Afro Baltimore 6-2-2017 by AFRO News

Volume Volume 125 123 No. No.44 20–22

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June 3, 2017 - June 3, 2017, The Afro-American A1 $2.00

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JUNE 3, 2017 - JUNE 9, 2017

Stop the Killing

Inside Commentary

Honoring Second Lieutenant Collins on the Senate Floor

Baltimore

• Hundreds of

School Layoffs Take Effect

By Sen. Chris Van Hollen

Washington New BlackOwned Vegan Restaurant Opens in Baltimore

Shayla Edwards via AP

Austin Edwards was one of the eight people Brookhaven, Miss. authorities say a gunman killed during a house-tohouse rampage on May 27 in rural Mississippi. Police arrested Willie Cory Godbolt, who is said to have known most of the victims, and have charged him with several counts of murder. He could face the death penalty if convicted. See story on page A2.

Ben Jealous, Former NAACP President, Announces Run for Md. Governor

By J. K. Schmid Special to the AFRO

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Ben Jealous, 44, announced his candidacy for Governor of Maryland May 30 in front of a local flower shop in West Baltimore. Jealous focused on courage, civil rights and innovation during his announcement. Jealous’ speech laid out an aggressive and progressive platform taking inspiration from Democratic icons of previous generations. “We’ve got to get back to being the party of FDR, JFK and LBJ,” Jealous said in front of a crowd of about 50. “A party that stands for civil rights and also the party that fights for working people, that fights to ensure that it’s easier for all of our children to create a better future for them.” Jealous, a former NAACP president, the youngest to serve at the time, and is currently a partner with Kapor Capital. He

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Minimum Wage Fight Resurfaces in Congress By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com A bipartisan group of elected officials, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt), introduced legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. This increase is an effort to propel more than seven million Black workers into more financially stable waters. “Just a few short years ago, we were told that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour was ‘radical.’ But a grassroots movement of millions of workers throughout this country Continued on A3

Listen to Afro’s “First Edition”

Haitian Diaspora Has Special Responsibility, Says Ambassador By Lenore T. Adkins Special to the AFRO

Join Host Sean Yoes Monday-Friday 5-7 p.m. on 88.9 WEAA FM, the Voice of the Community. 11 Courtesy photo

47105 21847

Paul Altidor is the Haitian ambassador to the U.S.

What can Haitians and Haitian Americans living in the United States do to help the island nation now? It’s a question that came up during a panel discussion May 19 as part of Haiti Week in Washington, D.C., which Busboys & Poets and Paul Altidor, Haitian Ambassador

said his history with the NAACP gave him the experience to take on multiple issues at once without one subtracting from another. Jealous is also a former president of the National

Continued on A3

• Group Claims

Marijuana Laws Unfair

Presidential election

2016 Black Turnout Lower than 2012 By James Wright Special to the AFRO Jwright@afro.com

Photo by J.K. Schmid

Former NAACP president Ben Jealous officially announced he is running for Gov. of Maryland May 31.

A demographer from one of America’s leading think-tanks confirmed what many political scientists and activists believed: the Black voter turnout in 2016 was lower than in 2012 and helped Donald J. Trump to electoral success. On May 18, the Brookings Institute, based in Washington, D.C., released a study “Census Shows Pervasive Decline in 2016 Minority Voter Turnout” by William H. Frey, senior Continued on A5

A recent New York Times story highlighted how several apartment complexes marketed to lowincome families in several parts of the country, including Maryland, owned by Jared Kushner, son-inlaw of President Donald Trump, were being neglected. The below article details how housing racial bias charges were being leveled against Trump properties as far back as 1973.

AFRO Archived History

Apartment firm faces major bias suit in N.Y. Nov. 10, 1973

WASHINGTON-The Justice Department has brought its second major suit in New York charging discrimination against blacks in apartment rentals. J. Stanley Pottinger, assistant attorney general in charge of the department’s civil rights division, said the government was seeking against the Trump management Corp., a large apartment owner and real estate management firm, to prohibit it from continuing alleged discrimination in its more than 14,000 apartments in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. The apartments average $250 a month Continued on A5

Continued on A3

The Afro-American, June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017

NATION & WORLD

old boy who was not identified; Ferral Burage, 45; and Shelia Burage, 46. Police have not said exactly how Godbolt knew them. A member of Godbolt’s church previously told the AP that everyone but the deputy was related to Godbolt by blood or marriage. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation spokesman Warren Strain said prosecutors plan to charge Godbolt, 35, with one count of capital murder and seven counts of first degree murder, but authorities haven’t discussed a motive. Strain said those charges could change as the investigation continues. Godbolt was still hospitalized May 29 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Police have said Godbolt is being treated for a gunshot wound.

Federal Judge Tosses Out Life Sentences for D.C. Sniper Malvo By The Associated Press

A federal judge on May 26 tossed out two life sentences for one of Virginia’s most notorious criminals, sniper Lee Boyd Malvo, and ordered Virginia courts to hold new sentencing hearings. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Raymond Jackson in Norfolk said Malvo is entitled to new sentencing hearings after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional. Malvo was 17 when he was arrested in 2002 for a series of shootings that killed 10 people and wounded three over a three-week span in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, causing widespread fear throughout the region. His accomplice, John Allen Muhammad, was executed in 2009. Malvo also was sentenced to life in prison in Maryland for the murders that occurred there. But his lawyers have made an appeal on similar grounds in that state. A hearing is scheduled in June. Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh, who helped prosecute Malvo in 2003, said the Virginia attorney general can appeal Jackson’s ruling. If not, Morrogh

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A federal judge has tossed out two life sentences for D.C. sniper shooter Lee Boyd Malvo and ordered Virginia courts to hold new sentencing hearings.

said he would pursue another life sentence, saying he believes Malvo meets the criteria for a harsh sentence. Cheryll Shaw, whose father, Jerry Taylor, was shot and killed by Muhammad and Malvo in March 2002 in Tucson, Arizona, in one of several killings that preceded the sniper shootings in the D.C. region, said the news that Malvo could potentially be released at a future date was an unpleasant shock. “I was at peace knowing Muhammad was executed and Malvo was serving life without parole. ... I was able to move on with my life,” she said. “But if he’s going to be let out in my lifetime, I’m not comfortable with that.” She said she has forgiven Malvo and knows that he was brainwashed by the older, imposing Muhammad. “But he knew the difference between right and wrong.” Malvo has been serving his sentence at Red Onion state prison in southwest Virginia.

Relative ‘Devastated’ after Shooting Kills 8 in Mississippi By The Associated Press

Head in hands, his voice strained, Vincent Mitchell sat outside his little yellow home and tried to make sense of how a family dispute led to a rampage that killed eight people, including the deputy who tried to keep them safe. “I’m devastated. It don’t seem like it’s real,” Mitchell said

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People embrace outside a Bogue Chitto, Miss., house where several people were fatally shot during a house-tohouse shooting rampage May 27 in Lincoln County, Miss. A man was arrested Sunday in the shooting rampage that left several people dead, including a sheriff’s deputy.

shortly after the arrest of his stepson-in-law, Willie Corey Godbolt. “Him and my stepdaughter, they’ve been going back and forth for a couple of years with that domestic violence.” Godbolt showed up at Mitchell’s home in the southern Mississippi town of Bogue Chitto shortly before midnight May 27 to demand that his estranged wife give up their two children. She and the kids had been staying with them for about three weeks, Mitchell told The Associated Press. “He’d come to get his kids. The deputy was called,” and asked him to leave, and it seemed like Godbolt would comply at first, Mitchell said. “He acted like, motioned like, he was fixing to go. Then he reached in his back pocket and grabbed a gun,” Mitchell said. “He just started shooting everything.” Mitchell said he escaped along with Godbolt’s wife, but Mitchell’s wife, her sister and one of the wife’s daughters were killed. Also slain was Deputy William Durr, a twoyear sheriff’s department veteran and former police officer in nearby Brookhaven, where authorities said Godbolt fled and killed four more people at two other homes. Authorities on Monday said Godbolt was related to or acquainted with all the victims except Durr. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation identified them as: Barbara Mitchell, 55; Brenda May, 53; Tocarra May, 35; a child who was not identified; a 17-year-

Tiger Woods Says Medication, Not Alcohol, Led to DUI Arrest By The Associated Press

Police found Tiger Woods asleep at the wheel on the side of a six-lane Florida road in the dark of morning, the engine running and his right blinker flashing. His speech was slow and slurred, though there was no alcohol in his system and he didn’t know how far away he was from home. The details contained in a police affidavit released May 30 did little to clear up the Courtesy Photo curious circumstances of his Tiger Woods was arrested whereabouts on Memorial on Memorial Day. Day morning, only to confirm Woods’ statement that he had not been drinking before being arrested for suspicion of DUI. Police described Woods as “cooperative as much as possible,” saying he had trouble keeping his eyes open. The affidavit was released a day after Woods spent nearly four hours in the Palm Beach County jail on a DUI charge. His mug shot from the jail provided a stark illustration of how much Woods’ mystique has been shattered since his decade of domination that golf had never seen. In a statement Monday evening, Woods attributed the arrest to an “unexpected reaction” to prescription medicine. “I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions,” he said. Woods has not competed in four months, and he had fusion surgery on his lower back — his fourth back surgery since April 2014 — on April 20 that will keep him off the PGA Tour for at least the rest of the season. He told police he had taken several prescriptions. The affidavit said Woods failed a sobriety test on the side of the road because he couldn’t keep his balance or follow instructions. Breath tests, however, showed no alcohol in his system. Police said Woods agreed to a urine test. Woods is scheduled to be arraigned July 5 in Palm Beach County on the DUI charge. Police also cited him for improper parking. The report said his Mercedes was parked on the right side of the road with the engine running, the brake lights on and the blinker flashing. He was alone. Woods, who had been No. 1 longer than any other golfer, has not been a factor since his last victory in August 2013 as he battled through back surgeries from a week before the 2014 Masters until his most recent fusion surgery on his lower back.

Rep. Cummings Doing Well After NonEmergency Heart Surgery By Hamil Harris Special to the AFRO

Rep. Elijah Cummings is “doing well” after undergoing a surgical procedure Wednesday of this week in Baltimore. According to a statement released by his District office, Cummings underwent a procedure on May 24 at Johns Hopkins Hospital to treat aortic stenosis. According to Fabion Seaton, Cummings’ press secretary,

AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., has undergone a heart procedure and will remain hospitalized for a few days.

the surgery was not an emergency measure. The procedure, called Trans Arterial Aortic Valve Replacement, corrects a narrowing of the aortic valve. Cummings, who represents Maryland’s 7th district, is scheduled to remain in the hospital for a few days and will return to his normal schedule thereafter. A representative from Cummings’ District office who preferred not to be named said the 11-term congressman is “doing quite well.”

The Afro-American, June 3, 2017 - June 3, 2017

June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017, The Afro-American

Jealous Continued from A1 Newspaper Publishers Association, the American Black press association, and a Rhodes Scholar. “Not long ago, when I was president of the NAACP, we came together, we lead successful efforts to abolish the death penalty and pass marriage equality,” Jealous said. Detractors were sure that only one or the other could be passed at the time, Jealous said. “Today, we have the opportunity to move forward on education and the economy as quickly we moved forward on civil rights two years ago and as fast as our children need us to do so right now,” Jealous said. The flower shop, Baltimore Blossoms Studio, is owned by Jealous’ cousin, Rachelle Bland. Jealous has several family ties to Baltimore. His mother was part of the civil rights struggles in the city in the 50s and 60s. Ann Todd Jealous was one of the first Black students to integrate Western High School for Girls and married a White man, Fred Jealous, at a time when interracial marriage was still illegal in Maryland.

“Today, we have the opportunity to move forward on education and the economy as quickly we moved forward on civil rights two years ago and as fast as our children need us to do so right now.”

–Ben Jealous

Born in Pacific Grove, California, Jealous moved into an aunt’s basement in Baltimore in 2008 to oversee the NAACP. On the issue of innovation, emerging technology companies can be brought into a state with an untapped “well” of labor, Jealous said. “We will also step up and invite the greatest tech companies in the Silicon Valley to move here as they are under pressure to be more inclusive,” said Jealous. He described Maryland as a state “not just of ‘Hidden Figures,’ but of hidden counties, like Prince

Sen. Bernie Sanders, along with a group of elected officials, introduced legislation May 25 to raise the minimum wage to $15. Courtesy photo

Wage Continued from A1 refused to take ‘no’ for an answer,” Sanders said at a news conference. “Our job in the wealthiest country in the history of the world is to make sure that every worker has at least a modest and decent standard of living.” Working people’s productivity has risen by over 70 percent in the last four decades, according to the Raise the Wage Act; however, workers’ wages have only increased by 11 percent over the same timeperiod. For Blacks, who tend to be undereducated and less skilled, raising the minimum wage according to data from the Economic Policy Institute researchers Wilson and Rodgers would be akin to leveling a portion of the playing field. “While racial discrimination was the largest single factor driving growing differences in the pay of White and Black workers between 1979 and 2015, increased overall wage inequality consistently played a role as well,” the Wilson & Rodgers report concluded. “Because Black workers tend to cluster lower in the wage distribution than White workers, and because between

1979 and 2015 hourly wages grew most in the higher parts of the wage distribution, this rise in overall wage inequality mechanically separated Black and White workers’ wages.” The Raise the Wage Act raises the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024 and

serious about standing up for workers – they’ll join us in fighting for a $15 minimum wage, which will give a raise to nearly half of all working Americans. Senate Democrats have been working on putting together a bold, sharp-edged economic agenda, and this bill

“Our job in the wealthiest country in the history of the world is to make sure that every worker has at least a modest and decent standard of living.” – Sen. Bernie Saunders would be indexed to median wage growth thereafter. The federal minimum wage has not been raised since 2009. The legislation would give more than 41 million low-wage workers a raise, increasing the wages of almost 30 percent of the U.S. workforce. A $15 minimum wage by 2024 would generate $144 billion in higher wages for workers, benefiting their local economies. “If Republicans and President Trump are truly

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will be a part of that,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said at the May 15 press conference releasing the Act. A total of 30 Democratic Senators, and zero Republicans, said they were in support of the bill leaving the prospect of passage unlikely. “We’re going to continue fighting tooth and nail for this – because a livable wage is about more than just numbers; it’s about respect for our workers and economic justice for those in the middle-class and those striving to get there,” Schumer said. The bill will also gradually eliminate the loophole that allows tipped workers and workers with disabilities to be paid substantially less than the federal minimum wage, bringing it to parity with the regular minimum wage. Moreover, it would also phase out the youth minimum wage, which allows employers to pay workers under 20 years old a lower wage for the first 90 calendar days of work.

George’s with the highest density of Blacks in STEM of any county in the country.” Other candidates that have declared their candidacy for the 2018 election so far include Alec Ross, a former adviser to Hillary

Clinton, and Richard Madaleno, a Maryland state senator (18th District). Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Backer and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz have also expressed interest in declaring their candidacy but have not officially entered the race. Without knowing what other candidates will enter a race still almost a year-and-a-half away, it’s too early to project who would win the primary let alone the general, said Irwin Morris, Professor and Chair of the University of Maryland’s College Park Department of Government & Politics. Historically, Republican incumbents do not win second terms, Morris said.

Haitian Continued from A1 to the United States, organized to raise awareness about Haiti and celebrate its culture and links to Black Americans. The question was raised during a discussion at Busboys & Poets on how the panelists’ Haitian heritage shaped their political views. Patrick Gaspard, vice president of the Open Society Foundation, an organization attempting to bring democracy to various parts of the world, said the Haitian diaspora should develop a strategy to maximize the roughly $2 billion in remittances they send to their homeland every year. “Unfortunately, we are sending those remittances piecemeal, retail, and we don’t have a strategy for how we take those resources and focus them effectively,” he said, adding that the diaspora has a special responsibility because it has a special

power. That money by far trumps the $144 in foreign direct investment the island received in 2014, according to the U.S. Department of State, making remittances extremely powerful, said Gaspard, former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa. The Haitian diaspora should follow examples that the diaspora from India and Israel set when they turned their remittances into tax free, five-percent yield bonds that they used to create billions of dollars in infrastructure projects, Gaspard said. There’s no reason the Haitian diaspora can’t do something similar, he said. “I suspect that your generation of young Haitians in the diaspora is so much smarter than my generation,” said Gaspard. “And you’ll figure out how to use the tools that you have at your disposal to do those kinds

of things and to apply your wherewithal and our resources in a way that can drive meaningful investment and to create independent institutions that have real accountability to the diaspora and to the communities on the ground.” Marie St. Fleuris, the first Haitian American elected to state office in the U.S. (she served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives), kept her advice simple. She encouraged Haitian Americans to join existing groups that support the Haitian community. “I discourage just starting something new because there are too many new things happening,” said St. Fleuris, now president and CEO of the Bessie Tartt Wilson Initiative for Children. “We haven’t rooted the things the policies, the programs, the funding enough to be able to leverage and to have greater impact.”

