Collectively the CWA Team has over a century of experience in public health and community based work.
YaVonne Boyd
Chief Executive Officer
YaVonne has 23 years of community based work experience including program development and management, grants management and creating strategic partnerships. She was instrumental in securing $850,000 from DC City Council for cancer and chronic diseases. Send an email to Yavonne Boyd
Charles Debnam
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Charles has over 20 years experience working nationally and locally on HIV/AIDS issues and 15 years of experience working with chronic disease. He is a member of the DC Tobacco Free Coalition for 6 years and Chair for the past 2 years. Charles is experienced in grassroots organizing, community outreach and health promotions particularly in disparate communities, and he has held various leadership roles with non-profit organizations. He is a Certified Master Health Education Specialist (MCHES), Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist (CTTS) and a Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC). Fun fact: Charles is a native Washingtonian and meditates every day for at least an hour. Send an email to Charles Debnam
Derrick Faison
Director, Physical Activity and Nutrition
Derrick has more than eight years of project management experience and over five years experience as group exercise instructor. Fun fact: Derrick is one of only two Detroit Lions fans he knows. Send an email to Derrick Faison
Stephen B. Jefferson
Outreach Specialist
Stephen is a native Washingtonian and lifetime resident of Ward 7. He is a strong community advocate and a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer survivor. He is actively engaged in increasing public awareness about the importance of early cancer detection and he advocates for increased support for cancer control programs. In 2013 Stephen’s testimony before the DC City Council Health Committee assisted in securing $850,000 for cancer and chronic diseases for fiscal year 2014. He is the founder of the Stephen B. Jefferson Cancer Survivors Fund at the Community Wellness Alliance. Stephen was appointed to a four year term with the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority’s Standing Advisory Board in 2012. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Network Adequacy Committee. In 2013 Stephen received the Distinguished Community Advocate Award from the District of Columbia Primary Care Association. Stephen serves as the Associate Grand Director of Medical Affairs for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of DC. He is also an active member of the DC Housing Authority Citywide Health Advisory Board, the Ward 8 Health Council and the DC Department of Health’s Preventive Health Services Block Grant Committee. He has been featured on the Tyrone Stanley Horizons show on WHUR and on WPFW Joni Eisenberg to Heal DC show. Send an email to Stephen B. Jefferson
Andrene M. Taylor
Senior Public Health Consultant
Andrene has over fifteen years of experience in the communications, health, and education fields. At CWA, she leads teams who provide comprehensive communications, monitoring and evaluation support to numerous local non-profit organizations and DC Department of Health projects. She worked on a number of initiatives in diabetes, obesity, school health, and tobacco cessation. Using her mix of professional experience in community outreach, story-telling, and personal experience, Andrene founded the DC-based non-profit, ZuriWorks for Women’s Health. The organization works at the intersections of health, arts, and social justice. She produced arts, social media, and health projects and led community-based programs on cancer prevention and awareness to address the unique health and wellness needs of women of color. She worked at Kratos Learning Solutions where she managed technical support for Department of Education adult education services. She teaches at Montgomery College. Andrene earned her Masters and Ph.D. from Howard University and her BA from The College of New Jersey. Send an email to Andrene M. Taylor
