Thank you to everyone who voted on the newsletter name!
Take Five came in strong and won unanimously, with just one write-in. We did it!

Dear Neighbors,

Brookland is rich with Black history and artistry that has shaped not only our streets but the world—home to legends like Marvin Gaye, Bo Diddley, Louis Mailou Jones, and Sterling Brown.

Our schools carry the next generation of artists, leaders, and changemakers. CARE Brookland supports schools led by strong Black leadership, committed to helping students not just advance, but prosper.

While our schools remain largely segregated, the deeper challenge is building strong advocacy, opportunities, and community investment—especially efforts that ensure our children see themselves reflected in those who reach and uplift them. Representation matters, and its absence leaves a lasting impact.

CARE Brookland is your pathway to invest in our youth—whether by sharing your time, talents, networks, or resources. This newsletter opens the door to mutual growth and meaningful connection.

Let’s spread love to our schools. It’s the Brookland way.

Hands IN!

CARE!

Announcements

Join Us For Our Open House!

We’re excited to share our vision for what public education in Brookland can be. Mark your calendars for December 17th for a Holiday house gathering and come hungry for change and ready to talk!

Save the Date!

School Highlights

Luke C. Moore Opportunity Academy (Who’s Luke Moore?)

Last month, CARE Brookland sent out gift baskets to our schools with the help of Brookland’s own Emma’s Torch. Their work helps trains refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking in the culinary arts and empowers them to build meaningful careers in the culinary industry.

Shoutout to Mr. Alonzo Kitchens at Luke C. Moore!
Mr. Kitchens, Restorative Justice Coordinator and talented musician (Sagittarius State of Mind streaming now), recently earned his Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction with a focus on Education Policy and Leadership. His commitment to equity and teamwork shines in everything he does. We’re proud to celebrate his many talents and accomplishments!

Principal Wormsley, middle front row, amazing staff around.

Luke C. Moore High School: A Beacon of Second Chances

Luke C. Moore is an Opportunity Academy where students pursue an alternative or second chance at earning their high school diploma. It’s a place where character is built, support systems are nurtured, and futures are reimagined—regardless of background. While our neighborhood schools (Bunker Hill ES, Noyes ES, Burroughs ES, Brookland MS) traditionally feed into Dunbar High School, Luke C. Moore’s impact is felt deeply in our community.

Principal Wormsley is working tirelessly to build a school culture grounded in structure, perseverance, and purpose. His vision is clear: to create an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and prepared to step confidently into the world beyond graduation.

Be sure to follow Luke C. Moore on social media to stay connected and support their powerful mission. @Luke_C_Moore

Mutual Aid Opportunity

Support Young Parents at Luke C. Moore

Luke C. Moore previously provided formula for student parents, but that program has been cut. If you have ideas, resources, or connections to help ensure our young families can access the nutrition their babies need, we’d love to hear from you. 

Click here to share leads or ways to support.

Youth Policy Now

Why Policy Awareness Matters: Stay Informed, Stay Empowered

As professionals, our impact reaches beyond the workplace into the lives of our youth. Policies on education, safety, housing, and opportunity shape how children of color grow and thrive. Staying informed helps us advocate, hold systems accountable, and ensure our young people have what they need to succeed. This monthly section will highlight key policies impacting Black and Brown students and ways you can take action for our youth.

Click here to see students at Brookland Middle School engaged with a panel discussion about providing “Peace” (or a piece) to the problem.

Just over a year ago, Brookland had the highest juvenile arrest rate in the city—a trend often seen in communities experiencing gentrification.

Recent research shows that reducing juvenile crime requires deeper investments in community engagement, workforce opportunities, and other supports (research: here, here, here).

Volunteer with the Committee on Youth Affairs - Stand with Ward 5 DC Councilmember Zachary Parker to advocate for our youth.

Ward 5 Councilmember Parker is the chair of the Committee on Youth Affairs. Later this month, he will be introducing new policies to promote youth wellbeing. Take Five will share more in November.

Make your ideas heard: www.ward5.us/dcyouth <— Call to Action

Community Events

Roundtable on Overcrowding at the Youth Services Center - The Committee on Youth Affairs has a hearing on the operations of the YSC (DC’s juvenile detention center). Sign up to attend or submit testimony by clicking here.

Where: John A. Wilson Building, Room 123 or virtually on Zoom
When: Thursday, October 16, 2:00 p.m.
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GBIV Family Field Day - Join GBIV and people of all ages for an intergenerational games event before the weather cools down! Connect with neighbors to play a wide variety of games at Brookland Green (near the Brookland-CUA metro).

Where: Brookland Green (near the Brookland-CUA metro)
When: Saturday, October 18, 2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m.
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2025 Brookland Halloween Parade & Party - Celebrate fall at the interactive, fun, and free event held by the Friends of Noyes Park!

Where: Parade from St. Anthony Catholic Church & Party at Noyes Park
When: Sunday, October 26, 1:30p.m. - 4:30p.m. (more details on Friends of Noyes Park Website)

Take Action!

We’d Love Your Feedback!
Got ideas to make the CARE Brookland Take Five newsletter even better? Whether it’s topics you’d like to see, ways to improve the format, or creative additions—we’re all ears. Share your thoughts, suggestions, or feedback here. Let’s build something great together!

Click here.

A Note to You

Thank you for joining this journey to make our schools a better, safer, more empowering place for our students. We are building in Brookland, and this letter is just the start. As we continue, join us with your time, your ideas, and your community.