The Afro-American, June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017

COMMENTARY

Honoring Second Lieutenant Collins on the Senate Floor U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen spoke on the Senate floor to honor the life of Army 2nd Lt. Richard Wilbur Collins III, who was murdered at the University of Maryland May 20 in an incident that the FBI is investigating as a hate crime. A lightly edited transcript of his remarks is below. I stand to pay tribute to a distinguished young man from the State of Maryland, 2nd Lt. Richard Wilbur Collins III – a brave, brilliant, passionate, selfless, and kind American hero. 2nd Lt. Collins, a resident of Calvert County, Maryland, was a 23-year-old student at Bowie State University, where he was a member of the Bowie ROTC program and was airborne certified. On May 18 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Army’s intelligence branch. 2nd Lt. Collins was scheduled to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Bowie State University earlier this week. His future could not have been brighter. Tragically, 2nd Lt. Collins’ life was cut short by a horrific act of violence that the FBI is investigating as a

Chris Van Hollen

hate crime. We must bring the perpetrator of this evil act to justice and directly confront the racism behind it. 2nd Lt. Collins’ selfless and courageous contributions to our state and nation will continue to have a lasting impact on those who knew and loved him, and on the broader community who learned of his tragic and senseless death. At the young age of 23, 2nd Lt. Collins raised his right hand to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. He was a young man of extraordinary courage and ability, and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. 2nd Lt. Collins leaves behind his grieving family, his father, U.S. veteran Richard W. Collins II, his mother Dawn Collins, and his sister Robin Collins, and countless friends. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering 2nd Lt. Richard Wilbur Collins III and in expressing our deepest

The District’s 50/50 Dilemma With 50 percent of the District of Columbia’s returning citizens unemployed and 50 percent of returning citizens back in prison within three years, the link between unemployment and recidivism becomes clear. This 50/50 dilemma speaks to the need for comprehensive smart reentry programming that includes an entrepreneurship component. The Incarceration to Incorporation Entrepreneurship Program (IIEP) Act of 2016, which the D.C. Council passed July 12, has that element but is not yet funded. If the Council includes the IIEP in its upcoming Fiscal Year 2018 budget, the program will create an ecosystem of education, business training, investment and wraparound services that can give the District the outcomes that similar programs nationally are experiencing. Programs such as Rising Tide Capital (New Jersey), Defy Ventures (New York) and Prison Entrepreneurship Program (Texas) demonstrate that the IIEP has the potential to yield high returns on investment through low recidivism rates, job creation, reduced public assistance use, increased income and businesses with higher-than-average survival rates. Regrettably, Mayor Muriel Bowser in her FY2018 proposed budget chose not to fund the IIEP. It is now left for the D.C. Council to do the right thing and fully fund the program. The magnitude of the despair and lack of opportunity for D.C.’s returning citizen population is clear. Although studies cites approximately 67,000 individuals living in D.C. have a prior conviction, we believe the number of District residents with criminal records to be significantly higher as each year 2,000 to 8,000 return to the District after incarceration.

Kevin Smith and Kimberly Nelson

Responding to council questions on her FY2018 budget proposal, the mayor stated that the Department of Corrections releases 850 persons monthly but estimates the Bowser administration can serve only “365 a month.” The IIEP model is structured to meet the needs of a larger number of individuals than any existing D.C. program, and can help fill in the gap that the mayor believes leaves 5,820 returning citizens to fend for themselves each year. These numbers are astounding. If the District is unable to provide viable and sustainable employment opportunities to

“It is now left for the D.C. Council to do the right thing and fully fund the program.” our returning citizens, then why not provide them the skills and means to create their own. The IIEP provides comprehensive training to assist returning citizens in starting a business. The D.C. Reentry Task Force’s proposed recommendations for the IIEP raise the bar for reentry in the District by creating a pathway to self-sufficiency via self-employment. By fostering commitment, accountability, innovation, excellence, and personal transformation through investment in individuals and their businesses, IIEP undoubtedly would have a positive impact on our most disadvantaged communities. Disappointingly, IIEP is getting little support. Early in the District’s committee review and recommendations process,

condolences to his family and friends. Chris Van Hollen is a U.S. Senator representing the state of Maryland.

both the Labor and Workforce Development Committee and the Business and Economic Development Committee, which oversee the two District agencies responsible for establishing the IIEP, raised doubt as to whether the IIEP would be funded. The Workforce Committee chaired by Councilmember Elissa Silverman, states “[we] recognize the potential benefits that entrepreneurship offers, and … believe finding ways to assist returning citizens reenter the workforce and find employment ... is one of the most important issues in workforce development in the District,” but is still unable to find the money. The program presents an opportunity for the District to advance a forward-thinking model of reentry with proven effective outcomes. In Mayor Bowser’s first State of District address, she said that returning citizens not only have a seat at the table, but it’s their table as well. In light of her failure to include the IIEP in her FY2018 budget proposal, it is imperative that the D.C. Council find a way to fully fund the IIEP — a law it enacted unanimously. The IIEP creates a sustainable path to self-sufficiency for the District’s returning citizens. It is time to ameliorate this shameful 50/50 dilemma. The IIEP is the best step in that direction. Kevin Smith works for the Council of the District of Columbia as a legislative technology specialist in the legislative services division. Kimberly Nelson, a life coach and non-profit consultant, is founder of Point of Discovery Coaching and Consulting. Smith and Nelson, reentry and prisoner advocates, are both also members of the DC Reentry Task Force, working to fund the Incarceration to Incorporation Entrepreneurship Program.

Students Are Losing in Wave of D.C. Reforms Recent news articles highlighting the large number of District public school teachers leaving the profession early expose how DCPS principals and teachers are pressured to pass failing students to boost graduation rates. They expose a failed school “reform” policy designed to make mayors, chancellors and consultants look good at the expense of students and teachers. The failure to provide teachers and students with safe and orderly learning classrooms results in these numbers of mid-year teacher departures and the practice of awarding high school diplomas to barely literate and numerate students represent policy failures at the highest levels. These policies reward inflated promotion and graduation rates while ignoring lack of content and skill mastery. They lead to the continuing replacement of experienced teachers with unprepared new hires. And they require extremely disruptive students to be returned to the classroom whose teachers are then held accountable for their misbehavior. The cornerstones of policy failure include using the graduation rate and school-wide averages from standardized tests taken by students (with no effect on grades or graduation status) to collectively evaluate all teachers and support staff and then label those averages “school performance.” The lack of coherent vocational education pathways

Erich Martel

beginning in the middle grades and leading to graduation requirements separate from the college prep pathway denies viable options to students who want to work, but not attend college. Since school-age students are required by law to be in school during school hours regardless of behavior or interest in learning, it is the responsibility of the mayor, chancellor and council to provide the staff each school needs to ensure a safe and orderly learning atmosphere. Unexcused absences are another indicator of a school’s learning atmosphere. As of Jan. 15, 41 percent of Ballou STAY High School students had 21 or more unexcused absences. By the end of last school year it was 63 percent. According to DCPS staffing reports, Ballou H.S. has the following behavior and social/emotional support staff: five assistant principals, four administrative officers, one psychologist, seven behavioral technicians, six social workers, one attendance counselor, three deans of students, four 11-month guidance counselors, one in-school suspension coordinator, one council of school officers director and one strategic school operations director. Why can’t they maintain order? Are there pointless rules that require continually disruptive students to be returned to the classroom? Are assistant principals spending excessive time on teacher evaluations rather than student management? What about all of the “instructional” (assistant)

superintendents (one for every 10 or 11 schools)? What are they doing? In January 2008, I was the Washington Teachers’ Union representative on the No Child Left Behind Quality School Review team that visited Ballou H.S. A comparison of student test averages from 2007 to 2016 documents the failure of Rhee/Henderson school reform policies at Ballou HS. Although the CAS (four achievement levels) and PARCC (5 levels) tests are different, the rough picture their comparison shows reveals a failure to improve. Year 2007 (CAS) 2016 (PARCC) 2016 (PARCC)

Top 2 & 3 Levels Math Reading/ELA Top 2: Proficient + Advanced 6.5% 5.5% Top 2: Levels 4 + 5 0 3% Top 3: Levels 3 + 4 + 5 9% 9%

The City Council voted to place DCPS under mayoral control in 2007 (Public Education Reform Amendment Act) and to assume direct oversight responsibility. It is time that you held the mayor and chancellor accountable and not tolerate passing blame onto teachers. Erich Martel is a retired District of Columbia Public Schools high school teacher and Ward 3 resident.

June June 3, 3, 2017 2017 -- June June 3, 9, 2017, 2017, The The Afro-American

A3 A5

Turnout Continued from A1 fellow with the institute’s Metropolitan Policy Program and one of the nation’s leading demographers. The study said that while Blacks played a key role in the 2008 and 2012 presidential election, there was a downturn in 2016 and Doug Sloan, a District political analyst said he knows why. “Barack Obama wasn’t on the ballot,” Sloan told the AFRO. Frey’s study largely confirms what Sloan said. Using data from the Current Population Survey’s November 2016 Voting and Registration Supplement, Frey said Black turnout was lower nationally and in key swing states. He notes that while there was a decline in overall voter turnout since 2012, which posted 61.8 percent to 2016’s 61.4 percent, among Blacks the drop was more pronounced. Exit polling at the time of the election put the percentage of

noted, Black voter turnout was six points behind Whites. In the crucial swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Wisconsin that have strong Black populations, Frey reports that Black turnout was either reversed or eliminated in 2016. The Black voter decline also took place in Florida and Michigan, but Frey said those states had a notable increase in White voters. Republican President Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in those states and won the presidency based solely on votes of the Electoral College. Clinton won the national popular vote by nearly three million ballots that were cast. At the end of the study, Frey briefly mentioned voter suppression as a possible factor in the decline of Black voter turnout but didn’t elaborate because his field is demography, not political science. However, John

“Barack Obama wasn’t on the ballot.”

– Doug Sloan

Blacks who voted for Clinton at almost 90 percent. Frey reports a 7.1 percent decline in voter turnout since 2012 and at 59.6 percent, it was the lowest voter turnout rate since 2000. He said 2012 was a banner year for Blacks electorally because it was the first time since records were kept that Black voters eclipsed Whites in terms of percentages. In 2016, Frey

Bullock, a political scientist in Baltimore, told the AFRO he understands why Blacks didn’t vote as much as a bloc in last year’s election. “Hillary Clinton isn’t Barack Obama,” Bullock, who represents District 9 on the Baltimore City Council, told the AFRO. “Obama’s election and re-election were of a historic nature. When Clinton was on the

AFRO File Photo

Blacks in line to vote in the 2016 election. ballot, Blacks didn’t feel as Sloan, who serves as the District’s NAACP compelled to vote.” chapter’s political action committee chairman, Bullock said the said the Clinton campaign could be blamed for presidential run of U.S. the Black voter decline, too. “Clinton couldn’t Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) duplicate the Obama turnout and she even lost was also a factor. “Many among White women,” Sloan said, referring young Blacks were inspired to the noted statistic indicating 53 percent of by Bernie Sanders and his ideas,” he said. “When he lost, they weren’t as enthusiastic about Clinton and many of them were dissatisfied with her as the Democratic nominee.” Bullock said that voter Continued from A1 suppression tactics designed to keep Blacks from voting for one-bedroom units and $290 for two was a factor, too. “Many bedrooms. of the swing states that The government’s suit charges that Trump won had their early the corporation has required different voting changed, strict voter rental terms and conditions because of identification requirements, race and has misrepresented to blacks that and misinformation on where apartments are not available. polling places were located,” Donald Trump, president of the he said. T:10.5”

White women supported Trump. “This was also the first presidential election since the Shelby vs. Holder Supreme Court decision that gutted the Voting Rights Act. Obama was a driving force for college-aged voters and women, but Clinton couldn’t get them out to the polls.”

Bias Suit

company, called the charges “absolutely ridiculous.” Previously the Justice Department had brought bias charges against the Samuel J. Lefrak organization, one of the country’s largest builders, charging racial discrimination in the rental of 21,000 Lefrak controlled apartments in Brooklyn and Queens.

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The Afro-American, June 3, 2017 -- June June 9, 3, 2017 2017

Cornell W. Brooks Proudly Outlines His NAACP Accomplishments Following Notification from the Board of His Contract Not Being Renewed By Michael H. Cottman Special to the AFRO Cornell William Brooks is not leaving the NAACP quietly. Brooks, 56, who serves as the NAACP’s President and CEO, was notified last week by the organization’s 64-member board that he will not continue as the NAACP’s President and CEO when his contract expires on June 30. As a result of the board’s action, Brooks will on that date move on from the nation’s oldest civil rights group. He led the NAACP for three years. Brooks said his ouster caught him by surprise, and that NAACP leaders said the organization needed a “systemwide refresh.” “It’s been soul-testing and character-building,” Brooks told the AFRO in an interview this week. “I’ve never been through anything like this before, but we will survive.” During the past three years, Brooks said, he helped make the NAACP relevant again. Brooks said he brought the NAACP into the 21st century by developing a successful social media strategy. He also claimed that

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

NAACP President and CEO, Cornell William Brooks will leave the organization on June 30. country; and that the group resisted racial profiling laws and repeatedly addressed criminal justice reform. “We worked with Black Lives Matter; we registered 1,000

young people on board. And we partnered with Yale Law School [Brooks’ alma mater]—that wasn’t happening three years ago. Donors said they liked the direction of the

“It’s been soul-testing and character-building. I’ve never been through anything like this before, but we will survive.” –Cornell William Brooks memberships and donations have increased significantly over the past three years; that the NAACP had at least 10 victories in voter suppression court cases across the

young people to vote in Chicago,” Brooks said. “We were committed to being responsibly radical and unapologetically pushing for legislative reform while bringing

NAACP.” Apparently, the NAACP’s leadership didn’t. NAACP Board Chairman Leon W. Russell and Vice Chair Derrick

Johnson will lead the organization until a new president is selected. “We understand and appreciate the historic model of protest, but at this point in time we believe as an organization we need to retool to become better advocates, better at educating the public, better at involving them in our operation,” Russell told reporters. “Modern-day civil rights issues facing the NAACP, like education reform, voting rights and access to affordable health care, still persist and demand our continued action.” Some civil rights advocates said Brooks’ corporate style for modernizing the NAACP didn’t sit

well with board members, some of whom wanted a more radical approach—and a more dynamic leader—to confront the Trump administration’s troublesome social policies. Brooks, however, maintained that he was all about action. His tenure at the NAACP coincided with the riots in Ferguson, Miss. after Michael Brown was shot and killed by a White police officer. Also during his stint, the Flint water crisis was exposed, the New York police-related death of Eric Garner dominated media coverage, and voter suppression cases required immediate legal attention. Brooks himself was arrested in January for leading a sit-in at the Alabama office of then-Sen. Jeff Sessions opposing his confirmation as U.S. Attorney General. “We did the work,” Brooks insisted. “We marched from Selma to Washington, D.C.—1,002 miles—and we had to walk an extra 200 miles out of our way because police said we would be ambushed by the KKK. Our people sacrificed and faced death threats while protesters were throwing old liquor bottles, watermelons and fried chicken boxes at us.” Brooks, a minister originally from Georgetown, S.C., appeared puzzled and disappointed by his dismissal, but said he’s not bitter. “I’m incredibly proud of the people doing the work at the NAACP and the young people who have come on board,” Brooks said. “I don’t know what my next job will be, but I do know I plan to stand with people who have been working their hearts out for social justice with duct tape and shoe strings.”

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Death of Tyrone West

June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017, The Afro-American

BALTIMORE-AREA School Principals Honored

200 Weeks of West Wednesday

Continued on B2

Race and Politics

Jealous Tosses His Hat into Gubernatorial Ring Ben Jealous, former president of the National Association for the Advancement Sean Yoes of Colored People Senior AFRO (NAACP) Contributor formally announced May 31 that he is a candidate for governor of Maryland. He made the announcement in Ashburton, the venerable West Baltimore community where his mother grew up and Jealous spent many of his summers as a

By J.K. Schmid Special to the AFRO Tyrone West died while in police custody after a traffic stop July 18, 2013. He was 44. His sister, Tawanda Jones and other members of his family have gathered ever since in protest at events known as West Wednesdays in locations throughout Baltimore City. The 200th consecutive West Wednesday took place in front of Baltimore City Hall May 24, two days after what would have been West’s 48th birthday. In addition to the West family, approximately 50 people gathered at the rally. At the gathering, a BBQ was set up to feed the protestors serving grilled steaks, pineapple, ribs and other fare. Portable amplifiers were set up next to James E. Lewis’ “Negro Soldier” in War Memorial Plaza. Signs bore messages such as: “Once Again, In Sorrow,” “Stop Killing Our Friends” and “Police Brutality is Tyranny.” West Wednesdays has some of the trappings of an institution. “That was basically our goal from day one,” said Jones. West’s death was not an isolated incident she says and the unanswered demand for justice stems from the threat it poses to the Baltimore City justice system, she told the crowd. The state medical examiner’s office said in their report that claims West died from a heart condition. But Jones has an independent

Courtesy photo

From L-R: Roger Schulman, president and CEO, Fund for Educational Excellence, Crystal Harden-Lindsey, Green Street Academy, Christophe Turk, George Washington Elementary, Samuel Rather II, Calvin M. Rodwell Elementary, Roxanne Forr, Cecil Elementary, Tammatha Woodhouse, Excel Academy at Francis M. Wood. The five principals were honored for their excellence and leadership on May 22 at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore with the Heart of the School award.

BCPS

Hundreds of School Layoffs Take Effect By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO Close to 300 layoffs in the Baltimore City Public Schools became effective June 1, according to school system Interim Director of Human Resources DeRay McKesson. McKesson said he wanted individuals and families impacted by the layoffs to know that the system is standing by those who were let go. “We want to provide as much support to those impacted by the District’s personnel decisions,” McKesson told the AFRO. The list of layoffs includes less than 75 classroom teachers. Principals, assistant principals, classroom assistants, office secretaries and central office staff make up the additional employees. “We are having individual meetings with every employee

who is impacted,” said McKesson. “We are explaining the process and providing resources to every single person. We will have counseling on site on the day layoffs are announced and the day after.” “Our goal is to make sure that we are maintaining relationships with as many people as possible. They can apply for another job that may be open with the district and we’ll make sure people know about these opportunities,” McKesson added. Baltimore Teachers Union President Marietta English said she also wanted to “clear the air” after a recent teachers forum became emotional at several points. – DeRay McKesson English reiterated that employees released from Baltimore City Public Schools this week will not be left without help. “BTU is currently working with the Baltimore Metro

“We want to provide as much support to those impacted by the District’s personnel decisions.”

