Thanks to everyone who helped Mom celebrate her 91st birthday and proclamation. As Mom would say, let's get back to work!

We need your help to preserve Black Broadway and begin true racial, and economic equity in the District of Columbia. To do this, we must first reject former Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio's 2nd RFP, which was biased and flawed to accommodate corporate developers. Shockingly, statistics show that such biased development approaches have failed to address the persistent issues in our community. We are asking the city council not to approve any land disposition agreements and require Mayor Bowser to issue a new RFP for the Frank Reeves Center.

Reducing crime and violence in the district requires all of us to work together to rebuild a permanent underclass that has grown over decades. Recent data indicates that the tough-on-crime approach, as exemplified during the Nixon, Reagan, or Three Strikes Clinton era, has yielded disappointing results. In fact, statistics on placing juveniles in adult criminal institutions have shown that this strategy leads to the worst outcomes for young offenders. Even police officials will be the first to tell you that you cannot arrest your way to a city of tranquility and warmth. White residents, now more than ever, understand the importance of adopting a more effective approach to crime reduction. Our teachers are concerned for their safety, and rightfully so.

While I applaud the city’s efforts to reform our criminal code, it's crucial to acknowledge that continuing to give away city property to corporate developers is a step in the wrong direction. Let's prioritize evidence-based strategies that truly benefit our community's well-being and future prosperity.

Friends of the Frank Reeves Center Board of Directors: friendsofthefrankreevescenter@gmail.com