Exactly three years and 3,000 blog posts ago   Congress Heights on the Rise was born and it's been one hell of a journey ever since.

I never get tired of saying that my early inspiration was the awesomeness that was (and still is) And Now, Anacostia. Following David on his journey living in Anacostia (the neighborhood, not the country) really inspired me to chronicle my own experience as a new homeowner living in Congress Heights. After spending hours off and online trying to figure out how to learn more about my new neighborhood and ward I was pretty sure that there were plenty of sincere but clueless people like myself who wanted to get involved  but didn't know where to start (or resume). I guess you can say I did a supply vs. demand analysis and it seemed to me that there was a lot of demand (at least from those of us living EotR)  to "do more" but not a whole lot of supply (online anyway) for information on how to go about it.

My early days "getting involved" were filled with lots of questions and even more research. I was lucky.  Early on I had the fortune and privilege of meeting some really great Ward 8 advocates and they accepted me with open arms, an open mind, and lots of enthusiasm.  For the occasional person who was dismissive of my efforts (or just plain mean) I didn't let that detour me from my desire to get involved. To be honest it just made me mad as hell more determined to get involved. Regardless of some of the occasional "bumps in the road" I didn't see anything "scary" about living in "Southeast." I just saw a lot of passionate, caring, and committed people advocating like hell for a community that often got an undeserved (and frankly over exaggerated) bad rap. I respected the hustle and was drawn to it. (Now the tomfoolery I could have done without.)

Three years, and 3,000 posts later I am still here but it's not a solo effort.  I have the pleasure of working with and learning from some of the most talented and sincere people I've ever met in my life. Some during my time as a Steering Committee member in groups like the River East Emerging Leaders , others in organizations like the United Planning Organization and ARCH Development Corporation, but most of the time during my daily travels trying to be a good person and community member. There is a lot of talent here and I feel honored to  be affiliated with them in any way.  I would like to thank everyone who has made my personal and professional experience East of the River a very special one. I couldn't do this without any of you and I have learned so much. I am really looking forward to seeing where the next three (or thirty) years takes us on this journey.

That being said I would like to take a moment and thank a few folks personally by name for their help, insight and  patience for dealing with me all of these years. Sometimes I think I should change my blog handle from "The Advoc8te" to the "Royal-Pain-In-The-Butt" because I can be really hard on my friends and family. I wish that I had more time, patience, and tact (that's right I said it) to really be a better friend to all of you. I really appreciate you loving and supporting me with all my extra "stuff." Suspensions and all I still   "wuv" you to bits. :)

Pimping (and blogging) ain't easy

So to Charles Wilson, David Garber, Veronica Davis, J ohn Muller, William Ellis, Jamilah Fagbene, Susan Kennedy, LaShaun Smith, Sean Murphy, Rachel Vaughan,   Mummy, and Teddy The Wonderdog (who is waiting ever so patiently for his walk while I write this) I really appreciate your friendship and hustle.  You guys (and gals) are gangsta as hell.
















P.S. I would also like to thank Mary Cuthbert for being a big inspiration in the creation of ChotR. I mean that honestly and sincerely. Inspiration comes in all forms and sometimes where you least except it. Thank you.