U.S. Navy Photo by Shelby Thompson/Released
Senior Chief Petty Officer Dwayne Chapman, Fleet Liaison and Senior Enlisted Advisor for Program Management Office Flight Systems, Strategic Systems Programs.
Peeking Behind the Curtain: Navy Chief From Seat Pleasant Leads New Training That Informs and Inspires
By SHELBY THOMPSON
Strategic Systems Programs
MAGNA, Utah—Six Sailors were given a rare opportunity to peek behind the curtain of the development of the most lethal, accurate, and reliable sea-based strategic deterrent on the planet during a Reverse Strategic Weapons System (SWS) Week August 17–21.?
The Sailors who attended SPF’s Reverse SWS Week were handpicked from ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) crews on the East and West Coasts and sent to Program Management Office (PMO) Flight Systems’ (SPF) detachment site in Magna, Utah (SPF(B)), where they had the opportunity to see first-hand how the Trident II D5 rocket motors are created.???
Strategic Systems Programs is the command responsible for oversight of the Navy’s capabilities—currently the Trident II D5LE SWS onboard Ohio-class SSBNs—that serve as the sea-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad. PMOs are the “eyes in the field” as the government representatives overseeing the design, development, production, installation, and testing of the Trident II D5 SWS at industry partner sites. Reverse SWS Weeks bring a select group of SSBN crew members to SSP’s PMOs and detachments—dispersed throughout the nation— to give them an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the missiles these young Sailors maintain, operate, and even sleep next to, all while keeping the weapons at the highest standard of readiness.
For the Navy, the partnership between the fleet and PMO is a confidence builder for the sailors who are charged with operating the weapon system on strategic patrol knowing a real person is out there building the system and interested in understanding the Sailor’s experience operating in a real-world environment.
“I want the fleet to see behind the scenes, and get their buy-in for why the program is as rigorous as it is when it comes to things like changes and updates,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Dwayne Chapman, a missile technician serving as the fleet liaison and senior enlisted advisor for SPF responsible for coordinating the training event.?
The role of SSP’s Fleet Liaisons is, “to provide the fleet perspective to the engineers and [industry] partners,” said Chapman, a Seat Pleasant, Maryland native.
Fellow missile technician Chief Petty Officer Taylor Phillips, the fleet liaison for Program Management Office Flight Systems detachment in Cape Canaveral, Florida (SPFC) who assisted Chapman with the event, also saw an opportunity to recognize the Sailors for their hard work, reinforce their role defending the nation and remind them that what they do day-in and day-out matters.??
“The job is not easy by any means, and we need the best Sailors to perform it,” said Phillips. “We are the tip of the spear protecting families across the country, and I cannot think of a better reason to do something, knowing I am adding a stitch every day to the blanket of freedom my friends and family sleep soundly under each and every night.”??
What is a Missile Technician??
The six Sailors gathered in a hotel lobby before sunrise on August 18, have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences in the fleet.?From some of the newest enlisted submariners to those serving aboard SSBNs for nearly a decade, each have their own story that brought them to Navy service, but all with one thing in common. They occupy a unique role aboard their submarines—missile technician.?
U.S. Navy enlisted personnel are identified by a combination of their rank and occupational specialty, known as a rate. Sailors in the missile technician (MT) rate primarily serve on or in support of ballistic missile submarines and receive extensive training in the operation and maintenance of advanced electronic equipment and computers and electromechanical support systems of the strategic weapons systems deployed on SSBNs.
“Missile technicians are responsible for operating and maintaining the whole strategic weapons system aboard the submarine,” said Petty Officer Second Class William Pulley, a missile technician on the USS Tennessee (SSBN 734). “We do a lot of work with the hydraulic systems, hydro pressure, nitrogen and air, and missile tube heating and cooling, as well as a lot of nuclear weapons security, which is another facet.”?
“When you’re on a submarine you’re not just doing your job – you're doing multiple jobs,” said Petty Officer Second Class Ashlynn Spialek, referring to the multiple collateral duties that submariners are expected to be proficient in, given the small size of the crew. ?
