Nice Column by Shira

Valerie has always had a passion for three things: education, community and the arts; and has volunteered or participated in a number of capacities in these areas over the last 40 years.

Her passion for education helped her turn a teen pregnancy into an academic scholarship to Georgetown University. There she co-founded Black Movements Dance Theatre in 1984, which is still going strong 30+ years later.

Valerie has also served as an education advocate in local schools, was the founding editor and writer of a community newsletter; has served as community liaison for a civic association linking over 550 homes, and has worked as a mentor and workshop presenter for women transitioning back to the community from prison.

Valerie has also served as a mentor and director of community services for a woman and girls mentoring program in MD. A member of Crossover Church since 1998,

Valerie is an ordained deacon, was a contributing writer for the church’s newsletter, teaches two New Members’ classes, serves as an intercessor, and is the director, writer, and actor for the church’s drama ministry.

Valerie works full time as the Director of Operations for a nonprofit juvenile justice advocacy organization in the nation's capital. She is an avid reader, dancer, traveler, and lifelong learner, and working on a number of writing projects.

She received her B.S. in Marketing from Georgetown University and M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Eastern University. Valerie, originally from Harlem, NY, is the mother of two amazing young adults and grandmother to three.

Connect with Valeri McDowell:
https://www.power2excel.com/