Issuu

I N S I D E

Curry: Can Obama Better Support HBCUs?, Pg. 25

I N S I D E

Update: Ward 8 Council Race, Pg. 4

Informer Co-sponsors Annapolis Tour, Pg. 26

New Stamp Honors Black MIT Grad, Pg. 16

Malcolm X: Gone But Not Forgotten, Pg. 36

Vol. 50, No. 19 Feb. 19 - Feb. 25 2015

Participants in the 5th Annual Washington Informer African American Heritage Tour explored Annapolis, Maryland, making stops at signiﬁcant landmarks connected to black history on a daylong motor coach and walking tour on Saturday, Feb. 14. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

Ex-Felons Face Daunting Odds – Is It Double Jeopardy?

Returning Citizens, Families Address Obstacles During Recent Symposiums By D. Kevin McNeir WI Managing Editor Depending on what report you read or what expert you believe, an estimated 60,000-plus men and women are released from prisons and jails each year, becoming part of the District’s ever-increasing number of “re-

turning citizens” that come back home after serving their time. And, while it’s hard enough to adjust after decades – even a few years – of incarceration, those who find themselves saddled with felony records find the odds stacked even higher against them, which makes it that much more difficult for them to retain

their freedom and get on with their lives. In D.C., February has been designated as Re-entry Reﬂection Month. And several nonproﬁt organizations and advocates have sought creative ways to hear the cries of returning citizens and their families while also sharing those concerns

with elected ofﬁcials, potential employers and other fair-minded citizens and advocating for change. The director of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, co-sponsor of the Women’s Re-entry Symposium 2015, which was held on Saturday, Feb. 14, at The Temple of

Praise in Southeast, said men’s needs tend to be addressed ﬁrst. “For so long, women have been ignored in the criminal justice system, so [we] decided to commit some of our resources to them because of their unique needs,” said Nancy Ware. “We

EX-OFFENDERS Page 8

Celebrating 50 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area

“Is Everwhere!”

The CoLumn

The Hellians

Lucifer Atty Tilman Gerald

“The 2015 Hellians”

The Hellians (All Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity “Kappa Men”) celebrated their annual Valentine’s Dinner Dance at the Hyatt in Washington, DC. President Hellian Tillman Gerald (Also know as Lucifer of the group) and the other little devils appeared to enjoy the camaraderie of their guest and friends as they honored their ladies on Valentine’s Day!

20015 Hellians Members Hellian Leroy Clay, Jr., Seated (L-R) Hellian Dr. Michael Fauntroy, Hellian Dr. Nathan Fletcher, Hellian Dr. Carl AnderMimms, Oscar Dr. Hellian Gerald, Tillman Hellian Charles Mahone, Lucifer son, Hellian Dr. Wiliam Morris, & Hellian Kirk Geter Atty. Robert Jenkins, Standing (L-R) Hellian Robert Taylor, Hellian Erick Jeckson, Hellian Brewer & Hellian, Hellian Atty. Robet Cooper, Hellian Atty. Charles Baron, Hellian Kenneth Atty. Presley Reed

Hellian Dr. William & Phyllis Morris Hellian Leroy & Carolyn Clay Jr.

Hellian Atty. Charles & Martha Baron Hellian Kirk & Judge Melaine Geter

Hellian Dr. Carl & Ida Anderson

Hellian Dr. Michael & Atty. Lisa Fauntroy

Hellians Dr. Charles & Dr. Jo Ann Mahone, Jr.

Hellian Robert & Donna Taylor Dr. Charles Vincent & “Mickey “Thompson (Widow of Judge” Turk” “Thompson

Chief Judge Erik Washington with his sister

Mr. Joe Brown & Dr. Marilyn Brown & s Dr. Samuel Guilory Atty. Donald Thigpen & Atty. Felicia Chamber Gwynn Collins & Rachel Williams

Hellian Atty. Robert & Katherine Cooper

Hellian Kenneth Brewer

Council Member Candidate Ward 4 Brandon Todd with Carolyn Trice

Hellian Atty. Robert & Dr. Tanek Jenkins

Hellian Presley Reed & his wife Atty. Cheryl Teare Hellian Erick & Shelly Jackson

Want to be a Social Sightings?

MajGen. John Hawkins & Michelle Hawkins

(Far Right) Mrs. Elsie Bryant (Widow of Hellian Andrew Bryant)

Subscribe to Social Sightings (The MagaZine) at www.SocialSightings.com

Kurt Pommonths, Sr, Photographer * Photo Enhancer * Graphic Designer Social Sightings (The CoLumn) can be found in The Hill Rag, DC Mid-City & East of the River Magazines 2003 © SOCIAL SIGHTINGS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED — DUPLICATION IN ANY FORM REQUIRES WRITTEN PERMISSION | E-mail SocialSightings@aol.com

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2/19/2015 – 2/25//2015 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Pages 14-15 BUSINESS Pages 18-19 COMMENTARIES Pages 23-25 BLACK HISTORY SECTION Pages 26-35 LIFESTYLE Pages 36-39 Theodore Mack (right), chair of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, welcomes Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes and others who traveled to Annapolis, Maryland for the 5th Annual Washington Informer African American Heritage Tour at the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center in the Maryland capitol on Saturday, Feb. 14. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

SPORTS Pages 40-41

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Women Break the Cycle of Domestic Violence

AROUND THE REGION

By Tia Carol Jones WI Staff Writer

Visit our updated Web site and give us your comments for a chance to win a gift from The Washington Informer

When L.Y. Marlow's 23-yearold daughter told her the father of her daughter threatened her life, and the life of their child, she knew something had to be done. Out of her frustration with law enforcement's handling Email comments to: of the situation, she decided to rburke@ start the Saving Promise campaign. washingtoninformer.com “It seems to be a vicious cycle that won't turn my family Marion loose,”Christopher Marlow Barry said. Marlow shared her story with the audience at the District Heights Domestic Violence Symposium on May 7 at the District Heights Municipal Center. The symposium was sponsored by the Family and Youth Services By Barrington M. Salmon Center of the city of District WI Staffand Writer @bsalmondc Heights the National HookUp of Black Women. Marlow written a book, If a largehas stash of cash were “Color Butterfly,”towhich is a the onlyMe determinant winning about race, four generations of astory political LaRuby May domestic violence. would be well on theThe waybook to vic-is inspired her of owna experiences, tory. May,byone number of and those of her people running forgrandmother, the Ward 8 her mother and her daughter. council seat is well ahead of her She said every time she reads rivals. excerpts from her book, she still In Memoriam According ﬁled Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. can not believetotherecords words came Wilhelmina J. Rolark with the D.C. Board of Elections, from her. “Color Me Butterfly” The Washington Informer Newspaper May, Ward 8 resident for more won athe 2007 National “Best THE WASHINGTON INFORMER than a decade InPUBLISHER Memoriam Books” Award.and the executive NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414)Dr.isCalvin W. Rolark, Sr. Denise Rolark Barnes director of Victo“I was of just Vision 16-years-old when published weekly on each Thursday. Wilhelmina J. Rolark ry Child Development Center, my eye first blackened and my Periodicals postage paid at WashingSTAFF WASHINGTON INFORMER lips bled,” Marlow amassed a war chestsaid. of $177,000 ton,THE D.C. and additional mailing of- NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly Thursday. Periodicals paid at Washington, D.C. and additional Elaine ﬁces. Newsonand advertising deadlinepostage during the Davis-Nickens, latter part of lastpresiyear. Denise W. Barnes, Editor mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. is Monday prior to publication. Andent of the National Sheila Bunn, scion ofHook-Up a promAnnouncements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2000 by The D. Kevin McNeir, Managing Editor nouncements must be received two of Black Women, said there Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POST MASTER: Send change of addressinent Ward 8 family, pulledis no in weeks event. Copyright 2015 consistency in the wayradio domestic es toprior The to Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, almost $52,000 while talk Ron Burke, Advertising/ Marketing Director by D.C. The 20032. Washington Informer. All No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permisviolence issues dealt with by show host andarepolitical activrights POSTMASTER: sionreserved. from the publisher. TheSend Informer Newspaper cannot return Lafayette Barnes, IV,guarantee Assistant the Photo Editorof change of addresses to The rates Washphotographs. Subscription are $30 per year, two years $45. Papers will be received ist Eugene Kinlow had $42,000 not more than 3117 a weekMartin after publication. MakeE.checks payable to: ington Informer, Luther John De Freitas, Sports Photo Editor and Ward 8 Dems President NaKing, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. talie Williams raised more than THE WASHINGTON INFORMER Dorothy Rowley, Online Editor 20032. No part of this publication may 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. • Washington, D.C. 20032 $31,000. be reproduced without written permisBrian• Young, Design & Layout Phone: 202 561-4100 Fax: 202 574-3785 Some Ward 8 residents have sion from the publisher. The Informer E-mail: news@washingtoninformer.com Newspaper cannot guarantee the return said they like that so many candiMable Neville, Bookkeeper www.washingtoninformer.com of photographs. Subscription rates are dates are vying for the seat held Mickey Thompson, Social Sightings columnist $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will by the late Ward 8 Council memPUBLISHER be received not more than a week after Denise RolarkPalmer, Barnes Social Media Specialist ber and four-time Mayor Marion Stacey publication. Make checks payable to: S. Barry. Others say they’re conSTAFF REPORTERS Angie Johnson, Circulation THE WASHINGTON Brooke N. Garner INFORMER Managing Editor Tia C. Jones, Ed Laiscell, fused by the sheer number of Carla PeayLuther King, Assistant Managing Editor Odell B. Ruffin, Larry Saxton, 3117 Martin Jr. Ave., S.E individuals. Ron Burke Advertising and Marketing Mary Wells, Joseph Young Washington, D.C. 20032 REPORTERS Mable Whittaker Bookkeeper That means that everyone Phone: 202 561-4100 Stacy Brown, Sam P.K. Collins, Eve Ferguson, LaNita Wrenn Administration PHOTOGRAPHERS seeking to grab that council seat Fax:John 202 574-3785 E. De Freitas Sports Elton Editor Hayes, Lafayette Barnes, IV, D. Kevin McNeir, Dorothy news@washingtoninformer.com has to conjure up ways to stand Victor Holt Photo Editor John E. De Freitas, Maurice Fitzgerald, Salmon www.washingtoninformer.com Zebra Designs, Inc. Layout & Graphic Rowley, Design Barrington Joanne Jackson, Roy Lewis, Robert out from the crowd. Ken Harris /www.scsworks.com Webmaster Ridley, Victor Holt Kinlow, 53, himself a member of a prominent Ward 8 family, CIRCULATION Paul Trantham PHOTOGRAPHERS said he’s running an aggressive John E. DeFreitas, Shevry Lassiter, campaign and has a track record Roy Lewis, Travis Riddick , Nancy Shia of working for and helping to build a part of the city where he’s spent the majority of his life. 4 / May 15 - 21, 2008 The Washington Informer / www.washingtoninformer.com “I have experience, vision, a plan and leadership,” said

law enforcement. She said they had come together to bring a sense of uniformity in the way domestic violence victims and survivors are treated. “She's using her own personal story, her own personal pain to push forward,” Davis-Nickens said about Marlow. Davis-Nickens said anyone who reads Marlow's book will “get it.” She said she “puts the case in such a way, the average person can get it.” She said at the end of the day, the book will Natalie Williams help people begin to have a dialogue about domestic violence. Also present at the event was Mildred Muhammad, the exwife of John Allen Muhammad, who was sentenced to six consecutive life terms without parole by a Maryland jury for his role in Kinlow, whoSniper most attacks recently the Beltway in hosted WPFW’s “DC Politicsis 2002. Mildred Muhammad Hour.” “People, in the oneTrauma, word, the founder of After want more. Fifty years an organization that helps ago, the we had sit-down restaurants, a survivors of domestic violence Woolworth’s Five & Dime, comand their children. “I lived in fear forand six jobs years.that Six munity commerce years ininfear long time. It stayed theis acommunity. Foris not anpeople, easy thing come hisout some that’s toancient of,” she tory, andsaid. new people didn’t even Mildred Muhammad said know. people who want wanttotoseehelp “Residents morea domestic violence victim must commerce, development on be careful of how they go into their streets life, andand young people the victim's understand with productive jobs. They want that she may be in “survival universities, a university presmode”. ence. Theyyou wantgettotojoin thegoing rest “Before 'I'm of to the kill city.” you,' it started as a verbal Ward 8, Kinlow explained, has the best views in the city and some of the best people as well. “People have been sold a false bill of goods,” said the husband and father of two, who has lived on the same street in Bellevue since the late 1960s. “The biggest misconception is that people outside have been brainwashed to think that Ward 8 is a third world country. When people come here, they’re told not to go to Anacostia or Ward 8. People spend time trying to ﬁgure out how to get around it. “I’ve been all over the city, but people have a tangible, unreasonable fear of Ward 8. But all neighborhoods have crime, Adams Morgan and elsewhere.” Bunn said running for the council seat is something she’s thought about for a long time. “When Mr. Barry passed away, I thought this was an opportunity to step up for the ward. This is my time,” she said during an interview at her campaign ofﬁce. “People’s reactions have been re-

threat,” she said. Among the programs Marlow wants to see implemented are stricter restraining order policies, more rights for victim's families to intervene on behalf of a victim, a domestic violence assessment unit coupled with further training for law enforcement agencies, a Child's Life Protection Act and mandatory counseling for batterers. “If we are ever going to eradicate domestic violence, we must look at both sides of the coin. Eugene Kinlow We need to address both the victim and the batterer,” Marlow said. Marlow would also like to see programs designed to raise awareness among children in public and private schools. She feels children need to be educatally good and positive. A lot of ed about domestic violence. people mybeing work pasand “We know have about to stop experience. People want a repsive-aggressive with poor chilresentative of scandals and dren aboutfree domestic violence,” personal issues. They want that Marlow said. person to has bringworked resources and Marlow to break work.” the cycle of abuse in her family, Bunn, the mother a 4-yearand is confident the of policies she is pushing willonestart old daughter,forsaid of that her process. is the 19 years she strengths “I plan to take to spent as chief ofthese staffpolicies for D.C. Congress and implore them to Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norchange our laws,” Marlow said. ton and deputy chief of staff for “I will not stopVincent until these poliformer Mayor C. Gray. cies“Iarehave passed.” experience working Carol Jones can be reached forTiatwo great leaders. I was at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net intimately [involved] in developingWI a legislative voice for Ward 8 behind closed doors,” she said. “They may not have listened all the time, but often you don’t have someone at the table ﬁghting for Ward 8. I did so at the local and federal level.” Bunn said this is a pivotal time in the ward, particularly with a new mayor, several new members of the D.C. Council and tremendous changes transforming Washington, D.C. Communities east of the Anacostia River are on the cusp of the change already deepening in other parts of the city. And much more change is in the ofﬁng. Bunn, a Bellevue resident, said her roots run deep in Southeast. “I’ve seen all the changes. My dad was the president of the Ward 8 Democrats, and Dad instilled in me the caring for the L.Y. Marlow community. I was always with him. For me, this is easy.” One candidate, who by name recognition has an enormous built-in advantage, is Marion Christopher Barry. The 34-year-

Ward 8 Race Heats Up, Thins Out

The Washington Informer

“

4 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

“

We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these policies to Congress and implore them to change our laws. I will not stop until these policies are passed.

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Questions Remain About Metro Incident By Barrington M. Salmon WI Staff Writer@bsalmondc More than a month after smoke filled a Yellow Line train and tunnel at L’Enfant Plaza, leaving more than 200 commuters trapped underground, officials from WMATA say they still don’t know what caused the problem. The Jan. 12 incident left one woman – Alexandria resident Carol I. Glover – dead, 200 trapped underground for more than half an hour and 84 people in hospital. Glover’s family has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit, the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation that could take months to complete and city officials are searching for answers. Ward 5 Council member Kenyan McDuffie, who served as cochair of a joint public oversight roundtable to examine the responses of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the city’s public safety agencies, said commuters are seeking the assurance that traveling on Metro is safe. “My overall question is, Are conditions known and fixed so the accident that occurred won’t happen again?” asked Ward 2 Council member and roundtable Co-Chair Jack Evans. “Are we safe on the Metro system today?” At-Large Council member Elissa Silverman expressed her concern that Metro has been down this road before. “What is disturbing to Metro

riders is that this was preventable. It’s unacceptable,” she said. “The Washington Post reported a similar incident in 2013, after which Metro ofﬁcials promised system maintenance, training and (improved) emergency response. We want to improve the safety culture at Metro.” Metro investigators have ascertained that an electrical malfunction – electric arcing – produced the smoke that shrouded the tunnel, rail car and platform. And, days after the hearing, Christopher Hart, acting chairman of the NTSB, sent Metro ofﬁcials a letter detailing mistakes the agency made with the ventilation fans, which exacerbated conditions after the electrical malfunction. In the letter, Hart said crucial mistakes by Metro controllers more than 10 miles away triggered two sets of fans located in a ventilation shaft more than 1,000 feet in front of the train. Consequently, with the fans working at cross-purposes, they sucked air in two different directions instead of blowing the noxious smoke out of the tunnel up to the street and drew the thick smoke to the stalled train. Under normal circumstances, one set of fans would pump fresh air into the tunnel, while the other set would pull smoke from it, Hart said. But because the station and vent shaft fans were all activated in “exhaust mode,” “there wasn’t a supply of fresh air to aid in moving the smoke,” he said. Hart said the train operator failed to shut off the train’s ven-

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tilation system, which drew air into the six cars. In his letters to Metro and other agencies, Hart said two of the six available fans didn’t work. Another troubling problem, Hart added, is that Metro staff lacks the ability to determine the exact location of any source of smoke in the network of tunnels. At the Council hearing, union heads and Metro officials acDenise Rolark Barnes knowledged that encryption to Independent Beauty Consultant D.C. firefighters’ radios exacerwww.marykay/drolark-barnes.com bated the crisis during the Jan. 12 202-236-8831 emergency, while other city officials dispute that assertion. Kenny Lyons, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 3721, who represents the D.C. Fire and Emergency Services’ emergency medical technicians and paramedics, was blunt. “Providers have continued to be plagued with Mobile Data Terminal Connectivity problems, as well as communications (301) 864-6070 anomalies which have a negative impact on unit availability,” he said, despite a series of joint meetings convened by Mayor MCCOLLUM & ASSOCIATES, LLC Vincent C. Gray to identify and address fundamental issues reADA, Age Discrimination, Benefits, Civil Rights, garding communications and COBRA, Contracts, Deaf Law, Defamation, Disability Law, asset availability between March Discipline, Discrimination, FMLA, FLSA, FOIA, and September 2014. “NumerFamily Responsibility, Harassment, HIPPA, OSHA, ous problems have been put in writing. We accept that the radio National Origin Discrimination, Non-Compete, Please setisall copy in upper and lowercase, flush left as indicated on artwork at these point sizes: Consultant name in 11-point Helvetica Neue Bo system is fl‡awed, mediocre, Beauty Consultant in 9-point Helvetica Neue Light;Discrimination, Web site or e-mail address in 9-point HelveticaAct, Neue Retaliation, Light; phone number in 9-point Helvetica Race Rehabilitation To the Beauty Consultant: Only Company-approved Web sites obtained through the Mary Kay® Personal Web Site program may but that’s what weIndependent have to work Severance Agreements, Sexual Harassment, Torts, with. Whistleblowing, Wage-and-Hour, Wrongful Discharge “Communication is key. The encryption system added anSERVING MARYLAND, DC, & NORTH CAROLINA

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AROUND THE REGION WEEK OF FEB 19 TO FEB 25

Black Facts Feb. 19 1940 - William “Smokey” Robinson was born in Detroit, Michigan. Robinson’s first singing group was the Miracles, which he formed in 1955 while still in high school. 1942 - The Army Air Corps’ all African American 100th Pursuit Squadron, later designated a fighter squadron, activated at Tuskegee Institute. 1992 - John Singleton, the first African American director to be nominated for the Academy Award is nominated for best director and best screenplay for his first film Boyz N the Hood. 2002 – Vonetta Flowers became the first Black gold medalist in the history of the Winter Olympic Games. She and partner Jull Brakken won the inaugural women’s two-person bobsled event at Salt Lake City, Utah. Feb. 20 1927 - Sidney Poitier was born in Miami, Florida, he was the first African-American to win an Academy Award in a starring role. 1931 - Army Lt. Gen. Emmett Paige, Jr. was born in Jacksonville, Florida. 1936 - Jazz singer, actress, Nancy Wilson was born in Chillicothe, Ohio. 1963 - Charles Wade Barkley, was born in Leeds, Alabama.

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Feb. 21 1933 –Singer Nina Simone (Eunice Waymon), was born in Tryon, NC. 1936 - Barbara Jordan, who will be the ﬁrst African American woman elected to the House of Representatives, is born. 1940 - John Lewis, founder and chairman of SNCC, was born. 1965 - On Feb. 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated in Audubon Ballroom at, 11 months after his split from Elijah Muhammad’s Nation of Islam. 1987 – African Americans in Tampa, Florida rebelled after an African American man was killed by a white police ofﬁcer while in custody. 1992 - Eva Jessye choral di-

rector for the first Broadway production of Porgy and Bess died in Ann Arbor, Michigan Feb. 21, 1992. Feb. 22 1911 - Activist and social reformer Francis Ellen Watkins Harper dies in her home in Philadelphia. Harper founded the National Convention of Colored Women in 1864 and was involved in other projects for women’s rights. 1938 – Poet Ishmael Reed was born. 1950 - Julius Winfield ( “Dr.J”) Erving, former basketball player, was born Roosevelt, NY. 1989 - DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince win the first rap Grammy for the hit single “Jeff and the Fresh Prince win the first rap Grammy for the hit single “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” Feb. 23 1929 - Baseball catcher Elston Gene Howard was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Howard signed a $70,000 contract with the NY Yankees and became the highest paid player in the history of baseball at the time. 1965 – Constance Baker Motley elected Manhattan Borough President, the highest office held y a Black woman in a major American city. 1979 - Frank E. Peterson Jr. was named the first Black general in the Marine Corps. 1995 - Bass Singer Melvin Franklin of The Temptations died of complications following a brain seizure in Los Angeles. He was 53.

African-American woman to do so. 1940 - Former world heavyweight boxing champion Jimmy Ellis was born James Albert Ellis in Louisville, Kentucky. Ellis won the World Boxing Association title after beating Jerry Quarry in April 1968. Feb. 25 1971 - President Nixon met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus and appointed a White House panel to study a list of recommendations made by the group. 1975 - Elijah Muhammad leader of the Nation of Islam, dies in Chicago, he was 77. 1980 - Robert E. Hayden, poet and poetry consultant to the Library of Congress, dies. 1987 - Edward Daniel Nixon, former president of the Georgia NAACP, dies he was 87. 1989 - Boxer Mike Tyson becomes the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World by defeating challenger Frank Bruno of England. 1991 - Adrienne Mitchell, ﬁrst African American woman to die in combat in the Persian Gulf War is killed in her military barracks in Dharan, Saudi Arabia.

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Feb. 24 1864 – Rebecca Lee Crumpler earned a doctoral degree from New England Female Medical College in Massachusetts, the ﬁrst

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AROUND THE REGION INTERVIEWS AND PHOTOS BY ELTON HAYES

VIEWP INT

AS FEBRUARY COMES TO A CLOSE, SO TOO WILL BLACK HISTORY MONTH. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH?

Irvin Foster

Brenda Poe-Esters

Keith Bowers

Kerriann Otaño

Sinclair Patrick

Silver Spring, Maryland I don’t like the fact that the month is still needed, but it is needed. It is a reﬂection on our society’s refusal to include all people in the history of this nation. Personally, I don’t like the exclusivity of it. We should have the opportunity to recognize all people, not just African Americans – Hispanics, Asians, etc.—without having to have a month set aside to honor their achievements. But I do think Black History month is still needed, because our society refuses to be completely inclusive.

Washington, D.C. I think Black History Month is needed, so that our young Black people can continue to learn about their history and heritage. And actually, not just young Black people, but young people of all races. I think it enlightens people on the things that Black people have contributed to society, such as certain inventions. History books don’t always teach these things, so Black History Month gives people a chance to really learn about our contributions.

Washington, D.C. I think Black History Month brings awareness to everyone in the community. A lot of our Black leaders have been forgotten in the past, and I think we should continue to raise awareness about who they were and what they did. A lot of people really just aren’t aware of all of the contributions made by Blacks: the stoplight, for instance, was created by an African American. Black History Month just really brings awareness to everyone.

