Jolene Ivey Salutes Historic North Brentwood

Historic town celebrates with food, fun

Shanta Moore (right) and Leonardia Cunningham with the Washington Showstoppers Marching Band.

By Leonard Sparks

Special to The Sentinel

Batons twirled, drums pounded and dancers dipped and shook as the oldest incorporated African-American town in Prince George's County celebrated its past and present last Saturday with a parade and community fair.

Residents waved from their porches and front yards as a caravan of marching bands, vintage cars and public officials snaked through the streets of North Brentwood as part of the town's annual parade. The procession was joined by shiny Corvettes, Shriners and members of First Baptist Church of North Brentwood.

Organized by the North Brentwood Historical Society, the day also included information booths, barbecue and entertainment in the community's park with singers, dancers and poets scheduled to perform.

Making appearances were Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Dist. 8), state Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Dist. 26), state Dels. Jolene Ivey and Victor R. Ramirez (D-Dist. 47) and Prince George's County Councilwoman Marilynn M. Bland (D-Dist. 9).

"It was a very nice affair," said Petrella Robinson, North Brentwood's mayor. "It was well put together and they worked very hard."

Founded by African-American Civil War veterans, North Brentwood became incorporated in 1924. Instead of wilting under segregation, its residents created a flourishing town with its own dairy, ice house, grocery stores and barbershops.

Home to 469 residents according to the 2000 census, recent demographics reflect a growing number of Hispanics.

"It's always been that we were unified in what we did," said Robinson, who grew up in North Brentwood, moved away after getting married and then returned in 1972. "If someone was hungry, we fed people. It was numerous businesses here. We took care of each other."

Before the parade, Connie Alexander sat in her front yard, under the shade of the oak tree she planted seven years ago. The house, Alexander said, once belonged to her father and an aunt and was where she spent summers as a child. She said she moved in after they died.

Wearing a gray T-shirt etched with the town's motto, "A Heritage to Remember; A Future to Mold," Alexander, 69, called North Brentwood "quaint" and "quiet." She touted the community's benefits, including its proximity to restaurants, retail shops, Interstate 95 and state routes.

"I truly feel safe being here," she said. "I can get up early and go and I can come in as late as 12 [o'clock] or 1 o'clock in the morning if I choose to."

As the parade passed by her house, Alexander stood at the end of her walkway snapping pictures with a disposable camera. "It's great," she said. "It really is great."

Inside the North Brentwood Community Center, Betty Marshall Queen joined other members of the North Brentwood Historical Society at a table where they sold two books chronicling the town's history.

Although Queen, 75, has lived in Glenarden for 42 years, she grew up in North Brentwood and still takes part in the town's activity.

"It's always been a great place to live," she said. "This is just home and will always be."

Standing in North Brentwood Community Park, Pamela Moore said she moved to North Brentwood two years ago. Moore, a 53-year-old native of Panama, said she missed last year's day parade because of work.

"It's a beautiful place," she said. "You pass a neighbor and your mind's on something, but they will bring you back – you know, shout, 'Hi, neighbor.' It's nice here."

Photo by Marketa Ebert