The Washington Informer - October 23, 2025

With 200,000 Mobilized, No Kings Day Offers a Catalyst for Change

D.C. Protesters Talk Next Steps, Plan for Liberation

By Jada Ingleton and Keith Golden Jr. WI Content Editor and WI Intern

By the time Willie Futrelle stepped off the plaque of the Archives-Navy metro on Saturday, the sea of protesters headed to Pennsylvania Avenue were already riled up chanting the clear theme of the day: “No Kings!”

Futrelle counted among a crowd of 200,000 in Northwest, D.C. – and more than 7 million nationwide – gathered for the second No Kings protests on Oct. 18,

Union Temple Baptist Church Spurs Million Man March Anniversary, Unifest

Events

Programming Highlights Power of Unity and Faith for the Freedom Fight Ahead

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

While people around the country navigate a government shutdown and nationwide division, hundreds highlighted the power of collective action, unifying in celebration of two marquee events in D.C.

UNIFEST Page 31

The Issues That

Never Seem to Go Away

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

The D.C. Council conducted an additional legislative meeting on Oct. 21 where they, among other things, approved the ceremonial naming of a street in honor of Marvin “Slush” Gross and conducted their final votes on a slew of legislation, including a bill that establishes the Youth Advisory Council on Climate Change and Environmental Conservation.

Other council business, however, represented a blast from the past.

Toward the end of its relatively short meeting, the council reignited a debate about the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) before approving a reconsidered version of the Rebalancing

Page 43

In Council Run, D.C. Shadow Representative Oye Owolewa

Stands as Antithesis to D.C. Councilmember Bonds

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

Earlier this year, D.C. Shadow Rep. Dr. Oye Owolewa counted among those who frequented the John A. Wilson Building during a budget season unlike any in recent history.

Despite Owolewa’s advocacy, along with that of several other D.C. residents and organizations, the council approved a budget that didn’t fully reverse cuts and health care coverage restrictions proposed by D.C.

OYE Page 17

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STAFF

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REPORTERS

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wi hot topics

STACY M. BROWN, WI SENIOR WRITER; JADA INGLETON, WI CONTENT EDITOR

Howard Homecoming Returns with Celebration, Responsible Drinking on the Lineup

As October temperatures drop in Washington, D.C., homecoming season is just heating up for local historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and Howard University promises another year celebrating Black excellence, leadership and generations of legacy building.

With a theme of “One of One,” Howard University Homecoming 2025 takes place Oct. 19-26, and features a fun-filled itinerary of annual traditions and honorary moments rooted in Bison pride and communal celebration.

Among the list of highly-anticipated events during the 101st anniversary, include: the Lavender reception, celebrating Howard’s LGBTQIA+ community (Oct. 23); Thursday’s Student Fashion Show and Red, White, and Bison Gala; the Oct. 25 Truth and Service football game versus Morgan State University Bears, preceded by the Community Parade; plus a series of celebrated traditions taking place

on Friday, Oct. 24, including Yardfest, the Greek Step Show and Divine Nine Brunch, and Alumni Welcome Reception.

D.C. Region Sees Reversal in Job Trends as White Unemployment Surges

A new Brookings Institution report reveals that while the nation’s overall unemployment rate has remained stable between June 2024 and June 2025, the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area has seen a reversal of traditional employment patterns—with white unemployment increasing more than Black unemployment for the first time in years.

The Brookings analysis, part of its ongoing DMV Monitor project, shows that total unemployment in the region climbed by nearly 0.6 percentage points. Nationally, unemployment for Black workers rose by more than half a percent during the same period, while overall unemployment remained virtually unchanged.

The findings show that the District of Columbia’s unemployment rate rose less than in most surrounding suburbs, especially those in Northern Virginia, where many federal employees live. The District was also the only county-equivalent in the region to experience a decline in unemployment

among workers of color.

“While overall unemployment remained stable between June 2024 and 2025, unemployment for Black workers increased by over half a percent,” researchers Glencora Haskins and Tracy Hadden Loh wrote. “However, in the DMV region, the white unemployment rate has increased more than the Black unemployment rate.” Brookings noted that the D.C. metro area, which stands as one of the nation’s largest regional economies, is also among the most economically divided, with distinct income disparities between predominantly white and Black communities. Those divides have historically deepened during economic downturns, but the new data suggest an unusual shift that could signal longer-term labor market stagnation.

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Read more on washsingtoninformer.com.

Trump’s Assault on Black Women Continues Despite Claims of Flattery

While President Donald Trump claims “beautiful Black women” were begging him to come to Chicago, many African American women leaders throughout the nation are doing just the opposite and fighting against his policies.

Trump’s remarks come as Black women bear the brunt of his administration’s purge of the federal workforce and rollback of civil rights protection, with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts and elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming on his first day back in office in January.

Reports show that roughly 12% of the federal workforce is made up of Black women, nearly double their share of the national labor force. Yet under Trump, hundreds of thousands have been pushed out of jobs.

“Black women are not just workers or numbers on a spreadsheet. We are the backbones of our families, our communities, and this country,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. “Nearly 70% of Black women are the primary breadwinners in their households. When we lose work, it reverberates far

beyond our own families. Economists estimate that just 2% of Black women being fired this year has cost our economy $37 billion in GDP spending.”

It is targeted harm. Trump’s second term has been defined by mass firings, the dismantling of diversity programs, and public humiliation of Black officials.

The Center for American Progress called his policy agenda a bait and switch, concluding: “These policies have the deliberate effect of erasing the Black middle class and making it unattainable for any future generation.”

Trump’s History of Targeting Black Women

New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of several prominent Black women targeted by Trump, has faced indictments and threats from the administration after leading successful cases against his business empire.

TRUMP Page 17

CareFirst Holds Community Health Fair at Ward 8 Arena

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

When CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield (CareFirst) announced that it was having a community health fair at the arena in Congress Heights that bears its name on Oct. 18, Maurice Foushee decided it was a good idea for him to attend.

An active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s Omicron Eta Lambda chapter and the MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk and Parade Committee, Foushee drove a few miles south from his Hillcrest home in Ward 7 to the Ward 8 site, as a way of engaging with the community and prioritizing his health.

“I learned about this event from an email that I received from the Anacostia Coordinating Council, so I decided to check it out,” Foushee, 63, told The Informer while at Carefirst Arena on Saturday. “Besides, I needed to get my A1C checked [for diabetes] and I did, and everything turned out okay.”

Foushee was among hundreds of

people who went to the organization’s first District community health fair to meet with medical professionals, wellness screenings and receive information on healthy living habits.

Organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association talked to attendees about illnesses and how they can be avoided and, if necessary, managed.

The District government’s Ward 8 Profile of Health and Socio-Economic Indicators reveals that area residents face significant health challenges, including: a 15-year lower life expectancy compared to the overall city average; high chronic rates of diseases like obesity and hypertension; and disproportionately high rates of death from homicide and HIV/ AIDS.

The report said Ward 8 residents face barriers to access mental and physical health care in contrast to other wards, particularly those west of the Anacostia River, with many residents reporting fair or poor health and a high prevalence of smoking.

Ricardo Johnson, the executive vice president of CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, said the fair serves a distinct purpose.

“Health is personal, but it also connects us all,” he said. “By coming together with our community partners, we’re meeting people where they are and creating experiences that inspire healthier living. Real change happens when communities feel supported, informed and united around their well-being.”

Bringing Care to the Community: ‘We Want to Meet People Where They Are’

Even before the event started, several people were waiting outside to get into the arena and go onto the floor where vendors were setting up for the 11 a.m. kickoff.

Foushee walked around the fair with a bag of health information from various organizations and chatted with the vendors.

“I’m glad I came,” he said. “I

learned about health organizations while here. This was a good place to have this fair. A lot of people came here because it was here at the arena, who ordinarily would not have come.”

For Shar Ferrell, CareFirst’s director of community engagement and events, holding the event at the arena was very intentional— far beyond the site’s name.

“We want to have an impact in the community,” said Ferrell, 52. “CareFirst wants to do more than just to put its name on a building.

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The event, which included a live performance from The Experience Band, was open to all residents and offered flu shots, biometric screenings, glucose examination, and cholesterol review and BMI (body mass index) checks. Fair coordinators also distributed WMATA Smart Trip farecards and fresh produce.

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Registration: Scan the QR code or visit https://tinyurl.com/Thompson-Giusto

AROUND THE REGION

black facts

OCT. 23 - 29, 2025

Oct. 23

1940 – Soccer legend Pelé is born in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

1947 – The NAACP issues a formal petition against racism in America to the United Nations.

1958 – Famed academic and author Michael Eric Dyson is born in Detroit.

Oct. 24

1855 – James Henry Conyers, the first Black person admitted to the United States Naval Academy, is born in Charleston, South Carolina.

1992 – Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston becomes first African American to manage a team to the World Series title.

Oct. 25

1940 – Benjamin O. Davis Sr. is promoted to brigadier general, becoming the first African American general in the U.S. Army.

1997 – The Million Woman March is held in Philadelphia.

Oct. 26

1911 – Gospel music great Mahalia Jackson is born in New Orleans.

1952 – Actress Hattie McDaniel, the first African American to win an Academy Award, dies of breast cancer at 57 in Los Angeles.

Oct. 27

1891 – Black inventor Philip B. Downing receives patent for the street letter box, a precursor of the modern-day mailbox.

Oct. 28

1798 – Abolitionist Levi Coffin, known as the “President of the Underground Railroad,” is born in Guilford County, North Carolina.

1914 – The Omega Psi Phi fraternity, founded at Howard University, is incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia.

1981 – Edward M. McIntyre is elected the first African American mayor of Augusta, Georgia.

Oct. 29

1945 – Tony Award-winning actress and singer Melba Moore is born in New York City.

1949 – Alonzo G. Moron is inaugurated as the first Black president of Hampton Institute, later known as Hampton University.

1969 – The Supreme Court orders the immediate end of school segregation.

1981 – William O. Walker, publisher of the Cleveland Call Post, dies in Cleveland at age 85. WI

P INT

BY KEITH GOLDEN JR.

How has the government shutdown affected you or the people that you love?

LOUIS BRACY / WASHINGTON D.C.

“I’m retired, but I have two nieces and one nephew who is out of a job directly due to Trump. One of them worked for 12 years with the Department of Education, and as you know, he shut the Department of Education [down]. All Americans will be affected if they allow tax increases to go on health care.”

DR. DAVID CAMP / WASHINGTON D.C.

“My girlfriend is somebody that was laid off because of it, so it’s affected things deeply. She was a great employee. The head of the agency loved her, but she had to go, and it’s really unfortunate.”

CHRISTINA COLLAZO / WASHINGTON D.C.

“I work in the service industry…and when the government shuts down, it shuts down everything. It affects tourism in D.C., the flow of people coming to visit museums, monuments, stuff like that. Businesses—local and large scale, small scale— they’re all suffering.”

STACY AJA / WASHINGTON D.C.

“Being a D.C. resident, the government shutdown has drastically altered my city [in ways] that it can’t in any other city. Most of the people here work for the government, and while I personally don’t, I see it in the fact that my city has become a ghost town. And it’s definitely hurting the economy.”

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LOVE Act Lets D.C. Couples Wed Despite Federal Shutdown

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The Council of the District of Columbia has approved Councilmember Christina Henderson’s Let Our Vows Endure (LOVE) Emergency Amendment Act of 2025, which allows the mayor to issue marriage licenses and authorize temporary marriage officiants while the federal government remains shut down.

The emergency legislation was passed to address the 14-day suspension of marriage services caused by the closure of the federally funded DC Superior Court, which normally oversees marriage licenses.

“Due to the federal government shutdown, the D.C. Superior Court— which is federally funded—has been unable to issue marriage certificates for the last 14 days, leaving many of our residents and visitors who wished to be married during this time with few alternatives,” Henderson said. “No one should have to leave the District and venture to neighboring states such as Maryland or Virginia to get married simply because Congress cannot get their act together and fund the federal government on time.”

Councilmembers noted their swift action was to ensure that residents can continue their celebrations without interruption.

The Act temporarily shifts authority from the Superior Court to the mayor’s office, empowering the mayor or a designated official to issue marriage licens-

5 THE LOVE Act is now in effect, allowing the mayor to issue marriage licenses and authorize temporary marriage officiants while the federal government remains shut down. (Courtesy Photo)

es, approve temporary officiants, and transmit all necessary documentation to certify marriages in the District.

Mayor Muriel Bowser has delegated this responsibility to the Secretary of the District of Columbia, ensuring the continuation of marriage services at no cost to residents or visitors.

According to city officials, 27 couples applied for marriage licenses on the first day the law took effect, and five officiants were authorized to perform ceremonies.

The emergency measure will remain

HOT TOPIC from Page 4

“It’s absolutely magical up on that campus, it’s a source of pride,” Dr. Nathan Doctry, class of 1974, told The Informer ahead of Howard’s centennial homecoming in 2024. “It’s a freedom of expression, you’re not afraid to be Black or [anything else]. It’s really something.”

In addition to the aforementioned traditions, beverage company Diageo’s Show Your HBCU Initiative returns to the Northwest institution for a second year of citywide events and exclusive parties alongside its partnering brands Casamigos, Crown Royal, Deleon, Smirnoff, and Tanqueray.

With a mission to honor HBCU culture and the legacies of long-standing homecoming traditions, the nationwide program strives to amplify the value of the Black network, while empowering students and alumni alike with a refined approach to celebrate the week of affairs.

in effect for 90 days, with the Council also considering a temporary version that could extend the authority for up to 225 days.

Bowser first signed a similar version of the LOVE Act in 2019 during a previous shutdown, which had halted marriage services for several weeks.

“During the federal shutdown, D.C. keeps moving forward—and now, your wedding plans can, too,” Bowser wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Oct. 14. “The LOVE Act is live!” WI

“Our purpose is to celebrate life every day, everywhere, and that really speaks to how we go out in the community,” said Dr. Danielle Robinson, Diageo’s director of community engagement & partnerships. “I want people to take away that they should consider and think about how they’re going to go out in the evening.”

Other aspects looking to shape safe and healthy drinking during the week include Diageo’s Take a Minute initiative, charging people to make conscious, intentional decisions; the Cheers to Choice Bars, empowering personal choices in what, when and how to drink; as well as some tips and tools to responsible hosting and consuming outlined on Diageo’s main site.

“I always say, drink up, drink less but better,” Robinson told The Informer. “It’s really about making sure people consume our brands responsibly.”

WI

With Nadeau’s Endorsement, Rashida Brown Runs for Ward 1 D.C. Council Seat

Park View Social Worker Aims to Become First-Ever Black Female Ward 1 D.C. Council Member

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

Rashida Brown has spent nearly half of her life in Ward 1, a part of Northwest that includes her alma mater Howard University, as well as the communities of Park View and Pleasant Plains, where she currently serves as an advisory neighborhood commissioner.

With the Ward 1 D.C. Council seat

currently up for grabs, Brown has her eyes on an elected office that she said would allow her to serve the entire ward. If elected, Brown said she would draw upon her decades of professional and civic experience to fight for socioeconomic diversity.

“I’ve seen a gentrifying Georgia Avenue. I saw a lot of liquor stores and not enough child care centers. I saw joblessness, homelessness, mental health

AROUND THE REGION

issues, and not enough services or connections to services and good jobs,” said Brown, advisory neighborhood commissioner for Single-Member District 1E04. “As [a] council member, I can be able to see those disparities and be able to transform challenge into opportunity. I believe in economic and social justice for the residents of Ward 1, and I’ve been able to do that in my community as a social worker and as an ANC commissioner.”

If elected, Brown will become Ward 1’s first-ever Black woman council member.

On Wednesday, she announced her candidacy for the Ward 1 D.C. Council seat, entering a race that currently includes: her Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E colleague Brian Footer, activist and longtime Mount Pleasant resident Terry Lynch, tenant organizer Aparna Raj, and also reportedly Jackie Reyes-Yanes, the director of the

D.C. Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs.

Unlike them, Brown has the support of current Ward 1 D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau.

Earlier this month, when Nadeau announced that she wouldn’t seek a fourth term, she alluded to her eventual endorsement of a “strong candidate” and champion for affordable housing who has worked in early childhood development. Brown has since emerged as that candidate, telling The Informer that, through her work with the Ward 1 council member, she has an intimate understanding of what’s been accomplished— and what’s yet to be done— for Ward 1 residents.

“Councilmember Nadeau has had a lot of wins and I want to build on those wins and ensure that there is more affordable housing in our communities,

BROWN Page 11

AROUND THE REGION

As part of the 30th anniversary of the Million Man March on Oct. 16, a large group of marchers crossed the 11th Street Bridge with small lanterns in hand, symbolizing the trek many Black Washingtonians in Northwest, D.C. took to build Barry Farm in Southeast during the 1860s. Some of the marchers included faith and community leaders, people representing local groups and organizations, and youth dressed as historic figures important to the D.C. area. After marching, people gathered at Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast, D.C., which sponsored the local Million Man March commemorations and Unifest celebration on Oct. 18. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

Chef Kaosarat ‘Kozy’ Fawehinmi, owner of Laud Shawmara Nigerian Restaurant in Solaire Social Food Hall in Silver Spring, Maryland, takes a break to read through The Washington Informer. (Brenda C. Siler/The Washington Informer)

– Maya Angelou “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”

from Page 9

like the ones that I developed at Park Morton and Bruce-Monroe,” Brown told The Informer. “You’re talking about 450 units, 60% of them affordable. Creating a pathway for Park Morton residents to come back, and dismantling systemic racism that you’re seeing in our housing policies.”

Amid Housing and Immigration Woes, D.C.

Councilmember Nadeau Looks to Pass the Baton

On Oct. 10, Brown joined Nadeau, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert, D.C. Housing Authority Executive Director Keith Pettigrew, and community members in celebrating the reopening of Park Morton Apartments.

The five-story, 142-unit affordable multifamily building counts as the first of its kind in Ward 1 to be constructed under the District’s New Communities Initiative. Fifteen families that previously lived at Park Morton will return to the neighborhood known as “640.”

Thus continues a journey that, for Nadeau and Brown, has had a couple of bumps along the way. For instance, one resident refused to leave their apartment during the demolition of Park Morton. A lawsuit has also delayed completion of units at the former Bruce-Monroe Elementary site.

