Dear Ward 8 Residents,

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I’m excited to invite you to my annual Ward 8 Turkey Drive. This event is an opportunity to come together, show love, and ensure that families in our community has the chance to enjoy a special meal for the holiday.

Event Details:

• Date: Monday, November 25th
• Time: Distribution will start at 12 PM (while supplies last)
• Location: Union Temple Baptist Church, 1225 W Street SE, Washington, DC 20020

How to Participate:

• Who is eligible: Ward 8 residents only
• What you need: Proof of Ward 8 residency required. Acceptable forms include:
  • Government-issued ID with a Ward 8 address
  • Utility bill with a Ward 8 address
  • Mail showing your Ward 8 address
• No registration required.
• Only one turkey per household.
• Distribution: First come, first served while supplies last

We understand the challenges many of our neighbors face, and this is just one way we are working to support and uplift our community. Let's continue to stand together and make this Thanksgiving one to remember.

I look forward to seeing you there and making this Thanksgiving season brighter for all!

In service, 

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8

DC Council November Business Update

Already this month, DC Council has considered several significant legislative actions, reflecting priorities around public safety, urban planning, and community support. Here are some notable developments:

The Council's Committee of the Whole held a hearing on two important Small Area Plans: the Nannie Helen Burroughs Corridor and Ivy City. These plans are designed to guide growth, economic development, and community revitalization in these neighborhoods, addressing long-term infrastructure, housing, and land use.

In response to concerns about noise pollution and safety, the Council introduced measures restricting the hours for amplified sound in residential areas and banning projectiles at protests. This legislation addresses resident complaints about disturbances from protests near homes and aims to improve neighborhood quality of life by balancing protest rights with community well-being.

The Council is continuing its efforts to address housing affordability through legislation that supports local rent supplements and the compensation of early childhood educators. These initiatives reflect ongoing efforts to stabilize housing and provide essential support for workers in critical roles.

Councilmember T.White's Ceremonial Resolutions Passed Unanimously at 33^rd Legislative Meeting

Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. introduced three (3) ceremonial resolutions at the Thirty-Third Legislative Meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, recognizing individuals making notable contributions in the ‘Gr8t Ward 8.’ Each of the ceremonial resolutions passed unanimously.

The “Ronita Shawnail Oxley Recognition Resolution of 2024” recognizes and honors Ms. Ronita Oxley for her courage, bravery and efforts to aid gun violence victims. CER25-0285-Introduction.pdf

The “Dr. Sharon Harrington Staples Recognition Resolution of 2024” recognizes and honors Dr. Sharon Harrington Staples for her dedication and achievements as a scholar, public servant and spiritual leader in Ward 8. CER25-0284-Introduction.pdf

The “Darrell Watson Recognition Resolution of 2024” recognizes and honors Mr. Darrell Watson for his dedication and achievements as a musician and educator at Ballou Senior High School. CER25-0286-Introduction.pdf

ANC 8C Provides Updates on Turner Elementary School and Bright Beginnings.

November 13, 2024

Constituent Services Specialist, Louise Thorne attended the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 8C meeting on Wednesday, November 13th. The neighborhoods served by ANC 8C include:

• Barry Farms
• Bolling Air Force Base
• Congress Heights 
• St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and surrounding areas

During the meeting, several presentations were made requesting letters of support for upcoming projects in the 8C neighborhoods:

• Turner School Construction Managers received a letter of support to replace the existing fence with a solid wall. This improvement aims to provide greater privacy and protect students from exposure to inappropriate behaviors.
• Bright Beginnings sought and was granted a letter of support for an after-hours construction permit to reconfigure classrooms to better serve the community.

For more information or assistance, please contact your ANC Commissioner or the ANC main office at (202) 727-9945.

Celebrating Courage: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.

November 14, 2024

Constituent Services Director, Monique Diop proudly joined the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, alongside partners from AAA, Safe Routes DC, DC Public Library, Seasoned Settlers, Positive Chalk and the bright and energetic 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-grade classes.

The walk began at Leckie Elementary School and concluded at the Lockridge-Bellevue Public Library, where the children participated in a Chalking event decorating the William Lockridge Library! This heartwarming event honored the legacy of Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South.

Through the walk, students and community members reflected on Ruby’s bravery and young people's role in shaping history. It also underscored the importance of safe and accessible routes for children to walk to school, a cause championed by Safe Routes DC and AAA.

Special thanks to Seasoned Settlers and DC Public Library for their leadership in organizing this event and to the students, teachers, and parents who made the day unforgettable. Together, we walked in Ruby’s footsteps to honor her accomplishments and inspire the next generation to keep moving forward.

Go-Go Museum & Cafe Draws DC Pioneers of Music & Culture to Celebrate.

November 18, 2024

The tourniquet was already in her purse. Ronita Oxley had bought itonline after her nephews bled out in a double homicide in Prince George’s County last year. She kept it with her when she dropped her daughter off at her D.C. school, when she went to the grocery store, when she visited her mother in Washington Highlands, unnerved by the sense that gunshots could break out at any time — and as she sat on her mother’s porch one morning in September, they did.

Read full article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/11/19/dc-shooting-tourniquet-victims/