Just a Minute from ACC January 27, 2015 Meeting

Speakers in attendance:

Charles Wilson (ACC, HABA, R.E.E.L.) spoke about ACC’s organized and co-sponsored Ward 8 Councilmember Candidate Forum, which is scheduled for March 28, 2015 at Ballou Senior High School.  Mr. Wilson proposed that co-sponsors contribute, at minimum, a donation of $100 to defray costs of janitorial and security services for the event. 

Robert Brandon of the Fields of Dreams program gave a presentation on this initiative that teaches baseball skills, academics and character-building tools to DC at-risk youth.   One of the program’s teaching tools, “Jackie [Robinson]’s Nine Values,” written by his daughter Sharon Robinson, teaches youth life lessons and inspires essays, plays, discipline and respect at summer camps and other outings.  Contact/Info:  www.FieldOfDreamsDC.org, (202) 331-1550.

Vernard Gray, CA-FAM III, Inc., spoke about this year’s East of the River jazz programming that will feature the contributions of jazz legend Billy Strayhorn, composer and arranger for Duke Ellington and his Orchestra for some 30 years.  Venues include: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, various Ward 8 locations.  This jazz program is designed to increase music education for youth.  Mr. Gray encouraged ACC members to attend scheduled events, spread the word and contribute funding at any amount to support the program.  Contact: vernardgray@gmail.com, www.eastriverjazz.net.

Robert Robinson presented on renewable energies, particularly the benefits of solar energy, and outlined the pros and (mostly) cons of the proposed Exelon merger/buy-out of Pepco.  Contact: DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DC SUN), www.dcsun.org, robrobin@me.com.

Dionne Reeder of the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative (FSFSC) informed the Council about outreach efforts to address substance abuse and offer mental health services, acknowledging the recent collaboration (Community Conversation about Violence in Ward 8, at the Old Congress Heights School,  January 22, 2015) that ACC initiated and organized with Congress Heights Community Association, River East Emerging Leaders, 7th District Citizens Advisory Council and the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative.   Contact:  (202) 889-1425.

John Capozzi (DC OCTO) provided a brief update on efforts by Project Reboot, a project supported by ACC, to obtain warehouse, distribution and repair workshop space within the District of Columbia. A Brookland warehouse still in need of renovation, 655 Taylor St NE, has been identified as a location for underserved DC neighborhoods in general and for a local DC housing project in particular.