WINNER OF THREE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS D.C. AWARDS Swinging and Swaying and Singing the Blues Page 28 Vol. 57, No. 9 • December 16 - 22, 2021
D.C. Attorney General Racine Files Lawsuit Against U.S. Capitol Riot Participants
James Wright WI Staff Writer
On Tuesday, Dec. 14, D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced a first-of-its-kind civil lawsuit against groups including The Proud Boys and Oath Keepers and 31 other individuals for their role in the U.S. Capitol insurrection that took place earlier this year. “On January 6, organized violent actors and groups assaulted our country’s freedom and terrorized our community here in the District, threatening our safety of the more than 700,000 Americans — including children, families, teachers and businesses — who call the District home,” Racine said at a news conference on the Capitol grounds.
5 Attorney General Karl A. Racine explains his legal action against groups such as the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers for their role in the U.S. Capitol insurrection on Dec. 14 on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)
“We are filing this lawsuit to hold accountable the groups and individuals who conspired to attack our freedom, brutalize our law enforcement officers and terrorize our community,” he said.
Debate about Encampment Clearances Reveals Frustration on Housing Over the last few months, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program has drawn the ire of council members, advocates and the housing insecure alike. Criticism has centered on treatment of the people living in the
District’s three largest homeless communities and whether transitional hotel rooms and apartments can sufficiently meet their needs. Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Gigi Nelson, whose single-member district includes a homeless encampment near 21st and E streets in Northwest, said this ongoing issue reveals what she
ENCAMPMENT Page 30
RACINE Page 11
As War Rages, Ethiopians in Diaspora Explore the Obstacles to Unity
5 Vice President Kamala Harris charges an electric vehicle Dec. 13 at the Brandywine Maintenance Facility. She announced a nationwide plan to build 500,000 electric vehicle stations nationwide. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
The lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia. The attorney general plans to utilize the Ku Klux Klan
Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
5 Kamau Grimes, a Pan-Africanist from Southeast, counted among several protesters who converged on the White House in November in support of the Ethiopian government. (Courtesy photo)
For several months, the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front [TPLF] have been embroiled in a conflict that has not only sent shockwaves throughout much of the Diaspora but sparked debate about U.S. interventionism and the future prospect of Ethiopia’s unity. Amid efforts by some U.S. lawmakers to label the Ethiopian government’s actions as genocidal, some Ethiopians, like Zemichael Yemane, continue to insist that his fellow countrymen and women, regardless of ethnic background, set their sights on rebuffing foreign influences and raising Ethiopia’s standing in the global community.
ETHIOPIA Page 38
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Strathmore, Woolly Mammoth Announce Arts & Social Justice Fellowship
Text INFORMER to 22828 Inspired by the stage adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower by Toshi Reagon and Bernice Johnson Reagon, Strathmore and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company have collaborated to offer a new fellowship opportunity to support young people’s leadership at the intersection of arts and social change. The applications
period remains open through January 2. With mentorship from program facilitators and financial support from the organizing institutions, students will develop their analysis around social justice and systems change. They will develop individual or group projects that reflect their interests and what they have learned, to be showcased at the end of the program in July. Example projects could include performances, community art projects, or crafting graphics that can be used in issue advocacy. The program seeks to engage and empower young leaders and provide an opportunity for them to connect with other students and professionals to create a shared vision for the future and take steps toward that reality. “We are thrilled to support the next generation of artist-activists and culture creators committed to using their imagination and creativity to disrupt and dismantle systems of oppression, in pursuit of a more just world for all,” Woolly Mammoth Connectivity Director Kristen Jackson said. To submit applications and learn more about the program, visit www.strathmore.org/fellowship. WI
D.C. Mayor Bowser to Release the 2022 Green Book
In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. Announcements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 by The Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to: THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E Washington, D.C. 20032 Phone: 202 561-4100 Fax: 202 574-3785 news@washingtoninformer.com www.washingtoninformer.com
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On Wednesday, Dec. 15, at the DC Chamber Annual Meeting, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the District’s most ambitious goal of spending yet with District-based Small Business Enterprises [SBEs] with the release of the Seventh Annual SBE Opportunity Guide, also known as the “Fiscal Year 2022 Green Book.” For the second year in a row, the Green Book will be online, searchable and interactive. The Green Book assists SBEs in navigating the local government procurement process by providing an agency-by-agency overview of SBE spending availability and allows SBEs to search for opportunities by industry. SBE is a certification category, which is part of the District’s Certified Business Enterprise Program which provides certified businesses prefer-
ence points when bidding on District Government contracts. Throughout #FairShot Week, the Bowser Administration will highlight various new and existing programs designed to give Washingtonians a fair shot and accelerate the District’s economic recovery. The Mayor is promoting some of the many tools listed on ObviouslyDC.com that provide financial assistance and guidance to local businesses and businesses that want to open in, expand to, and create jobs and opportunity in the District. WI
District Explores Housing in Downtown by Launching a Request for Information As part of #FairShot Week, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, in collaboration with the Office of Planning and the Department of Housing and Community Development, has released the Housing In Downtown Request For Information [HID RFI] to obtain input from current and prospective property owners on the design of and approach to a potential new program to incentivize conversion of commercial properties to residential use in Central Washington, with an emphasis on the Central Business District. “Our Downtown is the economic engine of our city and a vibrant downtown means more resources to invest in people, programs and neighborhoods across DC,” Bowser said. “Exploring ways to bring more residents Downtown is a step toward reimagining Central Washington and re-
storing its vibrancy for our residents, visitors and businesses.” The Central Business District is currently 92% commercial and 8% residential. Other submarkets have a better balance of uses and thus are more vibrant – even with reduced commuting patterns. “Many have said we should explore residential conversions in Central Washington but market conditions and financial factors often discourage property owners from pursuing it,” said Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio. “The HID RFI will help us identify the tools to uncover the hidden gems within Central Washington that can be converted from a commercial use to residential.” Respondents must submit questions on the RFI by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on Friday, January 28th. WI
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D.C. Activists Lend A Hand in Barber's Poor People’s Campaign Rally James Wright WI Staff Writer District residents joined hundreds of political and anti-poverty activists from around the country at Capitol Square on Dec. 13 to urge the U.S. Senate to move forward on the Build Back Better plan and voting rights legislation but voiced concerns that D.C. statehood legislation received no attention. “I am here today because we need to ‘Get it Done in 21,’” said the Rev. Leonina Arismendi, a District resident who co-leads the virtual Kairos Center Freedom Church Spanish congregation Iglesia del Pueblo. “The Senate needs to pass the Build Back Better Act so that the D.C. government can help people who have no housing and the other services that the immigrant community in particular needs.” The rallying cry of the “Get It Done in 21” demonstration — sponsored by the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival (PPC:NCMR) -includes passage of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better plan. It serves as a blueprint for America’s future with spending on pre-Kindergarten education, child care, tax credits designed to reduce child poverty, limit climate change and improve the nation’s infrastructure. Additionally, the For the People Act of 2021, which would curb corporate influence in elections, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2021, which would restore gutted portions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013, count as part of PPC:NCMR’s agenda. The plight of District statehood did not receive any attention, much to the chagrin of city residents.
BARBER SPEAKS TO THE DEMONSTRATORS
Bishop William J. Barber II, the co-chair of the PPC:NCMR, said the time has come for the U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) to do
the right thing and fully support the Build Back Better program. “Manchin and Sinema have joined 50 Republicans in supporting the corporate lobbyists and the money grabbers,” Barber said. “A bunch of rich people are trying to protect rich people. We are fighting for the people. This is political abuse. We will not be divided.” Barber pointed out the more than 800,000 Americans who have died due to the coronavirus and the 20 million people who have lost jobs since the pandemic started in March 2020. He said while the pandemic has run its course, “billionaires have made trillions.” He urged the followers to use the example of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 as inspiration. “The Montgomery Bus Boycott took 381 days to achieve its goal of integrating that city’s bus system,” Barber said. “Their first victory was fighting. They won because they endured. They didn’t have the Internet or Tik Tok or Facebook or Twitter. They did more with less and we need to do more with more.” The program featured activists from 33 states who discussed some of the problems low-income people continue to face. All of the speakers said passing the Build Back Better program and the voting rights bills will go a long way in solving the country’s economic and racial problems.
and that is not the case at all.” Arismendi echoed Jenkins’s wariness. “They definitely should have talked about statehood,” she said. “That was a big oversight. I am involved with the Poor People’s Campaign and I will speak to the leadership about that.” WI @JamesDCWrighter
“I am here today because we need to ‘Get it Done in 21.’” – REV. LEONINA ARISMENDI 5 Bishop William Barber II is the co-leader of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. (WI File Photo)
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During the rally, 11 activists each held a letter of the phrase “D.C. Statehood” near the podium. While the PPC: NCMR has endorsed the District as the 51st state, city residents expressed frustration that none of the speakers mentioned the movement. “I came to this rally because I am concerned about gentrification in D.C.,” said Anise Jenkins, the executive director of Stand Up! for Democracy, a pro-statehood organization. “I was very disturbed when no one talked about statehood. It seems to me that there are some people who think statehood would benefit rich white people
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DEC 16 - 22, 2021 SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB
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1976 – President-elect Jimmy Carter nominates Andrew Young as ambassador to the United Nations. 2000 – Colin Powell is appointed by President George W. Bush as the first African American to serve as secretary of state. 2003 – President George W. Bush signs H.R. 3491, the National Museum of African American History and Culture Act, which authorizes the creation of a Smithsonian Institution museum.
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1939 – Singer and founding Temptations member Eddie Kendricks is born in Birmingham, Alabama. 1996 – Kofi Annan becomes the first Black secretary-general for the United Nations.
DEC. 18
1946 – Stephen Biko, anti-apartheid activist, is born in Ginsberg Township, South Africa. 1971 – Rev. Jesse Jackson announces the founding of Operation PUSH. 1996 – The Oakland Unified School District school board passes a resolution recognizing Ebonics — or African American Vernacular English — as an African language.
DEC. 19
1875 – Historian, author and journalist Carter G. Woodson, known as the "father of Black history," is born in Canton, Virginia. 1924 – Famed actress Cicely Tyson is born in New York City.
DEC. 20
1956 – The Montgomery bus boycott, which began Dec. 5, 1955, ends after the Supreme Court declares the Alabama and Montgomery laws requiring segregated buses to be unconstitutional. 1986 – Michael Griffith, a 23-year-old Black man from New York City's Brooklyn borough, is struck and killed by a car in Howard Beach after being chased onto a highway by a white mob who had beaten him and his friends. 1988 – Max Robinson (above), the first African American broadcast network news anchor in the United States, dies in Washington, D.C., from complications of AIDS at 49.
DEC. 21
1948 – Acclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson is born in Washington, D.C. 1959 – Track legend and three-time Olympic gold medalist Florence Griffith Joyner (top), considered the fastest woman of all time, is born in Los Angeles. 1976 – Patricia Roberts Harris is announced by President Jimmy Carter as his appointment for secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, becoming the first Black woman to hold a Cabinet position.
DEC. 22
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6 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
1905 – African American art history pioneer and longtime Howard University educator James Amos Porter, whose "Modern Negro Art" in 1943 was the first comprehensive study in the United States of African American art, is born in Baltimore. 1960 – Famed artist Jean-Michel Basquiat is born in New York City. WI
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Welp. … Whatever he thought he was going to get out of doing this, I bet he didn't expect this outcome. Hard lesson to learn. Now let's move on.
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He was wrong for his part. They seem to find all the evidence needed to convict certain people but [for] others it’s a needle in a haystack.
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Not surprised. He's full of crap. Those guys he paid weren't taking the fall for him.
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National Black Business Chamber Champion Harry C. Alford Dies
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WI Staff Report Harry C. Alford, the president/ CEO and co-founder of the National Black Chamber of Commerce [NBCC], died Dec. 6 in the District. His wife, Kay DeBow, vice president and co-founder of the National Black Chamber, preceded him in death five months ago. In 1993, Harry C. Alfred moved the newly-established National Black Chamber of Commerce from Indianapolis to the District. The first board chairman, Dr. Arthur Fletcher, the “Father of Affirmative Action,” had once served as assistant Secretary of Labor. Today, the National Black Chamber serves as the largest Black business organization in the world, consisting of regional organizations of Black Chambers in the U.S., eight countries in Africa, eleven membership Chambers in the Caribbean and five Black Chambers in Central and South America. Alford also established Black Chambers in London and Paris. In addition to coordinating global operations, Alford spoke before Congress on behalf of Black business, often several times a month. For many years, he served on the Board of Directors of the most influential Chamber in America, the United States Cham-
“Today the lessons learned and visioning processes that Harry and Kay brought to fruition are responsible for tens of billions of dollars in small business inclusion programming which are now the basis for every disaster relief program." ber of Commerce, in Washington, D.C. “When President George Bush asked Harry Alford to assist him with a strategy to identify any Black-owned businesses remaining in the Hurricane Katrina impact zone and a plan for helping them survive, he selected the right man,” said Arnold Baker, president of Baker Ready Mix, LLC. “Harry brought a fresh perspective and renewed vision that nothing was impossible and held the White House accountable for making available unfettered access to the Corps of Engineers, HUD, the Department of Commerce and DOT for the nation’s greatest rebuild.” “Today the lessons learned and visioning processes that Harry and Kay brought to fruition are responsible for tens of billions of dollars in small business inclusion programming which are now the basis for every disaster relief program. They not only made history in New Orleans but designed the base principals for recovery programs now implemented across the globe,” Baker said.
John Harmon, who serves as the president of one of the most successful Black Chambers in New Jersey, said Alford guided him through many business initiatives. He also said it was because of his influence that he served on the NBCC Board and the Board of Directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Members of the NBCC Board of Directors including Fred Jordan, NBCC’s member of San Francisco and Oakland, representing the west coast, said that the future of NBCC remains bright. Charles H. DeBow, III currently serves as executive director. Current NBCC Board chairman and president of the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce, Larry Ivory, said, “Harry Alford was the Godfather of Black Chambers in the United States and from his Washington, D.C. headquarters, gave Black business a seat at the table for over 28 years. Harry and Kay’s legacy will live on as we continue moving the National Black Chamber of Commerce’s agenda forward.” WI
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District’s New U.S. Attorney Promises to Reach Out to Residents
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James Wright WI Staff Writer Matthew M. Graves, the new U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, in his first public appearance, pledged to engage District residents and actively work with them to fight crime and deadly violence. “Our city has seen an unacceptable rise in homicides,” said Graves, who delivered remarks at the Ward 7 & 8 Joint Faith Leaders Prayer Breakfast that took place on Dec. 11 at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church in Southeast. “My job as U.S. Attorney is to see that 2022 doesn’t look like 2021. Prosecuting and incarcerating people will not make our communities safer.” Unlike other cities, the District’s U.S. Attorney serves as the local and federal prosecutor of crime. President Biden selected Graves for the position earlier this year upon the recommendation of D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton. The Senate confirmed him in October and he took office in November. Graves supervises the largest U.S. Attorney’s Office in the country. Graves comes into his position as the city grapples with 211 homicides, the highest number in years and having to prosecute high-profile incidents such as the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Graves hails from Reading, Penn. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University and a juris doctorate from the Yale University School of Law in 2001. He clerked on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for Judge Richard W. Roberts from 2001-2002 and worked as an associate for the law firm of WilmerHale from 2002-2007. In 2007, he joined the District’s U.S. Attorney’s Office where he supervised and prosecuted a wide range of cases as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and as the chief of the Fraud and Public Corruption Section. He also prosecuted a number of cases involving shootings, robberies, kidnappings and other
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5 The Rev. Kendrick Curry, pastor of the Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church in Ward 7, chats with new U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew M. Graves. (James Wright/The Washington Informer)
Graves comes into his position as the city grapples with 211 homicides, the highest number in years and having to prosecute high-profile incidents such as the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
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violent crimes. In 2016, Graves left the U.S. Attorney’s Office to go into private practice with the law firm of DLA Piper’s Washington, D.C. office as a litigation and compliance partner. Graves told the 150 attendees at the breakfast he wants to develop active relationships with community groups. “We want to partner with organizations like the Anacostia Coordinating Council, the Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church and the East of the River Clergy Police to fight crime and make our neighborhoods safer,” he said. “We need our faith-based organizations to provide guidance on criminal justice issues. As the new U.S. Attorney, I promise you I will spend a lot of time in our community.” Graves told the Informer that “things are going well” in the first few weeks of his job.
“We have had a number of challenges as a result of COVID-19,” he said. “We’ve had to make some adjustments in the way cases are processed but we are serving the people of D.C. We have a great team at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. I was able to hit the ground running. I know a number of the division heads and I understand the work they do. I have the foundation to run the office successfully.” Graves said appearances before community groups will be a staple during his tenure. He said building relationships will remain a priority. “I am looking forward to working with our youth,” he said. “Unfortunately, most of the violent crime taking place in the city is being caused by young people. I look forward to visiting neighborhoods and schools to try to stop the violence. I like working with kids.”WI @JamesDCWrighter
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WORDS TO LIVE BY “When you determine what a man shall think, you do not have to concern yourself about what he will do. If you make a man feel that he is inferior, you do not have to compel him to accept an inferior status, for he will seek it himself. If you make a man think he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told; and if there is no back door, his very nature will demand one."
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RACINE from Page 1
being taken by the District of Columbia against the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers for their role in the U.S. Capitol insurrection on Dec. 14 on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)
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monitoring and helping to neutralize hate groups will be useful in Racine’s efforts. “We have deep expertise when it comes to groups and individuals involved in the planning and execution of the January 6th attack and are honored now to be putting that expertise at the service of the District of Columbia and the brave officers who were injured or killed as a result of that day,” Greenblatt said. “Domestic extremists, like the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, and others, continue to present a serious, credible and dangerous threat to our democracy and to us all. Accountability for January 6th is critically important to preventing another violent insurrection from happening in D.C. or in state capitols across the country.” WI @JamesDCWrighter
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the facility bear the brunt of the incident. “The perpetuators intentionally created a situation that ultimately cost lives, endangered many more and profoundly impacted our national consciousness,” the councilmember said. Allen told the Informer, during the time of the attack he received a number of texts from constituents who wanted to know the whereabouts of their loved ones and friends. “Many people who work in that building are my constituents,” he said. “At one point, I had to tell a curious constituent who had gone over to the Capitol to see what was going on to go home, immediately.” Jonathan A. Greenblatt, CEO and national director of the ADL, said his organization’s expertise in
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D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) said she appreciated Racine for initiating the lawsuit. “In their work defending the Capitol on that day, D.C. and the Metropolitan Police, in particular, of course, incurred expenses,” said Norton, who joined Racine at the news conference. “I was able to secure a $9.1 million federal payment to the District in an emergency supplemental appropriations bill that was signed into law in July to compensate D.C. for the direct costs of responding to the attack. It is appropriate that the perpetuators of the attack compensate D.C. for the other costs D.C. incurred that day, including for medical treatment and paid leave, which are outside the scope of the funding I was able to secure for the District. From damage to police property to medical expenses related to the attack, the perpetuators, including the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, must pay D.C,” she said. D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) also supports Racine’s lawsuit, saying at the news conference that the attack on the Capitol had a nationwide impact but neighborhoods around
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5 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton speaks about the legal action
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Act of 1871, which allows people to be sued in civil court over civil rights violations. Specifically, the complaint based on the lawsuit said the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers and the 31 individuals charged caused extensive damage to the District and particularly to law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol and violated federal and District laws. The legal action seeks to recover damages the insurrectionists caused to the city, particularly the physical, mental and emotional injuries suffered by D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officers. Racine has received the pro bono outside counsel support of The States United Democracy Center, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the law firms of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Dechert LLP in this case.