Baltimore County

Protests Follow Proposed AntiImmigration Laws By Jennifer Wright Special to the AFRO “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” were the chants of protesters and community activists outside of the Baltimore County Courthouse at Patriot Plaza in Towson May 30. The activists were there to protest Section 287g of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. The federal law grants power to the Department of Homeland Security to deputize state and local law enforcement agents to act as immigration officers. A recent bill introduced in the Baltimore County Council would give county police officers the same rights as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, allowing them to detain any undocumented immigrant. Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz was one of the political leaders in attendance. “This is a time for real leaders to stand up against hate and bigotry,” Kamenetz said. Earlier this year, the Maryland General Assembly introduced a bill that would prevent counties from being part of the 287g, but the legislation failed. In April, Kamenetz issued an executive order forbidding county police officers from asking anyone about their immigration status. Recently, three Baltimore County Councilmen, Todd K. Crandell (R-District 7), Wade Kach (R-District 3), and David Marks (R-District 5) proposed legislative bill 32-17, which would have the county’s jail join federal efforts to identify undocumented immigrants who are arrested. A vote is expected

Continued on B2

In Memoriam

E. Lloyd Davis, Widely Traveled Diplomat, Dies at 90 By AFRO Staff E. Lloyd Davis, who delivered the AFRO as a boy and later become a globe-trotting diplomat, died May 26 at the age of 90. Born in 1926, Davis began demonstrating his keen industrious trait at an early age. From scrubbing the marble steps in his Baltimore neighborhood to delivering the AFROAmerican Newspaper at the age of 5. One of his early claims to fame came when, as a carrier for the Afro-American Newspaper, he sold $3,000 worth of World War II bonds to Duke Ellington. He attended Douglass High School before he enlisted in the U.S. Army (1944-1946) where he served time in Germany. After being honorably discharged he attended Morgan State College where he pledged the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and received his B.S. in economics and accounting. After Morgan he continued his education at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. where he received his Master’s in accounting and management. While attending Catholic University, he also worked in the administration office at Howard University. It was here that he began dating and later married Rebecca Howard, a pharmacist. They had three children, Lloyd, Jr, Howard and Kathleen. Rebecca preceded him in death in 2008. Upon graduation from Catholic University he began work Continued on B2

“I will be running for governor, because I am eager to see us get back to a place where we solve big problems.” –Ben Jealous young boy. But, the former NAACP leader spent much of the day before his announcement making the case for why the state needs new leadership, while toeing the line on a definitive statement on his candidacy. However, his intentions did slip out during a conversation I had with Jealous on First Edition on May 30.

Continued on B2

Mayor Pugh Aide Pleads Guilty By P. Kenneth Burns Special to the AFRO Gary L. Brown Jr., an aide to Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, pleaded guilty May 31 to two counts of violating election law during last year’s mayoral campaign. Brown, a member of the mayor’s communications office, deposited a total Courtesy Photo of $18,000 into the bank accounts of his Gary L. Brown mother, brother and stepfather between Jr. January and April for the purposes of donating to Pugh’s campaign. Under state law, the most an individual can donate in an election cycle is $6,000. The source of the $18,000 remains unclear. State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt told the AFRO that the investigation is continuing into where the money came from. Brown, 35, was placed on one year supervised probation before judgement by Circuit Judge Charles Peters. Mayoral spokesman Anthony McCarthy said Brown’s employment status remains unchanged.

Past Seven Days

145 2017 Total

Data as of May 31

The Afro-American, June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017

Anti-Immigration

Race and Politics

Continued from B1

“I will be running for governor, because I am eager to see us get back to a place where we solve big problems,” Jealous said preempting his big announcement on Wednesday. Nevertheless, he laid out part of his vision for the state during that conversation. “We’re in a place as a state...that many Marylanders find confusing. We are a very rich state, we are a state that is used to moving forward very quickly and yet we find ourselves stuck,” Jealous said. “Our young people are stuck in this era of massive student debt... there younger brothers and sisters are in schools that we’ve been talking about getting more funding to for years, but we are somehow stuck not being able to get them the funds, even though we have seen massive increases in tax revenues coming from the casinos, that were supposed to accomplish that end,” he added. Jealous went further, describing large swaths of our wealthy state that have struggled for decades with unemployment. “You listen to families across the state and folks want to get beyond this place. You know, we’ve been stuck in places like West Baltimore for decades. You go out to Hagerstown you see the same thing, you go out to Dundalk you see the same thing,” he said. “There are families who 40 or 50 years ago, people were working in factories that no longer exist and yet, our state has tolerated it, in these pockets across the state, across Baltimore, these pockets of persistently high unemployment. And we’re stuck there too,” Jealous added. When I first met Jealous in the early 2000’s, he was in his late 20’s or barely 30 when he was tapped to be the executive director of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, the organization that represents over 200 Black newspapers, including the AFRO, across the country. He had cut his teeth as a journalist at

the Jackson Advocate, in Jackson, Mississippi under the mentorship of the legendary Charles Tisdale, who was the owner and publisher of the newspaper until his death at 80, in 2007. During the height of the civil rights movement and beyond, the Advocate was firebombed dozens of times, as the newspaper relentlessly reported on the often brutal and deadly oppression of Black people in one of the most perilous places on earth for people of color. So, Jealous was firmly entrenched in the work of the civil rights movement before he ascended to the presidency of the NAACP, just two months before the inauguration of Barack Obama, the first Black president of the United States. Jealous now seeks the Governor’s mansion in Annapolis with Donald Trump in the White House. “What I know at this moment, we need to –Ben Jealous shift from being almost exclusively focused on defending ourselves from what will become Trump’s legacy to get back to extending and building on top of what was Obama’s legacy,” Jealous said. “We have the opportunity in this moment to actually make use of all of the power that has been concentrated in our states, which may have started out 50 years ago for all the wrong reasons. But, at this moment when every branch of our federal government is controlled by right wing extremist conservatives, the reality is that this new era of state’s power and state’s rights gives us, sort of makes Maryland a very powerful place for us to come together as Marylanders and decide we’re going to move our families forward no matter who’s in the White House.”

“…we are a state that is used to moving forward very quickly and yet we find ourselves stuck.”

Photo by Jennifer Wright

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz spoke out against efforts to allow county police officers to ask individuals about their immigration status. to take place June 5. Kamenetz said if that bill passes, he will veto it. The bill “is not only unconstitutional, it’s un-American,” he said at the rally. Councilwoman Vicki Almond (D-District 2) called the proposed bill “a bad piece of legislation.” Aixa Nunez, a Honduran

CASA Youth Council member and senior at Owings Mills High School said while most of her classmates are worried about college, she is constantly worried about her mother, as well as other family members, fearing that they will be detained by officers. Pastor Brian Murray of

New Covenant Community United Church in Christ in Pikesville challenged the politicians to put their “political leverage behind having Congress move forward to get us some decent immigration laws in this country.”

BCPS

Continued from B1 Council AFL-CIO Community Service Program to ensure those who may be laid-off have access to resources including: unemployment benefits, eligibility for unemployment compensation, health benefits and job placement that they may need during this difficult time,” English said in a statement. Layoffs are part of a BCPS strategy to close a $70 million shortfall for the 2017-2018 school year. City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises is closing the $70 million gap with a $30 million cut from schools and an additional $10 million reduction from the Central Office. $21 million will be transferred from a reserve fund and the system is expecting $10 million in savings next year. Baltimore City Officials and state legislators pledged $60 million to reduce an original $130 million gap facing BCPS in March, after the state’s original allocation to the city’s public schools fell short of the operating funds needed by the District. BCPS is currently working with the state’s Kerwin Commission to revise the state’s funding formula that determines the amount of state money city schools receives. If the formula is not revised, the school system will have to address budget shortfalls for the next two years.

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.

Davis

Continued from B1 with the Baltimore Housing Authority. But it was not long before he was back at his alma mater, Morgan State College, as a lecturer of economics, accounting and business management. In 1966 he made a dramatic shift in his professional trajectory. He joined the U.S. Department of State and began his career as a Foreign Service Officer in the diplomatic corps. With family in tow, he served in the American Embassies of Ghana, France and several countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America. He was an avid numismatist and a devout Christian dedicated to Grace Presbyterian Church, where he has been a member since childhood. He retired in 1991 and settled back in his beloved hometown of Baltimore. He is survived by his children and several nephews and nieces.

West

Continued from B1 medical examiner’s report that West died from the stresses of “positional asphyxiation.” Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby has not reopened the case. “We’re never gonna give up fighting,” said Jones. “If it takes us another 2,000 weeks, until we have people held accountable, if you’re doing criminal action, you need to be charged as a criminal. Not just reform. We need to see criminal charges.” “We’re not just screaming for Tyrone West, we’re screaming for all victims of police brutality,” said Diane

Butler, Jones’ mother. “We live this every day, this pain, his murder, we live every day. There’s not a day goes by, our hearts aren’t heavy. We cry every day.” Jones has repeatedly stood vigil outside City Hall, but has also advocated through public protest and testimony

fired at him by Baltimore City Police. He was struck by 11 bullets. Jones says she is thankful for the support of former city councilman Warren M. Branch, and the continued support of current city councilman Ryan Dorsey (Dist. 3) which she says “sets

“We’re not just screaming for Tyrone West, we’re screaming for all victims of police brutality.” – Diane Butler in Annapolis for legislation such as Christopher’s Law, a bill to retrain Maryland officers in use of force, lifesaving and cultural diversity. Christopher’s Law is named for Christopher Brown. The 17-year-old died of asphyxiation in a struggle with Baltimore County Police Officer James LaBoard in 2012. The protestors’ signs bear many names beyond West’s and Brown’s as part of the “West Coalition.” One such name is Keith Davis, Jr., a 24-year-old Black man that survived 44 rounds being

a trend.” “You see persistence and you see consistency,” said Butler. “We are out here for our love for Tyrone and we are his voice. And we’re going to continue to pound in their ears at City Hall ‘No Justice, No Peace.’” Jones says the immediacy of public protest is something internet campaigns and social media cannot replace, something more than “hashtags and body bags.” “You can see us, you can talk to us, we’re real people, in real pain,” said Jones, “So if you can see that, that echoes in volumes in itself.”

June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017, The Afro-American

“The celebration... you cannot practice it or anything. It’s a moment when the excitement of your goal makes you react to the moment.”-Peter Bondra “I think I always had a lot of confidence in this horse but I didn’t have the opportunity to ride the horse. Then Mr. Brown gave me the opportunity to ride the horse in the Preakness. It was a great combination and I am blessed to have the opportunity and enjoy the ride.”-Javier Castellano, jockey of Preakness winner Cloud Computing Preakness week in Baltimore is a huge party generating a circus like atmosphere of a city dressing up for the biggest party of the year knowing millions of guests are watching. Black Eyed Susan Day is no longer the mundane day before Preakness. It is the eve before the second jewel of the Triple Crown and the pre-celebration with all the pomp and circumstances of Preakness. Michele Emery and I started the weekend off at BlackEyed Susan day, which is set aside to honor breast cancer survivors. Pimlico Race Course was adorned in pink and black with the women dressed festively in shades of pink, black and yellow with big hats and fascinators and the men snappily dressed in seersucker suits with a touch of pink. On Preakness day everyone is ready, the neighbors are hawking parking spaces for the visitors, grills are set-up for BBQ and well-stocked makeshift bars to welcome the thousands of visitors to the two-day party in their neighborhood. People enjoying the festive party Preakness Day were Frances Tilghman, Arnos West, Bernadette Greene, Rosemary “Duchess” Atkinson, Jean Powell, Sara Smalley, Sharon Huff, Tobi Pulley, Darryl Echols, Delores Chambers and James and Teresa Drayton. Later that night, Shade 2017, hosted by Philantropix to raise money for the Mayor’s Youth program, is a new Preakness tradition with guests leaving Preakness heading downtown to Port Discovery for a fun night. Guests in attendance were Marty Glaze, Kia Burr, Kay-Bee and George Ray, Eric Stewart, Donnell Moses, Sarita Murray, Sharon Green, Robin and Juan Dixon, Alex and Yindra Dixon, Jerome and Paula Stephens, LaRain Finney, Nicole Nicholson, Cori Ramos, Elexis Wylie, Kendrick and Carole Tilghman and William “Billy” Murphy. The event is the brainchild of Zach McDaniels and the Murphy Law Firm and a great way to close out a perfect weekend. Baltimore Style Magazine’s happy hour at Citroen’s was a marvelous success with such a great turnout that the guests overflowed into the courtyard. Complimentary Moet flowed freely as friends old and new enjoyed the opportunity to “just chill.” Always great seeing everyone’s favorite weatherman, Marty and Sharon Bass, enjoying the beautiful evening.

“I’d like to be remembered as a premier singer of songs, not just a popular act of a given period.” -Luther Vandross The highlight of the Big Sisters of Baltimore’s annual spring event was the performance of the Luther Vandross impersonator. The sound and look of the performer had guests swooning and singing along. The costume changes and the voice was so Luther that when he sang “woo woo woo” and you closed your eyes, you thought you were at a Luther Vandross concert. Guests at the Forum enjoying the soulful sound were Odessa Dunston, Marsha Taylor, Marguerite and James Walker, Brenda Abrams, Scarlet Dawson, Steve and Carolyn Wainwright, Atrice Baker, Joan and Alex Brown, Almie and Robin McIntyre, Jean

‘‘

Tucker Mann, Lucy Miller, Dr. Ruth Travis, Dr. Charlene Cooper- Boston, Mike and Myrna Cann, Mildred Harper and Beverly Glover.

“There ain’t no tellin’ who you might meet, a movie star or maybe even an Indian chief, workin’ at the car wash” -Rose Royce

“Well, as you know, there are 24 hours in every day, and if that’s not enough, you’ve always got the nights!”-Ronald Graham

One of the best-kept secrets in Randallstown is T&T auto detailing and hand car wash. Call 443-220-4532 or tandtautodetail@gmail.com Don’t forget to make your reservations for the Forum’s Father’s Day feast. Call 410-358-1101 or www. forumcaterers.com ask for Nikita Haysbert. “Ain’t that good news!” Gwen Lindsey informed us that Giant Food is offering 5 percent discount to seniors on Tuesdays.

The DuBois Circle 111th annual closing meeting at Martin’s West celebrated the AFRO American Newspaper’s 125th anniversary with CEO and Publisher John “Jake” Oliver and Morgan State University’s 150th anniversary with university president Dr. David Wilson in an intimate chat on the history and success of these anniversaries of two African American institutions. Happy anniversary to all the graduates celebrating their 50th high school and college reunions. Guests enjoying the elegant evening were AFRO managing editor Kamau High, Dr. Toni Draper, John and Beverly Carter, Dr. Clara Adams, Judge Robert Bell, Dr. Marie Washington, Drs. Calvin and Greta Burnett, Judge Marcella Holland, Jeanette Hairston, Philip Merrill, Helena Hairston, Roslyn Wood, the AFRO’s Robert Blount, Dr. Edmonia Yates, Jannette Witmeyer and Wesley Wood. Dejanae Wright was the 2017 recipient of the Dubois Circle Melissa Perdue Memorial Endowment. Aleea Powell of The Julliard School of Music provided the magnificent musical selections, receiving a standing ovation from the captivated audience. (See pictures from the event on page B4.)

“It’s a family affair!”

Dr. Vallen and Michele Emery hosted a 90th birthday dinner for the Emery family matriarch, Dr. Anne Emery, at Linwood’s in Owings Mills. The family affair included a few close friends of Anne but the highlight was the presence of her grandchildren and great grandchildren including the ones living in Kentucky and Louisiana who traveled to celebrate this milestone birthday for the quintessential educator, political friend and community organizer. Happy birthday Diane Bell-McKoy, Dr. Marie Washington, McNair “Mickey” Taylor and happy 40th birthday Robert Hudley.

Obituary

E. Lloyd Davis Sr. E. Lloyd Davis Sr, born December 24, 1926 to Edith and Avon Davis of 1511 Druid Hill Avenue, Baltimore, MD transitioned on the morning of May 26th, 2017 at the Springhouse Assisted-Living Community in Pikesville, Md. -- A memorial service will be held on Thursday – June 8, 2017 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2604 Banister Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21215. 11:00am - Family Time, 11:30am – Memorial Service. Please note full obituary news article on E. Lloyd Davis Sr. on page B1.

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The Afro-American, June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017

Diana Gibson, Larry Gibson and Dr. David Wilson

Dr. Cecil Payton and Cinderitha Payton

The 111th Du Bois Circle Closing Dinner was held at Martin’s West May 16 at Martin’s West in Woodlawn, Md. During the dinner hour, the large number of guests listened to Margaret Shipley, president, who outlined the work the group did the previous year. The theme for the year was “Looking Back to Move Forward.” After dinner, the format for the program was a conversation with panelists Dr. David Wilson, president, Morgan State University and John J. Oliver Jr., CEO and publisher of the AFRO American Newspaper with Dr. Patricia Welch moderating the discussion. Dr. Wilson shared information with the guests the history of Morgan State University from 1867 to 2017, and the celebration of MSU’s Sesquicentennial Year, looking back at its achievements and celebrating Morgan of today. Oliver spoke about the AFRO’s beginnings and how it has Stewart Simms and Judge Robert Bell evolved from 1892, leading up to the celebration of the 125th Hattie Smith Shannon, Hon. Joan Pratt Anniversary in 2017. and Alice Pinderhughes Du Bois Circle is named for the NAACP founder W.E.B. Du Bois who lived in Baltimore for two decades, and was a Morgan Park resident.

