Summer 2023 Prince George's Suite Magazine

Suite Prince George’s

A Great View Of Prince George’s County, Md

Meet Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller

Sistah Joy Takes A Bow

SPRING/SUMMER 2023

Mic Drop

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45 Hot Concerts In The DMV

Health: Medstar’s Heart, Luminis Health’s Vision; The Business Roundtable Reaches 20, Profiles: Dawn Medley, Aisha Braveboy, Meet Col. Todd Randolph, The Community Foundation Message & More

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Suite Prince George’s

A Great View Of Prince George’s County, Maryland

SPRING/SUMMER 2023 Raoul Dennis Publisher/Editor-In-Chief D. A. Phillips Associate Publisher Raoul Dennis, Amir Stoudamire Advertising Kristina Townsend Editorial Assistant Raoul Dennis Art Director/Page Design Maria Lopez-Bernstein Photo Editing & Consultant Amir Stoudamire Senior Photographer

Consultants & Support Barbara Frazier, Mildred B. Dennis, Ysabel Garcia de Lopez and Eugenia Hopkins

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Editor Ad Infinitum Ed Brown

Cover 2023 Concert Summer In The DMV Cover Photo By Zeber

Prince George’s Suite magazine is published four times per year by RADENN MEDIA GROUP, LLC, P.O. Box 1066, Oxon Hill, MD 20750. 410/553-2084. Subscription rates: $20/year in the United States and all its possessions. Single copies $9.95, plus $1.50 shipping and handling. Periodicals postage paid at Oxon Hill, MD 20750, and at additional mailing offices. All editorial and advertising correspondence should be addressed to RADENN MEDIA GROUP, LLC, P.O. Box 1066, Oxon Hill, MD 20750 or [e-mail: editor@pgsuite.com for Prince George’s Suite magazine]. website: www.pgsuite.com. All contents © 2023 by RADENN MEDIA GROUP, LLC. All rights reserved. ISSN No. 1941-6024. All advertising inquiries should be directed toward advertising@pgsuite.com or call 410/553-2084. Nothing in this publication can be reproduced in any manner without specific written permission of the publisher. Prince George’s Suite magazine and the RADENN MEDIA GROUP, LLC will consider but assume no responsibility for unsolicited materials; these require return postage. Postmaster: Please send address changes to Subscription Department, RADENN MEDIA GROUP, LLC, P.O. Box 1066, Oxon Hill, MD 20750. Printed in the USA

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CON

TABLE OF In This Edition

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8. Outlook

9. News Items Around the county 10. Heart Health: Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital’s cardiology program 12. Advertorial: The Community Foundation on Faith And Philanthropy 14. Air Boss: Col. Todd Randolph first African American to lead Joint Base Andrews

16. Profile: Lt. Gov Aruna Miller and why you should get to know her 18. Profile: FSC First’s President and CEO Dawn Medley

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41. Photo profile: Photographer Kent Ballard captured the celebration of iconic Senator Tommie Broadwater’s Lifetime Achievement event

22. Recognition: NAI Michael Celebrates 50 Years 24. Cover Story: Summer in the DMV. It doesn’t get any hotter than this.

30. Recognition: The Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable celebrates 20 years

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34. Profile: Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy and the unique initiatives her office brings to crime fighting 36. Health: Growth and expansion at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center wiill help new mothers and offer greater services for behavioral health patients.

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38. Legacy: The first poet laureate of Prince George’s County steps down but not before establishing a clear path for new literary masters SPRING/SUMMER 2023

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NTENTS 24.

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OutlookOutlook Outlook

In spite of the heat and poor air quality issues, folks in the DMV

have been more than ready to get back to post-COVID summer living.

And what a comeback it’s been.

The concerts, events, attractions and activities have exploded back on the regional scene and local consumers have been partying and enjoying them in standing room only numbers. The artists themselves - from Bruce Springsteen to Babyface and from newcomers such as Lil Baby to established artists like Pink and Beyonce – have been back onstage with a vengeance this summer. These events and concerts will continue through the early Fall and we have captured just a few here (keep tabs on our online calendar for more: www.pgsuite.com/calendar).

As we celebrate returning to the great outdoors with concerts, reemerging communities, open restaurants and businesses, we also take time to profile rising stars who are coming into their own. They include: Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, FSC First’s new President and CEO Dawn Medley, and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy.

Col. Todd Randolph, the first African American to lead Joint Base Andrews, is an untold story. We present his story now.

We also salute the legacy work of former Prince George’s County Poet Laureate J. Joy “Sistah Joy” Matthews Alford. The master artist made history by serving as the county first poet laureate.

Arts lovers can look forward to the leadership and

amazing talents of new Poet Laureate Dr. Khadijah Ali-Coleman and new Youth Poet Laureate Precious Foreman.

It’s important that we also give spotlight to that which aids our communities with resources, support and opportunity. We celebrate two Prince George’s County business cornerstones: The NAI Michael Companies and the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable reached 50 and 20 years of longevity in the county respectively. As always, The Suite applauds the longstanding efforts of companies and organizations contributing to the growth county residents enjoy today.

Roundtable and NAI Michael leaders contributed their experience, expertise and support to the continued growth of the county in addition to the consistent work they have done to assure their own success.

We also recognize the gains of local health institutions that have been expanding here over recent years. We profile Medstar Southern Maryland’s cardiology department in the first of a two-part series. We also cover the behavioral health expansion and obstetric care at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.

Summer 2023 - one of the hottest in recorded history - will not be ignored (nor soon forgotten).

Blessings, The Editors

Rest In Power Former Maryland State Senator Tommie Broadwater, Jr. transitioned July 11 leaving an impact on a generation of local leaders and politicians. He was Prince George’s County’s first African American elected official in 1974. Instead of treading lightly as the only African American senator in the room, Broadwater earned a reputation as an aggressive fighter in Annapolis–aiming to bring resources to his county. Considered by many to be the godfather of Prince George’s because he taught so many others, he was honored by over 450 local and state leaders at a birthday tribute in June. Broadwater’s passing came as The Suite was on press schedule.Watch this space and www.pgsuite.com PHOTO BY KENT BALLARD PHOTOGRAPHY // COURTESY MARGE BALTIMORE

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COUNTY STROLL Pending Contracts also increased 3.5% from April to 898

A Legendary Naming

“…You know I do not lend my name to everything; this is something I am incredibly happy and proud to say ‘yes’ to,” said renowned singer, performer, and six-time Grammy award winner Dionne Warwick as she was honored by Bowie State University renaming its Performing Arts Center The Dionne Warwick Performing Arts Center in April.

New Pending Contracts in May. Home values are strong, setting new all-time record highs in Median Sold Price and Average Sold Price for May. Median Sold Price was $424,000, increasing 1% over April and 2.2% over May 2022. Average Sold Price was $433,987, decreasing 0.3% from April and increasing 0.3% over May 2022.

Helping Filmmakers Get Started

Get ready for the Second Annual Prince George’s Film Festival, “PGFFTakeTwo” takes place September 28 - Oct 1. In partnership with Bowie State University, Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (PGAHC) and the Prince George’s Film Office. The purpose is to highlight local and independent filmmakers, and showcase a wide range of films that represent the diversity of the Prince George’s County community.

Maryland Loves Earth

Maryland has been rated among the nation’s most environmentally friendly states.

The U.S. having experienced $165 billion in damage from weather and climate disasters during 2022, April reports showed, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Greenest States. Maryland was ranked second with the most LEED-Certified Buildings per Capita.

Muiltimillion Dollar Marijuana Sales In Maryland

While some express concerns, others remain optimistic about the July 1 legalization of recreational marijuana in Maryland. The state recorded $10 million in sales the first weekend and over $21 million in the first week. But there are rules.

Regulations regarding smoking in public and driving while high are still illegal and both offenses can be met with hefty fines or even jail time. Individuals can’t have more than 1.5 ounces at once and marijuana must be kept out of sight of anyone under 21.

Lactation Pods Coming To PGCC

Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) announced the addition of Mamava Lactation Pods at the Largo and University Town Center campuses to support nursing parents with private, freestanding, and comfortable lactation and pumping spaces.

New Film Coming To Bowie Untold Secrets: The Flip Side

In his 30-minute film, Untold Secrets: The Flip Side, Dwayne Brown tells a story of the impact of battling cancer, mental health and more through several characters. The movie premiers September 22 at the Bowie Performing Arts Center. The reception will begin at 6 pm and a panel discussion will follow the movie.

“My hope is that the movie will spark conversations in communities throughout Prince George’s County and the region in order that community members, leaders, organizations can continuously work together to develop strategies and solutions to effectively handle these issues as well as support individuals impacted by them,” said Brown.

