Serving Our Community in the DMV
Vol 61 No 13
January 8 - 14, 2026
Residents, Local Leaders Continue to React to U.S. Attack on Venezuela
The Collins D.C. Council Report
Vaccinations, Public Charter School Board Appointments, An At-large Councilmember Selection Process, and Business in the Soul of the City
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Staff Writer
During its Jan. 6 legislative meeting, the D.C. Council briefly acknowledged the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Council members also deliberated and voted on a slew
COLLINS REPORT Page 30
5 A group of activists assemble outside of the Cuban Embassy for a vigil hosted by CODEPINK on Jan. 5 to protest the U.S. attack on Venezuela. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)
The attack on Caracas and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces set off an immediate reckoning in the DMV area. Protesters are pouring into the streets, organizations such as CODEPINK are holding rallies, security is tightening around federal buildings, and lawmakers are confronting the reality of an American operation that removed a foreign head of state and brought him to U.S. soil. "What’s happening in Venezuela is a testing ground,” said Michelle Ellner, Latin America campaign coordinator with CODEPINK, a feminist grassroots organization that held a vigil at the Cuban Embassy on Jan. 5 after the Jan. 3 attack. “If the U.S. can kidnap a head of state, talk about ‘running’ another country, and bypass Congress without consequences, that model doesn’t stop at Venezuela, it expands.” Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were flown to New York
MLK Holiday DC to Honor King’s Legacy, Inspire Freedom Fight By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor The devoted District tradition commemorating the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) is set to return Jan. 12-19, launching a vision to emulate the civil rights leader beyond the third Monday in January. Charged by the theme: “The Struggle is Real, The Fight is Still,” this year’s MLK Holiday DC aims to ring the bells of justice and equity in a mission not unlike that of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, when King served a cause that continues to echo through next week’s celebration. 5 MLK Holiday DC committee co-chairs Stuart Anderson and Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington “It's about Black people trying to make sure that Informer, during the Seventh Annual Prayer Breakfast in there's equity in not just this country, but in the January 2025, the kick off to last year’s week of commemoration world for Black people,” said Stuart Anderson, co-
MLK Page 11
VENEZUELA Page 44
3District youth participate in a town hall in January 2025. Proposed changes from the Department of Behavioral Health could potentially affect programming for District public and public charter school students. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)
Annual Tradition Returns Jan. 12-19
in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Jada Ingleton/ The Washington Informer)
Capture the Moment Page 37
Ward 8 Education Leaders and Community-Based Organizations Counter Proposed Changes to SchoolBased Mental Health Programming By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Staff Writer For several months, the Ward 8 Education Council has embarked on a journey to fill ex-
ecutive board positions and strengthen collaboration between parents, principals, elected officials, and education councils in
EDUCATION Page 22
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STACY M. BROWN WI SENIOR WRITER
District, Maryland Secures Share of $149.6M Mercedes Emissions Deal
5 District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb and Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown speaking at a press conference in September 2024. The attorneys general have joined a multistate lawsuit against Mercedes-Benz USA and its parent company Daimler AG. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts) In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark
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A multistate coalition of attorneys general has secured a $149.6 million settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA and its parent company, Daimler AG, over allegations that the automaker deceptively marketed, sold, and leased more than 200,000 diesel vehicles in the United States that violated federal and District emissions standards. The agreement covers roughly 380 vehicles registered in the District of Columbia and addresses years of excess air pollution tied to software designed to evade emissions testing. In Maryland the agreement covers approximately 4,000 vehicle owners who will benefit from direct payments, extended warranties and free repairs. “After nearly a decade of investigation, this nearly $150
EMISSIONS Page 15
Beyoncé Joins a Small Circle of Black American Billionaires Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has joined the small and closely watched group of Black American billionaires, a milestone that places her alongside a handful of individuals who built vast wealth in a country where Black ownership has long been restricted, delayed, or denied. According to Forbes, the world-renowned singer and entrepreneur is now worth at least $1 billion, making her one of only a few musicians to reach that level and one of the rare Black women in the United States to do so through entertainment, business control, and ownership. She joins her husband, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, who became hip hop’s first billionaire in 2019, as well as a short list that
5Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is now a member of the small and
BEYONCÉ Page 30 closely watched Black billionaires in the U.S. (Courtesy Photo)
D.C. Joins FTC Lawsuit Accusing Uber of Deceptive Subscription Practices The District of Columbia has joined a sweeping consumer protection lawsuit accusing Uber of enrolling customers into paid subscriptions without consent and then making it difficult for them to cancel. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced that his office is part of a coalition of 24 state and local law enforcement agencies backing a lawsuit originally filed by the Federal Trade Commission against Uber Technologies Inc. and Uber USA LLC. The case, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that Uber engaged in deceptive and unfair practices tied to its Uber One subscription service, which the company markets as a way for riders and delivery customers to save money. Uber One reportedly costs $9.99 per month or $96 per year and is promoted with claims that users can cancel at any time. According to the complaint, more than 28 million consumers nationwide have been enrolled in the program, including more than 100,000 residents in the District.
The lawsuit alleges that many consumers were signed up without clear consent, were charged before free trial periods expired, and were steered into a complicated cancellation process designed to discourage them from ending their subscriptions. The complaint outlines numerous consumer reports describing unexpected Uber One charges appearing on credit cards and bank accounts. It also details what regulators describe as a deliberately burdensome cancellation process that required users to navigate at least seven screens and complete a minimum of 12 separate actions. For some users attempting to cancel within 48 hours of a billing date, the process allegedly expanded to more than 20 screens and dozens of steps, with some consumers still being charged despite attempting to cancel on time. Regulators further allege that Uber charged consumers before stated billing dates, including during
UBER Page 5
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AROUND THE REGION
Trump’s Erasure Campaign Reaches Langston Golf Course
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
Under President Donald Trump, policies and places rooted in African American history, autonomy, or self-determination have been stripped for parts or brought under his personal control. Now, that campaign has landed on sacred ground in Washington: Langston Golf Course. In one of his first major moves targeting Washington’s civic infrastructure, Trump’s administration terminated the 50-year lease of the National Links Trust (NLT), the nonprofit that has operated Langston, Rock Creek Park Golf Course, and East Potomac Golf Links since 2020. The Interior Department accused the nonprofit of defaulting on its obligations. The group flatly denies it, saying it invested more than $8.5 million in capital improvements and followed the terms of its agreement. The termination immediately halted renovation projects and opened the door for federal takeover. “We are fundamentally in disagreement with the administration’s characterization of NLT as being in default under the lease,” National Links Trust wrote in a statement. “We have always had a productive and cooperative working relationship with the National Park Service and have worked hand in hand on all aspects of our golf course operations and development projects.”
UBER from Page 4
free trial periods, and relied on negative option marketing practices that automatically converted trials into paid subscriptions unless users successfully cancelled. The lawsuit seeks restitution for affected consumers, civil penalties, costs, and an injunction barring Uber from continuing the alleged conduct under federal and local consumer protection laws. “Uber was a great idea at its inception, particularly in light of the massive corruption of the D.C. Cab Commission. Currently I consider Uber drivers to be dangerous until shown to be otherwise, and Uber billing practices sufficiently deceitful
Langston is not simply a public golf course tucked along the Anacostia River. It was built in 1939 because Black golfers were barred, harassed, and humiliated at white only courses across the country. It exists because exclusion demands resistance and survives because the Black community refused to let it disappear. “They are taxpayers, they are citizens, and they have a right to play golf on public courses on the same basis as whites,” Interior Secretary Harold Ickes said in 1941. “The cold fact is that we have not kept it up.” Trump has been explicit about his desire to put his stamp on Washington: The Kennedy Center; the Smithsonian; the White House grounds; now, public golf. Since returning to the presidency, Trump has reportedly spent more than $30 million in taxpayer money on golf trips, many of them to properties he owns or profits from. While he lectures about efficiency and accountability, public dollars have flowed freely to his leisure, his resorts, and his brand. Langston, by contrast, has survived decades of neglect and underinvestment while serving generations of Black golfers shut out elsewhere. Further, Tiger Woods has agreed to assist in the redesign and renovation of Langston as part of a Trump backed public golf project, according to a White House adviser. “I’m responsible for redesigning to cause me to search for alternatives,” social media user Grace Kane wrote in response to the attorney general’s announcement via X, formerly known as Twitter. “For example, reserving an Uber at the lowest price may be switched for an Uber at a higher price, citing the unavailability of drivers at the lower price. Classic bait and switch.” Uber did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trial in the case is currently scheduled for February 2027. “Particularly when costs of living are higher than ever, no one should ever be stuck paying for a subscription they do not want,” Schwalb said. WI
it and making it better than it ever was,” adviser Ed Russo said. “And I’m proud to say that Tiger Woods has agreed to help me do that.” Woods built his legacy on the shoulders of Black pioneers like Lee Elder, who broke barriers in a sport that never wanted Black faces on its fairways. Yet now, he has aligned himself with a president whose record toward Black history is one of hostility and erasure. After having witnessed the president’s trends when touching public spaces– costs rising, access shrinking and the community being pushed aside— local golfers fear for the future of Langston. “My hope is that the historic Langston golf course continues to offer opportunities for people to come and play,” Craig Kirby said. Others see the move as naked power. “National Links Trust has invested a lot of money in modernizing
5 Ron McPherson enjoys a round of golf at Langston Golf Course in Northeast. National Links Trust, which has operated Langston and other local golf courses, is pushing back after the Trump administration terminated the nonprofit’s 50-year lease, accusing them of defaulting on its obligations. (WI File Photo)
and redoing Langston,” golfer Lou Manzo said. “To have all that taken away on a whim is very frustrating.” Trump has claimed that if he takes control, District residents would pay lower rates. Coming from a man who owns 16 golf properties worldwide and has built his brand on exclusivity, the promise rings hollow. Langston Golf Course was born because Black Americans were denied
ASALH
space, enduring segregation, hostility, and neglect because the community refused to surrender it. Now, under the banner of improvement, Trump is attempting to absorb it. “While this termination is a major setback, we remain stubbornly hopeful that a path forward can be found that preserves affordable and accessible public golf in the nation’s capital for generations to come,” NLT said. WI
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Mary J. Blige (left)
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1811 – Charles Deslandes leads the German Coast Uprising, a slave revolt in Louisiana. 1922 – Charles Young, the first Black man to achieve the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army, dies at 57 while on a reconnaissance mission in Nigeria. 1967 – R&B singer-songwriter R. Kelly is born in Chicago.
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1866 – Fisk University, a historically Black institution, opens in Nashville, Tennessee. 1914 – The fraternity Phi Beta Sigma is founded at Howard University. 1935 – Earl G. Graves, entrepreneur and publisher of Black Enterprise magazine, is born in New York City. 1946 – Harlem Renaissance-era poet Countee Cullen dies at 42 of high blood pressure and uremic poisoning.
Jan. 10
1750 – James Varick, the first bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, is born near Newburgh, New York. 1888 – A.B. Blackburn patents the railway signal. 1924 – Legendary jazz drummer Max Roach is born in Newland, North Carolina. 1938 – Baseball Hall of Famer Willie McCovey is born in Mobile, Alabama. 1957 – The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is founded in Atlanta.
JAN. 8 - 14, 2026
SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB
Willie McCovey (right)
Jan. 12
1910 – Famed U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves dies of Bright's disease in Muskogee, Oklahoma, at 71. 1948 – Supreme Court rules that Blacks have the right to study law at state institutions.
Jan. 13
1835 – Isaac Myers, pioneer of the African American trade union movement, is born in Baltimore. 1869 – The Colored National Labor Union, the nation's first Black labor union, is founded in Washington, D.C. 1873 – P.B.S. Pinchback ends service as Louisiana governor. 1913 – Sorority Delta Sigma Theta is founded at Howard University. 1953 – Don Barksdale becomes the first Black to play in the NBA All-Star Game. 1989 – Poet and literary critic Sterling A. Brown, D.C. native and longtime Howard University professor, dies in Tacoma Park, Maryland, at 87.
Jan. 14
1916 – Fiction writer John Oliver Killens is born in Macon, Georgia. 1940 – Famed civil rights leader Julian Bond is born in Nashville, Tennessee. WI
Max Roach
Jan. 11
1971 – Mary J. Blige, "The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul," is born in New York City. 1987 – Three scientists announce they have discovered evidence of a woman who lived in Africa 200,000 years ago and may be the mother of the human species.
6 JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026
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“My hope for 2026 is that we just bust loose. We should never again allow one person to make decisions that affect millions of people worldwide. Donald Trump’s decisions are colonizing the Americas and parts of the world. For Donald Trump to go into Venezuela and take out their president is a new low… On Christmas Day the U.S. went into Nigeria because they said Christians were being persecuted.”
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D.C. Residents Face Rising Utility Bills as National Pressures Intensify
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
Washington, D.C. residents are entering the new year facing higher electricity and natural gas bills as fresh data show the District squarely caught in a nationwide surge in utility costs, with increases already in effect and additional hikes looming. An updated analysis from the Center for American Progress finds that Washington, D.C., is among 49 states where electricity and natural gas customers are facing higher rates or proposed increases through at least 2027. In the District, electric bills rose earlier this year by an average of $20.81 per month, an increase of nearly 18%, while natural gas customers are projected to see an additional monthly increase of about $15.33 beginning in 2026, or roughly 17.6%. The report estimates that more than 107 million electricity customers and 46 million natural gas customers nationwide are affected, with combined rate hikes expected to add nearly $90 billion to customer bills between 2025 and 2028. For District households, the impact is already being felt most sharply during the winter heating season. Washington Gas customers in the city saw their average monthly bill climb by nearly 13% this winter, an increase of about $11 per month. Utility filings show the increase is driven largely by pipeline replacement projects, higher maintenance
8 JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026
5 The rooftop and canopy solar arrays project at Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church in Northeast, D.C. during a ribbon cutting in June 2023. New data reveals D.C. residents are entering the new year facing higher electricity and natural gas bills. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)
costs, and inflation-related pressures. Energy analysts say Washington’s rising bills reflect broader national trends. Electricity prices across the country are now rising at roughly double the pace of inflation after a decade of relative stability. Natural gas prices have also climbed sharply, driven by global market volatility and growing U.S. exports. “When supply is scarce, then prices go up,” said Rob Gramlich, president of the D.C.-based energy consultancy Grid Strategies, pointing to a sharp rebound in electricity demand following the pandemic. That demand is being fueled in part by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers. “AI data centers are much more power intensive. An AI data center would be up to 10 times more power intensive,” said Norman Bashir, a fellow at MIT’s Climate and Sustainability Consortium. The Center for American Progress analysis ties rising utility costs not only to demand and aging infrastructure, but also to federal policy decisions. “The surge in energy demand, coupled with Trump administration actions and rising natural gas prices, means the surge in energy demand will continue to increase costs for Americans,” the report states. Clean energy advocates argue that slowing the deployment of lower-cost renewable power is compounding the burden on ratepayers. “By slowing clean energy deploy-
ment, the administration is directly fueling cost increases,” said Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association. Bob Keefe, executive director of the environmental policy firm E2 also weighed in. “Unfortunately,” Keefe said, “the president and Congress are making it harder for Americans to have access to the cheapest, cleanest, quickest to deploy power there is.” The administration has defended its approach as necessary to maintain reliability. “If we are going to keep the lights on, win the AI race, and keep electricity prices from skyrocketing, the United States must unleash American energy,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright told reporters when speaking about the nation’s energy supply and grid stability. In D.C., consumer advocates warn that continued increases will fall hardest on seniors and low-income residents already strained by housing, food, and transportation costs. During recent hearings before the D.C. Public Service Commission, residents said rising utility bills are forcing families to make difficult choices between heat, rent, and groceries. “This is going to hit all of us very noticeably,” said Petworth resident Charles Spring during a recent public hearing. “It comes at a time when other prices are going up, and many people are losing their jobs. This is not a time to be maximizing profits.” WI
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With D.C. on Alert, U.S. Secret Service Plans Major Expansion By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer The U.S. Secret Service is moving to dramatically expand its presence in the District as federal officials confront a surge in credible threats tied to escalating global tensions and a growing number of flashpoints that have placed the nation’s capital on heightened alert. The agency plans to add thousands of personnel over the next several years, with a significant portion expected to be assigned to the D.C. region, according to internal planning documents and officials familiar with the effort. The expansion comes as demonstrations, diplomatic fallout, and security operations linked to U.S. actions in Venezuela and Nigeria, along with continued threats involving Cuba, Greenland, Colombia, Mexico, and other sovereign nations, have converged on Washington. The pressure on federal protection services became visible in recent days as Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was transported through D.C.-area airspace and later moved under heavy guard to federal court in New York. In the hours that followed, protests formed near the White House, the former Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown, and federal buildings across the city, prompting road closures, K-9 sweeps, and increased Secret Service and Metropolitan Police Department coordination. Outside the White House, demonstrators questioned the scope of presidential authority. “What’s stopping Trump from doing this to other countries?” said Zoe Alexandra of the ANSWER Coalition, as protesters gathered along Pennsylvania Avenue. Law enforcement officials said the demonstrations remained largely peaceful, but acknowledged that the volume of activity, combined with online threats linked to international developments, has stretched resources. The Secret Service is responsible for protecting the White House complex, foreign embassies, visiting heads of state, and major political figures, all within a city that hosts near-daily protests. Deputy Director Matthew Quinn
said the agency’s workload has grown faster than its staffing. “Our numbers are low to meet those needs,” Quinn said. Internal projections show the Secret Service aiming to increase its special agent ranks nationwide from about 3,500 to roughly 5,000, while adding hundreds of officers to the Uniformed Division, many of whom would be stationed in Washington. The plan also includes expanding counter-sniper units, emergency response teams, and explosives detection operations that are routinely deployed around the National Mall, Capitol Hill, and diplomatic corridors. To accelerate recruitment, the agency is offering bonuses of up to $60,000 for specialized positions, including counter assault and hazardous response roles, incentives rarely seen in federal law enforcement. The expansion comes as America stands as the focal point of international reaction to the Maduro operation. Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued one of the most forceful responses, accusing powerful interests of driving military escalation. “A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy,” Petro said. “To keep Epstein’s list from coming out, they send warships to kill fishermen and threaten our neighbor with invasion for their oil.” The remarks circulated widely among demonstrators in the District and across Latin America, where leaders warned that the seizure of a foreign head of state could destabilize the region. China and Russia condemned the action, while the United Nations expressed concern about violations of international law. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers from both parties raised alarms about the operation’s legality and its implications for domestic security. Several warned that aggressive actions abroad increase the risk of retaliation at home, a concern that weighs heavily in a city that serves as both political center and protest ground. Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the Secret Service faces a difficult task. “They are going to have to turn headquarters into a hiring machine,” Napolitano said.