“Rashida was in the trenches on this all along, and the Bruce-Monroe site has been in her single member district on the ANC,” Nadeau said. “She had to fight back against NIMBYs (Not In My Backyard), who just didn’t want to see that housing built and still don’t want to. That fight’s not over because we still have to get shovels in the ground there.”

Weeks prior to the Park Morton ribbon-cutting, Brown accompanied Nadeau to Bruce-Monroe Elementary School at Park View, where, in the midst of a federal surge, both local officials greeted students walking back into school after summer break.

“I saw the anxiety that families had on their faces,” Brown told The Informer. “And that is not something that should happen on a child’s first day of school. It should be an exciting day, and that was a day of terror.”

After the end of the surge, as residents continue to document Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)-Immigration and Customs

Enforcement (ICE) collusion, Brown said she stands committed to holding MPD accountable to the community.

“We were promised a transition out,” Brown said. “And I see MPD on the streets with ICE…and that is unacceptable. We need to exit out and put the power back into the hands of our local law enforcement. That’s who needs to be dealing with our crime issues.”

Nadeau, a three-term D.C. council member, said she will step away from her council seat having fought against housing insecurity and lack of access to public benefits. She also touts her support for families, small businesses and child care facilities.

When it comes to Brown, Nadeau said her presence on the council ensures the viability of the lawmaking body’s progressive wing. As the first woman to hold the Ward 1 D.C. Council seat, Nadeau also acknowledged the historic significance of Brown’s run.

“I really do think it’s time for Ward 1 to have a Black woman in the seat,” Nadeau told The Informer. “She can bring her experiences to the council that nobody in that seat has ever had, and she has so many life experiences that matter in the job, whether that’s from working a minimum wage job to having parents who worked in transit and worked multiple jobs to support her.”

Brown, who has roots in Bronx, New York and Charleston, South Carolina, first moved to the District in 2000 as a graduate student in the Howard University School of Social Work. After completing her studies, she embarked on a decades-long career as a social worker, working with foster care youth and young people with mental health challenges.

Other professional experiences include stints at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, where Brown, respectively, helped develop a mayoral childcare investment package and the coordinated early childhood education platform known as Thriveby-Five.

Brown and other Ward 1 residents founded the entity that would eventually become known as Georgia Avenue Thrive. That’s how she said they pressed for the installation of security cameras and traffic calming measures along Georgia Avenue. As Brown recounted, group members also held a developer accountable to converting empty buildings to local businesses, all while collaborating with community groups to beautify blighted properties.

“We got the youth from Duke Ellington [School of the Arts] to help us do it [and] community groups like Words Beats, & Life helped do that with us,” Brown said. “We developed places and spaces for placemaking. When we had a vacant lot over there at the old Murray’s, we had a fall fest bringing in local talent, local music, local artists, government agencies and nonprofits that serve the community so that people could know that there are services out here in the community.”

Brown said that, in her work with Georgia Avenue Thrive, she saw the power that people hold when they take matters into their own hands to address violent crime and other quality-of-life issues.

WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Prince George’s County Political Updates

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

Sen.

Michael Jackson

to Lead Maryland State Police

State Senator Michael Jackson (DDistrict 27), former Prince George’s County sheriff and the first African-American to represent his district in the Senate, has been selected by Gov. Wes Moore (D) to serve as the next superintendent of the Maryland State Police following the retirement of current superintendent Roland Butler on Nov. 1.

Jackson will assume his role on Nov. 12.

“During Col. Butler’s tenure at the helm of State Police, Maryland has become a national leader in crime reduction and public safety gains. He leaves behind a profound legacy as he enters retirement,” said Moore. “And I also know Sen. Michael A. Jackson

— an exceptional public servant in his own right — will build on the foundation Col. Butler laid.”

The barrier-breaker and three other Senators voted against Butler’s confirmation in 2023, alleging he had not done enough to address complaints of discrimination or promote diversity within state police personnel.

Two years later, Jackson said he is prepared to serve as superintendent and “honored” Gov. Moore has confidence in him to serve in such a role.

“My life and career have led to this moment, and I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to take on this role,” said Sen. Jackson in a social media post on Oct. 10. “Service to the residents of District 27 in the State Senate will not be interrupted as I’ll continue until I leave to assume my duties as superintendent, and I look forward to supporting the next senator appointed to fulfill the remainder of my term in office.”

Both Dels. Kevin Harris (D- District 27A) and Jeff Long Jr. (D- District 27B) have announced their intention to apply for the vacant state senate seat. While both have constituents in Prince George’s County, Long represents parts of Calvert County and Harris serves parts of Charles County.

Long, who was elected as a Delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, has received endorsements from the Roofers Union Local 30, Eagle Harbor Mayor James S. Jones, and Pamela Cousins and Inez N. Claggett, former presidents of Calvert County Board of Education.

This appointment would require a majority vote by the Democratic Central Committee in at least two of the three counties that the district includes.

“For the past five years, Sen. Senator Michael Jackson has served the people of Maryland’s 27th District with integrity, commitment, and an unwavering dedication to public service. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to him on his well-deserved appointment as Interim Superintendent of the Maryland State Police — a testament to his leadership and lifelong service to our state. As he embarks on this new chapter, I am inspired to continue the work of building stronger schools, safer communities, and a more equitable Maryland,” said Del. Long in a social media post on Oct. 10. “With deep gratitude and a spirit of service, I intend to place my name in consideration to serve as the next State Senator for District 27. Our community deserves bold, compassionate leadership — and I am ready to answer that call.”

Harris said various aspects of his

career makes him well suited for the state senate seat, highlighting his military service and role in passing legislation to support public schools and minority-owned businesses.

“Leadership is often thought of as a title, but the true measure of leadership is demonstrated through action. I learned this principle years ago, and it has shown up in every role, from high school to the military, in my community, my church, my fraternity, and as a Maryland State delegate for District 27A,” he said in a social media post announcing his intention to run for the state senate.

Now Harris hopes to serve Marylanders as a member of the state senate.

“For the past 40 years, the people of Prince George’s, Charles, and Calvert Counties have been fortunate to have leaders in Annapolis who fight for them when no one is watching. In this moment, our community requires the same dedication from our next state senator,” he said. “It would be an honor to continue serving, leading with integrity, and working tirelessly for the betterment of our community.”

Simmons Appointed to Lead Nation’s First Economic Mobility Cabinet Agency

Walter L. Simmons, the longtime leader of Employ Prince George’s, is now acting secretary of the newly-established Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility, the first cabinet-level agency in the nation focused on removing structural barriers to upward mobility.

“In order to build a growing economy, we need to create an inclusive economy. The new Department of Social and Economic Mobility will help ensure that all Marylanders have access to work, wages, and wealth— no matter their starting point or destination,” said Gov. Moore. “Walter has the experience, wisdom, and vision to lead this critical agency. And under his leadership, we will continue our work to leave no one behind.” Simmons will lead the agency’s work to support social equity programs across state government and

streamline Maryland’s approach to supporting small and disadvantaged businesses.

“I am honored to be appointed to lead this historic agency under the Moore-Miller Administration,” said Simmons, who began in the role on Oct. 20. “Maryland’s resources are vast, and our moment is now—to align around a unified strategy that opens doors to the middle class, strengthens our economy, and ensures our business community flourishes.”

Benjamin to Serve as Deputy CAO of Economic Development

Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D) has appointed Tracy M. Benjamin to the role of deputy chief administration officer (CAO) of economic development. Benjamin has served as general counsel to the county’s Redevelopment Authority and has extensive legal and real estate experience.

“I have full confidence in Benjamin’s abilities to elevate the county’s economic development. She is a highly accomplished government legal executive and business development strategist with more than two decades of experience at the intersection of law, leadership, and economic development,” said Braveboy in a press release. “I also want to express my sincere appreciation to Iris Boswell for her exceptional service as deputy chief administrative officer for economic development during the first 100 Days of my administration. We look forward to continuing to work with her as special advisor for Housing and Urban Development projects.”

The Prince George’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) remains without a CEO, since the retirement of David Ianucci last year.

“You need someone who really understands economic development and how to make the arguments for Prince George’s County to be a competitor to other jurisdictions,” said Ianucci, who served as CEO of the EDC for six years. “It’s not just about giving speeches and saying what a great place Prince George’s County is.”

WI

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Gov. Moore Holds Majority Approval, Leads Hogan in Polling Support for the Current and Former Governors

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

An early 2026 gubernatorial poll has Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) leading former Gov. Larry Hogan (R).

The current governor maintains 45% of respondents compared to Hogan’s 37%, with 14% remaining undecided or neutral.

Moore soundly defeated Dan Cox (R) in the 2022 gubernatorial general election, with more than double Cox’s vote total to become the nation’s sole Black governor in office and only the third elected in history.

“His popularity has been wellearned and his leadership has been acknowledged across the aisle for his handling of the Key Bridge, navigating COVID and helping to reduce crime levels in Baltimore to the lowest levels we’ve seen in a generation,” lobbyist Daniel Carrington told The Informer. “I’m very glad I live in Maryland at this pivotal time for our nation.”

A recent approval poll published by the Baltimore Banner shows 54% of respondents approve of Gov. Moore’s performance, while 36% of respondents disapprove and another 10% are neutral or not sure. Poll respondents rated his approach on transportation, education, and the budget as Moore’s strongest areas of focus.

Some voters have also highlighted his strong stand in support of federal workers during the Trump administration’s layoffs and the ongoing shutdown.

“If Gov. Moore can do anything, it’s to continue to provide compassionate leadership when it feels like a lot of people are left out to sea,” Baltimore resident Elizabeth Gall told the Baltimore Banner.

While Moore’s approval ratings have modestly improved since the summer, few respondents offered a particular achievement as Moore’s gubernatorial hallmark. In the Banner’s poll, more respondents were negative or neutral on Moore’s handling of rising utility costs, reparations for slavery, and housing costs.

“There is a sense about him that one starts to get in this poll that he hasn’t galvanized people, that he

hasn’t done enough in their eyes, in these times,” said Steve Raabe of OpinionWorks, who conducted the statewide poll.

Support for the Current and Former Governors

While Hogan has not formally announced his candidacy, he teased a potential campaign in the past months, following his unsuccessful Senate campaign 2024.

Moore attended the Tawes crab feast on the Eastern Shore in late September, a noted campaign stop for statewide candidates, while Hogan did not attend.

Part of Hogan’s past political success included registered Democrats and independents who voted for him over Democratic gubernatorial candidates, including in Prince George’s and Baltimore City.

“Larry Hogan has always been a formidable politician. He does really well regarding retail politics and getting out and talking to voters,” said Mileah Kromer, the director of the UMBC Institute of Politics. “His particular strength has been in a blue state like Maryland; he’s been able to convince around 30% — at least in his two gubernatorial cycles— of Democrats to vote for him. That is no small feat in our really polarized country.”

With the governor fully on the campaign trail, the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) endorsed Moore during their Oct. 18 convention in Ocean City.

While speaking at the event, the governor touted his partnership with MSEA and record education funding during his term as governor.

“More than ever, our state, educators, and students need Wes Moore. Wes Moore is a champion for our public schools. The governor has worked with us to reduce the educator shortage by 25%,” said MSEA President Paul Lemle during the recent convention. “He has proved to us that he really will leave no one behind, investing historic resources to support our most vulnerable students and communities, and ensuring educators are at the table to address the most important issues in pub-

lic schools. We are excited to stand shoulder to shoulder with him in this next election and continue our partnership.” WI

4 Gov. Wes Moore takes a selfie with educators during the Maryland State Education Association’s convention, held in Ocean City on Oct. 18. Moore has officially received the union’s endorsement. (Courtesy Photo/Wes Moore for Maryland)

BUSINESS

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

National Banking Association Grapples with Trumpism

While organizational growth and the state of the economy were top priorities during the National Banking Association’s (NBA) annual meeting Oct. 2-3 at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Northwest, many people focused on the organization’s strategy on how to deal with challenges amid the Trump administration.

“This year’s conference is about momentum,” said Todd McDonald, chairman of the NBA board of directors. “This is a tall order.”

McDonald discussed the organization’s growth throughout the years— from the pre-civil rights era, when African Americans heavily utilized Black banks, and then later as companies faced the challenge of

existing and growing when mainstream banks opened up.

“We had 4% growth in NBA banks assets last year,” McDonald said. “We have enough capital to double in size. Plus, we have grown by 14 members.”

Despite continued progress, the board chairman said challenges persist, such as banks keeping up with the latest technological advances and working on partnerships with large institutions.

As they work to support one another, McDonald emphasized that NBA members must also continue to support small businesses.

During the two-day event, Mark Calabria, chief statistician of the U.S. White House Office of Management and Budget, told the gathering that small businesses are the engine that drives the American economy

and the Trump administration wants to make sure they are supported.

“We are working to reduce rrules and increase transparency,” Calabria said in an interview with Kevin Boyce, founder and chairman of Adelphi Bank based in Columbus, Ohio. “Everyone can compete on a level playing field. Black banks have a niche with small business lending. We want to help you do your job.”

Weighing in on the current administration’s midterm outlook, Ja’Ron Smith, who works for the CGCN Group in Northwest as a

Public Notice  WSSC Water Amends Temporary Water Bill Amnesty Program

On October 15, 2025, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) adopted an amendment to the Temporary Water Bill Amnesty Program to further assist eligible customers with delinquent water/sewer bills.  The current program runs through November 30, 2025.

The amendments to the Temporary Amnesty Water Bill Program include: 1) an extension of the Program through at least December 31, 2025; 2) an expansion of the customer eligibility requirements to include customers who are financially impacted by the federal shutdown, and 3) an adjustment of the account eligibility criteria to include accounts that are delinquent as of October 1, 2025.

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The EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE TEMPORARY AMNESTY PROGRAM IS DECEMBER 1, 2025.

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WSSC Water Commissioners Adopt Emergency Customer Relief Fund

On October 15, 2025, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) adopted a regulation establishing an Emergency Customer Relief Fund to assist eligible customers. The effective date of the regulation is December 1, 2025. The signed resolution can be viewed at  wsscwater.com/relief-fund

policy expert, also emphasized the wealth of small business opportunities during the second Trump era.

Smith, a Howard University educated former White House staffer who worked in the first Trump administration, said that things are moving fast and intentionally.

“You have to put on your safety belt the first year,” said Smith. “Keep a steady pace and keep the relationships you have built. There is work in creating jobs and opportunities in vulnerable areas. There are greater opportunities for growth for small businesses.”

While Smith admitted the president’s rhetoric can be daunting— saying “Trump is always Trump”— he encouraged the NBA members not to get discouraged.

“It is important to reach the advisors around him,” he said. “There are diverse voices behind the president, and they have their agenda.”

Two political analysts, Ashley Etienne, a communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris and Matt Rhoades, the campaign manager for the Mitt Romney 2012 presidential campaign, told the members that 2026 elections could produce a split Washington landscape.

“The Democrats should win the House,” Rhoades said. “Many people are interested in what Hakim Jefferies will do as speaker. The number one issue is the economy and if things are not going well, that will be good for the Democrats.”

Although Etienne agreed with Rhoades that Democrats could take back the House in the midterm elections, she said that is not the point.

“The economy is an important issue, but the question will be, for Hakim Jefferies, ‘are you a good leader?’” she said. “Will he be an effective leader? He is the minority leader now and that is the easiest job.”

Joint Center Blasts Trump for Gutting Staff of CDFI Fund

The District’s Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies has condemned the Trump administration’s decision to terminate the entire staff of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund.

For nearly three decades, CDFIs have filled gaps in financial access that mainstream lenders have ignored, especially in communities of color and those in rural areas.

“Eliminating the CDFI’s Fund staff effectively halts programs that have delivered billions in investments to the communities that need them the most,” said Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, president of the Joint Center. “This is not a neutral bureaucratic move—it’s a direct attack on inclusive economic growth. By stripping away the nation’s community finance infrastructure, this administration is signaling that equitable development is no longer a federal priority.”

Sophia Kerby, the Joint Center’s vice president of government affairs, agreed with Asante-Muhammad, adding, “The CDFI Fund has long been a bipartisan success story.”

“Leaders from across the aisle have recognized that when we invest in community financial institutions, we invest in America’s small businesses, workers and neighborhoods,” she said. “Eliminating its staff betrays that consensus and undermines decades of progress.”

The Joint Center leadership requests for the U.S. Congress to restore the CFDI Fund’s staffing and capacity.

“At a time when Black unemployment is rising and racial wealth gaps persist, dismantling the CDFI Fund is both cruel and shortsighted,” said Asante-Muhammad. “Congress must step in to ensure this vital institution continues to serve the communities that drive our nation’s economic future.”

WI @JamesWrightJr10

We’re proud to announce we’ve raised our U.S. minimum hourly wage — delivering on our promise to reach $25 by 2025. Together, we’re helping our employees, customers and communities thrive.

Lawrence Di Rita President, Bank

of America Greater Washington D.C.

NATIONAL

Nonprofits Reeling as Federal Funding Freezes Leave a Third Without Support

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

In the first months of 2025, America’s safety net began to fray. From food banks to community health programs, thousands of nonprofits found their government funding delayed, frozen, or stripped away.

The Urban Institute’s October 2025 report “How Government Funding Disruptions Affected Nonprofits in Early 2025,” reveals how the country’s moral infrastructure is buckling under the weight of political choices and bureaucratic neglect.

The report found that one in three nonprofits experienced some form of government funding disruption between January and June: 21% lost at least some government funding; 27% saw funds delayed or frozen; and 6% received stop-work orders that halted programs entirely. These numbers, the

researchers wrote, reveal a “cascading effect” across the nation’s nonprofit landscape.

Federal agencies began canceling grants and pulling back committed funds at the start of the year.

“Organizations delivering job training, mental health services, independent living assistance, disaster relief, and emergency shelter, among other services, were forced to suspend programs and lay off staff,” the report stated.

The pain stretched far beyond Washington’s directives.

One nonprofit leader explained that “state and local government have stopped providing multiyear contracts as they assess what changes at the federal level will take place. This impacts our ability to forecast and plan budgets.”