“My parents were both in the Navy,” said Spialek, a missile technician on USS Wyoming (SSBN 742). “My mom was on a surface ship and my dad was a quartermaster. I grew up with them talking about the Navy and they made it sound really cool.”??
“I wanted to do something different,” said Spialek when asked about what made her select the missile technician career path. “I wanted to bring something else to the table and experience a different side of the Navy.”?
Rocket Motors 101
Missile technicians are a rare breed of Sailor, and SLBMs are a rare breed of rocket. Designed to be launched from a submerged SSBN below the oceans’ surface and able to achieve a flight trajectory into space at altitudes higher than the Space Station, the Trident II D5 SWS is a tangible representation of the U.S. Navy operating from sea to space.
The rocket motors powering space-bound missiles are notoriously large, and the rocket motor for the Trident II D5 missile is no exception. The Trident II D5 missile is a three-stage, solid-fuel, inertially guided missile, with a range of more than 4,000 nautical miles. At 44 feet and weighing more than 130,000 pounds, the Trident II D5 rocket motor packs enough power to propel the missile out of Earth’s atmosphere.
Each stage of the missile has a unique role. After the missile is launched from the submarine and broaches the ocean surface, the first stage rocket motor ignites, providing the initial burst of power needed to boost the missile into the air and propel it toward Earth’s atmosphere. Once the motor is spent, it is jettisoned—dropped—from the missile, reducing its weight and allowing the second-stage motor to ignite. The second stage continues to accelerate the missile, getting it to the perfect speed and altitude for third-stage ignition. After the second stage separates, the third stage provides the final boost before the equipment section takes over to release its payload.?
Each rocket motor assembly has three critical components: the nozzle, the ignitor, and the chamber. Only when all of these are present will a rocket motor function and help the missile achieve sustained flight.?The manufacturing process to build these solid-fuel behemoths requires space—a lot of it. SPF(B) oversees the construction and assembly of each rocket motor stage at industry partner facilities scattered throughout Utah, with the government team primarily based in Magna.??
“We are embedded with the contractor because we are the design engineer,” said Bart Hall, the lead explosive safety officer for SPF(B). “There’s a requirement to have government oversite here.”??
With both SPF(B) and industry teams having a robust on-site presence, some of the smartest people in the world can be found working hand-in-hand on the lifecycle management of the Trident II D5 missile.?
“Folks in this office are no-kidding rocket scientists,” said Hall, as he introduced SPF and industry experts to the Sailors at the site.??
Throughout their discussions, the Sailors valued the depth of knowledge and how willing the SPF(B) and industry representatives were to share their expertise.? Sailors learned new details about the complexities of building these missiles, giving them a new-found appreciation for the SWS they support. For a few of the Sailors who had participated in flight tests, it added to the sense of awe they felt launching an unarmed Trident II D5 as part a flight test.??
“Being able to put your guys’ rockets into space was the culmination of my job—I felt like ‘oh look, this stuff actually works!’” said Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Keller, a missile technician on USS Kentucky (SSBN 737), talking about his experience during a flight test he participated in aboard USS Kentucky.??
In addition to an inside look at the more technical aspects of the missile, the Sailors gained important context and details about the restrictions and rules that govern how they maintain and handle the missiles aboard their SSBNs. SPF(B) representatives walked through some of the common issues and procedural frustrations that missile technicians have when conducting routine maintenance on the missiles and explained why the rules are set up that way. The Sailors came away with new information framing procedures in context and an understanding that requirements are carefully coordinated between SPF(B) and the fleet to ensure the highest standards of safety for the crew.??
“We’re hearing from the horse’s mouth why these technical requirements are so important,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Patrick Smith, the Submarine Squadron 20 representative who helped organize the week’s events from the fleet side.??
Handcrafting the Nation’s Sea-Based Strategic Deterrent
The opportunity for Sailors to come face-to-face with the Trident II D5 missile and to experience the production and disposal processes, is what truly sets SPF’s Reverse SWS Week apart from other events.??
