District Of Columbia 2023-2024 Regular Session

District Of Columbia Council Bill PR25-1023 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	MURIEL BOWSER
2	2	MAYOR
3	3	Octo
4	4	ber 18, 2024
5	5	The Honorable Phil Mendelson
6	6	Chairman
7	7	Council of
8	8	the District of Co lumbia
9	9	John A. Wilson Building
10	10	1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
11	11	Washington, DC 20004
12	12	Dear Chairman Mende lson:
13	13	In accordance with section 2
14	14	of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
15	15	142;
16	16	D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to Section 204 of Title II of the Water and Sewer
17	17	Authority
18	18	Establishment and Department of Public Works Reorganization Act of 1996, effective April
19	19	18,
20	20	1996 (D.C. Law 11-111; D.C. Official Code § 34- 2202.04), I am pleased to nominate the following
21	21	individual:
22	22	Dr. Unique N. Morris-Hughes
23	23	Q Street, NE
24	24	Washington, DC 20002
25	25	(Ward 5)
26	26	for appointment as a District resident
27	27	member of the Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors,
28	28	filling
29	29	a vacant seat formerly held by Keith Anderson, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end
30	30	September 12, 2027.
31	31	Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned
32	32	nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
33	33	I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
34	34	do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
35	35	Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
36	36	Sincerely,
37	37	Muriel Bowser
38	38	Mayor 1
39	39	2
40	40	3
41	41	4
42	42	5
43	43	6
44	44	7
45	45	8
46	46	9
47	47	at the request
48	48	of the Mayor
49	49	A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
50	50	10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
51	51	11
52	52	12
53	53	13
54	54	14
55	55	15 To confirm the appointment of Dr. Unique N. Morris-Hughes to the District of Columbia Water
56	56	16 and Sewer Authority Board of Directors.
57	57	17
58	58	18 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this
59	59	19 resolution may be cited as the "District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority Board of
60	60	20 Directors Dr. Unique N. Morris-Hughes Confirmation Resolution of 2024".
61	61	21 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
62	62	22
63	63	23 Dr. Unique N. Morris-Hughes
64	64	24 Wright Terrace, NE
65	65	25 Washington, DC 20018
66	66	26 (Ward
67	67	5)
68	68	27
69	69	28 as a District resident member of the Board of Directors of the District of Columbia Water and
70	70	29 Sewer Authority, established by Section 204
71	71	of the Water and Sewer Authority Establishment
72	72	30 and Department of Public Works Reorganization Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C.
73	73	31 Law 11-111; D.C. Official Code§ 34-2202.04) , filling a vacant seat formerly held by Keith
74	74	32 Anderson, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end September 12, 2027.
75	75	33 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
76	76	34 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
77	77	35 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately. …continued…
78	78	Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
79	79	Washington, DC
80	80	Education
81	81	Doctor of Philosophy, Organizational Leadership, \| University of Maryland Eastern Shore \| Princess Anne, MD
82	82	Master of Business Administration \| Trinity College \| Washington, DC
83	83	Bachelor of Arts, English \| Johnson C. Smith University \| Charlotte, NC
84	84	Study Abroad \| Al Akhawayn University \| Ifrane, Morocco
85	85	Career Experience
86	86	Director\| 2018 – Present
87	87	District of Columbia Department of Employment Services/State Workforce Agency, Washington, DC
88	88	As the Director, the chief responsibility of this position is to act in the role of state labor secretary and provide oversight and
89	89	leadership to over 900 employees across eight divisions in five different locations. Lead the state workforce agency and
90	90	provide local leadership in workforce training, labor law enforcement, unemployment insurance, paid family leave, workers
91	91	compensation and occupational health and safety. Serve as the chief steward of three trust funds which include
92	92	unemployment insurance, workers compensation and paid family leave which total over $800 million dollars. Oversee agency
93	93	budget of $60 million dollars in local funds, $50 million in capital funds, and over $20 million in federal funds.
94	94	Selected Accomplishments:
95	95	•Implemented a $25 million workers’ compensation rebate or reduction in upfront costs to insurance carriers and
96	96	self-insured employers doing business in the District of Columbia.
97	97	•Provided oversight of programs where over 30,000 individual participants were served during the last three fiscal
98	98	years (30,307 individuals).
