Community Solutions/ PGC Black History/ Teenagers Learn Anti-Violence

Feb 24, 2023

Before you start scrolling through this week’s newsletter. I want to acknowledge new members of this community. Welcome! I am glad you’re here. Thank you for trusting this work, and welcome to the journey. We are growing — and I am excited! Feel free to email me at contxtnewsletter@gmail.com or theintersectionmagazine@protonmail.com

Black Prince George’s County

PG Change Makers has done an excellent job of sharing Prince George’s History. Here are some selections from the organization’s Twitter feed.

PG Change Makers @pgchangemakers

G. James Gholson made #BlackHistoryinPGC as a master architect of desegregation in Prince George's County schools

PG Change Makers @pgchangemakers

Robert Malone is #LivingBlackHistory as the Executive Director of the Arc of Prince George's County, a leading organization in establishing special education and accessibility programs

PG Change Makers @pgchangemakers

Mt. Nebo African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1877 and served as a worship place for the Black community in Prince George's County #BlackHistoryinPGC

Community

Anti-violence

In the mid-Atlantic region, there has been a decent amount of carjackings. Every day, there are news reports or Nextdoor statuses detailing teenagers’ being detained for theft, killing someone, or truancy. There is more to Prince George’s County than crime.

Last week, On February 18, a group of teenagers, parents, and anti-violence teachers gathered in Forestville, Maryland at the Suitland Community Center. The Training Grounds Inc.— in collaboration with Hope In Action Initiative, an anti-violence non-profit— held a free youth symposium. Prince Hamm, an activist, shared some pictures with our newsletter.

Redeveloping Communities in Prince George’s County through Gardening

The Capital Market @TCM20743

This week, we kicked off a Community Garden & Healthy Food Access Study with our friends over at @NDCMaryland. We met with local community garden enthusiast and students from @UMD_MAPPD to discuss how community gardens can promote access to healthy foods.

Last night, Feb. 23, The Capital Market and The Neighborhood Design Center held an event introducing residents, and those from surrounding communities, to the importance of community gardens and neighborhood transformation.

Facilitators Brittney Drakeford, executive team member of The Capital Market, and Allie O’Neil, architecture and community planning program director at The Neighborhood Design Center, led community members to collectively think about what it means to have a community garden.
Food was provided, and audience members told stories about their experiences with community gardens.
Residents brainstormed about community safety, accessibility, the importance of healthy food, and community education about gardening.
Students from The University of Maryland presented research on how Prince George’s County residents understand food access, safety, and what residents think about community gardens.
There is a planned community audit on April 1. If you want to get involved, and for more information, contact facilitators here: thecapitalmarketmd@gmail.com or aoneill@ndc-mad.org.

Meetings:

You can view the county council’s calendar of public meetings. See here.

“Strengthening PROCUREMENT in Prince George's County"

Attention County-based businesses! The People's Council wants to hear from you on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 6:00 PM.

Come and discuss your experiences with the County's procurement process and ways to improve the Procurement Process.

"Strengthening PROCUREMENT in Prince George's County"
Town Hall Meeting.

Day of Empathy in Prince George's County

At-Large Council Member Calvin S. Hawkins, II invites your participation in observance of "Day of Empathy in Prince George's County" on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, from 5:00 until 9:00 PM.

Panel Discussions with Special Guest Judge Scott M. Carrington, Adult Drug Court Coordinator.

Registration is open at no cost.

District 3 Spring Nonprofit Networking Event

Prince George's County Council Member Eric Olson will host the District 3 Spring Nonprofit Networking Event on Monday, April 17, 2023, in College Park, Maryland.

WHERE: College Park Airport Operations Building
1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive
College Park, Maryland 20740

TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

County nonprofits are encouraged to attend to expand their networks, while learning strategies and valuable tips to grow their organizations. For more information, please contact Jaqueline Menjivar at 301-952-7473 or via email: jgmenjivar@co.pg.md.us.

RSVP for the District 3 Spring Nonprofit Networking Event today!

PG Parks History

Montpelier House Museum was an active plantation in the 1700s. The museum wants to share the stories of the museum. Come for free self-guided tours in February and see Montpelier from the perspectives of all who lived there.

For questions, please e-mail: montpeliermansion@pgparks.com

Phone: 301-377-7817