JANUARY 2026, Volume 86 Issue 70
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The Untold Stories
Better Together: ERCPCP Honors Phinis Jones at 25th Anniversary Gala
An Open Mayoral Race Brings a New Moment for DC and for Wards 7 and 8
(Photo: ERCPCP Directors and Co-founder Reverend Donald Isaac with 25th Anniversary (Photo: Getty AI Image) Gala Honoree Phinis Jones) By Avery Monroe
By Avery Monroe
January 2026 begins with a significant shift in Washington, DC poliWASHINGTON, D.C. — The East of the River Clergy-Police-Com- tics. Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced that she will not seek anmunity Partnership (ERCPCP) commemorated a major milestone on other term, making the upcoming mayoral election the first in nearly Friday, December 19, celebrating 25 years of service with the Better twenty years without an incumbent. Together DC Gala and Awards at the Panorama Room in Southeast Her decision closes a long chapter in city leadership and opens the field to new candidates, ideas, and priorities at a time when the District Washington. continued on P4
Community News Ranked Choice Voting and the Importance of Participation in DC’s Next Election Read More on P6
Local News The Work and Leadership of ERCPCP Read More on P3
continued on P3
Community News The Year of Opportunity Read More on P2
The Capital News
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JANUARY 2026 Volume 86, Issue 70
Editor’s Letter The Year of Opportunity
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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By Avery Monroe
And it looks like spaces where culture, small businesses, and community ideas can grow.
Some years feel like the world shifts gears without warning, and we are expected to This issue of The Capital News reflects that belief. Inside these pages, you will find coverkeep driving smoothly anyway. age of the changing political landscape as DC 2025 was one of those years. prepares for an open mayoral race, an explaAcross Washington, DC, especially east of nation of ranked choice voting and why parthe river, the strain showed up in ways both ticipation matters more than ever, and a close visible and quiet. City services moved slower look at the workforce, funding, and commuthan the needs of our families. Benefits re- nity opportunities opening now as the year certifications became mazes instead of safe- begins. These stories are not about possibility nets. Metro brought more confusion than ty in theory. They are about what is available, convenience. Rising costs pressed into every- what is coming, and how our communities day life. Community programs that many of can engage right now. our neighbors rely on faced shrinking budWe are not naming 2026 The Year of Opportugets and changing priorities. nity because last year was easy. We are naming In Wards 7 and 8, we weathered closures, it because we have endured difficulty and redelays, uncertainty, and the ongoing weight fuse to let it define us. of trying to do more with less. It was a year that demanded patience instead of panic, We have been through heavy seasons before. resourcefulness instead of rest, and hope in- Each time, our community responds with stead of resignation. And still, our commu- clearer vision, stronger unity, and a deeper nity found ways to lift each other, feed each commitment to building the future we deother, check on each other, and move forward serve. together. Welcome to 2026. That spirit, resilient, creative, and deeply Welcome to The Year of Opportunity. rooted, is why we declare 2026 The Year of With gratitude, Opportunity. Avery Monroe Opportunity, as we define it, is not abstract. It is grounded. It is practical. And it belongs to us. It looks like access to new jobs and workforce training. It looks like grants and funding opportunities that help stabilize and strengthen our neighborhoods. It looks like youth pathways that actually lead somewhere. It looks like civic participation that ensures our voices shape the leadership and policies that affect our daily lives.
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JANUARY 2026 Volume 86, Issue 70
An Open Mayoral Race from P1
continues to grapple with growth, affordability, public safety, and economic equity. Mayor Bowser has served as mayor since 2015, guiding the city through major development, population change, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. While opinions on her tenure vary across neighborhoods, her departure from the race marks a clear transition. The next mayor will inherit a city with both opportunity and unresolved disparities, particularly between communities east and west of the river. Several candidates have already declared or taken steps toward running for mayor. DC Councilmember Janeese Lewis George of Ward 4 has officially announced her candidacy, focusing her campaign on housing stability, economic justice, and public safety. Gary Goodweather, a local real estate developer, has filed paperwork to run. Former At Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie has resigned his council seat effective January 5 to explore a run for mayor. Other individuals who have filed paperwork or publicly expressed interest include Regan Jones, Ivan Cloyd, and independent candidates James McMorris and Rhonda Hamilton. The Democratic primary is scheduled for June 16, 2026, with the general election set for November. In DC, where Democratic primaries are often decisive, the early stages of the campaign carry particular importance. January marks the beginning of candidate outreach, policy development, and early engagement with voters across the city.
