About Us

Saleem and Ivy Hylton are native Washingtonians, graduates of the DC Public School System, and long time community activist, deeply entrenched in the community for over 77 collective years of service.  Saleem is a graduate of Bell Vocational High School, and Ivy is a graduate of Calvin Coolidge High School. Saleem was appointed by the Mayor to serve as one of the first leaders in the Mayors Youth Leadership Institute, and co-founder of the first Boys Rites of passage programs in the City. Ivy was one of the first Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment students to become an employee in the Department of Recreation for the City during the 70’s. Together, they have worked tirelessly in D.C. Government, non-profit and for profit entities in the city, creating major impact, long time friendships, and powerful community allies in social justice, personal transformation and empowerment for children, adolescents, adults and professionals.  Their latest vision and dedicated contribution to the City is the transformative philosophy of Balanced and Restorative Justice. The Hylton’s were determined to find ways of sustaining the Restorative Justice movement in the city seventeen years ago, dedicated to demonstrating how RJ could save lives, transform the criminal justice, and educational systems in the city.

“I believe helping others discover the path to their own healing is my gift from the universe.”  A licensed clinical therapist with over twenty years of professional Social Work experience. Dr. Rhonda is a tenured Associate Professor and Director of Morgan State University Ph.D. Department of Social Work. Served as the Principle Investigator and Director of a quality Childcare Initiative for the District of Columbia Early Care and Education Administration. She is a past Chair, Co-Chair and Chief Instructor of the National Association of Black Social Worker Academy for African Centered Social Work. Dr. Rhonda is in private practice serving as a clinical supervisor, professional development trainer, educator and holistic clinician. She is a strong advocate and specialty provider for survivors of rape, sexual abuse, trauma and domestic violence.

“I am committed to reclaiming our children, rebuilding our families and reviving our communities.” Seventeen years managing non-profit organizations, specializing in community outreach, grant writing, program development, healthy lifestyles and chronic disease prevention.  Dr. Nura has a special passion for evaluation and program planning logic models. Through the design and implementation of comprehensive economic development projects, Dr. Nura is a key investor in providing educational outreach activities to the community. As a major resource for distributing early childhood literacy books to low income children, Dr. Nura is single handedly responsible for the upliftment of thousands of families in the District of Columbia with the campaign to fight Synthetic Marijuana.

“We have to deal with both sides of the coin, not only outside, but within our own movement as a people who are progressive together.” Dean and Professor for the College of Health and Human Services at the University of Toledo.  Chair for the Department of criminal justice and Social Work, specializing in Race and Social Justice Restorative Practices. Dr. Morris has demonstrated extraordinary skill at building highly successful evidenced based University Restorative programs, and then sharing them with the local community successfully. Specializing in the areas of social work, violence prevention, criminal justice and cultural diversity. Dr. Morris
is Co-Chair of the Juvenile Justice reform Committee for the State of Ohio and an accomplished writer published in many professionals journals such as; The American Journal of Criminal Justice, International Journal of Offenders Therapy & Comparative Criminology, Journal of Criminal Justice and Law to name a few.

Doctorate of Social Phenomenal Research “I am envisioning ending poverty, ethnic hatred, crime and ineffective education in my lifetime.” Has served as National Executive Director of the Future America Basic Research Institute since January 2000. Offering diagnosis, solutions and remedies for how to live out the principles of the American Creed without lack, doubt and fear.  Dr. Kilolo also serves as the Executive Assistant to the World Conference of Mayors, Inc. in its adoption of the Future America Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., American Dream Institute Initiative; and chairs the Women in the NAACP for Prince George’s County, Maryland. Her career as a public servant spans 30 years developing, managing and administering programs for children, youth and families in the District of Columbia as a former Administrator for the Youth Services Administration, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and California.

“I am dedicated to ensuring the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights for all and to eliminate racial hatred and discrimination from the planet.” Works with communities to overcome the challenges of community based crime. A Community and Restorative Justice practices expert with national and state initiatives. Dale’s area of expertise is in developing community capacity and strategies to overcome crime through adoption and implementation of community justice philosophy and practices. Dale has over 32 years of experience in the criminal justice system, including 21 years in the US Army Military Police Regiment, initially as a Military Policeman then progressively advancing through Investigator, Detachment Commander, Community Policing-Domestic Violence Unit Supervisor, District/Regional/Senior Law Enforcement (L/E) Operations Manager and Three-Star General Officer. Currently serves as the President of Tallahassee NAACP.