Commission on African-American Affairs Dr. Denise Wright Confirmation Resolution of 2025

MU
RIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
November 6, 2025
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1- 523.01), and pursuant to section 2 of the Commission on African-
American Affairs Establishment Act of 2012, effective March 14, 2012 (D.C. Law 19 -106; D.C.
Official Code § 3-1441), I am pleased to nominate the following individual:
Dr. Denise Wright
R Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(Ward 5)
for reappointment as a public member of the Commission on African-American Affairs, for a term to
end July 8, 2028.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-m entioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel B owser
Mayor
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~~
~ Phil Mendelson
at the request of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To confirm the reappointment of Dr. Denise Wright to the Commission on African-American
Affairs.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the "Commission on African-American Affairs Dr. Denise Wright
Confirmation Resolution of 2025".
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
Dr. Denise Wright
R Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(Ward 5)
as a public member of the Commission on African-American Affairs, pursuant to section 2 of the
Commission on African-American Affairs Establishment Act of 2012, effective March 14, 2012
(D.C. Law 19-106; D.C. Official Code§ 3-1441), for a term to end July 8, 2028.
Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
Denise L. Wright
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Demonstrated expertise in conducting research to forecast probable outcomes, effective utilization of resources,
identifying problems and develop solutions. Management style is providing constructive feedback, listening
attentively, and encouraging team activation. Organizational skills: setting goals, strong planning skills, and
executing multiple tasks at once.
CORE COMPETENCIES & EXPERTISE
● Policy Analysis
● Race/Gender Issues/Disenfranchised Groups
● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
● Survey Development & Evaluation
● Evidence-Based Intervention & Prevention
Strategies
● Research in Health Disparities/Equity
● Quantitative & Qualitative Research
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CONSULTING PSYCHOLOGIST
Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland 2017-Present
 Provide oversight for all research projects and alignment of grant requirements. Conduct research
primarily in the areas of health disparities, educational disfranchisement, and mental health policies via
the intersection of race and gender. Provide research design and evaluation protocols for project requests
from the city and academic community.
Centers for Disease Control Grant/Department of Behavioral Health/Hillcrest Child & Family Services
 Functio
n as part of the clinical team at one of DC’s largest high schools. Developed programming for Tier 1,
11, & 3 Level Services for school community, groups, teachers, and students. Intense training in trauma-
informed care. Provision of individual/group/family therapy/crisis intervention, as well as working with
homeless families and adolescents. Part of the Community of Practice Group, an auxiliary of DBH, which
evaluates implementation and planning of the grant.
DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, Washington, D.C.
Project Director/Coordinator, Substance Use Disorders Division 2015-2017
● Provided oversight of a million-dollar grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA). Implemented the Community Reinforcement Approach for DC youth.
● Facilitated the coordination of participating substance-use treatment programs in the application of
evidence-based practice(s) for over 50 youth and 7 community service agencies which included
homeless families.
● Conducted and administered fiscal operations, including planning budgets, authorizing expenditures,
and coordinating financial reporting for the community service agencies.
● Developed and maintained records managements systems to store and process data through Credible.
Manager, Applied Research & Evaluation Unit, Office of Program & Policy
● Provided supervision and direction for ARE unit, which functioned as a research and data hub for DBH.
● Delivered services and ongoing technical assistance to over 20 divisions/offices and produced over 120
reports internally and externally to DBH. Provided Theories of Change training for staff.
● Assigned tasks to staff of (7), in accordance to the nature of data delivery and content to expedite requests.
● Provided direction for the production of data briefs for publication on the DBH website.
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, Yola, Nigeria
Director of Counseling and Psychological Services/Assistant Professor 2012-2015
● Developed the mental health infrastructure and curriculum for the University from inception.
● Provided therapeutic intervention for students, staff and faculty.
● Provided training to resident life staff and other departments, along with developing protocols for crisis
intervention and prevention with the administrative team.
● Developed protocols with the university health clinic, which serviced up to 25 people per week, to
increase the continuity of care for mental health cases and health care for faculty and students.
● Initiated and developed agreements with The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the
governing drug facility, and psychiatric hospital to provide care for students in need of services.
● Designed and implemented the behavioral health and wellness component for the Employee Assistance
Program in collaboration with the Human Resources division.
● Initiated community development project for the Family and Child Clinic of Yola; providing
infrastructural support and medical supplies for pre and postnatal care.
● Delivered trauma-related care and PTSD intervention for staff and IDPs in refugee camps who became
homeless due to political persecution.
CITY COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Washington, D.C.
Senior Policy Analyst 2008-2011
● Directed research on a wide variety of issues in efforts to inform or modify current and future
legislation.
● Generated and edited over 25 research papers that analyzed policies and laws in the District of Columbia
i.e, privatizing mental health services in the District, attitudes toward legalization of marijuana.
