Prince George's Proud:
An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks
Dear Prince Georgians:
It is hard to believe that we have already entered into the spring season! The start of this year has already been productive, and we are proud of the progress we continue to make. As some of you know, the coming of spring means that we are gearing up for our spring Growing Green with Pride Day, which will be held on Saturday, April 23, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
This year, the County will be celebrating Preserve and Beautify our Environment Week from Monday, April 18 through Saturday, April 23, and we are excited to close out the week with our biannual community cleanup day. We need the support of all Prince Georgians when it comes to keeping our County clean and beautiful, and that is why we encourage you to get together with your friends and neighbors for a morning of litter pick-up and community beautification.
During our Growing Green with Pride Day last fall, 3,000 volunteers collected 48,800 pounds of litter and debris at more than 100 locations throughout our County, and we know that we can collect even more during our upcoming spring event. To learn more or to register for the spring Growing Green with Pride Day, visit our website here. Registration will close on Friday, April 15. Let’s all play our part in making our County what we want it to be, and how we want it to look.
As we continue to build a cleaner and healthier environment, we also continue to work to keep our communities safe and address the most critical needs of our youth. Our Police Department, along with our community partners, are working to engage our County youth through open dialogue on a variety of topics, helping improve interactions with both police and government.
To begin this effort, members of the Prince George’s County Police Department, community partners, and local youth recently gathered for the first session of the Prince George’s County Police Teen “Real Talk” Roundtable, a series of youth discussions being held across the County. These sessions give youth the platform to openly express their concerns regarding youth and police interactions and the increase in juvenile violence in the community, as well as to share their recommendations on how we can reduce crime and create positive change in our communities.
I was pleased to join the first roundtable discussion this past Saturday and hear directly from our young people, who shared their concerns and ideas with us. We had an excellent discussion and are already looking forward to the next event.
We want to thank our Police Department, along with Not About Me Ministries, our Police Athletic League, the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, Jacob’s Ladder, Uplift Brothers, and our Office of Community Relations, for all of their hard work in organizing and hosting the event. We also want to thank all of our young people for participating in this important discussion. We are excited to have you as our partners in building an even better and brighter future for Prince George’s County.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Apply for the 2022 Beautification Awards
 Did you know Prince George’s County has an annual Beautification Awards Program? Hosted by the Prince George’s County Beautification Committee, the program honors those who have contributed to the community through excellence in gardening and landscaping. Awards are considered for community and school garden projects, landscaping of government, commercial and industrial sites, and residential landscapes maintained by the owner or professionally designed and maintained. Applications must be submitted online, by email, or mail by Sunday, May 1. For more information, visit the Beautification Committee’s website here.
It’s Mulch Madness Time!
 Mulch Madness is Back! Prince George’s County residents can pick up FREE mulch from the County Organics Composting Facility on Saturday, April 23, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, or while supplies last. A skid loader will be available to load mulch directly into pickup trucks (commercial vehicles are not permitted). Residents transporting mulch by car will need to bring their own containers, shovels, or pitchforks. For more details, visit the Department of the Environment website here.
County News For You
Board, Commission, and Committee Appointments
On Tuesday, March 8, 42 individuals participated in a public hearing to be appointed or reappointed to six Prince George’s County boards, commissions, and committees, making this a banner day in Prince George’s County. We are proud to announce the following appointments and reappointments:
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Ms. Regina Speed-Bost will serve as Prince George’s County’s third representative on the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). Ms. Speed-Bost has practiced energy law for 30 years and opened her own law firm, SB Law, in 2020. She advises electric utilities, local distribution companies, marketers and traders, and renewable energy companies on a variety of matters related to energy administrative and regulatory law.
 Agricultural Resources Advisory Committee
The Agricultural Resources Advisory Committee welcomed Ms. Pharyn E. Smith, Mr. William “Bill” O. Ritchie, Jr., Dr. Darren T. Gibson, Ms. Essita R. Duncan, Mr. Daniel A. Donohue, Mr. Steven E. Darcey, and Ms. Jo-Ann Romano (not pictured). This committee serves as the central point of information for the farming community regarding governmental programs affecting agricultural operations and advises the County regarding the effect on agricultural operations of potential and existing laws, policies, rules and regulations.
