Building Stronger Communities, One Block at a Time
Neighborhood investments are creating new opportunities across Wards 7 and 8, but lasting progress depends on the people who call these communities home.
By Lena Rose
Across Wards 7 and 8, signs of progress are becoming easier to spot.
New businesses are opening. Long-anticipated redevelopment projects are taking shape. Community organizations continue expanding services, and residents are finding new ways to stay engaged in the future of their neighborhoods. While every project looks different, they all share a common goal: creating communities where families can live, work, and thrive for generations to come.
For many longtime residents, that progress is welcome. But they also know that successful neighborhoods aren’t defined by ribbon cuttings
Beyond the Backpack
Local entrepreneurs aren’t just building companies. They’re building the future of our neighborhoods.
By Lena Rose
As another school year approaches, many families are checking off the usual back-to-school list: backpacks, notebooks, uniforms, pencils, and lunch boxes.
Those supplies are important, but they are only part of what students need to succeed.
A strong start to the school year also depends on routines, academic support, mental wellness, family engagement, and access to community resources that continue long after the first day of class.
One Block at a Time from P1 alone. They’re measured by whether children have safe places to play, seniors have access to services, entrepreneurs can grow their businesses, and families can build stable futures without leaving the communities they love.
Investments That Go Beyond Construction
Several major projects are helping reshape the landscape east of the Anacostia River.
At St. Elizabeths East, development continues to transform the historic campus into a vibrant mixed-use destination. New residential housing, retail space, healthcare services, entertainment venues, and public gathering areas are creating opportunities for both residents and businesses while honoring the site’s rich history.
In Ward 7, Skyland Town Center has become a symbol of years of planning and perseverance. The development has expanded access to grocery options, restaurants, healthcare providers, and neighborhood retail, bringing services closer to home for thousands of residents.
These investments do more than change the appearance of a neighborhood. They create construction jobs, generate permanent employment opportunities, increase access to essential services, and encourage additional investment throughout surrounding communities.
Connecting Neighborhoods, Not Just Streets
Another project capturing attention throughout the District is the 11th Street Bridge Park.
Once completed, the park will transform the former bridge structure into a civic destination featuring green space, performance areas, playgrounds, environmental education, public art, and space for local entrepreneurs and community programming.
Equally important is the project’s commitment to equitable development. Through housing initiatives, workforce programs, small business support, and community partnerships, organizers have worked to ensure that neighborhood residents benefit from the investment while helping reduce displacement.
It’s an approach that many cities across the country are watching closely.
The Role of Local Businesses
Large development projects often make headlines, but neighborhood businesses remain the backbone of every thriving community.
Whether it’s the family-owned restaurant, neighborhood salon, corner market, accounting firm, childcare center, or home-based entrepreneur, small businesses create jobs, provide essential services, and keep local dollars circulating within the community.
Organizations such as the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) and the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) continue to provide training, financing, technical assistance, and other resources that help entrepreneurs launch and expand their businesses.
Supporting local businesses doesn’t just strengthen the economy. It strengthens neighborhood identity.
Community Progress Starts With Community Participation Development is only one part of building stronger neighborhoods.
Residents also shape their communities every day through volunteerism, civic engagement, mentorship, and neighborhood leadership.
Across Wards 7 and 8, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, civic associations, faithbased organizations, schools, and nonprofit partners work alongside residents to address issues ranging from public safety and housing to environmental sustainability and youth development.
Community cleanups, block parties, food distributions, school supply drives, and neighborhood festivals all serve another important purpose: bringing people together. Strong neighborhoods aren’t created by a single organization. They grow through partnerships.
Looking Ahead
Washington continues to evolve, and Wards 7 and 8 remain an important part of that story.
Continued investment in housing, transportation, parks, public spaces, education, and economic development is creating new opportunities for residents while helping position these communities for long-term success.
Challenges remain. Affordable housing, workforce development, public safety, and equitable economic growth continue to require thoughtful collaboration between government, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and residents.
Even so, there is reason for optimism.
The momentum building across these neighborhoods reflects years of advocacy, planning, and community leadership. Every new business, renovated park, housing development, and neighborhood partnership contributes to a stronger foundation for the future.
Progress isn’t measured by what is built overnight. It’s measured by what continues to improve year after year, block by block, neighbor by neighbor.
Community Resources
Neighborhood Revitalization
• St. Elizabeths East Redevelopment
• Skyland Town Center
• 11th Street Bridge Park
Small Business Resources
• Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
• Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF)
Community Engagement
• Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs)
• Building Bridges Across the River
• Local Civic Associations
Get Involved
• Attend an ANC meeting or community forum.
