Janeese Lewis George, D.C.’s Democratic nominee for mayor, was on familiar ground Tuesday night as she kicked off her eight-ward “Building the People’s Government” listening tour at Union Temple Baptist Church in Ward 8.
Known for its stained-glass windows and 30-by-19-foot mural depicting the Last Supper with a Black Christ and prominent Black figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Malcolm X, it’s the home church of Lewis George, where her mother is one of the deacons.
Among those in the packed house was Ward 8 Council member Trayon White, whom Lewis George introduced before explaining why she deliberately chose his ward as the first stop on the tour.
“The first shall be last, and the last shall be first,” Lewis George said. “I feel like for too many times the decisions have been made and Ward 8 has been left last in some of these decisions.”
Throughout the night, Lewis George was called “JLG,” the Democratic nominee for mayor and, by many in the church, simply “Janeese.” That stood out. You don’t hear many people at a public event call Mayor Muriel Bowser simply “Muriel.”
Lewis George, who currently represents Ward 4 on the D.C. Council, said the goal of the evening was to hear directly from residents about what they want the next administration to focus on.
“Politicians talk too much,” she said. “Tonight is about listening.”
Attendees then split into breakout sessions spread throughout the church, tackling topics ranging from education and public safety to health, childcare, housing and “Good Jobs and Economic Prosperity for All.”
Lewis George made the rounds, sitting in on the different sessions and observing as residents shared their concerns and ideas. She listened, but did not offer her own thoughts or weigh in on the discussions.
Seniors were one of the concerns raised. Bruce Holmes called older residents who can’t always make it to meetings like this the “forgotten people,” while 82-year-old Emma P. Ward pointed to social isolation and affordable housing as two issues she wants addressed.
Daryl Wise focused on jobs for returning citizens. He said he wants projects such as the RFK redevelopment to create employment and affordable housing opportunities for people coming home from prison, along with veterans and people experiencing homelessness.
Longtime Ward 8 resident Betty Scipio also brought up RFK, but her concern was traffic. She questioned the number of one-way streets and bike lanes, saying most residents still rely on cars.
And one of D.C.’s newest residents was there too. George Ray III moved from Miami just three-and-a-half weeks ago to work with the Soul of the City Business Improvement District. Along with pushing for more support for small businesses, he wants to see homeownership increase in Ward 8.
“We want to increase homeownership because that increases wealth, and that creates generational wealth,” Ray said.
Lewis George ended the night by encouraging residents to keep offering feedback, even when it is critical.
“If you are afraid of constructive criticism, you’re not ready to lead,” she said. “We want to do better.”
The listening tour continues Wednesday in Ward 1, followed by Ward 7 on Thursday. Lewis George plans to visit all eight wards, with the final session scheduled for Oct. 1 in Ward 6.
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