A Street Named For A Man Of The People

‘Douglas Edwards Place’ Unveiled In Honor Of Mission Of Love Charities Founder

Story and Photography By Raoul Dennis

“It stops here at my desk,” said Council Member Krystal Oriadha (D-Dist. 7) of the years of bureaucratic bottlenecking that blocked the recognition honoring Dr. Douglas Edwards.

Edwards is best known for his work as founder and former president and CEO and passionate patriarch of the Mission of Love Charities, a nonprofit community service and support foundation providing food, resources and shelter to those facing homelessness and other challenges.

“I made it clear that we would get this done on my watch,” Oriadha said.

Residents, elected and community leaders and members of the Mission of Love Charities community gathered Oct. 30 at the long awaited unveiling of Douglas Edwards Place. It is on the corner of Yeoman Place (Douglas Edwards Place) and Old Central Avenue. The location is directly opposite Mission of Love Charities at 6180 Old Central Ave. in Capitol Heights.

Council Member Oriadha Honored Mission of Love Charities’ Dr. Douglas E. Edwards in the Street Sign Naming Ceremony.

Ceremony honors Dr. Edwards’ dedication and ongoing efforts to enhancing the quality of life in Capital Heights and in neighboring communities.

Each in turn, prominent leaders spoke of Edwards’ David-Vs-Goliath like struggle to launch, maintain and grow the institution and the services it provided to some 20,000 clients over its 32-year history.

State Senator C. Anthony Muse, County Council Chair Jolene Ivey, Senator Joanne Benson, Maryland education and community activist Belinda Queen, former County Councilmember Sam Dean and former Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Chair Betty Hewlett were among the notable speakers.

“We are honored to shine light on the accomplishments of Dr. Edwards and his many achievements that inspired others in the community,” said Council Member Oriadha. “His attributes have been nothing less than admirable and we want to memorialize his efforts to inspire future generations.”

Dr. Edwards held positions at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Department of Labor. After thirty-two years of dedicated service, he retired from the federal government in 1992. He made a commitment to God that if he reached the age of 55 with at least 30 years of service, he would devote himself entirely to ministry. When Prince George’s County Executive Parris Glendening learned of Dr. Edwards' desire to operate a nonprofit, he generously provided space at the Shepherd's Cove Shelter for Women and Children, where Dr. Edwards established Mission of Love Charities on August 1, 1992. The following year he founded the Mission of Love Outreach Ministries.

Full story to come November 8.