Another nonprofit director expressed concerns about funds promised to organizations before

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the program cuts.

“There is concern that remaining federal grant funds will not be honored, even though we are in contract to provide the services,” the leader noted. “Also, if federal funding our state agency receives is cut, we will no longer receive operating support.”

Data Reveals Widespread Impact

The data show how deep the shock runs.

Large organizations with annual expenses above $10 million were the most affected, with 56% reporting at least one disruption.

For smaller nonprofits operating on less than $100,000, 18% reported funding loss or delay.

Across the sector, disrupted nonprofits relied on government sources for 42 of their total revenue, compared with

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28% among all nonprofits. For those hit hardest—groups experiencing three types of disruptions, government dollars made up 57% of their budgets.

Even those not directly funded by government contracts felt the blow.

“The broader pullback in federal funding is having a significant indirect effect,” one small nonprofit said. “As federal dollars diminish, both foundations and individual donors are shifting more of their resources to larger organizations… This dynamic is creating a growing level of financial uncertainty for small nonprofits more broadly.”

Another small nonprofit emphasized the danger beyond just losing money.

“It’s not just government funding that’s been impacted,” the organization noted, “it’s the broader environment this administration has created for organizations serving communities it deems inappropriate or controversial.”

The effects reached deep into communities. Fifteen percent of all nonprofits reduced their staff in the first four to six months of the year, nearly double the number from 2024.

Among those affected by government funding disruptions, 29% reported staff reductions. For organizations facing three levels of disruption, that figure climbed to 51%. Hiring plans also collapsed, falling from 52% at the end of 2024 to just 38% by mid2025.

3 From food banks, to community health programs, a new report reveals one in three nonprofits had some form of government funding disruption between January and June. (WI File Photo/Roy Lewis)

One organization wrote: “Funding uncertainties make it extremely difficult to plan short term and certainly for the long term. We are trying to hold off on laying off or cutting hours, but not sure how much longer we can wait without some certainty going forward.”

The loss of funding also meant less programs and fewer people served.

Twenty-three percent of disrupted nonprofits reduced their programs compared with 12% of all nonprofits. Twenty-one percent cut back on the number of people served. Nearly half—48%—of those that suffered three types of disruptions reduced their programs, while 38% reduced the number of individuals reached.

“We are preparing to decrease our spending on food items to prevent us from having to make cuts in staffing,” one nonprofit explained. “We are almost at our maximum number of meal recipients and have a capped number at 75 with our one cook.”

‘Expect Major Impacts on the State Budget’

Another nonprofit organization offered a warning for the future.

“Expect major impacts on the state budget from federal cuts, which will directly affect state-funded programs we provide. We cannot make up for projected changes with fundraising.”

Two-thirds of nonprofit leaders said they expect demand for their services to increase in the next 12 months. They foresee a storm of need they cannot meet.

“Every action the government takes has a direct impact in the community,” one leader said. “With all the funding cuts how can we help families to cover their basic needs?” WI

TRUMP from Page 4

“We conducted a two-year investigation based on the facts and evidence, not politics,” James said, calling the charges against her “baseless.”

Her experience mirrors that of Lisa Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve Board, and Fani Willis, the Georgia prosecutor who brought election interference charges against Trump. Each woman rose to her position through merit, only to be met with retaliation and slander.

Trump has called James “scum” and used language reminiscent of racial slurs to describe her. He has also accused Willis of being “racist” and “out to get Trump.”

The Human Rights Watch’s Wom-

OYE from Page 1

Mayor Muriel Bowser. Months later, as District residents deal with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement collusion, Owolewa says the council could do more to stand up for constituents.

“There [haven’t] been enough fighters for some time,” Owolewa, a pharmacist and Ward 8 resident, told The Informer as he reflected on events that have unfolded in recent weeks. “As a child of African immigrants, as someone who lives east of the river, as a pharmacist who’s seeing a bunch of my patients lose their health insurance... I looked at the council and wondered where the fight was.”

In September, Owolewa launched his electoral bid against D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds (D-At large), who’s facing re-election in 2026. This effort comes toward the end of a year where Owolewa has supported efforts to protect D.C. Home Rule and budget autonomy against congressional Republicans. In speaking about his council run, Owolewa criticized the veteran lawmaker he says has lost touch with working and middle-class D.C. residents.

“I’m running against somebody that unilaterally supported the Commander’s deal with no conditions— unconditional support,” Owolewa said. “Had we had one more council member that stood up and said ‘We needed this, we needed that,’ we could have gotten more. There’s no rent stabilization efforts for the people living in that community. There’s no plan to freeze property taxes for homeowners who’ve been living in Kingman Park and beyond for five, 10 years.”

However, Owolewa says it doesn’t

en’s Rights Division warned that Trump’s second term poses a significant risk to women’s rights.

“If we listen to what he says, we should be concerned about the significant impact on women’s rights his administration could have,” said Macarena Sáez, executive director of the women’s rights division.

Even Black officials inside the government have not been spared.

“We had targets on our backs, no doubt about it, by virtue of the color of our skin,” said Gwynne A. Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the National Labor Relations Board, after being removed by Trump. “But I did not get this job because of D.E.I. I got it because of my experience.”

stop at Bonds.

“I’m not just running against an incumbent, I’m running against a status quo of doing things,” Owolewa told The Informer. “I’m running against the idea that you have to be on a certain donor’s list in order for you to get real opportunities in the District. I’ve dedicated my life in public service to leveling the playing field, and I think people are really paying attention to it.”

A Closer Look: The Makings of a David v. Goliath Battle

During the earlier part of October, weeks after announcing his council run, Owolewa reported the vandalism of his Southeast townhome. Though he said not much has been discovered by local authorities as of late, Owolewa told The Informer that he has reason to believe that the offender made no mistake about defacing his abode.

“It feels pretty targeted given that my house is not in the end [of the row of townhomes],” Owolewa said. “There’s nothing in this community that screams me on it, but someone may have found out through the Board of Elections or for another means where my address was and I do feel like it’s only one reason and I feel like it only could have been because of me.”

In his recounting of the incident, Owolewa said that he didn’t pay close attention to the blue paint he saw in his periphery while accepting a food order at his door the night before the Anacostia Coordinating Council ’s boat ride.

WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

Women Critical to Sustained Growth

Meanwhile, women like Bishop Leah D. Daughtry and the Rev. Dr. Brianna K. Parker have sounded alarms about the moral cost of his policies.

“We are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in America,” Daughtry said. “We drive trillions in consumer spending, and when Black women thrive, families and communities thrive. This is a national emergency. America cannot afford to sideline the very women who have always sustained its growth.”

Parker also emphasized the danger in the rising job loss among African American women.

“Soaring unemployment among Black women is not a footnote,” she said. “It’s a catastrophic moral failure at the highest levels of the American system.”

Pressley emphasized that Black women must fight back despite the president’s efforts.

“Trump wants to keep his knee on the neck of our economy and rob Black families of our dignity, our livelihood, and our futures, but not on our watch,” Pressley said.

WI

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Generation Z Ignites Madagascar’s Political Reform

Widespread Protests End in Military-Backed Transition of Power

By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer

Since 2020, eight African countries, in efforts to implement national reconstruction, have successfully removed their previous leaders from power, with Madagascar being the most recent after nearly a month of youth-led protests that began on Sept. 25.

“Hope is reborn in Madagascar,” said Malgasey activist MJ Anton via Instagram. “But this breath of unity, as pure as it is, will not be enough without an intelligent, lucid, patient structuring.”

On Oct. 13, as demonstrations denouncing increased water and electricity shortages and political corruption intensified in Madagascar, the Personnel Administration and Technical and Administrative Services Corps (CAPSAT)– the most powerful unit of the country’s Armed Forces– announced its support for the protestors and seized control of all military forces. This turning point caused former President of the High Transitional Authority of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina to flee the country.

CAPSAT Colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as the country’s interim president on Oct. 17.

“We are committed to a break with the past,” Randrianirina said during the swearing in ceremony.

Youth Call for Change:

‘We Don’t Want Corruption or Nepotism’

Young protestors were motivated to mobilize for several reasons.

According to the World Bank, 75.2% of Madagascar’s national population in 2022 was considered poor, and the UN reports at least 1.3 million people on the island suffer from malnutrition.

Due to fragile infrastructure and fluctuating water levels, outages and shortages can last hours, and sometimes, days in the country.

In 2023, Madagascar ranked 145 out of 180 countries for corruption in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. One instance of governmental misconduct on the island that year was when chief of staff Romy Voos Andrianarisoa

was found guilty of seeking bribes for mining licenses from British mining company Gemfields. This is just one of many accounts of corruption from the country’s government.

Thousands of Malagasy youth, many who organized under the name Generation Z Madagascar, took to the streets in frustration as these situations weren’t improving or changing, but often saw officials and their families enjoying the luxuries of wealth, having access to quality education.

“We don’t want corruption or nepotism,” Gen Z Madagascar wrote. “No monopoly or leaders who control all exports by asking entrepreneurs for money to allow exports.”

Reform or Repeat?:

‘We Refuse to Have Our

Revolution Confiscated’

During his first speech as president, Randrianirina, the transitional leader spoke to the needs of the young protestors.

“We place good governance, a culture of transparency, accountability, efficiency and the principle of zero tolerance at the center of our actions,” he said. “This chaotic situation has awakened the conscience of a bold youth who hope for a brighter, more secure future for themselves and future generations.”

Despite making these promises and

recognizing the fight to build a country that is sustainable for future Madagascan citizens, Randrinirina has already disappointed young activists less than a week after he was appointed interim president.

On Monday, Oct. 20, the military official and politician chose businessman and consultant, Herintsalama Rajaoarivelo, as Madagascar’s new prime minister. Randrinirina said he made his decision based on Rajaorivelo’s experience and “connections with the international organizations that work with us.”

Gen Z Madagascar denounced the decision, as Malagasy people were not included in the decision— an action that overlooks the transparency they asked for and were promised.

“This decision, taken without transparency or dialogue, contradicts the spirit of rupture and refoundation that the people demanded on the street,” the group wrote. “Gen Z Madagascar does not claim power, but claims the right to know, to understand, to monitor.” Madagascar attained independence from France 65 years ago. Younger generations want to see a country that is liberated from greed and corruption– a country that can uphold true freedom for generations to come.

“We will not let old practices go under a new face,” Gen Z Madagascar wrote. “We refuse to have our revolution confiscated.”

WI

HEALTH

Association of Black Cardiologists Celebrates 50 Years, Promotes Advocacy to Tackle Disparities

By Micha Green WI Managing Editor

While African Americans across the nation navigate historic health disparities— from a lack of access to care, to food insecurity and higher disease and mortality rates— for five decades, the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) has been working to combat those challenges, promote wellness and change statistics among doctors and patients alike.

ABC gathered in Washington, D.C. Oct. 9-11 for a convening that included: a maternal cardiovascular health roundtable; a policy summit; an educational retreat for pre-college and undergraduate students; and a 50th anniversary celebratory gala. The goal of the three-day conference was not only for meetings and to mark the milestone celebration, but fight for health equity overall.

“One of the things that ABC does is certainly advocate for our patients in terms of the need for evidence-based cardiovascular care,” Dr. Anthony Fletcher told The Informer. “We also work on educating our patients and

our communities about the presence of cardiovascular disease– the signs, the symptoms, the need for prevention, the need for early detection, and treatment.”

The U.S. Department Office of Minority Health reports that in 2024, Black people were diagnosed with hypertension 26% more than the total population, and in 2022, African Americans died from heart disease more than any other racial or ethnic group.

Although heart health is major for ABC, working to uplift African Americans in every aspect of the medical field is what the organization is all about.

“We also advocate that African American patients are looked at in terms of being included in the clinical trials.

I mean, that’s how we develop the new aspects of medicine and how we determine if these aspects of care are effective in populations,” he said. “We also advocate for more people of color to be researchers, to help us pursue the questions that are germane to our patient population.”

Further, supporting the next gen-

eration of Black cardiologists through scholarship and programming is critical to the association’s work and mission.

“Part of our goal also is to work on diversification of the workforce, so we certainly include advocating for students,” Fletcher explained.

Since its inception 50 years ago, the members of ABC have worked to bolster Black communities, and remind all people of the importance of prioritizing heart health.

“I think most of us are dedicated to the fact that we want to be sure, that people that we care about, people that look like us, our family members, have access to evidence-based cardiovascular care like anyone else,” he said. “[And] it’s just not about Black people. It’s about anybody that’s underserved or marginalized.”

Honoring the Past, Celebrating Progress, Pushing for More Equity

Fifty years ago, African Americans accounted for about 2.2% of doctors in the United States, yet Williams and other physicians saw a void in health care and started the Association of Black Cardiologists to fill it.

“I would applaud the 18 people who started this organization, and they weren’t all of the Black cardiologists in existence at that time, but certainly they represented the core of those,” Fletcher explained.

In a 2022 interview with Reservoir Communications Group, Williams, also founder and president of the Minority Health Institute, recounted his inspiration for starting ABC.

“In the late ‘60s, there was not much information underscoring the prominence of heart disease among African

Americans. The thought at that time was that African Americans were resistant against diseases of the cardiovascular system. We didn’t have any data to show otherwise,” said Williams, author of the Textbook of Black-Related Diseases (1975). “I was able to accumulate a great deal of data on heart disease and found that the idea of Black populations being somehow immune was absolutely erroneous.”

He celebrated the progress made over the past five decades.

“Look how far we’ve come,” Williams, now 89, said three years ago in an interview as part of Reservoir Advocacy and Alliance Network’s series “The Deep Dive.” “We’ve found out that Black people are twice as likely to suffer from heart attacks, and therefore, we deserve and need a great, maybe even greater, deal of attention on this problem.”

As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, the association’s current leadership offered a call to action for all attendees, while also uplifting the work and legacy of its original members.

“This milestone represents more than a celebration—it is a reaffirmation of our mission and the enduring importance of advancing cardiovascular health in every community,” said Fletcher, Cassandra McCullough, CEO of the association, and Dr. Paul Underwood, ABC board chair, in a joint statement submitted to The Informer. “Together, we are proud to honor the visionaries who built our foundation and to inspire the next generation carrying this mission forward.”

Celebrating the initial ABC members as barrier-breakers, the organization’s president also noted that many Black cardiologists are paving paths for others to this day.

“Many of us were pioneers, in terms

of going through programs, many of us are the first or second people of color in a lot of their programs,” he noted, “and so I think to some degree, you have to have a certain amount of audacity as well as bravery to do that.”

Despite a slight increase in Black physicians since the founding of ABC, which is now closer to about 5.7% of American doctors, Fletcher said there’s still more steps necessary to achieve true health equity for practitioners and patients.

“Unfortunately, Black cardiologists are probably only still about 3% of the practicing cardiologists in this country, which is still far below the fact that we represent about 13% to 15% of the population,” Fletcher told The Informer. “And so we still have a long way to go, and there’s still a lot of work to do.”

Through programming and discussions, this year’s conference allowed physicians to discuss ways to continue the work Williams and the original members started ABC 50 years ago.

Gloria Wilson Shelton, chair of the 50th anniversary celebration, said the purpose of this year’s convening was to offer “three unforgettable days of inspiration, connection and reflection.”

As the Association of Black Cardiologists celebrates a half century and looks forward to the future, Fletcher encourages tackling disparities to promote overall wellness for African Americans.

“The main goal is to close the gap,” he said. “And so despite the fact that there has been some improvement, that gap is still there, so that’s still our major focus to be sure that people of color have a long lifespan, and… that they have the same quality of life for that lifespan.”

WI

EARTH OUR

HU Halo Garden and Common Good City Farm Join Forces to Fight Food Insecurity

Alliance Connects Students with Mentors to Rebuild Black Agricultural Roots

By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer

At a time when Black communities nationwide face food insecurity, and the ongoing government shutdown threatens funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), local programs are stepping in to not only offer sustenance, but also highlighting the power of agriculture as a means toward opportunity, renewal and liberation.

In the Northwest, D.C., Common Good City Farm (CGCF) and Howard University’s (HU) Halo G.R.E.E.N. Garden have joined forces, offering students mentorship opportunities that will help both green spaces flourish, and benefit the surrounding community by providing them with opportunities focused on nourishment and revitalizing people’s connection with the land.

Kweli Zukeri, an advisor to the student-run garden, established the partnership with Halo G.R.E.E.N. Garden as his final project in CGCF’s Certificate Program in Regenerative Agriculture, making possible a collaboration that both organizations have desired for a while.

Now, Zukeri hopes the initiative helps students connect with the land and tap into their ancestral agricultural roots, steering them away from the notion that farming is negative— a narrative caused by the generational wounds of enslavement in the United States.

“Land is power,” Zukeri told The Informer. “If you don’t have the land, you don’t have access to creating your future, your destiny. So it’s just really important to restore that relationship to [the] land and change that narrative.”

Zukeri began advising Halo last year and took the farm’s regenerative agriculture course to be better equipped to help mentor students in sustainable and holistic farming practices. The partnership will allow students to gain support and knowledge from the farm’s staff, offer a free course detailing the long history between the African diaspora and farming, and annually give up to four students the opportunity to participate in the certification course.

Howard’s garden, located behind HU Plaza Towers West, was founded 14 years ago. In 2024, the university demolished the green space in response to a rat infestation without notifying students beforehand.

Since then, the student group has been working toward reconstructing the safe and sacred space they cherish, with plans to finish building a gazebo, replant their orchard and install a glass greenhouse on the plot of land. These goals become even more attainable through Halo’s partnership with CGCF.

“I think it just signals continual improvement in our space [and the] commitment to rebuilding and revitalizing our space to the best that it can be,” Sulaiman Mathew-Wilson, Halo’s vice president, told The Informer. “We’re both green spaces just… working in collaboration and both growing and being as beneficial and as best as they can both be.”

Building Food Sovereignty in Urban Spaces

Before Joya Wade became executive director of Common Good City Farm, she was inspired by participating in nature-based youth programs

throughout her childhood to follow a path committed to: sustainable agriculture, locally grown produce, gardening education and continuing the ancestral practices of being caretakers of the land.

