Moore To County Business Leaders: ‘We Have To Make It Work For Everyone’

Moore Addresses Business Community In Prince George’s Saying County And State On Growth Track But Should Leave No One Behind

By Raoul Dennis // PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICIA ADAMS

It was just days before the Maryland primary election when Democratic candidate for governor of Maryland Wes Moore shared remarks with the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable. The group is a non-profit, nonpartisan business alliance of chief executives, formed to improve address political, economic and community environments for the county.  The nearly 20-year-old organization hosts over two dozen A-List businesses, corporations, real estate executives, faith organizations, and first response managers.         

Moore was just a couple of points ahead of his nearest rivals in the race  – former Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez – as he came to the microphone July 13 to address the group of notables.

GPGBR President and CEO M.H. Jim Estepp introduced Moore.

“I've heard a lot about him,” Estepp said. “He served in the 82nd Airborne, one of the elite units of the U.S. military. He was born in Takoma Park, is a best-selling author. He headed one of the largest, most active, philanthropic, nonprofit organizations in the country. He is a small business entrepreneur, if you will, and has an incredible background. We need to know more about you, Wes, and it's great that you can join us.”

The candidate discussed his position on a range of issues from education to housing, health care, and broadband.

 “We're excited about this moment,” Moore began. “This is going to be our time. This is the time that this state is going to win. I know that in order to do that, it's got to be collective. I know in order to do that, it means that we have to ensure that everybody has a chance to win,” he said.

A portion of Moore’s message included levelling the playing field even as the county and the state are racing toward greatness.

“We also know that  there's still people who live down the street from these [newly opened] medical institutions who still can't afford basic care, or people who live miles away who do not have transportation that can actually get them to the institution. We know that Prince George's County is the county that in so many ways epitomizes what is so right about our state. Yet, at the same time, the State of Maryland will incarcerate more African American young boys between the ages of 18 and 25 than anywhere else in the country. Number two is Mississippi. I am running for governor because I know that we can compete and win, but it means we have to do it equitably.”

Listen to Moore’s remarks, click “Wes Moore Speaks To Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable,” (above).