MW Story

"As a young girl, I was always curious. I ask what
many people consider ‘random’ questions. This is
why I describe myself as a thinker.

I extend my heart to justice. Putting an end to
greed and domination plays out in many ways for
me. This is why I describe myself as an activist.

I can be found in churches, recreation centers,
schools, art galleries, shelters and anywhere youth
grow and thrive. This is why I describe myself as a community educator.

I am a former urban youth. I am committed to
learning from and building with them."

→Click Here← to read my testimony.
MW Bio

Dr. Maranda C. Ward is an assistant professor at The George Washington University. Her research is translated into practice as the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Promising Futures.

Working as a community educator with program development, evaluation, grant writing and management experiences, her presentations span from urban youth identity and maternal mortality to teaching empathy to health professionals and combating the social conditions that produce structural violence. Mayor Muriel Bowser has appointed her to fill the Ward 8 seat on the DC Commission on Health Equity.

She earned her doctoral degree (EdD) in Curriculum and Instruction from The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development, her master’s degree (MPH) in Maternal and Child Health from Tulane University School of Public Health, and her bachelor’s degree (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from Spelman College.
MW Commitments

I value RIGHTS. Everyone should naturally
have access to quality education, healthcare,
housing, family and the capacity to think freely
for how they want to exist in the world.

I value YOUTH. As the saying goes, I “think
global yet act local” to support positive youth development.

I value COMMUNITY. Addressing poverty, bullying,
gun control and HIV (etc) are social issues- not
personal ones. Programs that only focus on
individual decisions miss the mark. Let’s work on
them in public, with community and for social gains.