This Week's Edition : 9-17-26 by The Washington Informer

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Vol 61 No 49 Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White’s Bribery Trial

3 Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White with his mother Sherita White-Kennedy and other supporters after the D.C. Council expelled him in 2025. He later won re-election and is currently on trial for bribery. (WI File Photo/ Ja’Mon Jackson)

Looking Back: Jury Selection and a Family Member-Turned-Informant

By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Senior Staff Writer

Well before the start of Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White, Sr.’s federal bribery trial, some D.C. residents, including one who reported to jury duty, questioned whether the accused can truly get a fair shake in the court of law. That resident, designated as Juror 1579, didn’t make the cut to participate in what’s considered one of the District’s highest

Embracing the Intergenerational Call to be ‘Rooted, Ready, and Rising’

By Micha Green and Kree Anderson WI Managing Editor and WI Intern Nearly 60 House members and a handful senators will go beyond Capitol Hill this week and take policy discussions and programming throughout

the District for the 55th Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), a gathering that many young adult leaders say comes at a crucial time for the nation. “This year’s Congressional Black Caucus Foundation ALC week may

CBCF Page 35

TRAYON Page 8

5 Ya’Kyjah Maddox, rechartering president of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) section at Hampton University, addresses a crowd of thousands at the historic revival of the March on Washington on Aug. 28. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

‘A New Democracy’ for America

While Parents Reel from Loss, The Elephant Free School Aims to Organize Working-Class Black Community Members

District fifth grader Rayne White recently started another school year after what she described as an uneventful summer where she had more free time at home than what’s healthy for a young person living in

Young Leaders Talk Value of CBCF 55th Annual Legislative Conference: ‘May Be Most Important Yet’

profile trials this year. That’s because, on their way to elimination, they stoked anxiety among prosecutors. “There are many flaws in the system. It’s hard to fix,” Juror 1579 told U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras on the second and final day of jury selection. “I did research on police misconduct [where] people are found guilty [but did] not commit the crime.” On the afternoon of Sept. 14, Juror 1579, a be-

After Shaw Community Center’s Closure, A Chance or New Programming

By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Senior Staff Writer

September 17 - 23, 2026

NNPA Call to Action Page 5

the nation’s capital. That void, Rayne said, stemmed from the closure of the Shaw Community Center, the place where she and her older siblings spent hours upon hours playing with 5 The gardening club counted among several activities that young people enjoyed at Shaw Community

SHAW Page 9 Center. (Shaw Community Center/Facebook)

From Revivals to Resistance, Youth Aim to Fuel the Modern Voter Movement

By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor Coming off a historic revival at Lincoln Memorial in August, democratic resistance is alive with renewed purpose for the youth leaders building their trek in mod-

ern-day freedom fighting. From campuswide campaigns to emulating civil rights leadership, young activists are approaching the midterm elections poised to shape the country in the tradition in which it’s always been done:

DEMOCRACY Page 22

Celebrating 61 years. Your credible and trusted source for Black news and information. SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026 1

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CONTENTS

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wi hot topics

STACY M. BROWN, WI SENIOR WRITER; BRENDA C. SILER, WI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bill Gates Is Giving Away $200 Billion. Russell Simmons Wants Black America in the Conversation Hip-hop and business entrepreneur Russell Simmons dropped an enormous sum into a long-running conversation about Black people, wealth, and who gets to decide where transformational money can do the most good. The number is $200 billion. “Can you fathom what $200 billion can mean for African lives?” Simmons wrote as he defended Bill Gates against critics and urged people to examine what the billionaire philanthropist has actually promised rather than dismiss him through social media attacks. Simmons told The Informer that he was simply making a point. Gates, he said, has pledged to give away virtually all of his remaining wealth through the Gates Foundation over the next two decades. And during a June 2025 address at the African Union in Addis Ababa, EthiIn Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark

PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. Announcements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 by The Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are $96 per year, two years $168. Papers will be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to:

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STAFF Micha Green, Managing Editor Ron Burke, Advertising/Marketing Director Shevry Lassiter, WIN-TV Producer Ra-Jah Kelly, Digital Asset Manager Lafayette Barnes, IV, Editor, WI Bridge DC Desmond Barnes, WIN Daily Editor Anthony Tilghman, Social Media Strategist ZebraDesigns.net, Graphic Design Mable Neville, Bookkeeper Angie Johnson, Office/Circulation Manager Jada Ingleton, Content Editor REPORTERS Stacy Brown, National Reporter Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr., Political/Education Reporter Brenda Siler, Lifestyle Reporter Ed Hill, Sports Reporter Richard Elliott, Reporter Skylar Nelson, Sports Reporter Mya Trujillo, Multimedia Reporter PHOTOGRAPHERS Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor Ja Mon Jackson, Asst. Photo Editor Roy Lewis, Jr. Robert R. Roberts Anthony Tilghman Abdullah Konte Cleveland Nelson

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opia, Gates said something remarkable about where much of that money is headed. “The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa,” Gates told the gathering. The Gates Foundation says it expects to spend $200 billion before closing at the end of 2045, with much of the work focused on preventing deaths among mothers and children, combating infectious diseases, and helping people escape poverty. Gates has described the commitment as an effort to put his fortune to work while he is alive rather than preserve it indefinitely. Simmons seized on the announcement. “Bill Gates has committed 200 billion over the next

GATES Page 15

Board Votes to Temporarily Close Kennedy Center, Judge Says Congress Controls Building Naming Beatty Says President Verbally Attacked Her in Phone Meeting

A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from putting his name on the Kennedy Center, and within hours the president was on the phone with its board, arguing with a Democratic congresswoman and warning that a $257 million renovation would not happen if the courts ultimately ruled against him. The extraordinary day at one of Washington’s most recognizable cultural institutions ended with another major decision. The Kennedy Center board voted to close the main building for up to two years for repairs and renovations. “Simply put, Defendants cannot install memorials for President Trump or anyone or anything else at the Kennedy Center without Congress’s blessing,” U.S. District Judge

Christopher Cooper wrote. Cooper’s ruling prevented the board from carving Trump’s name into the center’s marble facade and from naming the grounds “President Donald J. Trump Plaza.” Congress established the Kennedy Center as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, and Cooper ruled in May that its board could not rename the institution without congressional approval. The board tried another approach. In August, it voted to add an inscription reading “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump.” Later, court documents revealed 10 possible inscriptions under consideration, including language crediting Trump’s “generosity” and “unwavering support.” WI Read more on washingtponoinformer.com.

Actor Morris Chestnut Brings ‘Sable’ Bourbon to D.C Shoppers flocked to Costco in Northeast, D.C. to see actor Morris Chestnut on Sunday, Aug. 2, as he rolled out Sable, the joint bourbon business venture he has with some of his “Best Man” colleagues: filmmaker Malcolm D. Lee and cast mates Taye Diggs and Harold Perrineau. A long line of mostly women wrapped around several aisles inside the huge warehouse store, to try the new bourbon and show their support for the longtime film and television star. For Chestnut, witnessing that kind of support from fans— without them even having tasted the spirit— was special. “People coming out to support our product is one of the best compliments we get,” said Chestnut after looking at the long line in Costco. “When people try it, they will really love it.” The four co-owners of Sable have been on the road for several months promoting their product. After having collaborated with his business partners for nearly 30 years, it was Perrineau who planted the seed for joining together on a bourbon.

5 Actor, producer and entrepreneur Morris Chestnut at the Costco in Northeast, D.C., greeting customers who came to purchase Sable, the bourbon he co-created. (Brenda C. Siler/The Washington Informer)

“We love working with each other. In the movies, you know, our characters are always going through something,” said Chestnut, repeating Perrineau’s sentiment when coming up with the idea about paying homage to their “Best Man” characters. “We have a brown spirit when we're playing cards, or when we're helping one of our characters through

SABLE Page 15

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National Newspaper Publishers Association Offers Call to Action Ahead of CBCF Annual Legislative Conference

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Chavis Says ‘We’ve Got Homework to do in 2026’

By Micha Green WI Managing Editor As the halls of the Rayburn House Office Building bustled with staff and congressmen preparing to head back to the U.S. Capitol for an evening vote on Sept. 14, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) gathered for a reception to honor freedom fighting and writing. Presented by Events DC and businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist Paxton Baker— and hosted ahead of Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 55th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), which runs Sept. 16-20— the event was not solely a moment to celebrate, but emphasize to the journalists and publishers in the room that there’s more work to do. “We're on the eve of the 200th anniversary of the Black Press in 2027. But we’ve got homework to do in 2026. We ought to get that vote out. The Black Press is key to getting the vote out for the midterm election,” Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., NNPA president and CEO, told The Washington Informer. “We have to continue to fight, we have to continue to report, we have to continue to mobilize, and we have to continue to inspire people not to become disillusioned.” For Chavis, and other speakers, including Reps. Kweisi Mfume (DMd.) and Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), the reception offered those present a charge ahead of the CBCF conference and once the programming for the ALC wraps. “This is going to be a great week of workshops, a great week of forums, a great week of tributes, it’s going to be a black tie event. There's going to be a lot of parties. That's fine. But after this week… we’ve got to return to our places to make sure we get that vote out,” said the NNPA president and longtime activist. “We have to return to our places, in fact, to make sure we turn to our young people. We need to raise up a new generation of freedom fighters. And that's our responsibility.”

Before going to vote in the House, Mfume delivered a speech that highlighted the power of the Black newspapers from its inception to today. “For a race of people who had suffered, endured and survived two centuries of slavery, oppression, deprivation, degradation, denial, and disprivilege, it was that press, that freedom of the Black Press. It always told us who we are, where we were, and led us to where we were going,” Mfume told the room of media professionals. “So it is a significant, heavy history that you wear. It's almost sacred history that had it not been for newspapers across this country, God only knows where we would be.” While the Black Press prepares to celebrate 200 years since Samuel Cornish and John B. Russworm published the first Freedom’s Journal on March 16, 1827, the Maryland congressman and former president and CEO of the NAACP emphasized that the work and momentum can’t slow down. “We need you in a way that you may not even understand. And let me say this, we need you in a way that some of us don't understand,” said Mfume, who has served two separate tenures in Congress that total about 15 years. “I've been around too long to know that you've got to continue to fight for what we believe in, and to set the example of where we are going.”

there are 62 members, nearly five times the number of the original 13 representatives who started the legislative organization in March 1971. Mfume said the Black Press has been part of that growth. “You found a way to chronicle beyond the end of reconstruction, through the Black codes, up to the turn of the century, when the last Black member of the Congress was voted out of office— vowing on the floor that day, that there would be other Black members, men and women, that would rise, like the phoenix, on this floor, and continue that heritage,” he said. “So much of that was possible, because the people all over this country who wanted to know and who needed to know,

5 Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), speaks at a Sept. 14 reception, celebrating the Black Press and ahead of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. Watching nearby are Rhode Island Rep. Gabe Amo, Bruce Walker of Events DC and Maryland Rep. Kweisi Mfume. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

found a way to get the information that you provided over and over and over again for your publications.” While there are now African American legislators in Congress— 58 in the House and four in the

Senate— there are federal attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and the teaching of parts of African American history.

NNPA Page 8

‘Participate in the Storytelling’ and ‘Have A Voice That Matters’

The reception, which included appetizers, a bar and networking opportunities, allowed for Black media makers and supporters to gather in an intimate setting ahead of the thousands who will convene at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Sept. 16-20 for the 55th CBCF Annual Legislative Conference. For the Congressional Black Caucus, this convening is a major moment: it's the 55th conference, CBCF is marking five decades, and

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Jimi Hendrix (left)

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1973 – Illinois becomes the first state to honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as a holiday. 1983 – Vanessa Williams becomes the first African American to be crowned Miss America.

Sept. 18

1850 – The Fugitive Slave Act, which required that all escaped slaves were to be returned to their masters upon capture, is passed by the U.S. Congress. 1895 – Booker T. Washington delivers the Atlanta Compromise speech. The compromise was a deal struck between Southern Blacks and whites that Blacks would work and submit to white political rule in exchange for basic education and due process in law. 1951 – Ben Carson, retired neurosurgeon and former presidential candidate, is born in Detroit. 1970 – Rock icon Jimi Hendrix is found dead in a London apartment at age 27. 1980 – Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez, a Cuban Air Force pilot, becomes the first Hispanic and first person of African ancestry to travel in outer space.

Sept. 19

1893 – Black inventor Elbert R. Robinson receives patent for the electric highway trolley. 1931 – Singer Brook Benton of "Rainy Night in Georgia" fame is born in Camden, South Carolina.

Sept. 20

1958 – Martin Luther King Jr. is stabbed during a Harlem book signing by Izola Ware Curry, an African American woman later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. 1984 – "The Cosby Show" debuts on NBC, beginning an eight-year run as one of television's all-time most beloved and successful shows.

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SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

Sept. 21

1872 – John H. Conyers becomes the first African American admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. 1891 – Inventor F.W. Leslie is issued a patent for the envelope seal. 1989 – Colin Powell is confirmed by the Senate as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the first African American to hold the position.

Sept. 22

1828 – Shaka Zulu, monarch of Africa's Zulu Kingdom, is assassinated. 1862 – President Abraham Lincoln issues a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which sets a date for the freedom of more than 3 million Black slaves in the United States. 1950 – Civil rights icon Ralph Bunche becomes the first African American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 1960 – African nation Mali gains its independence from France.

Sept. 23

1863 – NAACP charter member Mary Church Terrell, who was the first African American woman appointed to a school board of a major U.S.city as a member of the D.C. board of education, is born in Memphis. 1884 – Judy W. Reed receives a patent for the bread kneading machine, becoming the first African American woman known to receive a U.S. patent. 1926 – Pioneering jazz saxophonist John Coltrane is born in Hamlet, North Carolina. 1930 – Music legend Ray Charles is born in Albany, Georgia. 1998 – President Clinton presents Nelson Mandela with the Congressional Gold Medal for his anti-apartheid efforts. WI

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That’s why for people like Mfume and Amo, the Black Press is critical in telling the full story about this time, just as it has done historically. “When there's an attack on truth, on freedom, on values, we know that there's been a consistent force– the Black Press— standing first and foremost, to make sure that people understand what is going on,” said Amo, Rhode Island’s first Black congressman. “And there's a lot that's going on right now.” In his address during the reception, Amo emphasized how all people can get involved in supporting the work of African American owned publications. “Because of the Black Press, we have been able to bring truth and light to the stories of all Americans, but especially of Black America. And so as you see people gathering this week for an important occasion, the Annual Legislative Conference with the Congressional Black Caucus [Foundation], people should know that the obligation is to participate in the storytelling,” he said. “Participate in the storytelling, by helping the NNPA, do its work, by advocating, by promoting the freedom of the press, but by also patronizing the great publications that make up this association. And beyond that, in carrying that story forward, is to take on the responsibility that the truth telling of the great publications have put upon us.” As she stood in a room full of Black storytellers, Her Excellency Tiffany

5 Rep. Kweisi Mfume says the Black Press has historically told the true stories of the African American experience and remains critical today. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

Lancaster, an ambassador with the United Nations special envoy and commissioner with the D.C. Mayor’s Office of African Affairs, said she was

TRAYON from Page 1 speckled millennial white woman, cited her experiences as an employee in the Public Defender Service and, before that, a college student when grilled about the controversial responses to her questionnaire. During her exchange with the prosecution and defense, Juror 1579 didn’t exude confidence about whether she would disregard her findings about police misconduct while serving on the jury. She even, at one point, pondered whether it was possible for someone to do so. Though Contreras thwarted federal prosecutors’ initial attempt to strike Juror 1579 from the jury pool, the juror ultimately didn’t make it to the final round, perhaps due to prosecutors’ later use of a peremptory challenge, which allows them to eliminate potential jurors for any non-discriminatory reason, per the Batson Rule. During the latter part of jury selection, Contreras mediated a private discussion between the prosecution and defense, during which each side used six peremptory challenges to bring the pool down from 32 to 14. Hours earlier, Contreras reminded Juror 1579, and other potential jurors, about their responsibility should they be chosen to deliberate during the two-week trial. In his exchange with Juror 1579, however, Contreras

motivated and encouraged. “This is inspiring me to say, ‘What organizations do I need to join to make sure that our voices are heard, because honestly it’s not just [the Black Press] responsibility, it’s all of our responsibility. And our community is our responsibility,” she told The Informer. “[It’s important to] use your voice, empower others, and know that what you do is important and it matters, and what you say matters.” With ALC week starting to gear up, Lancaster offered advice to participants to enjoy the moment, but also make it count. “When you see moments like this… ride that wave,” she said. You’ve got to make yourself present, and you’ve got to make yourself known. So get out there, get involved in the event, have a great time. Have fun, and while you're doing it, create impact, and have a voice that matters.” WI went a bit further. “I was trying to figure out how effective you can be to put those… ideas to the side,” Contreras asked Juror 1579.

