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Prince George's County
Prince George’s Focused on a Post-COVID-19 Future
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
Prince George’s County colleges and universities should connect with small and medium-sized businesses to recruit and hire graduating seniors, public school and county officials need to meet more frequently and more WiFi “hotspots” are needed throughout the jurisdiction.
These are three of the 29 recommendations in a report released last week worked on since last year by a 42-member task force announced by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks to enhance and provide better services in a post-COVID-19 climate.
“With the release of this report, I will turn my focus to implementing the recommendations to enable our county to better deliver services and make a difference in the lives of all our residents,” she said in the report.
The group, chaired by former Prince George’s Community College president Charlene Dukes and David Velasquez, president
5 The University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Largo opened June 12. (FILE: Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
and CEO of Pepco Holdings, assessed ways to improve the county through five subcommittees: government operations, economic development, education, health and human and social services.
A few recommendations al-
Local Vendors Showcase Edible Dishes at FedEx Field
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
Oxtail spring rolls drizzled with a sauce similar to ketchup mixed with hot sauce made by Kitchen Cray located in Northeast. Meanwhile, several people devoured a sample of seafood gumbo from EllaRay’s Café of District Heights.
These dishes count as just a few of the dozens prepared by chefs and culinary entrepreneurs on Monday, June 14 during a Flavor of the DMW Showcase at FedEx Field in Landover. The Washington Football Team hosted the event for 22 vendors, one of whom will become an official gameday vendor for the team’s 2021 season.
“I really hope I’m one of the selected few,” said Cleavon “Clay” Morris who turns 30 on June 24 and serves as the chef and owner of The Tropical Express based out of Clinton.
“It’s motivational to be around these guys. Just to be in this position where people tell me my food tastes good, I’m just happy,” he said.
It’s unclear when a winner would be announced but the Washington organization wanted to ensure a community vendor will become part of the team’s eight home games starting with the season and home opener Sept. 12 against the San Diego Chargers.
“It’s the first time the team has ever done anything like this,” said Joey Colby-Begovich, vice president of guest experience. “It’s part of our larger effort to bring more community elements into the stadium and the gameday experience.”
The Shell Shack Seafood, which operates a food truck with a patio in downtown Silver Spring, established its operation in April 2020. The company entered the competition about one hour before the deadline thanks to a customer sending an Instagram link.
“Thank God for the customer,” said Nicole Watson, director of operations for The Shell Shack. “No two days are ever the same in our business, which makes it so very interesting.”
Some of the taste-testers included season ticket holders, two executive chefs and former Washington players.
Each person received six tokens to place in a box to help choose their favorite vendor.
According to the judging rules, participants faced evaluation on food or product quality that included taste, appearance and texture; ease of prep and service; overall presentation; uniqueness of the product; and connections to the DMV.
In case of a tie, the head chef for Levy Hospitality Group will serve as the tiebreaker.
A few vendors in attendance operate outside the D.C. region including South Mountain Creamery in Middletown, Frederick County, which delivers its homemade ice cream and other products to various businesses in the region. Several people walked to the creamery’s table to guzzle their signature 12-ounce raspberry lemonade.
Former Washington tight end Rick “Doc” Walker didn’t speak for about 35 seconds after taking a bite of a plant-based sausage from Everything Legendary of Largo. He even swayed side-to-side while chewing.
“I stand by my product, man,” yelled Duane Cheers, president and CEO of Everything Legendary. “This food makes you dance.”
WI @jabariwill
5 Former Washington football players Rick “Doc” Walker (left) and Fred Smoot sample food June 14 at Flavors of the DMV Showcase hosted by the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field in Landover. (William J. Ford/The Washington Informer) ready in the works include creating more county services online as some agencies continue to work virtually and develop policies and procedures for residents in need of accommodations. These and other items could be completed within the next year.
A county executive spokesman said in an email Thursday, June 10 at least a half dozen recommendations could take several years to launch.
For instance, an “economic resiliency function” would require an annual budget in preparation for emergency situations.
When the coronavirus pandemic forced the closure of businesses in March 2020, the county lost 10,000 jobs in 10 days, David Iannucci, president and CEO of the county’s Economic Development Corpsaid.
Entrepreneurship and leadership skills are proposed as part of an education plan to create a dual-enrollment program for students “that emphasizes creating innovators with social responsibility…to develop the critical 21st century skills they will need to succeed.” Those particular programs usually involve high school students also enrolled at a community college or local university.
In terms of health, officials and residents view the newly opened University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center as a way to boost care.
In the state of Maryland, the county has the highest rates of obesity, diabetes and infant mortality.
The majority Black jurisdiction leads the state in confirmed coronavirus cases, but vaccinations improved with slightly more than 40 percent of those ages 12 and older are fully vaccinated with the twodose or single-dose vaccines.
One strategy to improve health, according to the report, is creating a database to collect and store patient information for clinicians to track over time.
Another proposal would be to expand the county’s “HealthAssure” program to cover the estimated 12.5 percent of uninsured residents that include low-wage workers, part-timers and employees at small businesses.
Dukes has a message for residents reading the report: “Please get a COVID-19 vaccine.”
To read the report, go to https://bit. ly/3iy6jux. WI @jabariwill
Pride in Prince George’s
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
Although America has slowly become more welcoming to those in the LGBTQ community, Del. Gabriel Acevero and other elected officials and activists said it’s not enough.
