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Office of Councilmember Trayon White
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September 25, 2025
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 In this edition...
Welcome to The 8—our relaunched Ward 8 newsletter! Here you’ll find the latest news and updates from our office, the DC Council, and across our community. I’m excited to bring this important resource back to the people of Ward 8.
Since my return to the Council, my team and I have been working every day to deliver for our residents. We’ve stepped in on housing, health, and transportation concerns; held a “Know Your Rights” seminar to help protect residents during federal intrusion into our city; and are preparing to launch Resources to the Block and expanded Community Office Hours to bring services directly to you.
At the Council, I’ve already introduced key amendments to strengthen protections for our residents. That includes:
- Adding anti-displacement relief, rent support, and utility assistance to the RFK Campus Redevelopment Community Benefits Agreement.
- Securing support for youth sports programs, including covering costs for uniforms and travel so our young people can pursue their dreams on and off the field.
- Fighting to strengthen the RENTAL Act to better protect tenants from unfair evictions by creating more time for families to cure arrears and requiring mediation before nonpayment cases go to trial. While we weren’t able to get these protections across the finish line this time, I will not stop fighting until our families have the housing security they deserve.
I am also awaiting committee assignments from Chairman Phil Mendelson so we can ensure Ward 8’s voice is represented in key legislation. In the meantime, we’ve assembled an incredible “8-Team” to serve you, and their contact information is listed below. The special election was hard-fought, and I do not take your trust for granted. I’m honored to be back in this seat—fighting for Ward 8, and fighting for you.
Let’s get to work.
— Councilmember Trayon White, Sr.
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Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. Unveils New Ward 8 Staff
 Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. recently announced his new Ward 8 staff, calling them “a diverse and dedicated group ready to serve our community with heart, skill, and vision.” “As we tackle our unfinished business on behalf of Ward 8, I believe this team has the expertise and the commitment to help me move our ward forward,” said Councilmember White. “They reflect the spirit of Ward 8—resilient, rooted, and ready to serve.”
Ward 8 Leadership Team
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Sheila E. Bunn, Chief of Staff – A native Washingtonian and lifelong Ward 8 resident, Sheila brings decades of policy and political experience, including service as Chief of Staff to Mayor and Councilmember Vincent C. Gray and senior advisor to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. Email: sbunn@dccouncil.gov
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Terrance Norflis, Legislative Director – With 15 years at the DC Council and prior service as legislative staff to Congresswoman Norton, Terrance brings a legal background and deep policy experience to help implement the councilmember’s legislative agenda.
Email: tnorflis@dccouncil.gov
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Troy Prestwood, Communications Director – A fourth-generation Washingtonian and longtime Ward 8 leader, Troy is a veteran communications strategist with more than 20 years in public relations, media, advocacy and policy.
Email: tprestwood@dccouncil.gov
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Robin S. McKinney, Director of Constituent Services – Born and raised in Ward 8, Robin is a three-term ANC Commissioner and 20-year DC government employee known for her dedication to helping residents, especially seniors, access services.
Email: rmckinney@dccouncil.gov
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Fernando Smith, Constituent Services Coordinator – A Southeast native and violence prevention leader, Fernando helped found the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and brings two decades of experience in public safety and crisis response.
Email: fsmith@dccouncil.gov
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Ryan Washington, Legislative Assistant – A native Washingtonian and former DC Youth Mayor, Ryan has worked for Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Senator Cory Booker, bringing a strong focus on youth, community, and equity.
Email: rwashington@dccouncil.gov
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Fria Moore, Executive Assistant/Scheduler – A Ward 8 resident and ANC Commissioner, Fria is a community advocate dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity for DC residents. She will help keep the office connected and responsive to residents.
Email: fmoore@dccouncil.gov
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Edward Ford, Staff Assistant – A third-generation Washingtonian with previous experience working for the Ward 8 Council office, Edward will help provide essential operational support, ensuring the office runs smoothly and efficiently.
Email: eford@dccouncil.gov
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 Celebrating, Serving, and Standing Strong in Ward 8
Over the past few weeks, Councilmember White and team have been out and about across Ward 8, staying connected and working hard for our community. We visited Leckie and Ketcham Elementary Schools to honor the lives lost on September 11 and to uplift our young scholars. We walked through senior housing and a rehab center to see firsthand how we can better support our elders, and stood with seniors and disabled residents displaced by a fire.
We hosted a Know Your Rights seminar to equip residents with tools to stand strong in the face of federal intrusion, and joined a community walk in Washington Highlands to listen and learn from neighbors right where they are. And of course, we celebrated our kids heading back to school with joy and pride—because their success is Ward 8’s success.