• Support a locally owned business in your neighborhood.
• Volunteer with a nonprofit or community organization.
• Participate in neighborhood cleanups and community events.
• Mentor a young person or support a local school.
The UnTold Stories
Monthly Contributors:
Amber Crowder
Donald Isaac
Phinis Jones
Gene Lambey
Monica Ray
Shelley Rice
Content Design & Editor: Sincerely Planned, LLC
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Editor’s Letter - Tomorrow Is Built Today
Every August brings with it a quiet transition.
The carefree rhythm of summer begins to give way to fresh routines, new opportunities, and renewed purpose. Students prepare to return to the classroom. Families adjust to new schedules. Small businesses look toward the busy fall season. Community organizations begin planning the work that will carry us through the remainder of the year.
It’s a season that reminds us of a simple truth: tomorrow doesn’t just happen. It is built.
It is built through preparation.
Preparation isn’t always dramatic. More often, it looks like ordinary people making intentional choices every day. It looks like a parent encouraging a child before the first day of school. It looks like an entrepreneur opening a business that serves the neighborhood. It looks like neighbors supporting one another, mentoring young people, prioritizing their health, attending community meetings, and believing that their community is worth investing in.
The future of Wards 7 and 8 won’t be determined by a single project, policy, or headline. It will be shaped by thousands of everyday decisions made by residents who care deeply about where they live and who they live beside.
That is why this month’s theme is Ready for Tomorrow.
Throughout this issue, you’ll find stories that explore preparation from several perspectives. We’ll examine how families can set students up for success, why supporting local businesses strengthens our neighborhoods, practical ways to prepare financially for the months ahead, and the many resources available throughout our community to help residents thrive.
Progress doesn’t happen by accident. Strong communities are built through vision,
consistency, and a willingness to invest in one another. Every small action we take today has the potential to create lasting change tomorrow.
As always, thank you for welcoming The Capital News into your homes, businesses, and community spaces. It is both our privilege and our responsibility to highlight the people, organizations, and ideas that continue moving our neighborhoods forward.
The future isn’t waiting for us.
It’s already being shaped by what we choose to do today.
Avery Monroe
(Photo: Getty Image)
Beyond the Backpack from P1
Fortunately, families across the District, especially in Wards 7 and 8, have access to a growing network of organizations and programs designed to help students thrive throughout the year.
Create a Routine Before School Starts
Experts recommend easing children back into a school schedule at least one to two weeks before classes begin.
That means gradually returning to earlier bedtimes, limiting late-night screen time, and reintroducing morning routines. Parents can also help children build confidence by talking about what to expect, visiting the school campus if possible, and setting goals for the year ahead.
For older students, this is also a great time to organize class schedules, identify extracurricular interests, and begin thinking about college and career goals.
Learning Doesn’t Stop at 3 p.m. Research consistently shows that students who participate in quality after-school programs often experience stronger academic performance, improved attendance, and greater confidence. DC Public Schools’ Out of School Time Programs (OSTP) offer free academic support, enrichment activities, homework assistance, and meals at dozens of school sites across the city. Families can also explore hundreds of additional programs through the District’s My Out of School Time (MOST-DC) portal.
Organizations throughout Wards 7 and 8 are also helping fill the hours after the final school bell rings.
At FBR Club @THEARC, young people can participate in after-school programs focused on leadership, homework help, wellness, recreation, and character development.
Ward 7 families can also explore programming at FH Faunteroy Community Enrichment Center, which provides structured afterschool activities and youth programming throughout the year.
Your Library Card Is a School Supply
One of the most valuable back-to-school tools is completely free.
DC Public Library branches offer homework help, free Wi-Fi, computers, printing, study spaces, tutoring opportunities, and educational programming for children and teens throughout the school year. Many branches also host STEM activities, reading programs, and family events that encourage learning beyond the classroom.
Families in Southeast can take advantage of resources at Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, Anacostia Neighborhood Library, and Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library.
Success Starts at Home Parents don’t have to know every answer to help their children succeed.
Simple habits such as asking about the school day, reading together, checking homework, celebrating effort, and maintaining regular communication with teachers can make a lasting difference.
Students also benefit when families encourage participation in clubs, athletics, music, robotics, debate, volunteer service, and other activities that help build confidence and leadership skills.
Don’t Wait Until There’s a Problem
Many schools and community organizations offer tutoring, mentoring, behavioral health support, food assistance, and family resource services before challenges become crises.
