Revised This Week's Issue : 8-6-26

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Thanks to your generous support, The Washington Informer is able to provide aspiring journalists with meaningful opportunities to learn, report, photograph, and tell the stories that too often go untold. As you meet this summer’s interns, know that your support is helping cultivate the next generation of journalists committed to serving our community with excellence and purpose.

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Harriet Tubman’s $20 Bill Vanishes as Trump White House Intensifies Black History Purge

Harriet Tubman’s life was a declaration of American possibility—abolitionist, liberator, a woman who risked everything to fight for freedom in a nation built on the enslavement of her people.

For years, a new $20 bill featuring Tubman’s face was held up as a milestone in the nation’s reckoning with its past, a public acknowledgment of those who endured and resisted the country’s original sin. That milestone will not arrive.

The Trump administration, as confirmed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has quietly abandoned the Tubman redesign, dissolving a decade of advocacy and signaling a deliberate retreat from the promise of honest historical recognition.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), who in 2015, in-

troduced legislation to put Tubman on the $20, expressed disappointment in Bessent’s announcement.

“Commemorating Harriet Tubman would have been the perfect way to honor the women who helped build this country and bravely stood up for freedom and equality throughout our nation’s remarkable 250-year history,” Shaheen said in a statement. “Though Secretary Bessent may be more interested in illegally plastering Donald Trump’s image on a $250 bill, putting a woman on a U.S. bill remains long overdue, and I will keep focusing on finding a path to honor Harriet Tubman’s patriotism and sacrifice.”

The decision to shelve the Tubman bill is part of

Earth, Wind & Fire Film Highlights

For more than five decades, Earth, Wind & Fire has not only entertained their fans around the world but served as a critical source of inspiration, as seen in the new Amir “Questlove” Thompson documentary: “Earth, Wind & Fire (to Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World),” streaming on HBO Max.

“I’m honored to tell the story of Earth, Wind & Fire and the deep meaning behind their message and music,” said Questlove in a Warner Bros statement. “To grow up listening to the music is one thing, but to be handed the keys to the kingdom of preserving history is another.”

As they offered encouragement for every occasion through their music by blending a variety of genres, the group became music innovators who continue to influence artists with their signature sound.

“My Dad taught me how to play 'Shining Star' on the bass when I was 8 years old,” said musician and actress H.E.R. during the film.

Power Read 25: Where Black Women Illuminate America's Story

In a time of book bannings, global division, and bouts of cultural erasure, Unerased | Black Women Speak is offering a counterapproach with the launch of the inaugural Power Read 25 campaign.

Announced July 22, the reading initiative –– made possible by the Park Foundation and media partner, The Washington Informer –– strives to empower minds with narratives of the past, spanning more than two centuries of American history across 25 biographies.

More than a project, the yearlong effort reflects one simple yet transformative notion: the nation’s truths go untold when Black women are left out of the mix.

“Black women have always been authors of this country's history — not only through the books they've written, but through the lives they've lived,” said Gwen McKinney, founder of Unerased | Black Women Speak. “Reading biographies is a powerful way to claim the voices, vision, courage, and imagination that have shaped this nation.”

When the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) released its "Big Read 250" initiative earlier this year, in honor

of the nation's semiquincentennial, Black women authors fell short in a list sporting 24 books and millions of dollars in grants.

Rather than protest, Unerased BWS forged their own path to paint the full portrait of American life, featuring a couple dozen freedom fighters, educators, creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who were behind it.

“The best response for us was to 'unerase' the exclusion,” McKinney continued. “We weren't interested in protesting a list as much as creating one of our own.”

Readers will dive into the testaments of enslaved resistance, Reconstruction, the Harlem Renaissance, civil rights, the Black Power movement, and present-day leadership. Featured across the 25 biographies are celebrated protagonists like Harriet Tubman and Zora Neale Hurston, plus other Power Read titles spotlighting the change agents whose stories remain largely untold to the public.

D.C. Inspector General Finds Decade of Failures in MPD Crime Reporting Controls

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The District of Columbia Office of the Inspector General has concluded that the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) spent years without the internal safeguards needed to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the city’s crime data, identifying what investigators described as “a prolonged, systemic breakdown” in the department’s crime classification and reporting controls.

The findings stem from an inspection requested by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) after allegations surfaced in late 2025 that crimes had been misclassified or downgraded. Rather than revisit individual crime reports, investigators examined whether MPD had adequate policies, oversight, training and technology to produce trustworthy crime statistics. They concluded the department did not.

“We found that MPD’s crime reporting controls broke down significantly during the period we examined,” the inspector general wrote in

POWER READ 25 from Page 4

Additional companion titles are designed to boost literacy among young readers.

“Through Power Read 25, Unerased wants to know what conversations are sparked by exploring the lives of these extraordinary Black women,” Power Read 25 Project Director Tracy Chiles McGhee told The Informer. “What do these biographies teach us about the past so that we can imagine and manifest a brighter future?”

In boosting what she calls “activation partners,” Chiles McGhee emphasized a broader mission to expand the yearlong initiative across families, libraries, classrooms, literary groups, book clubs and more.

“Picture a literary salon in the neighborhood library with echoes of the past yet grounded in the present. A teacher reads a passage about Fannie Lou Hamer. A college student hears her story for the first time. An elder remembers living those times,” she continued. “A poet is inspired to jot down a poem about Hamer’s fiery spirit, and the book’s author shares her most exciting discovery while researching in

the 40-page document. “An independent unit that reviewed crime reports for accuracy was shut down in 2013 and never replaced. The records system lacked basic controls over who could access and change data. Policies went years without updates. And the division responsible for identifying internal risks had never examined crime reporting accuracy.”

Investigators said those failures left the department without an integrated system to verify that offenses were properly classified before crime data became part of the public record.

“We found that MPD’s internal control framework for crime classification and reporting had deteriorated over more than a decade,” the report states. “The Staff Review Unit, MPD’s independent review function that served as the system’s quality check, was disbanded and never replaced.”

The report also raises concerns about weaknesses inside MPD’s Mark43 records management system.

According to the inspector general, officers could submit reports for

the archives. By the end of the gathering, the group is sharing family stories, asking hard questions, and planning where they will meet again.”

For the full Power Read 25 list and other details, participants can visit the main page and dive headfirst into a version of America that celebrates each chapter of its story.

In the meantime, the project team encourages people to check out the free Power Read 25 Activation Toolkit and become a champion of the legacies that made 250 years of this nation possible.

“As the publisher of The Washington Informer—a newspaper founded by my father and proudly led today by a Black woman—I understand the power of stories to preserve our history, shape our future, and inspire change,” said Denise Rolark Barnes, who has served as publisher of the 61-year-old organization for more than three decades. “We hope this list encourages readers of all ages to discover these extraordinary works and to celebrate the enduring impact of Black women on literature and our collective story.”

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supervisory review without completing required narratives because the system lacked controls to prevent incomplete reports from advancing.

Auditors reviewed 107 rejected reports and found that 66, or approximately 62%, were returned because they contained blank or insufficient narratives or other required information was missing.

Investigators also found that authorized users could modify approved reports, including offense classifications, “without triggering a secondary approval step or notifying the reporting officer or their supervisor.” The report says the department also lacked documented procedures governing user permissions and routine reviews of audit logs capable of detecting inappropriate changes.

The inspector general issued five recommendations, including restoring an independent crime report review unit, strengthening controls over access to the records management system, updating long-outdated policies and making crime reporting accuracy a regular part of MPD’s audit and risk assessment process.

MPD agreed with all five recommendations.

According to the report, the department has begun establishing an Office of Data Integrity and Analytics, auditing user access within Mark43, updating reporting policies and developing new procedures to monitor crime data quality.

The report notes that MPD declined one recommendation calling for periodic comparisons between Office of Unified Communications calls for service and resulting police reports. The inspector general said such reviews could identify incidents

that may have been omitted from crime reporting and urged the department to reconsider.

Calls and emails seeking comment were left with the Metropolitan Police Department and the Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser. Neither had responded at time of publication.

On July 29, in her first press conference since the report was released, the mayor said: “My expectation for any member of the police department… is to make sure that we are accurately reporting crime.”

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AROUND THE REGION

black facts

Aug. 6

AUG. 6 - 12, 2026

1962 – Jamaica gains independence from the United Kingdom.

1965 – President Lyndon Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act into law amid the height of the civil rights movement.

Aug. 7

1904 – Ralph Bunche, the first African American to win the Nobel Peace Prize, is born in Detroit.

1930 – James Cameron, civil rights activist and founder of America's Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee, survives a mob's lynching attempt after he is arrested for a fatal robbery in Indiana — a crime for which he is eventually pardoned.

1948 – High jumper Alice Coachman became the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal at the 1948 Games.

2007 – Barry Bonds hits his 756th career home run, breaking Hank Aaron's major-league record.

Aug. 8

1866 – Explorer Matthew Henson, widely credited with being the first to reach the North Pole, is born in Nanjemoy, Maryland.

1907 – Famed jazz musician Benny Carter is born in Harlem.

1975 – Jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley dies in Gary, Indiana, at 46.

Aug. 9

1936 – Track and field athlete Jesse Owens wins his fourth gold medal of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the Games also known for Adolf Hitler's claims of "Aryan racial superiority."

1961 – James B. Parsons is nominated by President

John F. Kennedy as the first Black federal judge. 1963 – Pop icon and actress Whitney Houston is born in East Orange, New Jersey.

Aug. 10

1858 – Anna J. Cooper, distinguished author and scholar who was a prominent figure in D.C.'s African American community, is born in Raleigh, North Carolina.

1989 – President George H.W. Bush nominates Colin Powell as the first African American chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.

Aug. 11

1868 – Thaddeus Stevens, one of the leaders of the Radical Republicans who opposed slavery, dies in Washington, D.C.

1873 – J. Rosamond Johnson, African American composer and brother of James Weldon Johnson, is born. He is best known for composing "Lift Every Voice and Sing," written by his brother and regarded as the "Negro National Anthem."

1921 – Famed writer Alex Haley, who authored "Roots: The Saga of an American Family" and "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," is born in Ithaca, New York.

1960 – African nation Chad gains independence from France.

1965 – The Watts riots begin in Los Angeles after the traffic stop and arrest of an African American man. The riots lasted seven days and resulted in 34 deaths and $40 million in property damage.

Aug. 12

1890 – Lillian Evanti, an internationally renowned African American opera singer, is born in Washington, D.C. WI

AROUND THE REGION view P INT

EVAN ALDRIDGE, WI INTERN

Has your shopping, eating or food handling habits changed as a result of the cyclospora outbreak?

QUEST SKINNER / NORTHWEST, D.C

“I know my farmers. I know where I get my fruits and vegetables.”

PHILIP KEATING / GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

ALEXANDER / WESTMORELAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA

“The risk is reduced [at farmers markets] because it doesn’t go through too many hands.”

“There has been a huge uptick on local produce since this came out.”

DANA BOYLE / WESTMORELAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA

“I am trained and inspected for all kinds of food outbreaks under USDA.”

JOANN / WESTMORELAND COUNTY,VIRGINIA

“Anybody [customers] is at risk but we do what we can do to prevent it [cyclospora].”

Our staff is made up of writers, just like you. We are dedicated to making publishing dreams come true. Trusted by authors for nearly 100 years, Dorrance has made countless authors’ dreams come true.

AROUND THE REGION

After Gas Explosion Displaced Dozens, D.C. Takes Ward 1 Landlords to Court

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

A lawsuit filed by the District accuses the owners of two Ward 1 apartment buildings of turning years of alleged neglect into a public safety disaster, saying their failure to repair hazardous conditions culminated in a gas explosion that injured a tenant, displaced more than 50 residents and left one building uninhabitable nearly two years later.

Attorney General Brian Schwalb is seeking restitution for tenants, repayment of the $260,299 the District spent on emergency housing, civil penalties and court orders requiring the owners to bring both buildings into compliance with District housing laws.

The lawsuit names John Steininger and the Estate of Herminia Steininger, alleging the owners allowed apartment buildings at 1433 Columbia Road NW and 1841 Lamont Street NW to deteriorate for years while ignoring hazardous conditions that threatened tenants’ health and safety. Neither could be reached by The Informer for comment.

According to the complaint, District inspectors cited the properties for more than 120 housing code violations and assessed more than $140,000 in fines, yet the violations remained uncorrected.

“These landlords neglected their properties and legal obligations, forcing their tenants to live in deplorable

conditions and leading to a dangerous explosion that displaced dozens of residents and cost the District hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Schwalb said.

The complaint alleges the Columbia Road property accumulated 71 housing code violations and $77,617 in fines, while the Lamont Street building received 53 violations and $62,573 in penalties. Inspectors documented broken windows, defective plumbing, rodent infestations, hazardous electrical wiring, water leaks, inoperable smoke and fire alarms, deteriorating stairways and hazardous lead-based paint, according to court filings. The District alleges none of those violations had been corrected when the lawsuit was filed.

“Keeping D.C.’s existing housing supply safe and habitable is a critical part of addressing our housing affordability crisis,” Schwalb continued. “We’re suing to get these units back into working condition and secure money back for the District and tenants who were harmed.”

‘Landlord Neglect… Causes Chaos and Grief for Tenants’

The lawsuit traces the Columbia Road building’s problems to Sept. 20, 2024, when an explosion tore through the 33-unit apartment building.

According to the complaint, first responders found extensive structural damage to several apartments and a stairwell after the blast. One tenant

suffered first- and second-degree burns to her face, torso and limbs.

Fire investigators later concluded that the explosion originated from the gas stove inside the tenant’s apartment after she attempted to light it to prepare a meal. Investigators also documented reports that the tenant had previously complained about problems with the stove, but the owners allegedly failed to investigate or make repairs.

District officials declared the building unsafe for occupancy, shut off electricity and gas service, and ordered all residents to leave. More than 50 people were displaced, and the building remains uninhabitable, according to the complaint.

Photographs included with the lawsuit show collapsed interior walls, blown-out door frames and extensive structural damage inside apartments after the explosion.

The Office of the Tenant Advocate paid $260,299 to provide emergency housing for displaced tenants. The lawsuit alleges the owners neither challenged nor reimbursed the District after receiving notices seeking repayment.

“After the 2024 explosion, the District government led an immediate and aggressive multi-agency response to protect residents,” Department of Buildings (DOB) Director Brian Hanlon said. “We evacuated and inspected the building, provided nocost emergency accommodations, translated resources for non-English speakers, and connected victims to EXPLOSION Page 33

from Page 1

ing Black in D.C. was not a good thing.”

During a recent rally that took place outside of D.C. Superior Court, Gaston recounted the events of April 1, when he said federal officers and members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Third District arrested him under false pretenses.

As Gaston, a Ward 8 resident and owner of what was formerly Kitchen Savages, explained, officers surrounded his vehicle that evening while it was double parked near the intersection of 12th Street and U Street in Northwest. He said that, upon request, he provided identification and proof of insurance. Moments later, as he began to close his door, officers motioned him to keep it open before conducting what he called an illegal search of his vehicle.

The charges related to the white substance in question were later dropped. For the next several weeks, Gaston fought for body camera footage, but not without, as he described, administrative hurdles, an online campaign, Bowser’s deaf ear, and an epiphany.

“What bothers me is that the mayor looks just like me, and this task force is going into communities who look just like her,” Gaston said during the Aug. 3 rally. “They're not going into Georgetown. They're not going into Dupont Circle. They're not going into white neighborhoods, meaning that they are intentionally, with the mayor's blessing, hurting Black people.”

Bowser’s communications team didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

In 2021, Gaston received a grant from the Bowser administration’s District Neighborhood Prosperity Fund to launch Kitchen Savages, a casual eatery and bar that was once located along Marion Barry Avenue in Anacostia. Last year, as part of the Skyland Town Center’s final stage of development, he opened Savage Breakfast Club.

