The team and I will be out in Clinton on the afternoon of Sunday, February 15th, knocking doors and talking directly with neighbors about what’s happening locally and what folks want to see for the future of our community.

Canvassing is one of the most powerful ways to build people-powered politics. It’s about listening, learning, and showing up for our neighbors where they are.

If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to get involved, this is a great place to start. I’d love to have you join us.

Come walk with us, meet your neighbors, and help shape the future of South County.

RSVP for details on our starting point!

https://bit.ly/CroomsCanvass3

There’s nothing better than talking with neighbors face-to-face about their hopes, concerns, and what they want to see in our community. This is how people-powered campaigns grow, one conversation at a time. Whether you’re a seasoned organizer or this is your first time knocking on doors, we’ll make sure you’re trained, paired up, and ready to go.

Our campaign is focused on taking our district back from big money and putting it in the hands of the people. Let’s get out there and do the work together.

Note on Weather: We’ll keep an eye on the winter forecast and set a rain/snow date next week if needed. Stay tuned for updates!

Register here to join us: https://actionnetwork.org/events/imara-crooms-for-district-9-canvass-2

I’ll be out in Clinton on the afternoon of Saturday, January 10th with volunteers from our campaign, knocking doors and talking directly with neighbors about what’s happening locally and what folks want to see for the future of our community.

Canvassing is one of the most powerful ways to build people-powered politics. It’s about listening, learning, and showing up for our neighbors where they are.

If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to get involved, this is a great place to start. I’d love to have you join us.

Come walk with us, meet your neighbors, and help shape the future of South County.

RSVP for details on our starting point!

• https://bit.ly/CroomsCanvass1

Coffee with Delegate Jamila Woods: Democracy Done Right

Join me for Coffee with Delegate Jamila Woods, a chance to engage directly with one of Prince George’s County’s most thoughtful and principled leaders. I’m a strong supporter of Jamila Woods and her earnest, people-centered approach to democracy and representation. More elected officials should aspire to lead the way she does.

These gatherings reflect what local government should be: leaders showing up, meeting people where they are, and engaging honestly with the public. As our community navigates critical issues like data centers and transit, it matters to have representatives willing to stand with residents and talk openly about our shared future.

Come out, grab a coffee, show your support, and see what responsive, accountable leadership can look like.

Stand Against Data Centers w/PSL

I hope you’ll join me for an upcoming discussion on the ongoing fight against hyperscale data centers in Prince George’s County, led by Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL).

PSL has been a consistent and principled leader on this issue for months, helping to organize residents, elevate community concerns, and keep the focus where it belongs: on our health, our environment, and our right to have a real say in what gets built in our neighborhoods.

As this fight continues, it’s more important than ever to be in spaces rooted in listening, collaboration, and solidarity. This discussion is an opportunity to connect with neighbors, share perspectives, and strengthen the collective response to development that puts profit ahead of people.

I’m grateful for PSL’s leadership and look forward to continuing this work together. Come be part of the conversation and help shape the path forward for our county.

I hope you’ll join me at the Croom Holiday Market, a wonderful chance to celebrate the season while supporting our local small businesses and makers.

With more than 30 local vendors offering arts, crafts, treats, and plenty of holiday cheer, this market is the perfect way to kick off the season with neighbors and friends. I’ll be there supporting local favorites, including Briar Rose Apothecary, and Santa will even be stopping by for the kiddos 🎅🏾💚

Come out, shop local, and enjoy a festive community gathering rooted in the heart of South County.

I’m honored to join Learning Life for their final Democracy Dinner of the year. These gatherings create space for thoughtful, grounded conversation about the state of our democracy and the work required to defend it.

I’ll be speaking from a global perspective on the rise of autocracy, shrinking civic space, political polarization, and the movements around the world pushing back against these forces. I’m especially excited to reflect on what these global struggles can teach us about strengthening civic life everywhere.

Grateful for the invitation, the chance to share, and the opportunity to learn alongside such an engaged community.

Prince George’s County Farm Bureau Scholarship Dinner at Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards

Join the Prince George’s County Farm Bureau for a night of good food, great company, and community spirit, all in support of the Farm Bureau’s scholarship fund for the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Enjoy oysters, fried chicken, ham, and more from Thompson Seafood, paired with delicious local wine from Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards. This event is open to all, so bring your neighbors, friends, and family for a wonderful evening celebrating our county’s proud farming community.

Subregion 6 Minor Plan Listening Session – November 10 & 13, 2025

I’ll be attending the Subregion 6 Minor Plan Listening Sessions hosted by M-NCPPC to help shape the future of development in Clinton, Tippett, Accokeek, and Brandywine. These sessions are an important chance for residents to share their priorities and vision as the County updates the 2013 plan to reflect today’s realities and tomorrow’s needs.

So much of District 9’s future, its housing, transportation, and environmental sustainability, will depend on how this plan is shaped. I’m looking forward to hearing directly from neighbors about what responsible, community-driven development should look like.