AROUND THE REGION 3 The U.S. Secret Service is moving to dramatically expand its presence in D.C. as federal officials confront a surge in credible threats tied to escalating global tensions. (WI File Photo/Micha Green)
As the nation’s capital prepares for another election cycle, a steady stream of demonstrations, and major international events, officials acknowledge that even a historic expansion may not immediately ease the strain on those charged with protecting the city. “No matter what,” Quinn said, “it’s still going to be a rough summer.” WI
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AROUND THE REGION
CAPTURE THE MOMENt Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis (second from left) at the signing for her book “Genius Unbroken: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Charles R. Drew” (2025), with former D.C. Council members Kenyan McDuffie and Jack Evans (far left and far right) and former District Mayor Sharon Pratt. Local leaders, politicians and Washingtonians gathered for the celebration of Jarvis’ new book at the O Museum in the Mansion in Northwest, D.C. on Sunday, Jan. 4. (Courtesy Photo/ Robinson Associates)
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AROUND THE REGION
Despite Trump’s efforts to diminish national recognition, Anderson reminds: “This didn't start with a federal holiday.” While Martin Luther King Jr. Day faced a 15-year trek to official implementation, local recognition thrived thanks to the collaborative trio of Washington Informer founder Dr. Calvin Rolark, former Ward 8 Councilmember Wilhelmina J. Rolark, and radio personality Ralph “Petey” Greene. The three conceived the annual MLK Peace Walk and Parade in 1977 and hosted the first commemoration two years later, predating the initial bill signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, which officially designated the third Monday in January a federal holiday in observance
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MLK Holiday DC: Preserving the Legacy that Arose the Nation’s Conscious
of the late freedom fighter. With a nod to his committee’s founders, Anderson also notes the rallying support of four D.C. churches— Campbell A.M.E (African Methodist Episcopal), Bethlehem Baptist Church, Covenant Baptist UCC, Living Word Church — and Stevie Wonder’s 1980 “Happy Birthday,” an ode to King’s birthday and acknowledgement, for laying the foundation at risk of being stripped. “That rose the rules, the consciousness of the city and the nation to begin the real drive for the creation of the holiday,” he explained. Nearly 50 years later, Anderson believes the antidote to erasure lies where it all started: with the leaders of the nation’s capital. “I want to make sure that successive generations get a sense and a feel for who Dr. King was, what Dr. King's focal points were,” he continued. “We have to do as much as we can to make sure we're telling [them] it's important to look back, so that we can continue to prosper and move forward.” From an early champion of environmental justice, to the monumental steps that led to the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, next week’s events strive to deliver a holistic imagery of who King was. During the MLK Holiday DC Health and Wellness Fair— to be held in the PNC Parking Lot (next to far Southeast) on Monday, Jan. 19— attendees can expect wellness information, free groceries, health exhibitors and more in tribute to a lifetime of community service and uplifting vulnerable populations. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
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and Juneteenth from the National Park Service's annual free-entry days, instead replacing them with Flag Day, which also coincides with President Donald Trump's birthday. For the native Washingtonian, “a week isn’t long enough” to underscore the parallel of racial progress and fight against, as of late, “cultural erosion.” “King would be speaking out against these things… He wasn’t just a dreamer,” Anderson emphasized. “Now that we’re under the threat of this guy in the White House…it's even more important that we do what we do to make sure that the life, legacy, the words, the inspiration, the fire, and all of the reasons why [he] was – and is – important to us are not erased.”
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5 Participants march in the 20th Annual MLK Peace Walk and Parade on January 18, 2025 at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Southeast, D.C. This year’s parade returns outdoors to Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue on Monday, Jan. 19. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)
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chair of MLK Holiday DC. “Dr. King had some really, really forward-thinking ideas about the hope and promise of America. It's important that we share the whole complexity of the man…the struggles that he faced while trying to bring justice into the world.” Anderson, who chairs the celebration alongside Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, added a fitting theme and week of action is about more than honoring the late activist, but invoking his blueprint for justice. The festivities kickoff in Southwest, D.C., with a night of prayer, praise and rededication at Living Word Church on Monday, Jan. 12. Then the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, is set to take over the Eighth Annual Prayer Breakfast at Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ (UCC) on Jan. 17. A day of service, restitution and communal empowerment culminates the lineup, with Jan. 19 featuring: the Health and Wellness Fair, Community Clean-up Project, and 21st Annual Peace Walk and Rally and subsequent parade, returning to its outdoor tradition on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Southeast. Beyond moments of remembrance, Rolark Barnes recognizes the foundation of a promise yet to be fulfilled. “Dr. King died early while leading a movement for racial and social justice. His living was not in vain, but it is up to every one of us to prove it,” she told The Informer. “Every year, something inevitably happens to reassure the MLK Holiday DC Planning Committee that we are doing the right thing to press forward with this annual commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. King. This year is no exception.” In the face of recent global unrest and controversial military actions, the dynamic duo also pointed to a restless fight for the preservation and protection of African American communities. Anderson offered a candid playback of the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine Black culture. Among the list: targeted attacks against immigrants and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); attempts to reshape cultural history and institutions; federal occupation of Black-led cities, including Washington, D.C.; and even the decision to strip MLK Day
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Political Updates
Peña-Melnyk Announces Changes in Committees and Leadership Structure, Charles Colbert Breaks Barriers in Upper Marlboro Mayoral Election By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter
House Speaker PeñaMelnyk Announces New Committee Assignments, Leadership Structure
Newly minted Maryland Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-District 21) has announced the committee assignments and leadership structure for the House of Delegates during the upcoming legislative session. This 448th legislation, kicking off Jan. 14, will include: a record number of women serving as committee chairs; a committee focused on labor and government operations; a new caucus focusing on rural issues; and an expansion of the number of subcommittees. “Consistent with my reputation, I will speak the truth but I will also listen with respect to different points of view,” said Peña-Melnyk in a Dec. 29 statement. “Ultimately, my role is to bring people together to get things done for the 6.3 million people who live here, and the generations to come that will inherit the decisions that we make.” A new committee on Labor, Government, and Elections has been created, which will be led by Del. Melissa Wells (D-District 40). That committee has been split from the Health committee, which was formerly chaired by Peña-Melnyk and
12 JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026
will now be headed by Del. Heather Bagnall (D-District 33). “I’m grateful to Speaker Joseline Pena Melnyk for the trust she has placed in me and for the opportunity to serve as chair of the Labor, Elections, and Government Committee. This work has always been guided by a simple belief: government should work for the people who form the heart and backbone of our communities. When families are supported, communities are stronger,” she said in a social media statement. “As chair of the Labor, Elections, and Government Committee, I look forward to working with my colleagues and leadership to make thoughtful decisions that strengthen workers, support families, and help Maryland businesses and our government thrive.” Del. Sandy Bartlett (D-District 32) has been appointed as the new chair of the Judiciary Committee, the first African American and first woman to chair the committee, and former chair Del. Luke Clippinger (D-District 46) will serve as the Senate president pro tempore. Barrier-breaker Del. Kriselda Valderamma (D-District 26), whose father was the first Asian American elected to the Maryland General Assembly, will lead the Economic Matters committee, becoming the first woman to do so. She is also the first Asian American committee chair. Del. C.T. Wilson (D-District 28), who chaired Economic Matters in
the previous four legislative sessions, will serve as the House parliamentarian. Del. Ben Barnes (D-District 21) and Del. Marc Korman (D-District 16) will remain as the chair of the Appropriations and Environment and Transportation committee, respectively. In addition, Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-District 20), the chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, will now chair the Ways and Means committee. Her predecessor, Del. Vanessa Atterbeary (D-District 13), is resigning from the General Assembly on Jan. 14 to focus on her campaign for Howard County Executive. “I am honored to be appointed chair of the House Ways and Means Committee by Speaker Joseline Pena Melnyk,” said Wilkins in a social media statement on Dec. 29. “Having served on the Ways and Means Committee my entire legislative career, including leading election law and as vice chair of the committee, it is a privilege to take on this responsibility as we advance policies that shape Maryland’s future at this critical moment.”
Upper Marlboro Elects Charles Colbert, First African-American Male Mayor
The historic town of Upper Marlboro, the county seat of Prince George’s, elected Charles Colbert as the first African American male mayor and only the third Black mayor in the history of the town. With 115 votes, Colbert led the field of candidates in the Nov. 4 election. “In the 155 years since the town has been incorporated, we have only had six Black Councilmembers or commissioners. Three of us are currently serving. The only other Black male who was ever elected is serving as vice mayor, a position created this year. We had our first Black commissioners get elected in 2018, and I was the first Black man to get elected in 2022,” Colbert told The Informer. The father first decided to run for political office to ensure his family and neighbors had local development that would improve their quality of life. “One of the reasons I ran for a seat the first time, was there was a development outside of the town and it ended up being a Popeyes, right next to a Bojangles. I thought, ‘We
5 Commissioner Charles Colbert is the third African American and first Black male to serve as mayor of Upper Marlboro, the longtime county seat of Prince George’s. (Courtesy Photo/Office of Mayor Charles Colbert)
can and should have more options, amenities, and services,’” he said. “I wanted to make sure my daughter was proud of the community she grew up in.” On the commission, Colbert has worked to bring economic development and civic pride to Upper Marlboro. “We have done surveys to best guide our efforts in outreach with businesses and developers. There are now other areas of the county receiving resources to assist their economic development. We have been on the back burner for too long,” he continued. “Managing my skills in financial management and contract management will help me determine how to better market ourselves as a town and create an environment for potential businesses to understand that Upper Marlboro is a place to be.” The newly minted mayor also emphasized he is prioritizing the people as he works to strengthen
Upper Marlboro overall. “Anything that we do or propose has to have a resident feedback component. People who live in this town will be affected by everything we do and we need to ensure we aren’t working in a silo. We are the first level of responsiveness when it comes to government,” he said. Seat Pleasant Councilmember Shireka McCarthy, who currently serves as president of the Maryland Municipal League’s Black Caucus, emphasized Colbert’s election is important beyond Upper Marlboro’s history and future. “Im celebrating this moment as Black men have long been treated as something to fear and not someone to follow. A town with a sundown legacy has elected its first Black man as mayor and that matters deeply,” she told The Informer. “This is not just a win for one Black man, but for Black men everywhere." WI
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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
Councilmember Blegay Fills Prince George’s Council At-Large Seat
By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter
The Prince George’s County Council unanimously turned to one of their own— Councilmember Wala Blegay (D-District 6)— when looking to fill the at-large vacancy on the legislative body after former Councilmember Calvin Hawkins resigned Dec. 22. “I am grateful for the trust placed in me and excited to expand the work I have been doing in District 6 to serve residents across our entire county,” said Blegay shortly after the Dec. 29 appointment. “Thank you to my colleagues for the unanimous vote of confidence, and thank you to the residents of District 6 and Prince George’s county for the opportunity to serve.” Following a council session where 36 candidates stated their case and qualifications for the seat, Councilmember Edward Burroughs (DDistrict 8) put forward a motion to nominate Blegay. This motion was
unanimously accepted by the 10 members of the council, leaving a vacancy for the District 6 seat. Hawkins, who is working in the Braveboy administration, stepped down from his elected position after his wife was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. “She’s been with me through everything I’ve done. It’s time for me to reciprocate the support she’s given over the years,” said Hawkins in an interview with Lionel Donovan posted to Instagram. “I’m looking forward to more time with her, to being a better husband as a result of my new position.” Blegay thanked Hawkins for his years of service to the county, from his time working in the administration of former County Executive Rushern Baker, to his community work as an at-large council member. “Calvin has truly been the People’s Champ—always showing up, listening, and fighting for our communities with heart and integrity,” said Blegay. “Because of his leadership,
many residents felt seen, heard, and represented, and that legacy matters. I am grateful for the foundation he helped build and for the example he set in putting people first.” Alexis Solis, who filed for the atlarge vacancy and is also running for a congressional seat, congratulated Blegay following her appointment. “A big thank you to all 36 candidates who stepped up for the council at-large vacancy: our community is ready to move Prince George’s County forward,” said Solis in a social media statement. “Congratulations to Councilmember Wala on being selected as our council atlarge. I look forward to collaborating with you if elected to serve as Maryland’s 5th congressional district congresswoman, working together to strengthen our county and community.” WI
5 Councilmember Wala Blegay (right) is appointed to fill the at-large vacancy left following the resignation of former Councilmember Calvin Hawkins (left). (Courtesy Photo/Office of Councilmember Wala Blegay)
Sometimes You Don’t Jump, You Get Pushed Written by Alexander K. Austin, President & CEO
5 Councilmember Wala Blegay at her swearing in for an at-large Council seat on Jan. 5. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)
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As a new year begins, it’s easy to admire bold, carefully planned decisions. But real progress in business rarely waits for perfect timing. Markets move. Technology accelerates. Customer expectations shift. What worked yesterday no longer delivers today. And at that moment, leaders face a choice: hesitate or act. Sometimes you don’t jump. You get pushed. That push is not a setback. It’s a call to action. Pressure eliminates excuses. It sharpens focus. It forces decisions that should have been made sooner. The most meaningful growth doesn’t happen in comfort, it happens when action becomes unavoidable. Execution is where leadership shows up. Ideas without action stall. Plans without movement fade. Progress belongs to those who decide, move, and adjust in real time. History favors the builders who responded when conditions changed not the observers who waited for certainty. Momentum is created by motion. Confidence is built by doing. Do not resist the push right now, use it. Move faster. Cut what no longer works, invest where it matters and lead decisively. 2026 will reward those who act with urgency, adapt with discipline, and execute relentlessly.
JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026 13
BUSINESS Business Brief
Applications for the Neighborhood Planning Academy Open for Business Development Program Aims to Empower A ‘Healthier’ Prince George’s County
By WI Web Staff An opportunity to shape economic vitality has just opened up for residents, businesses, and stakeholders in Prince George’s County, Maryland, thanks to the spring launch of the Neighborhood Planning Academy. With applications open through Jan. 31, the free, seven-week
program – offered by the Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) – offers community-minded individuals the tools to scale visions from action into progress, particularly with a pulse on driving betterment in the area. “Past participants have introduced some amazing ideas and suggestions
to help improve our communities and elevate our county,” said Darryl Barnes, chairman of the M-NCPPC Prince George’s Planning Board in a press release. “I am excited about how the Neighborhood Planning Academy is transforming Prince George’s County, educating residents, and empowering community advocates.” From residents and business leaders, to municipalities and non-profit organizations, applicants will be selected from each council district to learn the essentials of urban planning, community engagement, and sustainable development. While leveraging a boost in confidence and the skills that aid planning and decision-making, the unique program acts as a guidepost to understand the intricacies of the development process and how to champion local causes – a benefit that exceeds the seven weeks of service. “This award-winning program helps to promote environmental sustainability, design excellence, and quality development, while encouraging healthy lifestyles in Prince George’s County neighborhoods,” said James Hunt, acting director of the M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Deparment. Beginning March 4, the spring session is set to run on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The April 15 finale will feature an in-per-
son graduation and capstone project presentations to highlight newly acquired skills and planning knowledge. For the growing pot of changemakers opting to shape Prince George’s, Hunt expressed both pride and anticipation. “We are proud of the 250 alum-
ni who are active in their communities,” Hunt said, “and look forward to welcoming the new cohort.” The first six sessions will be conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams. Applications are open through Jan. 31. WI
5 Darryl Barnes, chairman of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) Prince George’s Planning Board, says he anticipates a transformative future for the Maryland-based county due to the Neighborhood Planning Academy. Offered by the M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department, the free, seven-week cohort guides Prince Georgians with the skills to champion advocacy and development in their communities. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 03-2026 RAD CAPITAL NEEDS ASSESSMENTS (cnA) AND RADON TESTING The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) Office of Capital Planning and Development (OCP) requires licensed, qualified professionals to provide RAD Capital Needs Assessments (CNA) and Radon Testing. SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available Monday, December 15, 2025, full solicitation documents will be posted to our e-procurement system Housing Agency Marketplace at: https://ha.internationaleprocurement. com/requests.html?company_id=506 To access files respondents are required to Register on the Housing Agency Market Place platform. Respondents must log in to view this RFP for all related documents. It is the respondent’s responsibility to check the Housing Agency Market Place site regularly to stay current on all available documents as this is the primary communication site solicitation. PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Friday, January 9, 2026, at 12:00 PM Email Carl M. Edwards, VP Procurement and Contracting (OAS) at cmedwards@dchousing.org for additional information.
14 JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026
5 James Hunt, acting director of the M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department, is among those encouraging local businesses, residents and leaders alike to apply for the Neighborhood Planning Academy’s spring session before Jan. 31. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
BUSINESS
EMISSIONS from Page 4
million settlement holds Mercedes accountable for deceiving Maryland consumers and polluting the air our families breathe,” said Attorney General Anthony Brown. The settlement follows findings that Mercedes installed so-called defeat devices in diesel cars and vans sold between 2008 and 2016, according to D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. The District attorneys general explained the software allowed vehicles to pass emissions tests while emitting significantly higher levels of pollution during everyday driving. Regulators allege the company concealed the devices and the true pollution levels from consumers and government agencies, enabling the vehicles to release nitrogen oxides far above legal limits, a pollutant linked to respiratory illness and smog. As part of the agreement, Mercedes will pay $120 million immediately to participating states and jurisdictions, including $250,000 to the District of Columbia. An additional $29.6 million will be suspended and may be waived if the company completes a comprehensive consumer relief program. Impacted vehicle owners who install approved emissions modification software will receive $2,000 in restitution, along with extended warranties. Mercedes is also required to repair tens of thousands of vehicles that remain on U.S. roads so they comply with emissions standards going forward. District officials said the conduct violated local consumer protection laws by misleading regulators to obtain certifications, concealing noncompliance with emissions standards, and marketing diesel vehicles as environmentally friendly despite their real-world pollution levels. The settlement also imposes reporting requirements and bars Mercedes from future deceptive marketing or misrepresentations related to diesel emissions. Brown said Maryland will receive more than $6.7 million from this recovery. “These companies used illegal devices to cheat emissions tests while marketing their diesel vehicles as environmentally friendly,” he said. “This settlement holds them accountable, delivers relief to consumers, and helps protect the health of Marylanders and our environment.” The case was led by attorneys general from Alabama, Connecticut, Dela-
“My office will not allow companies to profit by cheating the system, lying to consumers, or polluting our environment.” Brian Schwalb D.C. Attorney General
ware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Texas, with the District of Columbia and more than 40 other states and territories joining the agreement. Officials said the resolution follows earlier multistate settlements involving Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler, and Robert Bosch GmbH over similar emissions-cheating schemes that collectively resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties. The environmental impact is major locally and nationwide. “This settlement marks a significant victory for public health and clean air in Maryland,” said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. “This action holds the companies accountable for their use of ‘defeat devices,’ ensures vehicles are repaired to meet our state’s air quality standards, and secures millions of dollars to advance environmental protection.” Schwalb and Brown said the outcome sends a clear signal to corporations operating in the nation’s capital, Maryland and beyond. “My office will not allow companies to profit by cheating the system, lying to consumers, or polluting our environment,” Schwalb said. Brown emphasized the larger message from the lawsuit. “This significant outcome demonstrates that no corporation—no matter how powerful—is above the law when it comes to protecting our environment and our consumers.” WI
Faith as the First Estate Plan: Why Vision Must Come Before Documents By Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. Before there are documents, there must be vision. When people sit across from me to begin estate planning, they often come prepared with a list of things they believe they need—a will, a trust, powers of attorney, beneficiary designations. And they are not wrong. Those tools matter. I draft them every day. But what I have learned over years of practice is this: if we start with documents instead of vision, we often miss the point of planning altogether. Estate planning is not primarily a legal exercise. It is a leadership exercise. It requires us to step back and ask harder questions than the law alone can answer. What are you building? Who is this meant to serve? What do you want your family to understand—not just inherit—when you are no longer here to explain it yourself? In our community, vision has always come first. Long before many Black families had access to lawyers, courts, or financial institutions, we planned with intention. We acquired land so families could stay rooted. We built businesses so children could have opportunity. We created churches, schools, and mutual aid systems because survival—and dignity—required structure. Faith shaped the vision. The structure followed. Estate planning today is simply the modern extension of that same wisdom. This is why I often say that faith is the first estate plan. Faith grounds us in purpose. It forces clarity. It asks us to name our values before we assign beneficiaries. Without that clarity, even well-drafted plans can create confusion, conflict, or unintended harm. I have seen families inherit significant assets and still fracture because no one ever articulated the “why” behind what was built. When we start with vision, estate planning becomes something entirely different. Trusts are no longer just vehicles for distribution; they are instructions for stewardship. Fiduciaries are chosen not simply because they are available, but because they are capable, ethical, and aligned with the family’s values. Heirs are prepared intentionally, rather than left to navigate responsibility in moments of grief or crisis. Vision provides direction. The law simply gives it structure. Starting with vision also reframes estate planning away from fear. Many people avoid planning because they associate it with death or loss. But in my experience, thoughtful planning is one of the most loving acts a person can offer their family. It says, I cared enough to give you clarity. I cared enough to reduce your burden. I cared enough to plan ahead. This is especially true for business owners. Businesses in our community are rarely just income-producing assets. They represent sacrifice, resilience, and firsts—first ownership, first stability, first independence. Without a clear vision, those businesses often disappear within a generation. Vision allows business owners to decide—while they are living—whether a business should be preserved, transitioned, sold, or used to create the next chapter of the family’s legacy. Estate planning is not about control. It is about continuity. It is about protecting relationships alongside resources. And it works best when it begins where legacy always begins. Before the documents. Before the signatures. Before the strategies. Start with the vision. Let faith shape it. Let values define it. Then build the legal structure strong of keeping our enough to carry it forward for generations to come.