Homeownership is important.

County Home Sales Trending Up

To get started, call 1-888-253-0993 or visit mtb.com/mortgage.

The Prince George’s County Association of Realtors (PGCAR) reports an astounding 24.2% surge during May to 815 Closed Sales. New PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

We’re here to help first-time homebuyers navigate the mortgage process and make buying a home affordable, even if you have: • Little money for a downpayment • Little or “less-than-perfect” credit history • A recent job change

Equal Housing Lender. This is not a commitment to make a mortgage loan. Certain restrictions apply. Subject to credit and property approval. ©2016 M&T Bank. Member FDIC. NMLS# 381076 SPRING/SUMMER 2023

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Where The Heart Is

Saving Lives Is All In A Day’s Work Thanks to MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center’s Comprehensive Cardiology Program. A Two Part Series On Medstar’s Commitment to Healthy Hearts In Prince George’s her heart.

Every year, 805,000 people in the United Just three days after her heart attack and stent States suffer from acute myocardial infarc- placement, Ms. Patten was back home and on tion, also known as a heart attack or sudden the road to recovery. Thirty-eight days later, cardiac arrest. MedStar Southern Maryland she was back at work. “The doctors told me Hospital Center plans to lessen the pain and that most people do not survive the type of suffering with its comprehensive cardiology heart attack I had,” she said. “But because of program. As a leader in Prince George’s the decisions my physicians made that day, I County for managing heart attacks, MedStar am here to tell my story. They saved my life.”

Southern Maryland Hospital Center’s com- The growth of MedStar Southern prehensive team of heart specialists is saving Maryland’s cardiology program has been a the lives of the community’s most vulnerable. journey that today has it labeled as one of the Tracey Patten, 46, can attest to the exceptional care she received when a heart attack nearly claimed her life. Waking up to a crushing pressure in her chest, Ms. Patten knew something was terribly wrong on the morning that changed her life. A panicked call to 9-1-1, paramedics who acted quickly, and a team of specialists who rushed to save her life at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center are just –Tracey Patten some of the reasons why Ms. Patten is here today to share her story.

She recalls how scared she felt when she arrived in the emergency room top cardiac programs in the area, providing a where a team including interventional cardi- comprehensive array of services to meet the ologists worked quickly to stabilize her con- needs of an ever-growing community in dition in the hospital’s cardiac catheterization Prince George’s County. lab. Brian Case, MD, interventional cardiolo- Before becoming a part of the MedStar gist, performed a heart catheterization proce- Health family, cardiac patients like Ms. dure to open the main coronary artery of her Patten came to the hospital more for diagnoheart which was 100% blocked. A stent was sis and evaluation of heart conditions and placed to immediately restore blood flow to cardiac catheterization procedures. Back then, Lisa Schwartz

“The doctors told me that most people do not survive the type of heart attack I had,” she said. “But because of the decisions my physicians made that day, I am here to tell my story. They saved my life.”

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patients were mostly transferred to larger hospitals and academic medical centers in the Washington DC area for cardiac surgery, complex diagnostic procedures, or for advanced heart failure.

Today, patients have access to a full spectrum of general and specialty cardiac services at the hospital and in cardiology offices throughout the county in Brandywine, Mitchellville, Waldorf, and Clinton.

“Our cardiology program rivals those of advanced care centers in the region and around the state, providing patients with comprehensive management of heart conditions right in their neighborhood,” explained William Suddath, MD, chairman of cardiology at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center. “We’ve built an exceptionally high-quality cardiology program that includes a dedicated cardiac nursing team to manage patients in our cardiac ICU coupled with a large group of physicians - interventional cardiologists, general cardiologists, electrophysiologists, a heart failure specialist, and a vascular surgeon – who make up a growing cardiology program that is comparable to what you will find in most academic centers throughout the country.”

The comprehensiveness of the hospital’s cardiology program is one to be admired and rivaled.

Services range from advanced diagnostics and cardiac imaging, medical management of cardiovascular conditions, and cardiac rehabilitation to specialties including interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, vascular surgery, and an advanced heart failure program.

This design provides patients with continuity of care, with almost all cardiac services available locally.

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Dr. Brian Case with patient Tracey Patten

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ADVERTORIAL

The Power of Faith and

How the Greater Washington Community Foundation And Faith Community in Prince George’s County Are Partnering To Advance A Shared Vision For Economic Justice.

By Jamie McCrary

Throughout our nation and region, Black and Brown people continue to experience deep racial and economic disparities. This injustice is particularly prevalent in Washington, DC, where White residents have 81 times the amount of wealth as Black people – a disparity exacerbated by the fact that the larger Greater Washington region has one of the highest income gaps in the country.

Prince George’s County, Maryland, is especially vulnerable. The county suffers some of the largest disparities in homeownership and income in the region.

Many local community leaders are seeking new and more focused interventions and collaborations to address these deep disparities.

For the Greater Washington Community Foundation, this means forging new partnerships that help advance economic justice in Prince George’s County—efforts guided by the foundation’s vision to close the region’s racial wealth gap by igniting the power of philanthropy.

The foundation’s evolving collaboration with faith-based institutions in Prince George’s County is a significant step forward in fulfilling these goals.

“The faith community offers the kind of community building, leadership, and infrastructure necessary to achieve economic justice,” said Rev. Ronnie Galvin, Senior Fellow at The Community Foundation. “Some would argue it’s the last type of infrastructure that affords Black people the opportunity to determine their destinies.”

A Legacy of Social Justice

The faith community has led efforts to advance social and economic justice for well over a century, a legacy that initially inspired The Community Foundation’s collaboration.

This tradition extends back to the Civil War when Black churches offered safe haven stops on the Underground Railroad. Mutual aid societies, which predate traditional philanthrop12.

ic institutions, also grew out of the church experience. These groups provided for the health, education, and training of the community – and their philanthropy continues to this day.

As a majority Black jurisdiction, this legacy is particularly strong in Prince George’s County where faith leaders help drive community development by funding schools, businesses, and social programs – all efforts which help advance residents’ economic mobility.

“Faith institutions are among our most vital Rev. Ronnie Galvin, Senior Fellow, Greater Washington Community Foundation, leads a discussion about the region’s racial wealth gap

and proactive partners in our strategic efforts to increase philanthropy and close the racial wealth gap,” said Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of The Community Foundation.

Last summer, the foundation helped expand this legacy of social justice, officially launching its partnership with the Prince George’s faith community. Dubbed the Faith and Philanthropy Project, the initiative brings together faith leaders from across the county to explore how greater coordination and collaboration can help advance shared goals around philanthropy and community development.

“It’s not a question of whether we should be involved, but how,” said Rev. Kendra Smith, GO Lead of Kingdom Fellowship AME Church and Executive Director of Kingdom Global Community Development Corporation. “And where we can make the greatest impact.”

The Legacy Continues

The “Faith and Philanthropy Project” formalizes both The Community Foundation and the Prince George’s faith community’s continued SPRING SUMMER 2023

commitment to improve residents’ quality of lives – and work together to close the racial wealth gap.

In its overarching vision to advance philanthropy and economic justice in the county, the Faith and Philanthropy Project will: •Increase and leverage resources to achieve greater community impact; • Improve the prospects for wealth building as a means of closing the racial wealth gap; and •Amplify the voices of community residents to affect change.

As spiritual, educational, and moral hubs, Galvin emphasizes the unique role the faith community has in amplifying community voices in particular.

“If we are going to close the racial wealth gap and achieve economic justice, the voice of the faith community must be amplified,” Galvin said. “Whether Christianity, Judaism, Islam, or Buddhism, all religions call for the confrontation and transformation of unjust systems that undermine the lives of people and communities.”

Dr. Bobby Manning, President, Collective Empowerment Group and Senior Pastor First Baptist Church of District Heights, gives remarks and opening prayer at the inaugural Faith and Philanthropy Breakfast.

When reflecting on the partnership, Dr. Bobby Manning, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of District Heights and leader of the Collective Empowerment Group, a consortium of member churches for economic empowerment and a key partner of the Faith and Philanthropy Project, agreed.

“I see faith-based institutions as general hubs for personal empowerment in our community,” said Dr. Manning. “Our responsibility is not only spiritual empowerment, but economic strength, civic engagement, and caring for the PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

d Philanthropy entire well-being of the person.”

Inspiring Public Imagination

As the project evolves, the foundation and its partners are exploring a framework for how to discuss economic justice and build philanthropy. Ultimately, Galvin envisions developing material that houses of worship can use to guide conversations with their congregations and others.

He hopes this approach will provide a cohesive way to talk about economic justice and philanthropy – and inspire social and economic change across the county.

