Council Connection - Holiday Edition

COUNCIL ELECTS NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR 2026 LEGISLATIVE YEAR

During the annual Exchange of Gavel Ceremony on Tuesday, December 2, the Prince George’s County Council elected District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha to serve as Chair and District 3 Council Member Eric Olson to serve as Vice Chair for the 2026 Legislative Year. Chair Oriadha is one of the youngest women and the only first-generation African immigrant to serve as Council Chair. She announced this year’s Council theme is ‘Prototype for What is Possible.’

“This is more than a slogan, it’s a declaration. A prototype is intentional. It’s bold. It is the first step in designing something greater than what currently exists,” said Chair Oriadha. “The people of Prince George’s County are not looking to us for what is easy. They are looking to us for what is possible. And we will rise to meet that expectation. We will show Maryland, we will show this region, what it looks like when a legislative body leads with intention, collaboration, relentless focus on the future. This Council will be the prototype of what is possible.”

Additionally, Chair Oriadha announced plans for a county-wide listening tour to gather feedback from residents, including their concerns and ideas for community improvement. She also plans to roll out a priorities survey where residents will be able to weigh in on legislative priorities for the year ahead. More information will be coming soon!

COUNCIL MEMBER BURROUGHS LAUNCHES FREE HIV TEST KIT PROGRAM

Council Member Edward Burroughs (District 8) launched a new program on World Aids Day, in partnership with healthcare nonprofit Us Helping Us, that will provide free in-home test kits for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections to District 8 residents. These easy-to-use confidential test kits will allow people to determine their HIV status in the comfort of their own home. More than 8,000 Prince Georgians are living with diagnosed HIV, and the county has the highest rate of new diagnoses in the state. Under the new program, any District 8 resident who tests positive for HIV will be connected with personally tailored treatment resources from Us Helping Us, including medical guidance and case management. Those who test negative could receive PrEP and PEP care to prevent future infection. District 8 residents can click here to request a test kit box.

COUNCIL IS IN RECESS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.

CHAIR ORIADHA HOSTS THANKSGIVING DINNER, PAYS FOR SHOPPERS’ GROCERIES

Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), PGCPS Board of Education Member Vice Chair Dr. Phelton Moss, and Pastors JJ and Trina Hairston hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner at Drew Freeman Middle School. It was a wonderful event that provided holiday cheer and a delicious meal to community members. Chair Oriadha also partnered with Emmanuel City Church to spread a little extra love by surprising shoppers and covering their grocery bill, bringing some relief this holiday season.

VICE CHAIR OLSON HOSTS CIVIC ASSOCIATION LEADERS DINNER, JOINS PGPD FRIENDSGIVING

Council Vice Chair Eric Olson (District 3) was thankful to all the incredible civic leaders whocame together for the District 3 Civic Association Leaders Dinner. The time, ideas, and commitment to our neighborhoods are what keep our communities strong. Vice Chair Olson, along with Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large) also enjoyed a wonderful Friendsgiving with PGPD officers who are part of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs and residents. The food was amazing, and it was great to see the community spending time together. Both Council Members were recognized with an award.

COUNCIL MEMBERS HAWKINS AND ADAMS-STAFFORD HOST TURKEY AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Council Members Calvin Hawkins (At-Large) and Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5)partnered with WPGC 95.5, Malloy Law Offices, and First Baptist Church of Highland Park to provide free turkeys and Thanksgiving groceries to hundreds of community members. Work like this is a reminder of what the holiday season is all about!

COUNCIL MEMBER DERNOGA HOSTS THANKSGIVING DISTRIBUTION, ATTENDS PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND GALA

Council Member Tom Dernoga (District 1) was thankful to his District 1 Team, At-Large Council Members Calvin Hawkins and Jolene Ivey, and all the volunteers for their hard work packaging and distributing Thanksgiving meals to District 1 residents. He appreciates the Beltsville Adventist Community Center for their continued partnership that made the 7th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution a success. Council Member Dernoga was also honored to attend Progressive Maryland’s 25^th Anniversary Gala where he was able to connect with fellow elected officials, including Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen.

