Today is Tomorrow's History

Today is the first day of February. It is also the start of Black History Month when the world recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of Black people in this country. However, we know every day is a time to celebrate Blacks who have accomplished many firsts and have given so much to build this country.

As we celebrate Black History Month, take a moment to think about this: Today is tomorrow’s history. And you, too, can be a history maker. You can be the first homeowner in your family, or the first to go to and complete college. You can be the first in your community to start a small business, or you can be the first to break the generational curse of poverty. You can be the first to create generational wealth for your family. There are so many “firsts” that you can accomplish.

Today, I encourage you not only to recognize those who came before us, who sacrificed much so that we could be our best selves, but in addition, to recognize your accomplishments and those of others around you. Let’s celebrate that today and in the days to come.

I recently read the following quote:

Harriet Led
So Rosa Could Sit
So Ruby Could Walk
So Kamala Could Run
So Ketanji Could Rule

Perhaps you are the next to be added to that list. And remember, there is no age limit to becoming a history maker. You can do it. We can do. Let’s do it together.

It is a honor to serve the residents of Ward 8.

Peace and love,
Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8
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** Embody Resistance During Black History Month
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Black History Month, Embodying Resistance

During Black History Month 2023 ([link removed]) , DC Public Library is lifting up those who have left their mark, using their words and actions to resist the oppression of the Black community. Throughout the month the library is hosting a series of events that will explore resistance movements locally, across the nation, internationally and most importantly, our individual
relationship to resistance. How can you embody resistance to make positive change in your community? Upcoming events include
* Author Talk: His Name is Geoge Floyd ([link removed]) | Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
* The Public Square with Brittany Packnett Cunningham ([link removed]) | Thursday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
* Barry Farm: Community, Land and Justice ([link removed]) | Saturday, Feb. 4, 2 p.m., Mt. Pleasant Library
* 34th Annual Black Film Festival ([link removed]) | Tuesdays at 3 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
* Family Reader's Theatre: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters ([link removed]) | Wednesday, Feb. 8, 4 p.m., West End Library
* Virtual Author Talk: The Civil Rights Trail with Deborah Douglass ([link removed]) | Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
* Art Afterwords: A Book Discussion ([link removed]) | Thursday, Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m., National Portrait Gallery
* MLK's Beloved Community and the DC Art Bank ([link removed]) | Saturday, Feb. 11, 1 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
* Feeder's Advisory: Black Food ([link removed]) | Thursday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m., Northeast Library
* Author Talk: Finding my Voice with Emerald Garner ([link removed]) | Sunday, Feb. 19, 4 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
* Family Author Talk: Books N Bros with Sidney Keys III ([link removed]) | Saturday, Feb. 25, 1 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
* Strengthening African & African American Relationships ([link removed]) | Tuesday, Feb. 28, 6 p.m., Woodridge Library

For more information on resources, exhibits, and recommended reads for Black History Month, please visit our website ([link removed]) .
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Emmitt Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See is a touring exhibition recommended for visitors ages 10 and up that shares the story of how a mother's bravery and fight for justice more than six decades ago fueled the civil rights movement in America. It provides a framework for people and communities committed to racial healing. The exhibition will be at the Martin Luther King Jr., Library through March 12th.

For more information, visit [link removed]
The District Department of Transportation’s Special Events team is interested in hearing from the community regarding traffic operations during Nationals Park and Audi Field events. Over the past years, the road network and land use around the stadiums have changed significantly, which has required the traffic operations plan to adjust over time. The survey below is intended to give you and your constituents a chance to voice your input and describe traffic issues from previous years during Nationals Park and Audi Field events.

Your survey responses will be read by DDOT staff to improve traffic operations in the future. Please share the survey freely with your mailing lists. The survey will close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 10.

Link to Survey ([link removed])
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CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT COMMENT FORM ([link removed])
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RSVP Today ([link removed])
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Sign up to Testify ([link removed])
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Our community has noticed an increase in motor vehicle thefts. Please take a moment to view tips for preventing automobile thefts and view the printable Protecting Your Vehicle flyer attached from our Property Crime Unit.
* Lock your doors
* Install audible alarms / Invest in anti-theft lock bars
* Park in well-lit area
* Don’t leave valuables in your car
* Never leave your keys in the car
* Install tracking system/device
* Never leave your car running, even to just “run inside for a minute”

Meet the Newest ANC8D Commissioner
On Monday, January 30th, Councilmember White sworn in the newest member of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8D. Saundra Harrell received enough signatures to fill the vacancy for ANC 8D03. Commissioner Harrell may be contacted at [email protected].

