wi-final-proof-12-17-15 by The Washington Informer

I N S I D E

Black Clergy Propose Improve- 150 Years Since Lincoln ment Plan for Cities Page 9 Changed History Page 16

Vol. 51, No. 10 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23 , 2015

Capture the Moment Celebrates the Holiday! - Page 36

2016 Voter Guide for Black Women Revealed Page 21

Mothers of Slain Children Speak Out Page 32

Jurors Deadlocked in Baltimore Police Trial By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

“This would be a game changer,” CNN legal analyst Sunny Hostin said. A hung jury may result in a decision to change the venue of the trial, she said, and could affect the cases of the other five officers who have yet to be tried. Earlier, defense attorneys for Porter moved for a mistrial, citing a letter about the case that Baltimore City Public Schools sent to parents a day earlier. The defense argued that the non-sequestered jurors could have received Monday’s letter, in which school district CEO Gregory Thornton addressed the possibility of civil unrest after a verdict is reached and the school system’s preparations for the verdict. The defense also asked that the trial’s venue be changed. The judge rejected the requests.

from where he was arrested. / Photo by Cheriss May, Howard University News Service.

The jury in the trial of Baltimore Police Officer William Porter told the court on Tuesday, Dec. 15, that they were deadlocked. And, after a day in which the defense asked for a mistrial and police from several jurisdictions descended upon Baltimore in preparation for any after verdict unrest, the judge ordered jurors to sleep on their decision for at least one more night. Porter is the first of six police officers to be tried in Freddie Gray’s death from a neck injury sustained while in police custody in April. The jury began deliberating on Monday and had deliberated for nearly 11 hours before coming to an impasse. If the trial ends with a hung jury, prosecutors would have the opportunity to try the case again.

Fighting Back Against Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

‘Probably Feels Good to Be Vincent Gray’

5A Freddie Gray memorial mural, recently completed by several local artists, seen on the side of a house across the street

Politicians, Clergy, Convene at ‘Nation’s Mosque’ for Discussion

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor Faith communities have long been associated with helping the less fortunate, contributing to charitable organizations and often serving as the glue that keeps neighborhoods together. But as more places of worship, specifically mosques, face attacks, including the desecration of buildings and bombings, many faith leaders have stepped up their efforts to counter anti-Muslim rhetoric and the unfortunate acts of violence that can often

be linked to those vehement words. In the U.S., the number of attacks against Muslim mosques have reached a level not seen since 9/11. Some believe that more mosques and their members will continue to be targeted as Islamophobia, sparked in part by the recent tragedy in Paris, gains a foothold in places that now include America, Canada and Europe. On Wednesday, Dec. 16, Imam Talib Shareef hosted an interfaith roundtable at Masjid Muhammad, often referred to as “The Nation’s

MUSLIMS Page 8

TRIAL Page 8

Former Mayor’s Campaign Manager Lashes out at Prosecutors By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

5 Former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray,

who was under investigation for close to five years, has been cleared of any crimes or conspiracies related to his 2010 mayoral campaign. / Photo courtesy of kojonnamdishow.org

Celebrating 51 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area

If Vincent Gray wants to run for office again, he certainly has the support of thousands of local residents, according to his former campaign manager. “Right now, it’s a huge cloud that has been lifted and he needs to rest and enjoy the holidays before making any decision, but if his name is on the ballot, I’m vot-

ing for him,” said Chuck Thies, Gray’s former campaign manager. Thies was at the helm of what was shaping up to be a successful re-election campaign for the former D.C. mayor until it was derailed by allegations launched by the U.S. Attorney for District of Columbia. Just three weeks before the primary election in 2014 in which

GRAYPage 11

Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

The CoLumn

Is Everywhere!

By Dr. Charles Vincent & “Mickey” Thompson Vincent

LEAP FOUNDATION DC

Dr. Clayton Lawrence hosted the annual LEAP Foundation Toy Drive at his home in the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton. Founded by Dr. Lawrence, the overall Mission of the LEAP Foundation DC is to provide educational and training opportunities to meet the aspirations of the underserved citizens of the District of Columbia. The Foundation supports a varied range of projects from research in autoimmune diseases to the fostering of daily physical fitness awareness. The Holiday Cheer included karaoke led by Dr. Lawrence. For more information: www.leapfoundationdc.org LEAP FOUNDATION DC HOLIDAY ATTENDEES

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton with Dr. Clayton Lawrence

(L-R) Photo Below - Maria Fernanda Borja, Dr. Lawrence & Lilia Lally

Dr. Clayton Lawrence holding the toy “Operation” as befitting his profession

Dr. Clayton Lawrence with his nephew Jamaru Williams - Next Photo Dr. Lawrence with James Detherage

(L-R) Photo Andres Hayes, Dr. Lawrence & John Gordon

Getting the party started is Dr. Lawrence with Jerron Hawkins

Mercy Morganfield & Dr. Lawrence

Photos L-R Dr. Lawrence, with Tony White & Patrick Jerome

Ava Hilton & Dr. Lawrence

Left Photo - Debbie Greene & her son Kevin Akers

Photo to the Right Dr. Clayton Lawrence with Trelane Patrick

Dr. Lawrence with Ron Baker (Photographer)

Jonathan Williams & Dr. Lawrence - Next Photo Dr. Lawrence & Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton with Kevin Akers & Jamaru Williams

To Publish your event on the Social Sightings-the CoLumn Page and/or in the MagaZine

Guest Photographer Ron Baker & Kurt Pommonths, Sr, Photographer * Photo Enhancer * Graphic Designer Social Sightings-The CoLumn is published in The Washington Informer Newspaper the Hill Rag, DC Mid-City, & East of the River Journals, 2003 © SOCIAL SIGHTINGS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED — DUPLICATION IN ANY FORM REQUIRES WRITTEN PERMISSION | E-mail SocialSightings@aol.com

2 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

12/17/2015 – 12/23/2015 Around The Region PAGE 2-10

Prince George’s County PAGE 12

Business

PAGE 14-15

National News PAGE 16-17

Health

PAGE 18-19

Education PAGE 21-22

Opinions & Editorials PAGE 26-28

Lifestyle

PAGE 29-33

Sports

PAGE 34-35

5 The National Association of Black Journalists held its 40th anniversary reception Saturday, Dec. 12 in Northwest. Twelve of the founding members were honored during the program. / Photo by Roy Lewis

Religion PAGE 39

Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

around the region

SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY www.washingtoninformer.com Visit our updated Web site and give us your comments for a chance to win a gift from The Washington Informer Email comments to: rburke@ washingtoninformer.com

Women Break WI H O T the T OCycle P I Cof S Domestic Violence Compiled by D. Kevin McNeir / WI Editor

Bowser Taps Andy Shallal to Chair Workforce Investment

By Tia Carol Jones

law enforcement. She said they threat,” she said. The had owner andtogether founder to of Busboys Poets and Eatonville Restaurant, come bring a and Among the programs Marlow Andy Shallal, been appointed by Mayor to serve are as the sense of has uniformity in the way wantsMuriel to seeBowser implemented chair of the District’s Workforce Investment Council [WIC], a private When L.Y. Marlow's 23-year- domestic violence victims and stricter restraining order policies, sector-ledsurvivors board charged with advising the mayor, council and D.C.’s governold daughter told her the father are treated. more the rights for victim's families ment on “She's investments andown strategies for the workforce development of her daughter threatened her using her personal to city’s intervene on behalf of a vic- and life, and the life of their child, training system. story, her own personal pain to tim, a domestic violence assessshe knew something had to beShallal push Davis-Nickens willforward,” be expected to bring innovative ideas the table,with pullfurther businesses ment unittocoupled done. Outforofgreater her frustration Marlow.can more effectively training law enforcement together knowledge onsaid howabout the District serve for the employer community with enforcement's handling Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, a Child's Life Protecand law identify gaps in the current system. of the situation, sheWIC decided to a critical who reads Marlow's willDistrict’s tion Act mandatory counselBowser said the plays role in making book sure the joband training system meets the start the Saving Promise cam“get it.” She said she “puts the creative ing forleader batterers. needs of residents and employers and that she wanted a dynamic, to serve as its chair and paign. a way, the average “If we are ever going to eradiwas confident that Shallal was the case man in forsuch the job. “It seems to be a vicious cycle person can get it.” She said at the cate domestic violence, we must though more jobs than people in the District, too many D.C. residents do not have the that“Even won't turnthere my arefamily end of the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin. education and the skillsMarlow to fill those jobs,” Shallal said, adding that heWe wasneed ready to work with the mayor loose,” Marlow said. help people begin to have a diato address both the victo improve workforce development for all city domestic residents.`violence. shared her story with the audi- logue about tim and the batterer,” Marlow ence at the District Heights Also present at the event was said. Domestic Violence Symposium Mildred Muhammad, the exMarlow would also like to see on May 7 at the District Heights wife of John Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raise Municipal Center. The sympo- who was sentenced to six consec- awareness among children in sium was sponsored by the DCutive life terms without public and and accountability private schools.rules Shefor As the Council considers a set parole of transparency Family and Youth Services by a Maryland jury for his role in feels children need to be educatthe Metropolitan Police Department’s [MPD] body-worn camera program, The Center of the city of District the Beltway Sniper attacks in ed about domestic violence. Leadership on Civil and Human Rights recently issued a statement in Heights and the National Hook- Conference 2002. Mildred Muhammad is “We have to stop being passupport of the plan. Up of Black Women. the founder of After the Trauma, sive-aggressive with poor chilpresidentthat and helps CEO the of Thedren Leadership Conference, in collabMarlow has written a Wade book,Henderson, an organization about domestic violence,” oration Upturn, also issued a scorecard evaluated the transparency and “Color Me Butterfly,” which is awithsurvivors of domestic violence that Marlow said. accountability provisions for MPD and 24 other police departments. story about four generations of and their children. Marlow has worked to break In hisisstatement, Henderson recentSix eventsthe around country why domestic violence. The book “I lived in fear forsaid six years. cycle the of abuse in illustrate her family, inspired by her own recordings must be experiences, made available years in ways Heisadded that the proposed rules in that fear promote is a long accountability. time. It is and confident policies she and those of heraccountability grandmother,by making not an recordings easy thing made to come out spaces is pushing for will that would enhance in public compatible with start the Freedom her mother andAct herand daughter. of,” she said. to review the footage process. of Information allow subjects of videos themselves. She“For said the every readsof Washington Mildred who Muhammad said to more “I plan to take these policies saketime of theshepeople will be subject police surveillance thantoever excerpts from her book, she still people who want to help a Congress and implore them to to before under this program, we urge [the council] to unanimously support this legislation again and can notit to believe theBowser words for came domestic Henderson violence victim change our laws,” Marlow said. send Mayor her signature,” said inmust a prepared statement. from her. “Color Me Butterfly” be careful of how they go into “I will not stop until these poliwon the 2007 National “Best the victim's life, and understand cies are passed.” Books” Award. that she may be in “survival Tia Carol Jones can be reached “I was just 16-years-old when mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net my eye first blackened and my “Before you get to 'I'm going lips bled,” Marlow said. Events DC,tothe killofficial you,' convention it started asand a verbal WI for the District, recently ansports authority Elaine Davis-Nickens, presinounced the execution of a partnership with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning dent of the Nationaland Hook-Up Economic Development to activate and spur activity, growth and programming as part of Black Women, saidofthere is no redevelopment plans for the Congress Heights community. the greater consistency in the way domestic Events DC will manage Gateway DC, a covered and open-air pavilion adjacent to the violence issues are dealt with by R.I.S.E. Center along Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE. “As we develop St. Elizabeths’ East, we will continue to identify innovative ways to activate the campus and engage residents and visitors in this transformative project,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Brian Kenner. “As our partner on this transformative project, we are confident that Events DC’s expertise in attracting and executing top-notch events will have an immediate effect in Ward 8,” he said. Kenner believes that Events DC’s oversight of Gateway DC will further enable opportunities to engage with and support the District’s communities east of the Anacostia River with even more community-driven activities. WI Staff Writer

Legislation on Police Body-Worn Cameras Gets Coalition’s Nod of Approval

Wilhelmina J. Rolark In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. PUBLISHER Wilhelmina J. Rolark THE WASHINGTON INFORMER Denise Rolark(ISSN#0741-9414) Barnes NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is NEWSPAPER THE WASHINGTON INFORMER is published published on each Thursday.postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional weeklyweekly on Thursday. Periodicals Periodicals Washingmailing postage offices. paid Newsat and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. STAFF ton,Announcements D.C. and additional of- two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2000 by The must mailing be received D. Kevin fices.Washington News andInformer. advertising All deadline rights reserved. POST McNeir, MASTER:Editor Send change of addressis Monday to publication. Anes to Theprior Washington Informer, 3117 Ron Martin LutherAdvertising/ King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, Burke, Marketing Director D.C. 20032. Nobe partreceived of this publication may be reproduced without written permisnouncements must two Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor sionprior fromto the publisher. The2015 Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of weeks event. Copyright Barnes, IV, Papers Assistant Editor Subscription rates All are $30Lafayette per year, two years $45. willPhoto be received by photographs. The Washington Informer. notreserved. more than a week after publication. MakeE. checks payable to:Sports Photo Editor rights POSTMASTER: Send John De Freitas, change of addresses to The WashDorothy INFORMER Rowley, Online Editor THE WASHINGTON ington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther Design &20032 Layout 3117 Luther King, Ave., S.E. • Washington, D.C. King, Jr. Ave., S.E.Martin Washington, D.C. Jr. ZebraDesigns.net, Phone: 202 • Fax: 202 574-3785 20032. No part of this publication may561-4100 Mable Neville, Bookkeeper E-mail: news@washingtoninformer.com be reproduced without written permisMickey Thompson, Social Sightings columnist www.washingtoninformer.com sion from the publisher. The Informer Stacey Palmer, Social Media Specialist Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are Angie PUBLISHERJohnson, Circulation $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will Denise Rolark Barnes be received not more than a week after STAFF REPORTERS REPORTERS publication. Make checks payable to:

Brooke N. Garner Managing Editor Tia C. Jones, Ed Laiscell, Stacy Brown Writer), Sam P.K. Collins, Carla Peay Assistant Managing Editor Odell(Senior B. Ruffin, Larry Saxton, THE WASHINGTON INFORMER Ron Burke Advertising and Marketing Mary Wells, Joseph(Prince Young George’s Eve Ferguson, Will Ford 3117Mable Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E Bookkeeper Whittaker County Writer), Elton Hayes, D. Kevin Washington, D.C. 20032 LaNita Wrenn Administration PHOTOGRAPHERS Phone: 202De561-4100 John E. Freitas Sports Editor McNeir, Dorothy Rowley, Lafayette Barnes, IV,Kia Croom, Fax:Victor 202 Holt 574-3785 Photo Editor John E. De Freitas, Maurice Fitzgerald, Sarafina Wright (General news@washingtoninformer.com Zebra Designs, Inc. Layout & Graphic Design Joanne Jackson, RoyAssignment Lewis, RobertWriter) Ken Harris /www.scsworks.com Webmaster www.washingtoninformer.com Ridley, Victor Holt

Events DC Joins Partnership Aimed at Business Growth in Congress Heights

“

We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these policies to Congress and Death of Handcuffed Southeast Resident Ruled a Homicide implore them change our27, a The medical examiner for the District has ruled to the death of Alonzo Smith, homicide, after he was found last month unconscious and handcuffed while in the custody of armed security laws. guards at anIapartment Southeast. willbuilding not instop until LaShon Beamon, spokeswoman for the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, said Smith, a schoolteacher, died of “sudden cardiac arrest,” complicated by “acute cothese policies are passed. caine toxicity while restrained,” She listed compression as a secondary cause of death.

“

In Memoriam The Washington Informer Dr. Calvin Newspaper W. Rolark, Sr.

The homicide ruling does not mean that a crime has been committed but indicates L.Y. Marlow that the medical examiner has concluded that Smith died at the hands of another. Paul Trantham John E. DeFreitas, Shevry Lassiter, D.C. police and District prosecutors will now have to determine whether there was criminal intent. Roy Lewis, Corey Parrish, Meanwhile, the U.S. attorney’s office will conduct its own investigation. Smith was found unable to breathe and in handcuffs on Nov. 1 in a hallway of the Marbury Plaza apartTravis Riddick, Nancy Shia ments in Southeast. He had been detained by armed guards, employed by Blackout Investigations who 4 / May 15 - 21, 2008 The Washington Informer / www.washingtoninformer.com have arrest powers and are licensed by the District. It has yet to be determined what happened between the security guards and Smith prior to the arrival of D.C. police on the scene. PHOTOGRAPHERS CIRCULATION

4 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

AROUND THE REGION

Todd Facing Re-Election Without Challengers

Continues to Benefit from Mayor’s Mentoring

I don’t take any campaign that I am involved in for granted,” he said. “They still have time, so anything is possible, but I’am working hard on behalf of the residents.” “I look forward to a robust campaign.” NOTE: The 2016 election season has begun to heat up since last week when District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Channing Phillips announced that former District Mayor Vincent Gray has been cleared in the 2010 mayoral race financial investigation. This now brings chatter about him re-

turning to D.C. politics and taking back his home field of Ward 7 as a councilmember. Experts and history conclude that he will have a great chance at defeating Councilwoman Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) who will be up for re-election. Other council members up for re-election include Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), David Grosso (I-At Large), Vincent Orange (D-At Large), Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4) and LaRuby May (D-Ward 8). So far Todd, Evans and May are running unopposed. WI

5Ward 4 Councilman Brandon Todd sat with Washington Informer reporter Sarafina Wright at his office in the John A. Wilson Building on Monday, Dec. 7, in Northwest discussing his track record and upcoming re-election bid in 2016. / Photo by Patricia Little. By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer @dreamersexpress So far in his tenure, Ward 4 Councilman Brandon Todd busies himself with introducing legislation that will help the District’s most vulnerable such as seniors, consorting with his millennial committee to ensure that key demographic has opportunity and addressing crime in his Ward all while being uncontested for his coveted post on the D.C. Council. As of now, Todd has no challengers in the Democratic primary in June 2016. He won his seat in a special election in April. With his mentor Mayor Muriel Bowser’s endorsement, he crushed his opponents with 42 percent of the vote. While many have wondered whether Bowser’s recent hiccups with the Anti-Crime Bill and FreshPac will affect Todd, he says he stands with Bowser without a doubt, and in the meantime he’s focused on seniors. “I represent the second-highest number of seniors in the whole city,” Todd said. “I see a lot of opportunity to make sure our government is doing everything we can to help them age in place right in their own homes.” Housing remains the number-one concern Todd hears from his seniors in Ward 4. “They want to stay right in their homes that they have lived in for five or six decades,” he said. In November, Todd hosted the State of the Ward 4 Senior Address where 350 seniors from all 20

neighborhoods in his Ward came to listen and voice their concerns. “From Chevy Chase to Riggs Park, they all share similar wants of aging in place in their home,” Todd said. “When people think of aging in place they think of the Department of Aging, but it’s really the Department of Public Works, Department of Transportation and our whole government. “So that’s looking at taxes and what they pay, senior services, government services, and how we help them,” he said. Legal representation for seniors also takes top priority for him as they are without a doubt a vulnerable demographic most likely to be victims of fraud and scams. “I introduced a measure that would create a legal clinic at the University of the District of Columbia’s Law School. I hear seniors talking about an array of things, legal services is one of them,” Todd said. “Many seniors can’t afford to hire an attorney to review documents for home improvement, or perhaps even prepare a will. It would give UDCs law students the opportunity to work with seniors and it would give seniors free legal advice from those students.” “That’s helping millennials get experience so they can go out and get a good paying job after law school, and it’s also providing a critical service for seniors,” he said. Todd asserts his passion for the elderly started a long time ago. “I’ve always had a love for seniors, always, since I was a kid,” Todd said. “I do have a grandmother that lives

in the District, she lives in Hillcrest Washington and I talk to her everyday.” Todd’s grandmother, originally from the tidewater area in Virginia participated in the Great Migration coming to the District decades ago for more opportunity. “I know all of the things that worry her about aging in place, support from our government and living in a growing city that she’s lived in for over 50 years,” he said. Along with his heavy concern for seniors, Todd introduced the “Justice for Ex-Spouses Act of 2015” in September that will provide safeguards for women who potentially maybe threatened by their former partner for moving forward with their lives. “It was brought to my attention by several members in my Ward, that people in certain communities were not able to move forward after a divorce, and plainly it isn’t fair,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I was being supportive of the needs of my residents, therefore, I wanted to ensure they can move on after divorce.” After seven and half years of serving under Bowser as a constituent services director and chief campaign fundraiser, Todd isn’t a stranger to Ward 4 or the District’s political scene. When asked about the upcoming election season and the lack of opponents he responded casually, but assertive. “I get up and I work hard every day, 15 hours, seven days a week on behalf of the residents of Ward 4 and I don’t take that for granted.