Both milestones followed Gaston’s stints as an advisory neighborhood commissioner and member of the Bowser administration.

Though he acknowledged the resources at his disposal after his arrest, Gaston questioned whether any of the more than 13,000

others who, since last year, who’ve experienced similar would ever get to satisfy their appetite for justice.

“Because of who I am and what I know, I knew how to get a resolve to my situation,” Gaston said. “But there are plenty of people who look like me who live in my neighborhoods around Ward 8 and Southeast who don't get the opportunity to get a resolution to their situation.”

Jeanine Pirro: A Prosecutor Who Took Racist Prosecution to Higher Heights

The Aug. 3 rally in front of D.C. Superior Court took place during Black August, a month dedicated to studying, training and fasting in solidarity with Black political prisoners. The daytime event was also one of several activities the Free DC Project is conducting in advance of Aug. 11– the one-year anniversary of President Donald J. Trump evoking Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act.

Though Trump’s deployment of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops are often credited for what’s described as an overpoliced environment, Loreal Hawk noted that the Bowser administration has long set the stage for the District’s transformation into a surveillance state.

“We had the real-time crime center…that provided the ability for all of these agencies and orga-

nizations to come together on Aug. 11 to enact terror,” said Hawk, staff attorney at The Advancement Project, a national nonprofit focused on racial justice issues. “We had MPD stop and frisk thousands of people before it exploded to 85,000 this year. We deserve a D.C. that is free from surveillance, free from policing, and free from the millions of dollars that people are wasting on these things and these troops to be invested in the people.”

On what was a hot, sweltering Monday afternoon, several speakers took to the mic in defiance of Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. They called Pirro the leader of a scheme that keeps the local court lock-up list near or above 100, and the D.C. Jail population at least 18% higher than what was recorded before the federal surge.

“They've arrested so many people and have attempted to charge and make the charges stick for so many people that they've had to expand the time of court,” said Frankie Seabron, program manager of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams. “The United States Attorney's Office, run by Jeanine Pirro, has been at the center of all of this. Many of the cases Court Watch DC has witnessed and been dismissed. The charges simply don't stick because people are being arrested for simply existing.”

After the rally, Seabron and

AROUND THE REGION

Who’s Reading the Informer

Actor Morris Chestnut reads The Washington Informer during an appearance at Costco in Northeast, D.C. to showcase Sable Bourbon, the spirit brand that he co-owns. (Brenda Siler/The Washington Informer)

“We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort.”

PROSECUTION from Page 9

Karla Yoder, a Court Watch DC volunteer, delivered a letter to Superior Court of D.C. Chief Judge Milton C. Lee, Jr. demanding that the courts reject Pirro’s legal standards in their decision to actualize pre-trial detention. Officials received the letter less than a week after Pirro dropped felony charges against David Hearn, a former Olympian canoeist who was arrested in July for his alleged destruction of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.

Trump has since criticized Pirro for not following through with the prosecution.

The coalition of attorneys known as Lawyers Defending American Democracy (LDAD) alleges that Pirro acted unethically in the Hearn case and at least six others— four of which involve arrests that occurred via Trump’s D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force.

At the rally, LDAD’s Ellen Hornstein said that, in those four cases, Pirro went to great lengths to levy federal charges without the “legal or factual basis” necessary. By the end of the day on Aug, 3, 98 people faced a judge, according to the Public Defenders Service. A tally conducted by The Informer showed that more than one out of four left court with no charges filed against them.

Hornstein said there’s a pattern.

“The…reason these cases are so bad that she's prosecuting is that they're felonies, and they carry a longer prison term,” said Hornstein, an LDAD volunteer and principal author of the ethics complaint filed against Pirro. “They require an indictment [that] needs to be based on probable cause. And again, those four grand juries did not find probable cause… They didn't meet [the threshold] here.”

Out of the Mouths of Babes

During the first couple days of the “One Year of DC’s Occupation” series, activists and community members gathered in different parts of the District in remembrance of Julian Bailey and Nolberto Meza, each of whom died

at the hands of U.S. Marshals and U.S. Park Police, respectively.

With legislation that infringes on the District’s local tax-raising authority making its way through the U.S. House, the Free DC Project is also intensifying its boycott of DoorDash, a supporter of Rep. James Comer’s (R-KY) efforts. Other activities center on D.C. area workers, unhoused residents, as well as students navigating immigration checkpoints and curfew laws.

For a young person by the name of Mariyel, the events of the past year have shown her that, despite gaps in health care, employment and housing, District officials continue to expand curfew laws and strengthen coordination between local police and federal law enforcement entities that are unaccountable to local laws.

“We've experienced more federal law enforcement filling our neighborhoods and our streets. At the same time, we've also witnessed our city treat young people like threats instead of people,” said Mariyel, a rising high school senior and fellow in Harriet’s Wildest Dreams’ Black Girl Freedom Summer Fellowship. “Elected officials look for harsher punishment instead of real solutions.”

As a Black Girl Freedom Summer fellow, Mariyel dedicated much of her time to understanding the inner workings of the local public safety and court ecosystems. During the recent rally, Mariyel told onlookers that she tapped into knowledge about alternative systems of self-reliance intended to keep Black people out of the cross hairs of local and federal police.

These lessons, Mariyel noted, came weeks after Pirro announced a policy targeting parents for their children’s violation of curfew laws. Through it all, Mariyel stands firm in her insistence that young people be heard and considered when it comes to policy affecting their livelihood.

“One mistake I make as a teenager shouldn't bother me for the rest of my life,” Mariyel said. “It shouldn't determine whether I get into college, get a job, or build the future I dream about. Young people deserve accountability, but we also deserve grace, support, and the opportunity to learn and grow.” WI

AROUND THE REGION

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Prince George’s Business Updates

Council Approves Sphere Project, Kevin Anderson Appointed to Lead MarylandNational Park and Planning Commission Board

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

Kevin Anderson

Appointed to Lead MNPPC Board, Former Chair Sues County Leadership

Kevin Anderson, Maryland’s former secretary of commerce, stepped into a new leadership role on July 27 as board chair for the Maryland-National Park and

Planning Commission (MNPPC), and he is bringing an enthusiastic vision for the future of Prince George’s County.

“It’s about who benefits from what we build. It’s about the shaping of future communities,” said Anderson during the press conference following his nomination.

“It’s about ensuring that children growing up in the neighborhoods throughout Prince George’s have access to safe parks, thriving business districts, quality housing, reliable transportation, excellent

schools, and pathways to opportunity. It’s about making sure that no one feels forgotten.”

County Executive Aisha Braveboy expressed pride and optimism in Anderson’s readiness for the new role.

“Today, I’m proud to nominate Kevin A. Anderson as the next chair of the Prince George’s County Planning Board. When I took office, I promised our residents leadership rooted in transparency, integrity, and real progress; and Kevin embodies all of that. Kevin’s career has prepared him for this moment,” said Braveboy on July 22. “As Maryland’s former secretary of commerce, he understands economic strategy at the highest levels. With more than three decades of experience in housing, real estate, and sustainable development, including his leadership at City First Homes, he knows how to build communities that last.”

The appointment comes as Darryl Barnes, former Park and Planning chair, is suing the offices of Braveboy and Council Chair Krystal Oriadha (D-District 7) for allegedly forcing his resignation, which he submitted on May 17.

Barnes, who was appointed to lead Park and Planning last July, is claiming reputation damage af-

The appointment comes as Darryl Barnes, former Park and Planning chair, is suing the offices of Braveboy and Council Chair Krystal Oriadha (D-District 7) for allegedly forcing his resignation, which he submitted on May 17.

ter he opposed efforts to transfer funds from the Park and Planning Commission to “recipients of its choosing without guidelines, competitive process, or documented need.”

His lawsuit, announced on July 28, alleges that no investigatory or governmental body has found him guilty of any wrongdoing. He is seeking compensation that his four-year term would have granted, in excess of $800,000, alongside punitive damages.

“When I was asked to resign, we tried to work out a settlement early on with Aisha Braveboy and her team,” Barnes said in an interview with the Banner. “They rejected any type of settlement. This is something we did not want to do, but to be forced to resign and humiliated the way that I was, we had no choice but to do what we’re doing now.”

Braveboy reassured constituents that Anderson will work diligently to build the public trust following his appointment.

“At a time when the Planning Board must restore public trust and strengthen oversight, Kevin brings the steady hand, sound

UPDATES from Page 12 judgment, and ethical leadership our residents deserve,” Braveboy said. “He sees land use not as lines on a map, but as the neighborhoods and families who call Prince George’s home.”

Local Leaders Support Plans to Move Sphere Project Ahead

The Prince George’s County Council has authorized a new development district and established the financial framework for the 14-acre, 6,000-seat Sphere in an 8-0 vote, bringing the proposed project one step closer to fruition.

County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D) said she is proud of the cohesion among the council to advance this administrative priority, which could bring major investment and entertainment value to the National Harbor corridor for years to come.

“I think today’s unanimous vote shows that we’re all aligned in bringing this very important project to the county,” Braveboy said.

The county will invest $200

million into the project, a smaller-scale version of an existing venue in Las Vegas. The project is estimated to bring over 1,200 long-term jobs and more than $1.3 billion in annual revenue once completed.

Braveboy, who led the Legislative Black Caucus during her time in Annapolis from 20122014, pledged during the hearing to support the economic goals of multiple groups simultaneously.

"I've always put labor at the table," Braveboy said. "It's also important to have our minority business community at the table as well and the community that's going to be impacted."

Baltimore-DC Metro Building Trades Council president Greg Akerman wants to ensure that local residents have a fair shot at these high-paying jobs.

“At the end of the day, project labor agreements are the only real way to ensure that local Prince George’s County residents don’t just get good, one-time jobs on this project,” Akerman told NBC Washington, “but get long-lasting careers that can start with a good union apprenticeship.”

Brentwood Mayor Rocio Treminio-Lopez, who also serves as the

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Latino Business Development Manager for the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), is excited to see the new investment coming to Prince George’s.

“As Mayor of Brentwood, I welcome transformative investments

like the Sphere project coming to Prince George’s County. This is more than a world-class entertainment venue—it is an opportunity to create jobs, attract visitors from around the globe, support our local businesses, and strengthen our regional economy,” Treminio-Lopez told The Informer. “When Prince George’s County grows, our municipalities grow with it. I look forward to seeing this project drive innovation, tourism, and economic prosperity for generations to come.” WI

BUSINESS

from Page 1

were happy for us to be there.”

In 2023, after a decade of employment at Ivy City Smokehouse in Northeast, Freeman took on the general manager role at the yetto-be-opened restaurant in Deanwood. That’s where he oversaw the final stages of the space’s renovation and hosted job fairs.

Those events, Freeman said, attracted future employees, some of whom lived in the apartment building of the same name next door, and others within walking distance of the restaurant. For him, those hosts, waiters, servers, bartenders, and line cooks played a part in curating happy hours, Sunday brunches, local boxing matches, and even community forums hosted by elected officials.

“I believe like 60% of our staff were residents,” Freeman told The Informer. “When we first started, it was like literally over 85%. We had a very low turnover when it came to employees, meaning a lot

of the people we started with were the same people that were there when I heard about the closure.”

As Freeman recounted, when he and some of his colleagues on July 8 arrived at 5131 Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE, it was a building with a look different from what they had known for nearly two years. Hours earlier, after restaurateur Gregory J. Casten failed to settle a months-long rent dispute with The NHP Foundation, The Warrenton Group, and the Washington Metropolitan Community Development Corporation, who own the building as a joint venture partnership, Casten removed the restaurant equipment and shut down operations.

In the days that followed, Freeman frequently showed up at what’s now a shell of the well-regarded restaurant, doling out checks and speaking to staff members about next steps.

“I'm just still trying to get my mind together because it's an emotional thing,” Freeman told

The Informer. “It's very difficult because the good thing about The Strand was that it was very metro accessible. A lot of other places in the city aren’t.”

Both Parties Speak about Rent Dispute

Per the Washington Business Journal, Casten owes more than $220,000 in back rent starting from February of 2025. Casten however says he’s liable for a little over a third of that amount.

“I acknowledge rent that has

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gone unpaid [that’s] closer to $75,000 plus a few dollars for some utilities,” said Casten of the Fish & Fire Food Group. “It's in dispute based on the commencement date and a few other issues that occurred during the build-out that were supposed to be rectified through the rent.”

As Casten explained, Fish & Fire Food Group, founded by him and Dave Pera, agreed to launch a new restaurant at The Strand in 2019. The NHP Foundation, The Warrenton Group, and the Washington Metropolitan Community Development Corporation were renovating the historic theatre on Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE.

According to Casten, he wouldn’t be responsible for rent during the first year of operation, and would only have to shoulder half of the monthly amount during the second year. Additionally, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development (DMPED) contributed more than $1.7 million in Food Access Grant funds to help open Smokehouse at The Strand.

In 2020, The Strand Residence, the affordable housing community next door, opened its doors. However, Casten said renovation of the impending restaurant didn’t start until late 2023 due to what he recounted as structural challenges that required additional funds to address. He said his arrangement with the joint venture partners changed at least three times, with him in the end being left to take on

more of the financial burden than initially agreed.

“For the original deal, I was out of pocket for equipment only,” Casten told The Informer. “In the end, I supplied the remaining amounts of money that were necessary to get it across the finish line. The total build-out was approximately $3.1 million without equipment.”

For nearly two years, the Strand DC was part of Casten’s portfolio of eateries, including Ivy City Smokehouse, The Point in Southwest, and Nick’s Riverside Grill in Northwest. Weeks after its closure, The NHP Foundation’s Scott L. Barkan says that there’s more to the story than what Casten is alleging.

“It’s not really just about the lease,” said Barkan, The NHP Foundation’s senior vice president. “I think it really has more [to do with] the core financing and [Casten’s] ability to operate a successful restaurant there.”

Barkan, who served as lead developer and project manager of The Strand DC development, told The Informer that Casten was responsible for the full monthly rent, starting from January 2025.

During a progress he says started in 2021, not 2023 as Casten alleges, Barkan and his associates used historic tax credits to install new utility lines, stabilize the building, and construct its core and shell. While he acknowledged challenges during construction, Barkan told The Informer that Casten wasn’t responsible for shouldering the associated costs.

“There were some surprises at old historic buildings such as this, and it took us some time and cost us some more money, but we were able to work through them and successfully finish our renovation,” Barkan told The Informer. “Our core and shell work that we did, Greg didn't pay anything for that. That was all our financing and lenders, and a big part of that was the District of Columbia.”

From its December 2024 launch onward, The Strand DC served as a premiere restaurant and entertainment space in Deanwood where patrons enjoyed flatbread pizzas, smoked wings, crab dip, sandwiches, burgers, along with branzino, salmon, steak, desserts and a variety of libations. Casten told The Informer that, all the while,

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the Fish & Fire Group struggled to bounce back from construction delays that depleted funds from cash reserves, investors, and money left over from other projects.

“The operational losses in the first year were approximately $300,000, not counting the rent they claim,” Casten told The Informer. “The taxes said $650,000 but that's depreciation in cash.”

In April, Casten and the joint venture partners took their $228,000 dispute to court where a judge requested monthly status updates about the negotiations. Casten told The Informer that, by June, when he refused to pay the amount that the joint venture partners calculated, the joint venture partners stopped discussions and demanded “immediate sanctions.”

Casten said, by that time, he had already appealed to DMPED and D.C. Councilmember Wendell Felder (D-Ward 7) for assistance, all to no avail.

“I think the developers…were more greedy and more forceful

with the city for resolution,” Casten said. “When the city first got involved, they took that posture to pay the landlord to allow me to make a deal going forward. I thought that was unjust, considering I had put more money into the project than the developer and the city had already put significant assets into the project.”

