2025 Candidate Slate

I, Cynthia A. Howell, Acting President of DG1, an association executive, board member of a non-profit organization and member of our church Human Resources Committee (HRC) and Greeters Ministry, am excited to submit my nomination for the Council At-Large Committee Member position. With this nomination, I not only get to leverage and share my board level and executive leadership experience with my church family but will also bring my strong management experience focused on strategic planning and governance of the church’s goals and guiding principles.  I will also bring positivity, effective communication, motivation and creativity, providing the Church Council with an individual who is responsible, builds trust, fosters teamwork, practices the art of listening to receive and provide feedback and recommendations; and someone who will contribute to the effectiveness of the Church Council.

I am a Washington, DC metro area native and graduate from Hampton University. I have over 15 years of executive experience supporting business operations including human capital management and facilities. Within these roles, I provide executive leadership and strategic direction by setting goals and maintaining business culture by ensuring employees understand and follow organizational guiding principles and processes. I have two national certifications in Human Resources Management and I am a trusted and strategic confidant to chief suite executives as well as line management and staff employees. I have a solid foundation with hands-on experience in several types and sizes of organizations with different organizational cultures including non-profit, government contracting and for profit.

As a board member of the Giving Foundation for Women and Children Inc. (aka “Girls’ Night Out by Shawn Yancy”), which empowers and transforms the lives and futures of underserved women and children, I provide executive leadership, strategic direction, maintain business operations and assist with fiscal management.  I am also a licensed District of Columbia real estate referral agent and active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. These passions allow me to exercise my servant humble heart, changing important areas of people’s lives. I currently live in Washington, DC, married to Jon J. Aiken.

I am excited about the opportunity to help guide the strategic direction of ASBC and contribute to its mission through my service on the Church Council. My leadership style is deeply grounded in my values of integrity, service and equity which would allow me to make a positive impact as a Council Member At-Large, Committee Member.

I thank God for his grace and mercy and give him all glory and honor for my talents, skills, and abilities.

After being nominated by Pastor Wesley to serve as interim Member At-Large for the Church Council in May 2022, Raqiyyah was honored by our church family’s decision to elect her to complete a full first term.  During her first term, Raqiyyah served diligently to assist the church in its transition from the pandemic to our growing hybrid church family, including fulfilling appointments to the Nominating and Constitution & Bylaws sub-committees.  After much prayer, she humbly submits this application to be re-elected to complete a full two-terms in this role and continue to use her God given gifts to help further the vision He’s shared with Pastor Wesley for our church.

Raqiyyah is a Partner at Arnold & Porter where she co-chairs the firm’s Consumer Products & Retail practice.  She is recognized by Chambers as one of the nation’s top advertising attorneys and by Best Lawyers for her FDA practice.  Yet she has consistently balanced her corporate legal career with her commitment to ministry, leadership, and service.   For example, Raqiyyah is a loyal member of our Senior Youth ministry and co-leads the Do Good Sunday efforts (every 5^th Sunday) for our Higher Ground ministry.  Raqiyyah has also co-led our VBS YLP program and served in Royal Priesthood and Psalms of Praise.    A little known family fact is that in the 1940s, her mother’s family founded their family church, Ebenezer Baptist Church in East Chicago, Indiana; literally, built it from the ground up and it is still standing today. Her family is deeply rooted in service – service to the community and service to the Lord. Her brother is a regional Vice President for Field Ministries for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA and her sister is in youth ministry,  a supporter of Kid’s Street, and slated to be ordained by Alfred Street. Raqiyyah not only brings her professional acumen and experience but also a personal spirit of collaboration, humility, and service.

While born in White Plains, New York, Raqiyyah grew up in Hampton, Virginia, attended college at both Howard and Stanford Universities, and received a B.A. in psychology from Stanford University.  After college, Raqiyyah returned to Virginia for law school, receiving her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.  Raqiyyah has significant board experience (in both the private and not for profit sector) and is currently a benefactor for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington’s Fearless Girls Program, and a member of the Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc.  Raqiyyah also co-founded a fellowship program intended to increase  number of Black attorneys in the world’s largest law firms and has been featured as one of Ebony Magazine’s “Top Leaders Under 30,” The Washington Business Journal’s “40 Under 40,” and The Network Journal’s “Top 40 Under Forty.”  She’s a loyal NY Giants, Lebron James, and NY Knicks fan  and loves to play tennis.

It would be her honor to continue to serve her Alfred Street family as a Member At-Large for the Church Council.

Brian Campbell is a senior strategic business, growth, client and P&L leader, collaborator and innovative thinker with 25+ years of experience leading and growing impactful teams and organizations. Passionate about delivering creative solutions that matter to businesses and organizations including those they serve. Deep expertise in growing businesses, delivering enterprise and strategic transformations, leading inclusive and diverse teams, and driving digital and business disruptions.

Brian previously led Accenture, global consulting firm, client work in their US South Market Unit creating and delivering growth through relevance at the speed of life that drive business outcomes across Retail and Financial Services.

His experience is characterized as entrepreneurial starting his career as an intern with many years being viewed as high potential exceeding expectations year after year to progress into various senior leadership roles across several lines of business.

Brian is interested in shifting from his corporate experience and leveraging his business leadership mindset to lend his hand to assist the ASBC community with the direction and operation of the church.

Simone Grimes is a Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Qualified Audit Committee Financial Expert (as defined by the SEC) with deep expertise in corporate governance, financial reporting and management, external audit, risk management, internal controls and board service.  She has served in key finance executive leadership roles for large and mid-cap, high-growth, and heavily regulated companies across multiple industry sectors including banking, insurance, real estate, housing finance, private equity, and public accounting.

Simone is an Audit Committee Financial Expert as defined by the SEC having spent six years in public accounting as an independent/external auditor holding senior leadership roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Grant Thornton, and Walker & Company LLP where she oversaw audit engagements in the nonprofit space as well as the financial services practice for insurance companies, real estate companies, large banks and private equity firms. She rounded out her time in public accounting as a practice leader working with companies in high-growth sectors (real estate, insurance, and healthcare) through capital restructuring strategies including initial public offerings (IPO), debt restructuring, and mergers, acquisitions and dispositions.

