Coalition For Empowerment & Opportunity

12/17/2025

CEO would like to thank all of our partners, judges, and volunteers, for making our third annual “Chopped” competition at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center, such a success! 🙌🏾🎊🙌🏾

The kids had a wonderful time, cooking and competing with one another for bragging rights as the best chef! 🧑🏾‍🍳 🏆

They were able to utilize critical thinking skills, as well as build practice in their conflict resolution, listening, and teamwork.

A special thank you to the Carpenter-Brittain Fund, for believing in our vision and being a gold sponsor for this year‘s event!! ❤️🙏🏾❤️

12/04/2025

Coalition for Empowerment & Opportunity is grateful to our Gold Sponsor, the Carpenter-Brittain Fund, for their support of CEO's holiday give back at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. 🤩🤩🤩

It is through the generous giving of organizations such as the Carpenter-Brittain Fund that makes a difference in the lives of our youth each day.

Consider donating today!!! 🌟🎊🎉🙌🏾

10/20/2025

We are proud to announce the launch of the African Diaspora Saturday Academy: Embracing Our Journey of Black History. The African Diaspora Saturday Academy is a culturally grounded, academically enriching program designed to illuminate the dynamic histories, cultures, and brilliance of the global Black diaspora for students in grades 6-12. Launching in February 2026, this initiative is designed to immerse our children in the wealth of Black heritage, equipping future generations with the knowledge and confidence to shape a flourishing future.

Our pedagogy at the African Diaspora Saturday Academy is centered on the transformative power of storytelling, resistance, and intergenerational learning. In a world where educational disparities persist and cultural representation is routinely erased, we offer an empowering alternative, a means for cultural survival to thrive and Black Intellectualism to prevail through community efforts. At the African Diaspora Saturday Academy, we ensure Black Identity is dignified, fostering a learning environment that nurtures collective innovation.

Embracing the rich and radical legacy of Black schools of thought, our Saturday Academy honors the ancestral traditions from the continent alongside the resilience of Black Global communities. Every Saturday lesson protects the ongoing growth of Black empowerment and communal support.

We Rise Together!

For more information and to be considered as a teacher for the Saturday Academy, please contact us at [email protected].

04/11/2025

Join CEO along with Wakefield High School PTSA for the College and Career Resource Fair at Wakefield High School on Thursday, April 24th, 2025, from 6-8 PM!! 💚🤍🖤

This event is designed to connect students with valuable resources and opportunities to help them explore their post-high school pathways.

Whether you're interested in college, trade schools, or job opportunities, this fair will provide a wide range of information and support to help you plan your future.

Don’t miss the chance to meet with college representatives, local employers, and community organizations all in one place!

🚨Bonus🚨CEO will also be sponsoring a $500 scholarship giveaway! 🙌🏾💵

Register NOW: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8RIdi2rWEvyG2nE1_a78ZX5t-6MfdIkfpk8h1uu3vbp8MXg/viewform

02/20/2025

CEO is proud to partner with Wakefield's own Ladies of Tomorrow to present a Black History Month event, The Blueprint: What to do When History Repeats Itself."

Please join us for this significant discussion with Arlington's own,
Ms. Marguarite Gooden, Ms. Peggy Jones, Ms. Kitty Clark Stevenson, Ms. Edith Gravely, and Ms. Rochelle Jones Day, as we discuss where we are now and how it relates to the past.

This event will be held at Wakefield High School on Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 3:15 pm to 4:30 pm.

12/15/2024

This past Friday, CEO had the pleasure to host our second annual “Chopped” holiday event at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center! 🧑🏾‍🍳⏲️

The youth divided into teams and excitedly competed against one another in three rounds of no-bake cooking meals (and of course they had to used the secret ingredient… 😄) that surprised and delighted both themselves and the judges 🤗

One of the most monumental moments is when the judges provide feedback to each team. They not only discuss food, but identify the kids’ strengths and brilliance that is incorporated into making each dish, and then encourage them to dissect their thinking as each team presents. Something that is so trivial yet can have a dramatic shift in how someone views themselves, their ability, and what’s possible for the future. 🥰