Barkan tells a different story.

“Greg decided, while we were in the middle of trying to renegotiate the leases, to vacate the premises,”

Barkan told The Informer. “We're still hoping that we can negotiate a way to keep him in the neighborhood, but at this point, it's really up to Greg. We've made several offers. He hasn't responded to them.”

Eight Months of Negotiations that Went Nowhere

Though DMPED didn’t speak directly to conversations had about keeping The Strand DC in operation, a spokesperson said in an email, “We support maintaining a restaurant at this location, recog-

nize the importance of food access in Ward 7, and hope the parties can reach a sustainable resolution that keeps the space active and serving the community.”

Felder, who served as project manager of The Stand development site during his stint with DMPED, told The Informer that the D.C. government played its part in attempting to settle the dispute between Casten and the joint venture partners.

“They assure me that they were trying to pull every lever that they had to ensure that the business stayed operational,” Felder told The Informer.

The Ward 7 Council member spoke of what he called his longtime relationship with Casten, telling The Informer that, upon his swearing into office in 2025, he held his kick-off event at The Strand DC. Months later, toward the end of that year when Felder recounted learning of the rent dispute, he sat down with Casten and the joint venture partners before bringing the matter to DMPED.

“I thought to myself, ‘What can I do to better support the business,

promote the business and make sure that that space is being utilized,’” Felder told The Informer. “We sat down with [DMPED] to ensure they understood my position as a council member about the importance of having small and local businesses, specifically those where neighbors can sit down fellowship and gather collectively in Ward 7.”

With Fish & Fire Food Group no longer in the building, Felder revealed plans to work with DMPED and Washington DC Economic Partnership to secure another tenant. Felder also said he wants to leverage his role as chair of the D.C. Council’s Subcommittee on Local Business Development to address larger issues at hand.

“Every deal is different,” Felder said. “I think that the city should do a better job and structuring innovative deals to make sure that with these startup businesses, folks bake in time for the business to grow and expand their clientele.”

Casten expressed similar sentiments, telling The Informer that,

YOUR HOME, YOUR ADVANTAGE

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NATIONAL

ment and the level of authoritarianism we're seeing–– attacks on voting rights, refusal to pass living wages, immoral war–– this is not just a midterm election. It is a time for the electorate to say what kind of America we want to keep pressing towards, or whether or not we want to keep going backwards.”

July 27 officially marked the 100day countdown to Nov. 3, and with it came added pressure to perform what Barber calls a massive movement vote across civic campaigns nationally.

In the Second Episcopal District, encompassing D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, presiding prelate, the Rev. Harry L. Seawright, has launched a robust voter empowerment and education campaign, which includes emulating some of the roots of mobilization pre-Aug. 6, 1965.

Much like the 1964 Freedom Sum-

mer project, which was organized by groups like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Churches around the region are working to educate voters, host events and communal partnerships, and serve communities with resources now through Election Day.

Black Church PAC has been working to boost education alongside other African American faith leaders by organizing Freedom Summer Justice Revivals nationally; while Community of Hope AME Church lead pastor, the Rev. Tony Lee, goes beyond his Maryland pulpit to serve as a Virginia coordinator for Poll Chaplain/Peacekeepers Training.

“Some people talk about voter turnout, but it's voter security in this season,” Lee told The Informer. “Election protection from the standpoint of protecting people, but [also] from

5 The Rev. Tony Lee, lead pastor of Community of Hope AME Church in Temple Hills, Maryland, says intergenerational collaboration and election protection are key priorities for the upcoming midterms. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

the standpoint of protecting systems, protecting ballots, all of those kinds of pieces that are necessary if we're really going to talk about what's at stake in securing democracy.”

Meanwhile, the National Action Network (NAN) partnered with the Drum Institute and family of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to host a transformative revival of the Aug. 28, 1963 demonstration that once took over the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Marching to the beat of “Defund the Vote,” and honoring the anniversary of the historic 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the 2026 demonstration amplifies the parallel of King’s battle cry that he dreamed into a demand.

“We stand on the same ground because the work is not finished. The right to vote, the very foundation of our power, is being chipped away in statehouse after statehouse,” said global civil rights activist and NAN founder the Rev. Al Sharpton. “When the vote is weakened, every other right grows fragile with it. That is why we march. That is what we mean when we say ‘Defend the Vote.’”

According to Barber, election year 2026 should also reflect more of what was seen in 1964.

“In '64, they marched to the polls,” Barber reminded, emphasizing the focus of “vision-forward” voting.

On July 27, the bishop hailed the call for 100 days of action planning to commence nationwide, calling on churches, synagogues, college

people talk about voter turnout, but it's voter security in this season. Election protection from the standpoint of protecting people, but [also] from the standpoint of protecting systems, protecting ballots, all of those kinds of pieces that are necessary if we're really going to talk about what's at stake in securing democracy.”

With the Louisiana v. Callais decision in April of this year, the Supreme Court gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act––the clause that protected voters of color from racial discrimination in congressional apportionment or legislative mapping.

While the move simultaneously obliterated six decades of precedent, Barber said it also reinforced the strength in the late King’s “Our God is Marching On!” speech, the culmination of a 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, that ultimately catalyzed the passage of the legislation now ceasing to exist.

campus groups, street coronmers––“everyone”–– to mobilize with 1,000 marches to the polls, beginning the first day of early voting.

At the Aug. 3 edition of his weekly Moral Mondays Movement, he was joined by hundreds of protesters, and thousands virtually, in delivering letters to Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office, demanding a halt to the “more than 87 various forms of suppression bills” that have recently passed in Southern states, including Barber’s North Carolina home turf.

Among various examples, and beyond the redistricting ploy threatening at least a third of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), is the GOPled Safeguard Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) Act, which, if passed in the Senate, could threaten votership for 66 million Americans who would fail to meet the limited documentation requirements needed for first-time registrants or U.S. citizens looking to update their voter registration.

Nearly 61 years to the exact date of fruition, Lee says, the idea of voters turning out in droves this November to be met with suppressive tactics like “snatching and questioning ballots” is not that far-fetched in a time when the 1965 legislation has been proven all but disposable.

“We've seen it coming out of Reconstruction, we've seen it coming out of Civil Rights, and we watched it coming out of the election of the first Black president,” Lee told The Informer, sharing some of his priorities ahead of the midterm election. “Some

“On Aug. 6, we have to remember the legislation that was signed. What was signed as part of the rationale behind fighting for it, Dr. King and us [Black civil rights activists] saying, ‘Give us the ballot,” Barber said. “People don't know the power they have. They don't know these margins…that Trump only got elected by a couple of million votes. They don't know that in some of the states that were won, over 7 million people didn't vote.”

From a new national Voting Rights Act to restructuring the focus on statewide action, Barber said the push means nothing if it’s not strategic, united, and focused on avenues that can actually affect change.

“If they are cynical enough to work together to hurt, harm and suppress people's humanity and votes,” he said, “we ought to be courageous enough and loving enough to come together and focus heavily at the state level, if you want to change D.C.”

Engage, Empower, and Equity: Priorities Ahead of Nov. 3

With early voting as early as mid-September in certain states, the midterm election signifies the potential for a major political shift.

All 435 districts are up for election in the United States House of Representatives, along with five of the chamber's six non-voting members. Meanwhile, constituents will vote on more than a third of the Senate, while the National Governors Association maps

from Page 4

a sweeping, coordinated campaign to muzzle Black voices and distort public memory. Since taking office in 2025, Trump has unleashed a torrent of policies aimed at excising Black achievement and struggle from the American story.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in federal agencies have been dismantled. Any mention of systemic racism has been scrubbed from government training materials and official communications. Black historical figures have vanished from federal websites, and exhibits addressing slavery, racial violence, and the fight for civil rights have been ordered removed or rewritten. Statues of Confederate generals have returned to public plazas, while murals and monuments to Black leaders are taken down.

The administration has not stopped at memory and symbolism. In a move that rocked the military establishment, Trump fired Air Force General Charles Q. “CQ” Brown—the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the highest-ranking military officer in the nation—in February 2025. The ouster, widely condemned by civil rights advocates, was seen as retaliation for Brown’s visibility and a chilling message about who is permitted to lead at the highest levels of government.

The attack on Black history has reached the nation’s most respected institutions. The National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History have become targets of presidential ire. The administration has accused these museums of “extreme political activism” for presenting the country’s founding paradox: a nation proclaiming liberty while perpetuating slavery. Pressure has mounted on Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch—the first African American to hold the institution’s top post—to abandon nuanced, truthful storytelling in favor of a “basic consensus view” that sanitizes the past.

the first [and] you want to make sure you’re not the last.”

Meanwhile, members of Congress have lashed out at the president.

“Black Americans have worked hard and sacrificed for generations,” declared Mississippi Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson. “One man can’t silence our voice or erase our legacy.”

Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), who has led the years-long push to put Tubman on the $20 bill, has continued to demand action in Congress.

“Replacing a slave owner with an abolitionist is a powerful way to honor our history and the heroes who fought for freedom,” she said.

However, the current administration’s policies, from the halls of the Treasury to the nation’s museums, have represented an unambiguous attempt to enforce silence and reassert white comfort as the norm.

“Black history is American history,” exclaimed Pennsylvania Democratic State Rep. Chris Rabb, in a response to the removal of displays at the President’s House historic site in Philadelphia that was ordered by the Trump administration. “The histories of all oppressed peoples are American history. Attempts to bury these truths only reveal the fragility, and the dangerous ambitions, of those who fear them.” WI

Resources for Buying a Home in D.C.

“I’m the 14th secretary so there are 13 other people that have had this role – that’s it, in 180 years,” Bunch told NBC News. “So, you feel that weight, but candidly you also feel the weight as an African American, to say you want to make sure that people celebrate you being

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DRC Struggles with Fastest-Growing Ebola Outbreak in Country’s History

Funding Decline and Deep-Rooted Political Tensions Complicate Humanitarian Response

By Mya Trujillo WI Multimedia Reporter

In the midst of a preexisting humanitarian crisis, political upheaval, armed violence and mass displacement, the people in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been suffering at the hands of the rare Bundibugyo virus, a severe strain of Ebola.

Since DRC first reported the outbreak on May 15, there have been 3,360 confirmed cases and 1,487 deaths as of July 27. Every 20 days, the number of cases doubles, and between July 28 and July 29, the epidemic caused 50 deaths. Confirmed infections have been detected in Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tshopo provinces.

In the two months the disease has been spreading throughout affected areas, it has caused a death toll that usually takes eight months to see in West African nations– a fourfold disparity.

“This is the fastest-growing Ebola crisis ever,” said Carl Skau, acting executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP), in a July 29 briefing on the situation. “We need an all-rounded response. This requires… a broader set of tools, and that includes food.”

One of the requirements to contain the virus is having those affected to isolate, as to mitigate the already alarming spread, but this is implausible in a region where food insecurity runs rampant. Currently, 10 million people in DRC are acutely food insecure, with 3 million ranking at Phase Four food insecurity per the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification’s (IPC) five-level scale.

IPC Phase Four is considered an emergency; households either have a large food consumption gap reflected in high acute malnutrition and increased mortality. It is one step away from being considered a famine or hunger catastrophe. In this phase, it’s not unlikely for people to go to bed and wake up hungry day in and day out.

“The gap between the epidem-

ic and our response is widening,” said Julien Harneis, U.N. senior Ebola coordinator. “The epidemic is worsening an already difficult humanitarian situation.”

So far, WFP has served 160,000 hot meals and has delivered food parcels to 20,000 affected isolated families, but this is still not enough.

In the past, communities affected by distressing hunger would survive through nongovernmental organization camps and the WFP for food, but due to a lack of funding, those resources are stretched thin.

Due to a crumble of U.S. support between 2024 and 2025, more than 30% of global humanitarian funding vanished, decreasing from $14 billion to $3.7 billion. One year ago, WFP assisted 3 million people, but today, the organization can only support 1 million, signifying a two-thirds drop in assistance capabilities.

“Food is essential in this response,” Skau said. “You cannot force people to choose between hunger and health,” Skau said.

“People here are exhausted from years of conflict, from repeated displacements, from crisis after crisis… that has been hitting them.”

For decades, violence exacerbated by the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide and the Congo Wars has burdened people living in DRC.

In December 2024, violence intensified between the armed parliamentary rebellion group March 23 Movement (M23)/Congo River Alliance (AFC) and the Congolese Army in DRC. The fighting took place in North Kivu, affecting places like its capital, Goma, and territories like Masisi and Mweso, as well as South Kivu.

The incessant violent clashes have caused a wave of mass displacement in Eastern DRC, causing 7 million people, 2 million of which were in Ituri, to flee their homes. Skau shared that most of the people he has spoken to in the eastern region have had to move four to five times since 2019. When displacement like this occurs, families must uproot and rebuild their lives with no safety or proper shelter, and the risk of being robbed looming over them.

Displacement that is worsened by armed conflict in the time of a formidable epidemic can hinder health care plans made to keep the disease’s spread at bay.

“Although overall levels of poEBOLA Page 33

The Digital Divide Behind Telehealth

Submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia (DC)

Telehealth has made it easier for many people to connect with providers, refill medicines, and attend follow-up appointments from home. For busy families, virtual visits can reduce travel, missed work hours, and long office waits. However, many families in the District find that accessing virtual care is not always simple.

The rise of telehealth has also exposed the “digital divide,” or the gap between households with reliable internet access and those without it. While many residents rely on technology every day, some families still face unstable Wi-Fi, limited data, or outdated devices.

When Missed Connections Affect Health

A telehealth appointment may require downloading apps, remembering passwords, or using patient portals. For families balancing work, child

care, financial stress, or housing instability, those extra steps can make getting care more difficult.

These challenges can affect long-term health. Missed virtual visits may delay help with medications, mental health care, specialist appointments, or follow-up care for chronic conditions.

Lower-income households are more likely to experience internet and technology gaps.1 In Washington, DC, where many communities already face health disparities, the digital divide can worsen the challenges tied to health care access.

Comfort with technology also plays a role. Some patients struggle with technical issues or unfamiliar health care platforms. Older adults, residents with limited English proficiency, and families without regular access to devices or internet service may face even greater challenges.

New tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), may help make virtual health care easier in the future. Some AI tools can help with scheduling appointments, translating information, and answering simple questions. But all families need re-

Caring for Loved Ones with Chronic Conditions

Managing a chronic condition can be tiring, but caring for someone living with one every day can be stressful for families and caregivers. Loved ones are helping parents, grandparents, children, or partners manage health conditions, behavioral health concerns, or ongoing health issues, often while balancing work, child care, and everyday responsibilities.

Small routines can make a big difference when caring for someone with chronic conditions. A little structure can help families stay ahead of appointments, medications, and symptoms before they become emergencies.

Helping a loved one stay on track with their care can look like:

• Writing down medications, appointments, and important phone numbers for them.

• Checking in on mental health, stress, and sleep, not just physical health.

• Helping avoid missing meals or medications.

liable internet, devices, and support to fully benefit from these tools.

Resources that can help District families

Community organizations and local programs across the District are working to help residents stay connected to care. For families struggling with telehealth access, these resources and tips may help make virtual care easier to manage:

• Request interpreter services or other support during virtual appointments if needed.

• Keep appointment dates and medication information written down in one place.

• Contact your managed care organization to ask about transportation benefits for in-person visits when telehealth is not an option.

• Explore low-cost internet programs through local or federal assis-

tance programs.

• Use trusted District resources, like DC Public Library locations or community centers, for internet and technology access.

Telehealth can improve health care access for working families and residents. Closing the digital divide will take more than technology alone. Expanding affordable internet access, improving digital education, and

strengthening community support systems can help more people stay connected to care.