Simone’s professional experience has included serving as the Chief Financial Officer of Acadia Insurance, a $2B dollar W.R. Berkley Company (NYSE: WRB) subsidiary where she leads a highly effective and sophisticated corporate finance function; VP at Progressive Insurance (NYSE: PGR) where she owned the P&L for a multi-million dollar national book of business; CFO for a special purpose entity where she negotiated government contracts, business acquisitions, and dispositions; and a public accounting practice leader where she led teams through complex financial statement audits and reported findings to management and the board of directors.

Simone’s corporate board experience has included serving on two boards through complex mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and exit strategies, serving as a strategic advisor to the board through capital restructuring initiatives, serving on her company’s board as assistant treasurer, sitting on the finance and audit committees for two large nonprofit organizations where she provides a critical layer of oversight, engages external auditors, reviews and approves budgets, follows up on auditor recommendations, and signs off on tax returns.

Simone teaches classes nationally and internationally for the Institute of Internal Auditors on a variety of corporate governance topics including Enterprise Risk Management, Ethics & Compliance, Fraud & Corruption, Accounting Standard Updates, and Cyber Security.

She holds an MBA from Cornell University, a Certificate in ESG Investments from Columbia University, is a Certified Public Accountant (Virginia), a Certified Internal Auditor and holds a Certified Corporate Director designation from the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).

In addition to her professional and academic accolades, Simone is a champion of financial literacy for children in grades K-12, mentorship for at-risk youth, and equal access for disenfranchised populations.

Education & Training

Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Master of Finance – Queens University, Ontario, Canada
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Accounting – University of District of Columbia, Washington, DC
Psychology – The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Commercial Real Estate – Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Sustainable Investing (ESG) – Columbia University, New York, NY
Licenses:  Certified Public Accountant (CPA) • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
Certifications:  NACD Directorship Certification®
Security Clearance: Public Trust

Board Leadership & Affiliations

Chair, Board of Directors – Green Growth Group, Inc. (past)
Assistant Treasurer, Board of Directors – Acadia Insurance Company (current)
Member, Financial Committee & Audit Committee – Junior Achievement of Maine (current)
Member, Governance Committee – Big Brother Big Sister Southern Maine (current)
Treasurer, Board of Directors, Audit Committee – Whistleblower Aid (current)
Other Affiliations:  Women in Technology • The Leadership Foundry • Virginia Society of CPAs • Institute of Internal Auditors • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. • National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).

I am the Director, Benefits Taxation at Microsoft where she oversees compliance with global tax requirements applicable to global benefit programs, including retirement plans, health and welfare benefits, equity compensation and fringe benefit arrangements. I also analyze policy and political developments with respect to taxation of benefits and executive compensation. Prior to joining Microsoft, I was Senior Counsel, Executive Compensation and Benefits at Hilton for over five years. I previously worked for Deloitte, National Tax Office and law firms where I provided guidance on various benefits, executive compensation and tax issues. I received an L.L.M in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center, a J.D. from University of Miami School of Law and a B.A. from Duke University. I enjoy serving as mentor for family, friends and colleagues and spending time with my husband Mike, and my daughter, Jackie. I think joining this committee is another way I can use talents that God has blessed me with for the benefit of my church family.

Bryan A. Bonner is a retired member of the Senior Executive Service (SES), where he served as the Deputy Chief Counsel for Field Operations for the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Chief Counsel’s Office.  From August 2021 to October 2022, at the request of the Staff Director, Bryan served on detail to the United States House of Representatives, as an Investigative Counsel with the United States House of Representatives Select Committee to Investigate the January 6^th Attack on the U.S. Capitol. As Investigative Counsel, Bryan focused on the law enforcement, intelligence, and national security aspects of the Select Committee’s work specifically analyzing the intelligence and threat landscape pre-January 6^th, law enforcement preparation and response to January 6^th, and the deployment and use of the District of Columbia, National Guard in response to the attack.

During his career, Bryan also served on detail to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).  While at ODNI, Bryan helped establish the National Intelligence Management – Aviation function within ODNI and spearheaded the creation of the Aviation Domain Intelligence-Integration and Analysis Cell (ADIAC) at TSA.

Currently, Bryan serves as Regulatory Counsel at CLEAR, where he leverage’s his 30 years of legal and consulting experience to enhance the company’s expertise and compliance in various domains, such as biometric and identity security. Bryan fosters collaboration among all CLEAR departments and leads in engaging with regulatory bodies, providing legal guidance to business, product, and technology heads on compliance protocols, and spearheading the implementation of compliant strategies for existing and upcoming legislative and regulatory changes, ensuring ongoing adherence.  Prior to joining CLEAR, Bryan served as Director with the consulting firm, Guidehouse.

Bryan is also a Director and Adjunct Professor of Law at Washington & Lee University, School of Law where he is responsible for curriculum development and delivery of instruction of law school level courses for litigation, professional responsibility, and conflict resolution.  Since January 2020, Bryan has served as a member of the Alfred Street Baptist Church, Governance & Legal Committee where he assists in overseeing the development and upkeep of the Church’s policies and procedure manuals, as well as ensuring adherence to established governing principles, policies, and practices by the Church Council.  In January 2024, Pastor Howard John Wesley appointed Bryan as the Vice-Chair of the Governance & Legal Committee.  In this role, Bryan assists the Chairperson in managing and executing the duties of the Committee, which includes overseeing the development and upkeep of the Church’s policies and procedures manuals.

Bryan received his undergraduate degree (Philosophy) from the University of Virginia (1990) and his Juris Doctor from the College of William and Mary, Marshall Wythe School of Law (1993).

