We Discuss Wes Moore and Aruna Miller, Community Events, and The Latest Tech News - Issue #55
We Discuss Wes Moore and Aruna Miller, Community Events, and The Latest Tech News - Issue #55
Wes Moore and Aruna Miller are leading Maryland
Election night has passed, but the historical moment is still present. Wes Moore is the new governor and Aruna Miller is the lieutenant governor. But, what does this mean for Maryland? What does this mean for Prince George's County?
Early in their campaign, Moore and Miller visited South County. I covered that event. You can read it here. Local political figures, at that time, were pushing back against Dan Cox, a Trump-backed candidate, so the language used was about preserving democracy in Maryland - and by extension the nation. This was a central Democratic message. The Republican Party seeks to undermine a multiracial society and reestablish a culture that ONLY reaffirms whiteness.
Angela Alsobrooks, the first Black woman to be voted in as County Executive of Prince George's County, used religious language at that time to assert that Moore and Miller's ascension was divine.
Excerpt:
“The Bible says, 'Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails,’” said Alsobrooks, citing a passage from Proverbs. “I truly believe the election of Wes Moore and Aruna Miller is God’s work.”
“Nobody should ever underestimate Prince Georgians,” she said. “You all made this happen.”
She spoke well of Miller, saying that she was a former engineer whose political experience has allowed her to be a bridge builder.
“This is a moment in our history that calls for transformative leadership, and with the continued support of this coalition we know we will prevail in this election and deliver solutions to the urgent problems Marylanders are facing,” Miller said in a statement. “The historic ticket we represent stands ready to realize the promise of an inclusive government, build a state that works for all of us, and ensure a brighter future for all Marylanders.”
One of the most important moments, I think, was when Pastor James Robinson, chair of the local development council in Prince George’s County, spoke. Here is what he said:
Robinson said Virginia and Montgomery County are running out of space and people are migrating to Prince George’s County. Robinson believes the county holds substantial political power as well as economic potential.
Borrowing from the bible, Robinson spoke metaphorically about how Moore could maximize the county’s economic potential by sowing into it. Drawing on Hebrew scripture, Jesus often used metaphors of sowing and reaping to give his disciples insight into how the Kingdom of God works.
Robinson said:
“Wes Moore, Prince George’s County is fertile soil. Whatever seed you decide to sow, it will bring about a metropolis all by itself. It would bring everything that you’re looking for.”
Robinson also lamented the Republican Party’s 8 years of leadership over the state. Though Robinson did not mention Hogan by name, he did reference his governorship. In part of his speech, he criticized the fact that for two terms, some Democrats and Republicans elected Larry Hogan as governor. (Hogan once beat Ben Jealous, a progressive Democrat). By not voting Hogan out of office, Robinson believes that Prince Georgians missed an opportunity to move the county and by extension the state forward.
Aisha Braveboy, Prince George's County state's attorney, said Moore is about serving all the counties of Maryland. (Note: A majority of counties in Maryland are composed of a majority of white people, who are mostly conservative. During the campaign - Dan Cox branded Moore as a communist who only cared about Black people). She spoke positively about him being an immigrant. From this, she concluded that Moore understands the plight of immigrants who come to Maryland. Vera Institute Of Justice reports that Maryland has 921,900 immigrants. Prince George's County, alone, has 201,700.
If Prince George's County indicates what some Marylanders expect from Wes Moore, then it is safe to say they expect him to do what Gov. Larry Hogan would not do. Some Black Marylanders feel that Hogan wasn't for Black people. Those sentiments are reflected in Robinson's statements. During his governorship, Hogan worked hard to criticize Baltimore and stopped the building of a major transit system that would have positively impacted the city. His decisions around the Purple Line, which will flow through the northern portion of Prince George's County, have caused the state more money. Contractors walked off the job, at one point, because they weren't getting paid to continue the work. Additionally, there are already talks about how the Purple Line will bring gentrification - pushing out Latinos in those neighborhoods.
I was in Baltimore last weekend. I overheard a community member, a Black male, say that he is going to be hard on Wes Moore just like he's on the current Mayor of Baltimore Brandon Scott, a Black male.
Community Events
Creative Suitland is having a poetry slam contest on Nov. 19 at 6:00 p.m. From the website:
Creative Suitland will host its first-ever Poetry Slam. Sponsored in part by The Cynipid Fund. Admission starts at $15. The Promethean Inferno Poetry Slam seeks to highlight Poet culture, provide engagement, and continue to implement poetry and poetry-led activities and events in the greater Suitland community.
Prior to the Main Event, Poets can also participate in the Creating A Poetry Career: Professional Development Workshop Facilitated by Christoph Jenkins of The Poet Life on Thursday, November 17th feom 7-9pm at Creative Suitland Arts Center. The Poet Life is a company that utilizes creativity and The Arts to add value to our clients.
You can get tickets here.
Quatum World Congress
November 29, 2022 – December 1, 2022
8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Viewing in Eastern Time
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20004
You can register here.
MGM National Harbor Business Expo and Procurement Networking Opportunity
Event Date: Monday, December 12, 2022
Event Time: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Event Address: 101 MGM National Ave, Oxon Hill MD 20745 - MGM Grand Ballroom
The purpose of this in-person event is to learn about procurement opportunities with MGM National Harbor and many others such as Prince George’s Community College, Hitt Contracting, P3/Luminis, BetMGM, Live! Casino, Horseshoe Casino, and Bowie State University. Resource partners such as SDDD, USBC, EDC, PGFCU, MDOT, FSC First, Bi-County Business Roundtable, MLGCA, and many more will be available to share information about financial, managerial, technical and other assistance available to small, local, minority and women business owners.
A Black-Owned Spirits Tasting featuring selected brands throughout MGM National Harbor. Refreshments will be provided. Please Contact us with any questions: MDJackson1@co.pg.md.us or Kialston@co.pg.md.us. Fill out the registration form here.
Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting
Date:December 6, 2022
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Location:Please contact Lakeisha Smith via email: ldsmith@co.pg.md.us for Zoom Link details.
Contact: 301-883-7329
Email:ldsmith@co.pg.md.us
Prince George's County Business Certification Overview
About this event
The Prince George's County Supplier Development & Diversity Division hosts a monthly Certification Overview Training for participants to learn about the benefits and requirements for the following Prince George’s County Business Certifications.
County Based Minority Business Enterprise
County Based Small Business
County Based Business
County Located Business
Date: December 6, 2022
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Contact: 301-883-6480
Email:SDDD@co.pg.md.us
Link: Register in advance
Covid-19 In Prince George's County
Data from Covid Act Now
Over the last week, Prince George's County, Maryland had 980 new reported cases (107.9 for every 100,000 residents). Reported cases do not include all at-home positive tests.
Over the last week, Prince George's County, Maryland has averaged 140 new confirmed cases per day (15.4for every 100,000 residents).
In Prince George's County, Maryland, 844,605 people (92.9%) have received at least one dose, 711,494(78.2%) have received at least two doses or a single Johnson & Johnson dose, and 347,363 (38.2%) have received a booster shot. Anybody who is at least 6 months old is eligible to be vaccinated. Fewer than 0.001% of people who have received a dose experienced a severe adverse reaction.
Tech
Course Prepares Students to Identify and Halt Internet Threats