Juan H. Powell
Director Juan Powell is a highly accomplished real estate developer. He currently serves as the Director of Development, Mid-Atlantic Region for The Community Builders, Inc (TCB). TCB is one of the largest affordable housing developers in the country. Previously, he was a Principal and Chief Operating Officer for the Neighborhood Development Company, a highly recognized Washington, DC-based developer.
Mr. Powell was also a Vice President with CarrAmerica Development. Headquartered in Washington, DC, CarrAmerica was formerly one of the largest office developers in the country. Director Powell holds an MBA from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park. He also holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Howard University. He serves on the Board of the Mu Lambda Foundation, the board of the National Center and Caucus on Black Aging, and the Executive Board of the Beta Chapter Alumni Association.
He is a member of Tau Beta Pi, The Engineering Honor Society. He proudly serves as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. He also has coached AAU youth basketball for over a decade. He has been married to Eugenia Powell for over 30 years and is the father of two adult sons.
Chatman Young
Director Young is a repeat graduate of the Howard University School of Business, earning his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting, (2011); he continued his matriculation to complete his MBA in 2012.
Chatman began his Howard journey in 2007, earning an Athletic Scholarship as member of the Football Team. He started on the Offensive Line for most of his academic years and is still very grateful for the brotherhood and family that heavily influenced his life to Today.
Upon graduating, He began working at Fannie Mae, joining their Finance Associates Program, where he rotated various accounting and finance roles throughout the company. In his second year, Chatman was placed in the Multifamily Asset Management division. There he continued his development, becoming an Asset Manager of Affordable Housing Funds, including Lower Income Housing Tax Credit properties.
In March 2019, Chatman transitioned to Commercial Real Estate, taking a position at Starbucks, within their Store Development group. He currently supports the growth of company-operated stores for DC, Maryland and Virginia.
Samuel Armstrong
Samuel I. Armstrong is a proud United States Army Veteran who honorably served 24 years on active duty. Throughout his distinguished military career, he specialized in the mental health field, holding leadership positions such as Inpatient Psychiatric Ward Supervisor, Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic Supervisor, Drug and Alcohol Counselor, and Organizational Behavioral Health Supervisor. He also completed the prestigious U.S. Army Master Resilience Training program at the University of Pennsylvania, further enhancing his leadership and mentorship capabilities.
After retiring from active duty, Samuel continued his dedication to service as a contractor with the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. He currently serves as a Marketing Analyst with the U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program, which connects transitioning Soldiers with reputable employment partners across the nation.
Deeply involved in community and fraternity life, Samuel currently serves as the Eastern Region, District VI, Area VI Director of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., overseeing six chapters across Washington, D.C. He is also Director of the Alpha East Leadership Development Institute South and an active member of the Mu Lambda Chapter. His passion for mentorship extends beyond the fraternity—he is also a devoted volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, where he takes great pride in the meaningful relationship he has built with his Little.
A native of Mechanicsville, Maryland, Samuel holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland University College and a master’s degree in Information Technology Management from Webster University. He currently resides in Capitol Heights, Maryland.
Kent Benjamin
Director Kent A. Benjamin is the Director of the Office of Communications, Partnerships and Analysis (OCPA) in the Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Kent manages a diverse staff of senior analysts, stakeholder program coordinators and communications professionals. His office provides advice and support to Assistant Administrator in OLEM on matters ranging from Data and Evidence Evaluation to Environmental Justice and Tribal issues to Social Media strategies. Immediately prior to his current position, Kent served as Director of the Innovations, Partnership and Communications office. Before returning to OLEM he was an Associate Director, in the EPA Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ).
Previously, Kent managed the EPA Office of Environmental Justice’s efforts in support of community-based projects, through outreach, communications and financial management. He worked closely with EPA’s regional offices in support of their EJ functions and approaches. Earlier, he served as Environmental Justice Coordinator and State Liaison for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER). In that role, he co-chaired EPA’s Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program where he worked with a multi-disciplinary, national, inter-agency team. Kent co-chaired an EPA workgroup which developed evaluation protocols for the agency’s EJ programs. Throughout his career, he has worked on an extensive range of issues including Brownfields Redevelopment, Waste Transfer Stations, Asbestos Rulemaking, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Kent is trained in Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and has facilitated community-based meetings, environmental panels and environmental justice discussions in communities nationwide and in Brasil and China. He joined EPA in 1990 as a Regulatory Impacts Analyst.