Silver Spring, Maryland I think Black History Month is needed, particularly in light of everything that happened last year in places like Ferguson, Missouri. I think the month is a positive reminder of what African Americans have given this country. In schools, it’s always very important for kids to have positive reminders and examples, which are taught and shown throughout the month. I think more could be done in terms of having more events throughout the month, to raise even more awareness.

Washington, D.C. I believe Black History Month is very signiﬁcant because America still needs an understanding of the context of Black history, Black leaders and Black ﬁgures of importance. Black history should be known because it played a large part in shaping the society that we all live in today. Black History Month also helps contextualize things that some people don’t think existed, such as certain forms of racism that still exist today and I think the month helps to remind people of that.

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AROUND THE REGION EX-OFFENDERS from Page 1 will have yearly events that uplift women and unite staff around both their challenges and potential for success. The fashion show and forum that were held last weekend are ongoing activities that serve as an excellent opportunity to help our women see what they have within themselves to overcome the odds.” CSOSA Associate Director Cedric Hendricks said the message remains clear. “All of our speakers said the same thing: You can be what you want to be. Many in attendance were [people] from the Fairview Halfway House who are coming from prison and who are under CSOSA supervision – they’re going through a transition and transformation in their lives. Many of the women who spoke up today were able to move forward, go to school and acquire degrees, secure employment and raise their children. They aren’t looking back. Those on the receiving end of that message can believe that they can do it too,” Hendricks said. Still, as one CSOSA community 276469_6_x_6.5 9:34sucAM supervision ofﬁcer2/12/15 admitted, cess doesn’t come easy.

“[Returning citizens] are successful if you create programs that meet their needs,” said Marcia Davis. “We have to address criminogenic risk factors like substance abuse, low employment and anti-social behaviors. By addressing those issues, we see that they can change, and the rate of success or their chance for success rises. A lot of people think that probation officers and supervisors don’t want to see ex-offenders succeed, but that’s simply untrue.” “Still, we’ve found that we have to deal with gender-specific issues, which is a relatively new trend. Some of our people on supervision don’t feel like they’re worthy of anything. They were victims of sexual and physical abuse that led to substance abuse, which eventually led to their introduction to the criminal justice system. So, these events help them see each other in a different light and deal with their issues openly for the first time. When we mixed the genders, the women didn’t feel comfortable talking about their issues, but when conversation focuses solely on them, they can see their inner strength and that of their fellow former inmates,” Davis added. PageOne 1 Southwest resident first became involved in CSOSA pro-

(L-R) Shaakira Bannister, 16, Antoinette Jenkins, 27 and Quentin Thompson, 7 hold heart-shaped balloons at the Women’s Reentry Symposium held at the Temple of Praise in Southeast on Saturday, Feb. 14. /Photo by Nancy Shia

gramming in 2011 and said it’s changed her life for the better. “I’ve never seen anything tailored to women and can’t count the times that I’ve been in jail,”

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said Laverne Newman, 56. “But I’ve since learned there’s more than one way to live life, and you have to deal with your problems in healthy ways. There are resources to use so I don’t abuse drugs again. It feels awesome – seeing other women make it showed me that the program works,” she said. One panelist and ex-offender, who recently came home after being held at a facility in Hazelton, West Virginia, ﬁrst became involved with CSOSA in 2003. But she said she needed additional support. “I learned that I can’t get better alone, and I have to ask for help and be willing to receive help. I have to be honest about how people make me feel. I also have to separate myself from negative people. The resentment I had toward my mother, who was an addict, kept me in a bad place, and I once sold my body for drugs. Now it’s different. I have my own apartment; I have a GED. My father is now dead after battling cancer. He showed me how to live life sober and how to solve my problems without drugs,” said Torlonda Thomas, 33, a resident of Southeast. One Northeast resident, who’s been home for only three months after a stint at the Fairview Halfway House, said she attended the event because she needed more encouragement. “I like hearing the stories of the speakers, and I’ve ﬁnally learned that you have to love yourself. We

need more programs like this to help the specific needs of women. My support system is my mom, and she stands by my decisions even when I’m wrong. Those around me are positive – no more negativity in my life. Right now, I’m studying for the GED exam, and I’m going on to college so I can eventually become a public defender,” said Sheray McKay, 22. A similar event, held Thursday, Feb. 12, and sponsored by Returning Citizens Inc., which has offices in both Northeast and Prince George’s County, saw more men in attendance. But Acting Executive Director Debra G. Rowe said both genders face discrimination, both in housing and employment. “The public needs to understand that returning citizens have groups fighting for them for their rights. Recently passed legislation like the Fair Criminal Screening Amendment Act of 2014 has helped with employment but doesn’t go far enough,” Rowe said. “They need more fairness when it comes to housing. Many returning citizens have family members who live in public housing, and the law says a convicted felon cannot live in public housing. Where are they to go? That’s why we’re back at the table,” she said. Mona Lisa Gaffney, 64, sitting in the offices of The Washington Informer with two other returning citizens, Stuart Anderson, 54, and Ricardo Seeney, 53, all of

EX-OFFENDERS Page 9

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REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS Councilmember Anita Bonds and reentry activist Debra Rowe at the Women’s Reentry Symposium which took place at the Temple of Praise in Southeast on Saturday, Feb. 14. /Photo by Nancy Shia

NMTC Finance Closing Two Rivers Public Charter School is seeking proposals from consultants to structure New Market Tax Credit finance closing. For a copy of the full RFP, please contact Sarah Richardson at procurement@tworiverspcs.org. Proposals are due February 27, 2015.

(L-R) Shawn Moore, 56, Jessica Vaughn, 22 and Sharon Blackmond, 45 in the D.C. Central Kitchen’s culinary program for returning citizens attend the Women’s Reentry Symposium at the Temple of Praise in Southeast on Saturday, Feb. 14. /Photo by Nancy Shia

EX-OFFENDERS from Page 8 whom reside in Southeast, said reconnecting with their families has been the greatest challenge. “I was locked up for 18 ½ years and was stripped of everything, but it didn’t really hit me until I was locked up and facing 45 years that I realized that my actions could keep me from ever being part of my daughters’ lives,” Anderson said. “I guess the light came on, and I developed a passion for education. I was able to hear others incarcerated and myself. But it wasn’t easy. “Even when you’re released, you face discrimination and stereotypes. We still need a change in many of our laws. We’ve served our time – we should be allowed to better ourselves and improve things for our families,” said Anderson, who now serves as the director of Family and Friends of Incarcerated People, an organization he founded even before his release. Seeney, a D.C. native, admitted to selling drugs because he wanted things that his family could not afford. “I did my time – 25 years – and it was a real blow to my family because I was an athlete and had

never been in trouble before,” he said. “It took me ﬁve years behind bars to adjust. By the time I was released, I was institutionalized – raw. I didn’t care about anyone or anything even though I had two daughters and a big family. It’s taken time because my kids, especially my youngest, were negatively impacted too. Then there’s always the background check. Keeping a job isn’t easy for an ex-felon,” he said. Gaffney secured her cosmetology license while in prison. She said that while she once served as the caregiver for several members of her family, today her focus has to be on herself. “When I ﬁrst came home, everyone was excited, but now I guess the thrill is gone,” she said. “I take the bus or train and try not to ask anyone for anything. I feel like the ‘Welcome Home’ mat has been ripped from under me. Women need support even more than men because we are the ones that tend to nurture our children – I know my absence hurt my children. We’ve gone to counseling, and there’s still more healing that needs to take place – for all of us,” she said. WI

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Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

AROUND THE REGION

Quality printErs 202-291-6565

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MEnus, postErs BannErs & signs Congressman William Hurd

Congresswoman Mia Love

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Black Republican Trailblazers Honored Awardees Include William Hurd, Mia Love and Tim Scott By Sarafina Wright WI Intern

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The third annual RNC Black Trailblazer Awards Luncheon, held at the Howard Theater on Wednesday, Feb. 11 in Northwest, featured some of the Republican Party’s most-celebrated Black members. This year’s honorees included: Congressman William Hurd, Congresswoman Mia Love and U.S. Senator Tim Scott. The trailblazer awards serves as one of several strategies the GOP has in place to attract the black vote, especially black millennials. “I made a promise as long as I am chairman, the Black Republican Trailblazers Luncheon will be one of our many efforts to recognize our leaders and activists, while building new relationships and strengthening old ones,” said Republican National Committee [RNC] Chairman Reince Priebus. “In the last two years we saw new college Republicans chapters at two Historically Black Colleges and Universities [HBCUs], Morehouse and Central State University. Not only do we want to see more of that, we also want to spotlight the important role of HBCUs in our country.” Priebus went on to say that engagement remains the key to attracting black millennial voters – in other words, Republicans must go after potential, young black voters. And black colleges and universities have an untapped market of voters. In early 2013, after the defeat of Republican Mitt Romney, the GOP released its Growth and Opportunity Report outlining the failures of the 2012 election. One of the recommendations regarding African AmerThe Washington Informer

icans was to engage HBCUs with the goal of educating the community on Republican ideals and the party’s history. In April 2013, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (Kentucky) visited Howard University in the first effort to engage black millennials. However, Paul’s efforts backfired leaving students feeling offended rather than informed. “We are the worst messengers. We have done so many great things and we have great ideas, but we can’t seem to get the message across. If we can’t get people to listen to us then it will be increasingly harder to attract black voters,” said Dr. Ada Fisher, RNC National Committeewoman of North Carolina. Eddie Watson, a 24-year-old independent, attended the luncheon because it sounded interesting. He believes the GOP appears to be heading in the right direction. “Activities and events like this make [elected officials] seem more like people. It’s easier to engage people like myself when you are in the community and have direct outreach but in order for it to be effective you have to be consistent,” Watson said. Watson added that if the GOP really want to attract black millennials they should focus heavily on finances and small businesses. “The African-American community’s financial base is shaky,” he said. “Republicans establishing jobs on the local level and supporting minority-owned small businesses will get a lot of people’s attention and they would be willing to hear what the GOP has to say.” While strategy is heavily involved in attracting black millennials some members of the Republican Party believe there’s

a simple solution. “We have to get out there and show them what we have to offer,” said Dwayne Bolton of Black America’s Political Action Committee. “As far as jobs, technology, community and core values, when we expose those things in the right way they will see many of their values align with ours,” said Dwayne Bolton of Black America’s Political Action Committee. GOP efforts such as the RNC Black Advisory Council, state-based black engagement teams and black communications and political directors have all contributed to the small and steady growth of engaging black voters. In the November 2014 election, Republicans won a higher percentage of black voters than they did in 2012. In states such as Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Wisconsin and Ohio the party garnered double-digit support from black voters. “We have a ways to go but that’s still an improvement,” Priebus said. The cohost of the luncheon, political analyst and TV show host, Roland Martin, asserted that events like the trailblazer’s luncheon are a step in the right direction. “It is important they [the Republican Party] recognize the critical role African Americans play in politics. It is important to engage and speak to the issues. This is most important, because if you don’t talk to the people you will never get the possibility of a vote,” Martin said. WI

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AROUND THE REGION

Congressman John Lewis

Kiewit Clark Transit Partners invites interested DBE Suppliers and Subcontractors to submit a bid for: The Purple Line Project Work includes: Demo, Clearing, Grading, Wet & Dry Utilities, Drainage, Pavement, Flatwork, Structural Concrete, Walls, Bridges, Rebar, Trackwork, Controls, Lighting, Signals, Landscaping, MOT, Material Supply, Environmental Controls, Office and Site Logistics and various others. Interested DBE firms should visit our website: http://www.mtcpurpleline.com/business/ Andrew Aydin and Congressman John Lewis sign the book they co-authored, “March Book Two” for Natasha Bennett and UDC interim president, Dr. John E. Lyons during a program celebrating Black History Month in Northwest on Thursday, Feb. 12. /Photo by Roy Lewis

or call (202)-345-2442 For trade specific contact information and project details.

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Project Description: The new Square 50 development located on M Street, NW in

the West End Neighborhood, includes demolition of the existing DC Fire Station (25,000 GSF) and the construction of a new 9 story apartment building (108,800 GSF). The project includes several components within the new 9 story; a new fire station (15,200 GSF) at the first and second floor, a new squash club (19,000 GSF) at the third and fourth floor, and 6 floors of rental apartment units (56,800 GSF). The project includes 61 rental apartment units. The project also includes related site and utility improvements, storm water management, landscaping, and hardscape work.

Congressman John Lewis at the Big Read program held at UDC, discusses his book co-authored with Andrew Aydin, “March Book Two” on Thursday, Feb. 12 in Northwest. /Photo by Roy Lewis

This project will be designed and constructed utilizing sustainable building concepts to obtain a minimum of a LEED Gold Certification.

Project specific requirements/ emphasis for the above referenced project: Subcontractors and suppliers will be asked to furnish labor and/or materials and equipment to

accomplish work required by the contract documents for the various areas of work listed below. DIVISION 2-- SITEWORK DIVISION 4-- MASONRY DIVISION 6-- WOOD & PLASTICS DIVISION 8-- DOORS AND WINDOWS DIVISION 10-- SPECIALTIES DIVISION 12-- FURNISHINGS DIVISION 14-- CONVEYING SYSTEMS DIVISION 16-- MECHANICAL

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Drawings and Specifications May Be Purchased From: Ideal Scanners - 301-468-0123 Bid Documents can be viewed at: The Clark Construction Plan Room, 7500 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814 Address all correspondence to: Clark Construction Group, LLC, 7500 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Wade Henderson introduces co-authors, Congressman John Lewis (left) and Andrew Aydin, to attendees at the University of the District of Columbia’s Big Read program celebrating Black History Month on Thursday, Feb. 12 in Northwest. /Photo by Roy Lewis

Contacts: Matt Villa

Phone: 301-272-8100

Fax: 301-272-1922

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

We request bids from small, disadvantaged, minority and

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Sheila Bunn

WARD 8 from Page 4 old son of Mayor Barry said he threw his hat in the ring because Ward 8 has a number of needs with which his father’s successor must contend. He said the public response to his candidacy has been overwhelming and powerful. Barry, the owner of a construction company, electriﬁed mourners when he eulogized his father in December, sparking speculation that he might in fact run for the vacant seat. “We need job training and new industries such as technology and green industries,” he said during a community meeting in

12 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

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Laruby May

Congress Heights recently. “We need support services for the elderly, affordable housing, and, most importantly, education schools. “It’s a start. There needs to be more of a collaboration between government, local business and the community. They’re the ones who can facilitate this because they have the resources.” Barry is embroiled in an incident where he’s alleged to have argued with a bank teller and thrown a trash can at a security camera when a teller told him his account was overdrawn. He announced his intention to run in January. He faces misdemeanor charges of destruction of

property and making a threat. He declined to comment on the allegations but said he and his campaign continue to move forward. “Nothing changes. I will still ﬁght for my people on issues like job placement and mental health,” he said. In response to a recent story detailing gaps in his voting record, Barry was blunt. “Like many in the black community, we don’t vote because we don’t feel we have candidates who represent our interests. That’s why I’m running,” he said. WI

Article is part one of a two- part series.

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AROUND THE REGION and no substantial exercises on this agency on this issue since 2004 (on what to do if they come up upon a scene),” Lyons told council members. “One of the most talked about issues before this was Ebola. Smith and my people on the ground had no

training.” Data from documents last week bear out Lyons’ concerns. For example, in 2014, the D.C. fire department sent a little more than 100 of its almost 1,800 firefighters to disaster training offered by Metro. That number is

dwarfed by the ﬁreﬁghters sent for training by departments in neighboring jurisdictions. “My biggest concern is that the heroics of the day don’t get lost in this controversy. It was a huge, huge rescue effort,” said Smith. WI

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METRO from Page 5 other layer of problems onto a system with many problems. We have to go back to basics. Communication is everything.” Two days before the Jan. 12 incident, Lyons said, paramedics’ radios didn’t work when they responded to a medical emergency at the L’Enfant Plaza Station. Ed Smith, president of the D.C. Firefighters Association Local 36, said first responders had to use the “line of sight” method to pass messages from person to person up to watch commanders who were located at the upper level. “The radios conked out as we entered the tunnel,” said Smith, whose union represents more than 1,700 firefighters. “It’s not only in the Metro system. Radios have lost signals in federal buildings. Going into basements means a reduced signal. We always have problems in large buildings downtown. We have radio problems all over the city. “We have a vehicle with equipment to boost signals but it doesn’t work all the time. It’s a timeless argument. I’ll tell you this, you’ll do better using your cellphone rather than radio.” Smith and Lyons said neither officials nor the rank-and-file is entirely sure if the radios will work properly during the next emergency. “It (depends) on maintenance and (depends) on the day whether it’s going to work properly or not,” said Smith. In the weeks since the fatal incident, there have been competing narratives coming from Metro and city officials about

who is to blame for the delay in responding and the failure of radio communications. According to a timeline in Jan. 23 preliminary report produced by the city’s Emergency Management Agency and D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, there’s an estimated 14-minute time lag between the first call and a full-throttled response. The train slid to a halt in the smoke-filled tunnel at 3:15 p.m., an employee in the Metro Operations Control Center in Landover, Maryland, took seven minutes to contact dispatchers at city’s Office of Unified Communications to inform them there was heavy smoke at L’Enfant Plaza’s upper level. It wasn’t until 3:28 p.m. that a Metro box alarm of five engine companies, two ladder trucks, two battalion fire chiefs, a battalion rescue squad and emergency medical units were dispatched. Three minutes after that, a single fire truck stationed about 1 mile away rolled up to the L’Enfant Plaza station. Since the incident, Interim General Manager and CEO Jack Requa said Metro would like to introduce a more formalized system to synchronize communications issues across Metro jurisdictions. He said WMATA has taken 10 remedial actions officials think will make the system better. “We don’t know if any of them will fix the problem because we don’t know what the cause is,” he said. Lyons said one of his concerns is the lack of training. “There’s not enough training

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CERTAIN ‘FOR LIFE’ PRIZE LIMITATIONS MAY APPLY. VISIT WWW.DCLOTTERY.COM FOR OFFICIAL RULES.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

CBC Pushes Supreme Court on Voter ID By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer Forcing voters to produce government-issued identiﬁcation goes against America’s long-standing belief in a Democracy. It’s also a thinly-disguised method to prevent many African Americans, Latinos and other minorities from voting, according to members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Joined by groups like the League of Women Voters, the Hispanic Federation, the Amer-

ican Association of Persons with Disabilities, and the National Council of La Raza, the CBC filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, Feb. 10 urging justices to hear a case filed by the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Advancement Project against what they call Wisconsin’s restrictive voter identification law. “Many of us led the fight to end the practice of voter disenfranchisement 50 years ago,” said CBC Chair G.K. Butterfield (D-North Carolina). “We cannot afford to stand by

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and do nothing while historical advancements in equality and fairness are reversed with laws such as Wisconsin’s discriminatory voting practice which, if allowed, will open the floodgates across the country to silence many American voices by making it increasingly harder for all citizens to vote and have a say in America’s democratic process,” said Butterfield, 67. As of this month, 31 states have enforced voter identification requirements while 15 require voters to present photo identification and 16 accepted other forms of identification, according to statistics compiled by the political website, Ballotpedia. In some states, a voter who’s unable to present valid identification may still be permitted to vote without casting a provisional ballot. In others, such voters are required to cast provisional ballots. Valid forms of identification differ by state, with commonly accepted forms of identification including a driver’s license or a military identification card. Proponents of voter identification requirements maintain that these laws are necessary in order to prevent voter fraud. Critics, meanwhile, contend that voter fraud is very rare and identification requirements unduly restrict the right to vote. “Photo voter ID laws significantly impacted all voters but especially place burdens on African Americans, Latino Americans, young voters, seniors, women and individuals with disabilities,” Butterfield said. The CBC has led the charge against voter identification, particularly in states where the law appears most oppressive like North Carolina, Alabama and now Wisconsin. In 2011, Wisconsin passed state voter identification law that required voters to provide identification at the polls. A federal judge later ruled the law as unconstitutional on the grounds that it disproportionately affected African-American and Latino residents. In the years that followed, the nonprofit Advancement Project challenged the law on behalf of African-American and Latino plaintiffs under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. In 2014, the Supreme Court blocked the Wisconsin law after the state failed to show that it was able to implement the law The Washington Informer

Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore has called the state the “Selma of the North” as she joins members of the CBC and others in opposing voter ID laws. /Photo courtesy of CBS News.

Voters in several states continue to face signs like this one in Texas which prohibits casting a ballot without a photo identiﬁcation. /Photo Courtesy of Texasnews.com.

and properly issue identiﬁcations to thousands of voters in time for Election Day. However, the law will take effect for future elections and Butterﬁeld said it will have national repercussions unless the Supreme Court accepts the case. “Politicians like [Wisconsin] Governor Scott Walker who advocate for such discriminatory laws claim that it addresses the growing threat of voter fraud and will help protect our democracy from those who attempt to game the system,” Rep. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin told reporters. “But the [so-called] growing threat here isn’t voter fraud. The real growing threat is

voter suppression and the lawmakers behind it.” Some in the CBC, including Moore, have called Wisconsin the “Selma of the North,” in terms of the direct impact the law has in disenfranchising voters, particularly in Milwaukee. “You don’t have to be a legal scholar to recognize that it is a dangerous time for American voters in Wisconsin and across our country,” said Moore, 63. “Wisconsin’s voter ID law has nothing to do with stopping the ﬁctitious threat of voter fraud and everything to do with making it harder for more eligible voters to register and vote.” WI

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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EDUCATION BRIEFS

Brice Hurling Spears, a senior at the Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George’s Community College, has a 4.33 grade point average and plans on becoming an anesthesiologist. / Photo courtesy PGCPS

Compiled by Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer

Academy Program Applications

Grade-eligible high school students can now apply for enrollment in the Career Academy Program. The academy, which provides students with technical skills and knowledge that add value to their studies, offers programs of study that include automotive repair, barbering and nursing. Academy officials have also forged strong collaborative relationships with area businesses and industry leaders. In addition, the programs can help students earn college credit, industry certification/licenses, or pre-apprenticeship experience prior to leaving high school. Students who apply for admission to a Career Academy will receive a letter by mail regarding their program application status by May 1. For more information, contact the Career Academy Program Office at capoffice@pgcps.org or 301-669-6012.

‘Scholar of the Week’

Brice Hurling Spears, a senior at the Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George’s Community College, has been named a “Scholar of the Week.” Brice, who has a 4.33 grade point average, is a fourth-year Middle College honor student at the academy. In May, he will graduate with not only a high school diploma but also more than 60 dual enrollment college credits toward an associate degree. Listed among Brice’s extracurricular activities is participation on Prince George’s County Teen

Court. He is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, and the National Society of Future Physicians. The Media Scientist Award and 2012 Principal’s Award recipient plans on becoming an anesthesiologist.

The school district is primarily in search of educators who are certified or eligible to be certified in elementary and/or secondary areas that include arts integration, immersion (Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and German), Montessori (trained and certified) and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Interested candidates must hold or be eligible for a teaching credential appropriate to the area of assignment issued by the Maryland State Department of Education. Benefits include health insurance, dental, vision and retirement plans. For more information, email the Office of Recruitment and Retention at hr.recruitment@ pgcps.org or call 301-7806404/301-952-6348/301-9526398.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT WASTE MANAGEMENT DIVISION

Career, Technical Education Month

Students and faculty at high schools throughout the county have joined other students and faculty nationwide during February to celebrate Career and Technical Education Month. This year’s national theme, “Recognizing Classroom Innovators!” encourages students to become college- and career-ready as well as to prepare to join high-wage, high-demand career ﬁelds. “The activities planned over the next month will illustrate the rigor and relevance CTE courses offer our students,” said Pamela Smith, coordinating supervisor of Career Academy Programs. “By partnering with the business community, CTE programs are investing in students’ lives with the latest technology and skills that will prepare them to become successful employees as well as future leaders.”

Teacher Recruitment

School ofﬁcials will host a job fair to hire top-notch educators from across the nation who believe all children can achieve greatness. The fair will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, March 28, at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

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Prince George’s County businesses that PRE-REGISTER with the Recycling Section by calling 301-883-3635, may be able to participate and recycle their electronics for free. Due to limitations, this is a first call, first serve opportunity for the commercial sector.

RE CYCLE YO U R O LD T E LE V I S I O N A N D CO MP U T E R E Q U I P ME N T

FREE AND OPEN TO ALL PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY RESIDENTS FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT COUNTY CLICK 3-1-1 ** MAXIMUM OF FIVE (5) MONITORS AND TELEVISIONS PER RESIDENT.

