Arlen Herrell Recognition Resolution of 2026

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1 2 _______________________________ 3 Councilmember Zachary Parker 4 5 6 7 A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 8 9 _________________________ 10 11 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 12 13 _________________________ 14 15 16 To recognize honoree Arlen Herrell during the 2026 celebration of DC Black Pride. 17 18 WHEREAS, Arlen Herrell is a public servant, entrepreneur, and community leader whose 19 work has focused on expanding opportunity, equity, and access for communities too often left 20 out of the room; 21 22 WHEREAS, Arlen Herrell currently serves as Senior Deputy Director at the D.C. 23 Department of Employment Services, where he helps lead workforce development initiatives 24 connecting District residents to training, career pathways, and economic mobility; 25 26 WHEREAS, Arlen Herrell’s career has been shaped by service at every level of 27 government, from the local and state to national levels; 28 29 WHEREAS, Arlen Herrell previously served in the Obama Administration and has been 30 a strong advocate for the My Brother’s Keeper initiative, championing mentorship and stronger 31 systems of support for boys and young men of color; 32 33 WHEREAS, before coming to Washington, D.C., Arlen Herrell was deeply engaged in 34 civic leadership in Cincinnati, where his passion for public service, political advocacy, and 35 building pathways for Black communities was first ignited; 36 37 WHEREAS, as part of his entrepreneurial ventures, Arlen Herrell is the founder of 38 aStatesman Consulting Group, a strategy and public affairs firm focused on workforce 39 development, government relations, program design, and community impact; 40 41 WHEREAS, Arlen Herrell owns ASC Properties, where he works to expand quality 42 housing opportunities and build long-term economic stability through real estate investments for 43 those in need; 44

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45 WHEREAS, as a proud Black gay man and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 46 Arlen Herrell moves with intention, using his voice and platform to speak boldly on politics, 47 culture, equity, and the lived experience and power of the Black and LGBTQIA+ communities; 48 49 WHEREAS, DC Black Pride is an annual event to increase awareness of and showcase 50 pride in the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ populations in the African American community, and to 51 support organizations that focus on health disparities, education, youth, and families; 52 53 WHEREAS, as the very first Black Pride festival in the world, DC Black Pride fostered 54 the beginning of the Center for Black Equity and the “Black Pride Movement”; 55 56 WHEREAS, since the birth of DC Black Pride, more than 50 other Black Pride 57 celebrations now take place throughout the world and on 4 continents, with many using DC 58 Black Pride as a model; 59 60 WHEREAS, May 22, 2026, through May 25, 2026, marks the 35th annual DC Black 61 Pride celebration; 62 63 WHEREAS, the theme for this year’s celebration is “New Black Renaissance,” which 64 centers Black LGBTQIA+ “artists, leaders, healers, and organizers while confronting what still 65 makes Black Pride necessary, including HIV, inequity, homophobia, and transphobia;” 66 67 WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, DC Black Pride has been an opportunity for the 68 Black LGBTQIA+ community to gather and celebrate being both African American and 69 members of LGBTQIA+ communities; 70 71 WHEREAS, DC Black Pride is the oldest and one of the largest Black Pride events in the 72 world, drawing thousands of residents and visitors from around the globe; and 73 74 WHEREAS, DC Black Pride brings more than 500,000 people to the nation’s capital 75 from across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, South Africa, Great Britain, France, 76 Germany, and the Netherlands and will carry that tradition this year and into the future to 77 celebrate their shared community, raise awareness and funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, and 78 stand against homophobia inspired by violence and bigotry. 79 80 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That 81 this resolution be cited as the “Arlen Herrell Recognition Resolution of 2026”. 82 83 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and celebrates Arlen Herrell 84 during the 2026 celebration of DC Black Pride. 85 86 Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately. 87