The Fishing School

Leo joined TFS in September 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).

Steffi Benjamin joined TFS in February 2018. Steffi has a Master’s of Education in Psychological Studies from Cambridge University in Massachusetts. Her professional experience includes serving as the Director of Development at Jubilee Association of Maryland for the past two and a half years. Prior to Jubilee, Steffi served as the Adult Ministry Assistant for almost four years at Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She has worked with several nonprofits organizations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, including Christ House/DC and the National Center for Children and Families, helping them sustain their mission and programs through fundraising, community engagement, advocacy, and public relations. Steffi has a passion for children, families, education, and soccer. She volunteers with the Grief Support Ministry at Church of the Redeemer, and with the Maryland State Cup 2017 Boys Soccer Champions, Pachuca UFC 99. Steffi is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery 2017 Core Class.

I have always enjoyed teaching and helping people.

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 Bachelors 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 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.

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.

I am passionate about this work because I really enjoy working with people, and also I believe that I can really make a positive impact on a child’s life.

Lejae joined TFS in March of 2018. It is undeniable that she is devoted to bettering lives for youth in our society. Her professional experience includes various roles serving young people both in the Washington, DC Metro area, as well as in Los Angeles, CA where she worked at Apple Tree, Columbia Academy, and Girls Inc. of LA. Through her work in schools as a teacher, director, and in the non-profit sector, it is clear that she is devoted to bettering the lives of youth in our society. Her varied work experiences have allowed her to grasp the realities that often plague children in underserved communities. Her holistic approach to teaching, mentoring and influencing young people has been fostered through an understanding of the impact of family engagement and community participation on individual student success rates and overall development.

Brandon joined TFS in August of 2015. His professional experience includes multiple years of service as a Youth Counselor with his local Boys and Girls Club, a substitute teacher with Bishop Walker School for Boys, and a Youth Leader and Mentor with his local church. Previously, he served as Lead Afterschool Instructor at Bishop Walker School for Boys, where he taught the value of college readiness, entrepreneurship, money management, and a host of other subjects. Brandon has also served as an AVID tutor at Ballou High School, a Track and Field Coach at the A.G Gaston Boys and Girls Club and a Camp Peer Leader. Brandon is currently a student at Howard University with a major in Sociology and Political Science. At Howard, Brandon participated in Track and Field, Judo, and was a member of the “He’s First” mentoring group. Brandon’s goal is to one day create his own mentoring program similar to the Fishing School to help under-privileged youth become the next pioneers of the world.