Bread for the City started the new fiscal year with new board leadership. Meet Jeronda Hilton, the new President of our Board of Directors. Her story in DC began with a decision about her daughter’s future. When her daughter was accepted into Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Jeronda wanted her to have that opportunity, so she sold her home in Maryland  and moved into the District.

Although she had visited family and friends in DC for years, living there meant getting to know the city differently. She wanted to understand her new Ward 8 community and find a way to contribute.

A few connections and an introduction later brought Jeronda to Bread for the City, where she learned about the breadth of services, resources, and advocacy work happening in the community.

What she didn’t know at the time was that this introduction would be the beginning of a relationship with Bread that would last more than 10 years.

Jeronda was first introduced to Bread’s Community Advisory Council (CAC) and CORE (Community Organizing for Racial Equity), a program that helps community members advocate for themselves and their communities on local policies and issues that affect their lives.

Through her participation in both, and personal experiences, she gained a deeper understanding of the services and resources available to DC residents, while finding new opportunities to get involved in the issues that mattered to her community.

A Heart for People and Community

Over the years, she found a place at Bread, serving as President of the CAC for the past 10 years, advocating, organizing, and standing alongside her neighbors on issues that matter to them. She laughs as she reflects on her journey.

“I never imagined that community involvement would lead here. I didn’t get into advocacy and organizing to turn around and say, ‘Oh, my goal is to be chair of the organization.’”

For Jeronda, it was never about holding a leadership position. It was about being an active participant in her community, building relationships, and helping others find their voices.

When asked what she enjoys doing outside of Bread, the conversation comes right back to outreach.

“I like connecting people,” she shares.

She enjoys bringing people together at events like Juneteenth, where local vendors can share their products and services. She also likes being out in the neighborhood, learning where help is needed and bringing that information back to Bread, so the organization can better meet the needs of the community.

That connection to people is what has kept her involved over the years.

Leading with Purpose

When she was asked to become Board President, Jeronda felt humbled. It was a full-circle moment for someone who first came to Bread simply wanting to become more involved in her community. Her faith helped her accept the new role.

“I trust in God that this is where you want me to be, and this is what you want me to do.”

She is candid about learning the role. She wants to be thoughtful about how she leads and is navigating how to use her voice while staying true to herself and her experiences.

As she looks ahead, Jeronda wants Bread to reach more people, especially neighbors who cannot easily get to one of its centers. One idea she would like to explore is mobile medical care. She has already had conversations about what that could take and understands that staffing and funding would be significant considerations. It’s a big idea, but one she feels is attainable.

She also hopes to connect with new donors and strengthen Bread’s financial future, helping the organization reach more neighbors across the city.

Jeronda remembers the warm welcome she received when she first came to Bread. Today, she brings that same warmth, along with more than a decade of community involvement and advocacy experience, into her role as Board President.

And while her role has changed, what matters most to her hasn’t.

She is still doing what first brought her to Bread: getting to know people, listening to what they need, and looking for ways to help.

Bread for the City is welcoming new leadership to the Bread, Inc. Board of Directors, with Autumn Hunter stepping into the role of Board President.

For Autumn, this new chapter builds on a relationship with Bread for the City that began years ago, when she was a law student volunteering at our legal intake clinic.

“I spent a couple of days in the legal clinic doing intake, and I loved it,” she recalled.

What began as a student volunteer experience grew into a lasting connection to Bread’s mission and the communities we serve.

A Commitment That Has Come Full Circle

After building a successful career in banking and government relations, Autumn found herself drawn back to Bread for the City. She wanted to stay connected to something she believed in, from the work happening in the community to the people making it possible.

“I already knew about Bread for the City. I was already a fan,” she shared.

Over time, Autumn became involved as a donor and leader, deepening her commitment to Bread’s work and its approach to supporting DC residents.

For her, one of the things that makes Bread for the City special is how our programs and services work together to meet the different needs of our neighbors.

From medical and dental care to food access, workforce development, and legal support, she sees an organization that recognizes the importance of caring for the whole person.

“Bread for the City makes it so easy to support them because they’re offering so many services,” she explained. “There are so many ways to get involved and make a difference.”

The Importance of Community Voice

As Autumn takes on her new role as Board Inc. President, she brings a deep appreciation for Bread’s community-centered approach and the importance of ensuring that the people we serve have a voice in the decisions that affect them.

One of the things she values most is the opportunity for community members to help shape the organization’s work through board representation.

“One of my favorite things about it is they have community members on the board, which I think is absolutely incredible for the community to have a direct voice in how they are being served.”

That belief reflects a core part of Bread for the City’s mission: working alongside our neighbors, respecting their experiences, and supporting their power to shape their communities.

Looking Ahead

As Board President, Autumn brings both professional experience and a personal connection to Bread for the City’s mission. Her background in banking and government relations, combined with her years of involvement with Bread, offers a valuable perspective and experience as it relates to financial oversight and stewardship to support Bread’s long-term sustainability, to ensure Bread has the resources to continue serving our DC neighbors.

For Autumn, what continues to stand out is Bread for the City’s commitment to seeing and serving the whole person.

Her journey from volunteering in the legal clinic to serving as Board Inc. President is also a reminder of the many ways people can become part of Bread’s community and make a lasting difference.

We are excited to welcome Autumn into this leadership role and look forward to the experience, perspective, and commitment she brings to Bread for the City’s next chapter.