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November 12, 2016 - November 12, 2016, The Afro-American A1 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EDITION

Volume 125 No. 25

JANUARY 21, 2017 - JANUARY 27, 2017

Thank You, Mr. President

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As President Barack Obama and his family leave office, the AFRO looks back at his legacy as the nation’s first African-American President. The edition contains stories on Obama’s legacy, the first lady, SCOTUS, and a photo page of Obama’s years in the White House.

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The Legacy of President Barack Obama

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By Sean Yoes AFRO Senior Contributor When Barack Hussein Obama took the oath of office to become the 44th President of the United States on Jan. 20, 2009, perhaps the most durable symbolic barrier to the full citizenship of Black Americans was shattered.

On that day, for the first time in the country’s 233 year history, the White House, the home of the most powerful man on the planet, would not be occupied by a White man.

Two million Americans (an attendance record for any event in Washington, D.C.) braved frigid conditions to celebrate the inauguration of the first Black President of the United States and the feeling of goodwill in the nation’s capital permeated the icy air on that

sparkling day.

“Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents. So it has been.

So it must be with this generation of Americans,” said President Obama on Jan. 20, 2009.

But, even while millions of Americans (and billions around the world) revelled in the hope of that significantly historic day, at least

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Michelle Obama, a First Lady Like No Other

By Zenitha Prince Senior AFRO Correspondent zprince@afro.com Michelle Obama has been a vital component of her husband’s White House tenure, leaving an indelible legacy that will be a hard act to follow.

“She leaves really big shoes for the next first lady to fill,” said Andra Gillespie, associate professor of political science at Emory University.

“One would be hard-pressed to deny that she had a lasting impression on the office. I think people are going to look at her tenure in office Continued on A3

Courtesy photo

President Obama and his national security team watch as the operation that lead to the killing of Osama Bin Laden, architect of 9/11, takes place from the White House Situation Room.

Barack Obama made history when he defeated Senator John MCain in 2008 and became the first African-American president.

The following article explores what his election meant to the country.

AFRO Archived History

Barack Obama Makes History Nov. 8, 2008

By Zenitha Prince Washington Bureau Chief

Courtesy photo

First Lady Michelle Obama was a vital component of her husband’s White House tenure.

Barack Obama, the son of a Black man from Kenya and a White woman from Kansas, has been elected President of the United States, a country whose Constitution had to be amended nearly 200 years ago in order for African Americans to vote.

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The Afro-American, January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017

Church Pastors See Hope Past Obama Presidency Your History • Your Community • Your News

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The Rev. Derrick Harkins worshipped with the Obama family over the last eight years. He, along with other area clergymen, will have to find ways to unite the country under the next administration.

By Hamil R. Harris Special to the AFRO Eight years ago, the Rev. Derrick Harkins could hardly contain his joy when President-elect Barack Obama and the first family worshipped at the 19th Street Baptist Church in Northwest D.C. on the Sunday before his inauguration. “It was a lifetime moment,” Harkins told the AFRO. “Undeniably, I recognized the history of the moment, the joy of the money and opportunity of the moment because it allowed us to give the president and his family a worship service.”

For the last eight years Harkin was part of a group of faith leaders with close ties to President Obama. He became the director of faith outreach for the Democratic National Committee and even though he moved on to Union Theological Seminary in New York he has maintained close ties with the White House.

From Harkins to the Rev. Delman Coates, pastor of Mount Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Md., the last two months have been a time for soul searching because they are part of a group of pastors who now face the reality of having PresidentElect Donald Trump and people with a much different ideology in the White House. “I am a veteran of political campaigns and this is completely different than anything that I have ever seen,” Harkins said. “These are people who show complete contempt for justice, equality and fairness for people whether they are women, immigrants

or Muslims.”

For the last eight years Coates worked with President Obama to rally the church on a range of issues from criminal justice reform to supporting Maryland’s marriage equality bill.

Coates said it is not the time to give up the fight. “We have to remain on the wall, we have to challenge the presidential appointments and not allow Donald Trump and regressive politics to turn back the hands of time,” said Coates, speaking across the country with other ministers to keep people of color and others engaged.

The Rev. Lionel Edmonds, president of the Washington Interfaith Network, said in the wake of the Trump election that there must be an awakening and “The historical ties between the Civil Rights community, the Black community, labor and the African-American church must be resurrected, rekindled and renewed.”

Edmonds, pastor at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Northwest D.C., rejects the view that Obama is partly responsible for Hillary Clinton’s defeat because he didn’t do enough for the Bernie Saunders wing of the party. “His hands were tied by the Republicans in Congress, we had unrealistic hopes and expectations, and he thought that he would be able to do more and that he would have longer coat tails,” he said.

