ABOUT FOOT SOLDIERS
Who We Are: A Community Sanitation Program for Brooklyn
Transform Your Neighborhood with Our Community Sanitation Program in Brooklyn
Foot Soldiers is a Brooklyn-based community sanitation organization committed to clean streets, accountability, and neighborhood care. We partner with homeowners, property managers, block associations, and local leaders to address litter, sanitation challenges, and compliance issues at the street level. Our work combines reliable service, documentation, and community collaboration to help neighborhoods stay clean, safe, and respected.
The Foot Soldiers Story
Our History
In 2000, Barnabas Uba Shakur's childhood friend, a member of the notorious street gang called the Bloods, was accused and convicted of a crime at 19 and received a life sentence. This event deeply affected Barnabas, prompting him to take action. Three years later, at just 23 years old, he started a nonprofit organization called Bed Stuy's Project Re-Generation, Inc. (PRG) to help prevent other teens in his neighborhood from falling victim to similar circumstances. In 2016, the PRG cleaning program was discontinued, and Barnabas, became the owner of Foot Soldiers, LLC.
Our Vision
A world where communities collaborate to confront the root causes of unclean environments and unnecessary waste, fostering a spirit of care, unity, and hope for a Brighter future.
Our Mission
To eliminate dirty streets, support kingdom causes, and foster clean, healthy, and more vibrant communities
Standards Statement
Foot Soldiers upholds the highest standards of service, excellence, professionalism, and integrity. We ensure consistent and reliable performance through comprehensive training, strict adherence to standards and a relentless focus on client satisfaction.
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Uniforms: Our team members proudly wear the Foot Soldiers uniform that make our staff easily recognizable, safe and reflecting our professional dedication to our clients.
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Environmental Responsibility: We are committed to environmentally responsible practices, primarily using bikers and walkers instead of cars, shovels instead of gas snow blowers, and sustainable practices like posting photos of cool items we find in the community to minimize our environmental impact.
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Business and Community Engagement: We go beyond providing cleaning services; we actively support and participate in local initiatives to foster a sense of community and collective responsibility.
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Accountability: Our commitment to quality and rapid communication ensures minimal service issues and fosters trust within the communities we serve. We strive to exceed expectations and set the benchmark for cleaning services.
Core Values give us G.A.S.S
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God First - Matthew 22:37: We love and honor God with all our heart, soul, and mind, guiding our actions and decisions with faith and integrity.
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Accountability - James 4:17: We hold ourselves responsible for our actions, ensuring transparency and honesty in all our dealings.
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Safety - Proverbs 27:12: We prioritize the well-being and safety of our team and community, taking proactive measures to prevent harm.
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Service - Colossians 3:23: We dedicate ourselves to serving our clients with excellence and wholehearted commitment, reflecting our devotion to high standards in all we do.
Owner's message
"Hello, neighbors!
As dedicated homeowners, you know that a clean, well-maintained property reflects your care for your community. With 20+ years of experience, we help you achieve this by handling the cleaning and snow removal. Focus on collecting rent and enjoying your beautiful home while we handle the dirty work.
- Barnabas Uba Shakur, Owner of Foot Soldiers
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Supreme Commander
Barnabas Uba Shakur
Barnabas Uba Shakur, founder and driving force behind Foot Soldiers, has dedicated over two decades to enhancing community sanitation in Brooklyn. As a God-led Owner and Operator, Barnabas oversees all strategic and operational aspects of the business, from coordinating yard sweeping, trash removal, and snow management services to fostering relationships with homeowners and property managers. His vision for clean, thriving communities is deeply rooted in his personal journey, starting with the impactful work at Project Re-Generation, Inc., which laid the groundwork for Foot Soldiers. Beyond his business, Barnabas is passionate about martial arts, chess, and gardening, reflecting his commitment to discipline, strategy, and growth. His leadership not only steers Foot Soldiers towards excellence but also uplifts the community, embodying a mission to #EliminateDirtyStreets
Commanding Officer, Customer Operations
Dominick Briochè
Known affectionately as “Professor,” Dominick Brioché is instrumental at Foot Soldiers LLC, focusing on ensuring client success through strategic acquisitions, meticulous retention efforts, personalized account management, and proactive client enrollment. With over 30 years of experience in various teaching roles spanning martial arts, seminary studies, and academia, Professor leverages her extensive knowledge and interpersonal skills to enhance client relationships. Her responsibilities include developing strategies to boost client engagement and satisfaction, overseeing the client lifecycle to ensure top-notch experiences, and leading client enrollment initiatives to broaden our reach. Professor also manages feedback mechanisms to continuously refine our services and leads educational initiatives that align our team with best practices in client interactions. Her commitment extends beyond professional obligations, embodying our core values of community revitalization and inclusivity. This dedication ensures a vibrant environment where each client's success is a cornerstone of Foot Soldiers’ mission.
Special Projects Tactical Officer
Keanna Basden
Keanna is a Special Projects Tactical Officer at Foot Soldiers, currently leading initiatives in snow removal and HR/payroll. With over a decade of administrative experience and 3+ years in both project management and HR, she specializes in building systems that work, from process design to streamlining digital tools like Slack, Asana, and Google Suite. After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, Keanna brings a leadership style that’s both disciplined and approachable, known as your friendly neighborhood Project Manager. Her strengths lie in coordinating projects, optimizing workflows, and creating documentation with a traceable history that keeps operations smooth and accountable. Keanna’s journey with Foot Soldiers started way before the name existed. As a teen in Project Re-Generation, an organization focused on eliminating teen idleness, she developed her first job skills and a deep connection to community work. Those early values still guide her today as she proudly carries out the mission to #EliminateDirtyStreets.
