Karen Anadol loves reading books and believes in their power to transform lives. She has worked in a variety of fields, from the Carpenters’ Union in upstate New York to raising sheep and goats while working on a dairy farm in Michigan, to volunteering with human rights and arts non-profit organizations. She started Interwoven Cultures, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of traditional textiles in Turkey. A lover of travel, Karen has spent extensive time in Turkey exploring ancient sites and learning more about the history and culture of the region. Karen’s varied background has allowed her a greater appreciation and understanding of the world around her. She strives to expand her horizons and believes strongly in the positive power of volunteerism.

For more than 20 years, Emmy-nominated producer Eric E. Richardson has been a driving force behind groundbreaking media in Washington, D.C. His executive leadership roles, including at the District of Columbia Office of Cable Television and Howard University’s WHUT-TV, have centered on managing large-scale productions, budgets, and innovative media projects. His extensive experience also includes producing content and live events for nationally recognized organizations such as YouTube Kids, NASA, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Currently, as the Supervising Producer at Washington Performing Arts, he leads the organization’s community engagement initiative, Mars Arts D.C., and produces a wide range of productions that amplify its mission. Beyond his professional work, Mr. Richardson is deeply committed to his community, having served on several nonprofit boards dedicated to literacy, economic opportunity, and access to the arts.

Joanne graduated from the Howard University School of Business and the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public & International Affairs (GSPIA) where she earned a degree in urban/regional planning with a specialization in management information systems.

Joanne’s career spans over four decades working in the private and public sector as an accountant/financial analyst, urban/regional planner, housing/community development specialist, economic development consultant and minority business enterprise (MBE) program coordinator. She has received numerous awards and citations for her public service.

As a member of the Board of Directors for Christmas-In-April Anne Arundel County, Joanne served, in a voluntary capacity, as Vice-President for over 10 years. She also served on the Prince George’s County Task Force and Commission on Common Ownership Communities Most recently, Joanne was a member of the Advisory Board for the Bi-County Business Roundtable.

She feels that libraries are a important component of the community’s landscape and play a vital role in the human growth and personal development of children and adults.

Joanne lives in District 3 and attends St. Mary’s Church in Landover Hills.

After more than 38 years of federal government service, Linda Washington Douglas retired from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In her last position with the FDIC, Washington Douglas advocated at national outreach events for minority and women-owned businesses, which resulted in numerous firms obtaining multi-million dollar contracts. After retirement, she launched the Washington Douglas Consulting firm. She is married and has been a Prince George’s County resident for more than 40 years.

A lifelong resident of Prince George’s County, Karen Clark-Reddon is a proud graduate of the University of Maryland College Park. As a mentor and personal enrichment coach, she empowers adults and pre-teens to follow their dreams. Clark-Reddon is a serial entrepreneur who turned her passions into profits and founded Devonshire – A Perfect Events Company, LLC. She and her daughter Kaelyn co-own DBK Bath Bombs and soaps.

Ishraga Eltahir has been a lifelong lover of the public library. In high school, her first job involved roaming the local library’s stacks as a page. Born in Sudan, growing up in Saudi Arabia, New York City, and Northern Virginia, she now calls Hyattsville home. Eltahir started her career working in nonprofits in Washington, DC and in West Africa. Today, she is the director of business execution at FORT Investment Management, a systematic hedge fund manager in Chevy Chase. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political & Social Thought and African/African-American Studies from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University. Eltahir finds balance in reading, riding horses, and gardening.

William Murray has been a lifetime resident of Maryland and has primarily resided in Bowie since 2022. He holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Boston College and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame.

Since 2001, he has worked as a fundraising consultant for local parochial schools. He has also worked as an adjunct professor of English in several colleges and universities such as Bowie State University, University of Maryland Global Campus, and Prince George’s County Community College, for over 14 years. His community involvement is extensive, including volunteering with the Maryland CASA program for foster care youth, the City of Bowie adult mentor program, and for his parish, St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church. An avid runner and reader, William is also a member of the Prince George’s Running Club and is proficient in Spanish.

Jennifer Ridgway is a seasoned theatre teaching artist with 30 years of experience harnessing the transformative power of theatre. Beginning on stage, her career is dedicated to creating arts-making experiences that amplify everyday stories, promote empathy, and foster community joy. Her work seamlessly integrates theatre, storytelling, music, dance, and puppetry, often weaving in academic, cultural, and environmental themes. She holds an MFA in Directing/Theatre for Youth from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro; a BA in Acting from the University of Maryland, College Park; and a certificate in Arts and Culture Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania.

Jennifer is the founder of YARD DRAMAS, where she creates customized, interactive storytelling experiences that bridge connections, increase learning, and grow new ideas, pathways, and solutions. She is also the Co-Founder and President of Teaching Artists of the Mid-Atlantic (TAMA), supporting and empowering fellow artists to advocate for professional recognition.

Tracy Simpson has lived in Prince George’s County since age 3 when her father, a NFL player was traded to Washington. She attended Prince George’s County Public Schools, and continued higher education at Prince George’s Community College and The Catholic University of America. Her professional experience includes work as a corporate manager, trainer, marketing content developer, special events strategist and organizer, and her current role as HR manager for a local healthcare agency. Simpson served as a therapeutic licensed foster parent for 20 years until the untimely diagnosis of her late husband with early onset of Lewes Body Dementia. She remains focused on youth social development and the support of resources for caretakers and families affected by dementia. Simpson is an effective leader in uniting local nonprofit and religious organizations with municipalities to build partnerships that support the needs of our community. She serves Hemingway Memorial AME Church as its administrator and member of the Board of Trustees.

Chanté R. Sedwick is the communications strategy director at a national nonprofit in Washington, DC, where she drives communications strategy and integrated consumer messaging across social, digital, publications, earned, and paid media channels.

Sedwick is a seasoned strategist with over 25 years of marketing and communications experience in membership and healthcare organizations delivering significant contributions towards strategic brand alignment, leading campaigns that build awareness and engagement, support revenue and member growth, and deliver on social mission.

Sedwick is a graduate of Hamilton College and earned a master’s degree from Penn State University and an MBA from Kogod School of Business at American University. She resides in Bowie.