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Dear Neighbors,
I cannot believe June is here already. Temperatures are reaching the 90s, students (and educators alike) are counting down to the end of the school year, and in 11 days (June 16) District voters will use ranked choice voting (RCV) for the very first time to cast their ballot during the primary and special election.
As some of you may know, I have long been a supporter of ranked choice voting and actually introduced legislation in the Council in 2021 because I believed as elections got more competitive in DC we needed a different method to truly capture voters' preferences. RCV ensures that the candidate who wins an election is actually backed by a majority of the voters. The Board of Elections, as well as organizations like Rank the District, have been working to equip voters with the know-how to cast their ballots effectively. You can view their power point presentation that breaks down the do’s and don’ts of RCV, here.
Since the approval of Initiative 83, the ballot measure that brought RCV to DC, I’ve been trying to inform voters and dispel myths associated with ranked choice voting. Last December, I posted a white board video breaking down RCV using top female vocalists. You can view the video, here. A few weeks ago, I actually had the chance to do a demo with staff from the DC Board of Elections using one of the voting machines. You can check out this video of me ranking example candidates here. There is still time to get informed and if you still have questions, staff will be on hand at Early Vote Centers beginning on Monday, June 8.
[INSERT SCREEN SHOT FROM WHITE BOARD VIDEO]
Back at the Wilson Building, there are still important budget dates to keep track of. Next week, on Tuesday, June 9, the Council will take its first vote on the Local Budget Act (LBA) and the Budget Support Act (BSA). The second vote on the Local Budget Act (LBA) will come two weeks later on Tuesday, June 23. Next week, look out for a special newsletter following first vote listing key additional investments.
The rest of June will undoubtedly be busy and hot. Stay cool at your local outdoor pool or spray parks which are now open. You can find additional summer activities, constituent services, and updates on my community engagement in the District throughout the rest of this newsletter.
In Service,
Christina Henderson
Councilmember, At-Large
ChristinaHendersonDC.com
Committee on Health Updates
The upcoming schedule for Committee on Health hearings is below. If you are interested in testifying or submitting written testimony you can sign up on the Council’s website at dccouncil.gov/hearings.
Christina in the Community
Who Let the Dogs Out?
On Wednesday, May 27, in an effort to foster community and relaxation during budget season, the John A. Wilson building held its first Puppy Therapy Event for Council staff featuring rescue puppies from Wolf Trap Animal Rescue. Wolf Trap Animal Rescue is a veterinarian-led organization that facilitates the transport, foster, and adoption of rescued pets.
Meeting with Richard Wright Students
The next day, on Thursday, May 28, Councilmember Henderson met with 8th graders from the Action Civics class at Richard Wright Public Charter School. During their time together they discussed curfews, summer jobs, and what it’s like to be a Councilmember. Thanks to this inquisitive group of students for their questions and comments. Richard Wright focuses on developing students for college with a focus on building skills essential in the fields of Journalism, Communications, Mass Media, Film, Graphic Design, Visual Art, Music, Music Production, and Dance.
The Levine School of Music
On Friday, May 29, Councilmember Henderson visited Levine Music’s Forest Hills campus. The music school’s mission is to inspire everyone in the Capital Region to love music by offering thousands of free experiences through community partnership initiatives and performances. Levine, with locations at THEARC, as well as in Maryland and Virginia, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Celebrating 529 Day
In celebration of 529 Day, Legislative Assistant Nneka Onyekwuluje, participated as a judge in the DC 529 Art Contest. The District offers 529 Plans, or DC College Savings Plans, as a tax-advantaged investment account to save for K-12 and higher education expenses. To raise awareness about this investment option, the DC College Savings Plan Office hosted an art contest where a winning student from each ward earned a $529 contribution to a college savings account.
In March, Councilmember Henderson introduced the Balancing Educational Investments Amendment Act of 2026 that would increase the maximum College Savings Plan contribution limit to allow families to save in alignment with the rising cost of education.
The Rene Carter Community Conversation
On Monday, June 1, Councilmember Henderson provided opening remarks at Sibley – Johns Hopkins Medicine’s annual René Carter Community Conversations which works to gather members of the healthcare community and develop collaborative solutions to some of the issues facing the industry today. In addition to Councilmember Henderson, speakers included leaders from Sibley Memorial Hospital, Johns Hopkins University & Medicine, DC Health, and local health clinics.
Pride Month in the Gayest City in the World
Later that day, Councilmember Henderson joined Mayor Muriel Bowser and Council colleagues as they ushered in the beginning of Pride Month with the annual raising of the LGBTQIA+ flag. This year's 2026 Capital Pride Alliance theme, “Exist. Resist. Have the Audacity!”, is grounded in the undeniable truth that the existence of our LGBTQIA+ family is not up for debate and that their protection through advocacy and policy is necessary.
Touring Center City Public Charter School’s Makerspace
On Wednesday, June 3, Councilmember Henderson started her morning by touring Center City Public Charter School's Makerspace. The Makerspace serves as a community resource, anchored by Center City Public Charter School’s 1,400 students, and is open to young makers across the District in order to foster creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on learning. During the tour, the Councilmember learned more about their offerings in coding, woodworking, stitching, and other subjects by participating in a hands-on lesson in the Makerspace.