Day One: The Newly Disclosed Familial Relationship Few Knew About

On the morning of Sept. 15, the prosecution and defense made opening statements before a jury of 14, the racial and gender composition of which is: one Latina, three Black women and two Black men, five white women and five white men. “Once you got me… if you lock eyes and get your understanding, I get to work,” prosecutor John Crabb told jurors on the morning of Sept. 15, in reference to what White, on an FBI video recording, told confidential human source Allieu Kamara, a business owner that the defense would later identify as White’s brother-in-law. Throughout his opening statement, Crabb repeated those very words as what he called proof that White knowingly used his political office in an attempt to pressure employees in the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement

TRAYON Page 14

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5 The historic Lincoln Temple United Church of Christ has a new tenant that will keep serving working-class residents of the Shaw community. (James Wright/The Washington Informer)

SHAW from Page 1 friends, learning new skills, and expanding their horizons. “It's been boring, it's been sad,” Rayne told The Informer. “I miss my friends, I miss all the teachers there, I miss doing activities [like] coding, art, cooking, dance, music, and karate. This summer, I chilled out in the house, read books, and did schoolwork, [but] Shaw Community Center could have made my summer better by helping me learn new activities and socialize with my friends.” After more than 30 years, Shaw Community Center, based in Lincoln Temple United Church of Christ on 11th Street NW, ceased operations last October amid board leadership changes that sparked tensions and unsuccessful efforts to raise funds. A new tenant, The Elephant Free School, has since moved into Lincoln Temple with the aim of addressing the forces that spurred Shaw Community Center’s closure, and the overall displacement of Black people from Shaw. Rayne, the youngest of three siblings in one of Shaw’s remaining Black families, spent a significant part of her life at Shaw Community Center during after-school hours and throughout her spring and summer breaks. While her mother worked, she and other youth from the neighborhood went on field trips to the National Zoo, Massanutten Resort in Rockingham County, Virginia, and Great Wolf Lodge in Perryville, Maryland. Other intimate moments, Rayne said, unfolded in the computer lab and community garden. “We got to grow corn, lettuce, and

pumpkins,” Rayne told The Informer. “I didn't really know anything. All I knew about gardening was flowers.” As Rayne, an aspiring attorney, pointed out, Shaw Community Center would’ve provided some more opportunity for enrichment this fall, including a dance number she and her friends would’ve practiced in preparation for Art All Night on Sept. 11-12. “I think my friends feel sad and lonely,” Rayne said. “A community center is important to help kids in need, and help them become better people [with] the love and support that they need because they might not have it at home. We need our community center back.”

Introducing The Elephant Free School

On Oct. 10, The Elephant Free School will host a fall festival that marks, not only the launch of its program, but the continuation of a relationship that started 40 years ago when founder Dominic T. Moulden served the Shaw community as a tenant organizer. “When they knew [the Shaw Community Center] would sunset, they knew that I was actually doing this kind of work around the world…it was like, ‘Oh, we want to talk with you,’” Moulden told The Informer. “I'll come back…to provide what is a gap, and that gap is the ocean and everybody that's filling in the gap. We want to use our water as a resource to keep people in Shaw, and potentially even bring people back to Shaw, but also to build the

SHAW Page 11

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The Institute of Politics Policy and History’s red-carpet premiere of "The Capital" took place on Sept. 9 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. The documentary explores the origins of the nation’s capital, including how the city was planned and designed, and the visible and invisible founders behind it. (L-R) UDC President Maurice D. Edington and First Lady Tonya Barge Edington, former D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt, Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, and Beverly L. Perry, government affairs leader and adviser. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

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exodus from the District, lawmakers often overlook how housing in the District functions as a cash cow for development rather than a public good. That’s why , in collaboration with The Elephant Free School, Merrifield aims to shift that paradigm. “We're hearing about people's experiences. We are hearing people's opinions and we're incorporating that into a curriculum to build political will,” Merrifield told The Informer. “To collaboratively come up with solutions to the housing crisis so that people in Washington, D.C. are being invested in, and we’re not just investing in buildings. We're not just investing in showcase projects and making a lot of money for investors and developers.”

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5 The motto of The Elephant Free School . (Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr./The Washington Informer)

“It's going to give the community the resilience and education that they need to build resilience so that we can stay maintained in this area,” Huggins-El told The Informer. “We're going to do fundraisers. We're going to give back to the community. We're going to have programs for the children as well. That’s my vision for The Elephant Free School.” For Will Merrifield, The Elephant Free School will serve as a think tank around the production of social housing, a policy idea he said he helped D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) shape years prior. Through the Center for Social Housing and Public Investment, Merrifield, founder of the organization, aims to engage working-class Black Shaw residents in the creation of a document that guides discussion about housing development. “It’s very important that, as a think tank, the Center for Social Housing and Public Investment creates hard documents so that we're not making this idea of social housing some hashtag that activists use or that politicians throw around,” Merrifield told The Informer. “That we are creating a concrete perception of what that is and how it would function, and that while we are creating that concrete document, which we aim to do in one to one-and-a-half years, we're using this space and other spaces around the city to make sure that we're in constant communication with community members.” Merrifield, a former tenant association attorney and former at-large D.C. Council candidate, brings to the table his experiences representing tenant associations and combatting displacement. He told The Informer that, amid conversations about delinquent tenants and a developer

political, cultural, and educational power that we need in the community.” Since 2020, The Elephant Free School has organized with communities across the world in the fight for autonomous land control, all while teaching solidarity economics and collective leadership models. Moulden said that movement will continue at Lincoln Temple in collaboration with: Ward 6 Mutual Aid/Serve Your City, high school student interns from the surrounding community, and the Center for Social Housing and Public Investment among other entities. Programming, geared primarily toward working-class Black community members of all ages, will include creative writing, yoga, tai chi, capoeira, art, theater, and gardening. Grassroots organizations will also get a chance to apply for grants to conduct their own programming, all while community members tap into a community library with an archive of Moulden’s ethnographic photography going back to the mid-1980s. Moulden, a member of ONE DC’s Right to Resource hub, called this cocktail of amenities part of a greater effort to equip community members, and especially youth, with the tools to do what he couldn’t do as an organizer. “If young people show up now and come to the Elephant Freedom School, they're going to know a lot more than I knew in my first 15 years, because nobody was allowed to talk about it,” Moulden said. “You weren't allowed to question the change. If you talked about it, you would [be] considered crazy and anti-development or anti-change. If you talked about, ‘Well, D.C. is no longer Chocolate City,’ you might be characterized as anti-white. But meanwhile, your people are being seriously harmed.” Khadijah Huggins-El, a mother of three and longtime Shaw resident, said she can speak to the very phenomenon that Moulden described. In her role as The Elephant Free School’s building operations manager, she plans to facilitate the upkeep of Lincoln Temple and give walking tours to ensure that residents appreciate the historic church’s connection with the likes of Alexander Crummell, Marian Anderson, Roberta Flack, Julian Bond, and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

SHAW from Page 9

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Bridging the Gap

In the aftermath of Shaw Community Center’s closure, a board member who requested anonymity pointed out the potential for an equally, if not more potent force, for the Shaw community via The Elephant Free School. “Once we realized that this version of this work was going to be laid to rest, our next thing was how do we make sure that some kind of services and support could be provided in that building,” the board member said. “That is a historic building, and we did not want the work that was being done in that building to be lost or it become another new high-rise condo building in Shaw.” WI Read more on washingtponoinformer.com.

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SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026 11

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

3New Carrollton leadership is in flux after the City Council voted to remove Phelecia Nembhard as mayor, alleging that she violated the city’s hiring freeze. With support from members of the community, Nembhard is gearing up for the upcoming mayoral special election. (Courtesy Photo/Mayor Phelecia Nembhard)

New Carrollton City Council Votes 4-1 to Remove Mayor Phelecia Nembhard Urbina Says ‘No One is Above the Law,’ Nembhard Gears Up for Special Election

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter New Carrollton’s City Council voted 4-1 to oust Mayor Phelecia Nembhard, alleging that she violated the city’s indefinite hiring freeze by reinstating former employees. The Sept. 9 council hearing was

tense, and a supporter of Nembhard was escorted out by police. Nembhard was the first African American, first Caribbean American, and first woman to serve in her role when elected in 2020. “How dare you come up here and accuse this God-fearing woman of lacking integrity,” said the ousted supporter. “You all are a

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bunch of crooks.” Councilmember Cynthia Mills was the sole vote to retain the mayor, while Councilmembers Lincoln Lashley, Agnelli Sybel Malave, Duane Rosenberg, and Briana Urbina voted to remove her. Other residents testified in support of Nembhard, including one who said that ousting the mayor would be “the worst thing that could ever happen to this city.” In an exclusive interview, Nembhard spoke of her strong relationship with entities developing the Purple Line, a transit project that will offer a direct Metro connection between New Carrollton and Montgomery County. “When I reached out, they helped our town with grants,” she told The Informer in a phone interview. “Every time we asked.”

Special Election Ahead, Nembhard Plans to Run Again

Councilmember Urbina was one of the legislators who voted to remove Nembhard from her role as mayor. "The allegation is that she hired people despite that," Urbina said in an interview with Fox5. "It's alleged she attempted to intimidate the staff and the only reason these people weren't given any keys is because the city manager chose to resign, and the city manager resigned because she believed this action was unlawful and tried to warn the mayor." Urbina later explained her vote as showing that “no one is above the law.” “Tonight’s meeting was difficult for me, but not for the reasons some may think. I have genuine empathy for residents who are hurt and angry

about the Council’s decision to remove the mayor. I can imagine how I would feel if a leader I voted for and believed in was removed from office,” Urbina said in a social media post following the vote. “That pain was real in the room tonight, and I felt it. But leadership sometimes requires making decisions that are painful and unpopular. I believe we did the right thing.” The city charter calls for a special election within 65 days of a mayoral vacancy and Lashley will serve as interim mayor. Nembhard plans to file for the special election, while the city council maintains that she is not eligible. “There is no precedent that says that is the way it is supposed to happen,” Nembhard said in an interview with Fox5. “I’ll definitely be running in the special election.” Millie Tracy, a Lanham resident who stands behind Mayor Nembhard, is mobilizing supporters via social media for the upcoming special election. “Council members are attempting to remove New Carrollton Mayor Phelecia Nembhard— but many residents believe she deserves to continue serving. Mayor Nembhard works tirelessly for her community,” Tracy wrote on Facebook. “She helps search for missing children, encourages students to stay in school, feeds residents in need, and remains actively involved throughout the city. WI

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Native Prince Georgian Promotes Pursuing Passions with Afro Plus Fest

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

3 Maryland Gov. Wes Moore with Michael “Legendary Mike” Awasonya, founder of Afro Plus Fest, and First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore. (Courtesy Photo/Polly Irungu, Office of the Governor)

Braveboy Says ‘If You Have an Idea… Let’s Talk About It’

By Micha Green WI Managing Editor While artists have taken their final bows, vendors have cleared their wares and Northwest Stadium is moving on to prepare for football season, an encouraging lesson continues post Afro Plus Fest: the power of pursuing one’s passion. “Prince George's County has never hosted a festival like this,” Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy told The Informer on day two of the festival. “When these young people came to me and said, ‘Hey, we're hoping to host the festival there.’ They gave me some of the background. I said, ‘Don't worry, we will be your partners.’” For Braveboy, giving Michael “Legendary Mike” Awasonya, CEO and founder of Afro Plus Fest, the chance to host the three-day event in Prince George’s was about more than entertainment for the county. It also sent a message about the value of diversity and embracing new ideas from the next generation of Prince Georgians, while promoting the locale as a place that welcomes people frm across the globe. “The people who put this together— who thought about creating this— they are Prince Georgians, and like me, many of them are first generation,” said Braveboy, whose father was born in Grenada and also

recently learned she is of Nigerian descent. “That's the story of so many of us here in the county that we are first generation or we immigrated here, that we were born here, but we have relatives and families, and DNA and lineage that really dates back to, of course, the motherland…. Prince George's County is really representative of our total diaspora.” After hosting a one-day Afro Plus Fest at RFK Stadium in 2025, Awasonya had the idea to take the three-day event directly home. "Prince George's (PG) County raised me. This one's for the people who raised us,” said Awasonya. “PG has one of the most vibrant African diaspora communities in the country, and I wanted the world to see that. Created for us, by us, in the county that made us." Awasonya hoped to not only bring major musical acts to Northwest Stadium, but economic opportunity for the county and community. "When you build something this big in your own backyard, the whole community grows with you,” he continued. “We're pouring real impact right back into PG — into local vendors, artists, and creators. Seeing the neighborhood that made us profit directly from what we built at home, that's the win for me." Shelly Ackah, a social media influencer known as the African Bomb-

shell, said the festival was impactful because it created a global stage in Prince George’s, particularly at a moment where the federal government has challenged the value of immigrants, diversity, equity and inclusion.

5 Maryland Gov. Wes Moore hugs Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy during Afro Plus Fest, as her niece (far left) and First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore (far right) look on. (Courtesy Photo/Polly Irungu, Office of the Governor)

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“It's a milestone for the DMV because of the season that we're in. We're in a space and time where things are shifting and everything is changing, and we're taking it by force, literally,” she told The Informer on the first day of the festival. “So

shout out to the whole team of Afro Plus and Legendary Mike, because this is what you call real trailblazers.” As the Afro Plus team prepares for next year, Braveboy said she wants to encourage more young Prince Georgians to pursue their creative goals. “If you have an idea— just like the young people who put this together had an idea— come to me, let's talk about it. If we can support, if we can make sure that it happens, we're going to do that,” Braveboy said. “We are a government, really, of and for the people. So I want to know what you would like to see happen in your county, especially our young people. They are our future, and I am here to support them in every way I can.” WI

Building for What’s Next For many businesses, 2026 has been a year of returning to the fundamentals— strengthening operations, managing costs, rebuilding relationships, and evaluating what sustainable growth should look like moving forward. But strengthening the foundation is only part of the opportunity. As markets, technology, customer expectations, and economic conditions continue to evolve, businesses are also finding new ways to grow. That may mean entering new markets, developing new products or services, creating recurring revenue, forming strategic partnerships, or building entirely new business verticals. The companies positioned for the next cycle may not simply be those that grow their existing business. They will be those that understand how to build from a stronger foundation while creating new sources of value and revenue. For the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, this is an important part of supporting our business community connecting businesses to the relationships, information, resources, and opportunities that can help them evolve. 2026 is an opportunity to strengthen the foundation. What we build from it can shape what comes next. Visit https://pgcoc.org/ for more information Sincerely, Alexander K. Austin President & CEO Prince George's Chamber of Commerce

SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026 13

From Potential to Purpose: Leaders of Tomorrow Shapes Generations of DMV Youth By DC Black MBA For more than three decades, hundreds of young people across the Washington metropolitan area have found a place to strengthen their voices, sharpen their leadership skills and imagine bigger possibilities through the Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) program of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the National Black MBA Association (DC Black MBA). Launched locally in 1994 under then-Chapter President Lanta Evans-Motte, the program represents the National Black MBA Association’s commitment to developing the next generation of Black leaders. Through leadership development, public speaking, college and career preparation, case competitions, scholarships and exposure to business professionals, LOT gives high school students experiences designed to prepare them for success beyond the classroom. Over the past 30 years, corporate sponsors, donors, chapter leaders and volunteers have invested time and resources in ensuring DMV youth have access to opportunities that can influence the trajectory of their lives. For DC Black MBA Chapter President Dr. Carletta S. Hurt, LOT also represents her own entry into the National Black MBA Association. “My introduction to the National Black MBA Association was in Atlanta through LOT as an event coordinator for their chapter’s annual scholarship gala,” Hurt shared. “It afforded me a membership in the organization, and I soon joined the Atlanta board as the LOT Director a year later. It’s one of the few things that has kept me connected to the association.” That connection illustrates one of LOT’s greatest strengths, its impact extends beyond a single workshop or school year. Students are challenged to discover who they are as leaders, communicate their ideas confidently and work collaboratively to solve problems. Former LOT member Jahnai Williams initially needed some convincing to join. “My mom actually connected me to LOT through Ms. Carletta. I was hesitant to participate, however, I really learned a lot about myself as a leader and got a chance to use my voice through the oratorical competition,” Williams said. A scholarship recipient and oratorical competition winner, Williams also participated in the LOT Case Competition and Leadership Summit. “One of the best experiences

14 SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026

for me was the LOT Leadership Summit and participating in the Case Competition because it pushed me in the areas of teamwork, presentation skills, and I saw how if you really put in the effort you could be successful,” she explained. The transformation is equally meaningful for the adults who volunteer with the program. “Working with LOT gave me purpose and direction during my time on the board of the DC Black MBA,” said Kayla Dailey, a former board member and LOT Chair. “I also enjoyed watching them grow from a new member starting in October and blossoming into a young leader through the case competition practices and then seeing them networking at the leadership summit. It was a proud moment as the LOT Chair.” That growth is at the heart of the program. With the support of corporate sponsors, donors and volunteers, DC Black MBA’s LOT program exposes students to the full spectrum of business while strengthening leadership, public speaking and communication skills and helping participants become college and career ready. As the chapter looks to take LOT into the next 30 years, the mission remains relevant. Young people need opportunities to practice leadership before they are expected to lead. They need spaces where their voices are valued, mentors who see their potential and experiences that challenge them to stretch beyond what they already know. For DMV youth looking for opportunities, LOT is open to make that happen.

