Generations of Washingtonians have been the victims of environmental racism. This map from the CDC is an index of cumulative environmental harms including: air pollution, toxic and hazardous sites, health disparities, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and more. My fight for healthy communities is a fight to disrupt the environmental harms perpetrated against neighbors, namely in Wards 5,…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors, This week has been a poignant reminder to me of why I ran for office in Ward 5: to improve the material conditions of neighbors. Regardless of zip code or background, residents deserve a healthy and vibrant shared quality of life. My vision is clear and my commitments have remained steadfast:…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors, At the start of this week, I was proud to introduce legislation alongside Chairman Mendelson that will elevate school support as an urgent priority for DC – the School Improvement Amendment Act of 2023. As I shared with the Washington Informer, this legislation is a game-changer for our schools—disrupting inequities that…

This newsletter comes amidst ongoing unrest around the world, and violence in our own city. I continue to keep our Ward 5 Israeli and Palestinian neighbors in my thoughts as I cannot imagine what it is like to watch the unspeakable violence unfold back home or where there are loved ones. I join the international…

This week, the Council held important hearings on legislation to address traffic safety and public safety. These are two of my top priorities for the District, and I was grateful for the opportunity to hear public testimony and ask questions to foster accountability and transparency in these critical areas. In this newsletter, you can find…

This Sunday, October 1, marks the beginning of the District’s new fiscal year (2024). What that means for residents is funds become available for new initiatives, new laws go into effect, and programs impacted by a lack of funds can re-open. One such significant program is the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The application portal…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors, First, I want to ensure you are prepared for this weekend’s inclement weather. Meteorologists are warning of hazardous conditions as Tropical Storm Ophelia moves up the East Coast, with heavy rain and wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour in the DC area tomorrow. Here are a few steps you…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors, Shana Tova U’metukah to all who are celebrating Rosh Hashanah in our community this weekend! May this new year be marked by the joy of justice and the health of community. And Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! From September 15 to October 15, we honor the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and…

Dear Ward 5 neighbors, This past week’s heat wave in the District was the worst in recorded history this late into September for our region. Just weeks after experiencing the devastating effects of climate change through flash floods in Ward 5, we felt them in another way this week through heat advisories, resulting in limited…

I’m proud to introduce the Ward 5 Senior Newsletter – a quarterly print newsletter distributed to senior centers, recreation centers, libraries, and homes (upon request) geared specifically toward our wonderful Ward 5 senior community.