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community informed!
www.washingtoninformer.com Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. Life and Legacy Counselors 1401 Mercantile Lane, Ste 271, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW Ste 440 Washington, DC 20015 1100 N. Glebe Road, Ste 1010, Arlington, VA 22201 www.yourestateplanningattorney.com (855) 574-8481 connects all locations
JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026 15
NATIONAL USPS Postmark Change Raises New Risks for Voters and Patients By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer A quiet clarification by the United States Postal Service (USPS) is drawing renewed scrutiny after health care advocates and voting rights observers warned that the change could carry serious consequences for millions of Americans who rely on postmarks to meet legal deadlines. Under new USPS guidance that took effect late last month, the date printed on a postmark no longer reflects when a letter or ballot is dropped into a mailbox. Instead, the postmark now reflects the date the mail is first processed at an automated sorting facility, which can occur days after the item is mailed. The Postal Service says the change is intended to clarify how postmarks are applied, particularly as transportation schedules and regional processing systems evolve. For voters in states that count mail-in ballots based on postmark deadlines, and for patients navigating appeals, authorizations, and Medicare paperwork, the distinction is anything but academic. “In recognition of the importance that the election laws in some states place on postmarks, it has been the longstanding policy of the Postal Service to try to ensure that every return ballot mailed by voters receives a postmark, whether the return ballot is mailed with postage pre-paid by election officials or with a stamp affixed by the voter,” officials wrote in a release. “A voter can ensure that a postmark is applied to his or her return ballot by visiting a Postal Service retail office and requesting a postmark from a retail associate when dropping off the ballot.”
16 JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026
The issue gained wider attention after a detailed explanation circulated to millions of viewers on social media from Dr. Cambria J. Nwosu, a health care advocate who outlined how the rule shift moves risk away from institutions and onto individuals. “The postmark rule changed quietly and it affects voting and health care. Let me explain what just happened at USPS because this is not minor and it's not theoretical,” Nwosu posted on Instagram. “So as of this week, the United States Postal Service clarified that a postmark date is no longer tied to when you drop your mail off. It's tied to when that mail is first processed by an automated facility.” As the user explained, a letter placed in a mailbox on Monday may not reach a sorting center until Wednesday, making that day the official postmark. For ballots and legal filings governed by strict deadlines, that delay can mean rejection despite timely mailing. “Many states say a mail-in ballot counts if it's postmarked by election day,” the user said. “Under this rule, you can mail your ballot before election day and still have it postmarked after. So that's not voter fraud, that's logistics quietly overruling intent.” USPS guidance confirms that most postmarks are now applied at large processing plants rather than local post offices, and that mail may sit before receiving a postmark due to updated transportation schedules. The agency recommends that customers with deadline-sensitive mail bring items directly to a post office counter and request a manual local postmark. Health care advocates say the implications extend far beyond election.
“Health care runs on mail deadlines, appeals, prior authorizations, Medicare notices, prescription paperwork,” the user said. “If an appeal has to be postmarked by a certain date and USPS processes days later, it looks late. So late appeals get denied. Denied appeals delay care.” Nwosu said the shift places the burden squarely on individuals navigating already complex systems. “In nursing and health care advocacy, timing is everything,” Nwosu said. “And this rule shifts the risk from the institution back to the patient. The system didn't get faster, the rules just got tighter.” She emphasized how voters should proceed when mailing in ballots. “So if you're mailing anything time-sensitive now, ballots or health care documents, dropping it in a box is not enough,” Nwosu said. “Go inside the post office for deadline mail. Ask for a manual postmark or receipt. Use certified mail for appeals and legal documents and do not rely on blue mailboxes for last week’s deadlines. So, this isn't panic, it’s adjustment.” WI
5 Under new USPS guidance that took effect late last month, the date printed on a postmark no longer reflects when a letter or mail-in ballot is dropped into a mailbox. Instead, the postmark now reflects the date the mail is first processed at an automated sorting facility (Courtesy Photo)
‘I Lived the Worst Day of My Life on National TV’ Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn Reflects on January 6 By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer On the fifth anniversary of January 6, a date now fixed in the American conscience, former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn returned to the moment that altered his life and the nation’s course. Appearing on Black Press USA’s “Let It Be Known,” Dunn spoke about the unforgettable day that’s shaped by time, pain, and resolve, revisiting what he has called the worst day of his life. Dunn joined the United States Capitol Police in 2008 and has served as a Private First Class since 2011. His career placed him on duty for presidential inaugurations, joint sessions of Congress, State of the Union addresses, and hundreds of peaceful protests. As a Crisis Intervention Officer on the USCP Crisis Negotiation Team, he was trained for hostage situations, barricades, and mental health emergencies. However, he said, none of that train-
ing prepared him for January 6, 2021. “I lived the worst day of my life on national TV,” Dunn said. Five years later, Dunn shared something that has taken a while to say. “I’ve healed from that trauma,” he said, referring to his personal wounds from that day. The healing, which he made clear, did not mean forgetting. Dunn said it is possible to recover personally while remaining troubled by what continues to unfold in the country. “As we look around at the things that are going on,” he said, “it’s hard to be okay with everything. If you’re okay right now, I feel like you’re kind of like a callous soul.” Remembering the Fateful Day, The Scars that Still Sting Dunn recalled how rioters filmed themselves, how juries later watched those same videos in court, and how the attackers felt emboldened. He said they told officers repeatedly that the president had sent them. “They were telling us, ‘The president
said we could,’” Dunn said. He addressed comparisons often drawn between January 6 and Black Lives Matter protests. Dunn said Black Lives Matter demonstrators came to the Capitol, protested, shouted, and left. “They didn’t storm the Capitol,” he said. “Every single person went home that night. I can’t say the same thing about January 6.” He spoke of officers who died and of others who later took their own lives. He said attempts to equate the events ignore those losses. In 2023, he was honored by former President Joe Biden for his heroism. During the event, Biden shared words on behalf of Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who was undergoing cancer treatment, lauding his bravery. “‘Officer Harry Dunn acted with remarkable courage and valor to defend both our institutions and our people,’” Biden said, quoting Raskin. “He went on to say, ‘Generations to
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DUNN from Page 16 come will think of him and these officers and thank them for their service.’” After watching what’s unfolded since then, Dunn said January 6 laid the groundwork for what is happening today— from threats against other nations to the erosion of democratic norms. He said Americans were warned in advance. “He told us what he was going to do,” Dunn said. “And when he did it, people acted surprised.” Dunn said he was also not shocked when President Donald Trump pardoned those who stormed the Capitol last January. “I knew it was coming,” Dunn said. “So, I had time to prepare.” Preparation meant action. Dunn said he worked as a surrogate for former Vice President Kamala Harris during the Harris–Walz campaign, trying to stop Trump’s return to office. When that effort failed, he said the pain was not sudden. It was familiar. “The wounds were already there,” Dunn said. “I just had
time to brace for it.” The cost, he said, remains deeply personal. Dunn described election night as feeling like a knife through his heart, saying it was difficult to accept that many voters returned to power a man he holds responsible for one of the darkest days in U.S. history. Dunn rejected calls to move on from January 6, saying the record remains unsettled. “History bends toward distortion when accountability is denied,” he said. “A hundred years from now, somebody is going to read about January 6 and read that he was elected again and ask, ‘How could that happen?’” Working Toward Change Over the years, Dunn has been lauded for his bravery and continued freedom fighting since the fateful day in 2021. “I was proud to stand beside Officers Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges to lift up their stories from January 6, when they were beaten and assaulted by a mob incited by Donald Trump,” Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) said in a statement last January. “Trump can
try to whitewash what happened that day, but these brave officers are constant reminders of his betrayal of law enforcement and America.” Although Dunn noted January 6 made him known to much of the world, it did not define the limits of his responsibility. He said he remains focused on what he can change and where his voice still matters. Dunn also discussed his New York Times bestselling memoir, “Standing My Ground: A Capitol Police Officer's Fight for Accountability and Good Trouble After January 6th,” which he said was part of his healing. “Where does it end?” Dunn said. “The story is still being written. You can add to it, but you can’t take away from it.” The Capitol officer turned author said he continues to receive hateful messages and death threats, including in recent weeks. He said he takes precautions, leans on his community, and keeps showing up. “That means I’m doing something right,” he said. Now, he speaks across the country about resilience, reject-
NATIONAL
5 Five years later, former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn says he still remembers January 6, 2021, when a large violent group stormed the Capitol. (WI File Photo)
ing easy assurances. “I don’t know if it’s going to be okay,” Dunn said. “But I do know if we don’t fight, if we don’t show up, they’re going to steamroll us.”
He paused, then offered what he could promise. “If we show up,” Dunn continued, “we give ourselves a fighting chance.” WI
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The Bigger Picture about Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s Capture Pan-African Organizers Decry Misinformation, Trump Administration’s Thirst of Oil
It’s All About the Oil and Minerals
By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Staff Writer U.S. military personnel acting under the direction of President Donald J. Trump recently kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, all as part of what Pan-African organizers, diplomats, and others describe as a ploy to siphon oil from the South American nation. As Fravia V. Marquez Silva, a representative of Venezuela’s Afrodescendent community, explained, the Trump administration took a similar course of action in 2021 when— in collaboration with the Cape Verdean government— they defied the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and extradited a detained Venezuelan official to the U.S. “Trump…just kidnapped…one of our diplomats…in Cape Verde, Mr. Alex Saab and kept [him] hostage,” Marquez Silva said as she took participants of a December press conference hosted by the Shirley Graham Dubois and William Worthy Collective down memory lane. “He was mobilizing ships to the coast of Cape Verde and trying to gather the countries in Latin America through the Lima Group… to isolate Venezuela and try to attack from Colombia.” In speaking about the Trump administration’s multifaceted encroachment on Venezuela, Marquez Silva pointed out that the president took an unconstitutional, authoritarian approach. “This was exposed also in the New York Times in an article,” Marquez Silva said. “Congress got interested in what was going on and we were able to try to stop through Congress [the] attempt to invade Venezuela. This is not new.” On the afternoon of Dec. 5, Marquez Silva, executive director of Afro-Cumbe (International Summit for Anti-imperialist Africans and Afrodescendents), appeared alongside Venezuelan Ambassador Jesus “Chucho” Garcia, Dr. ChenziRa Davis Kahina of the Caribbean Pan-African Network, journalist-educator-organizer Obi Egbuna, Jr. and the Mass Emphasis Children’s Choir during an event organized
5 Hundreds of protesters converge on the White House on Jan. 3, hours after President Donald J. Trump approved the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. (Courtesy Photo/ Chuck Modi)
in anticipation of what would eventually become a U.S. military strike against Venezuela. By the time of the press conference, Venezuela had been bolstering its civilian military program. Marquez Silva said the arming and training of commonfolk happened amid the Trump administration’s designation of Venezuela as a narcostate and the U.S.’ military’s extrajudicial bombing of ships in the Caribbean Sea under Operation Southern Spear. For Marquez Silva, nothing about ELN, or the state of affairs in Venezuela, could be further from the truth, especially when such information comes from the U.S., a nation she described as hostile to Venezuela and other nations that are practicing self-determination. “They started saying we had connections to rebels, while we were trying to organize peace talks to achieve… peace in Colombia with the FARC, with the ELN movement, since [Venezuelan] President [Hugo] Chavez was alive,” Marquez Silva said. “They were portraying these actions as actions of terrorism or financing terrorist groups like Hezbollah. So now is the moment they are bringing all together this narrative, and they are just doing executions…of citizens, not only Venezuelan citizens, but citizens from other countries that are out there just fishing in their boats, and they are portraying this as illegal activities.
U.S. air and naval forces captured Maduro and his wife on the early morning of Jan. 3 during a two-hour operation that involved 150 aircraft bombers and fighters along with: CIA, National Security Administration, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. At 4:21 a.m. EST, Trump, who didn’t notify Congress beforehand, announced the capture on Truth Social. Hours later, as clouds of smoke cleared from Caracas and other parts of Venezuela, he took to a podium and delved further into the military operation that dominated headlines. “This was one of the most stunning, effective, and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history,” Trump said. “And if you think about it, we've done some other good ones like the attack on [Iranian military officer Qasem] Soleimani, the attack on [the Islamic State’s Abu Bakr] al-Baghdadi, and the obliteration and decimation of the Iran nuclear sites just recently in an operation known as Midnight Hammer.” For months, U.S. intelligence officials collected information about Maduro’s residence, travels, eating habits, and other aspects of his life. Per the White House, Trump gave the go-ahead for the bombing and kidnapping on Friday night. Hours later, aircrafts from nearly two dozen U.S. bases flew across the Western Hemisphere into Venezuelan airspace. During a Fox & Friends phone interview, Trump said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, unsuccessfully attempted to escape when Maduro was unable to close the door to a steel safety room. They immediately surrendered thereafter. “All perfectly executed and done. No nation in the world could achieve what America achieved yesterday or, frankly, in just a short period of time,” Trump later said during his Saturday press conference, flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. WI
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Maximizing Your Bank Branch Experience Sponsored by JPMorganChase In a world of online tools that let you make banking transactions with the touch of a button, the idea of visiting a branch might seem unnecessary. However, if you haven’t visited your local branch recently, you might be surprised by what it has to offer. Your branch is much more than a place to deposit and withdraw money – it can offer the opportunity to build valuable relationships with people who can help you achieve financial independence. Diedra Porché, Head of Community and Business Development at Chase, talks about how the bank model has evolved to maximize the branch experience for customers; how connecting with your local branch team can help you think differently about money and investing for your future. Q: How can a customer feel connected to a bank branch? I love that question because we ask ourselves the same thing every day. Being part of the community means meeting with local leaders to find out what they need from us and then designing our branches around that. For example, at some of our community branches we have what we call a living room where we can host financial workshops, small business pop-up shops or nonprofit organization meetings. We also hire locally. You feel much more
connected talking about financial aspirations with people from your community who went to the same high school, place of worship or maybe frequented the same recreation center down the street when they grew up. Q: How can I build a relationship with my bank? Customers should feel comfortable sharing their goals, needs and wants with their banker. Also, it helps to remember the Community Manager is there to help solve your finance challenges and build a roadmap for success. You might have a short-term or long-term goal to open a business, build your credit, become debt-free, buy a home, or save for retirement, and our community team can help. At Chase, we strive to make dreams possible for everyone, everywhere, every day. Your financial future starts with building those relationships. Q: How can customers change negative perceptions they have about managing their money? Far too often, customers are intimidated when they visit a bank. Our goal is to demystify banking and money myths empowering people to make the right decisions. For example, a big myth is assuming you need a lot of money to have a bank account. You don’t! Another myth is you need to carry a balance on your credit card to build credit -- actively using your credit card can demonstrate that you can use credit responsibly, but carrying a balance won’t necessarily improve your credit score. Finally, having an understanding of mobile
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HEALTH Washingtonians ‘Run Through the Tape’ at 12th Annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K Thousands flocked to the Navy Yard side of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Southeast for the 12th Annual FITDC Fresh Start 5K hosted by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the District of Department Parks and Recreation (DPR). Encouraging participants to “run through the tape,” Bowser said the event “is a way to start the New Year with purpose and surrounded by friends and community.” “This is a tradition that started when I was mayor-elect,” she said in a statement, “and in 2026 it will symbolize my commitment to
D.C. residents to run through the tape and finish strong.” Sponsored by Aetna, the free, family-friendly event kicked off at 11 a.m., was open to people of all ages and abilities, and included a Kids Dash and a pre-race festival with refreshments, music, and vendor booths. “The beauty is in the beginning and the Fresh Start 5K reminds us that every Jan. 1 we get a chance to hit reset and start again,” said DPR Director Thennie Freeman. “It’s about fitness, family, community, fun and showing up for ourselves. I can’t wait to start the year with you at the starting line.” WI
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How Climate Change is Transforming Winter Weather
Scientists Worry About Warmer Winters, Call for Adequately Funded Research Resources By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer Climate change caused by human activity has increased the Earth’s temperature, especially in the Arctic, which has experienced its 10 warmest years in the last decade. With a warmer planet comes milder winters, cold air outbreaks and more intense storms in the U.S., leaving scientists concerned about an increasingly unstable climate system as research resources dwindle. “The Trump administration has been sabotaging our weather and climate prediction infrastructure and our research infrastructure, so we can't do the research that is needed to understand how these cold air outbreaks and extreme weather events in the wintertime are changing due to climate change,” Marc Alessi, an atmospheric scientist and fellow with the Union of Concerned Scientists, told The Informer. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Global Climate Report, November 2025 was the third-warmest since the agency began recording global temperatures in 1850, reaching a global surface temperature 2.12°F above the 20-year baseline. The report also noted that the Arctic, which is warming faster than any other area on the planet, experienced a topfive warm November. Further, the region’s sea ice coverage was recorded to be 530,000 square miles below average, the second-smallest November extent in the 47-year record. As layers of ice dwindle, open waters absorb heat that would usually be reflected by the ice. This loss of cover af-
3 Snow falls in Silver Spring, Maryland in January 2022. While a warmer winter season might seem like a pleasant treat for some, higher temperatures during the year’s colder months could be detrimental to the climate, potentially causing stronger storms due to warmer oceans and less water availability due to declining snowpack. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)
fects the rest of the globe, as its presence usually regulates the Earth’s climate and impacts weather patterns. "Our polar oceans are undergoing massive disruptions that will change these environments at a very basic level, from corrosive waters to slowdown of ocean currents that will last hundreds or thousands of years,” said Dr. Helen Findlay of the UK’s Plymouth Marine Laboratories, following the release of the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative’s (ICCI) 2025 State of the Cryosphere Report.
