Photo credit: KaQuan Little
Andrews Federal employees, along with Radio One on-air talent Trey Raney, paused for a photo during the busy Back-to-School Bash community celebration at the credit union’s under-development Fort Washington branch. (L to R): John Masterson, Trey Raney, Dayonna Welch, Damita Robinson, Rosalind Bishop, Todd Olszowy, Linda Thompson
Andrews Federal Credit Union Hosts Successful Back-to-School Bash to Connect with Fort Washington Community
Credit Union Team Focused on Building Relationships during Development of Newest Maryland Branch
By PRESS OFFICER
Andrews Federal Credit Union
SUITLAND, Md. (Oct. 7, 2025)—Andrews Federal Credit Union celebrated the start of the school year with a high-energy Back-to-School Bash at the site of its under-development Fort Washington branch. The event united local families, students, and community members for an afternoon of fun, support, and school preparation.
The event welcomed more than 300 guests. Families in attendance received free school supply giveaways, including backpacks, which the credit union collected through a Back- to-School drive at its many branches throughout the region.
Guests were able to enjoy family-friendly games, refreshments, and interactive activities. Talent from Radio One WKYS also energized the crowd with a live, on-site broadcast.
The celebration aimed to help families gear up for the upcoming academic year while creating greater awareness for the new Fort Washington branch. “The incredible turnout at the Fort Washington Back To School Bash is an exciting indication of things to come,” said Damita Robinson, Chief Operating Officer for Andrews Federal Credit Union. “The families who joined us for the Back-to- School Bash are the future of our communities, and it’s a privilege to help ensure another successful year of education for them.”
This new branch, currently under development and slated to open during fall 2025, is the credit union’s fourth location in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The credit union team is planning additional events to strengthen relationships in the area, including a grand opening/community day celebration scheduled for later this fall
Founded in 1948, Andrews Federal Credit Union has grown to serve more than 145,000 members in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and military installations in central Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. For more information about Andrews Federal, visit andrewsfcu.org.
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Join the Ebenezer Ministry as we Celebrate NAHM This Friday
By J. JOY “SISTAH JOY” MATTHEWS ALFORD
Ebenezer A.M.E. Church Poetry Ministry
You are invited to join the Ebenezer Poetry Ministry on Friday, October 17, 2025, 6:30–8:30 p.m. as we celebrate The Arts. This is a Poetry & Praise service and Open Mic celebration. The event will be at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, 7707 Allentown Road, Fort Washington, MD.
The Ministry member poets, The Anointed P.E.N.S., and musicians, The Psalmists of Solomon, invite you to join us as we celebrate the arts with poetry, African drumming (Doc Powell on Djembe), visual art, and song. Spoken Word Artist, Ambery Bowman, will be our Featured Poet. Light refreshments will be served, and a free-will offering will be accepted. Bring a poem to share during the open mic. We also welcome you to bring an art item of your choice to include on our “Celebrating The Arts” display tables during the celebration. If you wish to do so, you may briefly describe/discuss your art item during the open mic segment of the celebration. We are celebrating the arts, and we invite you to become part of our celebration!
Sistah Joy, President, Ebenezer A.M.E. Church Poetry Ministry, Home of The Anointed P.E.N.S. (Poets Empowered to Nurture Souls) & The Psalmists of Solomon
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Prince George’s County Council Member Calvin Hawkins and M-NCPPC Chairman Darryl Barnes to Host 30th Anniversary of the Million Man March
“Summit on the State of Black America” to be held on October 18 to commemorate 30 years since the historic 1995 march
By PRESS OFFICER
Prince George’s County Council
LARGO, Md. (Oct. 10, 2025)—On Saturday, October 18, 2025, Council Member At-Large Calvin Hawkins and Chairman Darry Barnes of the Prince George’s County Planning Board and The Maryland-National Capital Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), in partnership with non-profit TJC Inc., will host the 30th Anniversary of the Million Man March: A Summit on the State of Black America, “Where We Were, Where We Are, Where We Are Going.” The Summit will take place at Fairmont Heights High School Auditorium, located at 6501 Columbia Park Rd, Landover, MD 20785, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will include public discussions and reflections about the progress and setbacks in the Black community during the 30 years since the 1995 Million Man March, particularly in the Greater Washington Region, and prospects for charting a greater path to progress in the future. The event will feature three engaging sessions, consisting of a Black Public Officials Roundtable, Black Media and Entertainment Roundtable, and Black Business Roundtable, with robust audience discussion. Popular morning radio show host Todd B. will be the event emcee.
“The Million Man March in 1995 was a historic gathering to emphasize the need to empower change within the Black community, particularly Black men, through atonement and activism,” says Council Member Hawkins. “While we’ve seen progress in the past 30 years, too many of the same challenges persist. Issues like the impact of the federal government shutdown, economic despair amidst the rising cost of living, struggles with academic achievement, and persistent public safety challenges among our youth affect the Black community more than any other part of our population. We must aggressively and proactively address these challenges with an ambitious agenda for moving forward.”
