Reading Partners DC Welcomes Three New Board Members

Washington, DC – March 13, 2024 – Reading Partners DC is excited to welcome three new board members this year, two of them bring experience as Reading Partners tutors, and each brings a wealth of knowledge to support the mission of empowering young readers to succeed in reading and life.

Dr. Kenya Dugger is the Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director at Chemonics, a private international development firm. Dr. Dugger brings 21 years of experience in the Army and Department of Defense, and more than twelve years of experience working with executives and employees in the areas of global diversity and inclusion, data analysis, culture awareness, ethics and compliance, and human resources.  Kenya spent two years as deputy director in the Center for the Army Profession, Diversity and Leadership, where he advised on D&I programming. He also served as adjunct professor at Southern New Hampshire University. He has a PhD in Education from Grand Canyon University and a BS and MS in Human Resources Management from University of Maryland Global Campus. Dr. Duggar has been a Reading Partners tutor since 2022.

“I’m delighted to join the board of an organization committed to educational equity and reducing social inequality. Reading Partners is integral to the communities and schools that it serves and has a long track record of delivering results,” said Dugger.

Fuzz Hogan is a journalist who works as a Senior Director for Standards and Practices at CNN. In this role, he helps ensure CNN’s reporting meets the network’s standards for accuracy, fairness and balance.  During his time at CNN, he’s held a variety of editorial jobs, including Executive Producer and Bureau Chief. He has also worked as the Managing Editor at New America, a think tank and civic enterprise in Washington, DC.  He has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University. Most importantly, he has been a Reading Partners tutor for 7 years!

“For years, I’ve been delighted to serve as a tutor and see how Reading Partners delivers results, and a good dose of joy, to the students in the program,” said Hogan. “I’m honored to step up my commitment and serve in any capacity required for this terrific organization.” 

Nabavi Oliver is the COO of DowntownDC Business Improvement District, partnering with the CEO on strategic and operational goals. Previously, as the BID’s Director of Administration, he initiated a day services center for the homeless, serving an average of 140 daily. Oliver has a rich background, including a stint as Director of Business and Legal operations at EagleForce Associates and roles within D.C. government where he launched a leadership program for students still active today. His early career in law and consulting set the stage for impactful work across various sectors. Oliver is also passionate about mentorship, volunteering since 2017 with Reading Partners to foster student growth. Outside work, he enjoys traveling, running, and family time.

“Reading Partners holds a special place in my heart offering a tangible return on investment, both from lessons for the student and immense emotional fulfillment for me. Witnessing a child emerge from their shell and grow confident in their abilities has been a profoundly moving experience for me. I’m deeply invested in the organization’s mission to level the playing field for children in need, as I’ve seen firsthand how a few hours per week can have a lasting impact on a student’s life.”

The introduction of new board members at Reading Partners DC has been met with tremendous enthusiasm within the organization, as reflected by the comments of the current leadership. Regional executive director, Barry Brinkley, expressed this anticipation and optimism:

“I am extremely excited to welcome our newest board members. Each of them brings a unique perspective and background that will continue to support the growth and sustainability of our Reading Partners DC region. They are leaders in their respective fields, and each shares a strong passion for literacy, ensuring every young person has access to this foundational skill. Our newest board members join an active board and have hit the ground running already.”

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About Reading Partners

For nearly 25 years, Reading Partners has helped empower students to succeed in school and beyond by engaging community volunteers to provide proven, one-on-one literacy tutoring. Since its founding, the national nonprofit organization has mobilized over 80,000 community volunteers to provide more than 2.7 million individualized literacy tutoring sessions to more than 75,000 elementary school students in over 500 under-resourced schools across ten states and the District of Columbia.

In DC, Reading Partners has served students since 2010. It aims to serve 700 students throughout the city during the 2023-24 school year. To learn more and get involved, visit our website.

If you’d like to get involved either as a tutor or a supporter, please visit our website.