This is Fresh This Month. A monthly roundup from Tcutme Barber Studio in Laurel, Maryland. Local events, new restaurants, community news, jobs, and resources — all in one place, every month. No fluff. Just what you need to know.
June 2026 is a big one. Juneteenth month. AFRAM's 50th anniversary. Summer programs kicking off. New businesses opening in Laurel. Federal job cuts still hitting neighbors close to home. A lot going on — here is what to know.
What's Happening in Laurel This Month
Laurel made history in May. The 151st Preakness Stakes was held at Laurel Park — the first time in the race's history it was not held at Pimlico. Pimlico closed for a $400 million renovation and our city stepped in. The whole country was watching Laurel. That is in the record books now.
Going into June, a few things worth knowing:
The police chief is retiring effective June 1. Leadership transition at the top of the department — keep an eye on cityoflaurel.org as the city moves through the search process.
The City of Laurel's Thrive Small Business Grant Program is offering $10,000 to businesses that opened between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, inside city limits. First-come, first-served. If you qualify, do not wait. Email ECD@laurel.md.us or visit cityoflaurel.org/1929/Thrive-Small-Business-Grant-Program.
The Spring and Summer 2026 Recreation Brochure is out. Available online and at both Community Centers. Programs fill up. Look at it now before spots are gone.
A new monthly print newspaper also launched this year — The Laurel Independent. Former Laurel Leader editors put it together. It goes free to every household and business in the city. When it hits your mailbox, read it. Local journalism is rare. Support it. streetcarsuburbs.news.
New businesses landing in Laurel: CAVA, K-Pot, GiGi's Ice Cream, Wawa, and Bad Decisions Tattoo and Piercing. The neighborhood is growing. Check laurelmd.gov/1597/Whats-New for what is open and what is coming.
Juneteenth Events in Laurel and the DMV
June is Juneteenth month. 161 years since June 19, 1865 — the day word finally reached Texas that enslaved people were free. Two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The distance between a law on paper and freedom in practice. That is what this month commemorates.
In Laurel: The City of Laurel Juneteenth Celebration is Saturday, June 20 at Granville Gude Park, 8300 Mulberry Street. 60-plus Black-owned vendors, local artists, cheer performances from Laurel High School and the Boys and Girls Club, family games and raffles. Free event, typically 3 to 7pm. This is the biggest community day Laurel has all summer. Be there.
In Baltimore: AFRAM hits its 50th anniversary June 19 through 21 at Druid Hill Park. 300,000 people expected over three days. Charlie Wilson, Tamia, The Lox, Mario, Ultra Naté, Chloe Bailey, Normani, PJ Morton. Free and family-friendly. About 30 minutes from Laurel. If you only make it to one regional event this summer, make it this one.
Other events on the calendar: Capital Jazz Fest at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia runs June 5 through 7. A Taste of the DMV goes June 19 through 21 across DC and Baltimore. The Silver Spring Blues Festival is free on June 20 at Ellsworth Drive. The DMV R&B Wine Festival is June 20 in Crownsville — a grown-folks afternoon. Capital Pride runs June 12 through 21 across DC. The Great American State Fair opens June 25 on the National Mall and runs free through July 10 as part of America's 250th anniversary. The Rube Goldberg Summer Camp kicks off June 22 right here at the Laurel Historical Society.
New Restaurants Worth Trying
Agora Mediterranean is opening its third DMV location in Bethesda at One Bethesda Metro Center. Metro accessible. Strong reputation for mezze and fresh proteins. Worth the trip once it opens.
Dôgon in DC at the Salamander Hotel was named one of the Best New Restaurants in America by Esquire in 2024. Afro-Caribbean fine dining. Not a Tuesday spot — but for a birthday, an anniversary, or a night you want to remember, it earns every dollar.
Black-owned restaurants worth supporting this Juneteenth month: Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street has been there since 1958 — the half-smoke is the standard. Cane in DC is Trinidad-inspired and founded by Jeanine Prime — follow @cane_dc before you go. Dukem Ethiopian on U Street is a decade-plus institution. Come hungry, come with people.