LGBTQ Victory Institute of Northwest, which provides national and international advocacy and training for elected and appointed officials, noted in an interactive map at https:// outforamerica.org the U.S. has nearly 1,000 LGBTQ elected officials.
“Even though we are looking at this pattern and seeing the brilliance of the queer community…we must also recognize that we have so, so far to go in terms of representation,” said Acevero (D-Montgomery County), the first openly gay man of Afro-Latino descent elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2018. “I’m not just talking about public office, [but also] nonprofit corporate suites, organized labor to academia to health care. There’s a real lack of cultural competency to LGBTQ+ folks.”
Acevero joined an online discussion Thursday, June 10 which focused on building LGBTQ political power.
Along with LGBTQ+ Prince George’s Pride, PG Change Makers Coalition hosted a discussion on its Facebook page to coincide with June being Pride Month. The original organizers used it to pay homage to the Stonewall revolt in 1969 in New York City, credited as the spark igniting the modern gay rights movement.
Part of Thursday’s discussion focused on boosting representation in leadership positions to craft inclusive policies.
Berwyn Heights council member Ethan Sweep said there should be education for police officers to not misidentify trans individuals. A 2013 document from the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs at ncavp_transhvfactsheet.pdf stated transgender people “were 3.7 times more likely to experience police violence compared to cisgender survivors and victims.”
“There are people who are just like, ‘I never would’ve thought of that. I’ll look into it,’” Sweep said. “That simple act of being at the table and making your voice heard can be such a powerful thing.”
Briana Urbina, first elected Latina in the city of New Carrollton and married to her wife of 11 years, said combating culture wars remain a problem.
Urbina mentioned the Arkansas law addressing parents’ role in providing health care for their transgender children. In April, the Republican-led legislature overrode a veto from Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson to ban access gender-conforming health care for those 18 and younger, even with parental consent.
“I don’t know what happened that allowed for this to intervene…but that is definitely a very large concern that I have,” she said.
Combating hate and fear rank high on the agenda, discussion participants noted.
Jeremy A. Lannan recalled receiving death threats in 2018 a few months after becoming the first openly gay man chosen as national vice president for Women and Fair Practices for the American Federal of Government Employees.
“It was definitely hurtful, but I had to recognize that any time you’re creating change or doing what’s right … is
As the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce’s fiscal year winds down, and after the most tremulous Pandemic in human history, the Chamber stands strong. Navigating these stormy waters was no easy task, but the Chamber rammed through it with vigor and steadfastness.
This year, businesses were hard hit with some going under. The Chamber worked with Federal and County officials to channel needed resources that kept businesses afloat. Of critical need, was getting dollars and other support required to maintain personnel and operations. In response to this need, the Chamber- through its Capital Accelerator Program and partnership with the University of Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) led monthly technical assistance sessions that connected businesses to grants and loans. This initiative saw millions of dollars go to small businesses keeping them active in the marketplace.
The Chamber’s advocacy arm was in full swing working with key legislators on business-friendly policy and pushing back on those adding burdens to businesses. Active in the halls of the General Assembly and County Council, the Chamber was influential in bringing business views and amendments to legislators. We appreciate their willingness and availability to hear the Chamber’s perspective.
The Chamber’s committees worked extremely hard to convene virtual events. The Economic Development Committee highlighted Prince George’s development projects and showed how businesses could tap into them. Chamber First was in full swing, connecting members to private procurement and other contract opportunities. Women in Business Development Committee executives came together to discuss their businesses, strategies for sustaining & opportunities to work together. Finally, the Chamber held an in-person sold out Golf Tournament & Fundraiser that was a venue for reconnecting and networking. All of these would not have been possible without member support and the leadership of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, especially Board Chair Tisa Clark of JD Clark Professional Services.
The dawn of the New Fiscal Year brings high expectations of strengthening advocacy, procurement opportunities & in-person networking. Added to all of these, the Chamber will continue its regional reach bringing opportunities outside of the County to members front doors. Stay tuned and thank you for your continued support!
5 Hyattsville Mayor Kevin Ward, left, receives an award June 12 from LGTBQ+ Prince George’s Pride for “Excellence in Government.” Ward, who’s gay, served as interim mayor before he won last’s month city election as mayor. (Anthony Tilghman/ The Washington Informer) never easy,” said Lannan, who emphasized LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter movements intersect in bringing change to society.
With the coronavirus pandemic still lingering, some Pride events took place online.
Some local events still went on in-person such as one Saturday, June 12 in Hyattsville organized by Del. Wanika Fisher (D-District 47B) of Hyattsville, Ashanti Martinez and Krystal Oriadha.
Martinez and Oriadha co-hosted the panel discussion Thursday and said they will continue community dialogue not only throughout this month, but entire year.
“I want [people] to live so unapologetically themselves because on the other end of that is true happiness and greatness in every single thing you do,” said Oriadha, co-founder of PG Changer Makers. “Don’t hide yourself. Be yourself.” WI @jabariwill
5 Krystal Oriadha, co-founder of PG Change Makers Coalition, riding a bicycle June 12 during a “Run, Walk, or Ride” Pride event in Hyattsville. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)
