Afro Baltimore 4-7-2017 by AFRO News

Volume Volume 125 123 No. No.36 20–22

April 8, 2017 - April 8, 2017, The Afro-American A1 $2.00

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APRIL 8, 2017 - APRIL 14, 2017

Inside

Baltimore

• AFRO Clean Block Campaign Returns

Comedic Actress Michaela Coel Talks ‘Chewing Gum’ and Colorism

Washington

C1 AP Photo/John Locher

Commentary

People protest against President Donald Trump and Supreme Court Justice nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch during a rally on April 1 in Las Vegas. Gorsuch is expected to be confirmed despite protests from civil rights groups.

Trump’s 360 Degree Assault on Your Health

• Ward 8 Stepping Up with the Arts

Analysis

Civil Rights Community Helplessly Watches Gorsuch Confirmation

By Lisa Ashe

By Charles D. Ellison Special to the AFRO

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Continued on A3

William Coleman, Civil Rights Pioneer in Law and Life, Dies at 96 By J. K. Schmid Special to the AFRO

Listen to Afro’s “First Edition” Join Host Sean Yoes Monday-Friday 5-7 p.m. on 88.9 WEAA FM, the Voice of the Community. 03

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The confirmation of President Donald Trump’s first Supreme Court nominee, federal appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch, will happen. Senate Democrats, despite winning a one week delay on the final vote, appear ready to let it move forward. A “nuclear option” threat from Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell seemed like just enough to stall Senate Democrats’ hopes of a dramatic filibuster. And there isn’t much the Black political community can do about it. Of course, civil rights leaders and Black elected officials had exhausted all public channels in voicing adamant opposition to Gorsuch. Civil rights leaders all lined up to lodge their official opposition to the relatively young Gorsuch’s footprint on the Supreme Court. “If confirmed, Gorsuch’s lifelong appointment to the court would have serious consequences for all Americans, but especially African Americans and vulnerable communities,” wrote Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond (D-LA) in a last ditch and somewhat futile op-ed. “His judicial record on race and related matters and constitutional and equal

William Thaddeus “Bill” Coleman, Jr., civil rights attorney, judge and United States Secretary of Transportation, died at Alexandria, Virginia home March 31. He was 96 and the cause of death was complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Coleman was born in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania July 7, 1920. He attended Germantown High School where he was one of only seven Black students. A proficient swimmer, Coleman attempted to join his high school swimming team. Rather than be forced to admit him, the team disbanded while he was

Cummings Looks to Take ‘Ban the Box’ National By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com

AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File

Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch is likely to be confirmed to the Supreme Court, despite protests by civil rights groups.

Two of the NFL’s biggest stars and an expert on policecommunity relations testified before the Congressional Black Caucus recently on how to address the cultural and sometimes racial divide between African Americans and local law enforcement. Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Malcolm Jenkins and former Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Anquan Boldin, along with Philip Atiba Goff, president and co-founder of the Center for Policing Equity, talked about tensions between Blacks and police officers before a Continued on A3

Roger W. Wilkins, the first Black assistant attorney general, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and a professor at George Mason University, died in Kensington, Md. on March 26 (see obituary on page A2). The below article profiles Wilkins right after he was sworn in by President Lyndon B. Johnson to be the new director of Community Relations Service in 1966.

AFRO Archived History ‘PEACEFUL PROGRESS IN CIVIL RIGHTS’

THIS IS WILKINS’ GOAL

AP photo

William Coleman, a life long Republican, was instrumental in the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Supreme Court case. a student and re-formed after he graduated. Coleman then attended the University of Pennsylvania

• WILKINS, the name, and Civil Rights • CHIEF of Community Relations Service • SWORN in by President Johnson • AIM: To help people to help themselves March 12, 1966 By Ruth Jenkins Roger W. Wilkins, 33, bears a surname already famous in civil rights annals, and his personal dedication as new director of the Community Relations Service is confirmation of the family’s dedication to the cause.

Continued on A4

With Roger’s other proud relatives, his uncle, Roy Wilkins national NAACP executive director was on hand when Roger was administered the oath of office on Feb. 4, by the U.S. Secretary Continued on A4

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AFRO CLEAN/GREEN BLOCK CAMPAIGN 2017 “OUR COMMUNITY – OUR RESPONSIBILITY” The Clean Block Campaign (1934-Present) was a program established by the Baltimore AFRO American Newspaper as a community clean-up effort sponsored by the AFRO Newspaper. Teacher Frances L. Murphy, daughter of the founder of the AFRO, John H. Murphy Sr., created and ran the project. The Clean Block Campaign is one of the oldest urban environmental programs in the United States. In 2007 the program began a partnership with the city of Baltimore and the initiative for a cleaner greener Baltimore.

THE AFRO CLEAN BLOCK CAMPAIGN RETURNS Community groups and leaders, in cooperation with the AFRO American Newspapers, will announce the AFRO Clean Block Campaign is returning stronger than ever for another year.

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2519 N. Charles Street Baltimore, Md.

To sign-up your community and/or business, contact Diane W. Hocker, Director, Community & Public Relations at 410/554-8243 or email dhocker@afro.com The AFRO is celebrating 125 years this year with a series of events including AFRO Clean/Green Block, AFRO High Tea Saluting Women of the AFRO on April 23 at Sharon Baptist Church (tickets are sold out) and a gala on Aug. 12 at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Md. (sponsorships and tickets are available, contact Diane Hocker at 410/554-8243 or email dhocker@afro.com).

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Joan Harrison pays her respects to her father John L. Harrison, Jr., ahead of his funeral mass at the Chapel of the Four Chaplains in Philadelphia, March 31. John L. Harrison Jr., who served as a World War II pilot with the famed all-Black Tuskegee Airmen, has died. He was 96. Harrison died March 22 at a hospice in Philadelphia, according to the Murphy Ruffenach Funeral Home. A funeral with military honors was held March 31. Harrison was 22 when he became one of America’s first Black military airmen, one of nearly 1,000 pilots who trained as a segregated unit with the Army Air Forces at an airfield near Tuskegee, Alabama. “We were Americans, we were young, and we wanted to defend our country, just like everyone else,” Harrison said in a 2009 oral history. Fellow Tuskegee airman Eugene Robinson said that becoming a pilot was a childhood dream of Harrison’s after seeing airplanes in Omaha, Nebraska, where he grew up, and reading in a magazine about black men being trained as pilots. Robinson said it was a big dream for a Black child during segregation. “He wanted to fly an airplane, like so many young people,” Robinson said. Harrison saw combat in Italy during World War II and remained in the service until his retirement as an Air Force major after two decades. He flew all types of planes, including prop fighters, jet fighters, twin-engines, four engines and sea planes. His family said Harrison crossed the Pacific Ocean more than 50 times, and the Atlantic Ocean 35 times as a pilot for the Military Air Transport Service. Harrison was stationed and traveled in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Arctic. He also served as an officer and a director for the Peace Corps, based in East Africa. He worked in the administrations of President Richard Nixon and Pennsylvania Gov. Dick Thornburgh, and as director of affirmative action for the Boeing Aircraft Company. In 2007, the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor. President George W. Bush saluted the then-300 surviving airmen at a ceremony in the Capitol, and apologized for “all the unreturned salutes and unforgivable indignities” they had endured.

Roger W. Wilkins, First Black Assistant Attorney General and Pulitzer Winner, Dead at 85 By J. K. Schmid Special to the AFRO

Roger W. Wilkins, the first Black assistant attorney general, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and a professor at George Mason University, died in Kensington, Md. on March 26 from complications of dementia. He was 85 years old. Wilkins was born in Kansas City but grew up in Michigan, where he attended the University of Michigan. While in attendance, Wilkins interned with the NAACP and served as president of the University of Michigan’s local NAACP chapter. He was an officer in his student government and was elected president of his graduating class by his fellow seniors. As previously reported in the AFRO, at the time, the University of Michigan’s student population was less than .001 percent “colored.” He also a member of the senior honor society, the Order of Angell, then known as Michigamua. After graduation, Wilkins worked as a welfare lawyer before joining the Johnson Administration as a director of Community

Relations Service. When the Community Relations Service was moved to the Department of Justice, Wilkins became an assistant attorney general. During the transition, Wilkins told the AFRO his mission was to inspire will and commitment in the community and then facilitate the organization and employment of resources so the community could pursue its own interests. “That’s the mandate of the Community Relations Service,” Wilkins said at the time. “My personal concern is that we do as much as we can to help people in the communities make the lives of all Americans as rich and full and as rewarding as can be achieved, free from prejudice and unnatural ugly barriers in human relations.” At the conclusion of the Johnson Administration, Wilkins joined the Ford Foundation and then quickly moved on to the editorial staff of The Washington Post. As a Post columnist, Wilkins, reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, and cartoonist AP Photo / Charles Tasnadi Herbert Lawrence “Herblock” Roger W. Wilkins when Block shared the 1973 Pulitzer he was chosen by thenprize in public service for their President Lyndon Johnson coverage of the Watergate to direct the Community scandal that ultimately led to the Relations Service, on resignation of President Richard December 27, 1965, in Nixon. Washington, DC. Wilkins’ career in journalism continued with positions at The New York Times, The Washington Star, and NPR. Wilkins was publisher of the NAACP journal The Crisis, a magazine founded and originally edited by W. E. B. Du Bois. His uncle, Roy Wilkins, was an eminent name in civil rights and the NAACP. The elder Wilkins had taken over from Du Bois as an editor and had served the NAACP as executive secretary and executive director. Wilkins was the Robinson Professor of History and American culture at George Mason University until his retirement in 2007. Wilkins was born March 25, 1932; he died one day after his 85th birthday. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Patricia A. King; two daughters, Amy and Elizabeth Wilkins; a son, David Wilkins; two half sisters; and two grandsons.

Rhodes Scholar, Former NFL Defensive Back Chooses Neurosurgery Career By Janneh G. Johnson Special to the AFRO

Myron Rolle is a 6-foot-2-inch, 215-pound former NFL defensive back who is making the rather bold and unheard of transition from pro football to neurosurgery. Rolle, who graduated from Florida State University with a degree in science and a 3.75 GPA, exhibited a passion for academics that isn’t normally attributed to student athletes. During the 2008 college football season, he earned a Rhodes Scholarship, and eventually skipped his senior season to attend Oxford University. Rolle’s interest in the field of neurosurgery was sparked by a fifth-grade project teaching students about the brain. Rolle cites Ben Carson among his inspirations; he was given Carson’s book “Gifted Hands” in elementary school and credits it with furthering his interest in the medical field. “My parents wanted me to Twitter Photo/@MyronRolle Rhodes Scholar and Former have these kind of Black role NFL Defensive Back, Myron models that looked like me, were men doing positive things,” Rolle Rolle told The Washington Post. Myron’s father encouraged him, but said he sometimes felt that his son’s two career paths may be too much to juggle. “We encouraged all our children,” Whitney Rolle told the Post, “but I knew there’s a point in time when you have to make a decision about which path you want. Frankly, I told him, ‘Myron, you can’t play football and be a doctor.” Rolle stated that his academic aspirations “absolutely” and “unequivocally” interfered with the progress of his career in the NFL. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft and spent a year on their practice squad, but was released before the 2011 season began. He then signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but was released before the 2012 season began. Rolle has never played in a game during a professional football season. As he completes medical school at the Florida State University College of Medicine, Rolle recently received an offer from Massachusetts General to complete a neurosurgery residency under the auspices of Harvard University. Rolle said he is excited to participate in concussion research, a subject that he has personal experience with as an athlete. Although Rolle said his passion for football will never disappear, he believes he has finally found his calling in the medical field.