Yvonne Lansey, Judge Norman Handy and Laura Phillips Byrd John Carter, Beverly Carter, Veronica Parr, Philip Marrow, Jannette Witmyer, Rev. Dr. Frances Murphy Draperand Valerie Fraling

Milton A. Dugger Jr. and Barbara Frances Dugger

Gary and Dr. Paulette Burgess

Dr. Judith Smith and James Smith

Gloria J. Jennings, Shirley M. Evans and Dr. Linda Young Fassett

Jake Oliver, president, CEO, AFRO newspapers, Dr.David Wilson, president, Morgan State University and Rev. Dr. Frances Murphy Draper, Vice chair, Morgan State Board of Regents

Many men came out to parade and serve their specialties at the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s 25th annual Gourmet Men Who Cook May 21 at Martin’s West in Baltimore Thelma Thomas Daley, event chair, introduced the men who cooked. There were over 100 men who participated including U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Del. Antonio Hayes and Jake

Dr. Jewel Gray and Dr. Ronald Gray

Du Bois Closing Meeting Committee Members Rev. Canon Dr. Sandye Wilson, Dr. Maxine Wood, Margaret J. Shipley, president, Betty Williams, Carolyn Cole, chair, Dr. Edmonia Yates, Beverly Carter and Helena Hairston

Marie Washington, Dr. Laurie Hudgins and Dr. Patricia Schmoke Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

Chef Eric Lamberson Washington, D.C.

Chef Jim Britton Class Act Catering Delight

Chef Jake Oliver,CEO, AFRO American Newspaper

Chef Cedric Melvin

Chef Eddie Logan

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen with Thelma T. Daley

Oliver, CEO and publisher of the AFRO. Larry Young of Radio One gave away door prizes.

Chefs Thomas Maulding and Kelly Dayton

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen with Chefs with 15-25 years at the event

National Coalition of 100 Black Women Nicole Etienne, Phyllis Reese and Sonya Henson

Timothy Hocker,James Scott,Diane Hocker, John Sykes and James Bentley Students of Bluford Drew Jemison Academy

Members President Landa McLaurin,Joan Wharton and Pat Roberts

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

Photos by James Fields

June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017, The Afro-American

ARTS & CULTURE

New Black-Owned Vegan Restaurant, The Grub Factory, Opens in Baltimore By Nakia Brown Special to the AFRO There aren’t many places in Baltimore where you can order a vegan cheesesteak, but now there’s one more. The Grub Factory, a Black-owned vegan restaurant, officially opened its doors on Sunday, May 14 at 1210 North Charles Street. With affordable hearty selections of pancakes, french toast, and breakfast sandwiches, the restaurant offers what Baltimore’s food scene has been missing: a vegan breakfast. But the menu goes beyond morning offerings, with savory vegan selections of gyros, reubens, pepper steak, shrimp salad, curry “chick’n,” and more. The Grub Factory isn’t a typical business venture. It is a part of a larger organization, the Pan Afrikan Liberation Movement, or PLM, founded by Imhotep Fatiu in 1995. “The Grub Factory isn’t separate from PLM, it is PLM, it’s a food extension of it,” said Fatiu. Fatiu describes PLM as a “revolutionary organization focused on the productive transformation of African people.” It stages popular local events such as The African Redemption Lecture Series, with speakers such as Kaba Kamene and Dr. Patricia Newton; a monthly African marketplace, Soko; and a weekly African Awareness Critical Thinking study class. The Grub Factory does not have “employees”—rather, it includes communal service providers with each person

in the restaurant assigned roles by the larger organization. It all started with the Nigerian bean cake dish, akara balls. In late 2010, Hurani Ame brought the dish to a karamu (“feast” in Kiswahili) hosted by PLM. At the time, Ame and Heru Meritef both attended the group’s study class. At the karamu, Meritef tasted the dish and decided to use it as the center of vegan platters. By 2011, Meritef and Ame started a food business called H20, derived from the letters of their first names. They offered dinners from their homes in East and West Baltimore, selling over 30 dinners each time they opened. In 2013, Fatiu offered to bring the business venture under PLM. They changed their name to The Grub Factory, gained local acclaim at popular events such as the Vegan Soul Fest and placed first in the annual Vegan Mac N’ Cheese Smackdown in 2016 and 2017. “[Fatiu] stepped in and helped us with organization. If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be where we are now,” said Ame. After three years of successful business, they began planning to open a brick and mortar location. In June 2016, Mertief was tasked to find a location in Baltimore City. By November, they were building a kitchen in their 1,300-sq foot restaurant. “It’s a communal owned entity,” said Meritef. “We did it without any loans.” The restaurant proudly celebrates African heritage, with small wooden sculptures of Ghanaian Adinkra symbols, and four original wall paintings by Baltimore visual artist Docta

Black Podcasters Prep for NegroCon in D.C. By Vance Brinkley Special to the AFRO In mid June, the streets of D.C. are expected to be flooded with people dressed as their favorite cartoon character and toting their favorite paraphernalia from classic comic books, movies and television shows. That’s because AwesomeCon, dubbed Washington D.C. Comic Con, will be taking place June 1618. The annual convention is usually packed with a long list of celebrity panels, endless exhibits and flashy after parties. However, a group of Black podcasters is hoping to have their own convention in the shadows of AwesomeCon at RFD Washington, a beer bar a six minute walk away from the convention center. Called NegroCon, the event will include a live show co-hosted by The Movie Trailer Reviews Network, Where’s My 40 Acres and The Black Guy Who Tips, three Black independent podcasts shows that each provide a unique perspective through music, politics, sports and entertainment along with random thoughts. Although NegroCon is the first live event hosted by the podcasts, it took years to create the groundwork for it. In recent years, the podcast game has transformed into one of the most popular forms of media. What originally started as a taboo audio trend among

a more tech-savvy audience in its earlier years would soon become a the next big platform for not only covering news and topics, but creating a platform for new voices. “I just want us to be served,” Karen Morrow, cohost of Black Guy Who Tips, told the AFRO. “[At first] I thought podcasting was White because when you go to iTunes or Stitcher, you are normally suggested a bunch of White shows...we’re so underserved... We are a people that are into everything, so if there’s one thing that shows that we’re into these things, I think that’s beautiful.” The three podcasts were around during the platform’s early rise in the 2000s, establishing their voice through their shows while also building relationships with each other. Their consistent growth and development would soon snowball into a family-oriented digital community. “People want to hear our views or spoiler reviews on the same topic,” Kriss Carter, founder of the MTR Network and co-host of the Insanity Check podcast, told the AFRO. “[All three podcasts] cover the same topics, but there’s three different funny versions of covering that topic.” The combination of comedy and news coverage was popular among Black Twitter for years, especially now with each podcaster exploding with a growing audience from their hilarious and informal tweets

French toast platter with scrambled tofu, homefries, and coconut bac’n

Photo by Nakia Brown

Toonz, among many other artistic touches. Toonz evokes captivating representations of Egyptian deities such as the goddess of war and healing, Sekhmat; scribe, Tehuti, alongside the after-life judgment scene depiction of “The Hall of Ma’at,” where one’s heart is weighed next to a feather. At the heart of the restaurant is a large painting depicting Ma’at, the Egyptian concept of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice that is vibrantly and powerfully personified by a Black woman. “We want to provide our people with quality

vegan food and ultimately create a chain of Grub Factories,” said Fatiu. Meritef agreed. “We’re looking to build community here.” Judging by the line pouring out of the door on the restaurant’s opening day, a chain may be inevitable and the community is ready to break bread—specifically, vegan french toast. The Grub Factory is located at 1210 North Charles Street. Their hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

Hip Hop

The New Generation Doesn’t Care If You Understand Them reputation, the musically inclined novices of the industry today prefer to label themselves as rockstars. In Each generation gives way to a new an interview with The Fader Playboi era of music, particularly hip-hop. Music Carti, whose self-titled album released by its very nature is constantly evolving on May 6 has had several singles on and shifting and many new adaptations the Billboard charts, said, “I’m a young of “rap” or “hip-hop” are met with pretty n-gga. I don’t gangbang. I don’t resistance from do none of that those fonder street sh-t. I’m a of “old” styles. rockstar.” This has been Carti is a the case with name many in the newest the industry genre of hip-hop have come to often derisively recognize and referred to by respect as one many as mumble of the influential rap, SoundCloud new voices in rap or colored rap and recently hair rap. dropped his Younger premiere album, artists have “Playboi Carti” begun their foray which was met into the industry with extremely and their music positive reviews. is focused And Carti was overwhelmingly lauded for his Courtesy photo command of on beats rather Lil Yachty is an up and coming rapper than lyrics and ad-libs, the the incorporation who takes pride in his music not being signature tell for the older generation of hip-hop fans. of a “mumble of heavy ad-lib use and catchy rapper.” hooks. Artists like Playboi Carti, Lil Pitchfork Magazine gave the album Yachty, Lil Uzi Vert and others have tried a 7.3 out of 10 and proclaimed, “his to spur a new wave within the industry signature ad-libs command space in a accompanied by a new look. way not even Jim Jones or Young Jeezy Although many of the rappers could’ve imagined. Here, they aren’t of previous generations focused on just highlights or devices to advance promoting a “gangsta” attitude and the song’s conversation, they’re the By Janneh G Johnson Special to the AFRO

on the social platform, and is now reimagining a historic idea of entertainers for a Black audience knowing one another deeply: The Chitlin Circuit. “Honestly, it felt like family

Courtesy photo

Rod Morrow and his wife Karen co-host the podcast ‘The Black Guy Who Tips.” They will be part of NegroCon on June 17.

and we were all independent [with our own] backing, and it was mostly referred to our Blackness,” said Rod Morrow, co-host of The Black Guy Who Tips. However, there were still ceilings to break and one would soon be an inspiration for NegroCon. All three podcasts were invited to be panelists at AwesomeCon in 2015 and 2016 (WM40 didn’t attend 2016), and with both normal fans and interested attendees present, they had packed rooms back to back. “We wasn’t ready. We do what we do and we know we have audiences and we see the numbers, but it’s a difference when you see [fans and these different podcasters], and they’re actually looking in your eye, having a conversation with you and actually telling you ‘I love

main attraction. Ad-libs become parts of hooks, outlines of lyrics and, sometimes, simply just are the lyrics…Playboi Carti feels like a break from life, the soundtrack to a mindless good time.” Lil Uzi Vert, a rising star most known for being featured on hit songs “Bad and Boujee” by the Migos and “Woke Up Like This” by Playboi Carti. His project “Luv is Rage,” is probably one of the biggest proponents of the new rockstar lifestyle within the newer class of rappers. “Old guys are simple, y’all simple and that’s cool… I am a rockstar…it’s changing,” he told New York radio station Hot 97. “It’s a lifestyle, it looks like Marilyn Manson, it looks like G.G. Allin, it looks like Lil Uzi Vert.” Uzi is unapologetically himself and has no disdain for the many labels forced upon him by the mavens of the industry. When describing his sound Uzi keeps it simple, “A whole bunch of ‘Aye’s’ and a whole bunch of ‘yeah’s.’ That’s it, that’s all I do is say ‘yeah’…we (Uzi and Carti) what you call mumble rappers, you say ‘yeah’ after anything and it works.” Although millennials find “mumble rappers” exciting and captivating, many older rap purveyors find this new genre of music off-putting and lacking in substance. Lil Yachty, best known for his hit single, “1 Night,” has an interesting take on his detractors. “N-ggas don’t know how to accept change. They old and washed up,” he told Bossip. Yachty released his sophomore album, Teenage Emotions, May 26.

what you do,” said Morrow. With two years of large turnouts behind them, the three podcasters reached out with the hopes of doing a New York Comic Con and another AwesomeCon panel for 2017. Unfortunately, their idea was rejected. “At some point, everybody talks about diversity, inclusion and wanting more Black people this and more Black people that...but we’ll do this and independently to bring their own fan base,” said Carter. Although AwesomeCon didn’t work out, the moment inspired the three to do their own event, their way. The three podcasts always thought of doing a live show, but when the opportunity came up, they took advantage of it. Carter set the groundwork in D.C. by finding the venue for the show

and all three podcasts promoted and worked on what the live show would sound like. The day tickets went on sale they immediately sold out. With so much anticipation for the first NegroCon, all three podcasts have their own idea of what they’re doing. However, the overall message is to tear the walls down with laughter and push the idea of being Black-owned and independent as podcasters. “I don’t know what to expect,” said Phenom Black, host of Where’s My 40 Acres. “[It’s going to be] way more intimate, way more immersive, and way more f*cking savage. It may be there first, but there’s already talks of doing another due to the outstanding turnout. “There’s so much we could we could do with NegroCon,” Carter said.

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Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017ADM524 Gwendolyn J. Evans Decedent Tina Smith Nelson 601 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20049 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Tiauana Roberts, whose address is 5115 3rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Gwendolyn J. Evans, who died on December 10, 2016 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before November 19, 2017. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before November 19, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: May 19, 2017 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Tiauana Roberts Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017ADM503 Charles L. Bartlett Decedent Jay M Eisenberg, Esq 12505 Park Potomac Ave 6th Floor Potomac, MD 20854 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS The Glenmede Trust Company , NA by Robert M. Maxwell, Managing Director , whose address is 1650 Market St., Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7391, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Charles L. Bartlett , who died on February 17, 2017 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before November 19, 2017. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before November 19, 2017 , or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: May 19, 2017 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017ADM494 Clara Louise Staley Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Eboni Staley-Brown , whose address is 5029 4th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 , was appointed personal representative of the estate of Clara Louise Staley , who died on March 15, 2017 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before November 19, 2017. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the November 19, 2017 , or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: May 19, 2017 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Eboni Staley-Brown Personal Representative

202-332-0080 410-554-8200

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NAME: ________________________________________________ TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:08:27 EDT 2017 ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ PHONE NO.:____________________________________________ Superior Court of CLASSIFICATION: ______________________________________ the District of District of Columbia (Room, Apt., House, etc.) PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. INSERTION DATE:_________________ 20001-2131

