VOL. 53, NO.7 • NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017
The Washington Informer Honors the Memories of AIDS Victims
The Good and Bad News About AIDS in D.C.
Programs for Homeowners Saves Local Families
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer Ten years ago, Washington, D.C., could lay claim as not only being the nation’s capital, but also a major AIDS jurisdiction where nearly four residents per day were disagnosed as HIV+. Now the District has seen a stunning 74 percent decline in new cases with the current rate at nearly one person per day. “I’m pleased to say that we have made considerable progress,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said when those statistics were released in the summer. “[But] I don’t have to tell you, there’s more work to do.” Indeed there is, because despite the progress, the District still leads the nation in HIV cases.
Woman Spends $30K in Foreclosure Battle By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill WillieAnn Lytle loves to teach special needs children, collect African artifacts and travel. Lytle didn’t do many of those activities after she “got ripped off” by an attorney who convinced her to apply for a loan modification in 2009 to decrease her mortgage payments. More than 90 days later she received a letter, her home went into foreclosure. Her previous mortgage company, GMAC Mortgage, didn’t inform her it sold her loan to Ocwen Financial Corp. of West Palm Beach, Florida, after GMAC went out of business in December 2013. In a last-ditch effort to save the family homestead, she filed for bankruptcy. “I panicked,” said Lytle, 70, whose parents raised her in the Capitol Heights ranch-style house her parents purchased about 1948. “I always paid on time because [mortgage company] would take the money at my account.
FORECLOSURE Page 15 4 WillieAnn Lytle of Capitol Heights smiles as she talks about her fight to retain her home. She celebrated her first Thanksgiving holiday worry-free for the first time since facing foreclosure in 2009. /Photo by William J. Ford
Check out the WI Bridge Center Section
5 The National Harbor waterfront in Maryland welcomed the 2017 holiday season with fireworks and a Christmas tree lighting on November 11. /Photo by Don Baker Photography
Ahead of World AIDS Day on Friday, Dec. 1, Bowser and other city leaders, health professionals and advocates around the globe are touting the 2017 theme — “Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability, and Partnerships.” In the District, officials said they’ve worked diligently to form partnerships that have led to a needle-exchange program, condom distribution and increasing the use of preventive medicine that has helped to curtail the spread of HIV, which can lead to AIDS. “It’s important to get an HIV test at least once a year and more often than that every three or six months, depending on your behavior and how much risk you may be for coming in
WORLD AIDS DAY Page 11
‘Tis the Season’ once more for Holiday Scams By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer Holiday shopping brings other concerns, including those who might just be looking for a steal — literally. A study by AARP in Northwest, D.C., found that seven in 10 adults failed a short quiz on how to avoid becoming a scam victim. “You have to be conscious of everything, I mean everything, around this time of the year,” said Fritz Nathan, a 17-year security veteran who works undercover at a District-area department store. “Being cautious isn’t
enough. Keep your head up, clutch your wallet, and keep your eyes open.” Along with the Better Business Bureau, the AARP and other organizations concur that consumers should be on the lookout for package theft, data breaches, fake charities, online shopping scams, gift cards and phishing attacks. Thieves usually watch for opportunities to steal packages off doorsteps the moment a delivery driver pulls away. Among the suggestions is having packages sent to a store or another
SHOP Page 38
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W I HBreak O T the T OCycle P I C of S Women Domestic Violence
SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY
COMPILED BY WI EDITOR D. KEVIN MCNEIR AND WI STAFF WRITER WILLIAM FORD
Officials Plan to Celebrate Hospital Groundbreaking law enforcement. She said they threat,” she said.
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had come together to bring a Among the programs Marlow of uniformity the way wants to see implemented are One ofsense the most anticipatedinPrince George’s County projects in recent history When L.Y. Marlow's 23-yearvictims and ceremony stricter restraining order30 policies, will comedomestic to fruitionviolence at a groundbreaking Thursday, Nov. in Largo. old daughter told her the The father treated. of Maryland Capital more rights for Medical victim's Center families will $543survivors million are University Region of her daughter threatened her cancer “She's hercenters, own personal to health intervene on behalf of a vicfeature andusing trauma behavioral services, a neonatal intenlife, and the life of their sive child, her serve own personal tim,medical a domestic violenceThe assesscare story, unit and to teach pain thosetoin the profession. 11-stoshe knew something had ry to building be push ment tounit coupled withnot further nearforward,” the LargoDavis-Nickens Metro station plans serve residents only in done. Out of her frustration said about trainingMaryland. for law Retail enforcement Prince George’s but Marlow. also three counties in Southern Properties with law enforcement's handling anyoneat the agencies, Child's may Life revamp Protec- the of America,Davis-Nickens which owns thesaid Boulevard Capitala Centre, of the situation, she decided to who reads Marlow's book will tion Act and mandatory counselentire complex with several new businesses and change the name to Indigo to start the Saving Promise reflect cam- the“get saidlines she at“puts the station. ing for batterers. Blueit.” andShe Silver the Largo According to company’s site paign. case in such a way, the average “If we are plans, 53 of the 77 units at the boulevard are available to ever lease.going to eradi“It seems to be a vicious cycle person can get it.” She said at the cate domestic violence, we must that won't turn my family end of the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin. loose,” Marlow said. Marlow help people begin to have a dia- We need to address both the vicshared her story with the audi- logue about domestic violence. tim and the batterer,” Marlow Some residents will participate the city’s ence at Bowie the District Heights Also in present at the event was said. Domestic Violence Symposium first ever recall election Dec. 19 for Councilwoman Mildred Muhammad, the exMarlow would also like to see on MayPolangin 7 at the District Heights District Diane who represents If theAllen ma- Muhammad, programs designed to raise wife of2.John Municipal Center. jority of voters in The that sympodistrict decide to recall Pol- to six consec- awareness among children in who was sentenced sium by Cooper the utive angin,was Citysponsored Manager Una said life the terms certified without parole public and private schools. She Family and be Youth Services a Maryland jury results would presented to City by Council on Jan. 2 for his role in feels children need to be educatCenter of the term city of District Sniper attacks in ed about domestic violence. and Polangin’s would end onthe thatBeltway day. Cooper Heights and the National Muhammad is “We have to stop being passaid a special election to Hookfill the seat2002. wouldMildred take place Up of to Black Women. oftook After the Trauma, sive-aggressive with poor chilin 60 90 days after the vote. The the city’sfounder election Marlow book, as an organization place Nov. has 5 butwritten a groupa known Bowie Citizens forthat helps the dren about domestic violence,” “Color Me Butterfly,” whichsecured is a survivors domestic violence to request Marlow asaid. Accountable Government at least 25ofpercent of signatures recall of Polangin that bestory four of ofand their children. Marlow worked to break cameabout certified by generations the city’s Board Elections on Nov. 20. According to the Bowiehas Citizens group website, domestic violence. The book is “I lived in fear for six years. Six the cycle of abuse in her family, Polangin voted in favor of two major residential projects the group opposes. inspired by her own experiences, years in fear is a long time. It is and is confident the policies she and those of her grandmother, not an easy thing to come out is pushing for will start that her mother and her daughter. of,” she said. process. She said every time she reads Mildred Muhammad said “I plan to take these policies to retailers scoreda withCongress record-breaking sales on thistoyear’s excerpts from her book, she still people whoAfter want to help and implore them Friday, attributed to a surge of online shopping, and $6.59 can not believe the words came domestic Black violence victim must change our laws,” Marlow said. in sales a 16.8 percent increase over from her. “Color Me Butterfly” be carefulbillion of how theyongoCyber into Monday, “I will not stop until these poli- last year,life, a personal-finance haspassed.” released its report on 2017’s won the 2007 National “Best the victim's and understand website cies are Books” Award. States fresh onTia the Carol heels ofJones Giving – a day that she Most may Charitable be in “survival canTuesday be reached “I was just 16-years-old when mode”. annually observed nationwide U.S. citizens. Both Maryland and atby tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net my eye first blackened and my listgoing of philanthropic deeds, ranking numbers 2 and “BeforeVirginia you gettop to the 'I'm lips bled,” Marlow said. to kill you,' it started asaccording a verbal to WalletHub. 7, respectively, Maryland had the highest WI Elaine Davis-Nickens, presishare of taxpayers who donated money to charity, 38.48 percent – dent of the National Hook-Up three times higher than in West Virginia, the state with the lowest of Black Women, said there is no at 12.26 percent. The data ranges from volunteer rate to sharing of consistency in the way domestic income donated to share of sheltered homeless. violence issues are dealt with by One third of all annual giving takes place in December truly making it “the season to be jolly.” The U.S. ranks fifth in the 2017 World Giving Index out of 140 countries, giving more than $389 billion to charity in 2016, 72 percent of funds given by individuals, according to the National Philanthropic Trust. Americans also contribute their time – a lot of it – with nearly 63 million people volunteering for a combined 7.9 billion hours per year, the equivalent of $184 billion of service.
Bowie Holds Special Recall Election
Maryland Among Nation’s Top Giving States
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We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these Conyers Steps Down from Judiciary Panel Amidst Harassment Inquiry policies to Congress and The House Judiciary Committee’s ranking member, Rep. John Conyers (DMI), has stepped down from his long-held position – the latest from among a to change our implore them growing list of Congressmen currently facing allegations of sexual harassment. Conyers, 88, had denied harassing a former employee who agreed to a settlelaws. I will not stop until ment of more than $27,000 in 2015, funds that came from the Congressman’s office budget. The House Ethics Committee has initiated an inquiry into the these are passed. allegations. After a report of the settlement was published last week, policies a second
woman, a former aide of Conyers, came forward claiming that she had been verbally abused by him, as well as criticized for her appearance. She added that Paul Trantham Conyers once showed up at a meeting in which she was in attendance, clad only in his underwear. Conyers has maintained his innocence. Meanwhile, the attorney representing the woman who was paid by Conyers in 2015 has asked him to release her client from a signed agreement of confidentiality so she can “tell her own story.” 4 / May 15 - 21, 2008 The Washington Informer / www.washingtoninformer.com Roy Lewis, Demetrious Kinney, Mark
Mahonny, CIRCULATION Lateef Mangum, Travis Riddick
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AROUND THE REGION Residents Express Safety Concerns with Self-Storage Facility
Residents along 22nd Street in Southeast are gearing up for a fight with CubeSmart Self Storage, whom they said are planning to allow trucks to enter their facility from the southbound side of the busy street. The primary problem, they said, is elementary school students will be put in peril having to navigate amid the oncoming big rigs. “This isn’t something that CubeSmart should allow,” said Tracey Anderson, whose 7- and 8-yearold children attend Benjamin Orr Elementary School at 2200 Minnesota Avenue in Southeast. “They aren’t considering how many of the children are so small and these truck drivers may not be able to see them when they cross the street, plus it is such a busy area that should dissuade anyone who cares about the safety of children wouldn’t subject them to this.” It’s also going to present major issues when the new Orr Elementary opens next year, Anderson and other residents said. Officials at CubeSmart didn’t respond to requests for comment. Messages left for school officials also weren’t immediately returned. Self-storage projects such as CubeSmart began cropping up along rural and suburban roadsides in the late 1970s and early 1980s, according to insideselfstorage.com, a trade website. These were typically the single-story variety, spread out over large tracts of land with appropriate zoning. Rarely were owners bothered by conflicts with neighbors or regulators. Today, self-storage is moving into
more readily accessible and buildable sites amid industrial parks as well as business, commercial and residential districts; though that often means facilities are built on smaller tracts. Smaller footprints mean taller structures. These parcels also require compromises to satisfy local organizations, regulators and municipalities. The two greatest impediments facing self-storage developers are finding a suitable site and securing approval from local government entities, though CubeSmart has long since received such approval. But residents said the new construction at Orr Elementary should make officials rethink any plans to allow CubeSmart to permit trucks along 22nd Street. The school has served the Fairlawn community in Ward 8 since 1902. Named after the fourth mayor of D.C., the school originally was built for white students at Prout and 22nd Street. That building was later demolished and replaced, according to the school’s website. In 1994, a new Orr Elementary School was constructed at 22nd Street and Minnesota Avenue to accommodate an increased student population. Earlier this year, Mayor Muriel Bowser, schools chancellor Antwan Wilson, Council members Trayon White and David Grosso and other officials helped to break ground on the new Orr Elementary School. “My administration is committed to accelerating school reforms that gives all children, in every ward the opportunity to reach their full potential,” Bowser said at the groundbreaking ceremony.
The $47 million new school reportedly will feature 26 individual classrooms for students in pre-K through 5th grade and will include a parent resource center, a dedicated suite for special education, a new library with an adjacent laptop lab and maker space, a music room, an art room with kiln, and an outdoor learning space. Once the new school opens next fall, the old one will be demolished, further complicating interaction with CubeSmart. “The owners of CubeSmart Self Storage are talking about brining trucks into the property by coming South on 22nd Street and turning right on Young Street and right into the alley, which is the access point for trucks over 15 feet,” said Carol Casperson, who lives near the site. “The entrance to the new Orr Elementary School that has 440 students is at 22nd and Prout streets and kids from the neighborhood use
5 Orr Elementary School in Southeast /Courtesy photo
the alley to walk to school.” She said in order to go south on 22nd Street, the trucks would either come through Anacostia Park or on Fairlawn off of Pennsylvania Avenue
which is already congested on both sides. “This is setting up a perfect scenario for children to get hit by trucks,” Casperson said. WI
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Signature chefs Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken Chef Victor Albisu, Del Campo Chef Kyle Bailey, The Salt Line Chef Liam Civita, Via Umbria Chef Travis Croxton, Rappahannock Oyster Bar Chef Dean Gold, Dino’s Grotto Chef Dan Kennedy, VOLT Chef Jamie Leeds, Hanks Oyster Bar Chef Harper McClure, Maketto Chef Alex McCoy, Alfies Chef Bobby Pradachith, Thip Khao Chef Ryan Ratino, Chef/ Owner, Bresca Chef Erin Reed, Blue Duck Tavern Chef Michael Santoro, Kingbird Chef Bryan Voltaggio, Range Chef Robert Weidmaier, Marcel’s Chef Demitrio Zavala, Lincoln
Wine and beverages Bacchus Importers Ltd. Steve Laycock, Ilegal Mezcal J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Bob Wagner, Madidus Importers Charlotte Kirks, McClellan’s Retreat Negociants USA John Carrabus, One Eight Distilling Paul’s Discount Wine and Spirits Babak Pakravan, Penn Commons Pernod Richard USA/GH Mumm Morgan Stana & Linda Jockers, A Rake’s Progress Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Trefethen Jessie Marrero & Lauren Paylor, Urbana Winebow
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By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 5 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
AROUND THE REGION
WEEK OF NOV 30 - DEC 6, 2017
Source: Black America Web
NOV. 29
1875 – Alexander P. Ashbourne patents an improved biscuit cutter. 1897 – Inventor J.A. Sweeting patents a cigarette-rolling device. 1912 – Famed photographer and film director Gordon Parks is born in Fort Scott, Kansas. 1924 – Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress and the first black major-party candidate for president, is born in New York City. 1966 – The Caribbean nation of Barbados gains its independence from the United Kingdom.
DEC. 1
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1933 – Grammy-winning singer Lou Rawls is born in Chicago. 1940 – Iconic comedian Richard Pryor is born in Peoria, Illinois. 1955 – Rosa Parks refuses to yield her seat to a white man, initiating the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which lasted for approximately a year. 1971 – Arthur Spingarn, lawyer and former NAACP president, dies in his New York City home at 93. 1987 – Carrie Saxon Perry begins her term as the mayor of Hartford, Connecticut, becoming first black woman elected mayor of a major northeastern U.S. city. 1987 – Novelist James Baldwin dies in France of stomach cancer at 63.
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6 NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017
1859 – White abolitionist John Brown is hanged in Charlestown, Virginia, for leading the raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. 1884 – Inventor Granville T. Woods patents the telephone transmitter. 1891 – Charles Wesley, historian and educator who served as president of Wilberforce University and Central State University, is born in Louisville, Kentucky. 1922 – Politician and civil rights leader Charles C. Diggs, the first African-American elected to Congress from Michigan, is born in Detroit. 1969 – Marie Van Brittan Brown patents a home security system with television surveillance. 1975 – Ohio State running back Archie Griffin becomes the first person ever to win consecutive Heisman Trophies. 1989 – Andre Ware of the University of Houston becomes the first African-American quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy.
DEC. 4
1906 – Alpha Phi Alpha, the first Black Greek Letter fraternity, is founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. 1909 – The New York Amsterdam News, a weekly African-American newspaper, is founded by James H. Anderson. 1969 – Black Panthers Fred Hampton and Mark Clark are killed by Chicago police.
DEC. 5
1784 – Phyllis Wheatley, the first published African-American female poet, dies in Boston at 31. 1931 – Singer James Cleveland, “The King of Gospel Music,” is born in Chicago. 1932 – Music icon Little Richard is born in Macon, Georgia. 1935 – Mary McLeod Bethune founds National Council of Negro Women in New York City. 1957 – New York became the first city to legislate against racial or religious discrimination in the housing market with adoption of Fair Housing Practices Law.
DEC. 6
1932 – Richard B. Spikes patents the automatic gearshift. 1936 – Richard Francis Jones becomes first African-American certified in urology. 1949 – Blues legend Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter dies in New York City at 60. 1967 – Madame Lillian Evanti, famed African-American opera singer, dies in Washington, D.C., at 77. WI
DEC. 3
1847 – Frederick Douglass starts The North Star, an anti-slavery newspaper.
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AROUND THE REGION
By Sarafina Wright
Rep. John Conyers, who recently stepped down from his high-ranking House judiciary role amid sexual misconduct claims, is one of many notable figures dogged by such allegations in recent months. What are your thoughts?
VERNON HOWARD / ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Remove Trump first. He has sexual assault charges and he admits to grabbing women as well as peeping at young girls in beauty pageants as they undress. Remove that pervert and leave Conyers alone.
MARIE MCCLELLAND / WASHINGTON, D.C.
I just need to know why these women wait until decades have passed before they come forward with these accusations. Now I’m a woman and if a man does something to me that’s inappropriate, he’s going to know it immediately [as well as] anybody else that needs to know, so please, someone, help me to understand.
ANTHONY WILLIAMS / CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
He needs to go, like everyone else. If a Republican did something like Conyers did, then Democrats will go after their head. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Not giving a pass on this one.
LINDA JOHNSON / WASHINGTON, D.C.
If it is true, your job is to serve and protect your constituents, patrons and show compassion to humankind. You are in a job of public service. Have you all forgotten how to treat a lady? I am so sick of men “behaving badly.” Own up.
COURTNEY BRANCH / SAINT THOMAS, BARBADOS
Has anyone ever given it a thought that men are weak when women are around? Some men are married and work with attractive women and they lust after them, although whatever she has, they have at home. Can you control your sexual emotions? I think you should.
