The Washington Informer - November 6, 2025

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wi hot topics

Trump Administration to Send Only Partial Food Stamp Payments This Month

‘Protect the People Who Call D.C. Home’: Bowser Uses Contingency Funds to Cover Payments

The Trump administration will send only partial payments this month to roughly 42 million Americans who receive benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The move offers only a temporary reprieve to low-income families as the government shutdown nears its sixth week, and millions brace for uncertainty.

The plan was disclosed on Monday in federal court filings after two judges found fault in the administration’s decision to halt SNAP funding. One judge, John J. McConnell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, ordered the administration to either make full payments by Monday or partial payments by Wednesday. He suggested that the government use tariff revenues or other accounts to ensure benefits are fully funded.

The Trump administration, however, opted against tapping additional reserves, signaling that only about half of

the November benefits will be paid out. It also remains unclear when recipients might receive their aid, as the administration previously acknowledged that delays could occur while recalculating and issuing payments during the shutdown.

In Washington, D.C., the impact is particularly severe. About 85,000 District households, representing roughly 141,000 residents, rely on SNAP benefits each month. The average monthly benefit per household is $314. A 10% local enhancement was recently approved to help offset rising grocery prices.

With the federal government’s response uncertain, Mayor Muriel Bowser authorized the use of local contingency funds to ensure D.C. residents enrolled in SNAP

5 Hall of Famer and Washington legend Art Monk waves to fans during his jersey retirement ceremony on Nov. 2 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)

In a night that ended with a grueling 38-14 loss, there were still special moments that were unforgettable.

A night set for celebrating franchise history and special moments quickly turned into the Commanders most grueling losses of the season so far.

The Washington Commanders attempted to snap their three-game losing streak, hosting the Seattle Seahawks at Northwest Stadium for Sunday night

football, but instead found themselves struggling in key areas to make any glimpse of a victory possible –along with ending the night adding more players to their injury list.

While game guard Sam Cosmi called the match “gut-wrenching” after quarterback Jayden Daniels went down with an elbow injury, here are four special moments from week nine against the Seahawks, despite the tough defeat.

1. Washington Debuts Super Bowl Era Jerseys

The Washington Commanders finally celebrated their team’s redirection in name changes over the

Halfway to Fascism: What Project 2025 Has Already Put in Motion

Project 2025– the conservative movement to reshape America— is halfway complete, with 251 of 532 policy objectives already executed.

These are not proposals waiting for congressional debate; they are orders, regulations, and reversals already in effect.

What began as a 900-page roadmap has turned into a government-wide transformation that rewards obedience and punishes dissent.

According to the Center for Progressive Reform, 48% of the policy objectives have been enacted across multiple federal agencies. Each move is deliberate, eroding rights that generations fought to secure and tightening the grip of a government bent on control.

Here are just some of the actions that have already been implemented under Project 2025:

• Department of Justice: Revived the death penalty, restarted the China Initiative targeting Asian Americans, and empowered prosecutions of local officials who refuse to enforce Trump’s version of law and order.

• Department of Education: Rescinded Title IX protec-

tions for women and LGBTQ students, dismantled the Office for Civil Rights, and erased gender identity data from school reporting.

Department of Health and Human Services: Defunded Planned Parenthood, removed gender identity from national health databases, and imposed new restrictions on reproductive care and abortion access.

Department of Housing and Urban Development: Rolled back fair housing protections, penalized single mothers through aid restrictions, and reinstated policies that reward marriage while undermining equity goals.

Department of Agriculture: Reinstated strict work requirements for SNAP, reduced WIC eligibility, and restricted food access for low-income families.

Department of Homeland Security: Expanded ICE authority to detain immigrants and even U.S. citizens under the banner of national security.

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AROUND THE REGION

In the Shadow of a Confederate General, Norton’s Fight for Justice Continues

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Despite personal and political attacks, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), who has represented D.C. in Congress since 1991, is fighting back.

The National Park Service has quietly reinstalled the statue of Confederate General Albert Pike near Judiciary Square, five years after protesters tore it down during nationwide demonstrations against racial injustice.

Norton called the move “morally objectionable” and “an affront to the mostly Black and Brown residents of the District of Columbia.”

The decision arrived like a ghost out of history, its timing cruelly intertwined with Norton’s own ordeal. The 88-year-old civil rights pioneer, who has fought her entire life to free the city from federal control, was scammed inside her Southeast Washington home by a group posing as HVAC workers.

They charged her more than $4,000 for services they never performed, according to a D.C. police report.

The report described Norton as being in the “early stages of dementia,” a characterization her office strongly rejected. Her staff said she has no caretaker, only a trusted house manager who oversees maintenance from another residence.

“Upon notifying her house manager, who reviewed Ring doorbell footage and confirmed that no such appointment had been scheduled, the incident was immediately reported to police,” her office said.

FOOD STAMPS from Page 4 and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program receive their November benefits without interruption.

“We know that SNAP and WIC play a critical role in helping thousands of Washingtonians, and millions of Americans, put food on the table each month,” Bowser said. “We were hopeful it wouldn’t come to this, and we still need the federal government to reopen as soon as possible, but for right now, we’re moving forward to ensure we take care of D.C. residents in November.”

The District estimates it will spend $29 million in local funds to cover

Police are treating the case as felony fraud.

To those who have long watched Norton, it felt like a bitter turn. For decades she has been the city’s moral compass, standing firm in her pursuit of statehood and equality, unafraid to confront presidents and federal bureaucrats alike. But now, as the Trump administration restores the image of a Confederate general in the nation’s capital, her own political footing is under question.

The same week she was targeted by scammers, Norton was once again on Capitol Hill introducing a bill to make the federal government more transparent and equitable in its advertising contracts. Her Federal Government Advertising Equity Accountability Act would require every federal agency to disclose how much it spends on advertising with small, disadvantaged businesses and those owned by women and minorities.

“The federal government has an obligation to ensure fair access for minority and women-owned media companies,” Norton said. “My bill would ensure that federal agencies are striving to reach minorities and women, who often receive the news from smaller media outlets that serve more specific communities.”

That same fight has been the backbone of Norton’s long career. In 2007, she pushed the Government Accountability Office to examine federal ad spending, which showed that only five percent of $4.3 billion in advertising contracts went to minority-owned

November SNAP payments and another $1.5 million to support WIC benefits. The contingency fund, a locally financed reserve used for emergencies, will later be replenished in the city’s next budget cycle.

WIC currently supports more than 12,500 D.C. residents in 8,300 households, providing critical food items, infant formula, and nutritional education. SNAP and WIC programs also boost the city’s economy. Officials estimate that every dollar in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in local economic activity through grocery stores and small businesses.

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businesses. In 2024, a new report showed progress had stalled, with just 15% going to those firms.

“The promotion of equity in advertising, and in all areas of government, must be a continuous effort,” the District’s delegate said. “It is fundamental to the mission of every federal agency.”

Norton Still Fighting, Won’t Bow to Pike Statue

While Norton continues to work the legislative trenches, the city she loves is changing around her. Political insiders now openly question whether she can maintain her seat.

Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto and At-Large Councilmember Robert White are already campaigning to replace her, each promising to defend D.C.’s autonomy from a newly emboldened Trump administration.

“She hasn’t had the fire and fight in a time that we really need it,” said White, who once worked in Norton’s office. “It’s been clear to me and a lot

of people that we need someone who can take that torch and move it forward.”

But in the neighborhoods that raised her, among the people who have voted for her decade after decade, Norton’s name still means something.

To them, she is the woman who fought the District’s colonial status and stood firm when others faltered.

As the statue of Albert Pike again towers over Judiciary Square, its shadow seems to fall on all of Washington.

UNPACK A NEW BEGINNING

For many residents, the monument is not about history but about hierarchy — a reminder that the city’s Black majority still lives under the control of a federal government willing to restore a Confederate soldier while stripping away local power.

Norton, however, has never been one to bow to symbols.

“Pike represents the worst of the Confederacy,” she said, “and has no claim to be memorialized in the nation’s capital.” WI

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P INT

BY KEITH GOLDEN JR.

How have you prepared to fill the gap that was created by this current administration and their policies?

ALE WHEELER / SOUTHEAST, D.C.

“I’m not ready. It’s a surprise to me and everybody”

PENNY / SOUTHEAST, D.C.

“I don’t get the food stamps, but a lot of my customers where I work talk about how it’s gonna affect them because they are not prepared. One of my babies was laid off, he’s using up his credit cards to get by. Another one of my babies [tells] the rent people [what the government says]: ‘We ain’t got no money, so you ain’t getting no money.’”

TYRONE WASHINGTON / SOUTHEAST, D.C.

“It’s a mess. I’m month to month. I’m struggling myself. But the kids are really my concern. What they going to eat?”

MARY LACKWELL / SOUTHEAST, D.C.

“I lost half of my income, they took my QNB plan that’s like Part 2 of Medicaid. It hurt me so bad, my income went from $2,000 a month to $1,000. I’m not meeting my obligations financially and sometimes I go without food. I just hold on… that’s all I can do.”

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AROUND THE REGION

Residents— From East of the River to Uptown— Angered by MPD-Federal Agent Collusion

In Aftermath of Federal Officer-Involved Shooting, Ward 7 Resident Questions Sixth District Commander

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

Even as residents at a recent Ward 7 community meeting countered his statements, Sixth District Commander Jaron Hickman vehemently denied the presence of ICE agents operating alongside his officers in the community.

“We are embedded with federal agencies, not ICE,” Hickman told residents on the evening of Oct. 22. ”We’re embedded with ATF. Border Patrol does come out, but when they’re with us, they’re not in an immigration enforcement type of field. When they go out in the 6th District, they’re mostly embedded with my crime suppression team, and they do visibility for me.”

As those residents would later find out, some of those agents do much more than “visibility.”

Less than a week before the meeting at Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent shot an SUV during a stop initiated by a Sixth District Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer’s call.

HSI is a division of ICE under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The HSI special agent encounter happened near 44th Street and Benning Road in Northeast— less than a block from the library where Hickman

met residents. According to reports, MPD made a call about dark tints and alleged missing front tags. MPD officers, unable to chase vehicles, deferred to the HSI agent referred to as “Bebber” who pursued and shot three times at the vehicle.

Phillip Brown, the driver of that SUV, would later be charged with the felony of fleeing a police officer. One of the bullets shot by the HSI special agent went through his seat, and another through his jacket nearly hitting his body.

Given the details of Brown’s arrest that have surfaced, Ward 7 resident and political leader Chioma Iwuoha said there’s no excuse for what Hickman said, or didn’t say, to community members that very next evening.

“He came in that meeting knowing that this… had happened,” Iwuoha told The Informer.

Iwuoha, a Ward 7 resident and D.C. Democratic Party at-large committeewoman, organized the Oct. 22 meeting that started with a know-yourrights training conducted by Samantha Davis of Free D.C. Both women later sat among the nearly two dozen community members who listened to, and weighed in on, a discussion between Hickman and Dr. Marla Dean of the Ward 7 Education Council about: the nature of MPD Sixth District’s relationship with federal agents and how residents can hold federal agents accountable for unlawful interactions.

During the meeting, Hickman said that agents aren’t bound to MPD accountability protocols. In regard to MPD’s relationship with federal agents, Hickman told residents that federal agencies, and ICE in particular, listen to radio correspondences and appear on the scene of their own volition.

“If there’s a stop and officers say they need assistance, there’s a chance that an ICE agent or there’s a chance that an agent would assist,” Hickman said.

“When you talk about ICE, we’re not embedded with them in the operations.”

5 Mayor Muriel Bowser is stepping up to advocate for Washingtonians by ensuring the District will honor Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Women, Infants and Children program obligations for the month of November. (WI File Photo/ Ja’Mon Jackson)

before an audience that included staffers in D.C. Councilmember Wendell Felder’s office.

“He didn’t distinctly in the meeting separate HSI from ICE,” Iwuoha said about Hickman. “To me that says that ICE is embedded in our operations. But apparently he’s making a distinction that I don’t think he made in that meeting which feels like it was misleading.”

D.C. Councilmember

Nadeau Tackles

MPD-Federal Agency Collusion in Public Hearing

After learning of Brown’s violent police encounter, Iwuoha counts among those alleging deception by law enforcement. She has since reached out to Hickman about the remarks he made COLLUSION Page 9

COLLUSION from Page 8

This MPD Sixth District bombshell comes amid several resident complaints about federal law enforcement activity carried out in concert with local police.

One such incident took place in Northeast, near D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School when MPD officers and ICE agents surrounded moped drivers. As first grade teacher Mary Calhoun recently recounted in a public hearing, that stop brought community members together.

“When I arrived, I saw several officers from multiple agencies working together: FBI, HSI, MPD, and some others too far away for me to read their jackets,” Calhoun said in her testimony before the D.C. Council’s Committee on Public Works and Operations.

On Wednesday afternoon, Calhoun told committee chair D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1) that tensions increased amid community members’ inquiries about the stop.

“They and several police guards were surrounding two men who were handcuffed and seated in the street,” Calhoun continued in her testimony. “As I approached from a distance, one MPD officer yelled at me that simply by being present and ‘distracting him,’ I was ‘interfering with the scene.’”

The MPD officer, Calhoun said, took the interaction to the next level.

“He moved toward me aggressively and demanded that I move to a specific location otherwise he would arrest me,” she said.

Minutes after Calhoun’s testimony, Ward 4 resident and Georgetown University professor Gregory Afinogenov spoke about the activity unfolding outside of his window, in real time, for what he said was another time this year.

“Federal MPD officers are accosting people getting off the buses at Georgia Avenue and pulling them off the bus, interrogating them,” Afinogenov told Nadeau. “And I’ve seen at least one woman be hauled out in handcuffs, apparently for the crime of riding the bus.”

Nadeau would later tell reporters that, upon further review, Transit Police Department officers, not MPD, pulled two people off of that Metrobus.

On Oct. 29, Calhoun and Afinogenov counted among more than 50 public witnesses who signed up to speak at a roundtable that Nadeau conducted in exploration of possible D.C. Human Rights Act violations. In her opening remarks, Nadeau read quotes

collected from District youth about their family members’ experiences with ICE, including instances when parents gave their children banking information in case of their detainment, and youth went into hiding during ICE sightings.

“I was terrified because I’ve never been in a situation like that but I did what she told me to do and went in my parents’ room with my 4-year-old sister and told my cousin to be quiet and not say nothing,” Nadeau read in her opening remarks as she shared a youth’s story. “I was just praying to the Lord that nothing happens and my dad called me – he just told me to stay in there and my mom was coming and to pray that everything will be okay so I did that. And just stayed there waiting until my mom finally came home and she said that they left, but I just saw from the look of her that she was scared and relieved that we were okay.”

Other public witnesses who spoke with Nadeau, and at times D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5) on Oct. 29 included: Free DC’s Samantha Davis; U.S. Shadow Representative Dr. Oye Owolewa; Jacqueline Castaneda of the DC Latino Caucus; Ward 1 D.C. Council candidate Aparna Raj, and Catherine Gaal, chairwoman of the Third District Citizens Advisory Council.

Other committee members— D.C. Council members Robert White (D-At large), Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4), and Wendell Felder (D-Ward 7)— didn’t attend the nearly five-hour hearing.

Though no representatives from the D.C. Office of Human Rights provided government testimony, Nadeau said her hearing affirmed the need for further action. She noted that the testimony heard throughout much of Wednesday implicates MPD, though not necessarily federal agents, other than in incidents involving encampments.

“As elected leaders in our city, it’s really important for us to hear those firsthand accounts so that we understand exactly what’s going on in our neighborhoods,” Nadeau said. “The ward council members, we hear from constituents all the time about what’s going on in the neighborhoods. We see it with our own eyes, but having it all compiled here today was very powerful.”

In speaking about next steps, Nadeau mentioned further collaboration with her council colleagues, the majority of whom she believes to be against MPD-federal agent cooperation.

AROUND THE REGION

“What we need to do is get some input from the Judiciary Committee on this and how they want to approach it,” Nadeau told The Informer.

For Nadeau, however, there still remains the question of how effective the council would be in countering the ongoing federal law enforcement activity.

“The executive order that was issued on cooperation with ICE is definitely something that I think we need to look more deeply at,” she told The Informer. “because it seems to identify an area under the Sanctuary Values Act where we are vulnerable, where our residents are vulnerable to MPD cooperation.”

The Local Arm of a National Movement Makes Its Presence Felt

Minutes after Afinogenov’s council testimony on Wednesday, Merawi Gerima and other members of the D.C Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression filed into Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building in demand of an immediate response to the incident on Georgia Avenue.

Nadeau told the organizers to speak with her staff.

Earlier in the week, Gerima hinted at actions he and his comrades

would continue to take to compel the D.C. Council’s movement against MPD-federal agent collusion.

“We’re…making sure that we bring pressure to our city council members who need that pressure to do the right thing,” Gerima told The Informer. “We visited Chairman Mendelson in Tenleytown this past Saturday and asked him to take some concrete positions on fighting back against the Trump agenda in D.C. and the mayor’s capitulation.”

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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Maryland Allocates $62 Million to Ensure Full Food Assistance Amid Federal Cutbacks

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

As the federal government continues to falter in its obligations to low-income families during the protracted shutdown, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has moved decisively to fill the void.

On Monday, Moore authorized the release of $62 million in state funding to guarantee that all Marylanders receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive their full November allotments.

The action comes as the Trump administration proceeds with its plan

to distribute only partial food stamp payments, covering roughly half of the November benefits owed to the 42 million Americans who depend on the program.