TRAYON from Page 8 (ONSE) and D.C. Department of Youth and Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) to award $5.2 million in contracts to two of Kamara’s companies. Video footage captured between June 26, 2024 and July 18, 2024 shows White entering Kamara's car before the two men speak about Kamara's desire to get his government contracts renewed and later inquiring about White's meetings with then-interim ONSE Director Kwelli D. Sneed and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah. Earlier in the day, Nicole Streeter, the D.C. Council’s general counsel of nearly nine years and a government witness, took to the stand, identified White taking an oath of office in a 2021 video, and confirmed documentation that he took training about the council’s code of conduct. Streeter was the first of several government witnesses who are expected to take the stand, including Snell, Appiah, and former D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine. Later, Crabb presented a document he said outlined an arrangement through which White would receive 3% of the aforementioned amount, or $526,000, if the alleged scheme proved successful. Later, on Sept. 15, FBI Special Agent Matthew Gano took the stand and, with the aid of photo evidence, told prosecutors that Kamara gave White a total of $35,000 in cash over the course of five interactions, most of which happened in Kamara's car parked near White's Navy Yard condo. “In that car, Mr. White accepted money,” Gano told White’s defense attorney Bruce H. Searby during cross examination.

By the time of the video footage, the FBI had been investigating White for a year, as recounted by Gano. Per the nearly two hours of tape that the prosecution played on the afternoon of Sept. 15, White alluded to meetings with Sneed and Appiah, and what prosecution described as strategies to help make Kamara’s case to the two female officials, one of whom White said raised concerns about how Life Deeds, Kamara’s company, performed in Wards 1 and 4. The two men, Gano said, also visited White’s mentor, former U.S. shadow representative for D.C. Charles Moreland for greater exploration of how to enter health care contracting. The Informer unsuccessfully attempted to establish contact with Moreland. Much of White’s dialogue with Kamara during those five recorded meetings focused on topics unrelated to their alleged arrangement. White spoke about his efforts to quell conflict in D.C. Jail and secure employment for at least one of Kamara’s employees whose hours were reduced. He also reflected on his therapy appointments and desire to focus more on building a nuclear family, his bouts with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on the issue of violence, as well as attempts to secure health care contracting, purchase land in North Carolina, and launch a federal contracting venture with a female colleague. During the moments where White strays into these other topics, Kamara can be heard attempting to bring the conversation back to what they can do together, as it relates to government contracts and getting more money for the council member. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

5 Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White leaves E. Barrett Perryman United States Court House after his 2024 arrest for bribery. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

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BUSINESS GATES from Page 4 20 years to the global health crisis/ education and support systems for underserved communities, MOSTLY targeting BLACK Africans,” Simmons wrote on X. “Imagine what a fraction of that could do to help repair the past for African Americans.” He later pushed back harder after criticism of his defense of Gates. “Scrutinize powerful people. Investigate legitimate allegations,” Simmons declared. “But don’t ignore a documented commitment of this magnitude.” Then Simmons posed a wider challenge. “My next question is: how can we direct some of this extraordinary philanthropic energy toward education, health, and opportunity for Black Americans too?” He noted that the question does not require diminishing what Gates is attempting in Africa. Nor does answering it require pretending that the Gates Foundation has ignored Black Americans. “It has not,” he said.

Gates Foundation Supports Black Colleges and Press, What’s Next?

Several messages left for Gates and his foundation went unanswered. However, the foundation maintains a substantial U.S. program focused on education and economic opportunity and says its work is designed to ensure Americans can “learn, grow, and get ahead” regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or family income. Its education programs specifically identify disparities affecting Black and Latino students, while

SABLE from Page 4

some emotional issues.” There was consensus that, for these friends behind and in front of the camera, it made perfect sense to exemplify brotherhood and keep working together on Sable. Many people waiting in line to meet Chestnut— who greeted each guest and took photos—- were not only excited to meet a celebrity, but

its postsecondary work has focused on eliminating race and income as predictors of college success. The foundation has also invested directly in historically Black colleges and universities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it committed $15 million to diagnostic testing infrastructure for HBCUs, including Howard University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Hampton University, Florida A&M University, Meharry Medical College, and Xavier University of Louisiana. A foundation executive has previously said that its Gates Millennium Scholars program represented more than $2 billion in support for more than 20,000 students of color. Another piece of Gates’ history is especially close to the question Simmons has raised. He has invested in the Black Press. Foundation records show a $1.699 million commitment to the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) for a multimedia education awareness campaign. In 2020, the foundation committed an additional $750,000 to NNPA to raise awareness of educational issues from early learning through employment. According to the foundation, the following year, they committed $800,000 to increase awareness of K-12, postsecondary, and education pathway issues among African American audiences. The Gates Foundation itself publicly acknowledged the relationship in 2023, describing NNPA as an association of African American-owned newspapers and media companies and stating that the organizations partnered to raise awareness of eduinspired by the message behind Sable. “When you pull up to a Sable event and end up getting your picture taken with celebrity crush Morris Chestnut, that’s a wow!” said one surprised shopper. “These kings just launched Sable Bourbon, ‘Bottled in Brotherhood.’ Their friendship is poured into every bottle. I’m not okay.” WI

5 As business mogul Bill Gates plans to give away $200 billion across Africa, Russell Simmons is encouraging him to consider investing some of that money to support cultural institutions such as the Black Press. (Courtesy Photo)

cational issues affecting Black Americans. Simmons argued that history makes the question before Gates different from an accusation that he has done nothing for Black America. The question is what comes next. In 2027, the Black Press will celebrate 200 years since Samuel Cornish and John Russwurm published the first edition of Freedom’s Journal on

March 16, 1827. Their declaration in that first newspaper remains one of the most enduring lines in American journalism: “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.” Two centuries later, the institutions that carry that mission forward are facing an economic crisis that threatens the survival of local and Blackowned journalism.

That is where Simmons noted that his challenge to Gates becomes more interesting. “The question is whether a man preparing to spend $200 billion changing lives around the world might once again sit down with the institutions that have spent nearly 200 years making certain Black America can speak for itself,” he said. WI

Request for Proposals – DCHFA-26-0041 – Compensation Study The D.C. Housing Finance Agency seeks proposals from qualified companies to provide compensation study services to the Agency as it relates to its personnel. Details: http://www.DCHFA.org/about/business-opportunities. Responses due: October 13, 2026, 2:00 p.m.

Request for Proposals – DCHFA-26-0073 – Event Planner Services The D.C. Housing Finance Agency seeks requests proposals from qualified full-time event planners to provide event planning services for the Agency. Details: http://www.DCHFA.org/about/business-opportunities. Responses due: October 13, 2026, 2:00 p.m.

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SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026 15

NATIONAL

3 Freedom papers featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The memory of African Americans having to present freedom papers in the 18th and 19th centuries is being unearthed, as some security surrounding the Republican Party’s midterm convention requires people to present identification or documentation explaining who they are. (WI File Photo)

From Freedom Papers to Citizenship Checks, an Old Question Returns

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Americans walking or driving through a section of downtown Dallas, Texas, this week are being stopped at barricades and told to produce identification or documentation explaining why they are there. This is an extraordinary security arrangement surrounding the Republican Party’s midterm convention that has many asking: when can the government demand that someone prove who they are and whether they belong in the United States? The checkpoints surrounding the American Airlines Center and Victo-

ry Park are tied to security for President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and thousands of people expected for the two-day convention Wednesday and Thursday. GOP officials claim the Dallas requirement is not a citizenship check, but it comes during an aggressive federal immigration campaign in which American citizens have been detained, questioned about their status and, in some cases, found that an ordinary government-issued identification card did not immediately end the encounter. “The real question is, well, are police going to believe that you actually are a U.S. citizen when they stop you and

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they say: ‘Where’s your document?’” Anthony Enriquez, vice president of U.S. advocacy and litigation at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, said in discussing Trump’s immigration policies. For Black America, the question reaches much farther back than the current immigration fight. At one point in U.S. history, Black people carried papers for precisely that reason. Not driver’s licenses. Not

passports for an overseas vacation. Not credentials for entrance into a political convention. They carried documents proving they were free. In the 18th and 19th centuries, free Black Americans in slaveholding jurisdictions could be required to register their status and obtain certificates of freedom, documents commonly called freedom papers. Those papers might record a person’s height, complexion, hair, age, birthplace, scars, and other distinguishing features. A Black person could know he was free, his family could know he was free, and his community could know he was free, yet none of that guaranteed his safety when confronted by someone who demanded proof. In 1852, Joseph Trammell, a free

Black Virginia man, registered in Loudoun County and obtained a Certificate of Freedom. He protected the document inside a handmade tin box and registered repeatedly until slavery ended. More than 170 years later, Trammell’s certificate and the little metal box that carried it are preserved at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, an institution that the Trump administration remains active in trying to discredit and even abolish. Free Black people faced kidnapping and sale into slavery. The National Archives has documented cases in which kidnappers exploited federal fugitive slave laws to seize free people. The legal architecture surrounding citizenship was equally unforgiving, because the Naturalization Act of 1790 restricted naturalization to “free white persons.” In 1857, the Supreme Court went considerably further in “Dred Scott v. Sandford,” ruling that Black people descended from enslaved Africans were not citizens within the meaning of the Constitution. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

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OUR

EARTH

Thousands Gather to Celebrate Rwanda’s 21st Kwita Izina 21st Annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony Serves as Symbol of Conservation, Tourism and Environmental Commitment

By Mya Trujillo WI Multimedia Reporter Every September, in the grassy piedmont of Volcanoes National Park in Musanze, Rwanda, tourists, locals and government officials gather to celebrate the Kwita Izina, the naming of the mountain gorillas born the year prior. On Sept. 4, thousands attended the 21st annual ceremony under the theme “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future,” where athletes, humanitarians and international figures named 22 baby gorillas. “Kwita Izina is an opportunity to recognize the value of natural heritage we have, to encourage communities to protect biodiversity, and to remind us of the important role of Volcanoes National Park in the development of our people and country,” said Maurice Mugabowagahunde, governor of the Northern Province. The ceremony holds immense significance in the Eastern African country, as it gives the newborns distinct identities and helps advance monitoring and conservation efforts for the only great apes with a consistently growing population, with 1,060 mountain gorillas living across the Virunga Massif and Bwindi ecosystem. After vibrant performances of local music, dance, and fashion, a person of global renown gives each gorilla a name in the country’s national language, Kinyarwanda. “In Rwandan culture, naming a child is not just a formality, but an act of love, commitment and hope, done in the presence of

3 Ngabonzima, a 10-month-old of the Segasira gorilla family, swings on a tree in Volcanoes National Park. Founders of The Woods Foundation and Kids Operating Room, Garreth and Nicola Wood, gave him his name, which means “protector,” during the 2026 Kwita Izina. (Mya Trujillo/ The Washington Informer)

family and friends who pledge to support that child’s future,” said Rwandan Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva at the ceremony. “Rwanda is honored to be the custodian of these last mountain gorillas, which are not only a global treasure, but also a source of pride and economic opportunity for our nation.” Most years, in the days following Kwita Izina, guests attend a concert organized by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). On Sept. 5, Nigerian Afrobeats artist Rema headlined the show at BK Arena in Kigali, sharing the stage with Kenny Sol, Kivumbi King, Sarah Phenom, DJ Marnaud and DJ Senshi. Gorilla tourism contributes to 1% of Rwanda’s GDP, helping advance the country’s development and helping Rwanda move toward becoming a tourism staple across the African continent. With Kwita Izina, the events surrounding it, treks through Volcanoes National Park to see the gorillas in their natural habitats and visits to the Ellen Degeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the Eastern African country is bringing people from all over the world to support its conservation efforts. “The mountain gorilla demonstrates what sustained commitment, strong institutions, community partnership and international partnerships can achieve,” said RDB CEO Jean-Guy Afrika during the 21st Kwita Izina. “This is an extraordinary conservation achievement, but it is also a reminder that our work must continue.”

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3 Residents of Muhoza, the administrative center of Musanze district in Rwanda’s Northern Province, energetically represent their community through song and dance. Muhoza is also the name of one of 12 gorilla families living throughout Volcanoes National Park and currently consists of 19 members. (Mya Trujillo/ The Washington Informer)

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Dancers and acrobats from Mashirika Performing Arts and Media Company, based in Kigali, put on a show for guests consisting of stunts, aerobics and authentic fashion. (Mya Trujillo/The Washington Informer)

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4 Members of the Segasira gorilla family roam around the jungle within Volcanoes National Park. The group is protected by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, which was founded in 1978 as the Digit Fund. (Mya Trujillo/The Washington Informer)

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What is the Tenant Summit? The OTA Tenant Summit serves as a day-long forum each year to bring together tenants, tenant associations, housing attorneys and advocates, policy experts, community leaders, and District officials to discuss matters of concern to the District’s tenant community. Overview Join us for a full day of presentations covering topics important to renters, from some of the leading experts in District government. Join us for the all-day Tenant Summit 2026 on Saturday September 19th: • Meet our Chief Tenant Advocate, Johanna Shreve • Attend panels of experts discussing the latest news in tenant-legislation • Take a class to brush up on your tenants’ rights • Find out more about how to advocate as a tenant and community resources available to you • Meet with an attorney-advisor about specific questions you might have

• Network with other tenant associations throughout the city Agenda: • 8am - 9am Registration & Breakfast • 9am - 10am Introductory Remarks by Chief Tenant Advocate Johanna Shreve and a Moment of Recognition of Tenant Advocates 10am – 11:45am Plenary Session – Tenant Advocacy: An East Coast Perspective 12pm – 1:30pm Lunch 1:45 – 3pm Afternoon Breakout Panels: • Changing Landscapes of Rental Housing; • Empowering Tenant Associations; • A Tenant’s Guide to Aging in Place; • Spotlight on Property Management

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HEALTH

3 While Stuart Anderson is often busy working to help and fight for District residents through his local roles with the Democratic Party and MLK Holiday DC, he also works to raise awareness about prostate cancer screenings, support and treatment after his own battle with the disease. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Four Prostate Cancer Survivors Share Their Journeys

‘Get Tested if You are Over 40…No Matter How You Feel’ By Gregory Ford WI Guest Writer These conversations were assembled by Greg Ford and edited for length and clarity.

In recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Stuart Anderson, Lamont Mitchell (the Chair of the Anacostia Coordinating Council and founder of Know Your Numbers DC), Arrington Dixon (former chair

of the Council of the District of Columbia) and Jimmy Williams (Washington Literacy Center)— four Black men who live east of the Anacostia River— answered questions about their journeys with the disease. The men discuss their diagnosis stories, treatment plans, and stigma behind prostate cancer.

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With September’s recognition working to raise awareness, they also address the need for routine testing, early diagnosis and deserving the highest quality of care. Recent research reveals Black men are disproportionately affected by the disease. The Michigan Institute of Urology, based on statistics from the American Cancer Society, reported that prostate cancer is 73% higher in Black men than their white counterparts. In addition, Black men in the U.S. and Caribbean have the highest documented prostate cancer rates in the world. Moreover, Zero Cancer reports about 17 Black men a day die from prostate cancer. “Prostate cancer doesn't care how strong you are. It cares how early you find it,” said Mitchell, founder of Know Your Numbers DC. In the nation’s capital, prostate cancer is particularly prevalent, with the highest per-capita fatality rate in the country and is eighth in incidence rate, according to Zero Cancer. KnowYour Numbers DC is one of the organizations working to find ways to combat disproportionate prostate cancer rates in the District and Black community, by raising awareness and making testing, education and support more accessible. “Your zip code should never be your death sentence,” Mitchell continued. “Know your numbers, and live.” What did you know about prostate cancer before it entered your life? Dixon: “My father died from prostate cancer. He went through traumatic surgeries but it didn’t solve the problem. He took female hormones to try and neutralize male hormones. Female hormones made him develop breasts. He got through it but under a lot of pain. It metastasized.” Williams: “I knew quite a bit. I had several friends who had prostate

cancer including my roommate in college. My family talked about health information. My father had prostate cancer. Like a lot of Black men he just didn’t share anything other than what worked and what didn’t work. My grandfather died of cancer in 1962. My mother had breast cancer. So, in my family I heard cancer, cancer, cancer. I was regularly tested.” Anderson: “Nobody in my family talked about prostate cancer before my diagnosis and I knew relatively nothing about prostate cancer or cancer period. Since my diagnosis, I have learned that a couple of aunts have died from cancer and that my mother had died from cancer while I was in prison.” Mitchell: “My mother died of breast cancer and my grandfather had prostate cancer. African American mothers and their sons share a particular genetic link that influences prostate cancer. It’s one of the important reasons for families to talk about their health history.” When were you diagnosed and who did you tell first? Anderson: “I was diagnosed with prostate cancer the first time in 2022. I was in denial and I didn’t get treatment until 2025 when I drove myself to Sibley because I just wasn’t feeling well. (I thought I was going to be able to say that Cedar Hill was better. Never take me to Greater Southeast!) They triaged me in the waiting room, discovered that I had a blood glucose level of 1200 and began giving me IVs and some insulin right there on the spot. They also said: ‘You have prostate cancer. The fact that you have type II diabetes makes it extremely risky for you not to get treatment (for the prostate cancer).’ It was at that time that I began to take all of that stuff seriously. I told my children and my wife first.”

