RECIPIENT OF THE DC BLACK MBA ASSOCIATION 2023 LEGACY AWARD
Serving Our Community in the DMV
Vol 60 No 14
Reflections – and Grassroots Organizing – Abound as D.C. Prepares for Second Trump Inauguration, Celebrates Dr. King’s Legacy
January 16 - 22, 2025
Commanders Story and Photos Pages 34 - 35
Bowser Undeterred by Federal Complaint, U.S. Education Secretary Cardona Bids Farewell By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
For months, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) worked with its local and federal partners in preparation for what has ultimately become a trifecta of high-profile 5 Taking inspiration from the Rev. Dr. events -- the first electoral vote 5 Nee Nee Taylor of Harriet’s Martin Luther King Jr.’s last ever speech, count certification since the Wildest Dreams is encouraging people to take to the streets to fight “Remaining Awake Through a Great 2021 Capitol attack, President Revolution,” Kymone Freeman is hosting Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, for the rights of marginalized people, resist Trump’s policies, pro- the Anti-Inauguration Ball, a large-scale and President-elect Donald J. tect D.C. home rule, and realize event in collaboration with Social SecuriTrump’s second inauguration. the decades-long goal of statehood. ty Works, Free D.C., and The Black Cat. (WI File Photo/Cleveland Nelson) (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)
REFLECTIONS Page 42
After Winter Storms, Parents Call for Paid Leave Policy Changes
MLK Holiday DC Kicks Off Week of Action with 7th Annual Prayer Breakfast
Religious Leaders, Elected Official Encourage Commitment to King’s Legacy of Social Justice, Community Engagement Prayer Breakfast, where faith leaders, elected officials and community activists gathered with a shared purpose of empowerThe annual MLK Holiday DC week ment and reflection in commemoration of kicked off at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church on Saturday with the 7th Annual PRAYER BREAKFAST Page 36 By Jada Ingleton WI Digital Equity Fellow
Divine Nine Organizations Celebrate January Founders’ Day, Reflect on Legacy and Values of Pioneering Leaders
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
After the first snowstorm of the season forced District school closures, the D.C. metropolitan area received another couple inches of snow last weekend, though not enough for District residents to deviate from their daily routines this week. However, with more storms, and school delays and closures likely to come this winter season, some District parents, like LaJoy Johnson-Law, said they anticipate working parents having to make hard decisions. “There’s the issue of if you get paid when your job is closed. Employers have to do better around that,” said Johnson-Law, Ward 8 representative on
5Youth mayors Judith Iweanoge and Tatum Primus pose with MLK Holiday Committee co-chair Stuart Anderson (center), Youth Ward 8 Councilmember Jakera Watson, Youth Attorney General Amirah Bunn, and committee co-chair and publisher of The Washington Informer, Denise Rolark Barnes. (Courtesy Photo/ Maurice G. Fitzgerald, MLKDC Holiday Committee)
5 Children walking to school in heavy snow. (AI Photo Created using Fotor)
the D.C. State Board of Education. Last week, Johnson-Law helped some of her elderly constituents navigate the aftermath of the first, larger storm. She hinted at her first-term
PAID LEAVE Page 44
By Jada Ingleton WI Digital Equity Fellow
5Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,
The month of January is brimming with com- gather in a prayer circle following the concession memoration and historic recognition for Black lead- speech of fellow member and then-candidate Vice ership, such as national acknowledgement of the President Kamala Harris on Nov. 6. In an emotional Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 20, and the display, the sorority sisters sang the words to their founder’s song and held hands as Harris’ presidential international celebrations of the founding of five of run came to an end. (Jada Ingleton/The Washington
DIVINE NINE Page 11 Informer)
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