Walter R. Kirkland:

Walter R. Kirkland is a proven community leader, mentor, and advocate dedicated to empowering families and building opportunity across Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District. A native of Mount Vernon, New York, Walter earned a full athletic scholarship to Rutgers University, where he graduated with a B.S. degree and was a four-year All-American track and field athlete.

His early success in athletics and teamwork laid the foundation for a lifetime of leadership and service. Walter has spent more than two decades in high-profile sales, marketing, and public relations roles with major corporations including Xerox, Honeywell, and Samsung Electronics America, where he developed strong skills in strategic communication, negotiation, and community engagement.

A true grassroots builder, Walter is the founding president of the 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County, an organization he created to invest in mentorship, youth development, and community leadership. Through this work, he has directly mentored dozens of young people, connected families with critical resources, and uplifted voices too often overlooked in public discourse.

He has also served as Executive Chair of the March of Dimes in Prince George’s County and hosts the community-focused media program “Kirkland’s Korner,” amplifying local stories and solutions. Now running for U.S. Congress, Walter is focused on practical, people-centered solutions: safer neighborhoods, quality healthcare access, workforce development, modernizing education, and economic opportunity for all. His campaign is grounded in integrity, service, and a vision for shared prosperity.

Gwen “Breezy” Gilbert:

I am excited to nominate Gwen “Breezy” Gilbert as a Hometown History Maker, for her thirty-two (32) years of dedication to the African-American youth of Prince George’s County! Breezy has been a volunteer tennis coach with the Prince George’s Tennis and Education Foundation, Inc. (PGTEF) since it was founded in 1993.

PGTEF is a non-profit 501© (3) organization that provides opportunities for youth to excel academically, athletically and socially through tennis. Under the leadership of Brenda Gilmore, the President/CEO, PGTEF develops and delivers academic, athletic, and life skills programs that foster confidence and achievement in the classroom, on the tennis court, and in life.

Breezy has been instrumental to the success and longevity of PGTEF, and is a credit to Prince George’s County and changing lives everyday! Since 1993, Breezy has devoted at least three (3) days per week volunteering as a coach for youth from the age of 5-18 years old in Prince George’s County. She trained a group of girls that were affectionately called the “Breezettes”.

All of them went on to college, most with tennis scholarships with many wonderful stories of their own to tell about Coach Breezy. They are adults, and like many others have enrolled their own children in the PGTEF program. Around 20 years ago, Breezy also helped to start a beginner adult tennis program for the parents of the students of PGTEF coaches.

That program blossomed into 3 United States Tennis Association (USTA) tennis teams, known as “Serving You”. They still meet and train year-round. She also works with U.S. veterans, teaching tennis through a program administered by the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC). Breezy’s heart for serving others reaches beyond the tennis court. She is the head of the sign language ministry at her church, Ebenezer AME in Fort Washington, Maryland.

She has been a member and in the sign language ministry for over 30 years. Breezy visits, texts, and calls church members, tennis students, and friends whenever she senses they are in need of a kind thought or helping hand. She is truly a credit to this community and is worthy of your recognition. I have a video of Breezy in action on the tennis court and briefly telling her story about tennis and would love to share it as well.

Noochie:

I’d like to nominate Noochie, a Washington, D.C. artist and cultural innovator whose work has reshaped how independent music is experienced and shared.

Front Porch Freestyles began with a simple but powerful idea: turn a real front porch into a stage. No industry gatekeeping. No overproduction. Just artists, a mic, and the moment. What Noochie built was intimate and intentional, creating space for raw, unfiltered performances that cut through the noise. Audiences connected immediately. The videos went viral, but more importantly, a community formed around authenticity and access.

Front Porch Freestyles is more than a performance series. It is a cultural platform rooted in ownership and identity. As the audience grew, supporters wanted more than views and shares. They wanted to be part of it. The merchandise became that bridge. Not as an afterthought, but as an extension of the movement.

Through Signature pieces, Noochie offers premium staples that remain consistently available. Editions introduce limited drops that reflect the exclusivity and energy of each moment. Accessories complete the experience. Every item is intentional. Nothing is filler. The house icon stands as a symbol of origin and belonging. OY Orange serves as a bold accent, while the culture remains the foundation.

Noochie has proven that vision and community can rival traditional industry structures. By creating his own stage and inviting others in, he has built a lasting platform that celebrates creativity, ownership, and the power of showing up as you are.

Shavonne Holman:

I am honored to nominate Shavonne Holman, a proud Howard University alumna whose career reflects both academic excellence and transformative leadership.

Shavonne earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Howard University in 2012, later completing a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She further strengthened her leadership foundation by earning an Executive Education Women’s Leadership Certificate from the Yale School of Management, a clear reflection of her commitment to growth and excellence.

Professionally, Shavonne has held influential roles in talent strategy and organizational leadership, including service within the Executive Office of the President and the United States Digital Service. She has also provided senior human resources leadership for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and served on the advisory board of Bellevue University. Across each role, she has focused on strengthening organizations through equitable talent development and strategic workforce leadership.

As co-founder of Blacks in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, she has created pathways for representation, mentorship, and access for Black professionals within the I/O psychology field. Her work advances not only careers, but systems.

Beyond corporate and public service leadership, Shavonne is the founder of 1942 Lounge in Washington, D.C., a hospitality and cultural space rooted in connection. Through curated experiences and intentional community-building, she has created an environment where culture, conversation, and collaboration thrive.

Shavonne Holman embodies the legacy of Howard alumni, leading across sectors, elevating others, and building spaces where excellence and community coexist.

Thank you for joining us for Black History Month. Can’t wait to see who you nominate next year!