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Andrea Copeland Sets a Standard of Excellence

By Spark Point / October 28, 2021

When Andrea Copeland studied social work in college, she knew her future would be in macro-level work, navigating through complex systems that affect large communities.  “I’m a policy nerd,” she says. “I want to make sure the policies we create and implement positively impact populations that we’re trying to target. My biggest goal as a…

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For Renee Ligon, Adversity Can Be a Catalyst for Positive Change

By Spark Point / June 23, 2021

After a successful 20-year career in commercial banking, Renee Ligon moved from Florida back to her native Ohio and pivoted to community-centered work. In a perfect melding of her banking experience and her desire to make a difference, she served as the Regional Director of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland’s Minority Business Assistance Center.…

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Muriel Smith’s Love Letters to St. Louis Families

By Spark Point / June 9, 2021

In many ways, Muriel Smith always knew she’d find her way to a career in nonprofit — in her ideal world, even leading one. Now, as Executive Director at the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, she’s not only realizing her dream, but working with an incredible team and community to ensure local families’ basic needs…

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Ryan Palmer is Accelerating Community Change, One Grant at a Time

By Spark Point / February 3, 2021

With an eye on diverse, sustainable grantmaking, Ryan is redefining how funding — and change — happens  “I have certainly had a zigzag of a career,” says Ryan Palmer, Director, Washington, D.C. Community Initiatives at the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Ryan worked in early childhood…

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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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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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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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Marilyn Lacy Turned Trauma into Powerful Advocacy and Ministry

By Spark Point / October 21, 2020

Through her church- and community-based work, Marilyn has helped countless women and girls impacted by sexual abuse  Trauma was a central theme to Marilyn Lacy’s early years. Sexually abused by her stepfather, Marilyn found herself in “a world of bad choices and wrong decisions,” including a long-term relationship with another abuser while in her teens. …

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Karen Venable-Croft’s Innovative Charter School Elevates the Next Generation of Innovators & Entrepreneurs

By Spark Point / October 14, 2020

This passionate educator took a leap of faith and created a truly unique learning environment for young women  For more than two decades, math teacher Karen Venable-Croft was focused on bringing big ideas and unique paths to learning to her students. Then, two years ago, she and her partner took the ultimate leap, founding Girls…

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Valerie Rochester’s Passion for Public Health Helps Thousands Gain Understanding and Support

By Spark Point / October 7, 2020

AIDS United’s VP shares her personal journey from a decades-long career in public health Indiana native Valerie L. Rochester has always been committed to service. “I actually had a very circuitous route to get to where I am today,” she says. “I had no idea I’d wind up in the nonprofit world because that was…

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