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The Sayles Sentinel: Happy Black History Month

February 2023

Uniting 97 Years of Divine Nine Tradition

On February 14, Councilmember Jawando and I, fellow members of the Divine Nine, brought together leaders from the 14 Chapters of the National Pan-Hellenic Council in Montgomery County for Black History Month. These Chapters are critical drivers in the push for social change. They provide crucial academic and career mentorship for Black youth, ensuring lifelong community ties for college-educated members. The need for the Divine Nine remains strong as ever today, and we will continue to partner with them on community service and civic engagement priorities throughout the year!

Although the Divine Nine, also known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council, was founded on May 10, 1930, on the campus of Howard University, their history dates back to the early 1900s, when Greek Life at predominantly white institutions excluded Black students. Countless Black youth longed for a sense of community and belonging that they, unfortunately, did not have at the time. Today, they have become an influential group of fraternities and sororities that deeply impact community service and civic engagement. 

Sister City International Summit

While the Council was in recess, I was honored to join the Montgomery Sister Cities for the SCI Summit in Cape Town, South Africa! Sister Cities International is an organization that seeks to connect local communities to people from various nations worldwide. I am grateful to join a long list of leaders in our county who support this organization, including Fmr. Councilmembers Bruce Adams and Craig Rice, and Fmr. County Executive Ike Leggett, who was instrumental in helping found this organization in 2009. I am also grateful for my staff, who helped organize much of this visit and were hard at work supporting our residents while I was away for this experience. A few key highlights from the visit were:

• Attending a two-day SCI Africa Means Business Roundtable seminar covering the benefits of doing business on the African continent and the best practices shared by various African regional and industry sectors. 
• Donating 5,000 books to five primary schools in the Langa Township, the oldest Cape Town township established in 1927 and also the center of the resistance against the apartheid government. 
• Joining dignitaries from across the U.S. and Africa to discuss how Sister Cities can make greater participation in the global economy. Among notable guests, we met with Ndileka Mandela, granddaughter of Nelson Mandela and Founder and CEO of the Thembekile Mandela Foundation, and Todd Haskell, the U.S. Consul General of Cape Town. 

It is hard for words to describe the impact of this delegation's visit and the sense of pride it delivered. I returned with a much deeper appreciation for our welcoming community and our county’s collective commitment to helping those less fortunate while always striving to be the best place to live, work, play, learn, and so much more. It is great to be back home, and I am inspired and ready to continue serving our residents.

10th Anniversary of the 480 Club

I congratulate my friend Joseph Hooks on the tenth anniversary of his successful non-profit organization, 480 Club! Since founding the organization in 2014, Hooks has fully invested in our county's Black and Brown youth, focusing on mentoring, team athleticism, academic excellence, and service. 480 Club has excelled in and beyond the classroom thanks to partnerships with the Collaboration Council, Identity, Inc., the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and Montgomery County Recreation. Further, the organization is a robust model for positive youth development in Montgomery Village, Gaithersburg, and surrounding communities. It is inspiring to see how much they have grown, and it is a prime example of community stakeholders working collaboratively to serve the people. I encourage the 480 Club to keep up the excellent work, and cheers to another decade of supporting our young people!

Anita Neal Powell Day

On Saturday, for the 46th Anniversary of the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation and Leroy E. Neal African American Research Center, I was proud to award Executive Director Anita Neal Powell a certificate recognizing her legacy and commitment to preserving the rich cultural heritage of historically Black communities. Anita Neal Powell is a lifelong Montgomery County resident and one of our community's most dedicated and accomplished members. During a lively event, 70-plus guests sang, prayed, and reflected on a journey through African American history at my place of worship, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, in the historic Black Community of Lincoln Park. I have been a church member there for many years, and I thank fellow member Anita Neal Powell and all others who assist her in preserving African American history here in our county.