The Afro-American, April 8, 2017 - April 8, 2017

April 8, 2017 - April 14, 2017, The Afro-American

Gorsuch Continued from A1 rights litigation does not merit our support or the support of the Senate.” Still, the CBC only has two members to deploy in the Senate (Cory Booker from New Jersey and Kamala Harris from California). Neither are in leadership chambers. Civil rights advocates also tried. There were calls to abruptly shut the confirmation process down – calls which seemed to fall on the deaf ears of Senate Democrats. Questions still loom over the legitimacy of Trump’s presidency and whether Russian government interlopers had anything to do with that. National Action Network’s Rev. Al Sharpton and Color of Change’s Rashad Robinson were urging a “hiring freeze” on all Trump nominations. “There is a strong possibility that President Trump gained power through illegal means,” said Robinson. “His actions in office have been systemically destructive

to our communities, and our rights as Americans. As long as these allegations remain unresolved we cannot in good conscience allow this administration to conduct business as usual.” Others sought to rip holes in the Gorsuch civil rights’ record. Advocates, sifting through years of Gorsuch case law, point out deep holes in the federal judge’s deliberations on everything core to traditional civil rights maintenance: employment protections, education equality, LGBTQ rights, and criminal justice reform. Most watched helplessly throughout the week as the Senate prepped for its final confirmation vote including many, like Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Executive Director Kristen Clarke, who reflected on Gorsuch’s time as Bush administration Deputy Associate Attorney General. “As a career attorney at the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department during

this time, I am personally aware of issues that led to the politicization of the agency’s civil rights work,” said Clarke in Senate testimony. However, there were no smoking guns. During his 4-day grilling before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Gorsuch was evasive on everything from Brown v. Board of Education to Shelby v. Holder. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the committee’s ranking Dem, was visibly frustrated as he attempted to achieve some public record read on how Gorsuch felt about the landmark Shelby case that all but gutted the Voting Rights Act. “Judge Alito and Judge Roberts answered some precedent questions,” queried Leahy. “Are you saying there are no precedent questions you could answer?” “Well, no senator,” Gorsuch responded. “I’m happy to say Shelby is a precedent of the United States Supreme Court. It’s a recent one, it’s a controversial one. I understand

that.” Part of the problem, say some observers, is there was no real big movement against Gorsuch beyond press releases, press conferences and testimony. Despite “resistance” protests and activists jumping from one cable panel to the next, there was never any major defining event (no overwhelmed Capitol Hill phone lines, for example) turning the tide of public sentiment towards Gorsuch. “Black political communities can ill afford to be reactionary and shortsighted,” Quinnipiac University’s Khalilah Brown-Dean told the AFRO. “They must approach these issues from a preemptive strategic vantage that doesn’t wait to protest a confirmation but works to shape the initial selection.” “In short, this ain’t new. Black leaders must connect these dots and better communicate the links to constituents.” Most voters, in fact, aren’t even

paying attention – and much less the voting bloc with the most to lose: Black voters. A late February NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found 47 percent didn’t “know enough” about Gorsuch. Most voters in a CBS News poll, 57 percent, were “undecided” or “hadn’t heard enough” about Gorsuch. Another NBC/Survey Monkey survey showed 54 percent of Americans wanting Gorsuch to receive an “up or down vote.” The core constituency of civil rights groups and Black elected officials, Black voters, seemed noticeably oblivious. The most recent YouGov/Economist poll shows 36 percent of Black voters hearing “nothing at all” about Gorsuch versus 22 percent of whites (nearly 50 percent of Latinos heard nothing, either). When asked if they have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Gorsuch, 46 percent of Black respondents said “don’t know.”

Cummings Continued from A1 hearing of the CBC that was led by U.S. Rep. of incarceration is the use of mandatory Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) on March 30 on minimum sentencing, which often imposes Capitol Hill. sentences that are not appropriate for the facts “The police need the community and the and culpability of individual cases.” community needs the police,” Cummings, Jenkins has set up a foundation, The the top Democrat on the Committee on Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, which has Government Oversight, said. Cummings was operations in every jurisdiction where he joined at the hearing by CBC Chairman U.S. has played: New Jersey, Ohio, Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), Rep. John and Pennsylvania. He said the goal of the Conyers (D-Mich.), and Reps. Sheila Jackson- foundation to have youth feel “empowered Lee (D-Texas), Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.), and motivated to get an education and become Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) and Lacy Clay (Dcontributing members of society.” Mo.). “The majority of the youth that we serve Lions’ cornerback Johnson Bademosi and are in poverty-stricken communities, and former Washington Redskins wide receiver often, those are the same communities in Donte Stallworth attended the hearing but which crime is high and prevalent,” Jenkins made no remarks. said. Cummings said the Boldin talked about purpose of the hearing the shooting death of his was “to discuss ways to cousin, Corey Jones, in build greater trust between Oct. 18, 2015, by Palm police and minority Beach officer Nouman communities.” Raja. “Community policing “Corey was a good kid,” has garnered national Boldin said. “Every Sunday attention following several you would find him in police-related killings church playing the drums. of unarmed African But his faith could not keep Americans,” he said. him alive.” “As you all know, my The Jones matter hasn’t hometown of Baltimore is been fully resolves and that one of many communities frustrates Boldin. across the country that “The lack of is now working to repair transparency is only hurting the fractured relationship any trust that remains between police and the between the police and communities they serve.” the community where I Cummings quoted a am from, and it is also a 2001 NAACP statistic Anquan Boldin problem facing so many that said one in six Black other communities,” he men living had been said. incarcerated and said, “Think about that Both Boldin and Jenkins said that they statistic and the ripple effect it has on families support proactive measures such as “Ban and communities throughout the country.” He the Box” and increased funding for youth said that soon he will re-introduce “The Fair programs and the COPS program that gives Chance Act” that would ban the government money to cities to increase the number of from requesting criminal history information police officers. from job applicants until the end of the hiring Richmond noted that while Blacks process. comprise of 13 percent of the U.S. population, Cummings’ bill would federalize “Ban the 35 percent of its jailed inmates and 37 percent Box” practices that are in places such as the of its prison inmates are African Americans District of Columbia. and that has an impact on the Black family. Conyers, the ranking Democrat on the “The African American is in jail but the Committee of the Judiciary, said that more family is doing time,” he said. than 250 Blacks were killed by police Lawrence said that incarcerated Black incidents in 2016. females shouldn’t be ignored, either. “Against this backdrop, these same “When you imprison the female, you communities have been ground zero in the imprison the family,” she said. so-called War on Drugs,” he said. “There is bipartisan agreement that our nation has a crisis of over-incarceration, with 2.2 million people imprisoned in this country. One of the main reasons for this catastrophic level

“The lack of transparency is only hurting any trust that remains between the police and the community where I am from, and it is also a problem facing so many other communities.” -

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CSPAN

U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings hosted a hearing that featured two NFL players.

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April 8, 2017 - April 8, 2017, The Afro-American

Whippings Linked to Enslavement Trauma, Social Frustration By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com Child advocate Stacey Patton understands clearly the indignities of child abuse and the long-lasting impact violence has on the mental and emotional development of children – particularly Black children. But as the Morgan State University professor and historian explains, convincing African Americans that whipping children is not only harmful to their children and larger society, but also counterintuitive, has proved an uphill battle. Patton’s new book Spare the Kids: Why Whupping Children Won’t Save Black America, examines parallels between the treatment of enslaved Blacks and the prevalence of whippings among Black parents. Patton garnered national, albeit mostly angry, attention after criticizing the New York Post for proclaiming Baltimore mother Toya Graham ‘Mother of the Year’ for publicly beating her son Michael during the city’s 2015 riots. Patton said the footage of Graham was reminiscent of an archival article detailing a North Carolina lynching of a child. “This Black boy had stolen something and a mob of White men grabbed him, tied him down and called his mother. She was described as a big, heavy-set, loud woman, who marched out, pulled her sons pants down

and whipped him in front of those people, and then lynched him. I put that piece on my coffee table and kept watching Toya Graham and I saw the parallels,” Patton told the AFRO. “Now, she didn’t lynch her son, but she strung him up, compromised his dignity, trust, and safety for the rest of the world to applaud.” Patton said that following the thunderous applause many Blacks and the media gave Graham, an uptick was noted in the number of parents recording themselves shaming and beating their kids and posting the footage to social media. Opponents of Patton’s message often comment that hitting Black children is good parenting, that it was what their parents utilized and they turned out ‘fine,’ or that children must be made to obey and toughened up inside the home or will become victims of White supremacy in the streets. “When I was bad, my mother whipped my butt, and she whipped me good with anything she could get to quickly,” Adina Staff told the AFRO at a D.C. book talk for Patton on March 27. “I felt like it was for my own good, but years later I was dealing with an abusive man, I was hitting my own kids, and one of my sisters, who was caring for my mother, was now beating her back. We have to come to a point where we talk and listen, rather than use our hands to communicate.” Patton details that in the past 10 years,

Photo by Shantella Sherman

Stacey Patton read from her new book ‘Spare the Kids: Why Whupping Children Won’t Save Black America’ recently in Washington, D.C. African Americans have killed over 3,600 children as a result of physical abuse and maltreatment. The whippings are also known to erode developmental growth, causing cognitive impairment and long-term developmental difficulties. Research shows that spanking reduces gray matter – the connective tissue between brain cells and an

integral part of the central nervous system that influences intelligence, speech, emotions, and memory. “When you look at the statistics, Black children are more at risk for being seriously assaulted, injured or killed by their own parents and the biggest perpetrators and killers of these Black children are Black women 40 and under,” Patton said. “And I want to dispel this myth that whipping kids is a Black thing. It is not. It may be prevalent in our communities, but it is not native to us. In West African cultures we did not do this to our children. In fact, they saw children as reincarnated ancestors, as gods, as spiritual beings. You would never hit a child because it would separate them from their essence or their spirit guide.” Patton said it was Europeans who did not recognize that children were distinct from adults until the 15th century – and who for thousands of years, brutalized their own kids before ever reaching Africa. “When Black people say that I am trying to get them to act like White people by telling them not to whip their kids, I say whipping a child is the perhaps the Whitest and most effective thing you can do to destroy a Black child,” Patton told the AFRO. “I want to change the cultural conversation. I want to speak up for these children and their bodily integrity.”

Colman Continued from A1 where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in history. While accepted to Harvard Law School, Coleman instead enlisted with the Army Air Corps. He enlisted with the 332nd Fighter Group, the elite Tuskegee Airmen, but did not become a pilot. He did serve as defense counsel in the United States Military Courts Martials. When he war ended, Coleman returned to Harvard and joined the Harvard Law review. After earning his law degree, Coleman clerked for U.S. Appeals Court Judge Herbert Goodrich. When he began to clerk for Supreme Court Justice Felix he became the high court’s first Black clerk. Coleman was recruited by then chief counsel for the NAACP Thurgood Marshall and went on to co-author the legal brief in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. The landmark

ruling in the case found that school segregation in the United States be dismantled with “all deliberate speed.” Coleman interviewed Fidel Castro, then Prime Minister of Cuba, as an investigator for the Warren Commission. Coleman delivered Castro’s testimony denying involvement in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to Chief Justice Earl Warren. A life-long Republican, Coleman was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Transportation during the Ford Administration. He became the second Black cabinet-level post holder. After his dismissal by President Jimmy Carter, Coleman became a Washington D.C.-based partner at the law firm O’Melveny & Myers. He continued to counsel petitioners to the Supreme Court. When the Ronald Reagan administration declined to support

its own Internal Revenue Service in Bob Jones University v. United States, a case where the university maintained it could remain tax-exempt and segregated while prohibiting interracial marriage and dating among its students, Coleman argued on behalf of the IRS. The 8-1 decision found in favor of the United States, Justice William Rehnquist was the sole dissenter. Rehnquist would later become Chief Justice and Bob Jones University would not permit interracial dating until 2000. Coleman served in the George W. Bush administration as Judge of the United States Court of Military Commission from 2004 until 2007. Coleman died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Coleman is survived by his wife of 72 years, Lovida Mae Hardin, Lovidia H. Coleman, Jr., former General Counsel of the Army, William Thaddeus Coleman III, and Dean of Boston University School of Education, Hardin Coleman.

Wilkins Continued from A1 of Commerce John T. Connor. Roger’s father, the late Earl Wilkins, was a younger brother to Roy. The Community Relations Service was established by Congress to foster voluntary compliance with the 1964 Civil Rights Act. President Johnson, who presided over Wilkins’ swearing - in ceremony at the White House says of the agency, “Its aim is to achieve peaceful progress in civil rights.” Legislations has been introduced to transfer the CRS from the Commerce Department to the Justice Department in which case Mr. Wilkins will have the status of an assistant attorney general. To strengthen its effectiveness, President Johnson also recommended that the agency staff be increased from 67 to 100, and its budget from $1.3 million to $2 million. Elaborating on the challenge of the CRS agency, Mr. Wilkins says: *** CRS’s Challenge “The challenge is to help the people in the community to get the necessary will and commitment to do this job, if they don’t have it and then help them organize and employ the resources effectively to do the job. “That’s the mandate of the Community Relations Service. My personal concern is that we do as much as we can to help people in the communities make the lives of all Americans as rich and full and as rewarding as can be achieved, free from prejudice and unnatural ugly barriers in human relations.” The Roger Wilkins family has lived in Washington since 1962, coming from New York City where he had been practicing law. *** 2 world trips When Mr. Hamilton left the position, Wilkins stayed on until October, 1964 as special assistant to his successor, David Bell. During this time, he travelled around the world twice on survey trips to see how AID programs were being conducted in the field. Mr. Wilkins who stands six feet tall, with weight at 170 pounds will celebrate his 34th birthday March 25. He was born in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Earl and Helen Wilkins. In 1944, Mrs. Wilkins married Dr. Robert Claytor of Grand Rapids, Mich. There Roger attended high school. He was graduated in 1953 from the University of Michigan where he got his law school degree in 1956.

