The Fort Washington Pulse

Fort Washington (MD) Alumni Chapter (E) • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 1, 2026 • EDITION 15 • FWAC Community Report

Brothers — welcome to this week’s edition of The Fort Washington Pulse, your Sunday intelligence briefing on what is moving Prince George’s County and the broader Divine Nine community. With Election Day two days out and the county’s biggest development bet in a generation now cleared for financing, this is a week to be informed, engaged, and at the polls. Our mission is simple: put verified, decision-ready information in front of FWAC’s brothers — the civic news that shapes our neighborhoods, the events that keep the DMV’s Greek community connected, and the opportunities worth passing to the next generation. Read it, share it, and then show up Tuesday.

🔴 HIGH PRIORITY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Council Clears $215 Million Bond Package for Sphere at National Harbor

On Tuesday, October 27, the Prince George’s County Council voted 8-0 to authorize up to $215 million in special obligation bonds for a 6,000-seat Sphere venue at National Harbor, a project with an estimated price tag of about $1.4 billion. The package puts roughly $130 million toward construction and related infrastructure through tax-increment financing, adds a $40 million county-owned parking garage, and is paired with about $13.5 million in state funding. County Executive Aisha Braveboy projects roughly $63 million a year in local tax revenue and a $1.3 billion countywide economic impact, and says the venue will more than triple the revenue the county is losing from the Commanders’ planned departure and the Six Flags closure. The community fine print matters for our business owners and professionals: the deal carries a labor peace agreement but no Project Labor Agreement for construction workers, and a council letter sets goals for at least 50% of eligible construction spending to go to county-based small or locally owned businesses, with best-effort goals of 40% to county-based minority businesses and 45% of work hours to county residents. No groundbreaking date has been announced.

Source: WTOP, Maryland Matters, The Baltimore Banner / Capital News Service, Maryland Daily Record

Election Day Is Tuesday — and the Ballot Could Reshape the County Council

CIVIC & POLITICAL • ELECTION DAY

Polls open Tuesday, November 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early voting closed October 29 and the advance registration deadline has passed, but residents can still register in person on Election Day with proof of address, and mail-in ballots must be postmarked by November 3 or placed in an official drop box by 8 p.m. On the county ballot, voters will decide a charter amendment to eliminate the Council’s two at-large seats, shrinking the body from 11 members to nine effective December 2030; the at-large members elected this year would finish their full terms. Other questions would require that any change to the Redistricting Commission’s plan be made by bill rather than resolution, expand the County Purchasing Agent’s signature authority, authorize up to $67.306 million in bonds for Community College facilities, and address labor-dispute resolution options for unionized County employees. The Board of Elections resumes canvassing on November 5 and continues until complete.

Source: Prince George’s County Board of Elections, County Council public notice, The Diamondback, PG Voter Guide

Grant Scrutiny Widens as Council Curbs Cannabis Reinvestment Board

GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY

The fallout over county grant funding continues. In mid-October, Braveboy and Council Chair Krystal Oriadha jointly demanded that the Edward Charles Foundation — fiscal sponsor for Community on the Frontline — return $7.635 million in county grant money, and Braveboy asked the County Auditor to retain an outside firm to investigate; Maryland Matters reported on October 23 that more than $7 million had been returned and that the county’s audit office had subpoenaed the council’s grants office. Oriadha maintains no wrongdoing has been found. On October 27, the Council voted 7-2 to strip the Community Reinvestment and Restoration Board (formerly the Cannabis Reinvestment and Restoration Board) of its authority to issue cannabis-tax funding, leaving it to recommend while the Council approves every disbursement; board members say they will ask Braveboy to veto. Braveboy has called on the Council to reform its grant vetting, so chapter foundations and nonprofit partners seeking county dollars should expect closer scrutiny.

Source: Maryland Matters, Wired Maryland, WJLA, NBC4 Washington, FOX 5 DC

📋 ALSO ON OUR RADAR

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY

PGCPS Opens Two Blueprint Schools and Wants Your Input on the Next Decade of Facilities

Margaret Brent Elementary in New Carrollton and Templeton Elementary in Riverdale Park opened on the first day of school, the first two of eight schools in the Blueprint Phase II public-private partnership, serving more than 1,300 students. The district is also holding Educational Facilities Master Plan listening sessions from October 19 through December 9 to guide investment across more than 200 schools and facilities over the next ten years. Brothers who serve as parents, mentors, and Kappa League advisors have a direct opportunity to weigh in.

Source: PGCPS Newsroom, EllisDon / GlobeNewswire

ARTS & CULTURE

Suitland Cultural Arts Strategy Heads to the Community

The M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department will present the finalized Suitland Cultural Arts Implementation Strategy on Thursday, November 19. The plan outlines concepts, projects, and recommendations to strengthen Suitland’s cultural identity and open new opportunities for public spaces, public art, community events, and investment — worth a look for brothers in real estate, design, and the arts.

Source: Prince George’s County Planning Board

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES

NOV 3 — Election Day
Polls open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. at your assigned polling place
Same-day registration with proof of address; mail-in ballots due in an official drop box by 8 p.m.

