Photo courtesy Andrews Federal Credit Union
Andrews Federal Credit Union has partnered with Prince George’s County and County Executive Aisha Braveboy’s 311 On the Go (311OTG) Program through $50,000 in funding to support the 311 On the Go program and its mission to deliver accessible, community-centered solutions.
Andrews Federal Credit Union Partners with Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy’s 311 On The Go Program
Credit Union’s $50,000 Donation Will Fund Services and Connection for Prince George’s County
By PRESS OFFICER
Andrews Federal Credit Union
SUITLAND, Md. (Feb. 12, 2026)—Andrews Federal Credit Union is strengthening its commitment to community engagement through a new partnership with Prince George’s County and County Executive Aisha Braveboy’s 311 On the Go (311OTG) Program.
311 On the Go is a mobile initiative designed to bring county services directly to residents by connecting them with essential resources, partner organizations, and support programs. The unit travels throughout Prince George’s County, providing convenient, responsive access to county services where residents live and work.
As part of this partnership, Andrews Federal Credit Union has provided $50,000 in funding to support the 311 On the Go program and its mission to deliver accessible, community-centered solutions that address local needs and strengthen connections across the county.
“Through the 311 On The Go Mobile Unit, the County is working to provide greater engagement with citizens, and greater access to the County’s resources,” said Damita Robinson, Chief Operating Officer for Andrews Federal Credit Union. “Just like 311 On the Go, we believe in providing meaningful support at the community level. We have a shared goal of improving quality of life in Prince George’s County and are proud to be a partner in creating connection and meeting local needs.”
As part of the credit union’s support of 311 On the Go, Andrews Federal will provide financial education resources to guide youth and families in the community. Employees and volunteers will be actively involved in community events, including celebrations for the 330th anniversary of Prince George’s County, summer community events, and youth and family support programs. “Our credit union has a long-standing commitment to serving Prince George’s County and empowering our community,” Robinson said. “Through our partnership with County Executive Braveboy and the 311 On The Go program, we look forward to strengthening local connections, providing financial education tools, and helping residents navigate life’s challenges with confidence.”
Founded in 1948, Andrews Federal Credit Union has grown to serve more than 148,000 members in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and military installations in central Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. For more information about Andrews Federal, visit www.andrewsfcu.org.
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National Harbor to Celebrate Black-Owned Businesses During Black History Month
By PRESS OFFICER
Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (Feb. 9, 2026)—National Harbor is celebrating Black History Month with The Black-Owned Business Collective Bazaar, a vibrant marketplace taking place on Saturday, February 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. at 151 St. George Blvd. The community is invited to shop, connect, and celebrate Black entrepreneurship and culture.
The Bazaar will feature retail booths from Black-owned restaurants and specialty shops at National Harbor and will offer guests the opportunity to purchase products, enjoy samplings, and experience live demonstrations by business owners. A live DJ will set the tone for the celebratory atmosphere throughout the afternoon.
The event aligns with National Harbor’s ongoing commitment to cultural celebration, inclusion, and community-focused programming. The event is also in partnership with Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation.
“We are excited to be able to celebrate and support our many Black-owned businesses,” said Lauren Fells, marketing content manager at National Harbor, who also organized the event. “There are so many unique shops, restaurants, and experiences available at National Harbor. The program is an incentive for guests to discover something new and meet the owners.”
Participating businesses range from restaurants like The Brass Tap to the brand new Wigenton Candles Co, and experiences like Sip & Develop and Thread and Sole by Ki-netics Lab. For the full list of Black-owned businesses, visit www.nationalharbor.com/black-owned-businesses.
For more information on National Harbor, go to www.nationalharbor.com
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Council Member Ivey Launches ‘Love Shouldn’t Hurt’ Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign
By PRESS OFFICER
Prince George’s County Council Media
As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large) is launching her annual Love Shouldn’t Hurt domestic violence awareness and prevention campaign. In an effort to reach a wider audience, this year’s campaign takes a multi-week virtual outreach approach instead of one in-person event like previous years.