Kent holds a Master of Science degree in Public Management and Policy (MS PMP), from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics, from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Christopher Butts
Christopher C. Butts, Ed.D. is a trusted advisor to C-suite executives and corporate boards in both the private and public sectors on complex human resources and employee relations issues. With over 20 years of leadership experience, he has developed, designed and facilitated more than 20,000 hours of training and strategic planning on leadership, diversity, equity and inclusion, emotional intelligence, change management, and many other topics. While facilitating offsite, team building, or strategic planning meetings Butts always brings great energy and a passion to make a positive impact on every project.
In his most recent role, Butts was the Vice President and Chief Learning Officer for The Executive Leadership Council’s Institute for Leadership Development and Research. He was responsible for leading The ELC’s Institute in every aspect of the creating the vision, roadmap, marketing, business development, execution, and evaluation of its leadership development programming, board development programming, research, consulting, and coaching offerings. In this role he increased market exposure from 1,300 participants up to more than 15,000 annually and raised revenue from $3M to $10M in less than 3 years.
Prior to this role, Butts secured contracts with numerous Fortune 500 companies and Federal Agencies providing coaching, developing curricula and case studies, and facilitating strategic planning. He has held several leadership positions in his field, including Principal and Vice President, Careerstone Group, LLC; Founder, Calvin Company, a firm specializing in talent management and development services for employees across the spectrum of the employee life cycle; Vice President, K. Parks Consulting; Manager, Office of Diversity and Adjunct Professor, Seminole State College of Florida; and Adjunct Professor, Bowie State University.
Butts serves as a board member for the Human Capital Executive Research Board and is an Editorial Board Member for the Macrothink Institute in Research in Business Management. He is an active member of multiple organizations for human resources and higher education professionals. He is certified in a number of instruments and trainings, including: MBTI, DiSC and The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team.
Butts received a Master of Education in Higher Education degree and a Doctor of Education in Higher Education and Policy Studies degree from the University of Central Florida. His published work includes articles in the Industrial and Organizational Psychology Perspectives on Science and Practice journal and Diversity Executive magazine, a book chapter in Understanding and Managing Diversity, and another in Cross-Cultural Competence for a Twenty-First-Century Military.
Dezmond Evans
Dezmond Evans is an accomplished cybersecurity professional who currently serves as a supervisory specialist within the Department of Treasury. Dezmond’s innovative leadership style, and dynamic approach to management have been applied to the benefit of the wider public sector. Both his professional philosophy and workplace practice, helps to fortify the public sector by assuring mission critical operations are resilient, recoverable, and practical
Prior to entering the public sector, Dezmond gained experience working in the hospitality and service industry working at numerous levels across the field. In 2022 Dezmond leveraged his experiences by founding, Fire & Ice Mixology, LLC. where he serves as CEO. His company provides bespoke bar services across 3 states and the District of Columbia. His company has expanded significantly through the creation of signature events, unique craft cocktails and mocktails, while serving both the community and corporations for events of all sizes. Unique to Fire & ice is the value placed on health & wellness advocacy and the importance of safe drinking habits for those who partake.
Dezmond is a seasoned member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated having begun his membership journey by pledging the Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in 2015. Within his years at the fraternity, he has dedicated himself to service by holding significant roles such as Secretary, Historian, as well as an assistant chapter advisor for Beta Chapter. Within these roles, Dezmond has made the most impact by serving as a valued mentor to those that have come afterwards.
His entrepreneurial spirit, and passion for bringing the community together are highlighted in his recreational activities, where he serves as a captain for a community billiards league, as well as ongoing member of several bowling leagues across the DMV. Additionally, he often volunteers his time assisting with the choreographing and mentoring of several local performing arts teams.
