Cultivating Unlimited Talent to Host 5th Annual Back-to-School BASH in Prince George’s County
Community event will provide school supplies, wellness resources, and health screenings for local students and families
By CRISSY CRITTENDEN
Cultivating Unlimited Talent (C.U.T.)
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (July 27, 2026)—Cultivating Unlimited Talent (C.U.T.), a community-based nonprofit organization, will host The CUT By N’Style 5th Annual Back-to-School BASH on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Ritchie Station Marketplace in Capitol Heights, Maryland. The annual event brings together community partners, local businesses, corporate sponsors, and volunteers to support students and families as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
This year’s theme, “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds: A Journey to Wellness,” reflects the event’s focus on the overall health, well-being, and academic readiness of children. Organizers expect more than 700 festival attendees and plan to offer backpacks, essential school supplies, family-friendly activities, and access to wellness resources, including vision, hearing, oral health, and other health screenings.
“Each year, I am inspired by the students and families who benefit from this event,” said Nate Crittenden, President and CEO of Cultivating Unlimited Talent. “It is an honor to continue supporting Prince George’s County families by helping students start the school year with the supplies, resources, and encouragement they need to succeed.”
C.U.T. is proud to continue its partnerships with NAI Michael Company, Pohanka Automotive, Mission of Love Charities, SLK Health Services, the Office of County Council At-Large Member Wala Blegay, Fulton Bank, and many other community supporters. Through the generosity of sponsors and partners, the Back-to-School BASH continues to expand its reach and impact across Prince George’s County.
Event Highlights
• Free backpacks and essential school supplies for students in need
• Health and wellness screenings, including vision, hearing, and oral health assessments
• Family-friendly activities and community resources
• Support from local businesses, nonprofit partners, corporate sponsors, and
community leaders
• Expected attendance of more than 700 community members
Event Details
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Time: 12–5 p.m.
Location: Ritchie Station Marketplace Address: 1610 Ritchie Station Court, Capitol Heights, MD
Cultivating Unlimited Talent (C.U.T.) is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting youth, families, and communities through programs, partnerships, and outreach initiatives that promote education, wellness, opportunity, and personal development.
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Maryland Department of Transportation, Prince George’s County and Bowie State University Unveil Next Steps for Building a Dense, Vibrant Community Centered Around Transit
By PRESS OFFICER
Bowie State University
HANOVER, Md. (July 21, 2026)—Today Lt. Governor Aruna Miller and Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy announced the state and county’s selected development partners for the transit-oriented development planned around the Bowie State MARC Station. The Maryland Department of Transportation selected Mosaic Development Partners JV and Campus Apartments as the State’s Joint Development Partner. Prince George’s County selected BSU MARC Community Partners, LLC as the county’s development partner. The joint announcement marks the latest step to develop and transform state- and county-owned land around the MARC train station through a coordinated transit-oriented development initiative that will advance housing, connectivity, infrastructure improvements and long-term economic development opportunities. Together, the Maryland Department of Transportation and Prince George’s County control nearly 100 acres surrounding the station, creating one of the largest transit-oriented development opportunities along the MARC Penn Line and in Prince George’s County.
“Transit-oriented development is about access. Access to jobs, housing, education, healthcare, and the opportunities that help people build better lives,’’ Lt. Governor Miller said. “When we create vibrant, walkable communities connected by reliable transit, we make it easier for Marylanders to reach opportunity and for opportunity to reach every Maryland community.”
Mosaic Development Partners JV and Campus Apartments will lead a comprehensive master planning process for the broader station area, which includes the State’s 4.6-acre site along the northern side of the rail corridor. The Maryland Department of Transportation will contribute up to $1.5 million to support the master planning work, including infrastructure planning and the evaluation of long-term redevelopment opportunities surrounding the station area. Key infrastructure elements will include an extended MARC platform, a new pedestrian bridge connecting the site to the Bowie State University campus and improved bike and pedestrian circulation throughout the area.
While embarking on the master planning effort, the team will also advance an initial project phase focused on new, affordable housing units through the Department’s Joint Development Program to begin activating the station area and catalyzing activity around this commuter rail station. The master planning effort will be coordinated with Prince George's County and Bowie State University through a memorandum of understanding between the parties, which established a framework for advancing regional infrastructure, funding strategies and coordinated redevelopment of the broader station area.
