Christine Spencer

I nominate Mr. Roy Sutton. Every morning he rakes up the leaves on our block on 6th Street on the 400 blk. Starting at e street.

I nominate Meghan from the “H Street Beat” Instagram account. Nobody does more to promote H Street businesses, events and happenings. She see’s it all is always among the first to report on new business openings and construction activity on H. She walks the streets and keeps her eyes peeled and does an incredible job informing this community of how much there is to be proud of.

THIS IS AN UPDATED NOMINATION


Nominating Rev. Brian Hamilton, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian, and president of the SW Renaissance Development Corporation for sustaining

1) Jazz Night in DC since 1999 and Blue Monday Blues nights . These are now cultural institutions in Ward 6’s SW for the DMV, bringing only the best of DC’s Jazz and Blues musicians to the community every Monday and Friday for 3 hours of great music for the nominal cost of $10 ($5 for most of their history). There are no equals in Ward 6 or DC when it comes to quality and value for live music. This is truly a labor of love and service. Rev. Hamilton will be retiring in 2026.


2) The entire SW Community benefits not only for the concerts but for the important projects Rev. Hamilton supports like “Remember the Pearl” which is an event that honors the 77 African American men, women and children who bravely sought freedom by sailing from the District’s Seventh Street pier at the Wharf in 1848 aboard the schooner Pearl.


3)Rev. Hamilton supports Westminster’s bold transformative vision to redevelop the church’s property to include a new sanctuary and 225 units of family and senior affordable housing in Southwest DC.


Rev. Hamilton is a strong community leader, and respected by residents all over the DMV. His work brings positive attention to our neighborhood

I noiminate Joanne Hatfield for a richly deserved Bickie award. Joanne has planted, weeded, watered, and otherwise maintained the many flowering half-barrel planters in public spaces around the park. Joanne uses her own money, ingenuity, and energy to provide these cheerful plantings for all to enjoy. She’s been doing this for years, and I believe a Brickie for this neighborly generosity is long overdue.

India Person (posthumously). As a Capitol Hill BID Hospitality Ambassador she not only patrolled and cared for our BID members, residents,

and visitors, but she brought sunshine to the neighborhood even on

the cloudiest days. She shined unapologetically, making every

occasion feel special.

Andre Witt

Brain Hamiton

Capitol Hill BID and the Men and Women in Blue ! Don’t forget the women !

The Capitol Hill BID and the Men in Blue, RWW

Men in Blue

Brain Hamilton

I affirm Brian Hamilton’s nomination! He is a long-time leader and bridge builder in the SW community. He has worked with schools, musicians, church-goers and other neighbors to solve problems and foster the arts and activism in our community.

Brian Hamilton

Rev.Brain Hamilton

It is with great pleasure that I nominate Rev. Brian Hamilton for the 2025 bricking award

The staff at Historic Congressional Cemetery

Fridays We Prance, a Capitol Hill community group that brings women together every Friday morning to dance in the streets to celebrate the bright neon colors of life, the value of connection, and community.

Ruth Hamilton

Barbara Fox for Community Organization. See Nan Raphael’s description. Barbara has amazing energy and organizational ability. She leads Seniors Defending Democracy Meetings every two weeks allowing everyone to have a say and attracts interesting, knowledgeable speakers to educate the group on important issues affecting DC residents.

Larry Janezich, Capitol Hill Corner blog editor. He consistently provides accurate reports about activities around Capitol Hill with pictures on a weekly basis. If you want to know what’s happening on Capitol Hill consult Larry’s blog and of course CM Allen’s weekly email.

Rev. Brian Hamilton is a humble and quiet person yet has made major contributions to the peace, well-being, harmony, and happiness of not just the immediate SW neighborhood of Ward 6, but well beyond it through his leadership of the Jazz and Blues programs at his church Westminster Presbyterian Church. The constancy of the program since the late 1990’s and the hard work that goes into the weekly programming years on end are remarkable. He has put SW on the map in that many people throughout the jazz and blues world in the city and well beyond are very familiar with the excellent music programs Rev. Brian has made available to us all.

I nominate Elvira Sisolak of A St. NE. A few years ago, she convinced Verizon to allow her to clear out a dirty and messy overgrowth of plants on the side of their building on 7th St. NE between Constitution Ave. and A St. She got new and much more attractive plants put in place and acts as a community gardener to keep the new plants pruned and beautiful. She has improved our neighborhood substantially and deserves to be recognized.

I nominate Joseph Laville on Lexington Place! He is our “mayor” and goes out of his way to build community and help neighbors out. He organizes block parties and other fests to keep spirits up and neighbors connected.

I would like to nominate Rev. Brian Hamilton, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, for his extraordinary dedication to sustaining Jazz and Blues Nights in Southwest DC—a true labor of love rarely seen in Ward 6 or anywhere in the city. Since 1999, he has created a welcoming space where world-class Jazz and Blues musicians perform for just $10.


These nights are about more than great music—they are about community. They bring together people who love Jazz and Blues but might not otherwise have access to live performances in traditional venues. Week after week, Rev. Hamilton and his team lift up the spirit of the city, offering joy, connection, and artistic excellence every Monday (Blues) and Friday (Jazz). There is truly nothing else like it in Ward 6.

I would like to nominate Rev. Brian Hamilton, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian, for his incredible commitment to sustaining Jazz and Blues Nights in SW DC — a true labor of love that we rarely see in Ward 6 or anywhere else in the city. He has been doing this since 1999! Where else can you hear such incredible Jazz and Blues musicians for just $10. Jazz and Blues nights are not just about music, they are also about creating a community of people who want Jazz and Blues to be part of their lives but could not afford the cost of other music venues in the city. Those nights are also about lifting up the best of the city during difficult times. There is nowhere else in Ward 6 where you can count on being part of a quality performance every Monday (Blues) and Friday (Jazz) while hanging out with your neighbors and friends!

Rev. Brian Hamilton is a tireless leader and public servant in Southwest DC, the broader Ward 6, and in the city as a whole. His vision and energy can be felt in the community’s vibrant arts programs (musical and visual), the efforts to expand affordable housing, in his membership of Leadership Greater Washington, and in his stewardship as Pastor of one of the most progressive churches in the DMV, Westminster Presbyterian.

Rev. Brian Hamilton is a trusted faith leader and community servant. I have known him for several years and have worked side by side with him in the southwest community. His service crosses racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. He is an advocate for peace, unity, and community. It is my honor to nominate him.

Elizabeth Nelson for a civic pride award who initiated and coordinated the Capitol Hill Art Walk which has become a huge success in 3 short years. Along with being a great opportunity for local artists to show and sell their work, it’s brings people together and shows off our beautiful neighborhood.

Barbara Fox for Community Organization—she spearheaded the establishment of Seniors Defending Democracy which has become a very active group doing everything from marching in protests, writing letters, contributing to food banks, hosting guest speakers and being a clearing house for people who want to become more active in the fight for our democracy.