Wade grew up in Milwaukee, a city that has many similar issues to Washington regarding heavy urbanization and gentrification, leading to segregation. These issues have created food deserts, where Black communities’ access to quality and whole foods is limited. According to Feeding America, 23% of Black Americans faced food insecurity in 2023, which is more than double the rate of white people.

A food systems specialist, Wade believes CGCF and Halo’s shared goal of offering green spaces that allow people to know where and who grows their food is necessary and will provide communities with solace.

“I think now, more than ever, people are really wanting to invest more of their time and energy toward collective action and also just having control over their food system,” Wade told The Informer. “There are a lot of things in our food systems that we have no control over, and that are mysterious and behind the scenes that we’re not even too sure of.”

Having participated in environmental youth programs himself, especially through community garden work in his hometown of Ardmore, Pennsylvania, Mathew-Wilson also believes young people and their communities must have autonomy over their food with access to healthy options.

“It’s really important for us not to become reliant on other systems,” Mathew-Wilson, a junior environmental studies major, said. “They

may not serve your best interests, so I think just even having the knowledge of how to garden, how to sustain yourself, [is] essential.”

Seeds of Knowledge, Roots of Liberation

Wade hopes the partnership inspires the new generation of Black farmers and gardeners to continue passing down the knowledge made accessible to them by mentors at the farm to future growers.

Briana McGowan, an advisor to the student garden, shares the same sentiment, especially since she comes from a long line of Texas farmers. She considers herself a grower, although she doesn’t necessarily own a farm, but maintains relationships with local farmers through her food lab co-op, ReDelicious, which repurposes and preserves food waste from local farmers’ markets and businesses.

Inspired by George Washington Carver, who coined the term regenerative agriculture and educated Black communities on how to take care of their soil and nourish their environment, McGowan is committed to mentoring Howard students and passing along the information and skill sets she’s acquired from her mentors and peers. She views this dedication as a precautionary method when food systems are unstable and unreliable.

“I think access to food, knowledge of growing food, access to land, knowledge of how to be a good steward to the land, let alone land ownership, is inherently political,” McGowan told The Informer. “It allows for people to return to that knowledge that’s in our blood of how to take care of ourselves, and the wisdom of the African tradition of communal food sharing.”

Following the notion of retaining soil health to ensure the mitigation of climate change’s impacts, Zukeri wants the partnership to focus on regenerative agriculture, as it works in harmony with nature and aligns with practices used by indigenous cultures in the Global South, the Americas and Africa.

“The modern industrial revolution and farming practices, as really pushed by European settlers here, is really what has disrupted farming as a whole into becoming something that’s very detrimental to the planet,” Zukeri said. “If we replace that with regenerative practices, we would reverse climate change very quickly.”

Regenerative agriculture prompts people to think about the interconnectedness of all aspects of agriculture, pushing practitioners to have a broader view of the practice and of the world, shaping their farming style to nourish both humanity and the environment. He hopes that down the line, the partnership adequately equips students with the tools necessary to encounter any situations Mother Nature may throw their way, hoping that reconnecting with ancestral practices will build power and liberation for Black people.

CGCF staff and Halo board members are excited about the sense of community their collaboration will promote, as the connection allows them to build upon each other’s deep roots, making each other stronger through mutual support.

“When people gather, magical things happen,” McGowan told The Informer. “You never know what’s going to come out of it. Even if it’s just feeding each other, it’s paying it forward.” WI

EDUCATION

By Demarco Rush and Keith Golden Jr. WI Contributing Writer and WI Intern

Hundreds of students, families and educators took to Gateway DC in Southeast for the Swaliga Foundation’s 10th Annual #SteamtheBlock Party, a day focused on empowering youth through exposing them to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), held Friday, Oct. 17.

The free community event fea-

tured many interactive exhibits, including drone demonstrations, gaming stations, live performances, and a business pitch and t-shirt design competition aimed at encouraging youth engagement in STEAM education and career pathways.

Lemond Brown, founder and CEO of the Swaliga Foundation, who also goes by his artist name, Mr. IMAG was excited about another year of providing District youth with access to STEAM opportunities. Founded in 2012, the organization was created with

the mission of encouraging young people to find their true passion.

“Swaliga has been providing after school programs, cultural exchange programs, taking [kids] all the way to South Africa, and of course, free community events like today’s block party,” said Brown, a graduate of Drexel University with a bachelors of science.

Demetrius Brown, the founder’s brother and Swaliga’s creative director, emphasized the foundation’s ultimate goal and mission.

“Everything that we do we’re doing for the community, for the schools, [and] for our youth that are trying to find their way,” he told The Informer.

Teachers Talk STEAM

As a student at Howard Uni-

versity, Udy Mbnaso understands the importance of exposing young people to educational opportunities and careers in STEAM, getting to witness the power of doing so firsthand as a teacher with the foundation.

“With Swaliga, not only are we building electric cars, we’re also teaching kids about music through [things like] sound waves. They get to make beats on a beat pad and [eventually go] in the studio,” she told The Informer. “I really like to emphasize the arts [when teaching] and show that art is just as important as science and mathematics.”

Another Swaliga teacher, Autumn Wall, emphasized the value of young people learning concepts that will be vital in the future.

3 The Mary Mcleod Bethune Day Academy Public Charter School Marching Eagles Drumline performs for students and teachers at the #SteamtheBlock Party on Oct. 17 at Gateway DC in Southeast. (Keith Golden Jr./The Washington Informer)

“Science, engineering, technology, and math are all important things, they’re the future, so having these kids working on the future is great [and] incorporating the art aspect into it makes it really fun,” Wall said.

‘It Has Really Inspired Me’: Students Discuss Impact of Swaliga

Despite being young in years, several student participants – such as Hassan Bangura, Elijah Little, and Mohammed Mohammed –shared their wisdom about the importance of having access to a STEAM education.

“[Swaliga] has helped me a lot, it’s given me information and been a resource for me to express myself,” Hassan said. “I can definitely see myself doing a STEAM career in the future because I’ve had a lot of fun with it, and it [has] really inspired me.”

Elijah told The Informer he sees how what he is learning with the organization can translate into a career and beyond.

“This is important for people my age because a lot of careers revolve around STEAM concepts,” he told The Informer. “Learning about that type of stuff at a young age can help you contribute to society.”

Meanwhile, for Mohammed, #SteamtheBlock left a lasting impression and strengthened his belief in what’s possible.

“Mr. IMAG really gives us the hope that we can actually make it. He’s just a good guy,” he said, touting Swaliga’s founder and president “ To me, this is an opportunity for me [and] for my future.”

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The Voting Rights Act Must Stay in Effect

The Supreme Court Should Not Reverse Civil Rights Progress

A Supreme Court rollback would dishonor the sacrifices of those who marched, bled, and died to secure the most fundamental right of all — the right to vote.

Sixty years after President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law, America faces a critical moment once again. The conservative majority on the Supreme Court, including Justice Clarence Thomas, seems prepared to weaken, if not overturn, one of the most critical civil rights laws in U.S. history.

Such a move would be a direct assault on the democratic principles that generations of Black Americans fought, marched, and sacrificed for.

In the new MSNBC documentary hosted by Rachel Maddow, “Andrew Young: The Dirty Work,” the civil rights icon and film’s

namesake recalls how the fight to secure voting rights took extraordinary courage.

“Having personally watched the Voting Rights Act being signed into law that August day, I can’t begin to imagine how we could have all been so wrong in believing that more Americans would vote once they were all truly free to do so,” he reflects poignantly.

Dismantling this legal safeguard now, in a time of voter suppression, gerrymandered districts, and misinformation campaigns, would set the country back. Black voters—especially in the South—remain the backbone of American democracy, yet they continue to face barriers similar to those before 1965. The Court’s previous decision in the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder, already weakened vital protections of the Voting Rights

Act. More erosion would silence millions more.

At a time when political extremism threatens to divide the nation, protecting the Voting Rights Act is both a moral duty and a constitutional necessity.

“Our multiracial democracy is only 60 years old—and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is its birth certificate,” the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund recently warned. “Today, we again find ourselves at a moment where Black people’s political power is under severe threat.”

America cannot honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, Viola Liuzzo, or Young while allowing their life’s work to be undone.

The right to vote must remain sacred, protected not only by memory but also by law. WI

With Civil Rights Under Threat, America Needs More Protests, Registered Voters, and a Refresher Course on Project 2025

In a Truth Social post on July 5, 2024, the then Republican nominee for president said he had “no idea who is behind Project 2025.”

Despite denying knowing the people behind the nearly 900-page manifesto— published in April 2023 by the conservative Heritage Foundation— nearly half of the objectives in Project 2025 have already been achieved since President Donald Trump took office in January.

As a blueprint intended to assist the next conservative president in reshaping the federal government, Project 2025, or rather its supporters, must be rather pleased with how things are progressing.

More than six months since the regime change in the White House, the conservative plan is 47% complete, according to the website Project 2025 Tracker, which bills itself as a “comprehensive, community-driven initiative to track the implementation of Project 2025’s policy proposals.”

As for the remainder— an estimated 138 proposals— those have not been abandoned. In fact, they’re allegedly on the president’s list of “things to do.”

Slowly, Americans appear to

be waking up and seeing this decades-long plan for what it is and has always been: a strategic plan to reshape the government and remove portions of the Constitution so that only a few reap the benefits of citizenship.

Now what? Nationwide protests like the recent No Kings rallies may have made headline news, but they’re not enough. Protests and collective action must continue and moreover, the ballot is the most effective way to voice discontent and every vote counts.

Even more, every American needs to become more aware of what’s really happening. That may mean ignoring the distractions that are intentionally and daily dispersed out of the White House. And yes, that also means we may need to curtail our time on social media, playing tag on TikTok and engaging in “I see” you on Instagram. Because if we don’t know what’s going on, there’s no way to slow things down, much less stop them.

Many of the goals listed in Project 2025 are unconstitutional, but if we don’t hold Congress accountable, more items will undoubtedly be checked off as “completed.”

Meanwhile, Congress has shown us who they are, and as Maya Angelou told students at Wellesley College in 1997, “when someone shows you who they are, believe them.”

The news can be exhausting, relentless and discouraging, but if we want a better world for ourselves and our children, we cannot hide our heads in the sand.

When Benjamin Franklin was asked after the end of the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, “What have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

The question today remains, can we keep it? WI

“What have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

TO THE EDITOR

“I applaud Imam Talib Shareef for his moral courage and authentic leadership for offering solutions to a long-term quagmire on the global landscape. I sincerely hope that people in positions of political and religious power will heed the wise recommendations of Imam Talib Shareef. Matthew 5:9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.’”

-Frederick Lester

(In reference to the article: “Two Years After Hamas Attack, Leaders Meet to Negotiate Ceasefire.”)

“This is a great article. I do believe if we treat our mental health as we do our physical health, we may begin to balance ourselves out. It’s even great to look at our mental health and a proactive way you never know when you may need some strategies for the future. Thank you for articles like this.”

- Vanessa Finch

(In reference to the article: “Laughter, Logic and Listening: Three Innovators Bring Heart Back to Mental Health.”)

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

Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

Shared Legacies Between Blacks and Jews

Blacks and Jews.

Knowing and understanding history is important. Learning from history ensures that repeating the past is not inevitable. Discerning lessons from history enables reflective and proactive work to shape a better future for all of humanity. Given the current divisiveness in America, I believe it is time overdue to remember and to reaffirm the shared legacies between

Recently, I participated in a training forum, The Shared Legacies Professional Development Workshop, for educators in Los Angeles at The Jewish Federation. The event was hosted by Spill the Honey, a national nonprofit that I chair with the mission of using the transformative power of the arts to change hearts and minds and seek to move people to act for social change.

The goal is to amplify the voices of the historic African American-Jewish American civil rights coalition to reinforce shared legacies that today can

still foster empathy, nurture mutual care and compassion, inspire transformation, and build partnerships that transcend divisions of race, class, gender, religion, and ethnicity.

The convening interdisciplinary program involved educators, administrators, and community leaders from across Los Angeles to explore how the historic Black-Jewish alliance can inform classroom learning today. Educators gained practical tools to recognize, challenge and respond to the rise of antisemitism and racism across the nation. More than 100

Ben Jealous

people attended the training.

In my view, our communities not only share a past legacy of solidarity, but we should also share today’s opportunity and the responsibility to work together for the cause of freedom, justice and equality.

When I was a 14-year-old statewide youth coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in North Carolina in the early 1960s, I witnessed firsthand the effective, transformative brotherhood and shared national leadership between the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

We’ve Crossed the First Climate Tipping Point. America Will Pay the Price

My parents’ marriage was against the law in Maryland in 1966, so they moved west. By the time I was born in 1973, they had settled in Monterey County, California — the same year the last cannery on Cannery Row shut down. The Hovden Cannery closed its doors, marking the end of an era. Where it stood, the Monterey Bay Aquarium would eventually rise,

“We’re making a giant U-turn here. Are we really going to be a thriving, productive society if we have a huge share of our population uninsured?” — Kathy Hempstead, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

As the government shutdown drags on, families, workers and communities across the country are suffering.

a monument to what we’d lost and hoped to restore.

When I was 12, in 1985, I became a guide at that aquarium — the youngest in my class. Standing in a building literally constructed on cannery ruins, I told visitors about kelp forests, sea otters and the remarkable return of the sardines. Through the 1980s and 1990s, they came back. The ocean, given a chance to rest, proved resilient.

As a kid who often felt out of place in the local community, the ocean was

my refuge. I learned that the ocean can be a patient teacher. But the lesson she’s teaching now, according to leading scientists, is one humanity may never recover from. Worse, its impact will be felt across the entire nation — first with rising seafood costs, then with far more serious consequences.

Last week, scientists announced the world has reached its first climate tipping point. Coral reefs — supporting a quarter of all marine life and nearly a billion people — are in widespread, irreversible collapse. Since 2023, over

80% of the world’s reefs have suffered the worst mass bleaching event ever recorded. Underwater explosions of color and life are turning into bleached wastelands.

This is fundamentally different from the sardines. When sardine populations crashed in the 1940s and ‘50s, the fish survived elsewhere. The ocean remained intact. When fishing stopped, they had somewhere to return. Recovery took decades, but was possible.

Coral reefs ARE the foundation.

and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.

The chair emeritus of Spill the Honey is the famed civil rights icon, attorney Clarence B. Jones, who was Dr. King’s close associate and attorney.

Lest we forget, Blacks and Jews stood together against racism and antisemitism. Blacks and Jews marched together and went to jail together for voting rights. Blacks and Jews shared blood at the hate-filled, bloodthirsty hands of white supremacist racists and antisemites.

CHAVIS Page 45

When they die, the habitat disappears. The three-dimensional structures providing shelter, feeding grounds and nurseries collapse into rubble. Unlike sardines that bounce back in decades, coral reefs take centuries or millennia to rebuild — if they can rebuild at all under continued warming.

Scientists are clear: we’ve crossed a threshold. Unless we reverse global temperatures back to just 1 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels —

This crisis — manufactured and entirely avoidable — must end now. It is not a political tactic; it is a direct threat to the health, stability and dignity of the American people.

Our elected leaders must reopen the government, protect access to health care and ensure that federal funding reaches the communities that need it most. These are not competing priorities — they are moral imperatives.

This shutdown comes at a critical moment. Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act marketplaces begins Nov. 1. More than 20 million

Americans are receiving notices of skyrocketing premiums. Congress had the opportunity to address this in the recent omnibus legislation — what I call the “Big Ugly Bill.” Instead, they passed trillions in tax cuts that disproportionately benefit corporations and the wealthy, while slashing over $1 trillion from Medicaid and the ACA. The consequences are devastating. According to the Congressional Budget Office, more than 4 million people will lose their health insurance due to the expiration of the enhanced ACA premium tax credit. Congress must

act immediately to extend this credit and reopen the government. We must also reject the false narrative that this extension would provide health care to undocumented immigrants — it will not. This misinformation is a distraction from the real crisis.

This shutdown has been made even more painful by the Trump administration’s use of scare tactics. They’ve initiated mass firings of federal employees — which are likely illegal, and signaled a refusal to provide back pay — despite being legally required to do so under a law

The damage is already widespread:

• Airport ground stops and delays are disrupting travel and commerce.

• Federal employees face uncertainty about their next paycheck.

• Local communities are losing access to over $60 billion in federal funding.

• Veterans are being denied critical support.

• Families who rely on WIC and

MORIAL Page 45

Guest Columnist

Will Social Security’s 2026 COLA Offset Rising Everyday Costs?

Price Index (CPI) report that spans data for the three months of July, August and September. This report is an essential part of annual COLA calculations.

As the federal government shutdown that began on Oct. 1 continues, over 74 million citizens await an important but delayed announcement: Social Security’s 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment, also known as COLA. Originally planned for Oct. 15, the 2026 COLA will now be announced on Oct. 24.

The delay is caused by the need to complete the third quarter’s Consumer

Employees with the Bureau of Labor Statistics were recently called back for its completion. Legally, the Social Security Administration is required to announce the annual COLA before Nov. 1 each year to ensure timely implementation of the increase the following January.

“For many people, Social Security is the only inflation-protected income they have in retirement,” Bill Sweeney, AARP’s senior vice president of govern-

The Trump administration’s decision to eliminate the entire staff of the Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund is more than bureaucratic reshuffling — it’s an assault on one of the most effective and bipartisan vehicles for community investment in America. With a single order, the administration has frozen 11 programs

Guest

ment affairs, says. “And for more than 50 years, the COLA has allowed America’s seniors to keep up as everyday costs continue to rise — from groceries to housing to prescription drugs.”

Yet for many retirees, this theory of keeping benefits in line with costs is not their reality. The proverbial “golden years” all too often are tarnished by financial strains due to rising costs that challenge older Americans’ financial stability.

Social Security alone is enough to cover the living expenses in only 10 states, according to the Realtor.com

Columnists

analysis of median Social Security benefits by state and the Elder Economic Security Standard Index. Everywhere else, retirees face shortfalls that can be thousands of dollars per year.

Nearly 22 million seniors are estimated to live on Social Security alone, according to a recent study by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL).

The league also estimates that nearly three-quarters of all seniors rely on Social Security for at least half their income, underscoring how important it is to understand the difference between living expenses and what Social

A Cruel and Short-Sighted Attack on Community Investment

that deliver lifelines to small businesses, working families and neighborhoods across the nation.

