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Staff

Directory

Bakari ClarkPROGRAM COORDINATORbclark@germantownunitedcdc.org215-856-4303 Ext. 104
Emaleigh DoleyEXECUTIVE DIRECTORedoley@germantownunitedcdc.org215-856-4303 Ext. 101
Matthew GeorgeBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGERmgeorge@germantownunitedcdc.org215-856-4303 Ext. 105
Desiree ThompsonOPERATIONS COORDINATORdthompson@germantownunitedcdc.org215-856-4303 Ext. 102
Sheirce White RESIDENT SERVICES COORDINATORswhite@germantownunitedcdc.org215-856-4303 Ext. 104
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Staff

BAKARI CLARK
PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Bakari joined the organization in Spring of 2023. Graduating from Temple University’s Bachelors of Community Development program in 2023, Bakari’s primary focus rests in community development and environmental planning. Before coming to Germantown United, she worked at the Germantown Boys and Girls Club, where she gained youth development skills as the site’s Art Teacher. In addition to teaching art, Bakari also worked as Coordinator of Urban Ecology for the local urban farm, Philly Forests– where for two growing seasons, she planted trees around Philadelphia and helped operate the Germantown Farmers Market. As the organization’s Program Coordinator, Bakari aims to improve the life of Germantown residents and businesses, through the use of community engagement and analysis, resource distribution, and placemaking. In addition to working at GUCDC, Bakari is continuing her education at the University of Pennsylvania, as a Master of City Planning student from Weitzman School of Design.

EMALEIGH DOLEY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Emaleigh joined the organization in 2015 and was appointed Executive Director in 2020. She is an experienced community organizer and lifelong Germantown resident with a deep understanding of both the history and present life of the neighborhood. Emaleigh has over 10 years’ professional experience in community and audience engagement, experiential programming, and marketing and public relations. She has a vested interest in improving cities from the ground up, connecting citizens with local government, and providing people working for socially progressive and fundamental change with vital information to help fuel their work. Relevant past work experience includes Mural Arts Philadelphia, programming consultant; TEDxPhiladelphia, lead organizer and producer from 2011–2015; and Next City, Audience Engagement Editor. Emaleigh also served on the advisory board for the Citizens Planning Institute, an innovative initiative of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, and the Strategic Vision Team for the Healthy Rowhouse Project, which advocated for the creation of a program to help Philadelphia homeowners to access low-interest home equity loans to invest in their properties (what is now known as Restore Repair Renew).

MATTHEW GEORGE
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Matthew joined the organization in August 2021. He brings over ten years of professional experience delivering supportive services to clients and business partners. Matthew holds a degree in Business Administration from Montgomery County Community College. As a resident of Germantown and native of Northwest Philadelphia, Matthew’s passion for sustainability and community pride is the foundation of his initiative I Love Thy Hood. Matthew has organized the placement of over 100 public trash cans across the City of Philadelphia, collecting over 100,000 pounds of waste. He is committed to reducing the amount of litter on our streets, empowering businesses and residents to resolve local issues, and building thriving neighborhoods through advocacy and accessible resources.

DESIREE THOMPSON
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Desiree joined the organization in July 2023. The throughline in her work is tending to the resource gap between where people are, and where they envision themselves to be.  She creates collaborative tools to help her community better connect to their bodies, to the land, and to each other—supporting an interconnectedness that allows us to locate our power inside of and beyond oppressive systems. She’s grateful to The Village of Arts and Humanities, Children First (formerly PCCY), the Women’s Community Revitalization Project and Nana Catherine’s Apothecary, for guiding 13 years of her administrative and social service experience. She is also the co-organizer of the Philly Herb Hub, a free community apothecary that has offered herbal education and over 4,000 teas and bottled remedies to hundreds of Black Philadelphians. Desiree is passionate about place-based programming, urban agriculture, alternative economies and protecting the cultural legacies of our city’s many vibrant neighborhoods. Desiree was raised in Mt. Airy and Germantown, and is a proud (K-12) Philly public school grad.

SHEIRCE WHITE
RESIDENT SERVICES COORDINATOR

Sheirce is passionate about helping others and has a deep understanding of the unique challenges that individuals and families from low-income and disenfranchised communities face. Her experience and expertise in this area make her an excellent addition to our organization. Prior to joining Germantown United CDC, Sheirce contributed her skills to Pathways to Housing, Philadelphia Fight, and the People’s Emergency center, where she further honed her ability to make a positive impact in our community. Sheirce has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Lincoln University, Magna Cum Laude. She is also the force behind #Philly.TeenJobs, a valuable social media platform that is all about connecting communities and opportunities for teens in Philadelphia. In Sheirce’s downtime she enjoys investigative journalism, hanging out with family, and enjoying good food/desserts. 

If you’re interested in speaking with Sheirce about community resources please send a brief message and connect with her.

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