Brandywine-Aquasco
By Audrey Johnson, 301-922-5384
BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY WINNING WOMEN
BSU Winning Woman Bolametiren “BiBi” Akinlaja (’23). Her journey at Bowie State University has been driven by a clear purpose: creating spaces where students can see what is possible for themselves. A proud alumna. Bibi serves as a program manager for the center of Data Analytics and the DARTT Lab at BSU, where she connects education, technology, and industry to expand student opportunities in data analytics and emerging technologies.
Through her leadership, Bibi has organized data science training, symposiums, mentorship programs, and experiential learning opportunities that prepare students to thrive in a data-driven workforce. She also helped launch Data Tribe, a student community designed to make data analytics more approachable, collaborative, and empowering through workshops, peer learning, and industry engagement.
Her work has supported more than 250 student engagements; helping students strengthen their data literacy and gain hands-on experience. Many participants have gone on to pursue internships and professional opportunities with organizations such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Reserve Bank, Northrop Grumman, Maximus, and initiatives supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
For Bibi, being a BSU Winning Woman means using knowledge, leadership, and community to uplift others and help open doors for the next generation of leaders. She is proud to contribute to a university culture that values excellence, collaboration, and preparing the next generation of leaders to thrive in an increasingly data-driven society. Visit the website to view our BSU Winning Women and read their inspiring stories.
BULLDOG SPOTLIGHT
Junior Joshua Looper selected for Prestigious Douglas-O’Connell Global Internship in Ireland. Looper will spend eight weeks in Dublin this summer, completing a full-time internship with a cultural exchange organization while studying historic movements that advanced equality and social justice reform.
BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Bowie State appoints Dr. Jolisa Williams Interim Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation. “I am deeply honored and grateful that President Breaux has entrusted me with this role. She is an incredible leader with an exciting vision for excellence at our university, and I am committed to doing everything I can to help advance that vision.” Dr. Jolisa Williams.
3rd ANNUAL BULLDOG 5K WALK /RUN
Calling all Walkers, Joggers, and Runners! Lace up your sneakers and join us for the Bulldog 5K Walk/Run Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 2–5 p.m. rain or shine. Early Bird Registration: $40 Day of Registration $50. The Bulldog 5K walk/run is in memory of the late Clyde Doughty, Jr. whose legacy of leadership and dedication to Bowie State athletics continues to inspire the Bulldog community. Proceeds from the Bulldog 5K will benefit the Department of Athletics by supporting academic resources and services that empower our student-athletes to succeed both in the classroom and in competition. If you are unable to participate in the walk/run, you can still show your support by making a donation to the Department of Athletics in honor of Vice President Doughty.
CAREGIVERS’ SESSION INVITATION
You are invited to a ‘You Are Worthy’ session for Caregivers at Nottingham Myers United Methodist Church on April 18, 2026, 9:45 a.m. centering, 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. This is an invitation for you, and a friend or two, to join us on Saturday for our presentation for Caregivers. Come and be refreshed as we engage in conversations entitled “You Are Worthy.” Caregivers Self-Care presentation promoting a balanced life of spiritual renewal, physical health, and emotional peace through faith. The session starts with gathering at 9:45 a.m. Nottingham Myers United Methodist Church, located at 15601 Brooks Church Road, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, 20772. Sponsored by our Health and Welfare Ministries. We would be so delighted to have you join us. Rev. Shemaiah Strickland, Pastor. Free: Unique caregiver gifts and light refreshments. Contact Janice Mozee at 908 812-2870 for more details, if needed. www.nmc1867.org Our featured presenters are Mrs. Sherl L. Streeter, AARP, Monique Rodriquez, LGP9324 Metanoia Life Center, LLC, Emily Jacobs, MS, RN, Hospice of the Chesapeake.
CHARLIE WILSON
This Mother’s Day, treat the special women in your life to an evening with R&B icon Charlie Wilson, live on Sunday, May 10, 8 p.m. at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. With his smooth vocals, timeless hits, and electrifying performances, “Uncle Charlie” will bring the house down with “Outstanding,” “There Goes My Baby,” and “You.” Wilson has made a significant impact on the music industry. Join us for an evening of love, music, and celebration as we honor mothers with a night full of soulful melodies and good vibes. Whether you’re dancing in your seat or singing along to every lyric, this is a perfect way to show appreciation for the amazing moms. Don’t miss this incredible event. Secure your ticket and make it a Mother’s Day to remember.
BADEN FOOD PANTRY
Positive changes to Baden Food Pantry, 1350 Baden Westwood Road, Brandywine, Maryland, 20613. Effective March 15, 2026: New Food Distribution Hours 10–11:30 a.m. The “Choice” method food distribution will be implemented on Tuesdays and Fridays. This will allow clients to shop for the food they want. The Annex next to the Fellowship Hall will open at 9:30 a.m. for client registration and medical screenings.
