Black History Month 2020 Celebration

Our older students were encouraged to continue to discuss in their classes some of the information and themes gleaned from the presentation. For example, they were challenged to consider that many of the presenters graduated from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), why HBCUs were needed when they were first established and why they continue to be needed today. Look for updates about these ongoing discussions in upcoming editions of Constant Comment.

Black Professionals Panel for Black History Month 2020:

Monique Baskin

Monique Baskin is an International Activities/Security Analyst with the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). There she helps manage an infrastructure charged with coordinating, protecting, and communicating critical information about our changing climate environment. Monique holds a Bachelor of Science from Ohio University and has a Master degree in International Affairs with an emphasis on environmental policy from The George Washington University as well as a Master of Arts, National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School. She also has a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from the U.S. Sports Academy  and a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Health Science and Policy. Monique also volunteers with a local children’s group that helps to create leadership and civic development programs for African American Children. Monique is also mom to Viceroy class member Kyria.

Tracey Coates

Tracey Coates is a Family Law Attorney who has held many different positions. Early in her career she worked for the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau in the Child Advocacy Unit and she is currently a Partner at Paley Rothman Goldstein, Rosenberg, Eig and Cooper in Bethesda Maryland. A member of both the D.C. and Maryland Bar, Tracey is also active in her community and has volunteered at the House of Ruth in Rockville Md and with the Virginia Juvenile Court System as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer.  Tracey received her AB from Smith College and her JD from Hamline University School of Law. Tracey is also mom to former Burgundy student, Ryan Waggoner.

Andre Jackson

A Physicist, Andre Jackson currently works as a spectral scientist at Qinetic a defense security and aerospace support company. Andre has  B.S. in physics from Lincoln University and a Masters in Physics from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. He is also the dad of Goat class member Aydyn.

Marlin Jenkins

Marlin Jenkins is an attorney. A  member of the Army National Guard he also currently works for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) in Washington D.C.. There he is Deputy Director of Field Services helping to ensure that the more than 700,000 government employees represented by AFGE receive the legal representation needed to protect their employment rights. Mr. Jackson has a B.A. from Southern University A & M College in Baton Rouge LA and a JD from North Carolina Central School of Law. He is also a friend of Andrea Dawson, mom of  Teddy, a member of the Goat class.

Toronda (Tee) Sindler

Tee Sindler is the Trusts and Estates Administrator at World Wildlife Fund (WWF) an international non-governmental organization founded in 1961, specializing in wilderness preservation, and the reduction of human impact on the environment. Before joining WWF last year Tee was the Trusts and Estates Administrator at Franklin, Karibjjanian, & Law PLLC a boutique law firm specializing in estate planning, charitable gift planning, and estate administration. At WWF Tee manages the process by which WWF is notified and receives charitable gifts from trusts and estates. Tee is currently a member of the National Capital Gift Planning Counsel which provides planned giving education and networking opportunities to those in the planned giving field. She is also mom to Redtails class member Tatum and wife of Head of School Jeff Sindler.

Sam Turay

Born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, at age 11 Sam Turay came to the United States. He attended school in D.C. and Virginia. After serving in the Marine Corps he went to college completing a degree in finance. Wanting to help people and explore his passion Sam trained as a Fitness Instructor. After working for others as a fitness instructor and fitness manager he utilised his finance and fitness backgrounds and 5 years ago opened his own business, MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLE LLC.  Running his business has been one of the most challenging things and also one of the most rewarding things he has ever done. Sam is a friend of Burgundy parent Andrea Dawson who is mom to Teddy from our Goats class

Darius Wise 

Darius Wise has over 25 years of training experience,  he has trained audiences from local and federal government agencies, private sector companies, middle and high school students and aspiring entrepreneurs. Darius holds a Master Facilitator certification from The Association of Talent Development (ATD) is a Jack Canfield Certified Trainer, and a NeuroCoach certified in NeuroLeadership, NeuroRelationships and NeuroEntrepreneurship. He is the founder and CEO of WiseDecisions LLC and the WiseDecisions Institute, organizations committed to preparing people to focus on the mindset necessary to face life’s challenges. The mission of both organizations is to teach individuals how to take control of their phenomenal brain and consciously use it every day to achieve their life goals. Darius is also dad to Burgundy 8th grader Darius.