“It’s not just about influencing public opinion; it’s also inspiring public imagination,” Galvin said. “It’s getting people to ask, ‘What does a moral economy really look like, and what will it take to get there?’”

Eventually, Galvin notes more county residents could also be on the frontlines of advocating to change longstanding issues like reparations or employeeowned businesses. He sees the foundation’s new partnerships as only fueling this possibility.

“The church is an amplifier – an invitation mechanism,” Galvin said. “And in some cases when they have the assets, they can also be part of the process to model the economy we want to see. We can’t move an agenda like ours, as aspirational as it is, without communities of faith.”

Through the Faith and Philanthropy Project, the foundation aims to continue examining ways to advance economic justice through philanthropy. Disparities may run deep in our region, but The Community Foundation and its faith partners are committed to reimagining a region where we all can prosper and thrive.

Tonia Wellons, President and CEO, Greater Washington Community Foundation, shares the Foundation’s new ten-year strategic vision with participants of the Faith and Philanthropy Breakfast

The Community Foundation’s Prince George’s County team can help you maximize the impact of your charitable giving. Contact us to learn how: Darcelle Wilson, Senior Director dwilson@thecommunityfoundation.org 301-918-8480 ext. 163 www.thecommunityfoundation.org

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An Airman’s Story

Col. Todd Randolph: ‘My Style Of Leadership Is Always Putting People First, And That Allows Us To Take Care Of The Mission Always’

By Kristina Townsend and Amir Stoudamire PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMIR STOUDAMIRE

PHOTOGRAPHY AMITR STOUDAMIRE

After 33 years in the service, it’s easy for U.S. Air Force Colonel Todd E. Randolph to verbally check off what a typical week looks like for him.

“A typical day and week for me is in assuring that the 316th Wing is enabling this installation to flourish as a platform for all other missions to launch from.”

It’s a description that sounds oversimplified for a leader managing the base that holds Air Force One and is the base for 60,000 military personnel (and their families) just 21 miles from the Pentagon and 20 miles from the White House.

But for his predecessors, this is the typical week.

And so, it’s no different for Randolph today — even if he is the first African American to hold the position as the 316th Wing and Installation Commander at Joint Base Andrews.

From a difficult childhood where he was raised by a single mother, to becoming a motivated, highly trained officer in the world’s most advanced military, Col. Todd E. Randolph has worked hard to ensure that he maintains a stable and influential career. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Randolph enlisted in the Air Force in 1989. After completing basic training and technical school, he served 11 years in the mental health field before earning his commission as a distinguished graduate from Officer Training School in 2000.

In 2012, the Air Force Legislative Fellow (also 2012) attended the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., earning a certificate in Legislative Studies. In 2017, he went on to 14.

my ticket out of the challenging environment of Baltimore.

That really was my inspiration.

I had two purposes, one to make my mother proud, and two, to get out of Baltimore City,” Randolph says.

When joining the Air Force, the young Baltimorean initially felt hesitant about his fellow airmen. He says beyond his own family, they became the first people to care about him as a person–something that he previously only experienced with relatives. The base leader described his younger self as “a turtle with a shell on both sides, impenetrable, shielded and guarded against everybody that I didn’t trust.” Today, he credits his successful military career to learning to trust others.

The colonel has had quite a few exciting experiences since Col. Todd Randolph, the 316th joining the Air Force. The offiWing and Installation Commander for Joint Base cer served on a 365-day Andrews-Naval Air Facility deployment in Baghdad, Iraq with the U.S. Forces-Iraq, Joint Operations, Deputy Chief earn a master’s degree in science at the Borders Division. He worked there with the National War College.

A recipient of many honors, including the Iraqi Ministers of Interior and Defense to Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force assist the Iraqi government with securing its Commendation Medal, the colonel is again borders and boosting economic prosperity. It close to home at JBA–located in Camp all happened while he was assigned to the Secretary of the Air Force, Inspector General’s Springs, just under 50 miles from Baltimore.

Randolph says growing up in Baltimore, his office.

For the commander, the most important biggest influence was his mother: “She was the matriarch of our family, the strength, the every- aspect of leadership is caring for others. thing. She was the sole provider. She demon- “I believe leadership is a requirement at every strated leadership and accountability and rank. Whether you’re a brand new civilian or a responsibility in ways that I would later [appre- brand-new airman or a brand-new officer, leadership is discipline agnostic to any rank or ciate] throughout my career.”

The colonel watched his mother support her position.” own family while supporting other relatives at When asked what his primary goals are at the same time and says she was the one who Joint Base Andrews, Randolph replies: “Our taught him to have compassion for others. As focus is to make sure that we are trained, that we are ready to deploy airmen at a moment’s a younger man, he made a decision.

“I saw them [mother’s sister’s children] join notice to win against any adversary, any place, the Air Force and I thought that that would be any time.” It’s that clear and that simple.

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A Bigger, Greater Cause Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller Is Set to Implement the “Leave No One Behind” Strategy at the Executive Office Montgomery County was satisfying. Professionally and personally, she Her office is simple yet filled with a sufficient amount of responsibil- was thriving, and then she pressed the pause button. ity that she doesn’t take lightly. Her space is inviting and rather warm.

Lt. Gov. Miller first connected with Gov. Moore when he launched There hangs a portrait of Harriet Tubman, an American abolitionist his first political campaign in 2021. She was no longer in the legislaand social activist, that was gifted to her by the U.S. Archives. Not ture and she was happy, but at the suggestion of her politically-savvy much furniture. Just enough. In fact, there are no signs that she ever friends, she was encouraged to meet him. With no agenda for the gets to enjoy the gold couch. Her day-to-day duties of being the first meeting and after a conversation that took place in Baltimore County woman of color to be sworn in as Maryland’s lieutenant governor are with Gov. Moore and his wife (Dawn), Lt. Gov. Miller and her husbusy, but she handles it beautifully and with grace. band (David) were inspired. “We look at each other and we go, ‘Wes On Jan. 18, 2023, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller made history as the nation’s Moore’s going to be the next governor of Maryland,’” she said. first South Asian woman to be elected state lieutenant governor and At an early age, Lt. Gov. Miller was focused on finding a place of her holds the second highest office of state for the first time in Maryland’s own. Later, as a child, she joined her family in the United States after 234-year history. Her job is not met without sacrifice and oftentimes, her father took a leap of faith and emigrated from South Asia with little to no reward is given. However, she the hopes of having a better life for his famdoes her job in public service with a heart ily. Not knowing English, she focused on PHOTO: AMIR STOUDAMIRE of gratitude. excelling and embracing her community of Aware of the opportunities and those educators who poured into her and helped who paved the way for a woman of color her adjust to her new life. Politics were not to walk through the doors of the oldest discussed at home. Her interest peaked the U.S. state capitol (dating back to 1772), year she became a U.S. citizen and voted. she doesn’t take it lightly. The historic “I went and voted and I was so excited. I building holds power and tells stories of remember going into the polling booth and many who sacrificed." I never thought I’d crying and thinking, ‘Wow! This is what see somebody that looked like me in this being an American is now finally,’” she said.

Miller reviews The Suite with writer Tiffany Young. role,” Miller said. “It is very gratifying to From there, she began volunteering for the know that.”

Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee and became a Having spent most of her life working out the details of fitting into precinct official. spaces not made for her, Lt. Gov. Miller now holds power that she During the earlier days of the Moore-Miller campaign, Lt. Gov. never imagined. But she always worked hard to get to a place where she Miller spent a significant amount of time in Prince George’s County, belonged. It’s the campaign that she and Maryland’s Governor, Wes nestled at the eastern border of Washington, D.C.; it’s the secondMoore, ran on. The idea is to “leave no one behind” and to work to most populous county in Maryland (Montgomery County has the make sure Marylanders have every opportunity afforded to them. largest). The pride of the people is what she remembers most. The “That’s what it’s always been about. How can we make sure that peo- excitement from the community as she and Gov. Moore started enterple aren’t left behind, that they know that they belong in every space ing rooms. “I absolutely loved the authenticity, the warmness, the that they walk into?” she said. Having worked in local government for friendliness that existed during the polling sites as we traveled through under a decade before her transition to the role she holds now, her [Prince George’s County],” she said. position has served her well. Serving as a member of the Maryland What Lt. Gov. Miller brings to the executive office is a compass that House of Delegates representing District 15, Montgomery County is filled with experience and compassion. She’s had to navigate life not from 2011 until 2019, she understood the foundation to serve the always knowing if she would be accepted but having faith that she is public. doing it for a bigger cause that has gotten her through. Her biggest “That’s my calling in life, to help as many people as I can. None of role, next to her unique day job, is being a mother. that has changed. That’s always been the core,” Miller said.