The tours and educational sessions the Sailors attended showed them that building the Trident II D5 missile is complex, and there is strong technical reasoning behind the procedures they follow when working on the missiles aboard the SSBN. Industry partners and SPF representatives, led by Lt. Cmdr. Justin Laddusaw, officer-in-charge for SPF(B), broke down how the configuration of the SSBN impacts how the missiles are built and explained how the PMO oversees industry as they carefully construct the missile.??
At one stop on the tour, Sailors filed into a non-descript building, stopping in front of a machine responsible for the creation of the propellant that powers all 130,000 pounds of the missile into the air. Gazing at what was described as the “world’s largest kitchen stand-mixer,” the Sailors learned unique characteristics of
the specialized equipment with the capacity and power to mix the amount of rocket propellant the Trident II D5 requires.?
As Sailors took in the scope of the production, experts guided them from building to building, showing the infrastructure, tools, and workforce responsible for handcrafting the Navy’s strategic deterrent, much of which has been contributing to the SLBM program for longer than the Sailors have been alive.??
“It’s pretty amazing,” said Smith, learning about the equipment in-use since the first Trident II D5 rocket motor production started in 1985. “It’s crazy to think that we came up with all of this 40-plus years ago.”?
Equally impressive to the junior crewmembers was how much of the rocket motor production process was done by hand. In a large warehouse, upbeat music played over the speakers as a group of industry employees hand-painted the missiles, frequently pausing to cast an expert eye over their work to find any imperfections. The painting is only one example of the work that is still done by hand at these facilities. The attention to detail and the expectation of perfection every time is one of the reasons that working on the Trident II D5 is a coveted role for many on the team.??
That continuity of production is essential to maintaining the capability designed into the weapons system. One of SPF’s priorities during Reverse SWS Week is to give the missile technicians a sound understanding of why the technical standards and policies for the missiles they work on are so rigid. Even the smallest changes to procedures have to go through controls and approvals, regardless of if those changes are being implemented during the construction of the rocket motor in Utah or during the maintenance and operation of the missile aboard a SSBN.??
Bekah Moore, an operations director with Northrop Grumman that supports the Navy’s SLBM efforts, agreed the hands-on work continues to be a defining quality of the D5 rocket motor program.??
“We really rely on the ‘technician feel,’” she said,” referring to the familiarity that seasoned technicians feel with the machinery that they operate, which allows them to pick up on the smallest of issues. ?
That ‘technician feel’ is something that resonated with the missile technicians in the group and it left them with a new level of respect for the craftsmen.?
“We take it seriously at the plant,” said Laddusaw. He emphasized that what may seem like a minor technicality in a long procedure could actually have an outsized impact on the weapons system. “SSP takes change control seriously—everything comes into play. We’re not loosey-goosey.”??
Hearing the same message from rocket scientists, experienced missile handlers, and senior officers struck a chord with the Sailors.??
“You can see that the same care for the missiles is given here as it is on the boat,” said Keller.??
“A lot of people stay with the D5 program because it’s steady and it’s a really great program,” said Leo Reingauld, the tour lead for Northrop Grumman, the industry partner that handles the day-to-day operations of the rocket motor facilities. “We’re proud of the people working on D5 here, and it makes a difference to see you [the Sailors] here.”??
“The level of passion and level of knowledge that you all put into your work is so impressive,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Amacio Valenzuela, a missile technician on USS Kentucky (SSBN 737), speaking to workers on the production floor.?
Petty Officer 1st Class Brendan Wood, a missile technician on USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) later reflected that reaching this understanding was the most valuable part of the training for him.??
“It was the best part of the trip,” said Wood. “Just knowing that we’re not doing things on the boat for no reason.”??
Air Force Partnership??
While SPF is the “cradle” where Trident II D5 comes to life, it is also the proverbial “grave” where the rocket motors are disposed when they reach the end of their service life.???
“Like salmon swimming upstream, the motors come back home,” said John Dallimore, the Northrop Grumman D5 program production manager.??
