Prince George’s Police Department has announced the arrest of 35-year-old Hugo Rene Hernandez Mendez of Bowie, charged with first- and second-degree murder in the tragic death of 19-year-old DaCara Thompson. Ms. Thompson was last seen on August 22nd, and her body was discovered on August 31st near U.S. Route 50. Detectives tracked the suspect’s vehicle to a Bowie address, where they believe the murder occurred in his bedroom before her body was moved. Prince George’s County Executive Ayesha Braveboy stated, “the search is over, and justice begins”. Hernandez Mendez is being held without bond.
Shifting gears to innovation, a local startup is making national waves. Maryland and DC-based Lola Vision Systems has taken home the $125,000 grand prize at Investfest’s annual startup pitch competition. This artificial intelligence and semiconductor company designs advanced System-on-Chiplets, or SoCs, to power AI edge machines in critical, high-performance, low-power environments. Founder Tayo Adesanya said the win validates their mission to push AI capability closer to the edge and will help scale product visibility and partnerships. This adds significant momentum to Maryland’s growing reputation as an East Coast hub for AI and semiconductor research.
In legal news, an intellectual property battle is unfolding in the beauty accessories sector. The Breromi Hair Clique Lawsuit centers on Black inventor Breana Askew, founder of the Breromi brand, who alleges her magnetic hair accessory design was copied by competitor Kirsten Owens. Askew’s “Hair Clique” uses magnetized halves to secure natural, loc’d, and thick hair, a design she states she developed and exposed in early 2024. While a court has issued a partial injunction limiting certain public actions, the case highlights the persistent challenges faced by minority innovators in protecting their original work from appropriation.
And finally, a celebration of local entrepreneurship here in DC. Founder and CEO Rahama Wright officially unveiled Shea Yeleen’s new Beauty Makerspace, a dedicated hub for creativity, entrepreneurship, and beauty innovation. Black brands make up only 2.5% ($1.5 billion) of revenue in the beauty industry, despite making up 11.1% ($6.6 billion) of total beauty spending. The space aims to support product development, workshops, and small business growth in the District, with DC Mayor Bowser among the special guests.
