RECIPIENT OF THE DC BLACK MBA ASSOCIATION 2023 LEGACY AWARD
Serving Our Community in the DMV
Vol 60 No 15
Capture the Momoent Page 35
January 23 - 29, 2025
Trump Outlines America First Agenda: What It Means for Black Americans Local and National Leaders, Activists Express Concerns About Trump’s Policies
By Stacy M Brown, Micha Green, Hamil Harris and James Wright WI Senior Writer, WI Managing Editor, WI Contributing Writer and WI Staff Writer A little after noon on Monday, Jan. 20, the same day celebrating the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. As the nation commemorated the fallen civil rights leaders, Trump unveiled his America First priorities, which includes measures that have citizens and activists concerned about what his plans mean for the future. 5 Despite Donald Trump being sworn in as president on Jan. “Donald Trump just said in his in20, local and national leaders, such as the Rev. Al Sharpton, augural address that he is going to end are fighting against Trump’s policies, which could have negative DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) implications for Black Americans. (Courtesy Photo and Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
AGENDA Page 16
After Garvey Pardon, Family Members, Garveyites and Elected Officials Seek More
King Parade Proceeds with Changes Longtime Procession Adjusts to Trump Events By James Wright WI Staff Writer Each August, Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes and Ward 8 community and civic activist Stuart Anderson convene a group of volunteers to plan the following year’s MLK Holiday DC activities in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The highlight event is the Peace Walk and
Parade, a procession that began in 1979 by Dr. Calvin Rolark, Barnes’ father and founder of The Informer, her stepmother, D.C. Council member Wilhelmina Rolark (D-Ward 8) and media personality Ralph “Petey” Greene. One of the purposes of the parade was to honor King’s legacy and show support for a congressional bill setting aside the slain civil rights leader’s birthday
Local and National Freedom Fighters Push for Justice Causes MLK and Inauguration Weekend
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer On his last day, President Joe Biden posthumously pardoned Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a polarizing Black nationalist figure who, since his death, had been subjected to both widespread admiration and loathing. In 1923, a jury convicted Garvey for mail fraud, under what even the
5Ballou High School Majestic Knights Marching Band performing during the 20th Annual MLK Holiday Parade at the Entertainment & Sports Arena. (Ja'Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)
5 Family members and Garveyites are seeking more after, on his last day, President Joe Biden posthumously pardoned Marcus Mosiah Garvey. (Courtesy Photo)
Biden administration acknowledged as politically motivated circumstances. After four years, President Calvin Coolidge commuted Garvey’s sentence and Garvey was deported to Jamaica
PARDON Page 30
Angela Davis, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Nee Nee Taylor Emphasize Importance of Justice Fights, True Liberation
Martin Luther King Jr., Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president On the official federal hol- of the United States, catiday celebrating the Rev. Dr. FREEDOM Page 35 By Micha Green WI Managing Editor
4Angela Davis speaks to The Washington Informer on the red carpet at the 2025 Peace Ball hosted by Busboys and Poets and held at Arena Stage in Southwest, D.C. on Jan. 18. (Micha Green/The Washington Informer)
Celebrating 60 years. Your credible and trusted source for Black news and information.
PARADE Page 30