Our 2025 Honorees
Philanthropist of the Year Award
Wanda Durant
Dr. Wanda Durant, affectionately known as “Mama Durant,” is a dynamic leader, advocate, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. As a DMV native, in Prince George’s County, Maryland, she raised her two sons: Anthony “Tony” Durant and Kevin Durant. Through motherhood, Mama Durant realized the importance of community and has made it her life’s mission to inspire the youth and provide them with the right tools to follow their dreams.
She has teamed with several foundations and founded her own non-profit, The Real MVPTM Foundation, Inc., which has done outstanding work throughout the nation. Her vigorous advocacy and support has been extended to numerous regional and national charitable organizations, including Single Parents Support Network, Baller Moms, Positive Tomorrows, The Boys & Girls Club of America, The Salvation Army, NBA Cares and Mothers of Professional Basketball Players.
As a fiery speaker, Dr. Durant has addressed corporate, non-profit, financial, community organizations, faith-based forums, college campuses and youth audiences. She has also been the keynote speaker for diverse audiences, such as J.P. Morgan Chase, the Ford Foundation, The White House United State of Women Summit, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference, Thomson Reuters, Brown Brother Harriman (BBH), Flamboyan Foundation and others. She has also been featured in national and international media on CNN, Access Hollywood, ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC, Comcast Sports, ABC and CBS, Good Morning America, The Wendy Williams Show, The Today Show, Tamron Hall and in The New York Times and Washington Post amongst many others.
Dr. Durant also serves on the Board of Tigress Financial Partners, the nation’s only disabled and women-owned investment bank, which is affiliated with the StoneX Group Inc., a Fortune 100 Company. In conjunction with Tigress, Dr. Durant is a catalyst for propelling financial literacy for our country’s most vulnerable women.
Dr. Durant was conferred a distinguished Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Bloomfield College in recognition of her achievements in the humanities and for her outstanding humanitarian work. To further highlight her efforts, she shared her life story in the movie “The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story” produced by musical artist, television producer and actress Queen Latifah (Dana Owens), which is now available on DVD.
It is Dr. Durant’s passion to guide others to realize that hope is alive inside of them, encourage them to dream, and help them to truly believe they can achieve the future they desire. One of Dr. Durant’s favorite quotes is “where there is hope, there are possibilities.” Through her accomplishments, she has truly earned her title as “The Real MVP.”
Lifetime Achievement Award
Russell Shipley
Shipley & Horne
Russell W. Shipley has been actively practicing law for more than 66 years and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the clients of Shipley & Horne, P.A. Mr. Shipley was admitted to the practice of law in the State of Maryland in 1959, and is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court in Maryland, the United States Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Mr. Shipley has vast legal experience in both the public and private sectors. A life-long resident of Prince George’s County, he served as Deputy County Attorney for Prince George’s County for more than 4 years. His areas of practice include: zoning, land use, subdivision, administrative law, municipal law, condemnation (eminent domain), tax assessment appeals, alcoholic beverage law and regulations, business and corporate law, civil litigation and appellate advocacy. Mr. Shipley has successfully argued well over 50 cases in the Maryland Court of Appeals and Court of Special Appeals, many of which have been landmark decisions. Over the years, he has been the sole or lead attorney in guiding major industrial, commercial and residential development to fruition, including Ammendale Business Campus, Metro East Office Park at New Carrollton, Landover Mall, Iverson Mall, the former Capital Center and the comprehensive residential developments of Tantallon (including the Country Club and Golf Course), Villages of Marlboro, Kettering, Lake Arbor and Calverton.
A highly regarded attorney, Mr. Shipley has received numerous prestigious recognitions for his work over the years. He has been named by the Washingtonian magazines as one of the top “100 Most Influential People” in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. His legal successes have been well documented among the landmark recorded cases in Maryland, as well as in the Washington Post and other newspapers.
Recognized as a pre-eminent attorney and scholar in the field of land use law, Mr. Shipley is also the author of many articles and essays which have been published in real estate, land use, and legal publications, including The Maryland Law Review. He has also given numerous lectures and participated in seminars before legal and real estate organizations on subjects including land use, municipal law, taxation, assessment, real estate law, subdivision and condemnation. Recognized as the local “Dean” of land use lawyers, Mr. Shipley has mentored numerous other land use attorneys over the decades, many of whom now serve in key public or private positions throughout the State.
