Meet Our Community Engagement Fellows

Apolonia Villanueva, hails from the beautiful city of Tampa, Florida. Ms. Villanueva holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. For over the past 12 years, Ms. Villanueva has been active in the social work field serving a wide variety of communities since 2009, including children and youth in foster care through independent living services, and case management. Most recently she has specialized in Dementia care. Ms. Villanueva started a small 501c3 organization, that has aided high school girls in four cities across Texas and one city in Florida. The mission of Gowns for HER is to: promote and enhance self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence by providing formal gowns to young girls who desire to attend formal activities regardless of their financial circumstances, at no cost to them. The vision is to impact lives and change communities, one gown at a time. Ms. Villanueva’s dream deferred has been to wed her call to ordained ministry with her passion for empowering underserved communities. Being from Cuban descent and a first-generation college student, she has experienced the lack and desperate need for support and systems for people in communities of color. Proverbs 31:8-10 admonishes us to speak out. “Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.” Therefore, her professional objective is to be a community activist in urban settings by assuring that voices of our underserved and marginalized populations are being heard. Also, to work on constructing “help” systems to educate, support, and build up people in the local community where she will live and serve.

Apolonia Villanueva, hails from the beautiful city of Tampa, Florida. Ms. Villanueva holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. For over the past 12 years, Ms. Villanueva has been active in the social work field serving a wide variety of communities since 2009, including children and youth in foster care through independent living services, and case management. Most recently she has specialized in Dementia care. Ms. Villanueva started a small 501c3 organization, that has aided high school girls in four cities across Texas and one city in Florida. The mission of Gowns for HER is to: promote and enhance self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence by providing formal gowns to young girls who desire to attend formal activities regardless of their financial circumstances, at no cost to them. The vision is to impact lives and change communities, one gown at a time. Ms. Villanueva’s dream deferred has been to wed her call to ordained ministry with her passion for empowering underserved communities. Being from Cuban descent and a first-generation college student, she has experienced the lack and desperate need for support and systems for people in communities of color. Proverbs 31:8-10 admonishes us to speak out. “Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.” Therefore, her professional objective is to be a community activist in urban settings by assuring that voices of our underserved and marginalized populations are being heard. Also, to work on constructing “help” systems to educate, support, and build up people in the local community where she will live and serve.

Carla Lester is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with more than 20 years of combined experience in Medicaid, Medicare, home, hospital, and community-based health care, education, and social services.  She currently serves as the Chief Program Officer of Pathways to Housing, DC, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness and supporting recovery for individuals with complex health challenges.  Carla holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, and a Master of Science Degree in Social Work from Springfield College. Carla is excited about joining the Fellows program and is specifically enthusiastic about the integration of course work and the community.  She looks forward to being part of a cohort that learns from each other, supports one another, and grows together over the next 3 years. 

Donisha is a second-year M.Div student, originally from southern Illinois. She graduated from Anderson University (Indiana) in 2005, with a B.A. in Mass Communication, TV and Film Production. While she was an AU student, she served the campus as a Residential Assistant, and Student Manager of the on-campus production studio, Covenant Productions. While there, she was privileged to work on the award-winning documentary, A Ripple of Hope, a dramatic retelling of April 4, 1968, and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the announcement given to the city of Indianapolis by Presidential Candidate Robert Kennedy. Donishia has worked both in-studio and freelance video production environments since her graduation. From 2016 to present, she has worked as the Director of Ministry at Anchorsaway Ministries, an educational nonprofit resource center, specializing in apologetics and biblical worldview. This position has also allowed her to serve on the national ministry council for the National Network of Youth Ministry (NNYM). She is also a minister in her local church, Abounding Grace Church of God.  When discussing her transition to Wesley, Donishia stated, "as the daughter of an educator and a preacher I know of the church's history around advocacy for literacy and education." She desires to follow in that rich legacy.

 Evan Taylor is a lay leader in Youth and Young Adult Ministry at Metropolitan AME Church. She is equal parts creative & technologist with a penchant for equity, education, and storytelling. Evan uses equity centered design thinking to transform user centered experiences and faith communities. In her work with the Lilly Endowment, Center for Congregations, Washington Interfaith Network, Wesley Innovation Hub and Vibrant Faith, her focus is to connect, unearth gifts, skills and talents, coach, promote healing and reconciliation and create pathways to leadership. When she’s not contributing to her community, connecting people to resources, or sharing design thinking you can find her reading and writing curricula for youth and young adults and preparing to become an ICF certified coach. Evan hopes to connect her MBA knowledge to practical ways to strengthen communities with cooperative economics, spiritual formation, spiritual direction and discernment during her fellowship in the Community Engagement Institute. 

