DC

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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Penn Branch Mourns of Passing of Alberta Paul, Former PBCA President & Chair, Public Works Committee

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In Memoriam: Alberta Paul, September 29, 1950 – September 27, 2025

It is with profound sadness that we share that our beloved neighbor and friend, Ms. Alberta Paul passed away earlier today. She had been in recovery following a medical procedure earlier this week.

Alberta Paul has been a dogmatic champion for our Penn Branch neighborhood. She served as president of the Penn Branch Community Association (PBCA) for 10 years. As president, she re-establish Penn Branch Citizens/ Civic Association as a non-profit and was instrumental in getting the city to pass emergency legislation to maintain the O Street Street (Retaining) Wall in 1997. She frequently raised funds and coordinated volunteer efforts to improve 9/11 Memorial Park, located at the gateway of our neighborhood. After serving as President, Alberta was Chair of our neighborhood Public Works Committee for much of the last twenty five years. In this capacity she led many beautification projects and also helped many neighbors and as well as other Ward 7 residents to gain better access to city services. She was also lifelong advocate for youth and senior citizens in our community.

Alberta retired from District Depart of Transportation (DDOT) last fall after many years of distinguished service. She championed investing in youth, cultivating the next generation of community leadership, and greater support for seniors. Her friendship, service, and her tireless advocacy for Penn Branch, Ward 7, and our city will be greatly missed.

A Champion for Penn Branch Neighborhood

From Left: Donna Cooper (PEPCO Regional President) and PBCA Public Works Chair Alberta Paul and President Stan Benton Receive 25K Award-
Alberta Paul at National Night Out Event
Alberta Paul spearheads 9-11 Park Clean up Event

Funeral Service for Ms. Alberta Paul

Date:
Saturday, October 11, 2025 

Wake:
9:30AM -11:00AM

Funeral Service:
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM 

 Location:
Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church 3000 Pennsylvania Ave. SE Washington, DC 20020

Final Interment:
Cedar Hill Cemetery 4111 Pennsylvania Ave Suitland, MD 20746

 Send cards to:
3721 Carpenter Street SE WDC, 20020

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family please visit: Pope Funeral Home Sympathy Store.

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My Community | Essays and Images by Azola Burton

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By Azola Burton

The Purpose

I have lived in Penn Branch since 2017 when I was 6 years old.

For my 8th grade community project I want to create a blog to provide a youth perspective on Penn Branch Community events. As a 13-year-old, I think community events are a great way to bring people together and have fun. I like seeing how different activities can help people connect and talk, whether it’s a local community event or sports event.
I want to increase the number of children and families that attend Penn Branch Community Associations events. To do that I have taken pictures and videos to put on the Penn Branch Community Association website.
My goals with this project :

  1. To send out information about my project to the neighborhood listserv
  2. To share pictures and my reflections of events I have attended
  3. To create an article for the monthly newsletter to highlight events that I have attended
  4. To design a presentation board to show how kids and families can be more involved with a QR code
    for people to join the Penn Branch Community Association

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT | JUNE 18, 2024

One of the new events that my family hosted was a family movie night. This event was specifically to get families out into the community. I set up tables, snacks, and helped my mom with shopping to contribute to the event. I also picked a kid friendly movie.

COMMUNITY DAY, AUGUST 24, 2024

Penn Branch Community Day Will take place on Saturday, August 24 from 1-6pm

Penn Branch Walking Tour

The Penn Branch walking tour was sponsored by Events DC and The Penn Branch Community Association. The tour was led by Jim Byers who hosts the Latin Flavor jazz show on WPFW 89.3 FM. On the tour our tour guide shared facts about certain neighborhood houses, apartments,and landmarks. One of the most interesting things he shared was how African Americans contributed to the design of the houses.

I helped by taking pictures and videos of the tour for our neighborhood website.

Block Party

Every August the neighborhood hosts community day. The planning committee gets donations, finds community organizations to have tables, gets food, reserves the location, and finds volunteers. During this time the neighborhood gets time to talk and connect with each other.

This year of 2025 I have helped with setting up tables and yard games

GROW THE BLOCK: NEIGHBORHOOD GARDENING GROUP

Our family has been gardening since I was 2 years old. Since 2017, we have been gardening here in DC. We have 6 raised garden beds and we grow things like blackberries, strawberries, spinach, lettuce, raspberries, okra, eggplants, tomatoes, bok choy, flowers, and herbs.

In 2024 my mom started a local garden group and at some of the meetings held at our home they talked about how they grow certain vegetables and fruits.

I helped others by cutting and prepping food for everybody, setting tables, and cleaning up at the end.

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    Bearing Witness

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    Penn Branch digs out from our first snow storm of 2025

    Happy New Year, Neighbors!
    Last week I attended a panel hosted by Humanities DC that commemorated the 100th birthday of renowned American author and essayist James Baldwin. Three distinguished writers discussed the importance of bearing witness–sharing and preserving your own testimony of current or past events. Stories can deepen our understanding of the past, give meaning to our present, and inspire change.  So much of what PBCA does at this moment is also about bearing witness.

    Paul Grant, President, Penn Branch Community Association (2022-2026)
    Paul Grant, President, PBCA

    9/11 Memorial Park
     Next month we will launch our memorial paver fundraising campaign for 9/11 Memorial Park. Our goal is to make that little pocket park a beautiful gathering space that memorializes those D.C. residents who tragically lost their lives on 9/11. Named pavers will be a testament to the many wonderful families–past and present–who have made Penn Branch the best neighborhood in the District of Columbia.

    This year we will attempt to host a mix of virtual and two or three seasonal, in-person community meetings. Our January meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday. Please  join us. Our new Ward 7 Councilmember, Wendell Felder, is planning to join us.  Establishing meaningful dialog with our new councilmember will help him to shape a fruitful policy agenda for our communities. I want to congratulate him for taking the torch of service on the DC Council and wish him every success.
    Also, Leah Gage from Humanities DC  will also join our meeting to share information about their open oral history and independent practitioner fellowship grants. Both are wonderful opportunities to get humanities training while preserving and interpreting D.C. stories. 

    Renew Your Membership

    Finally, please take a moment to visit our revised website and renew your membership. Your continued support is the engine that keeps our community on the move.  Membership runs January 1-Dec 31st.  Our executive board is laser focused on bringing greater value to your membership, increasing our connection to each other–and with greater Ward 7, and improving our public spaces.

    Keep safe. Check on your neighbors. And never stop sharing your story.

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    ‘Penn Branch Night’ at Nationals Stadium is a Big Win

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    NATIONALS vs: NY YANKEES –FREE TO ALL CURRENT PBCA MEMBERS

    Your Penn Branch Community Association is always looking for ways to bring value to your membership. This year, we are offering FREE TICKETS FOR OUR MEMBERS to join us at Nationals Stadium as our beloved Washington Nationals face off with the NY Yankees.

    Limited quantity available. Send an email to President@pennbranchdc.org!

    Not a member? Make your tax deductible donation at www.pennbranchdc.org/membership

    PENN BRANCH NEIGHBORS @THE NATS GAME

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