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AROUND THE REGION

WEEK OF DEC. 17 TO DEC. 23

Black Facts

DEC. 20

DEC. 17

1663 – Queen Nzingha of Angola dies at the age of 82. Known as the Warrior Princess of Matamba, Queen Nzingha gained legendary fame for her resistance to Portuguese attempts to colonize the interior of Africa. She also battled the Dutch slave trade. Leading a tribal group known as the Jugas, she is generally credited with leading the stiffest resistance to early European colonialism and imperialism.

DEC. 18

1917 – Performer Ossie Davis is born Raiford Chatman Davis on this day in Cogdell, Georgia. Davis was probably black America’s best example of a combination entertainer and political activist. In addition to his stage and movie careers, Davis and his wife Ruby Dee were deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Davis gave the eulogies at funerals of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He died Feb. 4, 2005.

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1891 – One of the pioneers of Black Catholicism, Charles Randolph Uncles, was ordained the first African American priest in America on this day in Baltimore, Maryland. 1930 – Perhaps the nation’s leading black sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, is officially incorporated. The sorority was actually founded in 1913 by 22 coeds at Howard University in Washington, D.C. One of the first public acts by the group was to participate in a demonstration in March 1913 demanding that women be given the right to vote.

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DEC. 21

1865 – Following the example set by Mississippi, South Carolina on this day enacted a series of “Black Codes.” The codes displayed a white Southern obsession with three things after losing the Civil War. 1) They still desperately wanted to control blacks. The primary method was forcing the now landless and money-less ex-slaves to sign “labor contracts” with white employers which were so strict that they came close to re-instituting slavery. 2) They were obsessed with preventing sexual relations between blacks and whites. This took the form of banning interracial marriages and relationships. 3) They wanted to retard black economic progress with a series of measures designed to require that blacks work for whites and not establish their own businesses. The codes barred blacks from even selling farm products without the permission of a white employer. Fortunately, many of the codes were never fully enforced because Northern troops occupied the South and voided many of the “Black Codes.”

DEC. 22

1898 – Historian and author Chancellor Williams is born on this day in Bennettsville, South Carolina. Williams authored the book “Destruction of Black Civilization: Great Issues of Race from 4500 BC to 2000 AD.” The book is considered a must-read for any serious student of black history. Williams died in 1992.

DEC. 23

1815 – Abolitionist Henry Highland Garnet is born in Kent County, Maryland. Perhaps second only to Frederick Douglass, Garnet was the leading black abolitionist of the 1800’s. He was known for his tremendous oratorical skills and being bold in expressing his opinions. After the Civil War, however, he became frustrated with the slow pace of black progress in America and favored the establishment of an independent black nation in Africa. WI

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1988 – Max Robinson, the first black co-anchor of a nightly network news program (ABC’s World News Tonight), dies in Washington, D.C., of complications due to AIDS.

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AROUND THE REGION PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL DONALD TRUMP’S RECENT COMMENTS ABOUT BANNING MUSLIMS FROM ENTERING THE UNITED STATES HAVE LANDED HIM IN HOT WATER. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE’S REMARKS?

NANDI HENDERSON WASHINGTON, D.C.

I think his comments were wrong, and they were also ignorant. There are a lot of people in the United States who are Muslim, and they haven’t done anything wrong. I think he’s judging people based off of how they look and the religion they practice. Sure, some Muslims have committed bad acts, but not all people are the same.

YOLANDA BRUNSON

PAUL BROWN

CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MARYLAND

WASHINGTON, D.C.

I think his statements and rhetoric offer nothing of true value. What they do, however, is invoke fear against one particular group. Not all Muslims are radicalized to cause harm. I recently watched a relevant segment on television that reminded people to be cautious about attempts to discriminate against particular group of people, and it mentioned past histories of African-Americans and Jews.

At this point, I think he’s embarrassing the country. His comments make our political process look like a joke. It looks like just because he has money, he’s qualified to become president. I think the media fuels it, too, because it’s almost as if they glorify it. It’s similar to sports as in when an athlete does something bad, it’s plastered all over the news. It just makes our political process look weak.

CHRISTINE LOUIS-JACQUES WASHINGTON, D.C.

I think his comments have become a joke. It’s like he’s trying to say whatever outlandish thing to get him press because he will get it. I think he’s playing with people’s emotions, and it’s causing a reaction from people where they become riled up and angry. He knows he will get a response from his comments – whether it’s from Muslims or people who agree with him.

JUNE COLLINS

SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND

I believe Donald Trump should be disqualified from being a presidential candidate. I don’t think he’s a credible human being. I feel very strongly that he shouldn’t be a candidate and he shouldn’t be receiving the press that he is currently getting.

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TRIAL From Page 1

a seat belt. His death a week later sparked demonstrations and made him a symbol of the Black community’s distrust of police. Prosecutors say Porter, one of three Black officers charged in the case, was summoned by the van’s driver to check on Gray during stops on the way to a police station. They say he should have called a medic for Gray sooner than one was eventually called, and also should have ensured that Gray was wearing a seat belt. Porter is charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. For convictions on some or all

of the first three charges, he would face no more than 10 years in prison combined. There is no statutory maximum sentence for the fourth charge, misconduct. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has activated the city’s emergency operations center in anticipation of the verdicts and the mayor cautioned residents to be respectful. “Whatever the jury decides, we must all respect the process,” she said. “If some choose to demonstrate to express their opinion, that is their right, and we respect that right, and we will fight to protect it. But all of us today agree that the unrest from last spring is not acceptable.” WI

MUSLIMSFrom Page 1

Obama suggested, that we could do much more. The government controls surveillance operatives, has law enforcement tools at its disposal and has a much greater pool of financial resources. The government must take the lead in terrorism against its own Muslim citizens,” he said. The Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, pastor and founder of The Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, also participated in the interfaith roundtable and said this is a time where all “faith leaders must trumpet the right of freedom of religion as guaranteed by the Constitution.” “People have a right to choose and faith leaders should be on the front line – it may be Muslims being targeted today, but tomorrow it could be Jehovah’s Witnesses and eventually we could face a modern form of McCarthyism where we are all considered bad guys. Reckless language continues to be touted about and allowing it to go on without being countered could result in even more tragic outcomes,” Bryant said. “We have deluded ourselves after President Obama’s first election, bantering about the notion of our having entered a post-racial society – as if his election to the White House cured 300 years of white supremacy and oppression. Now with the bandages having been ripped off, we realize that a lot of reconciliation and healing still needs to occur. Don’t forget that we had 11 churches bombed in America last summer including the massacre in Charleston. We have become anesthetized over the sanctity of sanctuaries whether they be churches or mosques,” he said. Bryant added that while he remains concerned about terrorism, he has even greater worries. “Since 9/11, only 400 Americans have been killed by terrorists,” he said. “But an estimated 400,000 have been either wounded or killed as a result of gunfire. Sure, I want to hear the president’s plan on addressing terrorism. But more than that, I want to hear his plan on gun control. We must address domestic violence,” he said. Arun Kundnani, author of “The Muslims are Coming! Islamopho-

bia, Extremism and the Domestic War of Terror,” serves as a lecturer at New York University and recently appeared on CNN. “We already had a situation since 9/11 where thousands of Muslims were rounded up and deported, simply because they were Muslim,” he said. “We already had a situation where mosques were being spied on, simply because they are mosques. We already have a situation where we have politicians saying ‘We won’t allow Syrians to come in and claim refugee status,’ simply because they’re Syrian. So we are already in this situation. Trump is a symptom of a wider, political culture of Islamophobia,” Kundnani said. “Actually, there’s a failure to imagine what’s really happening to Muslims in the U.S. Muslims are seen only as perpetrators – not as victims of violence. That’s why we see so little coverage of hate crimes that target Muslims. Earlier this year, three Muslim students were murdered in North Carolina but it hardly raised any alarm bells.” “In America, the perception of violence has been skewed by certain ideologies. Consider how the San Bernardino shootings became a national event, dominating the news for an entire week while there’s been little attention focusing on the hundreds of thousands of Americans killed by gun violence since 9/11,” he said. When asked how he would compare the civil rights movement during which time Blacks demanded equal rights and fair treatment as U.S. citizens, Kundnani said he would only do so with caution. “One should be careful when comparing the experiences of Blacks in America to Muslims, given the long, oppressive history that Blacks have endured in the U.S.,” he said. “Blacks’ history is much deeper and tragic than the history of immigrants. One-third of America’s Muslims are Black – a rarely acknowledged, if even known, fact. So perhaps this is not just about religious oppression but about race as well,” Kundnani added. WI

Also, during a busy day inside and out of the courtroom, longtime Maryland Democratic Congressman Elijah Cummings called on residents to remain calm and accept whatever verdict the jury might render. “The verdict will have as much legitimacy as our society can provide,” Cummings said. “We, who struggle for greater justice in our society, must be prepared to do justice as well. We must be just whether we agree or disagree with a jury’s verdict in a single criminal trial.” Gray, 25, broke his neck on April 12 while being transported in a police van, shackled but not wearing

Mosque” in Northwest, where he was joined by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, Congressman Keith Ellison, The Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant and others. The discussion focused on standing up to anti-Muslim rhetoric. Ellison, 52, a nine-year member of Congress representing Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District and the first of only a handful of Muslims elected to Congress, said it’s incorrect to peg Muslims as the face of terrorism. “It’s an absolutely false notion that Muslims and Islam are associated with terrorism – only the most bigoted individuals like Donald Trump would make such an accusation,” he said. “But even our own government treats the Muslim community like a nationDenise Rolark Barnes al security problem. The real thing to Independent Beauty Consultant do is to engage people around their www.marykay/drolark-barnes.com citizenship as contributing members 202-236-8831 to our society.” Ellison participated in Wednesday’s roundtable discussion. “Muslims have been associated with terrorism since 9/11 but the number itself remains miniscule in comparison to those associated with hate groups in America,” he said. “Today we have Trump spewing hatred. In the past we had George Wallace whipping up ordinary people against Blacks. Before that we had attacks against Jews and Japanese Americans. (301) 864-6070 This is part of our American legacy.” “Mosques are being burned and Muslims are being attacked, illustrating yet another ugly époque in U.S. history. The public doesn’t underMCCOLLUM & ASSOCIATES, LLC stand the amount of danger that this ADA, Age Discrimination, Benefits, Civil Rights, hatemongering is causing and which must be confronted,” Ellison added. COBRA, Contracts, Deaf Law, Defamation, Disability Law, Ellison added that the Muslim Discipline, Discrimination, FMLA, FLSA, FOIA, community has long been commitFamily Responsibility, Harassment, HIPPA, OSHA, ted to making its religious principles National Origin Discrimination, Non-Compete, known to all members of society. “The Muslim community continn upper and lowercase,Race flush left as indicated on artwork at these point sizes: Consultant name in 11-point Helvetica Neue Bold; Independent Discrimination, Rehabilitation Act, Retaliation, n 9-point Helvetica Neue Light; Web site or e-mail address in 9-point Helvetica Neue Light; phone number in 9-point Helvetica Neue Light. ues to turn in people who are making ® Personal Web Site program may be utilized. t Beauty Consultant: Only Company-approved Web sites Sexual obtained through the Mary KayTorts, Severance Agreements, Harassment, threats against our fellow Americans,” Whistleblowing, Wage-and-Hour, Wrongful Discharge he said. “We’re constantly pushing against horrible messages and reachSERVING MARYLAND, DC, & NORTH CAROLINA ing out to others through interfaith www.jmlaw.net (301) 864-6070 jmccollum@jmlaw.net dialogues. It’s inaccurate to say, as 301.292.9141/FAX 301.292.9142/Mobile 703.819.0920 doris@mcmilloncommunications.com/www.mcmilloncommunications.com

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Black Clergy Propose Improvement Plan for Cities By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill A group of Black religious leaders held a news conference Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the National Press Club in Northwest D.C. to unveil a plan to help improve America’s inner cities, which also criticized the Black Lives Matter movement and the federal government. The plan called “Project Awakening: A Recovery Plan for America’s Inner Cities” will receive assistance from Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. Within a 23-page booklet, the plan is based on three principles: cultural renewal, economic awakening and technical education. “We are tired of hearing the police blamed as if all the problems in the inner city are a result of police misconduct. We know that’s not true, yet that gets all the attention,” said Bishop E.W. Jackson, who is leading the effort and president of STAND (Staying True to America’s National Destiny). “We are tired of people giving us explanations that don’t make any sense whatsoever. We are tired of nothing changing. We’re here to offer what has been needed for the last generation a new solution.” The main goal is for the faithbased community and private sector businesses partner to create, fund and save the inner cities Project Awakening leaders say President Barack Obama has failed to do. According to portions of the project description, cultural renewal focuses on several topics that include not using race as the root of all problems, making the church a central focus in your life and respecting authority. Leon Threatt, senior pastor at Christian Faith Assembly in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a former police officer, said community leaders working with police departments strengthen bonds to rid neighborhoods of criminal elements. “The community must see themselves partnering with law enforcement. It’s not police against (the community),” he said. “By living and serving in that community, you have a vested interest there to build strong relationships.” When asked by a reporter about Black Lives Matter, Jackson said

the actions and words of those in the movement have been “divisive” and “demonic.” He said his organization is willing to work with those in the movement, but stressed one setback from a religious perspective: “They need to get saved . . . and that’s the problem.” In regards to economic awakening, Project Awakening would seek to working with the private sector and have business leaders mentor and teach teenagers and young adults how to become entrepreneurs, respect for an employer and learn the value of capitalism. “Government has not helped the situation. It has made the situation worse,” Jackson said. “This is a private sector solution.” Because the religious leaders believe public education continues to fail in the inner cities, a recommendation would teach young adults technical skills such as a carpenter, plumber, or computer technician. According to the project manual, the plan would be to work with community colleges and private technical schools to provide training and later receive certification. Two other recommendations in education are creating boarding schools and after school programs to run three hours per day and four days a week. A pilot program for Project Awakening would start in several cities in Virginia: Norfolk, Richmond and Newport News – near the STAND headquarters in Chesapeake and then incorporate the initiative into every state in the next several years. So far, Jackson said about 1,000 nationwide people are working with Project Awakening. STAND officials plan to contact and meet with more religious, businesses and education leaders, and even presidential candidates, to help implement the plan. To help pay for it, money would come from donations, businesses and possibly scholarships for teenagers and young adults to use at local community colleges. “This is exactly the kind of initiative that is needed throughout this country to help resolve the problems in the inner city,” said Buddy Pilgrim, national director for Faith and Religious Liberty with the Cruz campaign. “The solution that will fix these problems is not another government solution, [but] it is a private sector initiative.” WI

5Bishop E.W. Jackson, who is leading a national effort to improve U.S. inner cities, speaks during a Dec. 9 news conference at the National Press Club in D.C. / Photo by Nancy Shia

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African-Americans, Minorities Hold Christmas Spending Power By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer African-Americans are again expected to wield their vast spending power this Christmas, but not without some pushback from a community that’s seeking to further emphasize just how much black lives matter. “We just can’t keep filling the coffers of corporate and white America without accountability and without justice,” said Daisha Littlejohn, a paralegal who lives in Northeast. “This country still hasn’t learned that black lives matter and we have the ability to really show them that, while they don’t value our lives, they certainly depend upon our spending money,” Littlejohn said. In 2014, USA Today called Blacks and other minority consumers “the unlikely hero of holiday.” African-Americans, Latinos and Asians helped to boost holiday purchases last year more than any other groups and the newspaper said minorities were a central driver of seasonal spending. With the overall population spending about 10 percent more on holiday gifts, African Americans spent 17 percent more in 2014 while Latinos and Asians spent 13 percent more. “This is a wake-up call,” James Russo, vice president of consumer insights at Nielsen, told USA Today. “Holiday is just a reflection of what’s happening across the larger consumer retail landscape. This will continue,” Russo said. The spending power of African-Americans stood between $1.1 trillion and $1.3 this year, according to the Nielsen Company. Also, the Latino spending power was expected to be as much as $1.7 trillion. There are an estimated 54 million Latinos, 44 million African-Americans and 19.4 million Asians living in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau. “The wake-up call for marketers is about the need to learn what multicultural consumers want and then bringing those insights to how clients go to market,” said Jo Muse, chairman of Muse Communications, a multi-

5 Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan said, “We intend to boycott Christmas but not Jesus.” / Photo Courtesy of BET

“This country still hasn’t learned that black lives matter and we have the ability to really show them that, while they don’t value our lives, they certainly depend upon our spending money.” Daisha Littlejohn / Paralegal cultural marketing firm. “If they are not slicing and dicing consumer data so that the purchase motivational insights of multicultural consumer are close at hand, I’m afraid they will miss this opportunity,” Muse said. Last month, a Gallup Poll provided an update of America’s 2015 holiday spending intentions, revealing that U.S. adults plan to spend an average of $830 on Christmas gifts, up from the $720 spent last year. The black spending power in America was one of the topics that Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan highlighted as being a tool for improving the African-American community. During the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March in the District in October, Farrakhan urged African-Americans to boycott Christmas shopping. “Did you know that we spend

almost half of the money that we take in, in one year during Christmas? We have $1.1 trillion to $1.3 trillion and $400 billion of it is spent during the Christmas holidays,” Farrakhan said, as he recommended that those funds be invested in purchasing land and property. “If black lives don’t matter, then black dollars you won’t have,” the minister said. “We have to find a way to redistribute the pain. We have to now withdraw our economic support, so that those who give us pain can receive some pain,” he said. “You’re either going to treat us right, or we’re going to withdraw from you our economic support. We intend to boycott Christmas but not Jesus. We are not going to spend our money for the rest of the year with those companies that we have traditionally spent our money on.” WI