The Greenhouse Gas Emissions to Stronger Storms Pipeline
The ICCI’s report raises concerns regarding increased cryosphere melt and ocean acidification caused by excessive carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Accelerated loss and damage to Arctic oceans could prompt sea-level rise and cause difficulty in trying to adapt to the changes, paving the way for unpredictable inclement weather, as seen with Hurricane Melissa’s alarming intensity in October 2025. According to the NOAA, oceans have reached above-average heat contents since the mid-1990s, with 90% of the world’s excess heat being trapped in the Earth’s system due to global warming from human activities being absorbed by the ocean. “These changes have huge consequences for the rest of the planet,” Findlay said. “Halting CO2 emissions is the only way to stop this." WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
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JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026 21
EDUCATION WARD 8 from Page 1 other wards. Amid D.C. Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) proposed changes to school-based behavioral health programming, Ward 8 Education Council Chair Mike Grier said that he and his colleagues are also demanding investments that bolster students’ socioemotional wellbeing. “Those are the areas that [are] priorities with the budget because those are things that the principals have shared that are their biggest concerns,” said Grier, a middle school teacher, “especially the social-emotional learning piece, where … the budget is not allowing them to have social workers, counselors, and technicians to service the amount of cases that are needed.” The Fiscal Year 2026 budget that the D.C. Council approved last year included a provision tasking DBH with submitting a comprehensive improvement plan to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the council. That plan, which Bowser sent to the council by late October, sparked controversy with a “flexible” model that, instead of installing one clinician at each public and public charter school, provides either: one clinician serving two schools part time; clinicians and prevention specialists serving several schools; and a telehealth model for high schoolers and adult learners. The comprehensive improvement plan also mentions a phasing out of a hybrid model through which DBH has long doled out grants to community-based organizations (CBOs) serving students at District public and public charter schools. Since October, the Ward 8 Education Council has conducted community outreach, which coalesced into a pre-winter break meeting where Ward 8 public and public charter school principals expressed their grievances about DBH’s proposal. Grier alluded to ongoing collection of qualitative and quantitative data that will inform a soon-to-be crafted letter addressed to the D.C. Council. That letter, he said, will not only delve into socioemotional learning concerns, but
22 JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026
the burden placed on Ward 8 public schools when mid-year public charter school transfers don’t bring the public dollars needed to fulfill their IEPs and 504 plans. “They had to restructure, regroup, and pull out things that they were not able to do in the school year,” Grier told The Informer about a Ward 8 public school currently facing this dilemma. “We're almost in the middle of the year. Schools are saying that they want more collaboration in cases… when a charter school wants to put students out, especially after they have gotten the funding for that job.”
The Comprehensive Improvement Plan That’s Sparking Fury
DBH’s comprehensive improvement plan is subject to a Fiscal Year 2027 budget deliberation process scheduled to kick off in a few weeks during performance oversight hearings. In its letter, agency leaders said the plan, intended to provide services based on the specific needs of each public and public charter school, came together after consultation with its coordinating council, CBOs, agency partners, and school representatives. Other factors that influenced the comprehensive improvement plan included a review of DBH and CBO clinicians’ ability to meet performance benchmarks. Last summer, DBH completed an environmental scan that assessed the behavioral health services in each school and identified service gaps. They also analyzed data collected from mid-year and end-of-year principals surveys. Last fall, in her testimony before the D.C. Council’s Committee on Health, DBH Director Dr. Barbara J. Bazron spoke about the hurdles her agency has faced in actualizing a plan conceptualized during Vincent C. Gray’s mayoralty. She said pandemic-related workforce challenges and CBOs’ limited success in helping students necessitates a shift scheduled to take place until the end of the 2027-2028 school year. “Achieving these milestones over the
5 Amid D.C. Department of Behavioral Health’s proposed changes to school-based behavioral health programming, the Ward 8 Education Council is demanding investments that bolster students’ socioemotional wellbeing. (Courtesy Photo)
next 18 months, DBH will ensure a smooth implementation of the revised service delivery model while phasing-in services within DBH, and expanding access to behavioral health supports,” Bazron told the council’s Committee on Health during a Nov. 5 roundtable. “This structured, phased approach not only lays the groundwork for enhanced services, but also provides a new framework to support the behavioral health needs of our youth in public schools.” As outlined in the comprehensive improvement plan, DBH determined that most CBO clinicians, in comparison to DBH personnel, fell short in meeting benchmarks and providing services mandated in grant agreements. Agency leaders also said that CBO clinicians experienced difficulty in billing for treatment services. Other findings centered on a mental health infrastructure overwhelmed by an influx of students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans. Several CBOs, however, say there’s more to the picture, in terms of the services they provide District students, and the manner in which DBH measured programmatic effectiveness. In her testimony before the council’s Committee on Health, Candace Besmen, director of Hillcrest Children and Family Center’s school-based mental health program, questioned the performance metrics that DBH used to justify the removal of CBOs.
“These metrics do not reflect the reality of the guidance CBOs have received for years,” Besmen told committee members. “We were explicitly told by DBH not to prioritize Tier 3 caseloads, but to focus on Tier 1 and Tier 2 support, despite CBOs needing a robust Tier 3 caseload to compensate for not being fully funded by the grant. When the directives shifted last summer, CBOs were critically questioned as to why their clinicians did not have full Tier 3 caseloads like DBH clinicians did.” The shift to DBH clinicians, Besmen said, threatens years of progress made by CBOs. “Most CBO clinicians have been in their respective schools a small fraction of the time that DBH clinicians have,” Besman told council committee members. “It takes years to build the trusting relationship required to support a robust referral system and I believe that we finally have the staffing to support this if our program can continue in its current capacity.” Hillcrest Children and Family Center is the only DBH grant recipient that provides trauma-systems therapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Besmen, the first clinician hired by the CBO under the agency's school-based behavioral health expansion grant, facilitates psychiatric evaluations, medication management and an adolescent substance use disorder
program. “Our work extends beyond individual students,” Besman said. “It is common for us to enroll parents or caregivers once a student enters services—allowing us to address trauma at the family level and improve longterm outcomes for entire households. This whole-family model is something only a CBO—with deep ties to the community and a broad service array—can provide.” Grace Birth, a licensed graduate social worker at Catholic Charities, told the council’s Committee on Health about the leaps and bounds she’s made with elementary school students, including those suffering from ADHD and PTSD exacerbated by community violence. Her strategies include: individual sessions, family sessions, consulting teachers on students’ well-being, and promoting mental wellness among staff members. “In joining my school, I was able to transition multiple students without IEPs or 504s onto my caseload,” Birth said on Nov. 5. “Doing so allowed the mental health professionals in my school to more effectively provide services for students with disabilities, as they were no longer supporting the students in the same capacity.” That’s why for Birth, DBH’s removal of CBOs could cause a domino
WARD 8 Page 23
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WARD 8 from Page 22 effect unlike that which students and families won’t be able to handle. “School-based therapists are needed everywhere, as our presence allows for streamlined service delivery and targeted interventions both for kids on and off of our caseload,” Birth said. “Without this program and its current scope, the children in our community will be negatively impacted.”
CBOs Deserve a Fair Shake, Say an Advocate and Councilmember
Data compiled by DC Action’s Youth Economic Justice Coalition showed that, in the District’s behavioral health pipeline, 32% of 225 District public and public charter schools lacked access to a licensed mental health provider, while nearly half needed a full-time clinician. That’s why for Kawanza Billy, a youth advocate and Ward 8 Education Council member, the removal of CBOs from schools could prove catastrophic. In the aftermath of DBH’s proposal, Billy counts among those searching for answers. “Providers are trying to figure out what this means for community-based organizations,” Billy said. “They’re left with more questions than anything about what this means for the ecosystem of young people and mental health. There’s an understanding that there’s an issue with career pathways but while mitigating that, I don't think the best answer is taking away schoolbased mental health.” At the height of the pandemic, students affiliated with Black Swan Academy and other organizations pressed District leaders to dedicate funds toward school-based behavioral health services. This happened amid an uptick in on-campus melees and youth criminal activity. In response to a clinician shortage, the D.C. Council explored several strategies, including a DBH-funded peer mentoring program that allows CBOs to recruit, train and supervise peer educators in Ward 5,7 and 8 schools. Billy said that CBOs fulfill needs that DBH won’t be able to handle on its own. Without these organizations, school leaders will be left to their own devices, she told The Informer. “Principals will have to go to their budgets to see how they can support and fill in the gaps,” Billy said. “Teachers may experience in real time what it
EDUCATION
means to have multiple young people having health challenges. It’s gonna be chaotic not having that support on site or having to share a [full-time employee] at multiple sites.” These problems, Billy said, will most likely spill over into other aspects of the academic experience. “I can see attendance being affected by lack of mental health support,” she explained. For D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson (I-At large), such circumstances demand that DBH thoroughly examines the school-based behavioral health landscape before making such a consequential overhaul of the system. She said DBH has fallen short in doing so. “There had been an environmental
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“Both DCPS and charter schools [are] hiring school psychologists, social workers, therapists, a whole amalgamation of people.”
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Christina Henderson (I-At large) D.C. Councilmember I,
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scan that we had been asking them to do for months, which is to say, the clinicians that came from DBH are not the only behavioral health clinicians in D.C. public schools or charter schools,” Henderson said about the shared responsibility between DBH and CBOs. “Both DCPS and charter schools [are] hiring school psychologists, social workers, therapists, a whole amalgamation of people,” she continued. “If you…asked DBH to give…a list of how many social workers are working at Henley Elementary, or how many school psychologists are working at Henley Elementary, you wouldn't have…information on that. We kind of felt…that’s kind of important before you start deploying additional resources.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
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A Dangerous Precedent: Venezuela’s Leader Removed
EDITORIAL
But At What Cost?
In the early hours of Jan. 3, the world watched history unfold: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by U.S. military forces during a dramatic raid and transported to U.S. soil to face criminal charges. President Donald Trump publicly announced the operation and declared that the United States would assume control of Venezuela until a transition is achieved. For those who have long criticized Maduro’s authoritarian rule, economic mismanagement, and alleged involvement in illicit trafficking, news of his removal may seem like a triumph. But the manner in which it occurred — a unilateral military action without express congressional authorization — raises profound questions
about democratic norms at home and abroad. The United States is founded on principles of legality, the consent of the governed, and separation of powers. By bypassing Congress through a direct assault and the removal of a foreign head of state, the executive branch has set a precedent that critics argue could be exploited by other leaders. If such actions can be justified without legislative oversight on the grounds of alleged criminality or geopolitical strategy, what prevents another power from employing the same logic tomorrow? Consider Russia: could the Kremlin now point to this operation to claim a moral justification for unilaterally removing Ukraine’s elected president Volodymyr Zelensky, or for interven-
ing in other sovereign states under similar pretexts? And might other regions, from Africa to the Middle East, watch nervously as external powers take military action in neighboring countries without broad international authorization? Also, consider Iran: Trump has warned that the U.S. is “locked and loaded” if Iran kills peaceful protesters. Some will argue that Maduro’s removal was long overdue. But exporting democracy by force — particularly without broad domestic or international consent — undermines the very rule of law the U.S. claims to uphold. This moment demands not just celebration or condemnation, but sober reflection on the consequences of setting such a powerful and dangerous precedent. WI
Five Years after the Capitol Attack, Efforts to Whitewash History Continue Five years ago, on January 6, 2021, a mob of disgruntled Americans took up arms and yielded to mob mentality with the U.S. Capitol and selected members of Congress as their targets. Their rationale, which has since been debunked: the presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump was “fixed” and that victory had been stolen from the Republican candidate, Trump. Violence, destruction, and death would follow as many Americans and the world looked on in utter disbelief. Recently, just a few days before the fifth anniversary of the Capitol attack— also called riot or insurrection, depending on perspective— House Judiciary Democrats released two reports detailing the diverging paths of perpetrators and defenders of democracy. The materials were released to counter attempts to rewrite history, focusing on the actions of those involved and the consequences of the insurrection. Investigations and political discourse surrounding the events of that day remain active. But if some Americans had their way, they would delete all videos, written reports, and blot out all of our memories related
to that unprecedented day. But consider the observation of the noted philosopher George Santayana, who stated in his 1905 book, ‘The Life of Reason,’ these immortal words: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Both the Irish philosopher Edmund Burke and Sir Winston Churchill, former prime minister of the United Kingdom, espoused a similar view, which, stated alternatively, means it is essential that we recognize our past errors to avoid repeating them and that memory is key to progress. What will we tell our children or grandchildren about January 6 in years to come? Whose “truth” will survive? For illustrative purposes, read two reports released by the House Judiciary Committee. The first, “Where Are They Now: The Perpetrators of January 6th and the Defenders of Democracy Who Stopped Them,” examines the plans and actions of those who heeded the advice to “stop the steal,” as well as those Americans who blocked the attempted coup – some of whom paid for their ef-
forts with their lives. A second report, “One Year Later: Assessing the Public Safety Implications of President Trump’s Mass Pardons of 1,600 January 6 Rioters and Insurrectionists,” considers the public safety consequences of the president’s sweeping pardons of January 6 rioters, including the hundreds who attacked and beat police officers with baseball bats, Confederate and American flagpoles, metal pipes, and bear spray. The fifth anniversary of the insurrection has come and gone. For the most part, the news was dominated by the U.S. invasion of Venezuela and the capture of its president. Nonetheless, in the inspiration of the Ghanaian concept of Sankofa, it is important to remember and reflect on the past in order to prepare fo a better future. Hopefully, even as a footnote, someone will be honest and brave enough to review what happened five years ago at the U.S. Capitol, because acting as if it never happened is tantamount to opening the curtain for a repeat performance. WI
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TO THE EDITOR “I am so happy to see you all working to uplift our community. It is so important to stay well informed.” - Curtis Lamar Meadows (In reference to the article: “Isaac Hayes III’s Fanbase Emerges as a Creative Haven in a Sea of Misinformation.”) “[Richard Smallwood] was one of my favorite artists. I loved all his songs.” -Nettie Edwards (In reference to the article: “People Remember Gospel Legend Richard Smallwood After Death at 77.”)
What will we tell our children or grandchildren about January 6 in years to come? Whose “truth” will survive?
JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026 25
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnists
Kevin Harris and Richard McDaniel
Democrats Can't Win In 2026 on Trump Resistance Alone
Democrats ended 2025 with important victories that steadied a rattled party still reeling from Donald Trump's return to power. Yet even after those wins, Democratic approval ratings remain stubbornly low. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found only 18% of voters approve of the way congressional Democrats are handling their jobs. A record low of 73% dis-
approve. In stark contrast, congressional Republicans have a 35% approval rating while 58% disapprove. Democrats are even under water within our own party. The same poll found only 42% of Democrats approve of congressional Democrats with 48% disapproving. Among Republicans, 77% approve of their own party in Congress. This data indicates Democrats will need to do more than run against Trump if we want to win in 2026. To keep the momentum going, Demo-
Guest Columnist
crats will have to show working-class voters we also know how to govern in the places where we currently hold power. That starts with recognizing a hard truth: being anti-Trump is not a governing agenda. It can mobilize a base, raise money and win a news cycle. It cannot, by itself, lower grocery bills, stabilize rents or make health care more affordable. Democrats must understand that while many working-class voters are exhausted by Trump, they are equally frustrated with a political system that
seems incapable of improving daily life. The working class wants to see relief they can feel as sharply as the rising costs that are hitting their pockets each week. Our opportunity to win these voters back and improve our own favorability lies in policies that bring down costs, enforce competition, expand supply and protect consumers — paired with relentless communication about what's being done and why it matters. The working class needs to see a coordinated effort with congressional Democrats taking the lead in holding
Republicans accountable for rising costs while state Democrats follow through on the promises we made to prioritize affordability. Coordination is key because it demonstrates to working-class voters that Democrats can offer more than rhetoric and are prepared to wield power to bring down costs. And here again the South can demonstrate the leadership that's desperately missing. Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger will prioritize affordability in her first legislative ses-
first-person essays by Black men — famous and not — written to challenge deficit narratives and widen what America is willing to see. The book is still in print. That matters. It reminds us this is not a new insight reacting to a new crisis. It is a long-standing challenge to an old habit. For years, asset framing lived mostly in movement spaces and philanthropic circles. It was a theory about language. A strategy for organizing. Something you might hear at a conference, not an inauguration. What Williams did was different.
He put that theory into motion, out loud, with authority. That matters, especially when you understand how deeply the opposite framing is embedded in American life. Nearly two decades ago, sociologist Devah Pager published a book that should be required reading for anyone who talks about work, crime or merit in this country. It was called "Marked: Race, Crime, and Finding Work in an Era of Mass Incarceration." Pager ran rigorous audit studies in
HARRIS/MCDANIEL Page 45
Ben Jealous
You Were Always Enough
When New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams spoke directly to Black boys at a recent inauguration, his words spread quickly. Clips ricocheted across phones and timelines far beyond City Hall. Not because they were clever. But because they were rare. "Little Black boy," Williams said, "you were worth it, and you always
were. Without any titles, you were enough. You were always enough. You deserve to accept love, and you deserve to be protected." No charts. No statistics. No list of disparities. Just a sentence we almost never hear spoken by people with power, in public, about Black boys. It landed because it broke an unspoken rule most leaders follow without realizing it: the rule that says Black boys must always be spoken about in the conditional tense. If they behave. If they comply. If they survive. If they overcome.
Guest Columnist
Williams did none of that. He asserted worth. Full stop. There is a name for that choice. Years ago, Trabian Shorters gave it one: asset framing. Asset framing is not optimism. It is not denial. It does not pretend hardship is imaginary. It simply refuses to define people by their wounds. Deficit framing leads with problems. Asset framing leads with strengths, capacities and humanity — without asking anyone to earn dignity first. A decade ago, Trabian Shorters and I edited "Reach," an anthology of 40
JEALOUS Page 45
David W. Marshall
What Happens Now When Black Students' Civil Rights Are Violated?
