Ditra Edwards

Ditra Edwards is the Co-founder and Director of SISTA Fire, a powerful grassroots organization building the collective power of women and non-binary people of color in Rhode Island. A proud Black woman born and raised in Providence, Ditra brings over 25 years of experience in racial and economic justice work. Her Rhode Island roots—accent and all—are woven into her leadership, blending the lessons she’s gathered from Boston to Washington, DC, and beyond. Her life’s work centers on connecting people to their values, vision, and power to create meaningful, structural change. 

Ditra believes deeply in a people-centered approach to transforming systems and building community power. In 2015, her heart called her home to Rhode Island to be closer to family. In 2017, she was awarded the Rhode Island Foundation Innovation Fellowship to launch SISTA Fire, turning her vision of a stronger, united community into reality. Before founding SISTA Fire, Ditra served as the **Director of Strategic Partnerships and Program Director at The Praxis Project in Washington, DC, where she helped communities harness media and policy advocacy to advance health justice. She led strategic development, fundraising, and the design and execution of key initiatives. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to justice, connection, and collective liberation.