Believe it or not, the 20th Annual Ward 6 Brickie Awards are coming up!
The Brickies are our chance to honor outstanding Ward 6 neighbors, organizations, businesses, and groups who go the extra mile to make Ward 6 a vibrant, welcoming place for all.
But first, we need your input! Nominate neighbors you believe deserve recognition this year. And, yes, the awards are real bricks — uniquely crafted to celebrate extraordinary contributions. Every year, we learn about amazing new neighbors who've taken it upon themselves to make their block, neighborhood, or city a better place. In addition to telling us who you're nominating, go ahead and tell us why. And feel free to share with your neighbors!
The Award Categories:
- Neighbor Award
- Community Organization Award
- Business Award
- Public Service Award
- Civic Pride Award
Nominations close October 30, so get'em in soon!
Here's a look at our past winners as you consider who to nominate for this year:
Neighbor Award
Rev. Brian Hamilton, Tommy Wells, Jerome Jeffries, Wendy Hammond, Allison McGill, Christine Spencer, Frances Slaughter, John "Peter Bug" Matthews, Nicky Cymrot, Rachelle Nigro, John E. Hill, Ruth Hamilton, L. B. West, Anwar Saleem, Michael Barrette, Barbara Ehrlich, Elizabeth Nelson, Jim Myers, Naomi Monk
Community Organization Award
Capitol Hill Schools Parent Football League, Waterfront Village, Capitol Hill Little League, Friends of Southwest DC, Capitol Hill Village, GoodProjects, CRYSP DC, Mt. Vernon, Triangle CID, DC Diaper Bank, Shaw Main Streets, Southwest Neighborhood Assembly, Capitol Hill Community Foundation, French Street Neighborhood Association, City Blossoms DC, Neighbors of Southwest Duck Pond, Anacostia Community Boathouse Association, Moms on the Hill, Brent Elementary School PTA, Capitol Hill Community Garden Land Trust
Business Award
Atlas Performing Arts Center, Solid State Books, Old City Market & Oven, The Queen Vic, Shop Made in DC, Power of Ten, Steadfast Supply, Clean Decisions, East City Bookshop, The Pretzel Bakery, Hill's Kitchen, AtlasVet, Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, BicycleSPACE, SOVA Espresso, Argonaut, The Channel Inn, Frager’s Hardware, Ginkgo Gardens
Public Service Award
Maude Holt, Ward 6 Rodent Control Team, Metropolitan Police Department First District Community Outreach Team, Nathaniel "Coach Skip" Green, Ward 6 School Crossing Guards: (Monica Williams, Mary Scott, & Kendra Ambrose Donte Lucas), Ana the Shad & Wendy the Waterdrop, Larry Handerhan, Andy Litsky, Paul "South" Taylor , Rachel Skerritt, Officer Tyrone Hardy, Ward 6 Core Team, John Thomas, Capital Bikeshare, Will Hill, Barry Margeson, Damon Harvey, DC Fire and EMS
Civic Pride Award
Free DC, Shirley Chisholm Elementary School Community, Hill Family Biking, Save Mott's Market, Eastern Market Metro Park, Serve Your City - Ward 6 Mutual Aid, Heather Schoell & Hilloween at Eastern Market, Arthur Capper Senior Apartments Fire Community Response: (Arthur Capper Senior Apartments Residents, Meredith Fascett, Georgine Wallace, AARP DC State Chapter, Southwest Business Improvement District, Capitol Riverfront Business District, Marine Barracks Washington), Bailiwick Clothing Co., The Hill Rag, DC Public Library, Arena Stage, Ron McBee, The Yards Park
Special Recognitions
Capitol Hill Corner, The Hill is Home
Showing 11 reactions
Paul is resourceful, a man of the people, and very inspirational.
He knows the importance of community and collaboration.
He knows his city !
Paul’s record of service reflects a genuine dedication to strengthening communities and creating opportunities for residents to have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their neighborhoods. His leadership has extended across education, local government, community outreach, and District-wide public service.
