Tides and the Bowie State Fellowship Program

Bowie State University launched its philanthropy fellowship program in June 2022 with the goal of increasing its students’ learning around the business of philanthropy and to help them step into nonprofit leadership roles in the future.

Tides is one of the organizations hosting Bowie State University fellows. We’re proud to create opportunities for the next generation of Black leaders and other leaders of color to learn about social impact and prepare for a career in philanthropy through this fellowship.

2024 Cohort

A’hja Mays
A’hja is currently pursuing an MBA in Finance at Bowie State University. With experience as a risk analyst and banker at Bank of America, she has conducted risk and statistical analysis, and data modeling to minimize financial losses. Previously, at TD Bank, she tracked and analyzed portfolio performance, adjusting asset allocation to meet client goals amidst evolving market conditions.  Ahja seeks to utilize her skills in an organization dedicated to fostering meaningful community change.

Charnell Ferguson
A recent graduate of Bowie State University with a Master of Public Administration, Charnell brings a wealth of experience and dedication to community service. In her most recent role as Consistent Services Director, she was a vital liaison between constituents and her council member. Previously, she served as a Youth Outreach & Recruitment Specialist, collaborating with youth coalitions in Bowie, Maryland. She seeks to contribute to community through philanthropy to enhance quality of life.

Michaela Logan
Michaela is pursuing a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy & Management at Bowie State University. She actively engages in advancing food sovereignty initiatives in Baltimore, and her interests are in political education and movement frameworks centered on food security, human rights, and social impact, particularly in the Black community. Also, her experience as an Urban Farmer & Co-op Market Assistant at Black Yield Institute underscores this commitment.

2023 Cohort

Anthony Haskins
“My time as a Tides Fellow has been invaluable. I had the opportunity to gain experience in strategy and impact to better serve community organizations, grants management and managing strategic partnerships. Most rewarding was that I gained these skills while helping to shift power and resources to communities that have been historically denied them. I’m proud to have worked and learned alongside passionate staff who are supporting community leaders addressing social justice.”

Kevin Jackson, Jr. 
“I’ve benefited so much from my fellowship experience at Tides. Even though this is a philanthropy fellowship, I’ve been able to put into practice my education as a human resource development student. It’s been great creating robust evaluation and close-out processes, and onboarding draft plans. I have aspirations for a career in philanthropy, but more on the human resources side. This has been a wonderful opportunity to do mission-driven work.”

Raven Lott
Lott’s previous experience in cultural change management and strategic analysis helped organizations implement their DEI strategies. She aspires to leverage her skills to fight power imbalances by providing equitable solutions that lead to transformational change and justice. ”The fellowship provided hands-on experience and insight into the different aspects of philanthropy — such as grantmaking practices, corporate social responsibility, and evaluation mechanisms.”

2022 Cohort

Jakeya Johnson
Johnson holds a Bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from Western Governors University and ia Master’s degree in public administration from Bowie State University. “Philanthropy is not a field that is dominated by people of color. And so, putting the power into the hands of people of color to make change and dismantling the white savior stereotype, I feel it’s really powerful.”

Stephanie Spencer
Spencer holds a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Carolina Central University and a Master’s Degree in public administration from Bowie State University. “My goal is to collaborate and meet other African Americans in philanthropy. I’m here to help with this big change, because none of us can do this on our own. Let’s work together to make change and inspire other African Americans to want to be in philanthropy as well.”