During his college years, he was president of the Uni*** 1 Room School Roger attended a “one room segregated school” in Kansas City, and when that building was torn down before he reached third grade, he “was bussed several miles to another segregated school.” After the father died in 1941, the widow and son moved to New York City where Roger attended “a de facto segregated high school in Harlem.” *** University of Michigan NAACP Chapter; an officer in the student government, and president of his senior class. Also at the university he met Eve Tyler of Cleveland, Ohio, who was majoring in sociology. The young couple was married in 1956. Mrs. Wilkins had served as a case worker in the Child Welfare Division of the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Welfare Department in Cleveland; and after the couple moved to New York City, she did child welfare work there. *** Two youngsters Nowadays, her time is devoted to their own youngsters Amy, 6; and David, 20 months. “Daddy maintains that David is very smart, because he was born the day after the Senate voted cloture on the 1964 Civil Rights Bill. He waited to see what kind of country he was coming into.” Roger served as a law clerk in New York during the last half of 1956; was a welfare worker in Cleveland in 1957; then was an associate in a New York law firm until 1962 when he came to Washington. After two years service with the AID program, he became in October, 1964 an assistant director to former Florida Gov. Leroy Collins who headed the Community Relations Service. President Johnson’s nomination of Wilkins to succeed Gov. Collins was announced in December. *** ‘Slum Gullion’ The favorite color of the new CRS director is blue. He’s not particular as to foods, but has a fondness for the dish the family calls “slum gullion.”

Mrs. Wilkins says it is concocted of spaghetti, kidney beans, ground beef, red pepper and other spices, “and *** A RAGGED LITTLE BOY Over his desk, Mr. Wilkins has posted a photograph of a ragged little boy in a back alley area, surrounded by tall, gaunt slum dwelling apartment buildings. Asked the significance of the picture, he explains “to me it represents precisely what I think this job is all about. “No American child in this second half of the 20th Century should have to live in that ghetto environment, and have his future and his horizons limited by the squalor, ugliness and poverty that this picture depicts. “Here in Washington, with our various inter agency associations, we can sometimes lose sight of what we are really working for -- the objective being to improve the life of citizens like this little boy. This picture serves as a reminder.” *** whatever else you can put your hands on.” Her husband says, “It’s delicious, and tastes even better the second day.” As to hobbies, he says, “I play tennis very badly, but I like the game, and softball and touch football.” He played golf in his student years, but feels that it now would take too much of this time away from home. He also played bridge in college, but not often now. In addition to his required reading, he’s attuned to American history and politics such as the Theodore White books on Presidential candidates and the Arthur Schlesinger books on Presidents Roosevelt and Kennedy. He also likes classics, good novels, works by Flaubert, Dostoievski, Theodore Dreiser, William Faulkner and James Baldwin. Roger likes some classical music, but if he’s listening to the radio, more likely than not, the music is the kind with a beat. He remembers family birthdays and anniversaries and Mrs. Wilkins thinks his most outstanding attribute is “his integrity.” They are members of the Episcopal Church. The family turn-out for Roger’s swearing-in ceremony included his parents and two stepsisters, both of whom he considers “wonderful sisters.” They are Judith Clayton, 18; a freshman at Western Michigan University; and Sharon, 15, a high school student in Grand Rapids.

April 8, 2017 -April 14, 2017, The Afro-American

COMMENTARY

Trump’s 360 Degree Assault on Your Health

With each new executive order, anxiety across the country rises. While it seems only non-Trump supporters are feeling the hurt, the truth is, the President’s policies will impact everyone. The townhalls of angry Americans in mostly red states paints a clear picture of the widespread panic. While we are still awaiting fallout from the newly signed Muslim ban and appear to be at a standstill with the trade talks with Mexico, movement around these issues threatens more than just your sensibilities. They can significantly affect your health. And the President’s assault on America’s health begins with our ability to access quality healthcare. Diversity is the core of our country as evidenced by the field of medicine. One out of every four physicians in the United States is foreign born. This means that an executive order banning immigration from Muslim countries could mean less physicians at a time where there is already a shortage. This shortfall will be felt most in primary care as non-American doctors are more likely to serve on the frontlines. The ban would also affect other healthcare providers as one-insix nurses, technicians and pharmacists is foreign born. The decrease in physicians and health care providers means less access to healthcare, longer wait times and perhaps a lower quality of care. In addition, building “the wall” and imposing taxes on Mexico will drive up the costs of medical equipment as billions of dollars-worth is manufactured in Mexico. Equipment such as MRI machines, defibrillators and EKG machines are all primarily made in Mexico. This increase in cost will funnel down to hospitals, medical clinics and, eventually, patients. Trump’s next point of assault is on the health of women. Abortion rates are at an all-time low – partially thanks to increased access to birth control, sex health education and services like Planned Parenthood. Additionally, within the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there are essential health benefits that include maternity and child care. If the health law is completely repealed, women will go back to the time where they only found out that their plan did not include maternity care once they became pregnant. Or they may be forced to pay higher premiums solely because of their gender. Last and perhaps most importantly, this Presidency will take a toll on mental health. As I mentioned before, anxiety and depression are very real. Currently coverage for these illnesses is included as an essential benefit on all health insurance plans thanks to the ACA. The air of uncertainty in the country, especially for those who are in the direct path of the President’s executive orders, could lead to an increase in mental health issues, leaving people with no affordable treatment options. A Harvard study suggests that nearly 45,000 people per year died without health insurance before the ACA and some say we could return to these numbers. If Trump is able to get even half of his agenda passed through to become law, the health impact will be tremendous. Millions will lose health insurance that will be replaced by empty promises. Those who continue to have health insurance will likely see higher premiums and lose benefits such as family planning and mental health coverage. Hospitals will incur increased

Lisa Ashe

costs on equipment and pass that along to patients. And there will be fewer physicians to take care of people in most need of care. Stand up against this assault on your health. Let your voice be heard when it comes to the repeal of Obamacare, the new order to limit immigration and building a wall. These policies and campaign promises are certainly not worth your or your family’s health. Dr. Lisa Ashe is a board certified internal medicine physician and medical director of the Be Well Medical Group, a leading concierge medicine and wellness practice currently serving the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia metro areas.

Baltimore’s Consent Decree Will Not Lead to Reform It does not matter whether the “Consent Decree” between the Baltimore City Police and the U.S. Justice Department is delayed. It does not matter whether Mayor Catherine Pugh and Police Commissioner Kevin Davis want to delay the U.S. Justice Department’s request. Do we really believe what Mayor Pugh said given how she reneged on the $15 an hour minimum wage? The history of Consent Decrees by no means is a panacea according to the Marshall Project, an award winning journalist organization that focuses on the criminal justice system. Closer scrutiny of attempts to ameliorate police misconduct show some cities preferring to challenge allegations in federal court. Making police reforms last continues to be a problem. Too often new reforms disappear soon after their arrival. Only a small number of cases of the nearly 18,000 police departments are investigated and grants continue to flow to police departments with recurring police misconduct issues. Attorney General Sessions, no hero to civil rights groups, is only carrying out President Trump’s demagogic law and order campaign promises, which represented efforts to get votes from poorly educated working and middle class Whites and some wayward Black folks. One Trump strategy is to proclaim that the bad actions of some individuals should not impugn the work of all police.

Ken Morgan

Many of the points of the Baltimore decree agreement are mild at best. How many times do the police need to be trained? What training has ever stopped police misconduct? What sense does it make to require officers to carry both a lethal and nonlethal weapon? How can you determine whether a chokehold is necessary? Many of the agreements and prohibitions are judgment calls where officials and judges usually agree with the officer. There is no mention of the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights. Although not in the decree, what difference does it make if a White, Black, or Latino cop brutalizes you or commits some form of police misconduct? Why was State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby excoriated because she brought charges against the six police officers? Do we need to be concerned with what Baltimore community activists think about the delay? Yes. We need to persuade them that the organized post Freddie Gray “Baltimore Uprising” and the preceding police invoked riots brought about the decree in the first place. We do see that organized community pressure sometimes makes a difference. Independently organize, organize and organize. Many of us continue to understand the role of the police. More of us need to know. It is not a pretty picture. Kenneth O. Morgan is an assistant professor and coordinator of the Urban Studies Program in the Department of Criminal Justice and Applied Social and Political Sciences at Coppin State University in Baltimore.

Legalizing Weed Is Not the Answer Racial disparities in arrest rates for drugs are a well-documented (and lived) reality. For decades, drug policy has contributed to skyrocketing incarceration rates among minority populations. That marijuana legalization is promoted as a victory for racial justice is ironic at best. Just look at marijuana’s counterparts, the alcohol and tobacco industries. It is an unjustified reality in Black communities that a child cannot take a walk without passing a liquor store on every corner. And they cannot even see inside other convenience stores because of the cigarette and alcohol advertisements plastered on the windows. Liquor stores in poorer, non-White neighborhoods far outnumber those in richer, White counterparts. Pot is no different. Already the marijuana industry— comprised almost entirely of White men—is copying the successful playbook of the alcohol industry. In Denver, the epicenter of legalized weed, lower-income, Brown and Black neighborhoods are already experiencing this. In one minority neighborhood, there is one pot business for every 47 residents. The increased availability of marijuana in these neighborhoods matters, because while some will argue that

William Jones

marijuana isn’t harmful, the science says otherwise. Marijuana users are three times more likely to become addicted to heroin than non-users, and frequent pot use by kids is correlated with higher possibilities of welfare dependency and permanent IQ loss. Contrary to the argument that marijuana legalization will promote criminal justice, we’ve seen that legalization has not produced reductions in incarceration. After years of decline, incarceration rates in Colorado have risen sharply and are projected to continue to rise following legalization with no discernible change in prison demographics. While the actual number of arrests for marijuana are down, the racial disparity in arrests for pot have stayed the same or increased slightly in legalized states. And in the two years after Colorado legalized marijuana, the number of Hispanic and Black kids arrested for marijuanarelated offenses rose 29 and 58 percent, respectively. In the same period, the number of White kids being arrested for identical crimes dropped eight percent. All of this is especially alarming given that adolescents who smoke marijuana once a week are almost six times more likely than nonsmokers to drop out of school and over three times less likely to enter college.

Where is the social justice in that? And more tellingly, where are the protests by (mostly White) legalization activists now? Their silence is deafening. Now that they’ve pocketed their cash, they seem undisturbed by what happens in nonWhite communities. Ultimately, legalization only exacerbates social justice issues by prompting well-meaning citizens to think that they have “done something” for civil rights by voting for pot, instead of actually engaging in the hard work that promotes institutional change. (Remember why Eric Garner was killed? It was over cigarettes – a legal drug.) To continue to legalize and commercialize marijuana is to continue to allow an addictive industry to profit off minorities and the marginalized. It’s time for us to wake up and realize that legalizing marijuana only reinforces the pillars of racial inequality in America. William Jones is a recruit with the D.C. firefighter working toward a Master’s of Public Policy at The George Washington University. He was the organizer for the “Two is Enough” campaign opposing marijuana legalization in Washington, D.C., and has been a recipient of scholarships and awards for leadership and societal change.

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American • 2519 N. Charles St. • Baltimore, MD 21218 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

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The Afro-American, Afro-American, April April 8, 8, 2017 2017 --April April 14, 8, 2017 2017

Black Women’s Roundtable Lobbies against Trump Budget, Gorsuch By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com Members of the Black Women’s Roundtable recently convened its annual meeting to lobby against the passing of the Trump budget and the

confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, with the support of Black female members of the U.S. Congress. On March 30, about 50 participants in the Black Women’s Roundtable conference gathered outside

of the capitol to make their concerns known. “We will be here all day today to talk about two issues.” Melanie Campbell, the president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and convener of the Black

RECORD OF DECISION (ROD) NOW AVAILABLE ABOUT THE PROJECT The B&P Tunnel Project is a federally-funded engineering and environmental study to develop an alternative to the existing B&P Tunnel. This 144-yearold, two-track railroad tunnel is located between the West Baltimore MARC Station and Penn Station along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) in Baltimore, Maryland. The tunnel is owned by Amtrak and also used by Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) trains and Norfolk Southern Railway freight trains. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), as the lead federal agency, and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in December 2015, that evaluated the environmental impacts of three build alternatives (Alternatives 3A, 3B, and 3C) in comparison to the No-Build Alternative. FRA and MDOT issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) in November 2016. The ROD documents FRA’s selection of the Preferred Alternative (Alternative 3B) and three Ventilation Facilities, one each at the North and South portals and the Intermediate Ventilation Facility Site at 900-940 West North Avenue. The document is available for public review at the locations listed and also on the Project website (www.bptunnel.com).

