OHR in Conversation With... Doris Sarumi

The Prince George's County Office of Human Rights continues our new monthly virtual interview series celebrating the civil rights history of Prince George's County, Maryland, and the metropolitan area as a whole! OHR In Conversation With... explores underrated people and places in our region that have Elevated Prince George's County and contributed to the culture of the communities we call home.

Episode two of OHR In Conversation With... we're talking to Doris Sarumi, Town Manager of the Town of Fairmount Heights about the historic Prince George's County municipality, and why you should take a walking tour!

Registration not required. Click on the YouTube video linked below to stream the program live or watch the recording later. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm1DLj17tM4

About our Guest

Mrs. Sarumi has over 40 years of experience as a public administrator in housing and community development, local municipal government, and non-profit program management. During the 40- year span, she managed housing programs for senior citizens, for handicapped and disabled, and for the homeless.  Her employment spanned from New York City Housing Authority to Charles County Maryland Director of Housing and Community Development to that of the Executive Director of the College Park Housing Authority.  From 2007 to December 2012, she was the CEO of the Marshall Heights Community Development Corporation a non profit economic and community development corporation in Washington, D.C.  From 2009 to February 2024, she was the management agent for the Washington McLaughlin Apartments for Senior Citizens (WMASC).  WMASC) is a 9-unit  PRAC project funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  
She is currently the Town Manager for the Town of Fairmount Heights Maryland.  She began employment with the Town in February 2013.  In a 11 -year span, she was able to bring in over $4 million dollars in funding to fund a joint housing development project sponsored by the Prince George’s County Redevelopment Authority and the Housing Partner Imitative (HIP).  Other funding included:  $149,00 grant to fund a community pocket park (2014); $100,000 Maryland State Bond financing grant to make improvements to the municipal building (2014); $75,000 grant to manufacture and install historic markers along the African American Historic Trail (2016); $23,000 Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) grant to fund cost-effective energy projects (2017); and a $10,000 grant from Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta Georgia) Healthy Community Initiative (2017).  The project focused on young men of color between the ages of 14 to 18 who lived in Fairmount Heights or attended Fairmount Heights High School.  The project was to explore paths to healthy living, to create a healthy community and to learn new careers not otherwise considered by young men of color.   In 2022, the town received a $10,000 grant from Pepco and Sustainable Maryland to fund the K-Street Market Circle Alley Enhancement Project.  Fairmount Heights received the Sustainable Maryland Bronze Certification for 2024-2027.  
 

Mrs. Sarumi received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York.  Major:  Urban Planning.  She did her graduate studies at the University of Maryland, School of Preservation and Planning. College Park, Maryland.

She resides in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, is a grandmother and her favorite hobby is gardening or anything that is green.