The Ward 5 Wave

Celebrating Black History Month: Sia Barbara Kamara Feb 21, 2025

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker continues the Black History Month series with a conversation with Sia Barbara Kamara — a civil rights activist, early childhood education leader, and Riggs Park neighbor. She shares her many stories of participating in the civil rights movement with SNCC (the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), influencing early childhood education across the country and around the world working for President Jimmy Carter, and her continued efforts to be a force for good through serving DC residents. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares highlights from this week’s edition of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Celebrating Black History Month: Jeannette Mobley Feb 14, 2025

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker sits down with longtime Brookland resident, Jeannette Mobley, as the Black History Month series of episodes continues. Jeannette shares about her upbringing, life in DC, and many stories in community organizing in both local- and national-level politics. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares highlights from this week’s edition of the Ward 5 Weekly newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Celebrating Black History Month: Wade Henderson Feb 07, 2025

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker kicks off a Black History Month series of episodes with Ward 5 neighbors. This week’s episode features Wade Henderson, a lifelong Bloomingdale resident and civil rights lawyer. Tune in to hear Wade’s experiences from the March on Washington (1963), to assisting with the confirmations of Supreme Court justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, and more. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage closes the episode by sharing some highlights from this week’s Ward 5 Weekly newsletter, available at ward5.us/news. Subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Tragedy at DCA, Improved NAEP Scores for DC Students, and More… Jan 31, 2025

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Ward 5 State Board of Education Representative Robert Henderson connect over the tragic plan crash at DCA that occurred Wednesday, January 29, 2025. They also discuss recent National Assessment for Educational Progress scores for DC students showing significant growth. Representative Henderson welcomes thoughts and feedback at robert.henderson@dc.gov. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage gives an overview of highlights in this week’s edition of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Oversight, Federal Gov’t Changes, Commanders, RFK Stadium, and More… Jan 24, 2025

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker sits down with At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson for a chat covering everything from performance oversight on the Council, to changes at the federal government level, to the Commanders and opportunities at the RFK Stadium site, to Beyoncé and more. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage gives an overview of items covered in this week’s Ward 5 Weekly newsletter. Read the latest edition now at ward5.us/news, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

MLK Day, Inauguration, New Staff, and Upcoming Ward 5 Events Jan 17, 2025

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage kick off Season 2 of the Ward 5 Wave with updates on snow removal, reflections on the legacy of Rev. Dr. King ahead of the MLK holiday, closures to be aware of for the Presidential Inauguration, new staff members joining the Ward 5 Council Office, and a number of events to look forward to including the Ward 5 Awards on February 11 and the Ward 5 Budget Forum on February 25. Read the latest Ward 5 Weekly newsletter at ward5.us/news, and subscribe to get it straight to your inbox on Friday evenings at ward5.us/newsletter.

Season 1 Finale: How are the kids, really? Dec 20, 2024

DC Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage bring holiday greetings and share lots of important news from the Council including new committee assignments, reflections on Council Period 25, what’s coming in the new year, and more. Read the latest Ward 5 Weekly newsletter at ward5.us/news, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter. Want to help shape Season 2 of this podcast? Email us your ideas at ward5contact@dccouncil.gov!

Happy Thanksgiving! And November Updates Nov 26, 2024

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage reflect on the 2024 General Election, the past month of work on the Subcommittee on Libraries and Youth Affairs, the 2024 Holiday Turkey Giveaway, and what’s coming up in the Ward 5 Council Office. Read the latest Ward 5 Weekly newsletter at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Tackling Challenges Together: DC Farm Tour, Council Updates, and More Oct 18, 2024

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage catch up on recent Council hearings, legislative meetings, and more. The Councilmember leads a tour for officials from around the region of DC farms and urban agriculture initiatives, with soundbites from Gail Taylor at Three Part Harmony Farm in Ward 5, Jaren Hill-Lockridge at Dreaming Out Loud’s Marion Barry Avenue Market in Ward 8, and more. Read the latest Ward 5 Weekly newsletter at ward5.us/news, and subscribe to get the newsletter straight to your inbox every Friday evening at ward5.us/newsletter.

Legislative Meeting Recap, Great Libraries, and UNCF Guests Oct 04, 2024

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage share updates from the DC Council’s October 1 Legislative Meeting, CM Parker’s meetings with directors of DC Public Library and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, and special guests from the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Khary Armster and Mary Williams, join to talk about exciting scholarship opportunities for high school and college students. Read the latest Ward 5 Weekly newsletter at ward5.us/news and subscribe to get the newsletter straight to your inbox every week at ward5.us/newsletter.

Lots of Events and the End of Council Recess Sep 13, 2024

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage talk about Ward 5 Week, September 16-21, Ward 5 Day, September 22, and what neighbors can expect with the end of Council Recess next week. You can read the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter at ward5.us/news and subscribe to get the newsletter straight to your inbox every week at ward5.us/newsletter.

