Prince George's Proud:
An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks
Dear Prince Georgians:
Last week, we celebrated the many contributions women have made to our County and nation at the 36th Annual Women’s History Month Luncheon (WHML). This year’s theme, Beyond The Ballot: Honoring Our Past…Celebrating Our Future, highlighted individuals and organizations whose contributions demonstrate dedication, commitment and pride in Prince George’s County. Emceed by Peabody award-winning producer and 96.3 WHUR Radio Host, Jacquie Gales Webb, the WHML helped celebrate the dynamic accomplishments of women who serve in and partner with government to influence and impact our communities, especially during these challenging times.
As we have battled COVID-19 in our community, I have witnessed women contributing at every level of the pandemic response, helping us rebuild and recover. Women have been working essential jobs to make sure we all have access to necessary supplies and services, and leading agencies essential to the County’s response and recovery. Former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said that “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
As more women reach these positions of influence, it is up to us to create similar possibilities for other women as well. We look forward to celebrating a future where Vice President Kamala Harris’s inauguration is not just historic, but the beginning of a pattern. With that in mind, we were proud to salute this year’s winner of the Gladys Noon Spellman Public Service Award and all of the other trailblazing honorees at this annual event.
I want to take a moment to recognize and congratulate all the awardees at our 36th Annual Women’s History Month Luncheon:
Gladys Noon Spellman Public Service Award 2021
- Charlene Dukes, President Emerita, Prince George’s Community College
Prince George’s Executive Choice Award Honorees - Women in Government
- Euniesha Davis, Director, Office of Community Relations
- Wanda Ramos, Deputy Director, Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Prince George’s County Department of Parks & Recreation
- Alisha Alexander, Elections Administrator, Board of Elections
- Wanda Gibson, Director and CIO, Office of Information Technology
- Roberta Phillips, CEO, Prince George’s County Library Memorial System
Prince George’s Proud Awards
- Senior Legacy Award - Margaret Baltimore, Community Influencer
- Political Activism Award - Senator Melony Griffith Maryland, State Senator, District 25
- Medical Professionals Award- Dr. Valerie Callender, Dermatologist
- Educational Enrichment Award - Johanna Ihegihu, President & CEO, Math ETC Learning Center
- Hospitality Award - Susan Gage, Susan Gage Caterers
- Public Relations Impact Award - Priscilla Clarke, President & CEO, Clarke & Associates
- Culinary Arts Award - Chef Huda, International Celebrity Chef & Entrepreneur
- Arts & Entertainment Award - Tressa Azarel Smallwood, Producer & Director
Gladys Noon Spellman Scholarship Award Recipients
- Tracy Aguocha-Sam
- Lyric Green
- Tochi Nkiru Oguguo
Again, congratulations to all of these trailblazing women, and thank you for your service to our community! I am already looking forward to next year’s luncheon, when we will hopefully be able to gather in person to celebrate dynamic women in our County.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Don’t Take a Spring Break from Staying Safe
 As we make great progress in our vaccination efforts, it is still critically important that residents not let their guard down since this virus is still present in our community. Data from contact tracing in March shows that family gatherings were the leading cause of COVID-19 spread. As we approach Easter, we need to show our loved ones how much they mean to us by staying vigilant. Please continue to do your part to keep each other safe by wearing a mask, washing your hands, social distancing, avoiding large gatherings and pre-registering for the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Testing
 We want to remind residents that free COVID-19 testing is available through the County Health Department, with several testing locations available. There are also multiple testing sites across the County not operated by our Health Department, many of which also offer free testing. If you need a test, please make a plan to get a test. To view COVID-19 testing sites operated by the County Health Department, click here. To find a full list of all testing sites in the County, please use our testing site locator.
Stand Up & Deliver
 We are continuing to work hard to address food insecurity in our County, and we want to provide information on upcoming distribution locations for our Stand Up & Deliver program.
Friday, April 2 at 12:30 PM (Groceries/Meals)
- Beltsville Seventh Day Adventist – 4220 Ammendale Road, Beltsville, MD
- Ebenezer AME Church – 7707 Allentown Road, Fort Washington, MD
- First Baptist Church of District Heights - 7234 Lansdale St, District Heights, MD
Saturday, April 3 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)
- Ebenezer Church of God – 7550 Buchanan Street, Landover, Hills, MD
- First Baptist Church of Highland Park – 6801 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD
Additional food distribution locations can be found on our website by clicking here. This map is updated regularly. If you are able to make a contribution to our Stand Up & Deliver program, please click here to donate.
2021 Virtual State of the Economy Set for April 21
 The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable, would like to cordially invite you to the Prince George's County "State of the Economy" Virtual Address with County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. Join them on Wednesday, April 21, for updates from the County Executive on how we are working to make sure our economy recovers stronger than ever before. Learn more and register here.