For three decades, the CDFI Fund has quietly powered economic opportunity in places where traditional finance rarely reaches — from rural towns to historically disinvested urban communities. Through community-based banks, credit unions and loan funds, it helps small business owners secure capital, supports affordable housing and finances essential infrastructure. Since 2009, the CDFI Fund has

When my son was diagnosed with autism at age 4, I cried for days. I thought I had failed him. Some people even blamed me, saying I must have done something wrong. At the time, I didn’t know what autism truly meant — I just knew my world had changed forever.

What followed were years of therapy sessions, IEP meetings, and con-

Security can realistically cover.

“With nearly three-quarters of seniors depending on Social Security for at least half their income, any cuts to the program or reductions in benefits would push millions of hard-working Americans further into poverty, robbing them of their right to retire with dignity,” says TSCL Executive Director Shannon Benton.

Additional findings from TSCL show 94% of respondents felt the 2025 COLA of 2.5% was too low and

supported more than $298 billion in loans and investments through over 20 million transactions, financing over 1.3 million businesses and nearly 560,000 affordable housing units nationwide. Last year alone, nearly 110,000 businesses and over 45,000 affordable housing units were supported. CDFIs are the backbone of many local economies, especially in Black, Latino, Native and low-income communities that continue to face systemic barriers to accessing credit.

This work has never been partisan. Created under President Bill Clinton

and strengthened by both Republican and Democratic administrations, the CDFI Fund has long enjoyed broad support on Capitol Hill. When the White House recently proposed eliminating it, even conservative leaders such as Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott joined a bipartisan group of senators urging Treasury to release its congressionally approved funding. Their message was simple: CDFIs are indispensable partners in ensuring that economic growth reaches

every corner of America.

Yet despite this consensus, more than 100 CDFI Fund employees have now been terminated. Treasury officials claim the action “aligns with the president’s priorities” — a chilling phrase that reveals how ideological battles are being waged at the expense of everyday Americans. With no staff, there is no one to process funding applications, manage compliance or administer programs like the New Markets Tax Credit, which Congress just made per-

Different Children, Same Mission: Supporting Every Child With Autism Guest Columnists

stant advocacy. Raising a child with autism means fighting for understanding in every corner of their life — school, health care, and even your own family.

My son’s early years in Harford County, Maryland, were some of the toughest. For two years, he was bullied relentlessly. One day, he was even attacked on the school bus while the driver did nothing. As his mother, I was furious, heartbroken, and afraid for his safety.

But giving up was never an option. Over time, I learned that my son

didn’t need to be “fixed.” He needed to be supported and accepted for who he is. And as much as I advocated for him, he taught me just as much — about patience, resilience, and unconditional love.

“Autism is not a failure, nor is it a tragedy. The real failure is when society refuses to see the potential in every child.”

The turning points came slowly but powerfully. The day he graduated high school, I cried again — but this time, with pride. The boy who once struggled to communicate stood tall in his cap and gown. When he enrolled at

Harford Community College, I saw a confidence in him that had taken years to build. And when he landed his first job at Popeyes, he couldn’t stop smiling. He was proud of himself, and I was proud beyond words.

• •

•

As another parent, I — Anthony Tilghman — know that same feeling all too well. When my daughter Amari was diagnosed with autism, our journey also began with confusion and fear. I remember trying to make sense of how to support her unique needs while balancing life, work and ev-

erything in between. What I quickly discovered was that no amount of love could replace the need for access — access to proper evaluations, resources and educators who truly understood what inclusion means.

Our family’s journey became one of learning together. Amari showed me that autism is not a limitation but a different way of experiencing the world. She taught me to slow down, to listen differently, and to advocate louder — not only for her, but for ev-

Games of Spades Allow Black Men to Discuss Mental Health in Arena Stage’s ‘Fremont Ave.’

Playwright Offers ‘Love Letter’ to His Family

healthy food for

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

as an

truths

Manifest 002 Keeps it Classy with Grooming, Cool Clothes, and Fine Dining

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

There’s a new spot in D.C.’s Union Market that will have folks feeling good inside and out: Manifest 002, an eclectic blend of a barbershop, clothing store and chic dining located at 1242 3rd St NE.

A head-to-toe experience, this new Northeast spot is another venture for KJ Hughes, Susan Morgan, and Brian Merritt, creators of “Manifest 001” in Adams Morgan.

“With Manifest 002, we’ve created more than a space,” said KJ Hughes, founder and CEO of Manifest. “Every element is meant to inspire presence, connection, and expression.”

The Manifest 002 Concept

The barbershop and men’s clothing boutique is located at Manifest 002’s street-level entrance.

Plush barber chairs are in a spacious area with natural light streaming in from large arched windows.

Walk a short distance to the clothes, which are not crowded together so that one can see what can be purchased.

With “high-concept fashion” in mind, Manifest 002 carries designers such as Marni, MM6 Maison Margiela, Casablanca, Diesel, Willy Chavarria, and in-demand footwear like Hoka, Saucony, and Salomon.

The space is serene and painted in soft colors for both the barbershop

and clothing areas.

Further, as patrons are being groomed or shopping for some new clothes, there is a bar with glass shelves so they can take moments to sip and relax.

A winding, mauve-lacquered staircase leads to the heart of the experience: a refined world of fashion, a softly lit cocktail bar, an intimate speakeasy, and a mood-rich private dining room called “h(ours).”

Food That Enlightens

Celebrated chef and partner Erik Bruner-Yang oversees the Manifest 002 culinary operation. He’s a multi–James Beard Award finalist whose worldly concept Providencia and other ventures have earned him spots on Bon Appétit’s coveted Best New Restaurant and Best New Bar lists.

“This is the first time Manifest is bringing hospitality into the heart of its concept, and I’m honored to help lead that evolution,” said Bruner-Yang.

Group tasting selections include new ways of preparing familiar dishes like: oysters on the half shell prepared like a collard greens rockefeller, and chicken and dumplings with spiced gravy, shrimp, and pickled okra.

Bruner-Yang has a reputation for pushing boundaries beyond what is expected.

The environment in the main dining room, with a capacity of 66, felt like being in someone’s home.

Diners can see through an open-

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ing similar to a pass through where the staff is busy preparing drinks and meals.

Manifest 002 is the place where one will come out well-groomed, well-dressed, and well-fed. It’s not just for men, it’s for everyone to enjoy.

“The food is a love letter to the city, neighborhoods, its contrasts, and its creativity,” Bruner-Yang told The Informer. “We want people to come here and feel that story in every bite.”

For more information about Manifest 002, visit: manifest.us WI

LIFESTYLE

WASHINGTON INFORMER'S

Things To Do, DMV!

By Keith Golden Jr. WI Intern

From theatre performances, art festivals and horse shows, check out a handful of the many events in the DMV this weekend.

Further, to learn about more fun happenings around town, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar.

Thursday, Oct. 23

Disarming Girls

8 p.m. | $15.00

American Universities Greenberg Theatre, 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20016

‘Disarming Girls’ tells a true story of three young women who became heroes within the Dutch resistance within the Nazi-occupied Netherlands.

Navigating life within World War II, the young women engaged in various acts such as assassinations and sabotage and were noted for their ability to extract information from targets.

The play explores themes of sisterhood while living within the brutality of war and is making its debut at American University’s Greenberg Theatre from Oct. 16 - Oct. 26.

Held on the college campus, according to American University, the playwrights wrote with the intention that the main heroes of the story were around the same age as college students.

2025 Washington International Horse Show

Noon. - 4 p.m. | Free Prince George’s Equestrian Center and

The Show Place Arena, 14900 Pennsylvania Avenue Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Founded in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is regarded as one of the most prestigious, competitive and exciting equestrian sporting events in North America.

Held annually in October, WIHS brings together the finest and most talented horses and riders from across the country and around the world for seven days of top jumper, hunter and equitation competition, equestrian entertainment, and community and charity events.

Black Mental Wellness Conference: Reclaiming Our Power Protecting Our Peace

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | $28.52

Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza, 1 Veterans Place Silver Spring, MD 20910

The Black Mental Wellness Conference, launched in 2020, is dedicated to uplifting the African American community through emphasizing the importance of naming the range of feelings, while working to empower and heal during these emotionally challenging times.

Equestrians, non-equestrians, celebrities, and children alike enjoy a variety of competitions and events such as Kids’ Day, Barn Night, Military Night, special exhibitions, boutique shopping and ringside hospitality.

Friday, Oct. 24

Asia After Dark | Diwali 4 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | Free National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW Washington, D.C. 20013

31

Celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, with an evening of food, music, dance, and activities!

Throughout the event, learn how different regions celebrate this Hindu holiday, create crafts to take home, see the museum lit up once the sun goes down, and end the night with a dance party.

Within the scheduled time, guests can find several activities, such as creating a diya or lamp, performances like Vishious Vicinity, and tours. Attendees are invited to end the night with what the museum calls a special decoration where they light up the museum in a specific pattern.

The theme of the 2025 conference, “Reclaiming Our Power and Protecting Our Peace,” will center healing within the Black community by honoring the past, recognizing the present and envisioning a future of mental health that prioritizes wellness and protects peace.

Sessions will facilitate intentional learning and discussions on Black mental health and intersecting identities while engaging attendees in holistic selfcare practices aimed to recharge, reflect, and reclaim mental wellness.

In its sixth year, the conference is a celebration of Black excellence, mental wellness, community strength and a call to move boldly toward a future of radical healing and liberation.

Hosting more than 1,000 attendees since 2020, conference participants include a diverse community of stakeholders such as mental health experts, community advocates, social influencers, educators, spiritual leaders, allies and families.

Saturday, Oct. 25

Halloween at The Boo-ro Noon - 2 p.m.| Free The Boro Tysons, 8350 Broad Street Tysons, VA 22102

T0 D0 from Page 30

Families and pets are invited to a day of Halloween fun at Boro Park, where festive decorations, live entertainment and plenty of treats await.

The celebration features a DJ spinning Halloween hits, a mini pumpkin decorating station, candy stops throughout the park, and shows by a magician.

Guests can enjoy face painting, glitter tattoos and photo opportunities with roaming Halloween characters, while giveaways include themed glasses, necklaces, candy bags and trick-or-treat totes.

The event also features a best-dressed dog costume contest with prizes and treats for the top pups.

Organizers say the family-friendly festival promises music, activities and memories to last well beyond the season.

Waterfront Art Festival

11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Free Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Road Bladensburg, MD 20710

The Waterfront Art Festival at Bladensburg Waterfront Park will celebrate

local creativity with a full day of art, music, and community along the scenic Anacostia River.

The event will feature an outdoor art market showcasing paintings, jewelry, photography, sculptures, and other works from talented local artists.

Further, attendees can enjoy live performances from the Ron Hicks Project and The Wild Anacostias, while sampling food and desserts from Medina Market & Catering, JetSet BBQ, and Cakelady Desserts.

Sunday, Oct. 26

Wizards vs. Hornets

6 p.m. | $21.78+

Capitol One Arena, 601 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20004

The Washington Wizards will host the Charlotte Hornets next Sunday at Capital One Arena in an early-season Eastern Conference matchup, and both teams are looking to gain momentum as they continue to develop their young cores and establish consistency on the court.

Fans can expect a competitive game showcasing emerging talent, fast-paced offense and strong energy from both sides. WI

UNIFEST from Page 1

history: the 30th anniversary of the Million Man March and the renewal of the Ward 8-based community festival Unifest, sponsored by Union Temple Baptist Church.

“Both events stressed the importance of community, unity, faith and responsibility,” said the Rev. Willie Willson, Union Temple’s pastor emeritus, who facilitated the two main gatherings as well as adjunct activities. “They have the same purpose and this is important given what we are going through this country presently.”

The Million Man March anniversary took place on Oct. 16 in

Southeast’s Anacostia neighborhood, 30 years after the initial event drew an estimated 1.5 million African American men from around the world to the National Mall.

Two days later, the revival of Unifest was held on the grounds of Union Temple after a roughly 18-year hiatus due to an accident in 2007, which led to the church tabling the event.

As the District and the nation deal with the consequences of a federal government shutdown affecting many people’s employment and livelihood, and the Trump

UNIFEST Page 36

Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning

www.udc.edu/workforce-development/

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Workforce Development curriculum is designed to reduce unemployment and underemployment by offering industry-driven training and certifications in high-demand fields. Key areas of study include Healthcare, IT and Software Development, Construction and Property Management, Hospitality and Tourism, and Early Childhood Education. Programs are flexible, often delivered in a hybrid format, and can be a pathway to a degree or lead directly to a certificate or job.

Program offerings

• High-demand career pathways: UDC focuses on local, in-demand fields such as:

o Healthcare (Direct Care and Administration)

o Information Technology

o Construction and Property Management

o Early Childhood Education

o Hospitality and Tourism

o Automotive and Truck Maintenance and Repair

o Infrastructure

• Certificate programs: Short-term (6-8 weeks) and longer (6-12 months) certificate programs are available, including:

o IT and Software Development

o Healthcare certifications, like Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) and Medical Billing and Coding

o Skilled trades

o Business and Professional courses

• Continuing education: The curriculum includes foundational courses and professional development, such as:

o Improving reading comprehension and writing skills

o Computer skills and Microsoft Office certification

o GED preparation for individuals without a high school diploma

• Specific training examples:

o Health Information Technology (HIT): Focusing on data maintenance, analysis, and managing patient records

o Medical Assistant: Includes lab work, HIPAA, and OSHA regulations

o Lead Abatement Worker: In-person, hands-on training with a focus on safety

Program features

• Industry-driven: The curricula are developed in partnership with employers to ensure they align with current industry needs.

• Flexible learning: Many courses offer flexible scheduling to accommodate working professionals.

• Multiple learning modalities: Options often include in-person and online formats, and the “HyFlex” model allows students to choose to attend class either in-person or virtually.

• Career services: The program provides career support, including information to help students succeed in their studies and the workforce.

• Pathway to further education: UDC-CC’s certification programs can be a steppingstone to associate degree programs.

Contact Us

Reach out to us today to learn more.

Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning workforce@udc.edu

review wi book

“Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment, Poison, Ecology, Hidden Histories, Zombies, and Black Survival”

c.2025, The University of North Carolina Press

$23 / 240 pages

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

Something weird is growing on your kitchen sink. It wasn’t there last night but today? Yeah, and it’s not intentional. You need to get rid of it somehow, wipe it off, kill it, eliminate it altogether or, as in the new book “Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless” by Maria Pinto, maybe study it and eat it.

Junjo or duppy umbrella.

When Maria Pinto was studying a mushroom species she found in a Target parking lot, her mother scoffed. In Jamaica, she said, there were just two kinds of mushrooms, which sent Pinto off on a search. The word “junjo” sounded like something else, which led to another thought, which took her further down the mushroom hole.

As a “melancholic” kid, “weird, queer … a child destined to stay strange,” Pinto’d always been fascinated with dirt and the things growing in it. For awhile, she liked to taste dirt, to know its saltiness. Eventually, she realized that, in eating soil, she was also eating a considerable amount of fungus.

Self-taught, her laboratory extended out her front door, surrounding her house, and out on nearby trails. She began spending time in wooded areas, face to the ground, photographing and getting to know the fungi that she found.

Fungi does not have a “season,” although mushroom-hunting does, and Pinto enjoys the taste of what she finds, experimenting with ways to make each fungus palatable. The smell of one kind of mushroom can vary from the next; sometimes, mushrooms smell like something you’d never want to eat, but in an oddly mouthwatering way.

Fungus, especially in mushroom form, are tainted by race, says Pinto. They were often used as a meat substitute when slaves were underfed — and when they were inedible or even poisonous, they were quite possibly instruments of revenge on overseers or slave masters.

All mushrooms, Pinto points out, are edible. Some just once.

Dirt. You scrub it off your shoes, tumble it from your clothes, wipe it off your hands and watch it swirl down the drain. And after you’ve read “Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless,” you’ll want to look at what’s in it a little closer.

A mycophile is a person who’s interested in mushrooms and fungi, and author Maria Pinto may create a few more of them with her guileless obsession with all things mushroom. She’s unabashed in sharing her biography in this book, which fits with the lessons learned, and she adds history where appropriate but the body of this book teaches readers to want to open their eyes wide to the tiniest things that surround us. Pinto encourages readers to get low, to get dirty, to smell and touch and know nature’s hidden things that many of us might normally rear away from. That’s a practice that’s easy, cheap, and fun.

If you love to eat mushrooms, you enjoy a lighthearted science book, you need a new hobby, or you’ve noticed fungi and wondered about it, this book gives you permission to find out. Truly, “Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless” is a book to sink your teeth into.

WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE

0CT. 23 - 29, 2025

ARIES Strategic partnerships unlock breakthrough potential as Mars energizes your collaboration sector, bringing advancement through diplomatic negotiations establishing mutually beneficial alliances that leverage complementary strengths while protecting individual interests. Contract opportunities materialize when thorough preparation demonstrates value proposition clarity, securing favorable terms supporting long-term growth objectives. Lucky Numbers: 7, 34, 51

TAURUS Professional refinement elevates reputation as Venus activates your efficiency sector, bringing recognition through meticulous attention to detail demonstrating consistent excellence that establishes premium service standards while optimizing operational workflows. Health routines succeed when balanced nutrition supports sustained energy meeting demanding schedule requirements. Lucky Numbers: 12, 29, 44

GEMINI Creative ventures generate exciting momentum as Mercury illuminates your expression sector, bringing opportunity through innovative projects showcasing unique talents that capture audience attention while demonstrating commercial viability. Romantic connections flourish when playful spontaneity combines with intellectual depth, fostering partnerships celebrating authentic individuality. Lucky Numbers: 16, 40, 57

CANCER Domestic priorities establish foundational security as lunar energy grounds your sanctuary sector, bringing peace through family investments creating nurturing environments supporting professional ambitions while strengthening intergenerational bonds. Real estate ventures progress when careful evaluation identifies properties offering exceptional appreciation potential. Lucky Numbers: 3, 25, 49

LEO Communication excellence amplifies influence as solar power activates your expression sector, bringing advancement through persuasive messaging demonstrating thought leadership that transforms stakeholder perspectives while building trusted authority. Learning opportunities surface when intellectual curiosity explores specialized knowledge domains creating distinctive competitive advantages. Lucky Numbers: 18, 31, 53

VIRGO Financial strategies build lasting prosperity as earth energy energizes your resource sector, bringing security through disciplined wealth management identifying growth opportunities while maintaining conservative risk protocols. Income advancement succeeds when confident negotiation secures compensation reflecting genuine market value and specialized capabilities. Lucky Numbers: 10, 27, 42

LIBRA Personal empowerment commands recognition as Venus amplifies your identity sector, bringing influence through authentic self-presentation projecting natural charisma that attracts premium opportunities while establishing distinctive professional positioning. Lucky Numbers: 2, 39, 55

SCORPIO Introspective renewal prepares transformative breakthroughs as Pluto activates your reflection sector, bringing clarity through contemplative practices revealing innovative solutions to persistent obstacles while releasing outdated patterns limiting advancement. Lucky Numbers: 14, 23, 61

SAGITTARIUS Social connections expand professional horizons as Jupiter illuminates your network sector, bringing advancement through collaborative initiatives mobilizing collective expertise toward visionary goals while honoring diverse contribution styles. Technology ventures grow when innovative digital strategies build engaged communities demonstrating authentic value delivery. Lucky Numbers: 20, 36, 58

CAPRICORN Career visibility reaches peak momentum as Saturn propels your achievement sector, bringing recognition through decisive leadership transforming complex challenges into strategic opportunities while inspiring organizational confidence. Executive advancement materializes when proven competency qualifies for elevated authority overseeing critical operations. Lucky Numbers: 1, 45, 52

AQUARIUS Philosophical exploration expands perspective as Uranus energizes your horizon sector, bringing insight through cultural immersion revealing core values guiding meaningful direction while maintaining practical sustainability. International opportunities materialize when cross-cultural sensitivity facilitates collaborative partnerships generating diversified ventures. Lucky Numbers: 8, 33, 47

PISCES Transformational partnerships deepen trust as Neptune penetrates your intimacy sector, bringing breakthroughs through vulnerable dialogue revealing shared values that strengthen collaborative bonds while establishing accountability frameworks. Lucky Numbers: 5, 28, 60

SPORTS

Commanders Collapse to Cowboys in 44-22 Week 7 Loss

More Injuries and Work to Do, Mayor Bowser Travels to Arlington

By Skylar Nelson WI Contributing Writer

The Washington Commanders traveled to Arlington, Texas looking to bounce back against the Dallas Cowboys, a division rival, after their disappointing 25-24 Monday Night Football loss to the Chicago Bears. Instead, they left with even more bruises, another NFC loss, and a deepening injury crisis.

Washington now holds a 3-4 record on the season and are now 1-4 in the NFC after their 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Playing without their top three wide receivers, Terry McLaurin (quad injury), Deebo Samuel (heel injury), and Noah Brown (groin injury), the Commanders’ offense leaned heavily on rookies and practice squad callups in Sunday’s matchup.

Despite flashes of resilience, Dallas capitalized on the mounting injuries Washington had and the lack of scoring production, which ultimately put them on time in the division rival showdown.

“Injuries are not the reason that we lost. Others may talk about who we did have and didn’t have today, and I’m here to say, it doesn’t matter who you have or who is out, when you don’t give yourself a real chance at it. From turnover margin to penalties to missed tackles and drops, Dallas beat us, and we beat ourselves as well,” Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn said in the postgame press conference.

Despite the division defeat and the team and fans alike awaiting answers after quarterback Jayden Daniels sustained an injury, the Commanders— with a break ahead— are working to come back stronger in week nine

against the Kansas City Chiefs in a Monday Night Football showdown on Oct. 27 at 8:15 p.m.

“We’re the ones that got ourselves into the hole. We’re the same ones that have got to dig ourselves out,” Quinn continued on Oct. 19. “But make no mistake, we’re not playing to the standard we’ve set.”

Injuries Continue to Be A Huge Concern

Sunday’s defeat was yet another grueling and physical stretch for Washington. Already without their top three wide receivers, Washington was forced to rely heavily on a makeshift receiving corps led by rookie Jaylin Lane, veterans Chris Moore and Robbie Chosen (elevated from the practice squad), and second-year wide receiver Luke McCaffrey.

Tight end Zach Ertz, though originally questionable for Sunday’s matchup due to shoulder and calf injuries, joined the makeshift receiving corps in hopes of offensive production. Then came the gut punch.

Early in the third quarter, quarterback Daniels went down after being strip-sacked by Cowboys’ linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. He immediately grabbed the back of his right leg and limped off the field.

Coming off the field Daniels went into the blue medical tent and then the locker room for further evaluation. Moments later he was then ruled out for the rest of the game with a hamstring injury.

With Daniels having missed two games already this season due to a knee injury, the mere thought of losing him for additional time this season would be a major setback for what has already been a challenging season for Washington.

was also ruled out of Sunday’s matchup against the Cowboys.

Entering the game, Armstrong was listed as questionable due to a hamstring injury. He hadn’t practiced all week, which doesn’t typically show any signs of playing time. Nevertheless, the veteran edge-rusher pushed through and suited up, briefly.

However, Armstrong hobbled off the field after re-aggravating his hamstring injury at the beginning of the first quarter. He was ruled out early on with no return in the remainder of the game.

With Wide Receivers Injured, Dallas Shifts Focus to Washington’s Run Game

The Commanders were expected to have a dominant run game against the Cowboys on Sunday. But then again, the same expectations were set for week six against the Chicago Bears. The Commanders entered their games against the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears seemingly overmatched in rushing offense, yet both teams outgained Washington on the ground in week six and week seven.

Rookie running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt played a minimal role in both contests but the blame does not completely fall on him. With the top three wide receivers sidelined due to injuries, Dallas

Early in the third quarter, quarterback Daniels went down after being strip-sacked by Cowboys’ linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. He immediately grabbed the back of his right leg and limped off the field.

crowded the line of scrimmage and dared Washington’s receivers to win in isolation. This caused the Cowboys to clamp down more on the Commanders run game.

While the stats credits Washington with 136 rushing yards, those numbers are a reflection of quarterback scrambles, not running back production.

Until McLaurin, Brown, and Samuel return, opposing defenses will keep stacking the line of scrimmage shifting their focus on Washington’s rushing offense.

“So this is the NFL man. There will be more games,” said defensive tackle Daron Payne.

“We gotta get this nasty taste out

of our mouths, go to practice, and get ready.”

D.C. Mayor Bowser’s Road Trip To Texas

The Commanders were not the only ones going from the D.C. area to Arlington, Texas this weekend. With the Commanders’ set to make their return back to RFK Stadium in 2030, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser went to Arlington not just to enjoy the game of football, but to tour A&T Stadium, exploring various design elements and to gather new inspiration for the new District site that is now in its construction process.

“I’m starting to look at the other stadiums in the league to see what we think is working and what could work at RFK,” said Bowser.

Her trip consisted of meetings with the stadium’s architectural design team and the Commanders Team Owner Josh Harris to learn about the positive contributions that can be made to make the the new RFK Stadium. The mayor even got to tour A&T with Washington Hall of Famer Darrell Green.

“We were looking at the open air, we looking at the standing room that makes the games more accessible to more people,” said Bowser. “The openness that’s here… but we know that we need a stadium that’s gonna take advantage of our great views, be a stadium that we can use year round, and have a great fan experience.” WI

CAPTURE the moment

With millions of Americans rallying for the nationwide No Kings protests on Saturday, Oct. 18, 200,000 people hit the streets of Northwest, D.C., to join the historic demonstration. Featuring chants, posters with pointed messages and guest speakers like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, protesters pushed back against President Donald Trump’s policies and executive overreach. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)

RELIGION

Rev. Valerie Thompson Makes History at National Baptist Convention

Her Appointment as Chief of Staff Signals New Era for Women and Young Ministers

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).

In a historic move signaling a new era for one of the nation’s oldest and largest Black denominations, the Rev. Dr. Valerie Thompson has been appointed chief of staff of the National Baptist

UNIFEST

from Page 31

administration’s efforts to rollback gains in civil, human and voting rights, Wilson said the two events could not have come at a better time.

“It is time for our people to come together,” he told The Informer. “We have to look inside ourselves as a people, the government is not going to save us. We are dealing with the breakdown of the Black family and still wrestling with the negative effects of the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s coupled with the mass incarceration of Black men.”

The Million Man March, Anacostia Style

At the behest of Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan and with the support from then D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, the 1995 Million Man March took place on the iconic National Mall, with nationally renowned leaders like Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King III and the Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, the event’s national director, offering calls to action.

Convention, USA, Inc. (NBCUSA).

Thompson’s appointment marks a major step toward inclusivity under the leadership of the denomination’s new president, the Rev. Dr. Boise Kimber, who has pledged to elevate women and younger clergy into key leadership roles.

“She brings to this role a deep spiritual foundation, administrative acumen, and pastoral wisdom that will strengthen the convention’s capacity for ministry in these times,” Kimber said in a statement.

When he was installed last year,

In honor of the massive gathering three decades ago, Wilson hoped to spur people to take action right in Anacostia on Oct. 16 and beyond.

The proceedings started west of the Anacostia River at M Street SE at dusk, where a large group of marchers went to the 11th Street Bridge. Crossing the bridge with small lanterns in hand, the marchers arrived at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE and Marion Barry Avenue SE.

Wilson described the significance and symbolism of marchers using lanterns to cross the bridge.

“Black people who lived in the Northwest part of the city during the 1860s would cross over the bridge during night to build Barry Farm,” he said. “They did this with money from the Freedmen’s Bureau. The surplus money from the building of Barry Farm went to the creation of Howard University.”

Among the many marchers were members of the Washington Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi’s Kappa League, a group of school aged children, affiliated with the chapter. Jelani Bostic, a member of Kappa League who

3 The Rev. Dr. Valerie Thompson is the new chief of staff of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (Courtesy Photo, National Baptist Convention, Facebook)

continues Kimber’s pledge. Thompson, who has served for several years as pastor of Revelation Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia, expressed deep gratitude for the trust placed in her.

“I am humbled to accept this responsibility,” she said in remarks to NBCUSA leadership. “My commitment is to serve Christ through this convention, to build bridges among our churches, and to ensure our mission and message are renewed for this generation.”

Kimber made known his intention to make space for women and younger ministers. That commitment became visible earlier this fall when Kimber invited the Rev. Tracey L. Brown, founder and pastor of Ruth Fellowship Ministries in Plainfield, New Jersey, to preach during the evening service of the NBC annual meeting — the first woman ever to do so in the denomination’s 145-year history.

“I feel humbled and honored,” Brown said.

Now Thompson’s appointment

attends Ivymount School in Rockville, Maryland, marched along with his friends and a relative.

“It is an honor to participate in the march,” Jelani told The Informer. “My father and grandfather participated in the Million Man March in 1995. I believe it was important for me to do this because Black people must maintain their culture.”

The marchers proceeded south on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to Union Temple, their final destination for their rendition of the historical journey, where the focus was leaning on faith as a source of fortitude for the fight ahead.

Wilson stressed the theme of the 1995 march, which was atonement, emphasizing it is just as relevant presently as it was back then and issued a call for African Americans to unite.

“We need to come together in unity,” Wilson declared.

Three decades later, Wilson said he was asked whether there was a need for another Million Man March and offered the crowd his response.

“We don’t need another Million Man March,” he said. “We

senior pastor of a Baptist congregation in Columbus.

Known for her leadership in Christian education, community outreach, and congregational development, Thompson also brings national-level experience to her new post. The Congressional Record recently commended the work of National Baptist leaders in Georgia, noting that under previous leadership, Thompson had been recommended for the NBCUSA board — experience that gave her insight into denominational governance and cross-regional collaboration.

Supporters celebrated her appointment on social media.

As chief of staff, Thompson will oversee internal operations, coordinate among executive offices, and guide strategic planning — a particularly critical role as Kimber leads an effort to reorganize and modernize the National Baptist Convention’s headquarters.

The newly minted chief of staff answered her call to ministry in 1996, following theological studies at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. She left a successful journalism career at the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer to enter full-time ministry, later becoming the first woman to serve as

5 The Rev. Willie Wilson poses with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Oct. 18. The mayor was one of the speakers at Saturday’s Unifest at Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast, D.C., where Wilson is pastor emeritus. (D.R. Barnes/The Washington Informer)

need the spirit of the Million Man March.”

Unifest Reunites, Highlights ‘Black D.C.’

This year’s Unifest took place on a Saturday, amid a sea of activity in the District, with the “No Kings”

“You exemplify grace, strength, determination and faith-filled leadership,” Lesha Crocker wrote on Facebook. “Your accomplishment inspires so many of us to keep pressing forward.”

Looking ahead, Thompson acknowledged both the magnitude of the task and her faith in the Convention’s mission.

“I know there is work to be done — operationally, structurally, and spiritually,” she said. “But I trust in God’s grace and in the collaborative spirit of our churches. Together we will walk forward into a future faithful to our heritage and responsive to the times.” WI

rally in downtown and the Anacostia BID Crabfeast and Festival a few blocks north of Union Temple on Marion Barry Avenue SE.

Nevertheless, an impressive array of speakers came to encourage the packed crowd, united in hopes for progress and positive change for the District and nation.

A noted speaker was the Rev. Tony Lee, pastor of Community of Hope AME Church in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland.

“Festivals help bring us together no matter what season we are in,” he said, “They help us understand the season and bring us remembrance. Unifest, grow us a new generation, because we are all we got.”

Reflecting on years past, D.C. Council member Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4), a member of Union Temple, said she always looked forward to the annual Unifest celebration.

“Unifest is about bringing our people together,” Lewis George, who is mulling a run for mayor in 2026, said. “We showed people what Black D.C. looked like.” WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

More than 40 years ago, before I knew better, it was my belief that if I wanted to be successful or have a chance at a more quality life, my best hope would be to keep my fingers crossed and hope things would change. I did think that someday, maybe I might get that lucky break.

There are three things I discuss here that all of us must do: 1 — Force yourself to move toward your goal; 2 — Adjust/change when things change (be like the chameleon); and 3 — Work on your goal, even when you don’t feel like doing it.

What I did not know was “I must force myself to do those things that really matter. Nothing is going to change; therefore, we must realize that it is me (you and I) who must change! Become ready and willing to do things we don’t feel like doing, stop waiting to be ready. Learn to break the invisible habit of avoidance. There have been so many days that I did not feel like writing this column, nor did I feel like finding guests and interviewing them, and getting the show edited and sent to the station. It all takes discipline! Opportunity mixed with difficulty isn’t going to change; it usually comes along in that fashion; opportunity will require that you make some sacrifices, do something differently, and go where you’ve never gone before. To be ready then, things will only change for you when you make that change to match up with the change that has come your way. Re-read that statement until you understand clearly what it is saying, otherwise you could get left behind!

the religion corner

WITH LYNDIA GRANT AND PHILLIP CARTER

If It Is to Be, It’s Up to Me!

Since life is like the seasons, learn to reap during the fall harvest without complaint. Take full responsibility regardless of how your crop turns out. It is not the seed, it is not the sunshine, nor is it the rainstorms to be criticized. It’s your responsibility; so take whatever comes with no complaint and with no apology if you’ve done well; and believe it or not, don’t even complain if you have not done well. The sun will shine, and rain will fall, so the earth has been here millions of years. It’s no different, but did you act like the seasons and do exactly what it is you must do during the fall of the year. Once you learn these lessons from the seasons, you will surely be successful.

Take care of yourself, and I mean your health, eat right and exercise!

Scripture says treat your body like a temple, meaning something you take really good care of. The body your soul and spirit lives in now is the only place you’ve got to live at this time; therefore, nutrition is a key factor. How can you work 16-to-18-hour days if you don’t feel well, you won’t do well. You may not have the vitality, which is a requirement if you don’t take care of yourself.

Did you know that there are racehorse owners out there who feed their horses better than many of us eat? Some breeders or owners may be out of breath, yet they have a thoroughbred horse that can run

like the wind. These breeders take care of their animals better than they take care of themselves.

Appearance is physical; you never have a second chance to make a first impression. God looks on the inside, but make no mistake, people look on the outside. Folks shouldn’t judge you by how you look, but they do! When those same folks get to know you, they will not only judge you by what they see, but they will begin to believe in you more because they already know you. You’ve proven yourself; they know that you know how to look and conduct yourself appropriately.

Spiritually, we are special creations; so study your values and virtues. Study and practice the Scriptures or whatever it is you believe.

Mentally, you must develop your mind; study, learn and change quickly. The wildebeest, for example, only has a few minutes to learn to walk and run once it is born. It must learn as soon as it’s born. The mother won’t let the newborn baby wildebeest nurse because the lions will get it; so the baby tries to nurse, but the mother is saying, “There’s not much time; you don’t have hours, not days, you only have minutes to learn, otherwise some wild animal will be happy to have your tender, fresh newborn body for supper tonight!” Humans not so much! WI

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."

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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 1466

Beverly Jackson Decedent

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

J. Anthony Concino III, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed

Personal Representative of the estate of Beverly Jackson who died on December 10, 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 4/9/2026. 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 4/9/2026, 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: 10/9/2025

J. Anthony Concino III, 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 000385

Harry L. Dishman Decedent

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

Pamela Dishman Owens, whose address is 10300 Fox Dale Ct., Mitchellville MD 20721, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Harry L. Dishman who died on 2/7/2025 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 4/9/2026. 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 4/9/2026, 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: 10/9/2025

Pamela Dishman Owens 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 000778

Patricia Ann Paige Decedent

Maria K. Day-Marshall 6329 Joslyn Place Cheverly, Maryland 20785 Attorney

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

David R. Paige, whose address is 6331 Joslyn Place, Cheverly, Maryland 20785, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Patricia Ann Paige who died on 2/3/2025 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 4/9/2026. 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 4/9/2026, 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: 10/9/2025

David R. Paige 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 000909

Eugene Kelly Jr.