AROUND THE REGION GRAY from Page 1 Gray held a comfortable lead, Ronald Machen, the then-U.S. Attorney, held a press conference in which he excoriated Gray, implicating him in a campaign corruption scheme. Channing Phillips, who took over the position from Vincent Cohen, Machen’s successor, announced that no charges would be filed against Gray. “Thank God for Channing Phillips, who was in a difficult position,” Thies said. “He had to protect the integrity of that office and he couldn’t point back at his predecessors and say that they messed up. He han-

wich. This was two prosecutors who were very aggressive,” he said. “After Machen quit, and who quits without seeing such a high-profile investigation through? We thought we’d get an impartial review and low and behold we learned that the impartial review led to no charges and the mayor being vindicated,” Thies said. For those who still may not be convinced of Gray’s innocence, Thies said they should look at the facts as well as the motives of the former prosecutors. “If 20 months after the election, they can’t prove he did anything wrong, they had no business to conduct a press conference three

“If they could have proved that he was guilty 20 months later, they could look back and say they were right. They didn’t have the evidence and this proves beyond any reasonable doubt that they were unethical and they did this with the sole purpose of making sure Vincent Gray would not be re-elected.” Chuck Thies / Vincent Gray’s Former Campaign Manager dled this with dignity and as much neutrality as anyone could possibly have imagined.” After Machen hammered out a plea deal with businessman and major political donor Jeffrey Thompson, in which Thompson pleaded guilty to channeling more than $660,000 into a shadow campaign to pay for voter drives and other election efforts during Gray’s 2010 run for mayor, the prosecutor took aim at Gray. Machen promised an indictment, and quickly Gray’s double-digit lead in the polls turned and he ultimately lost his reelection bid to Muriel Bowser. Cohen picked up the mantle after Machen abruptly resigned earlier this year to pursue other opportunities. In October, Phillips was named as Machen’s permanent replacement. “The decision by Phillips totally exonerates Vince Gray,” Thies said. “Although, I wasn’t surprised, it wasn’t guaranteed because, as they say, you can indict a ham sand-

weeks before the election to say that Gray would be indicted,” he said. “If they could have proved that he was guilty 20 months later, they could look back and say they were right. They didn’t have the evidence and this proves beyond any reasonable doubt that they were unethical and they did this with the sole purpose of making sure Vincent Gray would not be re-elected. “It’s an enormous abuse of a

federal prosecutor’s authority. There was no justice out there and unfortunately they can’t undo what has been done. What they did was indefensible and, aside from Vincent Gray, they did a disservice to the people of the District,” he said. In addition to announcing no charges against Gray, Phillips filed motions asking judges to begin setting sentencing dates for the seven people who have pled guilty but have yet to be sentenced in the investigation. “In every criminal trial, the government bears the burden of proving a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Department of Justice policy provides that no prosecution should be initiated against any person unless the government believes that the person probably will be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury, sitting as an unbiased trier of fact, and that the jury’s guilty verdict probably will be sustained by a reviewing court,” Phillips said in a statement. “In this investigation, based on a thorough review of the available evidence and applicable law, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has concluded that the admissible evidence is likely insufficient to obtain and sustain a criminal conviction against any other individuals related to the federal and local political campaigns,” he said. Thies said it’s possible that Gray may eventually seek election in Ward 7 or for an At-Large seat. He said he was planning to speak with Gray about the multitude of media requests the former mayor has received through Thies since Phillips’ announcement. “Walking around with this dark cloud over his head, there may have been numerous opportunities, but with the cloud, sometimes those opportunities look completely different,” Thies said. “He’s been carrying this massive weight on his shoulders, so it probably feels good to be Vincent Gray today.” WI

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GSA Begins Hearings on Greenbelt FBI Project By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill A more comprehensive look on traffic, the environment and building heights were some of the comments presented at a public hearing about the General Services Administration’s proposal to relocate the FBI headquarters in Greenbelt, one of three locations the agency seeks to place in the D.C. area. The majority of those who spoke at the Greenbelt Branch Library support the plan, but stressed that GSA’s environmental impact study must incorporate how the plan could

5Prince George’s County Councilman Todd Turner (D-District 4) of Bowie

attending a public hearing Dec. 8 to lend his support for the FBI headquarters relocating to his district in Greenbelt. / Photo courtesy of Prince George’s County

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consider your neighbors across the tracks.” Robert Boone, founder of the Anacostia Watershed Society who also lives in College Park, said the 60 species of fish in the Indian Creek that runs along the potential property in Greenbelt should be protected. It was GSA’s first public hearing Tuesday, Dec. 8 to review and discuss the project as officials in Maryland and Virginia seek to locate the FBI’s 11,000 employees and another 400 contractors in their respective states. Two more hearings were held Thursday, Dec. 10 at the Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, and Tuesday, Dec. 15 at Robert Lee High School

“...we are very affected by any traffic that comes down Greenbelt Road. The project may add an additional 2,000 to 3,000 car trips every morning and evening.” Mary Cook / College Park Councilwoman impact residents in a nearby municipality. “We don’t live in Greenbelt, but we are very affected by any traffic that comes down Greenbelt Road. The project may add an additional 2,000 to 3,000 car trips every morning and evening,” said College Park Councilwoman Mary Cook. “Although we are not opposed to the project, we have many, many, many concerns. I hope those who live in Greenbelt will

in Springfield, Virginia. The GSA released an environmental impact report last month that highlights all the requirements necessary to relocate from its current location at the J. Edgar Hoover building in Northwest D.C. and consolidate into a 2.5 million square-foot headquarters either in Greenbelt, Landover, or Springfield. The agency seeks to leverage its assets and swap the Hoover

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building to a private company for a more modern structure. It would include a 124,000 square-foot utility plant, 60,000-square-foot visitor center, and a 9,000 square-foot truck inspection facility. Bill Dowd, project executive with GSA, said after the Dec. 8 hearing no more than five firms are on a list of potential developers to work on the FBI project. However, no request for proposals have been issued but will happen soon, he said. Meanwhile, the GSA’s Inspector General Carol F. Ochoa has said trying to exchange the Hoover building may be too expensive and possibly a better deal could be done by using “traditional acquisition and disposal methods.” The main focus at last week’s public hearing dealt with the environmental draft that focused on locating in Greenbelt. Although the 61-acre tract is within walking distance of the Greenbelt Metro station and wouldn’t need shuttle service, the land only has 4 acres to develop and would require a pair of eight-story parking structures with 3,600 spaces. In addition, the main building height may require up to 17 stories. The draft does highlight how Greenbelt would generate more than 3,300 Metro trips by train and bus during the morning and afternoon commutes, the most of any of the three sites. The estimated 2,115 vehicular trips made during peak hours would be similar to the Springfield site, according to the report. Prince George’s County Councilman Todd Turner (D-District 4) of Bowie said the Metro access is one of the best reasons to house the FBI headquarters in Greenbelt, but admitted more work is still needed such as analyzing the traffic impact to those residing in College Park. Thurston Livingston of Greenbelt said he and his wife were excited when they first learned about the FBI possibly coming to the city. “I wasn’t expecting such negative comments (at the public hearing Dec. 8),” he said. “I welcome it. I just have good vibes on this.” WI

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“Legendary CEO Charles Koch shows managers, entrepreneurs, leaders, students, innovators and employees of all kinds how to apply the principles of his revolutionary Market-Based Management system to generate good profit in their organizations, companies and lives.” William Reed / Columnist stroy democracy in this country, out of greed.” Many Blacks view the Koch brothers with loathing because of their contrasting view of “the role of government.” Most Blacks view government as the solution to society’s problems. The ultimate capitalist, Charles Koch sees government as “undermining and suffocating the economy.” In a myriad of interviews the elder Koch brother says, “For most of this nation’s history, our country has been characterized by opportunity, upward mobility and personal freedom. But today, America is hurtling headlong in the opposite direction, away from a free society. Koch’s view is that “the Democrats are taking us down the road to serfdom over the cliff at 100 miles an hour and the Republicans are going just 70” and says “I want to reverse the trajectory.” While Koch’s book offers good business and management philosophy and practices, it runs afoul of Blacks’ ways of life. Because too many of us see government as “omnipotent,” it’s important that the majority of us to know “what the private sector is” and “what the

public sector is” and understand the difference. The private sector is usually composed of organizations that are privately owned and not part of the government. These usually includes corporations (both profit and non-profit) and partnerships. For example, retail stores, credit unions and local businesses operate in the private sector. The public sector is usually composed of organizations that are owned and operated by the government. This includes federal, provincial, state or municipal governments, While a multitude of Blacks endorse Congress and the White House raising the debt ceiling, Charles Koch doesn’t. A major factor in the world economy, Charles Koch is co-owner, chairman of the board, and CEO of Koch Industries and one of the nation’s most politically influential billionaires. Charles’ brother, David H. Koch, serves as the company’s executive vice president. Charles and David each own 42 percent of Koch Industries. “Big government” is a term generally used by conservatives and libertarians to describe a government or public sector that they

consider to be excessively large, corrupt and inefficient or inappropriately involved in certain areas of public policy or the private sector. Most everyone realizes there are differences between the economy’s public and private sectors, but most times, Blacks have been on one side and the Kochs on the other about the size of government and responsibilities and functions assigned to it. In interviews on “How to Save America,” Koch, a Libertarian, warns that the U.S. is “headed for disaster” due to years of bad government policy implemented during the Bush and Obama administrations. The Koch’s’ political philosophy upholds liberty as its principal objective and seek to maximize autonomy and freedom of choice. He laments the activities of the Federal Reserve, out-ofcontrol government spending and counterproductive wars.” Koch also notes that the United States’ total debt and unfunded liabilities is likely over $100 trillion and “going up to the sky.” Blacks accuse the Koch brothers and their political cronies for the 2013 government shutdown. In his interviews, Koch offers insights Blacks should be mindful of regarding America’s capitalistic system. “In a free and fair society, the role of business is to provide products and services that make people’s lives better.” Over the next presidential election cycle, Koch is trying to influence U.S. policy on everything from regulation to criminal justice. Who can take issue with Koch when he raises questions about out-of-control, irresponsible spending by both parties taking us toward bankruptcy as a country and as a government? Surely, Koch should be supported in his priorities of criminal justice reform and eliminating barriers (such as occupational licensure) to low-income people starting businesses. WI

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Volkswagen Apology Ads Ignore Black, Latino Media

The scandal surrounding Volkswagen’s pollutant-emitting cars has brought sharp criticism from Congress and others while some are standing behind the company. / Photo courtesy Volkswagen.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA News Wire Contributing Writer Still facing an uphill battle to regain its reputation as a trusted automobile manufacturer, Volkswagen has turned a blind-eye to consumers in the Black and Latino community. To some, it’s puzzling that the scandal-plagued automaker would ignore African Americans, whom a Nielsen Company study revealed possess $1.1 trillion in collective buying power that’s expected to increase to $1.3 trillion by 2017. Equally inexplicable is the company’s exclusion of Latinos, whose college enrollment has more than tripled since 1996 and who now represent 20 percent of the white and gray collar labor force. In an effort to garner some needed goodwill, Volkswagen earlier this month placed advertisements in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and 28 other newspapers apologizing to what it called its “trusted consumer” base for its misdeeds. Those ads were not placed in any of the more than 200 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Black-owned newspapers that carry a combined weekly readership of more than 20 million people. Nor were they placed in any of the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP) newspapers, which serve 41 markets in 39 states with a combined circulation of more than 23 million readers, according to the NAHP. “While new vehicle purchasing remains steady overall, more Latinos and African-Americans are buying new cars, yet we do not see Volkswagen engage with our communities especially when brand loyalty is one of the strengths of our consumers,” said Martha Montoya, the president of the NAHP and publisher of the award-winning El Mundo newspaper. Montoya provided statistics that

revealed that Latinos and African-Americans accounted for at least 18 percent of new vehicle purchases in 2018, up by three percentage points from last year. “[Yet], Volkswagen’s spending in Latino media declined by 49 percent so far this year, when compared to last year. “Now that they have the opportunity to grab a market share with relevant cultural material, they keep insisting on ignoring our industry which is absolutely puzzling,” Montoya said. That means ignoring more than $1.5 trillion to $1.7 trillion in annual buying power that Latinos possess, according Carlos Santiago, president and chief strategist of Santiago Solutions Group, a leading growth strategy consultancy focused on Latino markets. In the Volkswagen mea culpa ads, the company apologized for concealing the high-level of emissions in its diesel models with a sensor and software that conveyed phony data. The transgression has raised doubts about the company’s credibility, and hearings in the United States Senate and elsewhere were convened to investigate the matter. Along with the ads, Volkswagen said its offering affected car owners a $500 Volkswagen Visa Prepaid Loyalty Card and a $500 Volkswagen Dealership Card. They’re also offering free, 24-hour Roadside Assistance for three years. However, excluding minority-owned newspapers signaled that minority consumers, whose combined annual spending power is more than $3 trillion, were not included in the offer. “We placed the ad with papers in key markets that had the widest diverse readership possible,” said Machelle D. Williams, general manager of diversity and CSR at Volkswagen. “I know that VW values com-

munities of color as is evidenced by our focused efforts over the past few years to implement a diversity and inclusion strategy that strengthens the communities where we live and work,” she said, but even she noted that, “Of course, there is always room for improvement and we look forward to continuing our efforts.” The company insisted that diversity and inclusion are top priorities for Volkswagen of America and officials said this commitment is part of the company’s goal of being recognized as a leader in diversity and inclusion practices by 2018 and includes partnerships with key national organizations such as the National Urban League, National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, and Rainbow Push. “Volkswagen also remains focused on efforts to rebuild trust and confidence in the brand, committed to work as quickly as possible to develop an approved remedy, and eager to reach as many customers as possible affected by the TDI issue in markets where their vehicles were purchased,” said Darryll Harrison Jr., a company spokesman. “The Volkswagen Goodwill Package is an important first step in our efforts to begin making things right with our customers and dealers.” However, the company did not explain why they overlooked minority-owned media outlets. “The only thing that Volkswagen has ever done as it pertains to ethnic marketing is just a couple of things with the Latino media,” said Ken Smikle of Target Market News. “They’ve always taken the African-American community for granted.” And, it’s not just Volkswagen who’s ignored that buying power. A Nielsen Company consumer spending report released last year revealed that companies spend just three percent of their advertising budgets marketing to African-American consumers. “The Black population is young, hip and highly influential,” said Cheryl Pearson McNeil, a vice president at Nielsen. “We are growing 64 percent faster than the general market.” But, Volkswagen’s credibility appears to be shrinking. The YouGov Brand Index, which tracks consumer perception, found that Volkswagen’s U.S. score plummeted to minus-24 as of Sept. 22 from a plus 12 just before the scandal broke. Negative tweets about Volkswagen jumped to 99,900 during the week from Sept. 18 through 24, compared with 1,187 in the seven days before the crisis, according to

Amobee Brand Intelligence. Earlier this year, Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Push Coalition its annual Auto Diversity Scorecard revealed that, when it comes to advertising, marketing and minority dealership development, Volkswagen did display some indication of diversity. Dr. Ben Chavis, the president and CEO of the NNPA and civil rights leader, said that he’s appalled at Volkswagen’s deliberate exclusion of newspapers and individuals of color. “The National Newspaper Publishers Association is singularly disWashington Informer tinguished in the national market3.65 in W x 8 in H place as the sole trusted print and digital media voice of Black America,” Chavis said. “Volkswagen did

the right thing by attempting to offer a public apology to its consumers, but Volkswagen did the wrong thing by failing to reach out to African-American-owned newspapers represented by the NNPA.” Chavis continued: “So-called mainstream news media are not trusted by Black America because of the long history and contemporary manifestations of the publication and distribution of negative racial stereotypes and disrespectful news coverage concerning the overall quality of life in Black America. Yet, that missed opportunity by Volkswagen can be and should be corrected forthwith and expeditiously.” WI

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WASHINGTON – Ask Americans what the Emancipation Proclamation is, and most who know of President Abraham Lincoln’s executive order will respond like 20-yearold Ebony Harris, a student of Howard University from Chicago, and say, “Isn’t that the thing that freed the slaves?” But, the Emancipation Proclamation did not actually free the slaves. It freed 3 million of the 4 million slaves in states that were in revolt against the Union during the Civil War, and it was not permanent. Ask them about the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, and most responses sound like Josephine Jacob-Cox, a schedule manager for the New York City Transit Authority. “Does it have something to do with voting?” Jacob-Cox asked. Actually, this was the law that freed the slaves. Had it not been for that amendment 150 years ago, there may not be a U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, billionaire Robert Johnson, Xerox President Ursula Burns, music impresario Sean “Diddy” Combs, “Empire,” R&B music, hip-hop or rap, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser or President Barack Obama. Obama and Congress paused last week (Wednesday) to celebrate the moment 119 all white men in the U.S. House of Representatives would forever abolish slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. “Today, the issue of chattel slavery seems so simple, so obvious — it is wrong in every sense, stealing men, women, and children from their homelands, tearing husband from wife, parent from child; stripped and sold to the highest bidder; shackled in chains and bloodied with the whip,” Obama said in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol. “It’s antithetical not only to our conception of human rights and dignity, but to our conception of ourselves – a people founded on the premise that all are created equal.” Fredette West, director of the African American Health Alliance and the chair of the Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Coalition, ex-

5 President Barack Obama delivers remarks at an event commemorating the 150th

anniversary of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 9. / Photo by Lawrence Jackson/White House

pressed her happiness to be a guest at the commemoration. “This commemoration was deep and penetrating to the soul,” West said. “I wish everyone had the opportunity to be here, but it’s great that the media was here so the youth can hear it and take in the message that was given today.” House Speaker Paul Ryan (RWI) also voiced his gratitude. “The 13th Amendment is just 43 words long,” Ryan said. “It is so short that you can almost miss its whole significance. Today we celebrate this 43-word amendment; this new birth of freedom. It is altogether fitting and proper that we do this.” Although the amendment’s purpose was to abolish slavery, it was also a strategy to end the bloody and tragic fatalities during the Civil War of 1861 to 1865. For four years, Black and White Union soldiers were fighting in the war together against the rebellious Confederacy, causing over half a million deaths. Fear of more tragic fatalities caused Lincoln to threaten to free all of the slaves in the U.S. with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Even after the Senate passed the amendment April 1864, Lincoln aggressively pursued the favor of representatives in the House who opposed the amendment by bribing them, offering his support in their political careers and even convincing them that the amendment’s

purpose had nothing to do with racial equality. The fear of granting African-Americans the same constitutional rights caused fear, therefore creating the constant battle to grant passage of the amendment. However, on Jan. 31, 1865, the House finally passed the bill, with 119 yes votes and 56 against. Once the bill was passed in January, on Dec. 6, 1865, the bill was ratified, declaring the end of slavery. Eventually, several states began to ratify the amendment to their state constitutions, the first being Illinois on Feb. 1, 1865. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) presented first lady Michelle Obama’s remarks on her reverence of the progress of African-Americans and the U.S. since the abolishment of slavery. “She said that ‘Today’— and I carry this in my heart — ‘I hope that Sojourner Truth would be proud to see me, a descendant of slaves serving as the first lady of the United States of America,’” Pelosi said. Obama also gave reverence to the African-American leaders of the past who struggled and fought for the freedom that all citizens of America have today, such as Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Frederick Douglass. He also commended Lincoln for being the president that sparked the change that America needed to see. WI

