Ward 8 Matters

Ward 8 Matters is a call to action to raise the political and social profile of the Ward 8 Democrats. The "Ward 8 Matters" Slate are individuals who are willing to take on the leadership of the Ward 8 Democrats and engage Ward 8 voters in every aspect of our great Ward. We want the city to feel the impact and voice of Ward 8 and use our political power to ensure we get the resources needed to improve the quality of life in our communities.

So does Ward 8 Matter? Yes it does, and we need YOU to come vote for the "Ward 8 Matters" Slate. Help us take Ward 8 Politics to a new level so it powerfully impacts every resident in Ward 8. I invite you to attend theWard 8 Democrats Convention on Saturday September 19, 2015 and vote for a team of Ward 8 Residents who will work diligently to ensure Ward 8 Matters in all aspects of city politics.

When: Saturday September 19, 2015

Time: 12-2pm (You Can Vote and Leave)

Where: Thurgood Marshall Academy - 2427 MLK Ave SE

Charles Wilson       - President

Barbara Jones        - 1^st Vice President

Leonard Watson     - 2^nd Vice President

Darryl Ross             - Treasurer

Anthony L. Green   - Recording Secretary

Deloris Walker        - Corresponding Secretary

A Ward 8 Christmas!

A Ward 8 Christmas!

 

Happy Holidays Ward 8 Neighbors,

 

We hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family this past weekend. Christmas is right around the corner and we wanted to encourage you to participate in the upcoming Ward 8 Holiday celebration events. Please make it your best effort to help spread the holiday spirit in our neighborhoods this season!

 

Anacostia Coordinating Council Holiday Celebration

When: Tuesday December 2, 2014

Time: 6pm - 9pm
Where: Anacostia Playhouse - 2020 Shannon Pl., SE

Fairlawn Citizens Association Christmas Tree Lighting
When: Saturday December 6, 2014

Time: 5pm

Where: Corner of Good Hope Rd and Minnesota Ave., SE

Christmas Caroling in Historic Anacostia

When: Sunday December 7, 2014

Time: 6pm

Where: Anacostia Fire Station - 14th St SE

Congress Heights Community Association Christmas Tree Lighting

When: Saturday December 13, 2014

Time: 4pm

Where: Corner of MLK Jr Ave and Malcom X Ave., SE

A Cozy Christmas at the St. Elizabeths Pavillion

When: Saturday December 13, 2014

Time: 4pm - 9pm

Where: St. Elizabeths East Campus

Ward 8 AARP Chapter Holiday Luncheon

When: Wednesday December 17, 2014

Time: 11am - 1pm

Where: Joint Base Anacostia - Bolling Club

Cost: $25 - All You Can Eat
 

Ward 8 Democrats Kwanza Celebration

When: Saturday December 20, 2014

Time: 2-4pm

Where: R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center - St. Elizabeths East Campus

The Boys & Girls Club Launches Diploma to Degrees (d2D)

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Launches Diploma to Degrees (d2D)

$15,000 contribution from AT&T helps teens prepare for STEAM careers

Washington, D.C. (October 21, 2014) – Officials from AT&T today joined teens from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, D.C., and other community leaders to kick off the club’s Diplomas to Degrees (d2D) initiative, designed to help students prepare for science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) careers.

The announcement was made during a special event at FBR Branch @ THEARC. A $15,000 contribution from AT&T will allow the students to engage in experiential learning activities using updated technology.  The students also will develop and build their academic and professional portfolios that will be used to assist them with securing college admissions, internship, and workshop exposure opportunities and STEAM careers.

“Education is our priority. We provide quality programs that raise graduation rates of our members,” said LeVar Jones, teen director, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington.  “Education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators. AT&T’s contribution will help us reach more students in Washington, D.C. We’re excited to team up with the company on the d2D initiative.”

Jones added that the project is part of the club’s Extreme Teens and teen leadership programs (grades 9-12) that focus on education, technology, leadership, character development, and community service.  The programs help youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, applying learning to everyday situations and embracing technology to achieve success in a career.

LaTara Harris, AT&T’s regional director of external affairs, said the program will help create the next generation of innovators in the District of Columbia. “When students graduate from high school, they improve their chances for success in college and careers,” Harris said.  “This program will keep these students engaged in school and on track to graduate, and will help them better prepare for success in college and beyond.  We want to do our part to help the next generation of innovators in Washington, D.C.”

Harris added that the program is aligned with AT&T Aspire, one of the country’s largest corporate commitments focused on helping more students graduate from high school ready for college and careers.  In 2012, AT&T announced an additional quarter-billion-dollar expansion to the program, bringing the total commitment to $350 million since the program was launched in 2008. Learn more about AT&T Aspire by visiting www.att.com/aspire.