Organizations like Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative and Deanwood Family Success Center help connect families with parenting resources, youth programs, workforce support, and other services designed to strengthen the entire household.
Asking for support isn’t a sign that something is wrong. It’s one of the best ways to keep students moving forward.
Every Child Deserves a Strong Start Preparing children for school isn’t about
buying the most expensive supplies or having the perfect first-day photo.
It’s about making sure every student knows they have people cheering them on.
When families, schools, nonprofits, libraries, and neighborhood organizations work together, children gain more than an education.
They gain a community invested in their success.
Back-to-School Resource Guide
Free After-School Programs
• DCPS Out of School Time Programs (OSTP)
• MOST-DC Portal for free and low-cost after-school opportunities
• FBR Club @THEARC
• FH Faunteroy Community Enrichment Center
Homework & Technology
• Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library
• Anacostia Neighborhood Library
• Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library
Family Support
• Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative
• Deanwood Family Success Center
Before the First Day, Ask Your Child…
• What are you excited about this year?
• Is there anything you’re nervous about?
• What would you like to accomplish this school year?
• How can I help you have your best year yet?
Discover local businesses, makers, creatives, and community at Oak Drive Social. Spend the day shopping, networking, and enjoying live energy
By Avery Monroe
Ready for Tomorrow Preparing Today for the Opportunities of Tomorrow
Every generation is called to prepare for a future that looks different from the world they know. For today’s generation, that future is arriving faster than ever.
Technology is transforming nearly every industry. Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses operate. Healthcare is expanding. Skilled trades are experiencing renewed demand. Clean energy, cybersecurity, logistics, entrepreneurship, and advanced manufacturing are creating careers that barely existed a decade ago.
For some, those changes feel exciting. For others, they feel overwhelming.
But here in Washington, D.C., especially throughout Wards 7 and 8, the future should not be something we fear. It should be something we help build.
Being ready for tomorrow isn’t about predicting what comes next. It’s about preparing ourselves to thrive no matter what comes next.
That preparation begins with education, continues through lifelong learning, and grows stronger when communities invest in one another.
Opportunity Is Closer Than You Think One of the greatest misconceptions about career advancement is that success requires a four-year college degree.
While higher education remains an excellent pathway for many, today’s workforce also values certifications, apprenticeships, technical training, and specialized credentials that can often be completed in months rather than years.
Many residents are discovering that they can transition into higher-paying careers through workforce development programs, trade schools, community colleges, or employer-sponsored training while continuing to support their families.
Sometimes it simply means learning one new skill.
Education Doesn’t Have an Expiration Date One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is permission to begin again.
Whether you left high school years ago, want to earn a diploma, need a GED, or are considering college for the first time, Washington, D.C. offers outstanding educational opportunities designed specifically for adults.
Schools like Community College Preparatory Academy (CC Prep) and Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School are helping hundreds of District residents earn high school diplomas, prepare for college, improve digital literacy, and train for careers in healthcare, information technology, construction, and other high-demand industries.
For multilingual learners and residents looking to strengthen their English while preparing for employment, Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School offers nationally recognized adult education and workforce development programs.
Meanwhile, The Goodwill Excel Center provides adults the opportunity to earn an ac-
credited high school diploma while balancing work and family responsibilities, and LAYC Career Academy helps young adults reconnect with education while preparing for college and meaningful careers.
These schools prove something powerful: Your education doesn’t end because life got in the way.
Tomorrow always offers another opportunity to learn.
A Community That Invests in Its People Across the District, organizations are working every day to connect residents with the tools they need to succeed.
For residents looking to change careers, update a résumé, prepare for interviews, or connect with employers, the Skyland Workforce Center serves as an important gateway to opportunity. Career coaching, hiring events, digital skills support, and employer connections help residents take the next step toward meaningful employment.
Likewise, the District’s American Job Center provides career counseling, job search assistance, workforce assessments, and referrals to training programs that help residents compete in today’s economy.
(Photo: Getty Image)
Ready for Tomorrow from P6
For individuals who have experienced unemployment or barriers to employment, Project Empowerment offers paid jobreadiness training, temporary work experience, vocational referrals, GED support, and career coaching that can help participants regain confidence while earning valuable experience.
These programs demonstrate an important truth:
Our community doesn’t simply expect people to succeed.
It is investing in their success.
Technology Is Changing. So Should Our Skills. Artificial intelligence has quickly become part of everyday conversation.
From healthcare and finance to education and customer service, digital tools continue reshaping the workplace. Rather than fearing these changes, residents can prepare by strengthening their digital literacy and learning new technical skills.