Council Member Ivey has already shared the introduction video (on Instagram) of the Love Shouldn’t Hurt social media campaign. She will continue to post more videos throughout the remainder of the month featuring interviews, connecting viewers with resources from local nonprofits, and sharing the human experiences of survivors. Some of her guests include Michelle Valorae, House of Ruth; Thee Melanie Johnson, The StoreHouse; Tiffany Turner-Allen, Non-Profit Prince George’s; Ivy Finkenstadt, Esq., Community Legal Services; Dr. Denise McCain, Family Justice Center; and several others.
“I have been hosting an annual event for the past seven years, and this year, I wanted to do something different and hopefully more impactful,” said Council Member Ivey. “I believe a social media campaign will help achieve that goal. Scrolling social media is one of the easiest ways to receive—and share—information. These platforms can reach people of all ages and are a great way to amplify domestic violence resources, survivors’ stories, and the message to each and every resident in our county, and beyond, that Love Shouldn’t Hurt.”
The campaign aims to educate people about how to spot domestic violence, offer tips for those who are experiencing it, and call attention to the help available in Prince George’s County.
Videos will be accessible on all of Council Member Ivey’s social media, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and on her website.
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Strathmore Announces Finalists for 2026 Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards
Nine DMV Songwriters—Ranging from Ninth Graders to Seasoned Performers—Compete for Top Prizes at 10th Anniversary Finalists Concert & Awards Ceremony at the Music Center on April 24
Two Prince George’s County Songwriters Among Finalists
By PRESS OFFICER
Strathmore
NORTH BETHESDA, Md. (Feb. 5, 2026)—Strathmore today announced the nine finalists for the 10th annual Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards, a competition honoring outstanding composers and lyricists from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
This year’s finalists range from a 14-year-old who released her first single in middle school to established artists who’ve opened for Grammy winners and performed with jazz legends. They represent genres spanning indie folk-pop, jazz, rap, and musical theater, united by a commitment to authentic, story-driven songwriting.
“This milestone year brings together some of the most compelling voices from Silver Spring to Charlottesville,” said Joi Brown, Artistic Director and Vice President of Programming at Strathmore. “These nine finalists represent what makes the DMV special: authentic storytelling, musical diversity, and artists who pour their hearts into their craft. We invite the community to witness their artistry firsthand.”
Established in honor of Broadway lyricist Fred Ebb, the awards spotlight local songwriting talent through an annual competition and showcase. Ebb’s collaborations with composer John Kander produced some of Broadway’s most enduring works—including Cabaret, Chicago, and “New York, New York”—earning him three Tony Awards and an Academy Award nomination. His niece, Cathy Bernard, founded the awards in 2015. Bernard, a Bethesda resident, also established the Bernard Family Foundation, which supports arts, education, and cancer advocacy organizations.
Finalists will showcase their original compositions at the 10th Anniversary Finalists Concert & Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore, located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda. Adult finalists will perform two songs and youth finalists will perform one. The evening includes real-time feedback from industry judges and the announcement of the winners.
This year’s finalists include:
Adult Category:
Laura Brino is an indie folk-pop singer-songwriter from Arnold, Maryland, whose music blends the warmth of folk, the drive of rock, and the shimmer of pop. She has been writing songs for 25 years and crafts emotionally honest, narrative-driven music. A 2025 Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Award Adult Finalist, she has released six albums and captivated audiences nationwide.
Sam McCormally is a singer-songwriter from Mount Rainier, Maryland, whose six-piece ensemble, Sam McCormally and the Plan, blends rock ‘n’ roll, folk, and R&B. A mainstay in the D.C. music scene, he has been writing songs for 30 years, drawing on diverse influences to craft narrative-driven music about connection, culture, and community.
Erynn McLeod is a singer-songwriter based in Charlottesville, Virginia, whose music blends folk, pop, and musical theater. She has been writing songs for 18 years and performs with voice and acoustic guitar. Drawing on her theatrical upbringing and formal training, she creates music that is story-driven and emotionally honest.
Integriti Reeves is a singer-songwriter from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, whose genre-fluid sound blends jazz, Brazilian, and folk influences with poetic, narrative-driven storytelling. A Howard University-trained jazz artist and 2025 Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Award Adult Finalist, her music explores love, presence, and intentional living with emotional honesty and carefully crafted narratives.
She-unO is a rapper and songwriter from Silver Spring, Maryland, whose music blends rap, R&B, and soul influences. Writing since fifth grade, he has performed widely, opening for Mali Music, Ndelible, and Lecrae, and has released multiple projects over the past decade, including his latest, (T)here, in 2025.
Marissa Zechinato is a singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn Park, Maryland, whose jazz-inspired music blends soul, pop, and experimental vocal textures. She crafts intimate, honest songs on piano and hand percussion. A Howard University graduate in jazz voice, she has performed at the Kennedy Center, for NPR’s Tiny Desk, and throughout the country.
Youth Category:
Erin Leberknight is a 12th-grade singer-songwriter from Ellicott City, Maryland, who blends folk and pop influences. She crafts observational, story-driven piano songs inspired by Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Olivia Rodrigo, and Bob Dylan. A 2023 Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Award Youth Finalist, Leberknight plans to release an EP and pursue a bachelor’s degree in musical theater.
Saanvi Purohit is a ninth-grade singer-songwriter from Clarksburg, Maryland, who blends pop influences with emotionally resonant lyrics. She has been singing since she was a toddler and released her first single, “Did You Know?” in middle school. She later released “Fourteen” before turning 15. She plays the piano, guitar, and ukulele.
Nate Stern is a 12th-grade songwriter based in Washington, D.C., whose music blends indie pop and alternative influences. He began writing songs in elementary school and has spent six years creating playful, story-driven work inspired by artists such as Fountains of Wayne, The Magnetic Fields, and They Might Be Giants. Playing guitar, bass, keys, and drums, he approaches songwriting as a creative puzzle rooted in curiosity and joy.
The panel will be led by head judge Angela Sclafani, a three-time Great American Songwriting Contest champion and 2019 Fred Ebb Award winner for Musical Theatre Songwriting who was named a 2022 Woman to Watch on Broadway. She will be joined by Kyshona, a Nashville-based artist and former music therapist whose song “Listen” became an anthem during 2020’s racial justice protests, and Ryan Montbleau, a road warrior who has performed more than 200 shows annually for three decades and whose “eloquent, soulful songwriting” has been compared to Bill Withers and James Taylor by NPR.
Prizes and Recognition:
The adult category winner will receive a grand prize of $10,000, 25 hours of recording studio time, and two hours of music business strategy consulting with producer Dave Mallen at Innovation Station Music in Annandale, Virginia. The second-place winner will receive $2,500, and all other adult finalists will receive $1,000. In the youth category, the top young songwriter will earn $2,500, and the other finalists will receive $500. Additionally, all finalists will be featured on Strathmore’s digital platforms.
In 2025, Baltimore-based poet and songwriter Wordsmith won the adult category, while singer-songwriter Aaron Swibel of Rockville, Maryland, took top honors in the youth category.
Tickets for the Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards 10th Anniversary Finalists Concert & Awards Ceremony are on sale now, with prices ranging from $20 to $40. For tickets and more information, visit strathmore.org or call 301-581-5100.
Since 1983, Strathmore has enriched lives through transformative artistic experiences and meaningful community connections. Based in North Bethesda, Maryland, this nonprofit cultural institution showcases world-class talent, supports emerging artists, and offers diverse programs at its Music Center and Mansion, as well as across Montgomery County. Strathmore fosters creativity and community through performance, educational initiatives, and accessible arts programming. Experience the magic of Strathmore, where the arts are everywhere.
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