Read the full stored bill text
M
URIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
March 31 2026
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section
2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1- 523.01), and pursuant to section 2 of the Commission on African-
American Affairs Establishment Act of 2012, effective March 14, 2012 (D.C. Law 19 -106; D.C.
Official Code § 3-1441), I am pleased to nominate the following individual:
Ms. Venus Little
North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20002
(Ward 6)
for appointment as a public member of the Commission on African-American Affairs, filling a vacant
seat formerly held by Spencer Gopaul, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end July 8, 2026, and
for a subsequent term to end July 8, 2029.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-m entioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel B owser
Mayor
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
~~~ Pciairman Phil Mendelson
at the request of the Mayor
10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
11
12
13
14
15 To confirm the appointment of Paul Spires to the Commission on African-American Affairs.
16
17 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
18 resolution may be cited as the "Commission on African-American Affairs Venus Little
19 Confirmation Resolution of 2026".
20 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
21
22 Venus Little
23 North Capitol Street, NW
24 Washington, DC 20002
25 (Ward 6)
26
27 as a public member of the Commission on African-American Affairs, established pursuant to
28 section 2 of the Commission on African-American Affairs Establishment Act of 2012, effective
29 March 14, 2012 (D.C. Law 19-106; D.C. Official Code§ 3-1441), filling a vacant seat formerly
30 held by Spencer Gopaul, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end July 8, 2026, and for a
31 subsequent term to end July 8, 2029.
32 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
33 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Mayor.
34 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
— Po
Objective:
Passionatecommunityadvocatewithaproventrackrecordineffectingpositivechange,seeking
toleverageextensiveexperienceandskillstocontributetoanaffordablehousingnonprofit
agencyasavaluablememberoftheBoardofDirectors.Eagertoapplystrategicinsight,
collaborativeleadership,andadeepcommitmenttosocialjusticetodriveinitiativesthat
‘empowerindividualsandfamiliesthroughaccesstosafeandaffordablehousingsolutions.Seek
anopportunitywithastrongorganization,whosemissionistocreateandbuildonabetter
‘communityandsociety.
RolesandResponsibilitiesofTenantCouncilPresident:
1,Leadership:Providevisionaryleadershiptothetenantcouncil,guidingitsactivitiesand
initiativesinalignmentwiththeinterestsandneedsofthecommunity.
2.Advocacy:Advocateonbehalfoftenants’rightsandinterests,representingthetenantcouncil
innegotiationswithlandlords,propertymanagement,andrelevantauthoritiestoensurefair
treatmentandequitablelivingconditions.
3.Communication:Serveastheprimaryliaisonbetweenthetenantcouncilandthebroader
‘community,facilitatingtransparentcommunicationchannelstodisseminateinformation,address
concerns,andmobilizesupportforcollectiveaction
4.OrganizationandCoordination:Organizeregularmeetings,events,andactivitiestoengage
tenants,buildcommunitysolidarity,andfosterasenseofbelonging.Coordinatewithother
tenantleadersandorganizationstoamplifyadvocacyeffortsandmaximizeimpact.
5.ConflictResolution:Mediatedisputesandconflictsamongtenants,promotingdialogue,
understanding,andmutuallybeneficialresolutionstomaintainharmonywithinthecommunity.
6.PolicyDevelopment:Collaboratewithtenantstodevelopandadvocateforpoliciesand
regulationsthatprotecttenants’rights,enhancehousingaffordability,andimproveliving
conditionswithinthehousingcomplexorcommunity.
7.ResourceMobilization:Identifyfundingopportunities,grants,andresourcestosupport
tenant-ledinitiatives,programs,andservicesaimedatimprovingthequalityoflifeforresidents.
8.EmpowermentandEducation:Empowertenantsbyprovidingaccesstoinformation,
resources,andtrainingopportunitiesthatenhancetheirunderstandingoftheirrights,
responsibilities,andavenuesforadvocacyandcivicengagement.
9. Representation: Represent the tenant council at meetings, hearings, and forums with housing
authorities, local governm
ent officials, and other stakeholders to articulate tenants' concerns,
priorities, and recommendations.
