Eysaman starts as South Side Community Growth Foundation’s first executive director

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — It was back in September when Deka Eysaman made her first public appearance as executive director of the South Side Community Growth Foundation. She attended Home HeadQuarters’ annual Block Blitz, of which the foundation was a community builder sponsor. Since its founding last year, the South Side Community Growth Foundation has started cultivating relationships with its McKinley Park neighbors over face-to-face conversations, kitchen table talks, and a private barbeque for the community. Eysaman is charged with “building upon this momentum in order to refine and enhance the organization’s vision,” per the Sept. 29 announcement. Eysaman has a track record of driving impactful programs and initiatives that spark innovation within public private partnerships and advance equity for marginalized populations, per the announcement. Eysaman most recently served as assistant director of field organizing at the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), where she supervised a team of more than two dozen people across the state, directly overseeing the operations of four regional offices. Under her leadership, NYCLU grew its volunteer network by 30 percent and partnered with statewide organizations to lead a successful campaign to pass an equal rights amendment to the state’s constitution. The foundation believes the Syracuse community knows Eysaman best from her time serving as former board president of the Urban Jobs Task Force of Syracuse. Eysaman directed the organization’s “I-81 Local Hire” public-advocacy campaign. That effort sought to ensure 15 percent of employees working on the Interstate 81 viaduct-replacement project would be hired from the local community, bringing more than $7 million into the economy through their earned wages. In that role, Eysaman raised more than $600,000 in funding from government and foundation sources; helped shape local policies; supported the creation of the Syracuse Build initiative; and helped the Urban Jobs Task Force through its transition from a 501 (c)(4) to 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. She also oversaw the task force’s process to hire its first executive director. Eysaman brings experience in programming and youth development, previously serving as teen program director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse and program associate for the Syracuse University Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP). She was a 40 Under Forty recipient, recognized in 2020 by BizEventz and The Central New York Business Journal. “I am honored to join the South Side Community Growth Foundation as its first executive director. This is an extraordinary opportunity to serve a community that is far too often forgotten, and to work alongside neighbors, partners, and leaders who are deeply committed to advancing equity and opportunity on the South Side,” Eysaman said in the announcement. “I look forward to bringing my experience in advocacy, community programming and facilitating cross-sector collaboration to help ensure that every resident has access to the resources they need to thrive.” The nonprofit South Side Community Growth Foundation works to support South Side neighbors by partnering with neighbors, businesses, and government to invest in community initiatives. Established by local philanthropist Chedy Hampson (who founded and later sold TCGplayer.com for $295 million), the foundation’s focus areas include affordable housing and activities that support economic mobility of South Side residents. “We are thrilled to have Deka at the helm,” Hampson said. “Her proven record of leading impactful initiatives, combined with her deep connection to the Syracuse community, makes her the ideal leader to guide our mission forward in ways that truly serve our neighbors.”