“I not only get to be an implementer, but as a mother, I have this By all accounts, she entered a space where she took a job she never incredible opportunity to raise three beautiful daughters,” she said. dreamed of. The life she created for herself and her family in

By Tiffany Young // PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMIR STOUDAMIRE

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PHOTO: AMIR STOUDAMIRE PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

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New Dawn: A Fresh FSC First CEO Dawn Medley Aims To Take The Business Support Agency To New Heights–And She’s Already Begun Making It Happen

By Raoul Dennis, Katrina Townsend And D.A. Phillips

another million that should become available by the end of August. We’re going to provide that to businesses who may possiDawn Medley, President and CEO of bly be underbanked, underrepresented and FSC First, an innovative business financing underserved. agency, sat down with Prince George’s One thing we notice as we go about the Suite Magazine in a discussion about the day-to-day business of lending, we don’t future of FSC First. Medley, with 20 years just focus on the applications that get of experience with public and private fundfunded. ing programs, took over as president in We focus also on the ones that didn’t January.

PGS: What else is on the near horizon for because if businesses didn’t need the FSC? money, they wouldn’t have applied. We The interview is presented here in a Q&A. Medley: With over $40 million to deploy don’t want to forget about those businesses. in available financing right now, what’s new We want to get them prepared to borrow.

PGS: How is your start going as the new on the horizon is a couple of new pro- In the past, we’ve not really had a formalCEO? grams. We are an SBA-designated CDC ized path for them.

Medley: I promised my board of directors and a U.S. Treasury designated CDFI. As We may refer them to a resource partner, in the first 90 days of being CEO that I such, we’re able to provide our lending and but we noticed that it was difficult or chalwould deliver an online platform that servicing expertise to other municipalities lenging for the businesses to assimilate that would enable businesses to receive a and other institutions, and other organiza- information they received, apply it to their response to their loan application immedi- tions. So we are expanding those lender loan package, and then be able to come ately. We had an online application, but it service provider services to other organiza- back to FSC for financing. In following up would take about five days in loan intake tions and municipalities who may not have with them and again listening to what the review, and sometimes weeks for feedback, the back office underwriters, portfolio businesses want; we developed a business depending on how complicated the request managers and loan origination teams. education and technical assistance prowas and the amount of the loan request.

We’ve done this successfully over the past gram. But now through our Level Up proNow, we’ve built a Fintech platform where 10 years or so. It has been 10+ years [that gram, businesses can receive the coaching, a business owner can submit their applica- we have provided such services] for Prince mentoring, training and education they tion and receive an immediate response for George’s County, for the City of Bowie need to enhance business acumen and approval. Fintech is financial technology and the City of Mt. Rainier. We are also a achieve business success. that provides an interactive experience. state fund manager for Maryland’s VLT What we’ve heard from our businesses is Fund. So I guess the word is out. We are PGS: Can you tell us a little bit about yourthat they want a rapid and real time approached weekly by other institutions. self? response to their online application. That One of our newest programs, sponsored Medley: Sure. I’ve got over 20 years of immediate feedback on what was submit- by the University of Maryland Medical experience both in public and private ted was something business owners Systems, is a program called the financing. In my career, I’ve developed, requested, and so we built it for them. We Healthcare Capital Fund where we’re pro- implemented, and managed programs and delivered this new platform in my first 90 viding financing of up to $50,000 to busi- operations in several funding sectors like days. nesses who are in the healthcare and well- commercial banking, and economic develness industry or for businesses that support opment, small business financing with a PGS: Was this technology not available in those industries. specialty in CDFI, CDCs, and co-ops and the immediate or recent past?

We’re also working on another new pro- green energy lending. I’m a subject matter Medley: It’s something that people may be gram. We haven’t even named it yet but it’s expert in the SBA’s 504 and 7(a) loan guar18.

familiar with in other Fintech companies like Onboard, Bluevine and Kabbage.

What we provided was not just immediate response to the business owner, but also on our side of the interface, our underwriters can immediately see the disposition of that file.

It’s been very successful thus far. The system is operating as expected.

SPRING/SUMMER 2023 SUMMER 2022

PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

h Start At FSC First

PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

SPRING/SUMMER 2023

19.

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“I started down this path when I was with Fannie Mae. I transitioned to finance which was of interest to me since I had been a business owner as well. I understood there were real needs for small businesses and not enough resources.”

–Dawn Medley anteed programs. [I also have extensive experience] managing economic development programs that focus on increasing municipalities’ tax base, retaining and attracting jobs, and focusing on increasing and supporting key industry sectors.

Prior to coming to the county, I was the director of business finance for an agency with the state of Maryland. I was also on the governor’s task force for business initiatives and I drafted legislation to provide access to capital for emerging small businesses through a microenterprise program.

I’m a graduate of the class of 2016 Leadership Maryland program. I serve on the Maryland Economic Development Association or MEDA Board of Directors as well as the Maryland Commercial Lenders Association Board of Directors. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a focus on business law and public policy from the University of Maryland University College. I was a full-grown adult when I got my degree. I did that while being a mom of three, a wife, and at the time I was vice president here at FSC First.

PGS: You must have an invisible cape with your suit! What steered you toward this work to begin with? What was the first time you realized this was for you? When was that and what was it that sparked it?

Medley: That’s a great question. I started down this path when I was with Fannie Mae. Fannie Mae was in the mid-90s. By then, I was married with two babies.

What’s funny is prior to that, I was in the medical field. I worked a very long time in the plastic surgery field. I saw myself continuing down that path but I think I passed that gene on to my middle daughter because she’s now a PICU, Pediatric ICU Nurse. My youngest is in law and my oldest, like Mom, is in the SBA lending and auditing field.

I transitioned to finance which was also of interest to me since I had been a business PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

owner as well. I understood there were real put levels in terms of support for local needs for small businesses and not enough businesses or are you expecting them to resources to fund start-up and emerging increase? level businesses. I see some of those very Medley: We’re expecting to increase exposame things happening in small business nentially. This $40 million has got to get when they need working capital and funds on the street. In the calendar year of 2023, for basic operations. That’s what sparked it. it’s our goal to get at least 50 to 60% of In the mid-90s with Fannie Mae, I was in the multifamily operations side of the house.

I continued on that path when it came to my interest in multifamily buildings and my interest in financing them grew.

Once I left Fannie Mae, I went to Freddie Mac. I was in their quality control area.

Again, I was deep dive investigating into the properties themselves as well as making sure that the financing package we received was underwritten. So Top: Making business success possible. Above: Medley (at left) has a moment with This is where the Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and Dipti Patel, FSC First, Vice President of Business financing part came Finance. in, working with Delegated Underwriting and Servicing that disbursed or at least committed. FY24 (DUS) lenders who had provided the began July 1. Based on ending FY23 with financing and reviewing their packages to nearly $6 million in loan approvals, we make sure that they were done according to anticipate deploying another $6 million by Freddie Mac’s liking as the underlying calendar year end 2023 and $5-$7 million investor. Little did I know that that would by the end of FY24. be my first exposure to government-guaranteed loans. Now, I’m on the commercial PGS: Thank you very much. and business side of the same transaction. Medley: You’re welcome.

PGS: With regard to next year are you expecting that you will maintain your out- See full interview at www.pgsuite.com SPRING/SUMMER 2023

21.

Fifty Years Of Dedication Hard Work, Consistency, Loyalty and Commitment To Excellence Has Helped Make NAI Michael Companies One Of Maryland’s Best

By Brian Burden

Fifty years of impact on a community, doing things the right way, and making sure clients and customers are delivered the ultimate result. That was Kenneth H. Michael’s internal mission for his burgeoning company in the early 1970s and one that his two sons inherited and continued implementing. The result has been impressive. As one of the largest full-service, privately owned commercial real estate firms in theWashington, DC metropolitan area, NAI Michael has been a pillar of Prince George’s County since 1973.

NAI Michael Companies at induction into the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s Business Hall of Fame in 2016: (l-r) Gary Michael, Ken Michael, U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer and David Michael.

22.

“I’ve never met anybody like him that can manage relationships…

It’s a passion. He gets to know people,” Kenneth’s son, David Michael, said. “He’s with them to the end. He’s all about being there for people and solving problems. He’s loved by everybody.”

Kenneth H. Michael launched his company in the early 1970s after recognizing the need for a commercial real estate firm in the county before joining the NAI Global Family in 1981. Located on Business Parkway in Lanham, NAI Michael provides brokerage, property management and development consulting services for its clients, which range from independent business owners to international corporations.

