1985, Richmond, VA...

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Germika Pegram’s unwavering dedication to advocate for communities has always been her highest priority as a grassroots community organizer for 22 years. Her professional expertise involves 8 years as an Advocacy and Policy Strategist, as well as a policy writer for non-and-not for profits and small businesses. Since 1985, Germika has called Richmond’s’ Southside (Broad Rock) home when she arrived from Stuttgart, West Germany in 1985.

 

Richmond Public Schools paved the way for me...

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As a proud alumna of Richmond Public Schools, Germika completed her educational pursuits at J.L. Francis Elementary, Boushall Middle School, and George Wythe High School for the Arts. Throughout the course of her schooling and too date, she remained empowered to construct and rebuild within deprived and middle class communities. Developing and implementing policies increased her passion, as she executed responsibilities within an array of political divisions and infrastructures along the east coast and L.A.

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Policy+Community Engagement=My Passion for People...

 

Germika’s interest in policy was piqued while in Germany, as she was trained to learn about foreign policy and policy as a whole. With a determined desire to enhance her expertise, Germika completed her internship at New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG) to grasp the groundwork of policy making. “I needed to be more connected directly and learn how policy was created and implemented…so I started to canvass, learn about budgeting, fundraising, and whatever I could do to learn. Policy (and the creation of laws) is a huge part of everyone’s life, but it’s also biased.” Germika continued to expand her understanding about policy as she exceled with a relentless propensity with a successful track record and campaigning for politicians. “I was able to bring awareness to policy makers in New York and New Jersey about the importance of equality and to eliminate institutional racism and nondiscriminatory social service rights. I felt it was my job, even when I accepted non-paid work.”

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My Promise to Communities, Individuals and Families…

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Germika is the founder of CIRCLE (Community Involvement to Remain Connected and Lead Effectively™) and CIRCLE+™ (Challenging Issues while Revitalizing Communities through Learning Experiences+ [for positive change] ™. CIRCLE was developed as she witnessed a demanding need to create a two-component hierarchy that focuses on social issues and the connection of sustainable social innovations.

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Trials and Triumphs…

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Germika is from a middle class family that taught her how to overcome challenges and without giving up. “Growing up, I witnessed many friends not having clothes and food, and this affected their quality of life. However, I learned a lot when I moved to New York and became homeless.” While pursuing her Master’s degree at NYU, maintained a 21-hour required internship and worked three jobs, Germika also slept in Starbucks bathrooms, her car and on friends couches while working. “I refused to go back home [Richmond, VA] and knew I had to experience the hardships. It’s the only way today that I’m able to understand the dynamics of policy and how it affects millions of people. Running for city council is more than decision making and power. It’s about understanding why we make the decision as politicians for people.”

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Leading the way…

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At the start of her college quests, Germika enrolled at J.S. Reynolds Community College downtown campus before transferring and graduating from Virginia Union University with a BA in Psychology. In addition, she is also an honored alumna of the following: Undoing Racism Internship Project (URIP) and NYU where she obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and Policy and Practice. “I’ve worked really hard to focus on numerous populations and issues and how policy affects this area of profession too. I focus on psychiatry and trauma, but I’m not limited to that focus specifically.” Germika’s clinical residency was completed in the state of Virginia and she will take the Virginia Social Work State Board Exam December 2016 to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

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Post her NYU studies at the Silver School of Social Work (SSSW) Germika is the first African-American woman/alumni to collaborate with SSSW's admissions board to increase the students of color ratio and recruit from HBCU's.

Germika remains heavily active on several non-profit boards, and was elected to be a member of the Social Service Advisory Board in September 2015. She is also a board member of Virginia Union University's Social Work and Urban League of Greater Richmond Young Professionals. Germika is also a professional Leadership and Motivational Speaker.

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December 2016, Germika will graduate from The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute-L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Minority Political Leadership Institute of VCU and Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. Germika’s future goals include obtaining her PhD; her focus will highlight the significance on conceptual models, and the development of human and social service policies and community engagement to improve mental health disparities among African-Americans, and Hispanics.

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