Raquel Vazquez is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Empowered Block, a community development consultancy. Raquel has over 13 years of community development experience, ranging from affordable housing, food justice, historic preservation, economic development, legislative affairs, and finance. Raquel holds a Master in Public Administration and bachelor's in Sociology & Latin American/Caribbean Studies. She has received numerous honors including appointment to the NYS Real Estate Board, Harlem community planning board #10, as well as fellowships from the Council of Urban Professionals, Morgan Stanley, and 92Y Women in Power.