Critical Exposure was a gateway for my students to take a deeper dive into conversations on social justice issues. My students explored their agency through photography, presentation, and written...
Who We Are
Board of Directors
Aimee Peoples, Vice President of DEIA, National Partnership for Women & Families (Board Chair)
Jasmine Hicks, Director of Youth Leadership Development in Communiity and Youth Engagement, Truth Initiative (Vice-Chair)
Alorie Clark, Executive Director, DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative (Secretary)
Betty Feng, CEO, Be Consulting Group (Treasurer)
Carina Gervacio, DC Metro Program Director, FoodCorps
Tyler Grigsby, Senior Program Facilitator, One Common Unity
Jenny Jourdain, Chief of Staff, US Department of State
Lauren Matthews, Principal Consultant, MMC– Mercer
Joseph Pate, Director of Media Communications, Hip Hop Caucus
Johnathan B. Tucker, Development Manager, Washington Center for Equitable Growth
I-Ra Abubaker, Senior Program Coordinator
I-Ra is a native Washingtonian, a lifelong resident of Ward 4 and a community organizer. They recently graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with a BA in Political Science. Her work consistently builds upon the following beliefs and values: personal integrity, every person should have the resources to fulfill their highest level of human potential, and those most impacted by an issue should participate in making decisions about those issues. I-Ra has held many roles at Critical Exposure - they participated in one of CE’s school-based programs, participated in multiple campaigns as a fellow, and was placed with CE through the Public Allies DC program. She is excited to bring her skills and talents to this role. I-Ra believes that by providing young people with the tools to become change agents in their own lives and communities, we equip future leaders to build a better democracy.
Talia Brock, Program Director
Talia was born in Washington, DC, raised in Silver Spring, MD and has been a resident of DC since 2014. Her interest in social justice work began to take shape while she was studying abroad and volunteering at an after-school program in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Following this experience, Talia channeled her deep frustration with systemic oppression into her work in education and community organizing. Talia loves reading fiction, creating art, speaking Spanish and advocating for self-care. She is excited to work alongside the amazing young people CE engages.
Nicole Newman, Executive Director
A writer, passionate advocate, and nonprofit professional, Nicole learned how to organize from her aunt and grandparents who, at an early age, exposed her to collective action by those most impacted demanding equity. She was taught by her mother to ask as many questions as satisfied her curiosity. A fourth-generation Washingtonian, she graduated from Trinity University with a Bachelor's in Political Science and her Master's in Organizational Development from American University, both in Washington, DC. She has spent her career focused on creating more equitable, people-focused organizations through training and conversation around racial equity and inclusion; community organizing and client engagement; advocacy; strategic growth and planning; and navigating change and conflict. Most recently, she was the Senior Director of Community Relations at the DC Public Charter School Board, where she managed public engagement on behalf of the board. She likes traveling, sunflowers, unicorns, the enneagram, and being in nature.
Kimmi Ramnine, Operations Director
A queer, first-generation immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, Kimmi spent her high school and undergrad years in NYC and has called Washington, DC home since 2013. She started at CE as a Youth Organizer and has held many roles in the years since then, including Program Manager and Interim Program Director supporting CE during our founder transition. Most recently, Kimmi completed a Masters in Library and Information Science at the University of Maryland. She deepened her understanding of our city as the Research Services Librarian at the DC History Center. She is thrilled to be back at CE in this role. Her love for community and storytelling shows up in her passion for community archives, popular education, youth organizing, urban farming, and Caribbean literature of all kinds.
Felicia Ramos, Managing Director
Felicia hails from Chicago with an extensive background in advocacy, youth development, and program design. Felicia’s experience working within Chicago’s school and housing systems, as well as for non-profit agencies here in DC has expanded her capacity to support and empower marginalized young people. Through her work in Chicago’s nonprofit field, Felicia revamped and facilitated teen dating violence prevention workshops and forums for over 1,000 high school students. As the Program Director for the Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) Groundbreakers, she had the unique opportunity to partner with 30 high school students to plan and build over 30 new playgrounds each year. During her most recent tenure as the Academy Director for a hip-hop and arts education non-profit here in DC, Felicia developed a visual arts apprenticeship program, systems for outreach and enrollment of young artists, and established effective working relationships with local professional artists, educators and school-based staff.
Camila Ramirez Tejada, Program Coordinator
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Camila chose DC as her new home in 2015. Camila’s work with youth is inspired by the continued impact of the mentors who have influenced her life. Through programs outside of school while she was growing up, she was able to access relationships that poured into her, shaping the person she is today. This is what inspires her work with Black and Brown youth. Camile is eager to engage with young people in the spaces where art, identity, and social justice intersect. In her free time, she loves riding her bike around the city, reading, creating art, and helping out in her community.
