Paul Grant

A New Year and A Demand for New Leadership

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Happy New Year!

Penn Branch Community Association is looking for a few good people to join our executive board. Most of our current members have served multiple consecutive terms and deserve the opportunity to pass the torch.

We are all extremely busy. However, the survival of our neighborhood association depends on us having a consistent pipeline of smart, reliable leaders. 

This month marks the beginning of my final year as president of PBCA. I’m truly grateful for this experience over the past three years—and I’m still excited about what is to come. We will continue to focus on bringing value in your membership, increasing our connection as neighbors and with the greater Ward 7 community, and also improving our public spaces. We will also continue our push to make 9/11 Memorial Park a small but significant cultural landmark East of the River. You can still make a contribution by purchasing a memorial paver in honor of a beloved neighbor, your family, or your favorite Ward 7 organization. 

Now, more than ever, it is critical that we all refocus our energy and resources on improving where we actually live. Too often, we give our all to places, people, and organizations that are based elsewhere. Penn Branch needs your continued support. We need your membership. We need your participation and ideas. 

And most importantly, we need your service.

Take care,

Paul Grant, President, PBCA

Our 2025 Holiday Gathering: Good Food, Good People, and Good Cheer brings a Delightful End to an Otherwise Challenging Year

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Historian-Jim-Byers-with-Wendell-Felder-and-Penn-Branch-President-Paul-Grant-at-2025-Penn-Branch-Holiday-Party-credit-S.-Hormuth

Our annual neighborhood holiday gathering took place at Penn Ave Baptist Church on Tuesday, Dec 9th 2025. 2025 was a very tough year for many in our neighbor and surrounding communities. However, many Penn Brancher neighbors came out for food, fellowship, and some good neighborly cheer.

Annual Community Service Awards

Council Member Wendell Felder join us and he assisted with our annual community service awards. Kyle Murphy and Stefanie Clyburn Received “Penn Branch Neighbors of the Year Award” for their “Penn Branch Cares Campaign.” The campaign was a largest membership drive in years. Funds were used to give sympathy gift baskets and discounted water park tickets for families that experienced job loss due to the federal government cuts. Later that evening, Historian and Tour Guide, Jim Byers, was honored for hosting the neighborhood Walking Tour in Hillcrest and Penn Branch for 29 Years.

 

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Penn Branch Community Meeting at Penn Ave Baptist Church on Tuesday, October 14

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Penn Branch Community Association will host a special in-person meeting this evening @ Harvey Hall, Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church. Please make plans to join us! We will discuss ideas to honor to legacy of Alberta Paul, former PBCA Treasurer, President, and long time Chair, Public Works Committee; We will also conduct a live work session to get ideas on the strategic outlook of our neighborhood association and how we can bridge gaps in our community leadership. Finally, we are expecting visits from the editor of The Washington Informer as well as updates from The Mayor‘s Office and our Ward 7 Councilmember’s office.

Date:
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 

Time:
7:00PM – 8:30PM

Location:
Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church-Harvey Hall

3000 Pennsylvania Ave. SE

Washington, DC 20020



Agenda:

Closing Tribute Statement and Prayer: Rev. Dr. Kendrick Curry, Pastor of PABC

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Our Statement on the Life & Legacy of Alberta L. Paul

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Alberta Paul

Saturday, October 11, 2025

Penn Branch Community Association Post Office Box 6730, Washington, DC 20020

To: The Family of Alberta Paul

Alberta Paul was a tireless champion for our Penn Branch neighborhood, our greater Ward 7 community, and the District of Columbia.

Alberta served multiple terms as Treasurer and President of our Penn Branch Community Association. She was instrumental in reestablishing the association as a non-profit (501c3). She frequently advocated for legislation and greater support for neighborhood infrastructure improvements—such as the 1997 Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Emergency Act of 1997. This bill gave seed funding for the first geological survey of the crumbling O Street Wall. It was fully rehabilitated in 1998.  

For nearly 30 years, Alberta chaired our neighborhood public works committee. She raised funds and led numerous neighborhood beautification projects. In 2003, Alberta helped Penn Branch Community Association to gain conservatorship of the triangular gateway park at the intersection of O Street SE and 3200 block of Carpenter Street SE, along Penn Avenue. The pocket park had sat for years in disrepair. Penn Branch was awarded funding to improve the Gateway Park and it renamed 9/11 Memorial Park to commemorate District of Columbia residents who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001

The impact of her selfless advocacy is immeasurable. Alberta Paul has linked many of her neighbors, and other Ward 7 residents, with critical city services. Her passion for helping others–especially our seniors and youth will be sorely missed. 

On behalf of the current executive board, our current members and all surviving past presidents of the Penn Branch Community Association, we wish to extend to you our deepest condolences to the family of Alberta Paul. 

No councilmember, no ANC, no mayor has loved our neighborhood more. Our neighborhood and Ward 7 community is undoubtedly better because she has lived –and served among us.

Sincerely,

Paul V. Grant, President (2022-2026)

Current Board Members
Paul V. Grant, President
Natiya Curtis, 1st Vice President
Christopher D. Morgan, 2nd Vice President
Kerry Neal, Treasurer
Lori Palmer, Parliamentarian



Former PBCA Presidents
Stan Benton,
 Jacqueline Cannon,
Jimmie Williams,
Rhoma Battle,
Richard Hawkins,
Laura Richards
Wilford Gourdine,
Anita Hammond

Penn Branch Community Day: August 16th

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Penn Branch Community Day & Block Party: Saturday, August 16th!

It’s time to come together again for our Annual Community Day and Block Party on Saturday, August 16th from 1pm-6pm! 1500 Block of 38th Street SE

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