Meet the 2021 Cohort
Cohort Fast Facts
Each initiative addresses social determinants of health based on our priority investment areas. This includes increasing nutritious food access, strengthening social bonds, and shaping healthy environments for families and youth.
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100%
Serving Wards 7 & 8
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3 of 5
Are Women-led
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15
Cohort Members
Community Pitch Competition Award Winners
Medici Road
Medici Market is a neighborhood grocery store owned by the employees and residents of Ward 7 in Washington DC that sells fresh, healthy foods. It also offers a monthly $10 membership for customers who want access to product discounts and in-store events featuring locally owned food businesses.
Wassup Té
The Say Less Documentary is a production that shows youth the impact of drinking sugary sweetened beverages. The documentary will provide an ease of consciousness while also stimulating the brain by including Ward 7 & 8 youth perspectives, animations, and interviews with health professionals.
Stacy Lucas
The purpose of Jon Fortt Storytelling Award is to highlight the values, beliefs, and life experiences that compelled our Innovators to advance health in their communities. Stacey's intimate portrait of memorable family visits to Rock Creek Park inspired her to get youth engaged in playing and learning in green spaces.
Meet the 2021 Innovators
Dynamic Solutions for the Aging
Dynamic Solutions for the Aging is developing customized, age-friendly solutions for individuals 50+ and the caregivers and businesses that engage and serve them. We envision an all-inclusive society in which individuals 50+ live, thrive, and have a quality of life supported by systems that address their continuum of life needs.
Investment Area: Create stronger bonds and enhance emotional wellbeing.
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Team Lead
Dr. Polk is the Founder and CEO of Dynamic Solutions for the Aging, LLC and serves as a Commissioner for the Mayor's Age-Friendly DC Taskforce. She is a geriatrician rooted in community development who is passionate about co-creating all-inclusive neighborhoods so residents thrive and experience a quality of life that addresses their lifespan needs. -
Dr. Houseal is an experienced public health professional and is the founder of NEAN Consulting. She is an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) who is passionate about eliminating health disparities and working towards the development and implementation of innovative solutions to promote health equity.
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Sharita Slayton is a native Washingtonian serving as the Board Chair for Legacy Collaborative Senior Village and Managing Partner for Dynamic Solutions for the Aging. She is a community organizer and former school administrator who is passionate about helping others to live out their life purpose with dignity and no regrets.
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Ms. Whitmire is the Legacy Collaborative Senior Village Community Liaison. She is a retired Government employee who senses the need to help her fellow seniors in any capacity needed.
Healthy Home Pediatrics
Healthy Home Pediatrics believes that when families are truly supported, they thrive. Using house calls, telemedicine, care coordination, and lactation services we support families. Our project focuses on supporting families through challenging transitions during the fourth trimester (last month of pregnancy and first three months of life).
Investment Area: Create stronger bonds and enhance emotional wellbeing.
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Team Lead
Dr. Jalan Burton, or Dr. J, is the Founder and Lead Physician of Healthy Home Pediatrics. She is passionate about re-centering the doctor-patient relationship and ensuring that medical providers can practice in a way that benefits patients and that gives providers joy. -
Mrs. Washington serves as a social work and transition navigation consultant with Healthy Home Pediatrics. She is passionate about supporting families through life's difficult transitions by building on her experience as a social worker, community support worker, mother, and grandmother.
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Rachel M. Davis is a self-motivated, organized, and team-oriented accounting professional. She is passionate about the physical and financial health of those she comes into contact with.
Infinite Possibilities International
Infinite Possibilities International implements innovative environmental programming and provides opportunities for underserved communities to connect with nature, learn and heal in green spaces. Through partnerships, we develop innovative approaches to introduce, engage, educate, and empower communities to nature and their role in environmental stewardship.
Investment Area: Shape healthy places where residents live, work, and/or play.
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Team Lead
Ms. Washington is the Executive Director and Founder of Infinite Possibilities International, Culture, Nature and Community and a Wildlife Biologist at the U.S. Department of Energy. She is a wildlife conservationist and community advocate who is passionate about educating and engaging diverse communities to create global stewards of the environment. -
Ms. Henderson is the Program Director at the DC Dream Center and is responsible for programming, activities, and outreach. She has been working in Ward 7 for many years and is very passionate about the growth and development of its residents and community.
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Stacy Lucas serves as the team’s community engagement coordinator. She is passionate about working and engaging members of our community to grow and thrive in communities East of the River.
Medici Road
Team Medici Road envisions a world where Greater Deanwood residents have equitable access to a range of food options that promote health and support economic opportunity. We want to see a refresh of Greater Deanwood's vibrant, locally-based food ecosystem based on the community's interests, capacities, and knowledge.
Investment Area: Increase availability and/or access to nutritious food.
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Team Lead
Thomas Houston is a DC-based poverty fixer and serves as the Executive Director of Medici Road. He is a consumer behavior specialist that is fascinated with the process of how people’s beliefs, social structures, and habits determine the decisions they make. -
Talayah Jackson is a certified project manager with more than 10 years of experience developing and managing population health programs and serves as Vice Board Chair for Medici Road. She loves her Ward 7/Deanwood neighborhood and is committed to community-driven development and revitalization East of the River.
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Camille is a registered dietitian and UDC doctoral student supporting Medici Road's efforts to create a healthy and thriving economy and community in Washington, DC's Wards 7 and 8. She is passionate about supporting sustainable, community-driven initiatives and leverages her expertise and experience to cultivate the next generation of leaders.
Wassup Té
Wassup Té is a health and wellness platform designed and focused on using art and relationships to bring reliable and relatable education and resources to red-lined communities.
Investment Area: Building healthy relationships
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Team Lead
De’Vante Speight serves as the creative director and founder of Wassup Té. De’Vante is passionate about using the arts to bridge gaps in communication and understanding between major health entities and local communities. -
Jeremy Reaves serves as Media Production Director at iMix Productions and is the Owner and Founder of Mix-I-Am Entertainment LLC. He is an Active Community Partner who is passionate about creating visual art content that changes the scope of African-American Culture collectively.