Sources

1. “Digital Divide Persists Even as Americans With Lower Incomes Make Gains in Tech Adoption,” Pew Research Center, June 22, 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/shortreads/2021/06/22/digital-divide-persists-even-as-americans-with-lower-incomes-make-gains-in-tech-adoption/, accessed April 24, 2026.

All images are submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia and are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model

#BestMe

• Asking questions during doctor visits and keeping up with follow-up appointments whenever possible.

AmeriHealth Caritas DC also offers special health programs for enrollees at no cost. These programs include:

• Care management programs for people with special health care needs, behavioral health conditions, and chronic conditions

• The diabetes program that enrollees can join to help them manage their condition

• The Bright Start® maternity care program for pregnant enrollees

• The HealthCheck program for children, also called Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT)

These programs are designed to help DC families while managing everyday health needs. For more information, call the AmeriHealth Caritas DC Community Outreach Solutions team at 202-216-2318 or visit www. amerihealthcaritasdc.com.

cards) when you complete a:

• Diabetic retinal eye exam, or

• Diabetic blood and urine screening. Visit www.amerihealthcaritasdc.com/healthyrewards to learn more or call 202-216-2318 with any questions.

EARTH OUR

as in this case, we actually do want people to see and experience them,” Joseph Jakuta, associate director of Air Quality at DOEE, told The Informer.

Advising and Monitoring: The First Steps Toward Further Solutions

Working with the advisory board did pose a challenge for DOEE and the speed at which they could plan and build the park benches, as they had to consistently meet, listen to, and consider recommendations before finalizing equipment purchases. These extra steps prolonged the process, but Jakuta acknowledges the value of taking this approach.

“We’re very glad we did it that way and took that time, because I think we really have something that’s not just about trying to meet federal standards, but really engage the community when it comes to air pollution issues, in particular, in

areas that have been under-monitored,” Jakuta told The Informer.

Another way the advisory board helped broaden the scope of DOEE’s monitoring was by suggesting that the park benches also measure black carbon levels. At first, the government agency aimed only to include ozone and particulate matter, but the committee deemed tracking this pollutant would be impactful in future analyses.

Black carbon, or soot, is one of the many different compounds that make up particulate matter. The contaminant is a product of incomplete combustion, which occurs when fuel is unable to completely react with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. Usually released by the burning of fossil fuels, wood and waste, Black carbon has a warming impact up to 1,500 times stronger than carbon dioxide per unit of mass.

Since diesel vehicles largely contribute to black carbon emissions, and heavy traffic is a main source of pollution in Washington, monitoring the pollutant is essential. Exposure to this pollutant can lead to premature

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death and negative effects on the cardiovascular system, as well as exacerbate preexisting respiratory diseases such as asthma. Children in Washington are especially vulnerable, as the rates for childhood asthma in the region are among the highest in the nation, ranging from 8.1% to 9.7%.

“If you only measure particulate matter, you are not able to see changes in black carbon, because particulate matter is dominated by other compounds,” Valentina Aquila, an atmospheric scientist and associate professor in American University’s Department of Environmental Science, told The Informer. “Measuring black carbon separately from particulate matter can give insights on local sources such as traffic.”

Aquila, one of the advisory board’s members, has been conduct-

ing air quality monitoring work for approximately five years in communities like Buzzard Point and Brentwood— places in the city that greatly feel the effects of air pollution due to industrial activity, high concentrations of traffic and limited green space.

She began working more with urban air quality in the summer of 2022, when she was tasked with installing the low-cost PurpleAir sensors that collect localized data on particulate matter in people’s homes. Aquila analyzes the measurements and identifies patterns or correlations that allow her to pinpoint sources of pollution.

“Once you identify the sources, you can think about solutions... [and pinpoint] what is going to make a difference,” the atmospheric

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3One of the park bench monitors is located outside of the Petworth Community Center in Ward 4. Originally, the air quality advisory board suggested it be installed a few blocks away, but DOEE decided placing it here would result in an easier construction and maintenance process. (Mya Trujillo/The Washington Informer)

scientist told The Informer. “There can be policy intervention that limits vehicle emissions, or… that strengthens public transport, or… idling rules that aren’t enforced as much as they should be.”

Mendoza hopes the increased presence of park bench monitors in the city, and the vault of information they could provide, will encourage DOEE and other agencies to devise a tangible plan that will further protect the city’s most vulnerable communities against the dangers of air pollution.

“Our goal is to still make sure this data is used to improve air quality and not just collect data, but [figure out] how this is actually translating into more transparency of permits or requiring facilities to have limits on when they can operate,” Mendoza told The Informer. “That’s still something we’re trying to work through and figure out– how these park bench monitors can lead to better enforcement oversight.”

Jakuta emphasized DOEE’s commitment to using the new monitors to solve any issues that may present themselves as his department continues to analyze the available information. He acknowledges that only a short amount of time has elapsed since the four new benches were installed, so more discoveries can potentially come to light as time goes on, even though DOEE has yet to observe anything striking via the monitors.

“One of the biggest limitations is having the time and resources to really dig into this data, because as we collect more and more data... it can be challenging,” Jakuta told The Informer. “We do share all this data and welcome anyone, especially local researchers, [who] would like to dig into it with us to help answer questions.” WI

The Biggest Barrier to Buying a Home Isn’t Always Finding One

United Bank’s HomeBright Program is designed to help qualified buyers overcome upfront financial hurdles

By Levonia Wiggins (NMLS ID 104482) United Bank VP, Senior Community Mortgage Loan Officer

When it comes to buying your first home, there are several boxes that must be checked before you can sign the deed. Do you have a pre-qualification letter from a lender to help determine your budget? Great. Have you found the home that’s right for you? Perfect. Do you have enough saved for a down payment and closing costs? That’s the box many qualified buyers struggle to check.

In today’s housing market, buyers need to be aware of the challenges they face. With rising home prices and higher interest rates, many Americans’ dream of buying their first home have become harder to achieve. A recent Pew Research Center analysis found that buying a home has become less affordable for young adults in most U.S. metropolitan areas. In the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia metro area), where home prices rank among the nation’s highest, the road to homeownership is even steeper. Higher home prices mean buyers must come up with more cash upfront to cover down payments and closing costs. However, saving for a down payment isn’t the only hurdle. Even qualifying for a mortgage can present a barrier as borrowers struggle to meet lender requirements in today’s higher-cost market.

At United Bank, we want to make the dream of buying a home a reality. That’s why we introduced a new program designed specifically to address these financial barriers many firsttime homebuyers face today.

United Bank’s HomeBright Program

United Bank’s HomeBright Program was developed to help address one of the biggest obstacles facing

today’s homebuyers: the widening gap between rapidly rising home prices and the ability to save for the upfront costs of purchasing a home. HomeBright helps bridge this gap by providing flexible financing solutions designed to reduce initial financial barriers to homeownership. By lowering upfront cost requirements and expanding access to financing for eligible borrowers, the program enables more individuals and families to take the first step toward owning a home. At the same time, HomeBright is structured to support sustainable, long-term homeownership, helping qualified buyers achieve their goals with confidence and financial stability.

How HomeBright can help qualified borrowers:

• Financing of up to 100% loan-to-value (LTV)

• Option to include a qualified non-occupant co-borrower on the loan may help strengthen a borrower’s application

• No mortgage insurance requirement, which may help reduce monthly housing costs

• Gift funds may be used, subject to program guidelines

• Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate options are available

• Program availability may depend on borrower income and/or property location

• Program must be used for the

borrower’s primary residence

• Available for home purchases and eligible refinances

• First-time homebuyers must complete a homeownership counseling course before closing

Whether you’re purchasing your first home or exploring financing options, understanding available programs can make a significant difference. Speaking with a United Bank mortgage specialist early in the process can help you better understand your financing options, program eligibility, and the steps involved in preparing for homeownership.

If you are ready to take the next step in your homebuying journey, learn more about the HomeBright Program at BankWithUnited.com.

HomeBright Program Disclaimer: Subject to Credit Approval. Not all applicants are eligible. HomeBright is not available in all market areas. Loan must be for purchase or eligible refinance of primary residence. Property type and location limitations apply.

Loan terms and conditions apply, including but not limited to, maximum loan-to-value of 100%, maximum loan amount, minimum credit score, and maximum income limits. Homebuyer education may be required. Program rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

United Bank Mortgage Disclaimer: United Bank NMLS ID 522399 (www. nmlsconsumeraccess.org) Member FDIC. ADVERTISING NOTICE - NOT A COMMITMENT TO LEND - SUB-

JECT TO PROGRAM AVAILABILITY. This is not a commitment lend. All loan applications are subject to credit and property approval. Annual Percentage Rate (APR), programs, rates, fees, closing costs, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice and may vary depending upon credit history and transaction specifics. Other closing costs may be necessary. Flood and/or property hazard insurance may be required. To be eligible, buyer must meet minimum down payment, underwriting, and program guidelines.

OPEN THE DOOR TO WHAT’S NEXT

“I’m proud of myself. My daughter is even

A Hearing That Shamed the U.S. Senate

The Assault on Dr. Anthony Fauci Says More About Today's Politics Than America's Pandemic Response

Congress has both the authority and the obligation to conduct rigorous oversight. Public officials should expect difficult questions, rigorous scrutiny, and accountability for their decisions.

However, what transpired during Dr. Anthony Fauci's Senate testimony last week was not oversight. It was a calculated exercise in political retribution, in which facts too often gave way to insults, evidence to emotion, and public service to partisan score-settling.

The hearing's lowest point came when Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) erupted at Fauci, asking: "Who the fuck do you think you are?"

The profanity was shocking, but it also symbolized how far the nation's political discourse has deteriorated. Instead of examining the complex lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, several Republican senators chose to put one man on trial for a crisis that claimed more than 1.2 million American lives.

Dr. Fauci is not above criticism. Honest people can disagree with decisions on school closures, masking guidance, vaccine recommendations, and other public health policies implemented during an unprecedented emergency. Those decisions deserve thoughtful review, and history will continue to debate which were correct and which fell short. But disagreement is not a license for character assassination.

For more than five decades, Fau-

ci served the United States with extraordinary distinction. As director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, he advised seven presidents—Republicans and Democrats— through the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Ebola, SARS, Zika, anthrax, and COVID-19. His groundbreaking research transformed HIV/AIDS treatment, saving millions of lives worldwide. Long before COVID-19 made him a household name, Fauci had earned the global scientific community's respect as one of America's most accomplished public health leaders.

No lawmaker has worked harder to vilify Fauci than Sen. Rand Paul (RKy.), who has repeatedly declared that the doctor should be prosecuted and jailed for his handling of the pandemic. Yet the relentless campaign against Fauci has largely ignored another central figure whose public statements shaped the nation's response.

Given Paul's publicly stated desire to see him imprisoned, Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times during Paul's questioning. Under those circumstances, exercising a constitutional right should not be misconstrued as an admission of guilt but should be understood as a legal safeguard available to every American facing the prospect of criminal prosecution.

President Donald J. Trump repeatedly downplayed the threat of

COVID-19 even as the virus spread across the country. On Sept. 21, 2020, as the United States neared 200,000 deaths, Trump told Americans, "It affects virtually nobody. It's an amazing thing." That statement came months after he had privately told journalist Bob Woodward that the virus was "deadly" and far more dangerous than the flu.

While Fauci urged Americans to prepare for a public health emergency, the president repeatedly reassured them, a reassurance that proved dangerously misleading.

If Congress is truly committed to accountability, every decision and public statement that shaped the nation's response deserves equal scrutiny. Instead, this hearing reinforced the troubling impression that science has become a convenient political target, while those who wielded the greatest political power escape comparable scrutiny.

America will face another pandemic. When that day comes, the nation will again depend on scientists, physicians, and public health officials willing to serve under extraordinary pressure. If the reward for decades of distinguished service is public humiliation, partisan abuse, and threats of imprisonment, fewer of our brightest minds will answer that call. That would be a tragedy almost as profound as the one Congress claims it is still trying to understand. WI

Stand Up Against the Whitewashing of American History, Or the Nation Will Float on like a Ship Without a Sail

Looking back over the last 250 years of America’s paradoxical inclinations on racial equality and “justice for all,” the undisputable truth remains: we are a nation whose citizens are psychologically damaged because of racism and the vestiges of slavery.

Perhaps it’s this sickness emanating from the soil that explains why the current inhabitant at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is so determined to promote and produce an alternative history.

But a child in primary school, even if they’re unable to understand the motivation behind this ignoble quest, can see through the lies.

In the president’s most recent attack on American history, he has targeted the Smithsonian, issuing an executive order that requires the posting of signs

outside of all Smithsonian institutions that warn visitors about “inaccurate” exhibits that depict American history.

He further directs people about where they can find “accurate information.” Where that may be, we cannot say.

But how is providing an objective, factually based chronicle of our nation’s story harbors any sentiments of anti-American bias? If American society is to move forward toward the advancement of ideas which foster social justice, we cannot ignore the facts – no matter how much the truth may hurt.

Still, the Trump administration maintains its belief that the museum is veering “toward extreme political activism, rooted in Marxism, to divide, dispirit, and discourage Americans.”

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

New Mexico Democratic U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a ranking member of the House Administration Committee, wrote on X, “our Smithsonian institutions do not belong to the president, but to the American people and so does our nation’s history.”

However, because the Smithsonian is largely funded by the federal government, the president wants us to believe that it is within his power to dictate the kinds of exhibits and related stories which trained and experienced historians have compiled, curated, and put on display.

Once again, the president has ventured out of his lane and failed to keep the promises he made during his third

TO THE EDITOR

“The concern is for Eastern High School and Eliot-Hine Middle School. You can’t have a Taj-mahal Commanders Stadium complex. Then just yards away those school campuses don’t connect or compliment the vista.”

-Roy (In reference to the article: “The Commanders Want More Than a Stadium. They Want a Washington Landmark.”)

“Beautifully articulated. Very detailed. What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man.”

-Gary Gilbert (In reference to the article: Remembering Jonathan Daniel Shanks Sr.: A Local Gospel Legend, ‘Servant Leader.’”)

run for the White House.

Americans would be better served if he placed his focus on issues like affordability, eradicating an unprecedented rise in infectious diseases, and stepping away from his irrational decisions to engage in war on multiple fronts.

African Americans, despite being abused, spit on, lynched, kidnapped native land, forced into human bondage, denied equal rights, and relegated to the underclass, still love this nation.

Black Americans have fought in every war since the American Revolution, despite being forced to endure the evils of Jim Crow and white supremacy fol-

lowing the conclusion of each of these wars.

All Americans should join leaders like Maryland Democratic Rep. Kweisi Mfume who, during a House Oversight subcommittee hearing on July 21, condemned the Trump administration’s efforts to alter or restrict historical exhibits.

“I am outraged at what is happening now with these efforts to do away with the African American museum and all of the Smithsonian,” said Mfume. “If you erase it, we will replace it. It’s that damn simple.”

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Danielle Bess

Built in a Moment Like This: The Divine Nine and the Fight After Callais

Las Vegas was awash in pink and green during the week of July 18, as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and nearly 27,000 of its members and their families arrived for the sorority's biennial Boule.

The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha were not the only notable arrivals. Black political power showed up, too. Congresswoman

Lauren Underwood moderated a conversation with attorney and political commentator Bakari Sellers at a workshop titled "Soaring to the Polls: Mastering the Midterm Journey." Aaron Ford, Nevada's attorney general and the Democratic nominee for governor, addressed the workshop participants, while Congresswoman Emilia Sykes sat in the audience. And at the organization's public meeting, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore received a community award and delivered a rousing speech that sounded less like an acceptance and

more like a precursor to a run for president.