Bernie Sanders Visits Embattled City of Baltimore

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5On Dec. 8, Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders met with African-American civic and religious leaders in Baltimore and toured the neighborhood where Freddie Gray was arrested and subsequently died while in police custody. / Photo by Sylvester Shorts By Sylvester Shorts WI Contributing Writer Senator Bernie Sanders came to Baltimore on Dec. 8 to dialogue on the pressing issues impacting the African-American community, meeting the Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, senior pastor of The Empowerment Temple Church in Baltimore along with a contingency of civic and religious leaders from across the U.S. “We want to hear from Senator Sanders on how he will empower and equip the African-American community with specific policies. But not just promises but policies – we’re looking for a manifesto that will help our community,” Bryant said. In the future, Bryant also plans to dialogue with Rand Paul and Hillary Clinton, who are both running for president. The pastor said that after meeting with the two candidates, he will share his findings with the larger community and with the help of others, propose a concrete plan that benefits communities of color. “Today we discussed three different and distinctive issues. The first focus is dealing with education and safeguarding our historically black colleges and universities and raising the standards for public schools by making educational opportunities available to those living in urban centers. Our second focus deals with Black Lives Matter in terms of aggressive policing, racial profiling and mass incarceration and inequitable sentencing. The third focus is Black Dollars Matter. Where are we in terms of capital? It is very easy to get loans to purchase a used car, but it’s difficult getting loans to start a small business,” Bryant said at the news conference. As the delegation of civic and religious leaders toured the Sandtown-Winchester community in Baltimore, the section of the city in which Freddie Gray once lived, one passerby said, “Please bring us jobs,”

Bryant noted. Sanders shared some of his more pressing concerns. “America is the wealthiest country in the history of world, but anyone who took the walk around this neighborhood would not think you are in a wealthy nation. You would think that you are in a third world country. Unemployment is over 50 percent in a community that doesn’t even have decent-quality grocery stores where mothers can buy quality food for their kids.” “A community in which the dream of an education is real is like dreaming about going to the moon. In the United States of America, 37 percent of African-American children shouldn’t be living in poverty. In the United States of America, we shouldn’t be having more people in jail than any other country on this Earth disproportionately affecting African-Americans and Hispanics. We need fundamental changes in our national priorities. We do not need to give more tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires. We need to start investing communities that are hurting and forgotten about,” Sanders said in his opening remarks to the press. Some of Sanders’ policy changes include: • Acquire monies to put people to work rebuilding city infrastructure and affordable housing. • Sanders and Congressman John Conyers have already introduced legislation to provide jobs for low-income kids. • Provide support to public colleges and university (and HBCUs) by making them tuition free. • Instead of investing in China, invest in places like Baltimore, Vermont and California. Investing in China has cost millions of decently paying jobs. • Offer education and job training to those incarcerated and/or has no graduated from high school in order to hold down a suitable job. WI

I really thought long and hard about taking on a political conversation. They say the quickest way to lose friends and (un)influenced people is to talk religion and/or politics. These discussions rarely end amicably and will generally leave carnage in its wake. The offense runs deep. Any challenge of thought is considered a serious affront to our make-up. We are married to our views and opinions just as sure as our breath. But as it relates to business, it would be remise not consider the impact of politics on the growth and development within the business culture. As it goes, government shapes our business environment. Legislation has the ability to improve or hinder the process. These policies determine the laws and regulations by which we operate. What does it mean to be a democrat? And what is the democratic perspective on the business climate? The same holds true for Republicans, labeled the party of big business. But are their policies good for your business. When we invest in the process we help frame the narrative. Politicians and parties are ‘of the people by the people for the people’. Though at times tedious, the tradeoff is having an awareness of those who are elected to act on your behalf. Unfortunately, most often it is the presidential campaign that gardeners the greatest participation. But it is our local government elections and representatives who have the most impact. Being a business owner is not just the business we do, but the policies that shape our ability to do business.

Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

HEALTH

Children Are Primary Victims of America’s Prison CAP Report Reveals 36 million Youths Have Parent Incarcerated By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer As many as 36.5 million American children – or nearly half of all children in the U.S. – now have at least one parent with a criminal record, according to a new report from the Center for American Progress, or CAP, in Northwest. Further, an earlier report by the U.S. Census revealed how Black America has especially been victimized. That report estimated that approximately 18.5 million individuals in the U.S. population are Black males while the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Prisoner Statistics Program reported that 526,000 were in state or federal prisons. And, as recently as mid-year, about 220,000 Black men were in

local jails which made for the total number of Black males incarcerated at approximately 745,000. To put that in perspective, one report noted that to give a lens to viewing the data, India, a country of 1.2 billion, had a total of about 380,000 prisoners. In fact, there are more African-American men incarcerated in the U.S. than the total prison population in India, Argentina, Canada, Lebanon, Japan, Germany, Finland, Israel and England combined. Released on Friday, Dec. 11, the CAP report noted that the consequences for the number of parents locked up and their own wellbeing are often dire. “Even though I had done nothing wrong, I was convicted of ‘disorderly conduct’ – a third degree misdemeanor – and sentenced to

six months of probation,” an individual who in the report only identified herself as “Ms. Matos.” “I didn’t do any jail time, but I was left with a criminal record.” That’s when things started to change, according to TalkPoverty. org, a project of the CAP that’s dedicated to dramatically reducing poverty. Matos took medical leave from her job to recover from the incident, but when she tried to return she was forced to re-apply and check the box asking whether she had ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. She wasn’t welcomed back. She says she hasn’t been able to find steady work since then. Customer service jobs turn her away for not having a clean background.

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5 As many as 36.5 million American children, including scores of Blacks, have at least one parent incarcerated. / Photo courtesy of The Atlantic To get by, she’s currently working part-time for her brother’s small trucking business, earning just $150 a week. “The company doesn’t have enough business to pay me even a fraction of what I was earning before,” she said. “So I’ve been forced to turn to food stamps to keep me and my family afloat.” What Matos has gone through since her run-in with police has had deep personal implications and her story is common across the country. In one survey of families with incarcerated members, more than two-thirds said their financial stability was damaged and the same share had trouble meeting basic needs, Talk Poverty reported. When one parent is incarcerated, the rest of the family’s income drops suddenly thanks to the loss of that parent’s earnings. Nearly half of formerly incarcerated individuals in the survey had contributed half or more of the family income before they went to prison. Incarceration also takes a toll through court fees and the cost of visits and phone calls, which pushes many families into debt. Costs continue once someone leaves prison as well: research has found that formerly incarcerated men, for example, make 40 percent less a year than if they hadn’t been incarcerated. Incarceration can also be a barrier to employment: about 60 percent of those who have spent time in prison are still unemployed a year after they’re released. But those like Matos don’t even have to go to prison to experience

negative effects. Just having a criminal record can be enough. Nearly 90 percent of employers use criminal background checks on job applicants, and even misdemeanors and arrests without conviction can be a barrier to employment. President Barack Obama has made prison reform a priority in his last year in office and celebrities like Russell Simmons have pushed hard for changes. Of late, singer Nicki Minaj referred to prison as slavery. “What it has become is not a war on drugs,” she told Billboard. “It has become slavery or something crazier. When I see how many people are in jail, I feel like, ‘Wait a minute. Our government is aware of these statistics and thinks it’s OK?’ The sentences are inhumane.” The popular singer also spoke of Sandra Bland, the Black woman mysteriously found hanged in a Texas jail cell earlier this year after being arrested during a routine but controversial traffic stop. Bland, a civil rights activist, had earlier began posting videos of police brutality and many argued that she was targeted and because she was outspoken, many also accused police of wrongdoing, possibly even murdering her. “I did research on the Sandra Bland case,” Minaj said. “That’s why it hit me so hard. I remember speaking to other women at the time. This could have been me. I’m a sassy woman. I may have given a little bit of attitude to a police officer. I could have never come home.” WI

HEALTH

Black Women Doctors Receive Recognition

Author to Use Book to Inspire Next Generation By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer One filmmaker and activist started a mission to celebrate African-American female doctors with the hope that young girls will be inspired to help combat Black women’s low representation in the field with only 2 percent. Crystal Emery hosted a book signing for the launch of “Against All Odds: Celebrating Black Women in Medicine” for information and camaraderie on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the Service Employees International Union Headquarters Conference Center in Northwest. “It’s great watching the doctors fellowship, because a lot of Black women doctors don’t get to fellowship with each other,” Emery said. “Also the baby docs here at age 10 are looking at doctors next to them as a representation of what they can be.” Emery’s interest in the plight of Black women doctors started from her encounters with several of them especially Doris Weathers. “I was intrigued by her and what

she had done,” she said. “Her research increased the life span of people with sickle cell from 18 to 50, and I thought wow people need to know that.” Emery decided to compose a biographical photo essay where Black female physicians could have a voice to answer questions as well as influence. “It’s really hard to find the appropriate genre for this book,” she said. “It’s not a coffee table book or a textbook, but we found doctors from all across the country that wanted to participate and tell their stories.” The District will be one of several stops for Emery’s book tour following New York City, New Rochelle, New York and New Haven, Connecticut. In 2016, she says the production will hit over 40 additional cities. “We will bring the whole program including the documentary to these cities, so that we can really push that needle,” she said. “Our goal is that by 2050 we can see an increase from 2 percent to seven.”

Emery asserts that the reasons there are so few Black female physicians boils down to racism and sexism. “Everything from racism, sexism, economics and lack of access to mentors play a part in that.” “In order to see change, it starts with the parents and the school system,” she said. “Privileged people start preparing their children at the age of three to go to medical school.” “The media also plays a major part along with racism and sexism. How many Black women doctors do you see on TV. This effects everything,” she said. Although Emery lives as a quadriplegic, she says that her condition isn’t the reason she has great passion to see Black women in the health care industry. “I wrote and directed my first play in the fifth grade, and all of my work celebrates the triumph of the human spirit,” she said. “This work is important for the next generation because you can’t be what you can’t see. WI

5Author, producer Crystal Emery and Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and

CEO of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, attend the launch of “Against All Odds: Black Women in Medicine” on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the SEIU Head-

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EDUCATION

2016 Voter Guide for Black Women Revealed

Republican Candidates’ Responses Vague By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer In August, 21 declared Democratic and Republican presidential candidates received a questionnaire regarding the needs and concerns of black women. As of last week, only six of the remaining 17 candidates had responded to the pivotal, which could determine who this powerful voting bloc will back in 2016. The Black Women’s Roundtable released its 2016 Non-Partisan Voter Guide as a resource for voters on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at the National Press Club in Northwest, during which a panel of women led by Essence magazine Editor Vanessa De Luca analyzed the presidential hopefuls’ unedited responses to the questionnaire. The responses – or lack thereof – from Republican candidates stood out to the panelist the most. “When you ask a question, you are looking for a answer to your question,” Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer and chair of the National Newspaper Publishers Association said. Six candidates responded to the questions but some answered with one word, or a campaign letter of general responses. “We’ve grown accustomed to believing their responses include us, but no, they need to talk to us. We want to be seen, addressed and respected,” she said. The candidates that responded to the questionnaire consisting of 41 domestic policy questions included Hillary Clinton, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Martin O’Malley, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush and Gov. John Kasich. “Ben Carson was the only Republican candidate to answer every question, but everything was answered in riddles, Avis Jones - Deweever, president of Incite Unlimited, LLC said. “I think it’s important that we look for substance and not just answers.” The inquiries they answered dealt with economic opportunity, quality education, quality health care and health justice, systematic racism, criminal justice and inclusive democracy. “Those who vie for the black vote must be thirsty,” April D. Ryan, White House corespon-

dent said. “Jeb Bush, he was asked about quality education, and he addressed entitlements only.” Jones-Deweever believes the two party system in the United States keeps African Americans with no leverage when it comes to black issues. “We do primarily have a two-party system, and it doesn’t do us any favors,” she said. “We have one party that takes us for granted and the other ignores us. Jones-Deweever did appreciate Clinton proposing a significant increase in funding to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). “The reality is they produce the highest number of black professionals and we must preserve these institutions,” she said.“At a time like this we need to make sound decisions about who we give our vote to.” “Thanks to Melanie for having the foresight to put this document together.” BWR, an organization that serves as the women and girls empowerment arm of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, promotes health and wellness, economic security, prosperity, quality public education and global empowerment for millions of black people around the world. Essence magazine and BWR partnered earlier this year, releasing in September, the findings of the Power of the Sister Vote Poll that identified key issues for black women. Healthcare, living wage/jobs and college affordability topped the priority list. BWR tailored the questionnaire to address these specific issues. The voter guide also includes an extensive biography of each candidate as well as primary and general election dates, voter registration deadlines, Democrat and Republican conventions and presidential debate dates. “We can do this by biting off the apple one bite at a time,” former Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick said. “When black women are at the table making decisions the whole world changes.” See BWR 2016 Voter Guide at: www.bwrvoterguide2016.org WI

5 Melanie L. Campbell, Black Women’s Roundtable president and CEO, presents the 2016 Voters Guide during a panel discussion at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Dec. 9 in Northwest./ Photo by Roy Lewis.

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DCPS Briefs

PROGRAM ADDITIONS FOR 2016

Several of the city’s public schools have exciting new changes coming during the 2016 term that were discussed at the recent EdFEST, which was held at the D.C. Amory in Southeast. The new programs include the: n Dual-Language Program at the New MacFarland Middle School, which will open in 2016 with a 6th-grade Spanish dual-language program. All students from Spanish dual-language programs at schools that include Monroe, Powell, Cleveland, Marie Reed, Bancroft, and Tyler elementary schools are guaranteed a spot at MacFarland as long as they apply through the first round of the MySchool DC lottery; n Dual-Language Program at Houston Elementary School, which will become the seventh DCPS elementary school, and the first one east of the river to offer a Spanish dual-language program; n International Baccalaureate at Eliot-Hine Middle School which recently received its official authorization as an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program school; and

n Re-Envisioned Roosevelt High School, which next year will offer a Spanish dual-language program beginning in 9th grade.

awarded with cash prizes totaling $230,000.

‘STANDING OVATION’ AWARDS

The 2016 “Standing Ovation” award winners are: 2015 DCPS Teacher of the Year: James Cunningham – an art teacher at School Without Walls High School and 31- year DCPS veteran. From facilitating artistic internships for his students to accompanying them on trips to places such as Ethiopia, Jamaica, Paraguay, and Japan, Cunningham extends the world of art beyond the classroom. He teaches students to be disciplined in their work and produce thoughtful, cutting-edge art. 2015 DCPS Principal of the Year: Kim Jackson – In her fourth year as principal at Seaton Elementary School, Jackson was selected to receive the 2015 DCPS Principal of the Year award. Jackson creates a positive and inclusive culture at Seaton, where students form strong bonds that reflect their diverse backgrounds. She prioritizes spending time with students every day, despite the demands and pressures of the job,

Twenty-nine D.C. public schools teachers, administrators, staff, and schools have been named “Standing Ovation” award winners for their dedication and excellence. Chancellor Kaya Henderson recently visited schools across the District to surprise the winning “Teacher of the Year,” “Principal of the Year,” and “Staff Member of the Year,” with an announcement of the awards. “DC Public Schools educators work tirelessly to make DCPS the fastest improving urban school district in the nation, and I’m honored to be able to award nearly 30 educators and schools for their exemplary efforts,” said Henderson. The winners will be honored by DCPS and the DC Public Education Fund during the “Standing Ovation for DC Public Schools” ceremony to be held Monday, Feb. 1 at the annual at the Kennedy Center for t he Performing Arts in Northwest. The honorees will be

Fresh sTarT Take a step Toward Better health in the New Year! Join us at Mayor Bowser’s Fresh start 5K Walk/run. To register, visit: http://2ndannualfresh5k.eventbrite.com

@MyFitDC

22 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015 2nd 5k Run flyer9x6.indd 1

‘STANDING OVATION’ HONOREES NAMED

and serves as a mentor to new principals. 2015 School Staff Member of the Year: Phallon Lattimore – Director of School Strategy and Logistics at Marie Reed Elementary School. In her four years at Reed, Lattimore has drastically improved systems for procurement, budgeting, substitute management, and facilities management. Her team often turns to her as a mentor because of her dedication to her work. Other awards and awardees include: 2015 Excellence in Classroom Innovation Award: M. Kamel Igoudjil, English teacher, McKinley Technology Education Campus 2015 Excellence in Service Award: Constance Thayer, kindergarten teacher, Beers Elementary School 2015 Excellence in School Innovation Award: Burrville Elementary School 2015 Excellence in Family Engagement Award: C.W. Harris Elementary School 2015 Excellence in Academic Leadership Award: H.D. Cooke Elementary School Rubenstein Awards for Highly Effective Teaching

Seven DCPS teachers will receive the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Teaching: Ramiro Acosta, bilingual pre-k teacher, Bruce-Monroe Elementary School Mary Ball, English-language arts and English as a Second Language teacher, Cardozo Education Campus Rachel Broudy, English and Advanced Placement teacher, McKinley Technology High School Kimberly Davila, math specialist, Moten Elementary School Lakia Kenan, reading teacher, Orr Elementary School Sarah McLaughlin, special education eeacher, Seaton Elementary School Britni Whitty, science teacher, Hardy Middle School Rubenstein Awards for Highly Effective Leadership: Principals Four DCPS principals will receive the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Leadership: Kennard Branch, principal, Garfield Elementary School Kim Burke, principal, Nalle Elementary School

DCPS Page 38

2016 WALK

——

RUN

January 1, 2016 5K kicks off at 9 a.m. stadium armory Metro station

“Keep it up Washington, DC!! With your help, we’ve coverd #All8Wards and logged hundreds of millions of steps toward our #BillionStepsChallenge. Please join me on January 1st to kick off the New Year with a 5K Walk/ Run, and take a step toward a healthier, happier you.” -Mayor Bowser

www.FitDC.com

12/15/15 1:27 PM

More Reliable Electric Service for DC

“Our business depends on reliable electric service.” Boo Kim

Director of Operations Acadiana Restaurant

“The merger means better reliability so businesses like Acadiana can thrive.” Kathy Hollinger

President Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington

The Pepco Holdings-Exelon Merger: Affordability, Reliability and Sustainability for DC. Reliable electric service is critical to businesses and residents in a growing DC. The Pepco Holdings-Exelon merger sets higher requirements for Pepco to increase reliability of electric service, which means fewer and shorter power outages. That’s good news for small businesses like Acadiana Restaurant. In fact, Pepco’s reliability performance must exceed regulatory standards or the company will have to pay significant financial penalties. Improved reliability is one of many benefits of the merger. We signed the petition to show our support. Join over 35,000 District residents and go to PHITomorrow.com, where you can sign the online petition and send a letter to voice your support for the merger.

For more information or to show your support, visit PHITomorrow.com.

Paid for by Exelon Corporation.

Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

Congressional

150th Anniversary of the

(L-R) Congresswomen Frederica Wilson, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Congresswomen Joyce Beatty & Karen Bass

President Barack Obana 44th President The Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment, which freed the slaves, took place at the new Emancipation Hall at the United States Capitol Visitor Center. In addition to remarks by President Obama, and the Hon. Paul Ryan (Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives), various members of the Congress read passages illuminating the history of the passage of the 13th Amendment and its immediate effects on the nation. Also in attendance were The United States Armed Forces Color Guard and The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own. Renowned soprano, Dr. Louise Toppin, lifted the occasion with “O Freedom” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. The Invocation and Benediction were given by The Rev. Patrick Conroy (Chaplain of the House of Representatives) & Dr. Harry Black (Chaplain of the Senate).

