Lisa Butler McDougal is the President & CEO of Sowing Empowerment and Economic Development (SEED) Inc.,
Established in 1997, Sowing Empowerment and Economic Development Inc. (SEED) a nonprofit affiliate of Refreshing Spring Church of God in Christ (RSCOGIC) was created as an outreach organization designed to impact and provide services to the greater Riverdale community and the surrounding areas served by (RSCOGIC). In 1997, SEED was granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service as an independent nonprofit organization.
For nearly 20 years, SEED has been servicing the local community. SEED provides food, clothing, education, and training while promoting self-sufficiency and empowerment directly to low- to moderate-income families and communities. In addition to operating as a HUD approved housing counseling agency, SEED operates a K-8 charter school, afterschool and summer enrichment programs, and an emergency food distribution center. Although SEED’s
headquarters is in Riverdale, Maryland, it also has an office in Detroit, Michigan that focuses on single-family rehabilitation and development, housing counseling, education, and emergency food distribution. All SEED clients are communicated with in English, Spanish and Farsi.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 alone, SEED served more than 45,000 individuals from 12,000 households. As a part of the SEED Food Distribution Center’s focus to address food insecurity, more than 500,000 pounds of emergency food and fresh produce, and
70,000 hot meals were distributed at a weekly site and through nine additional pantries. Nearly 70,000 diapers were distributed to the families of 1,500 babies. Each month, hundreds of community residents receive outreach and public education in health care and nutrition for their families; education and counseling for first-time homebuyers; individual and youth financial capability training; and assistance for families facing foreclosure. SEED also develops
and rehabilitates affordable housing for area residents and seniors in both Prince George’s County, Maryland and Detroit, Michigan
SEED is also the operator of EXCEL Academy Public Charter School, the oldest charter school in Prince George’s County. EXCEL has been approved as a candidate for the International Baccalaureate Program, with plans to be authorized as an official International Baccalaureate Program by 2022. More than 400 scholars are served through EXCEL’s four pillars: Character Development; Community Partnerships; College and Career Readiness; and Cultural Arts.