Charles Gussom
Director of Community Programs
Martha’s Table

DeJuan Mason
Workforce Development Program Manager
Black Women Thriving East of the River

Romeo O. Spaulding
Fourth president
International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters

Harriet’s Wildest Dreams
Black-led community defense hub in the Greater Washington, DC area

Pastor Christine Y. Wiley, Ph.D.
Pastor Dennis W. Wiley

Anise Jenkins
President Emeritus
Stand Up! for Democracy in DC (Free DC)

Anise Jenkins joined the Stand Up! for Democracy in DC Coalition (Free DC) upon its founding in 1997 and has served as its executive director / president  since 2008.

A native Washingtonian, Jenkins is a graduate of the Howard University Department of Political Science and also earned a master’s degree in Business at Howard.

Anise is the recipient of multiple awards and honors, including:

• Trailblazer Award from the Congress of Black Women
• DC Statehood Chair Service Award from the National Action Network
• 50 Most Influential of the Decade Award from The Washington Informer
• Community Cornerstone Award from DC Councilmember Anita Bonds
• DC Statehood Champion Award from the DC Congressional Delegation
  

She narrated and helped produce the documentary film, “The Road to DC Statehood – Under Construction” (partially funded by a grant from the DC government), which was originally produced in 2012 and has undergone updates.