Ernie (Lit Rock 9) Green & Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

Congressman John Lewis Atty. Scott Bolden

Atty. Edward Hubbard & Monique Frazier

Dr. Charles Vincent (Social Sightings), Congressman Charles Rangle & Jose Cunningham (Chr. DC GOP)

DC Republican Party Leadership Ralph Chittams, Sr., Patricia Chittams, Dr. Charles Vincent, Patrick Mara, Nelson Rimensnyder, Darlene Glymph, Bob Kabel, Jose Cunningham (Chairman), Jill Homan, Linda Softli, Rev. Nathaniel Thomas, Isaiah Burroughs, & Michael Zak

24 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

“Pledge of Allegiance

Dr. Louise Toppin and Kimberly Jeffries Leonard (Nat’l Vice Pres.Links,Inc.)

Congressman James Clyburn & Dr. Clayton Lawrence

l Commemoration in Honor of the

e Ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment

e”

“Mickey” Thompson Vincent (Social Sightings) & Lonnie Bunch (Dir. African American Museum)

Congresswomen Janice Hann & Anna Eshoo

Marie Long (AT&T), Lyndon Boozier (AT&T) & Atty. Adam Sachs

Atty. Everett Bellamy

Don Terry Veal (C of S Morgan State)

Congressional guest

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Major Walker & Col David Hamilton

Atty. Nicola Venable

Congressional guest

Guest, Patrick Mara (Ex. Dir.DC GOP), & Isaiah Burroughs (ANC Comm.)

Ralph Everett (Former Joint Center Pres.), Cheryl Washington & Mignon Clyburn

Congressmen Carlos Curbelo & Robert Dold

Congressional guest

Congressman Charles Rangel, Kyle Bragg & Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Ministerial Congressional Guests at Celebration All Photos and materials owned by

The US Army Band “Pershing’s Own”

The Colors

Social Sightings / design by Brian Young Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS EDITORIAL

Mayor Vincent Gray Vindicated – But Pain Cannot be Erased Many Washingtonians, particularly those who have been longtime supporters of former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, were pleased to hear that a years-long federal probe into the illegal financing of his 2010 mayoral campaign had finally ended and that Gray would not be charged with any wrongdoing. Readers may recall that just weeks before the 2014 Democratic primary, Gray faced charges that he had knowledge of a corrupt campaign fund in an investigation that eventually led to the prosecution of a dozen people connected to the former mayor’s campaign or to former city contractor Jeffrey E. Thompson. Six people have pleaded guilty to federal crimes but most have yet to be sentenced after making plea deals. However, in breaking news just a few days ago, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips ended the investigation, saying that his office did not have enough “admissible evidence” to secure any additional convictions, effectively letting Gray off the hook. Many backers of Gray say the end of the investigation, or “witch hunt” in the words of some more angry District residents, was long overdue. And while Gray can finally resume his life without the debilitating shadow of doubt over his head, he has to feel some bitterness. After all, he led all candidates, including current mayor Muriel Bowser, just weeks before the April 1, 2014 Democratic primary when prosecutors held an unprecedented televised press conference announcing their intentions to go after Gray for alleged illegal activities. In his first televised interview on Tuesday, Dec. 15, Gray seemed to be upbeat and relaxed, saying that those who really know him and his history of political service to the District, could never believe that he had done anything wrong. In fact, throughout the investigation, he continued to assert that he was innocent. In September 2014, he rejected a proposal from federal prosecutors that he plead guilty to a single felony count. In both a recent statement and during his televised interview, Gray said he looked forward to getting on with his life and that this next chapter would “no doubt be dedicated to service.” “Justice delayed is justice denied, but I cannot change history,” Gray said in a printed statement. Still, the long and untimely investigation, led by Phillips and his predecessor, Ronald C. Machen, Jr., certainly impacted Gray’s hopes for reelection. And that, we say, is a crime in and of itself. Perhaps we will see Gray return to city politics – at least that’s what we hear from those in the know here in the District. And with several seats up for grabs in the next election cycle, Gray could very well return to office as a member of the city council, presumably either in Ward 7 or as an at-large councilmember. Sometimes life throws us curves which ultimately derail our dreams forever. In this instance, and given his ability to bounce back and because of his determination, we believe that like the phoenix, Vincent Gray will rise from the “ashes” and regain a foothold in D.C. politics. We wish him well. WI

What Do You Think? We’d Like To Know. E-mail Us:

D.C. Government Needs Informer Cartoonist a Serious Makeover Right on Point In reference to your front-page article “DC Office of Pensions ‘Bullies’ 91 Year Old,” by Stacy M. Brown, in the December 10, 2015 edition, it doesn’t surprise me at all. For years we have been hearing horror stories about how one agency after another in the DC Government have made mistakes in one way or another and have gone after not those who made the mistakes but those who unknowingly were on the receiving end of those mistakes. Instead of putting in place checks and balances to guard against such mistakes, the DC Government tries to make those individuals feel like they have broken the law and are criminals. Why don’t they ever take any responsibility for the action of their employees? Why? I will tell you why? It’s because they don’t train their employees on a regular basis. Employees are placed in a position, trained to do that job and that’s it, for years. I wouldn’t be surprised if some agencies still have typewriters that they are using. There has to be government-wide job training on a regular basis, no matter how long you’ve been in a position. Until that takes place there will continue to be horror stories about how someone is “bullied” by the DC Government.

I have been a loyal reader of the Informer for about 5 years and I must say you have one of the best cartoonists I’ve ever seen. There is something about the way he or she gets a point across while making it funny and serious at the same time. I just love it! I can see that the cartoonist has a more liberal leaning in the cartoons, but that’s alright because it makes them even funnier. Some people have problems laughing at themselves, but when a good cartoonist creates images and situations of humor with serious content, it’s just funny. I can’t wait to see what your cartoonist will do next, especially with what’s going on with all of the GOP presidential contenders, and the stuff they have been saying. It’s one thing to be able to make a joke about something, but it’s another thing to be able to make a joke and then create an image to go along with it. Josh Miller Washington, DC

Beatrice Long Washington, DC

news@washingtoninformer.com

Write Us: The Washington Informer 3117 MLK Ave, SE • Washington, D.C. 20032

26 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

Readers' Mailbox

The Washington Informer welcomes letters to the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to: lsaxton@washingtoninformer.com or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032. Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you.

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

By Julianne Malveaux

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Defends Racism from the Bench On the same day that President Barack Obama gave a stirring and historically grounded commemoration regarding the 150th anniversary of the passage of the 13th Amendment, the one that “abolished” slavery, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia chose to disregard tenets of equality and opportunity from the bench during the hearing for Fisher V. University of Texas when he suggested

that African-American students would benefit more if they went to “lesser track” schools. His verbatim comments: “There are those who contend that it does not benefit African-Americans to get them into the University of Texas, where they do not do well — as opposed to having them go to a less advanced school, a slower-track school where they do well,” Scalia said. “One of the briefs pointed out that most of the Black scientists in this country don’t come from schools like

Guest Columnist

the University of Texas. They come from lesser schools where they do not feel that they’re being pushed ahead in classes that are too fast for them.” What does Justice Scalia mean by “lesser schools?” Does he suggest that the African-Americans, most at the top 10 percent of their high school class (as required by Texas law) can’t compete with their peers, similarly situated students at the top of their classes? Abigail Fisher, who is bringing this lawsuit, was deficient, and judged

as so. She was not in the top 10 percent at her Texas high school; according to the Top Ten Percent Plan any graduating senior in the top 10 percent of their graduating class receives admission to the University of Texas at Austin. More than three-quarters of the slots at the University of Texas-Austin are reserved for that group of students – the best and the brightest of their high schools. What about Fisher? She didn’t make the cut. A middling student, she had not enough redeeming

social value to be considered among the 8 percent whose admission is a function of the Personal Achievement Index and Academic Index. These are the folks who based on their race, socioeconomic status, family background, extracurricular activities and other factors stand out. These folks are not all African-American; in fact, of the 841 that make up the 8 percent, only 47 of them scored lower than Fisher and only five of

MALVEAUX Page 45

By Harry C. Alford

Why Can’t We Win the Terrorist War? It has been two years since our president declared the ISIS movement a “JV” team. He implied this terrorist coalition was no big thing and we shouldn’t worry about it. Since that time ISIS has stretched its footprint to Libya, a majority of Syria and a significant amount of land in Iraq. They are efficiently managing attacks in Africa, the United States and Europe. They are reaching their goal of terrifying most of the world. The only nation

seriously committed to defeating them is France but they need other nations to join in. The worst thing about ISIS is that it is growing in numbers exponentially. The key to this growth is that they have established a Caliphate, which is a form of a state or nation. Young men and women from around the world see this as very romantic and empowering. They believe this movement can defeat the non-Muslim world and all participants will be empowered. The “poor things” are marching towards their graves but yet they are coming

Guest Columnist

in increasing numbers. Some of the ISIS participants are trained and then sent back to their homelands to wait until ordered to perform Jihad (Islamic war). Others immigrate to nations like France, England and our own United States to blend into mainstream society until ordered to strike. That is a very serious problem for us. Through negligence of our Homeland Security Administration they are allowed to come in like the Boston bombers and most recently the San Bernardino terrorists. This is going to continue and perhaps get worse as the

White House is preparing to let in over 10,000 Syrian refugees. How convenient for ISIS to blend in with these refugees and just walk into our nation and be placed throughout a myriad of local communities. It is going to be a disaster of major proportions. The above could be prevented but for some very strange reason President Barack Obama does very little. This is causing a growing paranoia. More and more American citizens are starting to think that our President who has a Muslim name; spent part of his childhood

in a Muslim community; had Muslim parents and his closest advisor is Iranian born, Farsi speaking (Iranian language) Valerie Jarrett. Could there be a deep affinity? This is strengthened by his refusal to call this Muslim terrorism what it is. Instead, he uses the term workplace violence and any other description. He won’t call it what it is. It is making more and more people wonder whose side is he on. As presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz stated, “You can’t defeat an enemy if you

ALFORD Page 45

By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.

Black-Owned Impact Network Expands with AT&T DIRECTV The Gospel is about “Good News” for all humanity. In particular the Black Church in America has always been about proclaiming the “Good News” of liberation, freedom, justice, equality and empowerment for Black families and communities across the nation and throughout the world. The Lord knows we need some good news today for Black America. It is with a special sense of acknowledgement that we pause to resolutely salute the monumental

“Good News” about Black America’s largest Black-owned faith-based television network, the Impact Network, announcing its partnership with AT&T DIRECTV. Millions of African Americans and others will benefit from this national broadcasting strategic alliance. In a statement issued by AT&T Newsroom, it was confirmed that, “The Impact Network, the only African American owned and operated Christian television network in the U. S., is now available on AT&T’s DIRECTV platform on channel 380. The network features programming on urban ministries

and gospel lifestyle entertainment.” Bishop Wayne T. Jackson, co-founder and CEO of the Impact Network affirmed, “We’re excited about the commitment AT&T DIRECTV has shown to the African-American community by adding our network… We hope our programming empowers the community with its uplifting entertainment and with additional opportunities for minorities in the television industry.” Dan York, AT&T chief content officer, emphasized, “We look forward to bringing our customers a wide variety of programming and

unique viewpoints… Impact is a welcome addition to our channel lineup. We’re proud to deliver content that speaks to the different communities we serve.” We should take due notice of those major American corporate companies that build significant business relationships with Blackowned businesses. AT&T in this instance is making a positive sustainable difference to help African Americans empower themselves. Bishop Jackson is a visionary leader. The Impact Network is now poised to provide an increase in critically needed jobs, as well as

professional and technical training for the next generation of African American TV producers, directors, and on-air talent. An accomplished TV broadcast business leader, Bishop Jackson brings his innovative and cutting edge approach to The Impact Network. As the senior pastor of Great Faith Ministries International located in the city of Detroit, Bishop Jackson and his wife Dr. Beverly Y. Jackson have devoted their lives to serving their congregation and the greater Detroit area for over 20 years.

CHAVIS Page 45

Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

By James Clingman

Stop Wasting Your Tax Refund As we talk about what to do and not do with our dollars during the holiday season, retailers are eagerly awaiting and preparing for another way to get your money. After the “after Christmas” sales, furniture stores, electronics outlets, car dealers, and anyone else with something to sell will be licking their lips about yet another high-spending season. It is a time of the year when consumers are quite vulnerable because many of us feel like we have “extra” money to spend. That extra

money is called “tax refunds.” Other than folks who get the earned income credit, most people do not view tax refunds as their own money that has IRS has held for a year or more. Many treat it like found money, which makes it very easy for us to go out and spend it on “Tax Refund Sales.” Truth is, it’s already your money; you earned it and the IRS is just giving it back to you. Irrespective of that reality, each year consumers splurge and go on buying binges with their “windfall” refunds. This is not an effort to tell you how to spend your refund; that’s

Guest Columnist

your decision. This is an effort to inform my readers about Compro Tax, a national Black-owned and operated tax preparation and financial services firm. As I have done virtually every year via this column and in the five books I have written, I continue to write about Compro Tax, especially around this time of the year because if we have to hire someone to prepare our taxes, at least let it be a Black-owned company. According to Franchise Help. com, “The tax preparation industry is big business – 38,287 firms operated in the field last year, generating

7.7 billion in annual revenue. Because it is required, tax preparation tends to be recession resistant.” Compro Tax, started more than 30 years ago, comprises over 200 affiliates throughout the country, was founded by Jackie Mayfield, and is domiciled in Beaumont, Texas. Mayfield and his partners, associates and staff are dedicated not only to being the best of the best in the tax industry but being great corporate citizens in the communities in which they reside. In addition, Compro Tax offices are open and active all year long rather than just moving in for the tax season and

disappearing after April 15. Further, prospective Compro Tax affiliates are offered across-theboard assistance with startup and continuous training in an effort to stay up to date on all tax policies and other financial issues and benefits of which customers can take advantage. If you hire someone to prepare your tax return, even if you do not use Compro Tax, please hire a Black-owned company. It makes no sense for us to be so ensconced in demonstrations and protests

CLINGMAN Page 46

By Bill Fletcher Jr.

There are Huge, Obvious Holes in Trump’s Views on Combatting Terrorism I awoke to a story that presidential candidate Donald Trump was now proposing that the families of terrorists should be killed. As best as I can tell, his rationale is that if any terrorists know that their families will be killed, they are less likely to be terrorists. The Russian mafia has a similar view on dealing with opponents, by the way. There are several things about this ‘proposal’ that struck me.

First, which terrorists? Does Donald Trump mean that the family of the late Timothy McVeigh—the Oklahoma City bomber—should have been whacked by the USA? Does he mean that the family of Robert Dear, the alleged terrorist in the Planned Parenthood attack in Colorado, should be taken out? Does he mean the family of James Holmes, the convicted killer in the Aurora, Colorado massacre? Does he mean the family of Dylann Roof, of the Charleston, South Carolina

Askia-At-Large

church killings? Does he mean the family of Adam Lanza, the killer in the Newtown/Sandy Hook elementary school shootings? For some reason, I suspect that this is not what Trump had in mind. But it is a relevant question since most of the post9/11 terrorism in the USA has been carried out by white supremacists. Taking Trump’s argument to its logical conclusion would mean that a lot of White people would find themselves on the receiving end of drone attacks or sniper shootings.

Second, who is a terrorist? This is actually more complicated than it seems since there is no international consensus on the definition of a terrorist. There are, for instance, Kurds who are fighting the so-called Islamic State (Daesh) in Syria and Iraq who are considered terrorists by Turkey, but have received varying degrees of support from the USA. Whose families should be exterminated? In the 1980s the U.S. government supported the Contras in their war with the

Nicaraguan government. The Contras engaged in military attacks on civilians and non-military targets. That is usually a definition of terrorism. Should their families have been eliminated? What about the families of the US governmental authorities, e.g., the CIA, who supported such operations? You see where I am going? But let me add one point. Has it occurred to anyone that we may already be paying the price

FLETCHER Page 46

By Askia Muhammad

Racism, America’s Original Terror Donald Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump. He’s a Republican presidential candidate. But he’s much more than that. He’s a demagogue, that is, he has gained power and popularity by arousing the passions and the prejudices of a small quorum of the Republican voter base — older, White, mostly males, who never attended college and who don’t attend

28 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

church regularly. He lies. He exaggerates and embellishes the truth to frighten those old codgers, and they swallow it hook, line, and sinker, even when he’s proven wrong. What’s worse, though, is he’s not alone. The two or three next most popular GOP candidates are provocateurs and jingoists too, and together they have aroused the ignorant xenophobia in White America, constituting a majority of the Republican base. Mexican immigrants, wom-

en, Black folks, who’ve all been slandered by The Donald, all love him and will be strong supporters of his come Election Day if you let him tell it. Now, terrorism and the billions of Muslims around the world are deserving of exclusion from this country and internment (concentration) camps for the 6 million already here. What I’ve got to say may or may not be much comfort, considering the size of my platform compared to his: Forget about Donald Trump. First, I understand that the

incidents in San Bernardino and Paris, and others like them were terrorist attacks and should be condemned. I condemn them. And as far as Da’esh, or ISIL, or ISIS, or the so-called Islamic State is concerned, it is not at all Islamic, nor are the al Nusra Front, al Qaeda, or Boko Haram. The sacred Islamic scripture — the Holy Quran — condemns, in no uncertain terms, their bloody behavior. Sura 5, Ayat 32: “If anyone murders an innocent person, it will be as if he has murdered the whole of humanity. And if anyone saves

a person it will be as if he has saved the whole of humanity.” That’s Islamic truth! And just as I shudder, along with millions of others around the globe, at grisly modern beheadings by these Internet terrorists, I have also seen in my lifetime the murder of Emmett Till, whose killers were acquitted after a two-hour Mississippi trial, only to confess in a national interview two weeks later, knowing they could not be tried again ... and Trayvon

MUHAMMAD Page 46

LIFESTYLE

Memories of ‘Protest Years’ Featured in New Exhibition Anacostia Community Museum Showcases Formation of ‘Chocolate City’ By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor A dynamic new exhibition, “Twelve Years That Shook and Shaped Washington: 19631975,” opened on Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum in Southeast, providing an inside view of the District during a tumultuous period in the city’s history, chronicling how the foundation for today’s Washington was laid during those transformative years leading up to the establishment of limited home rule. The exhibition remains at the Southeast venue thru Oct. 23, 2016. Camille Akeju, museum director, said the exhibition continues the work of documenting urban communities – a key objective of the museum. “Looking back at the rapidly changing racial, political, cultural and built landscapes from that period in history and the resulting impact will hopefully provide guidance to Washingtonians as we find our city once again amid radical change,” Akeju said. The exhibition features a timeline of key local milestones punctuated with several events of nation importance. Six sections explore the local arts, music, theater and media scene; urban renewal efforts; emerging higher education institutions; and the expanding struggles for the rights of Blacks, Latinos, women, gays, the poor and D.C. residents for self-governance, juxtaposed against the backdrop of the anti-war protests and President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” policies. “Twelve Years” also includes historical images and 22 pieces of audio/visual material including interviews and autobiographical stories with current and former Washingtonians. The museum’s longtime and highly-regarded head curator Portia James (recently deceased), teamed up with guest researchers Marjorie Lightman and William Zeisel in offering a retrospection and analysis of key local “change” events that impacted the District on all frontiers. City residents or those who visited D.C. during that period

will certainly recognize some of those events: the redevelopment of Southwest; the forced exodus to Anacostia public housing; the building of Metro; the founding of two District public colleges; the discovery of Roberta Flack at Mr. Henry’s bar on Capitol Hill; and the establishment of Howard University’s WHUR. But there’s more. Those who view the exhibition will also get an opportunity to see the pen that President Johnson used to sign the 1965 Voting Rights Act, an album-walled listening and resource room, and the guitar of Go Go originator Chuck Brown. “People think that the city as it exists today has always been this way but that’s not so – this exhibition takes a complex period in D.C.’s history and presents an easy to follow strand that illustrates a tumultuous period that really laid the groundwork for current D.C.,” Lightman said. Melvin Deal, a dance scholar and choreographer, described the period as “an exciting time.” “We offered free classes for youth in order to give them more positive activities and to provide a safe haven for them and the Black United Fund, led by the Rolarks, played a critical role because of their financial support. People were hungry for knowledge about their culture and themselves. African dance, which we taught, was considered a form of activism. Actually, you were an activist just by the very nature of the things you did,” he said. D.C. painter and resident Barbara Frank served as one of several individuals who worked to organize women artists in the 1970s. She said that despite the efforts of her and other activists, recent conversations show that both on the local and national levels, women artists remain at the bottom of the totem pole. “It was a challenge making a living as an artist back then but we did the best we could – it was a time when others supported us as we found our own voices,” Frank said. “One of the challenges we all faced was the struggle against the national identity of the city. We’re still a local community, not as strong as other cities like Baltimore,

The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum held the opening of its newest exhibit, “Twelve Years That Shook And Shaped Washington” on Sunday, December 13, showcasing photos and memorabilia from 1963 to 1975. / Photo by Corey

and we’re still fighting to get the vote.” Photographer Vernard Gray, whose iconic photo of Marion Barry and Walter Washington has been seen by millions, captured the daily goings on of the District from 1963 thru 1975. “I remember being at Vermont Avenue Baptist Church and taking photos of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. just two months before he was assassinated,” Gray said. “I grew up with Marvin Gaye and was asked to capture images of that day in 1972 when he received the key to the city. We were just doing our job, but there were those moments when I sensed that something historic was occurring,” said Gray, who later opened his own gallery and now produces jazz programs in Southeast and in Baltimore. Chuck Brown, in the lyrics to his song “We the People,” said, “Whenever we the people understand one another, we the people can love each other – as the people.” Perhaps that’s what this new exhibition can teach all of us. WI WI student intern Caylon Thomas contributed to this article.