Administration No. 2017ADM518 Barbara J Ellis TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:09:41 EDT 2017 AKA Barbara Jean Ellis Decedent Legal Advertising Rates NOTICE OF Superior Court of APPOINTMENT, Effective Octoberthe 1, District 2008 of NOTICE TO District of Columbia CREDITORS PROBATE DIVISION AND NOTICE TO Washington, D.C. PROBATE DIVISION UNKNOWN HEIRS 20001-2131 (Estates) Marsha R, Ellis, whose Administration No. TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:07:14 address is 9718 Wood2017ADM530 yard Circle, Upper202-332-0080 Marl- Pedro Valentin boro, MD 20772, was ap- NOTICES Decedent PROBATE pointed personal Superior Court of NOTICE OF representative of the the District of APPOINTMENT, estate of Barbara J.$Ellis District of 3Columbia NOTICE TO a. Order Nisi 60 per insertion $180.00 per weeks AKA Barbara Jean Ellis, PROBATE DIVISION CREDITORS b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion who died on November Washington, D.C. AND NOTICE TO 20001-2131 UNKNOWN HEIRS c. Notice to Creditors22, 2016 with a will, and will serve without Court Tonya Robinson and Administration No. 1. Domestic $ 60 per insertion per 3 weeks supervision. All unknown 2017ADM531 Recco Valentin, whose $180.00 heirs and heirs whose Ernesteene address is 4520 Foote $180.00 2. Foreign $ 60 per insertion per 3Best weeks whereabouts are un- St., NE, Washington, DC AKA d. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion $360.00 per 6 weeks known shall enter their 20019 and 1608 18th St., Ernestine Best appearance in this Decedent SE, Washington, DC $125.00 e. Standard Probates proceeding. Objections 20020 were appointed Howard C Boyd Esq to such appointment (or personal representatives 1220 L Street, NW, to the probate of de-NOTICES of the estate of Pedro Suite 100-482 CIVIL cedent´s will) shall be Valentin, who died on Washington, DC 20005 filed with the Register of January 19, 2017 without $ Attorney a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 80.00 Wills, D.C., 515 5th NOTICE OF a will, and will serve withb. Real Property $ 200.00 Street, N.W., 3rd Floor out Court supervision. All APPOINTMENT, Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . NOTICE TO unknown heirs and heirs TRUE TEST COPY 20001, on or before whose whereabouts are CREDITORS REGISTER OF WILLS FAMILY COURT November 19, 2017. unknown shall enter their AND NOTICE TO Claims against the de- a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s UNKNOWN HEIRS TRUE TEST COPY 05/19, 05/26, 06/2/17 cedent shall be202-879-1212 pre- proceeding. Objections Patricia Powell Peacock , REGISTER OF WILLS TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:08:56 EDT 2017 sented DOMESTIC to the under- RELATIONS to such appointment whose address is 3903 signed with a copy to the shall be filed with the Butterstream Way, NW 05/19, 05/26,Tue 6/2/17 TYPESET: May 30 14:06:52 EDT 2017 202-879-0157 Register of Wills or filed Register of Wills, D.C., Kennesaw, GA 30144 , Superior Court of with the Register of Wills 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd appointed personal reThe Glenmede Trust the District of with a copy to the under- Floor Washington, D.C. presentative of the estate Company, NA by Robert District of Columbia Superior Court of signed, on or before 20001, on or before $ of Ernesteene Best AKA a. Absent Defendant 150.00 M. Maxwell, Managing PROBATE DIVISION the District of November 19, 2017, or November 19, 2017. Ernestine Best , who died Director b. Absolute Divorce $ 150.00 Washington, D.C. District of Columbia be forever barred. Per- Claims against the de- on September 5, 2010 Personal 20001-2131 PROBATE DIVISION sons believed to be heirs cedent shall be pre- $150.00 without a will, and will c. Custody Divorce Representative Administration No. Washington, D.C. or legatees of the de- sented to the under- serve without Court su2017ADM499 20001-2131 cedent who do not resigned with a copy to the pervision. All unknown TRUE TEST COPY Carlton Abney Administration No. ceive a copy of this notice Register of Wills or filed heirs and heirs whose REGISTER OF WILLS To place your ad,by call ext.the 262, Public Notices $50.00 &are up unDecedent 2017ADM489 mail1-800-237-6892, within 25 days of with whereabouts Register of Wills NOTICE OF Michelle M. Pangallo its size, first publication shall known shall enter their with Notices a copy to the underdepending on Baltimore Legal are $24.84 per inch. 05/19, 05/26,Tue 06/2/17 APPOINTMENT, AKA TYPESET: May 30 14:12:28 EDT 2017 so inform the Register of signed, on or before a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s NOTICE TO Michelle Marie PangWills, including name, 1-800 (AFRO) 892 19, 2017, or proceeding. Objections November CREDITORS allo address and relation- be forever barred. Per- to such appointment For Proof of Publication, please call 1-800-237-6892, ext. be 244filed with the AND NOTICE TO Decedent ship. sons believed to be heirs shall Superior Court of UNKNOWN HEIRS Robert J. Coyne Date of Publication: or legatees of the de- Register of Wills, D.C., the District of Karla Abney and Karen 400 University Blvd May 19, 2017 cedent who do not re- 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd District of Columbia EDT 2017 Pennington , whose ad- TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:08:27 West Name of newspaper: ceive a copy of this notice Floor Washington, D.C. PROBATE DIVISION dress is 539 Madison LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES Silver Spring, MD LEGALonNOTICES Afro-American or before by mail within 25 days of 20001, Washington, D.C. Street NW, Washington, 20904 Washington its first publication shall November 19, 2017. 20001-2131 DC 20011/ 6806 DunAttorney Superior Court of Law Reporter so inform the Register of Claims against the deAdministration No. nigan Dr., Clinton, MD NOTICE OF the District of Marsha R. Ellis Wills, including name, cedent shall be pre2017ADM502 20735 , were appointed APPOINTMENT, District of Columbia Personal address and relation- sented to the underRoyal A. Walker Jr. personal representative NOTICE TO PROBATE DIVISION Representative ship. signed with a copy to the Decedent of the estate of Carlton CREDITORS Washington, D.C. Register of Wills or filed Date of Publication: NOTICE OF Abney , who died on July AND NOTICE TO 20001-2131 TRUE TEST COPY with the Register of Wills May 19, 2017 APPOINTMENT, 19, 2016 with a will, and UNKNOWN HEIRS Administration No. REGISTER OF WILLS with a copy to the underName of newspaper: NOTICE TO will serve without Court Clement D. Pangallo, 2017ADM518 signed, on or before Afro-American CREDITORS supervision. All unknown whose address is 4907 Barbara J Ellis 05/19, 05/26, 06/2/17 November 19, 2017 , or Washington AND NOTICE TO TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:09:41 EDT 2017 heirs and heirs whose 48th St., NW, WashingAKA be forever barred. PerLaw Reporter UNKNOWN HEIRS whereabouts are un- Barbara Jean Ellis ton, DC 20016, was apTonya Robinson sons believed to be heirs Virginia P. Walker , known shall enter their Decedent pointed personal repreRico Valentin or legatees of the dewhose address is 2424 appearance in this Superior Court of sentative of the estate of NOTICE OF Personal cedent who do not rePennsylvania Ave., NW, proceeding. Objections the District of Michelle M. Pangallo APPOINTMENT, Representative ceive a copy of this notice Washington, DC 20037, to such appointment (or District of Columbia AKA Michelle Marie NOTICE TO by mail within 25 days of was appointed personal to the probate of dePROBATE DIVISION Pangallo , who died on CREDITORS its first publication shall TRUE TEST COPY representative of the cedent´s will) shall be Washington, D.C. February 26, 2017 witha AND NOTICE TO so inform the Register of REGISTER OF WILLS estate of Royal A. Walker filed with the Register of 20001-2131 will, and will serve withUNKNOWN HEIRS Wills, including name, Jr. , who died on July 2, Wills, D.C., 515 5th Administration No. out Court supervision. All Marsha R, Ellis, whose address and relation05/19, 05/26, 06/2/17 2014 without a will, and TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:07:14 EDT 2017 Street, N.W., 3rd Floor 2017ADM530 unknown heirs and heirs address is 9718 Woodship. will serve without Court W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . Pedro Valentin whose where-abouts are yard Circle, Upper MarlDate of Publication: supervision. All unknown 20001, on or before boro, MD 20772, was ap- Decedent unknown shall enter their May 19, 2017 heirs and heirs whose November 19, 2017. p o i n t e d p e r s o n a l NOTICE OF appearance in this Superior Court of Name of newspaper: where-abouts are unClaims against the de- representative of the APPOINTMENT, proceeding. Objections the District of Afro-American known shall enter their cedent shall be preNOTICE TO to such appointment (or estate of Barbara J. Ellis District of Columbia Washington appearance in this sented to the underCREDITORS to the probate of deAKA Barbara Jean Ellis, PROBATE DIVISION Law Reporter proceeding. Objections signed with a copy to the AND NOTICE TO cedent´s will) shall be who died on November Washington, D.C. Patricia Powell Peacock to such appointment Register of Wills or filed 22, 2016 with a will, and UNKNOWN HEIRS filed with the Register of 20001-2131 Personal shall be filed with the with the Register of Wills will serve without Court Tonya Robinson and Wills, D.C., 515 5th Administration No. Representative Register of Wills, D.C., with a copy to the under- supervision. All unknown Recco Valentin, whose Street, N.W., 3rd Floor 2017ADM531 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd signed, on or before heirs and heirs whose address is 4520 Foote Ernesteene Best Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . TRUE TEST COPY Floor Washington, D.C. November 19, 2017, or St., NE, Washington, DC 20001, on or before whereabouts are unAKA REGISTER OF WILLS 20001, on or before be forever barred. Per20019 and 1608 18th St., November 19, 2017. known shall enter their Ernestine Best November 19, 2017 . sons believed to be heirs a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s SE, Washington, DC Decedent Claims against the de05/19, 05/26, 06/2/17 Claims against the deor legatees of the de- proceeding. Objections 20020 were appointed Howard C Boyd Esq cedent shall be precedent shall be precedent who do not re- to such appointment (or personal representatives 1220 L Street, NW, sented to the undersented to the underceive a copy of this notice to the probate of de- of the estate of Pedro Suite 100-482 signed with a copy to the signed with a copy to the by mail within 25 days of cedent´s will) shall be Valentin, who died on Washington, DC 20005 Register of Wills or filed Register of Wills or filed its first publication shall filed with the Register of January 19, 2017 without Attorney with the Register of Wills with the Register of Wills so inform the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th a will, and will serve withwith a copy to the underNOTICE OF with a copy to the underWills, including name, Street, N.W., 3rd Floor out Court supervision. All signed, on or before APPOINTMENT, signed, on or before address and relation- W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . unknown heirs and heirs November 19, 2017, or NOTICE TO November 19, 2017 , or ship. be forever barred. Per20001, on or before whose whereabouts are CREDITORS be forever barred. PerDate of Publication: unknown shall enter their sons believed to be heirs November 19, 2017. AND NOTICE TO sons believed to be heirs May 19, 2017 or legatees of the deClaims against the de- a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s UNKNOWN HEIRS or legatees of the deName of newspaper: cedent who do not recedent shall be pre- proceeding. Objections Patricia Powell Peacock , cedent who do not reAfro-American ceive a copy of this notice sented to the under- to such appointment whose address is 3903 ceive a copy of this notice Washington by mail within 25 days of signed with a copy to the shall be filed with the Butterstream Way, NW by mail within 25 days of Law Reporter its first publication shall Register of Wills or filed Register of Wills, D.C., Kennesaw, GA 30144 , its first publication shall Karla Abney so inform the Register of with the Register of Wills 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd appointed personal reso inform the Register of Karen Pennington with a copy to the under- Floor Washington, D.C. presentative of the estate Wills, including name, Wills, including name, Personal signed, on or before 20001, on or before of Ernesteene Best AKA address and relationaddress and relationRepresentative November 19, 2017, or November 19, 2017. Ernestine Best , who died ship. ship. Date of Publication: be forever barred. Per- Claims against the de- on September 5, 2010 May 19, 2017 TRUE TEST COPY May 19, 2017 sons believed to be heirs cedent shall be pre- without a will, and will Name of newspaper: REGISTER OF WILLS Name of newspaper: or legatees of the de- sented to the under- serve without Court suAfro-American Afro-American cedent who do not resigned with a copy to the pervision. All unknown Washington 05/19, 05/26, 06/2/17 Washington ceive a copy of this notice Register of Wills or filed heirs and heirs whose Law Reporter Law Reporter by mail within 25 days of with the Register of Wills whereabouts are unVirginia P. Walker Clement D Pangallo its first publication shall with a copy to the under- known shall enter their Personal Personal so inform the Register of signed, on or before a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Representative Representative Wills, including name, November 19, 2017, or proceeding. Objections address and relation- be forever barred. Per- to such appointment TRUE TEST COPY sons believed to be heirs shall be filed with the TRUE TEST COPY ship. REGISTER OF WILLS or legatees of the de- Register of Wills, D.C., REGISTER OF WILLS Date of Publication: cedent who do not re- 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd May 19, 2017 05/19, 05/26, 06/2/17 ceive a copy of this notice Floor Washington, D.C. 05/19, 05/26, 06/2/17 Name of newspaper: by mail within 25 days of 20001, on or before Afro-American its first publication shall November 19, 2017. Washington so inform the Register of Claims against the deLaw Reporter Marsha R. Ellis Wills, including name, cedent shall be prePersonal address and relation- sented to the underRepresentative ship. signed with a copy to the Date of Publication: Register of Wills or filed

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1 Col. Inch Up to TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:10:10 TYPESET: EDT Tue2017 May 30 14:06:34 EDT TYPESET: Tue2017 May 30 14:11:38 EDT 2017 LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES 20 Words

