The Great Ward 8!

Our next event...

Join the Ward 8 Democrats on Saturday, Oct. 19 to officially meet our new executive officers. Then, hear the latest developments with the DC Comprehensive Plan, parts of which were just approved by the DC Council. What does it mean for our city and your neighborhood? Our expert panel will discuss this and much more.  

Refreshments served.

We can't wait to see you. Bring a neighbor!

When: Saturday, October 19, 2019
Arrival Time:  11:30 am
Location: R.I.S.E. Center - 2730 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave., SE (Several bus lines services the area: A2, A4, A6, A7, A8, W2 and W3; Anacostia is the closest Metro)

Ward 8 Democrats Elect New Officers at its

2019 Biennial Convention

Newly elected Ward 8 Democrats Officers (L-R): Troy Donté Prestwood, President-Elect; Sheila Bunn, Corresponding Secretary-Elect; Maria Riri Johnson, Recording Secretary-Elect; Darryl Ross, Treasurer-Elect; Salim Adofo, 2nd Vice President-Elect; and Deloris Walker, 1st Vice President-Elect.
Democrats from across the ward elected the next leaders of the Ward 8 Democrats during its 2019 Biennial Convention at Martha's Table on Sept. 21.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White, DC Office on African American Affairs Director Ashley Emerson spoke at the convention, which also featured a community health fair.

Troy Donté Prestwood was elevated up to president after previously serving as the corresponding secretary. His leadership with the organization began as chair the public relations committee where he helped develop a new website, social media channels, and increase communications with community stakeholders. As corresponding secretary, Prestwood led voter education, outreach and registration efforts as well deployed new fundraising tools to raise dollars for the organization.

Returning with Prestwood is current 1st Vice President Deloris Walker, who was elected to her own term after being appointed late last year when outgoing President Leonard Watson, Jr. moved into the president role; public relations chair and DC Democratic activist, Sheila Bunn, will move up to corresponding secretary; and long-time executive committee officer, Darryl Ross, will retain his seat as treasurer.

Two new faces will join the executive committee in the new term. Salim Adofo will become 2nd vice president and Maria Riri Johnson will become recording secretary. Adofo is currently an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in ANC 8C and Johnson is a community activist in the ward.

The new officers will be officially sworn in at the next Ward 8 Democrats meeting on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. 

Images from the 2019 Biennial Convention

See what they were wearing...

Latest News:

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton addresses Ward 8 Democrats during June meeting

Please support our "Taste of Ward 8" Sponsors who helped make the DC Democratic Party visit to Ward 8 a massive success.

Highlights from our May 2019 meeting on the District's 2020 budget and how to serve on one of the city's Boards and Commissions

Highlights from our March 2019 Meeting  Featuring a Community Discussion on Violence Prevention

Highlights from our February 2019 Meeting Celebrating Past Ward 8 Democrats Leaders and
Discussion on the DC Budget

Our annual Black History Month celebration looked back on the Ward 8 Democrats' 35-year history with an esteemed panel of former and current Ward 8 Democratic leaders. Panelists reflected on the organization's major milestones, accomplishments, and the path forward. Next up was Ed Lazere of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, who led a discussion on DC Budget 101. Last fiscal year, DC programmed a record-setting $14.5 billion budget that many say left more to be desired for Ward 8. Lazere talked about the DC budget process and how to advocate for the interests of the community.

Highlights from meeting on the new "East End Hospital"

Highlights from Ward 8 Democrats at "Art All Night"

"Chocolate City" co-author discusses new book on the history of black people in DC

“Chocolate City" Co-Author George Derek Musgrove, Ph.D. participated in a special lecture series with the Ward 8 Democrats  about the history of African Americans in the DC. The book traces the city's massive transformations--from a sparsely inhabited plantation society into a diverse metropolis, from a center of the slave trade to the nation's first black-majority city, from "Chocolate City" to "Latte City," Musgrove and co-author Chris Myer Asch, Ph.D., offer an engaging narrative peppered with unforgettable characters, a history of deep racial division but also one of hope, resilience, and interracial cooperation. The Musgrove lecture was co-sponsored by the Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC) and DC Vote. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Ward 8 Democrats Push For New Election Reforms in WaPo Op-ed

Picture
Much has been written and posted on social media about low voter turnout in June’s Democratic primary election, with pundits speculating about the causes. One popular narrative was that, counter to their well-to-do neighbors, residents of Wards 7 and 8 aren’t concerned about the future of the District or improving quality of life. This defeatist thinking is dangerous and harks back to an era when the District’s political class peered east of the Anacostia River and deemed residents’ calls for more jobs and less crime as undeserving of attention. Read full op-ed.