● Provided members of Council research and expertise in the areas of health, mental health, procurement
and education (TANF, Medicaid enrollment, etc.), homelessness
● Conducted research through interviews, data collection, hearings, reviews of District of Columbia
Municipal Regulations (DCMR), and archival information.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY, Washington, DC
Assistant Professor, Allied Health Sciences 1999-2010
● P
rovided instruction for Allied Health students on the epidemiology and etiology of HIV/AIDS.
● Co-c
reator for the standard research curriculum for allied health, nursing, and pre-med students.
● Prepared and delivered lectures to students on topics such as cultural competency, research design,
structure of clinical trials, and health disparities. Created a robust guest lecture series.
● Evaluated and graded students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and research.
CIVIC ACTIVITIES
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER (5C05), Washington, DC 2007-2011/ 2020 -2023
 Serve as an elected official for one of the largest commissions in the District. The Commissioner serves
as a liaison between city government and constituents of their Single Member District (SMD),
comprised of approximately 2000-3000 residents. Received training in areas of civics, legislation,
development, community engagement, policy development, and emergency planning.
WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY LEADERS PROGRAM, Washington,
DC 2009-2011
 Served as a member of a nationwide Community Leaders Program. Engaged in meetings and
conference calls with White House staff on existing policies that affect communities nationally in the
areas of education and health.
 WOL- Radio Program/ Guest Psychologist/ Race & Gender Issues in the areas of Mental Health
PUBLICATIONS
 Winbush, R. & D. Wright (2019). The Osiris Papers: Reflections on the Life and Writings of Dr.
Frances Cress Welsing. Black Classic Press: Baltimore, Md.
 Wright, D., (2014, Nov). The changing face of color: A social and public health dilemma for young
populations in Nigeria. Journal of Educational and Social Research: Special Issue, (4),7.; Academic
Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 3, 7.
 Wright, D. (2010). An Examination of State Medical Marijuana Laws. Washington, DC: DC City
Council, District of Columbia Archives.
 Wright, D. (2010). The Privatization of Mental Health in the District of Columbia. Washington, DC:
DC City Council, District of Columbia Archives.
 Wright, D., Valentine, P. & Henley, G. (2005). Religious Practices and HIV Risk Factors Among
College Students. Paper Presentation, Dakar, Senegal. 5th International Conference on Public
Management, Policy and Development.
 Boone, M., Brown, M., Moon; D., Schuman; D., Thomas, J. Wright, D. (2004). Clinical Guidelines for
the Use of Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction: Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP)
Series 40. Washington, DC: US Department of Health & Human Services.
 Valentine, P., & Wright, D. (2002). Service Learning Curriculum for Allied Health Students. Paper
Presentation, Barcelona, Spain: International AIDS Conference.
 Wright, D., Valentine, P., Henley, G. (2002). Addressing the Knowledge-Behavior Gap: An
Investigation of Safer Sex Practices Among Allied Health Students. Journal of Allied Health Sciences.
CIVIC & SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS/MEMBERSHIPS
Black & White Photographer Awardee- DC Arts Commission
PSA 501 Civilian of the Year- DC Metropolitan Police Dept.
CSOSA Commitment to Excellence Award, Washington, DC
Former Member of the American Evaluation Association
Hawthorne Terminal Fellowship Award
Member, American Psychological Association
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Educational Psychology, Minor: Clinical Assessment/Learning & Cognition
Howard University
M.Ed. Educational/Clinical Psychology
Wayne State University
B.A.Psychology
University of Cincinnati
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
License No: PRC 1189
D.C. Department of Health: Health Regulation Licensing Administration
E
xecutive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
D
r. Denise Wright
D
r. Denise Wright has been a resident of the District of Columbia for the
past 30 years. She currently serves as a Consulting Psychologist at
Morgan State University where she has been since 2017. Prior to this role,
Dr. Wright was the Project Director/Coordinator in the Substance Use
Disorders Division of the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral
Health.
As a child, she developed a certain type of love for the District. She and
her family travelled all the time to visit relatives in Columbia Heights.
Later in life, she migrated from the Midwest to DC to finish her doctorate
degree at Howard University. She has had the opportunity to work with
people from all walks of life, as the District is a melting pot of so many
different cultures. Her philosophy and teachings have influenced her life choices to serve those
who may not have the same access and opportunities which are not limited to race or culture.
For most of her academic career, Dr. Wright has worked with students, colleagues, staff, as well
as members of the community to address the vestiges of racism and to bring about an understanding
of changing the paradigm. Her current focus is to help the younger generations to understand and
appreciate their worth and to know their respective histories in order to instill a sense of confidence
about who they are.
A Ward 5 resident, Dr. Wright earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of
Cincinnati, her Master of Education in Educational/Clinical Psychology, and her Doctor of
Philosophy in Educational Psychology from Howard University.

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steven Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: June 4, 2025
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution appointing Philip Pannell, Jacqueline
Stallworth, Yolanda Young, Kristin Shymoniak, Rashida Taylor, Dr. Denise
Wright, Jalelah Ahmed, Lakeitha Anderson, Ben-James Brown, and Wanda
Henderson as public members of the Commission on African-American Affairs
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced Resolutions and
found them to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Kimberly Ulan, Associate General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
202-727-2292, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________

Elizabeth Cavendish