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In and Around Morningside-Skyline By Mary McHale 301-735-3451 Crossland High grad David Vosh dies at 70Electronic-music innovator David Vosh died February 6, one month shy of his 71st birthday. A lifelong Prince Georgian, Dave grew up in Camp Springs with his mother Clementine and his father Joseph who served in the Army during World War II before becoming an agent for Nationwide Insurance, and younger sister Theresa.
While at Crossland, Dave and his good friends, Arthur and Paul Carlson, began experimenting with musical instruments and audio equipment, eventually forming a free-jazz band that played a few local gigs before drifting apart. Dave, however, spent the rest of his life making music, inspired by the synthesizer recordings of Wendy Carlos and, particularly, Karlheinz Stockhausen, with whom Dave corresponded for many years.
Crossland gave Dave access to the electronics and radio components that allowed him to figure out how to build his own synthesizers. Rejecting modern computer innovation, Dave was an ardent promoter of old-school analogue electronic music, shaping sounds via vintage equipment built around vacuum tubes, tape reels and oscillators.
After high school, Dave worked a variety day jobs, with longer stints at Mann’s Potato Chips in Landover and Value City Furniture, that allowed him to spend his evenings and weekends pursuing his passion for listening to and creating music.
He was highly respected in the DC experimental electronic music scene, performing at venues around the area—including The Black Cat, Baltimore’s Rams Head Live, and George Washington University—and across the Mid-Atlantic. His YouTube channel collects hours of his other-worldly sounding performances:
www.youtube.com/davevosh For over a decade, Dave curated ElectronicaFest, an event celebrating experimental electronic music in the DC/Baltimore area, which happens every November at the National Electronic Museum in Hunt Valley, Md. Fritz Schantz, the festival’s organizer, has announced that this year’s ElectronicaFest will be held in honor of Dave.
Dave is survived by his wife Janis Vosh, sister Theresa Cardwell and brother-in-law Kenn Cardwell, and nephew Joe Cardwell. A memorial Mass was held April 1 at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Camp Springs, where he attended school as a child, and was a long-time parishioner.
Remember our snowy January?That snow arrived the evening of Saturday, January 24, and lingered through the night into Sunday before turning into ice and sleet at midday and finally stopping Sunday night.
Since temperatures stayed below freezing all the following week, most people in the area have stories of their struggles to clear driveways and walkways, often involving broken snow shovels and the unusual replacements—garden spades, hammers, tire irons, crowbars, pickaxes—they had to use to break through the 0.5–1'' layer of ice.
Morningside has a standing list of four seniors who are to be dug out when it snows, but as residents attacked that ice, the number grew to twenty-seven.
The Public Works team took out both trucks while the snow was still falling, to try to stay on top of the situation. Pretty quickly, they were joined by a few volunteers, including Mayor Bradley Wade and Council Member John Anthony. Together, the crew worked through the ensuing days to make sure everybody was able to get out of their houses safely.
If you happen to run into any of those folks, make sure you thank them for their hard work.
And speaking of the Public Works department, John Anthony says the years of heavy use have taken a toll on their two trucks. The town is in the process of replacing them with two brand-new trucks. Particularly after all that ice and snow, I’m sure the old trucks are ready for retirement.
Free downsizing seminarOn Saturday, May 16, Morningsider Deborah Jackson will hold a free seminar, “How to Downsize without Overwhelm.” Jackson is a licensed realtor with Long & Foster.
Whether you’re already preparing to move, caring for an aging relative, or just feeling like you have to downsize sooner rather than later, Jackson is ready to share her expert advice.
She will discuss how to downsize, including the major pitfalls to avoid; how to protect the equity in your current home, and how to choose your next home; how to develop a transition plan; and what local programs are available to help seniors and their families.
The seminar will be at the Morningside Municipal Center, 6901 Ames St. It will run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and will include light refreshments. Although there is no charge, you must RSVP no later than Friday, May 9, to reserve your spot.
Burned-out building shows signs of progressOn January 17 last year, the tire shop at 6711 Suitland Road caught fire. Much of the shop was destroyed in the fire. There were no injuries, and the brick-and-cinderblock structure remained.
That building has stood empty ever since. In recent weeks, however, cleanup has been underway. New owners got their business permits and are hard at work preparing the space for use, possibly as a new auto repair shop. I’ll share details as I learn them.
MilestonesHappy Birthday to Donna Wood, April 11; (Darlie) Fay Norton and Donald Brown Jr., April 13; Jean Osterkamp, Donald Brown Sr., Sarah Shipman, Autumn Williams, and Fr. Jeffrey Samaha, April 14; Bill Ward, Eva Hay, and Les Bornman, April 15; Tara Destiny Proctor, Edna Ducote, and Wanda Brooke, April 16.
Happy Anniversary to Chuck and Laura Smith Jenkins, April 10; Tex and Rickie Beardmore, April 11, 1964.
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