The Congressional Award Podcast: Elevating DC Youth

In this episode of Elevating DC Youth, student hosts Eric Curry and Mpumi Masimini, III, from the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program, sit down with Dr. Steve Johnson, Executive Vice President at Events DC, to explore career development, leadership, and opportunities in the events and hospitality industry. CAFE Radio- Dr. Steve Johnson

Continuing Season 6’s theme, Connections That Count, Dr. Johnson reflects on how mentors helped him make the leap from Chicago’s South Side to Howard University and how earning his Congressional Award Silver Medal connected him with peers who shared his ambitions. His story highlights the people who helped him move forward and his commitment to helping the next generation do the same. CAFE Radio- Dr. Steve Johnson CAFE Radio- Dr. Steve Johnson

From producing Howard Homecoming to helping bring major events to Washington, D.C., Dr. Johnson offers a behind-the-scenes look at his career and the lessons he learned when things did not go as planned. He encourages young people to learn from setbacks, invest in their development, and prepare for the opportunities ahead.

In the Season 6 premiere of Elevating DC Youth, student hosts Madison Childs and Jessica Smith from the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program sit down with Rodney Oddoye, Chief Operating Officer of Pepco Holdings. Rodney shares his journey from Ghana and Botswana to the University of Maryland and a career in the energy industry, reflecting on the experiences that shaped his commitment to leadership and community impact.

Kicking off this season’s theme, Connections That Count, the conversation explores how connecting with people and new experiences can expand what young people see as possible. From hands-on STEM programs to the courage it takes to introduce yourself to someone new, Rodney discusses how exposure, preparation, and relationships can create opportunities. He encourages listeners to step outside their comfort zones, invest in their growth, and take an active role in building their futures.

In the final episode of Season 5 of Elevating DC Youth, student hosts from the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program sit down with Juan Baños, an international business executive and entrepreneur who has built and scaled companies across construction, development, energy, and real estate.

Juan shares his journey as the son of immigrant parents pursuing the American Dream, from working in the trenches of his family’s construction business to rebuilding that business from bankruptcy with just $700 and a vision for impact. He reflects on loss, failure, and resilience, emphasizing that setbacks are not problems but opportunities to learn and grow.

Throughout the conversation, Juan challenges common misconceptions about the construction industry, highlights the importance of respect and kindness for all work, and explains why leadership is about responsibility, humility, and lifting up the people around you. He encourages young people to find purpose in what they do, stay resilient through challenges, and recognize that finding your voice often means leading with integrity and service.

In this episode of Elevating DC Youth, student hosts from the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program sit down with Jehan Carter, a Washington, D.C.–based attorney, media personality, and entrepreneur whose career spans law, journalism, and advocacy.

Jehan reflects on her journey as a proud Washingtonian, a former Miss D.C., and a Congressional Award Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalist. She offers an honest look at the realities of law school, entrepreneurship, and social media, emphasizing that success does not happen overnight and that credentials alone do not guarantee opportunity. Throughout the conversation, Jehan stresses the importance of being proactive, seeking mentors, and understanding how passion, patience, and persistence shape long-term success.

She also shares practical advice for young people interested in law or entrepreneurship, encouraging them to stay informed, leverage counselors and mentors, and recognize that finding your voice often means carving your own path across multiple industries.

In this episode of Elevating DC Youth, student hosts from the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program sit down with Izzy Klein, co-founder of a bipartisan public affairs firm and a nationally recognized expert in government relations and communications.

Izzy breaks down what it really means to be a lobbyist, reframing the role as one of education, translation, and advocacy. He shares how growing up working in his father’s hardware store shaped his people-first approach to leadership, why bipartisan collaboration matters, and how removing jargon and communicating clearly can make complex policy accessible to everyone.

Throughout the conversation, Izzy encourages young people to do their homework, stay curious, build trust, and use their voice responsibly to connect people across differences.

In this episode of Elevating DC Youth, student hosts from the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program sit down with Donald Remy, a nationally respected leader whose career spans public service, higher education, law, and athletics.

Donald reflects on his unconventional, mission-driven career path, from coaching youth basketball in the DMV to shaping policy at the NCAA, serving veterans, and investing in women’s professional sports. He shares why mentorship, authenticity, and treating people with respect have been central to his leadership, and why young people should lean into their talents even when the path forward is unclear.

Throughout the conversation, Donald offers honest advice to DC youth about staying true to who you are, taking risks, and finding your voice through service, sport, and community.

In this episode of Elevating DC Youth, student hosts from the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program sit down with Brittany Masalosalo, Chief Public Policy Officer at HP Inc., to discuss leadership, learning, and finding your voice across public service, technology, and global policy.

