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Contact: Rashida Brown
rashida@rashidaforward1.com 
240-273-1685

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Rashida Brown Announces Campaign for D.C. Ward 1 Council Seat

Five-term ANC commissioner says she’ll defend against federal overreach, expand affordable housing, and increase access to high-quality child care for all residents

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Five-term Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, Howard University graduate, policy leader, and longtime Park View resident Rashida Brown announced her candidacy for the Ward 1 seat on the D.C. Council Wednesday. She enters the race with the endorsement of Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, who announced last month she would not run for re-election.

“I am running to give back to the community that has given so much to me,” Brown said. “I’m ready to harness my long career in public service to deliver lasting, meaningful progress for Ward 1 residents, to listen to the community, advocate for residents, and deliver for our neighborhoods.”

When residents raised concerns about public safety and blight on lower Georgia Avenue, Brown  co-founded and led the Georgia Avenue and Lamont Street Public Safety Taskforce - now Georgia Avenue Thrive - by filling empty storefronts with thriving businesses, replacing graffiti with murals, and organizing community walks to address public safety concerns. She advocated for a Lower Georgia Avenue Mainstreets program which has been serving this corridor for almost 10 years. 

“I held developers accountable and we worked together with the community to fill commercial spaces with local businesses like St Vincent and Hook Hall, and to turn an old Sunoco gas station into what is now Midlands, a thriving beer garden and neighborhood gathering spot,” Brown said. “When elected officials listen and lead, we can deliver results, even when the most obvious tools of power lie elsewhere,” she added.

As a graduate of Howard’s School of Social Work, and a director of policy in District government, Brown helped develop key government initiatives like My Child Care DC and Thrive by Five, expanding access to affordable, high-quality early childhood services in the District and promoting child development. She went on to advise states and municipalities around the country on implementing similar programs.

Brown is a strong proponent for affordable housing. On the ANC, she fought to secure funding, necessary zoning, and Council approval to bring more than 450 housing units to the Park Morton and Bruce Monroe developments in Park View, and reduce systemic barriers for low-income families. Last week, she joined other city officials and community advocates to celebrate the first group of Park Morton residents moving into their new apartments.

Brown says resisting the recent federal intrusion into the city is a top priority.

“They've slashed D.C.’s budget, are overturning our laws, and invading the city with National Guard, ICE, and other agencies causing fear and creating real harm for so many of our residents,” Brown said. “We need to be vocal, yes! But that isn’t enough. We have to look at our policies and services and the ways that we can ensure the protection and safety of our immigrants and our community as a whole.”

Nadeau encouraged Brown to run for her seat.

“When women lead, we get things done for working families, seniors, and our most vulnerable residents,” she said. “For more than a decade, Rashida and I have been getting things done together in Ward 1. And I saw firsthand when Rashida was my own Commissioner how she effectively delivered for her constituents on all things large and small. There’s nobody better prepared to fight for Ward 1 and DC, and she has my trust and support.”

Brown’s website can be found at rashidaforward1.com.

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