ARTHUR CRIBBS HOWARD UNIVERSITY JOURNALISM PORTFOLIO
Introductory Post
Taking Multimedia Storytelling this spring, I want to expand my knowledge on the various ways to curate a story. Whether it is through writing, audio, video or animation, I want to gain experience producing content that is completely mine. Ultimately, my career goal is to create feature stories on professional athletes using multiple forms of media. Ideally, I would like to use different forms of media to create feature stories on athletes.
Congress Heights Profile
Located in the middle of Southeast, Washington, D.C., the Congress Heights neighborhood provides a rich history to the city’s Eighth Ward. Early history of Congress Heights date back to the early 17th century, when this neighborhood was home to the Nacotchtank Indians. The first European colonists settled in this region in the 1630s, and Congress Heights got its name in 1890 when Arthur Randle bought that section of the city.
When Congress Heights gained its namesake at the end of the 19th century, African Americans were barred from buying land in that region. Ironically, this section of Washington has an overwhelmingly predominant African American population, and features notable streets named in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
Congress Heights has a metro stop on Alabama Ave. and borders the neighborhoods, Douglass and Washington Highlands. With a diameter of about one-and-a-half miles, this neighborhood includes 37,191 people. The median income in Congress Heights is $31,858.
Congress Heights' most notable landmark is the St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena. Despite being built just a few months ago, this arena is home to the Capital City Go-Go and the Washington Mystics. The arena is a sign of industrial progress made in the region, which has been depleted of resources in previous decades. Despite the recent rejuvenation in Congress Heights, residents have complained about gentrification in the area.
The Advisory Neighborhood Commissions for Ward 8 occur on the first Tuesday of each month at Eagle Academy in Congress Heights. The local police station is located in the neighboring community of Douglass, located about a mile away from the Congress Heights Station. Representing the region is Trayon White, who has served on the Council of the District of Columbia from Ward 8 since 2016.
Schools in Congress Heights include Congress Heights School and Center City Public Charter, in addition to Eagle Academy. The neighborhood also features a United Methodist, Roman Catholic and Baptist Church.