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Maryland Artist NISHVWN Explores Inner Turmoil into Emotive Animal Portraits
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NISHVWN’s brand, The Jax Rabbit, which serves as both a creative identity and a profesA Maryland-based visual artist is gaining at- sional platform. tention for work that is as unsettling as it is emotionally resonant. Known professionally Through this brand, her work has been posias NISHVWN, the artist creates large-scale tioned for broader exposure, including gallery portraits of animals—depicted with dis- and museum opportunities. tressed, almost human-like expressions that As the founder of The Jax Rabbit, NISHVWN linger with viewers long after first glance. has taken deliberate steps to present her art NISHVWN’s fascination with animals began within a professional and curated framework. early in life. Surrounded by an abundance of Her paintings have been showcased in counchildhood pets, she developed a lasting con- ty museums within her hometown, marking nection to animals that continue to shape her significant milestones in her growing career. artistic vision. That connection, paired with In addition, she has organized an online art a lifelong interest in painting, sketching, and gallery featuring her original works alongside personal life experiences, that has curated in other products bearing her designs. a distinctive style: dark, emotional portraits that uses animals as mirrors of the human While her imagery often conveys a depressive or heavy emotional tone, NISHVWN views psyche. this darkness as essential rather than limiting. Rabbit ears dominate most of NISHVWN’s She describes her work as a creative outlet—a portfolio, rendered with eerie precision and means of confronting and overcoming negaintense emotional depth. Using a combination tive emotions and life situations. By externalof ink pens, digital software, and acrylic paint, izing somber and volatile aspects of her state she meticulously builds fur textures and facial of mind, she transforms personal struggle into details that heighten the sense of vulnerability visual storytelling. and distress within each subject. In NISHVWN’s world, animals are not merely The animals’ expressions—somber, anxious, subjects; they are vessels for emotion, memoand sometimes confrontational—invite view- ry, and healing. Through The Jax Rabbit, she ers to confront discomfort rather than shy continues to build a body of work that is as emotionally raw as it is visually arresting—inaway from it. viting viewers to sit with discomfort and perMany of these works are created on colossal haps find recognition within it. canvas pieces, emphasizing their emotional weight and physical presence. The original @NISHVWN paintings are later released as prints under www.NISHVWN.com The latest updates
(Pictured: “Surveillance Specimen 555” by NISHVWN, 2025) (Pictured: “Not For Sale” By NISHVWN, 2024)
(Photo: “UGOTAPIECEOFHAREINURICECREAM” By NISHVWN, 2024 )
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JANUARY 2026 Volume 86, Issue 70
ERCPCP Better Together from P1
Jones was recognized for his role in strengthening neighborhoods east of the river through intentional, community-minded development. His work has focused on creating spaces that support employment, education, and long-term stability, while keeping community benefit central to growth. Rather than approaching development as an abstract concept, Jones has emphasized practical outcomes that residents can see and feel in their daily lives.
Founded in Ward 8, ERCPCP emerged at a time when communities east of the Anacostia River were seeking new approaches to public safety and healing. Over the past quarter century, the organization has built a faith-rooted, community-centered model that prioritizes prevention, trust-building, and partnership over enforcement alone. That long-standing commitment brought together clergy, residents, business leaders, public officials, nonprofit partners, and supporters for an evening “Development has to work for the people who that honored the past while intentionally already call the neighborhood home,” Jones looking ahead. said while reflecting on the recognition. The anniversary gala marked more than the passage of time. It reflected the sustained effort required to build trust across institutions and neighborhoods. Organizers emphasized that ERCPCP’s work has always been grounded in listening to community needs, supporting families, and creating pathways to opportunity that strengthen both safety and stability.
ERCPCP leaders highlighted that this approach aligns closely with the organization’s founding principles. From its earliest days, the partnership has emphasized that sustainable progress depends on relationships built across faith institutions, law enforcement, community organizations, and the private sector.
(Pictured: ERCPCP 25th Anniversary Gala Image)
“Phinis’ work reflects the kind of partnership this organization was built on,” said Rev. Donald Isaac, ERCPCP Co-founder and Senior Advisor. “It is about showing up consistently and keeping the community at the center of decision-making.”
