Here you can find resources on DC Home Rule.
Home Rule Act | District of Columbia Self-Government & Government Reorganization Act by DC Appleseed
Directory from our expert panelists
Anacostia Parks & Community Collaborative
DC Appleseed Center for Law and Policy
Urban Forestry Advisory Council
Our Panelists
Dr. Annette Olson, Founder and President, Climate Steps; Co-Founder/Team, Earth Hero app; Co-Founder, DC Public Tool Library
Dr. Annette Olson is an environmental scientist and the Founder and President of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Climate Steps, www.climatesteps.org, which provides science-based, accessible information on the types of impactful climate actions people can take around the world. Prior to this endeavor, she served as a scientist, outreach liaison, project director, and strategist for over 23 years in the environmental sciences for the U.S. Federal government, including the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Geological Survey and NOAA, and for the nonprofit American Association for the Advancement of Science. However, she made a major life change in 2020, becoming a full-time climate activist, and helped turn Climate Steps, as well as the app Earth Hero (www.EarthHero.org), into sustainable, growing organizations. Due to an article in Climate Steps, and as the lead of the hyperlocal group Green Neighbors DC, she also jump-started Washington DC’s Tool Library system (www.dctoollibrary.org). Annette holds a B.S. from Baylor University, TX, and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Miami, FL, for which she studied the behavioral ecology of a species of mongoose in the forests of West Africa. Seeing the massive deforestation occurring in W. Africa led her to work on environmental issues with agencies and organizations.
Brenda Lee Richardson, Coordinator, Anacostia Parks & Community Collaborative; President, Chozen Consulting, LLC
Ms. Richardson is an eco-feminist and has been working on welfare reform, environmental justice, economic development, education, behavioral health and health issues for the past 30 years. She currently serves as the Coordinator of the Anacostia Parks & Community Collaborative as well the President of Chozen Consulting, LLC, a consulting company that focuses on community engagement, facilitation, training, and government relations, and is the Principal for “Women Like Us,” an initiative that focuses on design thinking for women. She also facilitates the Police Service Area 702 Outreach Committee where she works in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Department and the community to address critical issues. She serves as the Chair of the Friends of Parkland Turner Library. She is a member of the Urban Forestry Advisory Council as well. Formerly, Ms. Richardson was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Councilmember Marion Barry. Ms. Richardson also served as the Managing Director of the Metropolitan Dialogue, a group of people of faith who met monthly to discuss civic issues in D.C., for many years. From 1995 to 1996, Ms. Richardson was the Director of Resident Services for the D.C. Housing Authority, and prior to that, she was the Executive Director of the Anacostia/Congress Heights Partnership. Ms. Richardson is currently a board member of Casey Trees, Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Urban Forestry Advisory Council, Capital Nature, Bridges Across the River and the Council of Governments Access For All Community Council. She is the former Chair of Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Community Advisory Council. She is a former board member of A Greater Washington, Anacostia Watershed Society, Congress Heights Main Streets, DC Commission of Women, DC Public Library Trustee, DC Water Trustee. She has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Jamoni Overby, DC Conservation Advocate, Nature Forward
Jamoni Overby is a dedicated community advocate, social impact strategist, and connector whose work is rooted in uplifting Black communities and advancing equity across Washington, DC and beyond. With a strong background in community development, environmental justice, and storytelling, Jamoni has spent her career ensuring that historically marginalized voices are not only heard but centered in decision-making spaces.
As an advocate, Jamoni has championed initiatives that connect residents to resources, expand access to green spaces, and create opportunities for sustainable community development. Her work has included organizing large-scale events such as the Taking Nature Black Conference, designing youth-focused climate justice programs, and amplifying Black students’ voices in national conversations on environmental solutions. Through her consulting and community projects, she has helped grassroots organizations and nonprofits strengthen their capacity in grant writing, program design, and strategy, ensuring they can continue serving their communities effectively.
Jamoni’s work is deeply personal, shaped by her lived experience as a fifth generation Washingtonian by way of Prince George’s County who understands the intersections of housing, health, environment, and culture. She is committed to protecting community, traditions, and rights and using her superpowers to help advance the experiences of the Black community and other disfavored communities.
Vanessa Batters-Thompson, Executive Director, DC Appleseed
Vanessa Batters-Thompson joined DC Appleseed as its executive director in May 2022. Vanessa brings to her role more than twenty years of litigation, policy, and advocacy experience, as well as a passion for serving the District community.
Prior to joining DC Appleseed, Vanessa worked at the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center as their Associate Director of Legal Services for Individuals and Families. In this role, Vanessa spearheaded the launch and directed the Family Law Assistance Network, a joint endeavor of several legal service providers to offer parents and caregivers family law services through a single, accessible, intake point. As co-manager of the Pro Bono Center’s Advocacy & Justice Clinic, Vanessa oversaw the intake and matching of up to 300 clients per year with pro bono attorneys from private law firms and the public sector. Vanessa additionally supervised and provided substantive guidance to the Pro Bono Center’s individual representation training program, which won the D.C. Bar’s 2022 Frederick B. Abramson Award.
Prior to joining the Pro Bono Center, Vanessa worked for an anti-poverty organization, Bread for the City, providing direct representation to clients and engaging in systematic advocacy regarding child support issues. From 2009 through 2011, Vanessa served as a Friedman Fellow for the George Washington University Law School, teaching and supervising students handling domestic violence and family law cases through the Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics. While in law school, Vanessa clerked for the Mental Health Division of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, as well as the Humane Society of the United States.
Vanessa obtained her J.D. from the George Washington University Law School and her B.A. from American University with a certificate in Women, Policy, and Political Leadership. She currently lives with her partner, daughter, and dog. During her downtime, Vanessa likes camping, reading, and growing flowers.
Climate Classes DC 