With a deep belief that giving back to the community in which he serves is an important component of the practice of law, Mr. Shipley has been active in numerous civic and community organizations for more than 40 years. He has given countless hours of his time and pro bono legal services to several civic and charitable organizations.
Civic Leadership Award
Gloria Brown Burnett
Deputy Secretary of Operations Gloria Brown Burnett oversees our Administrative Operations, Procurement Division, and Office of Technology for Human Services (OTHS). With over 30 years of experience in human services and child welfare leadership, Gloria joined us after a 14-year tenure as Director of the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, where she managed 600 employees across 15 sites, serving 900,000 Prince Georgians.
A collaborative innovator, Gloria excels at removing barriers and leveraging resources and non-traditional partnerships to expand services. During her tenure in Prince George’s County, Gloria secured $2.3 million annually for intensive case management programs serving middle school students and achieved improved outcomes for youth expiring out-of-home care. She also collaborated with community partners to implement the Affordable Care Act, serving over 200,000 residents through the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange, reducing the county’s uninsured population to historic lows.
Born in Mount Clemens, Michigan, Gloria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Fisk University, a Master of Science in Organizational Management from the University of Maryland University College, and an Executive Education Certificate from Harvard’s Kennedy School. She is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Greater Washington.
Howard Burnett
Howard A. Burnett is a distinguished educator and administrator with nearly five decades of leadership experience in public education and government service. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from District of Columbia Teachers College in 1974, and later completed his Master of Education degree in School Administration and Supervision from Bowie State University in 1991. His career began as a commissioned Second Lieutenant through Howard University's ROTC program, leading to an 18-year tenure in the U.S. Army Reserve where he served in various leadership roles including Company Commander and Brigade Adjutant, retiring as a Major in 1996.
Burnett's primary career was built within Prince George's County Public Schools, where he served for over 30 years from 1975 to 2006. He progressed through numerous roles including classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, and eventually senior executive positions such as Associate Superintendent and Chief Administrator for Human Resources, Acting Deputy Superintendent, and Interim Chief Executive Officer. His expertise in labor relations made him a key figure as Chief Negotiator for Union Contracts. After retiring from the school system, he continued his public service as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health and Human Services with Prince George's County Government from 2006 to 2011, and later returned to the school district as Senior Advisor from 2018 to 2024.
Throughout his career, Burnett has remained committed to education and community service, serving as an Adjunct Professor at Bowie State University from 1995 to 2002, teaching Educational Practice and Leadership courses at multiple academic levels. He continues to give back through his board leadership roles, including serving as Board President for a nonprofit organization in Prince George's County and the Foundation for Applied Construction Technology for Students, as well as Vice Chairman of the Salvation Army Regional Board.
Wayne K. Curry Award for Leadership & Public Service
The Honorable Dereck E. Davis
Maryland State Treasurer
Dereck E. Davis was elected and sworn in as the 24th Maryland State Treasurer in December 2021. In this role, he oversees the operations of the Office of the State Treasurer and serves as the State’s chief liaison with financial rating agencies and investment banking firms. As a Constitutional Officer and representative of the Maryland General Assembly, Treasurer Davis also plays a critical role on several key state boards, committees, and financial planning bodies that guide Maryland’s fiscal strategy and long-term economic stability.
Treasurer Davis holds several key leadership roles within the State of Maryland. He serves as Chair of both the Capital Debt Affordability Committee and the Commission on State Debt and is also a member of the Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates. In addition, he chairs the Board of Trustees for the Maryland State Retirement and Pension Systems, the Maryland Saves Board, and the Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plans Board of Trustees. He is also an active member of the Procurement Improvement Council and the Maryland Commission on Climate Change. One of the Treasurer’s most unique and influential responsibilities is his role on the Board of Public Works, alongside the Governor and the Comptroller. This Board plays a critical role in overseeing a significant portion of the State’s procurement contracts and ensuring the effective management of Maryland’s financial resources.
Before being elected State Treasurer, Treasurer Dereck E. Davis proudly represented the 25th Legislative District of Prince George’s County in the Maryland House of Delegates for 27 years. During his tenure, he served as Chair of the Economic Matters Committee, where he played a pivotal role in shaping Maryland’s economic and business policies. Prior to that leadership role, Treasurer Davis served on the House Environmental Matters Committee and chaired the Public Utilities Subcommittee, where he focused on critical issues impacting infrastructure, energy, and environmental policy.