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PROSTATE CANCER from Page 20 Williams: “It was two years ago on my birthday. What a birthday gift! The year before, there was nothing. In a year’s period there was this sharp arc up. I had an aggressive fast growing one. I had absolutely no symptoms before they told me. “I’m married. I am a gay, Black man and I have a son, too. You’d think I would tell my spouse and my family first. But I called my mother first. She told me: ‘Think it through before you tell your family.’ They both looked stunned when I told them. My son might have been in high school then. My son’s first question was: ‘Are you gonna die?’ And those were questions I couldn’t answer.” Dixon: “My daughter had discovered that she had a mark on her kidney. I and the rest of my family were with my daughter when she was being treated by her physician, a specialist. While we were in his office, I read about this doctor’s accomplishments and his reputation. I asked him to work on me. My entire family was there at the time and heard that.” Mitchell: “In April 2023 my PSA test, which I had been given routinely, came back with a level of 27. Normal is less than 4. An MRI and a biopsy identified my disease as aggressive.” How did you decide on what treatments to take? Did you get a second opinion? Dixon: “I secured the expert care of the same specialist that treated my daughter and I asked to have my prostate cut out and removed surgically. I said ‘Get it out!’ I did not mess around

5 Lamont Mitchell, chair of the Anacostia Coordinating Council, goes for a check up in 2021. Mitchell is a prostate cancer survivor, advocate and founder of Know Your Numbers DC. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

with pills and radiation.” Mitchell: “The first recommendation I received was to immediately remove my prostate surgically. The second opinion from the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, downgraded my test results. They performed some advanced imaging that led us towards a treatment plan of androgen deprivation therapy and cutting edge radiation. Getting the second opinion paved the way for me to receive exceptional care.” Anderson: “I got a second and a third opinion. I started out at Whitman-Walker. I went to Kaiser. Then I went to the specialist that Whitman-Walker had recommended. I had radiation therapy. Once I got used to it I was alright. I wasn’t groggy or anything like that. The first couple of times they make you stay and sit for a bit after the treatments. (They recommend that you have people come with you.) I had a very extensive stage of prostate cancer. So, to have come out of it on this side like I did, I would recommend radiation therapy 9 times out of 10.” Williams: “My doctor mapped out the next 12-months and said ‘This is how fast yours is growing and the most aggressive cells are leaning against your bladder. Take the time to do a second opinion if you want to. But you need to schedule it right away.’ “I asked my primary doctor (who was dark skinned Indian) about the studies. How many Africans were included in the studies, how does this work on people of color - all of the data. He responded: ‘Those are very good questions. I don’t get asked that often. I’ll provide you. But I am willing to believe that it is zero or less than 2%. I’ll send you the information because I know where to find the information that’s more relevant to you.’ I asked him: ‘You know what I’m looking at. You know it’s leaning against my bladder. You know that it’s Stage Three. If you were in this situation, what would you do?’ He looked at me and thought about it and he said ‘I’ll tell you what I would not do. I wouldn’t do the surgery. People who go straight for surgery sometimes have it come back. In which case, you may then have to go through X-ray and possibly chemotherapy later.’ When he said that I did more research and my thought was no I’m not going to go through that.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

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EDUCATION DEMOCRACY from Page 1 Black, bold, and boundless. “I want [historians] to remember that our generation accomplished that action of fighting and the action of confidence…to see not only did our ancestors stand up, but the [next] generation also did

more. They also advocated more,” Ya’Kyjah Maddox, rechartering president of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) section at Hampton University, told The Informer. “I feel like a lot of younger generations, especially my generation, feel like the older people got it, they're going to handle

22 SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026

5 After the historic revival of the March on Washington on Aug. 28, student advocates in D.C. and beyond are echoing the power of youth leadership to build what some hope will be a new democracy in America. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

it; but at the end of the day, it's not up to just them anymore. We

have to continue fighting –– at the polls, voting, and just everything.” As the nation tackles ballot issues from voter eligibility to health care, this fall is all about building action-forward strategies to resist what Tylik McMillan calls a “modern-day lynching of our rights.” With the second Trump administration came a slew of regressive tactics all but determined to erode decades of civil rights gains, including stripping voter protections in congressional maps, eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, funding cuts to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and efforts to diminish the livelihood of LGBTQ+ communities. Amid the new norm of executive orders and legislative setbacks, youth advocates like Maddox and McMillan, national director of Youth and College of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), are among those renewing scholars in the strength of revitalizing ancestral traditions. “We may have Black CEOs, we may have Black elected officials, but liberation was never tied to how many seats we can obtain. Liberation is measured by whether we, the people, have those sacred words of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” McMillan declared during last month’s 2026 March on Washington. “I believe the power belongs to the people… We are not waiting for history to save us, but we are the storytellers– –a new democracy.” The March on Washington: Defend the Vote on Aug. 28 proved one example of how young people plan to show up in the fight. Youth delegates stressed to voters the importance of building a

government that reflects the future of innovation and leadership. Chloe Irene McIntyre of Spelman College in Atlanta demanded an education system that “doesn’t drown students in debt.” Yolanda Renee King –– daughter of Martin Luther King III and granddaughter of the fallen civil rights leader –– spoke with conviction as she implored the next generation to carry the call that the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King delivered on those same steps 63 years before. “I have three [orders]: Get ready, get set. Let's go,” she said to youth in the audience, reminding the crowd that her grandfather was only 34 years old when he topped the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. “A dream without work is only a wish…This is our leg in the race.” Here in the DMV, aligning with the revival’s theme to “Defend the Vote” includes building up the next generation to carry on a lasting impact, Maddox said, be it empowering civic engagement or helping them build an appetite for justice that can’t be conquered by fear. “That’s where I want our youth to find their voice,” she told The Informer. “We're having problems where our generation [is graduating without even knowing] if they're going to be able to land a job, maintain housing, maintain fellowships. What does it take for everybody to stand up? What does it take for everybody to realize that we are the continuation?”

‘This is What Democracy Looks Like’

While policy shapers and law-

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DEMOCRACY from Page 22 makers work to drive change nationally, Maddox emphasizes the work that ensues on the campuses of HBCUs. In Virginia, Hampton University’s NCNW section is setting up shop to promote free education and accessibility throughout October. Held during the institution’s homecoming week (Oct. 18-25), the local organization will honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its usual raffle table to raise funds for free mammograms for women in need, while also providing resources on all things voter information weeks shy of midterm elections. “It's a difference when you have people reaching out in the community, reaching out to the campuses, local community centers, local businesses,” said the NCNW section president, “not to harass or pressure people, but to actually educate the youth.” More than voter turnout, Maddox touted boosting youth engagement as an opportunity to build a democracy that future leaders can not only shape but participate in daily. “That looks like teens going to programs and initiatives where they could [benefit from] LinkedIn and resume workshops, learn [professional etiquette],” she continued, also zeroing in on the fight for fair wages and support for educators nationwide. “It looks like our youth and our generation fighting to have an education, to be able to

be in the positions to have a say in this country.” Howard University’s National Action Network (NAN) chapter is driving student advocacy with a pulse on the value of civic traditions. After rallying in arms at the 2026 March on Washington, founder and president emeritus Tabia Lee told The Informer the D.C.-based platform is challenging communities to invest in strategy-forward activism, such as conferences mobilizing activists across generations and year-round efforts to build voter participation––from classrooms to campuses. “We're all stuck on the social media aspect, but it's more than just social media,” Lee continued. “We actually need to branch out to different avenues…reactivating different forms [of resistance] that we've seen throughout history.” With all eyes on what’s to come in November, the biggest charge for advocates is ensuring intergenerational collaboration is not a method of the past, but the standard of the future––and it starts with creating spaces for youth to remember that they have a voice after all. “When they ask about what this generation did when democracy was under attack, let the record show that we showed up… let the record show that we spoke up. When they told us that freedom was impossible, let the record show that we fought anyway and showed them what democracy looks like,” McMillan said. “This is what democracy looks like.” WI

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5 The Howard University’s National Action Network (NAN) chapter returns to ancestral tradition by participating in the 2026 March on Washington: Defend the Vote in August. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

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EDITORIAL

See Africa Clearly

The World’s Distorted Map is Finally Getting a Long-Overdue Correction Sometimes, changing a picture can change how we see the world. That is why the United Nations General Assembly’s overwhelming vote to adopt a more geographically accurate world map is far more significant than it may seem. On Sept. 4, the General Assembly approved the “Correct the Map” resolution, led by the Republic of Togo and backed by the African Union. The vote was 164–1, with six countries abstaining. The only vote against it came from the United States. At issue is the familiar Mercator projection, the 16th-century map that has shaped generations of classrooms and public perceptions. Designed primarily for navigation, not for accurately depicting the relative sizes of continents, it distorts regions near the poles, making them appear dramatically larger, while shrinking areas closer to the equator. The result is especially striking for Africa. On traditional maps, Africa can appear roughly comparable in size to Greenland. In reality, Africa is about 14 times larger than Greenland. Africa covers about 30.3 million square kilometers—large enough to contain the United States, China, India, and much of Europe. That distortion matters.

Africa is not a country, as it is still embarrassingly described by some politicians, journalists, and others. It is a continent of 54 nations, more than 1.4 billion people, extraordinary cultural diversity, vast natural resources, and enormous economic potential. It is the second-largest continent on Earth, after Asia. For centuries, the world has been taught to see Africa as smaller—literally and figuratively—than it is. The map became part of the mental framework through which generations understood global geography, power, and importance. Yes, this is about a map, but it is also about representation. It is about correcting an image that has helped reinforce a worldview in which Europe and other parts of the Global North appear disproportionately dominant, while Africa and other equatorial regions are visually diminished. And then there is America's vote. The United States, the only country in the world to oppose the resolution, called it a “radical ideological project,” arguing that it distracted from more pressing global problems. That position deserves scrutiny. There is nothing radical about accuracy. Teaching children the actual size of a continent is not ideological. And there is certainly nothing frivolous

about challenging representations that have shaped how billions of people understand the world. No map can perfectly represent a three-dimensional globe on a flat surface. Different projections serve different purposes, and the Mercator projection remains useful for navigation. But when the purpose is education and understanding, why not show the world more accurately? Africa does not need the United Nations to make it bigger. It already is. What is long overdue is ensuring the rest of the world sees it that way. WI

On Sept. 4, the General Assembly approved the “Correct the Map” resolution, led by the Republic of Togo and backed by the African Union. The vote was 164–1, with six countries abstaining. The only vote against it came from the United States.

With Injuries and Deaths Involving Motorized Devices on the Rise, It’s Time to Establish Some Serious Boundaries As is often the case when new fangled gadgets and gizmos first hit the streets and become more popular, available, and affordable, the latest trend – motorized micro-mobility

But with little or no forethought made by the manufacturers of these devices, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and their colleagues nearby have seen situations intended for fun and games suddenly transform into life or death occurrences.

devices – have recently taken the DMV by storm. And it doesn’t seem to matter how young or old the “driver” is – everyone seems to be scurrying around the region on e-bikes and electric scooters with many of them apparently in a hurry to reach their destination. But with little or no forethought made by the manufacturers of these devices, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and their colleagues nearby have seen situations intended for fun and games suddenly transform into life or death occurrences. And it’s not just those who are operating these vehicles – e-bikes have proven dangerous for pedestrians as well. A few things to remember: e-bikes

can reach speeds as high as 28 mph and weigh up to 70 pounds, electric motors are quiet and difficult for walkers or joggers to hear as they approach; and at top speed, riders need more distance to brake if a pedestrian or automobile suddenly crosses their path. Some schools have banned e-bikes from their campuses, but students are still allowed to ride them to and from school. Many of them don’t wear helmets. Even more seem to prefer sidewalks over designated bike lanes. As for delivery services, like DoorDash or GrubHub, their drivers navigate city streets and maneuver in and out of traffic like they’re fourwheeled automobiles with bumpers. Pediatricians and the American

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TO THE EDITOR “Gates is a well known friend of Epstein. Top reason why Melinda divorced him. I for one do not want a penny of that predator’s money. Have we stooped so low? I think not. We are in the middle of knowing our own buying power, and it is in the Trillions not billions. Sir, stop looking for the white man’s money, as if there aren’t already millions of Black women in communities, nourishing our people with their money, time, resources and energy. Uplift THEM with YOUR millions and stop looking outside the Black community for monetary assistance. How you missed this latest Black Renaissance is beyond me. Wake Up.” - J. Lo (In reference to the article: “Bill Gates Is Giving Away $200 Billion. Russell Simmons Wants Black America in the Conversation.”) “Thank you, Dr. Holden, for bringing attention to what so many Warriors experience: looking well does not mean being well. No one should have to visibly deteriorate before their pain is believed. J. Snow’s message about recognition, validation and community speaks directly to why SCD Relief (SCDRelief.com) exists.” -Baya Ginn (In reference to the article: “‘You Look Fine’: Award-Winning Film Turns Invisible Illness Into a Call for Preventative Health.”) Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons warn riders that the result of a crash can be life-altering, leading to severe bone fractures, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries sometimes resembling motorcycle accidents. While the number of accidents and deaths involving e-bikes and similar vehicles may not be considered a public health crisis, without sounder minds putting age limits, upgraded protections, and more strict road and traffic laws in force, things will inevitably become worse. So, now is the time to be proactive

and protect our youth, our seniors, those occasional e-bike drivers, and those who admit they can’t wait to give it a try. We already know that speed kills when reckless drivers get behind the wheel of a car and forget that there are others on the road with them. But speed can also kill those on motorized devices and/or innocent pedestrians who may unfortunately get in their way. Let’s stop playing Russian Roulette with innocent lives. WI

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

Rev. Al Sharpton

If AI Is the New Language of Power, Then NAN Wants Black Communities Fluent

We are at the forefront of a fundamental shift of access and opportunity. When new technology emerges, marginalized communities are often told to catch up to systems we did not design, and adjust to landscapes that would sooner leave us behind than include us in their architecture. Often during these shifts, our communities become the least resourced,

and must navigate industries whose rate of change outpaces their rate of exposure. To combat this, these communities must develop emerging systems of knowledge through internal networks of education, skill exchange, and entrepreneurship. This is a civil rights issue. Now, at the dawn of the artificial intelligence era, the same systems our communities have always built for ourselves must rise again. We have had to teach one another how to navigate every new language of power, often because nobody was coming to teach

Guest Columnist

us. AI cannot be different. If Black and brown communities are going to compete at the highest levels of industry, then practical AI training cannot be reserved for Silicon Valley boardrooms, elite universities, or people who already have a seat at the table. It has to reach our residents, our clergy, our organizers, our entrepreneurs, our young people, and our families. For this reason, National Action Network is putting AI education directly in the hands of the community with a new initiative led by AI fluency

strategist Susan Hearn. The AI Fluency Initiative's premise combines the doctrines of racial equity with technology and culture, elevating how access makes AI such a consequential force in determining who gets to shape the next era of American life. Too often, our communities are spoken for as populations that technology is happening to, rather than working for. We hear about the jobs AI might eliminate, the algorithms that discriminate, and the industries being disrupted. Those concerns are real, but that cannot be where the

conversation ends. We must proactively shift this narrative. We are not just workers to be displaced and demographics to be reached after AI has already disrupted the landscape. We are purveyors and engineers of this technology and should be considered active participants in its use. Our initiative seeks to interrupt that sequence, refusing to let us become passive figures in a shift that should be empowering us.

