February 23, 2023

Celebrating Black History Month

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In celebration of Black History Month, we are spotlighting powerful leaders within our community and the individuals in their lives who inspired them on their journey.

Dr. Bryan O. Buckley, DrPH, MPH, is a member of our Board of Directors and a champion for health equity. Bryan chose to honor his grandparents, who influenced him to become the man he is today. Bryan is the Director of Health Equity Initiatives at the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

“Growing up, I traveled to Antigua every summer to deepen my connection to my heritage. My parents felt it was important for my development to know my family roots and build humility. My parents had the right idea because watching my maternal grandparents inspired my passion for pursuing a career rooted in advancing health equity. I was inspired as they were active members of their community, advocating for equitable access to healthcare, education, and resources.”

Jacqueline Bowens, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the D.C. Hospital Association (DCHA), is a healthcare leader of exceptional achievement. You may not know this, but years ago, she made it possible for D.C. public schools to have nurses on staff, and immunizations then increased from 40% compliance to 93% compliance.

Today, she leads game-changing efforts to improve maternal health outcomes, and even taught Food & Friends staff more about this important topic. Always dynamic, she advocates for and advances hospitals across D.C. and serves on the Food & Friends Board of Directors.

Jackie chose to pay tribute to her mom, whose advocacy for others instilled her lifetime passion for lifting up people in need:

"When I think of the person who had the greatest influence on my growth, leadership, and passion for advocacy, I must reflect on the example my mother (Yvonne J. Barnes) set for her children, especially her five daughters. By both her words and her example, she has always exemplified strength, independence, and confidence.

I can't remember a time that there wasn't someone living with our family that needed a little help, whether a distant relative or no relation at all. This generous open door could be particularly challenging when you already have six children, a husband, and your grandfather living under one roof. My mother's willingness to open her home as a safe haven created a space for me, at an early age, to understand the importance of giving back and lifting up people in need. My passion with a purpose, started with her."

Our Director of Volunteer Services, Katrina Mathis (she/her), brings incredible leadership, talent, and vision to the award-winning volunteer program at Food & Friends. After college, Katrina volunteered in the Peace Corps, in Guinea, West Africa, before returning to Atlanta to join the staff. There, she oversaw recruitment. Katrina then transitioned to Americorps, where she ushered in their first large-scale DEI initiative long before DEI became an acronym.

She then created new pathways of service for disadvantaged youth at the request of the Obama administration. She led a successful shift in the demographic of members, increasing diversity by more than 50%. Katrina and her team brought the benefits of service in the National Community Corps to a new generation of young people eager for opportunity.

We are proud to honor Katrina, whose contributions to the programming and culture of Food & Friends are paramount. Katrina is honoring her parents, whose example influenced her success:

"My parents have their own Horatio Alger story, overcoming very humble beginnings to create lives of abundance and opportunity for me and my sisters, who were born and raised in a prosperous Black community in Atlanta. I have stood on their shoulders and lived the values they instilled in me in everything I do, from working with the people of Guinea, West Africa, as a Peace Corps Volunteer and today, as Director of Volunteer Services at Food & Friends, their words and teachings continue to light my path."