Photo courtesy Prince George’s County Council Media
Calvin S. Hawkins, II
At-Large Council Member Calvin Hawkins Announces Resignation From County Council
By PRESS OFFICER
Prince George’s County Council Media
On December 19, 2025, Council Member Calvin S. Hawkins, II announced his resignation from his At-Large County Council seat effective Monday, December 22, 2025. On Monday, December 22, Council Member Hawkins transition[ed] to a new position in the Executive Branch, serving as Assistant Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Economic Development.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the residents of Prince George’s County for the trust and support you’ve shown me throughout my tenure on the Council,” said Council Member Hawkins. “Serving on this body has been a profound honor, and I take immense pride in what we’ve achieved together. As I embark on this new chapter, my commitment to the growth and success of the County is unwavering, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with dedicated colleagues and engaged citizens to elevate Prince George’s County to new heights.”
Council Member Hawkins served for seven years on the Council, starting in December 2022. He has spent more than thirty years in civic and philanthropic service and has worked for three former Prince George’s County Executives. As Council Chair in 2021 and 2022, he led major legislative actions in response to the COVID pandemic, securing emergency rental assistance, small business support, and resources to address food disparities. He also sponsored the Re-Entry Advisory Board, which realigned employment, housing, mental health, and faith-based resources for citizens returning from incarceration. His current term was set to expire on December 5, 2026.
Pursuant to the County Code, when there is a vacancy in the Office of a Council Member that occurs during the last year of a term, a majority of the remaining Council Members will appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy.
Throughout this process, the At-Large Council office will remain responsive to the needs of constituents. For assistance, Prince George’s County residents can call 301-952-2195 or email ATLargeHawkins@pgccouncil.us.
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New Year, New You! M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation Announces New Year Health and Wellness Programs
By PRESS OFFICER
M-NCPPC
RIVERDALE, Md. (Dec. 22, 2025)—Start the New Year strong with free fitness classes, interactive cooking workshops, and live cooking demonstrations from M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. Join the Department for a series of health and wellness events designed to help the community kick off their goals and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
Upcoming events and programs include:
Total Body Sculpt | FREE
Saturdays, January 3–31, 10–11 a.m.
Lake Arbor Community Center
10100 Lake Arbor Way, Bowie, MD 20721
Kickstart your year with a Total Body Sculpt! Join the Department for an invigorating full-body workout designed to help you achieve your New Year’s fitness goals. This dynamic class will help set the tone for a healthier and stronger you.
Stronger Together | FREE
Mondays, January 5–26, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Virtual
Kick off 2026 with the virtual “New Year, New You: Strong Together” program! Designed to empower you with the knowledge and physical strength to make lasting changes, all from the comfort and convenience of your own home. This isn’t just about lifting weights; it’s a comprehensive journey to build a stronger, more resilient you, both inside and out.
Back in Action: Overcoming Injuries & Returning to Fitness | FREE
Thursday, January 15, 11 a.m.–12 noon
Kentland Community Center
2413 Pinebrook Avenue, Landover, MD 20785
Talk with a licensed physical therapist from Medstar! Whether you’re recovering from an injury or looking to get back into the gym after a period of inactivity, this event will provide expert guidance on how to rebuild strength, improve mobility, and prevent future setbacks. The session will include a presentation, a Q&A segment, and an optional health screening to assess your current physical condition.
Healthy Comfort Food Cooking Demonstration |FREE
Tuesday, January 20, 1–2 p.m.
Harmony Hall Regional Center
10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744
Warm up this winter with cozy favorites made healthier! Join us for a cooking demonstration where we’ll show you how to lighten up classic comfort foods.
Access to fitness and weight rooms at M-NCPPC facilities
M-NCPPC Community Centers are a great resource to stay on track with your health and wellness goals. Offering free and low-cost access to many premium recreational and fitness facilities and classes, including fitness and weight rooms. Simply stop by a community center near you to register and get started.
Youth and seniors can enjoy free access with a Youth ID or Senior ID. Youth IDs are available at no cost to Prince George’s County residents aged 6 to 17, providing access to community center drop-in activities and amenities, including fitness and weight rooms for teens. Seniors aged 60 and better who are residents of Prince George’s and Montgomery County can obtain a free Senior ID.
