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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:
Ms. Tamika Bruce
27th Street, SE
Washington, DC 20020
(Ward 7)
for appointment as a publi c voting member of t he Commission on Re -Entry and Returning Citizen
Affairs, filling a vacant seat, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end August 4, 2027.
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 Tamika Bruce 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 Tamika
20 Bruce Confirmation Resolution of 2026".
21 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
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23 Tamika Bruce
24 27th Street, SE
25 Washington, DC 20020
26 (Ward 7)
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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 and
30 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, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end
32 August 4, 2027.
3 3 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.
Tamika Bruce
RELEVANT SKILLS
Database Proficiency & Confidentiality
Community Engagement & Relationship Building
Behavioral & Mental Health Knowledge
Conflict Resolution & De-Escalation
Trauma-Informed Care
Cultural Competency & Empathy
Case Management & Resource Coordination
Problem solving & Adaptability
Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
Time Management & Prioritization
WORK EXPERIENCE
KIMBALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS Nov 2024 – Present
Conflict Resolution Facilitator
● Employ evidence-based strategies to mediate student conflicts, promoting empathy, active listening, & peaceful problem solving
● Led workshops and activities focused on emotional regulation, communication skills, and teamwork to foster positive school climate
● Collaborate with teachers, counselors, and parents to identify recurring behavior patterns & implement proactive strategies
TURNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS Nov 2024 – Present
Afterschool Tutor
● Provide individualized academic support in core subjects, resulting in improved classroom performance and confidence
● Developed & implemented engaging techniques and activities tailored to foster productive environment for diverse learners
ACADEMY DC: Nov 2024 – Present
Ambassador Support
● Oversee intake & support of program ambassadors, which are our returning citizen clients, promoting community wellbeing
● Work with community partners to expand access to mentorship, reentry support, career exploration in DC’s creative economy
● Support hands-on training in music, entertainment, & digital media production, like podcasts, short films, & public service campaigns
COURT SERVICES and OFFENDER SUPERVISION AGENCY (CSOSA): Apr 2024 – Oct 2024
Credible Messenger
● Provide mentorship and trauma-informed case management to justice-involved adults, supporting rehabilitation, reentry & success
● Collaborate with families, community partners, and service providers to reduce violence and connect clients with essential resources
● Promote accountability and goal setting through individualized mind mapping, etc. to foster successful community reintegration
COUNCIL of the DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: May 2024 – Aug 2024
Ward 8 Field Organizer, Youth Facilitator
● Led team of 15 youth in organizing civic engagement initiatives, including voter registration drives & door-to-door canvassing
● Facilitated community discussions on key local issues such as housing, economic development, & public safety
● Developed leadership and communication skills in youth while fostering independent relationships with community stakeholders
FACE LOVE COSMETIC ARTISTRY: Jan 2016 – Present
Owner/Operator, Licensed Cosmetologist
● Deliver hands-on training in hair, makeup, lashes, and massage to equip youth with self-employment & entrepreneurial skills
● Lead business and financial literacy workshops while organizing events to inspire youth engagement & career exploration beyond
beauty industry
● Partner with local organizations to expand access to holistic development resources and advocate for youth empowerment
DC INITIATIVE 83: Sep 2024 – Nov 2024
Lead Canvasser
● Recruited, led and trained team of canvassers to engage hundreds of DC residents to support local DC ballot initiative
● Coordinated field operations for my teams to ensure efficient and effective campaign drive
● Facilitated community engagement through direct voter contact, public education, and coalition building efforts
EDUCATION
NewRiverCommunityCollege,Lewisburg,WV 2013© LicensedCosmetologist
© CertfiedPersonalTrainer
[NorthwesternHighSchool,Hyattsville,MD 1997
© Diploma
TRAINING&CERTIFICATIONS
PolicyTrainingAcademy,DCJusticeLab 2025
CertifiedCredibleMessenger,DepartmentofYouthRehabiliationServices 2024
ConflictResolution,AlianceofConcemedMen, 2024
‘CommunityJusticeAdvisoryNetworkMentorshipTraining,CSOSA 2026
CognitiveBehavioralTherapyCertifications,ROCAImpactInsitute 2026
MandatedReporter,DCChildandFamilyServices 2024
PeerSupport,TraumaInformedCare,DCPeaceAcademy 2024
VOLUNTEEREXPERIENCE
ReentryandSanctionsCenter,Mentor
VoicesUnbarred,CommunityAdvocate
ArtsInstituteforCreativeAdvancement,Mentor
Jan2025~Present
Mar2024~Present
Jan2024~Dee2024
PROFESSIONALREFERENCES:
Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Tamika Bruce
Ms. Tamika Bruce is a seasoned mentor, community leader and
entrepreneur with a passion for uplifting youth, families, and those most
marginalized in communities. With experience working directly with
community members in both public and private organizations, Ms. Bruce
has a holistic approach to youth and community development that
prioritizes collaboration, authentic relationship, and results.
Ms. Bruce began her career as an entrepreneur, operating a beauty
business, Face Love Cosmetic Artistry, where she soon began integrating
her passion for youth and community into her business model. Before
long, Ms. Bruce was facilitating classes for youth, teaching
revenue‑generating skills in cosmetology. Recognizing her impact on the
youth beyond cosmetology, Ms. Bruce decided to take her mentorship a step further and pursue
formal certifications in evidence‑based practices ranging from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
to conflict resolution.
Since, Ms. Bruce has wielded these gifts in support of the Court Services & Offender Supervision
Agency (CSOSA), the office of DC Councilmembers, and other community‑based organizations.
In recent years Ms. Bruce has begun to gain notoriety by using her voice to serve as a leading
advocate for parent and family support during and post‑incarceration. Sharing her personal
experience of post‑incarceration family reunification, Ms. Bruce uses her story as powerful
advocacy through various means – podcasts, panel discussions, and even stage plays. At the end
of the day, Ms. Bruce takes most pride in being a loving mother of 3 and Tia’s honey (grandma).
A Ward 7 resident, Ms. Bruce is a Certified Personal Trainer and a Licensed Cosmetologist.
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 Tamika Bruce 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