COUNCIL MEMBER WATSON HOSTS FOUR COMMUNITY-WIDE FOOD GIVEAWAYS

Council Member Ingrid S. Watson (District 4) was grateful for the opportunity to serve the community with four community-wide food giveaways. She is thankful to Reid Temple A.M.E. Church - Queen Jefferson Women's Missionary Society Ministry, Fountain Community Enrichment, Inc., the City of Greenbelt and the Interfaith Coalition of Bowie who worked very hard and graciously partnered with her office to provide bags of food to residents. Together, they nourished bodies as well as community spirit.

COUNCIL MEMBER IVEY SUPPORTS SEVERAL THANKSGIVING FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS

Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large) joined the Town of Cheverly to pass out 200 turkeys before the Thanksgiving holiday. The turkeys, along with fresh produce, were provided to  neighbors in record time. Council Member Ivey and her husband, Congressman Glenn Ivey, also joined Second Baptist Church SW for its amazing Thanksgiving Food Distribution. She’s thankful to all the faith institutions, community organizations, and volunteers who chose to be a light when times can be dark. Additionally, she partnered with The Storehouse Inc. for a turkey distribution, providing nearly 1,000 turkeys in three hours. Council Member Ivey is so grateful for organizations like The Storehouse Inc., who serve the community, not just around the holidays, but year-round.

COUNCIL MEMBER FISHER HOSTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PANEL

Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) was joined by Sheriff John Carr, PGPD Chief George Nader, and PGPD Major Saul Serpas to host a panel about domestic violence in partnership with CASA. The increased presence of ICE in District 2 and across the county contributes to crimes going unreported in the Latino community, including domestic violence. This panel helped build trust between law enforcement and undocumented residents.

COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY JOINS EMPOWERING VOICES AWARDS AND CAMERON GROVE FOOD DISTRIBUTION, HOSTS DISTRICT 6 TURKEY GIVEAWAY

Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) was honored to join the Empowering Voices Awards with the Muslim Public Affairs Council. She is thankful to Abdullah Hijazi for the kind invitation and warm hospitality. Council Member Blegay also extends gratitude to the Legacy Business Premier Foundation for the generous collaboration and donation of turkeys to the Cameron Grove community! Additionally, she hosted her own turkey distribution in District 6 that provide more than 400 turkeys, and every family who came through received one. She is grateful to Jack and Jill of America, Inc, the Storehouse, Metropolitan Baptist Church for opening their doors, and Judge LaKeecia Allen and all other sitting judges who volunteered.

COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS-STAFFORD HOSTS FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND SENIOR BRUNCH SOIREE

Council Member Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) was honored to host a Thanksgiving food distribution at Cooper Lane Elementary to provide families with turkeys and other essential holiday foods. She is grateful to everyone who helped ensure that 50 families received support just in time for the holiday. The Council Member also hosted nearly 200 seniors and distinguished guests in the Palmer Park Community Center for the Inaugural Senior Brunch Soiree holiday party, in collaboration with the Solid Foundation and M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. Seniors donned holiday attire and enjoyed a brunch alongside guests including state lawmakers and Council Members. They also learned about community support services offered by the Register of Wills’ Office and MNCPPC’s upcoming senior programming.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARRISON HOSTS THANKSGIVING FOOD BOX GIVEAWAY

Council Member Sydney Harrison (District 9) had an incredible turnout for this year’s Thanksgiving Food Box Giveaway. Families from across the community enjoyed a smooth, warm, and welcoming drive-thru experience that allowed hundreds of residents to receive holiday meal boxes just in time for Thanksgiving. With dedicated volunteers, strong community partnerships, and a powerful spirit of togetherness, the event truly highlighted what makes District 9 special.

COUNCIL MEMBER HAWKINS HOSTS THANKSGIVING FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Council Member Calvin Hawkins (At-Large), in partnership with the Phi Nu Nu chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Theta Xi Nu chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. hosted a community Turkey & Food Drive to help local families enjoy a warm and plentiful Thanksgiving. The Prince George’s Police Department and Project Give Back supplied the food boxes, and more than 600 families were supported. A big thank you to everyone who came out to help and volunteer.

COUNCIL COLLABORATES ON FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS AT LOCAL SCHOOLS

Over the past month, the County Council has helped put on free food distribution events at four Prince George’s County Public Schools. The food giveaways have been hosted in collaboration with the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council and farmer Gale Livingstone from Deep Roots Farm. Glenn Dale and Laurel Elementary Schools as well as Charles Carroll and Stephen Decatur Middle Schools have benefitted from these events.