Avon Hart-Johnson, Ph.D., is the president and co-founder of DC Project Connect. For over fifteen years, Dr. Hart-Johnson managed DCPC’s portfolio of services and operations provided to families affected by incarceration. In her role, she serves as the principal researcher, spokesperson for the organization, and subject matter expert on publications and research. Dr. Hart-Johnson is an author and international subject matter expert in the research domain concerning familial impacts from incarceration. She chairs and serves on local, national, and international Board of Directors. Dr. Hart-Johnson’s research and publications support enhancing the well-being of families, children, and incarcerated individuals. Dr. Hart-Johnson earned a master's degrees in Information Systems Management and a second master's in Forensic Psychology. She holds a doctorate in Human Services.  She is currently a Historically Black Graduate Institution (HBGI) Fellow, seeking a second doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision at Bowie State University. She holds leadership credentials from MIT and Harvard University. 

Dr. Geoffrey Johnson co-founded DC Project Connect with Dr. Avon Hart-Johnson. Dr. Johnson holds a distinguished honorary doctorate for his community service and outreach. He is currently a Historically Black Graduate Institution (HBGI) Fellow, seeking a doctorate degree in Counseling Education and Supervision at Bowie State University.

His background in federal programs and operations at the Government Accountability Office and several Offices of Inspector General provide rich insights and strategy for DCPC’s portfolio of services and publications. He brings a wealth of knowledge regarding the criminal justice system serving as a Special Agent, Auditor, and EEO Counselor. His work in advocacy spans domains such as hands-on facilitation at nonprofits, program design for returning citizens, and volunteerism/mentoring, serving children in the foster-care
system as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. In 2014, Dr. Johnson became the Executive Director of DC Project Connect (DCPC). Since its inception, DCPC has served over 900 returning citizens in the DC Metropolitan area, supporting families and children through various services, advocacy, and information resources. His research (national and United Kingdom) and collaboration with Dr. Hart-Johnson and colleagues are published in various journals, books, and an assortment of publications. His signature work is the creation of the DCPC Reflection newsletter which appears as a quarterly blog.

Say hello to Casandra, our Board Secretary. She brings a rich background as an MBA and human capital specialist. We appreciate the skills that Casandra brings in policy, ethics, and human resources. Each of these skills are needed to run an effective board of directors and cadre of volunteers.

Dr. Amanda Lewis grew up in Western North Carolina and earned a dual bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Afterwards, she went on to graduate school and earned her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Florida in Criminology, Law, and Society. Her masters’ project focused on the use of mindfulness-based
meditation programs to prevent mental, emotional, and behavioral problems among juveniles and young adults. Now, her research focus is predominantly on wrongful conviction and legal psychology. For her doctoral dissertation, she conducted a large-scale qualitative research project which examined the total impact a wrongful conviction has on exonerees and their closest loved ones. Though her background is heavily academic, she recently moved to Washington D.C. where she is pursuing a career that will allow her to advance criminal legal reform through policy. She is a passionate advocate for reducing mass incarceration, improving sentencing laws, providing support for incarcerated persons and their families, and creating a more equitable and just legal system for all individuals. Currently, she is working as a Program Evaluation Consultant for Lead4Life and a Legal Assistant at a NC law firm.

Vetta's ongoing desire is to make a positive difference in the lives of those who cross her path. She has been able to realize this goal through over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry serving public sector clients and serving her community through various non-profit organizations. 

Emily is a senior at George Washington University majoring in Criminal Justice and double minoring in International Affairs and Law and Society. Her studies have informed her interests in victim’s and children’s rights both internationally and domestically.  She has a specialized interest in working with children of incarcerated parents in Washington, D.C. Emily’s research and service work aim to raise awareness to the hidden issue of children of incarcerated parents and establish practical means of support. 

Grace is a Program Associate at the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth and a 2021 graduate of UCLA with a background in psychology and public policy. She developed a special interest in the criminal legal system when her father was sentenced to federal prison in 2018. She has seen firsthand the ineffectual and detrimental nature of a carceral environment, in addition to the harm it causes loved ones on the outside. Grace is extremely motivated to make a positive impact on the justice system and is an outspoken advocate for juvenile sentencing reform, wrongful convictions, and opportunities for returning citizens. 

Allegra Pocinki received her B.A. from Swarthmore College in 2014, where she majored in history and political science. Following graduation, she worked for three years as the senior center coordinator for the Center on Children and Families at the Brookings Institution, a public policy think tank in Washington, DC. Allegra is currently a graduate student in sociology at Rutgers University in New Jersey pursuing a PhD focused on racial disparities in the criminal justice system, more specifically the impacts of incarceration for those "doing time on the outside." Her work seeks to examine how women form social networks - both online and in person - to mitigate the effects of the incarceration of their loved ones.

Meet Charles, our photographer. His eye for photography and video has produced moments captured in time, not to be forgotten. We appreciate that he photo-documents our journey through the eyes of his camera.

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Charles has been with DCPC since its inception. He brings technical skills, creativity and innovation to the team.

Tiffany Green lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with her husband of 14 years and their three young sons. She has an undergraduate degree in Spanish and English Education from Northern Michigan University as well as a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. Her marriage and family overcame the loss brought by five years of incarceration. Using her family's  lived experience and vocational background in education and human services, she now advocates for justice-impacted families. Tiffany enjoys eating ice cream with her family (and anything else they want to do!), running, writing, teaching Spanish, and exploring new places.

Julie Uribe completed her B.A. in Psychology in 2005 from the University at Buffalo. For the past 15 years, she has worked in the technology industry in areas of department and project management. Currently, she works as an independent contractor specializing in digital marketing and graphic design. While she was fortunate to find success in her career, her passion continues to be social justice and youth advocacy. The need for multicultural competence, inclusion, and mental health has become increasingly more apparent leading Julie to enroll at Walden University to pursue a dual degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. Upon graduation, she hopes to work in settings supporting children, couples, and families of marginalized and low SES communities while pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. As a child, she was raised in a non-diverse, conservative community with limited exposure, understanding, or acceptance of the myriad of cultural identities that exist. As the wife of an immigrant, mother to biracial children, and friend and ally to several marginalized communities, she hopes to help bridge the gap between ignorance and inclusion. She serves as a student member of the ACA and ASCA, the Technology Trustee for the Creativity in Counseling division of the NJCA, Membership Retention Committee member for NJSCA, Student Advisory Council member for the School of Counseling at Walden University, and as both Learning Community Chair and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief for her university’s Omega Zeta chapter of the counseling honor society, Chi Sigma Iota. She also co-hosts a weekly podcast addressing social justice and mental health topics.

Bio forthcoming