A Pioneer Washington, DC, Center
Founded in 1968, Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, Inc. (ECMPCC) is a nonprofit early childhood education and family support organization dedicated to promoting school readiness, healthy child development, and family well-being throughout the District of Columbia.
For more than five decades, ECMPCC has provided comprehensive early childhood services through Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Care Subsidy, CACFP, health and nutrition services, family engagement programs, and community partnerships.
Today, ECMPCC serves infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and families through multiple locations across Washington, DC, while maintaining a strong commitment to educational excellence, equity, and family empowerment.
Accreditation
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
The Ruth E. Rucker Building is proud to be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s leading organization for high-quality early childhood education.
NAEYC Accreditation demonstrates our commitment to:
- High-Quality Teaching Practices
- Safe and Healthy Learning Environments
- Family Engagement
- Child-Centered Curriculum
- Continuous Quality Improvement
Center History (Timeline of Mrs. Ruth Elizabeth Rucker)
Our founding director, Mrs. Rucker, at the time a recent college graduate and mother of three, had a dream. She wanted to work and become successful, so her children could have a better chance in life, but it was a dream she struggled to achieve because of inadequate early learning services in DC back then.
Eventually, Mrs. Rucker realized the problem may not be exclusive to her. If she, an educated young mother, did not have access to adequate child care to support her employment, how much worse could the plight be for other parents in her community who lacked the educational background or support needed to start a career?
1965
In late summer of 1968, the UPO (United Planning Organization) chose Mrs. Rucker’s location as the area where Washington, D.C.’s first Parent Child Center (PCC) would be established with a start-up grant from the National Office of Economic Opportunity, the government agency that launched the Head Start Program under President Lyndon Baines Johnson.
1968
Mrs. Rucker informally conducted what we would call today a Community Needs Assessment, which helped her discover that many other families faced the same problem she had. Thus, as she set out to pursue her dream for her own family, she also helped others meet their needs.
At that time, however, Mrs. Rucker faced strong opposition from the political world and even from the social and working classes. Fortunately, Mrs. Rucker did not take ‘no’ for an answer and continued to pursue her passion. She persevered against all odds as she sought to live her dreams while helping other mothers do the same.
1985
Fifty years later, issues about early childhood learning still exist, but Mrs. Rucker’s efforts were never forgotten. Our current and former Board Members, staff, parents, and the Washington, DC community have repeatedly honored her by celebrating the many hours of service she gave to the center.
When asked during one ceremony about her secret of success, Mrs. Rucker responded (in a very soft voice), “The Mazique Center has always put children first, and the staff has continued through the years to always seek to identify and meet the critical needs of the children and families.”
2017
Mrs. Rucker passed away on September 8, 2018, but our founding director’s dream lives on, and we are all grateful for her tenacity, her bold stand for equality, and her perseverance in reaching her goal of empowering families in the District of Columbia through services rendered at the different Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, Inc. locations.
2018
A Beacon of Light in the Community
Learn more about Mrs. Ruth Elizabeth Rucker and the history and founding of the Mazique Parent Child Center in this video.
Our Organizational Structure
The Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, Inc. has a fully engaged governance structure that works collaboratively to improve outcomes for the children and families we serve.
Policy Council
The Policy Council is made of current and former Head Start and Early Head Start parents who partner with key management staff and the Board of Directors to develop, review, and approve organizational policies and procedures; communicate with parents; coordinate and organize program activities; and assist in mobilizing community resources to address the needs of children and families.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors consists of the Chairman and 6 members who provide leadership, advocacy, accountability, and program and financial oversight to the organization to ensure effective management and fulfilment of its mission.
Our Team
Board of Directors
2026-2027 Roster
| Name | Term | Position on Board/Committees |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Wendell Campbell | Active Since: 10/2005 | Chairman of the Board /PC Liaison Committee Member: Executive, Audit, Finance |
| Bertie Bryant | Active Since: 2/9/2009 | Board Vice Chairman Committee Member: Executive, Fundraising |
| Dr. Elaine Bourne Heath | Active Since: 11/2005 | Secretary Committee Member: Executive, Fundraising |
| Dr. Artie L. Polk | Active Since: 7/2005 | Treasurer Committee Member: Executive Finance, Fundraising |
| Charles Ray, Attorney | Active Since: 9/2011 | Committee Member: Legal Advisor/Representative |
| Abiodun I. Bello MBA, CIA, CISA, CFE, ACA | Active Since: 08/2016 | Certified Accountant Finance Committee Chair |
Administration
Our Administrative Team consists of certified and dedicated individuals with the content knowledge and expertise of their respective service areas.
