In a city reshaped by gentrification and rapid development, René Carter is helping lead a different kind of transformation — one rooted in legacy, shaped by listening, and focused on the future.
A founding board member of the Jane Bancroft Robinson Foundation (JBRF) Board of Trustees and the former Secretary of the Board at Sibley Memorial Hospital, René brings more than just leadership. She brings intention. Her extensive career experience with the National Education Association — where she advocated for over 3 million public school educators — has always centered on service. But through JBRF, René channels that experience into something even more specific: community-led philanthropy focused on women, families, and historically underserved neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.
In 2010, Sibley Memorial Hospital became a part of Johns Hopkins Medicine. In between the currents of change rose a foundation to honor and extend the legacy of a woman who opened doors to healthcare training for deaconesses and missionaries more than a century ago. Many residents of D.C. are still facing the same challenges that their predecessors did: inequality, systemic barriers that prevent advancement, and a general lack of resources to support their health and overall well-being. Jane Bancroft Robinson’s legacy was too strong to ignore. In recognition of her enduring legacy, a philanthropic organization was formed in her honor, carrying forward her name and the values of the United Methodist Church to continue serving underserved populations.
“We never want to lose sight of the important role that strong religious women played in the founding of this institution,” René emphasizes.
From the beginning, JBRF didn’t rush to act. Instead, it took the time to listen and understand the community’s needs. René and the board spent years meeting with residents and community organizations in Wards 7 and 8 — not to offer charity, but to understand lived experiences and build trust. This listening-first approach now defines the Foundation’s philosophy. Rather than “doing for,” JBRF is committed to “doing with.”
That distinction matters.
In a world where philanthropy often assumes what a community needs, JBRF embraced humility in its approach. “We weren’t going to come in and tell people what was best for them,” René explains. “We wanted to hear from the people who actually live there.”
Early priorities — women, children, education, healthcare — were broad by design. But over time, the Foundation sharpened its focus. Black Women Thriving East of the River (BWTEotR), which started as an initiative of JBRF, now stands as an independent organization. It is one example that reflects a deeper, more intentional commitment to economic and social equity in D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8. JBRF’s early support and continued partnership have been pivotal in helping BWTEotR grow into a powerful force for change. It focuses on addressing systemic barriers to cancer care and economic disparities.
René is proud of how far the Foundation has come, but she’s also clear-eyed about the road ahead. “We are really just at the beginning of this work,” she says. “Systemic change doesn’t happen in a year or two; these systems took generations to build. It will take time and partnership to transform them.”
René’s leadership is marked by her willingness to acknowledge both wins and missteps. JBRF is not afraid to experiment, adapt, and learn from grants that didn’t deliver what was expected. That openness has helped shape a culture of learning not just internally, but across their network of partners. “We’ve made some good choices, as well as some that didn’t pan out,” she reflects. “But we’ve always been willing to take risks. And that’s part of what makes this work meaningful.”
JBRF also plays a unique role as a convener. Through René’s guidance, the Foundation has become a space for organizations in Wards 7 and 8 to come together, share what’s working, and avoid duplication of efforts. It’s a behind-the-scenes role but a powerful one. “Every day, these organizations are doing the work,” she says. “They don’t always have time to connect. We can help make that happen.”
When asked what makes the JBRF team so effective, René doesn’t hesitate: “They’re fierce. They’re smart. They’re committed. And they care deeply about the communities they serve.” Most of the team leading the Foundation identifies as women, which René notes as both fitting and powerful, given JBRF’s historical focus. Their work, she believes, is laying a foundation for long-term change. Not just for individuals, but for the way philanthropy functions in the region.
In the next five to ten years, René hopes to see a D.C. where residents of Wards 7 and 8 are not just surviving, but thriving, and staying. “We want families to have what they need to remain in the city they love,” she says, “that includes jobs, housing, healthcare, and a sense of belonging.”
To organizations looking to partner with JBRF, René has one core message: come ready to respect the community. “You have to share the commitment to authentic partnership,” she says. “That means listening. That means not assuming. That means honoring people’s voices and choices.”
After nearly three decades of living in The District, her ties run deep. She has watched neighborhoods change, institutions evolve, and needs grow. René is convinced: the future of Washington, D.C. depends on how well its philanthropy listens to—and responds to—the people who know it best.
“No matter where you live in the region, when the people who live there thrive,” she says, “we all thrive.”.