Prince George’s County council program spotlights African Americans in labor; Employ Prince George’s outlines workforce initiatives

Prince George’s County Council hosted a Black History Month program that honored African Americans’ contributions to labor and included a presentation from Walter Simmons, president and CEO of Employ Prince George’s and executive director of the Prince George’s County Local Workforce Development Board.

Simmons framed his remarks around historical leaders in Black labor organizing — from Mary McLeod Bethune and George Edmund Haynes to A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin and contemporary organizer Christian Smalls — and tied that history to current workforce efforts in the county. “We are those successes,” Simmons said, referring to county residents and institutions.

Simmons also cited county demographic and economic figures during his remarks. He said Prince George’s County has “over 960,000 documented residents,” that “60% identifying as Black or African American,” and a projected growth of “4 to 5,000 new residents every year.” He described a “strong labor force of over 480,000 workers” and said the county’s household income levels are “30% above the national average.” These statements were made in the course of his speech and were attributed to Simmons during the program.

As part of the program’s local workforce detail, Simmons identified business-to-training partnerships: he said the event’s lunch was provided by FMK Catering, a Black-owned vendor whose owner, identified as Chef Frankie during the program, agreed to use the business as part of a culinary apprenticeship opportunity for county residents. “Some of the people that actually made your food are participants in our culinary apprenticeship program,” Simmons said.

The program included ceremonial elements: Council Chair Jolene Ivy delivered opening remarks about the county’s history and progress, Gillie Haynes served as mistress of ceremonies and read original poetry, Kenny Battle performed the Black National Anthem, and the Thomas Pullen Creative and Performing Arts dancers performed. Councilmember Ingrid Watson of District 4 gave closing remarks and acknowledged staff and participants.

Organizers and speakers used the event to link historical labor activism to current workforce-development work and to highlight local vendor and apprenticeship partnerships. No formal actions, votes, or legislative decisions were made during the program; it was presented as a commemorative and informational event by the council’s legislative branch.

The program also included brief personnel recognitions: near the end of the program, speakers announced the council’s first Black female council administrator and first Black female deputy council administrator and invited those staff members to stand.

The event combined historical context, civic recognition and promotion of local workforce programs. Council and Employ Prince George’s emphasized representation, local economic indicators and apprenticeship pathways as reasons the county should continue investing in workforce development and local small-business partnerships.

Ending: The program concluded after performances and closing remarks; speakers encouraged attendees to continue community engagement and noted ongoing workforce and apprenticeship activities in the county.