Hyattsville, Maryland  -- On Oct. 21, Aisha Braveboy, only the second Black woman elected to the county executive position, held the county’s swearing-in ceremony at City of Praise Church in Hyattsville. 

Braveboy, who gave remarks after Ylawnda Peebles, wife of Bishop Joel Peebles, the pastor of the church prayed, thanked all the county officials for attending. She also thanked the county council, whom she said did not attend the ceremony, for confirming her nominations. 

Recognizing the problem, PG County Changemakers, a grassroots non-profit organization based in Prince George’s County, began supporting the implementation of a basic income. On April 4, the county council passed legislation to implement a basic income program, one modeled after San Diego basic income program.

Over a two-day period, the air quality in D.C. and Maryland has increasingly gotten worse. Today, environmental protection agencies have issued a Code Red Alert. The region’s air quality is negatively affected by wildfires in New Jersey, and Nova Scotia, Canada, according to various news outlets. Wildfire smoke is also affecting New York and South Carolina. In DC and Maryland, it is believed that the smog should thin out by Saturday. DC has canceled all outside activities for its school system. Prince George’s County has made no such announcement.

Linda Marshall, 66, is crying against the backdrop of her great-grandson making baby sounds in the background. She loves him and is happy that he is in the world. For now, he is in her care. She is grieving the imprisonment of Leara Davis, her granddaughter; the conditions of the prison that her granddaughter has to navigate post-pregnancy; and the separation of her granddaughter from her son.

The meeting was organized by newly elected Wala Blegay, district 6. The event was a response to the ongoing carjackings, and the senseless killing of Jayz Agnew, a teenager who was killed by a still unknown suspect while raking leaves in his yard.

“I think any of the narratives that children are the driving factor in increased crime in our community is driven by the police or other  individuals who believe children should be locked up.”

On Wednesday, September 21, about 6 local organizations (one attended virtually) met at the Creative Suitland Arts Center in Suitland, Maryland to receive training on trauma-informed care. Tonier Cain, an international trauma-informed trainer, led a two-and-a-half-hour training session.

Januari McKay, a long-time advocate for those in Prince George’s County, and progressive, is running for state delegate in District 23B. She wants those who have been marginalized to be at the center of her politics and policies.