Hakeem E. Rogers stands as a dedicated figure in Washington D.C.’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), currently serving as the Deputy Director of Competitive and Leisure Activities. His nearly ten years of experience in both local government and the private sector have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of community needs and effective program management. His journey in public service is marked by a consistent commitment to youth development, most notably through initiatives like the East Of The River Career Pathways Program.
Hakeem Rogers Headshot
Prior to his current role, Rogers held the position of Associate Director for the Office of Youth Programs (OYP), where he adeptly managed a substantial $40 million annual budget. In this capacity, he was instrumental in overseeing all locally funded workforce programs. These included key initiatives designed to provide young people with valuable skills and opportunities, such as the Mayor Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, the Career Ready Early Scholars Program, the Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute, and the High School Internship Program. His leadership in OYP demonstrated his capacity to manage complex programs and deliver impactful results for the youth of Washington D.C.
During his tenure as Program Manager for the Mayor Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program and later as OYP Operations Manager during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, Rogers showcased his innovative problem-solving skills. He spearheaded the development of OYP’s first virtual upload system, a critical adaptation that enabled over 10,000 young individuals to submit necessary documents remotely, ensuring program continuity amidst unprecedented circumstances. Furthermore, recognizing the potential for learning loss during the pandemic, Rogers was a driving force behind programs aimed at mitigating this issue. Crucially, this period saw the launch of the East of the River Career Pathways Program, a targeted initiative designed to bridge the gap between workforce development and education for young people in underserved communities. Collaborations with DC Public Schools (DCPS) on Earn and Learn initiatives further solidified this commitment to linking academic learning with practical work experience.
From 2016 to 2018, Rogers served the Bowser administration as a Ward 5 Community Relations and Services Liaison. In this role, he fostered crucial partnerships across various DC government agencies to address and resolve pressing issues affecting Ward 5 residents. His ability to coordinate responses from multiple agencies proved invaluable in tackling persistent neighborhood challenges and ensuring that residents received tailored services to meet their specific needs.
Before dedicating his career to public service, Rogers demonstrated his commitment to community upliftment by founding Absolute |x| Value, a mentorship program specifically for Brentwood youth. This initiative ran concurrently with his role as a paralegal at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLC, highlighting his dedication to service even while pursuing a career in the private sector.
Hakeem Rogers’ commitment to workforce development and youth empowerment is further underscored by his participation as a United States Department Professional Fellowship Alumni and his membership in the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals. As a Washington D.C. native and a proud DCPS graduate, his deep roots in the community inform his passion for creating opportunities for the city’s young people. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland, College Park, and has further honed his leadership and management skills through the Executive Education Program in Program Management at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Through his leadership and vision, particularly in championing the East of the River Career Pathways Program, Hakeem Rogers continues to make a significant positive impact on the lives of young people in Washington D.C.