Clermon E. Acklin III is an attorney with years of experience in environmental law, administrative law, and constitutional law. Most recently, he served as Federal Regulatory Counsel at a non-profit organization in DC. He also served as an attorney for the U.S Small Business Administration and, before that, as an attorney for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. He earned his Master of Environmental Law & Policy from Vermont Law School and his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Before becoming an attorney, Clermon worked on Capitol Hill as a U.S. Senate staffer for nearly six years. Clermon is originally from Little Rock, AR and relocated to the Washington metro region shortly after completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Central Arkansas. Clermon has been a member of Alfred Street Baptist Church since August 2012. When not tending to his ever-expanding collection of houseplants, you may find him going for a bike ride in D.C. or performing in a local theater production.

Amadi Anene is a lawyer and public policy professional, currently working as a National Security & Global Trade lawyer at a law firm in Washington DC. He focuses his practice on international trade, with particular emphasis on import/export, sanctions, export controls, FCPA investigations, and trade disputes. He works with clients on complex litigation and regulatory matters, including those before various U.S. government agencies, and dedicates much of his practice to providing pro bono services to those in need.

Formerly, Amadi was an appointee in President Obama’s administration, where he was the Senior Advisor to the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). As Senior Advisor, Amadi focused on creating economic opportunity through lending in cities across the country, and led programs and initiatives that increased capital to entrepreneurs, drove federal contracts to small businesses, and expanded workforce development efforts to small businesses. Amadi also served as the SBA lead on interagency task forces focused on city and community economic development. Prior to the SBA, Amadi worked in management consulting, where he specialized in advanced analytics and financial services for public and private sector companies.

At Alfred Street, Amadi has served as the Vice President of the Legal Resources Ministry for over three years. He is an avid runner and enjoys playing the piano. Amadi received his Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center. He is a graduate of Harvard College, and holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

I am Corey Brooks Pace, Esq., humbly standing before you today as a servant of God and a dedicated member of the Alfred Street Baptist Church since January 2023. My professional journey has led me to serve as an in-house counsel for a respected scientific trade association in Washington, DC, and share my knowledge as an adjunct professor at Georgetown Law, specializing in Corporate Law and Contracts. My role as in-house counsel has endowed me with the responsibility of crafting and scrutinizing internal policies and procedures, along with refining the bylaws of our organization. I am certain that these skills, cultivated through my professional journey, can be a valuable asset to our church. I am passionate about serving our community and look forward to the possibility of contributing to the Governance and Legal Committee.

Ashley Nesbitt Jones has been an active member of the Alfred Street Baptist Church family for over 4 years. During her time at the church, Ashley has volunteered for several ASBC initiatives, including, Feed the 5000, Brother’s Keeper, and the monthly homeless outreach ministry. When Ashley is not serving the community, she is serving her clients as an attorney. Ashley’s full time position is at Latham & Watkins LLP in Washington DC where she serves as Counsel in the Office of General Counsel. At Latham, Ashley is responsible for negotiating commercial contracts, mitigating risks, and ensuring the firm is in compliance with established laws and regulations.

As a graduate of not one, but two, HBCUs, Ashley is committed to social justice. With a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Winston Salem State University, and a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law, Ashley actively seeks out opportunities to serve her community and provide pro bono services to those in need. Along with other pro bono projects, Ashley is an active volunteer with the Mid Atlantic Innocence Project where she seeks to help exonerate those who have been wrongfully incarcerated. It is Ashley’s work in the community that she is most proud of, and she looks forward to serving her church in an even greater capacity. Through serving as a Committee Member on the Governance and Legal Committee, Ashley hopes to support ASBC’s mission by ensuring the church is in compliance with established policies and principles.

When she’s not practicing law, Ashley enjoys traveling and hiking mountains around the world. She is also an advocate for physical fitness and will tell you about how much she loves her Peloton any time she’s given the opportunity. Ashley and her husband, James Jones, are proud residents of Alexandria, VA.

Denise is an accomplished senior human resources (HR) professional with over 20 years of Human Resources (HR) experience (mostly earned in the private sector).  For the last seven years, Denise worked in the federal government (currently at the Federal Aviation Administration as an Acting HR Section Manager and before then, an HR policy analyst the US Federal Courts).  Some of her strengths and passions have been in the areas of HR operations, workforce management, performance management, policy/compliance, mediation, diversity and inclusion, employee/labor relations, organizational effectiveness, and recruitment.

Denise served as a Senior HR Business Partner at Children’s National Health System in Washington, DC. She also served as a Lead HR Business Partner Consultant at Pepco Holdings, Inc. in Washington, DC; an HR Business Partner at Lee County Electric Cooperative in Fort Myers, FL; a Chief of Staff at the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office in Atlanta, GA; and a Senior HR Advisor at Pfizer, Inc. in New York, NY.  In these capacities, Denise was responsible for responding to a variety of complex employment/labor relations matters (including managing labor union activities), performance management, employee engagement and retention, HR compliance training and development, review/writing policies, and assisting clients with developing organizational effectiveness strategies.

Denise holds a JD and an LLM in Employment & Labor Law from John Marshall Law School, Atlanta, GA. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Memphis State University, Memphis, TN and a Certificate in Mediation issued by the Center for Dispute Resolution, College Park, MD.

James Jackson is a skilled human resources practitioner. He possesses over 10 years of experience in human resources, specializing in employee relations. James is a graduate of High Point University with a degree in Human Resources and North Carolina Central University with a degree in Public Administration. He has contributed to workforce planning and engagement strategies at the University of the District of Columbia, the United States Capitol Police, and most recently Fairfax County Public Schools. James is adept at providing guidance regarding workforce performance issues, relationship management, and policy formation/revision/interpretation. Beyond his professional endeavors, James enjoys running, traveling, and home organization. He and his partner, Dr. Jason Ashe, share a son Aaron-John, and a loving Boston Terrier, Quincy.

Damien McCants has worked in construction industry for 23 years. In capacities such as business development, quality control and project management, Damien has worked healthcare, mission critical and federal projects during his career. Spending most of his career in HVAC, Damien has helped design and build award winning projects, such as Armed Forces Retirement Home as well as other secure projects for the federal government. Working for mechanical equipment manufacturers, mechanical contractors and general contractors, Damien currently leads business development for DPR Construction in the mission critical market nationally.

