Shawne
Merriman
VOL. 52, NO. 32 • MAY 25 - 31, 2017
DCTAG Has Money for College. Apply by June 30th!
Expands From the NFL to Fashion
Slain Student Honored at Bowie State Graduation
Vigil Held for Richard Collins III
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
NAACP Page 11
Vito Made It International Street Sty le & More!
Don't Miss the WI Bridge Center Section
APRIL 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 5
NAACP Shakeup Needed, Observers Say The NAACP dismissed Cornell William Brooks as its president as the more than century-old civil rights organization seeks what its board calls a "systemwide refresh." And, while experts and others said the organization remains relevant, a shakeup and clear direction should be the goal going forward. "People are saying, 'I know what you're against, but what are you for?' Most people
Designer Behind Elegant Erkel Speaks
By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
Charnice Milton was a bookworm, her father said. She read incessantly, educating herself not only to become an outstanding journalist, but a civic-minded individual who enjoyed life, he said. Now, thanks to her father, Kenneth McClenton, officials at We Act Radio and others, the new Charnice A. Milton Community Bookstore has started accepting book donations. On Saturday, May 27, a kickoff event is planned in honor of the slain journalist who died after being shot two years ago as she waited for a bus in Southeast. "My daughter would be absolutely astonished, thank-
Bowie State University student Richard Collins III had dreams of following his father's footsteps into a career in the military. He also was set to graduate Tuesday, May 23 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Unfortunately, neither happened. Collins was fatally stabbed early Saturday morning, May 20, while waiting for a ride-sharing service with two friends at a bus stop at the University of Maryland in College Park, just three days before the 23 year old would have graduated from Bowie. At the commencement ceremony Tuesday, a black cap with a bottled water was laid on a chair to honor Collins. Collins' family walked on stage to receive his degree posthumously along with the other 649 students who received their bachelor's and master's degrees. At the beginning of ceremony, Bowie State President Mickey L. Burnim led a moment of silence for Collins. "Being a father and a grandfather myself, I feel the need to sorrow for what his parents and those who knew and loved him must be going through," he said. "I pray in God's comfort for his family and for all of us who are in mourning." The historically black university's commencement was held at the Xfin-
BOOKSTORE Page 29
VIGIL Page 38
5 Hundreds of students, alumni and other supporters attend a candlelight vigil May 22 to honor Richard Collins III who would have graduated from the school May 23. /Photo by Demetrious Kinney
Anacostia Bookstore Named in Honor of Slain Journalist By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
5 Ms. District of Columbia Emma P. Ward brings books to the new Charnice Milton Community Bookstore on May 17 in Southeast. /Photo by Roy Lewis
Celebrating 52 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area