As the final step in disposal, SPF(B) partners with Air Force units of the 75th Air Base Wing at Hill Air Force Base. The wing executes oversight the U.S. Navy’s submarine-launched ballistic missile rocket motor disposal initiative. Partnership and strong communication at every step of the disposal process is a hallmark of the team that accomplishes this final step in the SLBM life-cycle.?? ?As part of Reverse SWS Week, the Sailors were able to watch a thermal treatment disposal of a rocket motor, highlighting the full life-cycle of SSP’s responsibility over the SWS.?
That partnership and commitment to the nation’s nuclear deterrent mission was also on display as Sailors and Airmen participated in a joint tour with the Air Force 309th Missile Maintenance Group at Hill Air Force Base. The tour provided practical knowledge of the maintenance and testing for the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), the land-based leg of the nuclear triad.??
Throughout the tour, Sailors learned about the similarities and differences between Air Force missile maintenance specialists and the Navy missile technicians and connected over their chosen career fields as keepers of two legs of the nation’s nuclear triad.??
Comparing the challenges of life aboard a SSBN and that of manning ICBM control rooms, Sailors and Airmen began sharing their similar experiences, shouldering the responsibilities for the nation’s deterrent. One Airman thanked the Sailors for their service, recognizing that their long strategic patrols, with limited contact with friends and family, was a unique challenge.??
Refilling the Tanks
“We all understand the job of strategic deterrence, but it can be very monotonous,” said Chapman, “The guys and gals in the fleet are doing a tough job, and I’ve been wanting to bring them out here to see the cool side – and it’s all been worth it.? They've been holding each other accountable to the high standards of this program, and this gives them a refill in their tanks.”??
Without reservation, each of the six Sailors expressed that they came away from the week with increased knowledge and enthusiasm for their roles, and for the Navy’s strategic deterrence mission.??
“It was great getting to see how everything was put together,” said Spialeck. “when you’re crawling around [on the SSBN] and looking at the missile, you don’t get to see everything that we saw today.”?
“I want to take the interesting things we learned here and take it back to my boat [...] if we could get more trips like this where missile technicians can see the production of everything and learn more about their job, and connect with the people around them, I think that would be very beneficial.??
“These [missiles] have to be designed, engineered, and built, and these Sailors got to see the processes and talk to the people who do this. Hopefully the Sailors take away that the people here are just as interested in what they have to say as the Sailors are interested in learning more about the missiles. I’m thankful for the opportunity to do this,” said Chapman.
• Strategic Systems Programs is the Navy command that provides cradle-to-grave lifecycle support for the sea-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad. This includes training, systems, equipment, facilities and personnel responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nation’s SLBM Trident II D5 and D5 Life Extension (D5LE) SWS.?
SLBMs are one leg of the nation’s Nuclear Triad, which also includes the U.S. Air Force’s intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and nuclear-capable bombers.? Each part of the Triad provides unique capabilities and advantages; however, SLBMs make up the majority—approximately 70 percent—of the U.S.’ deployed
strategic nuclear deterrent. SLBMs are not only the most survivable leg of the Nuclear Triad, but also provide persistent presence and allow flexible concept of operations to military senior leaders.
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New PGCPS, PGCC & County Partnership to Bring Tuition-Free College Courses Into Every High School
‘Dual in the Schools’ expansion to increase equitable access to college credit in every school, save families thousands in tuition and create new growth opportunities for PGCPS educators
By PRESS OFFICER
Prince George’s County Public Schools
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (Nov. 19, 2025)—Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), in partnership with Prince George’s Community College (PGCC), County Executive Aisha Braveboy and the Prince George’s County Council today announced an expansion of its Dual in the Schools (DITS) program, now slated to bring tuition-free college courses into every high school by the 2026–2027 school year.
The initiative lets students earn both high school and college credit during the regular school day. It’s now offered in five high schools and will expand to nine this school year, reaching all 25 high schools next school year. The program focuses on English, math, science, and social studies, with courses taught in high school classrooms by PGCPS educators credentialed as PGCC adjunct professors.