The Lady Justice statue, often seen in many courthouses, has become the most recognized symbol representing American justice. It is portrayed as a blindfolded woman carrying a sword in one hand and a set of scales in the other. She represents the morality and fairness that the legal system was meant to have. The blindfold tells us that justice was
26 JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026
intended to be blind in its impartiality and objectivity of the law. External factors such as partisan politics, wealth, status, race or fame should always be removed so they do not prevent the courts from executing an honest and objective process when rendering decisions. Justice does not see who is before her. This is meant to be true regardless of whether the person is rich or poor, Black or white, friend or foe; everyone gets equal treatment. Since balance is a critical factor, justice is symbolically represented by scales. The scales im-
ply a rational process of fairness in which both sides of a case are considered even-handedly. It counters the reality of an unashamed segment of our society that believes in a "thumb on the scale" approach to justice. This unfair approach occurs when too much weight (biased influence) is placed on one side, causing the scales of justice to tilt unfairly in one direction. Whenever something is balanced, it represents an even distribution and a healthy condition in which different elements are kept in equal
proportions. When governing an economically and culturally diverse nation, a truly just society must be politically balanced. A balanced political system occurs when opposing conservative and liberal ideologies offset one another. We live in a society where a wide range of human emotions, tribalism, egos, generational traditions, apathy, complacency, exploitations, cultural influences, racial prejudices and plain ignorance cannot always be neutralized, thereby making a consistent political balance difficult, if not impossible.
Government policies can have cruel motives, resulting in serious harm to innocent people. The United States government developed a system of checks and balances, but faces the hard truth that evil policies accepted on one side cannot be balanced and offset when too many good-willed people on the other side are entrenched in their personal apathy, complacency and ignorance. The Founding Fathers were not perfect men; many of
MARSHALL Page 45
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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
E. Faye Williams
What Kind of Man is This?
Trump has abdicated his role as president. He's so focused on bombing in various nations while allowing Russia to continue bombing Ukraine. Now we must add Venezuela to his war list. Add Nigeria and Iran. At the same time, he continues to beg for a Nobel Peace Prize because President Barack Obama received
one! He claims he has settled nine wars, some since he and Hegseth renamed DOD to the Department of War — which seems to be more appropriate for what he is starting. It's no secret that with all the attacks, Trump is attacking the USA day by day by renaming the Kennedy Center and the Peace Institute for himself, by taking food from babies and threatening many American institutions. He has no interest in accountability, affordability, resolving the Epstein case, or coming up with a health care
Guest Columnist
plan. The last time he mentioned it, he still has only a concept! He has Speaker Mike Johnson so afraid to call a House session together because even his party's members rebel against things Trump told them to do. Their dear leader is not very popular and only 37% of the people are buying what's going on. Meanwhile, Trump is threatening to convict or assassinate all Democrats! He has named a few, but means all of us! New York Attorney General Letitia James stood
up to him, and I guess he didn't know much about smart, brave Black women (That's most of us.) He has totally underestimated Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Rep. LaMonica McIver and others. He's even underestimated Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene who recently saw the light and broke with Trump's MAGA movement over the Epstein case. I think Jasmine woke her up with that Bleach Blond, Bad Built, Butch Body! Marjorie is looking good these days! Don't be surprised to
see her go down to Texas to help Jasmine win her Senate race! What a blessing it is to see a handful of Republican women challenging their party on the value of women. As soon as Congress passes some rules for Trump's Supreme Court, he's going to be in big trouble. He'll have to be taught that America has no real kings since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. He's made threats against Rep.
WILLIAMS Page 46
Marc H. Morial
How MacKenzie Scott Reimagined Philanthropic Giving matters." — MacKenzie Scott
"It's easy to focus on the methods of civic participation that make news, and hard to imagine the importance of the things we do each day with our own minds and hearts. Who nurtured a child in the kitchen; who was kind to a stranger in line at a grocery store; who gave fifty dollars to a local food shelter: these are not news stories. But all of it
When MacKenzie Scott announced hundreds of millions of dollars in unrestricted donations to historically Black colleges and universities — after record contributions to Urban League affiliates — it wasn't just philanthropy. It was a game-changing reimagining of how resources can empower institutions that have long been underfunded and overlooked. For generations, HBCUs have been engines of Black excellence,
Guest Columnist
producing leaders, innovators and changemakers despite chronic underinvestment. Scott's approach — trust-based, unrestricted giving — has allowed these institutions to dream bigger and act faster, without the strings that often limit traditional grants. Howard University received $80 million, including $17 million for its College of Medicine. President Wayne A. I. Frederick called the gift "transformational," saying, "It will allow us to expand our research footprint and provide more
scholarships for students who will become the next generation of leaders." Spelman College used its $38 million gift to increase scholarships and upgrade technology infrastructure. President Helene Gayle said, "This historic gift strengthens our ability to support talented students and ensure they have the resources to thrive." Morgan State University and Prairie View A&M each received $63 million, bolstering research capacity and faculty recruitment.
Morgan State President David K. Wilson said the donation positioned the university to compete at the highest level and build an endowment that secures the institution's future. Alcorn State University, with a $42 million gift — the largest in its 154-year history — is investing in scholarships and campus improvements. President Felecia Nave said the gift will impact "generations of students."
MORIAL Page 46
Anthony Tilghman
What Parents Should Know Before Their First IEP Meeting
After sharing my experience navigating the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process as a father in Prince George's County, I heard from parents across the region who expressed the same reality: the system can feel overwhelming, confusing and emotionally draining — especially when you are learning it in real time while caring for your child.
So I want to shift from telling my story to sharing what I wish I had known before my first IEP meeting. Because no parent should have to figure this out the hard way. For families new to special education, an IEP is designed to outline the supports a school will provide to a child with disabilities. On paper, it's a powerful tool. In practice, getting there requires evaluations, meetings, deadlines, documentation and legal language that most parents have never seen before. And in the middle of it all is a child
who simply needs help to learn and thrive. As a father, the biggest lesson I've learned is this: you are not being "difficult" for advocating for your child. You are doing exactly what any loving parent should do — making sure your child receives the services they are both legally entitled to and morally deserving of.
Ask every question — even the basic ones
Too many parents sit through IEP
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meetings quietly while school staff use acronyms and technical terms that aren't always explained. You don't want to interrupt. You don't want to seem uninformed. You don't want to slow down the meeting. But you are not a guest in that room. You are a required member of the IEP team. If something isn't clear, ask. If the language sounds vague, ask. If the meeting feels rushed, say so. Your understanding matters — and your child's future depends on adults communicating honestly and clearly.
No parent should feel like they need a law degree to participate in their child's education plan.
Put important conversations in writing
This is one of the hardest lessons families learn — usually after something falls through the cracks. If you request an evaluation, put it in writing. If services are discussed, ask for documentation. If a deadline is mentioned, request confirmation.
TILGHMAN Page 46 JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026 27
LIFESTYLE Washington Informer Weekend Checklist WASHINGTON INFORMER'S
Things To Do, DMV! By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor The first weekend of 2026 is shaping up to be a grand one, topped with events rooted in preserving cultures, building connections, and setting the tone for the year in store. From celebrating women and motherhood, to exploring the depths of artistic liberty, community empowerment, and historic movements, check out some of
these can’t-miss opportunities and even more exciting happenings in the Washington Informer Calendar.
Thursday, Jan. 8
Artists & Makers Studios Presents: “Rewoven” with Felicia L. Reed 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Free Artists & Makers Studios, 11810 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 20852
5 Meditation teacher, author, and hip-hop artist Ofosu Jones-Quartey, also known as Born I, is redefining the intersections of music and healing with events such as “Hip-hop as Mindfulness: Meditation, Music, and Meaning,” hosted at the Planet Word Museum in Northwest, D.C. on Thursday, Jan. 8. (Courtesy Photo)
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5 “Beyond the Waves: Deaf Art” is transforming Northeast, D.C., with a display of groundbreaking works by more than 30 deaf artists across the world, bridging early resistance and cultural affirmation with visions for the future through April 3. (Courtesy Photo)
Artists & Makers Studios is thrilled to host Felicia L. Reed for its “January 2026 in the Galleries with Open Studios.” Reed is an award-winning D.C.-based fiber artist and advocate whose textile work in wet felting with silk and wool transforms lived experience into visual storytelling. As a survivor of domestic violence, Reed uses art as a pathway to healing and empowerment. Each fiber and layer represents resilience, identity, and the strength to rebuild. Her work turns pain into beauty and memory into meaning. Through “Rewoven,” which runs at the Maryland-based studio until Jan. 28, the local artist honors the process of renewal— showing that what is broken can be rebuilt, what is lost can be reimagined, and what is wounded can be healed. Her mantra remains: “Just heal it.” Additional highlights include photographer Damien Carter’s mini-solo exhibit in the Lounge Gallery; a “Pop-Up with Naan Pocen,” the sculptural work of Francis Maduka Uduh in studio 11; along with the 19 gallery 209 member artists exhibiting their latest work. Hip-hop as Mindfulness: Meditation, Music, and Meaning with Born I
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | $15.00 Planet Word, 925 13th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20005 Experience a one-of-a-kind lyrical journey with meditation teacher, author, and hiphop artist Ofosu Jones-Quartey (Born I). This immersive experience weaves together guided meditation, storytelling, sound healing, and musical performance. Through readings from his new book “Lyrical Dharma: Hip-hop as Mindfulness” (2025) and songs from his acclaimed album “Komorebi,” Born I invites guests into a contemplative journey of presence, compassion, and creative awakening featuring his unique blend of literary expression, music, and mindfulness.
Friday, Jan. 9
Beyond the Waves: Deaf Art 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Free Gallaudet University Washburn Arts Center Gallery, 800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, D.C., 20002 From early visual storytelling to contemporary and future visions, experience the powerful evolution of deaf artistic expression with Beyond the Waves: Deaf Art. The exhibition brings together groundbreaking works by more than 30 deaf artists across
generations, including Christine Sun Kim, Chella Man, and Janhavi Khemka, celebrating identity, language, and culture through art that transcends the limitations of sound. On display through April 3, Gallaudet University News touts the installation as a nod to the rich history of De’VIA (Deaf View/Image Art), Deaf Way festivals, and the evolution of deaf visual culture worldwide. Whether seeking cultural affirmation or looking to expand your knowledge of deaf artistry, don’t miss out this transformative exhibition! ASL Open Mic Night | Last Fridays 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. | $5.00+ Busboys and Poets, 450 K Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20001 American sign language (ASL) users and viewers from all corners of life will come together on Friday, Jan. 9 to recite poems, songs, short skits or jokes at Busboys and Poets in Northwest, D.C. Hosted by deaf dancer, choreographer and interpretive artist Wade Green, the evening promises a communal environment of light-hearted fun, and will feature opportunities to wine, dine and enjoy socializing with local residents and creatives.
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TO DO from Page 28
Saturday, Jan. 10
Balloonacy 10 a.m. | $21.50 Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814 A beautiful, movement-based show that revisits the classic 1956 short film “The Red Balloon,” “Balloonacy” aims to delight audiences of all ages and speakers of all languages with this comedic, family-friendly show. Nothing can go right for the old man, whose days are gray and dreary, until he is visited by a friendly red balloon. In the playful physical style of 1930’s silent movies, the old man–an adult version of the boy in the film – regains his youthful spirit. Originally commissioned and produced by Children’s Theatre Company, the performance will be hosted through Feb. 15. She's a Whole Mood: The Mom Edition – New Year, New Boundaries Noon - 4:30 p.m. | $81.88 RendezVenue Studios, 5056 Nicholson Lane #a, North Bethesda, MD 20852
5 “She's a Whole Mood: The Mom Edition,” hosted at RendezVenue Studios, is a celebration honoring the multifaceted woman behind the title ‘Mom’ – with glam, growth, and good tea. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)
Calling all mothers and mother figures of the DMV: it’s time to pour back into you! Hosted at RendezVenue Studios, this celebration honors the multifaceted woman behind the title ‘Mom’ – with glam, growth, and good tea. Join an elevated, feel-good tea party that promises pampering, transparency, inspiration and connection with other women “who actually get it.” Unfiltered panel talks will include: Mom Life Balance: How to navigate motherhood without losing one’s mind, rhythm, or softness. The hustle and healing: what moms
are leaving behind in the New Year boundaries, Momprenuer burnout, identity, and making space for oneself. “I’m Still Her”: Rediscovering – and reclaiming – confidence, joy, and identity beyond the title “Mom.” Style that speaks: New Year styling tips for every body type. Mom glam in minutes: Quick beauty and glow routines for 2026. Faith and fulfillment: A reset rooted in grace, purpose, and emotional wellness. Plus, enjoy delicious bites by Ade’s Kitchen, sip on signature mocktails and handcrafted teas by SW Juice Bar, and soak in the vibes of a luxe garden-chic tea party with guest speakers: Mosun Rotimi, Fadesola Adetosoyebe, Yemisi Odusanya, Irene Dele-Adejumo, Lola Akingbade, and Ehime Eigbe.
Sunday, Jan. 11
Ruth Forman for “Do I Love You? Yes I Do!” 4 p.m - 5 p.m. | Free People's Book, 7014 Westmoreland Avenue Suite A, Takoma Park, MD 20912
From bestselling author Ruth Forman and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honoree Raissa Figueroa comes a lyrical and vivid picture book celebrating motherhood, daughterhood, and the magic of love. Love shapes every moment in our lives. From a morning sunrise with colors bold to dandelion wishes carried on the wind to an evening sunset with shades soft and cool, the world is made of love. “Do I love you? Yes, I do!” is a book that asks and answers the most important question loved ones can ever share and Sunday offers readers a chance to interact with the author in person.
A car accident victim comes to believe she is the target of a conspiracy. A crew member is convinced that a prop gun is actually real. An actor arrives on set demanding an audition. Iranian filmmaker Shahram Mokri and his inventive imagination are back on full display in this latest cinema. “Black Rabbit, White Rabbit” highlights Escher-like intertwined storylines unfolding on and around the set of a project being made by an Iranian director in Tajikistan. Described as a “wildly ambitious, wryly comic puzzle film” by Screen Daily, the film consists of spellbinding tracking shots up to 20 minutes long, building up to a spectacular conclusion in 139 minutes. This is an in-person event. The seating capacity at People’s Book is 50 patrons. Standing room is an option. All events are first-come, first-served seating. Accessible seating is always available. A Snapshot of Photography and the Black Arts Movement 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Free National Gallery of Art, 6th Street
LIFESTYLE
5 Guests at the National Gallery of Art on Jan. 11 can celebrate the legacies of creative freedom born through the Black Arts Movement (1955-1985), which includes photos such as the 1978 “Sun Ra Space II, New York, New York” (pictured above), captured by American artist Ming Smith. (Courtesy Photo/National Gallery of Art)
NW and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20565 Join the National Gallery of Art for a 30-minute “snapshot” of Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985. Guests will be oriented to the themes of the exhibition and look closely at a few images together.
With this introduction in mind, explore the rest of the exhibition at one’s own pace. This program takes place on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays until Jan. 11 at 2 p.m, in the West Building Rotunda. For groups of 15 or more people, please schedule a group experience. WI
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Black Rabbit, White Rabbit 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Free National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C., 20004
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LIFESTYLE BEYONCÉ from Page 4 includes Rihanna, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and a limited number of others whose fortunes stand out precisely because they remain so uncommon. “Beyoncé became a billionaire from her MUSIC,” one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “controlling access to her music, having her own production company and showing the girls that you can do ALL STADIUM TOURS!” Black billionaires remain an exception in America. Forbes has reported that fewer than 20 Black individuals worldwide have reached billionaire status, despite Black Americans playing an essential role in building the nation’s economy. The gap between contribution and compensation continues to be shaped by segregation, discriminatory lending, exclusion from ownership, and financial systems that consistently placed barriers in front of Black ambition. Beyoncé’s rise into this space
did not arrive through novelty or chance. It came through structure. Over time, she moved beyond performing within the industry to controlling it. Her company, Parkwood Entertainment, became the center of her creative and financial decisions, allowing her to retain ownership of her music, manage her tours, and oversee production. That control proved decisive. In 2023, her “Renaissance” tour traveled to 39 cities and included 56 shows, drawing more than 2.7 million people and generating more than $500 million in revenue. The scale was historic, but the economics mattered just as much. Producing and managing the tour largely inhouse allowed Beyoncé to capture profits that artists once surrendered to labels, promoters, and intermediaries. The concerts were visible. The ownership was quieter. The newly-minted billionaire has spoken sparingly about wealth, choosing instead to talk about control and protection. “No amount of money is worth my peace,” Beyoncé once said. WI
COLLINS REPORTfrom Page 1 of bills, including those concerning: the posthumous recognition of Ward 7 community leader John Fitzgerald Cotten; the theft of public benefits; home purchase assistance for transit workers; and a proposed contract for janitorial services at the University of the District of Columbia. Councilmembers conducted this business with former Ward 1 D.C. Councilmember Frank Smith sitting in Room 500. He and the few others caught a glimpse of the business at hand for 2026. There’s much to read in this edition of The Washington Informer’s Collins D.C. Council Report, including: the aftermath of Kenyan McDuffie’s resignation from the council; the controversy surrounding public charter school board appointments; the establishment of a Congress Heights business improvement district; and the council’s attempt to circumvent a revised federal vaccination schedule change. Readers of this report should be on the lookout of future reporting around what will be an action-packed
3 The D.C. Council is continuing to vote on bills as they also work to move forward post the resignation of former Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie. (WI File Photo/ Robert R. Roberts)
election year. I’m talking about profiles galore about several of the candidates vying for congressional seats and an office in the John A. Wilson building, whether mayoral or legislative.
Council members, Past and Present, Weigh in on Process to Replace McDuffie
As of Jan. 5, Kenyan McDuffie is no longer an at-large council mem-
ber. While constituents await what’s anticipated to be the launch of his mayoral bid, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) is in the midst of a process to select McDuffie’s interim replacement. This person, who will come from a field of more-than-30 candidates, will serve in the independent at-large council member role until a June special election, as outlined in the D.C. Home Rule charter. Though Men-
COLLINS REPORT Page 44
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Local AKAs Celebrate 118 Years of Sisterhood With Brunch, Service Project
LIFESTYLE
By WI Web Staff Thousands of members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), gathered at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Maryland for the Joint Metropolitan Founders’ Day on Saturday, Jan. 3 for a day of fellowship, fun and service. Under the guidance of North Atlantic Regional Director Elicia Pegues Spearman and Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Nadine Vargas Stewart the event’s theme was “United in Sisterhood, Anchored in Legacy: Celebrating 118 Years,” and focused on furthering the mission of the sorority. “Gathering as sisters 118 years after Alpha Kappa Alpha’s founding at Howard University is a powerful testament to how we continue to advance our timeless mission to provide ‘Service to All Mankind,’” said Spearman. The celebratory day featured a brunch program with world-renowned actress, arts educator and director Phylicia Rashad, a member of the sorority, and an address from AKA International President and CEO Danette Anthony Reed. In addition, the event included a service project in partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank, called “Women Supporting Women— One Essential at a Time.” Through the project, members of AKA living in D.C., Maryland and Virginia worked together to provide supplies for vulnerable families supported by two DC Diaper Bank programs: The Baby Pantry and The Monthly. “Service is the heartbeat of Alpha Kappa Alpha, and our members consistently rise to meet the needs of women and children with extraordinary compassion,” said Stewart. “By giving generously, we not only provide essential resources for families today—we honor 118 years of a proud legacy rooted in uplifting our communities locally and across the globe. This is who we are, and this is the enduring impact of our founders’ vision.” WI
View more photos on Pg. 37.
