Special to East of the River
Who would have thought that more than 30 years after the largest open-spaced facility in the District of Columbia Public Schools was constructed a tuition-free accredited university would occupy a portion of it?

Since 2005, the University of the District of Columbia at the behest of DC Councilmember Marion S. Barry (D-Ward 8) opened its doors to residents from all over the city, particularly southeast, to attend an extension of the university for free.

The Marion Barry Professional Learning Community, housed in the basement at Patricia R. Harris Educational Center, has successfully drawn adults who want to acquire skills for work.

“Mayor Williams and now Mayor Fenty and I are working collaboratively together to provide a community college type of education for some of the residents of Ward 8 that is tuition free and have a positive effect on their lives,” says Barry.

With more than 600 students enrolled this year, the center has also formed a strong collaborative with the mayor, DC Council and several District agencies involved with child-rearing to employment services. According to the center’s administration, approximately 1,950 students have taken courses at the center since it opened.

“I want to better myself,” says 57-year-old Patrick Ann Boyd tearfully. “I have a criminal background. Marion Barry’s program offers a real chance for ex-offenders.”

The center offers a combination of workforce development and academic courses including:

• English composition I and II
• English fundamentals
• Reading improvement
• Basic Math
• Introductory Algebra
• College Math I and II
• Spanish I and II
• Sociology
• Psychology
• US History
• Criminal Justice
• Public Speaking

“What struck my intellect is the criminal justice program. I was in school for criminal justice when I became disabled from a serious car accident. The program allows me to pace myself at my own level. My self esteem has been lifted now that I am back in school,” says India Fuller, 26.

The center also offers courses for certified nursing assistants, child care certification, medical office assistants, medical assistants, home health aides, medical coding and introduction to computers.

Yvonne Parker has been concerned that the extension is an attempt by the council and mayor to close the university’s prestigious Northwest site. “Developers are looking for land grabs in upper Northwest. Considering the enormous amounts of funding developers and real estate investors have contributed to our elected official’s campaigns, any move to reduce the number from Southeast attending the university’s Northwest campus is suspect,” says Parker.

However, university officials say the extension allows the university to fulfill its total mission. “We are able to reach out to others who have not attended in the past to offer workforce skills training to gain new skills,” says Michael Andrews, spokesperson for the University of the District of Columbia. “It will not replace the traditional university to obtain undergraduate or graduate degrees.”

Hundreds of students attended the summer school orientation at the center on May 14. As the participants walked around the facility touring the different classroom, many shared their stories about their plights.

“I wanted a career change. I was impressed with the free classes,” said Gertrude Pete, 44, a taxicab driver.

The center includes a program where students enrolled in the university courses are hired to work as hall monitors during regular school hours as an “augmentation” to the security provided by a private security

It has been noted by the city planners that the District has approximately 92 construction projects from 2007 to 2015. The construction boom has also prompted the center to expand its efforts this fall to include industrial trades, apprenticeship programs, as well as other courses like cosmetology and barbering.

DeBorah Jonson, director, remembered when the program started in two classrooms at Ballou Senior High School. “The word is really getting out there. Now I feel like Dr. King when he stepped off the train for the March on Washington and said they came, they really came,” says Johnson.

If you are a DC resident and would like more information about the Marion Barry Professional Learning Community or would like to enroll, call 202-645-3495.

Permanent Anacostia Library Planning Moves Forward
by Gabriel Pacyniak

DC Public Library Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper led a crowd of about 30 residents through a “vision session” on May 17 at the Anacostia Interim Library, where residents indicated that literacy programming and computer services were a priority for the permanent Anacostia Library, scheduled to begin construction next summer.

“I thought this was a very good session,” said Patricia Jones, president of the friends of the Anacostia Branch Library, but she stressed that the most important development was that the project was finally moving forward. “This has been a very long time coming.”

The Anacostia Library was closed in December 2004 along with Benning and two other libraries, all of which were to be rebuilt. But the renovation contracts were cancelled when the library system adopted a new system-wide facilities plan. The promised interim library building, where last month’s meeting was held, did not open until two months ago even though funding was approved in July 2005.

Residents were happy to be moving forward, however. Cooper walked participants through a list of ways libraries could be used, ranging from “lifelong learning” and providing civic information to local history and cultural awareness. Residents were invited to place dots on large boards indicating their priorities.

Literacy and education services were clear winners, with many expressing the need for programming that promoted reading for young children, helped school children with homework and provided literacy education for older youth and adults.

“There is a need, there is no question about it. That is why we need these libraries open and providing services to everyone,” said Advisory Neighborhood Commisioner 8A04 LaTesha Hudson.

Residents also stressed the importance of providing computers and internet access, as well as training for how to use online resources. The popularity of the computers was obvious, as children and adults packed the interim library’s 24 computers even while the meeting was taking place, playing educational games or surfing the Internet. 

Other uses repeatedly valued by residents were resources for job training and making the library a physically comfortable and safe space.

Cooper, who was appointed chief librarian last year, said that the information would be used to decide what kind of programming the library should offer, as well as to help provide design specifications for the physical building. “Basically we want to know what you think is the most important role of the library in your community,” she said.

One resident asked whether the library staff had the capability to implement technical services like literacy training.

“We are getting there. That is where we are going to be,” responded Cooper, who pointed out that some libraries already provide services such as English-language learning programs.