COPIES OF THE ROD DOCUMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT: Baltimore City Department of Transportation Transit Bureau 417 E. Fayette Street, 5th Floor Baltimore, MD 21202 Bentalou Recreation Center 222 N. Bentalou Street Baltimore, MD 21223 Bon Secours Community Works 26 N. Fulton Avenue Baltimore, MD 21223 The ROD also is available online at www.bptunnel.com under the “ROD” heading.

Parkview Recreation Center 2610 Francis Street Baltimore, MD 21217 Maryland Department of Transportation 7201 Corporate Center Drive 1st Floor Reception Desk Hanover, MD 21076 Maryland Transit Administration 6 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21202 By Appointment Only at 410-767-3785

Enoch Pratt Libraries Central Branch 400 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21201 Edmondson Ave. Branch 4330 Edmondson Avenue Baltimore, MD 21229 Pennsylvania Ave. Branch 1531 W. North Avenue Baltimore, MD 21217 Walbrook Branch 3203 W. North Avenue Baltimore, MD 21216

The study team can be contacted through the project website at www.bptunnel.com or by email at info@bptunnel.com.

™

Women’s Roundtable Public Network, said. “We are opposed to President Trump’s skinny budget and Neil Gorsuch becoming a justice on the Supreme Court because he is a danger to women’s health.” The Roundtable released on March 29 a 72-page document entitled “Black Women in the U.S., 2017: Moving Our Agenda Forward in the Post-Obama Era” that served as the rallying cry for the organization’s 6th Annual “Women of Power” Summit that took place in the District and in Arlington, Va. In essence, the report detailed the challenges Black women face in health, human trafficking, the juvenile justice system, higher education, businesses and entrepreneurship and expanding political power. The Roundtable has come to the Capitol Hill and lobbied lawmakers for years on issues dealing with funding women’s health programs, supporting reproductive rights, advocating on behalf of increasing educational opportunities for Black women and supporting presidential appointments that are sensitive to the needs of African-American women. U.S. Reps. Yvette Clark (D-N.Y.), Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) joined the rally. Clarke said the “Trump budget is diametrically opposed to the advancement of Black women.” “We would be in a state of

Courtesy photo

Melanie Campbell is the president and CEO of the National Coalition of Black Civic Participation and convener of Black Women’s Roundtable. siege if this budget is passed,” she said. “We have the power to address these issues and the document that you have presented will be used by the Congressional Black Caucus to resist the budget.” Jackson-Lee said that Black women must step up in the interest of their families and communities. “There is no greater time for African American women,” Jackson-Lee said. “Seniors in the sunset of their lives must be able to participate in Meals on Wheels and there must be funding for anti-violence and community development programs. The Trump budget is inhumane.” Jackson-Lee urged the rally participants to go to their homes and engage “your

governors, state legislators and local officials to speak to what is right.” It was generally understood among the rally leaders and attendees that Gorsuch on the Supreme Court was unacceptable. Carol Joyner urged the participants to call their senators to stop Gorsuch. “This is a Supreme Court nominee that has ruled that corporations are people,” she said. Later that day, there was the Congressional Legislative Luncheon that was held at the headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women and at the Crystal City hotel, there were plenary sessions on fighting for women’s rights, the media and health and healing.

Send your news tips to tips@afro.com.

April 8, 2017 - April 14, 2017, The Afro-American

BALTIMORE-AREA

SBLC

S. Baltimore Community Org. Teaches Adults Literacy and Life Skills

Rain Can’t Stop Light City

By Briahnna Brown Special to the AFRO Laverne Austin, 51, wanted to improve her life by getting a GED diploma, so after trying to get into the Dyslexia Tutoring Program, which said it couldn’t help her, she was referred to the South Baltimore Learning Center (SBLC), where she tested at a thirdgrade reading level. With the help of a oneon-one literacy tutor, and the encouragement and support of her son who drops her off at SBLC every week, Austin hopes to earn her high school diploma and improve her reading skills so she can earn a driver’s license and read stories to her four-year-old granddaughter. SBLC is a communitybased nonprofit that provides literacy and life skills as well as career preparation services to Baltimore City residents like Austin, and even though she has a long way to go to get her diploma, she has made progress over the year that she’s been learning at SBLC, her tutor said. “[My life] improved a lot,” Austin told the AFRO. “It’s words that I didn’t know, I know now, and when I’m walking around the building, and they got little pamphlets and paper stuck to their cubicles, I be trying to read them. It helped me a lot.” Austin’s tutor, Ingrid Woods, 57, has been working in community affairs for Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE), a corporate supporter of SBLC, for 30 years. She has volunteered at SBLC for the last three years, and is one of 50 tutors at the center. She meets with Austin once a week to help improve her literacy skills, and is helping her reach her goal of getting her license by teaching her words from Motor Vehicle Administration booklets to sight read. “One of the important things to do is to meet the person on their level, and

Continued on B2

Photo by Anderson Ward

Light City Baltimore began on March 31 and continues until April 8. This dancer from the Sankofa Dance Theater put on a show despite the light rain. Other attractions included musicians, fire performers and light installations.

BCPS

Additional School Funding Won’t Cover Baltimore Budget Shortfall

Governor Hogan and as he signed the bill that will provide three years of state funding for school districts with declining enrollment,” Santilesis told parents and community advocates Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) averted a $130 in her opening remarks. million financial fiasco for the 2017-2018 school year, but But even with a combined city/state pledge of $180 million a significant number of teachers, administrators and school over the next three years and a three- year commitment of $10 police officers still face lay-offs million from City Council as school officials faced parents Chair Bernard C. “Jack” and community advocates this Young, BCPS still faces an week. estimated $30 million gap. In three community BCPS cuts saved another meetings, BCPS CEO Sonja $30 million from Central Santelises, school board office operations, but the members and senior staff remaining anticipated gap announced the additional prompted BCPS to talk with funding recently allotted to the the community about the school system by Governor possibility of lay-offs. Larry Hogan and Mayor Santelesis did not state the Catherine E. Pugh to help the number of positions slated beleaguered school system for layoffs at the individual come closer to closing the $130 school level, but parent million gap that would have advocates offered an estimate Courtesy photo of 200-250 during one of the triggered up to 1,000 teacher BCPS CEO Sonja Santelises spoke recently at Paul and other school-based staff town hall meetings. Shauna Laurence Dunbar High School about the upcoming lay-offs. Anthony, BCPS Office of Continued on B2 “Earlier today we were with school budget. By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO

Judge Denies Request to Delay Hearing on Baltimore Police By Juliet Linderman, Associated Press AP Photo/Patrick Semansky A federal judge refused Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh encouraged residents on April 5 to delay a hearing to speak at a hearing on the proposed agreement to on a proposed agreement overhaul the Baltimore Police Department. to overhaul the Baltimore Police Department, calling Hundreds of people are expected the Trump administration’s to testify about the court-enforceable request a “burden and inconvenience.” agreement and special security measures The Justice Department asked for a have been put into place, the judge said. delay earlier this week, saying it needed Pushing back the hearing at the time to review the plan and determine last minute would be a “burden and whether the proposal would hinder efforts inconvenience to the court, other parties, to fight violent crime. U.S. District Judge and most importantly, the public,” the James Bredar said the hearing would go on judge said. as scheduled April 6.

AFRO Clean Block Campaign Returns By AFRO Staff

On April 27, at the headquarters of the AFRO American Newspapers, local organizations and community leaders will join forces with the newspaper to announce that the AFRO Clean/Green Block campaign is returning stronger than ever for 2017. The announcement will take place at 10:30 a.m. at 2519 North Charles Street in Baltimore Md. The AFRO Clean Block program began in 1934 as a way to beautify Baltimore and ran continuously for several decades. As the AFRO wrote in 1968 about the kickoff of the 34th season of Clean Block, “The AFRO sponsors the campaign in the hopes that

Clean Blockers will learn the value of respect for property, for one another and for the community.” Frances L. Murphy I, the late daughter of the founder of the AFRO, John H. Murphy Sr., created and ran the project. Communities can commence cleanup efforts

Continued on B2

Past Seven Days

Race and Politics

Baltimore… It Ain’t For Everybody Nobody should be surprised that the new head of the Department of Justice, former Alabama Sean Yoes Senator Senior AFRO (and one Contributor of Donald Trump’s most rabid supporters during his ascension to the White House), Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, recently began the process of attempting to dismantle the DOJ consent decree with Baltimore. According to the Washington Post, Sessions has ordered the DOJ to review reform agreements (like the consent decree reached with Baltimore) across the country, “to ensure that these pacts do not work against the Trump administration’s goals of promoting officer safety and morale while fighting violent crime,” the Post reports. In concert with the announcement of the review, which casts doubt upon the execution of all consent decrees nationwide, DOJ lawyers asked a federal judge to delay, at least to the end

“The Trump administration’s move to put off a long-planned public hearing … and the necessity of a consent decree as part of the reform process, is a slap in the face to the people of Baltimore.” –David Rocah of June, an upcoming public hearing for the Baltimore consent decree. On April 5, U.S. District James Bredar rejected the DOJ’s request. It seemed inevitable. In a statement, David Rocah, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Maryland said, “The Trump administration’s move to put off a long-planned public hearing, where the court was going to hear directly from Baltimore’s residents about their views of the Baltimore Police Department, and the necessity of a consent decree as part of the reform process, is a slap in the face to the people of Baltimore,” Rocah stated. As we say in West Baltimore, I don’t mean no harm, but the racist Continued on B2

82 2017 Total

Data as of April 5

The Afro-American, April 8, 2017 - April 14, 2017

Budget Shortfall Continued from B1

Human Capital is meeting with K-12 Principals this week to start collecting data on BCPS vacancies for the coming year. BCPS parent and staff assistant Tanya Lassiter challenged BCPS heads to lessen the trauma of layoffs with better planning at the school level. Lassiter asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is such a devastating thing for these kids to go through. Most of our kids are already dealing with separation issues. How do we teach leaders to make these transitions as

smoothly as possible?â&#x20AC;? Other parents added that the chaotic nature of BCPS layoffs is the issue that made many teachers leave BCPS for other options outside of the city in prior years. Santelises said that no single school will experience an unfair burden due to the need to zero out the remaining budget deficit. She urged families to connect with their local schools and participate in community budget reviews happening between now and April 21 at each community public and

charter school. Each school submitted budgets this past winter reflecting severe cuts to programs and staff BCPS thought they would face with an anticipated $130 million budget gap. With the recent announcements of additional funding from state and local sources over the next three years, schools have been asked to revise their budgets, share them with the community and resubmit them to BCPS central office staff by April 23.

