Voices DMV
Our region is shifting, neighborhoods are changing, and many residents are experiencing those changes differently.
As we seek to build the kind of vibrant community that we all want to call home, it is critical to understand the diverse attitudes and perceptions of the people that live in the Greater Washington region.
The Greater Washington Community Foundation is excited to share key findings from Voices of the Community: DC, Maryland, Virginia (VoicesDMV), a community engagement initiative, conducted in partnership with the Urban Institute, designed to lift up residents’ stories and perceptions of the quality of life in the region. Through this initiative, we set out to shed light on the region’s challenges and opportunities related to housing, transportation, safety, economic security, race relations and community well-being. The result is a collection of rich, local data to serve as a catalyst for community investments that will ensure a more equitable, just, and thriving region for all residents.
Civic Heroes
Dr. Monica Goldson
CEO, Prince George’s County Public Schools
“Education is the great equalizer, with the power to prepare students, improve the economic status of families, and build stronger communities. As a Community Champion, everything I do is with the goal of empowering students.”
Dr. Monica E. Goldson is Chief Executive Officer of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). A product of the county schools, Dr. Goldson has spent her entire 29-year career in PGCPS, steadily climbing the ranks from the classroom to district leadership. She previously served as Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning where she led a team that supported schools in the areas of curriculum and instruction, special education, testing, college and career readiness, and student services.
Dr. Goldson believes in creating experiences that propel students to their highest levels of excellence. As Chief Operating Officer, she managed major divisions and offices, including Student Services, Information Technology, Supporting Services, Business Management and Pupil Accounting and School Boundaries. In this role, she developed and implemented policies and strategies related to service delivery and collaborated with staff to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
Dr. Goldson’s leadership also impacts the Prince George’s County community at-large. She currently serves on the board of directors for Nonprofit Prince George’s and Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce. A graduate of Leadership Greater Washington, she has been named to “The Most Powerful Women in Washington” list by Washingtonian and honored by the Washington Business Journal with a “Women Who Mean Business” award.
Dr. Goldson is a three-time graduate of historically Black colleges and universities with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Florida A&M University, a master’s degree in Elementary and Secondary School Administration from Bowie State University, and a doctorate in Educational Administration and Policy from Howard University. Prior to becoming CEO, she served as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University, Howard University, and Morgan State University.
Steve Proctor
President and CEO, G.S. Proctor & Associates, Inc.
Gregory “Steve” Proctor, Jr. is the President and CEO of G.S. Proctor & Associates, Inc. Founded in 1995, G.S. Proctor is one of the most highly respected government and private sector advocacy organizations in Maryland, with offices located in Upper Marlboro and Annapolis; and has been consistently ranked among the top ten lobbying firms in the state of Maryland.
For 25 years, Steve and his associates have provided legislative and administrative lobbying representation to a broad spectrum of clients; including institutions of higher learning, nonprofit organizations, local and multinational businesses, and local and international governmental bodies on the county, state and federal levels.
After matriculating from Towson University, he received his B.A. in political science from his alma mater, George Washington University. He strongly believes in the value of a good education and relishes the opportunity to give back to the community, so much that he and his wife Dianne created the Executive Corporate Partnership Committee at Bishop McNamara High school. Their goal is to help Bishop McNamara bring their vision to life for the new LaReine Science & Innovation Center, which will exponentially further the educational goals of our future leaders.
A family man, Steve and Dianne currently reside in Upper Marlboro, MD, where they raised their four sons: Aaron, Brian, Trey and Troy. When Steve is not helping others, he serves several leadership positions on professional boards, including serving on the Executive Board of The Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Board of Directors at Wesbanco, and the former Chair of the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable.
Dr. Alvin Thornton
Former chairman, Prince George’s County Board of Education
“Being a Community Champion means that my work with others to strengthen our educational, political, and economic foundations is valued - and essential to the development of our representative democracy.”Dr. Thornton was a faculty member in the Political Science Department at Howard University for 38 years. He was Senior Academic Advisor to the President, Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Associate Provost, and chair of the Political Science Department. Dr. Thornton is the co-author of two books (Perspectives of Political Power in the District of Columbia, and Like a Phoenix I’LL Rise: An Illustrated History of African Americans in Prince George’s County, Maryland, 1696 to 1996) and many scholarly articles.
Dr. Thornton chaired the Board of Education of Prince George’s County between 2018 and 2020. He was an elected member of the county’s Board between 1992 and 1999 and was elected chair three times. In 1999, Maryland’s Governor appointed Dr. Thornton to chair the State’s Commission on Education Adequacy, Equity and Excellence. The Commission’s recommendations became the design that the State used to fund secondary public education.
Dr. Thornton is the recipient of numerous outstanding leadership and service awards: including the Howard University Faculty Excellence Award; the Morehouse College National Alumnus of the Year Award; the Prince George’s NAACP Image Award; and a Distinguished Service and Leadership Award from the Prince George’s County Public School System. He is a graduate of Morehouse College (B.A.) and Howard University (Ph.D.).
Senator Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., in memoriam
Senator V. Mike Miller Jr. passed away on January 15, 2021, at his home in Chesapeake Beach, following a long battle with prostate cancer. We are saddened by his passing - and are honored to recognize his life and legacy with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
To Capture Varied Voices, in 2017 We:
Surveyed more than 3,000 local residents.
Held community conversations in Montgomery County, Northern Virginia, Prince George's County, and Washington, DC.
Conducted focus groups with: Spanish-speaking immigrants, disconnected youth, self-selected middle-class residents, the LGBTQ community, the Muslim community, and the Asian Pacific Islander community.
What We Found
Well-Being & Satisfaction
People are generally happy with their quality of life, the diversity of our region, and the amenities available to residents, but many are concerned about traffic and congestion, crime and safety, and the high cost of living. Although change has become a constant, the flurry of new development can leave many residents wondering whether those changes will benefit them, or people like them.
Social Inclusion
The Greater Washington region is one of the most diverse places in the country, and many people feel they fit in here. Although our region is generally viewed as more accepting of people of different backgrounds, discrimination in the community and workplace remains a concern for many residents, particularly people of color.
Economic Security and Inclusion
Despite an abundance of wealth in the Greater Washington region, shared prosperity remains an aspiration. Faced with the threat of displacement, many households are making the difficult decision to move away from their close-knit communities to find opportunity and economic security elsewhere.
Making Change Happen
Residents have clear priorities for their local governments, such as protecting people from crime, making sure children get a quality education and maintaining local infrastructure. Although many people trust their local governments to handle local problems, few residents feel they much influence over local government decisionmaking.
Jurisdictional Breakdowns