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 7 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
AROUND THE REGION By D. Kevin McNeir / WI Editor/@dkevinmcneir
The World According to Dominic Pain and Tears Remain for Those I’ve Lost to AIDS
I remember the event like it was only yesterday – a first-year seminarian matriculating at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology – finally willing to heed God’s marvelous yet mysterious call upon my life. It was the fall of 1987 and our choir director, Dr. Darsey, had prepared his elite ensemble of which I was a member to sing selected music for one of his closest friends. Seemed painless enough, so I thought. I had no idea what I would be forced to face on that sunny afternoon in Atlanta. As we entered the modest home, we were handed masks and hospital robes and ushered up a flight of stairs into a room where a lone figure lay in his bed hooked up to all kinds of tubes and machines. We sang songs of praise, classical cantatas and hymns upon which the Christian church had long been founded. We sang even louder than usual, probably because of the masks that covered our mouths. We clapped our hands, swayed in rhythm and pounded on our tambourines until our hands were numb. Then, our audience of one raised himself slightly from his bed and . . . smiled. He did not have the strength to do more. And we left, both confused over the cause of his physical dilemma and somewhat afraid. We would learn that the man was dying from a disease that I knew very little about: HIV/AIDS. Who knew that just a few letters could result in so
much pain and agony? The next year, on December 1st, a global initiative known as World AIDS Day was launched in efforts to raise awareness of the pandemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection and to allow friends and family members to mourn over the loss of those who had died of the disease. It continues to this day, with a theme of “Everyone Counts” adopted for the 2017 observance. Since the U.S. joined other countries in 1995 along with hundreds of others who officially observe the day, AIDS has killed more than 36 million people across the globe. And with 36.7 million living with the virus as of the end of 2016, it stands as one of the most important global public health issues in history. That’s why integrated care, access to quality services and affordable and longtime care are essential – and why we must remain relentless and diligent in our demands to the right for all U.S. citizens to have equal access to healthcare that all can afford. In its early days, AIDS was considered a “gay disease.” And while that may have been true, it has long evolved into an equal opportunity affliction – a “family” disease impacting men, women, children, gays and straight, veterans – even senior citizens. Unfortunately, the dark stigma surrounding the disease has remained alive and well, particularly
within my own Black community – and yes, even within the walls of my beloved Black church. Before medical research could unearth tools including a regiment of drugs that enabled those infected with the virus which causes AIDS to still live a long and fruitful life, painful deaths too many to count and far too frequent funerals served as the norm. And while today’s youth may find it hard to believe, AIDS, just a few decades ago, was tantamount to a death sentence, causing people to point fingers at victims, shunning them like 20th century lepers. And so, I was forced to say goodbye to friends to whom I had imparted many of my most cherished thoughts – friends with whom I had shared countless, joyful moments that I will never forget, just as I will never forget them: Kenneth M. Jones, Irvin B. Davis, Darius Jones, my younger cousin Charles Terry III and a choir director and musician, “Bucky,” who once took church to a whole new realm of celebration, thanksgiving and praise. I’ve been lucky so far, I suppose. That is, if you believe in luck. I have not contracted the virus despite engaging in more than a few ridiculous and random “experiences.” Still, I’ve often wondered “what if” and “why them and not me?” I guess it has something to do with that grace which surpasses all understanding. WI
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Does your child have – or do you suspect she has – a learning or other disability? • Has your child failed academically, especially in reading? • Has the school ignored your comments on the IEP, or your request for an evaluation or your child’s education record? • Has the school blamed your child’s behavior for her academic failure? • Has the school retaliated against you or treated you or your child differently? • Has the school determined that your child is progressing but at home your child struggles with reading and comprehension? Does it feel like the school is not serving your child? Contact The Law Office of Nigel M. Atwell for a free consultation. We serve children in traditional public schools and public charter schools. We serve low and moderate income families. We also handle Social Security disability claims and employment discrimination matters.
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AROUND THE REGION
Author Highlights Caribbean History Through Music
By Lauren Poteat WI Contributing Writer
Renowned Caribbean music historian and radio legend Von Martin has released a new book, “Voices of Pan Pioneers of Trinidad & Tobago: A Global Legacy,” which documents the journey of the Caribbean “Steel Pan” sound. Along with a special reading held at the Sankofa book store on Nov. 19, Martin hosted a public forum to continue the conversation and research on the accelerated global expansion of the steel pan migration from the Caribbean to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, from World War II to the present day. Martin, a native Trinidadian, defines Caribbean music of past and present generations as a cultural expression of life. For his book, he drew upon his decades worth of knowledge and research, with firsthand accounts from neighborhood voices and legendary artists. “I found this lecture to be very enlightening,” said Stephanie Mills, a Northeast resident who attended the event. “I have always been heavily involved in African and African-American history and research, and even though I knew about items such as the slave trade and the capturer Christopher Columbus, that
was pretty much the extent of my knowledge on Black Caribbeans. “Living in America, you never really hear that much about the subject, but this book is a great wealth of history and provides so much insight on different aspects of Caribbean time,” she said. “However, I think what makes this book the most interesting is its use of music to tell these great Caribbean stories.” Martin’s moderately sized book largely focuses on Port of Spain in the 1940s and ‘50s and highlights the cultural enrichments, creative geniuses and varied accomplishments of the Caribbean people. “What a wondrous book,” said Windy Freedman, a Sankofa regular. “I wasn’t even going to come today, but decided to stop by and pick up a book on my day off. However, after I started to hear the kind of content that was being addresses, I became very intrigued and this turned out to be a very good forum. I’m going to buy this book and add it to my collection. If I hadn’t stopped in today, I would not have ever known that this sort of content existed.” In addition to his book, Martin also hosts “Caribbeana,” a weekly radio show on WPFW that highlights his broad knowledge of African Diasporic musical genres. WI
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5 Historian and author Von Martin during a forum discussing his book, “Voices of Pan Pioneers of Trinidad & Tobago,” November 19, at Sankofa Video & Books in Northwest. /Photo by E Watson/EDI Photo
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AROUND THE REGION CAPTURE THE MOMENT
Denise Rolark Barnes Independent Beauty Consultant www.marykay/drolark-barnes.com 202-236-8831 5 Pete Souza, White House photographer during the Obama administration at a discussion for his newly-released book, “Obama: An Intimate Portrait.” The talk was held on Mon., Nov. 20, at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American Heritage and Culture in Northwest. After the talk, Souza autographed copies of the book for several attendees. /Photo by E Watson/EDI Photo
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Who’s Reading the Informer? (L-R) Elizabeth White, Marlene Cain Mahoney, and Juanita Britton routinely read the Washington Informer. /Photo by Roy Lewis
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WORLD AIDS DAY from Page 1 contact with HIV or contracting HIV,” said Josh Riley, director of community commitment at the District’s nonprofit community health center Whitman-Walker. Approximately 15,200 individuals are living with diagnosed HIV in the District, according to AIDSVu, an interactive online map illustrating the prevalence of HIV in the United States. Of District residents with HIV, 73 percent are men and 27 percent are women. Approximately 72 percent are black, 7 percent are Hispanic/Latino, and 17 percent are white. In 2015 — the most recent year that statistics are available — there were 383 new cases, while in 2014, there were 113 deaths. The rate of black males living with an HIV diagnosis stands at 2.8 times that of white males while the rate of Hispanic/Latino males living with the illness is 1.5 times that of white males, according to AIDSVu. The rate of black females living with an HIV diagnosis is 27.5 times that of white females and the rate of Hispanic/Latina females living with an HIV diag-
AROUND THE REGION nosis is 5.8 times that of white females. For males living with HIV, 11.6 percent contracted the disease through injection drug use while 68.6 percent were infected through male-to-male sexual contact. Still, 12.7 percent of males with HIV contracted the illness through heterosexual contact and 6.4 percent were diagnosed after male-to-male sexual contact that included the injection of drugs, statistics revealed. Approximately 26.6 percent of women living with HIV in the District contracted the illness through injection drug use and 71.4 percent were diagnosed as a result of heterosexual contact. Two percent of women with HIV and slightly less than 1 percent of men contracted the illness through blood transfusion, perinatal exposure and other risk factors, according to AIDSVu statistics. Of all new diagnosis, 81.3 percent of men were stricken because of male-to-male sexual contact; 11.1 percent after heterosexual contact; 3.9 percent following injection drug use; 3.3 percent after male-to-male sexual contact that included injection drug use.
For females who were newly diagnosed, 17.1 percent contracted HIV through injection drug use and 82.9 percent through heterosexual contact. Funding for the disease topped $92 million in 2015 and, because the bulk of it came through the private Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, any changes to the Affordable Care Act aren’t expected to affect the bottom line. In 2016, District officials distributed more than 6 million male and female condoms and removed over 800,000 needles from city streets. The District’s needle-exchange program helped to reduce the number of HIV cases to just seven last year.
Also in 2016, District officials started the country’s first campaign to encourage black women to begin taking PrEP, a drug that greatly reduces the risk of getting HIV. Bowser and the Health Department also introduced a “YOU are the solution” campaign that will see advertisements on buses and in other locations to remind residents to take their medication regularly to avoid transmitting HIV. In a plan called “90/90/90/50,” city officials are calling for having 90 percent of HIV-positive District residents aware of their status; 90 percent of those who have been diagnosed receiving treatment; and 90 percent of those in treatment reaching viral-load suppression by 2020.
Ultimately, that would result in a 50 percent decrease from the number of new cases seen in 2015. Overall, statistics show that 1.1 million individuals in the U.S. have HIV. The District still has the highest rate of infections, followed by Maryland, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Delaware and Alabama. “There are things that D.C. has done that are unique and ahead of the curve,” Greg Millet, a vice president at amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, told the Pew Charitable Trust. “All of this is part of a good news story for what’s happening in the rest of the country.” WI
Join Washington Informer Charities for Nats Winterfest, returning this December 16 and 17 to the Washington Convention Center. Winterfest will again feature two days of fun, including games, children’s activities and special appearances by your favorite Nationals players, coaches, mascots and Santa! Don’t miss the highlight of the holiday season
Toy Drive December 16, 2017
Fans are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to Winterfest to benefit Washington Informer Charities and win a chance to meet a Nationals player. Gifts can be dropped off at the Toy Donation area near the main stage. Each individual that donates a toy(s) will receive one entry form, and 10 donors will be randomly selected to meet with a Nationals player, take pictures and receive autographs. There is no limit to how many gifts a fan can donate. However, fans will only receive one raffle entry per donation per day. The meet and greet will take place late in the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday, and each winner may be accompanied by one guest. Toy Drive December 17, 2017 to benefit DC Housing Authority For More Information Call 202.675.NATS(6287) 5 D.C. still leads the nation in HIV diagnoses. /Photo By MSF Access Campaign
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 11 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Md. Lawmakers Float Legislation to Fix Metro By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill Democratic Reps. Anthony Brown and Jamie Raskin introduced a handful of proposals to improve Metro during a press conference Tuesday, Nov. 28 to unveil legislation they say would help fine-tune the transit agency. Among the lawmakers’ suggestions are establishing a dedicated funding source, instituting a flat fare of $2.50 and examining the current contract
for Metro’s paratransit service. “Few regions in our country rely on transit more than the national capital region,” said Brown, who represents the 4th Congressional district in parts of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties. “In many ways, it is America’s transit system moving thousands of men and women who work in the federal government every day.” Brown and Raskin, who represents portions of Montgomery County, stood outside the New Carrollton Metro station to announce a bill titled the
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“WMATA Flexible Funding and Safety Improvement Act.” Because of constant safety concerns on Metrorail and Metrobus, the legislation proposes to create two safety task forces named after two Metro employees killed in the line of duty. The bill also seeks to establish a one-year pilot program for a $2.50 flat fare. Metro would select three Metro stations to participate in the program — one in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. After completion of the program, Metro officials would submit a report in 90 days to all three jurisdictions that include each governor, presidents of each state Senate and House of Delegates, D.C. mayor and city council chair. If the report indicates an increase in ridership, then Metro would consider a systemwide implementation of a flat fare. With Republicans currently in control of Congress, Raskin said the bill offers a bipartisan approach that helps everyone, including Republican officials and staff who use the Metro system to travel. “We can’t allow partisan and political division to continue to make life worse for people,”
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5 Maryland Reps. Anthony Brown (at podium) and Jamie Raskin present legislation they say will improve Metro during a Nov. 28 press conference outside the New Carrollton Metro station. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 President Jackie Jeter (right) also spoke during the conference. /Photo by William J. Ford
he said. “Let’s reinvest in public things and start with the Metro.” Virginia Reps. Gerry Connolly and Barbara Comstock and Metro board chairman and D.C. Councilman Jack Evans didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. A Metro spokesman said via email the agency doesn’t have a comment on the proposal. However, its largest union did. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 President Jackie Jeter said the legislation rep-
resents the first proposal from elected officials that offers substantial action to improve Metro. “You wait to find out whether or not it’s going to have traction [and] whether or not it is going to make a difference, and it does,” Jeter said. “I’m glad Congressman Brown and Congressman Raskin listened. It has been conversation after conservation after conversation, so it paid off in a big way.”
METRO Page 17
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
Jealous Unveils Plan to Combat Opioid Epidemic in Maryland By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill Maryland gubernatorial hopeful Ben Jealous recently released a plan to combat opioid abuse in the state, which he labeled “a public health crisis.” If elected governor next year, the former NAACP president would institute needle exchange programs for each county, estimated at $100,000; create a task force to under a new agency, the Office of Pain Management, Addiction and Recovery; and target doctors who illegally distribute medication in what’s often referred to as “pill mills.” “We’ve got to meet the people where they are and deal with addiction … where it spreads even in our prisons and jails,” Jealous said in an interview. “Everybody who needs rehabilitation gets it. We need to spend our money better.” Jealous’s plan, unveiled Nov. 17, is the first policy strategy he has re-
leased since announcing his bid to challenge Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in next year’s election. Jealous faces seven other Democratic candidates in the June 26 primary that seek to unseat Hogan. Another initiative of his policy, which focuses more on treatment instead of incarceration, would be to open 24-hour crisis centers throughout the state that would cost about $4 million each. The state currently has one center in Baltimore, but Jealous said previous legislation had up to 10 and he would seek to incorporate at least that many throughout the state. “This crisis affects everybody,” he said. “This crisis knows no color. No zip code.” To pay for some of these programs, Jealous said he would work with Attorney General Brian Frosh to go after pharmaceutical companies and doctors who aided in the opioid epidemic. Money from any legal settlements would go into a dedicated fund to assist public
health officials to treat those suffering from illicit drugs such as heroin or prescribed painkillers such as oxycodone and morphine. According to the state’s health department, more than 1,200 Marylanders died last year from overdoses with heroin in their system, more than double the total from 2014. Hogan, who was elected that same year, declared a state of emergency this year in the fight against opioids and heroin. Last month, the state announced more than $4 million in grants to all 24 counties and Baltimore City, which received the most at $1.2 million. The statewide funding includes monies for outreach campaigns, recovery services and support initiatives. Jealous said Hogan should have worked much sooner, including on how Baltimore continues to ration naloxone, a medication used to opioid overdoses. “It’s outrageous that this governor acted until he sought re-elec-
tion,” he said. Hogan spokesman Doug Mayer said that the governor became the first state leader to declare a state of emergency regarding opioids and signed the Justice Reinvestment Act, legislation designed to end the systematic incarceration of those who struggle with addiction.
“There isn’t another governor in the country who has attacked the heroin-opioid crisis more aggressively than Gov. Hogan,” Mayer said in an email. “The heroin-opioid crisis is destroying lives and families every single day. It is not a political football and it should never be treated as one.” WI
5 Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous //WI File Photo
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 13 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
BUSINESS Tax Reform a Bleak Issue for Many Blacks By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer To make ends meet, Jasmine Simon, 26, a single mother living in Las Vegas, has to work three jobs while juggling classes as a political science major at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. “As women of color, we do that,” she told NBC News. Which is why she has some con-
cerns about the recently proposed Republican-sponsored tax overhaul bill, which, if passed, would end the alternative minimum tax, reduce or repeal the estate tax and cut taxes for pass-through entities. The Tax Policy Center reported that the proposed plan would also allow businesses to expense new investment, not allow businesses to deduct net interest expenses; and reduce federal revenue, raising federal
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debt over the next decade. It’s why many African-Americans will have very little to celebrate this holiday season if Republicans get their wish on tax reform. “If we just look at the proposed child care tax credit alone, it does not help people like me, people who look like me,” Simon said. “Each month I pay anywhere between $950 and $1,100 a month in child care. To just give me a credit of $1,000 a year? That is not enough. It just does not help people who look like me.” Simon is just one of several within the African-American community expressing their concerns over the Republican proposed bill. Julie Kashen, policy director of the Make It Work education campaign, said proposed cuts to tax credits such as child care assistance is in no way friendly to true middle-class workers. “The GOP has proposed a tax bill that is a trillion dollar gift to the wealthiest Americans at the expense of working families,” Kashen said in a statement. “Families need a bold, comprehensive solution. For working families to do better, our policies must do better.”