The evening embraced a Modern Roaring ’20s theme, offering a sense of celebration paired with reflection. Against sweeping views of the District skyline, guests were reminded that periods of transition often call for unity and shared responsibility. The theme served as a reminder that progress has historically followed moments when communities choose collaboration over isolation. A centerpiece of the evening was the presentation of the Better Together Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations whose work exemplifies ERCPCP’s mission. The honorees represented a cross-section of the partnership’s history, including founders, longtime allies, and newer leaders whose efforts continue to shape Ward 8 and surrounding communities. Among those recognized was Phinis Jones, President of Capitol Services Management, Inc., who received the Community Development Award. The honor is reserved for leaders whose work moves beyond vision statements and planning documents to deliver measurable, lasting impact.
(Pictured: ERCPCP 25th Anniversary Gala Honoree Phinis Jones with Monica Ray (left) and Julia Irving (right))
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ERCPCP Better Together from P4
Throughout the program, speakers reflected on ERCPCP’s evolution over the past 25 years. What began as a response to urgent public safety challenges has grown into a broad network focused on prevention, healing, workforce development, and economic opportunity. Leaders noted that this expansion has only been possible through sustained collaboration and mutual accountability. The gala also recognized additional honorees whose contributions reflect different chapters of ERCPCP’s history. These included early advocates for faith and police collaboration, supporters who helped expand programming, and partners whose investments have helped translate community vision into action. Organizers emphasized that each honoree represented a piece of the collective effort that has defined the organization’s success. As ERCPCP looks toward its next chapter, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding programs that address root causes of harm while strengthening community resilience. This includes continued investment in prevention strategies, trauma-informed support, and economic pathways that create opportunity for residents across Washington, D.C. The Better Together DC Gala served as both a celebration and a call to action. It underscored that while progress has been made, the work remains ongoing and requires continued partnership, trust, and shared responsibility. After 25 years of service, the message of the evening resonated clearly throughout the room. Progress does not happen in isolation. It is built through collaboration, sustained commitment, and a belief that communities are strongest when they move forward together.
(Photo: ERCPCP Directors and Co-founder Reverend Donald Isaac with 25th Anniversary Gala Honoree Angel Gregorio)
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JANUARY 2026 Volume 86, Issue 70
Ranked Choice Voting and the Importance of Participation in DC’s Next Election By Lena Rose As Washington, DC enters 2026, voters are preparing not only for a competitive mayoral race but also for a major change in how local elections will be conducted. Beginning with the June 2026 primary, the District will implement ranked choice voting following the approval of Initiative 83 by voters in 2024. Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference rather than selecting just one. If no candidate receives a majority of first choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed based on voters’ next choices. This process continues until one candidate secures a majority. Supporters say the system gives voters more flexibility and encourages candidates to appeal to a broader range of residents. The DC Council approved funding in 2025 to implement ranked choice voting in time for the 2026 elections. This decision set in motion voter education efforts that are expected to expand throughout the winter and spring. January is a critical period for building understanding of the new system before ballots are cast. For communities in Wards 7 and 8, voter participation has long been a concern in local elections. While presidential elections tend to draw higher turnout, local races often see significantly fewer voters. This means important decisions about schools, housing, public safety, and neighborhood investment are sometimes made by a relatively small portion of the electorate. Ranked choice voting does not automatically increase turnout, but research and experience from other cities suggest that voter education plays a key role. When voters understand how their ballots work and feel confident in the process, they are more likely to participate. Community based education efforts can help ensure residents are prepared
and informed well before Election Day. January provides an opportunity for civic organizations, schools, libraries, faith institutions, and neighborhood groups to begin sharing clear information about ranked choice voting. Sample ballots, informational sessions, and conversations within the community can help demystify the system and build trust. The Year of Opportunity includes access to democracy and meaningful participation. As DC prepares for its first ranked choice election, understanding the system and showing up to vote will be essential to ensuring that election outcomes reflect the full diversity of the city.
Sources: • Ballotpedia summary of Washington DC Initiative 83 • DC Council legislative records on ranked choice voting funding • FairVote analysis of ranked choice voting implementation • DC Board of Elections voter registration and turnout data
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New Year - New Skills!
