Board of Directors

Dr. Eugene Branch, Jr. serves as Chairman of the OHLCF Board of Directors. Based in Washington, D.C., Dr. Branch is a highly accomplished educator, arts administrator, and visionary leader with over 30 years of experience in arts program management and curriculum development. He holds a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Teaching, two master’s degrees in education with specializations in curriculum, instruction, administration, and supervision, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music. As Fine Arts Director and Music Specialist at Ben Murch Elementary School, his students have performed at esteemed venues such as the Kennedy Center, the Virginia Governor’s Mansion, and for the Mayor of Washington, D.C. Licensed to teach across five states, Dr. Branch is deeply committed to inspiring excellence through creativity and collaboration. Guided by the values of brotherhood, leadership, scholarship, and service, he leads with vision and purpose. Personal Ethos: “Live and learn from the best.”

Dr. Marcus Darrell Jennings serves as the Secretary on the OHLCF Board of Directors, bringing a strong blend of clinical expertise, leadership experience, and a steadfast commitment to service. Based in Washington, D.C., he practices Sleep Medicine, Family Medicine, and Urgent Care, caring for diverse patient populations across the region. He holds an MD, an MSPH in Public Health, and a BS in Biology/Chemistry, and is board certified in both Family Medicine and Sleep Medicine. Dr. Jennings maintains active medical licenses in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

With more than six years of clinical practice and medical leadership, Dr. Jennings has served in pivotal roles including Chief Resident of Family Medicine at LSU Health Sciences Center, where he led initiatives in clinical operations, resident education, and conflict resolution. His professional expertise spans sleep disorders, insomnia management, PAP therapy, polysomnography interpretation, and patient-centered primary care. He has also contributed to research, quality improvement, and the training of future physicians.

Since joining the organization in 2003, Dr. Jennings has remained committed to advancing health equity, mentorship, and community-centered programs that align with the Foundation’s mission of scholarship, leadership, and service. His leadership style is collaborative and mission-driven, grounded in empathy, accountability, and clear communication. Guided by a core dedication to improving the well-being of others, he lives by the ethos of Alpha Phi Alpha Founder Vertner Woodson Tandy: “We must fight till hell freezes over and then fight on the ice.”

David Lawery serves as a director on the OHLCF Board of Directors, bringing 25 years of experience in instructional leadership, strategic planning, and educational development. Based in Washington, D.C., he is the Director of Pedagogy & Instruction at Friendship Public Charter School, where he leads efforts to strengthen teaching practices, develop instructional frameworks, and build high-performing school cultures.

Mr. Lawery holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Florida A&M University and a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Maryland, College Park. Over the course of his career, he has served as an IB Coordinator, Academy Director, School Principal, and district-level leader—roles that reflect his ability to guide teams, manage complex operations, and cultivate environments where students and educators thrive.

He joined the OHLCF Board in 2024 with a commitment to leveraging his professional expertise for broader community impact, supporting the foundation’s educational mission, and expanding leadership beyond the school setting. Guided by democratic leadership, he values integrity, adaptability, and dedication as the foundation for meaningful progress. His personal ethos echoes the wisdom of Benjamin E. Mays: “The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but in our complacency… in our living below our capacities.”

Dr. Jubria A. Lewis serves as a director on the OHLCF Board of Directors and is an accomplished educational leader and nonprofit executive with over 23 years of experience advancing opportunities for young people. Based in Los Angeles, he serves as the Founding Head of School for The SEED School of Los Angeles County, one of the nation’s only public, college-preparatory boarding schools. His work centers on expanding access to high-quality education for students in historically underserved communities.

Dr. Lewis holds a B.S. in Secondary Education (History) from Louisiana State University, an M.A. in Educational Administration and Policy, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Howard University. He is certified in teaching and administration in Maryland and California and holds additional credentials in nonprofit management and educational finance. His leadership roles include CEO of SEED LA, Principal of Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy PCS, Past President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Omicron Eta Lambda Chapter), and member of the MySchool DC Common Lottery Board. His work has earned recognition such as the Prince George’s County 40 Under 40 award and the Cambiar Catalyst Fellowship.

