Meet Clean Team Member Elbert Copeland

This November, the Initiative continues its monthly series featuring members of the Initiative’s Clean Team.  The Clean Team is made up of 7 members who work for our partner ACE.  Most readers recognize our Clean Team from their distinctive sapphire blue SoHo Broadway t-shirts.  The goal of this series is to introduce our readers to the individuals who work tirelessly each day to keep the SoHo Broadway corridor looking its best.

Meet Clean Team Member Elbert Copeland

On October 20, Elbert joined the Initiative’s Executive Director, Mark Dicus for lunch to answer his 5 questions.  Elbert is the Clean Team’s Special Projects Coordinator.  That just means that twice a week you will find Elbert painting street furniture, removing abandoned property, repairing broken trash receptacles or working on another special project we’ve asked Elbert to tackle.

Elbert is a New Yorker, born and raised.  He grew up near the Meatpacking District as one of six siblings, with 2 brothers still calling the Meatpacking District home.  Elbert is recently married and lives in Mill Basin with his wife and son.  He has been featured on the NY Times this month: “A Chance to Improve the Community, and Himself”

5 Questions with Elbert Copeland:

SBI: When did you start working/volunteering with the SoHo Broadway Initiative?

EC: December 2014

SBI: Outside of work, what are interests and activities?

EC: I like to listen to music, read and watch documentaries.  I love to visit Prospect Park and watch for wild life.

SBI: What the best part of the next thing you’re doing?

EC: Halloween is coming up and so is my son’s birthday.  So to celebrate, we are going to a haunted house over on 42^nd Street.

SBI: What is your favorite hang-out spot in the SoHo/Downtown area?

EC: Washington Square Park or Tribeca.

SBI: What is your preferred mode of transportation in NYC?

EC: If I have the time, I like to walk.  If not, I catch the subway.