2020: The Year In Review
The Year Wasn’t The Best For Us But It Brought Out The Best In Us
Compiled By The Prince George’s Suite Editorial Board
The following series of events and moments listed in the general chronological sweep of this tumultuous year, exemplify the spirit and innovation of the county facing the most challenging issues not seen in 100 years. We don’t suggest that these are all of the defining events, people and moments in the year but they reflect the spirit and direction of all those that may not be mentioned.
January
“Whatever it takes,” said County Councilmember Deni Taveras (D-Dist. 2). “I may sound like a broken record but if that’s what it takes that’s what I’m going to do to get people to participate in the 2020 Census this year.”
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/1/11/the-power-of-being-counted-the-hurt-of-being-forgotten
King Holiday Provides Platform for Prince Georgians To Act
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/1/16/the-king-holiday-its-about-service
Civil Rights And Service
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/1/22/civil-rights-and-service
Prince George’s County Council Retreat Opens Door To Focus on Jobs, Housing, Education And Census In 2020
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/1/26/council-seeks-to-continue-county-growth
CAAPA’s Sopranos Slay does just that. Extraordinary morning performances by women of color in the classics.
February
Bowie State University & Food Lion Open On-Campus Nutrition Lounge
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/2/17/food-for-thought
The Prince George’s Sentinel Newspaper closes down after 47 years.
https://www.pgsuite.com/opinion/2020/2/9/what-were-missing
Maryland Delegation Members Announce More than $13 Million in Renewed Funding to Combat Homelessness in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/2/21/to-provide-shelter
‘My Name Is Noah’: A Prince George’s Fourth Grader Calls On The County Council To Make Education A Top Priority
https://www.pgsuite.com/opinion/2020/2/26/my-name-is-noah
Tiffany Green Is Selected as New County Fire Chief
March
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Introduces New $10 Million Cancer Center Leading In Global Technology And Customer-Based Care Practices
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/3/3/a-new-level-of-healing-cancer
Cpl. Danita Ingram, Coronavirus Roundtable, Police Body Cams, Kirwan Commission Bill Changes, Durant Documentary
Demystifying The 2020 Census
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/3/12/census-myths-amp-realities
Team InnoHub: (l-r) Shawnell Joyner Operations Manager, Principal Mark Lawrence and Director June Evans. PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA
Prince George’s Community College Opens INNOHUB To Aid New Ideas And Empower Business
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/3/13/tech-wise-dollar-strong
Sen. Chris Van Hollen Hosted A Tele Town Hall Meeting On The Coronavirus Pandemic with Dr. Leana Wen
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/3/18/van-hollen-how-we-are-fighting-coronavirus
County Coronavirus Hotline, Seven Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cases In Prince George’s, County Executive’s FY21 Budget, Money Matters: Council Chair Todd Turner On Proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Budget
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/3/13/update
On March 17, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks Declared A State Of Emergency in Prince George’s. This Is Her Message To The Prince George's County Community.
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/3/19/we-are-in-a-state-of-emergency
Making the Best of Your Time at Home Without Going Stir Crazy
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/3/15/being-cooped-up-no-where-to-go-1
Pepco Extending Customer Support Practices to Ensure All Residents Have Energy Service Across The District And Maryland During This Critical Time
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/3/23/power-on
County Executive Holds Press Conference To Announce Plans, Support Systems And Operations
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/3/23/update-the-county-and-the-fight-against-coronavirus
Students Not Being Forgotten In Wake of COVID-19 Restrictions
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/3/29/a-promise-kept
A Tax Holiday In Maryland
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/3/30/a-tax-holiday-in-maryland
April
Employ Prince George’s Is Adapting to COVID: The First Step Is To ‘Put Money In People’s Pockets.’
