2024 Oramenta Newsome Community Development Fellowship

The 2024 Oramenta Newsome Community Development Fellowship features six fellows and six nonprofits that exemplify LISC's commitment to make the District and region a more inclusive, equitable and prosperous place for all. This year's fellowship has a place-based theme in Ward 8, with all fellows being placed at a partner organization based in Ward 8 or doing significant work in Ward 8. This aligns with LISC DC's premier initiative, Elevating Equity, which is devoted to fostering equitable and inclusive development in the neighborhoods (Historic Anacostia, Fairlawn, Hillsdale, Navy Yard, Capitol Hill) surrounding the future site of the 11th Street Bridge Park.

The fellowship was developed in Oramenta Newsome's honor, who served as the Executive Director of LISC DC for nearly 25 years. She dedicated decases to making Washington, DC an inclusive, community-driven, and equitable city that benefited neighborhood residents. With this fellowship, we are creating a lasting legacy and honoring Oramenta's commitment to community development. Below are this year's six nonprofit partners:

Project Createis a community-based nonprofit that promotes creative youth development through multi-disciplinary arts education, arts enrichment, and art therapy. Project Create students participate in out-of-school-time art classes, workshops, open studios, field trips, and exhibition and performance opportunities. Project Create offers free creative classes and workshops at their studios in the Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast DC in Ward 8, as well as at locations in underserved neighborhoods in Washington, DC.
Martha’s Table opened its doors four decades ago to children in need of a safe place and a warm meal after school. Over the years, they have evolved to meet the changing needs and growing aspirations of the communities they serve. Today, Martha's Table works in deep collaboration with their neighbors to deliver on their mission to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities in the District of Columbia. They do so by providing a holistic range of services focused on high-quality education, health and wellness, family supports, and community investments that help their neighbors, particularly those in Wards 7 and 8, move from instability to thriving.
The Anacostia Business Improvement District (BID) supplements existing DC government services and programs, enhances street cleaning, sponsors special events, and advocates for stakeholders. The BID's goal is simple: maintaining a thriving, safe, clean, vibrant commercial and arts district. The Anacostia BID is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.
Victory Housing, Inc., inspired by Catholic social teachings and serving as the nonprofit housing development arm of the Archdiocese of Washington, has provided assisted living for seniors and affordable housing to low- and moderate-income independent seniors and families for four decades. Today, Victory Housing continues to strengthen and expand on this mission.
Bread for the City provides food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services to reduce the burden of poverty. Bread for the City seeks justice through community organizing and public advocacy. They work to uproot racism, a major cause of poverty. Bread for the City is committed to treating its clients with the dignity and respect that all people deserve.
Building Bridges Across the River is a non-profit with five signature projects designed to provide equitable access to health, arts, and economic opportunity. Their work bridges communities and creates intentional and sustainable pathways to equitable opportunities. Building Bridges builds, convenes, and innovates in partnership with communities East of the Anacostia River.

The LISC fellows bring a wide range of perspectives and diverse skill sets to their role. The fellows were chosen based on their skills and passions for community development, community engagement, and commitment to equitable development. From May – August, each fellow is working full time for their respective nonprofit partner supporting a variety of place-based initiatives in Ward 8.

Meet the Fellows

Alexandria Bolling is a passionate educator and dedicated advocate for youth development, with a particular focus on strengthening public education and programming for communities in need. A recent Howard University graduate with a degree in English, she completed a teacher education program and is a licensed secondary education teacher. She has also taught English at the Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science, fostering academic growth in students. Alexandria has nonprofit experience, notably with Housing Opportunities for Women and Children in Chicago, where she assisted with youth programming and community outreach.

As an independent contractor, Alexandria supported several small businesses (centering youth in their services) with marketing, brand development, and community outreach. Most recently, she has contributed to educational nonprofits like the Appletree Institute for Education Innovation, where she administered assessments to students, as well as gathered and analyzed data from public charter schools in the DC metro area, primarily in Southeast DC, to enhance student success and classroom quality. This summer, Alexandria is placed at Project Create and is working on various community initiatives related to youth, art therapy, and placemaking.

Chelsea Dade is partnered with Martha's Table in Ward 8. Over the course of the 10 weeks of the fellowship, she will collaborate closely on various community development and investment initiatives. Her primary focus will involve strategic planning for the Community Impact Fund, enhancing the capacity of the TTAP program (Training and Technical Assistance Program), and supporting community engagement initiatives for Martha’s Table’s impactful Joyful Food Markets.

Chelsea's diverse professional background spans across career roles in youth development, policy, research, and designing strategic digital and advocacy messaging, as well as leading state and national campaigns across various organizations, including nonprofits, political campaigns, and initiatives aimed at advancing equity and social justice. Chelsea holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Public Health from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Science in Health Communication from Northwestern University, refining her skills in effective communication and program implementation. With a passion for creating tangible and sustainable change with and for communities, she is eager to grow her skillset and leverage her expertise and experience to drive meaningful impact during her tenure with Martha’s Table and the Newsome Fellowship.

Fueled by an unrelenting passion to transform lives and elevate humanity, Valentine Githae is a senior at American University studying Political Science on a mission to leave a lasting impact. With an insatiable desire to drive positive change, she passionately pursues every opportunity to uplift and empower individuals from all walks of life. Through her academic journey and beyond, she is dedicated to being a beacon of hope and a catalyst for progress, shaping a brighter, more just future for our global village. This summer, Valentine Githae is placed at the Anacostia Business Improvement District (BID) where she will be supporting small business and economic development initiatives.

Owen Posnett is a recent graduate from Georgetown University, where he studied government, economics, and music with a focus on zoning, housing, and city planning. He previously worked as the Policy and Research Assistant at the National Housing Conference. A proud DC resident, he believes that places are made by their people, and hopes to devote his career to making people feel connected to the places where they live. This summer, Owen will be working at Victory Housing, Inc. on a senior affordable housing development in Ward 8.

Bri Tollie is a compassionate and driven individual whose educational journey has equipped her with a profound understanding of the pivotal role equity and justice play in shaping public policy and administration. With two degrees from SMU in Human Rights and Political Science, as well as a recent Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from Delaware State University, Bri's academic foundation is as robust as her commitment to social change.

Throughout her career, Bri has actively engaged in political advocacy work with esteemed organizations such as the ACLU, FCNL, Texas Census Institute, and HRC. As a published author, Bri has contributed invaluable insights on critical issues, notably reimagining community safety, showcasing her ability to critically analyze complex issues and propose impactful solutions. Bri's internships with In Defense of Black Lives Dallas and Legacy Keepers of Old East McKinney were pivotal in her journey of community engagement and empowerment. Bri has been actively engaged with FAN DC, a transformative program nestled in Anacostia. With eager anticipation, Bri looks forward to expanding her impact through her placement with Bread for the City, furthering their collective mission of community well-being.

Bri aims to play a meaningful role in dismantling systemic injustices and serving as a community agent for positive change, embodying her commitment to social justice and equitable development.

Danielle White is originally from Philadelphia and is a recent alumna of George Washington University (cum laude), where she studied International Affairs and Sociocultural Anthropology. Throughout her undergraduate experience, she had the opportunity to work with various development organizations: working within the communities of D.C, South America, and East Africa. She soon discovered her passion for youth development and equity work that validates the rights and ensures the accessibility of resources for disadvantaged groups. In the future, she aspires to receive an M.A in International Education Policy and be a part of an organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life of others. She is excited to be a part of this mission at LISC as an Oramenta Newsome Community Development Fellow where she is working at Building Bridges Across the River on projects related to their latest equitable development plan initiatives.