Thennie Freeman is the Director of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation. Mrs. Freeman joined DPR as Deputy Director of Recreation Services, overseeing the direction and management of the agency's recreation program portfolio and operations of all recreation centers, parks, and aquatics facilities.
Director Freeman, who is known for her leadership and engagements to enhance the District's Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, was recognized in 2020 for her exemplary service to District residents and was honored with a Cafritz Award. The award highlights outstanding DC government leaders and innovative teams whose commitment and professionalism demonstrate the best in public service.
Director Freeman has more than 15 years of experience leading teams, executing large-scale social service programs for youth and young adults, and overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets. She started her District government service in 2008 as an Out-of-School Time Coordinator for the DC Public Schools. From 2012 to 2022, she served as Associate Director for the Office of Youth Programs at the Department of Employment Services. During her tenure, she helped increase the program's productivity and enhanced services provided to serve youth overall in District communities.
Mrs. Freeman has developed innovative programs and directly supported the effort to turn around high-risk programs which are instrumental in helping our District's youth find employment. Through various workforce programs and leading the charge in developing their work skills, Mrs. Freeman has helped thousands of District youth accomplish their personal and professional goals. Her work led to DC earning the title of #1 place for a summer job in Forbes Magazine in 2016. In 2017, Mrs. Freeman helped launch and oversee the Mayor's Opportunity Scholarship. This scholarship provides eligible District youth with financial support for post-secondary and vocational aspirations. Since its inception, this scholarship has provided thousands of District youth scholarships assistance and has awarded close to $1 million dollars over the past 5 years. In 2019 she led the effort to secure a 5-year $3 million dollar partnership with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This partnership will help nearly 500 District youth, by providing them with a pipeline into the financial regulatory services industry.
Mrs. Freeman earned her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of the District of Columbia and is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, where she leads and supports fundraising activities for educational scholarships.