On Thursday, May 14, AoH’s Ward 8 campus hosted the Adult Education Independent At-Large DC Council Forum and Mayoral Candidate Townhall. Adult public charter schools from across the District were invited to engage with At-Large DC Council and Mayoral candidates running in the June Primary Election.
The town hall featured a learner-led discussion with working adults, parents, immigrants, and career changers who are actively pursuing economic mobility and contributing to the District’s workforce. Learners asked candidates direct questions about adult education and other key issues, and completed voter registration forms.
Candidates included:
At-Large DC Council Candidates:
- Doni Crawford
- Elissa Silverman
- Dr. Jacque Patterson
Mayoral Candidates:
- Gary Goodweather
- Kenyan McDuffie
Read below for their stances on adult education and issues that affect adult learners across the city.
At-Large DC Council Candidates
Doni Crawford serves as a current At-Large Council Member for DC. She is committed to working in partnership with adult public charter schools to ensure high school and workforce training pathways provide the skills and network learners need for sustainable employment. She believes staying connected with graduates as they enter the workforce is key to collecting the data needed to determine what programs meet these qualifications.
Other priorities include affordable housing, safer communities, supporting the whole student, economic growth, and obtaining full democratic control over our local government.
Elissa Silverman is a former DC Council Member (2015-2023). She is focused on connecting adult learners to employers as they work towards their industry certifications. This familiarizes adult learners with the professional world, promotes employment, and showcases adult public charter schools as key workforce partners in the city.
She also prioritizes spending tax dollars efficiently, supporting DC workers and businesses, affordable housing, neighborhood safety, building the city’s future, and protecting DC’s democracy.
Dr. Jacque Patterson is the current DC State Board of Education President. He is concerned about improving the partnership between adult public charter schools and the DC Workforce Investment Council (WIC). WIC is dedicated to fostering connections between businesses, community-based organizations, and a skilled workforce. He is also focused on developing a DC workforce filled with DC residents.
Additional priorities include supporting small businesses, protecting DC’s local control, responsible budget leadership, education and opportunity for youth, and building safer communities through prevention.
Mayoral Candidates
Gary Goodweather is a proud veteran who has lived in the District for over 20 years. As mayor, he plans to increase adult workforce pathways through The Capital Corps— a training service that branches across specialized areas supporting the city’s most essential systems. Branches of service in The Capital Corps include Health & Medical Corps, Education Corps, STEM & Innovation Corps, etc.
Gary is committed to affordability through Fare Free DC, building public safety, creating opportunity, practicing sustainability, and defending the city’s democracy.
Kenyan McDuffie is a fourth-generation Washingtonian, and former Ward 5 Councilmember (2012-2023) and At-Large DC Councilmember (2023-2026). As mayor, he plans to increase support for adult public charter schools by recognizing them as a key player in the DC education system and by increasing funding. He believes adult public charter schools are important in preparing DC adults for jobs in the federal and private sectors by preparing them with the skills they need to obtain these jobs, ultimately fueling the economy.
His other priorities include lowering the cost of living, expanding opportunity, and strengthening public safety with a government that answers every ward.
Conclusion
At AoH, we are committed to empowering adult learners with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to engage in their civic responsibilities and make informed choices that reflect their values. We are proud of the adult learners who advocated their concerns about adult education and the well-being of the city. A special thank you to the candidates who attended, listened, and engaged in the meaningful dialogue.
For more information about the DC Elections, view below: