RECIPIENT OF THE DC BLACK MBA ASSOCIATION 2023 LEGACY AWARD
Serving Our Community in the DMV
Vol 59 No 31...May 16 - 22 , 2024
Howard Graduation Page 22
Powerhouse Panel, Diverse District Residents Reflect on 70th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, Bolling v. Sharpe
Considering 'Separate But Equal' in 2024, How Local Case Influenced D.C. Today
By D. Kevin McNeir and Micha Green WI Contributing Writer and WI Managing Editor Seven decades ago, a 45-yearold Thurgood Marshall, then chief counsel for the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund, led a determined group of attorneys to a victory in the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), marking the
end of legalized racial segregation in American schools. The landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education on May 17, 1954, not only integrated schools, but overruled the “separate but equal” principle set forth in the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson case. With Brown v. Board of Education turning 70 this year, the Thurgood Marshall Center for
REFLECTION Page 44
5Rawle Andrews, Esq., Dr. Jean Accius, Ph.D., Kim Keenan, Esq. and Barbara Arnwine, Esq. on a panel at the Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage in Northwest, D.C. on May 9 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, and pay tribute to Thurgood Marshall. (D. Kevin McNeir/ The Washington Informer)
PRINCE GEORGE’S POLITICAL UPDATE
5Jacqueline Pogue Lyons, president of the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) rallied at Roosevelt High School on May 10 because WTU and D.C. Public Schools have yet to finalize a new contract, which could result in teachers not seeing a cost-of-living salary increase. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)
WTU Rails against 'Delay Tactics' in Collective Bargaining Mayor Bowser Hints at Impasse about Salary in Teacher Contract Negotiations
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer Once again, the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) and D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) have yet to finalize a new contract, due to what union members describe as delay tactics by central office leadership and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D). Public school teachers say that, without a new contract, they will more than likely not see a cost-of-living salary increase for however long it takes to finalize the con-
tract. The situation proves even more harrowing for those with more than 20 years, whose retirement income will stagnate. Michael Donaldson, a Spanish teacher at Deal Middle School in Northwest, said this situation reaffirms the stark reality of teaching amid DCPS’ budget crunch. “DCPS increased the cost of each teacher but we’re not seeing those benefits on an expired contract,” Donaldson said in reference to what central office leaders ex-
TEACHERS Page 44
Maryland’s Primary Election Comes Down to the Wire, Alsobrooks and Hogan Victorious in Senate Race Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, April McLain Delaney Among Victors in Other State Primaries By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter Maryland’s primary elections
came to a close on Tuesday night with the closely contested U.S. Senate race ending with Prince George’s County
Executive Angela Alsobrooks as the Democratic victor and Larry Hogan, Maryland’s former governor, as the
PRIMARY RACE Page 12
The Youth of Black Swan Academy Unite around Budget Demands tified before the Committee These items, and more, came to By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer Throughout much of this budget season, the young people of Black Swan Academy visited D.C. council members’ offices and tes-
of the Whole in demand of priorities outlined in their 2023 Black Youth Agenda, including timely school repairs, violence interruption expansion, youths’ access to public benefits, and expansion of affordable housing.
Celebrating 59 years. Your credible and trusted source for Black news and information.
the forefront once again on Mon-
BLACK SWAN Page 29