Rev. Jerome Stephens, an associate pastor at the New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore, said “I believed that he was confounded by the resistance of his presidency from the beginning to end. Because of such, it stopped him for doing more. He was the President for all people and did what he could with the resistance.”

In terms of going forward, the Rev. Grainger Browning, pastor of the Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fort Washington, Md. said that despite calls to keep an open mind about Trump it is not going to be easy. “Our people are so anti-Trump, even those who allude to him are crucified,” said Browning, referencing former NFL greats Jim Brown and Ray Lewis who were criticized after they met with Trump in New York. But Browning and the ministers said they hope new partnerships can be forged among Whites and Blacks on economic issues.

“I believe there are more similarities that unite us between the working class of Blacks and Whites,” Browning said. “Our greatest challenge is the affront to voting rights and voter suppression. The reality is, [Trump] is president and we have to find common ground for the betterment of our communities.”

Despite the loss of the White House, Harkins said Clinton supporters are not giving up. “A lot of young people that I talked to are capable and talented. My word to them is to stay on the field and fight for the things that we have believed in for the last eight years.”

Obama’s Impact on Black America

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President Obama meets with members of the Congressional Black Caucus right before the Affordable Care Act is signed in 2010.

IN THE COMMUNITY

The Cordish Companies and Power Plant Live! are proud to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy of community service by announcing a renewed commitment to Baltimore with “Live! in the Community,” a philanthropic initiative to invest charitable grants and in-kind resources to assist worthwhile local charitable organizations.

Building on our tradition of strong community partnerships, The Cordish Companies and Power Plant Live! are committed to causes that support hunger relief and youth serving programs in the greater Baltimore area. Interested 501(C(3) organizations who meet the criteria can submit an online application at powerplantlive.com/community-relations.

By Charles D. Ellison Special to the AFRO

After an earnest exchange of sharp queries and careful answers on Russian interference in the 2016 election, Meet the Press host Chuck Todd threw in a question that visibly caught segment guests Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) off guard.

“President Obama’s going to be giving his farewell address. The most positive part of his legacy, most

negative part of his legacy. I’ll start with you Sen. McCain.”

“I would say the most positive part of his legacy is that the very fact that the first African American as president of the United States is a signal that in America anybody can rise to the highest level.

And I think that that’s a very important landmark and is historic,” McCain said.

“He and the First Lady need to be complimented for representing our nation well as a first family. It’s historic. He’s the first AfricanAmerican president,” added

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Graham, equally if not more cautious and measured. “But it just wasn’t that. I think the family represented us in a fashion we can all be proud of.”

Notably, and not so surprising to Obama presidency supporters, neither Republican senator could provide one single policy accomplishment that stood out positively after eight-years – including the president’s re-election.

Both, instead, focused on the racial cosmetics of the moment, as if that “first Black president” existed mostly in theory rather than exercise or implementation. Indeed, both senators – noted foreign policy hawks and among many rather prolific GOP opponents to the Obama White House – could only highlight what they perceived as a weakness on foreign policy.

And, yet, even with foreign policy, President Obama seemed to accomplish what he meticulously laid out as a first-time candidate in 2008 and running again in 2012. On both occasions, most of the American public (with turnout among eligible voters historically up in both elections) seemed to agree: significant reduction of U.S. troop deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan; carefully avoiding any additional entanglements through smart, surgical use of special forces; re-establishing frayed relations with old allies; gaining global consensus on the world climate change response; and, ultimately, avoiding any large scale, Continued on C3

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The Afro-American, January 21, 2017 - January 21, 2017

January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017, The Afro-American

Legacy Continued from A1 11 GOP lawmakers, as well as former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Republican pollster Frank Luntz, among others gathered in the Caucus Room, a glitzy Washington, D.C. restaurant. The group, according to Robert Draper’s book, Do Not Ask What Good We Do: Inside the U.S. House of Representatives conspired for hours on how they would derail the legislative platform of the nation’s first Black president. Thus, began Republican foment, which propelled perhaps the most obstructionist legislative agenda against any U.S. president in modern history. Later, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (curiously absent from the Caucus Room meeting) bolstered the clandestine machinations of his colleagues by publicly proclaiming during an interview with the National Journal, October 23, 2010, “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.”

Against this toxic backdrop, President Obama began his eight-year odyssey.

When he entered the Oval Office, the U.S. economy was hemorrhaging about 700,000 jobs a month, in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and the unemployment rate was nearly 8 percent (it rose to 10 percent in October 2009). Obama supported the massive $700 billion bank bailout initiated by President Bush, following the subprime mortgage crisis and the crash of global financial markets in 2008. Obama also backed Bush’s plan to inject almost $20 billion in loans into the faltering U.S. auto industry, which many believed was on the brink of collapse.