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Building Safety Through Partnership: The Work and Leadership of ERCPCP By Lena Rose For 25 years, the East of the River Clergy-Police-Community Partnership has operated on a simple but powerful belief. Public safety is strongest when it is built through trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility. Founded in Ward 8 at the turn of the century, ERCPCP emerged in response to rising violence and fractured trust between institutions and residents east of the Anacostia River. At a time when many communities were calling for approaches rooted in accountability and care, ERCPCP was formed to bring together (Photo: Getty Image) faith leaders, law enforcement, community organizations, and residents around a shared cused on prevention, healing, and long-term stability. commitment to safety and healing. Over time, the organization expanded its proThe partnership was established through col- gramming to include violence interruption, laboration between clergy leaders and public trauma-informed support, reentry assistance, safety officials, including then Metropolitan youth engagement, and workforce developPolice Department Chief Charles Ramsey ment. Leaders recognized that safety cannot and a core group of faith leaders who believed be separated from opportunity, and that comthat prevention and relationship-building had munities are strongest when residents have to be central to public safety efforts. Among access to resources that support economic stathose founders was Rev. Donald Isaac, whose bility and personal growth. leadership helped shape the organization’s faith-rooted and community-centered mis- A defining feature of ERCPCP’s work has been its commitment to partnership across sectors. sion. The organization has consistently collaborated From its earliest days, ERCPCP positioned with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, clergy as trusted bridges between institutions businesses, and neighborhood groups to align and neighborhoods. Faith leaders played a resources and reduce duplication. This apcritical role in mediating conflict, supporting proach has allowed ERCPCP to remain refamilies during times of crisis, and helping sponsive to evolving community needs while law enforcement better understand commu- maintaining trust built over decades. nity needs. Residents were not treated as passive recipients of services, but as active partic- East of the river, where communities have often faced systemic disinvestment, ERCPipants in shaping solutions. CP has served as a convener and advocate for Rev. Isaac went on to serve in key leadership resident-centered solutions. Its work reflects a roles within ERCPCP, helping guide the or- belief that effective public safety is not soleganization through its formative years and ly about enforcement, but about prevention, periods of growth. His work emphasized the healing, and shared responsibility. importance of sustained presence, consistency, and accountability. Under this leadership, As ERCPCP marked its 25th anniversary in ERCPCP evolved from an emergency re- December, leaders reflected on both progress sponse model into a broader framework fo- made and challenges that remain. While the
organization has helped foster dialogue and build networks of care, disparities in safety, access, and opportunity persist across the District. ERCPCP’s leadership has emphasized that addressing these challenges requires continued collaboration and long-term commitment. Today, ERCPCP stands as a model for faithbased, community-driven public safety efforts. Its longevity reflects not only effective programming, but leadership grounded in relationships and trust. The organization’s impact can be seen in the partnerships it has sustained, the conversations it has facilitated, and the communities it continues to serve. Looking ahead, ERCPCP remains focused on expanding prevention strategies, strengthening healing-centered supports, and fostering economic opportunity across Washington, D.C. Its mission remains consistent even as the city evolves. Safety, dignity, and opportunity are collective responsibilities, and progress happens when communities move forward together. After 25 years of service, ERCPCP’s legacy is defined not by a single leader or moment, but by a shared commitment to partnership. It is a reminder that meaningful change is built through patience, trust, and the willingness to walk alongside communities for the long term.
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Earn the following certifications as part of the Facility & Property Construction Program Pathway:
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January Brings New Opportunities for DC Residents in Work Community and Growth By Bloom Wilder January is often viewed as a fresh start, but for many residents of Wards 7 and 8, it is also a practical moment when opportunities become available. Across the District, the new year brings the opening of workforce programs, grant cycles, and community initiatives that can shape economic stability and neighborhood growth throughout 2026. Workforce development programs across DC become more active after the holidays. Job training, career coaching, resume assistance, and interview preparation programs are offered in fields such as health care, construction, hospitality, technology, and public service. Many of these programs are designed to remove barriers to employment and are available at little or no cost to participants. January is also an important month for young adults and students. Internship programs, apprenticeships, and paid training opportunities often begin recruiting for spring and summer placements early in the year. Residents who engage with workforce centers and community organizations in January are more likely to secure these opportunities before programs reach capacity. Community organizations and nonprofits also face key deadlines at the start of the year. The Events DC Community Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2026 is currently accepting applications to support youth sports, arts, and cultural programming. Informational sessions held throughout January help organizations understand eligibility requirements and prepare strong applications ahead of early February deadlines. For neighborhoods in Wards 7 and 8, these grants play a critical role in sustaining programs that provide safe spaces, creative outlets, and positive engagement for young people. Funding can support everything from after school activities to cultural events that strengthen community ties.
