Prince George's Proud:
An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks
Dear Prince Georgians:
We are excited to announce that we are launching a Pilot Sandbagging Program to provide sandbags to residents ahead of the seasonal rains in Maryland. As we continue to experience the impacts of climate change in our County, this new program will provide increased protection to residential structures located within low-lying areas in the County during heavy periods of rain.
Our Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T), in partnership with our Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, will provide sandbags on a one-time, first-come, first-served basis at various locations. We are partnering with our municipalities on this effort, so residents who live in municipalities will be able to receive sandbags from their local municipal governments. We will begin distributing those sandbags to municipalities late next week, and they will coordinate the distributions and provide information to residents on how to receive sandbags.
Residents in unincorporated areas of the County will be able to pick up sandbags on Saturday, June 10, with a rain date of Saturday, June 17. We will have three distribution locations across the County. Whether you are picking up sandbags from your local municipality or one of our distribution locations on June 10, proof of Prince George’s County residency is required. For additional resources and information, we encourage residents to visit DPW&T’s Office of Storm Drain Maintenance website here and follow DPW&T on social media.
We are also excited to announce that our five Blue Line Corridor (BLC) Signature Projects continue to move forward! These projects will help us build a walkable, bikeable, amenity-rich downtown in Prince George’s County, and we want to provide our community with regular updates as we make progress. The projects include an amphitheater, youth sports fieldhouse, library/cultural center, civic plaza, and market hall.
We are now able to announce that the proposed location of our youth sports fieldhouse is the vacant, County-owned land in the vicinity of 9400 Peppercorn Place in Largo. Our youth sports fieldhouse project will build an indoor fieldhouse along the Blue Line Corridor that can accommodate multiple indoor sports, including (but not limited to) basketball, volleyball, soccer, pickleball, indoor track, field hockey, and gymnastics. The facility will help our County become an international youth sports destination.
We are working with the Maryland Stadium Authority to release a request for proposal (RFP) to solicit a team to perform preliminary design services so this project can continue moving forward. Once the preliminary investigations are complete, the selected design team will begin gathering community input during the design phase. We strongly encourage local, small, and minority-owned businesses to respond to the RFP once it becomes available, and we will be sure to provide more updates as we continue to make progress on our BLC Signature Projects.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
International Council of Shopping Centers Conference
 County Executive Alsobrooks and our County’s economic development team recently attended the International Council of Shopping Centers Conference in Las Vegas, NV. The County Executive and her team held meetings with business leaders in an effort to bring more new businesses and restaurants to our County.
Greater Washington Board of Trade
 County Executive Alsobrooks had the pleasure of speaking with the Greater Washington Board of Trade on Wednesday, May 17, to provide important updates on the County’s smart growth plans. We discussed plans around transit-oriented development, the County budget, workforce development, our efforts to secure the new FBI headquarters, and other opportunities on the horizon for our County.
Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable 20th Anniversary
On Thursday, May 11, County Executive Alsobrooks joined the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable for their 20th anniversary event. The Business Roundtable has done so much to support our community and partner with government to help grow our local economy, and County Executive Alsobrooks was proud to present the Business Roundtable with a proclamation celebrating their 20th anniversary. We look forward to many more years of working together to grow our local economy.
2nd Annual Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast
 County Executive Alsobrooks and faith leaders had a powerful morning of interfaith prayer and fellowship at the County Executive’s 2nd Annual Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 11. Our faith community is such a critical part of our County, and we want to thank them for being such great partners with our government and for continuing to faithfully serve Prince Georgians.
Early Childhood Conference
 Our office is partnering with Child Resource Connect to host an Early Childhood Conference on Saturday, June 3, at Charles H. Flowers High School, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The conference is designed to provide parents and caregivers with resources, networking, advocacy, and more. Register to attend here.
Cable Television Commission Appointments
 Our office was excited to reappoint several individuals to our Cable Television Commission. The mission of the five-member Cable Television Commission is to advocate for and protect the public interest in the regulation and the development of the cable communications systems. We are Prince George’s Proud of these individuals and thank them for their willingness to serve our community.