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Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

NATIONAL

Hundreds Attend Taylor Dedication Ceremony

Architect, Educator 38th Black Honored by US Postal Service By Barrington M. Salmon WI Staff Writer@bsalmondc Robert Robinson Taylor graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at the end of the 19th century but the ripples of his life and legacy continue to resonate among family members, Tuskegee University, MIT and elsewhere. On Thursday, Feb. 12, several hundred family members, friends

and admirers gathered for the US Postal Services ﬁrst day of issue stamp commemoration for Taylor in the atrium of the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum. Among them, Obama senior advisor Valerie Jarrett; U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder; Anne Jordan, philanthropist and wife of attorney, businessman and civil rights activist Vernon Jordan, Jr.; Harvard Prof. Henry Louis “Skip” Gates; John W.

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WI Community Calendar

Explore a list of upcoming community events including festivals, art and cultural events, workshops, classes and neighborhood meetings, sporting events and tournaments in and around DC, Maryland and Virginia on our online community calendar at www.washingtoninformer.com. If you have an event you would like to include on our community calendar, please email the details and attach a jpeg document (if available) to news@washingtoninformer.com. Please include your name, email address and daytime phone number.

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www.washingtoninformer.com 16 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

Ofﬁcials, family and friends with Valerie Jarrett (5th right), senior advisor to the president, stand next to the 38th stamp in the Black Heritage series honoring her grandfather, architect and educator, Robert Robinson Taylor (1868– 1942). The stamp was unveiled Thursday, Feb. 12 at the U.S. Postal Museum in Northeast. /Photo by Robert Roberts

Rogers, Jr., CEO of Ariel Investments in Chicago; several members of Congress; Tuskegee President Brian Johnson; MIT’s President Rafael Reif; Smithsonian National Postal Director Allen Kane; and newly-appointed US Postmaster General Megan Brennan. Jarrett, director of the White House Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and Obama confidante, said she and her family are deeply touched by her great-grandfather’s immortalization as the 38th person honored in the postal service’s Black Heritage series. Before her remarks, she pointed out several members of her extended family, including her mother Barbara. “This celebration we’re having today is a day we’ll never forget,” she said after unveiling a more than six-foot rendition of the stamp. “This is the handiwork of Skip Gates, a strict and dedicated advocate and passionate supporter . . . when I face a daunting challenge and self-doubt creeps in – and yes, that does happen from time to time – I remember my great-grandfather Robert Taylor, the son of a slave who traveled from Wilmington, North Carolina to attend MIT in 1892. And I try to imagine what he was thinking on that way.” “He believed that with a good education, hard work, relentless determination and a dedication to family, there were no limits to what he could accomplish. The example he set gives me strength and courage. My family is proud to stand on his shoulders and we know that it is our responsibility to embrace his values, to ensure that his legacy will be ‘forever stamped’ in the conscious of future generations.” Taylor, (1868-1942), is believed to have been MIT’s first African-American graduate and the nation’s first academically trained architect. Son of a former enslaved African, Taylor supervised the deThe Washington Informer

sign and construction of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, served as assistant principal and directed the school’s industrial education and building trades for more than 30 years. He is said to have earned the respect and admiration from Tuskegee’s founder Booker T. Washington, as well as students and colleagues for his calm demeanor, dignified bearing and commitment to academic excellence. Gates, 64, literary scholar, cultural critic, Emmy-winning filmmaker and journalist, said Taylor was an obvious choice. “Robert Robinson Taylor has always been a hero of mine,” said Gates, who has served on the Citizen Stamp Advisory Committee since 2005. “I made a list and he was right there at the top of the list. Children need to know that we have heroes in arts and sciences too.” After the formal portion of the activities, Vernon Jordan was overheard telling Gates, “Professor, it wouldn’t have happened without you.” Gates’ connection to Taylor goes deeper too. As host of PBS’ Finding Your Roots, he helped Jarrett learn more about her forebears, including Victor Rochon, a black man who served in the Louisiana Legislature during the Reconstruction era. Rochon is remembered for arguing vigorously and persuasively against the state law that codified segregation in railway travel and paved the way for the U.S. Supreme Court to hand down the fateful Plessy v. Ferguson decision in 1896. Master of Ceremonies A’Lelia Bundles said she’s had a decade-long fascination with stamps and their power to illuminate history. “It’s always a pleasure to be in a place where people love stamps,” said Bundles, who spearheaded a campaign where she collected 40,000 signatures which led to the selection of her great-great-grand-

mother Madam C. J. Walker, who appeared on a stamp in 1998. Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee praised postal service officials for the job they’ve done since the organization began selecting African Americans to be part of the Black Heritage since they first selected abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman in 1978. “This is very important. How many of us have grown up on stamps? Mailing letters was part of our life,” said Lee, whose fatherin-law was a Tuskegee Airman. “I know Valerie Jarrett well. Look at his (Taylor’s) progeny. She’s at the center point of the administration of the first African-American president. It shows that we have royalty in history too.” “It’s important for us to invest in the legacy of our children and our children’s children,” she said. New Orleans native and philatelist Eugenia Foster Adams reveled in the pomp and circumstance unfolding before her and reflected on the importance of the ceremony. She said she’s been a stamp collector for more than 27 years, receives first issues when they’re released and currently has two separate black history stamp collections going. “This is significant. I wish young people could be exposed to this,” she said. After the ceremony, Jarrett and a gaggle of relatives trooped to the stage, greeted and chatted, soaked up the moment and posed for photographs and selfies.WI

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NATIONAL

Weddings Just Got Less Expensive New Website Helps Brides, Grooms Contain Cost By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer Getting married can be expensive. And there’s little doubt that most would agree, that’s an understatement. However, for those seeking wedded bliss, there’s some good news. Lauren Hines, a former District area resident, has expanded GetWedForLess.com, an internet-based business that makes it cheaper to tie the knot. “As a former bargain-hunting bride, I knew how difficult it was to find quality wedding vendors within a certain price range,” said Hines, the founder and president of GetWedForLess. com, which launched in the District and in Atlanta in 2013 and now has expanded into several other markets, including Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago and Baltimore. “Like more and more couples today, my then fiancée, who is now my hubby and the love of my life, and I were fronting the majority of the bill ourselves and we couldn’t afford to have the $25,000 plus metro area wedding,” she said. Hines said when she came up with the idea of starting GetWedForLess. com, she thought “how cool” it would be to have a resource that not only saves brides money but also saves them some time and headache by giving them all the pertinent info they would need to find their vendors. “The only things left for our brides to do are visit their favorite venues, try on the dresses, and taste the cakes. All of the fun stuff,” she said. The website serves as host for affordable vendors for brides and grooms to research and it includes wedding planners and other related necessities. Hines said individuals in all markets require a trusted resource to find credible and affordable vendors to plan what could often be a stressful and expensive life-changing event. She said the team of market researchers at her website work to produce such resources and they can help save up to 60 percent on wedding costs. Through a monthly subscription of less than $2.50 per month, visitors are able to search, view prices and contact over 1,000 local and online vendors within 16 markets. Hines, whose family emigrated from Jamaica decades ago, said she understands that a poor economy, a Great Recession or even a Great Depression won’t stop brides and grooms from spending for their wedding. “I think it goes back to the desire to

see a dream fulﬁlled. Most brides have been dreaming about their wedding day from youth, so dropping dollars on what is to be one of the most important days -- if not the most important day -- of their life is a cost worth spending,” she said. “No one wants to look back on their wedding day pictures and see horrible photography, images of ghastly bridal dresses and less-than-desirable wed-

ding cake and food, and memories of a day gone wrong,” Hines added. “That’s why people are willing to spend for value. We just found a way to help bring that value at a price tag most couples can afford.” A recent analyst performed by the website, CostOfWedding.com, revealed that couples that live in or travel to Washington, D.C. spend between $20,000 and $40,000 on average for

their wedding, with some costs even exceeding that range. Also, a recent new study performed at Emory University in Georgia found that couples who spend less on their wedding tend to have longer-lasting marriages than those who splurge. “Since our launch in 2013, we have had over 31,000 guests on GetWedForLess.com. I believe vendors enjoy being on a different kind of wedding

website that recognizes them more for than having just a company name,” Hines said. “All vendors on our site are loved by their customers, are regarded as affordable within their city and category, and are some of the most responsive, hard-working professionals you will ﬁnd in the industry.” WI To subscribe or browse the website, visit www.GoWedForLess.com.

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Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

BUSINESS

Entrepreneur Launching D.C. Job Search Site

‘Careers of Atlanta’ Founder Ready for the District By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer A new mobile-friendly website for job seekers in the District will launch next month and the site’s owner said it will prove to be the easiest way to match employment candidates with potential employers. “I saw a need for a mobile-friendly regional job site and I decided to put together a site that was modern and reasonable for employers to post jobs and find qualified candidates,” said McVincent Strothers, who this month launched CareersofAtlanta.com and is putting the finishing touches on CareersofDC. com. The website will prove to be the better alternative to such popular domains as Careerbuilder, Monster and Craigslist for several reasons, including the regular updating of available jobs, a resume upload tool and

job seekers can even use their LinkedIn profile to apply for employment,” Strothers, 31, said. “When you go to those other sites, you will always find that their search engine is much too broad and you will also see that individuals in Atlanta for the Atlanta website who might be looking for jobs don’t have a regional site to go to that’s specific for the Atlanta region,” Strothers said. “That’s important because if you live in Atlanta, it does no good to have a job search come up with a position in Nebraska that matches your profile.” He said his D.C. launch will have many of the same features. Additionally, he noted that employment seekers and employers have found that much of what’s posted on other job search websites is outdated and, for the employer, very expensive. A recent survey published by editors at the website, Indeed. com, revealed that many of the

McVincent Strothers, the founder of CareersofAtlanta.com plans to launch a job search site exclusively for District employment seekers and employers. /Photo courtesy of CareersofAtlanta.com

sites charge employers as much as $500 for one posting which expires in 30 days. However, CareersofAtlanta.com and CareersofDC.com offer a tiered pricing

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plan for a fraction of that cost, Strothers said. He said he’s also offering a limited lifetime membership to employers who sign up through www.gofundme.com/careersofatlanta for just $1,000, which would provide them with unlimited job postings, access to potential employee resumes and other benefits. In just the first week of operation, CareersofAtlanta.com has listed numerous available jobs in the area, including for positions like human resources manager, administrative assistant and a hygiene assistant and general clerk. Because the website has been built with HTML 5 responsive design, the page can fit any size screen, whether it’s a mobile phone, laptop or desktop computer. “This was important to me because most job seekers today use their mobile device to search for jobs,” Strothers said, of the responsive design which consists of three key technical features including media queries and media query listeners, a flexible

grid-based layout that uses relative sizing and ﬂexible images and media through dynamic resizing. Strothers, a single father of two boys, said his sons count as his inspiration. He said the idea to start the website resulted from his own job search. “I was reading an article about employment and I came across a survey about how the new generation is searching for jobs. The article mentioned that many are looking on their cell phones but there was frustration because so many of the job sites, especially all of those in the Atlanta area, weren’t really compatible to cell phones,” he said. “I was thinking that I wish there was a site that would make it easier to apply and make it easier for employers to ﬁnd you. Then, I thought, I could do it myself.” WI For more information, contact McVincent Strothers at info@careersofatlanta.com or visit CareersofAtlanta.com.

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#REPRESENTDC

18 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

The Washington Informer

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BUSINESS

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By Djenane Bartholomew

BUSINESS BUSINESS EXCHANGE

White Privilege The past is never dead. It’s not even past.

- William Faulkner

In 2013, the wealth of White households was 13 times the median wealth of Black households, compared to eight times in 2010. The current gap between Blacks and Whites has reached its highest point since 1989, when Whites had 17 times the wealth of Black households. The economic gap between the races keeps getting wider. Blacks keep trying to catch up without a sense of belonging or worth in American society because slavery and its vestiges continue. No matter how you look at it, Whites have privileges beyond the bounds of Blacks. Call it “Manifest Destiny” or label it “American exceptionalism”, “White Privilege” is the sociological concept that some groups of people have advantages relative to others and is commonly used in the context of social inequality with regards to race, gender, age, and social class. White supremacy remains a real social force in American life. Black/White economic inequality is greater in America today than it was in apartheid South Africa. Discrimination against African-Americans continues in the labor market and a systematic bias in law enforcement. Well-meaning White Americans

By William Reed view racism as a historical artifact, refusing to appreciate overwhelming evidence that centuries of racial subjugation still shape the inequity of the 21st century. Most in American society often don’t realize that slavery didn’t truly end until long after the Civil War. A debt due Blacks accrued as American corporations used Black slave labor well into the 20th century, through “convict leasing.” Blacks would be arrested for offenses such as “vagrancy” and then be leased as slave laborers. Job and housing discrimination also systematically prevented Blacks from accumulating wealth. The Federal Housing Administration and other initiatives greatly expanded home ownership and the middle class but deliberately excluded Blacks. The Levittown, Long Island community represents one of the great privileges that come with being born White in the United States of America. Levittown holds a unique place in history. It was the original subdivision, a mass-produced town of

neatly uniform, affordable Cape Cod homes that would serve as a model for postwar suburbs that were only available to Whites. Levittown symbolizes race, suburbia and the legacy of “White Privilege”. Racial discrimination in housing wasn’t merely commonplace in the 1940s and ‘50s; it was government policy. The Federal Housing Administration helped finance the construction of many suburban places like Levittown on the condition that they exclude Blacks. And it underwrote mortgages to White families there with the expectation that their property values would only hold if Blacks did not move in. Levittown homeowners were contractually bound to keep out Blacks. The Levitt & Sons development company built mostly upscale housing on and around Long Island, New York in the 1930s. The Levitt brothers cashed in on Whites’ privileges by refusing to sell homes they’d designed for World War II veterans to nonWhites. Blacks would rather “sit in” and “die in” protesting racism than demand their just “Reparations”. When will Blacks demand to be made whole materially and financially? Many Blacks just want Americans “to unify” and “show each other love and respect.” Blacks have to recognize that White privilege is not going away anytime soon. We need to put some starch in their collars toward collectively pursuing Black Reparations. We all stand on the shoulders of our ancestors in a relay race, relying on the passing of financial and human capital from our parents and grandpar-

ents. Blacks were shackled for the early part of that relay race. These days Whites have developed a huge lead. Blacks are foolish to ignore this long head start - a facet of White privilege - and pretend that the competition is now fair. One element of White privilege today is oblivi-

ousness to that privilege, including a blithe disregard of the way past subjugation shapes present disadvantage.WI William Reed is publisher of “Who’s Who in Black Corporate America” and available for projects via Busxchng@his.com.

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The Washington Informer

Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

HEALTH

Third-Generation Doctor Serves with Compassion By Marc Rivers WI Intern Frank Spellman, M.D., wants you to keep your eye sight. For the better part of 30 years, Spellman, 65, has informed his patients about diabetes and the eye disease, Diabetic retinopathy, while treating these patients with a passion and compassion beﬁtting a man long use to a world of medicine. “My grandfather practiced in the deep South, taking care of patients with diabetes even before insulin was discovered and

I grew up in Northwest in the Crestwood community, just east of Rock Creek Park, [which] was ﬁlled with African-American physicians,” Spellman said. “One of my biggest mentors was my mother’s physician – one of his major interests was diabetes.” This interest is now more than shared by Spellman, a third-generation physician, who said that the number of people expected to have diabetes by 2025 is around 30 million. Consider also that diabetes is most prevalent in African Americans, who make up a vast majority of the oph-

thalmologist’s patients. Blacks, therefore, are more susceptible to illnesses like diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the result of leaking or swelling fluids in the retina. In other cases, abnormal new vessels may grow on the retina’s surface. He said that as opposed to macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in senior citizens, Diabetic retinopathy poses a significant threat due to its relation to diabetes, which continues to afflict more and more Americans. “The word needs to get out to the community,” Spellman said. “Diabetic retinopathy tends to occur in individuals who are younger who are trying to work Dr. Frank Spellman has dedicated himself to caring for those with diabetes and eye disease for the better part of 30 years. /Courtesy photo

Immediate Care with a Personal Touch

and support their families and prepare for their retirement.” Spellman is part of the Retina Group of Washington, one of the largest practices of its kind in the country. Two of the centers are based in Capitol Hill in Southeast and Washington Hospital Center in Northwest. His patients run the gamut from local celebrities and politicians to average citizens, some of whom don’t have the education or ﬁnancial means to treat the illness on their own. “Everyone depends on their vision to fulﬁll their lives,” he said. “[It’s] arguably our most important sense. So when your vision is threatened or lost and you have to depend on someone to preserve it or improve it, it becomes a very personal connection. And because diabetes is a chronic disease, there are many patients that I’ve taken care of for many years.” As an African American with family members who have suffered from diabetes, Spellman sees it as a privilege to serve his community, many of whom grew up in a time when a black man was not expected to practice medicine. “I can remember talking about [wanting to be a doctor] with

some of my classmates – some believed in my dream while others could not even conceive of an African American becoming a physician,” he said. Luckily for Spellman and his patients, that dream has become a reality. His work continues to ﬁll him with pride and satisfaction and he hopes that the work he’s doing will arm current and future generations against the effects of diabetes. He offered words of advice. “You have to take care of yourself, follow an appropriate diet and exercise regularly all of which reduce your need for medication. If you control your blood pressure and cholesterol, this also reduces the impact of the disease on your eyeballs. If you do these things, you will need a specialist like me less frequently.” WI Frank Spellman’s ofﬁce locations are 660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE in Capitol Hill and 106 Irving Street, South Tower, Suite 422 at the Washington Hospital Center. For more information, visit www.rgw.com.

(202) 574-6000

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20 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

The Washington Informer

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Breast Cancer Survivor Beating the Odds By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer Alisha Gibson was told nothing was wrong. Her primary care doctor had twice prescribed antibiotics after she complained of some soreness in the neck and shoulders. After all, Gibson, 46, had always been active and athletic, so it wasn’t really any need for worry. But, by the time this educator and motivational speaker’s breast cancer was detected it had reached stage 4. “I found out in October 2010 and I was more shocked because I didn’t think there was any reason for me to believe that I was sick,” Gibson said. She and her husband, entertainment manager Norman Gibson who has worked with clients in Northeast and Southeast, both said they were shell-shocked and confused. As if the news of breast cancer wasn’t difficult enough, stage four counts as the most advanced and doctors had given the couple no hope at all. “They told us that they recommended hospice care,” Norman Gibson said. That meant that the medical professionals had themselves given up hope, Gibson was doomed. However, a nurse at a hospital in Houston, Texas gave the couple information that changed everything. “There was one specialist who was sent from God,” Alisha Gibson said. Gibson visited and was treated by Dr. Khaled Jabboury, a medical oncologist affiliated with several hospitals and who has participated in numerous clinical research projects including new drug evaluations, drug modulation, and systemic and local hyperthermia. “The first time I had chemotherapy it was for eight months and I was given three times the allotted amount,” Alisha Gibson said. “The second time, it was for six months and I had eight weeks of radiation, a lumpectomy, a hysterectomy and it left me with bad eye sight.” Gibson said she dropped more than 100 pounds and the disease had taken its toll on her. “My lungs collapsed because the tumor was just that big and I was told that I flat lined at one point. I was gone,” she said. But Norman Gibson said Jabboury’s professionalism and expertise along with he and his wife’s faith, has helped in stabilizing Gib-

son, who has beaten most odds in living with stage four breast cancer for so long a period. “She’s made medical history,” Norman Gibson said. “When I tell you that God has his hands on her, He does because they told us that we may as well go to hospice.” Officials at the American Cancer Society say that individuals with stage 4 breast cancer have a 22 percent rate of survival after five years compared to their peers without breast cancer. They said when breast cancer cells metastasize, or spread beyond the breast into other areas of the body, it’s referred to as stage 4. For many women in the District, breast cancer continues to be a troubling reality. Reportedly, the mortality rate from breast cancer in D.C. is 40 percent higher than the national average. In addition, breast cancer incidence is 20 percent above national averages and Washington has the highest rate of late-stage diagnosis, when breast cancer is most difficult to treat. Also, statistics from the National Cancer Institute indicate that while white women are more likely than blacks to be diagnosed with breast cancer – 131 per 100,000 white women compared to 118 per 100,000 black women – African-American women are more likely to die from the disease. Health officials noted too that the rate at which African-American women die from breast cancer each year is more than twice the rate of Asian and Latino women. “In my wife’s case, it was stage 4 triple negative breast cancer,” Gibson said. “She’s a walking miracle.” Still, Alisha Gibson said she’s far from out of the woods. But, that hasn’t stopped her from trying to help others. The couple has created the website www.pinksandzforlife to help bring more awareness and hope for those with breast cancer. In addition to information about Gibson, the website can be used to track and book her for motivational speaking engagements, hospital visits and health tours. A link to a gofundme page can also be found on the site, where donations can be made to assist Gibson’s fight against the devastating illness. “It has depleted our funds, no doubt about it,” Norman Gibson said. The Susan G. Komen Foundation estimated an average cost of $22,000 per patient to manage the early stages of breast cancer, whereas stages three and four of the disease is associated with treat-

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ment costs in excess of $120,000 per patient per year. “Yes, it’s difficult. And it’s difficult for the caregiver. I couldn’t eat or bathe myself. You’re totally at infant stage,” Alisha Gibson said. “My husband and I have fought this together. The fight isn’t over; it’s just begun and it’s important that everyone knows that you have to fight every day.” WI For more information or to donate, visit www.pinksandzforlife.com.

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HEALTH

Alisha Gibson has battled stage 4 breast cancer for more than four years. /Photo courtesy of Norman Gibson.

Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

EDUCATION

Black History Month – A Time to Know Who You Are As a very young boy, I would love to wake up on Saturday mornings and watch “Tarzan” starring Johnny Weissmuller. The programs were all re-runs from the 1930s and 40s and they featured the main character leading, outsmarting and outﬁghting the savage native Africans as he roamed the jungle swinging from tree to tree.

By Kevin Chavous One day, while watching Tarzan, my father said to me, “Son, you know that all Africans aren’t like that. In fact, mankind started in Africa and many African kings and queens ruled the world. We need to talk about real Africa.” My father then took the time to talk about Egypt, the Pyramids, how arithmetic and libraries were pioneered in Africa and that Ethiopia was the birthplace

of man. My young mind was blown away. Up to that point, my entire perspective of Africa was based on Tarzan’s manipulation of all those dumb native Africans. As I listened to my father and later thought about his words, I remember the feeling of desire to identify with African people – a feeling that I had never had. Before that moment, I had always wanted to identify with Tarzan, even though he didn’t look like me. Little did I know that on that day, my world view had changed forever. My sense of who I was and where I came from had taken on new meaning: Pride. I was proud of my ancestry, though I didn’t quite know all of it. On that day, for me, a little bit of history went a long way. It also helped to spark my own desire to learn. My Tarzan story has direct relevance to the importance of Black History and education. Certainly, my belief in myself was nurtured by my parents. But that nurturing was buttressed by learning about the contributions

made to the world by my ancestors and people who looked like me. Today, far too many children of African descent living in America have no idea of the rich heritage associated with African-American culture. Nor do they really know who they are. Their sense of history and identity extends about as far back as Jay Z’s ﬁrst album or the dress that Rihanna wore last week. This lack of knowledge of one’s history is further complicated by the fact that nearly half the children of color in our cities are dropping out of school while most that do graduate from high school are not proﬁcient in reading and math. It is hard to learn about one’s history when you are a challenged reader or writer. The link between education and knowing our history is inextricable. On the other hand, as happened with me, learning one’s history can be a powerful motivator to become even more educated. In my experience, the true value of Black History Month

is that it gives us all an opportunity to learn and appreciate the rich and robust legacy of our forbearers; and, in the process, better understand ourselves. As historian John Henrik Clarke said, “History is a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is also a compass that people use to ﬁnd themselves on the map of human geography. History tells a people where they have been and what they have been, where they are and what they are. Most important, history tells a people where they still must go, what they still must be. The relationship of history to the people is the same as the relationship of a mother to her child.” At a time when so many of our children are dealing with their identity, self worth and learning struggles, let’s ﬁnd ways to ensure that the lessons learned during Black History Month help to transform people’s perceptions of themselves, the world around them and their place in that world. WI

and partnership with the Embassy Adoption Program. During the celebration, which pairs classrooms with embassies, students got a chancen to sample Ukrainian meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner as part of “International Food Day.” Three times a year, D.C. schools experience the culture and cuisine of other countries and regions. The next International Food Day will be “La Francophonie Day” with cuisine

from France, Haiti, and Quebec. “My favorite part was learning that in Ukraine they also play music with trumpets,” said Melanie, a 6th- grader at Hardy, while fellow student Whitney, also a 6th-grader, said she wants to visit the Ukraine someday.

er’s “Empowering Males of Color” initiative come under scrutiny for possible violation of Title IX regulations. In Cheh’s Feb. 9 letter to Racine, she requests a legal evaluation of the mayor’s $20 million program, which includes plans to fund an all-male college preparatory high school in Southeast. According to Cheh, while programs that focus solely on black and Latino male students are admirable, they raise constitutionality questions under Equal Protection, Title IX and the D.C. Human Rights Act. Cheh also notes that the District’s female minority students are also struggling, and to ignore them could result in consequences beyond legal ramiﬁcations. “Just because minority girls may perform some percentage points better than boys does not mean we should see these scores as acceptable. They are not,” Cheh wrote. “Not only is the failure to offer a similar program to girls potentially illegal, it is wrong because young girls will realize how little we value them.” WI

DCPS BRIEFS

Students at Hardy Middle School enjoyed a traditional Ukrainian lunch during the celebration of “International Food Day.” that included beet salad, roast chicken, baked ﬁsh, and mashed potatoes./ Photo courtesy DCPS

Special Education Student Information

Dr. Nathaniel Beers, chief of Specialized Instruction, recently issued the following statement regarding information for special education students: “We recently learned that the public has been able to gain access to an internal website that was launched in 2010 and stores training materials for DCPS staff related to special education cases. Some student information was listed in those training materials, as well as login information to a database regarding the District’s special education students. There is currently no evidence that data was compromised. Accessing this information without

22 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

Cheh Questions Initiative D.C. Council member Mary Cheh has written a letter to D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine asking that Mayor Muriel Bows-

explicit permission is illegal. As soon as we were alerted to the availability of this information, DCPS immediately shut down the site and the Ofﬁce of the State Superintendent of Education changed the login information to the database. We understand how important it is to safeguard student information and will conduct a topto-bottom review of our security practices to ensure this does not happen again.” Families can call 202-442-5451 if they have questions.

