Local

Comings & Goings

Cline joins Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Published

5 years ago

April 29, 2021

Peter Rosenstein

The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.

The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at: [email protected].

The Comings & Goings column also invites LGBTQ+ college students to share their successes with us. If you have been elected to a student government position, gotten an exciting internship, or are graduating and beginning your career with a great job, let us know so we can share your success.

Congratulations to Troy Cline on his new position as Public Outreach Project Manager at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). Upon taking the position, he said, “The new job is great but keeping me busy as I learn my way around. I’ll have to say that the team at APL is awesome! In my new role I will focus on Public Outreach and Engagement in the Communications Department. The missions I will work with include Parker Solar Probe, and several others. Each is unique and incredible. I love being in a position where I can remind people we are all part of the same universe and made from the same materials created when the stars were born.”

Before coming to APL, Cline was the director of the NASA STEAM Innovation Lab that provided a collaborative (physical and virtual) space for the exploration and development of new ideas related to infusion of media and educational technology into STEAM activities, programs, and approaches. Prior to that he was the E/PO Lead for the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) and was responsible for mission-level public outreach activities and coordination of overall EPO efforts. Before coming to NASA, Cline spent 11 years as a teacher in a variety of challenging locations including the Navajo Indian Reservation, the United States Peace Corps and as an Educational Technology Coordinator at an alternative high school where he worked with ‘at-risk’ students.

Cline was honored with two NASA Silver Achievement Medals: Eclipse Team 2017, Parker Solar Probe Team 2019 and 10 NASA Group Achievement Awards. He was an invited TEDx speaker in Punjab, India in 2019. He received the Pirelli International Award, as co-creator in the development and design of NASA’s Sun-Earth Media Viewer. This Pirelli award is the world’s first Internet multimedia award aimed at the diffusion of scientific and technological culture worldwide.
Cline earned his bachelor’s in education (K-8) at West Virginia University, graduating summa cum laude. He earned his master’s in Educational Technology and Leadership from George Washington University in D.C.

Congratulations also to Steve Alexander on his new position as Director of Philanthropy at KUOW, part of the NPR family. On landing the job, Alexander said, “I’m immensely proud to step into the Director of Philanthropy role at KUOW, and to join a huge NPR family. I sure do miss D.C. though. From Food and Friends to Miss Adams Morgan, WAMU and the Duplex Diner — so many fantastic memories. I’m a whole lot quieter these days. Grateful to be a husband and stepdad, and to call Seattle home. It’s beautiful here! Don’t believe what they tell you about the rain.”

Prior to this job he was founder and principal of Alexander Strategies in Seattle. His clients included USA for UNHCR, Amnesty International, Everytown for Gun Safety, SOS Children’s Villages, Coalition for the Homeless, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Before that, he served as senior director of Direct Response USA for UNHCR in D.C. and was vice president of strategy and analytics for Sanky Communications in New York. His previous positions include director of fundraising systems for Doctors Without Borders, also in New York.

Many know Alexander from his roles as vice president of development at the Victory Fund and Leadership Institute; and director of events and corporate giving for Food and Friends, in D.C.

Steve Alexander

Related Topics:Steve Alexander Troy Cline

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Maryland

Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes

Pride Center of Maryland among recipients

Published

8 hours ago

September 9, 2026

Alexis McLean

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in D.C. on Sept. 13, 2025. His administration in the 2027 fiscal year will give $10 million in grants to the Pride Center of Maryland and other groups that work to prevent hate crimes in Maryland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.

The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.

The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants

“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.”

“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”

Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.

District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

1 week ago

September 2, 2026

Staff reports

Alexis McLean (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.

Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.

“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”

Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.

Rehoboth Beach

SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer

Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance

Published

1 week ago

September 1, 2026

Thomas Weaverling

David Archuleta headlines this year’s SUNFESTIVAL on Saturday in Rehoboth Beach. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.

Thursday (9/3)

Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.

After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Friday (9/4)

The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Saturday (9/5)

The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.

Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.

Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.

Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.

The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.

Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.

Sunday (9/6)

Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.

On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.

Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.

John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.