The company has completed more than 12,000 transactions, manages more than five million square feet and it has developed thousands of acres of space over five decades.

But as successful as it’s been professionally, it’s the work NAI SPRING/SUMMER 2023

Michael has done with and in the community that stands out over time, work the company prides itself on. Its team of over 60 professionals is active in various local and national organizations including civic, faith-based, political, business, and economic development organizations.

The key to the company’s success includes consistency and loyalty to the surrounding area. NAI Michael has never been a spotlight-oriented company. Even today, in the age of big branding and corporate messaging, NAI does its “talking” through its actions. There’s scarcely an event or community-aiding activity in the county wherein the NAI Michael company logo isn’t on the program.

Such family and community-based leadership starts at the top.

NAI Michael is still family run after 50 years. Kenneth Michael, who was inducted into the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame, still serves as NAI Michael’s Chairman of the Board. His son, Gary, now serves as president and, like his father, participates on various boards throughout the county. Kenneth’s son David, serves as senior vice president and is also highly involved with many community outreach organizations as well.

“Every time there is a non-profit event, there’s the Michael Company. His [Kenneth H. Michael] service to the community is phenomenal. There isn’t an organization that he hasn’t supported,” saidThomas Graham, PEPCO president before retiring in 2016.

Each year, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce inducts outstanding business leaders into its Maryland Business Hall of Fame. According to the Chamber, the contributions these individuals make are “vast, and goes well beyond the bottom line.

They are the best in Maryland’s business community and prioritize their civic and philanthropic duties while driving growth and prosperity for their organization.”

Kenneth Michael was honored in 2016 for establishing a stellar reputation. That is a reputation his sons have continued to solidify.

“I learned a lot from him. We worked together well collaboratively,” Gary said. “He really likes to do things in the best way and deliver the best service. Real estate is part of the fabric of the community. It’s important to take that position.”

PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNT Y COM M ERCI A L RE A L ESTAT E

MARKET EXPERTS NAI Michael is proudly celebrating 50 years of service to Prince George’s County and the entire Washington DC metropolitan region.

We are one of the largest full-service, privately owned commercial real estate firms serving the DC region.

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Ed Luckett and Terry Rogers have a combined 94 years of experience and have closed over 100 transactions in the last five years.

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ED LUCKETT (301) 318 3100 eluckett@naimichael.com Ed Luckett has a wealth of experience helping clients with their commercial real estate needs.

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TERRY ROGERS (301) 526-2584 trogers@naimichael.com Terry Rogers provides exceptional services for property owners, investors, tenants and landlords.

(301) 459 4400 | naimichael.com CELEBRATING 50 YEARS 1973-2023

SALES

LEASING

45 Sam Smith August 4 Capital One Arena Washington, DC Beyoncé August 5 & 6 FedEx Field Landover, MD

Joan Osborne August 6 The Hamilton Live Washington, DC

Augusrt

N

Magic Washington, DC

Parliament Funkadelic Featuring George Clinton August 13 Lincoln Theatre Washington, DC Ice Cube, Jeezy, Rick Ross, MillyZ & Twista August 17 Capital One Arena Washington, DC

P!NK August 7 Nationals Park Washington, DC

Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire August 18 Capital One Arena Washington, DC

Jadakiss August 10 Howard Theatre Washington, DC

Chanté Moore August 19 Birchmere Alexandria, VA

Jon B. August 11 Birchmere Alexandria, VA Moneybagg Yo August 11 Capital One Arena Washington, DC Bebel Gilberto August 13 Birchmere Alexandria, VA El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico August 13 The Kennedy Center 24.

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PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

Nights Summer

Joss Stone August 25 Warner Theatre Washington, DC

September

Kim Waters August 26 Birchmere Alexandria, VA

Lil Baby August 31 Capital One Arena Washington, DC Gregory Porter September 1 The Anthem DC Washington, DC Banda MS September 3 Capital One Arena Washington, DC Billy Idol September 8 The Anthem DC Washington, DC

PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

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September

Ashnikko September 29 The Anthem Washington, DC Bruce Springsteen September 29 Nationals Park Washington, DC Marco Antonio Solis September 29 Capital One Arena Washington, DC

$uicideboy$ with Ghostemane & more September 12 Capital One Arena Washington, DC Victoria Monét September 15 The Howard Theatre Washington, DC Duran Duran September 13 Capital One Arena Washington, DC Becky G September 17 Capital One Arena Washington, DC Janelle Monáe September 24 The Anthem DC Washington, DC Hozier September 26 & 27 The Anthem DC Washington, DC 26.

Chelsea Handler October 5 Warner Theatre Washington, DC Wu-Tang Clan & Nas September 26 Capital One Arena Washington, DC Aerosmith September 27 Capital One Arena Washington, DC Itzhak Perlman September 28 The Music Center at Strathmore North Bethesda, MD Alejandro Sanz September 29 EagleBank Arena Fairfax, VA SPRING/SUMMER 2023

The Doobie Brothers October 5 The Theater at MGM National Harbor National Harbor, MD Gipsy Kings with Nicolas Reyes October 13 The Music Center at Strathmore North Bethesda, MD Brothers Osborne October 14 The Anthem DC Washington, DC Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull & Ricky Martin October 14 Capital One Arena Washington, DC PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

October

LL Cool J October 15 Capital One Arena Washington, DC

Hiromi October 19 The Music Center at Strathmore North Bethesda, MD

Luis Miguel October 20 Capital One Arena Washington, DC

Lady A October 28 The Anthem DC Washington, DC

Morrissey October 18 The Anthem DC Washington, DC

Maluma October 19 Capital One Arena Washington, DC

Brian Stokes Mitchell October 21 The Music Center at Strathmore North Bethesda, MD

Kesha October 29 The Anthem DC Washington, DC

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27.

“Midgett Parker has been a consistent positive voice in the Prince George’s County Community for over 30 years.

A trustworthy and respected counselor of law in business and commercial real estate.”

–David C. Harrington, President & CEO, Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce

Commercial Real Estate Acquisition, Land Use, and Zoning Law Business Entity Formation and Business Law Major Construction Projects, Contracts, and Financing

The Law Office Of

Midgett S. Parker, P.A. Midgett S. Parker, Jr. began the practice of law upon admittance to the Maryland Bar in 1985. He developed and refined his legal acumen in commercial real estate and business law in Prince George’s County and other local jurisdictions in Maryland while in private practice in large law firms in the Washington metropolitan region. In February of 2020, he opened the Law Office of Midgett S. Parker, P.A. Midgett has won numerous land use cases before local zoning officers, boards, commissions, and councils. On behalf of his clients he has worked with government officials at all levels of government on matters ranging from tax legislation to affordable housing and land use regulations. Midgett has the highest rating for strong legal ability and ethical standards (AV) in Martindale-Hubble peer review.

Midgett has developed a niche in representing commercial land owners, developers, houses of worship, and non-profit entities in all aspects of their real estate portfolio, development activities, and construction projects. In addition to land use, zoning, and real estate, he counsels clients on a broad range of issues from business concerns, financing, contract negotiations, and internal operations.

midgettparker-law.com 301-825-8600 5827 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, Maryland 20746 email: MidgettParker.Law@gmail.com 28.

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PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

It’s time to speak up, reach out and break the stigma about mental health.

Luminis Health’s new behavioral health pavilion on the campus of Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham provides support for ages 4 and up. No matter what you’re dealing with, we’re here to help.

Our services include: • A behavioral health walk-in urgent care for ages 4 and up • Outpatient therapy and medication management • A partial hospitalization day program • Substance use assessment • Inpatient psychiatric services

Learn more at Luminis.Health/BehavioralHealthLanham 8200 Good Luck Road, Lanham, MD 20706 240-757-1381

Luminis Health (formerly Anne Arundel Health System) is a nonprofit health system providing care for 1.5 million people in Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, the Eastern Shore, and beyond. Our system encompasses nearly 100 sites of care, including Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center and Pathways in Annapolis, as well as Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center and Doctors Community Rehabilitation and Patient Care Center in Lanham.

PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE SUMMER 2022 29.

Celebration In Platinum The Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable Meets 20 Year Milestone With A Vision for The Future

By Raoul Dennis with Kristina Townsend

O

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMIR STOUDAMIRE AND RAOUL DENNIS VIEW CELEBRATION PHOTOS GO TO www.flickr.com/photos/princegeorgessuite/albums

ver 160 influential VIP guests from county, state, federal, business, first response and military walks gathered at MGM National Harbor’s Bellagio Ballroom May 11 to celebrate the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable’s 20th anniversary.

See photos at www.flickr.com/photos/princegeorgessuite/albums.

