About
Our Staff
Reverend Donald E. Robinson, M. Div.
Founder and President
Email DRobinson@beaconhousedc.org
Reverend Donald E. Robinson is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister who founded Beacon House in 1991 with the support of the Edgewood residents and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area Unitarian Universalist churches. Reverend Robinson has devoted the last thirty years of his life to improving the lives of at-risk youth, serving as a teacher, community youth counselor, social service representative, and community organizer. He has received two masters degrees; a masters degree in Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity in 1989 and a masters degree in Counseling and Community Psychology from the University of the District of Columbia in 1977. Besides his usual 24/7 commitment to Beacon House, Reverend Robinson also speaks at various UU churches, performs invocations for various agencies, and serves as a community resource for any individual in need.
Gerry Kittner, Interim Executive Director
Email GKittner@beaconhousedc.org
Gerry became Beacon House’s Interim Executive Director on September 1, 2012. He spent the first 25 years of his career as a lawyer and businessman in the telecommunications field. He became involved with Beacon House as a volunteer and Board member at its inception in 1991. He joined the staff of Beacon House as Development Director in May 2003 and became Deputy Director in May 2005. Gerry is a founding and current Board Member of the DC Alliance of Youth Advocates, a coalition of some 95 youth serving organizations that work for policies that better the lives of children and youth in the District.
Keima Butler
Education Program Manager
Email KButler@beaconhousedc.org
Ms. Butler has been with Beacon House since 2006 and is in charge of enrichment programs for our elementary school children. Ms. Butler is the project manager for Beacon House's 21st Century Community Learning Center grant and oversees and manages Beacon House's one-on-one math and reading tutoring program called FOCUS on Excellence.
Rodney Cephas
Athletic Director
Email RCephas@beaconhousedc.org
Rodney Cephas has served as Beacon House's Athletic Director since 1997. Rodney is a lifelong resident of the District of Columbia and graduated from Spingarn Senior High School. Rodney grew Beacon House's athletic program from a one man, one team operation to today managing multiple football teams, boys and girls basketball teams, and boys and girls baseball teams and cheerleading teams. Rodney's programs engage over 300 children and youth in physically and emotionally healthy exercise. The athletic program relies on roughly 90 volunteers coaches, including fathers, mothers uncles, cousins, siblings and friends. He is committed to teaching not only physical education, but sportsmanship, discipline, and team building as well. He serves as a positive male role model to hundreds of youth. Outside of Beacon House, he is the doting of father of two girls.
Morrisa Hargrove
Teen Director
Email MHargrove@beaconhousedc.org
Ms Hargrove has been with Beacon House since 2003 and serves as Beacon House's Teen Director. She manages Beacon House's Teen Tutoring Program, our Targeting the Future college readiness program, our Xtreme Teens life-skills mentoring program and more. She is a graduate of Southeastern University.
Kenya Cleveland
Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator/Admin. Asst.
kcleveland@beaconhousedc.org
Ms. Cleveland joined Beacon House in 2012 to help us recruit and manage the many volunteers whose efforts greatly enhance our ability to serve our children and youth. In addition to recruiting volunteers, Ms. Cleveland helps manage our relationship with the Office of State Superintendent's Food Program, as well as Beacon House's electronic communications.
Minnie Parker
Nutrition Assistant
Email: MParker@beaconhouse.org
Minnie Parker has worked with Beacon House since it's inception in 1991. Currently she serves in the capacity of Nutrition Coordinator, managing Beacon House's USDA sponsored after school snack and dinner program and the summer feeding breakfast, lunch, and snack program. She holds her ServeSafe Food Handlers Certificate and manages other staff in the kitchen. Ms. Parker has 5 children and 7 grandchildren, and serves as grandmother to hundreds of children and families in the Edgewood community as well.
Charles Robinson
Program Assistant
Email: CRobinson@beaconhousedc.org
Charlie grew up in the Edgewood community. With a strong desire to give back to his community, he joined Beacon House in 1991. During his time with Beacon House, he served as a counselor at the Beacon House summer camp for many years, as a sports coach, and as a nutrition program assistant. He is passionate about improving the educational level of our youth.