Two federal judges recently ruled that the administration’s suspension of SNAP payments violated the law and ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to use contingency funds to maintain the program. However, the administration opted to pay only a portion, leaving states scrambling to prevent widespread hunger.

“One of the first and most basic priorities of governing is to ensure that families do not go hungry,” Moore said in announcing the exec-

utive order. “We will continue to do everything in our power to protect our people in these difficult times. But no state can fill the enormous gap created by Donald Trump and his administration. It’s time for the federal government to do its job and fully fund food assistance.”

The $62 million will be drawn from Maryland’s Fiscal Responsibility Fund. It supplements $10 million Moore previously released to support food banks and community organizations confronting surging demand. The state’s Department of Human Services will oversee distribution of

Maryland Leaders Celebrate SNAP Ruling

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

Maryland leaders are celebrating after two federal judges ruled for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to be distributed post President Donald Trump’s repeated refusal to use a $5 billion contingency fund to keep November food assistance available to the estimated 42 million Americans and 680,000 Marylanders who qualify.

An Oct. 31 ruling by Judge John McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island declared that food assistance must be paid out of emergency funds “as quickly as possible,” and Judge Indira Talwani of Massachusetts ruled the Trump administration’s attempt to suspend SNAP was illegal.

“The court is ordering that USDA must distribute the contingency

money timely, or as soon as possible, for the Nov. 1 payments to be made,” said McConnell in his ruling. “There is no doubt, and it is beyond argument, that irreparable harm will begin to occur if it hasn’t already occurred in the terror it has caused some people about the availability of funding for food for their family.”

A written order by McConnell mandates partial payments be made by Nov. 5, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Nov. 2 that the administration will comply and not appeal the legal decision.

Maryland Gov.

Wes Moore (D) celebrated the rulings and called SNAP a landline for millions of Americans.

“The court is ordering that USDA must distribute the contingency money timely, or as soon as possible, for the Nov. 1 payments to be made.”

“We have long said: the Trump administration must follow the law, release contingency funding for SNAP, and lead congressional Republicans in ending the federal government shutdown,” said Moore. “We are encouraged by both Judge Talwani and Judge McConnell’s rulings and call upon the USDA to release emergency nutrition funds on Monday.”

Judge John McConnell Jr. Rhode Island

Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D) announced she was “deeply relieved” by the

the funds to ensure that families relying on SNAP, about 360,000 households, receive uninterrupted benefits this month.

“Maryland families shouldn’t have to suffer because the federal government chose to pause vital benefits,” said Human Services Secretary Rafael López. “The governor’s decisive action is helping prevent Maryland families from going hungry during this senseless government shutdown. We will move urgently to get Marylanders the SNAP benefits their families depend on to put food on the table.”

court ruling and Attorney General Anthony Brown (D), one of 23 attorney generals suing the Trump administration for suspending SNAP benefits, pledged to continue his legal efforts to ensure food assistance for Maryland families.

“The Court agreed that USDA can’t lawfully cut off Marylanders’ SNAP benefits. As this case moves forward, we will continue to fight in court to force the federal government to fund SNAP benefits that families rely on to put food on the table,” Brown said in a statement.

“Every Marylander deserves the dignity of knowing where their next meal will come from. We will not allow the Trump administration to take food from children’s mouths when they have the money to feed them.”

Marylanders in need of food assistance should visit 211md.org to locate the nearest food pantry or food bank.

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void due to the federal government shutdown, having authorized the release of $62 million in state funding to guarantee that all Marylanders receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will receive their November allotments.

Maryland joined a multistate lawsuit late last month challenging the Trump administration’s suspension of SNAP, arguing that the federal government has both the authority and the funds to sustain the program. The legal action, filed alongside several governors and attorneys general, contends that the administration’s decision violates both federal law and decades of precedent during past shutdowns, when food benefits continued uninterrupted.

The state also declared a temporary State of Emergency to address the cascading effects of the shutdown, which has left thousands of federal employees furloughed or without pay. In Maryland, home to more than 269,000 federal workers, Moore’s order ensures not only continued SNAP assistance but also broader support services, including food access, unemployment insurance, legal guidance, and health coverage.

In the District, Mayor Muriel Bowser also stepped in, allocating $29 million from local contingency funds to cover partial federal payments and prevent hunger among 85,000 District households.

While the Trump administration insists that it lacks sufficient reserves to provide full assistance, state officials across the region warn that such austerity in the face of need risks deepening hunger and economic instability.

“We are seeing local governments doing what Washington refuses to do,” Moore said. “We’ll protect our people, but we will not stop demanding that the federal government live up to its most basic responsibilities.” WI

Central Prince Georgians Launch Blue Line Corridor Coalition

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Elected officials, business and nonprofit leaders, and community activists converged in central Prince George’s County, Maryland on Oct. 29 to formally launch the Blue Line Corridor Coalition (BLCC), a locally based partnership committed to advancing transit oriented development, fair access and sustained growth along Metro’s Blue Line stations in the area.

“We are here to rehearse the future,” said Bryan Franklin, the deputy director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), to the gathering of 30 people at Mini Plaza shopping center in Seat Pleasant. “At the core of the coalition is the vision to create a thriving Blue Line Corridor where history and culture fuels progress, and those who call these neighborhoods home share in its growth. We’re collectively rehearsing a future where vacant lots turn into new homes, a six-lane highway turns into a walkable boulevard and where empty storefronts transform into places where memories are made. The BLCC is built on five years of community engagement, over $6 billion of investments, and a LISC model to generate a 4:1 return on investment.”

The Corridor extends along Metro’s Blue/Silver Line and along Central Avenue. Metro stations, east to west, consist of Downtown Largo, Morgan Boulevard, Addison Road-Seat Pleasant and Capitol Heights and the neighborhoods surrounding them comprise the Corridor.

The announcement comes as more county and state attention is paid to central Prince George’s County, an area many residents and leaders feel has been economically neglected as opposed to east of the Capital Beltway communities, the northern part of the county and National Harbor.

However, the state of Maryland through the administration of Gov. Wes Moore (D) and the support of former County Executive and present U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D) has targeted $400

million for the Corridor.

Alsobrooks’ colleague, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D), did not attend the event but made it clear that he supports the BLCC and the economic growth of the Corridor.

“The Blue Line Corridor is full of potential–and the people who live and work here should be the ones shaping its future,” Van Hollen said in a statement. “The creation of this new coalition marks an important step toward ensuring that the critical development underway is shaped by the community and is centered around shared economic opportunity and local entrepreneurs who reflect the diversity and strength of Prince George’s County. I look forward to continuing to work with our state and local partners to drive further investment in this work and make this shared vision a reality.”

Leaders Emphasize the Importance of Coalition and Its Work

One of the speakers for the event was Maryland Del. Jazz Lewis (D-District 24), who serves as the majority leader of his chamber. Lewis has been a passionate supporter of the Corridor project and said he will continue his advocacy in Annapolis.

“When leaders lock arms, there is little we can’t do,” he said, looking around the room. “Two of my ex-colleagues, Melony Griffith and Ben Barnes, played a role in helping the Blue Line Corridor and they should be recognized. They don’t live in the Blue Line Corridor, but they are an example that we love our entire county (no matter where we live).”

Lewis said he will work to see that the corridor stays on track and gets more money for the coalition.

Krystal Oriadha, who represents a lot of the neighborhoods in the area as a County Council member, said she will do her part also.

“A lot of work for this project came from a lot of people,” she said.

She pointed out that areas such as those in Capitol Heights and

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Addison Road-Seat Pleasant have not gotten the attention their eastern neighborhoods have, and that has to change.

“For far too long, our side of the corridor has been ignored,” Oriadha, a resident of Seat Pleasant, said, also noting that she has secured $250 million for the coalition to do its work. “I want to thank County Executive Aisha Braveboy for her commitment to this project. We have $400 million, everyone is watching to see what we do.”

In addition, Victor Burrola, an executive with Wells Fargo, donat-

ed $170,000 to the coalition and Tonia Wellons, president of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, also spoke during the launch and pledged her support.

Kyle Reeder, the co-founder of The Capital Market–a community development organization Capitol Heights–said the inauguration of the coalition “is not just a launch but an alignment.” He pointed out the importance of food to the corridor saying that many neighborhoods don’t have full-service grocery stores.

“Food is the heart of community development, a powerful entry

point into broader conversations about public health, environmental sustainability, transportation, economic growth, affordable housing and cultural heritage,” Reeder said. “The launch of the Blue Line Corridor Coalition marks a moment of alignment, of people, purpose and possibility. Leaders, residents, entrepreneurs, artists, are bringing their fight to one shared vision for the corridor. Together, we choose to make this corridor work for the people who have long held it together.”

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By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Black Leadership Has Dumfries, Virginia in Good Financial Shape

The Town of Dumfries, Virginia, which is led administratively by Town Manager Tangela Innis and politically by Mayor Derrick R. Wood, announced on Oct. 22 that S&P Global Ratings has assigned the municipality a credit rating of “AA-plus stable outlook.”

This marks the first time in the town’s history that Dumfries— led by Innis and Wood, both African American, and is majority-minority with a 22% Black population— has received a credit rating, a milestone that underscores its evolution from Virginia’s oldest continuously chartered municipality to one of the most fiscally disciplined and forward-thinking communities.

“This rating from S&P is both validation and motivation,” said Innis. “Since my arrival in April 2023, it recognizes our disciplined budgeting, transparent financial practices, and the tremendous efforts of our team to build a sustainable future for the Town of Dumfries. We will continue

working to ensure our financial health remains strong and our community thrives.”

Dumfries has roughly 5,300 residents and is located in central Virginia. The rating will bolster the Town’s capacity to access capital markets on favorable terms as it moves forward with key infrastructure and community-enhanced projects.

Wood said the rating is a reflection of the Town’s pro-growth strategy.

“Receiving an AA-rating speaks volumes about where our town stands and where we are going,” said Wood. “It’s the result of collaboration, vision, and hard work by our Council, staff and residents. For the first time in our history, Dumfries has earned a credit rating, and it is a strong one. We don’t borrow to patch potholes: we borrow to build the future. This milestone strengthens our ability to unlock investment, pursue major infrastructure improvements, and deliver on the promise of progress, partnerships and possibilities for Dumfries.”

Wood went on to say “this achievement represents another step in the Town’s broader transformation and commitment to fiscal excellence.”

“From clean audits to conservative debt policies, Dumfries continues to set a standard for small-town governance and economic resilience,” the mayor said.

National Medical Association Announces New Interim Executive Director

The National Medical Association (NMA), the largest and oldest organization representing Black physicians and their patients in the United States, announced the appointment of Martin Hamlette as its new interim executive director, succeeding Joy Calloway.

Hamlette currently serves as president and CEO of Evergreen Hill Advisors LLC, an executive advisory firm specializing in social impact, workforce development, and population health

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strategic planning and administration. His appointment as interim executive director of the NMA became effective Oct. 11.

Most recently, Hamlette served as U.S. head of ESG strategy, operations and partnerships at Novartis, where he led strategic collaborations and initiatives focused on expanding access, promoting innovation, and improving population health outcomes. In 2021, working closely with Dr. Patrice Matchaba, former president of the Novartis U.S. Foundation, he helped to launch the $50 million Novartis Beacon of Hope initiative to improve health outcomes and higher education opportunities.

A respected thought leader within the global health care industry, Hamlette expertise has been recognized on international stages. In June 2025, he presented key program outcomes at the Cannes Lions Festival in France.

In 2024, he addressed driving societal impact at the Unleash America Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. His previous appointments include serving on the COVID-19 Advisory Council at the Rockefeller Foundation in 2021, and as a featured panelist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2019, where he discussed the economic and social inequities influencing health outcomes.

Hamlette is no stranger to the NMA, having previously served as executive director from 2015 through 2022. During his tenure, he led the organization through a seven-year period of sustained expansion and growth, securing multi-year partnerships with Fortune 100 companies and private foundations dedicated to advancing health equity through public-private collaboration. Notably, he was both the youngest and longest-serving executive

director in the association’s history.

“It is an honor to return to the National Medical Association and serve its members once again during such a pivotal time for our profession and our communities,” Hamlette said. “The NMA has always stood as a beacon for health equity and social justice in medicine, and I am excited to help advance that mission alongside our dedicated leadership, physicians, and partners.”

Dr. Roger A. Mitchell, the 126th NMA president, celebrated Hamlette’s appointment.

“Mr. Hamlette is uniquely equipped to lead the National Medical Association at this pivotal moment,” said Dr. Roger A. Mitchell, Jr. the 126th President of the NMA. “His extensive background and demonstrated skill in managing complex organizations and tackling pressing health policy matters will serve the NMA well as he helps chart its course forward.”

Prior to his initial leadership at NMA, Hamlette served as chief advisor on health policy and legislation to former District Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Howard University, a juris doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law, and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Global Public Health.

He is licensed to practice law in Maryland, New Jersey, and the District. Dr. Michael G. Knight, chair of the NMA board of trustees, welcomed Hamlette back.

“His visionary leadership, strategic insight, and valued expertise with public-private partnerships will ensure that the association continues to thrive and lead on behalf of Black physicians and the communities we serve,” Knight said. WI

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Safest Bank in Angola Honored at Awards Ceremony in D.C

“This recognition confirms our discipline in risk management, robust capitalization, and ongoing focus on customer service quality,” said BAI’s CEO Luís Lélis according to a press release submitted to The Washington Informer.

Members of the bank’s delegation, including BAI’s Executive Director Juvelino Domingos, accepted the award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 18. WI

VETERANS from Page 1

of whom were enslaved persons, who freed this nation because of the Civil War,” said Smith to The Informer. “It is because of Black soldiers that we have the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.”

Donovan K. Bilbro explained he too will be uplifting the accomplishments and contributions of all people who served, but particularly African Americans who enlisted in the Armed Forces.

“Americans have the freedoms that they have because of people who served in the military,” said Bilbro, a former Seat Pleasant, Maryland city council member who enlisted and served in the U.S. Army from October 2013 to January 2018 in a special operations unit. “There should be more recognition of Black veterans and the impact that they have had on this country and in the military.”

While Veterans Day commemorations are set to happen throughout the District this weekend, leading to the official holiday Tuesday, Bilbro

and others note that people who have served in the military are now navigating major challenges.

Veterans of all races are facing budget cuts proffered by the Trump administration and supported by the Republican U.S. Congress, which many believe has altered the effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and politicized the leadership of the Pentagon.

Although military members are more likely than civilians to be paid for their work during the federal government shutdown, the social services needed by those enlisted, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), educational and housing aid, have been put on hold to their detriment.

Jacque Patterson, an at-large D.C. State Board of Education member who resides in Ward 8 and is a candidate for the District’s delegate to the U.S. Congress position, noted Black veterans are feeling the sting of the administration’s policies and actions in a major way.

“This is the worst time to be a Black

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veteran,” said Patterson, who served in the U.S. Air Force from February 1988 to August 2001, briefly re-enrolled in September 2001, and became a reservist from September 30, 2001-2017. “We have the worst commander-in-chief in my lifetime. He treats us poorly. The Veterans Administration has endured layoffs and when you need service, instead of talking to a person, you are talking to a machine. A machine cannot measure what you need, we need to talk to individuals.”

With the holiday approaching, in Bilbro’s view, veterans need a “little more love.”

“Veterans Day is an interesting day for me,” he told The Informer. “I think it should be closer in celebration to the Fourth of July, given what we have sacrificed for the country. When we patronize a business, veterans should receive more than just a 5% discount for a product or a service. What is the point? We have gone through some rough stuff for this country and we should be treated better.”

VETERANS Page 43

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NATIONAL

Americans Lose Faith in Both Political Parties as Frustration Boils Over

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

With the 2026 midterm elections still a year away, Americans are growing increasingly weary of both major political parties. According to a new Pew Research Center survey, neither the Republican nor the Democratic Party is widely viewed as governing ethically or honestly.

The survey of 3,445 adults, adults – conducted from Sept. 2228, just before the monthlong government shutdown – found that only 39% of Americans describe the Republican Party as governing honestly, while 42% say the same about the Democrats. Most Americans view both parties as too extreme, with 61% saying that about Republicans and 57% about Democrats.

Frustration dominates the national mood. About half of Americans say both parties make them angry, and only 36% say the Republican Party makes them feel hopeful. Even fewer, 28%, say that about the Democrats.

“Majorities continue to view both parties as too extreme in their positions,” Pew researchers wrote in the report released Thursday. “And both are viewed by majorities as not governing honestly and ethically.”

The discontent is particularly intense within the Democratic Party. Sixty-seven percent of Democrats say their own party makes them feel frustrated, a sharp increase from previous years. Among those who are frustrated, 41% say the main reason is that the party has not pushed back hard enough against the Trump administration.

Others cite weak leadership, lack of a clear message, and an absence of unity.

Republicans express far less frustration than Democrats, though they are not entirely satisfied either. Forty percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say they are frustrated with their party, while nearly seven in 10 say the GOP makes them feel hopeful.

The study also found that Americans remain deeply divided on policy. The Republican Party continues to hold an edge on crime and immigration, while the Dem-

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ocrats lead on health care, abortion, environmental policy, and issues of race.

Forty-five percent of Americans say they agree with the GOP on crime policy compared with 28% who side with Democrats. Republicans also lead by nine points on immigration, but their advantage on the economy has nearly disappeared, falling to only three points. Democrats maintain a wide lead on health care, with 42% siding with them and 29 % with Republicans.