Julia Bradley is a second year Master of Divinity Student moving to D.C. from Birmingham, Alabama. Julia graduated in May 2020 from Samford University with a dual B.A. in religion and sociology. Last summer Julia interned at the Association of Religion Data Archives and learned that she is committed to both the data and the people. Through CEI Fellows she hopes to learn about what it means to use tools and resources to strategically meet the needs of her community.

Ruth Jackson is a native of New Jersey/New York.  She graduated from Seton Hall University and received a B.A. in Criminal Justice and a Master's Degree in Public Administration. She was a federal employee for 17+ plus years and was stationed abroad in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Durban, South Africa.  She is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) and advocates for individuals with severe mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders.  She is a certified trainer and lecturer for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She is a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she was licensed to preach and is an active participant of the Prison Ministry.  She hopes to acquire the leadership skills necessary to create a community based non-profit criminal justice re-entry program.  She also has a strong interest in Environmental Justice issues which impact minority communities.  

Dr. Robin S. Apparicio is a Christian Educator encouraged by the opportunity to examine what could be the next best steps in our evolution of pointing people to God. She conducts workshops and training related to church leadership, resource development, and curriculum. She holds two Masters- Health Service Administration and Christian Education, and a Ph.D. in Business: Organization and Management.  She is the Campus Director for a Coding Academy based in Seattle, WA.  As a fellow, she hopes to create a comprehensive faith formation blueprint. She dreams of a paradigm shift that will lead to greater levels of spiritual maturity and envelope those who could not see how meaningful faith formation can be in their lives. 

A dual citizen, Joshua (Yoshiya) was born in Japan. He attended Seattle Pacific University which helped him find his home church, Blaine Memorial United Methodist church and became a member of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference. After obtaining his bachelors in psychology, he then moved to Germany as a Global Mission Fellow, and served at a Bremen United Methodist church, working alongside migrants and refugees.

Rev. Titus E.  Bryant is a native of Third Ward, Houston, Texas. He was reared and raised at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Bill Lawson and Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby. In December of 2019, Rev. Bryant became a proud graduate of Prairie View A & M University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. While at Prairie View, he served as student leader in the Student Government Association, board member for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, and Student Organizer for Voting Initiatives in which fought against voter suppression in Waller County. Rev. Bryant has recently married his wife Ryan who also graduated from Prairie View A & M University as well. Most of all, it is Titus’s desire to allow his experience in the Community Engagement Institute to shape and form how he loves people and teaches people how to love in a revolutionary way. 

Minister Darnell Jeffers serves as an associate minister of youth and missions at Israel Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland, where Rev. H. Walden Wilson, II is the pastor. Min. Jeffers is committed to sharing the gospel and serves with the So Send I You, A Global Missions Ministry Initiative. He has traveled extensively throughout the world providing medical support to those in need. His foreign journeys through the African continent have included Malawi, Swaziland, Uganda, Nigeria and Cape Town to name a few. Minister Jeffers has served for the past five years as the USA Ambassador for the Youth in Malawi, Africa. In addition to providing medical assistance, he facilitates workshops, biblical teaching and preaching.

In addition to his foreign initiatives, Minister Jeffers serves as a nursing instructor at the Baltimore City Community College. Currently, he is studying at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Minister Darnell Jeffers has been blessed with a vibrant career, opportunities to share the gospel, and to preach and teach, but he is most proud to say that he is saved by grace

Heidi Mills graduated from the University of Maine in Orono with a Bachelor’s degree in political science and mass communication. She currently works at Joseph’s House, a respite facility in DC for homeless men and women with HIV/AIDs. Her passions include discovering the intersection between faith and social justice, walking alongside those deconstructing their faith, and carrying out the radical vision of Jesus’ kingdom of heaven on earth. She is seeking to become ordained as a minister, likely within a nondenominational church. Through her participation in the Community Engagement fellowship, she hopes to bring together communities and create a space where all are welcome and empowered to advocate for a better world for themselves and for others in the name of Christ.