Organizations such as The HOPE Project Training Center help residents earn industryrecognized technology certifications while preparing for careers in information technology and related fields.
Learning technology isn’t just for young people.
Adults changing careers, returning to work, or simply looking to remain competitive can benefit from developing digital skills that employers increasingly expect.
Technology will continue to evolve.
Our willingness to learn can evolve with it.
Entrepreneurship Is Also Workforce Development
Not every job begins with an application.
Sometimes it begins with an idea.
Small businesses continue serving as the back-
bone of neighborhood economies throughout Wards 7 and 8. Restaurants, childcare providers, consultants, retailers, wellness professionals, contractors, artists, and creative entrepreneurs all contribute to stronger commercial corridors and healthier communities.
Organizations like the Congress Heights Community Training & Development Corporation (CHCTDC), the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), and the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) provide entrepreneurship training, business coaching, technical assistance, financing resources, and support for aspiring business owners.
When local businesses succeed, neighborhoods benefit.
Jobs are created.
Commercial corridors become more vibrant. And wealth begins circulating within the communities where it is earned.
imagine a future that may have once felt out of reach.
The District offers several outstanding programs to help make that possible.
The Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program introduces thousands of young people each year to professional work environments while helping them develop workplace skills and earn income.
Programs such as Career Ready Early Scholars and the East of the River Career Pathway Program provide training in information technology, construction, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and career readiness, helping young adults build confidence before entering the workforce.
The greatest investment we can make isn’t simply preparing children for jobs. It’s preparing them for possibility.
Preparing the Next Generation Preparing for tomorrow also means investing in today’s young people.
Students need more than textbooks.
They need exposure.
Whether through internships, mentorships, summer employment, STEM education, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, or leadership development, every opportunity helps young people
Strong Communities Prepare Together Preparing for tomorrow isn’t solely the responsibility of schools, employers, or government agencies.
It belongs to all of us.
Parents encouraging curiosity.
Teachers inspiring confidence. Business owners mentoring future entrepreneurs. Neighbors sharing opportunities.
Faith communities connecting residents to resources.
(Photo: Getty Image)
By Bloom Wilder
Small Business, Big Future Local entrepreneurs aren’t just building companies. They’re building the future of our neighborhoods.
Every thriving neighborhood has a few businesses that everyone knows.
The neighborhood café where meetings turn into partnerships. The barbershop where generations gather. The childcare center that gives working parents peace of mind. The contractor, accountant, caterer, florist, fitness coach, or boutique owner who started with a dream and decided to bet on themselves.
Behind every “Open” sign is someone who took a risk.
And across Wards 7 and 8, more residents are discovering that entrepreneurship isn’t just a career path. It’s a powerful way to create jobs, build wealth, and strengthen the community.
More Than a Business
Small businesses are the backbone of the District’s economy.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for the overwhelming majority of employers nationwide and play a critical role in creating new jobs and driving innovation. Here in Washington, DC, locally owned businesses also help create vibrant commercial corridors, attract investment, and keep more dollars circulating within the community.
When a neighborhood business succeeds, the impact reaches far beyond its front door.
Employees earn paychecks. Nearby businesses see increased foot traffic. Residents gain access to products and services closer to home. Young people see examples of entrepreneurship in action.
Success has a ripple effect.
Opportunity Is Growing
Starting a business has never been easy, but today’s entrepreneurs have more support available than ever before.
The District continues to invest in small business growth through technical assistance, grant opportunities, low-interest financing, and educational programming designed to help businesses launch, grow, and remain competitive.
Organizations like the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) provide certification programs, procurement assistance, business counseling, and access to capital.
The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) offers loans, coaching, and financial education for entrepreneurs looking to expand or strengthen their businesses.
The DC Women’s Business Center provides training, mentorship, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs at every stage
of business, while SCORE Washington DC connects business owners with experienced volunteer mentors who offer free guidance on everything from business planning to marketing and financial management.
Whether you’re opening a brick-and-mortar storefront or launching an online business from your kitchen table, there are organizations ready to help.
Technology Is Leveling the Playing Field
Today’s small business doesn’t need a massive advertising budget to compete.
A strong website, active social media presence, online scheduling, digital payment systems, and customer reviews can help a neighborhood business reach thousands of potential customers.
Artificial intelligence is also creating new opportunities. Business owners are using AI to write marketing content, manage customer inquiries, organize inventory, analyze sales
(Photo: Getty Image)
Small Business, Big Future from P10
trends, and automate routine tasks, allowing them to spend more time serving customers and growing their businesses.
Technology isn’t replacing entrepreneurs. It’s giving them more tools to succeed.