Gun Trafficking Lawsuits (and…Getting Ready for Ward 5 Day!) Sep 06, 2024

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage give the latest updates on Ward 5 Day, free tickets to an upcoming Nationals baseball game, and more. Deputy Chief of Staff Conor Shaw joins to discuss DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s lawsuit against gun stores in Montgomery County, MD and gun legislation introduced by Councilmember Parker last year. Read the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter at ward5.us/news, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Thank a Union! Plus Updates and Trinidad Day Recap Aug 30, 2024

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage share details about the upcoming Ward 5 Day event on September 22, along with a celebration of Labor Day and unions. Melissa also sits down for a chat with ANC 5D Chair, Salvador Sauceda-Guzman, and Constituent Services Coordinator, Oliver Stoute, to talk about Trinidad Day and constituent services in the area. Read the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

A Looming Crisis: Rental Housing in the District Aug 16, 2024

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage chat about a recent report detailing an impending crisis in the District’s rental housing market. Longtime Ward 5 neighbor, lawyer, and landlord Raenelle Zapata chats about her up-close-and-personal experiences with the pressures of DC’s rental housing market. More news and updates about back-to-school events are shared. Read the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter at ward5.us/news, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Remembering Joe Bowser, and Saying Thank You to Summer Intern, Faith Hutson Aug 09, 2024

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage reflect on the passing of Joseph L. Bowser. They also share updates on the South Dakota Ave Safety Study, DPR’s Ward 5 Construction Updates, and more from this week’s newsletter. Ward 5 Council Office Summer Intern, Faith Hutson, shares about her internship experience and what she worked on for the office this summer including benefits cliffs and supporting maternal health. You can read the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter at ward5.us/news, and subscribe to get the newsletter straight to your inbox every Friday evening at ward5.us/newsletter.

Getting Ready for Back-to-School Aug 02, 2024

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage share the latest Ward 5 news. DC State Board of Education Representative for Ward 5, Robert Henderson, joins to share information about the Ward 5 Education Equity Committee’s upcoming backpack and school supplies giveaway on August 24. Read the latest Ward 5 Weekly newsletter at ward5.us/news, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Shifting Our Economic Strategy: Co-ops Jul 19, 2024

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage share the latest Ward 5 news and feature new legislation on cooperative economics (OWNERS Amendment Act of 2024). Constituent Services Coordinator Sam Bonar, and Charnal Chaney, owner of BOLD Yoga, chat with Councilmember Parker about the legislation and DC’s rich history of worker-owned cooperatives. Read the latest edition of the Ward 5 Weekly newsletter at ward5.us/news, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Eminent Domain and Council Recess Jul 12, 2024

Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage share the latest updates from the Ward 5 Council Office, including new eminent domain legislation in Ivy City, the start of Council recess on July 15, a reflection on the Jesse Mitchell Way street designation ceremony, and more. Read the latest Ward 5 news at ward5.us/news, and subscribe to get it straight to your inbox each week at ward5.us/newsletter.

Bus on First St NW, South Dakota Safety Study, Rental Assistance, and More Jun 28, 2024

Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage sit down to talk about all the latest happenings in the Ward 5 Council Office, including the street designation ceremony for Dorothy Celeste Boulding Ferebee Way in Bloomingdale, a proposed bus on 1st St NW from WMATA, updates on the South Dakota Safety Study, the re-opening of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program application portal, and more. Read the latest Ward 5 news at ward5.us/news, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Budget Wins, South Dakota Ave, and Pride May 31, 2024

Councilmember Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage give updates from the Council’s first vote on the FY25 budget, along with information about DDOT’s South Dakota Corridor Safety Study, and an invitation to join for the Capital Pride Parade on June 8. Read the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter at ward5.us/news, and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Brown vs. Board Anniversary, Budget Work, and Bike to Work Day May 17, 2024

Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage share updates on the Council’s budget work session, the 70th Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education, and more. Brooke Bernold of Ward 5 Family Biking and Lauren Marcinkowski of the Mundo Verde Bici Bus join to talk about Bike to Work Day and accessibility across Ward 5 and the city. Read the newsletter at ward5.us/news and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Budget, Buses, and Bears May 10, 2024

Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage share updates on committee markups on the FY2025 budget, WMATA’s proposed 2025 bus network, and more. At-Large Councilmember Robert White joins for a conversation about the Committee on Housing’s budget markup wins. Read the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter at ward5.us/news and subscribe to get it in your inbox each week at ward5.us/newsletter.

Advocating for DC’s LGBTQ+ Community May 03, 2024

Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage share the latest Ward 5 updates and Council activities. Councilmember Parker also hosts ANC Rainbow Caucus Chair, Vincent Slatt, and DC LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition Coordinator, Heidi Ellis, for a conversation about calls for changes to the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs and new investments in DC’s LGBTQ+ community. Read the latest Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter at ward5.us/news and subscribe to get it straight to your inbox each week at ward5.us/newsletter.

Budget Conversation with Chairman Mendelson Apr 26, 2024

Councilmember Parker sits down for a chat with Chariman Mendelson about recent shifts in the conversation about the FY2025 budget. Communications Director Melissa Littlepage shares updates from the latest edition of the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter. Read and subscribe at ward5.us/newsletter.

Fighting for Ward 5: Budget Oversight and Public Safety Apr 12, 2024

Join Councilmember Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage for a conversation about public safety incidents in Ward 5, updates from budget oversight with District agencies, a chat with special guest Kimberly Kennedy, and more.

Tragedy in Brookland, Budget Reflections, and Honoring Edna Brown Coleman Apr 05, 2024

Councilmember Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage sit down to talk about the tragedy at the Brookland Metro Station on Thursday, April 4, updates about the Mayor’s proposed FY25 budget, and reflect on the street designation ceremony for Edna Brown Coleman Way in Trinidad.

Monumental News Inside Mar 29, 2024

Beyoncé’s new album. Caps and Wizards staying in DC. New legislation on absenteeism and truancy. Budget oversight preview. And more! Tune in to hear the latest Ward 5 news from Councilmember Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage.

Budget Drama and New Legislation Mar 22, 2024

Councilmember Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage share updates from the Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter including the latest on delays in the District’s budget process and new legislation tackling chronic absenteeism and truancy. Contact the office any time with questions and feedback: ward5contact@dccouncil.gov, 202-724-8028.

Trailer: Introducing The Ward 5 Wave Mar 06, 2024

Councilmember Zachary Parker and Communications Director Melissa Littlepage introduce a new podcast for the Ward 5 Council Office: The Ward 5 Wave.

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