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C2 The Afro-American, June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS TYPESET: Tue2017 May 30 14:06:08 EDT TYPESET: Tue2017 May 30 14:00:56 TYPESET: EDT Tue2017 May 30 14:01:18 EDT 2017 14:05:49 EDT TYPESET: Tue2017 May 30 14:00:32 EDT Gregory Thomas , whose LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGALis NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES address 1307 Girard Street NE, Washington, Superior Court of Superior Court of Superior Court of DC 20017 , was apSuperior Court of the District of the District of the District of pointed personal reprethe District of District of Columbia District of Columbia District of Columbia sentative of the estate of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION PROBATE DIVISION PROBATE DIVISION Denise C Morris , who PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. died on March 14, 2017 Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 20001-2131 20001-2131 without a will, and will 20001-2131 Administration No. Administration No. Administration No. serve without Court suAdministration No. 2017ADM558 2017ADM553 2017ADM478 pervision. All unknown 2017ADM568 Norma L. Creasey Kristofor J. Hammond Faindello R. Small heirs and heirs whose Kathryn Ann LeNoir Decedent Decedent Decedent whereabouts are unDecedent NOTICE OF Olivia R. Holcombe- Bruce E Gardner, Esq known shall enter their F. Douglas Yeatman APPOINTMENT, The Gardner Law Firm, a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s 8120 Woodmont Ave. Volke NOTICE TO Elville and Associates PC proceeding. Objections Suite 650 CREDITORS 9192 Red Branch Road 1101 Pennsylvania Ave to such appointment Bethesda, MD 20814 AND NOTICE TO Suite 300 NW, Suite 300 shall be filed with the Attorney UNKNOWN HEIRS Columbia, MD 21045 Washington, DC 20004 Register of Wills, D.C., NOTICE OF Tyrone Blakeney , whose Attorney Attorney 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd APPOINTMENT, address is 3316 Huntley NOTICE OF NOTICE OF Floor Washington, D.C. NOTICE TO Sq T-2 , Temple Hills, MD APPOINTMENT, APPOINTMENT, 20001, on or before CREDITORS 20748 , was appointed NOTICE TO NOTICE TO December 2, 2017. AND NOTICE TO personal representative CREDITORS CREDITORS Claims against the deUNKNOWN HEIRS of the estate of Norma L. Christine LeNoir RoAND NOTICE TO AND NOTICE TO cedent shall be preCreasey , who died on mero, whose address is UNKNOWN HEIRS UNKNOWN HEIRS sented to the underJuly 1, 2016 with a will, 5524 Hawthorne Place, Nicholas L. Hammond, Bruce E Gardner, whose signed with a copy to the and will serve without NW, Washington, DC whose address is 1533 E address is 1101 Penn- Register of Wills or filed Court supervision. All un- 20016, was appointed 33rd Street, Baltimore, sylvania Ave., NW, suite with the Register of Wills known heirs and heirs personal representative Maryland, 21218 was ap- 300, Washington, DC with a copy to the underwhose whereabouts are of the estate of Kathryn pointed personal repre- 20004, was appointed signed, on or before unknown shall enter their Ann Lenoir, who died on sentative of the estate of personal representative December 2, 2017 , or be appearance in this December 10, 2016 with Kristofor J. Hammond, of the estate of Faindello forever barred. Persons proceeding. Objections a will, and will serve with- who died on March 30, R. Small , who died on believed to be heirs or to such appointment (or out Court supervision. All 2017 without a will, and December 18, 2015 with- legatees of the decedent to the probate of deunknown heirs and heirs will serve without Court out a will, and will serve who do not receive a cedent´s will) shall be whose whereabouts are supervision. All unknown without Court supervi- copy of this notice by mail filed with the Register of unknown shall enter their heirs and heirs whose sion. All unknown heirs within 25 days of its first Wills, D.C., 515 5th whereabouts are un- a n d h e i r s w h o s e publication shall so inappearance in this Street, N.W., 3rd Floor proceeding. Objections known shall enter their whereabouts are un- form the Register of Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . known shall enter their Wills, including name, to such appointment (or a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s 20001, on or before to the probate of de- proceeding. Objections a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s address and relationNovember 26, 2017. cedent´s will) shall be to such appointment proceeding. Objections ship. Claims against the de- filed with the Register of shall be filed with the to such appointment Date of Publication: cedent shall be pre- Wills, D.C., 515 5th Register of Wills, D.C., shall be filed with the June 2, 2017 sented to the under- Street, N.W., 3rd Floor 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Register of Wills, D.C., Name of newspaper: signed with a copy to the W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . Floor Washington, D.C. 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Afro-American Register of Wills or filed 20001, on or before 20001, on or before Floor Washington, D.C. Washington with the Register of Wills D e c e m b e r 2 , 2 0 1 7 . D e c e m b e r 2 , 2 0 1 7 . 20001, on or before Law Reporter with a copy to the under- Claims against the de- Claims against the de- D e c e m b e r 2 , 2 0 1 7 . Gregory Thomas signed, on or before cedent shall be precedent shall be pre- Claims against the dePersonal November 26, 2017, or sented to the undersented to the under- cedent shall be preRepresentative be forever barred. Per- signed with a copy to the signed with a copy to the sented to the undersons believed to be heirs Register of Wills or filed Register of Wills or filed signed with a copy to the TRUE TEST COPY or legatees of the de- with the Register of Wills with the Register of Wills Register of Wills or filed REGISTER OF WILLS cedent who do not re- with a copy to the under- with a copy to the under- with the Register of Wills ceive a copy of this notice signed, on or before signed, on or before with a copy to the under- 06/2, 06/9, 6/16/17 by mail within 25 days of December 2, 2017, or be December 2, 2017, or be signed, on or before TYPESET: Tue May 30 13:59:38 its first publication shall forever barred. Persons forever barred. Persons December 2, 2017, or be so inform the Register of believed to be heirs or believed to be heirs or forever barred. Persons This N Wills, including name, legatees of the decedent legatees of the decedent believed to be heirs or mailed p Superior Court of address and relation- who do not receive a who do not receive a legatees of the decedent 15 days the District of ship. copy of this notice by mail copy of this notice by mail who do not receive a tion to e District of Columbia Date of Publication: within 25 days of its first within 25 days of its first copy of this notice by mail ified be PROBATE DIVISION May 26, 2017 publication shall so in- publication shall so in- within 25 days of its first trust and Washington, D.C. Name of newspaper: form the Register of publication shall so inform the Register of who w 20001-2131 Afro-American Wills, including name, Wills, including name, form the Register of intereste Administration No. Washington address and relationaddress and relation- Wills, including name, the mea 2017NRT14 Law Reporter ship. address and relationship. sec. 20Bessie Lee Walker Tyrone Blakeney Date of Publication: Date of Publication: ship. Date of AKA Personal June 2, 2017 June 2, 2017 Date of Publication: June 2, Bessie L Walker Representative Name of newspaper: Name of newspaper: June 2, 2017 Name o Decedent Afro-American Name of newspaper: Afro-American Afro-Am NOTICE OF TRUE TEST COPY Washington Afro-American Washington Washin EXISTENCE OF REGISTER OF WILLS Law Reporter Washington Law Reporter Law REVOCABLE Nicholas L Hammond Law Reporter Christine LeNoir Reporte TRUST 05/26, 06/2, 06/9/17 Personal Bruce E Gardner Romero Bessie Lee Walker (name Representative Personal Personal TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:03:35 EDT 2017 of deceased settlor) Representative whose address was 1826 Representative TRUE TEST COPY TRUE T 14:02:58 EDT 2017 Va l l e y Te r r a c e , S E , REGISTER OF WILLS TRUE TEST COPY TRUE TEST COPY REGIST Washington, DC 20032 Superior Court of REGISTER OF WILLS REGISTER OF WILLS created a revocable trust the District of 06/2, 06/9, 6/16/17 06/ on June 24, 2016, which District of Columbia TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:00:00 EDT 2017 06/02, 06/9, 06/16/17 06/02, 06/9, 06/16/17 remained in existence on PROBATE DIVISION TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:02:15 EDT 2017 the date of her 2017 death on TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:05:30 EDT Washington, D.C. September 11, 2016 , and 20001-2131 Superior Court of Mia Burrell , whose adAdministration No. Superior Court of dress is 2486 Ryce Drive, the District of Superior Court of 2017ADM562 the District of Waldorf, MD 20601is the District of Columbia the District of Cheryl Parker currently acting trustee, District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION District of Columbia Decedent hereinafter the Trustee. PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. PROBATE DIVISION Michael D Breads Esq Communications to the Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Washington, D.C. 8737 Colesville Road trust should be mailed or 20001-2131 Administration No. 20001-2131 LL-100A directed to Mia Burrell, Administration No. 2017ADM556 Administration No. Silver Spring, MD 2486 Ryce Drive, Waldorf, 2017ADM574 Alexander G. Davis 2017ADM106 20910 MD 20601 Kimberly C. Robinson Decedent Russell T. Carter Attorney The Trust is subject to Decedent Shraga Kawior Esq Decedent NOTICE OF claims of the deceased NOTICE OF 8630 Fenton Street, John Noble APPOINTMENT, settlor’s creditors, costs of APPOINTMENT, Suite 822 451 Hungerford Drive, administration of the setNOTICE TO NOTICE TO Silver Spring, Maryland Suite 750 tlor’s estate, the expenses CREDITORS CREDITORS 20910 of the deceased settlor’s Rockville, MD 20850 AND NOTICE TO AND NOTICE TO Attorney funeral and disposal of reAttorney UNKNOWN HEIRS UNKNOWN HEIRS NOTICE OF mains, and statutory NOTICE OF Diane Granham, whose Glennis L. Robinson, APPOINTMENT, allowances to a surviving APPOINTMENT, address is 1012 San- whose address is 1119 NOTICE TO spouse and children to the NOTICE TO dona Circle , Rocky McCollough Ct NW #301 CREDITORS extent the deceased setCREDITORS Mount, NC 27801, was , Washington, DC 20001, AND NOTICE TO tlor’s residuary probate AND NOTICE TO appointed personal re- was appointed personal UNKNOWN HEIRS estate is inadequate to UNKNOWN HEIRS presentative of the estate representative of the Ve r n i t a D D a w k i n s Antoinne D. Parker, satisfy those claims, of Cheryl Parker, who estate of Kimberly C whose address is 7312 whose address is 522 costs, expenses, and died on February 4, 2017 Robinson , who died on Lois Lane, Lanham Capitol Heights Blvd , allowances. with a will, and will serve May 25, 2016 without a Maryland 20706, wasap- C a p i t o l H e i g h t s M D Claims of the deceased without Court supervi- will, and will serve withpointed personal repre- 20743 was appointed settlor ’s creditors are sion. All unknown heirs out Court supervision. All sentative of the estate of personal representative barred as against the a n d h e i r s w h o s e unknown heirs and heirs Alexander G. Davis , who of the estate of Russell T. Trustee and the trust propwhereabouts are un- whose whereabouts are died on March 26, 2017 Carter, who died on erty unless presented to known shall enter their unknown shall enter their without a will, and will January 9, 2017 with a the Trustee at the address appearance in this appearance in this serve , without Court su- will, and will serve with- provided herein on or beproceeding. Objections proceeding. Objections pervision. All unknown out Court supervision. All fore December 2, 2017 6 to such appointment (or to such appointment heirs and heirs whose unknown heirs and heirs months after the date of to the probate of de- shall be filed with the whereabouts are un- whose where-abouts are the first publication of this cedent´s will) shall be Register of Wills, D.C., known shall enter their unknown shall enter their notice). An action to confiled with the Register of 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd test the validity of this trust appearance in this appearance in this must be commenced by Wills, D.C., 515 5th Floor Washington, D.C. proceeding. Objections proceeding. Objections the earliest of (1) SeptemStreet, N.W., 3rd Floor 20001, on or before to such appointment (or to such appointment (or ber 11, 2017 (one year Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . D e c e m b e r 2 , 2 0 1 7 . to the probate of de- to the probate of de- from date of death of the 20001, on or before Claims against the decedent´s will) shall be cedent´s will) shall be deceased settler) or (2) November 26, 2017. cedent shall be prefiled with the Register of filed with the Register of December 2, 2017(6 Claims against the de- sented to the underWills, D.C., 515 5th months from the date of Wills, D.C., 515 5th cedent shall be pre- signed with a copy to the Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Street, N.W., 3rd Floor first publication of this nosented to the under- Register of Wills or filed Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . tice) or (3) ninety days Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . signed with a copy to the with the Register of Wills 20001, on or before 20001, on or before Au- after the Trustee sends Register of Wills or filed with a copy to the underTYPESET: Tue May 30 14:01:18 EDTa copy 2017 of the D e c e m b e r 2 , 2 0 1 7 . gust 24. 2017. Claims the person with the Register of Wills signed, on or before Claims against the de- against the decedent trust instrument and a nowith a copy to the under- December 2, 2017, or be cedent shall be pre- shall be presented to the tice informing the person signed, on or before forever barred. Persons of the trust’s existence, Superior Court sented to the under- undersigned with of a copy Novemeber 26, 2017, or believed to be heirs or theRegister District of ofWills or the Trustee’s name and signed with a copy to the to the be forever barred. Per- legatees of the decedent address, and the time alofthe Columbia Register of Wills or filed District filed with Register of lowed for commencing a sons believed to be heirs who do not receive a with the Register of Wills PROBATE Wills with aDIVISION copy to the proceeding. or legatees of the de- copy of this notice by mail Washington,on D.C. with a copy to the under- undersigned, or be- The Trustee may proceed cedent who do not re- within 25 days of its first signed, on or before fore 20001-2131 August 24, 2017, or to distribute the trust propceive a copy of this notice publication shall so inAdministration No. Decemner 2, 2017, or be be forever barred. Per- erty in accordance with by mail within 25 days of form the Register of 2017ADM478 forever barred. Persons sons believed to be heirs the terms of the trust beits first publication shall Wills, including name, R. Small believed to be heirs or Faindello or legatees of the de- fore the expiration of the so inform the Register of address and relationlegatees of the decedent Decedent cedent who do not re- time within which an acWills, including name, ship. E Gardner, Esq who do not receive a Bruce ceive a copy of this notice tion must be commenced address and relation- Date of Publication: Law copy of this notice by mail The by Gardner mail within 25 Firm, days of unless the Trustee knows ship. June 2, 2017 within 25 days of its first PCits first publication shall of a pending judicial Date of Publication: Name of newspaper: Pennsylvania Ave of proceeding contesting the publication shall so in- 1101 so inform the Register May 26, 2017 Afro-American Suiteincluding 300 form the Register of NW, Wills, name, validity of the trust or the Name of newspaper: Washington Washington, DC 20004 Wills, including name, address and relation- Trustee has received noAfro-American Law Reporter address and relation- Attorney tice from a potential ship. Washington Glennis L Robinson ship. OF contestant who thereafter DateNOTICE of Publication: Law Reporter Personal Date of Publication: APPOINTMENT, commences a judicial February 24, 2017 Diane Graham Representative June 2, 2017 NOTICE TO proceeding TYPESET: Tue May 30 13:59:38 EDTwithin 2017 sixty Name of newspaper: Personal CREDITORS Name of newspaper: days after notification. Afro-American Representative TRUE TEST COPY AND NOTICE TO Afro-American This Notice must be Washington REGISTER OF WILLS UNKNOWN HEIRS Washington mailed postmarked within Law Reporter Superior Court of TRUE TEST COPY Bruce the EAntoinne Gardner, whose Law Reporter DistrictD.ofParker 15 days of its first publicaREGISTER OF WILLS 06/2, 06/9, 06/16/17 is 1101 PennVernita D Dawkins address Personal tion to each heir and qualDistrict of Columbia Ave., NW, suite Personal sylvania ified beneficiary of the Representative PROBATE DIVISION 05/26, 06/2, 06/9/17 Washington, DC Representative 300,Washington, trust and any other person D.C. 20004, was appointed who would be an TRUE20001-2131 TEST COPY personal representative TRUE TEST COPY interested person within REGISTER OF WILLS Administration No. of Faindello REGISTER OF WILLS of the estate the meaningof D.C. Code, 2017NRT14 R. Small3/3, , who died on sec. 20-101(d) 02/24 3/10/17 Bessie Lee Walker TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:01:41 EDT 2017 December 18, 2015 withDate of Publication: 06/2, 06/9,06/16/17 AKA out a will,L and will serve June 2, 2017 Bessie Walker without Court superviName of newspaper: Decedent Court of sion. Superior All unknown heirs Afro-American NOTICE OF of a n d EXISTENCE hthe e i District r s w hOF ose Washington District of Columbia whereabouts are unLaw REVOCABLE PROBATE DIVISION known shall enter their Reporter TRUST aBessie p p eWashington, a rLee a n cWalker e i n D.C. t(name his Mia Burrell 20001-2131 The proceeding. Objections Personal Serving our of deceased settlor) Administration towhose such appointment Representative Customers for address was No. 1826 shall filed TRUE TEST COPY Va l l ebe y2017ADM438 Te r r awith c e , the SE, 35 Years MD Lisc. #45197 Denise of C Morris Register Wills, REGISTER OF WILLS Washington, DC D.C., 20032 Decedent 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd created a revocable trust Darryl F. White Floor Washington, D.C. 06/2, 06/9, 06/16/17 on June 24, 2016, which 24’ x 36’ x 10’ 302 Mississippi Aveon 20001, onin existence or before remained 2 - 9’ x 7’ Garage Doors Dthe eSilver c edate m bSpring, eofr her 2 , Maryland 2 0 1 7on . death 20910against Claims the ,deSeptember 11, 2016 and 1 - 3’ Entry Door Attorney cedent shall, whose be preMia Burrell ad, OF dress isNOTICE 2486 Ryce Drive, sented to the underWaldorf, MD 20601is the APPOINTMENT, signed with a copy to the , 40’ x 60’ x 16’ currently trustee, NOTICE Register ofacting Wills TO or filed 1 - 12’ x 16’ Sliding Door hereinafter the of Trustee. with the CREDITORS Register Wills Communications toTOthe with aAND copyNOTICE to the under1 - 3’ Entry Door trust should be mailed UNKNOWN signed, on or HEIRS beforeor directed Mia Burrell, Gregory to Thomas ,or whose December 2, 2017, be 2486 Ryce Drive, Waldorf, address is 1307 Girard forever barred. Persons MD 20601 Street NE, believed to beWashington, heirs or The is ,decedent subject to DC Trust 20017 was aplegatees of the claims thereceive deceased pointed personal reprewho do ofnot a settlor’s creditors, costs sentative of the by estate copy of this notice mailofof administration of the, setDenise C Morris who within 25 days its first tlor’s estate, theofexpenses died on March publication shall 14, so 2017 in-

June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017, The Afro-American

TYPESET: Tue2017 May 30 14:12:04 TYPESET: EDT Tue2017 May 30 14:07:38 TYPESET: EDT Tue2017 May 30 TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:10:53 EDT

LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM1273 William P. Holloway Decedent Michael Forster 2007 Vermont Avenue, Nw Washington, DC 20001 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Michael Forster , whose address is 2007 Vermont Ave. NW, was appointed personal representative of the estate of William P. Holloway, who died on October 21, 2001 without a will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before November 19, 2017 . Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before November 19, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: May 19, 2017 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Michael Forster Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017ADM512 Dwellie Shanks Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Margaret Shanks whose address is 4815 Guilford Road, College Park, MD 20740 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Dwellie Shanks , who died on April 1, 2017 witha will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before November 19, 2017. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before November 19, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: May 19, 2017 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Margaret Shanks Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017ADM527 Marjorie Lockley Mack Decedent James C. Beadles Esq 2341 Massanuttan Drive Silver spring, MD 20906 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Camille Robinson, whose address is 5102 Salima St., Clinton, MD, 20735 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Marjorie Lockley Mack , who died on March 4, 2017 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose where-abouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before November 26, 2017. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before November 26, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: May 26, 2017 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Camille Robinson Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017ADM533 Odessa Vest Davis Decedent Andrew W. Aitchison 684 4th St. NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Emma Vonzile Hack, whose address is 686 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Odessa Vest Davis, who died on January 16, 2014 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before November 26, 2017. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before November 26, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: May 26, 2017 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Emma V. Hack Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

05/26, 6/2, 06/9/17

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/19, 05/26, 06/2/17

TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:07:59 EDT 2017

TYPESET: Tue May 30 14:09:16 EDT 2017 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017ADM516 Paulette Faison Zephir Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Jean- Paul Zephr and J e a n - L u q u e Z e p h i r, whose address is 5011 3 r d S t r e e t , N W, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Paulette Faison Zephir, who died on November 12, 2016 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before November 19, 2017. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before November 19, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: May 19, 2017 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Jean-Paul Zephir Jean-Luque Zephir Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/19, 05/26, 06/2/17

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017ADM513 Hugh D Brown Decedent Steve Larson-Jackson 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Cleoda Brown , whose address is 2000 Monroe St. NE, Washington, DC 20018 , was appointed personal representative of the estate of Hugh D Brown , who died on March 4, 2017 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose where-abouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before November 19, 2017. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before November 19, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: May 19, 2017 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Cleoda Brown Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 05/19, 05/26, 06/2/17

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue May 30

TYPESET: May 30 14:05:09 EDT 2017 05/26, 06/2, Tue 06/9/17 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017ADM525 Thomas E Tribble AKA Thomas Edward Tribble Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Gloria D Tribble , whose address is 4024 Hanson Oaks Drive, Landover Hills, MD, 20784 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Thomas E Tribble AKA Thomas Edward Tribble , who died on March 27, 2017 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before November 26, 2017. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before November 26, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: May 26, 2017 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Gloria D Tribble Personal Representative

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2017FEP59 Date of Death March 11, 2017 Charlene Barrett AKA Charlene Barrett-White Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Tia Charlita White whose address is 3402 C Street SE, Washington, DC 20019 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Charlene Barrett AKA Charlene Barrett-White, deceased by the Orphan’s Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on April 10, 2017. Service of process may be made upon Caren M Webb, Esq, The Law Office of C.M. Webb, 1308 Ninth street, NW, suite 250, Washington, DC 20001. Te l : 2 0 2 - 3 5 1 - 6 8 1 5 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Colombia real property: 3402 C street, SE and 3451 Minnesota Ave SE. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills for the District of Columbia, Building A, 515 5th Street, NW., 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. (Strike preceding sentence if no real estate.)

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

Tia Charlita White Personal Representative(s) TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS Date of first publication: May 26, 2017 Name of newspapers and/or periodical: The Daily Washington Law Reporter The Afro-American

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LEGAL EDT NOTICES TYPESET: Wed May 31 13:10:38 2017 CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for RP 15802RLatrobe Park Field House will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204, City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon. The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, at the Department of Public Works in Room 6 located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of June 2, 2017 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $100.00. Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call 410-396-6883 or contact the Committee at 4 South Frederick Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (”JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is E13001 Three-Story and Under Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $500,000.01 to $1,000,000.00. A ”Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at 2600 Madison Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21217 on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. Principal Items of work for this project are:Three-Story and Under Building Construction The MBE goal is 27% The WBE goal is 5% RP 15802R APPROVED: Bernice H. Taylor Clerk, Board of Estimates APPROVED: Rudolph S. Chow, P.E. Director of Public Works TYPESET: Wed May 31 13:10:18 EDT 2017 CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCITON NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for Water Contract No. 1361-AMI/R Urgent Need Metering Infrastructure Repair & Replacement, Various Locations (3” & Larger Water Service) will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204, City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon. The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, in Room 6 located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of Friday, June 2, 2017 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $100.00. Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call 410-396-6883 or contact the Committee at 4 South Frederick Street, 4th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (”JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is B02551Water Mains Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $3,000,000.01 to $4,000,000.00 A ”Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at the 3rd Floor Large Conference Room of the Office of Engineering & Construction, Abel Wolman Municipal Building on June 7, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. Principal Item of work for this project include, but are not limited to: Replace/install valves, FM meters, fittings and appurtenances inside and outside of existing large meter vaults, locate ex. meter vaults, adjust meter frame and cover of the existing meter vaults, remove and replace top slab for large meter vaults, install/replace small/large sectional vault and precast large meter vault, temporary pavement and sidewalk restoration, as required. The MBE goal is 13% The WBE goal is 6% WATER CONTRACT NO. 1361 APPROVED: Bernice H. Taylor Clerk, Board of Estimates APPROVED: Rudolph S. Chow, P.E. Director of Public Works

TYPESET: Wed May 31 13:10:59 EDT 2017 City of Baltimore Department of Finance Bureau of Purchases Sealed proposals addressed to the Board of Estimates of Baltimore will be received until, but not later than 11:00a.m. local time on the following date(s) for the stated requirements: June 28, 2017 *ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION SERVICES B50004951 July 12, 2017 *TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR THE INFANTS AND TODDLERS PROGRAM B50005008 August 9, 2017 *CUTAWAY VANS WITH DRY FREIGHT BODIES B50005035 *FUEL TANKER TRUCK B50005034 THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWN LOADED BY VISITING THE CITY’S WEB SITE: www.baltimorecitibuy.org

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June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017, The Afro-American

SPORTS

AAU Basketball

Capital City Hoops Classic Is More Than Just Basketball By Mark F. Gray major college or professional post game Special to the AFRO media session. The players sit on a podium and take questions from middle and high To most people Memorial Day weekend school reporters who are also learning how is defined by barbeque, cookouts and time to chronicle events. Each group is tutored spent with family and friends. This unofficial on speech delivery, posture and delivering a first weekend of summer also signifies the polished message publicly. start of the grind for Amateur Athletic Union The Student Media Arts Program (SMART) (AAU) summer basketball programs around collaborates with high schools, middle schools the country who compete in tournaments to and colleges and throughout the Maryland, expose their players to elite competition, which Virginia and District area. The program is as much about winning championships as tracks their early writing, broadcasting and a platform to display their talent in front of public speaking development like the players college scouts. who are being scouted to compete in college Local basketball guru Mel George has sports from grades 6-12. This media skills transformed his Memorial Day weekend development program is based at D.C. Scholars tournament into an event Charter School in Southeast whose impact goes well D.C. with tentacles reaching beyond the game. The Capital to Bowie High School in City Hoops Classic features Prince George’s County, and 200 teams from around the Arundel High School in Anne country who are guaranteed Arundel County. to play at least three games in Kevin Walker, a pool play before advancing Hyattsville native and former to the one and done knockout West Virginia State college phase of the tournament. basketball player, streams high But in between games the school sports events for the lessons of new millennium National Federation of High basketball are not being taught Schools Network. by coaches. Instead, media “There are kids that don’t professionals and financial have the ability to play sports services executives are set up at the highest level but they at unique skills development want to play a role in the stations. The financial literacy atmosphere of those events,” workshop and mock press said Walker. “We want to conference forums are a big teach them the skills so they a draw for the teams who can make it a career.” pay a $350 registration fee to The Basketball Group, – Mel George the company which stages compete. “That’s what really what the event, also honored Ed has become the most important reason this Hill, Howard University’s retiring Hall of tournament is successful,” George told the Fame sports information director, during a AFRO. “Coaches understand that with all the reception at the Billingsley House in Upper media attention the elite athletes get these days Marlboro, Md. In 30 years, Hill mentored the players need to understand how to talk to notable broadcasters such as Fox Sports play reporters in front of the camera.” by play announcer Gus Johnson, ESPN anchor “But if we can get kids at an early age to Stan Verrett and NFL Network reporter Steve start thinking about making smarter financial Wyche. Many of his former students are now decisions as they get older it will make their also prominent members of the sports industry lives a whole lot better.” in media relations, sports marketing, and as Following each game teams, are ushered administrators with major college conferences into an adjacent room that is set up as a and pro sports franchises around the country.