Buy Local. Build Local
Entrepreneurship doesn’t happen in isolation.
Communities play an important role by choosing to support locally owned businesses whenever possible.
That doesn’t mean every purchase has to be made locally. But when residents intentionally spend even a portion of their dollars with neighborhood businesses, they help create jobs, strengthen commercial corridors, and encourage future investment.
Every purchase is a vote for the kind of community we want to build.
Thinking About Starting a Business?
You don’t need to have every answer before taking the first step.
Many successful business owners began with a side hustle, a hobby, or a skill they developed over time. They started small, continued learning, adapted to challenges, and built their businesses one customer at a time.
If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect” moment, consider this your reminder that preparation matters more than perfection.
The future belongs to those willing to begin.
Entrepreneur Resource Guide
Business Planning & Coaching
• DC Women’s Business Center
• SCORE Washington DC
• Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF)
Business Certification & Government Contracting
• Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
Financing
• WACIF small business loans
• Local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
Helpful First Steps
• Write a simple one-page business plan.
• Register your business with the District.
• Open a separate business bank account.
• Build a professional online presence.
• Connect with a mentor or small business coach.
• Learn about certifications and procurement opportunities.
Small businesses don’t just shape our economy. They shape our neighborhoods, create opportunities for future generations, and remind us that some of the biggest ideas often begin on the smallest blocks.
Smart Communities, Smarter Futures How Artificial Intelligence Can Help Families, Students and Small Businesses
By Lena Rose
Artificial intelligence, better known as AI, has become one of the most talked-about technologies in the world. While it may sound complicated, chances are you’ve already used it today. Whether you asked your phone for directions, searched online for a recipe, received movie recommendations, or used voice-totext to send a message, AI was working behind the scenes.
Today, artificial intelligence is becoming more than a convenience. It’s becoming a valuable tool that can help people learn new skills, save time, solve everyday problems, and even grow a business. As our communities continue preparing for tomorrow, learning how to use AI responsibly may become just as important as learning how to use the internet was a generation ago.
Helping Students Learn
AI is changing the way many students study and complete assignments. It can explain difficult math concepts, help brainstorm ideas for writing assignments, create study guides, quiz students before a test, and even translate information into multiple languages.
Parents can also benefit by using AI to explain homework concepts they may not remember or to find creative ways to support learning at home.
While AI can be a helpful learning partner, educators remind students that it should never replace original thinking. The best use of AI is to strengthen learning, not to do the work for you.
Giving Parents a Helping Hand
Busy families are finding practical ways to use AI every day.
It can create weekly meal plans based on dietary needs, organize grocery lists, suggest family-friendly activities around the city, draft emails, translate school communications, or
help plan vacations and special events.
Instead of spending hours searching online, many families are discovering that AI can organize information in just a few minutes, giving them more time to focus on what matters most.
Supporting Small Businesses
For entrepreneurs, AI has quickly become another tool in the business toolbox.
Small business owners are using it to write social media posts, develop marketing campaigns, organize customer information, create business plans, summarize meetings, draft proposals, and answer common customer questions.
These tools don’t replace creativity or good customer service. Instead, they allow business owners to spend less time on routine tasks and more time serving customers and growing their businesses.
Opening Doors for Job Seekers
Whether someone is entering the workforce for the first time or looking for a new career, AI can make the job search less overwhelming.
It can help build résumés, write cover letters, prepare for interviews, identify transferable skills, and even recommend training programs based on career goals.
Combined with the workforce development resources available throughout the District, AI can help residents feel more confident as they pursue new opportunities.
Using AI Responsibly
Like any technology, artificial intelligence should be used thoughtfully.
Experts recommend avoiding the sharing of sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers, financial account information, passwords, or confidential medical records. It’s also important to verify information from trusted sources, since AI can occasionally produce inaccurate or outdated responses.
Think of AI as a helpful assistant, not the final authority.
Human judgment, experience, and critical thinking remain essential.
The Future Belongs to Lifelong Learners
Every generation experiences a technology that changes the way people live and work. For many, it was the personal computer. Later, it was the internet and the smartphone.
Artificial intelligence is becoming the next chapter.
The good news is that you don’t need to be a technology expert to benefit from it. Start with small, everyday tasks. Ask questions. Explore new tools. Stay curious. The people who will thrive in tomorrow’s economy won’t necessarily be those who know the most about technology. They’ll be the ones who are willing to keep learning as technology continues to evolve.
