Sworn In
Aisha N. Braveboy Becomes Ninth County Executive Of Prince George’s County
By Hamil R. Harris
The alumni center at the University of Maryland was filled with the state's top elected and municipal leaders who witnessed the inauguration of Aisha Braveboy as the new Prince George’s County Executive.
The Juneteenth federal holiday was the perfect occasion to hold the event as Wes Moore, and Angela Alsobrooks, Maryland’s first African American Governor and first US Senator respectively, joined other lawmakers at the event.
Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Daneeka V. Cotton swore-in Braveboy who was flanked by her parents, friends and her sisters from the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.
“I know that our best days are absolutely ahead, and we are unified,” said Braveboy during her address. “I will be open. I will be transparent and I will be open to good ideas and I look forward to leading.”
In a county where politicians thrive by the coalitions they build, Braveboy is the leader of a new generation of politicians that include Governor Moore, County Council Chairman Edward Burroughs and States Attorney Tara H. Jackson.
Former Channel 4 Anchor Pat Lawson Muse served as the Master of Ceremonies during a program that began with prayers offered by several ministers, a musical selection by singers from the Redeemer Church of Christ.
Former County Executives Jack Johnson and Rushern Baker III were also present as well as Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Rep. Steny Howard. (D-Md.) and Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.)
Rev. Ylawnda Peebles, Co-Pastor of City of Praise Ministries in Landover, told the audience that now is the time to unite as opposed to criticize. “Pray for her (and) save the judgement for yourselves,” Peebles said.
Burroughs said he calls Braveboy “sis,” because “She cares about the working people of Prince George’s County. He said after the murder of Richard Collins III, a Bowie State University student and U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant, she fought to get the defendant, Sean Urbanski, charged with a hate crime. She won the case: Urbanski was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
Burroughs said after she was unsuccessful with the hate crime charge, she introduced legislation in the Maryland State Legislature. As a result Maryland now has one of the strongest anti-hate crime laws in the country.”
Burroughs said Braveboy was key to him supporting Moore for Governor after she talked to him and said “My friend’s husband is running for governor.” The councilman drew laughter from the crowd when he said “Who?”
“You have the full support of the executive and the entire state,” said Wes Moore who added that under Braveboy major crimes, from armed robberies to homicides have gone down.
“With so much on the line we need [a] county executive like Aisha Braveboy,” Moore added. “She understands the gravity of this assignment.”
Instead of offering a political to-do list Braveboy used her address to reintroduce herself as the daughter of immigrants who has been a champion for working women
“This day is about emancipation. Its about liberation. My father immigrated to this country from Grenada. I am 51 percent Nigerian. I see beauty in everybody.”
During her speech, the new executive also said her last case as States Attorney ended just a few days ago. She prosecuted a man who killed Miriam Tori Ailia, a Greenbelt schoolteacher.
“She was a beloved teacher. Her torso was found, and I said ‘I am going to hold her murderer responsible’,” said Braveboy who got a first-degree murder conviction.
Instead of making many promises, Braveboy said: “My job as county executive is to ensure your future every day. Trust me I am your voice. I am a voice for all people.”
“We are going to work together to have a United Prince George’s County,” Braveboy said. “The first thing on my agenda is to clean up the county streets. Then I want to beautify the county.”