Even on foreign policy, large shares of Americans reject both parties. Forty-six percent say they agree with neither on the Israel-Hamas conflict, and 36% say the same about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The survey shows that confidence in democratic values is fading. A narrow majority of Americans, 53% , say the Democratic Party respects the nation’s democratic institutions and traditions, while only 44% say that about the GOP. Democrats are more often described as tolerant of different types of people, with 56% saying that applies to the party, compared with 40% who say that about Republicans.

Nearly a third of respondents, 31%, say both parties are too extreme, and one in four say neither governs honestly. About a quarter say neither represents their interests well.

Even when Americans agree, their expectations reveal the divide. Most people in both parties say it is important for the opposing side to compromise but fewer than half say their own party should do the same. Only 46% of Democrats and 39% of Republicans say it is very important for their party’s elected officials to reach across the aisle.

According to Pew, “most Americans are frustrated with both parties, and about half say each makes them angry.”

Some people have taken to X to talk about their disappointment about both parties.

“The problem that regular Americans face is that because we live in a two party system,” Spencer Hakimian, founder of Tolu Capital Management, wrote on X on Sept. 8, formerly known as Twitter, “we constantly get ping ponged back and forth between the 2 incompetent and inept forms of governing.

The Center concluded that, “Neither the Republican nor Democratic Party is widely seen as having good ideas.”

The survey’s margin of error is plus or minus 1.9 percentage points. But the deeper error may lie in how far the public’s faith has fallen in a system that no longer inspires hope.

“All in all,” the authors concluded, “Americans don’t see many good ideas from either political party.”

Black America Remembers Former Vice President Dick Cheney’s Power– and Disregard

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Former Vice President Dick Cheney (R), who served under President George W. Bush and was once considered the most powerful man in Washington, died on Nov. 3 at the age 84.

Survived by his wife Lynne Cheney and daughters former Rep. Liz Cheney and Mary Cheney, the longtime politician’s family said he died of complications related to pneumonia and heart disease.

Cheney’s death closes the chapter on one of the most controversial and consequential figures in American political history, a man whose influence reshaped U.S. foreign policy, tested constitutional limits, and some note, deepened mistrust between Black America and the nation’s leadership.

As the architect of the Iraq War, Cheney’s hand guided America into

one of its most devastating military conflicts, a war justified by false claims of weapons of mass destruction that left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced. He also fiercely defended the Bush administration’s use of torture, warrantless surveillance, and the global network of secret prisons that became known as the “dark side” of U.S. foreign policy.

For many Black Americans, Cheney’s legacy is not one of statesmanship, but of cold detachment from humanity at home and abroad. His political posture often ignored the suffering of marginalized communities, whether through domestic neglect or the moral blindness of policies abroad.

In 2004, during a vice-presidential debate, Cheney drew sharp criticism when he appeared unaware that Black women faced the highest death rates from HIV/AIDS in the country.

“I have not heard those numbers,” he said when told Black women were dying from AIDS at 13 times the rate of white women.

Lawmakers like Reps. Bobby Rush and Barbara Lee called his comments “insensitive and out of touch” with Black America, arguing that his ignorance reflected an administration that “did not have a clue” about the communities most affected by the epidemic.

Reports later surfaced of Cheney telling a racist joke at a private event about having to “dance with an Indian squaw” as a punishment in a hunting contest.

When confronted by Native American policy analyst Philip S. Deloria, Cheney brushed off the exchange, insisting, “You have to understand, that is the system in Lander.”

Deloria later wrote that Cheney “cowered before the racist imperatives of Lander, Wyoming,” calling

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the former vice president’s excuse a disservice to his state and the country.

Despite some of his racially insensitive acts and comments over his career, in his final years, Cheney turned his ire toward President Donald Trump, calling him “the greatest threat to our republic.”

He publicly backed former Vice President Kamala Harris for president in 2024.

Harris took to social media to remember Cheney’s contributions.

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of former Vice President Dick Cheney. Vice President Cheney was a devoted public servant, from the halls of Congress to many positions of leadership in multiple presidential administrations,” she said about her fellow former vice president. “His passing marks the loss of a figure who, with a strong sense of dedication, gave so much of his life to the country he loved.” WI

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Sudan’s Bloodshed Prompts Global Demand for Justice

UN leaders, Human Rights Groups and Investigators Call for Accountability as Human Rights Violations Mount

By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer

With Sudan experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises— as the country has been ravaged by a civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023— peace actors are urging the international community to stand in solidarity with the African nation and its civilians.

“This war has been waged not only by the two armed forces, but more importantly, what we have been seeing is that it’s against… the civilians of Sudan,” said Mona Rishmawi, an international human rights lawyer and member of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) for the Sudan.

The FFM released its most recent report, “Paths to Justice: accountability for atrocities in the Sudan,” to recount violations from both militant forces and their allies, while also exploring ways to hold them accountable and establish peace in the Northeastern African country.

“Torture, murder, summary execution [and] sexual violence are only a few of the main violations that are taking place,” Rishmawi continued.

Although death toll estimates vary, at least tens of thousands of Sudanese civilians have been killed throughout the last two and a half years of violence. Further, 30 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance, approximately 14 million have been forcefully displaced, 24.6 million are experiencing food insecurity and 2 million are facing famine or risk thereof.

The situation recently worsened on Oct. 26 as the RSF, which already controls most of Western Sudan, seized full control of El Fasher, located in the western region of Darfur. Immediately after, the RSF perpetrated mass murders against

civilians across the city, killing an estimated 2,500 and causing approximately 5,000 to flee.

“The reports emerging from El Fasher are horrifying,” wrote Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, in a statement.

“The RSF must immediately end attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure and allow humanitarian aid into the city.”

Bearing Witness to Sudan’s Suffering and Strength

Recently, senior leaders from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) traveled to Sudan to observe the conflict-caused devastation, assess the situation and bring visibility to the country’s protection crisis.

During travels to places like Khartoum and Port Sudan, leaders met many affected by the war and were told harrowing accounts of the atrocities experienced— from sexual violence to mass starvation to widespread disease.

“This week will stay with me— the horrific stories of rights violations, the fear, the utter destruction of infrastructure and services, but

also the resilience of the people,” said UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements during a press briefing on the leaders’ visit.

Clements recalled meeting a woman named Fatima in Port Sudan who left her husband and son, both of whom were killed, and fled from El Fasher with all 18 members of her extended family. The group walked for days without any food before reaching safety, an experience of many who have been displaced.

Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, spoke to women and children in Jebel Marra who had fled El Fasher and were met with an onslaught of armed checkpoints, where they were stripped of their belongings and money and were harassed and attacked.

Like Clements, the strength of the Sudanese people moved Chaiban, especially when so many are cut off from food, water, health care or any kind of humanitarian aid. Their unapologetic resilience remains a beam of hope.

“Communities [were] repairing schools so their children could resume their education,” Chaiban recounted. “In a child-friendly space, children laughed and played. They drew homes they have lost and dreams for the future.” WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

Live Boldly –November 2025 Message from Department of Aging and Community Living

Dear Seniors,

Happy November!

The season may have changed, but the warmth of our love, gratitude, and community spirit continues to shine brighter than ever in the District!

As we approach the end of another calendar year, this is a season for both reflection and anticipation. With one month of Fiscal Year 2026 already underway, there is so much to look forward to. Since taking office in 2015, Mayor Bowser has made it a priority to ensure that Washington, DC remains a place where residents can age comfortably, and with dignity.

In the FY2026 budget, Mayor Bowser has included a $300,000 increase to expand DACL’s Safe at Home program, allowing more seniors on the waitlist to receive services that help them age safely in place. Additionally, $425,000 has been allocated to expand DACL’s Home Delivered Meals Program, providing nutritious meals to an additional 150 District seniors. These investments reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every senior can continue to call DC home.

November also gives us an opportunity to honor a special group of people who make aging in place possible – caregivers. National Caregivers Month is a time to recognize those who dedicate their time, energy, and love to caring for others. It is also a reminder of the importance of education, awareness, and support for caregivers in our community.

As a caregiver myself, to my aging father and grandmother, I know that caregiving is not always easy. But having support makes all the difference. Organizations like the DC Caregivers’ Institute by Home Care Partners provide invaluable resources for unpaid caregivers across the District who care for seniors or adults with disabilities. Their services include case management, monthly reimbursements for caregiving expenses, respite care, support groups, and more. For more information, contact Home Care Partners at 202464-1513, or reach out directly to my office at 202-724-5626 for assistance or support.

To all the caregivers out there, you are seen, you are appreciated, and we thank you for the love, patience, and strength you show every day.

Being together and leaning on one another is exactly how DC continues to be the best place in the nation to age. As the days grow colder and the holidays approach, I encourage you to check in on your neighbors, friends, and loved ones.

Thanksgiving reminds us of the power of gratitude and togetherness. It is a season to slow down, give thanks for the blessings in our lives, and show appreciation for the people who make each day meaningful, our families, friends, and community. Whether it is sharing a meal, volunteering your time, or simply expressing gratitude, this is a wonderful opportunity to give back and spread kindness throughout our community.

If you are looking to connect with others this Thanksgiving season, please join us for Safeway’s 26th Annual Feast of Sharing on Wednesday, November 26, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW) at 11:00 am. The Feast of Sharing will feature a Thanksgiving meal, live entertainment, free health screenings and community service exhibitors, a winter coat giveaway, and more.

As we enter this season of gratitude, let us continue to lift one another up, celebrate the joy of community, and reflect on all that we have accomplished together. Thank you for everything you do to make the District a place where residents of every age can live, grow, and thrive boldly.

Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, safe, and joy-filled Thanksgiving season.

In Service,

Charon P.W. Hines Director, DC Department of Aging

and Community Living

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HEALTH

From Diagnosis to Decision: ‘Movember’ Moves to Shape Prostate Cancer

R&B Legend, Local Health Advocates Push for Early Detection, Education in Men’s Health

By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor

In the midst of his second bout with prostate cancer, R&B icon Montell Jordan is speaking truth to power when it comes to men’s health awareness, starting with an emphasis on the value of early detection.

Following an initial diagnosis in January 2024, the “This is How We Do It” singer opted to undergo radical prostatectomy surgery last November, effectively removing his prostate and declaring him cancer-free – until he returned for his nine-month checkup.

Roughly a year since the surgery, and a month ahead of a new treatment, Jordan told The Informer part of his journey includes influencing generational health, particularly among the Black men disproportionately affected by prostate cancer.

“The beautiful thing is, prostate cancer, when detected early, is 99% treatable,” Jordan said in a September segment of “Let’s Talk” WINTV, coinciding with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. “I need my brothers to get to work, do what we need to do to get ourselves checked. It ain’t about you anymore…it’s about what you leave behind, and it’s about what you’re building right now.”

As November marks the annual global movement for men’s health awareness and support, voices like Jordan and others throughout the metropolitan region are tackling “Movember” with a focus on the barriers that sustain disparities — from the 1 in 6 African Americans (versus 1 in 8 white men) diagnosed with prostate cancer

Burnett told The Informer. “By the time anybody is symptomatic — in terms of weight loss, feeling fatigued, and things like that — that’s when you already have advanced prostate cancer. And that’s a shame.”

men…we don’t have the luxury at this point to be distrustful about a system that maybe has failed us in the past. We got to go after every resource we have available for us to have our family legacies intact.”

in a lifetime, to the average Black male that’s twice as likely to die from it.

Among the list of target items to reshape the status quo, Maryland-based urologist Dr. Arthur “Bud” Burnett II — a pioneer in the development of Viagra — recommends improvements in education, transparency, and learning how to balance all aspects of men’s health, much of which he said starts within the communities.

“Fundamentally, it comes down to the fact that anything that has to do with male sexual function is a tough subject, and men in general are not the best health care consumers,” Burnett told The Informer. “We certainly have to improve access, and we’re very keen about that as well, [but] access may begin with helping all men, women, and families take better responsibility for their own health.”

Symptoms, Stigmas, and First Steps to Tackle Prostate Cancer

For the Black men 60% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, Burnett, a researcher at John Hopkins University, attributes various factors — from cultural and environmental stigmas in health care access, to the medical mysteries of tumor biology and genetic development.

That’s why he says the best realm of navigation lies with early screening, particularly through the Prostate-Specific Antigen, or PSA, test.

“Early detection is where we’ve got to go until we figure out all that science, and what that means is…men in the community need to know…you can’t wait for a symptom to occur,”

An upgrade from the historical finger wave test and digital rectal examination, PSA levels are determined via blood test that examines the elevations of a chemical derived specifically from the prostate. Once the chemical range exceeds that of “a healthy prostate,” Burnett said diving into a well-rounded approach – treating the man “as a whole being and [supporting] him entirely” – is critical to health outcomes, but the key to preserving long-term function is getting tested.

“That really is the first step,” he emphasized, further recommending Black men “and men with strong family histories” get screened a full decade earlier than the standard recommendation at age 50. “Perhaps as you turn 40, you should get this PSA test.”

According to the African American Wellness Project, early warning signs linked to prostate cancer include: frequent or troubled urination, such as pain, burning, or interrupted flow; difficulty with sexual activity, including having an erection, painful ejaculation, or blood in urine or semen; as well as pressure or pain in the rectum, lower back, hips, pelvis, or thighs.

Additionally, African ancestry, family history, obesity, age, and smoking rank in the top five risk factors of diagnosis, with Jordan and Burnett both tacking on the effects of cultural stigmas, such as the common distrust in the public health system.

“When it comes to medical professionals, facilities, the resources that are available to us, if there’s somebody that you don’t trust or something… you don’t like, that’s not everybody, that’s not every hospital, that’s not every doctor,” Jordan reminded. “Black

3 Grammy Award-winning artist Montell Jordan, known for his R&B anthem “This is How We Do It,” joins The Washington Informer in a segment of “Let’s Talk” WIN-TV to discuss his journey towards two-time prostate cancer survivor status. Jordan was first diagnosed in January 2024, and is currently undergoing proton therapy. (WI File Photo/Screenshot via WIN-TV)

When he dawned “Let’s Talk” back in September, the 56-year-old Grammy-winner was a few weeks shy of starting proton therapy, a seven-anda-half-week radiation treatment to kill the specific cancer sites, which he shared were found in his lymph node and prostate bed–despite having the organ removed.

Nonetheless, he embodied a spirit of resilience and determination to kill the disease “before it kills me.”

“From the very first diagnosis, I never felt anything that was what… the world depicts cancer is supposed to look like…what it looks like later down the line when things go undetected, or when things have progressed,” Jordan continued, “but a lot of times, early on, cancer doesn’t have a face. Death doesn’t look like death and…that’s what cancer strives to be.”

After noting the treatment would run close to Thanksgiving, the former Def Jam artist emphasized the role of health literacy and regular checkups in not only his journey, but that of all males, who he added often prefer ignorance when it comes to health and wellness.

“The thing is…you’ve got to do something,” Jordan pleaded. “I’m singing, I’m dancing, I’m performing…and I am doing it to help eradicate the very thing that I am battling right now. We think that we have to wait ‘til something goes wrong in order for something to actually be wrong, and…we gotta make that change now.”

A Global Crusade to Protect Men’s Health

While Burnett and Jordan work to channel testimonials and medical progress, other local assets topping off “Movember” include the Prostate Cancer Awareness Education Session, hosted at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church in Southeast, D.C. on Nov. 8.

Featuring informative presentations, free PSA screenings, and more, Joseph Washington, a member of the co-hosting Knights of Columbus District of Columbia State Council, spoke to the importance of strengthening prostate health care for men across the District.

“How many men out there are aware of their prostate situation? To bring awareness to those that aren’t familiar with the process, how to go about getting tested, where to get tested and what test you can get,” Washington told The Informer, “this is just a way to bring it to the community.”

Meanwhile, Jordan is leveraging his platform with strategic investments to expand awareness, effective communication, and tips for navigating a diagnosis at any stage. With a joint initiative to “blitz the barriers,” the producer-turned-pastor has partnered with ZERO Prostate Cancer to encourage NFL players to get screened for early detection, backed with support of the women, children, and other relatives in their lives urging a priority in health checkups.

Another form of advocacy comes through the pending feature documentary “SUSTAIN,” an intimate exploration from diagnosis to decision of Jordan’s personal journey with prostate cancer, including elements of his most recent bout. WI

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American Diabetes Month: Understanding the Condition and Its Impact

Submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia (DC)

Every November, American Diabetes Month calls attention to a disease that affects millions of people in the United States.1 Diabetes is not only a medical condition but also a public health concern that influences how families, communities, and health systems work.2

While diabetes can be managed, its impact is not felt equally across all groups; both awareness and equity in prevention and care are crucial.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes occurs when the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar, also known as glucose.3 This leads to sugar building up in the blood, which over time can damage your blood vessels, nerves, and organs. Without proper management, diabetes can cause serious health problems such as heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss.

Diabetes and health disparities

In 2021, 38.4 million people in the U.S. were reported to have diabetes.4 This disease affects people of all ages, but not all groups are impacted equally. Compared to 6.9% of non-Hispanic white adults who have diabetes, national data reveals higher percentages of adults with diabetes in communities of color:5

• 13.6% of American Indian and Alaska Native adults

• 12.1% of non-Hispanic Black adults

• 1.7% of Hispanic adults

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, non-Hispanic Black adults in 2023 were 1.4 times more likely than non-Hispanic white adults to be diagnosed with diabetes.6

Recognizing the signs

Understanding the signs and symptoms can lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes. Common signs of diabetes include:7

• Needing to urinate frequently

• Blurred vision

• Changes in weight

• Feeling tired

• Feeling thirsty constantly

Managing diabetes for better health

The daily choices that you make — what you eat, how you move, and how you track your health — play a big role in keeping diabetes under control:

• Eat a balanced diet. Increase how much fiber, lean proteins, and whole grains you eat, and reduce added sugars.

