DC’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) issued a new placard providing notice of a public hearing for Clinical Health and Wellness, a medical marijuana retailer seeking to open at 4942 South Dakota Avenue NE in North Michigan Park (the strip mall next to the McDonald’s). The property sits in ANC 5A08. ABCA rescinded the old placard. The new protest petition deadline is June 23, 2025.
Riggs Crossing Senior Residences ribbon cutting, April 30, 2025.
Time to welcome more senior residents into the neighborhood!
On April 30, 2025, Mayor Muriel Bowser cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of Riggs Crossing Senior Residences, a new 100% affordable, income-restricted community for seniors 55 years and older, developed by True Ground Housing Partners (formerly known as Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing). Besides Mayor Bowser, speakers included Mary Worsley, one of the building’s first residents; Steven Smith, Senior Vice President at Truist; Carmen Romero, CEO of True Ground Housing Partners; Rich Jordan, chair of the board of True Ground Housing Partners; and Nina Albert, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Planning (DMPED).
One-bedroom and two-bedroom units are still available. Interested individuals may visit the Riggs Crossing website to learn more.
Located on the southeast corner of Riggs Road and South Dakota Avenue NE, Riggs Crossing features 93 apartments, consisting of studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units, with approximately 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail. Jaydot will provide case management services to residents in the permanent supportive housing units. The building is access controlled. Each floor is color coded to help with memory care. At move-in, residents can request that grab bars be installed in the unit. Residents may also request either a small or large personal foldable shopping cart
Each unit is spacious featuring either an extra large window or a balcony. Free wi-fi is available throughout the building and in each individual unit. DC SEU provided discounts on new appliances. Each unit comes with a full size washer/dryer.
Building amenities include a community room, fitness room, wellness room with yoga mats, and a library. Common areas feature artwork by local artists, and an outdoor mural brightens one side of the building. No pets are allowed, but service animals are permitted. There is a parking garage with 49 spaces.
Retail
Forthcoming retail tenants include Happy Violet DC, owned by local resident Renee Blair, and Rose’s Beauty Supply. There is still vacant retail space. Interested retailers should contact Joanna Shin at jshin@truegroundhousing.org.
DC’s Affordable Housing Efforts
The ribbon cutting served as the culmination of Mayor Bowser’s work on neighborhood development in Riggs Park, starting as a founding member of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association Development Task Force when she lived in the neighborhood, ANC commissioner, Ward 4 councilmember, and finally mayor. She shared a thank you letter with the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association.
Almost every speaker noted how developing affordable housing projects like this one takes a lot of commitment, resources, and effort from the public and private sectors. The city provided financing to help develop the senior building, and officials from the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Deputy Mayor’s Office for Planning & Economic Development were heavily involved.
The first phase of this project, Riggs Park Place, delivered in 2022, consisting of 90 townhomes (five below market-rate) developed by EYA. JBG Smith, former owner of Fort Totten Square, selected EYA to build Riggs Park Place after deciding to forego building more apartments as the second phase to Fort Totten Square. EYA then selected True Ground Housing as a partner to develop the senior building.
The mayor used the ribbon cutting as an opportunity to highlight her commitment to contributing $100 million to the Housing Production Trust Fund every year. She also advocated for the DC Council to pass the RENTAL Act, which she said aims to amend the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), reform the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), and make the housing board permanent. (Discussion and questions about the mayor’s recently announced proposed deal with the Washington Commanders also came up).
Ribbon cutting pictures below
View entrance on Riggs RoadView looking west to South Dakota Avenue NEView from South Dakota Avenue looking northMayor Muriel Bowser. Photo courtesy Gwen Cofield.Carmen Romero, CEO, True Ground Housing Partners. Photo courtesy Gwen Cofield.Nina Albert, Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development. Photo courtesy Gwen Cofield. Photo courtesy Gwen Cofield.Outdoor muralArt by local artists throughout buildingActivity boardLibraryWellness roomFitness roomLiving room in one-bedroom unitFull size bathroom in one-bedroom unitFull size washer/dryerBalcony
Bike to Work Day is Thursday, May 15, 2025. There will be a pit stop at Fort Totten Metro Station from 6-9am!