Students Travel to Europe without Leaving D.C. Hardy Middle School in Northwest recently celebrated its cultural immersion program

Ward 3 Council member Mary Cheh wants an evaluation of the “Empowering Males of Color” initiative./ Courtesy Photo

The Washington Informer

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EDITORIAL

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Little League Woes

Last year, as Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West team stormed to win a Little League Series championship, the team of African-American boys captured the hearts and minds of their city and the country. The team became the first all-African-American team to win the championship before losing to South Korea. During a rally and parade to honor their accomplishments, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made a statement that served as the essence of what the young men have come to represent. “This team exemplifies what can happen when a strong community provides its children with support and opportunities to become positively engaged and achieve their dreams,” he said. All those good feelings and celebration have come crashing down with news that the Little League officials stripped the team of its championship and forced it to vacant all the games leading up to the big win. In addition, those coaches and officials accused of recruiting ringers and manipulating boundaries have been removed and punished. A good deal of reaction has centered on the impact of this development on the young athletes. Some have said they will be fine going forward while other boys have been described as being devastated – perhaps even permanently scarred. We are saddened that greedy, short-sighted grown-ups intent on winning at all costs sullied the achievements of their young charges. It would probably have made more sense to punish the coaches and officials and not the athletes who have been sucked into a maelstrom not of their own making. We hope the young people come out of this relatively unscathed after having learned that life isn’t fair and that sometimes things won by hard work can be taken away. If the accusations are true, shame on the team’s coaches and other officials. They may have believed that they were representing their team’s best interests but their actions have caused irreparable harm and brought embarrassment not just to the team but also to the city. Hopefully the young people will, in the end, take away positive lessons from the whole experience. After all this, they deserve it.

Homelessness and Winter

When compared to other cities in the Northeast, the Washington metropolitan area generally has mild winters. But this year, like last, residents have been buffeted by sometimes bitter cold, snow and ice. For those of us fortunate enough to have warmth and shelter, we cannot help but think and feel deep compassion for the men, women and children who’re homeless. Homelessness has been an intractable problem that D.C. government officials have tried but failed to corral. The District is enmeshed in a homeless tragedy that has swept up young families and individuals in the wake of the economic downturn, the explosion of the housing bubble and gentrification that’s triggered a surge in rent and the cost of homes. The huge gaps in mental health care are another huge issue but that’s another story for another day. At the moment, the city is just short of full capacity with motels used as overflow shelter space at the max. As it stands, the city finds, finances and houses needy families in apartments up to a year at a time, but Mayor Muriel Bowser is committed to finding permanent affordable housing. Last week, she took a first step towards reversing the problem when she announced a plan to link homeless families with housing navigators who’ll use their real estate experience to find quality, appropriate housing. Once this plan is operational, the motel overflow should disappear and Bowser promises to end the homelessness of these families by 2018 and all families by 2025. This is a sore that has been allowed to fester. We hope her plan meets with resounding success so this canker will go away. www.washingtoninformer.com

Republicans Miss the Point

In this week’s article “Airing Republicans’ Dirty Laundry,” February 12, 2015, William Reed shares his belief that Blacks would be better served if they were more aligned with the Republican Party. Well, that’s all very possible, but if we look at history, and history is very important, most Whites joined the Republican Party after most Blacks joined the Democratic Party. The Republican Party was known as the party of Lincoln, and Lincoln freed the slave, thus, before the 1960s, Southern states represented a solid voting block of Democrats, known as Dixiecrats. Yes, blacks are really very conservative when it comes to a lot of the social issues we are now facing in this country, but that’s where the similarity ends with the Republican Party. Blacks want equal rights for all, and that’s not based on what party you are affiliated with, or how much money you have. Blacks want good paying jobs, with benefits, not just low paying, low skilled– with-no-benefits jobs. We want equal and fair justice before the law, just like others have. There is a real divide between the rich and the poor in this country, and many blacks are on the low end of that equation. When the Republican Party starts trying to The Washington Informer

seriously address these issues I think more and more blacks will be attracted join its ranks. Terrance Long Washington, DC

Bowser Serious About Education

The front-page photograph by Roy Lewis of Mayor Muriel Bowser reading to schoolchildren, February 12, 2014 edition of The Washington Informer made me feel real proud. Proud because you usually see photographs of the President, the Secretary of Education, athletes or even entertainers reading to our students, but to see our mayor take the time to do this just made me feel proud. A lot of our students have reading problems because no one has ever taken the time to read to them. Reading to children lets them hear how words can visually bring stories to life in their minds. As they hear words, those words are transformed into pictures that let them know that reading can take them to places they never thought they could go. Our Mayor says she is serious about education; well, this photograph lets me know she is serious. Some might say it’s just a photo op, but that’s not my take on this photograph. I just get a

sense she really wants all of our students in the District of Columbia to get a good education, and for that I want to wish her well! Brenda Watkins Washington, DC

CORRECTION In the February 12 article titled “Pepco Merger with Exelon Moving Forward,” the paragraph should have read, “Support for the transaction can also be found among the many area businesses, faith leaders, labor unions and health care organizations such as Volt Energy, members of the National Utility Contractors Association’s D.C. chapter, Children’s Health Center at THEARC, 100 Black Men of Greater Washington, D.C., and the D.C. Promise Neighborhood Initiative.” We would like to clarify that the National Utility Contractors Association’s D.C. Chapter has not stated they support the transaction but individual members of the association express their support.

Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

By: Paula Wilson, home care worker of 18 years

Living at the Back-end of DC’s Largest Wage Gap When I hear TV commentators say or read in the newspaper that our economy has recovered from the Great Recession, I can’t help but roll my eyes. For me and my co-workers, we haven’t experienced anything resembling a recovery; we’re still struggling to afford basics like food and rent. I am one of the 6,000 home health aides helping D.C.’s most vulnerable residents – the elderly and people with disabilities – live

care industry, I am now making $13.60, and a few months ago I was only making $10.50 hour. My 12-year-old son and I have to live with my elderly mother in Southeast D.C. because I can no longer afford rent. I never thought I would be 38 years old and living with my mother again, but it was impossible to keep my apartment — and I was eventually evicted — when my pay was late, short of my earned wages or never delivered at all. My current client has advanced Alzheimer’s and demen-

with dignity and independence in their own homes, but I can’t even take care of myself or my family. This is what it’s like for thousands of D.C. residents like me. In fact, a new report from the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute only conﬁrms what I have known for years: The income gap in the district is getting worse and worse. Many of us have been entirely left out of D.C.’s economic recovery. The recovery hasn’t touched me. After 18 years in the home

Guest Columnist

tia. She needs me to do everything for her – bathing, feeding, toileting, shopping. Without me, she wouldn’t be able to live in her home or have somebody around her that she could consistently trust. I am doing essential work, and I take great pride in the work I do. As the population of D.C. and the country age, the demand for home health aides will only increase, and we need to make sure all our seniors have consistent and compassionate care. That means making sure home care jobs like mine are good jobs.

Home health aide jobs are one of the fastest-growing jobs in our economy, but like so many of the other fastest-growing jobs currently, our jobs are also some of the lowest-paid. Over the past three years, I have only made about $19,000 per year. How am I supposed to support myself and my son and help my mother? Some employers and other wealthy Washingtonians are raking in record proﬁts and are do-

WILSON Page 49

By Marian Wright Edelman

Girls In Justice I’m grateful for a powerful new book, Girls In Justice by artist Richard Ross, a follow up to his moving Juvenile In Justice project, which combines Ross’s photographs of girls in the juvenile justice system with interviews he gathered from more than 250 detention facilities across the United States. If a picture is worth a thousand words, the deeply disturbing photographs speak volumes.

Ross uses the power of photography to make visible the hidden and harsh world of girls in detention. These heart-wrenching images coupled with the girls’ ages and life stories should move us to confront the cruel and unjust juvenile justice system in our nation. These girls are ours: our neighbors, our children’s classmates, our daughters and granddaughters, sisters, cousins, and nieces — and, for some young children, our mothers. Girls In

Justice begs the questions: Why are so many girls, especially girls of color, conﬁned in our nation’s detention facilities? And what are we as a society going to do about it? We must all work tirelessly to give hope and a fair chance to these girls and all children by promoting policies, programs, and supports that help them and their families, especially those most at risk. We must combat systemic problems that contribute to family and community

Guest Columnist

dysfunction and wreak havoc on developing children including girls; we must dig beneath the surface and examine the root cause of girls’ “offenses” and why injustice saps the hopes of so many young lives on our watch. In 2013, one in ﬁve girls in the United States was poor, and girls of color were disproportionately poor. From birth to young adulthood, children – especially poor children and children of color – encounter multiple and cumula-

tive risk factors that often result in their being funneled into the prison pipeline through the juvenile and criminal justice systems and locked up behind bars. Such massive incarceration is sentencing millions of children to social and economic death. The pipeline to prison is lodged at the intersection of poverty and race and is intolerable in a professed society of opportunity. While twice as many boys as

EDELMAN Page 49

By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.

Carrying the Burden of History In observance of Black History Month, I believe it is important to highlight some of those long lasting institutions and entities that have continued to serve the empowerment interests of Black America for over the past 200 years. Too often some of us forget too quickly about the historical groups and social bridges that have helped to bring Black America across troubled and perilous waters during the last

24 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

two centuries. One group that immediately comes to mind is known today as the Grand Lodge of Prince Hall Masons. They have grown exponentially from their ﬁrst lodge in Boston in 1787 to numerous Masonic lodges throughout the United States. Without a lot of external fanfare or public boasting about the accomplishments of Prince Hall Masons, the facts are that this organization of skilled and talented “Brothers” has been consistent in contributing to

the long protracted progress of Black America. The living legacy of Prince Hall is still focused on the mission of providing leadership of high moral character, charitable assistance to those in need, and steadfast support of freedom, justice, equality and empowerment for Black Americans and all people. Who was Prince Hall? He was one of the earliest Black abolitionists against the slavery of African people in America in the mid-1700s. He was a Free Black leader in Boston who was proud The Washington Informer

of his African ancestry and committed to improve the quality of life of African people during the early founding years of the United States. Prince Hall was a Black American freedom fighter who, like Cyprus Attucks, fought bravely in the Revolutionary War. Prince Hall was one of the first Black Americans to be made a mason in America on March 6, 1775 in Boston. Interestingly, he and 14 other Black men initially established and named their first lodge: African Lodge #1

on July 3, 1776, one day before the United States Declaration of Independence was adopted and issued on July 4, 1776. Once again this was a bold historic move by Hall and his Masonic brothers with the clear unambiguous intention to stand up and work for African liberation and empowerment as a sacred fraternity. Hall was named master of African Lodge#1. Years later, after his passing, the name of the lodge was changed

CHAVIS Page 49

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

By George E. Curry

More Evidence of Obama’s Hostility Toward HBCUs As if we needed any more evidence, President Obama’s recent meeting with members of the Congressional Black Caucus revealed a deep-seated hostility toward the plight of struggling Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). According to Lauren Victoria Burke’s Black Caucus blog, CrewOf42.com, “President Obama was critical of Historically Black Colleges and Universities during

a meeting with members of the Congressional Black Caucus this week according to several in attendance. The February 10 meeting was the ﬁrst group gathering with the Black Caucus and the President since June 2013.” It continued, “Several who attended the meeting indicated that President Obama felt that the focus of HBCUs needs to be on the schools changing their ways of doing business rather [than] on changes in federal policy. Those who attended said he was speciﬁcally critical of gradu-

ation rates and loan policies. The President also spoke to CBC members on his free community college plan which some HBCU advocates believe will hurt HBCUs.” Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, told Burke, “He [Obama] said there were some HBCUs that were not good at graduating students and if they did not improve, they’d have to go by the wayside. In other words he didn’t show much empathy for struggling HBCUs. It was like,

Guest Columnist

show me the numbers and if the numbers aren’t where they need to be, that’s it. It was a somewhat callous view of the unique niche HBCUs ﬁll.” Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) said, “I was concerned about what the President said because it feeds into a narrative about the value of these institutions and whether they are [equipped] to educate our students and what the cost is for doing so.” “Many of these institutions have not had a maintenance of effort on the part of states or

the federal government and over time that wears on their ability to maintain standards or even advance beyond a certain level. It was very clear that he [Obama] doesn’t have the same level of appreciation for what these institutions have done and could do in the future given the right support systems.” The blog quoted Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), a graduate of South Carolina State University: “It’s for-proﬁt schools where the

CURRY Page 50

By Kenyan R. McDuffie, Council member, Ward 5

Plan for Minority Male Students Praiseworthy I write today to express my strong support for the “Empowering Males of Color” initiative recently announced by Mayor Muriel Bowser and District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson. This extraordinary initiative would provide tailored educational opportunities for the District of Columbia’s young men of color. While there is reasonable disagreement with some compo-

nents of this initiative, we have a responsibility to work together to ﬁnd real-world solutions for these students. Every child in the District of Columbia deserves to have access to a high-quality public education. We must recognize, however, that our system of school choice is built on the proposition that different children succeed in different environments. I applaud Bowser and Henderson for being willing to explore programming that meets the particular needs of one of

our most underserved populations. Young men of color too often live with poverty, violence and academic failure. When we look at our children’s proficiency rates by subgroup, we find that young men of color lag substantially behind their peers. Only 32 percent of black male students are proficient in reading, compared with 89 percent of white male students. Only 48 percent of black male students graduated from high school in 2014, while 82 percent of white male

ASKIA-AT-LARGE

students graduated. Latino male students do not fare much better. This dramatic and unacceptable gap is seen across the board, in attendance, student satisfaction and student discipline. Of course, the gap between young men of color and their peers is seen not just in percentages and data points, but also in the immeasurable day-to-day challenges they face. It is long past time that our government focuses on the unique needs of this population. As the father of two young girls, I am aware of the

dangers of gender inequity in public education. In fact, I was proud to re-introduce the “Title IX Athletic Equity Act of 2015,” which would promote gender equity in athletic participation, funding and expenditures. It is signiﬁcant that the legislation’s title contains the word “equity” instead of “equality”; this important distinction recognizes that all programming must be robust but that not every population has the same needs. It

MCDUFFIE Page 50

By Askia Muhammad

Baseball and the Joy of Youth Sports I came of age in that delightful era when baseball was king. Every summer we practically worshipped the immortal Jackie Robinson of the Dodgers; Willie Mays, the “Say Hey” King of the Giants; and “Hammerin’” Hank Aaron with the Braves. Our worship wasn’t just because our dominant heroes were Black. In Los Angeles, I lived a quick bicycle ride from Wrigley Field where the minor league Pa-

ciﬁca Coast League Los Angeles Angels played. A friend and I would go to the stadium, sometimes with White fans who to let us go in with them—children were free with a “parent”—and we would root for slugger Steve Bilko and pitcher Chuck Connors, who later starred in “The Riﬂeman” TV series. Jackie Robinson was also a local hero. He turned heads as a player at Pasadena City College. Another Pasadenan, my uncle Nate Moreland, was a pitcher—152 wins 104 losses, .284

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lifetime batting average—in the El Centro Mexicali League. In 1942 Uncle Nate convinced Chicago White Sox Manager Jimmy Dykes to give the two Black players a tryout. Neither of them made the squad. World War II and racial discrimination were major factors in 1942. Ironically, Robinson’s jersey number was 42 when he ﬁnally got a spot with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. The hypocrisy of Blacks being required to ﬁght for their country, while they were unable to participate in the The Washington Informer

national pastime’s big league was apparent. “I can play in Mexico,” Uncle Nate said at the time, “but I have to ﬁght for America where I can’t play.” Fast forward to 2015 where Chicago’s Jackie Robinson West team elevated Robinson’s name once again to the national headlines when they became the ﬁrst all-Black team to win the National Little League Championship—the game for 11 to 13 year-olds. But then the players were stripped of the title they won fair and square on the play-

ing field last summer because team officials were found to have violated a rule setting geographic boundaries within which teams must find their players. After Chicago priest Father Michael Pfleger, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and even the Mayor Rahm Emmanuel appealed unsuccessfully to the president of Little League International to reverse a decision to strip the kids of the title, the mayor has said, he’s going to give the play-

MUHAMMAD Page 50 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

B L A C K

H I S T O R Y

M O N T H

Tour Explores History of Blacks in Annapolis Youth, Adults Enlightened Thanks to WI Partnerships By D. Kevin McNeir WI Managing Editor For the fifth straight year, The Washington Informer, along with committed partners of the 50-year-old newspaper, sponsored a motor coach and walking tour during Black History Month to help residents of the District learn more about the contributions of men and women of color to their own communities and to the nation. A caravan of six buses departed from THEARC early Saturday, Feb. 14, bound for the Maryland Capitol. The theme this year, “Our Annapolis Roots to Freedom,” served as a foretaste to what the several hundred participants, young and old, would experience throughout their daylong encounter. “There’s so much to see in Annapolis and so much to understand, from the history behind Anne Arundel County’s first black high school to the fact that it was the votes of black and white soldiers engaged in the Civil War whose collective voice secured the end to slavery in Maryland,” said Janice Hayes-Williams, a seventh-generation resident of Annapolis who served as one of the guides during the tour. One retired educator and student counselor from Bladensburg, Maryland, said once she heard about the tour, she couldn’t wait for it to begin. “This is my first tour but not my last, and because I’ve always wanted to know more about Annapolis after reading about the life

of Frederick Douglass, this was something that I had to experience,” said Dr. Sylvia Cruddup. “There’s always something new to learn about our history, and this tour showed me just how much of our story has been lost. We have to understand where we’ve been if we want to move forward. And we need to teach our children so that they can be inspired and empowered to realize their own dreams,” said Cruddup, 66. During the tour, which stopped in places that included the Wiley H. Bates Heritage Park and Bates Legacy Center, which once served as the site for the area’s only black secondary institution, Bates High School; the Banneker-Douglass Museum; the Maryland State House; and the City Dock, where several statues stand in tribute to author Alex Haley, whose forefather, Kunta Kinte, was kidnapped from Gambia and who arrived in Annapolis in 1767, the signiﬁcant contributions of blacks dating back several centuries came to life. “I am proud to be able to share my memories about my alma mater, Bates High School, and to help visitors understand that the 25-year struggle that we faced before we were able to secure the funding for the repair of our school and reopen it so that it could serve as a community center for people of all ages was a true grassroots efforts by blacks and whites,” said Alma Cropper, 80, who graduated from the school in 1953 and greets those who come to see the park and center. A representative from the State of Maryland Commission on Af-

The smiles on the faces of those who participated in the Washington Informer’s African American Heritage Tour conﬁrm that the day was simply delightful. /Photo by Roy Lewis

rican-American History and Culture said Annapolis isn’t the only place in the state where black history has been revived. “The Commission has 70 projects across the state, and we’re refurbishing historical churches, school and farms. We want to preserve our African-American history and artifacts. I grew up living black history, and my teachers taught it to me. Today many youth go to school where that history is being ignored. That’s why our work matters – we have a rich legacy to share,” said Ted Mack. The outreach coordinator at the Banneker-Douglass Museum said this has been a banner year for those interested in black history in Annapolis. “We do an average of 1,600 tours each year, but we’ve already completed 700 in the month of February alone,” said Leronn Herbert. “Tens of thousands of people come from all over the world to Annapolis and to the museum. We anticipate a record-breaking year for 2015,” he said. Former four-term ANC commissioner for D.C.’s Ward 6, Keith Silver, noted that he’s missed only one tour since The Informer be-

gan its annual tradition. “I never realized the rich legacy left by blacks in Annapolis, and I’m especially proud because this is the seat of the state’s government,” said Silver, 62, a resident of Northwest. “When you see what our ancestors did, despite the odds, it makes us know that we can do anything we set our minds to.” Four youth, from Maryland, all anxious to share what they had learned, talked about the tour and their future dreams. “I was intrigued by the quilts that people made that still tell our story – our history. I’d encourage my friends to come to Annapolis so they can learn more about our ancestors and about who we really are,” said Ivan Hall, 13, a seventh-grader at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Temple Hills and resident of Suitland, Maryland. Three girls from a program, Girls Empowering Their Minds for Success [GEMS] and all students at District Heights Elementary School [Maryland], noted their favorite parts of the tour. “I liked the park and was so proud of how people of all ages

came together to rebuild the high school that had been boarded up and was in such terrible shape,” said Zaniyah Ford, 10. “I’m glad that schools were desegregated because I like going to school with people of different races and nationalities. But it still makes me sad to know that students at Bates High felt like their school didn’t matter for so many years,” said Gara Hopkins, 10. “I’d go on another tour for sure because I learned so much, especially about how people can refuse to give up and work together for a common cause,” said Samya Vincent, 10. WI Co-sponsors of the tour included: Washington Informer Charities, Pepco, Amtrak, GEICO, Southwest Airlines, Capital Entertainment Services, THEARC, Nielsen, Giant Foods, DC Lottery, Dutch Mill Catering, Coca-Cola and DC in Black Tours. Attendees participated in a Nielsen-sponsored trivia contest with the winners receiving cash prizes. Two lucky attendees also received two free airline tickets courtesy of Southwest Airlines.

“When you see what our ancestors did, despite the odds, it makes us know that we can do anything we set our minds to.” 26 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

– Keith Silver

The Washington Informer

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VOL. 1, NO. 1

PHOTO BY TRAVIS RIDDICK

FEB 2015

CONTENTS

EDITOR’S LETTER

PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes

WI Bridge Viewpoints 2

Hi WI Bridge reader,

Local Students Explore District’s History 3

Mass movements never occur by happenstance. They often come about with time, a boiling frustration about unaddressed wrongs, a burst of confidence within each individual about the change they can affect, and intense behind-thescenes planning.