The chief librarian also asked what residents thought about having a café in a library. “I understand that it is a controversial issue,” said Cooper, “because some people don’t like the idea of using public space for shopping, but I know other people think it is a really nice thing to have.” Many of the residents seemed to think that an on-site cafe, or a cafe with a separate entrance, could be a good use.

The meeting did not deal with the physical design of the new library, although meetings will be held later this summer, after an architect is chosen, to gather community input about the design aspects. According to the current timetable, demolition of the existing building will be completed by late July, the design phase will begin in the fall, and the permanent building will be completed in early 2010.

While that may seem like a long time to wait, residents were happy that the interim library would finally be there to serve them in the meantime. “To be honest, it is nicer than the old library,” said one parent, looking around at the new books, computers and magazines. 

Interim Senior Librarian Felecia Jackson said that the interim library has been packed since opening. “We have 40, 50 kids in the library after school,” she said. “On weekends, they are waiting at the door.”

To find out more about the Anacostia Library Renovation, call 202-727-0321, or visit www.dclibrary.org.

Main Street Anacostia Begins Historic Tours
by Gabriel Pacyniak

“What are you all here for? Work trip?” asked a curious bystander on Martin Luther King Avenue, unsure of what to make of the small group following local historian Kalem Umrani in downtown Anacostia on a Saturday morning. 

Main Streets Anacostia Executive Director Yavocka D. Young quickly corrected the impression – this was the first installment of the Historic Anacostia Guided Walking Tour.

“One thing that people don’t realize is that the Anacostia neighborhood was once freedman’s village. It was really like a self-sufficient hamlet,” Umrani explained to the first tour-takers, before launching into the story of the woman who lived on top of Anacostia’s Big Chair for 42 days.  

Starting from the Anacostia Metro station, the new monthly tour visits such notable sites as the Bethlehem Baptist Church, Rosie’s Row, Frederick Douglass’s home, the Old Carver Theater and of course, the Big Chair.

“There is a lot of history here, and I think that most people in Washington really just don’t know Anacostia,” said Young. She hopes that the tour will give a boost to local businesses and eventually bring in some revenue.

“With growing interest in ... Anacostia, Main Street Anacostia believes now is the perfect time to promote the neighborhood’s rich history in a way that contributes to the development of Anacostia’s commercial interests,” said Main Street Anacostia Chair Michele Ward in a statement.

Anacostia High School students conducted initial research about properties on the tour, and local historians Dianne Dale and Marya McQuirter finalized the information and created the tour route. Umrani, who has led a history project at Barry Farms, is currently in training to gain his Washington, DC, tourist guide license.

For now the monthly tour is free, but Young says that Main Streets hopes to charge for the tour once Umrani completes his certification. “We want it to be one way to generate revenue for the Main Street program,” she said.

The tour is held on the third Saturday of the month at 10 a.m,, with the next tour taking place on June 16. For more information visit www.mainstreetanacostia.org or call 202-889-5090.

Ward 8 Dems Stress Unity on 25th Anniversary
by Gabriel Pacyniak

Ward 8 politics has always been a contact sport, which is what made the Ward 8 Democrats “Silver Anniversary Prayer Brunch” so remarkable – and entertaining. The May 19 brunch honored school board members and councilmembers from the ward, and former opponents joked and praised each other in celebration of the organization’s 25 year anniversary.

“One of the things about democracy is that you sometimes have to make tough choices,” said Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry as he was presenting an award to former Ward 8 Councilmember Sandy Allen. Allen was at one time Barry’s staunchest supporter, but the former mayor ran against, and beat, his friend in the 2004 election.

“But thankfully,” added Barry, “Sandy and I are still dear, dear, dear friends.”

To which Allen sighed – or maybe groaned – as she nodded in agreement.

Barry then got his own award, presented to him by ex-wife Cora Masters Barry, who reminded her former husband that she “can still manage him. Sometimes.”

But there were many poignant moments during the interfaith ceremony as well, such as when former school board member Linda Moody was recognized for her service. Moody, who raised 34 foster children and was a tireless schools activist, has been partially disabled because of a stroke.

“She was just an amazing woman ... one who always wanted give more of herself for the community and the less fortunate,” said presenter Eugene Kinlow.

“She spent so much of herself, she neglected to take care of herself,” acknowledged Moody’s son Duane Moody, who then appealed to her friends in the room. “Call her, tell her how you are. Say ‘Hi.’”

The other current and former school board members honored at the breakfast were James E. Coates, Eugene Kinlow, Tonya Vidal Kinlow, R. Calvin Lockridge and William Lockridge.

The Dems also honored Councilmembers Eydie Whittington, Arrington Dixon and posthumously, Wilhelmina Rolark. Wanda Lockridge, chair of the DC Democratic State Committee, was also recognized.

For a finale, current Ward 8 Democrats President Philip Pannell presented an award to the founder of the Ward 8 Democrats, Percy Battle.

Pannell recounted how when he first moved to the ward, the politics in the ward was “energetic.”

“There was the Rolark camp and there was the Lockridge camp. These were the days before cable ... and it was best entertainment in town,” remembered Pannell, who went on to praise Battle for ability to build an organization in such an environment through diplomacy, leadership and vision. 

Battle shared the honor with the roomful of Ward 8 Democrats. “Don’t just try to build on what Percy Battle did, build on what all of these people out here are doing,” he said. “Keep on Keepin’ On.”