Pictured: LaKeisha Pingshaw (Cable Television Commission Administrator), Kathleen Driver, Thelma C. Newsome, Cherie Gibson (Commission Chair), Cynthia L. Miller, Festus N. Udejiofor, and Chief Information Officer Wanda Gibson
Judges for Trial Boards Recruitment
 Our office is accepting letters of interest and resumes from judges wishing to be appointed as judge members for the Trial Boards that will be utilized by law enforcement agencies in Prince George’s County. Judges wishing to be considered should apply no later than 11:59 PM on Thursday, June 1, via email to pgcboardsvacancy@co.pg.md.us.
United Against Hate Crimes Forum
 The Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights joins the U.S. Department of Justice and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) to host “United Against Hate: Identifying, Reporting, and Preventing Acts of Hate” on Wednesday, June 7, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Kettering Branch Library. Featuring guest speakers from the Department of Justice, FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights, and the Prince George’s County Police Department, the forum will review the definition of hate crimes and hate incidents and what to do if you or someone you know experiences one.
What can you do to help your family, your neighbors, and Prince George’s County? What resources already exist to provide support to victims of hate crimes and hate incidents and to strengthen our collective community? To get answers to these questions and more, join this urgent conversation. Space is limited and registration is required. Learn more about the event on the PGCMLS website here and email USAMD.UnitedAgainstHate@usdoj.gov to secure your place.
Seniors Can Get Tech Savvy With it Too!
 The Office of Community Relations (OCR) enjoyed meeting Prince George’s County older adults at the Department of Family Services’ Aging and Disabilities Services Division’s Aging Unbound Information Fair on Tuesday, May 16. Many of our older adults are tech savvy, so 311 On The Go! team members shared information on the PGC311 system, which residents can use to engage their County Government if they are seeking information or assistance from County Government agencies. As they promoted the new PGC311 mobile app, OCR was happy to discover that many residents had already downloaded the app and those that had not were willing to do so. Due to OCR’s efforts, our older adults are now equipped with County Government at their fingertips.
Take Charge of Your Type 2 Diabetes Today
 Take charge of your Type 2 diabetes today! Join the Health Department's free Living Well Diabetes Self-Management Virtual Program and learn how to manage your condition better and reduce its complications. With expert teachers guiding you every step of the way, you'll get key tips and insight into living healthier.
Now is your chance to manage your Type 2 diabetes in the comfort of your own home! The program meets online with trained leaders Monday evenings for six weeks, starting Thursday, June 8, from 4:00 PM until 6:30 PM. To learn more, join the Health Department at the free information session on Thursday, June 1, at 4:00 PM. Caregivers are also encouraged to register.
Registration is open until Wednesday, June 14. Call 301-856-9465 or e-mail wellnessinfo@co.pg.md.us. Sign up now and take charge of your Type 2 diabetes!
Celebrate Pride Month with the Department of Parks and Recreation
 In recognition of Pride Month, the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting “In The Life: An LGBTQIA Pride Celebration” on Saturday, June 3, at the Hyattsville Branch Library from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This event is open to all ages and free to the public. Guests will learn about famous LGBTQIA+ authors, listen to a drag storytime, and enjoy performances and workshops from some of television's most notable LGBTQIA+ ballroom talents. The event will conclude with an outdoor reception and light refreshments. Registration in advance is required. Register here.
Spring Seedling Giveaway and Vendor Fair
 Join the Prince George’s Soil Conservation District (PGSCD) and M-NCPPC on Saturday, June 3, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for their second annual Spring Seedling Giveaway and Vendor Fair. Seedlings include black cherry tomatoes, autumn bell peppers, and sweet basil, which all started from seeds by the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance and were grown courtesy of M-NCPPC. Supplies are limited. Residents are encouraged to pick up seedlings as early as possible! Vendors will also have seedlings for sale and the District’s All-Native Northeast Wildflower Seed Mix will be available as well. For a list of vendors and workshops, visit the PGSCD website here.
Get Ready to Launch!