Damien is a certified LEED AP, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration, both from Virginia Tech.

Anitra Androh represents clients in commercial real estate transactions involving the acquisition, disposition, financing, development, and leasing of office buildings, multifamily developments, retail shopping centers, and various mixed-use and mixed-income projects. She has extensive experience negotiating development agreements, construction agreements, construction management agreements, property management agreements, cost-sharing agreements, reciprocal easement agreements, and declarations of covenants, conditions, and restrictions. Her practice also involves the creation of condominium regimes and the negotiating and settling of warranty claims filed against developers by condominium associations. Anitra also regularly represents clients in the acquisition and financing of affordable housing projects.

Marcia McCree is a Brooklyn native who graduated from the George Washington University Law School. She began her legal career representing plaintiff’s side antitrust and consumer protection class action suits. She then pivoted to real property and real property taxation and zoning issues serving as a Special Assistant Attorney General with the Commercial Finance Bureau of the District of Columbia. She subsequently entered private practice at a small firm and started her own private practice. In private practice, she handled a number of residential and commercial real property issues. In 2020, she joined the Department of Veterans Affairs, Real Property Law Group. She is an avid gardener, reader, and University of Georgia football fan.

Harry has over thirty-five years of experience in facility management operations and the construction services industry. He brings a wealth of experience from managing various aspects of facilities, construction, and project management.  As founder and principal, Harry has employed his leadership skills in assembling a talented team of professionals and has managed these relationships profitably. Also, he has relationships with over one hundred contracted consultants, professionally meeting the range of services required to meet the variety of services offered and expected by his clients.

His experience includes New York Life Insurance, Company Headquarters, New York City, Doctors Hospital, New York City, Lutheran Medical Center, New York City; he has participated in all aspects of Hospital (JACHO), EMS, educational, laboratory, and pharmacy construction. Arlington County Government, Arlington, Virginia, and American University Washington DC. He has worked closely with owners to establish facility maintenance staffing levels, operating capital, construction budgets, and planning strategies. Harry managed new and renovation construction projects from the cradle to the grave, including design concepts, budgeting, site development, regulatory requirements, team development, construction and financial management, commissioning, litigation, and project close-out.   

His team played a significant role in the hospital’s $42 million construction project for Doctors Hospital, which included a new hospital wing supporting state-of-the-art surgical operating suites, CAT scans, and emergency trauma medicine. He spent eight years as a Section Chief of Facilities Maintenance with Arlington County Government, where he provided services to 84 buildings in the county, negotiated contracts, and developed comprehensive repair and improvement surveys. He also planned, managed, and reduced multiple budgets.

At American University, he directly supervised facilities managers and staff for the 2.5 million-square-foot campus, including building maintenance supervisors, master electricians, sign makers, locksmiths, construction coordinators, and preventive maintenance managers. In total, he lead approximately 50 trade and professional employees with experience in the field of facility maintenance, management, and construction. He directed the implementation of facility operating programs, building systems operation, energy management, major building construction, building shakedown, and mechanical plant startup.

He provides unequaled representation for his clients, exceeding their expectations, best practices, and best value, ensuring long-term and short-term goals, developing strategies balancing competition and cooperation, and designing and delivering products and services that meet social and environmental needs. Often, acknowledging and shifting when needed to more resilient business models based on open-source, peer-to-peer, or service-based principles (to name a few), incorporating the actual costs of environmental and social resources, and seeing transparency and collaboration as sources of competitive advantage.

His approach to managing property owners’ real estate needs directly responds to the need to increase efficiency and reduce cost, giving attention to investment risk and fair value service for highly technical building systems.  With a team of professionals, he can offer a client the full array of services in all disciplines of architecture and engineering service that the discriminating commercial property owner desires in maintaining their investments. 

Professional Education:

New York City Technical College
New York University Real Estate Program

It is with considerable interest that I submit my nomination for one of the ASBC Property and Facilities Committee vacancies. As a professional with a record of achievements driving performance and quality improvement, I am poised to make significant contributions as part of Alfred Street’s Property and Facilities Committee. My education and experience encompass a comprehensive passion for Management and Leadership. My resume depicts an emphasis on IT Project and Program Management. However, my passion is people and real estate.

Here are a few highlights:

• Bowie State University MBA Graduate (December 2023)
• Certified Project Management Institute, Project Management Professional (since 2014)
• Actively Licensed Virginia Sole Proprietor Real Estate Broker
• Initially became a Certified Virginia Real Estate Salesperson in 2002
• Actively Licensed Broker/ Associate Real Estate Broker in the District of Columbia and Maryland
• Currently managing a few real estate properties
• Successfully managed Real Estate Projects from the construction phase to the “Sold” phase
• Highly motivated professional with a strong work ethic, growth mindset, and team leadership to drive efficiency, multi-functional collaboration, and industry best practices.

I am Valerie Lancaster Beal. I have had the honor and privilege of being a member of DG 5 of Alfred Street Baptist Church since 2019-20. I am blessed to have been enriched by the Biblical insight and fellowship witnessed through my engagement with my Springfield East Village. As a greeter, I am elated to welcome members and guests into the fellowship of the worship service. And as a retired “Wall Street” financial executive I am honored to have had the opportunity for the past year to share my experience on the Stewardship Committee as we strive to expand giving (generosity) and expressing thanks on behalf of the church (gratitude).

I am a native Washingtonian who grew up in Baptist churches in the city. Sharing one’s talent and treasures was a fundamental principle of my parents. My parents shared their gifts of their treasure and talent by being committed financial supporters of their churches as well as serving in church leadership, choir members and directors of youth programs. However, as a wife, mother, and investment banker for the past several decades my work and travel schedule precluded me from serving in weekly commitments. Fortunately, I was blessed to be able to share my treasure with the church and give service by volunteering in capacities including treasurer for annual Women’s Day events and providing data and financial literacy and management consultations among other service initiatives.

