Prince George’s County Native Launches “The Meet Up Podcast” Amid Rising Burnout Among Young Professionals

By PRESS OFFICER
The Meet Up Podcast

Prince George’s County, Md. (April 24, 2026)—As burnout, career uncertainty, and mental health challenges continue to impact young professionals nationwide, Prince George’s County native Juwan Blocker is launching The Meet Up Podcast—a new platform designed to create honest, solution-driven conversations around career, purpose, and personal growth.

According to recent workforce studies, a growing number of Gen Z and millennial professionals report feeling disengaged and uncertain about their career paths, highlighting a need for spaces that offer both relatability and practical guidance.
 
A graduate of Bowie State University and former student leader within Prince George’s County Public Schools, Blocker has long been committed to advocacy and community impact. As a former student member of the Prince George’s County Board of Education, he played a role in efforts to preserve the Creative and Performing Arts (CPA) program at Hyattsville Middle School—an experience that shaped his passion for creating platforms that uplift and empower others.

“I started this podcast because I know what it feels like to navigate uncertainty and be in between seasons. So many young professionals in Prince George’s County and across the DMV are figuring things out in real time. This platform is about real conversations that help people move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.”—Juwan Blocker, Founder, The Meet Up Podcast

Launching on May 1, 2026, The Meet Up Podcast will feature weekly episodes with leaders, professionals, and changemakers from Prince George’s County and the broader DMV region. The podcast will explore topics including career transitions, mental wellness, faith, and identity—while offering actionable tools listeners can apply to their own lives.

The debut episodes will highlight conversations centered on navigating career pivots, maintaining mental health in high-pressure environments, and building purpose-driven careers during uncertain times.

Listeners can expect:

• Authentic conversations on career growth and transitions

• Insight into maintaining mental wellness in high-pressure environments

• Discussions on faith, identity, and purpose

• Tools and strategies for personal and professional development

More than a podcast, The Meet Up Podcast aims to build a community rooted in accountability, growth, and legacy-building—starting in Prince George’s County and expanding across the DMV.

Episodes will be available beginning May 1 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. For updates, follow @The_Meet_Up_Podcast on social media.

For media inquiries, interview requests, or collaboration opportunities, please contact Juwan Blocker at meetuppod1@gmail.com.

The Meet Up Podcast is a platform dedicated to honest conversations with leaders and professionals navigating career shifts, personal growth, and purpose. Through storytelling and practical insight, the podcast empowers young professionals—especially those in Prince George’s County and the DMV—to build meaningful careers while prioritizing mental wellness and faith.

TOP OF PAGE

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Eric Reese, Visionary Behind House of Soul

By MONICA BISCOE
House of Soul

LANHAM, Md. (April 20, 2026)—The Prince George’s County community is mourning the loss of Eric Reese, a visionary entrepreneur and one of the driving forces behind House of Soul, a beloved Black-owned restaurant and lounge known for its culture, cuisine, and community impact.

Reese played an instrumental role in establishing House of Soul as more than a dining destination, it became a vibrant gathering space where community, music, and celebration intersect. Through his leadership and vision, House of Soul has created jobs, supported local talent, and provided a consistent platform for live entertainment and community-centered events.

Located in Lanham, Maryland, House of Soul has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional service, flavorful cuisine, and a dynamic atmosphere that reflects the richness of the community it serves. In recognition of its excellence and community support, the establishment was recently honored with the BusinessRate Best of 2025 award.

“Eric Reese didn’t just help build a business, he helped create a space where people feel connected, celebrated, and at home,” said Tamara Ouckama. “His impact will continue to live on through House of Soul, it’s staff, and the countless lives he touched.”

Beyond his entrepreneurial contributions, Reese will be remembered for his warmth, generosity, and unwavering commitment to uplifting others. His legacy is reflected not only in the success of House of Soul, but in the opportunities he helped create and the community he helped strengthen.

As the community reflects on this loss, House of Soul stands as a living testament to Reese’s vision, one that will continue to thrive and bring people together for years to come.