Politicians go where power is. But these politicians were not mere visitors. All of the politicians are members of Divine Nine organizations. And three months after the Supreme Court neutered Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, the power in that convention hall mattered more than it had in 60 years.

AKA, and all of the Divine Nine organizations—the historically Black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities—are a natural stop for any

'The Trusted Messenger' and the Black Vote

It is a well-established fact that the Black Press is and always has been the "Trusted Messenger" of the Black community. With that being said, it is also very interesting that when many political organizations and donors decided to support voter registration and Get Out the Vote efforts, those donors gave their dollars predominantly to Black organizations like the Urban

Sometime this spring, a letter arrived in a mailbox in Ward 7. It said that a medical debt the recipient had carried for years, the kind that follows you onto credit reports and quietly blocks a car loan or an apartment application, had been paid in full. No application. No catch. When DC News Now asked me about those letters, I told them the

League, the NAACP, the League of Voters and other nonprofit groups. Those groups will prepare and send out press releases about such voter participation efforts since Black people were primarily responsible for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

What is most interesting is that those press releases rarely find their way onto CNN or the major news networks. Those press releases and calls to Black voter participation are carried in the Black Press. However, neither the dollars that support those press releases being written nor the ads that carry

their message reach the Black Press.

Now, as we approach one of the most important midterm elections in the history of this nation, it appears that, once again, the Black Press will be expected to carry the message about voter turnout, while political and campaign dollars go to the white mainstream media.

Those who are spending the billions of dollars that will go to campaign finance appear to have forgotten that elections are won and lost on a single vote.

Now is the time to remind candi-

politician who wants to raise their profile or launch a bid for elected office. The organizations collectively have more than 4 million members who are educated and civically engaged in their communities.

While the organizations are all nonpartisan, they are able to engage in voter education, policy advocacy, and get-out-the-vote efforts. Congresswoman Underwood, an AKA herself, described the mission from the stage: "We are not telling them who to vote for, but as we soar to the polls, we have a lot of ground

to cover to lay the foundation for what issues are on the ballot, who's running, how to participate in this election."

And for their collective 120-year history, they have done that. The NAACP was cofounded by W.E.B. Du Bois, a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Many civil rights icons were members of the Divine Nine, including Martin Luther King Jr., who was also an Alpha. Today, more than half the current members

BESS Page 45

dates and the backers of the political initiatives and propositions that will appear on ballots across this nation that the Black vote must not be taken for granted. It does not belong to any particular political party or interest group. It cannot be judged by whether it exists in a blue or red state.

The Democrats, Republicans, independents and supporters of initiatives should not assume that our votes are unimportant.

Elections are won on a single vote.

In Reynolds v. Sims (1964), the U.S. Supreme Court established the

"one person, one vote" rule. The ruling made it mandatory to base legislative seats on population within districts rather than on geography, and guaranteed equal protection coverage under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.

That principle has not been abolished, and neither should we act as if our one vote does not count. Let us not forget our own values as we look toward the midterm elections. The "Trusted Messenger" can make the difference.

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truth: if you got one, there's nothing you need to do. It's not a scam. It's from your neighbors at IdeaCrew.

I think about those letters more than almost anything else our company did this year. IdeaCrew is a technology firm. We build systems that help government agencies connect people to the services they need. But the smartest investment we made this year wasn't in technology.

My father taught me that a company can only be as strong as the community it operates in. He didn't

mean it as a slogan, and he didn't mean it as a strategy. He meant it as a fact, the same way the foundation of a building is a fact. For a firm like ours, headquartered in the District as a Certified Business Enterprise, with about 70 team members, that principle isn't abstract. The city where we work is also the city where the systems we build either help people or fail them. We don't get to do well in a community that's doing poorly, no matter what our balance sheet says.

Here's what surprises people:

we're a remote-first company serving clients across the country. Many of us live in D.C. or the Washington region, and many of us don't. But community impact is what pulls all of us together. What my father's principle gave us isn't a zip code requirement. It's a way of seeing. Wherever our people are, and wherever our work touches, we ask one question: what's going on here that we can actually do something about? This year, that question kept producing answers. When the government shutdown hit this past fall and

federal workers started showing up at food banks, we gave to the Capital Area Food Bank. We invested in Alzheimer's research, a cause that became personal when someone who helped build this company was diagnosed. We supported young adults fighting cancer through the Ulman Foundation. And we partnered with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to retire $12.3 million in medical debt for more than 12,000 D.C. residents.

Guest

Rev. Dr. Boise Kimber

No More Broken Promises to Black America

At the same time, many communities are pushing back to ensure that new AI infrastructure does not strain local resources, increase costs or pollute their neighborhoods.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming one of the most powerful forces in the global economy, with the potential to generate historic levels of wealth. As technology companies and governments position themselves to benefit from this growth, our communities must share in those gains in ways that are real, substantial and protected from political reversal.

The

The latest promise being offered to the public is the creation of sovereign wealth funds or similar ownership models that would give people a stake in AI-generated wealth. Several proposals point in this direction:

• President Donald Trump has explored strategies for the U.S. government to take equity stakes in leading AI firms.

Same

The recent decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States continue a troubling pattern of weakening protections that many Americans fought for generations to secure. At a time when our nation should be strengthening democracy and ensuring every voice is heard, we are instead witnessing policies and rulings that dispropor-

• Sen. Bernie Sanders has introduced legislation aimed at giving the public a share in this new economic value.

• OpenAI has proposed a voluntary "Public Wealth Fund" that would give American citizens a direct stake in the gains created by artificial intelligence.

The question is whether these proposals represent real economic inclusion — or another version of a familiar promise that never fully reaches Black America. Broken promises from government and business are not new to Black Americans, going back to the

Communities Targeted Again and Again

tionately impact Black communities, low-income voters, and historically marginalized populations. Voting rights are not simply political talking points. They are the foundation of representation, accountability, and justice. When barriers to voting increase, communities that already face systemic inequities are often the first to suffer. From restrictive voting laws to the erosion of key protections once guaranteed under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, these decisions send the wrong message about who de-

serves equal access to democracy. At the same time, another dangerous trend is unfolding in public health. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues approving flavored e-cigarette products despite growing concerns from health advocates, parents, educators, and community leaders. Products marketed in flavors like classic menthol, blueberry, mango, and candy-inspired varieties are not accidental innovations they are part of a long history of targeting youth and communities of color through flavored

"40 acres and a mule" pledge after the Civil War.

The history of slavery, emancipation and Reconstruction shows a repeated pattern: Black labor created wealth, but Black people were denied equal compensation, legal protection and the resources needed to build generational wealth.

Near the end of the Civil War, Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton met with 20 Black leaders in Savannah, Georgia. Those leaders made clear that true freedom and self-deter-

The Democratic Party Is Quietly Breaking Apart From Within Guest

Over the past several weeks and months, Democratic primary elections across the country have revealed something party leadership should not ignore. From New York to Colorado, and in local races across major urban centers, a new generation of candidates is reshaping what Democratic political power looks like and how legitimacy inside the party is earned.

At first glance, these outcomes may appear disconnected. A surprising primary upset here. A grassroots candidate outperforming expectations there. But taken together, these races suggest something deeper unfolding inside the Democratic Party itself. The assumptions that have governed Democratic politics for decades are beginning to weaken, and a new political order is beginning to emerge.

In New York, Zohran Mamdani has become one of the clearest symbols of an emerging political infrastructure op-

erating outside traditional Democratic power centers. His rise demonstrates that candidates no longer need to rely exclusively on legacy donor networks, institutional endorsements, or long-established party relationships to build viable political power. Campaigns rooted in grassroots organizing, digital communication, and direct voter mobilization are proving increasingly competitive.

The ecosystem developing around candidates like Mamdani is equally important. Figures such as New York state Assemblywoman Claire Valdez (Democratic nominee for New York's

mination required land ownership. Sherman's Special Field Order No. 15 set aside 400,000 acres of confiscated Confederate land and granted enslaved families plots of up to 40 acres.

After Lincoln's assassination, however, President Andrew Johnson reversed course, pardoned former Confederates and returned the land to its previous owners.

From 1619 to 1865, enslaved Africans and their descendants labored from sunup to sundown without wages, building wealth for enslavers and for

nicotine addiction.

For decades, tobacco companies aggressively marketed menthol cigarettes in Black neighborhoods, contributing to devastating health disparities, addiction, heart disease, cancer, and premature death. Now, many of these same tactics are being repackaged through e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches with sleek branding and appealing flavors designed to attract a new generation.

Approving these products under the banner of “harm reduction” ignores the lived reality in many com-

munities. We cannot claim to care about public health while allowing corporations to continue profiting from addiction. Nor can we claim to defend democracy while dismantling the very protections that ensure every citizen has an equal voice. These issues are deeply connected. Both voting rights and public health are matters of justice. Both determine whether communities have the power, resources, and protections needed to thrive. And in

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7th Congressional District), former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander (Democratic nominee for New York's 10th Congressional District), and activist Darializa Avila Chevalier (Democratic nominee for New York's 13th Congressional District) represent a broader pipeline of Democratic candidates building credibility through community engagement, organizing infrastructure, and coalition building rather than relying solely on traditional political pathways.

In Washington, D.C., Janeese Lewis George offers a shared signal of this

shift. Her political rise reflects growing voter demand for leaders they perceive as deeply connected to neighborhood concerns rather than candidates elevated primarily through institutional machinery. Subsequently, we're learning that accessibility and authenticity are becoming political assets equal to experience and seniority.

Perhaps the clearest signal occurred in Colorado, where 29-year-old Melat Kiros defeated longtime incumbent Diana DeGette, ending nearly three

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EDUCATION

MURALS from Page 1

Now, when guests enter CareFirst Arena in Southeast, a piece of that story tops the Ward 8 stadium, as part of a new student-created mural installation featuring Garnet-Patterson S.T.A.Y Opportunity Academy, Anacostia High School, and Coolidge High School youth artists, including Jordynn.

“I feel like when it comes from the youth, it can inspire more––they could probably change a lot of people's points of view, and they could probably change a lot of people's points of view, and they could probably change things

for the better here in D.C.,” Jordynn told The Informer. “[Working on this mural] meant that I could show everybody that this is what D.C. is about; it's a deeper meaning to it. It made me feel like I could inspire or put change in the world.”

In partnership with Events DC and D.C. Public Schools (DCPS), CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield recently unveiled a new public canvas at the building that the Washington Mystics and Capital City Go-Go call home.

Boasting historic landmarks, bold colors, and empowerment, the mural installation fuses art and

storytelling to tease the prompt: where youth see themselves in the evolution of D.C.’s future.

“Seeing your artwork displayed in a public space sends a powerful message: Your voice matters, and your ideas can help shape the community around you,” said Mack McGee, chief marketing officer at CareFirst. “We’re proud to sup-

port students while also creating opportunities in the areas around CareFirst Arena that make St. Elizabeths campus a destination.”

Created through Transform DC, DCPS’ annual public art initiative celebrating its 10th year, the collaborative artwork took shape with the theme: "We are the Builders, Our City, Our Blueprint,” and was officially unveiled June 30.

The three murals work to capture various legacies of the formerly known “Chocolate City,” all in all conveying a common thread that it, truthfully, never left. Even more, it highlights the historic value of the past, present, and community in the District, which some say holds the foundation to help youth build the future.

“Five or 10 years from now, success will mean young people can see and feel that they have a place in the city’s future. They will have safe spaces where they belong, trusted adults and institutions that listen to them and meaningful op-

3 Students from the Garnet-Patterson S.T.A.Y Opportunity Academy in Northwest, D.C., bring “U Street: Then, Now and Next” to Southeast’s CareFirst Arena, honoring the living cultural legacy of one of D.C.’s most prominent historically Black neighborhoods. (Courtesy Photo)

portunities to contribute to their communities,” CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield wrote in a statement to The Informer. “The Oak Drive mural reflects that commitment by showing young people that their creativity, ideas and experiences matter.”

Their City, Their Stories

Garnet-Patterson

S.T.A.Y Opportunity Academy scholars created “U Street: Then, Now and Next” to honor the rich cultural legacy of the Northwest corridor once home to “Black Broadway.” Blending vibrancy and history, the piece encapsulates the breadth of one of D.C.’s most prominent historically Black neighborhoods –– from the first Black YMCA at 12th and U Street to modern movements like “Long-Live GoGo” and Moechella.

It also pays tribute to Liff’s Market’s Love DC Go-Go mural in Southeast and D.C. dancer Crazylegz, known as the “King of Beat Ya Feet.”

Also hailing from Northwest: Calvin Coolidge High School, where student artists leveraged their artwork to visualize time and the power of cultural memory.

D.C. is more than just a federal city. It is a collection of neighborhoods and communities that have nurtured distinctive cultures of creativity, learning, music, food, and sports. Its residents have contributed ideas that have been embraced by the country and have stimulated change.

EDUCATION

5 With a nod to Transform DC’s 2026 theme, "We are the Builders, Our City, Our Blueprint,” Anacostia High School students put on a blueprint-like depiction of the District’s historic landmarks and arts district. (Courtesy Photo)

MURALS from Page 28

“That piece really represents the community D.C. has, our music, culture, art, and the people here,” Jordynn said. “Looking at [it], different people can get different meanings from it, and…to be a part of that was really great.”

Using puzzle pieces, fingerprints, and blueprints symbolic of identity, the mural –– titled “A Piece of Time, Our Time” ––echoed some of the heart of D.C., celebrating the sounds of go-go and local culture, while highlighting how shared experiences ultimately form a united whole.

Meanwhile, Anacostia High School put the theme to work, and the artwork's name, in a blueprint-style depiction of some of the cultural landmarks in the Southeast neighborhood. Spotlights include the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, the Anacostia Metro sign, the Big Chair, and the high school itself, capturing the heart of the arts district that illuminates the nation’s capital.

“These pieces are thoughtful, bold and rooted in how our scholars see their communities,” said DCPS Interim Chancellor Dr. Kim Jackson. “Through art, they are adding to the creative energy and vibrant culture of Ward 8 in a way that only young people can.”

Behind the scenes, the benefit of the experience was bonding with classmates and creating memories, Jordynn said, but also moving towards a version of tomorrow that includes the young minds drawing the blueprint.

“Growing up in D.C., you get a different side of everything, and I

feel like it shaped me in many different ways, growing my character, courage and just becoming a better person,” she continued. “I want people to know that everyone has value and that they contribute to different things, and then I want them to feel confident and better within themselves. And if I can help them with art…that will just be really good to do.”

She also touted the value of more opportunities for youth to have a say in how their city looks, from the infrastructure and poli cies to other avenues of communal betterment. Similarly, according to CareFirst BlueCross BlueSh ield, prioritizing intentional, longterm collaboration––particularly among schools, organizations and city leaders––is essential to driving community progress in the Dis trict and beyond.

“We should also see measurable improvements in the conditions that shape their well-being,” read the company’s statement, “including better access to care, reduced food insecurity and stronger educational and economic opportunities.”

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As for those looking to attend graduations, sports games or simply passing by the Ward 8 arena, Jordynn extends an invitation to reimagine what matters most in the future of the nation’s capital.

“Everyone has their own identity as individuals, and [when we] come together…we make [D.C.] what it is,” she continued. “I hope that they talk about that. Everybody here has an important role in the community…and I want them to know that we create our future, and together, we can be a lot.”

