The Coalition is proud to celebrate the graduation of Cohort III of the Community Voices Academy (CVA), marking two historic milestones for the program: the largest cohort to date and a 100% graduation rate for the first time since its inception.
This year’s cohort of dedicated District residents completed the intensive 10-month program, which equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become effective advocates for their communities. Through hands-on training in public policy, storytelling, civic engagement, and leadership, the CVA empowers residents to turn lived experience into lasting change.
CVA plays a critical role in advancing The Coalition’s mission by directly connecting residents most impacted by budget and policy decisions with opportunities to influence them. The program also deepens relationships between residents, community-based organizations, and decision-makers, ensuring that community voice remains central in efforts to expand economic opportunity and housing access in the District.
The graduation ceremony, held on June 30, featured powerful remarks from The Coalition’s Senior Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement, Lamar Richards. Graduates David Schultz and Kisha McDougald delivered moving speeches that underscored the personal and collective impact of the program—and the urgency of continuing the work beyond graduation.
“For me, this moment started with my release from incarceration,” shared David. “I was advocating blind. I had passion but lacked the tools. Community Voices gave me not only the knowledge of policy, but also the strategy and access to advocate effectively. They didn’t just open the door, they gave us our own entire table.” Now actively involved in housing advocacy and reentry efforts, David spoke to the transformative power of combining lived experience with policy fluency: “We’re not just advocates—we’re change makers.”