            

Learn more about the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington FBR Branch @ THEARC by visitinghttp://www.bgcgw.org/fbr-branch-thearc/.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement or address community needs. In 2013, more than $130 million was contributed or directed through corporate-, employee-, social investment- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T’s signature education initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism and mentoring.

Is the Reeves Center Good for Ward 8?

Art of War Concept: Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”
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The Reeves Center is a symbol of neighborhood revitalization. Then Mayor Marion S. Barry's decision to relocate government offices to the corner of a blighted neighborhood suffering the aftereffects of the riots of the Sixties is credited with sparking the revival of the booming U Street corridor. Now, there is talk of the Reeves Center coming to Downtown Anacostia. The conversation assumes that a similar strategy will have a similar impact.

Anacostia and other neighborhoods in Ward 8 need more than just another government office building. Rather than pursue this 'copycat' approach to economic revitalization, the city should focus instead on how it can make neighborhoods special in their own right. What is needed is a shared vision and a well-thought-out plan.

A plan – a shared vision? Is that possible? In emerging communities, stakeholders often have different ideas.  Through conversations led by the people who live in the neighborhood, all can get on the same page. After all, the people who live there should know what is best for their own community, right? Yet, where is the dialogue?

In Wards 1 and 6, the city held public hearings to discuss the soccer stadium and the replacement of the current Reeves Center. Why were there no such meetings in Ward 8? Residents should be asked to weigh in on whether location of a major government facility in their midst is a good idea. They should be consulted on its location. After all, they live here! With all attention on the mechanics of the soccer deal, maximizing the potential of redeveloping governmental infrastructure to Anacostia remains an afterthought.

Actually, I think a Reeves Center type facility will have a positive impact on Ward 8. Day time foot

traffic generated by its office dwellers should attract needed retail. However, the proposed location on Good Hope Rd. SE is not in the best interest of the community. Moving the project closer to the

Anacostia Metro Station is preferable. Downtown Anacostia has very few thoroughfares. A location next to Metro ensures government workers can use public transportation for their commutes.

Moreover, there has been no discussion about how the design of a new Reeves Center will relate to historic fabric of Downtown Anacostia. Will it look like the ugly DC Lottery buildings fronted by massive parking lots? Will it resemble the sterile architecture of the DC Dept. of Housing and Economic Development? Large buildings of this caliber that have no reference to the architectural fabric of the surrounding historic neighborhood threaten to undermine its integrity and beauty.

I and many of my neighbors choose to live in Anacostia precisely because of the beauty and charm of its built environment as well as its history. Any new development should be respectful of our choice.

How Do You Cut Your Pancakes?

Art of War Concept: All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
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I just love breakfast! I can eat a breakfast meal anytime during the day. And of course, my favorite breakfast meal is pancakes. Whether it is blueberry, strawberry or regular…if you say pancakes, I will come running to the table. Whether they are from Ward 8’s IHOP or from the Market Lunch at Eastern Market, on a Saturday morning you best believe that I am there ready to gulf down a short stack along with eggs, bacon and a glass of orange juice.

While sitting at the table enjoying my pancakes, there are times when I will look over at my friends or another customer’s plate to see if they are in food heaven like me.  What I’ve noticed is, similar to leadership style, everyone has their own unique way of cutting their pancakes. After much observation, I’ve concluded the way you cut your pancakes is reflective of your leadership style and personality. Typically, pancake eaters use one of the following cutting styles:  “criss-cross,” cut-as-you-go, or a half-and-half.

Let us analyze each style and see if it fits your personality.

Let’s begin with the criss-cross pattern. This pancake eater will cut their pancakes in a symmetrical pattern

before pouring the syrup. I notice this person will eat each piece starting from the outside and working in; always leaving the middle piece last. The last piece taste the best because it had time to absorb the syrup and butter. If you are this type of pancake eater you are most likely a planner. You like to see the big picture and take a step-by-step approach to reach your goal. Reaching your goal is like finishing that last piece of the pancake. After all your hard work, reaching your goal taste so sweet. However, they may be adverse to change and get-up-tight when they cannot predict the next step in the process.

The next pancake eater is the “cut as you go” eater. Instead of being perfectly symmetrical like the criss-cross eater, your pancakes take on unpredictable form as you cut them. You don’t care how they look as long as you eat what is on the plate. This pancake eater most likely leads spontaneously. You like change and hate to be placed in a box. You can also irritate the criss-cross pancake eater who is probably agenda-driven and wants to stay on task. You are aware of your ultimate goal, but believe there are multiple ways to get there. Just like eating pancakes this leadership style sees winning as the goal, not the process.

