Washington, DC

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Mayor Bowser today made a series of personnel announcements, appointing Julia Irving as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS) and Lamont Akins as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs.

“The MOCRS act as my eyes and ears across all eight wards, and our MOCA offices are on the front lines of promoting and defending DC values,” said Mayor Bowser. “With Julia and Lamont at the helm, we are going to continue building safer, stronger neighborhoods while putting more Washingtonians on pathways to the middle class.”

“By working hand in hand with Deputy Chief of Staff Lindsey Parker, Julia and Lamont will ensure that Washingtonians are heard, seen, and involved in the day-to-day work of advancing DC values,” said Chief of Staff John Falcicchio. “Together, they’ll make sure Washington, DC remains a city of love and inclusion and a place where people of all backgrounds get a fair shot.”

Director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS)

Ms. Irving comes to the Bowser Administration having previously served District residents as a Communications and Public Information Specialist with the District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General (OIG). In this capacity, Ms. Irving was charged with engaging District residents, organizations, and other stakeholders in person through social networks, community engagement meetings, and other strategies.

Prior to joining OIG, Ms. Irving spent a decade as a Community Outreach Coordinator at the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), where she served as the liaison between the community and local law enforcement to address public safety concerns. During her tenure at MPD, Ms. Irving worked with Commanders to provide the most up-to-date information at neighborhood meetings, facilitated community weekends, and developed outreach strategies for specific constituencies.

Ms. Irving holds a Master of Business Administration from American University, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and English from the University of Virginia, and is a proud alumnus of Woodrow Wilson Senior High School in Washington, DC. As the MOCRS Director, Ms. Irving will further Mayor Bowser’s mission to provide DC residents with rapid and complete responses to constituent requests, complaints, and questions regarding District resources.

Director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs (MOCA)

With over three years of experience in MOCA, including his current role as Interim Director and previous role as Chief of Staff, Lamont Akins will take over as Director of MOCA.

During his tenure at MOCA, Mr. Akins managed day-to-day activities, overseeing an 80+ member team. Mr. Akins developed outreach and engagement strategies targeted towards DC residents and businesses, as well as supervised special events and activities for Mayor Bowser.

Prior to joining MOCA, Mr. Akins served as Special Assistant in the Executive Office of the Mayor, Director of Constituent Services and Community Outreach in the Office of At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds, and Program Manager at the DC Department of Employment Services.

Mr. Akins holds a Master of Community Development from Delta State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.