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5 Blacks will be devastated by the GOP tax reform, experts say. /Courtesy photo
Josh Hoxie, director of the Project on Opportunity and Tax at the Institute for Policy Studies, said the proposed bill would have devastating impacts on communities of color. The plan, he points out, makes massive cuts to programs beneficial to millions. “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention,” he told NBC News. “It is an enormous gift to the ultra-wealthy and pretty exclusively benefits the ultra-wealthy.” The GOP tax plan is nothing more than a massive transfer of wealth to the richest Americans at the expense of working families and underserved communities, said Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.). Things are already seemingly bleak for communities of color, according to the report, “The Road to Zero Wealth,” co-authored by Hoxie. There’s a long-term widening trend in the racial wealth that runs counter to the narrative that things were getting progressively equal, Hoxie said. His report also looked at the racial wealth divide over the next four and eight years and the year 2043, when the U.S. population is predicted to shift to majority nonwhite. “We find that without a serious change in course, the country is heading towards a racial and economic apartheid state,” the report’s authors said. “If the racial wealth divide is left unaddressed and is not exacerbated further over the next eight years, median Black household wealth is on a path to hit zero by 2053 — about 10 years after it is projected that racial minorities will comprise the majority of the nation’s population.” If the middle class were to be defined by wealth rather than by income, Black and Latino families in the middle-income percentile would need to earn two to three times as much as White families in order to enter the middle class, according to the report. Also, the accelerating decline in wealth over the
past 30 years has left many Black and Latino families unable to reach the middle class. Between 1983 and 2013, the wealth of median Black and Latino households decreased by 75 percent (from $6,800 to $1,700) and 50 percent (from $4,000 to $2,000), respectively, while median White household wealth rose by 14 percent (from $102,200 to $116,800). If current trends continue, by 2020 median Black and Latino households stand to lose nearly 18 percent and 12 percent, respectively, of the wealth they held in 2013. In that same timeframe, median White household wealth would see an increase of 3 percent. By 2024, median Black and Latino households are projected to own 60-80 percent less wealth than they did in 1983. Both the GOP Senate and House bills include proposals to reduce corporate tax rates from 35 percent to 20 percent — a dramatic reduction that is supposed to stimulate the economy by giving corporations more cash with which to hire more employees. Clearly, larger companies with greater profits will benefit the most, according to a Forbes Magazine report. This, in and of itself, perpetuates the existing biases in corporate America: considering that of the 2017 Fortune 500 CEOs, only four are African-American and only 32 are women, and that CEOs today earn nearly 300 times the average employee — compared to only 20 times 50 years ago — it is clear that this corporate tax break will create a disproportionate benefit to the current white male establishment, Forbes reported. However, an additional danger comes from a proposal to change the rules for taxing of stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), a proposal that’s believed will disproportionately damage entrepreneurs from disadvantaged groups. For the full version of this story, go to washingtoninformer.com. WI
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Business Exchange
BUSINESS
The Rise, Decline and Neutering of John Conyers
by William Reed John James Conyers is the epitome of “Black Power” — and an excellent example of black power gone wrong. The longest-serving current
FORECLOSURE from Page 1 I’m not leaving when I didn’t do anything wrong.” Lytle, a retired teacher’s aide in the Prince George’s school system, represents thousands of county residents who have faced, or continue to combat foreclosure. According to www.realtytrac. com, an online real estate resource company that tracks nationwide housing trends, the county ranked second behind Baltimore in the state of Maryland last month with a foreclosure rate of one of every 695 units. Maryland ranked third in the nation, according to RealtyTrac. Within the county, Capitol Heights with the fourth-highest foreclosure rate. Lytle, who doesn’t have children and never married, didn’t realize how many people experienced similar situations until a former co-worker invited her to attend informal group sessions. During the bankruptcy proceedings, she heard about a nonprofit organization called Boston Community Capital of Boston. After she already paid six firms $25,000 in legal and other fees, she trusted BCC, her seventh company, and paid it $5,000 — equating roughly to a down payment for a new mortgage. “That was well worth the investment to Boston Community Capital,” Lytle said. Boston Community Capital established in 1985 to help low-in-
member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Conyers is an undisputed hero of the civil rights movement, a legislator of uncommon influence and power. But “The Godfather” is an aging icon that has stayed at the ball too long. A Detroit Free Press editorial called for Conyers’ registration and contended his legacy will be marred forever by accusations that he made unwanted sexual advances toward female staffers. In addition, New York Rep. Gregory Meeks has urged Conyers to step down. Conyers’ office downplays payments as “severance,” but the newspaper likened his acts as “paying hush money.”
Surely it’s time the Detroit congressman departs. The young lion we knew and acclaimed has turned into “a paper tiger” right before our eyes. Conyers came to the fore in the ‘60s, championing civil rights and black equity. He co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus in 1969 and established a reputation as an advocate for blacks. Now it’s time Conyers moved on, if not for the ethics violations he’s facing, but under the Robert Mugabe Rule of “been there too damn long.” In 1971 Conyers was one of the 13 founders of the Congressional Black Caucus. He achieved notoriety in 1974 as a member of the House Judiciary Committee
in 1974. He introduced the legislation in 1983 that created the Dr. Martin Luther King national holiday. Conyers continues to serve in Congress and is that body’s most senior representative, currently chairing the House Judiciary Committee. And Conyers is still well-liked by most blacks. “John Conyers is America’s congressman, because he’s worked courageously to help pass laws that guarantee civil rights, fairness in labor relations and government accountability,” said Rev. Dr. Jim Holley in 2005 at Detroit’s Historic Little Rock Baptist Church. Conyers, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Detroit in
come families with housing and jobs in Massachusetts. The group expanded its reach to six other states including Rhode Island, New Jersey, Illinois, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Maryland. One of its primary programs deals with foreclosure prevention known as the Stability Urban Neighborhoods (SUN) initiative which helped about 900 families who faced foreclosure. In addition, since its inception in 2009 has reduced mortgage payments and principal balances by an average of 35 percent. The company acquires the properties and resells the homes to existing occupants with mortgages at a 30-year, fixed-rate homeowners can afford. Through financial education, reviewing two-feet high worth of documents and “lots of prayer,” Lytle said BCC purchased her mortgage from Ocwen in March. Her previous monthly mortgage payments decreased from nearly $1,700 to the current amount of almost $1,300. Elyse Cherry, CEO of the Boston Community, said the company’s 85 of 127 families it serviced in Maryland are African-American, or Afro-Caribbean. About one-third resided in Prince George’s, a jurisdiction Cherry said became one of the most affected in the nation during the financial meltdown and one reason why the company sought to help residents in Maryland. Cherry said the company se-
cured about $27 million in mortgages in the state, with about $12 million for Prince George’s residents. “One of the challenges of the foreclosure crisis [is that] it has hit communities of color,” she said. “We are not in the business of keeping people poor.” To ensure property owners ar-
en’t cheated, Cherry insists they research laws in a particular state, consult with a financial adviser and assess personal financial situation. “Don’t engage in denial,” she said. For the full version of this story, go to washingtoninformer.com. WI
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1989 and 19933, has a passion for politics. During his Congressional tenure, Conyers has helped Detroit receive hundreds of millions of dollars; funds for public housing. He also helped create Empowerment Zones. And he came onto the issue of reparations due to Detroit realtor Raymond Jenkins’ persistence in pursuing ways to address our nation’s epic wrong. But Conyers’ sponsorship of reparations for slavery has been either a farce or tragedy of incompetence. “Slavery is a blemish on this nation’s history, and until it is formally addressed, our country’s story will remain marked by this blight,” is what Conyers has been telling the nation’s activists, legal experts, scholars, politicos and community leadership for almost 40 years. But most blacks have long forgotten HR 40 legislation. If Conyers truly had been about correcting the ills of slavery, it could have yielded descendants of slaves between $6 and $14 trillion. However, his Congressional agenda has been more symbolism than substance. WI
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 15 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
NATIONAL Civil Rights Groups Speak Against Voter Purge Campaign
Say National Voter Elimination Underway By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer Multiple national civil rights organizations are urging election officials in 248 jurisdictions across the country to reject what they consider the Public Interest Legal Foundation’s (PILF) attempt at a wide-scale voter purge. The group of organizations, which includes Demos, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, released a letter on Nov. 22 blasting PILF’s use of deceptive tactics, voter suppression and actions that could violate the National Voter Registration Act. “Purge programs are an old
and familiar tactic used to suppress the rights of voters,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “Today, we are undertaking preemptive action to block the Public Interest Legal Foundation’s baseless attempt to incite and bully election officials into instituting unlawful purge programs across the country. “We can’t ignore the fact that PILF’s voter purge campaign is being waged by [J. Christian Adams, executive director of PILF], one of the commissioners serving on the president’s so-called Election Integrity Commission,” she said. Clarke said it is clear that PILF’s campaign is part of a larg-
5 Kristen Clarke, president and executive director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law /Courtesy photo
er coordinated effort across the country to promote voter suppression efforts, including purge programs that risk the removal of legitimately registered voters from the rolls. “The job of election officials is to help people vote, not stop them from voting, and we will do everything we can to help ensure that election officials carry out their jobs in compliance with federal law,” she said. Jonathan Brater, counsel for the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program and co-signer of the memo sent out to 248 jurisdictions, said that PILF and their act of “scaring local officials into
FCC Plans Net Neutrality Repeal
By Tatyana Hopkins WI Staff Writer
The Federal Trade Commissions (FCC) released a plan last week to roll back landmark Obama-era regulations that ensure equal access to the internet, a move that potentially allows internet service companies to charge users more to see certain content and limit access to certain websites. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai aims to make a sweeping repeal of the net neutrality rules put in place by the Obama administration. The rules currently prohibit high-speed internet service providers (ISP) from stopping or slowing down the delivery of websites and prevent them from charging customers extra fees for high-quality streaming and other internet services. Net neutrality is the concept that consumers should be able to reach online applications and services of their choice without in-
terference from their broadband providers, meaning that all data that travels through the internet should be treated equally. Pai called his rollback on the internet regulations “restoring internet freedom.” “Working with my colleagues, I look forward to returning to the light-touch, market-based framework that unleashed the digital revolution and benefited consumers here and around the world,” Pai said in a statement. He said a limited regulatory approach led to private sector investments in building communications networks, and that, under his proposal, “the federal government will stop micromanaging the internet” and he would only require ISPs to be transparent about their practices. “For almost 20 years, the internet thrived under the lighttouch approach established by President Clinton and a Republican Congress,” Pai said. “But in 2015, the prior FCC bowed to
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pressure from President Obama [and], on a party-line vote, imposed heavy-handed, utility-style regulations upon the internet.” But some FCC commissioners, including Obama-nominated Mignon Clyburn, have said they will vote against the chairman’s plan. Clyburn released a two-page fact sheet about how the plan would dismantle net neutrality, warning that repeal would increase uncertainty for customers as service providers “block or throttle at a whim,” and could potentially prevent states from adopting related consumer protections. She said the 2015 net neutrality laws are the best way to protect consumers from “the anti-consumer and anti-competitive practices of broadband providers. Clyburn encouraged citizens to contact members of Congress and the FCC to express how they felt about the net neutrality rollbacks.
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complying with their agenda is not only wrong, but it also could lead to illegal purges.” “Federal law does not require what PILF demands,” Brater said. “We are ready to help those jurisdictions who got these letters to continue to help people exercise their fundamental right to vote.” Last week, Adams, a member of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrituy, pressed the U.S. Department of Justice to provide the commission with a report on voter fraud prosecutions over the past decade. The inquiry alarmed the civil
rights organizations, prompting the memo, which stated: “In part because of the PILF letter’s deficiencies, we are concerned that it was sent with the intention of bullying or inducing counties into undertaking more aggressive voter purge practices, which could lead to the removal of eligible voters from the rolls, especially poor people and people of color. “As organizations that represent and protect voters, we are deeply concerned that PILF’s threats will scare election administrators into performing ill-conceived or illegal list maintenance programs, in violation of federal law.” WI
Fellow FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel agreed. “[Pai’s proposal] hands providers the power to decide what voices to amplify, which sites we can visit, what connections we can make and what communities
we create,” Rosenworcel said. “It throttles access, stalls opportunity and censors content.” But the repeal is still expected to pass in a 3-2 party-line vote during a December meeting in which it will be discussed. WI
5 Rep. Ro Khan (D-Calif.) posted a diagram on his social media accounts to illustrate how net-neutrality repeal could affect the cost of internet services. /Courtesy photo
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NATIONAL
Michael Phillips Leads ‘Flip This Hood’ on WGN
A New Kind of Home Improvement Show By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer WGN America and award-winning director Arthur Muhammad has introduced a new kind of home restoration show that the country hasn’t seen before. The show, “Flip This Hood,” debuted on Nov. 19 starring Michael Phillips, a former drug dealer turned real estate businessman who has sold over 800 houses in 17 years in the Fort Worth, Texas, area. “One of the reasons I came up with this idea is I wanted to show people to never give up on your dreams,” Phillips told “Conversations Live” podcast host Cyrus Webb. “I’m very passionate about this. I love what I do and every morning I wake up I want to show people to never give up. I want them to be inspired by me
and my story.” Raised by a single mother of four in a tough Fort Worth neighborhood, Phillips had the entrepreneurial bug early in life. “I recognized at an early age I had the entrepreneurial blood inside me and its been in me,” he said. “When I would talk to my mom and ask her questions about why didn’t she do this or that, I realized then that everyone doesn’t think the same.” Phillips bought his first house at the age of 19 for $7,000 with money he saved from hustling. It would be several years later, though, when he was married with a family, before he would pursue real estate again seriously. “On the show you will see me interact with several properties, auctions and the inner dealings of real estate and that’s one thing I wanted to show is all of the intricate details,” he said. “I want
them to see through the eyes of an investor for those who ever thought about flipping properties to give them as much information they can think of. “I want them to get as much as they can from me,” Phillips said. “Not only will they get a chance to be entertained but educated as well.” Viewers will also meet project manager Carl Sullivan, who oversees the remodeling and
construction projects that Phillips purchases. The duo is assisted by Alejandra Ortega-Ramos, whose father Carlos Ortega has worked on and off for 17 years with Phillips. The show will also feature Phillips as a father dealing with the tragedy of losing his wife, who died from heart failure in 2015. “My kids are honored to see dad talking about it [the show] for years and then doing it,” he said. “It’s an
eye-opening experience for them as well, because us as parents can have a lot of expectations for our kids, but they look at us like you want this for me but what are you doing about your own life and your own dreams. “That was one of the main things I wanted to show them,” Phillips said. “Not only am I pushing you towards your goals, I want you to see your father do the same for [himself ].” WI
The Washington Convention and Sports Authority (t/a Events DC) Bid Opportunity The Washington Convention and Sports Authority (t/a Events DC) is soliciting proposals for Event Security SERVICES from qualified vendors. Interested parties can view a copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) by accessing the Event DC’s E-procurement website at www.wcsapex.com and opening APEX BID #18-S-034-458. Key Dates Site Visits: 10:00 AM EST, Monday, December 4, 2017 Bid Due Date: 3:00 PM, EST, Friday, December 29, 2017 Notification of intent to attend must be provided via e-mail to Kiara Short, Contracts & Procurement Analyst at KShort@eventsdc.com no later than 3:00pm EST, December 1, 2017.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 0001-2018 DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT and FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) requires Development Project Management and Financial Consulting Services to support the efforts of its Development Projects. SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available at the Issuing Office at 1133 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300, Office of Administrative Services/Contracts and Procurement, Washington, DC 20002-7599, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Monday, November 27, 2017 and available for download on DCHA’s website at www.dchousing.org. 5 Michael Phillips of “Flip This Hood,” which airs on WGN America on Sundays at 4 a.m. ET. /Courtesy photo
METRO from Page 12 Afterward, Raskin headed north to the Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park, where dozens of state and county officials, community leaders, business owners and residents celebrated an agreement on the Purple Line. Led by the Purple Line Community Corridor, a group composed of more than 40 local organizations, the document ensures those who currently reside and own a business along the east-west route “aren’t priced out” during and after construction of the 16mile light-rail project. The Maryland Transit Ad-
ministration will oversee the project to build 21 stations from New Carrollton in Prince George’s County to Bethesda in Montgomery County. Four stations will connect as transfer stations with Metro’s Orange, Green and Red lines. “There were moments on this project that it felt like it derailed, but we are here today,” said Prince George’s County Council Chairwoman Dannielle Glaros (D-District 3) of Riverdale Park. “When the project is built, all of our communities are thriving and even stronger in the future and those folks along our corridor are lifted up.” WI
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SEALED PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Friday, December 29, 2017 at 12:00 PM. Contact LaShawn Mizzell-McLeod, Contract Specialist at (202) 535-1212 or by email at LMMCLEOD@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 17 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
INTERNATIONAL Compiled by Lauren Poteat / WI Contributing Writer
Olympics 2018 Gets First African Bobsled Team Three women from Nigeria have made history as the first African bobsled team to qualify for the Olympics. Training for over a year on a homemade bobsled, Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga, three U.S.-based Nigerian sprinters, will join the 2018 Winter Olympics, taking place in South Korea. “I basically got into the sport of bobsledding in 2015 after a little bit of a hiatus from athletics,” Adigun told People magazine. “I also learned that Nigeria, the country, had never had any Winter Olympians … And then to cap it off, I learned that the continent of Africa had never been represented, man or woman, by any bobsled team. So I was like, ‘Okay, this is obviously something that is gonna hang over my head if I don’t step in and try and do something about it.’” Prior to their interest in bobsledding, the ladies were already experienced athletes, particularly Adigun, who ran in the 2012 Olympics.
5 The Olympics’ first African bobsled team / Courtesy of obigrant.com
Miss Jamaica Salutes Natural Hair at Pageant
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Despite consistent controversy that natural Black hair is unprofessional or inappropriate, Davina Bennett, Jamaica’s representative in the Miss Universe 2017 competition, decided to wear her hair in an Afro, and social media loved it. Though Bennett eventually lost out to Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, a White South African, seeing natural hair recognized on an international stage proved to be enormous statement and sent waves of confidence across the globe. “I did not win but I got what I was seeking,” the 23-year old wrote on Instagram following the competition, “I stand as the first Afro queen to have made it thus far.” Sending a strong message that there is nothing wrong with choosing to wear your hair straight and that there is also nothing wrong with choosing not to straighten your hair, women who had been told that their natural hair was not good enough relished in the moment of Miss Jamaica and their Blackness. “Shout to that HR consultant who said my hair was inappropriate for work. Hope yuh tv turn on goodie #MissUniverse #Jamaica,” one person tweeted.
Nigeria Hosts International Photography Festival
View
Sports Photos by John De Freitas
at:
18 NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017
LagosPhoto — the first and only international arts festival of photography in Nigeria — recently announced their eighth edition of the event. Lasting an entire month, the events will include exhibitions, workshops, artist presentations, discussions and large scale outdoor prints displayed throughout the city with the aim of reclaiming public spaces and engaging the general public with multifaceted stories of Africa. Established in 2010 by Azu Nwagbogu, LagosPhoto aims to establish a community for contemporary photography which will unite local and international artists through images that encapsulate individual experiences and identities from across all of Africa.