By expanding this program districtwide, PGCPS is increasing equitable access to college credit, reducing future tuition costs for families, and providing students a stronger, more seamless transition from high school to higher education.
“Expanding Dual in the Schools means expanding access, equity and readiness,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph. “Every student, in every high school, should have the chance to take college courses and earn credit toward their future. This program strengthens the bridge from high school to higher education and prepares students to graduate ready for one of the Four E’s—employed, enrolled, enlisted or an entrepreneur.”
Crossland High School senior O’Marie Barnes, the 2025–26 Student Member of the State Board of Education, said this initiative speaks to a reality students know well—opportunities are out there, but barriers often stand in the way.
“This helps answer the questions of how they’ll get there and how they’ll pay for it, while also allowing them to save money and time,” Barnes said.
Blending college coursework with high school instruction, DITS and the broader dual enrollment program give students a head start on their futures. Students gain confidence, earn transferable college credits, and in many cases, reduce time and costs toward a degree.
“The Dual in the Schools expansion is another vision that has been made real as my administration prioritizes achieving a world-class education system for our young people, and one that demonstrates how we elevate the County when we work together,” County Executive Aisha Braveboy said. “Prince George’s County students are extremely talented and brilliant; they are our future and our first priority. They deserve strategic investments into their future and academic advancement, which is what Dual in the Schools is. I am thrilled by each new opportunity that we can provide for families and students pursuing higher education.”
DITS directly supports Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, advancing two pillars: Pillar 2, High Quality Teachers and Leaders, by offering educators new professional growth opportunities as PGCC adjuncts, and Pillar 3, College and Career Readiness, by expanding dual enrollment pathways that prepare students for success beyond high school.
High school educators selected for the program will teach college courses during the regular school day while continuing in their current roles, enhancing professional development and directly impacting student success.
“Public education is under attack by the Trump administration as it continues to eliminate grants and federal programs that help Black and Brown students. Expanding DITS was a top priority for me because it’s needed in our county now more than ever,” said Prince George’s County Council Chair Edward Burroughs III. “Offering students college courses free of charge will save families thousands of dollars and provide students a jump start on their higher education. I’m so proud that our county government, PGCPS, and PGCC came together to make this a reality for our students.”
High school specialty program applications for the 2026–2027 school year—many which combine college coursework with internships and industry certifications—are open through December 12 for Career and Technical Education (CTE), Academy of Health Sciences (AHS), 3D Scholars, International Baccalaureate (IB), and P-TECH.
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), one of the nation's 20th largest school districts, has 201 schools and centers, more than 133,000 students and nearly 20,000 employees. The school system serves a diverse student population from urban, suburban and rural communities located in the Washington, DC suburbs. PGCPS is nationally recognized for college and career-readiness programs that provide students with unique learning opportunities, including dual enrollment and language immersion.
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Pyramid’s Annual 10x10 Invitational Kicked Off Holiday Season on November 22
223 Artists | 380 Works | $60 Prices | Special Holiday Programs
By KATE TAYLOR DAVIS
Pyramid Atlantic Art Center
Hyattsville, Md. (Nov. 18, 2025)—Pyramid Atlantic’s annual 10x10 Invitational open[ed] to the public Saturday, November 22. Pyramid’s gallery is tiled with 380 artworks donated by local and national artists who love the nonprofit art center. In this annual art bash, works each measure 10''x10'' and are priced at $60. The 10x10 is a great opportunity for collectors of all levels to purchase interesting pieces by talented artists at a remarkable price. In addition to prints, mediums include drawings, sculpture, paintings, glass, and mixed media.
10x10 open[ed] to the public on Saturday, November 22. It can be viewed in its entirety through December 4, after which it will be revised each week as works sells through January 4. Gallery hours are Wed–Thu 10–8 p.m., Fri–Sun 10–6 p.m. Pyramid Atlantic is located at 4318 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781. More information at pyramidatlantic.org or by calling 301-608-9101.