Brittany reflects on her career journey through the U.S. Army, the Pentagon, the White House, and the private sector, sharing why curiosity, preparation, and the ability to think critically matter more than having all the answers. She also speaks candidly about authenticity in the workplace and how young people can build confidence by learning how to communicate, adapt, and grow.

In the Season 5 premiere of Elevating DC Youth, student hosts from the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program sit down with Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, a nonprofit executive and community leader with over a decade of experience in urban planning, equity, and public service.

Allison reflects on how early opportunities helped her find her voice, why community buy-in and representation matter, and how young people can get involved in shaping policy and change in their own neighborhoods. From advocating for equity to showing up as your full self at work, this episode explores what it means to lead with purpose and use your voice to create inclusive communities.

Joshua Peters

Senior Manager, Social and Community Impact - Chicago and North Central Americas, NIKE, Inc.

Joshua D. Peters is a former American politician from the Democratic Party. He served as the Missouri State Representative of Missouri’s 76th District from 2013 to 2019, attaining the esteemed position of Chief Deputy Whip. Throughout his tenure, Peters showcased exceptional leadership skills, successfully navigating a supermajority Republican-led legislature to pass ten bills while prioritizing outstanding constituent services. Notable accomplishments include securing $7 million for the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Natural Bridge Safety Initiative and effectively advocating for state funding for Lincoln University’s 1890 Land-grant. Peters also distinguished himself as a pivotal member of Congressman Lacy Clay, Jr’s, staff. Additionally, he contributed to the advancement of education as the Confidential Assistant to the Under Secretary of Education during President Barack Obama’s administration. Currently, Peters leverages his expertise and commitment to social impact as a valued contributor to Nike, Inc.’s esteemed North American Social and Community Impact team.

Natalie Madeira Cofield is a former presidentially appointed expert for small business and has been named one of the most powerful women in business by Entrepreneur Magazine…

An award-winning entrepreneur, philanthropist, political appointee, and economic activist, Natalie has provided some of the nation's most prominent CEOs of billion-dollar organizations, executives of global brands, senior advisors to the White House, mayors of leading national cities, and community activists and leaders with inspiration, insight, and advisement. She currently serves as Executive-in-Residence at Mastercard where she advises in strategies to deepen engagement with small businesses and go-to-market strategies on products and solutions to best this fast growing national segment.

As a presidentially-appointed Assistant Administrator of the Small Business Administration, she advised on the deployment of $1.2 trillion in funding, was directly responsible for supporting the deployment of more than $200 million in funding to ecosystems and entrepreneurs throughout the country during the greatest economic crisis in modern history, and served as the head of the Office of Women’s Business Ownership at the U.S. Small Business Administration where she was responsible for managing a grant-making budget of $70 million and funding the largest expansion of the Women’s Business Center network in the history of SBA at 146 Centers in expanding the network to every state in the US.

She is co-founder of the $14M Coalition to Back Black Business which was responsible for funding nearly 1,000 Black-owned businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She was named a Champion of Small Business by the Association of Enterprising Opportunity and was selected among 137 cover-story business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the nation for her response to COVID-19 where she graced Entrepreneur Magazine’s July/August 2020 edition cover. She has also been named one of the 100 Most Powerful Washingtonians by the Washington Business Journal.

From Google to the National League of Cities, Natalie's speeches, courses, and advisory services have helped to shape programs and efforts of some of the most regarded global brands, and educational and government institutions.

A sought-after expert, Natalie's work has been featured on and by Inc, Time, CNN, NYTimes, Fast Company, Forbes, Entrepreneur, BusinessInsider, Black Enterprise, Essence, and EBONY, among others.

Once inspired by reading the business plans of her mother when she was 11, Natalie is the founder and former CEO of Walker's Legacy, a digital platform to empower women through entrepreneurship, and its adjoined nonprofit arm, the Walker's Legacy Foundation, which was established to empower income limited women through financial literacy and economic security. In this role, Cofield established a $25,000 funded scholarship for enterprising women at her alma mater, Howard University.

In 2019, Cofield was named the inaugural Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the District of Columbia leading Mayor Muriel Bowser’s 202Creates Program providing entrepreneurship advice to creative economy businesses within the District of Columbia.

An honors tech graduate from Howard University (where she was mentored by CIOs of two of America's leading Fortune 500 companies) Natalie leveraged her coding experience to build a career centered on empowering businesses, entrepreneurs, women, and underrepresented communities.

In 2023, Cofield received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Board of Trustees of Shaw University and served as the 2023 commencement speaker for the institution.

An avid traveler, Cofield has visited more than 47 countries and counting.