Since launching Congress Heights on the Rise (CHotR) in 2008, I’ve had the opportunity to be interviewed, quoted, featured and occasionally photographed by local and national media on everything from Ward 7 and Ward 8, neighborhood development and small businesses to public safety, housing, transportation and life in DC.
Sometimes I’m contacted because of my work as The Advoc8te and founder of CHotR. Other times, I find myself in the news because I’m experiencing the same issues I’ve spent years writing about and advocating around.
Here are some of my media appearances and press mentions over the years.
2024
WJLA / ABC 7 — June 18, 2024
'I feel victimized'; DC woman's Kia stolen out of paid apartment complex parking garage
After my Kia was stolen for the second time from the paid parking garage at my apartment building, I spoke with 7News about what happened and my concerns about security for residents.
FOX 5 DC — June 18, 2024
DC woman's Kia Soul stolen, recovered twice in 18 months
FOX 5 interviewed me after my Kia Soul was stolen and recovered for the second time in 18 months.
WUSA9 — June 18, 2024
Woman has Kia Soul stolen from apartment garage twice
Yes, the Kia made the news again. 😩 WUSA9 interviewed me about having the same car stolen twice and the security concerns surrounding the second theft.
WJLA / ABC 7 — August 27, 2024
NoMa tenants battle floods, soaring utility fees
I spoke with 7News about flooding, unexpected utility charges and other concerns affecting residents at my NoMa apartment building.
WUSA9 — August 27, 2024
DC residents displaced after apartment flooding
WUSA9 spoke with me and other residents after repeated flooding displaced tenants from their apartments.
WUSA9 — August 28, 2024
DC building with repeated flooding issues inspected by city
I spoke with WUSA9 again as DC officials inspected the building following the flooding and residents continued pushing for answers.
Washington City Paper / Spotlight DC — August 28, 2024
Corporate Landlords Nickel and Dime D.C. Tenants With Deceptive and Hidden Utility Fees
After residents in my apartment building began receiving unexplained and unpredictable common-area utility charges through Ratio Utility Billing Systems (RUBS), I started pushing for answers. Washington City Paper/Spotlight DC investigated the issue, documenting my efforts to challenge the fees and bring greater transparency to how DC tenants were being charged.
That advocacy helped bring the issue to the attention of Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen and helped spur a legislative solution. The effort ultimately resulted in the Fair Housing Practices Amendment Act of 2026, which the DC Council unanimously passed. The new law prohibits landlords from separately charging tenants for utilities used in common areas and vacant units and establishes new protections around RUBS billing.
The impact extended beyond the legislation. The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG)also issued guidance addressing RUBS and landlords’ obligations when using these billing systems, providing DC renters with greater clarity about their rights and protections.
2023
WUSA9 — February 6, 2023
Kia, Hyundai thefts made up one-third of DC's stolen cars in early January
This was the first time my Kia was stolen. WUSA9 interviewed me about what happened and the growing number of Kia and Hyundai thefts across DC.
NBC4 Washington — February 24, 2023
Victim Shares Her Ordeal to Warn Others About Kia Challenge
I spoke with NBC4 about my experience and, more importantly, some of the things other Kia owners could do to better protect themselves.
2021
DCist — March 11, 2021
For Small Businesses In Anacostia, The Pandemic Was Another Hurdle To Overcome
I spoke with DCist about something CHotR has covered since the beginning: the challenges — and resilience — of small businesses east of the Anacostia River.
From The Archives
CHotR has been around since 2008, so there are quite a few more in the archives. Here are some of my earlier interviews, features and media mentions.
Washingtonian — June 20, 2019
5 Washingtonians Suggest New Metro Lines That Would Improve Our City
Washingtonian asked five of us to create a Metro line we thought would make DC better. I came up with the Olive Line, designed in part to better connect residents and visitors with destinations, history and culture east of the Anacostia River.
DCist — January 8, 2019
'We Want To Make Sure We Deserve It': After Anacostia Playhouse Robbery, Community Donates $22,000
After the Anacostia Playhouse was burglarized over Christmas, I started a fundraiser to help. The community showed up in a BIG way.
The Washington Post — December 27, 2018
'They just violated us': Anacostia Playhouse burglarized near Christmas
The Washington Post interviewed me after the Anacostia Playhouse burglary and covered the community fundraising campaign I launched to help the theater recover.
The Hill Is Home — September 24, 2018
Why I will NOT be attending today's Entertainment and Sports Arena ribbon cutting
The Hill Is Home republished my commentary explaining why I chose not to attend the ribbon cutting for the Entertainment & Sports Arena.