 Advisory Committee on Aging
The Advisory Committee on Aging welcomed Ms. Vanecia L. Davis, Ms. Gretchen D. Lofland, Ms. Margarett Baltimore, Ms. Kym D. Taylor, Mr. Eddie R. Jordon, Ms. Ida R. Fletcher, Ms. Erica E. Noble, Ms. Michelle Y. Blanc, Mr. Mark Harrison, and Ms. Gwendolyn A. Drummond. This committee receives reports from the Department of Family Services regarding the status of current operations and future planning, and recommends various services and programs for the aging while maintaining communication between our senior residents, the County Executive, and County Council.
 Board of Social Services
The Board of Social Services welcomed Mr. Nathaniel L. Wallace, Ms. Salome T. Peters, Dr. Shirley Newton-Guest, Ms. Wanda D. Smith, Ms. Dorothy E. Duppins, Ms. Stephanie SJ Cox, Ms. Audrey B. Chase, Ms. Delores Furman, Ms. Caprina A. Harris, and Mr. Kenneth L. White (not pictured). This board advises the local Social Services Director and the State Board as to the local application of State policies and procedures. Board members are well informed on local departmental activities and communicate comprehensive information including the objectives, policies, programs, and problems of local social services and public assistance administration to County residents.
 Commission for Women
It was quite appropriate that the appointments and reappointments to the Commission for Women fell on International Women’s Day! The Prince George's County Commission for Women welcomed Ms. Deborah C. Wilder, Ms. Robbie W. Terry, Ms. Sharon J. Smith, Ms. Bea M. Rodgers, Dr. Denise C. McCain, Dr. Maritza E. Gonzalez, Ms. Lanta Evans-Motte, Ms. Shauntelle E. Coleman, Ms. Maria Ivonne Rivera (not pictured), and Ms. Carolyn White-Washington (not pictured). This commission serves to improve the quality of life for women and girls by advocating, initiating, and championing programs and legislation to strengthen families and communities.
 Nuisance Abatement Board
The Nuisance Abatement Board welcomed Mr. Douglas Roeser, Ms. Betty J. Williams, Mr. Antoinne J. Beidleman, and Ms. Shirley Lathern (not pictured). This board hears complaints that may constitute a public nuisance. Upon receipt of such allegations, the board gives notice and an opportunity for a hearing to determine whether a public nuisance exists.
Hyattsville Branch Library Opens Soon
 The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System’s (PGCMLS) new Hyattsville Branch Library will open to the public on Wednesday, March 30 from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Opening day festivities will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:00 AM, bilingual English/Spanish story time at 11:30 AM, family activities, and a community resource fair from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. To learn more, visit the PGCMLS website here.
OCR Was Here, There and Everywhere Promoting PGC311 Launch Day
 The Office of Community Relations (OCR) reached a milestone with the official launch of the PGC311 system on Friday, March 11. In an effort to highlight this great feat, OCR team members spanned out across all three regions of the County to share the great news during launch week. Residents were greeted by OCR team members at various locations throughout the County, including Metro stations, Starbucks locations, and more. They were able to receive information on the new PGC311 system and many took the time to download the new PGC311 mobile app right there on the spot. OCR team members had a great time meeting and engaging with so many residents and sharing information on how it is now easier than ever to engage County government using new, innovative, and user-friendly technology via PGC311.
Youth@Work/Summer Youth Enrichment Program Application Closes March 31
 The Youth@Work/Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP) application for summer 2022 will close on Thursday, March 31. SYEP provides Prince George’s County youth ages 14 to 22 career development, job readiness training, and summer employment opportunities within community organizations, private sector companies, or government agencies. The County’s goal is to provide youth with the opportunity to experience professional development opportunities, gain exposure to a diverse range of careers, and network with industry leaders. For more information on SYEP or to apply, visit the SYEP website here.
Vaccinate Your Pets Against Rabies
The City of Bowie and the County Health Department are co-sponsoring a low-cost rabies vaccination clinic at Bowie City Hall on Saturday, April 2, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Rabies is a deadly but preventable disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. Protect your pets and yourselves by getting your furry family members protected against rabies.