• Stay active. Regular exercise, including walks after meals or strength training, helps your muscles to use blood sugar and lower your glucose levels.

• Monitor your health. Test your blood sugar often and get your A1c checked to stay on top of your progress.

• Work with your health care provider. Talk openly with your provider about any health challenges or diabetes services that can support your care.

American Diabetes Month is an opportunity to expand understanding and reduce disparities. By combining action with solutions, communities can move toward better outcomes.

Sources

1. “American Diabetes Month: We Fight for You,” American Diabetes Association, https://diabetes.org/newsroom/press-releases/american-diabetes-month-we-fight-you

2. “National Diabetes Statistics Report,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 15, 2024, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/ PMC7783927/

3.“WhatIsDiabetes?”ClevelandClinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7104-diabetes

4. “National Diabetes Statistics Report,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 15, 2024, https:// www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html

5. “Statistics About Diabetes,” American Diabetes Association, https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/

statistics/about-diabetes

“6.Diabetes and Black/African Americans,” Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Last edited February 13, 2025, https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/diabetes-and-blackafrican-americans

7. “Diabetes,” World Health Organization, November 14, 2024, https://www.who.int/news-room/factsheets/detail/diabetes

All images are submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia and are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model

Managing Chronic Conditions with the Right Support

Living with chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney issues, or diabetes can be challenging, especially during the holidays when it becomes harder to follow your normal routine. AmeriHealth Caritas DC understands these challenges and offers special health programs created to provide personalized tools, resources, and support to help you stay on track and live a healthier life.

Through these programs, enrollees can work one-on-one with a Care Manager who understands their unique health needs. Care Managers provide

guidance, resources, and encouragement so enrollees can focus more on living well.

Some of our special health programs include:

•Diabetes program. The diabetes program offers education and personalized coaching that helps you monitor your blood sugar, maintain healthy habits, and understand your medications.

•Care management program. The care management program provides support if you’re managing multiple conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure. A Care Manager helps coordinate your care, connects you with

community resources, and ensures you’re not taking care of your health alone.

•Fitness classes. Enrollees of AmeriHealth Caritas DC can join fitness classes, making it easier to stay active, improve overall health, and manage chronic conditions through regular movement.

To learn more or enroll in one of our special health programs, call the Community Outreach Solutions team at 202-216-2328, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

EARTH OUR

Maryland Officials Defend Offshore Wind Project Amid Federal Cuts

Leaders, Advocates Say Wind Power

isn’t Just Clean Energy, it’s an Investment in

Jobs and Community

By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer

With the Trump administration’s attacks on sustainable strategies— such as withdrawing $679 million in offshore wind project funding across the country, including in Maryland— local leaders are fighting against policies detrimental to the environment and encouraging work toward a greener future.

Elected officials and labor leaders convened at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

(IBEW) Local 24 in Baltimore on Oct. 31 to speak out against the attempt to dismantle the U.S. Offshore Wind Project in Maryland, which lost a $47 million grant at the hands of the current administration.

“We cannot let that happen because offshore wind is a vital part of making sure that we address some major priorities in the United States of America,” said Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D) during the press conference.

The day of action marked the first of many “Say Yes to Wind”

“In Maryland and all up and down the East Coast, we are going to continue to build offshore wind because it is the key to having enough energy in the state, to having stable energy…to having energy independence.”

events that are planned to take place nationwide this fall.

As a reliable and naturally occurring energy source, offshore wind power mitigates demand on the energy grid, in turn stabilizing access to electricity and contributing to lower utility costs for consumers, while also remaining more suitable for the environment than the burning of fossil fuels by power plants to generate electricity.

“[When] we move toward renewable energy, we’re not only bringing down costs and creating more jobs,” Van Hollen continued, “but we’re also helping protect our health and our environment.”

From Sea Winds to Home Energy

Offshore wind power is the energy taken from the forceful winds at sea, which are transformed into electricity by wind turbines and are usually erected in clusters, forming wind farms.

the turbine’s nacelle– the large housing on top of the tower– converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is then passed through a transformer so it can join the National Grid transmission network and be made accessible as electricity to homes and businesses.

“In Maryland and all up and down the East Coast, we are going to continue to build offshore wind because it is the key to having enough energy in the state, to having stable energy…to having energy independence,” said Maryland Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D-District 20).

Maryland’s Offshore Wind Project and Construction Plan (COP) describes the installation of 114 wind turbines, four offshore substations to transform and transmit the energy produced by the turbines, a meteorological tower and up to four offshore cables with subsea transmission cables leading to Sussex County, Delaware.

This mitigation of harmful energy generation could help reduce the negative effects of the increased construction of AI data centers across the country, which have also contributed to higher energy demand and utility costs.

“We are engaged in an AI race with the rest of the world,” Charkoudian said. “So, if we’ve accepted that we need to have data centers in this country,... then we have to be willing to respond to the increase in load with clean energy, with affordable energy, with renewable energy.”

Aside from the environmental benefits that would come with the completion of this project, advocates note it promotes economic advancement, as it could support nearly 2,680 jobs annually over the course of seven years.

Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D-District 20)

Placing these groups of turbines out at sea is effective in generating power since the lack of obstacles at sea versus on land allows for higher wind speeds, leading to the production of more energy by the turbines.

The blades on these modern-day windmills turn as wind gusts hit them, creating kinetic energy. As the blades rotate, a generator in

The project has the potential to generate 2 gigawatts of renewable energy that could power more than 718,000 homes. According to the American Clean Power Association (ACP), a typical 2-megawatt turbine can avoid 4,000 to 4,500 tons of carbon emissions, which equate to the emissions of about 700 cars.

“Offshore wind isn’t just about energy for us on the Eastern Shore,” said Jared Schablein, chair of the advocacy group Shore Progress. “It’s about dignity, and it’s about giving working shore families a chance for the first time in a very long time.”

Investing in Maryland’s Coastal Future

Schablein was born and raised on the Eastern Shore, a region that

WIND Page 23

his family has lived in since 1664.

Over the years, he has witnessed the region suffer from poverty that has caused many to leave the area in search of better opportunities.

“I’ve seen my region through tough times,” Schablein said. “My whole life we’ve struggled through poverty, a lack of opportunity and jobs that don’t pay enough to raise a family, barely enough to live.”

The Eastern Shore has historically been a vulnerable part of Maryland, due to its proximity to the sea and susceptibility to damage from natural storms and disasters.

According to the Delmarva Index, 11.3% of the region’s population lives below the poverty line, and seven Eastern Shore counties exceed the statewide poverty rate of 9.3%.

“[That’s] why I wanted the loudest supporters for offshore wind, because it was one of the greatest opportunities to come to the Eastern Shore in my lifetime. Hell, probably even in my parents’ lifetime,” Schablein said. “And I’m not alone.”

A Jan. 2025 poll sponsored by Shore Progress found that 51% of Eastern Shore residents were in

favor of the Delmarva Peninsula’s offshore wind project, with 37% in opposition and 12% not giving an opinion.

The project would benefit the area past sustainability goals, lower utility prices and job opportunities. It would also require the reconstruction and extension of West Ocean City’s deteriorated, 45-year-old commercial pier, which would also be upgraded with a concrete deck, a jib crane and a wave screen.

This initiative would also benefit the region’s commercial fishing community, as the project would establish a $20 million Fishing Community Resilience Fund, with $13.5 million reserved for Maryland. This fund would cover 30 years of harbor maintenance and would support the fishing industry’s development and prosperity.

Schablein hopes this project succeeds and ensures that future generations of Eastern Shore residents won’t have to relocate for better opportunities.

“This isn’t just about wind turbines,” he explained. “This is about giving hope to a community that hasn’t had hope in so long, to have an opportunity to rise above poverty and make something out of our lives.”

Ryan P. Retail Banking Team Manager 11 years with BofA

Bank of America didn’t just recognize my potential. It actively nurtured it. Here I’ve had the chance to take ownership of my career and shape my trajectory thanks to the resources, training and mentorship that are available to me.

Trump’s Cruel Hypocrisy on Immigration and the American Dream Racism Masked as Immigration Reform

Since President Donald J. Trump descended that golden escalator in 2015 and launched his campaign by calling immigrants “criminals” and “rapists,” cruelty has been a core part of his political identity.

A decade later, that cruelty still fuels his rhetoric—most recently in his call for Rep. Ilhan Omar, an American citizen and member of Congress, to “leave the country.” It’s a chilling echo of the nativism that has long haunted this nation and a betrayal of the very ideals the United States stands for.

Omar’s story truly embodies the American spirit. She escaped civil war in Somalia as a young girl, spent years in a refugee camp, and found safety and opportunity in the United States. Through education, resilience, and civic

No

Oasis in Sight for

Within the next few months, candidates for political seats in the District, including city council and mayor, will begin to file the appropriate paperwork and begin their campaigns.

Candidates will undoubtedly talk about major issues including affordable housing, crime, statehood for D.C., and the city budget.

But we wonder who will confront the still unresolved elephant in the room and one of the biggest challenges that have frustrated residents in Southeast D.C for decades – the lack of healthy food options.

Often referred to as food deserts, the inadequate number of grocery stores located in Southeast has long been a problem that tends to be discussed before candidates are elected, but not after.

What citizens deserve to hear are not more lofty proposals that may or may not become reality, but real solutions. We need brick and mortar buildings and healthy, affordable meats, vegetables and other produce now.

Shoppers Food in Capitol Heights, Md., is slated to shutter its doors on or before Nov. 8, along

involvement, she became one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Her journey exemplifies the American promise that hard work and freedom—not birthright or privilege—are what define true belonging.

Trump’s attack is especially upsetting given his own inner circle and family’s immigrant background. His wife, Melania Trump, was born in Slovenia.

Vice President J.D. Vance is married to a woman whose parents emigrated from India. His first wife, Ivana, was also an immigrant. Clearly, immigration isn’t the main issue—it’s about who the immigrants are.

When they are white, European, or wealthy, Trump sees it as the American dream. When they are Black, Muslim, or brown, he

Southeast

calls it an invasion.

Immigration reform is essential. Border security, fair asylum processes, and humane enforcement are crucial issues. However, cruelty is never a policy. Demonizing refugees, blaming migrants, and telling citizens to “go back” harms America’s moral fabric. It replaces empathy with hatred and effective governance with resentment.

The question facing the nation is whether America will remain a beacon of hope—for everyone— or only for those who look and pray like Trump. The answer will define not just our politics but our soul, because when leaders weaponize cruelty, it’s not Omar who must leave—it’s America’s conscience.

WI

D.C. Residents, Living in Food Deserts Without Healthy Options

with several other of its stores.

Discount Mart in Seat Pleasant, Maryland, has also slashed prices and is allegedly considering closing as well.

The situation remains grim in many parts of Wards 7 and 8, as there are no grocery stores or fastfood outlets that are within walking distance. Ask a single mother with children in tow, a senior citizen who lacks the strength to carry heavy bags on their backs, or an adult with disabilities how they feel about life in the desert.

Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plans for a new grocery store in Ward 7 to anchor the Capitol Gateway Marketplace at East Capitol Street NE and 58th Street NE is a step in the right direction, bringing a store within one mile of an additional 10,700 residents living east of the Anacostia River.

Further, it’s great that in October, an independent market opened in Ward 8, the Marion Barry Avenue Market & Café, which offers over 900 items with a focus on high-quality, healthy foods that reflect the community’s culture.

But two stores will only put a dent in resolving the dilemma.

It’s time to offer Southeast residents the same access other Washingtonians have when it comes to healthy foods in order to address disparities and work toward true equity. WI

Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plans for a new grocery store in Ward 7 to anchor the Capitol Gateway Marketplace at East Capitol Street NE and 58th Street NE is a step in the right direction, bringing a store within one mile of an additional 10,700 residents living east of the Anacostia River.

TO THE EDITOR

I absolutely loved the photos on last week’s cover. They were stunning! Good job, photographers. Definitely a Washington Informer issue I want to keep in my collection.

Brenda Tillman Washington, D.C

Congrats to Christopher Alberts for being named the 2026 D.C. Teacher of the Year. What an honor! It’s awesome what he’s doing for his school’s music program and how he’s advocating for arts funding. Keep up the work!

Shareese Parnell Washington, D.C.

Readers’ Mailbox The Washington Informer welcomes letters to the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to news@ washingtoninformer.com. or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032.

Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you.

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

Generation Z is the Battleground

ond-largest generation, by natural progression, they will become the largest generation in the coming years.

Nine years ago, millennials reached a major milestone. Based on population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 was the year millennials officially surpassed baby boomers in becoming America’s largest living generation. Born between 1981 and 1996, the millennial generation includes anyone aged 29 to 44 in 2025. While Gen Z is now the sec-

This population shift will have major political and social implications, as today’s digital natives will gain a greater influence in how our future society is shaped. Social activism has long been associated with young people, as evidenced by demonstrations against the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s, and the Black Lives Matter protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd in 2020.

Gen Z will not only be a rising in-

Guest Columnist

David W. Marshall

fluence in future elections, but in the age of smartphones and social media, young people have been given a louder voice than ever before. Due to core issues such as climate change, racial and gender justice, mass shootings, economic inequality, health care access, and LGBTQ+ issues, along with unprecedented access to digital tools, many Gen Zers are motivated to start social activism at an earlier age. Generation Z’s early and passionate embrace of activism reflects both a reaction to the challenges of their era and a proactive commitment to making a tangible

Ben Jealous

impact. As a young gun control activist and Parkland, Florida, mass-shooting survivor, David Hogg tweeted: “I’m not powered by hope. I’m powered by the fact I have no other choice.”

Generation Z is the ideological battleground, and groups like the Proud Boys know it. The Southern Poverty Law Center has called the all-male neo-fascist group an “alt-right fight club” and a hate group that uses persuasive devices to obscure its true motives. The group was tied to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The Anti-Defamation League describes the

What 400 Years of Family History Teaches About This American Moment

over their heads every day.

What do I say to them?

We just fell back. The season of darkness is coming on. But this year, more than any I can remember, that darkness feels existential, not just seasonal.

As a professor, I’ve watched it settle over my students throughout 2025 like fog. They talk about despair as if it’s wrapping its fingers around their throats. They talk about how the news makes them want to pull the covers

Read more history. Find the lesson and the mission: The 20s are always terrible, so keep your eye on the prize that will be the 2070s and get us there with democracy intact.

History — that patient teacher, that relentless witness — has something to say about tomorrows.

My family has been taking notes for four hundred years. American centuries follow hundred-year cycles. Within those cycles, every “20s” decade is a crucible of cruelty. Every “70s” brings bold

Guest Columnist

“The loss of SNAP benefits leads to food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition. … Low-income children who go without nutritious food will struggle to learn in classrooms, impacting their educational performance and advancement. ... Suspending SNAP benefits also has economic consequences beyond hunger and public health. Without SNAP

rays of light breaking through.

The 1620s were the dawn of the African slave trade in Virginia, when many of my nameless African ancestors arrived alongside the European ones who enslaved them. The 1670s brought Bacon’s Rebellion — called by many a rehearsal for the American Revolution. My ancestor Giles Bland was killed taking up arms against Virginia’s Royal Governor William Berkeley.

The 1720s. Richard Bland was just a young boy when Virginia passed a law in 1723 making it nearly impossible to free enslaved people. Not long

after, he would be old enough to understand that some of the people enslaved by families like his shared their bloodlines — even as the Church insisted they were inferior. But when the 1770s came, he helped write the words with his cousin Thomas Jefferson that founded our nation: all men are created equal.

In a slave state like Virginia, they had to know those words were catalytic — that once spoken, they could not control how they would reshape the world. Jefferson himself trembled at what he had set in motion. Yet he — and Rich-

Marc H. Morial

Families Who Depend on SNAP and WIC

funds, SNAP recipients will not be able to frequent retailers, causing a significant loss in revenue, increased food waste, and a negative impact on Plaintiff States’ economies overall.” — Lawsuit filed by 25 states against the Trump administration

As the government shutdown drags on, America’s most crucial food assistance programs are on the verge of running out of funds, threatening to suspend support for millions of families, children, and expecting mothers. The Sup-

plemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) together support nearly 50 million Americans. These programs are lifelines, ensuring access to essentials like nutritious food, breastfeeding support, and infant formula. Yet both programs are quickly running out of funding. Without immediate action from the White House to use contingency funds and other already authorized measures, millions of

vulnerable Americans will soon be without food assistance.

SNAP and WIC resources have remained available during past shutdowns. But now, state agencies are running out of options to keep families supported. SNAP still has two-thirds of the funding needed to sustain another month of benefits, in resources that are already available under the program’s emergency procedures. Yet, the White House has chosen to withhold these funds and not use additional authorized funding

Proud Boys as “extremist conservative” and “all too willing to embrace racists, antisemites and bigots of all kinds” and cites the group’s promotion and use of violence as a core tactic. The nations of Canada and New Zealand have designated the Proud Boys as a terrorist group. Yet, there will be teens and young adults who are drawn to its anti-feminism, antisemitism, white supremacy, neo-Nazism, and its version of Trumpism.