The holiday sensation returns! Winner of 3 Helen Hayes Awards

Theater Alliance

BLACK NATIVITY BY

L A N G S T O N

H U G H E S

November 25, 2015 - January 3, 2016 Anacostia Playhouse | 2020 Shannon Place, SE

For tickets and other information visit www.theateralliance.com or call 202.241.2539

Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

LIFESTYLE

Informer Night at Motown the Musical

DEC. 1 - JAN. 3 | 800.514.3849 | TheNationalDC.com | 30 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

The Washington Informer hosted a night at National Theatre for the Broadway stage play, â€œMotown the Musical.â€? Friends and family of the Informer were treated to a fun night with a musical score featuring over 40 indelible tunes. Guests were greeted by Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes before the play in Northwest on Sunday, Dec. 13. / Photos by Roy Lewis

Historian Taylor Branch Honored for Lifelong Achievements

LIFESTYLE

By Eve M. Ferguson WI Contributing Writer Taylor Branch didn’t start his groundbreaking research on Martin Luther King Jr. because of the iconic civil rights figure’s historic protests to bring about racial equality in America. Taylor Branch delved into the complex story of King and the civil rights movement because as a young man, he was a part of the movement. At the close of 2015, The National Archives Foundation awarded the Atlanta-born author and historian, whose trilogy on the life and times of Dr. King garnered him a Pulitzer Prize, with their highest honor, the 2015 Records of Achievement Award. “Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63,” “Pillars of Fire” and “At Canaan’s Edge” comprise a nearly 3,000-page, three-volume history hailed as a masterpiece of storytelling on American race, violence and democracy, collectively called “America in the King Years.” “What has struck me in the times I’ve met Taylor Branch is he is still the guy going through those tapes, opening up those books, looking through those dusty volumes, finding the stories, wanting to be able to help Americans understand themselves and understand their history,” said A’Lelia Bundles, chair of the National Archives Foundation. Branch’s work, done chiefly at the National Archives, as well as the John F. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower and concentrated at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Libraries, allowed the author to have unparalleled access to the intimate conversations, documents and personal correspondence of the major players in the Civil Rights Movement of the late 1950s and 60s. The evening program and gala dinner featured an onstage conversation with Branch, who was interviewed by former Attorney General Eric Holder and the presentation of the award, in the form of a redacted Feb. 14 1962, memo to the Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy from the FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover concerning Martin Luther King. The Records of Achievement Award for 2015 consisted of two facsimiles of the document that Taylor Branch sought under the 1986 Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the FBI, Branch vs.

5Civil rights historian and Baltimore resident Taylor Branch. / Photo courtesy of the Baltimore Sun Federal Bureau of Investigations Civil Action No. 86-1643. He had filed a FOIA request for records which were classified that the FBI compiled between the years of 1952 and 1963 on Stanley Levinson, a friend, advisor and confidant of Dr. King. The document was heavily redacted, with key portions blacked out so that they could not be read. The same document was presented to Branch as part of the beautifully housed two-part award after it was declassified on September 18, 2015. Branch wrote about his experience that rainy late autumn evening on his blog at www.taylorbranch. com, with wonder about the place that he found so much of his vital research materials. Beforehand, archivists showed us documents from the vaults, including a 1799 petition against kidnapping free blacks into slavery from Philadelphia. The ceremony featured the eight-minute film plus a lively dialogue in which I tried to keep up with former AG Eric Holder,” Branch recalled. They stunned me by bringing out all 15 members of our Baltimore gospel ensemble, Soulful Revue. I jumped up to sing with them.” The celebrity-studded evening featured Washington icons — Archivist of the United States, Da-

vid Ferriero, political journalists, politicians, government officials and Branch’s wife Christy and son Franklin, along with his two nieces decked out in ball gowns. “We moved with several hundred guests to an elegant dinner in a normally-closed gallery that houses the 1776 Declaration and the 1787 Constitution,” Branch remembered. “Actor Nicholas Cage did not reappear from his movies to pilfer our national treasures, which remained safe.” “The last year — Ferguson, Baltimore Staten Island — these things have shown us how much work there is to do,” said David Simon, creator of “The Wire” and “Tremé.” “Everywhere we go, (to) the place where we are residually at war with ourselves still, you scratch the surface and underneath is either a racial furor or hostility that only requires a spark,” Simon continued. “Who we are, how we got to this point, and how we get to the next point, Taylor is attending to that. He is doing very, very important work.” “I am deeply grateful to all who helped make this evening unforgettable,” the affable Branch commented after making the rounds and personally greeting all guests who stayed to fete his accomplishments. WI

UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS A LITTLE STRANGER/EVERYMAN PICTURES PRODUCTION “SISTERS” TINA FEY AMY POEHLER MAYA RUDOLPH IKE BARINHOLTZ JAMES BROLIN MUSIC JOHN CENA JOHN LEGUIZAMO AND DIANNE WIEST BY CHRISTOPHE BECK EXECUTIVE PRODUCED PRODUCERS AMY POEHLER JEFF RICHMOND BRIAN BELL BY TINA FEY p.g.a. JAY ROACH p.g.a. JOHN LYONS p.g.a. WRITTEN DIRECTED BY PAULA PELL BY JASON MOORE A UNIVERSAL PICTURE © 2015 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

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LIFESTYLE

Mothers of Slain Children Speak Out By Rachel Sudduth WI Contributing Writer

5 Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes moderates a panel discussion after the play, “The Gospel of

Lovingkindness,” with Cynthia Dawkins, Marion Gray-Hopkins and Gina Best on Saturday, Dec. 12 at Mosaic Theater Company of DC in Northeast. / Photo by Roy Lewis

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Three mothers have at least one thing in common: their passion to fight for justice against gun violence in the Greater Washington Area. Cynthia Dawkins, Marion Gray-Hopkins and Gina Best shared candid remarks with Washington Informer publisher and moderator Denise Rolark Barnes on Saturday, Dec. 12 for a panel discussion addressing the methods they’ve used to deal with the pain of losing a child. “I felt like I didn’t want to live anymore,” said Dawkins, mother of deceased D.C. community activist Timothy Dawkins. “You feel a pain in your gut that won’t leave you.” No parent plans to bury their child during their lifetime but the statistics don’t favor families. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 33,000 people are killed each year by firearms – killing twice as many young adults and children than cancer. Timothy Hawkins “changed lives” his mother said, who added that she still meets people who tell her how his contributions mattered. The youngest of five boys, he was caught in gun crossfire in August of 2013. The panel discussion took place directly after Marcus Gardley’s play “The Gospel of Loving Kindness.” Audience members voiced their opinions of the play as a “must-see.” The mothers de-

scribed it as “head-on” in relation to how it felt to lose a child. Gun violence is not just a black-on-black dilemma. Police brutality also impacts African Americans. Gina Best, mother of 28-yearold India Kager said her daughter was shot by police three hours after arriving in Virginia Beach with Kager’s four-month old son and Angelo Perry – a man that police have listed as a “person of interest.” Best said her daughter was in the driver’s seat outside of a 7-Eleven when the shooting took place. “It was hard for me to watch even though it was about two young men because I understood the pain of the fictional mothers,” Best said. After Marion Gray-Hopkins’ son was shot and killed following an altercation that occurred after a dance at a local fire station, she became an activist for civil justice to fight gun violence. Hopkins said she now wakes up every day wanting to fight for change. The panel talked about changing the code of “brotherhood” and the blue wall of silence that police officers often follow. Other points included the idea of Whistleblower Protection programs which could be a great asset in unsolved cases. Before the discussion ended, one audience member commented, “It’s unfortunate but your sacrifice is what will help change the world.” WI

LIFESTYLE

WI Book Review A Alex Haley and the Books That Changed a Nation by Robert J. Norrell c.2015, St. Martin’s Press $26.99 / $31.50 Canada 251 pages

The gardening catalogs started arriving this week – right on time. In the gray of winter, they represent so much promise, whether you have six acres or six inches of dirt. This time of year, it’s fun to imagine what will come from the soil months from now – but in the meantime, read “Alex Haley and the Books That Changed a Nation” by Robert J. Norrell, and see how a career can grow. Born in 1921 into a wealthy Irish-African American family, Palmer Alexander Murray Haley was raised mostly by his grandmother, who instilled in him a love of storytelling. As an adult, Haley would recall hiding behind rocking chairs on his grandparents’ front porch, listening to tales of “the African” and of slavery. In 1939, after rejecting his professorial father’s ideal of an education, Haley (by now, calling himself “Alex”) joined the Coast Guard. Because of racial mores of the time, few onboard jobs were open to African American men, so he worked as a steward while also searching for assignments as a magazine writer. Ultimately, he came under the command of a “boss” who demanded help with letter writing; his skills honed, Haley landed a job as a press officer for the Coast Guard. By 1960, Haley left the Coast Guard and a wife, and focused “intensively” on magazine writing. Just two years later, his reputation as an author was set, “linked in part to the growing notoriety of the Nation of Islam (NOI).” An assignment he’d accepted allowed him to become good friends with Malcolm X and they began working closely together on a book, even as Haley simultaneously wrote articles against the NOI. The process of writing The Autobiography of Malcolm X was long and, for his publisher, frustrating but Haley never forgot stories from his grandmother’s porch. Encouraged by a distant cousin, he toyed with a few versions of them and explored the origins of specific words he remembered. His research was extensive and, by the fall of 1966, he thought he’d found the roots of the stories he’d heard… And that, of course, is still – almost 40 years later – loaded with controversy: how much of Roots was truth? Was Haley guilty of “borrowing” from others’ works? The answers lie somewhere inside “Alex Haley and the Books That Changed a Nation.” Indeed, Alex Haley was a complicated writer: time and again, he ignored deadlines and sometimes facts to craft a story. That becomes an important point within this biography: he obviously tested the patience of others in many ways, which is astounding and makes it interesting to see how two of the twentieth-century’s most iconic books came to be. Truth or fiction, those two works, as author Robert J. Norrell proves, absolutely shook up the status quo of culture and history. Unlike many biographies that portray their subjects as too perfect, “Alex Haley and the Books That View Changed a Nation” keeps things real and I liked that. If by John De Freitas you’re up for a well told, warts-and-all bio, this one will have you rooted to your seat. WI

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Horoscopes

DEC. 17 - 23, 2015

ARIES A party or gathering with friends from the past gives you the opportunity to strut your stuff a bit. You’ve made tremendous strides and accomplished much in your life, so be pleased with yourself this week. Pass some of your wisdom along to others. Soul Affirmation: All that I need is within me. Lucky Numbers: 18, 42, 47

TAURUS Do not throw a wrench in someone’s else plan and undermine their project to get ahead in what you are trying to do this week. Be peaceful and seek harmony in the relationships you have in your personal and professional life. You will go further than you think by helping co-workers and friends. Soul Affirmation: I get because I give. Lucky Numbers: 1, 16, 22 GEMINI This week your fortune will delight you in ways that you’ve never

experienced before. Don’t be slow in sharing good fortune with others who helped you achieve what you have. Fill their coffers as yours are being filled. A wonderful gift to have is the ability to give to others. Soul Affirmation: The success of others is the investment I make in myself. Lucky Numbers: 7, 20, 55

CANCER This week do not seek the “highest” source of information for

your answers. Look towards a humble source for the truth about your vibrations this week. The ability to learn from any of God’s creation will lead to better answers than finite human knowledge will produce. Soul Affirmation: Truth is revealed in the smallest grain of sand. Lucky Numbers: 12, 23, 30

LEO This week your strong fortitude will be able to carry you though hurdles that you once perceived as insurmountable. Don’t begrudge your situation or begrudge others for what they have. You will become a better person when you overcome any stumbling blocks in your path. Soul Affirmation: What life has given me is sufficient to any task. Lucky Numbers: 9, 10, 31 VIRGO One of your greatest talents and gifts is the ability to give freely to

others. Exercise it this week with a passion. You are very timely when others are in need. Your capacity to be a stronghold for others is remarkable. The power of giving will always supersede the feelings of neediness. Soul Affirmation: Being there for others is a way of being there for myself. Lucky Numbers: 20, 25, 35

LIBRA Living in the past has been one of your favorite things, do it this

week. Memory will give you clues to the answer to a pressing problem. Ask for help in finishing up the week’s work. Be diplomatic and you’ll get all the help you need. Pretending to be a little bit helpless can work to your favor. Soul Affirmation: My needs will be met if I just ask. Lucky Numbers: 34, 39, 41

SCORPIO There is a fresh discovery about yourself that you can make this week by taking a poll of friends. They are especially aware of your real self. It shines through on the surface of your life. Ask others what they see and listen well. Soul Affirmation: I enjoy the love that others have for me. Lucky Numbers: 13, 53, 54 SAGITTARIUS It is amazing how a restless soul like you can button down when you have to. This week is the kind of week when obligations must be met. The best way to get it done is to think about it with only half your mind. Let the other half roam around restlessly. Soul Affirmation: This week silence speaks loudest and truest. Lucky Numbers: 2, 5, 15 CAPRICORN You’ve done a lot of things in life that no one has agreed with at the beginning. Finding agreement this week will be difficult, but it should not deter you from moving forward. Feeling sorry for your loneliness will discolor what you are doing. Be happy that you are alone. Soul Affirmation: I accept fate and see good in it. Lucky Numbers: 16, 18, 24

AQUARIUS You should know by now that trying to be in two places at once is very taxing to your nerves! Slow down a bit and trust that you’ll get what needs to be done accomplished. Give yourself a head start on all road trips and enjoy the view. Soul Affirmation: Seeing my past clearly this week gives me a clear vision of my future. Lucky Numbers: 11, 30, 40 PISCES An afterglow surrounds you during the week, and you may not feel like getting immediately into work-mode this week. The world will wait for a little while. Treasure happy moments. Soul Affirmation: Facing down challenges makes me feel good about myself. Lucky Numbers: 7, 25, 31 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

SPORTS

Wizards Fall to Rockets, 109 - 103

5 Wizards guard John Wall splits two Rockets opponents in the first quarter of NBA action on Wednesday, Dec.9 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. Wall commenting on the team’s loss said, “At the start of the game we did not come out with energy and a sense of urgency. We got down pretty early – that’s why we lost the game.” The Rockets won 109-103. / Photo by John E. De Freitas 4 Wizards forward Otto Porter goes for two points in the second quarter of NBA action on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. The Rockets emerged victorious 109-103. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

5 Wizards guard Bradley Beal tries to get past Rockets center Dwight Howard in the first quarter of NBA action on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. The Rockets defeated the Wizards 109-103. / Photo by John E. De Freitas 5 Rockets guard Patrick Beverly drives past Wizards center Marcin Gortat in the third quarter of NBA action on Wednesday, Dec.9 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. The Rockets defeated the Wizards 109103. / Photo by John E. De Freitas 3 Wizards guard Bradley Beal defends Rockets guard James Harden in the third quarter of NBA action on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. The Rockets defeated the Wizards 109-103. / Photo by John E. De Freitas 34 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

SPORTS

Georgetown Hoyas Stop UNC Wilmington, 87-82

4 Georgetown center

Bradley Hayes goes over the defense of UNC Wilmington center Chuck Ogbodo for two points in the second half of NCAA Division 1 Men’s basketball action on Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. Georgetown defeated UNC Wilmington 8782 – the fifth-straight win and sixth in the last seven games for the Hoyas who improved to 6-3 overall. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

5 Georgetown forward Marcus

Derrickson attempts to block UNC guard C.J. Bryce’s shot in the first half of NCAA Division 1 Men’s basketball action on Saturday, Dec.12 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. The Hoyas defeated UNC 87-82. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

Derrick Henry Awarded 2015 Heisman Trophy

Alabama Running Back Breaks Single Season Rushing Record WI Staff Report

5 Georgetown center Jessie Govan scores over his UNC opponent in the second half of NCAA Division 1 Men’s basketball ac-

The University of Alabama’s Derrick Henry, junior running back, won the highly-coveted Heisman Trophy beating out his competition with 1,832 collective points on Saturday, Dec. 12 in New York City. Last week Henry broke Herschel Walker’s Southeastern Conference [SEC] record rushing for 1,986 yards in a single season and 23 touchdowns. He beat out Christian McCaffrey of Stanford University and Deshaun Watson of Clemson University for the award. “I hope to meet him sometime,” Henry said in reference to Walker, the 1982 Heisman Trophy recipient. “I want to thank God, I’ve been so blessed. This has always been a dream of mine and I’m thankful,” he said. Henry thanked his parents and also acknowledged his teammates and head coach Nick Saban, affectionately calling them his “brothers, family and the boys he loves the most.” Henry joins NFL veteran Mark Ingram as the second ‘Bama player in history to bring the Heisman Trophy to Tuscaloosa. His next time to shine will be during the College Football Playoff National Championships against Michigan State on Thursday, Dec. 31 in Arlington, Texas. WI

tion on Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Verizon Center in Northwest. The Hoyas defeated UNC 87-82. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

COPS AND KIDS

5D.C.Â Mayor Muriel Bowser with Police Chief Cathy La-

nier and Shaniah Newport, the child selected to shop with the chief during the annual Kids Shop with a Cop at Walmart on Thursday, Dec. 10 in Northeast. / Photo by Roy Lewis

5D.C. Police Chief

Cathy Lanier teases Santa Claus with handcuffs before meeting the children selected for the annual Kids Shop with a Cop at Walmart on Thursday, Dec. 10 in Northeast. / Photo by Roy Lewis

5Officer T.D. Taylor fills his shopping cart with toys and clothes during the annual Kids Shop with a Cop at Walmart on Thursday, Dec. 10 in Northeast. / Photo by Roy Lewis

3Officer Iris Beistline adds to Darnell Holmesâ€™ Star Wars collection at the annual Kids Shop with a Cop at Walmart in Northeast on Thursday, Dec. 10. / Photo by Roy Lewis

36 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

5Officer Kevin Harris and Jeremiah Crowder, 7, at the

annual Kids Shop with a Cop at Walmart on Thursday, Dec. 10. / Photo by Roy Lewis

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

30TH ANNUAL OLENDER FOUNDATION AWARDS

5Former Chief-of-Staff of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. Elaine Jones presenting the Advocate for Justice 2016 Award to Author Wil Haygood for his best-selling book “Showdown . . . Thurgood Marshall” along with Jack Olender.