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DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER QUARTET "WE EXIST!" • JOSHUA REDMAN QUARTET • KURT ELLING & YELLOWJACKETS CELEBRATE WEATHER REPORT • KES • CORY HENRY & THE FUNK

APOSTLES • NATE SMITH • DONALD HARRISON • EMMET COHEN: MILES AND TRANE AT

100 FEAT. TIVON PENNICOTT, JEREMY PELT, YASUSHI NAKAMURA AND JOE FARNSWORTH

EMMET COHEN TRIO • BILL FRISELL TRIO FEAT. THOMAS MORGAN & RUDY ROYSTON

DANILO PÉREZ TRIO: PANAMONK FEAT. BEN STREET & ADAM CRUZ • ETIENNE CHARLES & CREOLE SOUL • JANELLE GILL WITH SPECIAL GUEST AMINA CLAUDINE MYERS • MS. LISA FISCHER • ORRIN EVANS TRIO • MICHELE ROSEWOMAN AND QUINTESSENCE • NASAR

ABADEY AND SUPERNOVA • BRANDON WOODY'S UPENDO • AFRICAN RHYTHMS ALUMNI QUINTET: RANDY WESTON CENTENNIAL • CHELSEY GREEN • JASON MARSALIS

CHRISTIE DASHIELL • JAZZDC ALLSTARS DIRECTED BY PAUL CARR • CHUCK BROWN BAND

BEN WILLIAMS BAND • ISAIAH COLLIER “COLLIER PLAYS COLTRANE” • BUTCHER BROWN EKEP NKWELLE • ALFRED YUN • ALLYN JOHNSON TRIO • B3 SUMMIT VOL.2 WITH CHARLES COVINGTON, MIKE LEDONNE, LENNY ROBINSON, AND DAVE MANLEY • CHARLES

RAHMAT WOODS • CORCORAN HOLT QUINTET • DAN MURRAY • DOMAS ŽEROMSKAS

ELSA NILSSONBAND OF PULSES • FELIX CONTRERAS • FRAN VIELMA • HANNAH MARKS

HEIDI MARTIN ENSEMBLE • JOE BROTHERTON • JOSÉ ANDRÉ QUARTET • JOSÉ LUIZ MARTINS • KENNY RITTENHOUSE • LAURA ANGLADE • LUKE STEWART'S SILT TRIO

MARSHALL KEYS AND SOULFUL PATH • NEXT JAZZ LEGACY • PUREUM JIN & THE EMPRESS RICARDO TOSCANO • SAKOBI • SHACARA ROGERS • SHAREL CASSITY • SON CUBANO SUBTERRANEO • TOMMY CECIL TRIO • DC JAZZPRIX FINALS: AMINA SCOTT QUINTET, BOKANI DYER TRIO, JAMES FERNANDO TRIO, LUTHER S. ALLISON & POIESIS

LIFESTYLE Things To Do, DMV!

By Jordan Armstead WI Intern

The month of August is in full swing and welcomes the community to a weekend full of outdoor activities with opportunities to shop, watch, eat and interact with the best of what the DMV can offer. Check out a handful of the many events happening and dive into the Washington Informer Calendar for more.

Thursday, Aug. 6

Game Night and Mocktails 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Free Georgetown Neighborhood Library, 3260 R Street NW Washington, D.C., 20007

Come for the games, stay for the mocktails. Try a variety of board and card games while enjoying crafted mocktails and maybe meeting a few new friends along the way. Join Georgetown Library Friends for a relaxed and fun evening with more than 20 board games to choose from. Sip, play, unwind, and enjoy the warm community vibe.

Friday, Aug. 7

2026 Community Food & Craft Festival 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Free John Carlyle Square, 300 John Carlyle Street. Alexandria, VA, 22314

Get ready to taste local flavors and check out cool handmade crafts at the biggest community bash of the summer!

The 2026 Community Food & Craft Festival is, a fun-filled event featuring local vendors, artisans, food businesses, and unique shopping opportunities. Browse a wide variety of products and services, including handmade crafts, home décor, sweet treats and local small businesses.

Bethesda Outdoor Movies: Featuring Bring it On 8:45 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. | Free County Parking Lot 24, 4650 Willow Lane Bethesda, MD, 20815

“Bring It On” (2000) is a high-energy teen comedy follow-

THINGS TO DO from Page 30

ing Torrance Shipman (Kirsten Dunst), the new captain of a champion suburban cheer squad. She discovers her predecessor stole their winning routines from an inner-city team, led by Isis (Gabrielle Union) the determined captain of the other squad, forcing her create an original, authentic routine for Nationals.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early. A limited number of chairs will be provided, and guests can bring their own lawn chairs. Parking is available in the county parking lots adjacent to the event site.

Saturday, Aug. 8

Water Lantern Festival

5:30 p.m - 9:30 p.m| $25.00 to $50.00

Key Bridge Boathouse, 3500 Water Street Northwest Washington, D.C., 20007

Water Lantern Festival is an incredible experience where friends and families will create a magical memory together, by writing down hopes and dreams, or a letter to a loved one, and then sending it out into the Potomac River. Enjoy food trucks and music before the lantern launch at 8:30 p.m.

#CareFreeBlackGirl CookOut DC

2 p.m - 8 p.m|$18.69 - $59.23 Sycamore & Oak, 1110 Oak Drive SE Washington, D.C., 20032

The CareFreeBlackGirl CookOut is a safe space for Black femmes and allies to celebrate in full color. Come for the vibes, leave with community.

The cookout will feature an allblack women lineup including DJs, performers, and hosts that bring the energy. There will also be local Black, femme, and community-owned vendors for guests to shop, creative activations, giveaways and good vibes.

Sunday, Aug. 9

ROOTS x OYATO Fashion Pop-Up Experience

11 a.m to 6 p.m.| Free with general admission, $103.22 VIP Access Yolk Studio, 5600 Tuxedo Road Hyattsville, MD, 20781

ROOTS x OYATO is a curated fashion pop-up experience celebrating the creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural influence of African and diaspora designers.

Created by Lhaude Africa and The OYATO Collective in partnership with TapTap Send and DC Magazine, this marketplace brings together a select group of designers, tastemakers, and cultural brands for an immersive shopping experience rooted in heritage and elevated through modern design.

Whether a fashion lover, stylist, buyer or someone who values intentional design, ROOTS x OYATO invites the community to discover brands that are shaping the future of African fashion.

WI

Negar Ahkami

Sobia Ahmad

Mark Armbruster

Hannah Atallah

Aliana Grace Bailey

Sasha Baskin

Diego Borgsdorf

Kara Braciale

Danyela June Brown

Thea Canlas

Adam Chamy

Christina Chan

Aishwariya Chandrasekar

Alexandra Chiou

Se Jong Cho

C.S. Corbin

Pamela Crockett

Mary Early

Erin Fostel

Cianne Fragione

Emily Francisco

Kyle Hackett

Leslie Holt

Kei Ito

Savannah Faith Jackson

Omari Jesse

David Joo

Khin

Don Kimes

Sharon Cheuk Wun Lee

Madyha Leghari

Ringo Lisko

Joey Mánlapaz

Aynex Mercado

Margaret Murphy

Danielle Mysliwiec

Abdulrahman Naanseh

Javaid Nayyar

Jhon Ochoa

Katie O’Keefe

Nami Oshiro

Mojdeh Rezaeipour

Gail Shaw-Clemons

Alexandra Silverthorne

Anne C. Smith

Bria Sterling-Wilson

Melissa Sutherland Moss

Paloma Vianey

DOCUMENTARY from Page 4

Told from the heart, mind, and soul of Maurice White, the group's founder, who died in 2016, Questlove gets the late artist to explore his family life, career and influence.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY

With a powerhouse cast weighing in on the group’s life, work and contributions, the film offers audiences a strong and engaging look into Earth, Wind & Fire’s journey to success, stardom and an indelible legacy.

“Earth, Wind & Fire had that capacity to reimagine and reset limits,” said former President Barack Obama in the documentary. “They just decided, you know what, we're going up to the sky.”

Impact of Home Life

Though he died a decade ago, White feels very present and current throughout the film.

The documentary covers White’s troubled childhood, which led to a separation from his mother for many years when she moved to Chicago to make a better life for her family. Remaining in Memphis, Tennessee, he made a way for himself.

When White saw a drum and bugle corps come through town, he resolved that music was what he wanted to pursue. He taught himself to play the drums and was exposed to a variety of musical styles. When he graduated from high school in Memphis, his mother came to pick him up and brought him to Chicago.

“We have eight brothers and sisters,” said Verdine White, Maurice’s younger brother. “Our mother was a teacher’s aide, housewife and school teacher. Father was a doctor.”

The older brother found his way around Chicago and ended up at Chess Records, one of the most successful record labels for Black music. He became

the drummer for 1960’s jazz pianist/ composer/bandleader Ramsey Lewis--- who recorded his 1965 GRAMMY-winning hit “The In Crowd,” at Bohemian Caverns in D.C.--- and joined his trio in 1966.

“Ramsey exposed me to a wider universe, but I was very shy,” the artist said in the documentary. “Ramsey was a role model for me, and he taught me presentation.”

A Rocky Start

After three years, White left Lewis to form what would become Earth, Wind & Fire, drawing on his early musical influences in blues, gospel, and jazz, along with his curiosity about faith, meditation, astrology, and mysticism, to shape the group.

The first three Earth, Wind & Fire albums were produced by Warner Bros, then they signed with Columbia Records in 1972, where Clive Davis understood the fusion of jazz, R&B, and gospel that White wanted to produce.

Taking on the college concert circuit was the initial step toward a phenomenal 10-year run of successful recording and touring.

Staying true to his vision, White also wanted the group to convey a different message about Black people through their music.

“It was feeding through little souls like mine,” said Verdine White’s twin sister, Geraldine. “It was Black positivity”

Moving Up and Out With Stupendous Success

After several changes of musicians, the “Classic Nine” members of Earth, Wind & Fire consisted of: Maurice White, founder, lead vocals, kalimba,

DOCUMENTARY Page 43

RESTAURANT from Page 15

during the negotiations, he sought a deal through which, because of what he invested during construction, he could eventually own the building and pass on ownership to staff members.

“My position from the beginning was the project was aimed at bringing a community an amenity and a service that was not there and it was funded by the city,” Casten said. “The restaurant was supposed to be the amenity that they got in exchange for that favorable lease. I felt no rent was really due. They had not ever done what they said in the background of that to keep the deal moving.”

Looking Back: A Place of Employment for Deanwood Residents

For Shawn Little, The Strand DC was the place for authentic Washingtonians striving to make a way for themselves.

“You can always be yourself here,” said Little, 28. “As much as my manager always tells me I’m loud, everybody’s goofy. We all act a clown, but we’re all family. That’s the biggest thing about it.”

Little, a Southeast resident with family roots in Deanwood, worked as a waiter and bartender at The Strand DC from its inception to its final night. She said she learned about the job from her mother, who drove past the building one day. In talking about the restaurant’s closure, she said it turned her world upside down.

“We got a text message the next day saying that the restaurant is closed,” Little told The Informer. “I texted my manager and was like, ‘Is it closed for the day or is it just closed?’ and for him to say it's closed for good, that was a big bother. I couldn't come to a realization about it until I actually walked into the restaurant and saw everything being taken down.”

For Little, working at The Strand DC was an experience of a lifetime, even with periods of inactivity.

“My customers are what made it a little bit better at the end of the day,” she said. “I always had my regulars. Even outside the job, they still see and ask questions about the restaurant and what happened. But, there's really nothing we can do.”

The Strand DC’s closure hits a

“We got a text message the next day saying that the restaurant is closed,” Little told The Informer. “I texted my manager and was like, ‘Is it closed for the day or is it just closed?’ and for him to say it's closed for good, that was a big bother. I couldn't come to a realization about it until I actually walked into the restaurant and saw everything being taken down.”

bit harder for Robin Beverly, a lifelong Deanwood resident who lives next door at The Strand Residence.

“I'm just mad because when I come outside, I'm looking at my job,” Beverly told The Informer. Beverly, 58, served as a host at The Strand DC. She called her job, one where she greeted patrons as they entered, her first real employment opportunity as an adult. She questions whether she’ll be able to find a new job, especially since she’s a disability benefits recipient.

“It was beautiful,” Beverly said. “Everybody called me Aunt Robin or Mom. [Marc]tre was the first person to get me a start and trust me. I have memories of coming to work every day, just seeing people. Sundays were the best days because it was brunch.”

Former Strand DC bartender Chris Charles said that, even with its benefits, Strand DC’s future was always in jeopardy, especially without additional resources.

“I would hope that the D.C. government would be able to support us in keeping doors open, but I knew it was a risk,” said Charles, a Deanwood resident of seven years. “A restaurant like this would just financially do better downtown or in some of the other pockets and areas that would have more support and access than what's out there.”

Charles, a public health graduate student at American University, clinched a job at The Strand DC last summer after attending a brunch. He said the job, which has

EBOLA from Page 18

litical violence have remained broadly stable in areas affected by the Ebola outbreak, some developments involving the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), also known as the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) and the M23 are particularly concerning,” Senior Africa Analyst at Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) Ladd Sewart told The Informer.

Activity from the ADF, a Ugandan Islamist rebel group, intensified in May, as they consistently clashed with military forces, causing at least 250 deaths that month.

The organization also began increasing operations in Haute-Uele, which now has 39 confirmed Bundibugyo cases.

allowed for appreciation for his academic work, has placed him front and center during some of the venue’s more wholesome moments, like events attracting District students and families.

“Not only was it a safe place for people to come together as a meeting place in the area, it was just a nice community hangout,” Charles told The Informer. “People didn't have to go all the way uptown in order to go grab food or do X, Y, and Z, whatever they wanted to. There were more community events. The money was going back into the community that it needs and serves.”

As one of several employees who lost their job, Charles too has to find another means of earning income. He, however, said he’s given even greater thought to what the Deanwood community has lost with The Strand DC’s closure. He expressed his desire for the expansion of healthy food options in the community, whether through a grocery store or the stocking of fruits and vegetables at corner stores.

“It’s a step backwards,” Charles told The Informer. “It’s one more source of good food that we no longer have access to. Getting to other restaurants from this area is actually hard. It’s not as cheap to order DoorDash or order UberEats to this area as it is to other parts of the city. That’s one of the hidden economic costs that most people don't even think about or consider.” WI

istration.

“Although this practical engagement does not amount to formal political recognition, it can normalize interaction with M23’s parallel institutions and allow the group to present itself as a capable governing authority,” Sewart told The Informer. “By coordinating disease surveillance, treatment and other essential health services, M23 may also seek to build legitimacy among local residents.”

When fighting Ebola, the key to higher survival rates is reliable access to quick health care– something that could become complicated in the midst of political tensions. Infection treatment could also be used as leverage for armed groups to reinforce their power, which could add to the existing upheaval.

Sewart shared that while M23’s control in the region is being challenged, the group could use the outbreak to its advantage, especially if health responders need to communicate and coordinate with the group’s authorities and with facilities operating under its admin-

EXPLOSION from Page 8

the help they needed to rebuild their lives.”

Hanlon added that his department is proud to support this lawsuit, which he said would help protect Washingtonians by sending a clear message that negligent landlords will be held accountable.

“DOB continues to work closely with our partners to ensure that tenants understand their rights to safe housing and that owners face the consequences of not living up to their legal responsibility,” Hanlon stated.

Beyond recovering emergency housing costs, the lawsuit alleges the owners violated the District’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act by representing apartments as safe and habitable while allegedly failing to maintain them in compliance with housing, property maintenance and fire codes. Schwalb is asking the court to order repairs, award restitution and damages to affected tenants, impose

The majority of violence directed at health care providers consists of upset mobs and violence as a response to the strict handling of Ebola patients and those who have died from the outbreak. In order to ensure these professionals remain safe and those infected seek immediate treatment, Harneis said deeper community trust needs to be built.

Even with further trust, the people of Congo are in dire need of funding for the resources critical of their survival. According to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), the situation requires $2.1 billion, of which 55% remains unfunded. Skau says $75 million is needed to provide logistics such as warehousing, air services and food.