I relocated back to the DMV in 2019 and am elated that God guided me to Alfred Street. Now that I have retired from my fulltime positions, I am excited about the opportunity to use my God given talents with my church home of Alfred Street. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the Stewardship Committee this past year. Reaching out and engaging with members and visitors during the “Alfred Street Experiences” has been spiritually inspiring and rewarding experiences. Alfred Street’s presence beyond the DMV has been a blessing to so many and it has been a personally monumental experience to speak to and encourage engagement as well as welcoming the participants.

Finally, it will be an honor, and a privilege should the congregation afford me the opportunity to serve beyond my initial one-year inaugural term. Thank you advance for your consideration.

Eden Cunningham is the Director of Patient Safety and Quality at the District of Columbia Hospital Association, where she has served for nearly six years. She is passionate about fostering environments where people feel supported and cared for, aligning with her organization’s mission to engage the community and hospitals in delivering quality care while promoting equity and diversity. Eden’s skills include building strong relationships with community and hospital partners, leadership, project management, and event planning. She holds a degree in public health from the University of Maryland College Park and a master’s in public health from the University of South Florida. Eden seeks to be a light in the world, acting as the hands and feet of Jesus. She is a lifelong Maryland resident, a daughter to two wonderful parents and is grateful to call her sister her best friend. In her free time, her favorite thing to do is go outside on a run to enjoy nature.

My name is Christi Hay, MD MPH and I received the Right Hand of Fellowship to Alfred Street Baptist Church (ASBC) in January of 2022 and I am in Discipleship Group 33. I am an active participant of the Off 66 Village group and I volunteer with Kidstreet.  I am asking for your vote to secure a position on the Stewardship Committee.

Over the past nineteen years I have been involved in fundraising for several local organizations and an educational institution.  I entered fundraising as a means to show my gratitude to the teachers and administrators of my daughters’ school, Georgetown Day School(GDS).  At GDS, I was a grade-level leader for the Annual Fund for fifteen years and was appointed by the Development Office to be the chairperson of the Annual Fund during my tenure.  I was also appointed by the administration to participate in a capital campaign to build a new Lower and Middle School.  At GDS, I learned the importance of generosity, meeting families at their level of capacity, and showing appreciation for their contribution.  I learned that the thank you is just as impactful as the financial ask. I learned the importance of developing relationships.  These lessons I have carried with me and used to successfully help other non-profit organizations with fundraising.

I am the current Chairperson of the PVAC Fund, Inc, a non-profit organization that provides grants to local organizations and scholarships to Montgomery County students.  The PVAC Fund’s purpose is to fundraise for under-resourced and underserved Black and brown communities.   My commitment to volunteerism has granted me leadership roles and board positions for local organizations. I am on the  nominating committee for the Medical Society of the District of Columbia and I serve as the vice president of the Medical Society Alliance Foundation.  I also have taken on leadership roles in Classrooms 2 Community and the Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

As a physician and entrepreneur, I am solutions oriented and I am concerned about the financial bottom line.  I have experienced high risk and high reward as the founder and sole proprietor of Palisades Pediatrics, the first intentionally small pediatric care practice in the Washington metropolitan area, which was established in 2011.

I want to serve on the Stewardship Committee because I enjoy encouraging others to be generous givers.  As Pastor Wesley taught in his Show Me the Money sermon, when members give to the church we are able to witness the “communal work of the holy spirit” and  “fulfill the church’s mission to change the world through the witness of Jesus Christ”.  Pastor Wesley’s words spoke directly to my heart, mind, and spirit. His sermon motivated me to bring my talents and gifts to the church’s fundraising efforts.  I want to actively participate in Alfred Street Baptist Church’s plan to galvanize new financial givers and demonstrate gratitude to those that give.

Opal is an accomplished commercial and federal government professional with a demonstrated history of working in Regulatory Program Compliance and Ethics, Program and Project Management and Policy development. With a professional career of 30+ years, she is a past member of the National Park Service Ethics Office where she provided training and guidance to other employees on compliance and ethics-related work matters. Opal is currently a Policy Advisor with the Department of the Treasury, Office of Capital Access.

Opal’s passion is working in the local community and offering her skills and talents through service on various committees and boards. Much like the various activities and initiatives Opal introduced and delivered in previous leadership roles, she has made it a priority to continue to grow organizational health by expanding the organization brand, growing technology needs, maintaining sound financial management while keeping the community in the forefront all by leading with a servant’s heart.

Opal stepped into the Office of President of the Fort Washington Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. after serving as Chair of the Coalition of Stronger Communities Inc. for five years. As the second Chair of the Foundation and even as a board member, she advocated for the advancement of the Foundation and brought forth community projects in partnership with the Prince George’s County Council Members and Charles County Commissioners. Opal serves on the Alfred Street Baptist Church Foundation Scholarship Board and is a member of DG-5. She is the current Board Secretary for MStreetX, a small business fintech company. She served as a board member of the Unity Economic Development Corporation and provided oversight on first-time home buyers training.

Opal’s vision for continued success is to capitalize on collective strengths, which is to remain resourceful, relevant and relational, all towards the goal of making a lasting impact. Her dream is to help sustain and grow a strong support unit that provides community-based organizations with a sense of purpose and commitment.

I am Barbara Neely hailing from Gulfport, Mississippi. I am the tenth of twelve siblings and received the right hand of fellowship at age 5 at St. James Baptist Church (SJBC). As a young girl, I participated in Sunshine Band, Junior Mission, Baptist Training Union, VBS, Bible Baseball and Youth Choir. I was the Secretary for Sunday School and a regular delegate for the fifth Sunday Baptist Convention.

