking and in professional services including Big 4. Diane currently is President of DLM Consulting, a human resources consulting company, coaching individuals to make personal and professional transformations, specifically in the areas of leadership, behavior change, strategy and high performance. She is a graduate of Columbia University with a Master’s of Science degree in Industrial Psychology.
Norman Fulton

Norman Fulton

Immediate Past Executive Director and Founder

After the death of Judge Brieant, Norman formulated and developed the Brieant Center and served as Executive Director for seven years. He is the author of Yo God, What The Hell, which is about his experiences with kids who are incarcerated. A retired IBM’er and graduate of New York Theological Seminary, he also serves as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church.
David Post

David Post

Board Member

David is a strategic consultant helping clients journey from where they are to where they want to go and getting them there quickly. David’s expertise is in helping clients build more sustainable businesses and develop more effective leadership. 

Through enquiry, analysis and execution, David works with clients to identify opportunities for improvement, assess resources to leverage those opportunities and implement a plan of action to reach their full potential. Working side-by-side with clients both large and small, profit or nonprofit, David develops a deep understanding of their organizations and what is needed to help them move forward with innovation, focus and deliberate speed.

Diane Adams

Diane Adams

Board Member

Previously a Treasury Manager for a multinational corporation, Diane left her career to raise 2 children by adoption. Through these children, she learned how early trauma causes emotional and learning disabilities. Diane homeschooled her children, which helped her family bond while allowing them to learn at their own pace. Three years ago she rejoined the workforce in retail banking. Diane joined the board of Brieant Youth Alliance out of her desire to empower youth from all backgrounds to become lifelong learners.

Diane Magri, Executive Director
Charles Brieant, III, Interim President
Diane Jesion-Adams, Treasurer
Norman Fulton, Executive Director, Emeritus
David Post
Adrienne Ferretti
Susan Brooks O’Rourke
John C. Van Steen
Stephen Hancock
Brian Cannon
Abigail Lewis

 

Contact Information

The Brieant Youth Alliance is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization

1858 Pleasantville Road, #152
Briarcliff Manor, NY  10510

(914) 441-7100
info@brieantyouthalliance.org