CARE Founders

“Education means emancipation. It means light and liberty. It means the uplifting of the soul of man into the glorious light of truth, the light by which men can only be made free.” - Frederick Douglass, Resident of Anacostia

Joyce Pendleton

I hold a BA in Business Administration, a MS in Telecommunications Management, and a MS in Teaching. After spending 30 years in corporate America, I stepped out on faith and followed my dream of becoming a teacher. I started with DCPS as a substitute teacher in 2013. I have been at Ketcham ES since 2015. I started as a substitute, was invited back as a paraprofessional and later offered a teaching position. CARE is meaningful to me because I want my students to have every opportunity to become successful.

Jhonna Turner

I believe in the power of investment. My alma mater, Bowie State University, was founded to provide opportunities for African Americans to receive a higher education when other institutions prohibited their academic pursuits. Our civil right to be educated, to pursue our dreams, and to provide opportunities for others to flourish continues. And when we come together, invest, and make opportunities accessible for our young people to reach their highest potential, the more we will continue to break the systems that were designed to keep marginalized people in bondage. I am honored to continue the fight for educational equality and be the Project Director of CARE Anacostia. To learn more about me, visit: Jhonnaamelia.com

Christina hanson

I am in my 18th year as a public-school educator with time spent as an Instructional Aide, Special Education Teacher, Teacher Leader, Resident Principal, and Assistant Principal. I grew up in Grove City, Pennsylvania, then moved to North Carolina for college. I am a proud UNC Tar Heel, NCCU Eagle, and mom. My educational journey began with an early love of learning supported primarily by my parents yet lacking from those of influence in my elementary and secondary schools. CARE is meaningful to me because every child deserves family, educators, and community members that work together with passion and purpose to remove barriers and help create lifelong learners who achieve excellence. 

I am also a Ward 7 resident and currently volunteer with Girls on the Run-DC and National Community Church.

Taneesha johnson

I attended Trinity Washington University as an undergraduate and American University for graduate school focusing on American History and Political Science. I have been a Washington, DC resident throughout most of my adult life. Over those years, I sought to serve in ways that allowed me to witness and gain insight into singular issues that prove challenging for communities to maintain resiliency and thrive as a local community. Working with C.A.R.E aligns with this goal, and I look forward to making a difference and while addressing education disparities in our city. 

Pat Philippe

Pat Philippe serves as the Vice President of Community Impact at Goodwill of Greater Washington. Pat leads a team of cross-functional workforce development professionals with the planning and evaluation of existing and new high-impact workforce development programs. Pat brings years of experience in workforce development and performance management from government, private, and non-profit sectors. Pat earned his Bachelor’s in Accounting & Finance from Philadelphia University. He currently lives in Historic Anacostia DC with his beautiful wife and two amazing daughters.