Wednesday’s Black and African American Community Check-In Call and Info Resource Share welcomed County Council President Kate Stewart to the exchange.
According to Montgomery County African American Liaison Frederick Hawkins, who facilitated the exchange, it was the first time county officials were invited to participate in the conversation.
“I think so much of our time right now in the county is how are we responding to and supporting our residents and keeping true to our values here in Montgomery County, regardless of who the occupant of the White House is,” Stewart said.
Stewart shared information on webinars facilitated by the county to connect county residents with resources supporting them through the flurry of federal workforce layoffs. In addition to racial equity, Stewart touched on potential challenges regarding the county’s budget and on her focus on addressing and improving mental health and wellness.
The weekly Community Exchanges began on January 28 after Hawkins recognized the need for a space where Black residents could unite to build community, support and air grievances.
“Since the beginning, we’ve seen a need,” he said in an interview with Montgomery Community Media. “We know there is an attack on Black and brown people right now, so a space is needed for people to gather: to map our calendars to support each other and exchange resources and information.”
“We know that there are communities like our Black and African American community that have been under attack in this country for hundreds and hundreds of years, and with this new administration that has just been ramped up in so many ways,” said Stewart during the Community Exchange, referring to President Donald Trump’s attacks on DEI initiatives. Stewart also lauded LGBTQ Community Liaison Dr. Amena Johnson, who was on the call, for her work with the trans community “that is just so much under attack right now by this administration and also our federal workforce.”
During Wednesday’s call, Stewart addressed residents’ questions and concerns about the county’s concrete actions to tackle racial inequality, specifically anti-blackness. Residents felt there needed to be more dialogue between Black residents and county officials to prevent “performative” rather than “substantive” action.
Stewart encouraged participants to go to full-council hearings to make their opinions heard regarding the county’s budget, its process, or specific grievances with specific county council members.
Participants were also encouraged to share their businesses, stories, concerns and testimonials in the spirit of sharing resources with one another. Callers ranged from small business owners to concerned citizens to representatives from non-profits and county government branches.
Hawkins said he was pleased with the resulting conversation between Black residents as well as with the county council president stating that it “allows people to be authentic.”
“I’m seeing growth, progress, people taking ownership of projects and taking note of elected officials and getting their attention,” he said. “I want us informed and empowered. The most important thing for our community—the African American community—is to not be invisible.”
Hawkins hopes these conversations provide a safe space for the Black community within the county to use each other as a resource network.
“This is our call. This is our community’s call. This is us,” Hawkins said during the Community Exchange.
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