His previous service includes serving as Fundraising and Events Director for J.O. Wilson, where he supported initiatives benefiting students, families, and the school community. He later served as Chair of the ANC 6A Community Outreach Committee, helping strengthen communication and engagement between residents, community organizations, businesses, and local government.
Paul also served as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for Single Member District 6A01, representing residents at the neighborhood level and advocating for community concerns before District agencies and other stakeholders.
Today, Paul continues his commitment to public service through several important leadership roles. He serves as Ward 6 Democratic Committeeman, providing representation and engagement within Ward 6. He also serves as a Commissioner with the Mayor’s Office of African American Affairs, contributing his experience and community perspective to efforts that address issues affecting African American residents throughout the District.
Additionally, as the UDC CAUSES Ward 6 Representative, Paul supports community engagement with the University of the District of Columbia’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences and its work to strengthen neighborhoods through education, sustainability, community development, and access to resources.
What distinguishes Paul’s service is the continuity of his commitment. Whether supporting a neighborhood school, leading community outreach, representing residents as an ANC Commissioner, or serving in broader Ward 6 and District leadership capacities, he has consistently answered the call to serve.
Paul Spires exemplifies the spirit of public service leadership rooted in community, responsibility, engagement, and a commitment to improving the lives of others. His years of civic involvement and continued willingness to serve make him a deserving candidate for this Public Service Award.
It is with great respect and appreciation for his contributions that Paul Spires is nominated for this distinguished recognition.
In just three years, Hill Family Biking has become a key part of the Ward 6 Community and works to create safe spaces for neighbors to bike and enjoy being in community.
Since it’s founding in 2026, Hill Family Biking has hosted 60+ rides — from its monthly “kidical mass” rides to its littles, teens, and grown-ups rides. Their reach goes far beyond the bounds of Capitol Hill and Ward 6. Regularly, Hill Family Biking welcomes bicyclists from all over DC, and it culminated in Hill Family Biking hosting over 1,000 people on its 2026 Back to School Ride!
Hill Family Biking doesn’t stop with hosting rides, they are truly good stewards of its community. They have a bike lane sweeper (the first on the east coast, by the way), which is used to keep our bike lanes clean for everyone who uses them. They are also leaders on solutions to reimagine and further roadway safety for those traveling by bike, including leading the charge on the 11th Street SE bike lanes.
As someone who has seen this organization grow from its early days, Hill Family Biking has left its early mark on the Ward 6 Community and is deserving of this recognition.
I am pleased to nominate Theater Alliance, a dynamic theater company dedicated to producing bold, socially conscious work and elevating the voices of emerging artists. As Theater Alliance establishes its new home in Ward 6, it is helping to shape a vibrant cultural future for Southwest DC.
Theater Alliance is the driving force behind the creation and development of the Revada Arts Center, a transformative new cultural hub scheduled to open in October 2026 in Southwest DC. More than a performance venue, the Revada Arts Center will serve as a multidisciplinary space and an innovative model for the arts—building essential infrastructure, fostering collaboration, sharing resources, and cultivating a thriving creative ecosystem.
At a time when the performing arts face unprecedented financial, political, and societal pressures, Theater Alliance stands as a beacon of creativity, inclusion, and community engagement. Through its vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to artists and audiences alike, Theater Alliance is strengthening the cultural fabric of our city and demonstrating the vital role that the arts play in building connected, resilient communities.
Started in 2023 Hill Family Biking is an all-volunteer group that encourages kids and families to feel comfortable riding bicycles in the urban environment that is Capitol Hill. Their monthly rides attract between 300-500 attendees, bringing smiles to the faces of those on 2 wheels as well as those watching them go by. Hill Family Biking has greatly expanded its mission in the past 3 years, creating specific rides for teens, littles, and even adults. They successfully secured a grant from the Capitol Hill Community Foundation for a bike-powered bike lane sweeper, AKA “Brush Hour”, that helps clear bike lane debris (and is available via sign up for folks wishing to use it). And they have been advocates for bike lane improvements throughout Capitol Hill, especially on 11th Street. “It takes a village,” and Hill Family Biking provides an excellent and eco-friendly way to safely navigate our village!