4 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. International President and CEO Danette Anthony Reed speaks at the Joint Metropolitan Founders’ Day celebration on Jan. 3 at the Gaylord National Resort. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)
3 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. North Atlantic Regional Director Elicia Pegues Spearman and Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Nadine Vargas Stewart during the organization’s Joint Metropolitan Founders’ Day celebration on Jan. 3 at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Maryland. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)
Rest In Peace Richard Smallwood I was proud to present you with one of my portraits to honor and celebrate your greatness.
5 Actress Phylicia Rashad at the Joint Metropolitan Founders’ Day on Saturday, Jan. 3 at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Maryland. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)
Keith Tate The Portraits of Excellence www.portexcellence.org/ (240) 232-5533 ThePORTExcel@gmail.com
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LIFESTYLE
Big Moves, Bigger Goals: DMV Residents Talk Entering 2026
People Flock to Throw Social for Moneybagg Yo, New Year Kickoff By Demarco Rush WI Contributing Writer As the District rang in 2026, people across the Washington metropol-
itan area filled streets and nightlife venues to celebrate the end of an action-packed year. From navigating challenges amid the Trump administration, to groundbreaking sports moments, rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, and pop culture trends that dominated social media and everyday life, 2025 left many DMV residents and people across the nation asking questions while hopeful for change in the new year. For Emily Nguyen, who dawned Throw Social DC Dec. 31 to see rapper Moneybagg Yo, 2026 represents a new beginning. “I’m looking forward to moving 3 Rapper Moneybagg Yo celebrates at Throw Social in Northeast, D.C. for a New Year’s Eve event on Dec. 31. (Courtesy Photo/Richard Myaing)
out of my hometown and starting a new chapter in my career,” said Nguyen, a University of Maryland graduate preparing to pursue a medical career. “Although the thought of moving away is scary, change and discomfort force you to grow. I’m excited to take that next step.” Nguyen wasn’t the only attendee looking to celebrate in the District as they braced for life in a new city. “I’m moving out to Vegas with my girl soon, so I don’t really know what’s next for me,” said Jared P., who declined to give his last name and attended Throw Social with a friend. “I’m thinking about starting a business or something like that.” The New Year’s Eve event featured music, food and drinks, filled with people ready to usher in 2026. “New Year’s Eve with Moneybagg Yo marks a new era for Throw Social,”
said General Manager Jason McCarther. “Our new music direction is designed for the full spectrum of D.C., blending house, EDM, hip-hop, Latin, Indian, and more.”
Party Goers Talk Growth Goals in 2026
As the new year represented change for the establishment, the people partying in Throw Social discussed a desire for progress, stability and fresh starts. Quan C., who chose not to share his last name, said the new year offers a chance for personal improvement. “For next year, I’m looking to be closer to financial freedom and better with fitness and overall health,” he said. “I’m outside tonight, it’s New Year’s, and I had a long year. In 2026 I’m looking forward to traveling.” Mable Sick, a student entering her final year at Pennsylvania State Uni-
versity, said her goals for the year center on wellness and preparing for life post undergraduate studies. “This year my goal is to be healthier,” she told The Informer. “I plan on trying pilates and focusing on finding a job in my field after I graduate in December.” Vanessa Dionicio, a 23-year-old Maryland resident and Mount St. Mary’s University graduate, said financial growth is at the top of her list. “My goals heading into the year are to gain a new source of income, be on top of my finances and pick up a new hobby,” she told The Informer. Despite the challenges of 2025, Carlos Hernandez, who was visiting the District for New Year’s Eve, is optimistic about the future. “I’m looking for big bucks, baby,” Hernandez said. “I want success, happiness and a lot of peace for 2026.” WI
3 DMV residents ring in 2026 with celebration and reflections at Throw Social in Northeast, D.C. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)
4 Featuring games, dancing and an appearance from rapper Moneybagg Yo, Throw Social DC’s New Year’s Eve bash topped off 2025 with a bang. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer) 3Throw Social in Northeast, D.C. kicks off the new year with a packed house, special appearances, and residents sharing hopes for 2026. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)
4 Rapper Moneybagg Yo at Throw Social in Northeast, D.C. (Courtesy Photo/ Richard Myaing)
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Chuck D Rejects the Algorithm and Brings Hip-Hop Back to the Record By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer In a time when culture is flattened into data points and reduced to whatever survives the algorithm, Chuck D has done what he has always done when the system failed to recognize the truth. He built his own. Rap Central Station is not nostalgia. It is an intervention. The vinyl-sized publication arrives with the weight of intention. Twelve by twelve inches. Heavy in the hands. Impossible to swipe away. It announces itself as the world’s first true art rap chart magazine, and the phrase matters. Art before commerce. Rap before trend. Chart not as a ranking machine but as a record of presence. This is hiphop insisting on being documented with care, not skimmed for clicks. Artists speak for themselves here. They review their own singles and albums, reclaiming authorship from an industry that has too often rewritten their stories for profit or convenience. In Rap Central Station, the voice is returned to the maker. The narrative is no longer filtered through executives, influencers, or marketing departments. It is direct. It is accountable. It is human. This is Chuck D’s curation, drawn from the same intellectual bloodstream that powered his radio work on Rapstation and his long-running shows “And You Don’t Stop” and “Bring The Noise.” It is the same instinct that once turned rap into a weapon of clarity rather than distraction. The same refusal to let the culture be spoken about without being spoken with. People across X, formerly known as Twitter, responded with excitement and support to the rapper’s social media announcement about Rap Central Station.
“Bring the noise,” someone replied on X, formerly known as Twitter, “ it's your time Chuck.” During Hip Hop 50, early issues moved through record shops across the country with urgency. People recognized what they were holding. Not content, but evidence. Not branding, but lineage. From that response, the magazine was built deliberately and without apology. Quarterly. International. Published in London and distributed worldwide, then arriving weeks later in Barnes and Noble, traveling the long way around like a message that insists on being earned. In a text message, Chuck D explained the mission behind Rap Central Station. “A lot of artists are mad at Billboard for not having Rap and Hip hop. I have always been, ‘So what,’ and created my own services for our culture,” Chuck stated. “Rap Central Station is four times a year I publish in London, to around the world, with charts, art and music plus advertising. The magazine is found in Barnes & Noble three weeks after the international streets. It hits Billboard, Rolling Stone, SPIN, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair on the artform more than Vibe or The Source. My aim demographic is 35-75. I ain’t playing.” As the founder of Public Enemy, Chuck D redefined rap as public argument. He insisted that words mattered, that sound could confront power, that Black thought could be loud without being careless. Rap Central Station does not ask for permission. It does not wait for validation. It stands as proof that hip-hop never needed to be rescued, only respected. “I spent half my adult life outside the USA first building tech,” Chuck D emphasized. “You can look it up, [I’m] back adding print to help legacy.” WI
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LIFESTYLE
3 Chuck D’s Rap Central Station is an art rap chart magazine featuring charts, not for ranking but promoting and preserving their presence, and allowing artists to speak for themselves and review their own singles. (Courtesy Photo)
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wi book review Books for Mental Health by Various Authors
c.2025, Various publishers $29.99 - $34.95 Various page counts
horoscopes
LIFESTYLE JAN. 8 - 14, 2026
ARIES Midweek tension dissolves when you stop forcing outcomes and allow natural momentum. A professional opportunity requires immediate decision despite incomplete information — trust your instincts over endless analysis. Physical restlessness signals need for adventure rather than another gym session. Someone's criticism Wednesday actually contains valuable feedback beneath defensive delivery. Lucky Numbers: 14, 38, 61 TAURUS Comfort zones constrict rather than protect this week. Thursday's disruption to routine creates unexpected opening for overdue change. Material attachments loosen when you acknowledge what genuinely serves current life versus nostalgic past. Someone's request for help offers mutual benefit you're not seeing initially. Sensory indulgence becomes necessary rather than excessive — prioritize quality experiences unapologetically. Lucky Numbers: 19, 43, 72 GEMINI Information overload peaks Tuesday requiring ruthless prioritization of mental energy. A conversation you've been avoiding clears confusion faster than continued speculation. Writing or speaking opportunity demands confidence over polish — your rough draft contains more value than you realize. Social butterfly tendencies exhaust rather than energize unless you're brutally selective. Lucky Numbers: 6, 31, 58
Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer For months, your brain has been full. Full of holidaying and end-of-year-ing and remembering all the things that needed done by the new month. Full of gifts and celebrations and news and weather. Now, maybe it's time to see what else goes on inside your cranium with these great new books about mental health … If you struggle to know what's truth these days and what's not, then "The Gaslit Brain: Protect Your Brain from the Lies of Bullying, Gaslighting, and Institutional Complicity" by Jennifer Fraser, Ph.D. (Prometheus Books, $34.95) might be the book you need. Using stories to show, not tell, Fraser helps readers put themselves in situations, so they can learn how to identify a gaslighter. She then looks at the personality traits of someone who gaslights before teaching readers how to deal with the person who tries to lie to you. This is an especially helpful book for anyone who relies on the truth, and accepts nothing less. Worldwide strife is on everyone's mind these days, and "Warhead: How the Brain Shapes War and War Shapes the Brain" by Nicolas Wright (St. Martin's Press, $30) is a science-based book that will help you understand long-term ramifications of conflict. It takes you from wars and warriors throughout history, to modern warfare and why it might seem like the world is constantly at battle. This not just a book for warriors on the field, though. Wright says that we are wired to do battle – whether its overseas, in your neighborhood, or sitting at your workstation. You'll be fascinated by this book. So how do you know what you know? Is it because someone else knows it? Do they know that you know? Ach, so confusing, so relax your mind a little and read "When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows… Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life" by Steven Pinker (Scribner, $30), and it'll all make sense. In this book, you'll see how "common knowledge" is uncommonly necessary for human society, and how we naturally slip right into using it – until we don't, and then all kinds of bad things can happen. This is a book that may boggle your mind sometimes, but it'll also open your eyes to how our society works. If this all enough to keep you awake at night, well, then you need "Nightmare Obscura: A Dream Engineer's Guide Through the Sleeping Mind" by Michelle Carr (Henry Holt & Company, $29.99). Your alarm goes off, you're wide awake, but what do you remember about your dreams? Carr says that you can learn to "harness" the dreams you have for better mental health, including problem-solving, and you can learn to avoid those bad, troubling dreams that ruin your rest – and the rest of your day. Not enough reading for your mental health? Then ask a librarian or bookseller for more, and they'll usher you to a section filled with self-help. Grab these four great books and others, then open your mind with good information, and fill it up. WI
CANCER Emotional labor you've been providing goes unacknowledged until you withdraw it Wednesday. Family patterns repeat unless you interrupt cycle through calm boundary enforcement. Past relationship dynamics surface not for reopening but for final understanding. Lucky Numbers: 21, 46, 74 LEO Authentic self-expression attracts right people while repelling wrong ones. Creative projects demand sharing despite perfectionist hesitation. Social dynamics shift as you release relationships requiring constant performance. Recognition arrives for past contributions you'd written off as unnoticed. Group settings drain unless you're genuinely interested rather than socially obligated. Lucky Numbers: 3, 27, 65 VIRGO Professional competence becomes visible asset rather than expected baseline. Someone in authority position notices execution quality you consider standard. Tuesday's unexpected responsibility tests readiness for advancement you've doubted deserving. Perfectionist standards ease when you observe others' acceptance of your imperfect work. Lucky Numbers: 17, 44, 76 LIBRA Intellectual curiosity pulls toward unfamiliar territory requiring courage beyond social comfort. Educational pursuit or certification process begins through small committed step. Belief systems you've inherited get examined for personal resonance versus accepted tradition. Thursday conversation with someone outside usual circle expands perspective dramatically. Lucky Numbers: 13, 37, 63 SCORPIO Shared financial situation demands transparency overriding protective privacy instincts. Resources or emotional investments need honest evaluation Wednesday before resentment calcifies. Someone's unexpected vulnerability shifts entire dynamic between you permanently. Investigative urges uncover answers explaining recent confusing patterns. Intimacy deepens through risk despite every self-protective instinct screaming caution. Transformation feels uncomfortable yet necessary — resistance only prolongs discomfort. Endings provide essential space despite accompanying loss. Lucky Numbers: 15, 49, 70 SAGITTARIUS Partnership assessment reveals imbalance requiring correction or conclusion. Commitment question gets answered through actions rather than continued verbal reassurance. Collaboration succeeds when both contributions receive equal valuation and recognition. Romantic connection strengthens through compromise maintaining individual identity intact. Lucky Numbers: 4, 35, 67 CAPRICORN Work efficiency improves by eliminating unnecessary tasks rather than optimizing dysfunctional systems. Health progress manifests through sustainable small changes instead of dramatic overhaul attempts. Daily routines transform into energizing rhythms when you release rigid discipline. Colleagues provide unexpected support Wednesday when you request help instead of silent struggling. Lucky Numbers: 23, 52, 68 AQUARIUS Creative ideas demand execution beyond mental planning and detailed outlining stages. Romantic possibilities expand through emotional engagement instead of intellectual analysis patterns. Children or younger perspectives provide unexpected innovation inspiration. Hobbies previously dismissed as frivolous suddenly feel essential for maintaining balance. Lucky Numbers: 10, 40, 71 PISCES Home situation improves through practical action or emotional breakthrough conversation Tuesday. Living space modifications create sanctuary supporting rather than draining energy. Real estate decisions benefit from intuition combined with patience over external pressure. Family dynamics shift positively when you prioritize peace over familiar dysfunction patterns. Lucky Numbers: 26, 53, 69
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SPORTS Commanders Deliver A Stunning 24-17 Win Over Eagles in Season Finale
Bobby Wagner Reaches 2000 Career Tackles By Skylar Nelson WI Contributing Writer The Washington Commanders closed out the 2025-26 season with an unexpected victory, knocking off the Philadelphia Eagles, the defending Super Bowl champion, 24-17 in Week 18 on the road. “It’s unexplainable man,” said Commanders quarterback Josh Johnson. “The journey I’ve been on – last time I was in this building I thought my career was over, and to just go out here and…not just win, but how we win. Adversity, interception, we fumbled a snap, defense stood tall, but for us to come together as a unit and not waver and get this [win], I think it was a great one.” Washington’s achievement interfered with Philadelphia’s plans, knocking them off the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. However, the win
had mixed offseason implications for the Commanders. Earlier Sunday, victories by the Cleveland Browns over the Bengals (20–18) and the New York Giants over the Cowboys (34–17) had positioned the Commanders to move up the draft board with a loss. Instead, Washington’s win pushed them to a 5–12 finish and the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Veteran quarterback Johnson made just his 11th career start, delivering one of the most thrilling moments of the game. In the fourth quarter, Johnson made a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end John Bates. This marked Bates’ only touchdown reception of the season and Johnson's 14th career touchdown pass. Johnson also added a one-yard rushing touchdown on the day, his second career rushing score and first since 2018.
5 Washington Commanders tight end John Bates scores a 2-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the season finale Sunday, Jan. 4, besting the Philadelphia Eagles with a 27-14 victory. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)
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5 Safety Jeremy Reaves celebrates with Commanders’ defense after getting an interception at the goal line in a 24-17 season finale win against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)
“I had options to keep or throw it,” said Johnson. “We set it up well because we kept trying to run in there and they were holding strong. And the looks were just getting more and more premier so I thought of [Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingbury] timing up when to call it and when the options were there, the corner was kind of waiting.” The Commanders also leaned heavily on the run game, rushing 41 times for 143 yards. Running back Chris Rodriguez led on the ground recording 65 yards on 16 carries. “The leaders on this team do a great job of showing up everyday and that sets the presence of what we’ve got to do and go about our business,” said Johnson. “And when guys see me, I just want them to see a guy that’s just being a light in the room. A guy that is grateful to be able to play this game that so many people dream [of] the opportunity to do. And I’m always going to put myself in that kidlike mindset of understanding how it felt playing in Pop Warner, dreaming and hoping that one day you’ll play on a Sunday. I always let that show in my actions, and today we looked like we’re always on point so it worked. It wasn’t just me – credit to everybody.”
HBCU Alum, Future Hall of Famer Makes History in Season Finale
One of the few bright spots in
Washington’s season was linebacker Bobby Wagner. With five tackles on Sunday against the Eagles, Wagner became just the third player in NFL history to reach 2,000 career tackles, joining Hall of Famer Ray Lewis and former Commander London Fletcher. “It was a long time ago when I reached out to those guys (Lewis and Fletcher) and they were so grateful with their time, giving me advice, helping me, answering any question that I had, spending time with me,” said Wagner, “so joining a group with them is just a blessing, and something I’m proud of. I tried to apply what they taught me as much as I could and I was grateful.” Fletcher was in attendance and presented Wagner with the game ball in the locker room, sealing the moment in the season finale. “That part is special. To be able to do that for the city and this jersey, and have him be the guy that presents it to you is special,” said Wagner. “I remember when I reached out to him. [There were] no questions asked. He took my phone call, he answered all my questions, he would check on me and see how I was doing, and my whole goal was to just try to make him proud. I never thought I would be wearing the same jersey as him and to be in that same locker room with that energy, and having him be the person that presents that to me, is something I’ll never forget.”
Wagner, who turns 36 in June, finished the season with 162 tackles, marking his 14th consecutive year with at least 100 tackles, and led the NFL with 1,068 defensive snaps. His future in Washington now becomes a looming conversation with the offseason on the horizon. While it’s hard to imagine Wagner retiring just 60 tackles shy of breaking Lewis’ all-time record, his return to Washington is far from certain. The Commanders are expected to make a significant amount of roster moves this offseason, and Head Coach Dan Quinn enters 2026 on the hot seat of team changes. If Wagner chooses to play another season, it may come with contention rather than a rebuilding Washington team. For Washington, the Week 18 win offered only limited relief, which is a rare bright spot in a season that sharply fell off from last year’s 12-5 run. But it also highlights just how much rebuilding still awaits this offseason. “Obviously this season didn’t go the way we wanted it to,” said Wagner. “But I think as competitors and people that want a win for the city, you’ve got to just go out there and put your best foot forward. And that’s all we did. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn’t, but we can walk away [with] a lot of positives and figure out how to fix things.” WI
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CAPTURE From Page 31.
the moment
Thousands of AKA Celebrate Sisterhood, Continue Commitment to Service
Under the theme “United in Sisterhood, Anchored in Legacy: Celebrating 118 Years,” more than 2,900 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) gathered on Saturday, Jan. 3 for the Joint Metropolitan Founders’ Day event, a day that featured fun, fellowship and service. Held at the Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Maryland, the celebratory event featured: a brunch program with world-renowned actress Phylicia Rashad, a member of the sorority; an address from AKA International President and CEO Danette Anthony Reed; and a service project in partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank.