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Kamala Harris Visits Brandywine to Promote Electric Vehicles Vice President Continues Push to Battle Climate Change William J. Ford WI Staff Writer Vice President Kamala Harris visited Prince George’s County, Maryland, to announce a $7.5 billion plan to construct an electric vehicle infrastructure system. As part of the effort, a joint office will be formed between the federal departments of Energy and Transportation to oversee a goal in building 500,000 charging vehicle stations nationwide, especially in rural, disadvantaged and hard-toreach neighborhoods. Both agencies will also launch an advisory committee on electric vehicles and appoint members by the first quarter of next year. The
joint office will issue guidance and standards for states and consult with manufacturers, environmental and civil rights groups and tribal communities. “Climate change has become a climate crisis and it demands urgent action,” Harris said Monday, Dec. 13 at the county’s Department of Public Works and Transportation building in Brandywine. “The future of transportation in our nation and around the world is electric.” One main reason for electric vehicle use: reduce gas emissions and battle the climate crisis with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It resembled a message Harris presented Nov. 5 when
5 Vice President Kamala Harris, right, listens to how a charging station works from Mahidhar Reddy, founder and CEO of SemaConnect based in Bowie. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
she toured NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt. Harris toured the maintenance facility Monday where four electric county buses continue to be tested and scheduled to go on the road in February. She even charged one of the county’s vehicles at a charging station manufactured by SemaConnect of Bowie. “There’s no sound or fumes. So how do I know it’s actually working?” she asked Mahidhar Reddy, founder and CEO of SemaConnect. Reddy showed the vice president a person must have a card in front of a screen at the station to “authenticate” the card. A light turns green to show the
J. Ford Prince George’s Public Schools William WI Staff Writer Release $2.6B Proposed Budget ARETHA Prince George’s
County public schools face a possible budget deficit of $10.5 million but much less than the $100 million projected last year. Similar to last year, CEO Monica Goldson released a proposed $2.6 billion fiscal year 2023 budget with a focus on mental health services, upgrades in technology and enhanced maintenance and cleaning with ongoing COVID-19 safety protocols. The budget would be $300 million more than the current spending plan of $2.3 billion which represents more than 60% of the county’s overall budget. An operating budget timeline shows the school board will conduct work sessions next month and hold a series of 5 A look at Prince George’s County public schools enrollment between fiscal years 2018 public hearings starting Jan. 27. to 2022. The Maryland Department of Legislative Services predicts the county’s student “We are embarking on a new stra-
DISTRICT24
population could increase to slightly more than 133,000. (Screen shot: courtesy of PGCPS)
12 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
vehicle has been fully charged. Antoine Thompson, executive director of Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition and a resident of Upper Marlboro, said his organization pushes for transportation equity when it comes to purchasing and accessibility to recharge elective vehicles. “There’s just not enough charging stations,” he said. “We need to address the issue of vehicle equity.” That’s why $2.5 billion of the electric vehicle infrastructure plan will provide local governments to compete for grants for local governments to incorporate charging systems for both private and commercial uses.
tegic plan to ensure a clear vision, aligned mission and excellence in education and equity for every student,” Goldson said in a statement Friday, Dec. 10. “The proposed operating budget is designed to help us reach the outcomes we envision over the next five years.” The coronavirus pandemic affected the student population throughout the state of Maryland in kindergarten through 12th grade decreasing by almost 18,300 in 2020. As of Sept. 30 in Prince George’s, the student population stood at 124,368. School data shows the student population at 130,580 in fiscal year 2020. With five-days-a-week, in-person instruction resuming this school year, the state Department of Legislative
SCHOOLS Page 14
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said another goal will be to provide a $7,500 credit for individuals to purchase an electric vehicle. But that amount remains pending in the Senate as part of the president’s $2 trillion Build Back Better Act. Granholm said she leases an electric vehicle and solar panels in her garage. “That means, literally, I am riding on sunshine,” she said. “That’s why making these electric charging stations everywhere across the country is so critical. We need to make sure these electric vehicles are accessible to everyone. The future is electric.” The electric vehicle plan designates about $63 million for Maryland. Locally, Prince George’s officials continue to work on a climate change plan that includes registering about 15% of the 620,000 vehicles on the roads traveled in the county as electric vehicles by 2030. The climate proposal notes the county would track and report annually the number and type of electric vehicle charging stations in the county, the number of electric vehicles and the number of households that switched from electric vehicles to gas-powered vehicles. County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said Harris’s visit to the majority Black jurisdiction for a second time in less than six weeks shows it’s being recognized for local efforts to improve the environment. “What we are noticing is that Prince George’s County, very quietly, has been leading in a number of areas and it is being recognized by the vice president as well as by this administration,” she said. “We’re really grateful for that.” Del. Susie Proctor (D-District 27A) of Accokeek, who attended the vice president’s visit in Brandywine that includes part of her district, said educating residents about electric vehicle use remains a major step. “Everything we do will be about education,” she said. “So many people are not accepting the fact that electric cars are our future . . . but having the vice president here to promote this is so refreshing to hear. We are going to be with [the Biden administration] to promote this.” WI @jabariwill
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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
Dereck Davis Selected as Maryland Treasurer William J. Ford WI Staff Writer LaTasha Ward of Bowie said the selection of Del. Dereck Davis as the state treasurer for Maryland represents “hope” and “optimism” not only as the second African American elected and the first ever from Prince George’s County. Ward, who founded two nonprofit organizations called “Go Promote U” and “The Solid Foundation Inc.,” said Davis will help ensure minority-owned businesses receive financial and other business opportunities. “It’s a major moment for gorgeous Prince George’s. That is a trophy for all of us,” said Ward, who received an endorsement from Davis in her run for state delegate to represent the 24th Legislative District. “Having a person like him at the table is a long time coming for people like myself who are minority business owners to get our fair share in the state of Maryland.” Davis, 54, a Democrat of Mitchellville, will replace current state treasurer Nancy Kopp who plans to retire after nearly 50 years in public office. His election as the state treasurer ended a four-day special session last week in Annapolis by the Maryland General Assembly that included lawmakers voting on a new redistricting
map and overriding more than dozen vetoes made by Gov. Larry Hogan earlier this year. Some of the state treasurer’s duties include managing state funds and property, issuing or authorizing agents to issue payments of state funds and overseeing financial institutions that invest in the state. One of the main priorities will be serving on the three-member Board of Public Works with the comptroller and the governor which decides on millions of dollars in procurement and various state projects. He’s scheduled to be sworn-in Friday, Dec. 17 and attend his first Board of Public Works meeting Jan. 5. Davis garnered the title of “Mr. Chair” in Annapolis for leading smooth meetings in the House Economics Matters Committee since 2003. The committee oversees policies that include economic development, alcoholic beverages and labor and employment. The Prince George’s native who represented the 25th Legislative District and served in the House of Delegates since 1995, offered a bit of humor Thursday, Dec. 9 during his nearly 10-minutes speech at the rostrum, usually reserved for House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) to preside over the House sessions.
“You know how they say if you have a job that you love [and] you’ll never work a day? That is a lie,” he said to some laughter in the House chamber. “I love being a delegate and the chair of economic matters. I worked my butt off.” Davis admitted he “tried to stay ahead” of the minority leaders, progressive members, the Democratic and Republican caucuses. “You pushed me to be as prepared as best I could be,” said Davis, who also worked for about 10 years as the deputy director for community relations for Prince George’s. “I spent many nights plotting on you jokers, too.” The husband and father of two children ended his speech with a few lyrics from the song by Boyz II Men, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.” Maryland state Sen. Jill Carter (D-Baltimore City) said Davis’s election “was the highlight” of the special session. Several Prince George’s legislators such as Del. Nick Charles (D-District 25) of Forestville said Davis brings not only experience, but also having African-American representation on a statewide position. “We have someone who will bring fairness and equity to the position and to the state,” he said. “It’s going to be sad not having him on the District 25 team
Maryland Legislators Enact Bills on Parole, Immigration After Veto Overrides William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
5 Members of the House of Delegates recite the Pledge of Allegiance on the final day of the Maryland General Assembly special session Dec. 9. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
Cathryn Paul said Maryland will now join several states to ensure local jails don’t make money from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain people based on immigration related matters and inquire about a person’s immigration status during traffic stops. Another enacted law requires a state agency to deny federal agents to inspect personal information, photographs, or use facial recognition to enforce immigration law unless with a warrant. “These bills are an extraordinary victory for Maryland,” said Paul, government relations and policy manager for CASA. “When we
WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
5 Maryland Del. Dereck Davis, attending his final meeting at the State House in Annapolis as a delegate on Dec. 9, waves as his colleagues give him a standing ovation after his election as the new state treasurer. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
and not having him in the chamber. Knowing that he is not too far away, we can always call him to get the guidance we need.” It remains unclear who will replace Davis in the district that includes Forestville and portions of Largo and Up-
per Marlboro. Del. Darry Barnes and Sen. President Pro Tem Melony Griffith, both of Upper Marlboro, count as the other two lawmakers who represent the district. WI @jabariwill
have policies that protect immigrants and treat immigrants with dignity and respect, immigrants would want to come to Maryland. I hope that Maryland would want to be a state that welcomes immigrants with open arms. If that is not the goal, then I don't know what is.” Those are among more than 20 bills Maryland lawmakers overrode from vetoes Gov. Larry Hogan made earlier this year. The laws were enacted during a special session held Dec. 6-9 in Annapolis. Another major law ratified restricts the governor from making final decisions on whether an inmate serving a life sentence can receive parole. Maryland served as one of the three states in the nation that allowed the governor to block parole decisions made by a parole board. The 10-member state Parole Commission will now have the final say. Another part of the bill
instructs the commission to record at least six affirmative votes to approve a person for parole, versus the previous allowance of up to three votes. Legislators also enacted a grant program to help small businesses affected by the Purple Line lightrail construction in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. Starting in fiscal year 2023, a merchant can apply to receive no more than $50,000 based on certain criteria such as 20 or fewer employees, independently owned and operated and not a subsidiary of another business. Other bills the legislature enacted with a heavily-Democratic majority included the right for employees who work at all of the state’s 16 community colleges to collectively bargain. “It could create unsustainable costs for counties. It’s an unfund-
LEGISLATORS Page 15 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 13
BUSINESS Study Reveals Racial Pay Gap in Influencer Marketing Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer The racial pay gap has long presented issues for African Americans in corporate America and other industries. It’s now filtered to social media. MSL U.S., in partnership with The Influencer League, unveiled a first-ofits-kind research study, “Time to Face the Influencer Pay Gap,” uncovering a vast racial divide in influencer marketing. According to the research, the racial pay gap between white and Black, Indigenous & People of Color [BIPOC] stands at 29 percent. When explicitly focused on the gap between white and Black influencers, it widens to 35 percent.
It’s a growing issue that Black creators face,” said Howard University senior Carrington York, who manages the Tik Tok account for the National Newspaper Publishers Association. “Not long ago, it was reported that Black Tik Tok users were shadow-banned, which definitely prevents their content from being monetized,” York stated. Micah Washington, a broadcast journalism major at Howard University, said the report didn’t surprise him. “Think about it financially. In the report, it talks about how 49 percent of Black creators who contribute regularly say they are offered low market value,” Washington said. “These Black influencers are saying when they go to the brands and companies and they
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14 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
5 Research paints a sobering picture of the present state of influencer marketing and delivers imperatives for brands and agencies to drive change. (Photo courtesy Pintrest)
are not receiving the right tools to fend for themselves, they are not shown how to make a deal.” “When this happens, it makes the gap wider because they don’t have that professional representation or professional advice. That makes it harder for them to argue that this is racially biased. It comes down to the need for pay transparency.” The report noted that those forces
are amplified by orders of magnitude in the young and unregulated influencer industry where affluence and connections play an outsized role and with social platform algorithms perpetuating inequity. Researchers found that a remarkable 77 percent of Black influencers reported follower counts in the lowest pay tiers, where compensation from brands averaged just $27,727.90 (ver-
SCHOOL from Page 12
– through grants and operating funds to purchase 565,000 devices for every student. Mental health support ($140 million) – expand full-time therapy in all 207 school buildings by fiscal year 2024. Currently 140 schools provide the service full time. Staff support ($132 million) – expand and improve curriculum and instruction with additional personnel. School board member Belinda Queen wants the budget to provide additional after-school and summer programs and keep in-person and online tutoring programs. In addition, she said it should provide funds to hire guidance counselors specialized in social skills to help students and parents who’ve struggled to cope during COVID-19. “My hope is Dr. Goldson and her staff will listen to the students, listen to the teachers and listen to the parents,” she said. “We need to think outside the box. Let our teachers be creative. They can do it and make it fun for the students. COVID-19 has been tough on everybody but we can get through this.” WI @jabariwill
Services predicts the county’s student population could increase to 133,000. School officials not only in Prince George’s but statewide say lower enrollments affect how much state money and county contributions flow into the schools for academic, athletic and other programs. Because of that, the county projects $1.3 billion could come in the proposed budget in state funding. The amount would contribute to half of the county’s proposed budget. The state’s legislative services, however, estimates $1.4 billion could come from the state. To help balance the budget, some of the financial actions may include using $6.1 million from the fund balance, trimming $1.3 million in expenditures from the central office and redesignING the high school alternative program to save $2.5 million. Some of the budget priorities in the spending plan labeled “equity and excellence” include: Student technology ($229 million)
sus 59 percent of white influencers). Conversely, only 23 percent of Black influencers made it into the highest tiers, where earnings averaged $108,713.54 (versus 41 percent of white Influencers). As concluded by the researchers, the result is that in this industry in particular, an unequal playing field becomes a nearly unbridgeable opportunity gap. Further, the majority (59 percent) of Black influencers (and 49 percent of BIPOC influencers) reported that they felt negatively impacted financially when they posted on issues of race versus 14 percent of white influencers. The report also flies in the face of the outpouring of diversity, equity and inclusion pledges made by corporations around the globe. “When it comes to a lot of these institutions, performative activism comes to mind,” York said. “A lot of what they say doesn't always show with their actions.” “There have been rumors of a racial pay gap for years, but no one in our industry has quantified it until now,” D’Anthony Jackson, Digital and Influencer Strategist at MSL, said in a news release. “These are stark numbers by any measure. Just compare the 35 percent gap between white and Black influencers to the pay gaps in other industries – education 8 percent, business and financial 16 percent, construction 19 percent, media sports and entertainment 16 percent. The gap this study uncovered in influencer marketing vastly overshadows the gaps in any other industry.” WI
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BUSINESS
Capital City® Mambo Sauce Comes to KFC® Restaurants in Select Cities Local Black-woman Entrepreneur Arsha Jones Owns the Sauce Brand Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer D.C.’s famous Sweet Hot Capital City® mambo sauce comes to select KFC restaurants in the Greater Washington area, Dallas and Atlanta for a limited time. Known for its unique sweet, spicy and tangy flavor profile, Sweet Hot Capital City® mambo sauce serves as a perfect complement to KFC’s world-famous fried chicken and sides, said the chicken franchise in a
statement. Capital City® is owned and operated by Arsha Jones, a native Washingtonian, where mambo sauce counts as a popular culinary staple found mainly at carryout eateries. After moving to the suburbs with her late husband Charles, she found it hard to get her hands on the D.C. staple, so she developed her recipe. Ten years later, Capital City® has expanded beyond Arsha’s home kitchen to customers around the country and now KFC. “KFC has given Capital City® a huge opportunity to highlight a culture that many don’t get a chance to experience,” said Arsha Jones, CEO and co-founder of Capital City, LLC. “When visitors think of Washington, D.C., they envision museums, government and politics but there’s a huge community just beyond those few
blocks that has a rich history filled with styles, music, lingo and food all our own. We are proud to be able to partner with KFC to share our culture with more people.” According to local historians, mambo sauce’s formative years date back to the 1950s and has become synonymous with Black D.C. food culture emerging out of Black-owned D.C. area chicken wing restaurants.
Adopted by Chinese and Korean carryout restaurants in the 1970s and 80s, the sweet and hot flavor profile of the sauce (similar to a Chinese sweet and sour sauce) has transformed over the years, said Jones. Part of her mission remains to preserve the authentic mambo sauce taste and legacy and taste for years to come. “Arsha has created a successful
business with this ridiculously delicious sauce, and we are proud to partner with her to give even more people a chance to try it,” said Kevin Hochman, president, KFC U.S. “You have to try Capital City® mambo sauce to understand how amazing it tastes and it’s a terrific match with our world-famous Kentucky Fried Chicken!” WI
(Courtesy of KFC)
LEGISLATORS from Page 13 ed mandate,” Del Susan Krebs (R-Carroll County) said during last week’s debate. “While I understand the desire for job security, I do not understand why this bill comes at a time when community colleges are at their most fragile.” Del. Jazz Lewis (D-District 24) of Glenarden said the bill provides workers an opportunity for better salaries and safer environments. “Working people in this state not only deserve to earn a decent wage [but] they deserve decent working conditions and a predictable schedule,” he said after the House adjourned on the last day of the special session Thursday, Dec. 9. “All
these things are allowed when you are able to collectively bargain.” State Sen. Jill Carter (D-Baltimore City) said none of the bills should’ve been vetoed by the governor, especially eliminating the governor’s role in parole decisions. “We have to take steps to chip away at our policies that have created this disparity over the incarceration of Black people,” she said. “The session was smooth. The two leaders [House Speaker Adrienne Jones and Sen. President Bill Ferguson] did a great job. They whooped us all into shape and got us out of here quickly. It was low drama.” WI @jabariwill
Starting January 1, 2022, restaurants will not include disposable utensils in your order unless you ask for them. Do DC a favor and ditch the disposables! doee.dc.gov/service/utensils stay connected @dczerowaste @doee_dc
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DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 15
NATIONAL If Passed, Federal Legislation Will Eliminate Crack-Cocaine Sentencing Disparities Local Advocates Connect Rise in Violence to Lengthy Incarceration of Nonviolent Offenders Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer As D.C. residents, government officials and others mull over the ideal means of quelling violence, community leader and re-entry advocate Tony Lewis, Jr. continues to highlight how, decades ago, the federal government’s
war on drugs further inflicted damage on numerous Black communities, including those in the District. In the latest juncture of his advocacy for incarcerated people and their families, Lewis has joined forces with Dream Corps JUSTICE to advance The EQUAL Act through Congress. If passed, this federal legislation would
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Andrellos Mitchell
5 Congressman David Trone with Roy Belfry, Dream Corps JUSTICE advisory council member, on Dec. 8 at an event commemorating the passage of the First Step Act. (Courtesy Photo)
pave the way for eliminating sentencing disparities between powder cocaine and crack-cocaine offenses. Despite similarities in their chemical composition, judges since the late 1980s have levied harsher penalties for the possession and sale of crack cocaine, a drug more often associated with the Black community. Lewis said that, as legions of parents and grandparents continue to sit in prison for non-violent drug offenses, future generations continue to suffer in a city that has undergone an urban renaissance. “When people received these draconian sentences, it took guidance and a power structure out of the community,” Lewis said as he explained the greater economic forces that compelled people to use and sell drugs. “What we see [with the violence in D.C.] are the offspring of the men and women who’ve been taken away. What was never addressed was that poverty pushed that generation into the drug trade. As long as Black people in this city continue to be poor, we'll continue to see violence,” he said.