Hashtag LunchBag DC 4 Ward 8 Candidates Continue Barry’s Legacy 5 The Complex Simplicty of Change 7 Local Artists Grab the Reins of Hip Hop and Spread Positivity 9

That’s how the WI Bridge came into fruition. For nearly a year, I along with a team of journalists and photographers, grinded our fingers to the bone to put together a publication for young people in the D.C. metropolitan area, in the country, and around the world. This magazine would follow in the tradition of black publications that preceded it by highlighting the positive aspects of the black Millennial experience and tackling issues specific to our demographic. Along the way, I watched as brothers and sisters in the struggle took to the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, New York City, Washington D.C., and other cities around the country to rail against white privilege and a criminal justice system bent on eradicating black lives. During that time, I grew more disappointed, angry, but unsurprised by the non-indictments of the police officers who took the lives of Mike Brown, Eric Garner, and countless other people of color. I also engaged in conversations with my fellow millennials, wrote articles about youth forums, engaged in heated online debates with people who held antiquated views about race, all while building the foundation of this project. The experiences of the last 12 months have given me a greater resolve to put our youths’ words to paper for the entire world

to see. In this issue of the WI Bridge, themed “The Awakening,” our all-star staff of millennial reporters explore the waning popularity of President Barack Obama among young people, chat with a duo of local college students who learned about D.C. history through the stories of longtime residents, and highlight a nonprofit’s attempt to mobilize young professionals and raise awareness about homelessness through social media. This issue also explores the field of millennial candidates vying for the late, great Marion S. Barry’s Ward 8 Council seat and takes a close look at an artistic movement that promises to take the local and national hip-hop scene by storm. It’s my sincerest hope that you enjoy reading this publication as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Nothing gives me more joy than conversing with my fellow young people about things that matter and showing our elders that the ongoing movement for human rights is in the right hands. Before I sign off, I would like to give a shout out to the Washington Informer for the continuous support. I would also like to acknowledge Denise W. Barnes, the paper’s fearless editor and my mentor to whom I dedicate the inaugural issue of WI Bridge. May the world believe in our vision and take part in the journey of what’s destined to become one of the greatest millennial publications of the 21st century.

STAFF Sam P.K. Collins Editor-in-Chief

Chelsea Fuller Editor

REPORTERS Melvin Graham

Sean Hoggard

Loren Saxton

Ambre Tomlinson

PHOTOGRAPHER Travis Riddick

MISSION STATEMENT The WI Bridge sets out to highlight contemporary issues through the experiences of youth and capture the progressive, entrepreneurial spirit of the Millennial generation other publications gloss over. Writers will take to streets and feature people, programs, initiatives, and movements that uniquely address prominent youth issues. This hard-hitting coverage will lay to rest misconceptions of Generation Y and bring all to an understanding of diverse youth experiences. 1 | WI BRIDGE

WI BRIDGE VIEWPOINTS “What part can you play in fighting institutional racism against people of color?” Answers compiled by Merdie Nzanga

“As a college student, I can play a role in fighting institutional racism on both a “macro” and “micro” level, whether by going and actively protesting racism and policies that perpetuate hatred or by actively talking about race with my friends and their friends on campus. I think the micro level is important to me because, if we can put names and faces to people of different races, we are slowly but surely educating ourselves about the complexities of people as a whole and eventually rejecting the stereotypes that have been ingrained in our minds by the same institutions set on creating a divide within the American people.” Ron Jordan, 20, undergraduate student at American University in Northwest Washington, D.C

“As a white person, I think it’s important to examine my own privilege and actions so I can challenge racist things I observe and hear whenever possible.” Bjorn Harlson, 20, a student at Western Washington University

“Institutional racism is an issue that will never go away, unfortunately. The intuitive method to fight institutional racism is being the best person you can be. As an African-American, if I were to encounter a racist, I’d treat them civilly.” Shaheed M. Morris, 25, undergraduate student at South Dakota State University

“I am currently organizing a faith, race, and law event to be held in my dorm. I will invite scholars, local officers, students, and members of our surrounding community to have an open forum that facilitates a greater understanding between the different factions affected by the issue of police brutality. In the future, I hope to help combat institutional racism on a broader scale by restructuring institutions such as the international criminal court so that international justice is not unfairly levied against African nations.” U. D Nnamdi, 20, undergraduate student at Howard University in Northwest Washington, D.C

“The most important thing any individual can do, is to personally reject racism in his or her own life. While anyone may mentally slip up occasionally, people need to make an active effort to first start with themselves when combating the problem.” Ford Fischer, 20, undergraduate student at American University in Northwest Washington, D.C

“How do you feel about the representation, or lack thereof, of black artists at this year’s Grammy Awards?/ Should black artists look to the Grammy’s for validation?” Answers compiled by Brianna Williams “The Grammys are supposed to be this awards show where artists get accolades but we keep seeing Beyonce and Kanye West. As an organization, the Grammy’s aren’t making much of an effort to find new black artists that are actually well in their artistry.”

“They didn’t hand out any hip-hop awards on stage, so those people didn’t even get their chance to say a few words and be represented physically. I think that was disrespectful to the black community because that’s part of the reason why we watch the Grammys; to see our people get awards and be celebrated. All we got was the fine print.”

Justice Mirzakhani, 20, Houston Tatiana Laing, 21, Piscataway, N.J.

“If you want your music to be on the Grammys, you have to make music that is uplifting to people, in order to reach another population or set of people. Most music out now, the rappers, half of them I don’t understand what they’re saying. If I’m the director of the Grammys, I’m not going to put you on if I don’t know what you’re saying.” Jonathan McCray, 21, Southeast

“You should feel proud if you have it [validation]. But I don’t feel like that should be the goal. I hear a lot of artists say, ‘It’s every artists’ dream to win a Grammy,’ which is cool but what about the Soul Train Awards, the BET Awards? Why don’t we value our own? Why do we value theirs?” Nicholas Pierce, 20, West Chester, Penn.

“Unfortunately, the Grammys are more of an elite awards show, so it’s understandable why artists feel like they can go and receive high esteems there. The BET Awards is different. People want to be recognized nationally, on a higher scale, beyond anything having to just do black entertainment.” Tiffanie Yakum, 19, Brookville, Maryland

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LOCAL STUDENTS EXPLORE DISTRICT’S HISTORY Sean Hoggard WI Bridge Contributing Writer @lyrikal_202

For two University of the District of Columbia (UDC) students, learning about the history of the city they were born and raised in served as an exciting and informative experience. The duo – Francies Stephenson and Jacqueline Harris – spent a semester interviewing longtime District residents and understanding how much the city has changed in recent decades. The activity counted as part of a final project for their D.C. History class last spring.

Francies Stephenson/ Photo courtesy of BGuthriePhotos

“Initially, I dreaded doing this assignment because I thought I would be invading someone’s space,” said Harris. For her project, Harris interviewed Eleanor Banks, retired federal government employee and local volunteer. “As I went through the process, I got excited as my subject became more relaxed and really opened up about her life experiences. It was very educational,” said Harris. For a semester, Stephenson, Harris, and other students in Amanda Huron’s D.C. History course brainstormed who they would interview for their final project, drafted proposals, conducted hours of research, met with their professor in the library during the weekends, and practiced their presentation before their fellow students. In the fall of 2014, Stephenson and Harris summarized their findings before dozens of people at the annual D.C. Historical Studies Conference. Harris reflected about her meeting with Banks and Stephenson

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touched on what she learned about local poet and activist Luci Murphy.

“I wanted students to get a new perspective about D.C. and notice how it has changed,” said Huron, assistant professor of interdisciplinary social studies at UDC. “I could tell that the students were excited to present their work in public after I announced that they would have a chance to present at the conference,” In the course of completing the project, Harris learned about how Banks moved to the District from Cleveland during World War II with just a high school diploma and membership in the National Honor Society. Eventually, Banks gained employment with the federal government as a GS-2 clerk typist, rising in the ranks until she retired as a deputy director of contractors and compliance equal opportunity officer at the General Service Administration. Harris said she enjoyed learning about the 92-year-old elder’s wealth of experience and service as an elementary school volunteer for D.C. Public Schools. “When I was first given this assignment, three people came to mind as possible subjects but I decided to go with Ms. Banks because of her age,” said Harris. “It did not take long to complete the project. There were two interviewing session that lasted an hour each. It took about two days, one day for each session to type the interviews out,” said Harris. During her interview with Murphy, Stephenson learned about the poet’s experiences as president of the D.C. League of Women Voters, and a member of the steering committees of the People’s Music Network and Washington Innercity Self Help, an affordable housing organization.

Stephenson said that Murphy’s tenure as a convener of the Gray Panthers of Metro D.C., an associate producer of Sophie’s Parlor Women’s Radio Collective at WPFW 89.3 FM and a member of the Community Coalition for Peace and Justice particularly intrigued her.

“A couple months passed before I decided to interview Ms. Murphy, who I affectionately call Auntie Luci,” Stephenson said. “I wanted to talk to her because I liked her personality, and I could sense that she’d have interesting stories to tell. It took me about two months to complete my part. I was very excited to work on this project but also nervous because I wanted it to be perfect. I’m from D.C. and I wanted to represent my hometown in the best way possible,” said Stephenson. After the student presentations, members of the audience asked questions. Derrick Musgrove, an associate professor of history at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a panelist, critiqued the students’ presentations and noted that D.C. has made a transformation from the “Murder Capital” to “Boomtown.” That’s a lesson that Stephenson said she took with her at the end of the project, a journey she said made her love her hometown more than ever. “I didn’t appreciate D.C. when I was growing up,” said Stephenson. “It took me having to stay home for college to really get sense of the city’s true essence and its people. I feel a greater responsibility to give back and to affect change in the city.”

HASHTAG LUNCHBAG D.C.: Millennials, Social Media, and Activism Loren Saxton, Ph.D. WI Bridge Contributing Writer @Ms_LorenS

More than 100 slices of bread cover a 10foot table, surrounded by nearly fifteen volunteers wearing plastic gloves. A few people squirt one line of mayonnaise, and then two dots of mustard on each slice, while others follow behind layering lettuce, tomato and bologna. The second slice of bread is added, topped with a cookie and put in a plastic baggie. Just before each sandwich is placed in the lunch bag, a sticky note of encouragement is stuck to it. One reads, “I believe in you.” Hashtag LunchBag D.C. meets the last Sunday of each month at Bar Louie to pack and distribute lunches. Last month, more than 80 volunteers packed and distributed 600 plus lunches at Franklin Square and the Community for Creativity NonViolence (CCNV) Shelter in Northwest Washington, D.C. Volunteers followed, liked and shared the hashtag, and most importantly, showed up to work. Hashtag LunchBag D.C. is one concrete example of how local Black millennials are using social media to raise awareness of homelessness and hunger, organize and enact change in the local D.C. community.

“It’s a rewarding experience in several ways. It’s an opportunity to serve and really see that you’ve made a difference even in a small way,” said Deandra Duggans, 30, of Washington D.C., who has volunteered with Hashtag LunchBag D.C. since August 2014. “It means a lot to be able to put a smile on someone’s face who may not be in the best situation, but they’re making the best of it.” Figures released in May 2014 detailed that the homeless populations in D.C. increased by 13 percent in just one year. The report attributes this increase to growing poverty

rates, rising costs for rental properties, and lack of affordable housing in the city. Hashtag Lunchbag D.C. distributes lunches to those in need who are sheltered and unsheltered.

A group of volunteers work together to make more than 600 sandwiches at Bar Louie NW. / Photo courtesy of Loren Saxton

Hashtag LunchBag D.C. couples its social media strategies with word-of-mouth strategies to brand itself, raise awareness and donations and organize monthly volunteer events. And it’s the combination of these efforts that contributes to the ongoing success of digital and online activism, said Allissa Richardson, professor in the Department of Communications at Bowie State University. Millennials are digital natives, and the most avid users of the Internet, according to Pew Research Center reports. While millenials are using social media to help build personal networks, Brookings Institute found that millennials are also using social media platforms in a political capacity, engaging in nontraditional forms of activism. When an organization’s primary method of solicitation of donations and volunteers is social media, an increased and effective social media presence is essential.

“Millennials can use social media to brand their ideology,” said Richardson, who is also the coordinator for the Emerging Media track at BSU. “Social media builds awareness and consensus, but millennials must remember the importance of physical presence. Boots on the ground paired with social media creates more power.” As Hashtag LunchBag D.C.’s followers on Facebook and Instagram increased, more volunteers joined the movement, said Jenee Cannady, 32 of Upper Marlboro, Md., and social media coordinator for Hashtag Lunchbag D.C. In March 2014, 20 volunteers packed and distributed 160

lunches. Almost a year later, the number of volunteers and packed lunches has grown significantly. “We started very small, but we wanted to expand our reach,” said Raven Stroman, coordinator of Hashtag LunchBag D.C. “We use Instagram to showcase the actual event because there is power in images. We share pictures taken by volunteers at our event and there is power in authenticity.” Hashtag LunchBag was founded three years ago in Los Angeles when a group of friends wanted to distribute well-balanced meals to those in need in their local community. After sharing their experience via social media, people in cities across the nation requested to participate in the movement to help end hunger. While the organization’s efforts point to social media as not just technology, but a platform for action and community organization, it also points to an ongoing issue in major metropolitan cities across the country— growing homeless and extreme poverty populations. “I’m a native Washingtonian and am always excited to give back to my hometown. It’s my responsibility,” said Duggans. “What’s also been awesome to witness is the growth of the group each month, the amount of young people who are getting involved and the power of social media.”

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WARD 8 CANDIDATES CONTINUE BARRY’S LEGACY By Melvin Graham WI Bridge Contributing Writer @_MelG_

Not anyone can be granted the moniker of “Mayor for Life.” It must be earned by someone who has gained the high regard of the people after years of public service. So when the former, while ceremoniously perennial, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry passed away last November and left his Ward 8 Council member seat vacant, the civil rights icon received an outpouring of love from hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians. The vivid stories about Barry’s impact on residents’ lives during his half century of service foreshadowed discussions about who will follow in his footsteps and win the Ward 8 D.C. Council during a special election on Apr. 28. “Twenty-five people picked up petitions to run in the Ward 8 race and 16 people returned to submit those petitions with signatures,” said Denise Tolliver, spokesperson for the D.C. Board of Elections in Northwest. “I agree that Barry’s history and community ties were reflected in his political decisions. It may be interesting to see how the past of each special election candidate affects how they seek to affect Ward 8’s future.” The Ward 8 special election will give constituents an opportunity to decide who’s best equipped to fix the dismal conditions in the region. As of Dec. 2014, Ward 8 has an unemployment rate of 17 percent, the highest of any area in D.C. according to data from the District’s Department of Employment Services in Northeast. The Metropolitan Police Department reports that more than 120 violent crimes have been reported in the ward thus far in 2015. Sometimes, those facts can be hard to swallow for some people like Cynthia Simms, In January, Kevin Owens, 22, and Phillip Jones, 17, were gunned down by men just as young as them weeks after Simms became advisory neighborhood commissioner for Single Member District 8A03. 5 | WI BRIDGE

“We can’t be scared of the young people in our community. We need to find out what they want and make it their community too,” said Simms, 62. Simms said she believes that giving children hope for the future through vocational schooling and a recreation center will simultaneously drive economics and stave off violence in the ward.

build bridges for the people,” said Trayon White, 30, a community organizer and one of the youngest candidates for Barry’s old seat. White, who lives in Washington Highlands in Southeast, said he can be an effective council member because he has worked in the interest of Ward 8 residents for more than a decade.

For Ward 8 residents, change may be on the horizon. The once deteriorating St. Elizabeths East Campus now serves as a homeless shelter and the location of the RISE Demonstration Center, which houses a lecture hall, computer lab, and classroom spaces. Last August, Barry counted among the local officials and community leaders present at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the community center in Congress Heights. Barry, then 78, had spent most of his life as a civic leader. His involvement in D.C. politics started in 1965 when he moved to the District - then a majority-black city with no representative local government - to head the local Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee office. In that role, Barry made measurable progress in addressing key issues, including public transit fare increases and a lack of job training programs for black men - without holding an elected position. Barry’s grassroots involvement informed his decisions as a board member of D.C.’s State Board of Education and later one of the city’s first council members. In those roles, he tackled internal discord and wasteful spending. Barry’s concern for fiscal efficiency carried over to his first term in the Mayor’s office, during which his administration generated a budget surplus which paved the way for city offerings including Barry’s flagship summer youth employment program, posthumously named after the politician. “[Community activist] William Lockridge and Marion Barry showed me how important it is to be at the table to help

Trayon White, 30, said he wants to be the change his community needs. / Photo courtesy of Trayonforward8.com

As vice president of Frank W. Ballou Senior High School’s student government association, White organized the Ballou Soldiers program, which allowed community leaders to speak to students about their experiences and give advice that would help them better their lives and community. As a student at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in Princess Anne, Maryland, White found time to return to his stomping grounds. During those years, he coached football on the weekends and served as a counselor in the Woodland Tigers Youth Sports and Educational Program during the summer. White cites the experience of losing five young men enrolled in the Woodland Tigers Sports and Educational Program to street violence during his years at UMES as a reason to return to Ward 8. After graduating from college, he served on the

State Board of Education and later as a supervisor in the Department of Parks and Recreation Youth Development Division/ Roving Leaders Program where he worked closely with at-risk youth. “I want to be the change that my community needs,” said White. “In order to make the city safe, we need to increase our employment rate because lack of employment is connected to crime. Education is important for youth to gain employment. A lot of people are talking about what they are going to do. I am running on what I have been doing.” Steve Zanders, executive director of the Woodland Tigers Youth Sports and Educational Program, said he became aware of White’s passion for helping the youth when he saw him chaperone the group during camping trips and go beyond the responsibilities of his role in the program.

to this area three years ago because it has such a strong sense of community,” said Reed, a management analyst with the U.S. Agency for International Development. “Neighborly concern for the well-being of others is a feeling that I did not experience as I considered other parts of the District for residence.”

candidate who can effectively communicate with both advisory neighborhood commissioners to discover community issues and city council members to solve those issues, including the lack of jobs year round for the young men living in Ward 8. While Marion Christopher Barry, son of the late mayor and a candidate for the Ward 8 council seat, said he has provided employment for others, he contends that civic engagement is a new experience. But that hasn’t deterred him for competing for his father’s old seat. “I want to change the definition of a politician,” said Barry, 34. “I saw the negative parts of politics while growing up watching my father’s experiences and felt as though being an entrepreneur provided an opportunity for me to serve in my own way.”

“Trayon was a big influence on the young guys,” Zanders said.“He kept the kids out of trouble, encouraged them to go to school, and talked to the young men about the facts of life,” said Zanders, 53 from Southeast.

Genora Reed, 35, said she will continue to improve the welfare of others without an elected position/ Photo courtesy of Linkedin.com

For Genora Reed, building healthy communities and families stands as a top priority and part of her platform for the special election. Reed, who has a track record of political involvement that includes serving as a field organizer for President Barack Obama’s campaign, now launches government programs that aim to end poverty.

Ward 8’s geographic location, east of the Anacostia River, physically separates it from other parts in the District. This often leaves some Ward 8 residents feeling like they’re neglected by lawmakers who meet in the John A Wilson Building in Northwest. Many feel that they only have each other.

Reed, however, will not have a chance to do that as the next Ward 8 council member. Her candidacy ended when she did not submit the adequate number of signatures required to appear on the ballot for the Apr. 28 election. Reed, 35 from Congress Heights, said she will continue to improve the welfare of others without the help of an elected position for the time being. “I chose to live in Ward 8 when I moved

“Ward 8 is not prioritized like other wards when solving issues and that has a significant impact on how deep issues become,” said Paul Trantham, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for Single Member District 8B02. “Issues include employment, homelessness, and hunger which contribute to crime and tension.” Trantham, 47 from the Skyland neighborhood, said he wants to see a

Marion Christopher Barry , 34, is vying for his father’s old seat in the ward special election. / AP

In 2007, Barry started Efficiency Contractors named in honor of his mother Effi Barry who passed from leukemia that year. He said that since its inception, the organization has created hundreds of construction jobs for young men. Barry recalled discovering his passion for the career field during a summer job working

with an older black man who owned a painting company. “I appreciated the camaraderie and [learning] a trade because it brings the best out of people,” Barry said. “Giving young men an alternative to sharing guns and drugs now has them teaming up to share tools and trucks.” Barry said that he often sees his impact on Ward 8 during drives past construction sites where he used to work. He said people stop him if he’s hiring for contracts awarded by the District’s Department of General Services. “For Barry to be from Ward 8 and uplift the appearance of his community while working with the people of his community must be a tremendous feeling,” said Darrell Pressley, spokesperson for the District’s Department of General Services, who touched on the younger Barry’s involvement in the development of Ballou Senior High School facility and the renovated Bald Eagle Recreation Center and Dr. Arnold W. McKnight Boxing Annex. “Barry has certainly had an impact on his community in that regard.” Barry feels that the experience which best exemplifies his ability to affect others is when he helped inmates at Oak Hill Youth Center in Fort Meade, Maryland dispose of nearly three miles of barb wire fence around the detention center. “As we were tearing down the barb wire, I found out that about twenty of the men working on the job had been sentenced to Oak Hill as juveniles,” said Barry. “Tearing down the barb wire that used to surround them is symbolic of what can happen when people are given opportunity.” “One man can not help everybody, but I want to leverage government to help people help themselves,” said Barry.

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THE COMPLEX SIMPLICITY OF CHANGE The Black Community’s Expectations and the Obama Reality Chelsea G. Fuller WI Bridge Editor @Fulloffaith22

To some, the election of the nation’s 44th president fulfilled the long-awaited prophecy of “The Chosen Brotha,” who through unyielding presidential power and influence would liberate and protect the oppressed people of this country. But for others, the purpose-driven man from Illinois, clothed in “hope” and promises of “change,” seemed to emerge quietly from the heavy fog of a history of inequality, racism and oppression.

especially in the wake of tragedies like the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown and Eric Garner, generated public debate about a very dichotomous issue: Black people’s expectations of Obama versus the president’s unmasked reluctance to address institutionalized societal issues that overwhelmingly affect black people. By creating jobs, revitalizing schools, supporting historically black colleges and universities and giving all Americans affordable access to health care, the president has undoubtedly bettered the lives of Black citizens. However, there is a vast range of responses in regard to whether or not the president has effectively supported the needs of black citizens particularly around injustices like voter disenfranchisement and police brutality. One group particularly invested in this conversation is black millennials. In recent presidential elections, black millennials between the ages 18 and 29 had the highest voter turnout rates of any racial or ethnic group, with 58.2 percent in 2008 and 53.7 percent in 2012, according to a report from the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement at Tufts University in Medford, Mass.

President Barack Obama delivers the commencment address at Morehouse College in Atlanta in 2013. / Photo courtesy of Whitehouse.gov

Through all the ups and downs of his 2008 campaign, Obama achieved the impossible: He brought an unprecedented number of black voters to the polls and broke through generations of political distrust. He ensured black people that real change was possible and on the horizon.