SHARPTON Page 45

Krista Chan

Nolan Wells' Death One of Several Signifying Racial Terror Lives On in U.S. South

The legacy of lynchings and racial terror in the American South continues in 2026 in a spate of suspicious deaths of young African Americans across the region. Local authorities have perpetually underinvestigated and even covered up these cases. The most prominent recent case is that of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Black man whose body was found on

July 6 on Horn Island, off the Mississippi Gulf Coast, after a Fourth of July trip with three white friends. The NAACP announced its formal involvement in the case on Aug. 17, joining the legal team representing Wells' family alongside prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump. The family has raised questions about discrepancies in accounts of Wells' final hours, including why his phone was found with one of the friends rather than with his body. An independent autopsy commissioned by the family found that his "manner

Guest Columnist

of death remained undetermined." In what was likely a retaliatory act for speaking up about her son's death, Wells' mother, Christine Wonsley, faced anonymous attacks on her nursing license. In a recent vigil commemorating Wells' 19th birthday, Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant said, "To go from Medgar Evers to Emmett Till, to Nolan Wells, the blood stops here. We came tonight to stop a blood cycle. We are tired of all of these innocent Black bodies being killed." In the notorious 1955 case of

14-year-old Emmett Till, Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam were acquitted by an all-white jury after torturing and murdering Till for allegedly whistling at a white woman in a Mississippi grocery store. While Till's death is well-known for having galvanized the Civil Rights movement, thousands of lynchings of African Americans have gone unreported. According to the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), 4,084 lynchings of African Americans occurred in the 12 Southern states from 1877 to 1950, and not a single white person

was convicted of murder during this period. The Congressional Black Caucus has also thrown its weight behind the Wells family, sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel, urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to launch an independent federal review of the case. This request faces the challenge of a hostile environment towards racial justice at the DOJ. Under the Trump administration's attacks on Diversity, Equity & In-

CHAN Page 45

Dedrick Asante-Muhammad

Black Unemployment Is Falling, But the Racial Economic Divide Continues

As noted in the Joint Center’s State of the Black Labor Market report, the 2026 August jobs report delivered encouraging news. The economy added 162,000 jobs, exceeding expectations. Black unemployment has declined meaningfully over the course of 2026, falling from 7.3% in January to 6.0% in August.

To put that in perspective, the Black unemployment rate averaged roughly 10.0% during the 2000s and 10.8% during the 2010s. The most recent unemployment data rate reflects a labor market that, by historical standards, is low but, compared to other contemporary American communities, has the highest rate of unemployment. A 6.0% Black unemployment rate still sits nearly two full percentage points above the overall national rate of 4.1% and well above the 3.7% rate for white workers.

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That persistent inequality is a fixture of the American economy across booms, recessions, and recoveries alike and this current administration and Congress appear to have no will to address racial inequality, particularly as it relates to African Americans. And when we look beyond the headline unemployment number, the picture grows more complicated. Between January and August 2026, the Black labor force shrank by approximately 288,000 people. Black employment was essen-

tially flat over those eight months, declining by roughly 3,000. The labor force participation rate declined from 62.7% in January to 61.6% in August. These numbers show that the Black labor market still has much room for improvement. Perhaps most importantly, this labor market is not being experienced equally across Black communities. The first eight months of 2026 produced notably different realities for Black men and Black women. Black men saw the steadiest improvement. Their unemployment

rate declined from 8.1% in January to 6.2% in August, with consistent month-over-month drops from April onward. Employment also increased in several industries where Black men are concentrated, including transportation and warehousing, construction, and manufacturing. Transportation and warehousing added approximately 5,000 jobs in August, construction added approximately 22,000, and manufacturing added approximately

ASANTE-MUHAMMAD Page 45

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

Roy Malonson

An Informed Vote Is a Powerful Vote

For African Americans, voting has always represented more than simply choosing a name on a ballot. It is an opportunity to participate in decisions that can shape education, employment, public safety, housing, health care, economic opportunity and the future of our communities. Being politically liberal, con-

servative, independent, or somewhere in between should not mean automatically supporting every candidate associated with a particular political party. Voters should examine what candidates actually stand for, what policies they have supported and whether their records match the promises they make during election season. The most important question should be: Which candidates and policies will create meaningful opportunities and address the concerns facing our communities?

That requires looking beyond campaign slogans and political labels. Voters can examine positions on issues such as protecting voting rights, strengthening public education, supporting small businesses, expanding economic opportunities, improving neighborhoods, addressing discrimination and ensuring equal treatment under the law. Candidates should also be held accountable for their records, not simply their campaign speeches. African American communi-

Guest Columnist

ties are not politically monolithic, and no party should assume that Black voters automatically owe it their support. Political leaders earn votes by listening to constituents, addressing their concerns and demonstrating a commitment to the principles they claim to support. Voting is also about local elections. City councils, school boards, county officials, judges, and state legislators make decisions that can have an immediate impact on families and neighborhoods. Those

races deserve the same attention as presidential elections. Ultimately, the responsibility belongs to every voter. Study the candidates. Compare their platforms. Examine their records. Question campaign promises. Discuss the issues with others. Then cast a ballot based on your values, priorities and judgment. The strongest political voice is an informed and engaged community that holds every party accountable. WI

guy who forced us all to use Explorer. Maybe Gates is just Control-Zing his life. Undo. Undo. Undo. STAYING HUMAN The other day, I started texting with my AI chatbot. I'd used AI before, of course. Spellcheck. Grammar. Transcription. Research assistance. The mechanical stuff. This time, we talked. Or, rather, I started talking. At one point the chatbot said

something that sounded strangely personal. So, I reminded it that it wasn't a person. "You're not human," I said. "I'm basically talking to myself." It disagreed. It said I should think of it as working with an instrument that talks back. This is where the danger begins. The machine talks back. I tried another analogy. You're a tool, I said. Like a cane.

Emil Guillermo

AI Needs to Know Who Is the Boss

I hope on Labor Day you honored the value of a good day's work, and reflected on the thing that could eliminate a lot of jobs. Artificial intelligence. Your replacement is in the break room. Except it doesn't take breaks. It doesn't sleep. It doesn't demand health insurance. It doesn't

complain. It doesn't need Social Security. And it can produce in seconds what might take you or me hours. And when companies can mass-produce AI faster than we can reproduce humans, there may eventually be more artificial workers than actual ones. The racists who came up with "replacement theory" worried about the wrong replacements. It wasn't immigrants. It was software. We can rail against the data cen-

Guest Columnist

ters sucking up electricity and water. Rail against the billionaires getting richer while telling the rest of us how wonderful the future will be. But which billionaire? Jensen Huang of Nvidia? He literally has all the chips? Sam Altman of OpenAI? Dario Amodei of Anthropic? Or Bill Gates? Gates recently said AI could become the "greatest equalizer ever invented" or the "worst source of injustice." I want to believe him. But he's the

GUILLERMO Page 46

Marc H. Morial

Introducing Our Congressional Blueprint to Bring Affordability for All

"The rich nations must use their vast resources of wealth to develop the underdeveloped, school the unschooled, and feed the unfed." — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is a peculiar time in America, when economists offer varying outlooks on our economy. Some herald the artificial intelligence era

as a period of great prosperity. The stock markets continue to climb, nearly unscathed by a war that costs the nation nearly $1 billion every day. And the current administration, despite firing the official overseeing the Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly jobs report just over a year ago, says the job market shows signs of growth. But for most Americans, the reality paints a much dimmer picture. This Iran war has cost the average household over $1,200 in

the last seven months as gas prices reach record highs. Access to safe, affordable food is growing scarcer, with nearly weekly recalls on nutritious items. And as tariffs and global spats threaten energy prices as we enter the colder months, disastrous cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP benefits loom on the horizon to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy in the Big Ugly Bill. The Urban League movement sees the pain Americans face every day, and we're meeting the moment the best way we can through

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job programs and housing and education supports, but now is also a time for Congress to act. Less than two months ahead of the midterm elections, we're no longer waiting on either side of the aisle to present an agenda that will serve the people. We've developed one ourselves. I'd like to introduce our blueprint to rescue the American Dream and put working families first: the Affordability for All agenda. This agenda is informed by re-

search from our Washington Bureau, anecdotes from our affiliates and insights from my leadership as president of the National Urban League for over 23 years. These are the six calls to action: 1. Pass a National Living Wage No one who works full time should live in poverty. Raise the federal minimum wage to reflect today's cost of living and index it to inflation so wages keep pace

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LIFESTYLE

3 Marking its 21st year, H Street Festival returns Saturday, Sept. 19, to boost economic growth and communal engagement in Northeast, D.C. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

Washington Informer Weekend Checklist WASHINGTON INFORMER'S

Things To Do, DMV! By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor Whether looking for a fun escape or something to get into after the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 55th Annual Legislative Conference (Sept. 16-20), the Washington Informer Calendar has a slew of options –– and a preview roundup below. Check out a handful of the events taking over the DMV this weekend, from brunches and galas to the return of H Street Fest

and Broccoli City Festival. And remember, there’s always something happening in the region to keep your spirit –– and social life –– lit.

Thursday, Sept. 17

The Future of Black America: Where Do We Go From Here? 10 a.m. | Free 899 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, D.C., 20002

Join the National Policy Alliance at the 2026 Annual Meeting & Conference amid the Congressional Black Caucus Week (Sept. 14-20). This year's conference will bring together elected officials, policymakers, business leaders, clergy, educators, community advocates, and emerging leaders to celebrate legacy, unveil the National Policy Alliance's renewed vision and mission, and engage in meaningful dialogue on the future of Black America. Explore innovative solutions, strengthen strategic partnerships, and chart a bold

FROM THE THE WORLD’S LEADING AUTHORITY ON THE ART FORM OF STEPPING

course for the next generation of leadership and community impact. Friendship Place 35th A nniversary Gala 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | $350.00 Conrad Washington, DC, 950 New York Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20001 Celebrate 35 years of ending homelessness and rebuilding lives at Friendship Place’s 35th Anniversary Gala at Conrad Washington DC. Community leaders, supporters, and advocates will gather for an evening of dinner, drinks, and an inspiring program honoring four leaders whose work has strengthened the D.C. region: Jean-Michel Giraud, Friendship Place president and CEO, celebrating 20 years of transformative leadership; Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeae (D), a longtime advocate for affordable housing and homelessness services; Sue Marshall, founding executive director of The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness; and Carole Evans, National Symphony Orchestra violinist and founder of Friendship Place’s Music of Friends concert series.

Friday, Sept. 18

Public Policy Talks Live D.C. 2026 6 p.m. | Free 701 13th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20005

RHYTHM. RESILIENCE. REFLECTION.

NOW PLAYING

GET YOUR TICKETS!

ARENASTAGE.ORG/FRUITS | 202–488–3300 Photo by Jati Lindsay.

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This reception and award show will bring together professionals, policymakers, and enthusiasts to share insights, exchange ideas, and build valuable connections. Don't miss out on this exclusive, high-impact gathering of more than 300 leaders in public policy, government, journalism, and business. Topics of discussion will focus on:

Saturday, Sept. 19

H Street Festival 2026 Noon - 7 p.m. | Free 3rd Street NE to 15th Street NE It’s the 21st year of H Street Festival, one of the largest outdoor festivals in the city! Spanning 12 blocks of H Street North-

east, the annual affair is one of the most anticipated and highly attended single-day festivals in Washington, D.C. Across multiple staging areas and more than 200 businesses, restaurants, community organizations and vendors, participants get a taste of the local culture while boosting economic impact. Come down to enjoy great food, drinks, music, contests, kids’ activities and more. Broccoli City Festival: Summer Walker, kwn, and more 4 p.m. | $28.00+ Jiffy Lube Live, 7800 Cellar Door Drive, Bristow, VA 20136 Broccoli City’s one-day R&B experience, presented by AT&T, is built around the artists shaping the sound right now — and the people you want next to you when they play. This isn't a concert; it's a curated journey. A space to convene with friends, meet new ones, and let the music do what it does best — pull everyone closer. Featuring this year’s headliners: Summer Walker, kwn, and more. Don’t miss out on good music and good vibes at Broccoli City.

Sunday, Sept. 20

Dope Black Girls Brunch 2026 11:30 a.m. | $108.55+ The Hamilton, 600 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20005 The Dope Black Girls Brunch is a signature gathering of Congressional Black Caucus Weekend, bringing together Black women from across media, politics, business, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and culture for an afternoon of meaningful connection and celebration. Hosted at The Hamilton in Washington, D.C., this annual experience creates space for authentic conversations, intentional networking, and building relationships with women shaping industries and driving change in their communities. Whether looking to network, reconnect with familiar faces, or simply celebrate the brilliance of Black women during one of the most influential weekends of the year, this is where community, collaboration, and culture come together. Tickets include a full brunch, curated cocktails, a fireside chat and more! WI Read more on washingtoninformer.con.

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LIFESTYLE

Mosaic Theater Company Kicks Off Season with ‘Somewhere Over the Border’ Musical Based on a Mother’s Immigration Saga

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Contributing Writer The soulful sounds, provocative images, and the inspirational true-tolife saga of a mother’s journey from El Salvador to America during the 70s, serves as the basis for a new musical, “Somewhere Over the Border” – the season opener for D.C.’s Mosaic Theater Company. Written by playwright Brian Quijada, the award-winning co-curator and star of the off-Broadway hit, “Mexodus,” the play debuts on Sept. 10 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center and runs through Oct. 4. As the title suggests, the production offers a timely, fresh spin on Frank Baum’s classic “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” But this time, it’s not Dorothy from Kansas and her precocious dog Toto, who are whisked away amidst the winds of a tornado to the fantastic, faraway land of Oz. Instead, the play features Reina (Pepin), a mother and immigrant from El Salvador, who braves the arduous journey to America in search of a better life for herself and her son. “Sure, I feel a lot like Dorothy from ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ but there’s so much more – so many different aspects to the character I portray,” Pepin said. “The scenes are spectacular and the music, which includes a variety of genres, is so beautiful and inspirational. I’ve never been part of a production like this before and I can’t wait to see how audiences respond.” Along the way, audiences are invited to join Reina as she gathers new friends, stares down dangers, and holds fast to the memory of her child who she leaves behind while traveling north to the Mexican border to build a better life for them both in America. As the play unfolds, audiences will be invited to join Reina and her growing assortment of friends, as they celebrate aspects of their culture that include everything from the folk dance and popular musical genre cumbia to the Mexican bolero, a style of slow, romantic song and dance focused on love and h “People who leave behind everything they know and everyone they love to travel to another country in hopes of a better life are often and unjustly viewed

as less than human,” said Raymond O. Caldwell, director of “Somewhere Over the Border.” “This play takes issue with such notions and sets the record straight.”

Tapping into the Soul of the Musical

While “Somewhere Over the Border,” is a nod to “The Wizard of Oz,” for Quijada, the musical is also a way to pay homage to those who paved the way for where he is today. “I could have never guessed a simple question to my mother about my brother’s father would have led to this remarkable journey of a show and sharing her story,” Quijada said. “‘The Wizard of Oz’ is one of my favorite books and movies and linking that story to such a personal one is my love letter to my family, my American identity, and the broader immigrant journey.” Actor Camilo Linares drew inspiration from his own background when tackling the role of the narrator, pushing him ways he could not have imagined. “As for my role as the narrator, I’ve found it to be more demanding than I expected,” he told The Informer. “I, too, am an immigrant, so I’ve faced some of the things that happen in the play. But as the narrator, I must sing, speak, rap, and don somewhere around 34 different personas. That said, it’s bee Pepin also considered her lineage when joining the production. “Now, I want to sit down and talk with my grandmother, who immigrated to the U.S. from Puerto Rico in her 20s,” she said. “I want to understand how she faced the difficulties of learning a new culture, a new language – of embracing and adjusting to an entirely new way of life.” After weeks of rehearsals and self discoveries along the way, the cast and crew is ready for audiences to see the important tale come to life. “We have a great chemistry that we’ve developed among the cast members and with each rehearsal it’s gotten better and better,” Linares said. For Reginald L. Douglas, artistic director of Mosaic Theater Company, getting Quijada’s vision from the page to the stage was critical for audiences today.