Additionally, Dezmond has many academic achievements; highlighted by his Masters of Business Administration from American University, Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Howard University, a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and more. He has also received notable public service recognition by obtaining the IRS Commissioner’s award in 2024, due to his involvement in delivering a free tax-filing application for all taxpayers across the U.S.
Dezmond is a well-rounded community leader with diversified interests; who strives to help others succeed and become the best versions of themselves. With his varied accomplishments he has proven his talents across several industries, and serves as a pillar of truth and service for his network.
Joseph Gibbs
Joseph Gibbs is a real estate professional with expertise in city planning, site selection, and commercial development for national brands. He bridges public and private interests, guiding projects that drive growth and community impact. A 32-year member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., initiated at Howard University and twice Vice President of Mu Lambda Chapter, he also served as Board Member and Design Committee Chair of The Parks Main Street (2019–2022), advancing neighborhood revitalization.
Rylan Harris
Rylan Harris is an accomplished Enterprise Account Manager at Cox Business. A Presidents Club/Winners Circle honoree for 2023, his management portfolio includes hotels in Northern Virginia, Dominion Virginia Power, Geico, Boat US, and the Washington Metropolitan Airport Authorities Dulles and Ronald Regan Airports.
Rylan is an expert in cloud solutions, application design, technology migrations and data connectivity. His profession experience includes 25+ years in IT Technology with Mitel Networks, Vertical Communications, Inter-Tel Technologies and PageMart Wireless. He also designed local, regional, national, and international communication systems for Global Communities, ACDI/VOCA Agricultural Assn, Maryland Live Casino’s Hospitality properties, MedStar Health’s +100 Care Sites, NRH, and other Health related Organizations, Hamilton Bank, Stride Inc. formerly K12 Inc, The Washington Capitals - Kettler Ice Complex & The Washington Mystics, Naval Communications Security Section (NAC), National 4H Council, the American Psychological Association, Maximus Inc, Taconic Biosciences, Beretta USA, U.S. Department of HUD, The International Spy Museum, National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Museum, Executive Leadership Council, & The National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Rylan’s professional current and past memberships include: The Committee for Dulles, the Washington D.C. Board of Trade, Toastmasters International, the Washington D.C., Bethesda, Northern Virginia, Dulles, Reston, and Bethesda Chambers of Commerce, The DC VMware users Group, Mitel Professional Services, Sales and Marketing Executives International, Commercial sUAS Remote Pilots Group, Cannon Professional Services. and Life Membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.
His board memberships include The Committee for Dulles, District Consortium Foundation, The Washington DC Hall of Fame Society, The MuLambda Foundation, and 6 term President of the Dakota Crossing Homeowners Association.
His community activities have included volunteering with Food & Friends, The Fitzgerald Tennis Tournaments, The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, The D.C Riverfest, the Washington D.C. Hall of Fame Society, The World Cup Washington DC, the Jack Oleander Foundation Leadership Academy, and the NAACP Image Awards Committee Judge in Music & Jazz. He is a Co-founder of the Henry Arthur Callis Scholarship Beautillion Program for the Mu Lambda Foundation.
His previous professional Awards include 6 time Presidents Club Honoree, and Citibank Regional Awards in Sales and Account Development
Rylan is a Washingtonian with family ties to D.C. politics and the national civil rights movement. His educational matriculation included the Potomac School, Gonzaga College High School and Hampton University. He is an art collector, an avid golfer, scuba diver, former professional photographer, recreational drone & Motorcycle enthusiast, Trap Skeet & sporting clays advocate, he loves to travel and is a local hometown sports fan.
William Hawkins
Dr. William Anthony Hawkins, Jr. was born in Washington, D.C.. His father, William Anthony Hawkins, Sr., was a postal worker; his mother, Amanda L. Hawkins, a dental hygienist. After graduating from Archbishop Carroll High School in 1964. Dr. Hawkins briefly attended Merrimack College before transferring to Howard University.
While at Howard, he studied under Dr. Louise Raphael, Professor James Joseph, and Dr. Arthur Thorpe (physics) and went on to graduate with his B.S. degree in mathematics in 1968. In 1970, he received his M.S. degree in physics from Howard University and his M.A. degree in mathematics from the University of Michigan. He was awarded a Ford Foundation Fellowship while attending the University of Michigan where he studied under Dr. James S. Milne and graduated from there with his Ph.D. degree in mathematics in 1982.