10x10 Artists:
Bruce Abrams | Christy M. Aden | Jessica Arends | Mosiah Ballard | Anne Barnes | Frank Baseman | Farah Bello | Tracy Benson | Janet Varga Berry | Nanette Bevan | Paige Billin-Frye | Barbara Bitondo | Chelsae Blackman | e bond | Rockin Bones | Margaret Boozer | Pamela J. Bozzi | Katherine Bramante | Servane Briand | Sally Brucker | Jo-Elle Burgard | Adjoa J. Burrowes | Kim Bursic | Ann Butwell | Amy Callner | Gerardo Camargo | Susan Wooddell Campbell | Stephanie Carpenter | Michele Casto | Mei Mei Chang | Nancy Chung | Eliza Clifford | Ellen Cornett |
L.A. Crawford | Andi Cullins | Beth Curren | Michael Dal Cerro | Jared Davis | Georgia Lynn Deal | Elizabeth DeLuna | Kristine DeNinno | Leia Dickerson | Julee Dickerson-Thompson | Silvia Dinale | Barbara DiSalvo | Elsabè J. Dixon | Pat Doyen | Ariane D'Souza | Cheryl Edwards | Lauren Emeritz | Juan Esparza | Hannah Longbottom Estrada | Michelle Evans | Rosemary Fallon | Judy Folkenberg | Martina Fornace | Annette Fortt | Helen Frederick | Jenny Freestone | Jon Gann | Marie B. Gauthiez | Roxana Geffen | Claudia Aziza Gibson-Hunter | Michele Godwin | Alisa Golden | Romello Goodman | AB Gorham | Maggie Gourlay | Eva Grandoni | Tanya Gutierrez | Megan Haidet | Ellen Reynolds Hall | Dana Hallman | Beth Hansen | Francine Haskins | Kristofer Heng | Meredith Henkelman | Carlos Hernandez | Francie Hester | Mary Welch Higgins | Ellen Hill | Lisa Hill | Tom Hill | Pattee Hipschen | Ennis R. Hodgson | Leslie Holt | John Horowitz | Bohdan Hoshovsky | Li Howard | Tina Hudak | Imar Lyman Hutchins | Annie Immediata | Brooke Ann Inman | Daphne Jackson | Yoshiko Jaeggi | Rose Jaffe | J. Jaffery | Pauline Jakobsberg | Fleming Jeffries | Cynthia Farrell Johnson | Bob Kantor | Ikumi Kayama | Richard Kegler | Trish Kent | Josh Kery | Kristina King | Alice Kresse | Elaine Langerman | Pamela Harris Lawton | Lauren H. Lay | Khánh L? | Naomi Le | Jun Lee | Susan Lefler | Sara Leibman | June Linowitz | Leah L-Rubin | Eric Lunde | Caroline MacKinnon | Suzanne Maggi | Bonnie Magness-Gardiner | Betsy Martin | Meredith Massey | Sarah Matthews | Melanie Mauro | Kerry McAleer-Keeler | Laura E. McClure | Sarah McCoy | Philip G. McQueen | Sam Yates Meier | Anna Meyer Zachurski | Jim Modrick | Margaret Molinari | Brittany Murray | Daniella Napolitano | Dominie Nash | Diana Baird N'Diaye | Mame N'Diaye | Sarah Kathryn Noble | Sarah Noreen | Cory Oberndorfer | Amie Oliver | Maya Ormsby | John Ortiz | Jen Pape | John Paradiso | Krista Park | Nicole Parker | Lara Payne | Susan Due Pearcy | Sylvie Phaelan | Holly Porter | Trinity Elena Pote | Lydia Prentiss | Lynn Putney | Cori Quirk | Dominick Rabrun | Randi Reiss-McCormack | Deborah Remmers | Edgar Reyes | Korey Richardson | Sharon Robinson | Nanette Roche | Ashley Romero | Lisa Rosenstein | Nathalie Ryan | Tracey Salaway | Tyler Sanville | Karissa Scaffidi | Olivia Schrecengost | Adi Segal | Gail Shaw-Clemons | Daniel Shay | Jen Sheckels | Samantha Shelton | Noam Sienna | Elzbieta Sikorska | Susan Silva | Tanja Softi? | Gloria Solomon | Milena Spasic | Emily Springer | Raychel Steinbach | Steven Stichter | Jan Stovall | Kamala Subramanian | Henrik Sundqvist | Lynn Sures | Terry Svat | Linda Samson Talleur | Tim Tate | Oluwatoyin Tella | Amanda Levendowski Tepski | Valerie Theberge | Shannon Thomas | Kim Thorpe | Erwin Timmers | Varvara Tokareva | Chadwick Tolley | Sandra Toro | Susan Tuberville | Mary Turpin | Tinam Valk | Roy Ricci van der Stok | Kevin Velazquez | Claudia Vess | Anastasia M. Walsh | Lori