Throughout his career, Treasurer Dereck E. Davis has been actively engaged in numerous national, regional, and state organizations, with a primary focus on telecommunications, public utilities, and insurance. He has been recognized by various professional, civic, and community organizations for his leadership and service. During his legislative tenure, he represented the State of Maryland on several prominent bodies, including the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Energy and Electric Utilities Committee, the Council of State Governments, and the Southern States Energy Board. Currently, Treasurer Davis serves on the Executive Committee of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers (NASACT) and is an active member of the Banking and Pension Committees of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST). In recognition of his leadership and contributions, he was also named a 2023 Rodel Fellow.
Born in Washington, D.C and raised in Capitol Heights, Maryland, Treasurer Davis earned both his bachelor’s degree in political science and master's degree in public policy from the University of Maryland College Park. While serving in the Maryland House of Delegates, Treasurer Davis also worked as Deputy Director of the Prince George’s County Office of Community Relations. His professional background includes serving as an administrator with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation, as well as working as a legislative aide to the Prince George’s County Council. Treasurer Davis and his wife, Monique, reside in Mitchellville, Maryland, with their two children, Dereck Jr. and Nyla, and are proud members of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden.
Faith Leadership Award
Rev. Dr. Henry P. Davis
First Baptist Church of Highland Park
Since 1982, Dr. Henry Pinckney Davis III has been preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, having been licensed and ordained at the St. Paul Baptist Church of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, under the pastoral leadership of his father, Dr. Henry P. Davis, Jr. His preaching is relevant, challenging, and inspirational. In 2000, Dr. Davis was called to pastor the First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Landover, Maryland. Dr. Davis formerly pastored the Second Canaan Baptist Church in Harlem, New York (1993-2000), and the Community Baptist Church in Lakehurst, New Jersey (1988-1993).
Dr. Davis leads a “Bible Believing, Christ Centered & Spirit Led Congregation” with an active membership of over 3,000 Disciples who are engaged in Kingdom Building through more than 80 ministries. The church has five worship assemblies each week with three weekend worship services — Saturdays at 6:30 p.m (Saturday Night Life); Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and two on Wednesdays, which we refer to as Wonderful Wednesdays with Jesus, at 12:00 noon is The Power Hour and at 6:45 p.m., which is a time of corporate Prayer, Praise, Worship, and The Word.
First Baptist Church of Highland Park is a progressive and visionary church that has joined with First Baptist Church of Glenarden to form Prince George's Christian Academy (Pre-K - 8th Grade) Highland Park currently serves as the site of the Upper School (Grades 4-8) and the Lower School (Pre-K - 3rd Grade) is located at 3600 Brightseat Road (Landover). There are also numerous Bible Study groups to grow Disciples in their faith. The church also has a senior citizens center and offers ministries to reach out to the youth, young adults, couples, singles, prisoners, sick, bereaved and widowed. In 2016 the church marched into their new, 20 million dollar plus, worship center.
Dr. Davis, a native of Wichita Falls, Texas, studied at Oral Roberts University, (Tulsa, Oklahoma) later graduated from Norfolk State University, (Norfolk, Virginia) with a B.A. in English; Fairleigh Dickinson University (New Jersey) with a Master of Public Administration; New Brunswick Theological Seminary (New Jersey) with a Master of Divinity (M.DIV.); and United Theological Seminary (Dayton, Ohio) with a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.). Dr. Davis has been the recipient of numerous awards and citations, including being inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College of Atlanta, Georgia in 2007.
He can be heard every Sunday at 6:30 a.m., (www.wpgc.com) EST and Saturday at 8:00 a.m. EST on Praise 104.1 FM (www.praisedc.com), and live streaming of worship services are available through www.fbchighlandpark.org and www.streamingfaith.com. On-demand worship services can also be accessed from www.LightSource.com and Streaming Faith On-Demand
Dr. Davis and his wife Weptanomah have one daughter and one son.
2025 Nonprofit Leaders of the Year
Shaunda Bellamy
Executive Director,
Pickett Fences Senior Services, Inc
Joe Fisher
CEO & Founder
First Generation College Bound
Toni Lewis
Founder & CEO
Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education (FAME)
Abel Olivo
Co-Founder & Executive Director,
Defensores de la Cuenca
(Watershed Defenders)
2025 Nonprofit Leader of the Year
Shaunda Bellamy
Executive Director,
Pickett Fences Senior Services, Inc
Shaunda Bellamy is president of Pickett Fences Senior Services, Inc. (Pickett Fences). She has spent many years volunteering to help older adults and through her passion for the senior community, it led her to establish Pickett Fences Senior Services, Inc.
