Prince George’s Community Federal Credit Union Marketing Director Patrice Forbes Appointed to the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
By PRESS OFFICER
PGCFCU
Prince George’s County, Md. (Oct. 29, 2025)—Prince George’s Community Federal Credit Union proudly announces that its Director of Marketing, Patrice Forbes, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce (MBCC). She joins a distinguished group of business leaders working together to advance the Chamber’s mission to connect, educate, and advocate for Black-owned businesses across Maryland.
As Director of Marketing for Prince George’s Community Federal Credit Union (PGCFCU), Forbes has been instrumental in leading initiatives that empower local businesses, strengthen community partnerships, and promote economic growth. A lifelong Marylander and passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and creative innovation, Forbes also brings her experience as a Board Member of the Recording Academy’s Washington, D.C. Chapter and her active involvement in ventures that inspire and empower the next generation of professionals.
“We’re so proud of Patrice and her continued leadership in the community,” said Diane Coleman Brown, President and CEO of Prince George’s Community Federal Credit Union. “Her appointment reflects her passion for empowerment and aligns perfectly with our mission to help members and local businesses thrive.”
“We are thrilled to have Patrice join our Board of Directors,” added Kenneth White, President / CEO of the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce. “Her commitment to community empowerment will help the Chamber continue expanding its reach and impact statewide.”
In her new role, Forbes will collaborate with fellow board members to advance MBCC’s growing portfolio of programs and initiatives, including the Chamber’s Leadership Academy, Nonprofit Academy and upcoming AI Academy. She will also support MBCC’s expanding membership—now exceeding 760 members statewide—and help strengthen partnerships with organizations such as Prince George’s FSC First, Prince George’s EDC, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, The City of Frederick, Hagerstown Community College and Harbor Bank of Maryland to name a few.
“I am honored to join the MBCC Board and contribute to an organization that is making such a meaningful difference for Black entrepreneurs and small business owners across our state,” said Forbes. “This is about building opportunity, access, and legacy for the next generation of Maryland business leaders.”
Established in 1967, Prince George’s Community Federal Credit Union was created to offer financial services to Prince George’s County employees. Over the years, the organization has expanded its reach to serve more than 19,500 members across the county. With assets exceeding $300 million, our community-based credit union welcomes individuals who live, work, volunteer, worship, attend school or operate businesses in Prince George’s County to open an account. For more information, visit www.PrinceGeorgesCFCU.org or call 301.627.2666.
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Educational Systems Federal Credit Union Hosts Two Service Year Option Members Through Maryland’s Department of Service and Civic Innovation
By PRESS OFFICER
ESFCU
GREENBELT, Md. (Oct. 28 2025)—Educational Systems Federal Credit Union is partnering with the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation (DSCI) to host two participants in the state’s Service Year Option, a program that creates meaningful career pathways for recent high school graduates. From September 2025 through June 2026, the participants—referred to by DSCI as Members—are serving as Financial Service Associates at the Credit Union’s Greenbelt headquarters.
The 10-month experience includes month-long rotations across departments to build a well-rounded understanding of credit union operations, followed by a Marketing capstone that integrates their learning into a community-focused deliverable.
“Educational Systems FCU is proud to support Maryland’s Service Year Option by investing in early-career talent,” said Girado Smith, President/CEO. “This partnership reflects our values—caring, collaborative, empowering and excellence—while helping young professionals build practical skills and confidence.”
Early feedback from participants underscores the program’s focus on member service. “On my first day, I toured the headquarters and a branch. A member walked in the branch and was welcomed with a warm greeting—by name,” said Gabriela Bonilla, a Financial Service Associate. “That moment reflected Educational Systems FCU’s core value of Caring and taught me the importance of member service, creating a welcoming environment and representing the Credit Union’s core values through personalized service.”
Educational Systems FCU’s participation in the Service Year Option aligns with its commitment to workforce development, civic engagement and the cooperative principle of people helping people—preparing emerging professionals for careers that serve the community.
Educational Systems Federal Credit Union has proudly served the education community since 1955. With $1.3 billion in assets and 13 branches, the Credit Union serves over 95,000 members of the education community including school employees, students, parents and individuals working for education-related organizations. For more information, visit www.esfcu.org
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Governor Moore Announces $17 Million for Community Solar Projects to Cut Energy Costs for Marylanders
By PRESS OFFICER
Office of the Governor
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Oct. 28, 2025)—Governor Wes Moore today announced $17 million in grants that will allow more income-qualified Marylanders to tap into the cost-cutting and environmental benefits of the Community Solar Grant Program. The program promotes access to solar power for individuals who rent their homes or cannot install solar panels on their own properties.
“The reason we are so focused on the issue of energy affordability is because we hear from our constituents about it every day,” said Gov. Moore. “That’s why we’re taking this important step forward to make energy more sustainable and bring prices down in communities across the state. And as we continue in this work, we’re making sure to leave no one behind.”
The Maryland Energy Administration is emphasizing projects sited on landfills or brownfields as the state works to turn former wastelands into clean energy production hubs. Approximately $12 million of funding will be directed to such projects, all of which must be subscribed to low-income Marylanders. Additionally, half of the energy will be provided free of charge to low-income households that are designated by the Maryland Department of Human Services; the other half will be subscribed to low-income households at a 25% discount from their utility’s residential rate.
Projects that are not on landfills or brownfields require 15% of the site’s electricity to go to low-income subscribers and to deliver a minimum savings of 12%. For many customers, the actual savings far exceeds 20%.
“Community Solar is important for several different reasons. It allows households on fixed or moderate incomes to cut their electric bills. And Community Solar requires limited up-front investment,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky. “Perhaps above all, Community Solar allows many Marylanders who can’t put solar on their roofs to receive the same cost savings as those who can.”
The minimum size of an individual grant for a project not located on a landfill or brownfield is $50,000; the maximum is $1 million. For projects on landfills or brownfields, the maximum individual grant size is $6 million.
Projects that received funding through the earlier Community Solar Pilot Program are not eligible to apply for this round of funding. The agency will consider portfolios of smaller projects that are submitted under a single W-9.
The program is open for applications until 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 23.
For more information visit www.energy.maryland.gov
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