Led by Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable Founder, President and CEO M.H. Jim Estepp and Chair Michael Chiaramonte, the business advocacy organization gave award presentations to the Hon. Sheila Tillerson Adams and Dr. Monica Goldson.

“We were so honored to host a veritable Who’s Who of leaders from government and the community at MGM for our recent 20th Anniversary Celebration,” said Estepp, who’s also founder of the Andrews Business & Community Alliance, a bridge building organization linking local businesses to Joint Base Andrews. “The success of the organization can be measured by its growth; the value our elected officials and others place on the work we do and the actual improvements we have observed in county resident’s overall Quality of Life.

During the next 20 years, we expect to work tirelessly to recruit more young members, enhance our technology and outreach and continue our support for reductions in crime and greater access to quality education and housing among other endeavors. With our incredible members and the community working together, nothing is impossible. God Bless you all.”

Estepp’s message was echoed by Michael Chiaramonte, the current chairman of the board. “I was so pleased to see the community celebrate Jim Estepp for forming the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable 20 years ago,” Chiaramonte said. “Jim had the vision to form a different kind of organization–one that includes in its membership all of the elements of a well-functioning community.”

The Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable is recognized as one of the most influential, non-partisan business groups in Maryland.

The GPGBR is “a non-profit, business alliance of chief executives… composed of concerned and active business leaders from the county and region, whose companies employ nearly 60,000 people.” It hosts the annual State of the County Address. The GPGBR also founded and publishes the annual Quality of Life Index, a demographics and research guide that illuminates the social and economic status of the 30.

county. The Roundtable’s members routinely coordinate support for various diverse organizations and initiatives that elevate the county.

GPGBR also created the Andrews Business & Community Alliance, a county based bridging platform between the county community and Joint Base Andrews. It “is a means to aid in impacting the lives of the men and women who serve our nation in the United States Air Force and all of our Armed Services,” according to the GPGBR site.

Tillerson Adams was one of many who reflected on the Roundtable’s impact. “Well, 20 years of the business community coming together in Prince George’s County is significant when you look at where we were 20 years ago and where we are now,” she said. “Twenty years ago, there was no MGM. Twenty years ago, the number of businesses in this county did not exist. Twenty years ago, the number of people in business who have the resources they have today didn’t exist. This is significant.”

Tillerson Adams is the first African American woman to serve as Chief and Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County.

Her husband, Bowie Mayor Tim Adams, was proud that she was being honored at the occasion: “When we talk about trailblazers, we have to realize trailblazers aren’t about people who are just the first. It’s about people who do things, and they may be the first, but they show you how it should be done, and they leave that legacy and that foundation for us to continue. With my wife being honored today, I appreciate that the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable is willing to do that. More importantly, I’m honored to be able to call her my wife.”

Of course, he had his own thoughts as to why he believes the occasion so important: “Well, I think it’s wonderful to be able to be here celebrating 20 years of the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable.

The real key to this is about us working together where you bring business, and you bring the community and community leaders together. I think this has a great foundation and it’s something that has been built to last. What we’ve got to do is make sure we keep getting the input from those who matter–leaders who talk to the people who really understand the grassroots as well as the glass ceiling.”

Words Of Congratulations From The County Executive

“I have to commend Jim Estepp for his tremendous leadership.

Certainly, we want to congratulate the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable on 20 amazing years,” said Prince George’s County

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PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

ALL PHOTOS RAOUL DENNIS AND AMIR STOUDAMIRE

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County Executive Angela Alsobrooks delivered the keynote address and also proclaimed May 11 a day of recognition for the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable.

PHOTOS AMIR STOUDAMIRE

Top (l-r): GPGBR Founder and President Jim Estepp, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, Maryland State Senator Melony Griffith, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and GPGBR Chairman Michael Chiaramonte.

Above: Fomer NBC anchor Pat Lawson Muse, host of the MGM-based luncheon.

Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “It’s really been an honor to work with all of you to secure the future of our community. Two years ago, we unveiled our new economic development plans for Prince George’s County. What I said then is true now: a healthy local economy requires a healthy community. In the time since, we’ve set up important new programs. We have secured millions of dollars in funding, opened new healthcare facilities, and began schools construction on time and on budget.”

Proclaiming May 11 as a day of recognition of the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable, the executive updated guests on a number of wins in the county.

“Ten new schools have broken ground now in the last three years. We are opening the doors of at least six of those schools this year,” Alsobrooks said. “You’ve heard me talk at length about the Blue Line Corridor, but I want you to know that it’s more than just talk.

We have funding for the public projects that we’ve proposed right now. In fact, three quarters of a billion dollars in private investment is changing the face of the corridor.”

Alsobrooks addressed the county’s gains in Annapolis.

“We secured an additional $50.7 million for transit-oriented projects at New Carrollton. I want to thank all of our partners in [the] state government. Many of them [are here today] and they absolutely killed it in Annapolis bringing home $2.1 billion in state funding.”

32.

About The Honored Guests

During her time as Chief Judge, Tillerson Adams worked hard to connect the judicial system with Prince George’s County’s business community. “One of the things we wanted to make sure of was that the court system was available to serve. That when people had issues and litigation, they could get their matters resolved in [a] timely way. When it stops, businesses can’t move. You can’t go forward. Our focus was to make sure that the court system moved,” said Tillerson Adams.

Dr. Monica Goldson, a career veteran of the Prince George’s County School system left a pioneering mark on the institution where she also raised her own family. Goldson, a career educator, served as CEO of the Prince George’s County Public Schools System and in 2019 was recognized by a local leading magazine as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the DMV. Goldson received an appointment from President Joseph R. Biden to the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in 2022.

Partnering With The Roundtable

Judy Mickens-Murray, Chair of the Prince George’s County School System Board of Education recognized the importance of business to education. “It’s very hard to educate children without the support of the business community. One of the things that we are trying to do, is to build partnerships with busiSPRING/SUMMER 2023

nesses and all community leaders. We appreciate this opportunity.”

Mickens-Murray was accompanied by the Board of Education’s Pamela Boozer-Strother (District 3) who echoed Mickens-Murray’s remarks.

“I see the business community as [an] essential partner in our work in the school system,” Boozer-Strother said. “Through the blueprint for Maryland’s future, we are expanding our career in technical education. The businesses represented [at] the Roundtable have been instrumental in growing these programs and seeing the future of our college and career readiness.

The blueprint isn’t only for our children and their future, but the business community recognizes it’s great for Maryland. The school system and the business community are the biggest champions of the blueprint. It makes a lot of sense for all of us to be together today.”

Partnering is the point. “Twenty years of service with this organization has been phenomenal,” said William Steen, chairman of Crime Solvers of Prince George’s County.

“When you talk about the top tier business leaders together under one accord and strategizing about the future of Prince George’s County and how to make the county better, this is the place to be.”

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson credited the Roundtable for its contribution PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

PHOTOS AMIR STOUDAMIRE

to the elevation of Prince George’s County.

“There is something that has happened over these last 20 years, and Prince George’s has become the hotbed of where the action is happening. It’s the work of the Roundtable, and those involved, the individuals who collaborated to create the space that we are in and all of the economic opportunity that has developed,” Ferguson said.

Former NBC News Anchor Pat Lawson Muse hosted the elite luncheon and shared her gratitude for the thirty year friendship she and her husband, Senator C. Anthony Muse, have had with Jim and Nancy Estepp. “I’m honored to be here for Jim Estepp who’s been there for my husband and I for more than 30 years. He’s not only campaigned with my husband, Tony, but Jim and his wife, Nancy, and my hubby and I have broken a lot [of] bread together over the decades. I’m so happy to be here with them today.”

One of the Roundtable veterans and the creative pioneer of the Prince George’s Quality Of Life Index said he’s amazed at how much has been accomplished.

“I’m really proud to be a board member of the Roundtable. It’s a great group. It has accomplished so much and I’m proud to be a member,” says Geoff Pohanka of the Pohanka Auto Group.

Pohanka is the original visionary for the board’s QOL Index. The Index has grown to be a databased staple of trending directions in the county in areas ranging from real estate to demographics and more. “Prince George’s has accomplished so much, and a key is having a metric that could track that progress,” he said of the need for the QOL annual report. “It also helps to hold government accountable to standards. You PRINCE PRINCE GEORGE’S GEORGE’S SUITE SUITE MAGAZINE MAGAZINE

can’t get better unless you have measurements and now [with the QOL] we have measurements and I’m so happy that it’s so well received.” The QOL has become a guideline for planners, realtors and analysts examing the county.

The Future

Former Chair of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Betty Hewlett (now at the National Capital Planning Commission by presidential appointment) talked about her bird’s eye view of the Roundtable over the years.