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5 A scene from the series “The African Princess” / Courtesy of Dagmar Van Weeghel
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 19 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
HEALTH HU Hospital Expands to Enhance Women’s Health Care Options By Tatyana Hopkins WI Staff Writer Howard University Hospital has partnered with Unity Health Care to expand its obstetrics services, part of an effort to reach underserved patients in the city. The hospital will reopen a previously closed wing to bring 11 new inpatient rooms dedicated to prenatal and after-birth care, in addition to an operating room and delivery room. The hospital has also hired 35 new nurses and extended admitting privileges to Unity’s obstetrics and gynecology physicians and midwives. The partnership will bring more physicians, labor and
delivery rooms and neonatal beds to the hospital and will increase the hospital’s annual capacity to 2,000 from about 900. Officials said the changes are to expand access to the women’s care and specialty health care services to underserved communities, especially women in Ward 7 and 8. African-American woman in the city have had disproportionately negative perinatal outcomes. According to the most recent March of Dimes information, Black woman in the District have the highest rates of receiving late or no prenatal care and the lowest rates of receiving early prenatal care. Black woman also had the
5 Howard University Hospital. /Photo courtesy of CEPamerica.com
Wayne A.I. Frederick. The announcement follows the D.C. Department of Health’s 90-day closure of the obstetrics ward at United Medical Center in August, for which the hospital’s board has requested a 90-day extension, and the self-imposed closure of Providence Health System’s obstetrics services. The partnership will leverage the hospital’s 175 specialty care providers and Unity’s 25 primary care capabilities through its 25 clinics and will align both organizations’ networks of women’s health and family medicine providers to offer a full spectrum of care,
highest rates of inadequate prenatal care compared to other maternal race and ethnicity categories. The rate of inadequate prenatal care among births Black women was three times higher than the rate among white women with 34 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively. “[The hospital’s] specialized care combined with Unity’s primary care expertise and over 25 health care sites are a great match to meet a variety of needs of communities across the District, especially east of the Anacostia where the services are needed most,” said Howard University President
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from preventative to comprehensive medical service. “It is through collaborations like the one we not have with Howard that we are able to fulfill to fulfill our mission at Unity of promoting healthier communities regardless of an individual’s ability to pay,” said Unity President and CEO Vincent A. Keane. “There is no happier time within a family than the birth of a child. Through this partnership we are able to ensure that all of our District families have access to a coordinated, seamless delivery experience so they can focus on what’s important — their new baby.” Howard University Hospital will establish a regular presence of high-risk pregnancy specialists at Unity’s existing clinics in Southeast. Unity clinics will also become a training site for future healthcare providers in medicine, nursing, pharmacy and dentistry to address the need for minority providers. Before the collaboration, Unity sent medical residents to train at Providence Hospital, but they will now shift their obstetrics training to Howard. The two entities will also share electronic medical records. “This partnership is truly a win-win,” said Hugh E. Mighty, dean of Howard University College of Medicine. “The community gets enhanced health care immediately, and we have the opportunity to develop more medical care professionals in the District.” WI
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HEALTH
Lymph Nodes and the Ongoing Cancer Struggle
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
Some cancers have been found to cause swelling of the lymph nodes – then, after it has started there, it’s likely to spread somewhere, medical experts said. There are many causes for swollen lymph nodes, according to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Most commonly, lymph nodes become swollen because of an infection, such as a viral upper respiratory infection like the common cold. “Sometimes,” said Dr. Alan Piper, who has treated patients at the cancer center. “Lymph node swelling means something more sinister is happening. When an individual experiences pain or swelling of the lymph nodes it can raise alarms because it’s a common symptom of cancer that starts in the lymphatic system,” he said. The case of Susan Wolfe-Tank provides a glimpse of the battle. Already receiving treatment for breast cancer, the Wisconsin woman eventually was admitted to Georgetown University Hospital in the District. She said her arm was too painfully swollen to lift anything heavy or even fit into her usual clothing. “Right in this area, feel that – that is your lymph node,” Dr. David Song of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in
Washington told Wolfe-Tank during a recent check-up, according to U.S. News & World Report. Song, Georgetown’s plastic surgery chief, had removed healthy lymph nodes from Wolfe-Tank’s back and side and implanted them in the affected arm. As the new nodes took root, her arm was shrinking. A delighted Song’s only caution: “Take care of them,” by wearing a compression sleeve as prescribed. “This isn’t a cure. I will still have to be careful,” said WolfeTank, 51, of Hurley, Wisconsin. But, “I will be able to cross-country ski again, just live a normal life. Look at my arm, it’s incredible,” she said. Lymphedema is a chronic swelling, often in an arm or leg that in severe cases can be disfiguring, impair mobility, cause disabling pain, harden the skin and lead to infection. Lymph nodes work like biological pumps in a network that’s part of the immune system. They drain watery fluid called lymph that, traveling through tiny channels, bring nutrients to cells and take away bacteria and waste material. Lose or damage enough lymph nodes or channels in a particular area and that fluid builds up. There’s no good count, but millions of Americans are esti-
mated to have some degree of lymphedema, and while it can be hereditary or result from injury, many U.S. cases are a lasting side effect of treatment for a variety of cancers. Consider breast cancer. While better surgical techniques in recent decades have lowered the risk, experts estimate that still about 6 percent of breast cancer survivors who undergo a “sentinel node biopsy” – removing a few nodes to check for spreading cancer – will develop lymphedema. That risk jumps to about 20 percent for women like Wolfe-Tank who need additional lymph nodes removed because of more advanced cancer, U.S. News & World Report said. Radiation causes further harm. Yet too often women aren’t warned about symptoms or checked for early signs, when lymphedema
is more easily treated, said Dr. Sheldon Feldman of New York’s Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care. He co-authored physician guidelines issued this fall by the American Society of Breast Surgeons on prevention and treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema. Typical patients have “had that swelling for a while,” Feldman said. “Now the treatment is an uphill battle.” The main treatment consists of wearing compression bandages and massage to bring down swelling. A lymphedema specialist initially prescribed a large pump that massaged WolfeTank’s arm for an hour a night, temporarily relieving some of the pain. “But if I used my arm, I was back to square one,” WolfeTank said. “I didn’t fit into my coat anymore. I live in the snow capital of Wisconsin. I’m not supposed to shovel. We’ve got to fix this.”
Wolfe-Tank had struggled for four years when an oncologist recommended lymph node transfer. The rationale: There are more lymph nodes in the body’s trunk than in the limbs – more avenues to drain off fluid – and thus it should be safe to move a few. Hunting for a surgeon, WolfeTank found Song, who transferred about five nodes along with supportive blood vessels and other tissue, hoping they’d grow new channels to drain fluid. There are other options, including a technique called lymphovenous bypass reroutes lymph-carrying channels, going around damaged or missing nodes to drain into veins instead. For more information, visit www.cancercenter.com, www. cancer.org, or a local specialist. Information from U.S. News & World Report was included in this story. WiI
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 21 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
EDUCATION DCPS
BRIEFS
has reached a settlement with a group of individuals previously employed by the DCPS as principals and assistant principals to resolve litigation over the non-renewal of their appointments in 2008 and 2009.
HOME VISITS
Compiled by Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer
HENDLEY ELEMENTARY FOOD PROGRAM
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Born This Way Foundation recently joined Martha’s Table at Hendley Elementary School’s Joyful Food Markets program to assist with loading and distributing bags of groceries for students and families. Throughout the year, the Joyful Food Markets program hosts pop-up grocery stores at elementary schools and other locations to bring healthy, non-perishable groceries and fresh produce to families in Wards 7 and 8.
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
DCPS teachers have conducted nearly 10,000 home visits since the start of this school year, the schools system said. Faculty and staff are continuing to work hard to engage with families and ensure every child succeeds, DCPS said. DCPS Bids Adieu to Jason Kamras The DCPS family bade farewell to longtime educator Jason Kamras after he recently accepted the post of superintendent for Richmond Public Schools in Virginia. Kamras, a former recipient of the National Teacher of the Year award and an education adviser to Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, served in DCPS for more than 20 years. “We know that he will serve the students of @RPS well,” DCPS said in a Twitter statement. “Congratulations, Jason!”
EXCELLENCE FUNDING
contribute to our community and lead productive, vibrant lives. We want all children to be in school every day, but when suspensions are necessary, school leaders are the best experts in making discipline decisions. “We have worked hard to address suspensions in a thoughtful way. Over the past five years, suspensions have fallen
nearly 5 percentage points in both DCPS and public charter schools. “This is the result of leadership at the school level, attention from education leaders, and the desire to make good on our promises to educate and equip students for the future. Early numbers this year show the trend continuing.” WI
Josiah (right), an eighth-grader at Eliot Hine Middle School in Northeast, enjoys his health class. He credits the @DCPSCornerstone cooking unit for teaching healthy eating habits.
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Salisbury University offers valuable knowledge and experience to prepare students for any goal in life. Our excellent academics come with an affordable price tag, too.
Brookland Middle School in Northeast has received $46,250 through DC Public Schools’ new Excellence through Equity funding. The funding is being used to innovate the school’s social emotional learning, literary, and mathematics programs. Each classroom will receive books to promote independent reading, and the school will invest in more “Do the Math” materials to help teachers with small group math instruction. In addition, Brookland will use “The Writing Revolution” online subscription to help students improve their writing skills.
HEALTHY EATING HABITS
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5 D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser participates in Hendley Elementary School’s food distribution program. /Courtesy of dc.gov
STUDENT FAIR ACCESS TO SCHOOL ACT Contact us at: 410-543-6161 admissions@salisbury.edu www.salisbury.edu
Follow SU on Twitter @FlockToSU
There is no better way to learn about SU than to visit!
A Maryland University of National Distinction 22 NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017
DCPS Chancellor Antwan Wilson and Public Charter School Board Executive Director Scott Pearson shared the following sentiments on Nov. 21 regarding the Student Fair Access to School Act of 2017: “We’re all united in the common mission of equipping our students with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to
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5 Josiah, a student at Eliot-Hine Middle School in Southeast, has developed a knack for healthy eating. /Courtesy of DCPS
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PGCPS BRIEFS Compiled by Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer
REDSKINS VISIT
Kingsford Elementary School students recently received a fun visit from Washington Redskins players and the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation for their outstanding participation in the Redskins Reading program. The program is centered around the Redskins Read Playbook, which encourages students to study the X’s and O’s of reading and provides monthly prompts to analyze books of their choice, focusing on different areas of the story.
CHEERLEADING FOR CAUSE
Bowie High School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School cheerleaders recently volunteered at the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Walk to support Marecya Burton, a former BHS student and cheerleader battling ovarian cancer. The cheerleaders excitedly cheered on participants and survivors at the annual event, which was held in Annapolis in September.
CONTRACT AGREEMENT
The school system, with Board
EDUCATION of Education approval, has reached agreement on a two-year contract with the Prince George’s County Educators’ Association for compensation improvements and contractual amendments, and a one-year agreement on compensation with ACE/AFSCME Local 2250, which represents school support staff. Compensation for PGCEA members includes a step increase for eligible employees effective Jan. 1, 2018, and a 2 percent onetime lump sum enhancement for employees at the top of the salary schedule who are not eligible for a step in year one of the agreement. The agreement includes full tuition reimbursement and National Board Certification stipends.
LEDA SCHOLARS
The Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America Scholars program supports high-achieving students from low-income families to gain admission to selective colleges. Each year, LEDA recruits 100 high school juniors from across the country and hosts them for a free seven-week Summer Institute on the campus of Princeton University, where they receive academic preparation, leadership development and intensive college guidance counseling. The signup deadline is Dec. 12. For more information, go to http://ledascholars.org/our-program/recruitment-admissions.
Principal Dorothy Clowers and her staff.
VIOLENT THREATS INVESTIGATED
Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said the department, in conjunction with the Prince George’s County Public Schools, investigated numerous threats of violence at various schools over the past few weeks, but determined that all were meant as pranks. Stawinski said the police department and PGCPS take these threats very seriously and devote as many resources as needed to quickly handle any such situation. Any student who makes a threat of violence against a school can also face administrative discipline including expulsion. Parents are asked to speak with their children about the seriousness of making false threats of violence against schools, whether via prank phone calls or social media, the chief said. WI
5 Members of the Washington Redskins and the team’s charitable foundation visit students at Kingsford Elementary School. /Courtesy of PGCPS
CHECK PRESENTATION
On behalf of the Transforming Neighborhood Initiative, Debra Mahone of the Mahone Education Empowerment Fund presented a check on Nov. 14 to William Paca Elementary School
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 23 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
EDFEST Returns, Making Families First D.C. School Fair Serves as One-Stop Shop
By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor Now in its fourth year, EdFEST 2017 returns to the DC Armory in Southeast with the purpose of providing a onestop shop for children and their families in their quest to explore and access the District’s many pre-K through high school options. The highly-informative and always-anticipated D.C. public and public charter school fair, produced by My School DC and part of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, takes place on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., just ahead of the opening of the My School DC school application and lottery on Monday, Dec. 11. Admission is free for the estimated 5,000 attendees with interpretation in American Sign Language, Spanish, Amharic, French, Chinese and
Vietnamese provided along with over 200 exhibitors and 1,000 school personnel, team members from My School DC and several of their community partners. We asked EdFEST to share more information about the school fair.
ing EdFEST with an idea of which schools to list on their My School DC application is a success!
Washington Informer: What are the goals of EdFEST and how do you evaluate success?
EdFEST: Parents and guardians have questions about the lottery application process, from finding schools that would be the best fit for their kids, to understanding how the lottery works. There are several tools we’ve developed to support families through this process: (1) MySchoolDC. org contains a profile for each school that participates in the lottery so families can get a snapshot of what a school has to offer; (2) We have a School Finder on MySchoolDC.org where families can begin to narrow their choices of schools by entering an address (e.g.,
EdFEST: The foremost goal of EdFEST is to connect DC families with their 200+ public and public charter school options here in the District. The application for the school year 2018-19 lottery will open the Monday after EdFEST, so this is an opportunity for families, especially those with busy schedules, to visit with school staff, ask questions and see if their school is a right fit for their child. Families leav-
WI: What kinds of questions/ concerns do you receive from parents or guardians about their children?
a home or work address) and filtering by additional points of interest, such as grade, program offered, whether the school offers before or after care, etc. We encourage families to visit schools when possible to get a feel for the school prior to applying to it; (4) The My School DC Hotline (202888-6336) stands by ready to support families with direct application assistance and to answer any question they may have about the process. WI: What kinds of things do you provide that make this such a unique and beneficial school fair? EdFEST: EdFEST and our partners will provide: flu shots for adults, immunizations and dental services for children and teens and health screenings; story times and an opportunity for families to sign up for library cards and for
free monthly book deliveries for younger children; information about summer and winter camps; and much more WI: Has the District’s school application and lottery proved to be the most equitable method of meeting the choice(s) for schools by District families: EdFEST: Before My School DC, families found it difficult to navigate many different applications and lotteries. The process is now simpler with many supports in place for families to access the application at MySchoolDC.org. But the school lottery is a random one and is not first-come, firstserved, so all lottery applicants that meet the deadlines (Feb. 1 for grades 9-12, March 1 for grades PK3-8) have a chance of being matched to a school of choice. ranked his or her school choices on their application. WI
.
JOIN US AT DC’S ANNUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL FAIR!
SATURDAY, DEC 9 | 11AM - 3PM
DC ARMORY | 2001 E CAPITOL ST SE FREE ADMISSION AND PARKING
EXPLORE your DCPS and public charter schools (PK3-12). LEARN more about the application process for the public school lottery.
Interpretation in American Sign Language, Spanish, Amharic, Mandarin, Vietnamese and French available.
BRING the whole family for free health screenings, story time, and more!
Stadium-Armory Orange/Blue/Silver lines B2, D6, E32, 96, 9 The lottery application for school year 2018-19 opens on December 11, 2017.
24 NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017
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RAHEEM DEVAUGHN IS HOME FOR THE
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NOVEMBER 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 11
NOVEMBER 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 11
PUBLISHER
Denise Rolark Barnes
PHOTO EDITOR Dejah Greene
LAYOUT EDITOR
Dominiqua S. Eldridge
Proudly For #LocalsOnly
Inside ComplexCon 2017 with Lafayette
Meet Imani Pope-Johns
EDITOR’S LETTER It’s that time of year again where the holidays are front and center and the days are filled with seasons greetings, food, drinks, parties and gifts.
CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jade James-Gist
I sat down with him this month during Macy’s Christmas Window unveiling where he shared his love for the holidays, musicianship and service. The hometown hero and nationally known R&B singer is a breath of fresh air when it comes to celebrities. He’s a talent that carries himself well on and off the stage, gracefully picking up the torch of many musicians/ activist who came before him.
Cawker Ave Apparel Reps the Real D.C.
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Meet Imani Pope-Johns PAGE
Sarafina Wright
In what is considered a cheerful time singer Raheem DeVaughn wants people to use the holiday spirit to push them to give back.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Holidays Are About PAGE Service for Raheem DeVaughn Singer Teams Up with Macy’s for Christmas Window Unveiling
ON THE COVER WI BRIDGE TEAM
In this issue you will also meet Imani PopeJohns a PR maven making waves in D.C. and get familiar with local apparel company Cawker Ave. We even went all the way to Long Beach, Calif. to be on the ground at ComplexCon. Check out the dope pics and correspondence from Bridge contributor Lafayette. Don’t forget to follow and like us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Do you want November’s digital edition? Visit us at http://washingtoninformer.com/ category/wi-bridge/. www.facebook.com/wibridgecommunity @InformerBridge www.twitter.com/informerbridge
www.instagram.com/washinformerbridge
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The ladies of the Bridge Jade, Sarafina and Dominiqua caught up with each other on Saturday, March 25, a beautiful spring day at Union Market in Northeast. / Photo by Steve Garrett. Web: http://washingtoninformer.com/news/wi-bridge/
Email: wibridge@washingtoninformer.com #WIBRIDGE
Singer Raheem Devaughn performs at Macy’s on G Street Northwest for their annual Christmas window unveiling to kick off the holiday season on Saturday, Nov. 18. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter.
NOVEMBER 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 11
Cawker Ave Apparel Reps the Real D.C. Proudly For #LocalsOnly By Sarafina Wright WI Bridge Editor
Street-wear brand Cawker Ave wants to keep the authentic culture of D.C., Maryland and Virginia [DMV] alive in the face of cultural appropriation and gentrification by designing a brand that’s for #LocalsOnly. The e-commerce site launched in October boasting an emerging cult-like, cool-kid following that is intent on representing the region like local favorites such as mumbo sauce, PA Palace, Backyard Band and phrases like “Kill Moe, On Muvas, Whole Time and Real Live.” “Y'all need to know that #CawkerAve is special because it's a reflection of our city through the eyes of many instead of just one person,” creator of Cawker Ave who would like to remain anonymous said. “The designs and ideas are sourced from thoroughbred natives who: think “Still Ray” is better sung by BYB; to-date, park faced out from going to go-go's; ate mumbo sauce long before it was a band or packaged and sold; and had Nike boots, 992's, and/or Foams as a wardrobe staple at some point in life.” From the streets of Glenarden, Md. to Barry Farms and Southeast the brand asserts that Cawker Ave, a unisex line, strives to be a platform and highlight local creative talent. Launching earlier this summer with just t-shirts, the brand now produces socks and jackets. The shirts have sayings like “Waldorf Air” poking fun at the distance from D.C. to Waldorf, Md, and “Girla” a typical response in a conversation between girlfriends. “We rock with and support our own. Always. 202 x 301 x 703,” the creator said. “It's D.C., DMV or nothing. This is unapologetically ours!” View the line at https://www.cawkerave. com/
Photos courtesy of Cawker Ave.
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Cultural Director/Executive Chair of ComplexCon, Pharrell Williams strikes a pose on Saturday, Nov. 4 in Long Beach, Calif. /Photo by Anthony Trevino.