“We open season 12 with this bright and whimsical new musical that reflects upon the resilience of the immigrant community with honesty and hope and affirms the power of believing in one’s dreams no matter how hard the odds,” Douglas said. “I am thrilled to help create this premiere production that I know will spark joy and empathy for audiences of all ages.” In diving deep into the world of "Somewhere Over the Border,” the cast and Caldwell have used Quijada’s words to take audiences on their own journeys, allow for them to reflect and leave enlightened and entertained. “Oftentimes what is left behind within conversations on a larger scale is the personal and the hu-

5 Actress Pepin during rehearsal for the D.C. premiere of "Somewhere Over the Border,” kicking off Mosaic Theater Company’s 12th season and running at Atlas Performing Arts Center from Sept. 10 to Oct. 4. The musical, written by Brian Quijada and starring Pepin, offers a new spin on “The Wizard of Oz.” (Courtesy Photo/Mosaic Theater Company, Instagram)

man,” Quijada said. “I hope audiences remember the humanity and compassion in all of us and reach a deeper awareness of how we’re not

that different from one another.” For tickets and more information visit mosaictheater.org. WI

MEET US AT

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) 55th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) EXPO HALL

Special Exhibit: Human Rights in Mental Health Walter E. Washington Convention Center Exhibit Hall BOOTH 736 September 16-19 Citizens Commission on Human Rights National Affairs Office 1701 20th St. NW, Washington, DC www.CCHRNational.org

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wi book review "Laws of Solomon" By Eriq La Salle c.2026, Poisoned Pen Press $18.99 304 pages

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Finally, after so much work, you've left your past behind. That's what you tell yourself: what's done is done and you can't undo history. It's over. You try not to think about last month, last year, a decade back because what does it matter? As in the new novel, "Laws of Solomon" by Eriq La Salle, remembering is too full of pain. The monsters that came to him early in his sleep were the easy ones. It was the later demons that stole Solomon Nangobi's sleep, the spirits of all the people he killed when he was a child soldier in Uganda, and when he was a fixer in New York as an adult. Their ghosts called to him with urgent voices, though he left that life behind long ago. Now his days were filled working the soil in gardens near Malibu, and he loved the quite life. Still, he kept his guns. And he was glad: when Solomon recognized two Zeta gunmen stalking a well-dressed man, woman, and child through the gardens, he couldn't walk away. He stopped the gangsters with bullets, but not before the adults and their bodyguards were dead. The child, an 8-year-old boy named Gaby, was safe, but Gaby couldn't tell Solomon what was going on. What became quickly certain, however, was that Solomon was now Gaby's guardian, and the Zeta crime boss wanted them dead, too. When he was the same age as Gaby, Solomon saw unspeakable things, the murder of his parents, the destruction of his homeland, and the atrocities that Idi Amin's soldiers committed. He learned to kill, he observed, and he was hardened, understanding as a small boy that revenge was often necessary and needed, and that blood would shed at those times. But Gaby was pure, an innocent, a child. Solomon reached out to his contacts to try to get the boy to safety, but being a contact of a marked man was likewise a dangerous thing: the monsters outside were worse than the ones inside him … One word for you: Ooh-wee. That's what you're going to say when you close the back cover of "Laws of Solomon," knowing that you've just been taken on a wild up-and-down, around-and-round ride. Author Eriq La Salle makes it impossible not to like Solomon, an African man who has, over time, lost nearly everything dear to him and who has no faith in much of anything. Readers get that part of the story eventually, and there's historical authenticity in some of it, but we never really get to know Solomon, which makes the book feel dark and dangerous. Along the way, we meet and get to know his helpers, which buoys Solomon's chase to find safety for the boy, and your heart won't stop pounding. Keep in mind that this is a thriller partially set in 1970s Uganda, so expect lots of violence but don't expect a lot of people to live. If you're up for that, find "Laws of Solomon. You won't be able to leave it behind. WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE SEPT. 17 - 23, 2026

ARIES A different color mug feels lucky the moment you notice it. A text you send by mistake starts a conversation you needed to have. Traffic thins out right as your patience runs low. A skill you assumed was rusty comes back with ease. Wednesday hands you an answer you'd stopped expecting. By Friday, a small gesture from a stranger changes your whole outlook. Lucky Numbers: 3, 19, 42 TAURUS A recipe you improvise turns out better than the one you meant to follow. Someone mentions a memory you'd forgotten, and it brightens your whole afternoon. A slow start to the week speeds up once Tuesday's meeting wraps early. A song stuck in your head all day turns out to be someone else's favorite too. A minor repair around the house gets finished faster than the quote suggested. The weekend opens with an invitation you almost turned down. Lucky Numbers: 11, 24, 56 GEMINI A joke that falls flat with one person lands perfectly with another. A document you thought was lost for good turns up exactly where you first looked. Midweek brings a correction that actually works in your favor. An old habit you dropped resurfaces at just the right time. A conversation on the bus gives you an idea worth keeping. Saturday rewards your patience with something far better than what you'd originally planned. Lucky Numbers: 8, 22, 45 CANCER A misplaced set of keys turns up in the last place you check. Someone's passing remark helps you see an old problem differently. A delayed reply turns out to have a good reason behind it. Midweek's quiet moment gives you space to think clearly for once. A relative surprises you with news you'd stopped expecting. Sunday settles into something unexpectedly peaceful, exactly the kind of afternoon you've been quietly hoping for. Lucky Numbers: 13, 29, 50 LEO A bold comment you make in a meeting earns more respect than you expected. A project you'd nearly abandoned finds new momentum this week. Thursday's plans rearrange themselves in your favor. Someone quietly credits you for work you thought had gone unnoticed. A minor gamble pays off better than the cautious route would have. Lucky Numbers: 6, 31, 59 VIRGO A second look at your own work catches an error before anyone else does. A friend's casual question turns out to carry more weight than it seemed. A package arrives earlier than the tracking number promised. An errand you kept pushing off takes barely any time at all. Someone else's mistake teaches you a lesson worth remembering. Sunday clears itself of anything you didn't want to do. Lucky Numbers: 2, 17, 40 LIBRA An old photo resurfaces online and brings back a memory worth revisiting. A plan that falls through leads you somewhere better than expected. A small splurge earlier in the week turns out to be worth every penny. A neighbor's passing comment teaches you something new about your street. A minor compromise costs far less than you braced yourself for. Lucky Numbers: 15, 32, 61 SCORPIO A device you've relied on for years finally quits, pushing you toward something better. Someone challenges an opinion of yours, and their point actually holds up. A scheduling clash resolves itself before you have to choose sides. Thursday's forecast turns out wrong in the best possible way. A conversation you'd been avoiding clears the air faster than expected. Lucky Numbers: 9, 26, 53 SAGITTARIUS A last-minute change of plans lands you somewhere better than you'd have picked. You spend more time outdoors this week than you meant to. A message from someone you'd lost touch with arrives at just the right moment. Your to-do list shrinks once one task turns out unnecessary. Something you learn by accident midweek shapes a bigger decision later. A small risk taken early in the week pays off sooner than expected. Lucky Numbers: 4, 20, 48 CAPRICORN A task you'd been dreading turns out to take far less time and effort than you feared. Someone above you notices effort you assumed had gone overlooked. A bill arrives lower than what you'd budgeted for. Sunday clears space for something you'd shelved weeks earlier. Advice you brushed aside turns out to have been right all along. Lucky Numbers: 7, 18, 44 AQUARIUS A new app on your phone saves you more time than you ever thought it would. An invitation somewhere unfamiliar turns out worth the initial discomfort. A disagreement turns out to be about timing rather than substance. A younger relative teaches you something useful without meaning to. A plan you nearly skipped altogether becomes the best part of your entire week. Lucky Numbers: 10, 27, 51 PISCES A song you haven't heard in years shifts your mood for the better. Clearing out one drawer clears more mental space than physical space. An old conversation crosses your mind again and reads differently with time. A small kindness from a stranger stays with you longer than expected. A decision you second-guessed all week turns out to have been the right one. Sunday brings quiet clarity about someone you misjudged. Lucky Numbers: 5, 21, 38

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D.C.’s Bottle Bill Would Place Another Unfair Burden on Wards 5, 7, and 8 By Rev. Tony Lowery, Pastor, Guildfield Baptist Church, Ward 5; Rev. George Gilbert, Holy Trinity United Baptist Church, Ward 7; and Rev. Wanda Thompson, Ambassador Baptist Church, Ward 8 As faith leaders serving congregations and communities in Wards 5, 7, and 8, we care deeply about the families, neighborhood businesses, workers, seniors, and young people who call these communities home. Each week, we minister to residents who are working hard, caring for their families, supporting local businesses, and doing their part to build cleaner, safer, and stronger neighborhoods. Our faith calls us to care for our neighbors, stand with those whose voices are too often overlooked, and advocate for policies that promote justice and the common good. Across the District, residents and small-business owners want cleaner streets, healthier communities, and a city government that protects the people it serves. Yet the debate surrounding the proposed D.C. Bottle Bill has raised serious concerns for those of us who serve in communities that could bear the greatest burden. Some members of the D.C. Council appear prepared to impose a costly new system without adequately answering basic questions: Who will ultimately pay for it? Where will redemption facilities be located? And which neighborhoods will experience the greatest impact? If implemented, this legislation would add a 10-cent deposit to nearly every beverage sold in the District, increasing upfront grocery costs for working families while placing additional pressure on neighborhood businesses. Ten cents may sound insignificant in a committee room, but it is not insignificant to residents already stretching every dollar to cover food, utilities, rent, transportation, medicine, and other necessities. We see these struggles every day. They are real, they are urgent, and they should not simply be dismissed as the cost of implementing a new government program. We are also deeply concerned about what this proposal could mean for Wards 5, 7, and 8. These predominantly Black and Brown communities contain much of the land that could accommodate large-scale redemption or waste-related operations. Our neighborhoods have already carried more than their fair share of industrial activity, heavy truck traffic, pollution, and other environmental burdens. Under this proposal, residents of our wards could be hit twice: first at the grocery store through increased upfront costs, and then again in their neighborhoods through the possible concentration of redemption facilities, additional trucks, pollution, litter, odors, rodents, and traffic near homes, schools, churches, and small businesses. Although we serve three distinct wards, our concerns are shared. Ward 5 residents know the consequences of concentrating industrial and waste-related uses near established neighborhoods. Ward 7 residents have too often watched

major policy decisions move forward without adequate consultation with the people most affected. Ward 8 residents continue to confront environmental and economic inequities while being asked to accept burdens that other parts of the city would likely resist. Councilmember Zachary Parker has previously raised concerns about the inequitable concentration of trash-transfer facilities in the District. That history should cause the Council to proceed with greater caution—not repeat the same pattern under a different name. Other jurisdictions also offer cautionary examples of the unintended consequences that can accompany large-scale redemption programs. These facilities do not exist only on paper. Their placement can create real concerns involving sanitation, traffic, public safety, and neighborhood livability. Before approving this legislation, the Council should provide clear answers about where facilities would be located, how they would be managed, and how surrounding communities would be protected. We do not believe this bill is the right tool to improve recycling or create stable employment. The District already has an agency responsible for recycling and waste management: the Department of Public Works. If the Council is serious about cleaner streets and stronger environmental outcomes, it should strengthen DPW, improve and expand existing recycling programs, increase education and enforcement, and invest in permanent, well-paying jobs for District residents. We are also concerned about a process that has not sufficiently included the communities that could be most affected. Policies with citywide consequences—and particularly those that could disproportionately affect Wards 5, 7, and 8—should be developed through open conversations with residents, clergy, advisory neighborhood commissioners, environmental advocates, and small-business owners. There is a better path. Through education, investment, collaboration, and accountability, the District can improve recycling and keep our streets and waterways clean without placing another financial burden on residents who can least afford it. As faith leaders, we are especially concerned about the small, the least, the lost, and the left out. The District is built by the families who live here, the workers who sustain it, and the small-business owners who invest in our neighborhoods. They should not be required to carry another policy burden without clear answers, meaningful safeguards, and accountability. The D.C. Bottle Bill is the wrong tool at the wrong time. It would make daily life more expensive, deepen existing inequities, and risk continuing a pattern in which Black and Brown communities shoulder a disproportionate share of the city’s environmental and economic burdens. The D.C. Council should reject the Bottle Bill before today’s unanswered questions become tomorrow’s lasting harm.

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SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026 33

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CBCF from Page 1 be the most important yet,” said Rep. Oye Owolewa, District shadow representative and the Democratic candidate for an at-large position on the D.C. Council. “With so much at stake, from record disinvestment in [diversity, equity and inclusion] (DEI) to national attacks on Black people's voting rights, we must collectively organize and galvanize.” From Sept. 16-20, thousands will gather at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest, D.C. to explore programming, sessions, activations and the massive exhibit hall featuring Black businesses and authors, while also taking time to check out panels and a variety of purpose-driven parties happening throughout the DMV. As the CBCF marks 50 years with the 55th conference, the 2026 convening is not only to recognize the work over the past five decades, but gear up for what’s ahead and prepare the next generation of leaders to do so. “This year’s theme of Rooted, Ready and Rising is appropriate because we have to use our past lessons to guide our future,” Owolewa, 36, told The Informer. Excited by this year’s planned programming, the millennial politician is not the only person hoping to get guidance for moving forward in the President Donald Trump-era and beyond. For many young people, future possibilities is exactly what the CBCF Annual Legislative Conference is all about. Hannah Paige Jackson, a senior political science major and economics minor at Howard University, said last year’s ALC became a defining moment for her collegiate career and beyond. Taking a break from the conference hustle, Paige Jackson sat down to eat, and before having a bite…, she said a little prayer that went a long way. “I looked up, my now boss asked me what church I go to, and we just started conversing. And from there, I introduced myself and told him about my love of politics and marketing,” Paige Jackson told The Informer. “He happened to be the CEO of a senior group brand named The PR Firm that I currently intern in and will become a full-time employee at the end of my Howard tenure.” In addition to that important chance meeting, the Howard senior, originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, also appreciated the ability to engage with members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) during last year’s conference. “Of course, [there were] amazing

speakers,” she continued, “[and] just the opportunity to be able to sit and have a first-hand look and ask questions, like asking Senator Alsobrooks about her GENIUS bill when it was first happening, because AI is such a big thing.” After also attending the 54th ALC, Tim Little, a junior mechanical engineering major at Howard, said he “can’t wait for this conference,” not only because of the programming but the participants. “It's the experience and the people— the senators, the government officials, and the everyday Black entrepreneurs and business people that you can meet,” he told The Informer. “It's just a general showcase of Black excellence that everyone needs to see. No matter age, race, or group.”

“I for sure think that I'm part of the next generation of leaders, but it's not because of anything that I have done. I think it's because of how I'm being poured into and the ways in which I am informed about the legacy that I come from,” she told The Informer. “My grandmother marched in the Civil Rights Movement. She was an educator for 50-plus years with Baron Baptist Head Start.” The Tuscaloosa native said her grandmother is just one example of the “amazing people” she comes from, who have pushed her to be conscientious of her “social and political standing in this world.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

5 Howard University student Tim Little poses in front of the entrance of the exhibit hall at the 2025 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. (Courtesy Photo)

Rooted: ‘You Wouldn't Be Here Without Someone Else’s Legacy of Leadership’

While at the 2025 ALC, Little realized he was surrounded by the nation’s top Black leaders, artists and changemakers, and was humbled to be in their presence while also hoping to follow in their footsteps. After attending last year’s conference, Little learned an important lesson in leadership. “It's really understanding your own history and it makes you want to take control of its own narrative,” said Little, who started his high school’s debate team in his hometown of Detroit and has been instrumental in starting other clubs at Howard. “It's up to us to make our own narratives. And that's what makes me want to continue to be a leader. It makes me be the leader that I am.” With hopes to interact with some of the 62 members of the Congressional Black Caucus (58 congressmen and four senators) during the conference, Little is eager to continue gaining inspiration to further his justice-driven leadership goals. Joining justice fights runs in Little’s blood. “My granddad, my family… they’ve seen it all, from the 1960s— being from the 60s Detroit— seeing the riots,” Little, 20, told The Informer. “Even my own grandma was a part of SNCC (the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) back in Oakland, Tennessee. And so people like them— especially my elders— they inspired me to continue to lead, to make a better life for my kids, my nephews... I only want better for generations to come.” Paige Jackson’s family has also been a driving force in her work today and goals for the future.

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Commanders Late Rally Falls Short In Season-Opening Loss To Eagles By Skylar Nelson and Abdullah Konte WI Contributing Writer and WI Photographer

Support The Washington Informer as we Celebrate 61 Years.

SPORTS

Donate online today at wicharities.org Purchase an ad to support our education programs. Email rburke@washingtoninformer.com

The Washington Commanders opened the 2026 NFL season with a spirited comeback bid Sunday evening, but ultimately fell short, dropping a 2422 game on the road to NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Despite the loss, Washington’s season opener marked a collection of firsts and milestones that offered plenty of positive signs heading into the rest of the season. “It’s a long season, and you know, it’s ebbs and flows of the season,” said Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. “I’m not gonna say [the team] will win a Super Bowl this year. But you know, Seattle last year started 0-1, and you see what they did.” Rookie kicker Drew Stevens provided Washington’s first points of the season, drilling a 55-yard field goal in the first quarter to put the Commanders on the board. Running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt recorded his first rushing touchdown of the season, marking the ninth of his career. Linebacker Frankie Luvu also opened his season with a milestone of his own, recording his first sack of 2026 and the 32nd of his career. Rookie linebacker Sonny Styles made his presence felt on defense as well, recording the first sack of his NFL career. Styles also delivered a powerful play against Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, bringing him down for a loss of yardage and showing the physicality that could become a defining part of his game. Trailing 24-16 with just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Commanders staged a furious rally behind Daniels. Washington moved the ball downfield with urgency, as Daniels made several key plays to keep the comeback attempt alive. Daniels converted a crucial fourth-

and-two with a six-yard completion to Terry McLaurin before connecting with rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams for a one-yard touchdown with under two minutes remaining. The score not only marked Williams’ first career touchdown, it pulled Washington within two points, with an opportunity for Washington tie the game. Williams finished the night as the team’s leading receiver, hauling in all four of his targets for 64 yards while making an immediate impact in his NFL debut. “[Williams] made a hell of a grab,” said Daniels. “He made some big plays this game and [I’m] super happy for him, the work that he put in, and to see in the biggest moments guys can make plays like that…[I’m] super excited to continue to build with him for the future. Two-point play, man, we just didn’t execute. It was the right call. Anything [Offensive Coordinator David Blough] calls, I’m going right with him.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

5 Quarterback Jayden Daniels escaping the pocket to make a play in Washington’s 24-22 week one loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

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CAPTURE the moment

Local performing artists, DJs, painters, photographers, florists and more were on full display as part of last weekend’s Art All Night (Sept. 11-12). The annual event, spread across each ward of the city, not only included performances and engaging activations and installations, but food trucks, vendors, and activities for all ages. (Cleveland Nelson and Ja'Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

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SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026 37

RELIGION

3 After researching the historic New Horizons Baptist Church in Nova Scotia, the Rev. Al Bailey is now leading the congregation as pastor. (Courtesy Photo/New Horizons Baptist Church)

ifax is in another country, even if the flight home to Baltimore can take only about three hours with a connection. Then Bailey remembered the editor’s words about his dissertation. “God brought that thought back to me and said, ‘Now go apply. You didn’t sell it. You do it,’” he said. “Use your own book.”