Since joining the OHLCF Board in 2022—and serving as Vice Chair from 2022 to 2024—Dr. Lewis has championed scholarship, mentorship, and leadership development as catalysts for breaking cycles of generational poverty. Guided by integrity, servant leadership, and gratitude, he leads with the belief that education transforms communities. His personal ethos, “Excellence is my north star,” reflects his commitment to purposeful, disciplined, and visionary leadership.

Dr. Charles Michael Livingston Jr. serves as a director on the OHLCF Board of Directors. A dedicated clinical pharmacist based in Laurel, Maryland, he brings 12 years of experience in infectious disease management and currently serves as the Infectious Disease Pharmacist for the Maryland Department of Corrections. In this role, he leads statewide initiatives that have reduced the transmission of chronic viral infections in the prison system by more than 75%, demonstrating his commitment to evidence-based care and public health impact.

Dr. Livingston holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and maintains specialized credentials as an AAHIVP and HIV Primary Care Provider. His leadership style blends delegative and participative approaches, empowering others while fostering collaboration and accountability.

Since joining OHL in 2022 and the OHLCF Board in 2024, he has been guided by a passion for connecting people—especially those who share his lived experience—to the educational and healthcare resources they deserve. Anchored by the core principle “Find a way, or make one,” he is inspired by James Baldwin’s reminder that “Those who say it can't be done are usually interrupted by others doing it.”

Preston D. Mitchum, Esq. serves as Vice Chairman of the OHLCF Board of Directors and brings more than 15 years of impact-driven experience in law, public policy, and social justice advocacy. Based in Washington, D.C., he is the CEO and Founder of PDM Consulting, building on a career that includes key leadership roles such as Director of Policy at URGE and Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project. Preston holds a B.A., cum laude, in Political Science from Kent State University, a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from NCCU School of Law, and an LL.M., with honors, in Law and Government from American University.

Widely recognized for his policy expertise, Preston played a pivotal role in the national rollout of 988, leading federal advocacy that secured nearly $30 million in congressional funding to strengthen crisis services for LGBTQ+ youth. A values-driven and collaborative leader, he is committed to expanding pathways of opportunity for young Black people through education, mentorship, and service. Guided by integrity and the belief that leadership is rooted in relationships and accountability, he lives by Bayard Rustin’s charge: “We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers.”

Ray E. Spears serves as a director of the OHLCF Board of Directors, bringing decades of high-level leadership, legal expertise, and federal executive experience to the organization. Based in Washington, D.C., he is a retired Senior Executive Service leader with 37 years of service to the U.S. government, including roles ranging from Associate General Counsel to Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. His tenure at EPA included leadership positions such as Claims Officer, Assistant General Counsel for Claims and Property Law, Associate General Counsel for the Finance and Operations Law Division, and Deputy Chief of Staff—positions requiring exceptional judgment, strategic oversight, and the management of complex personnel, financial, and programmatic challenges.

Mr. Spears holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas. A member of the State Bar of Texas and the National Association of Parliamentarians, he is recognized nationally for his contributions to public service. His distinguished career earned him both the Meritorious Executive and Distinguished Executive awards in the Senior Executive Service—prestigious honors conferred by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

A charter member of the Omicron Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Mr. Spears has served the fraternity in various leadership capacities, including President, Parliamentarian, and Legal Advisor. As one of the Foundation’s initial incorporators, he returns to the Board in 2025 with a renewed commitment to strengthening its operations and impact. Guided by a collaborative leadership style and grounded in accountability, respect, and adherence to organizational values, he believes that every challenge has multiple effective solutions—the task is choosing the one that best serves the mission.

Dr. George L. Wimberly serves as a director on the OHLCF Board of Directors and brings more than 33 years of experience in educational research, professional development, and organizational leadership. Based in Washington, D.C., he is the Director of Professional Development at the American Educational Research Association, where he advances national initiatives that strengthen the work of researchers, educators, and policymakers. A specialist in the sociology of education and quantitative research methods, Dr. Wimberly is also an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, one of the field’s highest distinctions.

A dedicated board member since 2010, he is committed to helping young people transition successfully into college and postsecondary pathways. Guided by honesty and quiet, purposeful leadership, he upholds the ethos: “To whom much is given, much is expected.”