AI Resources to Explore
Learn Digital Skills
• DC Public Library Digital Literacy Classes
• Grow with Google
• Microsoft Learn
• LinkedIn Learning (free with many public library cards)
Try AI for Everyday Tasks
• ChatGPT for writing, brainstorming, and planning
• Google Gemini for research and organization
• Microsoft Copilot for productivity and Microsoft 365 users
Five Easy Ways to Start Using AI
Create a weekly meal plan.
• Practice for a job interview.
• Build a résumé or cover letter.
• Brainstorm ideas for a small business.
• Help explain a homework assignment or create a study guide.
Artificial intelligence isn’t about replacing people. It’s about giving people new tools to learn, create, solve problems, and prepare for the future. Like every tool, its value depends on how we choose to use it.
Every act of investment creates another pathway toward success.
Progress rarely happens because of one extraordinary moment.
It happens because ordinary people consistently choose to prepare.
Ready for Tomorrow Resource Guide
Adult Education
• Community College Preparatory Academy (CC Prep)
• Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School
• Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School
• The Goodwill Excel Center
• LAYC Career Academy
Career Coaching & Employment
• Skyland Workforce Center
• American Job Center
• Project Empowerment
It is built every day by people who choose to learn, adapt, mentor, innovate, and invest in themselves and their communities. Ready for Tomorrow from P8
Technology & Workforce Training
• The HOPE Project Training Center
• East of the River Career Pathway Program Entrepreneurship
• Congress Heights Community Training & Development Corporation (CHCTDC)
• Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
• Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF)
Youth Opportunities
• Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program
• Career Ready Early Scholars Community Support
• Marshall Heights Community Development Organization
Many of these programs are free or low-cost for eligible District residents. Whether you’re earning your diploma, learning a new trade, launching a business, or helping your child prepare for their future, resources are available right here in our community.
The future isn’t built by chance.
Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
And here in Wards 7 and 8, that work is already well underway.
(Photo: Getty Image)
www.thecsmi.com
Religious Corner
Allen Chapel A.M.E.Church
Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave. SE WDC 20020 (202) 889-3296
“The Cathedral of Southeast DC”
Sunday Worship 8:00am &11:00am Sunday School 9:15am www.acamec.org
“Teaching God’s Word and Serving God’s Word” Brighter Day Ministries
Rev. Tommy Murray, Pastor Multi-Location Church
Visit our website: @ www.brighterdaydc.com
Congress Heights Campus 421 Alabama Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20032 11:00am Sunday Worship Sunday School 9:30am Office: 202/889-3660 Email: churchoffice@brighterdydc.org
Campbell A.M.E. Church
2568 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE, WDC 20032 (202) 678-2263
Sunday Worship 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday School 9:30am
Prayer Service Wednesdays 6:30pm
Bible Study Wednesday 12noon Bible Study Thursday 7:00pm
Christ Ministries
30 Atlantic Street, SE WDC 20032 Services: 11 am and 3pm
Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ
Dr. Dennis and Christine Wiley, Co-Pastors 3845 South Capitol St. SW WDC 20032 (202) 562-5576
“Ministries for the Mind, Body and Spirit” Sunday Worship 10:00am Wednesday Bible Study 12noon & 6:30pm www.covenantbaptistucc.org
East Washington Heights Baptist Church
Rev. Kip Bernard Banks, Sr., Pastor 2220 Branch Ave. SE WDC 20020 (202) 582-4811– Office
Sunday Worship 11:10am Sunday School 9:30am
Devotional Service 10:45 am
Bible Study Wednesday 6:30pm Children’s Church 2nd & 4th Sunday 11:00am www.ewhbc.org ewhbc@aol.com
Emmanuel Baptist Church
Christopher L. Nichols, Pastor 2409 Ainger Pl., SE WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884-Office • (202) 678-0885– Fax
“Moving Faith Forward”
Sunday Worship 8:00am & 10:45am
You can pick up your monthly issue of The Capital News at any of the locations below. If you would like to be included in the distribution please contact thecapitalnewsteam@gmail.com
Family Bible Study Tuesdays 7:00pm
Prayer Service Tuesday 6:00pm www.emmanuelbaptistchuurchdc.org
Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
