Students Mariana C. Barros, Natashia Benjamin, and Autumn Dunavant from UDC will present a selection of maps designed to explore local lead impacts and increase visibility of this under-reported issue. Through the use of data visualization, their final projects juxtapose publicly sourced data on lead pipes, demographics, schools, health facilities and other intersections.
We will also hear about the work of the organization, Black Millennials for Flint, who recently through their work created an amendment to DC Law requiring all public and charter schools, as well as children’s healthcare facilities, to remedy and monitor all water quality specifically for lead, with transparency to the public. We will learn more about the new projects they are launching. Black Millennials For Flint (#BM4F) is a grassroots environmental justice and civil rights organization with the purpose of bringing like-minded organizations together to collectively take action and advocate against the crisis of lead exposure, specifically in African American & Latino communities throughout the nation.
LaTricea is an educator, social justice activist, community organizer. She is currently the Manager of Organizational Quality for Shelby County Public Schools Office of Charter Schools in Memphis, TN. She was also the former Director of Assessment & Data for Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy and Manager of Data & Systems for the District of Columbia Public Schools in Policy & Legal Strategy.
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LaTricea is the immediate past president of Thursday Network- Greater Washington Urban League Young Professionals and current Interim President for the Memphis Urban League Young Professionals. She also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.Â
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Jason is a blogger, thought leader, and activist. He has committed his life to build and rebuild lives through mentorship, relationship, and fellowship.
Over the last few years, Jason has helped lead programs at healthcare and educational facilities. He’s built start-up companies in Washington D.C., Baltimore, MD, and New York, NY.
Jason is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and The National Urban League, Washington D.C. young professionals chapter. He also mentors high school students in Maryland.
Michelle is a proud graduate of both Howard University and The University of Michigan with a Dual Masters of Science in Natural Resources & a Masters of Public Health Environment Health.
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She was a former ORISE Fellow in the Office of Children's Health Protection with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She is currently a Staff Scientist for Earthjustice.Â
Krystina is a legal research professional and a community, social justice and civil rights advocate in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area.
She is also a highly successful entrepreneur. She is the Principal Owner and Chef for Unique Soul Cuisine, LLC.Â
Krystina is an expert in drafting and negotiating contractual agreements as ensure compliance of corporate controls and access risk. She also has exemplary experience with forming new entities by creating articles of incorporation/organization
Mariana C. Barros is an advocate, student, and local performing dance artist in the District of Columbia. She is a native of Colombia and has lived in the District since 2012. Ms. Barros is a non-profit public health advocacy professional working with the National Association of Federal Veterinarians and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Political Science with the intent to attend
law school post-graduation. In the meantime, she continues to cultivate her artistry and is co-director and choreographer of Errant Movement dance company.
Natashia Benjamin is a nineteen-year-old aspiring actuary and sophomore pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at the University of the District of Columbia. Born in Jamaica, she moved to the United States on a four-year academic scholarship to complete her bachelor's degree. She is a past student of the Titchfield High School where she pursued the sciences. Her passion for Mathematics was then developed as she had always been intrigued by numbers and the feeling of being able to arrive upon solutions which aren’t solely theoretically based; hence, her current choice of major and job as a Mathematics tutor.
Autumn Dunavant is 19 years old and in her second year at UDC. Her academic focus is in Psychology and Biology and hopes to go into Neuropsychology. She comes from a military family and is the middle child of three. She moved to the District of Columbia for better life experiences and to transcend the trap of small towns.