The first 18,000 who register and attend at a pit stop receive a FREE T-shirt. Free giveaways, food, and beverages at participating locations, while supplies last.
Join Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker for a Community Listening Session about the future of the RFK Stadium Site.
The conversation will center on the perspectives and experience of Carver-Langston and Trinidad neighbors who stand to be most impacted by development at the site.
The meeting will take place on May 14, 2025 at Two Rivers PCS (830 26th St NE) from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Register at ward5.us/rfk.
Questions? Email ward5contact@dccouncil.gov or call 202-724-8028.
The CWDW GMP was last updated in 2004. Recreational opportunities and facilities in the current plan include developing a new trail to connect the historic earthworks and link most of the fort sites; interpretive signs to guide visitors; limited bike use; building a visitor center near Fort Stevens; and building an education center at Fort Dupont.
NPS describes the purpose of the plan update as follows.
Review existing resource management zones to ensure that allowed uses are compatible with the protection of historic and natural resources.
In areas where appropriate, carefully consider changes in the plan’s zoning to allow for additional, compatible visitor use.
Enable consistent application across the CWDW of appropriate visitor use based on each area’s zoning.
Define visitor capacity for the CWDW, based on the protection of historic and natural resources.
NPS describes the need for the plan update as follows.
The CWDW GMP Amendment is needed to address the following concerns:
The CWDW protects important natural and historic resources throughout its range.
The city’s recreational needs are growing with an increasing population, and often the only land available for recreational use is within the CWDW.
The existing GMP maintains open spaces throughout the CWDW. Organizations and individuals propose uses and improvements for these areas that are inconsistent with the CWDW’s significance, frequently because the CWDW’s importance and value are not readily apparent to the public.
Many of the open spaces within the CWDW sites are isolated and lack connectivity with other CWDW areas and to community facilities and resources outside of the CWDW.
Significant archeological and natural resources have been identified since the adoption of the existing GMP/ EA. As a result, some archeological resources are located outside of cultural and natural resource zoning designations.
The existing GMP/EA does not adequately accommodate future planning, changes that have occurred since its adoption, or outline expectations for potential administrative tools to enhance park management, such as partnerships with civic associations, transfers of jurisdictions, or other mechanisms.
The GMP/EA does not adequately address current activities that occur within the cultural resources of the site and do not diminish their value.
NPS explained how the GMP fits into the NPS project development process. The GMP identifies appropriate activities and applicable general locations. Then comes the Development Concept Plan leading to Project Design and finally Implementation.
NPS notes that the CWDW face a number of issues including waste management, visibility, vegetation management, desire for more community use and recreation, poor access, and zoning and management concerns.
Current CWDW GMP Management Zones
It is useful to know the zones in the current GMP.
Cultural Resource Zone (Cultural and natural resource preservation)
Connecting Corridor Zone (Parkways connecting fort resources)
Recreation Zone (Small nodes of intense activity)
Natural Resource Zone (Areas for natural scenery and forest preservation)
Special Use Zone (Areas not fully within NPS jurisdiction)
Visitor Services Zone (Visitor services outside park boundaries)
Administrative Zone (Not normally seen by visitors)
New Proposed CWDW GMP Management Zones
NPS is proposing to add a couple of new zones.
Community garden zone
Site sensitive recreation zone: NPS describes this zone as supporting activities like picnic spaces, low intensity uses.
Existing Managment Zones for Neighborhood Parkland
NPS existing zones for Rock Creek Park East parkland.
Fort Totten and the Fort Totten Corridor are part of Rock Creek Park East. Historically, Fort Totten and Fort Totten Corridor were categorized primarily as natural and cultural resource and connecting corridor zones with a focus on conservation and preservation. Anytime we asked for anything at all, NPS officials would say no and say that they wanted the parkland to look the way it did during Civil War times (minus the baseball cage of course).
(Aside: Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton recently introduced a bill (H.R. 1429) to expand the mission of NPS to include active use of NPS parks in urban areas in addition to preservation. Unclear how this potential legislation might impact the management plan update for the CWDW, which arguably enjoy a different level of significance than other NPS parks.)
Proposed Zone Changes for Neighborhood Parkland
NPS Alternative Concept Plans for Fort Totten and Fort Totten Corridor.
In the proposed GMP amendment, NPS wants to maintain much of the existing zoning, but they are proposing slight changes to Fort Totten and the Fort Totten corridor. The neighborhood’s area development plan, which was approved by the DC Council in 2009, calls for trails and active recreation at the edges of the parkland near residential areas. The proposed GMP amendments are consistent with this plan.
Fort Totten proposed changes:
Adds Community Garden Zone in areas with former Recreational Zone designation
Adds Site Sensitive Recreation Zone along South Dakota Ave NE (near New Hampshire Ave NE intersection) and in southwest portion of Fort Totten park
Adds Cultural Zone within Site Sensitive Recreation Zone in southwest portion of park
Changes edges along Gallatin St NE and Metropolitan Branch Trail to Connecting Corridor Zone
Fort Totten Corridor proposed changes:
Adds Community Garden, Site Sensitive Recreation, and Cultural Zones
Adds Natural and Recreational Zones along the corridors
Public Input
A lot of people have thoughts about the NPS parkland in our neighborhood. This is an opportunity to let the people with the power to do something know what you think. Please take some time to at least look at all of the slides to get an idea of the scope of changes NPS is proposing across the city as well as the neighborhood. I have always found it interesting just how differently NPS treats the fort sites across the city with no discernible rationale.
If you support what NPS is proposing for our area, let them know. If there are certain uses that you think should be allowable for our area, let them know where and why. For example, specifically note where along Galloway or Gallatin you would recommend a certain zone or use. Let them know about issues along the corridor that they might be overlooking.
▪ Written comments can be mailed to: Superintendent Attn: CWDW GMP/EA Civil War Defenses of Washington National Park Service 3545 Williamsburg Lane N.W. Washington, DC 20008
▪ Mailed comments must be postmarked by May 9, 2025 to receive consideration
(Edited 4/17/2025 to add: Please also share your comments with ANC Commissioner Keith Sellars at anc5A01@anc.dc.gov.)
NPS warning about personally identifiable information:
Please Note: Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
The Main Street Jazz Series is a collection of live jazz performances hosted by The Parks Main Street and presented by the Greater Washington Urban League. Held in the neighborhood corridors of Riggs Park and Manor Park, this series showcases the creative energy of local jazz talent. It provides a dynamic cultural platform where art, commerce, and community innovation converge, offering each performance as a unique experience that brings the neighborhood’s heartbeat to life. The Main Street Jazz Series serves as a gathering point for celebrating local talent and reinforcing the cultural and economic vitality of Riggs Park and Manor Park.
Date: May 8, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library
Address: 5401 South Dakota Avenue, NE | Washington, DC 20011
D.C. Native and saxophonist Herb Scott is a star on the Washington, D.C. Jazz scene. While studying at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts under the award-winning educator Davey Yarborough, he performed with renowned trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock. Herb studied Jazz Studies at Michigan State University under Jazz legend Rodney Whitaker and Professor Diego Rivera, and toured with the MSU Jazz Band. His career includes performances at the White House, Dizzy’s Coca Cola-Club in New York, the Lincoln Center, the world famous Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Universal Studios Orlando, Constitution Hall, the Library of Congress, the Detroit Jazz Fest, the East Lansing Jazz Fest, the DC Jazz Fest.
In 2017 Herb formed a non-profit, The Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation which provides critical resources, including advocacy, to DC-based Jazz musicians, venues, and music education programs.
Join WABA for their next DC meetup in Brightwood. This will be an informal social event. Stop by any time but register to let WABA know you are coming.
Eat out at &pizza and support a good cause! Place an order in the shop (show flyer) or order online and use code LSBPTO. Up to 30 percent of sales goes to support our neighborhood public school, LaSalle-Backus Elementary.
Can’t make it but still want to support the PTO? Donate via Venmo (@LaSalleBackusPTO) or Cashapp ($LaSalleBackusPTO)
The May 2025 LRCA Community meeting will be held Monday, May 5, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
This in-person meeting will be held at the Lamond-Riggs Library, Meeting Room 1, located at 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20011.
Agenda
Welcome/Invocation
2025 Member Voting
Closing
This year is an election year for LRCA. The election will be held at the May meeting. The entire meeting will be dedicated to paid members to come sit down and vote. If you are a paid member, please come out to vote in person from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm.
Read the LRCA May 2025 Newsletter. This month’s newsletter contains information on the candidates.
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on April 23, 2025. Commissioners present: Keith Sellars (5A01); Timothy Thomas (5A02) – Vice Chair; Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Chair & Secretary; Jack Hermes (5A04); Derrick Holloway (5A06); Elaine Alston (5A08); Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer.
ANC 5A05 is vacant. The commissioner for ANC 5A07 needs to be installed.
Commission Business
Commissioner Hermes was sworn in as parliamentarian for the ANC.
Meeting Expectations
Screenshot of ANC 5A Meeting Expectations presented for vote at public meeting, April 23, 2025.
Chair Lucio introduced meeting expectations for discussion. She said the goal is to be helpful and accountable to the community. A few commissioners were adamant that it was not necessary to adopt these expectations. The ANC voted to support (Commissioners Bocoum, Hermes, Sellars, and Lucio voted in favor; Commissioners Alston, Thomas, and Holloway opposed).
Spending Requests
Screenshot of ANC 5A Spending Requests presented for vote at public meeting, April 23, 2025.
The ANC has over $100,000 in the bank. The ANC voted to allocate $5,000 for office furniture for the ANC office located at The Modern at Art Place on Galloway Street NE. The ANC voted to spend up to $1,200 for a laptop for Commissioner Alston. The ANC voted to spend up to $1,200 for an iPhone for Commissioner Alston. There was discussion of other spending requests that I could not quite follow; sounded like the ANC decided to table discussion of spending for those items.
Conway Education Center (5A03)
Conway Education Center withdrew its request for holiday work because residents of ANC 5A03 objected to holiday work.
Washington Latin Public Charter School (5A05)
At an ANC 5A05 single member district (SMD) meeting, residents supported holiday work by Washington Latin. Representatives of the school did not appear at the full ANC meeting though, so the ANC could not vote on the issue.
No Ward 5 Mayor’s Office Report
No one from the mayor’s office appeared at the meeting.
Ward 5 Council Report (Andriana Lovelace, Constituent Services Coordinator for CM Zachary Parker)
The city is still in a holding pattern on the budget. The mayor has proposed using a 2009 law to reduce the FY2025 budget gap created by the House.
CM Parker’s office held a spring cleaning event on April 26.
ABCA is working with MPD to close down illegal cannabis shops.
After the council office report was given, the ANC discussed some issues caused by known residents of North Michigan Park on Emerson Street NE and the potential return of these individuals to the community as their cases work their way through the legal system. Anyone interested in what is happening can reach out to Carmen Williams, president of the North Michigan Park Civic Association and Commissioner Alston.
Mundo Verde Bilingual Public Charter School Calle Ocho Campus Building Expansion (5A03) (Kristin Scotchmer, Strategic Adviser & Owner Representative, Mundo Verde)
Shalini Shybut is the new executive director of Mundo Verde. She can be reached at sshybut@mundoverdepcs.org.
Mundo Verde’s Calle Ocho Campus is located at 4401 8th Street NE. The school plans to build an expansion on part of the Providence campus at 817 Varnum Street NE, across the street from the existing school campus. This building expansion has been discussed a bunch over the years at the ANC.
Kristin Scotchmer, strategic adviser and owner representative for the school, stated that the school received its raze permits and now has all of the proper permits in place, so residents will start to see construction ramp up pretty quickly.
Construction points of contact:
Call – Calle Ocho campus front office 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. (202) 803-8967
Call or text – Construction Project Manager John Breyer – (202) 352-0214
EYA and Menkiti are teaming up to redevelop the Providence campus. TCurrent plan is for roughly 120 affordable rental units (half reserved for senior apartments) and 250-280 townhomes. EYA will build another playground as the existing Michigan Park Community Playground gets heavy use. There is also a plan for a dog park. Lots of green space planned, including possibly open field space closer to the Buchanan side of the campus, and a walking loop around the campus.
The existing medical office buildings, parking garage, Police/Fire Clinic, and Carroll Manor Nursing Home will remain on the grounds. They are not part of the redevelopment project.
