Ward 5 Report: Women's history month and supporting small businesses

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2019 10:37 AM
Subject: Ward 5 Report: Women's History Month and Supporting Small Businesses

View this email in your browser Dear Neighbors, Throughout the year, but particularly in March, we celebrate the contributions women have made in our country. The impact women have had on our society is nothing short of remarkable. On Tuesday, I introduced legislation to name a new park in Ward 5 for Alethia "Lethe" Tanner and today I presented LaShada Ham-Campbell with a ceremonial resolution for her contributions and service in education. The “Alethia Tanner Park Designation Act of 2019” would honor civil rights icon and philanthropist, Ms. Alethia “Lethe” Tanner by renaming the public park to be located in Eckington after her. Ms. Tanner was born in 1781, on a Prince George’s County, Maryland Plantation. Before her death in 1864 however, she became a freewoman, philanthropist, and businesswoman who had made indelible contributions to the African American community. By 1810 Ms. Tanner had purchased her freedom and the freedom of approximately 32 African Americans that included not only her blood relatives, but her friends and neighbors. By 1821, Ms. Tanner and some family members founded the Israel Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church in DC and in 1838 they founded the Union Bethel AME church in DC. These two churches served as stops on the Underground Railroad and promoted literacy in the African American community. By 1872, Israel Bethel AME and Union Bethel AME merged into Metropolitan AME. Today, Metropolitan AME on M Street NW, remains the oldest Black church in DC’s original 10 square miles and Ms. Tanner is considered the mother of the AME Church. It was an absolute honor to present legislation honoring Ms. Tanner during the first legislative meeting of Women’s History Month. Lashada Ham-Campbell is a native Washingtonian and Ward 5 resident who has dedicated her life to education. After graduating from Coolidge Senior High School, Howard University, and Trinity Washington University, LaShada went on to teach and lead in the District of Columbia Public School system. LaShada’s love for children and education led her to open Petit Scholars, an early childhood development center. A young visionary of education, LaShada has opened 3 early childhood development centers that currently serve over 60 families in Ward 5. Ask any parent who entrusts LaShada with their children and they will tell you Ward 5 and the District of Columbia has a true treasure in LaShada. I look forward to seeing her continue the great work. It has been a true honor to celebrate these two women. As we continue celebrating Women’s History Month, let’s reflect on the foundation laid by past icons such as Alethia “Lethe” Tanner and current pioneers such as LaShada Ham-Campbell. In Service, Kenyan In this issue of the Ward 5 Report: Legislative Updates Budget Engagement Supporting Businesses Impacted by Construction Breaking Down Barriers for Small Businesses to Access DC Contracts Kenyan in the Community Councilmember McDuffie's Letter on the Vacant Thurgood Marshall School in Fort Lincoln Kenyan in the News Edgewood Recreation Center Meeting - March 7 Roll-Off Day in #OurWard5 - Bring Bulk Items and Debris for No-Cost Drop-Off - March 9 DC Water Construction This week Councilmember McDuffie led the presentation of a Council of the District of Columbia Ceremonial Resolution honoring several original Tuskegee Airmen that live in the District of Columbia. Click the image above to watch a video of the ceremony. Legislative Updates Budget Engagement Those residents who attended my Budget Engagement Forum on February 13 will recall that each year I send a letter to the mayor outlining my priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Last week, I sent that letter to the mayor, and I invite you to read the full letter on my website. Supporting Businesses Impacted by Construction Councilmember McDuffie recently spoke with ABC7's Sam Ford about a bill he introduced this week to support small businesses suffering financial distress from District infrastructure projects. The bill would provide immediate relief for qualifying small businesses including those impacted by the DC Water Northeast Boundary Tunnel construction at 4th Street NE and Rhode Island Avenue NE; as well as businesses impacted by the Monroe Street NE bridge reconstruction. Breaking Down Barriers for Small Businesses to Access DC Contracts Kenyan in the Community Councilmember McDuffie's Letter on the Vacant Thurgood Marshall School in Fort Lincoln Councilmember McDuffie continues to advocate, alongside the Fort Lincoln community, for the city to address the empty Thurgood Marshall School. In January, he made four distinct requests to secure the site. The city took action on two of the requests, so CM McDuffie followed up asking the City Administator to find and reprogram funds necessary to fence off the property and post "No Trespassing" signs. Read his latest letter to the City Administrator on the topic here. Kenyan in the News Councilmember McDuffie was the subject of a profile by the Howard University News Service: “It’s really looking at where the District of Columbia is today, how far we’ve come, our increased prosperity but recognizing that there are thousands of people in the District of Columbia who have not benefited from that prosperity,” said McDuffie. Councilmember McDuffie spoke with DCist about his budget request asking Mayor Bowser to fix the intersection informally known as 'Dave Thomas Circle,' located at Florida Ave NE, New York Ave NE, Harry Thomas Way NE, and First St NE.  Edgewood Recreation Center Meeting - March 7 Join the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for a community meeting to discuss programming related to the new Edgewood Recreation Center. DPR's programming staff will be on hand to help facilitate discussion and to answer any program questions. DATE: Thursday, March 7, 2019 TIME: 6:30 - 8 pm LOCATION: Inspired Teaching School, 200 Douglas St NE Roll-Off Day in #OurWard5 - Bring Bulk Items and Debris for No-Cost Drop-Off - March 9 The Mayor's Office of Clean City will be hosting a "Roll-Off Day" this Saturday, March 9, at Noyes Elementary School from 12 to 2 pm. Roll-Off Day allows you to dispose of bulk trash and other debris and learn about other DC government agencies. Meet 311 operators, report service requests, and learn about how you can reduce waste, save energy, and prevent pollution in our neighborhoods and environment. At "Roll-Off Day" you may: Dispose of bulk trash in our dumpster. No hazardous materials (including paint) accepted. Recycle electronics (See the list of accepted electronics). Donate household items and clothing to Goodwill (See Goodwill's list of accepted items). Please call 202-442-8150 for more information on accepted items. Space is limited. For disposal of hazardous materials, paint, or any items outside of this event's hours, please visit the Fort Totten Transfer Station, open 8 am to 3 pm every Saturday. DC Water Construction In preparation for DC Water’s Northeast Boundary Tunnel (NEBT), contractors will remove the median on Rhode Island Ave NW between 2nd St NW and North Capitol St NW. DC Water indicates the removal is necessary to allow for various detours and lane shifts during the construction of this, the longest tunnel segment for the Anacostia River. Work is expected to begin the week of March 11, 2019, and will require parking and traffic restrictions. Work hours are between 7 am and 7 pm Monday through Friday, continuing for approximately four weeks. Travel Restrictions: The left lanes in both directions of Rhode Island Ave NW will be closed. Eastbound Rhode Island Ave NW:  traffic will be reduced from three lanes to two lanes between 3rd St NW and North Capitol St NW. Westbound Rhode Island Ave NW: traffic will be reduced from three lanes to two lanes between North Capitol St NW and 2nd St NW. 24-Hour Parking Restrictions: Parking will be restricted on the north and south sides of Rhode Island Ave NW. North side of Rhode Island Ave NW between North Capitol St NW and 2nd St NW. South side of Rhode Island Ave NW between 3rd St NW and First St NW. Parking will also be restricted on the south side of the 100 block of Thomas St NW between First St NW, and the alley. For More Information: 24/7 Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project Hotline: (800) 988-6151 Email: dccleanrivers@dcwater.com Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project: dcwater.com/NEBT DC Clean Rivers Project: dcwater.com/clean-rivers-project Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.