:: Do you have ideas to help make our elections run smoother in future? If so, we want to hear from you by CLICKING HERE!

Photos from the "Chocolate City" Discussion

Ward 8 Democrats Endorse
 Bowser, NORTON and Garcia's Reelection CAMPAIGNS;
Andria Thomas Comes Close but No Endorsement for DC Shadow Senator

The Ward 8 Democrats voted to support the reelection of Muriel Bowser for mayor of the District of Columbia. The Ward 8 political club also voted to support Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s attempt for a 15th term, and Shadow Representative Franklin Garcia's shot at his third. The endorsement forum was held at the Old Congress Heights School in the neighborhood bearing its name, and focused on a range of topics including affordable housing, development, public safety and schools and is the final forum before the June 19 primary.
Program Book - May 19
File Size: 5244 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Ward 8 Democrats Endorse
Karl Racine to Keep AG Seat
Council Chairman Phil Mendelson Comes Close But No Endorsements for council chairman and At-Large Council Seats at Candidates’ Forum

The Ward 8 Democrats voted to endorse DC Attorney General Karl Racine’s efforts to keep his seat for four more years. His endorsement came during the Ward 8 Democrats Candidates’ Forum for Council Chairman, At-large Councilmember and DC Attorney General. The forum focused on a range of topics including preserving affordable housing, increasing workforce development and fighting for stronger schools in Ward 8. The DC Democratic primary is Tuesday, June 19.
View Program Book:
Program Book - April 21
File Size: 1183 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

New Officers Elected at
Biennial Convention

Voters selected two new members to join three returning officers on the executive committee of the Ward 8 Democrats on Saturday, Sept. 16 at the organization's biennial convention.

Jackie Ward, long-time Ward 8 resident and business owner, was elected to the second vice president position. Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8A Chairman, Troy Donte’ Prestwood, will join the team as corresponding secretary. Prestwood, who chaired the 2017 convention committee, previously served as the chair of the organization’s public relations committee.
 
Ward and Prestwood will join returning officers Charles Wilson, who was reelected president; Leonard Watson, Jr., who will move up one spot from second vice president to first; Tangela Garnett, appointed recording secretary in 2016, was elected to the same role; and Darryl Ross, who was reelected as treasurer.

Ward 8 Democrats
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Ward 8 Democrats Meeting
Saturday, October 19 , 2019
Noon to 2 pm
R.I.S.E. Center
2730 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave SE
Ward 8 Democrats Meeting
Saturday, November 16 , 2019
Noon to 2 pm
R.I.S.E. Center
2730 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave SE
Ward 8 Democrats Holiday/Kwanzaa Celebration
Saturday, December 21 , 2019
Noon to 2 pm
Location: TBA

Photo highlights from 2017 Biennial Convention

Ward 8 Democrats Issues Statement on the Passing of Founder
Theresa Howe Jones

Picture
The Ward 8 Democrats extends its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Theresa Howe Jones, a founder of the Ward 8 Democrats, DC statehood activist, and longtime Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner from the Bellevue community.

Ward 8 Democrats Statement on the Passing of Marion Christopher Barry

The Ward 8 Democrats joins with members of our community in mourning the loss of long-time resident and former Ward 8 Democratic city council candidate Marion Christopher Barry, the son the late mayor, councilman and civil rights leader Marion S. Barry.

Trayon White Wins Ward 8 Democratic Primary

Picture
Endorsed Ward 8 candidate Trayon "Ward Eight" White wins decidedly in a crowded five-way council race that included current incumbent LaRuby May as well as Aaron Holmes, Maurice T. Dickens, and Bonita Goode.

Ward 8 Democrats Endorse Trayon "Ward Eight" White
For Council

Picture
White becomes the first non-incumbent candidate to reach the necessary threshold for endorsement in recent election cycles.