I went on to become a career Air Force spouse with six stateside and four overseas assignments, and remained dedicated to the servant-leadership tradition I learned in the pews of SJBC. My family and I participated faithfully in each base Gospel Service and I served under numerous chaplains as a Parish Council Member (duties: annual budgets/event planning; purchase orders; Christian literature; logistics; lodging; admission; etc.,) and in these various ministries:

• Facilitated weekly Bible study; Organized quarterly crafting fellowships and retreats/Women’s and Single Adult Ministry
• Taught Sunday School and VBS; Coordinated/chaired special programs (Black History Month, Easter, Mother’s Day, Harvest Festivals and Christmas)/Youth Ministry
• Organized group activities (bowling, pizza parties, movies, game nights, retreats, NBA/MLB games, Mall of America, Valleyfair Amusement Park etc.,)/Congregation
• Coordinated potlucks; Easter Sunrise Service; Watch Night Service/Culinary Ministry
• Initiated/hosted the NCO Academy Fellowship Dinner/Outreach Ministry
• Co-coordinated services and Thanksgiving pie socials/Ecumenical Ministry
• Initiated/hosted Chaplain’s meet and greets for visitors/Greeter’s Ministry

In December 2012, I received the right hand of fellowship at Alfred Street Baptist Church (ASBC). I am a member of Discipleship Group 18 were Deacons Deborah Crawford and Edwin Cox love on me. While I hope to deepen my commitment to ASBC through the Stewardship Committee, I have served ASBC in the following activities:

• Serving in DG 18 (Vice President)/Food Pantry/Feed the 5000/Single Adult Ministry
• Breaking bread in The Word in Adult I/II Sunday School/ Women of the Word/CAYA
• Working with Vacation Bible School/ Higher Ground/Crossover/Tutoring
• Volunteering with the Eric M. Willis Memorial Golf Tournament/ASBC Faith 5K

While I have had a fruitful career as a Government Contract Specialist, my proudest accomplishments to-date are my two children (Anastazia and Roosevelt) followed closely by my greatest joys; my G-babies (Ransom, Shiloh and newbie in November); and the gift of a second daughter (Courtney.) Lastly, I am delighted to serve alongside my Sorors in the Northern Virginia Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

My gregarious personality, love of service and more than 18 years of expertise in government contracting make me an excellent candidate for the Stewardship Committee. At work, I have experience soliciting, executing, managing and conducting budget and performance oversight on multiple awards valuing over $25M. Outside of the office, you can find me serving in my community with a welcoming smile. As a “Servant of the Most High God,” I have never met a stranger; warm-heartedness, generosity, and gratitude are a couple of my default settings.

Michael (Mike) Stuart is currently working as a Senior Program Analyst at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.   He is part of a team that leads modernization efforts enabling cyberspace operations and electromagnetic warfare at the Department of the Army.

A native of Glade Springs, Virginia, Mike Stuart earned his undergraduate degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY and his master’s degree from Troy University in Troy, AL.

Mike recently retired from the U.S. Army after 28 years of service as a commissioned officer with jobs that span Air and Missile Defense Artillery, comptrollership, resource management, budgeting, HBCU Assistant Professor of Military Science, as well as a liaison to senior businesses, governments and foreign officials on national strategy, foreign policy and defense related matters.

Mike brings extensive experiences from supporting senior executive leaders and large organizations in the advancement of sustainable programs and enrichment of overall operations.  He routinely responds to congressional and U.S. Government Accounting Office inquiries and supports senior leaders in testimony with financial reports, status briefings, and trend analysis charts for current and future-year requirements.  He is vastly experienced with the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process that outlines a military department’s resource allocation decisions as well as managing portfolios exceeding $20B.  He also worked as a senior military advisor to the Department of State by providing subject matter expertise to a NATO partner.  His efforts resulted in $10.5B in Foreign Military Sales to Poland for national defense systems, the most significant piece to Poland’s $40B defense enhancement plan.

Prior to joining Alfred Street Baptist Church, Mike served in the Finance Committee as the Assistant Treasurer at Fort Foote Baptist Church where he spearheaded a campaign and raised ~ $4 million in 9 months to pay off the church mortgage.  He was also chosen to lead many personal wealth building classes in support of the Washington D.C. Baptist Church Convention’s education initiative.

Mike recently launched Debt Exodus, LLC where helps 9-5 workers establish iconic legacies by teaching them better financial strategies to increase their cash flow for lifestyle, investing, and business building.  The goal is to demystify personal finance so average folk can take charge of their financial future despite the systems designed to keep it from you.

Mike is a father, husband, and a melomaniac who loves traveling and sports.

Jaquial Durham is a multi-hyphenate social justice champion. The South Carolina native has spent over a decade actively engaged in various outreach initiatives to uplift and empower marginalized communities. He is also a passionate cultural enthusiast dedicated to exploring the rich tapestry of African American history, which drives him to continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of those around him. His advocacy for social-political issues that encompass race, prison culture and gender have been at the forefront of his work.

Durham has spent countless years fostering a community that continues to expand by actively participating in a wide range of initiatives that aim to address systemic inequalities and promote positive change. In 2012, he initiated the annual “Jaquial & Community Turkey Drive,” which has consistently provided nutritious meals to over 125 households in Pickens, Oconee and Anderson counties. To date, this widespread campaign has supported over 10,000 families. In 2017, Durham addressed the students and faculty at Winthrop University, where he spoke about the importance of financial literacy, mainly directed toward Black and brown populations striving to improve the quality of their lives. In the same year, young change agent was nominated for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Building a Dream Award in Winston-Salem, NC.

Possessing a deep-seated belief in the power of people and civic engagement, Durham has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between entertainment and education with the goal of fostering understanding and curating opportunities for dialogue and collaboration. As the CEO of Public Culture Entertainment Group, an entity focused on raising public awareness about the myriad of components that influence culture, Durham spearheads the company’s TV/film projects and cultivates unique apparel capsules that showcase prominent African American figures, organizations and landmarks often absent from historical dialogue. The ambitious, young go-getter prolifically uses creative activism to amplify the voices, stories and experiences of those often overlooked. His visionary brilliance can be seen in the groundbreaking documentary Southern Prison Culture, a cinematic film highlighting the challenges individuals face within the system and fiercely advocating for much-needed reforms. Durham’s documentary has sparked essential conversations and raised awareness about the issues facing the incarcerated population, and shedding light on the need for more significant support and resources for those affected. As a result of the film’s success, Durham has received prestigious awards like the Milan Gold Award, the Austin Lift-Off Film Festival Award and the London International Film Festival Award.

