HISTORY OF THE GOODEN CENTER

The Gooden Center (formerly Pyramid Visions Publishers Group, LLC) was established in 1996 in Mitchellville, Maryland to create interdisciplinary research and facilitate civic awareness and engagement. We aim to achieve this through events, meetings, and an array of publications and media that will better educate our society on vital policy issues. This will also bridge the gap, which many believe is widening, between communities and elected and appointed officials. We cover historical and contemporary issues surrounding culture, political strategy, economics, and education from a national and global perspective.

The Gooden Center was founded by Karen Gooden - an attorney, author, historian, and poetess. She was inspired by key members of her family to start the center. Her beloved parents, Barkley and Lessie Williams were both gifted writers. Her mother was an English teacher and published poet and her father was known for writing beautiful letters of correction to his children. Karen's Uncle, John Epps Hubbard, was a Councilman in Cleveland. His wife, Eloise, was the President and Founder of The Hubbard News Agency (photo circa 1932). Karen is now an award-winning writer, Prince George's County historian, and has served in an array of upstanding attorney positions for Maryland and Prince George's County. Through her work and knowledge, and fellow lawyers, authors, experts, and leaders, The Gooden Center aims to empower people to rise up, get informed, and better themselves and their communities.

Karen was inspired to establish The Gooden Center by her beloved parents, Barkley and Lessie Williams and her paternal Great Uncle —John Epps Hubbard. Her parents were gifted writers—her mother was an English teacher and a published poet; her father was known for writing beautiful letters of correction to his children. Karen’s father’s Uncle, Cleveland Councilman, John Epps Hubbard, pictured with his wife, Eloise, was President and Founder of The Hubbard News Agency in Cleveland, Ohio (circa 1932).