99	99	•Lead the agency to deliver more than 320,000 services provided to workforce development participants for the last
100	100	three fiscal years (324,044 services).
101	101	•Provided training that led to DOES customers to earn more than $700M in wages during the last five fiscal years
102	102	($706,289,539 earned).
103	103	•Selected as a 2018 Workforce Game Changer for outstanding service to the field of workforce development.
104	104	•Advanced the District of Columbia’s state workforce strategic plan, Vision Forward which creates a blueprint for the
105	105	state workforce agency.
106	106	•Commissioned an independent and peer-reviewed research, Strategic Priorities: Create Workforce Opportunities for
107	107	Youth in Washington DC.
108	108	•Developed the annual Talent Forward DC: Annual Economic Report providing a quantitate look at key economic
109	109	factors in the District of Columbia.
110	110	•Create a new approach to business services by launching the Office of Talent and Client Services.
111	111	•Honored by Walkers Legacy as the 2018 Community Advocate award.
112	112	•Successfully launch the Paid Family Leave program on-time and under budget
113	113	Chief Strategy Officer & Acting, Chief of Staff \| 2016 – 2017
114	114	District of Columbia Department of Employment Services, Washington, DC
115	115	Lead the agency in a strategic “turn-around” effort to eliminate federal non-compliance and bring the agency into good
116	116	standing with US Department of Labor. Design and implement turnaround and operational strategies to improve agency
117	117	federal program performance. Work with the Office of the Deputy Mayor and the Director of the Employment Services as
118	118	subject matter expert with federal program implementation. Create policies that promote a positive culture and atmosphere.
119	119	Lead agency performance management, labor market information and research agenda. Develop innovative grant funding
120	120	program to build capacity of the network of training providers that serve at-risk youth and students.
121	121	Selected Accomplishments: Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
122	122	2
123	123	•Lead the efforts for the District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services Office of Youth Programs to exit
124	124	“High Risk”.
125	125	•Accelerated the enforcement of existing local labor laws to increase the number of employed District
126	126	resident’s, highlighted by administering the First Source program penalty in the program’s history.
127	127	•Attaining a top five (5) national ranking within the District’s worker’s compensation program and
128	128	recovering more than $25M in back wages and damages on behalf of District residents.
129	129	•Lead the DC Infrastructure Academy which initial strategic investment which was funded at $22.5M.
130	130	Develop and launch innovative training program focused on connecting the infrastructure industry
131	131	(transportation and logistics, information security, public utilities, and energy efficient technologies) to
132	132	the District’s skilled workforce.
133	133	•Implemented the reorganization of the nation’s largest summer youth employment program of approximately
134	134	13,000 participants to include 22-24 year old’s, as well as the inaugural launch of the Mayor’s Opportunity
135	135	Student Scholarship (MOSS), providing scholarships to 200 participants in excess of $250K.
136	136	•Oversee the Summer Youth Employment Program for the District of Columbia where Forbes magazine cites
137	137	Washington DC is the number one city for summer jobs.
138	138	Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Acting Assistant Superintendent for Wellness and Nutrition \| 2014 – 2016
139	139	District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Washington, DC
140	140	Oversaw eight offices totaling 82 full time employees and supported core functions of agency. Lead the agency in a strategic
141	141	“turn-around” effort to eliminate federal non-compliance and bring the agency into good standing with US Department of
142	142	Education.
143	143	Selected Accomplishments:
144	144	•Lead the District of Columbia through a corrective action plan which led the District of Columbia to be off the “High-
145	145	Risk” sanctions which were previously held for over 15 years.
146	146	•Supervised three facilities maintained by the agency and oversaw per pupil funding, enrollment processes and
147	147	general tuition payments for residents.
148	148	•Lead Federal Programs Office, overseeing approximately $75 million and entitlement programs of Title I, Title II and
149	149	Title III.
150	150	•Managed annual enrollment audit for the DC, allocating $650 million of funds to support the public school system.
151	151	•Governed all offices under COO; including, but not limited to, Wellness and Nutrition Services, Office of Contracts
152	152	and Procurement, Office of Enrollment and Residency, and Office of Dispute Resolution.
153	153	•Lead highest ranked Summer Meals program in the country as designated by the United States Department of
154	154	Agriculture.
155	155	•Created cross-cutting federal education grants guidance aligning cost and activities amongst five grants.