Durham has been a driving force behind various social justice reforms, calling for equitable and inclusive policies and practices. His unwavering dedication to helping others earned him widespread recognition that included opportunities to lecture at colleges such as American University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Clemson University and Texas State University. Durham was honored by Grammy-Award Winning rapper Killer Mike, who has respect and credibility within the culture. His dedication to the development of higher education institutions in America has led him to refine his intellectual and creative genius relentlessly. While Durham received a bachelor’s in African and African American Studies with a minor in Women and Gender Studies from Winston-Salem State University, he is pursuing a Ph.D.from Clemson University in Rhetorics, Communication and Information Design.

Lieutenant Colonel Robin R. Evans commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps through the University of Missouri, Kansas City ROTC program after serving 4 years enlisted as a Chaplains
Assistant. Lieutenant Colonel Evans’ prior officer assignments include: Platoon Leader and Shop Officer, Echo Company, BN S1, 702’d Main Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea; Brigade Maintenance Officer, Company Commander, 4th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, l st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss Texas. Operations Officer and Instructor/Doctrine Writer, Sustainment Center of Excellence, Fort Lee, Virginia. Transportation Officer, Multi-National Corps- Iraq. Support Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. Joint Petroleum Officer, United States Forces Korea. Assignment Officer Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky. Aide De Camp, Army G-4 and Exercise Planner, Joint Staff J-7, Pentagon, Washington, DC.

Lieutenant Colonel Evans deployments include Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006-07; Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2008-2009; Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, 2011-2012. Her military education includes the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, the Combined Logistics Captain Career Course and Resident Intermediate Level Education.

Her civilian education includes a Bachelor’s of Arts in General Studies from Emporia State University;
Master of Science Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Missouri,
Kansas City, Master of Business Administration from Webster University and a Masters of Library Science from Syracuse University.

Lieutenant Colonel Evans awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with 2 oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.

Post Army Robin has been a Public Librarian as well as a Chief of Staff for a Department of Defense organization. As a Librarian she enjoyed helping patrons find books to read for pleasure; conduct research for schoolwork, business, or personal interest; and learn how to access the library’s resources.

In her spare time, Robin likes running, cycling, reading and international travel. She spends time working on both Sorority and Church committees and with her 14-year-old son Finn. A resident of Washington, DC she loves all of the rich history, culture, and attractions that it offers.

Dana M. Lewis is President and CEO of In Other Words, LLC, an exclusive and highly sought-after consulting firm which specializes in speech and ghost writing, and strategic and crisis communications. She helps leaders and organizations produce consistent messaging across and through multiple platforms that inspires internal and external collaboration on key campaigns.

Ms. Lewis is an experienced keynote speaker, media savvy surrogate, effective moderator and panelist. Past national and international events include: The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; The William R. Harvey Leadership Development Program at Hampton University; Harvard Kennedy School; Essence Magazine’s Public Policy Forum; Connecticut NAACP Freedom Fund; and women executives from the Australian federal, state and public service sectors in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

For over 15 years, Ms. Lewis served as a policy and communications advisor in the U.S. Congress. Some distinguished Members of Congress for whom she has worked: Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry S. Reid, House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer, and Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. Ms. Lewis’s former areas of policy expertise included education, women’s reproductive health, appropriations and the judiciary. She was directly involved with the success of key legislation related to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Voting Rights Act (VRA), No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and emergency bills addressing health centers and education funding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

In April 2007, Ms. Lewis traveled with Senator Barack H. Obama as a personal aide on the Obama for America Presidential Campaign. After his election, she was tapped by First Lady Michelle Obama as her primary personal aide in the White House.
Ms. Lewis was raised in Weston, Connecticut and currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hampton University in 1993 and an A.A. in Culinary Arts from The Culinary Institute of America in 2003. Memberships include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Professional Speechwriters Association (PSA), and Gotham Ghostwriters.

Dr. Tonya M. Brown is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Baltimore City Community College, where she has been a faculty member since 2003. Additionally, Dr. Brown is an adjunct professor of psychology at Southern New Hampshire, and in 2017 she was awarded the COCE Award for Outstanding Instruction in Social Science. Moreover, Dr. Brown is as an adjunct professor of psychology at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. Teaching for over twenty-five years influenced Dr. Brown to become a speaker and writer.

Dr. Brown graduated from St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. and completed the Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Maryland, College Park. Additionally, she received the Master of Education and Human Development Degree from The George Washington University, the Master of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix, and the Doctor of Education from Marymount University. The title of her dissertation is: An Exploration of the Mentoring Experiences of Ethnically Diverse Women Faculty at an HBCU: A Qualitative Case Study.

As the founder and CEO of Professor Brown, LLC, Tonya has developed workshops, conferences, and keynotes on Healthy Living; Weight Loss and Weight Management. Abandoning Anger and Embracing Love; Education and Leadership; Diversity in Education; Hip Hop Music and Culture; College Admissions Coaching; Children of Incarcerated Parents; Single Parents as Heads of Households; Retention of African American Male College Students; First-Year College Experience; and Women in Ministry. Through this platform, Dr. Brown developed Conversations with Professor Brown Webinar Series during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide access to a dynamic array of speakers virtually on topics including social justice, virtual and online education, mental health, selfcare, supporting aging parents, multi-generational relationships, and building second careers.

Community service is also important to Dr. Brown, and she promotes women’s health and wellness through her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Xi Omega Chapter. Dr. Brown is a board member and chair of the Social Justice Committee for the University of Maryland Black Alumni Association. She is also board member at Annunciation Catholic School in Washington, DC. Finally, Dr. Brown is a proud member of The Metropolitan Group and Alfred Street Baptist Church and serves as the Vice President of Discipleship Group 37.