He pushed for the 2009 Recovery Act and signed it into law in February 2009. The bank bailout, the auto bailout and the Recovery Act were all unpopular politically. Yet, as a result of Obama’s actions during his first few months as president, the country has experienced 75 consecutive months of job growth (as of January 2017), adding between nine and 11 million jobs during the Obama years, with a current unemployment rate of 4.7 percent. As for the U.S. auto industry (the lifeblood of American manufacturing), it experienced record sales in 2015, a seemingly implausible turnaround, after staring at economic catastrophe in 2009.

The acrimony in wake of the various attempts (proved successful) at reviving the U.S. economy, unleashed the often virulent anti-government backlash known as The Tea Party (which many believe is rooted in racial animus against Obama). Undeterred, the president spent the vast majority of the political capital and goodwill he accumulated with his election, on implementing the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, and providing health insurance for millions of

Courtesy photo

Michelle and Barack Obama hold hands as they listen to Rep. John Lewis speak during the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

The Obama years produced many more accomplishments, controversies and narratives yet to be concluded; the legalization of gay marriage, the re-initiation of political relations with Cuba, Guantanamo Bay remains open, immigration reform.

Americans.

The president immersed himself into America’s always volatile and treacherous racial waters publicly for the first time as president after Harvard University professor Henry Louis “Skip” Gates was arrested by a White police officer in July of 2009 for essentially breaking into his own home in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The president argued the officer who arrested Gates, “acted stupidly,” and took the opportunity to rail against, “the long history,” of racial profiling primarily against Blacks and Latinos in America. Obama’s comments sparked a firestorm of outrage among many White Americans and law enforcement.

The country’s unresolved an ubiquitous race polemic erupted with deadly and tragic consequences with the murder of Trayvon Martin in Feb. of 2012. The 17-year old Martin was gunned down by George Zimmerman, a gun-toting, neighborhood watchmen or vigilante (depending upon one’s perspective), as he walked to his father’s home in Sanford,

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Florida, armed with only a bag of Skittles and an Arizona Iced Tea. Again, President Obama raised the ire of many Whites in the wake of Martin’s murder when he said, “If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon.” After Martin’s murder, the president seemed much more trepidatious when issues of race rose in the nation’s public forum, much to the consternation of many Black Americans who believe Obama didn’t do enough, specifically for Black people, during his eight years in office.

It’s a debate that will probably rage for generations to come.

Beyond Obama’s domestic battles, his foreign policy record, particularly his efforts to navigate the quagmire of the Middle East (the rise of ISIS, Iran nuclear deal, drone warfare, Benghazi, war in Syria) is mixed at best, while his detractors would declare Obama’s Middle East doctrine a disaster.

However, there was at least one unequivocal victory in the Middle East and the United States ongoing war against terror; the death of Osama bin Laden. The alleged mastermind of the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 in New York City and Washington, D.C. (as well as the thwarted attack on a Flight 93, which crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania), was killed by an elite team of U.S. Navy Seals, on May 2, 2011 in Pakistan. Obama’s announcement of bin Laden’s death on national television, triggered a wave of patriotic euphoria in the United States.

The Obama years produced many more accomplishments, controversies and narratives yet to be concluded; the legalization of gay marriage, the re-initiation of political relations with Cuba, Guantanamo Bay remains open, immigration reform.

And in a staggering twist of fate, Donald John Trump, the man who attempted to delegitimize the first Black president of the United States, as king of the so-called, “birther,” movement is now poised to replace Obama as the 45th President of the United States. And Trump says he will dismantle Obama’s signature legislative achievement, the Affordable Care Act, leaving up to 20 million Americans without health insurance.

Yet, perhaps the most important and lasting chapter of the Obama legacy may not be revealed for generations to come and that is the impact of his ascension on the collective psyche of America. Specifically, there are millions of elementary schoolage children, of all races and sexes who only know what life is like with a Black man occupying the most powerful office on earth. What does that mean for little Black boys and Black girls who have watched Obama and his wife Michelle (one of the most transcendent First Ladies in U.S. history) parent their two beautiful and brilliant daughters in the White House and run the country for the last eight years, and do so with unparalleled grace, dignity and morale clarity?

That element of the Obama legacy alone has probably altered the trajectory of our country.

Michelle Continued from A1 positively.”

Even before she entered the White House, it was clear Michelle Obama would not fit the mold of the typical first lady.

Princeton graduate, Harvard law degree recipient, corporate lawyer, Chicago’s assistant commissioner for planning and development, executive director of a group that grooms community leaders and vice president at the University of Chicago—Michelle Obama’s professional portfolio rivalled— even trumped—that of her famous husband.