Accounts Division Leader
Earl
Earl Vernon, Administrative Assistant With over ten years of dedicated service at Foot Soldiers, I have contributed to various facets of our operations, including accounts payable, human resources, payroll, customer service, and daily administrative tasks. My extensive background in finance and payroll equips me with the skills needed to support and drive Foot Soldiers in achieving its goals and mission.In my free time, I enjoy trading and investing in the market. I am also an avid sports enthusiast and love playing basketball to stay active. My unwavering dedication and comprehensive support across multiple areas ensure that Foot Soldiers continue to thrive and serve our community effectively.
Special Projects Tactical Officer – Gov't Contracts
Sha-King
Will Cooper brings a background in managing contracts, organizational leadership, and consulting. He holds an MBA from George Washington University and a BA from St. John’s University. Will served 20 years in the USAF with deployments in Afghanistan and East Africa. As a volunteer Special Projects Officer, Will is responsible for securing new business opportunities for Foot Soldiers.
Logistics and Operations Chief
Takia Graves
Takia Graves is a dedicated Operations Manager with over 10 years of experience in project management and 7 years in leadership roles. She is known for streamlining processes and improving operational efficiency. Takia brings a personable and collaborative leadership style, fostering trust and teamwork while maintaining a sharp focus on efficiency and attention to detail. Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration, attention to detail, and delivering goals to excellence have consistently helped our team achieve our goal to #EliminateDirtyStreets. With a blend of professionalism and approachability, Takia has earned a reputation as a reliable leader who inspires confidence at every level.
Advocacy & Resolution Specialist
Hester
Ms. Hester ensures exceptional service delivery to our clients, leveraging her extensive background in social sciences and her experience across various educational settings. She excels in building and maintaining strong client relationships, ensuring their needs are met and expectations are exceeded. Ms. Hester plays a key role in collecting and analyzing client feedback to enhance service quality and address concerns swiftly. She effectively communicates critical insights to our team, aligning service standards with community sanitation regulations. As an advocate for client needs within the organization, she ensures that their voices are heard and acted upon. Her efforts in developing retention strategies contribute to a stable and loyal customer base, and her proactive community engagement initiatives help strengthen community relations.
Tech Logistics Coordinator
Michaela
Her primary responsibility is to manage administrative tasks with expertise and precision, utilizing advanced digital tools to optimize workflows and enhance operational effectiveness at Foot Soldiers LLC. She extends beyond support by actively participating in project management, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration across departments, empowering the executive team to focus on strategic priorities and drive innovation aligned with company objectives. She is involved everywhere in the company. In her leisure time, she enjoys computer games, iced coffee, and exploring new destinations through travel. She is also an independent individual and proud mother of ten cats, with a deep interest in learning about diverse cultures.
Field Operations Dispatcher
John
Conducts thorough inspections on completed jobs, identifying issues, ensuring compliance with regulations, and monitoring technicians to meet high standards. Known for his problem-solving skills, he assists in resolving complex issues and trains new inspectors. Outside work, John is passionate about farming, cultivating crops, and tending to livestock on his small hobby farm. His dedication and meticulous approach enhance the company's reputation for reliable property inspections, aligning perfectly with its mission to prioritize safety and client satisfaction.
HR & Special Projects Support
Mary
As a Special Projects Assistant, I collaborate closely with the Special Projects Officer to support strategic planning and the effective management of new business opportunities for Foot Soldiers. My responsibilities include researching and identifying local, state, and federal contract opportunities, reviewing solicitations, and assisting in contract management to ensure compliance and operational efficiency. In addition to my primary role, I occasionally support the operations team by conducting inspections and monitoring technicians to ensure high standards are met and compliance with regulations is maintained.
We're proud to announce that we've been voted Best in Brooklyn Sanitation Services for two years in a row! Thank you to our amazing team and our loyal customers for your support. We're committed to keeping our streets clean and our community healthy.
In the News:
Various news broadcasts and publications have spotlighted Foot Soldiers' leadership, including Pix11, NY1, BCAT, NY Times, Daily News, AMNY, Brooklyn USA, Commerce News, Our Time Press, Volvo, and Daily Challenge. Since its inception, Foot Soldiers' social purpose model and leadership have been recognized by major organizations such as Andrew Goodman's Foundation, Toyota 100 Cars for Good Finalist, CNN Hero of the Week Nominee, Independence Community Foundation, Do Gooder Award Finalist, New Yorker of the Week – NY1, Nonprofiteer of the Year – Young Nonprofits Professionals Network, NYC Mayor and Snapple's "Best People in NYC," Emerging Business Leaders' Summit "For Outstanding Commitment to Entrepreneurship," Union Square Awardee, "National Social Entrepreneur of the Year" – Oppenheimer Fund, "Young Entrepreneur of the Year" – National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Citizen's Committee and Fleet Bank’s "Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award," and the US Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency's National Business Plan Competition Champion 1st place.
Foot Soldiers in the Press
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Martha Stewart - 2019
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Gervois Magazine - Face of America - 2018
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Caribbean News - 2018
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Huffington Post - 2012
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Bed Stuy Patch - 2011
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Brownstoners - 2008