“This situation requires much more attention,” Skau said. “The funding we have… is far from enough.”

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civil penalties and prohibit future violations.

“The Attorney General’s action today is about holding landlords accountable to both tenants and District residents. Landlord neglect of poor housing conditions causes chaos and grief for tenants – and drains taxpayer dollars that are badly needed elsewhere,” said Chief Tenant Advocate Johanna Shreve.

She emphasized how the Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) helps residents like those affected by the challenges at the Columbia Road building.

“The OTA’s Emergency Housing Assistance Program provides displaced tenants with emergency housing when the government has to close an apartment building due to uninhabitable conditions. When the District can recoup these expenses from derelict landlords, this helps to ensure that the OTA can continue to assist affected tenants the next time a building closure causes displacement.” WI

review wi book

"Daily Life Along the Underground Railroad"

By Cassandra Newby-Alexander

c.2026, Harper

$75

184 pages

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

Head down. Keep it covered.

Make yourself as small as possible and don't say a word. Don't even sneeze, but when the time is right, be ready to jump and run. Run, zig-zag, crouched and quiet and don't stop. As in "Daily Life Along the Underground Railroad" by Cassandra Newby-Alexander, it's not easy but people did it every day for decades.

It was 1853 and Harriet Jacobs was "miserable."

"The monster who owned her" was abusing her, and his wife was jealous. Resulting children "bore too strong a resemblance to him," and it naturally vexed Jacobs. In 1861, she published a book about it; says Newby-Alexander, "the story of Harriet Jacobs … represents the life of many who were victims of slavery yet managed to escape …"

Though the danger existed for those who helped the enslaved escape, the Underground Railroad was strengthened by many people willing to shelter and shield those on the run. Cooks and stewards, Quakers, stationmasters and the formerly enslaved did their part, knowing that if they were caught, it could mean imprisonment or worse. Says Newby-Alexancer, slavery was "big business," often more lucrative than grain and tobacco crops the enslaved harvested. Escaped slaves were lost money.

The reasons for escape were many and varied, as were the methods of escape. Some formerly enslaved people walked away from their owners, just like that. Some ran, in broad daylight or overnight, leaving behind spouses and children with the hopes of reunion later. Some methodically made their way to seaports, where Black mariners would ferry them north to safe American cities; others went to Mexico or to Canada. Still others found their way to "Free Black Communities," to the Great Dismal Swamp near Norfolk, Virginia, or "Maroon communities" or among Indigenous people.

Kidnapping back into slavery was a constant threat, and being caught could make things worse. Laws were often lax. And while freedom was obviously overwhelmingly desirous, Newby-Alexander says that it was still "not a perfect happy ending …"

No doubt, you've heard the story of Harriet Tubman many times – so much, perhaps, that her larger-than-life tale might seem to overshadow the help that others lent. "Daily Life Along the Underground Railroad" shows readers that Moses was far from the only conductor.

In this book, stirring accounts of action, terror, abuse, and righteous desperation will make you forget about any repetition you'll find reading it. Author Cassandra Newby-Alexander brings to life tales of little-known conductors along the Underground Railroad, and enslaved people who were all but anonymous before. Readers may be particularly struck by the multitude of those who left family behind, often out of necessity, and by the complicated planning an escape took. These things, told plainly and with an urgency that still rings over the decades, will keep you glued to your seat.

If you are a student of Black history, "Daily Life Along the Underground Railroad" is a must-have, a book you'll reach for again and again. You want to be educated about that period of time and this book covers it well. WI

horoscopes

AUG. 6 - 12, 2026

ARIES The urge to control how a situation unfolds should probably lose to the urge to just see what happens. Somebody in your orbit has been quietly copying your approach to something, and it works better for them than it did for you. Midweek brings an unexpected win that has nothing to do with effort. You'll want to say something clever in a meeting; don't. The week you dread Sunday night turns out nothing like the one that shows up. Lucky Numbers: 9, 21, 60

TAURUS Money moves in your favor this week, but only if you stop checking the account so obsessively. There's a person you've been meaning to call back for weeks — the longer it sits, the bigger it gets in your head, the smaller it is in reality. A comfort you've relied on for years quietly stops working, and that's not a crisis, just a signal. Trust the secondhand version of events less than usual. Lucky Numbers: 14, 38, 52

GEMINI You'll talk yourself into and out of the same decision at least three times before Thursday. A compliment lands wrong because of who delivers it, not what it says — worth sitting with that distinction. Someone from your past resurfaces with no clear agenda, which is somehow more unsettling than if they had one. Lucky Numbers: 7, 19, 64

CANCER Grief, nostalgia, and plain old tiredness get tangled together this week, and separating them takes more effort than you'd like. A family obligation you agreed to reluctantly turns out to be the best part of your schedule. Watch for a door left slightly open, literally or otherwise — it matters more than it seems. You're allowed to want less from people this week without that meaning something is wrong. A kindness from a stranger lands harder than one from someone you know. Lucky Numbers: 3, 27, 71

LEO Recognition arrives from a direction you weren't looking in, which somehow makes it matter more. You'll be tempted to fix something that isn't actually broken — resist, at least until Friday. An old rivalry cools without either side officially calling a truce. Your generosity is tested by someone who won't say thank you, and the test is really about whether you needed the thank-you.. Lucky Numbers: 5, 33, 48

VIRGO The instinct to redo something already done well needs to be ignored this week. A number you've been avoiding — a scale, a bill, a calendar — finally gets looked at, and it's better than you braced for. Someone asks for your honest opinion and actually wants it this time, which throws you off. A routine you've protected fiercely gets interrupted, and the interruption turns out to be useful. Lucky Numbers: 16, 40, 63

LIBRA Fairness stops being the right goal for one particular conflict this week — someone just needs you to pick a side. An old debt, favor-based rather than financial, gets called in at an inconvenient time. You'll overhear something not meant for you, and the responsible move is forgetting it on purpose. A relationship that's felt one-sided lately corrects itself without a conversation. Lucky Numbers: 11, 29, 57

SCORPIO Something you've suspected for a while gets confirmed, and the relief outweighs the sting. A person you trust with almost everything holds something back this week, and it's not personal. Your radar for dishonesty is sharper than usual, so trust the gut reaction even without proof yet. An apology arrives later than it should have but lands anyway. Watch your energy around one particular person on Thursday — it's not worth the argument. Lucky Numbers: 2, 44, 68

SAGITTARIUS Restlessness peaks midweek and settles by the weekend, so don't make any big decisions on Wednesday. A trip, even a small one, solves a problem that sitting still couldn't. Someone mistakes your honesty for carelessness, and it's worth one sentence of clarification, not a whole defense. An old promise to yourself resurfaces at a convenient moment. Lucky Numbers: 8, 23, 55

CAPRICORN You'll be handed more credit than you think you deserve for something that was mostly luck — take it anyway. A long-term plan gets a sudden, welcome shortcut. Someone questions your judgment on something you're genuinely certain about, and holding your ground pays off this time. Lucky Numbers: 12, 31, 66

AQUARIUS An idea you assumed no one would take seriously gets picked up and run with by someone else entirely. Group plans fall apart and reassemble into something better than the original. Someone close to you needs less advice and more just company this week — notice the difference. Lucky Numbers: 17, 35, 59

PISCES A daydream you've kept private for a long time gets a real first step this week, however small. Someone reads too much into your quiet mood; a short, clear sentence fixes it. Money you'd written off reappears in a minor but welcome way. Your tendency to absorb everyone else's stress needs a firmer boundary this week, not a bigger effort. Lucky Numbers: 4, 26, 61

SPORTS

Inside Week One of Commanders Training Camp; Week Two Rings in First Padded Practice

By Skylar Nelson and Jonae Guest WI Contributing Writer and WI Photographer

The Washington Commanders wrapped up their first week of training camp, which included three non-padded practices and a walkthrough session headlined by their first fan day on Saturday, Aug. 1.

It was a thrilling opening week for Washington, highlighted by a dominant defensive performance, continued growth from quarterback Jayden Daniels, impressive showings from the running back and tight end rooms, and a nail-biting kicker competition.

“I would say it’s just a new team,” said Daniels. “Every year is a new year. From my rookie year, second year, to this year, this field has guys [who] bring energy themselves, within their own, on each side of the ball. You have those guys that have been here for a couple years, so you kind of know what [Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn] wants… what’s his standard, what he expects from everybody. We push that stan dard. You got great leaders on both sides of the ball.”

Here’s a look back at week one highlights:

Commanders Kickoff Week 2 of Training Camp With First Padded Practice

After a day off on Sunday, Aug. 2, the Commanders have now turned their attention to the next phase of training camp as a padded practice is the headliner of week two.

The first padded practice took place on Aug. 3, showcasing solid performances from running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, tight end Colson Yankoff, wide receiver Jaylin Lane, tight end Chig Okonkwo, and rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams, solidifying them as offensive standouts.

But these performances are nothing short of exciting to kick

and renewed identity.

“Having an identity for a team is important… But standards and identity of what you wanna be, it has to be established over time and consistently,” said Head Coach Dan Quinn. “And for us, we want our fans and our team and everybody watching us play say, ‘Man, these guys really bring it.’ And so, that’s what we want to establish, but it takes time for that to happen. And I’m looking forward to seeing this team… I’m pumped to see their connection happening quickly already. And that’s a good sign for a coach.”

Here’s a look inside Washington’s first padded practice:

4 Linebacker Frankie Luvu talks with the media after day two of Commanders training camp practice. (Jonae Guest/ The Washington Informer)

4 during group drills on day three of Commanders Training, marking the team’s first fan day 2026 at the BigBear.ai Performance Center on Aug. 1. (Jonae Guest/The Washington

CAPTURE

the moment

Thousands of people flocked to National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland on Aug. 1 for the third annual Black Books Matter Fest, hosted by Mahogany Books. An event promoting literacy in adults and youth, festival-goers of all ages were able to meet authors, dance to music, fellowship and support Black-owned vendors. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)

RELIGION

39 gubernatorial races slated for Nov. 3, ousting 21 incumbents who are term-limited or not seeking reelection.

In the meantime, record-breaking numbers of Black women candidates turned out in primaries across the nation, showcasing a slew of platforms poised to address some of the new-age attacks on health care, living wages, and other safety net protections on the ballot for voters like Holli Holiday, president of Sisters Lead, Sisters Vote.

“I would say, if you are a person who's running for office and you want Black women…to be how you attract voters, you better be talking about economic issues,” Holiday said during the “Black Women's Equal Pay Day Virtual Media Briefing” on July 21. “Not just cost of living, but … quality jobs…that allow us to pay for our families, benefits that allow us the security for when we are ill, and issues that protect not just today, but allow us to grow and experience growth in our future.”

The Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) and the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), in partnership with The Root, released the 10th Annual Power of the Sister Vote Poll findings [uncoincidentally] on the day of celebration for African American women’s progress in advancing pay equity.

Powered by Oxfam America and SEIU, Holiday sees the results as a guidepost to where Black women stand and how they might vote in November, coupled with insights on the wage, economic, and, “let’s face it, survival issues” predicted to tip the scales.

According to the Power of the Sister Vote Poll, target policies within or close to the 90th percentile include: protecting voting rights, reducing Black maternal deaths in childbirth, and lowering taxes, while protecting Social Security and Medicare and reducing the cost of living come in at 92 and 91 percent.

Ninety-one percent of the 1,000 Black women registered voters surveyed outline fighting discrimination

and racism, reducing healthcare and prescription costs, and the cost of living as core priorities, ostensibly when 38% say their pay does not align with rising prices.

Notably, Gen Z, despite struggling the most with meal fulfillment and rent payment, deem themselves “very hopeful” of the future, at least that’s the case for 32% of the Black women surveyed.

“They're not excited about democracy as it was, but they are excited about democracy as it could be, they are excited to be engaged in democracy as it could be,” Halliday explained. “As we continue to reach those voters, what we can do quite specifically is to join them in reimagining what's next and what we can build together.”

An avid advocate for intergenerational collaboration, Lee reminded that many of the household names that came out of the Civil Rights Movement were nothing short of fearless pupils who “didn’t ask for permission.” Be it rallying in arms across state landmarks or driving direct action through boycotts, sit-ins, and organizations like the SNCC, youth resistance historically responds to a need in the world, says Lee, and he sees that call still brewing in the young minds today.

“They just went, and they did the daggone thing,” Lee said, reflecting on the work of leaders like King and former Congressman John Lewis –both of whom were no older than college-age when they entered the movement.

“If there's room for more collaboration, I do think it's intergenerational, but I also think it’s us being able to share the reality of history,” Lee continued, “that a younger generation doesn't need to wait on it.”

At the historic intersection of religion and politics, he says he considers the role of the Black Church the same as it has always been: “just keep on fighting the good fight of faith.”

3 Residents, activists, faith leaders, and impacted families from around the nation rally in Washington, D.C., for the Moral Mondays day of action on Aug. 3, starting with a press conference in front of the Supreme Court. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

to see the first Black President of the United States.

“It's a job of education, it's a job of mobilization, it's a job of protection, and it's a job of continuing to keep hope alive,” said the Community Hope A.M.E. lead pastor. “The scripture talks about faith being the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We expect people to be faithful, yet we send them to hopeless school systems, hopeless health care systems, hopeless criminal justice systems and governmental systems.

“It's the church's role to be able to keep hope alive, and sometimes that means to fight against institutions that are shaped intentionally to tear people's hope down.”

100 Days, 1000 Marches: Barber’s Plan to ‘Change D.C. from the States Up’

As Lee calls on the church to put faith in the forefront of the voting rights fight, Bishop Barber echoed one call-to-action to leaders across all denominations: mobilize nonpartisan strolls to the polls.

“Think about what it would look like for people to see 1,000 of these marches; it would have a magnetic impact on drawing people out,” Barber told The Informer. “Jesus did his miracles based on what he met on the road, right in his immediate space, and pastors need to be mobilizing right now in their immediate space.”

Barber pointed to evidence in North Carolina, where, back in 2008, faith activists rallied for early voting registration to the beat of a million new voters. They never endorsed a candidate, but instead endorsed principles, he added, establishing a moral movement strictly meant to uplift democratic principles and ensure all American voices can be heard through the power of a vote.

That same election would go on

“If we look through history, you change D.C. from the states up––from Birmingham up, from North Carolina up,” said the bishop. “Maybe next year we need to have a massive agenda around particular pieces of public policy, but right now, many of us believe we need to say to everybody: organize your state, organize your local community, your city––that's where the power is.”

Moreover, the senior lecturer said it’s not enough to rally in arms, but rather to delve into a principle-based plan that he calls “the Acts One mobilization.”

In other words, advising faith leaders to:

• Start with their institution and make sure everybody there is registered and mobilized.

• Make sure congregants know what the issues are, and

• Then mobilize the two-mile radius around it.

Piggybacking off the push for a “movement vote,” the Moral Mondays Movement founder highlighted a timely note of why voter education and empowerment are crucial in any election––and especially at the state level.

“In North Carolina, we found out that when they gerrymander some districts, they gerrymander those districts based on 41% turnout. Those districts don't work if 45% of people turn out, if 48%...if 70% of Black folks––not even 100––turn out,” Barber explained to The Informer. “Right now, over 60% [of people] stay home, and 40% don’t vote. But if you flip that by just 20%, everything shifts––or it's possible. And that's what gives me a great deal of hope.”

In the meantime, CEO Campbell finds solace in knowing that the journey ahead is a collective effort, and the American people have God on their side.

“I'm cautiously optimistic,” Campbell admitted. “I'm on the hope side of what is being said, and believe that ‘what the Devil meant for bad, our God is going to make it good.’