5Debra Tidwell singing “So Many Heroes” curtain call with all of the scholarship recipients, awardees, grant recipients and presenters.

Jack Olender and his associates presented the 30th Annual Olender Foundation Awards, Saturday evening Dec. 5 at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. Paul Berry served as master of ceremonies and Debra Tidwell sang along with “Colorz” and Greg Twombley’s band. In addition to scholarships to six law students at UDC David Clarke Law School and six law students from Howard Law School, grants were made to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund represented by former Chief of Staff Elaine Jones in honor of Wil Haygood who wrote the best-selling book on Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. A grant was made to the Robert A Shuker Scholarship Fund for law students who seek to represent poor people. A grant was made to Holy Trinity Baptist Church in honor of the founding pastor George C. Gilbert, Sr., Pastor George C. Gilbert, Jr. and Xavier Gilbert who is a drummer at the church. The Gilberts have, in addition to their ministries, attempted to help the community throughout the city including labor efforts.

5Hamil Harris of the Washington Post presented the Peacemaker 2016 Award to Pastor George C. Gilbert, Sr. and his wife Eva Gilbert along with Jack Olender.

Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

RELIGION

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Walter Washington’s Press Secretary Sam Eastman Dies at 89 WI Staff Report Sam Eastman, former press secretary for the District’s first mayor, Walter E. Washington, died Thursday, Dec. 3 at the age of 89 in Rockville, Md. Eastman started his career in Washington as a copy boy for the Washington Star in 1946. By 1966, he was reporting on Capitol Hill and D.C. politics for the Star when the District commissioners appointed him head of a newly-formed public affairs office, beginning his tenure as a liaison between local and federal politicians. Eastman worked with Washington from 1967, when he assumed his role as Mayor Commissioner up until the end of his occupancy as an elected mayor in 1979. After Washington lost the 1978 mayoral election to then city council member Marion Barry, Eastman found work as a special assistant with the D.C. Department of Human Resourc-

DCPS from Page 22 Tanya Roane, principal, Cardozo Education Campus Naimah Salahuddin, principal, Drew Elementary School Rubenstein Awards for Highly Effective Leadership: Assistant Principals Four DCPS assistant principals will receive the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Leadership: Alethea Bustillo, assistant principal, Bruce-Monroe Elementary School. Bustillio is now principal at Bruce-Monroe Elementary School. Crystal Gatling, assistant principal, Cleveland Elementary School. Gatling is now assistant principal at Payne Elementary School. Caron Smith, Assistant Principal, Phelps High School Benjamin Williams, Associate Principal, School Without Walls. Williams is now a principal partner with DCPS Central Office. Rubenstein Awards for Highly Effective School Staff Six DCPS staff members will receive the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective School Staff: James Allen, Custodial Foreman, Hart Middle School James Davis, Educational Aide, Beers Elementary School Sara Ewbank, Instructional Coach, Brent Elementary School

Sam Eastman (right) with Walter E. Washington in an undated photo family photo. / Photo courtesy of the Washington Post

es. He retired in 1998. Born on Jan. 18, 1926 in Little Rock, he came to Washington in the 1940s after first graduating from George Washington High School in Alexandria, Va. and then serving in World War II

where he received the bronze star and the purple heart. Eastman’s wife Elizabeth Hayes, whom he wed in 1969, died in 2011. Four children and six grandchildren survive him. WI

Pamela Lipscomb Gardner, Librarian, Woodrow Wilson High School Lertia Lopes, Behavioral Technician, Whittier Education Campus Elease McCants, Manager of Strategy and Logistics, Browne Education Campus

The Parent Curriculum guidelines also provide specific strategies to implement at home for DCPS’s new Cornerstone assignments.

CONGRATULATIONS, CYONN!

PARENT CURRICULIM GUIDELINES

Cyonn McFadgion lists as one of 80 winners from across the country to receive the Nordstrom Scholarship. / Photo courtesy DCPS

The Parent Curriculum Guidelines provide tools parents need to support learning at home. / Photo courtesy DCPS

The Office of Family and Public Engagement and the Office of Teaching and Learning collaborated to create grade-specific Parent Guides that provide tools parents need to support their child’s learning at home. The booklet features strategies based on the DCPS curriculum to help studdents better meet their learning goals.

Cyonn McFadgion, a student at Benjamin Banneker High School in Northwest has won a $10,000 Nordstrom Scholarship plus a MacBook Air laptop. Nordstrom’s representatives surprised Cyonn and her parents earlier this semester at te school with the award. Cyonn lists as 1 of 80 Nordstrom scholarship recipients from 6,000 applicants across the country. WI

RELIGION

THE RELIGION CORNER

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‘For We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight’ I’m pleased to share Napoleon Hill’s second principle; the topic is faith. Though you’ve read my reflections on the subject of faith often in this column, I can’t help continuing to try to reach as many new readers as possible. This is the third time that I’m sharing these principles. Please understand I’m sharing with readers what I’ve learned; it helped me in my thinking process, and it will help you too. During the 20 years of research compiled by Hill, his faith caused him to travel across America interviewing successful leaders. He got up early and studied the holy Bible three hours morning and night daily. In his book, “Think & Grow Rich,” Hill shares what he learned, and he had absolute faith his own son born without ears would hear someday. It worked. Scripture speaks about peace more than 400 times; it is a benefit of faith. All we get is one day at a time. Be at peach every day. What we do today will shape our tomorrow. Do you want more of the same? Then keep doing what you’ve always done, operating without faith, and you will keep getting what you’ve always gotten. It’s called insanity. Those without faith are like the mice in the story “Who Moved My Cheese.” Pick up a copy and read it. You might see yourself. When negatively thinking mice realized all of their cheese was gone, they went into shock and disbelief, were sad, cried, pouted, had temper tantrums and determined to find out (as

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an example) why they got laid off from their job. Do you hem and haw, feel paralyzed and spend too much time trying to understand what happened to you? Do you say, “Why me?” Or you might say, “But I was doing so well. Now this!” We cannot change what has already happened, but it up to us to make positive corrections in our actions for a better tomorrow. The success-minded mice, on the other hand, in “Who Moved My Cheese” discovered that all of their cheese was gone too; however, they became determined to find new cheese (income source), maybe multiple streams of income. They did not waste one moment. They got busy seeking paths to find their way; they looked in the dark and went up and down unfamiliar alley ways. It worked for them too. First, finding small amounts of cheese, enough to keep them alive and working, and feeling grateful. More cheese was found, as they continued to work. Then one day, these busy and active mice doubled their cheese supply, or it may be income to you. Scripture has many faith stories, servants willing to give their lives for the faith they had in God. If you look around, there are also many men and women today who walk by faith and not by sight. In the book of Job, the Scripture tells Brother Job’s story of patience and faith. Though he was a very wealthy man, he lost everything. his family, thousands of cattle, land and his health,

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with Lyndia Grant even until most of the flesh had fallen from his bones. His wife said to him, “Why don’t you curse God and die?” Brother Job said “Naked I come into the world and naked shall I return. All the days of my appointed time, will I wait until my change come.” God rewarded Brother Job for keeping his faith. He got his health back, and his wealth doubled. What a mighty God we serve. Hebrews 11:1 states, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and it is the evidence of things not seen.” Believing, even when you see absolutely no signs is called faith. WI Lyndia Grant is a radio talk show host on 1340, WYCB AM, Fridays at 6 p.m., visit her website at www.lyndiagrant.com, invite Lyndia to speak for your church or group, call her at 202 558-2107 or send emails to lyndiagrant@ gmail.com.

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Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment” Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org Email: faithdefender@verizon.net

Committed to providing services and supports to increase the capacity of individuals, businesses, and communities.

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

Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

RELIGION Pilgrim Baptist Church

ChurCh Printing

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Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor

Schedule of Services: Sunday School – 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service – 11:00 AM Communion Service – First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study – Tuesday, 6:30 PM www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org e-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Worship Sundays @ 7:30 & 11:00 A.M. 5th Sundays @ 9:30 A.M. 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 P.M.

Schedule of Service Sunday Service: 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday

www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ Drs. Dennis W. and Christine Y. Wiley, Pastors 3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) (202) 562-4219 (Fax) SERVICES AND TIMES: SUNDAYS: 10:00 am AM 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 “An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantbaptistdc.org

Twelfth Street Christian Church

Campbell AME Church Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White

(Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340

2562 MLK Jr. Ave., S E Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email:Campbell@mycame.org Sunday Worship Service 10: am Sunday Church School 8: 45 am Bible Study Wednesday 12:00 Noon Wednesday 7:00 pm Thursday 7: pm “Reaching Up To Reach Out”

Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor Service and Times Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Communion every Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Bible Study Tuesday 12Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Motto; “Discover Something Wonderful.” Website: 12thscc.org Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com

Mailing Address Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE Washington, DC 20020

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Joseph N. Evans, Ph.D Senior Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423

Rev. John W. Davis, Pastor 5101 14th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20011 202-726-2220/ 202-726-9089 Sunday Worship Service 8:00am and 11:00am Sunday School 9:15am Holy Communion 4th Sunday 10:00am Prayer and Bible Study Wednesday 7;00pm TV Ministry –Channel 6 Wednesday 10:00pm gsccm.administration@verizon.net

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

Blessed Word of Life Church

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

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew, Assistant Pastor

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

tel: 202-291-6565

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

Church of Living Waters

Sunday Church School : 9: 30am Sunday Morning Worship: 10: 45am Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00pm Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00pm Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10: 45am themcbc.org

40 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

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 Sunday Early Morning Worship - 7:45 a.m. Church School - 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship – 10:45 a.m. Tuesday – 7:00pm – Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday – Prayer/Praise/Bible Study – 7:30 p.m. Baptism & Communion Service- 4th Sunday – 10:30am

“We are one in the Spirit” www.ssbc5757.org e-mail: ssbc5757@verizon.net

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., • Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave., SE • Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 Fax: (202) 889-2198 • www.acamec.org 2008: The Year of New Beginnings “Expect the Extraordinary”

Crusader Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan, Pastor 800 I Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 Fax No. 202-548-0703

Sunday Worship Services: 8:00a.m. and 11:00a.m. Sunday Church School - 9:15a.m. & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30a.m. 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study - 10:00a.m. Tuesday Topical Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Wednesday Children’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Thursday Men’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service - 6:30p.m. Saturday Adult Bible Study - 10:00a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00am Holy Communion – 1st Sunday Sunday School-9:45am Men’s Monday Bible Study – 7:00pm Wednesday Night Bible Study – 7:00pm Women’s Ministry Bible Study 3rd Friday -7:00pm Computer Classes- Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org

“The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”

“God is Love”

Third Street Church of God Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor 1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202.347.5889 office 202.638.1803 fax Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study: Wed. 7:30 p.m. “Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org

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 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 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

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews • Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 Fax: (202) 526-1661 Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:20 a.m. Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!” Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net

ST Marks Baptist Come Worship with us... St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011 Dr. Raymond T. Matthews, Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews Sunday School 9:am Worship Service 10:am Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service 6:45 pm Thur. Bible Study 7:15 pm

RELIGION Shabbath Commandment Church 7801 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-534-5471 Bishop Adrian A. Taylor, Sr. Pastor Sabbath School 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Service 11:00 a.m. Praise & Worship Preaching 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Motto: “A Church Keeping It Real for Real.” Website: Shabbathcommandmentchruch.org Email: Praisebetoyhwh@gmail.com

Zion Baptist Church

All Nations Baptist Church Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor 2001 North Capitol St, N.E. • Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591 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 Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

Israel Baptist Church

Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor

Rev. Dr. Morris L Shearin, Sr. Pastor

4850 Blagdon Ave, NW • Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 • Fax (202) 291-3773

1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288

Sunday Worship Service 10:15AM- Praise and Worship Services Sunday School 9:00am Monday: Noon Bible School Wednesday: Noon & 7PM: Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission Zion Baptist Church 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 Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute Wednesday - 1:30 pm Prayer Meeting Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

St. Matthews Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Maxwell M. Washington Pastor Worshiping Location Knights of Columbus - 1633 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 (240) 838-7074 Order of Services Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 am Sunday School: 9:00 am Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer / Bible Study: 6:15 pm - 7:20 pm (Tuesday) Theme: “The Kingdom Focused Church” Matthew 6:33 and Mathew 28:18-20, KJV Email: stmatthewsbaptist@msn.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org

Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 A.M. Sunday School: 8:30 A.M. Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 P.M.

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

King Emmanuel Baptist Church Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor 2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730 Sunday School – 9:30 am Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 am Baptismal Service – 1st Sunday – 9:30 am Holy Communion – 1st Sunday – 11:00 am Prayer Meeting & Bible Study – Wednesday -7:30 pm

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church Rev. Dr. Diane Dixon Proctor, Pastor 1301 North Carolina Ave. N E Washington, D C 20002 202 543 1318 lpumconthegrow@gmail.com www.lpumcdc.org Sunday worship 10: am Holy Communion first Sunday 10: am Sunday school 9: am Bible Study each Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30pm Motto: “A CHURCH ON THE GROW”.

Eastern Community Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Clinton W. Austin Pastor 2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Come Grow With Us and Establish a Blessed Family” Sunday Worship 7:30am & 10:45am Baptism/Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30pm Prayer Service Tuesdays – 8:00pm www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert SR. Pastor

623 Florida Ave.. NW • WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 • Study (202) 265-0836 Home Study (301) 464-8211 • Fax (202) 483-4009

4504 Gault Place, N.E. Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184

Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 a.m. Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 p.m. Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 p.m. Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 p.m. Noonday Prayer Every Thursday

9:30AM. Sunday Church School 11:00 Am. Sunday Worship Service The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Wednesday 7:00pm Prayer & Praise Services 7:30pm. Bible Study Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries 10:30am A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

Christ Embassy DC

6839 Eastern Avenue, R1 Takoma Park, MD 20912 (202) 556-7065

Elder Herman L. Simms, Pastor

2616 MLK Ave., SE • Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 • Fax 202-678-3304

Kelechi Ajieren Coordinator

Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 P.M

Early Worship Service 7:30a.m Worship Service 10:45a.m. New Members Class 9:30a.m. Communion and Feet Wash Holy Communion : 1st Sunday -10:45a.m 4th Sunday at 5:00 P.M Church School 9:30a.m. Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: Prayer/Seeking Wednesday 7p.m Wednesday at 8:00 P.M. Bible Study : Saturday: 11a.m. Baptism: 4th Sunday – 10:45a.m Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42 Multitude of Souls to Christ”

New Commandment Baptist Church

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

Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 am and 10:45 am Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 am and 10:45 am Sunday School: 9:30 am Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon and 6:30 pm Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 pm Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 pm

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

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

Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org

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

Salem Baptist Church

Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor

Dr. C. Matthew Hudson, Jr, Pastor

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

Rehoboth Baptist Church

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005

Damion M. Briggs Pastor

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

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

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

Shiloh Baptist Church

Peace Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Sunday Morning Worship Service 7:15 am & 10:50 am Sunday School 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship Service 10:50am Wednesday Prayer & Testimonies Service 7:30pm Wednesday School of the Bible 8:00pm Wednesday - Midweek Prayer Service 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm “The Loving Church of the living lord “ Email Address pbcexec@verizon.net

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

Rev. Alonzo Hart Pastor

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

Rev. Reginald M. Green, Sr., Interim Pastor

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

917 N St. NW • Washington, DC 20001 (202) 232-4294

9th & P Street, N.W. • W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4200

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

The Church Where GOD Is Working.... And We Are Working With GOD

Sunrise Prayer Services - Sunday 7:00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Prayer Service: 8:00 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship: 10:40 a.m. Third Sunday Baptismal & Holy Communion:10:30 a.m. Tuesday Church At Study Prayer & Praise: 6:30 p.m.

Morning Worship: 8:00 a.m Church School : 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:55 a.m. Bible Study, Thursday: 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting,Thursday : 7:30 p.m.

Sunday Service: 10 am Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 am 1st Sunday Baptism: 10: am 2nd Sunday Holy Communion: 10 am Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 pm Prayer Meeting: 7:45 pm Motto: “Where God is First and Where Friendly People Worship”

Sunday Worship Services: 7:45am & 11:00am Sunday school For All Ages 9:30am Prayer Services Wednesday 11:30am & 6:45pm Bible Institute Wednesday at Noon & 7:45pm “Changing Lives On Purpose “ Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org

Sunday Worship Service 10:00 A.M. Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 P.M. Friday Evening Service 7:00 P.M. ; Last Friday “…Giving Your Life a Meaning” www.Christembassydc.org

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

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor 2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 Fax: (202) 529-7738 Order of Services Worship Service: 7:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30 a.m. & 10:30a.m. Prayer Services: Tuesday 7:30 p.m. Wednesday 12 Noon Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.

Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

LEGAL NOTICES

Beverly Franklin Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1418

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1388

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1387

Guy Tillman Decedent

John William Barbour Decedent

William P. D’Italia Decedent

Shanelle C. Patterson Esg. 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Ste 400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney

Peter Antonoplos 1725 DeSales Street, NW #600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

Peter D. Antonoplos, Esq. 1725 DeSales St., NW #600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

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

Andea Barbour-Brown, whose address is 614 Opus Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD 20743, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John William Barbour who died on January 28, 2010 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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.

Robert D’Italia, whose address is 33 Munson Court, Melville, NY 11747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William P. D’Italia who died on August 25, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015

Andrea Barbour-Brown Personal Representative

Robert D’Italia Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Administration No. 2015 ADM 602

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1432

Virna Rita Ingram Decedent

Michael Bernard White Decedent

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

Vanessa Ann Ingram whose address is 1616 Hamlin Street NE, Washington, DC 20018 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Virna Rita Ingram who died on August 31, 2014 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 June 10, 2016. 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 June 10, 2016, 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.

