Life + Culture

Black in Business Awards

A new celebration of Black-owned business leadership in Montgomery County Photography by Sean Hart — HARTISTRAW The inaugural Black in Business Montgomery County Awards brought together entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders for a powerful evening of recognition and celebration on November 20, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC North/Gaithersburg. Hosted by The Black Business Council in partnership with MBA Growth Partners, the event honored Black-owned businesses whose...

Life + Culture

Mayor of the People

How Mayor Jud Ashman has helped write Gaithersburg’s next chapter Article by Deborah Blumberg When Gaithersburg Mayor, Jud Ashman founded the Gaithersburg Book Festival in 2010, he drew from a lifetime love of reading, including childhood books like Charlotte’s Web and Superfudge, stories he read growing up in Miami. Now, the long-time mayor and small business owner has grown the festival into an annual event that draws thousands of readers and over 100 prestigious authors. It’s one of dozens...

Life + Culture

Gaithersburg at Work

The people who keep the City moving Article and Photography by Cities run on details. The kind most residents never see, but feel every day. In Gaithersburg, that work spans public safety and public works, parks and programs, planning, communication, human resources, and legal guidance that supports nearly every decision the City makes. In this feature, we highlight eight department leaders who keep Gaithersburg moving through steady service and long-range thinking. Some oversee crews...

Arts + Culture

Rooted in Legacy

How the Potomac Community Foundation is preserving African American descendant history while expanding educational access, community trust, and long-term opportunity across Montgomery County. Article and Photography by Launched in April 2025, the Potomac Community Foundation is entering its first full year with a focused mission: honoring legacy while expanding opportunity for Montgomery County’s African American descendant communities. As the county approaches its 250th anniversary, the...