Jaren Hill Lockridge wears many hats. As a mother to a teenage son and identical twin girls, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Dreaming Out Loud, Chair of the Ward 8 Health Council, Jaren’s life is a whirlwind of responsibilities. But that is not all. She balances her motherhood and career all while pursuing an advanced degree in Urban Sustainability at The University of the District of Columbia.
Although not a native Washingtonian, Jaren has called D.C. home for over 15 years. “In 2009, I arrived in Ward 8 with a four week old baby on my hip. My son was born in April, I graduated in May and I was in D.C by June,” she shares. In no time, she quickly became immersed in her new community.
When asked what her path to becoming the Chair of the Ward 8 Health Council was like, Jaren says she had to go “over the river and through the woods”. Prior to stepping into the public health space, she was involved in a variety of pursuits. In the Environmental Justice space, she was one of nine Environmental Justice Artivist, sponsored by Social Arts and Culture and the Aspen Institute. This afforded her the opportunity to travel to the Aspen Climate Ideas Festival in Miami and the Squamish Territory, British Columbia to study the impacts of climate change in Black and Brown communities.
As the inaugural director of The Well, a community garden and farm in Ward 8, Jaren played a crucial role in its construction, programming, and vision, all while managing the challenges of the pandemic. The Well provides fresh produce, environmental education, and financial literacy to the Congress Heights, Washington Highlands, and Bellevue communities. Her career in the Environmental Justice space, with a focus on food systems and urban agriculture, has been shaped by a cultural and place-based approach.
During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jaren shared she was grappling with some personal challenges. “I found myself dealing with postpartum depression, the vicarious trauma of the gun violence epidemic with the added stress of a global pandemic,” she continues “I utilized the moment to pivot my career away from government and focused on a hyperlocal place based public health approach.”
In her role as Chair of the Ward 8 Health Council, Jaren is focusing on four key priorities: addressing the Black maternal health crisis, improving the quality of life for seniors, enhancing economic mobility, and expanding behavioral and mental health resources. She has dedicated her efforts to supporting Black mothers and birthing people in Ward 8, honoring the contributions of elders, leveraging the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center as a source of opportunity, and meeting the growing needs in mental health. Her personal experiences also drive her advocacy. After the birth of her twin daughters at Sibley Memorial Hospital, Jaren is motivated to ensure her children and others in her community have the tools to navigate the healthcare system effectively.
In addition to her role as Chair, Jaren is actively involved in the “Resources to the Block” initiative. This program, anchored by Councilmember Trayon White and supported by the Ward 8 Health Council, brings essential health and wellness resources directly to residential neighborhoods throughout Ward 8.
Jaren says she has always prioritized genuine community engagement over performative allyship. She reflects on this ethos with a quote attributed to Lilla Watson: “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
A multi-faceted person, Jaren’s passionate dedication to her family, community, and professional work reflects a profound belief in the power of collective liberation and authentic community engagement. Her journey is a source of inspiration and hope, as she tirelessly works to create a more compassionate, inclusive, and equitable future for all in Ward 8.