A native of St. Lucia and proud member of a large supportive family, Nesta Felix is excited about her calling to serve the community and youth.
Nesta Felix is the Executive Director and Founder of NewFlex Youth Programs Inc., a mentoring, leadership and sports program working with at risk youth. She started the program as her MBA thesis in 2008. Its headquarters is in Mt Vernon, NY.
In May 2016, Iona College presented Ms Felix with the John P Driscoll Humanitarian Award. February 2016, Ms. Felix was featured on CBS 1010 wins as the Black History Month Person of the year. Nesta Felix and NewFlex Youth were also featured on Good Morning America as its 2014 Holiday Hero for her ongoing work in the community and the impact on hundreds of families. Felix has been humbled to receive other numerous kind recognition of her work with youth.
Ms. Felix is driven to serve youth by creating opportunities for the less privileged and connecting with leaders and programs that are willing to support the cause. She serves, partners and sits on the board of various organizations, such as Backyard Sports that Cares, Y.L.T.R.A.P.P.E.D., a sister program in Norwalk Connecticut, Hooperstown LLC., a basketball phenom in Mt. Vernon NY, MVP basketball in White Plains, Brant Lake Camp in Brant Lake NY, among others who have provided support, scholarship and program opportunities for many NewFlex Youth members.
Felix received a BA in English with a Minor in Prelaw from Iona College, May 2001 and a Masters in Business Administration from Monroe College, May 2008.
She is an active athlete and women’s basketball coach, having played collegiate basketball and volleyball at Iona College, in New Rochelle, NY
Felix later went on to Assistant Coach the 5 time Regional Champions and 2 time National Championship women’s basketball program at Monroe College in NY for 7.5 years. During a brief college coaching hiatus, Felix took on the girls varsity team at Woodlands H.S in Greenburgh, NY for 2.5 seasons and led them to a playoff appearance in both years at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. She then went on to serve as Head women’s basketball coach at Yeshiva University, where she changed the face of women’s basketball in the Jewish Community during her 3 year tenure, being featured in the Daily News and the Jewish Channel for her leadership and coaching methods. During the 2013-14 season, she was named Coach of the Year for the Division III Hudson Valley Conference. Shortly after, she made a shift in Coaching obligations.
Ms. Felix has a passion for working with and mentoring diverse female groups. She is currently coaching high school Volleyball at the KEIO Academy in Purchase NY; developing athletes among females in the Andalusia Islamic School, located in Yonkers, NY; and working closely to incorporate young girls at the Yonkers group home facility- Julia Dyckman Andrus Memorial, into her program philosophy of mentoring and leadership.
Ms. Felix still indulges herself, in post-collegiate competitions, participating seasonally in NY Urban Professional Basketball and Volleyball Leagues, and others tournaments.
Nesta Felix is passionate about moving youth and community forward and plays an active role in youth advocacy in Westchester and NY. She believes that sports is the perfect caveat to mentoring and building leaders among our youth.
Nesta Felix
www.newflexhoops.com
“Hoops without mentoring is hopeless”