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ABOUT FOOT SOLDIERS

We help communities clean their block to #EliminateDirtyStreets in Brooklyn

Who are we?

At Foot Soldiers, LLC, we're committed to #EliminateDirtyStreets by serving as sanitation guides and managers for homeowners and property managers, cleaning one home at a time, and extending our impact one block at a time. Clean properties and streets do more than boost curb appeal; they form the cornerstone of healthy, safe, and proud communities. No excuses—just meaningful change. Join us to be a force for good, elevating the quality of life for families and neighborhoods alike.

Message to Owner

Leadership

In the News

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.

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.
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.
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.
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

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.
Accountability - James 4:17: We hold ourselves responsible for our actions, ensuring transparency and honesty in all our dealings.
Safety - Proverbs 27:12: We prioritize the well-being and safety of our team and community, taking proactive measures to prevent harm.
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.

Message to Owner

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

Leadership Team

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Owner Operator

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

Director of Customer Success and Quality Assurance

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.

Chief Financial Officer

Marcus Calliste

Marcus P. Calliste Sr., CPT (Ret.), USA, serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Foot Soldiers LLC, bringing over 25 years of logistics and operations experience from his distinguished U.S. Military career, which includes roles in the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and Army Reserve. He holds a Master’s in Management & Leadership, a Bachelor’s in Organizational Management, and three Associate degrees. Marcus has excelled in various logistical roles across Army installations, managing budgets over $2M and revamping supply chains, earning multiple U.S. Military and NATO awards. Since joining Foot Soldiers in March 2023, he has developed new systems and processes, maintaining strict fiscal accountability, and ensuring timely and accurate payroll with zero internal complaints. Beyond his military and financial expertise, Marcus has served as a PR-G Board Member, an NYC Sanitation Worker, and an Auxiliary Police Sergeant, significantly contributing to community service and youth workforce development. His dedication to excellence and service mirrors Foot Soldiers’ mission to improve community welfare. Outside of work, Marcus is an avid chess player and photographer.

Accounts Manager

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 Project Officer

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.

Operations Assistant

Destiny

Destiny Felix is the Sales Director at Foot Soldiers LLC, based in Brooklyn, NY. In this role, Destiny drives business growth by developing strategic sales initiatives, building strong client relationships, and overseeing a day-to-day sales activity.

Client's Advocate

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.

Virtual Assistant/ Executive Assistant of Mr. Barnabas Shakur

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.

Virtual Assistant/

Marketing and Design Specialist

Vianca

Vianca Valdez, the creative force behind Foot Soldiers, LLC, excels in design and marketing. Her work blends creativity and strategy, resulting in captivating designs that drive marketing objectives. Her portfolio showcases her versatility across various projects, from NFTs, games, animations, websites, illustrations, and indie films. With an IT background, Vianca combines design skills with technical knowledge, producing stunning and sound designs. Juggling her role at Foot Soldiers with pursuing a second degree and masters while maintaining her role at Foot Soldiers, demonstrating her dedication to continuous learning and her ability to balance multiple commitments. Vianca is more than a designer; she's shaping Foot Soldiers' visual identity with designs that tell stories and build connections.

Virtual Assistant/ Inspector

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.

Back-to-Back Best in Brooklyn Sanitation Services 2022 & 2023!

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

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

Martha Stewart - 2019
Gervois Magazine - Face of America - 2018
Caribbean News - 2018
Huffington Post - 2012
Bed Stuy Patch - 2011
NY Daily News Articles on Foot Soldiers - 2008 & 2011
Brownstoners - 2008