HISTORY

Dr. Aaron Wade founded EE2 in 2008. He has always been a believer in the limitless potential of young people who are provided proper structure and opportunities to achieve success early in life. He is also a staunch supporter of community-based, self-determinative ventures. From his vision, EE2 was designed to provide life skills, coaching, facilitation, and motivational speaking to young adults and community organizations. We employ staff with experience in coaching, college success and workforce readiness, which allows for an effective, measurable program. Initially, it was strictly life skills, but through youth input, has grown to encompass college preparedness, team building, and musicology-based programming. In 2013, we moved from Ward 5 to Ward 8, with 53% of our participants being Ward 7 and 8 residents. Relocating to Ward 8, PSA 701 has assisted our returning youth with bringing their friends to the program. This move secured a long-term program space for EE2 that allowed us to be a safe haven in the community. Since 2013, we have served 750 young folks in our summer program and over 500 community members through our feeding program.

Since locating in our current site, we have become well-known throughout the DC community. We have served our community through a host of various programs: community feeding, financial empowerment, safe summer kick off, community health fair, HIV and STI prevention, and senior engagement. Additionally, we have presented town hall meetings with city officials against violence and we have led the way against gun violence in the ward 8 community with rallies, forums, and prayer vigils all at our current site.

Rev. Dr. Aaron B. Wade

Founder and Board Chairman

Dr. Aaron B. Wade is a distinguished civic leader, scholar, and entrepreneur, celebrated for his contributions to social justice, leadership development, and theology. Appointed Vice Chair of the Mayoral Advisory Committee on LGBTQ Affairs in 2023, he has championed inclusivity and societal progression in the District of Columbia. As the Founder and Senior Pastor of The Community Church of Washington, DC, United Church of Christ, Dr. Wade successfully led the congregation to acquire a $2.2 million property in DC before his retirement in 2022. The church honored him with the title of Founder and Pastor Emeritus.

Academically, Dr. Wade graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Howard University School of Divinity and holds a Doctorate from Chicago Theology Seminary. He has provides oversight for more than $2.2 million in grants and scholarships as the Minister of Church Leadership Development of the United Church of Christ. His entrepreneurial endeavors include Empowerment Enterprise Group, LLC and Empowerment Enterprise II, Inc., reflecting his dedication to community empowerment. A former Chair of the New Church Development Committee in the Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Dr. Wade's leadership has been far-reaching. He also initiated the Inclusive Church Conference (ICC) and "Churches on The Frontline," both aimed at promoting social equality and inclusivity. Dr. Wade continues to work tirelessly for social justice from his home in Washington, DC.

Robert Bobby Faison

Executive Program Director

Robert "Bobby" Faison is a passionate community change agent who currently serves as the Executive Program Director at Empowerment Enterprise 2, INC in Washington, DC, as a member of the Executive Leadership Team at The Community Church of Washington, DC -UCC, and as Minister of Faith Formation and Mission at Emmaus United Church of Christ in Vienna, VA. A Master of Divinity candidate at Wesley Theological Seminary, Faison has dedicated over 15 years to the human resources field and has served in various leadership roles within the United Church of Christ. Born in Richmond, VA, and currently residing in Greenbelt, VA, Faison enjoys reading, travel, and quality time with family when he's not serving his community. Guided by James 1:22, Faison seeks to create meaningful change in the world through his actions.