Pickett Fences is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2012. Its mission is to strengthen senior services currently provided in the community through education, advocacy, and providing resources that will enhance the quality of life for our senior citizens. Pickett Fences’ main priority is to meet the needs of our growing elder population. Services include caregiver support groups, financial assistance, education, case management, and a host of other services.
Shaunda holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting, Gerontology, and a Masters in Health Care Administration.
In 2020, she was appointed by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks to the Advisory Committee on Aging, and she is currently still in this appointed position. Shaunda serves as the Community Liaison for the Dementia Friendly America Initiative, Prince Georges County, Maryland. This initiative was birthed out of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging during President Obama’s Administration.
Shaunda is a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner. She is a Certified Master Trainer for Powerful Tools for Caregivers. She serves as an Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator. She serves as a First Baptist Church of Glenarden – Alzheimer’s Group Facilitator. She serves as President for the Prince George’s Senior Provider Network (PGSPN). She serves as a board member of the White Rose Foundation, Inc. She is a charter member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Southern Maryland Chapter. She is a charter member of the National Aging in Place Council. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.
She is also the CFO of B&B Solutions, which is a family-owned business providing governmental services, facilities support and administrative support services.
2025 Nonprofit Leader of the Year
Joe Fisher
CEO & Founder
First Generation College Bound
Joseph A. Fisher, a native of Washington, D.C., is a respected leader in college access and affordability. Raised in public housing and a proud graduate of Spingarn High School, Joe was a first-generation college student who used a combination of athletic and need-based financial aid to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from The Catholic University of America. While at CUA, he became a two-time NCAA All-American in track and field. He later earned a Master’s degree in Urban Education from Morgan State University.
Joe’s commitment to youth from underserved communities is rooted in his own journey. A track scholarship opened the door to college, but he soon realized he qualified for need-based aid as well. That realization planted the seeds for his lifelong mission: to ensure that low-income and first-generation students know that college is possible—and affordable.
After beginning his career as a middle school teacher in Howard County, Maryland, Joe felt called to serve students in less affluent areas. In 1990, he founded First Generation College Bound (FGCB) with just 10 students. He began his grassroots effort by knocking on more than 300 doors in Prince George’s County public housing communities, promising parents that he could help their children get to college. Under his visionary leadership, FGCB has since helped more than 3,000 students enroll in college, with hundreds earning associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral or professional degrees.
Joe defines success not just by college enrollment—but by college completion and affordability. FGCB champions a model that prioritizes college affordability based on family income and academic profile, with the goal of minimizing or eliminating student debt. He actively advocates for systemic change, serving as the current Chair of the Maryland Alliance for College Affordability and Equity, where he has played a key role in the passage of state legislation supporting low-income and first-generation students. His advocacy includes calling on Maryland to remove Parent PLUS loans from financial aid packages for Pell-eligible students.
Even in retirement from teaching and from his 41-year career as head coach of Catholic University’s Women’s Cross Country and Track teams—where he led the program to multiple NCAA regional championships—Joe continues to serve with tireless dedication. He routinely makes personal calls to state education officials and college admissions officers to ensure his students get the support they need. His passion is more than professional—it’s deeply personal.
Joe’s leadership is grounded in a set of core values: discipline, empathy, humility, integrity, resilience, servant leadership, and respect for others. He leverages partnerships across home, school, church, and community—including collaborations with Jersey Mike’s Subs, the Epsilon Phi Boule Foundation, and the Maryland State Higher Education Commission—to expand FGCB’s reach and impact.
Joe has received numerous honors for his work, including the Catholic University Alumni Achievement Award in Education, the Maryland Black Mayors’ Community Service Award, and the Windcall Residency Award—a prestigious recognition for nonprofit leaders to rest and reflect.
A workaholic by nature and a servant leader by choice, Joe is inspired by the John Maxwell quote: “One is too small a number to achieve greatness.” FGCB is more than his life’s work—it’s his calling.
