One City Summit

By Evan Brown (American 2014)

On February 11th, residents from all across the city, including college students, will be attending Mayor Gray’s One City Summit, a community conversation designed to open dialogue about improving the city. Several leaders from DC Students Speak will be in attendance.

It will take place from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM this Saturday at the Washington Convention Center. Lunch will be provided.

Mayor Gray issued a press release two weeks ago asking citizens to attend.

“Join me and 1,000 of your fellow D.C. residents on February 11 as we have a frank and open conversation about how we can work together to improve our city’s services, outcomes, environment and quality of life for all of our residents,” Mayor Gray said. “This citywide town-hall-style meeting will show us ways we can work together to move our city forward.”

“Have you ever wondered what ‘One City’ really means?” Mayor Gray said. “One City is not just a logo or a slogan. It is the recognition that all District residents, no matter their differences, are bound together by a common destiny and a shared desire to make the city even better for the people who live here.

We all want a vibrant, sustainable city, where all residents have an opportunity to provide for themselves and their families, where every neighborhood is safe, where every student goes to a good school, where every tax dollar is spent wisely on a government that works and where citizens’ voices really count.”

Objectives of the summit, per the Mayor’s web site, include:

- Voting on specific priorities for action in the coming year

- Learning about current efforts to grow our economy, improve our schools, create more jobs, and other initiatives underway to move our city forward

- Participating in small group discussions with people from all over the city

- Identifying ways you can be more involved in future efforts to create a more unified city that works for everyone.

There is no question that Washington D.C. is in dire need of improvements. From the ethics problems on the DC Council, to WMATA repairs, to the problems of our schools, progress can be made in many ways.

Of course, all of us at DC Students Speak are invested not only in student rights, but in the welfare and well-being of the city as a whole. As college students, we hope to bring a fresh young perspective to the city, how policies affect us, how policies affect others, and how we think D.C. can become a better place for all. Join us as we participate in this conversation.

To sign up or find more information, visit http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5874/content_item/onecitysummit.