Several months ago, a roadside bill-

Page 45

ard — spoke the words anyway. A century later, Frederick Bland endured the 1820s and 1830s, and when his son Edward David was born in the 1840s, he began guiding and encouraging him so that, by the time both gained their freedom, Edward was ready to rise and help lead their neighbors in seizing the opportunities of the 1870s. From the same house where ancestors had been held in bondage came a father and son preparing a community for a new era of freedom and civic engagement.

sources to provide the full benefit to families. Similarly, earlier this month, the USDA funded WIC through the end of the month, though advocates warned it was only a short-term fix to keep the program afloat. As the shutdown continues, unless the administration releases additional funding to cover WIC, the program will run out of money and more will needlessly face hunger and devastating health consequences. This is a poli-

Guest Columnist

Silence is Fatal if We Let It Be

Democratic friends have called inquiring about how they can help a food bank — and they don’t have as much money as Trump and his friends have gotten by hook and crook. I hear there’s a current investigation about that billion dollars from Epstein! The people in need are just hardworking, honest and caring people wanting to help

those who have even less than they have. They think about the children, the elderly, handicapped, unemployed, the underemployed, the laid off from several paydays and understand that whatever they have, those I have named have even less, and they want to share what little they have with others.

Those are the people I’m proud of and the ones I call whenever I have something I can share.

Through challenging circumstances, I’ve not had a paying job since 2022 when I became ill and

Donald Trump holds the record for both the longest and second-longest government shutdowns in American history. Republicans control the White House, Senate, and House — yet somehow, Democrats are at risk of losing the message war and letting voters believe both parties are equally to blame.

Guest

How

faced being unable to continue working. During my illness I was threatened with being relieved of duty if I didn’t resign. During the worst illness of my life, I realized how uncaring some people can be and how insensitively they act toward others who are experiencing significant difficulties. That didn’t matter to those forcing my resignation. God blessed me with the opportunity to save a portion of what I earned through the years, and when I was forced to live on fewer earnings, I have learned to

do that. While my income is lower than ever, I still feel an obligation to share what I have with others who may have even less.

This goes on in America for those who have nothing. Many hardworking individuals are looking for their next meal, while their Republican representatives have shown little attention to these concerns. I see it happening with the government to whom we pay taxes. Our government is now being just as mean-spirited to the people elected to represent them. For

Democrats Can Win the Shutdown Messaging War

Republicans are already spinning the narrative, and if history teaches us anything, it’s that a confused public blames everyone equally — even when one party controls everything. Republicans are blaming Democratic “obstruction” and claiming Democrats won’t negotiate even as Democrats offer solutions. They’re deflecting from Trump’s shutdown record with distractions and misinformation. And now Trump is threatening to end the filibuster so that Republicans no longer need to

“I have often made the point that to foster the economic status and pride of members of our minority groups, we must seek to involve them more fully in our private enterprise system… To do this, we need to remove commercial obstacles that have too often stood in their way — obstacles such as the unavailability of credit, insurance,

negotiate and can then take credit for ending the same shutdown they started.

Democrats need to better communicate what we’ve been fighting for. The public needs to hear a clear, concise plan to end this shutdown. Not later. Now.

First, pass standalone legislation immediately. Fund SNAP and WIC benefits so families don’t go hungry. Pay the military, TSA and air traffic controllers who keep us safe. These are non-negotiable priorities that protect the most vulnerable and

honor public servants doing essential work without paychecks.

Second, extend health care subsidies. Millions of Americans face sharply rising health care costs because of Republican callousness in prioritizing tax cuts for the rich ahead of health care for the poor and working class.

Third, negotiate to reopen the government. But only after securing protections for vulnerable populations and essential workers. Democrats negotiate from strength when they’ve already protected people —

The Hollowing Out of America’s Only Agency for Minority Business Guest Columnists

and technical assistance.”

Those were the words that gave rise to the first iteration of what would become the Minority Business Development Agency — spoken by Republican President Richard Nixon. More than 50 years later, those words ring hollow as the Trump administration races to dismantle the agency, hollowing out the small staff that remained after earlier rounds of downsizing — just 23 career employees — to none. Today, only two political appointees

remain, one of whom also serves as the deputy secretary of labor.

The MBDA is not a bureaucratic relic; it was a rare glimmer of bipartisan progress during the civil rights era and remains the only federal agency devoted to expanding opportunity for entrepreneurs who have historically been locked out of capital markets, contracting networks, and investment pipelines. Its deliberate dismantling is both a moral failure and an economic crisis.

A Small Staff, a Massive Mission

At its height, the MBDA oversaw a nationwide network of business centers, technical-assistance hubs, and capital-readiness programs serving tens of thousands of enterprises. The agency is responsible for supporting more than 12 million minority business enterprises (MBEs) across the United States. And “minority” here is broader than many realize — it includes not only businesses owned by people of color but also by members of social-

too many, cruelty is the order of the day. Many people have more food than they need, while others are threatened with having nothing. Those who could remedy the problems stand idly by with neither care nor concern. Some people withhold what they have and act in opposition to sharing with others.

How do you have the gall to take food from the mouths of poor babies, the handicapped, the

not before.

This plan accomplishes three things simultaneously: it protects Americans from immediate harm, it forces Republicans to continue fighting against popular measures, and it gives Democrats a clear message that’s impossible to misunderstand.

And we should extend our efforts outside of Washington to show voters how Democrats are standing up for working families. Democratic attorneys general from Massachusetts,

ly or economically disadvantaged groups such as rural, veteran- and women-led small businesses. Through a network of more than 130 centers and partners across the U.S. and its territories, MBDA provided hands-on technical assistance to help businesses navigate growth and scale successfully. No free money. No direct loans. Just guidance to help these businesses help themselves. By any measure, MBDA was

EDUCATION

Delay Is Not Denial: The Anacostia High School Homecoming That Almost Didn’t Happen

After Sewage Backup Shuttered Their School, Students Return to Campus This Week

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

On Tuesday night, the Anacostia Indians and McKinley Technology High School Football went toe to toe during a much delayed homecoming game on the field of Anacostia High School in Southeast. The Indians defeated McKinley Tech 20-6.

The celebratory scrimmage came just hours after students, faculty and staff returned to their school for the first time in a week. After sewage backup flooded the cafeteria last week, the school community relocated to nearby Kramer Middle School.

As a result, Spirit Week activities and the homecoming game, scheduled for Nov. 1, were cancelled.

“It’s devastating when you put that amount of energy into an event, just to have it go down the drain,” Antwan

Jordan, an executive board member of the Anacostia Alumni Group, told The Informer.

“The weather for the day of the homecoming game was great,” Jordan said. “Also, just thinking about the kids— how they were excited, pumped, energized for the week’s activities. For them not to be able to indulge in the activities that they themselves agreed and wanted to do is terrible.”

In the days and weeks leading up to Homecoming Week (Oct. 27-Nov. 1), Jordan met with school administrators and homecoming planning committee members, developed promotional material, solicited musical acts, and conducted alumni outreach. He accomplished these feats while encouraging neighbors to take part in festivities that ultimately wouldn’t come to fruition. As he and Anacostia community members would find out, DC Water

HOUSING RESILIENCY WEBINAR FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS

Are you a government employee or contractor whose employment stability is suddenly in question? Will you be able to maintain housing if you suddenly had no income or a significant reduction in income? If you are not sure, then Housing Counseling Services encourages you to register for the Housing Resiliency Webinar being held on Wednesday, November 12th at 6 PM. An HCS HUD certified housing counselor will be discussing emergency budgeting, mortgage options, housing options, and more. Register at https://hcsetc. org/register or call 202-667-7606.

and Fort Myer Construction were conducting an underground pipe repair project near the high school that triggered sewage backup.

Well before Anacostia’s malady, at least seven homeowners in the Fairlawn community reported a similar experience stemming from the monthslong structural repair project on the 1600 block of Fairlawn Avenue.

“You could see it from the school.. on the next block where the private homes are,” Jordan, a veteran D.C. firefighter and 1995 Anacostia graduate, told The Informer. “They’ve been over there for about two weeks, but it wasn’t until about a week ago when there was an issue of the sewage backup. It seems like the problem shifted from the homes to the school.”

Solutions and Dialogue at the End of a Trying Period

During a Monday evening community meeting at Anacostia Neighborhood Library, D.C. Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8) announced students’ return to school grounds. He then implored the adults in the space to create the best make-up homecoming experience possible for the young ones.

“I’m going to say this: they are in need of donations,” White told community members. “They had a lot of stuff planned [that was] just delayed [and] hurt them in the festivities they had all week. They’re in the process of planning, trying to get the kids’ morale up, [and] keep their spirits up. For some of them, this is their last year of high school and we don’t want this to damper their high school experience.”

Upon their return to Anacostia on Tuesday, students learned about their current Term 1 grades and opportunities to make up missed work. In recognition of the transition between Anacostia and Kramer, Anacostia teachers also secured an extra extra day to finalize grades.

Amid a 20 percentage point decline in attendance last week, DCPS central office personnel and school administrators encouraged more consistency among students. During Monday night’s meeting, D.C. Public Schools Chief Integrity Officer Cinthia Ruiz congratulated students, teachers and staff for their efforts during an unconventional week.

“We saw…students who are really trying to make it back to school to make sure they’re there every day,” Ruiz told community members. “Thank you to the staff for doing such a good job.”

On Monday, Ruiz sat at the front of a meeting room on the first floor of the library alongside White and: D.C. Water Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Operating Officer Matthew Brown and Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Vice President Kirsten B. Williams; and Fort Myers Construction utilities division general manager Paulo Baptista.

In her remarks, Ruiz outlined strategies that DCPS central office and Anacostia administrators are executing to engage students, including: an airpods raffle, a currently operating truancy pilot program, a Friday attendance celebration, and a club created for students with a 90% attendance rate.

“There are a lot of things that the Anacostia school team is doing to ensure that our students are engaged, that they’re motivated and they’re coming to school every day,” Ruiz. “This is just a little bit of that [and] we’re excited to welcome our students back into the building tomorrow.”

By the time homeowners started reporting sewage backup, DC Water and Fort Myers Construction were three months into a multimillion

dollar pipe repair project involving the stabilization of a sinkhole and the removal of debris from a pipe that collapsed two years prior. In a statement, D.C. Department of General Services, the agency that’s responsible for construction and maintenance of DCPS buildings, said SaLUT, its emergency cleanup contractor, worked with DC Water vendor ServPro in assessing and cleaning the areas of the school affected by the sewage backup.

A DC Water spokesperson later confirmed the cleanup of Anacostia High School and the affected homes. They also alluded to a pre-existing problem affecting the school field and external structure. Later, during the community meeting, Brown recounted how, in the aftermath of the backup, DC Water and Fort Myer Construction collaborated, installing cameras at every pump station, along with auto dialers and a triple charge intended to mitigate future situations.

“As soon as the backup occurred… we were on the scene,” Brown said. “We had representatives from engineering on the scene. I was on the

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from Page 28

scene. Community affairs people were on the scene. The water supply contractor was on the scene. And we wanted to do everything we could that day in order to assess the situation.”

Community members in attendance on Monday evening included: Anacostia High School Principal Kenneth Walker; Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners Jamila White, Tom Donahue, Anthony Foreman, Andrea Davis, Fairlawn Civic Association President Grace Pressbury, and D.C. State Board of Education Representative LaJoy Johnson-Law (Ward 8). With Powerpoint presentation slides in hand, they listened as representatives of DC Water explained how the mid-October sewage backup stemmed from the failure of Fort Myer Construction’s bypass pumping system.

In his remarks, Brown spoke about the long-term priority of updating more-than-a-century old pipage.

“We’ve got a lot of really old infrastructure here at DC Water, and we want to continue to invest in it, because we want to prevent failures from happening,” Brown said on Monday. “We want to make sure that when you turn on the tap, the water comes out. We want to make sure we flush the toilet or take a shower, that all goes away and it comes down to the [Blue] Plains for us to treat.”

Foreman said he walked away content with the information provided. He commended DC Water and Fort Myers Construction for their transparency, as well as White, chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8A Chair, for, as he described it, exhibiting leadership during such a trying time.

“She stepped in there,” Foreman, a first-term commissioner representing Single-Member District 8A02, said about Advisory Neighborhood Commission Chair White. “She stepped right in there and provided all the things to do, knew exactly what questions to ask and everything like that.”

On Tuesday night, as Anacostia and McKinley Technology High School engaged in their match-up, ANC 8A conducted its monthly meeting. Foreman, whose single-member district includes Anacostia High School, told The Informer that he’s compelled to explore various means of connecting Anacostia High School students with the greater Fairlawn community.

“We used to have the bands that marched around days before or the day of the homecoming throughout the neighborhood, and that woke a

lot of people up to what was going on,” Foreman said. “From what I understand, they need uniforms and instruments but [it’s about] the cost of maintenance.”

The Ongoing Fight to Help and Connect with Anacostia Students

During the week of Oct. 27, Anacostia students, faculty and staff ended the school day early. They later attended school at Kramer, entering one door while their younger counterparts entered another on the other side of the middle school.

That week, Anacostia students received modified schedules to ensure uninterrupted instruction in English and Language Arts, math, science, social studies, and college and career preparedness.

Administrators split each grade level into two classrooms, each of which had at least two staff members in rotation throughout the day. Elective teachers also provided small group instruction.

An Anacostia staff member who requested anonymity said the week showed students a bit more of their teachers’ creative side.

“Teachers are working really hard to try to create spaces where…the circumstance does not impede student’s access to a learning environment,” the staff member said. “Teachers are working really, really hard to still push the content. They’re utilizing the digital platforms to upload work so students can access that from their computers, phones and home. It’s just finding innovative ways for students to have access to the curriculum.”

As the staff member recounted, they spent much of last week comforting students perturbed about the circumstances surrounding cancelled homecoming activities. They told The Informer that, without a homecoming, students, especially those coming from challenging backgrounds, might not have much else to encourage them this holiday season.

“We rely on these moments to help students remain connected and remain feeling a sense of joy as it relates to school,” the staff member said. “That has been taken from students. There are also some senior students who are senior athletes, whether they’re cheerleaders or band members or football players who rely on footage from the game from the homecoming game to be utilized for their senior profile for

EDUCATION

colleges. That has been compromised as well.”

Despite concerns about enrollment in recent years, Anacostia still elicits pride among students, teachers, staff and alumni. These days, students at Anacostia High School can graduate after navigating either National Academy Foundation (NAF) academies in civil engineering and architecture or public leadership. They can also enroll in an early college academy hosted in collaboration with the University of the District of Columbia. With events, like a recent on-campus literacy night, Anacostia community members remain committed to supporting students and equipping them for the future.

Jordan, a lifelong Ward 7 resident, recounted a similar experience in the

early 1990s when he and several of his classmates at Kramer followed their principal, Zavalia Willis, over to Anacostia when she assumed the helm of the high school. At Anacostia, Jordan participated in JROTC and marching band, all while gaining experience in the school’s public service academy.

Years later, as a fire and emergency medical services professional, Jordan credits Anacostia as an incremental part of his career trajectory.

“I remember delivering a baby in Anacostia,” Jordan told The Informer. “I was an EMT at the age of 17. I was a volunteer firefighter in Prince George’s County before that.”

In his role as an Anacostia Alumni Group executive board member, Jordan attends school events, including literacy night which attracted hun-

dreds of people. As students continue to graduate from Anacostia, Jordan counts among those pushing for more alumni involvement.

“I would like to see the alumni be allowed to be more involved with the kids— meaning college application preparation, letting them know about how things are being available for them,” Jordan told The Informer. “To ask those questions about how the world is after graduation. Last year, when graduation time was coming, the kids had a question mark as to what’s going to happen now after high school. You’re celebrated, but what happens after that? They have no security [if they’re] not in college or to a career that’s ready for them.”

WI

healthy food for all

GI Film Festival Returns to Washington, D.C. featuring 13 Films Named ‘Best of the Fest’ Event Opens

with ‘Triumph Over Prejudice,’ a Documentary about the First Black U.S. Marines

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Contributing Writer

The GI Film Festival returned to Washington, D.C. — the city where it all started in 2017, before moving to San Diego— from Nov. 4-5, for a convening packed with programming and film screenings all with the goal of uplifting veterans and sharing their stories.

This year, the festival has selected 13 fan-favorite films shown over the last decade for “Best of the Fest,” each illustrating the experiences of dedicated veterans and their families, featuring everything from heartwarming narrative-driven short films, to feature-length documentaries that reveal forgotten accounts of past conflicts.

Nancy Worlie, chief content officer at KPBS (San Diego), the public media station presenting the event, said marking their milestone 10th anniversary in D.C. was an easy decision for festival organizers.

“Returning to the nation’s capital, where the festival first began, is such a wonderful way to celebrate authentic military storytelling, especially in a place with such strong ties to the military community,” Worlie said.

The documentary kicking off this year’s festival is Daniel Bernardi’s “Triumph Over Prejudice: The Montford Point Marines,” exploring the uncharted terrains of the Black experience in the early 20th century Marine Corps, chronicling stories often hidden from public view and rarely showcased in American history.

The film, both produced and directed by Bernardi, received the 2025 Best Untold Story Award.

“Their journey to the front lines of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War is more than a testament to their bravery,” said Bernardi, about the men featured in the documentary, “it’s a reflection of their indomitable spirit and unyielding resolve.”

Producers and Veterans Committed to Telling the Real Deal

5 This year’s GI Film Festival dawns the nation’s capital with a two-day celebration Nov. 4-6, opening with “Triumph Over Prejudice: The Montford Point Marines,” a documentary featuring Black veterans including Retired Master Gunnery Sergeant Carroll Braxton. (Courtesy Photo/Constanza Hevia, El Dorado Films)

Bernardi’s decision to develop a film and several short documentaries came several years ago after he was contacted by Trevor R. Getz, an award-winning historian and professor at San Francisco State University, who was working on a book after the Montford Marines.

