Denzell Spencer is the Northeast Director of Philanthropy at FoodCorps. As a nonprofit fundraiser and educator, he has a decade of experience in the public sector. Denzell began his career as a DCPS English teacher and then taught at a charter school in Brooklyn, NY. He holds a BA in English from Howard University and earned his MPA from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Denzell lives in Ward 6 where he enjoys attending art and culture events in his community.
Jackie Spainhour
Jackie Spainhour is the President of Historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., where she oversees a diverse staff of fourteen. Prior to her current role, Jackie served as the Director of the Hunter House Victorian Museum in Norfolk, Virginia for nearly a decade and as a college instructor for courses in history at her alma mater, Old Dominion University (ODU). Jackie holds multiple degrees, including a B.A. and M.A. in History from ODU and an M.S. in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University (LSU). She was named one of Coastal Virginia Magazine’s Millennials on the Move in 2020 and one of ODU Alumni Association’s 40 under 40 in 2021. She is both a Certified Fundraising Executive and a Certified Nonprofit Professional.
Jackie is also the author of three books, including two local history works and one textbook for museum studies courses. Her publications are titled Museums and Millennials, A History Lover’s Guide to Norfolk, and Gilded Age Norfolk, Virginia. A volunteer at heart, she also serves on the Board of Directors of the Victorian Society in America as its treasurer and the Quality Trust as its development committee chair. Jackie rounds out her volunteer work as an active member of the Junior League of Washington on the Development and Training Committee, a member of the Judge Lynn Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a new Board Member of HumanitiesDC. In her spare time, she loves to read, travel, visit museums and historic sites, and spend time with her two boys and husband.
Dawn Fong
Dawn Fong is the Program Manager for 202Creates, where she oversees initiatives that nurture and spotlight the creative economy in Washington, D.C. She previously served as the Managing Director of The Ujiri Foundation, which operates Giants of Africa, where she contributed to the growth of a nonprofit that uses basketball as a tool to educate and empower African youth. Dawn also held a key role at BET Networks as an Executive Assistant, supporting C Suite executives and managing complex projects. With a passion for creativity and community, Dawn continues to make a significant impact in every role she takes on.
Nia Crawford
Nia Crawford, a Washington, D.C. native, is deeply passionate about creating dynamic, community-driven programs. Currently serving as the Outreach Coordinator at the African American Civil War Memorial Museum, Nia brings her expertise in fostering inclusive and engaging programming to her work. With a background in Women and Gender Studies and a master’s degree in Museum Studies from George Washington University, Nia has developed a strong expertise in crafting engaging, inclusive programming that brings people together. She excels in leading educational and cultural initiatives that inspire growth and foster collaboration, with a focus on developing impactful, accessible experiences for diverse audiences.
Mark Boss
Mark Boss has lived in Washington, DC since he moved from Los Angeles, California, and enrolled at Howard University in August of 1985. He married a native Washingtonian; bought a house in Ward 1; raised two exceptional children and sent them both through DCPS. And he pays local and federal taxes, without representation. Still, these bona fides do not make him a Washingtonian (as his wife and children like to remind him). But he loves DC and the native Washingtonians that make up this incredible little southern town none the less. He has worked in the non-profit, for profit and federal sector, throughout his career, and each position he has held has in some way supported children and families. Mark is also a reader, and loves supporting all the local independent bookstores in the city. On any given day, you can find Mark commuting to and from work on his bike (rain or snow), and on any given weekend, you will find Mark, his wife, and their dog on long walks throughout the city on the search for the perfect croissant.
Robert Berger
Robert Berger is an attorney and has worked in the area of attorney ethics for over 20 years. He is employed at the Securities and Exchange Commission and is an adjunct professor at George Washington University Law School. Robert is passionate about history and art and has served on multiple nonprofit boards, including the Ohio History Connection, Stonewall Columbus and the Rainbow History Project. Robert received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the Ohio State University and a JD from Capital University Law School.
Rubie Coles
Rubie Coles was the Program Director of the Diverse City Fund from 2020-2022 and currently serves on the Steering Committee of its Board of Instigators. Before joining the DC Fund staff in 2020, Rubie was Deputy Director of the Moriah Fund where she was responsible for directing and managing the foundation’s economic justice and reproductive justice grantmaking for twenty years. Past board service includes the African Continuum Theatre Company, which she chaired for seven years, the YWCA of the National Capital Region and the Safe Spaces Project. Rubie was a founding board member of the Black Philanthropic Alliance and the Black Benefactors Giving Circle.
Sojin Kim
Sojin Kim is a curator at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, where she works on multifaceted, collaborative projects addressing migration, music, and public history. Her work spans public programs, exhibitions, workshops, as well as research and documentation initiatives. She serves as an advisor for the 1882 Foundation and on the board of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Historic Preservation (APIAHiP).
Ayanna Smith
Ayanna Smith is an innovator, an ecosystem builder, and an executor who is passionate about her commitment to uplifting, amplifying and supporting marginalized people. Smith is an award-winning entrepreneur, startup enthusiast, social impact leader and longtime executive communications strategist. She opened the first live escape room for children in the country, voted best new business of the year in Capitol Hill and “Best of DC” every year until closing. Smith is an advocate in her Washington, DC community, mother of two and spouse to a US Air Force Officer.
Daryl Smith
Daryl Smith serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for KETTLER. With over 20 years of multifamily marketing experience, Daryl brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic leadership to KETTLER’s marketing department. He specializes in digital media, marketing operations as well as brand strategy. Daryl is known for his innovative next-generation marketing strategies. He received a masters’ degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin before moving to Washington, D.C., where he now lives. Prior to entering the multifamily market, Daryl worked in Public Television for 10 years in broadcast operations and station relations for Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in Alexandria, Va., WETA-TV, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin Public Television, Madison, Wisconsin.