Tempestuous Elements director Psalmayene 24. Courtesy Scott Suchman By Southwester Staff The life of Anna Julia Cooper, spanning over a century from 1858, when she was born into slavery in Raleigh, North Carolina to her death in 1964 in Washington DC, is one filled with dramatic moments. Tempestuous Elements, opening February […]
SWNA Emergency Preparedness Task Force Seeks Volunteers
Neighbors interested in serving as a Vice-Chair of the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly Emergency Preparedness Task Force, known as “Southwest Strong!” please contact Ben Curran at benimon at hotmail.com The term would be for one year with the option to extend longer. Southwest Strong! works with other organizations to promote disaster […]
Community Raises Funds for Family of Mother Killed in December Shooting
The Harris family. Courtesy of GoFundMe By Southwester Staff On December 21, 2023, a drive-by shooting outside the Friendly Food Market on Half Street SW and O Street SW killed two people, including local resident Patricia Harris. Harris’ three children, ages 14, 8 and 4, attended neighborhood schools, including Van Ness […]
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi Visits Jefferson Middle School Academy
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Jidé George, Sanaa Wilson, and Kimberly-Celeste “K.C.” Boyd. Courtesy of the Author. By Matthew Koehler In January, Jefferson Middle School Academy welcomed guest author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Kendi’s new book, Barracoon: Adapted for Young Readers, tells the story of Oluale Kossola, who was a survivor of […]
DC Black History Celebration Committee Kicks Off Program in Southwest
By Vyllorya Evans The DC Black History Celebration Committee (DCBHCC) will mark Black History Month 2024 with the theme Black Artist as Activist. The public is invited to join the kickoff event on Saturday, February 3 at 11:00 a.m. at Westminster Church, 400 I Street SW. The keynote speaker for […]
Where Are They Now: Southwest Neighborhood Assembly’s Education and and Scholarship Task Force Catches Up with Multi-Year Winner Sergio Rozelle
by Wilma Goldstein The Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) Education and Scholarship Task Force (ESTF) has supported young people in the Southwest DC community for more than 45 years. All together, more than 530 scholarships totaling $444,000 have been awarded to 230 young people who have gone on to great educational, […]
Young Readers: Put Those Gift Cards to Good Use
By Kitty Felde It’s likely that among your children’s holiday gifts this year, there were more than a few gift cards. Left to their own devices, kids will head straight to the electronics store. But if there’s flexibility in what kids can spend their gift card money on, take them […]