10. Collaboration: F
oster collaboration and partnership with local organizations, advocacy
groups, and government agencies working on housing and community development issues to
leverage collective expertise and resources for the benefit of tenants.
ACCO
LADES:
6/1995 Parent V
olunteer Award
5/1996 Community Volunteer Service Award
5/1996 Best parent Volunteer
Parent PTSA for Four years
3/2003 PTSA Volunteer for Three years advocating for family child care, traveling with meetings
and conferences.
6/2005 Awarded Teacher Parent Volunteer
Certificate of Leadership Training JOBS WITH JUSTICE
Metropolitan Police Department Community Engagement Academy
11/2015 - Certificate for Public Service presented By The Office of The People's Council
07/2015 Certificate of Appreciation for Kitchen/Food Services Presented by The Ebenezer
Baptist Church
PUBL
IC SERVICE:
6/2010 - President of T
he Tyler House Tenants Association
01/2006 - Chairperson of kitchen Committee of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Washington, DC
08/2015 - Volunteer Resolution Committee Member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Washington,
DC
07/2001- Women of Righteous Determination Ministry (W.O.R.D.) Ebenezer Baptist Church,
Washington, DC
2012 - CNHED Housing For All Campaign, Residential Council
Leadership Team which led the District to a Hundred Million dollars to be fully committed to the
Housing Production Trust Fund
Board Member of the Edward C Mazique and Vice President of the Edward C Mazique Child
Care - PTSA of Washington, DC
PTSA - President Of the Emery Elementary School of Washington, DC for Three Year
PTSA - President/Member of The Langley Middle School of Washington, DC for Two Years
Board Member Of the Dunbar PTSA of Washington, DC for Three years
Former Member of ONE DC Organization in Washington, DC
Former Member of Empower DC Organization in Washington, DC.
Member of the Board of Directors of CNHED for Four years
Housing Advocate of the Stakeholders of OTA - Office of The Tenant Advocate
Housing Advocate with HCS - Housing Counseling Services for Twenty Years
Present Organizer with LEDC in Washington, DC for Ten years
Member of the Board of Directors of the (DCTU) District of Columbia Tenants Union in
Washington, DC for Seven years
Leader of the Northwest One Community Safety Meeting 2013
Former Vice President Of The NOMA CIVIC Association 2018 - 2021
Member of the MANNA (HAT TEAM) for four years, Board member of MANNA
Vice President/Board Member of the NAHT, National Alliance of HUD Tenants
Member of LOFTE Leaders Organizers for Tenant Empowerment
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES:
11/1996 - 2010 - Teacher Assistant, Nation's Capital Child and Family Development in
Washington, DC
. Prepare and assemble client folders
. Teach children independence and responsibility at an appropriate age level. I,e, brush teeth,
feed themselves, clothe/dress themselves
Clean areas…..
. Prepare meals and snacks for the children.
. Communicate with Parents, Management, and Children on a daily basis.
. Comply and register for required Child Care training courses
. Maintain Cleanliness of the site.
E
xecutive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
V
enus Little
Ms
. Venus Little is a native Washingtonian community advocate, housing
justice organizer, and proud single mother of three boys. A graduate of
DC Public Schools, she holds certifications in childcare and food handling
and is deeply rooted in service to her community.
Ms. Little is a passionate voice in the fight for housing justice and
economic dignity for DC families. She has worked alongside housing
advocates and organizations across the District to confront the affordable
housing crisis impacting low-income residents. As an advocate with the
Housing For All Campaign, she has pushed for increased investment in
the DC Housing Production Trust Fund, calling for it to be fully funded
at $100 million annually to expand affordable housing opportunities.
Beyond policy advocacy, Ms. Little is a hands -on community leader. She organizes community
events and outreach efforts that bring vital information, resources, and support directly to families
in her neighborhood. She is also committed to uplifting and supporting the homeless community
through service, compassion, and action.
A Ward 6 resident, Ms. Little earned her high school diploma.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steven Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: March 25, 2026
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution appointing public members to the
Commission on African-American Affairs
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced Resolutions and
found them to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Kimberly Ulan, Associate General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
202-727-2292, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth Cavendish