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MU
RIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
May 19, 2026
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 4 of the Office on Ex- Offender
Affairs and Commission on Re-Entry and Ex-Offender Affairs Establishment Act of 2006, effective
March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-243; D.C. Official Code § 24- 1303), I am pleased to nominate the
following individual:
Mr. Joe Houston, Jr.
Oak Drive, SE
Washington, DC 20032
(Ward 8)
for appointment as a public voting member of the Commission on Re -Entry and Returning Citizen
Affairs, filling a vacant seat formerly held by Corwin Knight, for the remainder of an unexpired term
to end August 4, 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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at the request of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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15 To confirm the appointment of Joe Houston, Jr. to the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning
16 Citizen Affairs.
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18 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
19 resolution may be cited as the "Commission on Re-Entry and Returning Citizen Affairs Joe
20 Houston, Jr. Confirmation Resolution of 2026".
21 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
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23 Joe Houston, Jr.
24 Oak Drive, SE
25 Washington, DC 20032
26 (Ward 8)
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28 as a public voting member of the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning Citizen Affairs,
29 established by section 4 of the Office on Ex-Offender Affairs and Commission on Re-Entry
30 and Ex-Offender Establishment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-243; D.C.
31 Official Code § 24-1303), filling a vacant seat formerly held by Corwin Knight, for the
32 remainder of an unexpired term to end August 4, 2028.
33 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
34 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Mayor.
35 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
JOE “MR. WEFIT” HOUSTON JR.
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Community wellness leader, entrepreneur, and advocate with over a decade of experience
developing health, reintegration, and community engagement initiatives across
Washington, DC. Founder and CEO of WeFitDC and Founder of We Fit University Inc.
(501c3), organizations dedicated to advancing health equity and expanding access to
wellness resources in underserved communities. Known for designing programs that
integrate physical health, behavioral change, and mentorship to support returning citizens,
youth development, and long-term community stability. Experienced in building
partnerships that connect wellness, workforce readiness, and prevention-focused public
health strategies.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Reentry & Returning Citizen Support
• Community Health Equity
• Behavioral Change & Lifestyle Coaching
• Program Design & Implementation
• Public–Private Partnerships
• Community Engagement Strategy
• Workforce & Youth Development
• Preventative Health Programming
• Leadership & Organizational Development
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Founder & Chief Executive Officer — WeFitDC | Washington, DC (2020 – Present)
• Founded a community-based wellness organization focused on improving physical and
mental health outcomes through accessible programming.
• Design and lead wellness initiatives serving returning citizens, youth, seniors, and
working professionals across the District.
• Implement behavior-change–driven coaching models that promote sustainable lifestyle
tr
ansformation.
• Develop partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, and local
stakeholders to expand access to preventative health services.
• Facilitate workshops addressing stress management, accountability, and long-term
wellness adherence.
• Provide mentorship and structured wellness programming supporting individuals
navi
gating workforce reintegration.
Founder — We Fit University Inc. (501c3) | Washington, DC (2019 – Present)
• Established nonprofit organization focused on advancing health equity through
educa
tion, wellness programming, and community leadership development.
• Create initiatives promoting youth engagement, mentorship, and healthy lifestyle
adoption.
• Lead collaborative efforts with community partners to address disparities in access to
hea
lth and wellness resources.
• Develop programs that integrate physical activity with personal development and
community empowerment.
Community Wellness Coach & Program Facilitator | Washington, DC Region (2017 – Present)
• Deliver structured wellness programming for individuals and groups emphasizing
strength development, behavioral consistency, and mental resilience.
• Facilitate coaching sessions supporting confidence-building, discipline, and positive
li
festyle change.
• Provide mentorship and accountability frameworks for individuals navigating personal
and professional transitions.
• Lead group-based wellness experiences fostering community connection and sustained
engagement.
SELECTED COMMUNITY IMPACT INITIATIVES
• Designed and delivered wellness programming supporting underserved communities
across Washington, DC.
• Led initiatives promoting preventative health strategies aimed at reducing chronic
disease risk through physical activity and behavior change.
• Developed programs integrating wellness and mentorship to support returning citizens
and workforce reintegration pathways.
• Organized community-centered wellness events increasing engagement in accessible
hea
lth programming.
• Advocate for holistic wellness approaches combining physical health, mental wellness,
and community empowerment.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) — Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) — Senior Fitness Specialist (SFS)
• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) — Behavior Change Specialist (BCS)
• National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) — Group Personal Training Specialist
(GPTS)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Georgetown University — Pivot Program
Certificate in Business Development & Workforce Reintegration Leadership
Washington, DC
Johns Hopkins University — Ward Infinity Business Accelerator
Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Community Business Development
Washington, DC
AREAS OF PUBLIC INTEREST & SERVICE
• Reentry & Community Reintegration
• Health Equity & Preventative Care
• Youth Mentorship & Development
• Workforce Readiness Through Wellness
• Community-Based Health Innovation
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
Joe
Houston, Jr.
M
r. Joe Houston, Jr. is a Washington, DC –based wellness entrepreneur,
community health advocate, and Founder & CEO of WeFitDC. With over
a decade of experience in fitness, behavioral change, and community
programming, he develops initiatives focused on improving health
outcomes, supporting returning citizens, and expanding access to
wellness resources in underserved communities. Through his nonprofit
organization, We Fit University Inc., he leads programs that integrate
physical activity, mentorship, and workforce development to promote
long-term stability and successful reintegration. His work centers on
using wellness as a tool for empowerment, prevention, and community
transformation across the District.
M
r. Houston is a Ward 8 resident.
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, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: May 8, 2026
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution appointing Joe Houston, Jr. as a member
of the Commission on Re-Entry and Returning Citizen Affairs
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolution and
found it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
202-727-0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth Cavendish