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Nearly seven years later, what seemed a simple concept has proven to be one of the most complex and controversial issues Obama has faced to date. The notion that the president did not deliver the kind of change and advocacy he promised has,

When Obama took office, it was like the sealing of an unofficial agreement between himself and the black community. There was an understanding - some might call it an assumption - that he would break down barriers to access and other institutionalized systems of oppression(i.e. poverty and equal access to education), that keep staggering numbers of minorities vulnerable. In the same assumptive spirit, Obama could have believed he would always have the unwavering support of the community that in large part got him elected. In this case, the phrase about assumptions might have proven true on both ends; leaving one interesting question unanswered: Were black people’s

expectations unrealistic? Or did the president simply fail to “be the change” he said we would see? In his Reuter’s article entitled “Barack Obama and Ferguson: The cost of being the reluctant black president,” Peniel Joseph said Obama’s campaign mantra of hope and change “offered both whites and blacks a new hope for political transcendence,” and that while Obama was overwhelmingly supported by the black community early on, he showed premature signs of what would become an indirect approach to addressing issues affecting black citizens. Joseph points out Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” speech as one of the first warning signs. The speech came after Pastor Jeremiah Wright’s infamous racerelated comments in 2008. During the speech, Obama equated black people’s anger related to slavery, Jim Crow and contemporary racism with white people’s fears and anger about Affirmative Action, reverse racism and black protest. To some the comments were insignificant, as many were still basking in his presidential glory. However, others saw this as a missed opportunity to talk to white America about why black citizens feel the way they do about their status and treatment in this country. Since that day, Obama has publicly ridiculed and chastised the black community on several occasions. A prime example of this occurred in 2013 when he told the graduating class at Morehouse College that there was no time for excuses, and that in today’s society no one was going to give them anything they didn’t earn. But scholars and analysts have questioned why Obama has yet to criticize or address white America about established systems of oppression and racial inequality. “Obama criticizes black people for white people...to show he can be critical of us,”

said world-renowned scholar, minister and civil rights advocate Michael Eric Dyson. “ He can’t criticize white America and I know he can’t. But if he can’t say anything to white people then why does he publicly criticize Negroes without addressing the context in which things occur?” Due to obstructions imposed by a noncooperative Congress and other strategic attacks by his opposition, including the disenfranchisement of minority voters during recent elections, one could understand how reprimanding white America from his presidential platform could be difficult and dangerous. But Dyson, who was a surrogate for Obama during both presidential campaigns, asserts that the president’s out of context criticisms of black people are equivalent to what his white foes do to him all the time. “When President Obama gives expression to the criticism of black people out of context, it makes us look as if we are [t]he only party responsible for the racial reality in America [and] the only group that has problems internal to our culture that need to be addressed. He lets white America off the hook for the systemic injuries of black people and does to us what they do to him, which is un-Americanize our citizenry,” Dyson said. The sentiment around Obama’s lack of public advocacy for black Americans is that it’s problematic and somewhat divisive. Many black people are angered that after two terms, Obama has yet to remedy some of the ailments afflicting citizens of color, while others are just as concerned that members of the black community aren’t more appreciative of what Obama has accomplished through his policies. D.C.-based black youth activist and male achievement expert Deon T. Jones, an avid supporter of the Obama administration, said he feels that some black people were unrealistic in their expectations of the president, and that many of the policy

decisions he’s made tremendously affect Americans of color, whether they realize it or not. “The President’s domestic policies have benefitted African Americans significantly. For example, millions of people who never had health care now have access to it. With My Brother’s Keeper, young men of color are getting the great attention they need in order for them to be competitive in the future. The Affordable Care Act and My Brother’s Keeper are literally helping to break the cycle of poverty,” Jones said. Preston Mitchum, legal writing professor at Georgetown University and well-known social justice advocate, said he believes the relationship between black people’s expectations and the actual realities of what is going on with the president and the state of the nation don’t align, which is causing frustration on both sides. “When Obama came into office, at first, I felt people were energized, but not so much anymore. There has been so much obstructionism with a Republican Congress that I believe many people just became frustrated,” MItchum said. “But we have to hold President Obama more accountable. For example, there have been many problems with drone attacks and international development that many of us in the community have stayed silent about out of fear of being demeaned for being ‘against our community.’ I think this is malarkey, particularly because we elected him. While he is black, he is also an elected official.” Personally identifying with the interests of black people and being the leader of the

free world has been a visible challenge for President Obama, particularly now that the value of black lives has become such a prominent issue. Effectively representing the interests of those still fighting for equal access to their rights and protection under the law, and those participating in the oppression and disenfranchisement of those responsible, is a heavy and complicated burden to bare. However, Dyson urges people to remember an important point:

A group of protestors holds signs in Ferguson,Missouri, after the shooting death of Michael Brown in 2013. / Photo courtesy of GatewayPundit.com

“For the president, just showing up as a black man everyday to do his job is unavoidably symbolic of the plight and predicament of black people. Barak Obama is an extraordinary human being; unfairly and unjustly victimized by forces of the dominant culture that make us protect him and love him. We are not saying that is not true or real, we are saying that should be reciprocated. Holding a president accountable does not mean that we hate him, but that we love the truth, and our people even more.”

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LOCAL ARTISTS GRAB THE REINS OF HIP-HOP AND SPREAD POSITIVITY By Ambre Tomlinson WI Bridge Contributing Writer @Missgreeneyez

Washington D.C. is a breeding ground for some of the most influential AfricanAmerican artists in the United States. However, the evolution of Hip-Hop music throughout history has, in several instances, transformed into a new beast many cannot comfortably identify with. The pride people once derived from the music is waning. . Despite media, pop culture and societal pressure, there are some young artists drawing inspiration from powerful hiphop pioneers who are refusing to give in to the proverbial dying of the light. “My music has to reflect the times, but also speak to a solution on how to change the issues that plague us,” Maguyver, president of music label G&D New Sinatra LLC said. “It’s all of our responsibility to be an example for the younger generation, not just musically, but in all our actions day to day.” Lately, the celebration of one’s natural appearance and cultural pride have become more popular than in years past. Avid listeners and supporters of hip-hop want more than recent mainstream music is offering; people are thirsty for knowledge and empowerment through music. Three movements: Pinky Killacorn, G&D New Sinatra and E.A.L.U are sharing some positive messages with the hip-hop community through music. These entertainers, all natives of the D.C. metropolitan area, provide an unmatched service to the local entertainment industry by refusing to compromise their integrity for mainstream appeal. Each artist has contributed a style and sound that is unique, yet well received by local and national music scenes. They are increasing

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their audience’s hip-hop nutritional value through strong, thought-provoking lyrics, all while realizing their responsibility to young African Americans, their target audience.

to myself and not be afraid to expose the dark and the light aspects of myself and my life so that people are inspired to look at themselves in a holistic way, and truly be on a path to self-awareness.”

Born I Music says he fulfills this responsibility everyday while mentoring students. Aside from being an artist, Born I Music is also a practicing Buddhist and teacher of meditation. Originating from D.C., Hip-Hop duo (Shambhala), a group whose messages relate to spiritual awareness, black culture and black empowerment, is a part of his past that will always be close to his heart. As a solo artist crossing over to mainstream music, staying relevant for new fans and remaining true to himself was no easy task. How appropriate that the name of his company, Guns & Doves New Sinatra, includes symbolism pertaining to the polarity of human impulses: war and peace, love and hate and success and failure.

It is his belief that he must represent the excellence of Black culture by creating music that acknowledges the greatness of black history while also shining a light on the current state of the community.

Where his career was concerned, Born found himself battling his conscience. Opportunities with major record labels were unfolding, but with that came the demand for a new genre of hip-hop that did not mirror the ideals of the traditional music and artists he admired. After extensive reflection, he realized that the best thing to do was to stay true to himself, which included blending Buddhist ideals and clever historical references with lyrics about wealth, power and luxury. As Born put it “Meditating in a Lamborghini is just as effective when in the right state of consciousness.” When asked about his personal responsibility to the Hip-Hop music scene, Born said, “As a black man and an artist, my responsibility is to be true

“My responsibility isn’t necessarily to tell people how to think or what to do, but rather to use my life has an example. I am someone searching for the truth, searching for the best way to live, searching for the best way to represent myself and my culture in this era while remembering where we came from, and looking forward,” he said. Uptown XO and AB the Producer have created the acronym E.A.L.U (“Everyone Ain’t Like Us” or “Everyone Ain’t Love Us”). The group promotes having pride in one’s individuality, faith in their craft and knowledge of the history from whence they came. E.A.LU. provides their audience with the trap beats they crave as well as intellectually stimulating content. When questioned about the worst part of music today, Hip-Hop in particular, Uptown XO said, “A major downfall is capitalism and people trying to capitalize off of the culture.” He further explained “The positive aspect is that through capitalism it (Hip-Hop) was spread around the world and now it is contagious.” D.C. is widely-known for utilizing a conga drum beat and powerful lead vocals to create a genre of music many can only find in this area. Go-go music originated in

the late 1970s and has been an inspiration to musicians in the area ever since. Wale introduced go-go music to mainstream, modern-day hip-hop by remixing a UCB song titled “Pretty Girls.” This gave the world a sample of a sound characteristic to the D.C. area, and opened a door for other artists from this area to showcase a genre they are are proud of and familiar with. Pinky Killacorn received her first recognition singing on stage with local go-go bands such as Backyard Band and Critical Condition Band. Now a wellknown artist in the city, she still uses go-gos beats and instruments in her production.

Pinky Killacorn and Born I music at Born’s single release party at RoseBar./ Photo courtesy Ambre Tomlinson

Pinky Killacorn and Uptown XO at the Titan Awards. / Photo courtesy Ambre Tomlinson

Pinky said, “I will always be grateful for those first opportunities to sing on stage and be respected by the musicians I grew up listening to. Go-go music has been an inspiration to me and my career.” The joy people in this area feel when they hear a go-go beat is more than just a feeling of hearing good music. Go-go music has given its listeners a sense of home and togetherness. Pinky Killacorn attributes her rich lyrical content and provocative individuality to the “Uptown” D.C. streets that raised her. She supports the same after school advocacy programs that nurtured her early talents and creativity. She continues to teach and mentor youth at Coolidge Senior High school in D.C. Recently named one of Hip-Hop Weekly’s top unsigned female MCs and currently working on her sophomore album, Pinky has an individual fashion sense, an engaging stage presence and an eagerness to give back to the community that raised her.

Willie Waze outside of Ben’s Chili Bowl./ Photo courtesy Ambre Tomlinson

Her sound retains its grit and shock-factor in some cases, but refuses to be a catalyst of degradation. She remains a positive role model empowering people through her strength without the baggage of commercial conformity. The message she relays to her listeners is “Love yourself, believe in yourself and stay true to yourself.” The late 1980’s through the 1990’s were very influential years for hip-hop music. Toward the end of a crack-cocaine epidemic, many families had been broken apart and many lives had been changed forever. Assassination of black leaders, Reaganomics and everyday life in the concrete jungle of the inner city provided the aspiring rapper with an abundance of thought-provoking subject matter.

AB The Producer and Uptown XO (E.A.L.U) performing at The Rock & Roll Hotel. / Photo courtesy Ambre Tomlinson

Macguyver and Willie Waze of G&D New Sinatra being filmed for a documentary outside of Ben’s Chili Bowl./ Photo courtesy Ambre Tomlinson

Hip-Hop became a way to vent and heal. It opened the world’s eyes to the plight of the common man, struggling to survive despite the odds against him. Artists such as KRS One, Big L and Wu-tang Clan highlighted the struggle as well as their survival techniques. These are the artists

that influenced rapper, engineer, Hip-Hop enthusiast and president of G&D New Sinatra, Macguyver. Macguyver said, “It’s important as a black man in this era to speak to the younger generation without speaking down to them. We have a responsibility to educate our youth, but at the same time make them aware that we understand and know where they are coming from. I speak a lot about the darkness of growing up in a less fortunate environment, but also make sure I let my listener know that you don’t have to stay in that darkness.” Waze, another member of the G&D New Sinatra family, is a rapper whose content and versatility have made his presence synonymous with a maturity beyond his years. In an era of young rappers perpetuating notions of promiscuity and the ever-popular “money-over-everything” frame of mind, Waze’s lyrics are prolific, politically controversial and laden with black history. Waze said, “My responsibility to the young black generation is to inspire them to pursue their dreams no matter what is in their way. They have to know and feel that nothing is cooler than being yourself and following your heart, because that is where the true blessings sprout from.” Waze also spoke to the emphasis this generation of hip-hop music places on money. “At the moment, there is an emphasis placed on money due to corporate interest, but people have to be aware that it is the experiences and creation of your art that is really the most important part of the journey.” Hip-Hop seems to have undergone a reconstruction. More frequently, the deeper messages are being lost. History has proven if there is no one left to tell the original version, the story starts to disappear. An artist who holds on to their conviction and pride while spreading messages that convey Hip-Hop as an outlet for reality, emotion and creativity is a historian as well. Artists like these along with many others who pound the pavement here in the D.C. metropolitan area provide much-needed reassurance that music is love, knowledge is power and they both live in the soul.

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Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee:

Love Personified New Film Explores their Relationship and Activism By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins For more than 50 years, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee wowed audiences on the silver screen and fervently railed against institutional racism in the academy and other facets of American society while maintaining a healthy marriage and taking care of a growing family. Their reputation as activists and staunch crusaders of human rights garnered the duo many awards and worldwide recognition. A decade after the death of Davis and less than a year since that of Dee’s, people of various ages still clamor to learn more about the power couple. Hundreds of the pair’s fans would get that chance during the free screening of a feature documentary about the activists at a local historic theatrical venue. “Every year we try to recognize those who have a national impact on not just African Americans but Americans of all colors. Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee were two individuals with integrity,” said Chuck Hicks, a member of the DC Black History Celebration Committee (DCBHCC). Last week, DCBHCC and the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, based in Southeast, hosted a viewing of a ﬁlm titled “Life’s Essentials with Ruby Dee: An Intergenerational Nontraditional Documentary on Love, Art, & Activism” at the Lincoln Theatre in Northwest. The event, one of dozens of gatherings that have taken place in observance of Black History Month, attracted more than 200 people from across the D.C.

metropolitan area. “This couple has been involved in many situations throughout their life and didn’t change their values. They stood for something. I thought it was important for people to see artists who are honest and don’t sell their souls. These artists came up in a difficult era but they made a collective effort to make a statement in their art that could promote justice and freedom,” Hicks said. During the Civil Rights Movement, Davis and Dee maintained a close relationship with Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Jackson, and other icons of the era. The couple helped plan the 1963 March on Washington and served as masters of ceremonies. Davis delivered a eulogy at Malcolm X’s funeral and gave a passionate speech before hundreds of onlookers shortly after King’s assassination in 1968. Their advocacy efforts didn’t stop after the 1960s. In the latter part of the 20th century and early 2000s, the couple stood up against what they considered other injustices including the police shooting of Amadou Diallo and the American invasion of Iraq. In 2005, Dee accepted the Lifetime Achievement Freedom Award given to her and the then-recently deceased Davis for their lifelong commitment to human rights. Still reeling from Davis’ death and determined to gather knowledge from Dee during her final years, film director Muta’ Ali, also the couple’s grandson, started a journey to chronicle the actress’ thoughts about love, arts and activism and that of other people who knew the couple. In 2011, he and produc-

An interview and ﬁlm screening of “Life’s Essentials – Ruby Dee on Love, Art, and Activism,” with (L-R) documentary co-producers Levon Frank and Muta’ Ali, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee’s grandson, with Jennifer Nelson at the Lincoln Theater on Thursday, Feb. 12 in Northwest. /Photo by Roy Lewis

er Jevon “NJ” Frank launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign that generated more than $50,000 in contributions within 40 days. The Thursday, Feb. 12 screening at the Lincoln Theatre counted among a host of viewings to take place across the country, including one at the American Black Film Festival in New York later this year. “This film was an organic way to tell a story and discuss generational changes and the trajectory of black America since the Civil Rights Movement,” Ali told moderator Jennifer Nelson during the post-film discussion. “I think a lot has changed and I’m glad to have explained this movie in different cities. As starving artists, when the jobs are scarce, you want to eat. It’s different today. People in my generation can identify with that selfish mentality.” Earlier that evening, guests watched as Ali tried to reconcile his doubts about marriage and the artist’s role as a social advocate in the 21st century during on-camera interviews with Dee, family members, civil rights leaders and stars who knew the influential duo including Angela

Bassett, Danny Glover, Harry Belafonte and Phylicia Rashad. The film, which strayed away from a conventional format, included never-revealed details about Davis’ and Dee’s marriage, activism and love of the performing arts. “This film’s a reaffirmation of all the stories you hear as a child from your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles about our place in the world and our responsibility to our children and loved ones,” said Terrence Rose, 43, a consultant who attended the film screening with a friend. “The part that stuck out the most for me was the March on Washington and how all that came together,” said Rose, a Northwest resident. For social worker Angela Hardiman, the 90-minute film forced her to reexamine her life that she said has been devoid of social activism since college, especially in the years since her career took off. “This film touched me as a black woman, a product of Generation X, and a graduate of a historically black college,” said Hardiman, 39. “I felt a sense of calling and disappointment in my generation. It’s not too late.

There’s work to be done and this film rekindled something in me. It attacked so many things on an intimate level including the end of my marriage. I asked myself what I could have done differently,” said Hardiman who lives in Fort Washington, Maryland. Kaifa Anderson-Ali, a horticulture therapist and youth developer, relished the opportunity to watch “Life Essentials” with her daughter and discuss the film afterward. Anderson-Ali said that she hopes that schools in the District include the film in year-round curriculum so that it can inspire students to fight for causes important to them. “This film would blow Common Core out of the water,” Anderson-Ali, 54, said. “If every school had this, then we would really see a transformation in our children. My daughter and I will have a conversation about how things are different today and the impact that social media has on the intensity of the movement. Today, we can mobilize faster but the degree of sustainability and passion remains an issue. That was the piece that was demonstrated in the film,” said Anderson-Ali who lives in Northeast. WI

“Every year we try to recognize those who have a national impact on not just African Americans but Americans of all colors. Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee were two individuals with integrity.” – Chuck Hicks 28 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

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Southwest values our relationships with community organizations making the world a better place. Tuskegee Airmen • NAACP ACT-SO • National Great Blacks In Wax Museum • The Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Foundation for Arts and Education • Advocates USA

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Moss Kendrix – The Father of Black Public Relations Association for the Study of African American Life and History A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture

Saturday, February 28, 2015 Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel 2660 Woodley Road N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 202-328-2000

Keynote Speaker Daryl Michael Scott, Ph.D. Professor of History at Howard University ASALH National President

Centennial Honorary Co-Chair Susan Taylor Author and Journalist

Emcee A'Lelia Bundles Author and Journalist

Centennial Honorary Co-Chair Harry Belafonte Singer, Actor, and Civil Rights Activist

Sonia Sanchez Poet, Activist, and Scholar

Courtesy Global Social Media News Service The rich legacy of concerned African-American public relations professionals started in the 1930s with one Moss Kendrix, who is often referred to as the “father of black PR.” Kendrix began making his mark in public relations as a student at Morehouse College in the mid-1930s. As the editor of the school’s Maroon Tiger newspaper and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, he co-founded the Phi Delta Delta Journalism Society, the first and only society of its kind for African-American journalism students. Just after graduating from Morehouse in 1939, he created National Newspaper Week to “generate much needed recognition of America’s Negro press and their importance to our community.” That recognition remains today in the form of Black Press Week, which is observed annually by the National Newspaper Publishers Association. In 1944, Kendrix became director of public relations for the Republic of Liberia’s Centennial Celebration. That same year, he founded his own public relations firm in Washington, D.C., The Moss Kendrix Organization. His firm was responsible for several major corporate accounts targeting African-American consumers. His client list included Carnation, the National Education Association, the Republic of Liberia and Ford Motor Co. And his was the first Black firm to be retained by the Coca Cola Co.

in the early 1950s after Kendrix submitted a comprehensive plan to company executives on how to market to the African-American community. He became an integral part of Coca Cola’s product promotion efforts. Kendrix was also the first African-American public relations practitioner to have his own weekly radio program, which was called “Profiles of Our Times” and appeared on Washington’s WWDC. Rounding out his legacy of innovation, Moss Kendrix created the National Association of Market Developers in 1953 as a “support group for minorities in the public relations field.” The organization still exists today as the National Alliance of Market Developers, “an organization of professionals engaged in marketing, sales, sales promotion, advertising and public relations who are focused on the delivery of goods and services to the minority and urban consumer markets.” Kendrix was a public relations pioneer who left a lasting legacy and a major imprint on the way African-Americans were portrayed through the power of public relations and advertising. During his lifetime, he designed countless public relations and advertising campaigns that promoted African-American visibility for news organizations, entertainers and corporate clients. Kendrix died in 1989. WI The Global Social Media News Service, a news-gathering, reporting and distribution company. See more at http://www.globalsocialmedianews. com.

Featured Authors Event 10am-12 noon 89th Annual Luncheon: 12:30pm

To purchase tables and tickets visit www.asalh.org Contributions of $100 or more will be acknowledged in our program if received by January 21. For sponsorship and advertising information, please contact ASALH at 202-238-5910 or by email at aedwards@asalh.net /ASALH.BlackHistory

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Everyday people have the power to do extraordinary things. Like the thousands of people who participated in the marches in Birmingham to the tens of thousands who recently marched in Washington, DC, we can all make our voices heard. As we celebrate Black History, AARP honors those who believe in Real Possibilities for themselves and for the community. This is your season to do something extraordinary. Get started today at aarp.org/blackcommunity or by calling 1-877-601-6020.

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Hundreds of dancers attended the Revelations Workshop hosted by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Kennedy Centerâ€™s Millennium Stage on Saturday Feb. 7 in Southwest. /Photos by Roy Lewis

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MGM National Harbor Celebrates Black History Month. We celebrate the leadership, courage and vision of the inspiring African Americans who overcome adversity on their paths to achievement.

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Ailey Dancer Reinvents

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Legendary Odetta

Hope Boykin Superb in Piece Honoring Iconic Singer By D. Kevin McNeir WI Managing Editor During the Civil Rights Movement, Alabama native Odetta earned the title from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as “the voice of American folk music.” In fact, she often accompanied him with her guitar in tow, belting out songs pivotal to the movement like “We Shall Overcome” and “Oh, Freedom.” Now as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater makes its way across the U.S. during the current season, several dancers, including Hope Boykin and Demetia Hopkins Greene, have been featured as Odetta in a brilliant piece choreographed by Matthew Rushing. Boykin, now in her 15th season with the dance troupe, danced

the lead role on opening night, Tuesday, Feb. 3. “It’s awesome to have the opportunity to acknowledge Odetta who gave her life through her voice to the Civil Rights Movement and whose gifts were honored and appreciated by so many, including Dr. King himself,” said Boykin, a Durham, North Carolina native whose longevity and athletic prowess have made her a ﬁxture in the Ailey company. “As we travel the country, many have told me that they remember her from the March on Washington when she sang protest songs. They say we’re stirring up powerful memories, taking them back to the days of their youth over ﬁve decades ago. Then there’s a whole crop of younger folks who knew very little about her – to them she’s

Hope Boykin dances the lead role of Odetta in a newly-choreographed piece by Matthew Rushing during the 2014 – 2015 season of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre. / Courtesy photo

being introduced for the very ﬁrst time. Either way, it’s invigorating to realize that my performance – our performance – can serve as an inspiration for people of all ages.” Odetta, born Dec. 31, 1930 in Birmingham, Alabama, moved with her family to Los Angeles, California during her childhood where she later studied classical music and voice at Los Angeles City College. She took a stab at musical

theater, but soon turned to singing in coffeehouses in San Francisco, California and New York City in the 1950s. She released her first solo album in 1956, “Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues,” under the tutelage of Harry Belafonte and Pete Seeger. Credited with being a major part of the folk revival of the 1960s, Odetta, known for her closecropped hair and guitar, has long been identified as a major influence on several legendary white artists, including Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. Upon the release of her album “Odetta Sings Folk Songs” in 1963, which showcased her strong voice, her reputation for passionate protest songs became crystalized. In 1964 and 1965, she took the stage at the Newport Jazz Festival, instantly endearing herself to the crowd. Even when protest songs and folk music fell out of fashion in the early 1970s, she continued to perform around the world, collaborating with artists that included Dylan, Count Basie and even Langston Hughes. President Bill Clinton presented her with the National Medal of Arts in 1999, referring to her as

a “national treasure.” Odetta died Dec. 2, 2008 at the age of 77. During the Ailey performance, the music of Odetta resounds, featuring some of her greatest hits: “This Little Light of Mine,” “John Henry,” “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” and “There’s a Hole in the Bucket” which she performed with her friend Belafonte. Boykin, who also teaches dance, said she never considering that it could be a career until she received her ﬁrst check. “I have been so blessed and I’m truly grateful for all the things that I’ve learned. Those who have encouraged me along the way, like my parents and those who have deﬁed me and stood as naysayers have equally helped me to become the person I am today. Yes, there has been some pain on this road – both physical and emotional – but it’s all been worth it. My steps have been ordered,” she said. “We travel the world and while some think it’s all fun, we are like everyone else – we miss being home and we suffer injuries and illnesses but we still have to get into the gym, practice our craft and perform at a high level. Being a member of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater is like being part of a huge family – a family that for many, many years, has touched the hearts and souls of millions of people. It can’t get any better than that,” Boykin added. WI Boykin, a three-time recipient of the American Dance Festival’s Young Tuition Scholarship, attended Howard University, joined the Company in 2000 and most recently choreographed “Go in Grace” with the award-winning singing group Sweet Honey in the Rock for the Company’s 50th anniversary season.

The incomparable Odetta, hailed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as “the voice of American folk music,” was one of the most prominent and beloved singers during the Civil Rights Movement. /Courtesy photo

34 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

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LOVIN’ BY EXAMPLE. Here’s to the leaders that don’t talk about dedication, they show it. To the people who constantly perform selfless acts as they reach out, reach back and bring others along. We show our gratitude during Black History Month, but we applaud you everyday. Let’s all be inspired to stay deeply rooted in spreading the love, 365 days a year. Find your motivation at 365Black.com.