Congratulations Commissioner Harrell!
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Legislative Happenings

This week, Councilmember White introduced two pieces of legislation. The first, the “Housing Assistance for School-Based Mental and Behavioral Health Providers Amendment Act of 2023”, was introduced alongside seven additional Councilmembers. The legislation would amend the Government Employer-Assisted Housing Program to waive length of employment requirements for individuals who have accepted an offer to be a mental or behavioral health provider in District of Columbia public schools and public charter schools. This waiver is already available for the District’s teachers and first responders. Councilmember White remains committed to prioritizing mental health in District schools and working to attract the highest caliber of mental and behavioral health providers to support the complex needs of youth.

The second bill that Councilmember White introduced is the “Online Rental Posting Transparency Act of 2023”, which would establish requirements prohibiting online posters of housing units available for rent from misrepresenting the available unit by posting photos of a different unit. The legislation has garnered the support of five additional Councilmembers who are co-introducing the legislation.

In addition to the Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs Committee that Councilmember White chairs, he is also a member of the Committee of the Whole, the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor, the Committee on Hospital and Health Equity, and the Committee on Public Works and Operations during Council Period 25. Performance oversight hearings are underway for all committees, and Councilmember White looks forward to working with agencies to determine how to move the District’s goals forward in a productive, transparent, and efficient way.

Committee Happenings

On Tuesday, January 31^st, the Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs held its first performance oversight hearing. The hearing featured the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (MOAA); the Mayor’s Office on Fathers, Men and Boys (MOFMB); the Mayor’s Office on African American (MOAAA) Affairs; and, the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA).

MOAA Director, Aly Kaba shared that on August 2022, they partnered with the Mayor's Office of Racial Equity (ORE) to host an engagement forum to gain ideas and feedback from African residents to help shape the District’s first Racial Equity Action Plan, a roadmap for reducing inequities and improving life for all Washingtonians.

Rev. Thomas L. Bowen, Director of MOAAA was proud to share, that FY 2022 was the fourth year of MOAAA’s African American Community Grant program. They awarded $110,000 in grant funding to twelve community-based organizations providing direct services to Washington, DC’s African American community. He also shared his ambitious plan for DC that will help Black residents thrive by reaching 20,000 additional Black DC resident homeowners by 2030.

Director Bowen also spoke about the MOFMB partnership with the African American Male Wellness Walk Initiative, “We hosted regular wellness check-ins for men to remain socially connected while safely physically distant”, stated Bowen. During the check-ins, many of the men expressed their gratitude and appreciation for a safe place and time to discuss openly their experiences with loneliness, depression, and the racial tension in our country.

MOAPIA Director Ben de Guzman, discussed ensuring equal access to limited English proficient constituents. As part of their efforts, they translated over 300 documents into Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean, reaching over 1,700 constituents. Additionally, they reviewed the work of more than 30 agencies and provided technical assistance to them to ensure they compliance with the DC Language Access Act.

Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. engaged each director in a robust discussion about the opportunities, progress and aims for their respective agencies. A common theme among agencies was safety and grant resources for residents.
The Committee will meet again with these agencies during Budget Oversight.

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Calendar of Events: February 30th - March 10th
Hours of operation:
Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 5:30pm
CLOSED Saturday, Sunday & Holidays

Louise Thorne: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Constituent Services Specialist
DC Public Schools
DC Housing Authority
Department of Human Services
Utilities: PEPCO, DC Water, Washington Gas
Office of the State Superintendent of Education

Eric Cleckley: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Constituent Services Specialist
District Department of Transportation
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Department of Energy and Environment

For all other constituent services concerns, please contact Wanda Lockridge, Chief of Staff at [email protected].


** Quick Links
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* Need a Test? Get a Test: Learn more about COVID-19 testing sites ([link removed])
* Check out the 2020 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])
* Check out the 2021 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])

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