Race and Politics Continued from B1

machinations of the Sessionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead U. S. Department of Justice isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really a slap in the face to all of the people of Baltimore. The actions of the DOJ amount to spitting in, and then slapping the collective faces of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mostly Black, mostly poor residents who have had their constitutional, civil and human rights trampled upon by a Baltimore City Police Department that has run roughshod over those communities for generations, with little regard to their humanity. Again, who is surprised that the most antiBlack, anti-poor White House since the Reagan administration is going about the methodical business of deconstructing protections for Black and poor people and fortifying the institutions of White supremacy? But, since April of 2015 it seems brutally apparent that the onslaught against Black and poor people has been accelerated in Baltimore. Since the day Baltimore police officers hauled the limp body of Freddie Gray into the back of that police wagon on April 12, 2015, so many of us have been witnessing what seems like a slow motion, surreal affirmation of generations of systemic oppression, which ultimately sparked the uprising shortly after Grayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funeral on April 27, 2015. We know the rest of the tragic Freddie Gray saga; 344 homicides that year, the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deadliest ever and all six officers indicted in Grayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death eventually cleared of all criminal wrongdoing. In August of 2016, the DOJ delivered the devastating, â&#x20AC;&#x153;pattern or practice,â&#x20AC;? report, which co-signs what hundreds of thousands of mostly Black, mostly poor Baltimore residents have known for decades. What we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know, when the sordid

details of systemic abuse and misconduct at the hands of the BCPD was being revealed officially, seven BCPD officers were being investigated for shaking down drug dealers and others for hundreds of thousands of dollars and bilking Baltimore taxpayers for hundreds of thousands of dollars in overtime pay. The official federal indictment of those seven officers happened last month. A few weeks ago, Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh reversed a campaign promise and vetoed a city council bill to raise the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minimum wage incrementally to $15/hour by 2022. Last week, two of the maintenance workers charged criminally for sexual misconduct in the Baltimore Housing Authority scandal (which garnered national headlines and was first reported in the AFRO), which alleged workers traded sex, for maintenance services to dozens of female residents at the Gilmor Homes (which subjected itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mostly impoverished residents to deplorable, in some cases many argue, subhuman living conditions) were cleared of all criminal charges. This despite the fact, many of the women who accused those maintenance workers of sexual misconduct were paid millions of dollars in settlements connected to the allegations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is the purpose and value of Black power if there are Black faces in high places in city government, yet the old systems of institutional racism remain in place and the economic conditions of Black people do not improve,?â&#x20AC;? Dayvon Love, co-founder of the grassroots think tank, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle asked in a commentary he wrote, which recently appeared in The Atlanta Black Star.

BAL T PRE I M O R E S C W I T ENTS, I E N T E R N H S TA T H E C O N G ASSO GE C AT R E C O O S Q U I AT I O N A RE M PA NY WRI TTE N BY K E LV A N D P E IN R DIR OST R FO R M E CT ON, E ED BY D JR. D ERR ICK B AS S AN D DC E THE E RS OF D D ON T AT R HE ONN E SC Y H A LI F E ENE TH A WAY

JUS T THR EXTEN OUG D H AP ED R 23 !

BEA U AND TIFUL, POWER HEARTB REA KEL FUL KING VIN , ROS DON KNO NY HAT TON, JR H ., CKS IT O AWAY, AS UT T BRIL HE P ARK TWI LIANT P STE O BAL R T D TIM R MEL ORE SUN ODI AYAL G 90 M ES S I OUL VE ENG INUTES AGI OF E BAC KST NG N AGE T BAL HEA THRALL TIM ORE TER ING . ,

T WI STED MEL ODI ES

When you ask the hundreds of thousands mostly Black, mostly poor residents of Baltimore who are perpetually unprotected and imperiled, and ultimately dehumanized, the answer seems clear; so-called, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Black power,â&#x20AC;? in Baltimore is probably worth the paper the

DOJ consent decree with the city is printed on. Sean Yoes is a senior contributor for the AFRO and host and executive producer of, AFRO First Edition, which airs Monday through Friday, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. on WEAA, 88.9.

Community Org. Continued from B1

know that you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change things overnight,â&#x20AC;? Woods said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It takes a lot of patience.â&#x20AC;? While the two did take some time to warm up to each other, Woods said, they have gotten much closer and bonded over their shared experiences going through cancer treatment, and regularly talk about their weekend activities as Austin shares stories about her granddaughter for the two hours they spend at SBLC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like coming here because the people are loving and caring, and they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t treat you like youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a problem, they treat you like a human being, and I really like that,â&#x20AC;? Austin said. There is no set time frame for when Austin will earn her diploma, as the individualized learning experience adapts to everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s learning style and commitment to furthering their education. According to SBLCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s data, over 110,000 Baltimore City residents over 18 do not have a high school diploma, and more than 30 percent of residents without a diploma live in poverty, compared to 20 percent across the state. The U.S. Census Bureau determined that nationally, those without a diploma or equivalent earn $20,241 annually, which is $10,000 less than those with a diploma and $36,000 less than those with a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Folks who come to us, starting at age 17 and literally up to age 80, are coming to us because they really are looking for that second chance and second opportunity to finish their education, for which they are entitled to,â&#x20AC;? Tanya Jones Terrell, executive director of SBLC told the AFRO. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And so, we see ourselves as facilitators of that process.â&#x20AC;? SBLC is facing budget cuts from Marylandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation in fiscal year 2018 (FY18), where funding for adult education and literacy programs are seeing a $1.15 million reduction. While Terrell said that it will be difficult for SBLC to recover from cuts like this, they will be all right because of strong support from corporate partners, and their volunteers will allow them to keep serving the same 1,000 students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our numbers arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going down, but we will tightenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to compromise the quality of our programs,â&#x20AC;? Terrell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to make sure it gets done.â&#x20AC;? The center has plans to develop strategic partnerships with workforce training providers with work-related instruction in programs like manufacturing, construction, nursing, etc. to aid in the integration of technical skills training with the adult education the center already offers. Dana Marron, fund development associate and lead tutor for SBLC, said that the center is also working on rebranding with a new logo and website which will be unveiled at its 18th annual benefit gala on April 29. With the new tagline, â&#x20AC;&#x153;learning works,â&#x20AC;? which emphasizes how learning makes you better poised to serve family and community, Marron said, the center will more effectively convey their message of inclusivity and positivity with the new, more colorful logo. As the center serves a population with a unique, often negative relationship with education, Marron added, those messages as well as creating an environment that caters to inclusion are especially important. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about making sure people feel safe and comfortable and confident in their work and that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not vulnerable or embarrassed or ashamed of anything that relates to their academic experiences in the past,â&#x20AC;? Marron said.

Clean Block Continued from B1

on May 4 and the organizers only ask that each community recruit at least four blocks to represent their neighborhood. All neighborhoods, businesses and city and state agencies are extended an invitation to participate and/or contribute. The theme for this year has remained the same, â&#x20AC;&#x153;AFRO Clean/ Green Block Campaign â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Our Community â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Our Responsibility.â&#x20AC;? To sign-up your community, business, agency or organization contact Diane W. Hocker, Director, Community & Public Relations for the AFRO at 410-554-8200. The Clean Block Campaign is one of the oldest environmental programs in the country. In 2007, the program began collaborating with the city of Baltimore for a cleaner, greener

Baltimore. Following the success of last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s initiative will be a full-fledged program in honor of the AFRO American Newspapers, the nationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; #1 African American Newspaper, turning 125 years-old. The AFRO Clean/Green Block Campaign is just one of many events this year to mark the celebration of the newspaperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 125 years. Other events include the AFRO High Tea: Saluting Women of the AFRO on April 23 at Sharon Baptist Church in Baltimore, Md. (tickets are sold out) and the 125th Anniversary Gala on Aug. 12 at Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Md. Ticket and sponsorship packages are still available for the gala, if interested contact Diane W. Hocker at 410-554-8200 or by email at dhocker@afro.com.

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April 8, 2017 - April 14, 2017, The Afro-American

Spring to me represents a spirit of birth as the buds awaken from the dismal days of winters and peek out over a new day of hope and a chance to start over again. Spring is the season of colors, birds chirping, fresh rain in the air and the feeling of anticipation as if something new and exciting is about to occur. Spring whispers love, and hopes of eternity as Alice Walker so eloquently stated about the color purple “I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.” Enjoy the beauty of life and the colors it brings for each day is a new prism of life and colors. It’s spring. Embrace it completely and continue “Living for the Weekend.” “A woman is like a tea bag you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”-Eleanor Roosevelt The supporters in attendance at Baltimore’s elite Ritz Carlton for the reception for Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s fundraiser was a who’s who of Maryland’s legal, political, medical and social society. More than 100 people attended this high-end event supporting this strong, beautiful and dynamic woman who has endured numerous adversities since her election as the top prosecutor and still maintains a calm and determined demeanor. The guests circulating as they nibbled on exquisite hors d’oeuvres, were Delegate Nick Mosby, Council President Bernard C. ‘Jack’ Young, Billy Murphy, Warren Brown, Delegate Bilal Ali, Dr. Marie Washington, Allie Pinderhughes, Senator Nathaniel Oaks, Ken Thompson, Stuart Simms, Cereta Spencer, David Couser, Rod Womack, Michele Speaks, N. Scott Phillips, Zach McDaniels, Vernon Simms, Shelonda Stokes, Dr. Thelma Daly, Dr. Steven Sobelman and Sloane Brown. Congressman Elijah Cummings rushing from Washington after a day filled with congressional hearings was there to show his support for Marilyn Mosby. “Unless one says goodbye to what one loves, and unless one travels to completely new territories, one

can expect merely a long wearing away of oneself and an eventual extinction.”-Jean Dubuffet “Luke 12:48 to whom much is given…” This winter when most of us were in the house sitting by a warm fire, cuddling or sipping a soothing drink, this group of friends was navigating a way to feed the homeless. Their name, OneHundred4OneHundred indicates their desire to feed one hundred people with one hundred dollars once a month. On one of the coldest weekends of the years, the idea was born to pool their resources and money and go into the city of Baltimore and feed 100 homeless people. After their first encounter and the warm reception they received from the homeless people, they decided to do this once a month without fanfare. Each weekend Vic Harvey, Khary Clark, Lawrence Hopkins, Brian Jones, John Fitts, Reggie White Sr, Dwayne Williams, Nayati McKoy, and Byron Jones set out on this yeoman task to accomplish their goals. the crowds grew larger as the word spread, and the guys dug deeper in their pockets to accommodate the homeless with hot meals. Travelling with Auvea Fortune and Berice Bogans to New Orleans in celebration of Berice’s retirement from the MTA after an illustrious 35-year career was not long enough to envelop the sights, smells and sounds of ‘Nawlins. It is one of my favorites places to visit and I never tire of the Crescent City. From trying new restaurants to revisiting old favorites that never disappoint. I was elated to show them the New Orleans I love. I dozed off while “sitting on the dock of the bay” along the Mississippi and was awoken by their laughter encouraging me to keep moving. We sipped Hurricanes in the touristy Pat O’Brien with the dueling pianos before heading to Bourbon Street and, as in Vegas, what happens on Bourbon Street… We visited Willie Mae’s Scotch House for the award winning fried chicken and after an hour of standing in line we were disappointed but will revisit it again. The friendliness and the exotic atmosphere of New Orleans makes this a jewel on the landscape of America. Veronica “Ronnie” Jackson, along with John Shaft

and Kim the bartender, are still holding it down at Roots Lounge, which is celebrating 40 years of serving the best chicken wings and the coldest beer. Here’s to 40 more years. White House journalist and Morgan State University graduate April Ryan will be hosting a book signing for her book At Mama’s Knees on April 11, at the Ivy Bookshop, 6080 Falls Road Baltimore. Congratulations Edward Diggs on your induction into the National Wheelchair Basketball Association in recognition of your outstanding contribution to the development of wheelchair basketball. Congratulations University of Maryland Women’s Basketball team on a great season and to Amirah Grady. a graduating senior at University of Maryland College Park, on a full academic scholarship and her second year as the travelling manager for the Lady Terps. The Lady Terps honored Amirah during the last game of the season. The Boys of Dunbar tells the story of our friend Coach Bob Wade and his winning NBA season 1981-1982 and the lives of Poets Muggsy Bogues, Reggie Williams, David Wingate, and Reggie Lewis. Through interviews, with Coach Wade and the players author, Alejandro Danois has captured the essence of that magical period. Happy Birthday to Shelonda Stokes, Shirley Belton, Bishop Walter Thomas, Kim Washington, Jackie Fulton, Jasmine Hampton, Brandon Scott, Betsy Gardner, Ellen Howard, John Stanley, Ronald Flamer, Earl Taylor, Wanda Pearson, Debbie Allen, Dollie Owens, Flossie Ford, Brenda Blount, Hattie “Bunny” Bey, Pat Roselle, and my mother retired United Methodist Pastor Pauline Wilkins. What’s happening! “Life is a cabaret, old chum! Come to the cabaret!”-Liza Minnelli After 28 years, “Just for fun” is sailing into the sunset after their final cabaret on April 14, to benefit their educational outreach programs. Music by DJ Jammon Jess. Contact Lajoie Grimes for tickets at 410-655-0152.

Caroline Mallard was recently hired as a patient services coordinator at Johns Hopkins Hospital through a job training partnership with Humanim.

We’re increasing our investment in the city when we build, hire, and buy.

During the first year of our HopkinsLocal initiative, we expanded our hiring of city residents and committed $55.5 million to construction contracts with minorityand women-owned or disadvantaged businesses. During that same period, we increased by nearly $5 million the amount of money we spent on goods and services from Baltimore-based companies. Find out more at hopkinslocal.jhu.edu. Johns Hopkins. Investing in our community.

