On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM, the Committee on Human Services, chaired by Councilmember Matt Freuman (Ward 3), convened in Room 123 of the John A. Wilson Building and via Zoom. A quorum was present with Councilmembers Zachary Parker (Ward 5) and Christina Henderson (At-Large). The agenda included two confirmation resolutions for the Board of Library Trustees and one administrative staff appointment. All items passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 3:08 PM.
The chair expressed strong support for both nominees, citing Barnes' community journalism and literacy work and Early's contributions to making arts accessible across all eight wards. The two resolutions were moved en bloc and passed unanimously with leave for staff to make technical and conforming changes.
Recording in progress. Good afternoon, everyone. I am Matt Freuman, Ward Three Councilmember and Chair of the Committee on Human Services. Today is Wednesday, September sixteenth, twenty twenty six. We are meeting in person in room one twenty-three of the John A. Wilson building in virtually via Zoom. The time is now three o'clock. Uh and I am calling to order this additional meeting of the committee. Today we have a quorum comprised of uh councilmember Zachary Parker of Ward Five and Councilmember Christina Henderson, Councilmember at large and myself. Today's agenda includes two confirmation resolutions and one administrative measure. We will begin with the two nominees to the Board of Library Trustees, and I'm going to move them in block without objection. She is the second generation owner and publisher of the Washington Informer, an award winning community newspaper, and an institution of the District of Columbia. The nominee also maintains the Washington Informer Charities, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting literacy through sponsoring various internship opportunities, writing competitions, and scholarships in the district. PR 26-0672, the Board of Library Trustees, Mary Early Confirmation Resolution of 2026, confirms Mary Early to her first term as a member of the Library Board of Trustees. Ms. Early is a fifth generation Washingtonian and current Ward 6 resident, is an accomplished professional sculptor. She currently serves as the director of Hemp Hill Artworks, a district-based contemporary gallery in art advisory business. Throughout her decades long career, Ms. Early has had her work displayed locally and abroad, being featured in galleries across Europe and the United States, including at the American University Art Museum, the DC Art Bank, and the U.S. State Department. The nominee currently serves on DCPL's Arts Advocacy Council, which supports the library's work to make art and culture more accessible to all district residents. Based on her service in bringing the arts to all eight wards and her deep ties to the district, I believe that Ms. Early should be appointed to the Board of Library Trustees. Moving the two nominees in on block in block. Hearing none, I move the committee prints and reports for PR twenty-six-06 seven one, the Board of Library Trustees, Denise Rolak Barnes Confirmation Resolution of 2026, and PR 26 0672, the Board of Library Trustees Mary Early Confirmation Resolution of 2026 with leave for staff to make technical and conforming changes. All those in favor, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. All opposed indicate by saying no. I think everybody here said aye. So in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the motion passes unanimously. Finally, we will consider the Committee of Human Services staff appointment resolution of 2026. This resolution appoints Daniel Segrera as a staff member to the Committee on Human Services. Some of you may know Daniel as he previously served on Council Member McDuffie's staff. I knew now move the Committee on Human Services staff appointment resolution of 2026 with leave for staff to make any technical and conforming changes. Hearing none, uh okay. All in favor, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. All present voted aye, so the ayes have it unanimously. The business before the committee is concluded. The time is now 3 08 p.m. and this meeting is adjourned. Thank you very much, Councilmembers Henderson and Parker, for joining us today. Thank you.