S.M.A.R.T. Updates Around Our County

Strengthen 21st-century learning from cradle to career and beyond

1. On February 9, the Economic Development and Education and Culture committees held a joint hearing on the status of Montgomery County Public Schools’ workforce programs. I am pleased that we focus on overseeing the programs and initiatives supporting our student’s career goals appropriately. I am interested in finding more discrete data on the rates at which Black and Brown students succeed compared to rates for non-students of color. Strategic investments are necessary to expand these laudable programs once the Council reviews the Operating Budget in March.
2. We held public hearings on the CIP budget and heard passionate testimony from students and parents throughout the county. While we are encouraged by the FY2024 operating budget, we know there is much more we need to do to ensure our student's safety.

Make a living in Montgomery County more affordable

1. The Health and Human Services committee held a hearing on the status of shelter services for individuals experiencing homelessness and shared that 70% of families experiencing homelessness identify as Black or African American. Being unhoused creates new public health problems and exacerbates existing ones. As the lead for addressing disparities in public health, I am striving for Functional Zero and working to develop targeted interventions to ensure access to housing for all incomes.
2. I submitted testimony in support of HB 852, which would expedite the development review processes for affordable housing for religious organizations. This bill, introduced by Delegate Vaughn Stewart, would require religious organizations to reserve at least 50% of the proposed affordable housing development dwelling units for individuals whose household income is less than or equal to 80% of the area median income. 

Advance sustainable local food production in the Ag Reserve

1. I attended the Annual NACo Conference earlier this month and received updates from the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Steering committee on the 2023 U.S. Farm Bill Authorization. In Maryland, more than 12,000 farms are advocating to have their priorities included in this year’s federal farm bill, and this conference was a unique opportunity to better understand how federal dollars impact local agriculture and food production.
2. M-83 and I-270 expansion and their impact on the Agricultural Reserve was a big topic of discussion for the Council during its Community Town Hall at Lakelands Park Middle School on February 15. These transportation networks uniquely impact our Upcounty communities, and I stand committed to protecting our environment from the harmful impacts of these proposals.

Revitalize the economy while recovering from the pandemic

1. As a member of the Economic Development committee, I have been researching ways to streamline the regulatory process for businesses prioritizing affordable housing with mixed-use options in their development. Working with my colleagues on the Council, I plan to introduce Zoning Text Amendments (ZTA) that help attract and retain more companies in Montgomery County. Many key factors to promote a business-friendly environment are high on my list of priorities.
2. WalletHub recently rated 501 of the most culturally diverse cities in the U.S., with four based in Montgomery County. Germantown ranked #1 in the Nation, Gaithersburg at #3, Silver Spring at #4, and Rockville at #8. Our inclusive communities give us the leverage to attract, retain, and grow businesses to build a thriving economy for all.

Tackle climate change through multi-modal transportation infrastructure

1. Wheaton remains one of the most unsafe areas in Montgomery County for transportation infrastructure. Some of our county’s roads with the highest rates of injury are in District 6. I will co-sponsor the SAFE Street Act, sponsored by Council President Glass, and support other state legislation to create more funding for transportation infrastructure like traffic signals, devices, and automated enforcement. 
2. The Council spent multiple weeks reviewing the State Transportation Letter. Some key topics discussed were expanding MARC access, improving safety measures on state roads like Georgia Avenue, and expanding BRT in low-income areas. Transportation constitutes 25.5% of the county’s total capital budget, and we will work with state partners to prioritize these investments in our communities.

Solidarity with the Silver Spring Community

On Saturday, February 18, at around 6 a.m., tragedy struck the Silver Spring community. A fire at Arrive Silver Spring ended up displacing over 400 individuals, injuring 15, and killing one named Melanie Diaz, a 25-year-old full of infinite potential. Diaz was a Georgetown graduate, employed at the Aspen Institute, and was fondly remembered as a “ray of sunshine in everyone's life.” In her honor, a GoFundMe is being used to build a memorial bench at Ellsworth Dog Park. I send my deepest condolences to her family and friends. 

We are fortunate to live in a county with so many individuals who are dedicated to providing quality resources in emergency situations. I am thankful for the work of the Fire and Rescue Department for their quick responsiveness, as well as the many elected officials, staff, and community leaders who showed up to support those in need. More is required to prevent incidents like this. Maryland state code dictates that all high-rise apartments must have sprinklers by 2033. According to Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci, Arrive Silver Spring is one of 89 buildings in the county that still needs to be retrofitted. This fire must serve as a wake-up call to accelerate the instillation of in-unit sprinkler systems at all apartment complexes around the county. We owe it to Melanie Diaz and her family to advocate for these changes to prevent untimely deaths like hers from occurring.

