PGCMLS’ Nicholas A. Brown Named Marketer of the Year By Library Journal
By DONNA SCOTT-MARTIN
PGCMLS
Largo, Md. (Oct. 5, 2021)—The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is proud to announce that its Chief Operating Officer for Communication and Outreach, Nicholas Alexander Brown, has been named Library Marketer of the Year by Library Journal, a leading national trade publication for the library industry. This is the sixth annual Library Journal Marketer of the Year award, sponsored by Library Ideas. The award recognizes Brown and the Library’s PR/Marketing and Digital Services teams for their impactful, innovative, and creative approach to marketing library services and engaging the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nicholas Brown’s creative spirit and his expert ability to promote all services provided by the library and its partners has changed our landscape,” lauded PGCMLS Chief Executive Officer Roberta Phillips. “With his foresight, our reach is broader, and the tremendous work of PGCMLS’ expert staff is increasingly being recognized both locally and nationally. As a result, PGCMLS has become the go-to partner for innovative thinking and programs for educational and cultural organizations in our region. Brown continually looks to the future, surpassing trends, to ensure that the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System becomes more essential to every member of our community in rich and meaningful ways,” Phillips elaborated.
Thanks to Brown and his team, PGCMLS’ marketing presence and expanded media reach has been reflected in increased diversified customer engagement that promotes equity of content, services and resources. A few notable examples are:
• Expanding the scope of the Library’s joint virtual presentation of Ibram X. Kendi with Joe’s Movement Emporium, Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights, and Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts to reach a global live audience of 226,000+ viewers. This was accomplished in partnership with Maryland State Library and over 20 public libraries in Maryland, and the collaboration led to the establishment of the Maryland Libraries Together statewide speaker series supported by Maryland State Library.
• Robust literacy, education, digital equity, and wellness partnerships with DC United, Washington Nationals, Washington Wizards, and Washington Football Team.
• The PGCMLS Vaccine Hunter Hotline that offered Spanish speakers and individuals with special circumstances who needed support with securing COVID-19 vaccine appointments. This temporary operation was funded by the Capital One Foundation and the PGCMLS Foundation.
• The PGCMLS This Week web video series with 7News DC’s Adrianna Hopkins that promotes the Library’s programs and resources for all ages. The series was introduced by Donna Scott-Martin, Media Relations Specialist, and is directed and produced by Nestor Diaz, Marketing Specialist.
Brown also led PGCMLS’ efforts to expand Spanish language access to the library’s programs and services, in collaboration with the Library’s Public Services staff, through bilingual digital and print collateral, and promotion of the Library’s Biblio Consulta call center for Spanish speakers.
This award represents in part the expert creative and collaborative work of Steve Fitzgerald, Director of Dynamic Content and Engagement; Drew Clark, Graphic Designer; Nestor Diaz, Marketing Specialist; Brian Habib, Web Development Specialist; Olivia “O” Horvath, Digital Services Specialist; and Donna Scott-Martin, Media Relations Specialist; along with the Library’s Program Services, Intercultural Services, and Development departments.
Nicholas Alexander Brown is a Honduran-American library executive, arts producer, and musician based in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Communication and Outreach at the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. He previously served as director of special productions & initiatives at Washington Performing Arts. In 2019, Brown was named to the Library Journal Movers & Shakers—Innovators list for his work in programming and community engagement. Brown served on the Librarian of Congress’ strategic programming team (Office of Special Events and Public Programs). He held the position of music specialist/concert producer for the Library’s Music Division from 2012–2018, programming the historic Concerts from the Library of Congress series. Brown co-produced the Library of Congress Bibliodiscotheque series, featuring Gloria Gaynor and Tim Gunn. He is currently an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Library and Information Science at The Catholic University of America and a past president of the District of Columbia Library Association. Brown previously worked in the Office of the President and Provost at Harvard University, served in the 215th Army Band, has performed internationally as a conductor, French horn player, and chorister, and held internships in the Office of the First Lady at The White House (Obama Administration) and in the Boston Symphony Orchestra Press Office.
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 967,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. www.pgcmls.info/about-us
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Mecca Temple No. 10 of the Desert of the District of Columbia Announces Its 2021 Scholarship Recipients
By ANTHONY JACKSON
Mecca Temple No. 10
Washington (Sept. 23, 2021)—Mecca Temple No.10 of the Oasis of Washington, Desert of the District of Columbia, and part of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine (AEAONMS) Inc., is pleased to announce the winners of its 2021 scholarships: Lalah Choice, Jaliyah Abdul -Haqq, Alani Peters, Rachel Iman Tillery, and Jada Jones. Despite the pandemic’s setbacks, our recipients graduated from high school and will be entering their first year of college. The Temple’s scholarship committee reviewed several candidates and selected these five recipients to receive a $1000 scholarship to use towards tuition and fees. All our scholarship recipients will be attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the fall.
Jaliyah Abdul -Haqq of Washington, DC, graduated from McKinley Technology Senior High School. Jaliyah will be attending Delaware State University and has a strong interest in science and technology. She seeks to study biotechnology with the hopes of becoming a researcher at the National Human Genome Research Institute.
Alani Peters of Bowie, MD, graduated from Bowie High School. Alani will be attending Clark Atlanta University and plans to major in Criminal Justice. We wish her good luck as she travels to Atlanta and studies at the famed school of the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUC Consortium).
Rachel Iman Tillery of Washington, DC, graduated from McKinley Technology High School. Rachel will be traveling to Greensboro, NC, to study at North Carolina A&T State University. She plans to study nursing with the hopes of becoming a pediatric nurse.
Jada Jones of Upper Marlboro, MD, graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School. Jada plans to attend Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. Jada is interested in studying Economics.
Lalah Choice of Washington, DC, graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Lalah plans to study Environmental Science with a focus on Marine Science at Florida A&M University.
Mecca Temple No. 10 is one of four local units, known as Temples, established in 1893 in Washington, DC. Mecca Temple No.10 is a member of the AEAONMS, Inc. The AEAONMS is a fraternal, social, and charitable organization and is associated with the Prince Hall Affiliated Shrine Masonic Order. Mecca Temple No. 10 has over 200 members on its roster. Feel free to contact Noble William Q. Taylor at WQT0115@msn.com for more information about the Mecca Temple No.10’s scholarship program and other charitable activities.
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