New Apprenticeship, Business Mentorship Programs Launched
Employ Prince George’s announced on June 11 that it is planning to partner with local businesses, both big and small, including Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Heritage Care Inc., to provide apprenticeship opportunities for Prince Georgians. Each business that hires a Prince George’s County resident as an apprentice can receive up to $5,000 from an Employ Prince George’s incentive grant.
“Apprenticeships are a great tool to support businesses interested in creating employment opportunities while also creating earn and learn opportunities for job seekers looking to launch their careers while earning a livable wage doing so,” said Employ Prince George’s President and CEO Walter Simmons in a press release announcing the new apprenticeship opportunities. “Partnering with a large and influential employer such as WMATA should help attract other employers to join the apprenticeship community.”
The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation launched a mentorship program called Grow Prince George’s to help small businesses get to the next level of success.
“This is actually an umbrella of a program to help our small businesses and minority business community with development: how to do a website, HR, manage your taxes, and leadership development,” said David Ianucci, president and CEO of the organization, during an interview.
Some of the other sessions they host include an AI training and teaching the benefits of franchising national brands.
“It’s been a successful program and we’re happy to celebrate it,” Ianucci explained.
Employers interested in creating apprenticeship programs or hiring apprentices can connect via email at AIP@employPG.org. Job seekers seeking training or employment opportunities through registered apprenticeships may also contact AIP@employPG.org or visit a Prince George’s County American Job Center.”
North Brentwood Celebrates a Century, Mourns Death of Longtime Mayor
North Brentwood, a town founded with an all-Black population in 1924, just celebrated the town’s 100th anniversary on June 12.
North Brentwood was originally built on plots of land that Black veterans of the Civil War purchased from their commander, Captain Wallace Bartlett, starting in 1887. The town grew over the following decades and in April of 1924, a bill passed the Maryland General Assembly to incorporate the town. When founded, North Brentwood had no white voters and 100 years later, the small town of 600 remains majority-Black.
“We celebrate every year because we have a deep, rich history here: first with African Americans who settled here, and what we have today is a livable community,” said North Brentwood Mayor Petrella Robinson in an interview with WTOP. “So we celebrate our ancestors. We celebrate 100 years of incorporation.” Robinson has served as Mayor since 2007.
North Brentwood was an entertainment destination during the era of segregation, as Sis’ Tavern often hosted jazz musicians who visited the town after leaving D.C. Duke Ellington and Pearl Bailey were two musicians who made stops in North Brentwood.
Despite celebration, many mourned the passing of longtime Mayor Lillian Kelsey Beverly, who died at the age of 95 on the morning of June 12.
On June 28, the First Baptist Church of North Brentwood will host a 10 a.m. viewing and an 11 a.m. service for the community to honor
“During her tenure, Mayor Beverly championed numerous initiatives to preserve the history and promote the beauty of this historically Black enclave nestled between two major cities,” Councilmember Evan Dame wrote in a statement. “She was a friend, mentor, and confidant to many of us. Her unwavering tenacity and invaluable wisdom touched the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.”
We have previously covered North Brentwood; read more here and here.
Curbside Scrap Metal and Electronics Pickup Introduced, Bulky Trash Pickup Expanded
Prince George’s residents will now have additional waste collection services available to pick up curbside trash beginning on July 1. Now, four items can be picked up for curbside bulk trash pickup and monthly appointments for electronics and scrap pickup can be scheduled on the third Monday of every month and will begin July 15.
“We are excited to introduce these new Clear the Curb collection services demonstrating our continued commitment to providing value-added services to residents receiving County-contracted trash and recycling collection,” said Department of the Environment Director Andrea Crooms. “These long-term investments help reduce waste, increase recycling, protect our environment, and maintain a cleaner and greener county.”
For more information on these services, go to mypgc.us/clearthecurb or contact PGC311.
Nakia Wright Publishes First Book
Nakia Wright, first lady of The Gathering at Forestville and special assistant to Maryland State Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, recently published her first book, “The Promise Is Still Intact,” based on her experience of running for political office and, in spite of the outcome, choosing to remain focused and involved.
“I aimed to place solutions in the world to remind people that, no matter how things appear or what seems lost, the promise remains intact. Through my book I wanted to be living proof that goals do not have to change, just the way you get there,” she said in an interview with The Informer. “The format is 21 days of me talking to myself and letting you listen: the conversations I had in victory, defeat, disappointment, and joy. My goal is to remind people that just because life does not go as planned, it does not mean it is over. Keep going. This literary work is a tool to help you persevere.”
She plans for this book to be part of a series, with the next books ideally focusing on business and entrepreneurship, marriage, raising children, and recovery.
For more information or to purchase the book, go to amazon.com.