“The Bowie State MARC station is a prime location along the MARC Penn Line for transit-oriented development, and I’m thrilled to have the state’s selected-development partner on board to build out our vision,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson. “Thanks to Governor Moore and Lt. Governor Miller’s leadership, the Maryland Department of Transportation continues to work in partnership with County Executive Braveboy and Bowie State University President Dr. Breaux on creating a thriving and connected community for residents, students and employees.”
The County selected BSU MARC Community Partners, LLC, led by Gragg Cardona Souadi, as the master developer for the approximately 93-acre County-owned site adjacent to the Bowie State University MARC Station. The project represents one of the County's most significant transit-oriented development opportunities and will transform the site into a vibrant, sustainable, intergenerational community that leverages the area’s transit connectivity, natural landscape, and proximity to Bowie State University.
The development team includes a diverse coalition of industry leaders, including WRE Innovations, Impact Capital Partners, L.A. Bolden, MCN Build, and LEO A DALY, reflecting the County's commitment to partnering with women-owned, minority-owned, and County-based businesses.
The master plan envisions a dynamic mixed-use destination featuring multifamily and senior housing, single-family homes, retail and commercial development, office space, and innovation hubs designed to support entrepreneurs, businesses, and County residents. Guided by wellness and sustainability principles, the development will preserve the site's natural beauty while creating walkable neighborhoods, public open spaces, and community amenities that promote healthy living and environmental stewardship.
Together, Prince George’s County and BSU MARC Community Partners share a vision to create a premier destination that expands housing opportunities, generates quality jobs, attracts new investment, and drives long-term economic growth while enhancing the quality of life for current and future residents while elevating the County’s economic footprint.
“I am very excited to announce the selection of the developer for the County owned property near the Bowie State MARC Station. This is another example of how my administration is laser focused on economic development. From the Sphere to Six Flags to the Blue Line Corridor to New Carrollton to Suitland and beyond, we are elevating the quality of development throughout the County to bring the much-needed retail, housing and entertainment our residents deserve. I look forward to continued partnership with MDOT, Bowie State University and the State of Maryland to advance this transit-oriented development,” said County Executive Aisha Braveboy.
The Bowie State MARC Station is located on the MARC Penn Line, one of the busiest commuter rail lines in the region and is adjacent to the Bowie State University campus—Maryland’s oldest historically Black university.
“This transformative investment represents far more than a transit project. It is an investment in our students, Bowie State University, and the future of the region,” said Dr. Aminta H. Breaux, president of Bowie State University. “This development advances our vision for Bowie State to continue serving as an anchor institution that expands opportunity, strengthens communities and contributes to the economic vitality of our community. By creating a vibrant, walkable community anchored by Bowie State University and connected through reliable transit, we are expanding access to affordable housing, educational and career opportunities, and economic growth. We are grateful to Governor Moore, Lt. Governor Miller, Secretary Thomson, County Executive Aisha Braveboy and all our state and county partners for their shared commitment to this vision. Together, we are strengthening our campus, supporting our students, faculty and staff, and creating lasting benefits for the communities we serve.”
The significance of this transit-oriented development effort is further evidenced by the recent federal earmark of $250,000 through Community Project Funds specifically to advance the Bowie State MARC Station Joint Development Project.
“MARC Train provides a critical connection that expands access to opportunity,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “Transit-oriented development around train stations creates communities that are more walkable, connected and accessible.”
The Bowie State MARC Station Joint Development project marks the Maryland Department of Transportation’s second awarded development in the 2024 MARC Penn Line Transit-Oriented Development Strategy and is a priority initiative, adding up to 42,000 annual MARC trips at full build-out. Redevelopment of both state-owned and private land at the Bowie State MARC station has the potential to support up to 670 construction jobs, yield more than 400 housing units and generate $108 million in state and local tax revenue.
To learn more about Maryland’s transit-oriented development program and to see the MARC Penn Line Transit-Oriented Development Strategy, visit the Maryland Department of Transportation’s website.
To stay up to date on the County’s development project and receive the latest information please follow @RVAPGC on all social media or visit the Revenue Authority website.
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. For more information, visit www.bowiestate.edu
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