Summer Programs for Families in Laurel and Howard County
PG Parks summer programs require full payment by June 1, 2026. Miss the deadline and you lose the deposit and the spot. Programs run June 29 through August 7. If your child is not registered, do it today. pgparks.com or call 301-699-2255.
The Laurel Boys and Girls Club at 701 Montgomery Street is offering summer sports training including baseball, basketball, boxing, cheerleading, football, soccer, and wrestling. One of the largest clubs in Maryland. 3,500-plus youth served. laurelboysandgirlsclub.org or 301-490-0800.
Prince George's County Public Schools is running free summer programs — in-person, virtual, or hybrid — covering acceleration, enrichment, and credit recovery. pgcps.org/summerprograms.
Howard County Recreation and Parks has camps for ages 2 through 19. The Great Garden Cook-Off, LEGO engineering, Robinson Nature Center, sports camps. howardcountymd.gov/campsbyweek.
Howard Community College's Kids on Campus program starts June 22 for ages 6 through 17. STEM, sports, culinary arts, test prep. One of the most underrated summer programs in the area — it just does not get marketed the way the county parks programs do. Check howardcc.edu and compare before you decide.
Howard County is also running a Summer Youth Employment Program with $250,000 in new county funding for teens and young adults. Paid work experience with local businesses, nonprofits, and government. howardcountymd.gov/News042425b.
The Federal Job Situation — Resources If You Need Them
Maryland lost approximately 25,000 federal jobs since January 2025. More than any other state. A lot of those workers are still looking, still adjusting. Governor Wes Moore passed the DECADE Act of 2026 to respond with economic development programs and expanded tax credits. The policy is in place. The recovery is ongoing.
If you or someone you know was laid off: Maryland launched a $700 no-interest emergency loan for terminated federal employees facing financial hardship. It does not affect Unemployment Insurance eligibility. Apply at mdol.submittable.com/submit. Phone: 410-541-1075, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm. More at labor.maryland.gov/federalworkers/FWEloan.
The full state portal for impacted workers is response.maryland.gov/federalpublicservants.
Housing costs in Maryland sit 46% above the national average. Median rent is $1,680 per month. Know what is available. Use it. Pass it to anyone who needs it.
Jobs and Gig Work
For job searching: Indeed.com for Laurel, MD has 235,000-plus listings. State of Maryland positions are at jobapscloud.com/MD. City of Laurel jobs are listed at cityoflaurel.org/179/Job-Opportunities — contact Melissa Klinger at 301-725-5300 ext. 2247. Howard County careers are at howardcountymd.gov/careers. Federal positions are at usajobs.gov — GS-5 and above now require four short essay questions, so prepare them before you apply.
For teens: The Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Program (AMP) is open to high school juniors and seniors. Minimum 450 paid hours with a certified employer while earning high school credit. Real training, real money, real credit. labor.maryland.gov/employment/appr/youthappr.shtml.
For gig work: Curri delivers building materials — less competition, better pay than food delivery. Uber Eats and Instacart are flexible. Veho runs package delivery with more consistent daytime routes. All four are worth having in your back pocket.
Community Co-Sign: The Laurel Independent
Somebody had to do it. The Laurel Leader shut down and left a hole in local news. Then former Laurel Leader editors started The Laurel Independent — a free monthly print newspaper mailed to every household and business in Laurel.
City government, local businesses, schools, civic organizations, arts and entertainment. Real Laurel coverage delivered to your door. Read it when it shows up. Share the stories that matter. If you run a business in Laurel, get in front of their audience.
Two community voices trying to keep Laurel informed. We see what they are doing and we are pulling for it.
streetcarsuburbs.news
That is Issue #1 of Fresh This Month. Juneteenth in our backyard. AFRAM's 50th on the East Coast. Summer programs with a June 1 deadline to know about. New spots in Laurel. Resources for neighbors who need them.
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