“But if we can get kids at an early age to start thinking about making smarter financial decisions as they get older it will make their lives a whole lot better.”

Courtesy photo

The Capital City Hoops Classic gave young athletes and aspiring reporters a chance to participate in mock press conferences to develop their public speaking skills.

AFRO Sports Desk Faceoff

Can Cavs Defend Title Against ‘Juggernaut’ Warriors? By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley AFRO Sports Desk

State last June, and all the Warriors did in response was add a player who LeBron has owned during his career. James is 14-4 against Durant when the two have faced off over the years.

The NBA Finals rubber match between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers tips off June 1, delivering on the Riley: Cleveland doesn’t anticipation which began last possess that fourth All-Star June after the two teams engaged like Golden State does, but you an unbelievable seven-game can almost count James as two thriller. superstars in one because of the Behind LeBron James and flexibility he brings to the Cavs. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland battled Visions of him dominating the back from a 3-1 series deficit court in last summer’s Finals are to upend Golden State. The still fresh in the heads of many. Warriors then stunned the league If James comes out of the gate in in the offseason by adding 2014 the same groove he exited 2016 MVP Kevin Durant. Even James with, then no one in the current himself was forced to recently NBA will stop Cleveland from call the Warriors a “juggernaut” winning its second consecutive after they built a dominating 12-0 title—not even adding a former record in sweeping all three of MVP to a 73-9 team. their Western Conference playoff series. Green: Perhaps the scariest But Cleveland enters the finals difference for this year’s Warriors AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez with a 12-1 record of their own is that they play lockdown While there have been 14 rematches in NBA Finals history, this year’s meeting between LeBron James’ Cleveland defense of their own. Thompson, after tearing through the Eastern Conference playoffs for the third Cavaliers and Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors will be the first trilogy in league history. Green and Durant are just the consecutive year. Who wins the highlights of a quick, athletic rubber match? Perry Green and and fast defense. But I’m still both in the groove again. Durant will score his starters with reserves. With four All-Stars in Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk picking the Cavs to win simply because of the points, but his volume only minimizes Klay the starting five, the Warriors can afford to debate this vital question for an answer. psychological hold I believe LeBron James Thompson’s input and Draymond Green’s rest two at a time for extended periods while and his crew have on the Warriors. Ever since offensive involvement. The continuity from rotating their reserves in, keeping an All-Star Riley: The Cavs might not be as top-heavy they pulled off that impossible 3-1 comeback last year’s Cleveland team should serve them caliber player or two on the court at all times. as the Warriors, but their depth of quality role in last year’s Finals, LeBron’s confidence has well against a Golden State squad that had to The odds will be against Cleveland surviving players should give them the edge. Cleveland been on another level. I believe he knows he’s sacrifice some of its depth to add Durant. a starting five packed with players who are at is two-deep at every position except small better than Kevin Durant. I also believe his the top of their positions. The Warriors can forward, where they have the top player in the best teammate, Kyrie Irving, thinks he’s better Green: The Warriors’ bench doesn’t get spread any defense thin with their buffet of NBA on their side. James and Irving made than GS’s Steph Curry. The Warriors may be enough credit. And the Golden State coaching options. mincemeat of Golden State’s defense over the the better team, but try convincing the Cavs staff, whether its Steve Kerr or Mike Brown Still, I say the Cavs will win it all in six last three games in the 2016 Finals, and they’re on the bench, does a good job mixing in games. Cleveland found a way to beat Golden of that.

The Afro-American, June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017

Yasmeen Jordan, senior class president

On May 23, Bowie State University held it’s Spring 2017 Commencement at the University of Maryland, College Park. Outgoing Bowie State President Mickey L. Burnim gave the commencement address to thousands of students who were awarded undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and law degrees. Amongst the graduates, in remembrance of slain Army 2nd Lt. Richard Collins, an empty chair was draped with his graduation robe.

Mickey L. Burnim, Bowie State University president gave the Commencement Address

Presidential Medals of Excellence awarded to La Vera Levels Burnim, Bowie State University’s first lady

Bowie State University choir

Leon Iwin Sparks, Alexandia Brame, Sonyea Cooper, Chukwumeka Francis Ukandu, Angelese Davis, Akeem Gbadamosi, De Andre Dillard, Brittany West, Hailry Allen, Jarrett Davis, Kazzmine Moses and Dongesit Ingang

Dr. Windia Taylor-BSU Professor, Dr. Tawfik Adams-BSU grad, Dr. Donna S. Barriteaul-BSU grad, Dr. Josephine Wilson-BSU Professor, Dr. Trelaunda Beckett-BSU grad and Dr. Yolanda Brown-BSU grad

Journalist Maureen Bunyan receives an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree

Rushern Baker, Prince George’s County executive

Presidential Medals of Excellence awarded to Timothy F. Adams, President and CEO, Systems Application & Technologies

Presidential Medals of Excellence awarded to Ernest G. Green Civil Right Activist and Member of the Little Rock Nine

Photos by Rob Roberts

Wayne A. I. Frederick, president of Howard University

Jaelin White, Jessica Whitaker, Zippoarh D. McCuy and Asiah Walker

Eleanor W. Traylor (center) receives an honorary Doctor of Letters degree

Empty chair in remembrance of 2nd Lt. Richard Collins, III

Stacey J. Mobley, Esq. chairman Howard University’s Board of Trustees

Dr. Elaine Crider, chair, Board of Trustees

Howard University held its 149th Commencement ceremony on May 13. The university awarded Bachelor’s Keynote Degrees, Master’s speaker Degrees, and PhDs along California with professional Sen. Kamala D. degrees in Law, Harris Medicine, Pharmacy, and Benity BrunacheDentistry to Sewell, M.Div., the graduating Divinity School of Benediction, Rev. Dr. Divinity class. Bernard L. Richardson

UDC President Ronald Mason

D.C. Department of Corrections Honor Guard Sheila C. Johnson, cofounder, BET gives the commencement address The University of the District of Columbia held its 2017 Commencement celebration on May 13 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in D.C. Students from the university’s undergraduate, graduate and law school received their degrees.

Sophomore Joshua Lofton (aka J. Loft) performs at the commencement

UDC faculty and administration

Temitope “Temi” Oke, senior class president

Milford Washington, AAS Legal Assistant with Shirley Mallory (mother) and Nellie Ford (aunt)

Photos by Carlos Rice

June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017, The Afro-American

WASHINGTON-AREA Orr Elem. Set to Receive New Building

Local Non-Profit Teaches Black Women to Live Healthier

Courtesy photo

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com

Continued on D2

Photos by Prime Time Sister Circle

Prime Time Sister Circle in session. Non-profit Founders (inset L to R) Gayle Porter and Dr. Marilyn Gaston. By Lenore T. Adkins Special to the AFRO District resident Sonja Houze knew it was time to change her life. Houze, now 53, was raised to eat right and stay active. But by the time she joined the Prime Time Sister Circle in 2008, she wasn’t exercising. She’d forgotten how to eat healthy and chowing down on fast food had become a way of life. “I got caught up in work,” said Houze, who works in technical support. “Sometimes the schedule would keep me busy at work kind of late, and so I’d grab whatever I could.” Today, Houze is a facilitator for the Prime Time Sister Circle, a non-profit organization founded by Drs. Marilyn Gaston, 78, and Gayle Porter, 71. It is based in the District and runs circles there, as well as Prince George’s County and Silver Spring, Maryland. Right now, there are eight circles. The free program, paid for through multiple grants, uses

A Black man is a leading contender in Virginia’s race for its next lieutenant governor. Justin Fairfax is one of three candidates seeking the Democratic Party nomination for lieutenant governor on June 13. Fairfax said he wants to make sure all Virginians get a chance to pursue and achieve their dreams. “I am very passionate about more people getting the same shot,” Fairfax said. “I want to help provide economic security for family

School in Hyattsville, Md., received his bachelor’s degree from Duke University, and a law degree from the Columbia University School of Law. While at Columbia, he was chosen to be on the prestigious Columbia Law Review. Fairfax has clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Bruce Lee of the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria, Va., and counts the jurist as a mentor and friend. He worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, served as the deputy of the Major Crimes & Narcotics Unit, and on the Human

“It would be great if he got the Democratic nomination.” – Donald Scoggins members and children in Virginia and I want more Virginians to be able to afford college, buy a house, have access to capital if they want to start a business, and earn a livable wage, which to me is $15 an hour.” Fairfax is a former District resident who attended DeMatha Catholic High

a curriculum, homework, experts, and facilitators like Houze to teach Black women between the ages of 40 and 75 about nutrition, fitness, healthy eating, and stress management. These are skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives. “We as Black women in midlife, we don’t really talk about our age and we’re getting older,” said Porter, who has been friends with Gaston for 40 years. “If we talk about anything, it’s about our menopause. This period of midlife is even more a period of growth and maturing than the period of adolescence.” Black women in this age group tend to die prematurely from heart – Gayle Porter disease, cancer, stroke and type-2 diabetes, Gaston said. Many times, grandmothers falling within that age group are primary caretakers, she added. “The women had those issues and struggled with stress, depression . . . anxious about what was going to happen,” Gaston said. “And in the Black community acknowledging that you’re Continued on D2

“We knew if we could change one Black woman in that group in terms of changing her life style . . . it’s going to have a ripple effect.”

Trafficking Task Force. In 2013, Fairfax ran for attorney general but was edged out by Mark Herring, a state senator, 51-49 percent in the Democratic primary. In 2014, he served as a co-chair for U.S. Sen. Mark Warner’s re-election bid and in 2016, served as a surrogate speaker for the Clinton presidential

“The law’s not working for low income people.” – Adam Eidinger one of the largest problems with the legislation is that it marginalizes an already disenfranchised group in the district. “The law’s not working for low-income people,” said Adam Eidinger, a White advocate in the fight for cannabis legalization instrumental in the passing of Initiative 71. He also co-founded DCMJ, a local marijuana advocacy group. Ras Fia, CEO and founder of Cannabis Alliance Networking Group, noted that low-income residents being negatively affected by the Continued on D2

Ward 8 ANC Meetings Pose Threat to Productivity

Fairfax Runs for Va. Lt. Gov By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com

By Micha Green Special to the AFRO The nation’s capital has made progress when it comes to cannabis, with the passing of Initiative 71, legalizing recreational marijuana use and possession. Even with the legislation, marijuana advocates contend that amendments are needed to make D.C. a “District of Cannabis.” There are factors that make D.C. cannabis laws restrictive. For instance, marijuana cannot be sold or purchased unless one has a medical card and is at a dispensary. In addition, local weed laws are not acknowledged on federal land, which accounts for 29 percent of the city’s total land area. Yet, D.C. marijuana advocates note

The projected design of the new Benjamin Orr Elementary school in Southeast D.C.

One of Ward 8’s most neglected school buildings is finally getting revamped. On May 25, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) was joined by D.C. Schools Chancellor Antwan Wilson, D.C. Council members David Grosso (I-At Large) and Trayon White (D-Ward 8), Ward 8 D.C. State Board of Education member Markus Batchelor, Deputy Mayor for Education Jennifer Niles, and Director of General Services Greer Johnson Gillis to break ground on the new Benjamin Orr Elementary School in Southeast Washington. “My administration is committed to accelerating school reforms that gives all children, in every ward the opportunity to reach their full potential,” the mayor said. “Today’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of a great new chapter for the entire Orr community, including its incredible students, teachers, and families.” The existing Orr Elementary school is an open space school built in 1974. Batchelor told the AFRO the open space concept is outdated and he is excited about the school’s new look. Orr is located in Ward 8 on Minnesota Avenue, S.E. and

Group Claims Marijuana Laws Unfair

expenditures must be approved by a majority of commissioners in a public meeting and then checks must be signed by at least two officers. Disputes among the Advisory The commissioners were voting to reimburse Neighborhood Commissioners in Ward 8b Blocker for $115 of the $215 she spent on are becoming a challenge for residents and purchasing business cards. Blocker had the commissioners, some leaders and constituents receipt of her purchase and said Watson said. didn’t give her instructions on a spending Last week at the Ward 8B ANC monthly maximum for the cards. Watson, along with public meeting, one commissioner announced other commissioners, including Paul Trantham her resignation and stormed out and Betty Scippio, agreed to of the gathering, while another reimburse Blocker for part of pledged not to run for another the money, but Blocker wanted term. Ward 8B is one of five a vote for the full amount. ANC jurisdictions in Ward The discussion escalated 8 that includes the Congress when residents attending the Heights residential area. meeting jumped into the debate “Yeah, it’s a little tense and advising the commissioners I cannot expose that right now,” to sign the reimbursement ANC 8B Chairperson Khadijah check and be respectful to Watson told the AFRO May one another. “Please don’t 23 in reference to her fellow come in here governing my leaders. meeting. You will not get District residents met at the honored here,” Trantham said Seventh District Police Station to resident, Michelle Kiah, who in Southeast, D.C. for an attempted to calm the situation. Courtesy photo ANC meeting on May 16, but “You don’t come running my Paul Trantham has decided the discussions of education, meeting, you crazy as hell.” to not run in the next ANC crime, and community outreach Scippio and Blocker walked election. were overshadowed by out of the room during the disagreements between commissioners. During verbal altercation. the meeting a heated argument arose among Kiah said she has been attending the the elected officials after ANC 8B Secretary meetings for more than five years and the jobs India Blocker asked to be reimbursed for her of ANC commissioners are to “to bring the purchase of business cards. government to the people and the people to the Continued on D2 According to the D.C. Auditor, all ANC By Briana Thomas Special to the AFRO

Courtesy Photo

Justin Fairfax is a former prosecutor and a business owner. campaign in Virginia, which Clinton won by 49.8%. Fairfax supports funding technical training programs and affordable college tuitions at state-funded higher-education institutions. He said he will work to refinance student debt and is a supporter of fullyfunded public education and universal Pre-Kindergarten. “Virginia is 29th in the nation in providing Pre-K and I will work to change that,” he said. “Early childhood education should not have to depend on your zip code.” Fairfax said he understands Black business needs in the state, given that he too is a small business owner. “We need to diversify the state’s contracting program to include more minority and women-owned Continued on D2

The Afro-American, June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017

Orr Elem.

Continued from D1 borders Ward 7 in a predominantly Black and working-class Fairlawn neighborhood. The school has 412 students and is 98.1 percent Black with less than a handful of Latinos and no White students according to District public school data. StartClass.com, a public school rating service, reports that 100 percent of Orr’s students are eligible for free lunch. That is in contrast with Janney Elementary School in predominantly White Ward 3 which is 74 percent White and seven percent Black with only three percent of its student body eligible for free lunch, according to the web site ElementarySchools.org. For decades, there have been news reports and complaints from Orr’s faculty and staff and community leaders that the school is uncomfortably hot in the spring and fall and extremely cold in the winter. There have also been complaints about rodents in the facility. Since the school modernization program began under D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty in 2007, Fairlawn activists and every Ward 8 D.C. council member since then has called for Orr’s building upgrade. It is not clear why the beginning of Orr’s modernization started a decade later, but Bowser told the AFRO not to blame her.

“I can only speak for the past two years,” the mayor said. “We have been working on this for the past two years and the great thing is that the students don’t have to move to a new site.” Grosso concurred on the point of students going to school at the same site. “You will have a new building right here on the property,” he said. “That’s not true around the city.”

“It is time for Ward 8 schools to get what they are due.” – Trayon White The new school will feature 26 individual but flexible classrooms for students in pre-K through 5th grade. In addition to these teaching spaces, the new building will include a parent resource center, a dedicated suite for special education, a new library with an adjacent laptop lab and maker space, a music room, an art room with kiln, and an outdoor learning space. Wilson visited Orr a few months ago and was impressed with the instruction but not the facility.

“I said ‘this school needs a new building’,” he said. “Bringing a new, world-class facility to the Orr Elementary School community so that our Ward 8 students can get highquality teaching and learning in a high-quality building is a great achievement for our city.” The existing school will remain operational while the new building is under construction. Once the new school building opens in the Fall of 2018, the old building will be demolished. The project is slated to cost $47 million. The building will also have green, environmental sensitive features such as photovoltaic panels, onsite storm water retention, permeable paving, energy efficient equipment, daylight harvesting, and HVAC energy recovery. Carolyn Jackson-King, principal at Orr, said the modernization is just one of the “great” things that are happening at her school. “Orr has one of the largest pre-K populations in D.C.,” the principal said. “We believe in building relationships and every adult in the building makes a point of mentoring a student or a few students. We have an Emerging Males of Color grant for boys and for the girls, we formed the Pearls of Southeast. We are working under a $250,000 blending learning program. We are winning at Orr.”

Non-Profit Continued from D1

stressed, depressed, or anxious . . . they were trying to maintain their stoic stance at very great cost to them physically and psychologically.” The program lasts 13 weeks and the sessions are two hours long. In them, likeminded women form a close bond by working on their individual issues and holding each other accountable. They also learn to prioritize themselves before looking after others. “We’re so busy taking care of Lottie, Dottie, and everybody that we don’t take care of ourselves,” Gaston said. “Once you become

healthier and more fit you’re better able to take care of people.” Women in this age group play a key role in society, Porter said. They are the role models and the matriarchs. They do the shopping and have influence at work and in church, Porter said. “We knew if we could change one Black woman in that group in terms of changing her life style . . . it’s going to have a ripple effect,” she said, adding that their participation encourages their husbands, life partners, children, and others to change their poor

health habits as well. Roughly 3,000 women have completed the program since it began in 2003. Some, like Houze, have also become credentialed facilitators. Facilitators and the other experts look like the women in the circle. Gaston says that’s by design, because a young dietician, for example, won’t get a woman in her 60s to change a recipe for mac and cheese. By the end of her 13 weeks, Houze started walking around outside during her lunch breaks and would go on to power walk through

Marijuana

Fairfax

Continued from D1

current marijuana legislation are disproportionately Black. “Since the passing of Initiative 71 there are a lot of benefits, but there are a lot of negatives. A lot of the African-American community is receiving the negative backlash because they live in public housing,” said Fia. Because the property is federally owned, those who live in public housing cannot legally consume cannabis in their homes, yet they also cannot go outside, because public smoking is illegal as well. Eidinger said that federal law and the many rules being enforced by the housing authority are stifling in general. “They’re basically trying to make public housing for sweet old grandmothers who don’t touch alcohol, cigarettes, or weed,” he said. Even with a medicinal card, those living in public housing are not afforded any of the privileges of card holders not living on federal land. A 53-year-old with fibromyalgia living in public housing in Southeast, who asked to be referred to as Cookie Brown for fear of repercussions, has been met with roadblocks as a medicinal marijuana user. “The medical program itself [laid out by the legislation] is not as beneficial as it could be for the patients. The dispensaries and the prices . . . It could be better laid out with the patients in mind. It’s more laid out for bureaucrats to get their cuts,” said Brown. “We’ve basically been threatened here, that if there are any activities that go on with marijuana that you can be evicted . . . No recourse. No appeal,” she said. To function, Brown said, she consumes marijuana in her apartment, but acknowledges the serious risk. “I absolutely feel unsafe with every jay I light,” she said. Brown and other advocates like Eidinger and Fia, argue there are other drugs authority figures should be

5k races. She learned how to read food labels, understood serving sizes, and monitored her fat intake. She also started breathing and meditating to cope with stressful situations. Houze lost 10 pounds and dropped her cholesterol by 10 points. The program, she said, helped her live a better life, which is why she decided to pay it forward by becoming a facilitator. “It’s for me the gift that keeps on giving and it’s the greatest blessing for me,” Houze said. “When you get a gift that great, how can you keep it to yourself?”

more preoccupied with than marijuana. “Some officers realize there are other issues more important such as the opium epidemic and K2,” Fia said. He said he has noticed that depending on the geographical location in

religious ceremony. Eidinger, who has been arrested 21 times because of his marijuana advocacy, said he learned a lot in his most recent jail stint. “This time it just reaffirmed that jail and prison are set up to oppress African American people. I

“We’ve basically been threatened here, that if there are any activities that go on with marijuana that you can be evicted…” – 53-year-old with fibromyalgia D.C., certain officers are more concerned about marijuana than others. “It seems as though in areas like Southeast, areas where individuals are not as financially blessed, it seems to me like there’s a police car at every other light . . . I live in Northeast. I see people smoking and Caucasians walk right past officers smoking and they don’t say anything . . . It all depends on where you are in the city,” said Fia. In 2011, prior to the passing of Initiative 71, there were about 5,700 marijuana arrests in the city. According to Eidinger, after the passing of Initiative 71, in 2015, marijuana arrests were reduced to 351. In 2016, the number rose to 654, 354 of those arrests being for public smoking. While arrest numbers are lower than they were prior to the passing of the current marijuana legislation, in 2017 people are still going to jail for cannabis use. Eidinger was arrested twice in April. He was arrested for giving marijuana away on April 20 – the internationally recognized marijuana-lovers’ holiday – and next on April 24th, with Fia, when smoking cannabis near the capitol as part of a

was the only White guy of the 80 guys in central cell block,” he said. “People are selfmedicating with Molly and MDMA (ecstasy) not because of PTSD from war, but for what was seen in the hood. “The felons are our disenfranchised communities and I don’t think that’s what our founding fathers even intended . . . I’m aware of

this issue as a White man. I’m painfully aware of it. My Jewish mother is livid that I voluntarily put myself in jail.” Eidinger continues to serve as an advocate because he contends there will be major improvement once there is true legalization. Cannabis is currently classified as a Schedule I drug, which includes substances like heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. Eidinger and Fia said they think marijuana laws will be reformed once the substance is rescheduled. During the January inauguration, Eidinger and other advocates were able to bring 10,000 people together from various backgrounds, by gifting them with free marijuana. “Trump supporters, religious people, all races… It was like such a diverse crowd and it wasn’t just Democrats or Republicans. All kinds of Americans. People put their politics aside for free weed,” Eidinger said. This article is the second in a series of articles on the ramifications and opportunities with marijuana for D.C.’s Black community.

Continued from D1

businesses,” he said. “To do business with the state is a mighty challenge for these businesses. We need to diversify the supplier base and help Black businesses get more access to capital. “We should make sure that the American dream of owning your own business is available to many more people in the state.” Fairfax has been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Gerry Connally (D-Va.). On March 27 he said, “As a Northern Virginian, Justin understands the unique challenges facing our region and is committed to fighting for our fair share in Richmond [the state

“I am very passionate about more people getting the same shot.” – Justin Fairfax capital]. I’ll be casting my ballot for Justin Fairfax on June 13 and I urge all Virginians to do the same.” In addition to Connally, Fairfax has been endorsed by 100 elected officials and over half of the Virginia State Senate’s Democratic caucus. Fairfax said he won the 15 straw polls that have taken place around the state. Plus, he said, he has raised $1 million in the race. “He’s a great guy,” Donald Scoggins, who lives in Prince William County, Va. and stopped short of endorsing him, told the AFRO. “It would be great if he got the Democratic nomination. He would be formidable in the general election because he isn’t overtly liberal. Virginia tends to be conservative on some issues and Fairfax could be the right fit for some people in the middle.” Fairfax and his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, co-own a dental practice in Fairfax County, where they live with their two children.

Ward 8

Continued from D1 government.” She told the AFRO that a lot of the issues going on in the community like crime and violence are not always addressed in the meetings, because of bickering among the commissioners. “I feel very disappointed,” Kiah said. “I want to be proud of our ANC commission, and I’m not going to stop coming and staying engaged, but that’s a problem and its not how people should conduct themselves.” Trantham said he will not run in the next ANC election. Scippio, who initially announced her resignation at the May 16 meeting, said she resigned because the constant bickering can be wearing. She has since retracted her decision. “Sometimes you just get overwhelmed with crazy stuff and I just had to let it out,” she told the AFRO on May 23. She explained that she should be immune to the disrespect at meetings by now, and that commissioners have to separate their personal feelings from their ANC duties if they want change. “In any political situation, especially as ANCs, it’s not about us personally. We represent constituents when we took that oath. It’s not about how I feel,” Scippio said. The third term ANC member said she is planning to move

to Virginia when her term ends, and will not run in the next election. “We not getting anything done in the community like we should because we are arguing,” Scippio continued. “We not giving out money like we should. We not moving forward.” The Office of Finance and Resource Management disburses annual funding through quarterly allotments to ANCs based on population ratios, according to the D.C. Auditor. The funds can be used for commission’s expenses, public purposes, and benefits within the commission’s respective location. These funds include awarding grants for improvements in the community, programs, neighborhood sports leagues, area events, and more. Scippio said since she has served on the ANC she can only remember Ward 8B giving out one or two such grants. According to Ward 8B’s quarterly reports from 2016, the commission had more than $20,000 in available funds to spend, but none of the money was spent on issuing community grants. In fact, only about $7,290 of the available funds were disbursed, with majority of the spending listed under the category of “communication.” The remaining funds are set to roll over to the next quarter.

June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017, The Afro-American

Go-Go Music Going to the Big Screen By Jasmine Ball Special to the AFRO Washington D.C.’s eclectic music scene is slated to hit the big screen in 2020 and will be made by Amazon Independent Films, a division of the online retailer. “Go- Go is the sound of Washington, D.C., the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) area,” Stanley V. Henson Jr., the script writer for the production, told the AFRO. The film, which does not yet have a title, will talk

about go-go in the city and the lives of the pioneers who paved the way for the music genre. Henson said he met Max Kidd, known as the Berry Gordy of D.C. Go-Go scene, in 1980 and mentored him. Around 2007-2008, when he was writing a documentary about Ben’s Chili Bowl, he spent a lot of time with Kidd. He said he would also bring musicians to him. They had a deep talk about his legacy and Henson promised Kidd that

“Go- Go is the sound of Washington, D.C., the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) area.” – Stanley V. Henson, Jr.

Homicide Count 2017 Total

Past Seven Days

Data as of May 31

AFRO WASHINGTON AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Washington, D.C.

3rd Annual Urban Kids Fishing Derby Constitution Gardens, 1850 Constitution Ave. NW

Urban American Outdoors TV (UAOTV) along with the U.S. Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife, NPS Healthy Parks Healthy People, National Wildlife Federation, Department of Energy and Environment and the Bureau of Land Management is scheduled to host the third Annual Urban Kids Fishing Derby. The fishing experience and celebration will be held on June 3 at the Constitution Gardens located at 1850 Constitution Ave., NW. Registration and derby begins at 8 a.m. and ends at noon. This is a catch & keep derby and it is free. It will officially kick off National Boating and Fishing Week. For additional information, visit uaotv.com. if anything was to happen, he would make sure his story was told and his legacy continued. Kidd passed away on March 17. He was 75-years-old. According to a press release, the film is slated to talk about “the lives of Maxx Kidd; Chuck Brown, known as the godfather of

Go-Go music; Lil Benny; Peter Dean; Sugarbear Elliott, known as the crowned prince; and Miss Mack.” Of course, this is not the first time GoGo music has been showcased nationally. Go-Go was featured prominently in Spike Lee’s 1988 film “School Daze.” Henson said the film will

Jazzn’ Families Fun Day The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St NW

Enjoy a fun family weekend from June 3-4 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St., NW. The event will include live jazz music featuring the finest talent in the region including vibrant galleries, art-making activities, an instrument petting zoo, interactive storytelling, and a free film screening among other attractions. The event is scheduled to feature Janell Gill, David Schulman + Quiet Life Motel, Donato Soviero Trio, Donvonte McCoy Quartet, and John Lee Trio. The event is free and open to the public.

Wheaton, Md.

Taste of Wheaton Wheaton Triangle: corner of Grandview Avenue & Reedie Drive

Taste of Wheaton is scheduled to be held on June 4 at Wheaton Triangle, corner of Grandview Avenue & Reedie Drive, at 11 a.m. Highlights include: food samples from some of downtown Wheaton’s best restaurants at prices ranging from $1 to $5 per “taste” and a beer & wine garden. Attendees will also be able to enjoy, for free, music and dance performances, kids’ rides, face painting, balloon sculptures and caricature drawings. focus on the beginning of Go-Go music and groups such as E.U., Rare Essence, Chuck Brown, The Junkyard Band, and the emergence of the Go-Go music sound of Washington, D.C. According to Henson, the film’s budget is $2.3 million. “I hope to make D.C. proud with this film,” he said.

Although the film is slated to premiere a few years down the line, area residents, who are still fans of the musical genre, said they think the music helps to tell a little of the city’s history. “Go-Go sheds some good light on the city and how it’s used to bring our people together,” Sadana Sparrow-Bey told the AFRO.

Ward 8 Dems Debate Airbnb’s Toll on Affordable Housing By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com The Ward 8 Democrats held a debate on affordable housing and whether home-sharing is beneficial for District of Columbia residents. The debate, “Affordable Housing vs. Airbnb” was held at the St. Elizabeths East R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center May 20. Panelists included Will Burns, public policy director for home-sharing behemoth Airbnb; Synta Keeling, a Ward 7 host for Airbnb; Desmond Surrette, deputy political director of Local 25 UNITE HERE representing 6,500 hospitality workers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area; Jim McCrath, founder of tenant advocate organization TENAC, and Charles Leocha, founder and president of advocacy group Travelers United.

Death Notice

Anthony C. Pinkney

Anthony C. Pinkney, peacefully passed away on May 28, 2017 in Washington, D.C. He is survived by his father, Chester H. Pinkney Sr. His siblings, Chester H. Pinkney Jr., Judy Pinkney and Sandra Pinkney. Funeral arrangements will be held by Johnson and Jenkins Funeral home located 716 Kennedy Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20011. Viewing 10:00 - 11:00 am. Funeral Service 11:00 - 12:00 pm. Interment Lincoln Memorial Cemetery (Private)

The primary issue was “The Short Term Rental Regulation and Affordable Housing Protection Act of 2017.” This legislation, authored by D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5), makes it illegal for District property owners to post multiple addresses for short-term rentals and would cut the number of days a homeowner could rent a property from an unlimited amount of time to 15 days per year. Additionally, the bill wouldn’t restrict those who rents out a basement apartment or rooms within their primary residence, or homeowners doing business with Airbnb. Firms like Airbnb would have Courtesy photo to be licensed and regulated. Will Burns, the public Burns said Airbnb is a policy director for Airbnb, good corporate neighbor sat on a panel discussing in the District and not just affordable housing in here to make money. “We relation to home-sharing. are committed to paying our taxes,” he said. “Airbnb is good for the city because home sharers on average earn $5,800 a year in extra income. I believe that we should be regulated and there should be a cap on the number of nights that Airbnb uses and the hosts should be licensed.” Burns is skeptical about McDuffie’s bill because it would cause undue regulations on the hosts and impede his company’s growth in the city. Synta Keeling is an Airbnb host in Ward 7, with her residence in the Capitol View/Marshall Heights section.

Keeling said her experiences as a host have been positive and Airbnb should be given a chance to flourish. “Hosts are sharing a part of our houses and we should get to do it year-round,” Keeling said. “What we do really helps because there are no hotels in Wards 7 or 8 and we provide a service. Being a host is a great way to supplement income and it really helps because I am a government attorney and I am away sometimes and somebody in the house while I’m [gone] is a benefit.” Surrette made it clear that Airbnb and other home-sharing companies shouldn’t have a free pass from the District government. “We don’t want to ban home-sharing in the city but the city should regulate short-term rentals,” he said. “What does this mean for residents of Ward 8? We don’t want a situation where available housing units are used by Airbnb to make money and not house people.” He made it clear Local 25 supports homeowners who rent out rooms but said, “The city needs clearer laws on homesharing.”

We don’t want a situation where available housing units are used by Airbnb to make money and not house people.”

McGrath was blunt in his assessment of the District’s housing situation and of Airbnb. “There is no affordable housing in this city,” he said. “It is tough for homeless people and middle-income people to live in this city. There are some people who want to make Washington, D.C. another Beverly Hills or Boca Raton.” Former D.C. Council member LaRuby May requested Surrette work with usa.skanska.com Ward 8 leaders to get a hotel in the ward. He agreed to that, tentatively. According to Curbed, a District real estate market publication, Wards 7 and 8 Airbnb outlets increased 95 percent over the previous year and guest arrivals increased by 165 percent. Please join us at our Informational Event Leocha supports Airbnb in the city but is aware of the for Arlington Memorial Bridge Pursuit high costs of housing in the District. He said the short-term rental market in the District Date: June 13, 2017 is a positive and should be Time: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm supported. “If there is an attempt to curtail the shortterm rental market the winner will be the hotel industry Location: Courtyard Arlington Rosslyn in Washington,” Leocha 1533 Clarendon Blvd said. “Washington, D.C. is Arlington, Virginia 22209 becoming known as a city for short-term renters, whether they are in the military, in Light Refreshment will be provided government, and in corporate America on a short-term RSVP: Kosal.Sarou@skanska.com assignment.”

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The Afro-American, June 3, 2017 - June 9, 2017

CONGRATULATIONS DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED FELLOWS!

Alexa Imani Spencer HOWARD

Noni Marshall HOWARD

Darrell Williams MOREHOUSE

Ayron Lewallen MOREHOUSE

Jordan Fisher CLARK ATLANTA

Taylor Burris SPELMAN

Tiana Hunt CLARK ATLANTA

Kelsey Jones SPELMAN

Discover the Unexpected is back! This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DTU journalism fellowship presented by the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox in partnership with the National Newspaper Publishers Association has expanded beyond Howard University to include students from Spelman College, Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University. Our 8 DTU Fellows will share stories from Atlanta, Washington D.C., Raleigh and New Orleans. Our young journalists will explore and share stories from these rich strongholds of African American history and culture. Join them as they embark on this exciting journey of inspiration, education and discovery.

#discovertheunexpected

DISCOVER MORE OF THEIR STORY AT NNPA.ORG/DTU