NOV 13 — Community Center Teen Nights
Friday, 7:00 p.m. • Participating community centers across Prince George’s County (M-NCPPC Parks & Recreation)
A ready-made opportunity for Kappa League and Guide Right mentors to connect with local teens.

NOV 14 — Seat Pleasant 2nd Annual 5K Turkey Trot & e3 Little Library Book Drive
Saturday • City of Seat Pleasant with M-NCPPC’s Placemaking Around Town program
Time listed as 9 a.m.–noon (the announcement also references noon–5 p.m.; confirm before attending).

NOV 19 — Suitland Cultural Arts Implementation Strategy Community Meeting
Thursday, 6:00–7:30 p.m. • William Beanes Community Center
M-NCPPC Planning Department presents finalized concepts, projects, and recommendations.

⚫ D9/NPHC LOCAL CHAPTER EVENTS

A roundup of public events from Divine 9 organizations across the DMV — DC, Maryland, and Virginia — posted within the last 7 days. Chapter reps — submit your events to [email protected] by Saturday at 5 PM to be featured here.

Omega Psi Phi — Omicron Kappa Kappa Chapter, Chantilly, VA

OKK Achievement Week 2026: 3rd Annual Coleman-Love Salute to Veterans & Achievement Week Awards Luncheon

Ticketing window: November 9–20, 2026 (Achievement Week programming runs November 10–17)
Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles, 14750 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151
Theme: “The Omega Standard: Leadership Rooted in Service.” Featured guest: Brother Charles F. Bolden Jr., retired Marine Corps Major General, former astronaut, and former NASA Administrator.
Tickets & details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/okk-achievement-week-2026-tickets-1993143955224

Iota Phi Theta — Beta Phi Omega Chapter, Greenbelt, MD

Beta Phi Omega Social Services Foundation Holiday Scholarship Gala

Saturday, November 21, 2026 • 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Martin’s Crosswinds, 7400 Greenway Center Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20770
An in-person night of celebration, entertainment, and networking raising funds for scholarships for deserving students. Dress to impress.
Tickets & details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beta-phi-omega-social-services-foundation-inc-holiday-scholarship-gala-tickets-1996314885562

Kappa Alpha Psi — Tysons, VA

75 Years in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Celebration Banquet

Sunday, November 15, 2026 • 4:00 PM
The Tower Club Tysons, Tysons, VA
A celebration banquet marking 75 years of fraternal membership. The hosting chapter is not named in the listing — confirm details on Eventbrite before attending.

NPHC of Prince George’s County — Hyattsville, MD

NPHC of Prince George’s County Monthly Council Meeting

Thursday, November 19, 2026 • 7:00 PM
G. James Gholson Middle School, 900 Nalley Road, Hyattsville, MD 20785
The council of all nine member organizations meets the third Thursday of each month. Check with your chapter’s NPHC delegate on attendance.

Omega Psi Phi — Pi Omega Chapter, Baltimore, MD (just outside the DMV)

ONE OWT Black Party

Saturday, November 14, 2026
Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor
An elevated evening celebrating manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift, with music, luxury, and fellowship. More: https://www.piomega.org/

🎓 SCHOLARSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES

UNCF • SCHOLARSHIP • DUE NOV. 4

BD Scholarship: $10,000 for Healthcare-Track Juniors and Seniors

UNCF and Becton, Dickinson and Company are offering a one-time $10,000 merit award to full-time juniors and seniors at UNCF member institutions, other HBCUs, or any accredited four-year college, majoring in a healthcare discipline such as biomedical science, biology, nursing, pharmacy, or microbiology. Applicants need a 2.8 GPA, a one-page personal statement, a current transcript, and a non-relative recommendation completed in the online system, with preference given to residents of listed states that include Maryland. The application closes Wednesday, November 4, so brothers should pass this to a Kappa Leaguer, mentee, or family member today and have the recommender invited right away.

Source: UNCF Scholarship Portal — https://opportunities.uncf.org/s/program-landing-page?id=a2iVJ00000jupqjYAA

NSBE • SCHOLARSHIP • DUE DEC. 11

NSBE Fall 2026 Scholarships: 122 Awards, More Than $1 Million

The National Society of Black Engineers is awarding more than $1 million across 122 sponsored scholarships funded by Cargill, Chevron, Cummins, the Deloitte Foundation, Honeywell, and Intel, with individual awards from $5,000 to $17,500, plus NSBE’s own programs for members from high school through graduate school. Applicants need an active, paid NSBE membership and a verified GPA on file through an official transcript or registrar-signed letter. NSBE lists a December 11, 2026 deadline (the same announcement also references applications running through February 26, 2027, so confirm which applies to your award). Brothers in engineering and technology: renew your membership, request that transcript now, and send this to a student you mentor.

Source: NSBE — https://nsbe.org/article/fall-2026-nsbe-scholarships-over-1-million-in-awards-now-open-for-applications/

Fort Washington (MD) Alumni Chapter (E)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. • Eastern Province • Fort Washington, MD

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