The Black Women Thriving East of the River Team

A racial equity and racial justice consultant based out of Maryland, Sade has generational family ties to Wards 7 and 8. Sade strives to lift up and center those most directly affected by inequity and injustice, by helping shift power and resources.

Born in Washington, D.C., Amari is a native Washingtonian who lives in Maryland. Her grandparents lived in Southeast Washington, D.C. She is an enthusiastic advocate for health justice. She has worked to address health disparities for more than 30 years.

In 2002, Lynda joined Bread for the City and became Southeast Center Director in 2007. Lynda manages the daily operations for the Ward 8 Center, and recommends policies and practices for growth and expansion of services. Lynda has managed several programs that provided needed services for DC residents. Growing up in Ward 8, she is passionate about serving those communities.

Claudia is chief programs officer and mental health director at Nueva Vida, a culturally sensitive cancer support network for Latinx families in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She has over 18 years of combined national and international experience working to address health disparities. She holds a Masters’s degree in Clinical Psychology and Mental Health and is a Licensed Graduated Professional Counselor for D.C.

Lisa resides in DC, where she works as a physician, health advocate, health educator, and entrepreneur. In her role at the organization Grapevine Health, she improves understanding of health information through connection.

Delia is the founder and principal of NEAN Consulting LLC, a public health and business management consulting firm, based East of the River. A Ward 7 resident, Delia is also an elected government official serving Single Member District 7E06 and as the Chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 7E. She serves as the program and policy lead for the End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Megan works for the D.C. Primary Care Association where she works to improve health equity in the District, especially in Wards 7 and 8. She enjoys working collaboratively with health center staff and community partners to develop and implement sustainable solutions to complex health challenges.

Through the organization Evelyn’s Closet, Shantie collects and provides clean clothing to Washington D.C.’s underserved residents. She has a keen ability to inspire and an unwavering determination and perseverance.

Ronnette is a community health worker employed by the Institute for Public Health Innovation and working at AmeriHealth Caritas. A resident of Ward 8, with over 10 years of experience in her role as a CHW, Ronette brings expertise in navigating individuals through the complex health and social service system.

Born in Maine, Mandi lives in Virginia, writes proposals, and analyzes data for publication at the George Washington University Cancer Center. A leading LGBTQ-focused health research executive, her goal is to build capacity in patient navigation and systems change towards health equity, a perspective that she has brought to Black Women Thriving East of the River. She has worked in community outreach, cancer survivorship, and patient navigation in Washington, D.C., for the past 15 years. She has educated school staff about children returning to school after cancer treatment.

Erin is connected to Wards 7 and 8 through her current work at the Smith Center for Healing and Arts, and previous work with GW cancer center. She’s worked with cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers who live East of the River, and has seen and heard the barriers they face to receive adequate cancer care.

The Reverend Dr. Lorena M. Parrish is the Associate Professor of Urban Ministry and Director of the Community Engagement Institute and Center for Public Theology at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. as well as co-founder and co-director of Wesley’s Specialization in Children and Youth Ministry and Child Advocacy program. An ordained minister and skilled bridge-builder, Dr. Parrish is a womanist scholar-activist who specializes in urban ministry and practical womanist theology and ethics; and who is committed to uplifting communities through meaningful collaboration and community engagement.

Julia provides senior counsel to the Smith Center, helping them raise visibility and recognition for their unique work, while also working as a trained clinician, helping patients navigate through their cancer journey. She is deeply connected to Wards 7 and 8 through the SDI project and the friendship and work of Thelma D. Jones.

Satira is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the executive director of Ascensions Community Services, Inc. Her research has focused on African-American Inmates and College Students, Learned Helplessness, Risk Factors, and Explanatory Styles. Satira’s life mission is to be a healer and a helper, providing culturally relevant therapeutic interventions and empowerment to the people of her community.

A native Washingtonian and a Ward 7 resident since 1998, Marsha is intimately familiar with the struggles faced by the residents. She is a retired educator and an academic coordinator at Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. She is a passionate communicator for the health and well-being of African-Americans.

Marquita is a preventive health quality improvement specialist at the DC Primary Care Association where she leads the cancer screening portfolio. Prior to this role, she worked for 6 years as a cancer patient navigator based in Southeast Washington, D.C.