WASHINGTON (HUNS) – While Americans across the nation watched election results roll in on Tuesday evening, D.C. Democrats partied with their new Mayor-elect Janeese Lewis George. The celebration in Ward 8 was filled with music and dancing.
With a collective sense of hope, people of all walks of life were united in their belief that Lewis George is the right person to lead them into the future they want to see.
LaFonda Willis has lived in D.C. for 16 years and said she was inspired by the people at the event, both young and old.
“Tonight, people seem to be full of energy,” said Willis, an attorney. “[Attendees] seem to be focused on what is needed for the community and actually taking action to improve the quality of life of people that live in this city.”
Willis shared this while briefly waiting for a baked-to-order pizza she purchased at the venue, Sycamore & Oak, which is home to local, Black-owned retail shops and wellness spaces. The scent of fried fish wafted into the main outdoor pavilion, likely from one of the restaurants, Dionne’s Good Food.
The restaurant is located inside, next to the pavilion and served alcoholic beverages at their bar throughout the night. While people listened to music played by the DJ on stage, attendees inside enjoyed drinks at tables, some with buckets of champagne on ice.
Natalie Wimberly, a six-year District resident, sat inside. She has an 18-year-old daughter who voted for the first time this year. They both voted for Lewis George, also hoping to see her invest in young people.
“As someone who has had three children in D.C. Public Schools, I definitely want to see more funding for our youth, especially in the mental health capacity,” Wimberly said.
Throughout the night, many watched national election results roll in on TV screens. One group stood and chanted “si se puede,” a slogan adopted by the United Farm Workers Union in the 1970s that translates to “Yes, it is possible.” Another jumped up and down and embraced one another upon seeing Democrat James Talarico declared the projected Texas Senate winner.
D.C. resident Tyrell Littman, a student at George Washington University, mentioned the need to prioritize younger residents.
“I’m looking forward to affordability and making sure everybody’s voice is heard across the city,” he said.
Littman was one of dozens of volunteers and supporters who wore a t-shirt that read “Janeese Lewis George for D.C. Mayor.” Many of them were not camera shy, posing for the dozens of media present, as they chanted their support for Democrats as the results rolled in. Lewis George’s campaign’s signature royal purple was hard to miss as the event steadily filled to capacity.
At one point, two women wearing these shirts shimmied their shoulders to a remix of “Hello” by Adele. Moments later, Ms. Senior DC 2023 Cerise Turner, who endorsed Lewis George, two-stepped with an elder. People of all ages danced together.
The crowd steadily gathered in front of the stage, waiting to hear from their new mayor. After 9:00 p.m., various community leaders took the stage, including representatives from D.C.’s eight wards. The hosts asked the crowd to cheer for their respective ward, with Ward 8, Ward 5 and Ward 4 — Lewis George’s home — receiving some of the loudest applause.
And at a few minutes to 10:00 p.m., the crowd’s anticipation to hear from Lewis George was palpable. “JLG! JLG! JLG!” they yelled repeatedly as she took to the stage.
“Thank you for trusting this daughter of the District,” she said, as she began. “It’s a new day for D.C.”
Sydney Goitia-Doran is a senior reporter for HUNewsService.com covering environmental issues. She is also the editor-in-chief of The Hilltop at Howard University.