156	156	Deputy Assistant Superintendent, Federal Grants Management \| 2012 – 2014
157	157	Deputy Director, Office of Grants Management and Compliance 2012-2013
158	158	Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Washington, DC
159	159	Demonstrate expert knowledge of federal grant program laws, regulations, accounting principles, procurement laws governing
160	160	public funds, applicable Office of Budget and Management Circulars, and the Education Department Government
161	161	Administrative Regulations. Offered technical support and training to program managers. Developed and provided guidance
162	162	on grants management policies. Trained and provided knowledge of A-133 audit of grant programs. Also served as Deputy
163	163	Director and Director of the Office of Grants Management and Compliance from 2012 to 2013.
164	164	Assistant Head of School, Performance \| 2011 – 2012
165	165	Septima Clark Public Charter School, Washington, DC
166	166	Serve as liaison to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Public Charter School Board, and other District of
167	167	Columbia Agencies. Advised school faculty and staff on the effects of current policy and legislation. Offered guidance to staff
168	168	on DC Municipal Regulations. Delivered training to staff, leadership, and board of trustees on school operations policy.
169	169	Recruited and hired new staff and served as point of contact for all parents and staff. Also served as acting Special Education
170	170	Coordinator, overseeing special education staff. Achieved LEA level compliance for federal entitlements supplementary to
171	171	ESEA programs, Highly Qualified Teacher documentation, and other federal grants. Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
172	172	3
173	173	Program Manager/Center Director \| 2008 – 2009
174	174	District of Columbia Public Schools, Washington, DC
175	175	Created and implemented new programs that are measurable and high quality, such as Adult, Family, and English Language
176	176	Literacy Programs. Used research-based programs to create best practices, including NCLB compliance for Title I Part A and
177	177	Title III. Provided overall leadership and administration to staff of six. Provided resources, programs, and information to
178	178	shareholders and practitioners in professional communities. Produced outreach strategy and implementation plan; exceeded
179	179	20% target of student/family population.
180	180	Director of Programs \| 2006 – 2008
181	181	Junior Achievement of the National Capital Area, Washington, DC
182	182	Created opportunities for students to learn financial literacy, workforce preparedness, business, and economics. Created
183	183	opportunities for corporate partners and volunteers to teach students the importance of financial literacy, business, and
184	184	economics. Implemented research-based curriculum and programs. Served as primary contact for school system and district
185	185	government. Increased number of student participants within six months of program implementation. Generated resources
186	186	through fundraising.
187	187	Public Policy Coordinator \| 2002 – 2005
188	188	Amazon.com, Seattle, Washington & Washington, DC
189	189	Worked closely with the Vice President of Global Public Policy and Directors of US Federal and State Public Policy with
190	190	compliance. Conducted research on legislative proposals and provided briefs on legislation of interest to senior
191	191	management. Responsibly managed team budget and team internal website. Served as the political action committee (PAC)
192	192	coordinator and ensured compliance with federal election campaign laws.
193	193	Teaching Experience
194	194	Adjunct Instructor & Consultant \| USDA Graduate School, Washington, DC \| 2009 – 2016: Design instructional materials
195	195	for performance management courses. Provides training to state and federal employees for Program Evaluation.
196	196	Adjunct Faculty \| Trinity University, Washington, DC \| 2007 – 2010: In-classroom instructor while utilizing web-based
197	197	technology. Advised students on scholarly research and writing in courses: Human Resource Management, Organizational
198	198	Behavior, Principles of Management and Leadership, and Social Entrepreneurship.
199	199	Professional Service & Memberships
200	200	Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., 1999- present
201	201	Trustee, US Conference of Mayor’s Workforce Development Board, 2017 – present
202	202	Director for Region III, Board of Directors, National Association of State Workforce Agencies, 2020 – present
203	203	Board of Directors, Workforce Investment Council, District of Columbia, 2017 – present
204	204	Appointee/Mayor Designee, Adult Career Pathways Taskforce, 2017 – present
205	205	National Forum of Black Public Administrators, 2012 - Present
206	206	American Educational Research Association, 2010 – Present
207	207	Selected Publications, Speeches & Conference Presentations
208	208	Morris, U., December 2009. Measuring program performance and web 2.0 technologies: Getting the most from your
209	209	programs while engaging youth. NCNW-Dorothy Height Leadership Institute. Washington, DC. Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
210	210	Morris, U., April 2010. The Relationship between Servant Leadership Characteristics and State Domain Hope: Validation for
211	211	the Inclusion of Hope in the Servant Leadership Theoretical Model. University of Maryland Eastern Shore Research
212	212	Symposium. Princess Anne, MD.
