Washington Informer

The D.C. area business community gathered at the Washington Hilton on December 12 for the D.C. Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Annual Meeting and Chairman’s Inaugural Luncheon. The theme “Connecting Business—Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” was the resounding message spoken by Mayor Vincent Gray and Chamber of Commerce business leaders.

Bernard Demczuk, vice president of D.C. Government Relations, presided over the program as Matthew Klein handed over the chairman seat to Antwayne Ford.

Local legend Davey Johnson, manager of the Washington Nationals received the Hometown Hero Award and Bob Woodward, associate editor of The Washington Post was the keynote speaker. President and CEO Barbara Lang made closing remarks.

Click here to see DC Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting Photo Gallery. /Photos by Shevry Lassiter

The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) held its David P. Richardson, Jr. Nation Builder Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Northwest on Friday, Dec. 7. Over 200 state legislators, elected officials, representatives and their guests attended the black tie event hosted by The Washington Informer publisher, Denise Rolark Barnes and comedian Jonathan Slocumb.

The NBCSL Nation Builder Awards recognizes African Americans for their service and dedication to voting rights and assuring that African Americans are included in the political process.

Ward 8 resident Raymond P. Bell, owner of The H.O.P.E. Project, a training program for young adults in the IT profession received the Nation Builder Award, along with D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton; Sherry Rochelle Hopkins, a lobbyist; HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius; Rep. Rita Jackson Samuels (Ga.); Rep. George Taliafferro, (IN), the first African American admitted to the NFL; retired Judge Viola Taliafferro; and Rep. Michael Rashid (Pa.).

Click here for photo gallery of National Black Caucus of State Legislators awards dinner. /Photos by Shevry Lassiter

LANHAM, MD -- Earlier this year, amid screams of excitement and disbelief, Derek Slocum and his wife ran to the stage as Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker called out his name as the winner of the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) house lottery. On Tuesday, Dec. 4,  Derek Slocum joined Baker in a ribbon cutting ceremony, marking completion of the house's renovations and that it was “move-in” ready.

DHCD held the lottery in June at its 2012 Housing Fair where pre-qualified applicants entered into a drawing to purchase a home in the county for a substantially reduced price. In addition, DHCD provided a 5 percent down payment and closing costs. The 2,000-quare feet house, located in Lanham, has four bedrooms, two baths, a living room, dining room and family room. Its exterior includes a rear porch, walk-out basement with paved patio, fencing, landscaping and off-street parking.

“Homeownership is a vital component of the American dream,” said Thomas Himler, Prince George’s County deputy chief administrative officer. “Unfortunately, in recent years the dream has been shattered for many in our community due to the recession and the spike in foreclosures.”

Prince George’s County implemented a Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The program provides aid in communities throughout the county that have suffered from foreclosure and abandonment by allowing qualified buyers to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed properties.

Howard Ways, executive director of the Prince George’s County Redevelopment Authority, said the Slocums' home is the first building renovated as part of the NSP that utilizes new green building standards, green renovation standards and a design pilot developed specifically for the program.

The home has been equipped with a high efficiency furnace and air conditioning system and energy efficient windows to reduce the homeowner’s monthly utility costs, certifying the house as an Energy Star home.

Under the Energy Star standard, windows, doors and appliances must meet a certain level of energy efficiency and the house must be properly air-sealed and insulated to prevent heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. In addition, waterproofing and foundation insulation is included as well as environmentally friendly landscape and plant materials. The utility costs on this Green Energy Star home are expected to be less than $200 per month for a family of four.

“This shows you what can go on in Prince George’s County [and] throughout the nation," Baker said. "As one of the areas leading in foreclosures, this is how we are going to turn it around by taking these properties and fixing them up and turning them over.”

PG Housing Lottery Winner Photo Gallery

The Washington Informer was in attendance at the Evangel Church Multi Media & Arts Center Christmas Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 1.  The production hosted and produced by Bishop Don D. Meares, Elder Kevin Matthews and Elder Peyton Gray, is a joyful celebration of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In addition to boasting more than 250 talented cast members, the broadway-style musical production included performances by Mary Mary, Kiki Sheard, Ty Tribbett, Marvin Sapp and Bebe and Cece Winans.

Evangel Church Christmas Celebration 2012 Photo Gallery