ENTIRE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED
Half of U.S. inmates are parents, according to data compiled by The Sentencing Project. The research-based advocacy center estimates that 2.7 million children are currently experiencing this reality, with nearly twice as many having already been through it.
As Lewis and others have often argued, a parent’s incarceration has numerous effects on a child. The National Institute of Justice connects parental incarceration to antisocial behaviors, suspension and expulsion from school and economic hardship. Amid efforts to reduce sentences for nonviolent offenders, attention has pivoted to also providing opportunities to incarcerated parents and their children to connect and mitigate the long-term consequences of separation. The EQUAL Act follows The First Step Act, a 2018 bipartisan effort to reduce the size of the federal prison population. One provision allows judges, in some cases, to impose lower sentences than the statutory minimum. Inmates with crack-cocaine-related offenses before 2010 also became eligible for sentence reduction. Legislation passed years earlier reduced sentencing disparities between crack-cocaine and powder cocaine from 100-to-1 to 18to-1. Since Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY8) introduced The EQUAL Act, also known as the Eliminating a Quantifiably Unfair Application of the Law Act, in March with 26 Republican cosponsors, it passed through the House with the support of 143 Republicans. It currently sits in the Senate where it has been read twice and referred to the Judiciary Committee. If passed, The EQUAL Act would apply to future cases and those pending at the time of its enactment. In regards to retroactively eliminating
disparities for inmates who’ve been convicted of crack-cocaine-related offenses, this legislation allows eligible inmates to petition for sentence reduction. It also authorizes a sentencing court to impose a reduced sentence, with or without an inmate’s presence in the sentencing reduction hearing. Over the last few months, Dream Corps JUSTICE Policy Director Kandia Milton and his colleagues have engaged Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), a ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and more than a dozen other Republican senators who’ve appeared open to the legislation. With at least 10 Republican votes needed for the passage of The EQUAL Act on the Senate side, Milton said he has relied on the facts, more than anything, to convey the importance of this moment. "When you look at the science, the data and what's fair, Republicans and Democrats both agree that the need for change is clear,” Milton said. “Locking up folks for a long time has not reduced recidivism. [Republican and Democratic leadership] recognized the need for change. People trust us and verify what we’re saying is true.”
PLAYING THE GAME TO PASS LEGISLATION
In commemoration of the First Step Act’s passage, DREAM Corps JUSTICE hosted “The Next Steps to Justice” on December 8. The event featured criminal justice movement leaders and returning citizens who benefitted from the First Step Act. Congressman David Trone (D-MD6) counted among those who spoke about the importance of The EQUAL Act. As he reflected on his encounters with the criminal justice system, Trone acknowledged his privileges as a white man that allowed him to avoid years behind bars. He later outlined a strategy to engage his conservative colleagues in the Senate, some of whom are more than likely hesitant about supporting The EQUAL Act. “We get what’s possible [and] sometimes that means we can’t get what's right. If I was the only guy voting in Congress, I would get what's right but we got the Senate and we have to make sure we’re working [in a] bipartisan [way],” Trone said. “We got the hard right wing. We got to work as a team [and] figure out how to get some Republicans on board to realize this is the right thing.” WI @SamPKCollins
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NATIONAL Survey: One-in-10 Americans Say Covid-19 Vaccinations Conflict with Religious Beliefs ADDITIONAL KEY Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer
As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads across the U.S., heightening tensions around vaccine mandates and religious exemption claims, the Public Religion Research Institute {PRRI] and the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) released their Wave 3 of their Religion and the Vaccine Survey on Dec. 6. The new survey reveals that only one-in-10 Americans believe the teachings of their religion prohibit COVID-19 vaccinations; nearly nine-in-10 disagree. Additionally, six-in-10 Americans agree that too many people continue to use religion as an excuse to avoid vaccine requirements. Similarly, six-in-10 Americans believe no valid religious reasons exist to refuse a COVID-19 vaccine. Q4 AMTRAK PRINT 1_Washington In addition, the majorities of every major religious group agree, except
white evangelical Protestants (41%). “The wide berth allowed for the FINDINGS IN THE expression and practice of religions, PRRI–IFYC REPORT Four-in-10 Americans agree “the codified in our Constitution and laws, are bedrock American princi- government is not telling us about ples,” said PRRI CEO and founder other treatments for COVID-19 Robert P. Jones. “But Americans also that are just as effective as the vacbelieve that principles of religious cine.” Republicans are twice as liberty are not absolute but rather likely as Democrats to believe this should be balanced with the health conspiracy theory. White evangeland well-being of our communities.” ical Protestants are the only major The survey also revealed that religious group among whom a mathree-in-10 unvaccinated Ameri- jority believe this conspiracy theory. Less than half of Americans becans say they have asked for or plan lieve that no one should be allowed to ask for a religious exemption to vaccination. In addition, one-in-five to claim an exemption from receivparents of unvaccinated children ing a COVID-19 vaccine based on under age 18 says they have request- their religious beliefs. One-in-four Americans who are ed or will request a religious exempnot vaccinated say a critical reason tion for their children. According to the report, white they have not gotten a COVID-19 evangelicals stand out among the vaccine is their belief that the seriunvaccinated, with about four- ousness of COVID-19 has been in-10 saying they plan to ask for a overblown. An additional 39% say Informer (outlines).pdf 7/7/21 10:33 thatPMis one of the reasons but not a religious exemption to 1vaccination critical one. requirements.
(Courtesy of Shutterstock)
One-in-five vaccinated Americans (19%), including 26% of Black Americans, say they could easily get to a vaccine site nearby as a critical reason for getting vaccinated. Four-in-10 vaccinated Americans cite wanting to protect those who cannot get vaccinated as a critical reason for their decision to get a vaccine. “This survey also shows that reli-
gious interventions have worked,” said IFYC president and founder Eboo Patel. “When pastors encourage vaccination and mosques hold vaccine clinics, more people get vaccinated. Faith-based groups remain ready to play our role, but we need partners. If we are going to defeat the Omicron variant, philanthropy, the private sector and government will have to step up.” WI
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africa now
COMPILED BY OSWALD T. BROWN, WI CONTRIBUTING WRITER
South Africa: Male Grooming Enhancing Business in Beauty Sector Pretoria-based celebrity hairstylist Patrick Missile has based a portion of his business in helping balding men. He started creating wigs known as toupees for his male clients nine years ago. But he is only one of the many springing up across South Africa in the business of men’s grooming. "I feel like there were a lot of requests from guys. Even though I was a wig designer from the beginning and serving ladies, I later found out that it was important to introduce myself to the male sector. It really helped people gain their confidence and to boost their personality and their appearance. It was
very important and it meant a lot to so many," Missile said. According to Euromonitor, men’s grooming is finally taking off in South Africa and the region as a whole. It is one of the strongest growing sub sectors in beauty and personal care, posting a 9 % value growth in 2018. Entrepreneurs like Patrick say the growth of beauty for males will help blur gender roles. Brothers Beard in Johannesburg is one of the outlets helping Black men grow and maintain their beards naturally. Its founder, Vizolet Kuwana, believes growing and keeping clean beards is trendy. "Male grooming is such a buzz word and is the reason I resigned from my full-time corporate job two years ago to pursue this. As it stands, people talk about the numbers saying it is a $56 billion dollar industry and that men want to look good," he said. "In my experience, I think from a beard lens, men are not only looking for LinkedIn connections but also connecting beards. They also want to smell like flowers. They want to be pampered. So, you are seeing more and more men who are conscious about their appearance and wellness," Kuwana explained. WI SOURCE: Africanews.
caribbean now Work Has Begun to Make Jamaica a Republic Jamaica’s Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte says an announcement is expected by the end of the second quarter next year in relation to Jamaica's way forward to becoming a republic, The Jamaica Observer reported. “A document is currently being prepared for the prime minister and I do believe that, in due course, perhaps early in the new year [an announcement will be made],” said the attorney general. “When we go into January, the time is going to be taken up with the budget process to come. Then, by the time the budget debate and the sectoral debate are over, something concrete will be announced,” she said. On November 29, at midnight, Jamaica's fellow Caribbean island Barbados became the world's newest republic by removing Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. The country also inaugurated a president during a ceremony that coincided with its 55th year of independence. And while former Jamaican prime ministers have given a commitment to start the process for the past four decades, nothing substantial has happened. However, following Barbados's move, calls have become louder by Jamaicans, including former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, who wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding, beseeching them to ensure that Jamaica is a republic by the time the country observes 60 years of independence in 2022. WI
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EagleBank Lays Foundation for Affordable Housing & Community Development There’s no place like home when it comes to EagleBank’s investment priorities. Four recently financed redevelopment projects in Washington D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8 serve as proof of the Bank’s commitment to restoring character and renewing hope in areas where their customers live and work. Historically underserved, these “east of the river” neighborhoods will be home to new housing opportunities, vibrant retail stores and restaurants, and a much-needed full-service grocery store. “It’s no secret that we prioritize our immediate neighbors
— that’s the soul of our organization,” said EagleBank SVP, CRE Relationship Manager, Kathy Harbold. “Construction loans like these are our way of helping our customers from a different angle; by creating homes and spaces and essential neighborhood amenities.” Crest at Skyland Town Center is 263 residential units and is a partnership between Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) and development partners WC Smith and Rappaport. Phase 1 was financed by EagleBank and opened in June, 2021. Phase 2 is a retail block that broke ground this past summer and includes
the first grocery store to open east of the Anacostia River since 2007. “We are so proud of the progress at Skyland Town Center,” said Mayor Bowser, who said that new residences and food options are already taking shape, with more housing and retail to come. “By investing in housing, food access and local retail businesses, we give more residents a fair shot,” she said. Fifty-three units are set aside for those earning 80% of Median Family Income and 26 are reserved as workforce units (for those just starting out or earning more modest incomes, like firefighters, teachers and other civil service employees).
5 Skyland Town Center Rendering • Source: WC Smith
5 MLK Gateway Phase Ii. Rendering: Studios Architecture
5 City Towns Interior • Source: WC Smith
Submitted by Eagle Bank
MLK Gateway, a mixed-use development in Anacostia and the future home of D.C.’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DCDHCD), is now in its second phase of construction. This partnership between The Menkiti Group and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) will include office space and retail destinations at the gateway between Downtown D.C. and the east side of the Anacostia River. EagleBank provided financing for Phase 2, including a $43 million construction loan, which is earmarked for a 68,203-square-foot building at 1909 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE that will be the future home of DCDHCD.
City Towns is a 61-townhome rehabilitation project in a rental community in the Barry Farm/Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast, D.C. The borrower, WC Smith, saw a need for more quality affordable housing and came to EagleBank for its reputation as the D.C. area’s leading community bank. “This project will significantly improve the condition, appeal and functionality of the property for the tenants,” said a WC Smith spokesperson. Immediate repairs began last year. Renovations will be ongoing as units become vacant.
Saint Elizabeths Hospital East Campus is the third collaboration between EagleBank and Donald Knutson, a well-known local developer of townhomes, condominiums and mixed-use communities. An EagleBank client since 2017, Knutson returned to the bank as a tried-andtrusted partner for this 88-townhome village built on the southern portion of Saint Elizabeths campus in SE D.C. There will be 61 market-rate units and 27 affordable units. The site, which will be developed in two phases, is a 10-minute walk to Congress Heights Metro station and convenient to the Entertainment & Sports Arena on the Saint Elizabeths campus. The redevelopment of St E’s campus will deliver 700M square feet of commercial space, hotels and a new hospital. One of those buildings is a 118,000-square-foot health care facility for current EagleBank client Whitman-Walker Health. Whitman-Walker aims to improve access to healthcare for D.C. residents living east of the Anacostia River by focusing on eliminating persistent health disparities and service delivery inequities.
5 EagleBank’s CRE Lending Team
5 Saint Elizabeths Townhomes Rendering • Source: Knutson
“You can’t call yourself a community bank without giving back to the customers who come in and out of our doors every day,” said EagleBank EVP, Chief Real Estate Lending Officer, Ryan Riel. “It may say ‘bank’ in our name,” he added, “but we make a conscious decision to be much more than that.”
EagleBank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. NMLS# 440513 BRANDED CONTENT SPONSORED BY Eagle Bank
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DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 19
HEALTH For the Elderly, the Holiday Season Often Brings Poor Tidings Some Seniors Face Loneliness and Social Isolation Natalie C. Hockaday WI Staff Writer The holidays can be the best time of year but for some it may not be so joyful. And the COVID-19 pandemic has made matters worse for those who often feel alone during the holidays. “COVID-19 has really had an impact on our older adult population
especially those who were already socially isolated. Now, because of the virus, many are avoiding any contact with others because they’re more susceptible to COVID-19. To protect themselves, they know they have to be isolated from others,” said Josi Makon, Older Adult Behavioral Health Coordinator for Montgomery County Health and Human Services. Makon said the pandemic serves as one of the leading causes of social
isolation among seniors. Other sources contributing to social isolation include place of residence, limited transportation, limited finances and an inadequate network of social support. In addition, Makon said ageism represents a form of discrimination that seniors may experience and which often contributes to their feeling lonely or disconnected from society.
“Just because someone is older [it] doesn’t necessarily mean that their life is done [and] that they can’t still contribute,” Makon said. According to the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] there are major health risks that are attributed to loneliness in older adults. Social isolation in seniors “was associated with about a 50% percent increased risk of dementia,” according to the CDC. Loneliness also tends to be “associ-
U.S. Surgeon General: Pandemic Has Made Mental Health Worse for Youths Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer During the pandemic, children, adolescents and young adults have faced unprecedented challenges as COVID-19 has dramatically changed their world, including how they attend school, interact with friends and receive health care. According to a 52-page advisory from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, children missed first days of school, months or even years of in-person schooling, graduation ceremonies, sports competitions, playdates and time with relatives. As of June 2021, more than 140,000 children in the U.S. had lost a parent or grandparent to COVID-19. Since the pandemic began, there have been increased rates of psychological distress among young people, including symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders. “Recent research covering 80,000 youth globally found that depressive and anxiety symptoms doubled during the pandemic with 25 percent of youth experiencing depressive symptoms and 20 percent 5 Since the pandemic began, there have been increased rates of psychological distress experiencing anxiety symptoms,” Dr. Murthy wrote in the advisory. among young people, including symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders. (Photo courtesy NAMI)
20 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
MENTAL HEALTH Page 22
ated with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide,” according to the CDC. Paul Baylor, a veteran in the District, said the holidays are particularly hard for him because he’s estranged from his family and has been diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety. “I used to cry all of the time. I couldn’t go to Thanksgiving dinners [or] Christmas gatherings because I missed my mother and father so much. My mother died on New Year’s Eve, so that’s another time that’s traumatic for me. But I’ve grown stronger and found ways to get on with life,” he said. Loneliness and social isolation represent two different challenges and are not the same thing. According to the CDC, loneliness is defined by feeling alone regardless of the amount of social interaction that a person may or may not have. Social isolation, however, represents “a lack of social connections” which the CDC says can lead to loneliness. Senior centers, Makon said, serve as a benefit for older adults because they’re a way for them to be engaged with others and create bonds and friendships which can broaden their social circle. She said while people often assume that as adults become older, they become grumpy or depressed, the notion counts as more fiction than fact. “Getting older doesn’t naturally lead to depression or to suicidal tendencies,” she said. “People can still enjoy a healthy, fruitful life no matter what their age may be.” WI
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HEALTH
Pregnancy in the United States Remains a Condition Wrought with Risks Vice President Kamala Harris Discusses Importance of Maternal Health Awareness Natalie C. Hockaday WI Staff Writer Maternal Health for BIPOC [Black, Indigenous and People of Color] women and more particularly, Black women, has fallen short for the quality of care this demographic of women receive. “This challenge is urgent and it is important and it will take all of us. To put it simply, in the U.S. in the 21st century, being pregnant and giving birth should not carry such great risk,” Vice President Kamala Harris said. “But the truth is, women in our nation, and this is a hard truth, are dying before, during and after childbirth. Women in our nation are dying at a higher rate than any other developed nation in our world and when we know that the risk for some women is much higher, when we know that, we should do something about it,” she said. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-re-
lated complications than white women. The CDC also noted that “social determinants of health have historically prevented many people from racial and ethnic minority groups 5 Vice President Kamala Harris and Allyson Felix (Courtesy photo) from having fair opportunities for eco- for this. I didn’t know what to expect and hearing what other people went nomic, physical and emotional health.” Earlier this month, the Harris hosted through and that hope that they gave a summit at the White House for the me was huge. I think also sharing those first federal Maternal Health Day of stories lets women, especially women Action. During the summit, she issued of color, know that they are at risk and a call to action to improve maternal what they can do to prepare themhealth outcomes in the U.S. Along- selves,” Felix said. As an athlete, Felix’s health has alside Harris were panelists representing members of Congress and advocates ways been something she’s taken serifor maternity health, one of whom was ously. Yet, her complications throughout her pregnancy came as a surprise as Olympic athlete, Allyson Felix. “I remember my time in the hospital did her diagnosis with a severe case of and just feeling like I wasn’t prepared preeclampsia. Preeclampsia counts as a
complication during pregnancy whereby individuals develop high blood pressure along with high elements of protein in their urine, according to Medline Plus. During her routine appointment at her 32-week mark of her pregnancy, Felix explained there were “concerning things that were happening.” “I ended up having an emergency C-section and my daughter was born two months early. I’m so grateful I was able to walk out of the hospital even though my daughter spent time fighting for her own life in the NICU. But we all walked out together. There are many women who have different endings. Now my eyes are open and it’s my passion to do more work in this area and raise awareness,” Felix said. The issue of maternity health, Felix said, remains an issue that doesn’t discriminate. She discussed how her circumstances of having quality healthcare did not help her avoid the experience.