Inside ComplexCon 2017 with Lafayette By Lafayette Barnes WI Bridge Contributor
Have you ever wondered what it would look like if all of the cool people from the internet gathered in one room? Every brand, celebrity or influencer that you've interacted with online? Well that was just the beginning of my experience from Nov. 4-5 in Long Beach, Calif. at ComplexCon 2017. During my visit I Rapper Big Sean headlines day one of ComplexCon rubbed shoulders with sneaker culture icons on Saturday, Nov. 4 in Long Beach, Calif. /Photo by such as DJ Clark Kent and reggeaton superstar Anthony Trevino. J. Balvin. I also witnessed some of my favorite artists such as Pharrell and Migos. A major highlight was seeing alternative band N.E.R.D back together again after a 3 years hiatus. I also witnessed designer and founder of Off-White, Virgil Abloh and Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami put on a t-shirt screenprinting seminar and got a first look at many exclusive sneaker and fashion releases for 2018. Complexcon was a great experience and the ideal opportunity for consumers and companies to connect with brands, learn about pop culture and have some fun. For more information visit Complexcon.com.
Rapper Andre 3000 stops by ComplexCon on Saturday, Nov. 4 in Long Beach, Calif. /Photo by Anthony Trevino.
Pro-tip for next year: Arrive early, bring cash for purchases, and study the event map.
Actress Karrueche stops by ComplexCon on day one on Saturday, Nov. 4 in Long Beach, Calif. / Photo by Anthony Trevino.
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Aerial view of the Nike Air Force activation on day one of ComplexCon on Saturday, Nov. 4 in Long Beach, Calif. /Photo by Anthony Trevino.
Rapper Kendrick Lamar speaks at ComplexCon on day two on Sunday, Nov. 5 in Long Beach, Calif. / Photo by Anthony Trevino.
NOVEMBER 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 11
Meet Imani Pope-Johns One of 25 Top African American Millennials in PR By Sarafina Wright WI Bridge Editor
In one of the Huffington Post’s newest series highlighting the top African American Public Relations professionals in the country, Imani Pope-Johns, 28, a Howard alum finds herself in an elite group. Leading Influplexity, a boutique PR firm in Silver Spring, Md. the 2012 Howard graduate in just a few years has ascended to the top of the ranks in the competitive world of image management. Meet Imani Pope-Johns.
How did you get started in PR? I have a background in journalism, public relations and marketing, in that order. I got started in the communications field after obtaining an internship with J’Adore Magazine as a market research intern in Fall 2008. I was new to Twitter and started following magazines. I tweeted J’Adore, “Do you have any internships?” and the publisher told me to send over some samples. I went from interning for three months to a staff writer attending NYFW, and covering other entertainment or lifestyle stories. For about 2-3 more years I would submit work for various publications. So in late Fall 2010, I had stepped away from interning for a DC-based publicist to being approached to work on my own with a celebrity music manager. From that moment, I was in public relations full throttle and excited about it. I had the confidence to keep going and so I did.
How would your describe Influplexity and why did you start the agency? Influplexity is sophisticated influence. I came up with the word by combining “influence” and “complexity” and decided that my public relations boutique would take the hard part out of earning media placements. I started the company in May 2015 after resigning from my assistant manager position at Drybar. I realized that everyone around me was able to do something they loved.
What is the process of building a client base for a new PR agency? The process is not easy. I mostly gain clients through word-of-mouth, and stray away from bidding for now. I’ve always promoted my interest in PR - and when put to the test, I make sure I can hold my end of the pitch to the client. In PR, there’s a lot of research to do,
Imani Pope-Johns, founder of Influplexity PR. /Photo courtesy of Imani Pope-Johns.
and if one is not able to prepare work and research the details, they might as well forget it. Nothing is given to you and if it is, there may be something you have to do to help someone in the end. There’s a lot more helpfulness now that I’m 28, than when I was 21 doing this. Being young in PR can be a threat, especially when you are where they are mingling with the right people.
How competitive is the PR world in Washington, DC? I’d say I get more love in New York City or in Atlanta, than I would within the D.C. area and anyone can say that. I could be a rapper and say the same thing. I’m not sure why it’s like that, but I’ve always felt it.
Who are your clients and how do you Why do you think you were chosen for such a prestigious list early in choose who to work with? I’ve learned that just because the client has the your career? What are you doing that budget, does not mean they’re the best for you. I works? agree with being selective and making sure you can align yourself with the people running the business. My current clients are Dio, a natural wine bar in Washington, D.C., and Zach and Zoe Sweet Bee Farm in New Jersey. I started with musicians, magazines and event companies, to hair brands, public figures and now I’m in lifestyle, beauty, home, and I love startups of any kind. I choose clients based on my personal interests. Since I love décor and I’m licensed in cosmetology, I want to work with brands I can really get behind.
I think I was chosen because I’ve been holding on for seven years. I’ve made some serious sacrifices to get this far, and sometimes I’m so unsure that I would let it all go. Then I find this spark, and go at it from another angle. I’m truly not able to pinpoint this honor, but I’m glad someone saw it in me. Running a business is tough and we don’t always look for the glitter and gold when we’re in the thick of it.
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Singer Raheem DeVaughn at Macy’s Metro Center in Northwest on Saturday, Nov. 18 for their annual Christmas Window Unveiling. /Photo by Zaid Hamid
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NOVEMBER 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 11
The Holidays Are About Service for Raheem DeVaughn Singer Teams Up with Macy’s for Christmas Window Unveiling hero, the energy and the fact that they are here it makes perfect sense.” In theme with the spirit of the holiday season DeVaughn performed a holiday interpretation of ‘This Christmas’ along with his musical partner Wes Felton. “We recently just released an album entitled ‘Footprints on the Moon,’ and we call ourselves ‘The Crossrhodes,’ Rhodes like the scholar and it’s very heavy, politically charged, socially conscious music.” “In the spirit of the holiday we always think about eating good, buying gifts and going shopping, but for me it’s about being of service to the homeless, those who are displaced and people who are just having a hard time.” DeVaughn believes that the percentage of those struggling are high not just in the District, but globally, which is why he does his part where he can. Singer Raheem DeVaughn chats about music, the holiday and service at Macy’s Metro Center in Northwest on Saturday, Nov. 18 for the annual Christmas Window Unveiling. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter.
By Sarafina Wright WI Bridge Editor
A hometown hero, singer and activist, Raheem DeVaughn returned to the District to welcome the holiday season in alongside Macy’s with an unforgettable performance and message. The department store held their annual Christmas Window Unveiling on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Macy’s Metro Center in Northwest bringing back childhood memories for the performer.
“Ironically I’m coming from doing a turkey drive,” he said. “We did it with DJ Quick Silva and Tony Lewis Jr. who is a big community activist in the area as well as KitchenCray. We gave food to 300600 families today alone and that’s stuff we do throughout the year.” DeVaughn’s community work and reputation precedes him throughout D.C. and unlike many artists who resent the lack of support, DeVaughn feels the love from the people. “As it relates to D.C. as far as the people are concerned we get a lot of love, but I would like to see the corporate side of D.C. support, excluding Macy’s,” he said. DeVaughn insisted the local radio stations in the city could do a better job with supporting local artist, but he understands the business.
“My relationship with Macy’s is special,” he said. “I always remembered Macy’s from shopping there, my parents going there or just hearing about the parades that they do, the holiday festivities and the unveilings as Thanksgiving approaches.”
“It’s not to bash or beat anyone up, this is a very tough market to have your music played in and it feels extremely hard when you’re a local artist,” he said. “Part of that is due to the fact that D.C. radio dictates what the rest of the country is doing and what they listen to believe it or not.”
“I always thought it would be cool to be apart of one of these. This is the first time that I ever partaken in one of the unveilings and performances. I remember hearing about it last year and thinking man why didn’t they get me. But everything happens in its own time.”
“In the Radio One arena, the other sister stations around the country play close attention to what D.C. is playing so it makes it a very political thing.”
“It’s humbling you know being a hometown
“The album that Wes Felton and I just dropped serves a whole other purpose it’s not just about entertainment. We’re not trying to seduce someone to the bedroom we’re out here trying to save lives
through the microphone, community work, speaking engagements, nothing related to us being on stage and singing,” he said. “I would love to see more of the powers that be supporting positive messages. As far as the people are concerned I get that love because of the vibration I put out, you get that back. And there may be some people that don’t love me, but I hope they at least respect the efforts that I do.” With Christmas around the corner, DeVaughn does take the time to enjoy holiday classics like ‘Silent Night by the Temptations,’ but his all time favorite Christmas record is by R&B group Boys II Men. “The dopest Christmas album to date is Boys II Men, ‘Christmas Interpretations,’ he said. “What I loved about that album is that it was all original songs with the exception of one or two.” “The songs were so good and it didn’t feel forced.” As for his own Christmas album DeVaughn claims he’s working on it. “I have a Christmas album that I’ve been sitting on for some years. The album’s been in existence since 2010. The cool thing about making music as artist is we have vaults of songs. Regardless if it sits for 20 years, once you put it out it’s a new record to the public. There will definitely be a holiday record at some point.” For a man that gives so much of himself to his fans and community he only has one special request for the holiday season. “I would like for everybody who reads this interview to make a donation to the Love Life Foundation in hopes that we can continue to feed those and clothe those that are displaced,” he said. “So we can continue to advocate for women, children and men, fight domestic violence and continue our efforts and partnership with AHF which is the Aids Healthcare Foundation.” “When you make a donation these are the things you support. That would be a great Christmas gift for me.” Visit http://lovelifefoundationdmv.org for more information.
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The WI Bridge is looking for millennial culture creators, writers, photographers and crea�ves to work with us. We are looking for contributors to “bring the cool.” Who we are: A culturally innova�ve magazine based in Southeast DC that serves as a lifestyle guide for millennials. Follow us! Twi�er: InformerBridge | Instagram: WashInformerBridge | Facebook: WIBridgeCommunity Email the editor at swright@washingtoninformer.com! | #WIBRIDGE
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
EDITORIAL Beware of the GOP Smoke Screen The current administration has been on a roll as of late including setting its sights on illegal immigrants who continue to be tracked down and detained to proposing a plan to build five new privately-run “detainee centers” located around the U.S. that would hold the thousands of new “criminals” while building up the coffers of companies that had fallen out of favor under former President Obama. Meanwhile, Congress faces pressure to re-impose sanctions on Iran lifted in 2015, to reauthorize a children’s health insurance program that expired Sept. 30 that has over 9 million now in jeopardy, to allow for oil drilling in an area in Alaska that currently serves as an oasis for a host of birds and beasts, to approve funding for a Mexican border wall, to stand firm on President Trump’s plans to eventually deport thousands of young beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program unless protective measures are codified and to sign off on a tax overhaul which Trump and other Republicans promise will benefit the middle class – a bill that many economists warn will, in the long run, do very little for average citizens, eventually placing more financial burdens on them while ushering in a financial boom for corporations and the wealthy. The president has also instructed the country’s voting commissions to purge their polls, allegedly to make sure only eligible citizens are allowed to cast their ballot in upcoming elections. Finally, Trump, with the blessing of most of his colleagues in the Senate, has been pushing through judicial nominees to fill vacancies in appeals, district and circuit courts (a lifetime position by the way), as well as filling openings in the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims at an unprecedented pace – ignoring a thorough, long established vetting process that once included a review of nominees by the American Bar Association before any nominations would be made official. In other words, we’re seeing what could result in the intentional reshaping of the country’s courts that would make them more supportive and reflective of conservative ideologies and legislation. But rather than provide Americans with the all the facts or how the aforementioned legislation and policy shifts could impact millions of citizens and immigrants, Trump and company seem more interested in concocting tweets, soundbites and press conferences that focus on Russian antics, new policies for trade with Asian countries, potential nuclear threats facilitated by North Korea and illegal goings on, past and present, directed by Bill and Hillary Clinton. We are concerned, very concerned, because of the clear and present danger of this Republican-directed “smoke screen” that keeps Americans focused on matters of little or no consequence while the door remains wide open for ushering in laws, policies and patterns that will make life worse for people of color, the poor, immigrants and those who ascribe to less traditional relationships and lifestyles. What can you do? We urge you to let your representatives in Congress know how you feel. Make sure you vote in each and every election – whether it’s for president or dog catcher. And, above all, do not swallow the meal offered by the president and his fellow Republicans before thoroughly examining the “goodies” they are so joyously heaping out in such grand proportion. In other words, “don’t believe the hype!” WI
African Slave Trade in Libya It has been centuries since the worst crimes imposed on humankind inextricably known as the Slave Trade began. It took more than 400 years after millions of Africans were shipped to the shores of North and South America and the Caribbean to end this dastardly program. Mostly African men, women, and children suffered in ways unimaginable for the benefit of white men and women in the U.S. who found it convenient and beneficial to transport humans to provide a labor force to build a country they intended to solely serve their needs. The struggle to end the slave trade took centuries and millions of people – Black, White and Native Americans – died or were killed in the process. A war was fought that nearly tore WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
TO THE EDITOR Don’t Make Veritas the Scapegoat I was very happy to read that the United Medical Center board voted to keep Veritas on as the operator of the hospital on a temporary bases [“UMC Board Votes to Temporarily Keep Veritas,” by Tatyana Hopkins]. I agree with board chair LaRuby May that the hospital had a lot of problems before Veritas took over. The D.C. Council is taking a knee-jerk reaction to incidents that could happen at any hospital. If they are really concerned about what happens at the city-run hospital they should give it all of the support it needs. Operating a hospital in Ward 8 with all of its issues, like the lack of heath care and high unemployment, takes a creative approach to providing services, and it is not going to happen in a couple of years. Betty Mosley Washington, DC the nation apart and in the end, legislation was passed to put an end to a practice deemed cruel and inhumane by the world’s onlookers. It appears that history is repeating itself. Africans are once again victims of another slave trade, actively developing in the Middle East, specifically in Libya where they are reportedly being sold on the open market. They are mostly men, however, who have traveled miles across land and sea to escape hardships in their native African countries, including unemployment on the
Native American Story an Eye-Opener What a fascinating article, “Smithsonian Thrust into Native American Slavery Dispute,” by Stacy M. Brown in the Nov. 23, 2017 edition. This is something I have never, ever heard of: Native Americans owning slaves and fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War, simply fascinating! This is why I just love reading The Informer. Nowhere else would you find this information, and it is so important for black people to know and understand this narrative in American history. Once again, Informer, you’ve taught me something very valuable, and I want to thank you for it. Larry Wright Washington, DC
one hand, and outright war on the other, have found themselves walking headfirst into the trap of the world’s newest slave trade in Libya. News organizations, including America’s CNN news channel, are documenting what is happening there, and legislators here in the U.S. and on the continent, are crying out to end what the West African nation of Guinea’s President Alpha Conde, the Chairperson of the African Union, described as a “despicable trade from another era.” U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) issued a state-
ment demanding quick action on behalf of the international community. “If Libyans cannot end slave auctions, then the international community will be required to step in immediately,” she said, further promising to introduce a resolution this week, “that condemns migrant slave auctions in Libya and calls upon the international community to take immediate meaningful action.” We agree that this atrocity must end immediately and African Americans must weigh-in. WI
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 25 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
By Julianne Malveaux
Don’t Overlook Black Women at the Polls Virginia Gov.-elect Ralph Northam is as dull as they come. Listening to him speak is about as exciting as watching paint dry. But he’s a Democrat who is mostly right on the issues, he served as lieutenant governor under the charismatic and focused Gov. Terry McAuliffe, and President Barack Obama came to Virginia to campaign for him. The result — he won the November election by double digits, defeat-
ing Republican Ed Gillespie, whose campaign descended into racist ads reminiscent of our current president. Ninety-one percent of the African-American women who voted in this election voted for Northam. We’ll see if he recognizes this voting bloc when he takes office. Despite the fact that a recent poll indicated that African-American women are less enamored with the Democratic Party than ever, we remain a reliable Democratic vote. Hillary Clinton garnered 94 percent of our vote in 2016, while 53 percent of white women voted for a man who boasted about grabbing women by
Guest Columnist
the genitals. But Black women rarely get the respect or recognition that our votes indicate we deserve. Our vote is too often taken for granted, even when it makes a major difference in elections. There is lots of good news from the 2017 elections. In New Jersey, state Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver is lieutenant governor-elect. The longtime legislator and onetime-Speaker of New Jersey’s lower house will be part of Gov. Phil Murphy’s Cabinet as commissioner of community affairs. In Virginia, Justin Fairfax is lieutenant governor-elect. The dynamic young attorney is the first African-Ameri-
can to win a statewide election since Gov. Doug Wilder. Interestingly, though Northam garnered such a large number of Black women’s votes, his treatment of Fairfax wasn’t always above board. In one piece of endorsement literature, Fairfax was left off. Of course, there were subsequent apologies, but it will be interesting to see if Northam gives Fairfax as much responsibility as Murphy is giving Oliver in New Jersey. There are lots of other victories. New Orleans had two Black women in the runoff for the mayor’s race, so no matter who won, New Orleans would have had its first woman
mayor. But LaToya Cantrell’s victory is notable in that she bested former municipal Justice Desiree Charbonnet, who had the support of much of the Black political establishment, including Congressional Black Caucus Chairman and New Orleanian Cedric Richmond (D). Indeed, Cantrell is only the second person to win the mayor’s office without being a native of the Big Easy. Does this suggest that Black women voters are willing to rock the boat? Cantrell won with 60 percent of the vote! Charlotte has its first woman may-
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By Royston Maxwell Lyttle
Why We Need More Black Men in Early Childhood Education
As educators, we have an obligation to give our students every opportunity to succeed. Parents rely on us to ensure their children are armed with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive once they leave our classrooms. Over my more than 15 years in education, I have learned that to fulfill this responsibility, schools must give children the
opportunity to learn from men of color. The profound impact Black male educators can have on the trajectory of a child’s life cannot be overstated, and it’s time that we acknowledge it.
PROMOTING DIVERSITY
According to the U.S. Department of Education, less than two percent of our nation’s teachers are Black males. At a time when nonWhite students outnumber White students in U.S. public schools, the
Guest Columnist
need for a diverse teaching force has never been greater. At Eagle Academy Public Charter School, diversity is something we not only celebrate, but aggressively pursue. We constantly look for ways to expose our students to different experiences, perspectives and methods for coping with challenges. And this starts with diverse educators. It should come as no surprise that men and women bring different perspectives to the classroom, and the same is true for individuals of varying backgrounds and ethnic-
ities. It is crucial that schools cultivate a diverse and stable environment to facilitate this development, especially in early education, where children develop the foundation for the rest of their lives. I have seen firsthand that when children learn and grow in a diverse community, they begin to challenge stereotypes that have, for far too long, prevented children from reaching their full potential.