2025 Nonprofit Leader of the Year
Toni Lewis
Founder & CEO
Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education (FAME)
A. Toni Lewis is Founder and Executive Director of The Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education, Inc. (FAME). FAME, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, was organized in June 2004 to advance the value of music, music making and educational study and to create opportunities for youth to experience the joys of music and provide them gifts that last a lifetime. FAME provides support primarily through training, workshops, scholarships and instrument donations. FAME was established on the principal that all children, teens, and young adults, regardless of social and economic need, should have access to quality education as part of their lifelong journey to adulthood.
Before joining FAME, Toni held a number of key executive level positions at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). As Deputy Chief of Staff, Toni served as a principal in the day to day operation of the nationwide agency. She also served as Chief of Staff for the offices of Electronic Government and Government-wide Policy, and held several other key leadership positions in acquisition, management policy, and human resources. GSA coordinates federal policy and provides services to other Federal agencies in the areas of real estate and construction, supply and service procurement, telecommunications and information technology and motor vehicle and travel management.
Another key assignment was serving as Chief Operating Officer of the GSA Presidential Inaugural Committee. This involved the management, direction and support to The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) and Transition Team. She led a staff of professionals from the various functional areas, including acquisition, information technology, telecommunications, physical and personnel security, construction, facilities management, and budget. She provided overall coordination with the PIC and other support arms to the inaugural committee: Armed Forces, District of Columbia, and National Park Service. This assignment was completed in the shortest timeframe (33 days) in the history of presidential inaugurals due to the contested election.
Toni Lewis is an experienced events manager with more than 20 years of experience in special events, public relations, marketing and fundraising. She serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Perfect Plan of Greater Washington, a special events and entertainment company.
Toni received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the District of Columbia Teachers College and Master’s studies at George Washington University.
She has been presented with awards and recognition from numerous Federal, humanitarian and philanthropic entities and is a member of the Leadership Greater Washington Class of 2021.
2025 Nonprofit Leader of the Year
Abel Olivo
Co-Founder & Executive Director,
Defensores de la Cuenca
(Watershed Defenders)
An advocate and policy expert by training, Olivo is excited about his role in bringing more resources and opportunities to the Latino community in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Serves on the Stakeholders Advisory Committee of the Chesapeake Executive Council, a board member of Nature Forward (formerly Audubon Naturalist Society), an alumni from The Ohio State University, and an advocate for a greener, healthier world, Olivo looks to bring more Latin@/es into the environmental space as an education interest, personal experience and career choice.
2025 Emerging Leader of the Year Nominees
Ashley Sharp
Senior Advisor for Strategic Engagement
Maryland Department of Labor
Paul Tarrance
DCPS Educator, Mentor, & Youth Advocate
Azel Prather
Founder & CEO, The Prather Foundation
Author, Educator
2025 Emerging Leader of the Year Nominee
Ashley Sharp
Senior Advisor for Strategic Engagement
Maryland Department of Labor
Ashley Sharp is a dynamic leader serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Maryland Department of Labor, where she excels in managing interagency operations and advising on key political and economic issues. With a strong background in both local and state politics, Ashley has made significant contributions to community engagement and grassroots organizing. As the founder of Resurgence Consulting, she specializes in political consulting and event management, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit. Her passion for community development is evident in her leadership role with the Marlboro Pike Partnership, where she drives initiatives for revitalizing underserved areas. Ashley's commitment to public service is further highlighted by her recognition as a PG Forty Under 40 Fellow. A proud alumna of the University of Maryland, she actively participates in her local church and the Prince George's Chamber of Commerce, emphasizing her dedication to both faith and community.
2025 Emerging Leader of the Year Nominee
Paul Tarrance
DCPS Educator, Mentor, & Youth Advocate
Paul Tarrance, a dedicated DCPS educator and Prince George’s County resident, is a Winston-Salem State University graduate and GWU alum recognized as Monument Academy PCS’s 2022 Teacher of the Year Honoree. He is a committed mentor and youth advocate who leads annual holiday and community service initiatives to support his students and the wider community.
2025 Emerging Leader of the Year Nominee
Azel Prather
Founder & CEO, The Prather Foundation
Author, Educator
Azel Prather Jr., proudly from Glenarden, Maryland, is a community leader, educator, and artist committed to empowering the next generation. He is the founder of the Prather Foundation, which provides innovative programs and resources for children and families in underserved communities. Through his music and his movement, Move With Mr. Prather, he combines education, wellness, and creativity to inspire kids to learn, move, and thrive. His work continues to uplift and unite communities, leaving a lasting impact wherever he serves.