The final pancake eater is the “half-and-half” eater. The person will cut his pancakes in half then set one half to the side and pour the syrup. They will eat the half first and then start on the next half. I consider this style the project facilitator. This person gets overwhelm if there is too much on their plate at one time. They reach the goal by eliminating the distraction of the big picture and working on a smaller more attainable goal first. Completing projects in a systematic approach, removing the big picture helps moves them closer to reaching the goal. This person is the perfect addition to a team because you are able to easily identify tasks and have a determination to complete them to help the “criss-cross” and “cut-as-you-go” styles reach their goal.

What I have learned about each pancake eater is there is no right or wrong way to cut your pancakes. At the end of the day, it is all going to the same place – your mouth. And just like there is not a right or wrong way to eat your pancakes, there is not one single way to lead. All three leadership styles have strengths and weaknesses but ultimately can get to the same goal. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were pushing for the same cause. They had different leadership styles and both were effective. I remember when President Barack Obama was first elected. His critics said that he was not hardcore enough, yet at the end of his second term, most will think he accomplished a lot during his presidency. There are also unique styles of leadership in our Ward. Let’s be sure to embrace different styles of leadership and encourage each other to improve the quality of life in our communities. 

So next time you are eating pancakes make sure you are observant.  Remember you can learn a lot about a person by how they eat their pancakes! 

Wow, St. E's East Campus is going to be Awesome!

Art of War Concept: As water has no constant form, there are in war no constant conditions.
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Last Saturday, I took a drive over to the St. Elizabeth’s East Campus in Congress Heights for the unveiling of the Gateway Pavilion development plan. When I first heard about this project, I thought it was going to be something like the temporary tent structure used by the City to house vendors during the Eastern Market renovation. Boy, I was wrong! What I learned was this will be an awesome $5 million structure that will serve as a cultural and market center. It will have cafeteria spaces to allow for more eating options for residents and government workers along with an open-air theater/pavillion on top.

Normally, when I hear about these types of projects they are always light-years away, but I was excited to learn that the City will break ground in January and plan to be complete by late summer. Additionally, "if this goes according to plan,"  Microsoft and other technology company anchors will begin to move in within 3-5 years. The City is serious folks! 

As I understand more about the St. Elizabeth’s project, I get excited! As Mayor Gray said, this development will be the center of City activity and that soon the District will be considered a City of 8 Wards and not  6 Wards and the other 2.

And here is a not so bold prediction. Though Ward 8 has been known as a place to avoid, it will soon be considered a place where people will be tripping over themselves to get in. With the development of St E's, soon to be Poplar Point and possibly the 11^th Street Recreational Bridge, East of the River will be pride of the City! Mayor Gray promises that Ward 8 Residents and Businesses will have a seat at the table, but it is going to be up to us to position ourselves and take advantage of the changes to come! There is going to be tremendous amount of business opportunity...stay tuned, I'm sure the River East Emerging Leaders and other community organizations will keep you posted on how you can get involved.

A food court on the bottom, and open-air theatre on top!

Can't forget about the food trucks...

Can you imagine seeing this structure on MLK Ave!?

Another view from MLK Ave

I think that is an iPhone 5?

Imagine the possibilities of the theatre venue!

After the event, I took my own tour of the campus. It has so much potential!

This is a one shot deal, so I hope the City puts a great plan together.

I am sure there will be some serious community convo regarding this chapel.

It was built in 1955 so it is not considered historic. It would be

great if some architects could incorporate the building into the design of

the grocery store...hint, hint...Wegmans!

Big Changes Coming to the Neighborhood!

Microsoft, 2 other firms are D.C.’s picks for tech centers on St. Elizabeths campus

Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s economic-development team has selected Microsoft and two other technology companies as preferred candidates to open facilities on the east campus of St. Elizabeths Hospital as part of a plan to develop the 170-acre campus into a center of innovation.

D.C. officials chose the companies from among 10 proposals the city received after issuing a search for concepts in July. French lighting firm Citelum and Atlanta-based SmartBIM, an architectural modeling company, round out the trio that Gray hopes will jump-start the transformation of the area, according to Ethan Warsh, who manages the city’s project for Victor L. Hoskins, deputy mayor for planning and economic development.

 

The mayor aims to turn the east campus into a job generator for one of the poorest parts of the city as well as into a center for the development and commercialization of new technology. The grassy, tree-lined campus, in Southeast between Anacostia and Congress Heights, is across the street from the 176-acre west campus that is slated to become the consolidated headquarters for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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The New Ballou Senior High School

Wow, check out the plans for the new Ballou Senior High School. This is going to be amazing...almost makes me want to be in highschool again!