As a young girl growing up in Southeast, DC, every day was an adventure. For much of the day, Ashley stayed outside and found many ways to remain entertained. She even found ways to make money by pumping gas to buy the fanciest light up yo-yo, and snacks from the ice cream trucks, corner stores or carryout.

Like most of the kids, Ashley came home to beat the street lights but remained on the front porch or in the courtyard with the kids who lived on her block. It was common to visit one another, even the houses of neighbors who didn’t have kids. Ashley believes the richness of the community contributed to her neighborhood pride and distracted her from the realities of the poverty stricken environment.

Ashley’s mom went on to marry her stepdad and traded in the city for small town living. In the south, Ashley was just as active but with vastly different experiences. She was driving 4-wheelers, picking muscadines and pecans, playing organized sports and working a real job. A stark difference was going from chocolate city to a place where she would go on to support with electing the first Black Mayor of the town.

Having grown up in both Southeast, DC and a small town in the south, it makes perfect sense why Seat Pleasant is home.

Ashley’s parents, both graduates of Central High School, instilled in her an appreciation of education and a commitment to serve. After undergraduate school, Ashley moved back to the DC metro area to be with her family and pursue a career as an educator.

After over a decade of service as a mathematics teacher, community organizer and coalition leader, Ashley used her platform as an award-winning educator and leader to influence change in the national arena on education, mental health and addiction, workforce, and other intersecting issues impacting communities.

Currently, Ashley works as a systems integration improvement manager in DC and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators. She holds a masters in education from Johns Hopkins University, is certified in Agile Leadership for Organizations, and trained in board leadership. Ashley further developed the skills and expertise needed to support and influence programs across the education sector, non-profit organizations, government and associations as a practitioner and through her studies in Program Evaluation at Georgetown University.

Ashley envisions excellence in every ward. Every day!

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