Dr. Hawkins has dedicated over 43 years to the education of minority students. In 1968, Hawkins was hired as a teacher at Cardozo High School in Washington, D.C., soon discovering his passion for teaching. In 1970, he was appointed as an instructor at Federal City College, now the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). He went on to serve as chair of the mathematics department of UDC for five years.
In 1990, Dr. Hawkins took leave from his position as associate professor at UDC and became director of the Strengthening Underrepresented Minority Mathematics Achievement (SUMMA) Program at the Mathematical Association of America. SUMMA has raised more than $4 million to increase the representation of minorities in mathematics, science, and engineering and to improve the mathematics education of minorities. In 1995, Hawkins returned to UDC as an associate professor in the mathematics department while simultaneously directing the SUMMA program.
Hawkins authored Attracting Minorities into Teaching Mathematics 1994, and Constructing a Secure Pipeline for Minority Students 1995. Hawkins is a member of the Mathematical Association of America, and the National Association of Mathematicians. He received the 2006 Benjamin Banneker Legacy Award from the Banneker Institute of Science & Technology, and the 2013 Gung and Hu Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics from the Mathematical Association of America.
On June 17, 2013, Dr. Hawkins, Jr. was interviewed by The History Makers.
Jason Jefferson
Dr. Jason Jefferson is a transformative educational leader with over 20 years of experience driving student achievement, instructional excellence, and systemic change across K–12 education. He currently serves as Principal of Park View High School in Loudoun County Public Schools, where his visionary leadership has led to substantial academic growth, including a 47-point increase in math achievement and a 26-point gain in English language arts.
Renowned for his expertise in school turnaround, strategic planning, and inclusive leadership, Dr. Jefferson has held pivotal roles in special education compliance, student support systems, and district-level professional development. He has successfully led accreditation readiness plans, redesigned master schedules to increase graduation rates, and launched initiatives to reduce chronic absenteeism and expand course offerings.
Dr. Jefferson earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from Bowie State University, and holds additional graduate credentials in education administration and curriculum design. His work reflects a deep commitment to educational equity, staff empowerment, and holistic student success. Dr. Jefferson is also a 2025 Cambiar Fellow.
He is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., serving actively in both the Mu Lambda Chapter and the Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter in Loudoun County, Virginia. He is also a Life Member of the Lincoln University Alumni Association, continuing to uplift the legacy of his alma mater through service and mentorship. Through collaborative leadership and an unwavering dedication to student advancement, Dr. Jefferson continues to be a catalyst for positive transformation in public education.
Mikael LaRoche
Mikael Emmanuel LaRoche is a distinguished leader and advocate, born in Trinidad and Tobago, and currently serving as the President of Alpha Phi Alpha, Mu Lambda Chapter, the 111th House in Washington D.C. His journey within the fraternity is marked by a commitment to service, leadership, and a myriad of significant roles.
A seasoned member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Mikael has held various leadership positions, showcasing his dedication to the chapter's growth and success. Starting as a Vice President, he also served as the Recording Secretary, Editor of the Torch, Archivist, Social Chair, and in several other key roles. His multifaceted involvement and leadership contributions have left an indelible mark on the chapter's legacy.
Mikael's academic prowess is underscored by a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University and three associate degrees from Cambridge University, reflecting his commitment to both local and global education. Beyond his fraternity and academic achievements, Mikael is a former Track and Field Athlete and coach at his alma mater, embodying a passion for sports and mentorship. His diverse interests extend to painting, soccer, graphic design, and web design, showcasing a well-rounded individual with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit.
Currently, Mikael Emmanuel LaRoche serves as the Head of Brand Marketing and Communication for Byte Back, a Tech Non-Profit dedicated to closing the digital divide in DC, Baltimore, Miami, Sacramento, Ohio, and Kentucky. In this role, he continues to exemplify his commitment to utilizing technology as a tool for empowerment and societal progress. Mikael's journey is characterized by a blend of leadership, academic excellence, athletic achievement, and a deep commitment to community service. As he continues to make impactful strides in the tech non-profit sector, his story serves as an inspiration to those he leads and the communities he serves.