The team remains committed to showing up, standing with you, and doing the people’s work every single day. Check out some of our photos below:
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On Councilmember Trayon White’s first legislative day since returning to the dais, he secured key wins for Ward 8 residents with the support of his Council colleagues:
✅ Strengthened the RFK Community Benefits Agreement (CBA): Utility assistance will now be included in the future fund — because no family should ever have to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table.
✅ Secured support for youth sports programs from the Washington Commanders: New funding will help cover the cost of uniforms, league fees, and travel. This ensures young people in Ward 8 and across the District have every opportunity to compete, achieve their sporting dreams, and engage in safe, positive activities.
⚖️ Continuing the fight for housing stability: While the Council passed the RENTAL Act, Councilmember White is pushing to strengthen protections for residents against unfair evictions. Housing stability remains a top priority, and he will not stop fighting for it.
📌 Other Legislative Actions:
The Council also extended the Mayor’s authority to establish juvenile curfew hours across the District or in specific areas. The legislation limits curfews to four consecutive days, requires at least 24-hours’ notice before an order takes effect (except in emergencies), and sets curfew hours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. The law also expands curfew coverage to youth under 18 and groups of more than eight individuals. Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs), Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and Main Streets may now petition to establish extended juvenile curfew zones in their areas.
📅 Upcoming Hearings & Meetings
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Friday, September 26, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. | Room 500
Committee on Public Works and Operations Roundtable
Review of Commission on Human Rights appointment nominees, including Ward 8 resident Jasminelee Scott, nominated to fill the seat formerly held by Ward 8 resident Stuart Anderson.
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Monday, September 29, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. | Room 412
Committee of the Whole Public Hearing
Bill 26-175, the “Uniform College Athlete Name, Image, or Likeness Act Amendment Act of 2025.”
This bill would allow institutions, conferences, or athletic associations to help college athletes receive compensation for their name, image, or likeness (NIL).
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Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. | Room 412
Committee on Health Hearing Roundtable
“Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) in the District’s Medicaid Program.”
The roundtable will examine the operations, service delivery, and accountability of the District’s Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) that administer Medicaid benefits.
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Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. | Room 500
Committee on Business and Economic Development Hearing
Bill 26-0058, the “Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Amendment Act of 2025.”
This bill would establish a beverage container deposit program in the District, whereby consumers pay a ten-cent deposit on applicable beverages and are refunded that deposit when they return the empty beverage containers to be recycled. The program, which would be managed by a nonprofit funded by beverage distributors, would be overseen and enforced by the Department of Energy and the Environment.
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Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. | Room 500
Committee of the Whole Hearing
Bill 26-0072, the “Holding School Budgets Harmless During Modernizations Amendment Act of 2025.”
This bill aims to hold school budgets harmless while schools use swing space facilities during modernization.
Bill 26-0327, the “Schools First Amendment Act of 2025.”
This bill aims to amend the method for calculating individual DCPS school budgets by incorporating increases to the average position cost.
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Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Next Council Legislative Meeting
📺 How to Watch
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 There’s always something happening in and around Ward 8! Here are upcoming events and activities where you can connect with neighbors, celebrate our community, and stay engaged.
 
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Councilmember White recently hosted a Know Your Rights training to empower residents with the tools they need to navigate interactions with law enforcement—especially during this time of federal intrusion in our city. As neighbors gathered to learn practical steps, ask questions, and gain resources to protect themselves and their families, Councilmember White offered these remarks during the session. This is about more than knowledge—it’s about building confidence and ensuring Ward 8 residents stand strong together. You can view the slides here!
Ward 8 Resources
Here are trusted services and nonprofits available to Ward 8 residents for housing, tenant rights, utility support, and more:
🏠 Housing & Tenant Help
💡 Utilities & Energy Support
🤝 Community & Nonprofit Resources
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Ward 8 Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings
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ANC 8A - Meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month | website
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ANC 8B - Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month | website
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ANC 8C - Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of month | website
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ANC 8D - Meets on the 2nd Monday of the month | website
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ANC 8E - Meets on the 2nd Monday of the month | website
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ANC 6/8F - Meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month | website
Do you know who your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner is? Use this handy tool to find the contact information for your hyper-local elected official.
**We currently have two ANC vacancies in our ward -- 6/8F05 in the Navy Yard neighborhood and 8D02 in the Bellevue neighborhood. If you are interested in running for one of these open seats, reach out to the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions via email at oancs@dc.gov or by phone at (202) 727-9945.
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