Michelle L. White whose address is 9008 Breezewood Terrace, #201, Greenbelt, MD 20770 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Michael Bernard White who died on July 24, 2013 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 June 10, 2016. 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 June 10, 2016, 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 Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Civil Division 2015 CA 6060 R(RP) Judge Jeanette J. Clark, Calendar 7, Next Event: Initial Scheduling Conference February 19, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, v. THE MARY B. STAUNTON LIVING TRUST, et al. Defendants. ORDER OF PUBLICATION In accordance with D.C. Code Section 13-336, et seq., and SCR Civil Rule 4-I, the object of this proceeding is to quiet title to one parcel of real property located in the District of Columbia, described for tax assessment purposes as Square 5291 Lot 79, known as 5451 B Street, SE, Washington, DC 20019. Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. filed a Complaint alleging among other things, that a deed recorded as Document Number 2002058312 transferring the property known as 5451 B Street SE, Washington, DC 20019 to the Defendant Martha Green was signed improperly by Mary B. Staunton as an individual instead of Mary B. Staunton in her capacity as trustee of the Defendant Mary B. Staunton Living Trust and therefore Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.’s recorded deed of trust granted by Martha Green may be ineffective. Plaintiff has shown that Mary B. Staunton is deceased and therefore personal service is not possible. WHEREFORE, it is this 23rd day of November 2015, hereby, ORDERED, that notice shall be given by insertion of a copy of this order in the Daily Washington Law Reporter, a legal newspaper or periodical of daily circulation and The Washington Informer, a newspaper or periodical specifically designated by the Court once a week for three successive weeks. Super Ct. Civ. R. 4-I; D.C. Code Section 13-340. “For purposes of this rule, a legal newspaper or periodical of daily circulation shall mean a publication designed by the Court that is (1) devoted primarily to publication of opinions, notices and other information from the courts of the District of Columbia, (2) circulated generally to the legal community, and published at least on each weekday that the Superior Court is in session.” Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4-I. Notice is given to any and all persons interested in the above-described real property to cause their appearance to be entered herein on or before February 19, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. Otherwise, the cause will be proceeded with as in cause of default. SO ORDERED. /s/ Judge Jeanette J. Clark. Pub Dates: December 10, December 17, and December 24, 2015.

42 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

LEGAL NOTICES

Michelle L. White Personal Representative

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

Vanessa Ann Ingram Personal Representative

LEGAL NOTICES

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Civil Division 2014 CA 007675 R(RP) Judge Jeanette J. Clark, Calendar 7, Next Event: Initial Scheduling Conference January 8, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. PEGGY ENGRAM, Personal Representative ESTATE OF ELBERTA M. DUNCOMBE, Plaintiff, v. ALBERT M. DUNCOMBE, et al. Defendants. ORDER OF PUBLICATION In accordance with D.C. Code Section 13-336, et seq., and SCR Civil Rule 4-I, the object of this proceeding is to quiet title to two parcels of real property located in the District of Columbia, described for tax assessment purposes as Square 2841 Lot 0110, known as 1014 Park Road, NW, and Square 2839 Lot 0839, known as 3414-11th Street, NW. Plaintiff Peggy Engram filed a Complaint to Quiet Title (Fraudulent Conveyances) alleging among other things, that a person identified as Albert M. Duncombe cause two fraudulently, created conveyance deeds with respect to both said properties to be recorded in the land records of the District of Columbia on February 22, 2013 in his favor. The Complaint further states that the Estate of Elberta M. Duncombe is the rightful owner of said properties and requests that title be quieted in its name are and clear of any claim of Albert M. Duncombe. Plaintiff has shown that Albert M. Duncombe is a nonresident of the District of Columbia and cannot be found. WHEREFORE, it is this 9th day of November 2015, hereby, ORDERED, that notice shall be given by insertion of a copy of this order in the Daily Washington Law Reporter, a legal newspaper or periodical of daily circulation and The Washington Informer, a newspaper or periodical specifically designated by the Court once a week for three successive weeks. Super Ct. Civ. R. 4-I; D.C. Code Section 13-340. “For purposes of this rule, a legal newspaper or periodical of daily circulation shall mean a publication designed by the Court that is (1) devoted primarily to publication of opinions, notices and other information from the courts of the District of Columbia, (2) circulated generally to the legal community, and published at least on each weekday that the Superior Court is in session.” Super. Ct. Civ. R. 4-I. Notice is given to any and all persons interested in the above-described real property to cause their appearance to be entered herein on or before January 4, 2106 at 9:30 a.m. Otherwise, the cause will be proceeded with as in cause of default. SO ORDERED. /s/ Judge Jeanette J. Clark. Pub Dates: November 26, December 3, and December 10, 2015.

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

Date of first publication: December 10, 2015

LEGAL NOTICES

Date of first publication: December 10, 2015

Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Guy F Tillman, whose address is 7502 Gambler Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Guy Tillman who died on September 4, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015 Guy F. Tillman Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1436

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1371

Samuel F. Howard Decedent Matthew F. Shannon, Esq. 1420 N Street, NW Suite 102 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Beverly Franklin whose address is 11503 Accolade Court, Clinton, MD 20735 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Samuel F. Howard who died on October 25, 2015 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 June 10, 2016. 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 June 10, 2016, 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: December 10, 2015

Lou O. Morman aka Lou Oxendine Morman Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Chloe Oxendine Wilson, whose address is 1218 Chaplin St., NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lou O. Morman aka Lou Oxendine Morman who died on August 22, 2015 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 June 10, 2016. 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 June 10, 2016, 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: December 10, 2015 Chloe Oxendine Wilson Personal Representative

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Administration No. 2015 ADM 1159 Walter B. Blackwell Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Shea D. Tyler, whose address is 8524 Schultz Rd., Clinton, MD 20735, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Walter B. Blackwell who died on September 13, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015 Shea D. Tyler Personal Representative

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LEGAL NOTICES

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

Administration No. 2014 ADM 751

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1378

Administration No. 2015 ADM 000929

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1367

Sylvia B. Thomas Decedent

Alvin A. Dandridge Decedent

Edward Dawson Decedent

Eva Elizabeth Green aka Eva E. Green Decedent

Jennifer E. Loud, Esq. The Loud Law Firm 7826 Eastern Avenue, NW, Suite 410 Washington. DC 20012 Attorney

Louvenia W. Williams, Esq. 9500 Arena Drive #260 Largo, MD 20774 Attorney

Ronald Dixon Bynum & Jenkins 1010 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Attorney

Johnny M. Howard Houston & Howard 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 402 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

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

Madelyn Daniels, whose address is 14629 Stonewall Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20905, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sylvia B. Thomas who died on October 10, 2013 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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.

Rose M. Wood-Dandridge whose address is 2810 Channing Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Alvin A. Dandridge who died on February 20, 2013 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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.

Ronald Dixon, whose address is Bynum & Jenkins, 1010 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Edward Dawson who died on January 28, 2011without a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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.

Agnes R. Brown, whose address is 7010 Nimitz Drive, Forestville, MD 20747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Eva Elizabeth Green aka Eva E. Green who died on September 17, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015

Rose M. Wood-Dandridge Personal Representative

Ronald Dixon Personal Representative

Agnes R. Brown Personal Representative

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Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1361

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1352

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1279

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1412

Mary E. Silveira Decedent

Forrest Sims, Jr. Decedent

Denise J. Stewart Decedent

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

Dorothy A. Lear, whose address is 452 Five Farms Lane, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary E. Silveira who died on September 18, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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.

Zachary Perkins, whose address is 4924 4th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Forrest Sims, Jr. who died on June 24, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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.

Ronald H. Stewart Jr., whose address is 3614 Old Vernon Court, Alexandria, VA 22309, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Denise J. Stewart who died on January 26, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015

Dorothy A. Lear Personal Representative

Zachary Perkins Personal Representative

Ronald H. Stewart Jr. Personal Representative

Date of first publication: December 3, 2015 Madelyn Daniels Personal Representative

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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015 ADM 1007 C. J. LaClair aka Cameron John LaClair, III Decedent Bradley A. Thomas, Esq. 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006-1631 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Mary LaClair, whose address is 260 Pearl Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of C. J. LaClair aka Cameron John LaClair, III who died on June 4, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015 Mary LaClair Personal Representative

Date of first publication: December 3, 2015

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1251 C. Nadine Hickman aka Cynthia Nadine Hickman Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Sandra K. Rucker, whose address is 2523 3rd Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of C. Nadine Hickman aka Cynthia Nadine Hickman who died on September 2, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2016 Sandra K. Rucker Personal Representative

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George R. Jones Sr. Decedent Tilman L. Gerald Esquire 1220 L Street, NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Rozeta L. Jones whose address is 5717 3rd Place, NW, Washington, DC 20011 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of George R. Jones, Sr. who died on June 21, 2015 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 June 3, 2016. 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 June 3, 2016, 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: December 3, 2015 Rozeta L. Jones Personal Representative

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Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015

CL ASSIFIEDS

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015 ADM 796 Samuel McKinney Decedent Alan Solomon 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1430 Bethesda, MD 20814 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Alan Solomon, whose address is 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1430, Bethesda, MD 20814, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Samuel McKinney who died on September 19, 2011 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 June 17, 2016. 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 June 17, 2016, 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: December 17, 2015 Alan Solomon Personal Representative

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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015 ADM 1444 Salvadore A. Consolo aka Salvadore Anthony Consolo Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS John S. DiBenedetto whose address is 4702 Adrian Street, Rockville, MD 20853, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Salvadore A. Consolo aka Salvadore Anthony Consolo who died on November 17, 2015 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 June 17, 2016. 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 June 17, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

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Date of first publication: December 17, 2015

John S. DiBenedetto Personal Representative

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MALVEAUX from Page 27 them were African-American. They are folks whose portfolio deserved special consideration. Abigail Fisher is an ordinary White girl who was so steeped in White skin privilege that she fully expected to have her way. She is a whiner who has been enabled by the anti-affirmative-action crowd. She is pushing a point because she cannot own her own deficiencies. She is attacking affirmative action because that is her excuse for being deficient and mediocre. Lots of students don’t get into their first choice school. Most recover – they go to their second or third choice, graduate and manage their lives happily. From time to time, they may ruminate that they would have liked to have their first choice.

ALFORD from Page 27 don’t define him.” Congressman Michael Mc Caul, Chair of the Homeland Security Committee, said “ISIS is not on the run, it is on the move”. The first thing responsible nations need to do is destroy the Caliphate. It is natural that the United States should lead this effort. Wherever ISIS has a strong presence such as western Iraq we should carpet-bomb them. The “Shock and Awe” approach must be applied, if we want to eradicate this growing threat to civilization. Immediately following the thorough carpet-bombing we must invade their territory with at least two divisions (20,000) of our active military. We should also welcome other nations’

CHAVIS from Page 27 In our long struggle to advance the cause of freedom and human liberty, too often the so-called mainstream media has maintained a disproportionate negative coverage about the perplexing challenges that African Americans continue to endure. But now to have a national and international faith-based television network that is broadcasting across the nation and throughout the world will certainly be welcomed by the millions of people of faith as a result of the Impact Network’s expanded broadcast footprint thanks to AT&T DIRECTV. Roz Edwards reported in a news feature for the Michigan Chronicle that, “Before 2010 there was not an African American Christian-owned television network in the country or the world. But if you look at the Black community which is histori-

They may show up at football games, cheering for the school they weren’t admitted to, or they may relish the success that comes to them, despite their early disappointment. But they are grown people, used to a setback (who isn’t), and prepared to move on with their lives. They know they weren’t in the top 10 percent, and they are happy if they made the second cut at UT, or content to go to another school and excel. Not Fisher. Buttressed by the dollars that come from affirmative action opponents, she is willing to be the poster girl for inadequacy. From his remarks from the Supreme Court bench, Judge Antonin Scalia is willing to consider her point and exhibit his own racism. What does he mean by “lesser schools?”

Is he familiar with the data on African American accomplishment? Does he share the same hubris that Abigail Fisher does, asserting that a deficient white student deserves an edge over a well-prepared black one? Scalia needs to look at the data before running his mouth. Both African American and white students go to schools that are less highly rated than the University of Texas (lesser schools, really). Most of them succeed. They would have succeeded at UT, too. Regardless of race, they accept the fact that, not in the top 10 percent of their class, they were not entitled to admission. After that, their admission was a roll of the dice. Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist based in Washington, D.C. WI

military. The more, the better because this will speed up the process. Political posturing will not make this go away. Our President recently claimed that “We now have ISIS contained,” but within hours of saying that, Paris was viscously attacked. Later, he claimed that we will have a very peaceful holiday season and not to worry. A few days later the San Bernardino Massacre took place. It appears that our leader should be quiet and start working on our national security in an efficient manner. He should also realize that Gun Control has nothing to do with this. The more he threatens to ignore the Second Amendment of our Constitution (the right to bear arms) the more guns that are sold. On Black Friday over 185,000 gun permits were processed. That

is an all-time national record. Liberty University has recently recommended to its faculty and students to apply (no cost) for gun permits through the Campus Police Department. In essence, Americans will not give up their weapons – it’s the last resort of safety. On Wall St. gun manufacturers’ stock is rising significantly. Let’s upgrade our current VISA system and instantly take interest in unusual activity. We must wipe out ISIS thoroughly and immediately. There is a report that the Libya wing of ISIS has secured plane simulators and is training troops to fly aircraft. Memories of 9/11 enter my mind. We can’t repeat that! Mr. President, if you love this country, start defending it by any means necessary. WI wix.com/drbfc.

cally faith-driven, the faithful were left to find religious programming through laborious channel surfing and hit or miss programming.” Bishop Jackson and the Impact Network proactively have changed that reality in the television viewing interests of Black America. Bishop Jackson especially acknowledged the following three AT&T DIRECTV officials for their diligence and assistance: Emma Brackett, V.P Content and Programming, Ryan P. Smith V.P. Content and Development, and Julie Tran, Content. U.S. Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), Detroit’s iconic freedom-fighting civil rights leader and the House Judicial Committee’s senior ranking member concluded, “I applaud the recent announcement by AT&T’s DIRECTV to broadcast the Detroit-based, Impact Network, to over 20 million viewers

across the country. The addition of this minority-owned network will bring diversity to the broadcasting company’s programming lineup. This is an important step to providing informative and inspirational programming that benefits families and communities.” We in the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) congratulate Bishop Jackson and the Impact Network for achieving this important milestone in the television broadcasting industry. Further, we appreciate the transformative support of AT&T DIRECTV for the Impact Network. WI Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached for national advertisement sales and partnership proposals at: dr.bchavis@nnpa.org and for lectures and other professional consultations at: http://drbenjaminfchavisjr.

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around Black dollars while not making every effort to spend some of those dollars with a Black-owned tax firm — and other Black companies, not just because they are Black but also because they provide excellent service. Compro Tax is committed to improving communities and affording business opportunities to prospective entrepreneurs. As a glowing example of community involvement and “giving back,” Compro Tax built, owns, and operates a convention/event center in Beaumont, Texas, to serve the needs of residents for a top-notch, first-class meeting facility. Eighty-two million tax returns are filed by paid preparers. Don’t

you think that in light of our rhetoric about supporting Black businesses we should support Compro Tax? Franchise Help.com also wrote, “The vast, vast majority of tax preparers are small – 37 percent were run by a single person, while 53 percent were operated by less than ten. There were 128,393 total employees in the field last year. There were plenty of tax returns to go around.” Unlike other tax firms, Compro Tax does not hire folks in clown suits to wave placards in front of their offices to attract customers; Compro Tax gets its business simply by providing outstanding customer service from industry experts. Finally, for those who believe that advocating for support of Black businesses is separatist, divi-

sive, or unfair, as some Black folks in Detroit voiced back in 2005 when Claud Anderson attempted to develop a Black business enclave in that city, I offer one more quote from the article on FranchiseHelp.com: “One approach some tax preparation businesses take to avoid the stark seasonality of the tax preparation business is to diversify and enter other related fields. Others, like Siempre Tax+ are focused on specific markets, like the ‘Hispanic’ population.” I rest my case. To find the Compro Tax office nearest you or if you are interested in starting your own Compro Tax office, go to their website: www. comprotax.net or call (409) 882 9893; toll free, 1-888 884 2829. And don’t spend all of your tax return in one place. WI

such killings may have already triggered reactions on the part of people who might have otherwise never considered anything close to terrorism? Trump and several of the other Republican candidates are very fast and loose with their language. They talk as if we are engaged in a giant video game war where there are no real con-

sequences, just a shoot ‘em-up free-for-all. In the case of Donald Trump, it might be that this is the result of prolonged exposure to reality TV shows. Just saying… WI

dress, “What to the slave is your Fourth of July?” “I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy — a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very

hour.” “…a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages,” Mr. Trump, Dr. Carson, Senator Cruz. Terrorism indeed. In 1852 in Rochester, New York, Douglass said: “… I hear the mournful wail of millions, whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are today rendered more intolerable by the jubilant shouts that reach them.” Now, it is White Americans who are wailing. Yes, we see your pain, the hurt on your faces, the sheer terror as you wonder, where, when will the terror strike next? But realize now Americans, now Parisians, now descendants of conquerors whose imperial strides across Africa, and Asia, Australia, and Latin America, realize now that the subjugation, the extermination of many of those people made you rich and your lives comfortable; now my ancestor Frederick Douglass, now my Mississippi, my Tuskegee experiment, now the smallpox blankets you gave the Indians, now the lynching, police murders, now my pain is out in the open for all to see and feel, because now you too are suffering. The terrorism now, Americans, is everywhere. WI

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for the killing of families of alleged terrorists? Think about it for a moment. Every time there is so-called collateral damage in the killing of alleged terrorists, that is frequently the family and/or friends or in some cases, simply someone walking by. Has anyone considered that

Bill Fletcher Jr. is the host of The Global African on Telesur-English. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and at www.billfletcherjr.com.

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ASKIA from Page 28 Martin, and Oscar Grant, and Tamir Rice, and Ahmadou Diallo. That bloody list goes on and on, and on and on. And these are some of the victims we’ve heard about. Fifty years ago, when Mississippi authorities were searching for civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Mickey Schwerner, who disappeared in Neshoba County, they found the bodies of a dozen more anonymous Black victims at the bottoms of lakes and rivers. There were no flower or teddy bear memorials. There was little moral outrage. There were few condemnations from White Christian clergy, just unmarked graves. And that was 113 years after Frederick Douglass articulated the innocent pain and the frustration of Black folks in his ad-

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YOUR PURCHASE OF $5O OR MORE. LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER. VALID 12/18 ‘TIL 2PM OR 12/19/15 ‘TIL 2PM.

CANNOT BE USED ON DOORBUSTERS OR DEALS OF THE DAY Excludes: Excludes: Deals of the Day, Doorbusters, Everyday Values (EDV), specials, super buys, cosmetics/fragrances, electrics/electronics, floor coverings, furniture, mattresses, rugs. Also excludes: athletic apparel, shoes & accessories; Dallas Cowboys merchandise, gift cards, Jack Spade, jewelry trunk shows, Kate Spade, Macy’s Backstage merchandise/ locations, New Era, Nike on Field, The North Face, previous purchases, Samsung watches, selected licensed depts., services, special orders, special purchases, Tumi. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except opening a new Macy’s account. Dollar savings are allocated as discounts off each eligible item, as shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This coupon has no cash value and may not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your account. Purchase must be $25 or $50 or more, exclusive of tax and delivery fees.

➤ YOUR MACY’S MONEY REWARD CARD MAY NOT BE: redeemed for cash, used to purchase Macy’s gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your credit card account. If a purchase used to accumulate macy’s money is returned, Macy’s reserves the right to void the macy’s money reward card or reduce the corresponding value. For more information, go to macys.com/macysmoney ➤ ONE DAY SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 12/18 & 12/19/2015. MERCHANDISE WILL BE ON SALE AT THESE & OTHER SALE PRICES THROUGH 1/2/16, EXCEPT AS NOTED. OPEN A MACY’S ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS, UP TO $100, WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. Macy’s credit card is available subject to credit approval; new account savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, selected licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food & wine. The new account savings are limited to a total of $100; application must qualify for immediate approval to receive extra savings; employees not eligible. 50743_N5110053W.indd 1

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CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS WITH A

BRIGHT NIGHT OUT. We're proud to support the National Zoo and join them at the 9th annual ZooLights celebration from November 27, 2015 - January 2, 2016.

48 Dec. 17 - Dec. 23, 2015