National Diabetes Alert Day
 National Diabetes Alert Day was Tuesday, March 22! This campaign is a one-day "wake-up call" that focuses on the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of taking action to improve your health. The Health Department is offering two types of free, year-long classes to help you avoid Type 2 diabetes.
HALT (Health and Lifestyle Training) is an online diabetes prevention program with 26 tailored video sessions with trained lifestyle coaches. Participants download and watch the sessions on a weekly basis on their own time. A new set of classes began on Monday, March 14, 2022, and runs through Monday, March 13, 2023. Late registration closes on Monday, March 28. To register for the HALT program, call 301-856-9465 or email wellnessinfo@co.pg.md.us.
PreventT2 is a year-long diabetes prevention program where classes meet live online with trained lifestyle coaches on a regular schedule. Participants can sign up for Tuesday or Thursday classes, which begin Tuesday, March 15 or Thursday, March 17. To register for the PreventT2 program, call 301-856-9643 or email wellnessinfo@co.pg.md.us.
Watch: ‘Cancel HIV’ Town Hall
Ending the HIV epidemic in Prince George’s County is the goal of the Health Department’s Cancel HIV campaign. This campaign works with community partners to reduce HIV stigma and promote testing, prevention, and treatment.
Last month, the campaign joined forces with popular local radio host Cheryl Jackson and a panel of experts and HIV advocates for “Canceling HIV Together in Prince George’s County.” The town hall discussion gave insight into the latest advancements in HIV prevention and treatment, and what we can all do to eliminate the stigma of HIV. Watch this important discussion on the Health Department’s Cancel HIV YouTube channel here.
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Solicitation Opportunities for Mentor Protégé Program Participants
 The Office of Central Services (OCS) is pleased to announce a series of upcoming solicitations which include Mentor Protégé components. Local, small, and diverse suppliers are encouraged to join the Mentor Protégé program and to participate in the soon-to-be-released procurement opportunities. For further information, please visit the OCS Business Highway website here.
Spring 2022 Community Partners’ Virtual Meeting
 Join the Department of the Environment (DoE) for the virtual Community Partners’ Meeting on Wednesday, April 6, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The meeting will include updates from DoE’s sister agencies, the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE), and the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T). After the presentations, there will be a question-and-answer session with County representatives. Residents are encouraged to submit questions in advance to Brittani Garner at BGarner@co.pg.md.us. Register for the meeting here.
OMB Director Attends Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal Act Bill Signing
 Director of the Prince George’s County Office of Management and Budget, Mr. Stanley Earley, was present for the bill signing of the Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal Act. This bill provides Congressional Gold Medals to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only all Black Female Women Army Corps unit to be deployed overseas during World War II. The Six Triple Eight played a major role in WWII in both England and France, and Director Earley’s mother, Lt. Colonel Charity Adams Earley, was the Commander of this unit and the highest-ranking Black woman in the army by the end of WWII! Learn more about the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and the Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal Act here.
Prince George’s County Celebrates
Women Veterans Week
 For the first time ever, Prince George’s County is celebrating Women Veterans Week during Women’s History Month! Throughout this week, the County is honoring its women veterans and their contributions to the U.S. military. Check out this story featuring the County’s efforts to recognize women veterans and their service to the County and the nation.
PGCPS Student to Participate in Congress of Future Medical Leaders
Photo Courtesy of NBC4
Prince George’s County’s own Alil Ash-Shakoor, a 9th grade student at DuVal High School, was recently selected to be a part of the prestigious Congress of Future Medical Leaders. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who have a GPA of 3.5 or above and want to become doctors or go into medical science. We are Prince George’s Proud of Alil and know she will represent us at the Congress well. Check out this story featuring Alil’s journey.
PGCPS Basketball Team Wins State Championship Title
 Photo Courtesy of Doug Kapustin, The Washington Post
The Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS) boys’ basketball team recently won the 4A State title! This is the fifth State championship for the ERHS Raiders, and we congratulate them on their continued success and for representing our County so well. Read this article featuring their championship win.
Takeout Tuesday - Era Wine Bar
 The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) continues to highlight local restaurants through the Takeout Tuesday series. Join them as they explore the true tastes and delicacies of Prince George’s County. Watch this video highlighting Era Wine Bar in the City of Mount Rainier. Be sure to follow the EDC on social media to learn more about some of Prince George’s County’s amazing local businesses.
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