Ama Frimpong, the legal director at We Are CASA, has been promoted to be the organizations chief of services. (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)
Frimpong moves up at We Are CASA
And all this time, we thought her official title was “Face of We Are CASA.”
Ama Frimpong, the legal director for the immigrant advocacy organization We Are CASA, has been named its chief of services, the group announced this week.
An immigrant from Ghana who earned her law degree at Wake Forest University School of Law, Frimpong began her work with We Are CASA in 2022. As its legal director, she is responsible for legal strategy for the organization as well as policy advocacy and direct legal representation for immigrants and immigrant families. She is a frequent presence at rallies in Annapolis and elsewhere and is a member of the legal team representing Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
“During some of the toughest moments for our communities, Ama grew and sustained our legalHe team while delivering high-impact victories for immigrant and working families across the country,” said We Are CASA Executive Director George Escobar in a statement announcing the move.
He said she will continue to oversee the organization’s legal work and will play “a leading role in cases of national significance,” including Abrego Garcia, birthright citizenship and Temporary Protected Status.
“As Chief of Services, I am honored to build on the work our teams and members across We Are CASA have advanced together,” Frimpong said in the staetment. “We Are CASA’s services will meet this moment, and every moment, with excellence.”
Come see the candidates
Did you miss a candidate forum? Don’t worry, it’s like the bus, you just wait and another one will come along soon with the June 23 primary looming.
The crowded 5th District race to succeed longtime Rep. Steny Hoyer (D) has a candidate meet and greet at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, April 23, in Anne Arundel County, sponsored by the county’s Democratic Central Committee, the West County Democratic Club, Anne Arundel South County Democratic Club and the 33rd Democratic Club. If one of the Democrats running can’t make it to Anne Arundel, there’s another opportunity May 6 during a candidate’s forum hosted by the Charles County Chamber of Commerce.
The Charles County Democratic Central Committee plans to host a forum at 6 p.m. Monday in Waldorf for state delegate and senator. It doesn’t say who will show up, but District 27A includes part of Charles County: When the seat became vacant this year, Prince George’s County Democrats tapped Darrell C. Odom Sr. to fill the seat, while Charles County Democrats put forward Yonelle Moore Lee. Gov. Wes Moore (D) eventually broke the tie in January and appointed Odom.
Now, Odom and Lee are running for the seat, along with Democrats Clifton Crosby and Shawn Maldon, and Republican Jim Crawford, the last three from Charles County.
There’s also an open seat in District 28, with Del. C.T. Wilson making a bid for Senate. Incumbent Dels. Debra Davis and Edith Patterson are seeking reelection, and four other Democrats are running for the three seats: Abena Affum-McAllister, John Jones Jr., Evan Smith and Tarinna Terrell. James Emerson Ashburn and Winfield Clark Jr. are seeking the Republican nomination and Anbrea McCoy has filed to run as an independent in the November election.
Miss that one? There’s another forum scheduled for April 29 hosted by the Charles County Chamber of Commerce in La Plata.
The League of Women Voters of Frederick County is hosting a forum Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. for Democrats running for state delegate in District 4, where Del. Barrie Ciliberti (R-Frederick) will not seek reelection. Four Democrats have filed to run: Jerry Donald, Andrew Duck, Paul Gilligan and Alleria Stanley. Two incumbents, House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy and Del. April Miller, both Republicans, are seeking reelection and Republican Jason Keckler is filed to run in the district.
Rejected out of hand
The fight over who can serve on the Harford County Council continues.
On Tuesday, a majority of the council voted to block the introduction of legislation that would have prohibited teachers and Sheriff’s Department deputies from holding seats on the council.
Council Vice President Tony Giangiordano (R) introduced the amendment to the county charter one day after Aaron Penman, a sheriff’s deputy who was forced out of his seat, scored a win at the Appellate Court. Giangiordano’s amendment would change the charter’s qualifications for serving on the council, adding a prohibition on deputies and teachers.
Penman and Councilmember Jacob Bennett (D), a middle school teacher, have been targeted by County Executive Bob Cassilly because of their jobs.
Cassilly refused to seat Bennett, until the Supreme Court of Maryland ordered Bennett sworn in. A year ago, the Cassilly administration sought to have Penman removed. Cassilly won in circuit court last year, and Penman was removed, but the Appellate Court sided with Penman, paving the way for his possible reinstatement after 14 months.
Giangiordano’s bill was dealt a quick legislative death when Councilmember Nolanda Robert (D) moved to reject the bill at introduction. Only Giangiordano and Republican Councilmember James Reilly — both Cassilly allies — voted to allow the bill to be introduced.
Matthews-Brown to leave comptroller’s office
A second top aide to Comptroller Brooke Lierman is leaving.
Rianna Matthews-Brown has served as Lierman’s chief of staff since January 2023. That will come to an end on April 30.
“Rianna has been a trusted partner and friend for many years,” Lierman said in a statement. “I’ve known her to be someone who leads with integrity, thoughtfulness, and a deep commitment to public service. I’m grateful that she jumped in when I was sworn in more than three years ago and have loved working in partnership with her every day. She has helped shape not only this agency, but the way we show up for Marylanders. I look forward to cheering her on in her new role.”
Prior to joining the Office of the Comptroller, Matthews-Brown spent seven years at Johns Hopkins University. For more than two of those, she served as chief of staff to the president of the university.
She also served as chief of staff in the Baltimore City Health Department and two tours as chief of staff for behavioral health at the Maryland Department of Health.
Matthews-Brown rejoins Hopkins, this time as vice president and chief of staff for Johns Hopkins Medicine, on May 1. She holds a bachelor’s degree in politics from Oberlin College and a law degree from University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
Matthews-Brown is the second senior aide to Lierman to announce their departure this year. In February, Andrew Schaufele announced his is leaving his post as chief deputy comptroller on June 1. Schaufele has roughly two-decades experience in the office.
Originally published at Marylandmatters.Org