“I’m very fortunate and blessed but I still found myself in this situation. [I was] hearing from other women that their pain wasn’t believed [and] that they had concerns that weren’t heard and I think that is so unfortunate. What I think is so shocking is that 60% of the number [of women who experience this] can be prevented – that’s huge,” she said. “When we know that today Black women are three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications, we should do something about that. When we know that Native American women are more than twice as likely to die from pregnancy related complications, we’ve got to do something about that. When women who live in rural America, which has many maternal care desserts, and when we know that women in rural America for that and other reasons are about 60% more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications, we need to do something about that,” Harris said. WI
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DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 21
EDUCATION Ujamaa Shule School Fights to Maintain Autonomy and Longevity in Crowdfunding Campaign Founder and Director Continues to Espouse Pan-African Nationalism, Educational Independence Sam P.K. Collins Staff Writer Ujamaa Shule, the first and oldest independent African-centered school in the U.S. will soon commemorate 55 years of existence. For weeks, school officials have been in the throes
MENTAL HEALTH from Page 20 Negative emotions or behaviors such as impulsivity and irritability – associated with conditions such as ADHD – appear to have moderately increased, the advisory noted. Further, early clinical data also proved problematic. In early 2021, emergency department visits in the U.S. for suspected suicide attempts counted 51 percent higher for adolescent girls and 4 percent higher for adolescent boys compared to the same period in early 2019. “Moreover, pandemic-related measures reduced in-person interactions among children, friends, social supports and professionals such as teachers, school counselors, pediatricians and child welfare workers,” Dr. Murthy’s advisory continued. “This made it harder to recognize signs of child abuse, mental health concerns and other challenges.” The report further noted that young people also experienced other challenges that may have affected their mental and emotional well-being during the pandemic.
22 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
of a crowdfunding campaign geared toward building renovations. The school, located in the Shaw neighborhood, has caught the eye of developers in recent years. That’s why Ujamaa Shule’s founder and director, Dr. El Senzengakulu Zulu, affectionately known as Baba Zulu, has asked These include the national reckoning over the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police officers including the murder of George Floyd. It also includes COVID-related violence against Asian Americans, gun violence, an increasingly polarized political dialogue, growing concerns about climate change, and emotionally charged misinformation. “The pandemic has been challenging for most people, yet the teenage population, particularly females, have suffered tremendously,” said Dr. Carla Marie Manly, a clinical psychologist. “Given the importance of social connections during adolescence, many teens have felt extremely isolated, lonely and depressed as a result of the constraining nature of the pandemic,” Dr. Manly said. “Many teens have turned to social media use for connection, yet social media has its own host of stressors and often increases anxiety and can foster low self-esteem.” Dr. Manly said parents and
MENTAL HEALTH Page 29
5 Ujamaa Shule teachers Harold Bartrum and Akina Zulu, along with founder and director, Dr. El Senzengakulu Zulu, and students Abena Bonsu and Osei Dinizulu, stand at the front gate of the school, located on Q Street between 8th and 9th Streets in Northwest. (Sam P.K. Collins/The Washington Informer)
that 35,000 people of African descent living in the U.S. contribute at least $15 a piece to fund much needed repairs. In 1968, Zulu, a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, launched Ujamaa Shule with two others to foster Black youth’s academic fortitude and African identity. He touted African-centered education as the only means by which youth can overcome obstacles and collectively work in the interest of the African Diaspora. To ensure that Ujamaa Shule remained true to its mission, Zulu has refused financial support from non-African corporations and the D.C. government, even as other African-centered schools received funds and transitioned into public charter schools. “Our school is based on Pan-African Nationalist ideology. We believe in separate lives and doing for self,” Zulu said. “There have been several charter schools that set up [their programs] similar to us and did an excellent job. Because they’ve done that, the government shut them down but they can’t do that to us.” Since its inception, Ujamaa Shule has not only boosted its students' reading and math aptitude but introduced them to the African continent and historical figures who fought for the advancement of African people across the globe. Alumni have entered various career paths including education, engineering, law and entertainment. Students at Ujamaa Shule wear African garb, take on indigenous African
names, learn Kiswahili and Zulu languages and engage in rigorous coursework that Zulu said makes them college and career ready by the time they reach their teen years. Nightly assignments, which students are required to complete with family members, often involve watching local and national news and following the developments in an African country of the student’s choosing. Students are also required to complete papers about prominent African ancestors, some of whom have been painted on the walls of the school, located on Q Street between 8th and 9th streets in Northwest. Abena Bonsu, a 10-year-old Ujamaa Shule student who’s currently taking college-equivalent coursework, said the school continues to help her pursue her dream of entering the science field and speaking on behalf of African people in the U.S. and around the world. “I like learning about African history and heritage and science and math,” Abena said. “In science I’ve been learning about elements, matter, nature and natural disasters. I want to help African people [just like] Kwame Nkrumah, Malcolm X and Denmark Vessey [who] inspire me.” Osei Dinizulu, a 14-year-old student, echoed Abena’s sentiments. In addition to his school work, Osei showcases his talent as an African drummer at public events, including a recent appearance at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. “I feel like I’m learning and excelling more,” Osei said. “My peers in
other schools aren’t learning all that they should and they’re not getting an African-centered perspective. Ujamaa has helped put me in a place where I can see what I can contribute to African society.” Over the years, running Ujamaa Shule has become a family affair. Akina Zulu, one of elder Zulu’s six children who’s known as Mama Akina, has served as an English, social studies and visual arts teacher for 25 years. She said her greatest reward lies in interacting with the young people who teach her as much as she teaches them. “I’m able to lay a foundation they can carry for the rest of their lives,” Mama Akina said. “[It’s good] to have them [go on] and receive their graduate degrees and [hear] parents thanking me. African-centered education can go as far as African people can go. The more we’re pushed, the better we will be.” Harold Bartrum, a teacher and parent of three Ujamaa Shule alumni, said he enjoys working in a Diasporic African community and watching students progress in an environment without limits. With African-centered education, he said, there’s always potential for growth. “Students can progress based on how quickly they develop. It gives them a challenge [and] they try to accomplish a goal for themselves rather than what the government wants,” said Bartrum, an Ujamaa math and science teacher of more than 30 years. “Age is not a limitation.” WI @SamPKCollins
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
Medical School Enrollment More Diverse in 2021: Report
EDUCATION
Number of African-American Students on the Rise By Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer U.S. medical schools attracted and enrolled a more diverse class in the 2021-22 academic year with Black, Hispanic, and women applicants and enrollees all making gains, according to data released on Dec. 8 by the Association of American Medical Colleges [AAMC]. This year, the number of students applying to medical school also substantially increased, up nearly 18% from last year, to a record 62,443 applicants. “It is gratifying to see this growth in the diversity and number of students interested in a career in medicine, particularly during such a unique time in history as a result of the global pandemic and the growing recognition of the effects of health disparities in our country,” said David J. Skorton, M.D., president and CEO of AAMC. “For nearly two years, Americans have watched the heroism and dedication of physicians on the front lines. As the nation faces a real and significant projected shortage of physicians, I am inspired by how many individuals want to follow in the footsteps of those before them to serve their communities,” Dr. Skorton said.
KEY DATA FROM 2020 TO 2021 ACADEMIC YEARS: • Black or African-American first-year students increased by 21.0%, to 2,562. Black or African-American students made up 11.3% of matriculants (firstyear students) in 2021, up from 9.5% last year. Of particular note are the increases among Black or African-American men; firstyear students from this group increased by 20.8%. • First-year Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin increased by 7.1%, to 2,869. Individuals from this group made up
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12.7% of matriculants, up from 12.0% in 2020. • However, American Indian or Alaska Native first-year students declined by 8.5%, to 227, making up 1.0% of matriculants. This year, women also continued to make gains, making up 56.8% of applicants, 55.5% of matriculants and 52.7% of total medical school enrollment. For the third consecutive year, women made up the majority of these three groups. Conversely, the number of men matriculants declined for the sixth year in a row, according to the AAMC. “The gains in medical school enrollment of students from underrepresented groups are encouraging but there is still much more work to be done — including increasing the representation of American Indian and Alaska Native communities — to ensure that our nation’s diversity is reflected in the future physician workforce,” said Geoffrey Young,
Is there life on other planets? This week’s Kid Scoop page examines the Goldilocks Planets, where conditions may be “just right” to sustain life.
This year, the number of students applying to medical school also substantially increased, up nearly 18% from last year, to a record 62,443 applicants.
Each week, Kid Scoop brings students interactive games, activities, puzzles and more in a bright & bouncy, award-winning feature kids and their family members can enjoy together. PUBLICATION DATE HERE
Publication Date: 12-27-21
Ph.D., AAMC senior director, transforming healthcare workforce. “The AAMC and our member medical schools are deeply committed to significantly increasing the number of applicants and students from underrepresented groups,” he said. WI
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EDITORIAL
WFT Among Pro Athletes Whose Teams May Suffer Because of Refusal to Vaccinate Washington Football Team defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, linebacker David Mayo, defensive end William Bradley-King and tight end Temarrick Hemingway were added to the reserve/COVID list, the team announced Monday afternoon. It’s a major loss for the team, particularly with the loss of Allen who has amassed 45 tackles and 7.5 sacks in this, his fifth season in the league. Washington faced multiple COVID cases this summer, then made it through 13 weeks of the regular season without another incident. Before Sunday’s 27-20 loss to the division leading Cowboys, Washington had won four consecutive games. They still hold the NFC’s third wild-card spot and remain tied with four teams at 6-7, including Philadelphia. But with new cases of COVID, their chances of holding on to a playoff berth could be in jeopardy. And they’re not alone. Other NFL teams have seen a spike in COVID-19 cases since the start of their Week 14 games with 37 players being placed on reserve lists with positive cases across the league as of Monday. More than two-dozen additional cases had been identified Tuesday. Prior to Monday, the highest single-day new case count during the NFL regular season had been 18. In addition, a Tier 3 Washington Football Team staffer also tested positive for the firstknown case of the Omicron coronavirus variant in the NFL on Monday. The news comes on the heels of the NFL announcing the biggest addition to the reserve/COVID-19 list since the list's creation last year. Now, it’s not just injuries that can decimate a team and lessen their opportunity to move to the playoffs and, hopefully, the promised land – The Super Bowl. Teams and their fans must now hope that COVID-19 will not impact its players and personnel. It’s unclear whether those who have tested positive were vaccinated but many athletes have refused to get the shot citing all kinds of reasons. Some have even falsely said they have been vaccinated. It’s just a wonder that as much as professional athletes seem to enjoy being in the spotlight and revered as leaders in their respective cities, that they don’t seem willing to lead us in tackling this virus by getting vaccinated. Maybe we’re just expecting too much. Oh, and lest we forget, the U.S. just reported the death toll from COVID-19 has surpassed 800,000. And more than 200,000 of those lives were lost after the vaccine became available.
Take Heed to Threatening Weather Warnings When residents in eight Midwestern states heard warnings that devastating tornadoes were headed their way, were those warnings taken seriously? It’s hard to say but no one could have predicted the catastrophic impact tornadoes would have on their communities or their lives. When the tornadoes hit last Friday evening, entire towns were destroyed. Homes, churches and businesses were demolished, and the death rate continues to rise. A candle factory in Kentucky and an Amazon factory in Illinois were full of workers when the tornado hit. Survivors showed up for work to fill holiday orders and recover revenue losses from the COVID-19 pandemic. In a flash, they were buried under the debris as the tornado tore through the building, leaving them pleading to rescuers for help. Loved ones are asking if the companies did enough to ensure the safety of their employees, and so are we. In the D.C. metro area, residents often doubt the severity of meteorologists’ predictions of an impending storm event. Locally, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes are extremely rare but the D.C. government has introduced measures to warn residents if a severe or catastrophic weather occurrence is forthcoming. When severe storms are headed our way, residents are asked to hunker in place while city workers prepare the streets against hazardous conditions. If residents question those warnings, it’s a flip of the coin. But evidence lies in their mad dash to the local market to stock up on food and to the gas station to fill their cars or generators. Technology has provided local governments the resources needed to warn residents of impending weather storms. In D.C., AlertDC is the system that provides residents with “a personal connection to real-time updates and instructions to protect yourself, your
TO THE EDITOR Good for Your Health
Remembering Bob Dole
The Health Supplement was amazing, per usual. I’m grateful that The Washington Informer provides such helpful information to our community. I truly believe almost all of our “problems” can be solved by reading; books, magazines, poetry and newspapers.
I embarrassingly never knew about Bob Dole, the former senator who recently passed away. It’s a shame because I like to stay abreast of certain things, but that’s what newspapers are for: to inform. He certainly lived a life worth telling a story. While I’m certain he had his flaws, he should be remembered as an American hero.
Delilah Cambridge Washington, D.C.
loved ones and your neighborhood.” It is a volunteer system that can be downloaded to a mobile device that offers a menu of alerts. Meteorologists explain that climate change and a La Nina atmospheric condition may have contributed to the extraordinary nature of the tornadoes that rarely occur in December. In fact, a La Nina was predicted to be the cause of severe tornadoes this season in the U.S.
WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
Beverly Turton Laurel, Md.
While we cannot control the weather, we can remain aware of how climate change will impact us. Our prayers go out to the families trying to pull their lives back together in the Midwest. Who knows where damaging storms will occur next? We only know that we, too, will be impacted by storms, and we must also take heed to the warnings. WI
DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 25
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
Julianne Malveaux
Reparations Rising With Robin Rue Simmons
The Honorable John Conyers, who represented Detroit in Congress from 1965 until 2017, introduced HR 40 every congressional session from 1989. He worked to get co-sponsors for the legislation for nearly 30 years, but not even the entire Congressional Black Caucus would co-sponsor. Upon his retirement from Congress, he passed the baton to Houston Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Thanks to her efforts and those of reparations organizations, including the National African American Rep-
arations Commission (NAARC) and the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N'COBRA), the number of co-sponsors approaches two hundred members of Congress. With 218, the legislation could pass in Congress. Full disclosure: I serve as a NAARC commissioner, as does Kamm Howard, the co-chair of N’COBRA. With a Senate dominated by conservative Democrats and obstructionist Republicans, when HR 40 passes in Congress, it is unlikely to pass in the Senate. However, it is essential to acknowledge the enormous progress the reparations movement has experienced
since Conyers first introduced HR 40. Then, if you mentioned reparations in some circles, including those dominated by African Americans, you'd be rewarded with an eye roll and a "reality" check. Movements don't happen overnight, though, and the reparations movement is rising, thanks to the tireless work of committed activists, who have persistently raised the issue. Robin Rue Simmons, a former alderman in Evanston, Illinois, shepherded reparations legislation in that city and helped design a program that will use money from legal cannabis sales to fund reparations. The program emerges from documentation of the ways lo-
Guest Columnist
cal legislation widened the wealth gap between 1919 and 1969 and explicitly targets Evanston residents and their descendants for the initial round of reparations. Within the next several weeks, 16 families will get $25,000 checks to put a down payment on a home, reduce a mortgage balance, or do repairs that increase the value of their homes. While these modest payments do very little to reduce the wealth gap, they improve the wealth position of these families. Evanston has taken a small but revolutionary step in the right direction. Robin chose not to run for reelection, although she would have probably faced only token opposition if she had.
