1.) Yup, born in DC (Providence Hospital) 30+ years ago. Went to school in MD. Elementary school was the best experience, middle and high school was a shit show. Loved undergrad and currently in grad school+work.

2.) Yes, I talked to my mail man from work all the time, and the staff at the stores near me.

Also not Black, but when people ask me where I'm from, and I tell them DC, they meant to ask for my ethnicity. Some people don't realise a lot of Latinos have been here for several decades including the 1st generation.