“My stepfather was a Marine who served with them in Vietnam, so I knew the history behind Montford,” Bernardi said. “But once I met the guys, five men— all very different and all in their 90s— I was sold. I grew committed to them and to telling their story.

Retired Master Gunnery Sergeant Carroll Braxton— a 100-year-old featured in the film, born and raised in Manassas, Virginia— said staying alive was always first in his mind and that meant forgetting the differences that separated Americans back home.

“Bullets weren’t black or white and to stay safe, we had to learn how to rely on and trust one another,” Braxton said in the film. “As a Marine, we were taught to never leave a man behind –dead or alive. And we didn’t. But the death smell – that was the worst.”

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Resources for Buying a Home in D.C.

LIFESTYLE

GOVERNOR from Page 1 message to every corner of the commonwealth, to our neighbors and our fellow Americans across the country. We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship and chose our commonwealth over chaos.”

Spanberger’s double-digit victory was declared less than 30 minutes after the polls closed, and she thanked her opponent for a hard-fought race.

Further, Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (DDistrict 15) was elected lieutenant governor and was the first Muslim and Indian-American elected to statewide office in Virginia.

“Virginia looks amazing tonight. Tonight, together we have craved a new historic path,” said Hashmi during her victory speech. “Tonight, Virginia, we have pointed our compass in a direction that guides us to the future while also building out our roots on our collective embrace of dignity, decency, and dedication.”

Even before the groundbreaking election on Nov. 4, many Virginians and leaders nationwide emphasized the significance of the election– particularly the gubernatorial race, which would have elected the first woman governor no matter the victor.

“It’s not just since the United States was in existence, it’s since Virginia’s been in existence. So add a couple hundred more years,” said Dr. John Augenbach, a political professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

“It wasn’t until we move into the 1970s and 80s that we actually got female candidates running for the position.”

For Angela Hudson, a Virginia Democrat, taking to the polls was critical to push toward national change.

“I’m here to vote in Virginia because I’m not happy about what’s going on in the White House right now,” Hudson told The Informer at an early voting site in Prince William County, “and if I don’t vote, there is no reason to complain.”

Spanberger’s Road to Victory

Spanberger is a moderate Democrat who had a bipartisan streak while serving in Congress. Her gubernatorial campaign focused on the cost of living, particularly on keeping medical costs affordable

for Virginia families.

President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Earle-Sears, a Black woman, Jamaican immigrant and Marine Corps veteran who is most known for her opposition to LGBTQ+ issues. During an October gubernatorial debate, she stated that firing employees for their sexual or gender identity was “not discrimination.” She also advocated for tax cuts.

In January, the race was roughly tied, however in closing weeks Spanberger’s lead grew, with an October Emerson College poll showing the former congresswoman leading by double digits.

A late October poll by Virginia State University (VSU) showed African American voters overwhelmingly favoring Democratic candidates, including 94.9% support for Spanberger contrasted with 3.4% support for Earle-Sears.

“Black Virginians remain deeply loyal to the Democratic Party—but younger voters are signaling a desire to be seen and heard on their own terms,” said Dr. Wes Bellamy, chair of the VSU political science department. “That doesn’t mean they’re turning Republican; it means they’re evolving politically.”

National figures, including former President Barack Obama weighed in on the Virginia gubernatorial race, which often serves as an early bellwether of national political attitudes in the lead-up to the midterm elections.

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The Emergency Juvenile Curfew Passes, but Calls Persist for Youth Spaces and Programming

Following Mayor Bowser’s declaration of a “limited juvenile curfew,” and her administration’s introduction of permanent curfew legislation, the council approved, on its first reading, the Juvenile Curfew Second Emergency Amendment Act and an accompanying declaration.

D.C. Council members Robert White (D-At large), Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) and Trayon White (D-Ward 8) voted in opposition to both bills. Lewis George warned against extending the emergency curfew amid Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) cooperation with federal law enforcement agencies unencumbered by local laws and regulations.

“What I am fearful of is what we have seen on the ground, which is racial profiling that our young people are facing, especially our young Black and brown youth,” Lewis George told her colleagues on Tuesday. “Being targeted while traveling to and from school, on their way from sports practices, coming back from visits to aunts, uncles and grandparents, and I think we owe ourselves in this moment to make a decision on whether we can do what we can do to protect them.”

If approved on the second reading, the temporary legislation known as Juvenile Curfew Second Emergency Amendment Act would, once again, allow the mayor to extend juvenile curfew hours in the District and the police chief to designate areas of D.C. as extended juvenile curfew zones, all while applying the curfew law to 17 year olds.

Either later this month, or at the beginning of December, the council will conduct a second reading on the temporary legislation. The council’s Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety is also scheduled to conduct a hearing around the permanent juvenile curfew legislation in early December.

Since the Oct. 5 expiration of the first juvenile curfew emergency, local authorities have reported not only more violent youth gatherings in the city’s commercial districts and school sporting events, but the promotion of mass youth meet-ups on

social media platforms. On Halloween night, during what later compelled Bowser to declare the limited juvenile curfew, local and federal law enforcement detained several young people who converged on, and fought, on Navy Yard.

On the day before Halloween, the council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety conducted a public hearing about the emergency juvenile curfew. Well before dozens of community members and elected officials testified before D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2), MPD Chief Pamela Smith and Lindsey Appiah, deputy mayor for public safety and the judiciary, expressed their support for the extension, and permanence, of emergency juvenile curfew powers.

A day later, while speaking with The Informer, Appiah told The Informer that young people, and all D.C. residents for that matter, deserve a law that be applied consistently for youth.

“We had seven juvenile curfew zones throughout the summer, which accounts for maybe one a weekend,” Appiah told The Informer. “Hopefully once the behaviors curve, we don’t have to use them at all, but we don’t want to get behind where it’s like we don’t have the tool because an emergency is gone, and now we’re engaged in a space where we’re being inconsistent with our young people.”

As Appiah recounted, she’s engaged council members in recent weeks about the emergency juve-

3

Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember

Zachary Parker is calling for a “youth agenda” that holistically addresses issues affecting D.C.’s youngest residents. (WI File Photo/Robert

R. Roberts)

nile curfew extension. Though she agreed that youth need resources and extracurriculars, Appiah pointed out that the curfew is one of several strategies to keep young people out of harm’s way.

She went on to question what, if any, alternatives the council had to suggest.

“Those are ongoing conversations that we’re having with many of the members— the ones who are willing to engage,” Appiah told The Informer. “There are some [for] who this will never be a tool that they believe in. Maybe those conversations are hard[er], but we’d like to hear from them. What do you think needs to be done? Because nothing isn’t a solution.”

Though she voted in support of the emergency juvenile curfew extension, D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson (I-At large) likened the tool, when used alone, to whack-a-mole. While on the dais, she implored the Executive Office of the Mayor, and especially the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, to utilize its grant funding power in support of community organizations and other entities currently on the ground with youth.

“For the last few budgets, I’ve been asking the mayor to include additional funding to keep [D.C public school] buildings open later and fund more true after school clubs outside of just relying on sports,” Henderson said. “My challenge to the executive is that when they come back for the permanent…that there needs to be a plan. In fact, don’t wait that long.”

Other council members posited alternatives to a curfew that they said would allow young people to congregate safely. Ward Councilmember White of Ward 8 suggested that the large field in Navy Yard be turned into an outdoor movie theater and activation site. Soon after, At-large D.C. Councilmember White referred to a bevy of legislation, saying that he would vote for a curfew bill that incorporates those elements.

“If it created late-night safe spaces and hot spots, gyms and rec centers with mentors with relatable experience that encouraged teens to engage,” White said. “If it launched

a universal mentorship program available to every student, which I’ve been working to get more support for. If it created a joint building trades union apprenticeship program with D.C. public schools so that these students understood that we heard them when they say they want to make money. If it expanded mental health availability to employ the master’s and social work graduates from the UDC tuition-free program I created.”

D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5) took matters a bit more broadly when he called for a “youth agenda” that holistically addresses issues affecting D.C.’s youngest residents.

“I think it’s an opportunity for the council to work hand in hand with the executive as the executive is likely preparing for their Fiscal Year 2027 budget,” Parker said on Tuesday. “I would like to see a robust suite of program offerings and outreach to our young people. A curfew cannot be the long term solution to meet our young people’s needs.”

The Council, Once Again, Secures the the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit

On Tuesday, the council unanimously approved the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 as part of an effort to decouple the District from more than a dozen federal tax code revisions approved in what President Donald J. Trump refers to as One Big, Beautiful Bill.

The legislative body would carry out this action after overwhelmingly approving an amendment by D.C. Councilmembers Parker and Matt Frumin (D-Ward 3) that, with less than half of the $670 million in anticipated revenue, re-establishes the D.C. child tax credit for the 2026 tax year and the District’s 100% match of federal earned income tax credits for the 2025 tax year.

“Tax credits are the most efficient method of getting relief to residents. There is extremely little overhead, and the earned income tax credit and child tax credit represent cash in neighbors’ pockets, cash that goes right back into the economic activity of the District without any agency or contractor taking a cut,” Parker said. “What’s more, the earned income tax credit match acceleration puts money in the pockets of struggling residents with a near-immedi-

ate effect. We can’t miss this opportunity at a time when we are seeing alarming rates of child poverty in the district, including more amongst a third of children in Ward 7 and 8.”

Early on in deliberations, the declaration version of Parker and Frumin’s amendment, co-introduced with seven council members, passed with Mendelson and Independent At-large D.C. Councilmembers Kenyan McDuffie and Henderson voting in opposition.

The Parker-Frumin amendment, as it originally stood, also included a provision protecting District seniors from municipal bond taxation changes. McDuffie questioned the degree to which that version of the amendment would help low-income families, and not the District’s wealthiest residents. With the support of six council members, he would advance an amendment removing that provision from the Parker-Frumin amendment.

“This is a giveaway to some of the wealthiest people in our city,” McDuffie said about the original version of the Parker-Frumin amendment. “It’s not about saving on your average senior money. It’s not about middle income seniors. It’s money that goes to some of the richest people in our city, and the amendment incentivizes District residents to make retirement investments in Maryland and Virginia on an ongoing basis.”

Earlier in the legislative meeting, Mendelson circulated an amendment striking all portions of Parker and Frumin’s amendment, except for that dealing with earned income tax credit. The council struck down that amendment, with only McDuffie and D.C. Councilmember Wendell Felder (D-Ward 7) voting to advance Mendelson’s amendment.

Mendelson spent much of his time arguing that, given the council’s long list of unfulfilled budget priorities, District residents wouldn’t benefit from an amendment that, according to Mendelson, widens a budget gap that forced the executive to narrow Medicaid eligibility and avoid funding programs throughout the entire four-year plan.

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“There were a lot of asks from

review wi book

“I Know White People Are Crazy and Other Stories”

By Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter

c.2025, Legacy Lit

$30

320 pages

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

It’s enough to make you lose your mind.

You see your goal, but there’s a barrier in front of it, a barrier that makes no sense. Other people don’t have to jump through hoops or over walls to succeed, feel safe, or get help so why do you? In “How I Know White People Are Crazy and Other Stories” by Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter, you’ll see that an old nemesis has a new name.

He says he is not angry.

Dr. Lassiter is just really, really frustrated and for good reason: throughout most of his life, his father’s life and his grandfather’s, through his college years and his career, Dr. Lassiter says that “whiteness mindset” — defined as a condition that causes people of any race (but most often white people) to assume that their lives are more important than others, which allows them to justify oppressing those who are different — has never been far away.

Sadly, Lassiter says, anyone can be on the receiving end of whiteness mindset, but it happens most often to the majority-minority including Black people, Asians, woman, and to gay people like him.

He says that his grandfather lived under racism and it showed: he loved his children, but didn’t feel that he could demonstrate it. Lassiter’s father parented similarly because that’s all he knew. Living low-income also affected Lassiter’s mental health, as did the barriers he was forced to overcome in college due to racism and the oppression he felt because of his sexuality. Seeing what could be, if there were no such things as racism and oppression, didn’t help.

Through his work as a licensed clinical psychologist and the patients he’s treated, he knows his experiences are not unique. He also knows that whiteness mindset is not limited to higher education or the workplace and to combat it, we first have to admit that whiteness is not the concern. The mindset itself and what it does to mental health are bigger issues, and becoming educated is a great way to combat them.

Don’t be surprised if you’re a little confused at the outset of “How I Know White People Are Crazy and Other Stories.” It is confusing; Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter writes quickly with a whirlwind of ideas that circle back to one another like ripples in a pond on a windy day. It might make you want to just back away.

Instead, stick around and trust that the meat of the book is coming through stories of real-life counseling and of Lassiter’s own life, experiences, and family history. These tales eventually settle the chaos down, offering the clarity missing in the opening pages and allowing readers to see “whiteness mindset” in action and to understand the conflicts within it. You’ll be able to cleanly see where Lassiter’s frustration lies, and what can be done about it.

Just know that to get there will take some doing and patience with “How I Know White People Are Crazy and Other Stories.” Try it, though. Persevere, and you might not mind.

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horoscopes

LIFESTYLE

NOV. 6 - 12, 2025

ARIES Financial momentum builds sustainable prosperity as Mars energizes your resource sector, bringing security through strategic investment decisions identifying emerging opportunities while maintaining disciplined risk evaluation. Income negotiations succeed when confident advocacy articulates unique value propositions backed by performance documentation demonstrating exceptional results. Lucky Numbers: 7, 33, 58

TAURUS Personal transformation commands powerful presence as Venus illuminates your identity sector, bringing influence through authentic self-expression projecting refined sophistication that attracts significant opportunities while establishing authoritative positioning. Leadership visibility expands when strategic initiatives showcase comprehensive capabilities exceeding organizational expectations. Lucky Numbers: 12, 39, 51

GEMINI Spiritual insight reveals transformative wisdom as Mercury activates your reflection sector, bringing clarity through contemplative exploration uncovering innovative approaches to persistent obstacles while releasing outdated patterns constraining progress. Intuitive guidance deepens when meditative practices enhance decision-making accuracy supporting strategic priorities. Lucky Numbers: 18, 27, 49

CANCER Community influence expands professional network as lunar energy illuminates your alliance sector, bringing advancement through collaborative initiatives leveraging collective expertise toward shared objectives while respecting individual contribution styles. Technology ventures succeed when innovative digital strategies build engaged audiences demonstrating authentic value delivery. Lucky Numbers: 5, 31, 60

LEO Career recognition reaches breakthrough momentum bringing advancement through exceptional performance transforming challenging assignments into strategic victories while inspiring executive confidence. Professional authority materializes when demonstrated expertise qualifies for elevated responsibility overseeing critical operations. Lucky Numbers: 14, 42, 56

VIRGO Philosophical exploration broadens horizons as earth energy activates your expansion sector, bringing insight through cultural experiences revealing fundamental values guiding purposeful direction while maintaining practical application. International opportunities materialize when cross-cultural competency facilitates partnerships generating diversified income streams. Lucky Numbers: 10, 28, 53

LIBRA Transformative partnerships deepen intimacy bringing renewal through vulnerable connection fostering authentic bonds transcending superficial interaction while establishing mutual trust. Financial collaboration succeeds when transparent negotiation creates equitable agreements protecting shared interests. Lucky Numbers: 16, 34, 47

SCORPIO Relationship harmony cultivates meaningful alliance as Pluto illuminates your partnership sector, bringing opportunity through collaborative ventures combining complementary strengths that generate mutual prosperity while maintaining balanced reciprocity. Lucky Numbers: 20, 36, 59

SAGITTARIUS Productivity excellence enhances reputation bringing recognition through systematic achievement demonstrating refined capabilities that establish premium service standards while exceeding client expectations. Health optimization succeeds when disciplined wellness routines support sustained energy meeting intensive professional demands. Lucky Numbers: 2, 25, 44

CAPRICORN Creative expression generates exciting possibilities as Saturn illuminates your passion sector, bringing breakthrough through innovative ventures showcasing distinctive vision that captures attention while demonstrating commercial viability. Lucky Numbers: 23, 38, 62

AQUARIUS Domestic stability establishes peace as Uranus grounds your foundation sector, bringing security through home investments creating nurturing environments supporting ambitious pursuits while strengthening family bonds. Real estate opportunities surface when thorough analysis identifies properties offering exceptional appreciation potential. Lucky Numbers: 6, 29, 55

PISCES Communication mastery expands influence bringing advancement through persuasive messaging demonstrating analytical sophistication that transforms stakeholder perspectives while establishing thought leadership authority. Learning opportunities materialize when intellectual curiosity explores specialized domains creating competitive advantages. Lucky Numbers: 11, 40, 63

SPORTS

SPORTS from Page 4

years. For Sunday Night Football, they sported a look that was only seen by the greatest of dominant squads from the Joe Gibbs glory days era.

Uniforms known as a throwback to Washington’s “Super Bowl Era” were in full effect against the Seattle Seahawks, who also sported a classic look for the week nine Sunday Night Football showdown.

Marketed as “Fit For Old D.C.,” the uniforms celebrate and reflect on the team’s fight song which encourages the team to “Fight for Old D.C.,” a song sung at every home game when the Commanders score.

The Commanders announced the new uniforms over the summer, showcasing the same look the franchise had when they reached four Super Bowls between 1982 and 1991, and won the Lombardi trophy three times during that span.

