News

Impact Silver Spring adds Mark Robinson

By Megan McIlroy

Mark Robinson is the ultimate team captain.

He lives by the creed of the individual gift, that every person has something unique to offer, and he’s spent his entire career helping people capitalize on their unique gifts.

Robinson is the recently added Director of Community Empowerment and Lasting Impact, two of the core programs of Impact Silver Spring, a non-profit group whose mission is to build understanding of diverse backgrounds and build multi-cultural alliances in the community.

We are really fortunate to have Mark," says Frankie Blackburn, the director of Impact Silver Spring says. "He brings a lot of vision to Impact."

Born and educated in DC, Robinson always knew he wanted to bring out the potential in others.

Everyone has something unique to bring to the table," Robinson says, sitting at his new Impact desk, looking focused and eager, but also relaxed and confident.

Before coming to Impact, Robinson worked with community developers in Washington, DC, where he specialized in program training, communication, and conflict resolution.

"It was a great job. I worked with the non-bricks and mortar type of stuff for the company. I really focused on honoring individuals there," Robinson says.

After six years working there, Robinson wanted to go back to more community-oriented, locally based work. He found exactly what he was looking for at Impact.

I loved my old job, so I was at a major crossroads; I left one great job to come to another great job," Robinson says.

Robinson believes Impact is unique because they just don’t train people to be community builders and then abandon them. After three-day retreats with Impact, graduates have follow-up sessions, where they discuss their progress.

Impact’s goal is to make Silver Spring a thriving, multicultural community," Blackburn says.

Having someone like Robinson on staff helps Impact reach that goal, according to Blackburn.

It is so great to have someone who has had exposure to other communities," Blackburn says.

As one of the directors of Impact, Robinson hopes to use his experience with diverse communities to build esteem and confidence in others. "We just want people to shine to their full potential," Robinson says.

Robinson has been helping people shine beyond just the conference room. He has been the Catholic University varsity cross-county coach for 20 years. He used to be remiss about the job, for fear it would interfere with his 50 to 60 hour-a-week day job. But now, it has become a priority, something he refuses to compromise. He says it’s because he enjoys being with young people, feeling their energy and getting their perspectives, but Robinson also sees how it helps him in his job.

Being a coach has absolutely helped my career," Robinson says.

"When you coach, you have to find the potential of all your team members."

Robinson still lives in DC with his wife and 11-year-old daughter. Ever the enterpriser, Robinson is enrolled in adoption classes with his wife, so they can adopt a baby in a few weeks.