The Afro-American, April 8, 2017 - April 14, 2017

Professor Larry S. Gibson and Dr. Tiffany McMillan Mfume

The unveiling of the Enolia Pettigen McMillan Exhibit was held at Baltimore’s Morgan State University. Many of the photos and articles were from the AFRO’s archives. McMillan was a noted educator and civil rights activist. McMillan was the 1922 recipient of the first Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority scholarship award and in 1975 was the first woman to chair a Morgan State University governing board and first Chairperson of the Board of Regents of Morgan. She died in 2006 at the age of 102. Greetings were delivered by The Honorable Kweisi Mfume, Dr. David Wilson President Morgan State University, Dr.Gloria Gibson.

Dr. Gloria Gibson, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Mr. Kweisi Mfume, Dr. David Wilson, Professor Gibson and Dr. Tiffany McMillan Mfume

The family and friends of Enolia Pettigen McMillan with Dr .David Wilson and Professor Larry S. Gibson Judge Robert M. Bell

Photos by James Fields Sr.

The Baltimore Metro Bennett College Alumnae Association held a breakfast at the Double Tree Hotel Pikesville on April 1 to raise money to assist with scholarships. Mayor Catherine E. Pugh

Dr. Earl S. Richardson 11th President of Morgan State University and Dr. Ruthe T. Sheffey Morgan State University Professor Emeritus

Dr. Burney J. Hollis Professor of English Morgan State University

Dr. David Wilson and Morgan State University Students

addressed the crowd. The keynote speaker for the winning memoir, At Mama’s Knee: event was April D. Ryan, a Baltimore native and Mothers and Race in Black the Washington Bureau Chief for American Urban and White. Radio Networks as well as author of the award

Sounds Unlimited of Western High School

April D. Ryan and Felicia Chenier

Mayor Catherine E. Pugh, Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins and Ardena N. Githara

Dr. Juanita Patience Moss, author

April D. Ryan White House Correspondent

Breakfast Committee Norita Phillips, Ardena N. Githara and The Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant

Crowd enjoying the breakfast Photos by James Fields Sr.

Photos by James Fields Sr.

Débutante Brett-Ashley Hooper and Escort Tyjauhn Christian

Débutante dance

On March 26 at the Sheraton Baltimore in North Towson Md. the Tri-State Association of Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia Order of Elks of the

World hosted the 2017 Debutant Cotillion. They celebrated the talents of eight young ladies who had prepared for ten weeks for the occasion. The debutantes performed their ceremonial dance with their fathers and then with their escorts.

Débutante Artisha Griffin and Escort Bruce Durant

Débutante Carisma Forrest and Escort Jalen Hunter

Junior ushers and flower girls

Débutante Taniya Foster Escorts honoring the Débutantes with roses

Margaret Ann Selby and Gregory Conley, directors

To purchase this digital photo page contact Takiea Hinton: thinton@afro.com or 410.554.8277.

April 8, 2017 - April 14, 2017, The Afro-American

ARTS & CULTURE

Comedic Actress Michaela Coel Talks ‘Chewing Gum’ and Colorism loved, “Cedric the Entertainer’s standup. He looks just like my dad.” Still, she What British comedic actress Michaela didn’t always plan on being a TV actress. Coel witnessed on her first day of secondary She laughs while recalling, “I was on school was quite at odds with what one would stage doing poetry and a guy named Che expect given the exceedingly proper name of Walker, who actually wrote the musical I the institution. Coel attended Bishop Challoner am doing right now, said I should become Catholic Collegiate Girls School in London’s an actor. Then he said I should go to East End. “On my first day I watched a girl smash drama school. I literally just followed his another girl’s head through a window. But it was instructions because I had nothing else also hilarious, it was just really fun. Everything to do. Then I went to drama school then that you could imagine was crazy. It was a mad I wrote this play. Then I got an agent school. The direct influences for my work would because I put the play on somewhere. It be people from my school. That would be where I all just kind of snowballed like that. A TV directly got many of the characters for ‘Chewing production company read my play and Gum.’” said do you want to make a TV show. So “Chewing Gum” is the name of the Netflix I guess it was going to drama school that show created by and starring the twenty-nine kind of changed everything in a way.” year old Coel. A comedy that is less situational London born and raised Coel, whose and more satirical and character focused a la parents are from Ghana, alludes to hard Mindy Kaling’s “The Mindy Project,” it is quirky work and confidence for her success. “I and laugh out loud funny, a wholly different think I am deluded in my ambition. I think examination of Black female life. Coel is an Courtesy photo I can do things that I really shouldn’t accomplished poet, singer and playwright and her Michaela Coel stars in the second season Netflix’s ‘Chewing Gum.’ think that I can do. I don’t care about what new show is based on her play “Chewing Gum anybody thinks of me. Unless you’re my Dreams” where she introduced audiences to the main character, Tracey. In addition to being family or my very close friends I don’t mind. Which means I get to write scripts and I don’t influenced by the students in her secondary school where she was the only Black girl in her give a sh*t. And I don’t really sleep. I work like round the clock and if I think if there is a point year, “Chewing Gum’s” comedy is heavily influenced by her experience as a Christian during one percent chance that I can do something, I won’t give up.” her late teens into early twenties. Coel, who is dark-skinned, is also very vocal on social media about the issue of colorism. One of its themes is the ways in which religion can wreak havoc on a young adult trying “Basically I am talking and no one is listening to me about the situation. We don’t want to to carve out an identity. Coel describes it as being about, “A woman who has the mind of accept that other people are less privileged than we are. So the fact that we’re saying ‘Oh my a teenager. It’s about going through adolescence ten years too late. It’s about evangelical God amazing, look at “Westworld” what a diverse show’ and I’m saying ‘look at the show no religion. It’s about friendship and sex, sex, and more sex all underpinned by the lack of sex.” one is darker than a paper bag on that show.’ We’ve been talking about race for so long that we She says all of the characters we met and fell in love with during the first season are back for haven’t realized that this is actually colorism. In a sense, maybe there is the worry that it will the second season which started April 4. “Everybody returns which is bloody amazing. Every divide us instead of unite us but we have to talk about it because while we keep saying look single person. By the end of last season they all became my friends and the idea of not giving at all this Black, dark-skinned women- I’m talking about women like Viola Davis, Whoopi somebody a job was like unfathomable for me. I even called back extras.” Goldberg, myself are disappearing from the media and what’s gonna happen is that we become Coel admits to not watching much television at all as a child but was exposed to American invisible and nobody’s gonna talk about it and we’re not gonna get any f****** jobs. We’re comedies such as “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Kenan and Kel” and “Moesha.” She says she also gonna have a problem. By Nadine Matthews

AFRO Book Review

Basketball

Inside the Drug Fueled, Brilliant Mind of Rick James

Trimble Chooses Awkward Time to Leave Terps

meaningful words to disco music, he told a story over a disco beat and he was just as flamboyant as White musicians during that Peter Benjaminson is no stranger to time.” writing about the music industry. He James’ drug habits were no secret and has written about several Motown music Benjaminson believes that his addiction held stars although few had lives that were as him back from ever truly reaching his full scandalous as that of potential. the late Rick James, the “In some periods subject of his latest book, of his life he was so Super Freak: The Life of high he’d just lay in a Rick James. room with aluminum “This was my fourth foil over the windows book about the Motown and just get high Record Company… and do nothing else my daughter suggested which of course that I write about a more wasn’t good for his recent Motown Records creativity. When he superstar and I settled on was being sued by Rick James because he Motown the judge on was so multi-talented. He the case pointed out was not only a singer but that a lot of musicians he played instruments, he are aided by drugs was a record producer, early on because he was a great performer, it loosens up their and he produced and minds and awakens organized and went on their creativity but the tours with other groups. judge and other people He was one of the last like Levi Riffian Motown superstars before pointed out that if you (Courtesy photo) take too many drugs Lionel Ritchie and he Peter Benjaminson’s book explores was talented but also you can’t get it back the tumultuous life of music had a tumultuous life,” and your creativity superstar Rick James. Benjaminson told the withers.” AFRO. James was arrested James was well-known for not only his several times for serious drug and sex related infectious and groundbreaking music but crimes which, although concerning, helped for the drug induced drama that followed bolster his fame and his notoriety kept his him wherever he went. “I went to Buffalo, “bad boy” image afloat. New York to do research for the book and I “Even when he was arrested people asked interviewed his relatives and musicians that him if he felt bad and he said his image was have worked with him and went to Toronto that of a bad boy. Being a racy guy probably as well where Rick spent some of his life helped but like many other things in his life, hiding from the U.S government because he he pushed it too far, although he did some of deserted from the US Navy and then I went his best work after he got out of jail.” to LA where Motown moved in the early 70’s Although James’s exploits are one of the and where Rick scored his biggest hit and I most discussed components of his legacy and went to Vegas to speak to Levi Ruffian one immortalized in the Dave Chappele comedy of his close friends,” said Benjaminson. “He sketch where he is portrayed uttering the was really knocked out of the running by all words, “I’m Rick James, bitch,” he was an the drugs he took but he did a lot of things inventive force in the music industry and that made him a great musician. He didn’t was one of the premiere Black artists with have that great of a voice but he managed to tremendous crossover appeal . sing very well, he combined jazz and blues Super Freak: The Life of Rick James is and was the first to do that and he added available in stores now.

By Mark F. Gray Special to the AFRO

By Janneh G. Johnson Special to the AFRO

him. This amicable parting is good for both Trimble and coach Mark Turgeon. While Former Maryland guard Melo Trimble is Trimble gets to pursue his childhood dream either leaving too early for the NBA or too of playing in the NBA Turgeon moves late for the NBA Draft. But in either case on from another player who departs early he’s too late to really cash in on the certainty without realizing his full potential. of a lucrative pro basketball career in the Trimble was the local McDonald’s Allworld’s best league. American high school Had Trimble entered star who was expected the draft after his to return the Terps to freshman year he would the Final Four and rehave been a sure first establish their national round pick. He had the prominence. Instead cache of being the star he became a perimeter first year player on a version of Diamond team that returned to Stone - last year’s the NCAA Tournament McDonald’s High School following a four year All-American who left absence. Besides good after his freshman year to freshmen rarely become become a disappointing great sophomores they second-round pick of the become pros. Los Angeles Clippers. Cashing in too early There are those who is the difference in would argue that another setting yourself up for year in College Park life or figuring out how may have improved his to convince an NBA draft stock. He could franchise to spend a shoot 1,000 jumpers a first round pick – and day during the offseason guaranteed money - on (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) to improve his range. a player who may have Trimble could work hard Trimble may be leaving Maryland already peaked. Trimble too late to become an NBA first on passing and running hasn’t improved since round pick but too early to make an Turgeon’s offense when impact in the league. his freshman year to the he’s playing off the point where he passes the ball. After his senior “can’t miss” test so he had to leave whether year Melo could win every individual honor he’s ready for the Association or not. – including national player of the year – and The NBA draft is now a younger man’s lead his team to the Final Four but it wouldn’t international talent show. Most first round matter. talent is drafted on potential not productivity Turgeon is a masterful recruiter but after a cameo season of college basketball. If players don’t get better under his watch. Not a player returns for a sophomore season his one player has left the program to make a upside starts depreciating like a new car as dramatic impact in the NBA. Since Alex it pulls off the lot. The only players over 20 Len was drafted fifth by the Phoenix Suns in being drafted are those from overseas because 2013 no Maryland player has been picked in they are thought to be mature after facing the first round. Chances are even had Trimble grown men in pro leagues already. stayed neither would he. In three years at Maryland, Trimble’s In Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare writes NBA stock tumbled because his weaknesses “parting is such sweet sorrow.” Such is as a freshman haven’t improved to erase any the case with this necessary yet somewhat doubts about his game. He doesn’t create premature breakup between Trimble and from the perimeter or shoot like Steph Curry. the Maryland basketball program. Trimble He hasn’t become a distributor or floor did more for Turgeon and the program than leader like Chris Paul. Unfortunately, he’s a for himself. It was time for a new act and shooting guard inside a point guard’s body a bigger stage even if it’s overseas or the which is a bad measurable working against irrelevant circuit NBA D-League.