“This can only go higher,” Hewlett says.

Working together, we will bring more and more people into the fold. We have seasoned players here, seasoned stakeholders, but we also need fresh ideas and new people coming into the fold, too. Working together and bringing in new blood and new, fresh ideas will also elevate Prince George’s.”

Muse also sees a favorable future for the county particularly if it includes continued partnering between institutional leaders and business. “I’m glad for the Prince George’s County business community,” she says. “And of course, there are those here in healthcare, education and many other aspects of the community–all working together, which is exactly what we have to do to make an impact in our communities and around the world.”

Of course, the Roundtable’s future direction will be solely determined by its board. Estepp has signaled GPGBR’s interest in bringing in younger members and expanding its technological footprint. It’s a logical next step in building on the organization’s existing model and its advocacy strength. Certainly, as the county continues through its current shifts in leadership and influencers, the Roundtable’s stability and expansion may prove increasingly valuable.

SPRING/SUMMER SUMMER 2022 2023

PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS

Honored: Retired Judge Sheila Tillerson Adams, seated next to her husband, Bowie Mayor Tim Adams. Tillerson Adams and recently retired PGCPS Superintendent CEO Monica Goldson were both honored at the Roundtable 20th anniversary luncheon held May 11.

“We were honored to host a veritable Who’s Who of leaders from government and the community at MGM. During the next 20 years we expect to recruit more young members, enhance our technology and outreach and continue our support for reductions in crime and greater access to quality education and housing among other endeavors.

Working together, nothing is impossible. God Bless you all.”

–M.H. Jim Estepp, President/CEO “I was so pleased to see the community celebrate Jim Estepp for forming the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable 20 years ago. Jim had the vision to form a different kind of organization- one that includes in its membership all of the elements of a well-functioning community.”

–Michael Chiaramonte, Chair 33.

33.

Crime Fighting By Another Prince George’s State’s Attorney General Aisha Braveboy Has Done More Than Expand The Office. She’s Devised New Techniques

By Raoul Dennis And Kristina Townsend

One of the first things State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy knew she had to do was to increase the salaries of those in her office in order to attract and retain solid talent. Having done that, the county’s leading law enforcement executive has begun introducing new approaches to crime reduction. The following is a Q&A with Braveboy regarding her work, the results and the future.

PGS: How are things going in the office?

Braveboy: We have a growing workforce, so we

have a great group of people who work in this office. We’re always heaped with new challenges, and growing issues involving youth violence. Now, fentanyl has become a more prevalent drug in our community, and so we are retooling units in our office to fight, not only fentanyl but other drug trafficking. We’re seeing more high-volume drug dealers operating in the county, so we have developed two new units.

One is focused specifically on narcotics intelligence that will work very closely with the narcotics unit of the police department to investigate those drug cases. We focus not only on those low-level dealers on the street but to move up the chain to figure out everyone involved and who is profiting from the drug trade here in our county. Then we have a unit specifically focused on prosecuting firearms cases. Our Firearms Enforcement Unit will be aggressive in their prosecutions, as well as in the penalties that we will request for people who violate firearms laws.

PGS: Can you talk a bit about auto theft?

Braveboy: There’s auto theft and there’s car-

jacking. Carjacking is when someone takes your car by force. We have a major crimes unit that prosecutes carjacking cases. We are very strategic in how we prosecute those cases because those are some of the toughest cases to 34.

prosecute. We have successfully prosecuted individuals for carjacking. We have an over 90% felony conviction rate in our office.

PGS: Does your office see any common denominator in what is inspiring so many of our young people to get involved in that activity when they clearly have options here in Prince George’s?

Braveboy: The truth is the vast majority of

young people are not getting into trouble.

There’s a small segment of our community that is causing these problems. I would say about 46% of the young people who were charged with carjacking in our communities reside in the District of Columbia or other jurisdictions, but primarily the District of Columbia.

PGS: What are some of the other initiatives, or programs that you believe are prevention or solution-oriented?

Braveboy: We started the “Our Streets, Our

Future” Campaign a couple of years ago. This campaign is about bringing hope to our communities. I believe very strongly that the greatest, most valuable currency in the world is hope.

The campaign is also designed to bring real opportunities to those areas most impacted by crime. We bring job resources, training resources and social service resources directly to those communities that need attention and need support.

PGS: Can you tell us about the Justice Academy?

Braveboy: The Saturday Justice Academy is

designed to provide services to children and the adults in their lives. What we are finding oftentimes in families is that it’s more than just a child who has the problem or that it is difficult for families to figure out how to deal with children who have problems.

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do need that after-school structure, even after they complete elementary school. Also, social services, figuring out how to access government for financial assistance for housing and for food.

PGS: You were on a recent recreational marijuana panel. One of the things that came out of that discussion was the notion that violent crime or violent drug crime on the streets will increase a result of recreational marijuana becoming legal. Why? Braveboy: The experience has been that in

places like Colorado where marijuana has been legal for some time, the illegal drug market grew and the violence associated with the illegal drug trade increased. The Narcotics Intelligence Unit is being set up not only to prosecute those low-level offenders on the streets, but also to go after those who are involved in the drug trade at a higher level, who are bringing in the narcotics into our communities, and are profiting from them. If we can focus on those dealers at that level, we can break through when it comes to addressing the black market.

PGS: How do you intend to make certain that you leave a stamp of safer communities?

Braveboy: We have an over 95% conviction

rate in homicide. I raised our starting salary. It is now $80,000 per year.

In addition, we were the first office in the state to review sentences of juvenile lifers. These are people who were convicted at 14, 15, 16, 17, and sentenced to life in prison. We’ve had about 40 people we’ve helped so far, and no one has re-offended. We also have grown the Back on Track program, which gives first-time felony drug offenders an opportunity to get a second chance. No one who has completed that program has re-offended.

I built the Emerging Adult program, a program for individuals who are incarcerated. We reach out to them and provide them with life skills and training programs. We have had graduates from that program who are out in PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

Means

our community doing a good job, being positive role models and positive members of our community.

We were one of only 10 state attorneys, or prosecutor offices around the country that received the very coveted Forensic Genetic Genealogy grant, which allowed us to test old DNA samples for cold cases in those public access databases, or the private databases that contain DNA where we can build out family trees and track down those who are involved in homicides and rape. Those forensic tests that we’ve conducted have led to solving homicides.

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PGS: What are some of the wish list things that you would love to have that have not happened yet but are on your radar?

Braveboy: The top of my list is something the Prince George’s County

State’s Attorney’s Office has never had for its attorneys: a salary schedule.

Also improving our technology infrastructure is extremely important. I would like to develop a fund to assist my employees with loan repayments. They’re taking out a lot of loans in order to get an education.

Being able to provide them with loan repayment assistance would be extremely important.

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Dawn Ridley (center) president of LHDCMC Foundation is all smiles and joined by Gary Michael (at right) with guests Tony Perez of LS Perez Consulting (far left) and CEO of Luminis Health Tori Bayless (far right) during the revitalized annual golf tournament fundraiser held in June at The Country Club At Woodmore.

A New Operating Procedure Luminis Health President Leaders Richmond And Ridley Discuss New Behavioral Medical Center, Womens Health And Expansion of Services

By Kartrina Townsend

Leaders at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) have taken on a mission to bring better and easily accessible health care to Prince George’s County by opening its new Behavioral Medical Center. The center opened last fall, providing a range of behavioral health services, from urgent care to hospitalization to therapy.

“We opened a 16-bed adult in-patient psychiatric unit in March, and that will round out our complement of behavioral health services on our Lanham campus here at Luminis health Doctors Community Medical Center,” said President of Luminis Health Deneen Richmond.

The staffing of the center includes a diverse array of social, medical and mental professionals ranging from drug counselors to psychologists. “It’s a multi-disciplinary team,” she said. “To be able to provide that most appropriate level of care that a person needs.”

But one of the biggest concerns driving the changes at Luminis Health is care for women, specifically obstetrical care. Not many women stay in Prince George’s County to have their 36.

children, Richmond says and this is an issue that Luminis hopes to change.

“Currently, 8 out of 10 moms leave the county to deliver their babies, and that’s not good,” Richmond said. “We have women who don’t have easy access when you think about everything from that pre-conception period when you want to make sure your health is at its best, all the way through the postpartum period after you’ve had your baby, there’s a lot of services that are needed.”

This is such a life and death issue that aligns with one of our bold goals of Vision 2030, Luminis Health’s 10-year strategic plan. The goal is to eliminate maternal and infant mortality. In Prince George’s County, the maternal mortality rate for Black women is 50 percent higher than the national average, according to Justin McLeod, a Luminis spokesperson.

