Today, we present Part 3 of our conversation with three DC natives: Alvin Jones, Harriet Rowan, and Maya Oliver.
Alvin Jones was raised in Uptown, Northwest DC. He attended H.D. Cooke Elementary School, Paul Junior High School, and Wilson High School, where he developed a passion for leadership, competition, and community impact. Today, Alvin serves as an educator, mentor, and basketball coach, dedicated to helping young people reach their full potential. His long-term vision is to become a high-level basketball coach and trainer, developing elite athletes while emphasizing character, discipline, and life skills.
Harriet Rowan was raised in Brookland by her parents, DC statehood activists and local community organizers. College took her to Wisconsin and eventually the Bay Area, where she spent over a decade in graduate school and working as a journalist. She moved back to DC in the fall of 2025 to work as a researcher and is enjoying making DC home again.
Native Washingtonian Maya Oliver is an educator and museum professional who is passionate about fostering curiosity, creativity, resilience, and problem-solving in students. In her decade-plus of teaching in both formal and informal environments, Maya has created hands-on learning experiences that empower students to think critically and tackle real-world challenges. She currently serves as the Spark! Lab manager for the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation within the National Museum of American History, where she oversees programming.
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