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The Afro-American, April 8, 2017 - April 14, 2017

April 8, 2017 - April 14, 2017, The Afro-American

WASHINGTON-AREA

Ward 8 Residents View Bowser Speech with Caution

Ward 8 Stepping Up with the Arts

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com Residents of Ward 8 recently assembled to hear D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser deliver her State of the District Address and they were mildly impressed with what they heard but had concerns. On March 30, Bowser (D) delivered her third address detailing the progress that her administration has had since it took office in January 2015. The location of the address was on the campus of the University of the District of Columbia and since that venue was inconvenient for many residents east of the Anacostia River, a number of Ward 8 organizations came together to have a “State of the District Address” viewing party at the Old Congress Heights School located on Martin Luther King Jr., Ave., S.E. Commenting quickly on economic development and measures to protect children, the mayor hit her stride when she proclaimed “I am proud to say that we have delivered on promises and the State of the District is strong.” “Without question, the past several years have been an exciting chapter in the ever forming history of Washington, D.C.,” Bowser said. “It’s a growing collection of memories marked by our fight for Home Rule and now Statehood, bust Continued on D2

Courtesy photo

Attendees at a reception for the paintings of the late Lois Mailou Jones at the Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center. manner. Lois Mailou Jones’s paintings showcased Black people, primarily females, in various states of pleasant expression and showed them engaged in work and play. Her paintings are also When a conversation on the arts in the District of Columbia noted for their varied use of colors and the creative use of thin comes up, the neighborhoods that usually generate the most Black lines to draw characters. discussions are Brookland in Ward 5, the H Street corridor in D.C. Council member Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4), former Ward 6, the downtown sector in Ward 2 and Georgetown, also Ward 8 D.C. Council members LaRuby May and Sandy Allen, located in Ward 2. Wanda Lockridge, chief of staff to D.C. Council member Rarely does Ward 8 get a Trayon White (D-Ward 8) and Dr. mention but that is changing. Janette Hoston Harris, the District’s On March 31, Ward 8 official historian, were among the businessman Phinis Jones hosted a city leaders that attended the event. grand re-opening of the Congress Keyonna Jones Lindsay, the Heights Arts & Culture Center, executive director of the center which is located on Martin and daughter of Phinis Jones, told Luther King Jr. Ave., S.E. Jones the AFRO that the remodeling of -Keyonna Jones Lindsay the center and the support that the showcased his private collection of Lois Mailou Jones paintings event got that evening is indicative on the main floor of the center of how Ward 8 residents view the and the event resembled an upscale art gallery opening with arts. waiters circulating around the 40 people who attended the event “When we were telling some people about this event, with various trays of hors d’oeuvres and there was a cash bar someone remarked that the grand re-opening was ‘arts in the available. Hood’,” Phinis Jones told the AFRO that he has been an admirer I had to get them straight,” Jones-Lindsay said. “This space of the works of Lois Mailou Jones, who taught at Howard was created for Black people and we want the young people University for decades and is credited with paintings that depict who come here to understand that they are descended from life in Africa, the Caribbean and Black America in a respectful Continued on D2 By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com

“Ward 8 residents shouldn’t have to go uptown to appreciate fine art.”

D.C. Community Joins Together to Find Missing Girls

Howard University

Congressman Louis Stokes’ Children Share Lessons From Their Father

By Briana Thomas Special to the AFRO

By Lenore T. Adkins Special to the AFRO For all of his accomplishments — and there are many — the late Democratic Congressman Louis Stokes of Ohio didn’t go on and on with his children about the important things he was doing up on Capitol Hill. “He didn’t come home and talk a lot about it,” his son, Chuck Stokes, told the AFRO. “He just kept on working.” Howard University celebrated the 16th anniversary of the Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library on March 31, and as part of the festivities, three of Stokes’ four children offered another take on their father with personal anecdotes and memories for a taped broadcast by the HBCU. Following the show, they signed his autobiography, The Gentleman from Ohio: Reflections on the Legacy of U.S. Congressman Louis

AP Photo/Tony Dejak

The life of the late Louis Stokes was celebrated at Howard. Stokes. Stokes spent 30 years in Congress serving a majority Black constituency in Cleveland before he stepped down in 1999. He completed the book in 2015, a few weeks before he died at the age of 90. The book was published last year. Stokes, the first Black man to serve in Congress from Ohio, came from very humble beginnings. His father, Charles Stokes, died when Stokes was very young. He was raised in public housing and his mother, Louise, earned money working as a domestic for wealthy Whites. She wanted something better for Stokes and his brother Carl Stokes and stressed the importance of education early on. “She told my father and

my Uncle Carl, you know, ‘Learn. Get all the education that you can so that you get something in our head so that you don’t have to work with your hands and be on your knees’ the way she did,” Chuck Stokes said. He fought in a segregated unit during World War II and used the G.I. Bill to attend Western Reserve University and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, determined to reach new heights regardless of his economic background. Later on, he opened a law firm in Cleveland with his brother, Carl, and became a prominent attorney. In 1968, Louis Stokes argued against stop-and-frisk in Terry v. Ohio before the Supreme Court. His daughter, Shelley StokesContinued on D2

The Metropolitan Police Department’s new social media tactic to help publicize missing person cases sparked national attention last month when a Instagram user compiled some of the department’s missing person fliers and claimed 14 Black girls went missing in a period of 24 hours. Since the social media frenzy community advocates and local government have been working to solve the District’s missing children issue, although the initial claims were false and there has not been an increase in abductions in the District. “We have been sounding the alarm and we will continue to do so until all of our missing Courtesy photo are found,” Natalie Wilson, coMissing 12-year old Trinity founder of Black and Missing Smith was found in good Foundation, told the AFRO health by police. Apr. 3. Wilson and her sister in law, Derrica Wilson, founded the nonprofit organization in 2008 after noticing that Black missing person cases received little news coverage, in comparison to the publicity of White people going missing. Wilson said she wanted to help bring public awareness to missing people of color, and lend professional help to families in search of a loved one. “We wanted to even the playing field,” she said. “We wanted to make sure when our people go missing they are getting fair Continued on D2

In Memoriam

Bishop Felton May Praised as a Serious, Passionate Leader

Courtesy photo

Bishop Felton May was the first Black bishop of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com Over 30 bishops of the United Methodist Church traveled from across the country to praise a deceased colleague who was a trailblazer and didn’t hesitate to speak out against and acted to change injustices. On Feb. 27, Bishop Felton May, the first Black person to hold that position in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), died of an illness related to pancreatic cancer in Ellicott City, Md. A service was held at Asbury United Methodist Church in the District of Columbia on April 1, with Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, president of the Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops, the present Bishop LaTrelle Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington Conference and Asbury’s senior pastor, the Rev. Ianther Mills, serving in presiding

“The truth he spoke challenged you to do something.” -Dr. Deborah MayHoyles roles. “Even though he was called bishop he did not ride on the tail of his title and authority,” Dr. Deborah MayHoyles, who cited Scripture at the service. “He had a sense of humor. The truth he spoke challenged you to do something.” May was a native of Chicago and received a bachelor’s degree from Judson College in 1961 and got a master’s of divinity from Crozer Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He built Maple Park Methodist Church in Chicago as his first pastoral assignment and he left there to service the church in the Penisula-Delaware Conference, where he became in 1975, the first Black district superintendent of the Continued on D2

The Afro-American, April 8, 2017 - April 14, 2017

Bowser

Continued from D1 and boom times, flight out of town and flight back into town, a legendary four-term mayor, a triathlon mayor, a bow-tie mayor, a king of the go-go swing. Of blockbusting and desegregation. Of seekers of LGBTQ rights and immigration justice. Because of our D.C. values, we are the human rights capital. Our diversity alone doesn’t make us great; our embrace of that diversity does.”

“I thought it was glitzy with no substance.” -Jackie Ward The mayor got a few claps when she talked about the District’s need for political autonomy. “So when our friends up on the Hill from Utah or Maryland’s Eastern Shore tell you that they are concerned about D.C., you tell them about their federal obligations in the District,” she said. “And I like to use Trayon White’s words. You tell them, don’t just stand there, do something. But if they ask you about our local issues-you tell them to keep their hands off D.C.” White, who was elected as the Ward 8 council member as a Democrat in November 2016, was present at the watch party but didn’t speak publicly. A few people nodded their heads when Bowser mentioned the unemployment problem in Ward 8. “While the unemployment rate has declined in the District,

it is still disproportionately high among people of color and those without a high school diploma,” she said. “You see unemployment in Ward 3 at 4.2 percent and unemployment in Ward 8 is 12.5 percent. The good news is that unemployment in Ward 8 is down from 16.8 percent when I took office. “The bad news is 12.5 percent is still too high, nearly three times what it is in Ward 3. We can and must do better.” The mayor rounded up her speech with plans to increase affordable housing, modernizing schools, praising the work of D.C. Chancellor Antwan Wilson, interim D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham and D.C. fire chief Gregory Dean. She ended her hour-long address with “I couldn’t be more proud to serve as your mayor.” Jacqueline Kinlow is a political activist who lives in Ward 8. Kinlow seemed impressed with the mayor’s address. “I thought it was strong and she got off to a good start,” Kinlow told the AFRO. “It was a reflection of a positive, forward thinking administration.” However, Jackie Ward, who was a former staffer for the late D.C. Council member Marion Barry, was skeptical. “I thought it was glitzy with no substance,” she told the AFRO. “She only said things that would make headlines. We needed more meat on the bones.” Monica Ray is the president of the Congress Heights Community Association, which was one of the co-sponsoring organizations of the event. Ray facilitated a discussion on the mayor’s speech and longtime political and civic activist Philip Pannell didn’t mince words.

Courtesy photo

In D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s third State of the District Address she outlined the city’s plans to decrease unemployment, increase affordable housing and advocated for political autonomy. Pannell noted that the speech was delivered by a liberal, Democratic, African-American mayor of Washington, D.C. but there were some things lacking. “I noticed she didn’t put much emphasis on the environment,” he said. “You have to clean up the environment so we won’t have trashy streets. I think she missed an opportunity when she didn’t say anything about Anacostia Park, which is larger than Central Park in New York City.”

Arts

Stokes

kings and queens. We are creators and we wanted to expose the neighborhood to the level of art.” Jones-Lindsay said that Black people need a creative outlet to deal with the stress of life and she doesn’t buy into the concept of starving artists, making the point that being an artist can be profitable if done correctly. She also said that ward residents of different economic classes enjoy good art. “Ward 8 residents shouldn’t have to go uptown to appreciate fine art,” she said. The center, which is the first gallery in the Congress Heights neighborhood but not in Ward 8, has space for workshops, art classes, professional offices and a rooftop that will have multiple purposes. While the center’s opening has drawn attention, it is by no means the only arts entity in the ward. “The performing arts are big in Ward 8,” Philip Pannell, a longtime activist who has championed bringing the fine arts to the ward, told the AFRO. “We have The ARC that has put on plays and other productions and we have the Anacostia Playhouse that is in its fourth season of producing and showing plays, dance performances and concerts. We also have the Anacostia Arts Center on Good Hope Road, plus there are a number of murals on walls around the ward.” Pannell emphasized that “Ward 8 has a thriving arts community” and that the late Marion S. Barry, a former D.C. Council member and four-term mayor of the city, had a role in creating a proactive arts advocacy organization, the 8 Arts & Culture. 8 Arts & Culture’s founder, president and CEO is Tendani Mpulubusi El, and he told the AFRO that while Phinis Jones’ event is fine, there is more going on artistically in the ward. “We don’t focus on one-time art shows,” he said. “We are working to build a community through the creative economy.”

Hammond, said her father often practiced his legal arguments in the bathroom mirror. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Stokes spearheaded initiatives that secured funding for the research, treatment and prevention of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and AIDS — ailments that disproportionately affect people of color. Stokes secured money for the library at Howard that bears his name and for healthcare facilities for Cleveland veterans. He was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and played a major role in some of America’s biggest moments. Stokes chaired the committee that investigated the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy in the 1970s. As chairman of the House Ethics Committee, he managed its investigation of the Abscam corruption scandal that convicted six House members and one senator. Stokes also was a member of a House committee that investigated the IranContra Affair in the 1980s. Stokes lived a life of advocacy and encouraged his children to follow their dreams. Chuck Stokes and Lori Stokes are journalists at WABC-TV in New York and WXYZ-TV in Detroit respectively. Stokes-Hammond serves on the Maryland Commission on African American History & Culture. Angela Stokes is a municipal court judge in Cleveland. No matter what, their father reminded them to be nice and not to talk too much about themselves, Lori Stokes said. “And that was who he was also,” she said. “He was very humble, he was very sweet, he was very patient and he really got such joy from conversing with people of all walks of life.”