5 North Atlantic Regional Director Elicia Pegues Spearman
5 Fox 5 DC anchor Marissa Mitchell
(Cleveland Nelson/ The Washington Informer) 4 Actress, arts educator, and event speaker Phylicia Rashad
5 Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Nadine Vargas Stewart
5 North Carolina Central University student Mykenzi Davis-Cowart
3 Vocalist Miriamm Wright McKinney 4 Alpha Kappa Alpha International President and CEO Danette Anthony Reed
5 Violinist Veronica Jackson
3 Thousands of members of Alpha Kappa Alpha fill the hall for a Founders’ Day brunch
5 Greater DC Diaper Bank staff and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha
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JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026 37
RELIGION
3 Artists, fans, and faith and political leaders are remembering the musical contributions of gospel legend Richard Smallwood, who died on Dec. 30 at the age of 77. (WI File Photo)
butions to music overall, Smallwood’s death comes as a major blow to fans across the world. “Richard Smallwood passing hits hard. “Healing” has saved me more times than I can count,” read one tribute posted on X. “[His] catalog is full of soul-shifting music—he will be missed.”
People Remember Gospel Legend Richard Smallwood After Death at 77 By Micha Green, Jada Ingleton and Hamil Harris WI Managing Editor, WI Content Editor, WI Contributing Writer Richard Smallwood, 77, the world renowned gospel singer with deep roots in Washington, D.C., died early Dec. 30 in Sandy Spring, Maryland, due to complications with kidney failure, according to his publicist Bill Carpenter. “The gift that Richard Smallwood brought was the polish of classical music and combined it with traditional
PRINCIPAL from Page 5
38 JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026
Black church music to create a unique yet contemporary sound in the1980s,” Carpenter, who dedicated an entire chapter on Smallwood in his book “Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Encyclopedia” (2005), told The Washington Informer in February 2024. Known for church staples such as “Total Praise” (1996) and “Center of My Joy (2016),” the Gospel Music Hall of Famer is being celebrated as a legend who shaped generations of communities through the rhythm of faith, leaving an indelible legacy of respect and honor. “To compose songs like ‘Total
Smallwood’s Sound Forms in the District
Praise,’, ‘Angels Watching Over Me’ (1996), ‘Trust Me’ (2011), takes ingenuity,” one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, shortly after the announcement of the singer’s death. “Richard Smallwood was an actual genius who was often overlooked for the type of music he composed.” For more than five decades, the eight-time Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter has contributed to the gospel cannon and influenced musicians across genres, with artists such as Destiny’s Child, Yolanda Adams, Karen Clark-Sheard, and many more recording renditions of some of Smallwood’s famous tunes. Further, his music remains on the airwaves and is sung by choirs around the world to this day. Joyce Garrett, minister of Music at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia said she has “been in awe of [Smallwood’s] talents since the 1970s when the Howard University Gospel Choir recorded its first album.” “As soon as Richard Smallwood recorded a new song, I would teach it to my students at Eastern High School,” Garrett told The Informer in November 2023. From the hits on his 1996 album “Adoration,” to “I Love the Lord,” famously sung by Whitney Houston in “The Preacher’s Wife,” released the same year, and his indelible contri-
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, the legendary gospel singer was raised in the District by his mother Mabel R. Smallwood and step-father the Rev. Chester Smallwood, who was the visionary behind and first pastor of Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast, D.C. Before he became an eight-time GRAMMY-nominated musician, Smallwood was a gospel prodigy on the cusp of innovation at Howard University, where he earned his degree in music and studied alongside Donny Hathaway, Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen. As one of the founding members of Howard University’s Gospel Choir, and a member of the historically Black institution’s first gospel group, the Celestials, the young virtuoso had since taken the reins on establishing a platform to bridge faith and entertainment across generations. “The many facets of your life in ministry…your spoken and written eloquence…your ear for the melodies and harmonies and hymns to transport audiences,” the Rev. Dr. Cheryl J. Sanders of Howard University School of Divinity wrote in a statement celebrating Smallwood’s 75th birthday in 2023. “A Diamond is treasured for its many facets.” Smallwood went on to teach music at the University of Maryland before launching his artistry full force with the 1977 founding of the Richard Smallwood Singers, made up of Dottie Jones, Jackie Ruffin, Darlene Simmons and the founder himself. The group’s musical imprint lies in bringing forth a contemporary and
progressive sound to gospel music, which led to timeless classics such as: the 1984 Grammy-nominated album “Psalms” and what many consider the group’s biggest hit, “Center of My Joy.” With his group Vision, Smallwood recorded several projects for Verity records. “I don’t know that I have all the answers or any of the answers,” he once said in a 1993 Washington Post interview. “But being a minister of music, I need to be open to listen and give a word of encouragement through songs of testimony. Singing is only part of it. The ministry itself is much more than that.” The celebrated received a master’s in Divinity from Howard University in 2004 and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006. In November 2023, gospel artists and fans alike flocked to First Baptist Church of Highland Park to honor Smallwood for his 75th birthday, performing many of his classic songs. After having witnessed several singers and choirs pay tribute to his career, the singer shared a few short words with the crowd, thanking them for the honor. “This has been one of the most amazing moments in my life,” he said a little more than two years ago.
Leaders, Fans Celebrate Smallwood’s Legacy
Artists, fans, and faith and political leaders are remembering Smallwood’s musical contributions and honoring his life and legacy. “Richard Smallwood was a Black American Music legend,” musician and X user J. Clyde Neal wrote. “A Howard grad, and one of those architects of Black music I always talk about. ‘Total Praise’ is one of the greatest gospel songs ever written. Rest in power.” Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), senior pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, shared a tribute to the man he deems an inspiration “to all who encountered his music.” “Richard Smallwood was a musical genius and giant of a figure in the church and the gospel music world,” the Georgia congressman wrote on X. “His songs got us through tough times, dark and difficult days. No grave can silence his voice. The melodies linger and the faith lives on!” WI
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RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT
Follow the Yellow Brick Road: The Blueprint for Your Best Life • Scripture reminds us in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Point #2: ATTITUDE – Master Your Perspective Success isn't a destination; it's a journey that requires a map, a mindset and movement. Whether you are navigating the fallout of a global economic shift, like the Great Recession (2007-2009) presided over by Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, or you may be going through your very own personal storm, you got on the path to your own "Emerald City." Another way of calling this your goal remains the same — to get there, you need the three A's: Aim, Attitude Adjustments and Actions. Let us talk about these three points and how they can keep you moving forward.
Point #1: AIM – Means You MUST Define Your Destination
Don't make it so complicated. Keep it simple, we are talking about your goal. There is a quote which says "If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time" because you won't be working to get to your goal. How many of you have heard that people who succeed are those who know where they are going? Earl Nightingale and Zig Ziglar both taught that a life without a goal is like a ship without a rudder, it is liable to end up anywhere! • Find Your Joy: What would you do for free because you love doing it so much? That passion is your internal GPS, it is what you ought to be aiming to do with the rest of your life. It is what you were born with, it is what God sent you to this earth to do. • The Fork in the Road: When you reach a crossroad, don't guess. Trust your "built-in instinct." When you align with your purpose, you move with the confidence of a bird — it doesn't fear the branch breaking because it trusts its own wings.
What is the particular attitude toward how you look at things? See why your perspective matters, it is because "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." — Charles Swindoll. Do not allow anything that happens to cause you to stand still and stop! The "Wicked Witches" of life such as layoffs, divorce or health crises — will try to stop you in your tracks. This is where your attitude must kick into high gear, and do whatever it takes, to keep going! • The Power of Change: If you don't like your current reality, change your philosophy. As Wayne Dyer said, "Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change." • The Light Within: Elizabeth Kübler-Ross compared people to stained-glass windows. We sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but our true beauty is revealed in the dark only if there is a light from within. • Daily Practice: Meditate, pray without ceasing and choose to be the change you wish to see.
Point #3: ACTION – Walk the Path
"Tell the world what you intend to
do, but first, show it." — Napoleon Hill People will begin to notice the change they see in you. You are now getting a special thing done, every day or every week, and year after year. Good intentions won't get you to your goal, in this article we're calling it your Emerald City; steps will. Let us use my radio show as an example. It takes sacrificing a day or two each week of the year to confirm guests, set up the interviews, get them finished, edited and on the air EVERY Friday. Plus, this column, right here in The Washington Informer, requires me to get something ready that is sent through me by the Holy Spirit, something that can bless every reader. EVERY Sunday, 52 weeks per year. • Check Your Circle: Dorothy had three companions (really metaphors) who were all trying to get better. Are the people in your life "toxic energy drainers" and are they holding you back, or are they helping you stretch? Remember: Birds of a feather flock together. This year, take a close look at everybody you are dealing with on a regular basis. • Redefine Your Pattern: If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten. Break the cycle of negative selftalk (which accounts for 87% of our internal dialogue) and start speaking life into your dreams. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
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JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026 39
RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor 9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 / Fax: 301-499-8724 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”
Blessed Word
Pilgrim Baptist Church
Church of Living Waters
Third Street Church of God
Rev. Joel R. Limerick Pastor
Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor
Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor
700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849 Service and Times In Person Worship: Sunday @ 9:30 A.M. Streaming: Sunday @ 9:30 A.M. www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org Prayer & Study: Wednesday @ 12 Noon and 7:00 P.M. www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org
Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ
Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors
Reverend William Young IV 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)
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
Mount Carmel Baptist Church
901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423 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 themcbc.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
Mount Olivet Lutheran Church
St. Stephen Baptist Church Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. / Senior Pastor 5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301.899.8885 – Fax 301.899.2555 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship 8:00 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM Tuesday: 7:00 PM – Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday: 12:30 PM – Mid-Day Bible Study Wednesday: 7:00 PM – Evening Bible Study Baptism - 3rd Sunday – Communion 4th Sunday Free Food Giveaway – Every Tuesday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm “We are One in the Spirit” www.ssbcmd.org | secretary@ssbcmd.org
Campbell AME Church
2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org
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
Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness - Senior Pastor Rev. Ali Gail Holness-Roland Assistant & Youth Pastor
40 JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026
www.livingwatersmd.org
1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005
Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor
Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards
Service and Times Sunday Service: 8:30am& 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday
Rev. Terrance M. McKinley Senior Pastor
Adams Inspirational A.M.E. Church
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
4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464
John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.
All Nations Baptist Church
2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591
Harold Andrew Assistant 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
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
Emmanuel Baptist Church
1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 - Fax: (202) 526-1661
Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM
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
“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Reverend John W. Davis Pastor 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
Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church 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
Holy Trinity United Baptist Church Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor
2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office “Moving Faith Forward” 0% Perfect . . . 100% Forgiven!
4504 Gault Place, N.E. / Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184
www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org
Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews Senior Pastor
1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-347-5889 office / 202-638-1803 fax
Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor
Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:00am & 12noon Noon Day Worship – Wednesdays at Noon Prayer Call – Tuesdays 6pm & Thursdays 6am Dial: 1-872-240-3212 Passcode: 164695965
Isle of Patmos Baptist Church
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
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
Shiloh Church of God 7th Day Elder Jonathan M. Carson Senior Pastor
5701 Eastern Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20782 Phone: 301 559-5262 Service and Times Sabbath Worship @ 1:00 pm in-person/FB/Zoom Tuesday - Prayer@ 7:30 pm on Zoom Wednesday - Bible Study@ 7:30 pm on Zoom Friday - Sabbath School@ 7:30 pm on Zoom Web: shiloh7thday.org Email: shiloh7thdaycomm@gmail.com "A culturally diverse church of edification, deliverance and transformation"
Place your church ad here! Contact Ron Burke rburke@washingtoninformer.com
A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net
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RELIGION Zion Baptist Church
Israel Baptist Church Rev. Lance Aubert Senior Pastor
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
1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288 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
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
Rehoboth Baptist Church
1301 North Carolina Ave. N E Washington, D C 20002 202 543 1318 - lincolnpark@lpumcdc.org www.lpumcdc.org 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"
Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor
Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor 5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005
Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42
“Where God is Praised, Christ is Obeyed, and People are Loved”
New Commandment Baptist Church Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor
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 Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org
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
The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest
621 Alabama Ave., S.E.- Washington, D.C. 20032 P: (202) 561-1111 - F: (202) 561-1112
Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958 Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist
www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.
Promised Land Baptist Church
Dr. Joseph D. Turner Senior Pastor
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
13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560
“Real Worship for Real People” Website: www.easterncommunity.org Email: ecc@easterncommunity.org
Matthews Memorial Baptist Church
2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 9:30 AM Sunday School: 8:15 AM Bible Study: Wednesdays at Noon Baptism: 4th Sunday 9:30 AM
8213 Manson Street Landover, MD 20785 Tel: (301) 322-9787 Fax: (301) 322-9240
Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor
Motto: “Where God is First and Where Friendly People Worship”
Rev. Richard B. Black Interim Pastor
Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith
1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 - Fax: 202-544-2964
Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
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
Lincoln Park United Methodist Church
“A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”
First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Website address: www.mmbcdc.org
Peace 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 “ Email Address: admin@pbc712.org
Mt. Horeb Baptist Church
Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor
Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor
401 Van Buren St., NW, Washington D.C. 20012 Office (202)-882-8331
602 N Street NW - Washington, D.C. 20001 Office:(202) 289-4480 / Fax: (202) 289-4595
Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331 Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday
Service and Times Adult Sunday School: 8:00 AM Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 AM Youth/Young Adult Sunday School 12:00 PM Midday Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 11:30AM Evening Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 PM Laymen's League: Thursday 7:00 PM
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
Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant Pastor
"Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ." Website: Theplbc.org Email: churchclerk@theplbc.org
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
Join us for our live broadcast every Friday at Noon!
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JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026 41
LEGAL NOTICES
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
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 001387
2025 ADM 000970
2025 ADM 001321
2025 FEP 000159
Estate of Tamar Peli
Estate of Anna L. Jackson
Cecil Dunston Decedent
September 30, 2024 Date of Death
NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE
NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE
Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Ben Peli 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.
Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Dena Jackson 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.
