NiaImani Choices names new Executive Director, James A. Dula, PhD

Greetings:
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that I have been selected to be Executive Director for Niaimani CHOICES. I am extremely happy to be onboard this outstanding nonprofit organization with the opportunity to continue working on behalf of our community and people.
As you may know, I formerly served as Health and Human Services DCAO in the County Executive’s office where I worked tirelessly to build an award-winning organization dedicated to addressing issues affecting people with disabilities, youth, seniors, families and the entire community. And too, I thoroughly enjoyed my tenure as the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce President and CEO where we collectively built an exemplary Chamber based on business-community needs; afterward, I was appointed a Commissioner on the Governor’s Small Business Commission where I had the opportunity to contribute immeasurably to the growth and development of our Small Business community.
Here at Niaimini CHOICES, we will continue working with other community and government partners on a variety of issues affecting the health and welfare of our community — and beyond.
Here at Niaimani CHOICES we will continue focusing on building livable and sustainable communities through integrated collaborations and partnerships with people in mind. Further, together with our partners, we look forward to offering a variety of programs in communities that teach participants how to access specific resource information for their families. Here at Niaimani CHOICES, our immediate focus areas are:
- Heart Healthy Families
- Male Caregivers caring for dependent family members
- Chronic disease initiatives and building healthy lifestyles through education and awareness
- Community Health programs focusing on current topics such as Domestic Violence and more
- Fatherhood Initiative
We will continue to offer the Charles H. Watlington, Sr. Scholarship Fund for students.
In the coming days and weeks, I will be reaching out to friends, organizations, and the interfaith community to discuss partnerships and community issues along with training and education needs and opportunities. My motto is borrowed from Dr. W. E. B. DuBois, “One can do a lot, but, TWO can do much more”.
In conclusion, I am EXTREMELY HAPPY to be a member of the Niaimani CHOICES team. We know many health disparities exist within our communities because of the lack of knowledge. Therefore, at Niaimani CHOICES we aim to address ALL of the determinants of health, which the World Health Organization defines as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age.”
James A. Dula, PhD, Executive Director