Walter Simmons, president & CEO of Employ Prince George’s. / PHOTO: ARIAN TYLER, EMPLOY PRINCE GEORGE’S MEDIA SPECIALIST
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/4/5/income-boost
Lighting The Way: At-Large Councilmember Mel Franklin Shares Information For Assistance Thru Covid-19 Crisis
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/4/16/lighting-the-way
What Can County Renters Look To As The Pandemic Squeezes Their Cash?
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/4/26/rent-is-due-1
Relief to Hourly Paid Workers Laid Off in Prince George’s County. Some of the hardest-hit victims of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) are the ones who have not caught it.
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/4/2/fndzmra0e81h8l8beu6wl7672ozmxq
Filmmaker Jimmy Jenkins, born and raised on Prince George’s, releases “Sinners Wanted” at the Magic Johnson Theater in Largo. It was filmed in the DMV.
https://www.pgsuite.com/culture-arts/2020/4/9/keepers-of-the-faith
County Executive Alsobrooks Preps For Increase In Coronavirus Spread. Donations Sought To Aid Residents
Through The Crisis, Hawkins, MGM and Fraternity Group Work Together To Provide Food For 600 Families
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/4/19/meals-matter
Relief Is On The Way
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/4/19/relief-is-on-the-way
May
The Coalition Of African Americans In The Performing Arts Is “Bringing Color To The Classics!” And Virtual Programs To Keep You Engaged At Home.
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/5/11/stay-in-with-caapa
Prince George’s County Introduces Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program to Aid Families Negatively Impacted by COVID-19
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/5/11/a-different-era
Alsobrooks: “We Won’t Make A Decision That Hurts Prince Georgians.” Administration Extends Stay At Home Orders Thru June 1
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/5/7/alsobrooks-we-wont-make-a-decision-that-hurts-prince-georgians
“Basketball County,” a documentary about basketball greats that come from Prince George’s is released through SHOWTIME SPORTS. Prince Georgian filmmaker Jimmy Jenkins directed.
https://www.pgsuite.com/culture-arts/2020/5/11/the-new-black-wall-street
Protection for County Renters: New Measures Aiding Renters Harmed By Covid-19
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/5/12/protection-for-county-renters
Prince George’s County Executive Announces Plan For $150 Million To Address Health, Small Business, Housing, Renters, Food Insecurity And More
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/5/18/alsobrooks-addresses-council-on-covid-relief-spending
Maryland Voters Must Be Sure To Register This Week, Encouraged To Check Status
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/5/25/voter-registration-week
Alsobrooks Moves County into Phase 1 of Reopen Plan, Announces New Prince George’s County Forward Task Force
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/5/28/lifting-stay-at-home-order
Dr. Charlene Dukes, former President of Prince George’s Community College. / PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA
June
Dr. Charlene Dukes Retires as President of Prince George’s Community College, Dr. Wallace Loh retires as president of the University of Maryland
County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Judge Greg Mathis.
Welcoming The New Prince George’s Community College President Dr. Falecia D. Williams
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/6/7/the-chairs-corner
Actor Asante Blackk, participated in Prince George’s County Public Schools’ first ever virtual graduation.
Prince George’s County Public Schools Host First-Ever Virtual Graduation – With Celebrity Guests.
What Will It Take To Finally End Police Violence?: Alsobrooks, Mathis, Hawkins, Hoyer, Braveboy Lead ‘Superbad’ Panel Addressing Police Violence in 2020. Here are 8 Things That Came Out Of The Discussion.