Decedent

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

Pamela K. Harrison, whose address is 11383 Wildmeadows St., Waldorf, MD 20601, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Eugene Kelly, Jr. who died on March 13, 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 4/9/2026. 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 4/9/2026, 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: 10/9/2025

Pamela K. Harrison

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 000896

Theriska Jeter Decedent

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

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

TaShawn Denay Brown, whose address is 6827 Jade Court, Capitol Heights, MD 20743, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Theriska Jeter who died on 10/1/2021 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 4/9/2026. 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 4/9/2026, 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: 10/9/2025

TaShawn Denay Brown

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 894

Ezell Ervin Hill

Decedent

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

Katrina McCormick-Hill, whose address is 1129 7th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ezell Ervin Hill who died on 2/4/2025 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 4/9/2026. 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 4/9/2026, 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: 10/9/2025

Katrina McCormick-Hill Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Copyright Notice for Publication

Copyright Notice: All rights reserved regarding common law copyright of trade-names/trade-marks, not excluding any and all derivatives and variations in spelling of any of said names, Belinda Renee Weems ©; Belinda R. Weems ©; Belinda R Weems ©; Belinda Weems ©; Belinda Renee Marrow ©; Belinda R. Marrow ©; Belinda R Marrow ©; Belinda Marrow ©; Mrs. Belinda Renee Weems ©; Mrs. Belinda R. Weems ©; Mrs Belinda R Weems ©; Ms. Belinda Renee Weems ©; Mrs. Belinda Weems ©; Mrs. B. Weems ©; Ms. Belinda Weems ©; Ms. Belinda Renee Marrow ©; Ms. Belinda R. Marrow ©; Ms Belinda R Marrow ©; Ms. B. Marrow ©; Weems, Belinda Renee ©; Weems, Belinda R. ©; Weems, Belinda R ©; Weems, B. R. ©; Marrow, Belinda Renee ©; Marrow, Belinda R. ©; Marrow, Belinda R ©; Marrow, B. R. ©; Marrow, B R ©; belinda renee weems ©; belinda r. weems ©; belinda r weems©; belinda weems ©; marrow, belinda renee ©; marrow, belinda r. ©; marrow, belinda r ©; marrow, b. r. ©; b. r. m. ©; Julie Tarrance ©; J Tarrance ©; J. Tarrance ©; JULIE TARRANCE ©; J TARRANCE ©; Tarrance, Julie ©; Tarrance, J ©; TARRANCE, JULIE ©; TARRANCE, J. ©; J T ©; JT ©; J.T ©; julie tarrance ©; j tarrance ©; j. tarrance ©; Tarrance, Julie ©; tarrance, julie©; tarrance j ©; tarrance, ©; jt ©; j t ©; j.t ©; Ms. Julie Tarrance ©; MS. JULIE TARRANCE ©; Ms. J Tarrance ©; MS. J TARRANCE ©; Stephanie Elizabeth Morgan©; STEPHANIE ELIZABETH MORGAN©; Stephanie Elizabeth Barnes Morgan©; STEPHANIE ELIZABETH BARNES MORGAN©; Stephanie E. Morgan©; STEPHANIE E. MORGAN©; Stephanie E. Barnes Morgan©; STEPHANIE E. BARNES MORGAN©; S. Elizabeth Morgan©; S ELIZABETH MORGAN©; S. Elizabeth Barnes Morgan©; S. ELIZABETH BARNES MORGAN©; Morgan, Stephanie©; MORGAN, STEPHANIE©; Morgan, Stephanie E.©: MORGAN,STEPHANIE E.©; Morgan, Stephanie Elizabeth©;MORGAN, STEPHANIE ELIZABETH©; Barnes Morgan, Stephanie Elizabeth©; BARNES MORGAN, STEPHANIE ELIZABETH©; Morgan, S.E.©; MORGAN, S.E.©; Barnes Morgan, S.E.©; BARNES MORGAN, S.E.©; Ms.Stephanie Morgan©; MS. STEPHANIE MORGAN©; Ms. Stephanie E. Morgan©; Ms. Stephanie ElizabethMorgan©; MS. STEPHANIE ELIZABETH MORGAN©; Ms.S. Elizabeth Morgan©; MS. S. MORGAN; Ms. Stephanie E.Barnes Morgan©; MS. STEPHANIE E. BARNES MORGAN©; Ms. S.E. Morgan©; MS. S.E. MORGAN©; Ms. S.E. Barnes Morgan©; MS. S.E. BARNES MORGAN©; Ms. Morgan, Stephanie©; MS. MORGAN, STEPHANIE©; Ms. Barnes Morgan, Stephanie©; MS. BARNES MORGAN, STEPHANIE©; Ms. Morgan, S.E.©; MS. MORGAN, S.E.©; Ms. Barnes Morgan, S.E.©; MS. BARNES MORGAN, S.E.©; s.m.; S.M.©; sem©; SEM©; sbm©; SBM©; sebm©, BYRON NASH ©; BYRON MARVIN NASH ©; MR. BYRON NASH©; NASH BYRON©; BNASH©; Byron Nash©; Byron m. Nash©; B Nash©; Mr. Byron Nash©; B.M.N.©; b.m.n.©; Nash B.©

Copyright © 1973, 1985, and 1990, respectively, by Belinda R Weems ©, Belinda R. Marrow ©, Julie Tarrance ©, Stephanie E. Morgan ©, and Byron M. Nash.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright owners in red ink, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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

2025 ADM 000967

Frieda W Bostick-Bruton aka Frieda Bruton aka Frieda Whitley Bruton Decedent

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

Pamela B. Owens, whose address is 525 Orindo Drive, Durham NC 27713, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Frieda W Bostick-Bruton aka Frieda Bruton aka Frieda Whitley Bruton who died on 8/29/2024 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 4/9/2026. 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 4/9/2026, 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: 10/09/2025

Pamela B. Owens 525 Orindo Drive Durham, NC 27713 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 001001

Asra Adeela Hussain Decedent

Rick Todd, Esq. 5850 Waterloo Road, Suite 140 Columbia, MD 21045 Attorney

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

Hamaad Syed Raza, whose address is 1728 Stifel Lane Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Asra Adeela Hussain who died on January 29, 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 4/16/2026. 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 4/16/2026, 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: 10/16/2025

Hamaad Syed Raza 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 001017

Bruce Blanchard Decedent

Donald Marlais, Esq.

411 10th Street NE Washington, DC 20002

Attorney

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

Mary Josie Cain Blanchard, whose address is 80 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Bruce Blanchard who died on December 25, 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 4/16/2026. 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 4/16/2026, 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: 10/16/2025

Mary Josie Cain Blanchard

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 001012

Joseph Edward Williams Decedent

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

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

Keely Williams, whose address is 12111 Chip Shot Lane, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joseph Edward Williams who died on October 11, 2019 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 4/16/2026. 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 4/16/2026, 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: 10/16/2025

Keely Williams 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 000971

Buddy Reynolds aka Buddy C. Reynolds aka Buddy C. Reynolds, Sr. aka Buddy Cleo Reynolds Decedent

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

Deborah R. Emerson, whose address is 7707 Blue Point Avenue, Beltsville MD 20705, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Buddy Reynolds aka Buddy C. Reynolds aka Buddy C. Reynolds, Sr. aka Buddy Cleo Reynolds who died on 9/26/2024 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 4/16/2026. 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 4/16/2026, 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: 10/16/2025

Deborah R. Emerson 7707 Blue Point Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 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 000121

November 12, 2022

Date of Death

Kathy Elizabeth Daniel Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Krystal E. Wilcox whose address is 12500 Martin Road, Brandywine, MD 20613 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Kathy Elizabeth Daniel, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on December 21, 2022.

Service of process may be made upon Lynee C. Murchison, Esq. Adams Law Office, LLC, 4201 Mitchellville Road, Suite 500, Bowie, MD 20716 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: 1034 6th Street NE, Unit 201, Washington DC 20002 and 2135 Young Street SE, Unit 32, Washington, DC 20020. 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: 10/16/2025

Krystal E. Wilcox

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 FEP 000087

2/4/2022

Date of Death

David Eugene Rivers aka David E. Rivers Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Sandra T. Middleton whose address is 110 Oak Knoll, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214 was appointed personal representative of the estate of David Eugene Rivers aka David E. Rivers, deceased, by the Probate Court for Charleston County, State of South Carolina, on June 2, 2022.

Service of process may be made upon Joan M. Wilbon, Attorney at Law 1629 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20006 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: 1406 Carrollsburg Place SW, Washington DC 20024. 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: 10/16/2025

Sandra T. Middleton 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 000198

Lyudmila N. Krasovskaya aka Lyudmila Nikitichna Krasovskaya Decedent

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

Nikita Krasovsky, whose address is 102 McMurray Street, Frederick, MD 21701, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lyudmila N. Krasovskaya aka Lyudmila Nikitichna Krasovskaya who died on 6/27/2024 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 4/16/2026. 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 4/16/2026, 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: 10/16/2025

Nikita Krasovsky 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 000985

Deborah Olds-Shell Decedent

Ethel Mitchell 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1100 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney

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

Wendy Fredericka Zuber, whose address is 1107 Oregon Street, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Deborah Olds-Shell who died on February 22, 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 4/16/2026. 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 4/16/2026, 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: 10/16/2025

Wendy Fredericka Zuber 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 000575

Margaret Quick Decedent

Danielle Creek-Saalakhan, Esq. 3965 R Street, SE Washington, DC 20020 Attorney

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

Danielle Creek-Saalakhan, whose address is 3965 R Street, SE Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Margaret Quick who died on March 14, 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 4/16/2026. 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 4/16/2026, 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: 10/16/2025

Danielle Creek-Saalakhan 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 001016

Edwinter C. Bourn aka Edwinter Bourn Decedent

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

Oliver A. Alexander, whose address is 1695 Unity Loop, Cumming GA 30040, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Edwinter C. Bourn aka Edwinter Bourn who died on June 12, 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 4/16/2026. 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 4/16/2026, 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: 10/16/2025 Oliver A. Alexander 1695 Unity Loop, Cumming, GA 30040 Personal Representative

Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 001042

Neta Mae Price Decedent

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

Katina D. Bolden, whose address is 601 53rd Street SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Neta Mae Price who died on January 16, 2022 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 4/16/2026. 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 4/16/2026, 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: 10/16/2025

Katina D. Bolden

601 53rd Street SE Washington, DC 20019

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Copyright Notice: All rights reserved regarding common-law copyright of trade-names/trade-marks, not excluding any and all derivatives and variations in spelling of any of said names, T. Jae Simmons©; Terrence J. Simmons©; Terrence J Simmons©; Terrence Simmons©; Jae Simmons©; T. Simmons©; Terrence J. S.©; T. J. Simmons©; Simmons, Terrence Jae©; Terrence Jae Simmons©; T. JAE SIMMONS©;TERRENCE J. SIMMONS©; TERRENCE J SIMMONS©; TERRENCE SIMMONS©; JAE SIMMONS©; T. SIMMONS©; TERRENCE J.S.©; T. J. SIMMONS©; SIMMONS, TERRENCE JAE©; TERRENCE JAE SIMMONS©; TERRENCE J SIMMONS©; Mr. Terrence Simmons©; MR.TERRENCE SIMMONS©; Mr. Terrence J. Simmons©; SIMMONS, T. JAE ©; Mr.  Terrence Simmons©; MR. TERRENCE SIMMONS ©; Mr. Terrence J. Simmons©; MR. TERRENCE J. SIMMONS©; Mr. Terrence Jae Simmons ©; MR. TERRENCE JAE SIMMONS©; Mr. T. JAE SIMMONS©; MR. T. JAE SIMMONS©; Mr. T. Simmons©; MR. T. SIMMONS ©; Mr. T. J. Simmons©; Mr. T.J. SIMMONS©; Mr. Simmons, Terrence©; MR. SIMMONS, TERRENCE©; Mr. Simmons, Terrence J.©; MR. SIMMONS, TERRENCE J.©; Mr. Simmons, T©; MR. SIMMONS, T.©; Mr. Simmons, Terrence Jae ©; MR. SIMMONS, TERRENCE JAE©; Mr. Simmons, T. J.©; MR. SIMMONS, T. J.©; Mr. SIMMONS, T. JAE©; MR. SIMMONS, T. JAE©; and  L. Stori Simmons©; Love S. Simmons©; Love S Simmons©; Love Simmons©; Stori Simmons©; L. Simmons©; Love S. S.©; L. S. Simmons©; Simmons, Love Stori©; Love Stori Simmons©; Love S Simmons©; S. LOVE SIMMONS©;LOVE S. SIMMONS©; LOVE S SIMMONS©; TERRENCE SIMMONS©; STORI SIMMONS©; L. SIMMONS©; Love S. S.©; L. S. SIMMONS©; SIMMONS, LOVE STORI©; LOVE STORI SIMMONS©; LOVE S SIMMONS©; and L Cameil McDowell©; Litisa McDowell©; LITISA MCDOWELL©; Litisa C. Mcdowell©; LITISA C. MCDOWELL©; Litisa Cameil McDowell©; LITISA CAMEIL MCDOWELL©; L. Cameil McDowell©; L. CAMEIL MCDOWELL©; L. Mcdowell©; L. MCDOWELL©; L. C. Mcdowell©; L. C. McDowell©; McDowell, Litisa©; MCDOWELL LITISA©; McDowell Litisa C.©; MCDOWELL, LITISA C.©; McDowell, L©; MCDOWELL, L.©; McDowell, Litisa CAMEIL © MCDOWELL, LITISA CAMEIL©;McDowell, L. C.©; MCDOWELL, L. C.©; McDowell, L. CAMEIL©; MCDOWELL, L. CAMEIL©; Ms. Litisa McDowell©; MS. LITISA MCDOWELL©; Ms. Litisa C. Mcdowell©; MS. LITISA C. MCDOWELL©; Ms. Litisa Cameil McDowell©; MS. LITISA CAMEIL MCDOWELL©; Ms. L. Cameil McDowell©; MS. C. LITISA MCDOWELL©; Ms. L. Mcdowell©; MS. L. MCDOWELL©; Ms. L.C. Mcdowell©; MS. L.C. Mcdowell©; Ms. McDowell, Litisa©; MS.MCDOWELL LITISA©; McDowell Litisa C©; MS. MCDOWELL, LITISA C.©; Ms. McDowell. L.©; MS, MCDOWELL, L.©; and Maurice Lee©;MAURICE LEE©;Maurice T. Lee©; MAURICE T. LEE©; Maurice T Lee©; MAURICE T LEE ©; M. T LEE©;M. T LEE ©; L. Lee©;M. LEE©;M.T. Lee©; M.T. Lee©;M.T.L.©; Lee, Maurice©; LEE , MAURICE©; Lee Maurice T.©; LEE, MAURICE  T.©; Lee, M©; LEE, M.©; Lee, Maurice T©; LEE, MAURICE T©; Lee, M. T.©; LEE, M. T.©; LEE, M. T©; LEE, M. T©; Mr. Maurice Lee©; Mr. Maurice Lee©; Mr. Maurice T. Lee©; MR. MAURICE T. LEE©; Mr. Maurice T Lee©; MR. MAURICE T LEE©; Mr. M. T Lee©; MR. MAURICE LEE©; Mr. M. Lee©; Mr. M. LEE©; Mr. M. Lee©; MR. M. T. Lee©; Mr. Lee, Maurice©; MR. LEE MAURICE©; Lee Maurice©; MR. LEE, MAURICE T.©; Mr. Lee. M.©; MR, LEE, M.©; No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright owners in red ink, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000659

Pamela Outlaw aka Pamela Denise Outlaw aka Pamela D. Outlaw

Decedent

Murray D. Scheel

DC Bar Pro Bono Center 901 4th Street NW Washington DC 20001

Attorney

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

Robert J. Taylor, whose address is 150 Eye Street SE, Apt. 822, Washington, DC 20003, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Pamela Outlaw aka Pamela Denise Outlaw aka Pamela D. Outlaw who died on 7/9/2020 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 4/16/2026. 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 4/16/2026, 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: 10/16/2025

Robert J. Taylor 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 001056

Robin Farmer Decedent

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

Sherise Farmer Smith and Sherray Garnett, whose addresses are 8207 Northview Court Laurel MD 20707 and 405 N Street NW, Apt. 302, Washington DC 20001, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Robin Farmer who died on April 14, 2020 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 4/16/2026. 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 4/16/2026, 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: 10/16/2025

Sherise Farmer Smith

Sherray Garnett

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 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 ADM 000471

Yusuf Muhajir aka Yusuf Z. Muhajir Decedent

Ryan L. Jones, Esq. 1776 I Street NW, Suite 325 Washington, DC 20006

Attorney

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

Ryan L. Jones, whose address is 1776 I Street NW, Suite 325, Washington, DC 20006, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Yusuf Muhajir aka Yusuf Z. Mahajir who died on 12/19/2024 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 4/16/2026. 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 4/16/2026, 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: 10/16/2025

Ryan L. Jones 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 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 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

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Ultimately, the majority of the council agreed. The legislative body, in a 10-3 vote, approved the reconsidered RENTAL Act, which, once again, included Bonds’ amendment.

D.C. Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4), and Trayon White (D-Ward 8) voted in opposition to the reconsidered legislation. Their votes came at the end of a fiery debate about the implications of Bonds’ amendment, which Nadeau called a fly-by-night attempt to disenfranchise more District tenants.

In making her case, Nadeau pointed to language she said gives corporations cover to circumvent TOPA laws.

“A letter from the Land Title Association on Oct. 9 recommended that you use the defined term entity in your amendment rather than business corporation,” Nadeau told Bonds on the dais, questioning why at-large councilmember didn’t acquiesce. “To quote that letter, ‘This would lessen the likelihood that a tenant would bring a lawsuit arguing that a property was owned in majority by a business corporation when, in fact, the property was owned by an LLC, and that LLC was, in turn, owned in majority by a business corporation.’”

Despite Nadeau’s concerns that Bonds’ amendment allows for foreign entities and corporations to benefit from the two-to-four unit TOPA exemption, the council approved Bonds’ amendment in a 9-4 vote.

Nadeau, Lewis George, Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember White, and D.C. Councilmember Matt Frumin (D-Ward 3) were the opposing votes.