Walsh-Van Wey | Jenny Walton | Denise Wamaling | Mark H. Wamaling | Ellyn Weiss | Patricia de Poel Wilberg | Hadiya Williams | Clare Wilson | Tia Wilson | Ellen Verdon Winkler | Max-Karl Winkler | Clare Winslow | Jane Puryear Woodard | Kelley Yang | Lenora L. Yerkes | Rebecca York | Némesis Zambrano | Richard Zeid
Pyramid expanded its gallery in May of 2025 and now has room for larger exhibitions and additional programming. In addition to the 10x10, Pyramid is offering the following programs this holiday season:
Family Make+Takes
Sundays from 11–2 p.m., Pyramid invites guests to grab a mug of hot cocoa and settle in for a little cottage-core. Open to all ages, these cozy winter-themed art sessions are great for the gift giving season. Work to create a unique art piece while gaining new skills. Good for families, friends, and solo creatives. Register for these events on Pyramid’s website. Drop-ins are also welcome (space permitting).
Sunday, November 30
Colorful Collage Paper Ornaments | $30
Sunday, December 7
DIY Holiday Cards | $35
Sunday, December 14
Screenprinted Yeti Stuffie Pillow | $45
Sunday, December 21
Colorful Collage Paper Ornaments | $30
Pop Up Art Markets
Pyramid is partnering with friends to bring two unique pop-up markets to its gallery. These events are FREE and open to the public. RSVPs via Pyramid’s website are requested. (Note: some experiences may require purchase.)
Saturday, December 13. 12–5 p.m. | FREE
Winter Solstice Holiday Market
In partnership with Good Company
Featuring artists and makers who work celebrates the turning of the seasons. Expect art activities, tarot readings, a DJ, and seasonal beverages.
Saturday, December 20, 12–5 p.m. | FREE
Cocoa & Cornbread Holiday Market
In partnership with Nubian Hueman
Celebrate the comfort and craftsmanship of Black, woman-owned brands that feed the body, elevate everyday living, and nourish the soul. Expect vendors with interactive experiences, DJs, and, of course, cocoa inspired beverages.
Founded in 1981, Pyramid Atlantic is a nonprofit contemporary art center. Our mission is to sustain and elevate a welcoming arts hub in Hyattsville. MD that champions contemporary printmaking, papermaking, and book arts. We equip, educate, and exhibit while prioritizing artistic integrity, creative growth, and inclusivity. Our vision is to anchor an arts community that recognizes and uplifts the importance of artists, the intrinsic values of working with your hands, and the economy of artist-made work. Visit www.pyramidatlanticartcenter.org
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Victory: Prince George’s County Ends 27-Year-old Breed Ban
By PRESS OFFICER
Humane World for Animals
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (Nov. 18, 2025) —The Prince George’s County Council in Maryland voted in favor of ending the decades-old ban on pit bull-type dogs in the county. Council Bill 097-2025, a comprehensive modernization of the county’s animal control code was championed by Council Chair Edward Burroughs III and represents years of collaboration between local leaders, animal advocates and residents to create a fairer, safer and more effective animal control code.