CEO is so grateful to our amazing culinary experts, Heather Keppler and Megan Hauber, who not only shop and prep for the event, but walk the kids through each round with guidance and care, challenging them to go big! Thank you for continuing to partner with us and give of your time and talents to make this event a success! 🙌🏾❤️🙌🏾

To our judges this year- Leonette Hamilton, Christy Cole, Symone Walker, Michael Shea, Tommy Amal, and Mohsin Ali- you all are no joke! 💪🏾. The seriousness with which you took your duties took this event to the next level. Your thoughtful deliberations, contemplative analysis when determining the winner for each round, and just your genuine compassion when interacting with the kids that shone through and made them glow as you gave your feedback, has no measure. 🫶🏾 CEO is truly appreciative to you for volunteering to bring this event to fruition. A resounding THANK YOU! 🙏🏾

And last but not least, thank you to the NOVA JDC Exectuive Director, Johnitha McNair and the rest of the staff for your vision to go above and beyond when caring for kids. 🙌🏾

CEO continues to grow with purpose and intention to make impact where needed most in the community - join us!

Quimari Mullins
Zak Mahshie
Marguarite Gooden
Jamie Abrams
Zakiya Worthey

10/29/2024

It is exactly one week until Election Day, but that doesn’t mean wait…vote now! Get out and make your voice heard. Have you voted yet? If not, do you have a voting plan? Let us know down below.

06/28/2024

🔍🕵️‍♂️Mystery Solved, Goal Achieved! 🕵️‍♀️🔍

Last night's CEO's Summer Murder Mystery Dinner was a killer success! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of intrigue, laughter, and top-notch detective work. 🕵️‍♂️🍽️ Your sleuthing skills were on point, and thanks to your support, we not only cracked the case but also smashed our fundraising goal! 🥳🎉

We couldn't have done it without our fabulous community of super sleuths. Here's to more nights of mystery, camaraderie, and making a difference in our community together!

Stay tuned for the next thrilling chapter and we will see you all at the next CEO event.

06/12/2024

Yesterday, Virginia Delegate Alfonso Lopez presented a state legislature proclamation to Mrs. Antoinette Dempsey-Waters, an 18-year veteran educator and award-winning history teacher, for her pivotal role in developing the College Board's AP African American Studies course. The event, organized by CEO, celebrated Mrs. Dempsey-Waters’ contributions to African American history education in Northern Virginia. We were honored to coordinate such an impactful and important commemoration.

06/04/2024

Please join us for a night of fun and mystery, murder mystery that is! 🕵🏾👀👁️ This event will help to raise funds for our amazing non profit that connects our youth with resources and opportunities to further their greatness and empower them to be the best versions of themselves. Thank you in advance for any donations that you are able to contribute to our fundraiser! Tickets are on sale now! Snag yours before they are sold out!

05/28/2024

Thank you to everyone who came out to our Cocktails for a Cause event last Thursday at The City Club of Washington! We had an amazing turnout and were able to network with a diverse group of DMV community members. 🍹✨

The evening was filled with delightful conversations, fantastic food, and delicious drinks. 🍽️🍸

Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, we had incredible live music that kept the energy high and set the perfect tone for the night. 🎶🎤

Your support means the world to us, and we’re grateful for everyone who made this event such a success. Stay tuned for more events and opportunities to connect with our wonderful CEO community!

05/21/2024

Join us this Thursday!!

This is a great networking event or a night out with friends to enjoy live music, great food and drinks, and support a wonderful organization. 🎉

Part of the proceeds from the event will go directly to CEO and be used for the creation of CEO’s workforce development program focusing on IT and trade for youth 15-25.

See you there!

Please join Coalition for Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) at “Cocktails for a Cause,” hosted by the City Club of Washington.

This is a great networking event or a night out with friends to enjoy live music, great food and drinks, and support a wonderful organization. 🎉

Part of the proceeds from the event will go directly to CEO and be used for the creation of CEO’s workforce development program focusing on IT and trade for youth 15-25. 👷🏾‍♂️

Hope to see you there! 🙌🏾