Learn more here: https://www.pgplanning.org/projects/minor-amendment-to-the-subregion-6-master-plan-and-sma/

• Session 1: Tuesday November 11th - 6:30-8pm at Upper Marlboro Community Center

• Session 2: Thursday November 13th - 6:30-8pm at Baden Community Center

Greater Baden Aquasco Citizens Association 25th Anniversary Community Social

Join us in celebrating 25 years of grassroots organizing and community building with the Greater Baden Aquasco Citizens Association (GBACA)! This milestone event will feature local artists, authors, music, farms, and delicious snacks. It should be a perfect opportunity to connect with neighbors, support small businesses, and celebrate the spirit of South County.

Come out, shop local, and be part of a community that continues to show what true civic engagement looks like!

Subregion 5 Minor Plan Listening Sessions – Fall 2025

I’ll be attending the Subregion 5 Minor Plan Listening Sessions hosted by the Prince George’s County Planning Department, and I’d love to see you there. These sessions will focus on the future of Upper Marlboro, Baden, Croom, Marlton, and Eagle Harbor.

These sessions give residents the opportunity to shape updates to the 2013 plan, ensuring it reflects today’s market conditions, aligns with Plan 2035, and centers community priorities. Topics under review include land use, open space, housing, transportation, and economic development.

The residents of Subregion 5 deserve a say in how our communities grow, and I’m excited to hear directly from neighbors about how we can ensure development is smart, equitable, and sustainable.

• Session 1: Wednesday November 4th - from 6:30-8pm at the Southern Area Aquatic Center

• Session 2: Saturday November 8th - from 11:30-1pm at the Stephen Decatur Community Center

District 26 Dialogue: What do Data Centers Mean for Us - hosted by Delegate Jamila Woods

I’m deeply looking forward to this Community Dialogue on Data Centers hosted by Delegate Jamila J. Woods at the Oxon Hill Library. With data centers expanding rapidly across Prince George’s County, and the community in an uproar on the subject, this conversation will be an important chance to hear from residents, experts, and advocates about how we balance innovation with environmental responsibility and community well-being.

I’m deeply grateful to Delegate Woods for bringing people together for an honest, transparent discussion about the challenges and opportunities ahead, from energy use and air quality to local oversight and accountability.

Events like this remind us that progress must include the community’s voice every step of the way.

On Friday, October 25th from 8am to 3pm, I’ll be at the Empowering Community Conference, presented by the PG County Office of Community Relations.

This event is an open call to civic associations, HOAs, co-ops, condos, and neighborhood watches, ultimately the grassroots foundations of our democracy. With workshops, testimonies, panels, and networking, it’s a chance to celebrate and strengthen the community organizations that keep our neighborhoods strong and connected.

On Saturday, October 4th, from 10AM–12PM, I’ll be out with neighbors for Upper Marlboro’s Community Clean-up Day.

This is a chance to come together, roll up our sleeves, and help keep our beautiful downtown community thriving. Students can also earn service hours while pitching in.

I’m such a fan of the town of Upper Marlboro, and thus excited to be part of this effort, community service is a valuable part of giving our lives meaning. If you’re planning to come out please say hi!

On Monday, September 29th, from 8AM–2PM, I’ll be at the Community Meet and Greet hosted by Upper Marlboro’s upcoming “Mix and Mingle” coffee shop.

This new spot is a local branch of one of my favorite cafés in Clinton, and I’m excited to meet the folks bringing it here to our community. It’s always inspiring to see small businesses investing in a local place I love, Upper Marlboro is great and I love seeing folks building spaces for connection, and helping our town grow.

On Saturday, September 13th, I’ll be joining Plumbers Local 5 for their annual Family Picnic at Chesapeake Baysox Stadium from 12–5 PM.

This gathering is a celebration of food, fun, and the vital role of organized labor in strengthening our communities. I’m looking forward to connecting with union members, their families, and neighbors as we share in the festivities and honor the hardworking people who keep our county running. I always appreciate a chance to be out at an event in support of our unions, and would love to hear from you if you’ll be there as well.

On Thursday, July 31st, from 5–8PM, I’ll be attending a Community Walk and Meet & Greet an evening of unity, connection, and community engagement here in Prince George’s County.

The event, hosted by Councilmembers Calvin Hawkins, Sydney Harrison, and Jolene Ivey in partnership with 4Ever Unified, Inc., will bring together elected officials, agency leadership, and community members to walk, talk, and build relationships rooted in trust and accountability.

County Executive Aisha Braveboy, Police Chief George Nader, Assistant Chief George Nichols, and Fire Chief Meme Michaelides are all expected to be in attendance, alongside residents and advocates from across the county. There will be music, refreshments, and opportunities for open conversation.

In moments like this, community matters most, not just in speeches or headlines, but in real, face-to-face connection. I expect the event will be great to take part in and am committed to the kind of leadership that shows up, listens, and puts people first.

Come out, bring a friend, and let’s walk together.

🌾 Come Say Hello at Farm & Family Day! 🚜

I’ll be out at Baden Firehouse this Saturday from open till close (11-4PM) for Farm & Family Day. The event's a fun, family-friendly celebration of agriculture and community right here in the county.

