I AM WARD 8: Charles Wilson of Historic Anacostia
Today The Advoc8te unveils a new feature on CHOTR, the ‘I am Ward 8’ Spotlight. Each month The Advoc8te sits down with a different Ward 8 resident and asks them the same 8 questions to get their take on what it means to them to be a Ward 8 resident. The Advocate expects the answers much like the subjects themselves to be interesting, insightful and unique. Ward 8 is home to some of the most accomplished and diverse people in the City and it’s high time that we celebrate them! To often the Ward 8 resident is described in less than positive terms. It's time that that the misconceptions are corrected and we as residents are the ones to do it!
Our very first ‘I am Ward 8’ Spotlight shines on CHARLES WILSON of Historic Anacostia. Many of you probably remember Charles from his 'We Set The Tone' platform during his 2008 Campaign for Ward 8 City Council. Although a relatively new resident, Charles has already made his mark in Ward 8. Charles co-founded and is currently the President of the Historic Anacostia Block Association (HABA); he co-founded the River East Emerging Leaders (r.e.e.l.) and serves on its Steering Committee; and just a few months ago Charles was elected to the Ward 8 Democratic State Committee. These are just a few of his many contributions to Ward 8.
This ‘I am Ward 8’ Spotlight shines on CHARLES WILSON, a rising star in Ward 8.
Charles Wilson
Age 33
Attorney/Accountant
2. Your Neighborhood?
I live in the best neighborhood in the City - Historic Anacostia
3. What brought you to Ward 8?
I fell in love with the look, feel and history of the Historic Anacostia Neighborhood. I remember the day my realtor and I drove down Good Hope Rd. I said to myself this is HOME. This is exactly what I am looking for. At the time I was looking for a detached home that had historic character. Historic Anacostia was perfect. Where in the City can I find a home where Frederick Douglass is my neighbor? To my surprise, I also have some of the best views of the City from my own window. I can see the Capitol from my neighborhood. And as an added bonus I can get to the downtown, Virginia and Maryland in less than 5 minutes.
4. How long have you lived in Ward 8?
3 years
I can’t begin to tell you how many times I get that strange look when I say I live in Ward 8. Typically the comment that follows references the neighborhood’s violence and the low economic status of its residents. I have some of the best neighbors in world here in Historic Anacostia. Among us are those that have lived here more than 30 years and as a few as 6 months, and I believe we share one thing in common….we live in the BEST neighborhood in the entire City!
6. What is your favorite thing about Ward 8?
The first is the convenient access from my neighborhood to downtown DC, Northern VA and even parts of Maryland. Once I moved here, I kept wondering to myself why I had not made the move earlier. Another thing that I really enjoy is the historic character of my neighborhood. I love the Century old homes and not to mention the breathtaking views from each house in the neighborhood. Historic Anacostia is the only designated historic district in River East (aka East of the River). I hope neighborhoods such as Congress Heights and Deanwood will one day become designated as historic districts as well. Lastly, I really enjoy the fact that we have a tremendous amount of activism in the community. Just about any night during the week, if you wanted to go to a community meeting you can easily find one.
My wish for Ward 8 is that we continue to find ways to get our young people active and doing positive things in the community. Not only in the community, but also in school so that they can prepare themselves for a better life with higher education that would allow them the opportunity to afford a home in the community where they grew up. My wish is also to steer our young people away from violence and let them know that they have so much more to experience in life.
I think all three are great, but as the co-founder of the River East Emerging Leaders (http://www.reeldc.org/), I am a bit biased towards “River East.” The term River East came from the River East Emerging Leaders organization as a way to rebrand the community and to shed a positive light on the great things and great people who live here.
Ward 8 residents interested in being featured in the 'I am Ward 8' series should email their answers to these 8 questions along with a photo to congressheightsontherise@gmail.com
For more Congress Heights and River East news visit The Congress Heights Examiner website, http://www.examiner.com/x-13507-Congress-Heights-Community-Examiner
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