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Malcolm X:

Relevant, Radical,

Revolutionary February 21: 50th Anniversary of his Assassination By D. Kevin McNeir WI Managing Editor Malcolm Little, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, Malcolm X – died on Feb. 21, 1965 at the age of 39 – gunned down by black conspirators, in the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, New York. Now 50 years after his assassination, this complex advocate for the rights of blacks continues to garner both admiration and criticism. Perhaps that’s because the Muslim minister called truth to power – indicting white

36 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

America harshly because of its crimes against African Americans. Dr. Ron Daniels, a lecturer at York College City University of New York and president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century, says we must never forget Malcolm X who, had he lived, would have been 90 on his birthday in May 19th. “The 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the Selma to Montgomery March and the passage of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s role in these

events is correctly capturing the imagination of black America. But there is another set of events that should also receive [the] attention of our people,” Daniels writes in an essay published earlier this month. “It seems odd that very little attention is being devoted to the anniversary dates of the life and legacy of such an extraordinary leader. It is as if black America is gripped by a case of historical amnesia.” Daniels said he wants young activists, in particular, to understand Malcolm X’s contribution to the liberation of black in the U.S. and around the world. “Malcolm was uncompromising in his criticism of and opposition to white supremacy as an ingrained aspect of the very fabric of the American nation; Malcolm stressed black/African history, culture and identify and linked the black liberation movement in the U.S. to the anti-colonial and anti-imperialist struggles in Africa; he exhorted African people the world over to unite to exercise global Black Power; he came to understand the universal brotherhood of The Washington Informer

humankind without abandoning his fundamental commitment to the liberation of black people.” “Malcolm, our ‘Black Shining Prince,’ who rose from a life of petty crime and destructive behavior to evolve into a master-teacher, brilliant organizer and one of the most feared, respected and admired African leaders of all time – a model of possibilities for every black man or woman imprisoned in America’s ‘dark ghettoes,’” Daniels said. Manning Marable, author of the New York Times bestselling novel “Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention,” noted that while Malcolm X has attained iconic status today, at the time of his death he was widely reviled – “dismissed as an irresponsible demagogue.” “Malcolm deliberately sought to stand at the margins, challenging the U.S. government and American institutions. There was a cost to all this. The state branded him as a subversive and a security risk . . . Malcolm was not fully aware, until too late, of the deep hostilities he had provoked inside the Nation of Islam that led a coterie of officials around Muhammad to call for his murder. He placed his trust in a bodyguard who may have planned and helped to carry out his public execution.” “Leaders like Malcolm have enormous confidence in themselves and in their ability to persuade others. It was extremely difficult for him to anticipate betrayal, or even to acknowledge it. His strength was his ability to reinvent himself, in order to function and even thrive in a wide variety of environments.” “Impoverished African Americans could admire Dr. King but Malcolm not only spoke their

language, he had lived their experiences – in foster homes, in prison, in unemployment lines. Malcolm was loved because he could present himself as one of them,” said Marable in his epilogue to his 2011 published novel, which was released just months before the author’s death. Consider below, the words of Malcolm X: On freedom: “Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you’re a man, you take it.” On the media and control: “The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” On adversity: “There is no better [opponent] than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.” On education: “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” On respect: “Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone: but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.” On freedom: “If you’re not ready to die for it, put the word ‘freedom’ out of your vocabulary.” On identity: “A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” On success: “If you have no critics you’ll likely have no success.”

MALCOLM X Page 37

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LIFESTYLE Soulful serenade. /Photo by Mark Mahoney

‘Sounds Like Love’ Showcases Independent Artists Talented Entertainers Hail From D.C. and as far Away as L.A. By Glynn A. Hill WI Intern It was Ellis Lambert’s ﬁrst time hosting an event in the District, bringing together musicians, poets and even entrepreneurs to showcase up-and-coming talent and businesses. In a dimly lit studio overlooking Northeast Washington, artists from far away and near energized a packed crowd at The Warehouse last Thursday for the showcase titled “Sounds Like Love: An Artistic Experience.” “It’s such an amazing feeling, you know. We’ve been planning this thing since August,” said Lambert, the CEO of 3D Music Group, which organized the event. “I didn’t know anyone. I’d really been going all over the place to ﬁnd these artists from the band, to the singers, to the backup singers.” The event, hosted by comedian Rallo Boykins, featured singers like ShaMain, Brittany Tanner, and Jermaine Harris, who serenaded the audience with covers and original songs about love, relationships and personal growth. Between acts, spoken-word artists like FlowSpazm, Flowetry Man and Xavi-

MALCOLM X from Page 36 On white America: “No, we are not anti-white. But we don’t have time for the white man. The white man is on top already, the white man is the boss already . . . He has ﬁrst-class citizenship already. So you are wasting your time talking to the white man. We are working on our own people.” On respect: “I have more respect for a man who lets me know where he stands, even if he’s wrong. Than the one who comes up like an angel and is nothing but a devil.” On racism: “The American Negro [can] never be blamed for his racial animosities – he is only reacting to 400 years of the American whites.” On action: “Power in defense of freedom is greater than pow-

er the Poet performed provocative pieces that raised eyebrows and elicited snapping ﬁngers. “I basically want to speak life into people,” said FlowSpazm, who helped Lambert put the show together. “Words are powerful, so I want to use that to make people feel love, to be motivated, to give them reasons to want to grow and achieve what they want to do.” Boykins, a graduate of Howard University hailing from Hyattsville, Maryland, intermittently returned to the stage, joking about race, relationships, and bad Valentine’s Day gifts — in the spirit of the holiday that occurred two days after the event. For Tanner, self-love is what’s been most important for her growth as a person and an artist. She says writing her music is what helped heal her of the pain she’s experienced in life, adding that her music is what she hopes will bring others together and heal those experiencing what she has. “It’s important to reach back into the community to love and give back to others,” she said. “Sometimes people can feel alone, [the music] let’s people know, Dude, I went through

Captivating chanteuse. /Photo by Mark Mahoney

this too.” Lambert, a District native, was noticeably more buttoned-down as the event wound down. As Boykins called him to the stage for an ovation, Lambert grabbed the microphone to thank all of the artists before performing an original song of his own. Over a fast-paced, soulful beat, he shouted, “It’s over!” in

an elated tone as the remaining crowd clapped to the rhythm. Lambert says the fact that many of the night’s artists were willing to perform without pay meant a lot to him. “It shows what kind of people D.C. has,” said Lambert, whose next event, also in D.C., will be June 26. He says his goal is to help others through his dream to

expose independent artists. “Love – that’s what this whole thing is about. Everyone has different ways to express love, pain, hurt and pouring out your soul,” he said. “We did covers so people could recognize some of what we were doing, but at the end of the day it was original stuff that we created. Why? Because we love to do this.”WI

er on behalf of tyranny and oppression, because power, real power, comes from our conviction which produces action, uncompromising action.” On one’s past: “To have once been a criminal is no disgrace. To remain a criminal is a disgrace.” On expression: “It’s got to be the ballot or the bullet. The ballot or the bullet. If you’re afraid to use an expression like that, you should get back in the cotton patch, you should get back in the alley.” On power: “Power never takes a back step only in the face of more power.” On history: “History is a people’s memory, and without memory, man is demoted to the lower animals.” WI

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Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

LIFESTYLE

FESTIVAL 2015

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 7 CREATING CONNECTION THROUGH INNOVATIVE ARTS

Christians around the world observed Ash Wednesday on Feb. 18 – a day of fasting that occurs 46 days before Easter and marked the ﬁrst day of Lent in Western Christianity. /Courtesy photo

Season of Lent Begins for Christians Believers of Jesus Model His Actions on Ash Wednesday By D. Kevin McNeir WI Managing Editor

BOLD. PROVOCATIVE. DYNAMIC.

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38 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

Photo: Imani

THREE WEEKENDS OF OVER 100 PERFORMANCES FROM 700 ARTISTS FROM DC AND BEYOND.

If you happened to see people of various ages and races walking around on Wednesday, Feb. 18 with ashes on their foreheads, do not be alarmed. They were simply following the tradition of many Western Christians, observing the first day of Lent by attending church for Ash Wednesday service – a day of fasting, prayer and reflection that falls 46 days before Easter. Doctrine, dogma and the structure of worship differ among Christians in the West including: Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Anglicans and Presbyterians. However, all recognize the significance of Ash Wednesday, which like Easter, exists as one of the most important and holiest days on the Christian calendar. According to the New Testament writings in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke, also referred to as the canonical gospels, Jesus Christ spent 40 days The Washington Informer

fasting in the desert where he faced temptation by Satan. Lent traces its origins to a pivotal moment in Christ’s life and Christians mirror his actions, including fasting in some traditions, in preparation for Easter. The name Ash Wednesday comes from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday when they are placed on the heads of believers while words are uttered by the clergy that include either “Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15), or “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” (based on Genesis 3:19). Ashes, more often marked on Christians’ foreheads as a visible cross, can also be sprinkled over their heads. The old formula from Genesis, based on the words spoken to Adam and Eve after their sin, reminds worshippers of their sinfulness and mortality and of their need to repent. The newer formula, from the Gospel of Mark, makes clear what was only implied in the old.

Within different denominations, certain restrictions do exist. For example, the Catholic Church does not exclude from receiving sacraments, such as the placing of ashes on the head, those who are not Catholics and perhaps not even baptized. Methodists, however, take a more restrictive line, stating that ashes may be received only by those who profess the Christian faith and have been baptized. In modern days, the distribution of blessed ashes has extended from within church buildings to celebrations held in shopping centers, nursing homes, sidewalks, public transportation stations and even private dwellings. However, those who administer the ashes must read passages from the Bible and lead the participants in prayer. Finally, while ashes tend to be placed on the head by smudging the forehead with a sign of the cross, many Christians chose to keep the mark visible throughout the day, in part as an exercise of their religious freedom.WI

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LIFESTYLE

Griot

TAURUSYou are too kind this week and it’s a wonderful thing. By doing things for others without thought of a reward, you’re racking up beneﬁcial vibrations for your future! Take personal pleasure in what you do for others this week. Soul Afﬁrmation: I let my friendships guide my way. Lucky Numbers: 41, 47, 50

by Stewart F. Lane c.2015, Square One Publishers $39.95 / $49.95 Canada 288 pages

A remote control and ﬁve hundred channels. That’s what you’ve got for entertainment, and there’s still nothing on TV. That doesn’t keep you from looking, though, and wishing for something different. Finding entertainment shouldn’t be such a big production – but in decades past, that’s exactly what it took for African Americans, in more ways than one. In the new book “Black Broadway” by Stewart F. Lane, you’ll ﬁnd out why. When William Alexander Brown decided to retire, he knew where he’d do it: in the two-story home he’d purchased in lower Manhattan. It was 1821 and Brown, a free black man, knew that there were few places for black actors to perform for black audiences, and he planned to allow performances there. The popularity of those performances spurred Brown and a friend to “go a step further” with a 300-seat establishment they named the African Grove Theatre. It, too, was successful, until Brown was forced out of business by a local white theatre owner who feared competition. Not long after the African Grove Theatre was closed, minstrel shows began attracting crowds of both races. Many shows featured white and black entertainers in burnt-cork blackface, as well as comedy sketches and dancing – including many skits satirizing black life and culture. “It’s not clear,” says Lane, “why the African Americans of the era turned out to see” those shows – but they did, perhaps to laugh “at the absurdity of the caricatures…” By the late 1800s, vaudeville and burlesque had become popular, and that added increasing diversity to shows. Black entertainers were often included on-stage, and entire productions were created with black troupes, for black audiences. White people,

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FEB 19 - FEB 25, 2015

ARIES You’ll have lots of contact with folks you wanted to hear from this week. Your telephone is your best tool, and you’ll enjoy talking and listening to many supportive and loving friends. A letter may arrive with an invitation. Soul Afﬁrmation: I smile and trust in the powers beyond myself. Lucky Numbers: 6, 10, 14

“Black Broadway: African Americans on the Great White Way”

Where did you hear about that?

Horoscopes

of course, were welcome and did attend; one theatre owner even gave them their own section… in the back of the house. Throughout the years, African Americans – both performers and audience members – made strides, but slowly and with help from the NAACP and the Harlem Renaissance. By the 1930s, Broadway shows included racial issues; by the 1940s, interracial marriage was a common theme. In the 1950s, audiences enjoyed performances dealing with poverty and racism – but it wasn’t until well past the Civil Rights years that black faces became a non-issue on the Great White Way. Loaded with pictures, playbill reproductions, advertisements, and drawings, “Black Broadway” is a theatre-goer’s delight. But I was equally happy to see that there’s plenty for the historian, too: in addition to a rich narrative on equality for African Americans on Broadway (and off), author Stewart F. Lane includes a running timeline of national and world history to put the main body of this book into perspective. We’re also treated to dozens of short-but-comprehensive proﬁles of inﬂuential performers and people who, though many haven’t graced a stage in decades, are still familiar to followers of theatre, jazz, dance, and music. With all that’s inside this book, give yourself time to browse, read awhile, then browse again and enjoy. “Black Broadway” is perfect for fans of stage and screen and, of course, when there’s nothing on TV. WI

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GEMINI Exercise prudence this week in your handling of personal funds. Let your mind wander into the future and you’ll receive the happy answer that you are looking for. Time shared with a partner tonight will be very enjoyable. Soul Affirmation: Helping others is the true measure of my worth. Lucky Numbers: 13, 15, 20 CANCER Work with a partner or colleagues goes exceptionally well this week. You receive praise for a job well done! Feel free to change your mind regarding a personal issue. News from a distance arrives. Soul Affirmation: I go inside myself to find peace and joy this week. Lucky Numbers: 12, 16, 24 LEO You are a superstar at work. Efficiency seems to be your middle name. As you go your charming way, don’t forget to delegate tasks with a smile. Soul Affirmation: I give my mind a holiday again this week. Lucky Numbers: 43, 47, 51 VIRGO A relationship may be heating up. Make sure you know what you want, then go ahead. Minor challenges on the home front are easily dealt with. Soul Affirmation: The widest outlook comes from the look within. Lucky Numbers: 8, 10. 34 LIBRA You make important progress at work this week by seizing the initiative and letting your leadership abilities shine. What you do makes things better for everyone around you, so rock steady. Meetings and conversations go especially well. Soul Affirmation: The word is in me. I bring it forth. Lucky Numbers: 10, 31, 42 SCORPIO Pay attention to the details in your big bright beautiful picture this week. You’ll handle everything that comes up if you keep your focus sharp. A grand social event is in store for the week. Soul Affirmation: I am willing to make changes in my life. Lucky Numbers: 5, 17, 19 SAGITTARIUSThings are going your way in wonderful ways this week. Happy news may arrive from a distance, and on the home front, a romantic question may be answered. Friends are glad to be with you. All in all, a very pleasant week! Enjoy! Soul Affirmation: Success is mine because I feel successful. Lucky Numbers: 44, 51, 55 CAPRICORN Your social life gives big rewards during the week. However, give attention to e-mail contacts. Don’t be afraid as your mental horizon expands into new areas. Soul Affirmation: You are gifted with the ability to give Lucky Numbers: 9, 28, 39 AQUARIUS Your relationships can receive a big boost from a trip that beckons. Business is also highlighted. Your strong mental energy is sustained through the week. Work it out by talking it out. Soul Affirmation: This week is the week the Lord has made. I rejoice in it. Lucky Numbers: 31, 48, 52 PISCES Your vibes are calling to you this week to think fondly of all the love you are now giving and have given. Love itself makes you a better you. So act the fool and love with all your big sunny self. If things get stressful repeat your magic word to yourself: LOVE! Soul Affirmation: Freedom of mind is the greatest gift for me this week. Lucky Numbers: 8, 15, 33

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Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

SPORTS

Molloy College Lions Defeat University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Men’s Firebirds, 86-80

University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Firebirds Defeat Molloy College Lions, 79-61

UDC guard Quasim Jones shoots between two Molloy College defenders in the second half of NCAA Division II men’s basketball on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the UDC College Sports Complex in Northwest. The event was part of the “Wounded Warrior Project game” where Molloy College defeated UDC, 86-80. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

UDC forward Arielle Ward and Molloy College Maggie Salomone ﬁnd themselves on the court battling for possession of the basketball in the ﬁrst half of NCAA Division II women’s basketball on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the UDC Sports Complex in Northwest. UDC defeated Molloy, 79-61. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

UDC guard Din Moore is defended by Molloy guard Jaylen Morris in the ﬁrst half of NCAA Division II men’s basketball on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the UDC Sports Complex in Northwest. Molloy College defeated UDC, 86-80. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

UDC forward Geran Pope’s attempted shot is blocked by Molloy forward Chucks Obunse in the ﬁrst half of NCAA Division II men’s basketball on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the UDC Sports Complex in Northwest. Molloy College defeated UDC, 86-80. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

40 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

UDC forward Myla Somerville spins and leaves her Molloy College defender Alexia O’Connor in the ﬁrst half of NCAA Division II women’s basketball on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the UDC Sports Complex in Northwest. UDC defeated Molloy College, 79-61. /Photo by John E. De Freitas.

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SPORTS

The 29th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet, a three-day event from February 1315 featured over 27 swim teams with over 762 swimmers from around the country. Swimmers ranged in age from 13 to 15 years old. The Black History Invitational Swim Meet was co-founded by the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation and the United Black Fund, Inc. /Photos by Robert Roberts

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Scenes from the African American Heritage Tour, sponsored by the Washington Informer in Annapolis, Maryland. /Photos by Shevry Lassiter

42 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

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RELIGION

The Religion Corner

Black History Month Salute Keeping the Dream Alive “Energy Flows Where Attention Goes!” – Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith, D.D.

The Griffin Firm, PLLC Committed to providing services and supports to increase the capacity of individuals, businesses, and communities.

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This week, for Black History Month, it is my pleasure to introduce a “Son of Ward 8” – Curtis L. Etherly, Jr., director of Government Affairs and International Stakeholder Relations, The Coca-Cola Company. Curtis, 46, is a native Washingtonian and a 1986 graduate of Ballou Senior High School. He received his B.A. in Political Science from Yale University in 1990 and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1995. Curtis is truly a gentleman who embodies the spirit of my quote for the week by Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith, “Energy Flows Where Attention Goes.” He gives immeasurable attention to community groups and programs across the District of Columbia and beyond, with particular passion reserved for education and youth leadership. Coca-Cola has been a supporter and friend since the late 1980s beginning with its sponsorship of the Annual Georgia Avenue Day Festival and Parade, of which The Washington Informer also served as a partner. Today, thanks to Mr. Etherly, Coke sponsors community groups and non-proﬁts on my radio talk show, Think On These Things, aired weekly on WYCB Spirit 1340AM on Radio One. When I think about Curtis, Coca-Cola and all they do in the community; I believe their work to be similar to that of the bamboo tree. The seeds of the Chinese Bamboo Tree, you see, are cultivated for four long years before they burst forth from the ground, which is how Curtis Etherly has worked for so many years, quietly, and in partner-

ship with non-profits and community-based organizations, including the Anacostia Coordinating Council, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and the Greater Washington Urban League. When Mr. Etherly joined my Radio One talk show as an advertiser last fall, he personally shared with listeners about his own native East of the River community. Health and wellness programs were on the list of programs he supports including the Children’s National Medical Center, AmeriHealth, a Medicaid health provider serving low-income D.C. residents, and 100 Black Men of Greater Washington, Inc. Educational institutions were featured amongst his engagements, including support of Ward Eight’s own Ballou Senior High School through the Friends of Ballou partnership, which Etherly currently serves as Advisory Board Chair. Coca-Cola is also a proud supporter of a First Generation Scholars Program at Bowie State University, celebrating 150 years of educating African American students in Maryland. The program has made over $50,000 available to college students at Bowie State who are the first in their immediate family to attend college. When the African-American community benefits from such humble spirits who quietly labor in the vineyard each and every day on behalf of our community and those who call it home – we are all the better for it. Curtis will tell you he is not the first to embody a commitment to community service; he’s simply following the teachings of his parents, the late Curtis L. Etherly, Sr. and Mrs. Sarah M. Etherly, who stressed the importance of education and community service to Curtis from

with Lyndia Grant a very young age; and from DCPS teachers at Kimball Elementary School and Ballou SHS who held high expectations of success for all of their students. He will tell you that it comes from the foundation laid by giants like Petey Greene, Calvin and Wilhelmina Rolark, and many others. He will tell you he’s only doing what one is supposed to do because, as The Children Defense Fund’s founder and President Marian Wright Edelman said so well, “Service is the rent we pay for being . . .”WI Lyndia Grant is a speaker, radio talk show host and columnist; visit her new website at www.lyndiagrant.com and, call 202263-4621. Listen Friday, 6 p.m., to the talk show, 1340 AM, WYCB, a Radio One Station; Address 1250 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036.

(301) 864-6070

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Organizational Formation, Governance Issues, First Ammendment, Church Employment, Ministerial Exception, Maintenance Issues, Risk Management, Safety and Security Issues, and Real Property Law SERVING MARYLAND, DC, & NORTH CAROLINA

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RELIGION BAPTIST

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL

Pilgrim Baptist Church

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Pilgrim Baptist Church

The Reverend Lyndon Shakespeare Interim Priest Foggy Bottom • Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW • Washington, DC 20037 Church ofﬁce: 202-333-3985 • Fax : 202-338-4958 Worship Services Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysofﬁce@stmarysfoggybottom.org

Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor

Schedule of Services: Sunday School – 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service – 11:00 AM Communion Service – First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study – Tuesday, 6:30 PM www.blessedwordoﬂifechurch.org e-mail: church@blessedwordoﬂifechurch.org

Worship Sundays @ 7:30 & 11:00 A.M. 5th Sundays @ 9:30 A.M. 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 P.M.

Schedule of Service Sunday Service: 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday www.livingwatersmd.org

www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ Drs. Dennis W. and Christine Y. Wiley, Pastors 3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Ofﬁce) (202) 562-4219 (Fax) SERVICES AND TIMES: SUNDAYS: 10:00 am AM Worship Services BIBLE STUDY: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM) SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:00 AM – Hour of Power “An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and afﬁrmed.” www.covenantbaptistdc.org

Twelfth Street Christian Church

Campbell AME Church Reverend Daryl K. Kearney, Pastor

(Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340

2562 MLK Jr. Ave., S E Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Ofﬁce 202-678-2263 Email:Campbell@mycame.org Sunday Worship Service 10: am Sunday Church School 8: 45 am Bible Study Wednesday 12:00 Noon Wednesday 7:00 pm Thursday 7: pm “Reaching Up To Reach Out”

5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Ofﬁce 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555 Sunday Early Morning Worship - 7:45 a.m. Church School - 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship – 10:45 a.m. Tuesday – Thursday - Kingdom Building Bible Institute – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday – Prayer/Praise/Bible Study – 7:30 p.m. Baptism & Communion Service- 4th Sunday – 10:30am Radio Broadcast WYCB -1340 AM-Sunday -6:00pm T.V. Broadcast - Channel 190 – Sunday -4:00pm/Tuesday 7:00am

“We are one in the Spirit” www.ssbc5757.org e-mail: ssbc5757@verizon.net

2498 Alabama Ave., SE • Washington D.C. 20020 Ofﬁce: (202) 889-7296 Fax: (202) 889-2198 • www.acamec.org 2008: The Year of New Beginnings “Expect the Extraordinary”

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00am Holy Communion – 1st Sunday Sunday School-9:45am Men’s Monday Bible Study – 7:00pm Wednesday Night Bible Study – 7:00pm Women’s Ministry Bible Study 3rd Friday -7:00pm Computer Classes- Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org

“The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”

“God is Love”

Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor 1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202.347.5889 ofﬁce 202.638.1803 fax Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study: Wed. 7:30 p.m. “Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org

Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews • Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Ofﬁce: (202) 529-6767 Fax: (202) 526-1661

Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan, Pastor 800 I Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 Fax No. 202-548-0703

Sunday Worship Services: 8:00a.m. and 11:00a.m. Sunday Church School - 9:15a.m. & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30a.m. 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study - 10:00a.m. Tuesday Topical Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Wednesday Children’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Thursday Men’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service - 6:30p.m. Saturday Adult Bible Study - 10:00a.m.