Dr. Wendell Campbell
Chairman of the Board
Almeta R. Keys, M.Ed., M.Div.
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Girum A. Gebretsadik, DBA, CMA, MBA, MSA
Chief Financial Officer
Abosede Oyebo
Human Capital Officer
Lettie M. Williams
Teaching and Learning Officer
Laurencia Ampedu
Family and Community Engagement Officer
Sarah Nasson
Nutrition Specialist
Gloria Kimaro
Grants Management Specialist
Christina L. Benjamin, MPH, MCHES, CLC
Quality Assurance/Special Projects/Health Specialist
Dr. Wendell Campbell
Chairman of the Board
Bio Coming Soon
Almeta R. Keys, M.Ed., M.Div.
Chief Executive Officer
Bio Coming Soon
Dr. Girum A. Gebretsadik, DBA, CMA, MBA, MSA
Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Girum A. Gebretsadik, DBA, CMA, MBA, MSA, is a Chief Financial Officer with more than 20 years of progressive experience in financial management, accounting, budgeting, auditing, compliance, and strategic planning. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration, a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Accounting, and the Certified Management Accountant credential.
Dr. Gebretsadik brings extensive expertise in nonprofit financial management, government grant administration, financial reporting, internal controls, risk management, and organizational leadership. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale financial operations, implemented cost-saving initiatives, strengthened fiscal accountability, and improved operational efficiency.
His leadership emphasizes strategic financial planning, regulatory compliance, sustainable organizational growth, and strong stewardship of financial resources.
Abosede Oyebo
Human Capital Officer
Abosede Oyebo, Human Capital Officer at Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, Inc., leads the agency’s human resources functions, including talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, professional development, and workforce planning. She is dedicated to building a strong, engaged workforce that supports the agency’s mission of providing high-quality services to children and families.
With close to two decades of hands-on experience in early childhood education, Ms. Oyebo brings a unique perspective to human resource management, having worked directly in classroom settings as a teacher, center director, and mentor coach.
Ms. Oyebo holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in human resource management.
Lettie M. Williams
Teaching and Learning Officer
Bio Coming Soon
Laurencia Ampedu
Family and Community Engagement Officer
Laurencia Ampedu serves as the Family and Community Engagement Officer at Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, Inc., where she strengthens partnerships between families, schools, and community organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Psychology from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, an Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from The Catholic University of America, and a Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate.
With over 18 years of experience in early childhood education, Laurencia has also served as a center director. Her areas of expertise in her current role include enrollment support, family support
services, family engagement activity planning and coordination, parent communication, relationship building, community outreach, early childhood development, and program coordination.
She is dedicated to empowering families and strengthening community connections through inclusive engagement practices that support positive outcomes for children and families.
Sarah Nasson
Health and Nutrition Officer
Sarah Nasson currently serves as Health and Nutrition Officer at the Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, Inc. As Health and Nutrition Officer with over seven years of experience, she oversees integrated health and nutrition services that promote children’s well-being and healthy development. Her responsibilities include coordinating health screenings, ensuring compliance with program requirements, supporting family engagement, facilitating access to healthcare resources, and monitoring individualized health needs.
Sarah also leads nutrition initiatives through menu oversight, nutrition education, food safety practices, and dietary accommodations. Through collaboration with families, staff, healthcare providers, and community partners, she fosters environments that support positive health outcomes for every child.
Gloria Kimaro
Grants Management Specialist
Gloria is a dedicated Grant Management Specialist at Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, Inc. (ECMPCC) with over 10 years of experience in financial management, grant administration, and program support. Holding an MBA in Finance, Gloria is passionate about helping secure and manage funding that strengthens high-quality early childhood programs.
With expertise in maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring compliance, and supporting effective resource management. Gloria is committed to helping ECMPCC serve children and families with excellence, care, and integrity.
Christina L. Benjamin, MPH, MCHES, CLC
Quality Assurance/Special Projects/Training Specialist
Christina L. Benjamin is a Quality Assurance/Special Projects/Training Specialist with the Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, Inc. In this role, she facilitates and writes the organization’s self-assessment, community needs assessment, and parent newsletters. She organizes and develops systems for recruiting new staff, conducts quality assurance assessments, and develops and facilitates professional development.
For over 20 years, Christina has been involved in cultivating relationships and collaborating with community-based organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies to improve the health, education, and well-being of young children and their families.
Christina earned an Artium Baccalaureus in History at Rollins College and a master’s in public health degree specializing in Maternal and Child Health from the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. She is also a Master Certified Health Education Specialist and Certified Lactation Counselor.