Aiyi'nah
Ford
Executive Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Aiyi’nah Ford is a Native Washingtonian born, bred, and continuing to build in Ward 8. A Black Lesbian who has survived cervical cancer, domestic violence, homelessness, and child sexual assault her life is a testament to the power of resilience. Ms. Ford is an award-winning activist. She was honored as the "2019 Leader of the Year' by Young Education Professionals. As well as the “2018 Woman of Achievement Award” by Women’s Information Network. She is nationally respected for her wealth of experience in trauma-informed facilitation, political strategy, and youth development. Her community outreach and organizing skills have been instrumental in progressive legislative wins. Since 2012, she has served as the Executive Director of The Future Foundation; the only trauma-informed drop-in center for teens and their families in Ward 8.
Eleadah
Clack
Community Programs Manager
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Eleadah (lovingly known as Ms. Elle) grew up in Bowie, Maryland. She is a respected organizer and author of "The World Without Racism". Elle is passionate about creating effective change and being a leader in her community. She holds a Master's degree in Sociology from St. John's University.
, the New Organizing Institute, the FIERCE, to resist police violence and gentrification in central Brooklyn. Elle expanded her community and digital organizing skills through work with organizations such as Audre Lorde ProjectDuring her time in New York, she worked with the YaYa Network.
Eleadah returned to her hometown in 2015. Later that year, she began working with The Future Foundation as Community Programs Manager.
She loves to read and is always learning. She loves art and crafting. She’ll give a try to just about anything including woodwork.
She has been an avid writer since childhood. Her other areas of interest include digital communities, economic influences on college students, religion, black womanism, and black cultural studies.
Her writing inspirations are Audre Lorde, Maya Angelou, Octavia Butler and James Baldwin. She hopes to write as brilliant fiction and theory as they have in her lifetime. Elle may also be wearing a #supportisfree™ t-shirt when this happens.
Carissa
Rodgers
Carissa (aka Rev.) Rodgers is an educator specializing in transformation strategies and processes. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, AR. She has also attained her Masters of Divinity degree from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. She brings eight (8) vocational years of experience in the United Methodist Church where she was formally ordained as an elder and pastor. Within that time, she proved herself exceptionally gifted in matters of educational programming, community organizing, strategic development, and implementation. She has since moved from pastoring in the religious sector and taken these skills to private practice at REVthebrand Coaching and Consulting (www.revthebrand.com). She now works with several leaders and organizations on transforming their models, practices, and processes to best accomplish their missions and visions. She is excited to help T.F.F. transition their infrastructure POST-COVID 19.
Operations Manager
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers