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IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 

• Tomorrow - Modified Government Services for Juneteenth
• Tomorrow - Summer Youth Meals Program Starts
• Saturday - Capital Pride Parade
• June 22 - Crummell Community Center Groundbreaking
• June 23 - Council's Second Vote on the FY27 Budget
• June 24 - Ward 5 Public Safety Call
• June 25 - RFK Draft Plan Community Webinar
• June 30 - DDOT North Capitol Street Virtual Meeting
• ...and more!

It's been an eventful week in the District with the 2026 Primary Election and the Council's preparation for next week's second vote on the FY27 budget. Tomorrow and Saturday also bring big events our way with the celebration of Juneteenth and Capital Pride. 

Tomorrow's holiday marks 161 years since the news of freedom reached enslaved people in Galveston, TX. Although the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed two and half years prior, word did not reach parts of the country—including Galveston, TX—until Union soldiers advanced to share the good news, bringing an end to the centuries-long scourge and stain of slavery. Since then, generations of the descendants of enslaved people have marked June 19—or Juneteenth—as a celebration of liberation and a memorial for those for whom freedom was never fully realized. May our observance of tomorrow's holiday deepen our commitment to true liberty and justice for all. 

Please note that as the District observes Juneteenth, many government services will be modified. You can find a full overview at this link, but here's a quick rundown: 

• The Department of Public Works (DPW) will not collect household trash, recycling, or food waste on Friday, June 19. Collections will "slide" for the rest of the week into Saturday.
• The Fort Totten Transfer Station will be closed to the public on Friday, June 19. All services will resume on Saturday, June 20 for bulk trash and recycling.
• All DC Public Library locations will be closed on Friday, June 19, and will reopen on Saturday, June 20.
• All Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) recreation centers, outdoor pools, indoor aquatic centers, spray parks, and offices will be closed on Friday, June 19. Outdoor parks, fields, and playgrounds will be open. Facilities will resume normal hours on Saturday, June 20. 
• All parking enforcement will be suspended on Friday, June 19, and all Department of Motor Vehicle locations will be closed. 
• Metrobus and Metrorail with operate on modified schedules for the Juneteenth holiday, and on Saturday, several bus routes will be on detour due to the Pride Parade along 14th Street from T Street to Pennsylvania Avenue NW. 

On Saturday, the District will hold its annual Capital Pride Parade in celebration of Pride Month! Whether you plan to join the festivities or just want to be prepared for road closures and parking restrictions, check out the parade map here. Happy Pride!

This week also marked the end of school for DC Public Schools! Congratulations to all our teachers and students on a great year. As I shared in previous newsletters, we want to celebrate all our graduates, so we are asking neighbors to email us with info about your favorite graduate this year. Tell us their name, where they're graduating from, and share a picture or two if you'd like. Congratulations again to the Class of 2026!

Finally, please mark your calendar and register for next Wednesday, June 24 at 3:00 p.m. for the Ward 5 Public Safety Call. These recurring calls are an opportunity to hear directly from District public safety agencies, get updates on incidents and crime trends, and ask questions about public safety in your neighborhood. If you can't make it, the call will be recorded and shared on my YouTube channel afterward, and the slides and recording will be posted in next week's newsletter. Register anytime at ward5.us/publicsafetycall.

public safety updates; Notices of Intent modifying traffic/parking requirements in Ward 5; the start of the Summer Youth Meals Program tomorrow on June 19; Community Workshops about the District's waterways on June 23 and 25; a community webinar about the Draft RFK Plan on June 25; a DDOT meeting about Phase II of the North Capitol St Project on June 30; ANC and civic association meeting recaps; legislative updates in Neferteria's Nook; updates from the Committee on Youth Affairs; programs to benefit from featuring a Financial Empowerment and Housing Summit next Saturday, June 27; and community events including a Juneteenth Freedom Bike Ride tomorrow and the chance to be part of the Langdon Forest Patch's remarkable rebound during a volunteer event this Saturday! Keep scrolling for more.

Last Saturday my team stopped by venues participating in the Rhode Island Ave PorchFest, hosted by DC Squared. It was a beautiful day with great music, eats, and small business activations. My team also connected with residents in Ivy City at Bethesda Baptist's Community Day. Thanks to everyone who came out and to all the organizations that help our communities thrive!

On Monday, I had a number of meetings with Ward 5 leaders, Council colleagues, and agency leaders on a range of issues—everything from neighborhood-level concerns about food access and transit equity, to budget challenges and gaps in agency responsiveness. The Committee on Health also held a public hearing on a number of bills including B26-0181 -Short-Term Disability Insurance Benefit Protection Clarification Amendment Act of 2025, B26-0427 - Cybersecurity and Accountability Act of 2025, and B26-0588 - Captive Insurance Company Amendment Act of 2026. You can check out a recap of the hearing here. 

On Tuesday, residents headed to the polls for the 2026 Primary Election. My team had the day off so that they could have time to vote and volunteer for the candidates of their choice. Whether you voted early, used your mail-in ballot, or showed up on Election Day, I hope you took the time to make your voice heard and help select our city's leaders.

Yesterday and today, my team and I have been catching up on constituent services requests, connecting with District agencies about upcoming meetings, and preparing for the Council's second vote on the FY27 budget this coming Tuesday. Stay tuned!

Recent Incidents

• On Monday evening, June 15, 2026, MPD officers responded to an indoor scene in the 800 block of 21st St NE for reports of a stabbing. They located an unconscious adult male who was announced deceased at the scene. This tragic incident is still under investigation, by MPD has apprehended a person of interest. Anyone with information about this incident should contact MPD.
• On Tuesday morning, June 16, 2026, MPD officers reported to the 600 block of Hamlin St NE for a barricade situation. Fortunately, the barricade ended without incident. No one was injured, and several individuals were placed under arrest. 

Ward 5 Public Safety Call

The next Ward 5 Public Safety Call will be on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Register to attend here. These recurring calls are a chance for neighbors to get the latest updates on crime incidents in the Ward, hear from District public safety agencies, and ask questions. We'll be joined by Commanders from MPD's Third, Fourth, and Fifth Districts (covering all Ward 5 neighborhoods). 

Crime Trends

You can find the latest crime statistics using MPD's Crime Cards here. Toggle the variables at the top of the page to zoom in on your own neighborhood. Don't see a public safety incident covered in this newsletter that you have questions about? Please always feel free to reach out to my office directly anytime by phone (202-724-8028) or email (ward5contact@dccouncil.gov).

From June 19 - August 23, 2026, youth ages 18 and younger have access to no-cost meals at over 100 sites across the city. Click here to learn more. 

DC SUN Bucks provides $120 of grocery benefits to eligible students over the summer when kids aren't getting the meals they usually eat at school. Most students are automatically enrolled, but others need to apply. Check your enrollment and apply here. 

On Monday, June 22 at 11:00 a.m., join District agencies, elected officials, and neighbors for the groundbreaking of the Crummell Community Center in Ivy City. Decades in the making, this is an historic moment you won't want to miss. Learn more and register to attend here. 

The District Waterways Advisory Commission is inviting residents to help shape the future of the District’s waterways. As part of the District Waterways Advisory Plan development process, they are hosting two upcoming Community Workshops— one virtual and one in person— to gather input from DC neighbors. These workshops will give residents the chance to share their vision, priorities, and ideas for how our waterways can be better utilized, more accessible, and safer for all users. Your insights will help guide the development of the plan and ensure it reflects community values and needs. Join for one or both of the following sessions:

• Virtual Community Workshop (RSVP)
  Tuesday, June 23 | 6–7:30 PM
  WebEx

• In‑Person Community Workshop (RSVP)
  Thursday, June 25 | 6–7:30 PM
  Southwest Library - 900 Wesley Pl SW, Washington, DC 20024

Registration is available here. Questions or comments? Feel free to reach out to the Office of District Waterways Management at ODWM@dc.gov

On Thursday, June 25 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., join the Office of Planning for a virtual webinar to review of the draft RFK Campus Master Plan. They will also share how neighbors can provide feedback during the public comment period (which will last for 45 days once opened). Click here to join the webinar. The meeting will be recorded and published here afterward. 

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is required to give written notice of their intent to modify traffic and/or parking requirements to the Council and affected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs) to allow for a public comment period on the modifications. The following Notices of Intent (NOIs) for Ward 5 are open for comment: 

• Closes for comment on June 29: All-Way Stop at Hamilton Street and Rock Creek Church Road NE/Fort Totten Drive NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-158-PSD)
  
  
• Closes for comment on July 6: Revision to the Safety Treatment on Queens Chapel Road NE between Evarts Street and Douglas Street NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-159-MSED)
  
  
• Closes for comment on July 22: Curbside Change to Implement Metrobus Stop Rebalancing - Read and comment here (NOI-26-174-CPD)

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host a virtual public meeting for Phase II of the North Capitol Street Corridor Study, a multimodal transportation study for North Capitol Street NW between Massachusetts Avenue NW and Michigan Avenue NW. Click here to join on Tuesday, June 30 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The purpose of the workshop is for DDOT to re-engage with the community about the project and share concepts for widening sidewalks on North Capitol Street NW. The virtual meeting is an opportunity for community members to share their feedback on the project and their priorities for the corridor. DDOT staff will be available to answer questions and gather comments. For more information, please contact Ted Van Houten, DDOT Project Manager at theodore.vanhouten@dc.gov or (202) 716 - 5302. The project website is https://northcapitolstudy.ddot.dc.gov/.

This week, my team and I attended the Bloomingdale Civic Association, Gateway Civic Association, Hanover Civic Association, and ANC 5B meetings. Here's a brief recap:

• Bloomingdale Civic Association (June 15 at 7:00 p.m.):
  • Residents received updates from Scott Roberts regarding the future of the 1600 North Capitol Street NW site, commonly known as the Joe Mamo Lot. Commissioner Kirby also provided an update on the McMillan Scholarship Program and encouraged neighbors to help spread the word so eligible students in Wards 1 and 5 can apply. Additionally, the association recognized two student awardees of the Bloomingdale Dr. Bertha G. Holliday Scholarship Program and celebrated their academic achievements. 
    
    
• Gateway Civic Association (June 15 at 7:00 p.m.):
  • I joined the Gateway Civic Association's last meeting before their summer recess and recapped the Council’s budget process. I also shared about my position on the Power Nightclub and its impacts on the community. I explained my letter of protest for the establishment's recent ABCA application to neighbors and my choice to include traffic calming measures. Lastly, I answered questions neighbors had about traffic safety and WMATA.  
    
    
• Hanover Civic Association (June 17 at 6:30 p.m.):
  • My team joined the association's meeting to discuss multiple topics including parking enforcement, routine trash collection, and neighborhood safety updates. My team also answered questions about the proper protocol for alerting the city to noise complaints and rodent issues. Finally, association members reflected on their successful Earth Day trash pick-up event and outlined upcoming events for later in the summer.  
    
    
• ANC 5B (June 17 at 7:00 p.m.):
  • Commissioners discussed a proposed public art installation by local artist Charles Burger for the fence in front of Sojourner Truth PCS. They expressed interest in the project but decided to postpone a vote until July to allow additional time for review. The commission also heard a presentation from DC Justice Lab on its work and criminal justice initiatives in the District. Representatives from both MPD's Fourth and Fifth Districts attended the meeting and provided public safety updates. Finally, commissioners voted to support BZA Case 21439, a special exception application for 1908 Irving Street NE, ahead of the Board of Zoning Adjustment hearing scheduled for June 24.

Meetings my team will attend next week: 

• Monday, June 22
  • 7:00 p.m.
    • Edgewood Civic Association
      
      
• Wednesday, June 24
  • 7:00 p.m.
    • ANC 5A
      
      

You can always view the schedule of upcoming ANC and civic association meetings that my team will attend on my website here. Not sure which ANC is yours? Use this tool to look it up. We're here to help, so email us anytime with questions - ward5contact@dccouncil.gov. Have a need, or want to share important information for ANC and civic association meetings? Get in touch with one of our Constituent Services team members:

• 5B & 5E: Oliver Stoute, ostoute@dccouncil.gov
• 5A, 5C, & 5D: Andrianna Lovelace, alovelace@dccouncil.gov
• 5F: Anniyah Brown, abrown@dccouncil.gov

Neferteria Brown is Councilmember Parker's Legislative Director. In this section of the newsletter, she gives updates on the Council's legislative meetings, committee hearings, and information about the legislative process. Have questions? You can reach Neferteria at nbrown@dccouncil.gov.

On Tuesday, June 23, the Council will have its second vote on the budget, specifically the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act of 2026, the Fiscal Year 2027 Federal Portion Budget Request Act of 2026, and the Fiscal Year 2026 Revised Local Budget Emergency Act of 2026. The third and final budget vote will be held on either June 30 or July 14.