Leroy Lowery, III
LeRoy Lowery, III was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. Educated in the public school system in cities across the country, he graduated from Lima (Ohio) Senior High School. He earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University and a MS degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California.
After graduation from Howard, he spent 2 years as an officer in the US Army. His work experience after leaving the military was mostly with the federal government – the General Services Administration, Navy Department, NASA, Department of Energy, United States Information Agency (USIA), and the State Department. He held various positions including Aerospace Engineer, Inspector, Spacelab Program Manager, and Assistant Inspector General. At NASA he was designated Manager, Spacelab-Mir Mission. In this capacity he worked with Russian and American scientists, engineers, cosmonauts and astronauts in planning the first flight of the Shuttle to Russia’s Mir space station.
As Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Inspections, he was the only African-American male member of the Senior Executive Service in the Department of State. In this position he supervised an office of 54 persons, including Ambassadors and Senior Foreign Service personnel, in the conduct of inspections of all 256 of the US embassies and missions abroad. In USIA and State, he met with and briefed inspection report findings to Ambassadors and Assistant Secretaries of State, U.S. Senators and Representatives, as well as heads of other federal agencies.
His duties have taken him to Japan, Russia, Iceland, France, Haiti, Latvia, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Kenya, Slovakia, Eritrea, Namibia, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, South Africa, Denmark, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Mexico, and England.
From January 2002 through August 2004, Lowery served as the vice-president and chief operating officer of the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Daniel Mushala
Daniel Mushala serves as the Principal at Daniel Mushala International (DMI), a highly respected institution committed to fostering the progress and success of businesses and individuals. With a specialized focus on training and development, including areas such as leadership, change management, and organizational growth, DMI strives to enlighten, inspire, and empower individuals, enabling them to realize their professional and personal goals with unwavering empowerment.
Daniel, a certified trainer, facilitator, and speaker, is fully committed to assisting you in achieving your goals. With a wealth of experience as a seminar leader and workshop facilitator, Daniel has effectively provided training in various fields, including leadership, technical skills, sales, communication, and public speaking. His expertise spans both domestic and international settings, enabling him to cater to a diverse audience. Daniel's deep passion for his work ensures that his training sessions, seminars, and workshops are engaging and impactful.
George Walker
George Walker is a nationally recognized leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), known for his pioneering work across the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. For nearly seven years, he has served as the first Chief Equity Officer and Special Advisor at Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), one of the most visible nonprofit organizations in the United States. In this role, he leads the development and execution of DEI strategies across multiple areas of the organization, guiding both the national office and the broader Federation. His guiding principle—build DEI into the DNA—reflects his belief in creating systems and cultures where equity is embedded into every level of operation, ensuring that progress does not rest on a single individual but is sustained by thoughtful, inclusive processes.
Prior to his tenure at PPFA, George led Diversity & Inclusion efforts at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, the world’s oldest cancer care institution. He has held influential roles at several prominent national nonprofits, including the Center for Community Change, the Human Rights Campaign, the American Constitution Society, and the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. Throughout his career, George has distinguished himself as a program designer, thought leader, and accomplished fundraiser.
A former Peace Corps volunteer, George served in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and is fluent in Spanish. His commitment to social justice extends to both professional and volunteer efforts. In 2024, he was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. International College of Ministers and Laity at Morehouse College. In 2025, he completed his service on the founding board of the Studio Design School in New York. He serves on the Mu Lambda Foundation Board, leads the Public Policy Committee, and is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Additionally, he is a devoted member of his home chapter, Alpha Rho (Key#38), where he was a Centennial Captain and continues to donate and volunteer with various chapter initiatives.
In 2012, President Barack Obama appointed George to the White House Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), where he served until the end of the administration in 2016. He is also a German Marshall Memorial Fellow, having represented the United States in exploring transatlantic partnerships across five European countries.
George holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Morehouse College, a Master of Divinity from Duke University’s Divinity School, and a Certificate in Executive Coaching from Georgetown University. He is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC).
Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, George now resides with his family in Washington, D.C.