This weekend is a busy one with celebrations for Juneteenth planned all over the DMV and hopefully a nice dinner for a dad in your life!
WELCOME TO THE MAA TEAM reed!
Before joining MAA, Reed was the National Finance Assistant on Mark Kelly’s successful 2020 U.S. Senate campaign in Arizona, working primarily in the western region. In 2017, Reed interned in Washington, D.C. at the Brookings Institution.
Born and raised in northern Virginia, Reed attended the College of William & Mary, graduating in 2019 with a B.A. in Government and a minor in American Studies. On campus, he worked in communications and finance on multiple local elections, as well as heading up the campus tour guide program his senior year.
At any moment, you could probably find Reed listening to a pop culture podcast, eating peanuts at Nats Park, or lounging on a beach in northern Michigan.
gift ideas
June is the nexus of the end of school, end of spring sports, tryouts for fall sports, start of swim team, start of summer and for MAA, EOQ. Oh wait, and dads too? If you feel like a whirling dervish like Molly, you may have waited a bit too long to start your shopping. Here are some really last minute gifts ideas:
Bose Soundlink Micro Bluetooth Speaker - this little cutie is available at Target, Amazon and Nordstorm. If you order today from Amazon, it should arrive on Saturday (per my experience where I ordered on Monday and it arrived on Wednesday). H/t to one of our readers for this idea, it can be strapped to the side of a golf cart for some tunes while you play. Also handy in other places. And waterproof design.
Storyworth - A friend told me about this and they loved the experience. Once a week, they email the recipient questions you’ve never thought to ask. At the end of a year, their stories are bound into a beautiful keepsake book.
DiBruno Brothers - Italian meat and cheese. You can still get this with rush shipping.
favorite dads
For some Father’s Day fun, we asked around the MAA office for everyone’s favorite TV or movie dad. Here are the answers:
Jacob’s Pick —> Bob Belcher, Bob’s Burgers
“Funny, inept, doing the best he can. Plus, my wife swears that I am a living embodiment of Bob.”
Whitney’s Pick —> Phil Dunphy, Modern Family
“Phil Dunphy is the quintessential father figure. Goofy and kindhearted, always encouraging, and loves his kids no matter what.”
Reed’s Pick —> Sol and Robert, Grace and Frankie
“Both so loving and tender, and they grow along with their adult children.”
Rebecca’s Pick —> George Banks, Father of the Bride
“The sweetest dad, wants the world for his kids and makes everyone laugh.”
Stephen’s Pick —> Sheriff Andy Taylor, The Andy Griffith Show
“Not only is the widowed Sheriff Andy Taylor a caring and attentive father to Opie, making time for his son, supporting him, and teaching him right from wrong (with the help of Aunt Bee), he serves as a father-figure to the entire town of Mayberry. Whether it's teaching Opie to stand up to bullies, protecting the local citizenry with his refusal to allow his overzealous and bumbling deputy, Barney Fife, to carry more than one bullet at a time (in his pocket), or arresting moonshiners and out-of-town speeders, Andy's pragmatism and compassion are demonstrated time and time again!”
Madison’s Pick —> Hal Cleaver, Malcolm in the Middle
“I mean, who DOESN'T love Hal? He's the best character in the show! He's a lovable goofball and constant source of entertainment. Also worth mentioning Bryan Cranston's incredible range having played Hal and Walter White - the man can act!”
Emma’s Pick —> Schmidt, New Girl
“Ok, now most people don’t watch New Girl to see a cute father-daughter storyline, but Schmidt in the last season is the epitome of a #GirlDad. From the spa days to the over-investment in her education to the evident pride he feels towards her, Schmidt is a great dad to Ruth Bader Parikh-Schmidt.”
Participate in the fun and let MAA know who your favorite dad is by clicking here!
juneteenth
Juneteenth is the anniversary of June 19, 1865, the date that African-American slaves in Galveston, Texas heard that the Emancipation Proclamation, in General Order No. 3, freed them. For this reason, it is considered America’s Second Independence Day. Unfortunately, it has not been widely studied or celebrated in the United States. After the societal changes of the last year and the cultural-racial reckoning that America has undergone, several groups around the nation are working to change this.
On Tuesday, the Senate passed legislation that would make Juneteenth a federal holiday. The bill is on its way to the House, where its expected to pass, and then to President Biden’s desk.
Click here to find where you can celebrate Juneteenth in the DMV area
If you want to learn more about Juneteenth, there are a plethora of resources on the internet, in media, and of course—in books. Here are some examples:
Read How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith. Smith takes the reader on a tour of monuments and landmarks around the U.S. that commemorate the indivisible role slavery has played in our history, including to Galveston, Texas for a Juneteenth celebration.
Watch Blackish Season 4 Episode 1 “Juneteenth,” a popular contemporary TV show that addresses the history of Juneteenth through music. Available on Hulu! And while you’re there, you might as well watch all 7 seasons of the show!
Best thing on the internet this week
MAA team member Hannah gave birth to Henry Huey! Thanks for the shoutout, Politico