Third Street Church of God

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church

Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:20 a.m. Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!” Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.; Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 ofﬁce • (202) 529-4495 fax Sunday Worship Service: 8 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6 AM & 6:30 PM Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org emailus@gmchc.org

ST Marks Baptist Come Worship with us... St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011 Dr. Raymond T. Matthews, Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews Sunday School 9:am Worship Service 10:am Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service 6:45 pm Thur. Bible Study 7:15 pm

We are proud to provide the trophies for the Washington Informer Spelling Bee

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

52 Years of Expert Engraving Services

Joseph N. Evans, Ph.D Senior Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423

Rev. John W. Davis, Pastor 5101 14th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20011 202-726-2220/ 202-726-9089

TV Ministry –Channel 6 Wednesday 10:00pm gsccm.administration@verizon.net

Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Bishop

Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., • Pastor

Crusader Baptist Church

Service and Times Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Communion every Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Bible Study Tuesday 12Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Motto; “Discover Something Wonderful.” Website: 12thscc.org Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Holy Communion 4th Sunday 10:00am Prayer and Bible Study Wednesday 7;00pm

St. Stephen Baptist Church

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor

Mailing Address Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE Washington, DC 20020

Sunday Worship Service 8:00am and 11:00am Sunday School 9:15am

4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464

Blessed Word of Life Church

4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Ofﬁce 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew, Assistant Pastor

700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849

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

Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors

Church of Living Waters

Sunday Church School : 9: 30am Sunday Morning Worship: 10: 45am Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00pm Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00pm Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10: 45am themcbc.org

44 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

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RELIGION BAPTIST

Advertise Your Church services here: call Ron Burke at

202-561-4100 or email rburke@washingtoninformer.com Zion Baptist Church

All Nations Baptist Church

Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration

Sunday School – 9:30 am Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 am Baptismal Service – 1st Sunday – 9:30 am Holy Communion – 1st Sunday – 11:00 am Prayer Meeting & Bible Study – Wednesday -7:30 pm

Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

“Where Jesus is the King”

Israel Baptist Church

4850 Blagdon Ave, NW • Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 • Fax (202) 291-3773

1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288

Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute Wednesday - 1:30 pm Prayer Meeting Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730

2001 North Capitol St, N.E. • Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591

Rev. Dr. Morris L Shearin, Sr. Pastor

St. Luke Baptist Church

Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor

Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor

Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor

Sunday Worship Service 10:15AM- Praise and Worship Services Sunday School 9:00am Monday: Noon Bible School Wednesday: Noon & 7PM: Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission Zion Baptist Church Shall; Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, and Exalt Our Savior. (Acts 2:41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org

King Emmanuel Baptist Church

Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 A.M. Sunday School: 8:30 A.M. Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 P.M.

Mount Moriah Baptist Church Dr. Lucius M. Dalton, Senior Pastor 1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 Fax: 202-544-2964 Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 am and 10:45 am Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 am and 10:45 am Sunday School: 9:30 am Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon and 6:30 pm Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 pm Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 pm

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Rev. Dr. Maxwell M. Washington Pastor Worshiping Location Knights of Columbus - 1633 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 (240) 838-7074 Order of Services Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 am Sunday School: 9:00 am Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer / Bible Study: 6:15 pm - 7:20 pm (Tuesday)

Rehoboth Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Clinton W. Austin Pastor 2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Ofﬁce (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Come Grow With Us and Establish a Blessed Family” Sunday Worship 7:30am & 10:45am Baptism/Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30pm Prayer Service Tuesdays – 8:00pm www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

call Ron Burke at

202-561-4100 or email rburke@washingtoninformer.com

Salem Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert SR. Pastor

623 Florida Ave.. NW • WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 • Study (202) 265-0836 Home Study (301) 464-8211 • Fax (202) 483-4009

4504 Gault Place, N.E. Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184

Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 a.m. Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 p.m. Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 p.m. Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 p.m. Noonday Prayer Every Thursday

9:30AM. Sunday Church School 11:00 Am. Sunday Worship Service The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Wednesday 7:00pm Prayer & Praise Services 7:30pm. Bible Study Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries 10:30am A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

Christ Embassy DC

Elder Herman L. Simms, Pastor

2616 MLK Ave., SE • Washington, DC 20020 Ofﬁce 202-889-3709 • Fax 202-678-3304

Kelechi Ajieren Coordinator

Early Worship Service 7:30a.m Worship Service 10:45a.m. New Members Class 9:30a.m. Holy Communion : 1st Sunday -10:45a.m Church School 9:30a.m. Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: Wednesday 7p.m Bible Study : Saturday: 11a.m. Baptism: 4th Sunday – 10:45a.m “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”

Sunday Worship Service 10:00 A.M.

Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 P.M Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 P.M

Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42

services here:

Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor

Dr. C. Matthew Hudson, Jr, Pastor

tel: 202-291-6565

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Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005

Prayer/Seeking Wednesday at 8:00 P.M.

301 kennedy street, nW Washington, DC 20011

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

6839 Eastern Avenue, R1 Takoma Park, MD 20912 (202) 556-7065

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Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org

St. Matthews Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church

New Commandment Baptist Church Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor 13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560 Services: Sunday Worship 11 AM Sunday School 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study - Wed. 7 PM “A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”

Shiloh Baptist Church

Peace Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Sunday Morning Worship Service 7:15 am & 10:50 am Sunday School 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship Service 10:50am Wednesday Prayer & Testimonies Service 7:30pm Wednesday School of the Bible 8:00pm Wednesday - Midweek Prayer Service 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm “The Loving Church of the living lord “ Email Address pbcexec@verizon.net

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

1864-2014

Rev. Alonzo Hart Pastor

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

Rev. Reginald M. Green, Sr., Interim Pastor

621 Alabama Avenue, S.E. • Washington, D.C. 20032 P: (202) 561-1111 F: (202) 561-1112

917 N St. NW • Washington, DC 20001 (202) 232-4294

9th & P Street, N.W. • W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4200

602 N Street NW • Washington, D.C. 20001 Ofﬁce:(202) 289-4480 Fax: (202) 289-4595

The Church Where GOD Is Working.... And We Are Working With GOD

Sunrise Prayer Services - Sunday 7:00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Prayer Service: 8:00 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship: 10:40 a.m. Third Sunday Baptismal & Holy Communion:10:30 a.m. Tuesday Church At Study Prayer & Praise: 6:30 p.m.

Morning Worship: 8:00 a.m Church School : 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:55 a.m. Bible Study, Thursday: 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting,Thursday : 7:30 p.m.

150 Years of Service

Theme: “The Kingdom Focused Church” Matthew 6:33 and Mathew 28:18-20, KJV

Sunday Service: 10 am Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 am 1st Sunday Baptism: 10: am 2nd Sunday Holy Communion: 10 am Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 pm Prayer Meeting: 7:45 pm

Email: stmatthewsbaptist@msn.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org

Motto: : “Where God is First and Where Friendly People Worship”

www.washingtoninformer.com

The Washington Informer

Sunday Worship Services: 7:45am & 11:00am Sunday school For All Ages 9:30am Prayer Services Wednesday 11:30am & 6:45pm Bible Institute Wednesday at Noon & 7:45pm “Changing Lives On Purpose “ Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org

Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 P.M. Friday Evening Service 7:00 P.M. ; Last Friday “…Giving Your Life a Meaning” www.Christembassydc.org Christ.embassy.dc@hotmail.com

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Sunday Church School: 9:30 A.M. Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 A.M. Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 P.M. Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 P.M. Prayer Service Bible Study

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor 2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Ofﬁce: (202) 529-3180 Fax: (202) 529-7738 Order of Services Worship Service: 7:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30 a.m. & 10:30a.m. Prayer Services: Tuesday 7:30 p.m. Wednesday 12 Noon Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.

Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Administration No. 2015 ADM 95

Administration No. 2015 ADM 119

Administration No. 2015 ADM 139

Bertle Mae Fulton

Frances Marie Sanders

Lois F. Wilkins

Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS

AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Sandra K. Patterson, whose address is 212 R Street, NW,

Administration No. 2015 ADM 71 Mary Beatrice Dozier Younger

Administration No. 2014 ADM 53 Lynwood C. Westray Decedent

Decedent Johnny M. Howard NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Shirley Baber, whose address is 5147 7th Street, NE Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary Beatrice Dozier

Houston & Howard 1001 Connecticut Ave., Suite 402 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

Naydine Fulton-Jones, whose address is 4403 13th

Nathaniel G. Randolph, whose address is 5106 Barto

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed

Avenue, Suitland MD 20746, was appointed Personal

AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Personal Representative of the estate of Bertle Mae

Representative of the estate of Frances Marie Sanders,

Fulton, who died on May 22, 2014 without a Will, and

who died on December 15, 2013 without a Will, and

will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs

and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter

died on December 14, 2014 with a Will, and will serve

their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such

with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose

appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills,

whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance

D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor

in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or

Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 5, 2015.

Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 19, 2015.

Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the

undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed

Younger, who died on December 3, 2014 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown

Gloria J. Nuckles, whose address is 807 Arnett Street,

heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall

#4, Fort Stockton, TX 79735, was appointed Personal

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 August 5, 2015. Claims against

Representative of the estate of Lynwood C. Westray, who

to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the

#201, Washington, DC 20001, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lois F. Wilkins, who died on November 3, 2014 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 August 19, 2015. Claims against the decedent shall be

the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with

a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register

A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before

of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before

August 5, 2015. Claims against the decedent shall be

with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned,

presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register

on or before August 5, 2015, or be forever barred.

on or before August 19, 2015, or be forever barred.

of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy

Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent

to the undersigned, on or before August 5, 2015, or be

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:

February 5, 2015

February 19, 2015

Naydine Fulton-Jones

Nathaniel G. Randolph

Sandra K. Patterson

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Administration No. 2015 ADM 97

Administration No. 2015 ADM 82

August 5, 2015, 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.

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

Date of first publication: February 5, 2015 Shirley Baber Personal Representative

relationship.

Gloria J. Nuckles Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 19, 2015, 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: February 19, 2015

Date of first publication: February 5, 2015

presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Administration No. 15 ADM 101 Carrolyn N. Andrews Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Administration No. 2015 ADM 110 Barbara A. Battle

Lenora Battle

Decedent

Johnny M. Howard, Houston & Howard

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS

1001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 402

AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Washington, DC 20036

Tiffany L. Brown, whose address is 2918 Akron Place, SE, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Carrolyn N. Andrews, who died on December 9, 2014

AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

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 August 12, 2015. Claims against the decedent shall be

Renee’ Francine Parker, whose address is 4612 9th

on January 6, 2015 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose

(1)Arlene Y. Brooks (2) Everett F. Brooks (3) Viola Walker, whose addresses are (1)7903 Old Burn Rd., Bowie, MD 20715 (2) 623 Quincy St., NW, Washington, DC

heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall

A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before

enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections

undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed

of Sally M. Brooks aka Sally Y. Brooks, who died on December 27, 2014 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose

died on October 20, 2014 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor

of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to

Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 12, 2015.

A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before

Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the

the undersigned, on or before August 12, 2015, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees

August 12, 2015. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register

inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and

forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees

who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25

relationship.

of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice

days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Date of first publication: February 12, 2015

of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 12, 2015, or be

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:

Janice D. Fountaine Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

TRUE TEST COPY

Arlene Y. Brooks Everett F. Brooks Viola Walker Personal Representatives

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 August 12, 2015, 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: February 12, 2015

February 12, 2015

Anne Meister Anne Meister

Representative of the estate of Lillie Mae Green, who

to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the

Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent

Personal Representative

Lane, Clinton, MD 20735, was appointed Personal

presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register

by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so

Renee’ Francine Parker

Robert Green III, whose address is 6006 Arbutus

appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such

on or before August 12, 2015, or be forever barred.

February 12, 2015

AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or

August 12, 2015. Claims against the decedent shall be

of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice

Wills, including name, address and relationship.

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS

whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance

with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned,

Personal Representative

AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Representative of the estate of Lenora Battle, who died

and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown

Date of first publication:

Anne Meister

Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, was appointed Personal

to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the

Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the

TRUE TEST COPY

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Battle, who died on December 1, 2014 without a Will,

forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees

Tiffany L. Brown

Attorney Janice D. Fountaine, whose address is 222 Castleton Pl.,

was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate

Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 12, 2015.

February 12, 2105

Washington, DC 20036

Attorney

in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or

the undersigned, on or before August 12, 2105, or be

Date of first publication:

1050 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 1045

Washington, DC 20011

Personal Representative of the estate of Barbara A.

Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor

relationship.

Attorney Ethel Mitchell, Will and Trust LLC

245 Farragut Street, NW

20011 (3)6701 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20012,

of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to

inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and

Decedent

Robert L. Bell, Esquire

whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance

to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of

by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so

Lillie Mae Green

Decedent

Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed

presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register

of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice

Administration No. 2015 ADM 76

Sally M. Brooks aka Sally Y. Brooks

Attorney

without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision.

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

TRUE TEST COPY

Robert Green III Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer Washington Informer

46 Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

Washington Informer

The Washington Informer

Washington Informer

www.washingtoninformer.com

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Administration No. 2015 ADM 94

Administration No. 2014 ADM 1363 James McRae

Donald P. Hackett Sr.

Decedent

Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Tina M. Hackett, whose address is 512 59th St., NE,

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

and 7204 Quantum Leap Ln., Bowie, MD 20720, was appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of James

who died on March 3, 2012 without a Will, and will

A. McRae, who died on June 25, 2014 without a Will,

serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and

and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown

heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their

heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall

appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such

enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections

appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills,

to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of

Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 12, 2015. 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 August 12, 2015, 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, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 12, 2015. 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 August 12, 2015, 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.

Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: Date of first publication:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND SITTING AS A JUVENILE COURT

IN RE: GUARDIANSHIP OF

SAMIYHA PIERRA S.

February 12, 2015

TPR 14-0008

CROSS-REFERENCE WITH:

CINA 11-0184

addresses are 2224 16th Street, NE Washington, DC

Representative of the estate of Donald P. Hackett Sr.,

LEGAL NOTICES

THIS IS A COURT ORDER. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ORDER SAYS, BE SURE TO HAVE SOMEONE EXPLAIN IT TO YOU.

Donte McRae, Dion McRae and Arza Gardner, whose

Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal

D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION TO PUTATIVE FATHER

MEDIABIDS MISCELLANEOUS

Relationship: Putative Father

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You are hereby notified that a guardianship case has been filed in the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, case number TPR 14-0008. All persons who believe themselves to be the parents of a female child born on the 13th day of September, 2011 at Prince George's Hospital Center in Prince George's County, Cheverly, Maryland, to Marvette Pierra Stevens, natural mother, date of birth September 27, 1991 and Antoine Green, putative father, shall file a written response. A copy of the Show Cause Order may be obtained from the Juvenile Clerk's Office at 14735 Main Street, Room Dl 033, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772, Telephone Number: 301-952-5087. If you do not file a written objection by April 20, 2015 you will have agreed to the permanent loss of your parental rights to this child.

Donte McRae Dion McRae Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Administration No. 2014 ADM 171

Administration No. 2015 ADM 92

Lois Hamilton Cooper aka Lois H. Cooper

Amy L. Taylor

Decedent

Jacqueline Jones Moore

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS

7605 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20012 Attorney

AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Deborah Downs, Mozett Petway, Marian Parker, whose

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Joseph Yager, whose address is 5249 Chillum Place, NE, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lois Hamilton Cooper aka Lois H. Cooper, who died on April 27, 2012 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 August 12, 2015. 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 August 12, 2015, 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.

20747; 4926 Queensbury Cir., Fredericksburg, VA 20032, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Amy L. Taylor, who died on October 23, 2014 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

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addresses are 7305 Kipling Pkwy, District Hgts, MD 22408; 806 Alabama Ave., SE, Washington, DC

Deborah Downs Mozett Petway

Joseph Yager

Marian Parker

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister

Washington Informer

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CLINGMAN from Page 24 ing better than before the recovery; I am forced to move back in with my mother to make ends meet. The report found that the wage disparity in D.C. is greater than it’s been in 35 years. This news is not just a problem for people like me; it’s a problem for everyone in D.C. because our economy can’t be strong without working people like me spending money at local businesses. But right now, I can’t even afford rent – let alone extras or new clothes for my growing boy. And what’s maybe the worst part about all this is that wealthy employers have actually stolen my wages – making them even richer

EDELMAN from Page 24 girls are arrested, girls are the fastest growing segment of the juvenile justice system. As girls rock the cradle they rock the future, and we must pay attention to both girls and boys to ensure the development of healthy families. Girls of color and poor girls face special challenges before they enter the juvenile justice system, during their conﬁnement, and when they return to their communities after release. At the front end, racial disparities and the lack of appropriate treatment and support that run through every major child-serving system negatively impact their life chances by pushing more children into juvenile detention and adult prison. These include limited health and mental health care; lack of quality early childhood support experiences (including home visiting, Early Head Start and Head Start,

CHAVIS from Page 24 to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons. Why is this important and relevant 239 years later? It is important because Black history did not start on a slave plantation in the south of the U.S. Prior to the birth of what is now the United States, African people in America were engaged and involved in promoting unity to advance the cause of freedom and liberty. The evidence and truth about the historic and contemporary contributions of Prince Hall Masons to advance our in-

and denying me the legally required living wage, paid sick days and overtime pay. And I’m not alone. Wage theft has reached epidemic levels in the home care industry. That’s why my co-workers and I have ﬁled a lawsuit to recoup the pay we’re owed and are calling for the D.C. government to uphold its responsibility to enforce these laws and crack down on violators. Many of my co-workers have lost their homes. Some are living out of a bag, staying with whoever will let them for a few days at a time. But every day we wake up early, and we go to work for the people who need us the most. Home care workers all across the district are standing together because we know our voices are

louder that way. We’re ﬁghting to form a union so our employers have to listen to us. It was only after we started banning together and demanding change that we started getting the $13.60 wage required by law. If we had a D.C. home care workers union, we wouldn’t be in this situation right now, we would have money in our pockets to spend at local businesses and help the entire city experience the economic recovery – not just the wealthy. I know I won’t ever be rich – this isn’t about getting rich. This is about making a better life for my son and being able to provide him with the things he needs. And I simply can’t do that on what I’m making.

child care, preschool, and kindergarten); children languishing in foster care waiting for permanent families and shunted through multiple placements; and failing schools with harsh zero tolerance discipline policies, mostly for nonviolent offenses, that suspend, expel, and discourage children who then too often drop out and do not graduate. Girls in the system often encounter a unique set of challenges. Almost three quarters of them have been sexually or physically abused. Most are arrested for nonviolent offenses such as truancy, running away, or alcohol and substance use, which can often be linked to severe abuse or neglect. These nonviolent offenses, or status offenses, would not be considered offenses for an adult. Poverty has an impact: although the trauma of sexual violence and abuse affects many girls, poor girls often lack adequate supports to keep them from juvenile detention. It is way past time for every

adult to take responsibility for reducing the number of girls and boys behind bars through prevention and diversion programs and community supports both before and after detention. And it is way past time for adults of every race and income group to break our silence about the pervasive breakdown of moral, family, community and national values, to place our children ﬁrst in our lives, to rebuild family and community, to model the behavior we want our children to learn, and to never give up on any child. We do not have a “child and youth problem” in America. Rather, we have a profound adult problem. It is time for adults to address it and to give all of our children true justice: hope, opportunity, and love. WI

terests needs to be better known and understood today by 44.3 million Black Americans. The history of African people is as old as the history of humanity. Given the fact that racism and racial discrimination are still prevalent throughout the U.S. today means that we have to remain vigilant and committed to keep pushing forward to improve the quality of life for our families and communities. My great grandfather, grandfather and father were all Prince Hall Masons. I know ﬁrst-hand about the many different orphanages, schools, medical clinics, hospitals, rest homes, many

other charitable institutions that they have built across the nation and maintained for all these years serving to uplift Black America. We must teach our young people today about the proud traditions and legacies of our fore parents. No matter what circumstances we have faced, we have always found the ways and the means to look after one another with respect, care, giving and love. That challenge and obligation continues today. Black History Month, yes, is a time for reﬂection and memory of the past. But we must learn from the past and build upon what previous generations have

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The landlord doesn’t wait for the rent check, and the electric company doesn’t wait for the bill payment. So, we can’t wait for higher wages. And D.C.’s economy can’t wait for the income gap and economic recovery gap to close. WI

Paula Wilson has been a home care worker in Washington D.C. for 18 years. Paula is one of many workers across the district who are ﬁghting for higher wages and a union, and she’s part of a class action lawsuit against several home care agencies alleging rampant wage theft.

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built as a foundation. Let’s celebrate Black history by renewing our determination and spirit to uplift all of our families and communities. Let’s strengthen our institutions and businesses; in particular our HBCUs are in critical need of ﬁnancial support. Let’s learn from the sustainable tradition of the Honorable Prince Hall: unify, build, outreach to care for others, demand justice and freedom, and

enjoy the blessings of life to ensure a better future for those who will come after we have transitioned. WI Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). He can be at: dr.bchavis@ nnpa.org; and for lectures and other professional consultations at: http:// drbenjaminfchavisjr.wix.com/drbfc Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015

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CURRY from Page 25

be. All this expertise – more than 150 years at the helm of HBCUs, decades as the heads of major philanthropic organizations, expertise in business, in fundraising and in public relations, connections on Wall Street, in the Ivy League and everywhere else. Yet, we are not consulted when it comes to policy changes and decisions impacting – in a major way – the institutions on whose behalf we are to advocate.” “It happened with Pell. It happened with Parent Plus. And, now it is happening with the new community college initiative.” Harvey was also critical of Obama’s proposed college rating system and his plan to fund the ﬁrst two years of education at community colleges. “Many of my colleagues have called me to say that the ‘free tuition for public community college’ initiative could also be a death knell for many of our institutions…” Harvey said. Judging by Harvey’s comments, many of the debacles could have been avoided if the White House had

sought the advice of HBCU experts it had recruited as advisers. An even stronger indictment was Harvey’s summary of what has happened to HBCUs under the nation’s ﬁrst Black president. He stated. “While we don’t know a lot, because a lot is not shared, we do know that federal support for HBCUs is showing an alarming downward trend. Over the last several years, all of the major Title IV programs had modiﬁcations and adjustments which make it much harder for HBCUs to get funding. We all know of the Parent PLUS debacle. These loans to our students are down. Pell grants to students at HBCUs are down. Direct loans to our students are down. Graduate subsidies have been eliminated. In addition to student support, overall support to Black colleges is down.” That’s not a compliment for a president who says he wants to increase educational opportunities for all Americans. WI

MCDUFFIE from Page 25

was also in this spirit that Bowser and Henderson announced the “Empowering Males of Color” initiative. President Barack Obama called our nation to action to address the persistent opportunity gaps faced by young men of color through his “My Brother’s

Keeper” initiative. “Empowering Males of Color” is the District’s exciting response to our president’s call. We owe it to our young men of color to support the goals of this initiative and to explore whether same-gender schools might help them close the gap. WI

graduation rate problem is – not HBCUs, the Parent PLUS loan stuff has to do with new rules on credit worthiness and I just think that in the discussion he mangled it.” Rep. Bennie Thompson, a product of two HBCUs – Tougaloo College and Jackson State University – was quoted: “What we ought to be talking about is: If there are weaknesses at certain HBCUs, what do we do to strengthen those institutions?” Meanwhile, Hampton University President William R. Harvey, who has been chair of the White House Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities since 2010, was highly critical of Obama’s approach to HBCUs. In a speech at a meeting at NASA headquarters in Washington D.C. on Feb. 4, Harvey said, “I have to say that one of my biggest concerns or regrets is that we are not being used as the advisory board we are supposed to

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Ideas?

ers championship rings anyway. “Mayor Emanuel believes it is unfair for the organization to have punished the children, who did nothing wrong,” a mayoral source told the Chicago SunTimes. Emanuel plans to present the rings to the team before the City Council in March. “These young men demonstrated tremendous character both on and off the ﬁeld, and Chicago will honor them as the champions they are. The memories they created will last a lifetime, and so will the championship rings they have earned,” the reportedly Mayor said. Shortly after the team played for the World Series title last summer, losing to South Korea’s Seoul Little League, EmanThe Washington Informer

uel sought private donors to buy national championship rings for the team. The rings take months to manufacture and personalize, and can’t be sent back. Each ring is engraved with a player’s name, jersey number and the number 42, a nod to Jackie Robinson. The Jackie Robinson West team didn’t use 16-year-olds posing as younger players. They didn’t use “corked bats” or deﬂated balls. They didn’t cheat. They had players suit up who lived “beyond their geographical boundary,” although at least one “suspect” player has one divorced parent who lives inside the boundary and another who does not. When I was in that age range we played wherever our bikes could carry us. There were no busses for our players, and our uniforms were blue

jeans and a team jersey donated by a soft-drink manufacturer. Sure there was a Little League Championship, but even though the major leagues had begun to integrate, there was no place for Black players in the organized “White” game. And so it is today. How many Black players on White suburban teams sit on the bench, with their nice uniforms and all the trappings, because a White coach would just as soon not see his team win, than to let a Black player be the star of a team? The Jackie Robinson West players are true, unconditional champions, but racial bias still affects the game, just like it did back in ’42 and ’47 when Jackie Robinson himself was winning his way into our hearts. WI

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ONE

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2/9/15 11:27 AM Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2015 51

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