The Office of the Attorney General for DC had to assess the value of the transaction and the charitable assets that had to remain the city. The demolition of the old hospital building will cost roughly $30 million. The remainder of the property/assets is valued at $5 million. That money will be set aside in a trust for healthcare uses in DC, one of which will be to help subsidize an urgent care facility on the property. Providence is working with the DC OAG to transfer medical equipment to nonprofits in the city.
Now that OAG’s review is done, the development team is waiting for the State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) to complete its review in order to extinguish the existing certificate of need for the hospital. That is expected shortly. Once all of that is done, things will ramp up pretty quickly.
There will be a community benefits agreement as part of the development process. Commissioner Hermes (5A04) represents much of the Catholic University area and he stated that some of his constituents would like the campus to retain some Christian identity in the project beyond just the name. (Note: It was parent company Ascension’s decision to close the hospital). EYA responded that this was the first time this has been brought up, but they stated that they would be happy to talk more about what that could look like, for example, maybe a quiet contemplative or meditation space outdoors.
EYA plans to return to the ANC in June to provide another update.
Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education (Bri Sullivan, Assistant Ombudsman)
The Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education is housed within the State Board of Education, but it is independent from the State Board. Assistant Ombudsman Bri Sullivan gave a short presentation on the office’s services. Services are confidential. The office serves as an information hub for families and maintains a neutral role in the school system. The office investigates patterns for elevation to senior leadership. The office sees a lot of cases in Ward 5, lots of concerns about safety (safe passage, bullying, violence in schools). The office offers mediation and conflict resolution assistance.
Community Concerns
A resident noted again that the slide at the North Michigan Park Rec Center has been broken for well over a year and is dangerous. The playground generally is in poor condition. Commissioner Thomas (5A02) stated he would reach out to the site manager for a visit.
A resident inquired about the new minimart at the strip mall next to the McDonald’s. The ANC did not have much information about it, but Commissioner Alston (5A08) stated that she was told it will be open 24/7. She also said that a cannabis retailer is no longer looking to locate in the strip mall. (Note: I do not know how accurate this is. The space at 4942 South Dakota has a placard providing notice of a public hearing for a medical marijuana retailer named Clinical Health and Wellness. The protest petition deadline is June 2. Unclear if the ANC received notice.).
The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association is proud to offer Academic Excellence Scholarships to support the educational goals of our community’s youth. Scholarships totaling up to $2,000 will be awarded to:
Graduating high school seniors who reside within the LRCA boundaries and will attend an accredited college, university, or career technical (trade) school, and
Students currently enrolled in a college, university, or career technical program seeking financial support.
Application Requirements:
Completed scholarship application
Copy of official transcript
One letter of recommendation on official letterhead from an administrator, counselor, or teacher
A current resume (optional)
A 400-word, typed and double-spaced essay addressing:
Why you are applying for the scholarship
Why you should be selected as a recipient
How you plan to use your education to positively impact the community
Eat out at &pizza and support a good cause! Place an order in the shop (show flyer) or order online and use code LSBPTO. Up to 30 percent of sales goes to support our neighborhood public school, LaSalle-Backus Elementary.
Can’t make it but still want to support the PTO? Donate via Venmo (@LaSalleBackusPTO) or Cashapp ($LaSalleBackusPTO)
Register to receive the meeting link at ward5.us/publicsafetycall. The meeting will be livestreamed on CM Parker’s YouTube channel. It will be recorded, and slides will be shared afterwards.
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial +13017158592, 81406325863#
Meeting ID: 814 0632 5863
Call to Order & Roll Call
Administrative Items
Instructions for participation in virtual and in-person meetings
Consideration and approval of April 2025 Regular Public Meeting Agenda
Approval of March 2025 Regular Public Meeting Minutes
Treasurer’s Report
Commissioner Updates
Community Concerns
Please use the “Raise Hand” button via Zoom or *9 via telephone to speak.
The Commission will provide details regarding how to present community concerns at the start of the virtual meeting. This is the time for questions or statements from members of the public about issues on the agenda or other areas of concern. Please limit your statement or question to one minute. You may contact members of the Commission before and after Commission meetings.