Janaye Page is a soldier in God’s army. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services Degree from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She has worked as a certified Pharmacy Technician for 10 years. She has been a faithful member of Gethsemane UMC where she diligently serves as the Young Adult Coordinator and in other capacities as needed. Janaye is overjoyed to have the opportunity to be among a diverse group of people in the Community Engagement Fellowship Program! She is excited for the leadership development opportunities as well as the community engagement training that will come from the prestigious leaders of Wesley Theological Seminary!

Rachel Koehler is from Nashville, TN and just recently received her bachelor’s degree from Butler University in International Studies and French. She has worked four summers with Appalachia Service Project, and it was in the mountains where she first experienced her call to ministry. In addition, she interned for the Center for American Progress on their Faith and Progressive Policy team, which opened her eyes to the intersection of faith and politics. Following that experience, she spent a semester at the Center for Interfaith Cooperation in Indianapolis and created a podcast titled “The Dynamics of Interfaith.” Rachel is looking forward to being a part of the Fellows program so that she can better advocate for others in various contexts. She hopes to gain perspective on when it is time to lead and when it is necessary to pass the microphone so other voices can be elevated.

Sherri Butler is a native of Norfolk, Virginia, and is a proud Spartan alumna of Norfolk State University.  She also earned a Masters degree in Public Administration from Troy University.  Sherri is a gifted educator, working in urban schools for the last 16 ½ years.  In 2009, she was licensed to preach the gospel, and has worked with foreign mission teams in Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Mexico, Jamaica, and Haiti.  She loves mission work, road trips, and helping others find the joy buried deep within themselves.  Through the Community Engagement Fellows Program, Sherri looks to ignite a relational flame that will connect the heart of the community village with the bright futures of its young people.

Wendy Pohlhaus is the Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for External Affairs at the U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USAODC) where she oversees the Community Prosecution Section. The community prosecutors and community outreach specialists, who are assigned to this section, work directly with residents, local business, nonprofit organizations, and other community stakeholders to develop a comprehensive approach to fighting crime and protecting the rights and interest of city residents. They focus on building bonds of trust between USAODC and the community, enhancing public safety through education, and encouraging community participation in the criminal justice system. These goals are implemented through community outreach programs, youth engagement, and reentry initiatives. As a result of her upbringing and personal and professional experiences, she enjoys a loving partnership with Washington, D.C.’s African American inner-city communities. As with any loving relationship, she could no longer endure the city’s suffering. As an Community Engagement Fellow, she hopes to answer her community’s problems through God’s healing and restorative powers. She is hoping that this program will equip her with the knowledge, guidance and spiritual courage her work in inner-city communities.

Yasika Bigham is a Georgia native and recent class of 2019 graduate, having received a B.A. in Mass communications with an emphasis in Broadcasting. Yasika is also a member of a local church and volunteers throughout the year on projects such as City Serve and The Purple Project, which assists local families and impact the community. Yasika believes it’s through love that change is implemented and is also the driver of change; where burden, passion and purpose intersect. Entrance into the Community Engagement Fellows for Yasika, is in hope to learn how to effectively innovate and create tangible methods of change; that inspire, equip and empower others to change, get involved and make a difference

Angela Norris is a first year M.Div student and is a native of Washington, D.C. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a B.A. in (4) Foreign Languages & Literatures (Spanish, French, Italian, German). In 2000, she obtained her J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law, with a dual focus in International Law and Trial Advocacy. She served the public interest sector as an attorney for the State of Maryland for more than a decade, as an Assistant Public Defender, and later as Assistant State’s Attorney. Presently, she works in private sector civil litigation. A member of historic St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church since birth, she serves in the Ushers hospitality and Team H.O.P.E (homeless social advocacy) ministries. She aspires to a strong calling to assist displaced and disenfranchised communities of the DMV area. Motivated by a vision in furtherance of this cause, she was led to Wesley Theological Seminary and the Community Engagement Fellows (CEF) Program. It is her hope and endeavor to utilize the theological and ministerial community outreach training, guidance, knowledge and experience of the CEF Program as tools to empower her to “accomplish the ministry of the mission” to which she has been called – to assist, advocate and serve God’s homeless people.