House of Soul is located at 9430 Annapolis Road, Lanham, MD.

TOP OF PAGE

Prince George’s County Department of Social Services Announces Jennifer Amaya Thompson as Agency Director
Highlighting Director Amaya Thompson’s First 100 Days Leading PGCDSS

By JORDAN ANDERSON
Prince George’s County Department of Social Services

LANDOVER, Md. (April 17, 2026)—On January 7, 2026, the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services (PGCDSS) welcomed Jennifer Amaya Thompson, MSW as the new agency Director. In this role, Director Amaya Thompson leads the quasi-State agency with a 500+ member staff and manages a $70M+ combined agency budget, providing crucial services and resources to families and individuals living in Prince George’s County, Maryland. PGCDSS is a local agency of the Maryland Department of Human Services, administering State services across Prince George’s County at 5 service buildings in Landover (3), Hyattsville (1), and Temple Hills (1).

In the Director’s first 100 days, she has hit the ground running. In less than 90 days, Director Amaya Thompson created a Community Affairs Latino Liaison position in the Office of the Director, teamed up with Governor Wes Moore and the Comptroller of Maryland Brooke Lierman to promote the Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), navigated major winter storms with the Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Management, and hosted a collaborative tabletop exercise on immigration activity preparedness with the Governor’s Office, the Maryland Department of Human Services, Howard County Department of Social Services, and Prince George’s County Department of Social Services. She has begun supporting families that have been impacted by deportation by working with faith-based and community-based organizations to coordinate resources, services, and next-of-kin placement for children. Within this time, the Director has participated already in over 330 meetings to connect and collaborate with partners and elevate the work and outcomes of the agency.

“I am honored to be leading the County’s top social services provider with such a knowledgeable team within the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services,” said Jennifer Amaya Thompson, Director of the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services. “As the second-largest jurisdiction in Maryland, Prince George’s County is home to nearly 1 million residents and PGCDSS is responsible for being there for each of them should they ever need our support. I look forward to working with County Executive Aisha Braveboy in elevating Prince George’s County and working with our State agency partners to better serve and positively impact more Prince George’s County families with data-informed and culturally competent strategies.”

Additionally, Director Amaya Thompson sprang into action on the Safer Stronger Together (SST) initiative, a cross-agency, place-based collaboration between the Maryland Department of Human Services, Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, and Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. SST has recently provided grant funding to eight Prince George’s County based community partners to support County families who touch all three of the state agencies to improve outcomes with personalized support from family navigators.

Internally, Director Amaya Thompson has completed listening sessions across every PGCDSS building to hear directly from staff about solutions to bring improved customer experiences, update systems, and streamline services to ultimately better serve Prince Georgians seeking support from the department. In honor of Women’s History Month, we have also hosted the 9th Annual P.A.V.E.R. Awards, an internal celebration of women staff members going above and beyond in their roles, leaving a lasting impact on staff and customers.

Laser-focused on data-driven and trauma-informed solutions, Director Amaya Thompson is leading the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services team in developing an agency strategic plan that reflects the current state of human services in the County. Under her leadership, PGCDSS is building career pathways for residents seeking to serve others by expanding partnerships with higher education institutions in the County. We are also building on our internal capacity by providing professional development for staff to grow in the field of social work.

Director Amaya Thompson has a strategic vision for PGCDSS that involves building and enhancing the culture of the department internally and externally, enhancing infrastructure across each division as well as internal and external communication systems. This vision positions PGCDSS as a data-informed agency to build public trust and shift public perception toward the agency being a resource to our community, supporting youth development, and investing in family wellbeing.

Read more about Director Amaya Thompson’s background on the agency website at: socialservices.mypgc.us.

The Prince George’s County Department of Social Services is in the business of providing opportunities for residents of the County to become independent, responsible and stable members of the community. We do this by providing intervention services that strengthen and protect families, children and adults through encouraging self-sufficiency, and promoting personal responsibility.

TOP OF PAGE