Continued from D1

Bishop Felton May Continued from D1

Easton District and in 1981, he was named the director of that conference’s Council on Ministries. In July 1984, he was elected bishop by the UMC’s Northeastern Jurisdiction and was assigned to the Harrisburg, Pa., area and was the first African American to hold that position. In 1989, May became the first bishop in the denomination’s history to receive a special assignment to come to the District of Columbia and in Prince George’s County, Md., to tackle the drug epidemic. In 1991, May returned to Harrisburg to continue his work until he became the first Black bishop of the BaltimoreWashington Conference. May also played a role in the development of Africa University, a UMC-related, independent institution located in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe and served as its vice president of the board of directors. May retired as a bishop in 2004 but continued to pastor churches and serve in various capacities for the church until he

“You knew where he stood and disliked distractions and personal agendas.” – F. Herbert Skeete retired in April 2016. Retired Bishop F. Herbert Skeete spoke about May’s life and said that his longtime friend lived life intentionally. “He came from Chicago and rose to the highest levels of leadership of the church,” Skeete said. “You knew where he stood and disliked distractions and personal agendas. He had a tough crust but a tender heart.” Skeete said May didn’t like “cheap grace” and quoted such noted religious figures as anti-Nazi theologian Dietrich

Bonhoeffer and John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, in talking about him. Skeete said May sometimes was critical of the denomination. “He didn’t like when there was talk about service and actions but the church enacted budgets that did otherwise,” he said. The commendation of the life and work of May was recited by Steiner-Ball, who presides over the West Virginia Episcopal Area and Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar of the Boston Episcopal Area. Retired Bishop Marcus Matthews was one of May’s successors as the leader of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Matthews told the AFRO that May was a rare breed of man. “He was a man that pushed the church to holy boldness,” he said. “He used the gospel for justice and compassion toward the poor.”

Missing Girls Continued from D1

treatment.” The foundation uses social

media, community forums, personal safety classes and

other resources to help prevent disappearances and locate missing minorities. So far this year there have been 885 reported missing person cases in D.C., according to police reports.

apart.” The Maryland-based foundation has assisted in locating 200 people with its National Clearinghouse since its launch in 2008. She said she is happy

“Families want answers. The unknown is tearing them apart.” – Natalie Wilson More than 20 of those cases remain open. Wilson said its difficult for families to not have closure when a loved one disappears, “Families want answers. The unknown is tearing them

for the success, but there is still work to be done, “We are grateful, but of course there are way more who are missing that we need to bring home.” According to the Federal

Bureau of Investigation in 2016, 37 percent of missing persons were minorities. Wilson said the percentage was lower when she started her foundation. Mayor Muriel Bowser launched six initiatives on Mar. 24 in an effort to stem the missing teenager problem in the District. “One missing young person, is one too many, and these new initiatives will help us do more to find and protect young people, particularly young girls of color, across our city,” Bowser said in announcing the task force. The initiatives will increase officer staffing and publicity of missing person profiles, as well as assess the root causes of children

running away from home in the district. Wilson agrees that the reasoning behind a child voluntarily leaving home is something that should be investigated. “We need to dig deeper,” Wilson added. “What are these kids leaving from and what are they running to? That can be even more devastating than what they are leaving.” D.C. police said most missing people are located within 24 to 48 hours, and there is no indication of individuals being kidnapped or abducted. On Apr. 3 a 12-year-old Trinity Smith disappeared from Northeast, D.C. She was found two days later by police in good health.

April 8, 2017 - April 14, 2017, The Afro-American

Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

Push for Diversity on the Hill Continues with New Black Talent Initiative Director By Lenore T. Adkins Special to the AFRO Anyone who has ever been on Capitol Hill knows it isn’t exactly a beacon for diversity. Now, as first-ever director of the Black Talent Initiative at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Don Bell, 27, says his top priority is lobbying Hill lawmakers to hire more Black people in key staffing roles. “Those are the positions the really influence a member of Congress,” said Bell, who worked on the Hill for three years and joined the center March 20. “My mission every day will be to try to help some other person achieve the dream that I once had, which was to work in the policy space on Capitol Hill.” To that end, the initiative is launching a multi-pronged strategy to beef up diversity on the Hill. Those plans include: • Pushing for paid internships and fellowships for people who don’t have the means to work on the Hill for free. • Deploying a talent bank that pairs resumes of promising Black candidates with jobs on Hill. • Supporting those candidates with mock interviews and professional development sessions.

Courtesy photo

Don Bell is the first-ever director of the Black Talent Initiative at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

• Conducting research for a follow-up study on diversity among key Senate staff and for a new report on diversity among Senate legislative assistants.

Bell pushed diversity as president of the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus, a position he left after he joined the center. At the end of November, the caucus released a report that showed just five percent of the Senate’s nearly 3,600 staffers are Black. “We have a long way to go, and Don is someone who has proven that he won’t rest until we achieve true diversity in our federal workforce,” Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said in a statement. The caucus study builds on a 2015 report the center compiled on diversity among Senate staff. It found that while people of color comprise 36 percent of the U.S. population just 7.1 percent of them hold top positions in the Senate. Bell is working on a report that analyzes diversity among top staffers working in the House. The diversity disparity persists for several reasons. Financial barriers, for example, make it even more difficult to get to the Hill and stay long enough in a low-paying job there to move into a mid or senior-level position, he said. Bell found a way around those financial issues by working at Wal-Mart and relying on his friends’ generosity. He was born and raised in Connecticut to parents who worked as custodians. His parents, Donald and Julie Bell, didn’t have much money, but they taught him the importance of education, being

“…Don is someone who has proven that he won’t rest until we achieve true diversity in our federal workforce.” – Democratic Sen. Cory Booker resourceful and paying it forward. Bell was the first in his family to graduate from college, and he did it in three years to save money. He also holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. “All that has taught me to work hard for other people,” Bell said. He arrived in the District in 2012 as an unpaid legal fellow/ intern for Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. Bell realized his work was helping his home state and shaping judiciary and housing policy. During the first week of his fourmonth stint, he decided he wanted more. “I just really enjoyed being heavily involved in the policy space and just thinking of ways to improve the lives of people,” Bell said. He returned to the District the following year after graduating from law school. This time, he worked eight months as an unpaid legal fellow for Christopher Murphy, Connecticut’s junior senator. By day, Bell worked with Murphy’s counsel on juvenile justice and other important issues. But at night, Bell worked as a Wal-Mart cashier to make ends meet. He was putting in 14-to16 hour days during this period. But thanks to friends who supported him and later, a stipend and paid positions on the Hill — most recently as counsel to the most recent ranking members on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs — Bell only spent two months working at Wal-Mart. Yet he hasn’t forgotten what he learned there. “As someone who wanted to be part of the policy-making space and have a seat at the table, it wasn’t just about me getting to that position,” Bell said. “It was about me getting to the policy-making position and affecting the people that got up every day, worked very hard, struggled deeply and felt they didn’t have a voice in D.C. or in our country.”

New D.C. Exhibit Examines Return of De Facto Jim Crow By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com More than 60 years after the Brown v. Board of Education decision, the combination of massive resistance and growing residential segregation has rolled back the decision’s achievements. But did integration work? And as the nation marches back into segregated housing, education, and communities, the return of Jim Crow laws – or separate, but equal, accommodations artists around the District are examining if separate can ever be equal. The HedRush Agency, in conjunction with the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities on March 24 launched the gallery exhibit “Is Separate Ever Equal?” to explore themes of inherent bias, racial inequity, and the impact of isolation on society. Documentary filmmaker, Malkia K. Lydia, one of the artists featured in the exhibit, shines a spotlight on her mother, Nancy V. Sims, who helped integrate D.C.’s Barnard Elementary School in 1955, and whose image, lined up with her class preparing to take class pictures, has appeared across the country, including the National Civil Rights Museum. After the initial integration of the Barnard, what happened? “Picture Day shares aspects of my mom’s journey through our midcentury D.C. school system. I don’t think about her experiences in terms of “separate but equal” or desegregation, because racism, classism and bad child development ideas were rampant

before and after 1954,” Lydia told the AFRO. “Her school career spanned segregation and desegregation and in my Photo by Shantella Y. Sherman opinion, with a few The gallery exhibit Is Separate Ever Equal? at the exceptions, she got D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, I Street the short end of the Galleries, examines the impact of segregation on stick throughout.” education. Lydia said that wanted equal opportunity to enroll their her mother never students in the newly built John Phillip kept the struggles she faced in school Sousa Junior High School. This case from her children or that the holes in questioned the doctrine of separate her education impacted her adult life. but equal grounded in the Fourteenth “She was emphatic that my sisters and I would not be blocked by the same Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. “There are deep, tangled roots to obstacles. My parents didn’t just affirm our unfortunate devaluation of Black us or preach to us about good grades, spaces. How silly is it that when we see they helped build progressive Blackall Black segregation era schools that led learning environments for us, they were under-resourced and insufficient, explained the bigger picture behind we associate their shortcomings with what we experienced in the publicthe racial make-up of the school, school system, and they worked toward as opposed to centuries of racist structural change in society overall,” educational, economic, and social Lydia said. sabotage? We still do it today,” Lydia In 2014, as an expansion of his told the AFRO. commemorative exhibition presented Artist Nabeeh Bilal said that while at the National Education Association things have definitely improved in “RA,” Brent “Munch” Joseph initiated many instances from the era of de facto an exhibition proposal centered on the Jim Crow, the slow return to segregated 1954 Supreme Court case of Brown spaces should alarm the nation. v. Board of Education. Five separate “Large segments of the nation cases representing five jurisdictions have returned to the idea that being across the nation were consolidated separate from others is better and it under one, each calling for gross impacts culturally, how we function as societal inequities to be resolved. One a nation,” Bilal told the AFRO. “We are of those cases, Bolling v. Sharpe, was better and stronger together.” initiated in Anacostia, where parents

The Afro-American, April 8, 2017 - April 14, 2017

Michele McNeill-Emery, National President, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, keynote speaker

Toni Rivera, Michele McNeill-Emery, Linda Jones, Marguerite Rivera, Andrea Bailey, Deborah Rodger, Courtney Holeman, Sonya T. Long and Annette Paterson Monique Acosta House, Lillie Easley Parker, Diane Butts and Dawn Miller

Darsha Davis, musical guest

Diane Butts, mistress of ceremonies

Bernice Vaughan, the Hat Lady

On March 25 the Northern Virginia Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women hosted their Annual Sisterhood Luncheon and 24th Ebone’ Image Awards at the Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va. The Coalition honored Charniele Herring, Virginia Delegate of the 46th District, Mondre’ Hopson Kornegay, former Technical Services Commander of the Alexandria Sheriff’s Services, and Phyllis J. Randall, chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. The Coalition’s National President, Michele McNeillEmery, who has been with the Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter for over 25 years, served as the keynote speaker.

Photos by Rob Roberts

2017 Ebone’ Image Award honorees: Phyllis J. Randall, Charniele L. Herring and Mondre’ Hopson-Kornegay

Nicole Fingers Woodard and Julia Pollard

Andrea Bailey, chair and Shayna Jamison

Hat ladies fashion show

Cynthia Roberson, Vanessa Jenkins, Clara Marshall and Nyrisna Beckman

Jimmy Rhee, Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs, Eugene Cornelius, Jr., Small Business Administration, Roland Jones, Chair, CRMSDC, Prince George’s County, William Kornegay, SVP, Supply Management, Hilton Worldwide, T. Suzette Moor, Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority and Marcellous Fry, Jr, Washington Gas Company

Kimberly Marcus, AARP

The Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council (CRMDSC) held its annual Super Matchmaker Conference on Mar 31 at the Silver Spring Civic Building in Silver Spring, Md. In addition to matching MBEs with corporate

Sen. Van Hollen (far right) presents citation to Roland Jones and Sharon Pinder, President/CEO, CRMSDC

Guests and attendees

members and government agencies, CRMSDC President Sharon R. Pinder announced the official opening of the CRMSDC MBE Business Consortium that unites three entities: CRMSDC, which facilitates business relationships between MBEs and corporations, the MBDA Business Center, Capital

Region and the nation’s only Federal Procurement Center, which provides access to federal procurement officials and prime contractors throughout the region. Joining Pinder were Senator Chris Van Hollen (Md-D) and Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford (Md-R).

Edith Jett McCloud, Acting Director, Minority Business Development Agency, U. S. Department of Commerce

U. S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) Ceremonial ribbon cutting for the launch of the Business Consortium

Check presentation to CRMSDC from the Department of Commerce

The Honorable Boyd Rutherford, Lt. Governor, State of Maryland

Photos by Rob Roberts