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Presenting Our 2023 Renaissance Award Honorees
Get to know the extraordinary individuals who are blazing new trails in advocacy and improving the lives of children and youth in our communities!
About the DC Action Awards
DC Early Learning Collaborative
Legacy Award
The DC Action Board of Directors is delighted to announce that the first winner of its Legacy Award is DC Early Learning Collaborative (DCELC). DCELC pools public and private resources to increase investments in children, families and communities, to improve their well-being. Initially founded in 1990 by a coalition of business leaders, government agencies, and community organizations, what we know today as DCELC took shape in 2006 as the Pre-K for All DC campaign. The leadership of Carrie Thornhill, Maurice Sykes, and Sia Barbara Kamara, with their commitment to social justice, profound knowledge of movement building, and extensive early childhood education experience, were integral to creating and passing two pieces of historical and nationally recognized District of Columbia legislation–Universal Pre-K for All and Birth-to-Three for All DC. Read the full DCELC profile here.
Hannah Wilson | Community Enrichment Project
Shooting Star Award
As a journalist, activist, and contributor to her community, Hannah Wilson uses her voice and boundless energy to uplift others, bring attention to social issues, and solve problems. Hannah serves as a Youth Ambassador and Investigative Journalist Intern for the Community Enrichment Project, hosts a podcast about the struggles of Black teenagers, and is launching a nonprofit to amplify the successes of Black women. Read Wilson's full profile here.
Betania Pineda | Mary's Center
Home Visitor of the Year
Betania Pineda knows firsthand the benefits of programs like home visiting. When her mom arrived in the DC area, she signed Pineda and her brother up for an early education program. Pineda credits the support that her family received with putting her on the path that led her to where she is today. “Setting those principles of success early on, encourages both the child and the parent to seek more out of life,” Pineda said. “I was able to go to college and have a profession. There are lifelong impacts of home visiting.” Read Pineda's full profile here.
Tiescheka Stuart | Roosevelt STAY Opportunity Academy
Youth Champion of the Year
She’s worked in kitchens, hotels, and countless classrooms. She’s taught children and adults with a range of disabilities, needs, and circumstances. She’s created programs, partnerships, and organizations. Behind everything Tiescheka Stuart does is one goal–make sure each individual she encounters possesses the resources, support system, and love they need to become the best possible versions of themselves.
Stuart’s motto is simple: “If I'm able to positively impact a life, I will do whatever it takes.”
Read Stuart's full profile here.
Patricia Bodrick | First Rock Baptist Child Development Center
Early Educator of the Year, center-based
When Director Patricia Bodrick was covering for one of her teachers at First Rock Child Development Center, she taught a baby in the class how to play patty cake. Now whenever that little girl sees Bodrick, she claps in excitement, ready for another round. That baby girl is just one of thousands of children in the District whose lives Bodrick has helped to shape over four decades as an early childhood educator. Read Bodrick's full profile here.
Angelique Marshall | Ms. P's Day Care
Early Educator of the Year, home-based
Although Angelique Marshall had a career with the Department of Defense for years, she discovered her true calling after her daughter Tanisha was born. When Marshall started looking for child care for Tanisha, who had been diagnosed with multiple disabilities, she was seeking an early childhood educator with the experience and expertise needed to properly care for her child. Unfortunately, she just couldn’t find it. “I decided I wasn’t going to keep begging for help,” Marshall recalled. “I was going to do it myself.” So she quit her government job, changed her major at the Central Texas College on Bolling AFB from business management to early childhood education, and became an advocate and educator for families with children with special needs. Read Marshall's full profile here.