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Oakland Literacy Coalition’s Sia Magadan is Creating Equity and Social Capital

By Spark Point / January 27, 2021

An educator and development leader, Sia is leveling the playing field for California learners  “I always say that I am a proud first-generation American. My parents came to the DC area from Sierra Leone in West Africa,” says Sia Magadan, Development Manager for the Oakland Literacy Coalition. “My mother finished high school but my father…

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Indira Henard Finds Her Calling Far From Her Political Path

By Spark Point / January 13, 2021

With an eye on politics and policy, Indira took a major detour — and never looked back  Indira Henard has spent the last 20 years in Washington, D.C. — and, for most of those years, she was focused on a career in politics. “My first love is policy and politics,” she says. “I worked for…

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Dr. Judy Lubin is Promoting a CURE for Racial Health Inequities

By Spark Point / January 8, 2021

As founder and president of the Center for Urban and Racial Equity (CURE), Dr. Lubin is transforming how organizations think about equity “I’ve always felt called towards racial equity and antiracism work,” says Judy Lubin, PhD, MPH, a sociologist, policy analyst, racial justice advocate and founder and president of the Center for Urban and Racial…

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Marissa McKeever is Empowering the DC Community with Care

By Spark Point / December 23, 2020

In her role at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Marissa drives healthcare advocacy and community investments Marissa McKeever has always been passionate about access, particularly among historically marginalized communities. That, she says, is what motivated her to pursue a law career. “By high school I knew that was my path,” Marissa says. “I wanted to go to…

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Onari Jackson is Saving Families, One Broken Wing at a Time

By Spark Point / December 9, 2020

From her own pain came an incredible purpose—and, now, she’s helping countless women every single day  Growing up, Onari Jackson was used to conflict. “I used to tell people, ‘I don’t like girls’ or ‘I don’t get along with other girls,’” she says. “It was always, ‘I don’t get along with so-and-so.’ I had such…

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Nkechi Feaster Turns Frustration into Action, Advocating for Shelter Reform

By Spark Point / December 2, 2020

Nkechi Feaster loves D.C. Born in the city, she, her brother and mother moved to South Carolina—but Nkechi always knew she’d return. When she did, though, life in her beloved city wasn’t what she envisioned.  “When I came back to D.C. I found myself in a shelter,” Nkechi says. “Between college, having my son, leaving…

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Storyteller, Educator and Oyé Palaver Hut Founder Vera Oyé Yaa-Ann Teaches African Culture and the Importance of Good Nutrition

By Spark Point / November 18, 2020

Since moving the the U.S. in 1993, Vera has been committed to telling her story, and supporting countless families in the process

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One House, One School, One Mission

By Spark Point / November 11, 2020

Shannon Hodge’s Passion for Education Reform Impacts Thousands of Students When she was in first grade, Shannon moved into a new neighborhood and her interest in education was sparked. Shannon’s parents chose the house because it fed into a stronger high school than another house they had considered.  With that choice, they knew Shannon would…

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Mary Brown Creates a Safe Space Where Her “Family” Learns Through Artistic Expression

By Spark Point / November 5, 2020

For 24 years, Mary has led the charge at Life Pieces To Masterpieces, an organization for African American boys in Wards 7 and 8 For many, career paths are linear — they follow a seemingly set course starting from college and moving into a career. That, though, wasn’t the case for Mary Brown. After graduating…

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Entrepreneur and Change Agent Karen Alston Uses the Power of Storytelling to Change Lives

By Spark Point / October 28, 2020

She’s helping thousands find their voices, as a business leader and nonprofit board member Karen Alson never envisioned working in the nonprofit arena. A graduate of Howard University, Karen dove into the business world post-graduation, working at global enterprises such as JP Morgan, MBNA Bank and AOL. But, years into her corporate rise, Karen took…

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