The Fishing School

Leo joined TFS in September of 2007, following over 25 years of senior executive experience with local, national, and international nonprofit organizations. During his time with TFS, the organization has more than doubled the number of students served and nearly tripled its operating budget. Immediately prior to joining TFS, he served as Deputy Executive Director of Membership Mobilization for Amnesty International USA. He was a member of the organization’s senior management team that was responsible for guiding its work and managing a $45 million budget. He provided direct leadership to several national business units focused on youth membership development, advocacy, public education, volunteer recruitment, training, and membership mobilization. His responsibilities also included leading national field operations and national program development in support of the organization’s 700,000 members and over 1,700 student and local chapters. Earlier in his career he served as a founding Deputy Director of the Doug Williams Foundation where he created and managed five city-wide youth programs that reached several thousand students in DC public schools. Leo received a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Howard University and a Bachelor’s degree in Radio and Television from Grambling State University where he was a member of the famed Tiger football team coached by the legendary educator Eddie Robinson.

Quinci joined The Fishing School in August of 2011. Her work experience includes building capacity in organizations working to strengthen vulnerable or underserved communities, and developing nonprofit leaders of color. Quinci holds a Master’s of Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from American University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Florida A&M University. Her past employment includes the Center for Minority Studies, where she launched her career in capacity building by creating and implementing successful fundraising, human resources, and board development infrastructures for the upstart organization and Fair Chance where she successfully led outreach and capacity building efforts in Washington, DC’s Wards 5 and 6. Quinci is also the founder of the Women Achieving Visionary Excellence Scholarship Fund, a scholarship fund for African American girls from Washington, DC.

Porsha joined The Fishing School in May of 2015 and brings to TFS a broad set of experiences from her time teaching abroad, in high risk areas, and with adjudicated youth and adult learners. With over a decade of classroom experience, she has had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of students and student needs, and she is passionate about continuing to strive to improve outcomes for students from underserved and underrepresented communities. In her program management work, Porsha has designed, coordinated, and implemented more than a dozen co-curricular and experiential learning programs, using institutional data and engaging student advocates. Porsha holds a PhD from the University of Maryland and Masters degrees from Columbia University Teacher’s College (Applied Linguistics) and Mercy College (Urban Education).

Gozi joined TFS in July of 2018. Her professional experience includes copywriting and editing work for the ecommerce fashion, education, and psychology industries. In addition, Gozi has supported senior development specialists with fundraising, grants and prospect research, donor relations, event coordination, and database management. Previously, Gozi served as the Advancement Specialist at Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP), where she spearheaded event partnerships with southern California organizations like Knott’s Berry Farm, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gozi has also served as a Behavior Therapist at Verdugo Hills Autism Project, a Content Coordinator and a Lead Copywriter at BCBG Max Azria Group, LLC, and an e-commerce Copywriter for HauteLook, a Nordstrom Company. Gozi is actively involved with National Community Church as a member of the children’s ministry team and is passionate about working to eliminate the educational and resource disparities among youth from low socioeconomic status families and communities. Gozi received her Master of Arts in Psychology from Pepperdine GSEP, Master of Science in Medical Humanities and Bioethics from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from Washington and Lee University (W & L). At W & L, Gozi participated in Volunteer Venture as a co-coordinator and co-leader, Pi Beta Phi Sorority as a Pledge Class President and a Rho Gamma, theater as an actress, and both student-run newspapers as a weekly contributor.

Anyae joined TFS in August of 2016. Her professional experience includes working with youth in Wards 7 and 8 to prevent Teen Pregnancy and increase how involved the youth are in civic engagement. Previously she has served as the Site Director at Kid Power Inc., where she increased attendance and participants’ reading levels. Anyae also served as a full time facilitator for Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program and Group Leader for The Carrera Teen Pregnancy Prevention program. Anyae is actively involved with mentoring youth she comes into contact with on a daily basis and is passionate about the Balanced and Restorative justice framework for Juveniles. Anyae is currently a student at the University of Maryland in College Park pursuing a degree in Sociology.

Marinda joined TFS in November of 2016.  Her professional experience includes Child Care and After School Programs. Previously she served as a Child Care Associate at The Boys & Girls Club, where she implemented activities that were designed to enhance the participant’s knowledge of healthy living and academic success. Marinda has also served as a Child Care Assistant at HB Child Care and a Front Desk Assistant for the office of Student Involvement and Residential Housing at Washington State University. Marinda is passionate about providing her services to enhance and encourage the lives of those who need assistance the most. Marinda received her Bachelor’s in Sociology from Washington State University. At WSU, Marinda participated in clubs such as Black Student Union, Black Women’s Caucus, God’s Harmony Gospel Choir and the annual VIBES Conference.

Ashley joined TFS in March 2019. Her professional experience includes substituting as well as before and after school teaching. Previously, she has served as a substitute at DC Prep, where she implemented fun ways to keep the students engaged while learning. Ashley has served as a before and after school instructor for Springboard of America for Two Rivers Academy and Imagine – Lincoln Public Charter, and started as a volunteer for F.A.N., another nonprofit program based out of Ft. Stanton Recreation Center in Southeast DC. Ashley is actively involved with The Fishing School as the Site Manager and is passionate about working with the youth of today. Ashley went to North Carolina Central University where she majored in psychology. While there, she was actively involved in a DC-based student group called the Metro Eagles. She also played basketball briefly and was known around campus as “the girl with the skateboard.”

Ashley joined TFS in December of 2015. Her professional experience includes child care, culinary services, and administrative work. Previously she served as Lead Afterschool Instructor at The Fishing School at Turner Elementary. Ashley has also served as School-Age Teacher at Antioch Childcare Center, where she conducted daily activities for children in a safe environment, including learning activities and art projects. In this role, Ashley prepared the educational materials required to implement the daily lesson plans. Ashley is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at Prince George’s Community College. Ashley is passionate about youth empowerment.

Taquasha joined TFS in March of 2015. Taquasha’s professional experience includes serving as a Residential Coordinator at Volunteers of America for 5 years, where she worked with patients who required assistance from day to day. She was responsible for overseeing the smooth operation of one of the elderly group homes. She also supervised employees and events that took place at the facility. Taquasha has also served as a Family Care Manager at Helping Children Grow, Behavior Specialist at Center for Mental Health, and Residential Supervisor at Terrific Inc. Taquasha is very passionate about working with people, especially children with special needs and the elderly. She has 20 years of experience in early child care and has been devoted to working with children since her first summer job as a tutor in 1993. Taquasha received her Child Development associate degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of the District of Columbia in 2003 and is currently enrolled in Simmons School of Social Work for her bachelor’s.