Archbishop Alfred D. Owens, Pastor Evangelist Susie Owens, Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Ave. NE WDC 20002 (202) 529-4547
“It doesn’t matter how you feel, God is still worthy to be praised”
Sunday Worship 8:00am & 10:45am
Super Sunday Service 3rd Sundays of month 6:00pm
Wednesday Night Prayer 6:30pm
Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm www.gmchc.org/
Israel Baptist
Rev. Dr. Morris L. Shearin, Pastor 1251 Saratoga Ave. NE WDC 20018 (202) 269-0288
“We Enter to Worship, We Depart to Serve”
Sunday Worship 10:45am • Sunday School 9:15am
Senior Bible Class Tuesday 10:30am
Wednesday Prayer Noon & 6:30pm
Bible Study Wednesday 7:00pm
Holy Communion First Sunday 10:45am http://www.israelbaptistchurch.org/
Johnson Memorial Baptist Church
Rev. Henry A. Gaston, Pastor 800 Ridge Rd. SE WDC 20019 (202) 581-1873
Sunday Worship 7:45a. & 11:15am Church School 9:30am
Bible Study Wednesday 8:00pm Prayer Meeting Wednesday 7:00pm
Kingdom Care Senior Village Place of Worship:
Greater Fellowship/Gospel Baptist Church 814 Alabama Ave SE Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202-561-5594
Macedonia Baptist Church
Rev. Garfield Burton, Pastor 2625 Stanton Rd. SE WDC 20032 • (202) 678-8486
“A Church With a Living Hope in the Midst of Dying World” Sunday Worship 10:00am Sunday School 9:00am
Prayer & Bible Study Wednesday 7:00pm & 7:30pm Saturday Sacrificial Prayer 7:00am www.macedoniadc.org/
Matthews Memorial Baptist Church
Dr. C. Matthew Hudson Jr., Pastor 2616 MLK Ave. SE WDC 20020 (202) 889-3709 Office (202) 678-3304 Fax
“Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”
Sunday Worship 7:30am & 10:45am
Church School 9:30am
Prayer, Praise & Bible Study Wednesday 7:00pm
Bible Study Saturday 11:00am
Holy Communion 1st Sunday 10:45am
New Life Ministries DC
Reverend Ernest D. Lyles, Sr. 2405 MLK Jr. Ave SE WDC 20020 Sunday Worship 10:00am https://newlifeministriesdc.org/
“A small church with a mega heart” Phone: 202-304-2005
Email: joinus@nlmdc.org
Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist
Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry
3000 Pennsylvania Ave. SE WDC 20020 (202) 581-1500
“Committed to the Cause of Christ” Sunday Worship 10:45am • Sunday School 9:30am
Adult Bible Study Mondays 7:00pm Young Adult Bible Study Tuesdays 7:00pm
Bible Study Wednesday 6:30pm http://www.pabc-dc.org/
St. John C.M.E. Church
Reverend John A. Dillard III 2801 Stanton Rd. SE, Washington DC 20020 (202) 678-7788
Sunday Worship 11:00am Sunday School 9:00am http://www.stjohncmecdc.org/
St. Matthews Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Maxwell M. Washington, Pastor 1105 New Jersey Ave. SE WDC 20003 (202) 488-7298
“Striving to be more like Jesus with an emphasis on ‘Prayer’” Sunday Worship 9:05am • Sunday School 8:00am Bible Study Tuesday 7:30pm
Prayer Meeting Tuesday 7:00pm Hold Communion 3rd Sunday Morning www.stmatthewsbaptist.com stmatthewbaptist@msn.com
Union Temple
Pastor Anika Wilson Brown 1225 W St SE, WDC, 20020 • (202) 678-8822
“It’s a family affair”
Sunday Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Thursday Night Worship: 7:30pm www.uniontemple.com
Our Distribution
Anacostia Library 1800 Good Hope Road SE
Allen Chapel AME Church 2498 Alabama Ave, SE
Andrews Federal Credit Union 1556 Alabama Ave, SE
The Arc/ Parkland Community Center 1901 Mississippi Ave, SE Bar Sycamore & Oak, SE
The Big Chair Coffee Shop 2102 MLK Jr. Ave, SE
Brighter Day Ministries DC 421 Alabama Ave, SE
Busboys & Poets
2004 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave, SE
Campbell A.M.E. Church 2568 MLK, Jr. Ave, SE
Cedar Hill Medical Center 2228 MLK Jr. Ave, SE
Cedar Tree Academy 701 Howard Road, SE
Chase Bank
2200 MLK, Jr. Ave, SE 2728 Marion Barry Ave, SE
Christ Ministries 30 Atlantic Street, SE
Clara Apartments 2323 MLK Ave
Community College Preparatory Academy 18th & U st, SE
Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center 3215 MLK JR. AVE, SE
Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ 3845 South Capitol St. SW
You can pick up your monthly issue of The Capital News at any of the locations below. If you would like to be included in the distribution please contact thecapitalnewsteam@gmail.com
CVS
2724 Good Hope Road, SE
DCity Smokehouse 1301 Marion Barry Ave SE
DHS Congress Heights Service Center Dept. of Human Services Child Care 4001 South Capitol St, SW
East Washington Heights Baptist Church 2220 Branch Ave. SE
Emmanuel Baptist Church 2409 Ainger Pl., SE
Excel Care Pharmacy 3923- A South Capitol St, SW
Fort Carroll Market 3705 MLK Jr. Ave, SE
Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church 610 Rhode Island Ave. NE
Go-Go Museum 1920 MLK, Jr. Ave, SE
Giant 1535 Alabama Ave, SE
Industrial Bank 1800 Good Hope Road, SE 1800 MLK, Jr. Ave, SE
Israel Baptist 1251 Saratoga Ave. NE
Johnson Memorial Baptist Church 800 Ridge Rd. SE
Kingdom Care Senior Village 814 Alabama Ave, SE
Macedonia Baptist Church 2625 Stanton Rd. SE
Marion Barry Market 2317 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Matthews Memorial Baptist Church 2616 MLK Ave. SE
Park Southern Ave Apartments 800 Southern Ave, SE
Parklands- Turner Neighborhood Library 1547 Alabama Ave, SE
Pennsylvania Avenue Baptis Church 3000 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
P.R Harris School 4600 Livingston Road, SE
R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center 2730 MLK, Jr. Ave, SE
The Roundtree Residences 2515 Alabama Ave, SE
Safeway 2845 Alabama Avenue, SE
Soufside Creative Sycamore & Oak, 1110 Oak Dr., SE
Southeast Tennis Learning Center 701 Mississippi Ave, SE
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital 1100 Alabama Ave, SE
St. John C.M.E. Church 2801 Stanton Road, SE
St. Matthews Baptist Church 1105 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Starbucks 2228 MLK, Jr. Ave, SE 2800 Alabama Ave, SE
Union Temple 1225 W St, SE
UPO/ Petey Greene Community Center 2907 MLK, Jr. Ave, SE
PISCES
(February 19 to March 20)
Relationships take the spotlight, encouraging cooperation and mutual understanding. Be clear about your expectations, and don’t hesitate to ask for support when you need it—people are more willing to help than you realize.
ARIES
(March 21 to April 19)
August encourages you to slow down and focus on stability rather than speed. Career opportunities may emerge through patience and collaboration, while relationships benefit from honest conversations and thoughtful listening.
TAURUS
(April 20 to May 20)
Your creativity is highlighted this month, making it an excellent time to begin personal projects or explore new hobbies. Financially, careful planning pays off, and a small investment in yourself could yield lasting rewards..
GEMINI
(May 21 to June 20)
Home and family take center stage in August. Balancing social commitments with personal downtime will help you recharge, and a meaningful conversation could strengthen an important relationship..
AUGUST Horoscopes
CANCER
(June 21 to July 22)
Communication flows easily, making this a favorable month for networking, learning, and resolving misunderstandings. Stay organized, as new responsibilities may arrive faster than expected.
LEO
(July 23 to August 22)
Your confidence shines throughout your birthday season. Financial opportunities may appear through your talents, while loved ones appreciate your generosity—just remember to leave room for your own needs as well.
VIRGO
(August 23 to September 22)
As your season begins, you’ll feel motivated to set fresh goals and refine long-term plans. Focus on self-care and avoid taking on more than you can realistically manage.
LIBRA
(September 23 to October 22)
August invites quiet reflection before major changes unfold. Trust your intuition, release lingering worries, and prepare for a fresh burst of energy toward the end of the month.
SCORPIO
(October 23 to November 21)
Friendships and community connections bring unexpected opportunities. Collaborating with others leads to greater success than working alone, and romance may blossom through shared interests.
SAGITTARIUS
(November 22 to December 21)
Professional recognition is possible if you’ve been putting in consistent effort. Stay flexible when plans shift, and remember that adaptability is one of your greatest strengths
CAPRICORN
(December 22 to January 19)
August expands your perspective through travel, education, or new experiences. Stepping outside your comfort zone could introduce valuable connections and inspire exciting future plans.
AQUARIUS
(January 20 to February 18)
Transformation is a key theme this month. Whether you’re reorganizing finances or letting go of outdated habits, embracing change creates space for growth and deeper emotional clarity.
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The Capital News is delivered monthly to high impact and heavily frequented public areas in Ward 5, 7 and 8. Our distribution includes churches, bus stops, post offices, community centers, clinics, coffee shops, barbershops, beauty salons, IHOP and other restaurants.
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The UnTold Stories
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