Saturday, November 19, 2011

Meet Lecester Johnson, 2011 Exponent Award Recipient

Lecester Johnson, Executive Director
“I am humbled and grateful," says Lecester Johnson, Academy of Hope's Executive Director. "This award is not for me but for our students, staff and community...and I thank each and every person who has contributed to our AoH family throughout 27 years.”
Academy of Hope's Executive Director, Ms. Lecester Johnson, has been selected by The Meyer Foundation to receive one of three of this year’s prestigious Exponent Award.  The award recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of DC’s most talented, visionary, and effective nonprofit executives and comes with a two-year grant of $100,000.  Since joining Academy of Hope in 2006, Lecester not only guided the organization through a very tough economic climate but also managed a sustained growth, expanding the budget as well as programs and services for adult learners.  Lecester brings strategic vision and a deep understanding of education as well as compassion to the plight of individuals living in the District of Columbia who experience low-literacy or who are under-educated.  “She is truly an inspired, dedicated and hard-working leader,” says Mr. Ryan Young, AoH Board Chair. “This is a testament to the impact of an exceptional leader and her dedication to the community.” We thank the entire AoH community and dedicate this award to all of you!

View the press release here.

The Exponent Award, established in 2006, celebrates awardees' success at increasing the impact of their organization's work, instituting sound management, and serving as collaborative community leaders.  This year, only three nonprofit leaders are honored with the 2011 Exponent Award.

The Eugene & Agnes E. Meyer Foundation identifies and invests in visionary leaders and effective community-based nonprofit organizations that are working to create lasting improvements in the lives of low-income people in the Washington, DC metropolitan region, and works to strengthen the region's nonprofit sector as a vital and respected partner in meeting community needs.


For more information, click here or contact Adriana Kao at adriana@aohdc.org or 202-269-6623