Votes against an amendment by Lewis George experienced a different fate, with the same four council members voting in support and the majority of the legislative body opposing it. The amendment, had

“We know exactly who this change will hurt,” Lewis George, a TOPA beneficiary, said. “The working-class neighbors around RFK, specifically in Kingman Park, Lincoln Park, and pockets of Ward 5, 6, and 7, where the land values are about to skyrocket with the development of the stadium, and where displacement pressures are already mounting.”

TOPA, enacted in 1980, allows tenants the right of first refusal when their landlord sells their property to a third party. The law, which has been credited as a tool in decreasing housing inequity, has undergone changes over the last seven years. In 2018, the council exempted single-family homes from TOPA. In subsequent years, similar exemptions took form for newly constructed buildings. Last month, Bonds, with the help of D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), drafted her TOPA amendment on the dais, which she said protects small business landlords, and not corporations. In defending the amendment, once again, she told her council colleagues that the document culminates longtime engagement with mom-and-pop homeowners.

Actualizing this change, she said, puts the District on par with federal regulations while providing clarity to mom-and-pop homeowners and preventing interference in housing transactions.

“As many of my colleagues know, the local realty community has fought for this TOPA change since the single unit exemption became law in 2018,” Bonds said. “They have provided testimony and presentations during the…Advocacy Day and recent hearings on the Rental Act. This amendment is not last minute. It is the result of thoughtful consideration suited to the times before our city when focus is on making the District remain an attractive place for individuals of all means so that they can…continue to make this their home.”

WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

a national movement of nonviolence against President Donald Trump’s political agenda.

As demonstrations took place across nearly all 50 states, attracting more attendees than both of Trump’s inaugurations combined, the roar of a nation rang in the heart of the capital, coupled with demands for change and a fiery reminder that this is just the beginning of the fight.

“We have what it takes here in D.C., not just to resist this tyrant, but to actually take him out of power and win,” said FREE DC executive director Keya Chatterjee. “From Ward 1 to Ward 8, from Los Angeles to Chicago, from Memphis to Portland, we are more united now than we have ever been. Together, we, the people…we’re gonna bring it to an end.”

Despite what House Speaker Mike Johnson degraded to “Hate America” protests, a show of resistance, joy and the symbolic flags of freedom filled the streets of Northwest on Oct. 18.

Calls to champion local autonomy, health care, voter rights and worker protections rang with a vengeance, as speakers delivered candid denunciations of Trump’s executive overreach and attacks against communities of color, immigrants, and other marginalized groups.

Meanwhile, attendees like Futrelle and Makeda Crane reflected on the No Kings rally as an American plea demanding far more than mobilization.

Tying in themes of unity and empowerment, the sentiment was clear for Crane – there’s hope for America, if people are willing to collaborate in upliftment.

“We have to be able to stand up and say…we’re not going to have America become a fascist state on our watch— period,” Crane told The Informer. “I

think things are going to get worse before they get better, so I hope what comes out of this is a sense of community that creates real support for those who need it.”

Many public officials and organization leaders took to Pennsylvania Avenue on Oct. 18, including: Chatterjee with Harriett’s Wildest Dreams co-founder and director Nee Nee Taylor; Afeni Evans of the Fair Budget Coalition; native Washingtonian and revered scientist Bill Nye; British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan; and Sens. Chris Murphy (DCt.) and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who served as closing speaker, along with several others.

During their respective speeches, Murphy and Sanders each addressed the state of a health care system in freefall due to an ongoing government shutdown, and the fallout of the Republican-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

“I will not vote for a budget that throws 15 million Americans off their health care…that doubles premiums for 20 million Americans…that forces nursing homes, rural hospitals, community health centers to lay off staff and close their doors throughout this country, all to give huge tax breaks to the billionaire class,” Sanders declared. “Today, I say to my Republican colleagues, come back from your monthlong vacation. Start negotiating…End this shutdown now.”

On the flip side, Futrelle told The Informer rallying in droves offers a powerful show of unity, but isn’t the end all to drive actionable change. The 36-year-old, carrying an “EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL” sign, noted that the task at hand isn’t simply a party issue, but a people’s issue, and Saturday laid the steps for the next steps.

“The connections are what’s going to create the change– it’s not going to change anything within our politi-

cians, both sides are bought and paid for,” Futrelle said. “Anti-corruption is the biggest thing for our rights right now. We need to use this time to connect and establish new ways that the people can get their power back.”

Washingtonians Remind Trump ‘That We Rule This Country’

From where participant Khadijah Chapman stood on the intersections of Pennsylvania Avenue and 3rd Street NW, the No Kings rally laid a strong foundation to network, strategize, and seek inspiration from like-minded organizations.

However, the 22-year-old admitted she’d like to see folks do more with their outrage, acknowledging the fact that protests “aren’t the revolution.”

“What real change is going to have to be from here on out is the people doing things that [shows] the memo – that we rule this country,” Chapman told The Informer. “We have power through what we consume, tax-paying, power in where we go, like our jobs. It has to be some real change that impacts the pockets, because that’s where the main concern is.”

With the “No Kings” slogan re-

mobilization. The group has made a promise not to stop “until this regime is driven from power.”

“There’s [a] fight over what America’s gonna be–this ugly, ‘Make America Great Again’ Trump fascism, or is it gonna be what millions throughout history have stood up and fought for, what we’re standing on the shoulders of and need to take further?” Taylor posed. “That’s what’s undecided, but…there are moments when history turns.”

Obliterating Systems ‘At The Benefit for Everyone’

flective of the revolution that birthed America nearly 250 years ago, many attendees found inspiration in the scrolls of previous moves for liberation.

Chapman joined the ranks of those citing the unequivocable impact of historic movements, including the most recent Target Target Boycott, a national response to the corporation’s renege on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Since its February launch, the company has dropped $12.4 billion in market value.

Further, Chapman— a Southeast resident and victim of federal cuts that stripped funding from her government-assisted LAYC (Latin American Youth Center) housing program— challenged protesters to demonstrate the same massive turnout seen on Saturday at the doors of ICE deportation units, adding the need for a collective consciousness to uphold resilience.

“I think we’ve gotten so apathetic and nihilistic in our thought processes that we just don’t even believe in change anymore,” she noted. “That will be our downfall.”

Other acts of resistance on the docket post-rally include: enacting nationwide worker strikes; contacting congressional representatives to deter federal interference; disrupting systems that enable oppression and division; and mass mobilizing a large turnout in the 2026 midterm elections, which several attendees deemed as critical to the future of politics.

Sunsara Taylor, a spokesperson of Refuse Fascism – launched with Trump’s first term in 2016 – also highlighted the persistence and resilience needed in justice struggles, considering civil rights, women’s liberation, and the Black Lives Matter movements, to name a few.

That’s why, beginning Nov. 5, exactly one year from the 2024 general election, the nonviolent protest organization plans to return to the streets of D.C. in a sustained “Flood DC”

In the wake of what many are calling the largest protest in American history, Christina Collazo is among the hundreds of thousands Washingtonians calling for peace, equity and unity throughout the nation, starting with seconding Sanders’ plea to end the federal shutdown.

“People can’t afford to go out and enjoy themselves. People can barely afford to live,” Collazo said. “How are you going to afford to do the luxuries in life when you can’t even afford to pay your rent [or] feed your kids?”

While Chatterjee and other FREE DC leaders continue to push for full control over local autonomy, Chapman called on the Black community to restructure systems rooted in creating a divide, such as religion, classism and the perpetuating disinterest of politics.

The mental health technician added a desire to see the country as a whole refocus priorities on ensuring the safety and well-being of one another, as opposed to losing sight of the strength of compassion.

“I like to remind people that you’re closer to being homeless than you are to being a millionaire,” Chapman explained. “This plan that we’re trying to get into is for the benefit of you, but the benefit of you is for everyone else as well.”

As Taylor took in to passionate protestors on Oct. 18, the activist said she hopes to see the same “fury and righteousness” at the core of the Refuse Fascism demonstrations launching Nov. 5.

“Whatever we do in this period, people will live with for generations,” Taylor told The Informer. “That won’t change until we rise up, but if we do, we could bring about a shift…That’s what we’re fighting to do.” WI

CHAVIS from Page 26

We should not be silent or indifferent while some are determined to deny and to erase American history. We cannot afford to raise an ahistorical new generation of young students who are searching through the fog of miseducation for the truth.

We live in the social media and digital age. Audio-visual images are impacting the worldviews of our families, communities and learning institutions. Spill the Honey has produced a series of factual film documentaries highlighting the historic and contemporary rebirth of the beneficial alliance

JEALOUS from Page 26

not just stop them rising, but bring them down — these ecosystems will be lost. Small refuges may survive, but vast, thriving reefs will be gone on any timeline that matters to our children.

Here’s what keeps me awake: this is just the first domino.

The same report warns we’re approaching other catastrophic tipping points — the Amazon rainforest, Atlantic ocean currents regulating weather worldwide, ice sheets controlling sea levels. Each one, if it tips, could trigger others in a cascade of irreversible changes.

These aren’t abstract threats for any American. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, including the Gulf Stream, could collapse within our lifetimes. If it does, global food production faces devastation. Nearly 60% of land suitable for wheat would become unusable. Same for 59% of corn-growing land. America’s agricultural economy would face catastrophic disruption — drastic rises in bread prices, widespread hunger, potentially mass starvation in vulnerable regions worldwide.

Amazon rainforest collapse — another looming tipping point — would

between Jewish Americans and African Americans. The title of the film series is “Shared Legacies.”

The documentaries include engaging interviews of Harry Belefonte, John Lewis, C.T. Vivian, Andrew Young, Rabbi Alvin Sugarman, Susannah Heschel and Clarence B. Jones.

Lest we forget, over 116 years ago, Blacks and Jews established the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

On April 11, 1945, during World War II, Black American soldiers fought to help liberate Jews from the Buchenwald Concentration Camp near Weimar, Germany.

remove one of the world’s largest carbon sinks, accelerating warming everywhere and intensifying droughts, heat waves and extreme weather already plaguing communities from coast to coast.

We’re not discussing problems our grandchildren will face. We’re talking about changes fundamentally reshaping civilization within decades. But we still have agency. Scientists documenting this crisis also found positive tipping points in our favor. Solar power has gotten cheap enough that people are choosing it over coal. Electric vehicles are following the same path. We’re proving we can change how we power our world.

What we need now is action that matches the threat. Next month, world leaders meet in Brazil for COP30 — the annual climate summit where countries make promises about cutting pollution. For a farmer worried about next year’s growing season, here’s why it matters: if countries commit to stopping the burning of coal, oil and gas — and fast — we can slow the damage. If they don’t, we’re looking at soil that won’t grow crops, water that won’t come when seeds need it and weather so extreme

MORIAL from Page 26 risk of homelessness.

SNAP will likely lose access to food assistance by the end of this month.

• Federal research and public health efforts at NIH and CDC have ground to a halt.

• HUD’s ability to process grants and provide housing assistance is severely diminished.

And the longer this shutdown continues, the deeper the harm will go. WIC will run out of money. SNAP is projected to be out of funding by the end of the month. HUD’s housing grants may dry up, putting millions at

This year marks the 198th anniversary of the Black Press of America, and we note the contributions of the Jewish community in New York City that helped the Rev. Samuel Cornish and John Russwurm to publish the first edition of Freedom’s Journal on March 16, 1827.

It was pleasing to join Dr. Shari Rogers, Rabbi Dr. Judy Schindler, Brian Knowles and others from Spill the Honey, and Jewish scholar Dr. Michael Berenbaum at the educational training session in Los Angeles. We are making progress. Sharing our legacies will lead to strategically sharing and shaping our future. WI

it wipes out entire harvests.

The small pockets of healthy coral that remain need protection from pollution and overfishing — every other stress we can remove. And we need to pull some of the carbon pollution back out of the air, the same way you’d pump water out of a flooded basement. It’s not enough to stop adding more; we have to remove what’s already there.

As that 12-year-old aquarium guide, I taught visitors about resilience and recovery. Sardines taught me the ocean can heal when we give it a chance. But coral reefs teach a harder lesson: there are thresholds beyond which healing becomes impossible on human timescales. We’re learning the difference between damage that can be undone and wounds that become permanent.

The ocean has been a patient teacher. But this lesson — about irreversible tipping points and cascading collapse — is one we cannot afford to fail. The consequences won’t stay in the ocean. They’re coming for all of us, no matter where we live.

We crossed the first tipping point. We cannot afford to cross the next ones. WI

Even more alarming is the Trump administration’s illegal impoundment of over $410 billion in lawfully appropriated funds. These funds were meant for violence prevention, hate crimes response, disaster mitigation, minority-owned business development and biomedical research among other programs. Instead, the administration has not only impounded funds, it has used fast-track rescission processes and illegal “pocket rescissions” to eliminate billions — without transparency or accountability.

Where is this money going? The

administration has not provided an explanation. But we see the militarization of cities and must ask: is this where our public dollars are being diverted?

Any year-end appropriations bill must include strong guardrails to protect appropriated funding and ensure it is used as the law requires. The legislation proposed by House Appropriations ranking member Rosa DeLauro and Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Patty Murray offers a clear blueprint for these safeguards. WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

CROWELL from Page 27

that their benefits grow more slowly than inflation. Nearly all respondents (95%) said reforming Social Security and Medicare should be a top priority for the Presidential Administration and Congress.

The average monthly Social Security check for retirees was $2,008.31 this past August, as reported by Kiplinger. Further, state-by-state comparisons show that retirees in 26 states receive less. Beneficiaries in Kentucky, Lou-

ASANTE-MUHAMMAD/ MORRISSETTE from Page 27 manent as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

We have seen firsthand the impact of the CDFI Fund’s investments in strengthening communities across the country — helping to close the opportunity gap that undermines America’s economic competitiveness and providing ladders into the middle class. CDFIs are not ideological experiments — they are logical, market-based tools for building wealth in communities that have long been locked out of opportunities for prosperity. They leverage public dollars with private capital, multiply their impact through partnerships and operate with financial discipline and accountability. To gut the infrastructure making this possible is to cripple a network that works.

From our vantage point, this decision is not only cruel, it is economically reckless. It undermines decades of bipartisan progress toward inclusive growth. It tells Black entrepreneurs, rural families and small business owners

DAVIS/TILGHMAN from Page 27 ery child like her.

isiana and Mississippi, for example, receive approximately $1,800 each month. Conversely, highest monthly benefits are received in Connecticut, Maryland and New Jersey, with recipients in each state surpassing $2,100 each month.

A 2025 Social Security survey released in August by the Harris Poll and underwritten by Nationwide. Its findings included:

• Current benefit levels cover only 59% of seniors’ retirement expenses.

• 56% say they could not financially

that their economic futures are expendable. And it signals that the federal government’s commitment to fair access to capital now depends on political winds rather than shared American values.

At the Joint Center, we often say that when we are not in the room, things don’t tend to go better for us.

The dismantling of the CDFI Fund is a textbook example. Removing the infrastructure that brings investment to poor and marginalized communities ensures that fewer voices will be at the table when economic recovery is designed — and that recovery will be narrower, more unequal and less sustainable.

The timing could not be worse. Black unemployment, which had reached historic lows in recent years, climbed above 7% in August. Small businesses that survived the pandemic are still rebuilding, but their loan approval rates have slowed to their lowest point since the pandemic. And many local economies are contending with higher borrowing costs and reduced federal support. In this context, dismantling the nation’s community fi-

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Through my work in the community, I’ve met countless families facing the same challenges: navigating school systems that don’t always understand, fighting insurance denials, or simply trying to find a safe, welcoming environment for their child to learn and grow.

That’s why stories like ours — though different — are deeply connected. Whether it’s a son in Harford County or a daughter in Prince George’s County, the mission is the same: to ensure every child with autism has the support, dignity and opportunity they deserve.

“Every IEP meeting, every therapy session, every moment of advocacy can be the bridge to a better future.”

• • •

To parents just beginning this journey: Hold on. There is light at the end

• 52% have had to reduce discretionary spending due to rising living costs outpacing benefits.

• Half of retirees are terrified of the impact tariff pricing changes will have on their retirement income or retirement savings; and

• More than 4 in 5 Americans are concerned about the long-term viability of Social Security. WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

nance apparatus is not fiscal prudence; it is willful neglect.

Congress has a duty to act. Lawmakers should move swiftly to reopen the government and restore staffing to the CDFI Fund and protect its statutory programs. They should ensure that federal investment in CDFIs continues to flow and that these institutions can operate free from ideological interference. Philanthropy and the private sector, too, must step up — both to fill immediate gaps and to reaffirm the principle that opportunity should not depend on ZIP code or skin color.

The CDFI Fund represents one of the government’s best ideas: that targeted public investment can unlock private enterprise, strengthen communities and expand shared prosperity. Few programs can claim the success of nearly $300 billion mobilized, millions of jobs supported and thousands of communities transformed. To dismantle it now is to turn our backs on that record of proven success. WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

of the tunnel, even if you can’t see it yet. Keep people in your circle who love your child the way you do. The right support system — family, teachers, friends and advocates — makes all the difference.

To educators and policymakers: Please listen to families like ours. We don’t expect miracles; we expect empathy. Bullying, neglect and indifference can crush a child’s spirit. But when schools lead with understanding, when teachers receive proper training, and when government funding prioritizes inclusion, the results are transformational.

Autism is not a failure, nor is it a tragedy. The real failure is when society refuses to see the potential in every child. Our children are thinkers, artists, innovators and dreamers. They see patterns others miss. They remind us that there’s more than one way to learn, to connect, and to succeed. There are many reasons to SUBSCRIBE to The Washington Informer. Most importantly, it’s all about YOU!

As parents, we’ve seen both the heartbreak and the triumph — from tears in the principal’s office to smiles at graduation. What keeps us going is knowing that every milestone, no matter how small, is proof of possibility.

Twenty years after one diagnosis and more than a decade after another, we no longer see autism as something that defines limits. It defines strength — our children’s strength and ours too.

The future we want is simple: classrooms where difference is celebrated, communities that offer real inclusion, and public policies that treat neurodiversity as a strength, not a challenge to be managed. Together, we can build a Maryland — and a world — where every child on the spectrum has a fair shot at a full, meaningful life.

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Together, we are a force for good. That’s why we invest in partnerships that advance equity in local Black communities by improving access to educational opportunities, healthcare and mental health support.