You can always access the full Council calendar by clicking here.

This week, the Committee on Youth Affairs continued to work on advancing key youth-centered priorities in the Council’s FY27 budget. As Chair of the Committee on Youth Affairs, Councilmember Parker prioritized opportunities for youth development across the city, supporting children and families in our foster and juvenile justice systems. Following the Council’s second budget vote on Tuesday, June 23, the committee will shift focus to additional oversight hearings and roundtables in the coming months. Stay tuned for more details as these are scheduled. 

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities will be hosting a Creative Community Meet and Greet on Thursday, June 25 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in their gallery and front offices at 200 Eye St SE. This event is open for all creatives who wish to learn more about the agency, connect with other creatives and ask specifc application related questions for those that are in the middle of applying for Fellowship, Field Trip, and Arts Education grants. Learn more here.

Join the Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB), the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and the DC Financial Literacy Council on Saturday, June 27 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the UDC Lamond-Riggs Campus (5171 South Dakota Ave NE) for free financial empowerment information that helps District residents of all ages build generational wealth. Workshop topics include:

• Housing progams and resources
• Financial foundations
• Wealth building through investments
• Business programs and resources

Learn more and register here.

DPR Communal Farms Weekly Veggie Giveaways have started back up at locations across the city. From now until November 25, 2026, stop by the below locations on select days each week to get free, locally grown fruits, veggies, and herbs. For more information, including how to volunteer, email joshua.singer@dc.gov.

• Ward 5: Edgewood Rooftop Farm (301 Franklin St NE)
  • Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Ward 7: Lederer Garden (4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE)
  • Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Ward 1: Powell Communal Farm (3149 16th St NW)
  • Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The High School Internship Program provides work-readiness skills, project-based learning, life skills, leadership development training, and work opportunities for District high school students (grades 9-12), ages 14—21. The goal of the program is to help prepare District youth to successfully transition from high school into postsecondary education, advanced training, unsubsidized employment, or a career in the military. 

• For the youth application for the 2026 - 2027 HSIP Program click here.
• For the host application for the 2026 - 2027 HSIP Program click here.

Learn more about the program and apply by August 1, 2026 here.

Stronghold/Bloomingdale:
Juneteenth Freedom Bike Ride
June 19 - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
@ Reservoir Park (10 Lower Service Ct NW)
Join DPR for a 15K ride to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in celebration of the Juneteenth holiday. Learn more here.

Langdon:
Forest Patch Invasive Removals
June 20 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
@ Langdon Park Forest Patch (2901 20th St NE)
Join DOEE, Casey Trees, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and the Langdon Park Forest Stewards for several weekends of invasive removals to keep the forest patch healthy and thriving.

Lamond-Riggs:
Main Street Jazz Series

June 25 - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
@ Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library (5401 South Dakota Ave NE)
Join District agencies and The Parks Main Street for a jazz series presented by the Greater Washington Urban League at the library! Free and open to the public.

Edgewood:
Lacrosse Jamboree

June 27 - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
@ Edgewood Recreation Center (301 Franklin St NE)
Join DPR for a high-energy lacrosse event packed with scrimmages, msuic, and fun for all-ages. 

L'Enfant Plaza:
Metro Community Appreciation Block Party 

June 26 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
@ Metro HQ (300 7th St SW)
Join Metro as they celebrate the employees, retirees, and community partners who keep the region moving. Featuring food, music, and shuttles to viewing 1000- and 8000-series railcars at the Great American State Fair. Learn more here.

Anacostia:
Jazzy Sundays

July 12 - August 30 - 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
@ 1234 Morion Barry Ave SE
Join District agencies, the Anacostia BID, and DCity Smokehouse on Sundays through the summer for live jazz and good vibes. Learn more and register for free tickets here.

• This DC Housing Complex is So Bad it Might Get a Tax Break (NOTUS)
  
  
• Local Juneteenth Celebration in Lockstep with Other U.S. Cities (Washington Informer)
  
• Potomac, Anacostia Rivers to Close to Boaters for Fourth of July Weekend (WTOP)
  
  
• How DC Lawmakers Avoided Deep Cuts to Child Care and Social Services (WaPo - free to read with this gift link for 14 days)

As always, I invite you to use this form to provide feedback on how we're doing. We'd love to hear from you anytime. 

Yours in service and community, 

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