 Get ready to launch the million-dollar idea you’ve been sitting on! FCS First invites startups, entrepreneurs, and early-stage small businesses to a virtual educational seminar on Thursday, June 1, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Through the “Level Up” program, FSC First has partnered with SEED SPOT to empower and educate diverse, impact-driven entrepreneurs and small business owners.
By attending this launch camp, participants will walk away with actionable steps to bringing their idea to market, including:
- Defining a revenue model and ideal target market.
- Creating a value proposition and customer journey.
- How to design a 60-second elevator pitch.
- Live mentorship and feedback from nationally recognized business leaders and industry experts.
- Upon completion, participants will gain access to SEED SPOT’s global alumni network with LIFETIME benefits including funding resources, legal support, mentorship, and more!
Tuition fees are sponsored by FSC First. Registration is open to businesses in Maryland, with an emphasis on those located in Prince George’s County. Space is limited. Learn more about the event here and RSVP to attend here.
OCR Director Receives the 2023 Customer Service Week Distinguished Leader Award
 Euniesha Davis, who serves as Director of our Office of Community Relations (OCR), was one of three national recipients to receive the 2023 Customer Service Week Distinguished Leader Award for her work with PGC311. This coveted industry award salutes individuals who go the extra mile in projects, technology innovations, leadership, team building, and customer experience initiatives.
Over the last four and a half years, PGC311 has become a best practice model for call centers nationwide. Director Davis has been able to reduce call wait times from 4.5 minutes to 15 seconds, as well as reduce the call abandonment rate from 17% to 1%. Our new PGC311 system strives to improve the digital customer service experience by connecting residents to government using multiple platforms, to include a new mobile application that makes logging a community concern easy, fast, and convenient.
The 311 On The Go! community initiative has helped bring resolution to many neighborhood concerns within the County and has garnered the attention of other 311 call centers who have now implemented similar community “on-the-go” programs.
We are Prince George’s Proud of Director Davis for representing our government and County so well and congratulate her on receiving this amazing honor!
Laurel High School Students Win Prince George’s County’s 2023 Envirothon Competition
 The Prince George’s Soil Conservation District (PGSCD) is pleased to announce that Laurel High School won first place honors in the 2023 Prince George’s County Envirothon Competition! Crossland High School came in second place in this year’s competition. PGSCD and the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center hosted the event at the Schmidt Center on Wednesday, April 26, marking it the first in-person competition since the COVID-19 pandemic. 15 teams from eight Prince George’s County high schools were tested in five categories: aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and this year’s fifth issue, adapting to a changing climate. Participating high schools included the Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George’s Community College, Duval High School, Crossland High School, Dr. Henry Wise High School, Fairmont Heights High School, Frederick Douglass High School, Laurel High School, and Potomac High School. For more information on the competition and sponsors, visit the PGSCD website here.
PGCPS Students Build 46th Home
 Photo Courtesy of John Domen, WTOP
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) students recently built their 46th home through a school program in partnership with The Foundation for Applied Construction Technology for Students. These students put the skills they have been learning into practice and built a beautiful home. Check out this article to learn more about this amazing project.
Quadruplets Graduate from PGCPS High School
 Photo Courtesy of WUSA9
We are Prince George’s Proud to congratulate quadruplets who recently graduated from Crossland High School! Check out this story to learn more about the quadruplets and join us in congratulating them on this amazing accomplishment.
PGPCS Students Receive Chief Executive Officer Scholarships
We are Prince George’s Proud of the eight seniors who received Chief Executive Officer college scholarships for their academic excellence and community service! This year’s awardees are Lydia Girma, Grace Magny-Fokam, Savannah Grooms, Camdyn Lionel, Inioluwa Olaniyan, William Spruill, Adrianna Morton, and Temitope Ajifowowe. The scholarships are made possible through the Excellence In Education Foundation for PGCPS and UnitedHealthcare, whose generous donation helped expand this year’s scholarships. Congratulations to these outstanding students, and we look forward to hearing about all of the amazing things they will accomplish in the future.
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