Building Power Through Community Development: Rockaya and Savannah Reflect on Their Work with GCHIC at UDC Law Clinic

Greater Capitol Heights has recently benefited from the dedication and talent of two rising advocates: Rockaya Ndoye and Savannah Cobbs. As students at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) David A. Clarke School of Law, they joined GCHIC through the school’s Community Development Law Clinic, working on a vital objective—exploring pathways for GCHIC to acquire land at reduced costs to revitalize for community benefit.

Their work wasn’t just academic—it was personal and deeply grounded in a shared commitment to equity. For Ndoye, the clinic offered an avenue to advocate meaningfully for local communities in Prince George's County. “We wanted to help create a model for nonprofits to reclaim control of their neighborhoods,” she explained. For Cobbs, the work highlighted startling structural barriers. “I was shocked at how local governments and laws often worked to keep properties vacant rather than supporting community-based revitalization,” she said

Navigating Law, Policy, and Partnership

Throughout the semester, Ndoye and Cobbs immersed themselves in the legal and policy tools of redevelopment. They studied local land use statutes, evaluated land trust models, and investigated public funding mechanisms. Their journey brought them into dialogue with key agencies, including the Redevelopment Authority, where they explored strategic ideas for future partnerships that could help GCHIC—and similar organizations—achieve their long-term goals.

They identified the historic Fairmont Heights High School site as a promising opportunity and mapped out a path for GCHIC to apply for community use. In doing so, they discovered the true potential of law in shaping community futures.

Centering Community and Justice

Both students emphasized the cultural and historical significance of Prince George’s County as a prominent Black community. They envisioned sustainable amenities—like a community-owned grocery store—that reflect residents' needs and promote economic resilience.

The process was far from easy. Cobbs noted the level of precision demanded by legal work: “Every statute, every word mattered.” Ndoye shared how the clinic helped her embrace setbacks as part of the laywering process. “I learned to treat challenges as hurdles, not roadblocks. There’s usually more than one way forward.”

Lessons in Purpose and Practice

Their time with the clinic deepened not only their legal skills but also their ethical commitments. Ndoye reaffirmed her drive to serve under-resourced communities, while Cobbs highlighted the responsibility that comes with a legal education: “We have a duty to use our training for good.”

To future law students, they offered this advice: be dedicated, stay curious, and understand the value of persistence. The experience, they said, brings not only professional growth but profound personal fulfillment.

A Legacy of Empowerment

For both Rockaya Ndoye and Savannah Cobbs, their partnership with GCHIC was more than clinical practice—it was a formative journey. They leave the legal clinic with a renewed sense of purpose and pride, having contributed to a mission that transcends individual achievement: the collective fight for housing, stability, and empowerment in Greater Capitol Heights.