

oUR ceo & fOUNDER
Juanita J. White is more than a leader—she’s a coalition builder, a servant leader, and a relentless advocate for social justice and educational equity. With nearly a decade of experience as the Director of Family and Community Engagement at AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School, Ms. White has built a legacy of empowering families, advocating for systemic change, and creating pathways to success for underserved communities.
A Career of Service and Advocacy
Ms. White’s career spans over two decades of community engagement, program development, and nonprofit leadership. At AppleTree, she refined her expertise in program management and community relationship-building, aligning her work with the mission of Connect & Serve to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. Her initiatives helped challenge inequitable policies and empowered families to advocate for themselves, laying the foundation for sustainable change.
An expert in her field, Ms. White holds a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Pace University and a Master in Public Administration in Nonprofit Management Leadership from Walden University.
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Prior to her work in D.C., Ms. White gained critical experience with Brooklyn Community Services, one of New York’s oldest social service organizations, where she worked to provide essential resources to vulnerable populations. Additionally, her work with Diane’s House Ministries and the National Phlebotomy Association deepened her understanding of nonprofit administration and the systemic challenges low-income families face.
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In 2022, Ms. White founded Connect & Serve, a nonprofit committed to eliminating the barriers that perpetuate generational poverty. Through community-driven programs and strategic partnerships, the organization has already launched transformative initiatives to support District 8 families, building bridges between individuals, schools, and community resources.
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While her career has been filled with highlights, she takes the most pride in giving birth to her daughter. She is also proud of helping her students' parents understand the importance of early childhood education, stating that early childhood education complemented with parent engagement increases the educational experience and academic success for all students.
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Recognition and Impact
2018
Ms. White’s contributions have been widely recognized, earning her numerous awards that celebrate her leadership and impact:
PAVE Parent Power School Partnership Award:
Recognizing her commitment to strengthening family-school partnerships.
2019
Leadership Award from WhyWeLift-DC (2019):
Honoring her work in community empowerment.
2021
WHUR 96.3 Community Leaders Goldie Award (Honorable Mention):
Celebrating her dedication to the D.C. community.

2021
Martha’s Table Partnership Appreciation Award and the Education 2.0 Outstanding Leadership Award for her tireless efforts to improve life outcomes for underserved families.

A Personal Journey Rooted in Resilience
Ms. White’s dedication to service is deeply personal. While she did not grow up in poverty, her early adult years presented challenges that shaped her worldview. As a young, divorced single mother, she found herself in a position where she didn’t fit the “welfare mom” stereotype but was unable to access resources through traditional systems.
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“I didn’t want a handout; I needed a hand up,” she recalls. Her faith, family, and church community became her lifeline, providing not just resources, but a home, encouragement, and hope for a brighter future. This experience birthed her passion for helping others, recognizing the power of community to lift people from despair to possibility.
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Connect & Serve is Ms. White’s “pay it forward” response to the love and support she received. Rooted in her faith and guided by scriptures like Galatians 6:2 (“Bear one another’s burdens”) and Genesis 2:18 (“It is not good for man to be alone”), her mission is to create a village where no one is left behind.
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