Upcoming Events

February 28: Montgomery College’s 2023 Annual Holocaust Commemoration

I stand with the Jewish community in reflecting on the devastating impacts of the Holocaust and understanding how it impacts much of the antisemitism we see in our communities today. Tonight, Montgomery College is hosting a Zoom webinar at 6:30 p.m. to commemorate the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Attendees will listen to poetry readings and witness testimony by Holocaust survivor Mr. Peter Feigl.

March 4: Youth Town Hall

This Saturday, Sunrise Silver Spring, Everyday Canvassing, Montgomery County DSA, and the MORE Racial Equity Network are organizing a Youth Town Hall from 12-3 p.m. at Blair High School to talk about stable rents and healthy homes. Young people deserve a seat at the table, and I look forward to working with them for the change they seek.

March 7: Wheaton Arts & Cultural Center And Housing Project

On Tuesday, March 7, at 7 p.m., the Wheaton Arts & Cultural Center and Housing Project will have a virtual community meeting. Wheaton is one of the most diverse areas in the county, and this project will considerably impact visitors and residents. There has been significant community feedback that we will continue to monitor closely.

March 8: Democracy Solutions Summit

On March 8 at 4 p.m., I will participate in a panel discussion about ranked-choice voting and public campaign financing with women leaders nationwide. I am proud to advocate nationally for fair elections and voting rights. I know that our county's public finance initiative played a significant role in helping remove barriers for many other women and people of color like me who are running for office.

March 11: Women’s Day Reception

We are less than two weeks away from the Women’s Day Reception! We are finalizing the speaker line-up and agenda, and are excited to have such a dynamic group of women leading a discussion on the importance of female empowerment in the media. We hope you can RSVP and join us for what should be a memorable event for this year’s Women’s History Month!

Community Resource Hub

• In recognition of March as Women’s History Month, the Montgomery County Commission for Women, Montgomery County Public Libraries, and Friends of the Library Montgomery County, Inc. are holding its Sixth Annual “Girl Power Contest.” County residents, ages five and up, are encouraged to submit a short story, poem, drawing, or entry in the medium of their choice that addresses this year’s theme.

• Montgomery Connects, the county’s digital equity program, distributes 10,000 laptops from February to April to low-income individuals at different events. The Council is awarding increased grant funding to Montgomery Connects to bring broadband to affordable housing complexes in low-income areas.

• The Bernie Scholarship Awards Program serves low-income, underserved applicants who are 2023 graduating high schoolers or other adults who have completed high school or a GED and reside in subsidized rental housing in Montgomery County; they include undocumented individuals and Dreamers. 

• The Montgomery County Council is seeking participants for this year’s Post Graduate Fellows Program for individuals who have completed a master’s degree in public policy or a related field. Fellows will work as part of the Council’s non-partisan central staff team, providing objective analysis of policies to the entire County Council.  

• The FY 2023 Nonprofit Technical Assistance and Management Support (NTAMS) Grant Program provides unrestricted funds for enhancing an organization’s core capacity, infrastructure, and support functions. FY23 NTAMS award amounts will vary, with a minimum award of $5,000 and a maximum award of $50,000 over a 12-month performance period. Organizations are encouraged to submit multi-year funding proposals of up to two (2) years.

• The Public Leaders for Inclusion Council is open to individuals of age interested in participating in local, county, and state governments to challenge anti-Muslim bigotry and other forms of hate. Participants kick off the program in Washington, D.C., for a two-day summit where they meet other leaders from the private and public sectors across the country. Afterward, there are five monthly virtual seminars with leaders from prominent anti-bigotry and advocacy organizations.

If you have any questions about programs you would like access to, ideas for our newsletter, or resources you need assistance with, please email our team at Councilmember.Sayles@montgomerycountymd.gov or call us at 240-777-7964, and we will be happy to help.

Yours in service,

Laurie-Anne Sayles

Councilmember At-Large