Latisha R. Atkins, JD
Training and Technical Assistance Consultant
Ms. Atkins has over 20 years of experience working around policy development in D.C. government. Upon graduation from the George Washington University Law School, she worked as the Director of Public Policy at the D.C. Children’s Trust Fund where she was responsible for developing the annual public policy agenda for the District’s children, youth and families. From 2006 until currently, she has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Ward 7 community, conducting outreach and engagement activities with key stakeholders in an effort to strengthen families and children living in the Ward and to identify solutions to challenges that exist Ward-wide.
From 2009–2014, she served two mayors of the District of Columbia in various capacities, including her work as the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policy and Initiatives and the D.C. Commission for Women. Here, she served as an advocate to over 300,000 women and girls in the District and focused on enhancing the quality of life for all women and their families through the review and research of existing laws/policies, public hearings, listening sessions and community town halls.
In 2015, Latisha left her work in D.C. government and returned to her home ward to focus on community issues full time. She established BRIDGES, INC (Building Bridges to Success, Inc.), which specializes in community development, community engagement, and community empowerment. “At the heart of our work is the community! We implement trainings, workshops and capacity building programming to strengthen the community's voice and build its capacity to engage others in a shared vision for growth and development.”
Ms. Atkins is committed to the growth and development of others and is currently working on various projects, to include projects associated with the Coalition for Non-Profit Housing and Economic Development, D.C. Policy Center, Be Strong Families and the Bainum Family Foundation. She most recently served as Campaign Manager to Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent C. Gray during his 2020 bid for re-election.
She is the proud resident of Ward 7 and a graduate of Hampton University in Hampton, VA and the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C.
“Family is a special group of people that many times extends beyond blood relatives to include close friends and those connected by a common cause or special interest. I am honored to be a part of the Be Strong Families team and am committed to our mission to help create peer-to-peer discussions that promote vitality, provide emotional healing and foster peace.”