Kawana Cohen is a community servant and leader with over 20 years of community outreach and service experience.  Kawana is a Registered Nurse Lieutenant in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps where she currently serves as the Public Health Advisor to the Director within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.  Before joining the Corps, Kawana served as the Director for Population and Community Health at Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton, MD.  In addition to her background as a nurse, Kawana has a background in Environmental Science and previously served in the civil service for 16 years as a Biologist, Program Analyst, and Section Chief at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Homeland Security respectively.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Rutgers University, a Master of Science in Environmental Science from John Hopkins University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland.  Kawana is very active in her community.  She is a member of the Fort Washington Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she is the co-chair of the Physical & Mental Health Committee and co-chair of the Program Planning and Development Committee.  She has been a member of the Mitchellville-Bowie Section of the National Council of Negro Women for over 17 years and has held a number of leadership positions within the section to include First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording and Corresponding Secretary, and Community Outreach chair.  She has served Prince George’s County as the chairwoman of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission for 2 years and a commissioner for 3 years.  Last but not least, Kawana is a dedicated volunteer for Food & Friends in Washington, D.C. where she is a chef’s assistant and delivers meals to clients in Prince George’s and Montgomery County.  At Alfred Street Baptist Church, she is a member of DG #34 and the HIV/AIDS ministry.  Kawana’s motto is “It’s not hard work, it’s HEART work!” and believes her service to others is at the very core of her being.  In her spare time Kawana enjoys mid distance running, spending time with her son Mathias, and watching sports.

I am a resilient professional with over 20 years of progressive strategic management experience in both the public sector and private industry.

My interest in the nominating committee is rooted in my desire to contribute to my community in a way that not only elevates, but also enhances the environment for everyone involved.  My career has been centered around strategically aligning the right people to any mission and by providing in depth insight to complex situations in order to make impactful decisions.  The ability to combine perceptiveness with strategic alignment has proven fruitful for each organization I have been associated with. My experience focuses on strategic forecasting and planning, program management and leadership in human capital and change management programs and initiatives.  I have advised at the executive level for numerous agencies and organizations.  As an Associate Director, I have a direct impact on executive leadership decisions and agency operation management.  I am the lead strategist, responsible for complex program initiatives; I provide insight and conduct detailed assessments using data and people analytics in order to develop long-term evidence based solutions.

I believe we all have a purpose to assist each other and serve in our community in some way or another and we all have love languages that can be used to reach beyond our family and friends.  Acts of Service is one of my love languages, which I have been able to apply in my professional as well as my volunteer life.  I would like to apply my acts of service love language as a member of the nominating committee. I would like to use my experience of aligning the right people with the right positions so they too would have the opportunity to use their expertise in areas that would have the most impact.  If selected, I would work diligently with other committee members to identify ASBC members who will assist the church leadership with advancing the love of God and spreading the Gospel not only to our church family, but to those outside of our community as ASBC continues to be a cornerstone, building fellowship and unity locally and across the globe.

Lekeisha Terrell MD, MS is a double board-certified Pediatrician and Adolescent Medicine Specialist. She currently works at Unity Health Care, the largest primary care community health center in Washington, DC providing service to homeless, low-income and uninsured patients.  She holds multiple leadership roles in the organization and is the current Medical Director of Clinical Experience and Support; Adolescent Health Services; and the School Based Health Centers (SBHCs). She has a passion for achieving health care equity and improving the health and well-being of the community she serves. Dr. Terrell also has an interest in minority advancement in health professions careers and serves as a teacher and preceptor and is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine and Instructor at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Terrell has a long track record of service in the community. Since 2013, she has actively and consistently served at Alfred Street Baptist Church though multiple ministries and leadership roles. She currently serves as president for her discipleship group; volunteer lead for Higher Ground; Stage Management Team; sports ministry and greeters ministry. Since 2010, Dr. Terrell has served locally, regionally and nationally as a Board Member for multiple professional and community organizations including the Northern Virginia Urban League; Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine; American Academy of Pediatrics; and others. Her previous experience, in the Urban League as the Board Chair for Policies and Procedures aligns with the Alfred Street nominating committee. She was responsible for overseeing the nomination process and election of leadership and ensured elections were organized, executed efficiently and conducted properly and fairly. She was also responsible for reviewing and enforcing the bylaws; drafting changes; and maintaining order during meetings. Because of her commitments professionally and her work in the community, she has received the Unity Health Care Service Leadership Award; Unity Health Care Service Award; Shining Star Award for Leadership, Perseverance and Determination; National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP) Member of the Year for the Eastern Region; Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 40 under 40 Award; a gubernatorial appointment; Leadership Center for Excellence 40 under 40 Honoree Award; and the NULYP Honors Award. Dr. Terrell was born and raised in Kansas City.  She received her medical degree from the 6-year medical school program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and completed her pediatrics residency at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO. She completed an Adolescent Medicine Fellowship and received a Master’s in Clinical Science Research from Indiana University/Riley Hospital for Children. She also has a diploma in International Medicine. She is an avid KC Chiefs fan and loves playing tennis, horseback riding, cooking, watching movies and traveling. It would be her honor to serve her Alfred Street family as a member of the ASBC Nominating Committee.

A retired Early Childhood (EC) educator, I have years of successful experience as a classroom teacher, Early Childhood Resource Teacher, EC Specialist, EC Coordinator, and Teacher Mentor. I was honored to be named the U.S. Presidential Awardee for Teaching Mathematics and Science for the District of Columbia and statewide.

Since retiring in 2010, I’ve continued to contribute to the field by assisting Early Childhood programs in Maryland in maintaining their quality ratings to meet nationally recognized standards through the Johns Hopkins School of Education. Additionally, as a Maryland State Department of Education Accreditation Specialist, I supported child development centers, daycare homes, and both private and public programs in maintaining the quality of their programs through participation in Maryland Accreditation.

I was also elected to serve as a Nominating Committee member for two different organizations, eventually moving into the Nominating Chair position for both. I am currently completing a three-year term as a member of the Alfred Street Baptist Church Nominating Committee. Each of these experiences has afforded me valuable skills in the selection process, including accepting nominations, interviewing prospective candidates, and conducting the vetting process, all of which lead to the election of qualified candidates.

As I seek reelection to the Nominating Committee for the 2025 term, I am eager to continue applying these skills and contributing to the leadership and growth of the committee.