“Now more than ever, it is imperative that residents, leaders, and community partners unite to solve the pressing concerns and issues impacting our neighborhoods, County, and region,” says M-NCPPC Chairman Darryl Barnes. “Through our big dreams, unified vision, collective voices, and strategic actions, we can develop new approaches to fulfill the promise of the original march and create a future where our communities thrive and flourish. We encourage everyone to join us at the pivotal summit focused on conversations that will shape actionable solutions.”
The 30th Anniversary of the Million Man March: A Summit on the State of Black America, also abbreviated as MMM30, is free and open to the public, but registration is recommended. Those wishing to attend should register at this link: https://tinyurl.com/millionmanmarch30. Event panelists will be announced during the week of the event.
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WSSC Water Raises a Beaker and Celebrates Grand Opening of its Newly Expanded, Technologically Advanced $38 Million Water Quality Laboratory
Project Nearly Doubles Lab Capacity, Setting Standard for the Future of Water Quality Testing
On-Site PFAS Lab Enables Testing of Forever Chemicals, Saving Time and Money
Construction of State-of-the-Art Facility Supports Local Jobs and Businesses
By LUIS MAYA
WSSC Water
Laurel, Md. (Oct. 7, 2025)—WSSC Water officials today joined Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena Mcllwain, State Delegates Lorig Charkoudian and Greg Wims, county representatives and dedicated staff to officially open its state-certified, newly expanded and technologically advanced laboratory in Silver Spring, Maryland—a $38 million investment that will significantly increase the utility’s ability to monitor and protect water quality for 1.9 million residents in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
The original lab was built in 2001 to consolidate smaller labs across WSSC Water’s 1,000-square-mile service area. The newly expanded laboratory nearly doubles the size of the facility from 19,720 square feet of workspace to 27,193 square feet and features advanced instruments including:
• A new PFAS lab section dedicated to testing Forever Chemicals on site, eliminating the need to ship samples out of state, saving time and money—cutting wait times from weeks to hours;
• A new taste and odor testing system;
• A new algal toxin analyzer, a critical tool for detecting and measuring toxins produced by algae;
• Enhanced emergency response capabilities for rapid testing following chemical spills or other watershed threats.
“WSSC Water’s newly expanded laboratory demonstrates a commitment to protecting public health by meeting the highest standards of water quality excellence,” said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. “We take certification of these labs very seriously and are proud to recognize this facility as a State Certified Water Quality Laboratory—ensuring compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.”
Over 500,000 water quality tests are performed annually at this laboratory, including analysis of drinking water, source water, wastewater, stormwater, landfill effluent, water main break samples and biosolids. The results of these tests are used to make operational changes, adjust treatment processes, and for regulatory reporting.
The number of water-quality analyses performed each year by WSSC Water is expected to increase to more than 750,000 by 2045. The expanded facility ensures the utility continues its exceptional track record of 107-years without a single drinking water quality violation.
“I am proud to join WSSC Water in celebrating the opening of its expanded laboratory in Silver Spring, Maryland,” said Maryland State Delegate Lorig Charkoudian. “This investment underscores the importance of protecting water quality, safeguarding public health, and ensuring reliable service for our communities. On behalf of the District 20 Delegation, we commend WSSC Water for its commitment to the residents of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
“As a former WSSC Water Commissioner, I am proud to see this expanded laboratory come to life,” said Maryland State Delegate Greg Wims. “It reflects the utility’s ongoing commitment to innovation, water quality, and public health. This investment ensures that residents of Prince George’s and Montgomery counties continue to receive safe, reliable water while strengthening WSSC Water’s role as a trusted community partner.”
“This facility is more than just bricks, mortar, and high-tech instruments,” said WSSC Water Commission Chair Mark J. Smith. “It’s a promise kept—to protect public health, support economic development, and uplift our communities. In total, this project supported 350 local jobs and invested $5.6 million with our diverse business partners, and that is music to my ears.”
WSSC Water previously relied on contract laboratories for critical and regulatory analyses due to space, infrastructure and instrument limitations. The expansion dramatically increases in-house testing capability and reduces reliance on outside testing: faster results at a lower cost.
“This expanded laboratory is where science meets service,” said WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell. “The quality of the work done in this lab ensures that when families in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties fill a glass, cook a meal or bathe their children, they can trust their taps because of our dedicated employees and steadfast commitment to public health.”
The upgraded and newly expanded facility also includes overnight accommodations for lab staff during emergencies and meets LEED Gold certification standards, meaning a much more efficient building with significantly lower climate impacts.
Grunley Construction, the lead contractor on this project, has been involved since the 2022 groundbreaking, playing a key role in delivering this state-of-the-art laboratory.
“It’s been exciting to see this project come full circle from the first shovel in the ground to completion,” said Michael Thiele, Contract Executive for Grunley Construction. “As a local company with employees and subcontractors in the community, we take great pride in delivering what matters, a culture of trust and respect while performing with the highest standard of excellence. Partnering with WSSC Water on this state-of-the-art laboratory has been an honor, and it demonstrates what strong partnerships can achieve in strengthening essential infrastructure and the communities it serves.”
WSSC Water is the proud provider of safe, seamless and satisfying water services, making the essential possible every day for our neighbors in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. We work to deliver our best because it’s what our customers expect and deserve.
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