“God is still in control…and we have all we need. It's a battle, [but] it's a battle we win.” WI

Baby boomers, let's talk. You built careers, raised families, marched for causes and carried this country on your backs through decades of change. Now many of you are stepping into retirement, and I want to speak directly to you today, not about slowing down, but about stepping up into a new kind of living.

You Were Never Meant to Retire From Purpose: There's a difference between retiring from a job and retiring from life. Your paycheck may stop, but your purpose doesn't have to. The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that God has plans to give us "hope and a future," and that promise didn't come with an age limit. Boomers, you still have wisdom, energy and influence that your community needs. Don't let anyone, including yourself, convince you that your best contributions are behind you.

Redefine What "Productive" Means: For most of your adult life, productivity meant a job title, a paycheck, a performance review. Now it's time to redefine the word. Productive can mean mentoring a young person trying to find their way. It can mean sitting with an elderly neighbor who's lonelier than you are. It can mean finally writing that book, teaching a Sunday school class or organizing your community around an issue you

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Baby Boomers: Your Best Years May Still Be Ahead the religion corner

care about. Productivity in this season is measured in impact, not income.

Guard Your Health Like

You Guarded Your Career: You worked hard to build something over 30 or 40 years. Don't let poor health steal your ability to enjoy it. Get your annual checkups. Move your body daily, even if it's just a walk around the block. Watch your blood pressure, your sugar, your stress. Your body carried you through decades of responsibility; now it deserves your attention and care in return.

Stay Connected, Don't Disappear: Boomers are sometimes called the generation that "did it all," but even the strongest among us can quietly slide into isolation after retirement. Don't let that be your story. Stay in your church family. Reconnect with old friends. Join a civic group, a walking club and Bible study. Call your children and grandchildren, not just on holidays, but often. Loneliness is one of the biggest health risks facing retirees, and community is the antidote.

Keep Learning, Keep Growing:

This generation grew up believing in progress, in bettering yourself, in pushing forward. Don't stop now. Take a class. Learn a new

skill. Explore technology that connects you to your grandchildren's world. Read Scripture with fresh eyes. Growth doesn't have a retirement age.

Get Your House in Order: Practical wisdom matters too. Review your will, your finances, your healthcare directives. Have honest conversations with your family about your wishes. This isn't about fear; it's about stewardship and leaving your loved ones with clarity and peace instead of confusion.

Leave a Legacy, Not Just an Inheritance: Money and property are one kind of inheritance, but your legacy is bigger than that. It's the faith you modeled, the wisdom you passed down, the love you showed and the example you set for handling life's second half with grace. Boomers, you have the chance right now to leave a legacy that outlives any bank account.

A Word to Close On: You are not "used up." You are not "done." You are simply being repositioned by God for a different assignment, one with more freedom, more wisdom and, if you let it, more joy than you've ever known. Walk into this season with your head held high, your faith intact and your heart open to what's next. WI

Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax 202-338-4958

Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org

All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant

401 Van Buren St., NW, Washington D.C. 20012 Office (202)-882-8331

Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331 Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday "Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ."

Website: Theplbc.org Email: churchclerk@theplbc.org

Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 001412

Florine Jones Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW #400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed

Personal Representative of the estate of Florine Jones who died on June 6, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/23/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 1/23/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 7/23/2026

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2026 ADM 000708

Juanita White Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Avis (White) Thomas, whose address is 6910 Simmons Lane, Clinton, MD 20735, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Juanita White who died on June 14, 2026 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/30/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 1/30/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 7/30/2026

Avis (White) Thomas Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 FEP 000094

12/5/2025

Date of Death

Clifton George Young Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Lisa Rosalind Holt whose address is 6102 Moyer Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Clifton George Young, deceased, by the Register of Wills Court for Montgomery County, State of Maryland, on 6/17/2026.

Service of process may be made upon Melinda Bolling, Esq., 2108 31st Street, SE, Washington, DC 20020 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 3134 Berry Road, NE, Washington, DC 20018

The decedent owned District of Columbia personal property. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: 7/30/2026

Lisa Rosalind Holt Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2026 ADM 000760

Mabel Dickens Morgan Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Jacquelyn Dickens Morgan, whose address is 1390 Kenyon Street, NW #701, Washington, DC 20010, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mabel Dickens Morgan who died on 5/23/2026 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/30/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 1/30/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 7/30/2026

Jacquelyn Dickens Morgan Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 ADM 000299

Estate of Fred Morris Glover

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Yvette M. Thompson for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative

Date of first publication: July 30, 2026

Yvette M. Thompson 803 Vauxhall Road Landover, Maryland 20785

Petitioner/Attorney:

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 001451

George Edward Thomas Sr. aka George Edward Thomas Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

George Edward Thomas Jr., whose address is 9338 Clifford Dr., White Plains, Maryland 20695, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of George Edward Thomas Sr. aka George Edward Thomas who died on 11/16/2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/30/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 1/30/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 7/30/2026

George Edward Thomas Jr. Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 FEP 000096

7/14/2025

Date of Death

Marjorie J. Solack Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Lara Lasher whose address is 12856 Snowbird Court, Lovettsville, VA 20189 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Marjorie J. Solack, deceased, by the Circuit Court for Loudoun County, State of Virginia, on June 30, 2026. Service of process may be made upon Kezia Constantine 211 44th Street NE, Washington, DC 20019 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned District of Columbia personal property. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: 7/30/2026

Lara Lasher

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 ADM 000725

Georgia Carol Johnson Herron Decedent

LaShana D. Miller 5425 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 600 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Carolivia Herron, whose address is 6514 Seventh Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Georgia Carol Johnson Herron who died on October 25, 2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/30/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 1/30/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 7/30/2026

Carolivia Herron

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 ADM 000702

Sandra Y. Johnson aka Sandra Yvonne Johnson Decedent

Valerie J. Edwards 1800 M Street, NW, Suite 450N Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Andria Lynette Barbee, whose address is 12704 Redgrave Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sandra Y. Johnson aka Sandra Yvonne Johnson who died on February 6, 2026 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/30/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 1/30/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 7/30/2026

Andria Lynette Barbee Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2026 ADM 000494

Maria Elena Rosales-Norwood Decedent

Brian L. Kass, Esq. 4301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 434 Washington, DC 20008 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Brian L. Kass, whose address is 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 434, Washington, DC 20008, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Maria Elena Rosales-Norwood who died on December 9, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/30/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 1/30/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 7/30/2026

Brian L. Kass Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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WALKER from Page 26

of the Congressional Black Caucus are members of one of the Divine Nine organizations.

With the gutting of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, Black political representation in Congress is at risk. Gov. Moore, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, accepting the sorority's community award, rejected the notion that the question is whether AKA is ready.

"When there's ever a question about whether the AKAs are built for a moment like this, let's be clear: the AKAs were built in a moment like this," he said. "Let's not pretend like 1908 was easy. Let's not pretend like 1908 was simple. Let's not forget in 1908, you had the Springfield race riot. In 1908, you had the oppressive peak of Jim Crow."

Moore's history was precise. Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded at Howard University in January 1908.

That August, a white mob rampaged through Springfield, Illinois — the riot that spurred the founding of the NAACP the following year. The Divine Nine were not built in calm waters. They were built in the storm.

Sellers told the workshop what this storm looks like. In April, the Supreme Court ruled in Louisiana v. Callais that voting rights plaintiffs must now show a strong inference that a state intentionally discriminated — a standard Justice Elena Kagan described as rendering the VRA "all but a dead letter." Within weeks, Southern states began dismantling majority-Black congressional districts.

"In Alabama, in Mississippi, in Georgia, in Arkansas, in Texas, and in Florida, we had Black elected officials because we could go out and vote for people who we believed shared our same lived experiences

GARNER from Page 26

None of those decisions took a committee. At IdeaCrew, if our three senior leaders agree, we move. I spent two decades in the corporate world, where charitable giving ran through exposure analyses and customer reviews. There's another way: see a need, confirm you can meet it, and act. Small firms are built for this. Agility is the one advantage we will always have over companies a hundred times our size.

The medical debt work shows what that looks like when it's pointed well. We didn't pick the cause out of a brochure. We build the marketplaces

and that represented our interests," Sellers said. "When you wake up in November, that no longer will be the case. No matter if we win, lose, or draw, no matter if Hakeem Jeffries is the Speaker of the House we will have less Black Caucus members than we've had before. And in two years, we'll have even less."

Sellers knows the cost of this fight in his bones. His father, Cleveland Sellers, was an early member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

"When my dad and Stokely and everybody were going around yelling Black Power, they weren't trying to shoot you," he told the room. "They were talking about Black economic power and Black political power. So when they were in the depths of Mississippi, that's what Black Power actually meant."

Gov. Moore offered Maryland as proof that the storm can be answered. With the support of the AKAs, he said, the state passed its own voting rights act, and he has called the legislature into special session rather than, in his words, "sit on our hands while we're being punched in the face." He cited more than $1.3 billion in state investments in HBCUs, "unapologetically," and legislation confronting book bans: "You will not ban books inside the state of Maryland."

Congresswoman Underwood was practical about what comes next. She urged the members to take the mobilization where the voters are — online — "creating content that is engaging and informative on the issues that matter: issues like the high cost of living and how we can take action in this election to lower housing costs, healthcare costs."

Sellers pressed the same point about the message. When Southern states

where people shop for health coverage, so we could see what sits one step downstream: the bills that arrive after coverage falls short. The District proved the problem was solvable when it erased $42 million in medical debt in 2024. We knew the partner, understood the system, and stepped in where our work already pointed.

I won't pretend business giving should carry this weight alone. Some of these burdens exist because larger systems aren't catching people, and philanthropy is not a substitute for fixing them. But Washington has never lacked for talk. What our communities need, here and everywhere our neighbors are struggling,

refuse to expand Medicaid, he said, rural hospitals close—"and when your rural hospital closes, it's not just the fact that you don't have access to care. It's your largest employer in the county." Then came the workshop's bluntest warning, aimed at his own party: "We cannot over the next 107 days simply believe that saying ‘I'm not Donald Trump' is enough to win an election."

The Divine Nine organizations were all founded before the passage of the Voting Rights Act, and they have now outlived its full protection. They were built between 1906 and 1922 — the decades after Black representation had been driven out of Congress and the ballot stripped away across the South — as infrastructure for a people the law had abandoned. Their mission of racial uplift has not changed.

Sellers told the women what he believed their assignment was.

"I'm talking to you all as apostles," he said. "I'm not trying to teach you something. I'm trying to give you something to go out and share."

Gov. Moore reached for the same idea through the ancestors.

"It's not a recognition of what we've done already. It's a standard for what we're still yet to get done," he said, closing with the words every member in the hall knew by heart, from the hymn James Weldon Johnson — himself a member of Phi Beta Sigma — gave to Black America: "Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, let us march on till victory is won."

Nearly 27,000 women left Las Vegas at the week's end and carried that assignment home across the country — members of an organization that predates the Voting Rights Act, now asked to repair its gutting.

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is more action.

So here's my invitation to every business leader in this region. Look one step downstream from what your company already does. The problem you're equipped to see is sitting there, and someone is already working on it who needs what you have. Bring your dollars, your expertise, and your urgency to their table. You don't need a foundation, a committee, or a strategy deck. Whether you're a big company or a small D.C. CBE like us, you can make an impact. My father was right: we are only as strong as the communities we work in. Strengthening them is everyone's business. WI

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KIMBER from Page 27

the governments and institutions that supported the enslavement economy — and received no compensation for that labor.

During much of the Civil War, the Militia Act of 1862 allowed Black soldiers to be paid less than white soldiers. Black soldiers received $10 per month, with $3 deducted for clothing, leaving only $7 in take-home pay. White soldiers received $13 per month with no clothing deduction. Congress did not correct this inequity for two years.

DEBNAM from Page 27

Emancipation without economic justice and equality was the order of that period of American history. In April 1862 — months before President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation — Congress passed the District of Columbia Emancipation Act. The law freed roughly 3,000 Black people, but its benefits were unequal: Enslavers received compensation of up to $300 per enslaved person, while the people who had labored without pay received nothing unless they agreed to relocate outside the United States, where they

both cases, the communities most impacted are too often the same ones that have historically been excluded from decision-making and targeted for exploitation.

SIMPSON from Page 27

decades of congressional incumbency. The significance of that victory extends far beyond a single race. It challenged one of the Democratic Party's oldest operating assumptions that incumbency, fundraising strength, and institutional support are enough to guarantee political security.

These developments reveal a consistent pattern. Voters are nominating candidates who feel culturally aligned with present-day realities and less connected to institutional politics. The traditional advantages that once protected long-standing political figures are no longer functioning with the same reliability they once did.

For decades, Democratic politics has operated through a relatively stable internal ecosystem. Incumbency created security. Party endorsements reinforced fundraising. Institutional relationships protected political longevity. That formula now appears increasingly vulnerable. However, this shift may not be purely ideological, especially given the too-often-repeated interpretation that these victories are evidence that Democratic voters simply want the party to move further left. That conclusion may be incomplete.

An important question remains unanswered: Are voters embracing progressive ideology itself, or are they responding to something broader, like authenticity, urgency, cultural relevance, and a desire for candidates who communicate as if they genuinely understand the economic anxiety defining modern American life?

That distinction matters in real time, and if this moment is primarily ideological, these victories may remain concentrated in safely Democratic districts

would get $100. The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery in the United States but preserved a loophole allowing involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. Former slaveholding states exploited that exception through Black Codes, convict leasing and Jim Crow laws, using the criminal legal system to restrict Black freedom and preserve the economic control and wealth of former slaveholders.

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Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

America should be moving toward greater equity, stronger protections, and healthier communities, not rolling back progress. We need leadership willing to stand

and liberal urban centers.

However, if voters are responding to communication style, generational identity, and candidates perceived as more connected to lived experience, the implications extend far beyond isolated local races.

That becomes particularly important in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada, where elections are won not through ideological purity but through broad coalition politics. Candidates must simultaneously motivate younger voters while maintaining support among moderates, union households, independents, suburban voters and persuadable working-class communities, which is where the Democratic Party faces a genuine strategic dilemma.

For years, Democratic messaging has centered around policy expertise, institutional competence, and protecting democratic norms. Those priorities remain important, but younger voters appear motivated by something different. They are rewarding candidates who project urgency, emotional clarity, economic empathy, and a level of directness often absent from traditional party communication.

What makes this moment even more significant is that many of these campaigns share a common structural advantage. Across many of these races, candidates have benefited from organizing models associated with groups like Democratic Socialists of America, organizations that have consistently invested in grassroots candidate recruitment, volunteer mobilization, and message discipline over multiple election cycles.

This should not be dismissed as sim-

up to corporate influence, protect voting access, and prioritize people over profit.

The future of our democracy and public health depends on it.

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ply progressive enthusiasm. It actually represents a growing organizing infrastructure operating inside the broader Democratic ecosystem, one capable of identifying voter frustration and converting that frustration into measurable political power.

The Democratic Party now faces a choice: It can dismiss these victories as isolated disruptions confined to progressive strongholds, or it can seriously examine what these campaigns reveal about how a growing segment of the electorate now engages with politics. The lesson here may not be ideological, but more so organizational.

These implications may soon reach presidential politics and the next Democratic presidential nominee will almost certainly face a coalition that is growing divided between traditional institutional Democrats and a younger electorate shaped by grassroots political movements, economic populism, and candidates operating outside conventional party structures. That tension will likely influence everything from primary endorsements and campaign messaging to turnout strategy and coalition management in a national election.

If party leadership misreads this moment, Democrats risk entering future presidential races with a political playbook designed for an electorate that is rapidly changing beneath them. What we are witnessing is not simply a series of isolated primary victories. It is the early stage of a fundamental reorganization of power inside the Democratic Party itself. And whichever faction learns to understand this shift first may very well determine the future direction of American presidential politics for the next generation. WI