Expansion at Luminis is ongoing. The hospital has submitted the required documents to grow adiditional faciilities at the Lanham campus. It secured $12 million in funding at the state level and Luminis leaders were awaiting the green light for a Fall 2023 start.

To accomplish much of the Luminis vision, Dawn Ridley is president of the LHDCMC SPRING/SUMMER 2023

Foundation. Ridley led in reinstating the hospital’s annual golf fundraiser at the Country Club at Woodmore in June.

“It’s great fellowship but it’s also a great way for us to raise money for these focus issues: behavorial health, women’s health, community health.” LHDCMC says it exceeded goals.

The work is paying off. Recently, Luminis Health was awarded the CEO Connection Economic Justice Award for the diverse workforce within its health system.

“We are very proud of the fact that we’ve had an ongoing focus on what we frequently refer to as our JEDI journey, and JEDI stands for Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion. And so just recently, we received an external recognition for the work that we’re doing in that space,” said Richmond. “We’re knocking it out of the park with our focus around our workforce diversity,” Richmond says. “The organization, you could say is run by women.

Three out of our top four positions–our CEO and the three presidents–are women. So very, very proud of that.”

Read full story at www.pgsuite.com. See video of the inerview at Suite TV-YOUTUBE. PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

President of the LHDCMC Foundation Dawn Ridley (standing) with LHDCMC President and CEO Deneen Richmond PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS

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Words From The Wise Prince George’s County’s First Poet Laureate, ‘Sistah Joy’ Alford, Exits Through The Door She Helped Open Leaving Local Culture Better Than The Way She Found It.

By Lindiwe Vilakaze

Prince George’s County maintains a long-running history of housing some of the most talented trailblazers who have set a new standard for the county and beyond. There is a first time for everything, and may we say, J. Joy “Sistah Joy” Matthews Alford (better known as ‘Sistah Joy’) has left a fantastic footprint as Prince George’s County’s very first Inaugural Poet Laureate A native Washingtonian, Alford has shuffled through the arts and poetry scene across the D.C. Metropolitan community for decades.

Initially working in the federal government as a technical writer, Alford’s passion for the art of wordsmithing eventually led her beyond the office space and into the exhilarating world of poetry. Inspired by the wordplay of young local poets across the city, she began visiting a local Georgetown cafe, “It’s Your Mug,” where she became enraptured by the raw art form and performance of poetry. While students and poetry lovers alike would nestle within every corner of the cafe, it was there during their weekly open mics, that Alford eventually, cut her teeth on poetry.

“I started attending these open mics and was just so intrigued, [as] it was so very impressive to see these younger poets, predominantly male, that were speaking with such power and such beauty, and such awesome words of truth.”

Falling head over heels for the art form, Alford began to take particular notice of the lack of people, especially women of a mature age group, who also had things to say and a story to tell. Her desire to share the stage and art with peer poets became the genesis that inspired her now legendary group called, “Collective Voices,” a collective that started as five Black women who traveled up and down the East Coast, and even overseas to London sharing the poetry of social consciousness, motivation, inspiration, faith, and current events that fill the conscious minds of women like herself.

“Collective Voices” paved the reputation as a “poetry of conscience,” as they developed a successful career in the poetry community, hosting community events including a twenty-year annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the MLK Library and remains active today.

Alford has come a long way from her humble beginnings. The gift of her words put her in greater demand, leading her to a path allowing an early retirement from her government career, to revel in the fruits that 38.

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her labored love of poetry brought to her plate. She has since matriculated to becoming a two-time poet laureate for Prince George’s County and as a leader of the poetry ministry of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland, one of the mega-churches of Prince George’s County. Her 2018 incumbency of the Prince George’s County Laureate position has spotlighted the county for its legacy of arts and humanities work, and talent throughout the area.

“It was like Prince George’s County became that focal point where people were saying, ‘Oh, you know they’re doing poetry in Prince George’s!’ So that was also so exciting,” Alford gleefully explained. “I loved the opportunities to speak at hearings in support of the arts and poetry in particular, both for the county council and the county. I enjoyed hosting the Annual National Arts and Humanities Month celebrations (October) and hosting National Poetry Month celebrations (April). It was great being interviewed by [the media], and having my poetry published in anthologies around the world. Creating platforms for other poets from youth to seniors was just so fulfilling.”

Although her time in office has now come to a close at the end of her four-year tenure, ‘Sistah Joy’ Alford continues to make waves in the world of poetry, as she currently produces and hosts a cable television program that has run for the past seventeen years where she interviews various poets, shares poetry, and promotes poets within the community.

On April 24, the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council held the 2023 Celebration of Poetry event, where she was honored for her service as the first Inaugural Poet Laureate of Prince George’s County and awarded for Excellence in The Arts. The honorary event later revealed the newest incumbent to follow in her footsteps, as Alford is excited and honored to pass the baton to Dr. Khadijah Ali-Coleman, the county’s next poet laureate to take the lead. ‘Sistah Joy’ Alford looks forward to the success of the arts and humanities sector across the county. She has become as much of an advocate of poetry and the arts as she is a consummate poet.

“It feels great to know that poetry in Prince George’s remains in good hands. Dr. Khadijah Ali-Coleman is eminently qualified, and then some, to take the county’s poetry efforts to the next level.”

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Two New Faces On The Literary Stage Prince George’s County Names New Poet Laureate And New Youth Poet Laureate This year two individuals have become new repreand Saniya Pearson of Fort Washington. All of these sentatives for poetry in Prince George’s County: finalists have now been appointed Youth Poet Precious Foreman and Dr. Khadijah Ali-Coleman.

Ambassadors and their plan is to work together on creThe first to be named was the new Youth Poet ating and implementing an awareness campaign for Laureate. youth-related issues.

The 8th annual Prince George’s Youth Poet Next to be named was the new Poet Laureate, Dr. Laureate Finals was the final, performative phase in Khadijah Ali-Coleman. She was named Poet Laureate determining who would represent Prince George’s April 24 by exiting Poet Laureate, Sistah Joy. “It feels youth voices through the arts over the next year. It great to know that poetry in Prince George’s County was here that a Landover, MD teenager won her remains in good hands,” said Sistah Joy when asked new title. 15-year-old Precious Foreman was named about her departure from the position after almost five the Youth Poet Laureate of Prince George’s County years. “Dr. Ali-Coleman is eminently qualified, and in a ceremony at the Prince George’s Ballroom on then some, to take the County’s poetry efforts to the February 25th, 2023. She takes the place of the prenext level.” vious Youth Poet Laureate, Imani Grace West.

Like Precious Foreman, Ali-Coleman’s job will be to Joining Foreman are five other finalists from across help promote literary arts in Prince George’s County.

Prince George’s County: Diana Plata of Glen Dale, She will be working with the Prince George’s Arts and Top: Dr. Khadijah Ali-Coleman (left) with Arianna Bosley of Brandywine, Chimwekele Okoro Sistah Joy. Above: Youth Poet Laureate Humanities Council to spread appreciation of poetry, of New Carrollton, Kiara Ramirez of Beltsville, Precious Foreman as well as help in supporting local writers.

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MENTOR

The Fight Isn’t Over

At the June 17 Lifetime Achievement Award Celebration given in his honor less than a month before his July 11 death, former Maryland Senator Tommie Broadwater gave a passionate but simple message to the 450 people who were there to celebrate him. He said, “Keep fighting.”

When Broadwater went to Annapolis in 1974, he had no intentions of playing the role of quiet freshman. The senator aggressively went after dollars that scarcely came to Prince George’s County.

The first Black lawmaker elected to Annapolis office from Prince George’s County lobbied to acquire funding and legislation that would aid the county that was too often overlooked. County institutions that were routinely underfunded gained greater support from Annapolis as a result of Broadwater’s efforts. It marked the beginning of a transformation within Maryland politics as more women and minorities came into elected office.

But it was his counsel to others after his time in office that earned him recognition as the godfather of Prince George’s County. The senator mentored dozens of successful county leaders such as Wayne Curry, Al Wynn and many others. He believed in helping others to get through the doors he opened for them. And, through it all, Broadwater never lost his commitment or touch with average people, regardless of their station in life.

“They are trying to take us back,” he said of the current national political climate. “We cannot let that happen. The only way is to fight. We have to keep fighting.” –Raoul Dennis PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

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PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS 41.

A Lifetime Of Achievement PHOTOGRAPHY BY KENT BALLARD PHOTOGRAPHY // COURTESY MARGE BALTIMORE

J U N E 9 , 1 9 4 2 - J U LY 11 , 2 0 2 3

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