Finally, Happy New Year/Local News Impact/Community News
Finally, Happy New Year/Local News Impact/Community News
Thank you for being so supportive.
Finally, I can write to you all - Happy New Year! I appreciate your patience, and support during this time. I am still feeling a bit sick. I have a cough that doesn’t want to leave my body. We have all tested negative for Covid-19.
The Intersection’s Impact in 2023
Thank you to residents in Prince George's County and DMV for reading, sharing, providing financial support, and discussing The Intersection's work. In 2023, we met all our goals. We sought to do more face-to-face engagement with Prince George's County residents. The Intersection was invited to participate in The Black Futures, Black Past Festival at Prince George’s County Community College. In part, that effort resulted in the growth of our newsletter and social media followers. We also received more interaction via email.
You all are The Real MVP’s.
We are also proud of the work that we produced last year. We managed to report a series of articles centered on place. These articles were inspired by community interests.
Excerpt: “Veronica Gallardo and her team of public historians and museum professionals are shifting away from the Booth-Confederacy-centered storyline. Instead, they are telling a more comprehensive history that digs deeper into the Surratt family’s power in Prince George’s County, their politics, and the family’s participation in Maryland’s slavocracy. In addition to all of this, Gallardo wants to move the museum forward by making it a more community-centered space.”
Excerpt: “The history of the Blue Line Corridor is…like many other places in the United States,” Drakeford said. “They are entangled with enslavement; land dispossession; development; and iterations of gentrification.”
Excerpt: “Mr. Juricks’s life mattered to his wife, his children, and friends,” said Mary Craft, a civil rights activist, and volunteer at the PGCLMP. “In [Black] culture, when a person dies we have a wake, and a funeral, recognizing the humanity of that person. For people who were lynched, that did not happen. So our service… is about commemorating his life.”
Excerpt: “Poverty in Prince George's County is something that we don't talk about often because for so long we've touted the fact that we were the most prosperous Black county in America. This was true in the sense that Black people living in the county had more access to wealth and financial opportunities compared to any other county in Maryland.”
Excerpt: The anti-violence, after-school/community-based program, “Rolling Away From Violence” was organized by Tiera Bratton, social entrepreneur and CEO of Opportunities For Deserving Children, a non-profit organization that creates extracurricular and mentoring programs for children living in communities that are politically marginalized. This particular community-based/after-school program gives children a safe space to play and engage with peers and mentors. Bratton’s organization kicked off its first event in May – when carjackings and murders were steadily on the rise.
Excerpt: “The meeting was held in the fine arts building. Unlike other community meetings, it truly sought to address community questions and respond to a number of social issues. Panelists did not give speeches before taking questions from community members. Instead, the meeting started with introductions from each panelist. Then the event quickly moved to hearing residents, majority older, questions and concerns.”
Excerpt: “William Green, “Boo Boo” was killed by Cpl. Michael Owens,” she explained. “It was not self-defense. It was not man-slaughter. It was not anything – but a cold, blooded murder. That is what that was.”
Community Meetings
Life After Release Job Club
When: Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Creative Suitland 4719 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, MD 20746We are connecting women impacted by the criminal legal system to local employers.
Sharing resources, tips, and leads for finding employment or higher education
Supporting employment offers through mutual assistance and collaboration.
_
MLK Holiday Closings
County government offices, except for public safety agencies, will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024, in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
Curbside collection of yard trim, food scraps, trash, and recycling will remain on a regular schedule for residents receiving County-provided services. There are NO changes due to the holiday.
Learn more information about waste collection services on the Department of the Environment website here.
_
School Waste Reduction
Deadline: Saturday, January 13
Apply for the School Waste Reduction and Composting Grant with the Maryland State Department of Education and get up to $8,000 for your school to stop food waste and start composting!
Funds can be used to support the following:
Provide educational resources and programs for students, parents, and staff
Develop infrastructure aimed at measuring and reducing food waste (e.g., share tables and community fridges that divert food waste)
Establish and maintain a composting program (e.g., purchase compost bins)
Contract with commercial composters, municipal agencies, or county agencies that can recycle in-school organic waste
Learn more information on the Clean Water Action website here.
_
Cross Collaboration Event: Supporting Survivors of Human Trafficking with Co-occurring Serious Mental Illnesses
Time: Thursday, February 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Prince George's County Human Trafficking Task Force, in collaboration with the District of Columbia Human Trafficking Task Force, is hosting a virtual, cross-jurisdiction, cross-discipline event for victims of human trafficking who may struggle with serious mental illnesses (SMI) and other co-occurring disorders such as substance use disorder (SUD).
Register to attend here.
_
FSC First Virtual Business Preparatory Support
FSC First is excited to announce that Business Preparatory Support is back! Participants in Track 1 will receive guidance and resources to help them navigate the loan application process effectively. The goal of these sessions is to equip businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to strengthen their loan application. Learn more and register to participate here.
_
Crafternoon: Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King
Time: Saturday, January 13
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (6200 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD).
Celebrate Dr Martin Luther King Jr.! Have fun crafting and creating! Supplies are provided.
_
Top Ladies of Distinction - PGCC 12th Annual MLK Prayer Breakfast
Time: Sat, Jan 13, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Martin's Crosswinds
7400 Greenway Center Dr, Greenbelt, MD
Join us for the 12th Annual MLK Prayer Breakfast, where we celebrate the life and legagy of Dr. King and his life of service. Get tickets here.
_
MLK Celebration: Moving Maryland Forward
Time: Fri, Jan 12, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Kingdom Fellowship A.M.E. Church
11710 Beltsville Dr, Calverton, MD
The NAACP Maryland State Conference will host its first event of 2024 celebrating MLK and the Installation and swearing-in of New Officers. Register here
_
MLK Weekend of Service: Community Skills Expo
Time: Sat, Jan 13, 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Empowerment Center
403 Brightseat Rd, North Englewood, MD
Join our Community Skills expo for essential tools, resources, style presentations, and direct connections with vendors and employers. Register at www.fbcglenarden.org/skillsexpo.\n.
_
Embracing Our Humanity: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Discussion
Time: Sat, Jan 13, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (6530 Adelphi Rd, Hyattsville, MD)
Social change agent Dr. Gail Christopher, author of "Rx Racial Healing: A Guide to Embracing Our Humanity," shares how personal narratives build interpersonal connections that promote racial.
Here is a link to view more MLK Day events in Prince George’s County.