213	213	Morris, U., October 2010. Critical perspectives of early literacy coaching and the affects in at-risk populations. Consortium
214	214	for Research on Educational Accountability- National Evaluation Institute. Williamsburg, VA.
215	215	Morris, U. (2012) Psychological Capital of African American Professionals as Influences of Performance and Job
216	216	Satisfaction as Mediated by Self-Perceived Authenticity., University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
217	217	(Doctoral Dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertation and Theses databases.
218	218	Morris, U., Crosson-Settler, R., Leach, F., & Edogun, K., April 2013. From Compliance to Reform: Balancing Efforts to Reform
219	219	Public Education in the District of Columbia. National Forum of Black Public Administrators National Conference. Atlanta,
220	220	GA.
221	221	Morris, U., August 2017. Keynote Address: Being Unapologetically Authentic as Young Government Leaders. Blacks in
222	222	Government National Conference. Atlantic City, NJ.
223	223	Morris, U., April 2017. Perspectives on the impact of practice, program, and policy. Rutgers University Urban Teaching
224	224	Matters Conference. Camden, NJ.
225	225	Morris-Hughes, U. June 2018. Private –Public Business Partnership Key to Strengthening DC Workforce and Economy. LA
226	226	Sentinel. https://lasentinel.net/tag/dr-unique-morris-hughes
227	227	Morris-Hughes, U. April 2018. DC Summer jobs program grows up. Washington Post.
228	228	https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/summer-jobs-for-young-people- are-an-investment-in-our-
229	229	future/2018/05/18/aa7fa4f6-5924-11e8-858f-12becb4d6067 story.html?noredirect=on&utm term=.f518f1926d51
230	230	Morris-Hughes, U. 2019, October. Smart Cities Connect Conference: Inclusion, Innovation, and the Workforce of the Future.
231	231	https://www.digi.city/articles/whats-new.
232	232	Morris-Hughes, U. 2019, October.” Inclusive future of work”. https://mayor.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-unveil-future-work-
233	233	dc.
234	234	Morris-Hughes, U. May 2019. Filling in the Workforce Gap Through Infrastructure Academies. American
235	235	Infrastructure Magazine. https://americaninfrastructuremag.com/filling-workforce-gap-infrastructure-academies/
236	236	Morris-Hughes, U. 2022. Talent Pipeline Launch Event with Senior Administration Officials, Employers, Union Leaders,
237	237	Training Providers, and Local Officials. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements
238	238	releases/2022/06/17/readout-of-talent-pipeline-challenge-launch-event-with-senior-administration-officials-employers-
239	239	union-leaders-training-providers-and-local-officials/.
240	240	Schreur, E., Yu, H., Pedigo, S., Standbrook, J., Taylor, M. & Morris-Hughes, U. ( 2022). A Refined Approach to
241	241	Measuring Take-Up Rates in Paid Family Leave Programs: A Case Study from The District of Columbia’s Paid Family
242	242	Leave Program [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Monthly Labor Review, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of
243	243	Labor.
244	244	_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
245	245	Awards and Honors
246	246	•2022 DC One Fund Ambassador – Appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser to serve as chief fundraiser the Districts
247	247	annual giving campaign supporting community-based organizations in the District of Columba. By Leading and
248	248	representing 37,000 DC government employees, Ambassador Morris-Hughes raised nearly $1.3 million dollars in the
249	249	67th annual campaign in less than 8 weeks. Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
250	250
251	251	5
252	252
253	253	• 2022 Leadership Award Honoree, Crittenton Services – an honor recognizing outstanding leadership in the District
254	254	of Columbia benefiting young women (https://crittentonservices.org/press-resources/).
255	255	• 2018 Workforce Game Changer of the Year – An annual award recognizing workforce development practitioners
256	256	and strategist across the county (https://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/06/prweb15585576.htm).
257	257	• 2018 The University of the District of Columbia Community College Division of Workforce Development & Lifelong
258	258	Learning Trailblazer Award.