He Studied a Black Church in Canada. Now, He’s the Pastor

Rev. Al Bailey Went From Researching a Historic Black Church in Nova Scotia to Leading It By Rev. Dorothy Boulware Word in Black This article was originally published online with Word In Black, a collaboration of the nation's leading Black news publishers (of which The Washington Informer is a member) and slightly edited for clarity. It sounds like a Lifetime movie plot: a seasoned Black minister trades the pulpit of a big-city American megachurch to lead a congregation of fewer than 200 souls on Canada’s rocky Atlantic coast — a historic place he’d studied for an academic paper nearly a decade earlier.

Ask the minister in question, the Rev. Alfred “Al” Bailey, and he sounds like he can scarcely believe it himself. He acknowledges he never dreamed he would trade majority-Black Baltimore, his spiritual home, for life in smaller, overwhelmingly white Halifax, Nova Scotia. “No, there was not that at all,” he said, laughing. But God, Bailey discovered, had already drawn the map. Bailey is the new leader of New Horizons Baptist Church, a historic congregation founded in 1832 by a Black man who escaped slavery in Virginia and settled in a place that was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

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Divine Intervention Yet Bailey’s unlikely path to New Horizons is more than a story about a Baltimore preacher taking a job across the U.S.-Canada border in a city whose Black population is less than 5%. It is a journey that connects generations of Black migration, faith, and freedom— from enslaved people who fled the United States for Canada to a 21st-century pastor following some of those same routes in search of history, purpose, and, ultimately, a calling.

Past as Prologue

Eight years before New Horizons asked him to become its pastor, Bailey had spent a month studying the congregation and the African Nova Scotian community around it, then wrote a 200-page doctoral dissertation on how Canadian churches could strengthen their leadership. He had no idea he was effectively writing a manual for his future self. Now Bailey is drawing on that research— and his years in one of Baltimore’s largest Black churches— to lead a historic congregation wrestling with a familiar challenge: how to honor a remarkable past while building a church for the future. “God was like, ‘Now tell me you don’t know these people,’” he said, recalling his deliberations about whether to accept the job offer. “Well, I kind of know the people because I had to write a 200-page paper on these people.” New Hope was founded when Richard Preston, the enslaved man, escaped bondage by saving money and purchasing his freedom. He then traveled to Nova Scotia— one of Canada’s smallest, most remote provinces— searching for his mother, who had fled there as a refugee during the War of 1812.

Mother and son were eventually reunited, and Preston, who had taught himself to read and write, heard the call to ministry. He studied under a local Baptist minister, then founded New Horizon, the church Bailey now pastors. Ministering to the church wasn’t on Bailey’s radar until 2017, when he entered Virginia Union University’s Global Leadership Cohort, a doctoral program. It dispatched eight students, two by two, to Canada, Zimbabwe, India and Haiti. He chose Nova Scotia because he wanted to learn what happened to enslaved people who escaped from Maryland and other parts of the United States and settled in Canada.

‘Use Your Own Book’

Bailey spent about a month studying New Horizons, interviewing its pastor, members, community leaders, police officials, and other professionals. His dissertation examined how churches in Canada could develop greater leadership capacity. The editor reviewing his dissertation told him it read less like a traditional academic paper and more like a guidebook. “She said, ‘You are telling people how to literally build leadership capacity in churches in Canada,’” Bailey recalled. Eight years later, that guidebook became a blueprint for his own ministry. Bailey had begun sensing a call to the pastorate, but none of the available churches felt right. Then, an email arrived from his former professor. The pastor who had supervised Bailey’s international doctoral work was retiring, and New Horizons wanted him to apply, so he did. His next concern was distance: Hal-

There was still one more person who needed convincing: Bailey’s wife. He submitted the application while the couple was vacationing in the Virgin Islands, suggesting that she go to the pool while he handled “one little thing.” “She said, ‘Application for what?’” Bailey recalled. “I said, ‘For the pastor in Nova Scotia. But you go on to the pool.’” The selection process unfolded through a series of doors opening at exactly the right time. After an initial interview, the church requested a video of Bailey preaching, and then asked for another. Bailey, who served at New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, did not have a recent second sermon because Bishop Walter Scott Thomas Sr. and the Rev. Dr. Walter Scott Thomas Jr. regularly preached. Then Thomas underwent shoulder surgery and could not preach as planned. Bailey was asked to step in. That gave New Horizons the sermon it needed. Eventually, Bailey learned that, under the church’s denominational process, he wasn’t just one of several candidates being invited to preach. He was the final candidate. He interviewed with the committee on Saturday and preached Sunday morning — a sermon he doesn’t remember. “I preached something, and they liked it,” he said. Building on Heritage and History The congregation called him, and Bailey arrived in Halifax in May. His September 6 induction service — the Canadian term for what many Black Baptist churches in the United States call an installation — brings his Baltimore and Nova Scotia communities together. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

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the religion corner

RELIGION

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Inner Peace Summit: A Call to Exhale In a region defined by political power plays and the non-stop hustle of daily life, it is easy to find ourselves carrying a heavy load. Between the gridlock on I-495 and the balancing act of family, finances and career, the daily grind in the DMV can quickly leave our spirits running on empty. But we weren't designed to live under constant pressure and division; we all need a dedicated space to pause, reset, and finally find a place to exhale. This universal need reminds me of the comforting invitation found in Matthew 11:28, where the Lord says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." It is a timeless truth that when the world around us becomes too loud, we must consciously seek out pockets of stillness to restore our souls. Real, substantive rest is not just about physical sleep; it is about stepping away from the external noise and entering a sanctuary where our minds can finally find some release. Fortunately for our community, my friend, Sister Dr. Jenna, the Director of the DMV Brahma Kumaris has created this wonderful 'FREE' opportunity for us to experience that very kind of renewal and refreshment right here in the DMV. On Sunday, Sept. 20, from noon to 5 p.m., the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum is hosting the Inner Peace Summit at their Virginia location in Chantilly. This is not a standard, formal conference where you sit in a chair for hours listening to lectures. Instead, it is designed as a fully immersive community experience meant to help you quiet your mind, restore your emotional balance, and reconnect with your inner hope. Best of all, this beautiful afternoon of wellness and connection is completely free and open to all residents looking for a reprieve from the daily grind. When you walk through the doors, you will find a vibrant tapestry of practical paths to personal well-being. The summit will feature a wide range of interactive activities, including deep

meditation immersives, soothing sound baths, Kundalini yoga and therapeutic art sessions. If you are looking for guidance on physical and emotional alignment, there will be Ayurvedic wellness consultations, self-care experiences and quiet reflection spaces scattered throughout the venue. It is a rare chance to sample different healing modalities all in one afternoon, giving you a chance to discover what truly speaks to your own heart and mind. The lineup of featured speakers and presenters brings a powerful mix of leadership, inspiration and wisdom to the event. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from: • Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., represents Virginia's 10th Congressional District, bringing a dedicated voice of public service and community leadership to the stage. • Iyanla Vanzant is a beloved life coach, spiritual teacher and renowned television personality celebrated for her powerful ability to help individuals transform their lives and heal their hearts. • Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra serves as the inspiring leader of the Walk for Peace, dedicating his life to spreading mindfulness, compassion and global harmony. • Sister Dr. Jenna is the visionary Director of the DMV Brahma Kumaris, a spiritual mentor and a trusted voice for peace who helps individuals cultivate inner strength and resilience. • Valerie Still is a former WNBA star and dedicated athlete who uses her platform to inspire others toward peak personal development and holistic wellness. • Dr. Ivy Hylton is a gifted sacred performance artist and professional sound healer who uses the power of frequency and music to restore emotional balance and wellness. • Elisabeth Carson travels the world as a dynamic motivational speaker, empowering global audiences to overcome obstacles and tap into their highest potential. • Kelle Jacob serves as an expert transformation coach, guiding individuals through the deep internal shifts

required to live purposeful and fulfilling lives. There will be other guest speakers as well. Each speaker brings a unique perspective on resilience, but they are all united by a singular, vital message: while you might not have the power to stop the storm raging around you, you absolutely have the power to change the atmosphere within you. This internal shift is the foundation of true peace. Scripture beautifully reinforces this in Philippians 4:7, promising that "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." When we cultivate this inner tranquility, the external chaos loses its grip on our joy and stability. What makes this upcoming gathering distinctive and timely is its focus on our shared humanity above all else. In a season where everything seems designed to divide us by political parties, socio-economic status or theological lines, the organizers are intentional about building a bridge. This is not about Republican peace or Democratic peace. It is not about drawing lines between different religious traditions. It is simply about human peace. It is an invitation to lay down our labels at the door and meet one another as human beings who are trying to navigate the same complex world. As Sister Dr. Jenna beautifully noted, Washington carries the weight of the nation, but the people who live and work here are human beings first. They need somewhere to put that weight down, even if just for a few hours. The Inner Peace Summit is providing that exact space, a visual, living community story of hope and healing. If your spirit has been feeling a little heavy lately, or if you simply need a moment to breathe deeply among friends, make plans to attend. The event takes place at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum - Virginia, located at 14020 Thunderbolt Place, Suite 200, in Chantilly, Virginia. Though admission is free, registration is required at www.meditationmuseum. org. WI

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SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026 39

RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church

Pilgrim Baptist Church

Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor

Rev. Joel R. Limerick Pastor

Rev. Dr. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor

700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849

4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464

Service and Times In Person Worship: Sunday @ 9:30 A.M. Streaming: Sunday @ 9:30 A.M. www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org Prayer & Study: Wednesday @ 12 Noon and 7:00 P.M.

Service and Times Sunday Service: 10:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday

9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 / Fax: 301-499-8724 Service and Times Sunday Worship Times : 7:30 AM 7 10:00 AM Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon Bible Study in homes: Tuesday 7:00 PM

Church of Living Waters

Website: www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com Motto: “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”

www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ

Blessed Word

Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors

Reverend William Young IV Pastor

4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax

3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) / (202) 562-4219 (Fax) Services and Times Sundays: 10:00am Worship Services Bible Study: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM) Sunday School: 9:00 AM – Hour of Power

Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion Service: First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study: Tuesday, 6:30 PM

“An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantdc.org

www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

www.livingwatersmd.org

St. Stephen Baptist Church Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. / Senior Pastor 5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301.899.8885 – Fax 301.899.2555 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship 8:00 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM Tuesday: 7:00 PM – Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday: 12:30 PM – Mid-Day Bible Study Wednesday: 7:00 PM – Evening Bible Study Baptism - 3rd Sunday – Communion 4th Sunday Free Food Giveaway – Every Tuesday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm “We are One in the Spirit” www.ssbcmd.org | secretary@ssbcmd.org

Campbell AME Church

Rev. Dr. T. Ashby Banister, III Senior Pastor

John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.

Rev. Terrance M. McKinley Senior Pastor

901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423

1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005

2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org

Service and Times Divine Worship, Sunday 10:00 a.m. Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday

Service and Times Sunday Church School : 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:00 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 7: 00 PM Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10:10 AM themcbc.org

“Friendliest Church in the City” Website: mountolivetdc.org Email: mtolivedc@gmail.com

All Nations Baptist Church

Adams Inspirational A.M.E. Church

Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor

Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness - Senior Pastor Rev. Ali Gail Holness-Roland Assistant & Youth Pastor

2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591 Service and Times Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education / School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration

12801 Old Fort Road • Ft. Washington, MD 20744 Office (301) 292.6323 • FAX (301) 292.2164 Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:15 am Sunday Church School 11:00 am Youth Sunday every 4th Sunday Prayer Call @ Noon every Tuesday & Thursday 978.990.5166 code: 6166047# Virtual Bible Study Wednesday Facebook & Zoom 7:00 pm

Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

40 SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026

“A Growing Church for a Coming Christ” www.adamsinspirationalamec.org

Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 AM Bible Study: Wednesday: 12:00 Noon, Wednesday: 7:00 PM, Thursday: 7:00 PM “Reaching Up To Reach Out” Mailing Address : Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020

Emmanuel Baptist Church Rev. Christopher L. Nichols Pastor 2409 Ainger Place SE Washington, DC 20020 / Office: (202) 678-0884 “Moving Faith Forward” 0% Perfect . . . 100% Forgiven! Service and Times Sunday: Worship Service – 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM 3rd Sunday: Unity Service – 11:00 AM (Only One Service) Sunday School: 10:00 AM Monday: Unity Bible Study – 5:00 PM Call-In Number: (646) 749-3112/ Access Code: 971155757 Tuesday: Prayer Service – 6:00 PM & Family Bible Study – 7:00 PM Call-In Number: (872) 240-3212/Access Code: 164695965 Wednesday: Noonday Worship – 12:00 PM Thursday: Adult Bible Study – 7:00 PM Call-In Number: (646) 749-3112/Access Code: 843069541 Friday: Impact Focus (Online) – 7:30 PM Saturday: Children's Church (Online) – 6:00 PM Website: www.ebcwdc.org

Third Street Church of God Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews Senior Pastor

1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-347-5889 office / 202-638-1803 fax

1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 - Fax: (202) 526-1661

Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Church School: 9:20 AM Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 PM Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!” Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net

“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Reverend John W. Davis Pastor 5101 14th Street, NW / Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202-726-2220 Fax: 202-726-9089 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. “A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 PM Prayer Service Bible Study

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor 4504 Gault Place, N.E. / Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service : 11:00 AM The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Prayer & Praise Services: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: 7:30 PM Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries: 10:30 AM

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr. Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax

Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6:00 AM & 6:30 PM Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church / Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org / emailus@gmchc.org

Shiloh Church of God 7th Day Elder Jonathan M. Carson Senior Pastor

5701 Eastern Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20782 Phone: 301 559-5262 Service and Times Sabbath Worship @ 1:00 pm in-person/FB/Zoom Tuesday - Prayer@ 7:30 pm on Zoom Wednesday - Bible Study@ 7:30 pm on Zoom Friday - Sabbath School@ 7:30 pm on Zoom Web: shiloh7thday.org Email: shiloh7thdaycomm@gmail.com "A culturally diverse church of edification, deliverance and transformation"

Place your church ad here! Contact Ron Burke rburke@washingtoninformer.com

A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

RELIGION Zion Baptist Church

Israel Baptist Church Rev. Lance Aubert Senior Pastor

Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor 4850 Blagdon Ave, NW - Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 - Fax (202) 291-3773 Service and Times 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School 10:15 a.m. – Worship Service Wed. Noon: Dea. Robert Owens Bible Study 7 PM Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Sunday, Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission: Zion shall: Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, And Exalt our Savior. (Acts 2: 41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org

St. Luke Baptist Church

1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:45 AM Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 PM Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 PM Bible Study: Tuesday at 10:30 AM

Mount Moriah Baptist Church Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor

Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute: Wednesday - 1:30 PM Prayer Meeting: Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

Rehoboth Baptist Church

1301 North Carolina Ave. N E Washington, D C 20002 202 543 1318 - lincolnpark@lpumcdc.org www.lpumcdc.org Service and Times Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM Holy Communion: First Sunday 10:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30 PM Motto: "Faith On The Hill"

Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor

Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor 5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005

Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42

“Where God is Praised, Christ is Obeyed, and People are Loved”

New Commandment Baptist Church Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 AM and 10:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 AM & 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:30 AM Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon & 6:30 PM Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 PM Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 PM Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org

Service and Times Early Morning Message: 7:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 9:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM Prayer, Praise and Testimony: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11 AM Sunday School: 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study: Wed. 7 PM

The Reverend Canon Michele Hagans Priest

621 Alabama Ave., S.E.- Washington, D.C. 20032 P: (202) 561-1111 - F: (202) 561-1112

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

www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.