Reports
Leticia Acosta, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services (3 minutes)
Darrell Whitmyer, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (3 minutes)
T. Michelle Colson, Ward 4 State Board of Education (3 minutes)
4B Community Safety & Support Committee (2 minutes)
Presentations
Marty Sullivan, Partner Sullivan and Barros, BZA Case No 21250 – 7410 Eastern Ave NW (Sarah Harkum)
Consent Calendar
RESOLUTION #4B-25-0401: Calling on the Council of the District of Columbia to Amend Its Rules to Prohibit Expelled Councilmembers from Seeking Reelection (Johnson)
RESOLUTION #4B-25-0403: Opposing the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia’s Consideration of Withholding Police Misconduct Information from Defense Attorneys (Johnson)
RESOLUTION #4B-25-0404: Condemning Congressional Efforts to Undermine Washington, DC’s Status as a Sanctuary City (Johnson)
RESOLUTION #4B-25-0405: Calling For the DC Council To Strengthen and Expand “Ban the Box” Policies (Johnson)
RESOLUTION #4B-25-0402: Opposing DC Council’s Emergency Legislation to Close Meetings (Johnson)
Letter – Request for Legislation to Prohibit the Reinstatement of MPD Officers Convicted of Crimes or Found in Violation of General Orders (Johnson)
RESOLUTION #4B-25-0406: Calling on the District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment to Deny Case Number 21250/Case Name Fikremariam Genesha (Payton)
RESOLUTION #4B-25-0407: Calling For the Enhancement of Security, Staffing, and Programming at the Lamond Recreation Center (Berry/Cohen)
Please check the Commission’s website for additional information: anc4b.com
Passing along information I received about an upcoming Young Archaeologists’ Club program at Lamond-Riggs Library hosted by a DC educational nonprofit called Archaeology in the Community. Sounds pretty cool:
This is an opportunity for youth interested in archaeology to work with professional archaeologists and explore STEM-related topics through hands-on activities, games, and crafts. Participation is free, but registration is required.
The program is designed for middle-school-aged students. The one-day engaging sessions go from now through August at different locations throughout Washington, DC and virtually. Participants can choose which days, locations, and topics work best for them. Our next sessions will be April 26-27 at the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library. If there is a way to reach out to families in the Riggs Park neighborhood about this opportunity, they can read more about the schedule and register on Archaeology in the Community’s website. Spots are limited!
The Heritage Wall at the Lamond-Riggs Library now has a beautiful companion book, “Fort Totten and Lamond-Riggs: A Historical Tapestry,” co-authored by Michelle Lisa Herman, Stephanie Mills Trice, and Deborah Grimstead. The book stitches together written narratives and excerpts of oral histories from contributors to the Heritage Wall, as well as photos of the original artwork from the permanent installation.
Ms. Herman, a multidisciplinary artist, created the stunning Heritage Wall at the Lamond-Riggs Library. Ms. Mills Trice created the DC Fort Totten Storytellers oral history project several years ago. The two teamed up to apply for a Community Culture & Heritage Projects grant from HumanitiesDC to produce a companion guide for the Heritage Wall. Local resident Ms. Grimstead volunteered with the project team. The three worked together for one year doing research, conducting roughly 11 interviews with participants, collecting text submissions from participants, and designing the book. Ms. Herman and Ms. Mills Trice presented the final product at the HumanitiesDC Community Showcase at the Anacostia Arts Center on April 10, 2025.
Authors Stephanie Mills Trice and Michelle Lisa Herman at the HumanitiesDC Community Showcase, April 10, 2025.
The project team is finishing up work with the People’s Archive to house the oral histories at the DC Public Library. The oral histories will eventually be publicly available at https://digdc.dclibrary.org.
I am looking forward to listening to the oral histories from the tapestry project once that work is completed. It was such a treat to be able to see the finished book at the community showcase and talk to other teams doing incredible projects across the city. (Seriously, people are doing really interesting, culturally rich work all over the city supported by HumanitiesDC).
The Heritage Wall deserved an equally beautiful companion piece, and the project team delivered. Kudos to Ms. Herman, Ms. Mills, Trice, and Ms. Grimstead for their wonderful contribution capturing the history and people of our local neighborhoods.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
