Meet The Team

Bashir Ansari - Executive Director

Bashir Ansari is one of the co-founders of SOLID Foundation Prep, Inc., a vision that was born out of a passion for community, education, and basketball.  Bashir is a graduate of Buffalo State College, where he was a member of the SUNYAC All-Academic Team.  He was also a member of Brockport State College's NCAA Division III Elite 8 team in 2007.

He currently works as an Assistant Vice President in Risk Management at Citi.  He has been coaching basketball at the youth and high school levels in the city of Buffalo since 2010.

Tariq Ansari - Executive Director

Tariq Ansari has been in the field of education for 13 years. After a short stint as a grammar school teacher, Tariq transitioned to health education where he has managed multiple programs and projects directed towards helping local youth find careers and becoming more educated about their health. 

A graduate of Buffalo State College, Tariq has also taken his knowledge of basketball, a sport that he's been playing since childhood, to the college ranks, where he is now an assistant basketball coach at his alma mater.  Tariq has also spent time coaching basketball to the youth at various camps and programs.

Greg Cherry - Research and Development Director

Born and raised in Buffalo NY, Gregory Cherry has been in the technology industry for more than 12 years as a Software Engineer. As a former scholar-athlete with a minor degree in coaching and creative studies, Greg has always had a passion for sports; mainly basketball, football, and track and field.

After graduating from Buffalo State College, Greg continues his work in tech as a Software Engineer while focusing on mentoring youth. Greg enjoys coaching/playing a multitude of sports while balancing his passion for music, technology, and general research on his free time. 

James Fomby - Treasurer

James Fomby was born and raised on the East Side of Buffalo, New York and has 7 years of coaching experience in youth football and basketball.  He is currently the head coach of Junior Varsity and Varsity basketball at St. Joseph's University Middle School.  James is a product of Buffalo Public Schools, attending Emerson and Grover Cleveland high schools.  He has carved out a career as a Class A truck driver for Pepsi Co. and is an active member of his community. 

James has always had a passion to learn, listen and to teach the youth not just in sports but, most importanly, life.  Teaching young people how to handle adversity and make the right decisions are key focuses of his community work.  His goal is to put all youth on the path to success and teach them to embrace their community as he has done.

Travell Scales - Education Director

Travell Scales born and raised in Buffalo NY, has over a decade of working in Higher and Secondary education.  Travell is a graduate of SUNY Buffalo State University who has retained a B.S. in Social Work and a master’s degree in Higher Education. 

Travell also holds a certificate to be a Police officer.  He maintains a close relationship with the community and currently works as a professional advisor at SUNY Buffalo State University.