May Newsletter
2024 Primary Election – Make a Plan to Vote!
The Primary Election is here! Early voting is going on now, and the primary election day is coming up on May 14th! When all voters cast their vote in a primary election, it helps ensure that the candidates in the general election are more representative of the people. Early voting lasts until this Thursday, May 9, and you can register to vote and vote on the same day. Find your Anne Arundel County voting information HERE and learn more about primary elections HERE.
6th Annual Parren J. Mitchell Dinner
I was absolutely honored to perform Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” at the 6th Annual Parren J. Mitchell dinner. Congressman Parren J. Mitchell was the first African American elected to Congress to represent the state of Maryland, and attendees had a wonderful time celebrating his life and legacy. To learn more about Congressman Parren J. Mitchell, click HERE.
During this special evening, we also recognized Congressman John Sarbanes' years of service and heard from keynote speaker Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman. We celebrated with two Anne Arundel County Public School seniors who received the annual Parren J. Mitchell scholarship awards. Congratulations to Mathea T. Abriara of Meade High School and Tobias Griffin of Old Mill High School!
The Divine 9 at the Annapolis MLK Parade
The Divine Nine refers to a collection of nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). This group holds a significant role in Black American history and culture and boasts nearly 4 million members. For many Black students, these organizations are more than just classmates-they are community and family. Members go on to selflessly serve their communities in many ways, and I am proud to be part of this family. On April 13th, we enjoyed being part of the festivities at the Annapolis Martin Luther King Jr. Parade!
AANHPI Heritage Month
Each May, we commemorate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, honoring the lasting impact of generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders on American history, society, and culture. The 2024 National AANHPI Heritage Month theme is "Advancing Leaders Through Innovation," which celebrates the visionary individuals who have shaped history and continue to influence the future. The Anne Arundel County Public Library hosts many fun events to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month. Click HERE for more information.
North County High School Improvements
I gathered with Anne Arundel County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell, Senator Pam Beidle, Delegate Mark Chang, County Executive Steuart Pittman, Board of Education President Robert Silkworth, Principal Sara Thomas, and Athletic Director Ryan Aleardi on April 24th to celebrate the completion of more than $4 million in improvements to the North County High School campus. Through state funding, the school now has a second turf field and a new field house for its athletic teams.
Collaboration is Key
When state and county organizations work collaboratively, we have a much better chance of addressing issues in our area and finding effective solutions. In early April, Secretary Jake Day from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) visited Anne Arundel County as part of a state-wide tour to understand the unique needs of various Maryland communities. County Executive Steuart Pittman, Councilmembers Allison Pickard, Julie Hummer, Lisa Rodvien, and I joined local leaders to accompany Secretary Day on a tour of our communities. Following the tour, we had a productive roundtable discussion on housing issues specific to Anne Arundel County.
