Our Team

In 2013, after retiring from a federal career at the Pentagon, National Institutes of Health, the Department of Agriculture and other agencies, Jacquette launched Takoma Park Lunch and Learn as a no-fee, full-day summer camp for underserved children.

Previously Jackie had trained District of Columbia teachers in how to engage students of color in the academic disciplines of science, math and technology. A Takoma Park resident since 1985 she is the lead organizer of the local MLK Jr. Day events and is president of What’s My Bias Inc.

Jacquette is also a member of the Racial Equity Working Group and the Village of Takoma Park. As a tenant at the Essex House Apartments she is the longtime go-to person for neighbors in need, having served several years in a leadership role at the building. Jacquette has received an Azalea Award for activism in Takoma Park and the Neal Potter Award for advancing the community good in Montgomery County.

Priscilla has lived in Takoma Park with her family since 1981 and has mentored and tutored children for decades, including one who is now a police officer in the District of Columbia. She volunteers with the Recreation Department’s Let’s Chat program and is a member of the Recreation Committee and the Racial Equity Working Group. She is also vice-president of What’s My Bias Inc. and the recipient of an Azalea Award.

She has been active in the civil rights, tenants’ rights, antiwar and prison reform movements and started Friends of the Takoma Park Recreation Center, advocating for a rebuild of the aging center on New Hampshire Avenue.

Now retired, she began the practice of immigration law in 1973, and the Washington Post and the New York Times have published her writings on immigration issues.

A Takoma Park resident since 1983 Cherwanda first gained recognition for her successes as an organizer at the Essex House Apartments, where she lives with her family and previously served as Tenants Association president. Perpetually energetic, Cherwanda works locally as an office manager and assists several service groups, including the MLK Committee, the Village of Takoma Park, the Racial Equity Working Group, the Recreation Committee, Let's Play America, Celebrate Takoma and the Garden Crew.

She is a graduate of the Community Police Academy and is a program specialist with What’s My Bias Inc. In 2013 she was honored with an Azalea Award as volunteer of the year. Cherwanda has earned other accolades for community service, and at the Essex House she continues to serve on the Leadership Group.

Isabelle Johnson is the Executive Director of S&R Evermay, a DC private operating foundation that encourages individuals to create transformative social impact through innovation and interdisciplinarity. Key programs include the Washington Award for Artists, and the Kuno Award for Applied Sciences for the Social Good. In this role she manages resources toward creating transformative social impact in Washington DC, and other strategic areas.

Previously, she employed her financial management, governance, and human resource expertise at mission-driven non-profits toward local, national, and global causes. Ms. Johnson held the position of Director of Operations at DC Volunteer Lawyers Project, Chief Operating Officer of Energy Action Coalition, and Operations Director at 1Sky/350.org. Isabelle is a board member of the Halcyon Honorary Board, The House at 1229, and Kyodai Collaborative. She holds a certificate in Non-Profit Management from Georgetown University, and a BA from Colby College.

In an extensive career with non-profit organizations Jay focused on government openness, peace and arms control, women's empowerment, environmental protections, interfaith partnerships and safeguarding the First Amendment. He also taught English in Taiwan and spent time in the Congo, India, Pakistan and Nepal, which heightened his awareness of racial and religious diversity.

Since settling in Takoma Park in 1985 he has helped organize activities to bring together people of different backgrounds and all ages. Jay served on the Recreation Committee, the City Grants Committee, the MLK Committee, the City Administrator Search Committee and several other volunteer groups, striving to live up to Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s view: “Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate. We are different precisely in order to realize our need of one another.”