December 2020 Newsletter

Soul of the City Presents Go-Go Santa Express

On Saturday, December 19 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, Ward 8 will look and feel a lot like Christmas with Go-Go Santa Express traveling through neighborhoods in DC’s Congress Heights community spreading holiday cheer through music and gift distribution to residents.

Two Go-Go Santa Express caravans will depart from the St. Elizabeths East Campus at 2:00 PM traveling through Congress Heights featuring music provided by Ms. Kim and Scooby and the Backyard Band. Community partners and stakeholders will travel in the caravan escorting Santa throughout the community and provide residents with 7,500 gift bags filled with items provided by DC Boutique, The Museum, as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The driving route will highlight Christmas trees decorated in a variety of themes including an Angel Tree to memorialize loved ones lost to violence, Cat in the Hat, Healthy Food, and many others. The festivities conclude with Go-Go Santa making a special stop at the 801 East Men’s Shelter and Housing providing its residents with care packages.

For more information on how you can see Go-Go Santa visit www.chctdc.org/HOLIDAY. To learn about Soul of the City, visit here.

Survivor Memory Forest Kick-Off Event Held at Mother’s Peace Garden

On December 16, 2020, the Friends of Oxon Run with support from DC Greens hosted a community visioning session, provided a light breakfast and planted trees in support of the Mother’s Peace Garden in Oxon Run Park.

The Mother’s Peace Garden, located at 13th and Mississippi Ave SE next to the Bunn Amphitheater, has a storied past which includes several local caretakers and gardeners. One of the major goals of the visioning session was to elevate the platform of the Mother’s Peace Garden especially during this time when the surrounding community has lost many young people to gun violence. This memorial garden is designed to provide mothers in the community with a place of solitude to find inner peace.

The Gerald Project, a local nonprofit dedicated to ending gun violence, was also present to connect families with mental fitness support through a directory of culturally competent mental health experts. Additionally, participants laid out plans to clean and prepare the flower beds for a robust growing season in the Spring of 2021 and mobilize the community to enhance this important community amenity.

Community Grant Program

The Events DC Community Grant Program provides financial support to qualifying non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting youth sports, cultural or performing arts in the District of Columbia.

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Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth. 

As a result of precautions related to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Anacostia Community Museum has quickly and creatively reimagined their upcoming exhibition, Men of Change. Formerly slated for display inside the museum, the exhibition has been redesigned for an outdoor installation in Ward 7's Deanwood neighborhood.

The Men of Change exhibition will be on display from February 1 to May 31, 2021, featuring the vibrant stories of more than two dozen African American male leaders creating a stunning visual presence of Black male positivity at a time when optimism and inspiration are in short supply.

In addition to the Deanwood installation, photographs and quotes from Men of Change will live on the windows of several retail storefronts in Ward 8. The final element of this exhibition's redesign is a series of larger-than-life projections that will illuminate local building façades after dark.

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Continuing a Tradition of Giving

On Tuesday, November 24, 2020, Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White hosted the Annual Ward 8 Turkey Giveaway in the parking lot of Union Temple Baptist Church. This time-honored tradition was started by the late Ward 8 Councilmember and former DC Mayor Marion Barry and continued by Councilmember White after Barry’s passing in 2014.

While this year’s turkey giveaway had a different look because of COVID-19 protocols, the spirit of giving was not lost as Councilmember White along with community partners worked tirelessly to ensure residents across the Ward received a turkey and fresh produce. Councilmember White surpassed his goal of supporting 1,500 families by providing over 2,000 turkeys, produce bags, and gift cards to Ward 8 residents. This event was a true testimony of collaboration as community partners, elected officials, and volunteers came together to serve the residents of Ward 8 during these tough times.

Thank you, Councilmember White, for keeping this tradition going!!

Capital Long Drive Classic 

See the National Mall like never before! We are excited to announce the dates for the inaugural Capital Long Drive Classic airing nationally on Golf Channel.

Broadcast Date: Thursday, December 17 at 11 AM EST

Rebroadcast Date: Sunday, December 20 at 5 PM EST

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