SHATTERING STEREOTYPES
Today, early childhood education is still widely viewed as a woman’s profession. With men representing only 2.5 percent of preschool and kindergarten teachers and 21.5 percent of elementary and middle school teachers, the chances of having a male educator (let alone a Black male educator) before reaching high school are slim. The environment children are exposed to in their first years of education has a profound impact on how
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By Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
Jones-Moore Ala. Senate Race Hinges on New Coalition Can Doug Jones, a Democrat, win a Senate seat in Alabama when voters go to the polls in a special election on Dec. 12? The polls say the race is tight. Most press attention focuses on the Republican Judge Roy Moore, an extreme and controversial figure even before he was hit with credible charges of sexual misconduct with teenage girls. Moore’s weakness is obvious. The big question is whether Jones can mobilize enough voters to take advantage. That may be less about Moore than about the new Alabama waiting to take political form.
The odds against Jones are forbidding. As Perry Bacon Jr. pointed out in FiveThirtyEight, the last Democratic presidential candidate to win the state was Jimmy Carter in 1976. A Democrat last won a Senate seat in 1992. Alabama is the “heart of Dixie.” Obama won only 16 percent of the white vote here (as opposed to 41 percent nationally). Hillary Clinton fared even worse, winning little more than a third of the total vote. About 71 percent of the electorate is white, about 25 percent black. A stunning 35 percent of the vote comes from white evangelicals, an increasingly rabid Republican voting bloc. Forty-one percent comes from rural areas, which are trending Republican despite their relative
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poverty. The formula for winning is obvious. According to Bacon, Jones has to capture about 35 percent of the white vote, 90 percent of the black vote and 70 percent of other people of color. He has to win the core Democratic vote, gain support among Republican crossover voters turned off by Moore, and mobilize a massive turnout of the black vote. Turnout for a special election will be key. Republican turnout could be down, since the only reason to show up is to vote for Moore. Democratic turnout is usually down in off-year and special elections, but since Trump’s election, Democratic voters have been coming out in larger numbers.
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
Missing in this electoral calculus is the reality of a new Alabama that has been slowly developing in the wake of the civil rights movement. Last weekend, the state was riveted by the Iron Bowl football rivalry between the University of Alabama and Auburn. Black and white fans of each team cheered black and white players on each team. What mattered was the color of the uniform, not the color of their skin. With the end of segregation, Alabama could attract new industries. Now it is the fifth-leading car and light truck producer in the United States. Mercedes, Honda and Hyundai manufacture there. None of these companies would have been there under apartheid. Soldiers of all
races and creeds work together on military bases. Alabama is a center of aeronautics. NASA built the rocket that took man to the moon in Alabama. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have centers there. They couldn’t operate behind walls of racial separation. Thirty-two percent of Alabama voters have a college degree. In the wake of the civil rights movement, women won the right to serve on juries and young people the right to vote. There is an emerging coalition of single women, young people and people of color waiting to be built. Yet in politics the old divides and fears still fester. Republicans, of
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WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
By Dr. Djibril Diallo
Why Ending AIDS in Africa Matters to Black Americans World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) is fast approaching, and a recently launched initiative aimed at ending HIV/AIDS as a public health crisis in Africa could be a catalyst to trigger discussions about HIV in the African-American and African diaspora communities in the United States. In recent months, several African heads of state have made public their commitment to sup-
port the goal of ending AIDS by 2030. In September, six African heads of state joined UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé at the “HIV Fast Track” side event organized during the 72nd United Nations General Assembly that was held in New York City and presided over by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Earlier in July, during the African Union (AU) Summit, AU Chair and Guinean President Alpha Condé convened the AIDS Watch Africa Heads of State and Government Meeting, where the leaders endorsed the “Catch-Up
Guest Columnists
Plan for West and Central Africa” and declared their commitment to providing the needed policy and resource changes to help achieve the target goals. The Catch-Up Plan is an 18-month initiative that has been developed to accelerate the AIDS response and prevent a resurgence of the HIV epidemic in the 25-country region. Its focus is on testing, knowing one’s HIV status, treatment, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission. The initiative was crafted to complement existing health plans that the countries have been us-
ing to address HIV and AIDS. Today, thanks to advancements in medicine and increased access to antiretroviral medications for many people in Africa and around the world, being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence. In so many cases, with treatment the disease can be managed like a chronic illness and kept under long-term control with medication. However, at a time when the global response to HIV is accelerating, millions of people in Western and Central Africa are being left behind. There is a con-
siderable gap when it comes to people knowing their HIV status, and for those who test positive to receive the necessary treatment. The same can be said for the populations most vulnerable to the disease in the United States, as well. Many of the issues that continue to fuel the HIV/AIDS crisis on the continent are also the root cause for the high infection rates found in African-American and Hispanic populations in the U.S. Some of the same barriers, in-
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By Marian Wright Edelman
A Litany of Thanksgiving For this Thanksgiving season, I share again the beautiful prayer of great Black theologian Howard Thurman, “A Litany of Thanksgiving,” which my family reads together each year. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the values we embrace — especially this year as we feel so threatened by the negative forces
of division and racial hatred. We must never give up our common vision of all that unites us. I hope we can all share this simple and profound sense of gratitude and the hope that “love and tenderness and all the inner graces of Almighty affection will cover the life of the children of God as the waters cover the sea”: Today, I make my Sacrament of Thanksgiving. I begin with the simple things of my days:
Askia-At-Large
Fresh air to breathe, Cool water to drink, The taste of food, The protection of houses and clothes, The comforts of home. For all these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day! I bring to mind all the warmth of humankind that I have known: My mother’s arms, The strength of my father, The playmates of my childhood, The wonderful stories brought
to me from the lives of many who talked of days gone by when fairies and giants and all kinds of magic held sway; The tears I have shed, the tears I have seen; The excitement of laughter and the twinkle in the eye with its reminder that life is good. For all these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day. I finger one by one the messages of hope that awaited me at the crossroads:
The smile of approval from those who held in their hands the reins of my security; The tightening of the grip in a single handshake when I feared the step before me in the darkness; The whisper in my heart when the temptation was fiercest and the claims of appetite were not to be denied; The crucial word said, the simple sentence from an open page
EDELMAN Page 46
By Askia Muhammad
Lesson From Zimbabwe: ‘Blame Your Own Leaders’
A nifty bit of statecraft has been pulled off by Western powers in southern Africa. Robert Mugabe, the 93-year-old president of Zimbabwe, has been forced into “retirement” to avoid impeachment. Mugabe had ruled, often contrary to American and European conventions, for the past 37 years since Zimbabwe’s independence. The end came when he was placed under house arrest in an apparent military coup. In Parliament, cheers erupted after the speaker of the national
assembly read from a resignation letter written by Mugabe. Many of those cheering had not even been born when the nation won its independence. The country’s military installed Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s former vice president and longtime political ally, as interim president. Diminished in his physical capacities recently, the former president overplayed his hand politically, trying to install his 50-somethingyear-old wife Grace Mugabe into a position to succeed him. He suffered from greed, lust for power, or maybe he was just beguiled by his mistress, hardly realizing that all of the country’s problems were being piled at his feet, the feet of the only
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leader they had known since independence. Mugabe had always fought the good fight. In the bush, he led a bloody, eventually successful, revolution against white minority settlers who declared Rhodesia to be independent of British colonial rule, as a way to preserve white minority domination. And then the betrayals began. The Americans and the Brits have strategized a winning game plan. They make countries struggling to rise from colonialism and poverty blame their own leaders for any lack of economic progress in their countries. They’ve practiced sanctions and embargoes against Cuba since 1960. They don’t want other neigh-
boring countries see success in those role-model places which would not knuckle under to Western pressure. The supporters of white minority interests in Africa (parenthetically today like “Big Game Hunter” Donald Trump Jr.), in the U.K. and the U.S. made promises to Mugabe to end the black rebellion against the 14-year white separatist government of Rhodesian Ian Smith. British Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington, chaired the meetings at London’s Lancaster House and on Dec. 21, 1979, the parties agreed to set Zimbabwe free. The Brits and the Yanks promised The Moon. They said they would pay the cost of purchasing back the African land which the settlers stole.
But Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980, and conservative Margaret Thatcher took over in London, and they shredded the Lancaster House Agreement, and gave not one dime to do what they promised they would do to correct the effect of white colonialism. White people, quite simply, have always wanted Zimbabwe’s problack, anti-colonial militancy to fail, just like they want Cuba’s anti-colonial militancy to fail in the Caribbean and Latin America. Zimbabwe is the “Cuba of Africa.” Immediately after independence, Zimbabwe went along, avoiding the inevitable reckoning between
ASKIA Page 46
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 27 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
LIFESTYLE A Holiday Classic: Tiny Tim, Marley’s Ghost and Scrooge
Ford’s Theatre Marks 500th Adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor Charles Dickens’ yuletide classic, “A Christmas Carol,” has been an essential part of my holiday celebration for as long as I can remember – enjoying both televised versions and staged productions. And with Washington’s own Craig Wallace returning in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, D.C.’s celebrated Ford’s Theatre brings its rendering of “A Christmas Carol,” which will
mark its 500th performance of the company’s Michael Wilson adaptation of the holiday classic, to the stage. The play, directed by Michael Baron, runs through Dec. 31. The play features plenty of traditional holiday tunes, beautiful costumes and outstanding special effects. And the three “ghosts” who visit Scrooge on Christmas Eve are sure to capture the attention of children and adults alike. But it’s the acting prowess of Wallace and the rest of the cast, including an ensemble
5 Craig Wallace as Ebenezer Scrooge and Rayanne Gonzales as the Ghost of Christmas Present in the 2017 Ford’s Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol.” /Photo courtesy of Carol Rosegg
of delightful children that propel the production forward and keep the action going. Wallace dons the Ford’s Theatre stage once more after recently starring there as Willy Loman in “Death of a Salesman.” He says the Christmas classic, which has been present-
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ed at Ford’s for more than 35 years, still remains relevant despite the story being published some 175 years ago. “We’re facing an era in history when the need for compassion is at an all-time high,” he said. “It’s about reaching out, not staying in your own space but giving. If you have something you give, you must share it. That’s the foundation of the play.” “Christmas is the foundation by which those ideas come forth. But it’s really an everyday thing. We should be reaching out, trying to share and communicate so that we can come together instead of fostering divisiveness. And you don’t have to do this on a global stage. We can give and share in our neighborhoods, within our families. However, today the tendency seems to be about getting what’s yours, like Scrooge.” Wallace noted that Ford’s Theatre has partnered with the House of Ruth, a non-profit organization in Northwest that supports women and families caught in the throes of abuse. “People have been very positive and moved by the show and in many ways the production moves like a well-oiled machine – we’re just churning shows out,” he said. “We ask audiences to leave a donation for the House of Ruth at the end of each production and we’ve been getting a tremendous response. I see it as a testament of what the audiences have seen and so they give a little more.” As for the children actors, he laughed when remembering his first encounter during rehearsals with the young thespians. “They were first a little afraid of me but they’re finally warming up to me especially after they realize that I’m really not ‘that’ guy [Scrooge],” Wallace said. “They’re troupers,
they’re smart and I’ve been amazed at how carefully they listen. This is a demanding show but whenever the adults like me get tired, we just look at them. They breathe constant energy and life into the show.” It’s difficult to overlook the fact that the lead character, Scrooge, has been cast in the Ford’s production as a Black man. But for the role of the younger Scrooge, the actor is white. I asked Wallace to share his views. “It’s a valid question and observation but we’re trying to do something else – Ford’s Theatre is committed to diversity and having people of all colors on stage. In ‘Death of a Salesman,’ both of my children and my wife were white actors. We wanted to tell this story with as many people of diverse backgrounds as possible. I just hope that the diversity which we offer doesn’t keep anyone from enjoying the show. It’s our belief that when people see actors on stage that look like them, they feel more encouraged. When you see a production at Ford’s Theatre, we can assure you that you’ll see members of the cast who look just like you.” “As for my character, Ebenezer Scrooge, I am not playing white and don’t feel I need to. I am who I am. I just take the script before me and work to create this amazingly complicated character. And I have a lot of fun along the way,” said Wallace who has little time to rest after the end of the current play, already set to appear early next year in “The Great Society” at Arena Stage and “’Master Harold’ . . . and the Boys” at Round House Theatre. For more information about “A Christmas Carol,” visit www.fords.org WI
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The Great Xscape
LIFESTYLE
The Great Xscape Tour featuring performances by Tamar Braxton, Monica, and Xscape was held at the Capital One Arena in Northwest on Sunday, Nov. 26. Xscape members Kandi Burris Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, and sisters Tamika and LaTocha Scott have been performing on and off since 1992. Burris recently announced that she will be quitting again and will not make new music with the group. She is expected to continue on the tour which is slated to run throughout the U.S. until early next year. /Photos by Shevry Lassiter
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 29 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
LIFESTYLE DJ Daryl, Renowned 2Pac Producer, Reaches Diamond Status By Eunice Moseley DJ Daryl, who crafted a sound known as “Bay Area mob music,” helped foster the musical legacies of Long Beach’s Snoop Dogg, New Orleans’ Mystikal and Master P, and, of course, 2Pac — a then-young, aspiring rapper. “People don’t know my face,” said the producer, born Daryl L. Anderson, who created the sound bed for 2Pac’s classic 1993 single “Keep Ya Head Up.” “They know my sound. They say to me, ‘I got these beats, dude,’ and they’re mine. It’s funny, for a long time, I didn’t realize my sound influenced a new generation.” “Keep Ya Head Up” was recently certified as Diamond, indicating 10 million in sales, by the RIAA. The hit single was
re-released in 1998 in a 2Pac greatest hits album, in 2007 for a 2Pac box set and in 2008 as a single. “Tupac had heard some of our music,” said DJ Daryl about meeting the rap legend. “We didn’t know who he was. We were working with a friend and he asked to be on the album. “Our group 415 was recording with Digital Underground. In our city, we were well-known. Tupac was there carrying equipment. … We didn’t know he was a rapper. We wore bandanas and people thought we were Crips,” DJ Daryl said with a laugh of the early days with Tupac. The group 415 included rappers Richie Rich and D-Loc and producers J.E.D. and DJ Dar-
yl. They independently released “41Fivin” in 1990. In 1991 DJ Daryl co-produced group member Richie Rich’s solo album “Don’t Do It” with 415 member J.E.D. They signed a deal with Priority Records and released “Nu N-ggaz on Tha Blokk,” which turned out to be their last project together. “[Tupac] got a deal … He asked me to produce his album,” DJ Daryl said about how he became one of the producers of Tupac’s second album. “For ‘Keep Ya Head Up,’ he didn’t want to rush that song. We were in Studio A and B … we are in B and Yo-Yo and DJ Pooh was in A. We found out later they were using the same beat — same sample. When they realized it, it was a competition. [Tupac] called a
friend to sing the hook — Dave Hollister. They called him ‘Black angel.’ He did something in that studio I never seen before … straight rap, no ad libs.” DJ Daryl said he has been working on a documentary and movie script for the past two
years about his time with Tupac. He also produced Tupac’s “Troublesome 21” before his death, of which nine of the 14 songs were released by Interscope Records. Go to www.A1YoLA.com for more information about the producer. WI
derrick Leon davis Prince George’s County Council Chair
Special GueStS richard Payne trio
5 DJ Daryl /Courtesy photo
FAMe Jazz band & nat Adderley, Jr. divine dance Institute Largo High school Choir
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LIFESTYLE
Singer/actress Della Reese Dead at 86 Most Remembered for ‘Touched by an Angel’ Role By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor Detroit-born Della Reese, who began singing in the Black church when only six and invited by the legendary Mahalia Jackson to join the gospel star on tour when just 13 years old, died peacefully at her California home on Sunday, Nov. 26. Reese became famous as a jazz singer in the 50s and 60s, later achieving true stardom as an actress after snagging the role of “Tess” on the long-running TV drama “Touched by an Angel.” CBS, home of the popular television show for which Reese received seven consecutive NAACP Image Awards as best lead actress in a drama, two Emmy nominations and a 1998 Golden Globe nod, described her as an entertainer who always focused on uplifting her audience. “We will forever cherish her warm embraces and generosity of spirit,” CBS said. “She will be greatly missed. Another angel has gotten her wings.” Similarly, Roma Downey, who co-starred with Reese on the show, said she felt privileged to have worked alongside the inspirational actress for so many years. ““She was a mother to me. I know heaven has a brandnew angel this day. Della Reese will be forever in our hearts,” Downey said in a statement posted to her Facebook page. Reese also sang the show’s theme song, “Walk with You.” Born Delloreese Patricia Early July 6, 1931, she graduated from Detroit’s Cass Technical High School (the same school that Diana Ross later attended) and briefly matriculated at Wayne State University before assuming her stage name, Della Reese and becoming a professional singer. Following another Detroit native, R&B superstar Jackie Wilson, Reese gained noteworthy exposure while performing at the city’s Flame Show Bar, displaying a style reminiscent of jazz legends like Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald. In 1969, she launched “Della” – the first TV talk show hosted by an African-American woman.
During an interview with the Associated Press in 1997, she commented on her work as a television and film actress. “I had good training for it. I was always a stylist, a lyricist. I became acquainted with the words in order to convince you I must believe in what I’m singing. That’s what acting is: believing. It was just like one thing flowing into another.” Reese received her acting break from casting director Reuben Cannon, who offered her a guest shot on the youth-oriented cop show “The Mod Squad” in 1968. Roles on such other hit TV shows, including “Police Woman,” “The Rookies” and “McCloud,” followed. After a number of guest appearances, she garnered a fulltime, starring role in the TV hit and Freddie Prinze comedy series, “Chico and the Man” (1975-78). On the silver screen, she later starred in two feature films, “Harlem Nights” along with her close friend, comedian Redd Foxx, and “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate” as well as 20 made-for-TV pictures. Throughout her illustrious career from which she retired in 2014, Reese faced and overcame a series of severe health crises: in 1979, she suffered a brain aneurysm during a taping of “The Tonight Show,” and weathered two brain surgeries; she collapsed on the set of “Touched by
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5 Two visions of Della Reese. /Courtesy photo
an Angel” in 2002; and later announced she suffered from type 2 diabetes. In the early 80s, she returned to her gospel roots, becoming an ordained minister and founding a church in the L.A. area, Understanding Principles for Better Living (or “Up”), where she served as the pastor Reese’s four marriages included a brief, annulled union with Mercer Ellington, son of jazz great Duke Ellington. She’s survived by her husband Franklin Lett, a film producer and con-
cert promoter. Singer Dionne Warwick reflected on the life of her friend in a printed statement.