259	259	• 2018 Walker’s Legacy Women in Economic Development Award
260	260	• 2015 DC Career and Technical Education Champions Award
261	261	• 1994 Seattle Youth Advocate of the Year
262	262	(https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19960421&slug=2325240)
263	263	_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
264	264
265	265	Mass Media and Social Media Impressions
266	266
267	267	Career and Workforce Development
268	268	• Facebook:
269	269	The First 90 Days: Best Practices for the New Mom- Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
270	270	• TV:
271	271	WJLA – Armstrong Williams Show - UMH-WJLA 8.27.22
272	272	WUSA9 - DOES Director Odie Donald II and Chief Strategy Officer Unique Morris-Hughes on Great Day Washington
273	273	• Twitter:
274	274	@DOES DC Director Dr Unique Morris-Hughes on how they're fixing the system to help residents and hiring over 200
275	275	people in the process
276	276	Education and Youth
277	277	• Youtube:
278	278	Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes Answering Questions from Pioneer Fellows at Ted Talks in Washington, D.C.
279	279	Dr Unique Morris-Hughes Speaking at Rutgers University-Intro
280	280	Mayor Bowser Provides Grants to Connect More DC Residents to Earn-and-Learn Opportunities
281	281
282	282	Mayor Bowser Launches 2020 Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, 1/31/20- Director Dr.
283	283	Unique Morris-Hughes makes speech
284	284	Faces of the 40th - Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes
285	285	Paid Family Leave
286	286	• TV:
287	287	Fox 5 - FOX 5 Zip Trip Union Market: 5 Must Stops!
288	288	• Youtube:
289	289	Mommy on a Budget- Thrive by Five DC
290	290	Philanthropy and Fundraising
291	291	• Youtube:
292	292	DC One Fund message from Director Unique Morris-Hughes. Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
293	293	John A. Wilson Building \| 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 \| Washington, DC 20004
294	294	Dr. Unique N. Morris- Hughes
295	295	Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes is the Director of the District of Columbia
296	296	Department of Employment Services (DOES). In her role as State Labor
297	297	Secretary, she is directly responsible for a budget of $196 million in local,
298	298	federal, and special purpose funds administered by the District of
299	299	Columbia and the federal government for workforce development
300	300	programs and training, unemployment compensation, universal paid
301	301	leave administration, and labor standards enforcement, along with more
302	302	than $80 million in active capital projects.
303	303	Previously, Dr. Morris-Hughes was the Chief Strategy Officer for DOES.
304	304	Appointed by Mayor Bowser to assist the Office of the Deputy Mayor for
305	305	Greater Economic Opportunity (DMGEO), Dr. Morris-Hughes was named Special Assistant &
306	306	Assistant Director of DOES in 2016. Within 18 months, her efforts helped lead to the removal of
307	307	the agency’s youth programs from a federal watch list. Previously, Dr. Morris -Hughes served at
308	308	the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), where she
309	309	guided that agency through a federal corrective action plan. As a result of the corrective steps taken
310	310	at OSSE, the District exited federal high-risk status for grant oversight, operation management,
311	311	and fiscal reporting.
312	312	Dr. Morris-Hughes’ other major accomplishments include, while at OSSE, leading the District of
313	313	Columbia to its ranking as the top state (and jurisdiction) in the country for the US Department of
314	314	Agriculture summer meals program.
315	315	Dr. Morris-Hughes is a member of the American Educational Research Association, the National
316	316	Forum for Black Public Administrators, the Textbook and Academic Authors Association of
317	317	America, the National Alliance of Black School Educators, the National Black MBA Association,
318	318	the International Leadership Association, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
319	319	A Ward 4 resident, Dr. Morris-Hughes earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Johnson C.
320	320	Smith University, her Master of Business Administration from Trinity University, and her PhD in
321	321	Organizational Leadership from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
322	322	Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
323	323	Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
324	324	______________________________________________________________________________
325	325	The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
326	326	To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
327	327	From: Betsy Cavendish
328	328	Date: October 10, 2024
329	329	Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution appointing Unique Morris-Hughes as a
330	330	member of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority Board of
331	331	Directors
332	332	This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced Order and found
333	333	it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not hesitate
334	334	to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at 202-727-
335	335	0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
336	336	______________________________
337	337	Elizabeth Cavendish