Juanita White

Backed by years of professional experience in public administration, Ms. White presently works as the director of family and community engagement for AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School, where she began in 2013. During the early stages of her career, she gained valuable industry expertise, in administrative management with Brooklyn Community Services, the oldest social service organization in New York City and as program and administrative support for Diane's House Ministries and the National Phlebotomy Association, in Washington, D.C. As a young woman, Ms. White was inspired by her parents, both of whom were civil service workers, to pursue a career in service to others. Alongside her work, Ms. White was a docent with the Smithsonian Institution where she partnered with staff to ensure the various portfolio of museums were accessible to all, especially low income underserved communities in the District of Columbia. In 2022, she founded a social justice nonprofit organization (Connect & Serve) to continue and expand the work she is doing to eliminate the barriers and challenges that continue to cause generational poverty and limits access to opportunities. Similarly, she contributes to her community as an elder in her church. In order to remain abreast of changes in the field, she aligns herself with the Professional Organization of Women of Excellence Recognized. An expert in her field, Ms. White holds a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Pace University and a Master in Public Administration in Nonprofit Management Leadership from Walden University. In recognition of her outstanding body of work, Ms. White earned the PAVE Parent Power School Partnership Award in 2018 and a Leadership Award in 2019 from WhyweLift-DC. More recently, she received the Howard University Radio Community Leaders Goldy Award (honorable mention), the Partnership Appreciation Award from Martha's Table, and an Outstanding Leadership Award from Education 2.0. While her career has been filled with highlights, she takes the most pride in giving birth to her daughter. She is also proud of helping her students' parents understand the importance of early childhood education, stating that early childhood education complemented with parent engagement increases the educational experience and academic success for all students. In the next five years, Ms. White aims to see her nonprofit fully functioning and operational. In 2023, her desire is to see the Connect & Serve brand be represented as a conduit to community empowerment.