Promoting Women’s Economic Security
Councilmember Henderson finished the day by speaking at the Engage State of the Majority Summit on promoting women’s economic security. Her remarks focused on the principles she values when legislating to ensure that District policies are inclusive of women's needs and how she uses language and perspective to create buy-in. She was joined on the panel by Usource Construction CEO Shirley Boubert-Rumble, Emrgy Founder and CEO Emily Morris, US Federal Political Affairs lead of Amazon Web Services Olivia Igbokwe-Curry, and the panel moderator, Managing Director of Special Projects and Partnerships at the Rockefeller Foundation, De’Ara Balenger.
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In the District
Building Black Georgetown Archives
Join the People’s Archive and the Black Georgetown Foundation for Black Georgetown Community Study Day: Building Black Georgetown Archives on Saturday, June 6 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Georgetown Neighborhood Library in the Peabody Room. During this community study day led by The Black Georgetown Foundation’s Lisa M. Fager, help expand the archive of Black Georgetown history through library database research. Please bring a laptop.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the People’s Archive at 202-727-1213 or peoples.archive@dc.gov.
You’re Invited to the National Gallery of Art’s Biggest Party
The National Gallery of Art is throwing their biggest party ever on Saturday, June 6 at Constitution Ave NW and you’re invited! Celebrate 250 years of American art and creativity. Discover their campus, enjoy indoor and outdoor artmaking, special guests, food, music, curator talks, video screenings, and more fun for all ages. The event is rain or shine.
Event Highlights
Reel Invasion
Anacostia River’s Reel Invasion is a free-to-enter public outreach and fishing derby event to educate and encourage the harvest of invasive fish species introduced into Maryland and D.C. waters that cause ecological harm. Public outreach activities include seeing and learning about aquatic nuisance species, making fish prints of invasives and other fish, learning how to get started in fishing, learning how to fillet blue catfish and northern snakeheads, and touring the Aquatic Resource Education Center at Anacostia Park near the north end of the skating pavilion (1900 Anacostia Dr). Reel Invasion takes place on Sunday, June 7, at 8:00am.
You can register for the event, here.
Mycology For Beginners
Join ReDelicious DC for a beginner-friendly workshop on growing edible mushrooms like oyster or lion’s mane at home. The workshop will include basic guidance on growing edible mushrooms, a live demonstration, and an explanation about the easiest ways to get a solid first harvest with minimal equipment. This event takes place on Wednesday, June 10, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Edgewood Community Farm (2304 2nd St NE).
You can register for the event, here. For questions about this event, please email redeliciouscoop@gmail.com.
Rip! Tear! Presents: Sonic Collage
Join the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for a lecture and live DJ demonstration with renowned DJ, professor, producer, and curator King Britt on the history of DJ’ing as a form of sonic collage. Known for his groundbreaking course at UC San Diego, Blacktronika, Britt is one of the leading authorities on Afrofuturism in music and honors innovators of color who have shaped electronic music’s landscape, spanning genres like Chicago House, Detroit Techno, and Drum & Bass. From mixing to sampling to breaking to blending, this lecture will explore how turntablism is a collage practice with a rich history. Stick around after to enjoy the gallery and view the exhibition with a live DJ. The event takes place on Saturday, July 18 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm at Eye Street Gallery (200 I Street St SE).
You can register, here.
Constituent Service Corner
The Regional Travel Survey
The TPB’s once-in-a-decade Regional Travel Survey (RTS) helps paint a detailed picture of the daily travel patterns of people who call this region home. The survey, which has been conducted approximately every ten years since 1968, collects demographic and travel information from a randomly-selected representative sample of households in the region and adjacent areas. If you receive the Regional Travel Survey postcard in your mailbox, help plan the region’s transportation future. Take the survey and tell us how you travel around the metro Washington region.
Celebrating 50 Years of the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions
The Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions is hosting a panel discussion of early ANC Commissioners and advocates in celebration of 50 years of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions on Friday, June 12 at 6:00pm at Martin Luther King, Jr. Library Auditorium (901 G Street NW). The panel will explore the achievements and challenges associated with the early years of ANCs.
You can RSVP for the event, here.
The Return of Free Veggie Giveaways
It's officially FREE veggie giveaway season in Washington, DC. The Department of Parks and Recreation is bringing farm-fresh produce straight to the community, from rooftop harvests to garden-grown goods, this is your weekly chance to grab fresh, locally grown food -on us.
From now until November 25 (weather permitting) you can attend weekly veggie giveaways at DPR communal farms.
• Tuesdays, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Edgewood Rooftop Farm (301 Franklin St NE)
• Wednesdays, 11:00am – 12:00pm and Saturdays, 10:0am to 11:00am
Lederer Garden (4801 Nannie H. Burroughs Ave NE)
• Thursdays, 11:00am to 12:00pm
Powell Communal Farm |(3149 16th St NW)
Early arrival and reusable bags are encouraged.
To attend giveaways participants must be registered. You can find more information and register, here.
Have a constituent service need related to the Health Committee or any of the other agencies in DC Government? Want Councilmember Henderson to come to your community event or meeting? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Constituent Services Director Ana Berrios-Vazquez during regular business hours (9:00am - 5:30pm) at 202-724-8105, or ABerriosVazquez@dccouncil.gov.