Memories were awakened of Washington legends like Gibbs, Doug Williams, Joe Theismann, John Riggins, and many others, as the burgundy pants, white jersey, and burgundy helmet with three stripes down the center was presented.

The only thing missing from the look was the team’s former Native American head logo, that is now the Commanders’ “W.” The uniforms served as a reminder and tribute to celebrating the past as the Washing-

ton franchise looks to get back to its glory days.

“I think it’s really cool and nothing better than to honor the tribute for guys that have paved the way and did it at the highest level,” Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn said. “Very cool deal for us.”

2. Daniels’ Devastating Injury, What’s Next for the Team

Daniels made his return to the lineup after missing last week’s matchup to Kansas City with a hamstring injury— a major loss for an offense that has struggled early on this season with consistency.

In the second quarter of the Week Nine showdown against the Seahawks, Daniels, the second-year quarterback named 2024 NFL Rookie of the Year, scored the first Commanders touchdown of the game, making the score 28-7.

However, in the end, the quarterback left the game with a dislocated elbow injury, leaving fans heartbroken as Daniels flashed before the franchises eyes.

“There’s times you sit up here and after a bad loss, you say, what just happened? And I don’t have to ask that question,” said Quinn. “I know exactly what happened. And started right from the very beginning… And so, I’m furious, obviously, and into that emotion, but it’s also hard to

have that you see the entire team on a knee circling up on Jayden [Daniels]...who’s on the ground after his injury.”

After Sunday’s matchup, Washington sits at 4-5 on the season, remaining third in the NFC East and holding a 2-2 record at home. Daniels wasn’t the only one who suffered injuries from the Week Nine showdown.

Further, Quinn confirmed on Monday, Nov. 3 that cornerback Marshon Lattimore will be out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL injury and wide receiver Luke McCaffrey suffered a fractured collarbone on the opening kickoff return. McCaffrey’s return this season remains questionable.

The Washington Commanders enter Week 10 scrambling to pick up the pieces of what is left to make a comeback this season alone.

“We aren’t going out there and just automatically think we’re going to lose,” said linebacker Frankie Luvu. “That’s not the mindset. We put in the work, and you know, it’s frustrating, for sure, but the only thing we can do is look at ourselves in the mirror and correct ourselves first, and then just be very critical of yourself on the field, and what you can do better.”

3. Washington Officially Retired Hall of Famer

Art Monk No. 81 Jersey

The Washington Commanders retired Hall of Famer Art Monk’s No. 81 jersey during halftime of their Sunday night football matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

The celebrated athlete, who played 14 seasons for Washington, was a heartbeat in the team’s three Super Bowl wins, setting numerous records that landed him to the Pro Football

Hall of Fame, Class of 2008.

“What an awesome night, to get a chance to celebrate [former Washington wide receiver] Art Monk,” said Quinn.

Arising from Syracuse University, Monk came to Washington as its first-round draft choice (18th overall) in 1980, first as running back and later as wide receiver. The lauded retired player broke the NFL receptions record in 1992 in a home game on Monday Night Football against the Denver Broncos. He also recorded 888 receptions with the Washington franchise.

“I just remember going back to my rookie year and being so nervous and somewhat afraid to be a part of the team,” said Monk. “But there’s a group of men, older men, that were called ‘Over The Hill Gang’ that welcomed me in– brought me in, and worked with me, and talked with me, and helped me through my nervousness. They helped me develop into the receiver that I am today. And of course I can’t forget about all of the other teammates I had.”

He also celebrated the contributions of Washington’s celebrated former coach.

“It was Coach Gibbs who really elevated my play. I was a strong side receiver only and I was used to that for a period of time until he moved me to not only play strong side but also played from the weak side,” Monk continued. “I was at multiple positions during the course of a game, which was to confuse other defenses.”

In 1994, Monk played with the New York Jets and in 1995 with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Monk finished his career as a then NFL leading 940 receptions. He recorded 65 touchdown receptions with Washington, which was second to Charley Taylor and had 68 for his career.

3 In a home game at Northwest Stadium on Nov. 2, quarterback Jayden Daniels scores the only Commanders touchdown in the 38-14 week nine loss against the Seattle Seahawks.

With the retirement of his jersey, Monk becomes the sixth member of the Washington franchise to receive the honor alongside other legends like Bobby Mitchell (49), Sean Taylor (21), Sammy Baugh (33), Sonny Jurgenson (9), and Darrell Green (28).

“Thank you all, thank you all for coming,” said Monk at Legends Plaza. “I appreciate everyone, I appreciate the love, I appreciate everything, I really do.”

4. Bobby Wagner Sporting Seattle Storm Jersey Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner was spotted entering Northwest Stadium wearing his very own custom Seattle Storm jersey ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Seahawks.

Wagner became minority owner of the Storm ahead this season. Wagner emphasized in the Storm’s press release and at Commanders training camp, that the move into ownership was about continuing to support, uplift, and invest in the future of women’s sports.

5. 50 Cent Was In The Building Hip-hop mogul and rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson was in the building for the Commanders Monday Night Football matchup, seen supporting the Washington franchise and standing alongside Regina Jackson, quarterback Jayden Daniels’ mom.

“Sunday Night Football just hits different when you got Curtis Jackson (50 Cent) in the building,” said football fan Denis on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Washington Commanders will be back home at Northwest Stadium for a Week 10 showdown with NFC opponent, the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Nov. 2. Kickoff will be at 4:25pm. WI

CAPTURE the moment

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D), joined by several members of congress and impacted constituents, spoke at a rally on Capitol Hill on Oct. 29, calling for an end to the government shutdown and the extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits that have helped millions of Americans access affordable health insurance. Speakers included Congressional Reps. Jaime Raskin, Maxwell Frost, Ilhan Abdullahi Omar, Emily Randall, and Families USA Executive Director Anthony Wright. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

RELIGION

‘God Told Me to Leave’: From Abuse Survivor to Entrepreneur

Regina Latrice Transforms Pain into Success: From Abuse Victim and Teen Mom to Entrepreneur and Author

By Rev. Dorothy Boulware Word in Black

This article was originally published online with Word In Black, a collaboration of the nation’s leading Black news publishers (of which the Informer is a member).

Regina Latrice is many things: a mother, minister, entrepreneur, and a new author. More than anything else, though, she is a survivor.

As a child, she watched her father’s constant verbal and emotional abuse of her mother, when he wasn’t doing the same to her. Latrice’s teenage sister,

caught in a drive-by shooting, was left paralyzed and spent weeks in the hospital. Blinded by trauma and low self-esteem, Latrice, then 13, became tied to a physically abusive man, just like her mother did, and often went to school wearing clothes that hid the bruises. By the time she was 19, Latrice was the mother of three children. She eventually married their father — her abusive boyfriend. But faith in God, belief in herself, and trust in the power of forgiveness helped her not just survive but thrive.

Latrice writes about her journey of self-discovery in her new book “Finishing Touch: A Survivor’s Journey.”

It’s an open and honest recounting of a child who became a girlfriend and then a mother before she became a woman. But it also describes how she escaped an abusive relationship by listening to the voice of God, telling her she could set herself free.

“They would say that if God put you together, no one should break you apart,” Latrice told Word In Black in a recent interview. “But they weren’t telling me what to do if God hadn’t put you together. We put ourselves together and wanted God to clean it up. And I didn’t see a way out. But I was always hearing from God.”

Word in Black (WIB): When did you realize your family life was not like those of your friends?

Latrice: I guess I always knew. In spite of the abuse, my mom was still able to be with my father, so I can be with someone like that. And then my sister was shot at the age of 17 in a driveby shooting. So she was paralyzed from the waist down. And that’s when I first got into my relationship, because my mom was a loving mom.

She had seven children. She adopted three, so it was 10 of us. But when my sister got shot, a lot of my mom’s attention had to go to my sister. Hospital visits. Hospital stays. My sister was in the hospital for a long time.

So it opened the door for me to go and look for love in all the wrong places because there’s no one [at home]. My dad wasn’t there. And when he was, he was cursing me out and calling me names.

WIB: Tell me about your own family life.

Latrice: By the time I was 19, I had three children and just wanted to give them a life in keeping with my Christian upbringing. I guess I thought [their father] might change once we

3 An abuse victim by 13 and mother of three by her 19th birthday, Regina Latrice writes about her journey of self-discovery in her new book “Finishing Touch: A Survivor’s Journey.” (Courtesy Photo/Instagram)

were married. Instead, he was constantly manipulating me. It got to the point where he’d say, ‘You know, I don’t have anyone.’ It was like trauma binding. We both grew up in the same type of environment.

I couldn’t leave because I didn’t want my kids to grow up in separate homes. It was just a mess. So I used to take on a lot of guilt. And I’m not saying I was perfect because I did some things and said some things. But I’ve dealt with that guilt. I’d always tell myself, ‘I can’t leave him because he doesn’t have anyone. He needs me.’

WIB: What were a few of the warning signs that you were in deep trouble?

Latrice: I had a broken jaw from him before and knew then. He went to jail. I wouldn’t press charges, but the state did. God allowed him to go away for nine months, and that was my way out. But I didn’t listen.

When he got out of jail, he would go to church with me a few times to make me think he’d changed. But he wasn’t consistent. Finally, I had other women telling me about times they’d been in my house while I was at work.

After postponing a court date to file for divorce, a few times, I heard God say, ‘You’re either going to let this marriage die, or you’re going to let your ministry die.” And I knew then I couldn’t play around with it anymore.

WIB: How has your faith sustained you throughout all of this?

Latrice: I actually got married because of my religion. I kept hearing in church that I would die and go to hell for fornicating. But nobody was telling me that I didn’t need to be abused. I had watched my mother being abused and I just thought it was something women had to go through.

WIB: Who are the people who come to you for help?

Latrice: Men and women in heterosexual and homosexual relationships. Abuse happens in all relationships in some form. Sometimes the men are being abused by the women. And either one is abused in same gender relationships.

It’s often domestic abuse, but it’s also women who have been molested; they’re insecure and their self-esteem is shot. They talk about how they feel like they can’t be free. I just talked to two people on Saturday. It was crazy. They say they feel like they don’t know how to get free. They know that they need to, but it’s just about knowing how and knowing that there is help and resources out there to help them. WI

Church Offers Aid to Furloughed Congregants

5 Dr. Bobby Manning, pastor of First Baptist Church of District Heights, recently announced the launch of a federal government shutdown impact form, designed to help identify ways the church can support members affected by furloughs, job loss, or other disruptions. The District Heights church serves a largely Prince George’s County community, among some of the hardest hit by layoffs and furloughs in the D.C. region. (D.R. Barnes/The Washington Informer)

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. — Hosea 4:6

Let’s get real about the problem at hand: Type 2 diabetes can be stopped. When we talk about why and how it happens, more people are helped. Finally, in this week’s column, let’s talk about ways to prevent or reverse it.

First, though, allow me to share my personal story: My mother, Fannie Estelle Hill Grant, lived only 12 years after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Her journey was filled with extreme complications. Over the span of 12 years, she lost both of her legs to amputations, endured kidney dialysis several times a week and suffered multiple strokes. The entire experience was devastating for our family, and we had no idea how much we could have done to prevent it.

That’s why I’ve dedicated the past 25 years of my life to educating others on what I didn’t know back then. After losing my mother on Dec. 25, 2000, I realized how much we could have changed if we had simply modified our eating habits — if we had known that reducing sweets, cutting down on carbohydrates and increasing our intake of fresh, raw vegetables could have helped prevent or even reverse the damage. If we had incorporated just 30 minutes of exercise into our daily routine — five days a week — it could have made all the difference.

The roots of this issue go deep into American history, all the way back to 1790 during the days of slavery in America. For enslaved people, food was scarce, which led to the development of what we now call “thrifty genes” — genes that helped them survive when food was in short supply. Historical documents from the National Archives and Records Administration show that enslaved individuals in America were rationed food, not necessarily given an abundance, but just enough to sustain life. Back in those days, slave owners fed the animals before they fed the slaves. The

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

From Slavery to Soul Food: Understanding Diabetes in Black America the religion corner

best foods were saved up for the slave owners and their families.

Africans who survived the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade arrived in America somewhat strong, but they had to adapt quickly to their harsh new reality. Many worked grueling 12-16 hour days in the fields, six or even seven days a week. Their diet mainly consisted of scraps such as pig tails, pig feet, chitterlings (intestines of the pigs), hog maws, animal parts that were typically thrown out. Even drinking milk from troughs alongside animals was routine for many of the slaves, or they dipped some out for themselves and families. These were tough times, and food was hard to come by.

In the midst of such deprivation, African American women in particular were creative with what they had. They developed recipes that turned these humble scraps into beloved dishes — soul food. Collard greens simmered with fatback, sweet potato pies, beans seasoned with ham hocks or pigtails, biscuits made with white flour and lard, hush puppies, candied yams, peach cobblers and cornbread became staples of the African American diet. Despite their poor quality, these foods gave the enslaved a sense of comfort and community. It was also very enjoyable — I know, because I’m from the farms of North Carolina, born 1951, and I remember the days! Interestingly, while their diet was certainly not healthy by modern standards, the enslaved individuals were

able to maintain relatively good health for a time — because of the intense physical labor they performed each day. The constant exercise helped to counteract the negative effects of their poor diet. They burned off the harmful fats and sugars that would otherwise have led to chronic diseases like diabetes.

This is where the key difference lies, according to the National Institutes of Health. The work — the long hours of physical labor — was a form of exercise that helped to keep their bodies in balance. Coupled with their “thrifty genes,” which helped them preserve calories during times of scarcity, their bodies could handle the food they consumed without the severe consequences we see today. But, as we’ve seen, times have changed.

Fast forward to today, and the major cause of Type 2 diabetes in the United States is overweight and obesity, often combined with a sedentary lifestyle. Far too many are still enjoying recipes left behind by their grandmothers, so they eat that same soul food. Yet, they are not working in the fields 10-16 hour days. Therefore, if you’re overweight, inactive or both, your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes is significantly higher. Extra body fat can lead to insulin resistance, a condition where your body can no longer use insulin effectively, which is a hallmark of Type 2 diabetes.

WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

RELIGION

Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org

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.

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant

401 Van Buren St., NW, Washington D.C. 20012 Office (202)-882-8331

Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331

Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday "Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ."

Website: Theplbc.org Email: churchclerk@theplbc.org

Purpose

LEGAL NOTICES

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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 FEP 000124

November 5, 2024

Date of Death

Aida G. Campuzano Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Domingo E. Campuzano whose address is 5805 Lone Oak Drive, Bethesda MD 20814 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Aida G. Campuzano, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Montgomery County, State of Maryland, on March 6, 2025.

Service of process may be made upon Lindsey M. Avedisian, 700 12th Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005 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: 10/23/2025

Domingo E. Campuzano

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 001064

Susan E. Axleroad aka Susan Edith Axleroad Decedent

Valerie B. Geiger, Esq. 4084 University Drive, Suite 202A Fairfax, VA 22030 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Valerie B. Geiger, whose address is 4084 University Drive, Suite 202A, Fairfax, VA 22030, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Susan E. Axleroad aka Susan Edith Axleroad who died on 12/13/2024 with 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 4/23/2026. 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 4/23/2026, 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: 10/23/2025

Valerie B. Geiger 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 000975

Grace C. Smith aka Grace Cecelia Smith Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Vanessa Ceceli Byers, whose address is 1653 38th Street, SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Grace C. Smith aka Grace Cecelia Smith who died on 12/9/2011 with a Will and will serve with 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 4/23/2026. 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 4/23/2026, 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: 10/23/2025

Vanessa Ceceli Byers

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 001170

Estate of Regina C. Newman aka Regina Cometa Newman

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by John D. Newman 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.

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

Date of first publication: October 30, 2025

Cheng Yun Law

6088 Franconia Road Suite D Alexandria, VA 22310

Petitioner/Attorney:

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 001023

John M. Vlach aka John Michael Vlach Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Beverly Wood Brannan, whose address is 617 E Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John M. Vlach aka John Michael Vlach who died on October 30, 2022 with 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 4/23/2026. 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 4/23/2026, 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: 10/23/2025

Beverly Wood Brannan 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 FEP 000128

1/2/2025

Date of Death

Loumis Taylor aka Loumis Sandifer Taylor Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Anthony L. Taylor whose address is 10 Light Street #1821, Baltimore, MD 21022 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Loumis Taylor aka Loumis Sandifer Taylor, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on October 14, 2025.

Service of process may be made upon Julius P. Terrell, 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington DC 20004 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property.

4645 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave., NE, Washington DC 20019. 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: 10/30/2025

Anthony L. Taylor Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000366

Lois Kathleen Royster Decedent

Kevin Judd, Esq. 601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 900-South Building Washington, DC 20004

Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Kevin Judd, whose address is 601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 900-South Building, Washington, DC 20004, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lois Kathleen Royster who died on July 15, 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 4/23/2026. 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 4/23/2026, 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: 10/23/2025

Kevin Judd, Esq.

