Hakeem E. Rogers stands as a dedicated advocate for youth development and career advancement within Washington D.C., currently serving as the Deputy Director of Competitive and Leisure Activities at the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). His extensive background in both local government and the private sector, spanning nearly a decade, positions him as a knowledgeable leader deeply committed to creating opportunities for the city’s young residents, particularly through initiatives like the East Of The River Career Pathways Program.
Prior to his current role at DPR, Rogers held the significant position of Associate Director for the Office of Youth Programs (OYP). In this capacity, he expertly managed a substantial annual budget of $40 million, directing crucial locally funded workforce programs. His leadership was instrumental in overseeing major initiatives such as the widely recognized 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. These programs collectively aim to equip young individuals with the skills and experiences necessary for future career success, with a strong emphasis on reaching communities in all parts of the city, including those located east of the river.
Rogers’s journey within OYP also includes his tenure as Program Manager for the Mayor Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program and as OYP Operations Manager during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, he demonstrated innovation by spearheading the development of OYP’s first virtual upload system, a crucial adaptation that enabled over 10,000 young people to seamlessly submit required documents online. Recognizing the critical issue of learning loss exacerbated by the pandemic, Rogers was a key figure in launching impactful programs such as the east of the river career pathways program. This initiative, alongside collaborations with DC Public Schools (DCPS) on Earn and Learn programs, effectively bridged the gap between workforce development and educational attainment, ensuring young people remained engaged and on track for future success.
From 2016 to 2018, Rogers served the Bowser administration as a Ward 5 Community Relations and Services Liaison. In this role, he fostered vital partnerships across various DC government agencies to address and resolve pressing issues affecting residents within Ward 5. His adept coordination of multi-agency responses proved instrumental in tackling persistent neighborhood challenges and ensuring that tailored services were delivered to meet the unique needs of the Ward 5 community.
Before dedicating his career to public service, Rogers demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to mentorship by founding Absolute |x| Value, a mentorship program specifically designed for youth in Brentwood. This initiative ran concurrently with his role as a paralegal at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLC, showcasing his ability to balance professional responsibilities with community engagement.
Hakeem Rogers’s 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 graduate of DCPS, his deep roots in the city inform his passion for its progress. Rogers holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland, College Park, and has furthered his executive education through the Program Management program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, equipping him with a robust foundation for his leadership roles. Through his dedication and initiatives like the east of the river career pathways program, Hakeem Rogers continues to make a significant impact on the lives of young people in Washington D.C., paving the way for their future success.