Instead, she has been working full-time on the issue of local reparations, founding First Repair (firstrepair.org), an organization focused on helping state and local governments shape reparations initiatives. First Repair most recently (Dec. 9-11) co-convened a symposium (along with NAARC) with state and local reparations leaders. Sixty people from 25 cities, including Boston; Asheville, North Carolina; Houston; Denver; Los Angeles and San Francisco, gathered to discuss their efforts to implement local reparations. The activist Danny Glover spoke at a town
MALVEAUX Page 45
Marian Wright Edelman
Training Excellent Teachers dom Schools training faculty Courtney Linsey "It's about culturally responsive instruction and pedagogy. … When they come into the classroom, each student has genius-level talent. Culturally, if you meet them and access things that are important to them, you'll get something that you wouldn't get otherwise. It's understanding that each person has a genius and it's up to us as teachers to help cultivate that genius." — Children's Defense Fund Free-
Every child deserves teachers who believe in their potential and are determined to use any methods needed to bring out their very best. Teacher training programs were some of the earliest opportunities for higher education available to African Americans, and the Black educators they produced were often leaders in their communities and inspirations in their students' lives. Growing up in the segregated South, my
Guest Columnist
teachers were among the caring Black adults in my hometown who served as buffers against the hostile outside world that told Black children we weren't important. For many Black children today, the chance to have a teacher who looks like them and is committed to nurturing their excellence is an equally critical but often rarer gift. Courtney Linsey is a Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools Ella Baker Trainer, an experienced teacher and leader in CDF Freedom Schools' culturally responsive summer
enrichment programs, who is pursuing his teaching credential and master's degree in Education. He is part of a partnership between CDF and Teach For America (TFA)'s Black Educators Promise Initiative in a new fellowship, the Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute Professional Development Seminar, that seeks to inspire and support more Black teachers. The fellowship is using the CDF Freedom Schools model to bring high-quality professional development to an inaugural group of 10 Black ed-
ucators across the South, where many Black teachers are still concentrated. It will allow CDF to create a robust teacher training curriculum that will ultimately serve as a foundation for CDF Freedom Schools' own Teacher Training Institute. Teach For America describes the need this way: "For the Black community, learning has always been a gateway for liberation. Renowned educators like Septima Clark, Booker T. Wash-
EDELMAN Page 45
Marc H. Morial
U.S. Democracy at 'Critical Risk' Without Filibuster Reform
"If Congress fails to pass the Freedom to Vote Act, American democracy will be at critical risk … Defenders of democracy in America still have a slim window of opportunity to act. But time is ticking away, and midnight is approaching. To lose our democracy but preserve the filibuster in its current form — in which a minority can block popular legislation without even
26 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
having to hold the floor — would be a shortsighted blunder that future historians will forever puzzle over." — "Statement in Support of the Freedom to Vote Act," an open letter signed by more than 150 scholars of U.S. democracy This week, the Biden administration convened 111 world leaders in a virtual meeting dubbed the Summit for Democracy. Focused on three vital areas — defending democracy against authoritar-
ianism, the fight against corruption, and respect for human rights — the summit will be followed by a "year of action." In the United States, this "action" is to include new initiatives for supporting free media and combating corruption, as well as for democratic reforms, civic technology and electoral integrity. Unless reform of the filibuster is among these initiatives, all the others are likely to fail. American democracy is at a tipping
point, and only filibuster reform can save it. This is not a partisan observation. Last month, for the first time, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance added the United States to its list of "backsliding" democracies. IDEA defines democracy as based on five core attributes: Representative Government, Fundamental Rights, Checks on Government, Impartial Administration and Participatory En-
gagement. As long as the filibuster can be used to block legislation to protect voting rights and reverse states' efforts to overturn and undermine free and fair elections, the United States cannot guarantee democracy. According to IDEA's report: "Unlike outright authoritarian regimes or even hybrid regimes, backsliding democracies use parliamentary major-
MORIAL Page 45
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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
E. Faye Williams
A Time Gone By
On Friday, the nation laid Bob Dole, one of the "old breed" of Republican politicians, to rest. Although there was much about his politics with which I could and did disagree, I still find him preferable to the crop that's littering the halls of Congress these days. He proudly stated that he voted for Trump twice, but he boldly voted for the 1964 Civil Rights Act when it demonstrated the courage of his
conviction. Like many of his Republican contemporaries — Nelson Rockefeller, Everett Dirksen, Jack Kemp, Charles Percy — Dole held strong political beliefs, but never declared his political opponents, as is done now, to be his mortal enemies. The old-timers of both parties often spoke of contentious debates on the floors of Congress followed by a night of fellowship and drinking without regard for political affiliation. Dole's death signals the final hurrah of an era where the good of
Guest Columnist
the nation was paramount in the minds of politicians. Instead, we now have partisan political rancor and wrangling that translates into a "death match" at each meeting. One can only question whether our nation and democracy can endure through a future foreshadowing protracted and interminable physical, psychological and political warfare. I will not sugarcoat recent events by suggesting that I see two-party hostility. I place the blame for the current political acrimony squarely in the laps of Republicans, several
specific Republican officeholders, a diabolical Senate minority leader and a cowardly House minority leader, as well as a disgraced grifter who has used latent racial animus and appealed to the fear of whites by suggesting a racial Armageddon. From the infantile to the insane, the conduct of this "new" Republican party is unbelievable. I have not yet heard a member of the Republican "base" admit to the violence that occurred at the nation's capitol on Jan. 6, 2020. Even participants in the event try to spin it
to make it appear as though their actions were those of peaceful protestors. In the face of actual footage of the violence, there remains a sizable portion, if not a majority, of the base which denies the violence. Former Vice President Mike Pence and his family were whisked away to safety under the chants of "Hang Mike Pence!" Even members of Congress who were witnessed cowering in the nooks and crannies of Capitol architecture or
WILLIAMS Page 46
Ben Jealous
Why Stacey Abrams is Important for Georgia and Our Democracy
You know the old game, two truths and a lie? Here are two truths and a lie about Georgia and Stacey Abrams, who recently announced that she's running for governor. Let's start with the lie. The big lie is that Donald Trump lost Georgia in 2020 because of illegal votes. The big truth is that Stacey Abrams helped achieve not one, not two, but three legal statewide victories
in Georgia for President Joe Biden and Sens. Raphael Warnock and John Ossoff. Another truth is that Brian Kemp was Georgia's vote suppressor-in-chief long before he became the governor. In every cycle, he manages to come up with new strategies that are even more aggressive than ones he used before. Like a comic book villain, Kemp does not grow weary in his evildoing. He's always hatching a new plan more dastardly than the last one.
Askia-At-Large
That's why we cannot take anything for granted, even though Abrams demonstrated last year how effectively she can mobilize voters. She has seen every anti-voting-rights trick in the book. Many of them were used against her when she ran for governor in 2018. Back then, Kemp was secretary of state and used the power of his office to shape election rules in his own favor. As Abrams said at the time, Kemp "won under the rules of the game, but the game was rigged against the
voters of Georgia." If we want Georgia to be safe for democracy, two things need to happen in the next 12 months. First, Congress must pass urgently needed voting rights legislation in time to go into effect by next fall. And second, everybody who showed up and turned out in Georgia in 2020 has to show up and turn out again — every individual and every group. I'm proud that the organization I lead, People For the American Way, was among those that Abrams
credited with helping to achieve the historic victories of the past year. We're going to spend the next 11 months fighting to help her get elected. And we're asking everyone to join us in making the same level of commitment in Georgia that they made in 2020. Because here's one more big truth. Stacey Abrams' campaign is not only important for Georgia. It's important for our democracy. It is easy to get discouraged by
to operate in a good old boy system. And we've had enough," former Officer Sinobia Brinkley said at a press conference in early October, shortly after the first lawsuit was filed, by 10 women. Less than a month later, another lawsuit was announced on behalf of three former MPD cadets. "You can think of cadets a little bit like the junior ROTC, most of them sign up while they are in high school and while they are cadets, they are civilian employees of the city," their
attorney Pam Keith said in an interview. They receive training at the police academy and get on-the-job training by shadowing police officers. "Sadly, the MPD cadet program and the academy has become as infected with the systematic retaliation as the rest of the MPD," Keith said. She described a sergeant "who had been engaging in favoritism, unprofessional behavior and had decided to take a particularly close relationship
JEALOUS Page 46
Askia Muhammad
Black Female Cops Sue D.C. Police Department
I would certainly think that, in a town with a Black female mayor, a Black chief of police, and where the only recent chief who wasn't Black was a woman, such a jurisdiction would be a poster child for how to treat women in the police department's ranks. That's what I would have thought until recently. But no. On Dec. 8, the third law-
suit brought by Black female officers, former and current, was filed against the District and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), charging an "enterprise-wide culture of race and sex discrimination and intense retaliation against those who complain." Uh, excuse me, Sister Mayor? Excuse me, Brother Police Chief? Before you can successfully give fair, even-handed, humane law enforcement services to a sometimes-restive community, you have to be fair and
equitable with your own personnel. Duh. The plaintiffs are three groups of Black female police officers, who served the D.C. government for a total of more than 250 years! One of the women suing the department was recently "Officer of the Year," and another is currently an assistant chief of police. Say what? "We're tired of being bullied by a system that don't want to change, a culture that don't want to change, [in which] they're going to continue
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ASKIA Page 46 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 27
LIFESTYLE Swinging and Swaying and Singing the Blues A Review of ‘A Snowy Nite in the Dew Drop Inn’ Michael Sainte-Andress Special to The Washington Informer In this semi-post COVID-19 time, most people are more than ready to get “back to normal” as soon as possible. he opportunity to safely socialize, be entertained and just have a good time is indeed compelling.
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Theatre is the ideal venue for this to be realized and the D.C. area is blessed to have the perfect opportunity to experience this renascence. The Anacostia Playhouse in Ward 8 in Southeast, is reopening with a production of, “A Snowy Nite in the Dew Drop Inn.” I attended the opening night on Saturday, not knowing what to expect as I was unfamiliar with the
Groups call (202) 416-8400 For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540
28 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
Now thru January 16 Opera House
5 The Dew Drop Inn performers get the crowd riled up with “You Got the Right Key, But the Wrong Keyhole.”
(Photo by Bill Lee (@billleephotography) piece. Wow, wasn’t I in for a delightful surprise. It is not a play but rather an energetic, entertaining musical revue in the manner of, “Ain’t Misbehaving.” The stellar cast is an ensemble of three male and three female
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performers (Marcel Miller, Robert Person, Fashad Tyler, Ayanna Hardy, Sherice Payne and Yvette Spears) and a musical trio (William Knowles – Music Director and Piano, Michael Fitzhugh – Trumpet and Mark Saltman – Bass). Like similarly-themed productions, there is no distinct plot or storyline but rather a quixotic sampling of some of the best jazz, blues and be-bop music in America’s history. The selected music gives various points of view on love, loss, pain, sorrow, redemption and joy. Listening to the vocally accomplished artists allows one to take a trip down memory lane recalling when you first heard some of the songs as well and how they may have applied to your life because of the universality of the messages. The song list is represented by signature performances by the likes of Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Ruth Brown, Eartha Kitt, Etta James, Deacon Jones, Louis Jourdan, Charles Brown and The Dominoes, just to name a few. The scene is actually set in the theatre lobby where above the theater entrance is a constructed representation of the actual entrance into the Dew Drop Inn (a very clever lead-in). Once in the theater, the stage is set to actually give you the feeling of being in a jazz club or bistro. You don’t feel like you’re in an audience but actually at the club grooving! There is no intermission, so it’s a
nonstop hullaballoo of soul-stirring music and foot-stomping, engaging interplay between the players, cleverly choreographed by Shawna Williams given the limited amount of space. The cast is uniformly entertaining but standouts include: Sherrice Payne’s stirring rendition of, “Guess Who I Saw Today,” popularized by Nancy Wilson; Yvette Spears’ rich, contralto take on, “This Bitter Earth,” popularized by Dinah Washington and Robert Person and Fashad Tyler’s unusual, male version of “Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do,” best known as a Billie Holiday staple. The audience was rapt with enjoyment and responded heartily to certain telling moments in many of the songs. This presentation is highly engaging whether you are familiar with the music or not. This memorable evening of this delightful, good time was put together and ably directed by Artistic Director Stephawn Stephens, who in his program notes made a special acknowledgement to James Foster, a D.C. native and current New York-based-actor, for the conception of the production in 2007 (originally titled “J’s Juke Joint”). This show will cure whatever blues you are currently experiencing and will lift you up with joy and celebration. Get to the Anacostia Playhouse for a spirit-uplifting experience. The show runs through January 9, 2022. WI
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LIFESTYLE
2022
(Courtesy photo)
MENTAL HEALTH from Page 22 caregivers who have adolescents struggling with anxiety or depression often become confused and don’t know what course to take. Many parents fear that talking about the issue will “only make matters worse.” “Yet, in truth, teens – even the most independent ones – need their parents’ steady presence and gentle guidance,” Dr. Manly asserted. Cathy Mills, director of strategy for Net Influencer, insisted it’s crucial to balance work life and mental health. “I consider it very important that especially employers and family members support young people in the process of depression and anxiety,” Mills said. “Something that has worked with my family members is to propose a me-treatment to young people. People today are very focused on meeting the needs of others and forget that being well with oneself is the most important thing to be successful in all areas of life.” “In these me-treatments, it is important to write in journals, do meditations, practice sports, dance and even travel alone. These actions will make young people feel more confident and have bet-
ter mental health which will allow them to face any situation or challenge at work and in daily life.” Dr. Jeannette R. Craigfeld, who practices clinical psychology at the Therapy Group of D.C. in Northwest, said friends and family must listen and understand the views of a loved one. “Let them know that you’re willing to listen whenever they want to talk and that you can also just sit with them if that’s what they need,” Dr. Craigfeld said. “Give your loved one permission to be wherever they’re at with their depression and anxiety and that they don’t need to force themselves to seem okay around you.” “Remember that there are no easy fixes for mental illness. This is difficult to do with someone you love, as it’s hard to hear that they’re in pain. Still, it’s important to remember that listening and understanding them will give them more relief from their depression and anxiety than anything else you could do. It’s also important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself as well, since it’s hard to care for others if you’re not at your best first. Permit yourself to take time for yourself whenever you need to and do things that are soothing for you,” Dr. Craigfeld said. WI
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LIFESTYLE
ENCAMPMENT from Page 1
described as the D.C. Council and mayor’s apathy toward eliminating housing insecurity in the District. Speaking in opposition of the CARE pilot program, Nelson stressed that it’s incumbent upon the D.C. Council to figure out a solution that respects the dignity of the homeless and provides them with sustainable housing. “It’s hard enough for people who are unhoused to take care of themselves in the middle of a pandemic without them also having to try to figure out where they’re going to go,” said Nelson as she recounted hearing complaints from some of her constituents in ANC 2C03 about homeless encampments along portions of Downtown D.C. Policy suggestions that Nelson raised included eliminating the District’s height restriction and implementing zoning changes that can compel a wider spread of affordable housing. In regard to the latter, the D.C. Zoning Commission expanded inclusionary zoning, though it remains to be seen how many affordable units the change would yield. “If there is no housing readily available, it’s unfair to ask people to move elsewhere just because it inconveniences others to see them in our public spaces,” Nelson said. “If people want to effect change, they should make a much more concerted effort to engage their council
members who actually have the power to do something.”
A QUESTION OF THE CARE PILOT’S EFFECTIVENESS
On Dec. 6, not long after the rasing of an encampment near New Jersey Avenue and O Street in Northwest, D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (D- Ward 1) introduced emergency legislation to halt the encampment clearing process. Last week, council members postponed deliberation on the legislation, titled “Encampments Protection and Public Health and Safety Emergency Declaration of 2021,” until December 21. The Informer unsuccessfully attempted to contact Nadeau’s office for comment. The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services organized the CARE pilot program in response to concerns about safety, health and the greater community’s inability to utilize public spaces. District government staffers converging on these areas have been charged with engaging with occupants and connecting them with mental health and housing providers. Critics of the CARE pilot program point to the clearing of the NoMa encampment in October that ended with a skid-steer loader hitting one homeless person. That incident briefly brought encampment clear-
Final Weeks!
Through Dec. 27, 2021! by Charles Dickens; adapted by Michael Wilson; directed by José Carrasquillo
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5 Homeless find shelter under a D.C. bridge. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)
ings to a halt and compelled protocol changes. Another point of contention concerns whether displaced people have been connected to housing. Data compiled by the D.C government showed that, as of December 9, 15 out of the 32 people who called the New Jersey Avenue and O Street NW encampment home have entered a lease. The same has been determined for 32 out of 45 people from the NoMa encampment and 16 out of 34 people from 21st and E streets in Northwest. Earlier this month, Bowser defended the CARE pilot program and touted her years-long efforts to reduce homelessness through Homeward DC. In her launch of Homeward 2.0 earlier this year, Bowser argued that targeted funding of the programs under that interagency strategic plan can make D.C. a national leader in ending homelessness. Some people, like Nickey Crowder, beg to differ. Though she currently has a month-to-month lease, Crowder said it doesn’t compare to having the funds to live comfortably in any part of the District. Crowder, a mother of two, has immersed herself in a search for new accommodations but finds herself without viable options because she has yet to receive a voucher that will subsidize her $16.50 per hour income. “The city has been handling hous-
On Dec. 6, not long after the rasing of an encampment near New Jersey Avenue and O Street in Northwest, D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (D- Ward 1) introduced emergency legislation to halt the encampment clearing process. ing poorly and it got worse after COVID-19,” said Crowder, a Southeast resident. “The leaders don’t care about Black people. They just care about what they got going on for themselves and white people. I work so hard to get to the finish line and I still don’t get rewarded for it.”
MORE D.C. RESIDENTS CONSIDER MAKING THAT MOVE
In 2020, the D.C. Office of Rev-
enue Analysis found that 17,000 more people left the District than the previous year in what had been speculated as a response to the pandemic and search for more affordable housing. Southeast resident Chazmin Outten revealed having similar thoughts. Out of frustration with the District’s ever-increasing cost of living, she has gelled plans to move south within the next five years. Outten said that, even with a full-time job, she struggles to scrape up enough to live in a mold-ridden apartment that only has one washing machine for all tenants. Outten expressed solidarity with the District’s homeless population, saying they have fared much worse without any kind of safety net. She criticized the District government for what she described as its inaccessible services that fail to address housing insecurity’s root causes. “You don’t have any programs or assistance for these folks,” Outten said. “You know certain reasons why they can’t go to work and provide for their families but you’re quick to take their abode because you think it’s making the city look less than it’s supposed to be. The shelters are packed. Rapid rehousing is limited. It’s counterproductive for the city to elevate if there’s not much housing assistance.” WI @SamPKCollins
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Having a Plan Can Eliminate Overspending During the Holiday Angela Swinson Lee, Special to The Washington Informer The holidays are quickly approaching and tis the season that many consumers tend to overspend, get in debt, and ruin the effort they put into saving all year long. Having a plan is the best way to enjoy celebrations and avoid putting the bank account in dire straits, according to Jua Williams, Chase Skyland Town Center Branch Manager. “It’s more important now than ever to make sure you stick to some of the goals that you have,” Williams said. “If you have been putting in a lot of work throughout the year, your financial journey is ongoing. It’s family time. It’s time for a celebration, so now more than ever make sure you have some discipline.” Letitia Newman of southeast agreed, adding that you should prepare a budget just for the holiday season. Newman, an outreach worker for the National Association for the Advancement of Returning Citizens, participated in a finance class at Chase organized through her job. It was there where she learned more about savings and debt to income ratio. She even created a game for her family to make saving fun. Each family member has 100 envelopes that are numbered 1 – 100. The number represents the dollar amount to save that day. For example, $1 is put away on day one, $50 is put away on day 50 and $100 is put away on day $100. By the end of the challenge, there is $5,000 in savings. Newman said she didn’t realize the importance of credit when she was growing up, so she made it a point to educate her children on financial health. “My children had bank accounts when they were young,” Newman said. As a result, her oldest son, now 26, purchased his first home at 24, and received a 2 percent interest rate on a new car. At Chase, there are many digital tools on mobile devices or laptops that can assist with saving, such as autosave features that allow you to put money away automatically. Williams said these tools are built in to help you save.. Williams added that another way to prepare for the holiday season is to create a second stream of income, whether it be through talents, such as baking, or getting a side hustle, such as Uber, Lyft or other delivery service. In addition to those tips, Williams suggested that consumers track their spending. “Stay in the boundaries that you set for yourself.” Williams also reminded consumers that credit cards are not meant to be supplemental income. “We want to make sure that you are using credit wisely,” Williams said, adding that decisions should be made to access credit lines only when you know it can be repaid pretty quicky. Before any holiday spending is done, Williams said people should think about the holiday experience they want to create. “What does that experience look like. How much does it cost?” Williams asked. “How are you going to make sure you have enough funds for that to happen?” For Newman, experiences are envisioned throughout the year. She has a basic savings account, and she has since created accounts for vacations and other expenses. “It helps me manage my money better,” Newman said, adding that she is always thinking of ways that she can save.