(Photo: Getty Image)
Small businesses and entrepreneurs also benefit from January timing. The start of the year brings access to technical assistance, business planning resources, and funding opportunities aimed at strengthening neighborhood commercial corridors. Preparing early can help businesses position themselves for growth later in the year. Beyond economic opportunities, January includes civic engagement activities such as town halls, community meetings, and planning sessions that influence city priorities around housing, transportation, parks, and public services. Many of these conversations shape policy decisions long before they are finalized. The Year of Opportunity is built on awareness and action. January is when many doors open quietly. Residents who take advantage of available resources early in the year can create momentum that lasts well beyond the winter months.
Sources: • Events DC Community Grant Program FY26 materials • DC Department of Employment Services workforce development resources • DC Department of Human Resources career development programs • District government community engagement calendars
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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
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
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
Kingdom Care Senior Village Place of Worship: Greater Fellowship/Gospel Baptist Church 814 Alabama Ave SE Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202-561-5594
East Washington Heights Baptist Church
Macedonia 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
Rev. Garfield Burton, Pastor 2625 Stanton Rd. SE WDC 20032 • (202) 678-8486
Emmanuel 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
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
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“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
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
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JANUARY 2026 Volume 86, Issue 70
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
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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
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
Industrial Bank 1800 Good Hope Road, SE 1800 MLK, Jr. Ave, SE
St. John C.M.E. Church 2801 Stanton Road, SE
Israel Baptist 1251 Saratoga Ave. NE
St. Matthews Baptist Church 1105 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Johnson Memorial Baptist Church 800 Ridge Rd. SE
Starbucks 2228 MLK, Jr. Ave, SE 2800 Alabama Ave, SE
Kingdom Care Senior Village 814 Alabama Ave, SE Macedonia Baptist Church 2625 Stanton Rd. SE Marion Barry Market 2317 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Union Temple 1225 W St, SE UPO/ Petey Greene Community Center 2907 MLK, Jr. Ave, SE
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JANUARY 2026 Volume 86, Issue 70
January Horoscopes
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Libra - ‘I balance’ Affirmation: I find a flexible rhythm between my personal and professional life, creating balance and deep connection with loved ones. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) ‘Scorpio - ‘I create’ Affirmation: I am open to new knowledge and experiences; I learn and grow through travel and exploration. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Sagittarius - ‘I see’ Affirmation: I am confident and ready to create the life envisioned in 2026. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Capricorn - ‘I use’ Affirmation: I trust my vision and decisions, taking action to create the successful life you desir.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Gemini - ‘I think’ Affirmation: I know my value and I attract prosperity and financial abundance; my resources expand as I build my self-worth.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Aquarius - ‘I know’ CANCER Affirmation: I navigate challenges with men(June 21 to July 22) tal clarity; I expand my wisdom and enhance Cancer - ‘I feel’ my connections. Affirmation: I confidently assert my needs and set clear boundaries in relationships, PISCES which brings me security and love. (February 19 to March 20) Pisces - ‘I believe’ LEO Affirmation: My social life is fulfilling and (July 23 to August 22) supportive, and I can manifest creative ways Leo - ‘I will’ to attract abundances. Affirmation: My disciplined work is recog-
nized and rewarded, and I embrace joyful new romantic connections.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) VIRGO Aries - ‘I am’ (August 23 to September 22) Affirmation: I am a powerful leader, Virgo - ‘I analyse’ and my bold steps are divinely guided. Affirmation: I trust my intuition and allow creativity to flow into all areas of my life, TAURUS bringing joy and recognition. (April 20 to May 20) Taurus - ‘I have’ Affirmation: I am open to new experiences and perspectives that expand your understanding of security and happiness.
The Capital News
JANUARY 2026 Volume 86, Issue 70
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The Capital News
JANUARY 2026 Volume 86, Issue 70