Thomas “Kokamoe” Goode can barely walk down the street without fans shouting his name or asking for a selfie.

DCist/WAMU photojournalist Dee Dwyer asked residents in wards 7 and 8 what they hope to achieve for themselves, businesses, and communities next year.

Go-go music is finally getting a dedicated museum in D.C. Here’s what residents in wards 7 and 8 think about the long-awaited institution.

“In all the Black neighborhoods, I mean, they are gonna close up whatever they want to close up.”

“I’m like, why don’t people get it? I said, ‘Can we just hold up the mics to the people and let them talk for themselves?'” 

“People don’t think about what a senior is going to do for the summer,” says Charles Turner, 74. But they’ll be busy – both taking time for themselves and their communities.

“The word “Love” is most often defined as a noun, yet…we would all love better if we used it as a verb.” – bell hooks

Women entrepreneurs are on the rise, and in Southeast D.C., Black women have found greater autonomy, flexibility, and community through starting their own businesses.

“I think it’ll be a space where artists will want to come from all over the city, not just from east of the river. I think it will help us thrive as a community. More traffic, more business.”

Giving looks different across Wards 7 and 8 as community members support and uplift one another this holiday season.