For more information about upcoming M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation events, and to find a community center near you, visit www.pgparks.com
With over 29,000 acres of parkland, trails, athletic fields, playgrounds, and more, the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County provides an award-winning park system through progressive, quality, innovative leadership and a commitment to its community and environment. The Department delivers first-class recreational activities and programs for people of all ages and ability levels. It strives to improve the quality of life for Prince George’s County residents and the communities in which they live, work, and raise families. The Department’s Formula 2040 Plan establishes a framework that will ensure the Department can meet future parks and recreation programmatic and facility needs, fulfilling its mission to determine the combination of land, facilities, and programs that will provide appropriate experiences for Prince Georgians in
the future. To learn more, visit www.pgparks.com
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‘She Speaks’ Centers Black Women as Keepers of History and Architects of the Future in New Exhibition Commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary
Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum’s ‘She Speaks: Black Women Artists and the Power of Historical Memory’ Opens February 7, 2026, with Dynamic Interpretive Programming Throughout the Year
By PRESS OFFICER
MCAAHC
Annapolis, Md. (Dec. 22, 2025)—The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum proudly announces its newest exhibition, “She Speaks: Black Women Artists and the Power of Historical Memory”–a visionary presentation that examines the 250-year history of the United States of America through a Black Feminist lens. This groundbreaking exhibition brings together a powerful constellation of contemporary Maryland-based and internationally recognized Black women artists whose deeply personal and politically charged works bear witness to the past, illuminate its impact on the present, and conjure Afrofuturist visions. She Speaks will open to the public with an Opening Reception and Black History Month celebration on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
Through a diverse range of mediums—including collage, painting, print, photography, textile, installation, and time-based media—She Speaks acknowledges Black women as active participants in the making of this country rather than passive bystanders, highlighting artists who operate as historians, archivists, and scholars to tell their stories. Presented alongside rarely seen archival materials and family heirlooms, the exhibition highlights the pivotal role Black women have played in shaping and preserving this nation since the Revolutionary era, while envisioning liberated futures through cosmic speculation.
Featured artists include: Elizabeth Catlett, Dr. Joan M.E. Gaither, Charlyn Griffith-Oro, Khaleelah I. L. Harris, Martha Jackson Jarvis, Fabiola Jean-Louis, Jeannine Kayembe-Oro, Zsudayka Nzinga, Ada Pinkston, Beverly Price, Faith Ringgold, Noreen Smith, Darlene R. Taylor, Jessica Valoris, Savannah Wood, and Alisha B. Wormsley.
“Set against a moment when our nation is reflecting on its founding even as Black history faces renewed pressures of erasure—She Speaks stands as a powerful corrective,” said Chanel C. Johnson, Executive Director of the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum. “These artists are engaging in a profound act of cultural stewardship, and this exhibition asserts that Black women’s histories are not only inseparable from America’s story, but essential to understanding our past, present, and futures we are striving to build.”
As the nation collectively commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence through coordinated national, Maryland 250, and Annapolis 250 initiatives, this exhibition enters the conversation by expanding how American history is remembered and told. By retracing and reinterpreting these histories through the voices of Black women, the exhibition challenges audiences to consider whose stories have been preserved, and whose have yet to be fully recognized.
“Throughout history, Black women have served as architects of cultural memory—documenting lived experiences, safeguarding ancestral knowledge, and challenging dominant narratives that have sought to erase or diminish their voices. This exhibition makes those contributions undeniable, visible, and unforgettable,” said Martina Dodd, Curator of Collection and Exhibition at the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum.
She Speaks is curated by Martina Dodd, BDTM Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, with curatorial support from Leslie Rose, Exhibit Manager.
Lending institutions include: Academy Art Museum, Galerie Myrtis, Howard University Art Gallery, James E. Lewis Museum of Art, and Reginald F. Lewis Museum.
The exhibition will be celebrated with an opening reception and remain on view through January 16, 2027, with interpretive programming offered throughout the year to further engage with the exhibition’s themes of history, memory, resistance, and Black women’s enduring contributions to the nation’s cultural and civic life.
Opening Reception— Open to the Public
Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
RSVP: https://bit.ly/SheSpeaksOpeningReceptionBDTM
The public is invited to celebrate the official opening with an afternoon of art, dialogue, and community gathering.
Spring & Summer 2026 Interpretive Programming
• March 21 | Maryland Day Artist Talk & Harriet Tubman Spirit Awards: Annual ceremony honoring leaders who embody Tubman’s courage and compassion through their work in justice and community empowerment.
• April 30 | JazzMaTazz: An evening of sultry sounds and poetic verses in solidarity with UNESCO’s International Jazz Day and National Poetry Month.
• June 7–13 (Annapolis Arts Week) | Presentation of “The Temple of Our Survival (Children of NAN: A Survival Guide)” by Interdisciplinary Artist Alisha B. Wormsley: More information to come!
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