City of District Heights Welcomes New Directors of Communications and Senior Services
By PRESS OFFICER
City of District Heights
District Heights, Md. (July 17, 2024)—The City of District Heights is proud to announce the newest additions to its leadership team: Kellye Beathea as the Director of Communications and Tomiko Thomas as the Director of Senior Services. Both bring extensive experience and a strong commitment to serving the residents of District Heights.
Director of Communications:
Kellye Beathea, J.D.
Kellye Beathea joins the City of District Heights with over 10 years of experience in strategic communications and public relations. A proud native of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Beathea has a distinguished career marked by her work with prominent organizations and governmental agencies. She is a graduate of both Bowie State University (B.S. in Broadcast Journalism) and University of Baltimore School of Law (Juris Doctorate).
Her previous experience includes Communications Strategist roles with Prince George’s County Social Services, Windsor Group, LLC, AARP, and E*TRADE, and several other political campaigns, corporations, and non-profit organizations where she was instrumental in developing and implementing comprehensive communication strategies.
As District Heights’ first ever Director of Communications, Beathea will oversee all aspects of public relations, media relations, and community engagement for the City of District Heights. She aims to foster transparent and effective communication between the city administration and its residents. City Manager David Street states, “I am very excited to add Ms. Beathea to the team; her wealth of experience will allow the City of District Heights to continue to make its government more accessible to its residents.”
Director of Senior Services:
Tomiko Thomas
Tomiko Thomas brings over 20 years of dedicated service in social work and senior care management to his new role as the Director of Senior Services. A graduate of Morgan State University (B.S. in Social Work) and Howard University (M.S. in Social Work), Thomas has held several key positions in the D.C. and Maryland governments. His extensive background includes roles with the D.C. Office of Child and Family Services, the D.C. Office on Aging, and most recently, as the Director of School-Based Programs for a non-profit in Washington, D.C.
Thomas is passionate about creating programs that enrich the lives of senior citizens. He plans to lead the Senior Services department under the theme of “Fun with a Purpose,” focusing on intergenerational activities, digital inclusion, health and wellness education, arts and crafts, and recreational trips.
“Mr. Thomas is joining the City of District Heights during a critical time and is fulfilling a critical need: providing comprehensive services to our senior community,” said Street. “I believe his experience will help us achieve our goals as the City prepares to open the doors to its new senior center.”
The City of District Heights is a vibrant community located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Known for its rich history and diverse population, District Heights is committed to providing exceptional services and fostering a safe, inclusive, and thriving environment for all its residents.
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Governor Moore Announces Appointment to Prince George’s County District Court
By PRESS OFFICER
Office of the Governor
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (July 17, 2024)— Governor Wes Moore today announced the appointment of Kimberly Vicena Lewis to the Prince George’s County District Court.
“Kimberly Lewis has dedicated her life and career to public service. Whenever our state has called on her to serve, she has always answered with a resounding ‘yes’ —and I am grateful that she has raised her hand once again,” said Gov. Moore. “There is no doubt in my mind that Ms. Lewis will continue to honor the rule of law through her new role on the District Court bench.”
Kimberly Vicena Lewis currently serves in the Maryland Attorney General’s Office as Special Counsel in the Child Support Division of Department of Human Services, a position she has held
since 2018. In this role, she obtains financial support for children and disabled adults.
Prior to her service in the Office of the Attorney General, Lewis spent 21 years as an attorney with the Office of the Public Defender in Prince George’s County, where she managed juvenile cases, drug court cases, in addition to district and circuit court cases. She was also an adjunct professor at Prince George’s Community College where she taught courses in legal writing, research and analysis.
Lewis received her B.S. from The College of William and Mary and her J.D. from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. Following graduation from law school, Lewis clerked for several judges including the Honorable E. Allen Shepherd and the Honorable Arthur M. Ahalt in Prince George’s County Circuit Court and the Honorable Susan Winfield in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia.
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Grow Prince George’s Initiative Celebrates Success with Completion of ARPA-funded Programming
By PRESS OFFICER
PGCEDC
Largo, Md. (July 16, 2024)—Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (PGCEDC) proudly announces the successful completion of its Grow Prince George’s initiative, marking a significant milestone in fostering economic growth and inclusivity within the county. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), this initiative has empowered local businesses
through tailored programs designed to propel their growth and competitiveness.
Over the past year and a half, Grow Prince George’s has positively impacted over 1050 businesses and facilitated the creation of an estimated 115 jobs across diverse sectors of the country’s economy. This initiative has been pivotal in supporting BIPOC and women entrepreneurs, ensuring equitable access to essential skills and growth opportunities.
David Iannucci, President and CEO of PGCEDC, emphasized the initiative’s impact: “Grow Prince George’s has not only strengthened our local economy but has also created a pathway for businesses to thrive amid evolving challenges. The success stories we’ve heard from our participants highlight the transformative power of economic development.”
Under the Grow Prince George’s umbrella, several flagship programs have driven notable outcomes:
A.I. for Small Business with the R.H. Smith School of UMD: This program provided hands-on training in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance business operations and customer engagement, impacting 50 businesses with strategies for AI-driven growth.
CertifyPG & Prosper Certification Training Program: Over 80 businesses gained expertise in navigating government contracting, underscoring the importance of procurement in fostering local business growth.
0 to 100 Accelerator Program (Latino Small Business Development Program): In partnership with M&T Bank, this program delivered essential training entirely in Spanish, benefiting 15 businesses and creating an estimated ten new jobs within the Latino community. This initiative aims to build strong companies, spur economic growth in Prince George’s County, and help create generational wealth.
Participants have shared their success stories, illustrating the impact of Grow Prince George’s.
“I am grateful to M&T and PGEDC for conducting this competition, as this was such an invaluable experience,” said Will Avila Watson, Owner of Clean Decisions and first-prize winner. “I feel energized and so ready to take my business to the next level.”
As PGCEDC looks toward the future, plans are underway to expand the initiative's reach and offerings. Future cohorts and enhanced partnerships with educational institutions and industry leaders will continue to drive innovation and competitiveness in Prince George’s County.
Visit www.PGCEDC.com for more information on how your business can benefit from future programming like Grow Prince George’s.
Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (PGCEDC)’s mission is to cultivate and promote a strong local economy that supports the growth and prosperity of entrepreneurs and businesses, dedicated to strengthening communities through business development and job creation. For more information about the services the Economic Development Corporation provides to local companies, visit www.pgcedc.com.
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