“We have lost another voice that I’m sure God will use in that great heavenly choir.” WI
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 31 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
wi book reviewA
Horoscopes
ARIES Dealing with a deadline? Working at it on Monday can enable you to complete it easily. Things may flow more freely as lovely Venus enters Sagittarius, encouraging you to go in search of a love adventure and exotic fun. The full moon on Sunday could heighten feelings, so go easy to avoid doing or saying something you might later regret. Lucky Numbers: 1, 8, 19
“Encyclopedia of Black Comics”
TAURUS You might sense that something needs to change, but the start of the week may not be the time to act. There could be a lot of resistance to letting something go and allowing new opportunities or ideas to take its place. Later in the week, you’ll find it easier to release whatever has been holding you back. In addition, you are encouraged to get your money to work harder for you. Lucky Numbers: 4, 12, 20
by Sheena C. Howard, foreword by Henry Louis Gates Jr., afterword by Christopher Priest c.2017, Fulcrum Publishing $23.95 ($28.95 Canada) 261 pages
GEMINI Don’t take it personally if someone seems somewhat aloof. They could be busy and will likely have time to spare once they’re done. Things become lighter and easier at the end of the week, bringing the opportunity to smooth over any difficulties and compromise where necessary. Complete your holiday preparations early. Lucky Numbers: 7, 24, 32
Encyclopedia of Black Comics By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer “Draw, Sheriff.” Oh, how you loved to do that. It started with spider-legged people and crooked houses. As you got better, you replicated and created worlds, invented characters, and expanded your tool use. Even today, with sharp pencil or fine pen, you can still make a respectable doodle; in the new book “Encyclopedia of Black Comics” by Sheena C. Howard, you’ll see how you’re right in ‘toon. One-hundred and four years ago, the country was captivated by a cat and a mouse. The cat was appropriately called Kat, and he lived with the Dingbat family in the comic strip “Krazy Kat.” His nemesis was Ignatz, and in each episode, Ignatz the mouse threw a brick at Krazy Kat. It was an “incredibly simple” strip but it became “one of the most respected and influential works in comics history…” The artist was a black man named George Herriman who was the first major cartoonist of color. He would be far from the last. Today, countless Black cartoonists, inkers, illustrators, and writers toil behindthe-scenes to create comic strips and comic books, as well as TV shows and movies. In this book, Howard celebrates the firsts, the bests, the noteworthy, and the historic. In the early days, for example, many comic writers worked through the Black Press, including Jackie Ormes, “the first published female African-American cartoonist.” Ormes was the creator of Torchy Brown, a strong Black cartoon woman; and fashionista Ginger, whose little sister Patti-Jo offered wisecracks. In 1947, one of Ormes’ characters was made into an “upscale” doll; in 2014, Ormes was posthumously indicted into the National Association of Black Journalists’ Hall of Fame. The first African-American cartoonist with “two nationally syndicated comic strips” is in this book. Political and social-commentary cartoonists are represented. The first Black woman to own a comic book store is profiled here, as is America’s first Black comic book publisher, the “first and only Black editor at King Features Syndicate,” an animator and writer whose credits include “Thundercats,” a 12-time Pulitzer Prize nominee and many people who use their talents to enhance your favorite superhero comic books… In his afterword, comics writer-editor Christopher Priest points out that, to many African-Americans, the Man of Steel isn’t Superman, he’s “SuperWhiteMan.” That’s just one reason, as Priest indicates, that a book like this is needed. The other reasons fill up these pages with a wide range of biographies, achievements, and examples of many cartoonists’ work, in bite-sized articles that make quick reading. While there’s a chance that you’ve heard of many of the people included in this book, author Sheena C. Howard didn’t just keep things familiar: she dug back into history for several of her profiles, and she also includes people who are on the periphery of — but important to — today’s comic book world. Quick-minded readers may note some absences inside here, but “Encyclopedia of Black Comics” is a good start for this genre. For those who love the funnies, cartoons, or pen-and-ink art, this book will be a big draw. WI
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CANCER You could be under a lot of pressure early in the week. But rather than get frustrated, relax and go with the flow. Otherwise, you could find that the more you try to force the pace, the less you accomplish. Life gets easier later in the week. With flamboyant Jupiter aligning with dreamy Neptune, you could have some wonderful plans, but getting a second opinion would be a valuable and necessary reality check. Take time out for self-care. Lucky Numbers: 3, 23, 29 LEO Don’t be too hard on yourself if a creative project doesn’t go as planned. You could be critical early on, when there’s likely no need to be. But as the week proceeds, the idea of relaxing and enjoying life could take hold. Friday could encourage you to get out and enjoy romantic breaks or lighthearted dates. The full moon could intensify feelings on Sunday, however, so thinking before you speak can help avoid later regrets. Lucky Numbers: 30, 40, 51 VIRGO Try not to set yourself too many impossible tasks early on, as you could find it hard to live up to your expectations. If you’re realistic, you can accomplish a lot. As the week proceeds, your focus could turn to more lighthearted activities. It’s time to engage in a little pampering and selfcare, especially if you’ve been busy with holiday plans. Mercury, your guide planet, turns retrograde on Saturday, so getting holiday tasks completed early might be helpful. Lucky Numbers: 9, 14, 18 LIBRA The start of the week might see you engaged with mental tasks that could be quite demanding. However, you’ll feel much better once they’re done. Luscious Venus, your guide planet, enters your sector of communication on Friday, suggesting that much can be accomplished with a little charm. You might prefer to adopt a more independent stance in an ongoing relationship. The full moon on Sunday could remind you of what you’re missing. Lucky Numbers: 7, 33, 40 SCORPIO You could feel a little cash strapped at the start of the week, but this is a temporary phase. If you plan for it, you might avoid too many difficulties. As the week gathers pace, Venus enters your money zone, which could see you splurging rather than saving, especially on small luxuries. The weekend could be rather special and very romantic as flamboyant Jupiter aligns with dreamy Neptune. Lucky Numbers: 14, 25, 34 SAGITTARIUS Give yourself a break and try to be less demanding of yourself, especially at the week’s start. While it’s good to focus on getting things done, high expectations can be daunting. Lowering them might enable you to accomplish more. As luscious Venus dances into your sign on Friday, you might feel more inclined to socialize and reach out. Charity work might also appeal. Saturday could spell delays at a critical time. Lucky Numbers: 4, 28, 36 CAPRICORN You could be doing a lot of thinking early in the week, and this might lead to a decision that has been some time in the making. Once it’s made, you should feel very relieved. Relax and reflect wherever possible. When Venus enters a more private sector on Friday, this subtle influence will encourage you to enhance your relationship with yourself and your spiritual side. Friends could be rather idealistic, but this may complement your mood. Lucky Numbers: 11, 45, 56 AQUARIUS You might need to make a tough decision related to a friendship or social group at the week’s start. There’s no point in putting it off, as you’ll only be delaying the inevitable. Do what you must and you’ll feel much more relaxed for the rest of the week. A desire to do your own thing could see you adopting a more independent course. Mercury turns retrograde on Saturday, so try to finish important tasks before then. Lucky Numbers: 2, 16, 23 PISCES The week’s start could see you grappling with certain responsibilities. You might not want to, but it’s better to do them to the best of your ability and get them out of the way. The rest of the week can then unfold at a pleasant pace. Expansive Jupiter aligns with ethereal Neptune in Pisces over the weekend, and this could coincide with discovering a philosophy or set of beliefs that you find very attractive. There’s a good chance you’ll want to learn more. Lucky Numbers: 7, 25, 35
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CAPTURE THE
MOMENT SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
4 Entrepreneur Tyrone White, 33 hosts Mayor Muriel Bowser during Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25, at his new restaurant in Southeast, the MLK Deli. The mayor dined on crab cakes prepared by Chef Aaron Godson, 36, of Southeast with D.C. business officials Kristi Whitfield, director of small business development and Marie Johns, Chair of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce. / Photo by Shevry Lassiter 6 Saturday, Nov. 25, the day set aside to promote small businesses, found D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser visiting small shops across the city. Among the mayor’s stops; Baked by Yael, a Connecticut Avenue bakery located across the street from the National Zoo. /Courtesy photo
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 33 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
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SPORTS Ballou Tops Woodson in Turkey Bowl
5 Ballou players hoist the 48th DCIAA Turkey Bowl Trophy after defeating H.D. Woodson 21-14 win at Eastern High School in Northeast on Thursday, Nov. 23. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
5 H.D. Woodson wide receiver Noah Boykin is tackled by Ballou defensive back Labron Johnson during Ballou’s 21-14 win at Eastern High School in Northwest on Thursday, Nov. 23. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
5 Ballou quarterback Terrlonta Buchanan outruns H.D. Woodson defenders to score a touchdown during Ballou’s 2114 win at Eastern High School in Northeast on Thursday, Nov. 23. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
3 Ballou quarterback
5 Ballou running back Frederick Quigley runs through the H.D. Woodson defense for a first down during Ballou’s 21-14 win at Eastern High School in Northeast on Thursday, Nov. 23. /Photo by John E De Freitas
36 NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017
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Terrlonta Buchanan stiff-arms H.D. Woodson linebacker Ishmael Robinson during Ballou’s 21-14 win at Eastern High School in Northeast on Thursday, Nov. 23. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
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SPORTS
The Washington Wizards Blow Another Big Lead By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill For a second straight game, the Washington Wizards played firm defense — for at least three quarters. The Wizards were outscored 33-13 the last 8:53 of the fourth quarter as the Portland Trail Blazers stormed back from 17 points down to defeat Washington, 108-105, at Capital One Arena in northwest D.C. on Nov. 25. “We just couldn’t get stops,” said Wizards head coach Scott Brooks. “[Portland guard CJ] McCollum was feeling comfortable. Their main guns were attacking. We put them on the free throw line way too much in the fourth quarter.” The team’s premier backcourt of McCollum and Damian Lillard scored a combined 22 points in the fourth quarter. Lillard, who came into Saturday’s game ranked eighth in the NBA in scoring at 25 points per contest, led all scorers with 29 points and attempted 10 free throws. The Trail Blazers (12-8) went 12 of 16 at the free throw line in the final stanza, after shooting just six free throws up to that point. A more daunting stat: Portland, normally inept at interior scoring, doubled up the Wizards with 48 points in the paint. The Trail Blazers rank near the bottom of the league in that category. The loss overshadowed a sparkling performance by Otto Porter Jr., who recorded a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds, along with three steals. Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr., who scored 13 points off the bench, expressed both optimism and frustration about the recent defensive lapses. “Start defending, bruh,” Oubre said when asked about the team’s defensive breakdowns. “Everybody’s together. We [have] to move on. It’s in the past. We just have to worry about getting better tomorrow.” In Charlotte on Nov. 23, the Wizards had a 102-93 with less than seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, but the Hornets eventually won the game after outscoring Washington 36-22 in the final 11½ minutes of the fourth and overtime. Wizards All-Star point guard John Wall played in that game, but missed Saturday’s contest and will
be out for at least two weeks with an inflamed knee. “We just really have to find ways to lock in and play for each other,” Porter said. “You got to give [Portland] credit. They were knocking down shots. Their two main scorers got going in that fourth quarter.” The Wizards return home on Friday, Dec. 1 against the Detroit Pistons after a back-to-back set on the road Tuesday and Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers, respectively. WI
6 Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum looks for a passing lane around Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris during Portland’s 108-105 win at Capital One Arena in Northwest on Saturday, Nov. 25. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
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5 Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris drives past Portland Trail Blazers guard Pat Connaughton during Portland’s 108-105 win at Capital One Arena in Northwest on Saturday, Nov. 25. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
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5 Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. feeds teammate Markieff Morris, who is posting up Portland Trail Blazers guard Pat Connaughton, during Portland’s 108-105 win at Capital One Arena in Northwest on Saturday, Nov. 25. / Photo by John E. De Freitas 3Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless during Portland’s 108-105 win at Capital One Arena in Northwest on Saturday, Nov. 25. /Photo by John E. De Freitas
4 Washington Wizards center Ian Mahinmi is defended by Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless during Portland’s 108-105 win at Capital One Arena in Northwest on Saturday, Nov. 25. /Photo by John E. De Freitas NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 37 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
Reverend Dr. Morris L. Shearin, Sr.
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38 NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017
Friends, family, and clergy filled the pews at Israel Baptist Church where they praised the pastor of 29 years for making a difference in Ward 5. They came to say farewell to the Reverend Morris L. Shearin, Sr., 77, a stalwart in the faith community, who died on Nov. 18 following an extended illness. A native of Garysburg, North Carolina, Shearin graduated from Shaw University and later earned his Doctorate of Ministry from Howard University School of Divinity. After pastoring in several churches in North Carolina, he later became the ninth pastor of Israel Baptist Church, located at 1251 Saratoga Ave., NE where he served since 1988. His extensive biblical studies, international travel, calm leadership and deep commitment to community service were highlighted throughout the service by political leaders, clergy and those he mentored including community activist, radio talk show host and fellow clergyman Mark Thompson. He was praised by his fellow clergy in the District and North Carolina for his numerous awards and accomplishments that included: the establishment of a child development center at Israel Baptist Church, a STEM Ministry (Stewardship, Training, Evangelism, and Missions) and as a lover of music
and a talented singer, the revitalization of the Music Ministry. He also built a 47-unit senior housing facility greatly needed by his parishioners and the residents of the ward and a state-of-the-art Community Life Center, named after him, that offers health care services provided by Unity HealthCare. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson nominated Shearin to the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission where he served for the past nine years and he served as past president of the Washington, DC Chapter of the NAACP. Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyon McDuffie called him “a giant who meant everything to his community,” and thanked him for always keeping the doors to the church open to community organizations and events. A recipient of several DC Council resolutions, McDuffie said he was glad to also introduce a resolution naming the 1200 block of Saratoga Avenue, in front of the church as Israel Baptist Church Way, and another resolution declaring Dec. 11, 2017, as Bishop Morris Shearin Day in honor of his 77th birthday. Mayor Muriel Bowser referred to him as “the builder of families and people, the restorer of hope and peace in this community, and the leaver of a legacy.” She described him as a “moral voice in
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giving and everyone is in a charitable mood. But, it’s also when predators feel it’s easier to prey on victims and they’ll stop at nothing.” It’s recommended that charitable donations are made by check rather than cash and those giving shouldn’t be persuaded by telephone calls, emails and in-person pressure, authorities said. Both Nathan and Banks said scam artists know how to establish their own websites and make them look perfectly legitimate. In some cases, they’ve reportedly advertised sales that almost always appears too good to be true. “You have to avoid that ‘once-in-alifetime’ deal that’s just too amazing,” Banks said. Nathan said it’s not difficult to verify a web address, either. “These crooks will create a URL that seems credible, but take a close look and you’ll see some letters are different than websites you are familiar with. That’s a major tip-off,” Nathan said. Then there are gift cards that are available online for major discounts or, in some cases, for free. “They just want your details, your
secure location. “It’s best to use cash at this time of year for a variety of reasons,” Nathan said of potential data breaches. “With credit and debit cards, you never know if a machine has been hacked or somehow someone got your information and now your savings, your accounts, are exposed.” AARP officials recommend consumers not make online purchases through public Wi-Fi networks, another easy way in which personal information can be exposed. D.C. police and other law enforcement agencies also have had their share of responding to fake charities during the holidays. Authorities strongly urge charitable individuals to thoroughly research an organization before making donations. Most attorney general offices have weblinks that allow for an investigation of companies. “It’s an easy time for someone to just come up with a charity or to pretend to be an agent for a reputable nonprofit,” said Lucious Banks, a security officer who works with Nathan. “The holidays are about gift
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5 Rev. Morris L. Shearin, Sr. /Photo by DRB
city, political and civic life.” Following the service at Israel, a second service was held on Wednesday in his home state at Cool Spring Baptist Church in Galveston, North Carolina. Shearin leaves his wife, the former Bertha M. Cotton of Northampton County, NC. They have two children, Felicia and Morris, Jr. and two granddaughters, Morgan and Alana. Pastor Shearin is also the father of Carolyn and the grandfather of Jualia and Jamel. WI personal information,” Banks said. He also warned that stores that sell a large variety of gift cards could have problems too because scammers often write down the card numbers and then later call to check balances. When they find that the card has been activated, they then use it to make online purchases. Authorities said refrain from entering personal information when responding to online ads for gift cards. They said its best to purchase a gift card from a customer service person than to buy one from a display. Nathan and Banks said don’t be tempted to click links even if it appears to have come in an email from someone you’re familiar with. “If you don’t know the person that’s a red flag. But, sometimes the email address from which the email came is familiar,” Banks said. “If links are attached, call the person first and ask if they really sent it and for what reason before you open the link because, once you open it, all of your personal information can be swiped.” For additional safety tips, go to the AARP Fraud Watch at http://local.aarp. org/washington-dc. WI
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RELIGION
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God’s Angels Are Watching Over Us! This year, during the Thanksgiving holiday, this message was sent to me by a special request, to remind all of us, that God’s angels are truly watching over us. He makes this point extremely clear in scriptures throughout the Bible. Let’s take a look: “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” — Psalm 91:11-12 God offers His pure and selfless love through the use of His angels. God commands many angels to guard us. God commands those faithful spirits who are nearest to Him, who come from Him and are marked by Him to guard us in all our ways. God’s promise through the psalmist to Jesus applies to us as well. Next scriptures, the Word says “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” — Exodus 23:20. It is here that the Lord promises the Israelites that they would be guided and kept in their way through the wilderness to the Promised Land of Canaan. This was no ordinary angel either. This was the Angel of the Lord, an Old Testament manifestation of Christ Himself. “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”— Hebrews 1:14. Angels are sent by God to proMt. Zion Baptist Church
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tect us and help us inherit His full kingdom. The Bible tells us that angels are His servants, carrying out His will and work for our good. We know from this verse from Hebrews that angels are ministering spirits, sent to serve those who are going to receive salvation. By definition, salvation is deliverance from sin and its consequences brought about by faith in Jesus Christ. Another scripture says “The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Praise the LORD, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His word. Praise the LORD, all His heavenly hosts, you His servants who do His will. Praise the LORD, all His works. Everywhere in His dominion. Praise the LORD, my soul.” — Psalm 103:19-22. Having celebrated God’s mercy to His people, the psalmist praises God’s excellent majesty and universal dominion. The psalmist acknowledges God’s angels who do His bidding, intervene and protect on His behalf, and are obedient to His word. “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” — Hebrews 13:2. We are called in this verse to be hospitable or friendly to those we don’t know. The Bible tells us that some have entertained, or hosted messengers of God, unaware. When we meet strangers, we should be careful how we treat
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202-379-4738 with Lyndia Grant them because it could be someone that was sent by God to help us or protect us. We don’t know what God is trying to do or what He is trying to accomplish, but we know that it is a part of His good and perfect will. “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.” — Revelation 5:11-12. We know from these verses that there are millions of angels encircling God’s throne and glorifying the Lord. We see a different side of angels here, discovering they are more than protectors but also powerful glorifiers of the Lord. WI
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Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
Reverend John W. Davis Pastor
The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest
5101 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202-726-2220 Fax: 202-726-9089
Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958 Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist
Service and Times Sunday Worship Service - 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Children’s Church - 11:00 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays) Communion - 10 a.m. 4th Sunday Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. (4th Sunday 8:15 a.m.) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org
“A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold”
All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.
www.mtzbcdc.org
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 39 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 41 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
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LEGAL NOTICES
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001273
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001244
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001239
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001248
Administration No. 2017 ADM 000802 Isaac R. McClain, Jr. Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
John Washington Decedent
Juan C. Mackie aka Juan Coronado Mackie Decedent
Sara Isabella Banks Decedent
Robert McDevitt aka Robert Michael McDevitt Decedent
Gretchyn G. Meinken, Esq. 616 N. Washington Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Samuel C. Hamilton 8601 Georgia Ave., Suite 608 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney
Larry C. Williams, Esq. 7600 Georgia Avenue, NW, Suite 405 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Michael L. Banks, whose address is 16601 Medinah Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sara Isabella Banks who died on November 18, 2001 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 May 16, 2018. 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 May 16, 2018, 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.
