Our Partners

Partners

Department of Behavioral Health

Capital Area Food Bank

DC Housing Authority

Amazon Smile

Corporate Donors

Generous individual donors

Board of Directors

Dr. Kweku-Muata Osei-Bryson

Michelle Batchelor

Laura Ehle

Teresa Ferrante

Tamarah Teixeira

Rev. Dr. Jaylene Chase

Barbara Gross

Derin Abass-Teniola

Oke Anyaegbunam

Vacant

Board of Directors

Dr. Bryson is a Professor of Information Systems at Virginia Commonwealth University and Research Fellow at the Information Systems Research Institute. He formerly served as a Professor of Information Systems and Decision Analysis in the School of Business at Howard University, Washington, DC. His teaching areas include: Data Mining, Data Warehousing, Database Systems, & Knowledge Management with published papers in various journals. He also has experience as an Information Systems practitioner in both industry and government. Dr. Bryson earned a B.S. in Natural Science (University of the West Indies at Mona), an M.S. in Systems Engineering (Howard University), and a Ph.D. in Mathematics (University of Maryland at College Park).
Michelle is a Project Director for the American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Program. She has over 20 years of experience leading non-for-profit and governmental public health domestic and global programs with a specific focus on social justice, sexual and reproductive justice. Michelle’s passion and commitment focus on addressing health disparities and stigma that limits access to quality mental health services, and support for physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health choices. Michelle received an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University, a B.A. in Economics from Spelman College and is a Ph.D. student in Psychology.
Laura is employed as a cartographic technician. The company make maps mainly for government agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration. Laura focuses on aeronautical and nautical maps and highway charts. Affiliations: Partnership for Renewal in Southern and Central Maryland; Kettering Middle School Squadron/Tuskegee Airman Squadron of the National Capitol Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.
Teresa is licensed to practice law in DC, Maryland, and California. She is also a licensed real estate broker in DC and Maryland. She is a member of the United States Supreme Court Bar. Teresa earned a B.A. degree from California State University, Los Angeles and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. A life-long learner, Teresa currently studies history and martial arts.
Tamarah is employed with the U.S. Postal Service as a Mental Health Counselor. She has worked extensively in the field of Psychology with several mental health community service agencies. Tamarah extensively volunteers and consistently advocates for the women at Hyacinth’s Place resulting in obtaining in excess of $80K grant awards.
Dr. Chase is the Pastor of Community United Methodist Church. She earned a Master of Divinity degree and Doctor of Ministry – Urban Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC.
Dr. Chase also received leadership coaching from the General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church. In 2015, she received the Community Award from the radio station, Praise 104.1 and an award to study health disparities in underserved populations.
Barbara is a retired educator. She is an ardent supporter of women’s issues, the homeless, and the mentally ill. Barbara is Involved in various charitable efforts including fundraising for religious, and social organizations. She is also a committed international traveler. She earned a B.A. and M.A.
Derin is an experienced Senior Manager with vast experience in the financial services industry. She has been a multi-site manager responsible for meeting operation objectives, employee development, building and retaining commercial relationships, and business development, while managing financial portfolios. Derin launched her own logistics company, called D2logistics, a delivery service provider for Amazon, employing over 98 employees. Derin earned a B.A. degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Luton in Buckinghamshire, England.
Oke Anyaegbunam operates an affordable housing financial consulting firm focused primarily on project financing and tax advisory services. He has a B.S. in engineering (survey/mapping) and is a Business and Project Development Consultant for Anacostia Economic Development. Oke earned a MBA in accounting, M.S. in Taxation, and is a Certified Public Accountant