Prince George’s County Poetry News
2026 County Poet Laureate, County Youth Poet Laureate & Lucille Clifton Literary Scholarship Winner Named
By J. JOY “SISTAH JOY” MATTHEWS ALFORD
Prince George’s County Poet Laureate Emerita
PGAHC; PGCMLS; Dialect of Prince George’s; The National Museum of Language; Patron of the Arts, Cecile Tolliver; and Inaugural Prince George’s County Poet Laureate, Sistah Joy Alford, partnered to present Voices of the County - Prince George’s County Poet Laureate and Awards Naming Ceremony in the Sojourner Truth Lecture Hall at the Oxon Hill Branch Library on April 22.
Tatiana Figueroa Ramirez was named 2026 Prince George’s County Poet Laureate during Voices of A County - Prince George’s County Laureate Naming and Awards Ceremony in the Sojourner Truth Lecture Hall at the Oxon Hill Branch Library.
Osaze Murray of Bowie, Maryland was named the 2026 Youth Poet Laureate and will serve for 1 year.
2023 Prince George’s County Youth Poet Laureate Precious Foreman was announced as the winner of the 2026 Lucille Clifton Literary Scholarship.
Patron of the Arts, Cecile Tolliver significantly supported the 2026 Lucille Clifton Literary Scholarship.
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Virginia Union University Celebrates Taylor Potts as One of the Top 13 Graduates
By PRESS OFFICER
Virginia Union University
RICHMOND, Va. (April 28, 2026)—Virginia Union University proudly recognizes Taylor Potts, a Music major from Prince George’s County, Maryland, for academic perseverance, resilience, and meaningful campus engagement.
Potts describes VUU as a second chance to complete a degree initially begun in 2007, crediting faith and determination for a journey marked by personal growth and renewed purpose. While at VUU, Potts was an active member of the Marching Band, Jazz Band, and the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, demonstrating a commitment to excellence across artistic and professional pursuits.
Looking ahead, Potts plans to continue at Virginia Union University by pursuing a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction while working in schools. Through dedication to education and service, Potts embodies the University’s mission to develop scholar-leaders equipped to positively impact their communities.
Virginia Union University congratulates Taylor Potts on this achievement and celebrates the promise of continued success.
Founded in 1865, Virginia Union University is a premier private liberal arts HBCU dedicated to expanding access to education and preparing students for leadership, service, and success in a global society. Rooted in a legacy of empowering newly emancipated freedmen through ethical and faith-grounded learning, the University today offers undergraduate and graduate programs in high-demand fields that blend a rigorous liberal arts foundation with innovation in teaching, research, science, technology, civic engagement, and international experiences. Virginia Union University proudly celebrates the legacy and contributions of the African Diaspora while remaining open to students of all backgrounds, reflecting its enduring commitment to student success, academic excellence, and workforce readiness.
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National Harbor Celebrates Juneteenth With a Black-Owned Marketplace and Live Entertainment
Fifth Annual Juneteenth Celebration, “Celebrating Culture. Elevating Community”
By PRESS OFFICER
National Harbor
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (April 28, 2026)—National Harbor will hold its Fifth Annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration on Friday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, inviting the community to come together to reflect and connect, honoring the historic day with a cultural celebration. The event, “Celebrating Culture. Elevating Community,” honors Juneteenth’s legacy commemorating the ending of slavery when the emancipation proclamation was finally enforced in Texas on June 19, 1865.
The event at National Harbor will kick off at 11 a.m. with a Black-owned marketplace in the Capital Canopy (151 National Plaza). More than 30 vendors will showcase Black-owned businesses and provide a range of products from clothing to accessories to skin care and cultural cuisine. The market is open until 5 p.m.
The Rhythm & Roots Stage, presented by MGM National Harbor, will serve as a centerpiece of the celebration, featuring headlining performances by Too Much Talent Band and Black Alley. The event will be hosted by Aladdin from 93.9 WKYS, the stage will offer a full day of programming, including local community dance troupes and diverse cultural showcases. Beyond the music, attendees can engage with an educational display that chronicles the history of Juneteenth through a curated cultural timeline.
National Harbor is also home to 14 Black-owned businesses. They range from restaurant franchisees to independent retailers, to unique experiences.
“We are excited to host our fifth annual Juneteenth celebration,” said Lauren Fells who is the marketing content manager and is coordinating the event at National Harbor. “This is a great event to showcase diversity and unity in our community. It’s a day filled highlighting black owned businesses, arts, music, culture, and food.”
For more information, visit www.nationalharbor.com/events and search for “Juneteenth.”
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