RECIPIENT OF THE DC BLACK MBA ASSOCIATION 2023 LEGACY AWARD
Serving Our Community in the DMV
Vol 60 No 10
CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS: HIGHLIGHTING INTERFAITH TRADITIONS
December 19 - 25, 2024
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!
D.C. Council Ad-Hoc Committee Advances Motion for Councilmember Trayon White’s Expulsion
White, Who Hasn’t Spoken about His Charges Yet, to Receive Another Opportunity to Defend Himself before Colleagues By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
5 Religious and community leaders, including Imam Talib Shareef (third from left), join Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto (center), Secretary of State Kimberly A. Bassett (second from right), and Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin (far right) in an interfaith service on Dec. 12 at the John A. Wilson Building. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)
Faith Leaders, Community Showcase Religious Diversity in December
In less than an hour, a D.C. Council ad-hoc committee weighed in on, and unanimously approved, a motion to vote on a resolution to expel D.C. Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8) from the legislative body. On Dec. 16, White, who’s currently facing a federal bribery charge, sat in the front row of the council chambers 5Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White, standing next to gallery as he watched his colleagues, Regina Pixley, is currently facing a federal bribery charge. On Dec. 16, the D.C. Council unanimously approved a motion to expel White
TRAYON WHITE Page 30 from the legislative body. (Ja’Mon Jackson/ The Washington Informer) CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS: HIGHLIGHTING KWANZAA PRINCIPLES THROUGH BUYING BLACK
BZB International’s ‘Shop Til Ya Drop’ Promotes Collective Economic Prosperity Within African Diaspora ly outshine the winter holy season, this time of
Residents Define What This Season Means to Them By Hamil Harris and Jada Ingleton WI Contributing Writer and WI Digital Equity Fellow While Christmas themes seem to commercial-
year is more than just a moment to acknowledge the Christian holy day, and can serve as a time of solace and communion for all communities.
HOLIDAYS Page 36
The Collins Council Report: Council Period 25 Ends with Celebration, Difficult Conversations
Outgoing Councilmember Vincent C. Gray Receives His Flowers, Kwelli Sneed Confirmation Approved By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
A TRIBUTE TO D.C. COUNCILMEMBER VINCENT C. GRAY
The council paused its legislative meeting on Dec. 17 to celebrate D.C. Councilmember Vincent C. Gray (D-Ward 7) as he wraps up his final term
COUNCIL REPORT Page 8
3Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent C. Gray is retiring after decades of service. The D.C. Council honored Gray, not only for his service as a member of the legislative body, but also as the District’s former mayor. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)
34th Annual Showcase Features Artisans, Entrepreneurs, Retailers from 19 states, 11 Countries
By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer Through a cooperative economic worldview, Black artisans and entrepreneurs participating in the annual “BZB Shop Til Ya Drop” showcase, held at Shiloh Baptist Church Family Life Center in Northwest, D.C., boost their audience engagement, connect consumers to the African diaspora and encourage longevity for Black-owned businesses. Washington is the ideal place for such an event, as 35% of businesses in the city are Black-owned– one of the largest concentrations across the nation. After Black businesses faced significant challenges during and following the COVID-19 pandemic,
Celebrating 60 years. Your credible and trusted source for Black news and information.
BZB Page 43
5As the Christmas and Kwanzaa holidays approach, the long-running BZB International “Shop Til Ya Drop” showcase highlights entrepreneurs across the African diaspora, offering them an opportunity to sell their wares throughout the season. The market also promotes the Kwanzaa principle of Ujamaa, meaning “collective economics.” (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)