The Fort Washington Pulse

FWAC Intel Report • Week of October 11, 2026 • Edition 12

Brothers and community friends — welcome to Edition 12 of The Fort Washington Pulse. This week: a landmark entertainment development advancing toward a full County Council vote, a public corruption indictment, a history-making appointment in Maryland transportation, a regional water emergency update, and a full look at D9 events and scholarship opportunities across the DMV.

♦ HIGH PRIORITY — Prince George’s County & DMV

ECONOMY & DEVELOPMENT

Sphere National Harbor Clears Committee — Full Council Vote Scheduled for October 27

The Prince George’s County Council’s Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Committee gave the green light on October 5 to CB-111-2026 — the legislation authorizing the Sphere National Harbor entertainment venue. The full County Council vote is now set for October 27.

The $1.4 billion project — a signature globe-shaped entertainment and mixed-use development at the National Harbor waterfront — is projected to generate $1.3 billion in annual economic impact and create 7,100 permanent jobs in the region. Committee deliberations produced a community benefits and MBE inclusion amendment, a development publicly applauded by the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce.

📅 If approved Oct 27, Sphere National Harbor anchors PG County as a premier live entertainment destination east of DC — with MBE requirements opening contracting lanes for Black-owned businesses. Watch the October 27 vote.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY

Former Morningside Mayor Indicted on 7 Counts — Embezzlement of Municipal Funds Alleged

Former Morningside Mayor Bennard Cann, 52, was indicted on October 2 by Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara H. Jackson on seven counts of embezzlement and theft. The charges allege Cann misappropriated funds from the Maryland Mayors’ Association and the Prince George’s County Municipal Association (PGCMA) over nearly eight years — from February 2017 through January 2025.

The indictment follows an internal audit in February 2025 that revealed unauthorized ATM transactions and irregular fund transfers. Cann resigned as Mayor of Morningside following the onset of the investigation.

⚠️ This case underscores the importance of rigorous fiscal oversight at every level of local government — including the small municipalities that constitute the fabric of Prince George’s County.

COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT

PG County’s Olugbenle Named Maryland’s First Black Female Deputy Secretary of Transportation

Oluseyi Olugbenle has been appointed Maryland Deputy Secretary of Transportation — becoming the first Black woman to hold the position in the agency’s history. She concludes her service to Prince George’s County government on October 13 before beginning her state role.

The daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Olugbenle was raised in Prince George’s County and brings over 15 years of transportation expertise to the role, including oversight of a $12.6 billion asset management program.

🎉 A proud PG County product shattering barriers at the state cabinet level. Deputy Secretary Olugbenle carries the county’s values to Annapolis. Salute.

👁 ALSO ON OUR RADAR

💧 WSSC Water Outage Affected 1.9M Residents — Advisory Resolved, Infrastructure Questions Remain

On September 29, a power outage at a WSSC Water treatment plant triggered an essential-use-only advisory affecting approximately 1.9 million customers across Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. The restriction lasted roughly 36 hours before being lifted on October 1. WSSC confirmed water quality was maintained throughout; investigators determined the cause was an infrastructure failure — not a cyberattack. The incident has renewed calls for investment in utility resilience across the region.

📋 M-NCPPC FY2027 Budget Forums — Fort Washington Opportunity This Week

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is hosting public input forums for its FY2027 budget. A forum is scheduled for Monday, October 13 at 7:00 PM at Harmony Hall Arts Center — John Addison Concert Hall in Fort Washington. Written comments may also be submitted by October 27, COB. Budget decisions here directly shape parks, planning, and recreation across Prince George’s County.

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS — PG County & DMV

♦ D9 / NPHC — DIVINE NINE DMV EVENTS

ΩΨΦ

ONE OWT Black Party — Pi Omega Chapter

November 14, 2026 • Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor • piomega.org

ΑΚΑ

2026 Championing Seniors Community Fair — Xi Omega Chapter

DC Metro Area • Date TBD • Eventbrite

ΔΣΘ

October Voter Registration & Civic Info Series — PG County Alumnae Chapter

Multiple PG County Locations • Ongoing through October • pgcac-dst.org

ΙΦΘ

Centaurs & Sticks 2026 — Gamma Chi Omega Chapter

DMV Area • Date TBD • events.theoneiota.com

ΚΑΨ

2026 Leadership Retreat — Grand Chapter

El Conquistador Resort • Las Croabas, Puerto Rico • kappaalphapsi1911.com (Brothers’ Portal)

ΦΒΣ

The Legacy of Leaders Reception — DC/NoVA Area

DC/NoVA Area • Date TBD • Eventbrite

🎓 SCHOLARSHIP & OPPORTUNITY SPOTLIGHT

UNCF General Scholarship Portal

Access to 400+ scholarship programs ranging from $2,500–$12,500 per year. Applications accepted on a rolling basis — an always-open opportunity for Black students at HBCUs and other institutions nationwide. Visit scholarships.uncf.org.

NBMBAA Scholarship Program

The National Black MBA Association awards scholarships to Black undergraduate and MBA students pursuing business degrees, with over $2 million awarded to date. Visit nbmbaa.org for eligibility and deadlines.

Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor

Fort Washington Alumni Chapter • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Fort Washington, Maryland • Eastern Province

The Fort Washington Pulse is produced by the Fort Washington Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Content is compiled from publicly available sources for community awareness. © 2026 Fort Washington Alumni Chapter — Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. All rights reserved.