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 000533

Alberta Lawson Ferguson Decedent

Julius P. Terrell, Esq. 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Julius P. Terrell, whose address is 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20004, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Alberta Lawson Ferguson who died on 7/17/1988 without a Will and will serve with 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 4/30/2026. 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 4/30/2026, 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: 10/13/2025

Julius P. Terrell Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 001090

Jesse Monwell Newby Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Debra Newby, whose address is 9119 Manchester Road, Apt. 305, Silver Spring, MD 20901, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jesse Monwell Newby who died on August 21, 2023 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 4/30/2026. 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 4/30/2026, 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: 10/30/2025

Debra Newby 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 001134

Lois Banson Decedent

Timothy J. Sessing, Esq. 12850 Middlebrook Rd., Ste. 308 Germantown, MD 20874 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Patricia Banson, whose address is 202 34th Street SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lois Banson who died on 1/21/2025 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 5/6/2026. 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 5/6/2026, 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: 11/6/2025

Patricia Banson 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 001049

Joanne T. Spriggs

Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Kim M. Smith, whose address is 7420 Serenade Cir., Clinton MD 20735, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joanne T. Spriggs who died on November 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 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 4/30/2026. 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 4/30/2026, 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: 10/30/2025

Kim M. Smith 7420 Serenade Cir. Clinton MD 20735

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 001110

Emma L. Ruffin Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Beverly Ruffin Burrowes, whose address is 1441 Bangor Street, SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Emma L Ruffin who died on 2/10/2025 with 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 5/6/2026. 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 5/6/2026, 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: 11/6/2025

Beverly Ruffin Burrowes 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 001082

Wendy Huntington Rueda Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Guillermo Rueda, whose address is 2912 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Wendy Huntington Rueda who died on July 17, 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 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 4/30/2026. 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 4/30/2026, 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: 10/30/2025

Guillermo Rueda

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 001108

Catherine N. P. Holmes aka Catherine Novella Pruitt Holmes Decedent

Lynee C. Murchison, Esq. Adams Law Office, LLC 4201 Mitchellville Rd, Suite 500 Bowie, MD 20716

Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Audrey Patricia Rice, whose address is 3527 Alameda Circle, Baltimore, MD 21218, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Catherine N. P. Holmes aka Catherine Novella Pruitt Holmes who died on 12/9/2024 with 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 5/6/2026. 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 5/6/2026, 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: 11/6/2025

Audrey Patricia Rice Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

VETERANS from Page 15

A Brief History of Veterans Day

Veterans Day began as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, with the support of President Woodrow Wilson.

Cemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s signature, Armistice Day became a national holiday in 1938, with the intent of honoring World War I veterans and giving federal employees the day off.

In 1954, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day to include all people who served in the military, with the approval of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Throughout the years, Veterans Day has been marked with parades, commemorations, and activities such as wreath-layings and patriotic-themed rallies.

President Barack Obama praised the veterans for their unselfishness in serving the country on Veterans Day in 2016.

“We come together to express our profound gratitude for the sacrifices and contributions you and your family made on the battlefield, at home, and at outposts around the world,” Obama

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 FEP 000131

March 11, 2023

Date of Death

Michael Anthony Jackson Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Ronda B. Jackson whose address is 12605 Scarborough Oak Court, Brandywine, MD 20613 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Michael Anthony Jackson, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on 10/8/2024.

Service of process may be made upon Jafi O. Barnes – 315 H Street, NE, Apt 417 Washington DC 20002 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property.

1235 Irving Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017. 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: 11/6/2025

Ronda B. Jackson

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

said at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. “But America’s gratitude to our veterans is something always grounded in something greater than what you did on duty. It’s also an appreciation of the example that you continue to set after your service has ended–your example as citizens.”

As the Trump administration works to eradicate African American narratives, Smith told The Informer uplifting Black veterans is critical during the annual celebration.

“Black people today are going into the military because college is too expensive and many don’t want to take out those loans,” said Smith. “By joining the military, Black people are making the country better. While some people are worried about the present political climate, I am not. I am convinced that we as a country have moved past slavery and Jim Crow.”

Upcoming Celebrations, African American Civil War Museum Reopens

In the District, this year’s celebrations will include a Grand Marshall Dinner on Nov. 7 at Ronald Reagan International Trade Center, a National Field Show for Bands on the Mall on Saturday, Nov. 8, and the National Veterans Parade on Nov. 9, beginning at the National Archives on 7th and Constitution Avenues NW.

On Nov. 11, Arlington Cemetery will host its annual Veterans Day wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

In addition, Smith looks forward to hosting programming at the U Street masonic temple, recognizing the contributions of African Americans in the Civil War.

“We were scheduled to hold a ribbon cutting on November 19 but we have more work to do on the museum, so the reopening will take place on a later date,” Smith said. “On the 10th, we will have a book sale from authors who have written about civil rights. Later that day, the descendants of the Civil War veterans we memorialize will hold a reception for the public. On the 11th, the holiday, we will have a program with a choir and a military leader speaker that will start at 10 a.m. At 11 a.m., we will start the program where the names of the Civil War veterans are read. That program will go until 4 p.m. and we have 400 people reading the names on 10 microphones.”

WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

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SNAP from Page 1

“I don’t believe it,” she told The Informer. “How could they do that? People have kids to feed. Kids will be malnourished if they don’t eat. That is cruel.”

Stephens agreed, saying “shutting down SNAP is ridiculous.”

“You know what it is, Trump wants people to act a fool so he can shoot them,” she said. “How are kids supposed to eat? What is going to happen is those rich folks are going to get robbed and things are about to get dangerous out here.”

The friends talked passionately about the SNAP suspension. Stephens mentioned D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, expressing her thoughts on what she thought the District leader should do to help those who will be cut off from SNAP and the WIC program.

“Mayor Bowser needs to do a little bit more,” Stephens, 36, said. “She helps everybody else, she needs to help us. People need their food. If they can’t eat, they can’t function. Kids can’t function if they don’t eat.”

While the SNAP suspension was set to take place as many federal workers are undergoing financial stress due to being furloughed— some working with no pay and government contractors not being paid due to lack of work—- Bowser did step in to help D.C. residents.

She mandated that the District government will honor SNAP and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) obligations for the month of November.

“We know that SNAP and WIC play a critical role in helping thousands of Washingtonians, and millions of Americans, put food on the table each month,” the mayor said.

“We were hopeful it wouldn't come to this–and we still need the federal government to reopen as soon as possible–but for right now, we’re moving forward to ensure that we take care of D.C. residents in November.”

Washingtonians

Expound on the SNAP Dilemma

Bowser’s mandate to temporarily fund SNAP in the District covers about 85,000 households, consisting of 141,000 people. The average per household SNAP issuance in the District in recent months is $314, according to government data.

Additionally, there are over 12,500 residents in 6,300 households who benefit from WIC and receive food assistance to purchase critical items such as infant formula, nutritious

foods, fruits and vegetables. WIC also educates recipients on such matters as nutrition education, breastfeeding and offers referrals to health and social services for mothers, babies and children under five years.

District government data reveals that the two programs generate economic benefits for the city. Every $1 of SNAP benefits generate $1.54 of economic activity with those funds spent in District grocery stores and other businesses.

The Bowser administration says the SNAP benefits will cost the city $29 million and WIC, $1.5 million. Administration officials say contingency funds will cover the costs of the program, and will be recouped in next year’s budget.

The mayor has initiated this action while supporting D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s joining of a lawsuit with 25 states suing the Trump administration for not using its contingency funds for SNAP.

Bowser’s actions have generated support among city leaders, including D.C. Council member Christina Henderson (I-At Large).

“I’ve been in ongoing conversations with our agencies and the mayor’s team about the impact of this shutdown, and I’m glad the mayor made this decision,” Henderson said. “States and local governments across the country have been in a tough spot and it’s one [decision] she should not have to make. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a reserve of $6 billion which is designed to be used in these very instances to ensure no interruption in food and nutrition programs, but they are refusing to release that funding.”

Henderson also dispelled some popular mistruths about SNAP benefits.

“I even heard a “news” anchor suggest that folks were getting their nails and hair done with SNAP benefits,” the council member said. “That couldn’t be further from the truth–you cannot even buy toilet paper or hygiene products with SNAP benefits.”

D.C. Hunger Solutions, an advocacy organization whose mission is to eradicate food insecurity in the city, praised Bowser for funding SNAP and WIC benefits for November. Like Henderson, D.C. Hunger Solution leaders blame federal officials for the SNAP debacle and want funds distributed to the states and localities like the District as mandated by law.

WI

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MARSHALL from Page 26

board was placed in Clinton County, Illinois, as an attempt by the Proud Boys to recruit teenagers. The billboard, using the words “faith, family, freedom, and brotherhood,” was located 1,000 feet from the entrance to Central Community High School. The billboard listed a local recruiting phone number. By targeting 16-, 17-, and 18-year-old students on their way to school, the Proud Boys are fully aware of the influence Gen Z has on the future of this nation. Parents, local officials, and state leaders condemned the sign, saying the extremist group has no place in Illinois communities.

David Cunningham, a Washington University professor who studies white supremacy, said extremist groups often use billboards to try to normalize their

JEALOUS from Page 26

Mamie spent the 1920s at Edward David’s knee. She listened to his stories, absorbing lessons in resilience and leadership. As she became an adult, she became a teacher, then an organizer, and then a parent, raising her daughter to continue the fight through the 1970s and beyond.

Mamie was born in 1916 in southern Virginia, not far from the Jordan’s Point plantation where Richard Bland lived. The 1920s slammed doors shut everywhere. Virginia’s Racial Integrity Act banned interracial marriage. The Immigration Act closed America’s doors. The Ku Klux Klan reached its peak — millions strong — motivated equally by their hatred of Black Americans and the demonization of Catholic immigrants and Jews. America First meant America for white Protestants only.

But Mamie’s foundation in resilience, built at Edward David’s knee, allowed her to act boldly. Activism of the 50s and 60s bore fruit. Desegregation went into high gear. The Vietnam War ended. And interracial couples like

MORIAL from Page 26

cy choice, not an unavoidable consequence of the shutdown.

This unprecedented decision from the White House is not only harmful, it’s deliberately cruel and unnecessary. By refusing to act, the administration is choosing to inflict avoidable hardship on families already struggling with inflation, rising costs, and record food insecurity. Following the passage of the “Big Ugly Bill,” which

presence. “They’re sort of using phrases related to freedom, faith, these kinds of things,” Cunningham said. “This was never in the Proud Boys lexicon prior to the current presidential administration … This is really an attempt to rebrand themselves in a more mainstream way.”

After strong community opposition, the sign was removed after a few days. But one has to wonder how many young people were persuaded to call in those few days. The Proud Boys are organizing at the grassroots level, as is Turning Point USA. Turning Point USA is an organization, founded by the late Charlie Kirk, that advocates for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses. Turning Point USA is a political organization that aims to elect conservative leaders.

my parents enjoyed the first decade in which their marriages were legal in every state.

Now we are here. The 2020s. Nativism rises like floodwater. Voting rights stripped away. Books banned. Racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia poison our communities. Authoritarian voices grow shameless in their contempt for democracy.

I am raising two children in this darkness. They ask why they should believe anything will truly get better. And I tell them: The 20s are always dark. The 70s are always remembered for bold rays of light breaking through.

The victories of every “70s” are never permanent. We spring forward, then we fall back. The pattern is not a steady march toward justice — it is a rhythm, a tide, a seasonal turning between light and dark.

So why keep faith when we keep falling back?

Because falling back is not defeat. It is the darkness before dawn. My family knows across ten generations that the cruelty of every “20s” is followed by the breaking open of every “70s.” Not because of destiny, but because ordinary

imposed the largest SNAP cuts in history, even more Americans are now at risk of losing access to the nutrition assistance they rely on to survive.

For an administration that claims to champion the well-being of mothers, children, and working families, this move goes directly against the things it claims to stand for. Parents should not have to choose between paying bills and feeding their children. No mother should have to worry that her

According to its website, they are a movement rooted in faith, freedom, and love of country. They built a well-organized infrastructure of over 900 college chapters dedicated to defending America’s future. I admit that I admire how Turning Point USA has strategically built a nationwide movement focused on young people and America’s future. While I am impressed with the grassroots machine, I know this is another organization that uses persuasive devices to obscure its true motives (white supremacy). Behind the powerful words of “faith, freedom, and love of country” is a national network that promotes anti-Blackness, anti-diversity, anti-equity, and anti-inclusion under the umbrella of Christianity. WI

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people refused to give up.

Giles Bland rose up in arms in the 1670s. Richard planted the seeds in the 1720s that blossomed in the 1770s. Frederick guided and encouraged his son Edward David so that, once freedom came, Edward was ready to rise and help lead their neighbors in the 1870s. Mamie absorbed these lessons and acted boldly, raising her daughter to continue the fight through the 1970s and beyond. My mother acted decisively so I could raise my children to see the 2070s.

Ten generations of my family have witnessed this pattern. We have only reached every “70s” because young people in every “20s” refused to give up. They organized, protested, voted, ran for office, and defended democracy when it seemed weakest.

The job of America’s young people today is to do the same. If present and future generations rise to these challenges the way our ancestors did, our democracy will not only survive — our nation will thrive again.

Because here in America, the darkest hour has never been the last hour. Keep your eye on the prize. WI

newborn might go hungry because of political leaders. Congress must stand up for families. Send a message to lawmakers: they must demand that the White House follow the law by releasing available SNAP funds immediately and exercise its authority to transfer additional funding to WIC and SNAP. Families cannot wait. Americans need support now, not after the damage has been done.

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AIRLINE CAREERS

WILLIAMS from Page 27

elderly and so many have-nots? Sojourner Truth, who had nothing at times, once said, “If my cup won’t hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn’t you be mean not to let me have my little half mea-

HARRIS/MCDANIELfrom Page 27

California, Arizona and Minnesota are leading the way with a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop the White House from ending benefits that Americans rely on.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin have committed millions of dollars to support working families impacted by the Republican shutdown. They’re not waiting for permission or consensus. They’re acting because families need help now. This is the kind of leadership Democrats should be highlighting everywhere. Scott, Woodfin and Democratic attorneys general are demonstrating what Democratic governance looks like while Republicans abandon their responsibilities. Democrats actually show up for working families, invest in communities, and refuse to let vulnerable people suffer while Republicans play games. Democrats in Congress should be holding daily press conferences with their state and local counterparts like Mayors Scott and Woodfin, creating a clear contrast that shows Dem-

MUHAMMAD/MORRISSETTE

from Page 27

delivering results. During Morrissette’s tenure leading the agency, immediately before the start of the Trump administration, MBDA helped businesses secure $3.2 billion in contracts and $1.6 billion in capital, creating and retaining more than 23,000 jobs. Last year also marked the first year of MBDA’s Capital Readiness Program — the largest-ever federal initiative of its kind — designed to help underserved entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses. In its first full year, the program served more than 6,300 entrepreneurs and helped raise $263 million in capital. In other words, MBDA evolved into a broad, national platform for growth — one that reaches well beyond race alone. Its clients range from a Black-owned cybersecurity startup in Atlanta to a Latina-led food manufacturer in Texas, a Native American construction

sure full?” How do you work so hard to fire or lay off people who want to work, but are barred from doing so? How do those in charge of the well-being of people simply go home for weeks at a time, and not even remain in Washington to try to resolve the problem of

ocratic leaders taking action while Trump Republicans let the government collapse. This isn’t complicated messaging. It’s showing voters exactly who fights for them and who doesn’t.

Government shutdowns create lasting political damage that extends far beyond the immediate crisis. They erode public trust in government broadly — which always hurts Democrats more than Republicans, since Democrats actually believe the government can help people.

If Democrats lose this message war, they won’t just lose the shutdown battle. They’ll reinforce the narrative that both parties are equally dysfunctional, that Washington never works, and that voters should throw everyone out. That’s exactly what Republicans want heading into 2026.

But if Democrats execute this plan — protect vulnerable Americans, continue to force Republicans to vote against popular measures, highlight local Democratic leaders taking action — they can turn this crisis into a defining moment that shows voters exactly which party fights for

cooperative in Oklahoma, a veteran-owned logistics firm in Ohio, and a white Appalachian entrepreneur rebuilding a small-town sawmill with limited access to capital. MBDA’s scope reflects a fundamental truth: opportunity gaps are intersectional. A functional MBDA recognizes that inclusive economic development requires tools that reach across these lines, while still honoring the agency’s original civil-rights mission — to repair the damage of centuries of racially exclusive capitalism.

What We Stand to Lose

When an agency like MBDA is dismantled, the casualties are not bureaucrats — they are business owners, workers, and America’s competitiveness. Without MBDA, it becomes harder for disadvantaged businesses to access capital, navigate federal and corporate procurement systems, and unlock innovation.

hunger? Why does a judge have to order them to do their jobs after many weeks of procrastinating and neglecting their duties? Well, those are questions Republican Party leaders are not concerned about resolving. WI

working families while strengthening their hand to deliver for working families hurt by the Trump-Republican shutdown.

Democrats have a terrible habit of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory by overcomplicating simple situations. This is one of those moments where clarity matters.

Every Democrat should be able to answer any shutdown question with the three-point plan. Every cable news appearance should hammer Trump’s shutdown record. Every social media post should highlight Democratic leaders taking action while Republicans play politics. Republicans are betting Democrats will overthink this until the public blames everyone. Democrats need to prove them wrong by executing a clear messaging plan with relentless discipline.

The message is simple: This shutdown is Trump’s crisis. Democrats have the solution. WI

We know empirically that minority-owned and disadvantaged businesses receive less capital and pay more for it. Programs like the Capital Readiness Program were designed precisely to close that gap — helping entrepreneurs get a fairer shot at the financing they need to grow and hire. MBDA’s business and procurement centers also ensure that our public and private contracting pipelines are diverse, making our supply chains more resilient to shocks like the pandemic.

Beyond that, MBDA’s mission aligns with the broader economic imperative of closing America’s opportunity gap — a gap that sidelines an estimated $7.1 trillion in potential economic output, nearly a quarter (23.3%) of U.S. GDP. Activating that untapped potential doesn’t just strengthen minority communities; it strengthens America itself. WI

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