Department of Housing and Community Development Welcomes New Director
 Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Ms. Aspasia Xypolia, who was confirmed unanimously by the County Council and sworn into office as the Director of our Department of Housing and Community Development! Director Xypolia was most recently serving as Acting Director of the Department and came to the County with over fifteen years of experience in housing, redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization. Her primary focus throughout her career has been creating meaningful community development and affordable housing. We are confident she will do an excellent job of serving our residents in this role.
Growing Green with Pride Day
 Prince George's County is masking up and Growing Green with Pride! Join us for this biannual countywide cleanup event, which is being held on Saturday, May 1, 2021. This is an opportunity for communities, organizations and businesses to help keep our County clean and beautiful. Participants will receive all the supplies necessary for litter collection and mulching at a contactless grab-n-go style pick-up held at the Department of Public Works and Transportation MOC Building, 8400 D’Arcy Road, Forestville, MD 20747.
As you are aware, we are still battling the COVID-19 pandemic and we must remain vigilant. During the event we ask that participants operate in small groups, maintain social distance, sanitize or wash their hands often, and wear gloves and masks. To register for the Spring 2021 Growing Green with Pride Day, click here. For additional information and assistance, contact Tonya Harris at tyhairston@co.pg.md.us or call 301-499-8641.
Human Trafficking Task Force Hosts Mental Health Webinar Series
 The consequences of human trafficking on mental health are significant, long-lasting and traumatic. Mental health plays a major role in the identification, treatment, and prevention of human trafficking victimization. The Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Task Force and the Family Justice Center will host the Think Blue: Mental Health Series for mental health professionals and service providers on April 28 and May 26, 2021. The webinar series is designed to be an educational engagement that will touch on various topics of human trafficking in the mental health context. Topics will include victim identification methods, current trends, safeguarding measures and best practices for trauma-informed care. For more information, email hrcstaff@co.pg.md.us. To register, click here.
Free Self-Improvement Workshop
 The Department of Family Services, in partnership with The Training Source, Inc., is sponsoring a free Self-Improvement Workshop series from April 1 through June 24. Session topics for the virtual workshop include Budgeting/Money Smarts, Career Planning, Coping with Stress, Maintaining Healthy Relationships and more. Registration is required. For more information, click here.
Virtual Community Meeting on the Role Arts & Culture Play in Aiding Community Connectivity
 The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) will host a virtual community meeting to engage stakeholders on the role arts and culture play in aiding connectivity to make transportation corridors more inviting, safe, and accessible as a part of the Prince George’s County Cultural Art Study (PGCCAS). The virtual meeting will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2021, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Transportation networks are ideal sites for creative projects. From art in subway stations to artistically designed crosswalks, manhole covers, and bus shelter designs, arts can help improve accessibility, safety, and make the environment more inviting to users. Pedestrian and cycling trails offer additional opportunities for creativity, including public art, landscape design, and wayfinding. Art can also reduce barriers in transit stations, integrating creative wayfinding symbols to ease congestion and help direct passengers. This meeting will examine how arts and culture can improve the County’s connectivity and discuss some barriers or challenges for improvements.
To participate, register here. Log-in information will be provided the evening prior to the meeting to all who register. Registration will close at noon on Thursday, April 8, 2021. For more information, click here.
Virtual Community Visioning Workshop for the Adelphi Road-UMGC/UMD Purple Line Station Area Sector Plan
 The M-NCPPC Planning Department invites residents and community stakeholders to participate in a Virtual Community Visioning Workshop for the Adelphi Road-UMGC/UMD Purple Line Station Area Sector Plan on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 7:00 PM. Participants will contribute to the long-term planning for the project area by joining in interactive online activities, including whiteboard exercises, online polling, and virtual breakout rooms. Register in advance here.
For more details on the sector plan or event, click here or email the project team at ARSP@ppd.mncppc.org.
Vote for Your Favorite Restaurants with
Dine Prince George’s
The Dine Prince George’s Contest allows County residents to vote for their favorite County restaurants each week. Sponsored by the Economic Development Corporation, this competition helps local restaurants win cash prizes in an effort to provide some relief during the pandemic. Patrons are encouraged to vote early and often. First place restaurant recipients receive $3,000. Second place receives $2,000 and third place receives $1,000. Recent winners include PJ’s Coffee, The Ugly Cake Factory and Southern Peach BBQ & Soul Food. To learn more or vote for your favorite restaurant, click here. You can also check out this WJLA news story.
Central High School Teacher Leading the Way
 We are Prince George’s Proud of Central High School teacher Anupama Mahajan for her commitment to environmental literacy. Anupama is a Biogeochemical Science Teacher whose contagious enthusiasm for the environment and education has inspired Central High School students to make a difference in the world around them.
Through her leadership, Central High School has enacted many programs to support local green initiatives such as cafeteria recycling, garden planting, community cleanups, and legislation campaigns to eliminate litter and increase recycling efforts. Central High School was also awarded the State of Maryland Green School Certification in 2018, and Ms. Anupama received the Unsung Hero Award for her commitment to environmental literacy in 2019. For more information on Anupama Mahajan and her student’s efforts, click here.
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