Get to know Brittany Kademian (4C05 candidate)
/
Name: Brittany Kademian
What is your ANC and SMD?
ANC 4C05
What is the best way for constituents to contact you?
Email: brittanyforanc4c05@gmail.com
Twitter: @kademian87
Facebook: Brittany Kademian Dalia
Introduction
Hi! My name is Brittany Kademian and I've lived in Petworth, just north of Grant Circle, for more than eight years and love this neighborhood and community. I have both lived in the district and worked for the federal government for almost 13 years.
I am married; my husband, Justin, and I have two young kids—Leo (2.5 years) and Luca (10 months) —who you may have seen us pushing around in the double stroller in Grant and Sherman Circles. We also have a longhaired mini dachshund, Otto, who loves going on daily walks next to E.L. Haynes Public Charter School.
What's a hobby or something fun that you are interested in?
I like to stay active! I enjoy reading and participating in my monthly bookclub, traveling (have been to six continents), and event planning - both for friends/family celebrations and also community events, such as a recent neighborhood block party that I organized. I regularly volunteer to give back to our community through the Petworth Peanuts new parent support group and through other Petworth-based organizations. I'm also a foodie and enjoy going to new DC restaurants with friends, and try to balance that out by playing soccer, softball, and going on runs around Petworth
What are your qualifications?
I am qualified to be the ANC Commissioner for 4C05 because I have extensive experience and skills in community building and public service and am passionate about helping my neighborhood.
For the past two years, I have led Petworth Peanuts new parents support group—open to all neighborhood residents—and am now on the board as Vice President to help direct and implement programming and community events. I have volunteered to lead new parent cohorts, organized weekly speakers, and provided educational resources. I also collaborated with local businesses and residents to organize big new neighborhood events for Petworth families, including the annual Halloween Spooktacular in Sherman Circle and Pride in the Park.
I served as the President of the North Columbia Heights Civic Association from 2012-2014, where I worked with local residents, ANC Commissioners, and the Ward 1 Councilmember to help save the Columbia Heights Dog Park. In this capacity, I also regularly organized community clean-ups, supported new local businesses, and held an At-Large Council Candidate Forum and a Ward 1 Council Candidate Debate to allow for local residents to meet and ask questions of these candidates.
To address traffic safety issues, I advocated the installation of a four-way stop at the dangerous intersection of 5th and Webster Street NW, worked with DPW to get a new public trash can installed at the corner of 7th and Webster St, and obtained one way street signage for 7th street.
What are the ANC meetings?
The current ANC 4C meets virtually via Webex the second Wednesday of every month at 7pm, and each meeting usually lasts at least two hours. However, the new ANC 4C will meet in January 2023 to determine the new monthly day and time for future 4C meetings.
Are you going to hold SMD meetings?
As mentioned above, I plan to either host (or co-host with other organizations) community events at least once a quarter, and also may decide to hold regular monthly SMD meetings in Grant Circle, both of which would provide an opportunity for constituents to gather and meet with myself and each other to discuss neighborhood issues.
Do you attend other meetings?
As the Vice President of Petworth Peanuts, I attend both a monthly Peanuts board meeting and a biweekly event planning meeting to help organize upcoming events for our community. I attend the monthly ANC 4C meetings virtually, and sometimes also attend the ANC 4D meetings.
Brittany’s Priorities
1) IMPROVING COMMUNICATION: Unfortunately, communication with residents by my opponent, an incumbent, has been nonexistent as he is known to be unresponsive to constituents when they reach out to him directly. I plan to make myself more accessible to neighbors by distributing monthly newsletters and organizing quarterly SMD events—such as Grant Circle meetups, neighborhood cleanups, and block parties—to meet and talk in person. I will keep residents informed and provide a line of communication between community members, our Councilmember, other elected officials, and government agencies.
2) TRAFFIC SAFETY: Many Petworth intersections lacking all-way stops contribute to crashes and pose a threat to pedestrians—including children walking to school, our elderly neighbors, and bicyclists. I plan to collaborate with ANC Commissioners, the Ward 4 Councilwoman’s office, 4C’s Vision Zero Committee, and local residents to pressure DDOT into installing more 4-way stops and speed bumps.
3) GUN VIOLENCE: I will work with our Councilmember, the Fourth Police District, Cure the Streets, and fellow ANC Commissioners to address gun violence and help improve public safety in our community.
4) 4C-WIDE ISSUES: I plan to help neighborhood schools such as E.L. Haynes and Barnard Elementary receive robust resources so that its students and staff can excel; help small businesses thrive on Upshur Street Corridor + Georgia Ave; and support increased affordable housing options in our neighborhood.
I am running to be the next Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner of the newly formed 4C05 because I am passionate about public service and am dedicated to improving our neighborhood. I believe in the positive impact of hyperlocal government work, and I promise to be accessible, communicative, and transparent while working to make our community a better and safer neighborhood for our children and every community member.
Editor’s Note: All content is directly from the candidates with only minor edits for simple typographical issues. All photos are from the candidates. No endorsement is implied by these articles — hopefully you learn more about the people who want to represent you. Please vote!
