You've asked, and I've finally decided, this is the plan(ish) for Southeast Love Day 2022.

Let's face it. The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown a significant damper on our annual celebration of the things we love about the Southeast quadrant (both sides of the Anacostia River). So it's fitting that the last pre-pandemic Southeast Love Day (February 14th, 2019) was the year we hosted the biggest Southeast Love Day community photoshoot. I partnered with the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative for the photoshoot/rally. We took photos in front of the Collaborative's new administrative office (2004 MLK, Jr. Ave, SE) that featured the new Busboys and Poets (not yet open) on the ground floor. 

Then Covid-19 came on the scene, and everything changed. We changed. 

Needless to say, for 2020 and 2021, I was not going to encourage folks to break social distancing recommendations for a photo, no matter how cute or masked.

So the past two years, we have continued the spirit of celebrating Southeast Love by spreading our positive message and photos on social media and here on Congress Heights on the Rise. And those of us with Southeast Love shirts, hoodies, and signs continued to represent. For the past 12 months, I've been eyeing my stash of Southeast Love posters, longing for the day I can hit the streets again to snap photos and connect with folks on both sides of the Anacostia River. 

And just as things were starting to look up, Delta and then Omicron decided to crash the party. 

Over the past few weeks, I've been getting emails and calls from organizations and Southeast Love supporters inquiring about the plan for this year's campaign. And honestly, I hadn't a clue. While the reported positive numbers for the District seem to be trending down (but I have my questions about their accuracy), there is still a portion of the population that is not fully vaccinated and boosted. Moreover, of those still not fully vaxxed, much live east of the river.

Call me a Cautious Cathy (but please not a Karen), but I'm not entirely comfortable rolling out a full-scale Southeast Love Day like the days of old (translation: pre-pandemic). So, as I've done for most of the pandemic, I'm staying home. That doesn't mean that I'm discouraging people from going out and taking photos of their favorite Southeast things; I'm just going to leave that decision up to individuals, organizations, and small businesses to decide and manage on their own. Also, I'm having some health-related issues (nothing for you to worry about) that limit my ability to be as mobile as I would like. 

So, where does that leave us? In a nutshell, I encourage everyone from anywhere to share their messages of #SoutheastLove on social media. Feel free to use old or new photos (or no photos at all, gifs are always a good bet in a pinch). I'm also donating most of my Southeast Love signs to several community groups to assist them with their Southeast Love Day plans on Monday, February 14th. 

Last but not least, I'm extending an invitation to anyone who may want to submit a guest post to Congress Heights on the Rise on the subject of something or someone you love in the Southeast quadrant. This offer is open to individuals, nonprofits, charter schools, government agencies, small businesses, etc. If possible, keep it under 500 words and provide a photo if you have one (if not, I will find an appropriate photo in my stash). You can email your Southeast Love Letter to me at info@respindc.com or DM me on Twitter at @TheAdvoc8te. 

Apologies for the late notice, but I had a lightbulb moment at 3 am, and now I'm running with it. Regardless, I plan to share a lot of information and posts about great things in the Southeast quadrant, which is pretty much what I do every day, but on Monday, I will be wearing my Southeast Love hoodie while doing it!

XOXO
The Advoc8te