There’ll be all sorts of activities for little folks from pony rides and a petting zoo to food vendors and I’ll be there with my family, enjoying the day and connecting with neighbors.

Come find me, say hi, and let’s talk about the future we can build together.

On August 23rd from 11AM to 2PM, I’ll be joining the Prince George’s County Young Democrats (PGCYD) at their Youth Rally for Justice a powerful gathering to stand up and be heard. As the GOP’s dangerous agenda, led by Trump and his allies, continues to target our communities, our rights, and our future, events like this are a reminder that we are not alone. Across the country and right here in Prince George’s, young people are rising to defend justice, democracy, and each other.

I’ll always take a chance to stand alongside younger organizers. Come through, bring a friend, and let’s show that we’re ready to meet this moment together.

This Sunday, August 10th from 12 to 4pm, my family and I will be out enjoying LiUNA’s Family Fun Day, a celebration of community, solidarity, the value of organized labor and the beautiful natural spaces of Prince George’s County.

Hosted right here in my own part of the county by the Labourers' International Union of North America (LiUNA), the event will feature food, music, face painting, health screenings, and LiUNA’s annual back-to-school supply giveaway. It’s a joyful reminder of what organized labor does best: bringing people together and showing up for working families.

If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll swing by, say hello, grab a bite, and celebrate all the ways we lift each other up.

On Tuesday, August 5th, I’ll be joining neighbors across the community for National Night Out, a yearly celebration that brings the public and local law enforcement together for an evening of connection, conversation, and fun.

I’ll be attending events in both Upper Marlboro and Baden, alongside my wife and father, to talk with residents about the future of our county and the issues that matter most. I look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones.

This Monday, July 21, I’ll attend a County Council briefing on Police Response Times and Adequate Public Facilities, a critical conversation for the future of District 9 and South County as a whole.

The truth is clear: unchecked development is leaving our communities without the services we need, and nowhere is that more dangerous than in emergency response. Residents across District 9 have been sounding the alarm, and it’s past time we were heard.

Back in June, the Council passed CB-80-2025, suspending the use of recent response time data in development decisions. Yet as of this briefing, the Planning Department still hasn’t presented a viable alternative. The Plan 2035 Infrastructure Task Force has warned repeatedly that the pace and process of development in South County lacks transparency and equity, and that the infrastructure simply isn’t keeping up.

This is a subject I plan to keep showing up on, and I hope you will too.

This Saturday, I’ll be joining the local Sierra Club for their annual Summer BBQ, a celebration of community, environmental stewardship, and the natural beauty of Prince George’s County.

There will be food, board games, a nature walk, and plenty of space to build with others who care deeply about the place we call home. This county’s beautiful environment is one of the things that drew me here, and it’s something I take great pride in as a Prince Georgian.

I’m so grateful to the Sierra Club and its members for their unwavering commitment to preserving our natural spaces, building resilience, and protecting the land for future generations. I’m especially looking forward to the presentation of this year’s Environmental Service Award and hearing more about the work being done on land use, pollution, and sustainability right here in our communities.

If you’re attending, come say hello. I’d love to connect over grilled veggies, good conversation, and a shared love for our home.

This Friday, July 18th from 7 to 10, I’ll be attending a Returning Citizens Appreciation Dinner, hosted by Qiana Johnson and Life After Release, in partnership with the Broad Umbrella Coalition.

This event honors the resilience, dignity, and power of those who’ve survived our carceral system, a struggle that’s long been close to my heart. I’m grateful to stand in community with so many who continue to fight for justice, and proud to see local leaders showing up for this work.

If you’re there, come say hello, I’d love to connect.

July 17th marks the 5th anniversary of the passing of John Lewis, civil rights activist and US representative. In the spirit of Lewis’ legacy we’ve been called for a day of action. GoodTroubleLivesOn.org has called on folks to honor Lewis’ legacy by rallying with neighbors to stand up against injustice and pull together to build a more just and equitable future. There are events scheduled throughout the day, absolutely check them out and find folks to be in solidarity with!

Come join folks at the end of the work day at a rally in front of the Bowie Library. Absolutely if you’re in the area come say hi 😁

July 17th marks the 5th anniversary of the passing of John Lewis, civil rights activist and US representative. In the spirit of Lewis’ legacy we’ve been called for a day of action. GoodTroubleLivesOn.org has called on folks to honor Lewis’ legacy by rallying with neighbors to stand up against injustice and pull together to build a more just and equitable future. There are events scheduled throughout the day, absolutely check them out and find folks to be in solidarity with!

I’ll be spending the morning out in Hyattsville sending out positive vibes to folks on their morning commute and making clear that Trump’s vision is not what we want or deserve. If you’re moved to join come and say hi! If you’re out on your way to work give us a honk or a cheer!

When: Friday July 4th 2025

Where: Roosevelt Center - 115 Centerway Greenbelt, MD

There are few better ways to celebrate the 4th of July than in solidarity and community with our neighbors. We’ll be meeting at the Roosevelt Center in Greenbelt for a day of protest against the Trump administration’s ongoing push for autocracy.

Stop by for a chat if you’re planning to be there!

— Imara