The Kojo Nnamdi Show — September 19, 2017
'East Of The River' Or 'East End'? A Look At Rebranding Efforts In Our Region
I joined Kojo Nnamdi to talk about neighborhood identity, development and efforts to rebrand communities east of the Anacostia River.
WJLA / ABC 7 — May 20, 2017
Abandoned condominium in Southeast DC described as 'war zone'; city leaders step in
I spoke with ABC7 about a long-neglected abandoned condominium property and the effect properties like it can have on the surrounding community.
The Washington Post — October 14, 2015
New $34 million community center building coming to Southeast
I spoke with The Washington Post about THEARC and why having quality community resources and opportunities available right here in Ward 8 matters.
NBC4 Washington — May 28, 2015
Reporter Charnice Milton Mourned in Southeast D.C.
I spoke with NBC4 following the tragic death of journalist Charnice Milton, who dedicated so much of her reporting to communities east of the Anacostia River.
The Washington Post — March 3, 2015
Anacostia is 'way more dangerous' than parts of Kenya, U.S. official says
I challenged the characterization of Anacostia and the kind of stereotypes about communities east of the river that were, frankly, one of the reasons I started CHotR in the first place.
The Washington Post — February 8, 2013
David Alpert: His vision for Greater Greater Washington and the District
The Post interviewed me as a former Greater Greater Washington contributor who had gone on to create my own neighborhood news site focused on Congress Heights and Ward 8.
WTOP — December 2012
Anacostia's food gap a 'failing for the District'
I spoke with WTOP about food access and the lack of quality grocery options available to residents east of the Anacostia River.
The Washington Post — December 17, 2012
Entrepreneurs east of the Anacostia share space at the Hive 2.0
The Post included me in its coverage of The HIVE 2.0 and the growing community of entrepreneurs working east of the Anacostia River.
The Washington Post — July 2, 2012
D.C. bloggers work to stand out in a crowded pool of news sources
This one is special to me. The Washington Post told the story of how Congress Heights on the Rise came to be — from moving to Congress Heights and becoming frustrated with the information available about my new neighborhood to deciding to create the kind of resource I wished existed.
WJLA / ABC 7 — October 30, 2012
11th Street Bridge playground plan in the works
I spoke with ABC7 about early plans to transform the old 11th Street Bridge into a destination connecting communities on both sides of the Anacostia River.
The Washington Post — November 15, 2011
Solidarity in Anacostia after drug arrest
I spoke with The Post as residents rallied around an Anacostia business during a difficult time.
The Washington Post — November 1, 2011
All Hands on Deck police effort gets mixed reviews
I shared my perspective on public safety, policing and the experience of residents in my Southeast DC neighborhood.
The Washington Post — September 19, 2010
Ready for a return to glory
The Post featured some of my early work with CHotR, including my Eat Shop Live Anacostia initiative supporting and promoting neighborhood businesses and arts organizations.
NBC4 Washington — August 17, 2010
Introducing Anacostia
I talked with NBC Washington about Anacostia's identity, its future and why I didn't think the neighborhood needed to become “the next” somewhere else. It needed the opportunity to become the next Anacostia.
Greater Greater Washington — April 2, 2010
Southeast has as many neighborhoods as Northwest
One of my longtime pet peeves: treating everything east of the Anacostia River as if it's one giant neighborhood called “Southeast” or “Anacostia.” I wrote about why our individual neighborhoods deserve the same recognition and accuracy afforded to neighborhoods elsewhere in DC.
The Washington Post — March 1, 2010
Blacks' disillusionment a challenge for Fenty
The Washington Post interviewed me as a Ward 8 blogger about Mayor Adrian Fenty and his relationship with Black Washingtonians.
The Washington Post — July 9, 2009
For Barry, a Familiar Script Takes an Unfamiliar Twist
One of my earliest Washington Post mentions! I was interviewed as a Congress Heights resident and the person behind The Advoc8te about Ward 8 politics.
The Kojo Nnamdi Show — August 31, 2009
Blogging Block-By-Block In Ward 8
Just a year after launching CHotR, I joined Kojo Nnamdi to talk about neighborhood blogging, Ward 8 and what I was trying to accomplish with Congress Heights on the Rise.
This is just a sampling of media appearances and mentions from more than 18 years of Congress Heights on the Rise and The Advoc8te. I’ll continue adding to the archives as I dig them up — because apparently I’ve been talking to reporters for a very long time. 😂