Cory A. Larkin 1717 K Street NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney
Eric A. Gordon Name of Decedent
Admit to probate the will dated 5/11/2022 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of the witnesses or otherwise
Admit to probate the will dated September 24, 2024 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of the witnesses or otherwise
Date of first publication: 1/8/2026
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
Gretchyn G. Meinken, Esq. 616 N Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314 Petitioner/Attorney: TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Devon Jackson 1411 Wynhurst Drive Waxhaw, NC 28173 Petitioner/Attorney:
Ashaki Dunston, Tabitha Mitchell and Danielle Dunston, whose addresses are 4302 10th St. NE, Washington DC 20017 & 1424 Clingmans Dome Dr., Frederick MD 21702, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Cecil Dunston who died on 5/25/2024 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 (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 7/8/2026. 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 7/8/2026, 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
Date of first publication: 1/8/2026
Date of first publication: 1/8/2026
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
Ashaki Dunston Tabitha Mitchell Danielle Dunston Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2025 ADM 001278 Mary Louise Alston Decedent Tina Smith Nelson, 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 Marilyn Alston, whose address is 642 Burns Street, SE, Washington DC, 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary Louise Alston who died on 8/7/2008 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 7/8/2026. 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 7/8/2026, 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: 1/8/2026 Marilyn Alston Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
42 JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIVIL DIVISION Case Number: 2025-CAB-004547 Judge: Maribeth Raffinan ESTATE OF THEODORE R. BROWN v. LILLIAN MAE BROWN ORDER Before the Court is Plaintiffs’ Consent Motion to Authorize Service by Publication, filed on October 30, 2025. Upon consideration of the Motion and the entire record herein, it is this 24th day of November 2025, hereby: ORDERED that Plaintiffs’ Consent Motion to Authorize Service by Publication is GRANTED; and it is further, ORDERED that the Plaintiffs are authorized to publish the following notice in the Daily Washington Law Reporter and the Washington Informer twice a month for three successive months, which notice shall include the caption of this case: The object of this action is to establish title to 4854 Brooks St NE Washington DC 20019, known for assessment and taxation purposes as Square 5141, Lots 12 and 13, in the name of the Theodore R. Brown. The purpose of this publication is to ensure that there are no unknown heirs or devisees of Lillian Mae Brown, who is listed as a tenant by the entirety of this property. The complaint alleges that Lillian Mae Brown was born on or around 1910, and that she died on or around 1980; and it is further, ORDERED that any person claiming an interest in this property or in this action must cause their appearance to be entered herein on or before the fortieth day, exclusive of Sundays and legal holidays, occurring after the day of the first publication of this Order; otherwise this cause will be proceeded with as in case of default. SO ORDERED. /s/ Judge Maribeth Raffinan, Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Pub Dates: Dec 4, 11, 2025; Jan 1,8; Feb 5, 12, 2026
Copyright Notice for Publication Copyright Notice: All rights reserved regarding common-law copyright of trade-names/trade-marks, not excluding any and all derivatives and variations in spelling of any of said names, HENRY NATHANIEL MCLUCAS, JR, ©: HENRY N. MCLUCAS, JR, ©; Henry N. McLucas, Jr©; HENRY MCLUCAS, JR ©; Henry McLucas, Jr ©; HENRY NATHANIEL MCLUCAS, JR. ©; HENRY N. MCLUCAS, JR. ©; Henry N. McLucas, Jr. ©; HENRY MCLUCAS, JR. ©; Henry McLucas, Jr. ©; HENRY NATHANIEL MCLUCAS©; HENRY N. MCLUCAS©; Henry N. McLucas ©; Henry McLucas© and TISHA TRIVONA PINKARD©; Tisha Trivona Pinkard©; tisha trivona pinkard©; TISHA T.PINKARD©; Tisha T. Pinkard©; tisha t. pinkard©; T.T. PINKARD©; T.T. Pinkard©; t.t. pinkard©; TISHA PINKARD©; Tisha Pinkard©; tisha pinkard©; PINKARD, TISHA TRIVONA©; Pinkard, Tisha Trivona©; pinkard, tisha trivona©; PINKARD, TISHA T.©; Pinkard, Tisha T.©; pinkard, tisha t.©; PINKARD, T.T.©; Pinkard, T.T.©; pinkard, t.t.©; T. TRIVONA PINKARD©; T. Trivona Pinkard©; t. trivona pinkard©; Ms.TISHA PINKARD©; Ms.TISHA T. PINKARD©; Ms.Tisha Pinkard©; Ms.Tisha T. Pinkard©; Ms. T.T.PINKARD©; Ms.T.T. Pinkard©; Ms. TISHA TRIVONA PINKARD©; Ms. Tisha Trivona Pinkard©; ms.tisha pinkard©; ms.tisha trivona pinkard©; ms. tisha t. pinkard©; ms. t.t.pinkard©; ms. t.pinkard©; Ms. T. Pinkard©; Ms. T. PINKARD© and Vergina Johnson©; VERGINA JOHNSON©; Vergina V. Johnson©; VERGINA V. JOHNSON©; Vergina Valencia Johnson©; VERGINA VALENCIA JOHNSON©; V. Valencia Johnson©; V. VALENCIA JOHNSON©; V. JOHNSON©; V. JOHNSON©; V.V. Johnson©; V.V. JOHNSON©; V.V.J.©; VV.J.©; v.v.j.©; v.j©; Johnson, Vergina©; JOHNSON, VERGINA©; Johnson, Vergina V©; JOHNSON, VERGINA V©; Johnson, V©; JOHNSON, V.©; Johnson, Vergina Valencia©; JOHNSON, VERGINA VALENCIA©; Johnson,V.V.©; JOHNSON,V.V.©; Johnson, V. Valencia©; JOHNSON, V. VALENCIA©; Ms. Vergina Johnson©; MS. VERGINA VALENCIA©; Ms. Vergina V. Johnson©; MS. VERGINA V. JOHNSON©; Ms.Vergina Valencia Johnson©; MS. VERGINA VALENCIA JOHNSON©; Ms. V. Valencia Johnson©; MS. V. VALENCIA JOHNSON©; Ms. V. Johnson©; MS. V. JOHNSON©; Ms. V.V. Johnson©; MS. V.V. JOHNSON©; MS. V.V.J.©; Ms. V.J.©; ms.v.v.j.©; ms.v.j.©; Ms. Johnson, Vergina©; MS. JOHNSON, VERGINA©; Ms. Johnson, Vergina V.©; MS. JOHNSON, VERGINA V.©; Ms. Johnson, V©; MS. JOHNSON, V.©; Ms. Johnson, Vergina Valencia©; MS. JOHNSON, VERGINA VALENICA©; Ms. Johnson, V. V.©; MS. JOHNSON, V.V.©; Ms. Johnson, V. Valencia©; JOHNSON, V. VALENCIA©; and LACHEZ MONTENISE MCLUCAS©; Lachez M. Mclucas©; lachez m. mclucas©; LACHEZ M. MCLUCAS©; Lachez Montenise Mclucas©; lachez montenise mclucas©; L.M. MCLUCAS ©; L.M. Mclucas©; L.M. McLucas©; LACHEZ MCLUCAS©; Lachez Mclucas©; lachez mclucas©; MCLUCAS, LACHEZ MONTENISE©; Mclucas, Lachez Montenise ©; mclucas, lachez montenise ©; LACHEZ M. MCLUCAS©; MCLUCAS, LACHEZ M. ©; mclucas, lachez m.©; No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright owners in red ink, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Debra L. Gordon, whose address is 11424 Waesche Dr., Bowie MD 20721 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Eric A. Gordon, deceased, by the Register of Wills Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on 11/15/2024. Service of process may be made upon Anjel Morris 3400 10th Place SE, Washington DC 20032 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned District of Columbia personal property. 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: 1/8/2026 Debra L. Gordon Personal Representative Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
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JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026 43
VENEZUELA from Page 1
following what the Trump administration described as a coordinated strike aimed at dismantling narco-terrorism networks. The Justice Department unsealed indictments charging the couple with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offenses. Officials said Maduro would make his first court appearance in federal court in Manhattan on Monday. Local leaders, organizers and residents alike are rallying in response to Saturday’s attack on Venezuela and arrests, with mixed replies and emotions. “I’m out here because the U.S., [President] Donald Trump, this fascist regime just launched a completely illegal, illegitimate invasion, kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro,” one protester said during a rally outside the White House. “Every decent person in this country needs to be sounding the alarm, speaking out, taking to the streets and saying, hands off Venezuela.” Others questioned the administration’s priorities at home. “While we’re cutting services to people who really need them in this country, we have no business spending money on invading other countries,” another protester said. “As much as I dislike the president now, I don’t want anybody from Venezuela coming here to kidnap him.” Just blocks away, the mood shifted entirely. At the Simon Bolívar statue and nearby gathering points, Venezuelan refugees and immigrants embraced, cried, and waved flags, calling the arrest a turning point after years of repression. “So many emotions, happiness,” Liliana Wright of Sterling, Virginia, said. “Leaving country, separate families. It is hard to say how we feel right now.” Others described personal loss under Maduro’s rule. “Very shocking and very emotional for me to finally see the demise and the conclusion of this brutal dictatorship,” Harold Dams, a Maryland resident with family ties to Venezuela, said. “We lived firsthand what happened down there. We had family members killed, kidnapped, tortured, imprisoned. We had family members that died, and we couldn’t say goodbye” In Baltimore, protests and celebrations unfolded simultaneously. Members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation rallied outside City Hall calling for Maduro’s return and demanding an end to U.S. military action abroad. “We’re calling for hands off Venezuela, no war in Venezuela,” organizer Rachel Viqueira said. “No money for war. We want money for the poor.” Others rejected that view, saying the arrest was long overdue.
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“If people fully understood what this regime has been doing for so many years, they would better understand and be more supportive of what Trump is doing,” Ronald Oribio said. “This is a situation that needed to come to a halt, and it is finally starting.” For supporters, the moment felt unreal. “I was scared of waking up and seeing that it wasn’t true,” one Venezuelan woman said at a celebration near the White House. “I would like to say thank you to Donald Trump. Maybe soon I’m going to see my family again.” For critics, the fear runs in the opposite direction, centered on what the operation signals for U.S. power abroad and what comes next. “This is an illegal war,” Sen. Tim Kaine said. “There is no legal justification that would authorize the president to depose another country’s leader, seize its oil, and run the country.”
Leaders, Experts Respond to Attacks on Venezuela
On Capitol Hill, the operation drew both praise and alarm. Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen woke up Saturday and, like everyone else, learned of the early morning United States military operation in Venezuela. Van Hollen said the American people did not ask for a war with Venezuela, and Congress did not authorize one. In a sharply worded statement following U.S. military strikes on Venezuela and the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Van Hollen said Trump had committed “a grave abuse of power” by launching an act of war without congressional approval and without presenting evidence of an imminent threat to the United States. “President Trump has put our troops in harm’s way, and he has not provided a clear, fact-based rationale for these actions, nor the long term strategy following these strikes,” the Maryland senator said. Maryland Rep. Andy Harris (R) applauded the move as a crackdown on drug trafficking, while Democrats across the region questioned its legality and warned of long-term consequences. Weapons expert Jim Ortte said the administration appears to be framing the mission as a law enforcement action rather than a declaration of war. “They took DEA agents with them during the operation, so you could say he is an indicted narco-terrorist,” Ortte said. “That distinction matters under the Constitution.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
COLLINS REPORT from Page 30 delson has yet to reveal the names of those who threw their hat in the ring, he told reporters that the council will conduct a vote on those he nominates for the position. “What I'm looking for is somebody who is knowledgeable about the government,” Mendelson said during a Monday morning press conference. “I would like to say expert on budgets since that's the primary business that we will have, but it's kind of hard to find somebody who's an expert on a budget who's not currently on the Council.” Mendelson then revealed that he’s explored the possibility of going in another direction. “I have thought about the value of somebody who is outside the government, like [a] fresh and bold and new face,” he said. “On the other hand, somebody who's fresh and bold and new face doesn't have a lot of familiarity with the government, and so therefore, that's a challenge.” In the days since McDuffie announced his resignation, a bevy of names have surfaced as possible contenders for the at-large seat. Sources close to The Informer say that Elissa Silverman and a handful of other former council members count among that umber. Silverman, who lost her seat to McDuffie in 2022, confirmed just as much, telling The Informer that she reached out to Mendelson on Nov. 14, just weeks before D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser revealed she wouldn’t run for a fourth term. If selected, Silverman said she wants to continue championing causes that are near and dear to her heart. “We need our kids in school,” Silverman told The Informer. “We need to work with the chancellor to bring truancy from 1 in 3 to zero. And certainly making sure we have housing that working families can afford. And being able to work and retire here. We need to make it work.” In making her case for the interim at-large council seat, Silverman cited her intimate understanding of what commonfolk are enduring these days. The former council member revealed that she’s without healthcare, telling The Informer that not even the most affordable of the local healthcare plans could protect her from monthly healthcare costs of $1,300. “I know what it’s like to have uncertainty in this job market, having to pay astronomical health insurance costs,” Silverman said. “I bring the experience that [the] interim job re-
5 D.C. Councilmember Wendell Felder (D-Ward 7) is expressing interest in leading the Committee on Business and Economic Development after the resignation of Kenyan McDuffie from his at-large seat. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)
quires. You’re gonna jump right into oversight and budget season, and you want somebody with the skills to deal with a challenging budget and someone who knows what it’s like. That brings me a certain empathy.” If it's up to the other 11 members of the council, the selection process for the interim at-large council member will be a bit more inclusive. During the latter part of the council’s breakfast meeting on Tuesday, council members, none of whom apparently know the names on Mendelson’s list, weighed in on how they would like the process to take shape. Soon after Mendelson expressed apprehension about revealing the candidates, D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5) pointed out that, per the D.C. Home Rule charter, the selection of an interim atlarge council member is a process that should include the entire council. Parker later told The Informer that the council should explore the possibility of employing a process similar to what the D.C. Board of Elections will facilitate later this year. “I have talked with the chairman,” Parker told The Informer. “I have recommended to him that he should put forth multiple candidates and maybe even use ranked choice voting as a means to select a future candidate. But the headline for me is that this process should be transparent, democratic, and fair, because it will have huge implications for the council.” On Tuesday morning, D.C. Councilmember Matt Frumin (D-Ward 3) suggested the process wraps up by Jan.
20. D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) requested the development of criteria and while D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1) suggested that prospective replacements submit applications and address conflicts of interest. Nadeau would later speak to The Informer about the need for transparency. “Although I generally advocate that the public should be able to know everything, there may be reasons people don't want their names circulated,” Nadeau said. “So if we focus on the process itself, ensuring that there's criteria that is being considered, that we all get to have access to the applications. So [it’s about] creating an actual application, not just a list of names, [so] that we can build consensus together and not just be presented with a name.” Lewis George echoed those sentiments, telling The Informer that constituents deserve as much information as possible about candidates, especially since that person will be knee deep in oversight and budget deliberations this year. “Obviously, no matter what, there's going to be a political aspect to this because this is the first time in the history of the D.C. council that the council is selecting a person,” Lewis George said. “There's no way you can take politics out of the situation, but what you can do is create a fair and equitable process and let people decide.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
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city housing trust fund and using cityowned land for affordable projects. And Kentucky Gov. and Democratic Governors Association Chair Andy Beshear has been a leading voice highlighting the impacts of the Republican affordability crisis on rural America. Beshear has noted the rural health care centers that have already shuttered due to Medicaid cuts and how reductions in federal food aid will hit poor and rural Americans while the wealthiest benefit from Trump tax cuts. National Democrats are echoing Beshear with the launch of their first-ever rural outreach program that will fund engagement and messaging efforts focused on rising costs and the chaos caused by Trump's tariffs. And Georgia Democrats are planning a legislative agenda focused on affordability when the legislature returns, hoping to build off of momentum from last year's elections where the party flipped two Public Service Commission seats with a targeted message on
relief from high utility bills. What these leaders share is a refusal to reduce their politics to opposition alone. They talk about jobs, schools, roads, hospitals and costs. They meet voters where they are and they understand that governing well is the strongest rebuke to Trumpism. The midterms will not be a referendum on Trump alone. They will be a judgment on whether Democrats used their moments of power to make life more affordable and health care more secure. If the party leans solely on fear of the alternative, it risks confirming working-class voters' cynicism. If it leans into governing — clearly, confidently and relentlessly — it has a chance to rebuild trust with working-class voters. Democrats don't need to abandon their values to win. They need to prove those values can produce results. In 2026, Trump resistance won't be enough. Democrats will have to show some receipts. WI
JEALOUS from Page 26
When Williams served on the New York City Council, his chief of staff was K. Bain, now the founder of Human Justice in New York City. Bain's work is rooted in the same refusal to reduce people to their worst moments. The same insistence that safety and dignity are not opposites. The same belief that justice fails the moment it forgets the humanity of the people inside it. Ideas shape institutions when they sit in the room long enough. Asset framing did not just live in a book. It did not just live in a nonprofit. It lived in a governing culture. And eventually, it surfaced at a microphone. This is why the moment mattered. We are living in a season of backlash politics, fear-based messaging and calls to "get tough" that flatten entire communities into threats to be managed. Even well-meaning leaders often fall back on deficit language because it sounds serious. Responsible. Realistic.
But it is not neutral. It is corrosive. When you repeatedly describe children as problems, do not be surprised when systems treat them that way. Asset framing is not soft. It is countercultural. It undermines the moral logic of cruelty. It challenges the quiet assumption that some people must be broken before they can be seen. What Williams did was remind us of something we once knew: public safety does not begin with suspicion. It begins with recognition. If Black boys are "already enough," as he said, then our policies, schools, labor markets and justice systems have obligations they can no longer evade. That is the real work asset framing demands. Not applause. Accountability. And it starts with telling the truth about who our children are — before the world tries to mark them as something else. WI
MARSHALL from Page 26
in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion." Subverting meaning to undermine or destroy established systems by challenging their foundation and causing their downfall or ruin from within. George Washington was correct in his prediction. Many of today's elected leaders are, without a doubt,
cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men and women whose goal is to dismantle the built-in systems of checks and balances at the detriment of people of color. One example is the Department of Education's civil rights office (OCR). Typically, the OCR resolves dozens of racial harassment cases each year and did so even during Trump's first administration. Given the current cultural climate in our nation, the harassment is getting bolder. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
HARRIS/MCDANIEL from Page 26 sion. Her plans include working with the state legislature's expanded Democratic majority to pass a multifaceted health care package designed to tackle out-of-pocket costs. Another proposal seeks to support Virginians most likely to lose access to health care due to Republicans refusal to extend Obamacare subsidies. Spanberger is also proposing additional policies that will reduce utility bills and expand the availability of affordable housing. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has put forth a budget that would raise public education spending, including a 10% increase in average teacher pay. Stein also wants to invest millions more in health care. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order last month aimed at reducing energy costs. Miami Florida's first female and Democratic mayor in 30 years has outlined plans to create more affordable housing through permitting reform, a
the low-wage labor market. Young men with identical résumés applied for the same jobs. The only variables were race and criminal record. What she found was devastating, and precise. White men with criminal records were more likely to receive callbacks than Black men with no criminal record at all. In the low-wage economy, Blackness itself functioned as a criminal marker. Long before a police stop. Long before a courtroom. Long before a mistake could even be made. Pager proved that deficit framing is not just cultural. It is economic. It is enforced by markets. It punishes people before they act. That is the lie Williams was pushing back against — not rhetorically, but morally. And his words did not come out of nowhere.
them were enslavers, yet they drafted a U.S. Constitution that allowed subsequent corrective amendments, eventually creating a balanced system. Unfortunately, a balanced system is no good when people's illwilled intentions control it. There are reasons why George Washington was called the "Father of our Nation." In his farewell address at the end of his second term as president, Washington stated: "However [political parties] may now and then answer political ends, they are likely
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father, like sons! His daughter is married to a man who was handed $2 billion by the Saudis — for what? It certainly wasn't for the benefit of hardworking Americans! He has assigned his son-in-law to handle the Ukraine-Russia problem! Guess he's given up on Putin! In addition to taking over the Kennedy Center — a tribute honoring our beloved dead president — he wants to name unbuilt warships after himself. He tried to get on Mount Rushmore, tore down
a part of the White House, so he could name a part of it for himself. He was so jealous of President Obama that he put silly messages on his official White House photo! Check out National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, which could allow government agencies to penalize people based on their beliefs. Peaceful advocacy groups could be investigated for challenging government policy! A church could face scrutiny for simply expressing its faith. WI
Scott also gave $70 million to the United Negro College Fund to create a pooled endowment benefiting 37 member schools, strengthening financial sustainability across the HBCU network. While HBCUs build future leaders, Urban League affiliates address immediate needs in housing, workforce development and entrepreneurship. Gifts like $7.4
million to Seattle and $6 million to Pittsburgh have expanded housing programs and connected thousands of families to jobs and child care resources. Since 2020, Scott has given away over $26 billion to more than 2,500 nonprofits that support causes like racial justice, education and economic mobility. Scott's model challenges the status quo of philanthropy. By removing strings, she empowers
organizations to respond to local needs with agility and vision. This is not charity — it's partnership. And it's a blueprint for how transformational giving can dismantle systemic barriers. If we want lasting change, more donors must follow Scott's lead: trust the organizations closest to the work, fund them boldly and let them lead. Communities thrive when resources meet vision without constraint. WI
TILGHMAN from Page 27
must do better
emotion. There are caregivers who don't know where to begin. If that's you, you are not alone. And your voice matters. Fatherhood has taught me that advocacy is an act of love. Sometimes it looks like joy and celebration. And sometimes it looks like sitting in a conference room asking hard questions until you receive honest answers. Our children deserve systems that work for them — not systems parents constantly have to push against. Because an IEP is not just paperwork. It is access. It is equity. It is opportunity. And every child deserves exactly that. WI
Jason Crow who said, "I served this country as an Army Ranger in Iraq and Afghanistan. I took an oath to defend the Constitution, and I still live by that oath today in Congress. Now Trump is calling for me and other veterans to be imprisoned and murdered!" He's done the same to Sen. Mark Kelly who still serves our country with distinction! Trump nor his sons saw fit to serve. Like
MORIAL from Page 27
This isn't about confrontation. It's about clarity. Written communication protects your child and helps everyone stay accountable.
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Discover
IEP meetings can be emotional. You are talking about your child's needs, strengths, challenges and goals, sometimes in very clinical terms. Having another person present — a spouse, friend, advocate or trusted community member — can make a real difference. They can take notes, listen calmly, and help you process what's being discussed. No parent should feel isolated at the IEP table.
Educators aren't the enemy — the system is strained
Most teachers, specialists and school staff care deeply about children. Many are working under enormous pressure, facing staffing shortages and heavy caseloads. The problem is systemic. Any under-resourced system will eventually shift responsibility back onto families — especially those without extra time, money or support. That's why structural change matters.
What schools and districts
Parents should not have to become full-time case managers simply to secure basic services. Prince George's County — like many districts across the country — must prioritize: • Hiring additional special education staff and case managers. • Reducing caseloads. • Communicating with families in plain, accessible language. • Training parents so they understand the IEP process early. • Respecting families' cultural and lived experiences. • Ensuring evaluations and services are delivered on time. IEP meetings should function as partnerships — not bureaucratic transactions. When families understand the process, and schools have the resources to meet student needs, children succeed.
Why I continue to speak up
I don't share my family's journey for sympathy. I share it because silence doesn't serve our children — and too many families feel alone in this process. There are parents who feel intimidated in meetings. There are fathers who sit quietly while holding back
Our children deserve systems that work for them — not systems parents constantly have to push against.
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