5 Jua Williams, Chase Skyland Town Center Branch Manager
5 Letitia Newman is with her son in front of his home.
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DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 31
32 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
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Arthur Ashe, A Misunderstood Sports Hero
LIFESTYLE
‘Citizen Ashe’ Offers Full View of a Champion Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer What makes a sports legend? A new documentary, "Citizen Ashe," takes an inside view of the life of a complicated man who navigated through race, tennis, success and a devastating health challenge. He is a giant among athletes. Ashe Ashe, Jr. was the first Black player selected to the United States Davis Cup team. Ashe was the only Black man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open. He would have turned 78 this year. He struggled to balance those personal and professional categories he represented in life. "Citizen Ashe" was produced by Magnolia Pictures, CNN Films and HBO Max. The documentary is now in theaters and airing on CNN and HBO Max. "Your entire being is mentally and physically on automatic pilot while you are playing tennis," said Ashe in a recording early in the film. "Everything concerned is on the razor's edge, and you forget what your name is." Ashe was born in Richmond, Va. When he was six years old, his mother, Mattie, died at age 27. Arthur Ashe, Sr., a strict disciplinarian, raised his sons Arthur, Jr. and Johnnie, five years younger than his brother. Their dad worked several jobs, including as a playground superintendent. That
playground had a tennis court. The seed was planted for what young Ashe would later pursue. He followed other Blacks in fields of sports. "I want to be the Jackie Robinson of tennis," Ashe is heard saying. "Citizen Ashe" was co-directed by Rex Miller and Sam Pollard. John Legend is one of the executive producers. Uncovering 47 boxes of notes and Dictaphone tapes from Harlem's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, home to Ashe's archives, was the film project's start. On-camera interviews featured Ashe's younger brother Johnnie Ashe, Ashe's wife Jeanne Moutousammy-Ashe, tennis champions Billie Jean King and John McEnroe, Olympic medalist John Carlos and Ambassador Andrew Young. The film takes us through Ashe's career growth while at the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) to his early pro-career
"The little boy in me wonders if I will see my mother. It makes the specter of death more palatable."
5 Tennis legend Arthur Ashe in between sets early in his career. (Date unknown) The life of Ashe is depicted in the documentary "Citizen Ashe" now in theaters and airing on CNN and HBO Max. (Courtesy photo)
during the 1960s, the height of the civil rights movement. He wanted to speak out more about equality. "When Black students in the South were getting their heads kicked in, I didn't like myself," said Ashe about not firmly stating his views. "I'm now speaking out more. I was more single-focused about tennis. I felt very guilty about doing that." As his career progressed, he was one of the first Black athletes to speak out about Nelson Mandela and apartheid. "I sensed confusion on what an athlete should be, especially in an African American context," said Ashe. "Some people think we are all brawn and have no brains. I like to fight the myth." The film tracks Ashe's career trajectory in the 1970s and meeting partner Jeanne Moutousammy. They married in 1977. In 1979, Ashe suffered a heart attack and had open-heart surgery. Ashe showed his post-surgery scar while being interviewed calmly and matter-of-factly. He thinks about his death. "The little boy in me wonders if I will see my mother," he said. “It makes the specter of death more palatable. Maybe I will, in some form, see her again." Ashe retired from competitive play in 1980 at age 36. He remained active as a member and coach of the U.S. Men's Davis Cup Team. Then came the HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Ashe contracted the virus when he had open-heart surgery. It was a time before screening tests were created for blood donations. On February 6, 1993, Ashe died from AIDS-related pneumonia, "He was not only an extraordinary tennis player but a powerful and important activist," said Pollard in his director’s notes from "Citizen Ashe." "He was thoughtful, gentle and truly a man whose desire to do the right thing always seemed to motivate him on and off the tennis court." See the movie trailer for “Citizen Ashe” at https://youtu.be/uzgfFrOOfvs. WI
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5 Arthur Ashe won Wimbledon in 1975. The life of the tennis legend is depicted in the documentary "Citizen Ashe," now in theaters and airing on CNN and HBO Max. (Courtesy photo)
“A TRULY ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE.” – Elle Magazine
DECEMBER 20–22
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Kepler-16b is a distant planet that exists just outside a Goldilocks zone. It was first discovered in 2011.
© 2022 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 38, No. 4
Some scientists have given it the nickname Tatooine, Luke Skywalker’s home planet in Star Wars. Why does Kepler-16b remind them of Tatooine? Use the secret code!
Earth is a “Goldilocks” planet. It's neither too hot nor too cold for liquid water, which is a key ingredient for life. Part of what makes Earth just right is its distance from the sun!
1=B 2=I 3=N 4=O 5=R 6=S 7=T 8=U 9=W
Hey there! I’m Goldilocks! You probably have heard my story: I went into the home of the Three Bears and found a bowl of porridge that was not too hot, not too cold, but just right!
Source: nationalgeographic.com/astrobiology/goldilocks-worlds/
Because of my well-known story, scientists use the name Goldilocks to describe a planet that is just right for life as we know it on Earth!
If a planet is too close to its sun, it’s too hot for life. But if a planet is too far away from its sun, everything is frozen. Around many stars there’s a Goldilocks Zone where there is the potential for water on a planet’s surface.
Goldilocks planets have habitats that are healthy for life.
A habitat is a place where an animal lives. It provides the animal with food, water and shelter. Different habitats are home to different animals.
Choose a spacecraft and race against a friend to see who gets to the Goldilocks planet first.
7
4
5
9
4
2
7
1
2
7
6
6
8
3
Circle a planet Z Aliens at least th than six but nev Their clo on
A 6
GOLDILOCKS POTENTIAL PORRIDGE E S J P A R P F E S DISTANCE C C E U E R O A T A PLANET N C T T S O R O E C EARTH RIGHT A E A O D T R F O R STORY T W N O H Y I L B I WATER S K C O L I D L O G JUST I R W A Z T G E W H ZONE D R P L A N E T L T COLD BOWL S L A I T N E T O P FOOD Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical HOT words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.
B
C
Which Goldilocks astronaut is different from all the others?
Are we there yet?
Which Goldilocks planet is the closest to Earth? Proxima Centauri b (also called Proxima b) is a planet orbiting in the “Goldilocks” zone of the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri. Discovered in 2016, it is about 4.2 light years from Earth.
Make It Better
Newspapers are called watchdogs of the community, investigating and reporting on things that need changing or improving. Look for an article about something that needs to change in your community and write a letter to the editor.
Until faster ways of traveling through space are discovered, it would take you a long time to reach Proxima Centauri b from Earth using current spacecraft. How long? Circle every other letter to find the answer.
CSVEBVUELNFTPYAFX IDVLEMTJHYOBUNSTA RNVDWYDEAATRGS
Just Right
Look through the newspaper for pictures and words that reflect your community. What kinds of things make your community a place that is “just right” for living there? Standards Link: Students describe the physical and human geography of their local community.
Standards Link: Language Arts: Students write persuasive letters citing evidence.
Cold Poems
Write a poem about the cold. What’s the best part of winter weather? Do you enjoy cold weather or do you prefer the warmer days of spring?
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34 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
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LIFESTYLE
wi book review "Sickening: Anti-Black Racism and Health Disparities in the United States" By Anne Pollock c.2021, University of Minnesota Press $21.95 203 pages Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Something inside isn't working quite right. Your stomach hurts, your lungs are on fire, you gurgle where you shouldn't, and there's a sharp pain where there wasn't one yesterday. You've tried every home remedy there is, but something inside you isn't right. So, as in the new book "Sickening" by Anne Pollock, will the inside of you be treated based on the color of your outside? On Oct. 21, 2001, Washington, D.C., postal workers Thomas Morris and Joseph Curseen died from inhaled anthrax, a poison which authorities presumed had leaked from a package that was sent to a member of the Senate. Morris' and Curseen's co-workers believed that their workplace, which was staffed mostly by Black employees at that time, was contaminated in several places — and yet, despite the danger, "postal workers were repeatedly told that there was nothing to worry about." Before they died, both men sought medical help, but their concerns were dismissed. Perhaps because of the proximity to 9/11, most white Americans were unaware of this incident, says Pollock. She sees this as a starting point for discussion about health disparities for Black Americans in modern times. Not quite four years after Morris and Curseen died, Hurricane Katrina hit the southern coast of Louisiana, where "the impacts of the storm were most heavily borne by … residents who were Black and poor." This includes those who lost access to or were denied medication, as well as those who were forced to shelter in unsanitary or overcrowded conditions. Being imprisoned is notoriously bad for one's health, but release, says Pollock, can likewise be detrimental to one's well-being. You only need look as far as Flint, Michigan, to see what happens when a utility fails in a largely-Black community. Just trying to live in America can come with violence, if you're young and Black; or injustice if you're pregnant and Black. You can do what you can do to stay healthy but, as Pollock quotes a British journal, "being poor in America, and especially being poor and Black … is still hazardous to your health." There's no doubt about it: "Sickening" is sobering. It's made even more so by the fact that author Anne Pollock is a professor of global health and social medicine in London, which widens the focus of everything she presents here. Under that microscope is not a good place for America to be. And yet, despite that the anecdotal evidence Pollock uses to prove health disparity for Blacks in the U.S. is shocking, it also feels like surface-skimming. These tales are nothing new — not news-wise, and certainly not to Black readers — but their presence in this thin, important book may leave the small, sometimes more impactful, tales to go untold. Readers deserve those tales, too; fortunately, Pollock's "template for analysis" can help with deeper digging, and further learning. Policy-makers would be well-served to read this book, as would students and activists who want a launching point. "Sickening" is a good, if not quite thorough, start; all you have to do is look inside … WI
horoscopes
DEC 16 - 22, 2021
ARIES You could find yourself feeling exceptionally curious, wanting to put your head down and learn as much as possible about a hobby or side hustle early in the week. Later, there are good chances for sharing special, peaceful, harmonious moments with loved ones. Lucky Numbers: 12, 28, 46 TAURUS At the start of the week, you'll be stirred to make pragmatic moves around your finances, whether that means exploring new moneymaking opportunities and investigating potential earning opportunities. Research and action steps you take now could set the tone for growth down the road. Later, you're urged to reflect on aspects of your inner wiring and motivations that might be less than comfortable to look at. Lucky Numbers: 11, 17, 25 GEMINI You'll have your annual opportunity to meditate on new ways you'd like to present yourself and pursue your goals early in the week. Astral influences indicate that sudden opportunities could crop up. The more willing you are to get out of your comfort zone and broaden your horizons now, the greater the possibilities! Later, your tendency to daydream is strong, and you might want to brainstorm big-picture proposals. Lucky Numbers: 7, 8, 29 CANCER Early this week, you could be taking more time to yourself to practice deep breathing techniques, journal, take long walks around your neighborhood, and just generally look backward in order to move forward. This is a period of rest and reflection, but it's not a total snoozefest, given that the realizations you come upon now could help inform power moves you'll make down the road. Lucky Numbers: 3, 32, 43 LEO If you've been meaning to touch base with a higher-up about taking on more responsibility or send out a proposal that could allow you to take your professional path to the next level, you'll do well to get the ball rolling early in the week. Later, it's time to go beneath the surface of your ongoing health routines and figure out what's really lighting a fire beneath you. Lucky Numbers: 3, 7, 36 VIRGO Connecting with new and old colleagues and friends is sure to be at the front of your mind early in the week. Vibrant, intellectual conversations could be happening more organically than usual, and you'll be mapping out new ways to collaborate in order to achieve a common goal. Fostering these relationships can have you feeling truly supported. Lucky Numbers: 17, 34, 35 LIBRA You'll be opening your eyes to exciting opportunities to hone your skillset and advance your career at the beginning of the week. Whether that looks like a retreat or a class you can take online, welcoming new experiences and information and shaking off tried-and-true routines can prove enlightening. Lucky Numbers: 11, 13, 25 SCORPIO You could be compelled to connect with your significant other or loved ones on a more spiritual level at the start of the week. Opening up about your most heartfelt emotions and having what might feel like at times challenging conversations about the deep-rooted dynamics could ultimately help you take your bond to the next level. Lucky Numbers: 6, 31, 44 SAGITTARIUS Early this week, you'll do well to join forces with a dear friend, significant other, or colleague. You could be putting your heads together to tackle an issue that has cropped up at work, to develop a business proposal together, or to design a game plan for achieving a shared goal. Either way, one-on-one collaboration allows your individual strengths to shine and bumps up your chances for success. Lucky Numbers: 9, 10, 19 CAPRICORN At the start of the week, you'll do well to tune into your underlying motivations for pursuing particular moneymaking opportunities or spending time on a specific job. If it feels like the thing that's driving you isn't actually all that in line with your values, you might want to rethink, revise, and reframe how you're going about pursuing your professional path. You'll come out stronger for it. Lucky Numbers: 1, 14, 22 AQUARIUS Early in the week, you'll feel confident and joyful about your closest connections-from a romantic relationship to your closest platonic bonds. The mood sets the stage for sharing your dreams and wishes with your VIPs. Their feedback inspires you to get a move on, while their support has you feeling the love. Later, it's tough for you to determine concrete facts and figures while tackling a group project. You might need to allow this confusing wave of energy to pass before finalizing any specifics. Lucky Numbers: 13, 17, 19 PISCES Setting a new tone with loved ones and in your home comes naturally early in the week. It's a time for tapping into your intuition to explore the aspects of home that bring you a sense of security and how you can further foster those details of your life. This could mean carving out more time to connect with relatives both near and far, or devoting more time to ensuring the aesthetics of your home reflect your sense of style. Later, the cosmos bumps up your confidence, making you feel more vital, and urging you to dive into any opportunity that will allow for more self-expression. Lucky Numbers: 18, 30, 41
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DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 35
SPORTS Watkins Hornets Leave Lasting Legacy, Even in Defeat Ed Hill WI Contributing Writer
young men,” said Chuck Holton, vice president of ClockBoyz, the organization which oversees the team’s Expectations were high for the operations. Watkins Hornets youth football team “They have been through invaluas it prepared to do something that able life experiences. They went undeno one had ever done before – win feated at 11 Under but turned around a fourth straight Pop Warner Super and lost three games. Then they still Bowls championship. The Southeast went on to win a championship at 12 Washington-based program had de- Under. As far as I am concerned, they fied many odds by building a success- are winners.” ful program in one of the most trouIt has been a great run for the Horbled areas of the city. nets who have had the opportunity to But it was not to be as the Hornets travel to Arizona, Las Vegas, Georgia placed fourth in the tournament. and Florida during their young lives. Still, the inability to win a champion“I grew up in the DMV area and ship does not take away from the pro- very few young people from this gram and what it has accomplished. neighborhood get a chance to travel “This is an unbelievable group of outside of the city,” said Antonio Barr,
WFT: Close but No Cigar
5 Taylor Heinicke (4) dives for a two point conversion during the
Washington Football Team's loss to the Dallas Cowboys 27-20 at Fedex Field in Landover Dec. 12. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer) 4 Cam Sims (11) hauls in a touchdown pass during Washington
Football Team's loss to the Dallas Cowboys 27-20 at Fedex Field in Landover on Dec. 12. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)
36 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
president and co-founder of Clock Boyz. “We drew up the blueprint for all this and it is gratifying to see it come to fruition.” The experience has not only afforded an opportunity for travel; it has helped mold and inspire the youth. Swandea Denson, a parent of the one of the team members, offered her perspective. “It is amazing how Taariq has benefitted from his experience with this program,” she said. “He started out with Barry Farms but things did not work out. This has helped him both in his academics as well as helping him to mature. The coaches in the organization teach valuable lessons both on and off the field.” Denson’s son, Taariq Denson, has developed into a premier running back for the Hornets and is rated the No. 6 running back in the country in his age group. The 13-year old, now entertain-
5 Taariq Denson of the Watkins Hornets is rated the No. 6 running back in the country in his age group. (Photo courtesy of ClockBoyz)
ing offers from some of the top local schools in the area, reflected on his years with the program and what it has done for him. “Actually, the biggest thing that I have gained from the experience is
how to be responsible,” he said. “I had the chance to show my skills on a national level and I’ve learned how important it is having the grades and discipline that will help me succeed in the future.” Meanwhile, the organization's success has not gone unnoticed by recruiters. Barr said in efforts to gain greater exposure for his talented group, the organization has invited some of the country’s elite teams to come to the DMV and play the game they enjoy. “We have all the major high school football programs come to our practices at one time or another,” Barr said. “It represents a very talented group.” Prior to the trip to Orlando, several of the players had to delay their departure – and for good reason. “Eighteen of the players were scheduled to take high school placement tests,” Barr said with pride. “This is a pivotal time for them as they move forward.” For the group, many of whom have been together for as long as seven years, they will now move on to the next competitive level. But Holton said the relationship does not end there. “This is a special group,” he said. “I promised them that I will follow each and every one of them in their careers. It is like a brotherhood. We have a bond that will never be broken.” WI
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ETHIOPIA from Page 1 “Ethiopia should be getting itself together and getting economic mobility that China and India had to bring their people out of poverty,” said Yemane, a millennial and member of the D.C. metropolitan area’s Ethiopian-Eritrean Diaspora community. On the morning of Friday, Dec. 10, Yemane counted among several people who marched from the U.S. State Department to the U.S. Capitol in opposition of Section 6464 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). If approved, that portion of the NDAA would compel the U.S. State Department to determine whether the Ethiopian government has committed crimes against humanity for more than a year. However, participants in last Friday’s march, many of whom called for a peaceful resolution, designated TPLF as the primary driver of the conflict. Yemane, whose extended family includes Ethiopians of Tigrayan, Amhara and Oromo background, characterized TPLF forces as masters of manipulation who have leveraged their rapport with the U.S. government to lead a propaganda campaign against Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The current conflict, Yemane added, arose out of TPLF’s disdain that, after their 27-year rule over Ethiopia, they no longer had a stronghold on its federal government. “Through struggle, the Ethiopian people brought down an unpopular government and folks embarked on investment [before] the former ruling party plunged the country into conflict and economic loss,” Yemane said. “We cannot afford to make an enemy of the United States, Europe or any other member of the international community.”