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/6/8/how-do-we-end-police-violence
Stawinski Resignation Forces New Season In County Policing
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/6/21/the-same-but-not-the-same
County Leaders Pass First Budget Virtually. $4.48 Billion FY2021 Budget Focuses On Education And Stability
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/6/2/2021-budget-confirmed
Full Phase II Reopen Comes To Prince George’s
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/6/28/back-to-lifewith-caution
July
In The Wake of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor Making Something Good Come Of It: County And State Leaders Discuss Opportunities In ‘Protest to Policy’ Panel Discussion
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/7/9/making-something-good-come-of-it
Prince Georgian Javicia Leslie Dons Legendary Cape To Become The New Batwoman on the CW TV Network
https://www.pgsuite.com/culture-arts/2020/7/12/holy-local-superhero
Young Leaders, Future Is Now
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/7/20/young-leaders-future-is-now
New Wealth Building Law For County Businesses
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/7/16/a-game-changer-for-minority-owned-businesses
New Resources for Renters and Homeowners Facing Eviction
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/7/30/facing-the-door
August
Rebooting Prince George's: Newly Formed Prince George’s County Task Force Moves Forward
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/8/5/rebooting-prince-georges
Dr. Falecia Williams, President, Prince George’s Community College
BlackOwnedPGC: County Executive Alsobrooks Gets Set To Recognize Black Businesses
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/8/23/blackownedpgc
Dr. Falecia Williams begins as the new president of Prince George’s Community College
https://www.pgsuite.com/people/2020/8/13/meet-dr-williams
Get Your Knee Off Our Necks: Anniversary of the March On Washington Shares Similar Messages With New Passions In Physical And Virtual Events
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/8/27/the-commitment-march-get-your-knee-off-our-necks1963-2020
Dr. Darryll Pines begins term as the University of Maryland's 34th President.
September
Adjusting Life Under Covid-19: $20 Million For Small Businesses, Voting Update And Child Care Support
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/9/4/we-are-not-there-yet
Voting Truth to Power: 400,000 Prince Georgians Get To The Polls
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/9/27/voting-truth-to-power
70% of Prince Georgians participated in the 2020 U.S. Census – surpassing all other previous years of county response. Some 46% of eligible Prince Georgians voted in primary elections according to recent press releases and statistics at the Maryland State Board of Elections
Prince George’s County-based Negro League Legends Hall of Fame, Inc. Kick off the Celebration of 100 Years Since the Founding of Black Baseball (1920-2020).
October
Prince George’s County surpasses 850 new cases of Covid-19 in one week.
PEPCO and KID Museum Team To Launch Go Green Design Challenge
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/10/4/charging-up-young-energy
$28 Million Will Be Applied Toward Innovative, Fast Paced Development of Six New County Schools
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/10/27/teachable-moment
Prince George’s Women’s Mentoring Group Selected to Finals Level To Compete for $25,000 Grant
https://www.pgsuite.com/culture-arts/2020/10/1/voting-for-a-girl
November
County Executive Angela Alsobrooks Calls for New Restrictions As Cases Rise and Holidays Near
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/11/12/hunker-down
FSC First Selected By Citi Foundation To Receive $500,000 Grant
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/11/22/granting-support-in-honor-of-the-good
Major Riddick Announces He Will Step Down As County Chief Administrative Officer
Nearly 425,000 Prince George’s County residents voted in the 2020 presidential election. The county led the state in early voting.
December
WHUR Launches Sister Heritage Station “Quiet Storm” On Golden Anniversary
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/12/17/quiet-storm-2
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott / PHOTO: ELENA SEIBERT
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s Charitable Works Contribute $25 Million to Bowie State University
https://www.pgsuite.com/trends/2020/12/20/clicking-forward
County Executive Angela Alsobrooks Announces Tara Jackson As New County Administrative Officer
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/12/6/new-chief-administrative-officer-named
County Council Gavel Exchange Rings In Hawkins And Taveras Among New Leadership
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/12/6/in-the-tradition
To date, there have been over 45,500 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Prince George’s County. Over 950 Prince George’s County residents have died of the virus.
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/12/14/taking-action-to-save-lives
Prince George’s County Residents Participate In Town Hall Meeting Regarding The Distribution And Safety Of The Covid-19 Vaccine
https://www.pgsuite.com/news/2020/12/20/questioning-the-answer
Sen. Thomas V “Mike” Miller retires from the Maryland Senate after nearly 50 years.
Prince George’s Suite Magazine, FALL 2020