“Today marks a monumental step forward for our county. This legislation not only prevents the inhumane euthanasia of countless dogs who pose no threat but also makes our communities safer by strengthening protections for residents against genuinely dangerous dogs,” said Burroughs. “By increasing accountability, raising civil penalties, and expanding both the definition and requirements for classifying a dog as dangerous, we are taking a comprehensive approach to responsible pet ownership. This legislation holds irresponsible dog owners accountable, ensuring that the focus remains on behavior, not breed.”
Leading the effort was Prince George’s Pet Unity Project, a grassroots organization that brought together residents, animal advocates and local officials to identify how the animal control code could strengthen families, address the community’s concerns and improve public safety.
Under the prior law, most pit bull-type dogs entering the county’s animal shelter were automatically deemed unadoptable due solely to appearance. Countless dogs were confined to kennels for months, unable to be adopted or even taken outside. Persistent advocacy from shelter volunteers and PG PUP gradually opened small but meaningful doors. Official policy changes made by shelter leadership first allowed staff and volunteers to handle them, then to walk them, bringing moments of care and normalcy to lives spent in limbo. Major progress was made when rescues were permitted to transfer these dogs safely outside the county, and a federal court challenge shed light on the broader harms of breed-specific laws. By early 2023, out-of-county adoptions were finally permitted, providing many of these dogs with their first real chance at a home.
Through community engagement across the county, PG PUP gathered first-hand stories from residents about how the outdated code affected their lives and their pets. These incremental changes laid the groundwork for today’s repeal, driven by residents across the county.
“We are thrilled to see this long-awaited change,” said Caitrin Conroy, executive director of the Prince George’s Pet Unity Project. “For years, residents have called for fair, effective laws, and this outdated policy has cost our community dearly in reputation and resources, in trust, and in lives. It has strained our animal services system and blocked meaningful progress. The Council’s vote shows real leadership, grounded in facts, evidence, and compassion, rather than fear and myths. At the Prince George’s Pet Unity Project, our mission has always been to help keep people and their pets together through support, education, and access to resources. We look forward to continuing to work together to build a safer, fairer community for everyone.”
Key Provisions of CB-097-2025:
Public Safety: The modernized code strengthens leash-law requirements, updates and clarifies definitions, and increases civil penalties for repeat offenders.
Efficient County Resource Use: Prior to these updates, the county spent millions annually on an ineffective policy with no measurable safety benefit. The changes to the animal code replace the outdated, subjective rules with today’s best practices that better utilize staff and resources.
Supports People and Pets: The bill launches a pilot program that allows previously banned pit bull-type dogs to be adopted or fostered through the Animal Services Division. Participants must meet strict requirements to ensure public safety while giving more families the chance to welcome pets into their homes. The bill also grandfathers in dogs currently in the county, provided they are registered, and owners adhere to the county’s updated requirements.
Looking Ahead:
With CB-097-2025 now enacted, the County will move into an implementation phase that emphasizes:
• Public education campaigns to inform residents about the new changes, when they are effective, and available resources.
• Continued partnerships with PG PUP, Humane World for Animals and other local groups to extend pet-care resources to families.
• Regular progress reports to ensure transparency, accountability, and public safety.
Humane World for Animals is supporting this transition by covering adoption fees for dozens of pit bull-type dogs at the Prince George’s County Animal Shelter, donating 1,000 microchips to help reunite lost pets with their families, and providing over $150,000 in in-kind assistance to help residents care for their pets.
This historic update brings Prince George’s County’s animal code in line with modern best practices, creating safer neighborhoods, stronger families, and a more compassionate community for people and pets alike. The County now joins jurisdictions nationwide moving away from breed-specific laws in favor of evidence-based, equitable approaches to public safety.
The Pet Unity Project is a local nonprofit of Prince George’s County residents and volunteers dedicated to re-imagining community collaboration around animal welfare. The organization provides education, community support, and policy advocacy to repeal breed-specific legislation (BSL), guide the safe reintegration of previously banned dogs into the community, assist local shelters and adopters, and ensure pets remain with their families whenever possible while keeping communities safe.
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