MAKING SENSE OF THE ONGOING CONFLICT
Ethiopia’s population consists of 80 ethnic groups. At 43 percent, the Oromo represent the largest, followed by the Amhara which accounts for 27 percent. Somalis and Tigrayan, each of whom represent six percent of the population, come next. In the 1990s, after helping to oust the Derg communist regime out of power, the TPLF became Ethiopia’s
38 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
5 A Family Affair: Lidia Yemane (center) attended a pro-Ethiopian government march with her mother (right) and aunt (left) on Friday, Dec. 10 that started at the U.S. State Department and ended at the U.S. Capitol. (Courtesy photo)
ruling party in an ethnic federalist system under which each ethnic group controlled its own regional government. TPLF maintained power in Ethiopia until 2018 when Ahmed became prime minister in the aftermath of civil unrest and his predecessor’s resignation. As prime minister, Ahmed repaired diplomatic relations with neighboring Eritrea and, as part of an effort to transition out of the ethnic federalist system, merged the region-based parties into the newly-formed Prosperity Party. TPLF refused to be included in such an arrangement. In 2020, months into the pandemic, TPLF opposed an order by the Ethiopian government to postpone federal and regional elections scheduled for August of that year. By September, TPLF leaders designated Ahmed an illegitimate leader and, at the urging of its chairman Debretsion Gebremichael, hosted elections in the Tigray region. On November 3, 2020, what became known as the Tigray War erupted. During the conflict, the Ethiopian government officially designated TPLF as a terrorist organization. Shortly after, Ethiopia hosted its national elections. Ahmed secured a second term and the Prosperity Party won the majority of the parliament seats, albeit without voting taking place in the Tigray region. While the conflict started in the Tigray region, it has spilled into other parts of the country. On Sunday, Dec. 12, TPLF forces, once again, occupied Lalibela, an historic Ethiopian city that’s a UNESCO heritage site. Days earlier, reports recounted
several deaths in the Amhara region at the hands of TPLF soldiers. In November, the Ethiopian government outlined the terms for a possible ceasefire, including Tigrayan recognition of its legitimacy and TPFL’s exit out of Ethiopia’s Amhara and Afar regions. Weeks later, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report detailing the mass execution of Amhara women, grandparents and farmers who refused to kill livestock for Tigrayan forces. In issuing those findings, HRW appealed to the United Nations and other international bodies to intervene. For Kamau Grimes, a District resident who’s traveled to Ethiopia numerous times over the last decade, no form of intervention bodes well for Ethiopia as long as it advances an agenda of benefit to the American empire. Last month, Grimes counted among several people who converged on the White House in criticism of a narrative that painted the Ethiopian government as the aggressor in the conflict. “The majority of the people in the country and outside of it support the direction of the government, so why is the TPLF being elevated to an equal status?” said Grimes, who lives in Southeast. “The American public has a simplistic understanding of Africa and there are certain buzzwords – like genocide and famine – that are associated with the continent. When Abiy Ahmed tried to squash internal beef in the county and [along] the borders, he somehow became a dictator.” For the full story visit www. washingtoninformer.com. WI
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RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT
Food for Thought: The Story of Margaret Garner Though I really don't believe in coincidences, last week, something did happen to me that felt like it was a coincidence. Instead, I believe that whatever happens was meant to be. It was how the story of Margaret Garner showed up in my life during my first period class. Garner's life story was all over the news a couple months ago amid the focus on the topic of critical race theory. Remember, when the GOP was using the Pulitzer Prize-winning book "Beloved" to urge educators to NOT teach such history, regardless of whether this history is true? It is the story of Garner who slashed her daughter's throat to keep her from living her life as a slave. Let me explain what happened to me in regard to this story. I was working as a substitute teacher at Watkins Mill High School in the Montgomery County Public Schools system. My company contracts have been canceled due to COVID-19, so I'm back working at schools again, and enjoying my work! This school is very close to my home, only three to five minutes away. It just so happened that the fulltime teacher for this U.S. History class is Caucasian, but her focus in the lesson plan at this time is slavery. Students had to watch a YouTube video titled "The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross," part of Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s docuseries. They were to watch this video over two days and answer questions on their laptops as they watched, and she would have access to their work. So the students were very attentive. On the first day, the video ended after telling the story of Margaret Garner. I asked the students if they
remembered this story in the news earlier this fall. They did. The bell rang and I picked up a book about slavery that I found intriguing, "Many Thousands Gone: African Americans From Slavery to Freedom" by Virginia Hamilton. It is a delightful book of short stories of Blacks we know, such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and others, but there was also a short chapter on Garner. I had been reading this book during class time, when there was nothing for me to do. My bookmarked page where I was to start reading again was the story of Margaret Garner. Amazed that our last story in the Henry Louis Gates video was also the story of Garner, I told my students as they were leaving what happened, and they all agreed that this was definitely quite a coincidence. I promised them that I would write about this in my column with The Washington Informer. So I'm keeping my word by sharing this story with you. Best known as the inspiration for Toni Morrison's award-winning "Beloved," the Garner incident of 1856 contains one of the most groundbreaking fugitive slave trials of the pre-Civil War era. Born into slavery in Boone County, Kentucky, Garner worked as a house slave for much of her life, often traveling with
her masters and even accompanied them on shopping trips to free territories in Cincinnati. After marrying Robert Garner in 1849, they had four children. In the 1850s, having heard of the Underground Railroad in and around Cincinnati, transporting numerous slaves to freedom in Canada, they decided to use this chance to escape enslavement. On Sunday Jan. 27, 1856, they began their journey to freedom, heading for Joseph Kite's house in Cincinnati. Safely reaching the Kite home, they awaited their next guide. However, the Garners' master, A.K. Gaines, and federal marshals stormed Kite's home with warrants. Determined not to return to slavery, Margaret decided to take the lives of herself and her children. When the marshals found Margaret in a back room, she had slit her 2-yearold daughter's throat with a butcher knife, killing her. The other children lay on the floor wounded but still alive. The Garners were taken into custody and tried, but federal marshals were not able to serve Margaret with an arrest warrant and she never received a second trial. Margaret Garner died in 1858 from typhoid fever, but her story lives on today. WI
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Adams Inspirational A.M.E. Church Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness / Senior Pastor Rev. Ali Gail Holness-Roland / Assistant & Youth Pastor 12801 Old Fort Road • Ft. Washington, MD 20744 Office (301) 292.6323 • FAX (301) 292.2164 Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:15 am Sunday Church School 11:00 am Youth Sunday every 4th Sunday Prayer Call @ Noon every Tuesday & Thursday 978.990.5166 code: 6166047# Virtual Bible Study Wednesday Facebook & Zoom 7:00 pm “A Growing Church for a Coming Christ” www.adamsinspirationalamec.org
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DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 39
RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church
Pilgrim Baptist Church
Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor
Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor
9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 / Fax: 301-499-8724
700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849
Service and Times Sunday Worship Times : 7:30 AM 7 10:00 AM Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon Bible Study in homes: Tuesday 7:00 PM Website: www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com Motto: “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”
Service and Times Worship Sundays: 7:30 & 11:00 AM 5th Sundays: 9:30 AM 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 PM www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org
Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ
Blessed Word of Life Church
Church of Living Waters
Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church
Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew Assistant Pastor 4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464 Service and Times Sunday Service: 8:30am& 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday www.livingwatersmd.org
St. Stephen Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., / Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave., SE - Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 / Fax: (202) 889-2198 - www.acamec.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 8:00am and 11:00 AM Sunday Church School - 9:15am & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30 AM 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study: 10:00 AM Tuesday Topical Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Children’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Thursday Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service: 6:30 PM Saturday Adult Bible Study: 10:00 AM “The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”
Third Street Church of God
Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors
Reverend William Young IV Pastor
Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Senior Pastor
Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor
4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax
3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) / (202) 562-4219 (Fax)
5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555 Services and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship: 7:45 AM Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45 AM Tuesday: 7:00pm/Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday , 12:30 PM Mid-Day Bible Study Wednesday: Prayer/Praise/Bible Study-7:30 PM Baptism & Communion Service: 4th Sunday – 10:30 AM
1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-347-5889 office / 202-638-1803 fax
Service and Times 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
Services and Times Sundays: 10:00am 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.covenantdc.org
Campbell AME Church
Twelfth Street Christian Church
Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White 2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 AM Bible Study Wednesday: 12:00 Noon Wednesday: 7:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 PM “Reaching Up To Reach Out” Mailing Address : Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020
Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor (Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW - Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion every Sunday: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 10:00 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 12 Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday: 6:30 PM Motto: “Discover Something Wonderful” Website: 12thscc.org / Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com
Mount Carmel Baptist Church
Turning Hearts Church Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher 421 Alabama Ave. SE Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202-746-0113 Fax: 301-843-2445 Service and Times Sunday School: 10:15 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11;15 AM Children’s Church: 11:15 AM Tuesday Bible Study: 6:30 PM Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment” Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org Email: gr8luv4u2@gmail.com
“We are one in the Spirit” www.ssbc5757.org / E-mail: ssbc5757@verizon.net
Service and Times Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:45 AM Men’s Monday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00 PM Women’s Ministry Bible Study: 3rd Friday -7:00 PM Computer Classes: Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org / “God is Love”
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: 8:00 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 6:00 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... Dr. Raymond T. Matthews Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011 Services and Times Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service: 6:45 PM Thur. Bible Study: 7:15 PM
5101 14th Street, NW / Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202-726-2220 Fax: 202-726-9089 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service - 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Children’s Church - 11:00 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays) Communion - 10 a.m. 4th Sunday Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. (4th Sunday 8:15 a.m.) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m. “A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org
headline and photo for Mount Olivet LIF - MALCOLMXLutheran Church DAY
901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423
1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005
40 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org
800 I Street, NE - Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 - Fax No. 202-548-0703
Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 - Fax: (202) 526-1661 Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Church School: 9:20 AM Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 PM Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!” Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net
Reverend John W. Davis Pastor
John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.
themcbc.org
“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital”
Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan Pastor
Isle of Patmos Baptist Church
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Reverend Dr. Paris L Smith, Sr. Senior Pastor
Service and Times Sunday Church School : 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:10 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00 PM Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00 PM Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10:10 AM
Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM
Crusader Baptist Church
Service and Times Divine Worship, Sunday 10:00 a.m. Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday “Friendliest Church in the City” Website: mountolivetdc.org Email: mtolivedc@gmail.com
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RELIGION Shabbath Commandment Church Bishop Adrian A. Taylor, Sr. Pastor 7801 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-534-5471 Service and Times Sabbath School 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 AM Service 11:00 AM Praise & Worship Preaching 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Motto: “A Church Keeping It Real for Real.” Website: Shabbathcommandmentchruch.org Email: Praisebetoyhwh@gmail.com
Zion Baptist Church Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor 4850 Blagdon Ave, NW - Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 - Fax (202) 291-3773 Service and Times 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School 10:15 a.m. – Worship Service Wed. Noon: Dea. Robert Owens Bible Study 7 PM Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Sunday, Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission: Zion shall: Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, And Exalt our Savior. (Acts 2: 41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org
St. Luke Baptist Church Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute: Wednesday - 1:30 PM Prayer Meeting: Wednesday - 12:00 Noon
All Nations Baptist Church Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor 2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591 Service and Times 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 Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards
Israel Baptist Church
Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor 2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730 Service and Times 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 “Where Jesus is the King”
Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor
2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office / (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Moving Faith Forward” 0% Perfect . . . 100% Forgiven!
623 Florida Ave.. NW - WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 / Study (202) 265-0836 Home Study (301) 464-8211 / Fax (202) 483-4009
Service and Times Sunday Worship: 8:00 AM & 10:45 AM Baptism/Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30 PM Prayer Service: Tuesdays – 8:00 PM www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org
Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith
Lincoln Park United Methodist Church Rev. Richard B. Black Pastor
Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor
1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288
1301 North Carolina Ave. N E Washington, D C 20002 202 543 1318 - lincolnpark@lpumcdc.org www.lpumcdc.org
5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005
Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:45 AM Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 PM Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 PM Bible Study: Tuesday at 10:30 AM
Mount Moriah Baptist Church Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor
Service and Times Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM Holy Communion: First Sunday 10:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30 PM Motto: "Faith On The Hill"
Service and Times Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 PM Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 PM Prayer/Seeking: Wednesday at 8:00 PM Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42
New Commandment Baptist Church
Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor
Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor
1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 - Fax: 202-544-2964
8213 Manson Street Landover, MD 20785 Tel: (301) 322-9787 Fax: (301) 322-9240
13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560
Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 AM and 10:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 AM & 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:30 AM Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon & 6:30 PM Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 PM Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 PM
Service and Times Early Morning Message: 7:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 9:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM Prayer, Praise and Testimony: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM
Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11 AM Sunday School: 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study: Wed. 7 PM
Rehoboth Baptist Church
Reverend Peter R. Blue Sr. Pastor
Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor
2001 Brooks Drive District Heights MD. 20744 240.838.7074
621 Alabama Ave., S.E.- Washington, D.C. 20032 P: (202) 561-1111 - F: (202) 561-1112
Service and Times Sunday Worship Experience: 10:15am Sunday School: 9:00am Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Morning Noontime Bible Study: Tuesday @ 12:00pm Prayer Meeting/Bible Study: Tuesday @7:00pm Theme: "Building On A Firm Foundation"
Service and Times Sunday Service: 10:00 AM Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 AM 1st Sunday Baptism: 10:00 AM 2nd Sunday Holy Communion:10:00 AM Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting: 7:45 PM
Email: revprbstmbc@gmail.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org
Motto: “Where God is First and Where Friendly People Worship”
“Real Worship for Real People” Website: www.easterncommunity.org Email: ecc@easterncommunity.org
“A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”
Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958
Shiloh Baptist Church
Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 AM Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 PM Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 PM Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 PM Noonday Prayer Every Thursday
Matthews Memorial Baptist Church
4504 Gault Place, N.E. / Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service : 11:00 AM The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Prayer & Praise Services: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: 7:30 PM Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries: 10:30 AM A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net
Christ Embassy DC
Dr. Joseph D. Turner / Senior Pastor 2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Early Worship Service: 8:00 AM Worship Service: 11:00 AM New Member’s Class: 9:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday, 11:00 AM Church School: 9:45 AM Wednesday 12:00pm Bible Study Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: 7:00 PM Saturday Bible Study: 11:00 AM Baptism 4th Sunday: 11:00 AM “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”
Peace Baptist Church
Kelechi Ajieren Coordinator 6839 Eastern Avenue, R1 Takoma Park, MD 20912 (202) 556-7065 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Friday Evening Service: 7:00 PM ; Last Friday “…Giving Your Life a Meaning” www.Christembassydc.org Christ.embassy.dc@hotmail.com
Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Prayer & Bible Study Class: 8:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Service: 12:00 PM “The Loving Church of the living lord “
Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 PM Prayer Service Bible Study
First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Mt. Horeb Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor
Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor
Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor
9th & P Street, N.W. - W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4288
602 N Street NW - Washington, D.C. 20001 Office:(202) 289-4480 Fax: (202) 289-4595
2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 - Fax: (202) 529-7738 Service and Times Worship Service: 7:30 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30AM & 10:30 AM Prayer Services:Tuesday 7:30 PM. Wednesday 12 Noon
www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org
Service and Times First Sunday Worship Service (one service): 10:00 AM Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sunday Worship service: 7:45 AM and 10:55 AM Sunday Church School/Bible Study: 9:30 AM Thursday Prayer Service: 6:30 PM
All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.
Email: sbc@shilohbaptist.org Website: shilohbaptist.org
Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist
Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor
Email Address: admin@pbc712.org
Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest
Holy Trinity United Baptist Church
Florida Avenue Baptist Church
Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor
Rev. Dr. Jerryl V. Moody Pastor-Elect
Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org
St. Matthews Baptist Church
Emmanuel Baptist Church
King Emmanuel Baptist Church
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Service and Times Sunday School for All Ages: 8:00 AM Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 AM Midday Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 11:30AM Evening Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 PM Laymen's League: Thursday 7:00 PM Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “
Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.
DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 41
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
40 North Center Street, Suite 200 Mesa, Arizona 85201 T: (480) 464-1111 F: (480) 464-5692 Email: centraldocket@jacksonwhitelaw.com Attorneys for Petitioner By: Ryan K. Hodges, No. 026639 Colton B. Johnston, No. 033686 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF MARICOPA In the Matter of the The Pauline E. Russell Income-Only Resource Trust. Case No.: PB2021-091448 NOTICE OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY NOTICE IS GIVEN that Lisa Russell has filed with the above-referenced Court a Petition for Instructions Regarding Designated Beneficiary (the “Petition”). A hearing has been set to consider the Petition on January 11, 2022 at 9:45 AM before the Honorable Janette Corral, 222 E. Javelina Avenue, Mesa, Arizona 85210, 602-372-0425. WARNING: This is a legal notice; your rights may be affected. [Éste es un aviso legal. Sus derechos podrían ser afectados.] You are not required to attend this hearing. However, if you oppose any of the relief requested in the petition that accompanies this notice, you must file with the court a written response at least 7 calendar days before the hearing date, or you or your attorney must contact the division assigned to the case at the time of hearing using the following instructions: At least 30 minutes before the time of the hearing, call the assigned Judicial Officer’s division at the phone number listed above and request instructions on how to appear electronically at the hearing. Any written response must comply with Rule 15(e) of the Arizona Rules of Probate Procedure. If you do not file a timely response or attend the hearing: (1) the court may grant the relief requested in the petition without further proceedings, and (2) you will not receive additional notices of court proceedings relating to the petition unless you file a demand for notice pursuant to Title 14, Arizona Revised Statutes. DATED November 19, 2021. JACKSON WHITE _________________________________ Ryan K. Hodges, No. 026639 Colton B. Johnston, No. 033686 Attorneys for Petitioner SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2021 ADM 001405 Sandra E. Scott Decedent Lynn H. Johnson, Esq. Johnson & Pavuk 922 Westminister St., NW Washington, DC 20001 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Betty Ann Scott, whose address is 2725 31st Place, NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sandra E. Scott who died on September 24, 2021 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 6/2/2022. 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 6/2/2022, 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: 12/2/2021 Betty Ann Scott Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
42 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
2021 ADM 001356 Martha J. Straughter aka Martha J. Vines Decedent
LEGAL NOTICES
2020 ADM 871
2021 ADM 001433
Michael F. Baylor Decedent
Carolyn Thorne Decedent
Mary W. Marshall aka Mary Williams Marshall aka Mary Church Terrell Williams Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Ethel Mitchell 8403 Colesville Rd., Suite 1100 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Sandra Wilkerson, whose address is 531 Eames Place, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Martha J. Straughter aka Martha J. Vines who died on March 21, 2021 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 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 6/2/2022. 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 6/2/2022, 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.
Lisa M. Jacobs, whose address is c/o Reginald Harris, 1775 I Street, NW, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20006, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Michael F. Baylor who died on May 5, 2020 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 2, 2022. 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 June 2, 2022, 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.
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Date of first publication: December 2, 2021 Lisa M. Jacobs Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Ramonia Thorne, whose address is 4118 24th Ave., Temple Hills, MD 20748, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Carolyn Thorne who died on September 26, 2021 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 2, 2022. 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 June 2, 2022, 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: December 2, 2021 Ramonia Thorne Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2021 ADM 001251
2021 ADM 001440
Warren E. Leary Decedent
Estate of Jamie Moises Zelaya Coreas
In God We Trust Declaration of Nationality Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: ‘‘Sonja Michele Sands© ’’, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: ‘‘SANDS, SONJA MICHELE© ’’, corp.sole Dba.: ‘‘SONJA MICHELE SANDS© ’’, having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: ‘‘ Sonja Michele Sands© ’’, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: ‘‘ sonja michele sands-el© ’’. Notice of White Flag Surrender: as “hors de combat”, pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: STATE OF FLORIDA - FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - BUREAU OF STATISTICS, STATE FILE NUMBER : 109-68-031757, ‘‘ SONJA MICHELE SANDS© ’’, to the depositor: ‘‘ sonja michele sands-el© ’’, nom deguerre: ‘‘ Sonja Michele Sands© ’’. All property , of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact , as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: ‘‘ sonja michele sands-el© ’’, nom deguerre: ‘‘Sonja Michele Sands© ’’, as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : ‘‘Sonja Michele Sands Trust© ’’, an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank , nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved.
NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE
Jeanne E. Saddler, whose address is 1319 Holly St., NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Warren E. Leary who died on August 3, 2021 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 6/2/2021. 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 6/2/2021, 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: 12/2/2021 Jeanne E. Saddler Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Blanca Higinia Zelaya and Blanca Vilma Coreas De Zelaya for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative Date of first publication: 12/02/2021 Blanca Higinia Zelaya Blanca Vilma Coreas De Zelaya Petitioner/Attorney: 8303 Sprague Place New Carrolton, MD 20784 Address of Petitioner:
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
2021 ADM 001315
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Lawrence Marcellus Marshall, Jr., whose address is 12106 Wimbleton Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary W. Marshall aka Mary Williams Marshall aka Mary Church Terrell Williams who died on May 16, 2021 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 June 2, 2022. 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 June 2, 2022, 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: 12/2/2021 Lawrence Marcellus Marshall Jr. Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
Washington Informer
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Reginald Harris 1775 I Street, NW Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney
Sandra Wilkerson Personal Representative
LEGAL NOTICES
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Colline Silvera Esq. 7731 Belle Point Dr. Greenbelt, MD 20770 Attorney
Date of first publication: 12/2/2021
LEGAL NOTICES
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2021 FEP 000131 March 17, 2017 Date of Death Geraldine Brown Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Dorothy Lee Brown Zamora, whose address is 960 Tamary Way, Landis NC 28088 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Geraldine Brown, deceased, by the Clerk of Superior Court for Mecklenburg County, State of North Carolina, on May 10, 2021. Service of process may be made upon Romola Mullins 3653 Bangor Street, SE Washington, DC 20020 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real estate. 428 Oakdale Place NW, Washington, DC 20001. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. Date of first publication: 12/9/2021 Dorothy Lee Brown Zamora Personal Representative Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2021 FEP 135
2021 FEP 133
2021 FEP 134
October 8, 2020 Date of Death
April 27, 2021 Date of Death
Milada Bozena Gessman aka Milada Gessman Name of Decedent
James Monroe Hairston, Jr. Name of Decedent
Ruby Thellma Gould Name of Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Jennifer Anne Wilson aka Jennifer Anne Booker whose address is 6133 Redwood Lane, Alexandria, VA 22310, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Milada Bozena Gessman aka Milada Gessman, deceased, by the Circuit Court for Fairfax County, State of Virginia, on September 16, 2019. Service of process may be made upon Kristen Booker 2351 R Street, SE, Washington, DC 20020 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real estate. 12351 R Street SE, Washington, DC 20020. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.
Jeanne Middleton Hairston whose address is 1105 Arbor Vista, Blvd., Jackson, MS 39209 was appointed personal representative of the estate of James Monroe Hairston, Jr., deceased, by the Chancery Court for Hinds County, State of Mississippi, on 1/21/2021. Service of process may be made upon Robert P. Newman, Esq. 801 Wayne Avenue, Suite 400, Silver Spring, MD 20910 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real estate. 1301 Delaware Avenue, SW, Apt. N224, Washington, DC 20024. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.
Natasha Gould whose address is 7003 Taylor St., Hyattsville, MD 20784 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Ruby Thellma Gould, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on 6/23/2021. Service of process may be made upon Michelle Thornton: 2101 L Street, NW, #800, Washington, DC 20037 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real estate. 2904 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.
Date of first publication: December 9, 2021
Date of first publication: 12/9/2021
Date of first publication: December 9, 2021
Jennifer Anne Wilson aka Jennifer Anne Booker Personal Representative
Jeanne Middleton Hairston Personal Representative
Natashia Gould Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2021 ADM 001436
2021 ADM 001428
Carlton Edwin Jackson Decedent
Delores Thomas Swinson aka Delores Elizabeth Swinson Decedent
February 26, 2019 Date of Death
2020 ADM 000834 Estate of Rose Lewis Smith NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Steward W. Smith for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate grant the Petition of Steward W. Smith to be recognized as the son by equitable adoption of decedent Rose Lewis Smith and to be appointed unsupervised personal representative
Date of first publication: 12/9/2021 Laura M. Richards 3524 Carpenter St., SE Washington, DC 20020 Petitioner/Attorney:
Julius Terrell 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Brandon Edwin Turner, whose address is 2335 14th Street, NE, Washington DC, 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Carlton Edwin Jackson who died on November 20, 2003 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, NW, 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/9/2022. 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 6/9/2022, 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: 12/9/2021 Brandon Edwin Turner Personal Representative
Washington Informer
LEGAL NOTICES
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2021 ADM 000347
2021 ADM 1475
Raynard C. Kennedy, Sr. Decedent
Henry I Johnson Decedent
Leta M. Jackson, Esq. Legal Counsel for the Elderly 601 E. Street, NW Washington, DC 20049 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Diane Kennedy, whose address is 406 36th St., NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Raynard C. Kennedy, Sr. who died on December 22, 2020 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/9/2022. 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 6/9/2022, 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: 12/9/2021 Diane Kennedy Personal Representative
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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Antwanne Johnson, whose address is 1810 Alabama Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Henry I Johnson who died on 9/24/2021 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/9/2022. 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 6/9/2022, 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: 12/9/2021 Antwanne Johnson Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2021 ADM 001501 Estate of William Vernell Wood
2021 ADM 001229 John Paul Smith Decedent
NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Victor William Swinson, Sr., whose address is 954 Southern Ave., SE, #204, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Delores Thomas Swinson aka Delores Elizabeth Swinson who died on April 26, 2021 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/9/2022. 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 6/9/2022, 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: 12/9/2021 Victor William Swinson, Sr. Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
LEGAL NOTICES
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Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Robert L. Schmidt and Joseph L. Johnson for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. Admit to probate the Will dated January 10, 2007 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of the witnesses or otherwise
Date of first publication: 12/9/2021 E. Regine Francois Williams 9701 Apollo Drive Suite 301 Largo MD 20774 Petitioner/Attorney:
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW #700, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John Paul Smith who died on April 17, 2000 without a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/9/2022. 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 6/9/2022, 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: 12/9/2021 Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
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DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 43
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
In God We Trust Declaration of Nationality Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: ‘‘Willie Edward French Jr© ’’, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: ‘‘FRENCH JR, WILLIE EDWARD© ’’, corp.sole Dba.: ‘‘WILLIE EDWARD FRENCH JR© ’’, having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea AlMaurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: ‘‘willie edward french jr© ’’, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: ‘‘willie edward french II-el© ’’. Notice of White Flag Surrender: as“hors de combat”, pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: STATE OF GEORGIA GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - BUREAU OF STATISTICS, STATE FILE NUMBER : 110-74-012962, ‘‘ WILLIE EDWARD FRENCH JR© ’’, to the depositor: ‘‘ willie edward french II-el© ’’, nom deguerre: ‘‘Willie Edward French Jr© ’’. All property , of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact , as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: ‘‘willie edward french II-el© ’’, nom deguerre: ‘‘Willie Edward French Jr© ’’, as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to beused exclusively for the benefit of : ‘‘Willie Edward French Trust© ’’, an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank , nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction.Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved.
In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender. Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: " Clifford William Broughton© ", in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “CLIFFORD WILLIAM BROUGHTON ", corp.sole Dba.:" CLIFFORD W BROUGHTON© ", having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Estados al-Marikanos, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: " Clifford William Broughton© ", from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: " clifford broughton sr© ". Notice of White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 32, 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA : STATE FILE NUMBER: 139 82 024832 " CLIFFORD WILLIAM BROUGHTON© ", is as a special deposit order conveyed to "CWBII Trust© ". All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact , as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: " clifford broughton sr©, nom deguerre: " Clifford William Broughton© ", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : "CWBII Trust© ", an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente.
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2021 ADM 001430
2021 ADM 001401
George Jackson Decedent
Gregory Anthony Wells Decedent
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2021 ADM 1470
2021 ADM 000399
2021 ADM 000586
David L. Monosson aka David Lawrence Monosson Decedent
James Perry, Jr. Decedent
2021 ADM 1054 2021 Will #000609
Peggy A. Miller 5130 7th Street, NE Washington, DC 20011-2625 Attorney
Valerie Edwards, Esq. 1725 DeSales St., NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Shirley Brown, whose address is 113 T Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of David L. Monosson aka David Lawrence Monosson who died on 9/22/2021 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 6/16/2022. 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 6/16/2022, 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.
Anthony W. Perry, whose address is 5907 Croom Station Rd., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James Perry, Jr. who died on April 2, 2018 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/16/2022. 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 6/16/2022, 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: 12/16/2021 Shirley Brown Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
44 DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
Date of first publication: 12/16/2021 Anthony W. Perry Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
LEGAL NOTICES
Murray D. Jackson Whitman-Walker Legal Services 1377 R St. NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20009 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS India Maria Saunders, whose address is 2850 Hartford St., SE, Apt. 104, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of George Jackson who died on 11/11/2017 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/9/2022. 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 6/9/2022, 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: 12/9/2021 India Maria Saunders Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
LEGAL NOTICES
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Antoinette C. Wells, whose address is 5335 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gregory Anthony Wells who died on April 5, 2020 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/9/2022. 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 6/9/2022, 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: 12/9/2021 Antoinette C. Wells Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
Mondell J. Valentine aka Mondell Jonathan Valentine Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Stephanie L. Barnes, whose address is 3206 Curtis Drive, #204, Temple Hills, MD 20748, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Margaret J. Hayden who died on 07/22/2020 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/16/2022. 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 6/16/2022, 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.
Jacqueline Valentine Cofield, whose address is 5908 Robin Lane Suitland, MD 20746, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mondell J. Valentine aka Mondell Jonathan Valentine who died on April 7, 2021 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 6/16/2022. 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 6/16/2022, 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: 12/16/2021
Date of first publication: 12/16/2021
Stephanie L. Barnes Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
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Washington Informer
Margaret J. Hayden Decedent
CL ASSIFIEDS
Jacqueline Valentine Cofield Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
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MALVEAUX from Page 26 hall meeting that included a telephone address by Jackson Lee. The fact that so many cities and states are considering reparations initiatives and appointing reparations commissions is invigorating and encouraging. As Robin Rue Simmons said, change happens from the bottom up and not the top down. The more cities and states that have reparations conversations, the more awareness those at the top will have that this is an issue that is not going away. Our nation is culpable for the exploitation of enslaved people and their descendants. We have gotten little more than a tepid apology. Our
EDELMAN from Page 26 ington, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Edmund Gordon leveraged education to create opportunities, cultivate pride, and transform the trajectory of Black futures for centuries to come. And sadly, as history has shown us, these valiant efforts were (and continue to be) met with intense, systemic opposition. Today, Black students still experience the greatest educational inequities. And while numerous studies have shown the immense impact Black teachers have on the lives of Black students and all students, only 7% of teachers in U.S. public schools are Black." CDF Freedom Schools National Director Dr. Kristal Moore Clemons puts it like this: "Historian Daniel Perlstein reminds us the original Freedom Schools movement was to support Black people's 'capacity to make a demand.' This notion of 'capacity' meant empowering people to demand an egalitarian society governed by justice and love. The original Freedom Schools movement
MORIAL from Page 26 ities, obtained by initially free and fair elections and high levels of electoral support, to gradually dismantle checks on government, freedom of expression, a free media and minority rights from within the democratic system." Though this process "is often gradual," the report called Donald Trump's baseless attack on the 2020 election results a "historic turning point" that "undermined fundamental trust in the electoral process." Our nation faces an existential choice between an arcane and outdated procedural Senate rule and democracy itself. The Freedom to Vote Act expands opportunities to vote, thwarts voter suppression, limits partisan gerryman-
WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
country must do more. While HR 40 calls for the establishment of a commission to make reparations suggestions, if President Biden really wanted to have our backs (as he so often says), he could, through executive order, establish such a commission now. I had hoped that President Obama might have done so, but that issue was such a hot potato for our then-president that he would not even consider it. The more talk there is about reparations, the more information is disseminated. President Biden, Vice-President Harris, can you take this step in the right direction? Meanwhile, I'm lifting up Robin Rue Simmons, a 45-year-old leader, ac-
tivist and tireless reparations advocate. She has dedicated her life to the reparations movement, using the Evanston experience as a blueprint for other municipalities considering reparations. It's important to note that reparations are not just about a check. It is about healing, restoring, reclaiming what has been taken from the descendants of enslaved people. It's not just about enslavement. It's about laws passed after emancipation that systematically robbed us of our rights, work, worth and wealth. Thanks to folks like Robin Rue Simmons (also a NAARC commissioner), Kamm Howard, Dr. Ron Daniels, Sheila Jackson Lee, Danny Glover and so many others, the reparations movement is rising! WI
included academic enrichment, cultural programs, and political and social studies. The new iteration of this work, encapsulated in our partnership with TFA, gives the CDF Freedom Schools program the ability to share new pedagogical possibilities that get teachers to articulate their own desires, demands, and questions. From there, we hope teachers will create spaces where students can link issues in their daily life to both practical skills and to issues of political power that will eventually equip them to participate in all phases of public life." At a moment when some people in public life are seeking to block what children can be taught in schools and turn that into a political advantage, this thoughtful work is more important than ever. All children deserve the opportunity to see adults who look like them in leadership roles in their classrooms, schools, and communities. All children also deserve to be exposed to books and other materials featuring a wide range of cultures, races, and experiences like the excellent, carefully-cho-
sen books that have long made up the CDF Freedom Schools curriculum. And all children need teachers and school leaders who care about and are willing to respond to their communities, their culture, and their own lived experiences. When TFA asked Courtney Linsey what it means to him to serve in the role CDF named for indomitable servant leader, mentor, and justice warrior Ella Baker, he answered: "When I think about her and the type of mindset and philosophy [she had], it was always serve first. I try to adapt that in my life. Serving as a seed that will always bear fruit. When I think about the heart behind Ella Baker, the question 'Are the children well?' comes to mind. And if the children aren't well, then I can't rest until that's done." We need to encourage new Black teachers and teachers from all backgrounds who will have this mindset and be determined to help every child develop the capacity to demand the future they deserve. WI
dering, prevents election sabotage, and promotes election security. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore a requirement in the Voting Rights Act that jurisdictions with recent histories of discrimination secure federal "preclearance" before altering their voting laws and allow. The bill the U.S. Department of Justice and other stakeholders to more effectively challenge discriminatory voting laws. Very simply, American democracy cannot survive if these measures are not enacted, and these measures cannot be enacted as long as the filibuster exists in its current form. Currently, there are more than160 exemptions from the filibuster, for issues ranging from foreign policy and defense to judicial confirmations and
health care. Unless we create an exemption for voting rights, none of the other exceptions will matter. The extended minority rule that will result from the Senate's failure will endanger not only democracy but our economic stability and national security. As International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora wrote, "This is about more than safeguarding abstract principles or winning geopolitical battles — it is about protecting the dignity of real human beings, which democracy does better than any other political arrangement. Every democratic reversal is not a geopolitical battle lost — it is a constellation of lives that goes dark." WI
DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021 45
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under the protection of the Capitol Police now resort to historical revisionism to declare that the assemblage was harmless! Accused child molester/trafficker Matt Gaetz and verbal bomb-thrower Marjorie Taylor Greene go on a speaking tour to disparage their Democratic colleagues and threaten their own leadership. Without a job to do in Congress, Marjorie Taylor Greene performs like the monster she is – threatening the physical and emotional well-being of Democrats and posting their personal contact information on social media. Meanwhile, Lauren Boebert, the gun-toting high school dropout, lies with reckless abandon and attempts to evade gun-detection screenings in the Capitol, leaving other concerned members feeling threatened for their personal safety. Although six of Paul Gosar's nine siblings endorsed his op-
JEALOUS from Page 27
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what's happening across the country, where politicians are passing laws to discourage voting and protect their own power. Right-wing activists who are angry that Donald Trump lost the election — who refuse to admit that he lost — are being put in positions with authority to oversee next year's elections. The very basis of our democracy is being undermined.
ASKIA from Page 27 with some of the cadets." When cadets complained, that sergeant was reportedly allowed to read and see the statements from the plaintiffs, and afterwards began "a completely untethered retaliatory campaign against them," including harassment, disciplinary action and putting them on assignment where they did nothing but sit in a building for eight hours a day. That sergeant even called one of the plaintiffs and threatened her life, the attorney said. Those two lawsuits complain that the MPD Internal Affairs Department (IAD) "is unprofessional and does not protect complainants and witnesses from retaliation." Now, a third lawsuit has been filed, this time by two former IAD veterans — one with 19 years in the department. In the most recent suit, the IAD
ponent, Gosar was reelected to Congress in 2020. He was also stripped of his committee assignments and censured in November for creating an anime film of him beheading a likeness of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and wounding a likeness of President Biden. One has to ask, where is the Republican leadership? Where is the expected self-regulation? Re-
publican leadership has obviously abrogated their leadership roles to advance their personal interests. The antics of the Republican Crazy Caucus have earned them "crickets" from their leadership and suggest even more bizarre antics in the future. Oh, for the "responsible" Republican leaders of a time gone by! WI
Accused child molester/trafficker Matt Gaetz and verbal bomb-thrower Marjorie Taylor Greene go on a speaking tour to disparage their Democratic colleagues and threaten their own leadership.
There's something profoundly important about Stacey Abrams demonstrating leadership at this moment. Abrams has always been guided by a fundamental faith that people can make the system work. That faith has been at the heart of her organizing. It inspired her 2018 race and her work to make Georgia's law fair for all voters. Many people might tempted to lose faith in democracy when they see elected officials abusing their
power to make it harder for some people to vote — and to limit the ability of their votes to make a difference. Stacey Abrams knows what she is up against. And knowing all that, she still isn't giving up on our democracy. That's inspiring. As governor, she will work tirelessly to make democracy, and Georgia, work for everyone. So let's get to work for her. WI
chief is accused of using "power to cull Black women from IAD, and to manipulate its investigative process to protect white police officers accused of misconduct." "The person who inserted himself into the process was chief of internal affairs. And that man is racist. And he uses his power to favor white officers and disfavor Black officers, especially Black women," Keith said. "When he took over the department, there were nine Black female agents out of 24 agents. Now there's two Black agents out of 29 agents. He dropped the number of women in that department from 37 percent to less than 7 percent." "While we cannot discuss the specific allegations due to pending litigation, the Metropolitan Police Department is committed to treating all members fairly and equitably throughout our organization," a
MPD spokesperson told WJLA-TV (Channel 7). "We take these allegations seriously and we will be reviewing them thoroughly and responding accordingly." That's not good enough, Keith said: "Neither the mayor, nor the police chief have shown any concern, not the least little bit. What do they care? Not the least a little bit. They've got nothing to say." "And this battle is going to be a battle that if we have [to], on behalf of the class-action, on behalf of similar situated women in the department," Keith said. "We think there will be something that ultimately in the end will help us to change the culture of the police department and the level of accountability and transparency in the department so that we can effectively protect the democracy in the city and the democracy in the country." WI
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