Geraldine H. Sharkey, whose address is 31 Alrick Road, Apt. #1, Quincy, MA 02169, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Robert McDevitt aka Robert Michael McDevitt who died on March 12, 2016 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 May 16, 2018. 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 May 16, 2018, 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.
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Vancine M. Washington, whose address is 240 M Street SW, Apt. E408, Washington, DC 20024, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John Washington who died on January 8, 1993 without a Will. 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 May 16, 2018. 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 May 16, 2018, 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: November 16, 2017 Vancine M. Washington Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer
Joseph W. Mackie, Jr., whose address is 2914 S Street, SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Juan C. Mackie aka Juan Coronado Mackie who died on March 11, 2016 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 May 16, 2018. 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 May 16, 2018, 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: November 16, 2017 Joseph W. Mackie, Jr. Personal Representative
Date of first publication: November 16, 2017
TRUE TEST COPY
Michael L. Banks Personal Representative
Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer
TRUE TEST COPY
Anne Meister Register of Wills
Anne Meister Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001255
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001294
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001247
Estate of Bruce Darby Deceased
Mary E. Davis Decedent
Peggy A. Miller, Esq. 5130 7th Street, NE Washington, DC 20011-2625 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Michael W. Craig, Jr., whose address is 13921 Bishops Bequest Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-6969, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Michael W. Craig, Sr. who died on September 18, 2017 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 May 16, 2018. 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 May 16, 2018, 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: November 16, 2017 Michael W. Craig, Jr. Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills
Peter D. Antonoplos 1725 DeSales Street, NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Edgar Darby for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a complaint in accordance with Superior Court, Probate Division Rule 107 is filed in this Court within thirty days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court will take the action hereinafter set forth. Upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of the witnesses to the will, the Court will enter an order admitting the will to probate and appointing one or more personal representatives. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, the Court will enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate and appointing one or more personal representatives. Date of first publication: November 16, 2017 Edgar Darby 5 Segres Road Kingstree, SC 29556 Petitioner/Attorney TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer
Washington Informer
42 NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017
Geraldine H. Sharkey Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Michael W. Craig, Sr. Decedent
Date of first publication: November 16, 2017
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Juanita Evans, whose address is 1602 Massachusetts Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary E. Davis who died on November 18, 2010 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 May 16, 2018. 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 May 16, 2018, 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: November 16, 2017 Juanita Evans Personal Representative
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001041 Oscar Johnson Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Matilda Johnson Urquhart, whose address is 242 Madison Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Oscar Johnson who died on November 16, 1991 without a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment 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 May 16, 2018. 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 May 16, 2018, 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: November 16, 2017 Matilda Johnson Urquhart Personal Representative
Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer
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Date of first publication: November 16, 2017 Earlene Smith McClain Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration Number 2017 ADM 001283 Estate of Dorothy M. Kelly Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Gemma Antoine-Belton for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint a supervised personal representative.
Date of first publication: November 16, 2017 Gemma Antoine-Belton 1101 L Street, NW, #806 Washington, DC 20005 Petitioner/Attorney
TRUE TEST COPY TRUE TEST COPY
TRUE TEST COPY
Earlene Smith McClain, whose address is 122 33rd Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Isaac R. McClain, Jr. who died on March 2, 2016 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 May 16, 2018. 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 May 16, 2018, 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.
Anne Meister Register of Wills
Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer
Washington Informer
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LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
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LEGAL NOTICES
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Administration No. 2017 ADM 989
Administration No. 2017 ADM 1291
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001299
Administration No. 2017 ADM 000663
Administration No. 2017 ADM 000146
Graham Monk Decedent
Edward Wolterbeek Decedent
Glinda D. Vardaman Decedent
Dorothy A. Reid aka Dorothy Reid Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Clark J. Hymes, Esq., whose address is 1032 15th Street, NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20005, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Edward Wolterbeek who died on January 2, 2017 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 May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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.
Bridget T. Dorsey, whose address is3473 Massachusetts Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Glinda D. Vardaman who died on July 29, 2017 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 May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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: November 30, 2017
Date of first publication: November 30, 2017
Clark J. Hymes, Esq. Personal Representative
Bridget T. Dorsey Personal Representative
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Anne Meister Register of Wills
Anne Meister Register of Wills
Anne Meister Register of Wills
Anne Meister Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Administration Number 2017 ADM 160
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001318
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001295
Administration No. 2017 ADM 866
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001245
Estate of Robert B. Hazelock aka Robert Bruce Hazelock aka Robert Hazelock Deceased
Yvonne Harvey Decedent
Pearlene E. Glover Decedent
Leamon Farrior Decedent
Dorothy Lawson Edmonds Decedent
Valerie Edwards Antonoplos & Associates 1725 DeSales Street, NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Angela Glover Burgess, whose address is 1616 Monroe Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Pearlene E. Glover who died on May 11, 2017 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 May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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.
Dwayne Farrior, whose address is 3533 Glenmore Ave., Baltimore, MD 21206, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Leamon Farrior who died on March 21, 2017 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 May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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.
Tanya A. Harvey, Loeb & Loeb LLP 901 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 300 East Washington, DC 20001 Attorney
Date of first publication: November 30, 2017
Date of first publication: November 30, 2017
Angela Glover Burgess Personal Representative
Dwayne Farrior Personal Representative
Robert W. Edmonds, Robin E. Hudson and Wendy R. Hicks-Powers, whose addresses are 4923 8th St., NW, Washington, DC 20011; 319 Wagoner Dr., Fayetteville, NC 280303; 126 Weldin Park Dr., Wilmington, DE 19803, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Dorothy Lawson Edmonds who died on July 12, 2017 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 May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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.
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Date of first publication: November 30, 2017
Anne Meister Register of Wills
Anne Meister Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Angela Hazelock Mack for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. Admit to probate the will date October 5, 2016 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of the witnesses. Date of first publication: November 30, 2017 Angela Hazelock Mack 1342 Sheridan Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 Petitioner/Attorney TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer
Date of first publication: November 30, 2017 Terrika R. Bailey Personal Representative
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Donte Taylor, whose address is 7703 Starshine Drive, District heights, MD 20747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Yvonne Harvey who died on May 4, 2016 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 May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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: November 30, 2017 Donte Taylor Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer
Terrika R. Bailey, whose address is 1236 Canal Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy A. Reid aka Dorothy Reid who died on August 4, 2017 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 May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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.
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Graham C. Monk, whose address is 5713 6th St., NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Graham Monk who died on April 9, 2008 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 May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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: November 30, 2017 Graham C. Monk Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer
Thelma M. Johnson Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Jennifer C. Concino, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, #700, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Thelma M. Johnson who died on July 1, 2016 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 May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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: November 30, 2017 Jennifer C. Concino, Esq. Personal Representative
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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Robert W. Edmonds Robin E. Hudson Wendy R. Hicks-Powers Personal Representatives TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer
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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 43 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration Number 2017 ADM 001351 Estate of Helga M. E. Bailey Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Eliot Borders and LaShawn Jefferson for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative.
Date of first publication: November 30, 2017 Edward G. Varrone, Esq. 910 17th St., NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney
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LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001103
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001053
Jean Courard aka Jean Andre Louis Courard Decedent Kisha L. Woolen, Esquire Tobin O’Connor & Ewing, 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, #700 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney
Mary Carolyn McRae Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Daniel D. Smith, whose address is 161 Fort Evans Road, NE, #345, Leesburg, VA 20178, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jean Courard aka Jean Andre Louis Courard who died on February 26, 1996 without a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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: November 30, 2017 Daniel D. Smith Personal Representative
Carolyn A. McRae, whose address is 2326 Woodbark Lane, Suitland, MD 20746, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary Carolyn McRae who died on July 22, 2016 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 May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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: November 30, 2017 Carolyn A. McRae Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills
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Washington Informer
Washington Informer SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF
Administration No. 2017 ADM 001220
Administration Number 2017 ADM 1383
Administration Number 2017 ADM 1339
Vernice Y. Bunting Decedent
Estate of Celia Pinzon-Morlock Deceased
Estate of
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Benjamin Kyler, whose address is 7412 Gambler Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Vernice Y. Bunting who died on December 15, 2005 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 May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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: November 30, 2017 Benjamin Kyler Personal Representative
Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Deceased
NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE
Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate. Appoint an unsupervised personal representative.
Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. 1308 Ninth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Attorney
Probate Division
George Dounias
NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE
Date of first publication: November 30, 2017
COLUMBIA
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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
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William Chester James Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
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William Conrad James, whose address is 611 Galveston Street, SE, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William Chester James who died on September 30, 2017 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 May 30, 2018. 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 May 30, 2018, 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.
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Andrew Dounias
3465A Marigold Place
Date of first publication: November 30, 2017
Waldorf, MD 20602 Petitioner/Attorney
William Conrad James Personal Representative
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Notice is hereby given that a petition has
been filed in this Court by Andrew Dounias
and George A. Dounias for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more
personal representative. Unless a complaint or
an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court
within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.
Admit to probate the will date December 18, 2001 exhibited with the petition upon proof
satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses or otherwise
Date of first publication: November 30, 2017
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Anne Meister
Anne Meister Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
Register of Wills
TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer
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MALVEAUX from Page 26 or in African-American Vi Lyles. Virginia elected two Latina women and a transgender woman to its House of Delegates. Four Black women serve on the Boston City Council. In Philadelphia, a civil rights lawyer who has represented Black Lives Matter will now serve as district attorney. Democrats, African-Americans, other people of color and progressives enjoyed many other victories in these off-year elections. Some say these victories are a reaction to the repressive national climate. Others caution against taking one data point and turning it into a trend. In any case, even in resistance, it makes sense to take a moment to savor the victories,
LYTTLE from Page 26 they view the world. Therefore, there should be a sense of urgency among early educators to combat stereotypes. When children see a diverse teaching staff working together in the same profession, they not only learn the importance of equality, but are also encouraged to ignore gender and racial stereotypes associated with certain careers. As a Black man working in early education, I have seen how these societal constructs negatively affect children and have dedicated my life to breaking them down.
OFFERING A ROLE MODEL
Role models play a critical role in a child’s development. Young boys who come from disadvantaged backgrounds may not have a strong father figure at home, and often come to school hoping to fill that void. As a leader of a 98 percent African-American student body, I feel it is important for students to find
JACKSON from Page 26 course, fan racial division for their benefit. Roy Moore, newborn champion of Confederate monuments, is a master of that. Democrats have inherited the black vote but have tended to ignore it, spending little energy or resources on registering and turning out that vote. Doug Jones can’t win without a massive turnout of black votes. As a prosecutor, he showed courage in prosecuting and convicting the knaves that murdered the four little girls in the 1963 Birmingham church bombing. His campaign has erected billboards to remind voters of that, and he has the resources for radio and newspaper ads, targeted mail and mass volunteer door-knocking. But once more the Democratic Party is starting late and doing too little. Of 902,000 voting-age Afri-
and also to appreciate the Black woman’s vote. As we move into 2018, two Black women are running serious campaigns for governor. In Georgia, state legislator Stacy Abrams is gaining national recognition for her race. In Maryland, Maya Rockeymore Cummings, policy analyst and founder of the think tank Center for Global Policy Solutions, has been blunt in her criticism of Gov. Larry Hogan, who claims distance from the current president but traveled to Virginia to campaign for the racist Ed Gillespie. Both women will have to win Democratic primaries in order to face off against Republican opponents, and both must clear high hurdles. In Maryland, Rockeymore Cummings
has entered a crowded Democratic field that includes former NAACP President Ben Jealous and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker. In Georgia, Stacy Abrams will face off against fellow legislator Stacey Evans, who is white. Where will the white women’s vote go? What kind of support will Abrams get from national Democrats? Sisters are rising, both with our votes and with our candidates. Still, we need more Black women to run for public office, and we need the national Democratic Party to be far more respectful of the Black woman’s vote. DNC Chairman Tom Perez, are you listening? Or are you still chasing the “working-class white” vote, while ignoring ours? WI
someone they can see themselves in, look up to, and aspire to be. Boys who grow up with only female teachers and role models don’t have this opportunity. Children tend to mimic influential individuals in their lives. They benefit from strong, Black male teachers who lead by example. This is something I learned from a student while working in Washington, D.C. He was a young boy whose behavioral issues were hindering his ability to learn. Without a father figure in his life, his mother was struggling to get through to him. Upon sitting down with the boy in hopes of identifying the root of these problems, I was surprised to find he had just one request: to spend time together. After our first outing to the movies, his attitude and schoolwork improved dramatically. I didn’t have to employ any complicated learning tactic or psychological theory to help this child—I just had to be there and listen. Over the remainder of the year, I watched him grow into a
successful and happy student. That experience left me determined to be someone my students can always rely on and look up to inside and outside of the classroom.
can-Americans in Alabama, analyst Frank Watkins reports, 273,000 are unregistered. Another 15 percent — 143,900 — are disqualified due to felony convictions. The Democratic Party has spent little energy or resources in registering minority people of voting age. Many college students didn’t know that the deadline to register was Nov. 27, when most were away for Thanksgiving. The savviest African-American politician in Alabama, state Sen. Hank Sanders, warns, “Right now, many African-Americans do not know there is an election on Dec. 12.” The NAACP has begun calling “sometimes voters” to get out the vote. Jones should be campaigning with Sanders and others, and introducing himself to black congregations. Real resources need to go into black newspapers and radio stations. The appeal to black voters is one
that speaks to white voters as well. In Alabama, millions go without health care because the conservative governor won’t accept expansion of Medicaid. Working people of all races need better wages and affordable care. Young people need investment in schools, affordable college or advanced training. Moore’s extremism and personal flaws — he was a weak candidate even before the recent exposures — open the door for change. There is a new Alabama that has grown beyond old racial divides. Against the odds, Jones might be able to bring together a new coalition. If he succeeds, it will open the door for other changes. If he fails, Democrats must learn to stop ignoring their core voters between campaigns and start appealing on kitchen table issues across race lines. WI
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
As we look to the future of early childhood education, I urge parents, teachers, lawmakers and communities to invest in ways to bring diversity to the classroom. I also challenge my fellow Black men who are passionate about education to buck the norm, ignore the stigma and put the children first. As a Black male principal, I feel it is my duty to spread this message and be a catalyst for change in order to create a more diversified environment for our children to learn in. I have found there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a student succeed against all odds due to the lessons you have taught them. I encourage more Black men to join me in this journey. WI
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2017 45 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
TAYLOR from Page 27 cluding poverty, fear, stigma and discrimination, also keep people from seeking to know their HIV status, having access to treatment and properly following up on treatment. On both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, the HIV/AIDS mirror reflects the same faces: the young, the poor, women, highrisk populations, as well as children. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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when my decision hung in the balance. For all these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day. I pass before me the mainsprings of my heritage: The fruits of the labors of countless generations who lived before me, without whom my own life would have no meaning; The seers who saw visions and dreamed dreams; The prophets who sensed a truth greater than the mind could grasp and whose words could only find fulfillment in the years which they would never see; The workers whose sweat has
ASKIA from Page 27 the landless, impoverished blacks who had been promised (in Zimbabwean terms) the equivalent of “40 acres and a mule” after fighting and dying for independence. The country stumbled then went forward with halting steps, making economic progress. The people are among the most literate in Africa, with a healthier lifestyle and longer life expectancy than their neighbors
watered the trees, the leaves of which are for the healing of the nations; The pilgrims who set their sails for lands beyond all horizons, whose courage made paths into new worlds and far-off places; The saviors whose blood was shed with a recklessness that only a dream could inspire and God could command. For all this I make an act of Thanksgiving this day. I linger over the meaning of my own life and the commitment to which I give the loyalty of my heart and mind: The little purposes in which I have shared with my loves, my desires, my gifts;
The restlessness which bottoms all I do with its stark insistence that I have never done my best, I have never reached for the highest; The big hope that never quite deserts me, that I and my kind will study war no more, that love and tenderness and all the inner graces of Almighty affection will cover the life of the children of God as the waters cover the sea. All these and more than mind can think and heart can feel, I make as my sacrament of Thanksgiving to Thee, Our Father, in humbleness of mind and simplicity of heart. WI
— just like Cuba in the West — but sadly most of the people, born now since independence, don’t know what the oppression was like, in either country. “Blame your own leaders,” the U.S. message succeeds everywhere but in the Jim Crow Southern United States. In 1997 I attended the Leon Sullivan African-African American Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe. Former Federal Reserve Board
member Andrew Brimmer was also an attendee. He told me that Zimbabwe had the strongest economy in Central-Southern Africa, and was a promising model for other African countries. That was before Mugabe decided to make good on the government’s long-postponed promise to give farmland formerly owned by minority White settlers, back to Black peasants who fought for independence. Since that decision, Zimbabwe has been in the U.S. doghouse. Soon, with sanctions (and every other type of lever of manipulation used by U.S. authorities who hate Mugabe for enacting the land policy), drought and some other bad turns of events, Zimbabwe faced famine and was on the brink of economic collapse. American officials wring their hands and tell the African, Arab, Asian and Latin American people: “Blame your own leaders” for your suffering. And so it is, silly Robert Mugabe tarnished his own revolutionary image by trying to rig the constitutional system to benefit his young wife and made himself an even easier target for the forces which would keep him, and keep all other Zimbabweans, all Africans, all African-Americans, all non-white world citizens, in a state of perpetual subjugation to white supremacy and wealth. WI
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account for nearly 21 percent of people living with HIV and an estimated 24 percent of all persons with newly diagnosed infection. The Catch-Up Plan for West and Central Africa initiative can serve as the entry point for talking about HIV/AIDs and related health issues in Africa globally and in particular, as it concerns African-American and African Diaspora communities in the U.S. WI
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(CDC) in Atlanta reported that African-Americans “continue to experience the greatest burden of HIV compared to other races and ethnicities.” In 2015, data released earlier this year, the CDC noted that African-Americans who represent around 12 percent of the U.S. population, but account for 40 percent of all people living with HIV/AIDS and nearly 45 percent “of all persons with newly diagnosed infection.” Latinos, who represent about 17 percent of the U.S. population,
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