Members of the River East Emerging Leaders (r.e.e.l) have chosen a cross-section of residents and a student from East of the River neighborhoods to form its newly established Board of Directors.  The organization’s nine newest officers and representatives will serve for the next two years. The original steering committee Board is officially dissolved.    



Charles Wilson
President
Neighborhood: Historic Anacostia
Ward: 8

Brief Bio:

Volunteerism and community engagement are important to me because I am a true believer that neighborhood enhancement comes by neighbors sharing ideas and working together to improve the quality of life and services available within community. When people ask me where I live, I say I am a proud resident of Ward 8, residing in Historic Anacostia. East of the River is truly the best community in the District of Columbia! We have the best neighbors, the most beautiful homes and the most active organizations in all of Washington, DC.

Vision for r.e.e.l.:

As one of the founders of the River East Emerging Leaders, it is my focus for the organization to operate more efficiently, continue to have a positive impact on the community and collaborate with other East of the River organizations in working toward a brighter community.

Troy Donté Prestwood

Vice President

Neighborhood: Anacostia

Ward: 8

Brief Bio:

As a third generation Washingtonian, graduating from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Howard and American Universities, I’m a proud resident of Anacostia after calling Ward 7’s Benning Heights, Deanwood and Mayfair communities home for half my life. A journalist by training, I cofounded District Chronicles, a community-oriented newspaper distributed throughout the DC area including East of the River and have received awards for several critically acclaimed reporting and research projects, including D.C.’s wireless Internet initiative to bridge the digital divide; the fate of residents and businesses displaced by the Washington Nationals baseball stadium; and health code violations in D.C.’s largest grocery store chains. I currently work in communications for a nonprofit and is the principal of Audacity Communications, LLC, a strategic communications and design public relations firm located in Ward 8.

Vision for r.e.e.l.:

As someone who has been here from the beginning, I see r.e.e.l. starting a new phase of growth and expansion by continuing to build its internal organizational structure and expand community outreach efforts with key constituencies, becoming a stronger voice for them and the greater East of the River community.

Damion A. Parran

Treasurer

Neighborhood: Randle Highlands

Ward: 7

Brief Bio:

A Washingtonian, I moved back to D.C. in 2009, after spending 14 years in Los Angeles, California, where I received my BFA in theater management and served as the executive director of a nonprofit theater organization among other things. I am proud of the progress East of the River has made over the last 15 years. The focus to increase the quality of affordable housing, educational opportunities, and small business continues to enrich the quality of this community. I look forward to collaborating with r.e.e.l. and the East of the River community on developing new and innovative enterprises that inspire social dialogue.

Vision for r.e.e.l.:

I would like to see r.e.e.l. increase its fundraising capacity and membership programs. This will provide the organization with the financ ial strength to enhance its trademark workshops, special events, and educational opportunities that benefit its members and the community.

Courtney Anderson
Secretary

Neighborhood: Anacostia

Ward: 8

Brief Bio:

I’ve lived in Washington, D.C. for five years now with Anacostia being my home for the past year. I’m excited about what is happening on our side of the river, but want all residents to feel like they are a part of the changes. I feel like East of the River is not just some place where you hang your hat, but it’s a community that you become a part of and I would like to encourage that mentality not just in my neighborhood but throughout our community.

Vision for r.e.e.l.:

I would like to see r.e.e.l. continue on its current track, increasing its visibility in the community through events and collaborations with other organizations. I would also like to see r.e.e.l. inspiring and empowering residents, especially youth, to take an active interest in making our side of the river the place we all know it can be.

Kimberly (Kim) Givens

Parliamentarian

Neighborhood: Congress Heights

Ward: 8

Brief Bio:

Originally from Lexington, MS, I have called the DC area home since 1997. I purchased my first home in Congress Heights in May of 2007 and have been excited ever since about the new change underway in our community. I currently work for a software company as well as attend the University of District of Columbia.

Vision for r.e.e.l.:

To become a positive force in the community in which I live.

Jeanine Hunter

Ward 7 Representative
Neighborhood: Grant Park
Ward 7

Brief Bio:

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, I moved to DC in 2000. I have lived in various parts of the city, but have been a Ward 7 resident since 2004. I am a Marketing Writer/Producer in television, but have hopes to build a small business in our community.

Vision for r.e.e.l.:

As a resident of Ward 7, I would like to see r.e.e.l. be a positive organization with great impact in leadership in Ward 7 and Ward 8--making these communities prosper by helping, educating and communicating with its members.

Abeo Anderson
Ward 8 Representative
Neighborhood: Washington Highlands
Ward 8



Brief Bio:

A native Washingtonian and product of DC Public Schools, I have my roots in the Nation’s Capital and have seen development over the past 30 years of my life growing up in the city. I recently moved to Washington Highlands from upper Northwest in January 2008. I have enjoyed the vast green landscape and development “buzz” in my new neighborhood and home East of The River. I have been involved with community youth development and arts projects around DC and have worked on public policy issues affecting urban communities such as low-income housing, crime and safety, and education. I have also traveled extensively around the world as a graduate student and as a professional. My area of specialty is the Americas region and as a result, I speak Spanish fluently and can converse with this growing population in the District. My experiences immersed in different cultures and backgrounds have made me a well-rounded individual (“act global but think local” has been my modus operandi for establishing and cultivating personal and business relationships).

Vision for r.e.e.l.:

As the Ward 8 representative, I would envision positive development in the areas of job creation, diversity in businesses, academic performance for youth in public and charter schools, as well as crime reduction and public safety.

Regan Leslie Ford

At-Large Representative

Neighborhood: Hillcrest

Ward: 7

Brief Bio:

I am a native Washingtonian and a native Ward 7 resident. It is my interest to increase the visibility of the Ward 7 and Ward 8 neighborhoods as culturally rich and prospering areas. Additionally, as the director of the Levine School of Music’s campus at THEARC in Ward 8, I am dedicated and devoted to providing other areas of interest for our youth and East of the River families.

Vision for r.e.e.l.:

As one of the founders of the River East Emerging Leaders (r.e.e.l.), it is my focus for the organization to continue to have a positive impact on the community and collaborate with other East of the River organizations in working towards a brighter WARD 7 +8 = 15.

Yaayaa Maria Hunt

Youth Representative

Neighborhood Fairlawn

Ward: 8

Brief Bio:

Yaayaa is a senior at Anacostia High School where she currently holds the positions of Student Government and National Honor Society President. She is a member of the Marching Tribe Marching Band where she is the captain of the Ebony Dolls dance team. She runs both cross country and outdoor track and field for the Lady Indians. She also writes for the Anacostia Star newsletter and fulfills the role as editor- in- chief. Up until the dismissal of Anacostia’s drama department this year she was the president of the Thespian Society. She is active in the community earning over 800 hours of service from mentoring through the arts. After graduation she plans to attend Yale University where she will double major in theater studies and economics. Her overall career goals include acting both on screen and on stage earning both an Academy Award and a Tony. She also believes she will one day own the largest talent agency chain in the world.

Vision for r.e.e.l.:

As one of the youth representatives on the r.e.e.l. board, I would like to see more East of the River youth become involved in the life of the organization.