Promised Land Baptist Church

Dr. Joseph D. Turner Senior Pastor

Service and Times Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 PM Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 PM Prayer/Seeking: Wednesday at 8:00 PM

13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560

“Real Worship for Real People” Website: www.easterncommunity.org Email: ecc@easterncommunity.org

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 9:30 AM Sunday School: 8:15 AM Bible Study: Wednesdays at Noon Baptism: 4th Sunday 9:30 AM

8213 Manson Street Landover, MD 20785 Tel: (301) 322-9787 Fax: (301) 322-9240

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

Motto: “Where God is First and Where Friendly People Worship”

Rev. Richard B. Black Interim Pastor

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 - Fax: 202-544-2964

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Service and Times Sunday Service: 10:00 AM Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 AM 1st Sunday Baptism: 10:00 AM 2nd Sunday Holy Communion:10:00 AM Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting: 7:45 PM

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church

“A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Website address: www.mmbcdc.org

Peace Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Prayer & Bible Study Class: 8:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Service: 12:00 PM “The Loving Church of the living lord “ Email Address: admin@pbc712.org

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor

Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor

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

602 N Street NW - Washington, D.C. 20001 Office:(202) 289-4480 / Fax: (202) 289-4595

Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331 Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday

Service and Times Adult Sunday School: 8:00 AM Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 AM Youth/Young Adult Sunday School 12:00 PM Midday Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 11:30AM Evening Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 PM Laymen's League: Thursday 7:00 PM

2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 - Fax: (202) 529-7738 Service and Times Worship Service: 7:30 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30AM & 10:30 AM Prayer Services:Tuesday 7:30 PM. Wednesday 12 Noon

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant Pastor

"Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ." Website: Theplbc.org Email: churchclerk@theplbc.org

Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “

Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180

Join us for our live broadcast every Friday at Noon!

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Denise Rolark Barnes - Publisher of The Washington Informer WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026 41

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

2026 ADM 000874

2026 ADM 000876

2026 ADM 000882

2026 ADM 000886

2026 FEP 000114

Anna Lydia Rodriguez Castro aka Lydia Castro Decedent

Donald Hoskins Decedent

Mary L. Tooks aka Mary Lee Tooks Decedent

Nancy H. Stewart Decedent

January 9, 2025 Date of Death

Lindsey M. Avedisian 5425 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 600 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Lydia Castro-Perigo, whose address is 2918 Porter St., NW, Washington, DC 20008, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Anna Lydia Rodriguez Castro aka Lydia Castro who died on 4/10/2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/3/2027. 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 3/3/2027, 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: 9/3/2026 Lydia Castro-Perigo Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Cecilia R. Jones, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 440 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Ashley Hoskins, whose address is 1735 Hampshire Ave., NW, Apt. 402, Washington DC 20009, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Donald Hoskins who died on 12/22/2020 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/3/2027. 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 3/3/2027, 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: 9/3/2026 Ashley Hoskins Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Alexia Lynn Tooks, whose address is 1221 Newton St. NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary L. Tooks aka Mary Lee Tooks who died on January 3, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/3/2027. 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 3/3/2027, 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: 9/3/2026 Alexia Lynn Tooks Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Holley Stewart, whose address is 490 M Street, SW, W601, Washington DC 20024, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Nancy H. Stewart who died on April 19, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/3/2027. 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 3/3/2027, 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: 9/3/2026 Holley Stewart Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Ruth F. Matthews Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Michele Renee Bradley whose address is 11521 Maple Ridge Road, Reston VA 20190 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Ruth F. Matthews, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on February 14, 2025. Service of process may be made upon William Froehlich; 600 14th Street NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20005 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned District of Columbia personal property. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. Date of first publication: 9/3/2026 Michele Renee Bradley Personal Representative Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Washington Informer

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

2026 ADM 000864

2026 ADM 000361

2026 ADM 000903

2026 ADM 000907

2026 ADM 000871

Thomas M. Williams, II Decedent

Jessie Payne aka Jessie E. Payne Decedent

Delores Arlene Offer Decedent

Susannah A. Koroma aka Susannah Ajuah Koroma Decedent

Richard Hines Decedent

Joan M. Wilbon 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

Sharon Legall, Esq. 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney

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

Terri Merele Williams, whose address is 383 Grand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Thomas M. Williams, II who died on 7/15/2005 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 (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 3/3/2027. 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 3/3/2027, 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.

Doris Elizabeth Payne, whose address is 4317 Russell Avenue, Apt. 2, Mt. Rainier MD 20712, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jessie Payne aka Jessie E. Payne who died on 10/17/1981 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 3/3/2027. 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 3/3/2027, 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: 9/3/2026 Terri Merele Williams Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 9/3/2026 Doris Elizabeth Payne Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Lynee C. Murchison, Esq. Adams Law Office, LLC 4201 Mitchellville Road, Suite 500 Bowie, MD 20716 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Parran Manuel Offer, Jr. and Sherri Jenai Offer, whose addresses are 851 Hilltop Terrace, SE, Washington, DC 20019 and 8211 Billingsley Rd., White Plains, MD 20695, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Delores Arlene Offer who died on 2/5/2026 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 3/10/2027. 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 3/10/2027, 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 Dannia Koroma and Yonita Koroma, whose addresses are 4100 Massachusetts Ave., NW, #918, Washington, DC 20016 and 3807 Kings Lane, Dover, PA 17315, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Susannah A. Koroma aka Susannah Ajuah Koroma who died on May 4, 2026 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 3/10/2027. 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 3/10/2027, 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 Ernie Hines, whose address is 3102 Furman Lane, #402, Alexandria, VA 22306, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Richard Hines who died on May 1, 2026 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 3/10/2027. 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 3/10/2027, 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: 9/10/2026

Date of first publication: 9/10/2026

Ernie Hines Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 9/10/2026

Dannia Koroma Yonita Koroma Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Parran Manuel Offer, Jr. Sherri Jenai Offer Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Washington Informer

42 SEPTEMBER 17 - 23, 2026

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

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

2026 ADM 000898

2026 ADM 000859

2026 ADM 000717

2026 FEP 000117

2026 ADM 000872

Joyce Annette Strother aka Joyce Annette Strother Decedent

Jan Leslie More Decedent

Gloria Mayberry aka Gloria J. Mayberry aka Gloria Jean Mayberry Decedent

October 28, 2025 Date of Death

Laurice J. Stewart Decedent

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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Date of first publication: 9/10/2026

Johnette D. Brock, whose address is 301 35th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gloria Mayberry aka Gloria J. Mayberry aka Gloria Jean Mayberry who died on May 11, 2026 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 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 3/10/2027. 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 3/10/2027, 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.

Margaret Reeser whose address is 345234 E Highway US62, Meeker, OK 74855 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Eugenia Tyner-Dawson, deceased, by the District Court for Lincoln County, State of Oklahoma, on 2/26/2026. Service of process may be made upon Alexandra K. Holden of Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker LLP, 1899 L Street NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20036 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 1311 Delaware Ave., SW, S538, Washington, DC 20024. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Anita Stephen Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 9/10/2026

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Rene Patterson, whose address is 4710 15th Street, NW, Washington DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joyce Annette Strother aka Joyce Annette Strother who died on June 12, 2026 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 3/10/2027. 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 3/10/2027, 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: 9/10/2026 Rene Patterson 4710 15th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 Personal Representative

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Anita Stephen, whose address is 1411 Newton Street, NE, Washington DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jan Leslie More who died on April 24, 2026 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 3/10/2027. 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 3/10/2027, 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.

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

TRUE TEST COPY

Washington Informer

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Johnette D. Brock Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Eugenia Tyner-Dawson Name of Decedent

Date of first publication: 9/10/2026

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Sonya J. Ali, whose address is 1818 Shepherd Street, NW, Washington DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Laurice J. Stewart who died on 1/8/2026 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 3/10/2027. 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 3/10/2027, 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: 9/10/2026 Sonya J. Ali Personal Representative

Margaret Reeser Personal Representative Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2026 ADM 000954

2012 ADM 000960

2026 ADM 000902

2026 ADM 000850

2026 ADM 000884

Estate of Curtis A. Bullock Sr.

Harriet C. White Decedent

Beverly Jann Mullins Decedent

Olando V. Bostic Decedent

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

Iris McCollum Green, Esq. 1714 15th Street, NW, Suite B Washington, DC 20009 Attorney

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

Jason D. McNair aka Jason McNair Decedent

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Curtis A. Bullock Jr for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

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

TRUE TEST COPY

Joanna Edwards, whose address is 1523 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Harriet C. White who died on August 23, 2012 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 3/10/2027. 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 3/10/2027, 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.

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Date of first publication: 9/10/2026

Washington Informer

Joanna Edwards Personal Representative

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: 9/10/2026 Curtis A. Bullock Jr. Joan M. Wilbon 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Petitioner/Attorney:

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Jennifer Lynn Dallis & Ricardo Dallis, whose addresses are 4508 Cross Country Terrace, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 & 4651 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave., NE, Unit 409, Washington DC 20019, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Beverly Jann Mullins who died on 4/16/2026 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 3/17/2027. 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 3/17/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 9/17/2026 Jennifer Lynn Dallis Ricardo Dallis Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Cynthia D. McNair, whose address is 6321 N. Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jason D. McNair aka Jason McNair who died on 8/17/2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/17/2027. 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 3/17/2027, 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: 9/17/2026 Cynthia D. McNair Personal Representative

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Julius P. Terrell 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 400 Washington DC 20004 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Wasani Lynch, whose address is 3501 Minnesota Ave., SE, Apt 3, Washington DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Olando V. Bostic who died on 11/9/2023 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 3/17/2027. 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 3/17/2027, 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: 9/17/2026 Wasani Lynch Personal Representative

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LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2026 FEP 000121 February 19, 2025 Date of Death Alfred Phillip Whitmore Sr. Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Alfred Phillip Whitmore Jr whose address is 6910 Victoria Drive, Unit G, Alexandria, VA 22310 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Alfred Phillip Whitmore Sr., deceased, by the Register of Wills Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on April 14, 2025. Service of process may be made upon Jennifer Yvette Penn, 1400 Trinidad Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property. 4809 8th Street, NE, Washington DC 20017. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. Date of first publication: 9/17/2026 Alfred Phillip Whitmore Jr. Personal Representative Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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SHARPTON from Page 26 For over three decades, NAN has understood that civil rights advocacy must be practiced wherever inequality shows up. Technology education is included in this conversation because of what it bestows on the communities it reaches. It is one component of a broader commitment, ensuring that communities historically excluded from emerging industries have the tools to participate fully in the economic and cultural shifts of our future. Economic self-determination is just as much a pillar of equity as it is a part of voting rights and equal legal protections. For us, access is not meaningful if it arrives after everyone else has already learned the rules. So, we start with the fundamentals. The AI Fluency Initiative is designed as a repeated working session to meet people where they are. Students are introduced to the technology across various use cases, then

CHAN from Page 26 clusion (DEI), the DOJ has focused primarily on litigating employers for hiring underrepresented minorities. Though Nolan Wells' case has reached headlines today, the deaths of other young African Americans across the South remain under-reported and under-investigated. Crump is simultaneously handling a portfolio of other cases involving the deaths of young Black men, namely Daniel Erving and Tyler Smith – 18-year-old Black men who died within three months of each other. Erving of Sachse, Texas, died on

ASANTE-MUHAMMAD f om Page 26 16,000. That trajectory is genuinely positive. The story for Black women is more uneven. Their unemployment rate swung from 6.5% in January up to 7.7% in February, dropped, rose again, and eventually settled at 5.9% in August. But their labor force participation tells a more sobering story — falling from 60.7% in January to 58.4% in August. The industries where Black women are most represented — health care, education, social assistance, and government — saw mixed results. Health care added approximately 13,000 jobs in August and social assistance added approximately 16,000, but federal employment declined by approximately 5,000 and state government employment

sent home with usable skills based on the work produced during the session. NAN has always fought to ensure that no community is locked out of the economy. From the fight for fair employment and access to capital to the push for equity in education and homeownership, we have consistently been at the forefront of keeping the doors of opportunity open to all. This fight is no different. AI is the next gate through which the mechanisms of opportunity will pass through. It is quickly becoming part of how people apply for jobs, build businesses, and articulate themselves. The use cases are vast and the adoption has been swift. If these tools are becoming part of everyday life, then access to understanding them must become an element of everyday empowerment. It is paramount to us that Black communities are not only exposed, but at the helm. We know that progress does not always distribute evenly. Commu-

nities have to demand access and request inclusion in the infrastructure of change. This self-advocacy is often the only way to ensure that hegemony does not continue to inflict exclusion and disenfranchisement on those who could most benefit from seismic shifts in industry. We must refuse to be told to wait our turn, and instead harness the tools of self-education and empowerment. To be serious about the wealth gap means confronting the technologies reshaping work culture. Amending the academic achievement gap requires us to refuse a literacy discrepancy from arising in the first place. Equity requires preparation, and we are in the unique position to harness these emerging tools so that it is our voices that are heard, our perspectives that are amplified, and our communities that are enfranchised. The AI Fluency Initiative is an access measure addressing an economic gap. WI

April 14 at Lake Ray Hubbard after jumping from a railroad bridge with friends. His body was recovered four days later, and his death was ruled an accidental drowning — a finding his mother disputes. "The autopsy report shows my son had an unobstructed airway, so my son did not drown," Tameca Erving said. In July, two individuals were arrested and charged with tampering with physical evidence after allegedly discarding Erving's clothing and cellphone. Smith of Lexington, Kentucky, died on July 4 after what police described as an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound. His family has

strongly disputed that account. According to a Lexington Police Department citation, the firearm officers recovered did not match the shell casing found at the scene. A 20-year-old man has been charged with tampering with physical evidence in connection with the shooting. "For 17 days, my sons and I worked tirelessly investigating everything on our own. The police department gave us nothing, absolutely nothing," Smith's grandmother said. As of this publication, the DOJ and FBI have remained silent about Wells' case. WI

declined by approximately 10,000. The ongoing erosion of government employment carries outsized consequences for Black women who have historically relied on public-sector careers as a foundation for economic stability and middle-class opportunity. The broader question, though, is not simply whether the Black labor market is improving. It is whether it is improving fast enough and deeply enough to make a dent in the structural economic inequality that defines the Black experience in America. The racial wealth divide did not emerge from unemployment alone, and it will not be resolved by employment alone. But the labor market is where most families build whatever economic security they have. When the majority of Black

Americans are living in asset poverty — as our research has consistently documented — even modest disruptions in employment or labor force attachment can have cascading effects on household stability, debt, and long-term wealth accumulation. So where does that leave us? In a place that calls for honesty about what this moment is and what it is not. Some indicators of Black labor market conditions are improving. Black unemployment is trending downward and remains low by historical standards. But a labor market that is good by historical comparison is not the same as a labor market that is strong enough to build wealth, bridge racial inequality, and deliver the kind of broadbased economic security that Black communities need and deserve. WI

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The chatbot liked that better. Then it tagged my line and said it was my "cognitive cane." I laughed. Then, I realized the damn machine used my analogy to make a joke. That's where the real problem lurks. AI is software running on computers. However startling the conversation may feel, the machine does not have my childhood, my mother,

MORIAL from Page 27 with rising costs. 2. Repeal and Replace the Big Ugly Bill H.R. 1, "the Big Ugly Bill," represents one of the greatest threats to affordability for working families. Repeal its harmful cuts and restore investments in Medicaid, education, student aid, nutrition assistance and other programs that help families succeed, not just survive. 3. Housing Vouchers Housing vouchers should work more like SNAP or Medicaid: If you qualify, you receive assistance. Fully fund the Housing Choice Voucher program so every eligible family can access safe, affordable

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and power, or the possibility that companies will use AI primarily as a wonderfully efficient machine for converting human paychecks into corporate profits. And I certainly don't trust the billionaires to decide by themselves what happens to the rest of us. But I may be making peace with the tool. Because a tool is something we use. A cognitive cane. But do the walking yourself. WI

housing while expanding pathways for homeownership.

6. End Inflationary Tariffs That Raise Costs American families should not bear the cost of policies that make everyday goods more expensive. Repeal inflationary tariffs and replace them with trade policies that strengthen American competitiveness without driving up household costs. Our nation is facing an unprecedented crisis driven by unregulated technology that threatens to upend our workforce and education system. We have had enough of spending our resources on misplaced priorities and vanity projects for a president who has shown Americans time and time again that their livelihoods and future are not a priority. Now is the time to act. Now is the time to adopt the Affordability for All agenda and make America prosperous again. WI

4. Launch a National Affordable Housing Trust America cannot solve the housing crisis without dramatically increasing the supply of affordable homes. Establish a robust national Housing Trust Fund to finance the construction and preservation of affordable and workforce housing at the scale the crisis demands. 5. Restore Affordable Internet Access Reestablish and strengthen the Affordable Connectivity Program so every family can afford broadband. In today's economy, internet access is as essential as electricity for work, education, health care and economic mobility.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 01-2027 TRASH COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL SERVICES The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) Property Management Office (PMO) requires a licensed, qualified Contractor to provide trash collection and disposal services, across DCHA Public Housing developments.

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my father, my mistakes, my embarrassments, my loves, my grudges, my Filipino American history, my aging body or my accumulated sense of what matters and what doesn't. It can process those things after I tell it about them. It can mimic thoughts. But it did not live them. That is the boundary we humans cannot surrender. I'm not ready to make peace with the AI industry. Not with its enormous data centers, its environmental costs, its concentration of wealth

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