“I don’t think in this modern society that the first lady role would be traditional because women like me are already breaking the mold,” she told the AFRO in a February 2008 interview during Barack Obama’s first campaign for president.

“The fact that I’m a vice president of a company has thrown people off. The fact that I have a career and a spouse, that I am a great speaker in my own right, some would say compelling, sends people in a tizzy at some level. But that’s who women are.”

Yet, Michelle Obama’s approach to the role of first lady—a job that comes with little description or helpful rule book—has been mostly traditional, and her chief role has been that of mom-in-chief to daughters, Malia and Sasha.

Without doubt, the most lasting aspect of Michelle Obama’s legacy is the distinction she shares with her husband of being the first African Americans to hold the titles of president and first lady.

“In so many ways this was so special—simply that they were there,” said Peter Slevin, associate professor of journalism at Northwestern University and author of Michelle Obama: A Life.

“The Obamas in the White House taking their work seriously and getting things done—I think this [picture] will have an impact for generations.”

Robert Smith, a political analyst at San Francisco State

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University, agreed that the Obamas’ very “presence” and the visibility of their successful, intact family changed stereotypes about what Black family life looks like.

But the historic nature of being the “first” African-American anything—and even more so the first lady of the United States—brings with it an additional level of challenge.

There was also an additional degree of criticism that often took a vicious, personal bent that went past mere politics—as in when the New Yorker played into the “angry Black woman” trope in its depiction of Mrs. Obama with an afro and machine gun in her first appearance on a magazine cover, when a Wisconsin Republican disparaged her “large posterior” or when a West Virginia nonprofit director called her an “ape in heels.”

“She has been the target of a number of unfair attacks because of her being ‘insufficiently American’ in the eyes of

some people,” Smith said.

However, the first lady—and the president—distinguished themselves by how gracefully they handled the unprecedented, sometimes racially-motivated vitriol aimed their way.

Their approach was, perhaps, best encapsulated in Michelle Obama’s much-acclaimed speech on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention back in July, when in explaining the lessons and morals she and the president try to instill in their daughters she said: “We explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is: when they go low, we go high.”

The first lady’s ability to connect with people was evident in her favorability ratings, which stayed above 60 percent.

In her primary role as chief supporter of her husband, Michelle Obama also helped to make the more cerebral, reserved president more relatable to the public.

“I can give people a perspective into Barack’s character like no other person can, I mean, I’m married to the guy,” she said in the February 2008 interview with the AFRO. “I know his strengths and weaknesses but I can also speak to his character.”

Michelle Obama also was tasked with validating her husband’s Blackness to skeptical African-American voters early in his career and her presence at his side—a darker hued Black woman—did the same during his campaign for president. For

example, when her husband was running for a Senate seat in 2004, she told a Chicago television station: “I’ve grown up in this community. I’m as Black as it gets. I was born on the South side. I come from an obviously Black family. We weren’t rich. I put my Blackness up against anybody’s Blackness in this state, OK? And Barack is a Black man. And he’s done more in terms of meeting his commitments and sticking his neck out for this community than many people who criticize him. And I can say that ‘cause I’m Black.”

In addition to championing her husband and his policies, Michelle Obama’s legacy will also defined by the issues she advocated as first lady.

Specifically, the first lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, which was launched in 2010, brought together private and public organizations to focus much needed attention on the childhood obesity epidemic and the need for healthier eating and more active lifestyles. Through her efforts, food companies made the first major changes in nutrition labelling in several decades. Also, the first lady promoted access to more nutritious, affordable meals though the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which ushered in the first major change in school meals in 15 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicated.

Perhaps the most visible sign of the first lady’s efforts in that regard is the much celebrated White House kitchen garden— including the first-ever White House beehive and pollinator garden—which will likely continue to thrive with the help of a $2.5 million endowment from home gardening company W. Atlee Burpee and The Burpee Foundation. More than her platform, however, Michelle Obama will be remembered for how she promoted those messages, showing a savvy with both traditional and new-age media, as in her appearance on popular daytime and late-night talk shows, on YouTube and on social media forums such as “Carpool Karaoke.”

Michelle Obama’s effortless cool was also reflected in her fashion aplomb: her bold choices in color and style; wearing a sleeveless sheath that showed off buff arms in her first official White House portrait; promoting the clothing of little-known designers and wearing unexpected, off-the-rack pieces from stores like Target or J. Crew.

That style—and commitment to diversity—was also represented in the first lady’s duty as hostess, Smith, the San Francisco political analyst, said.

“As a hostess, she was quite memorable in having a wide range of cultural figures at the White House, particularly African-American musicians,” Gillespie said, later adding of the first couple, “The style and grace they brought to the ceremonial aspect of the presidency is something that hasn’t been seen since the Kennedys.”

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The Afro-American, January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017

January 21, 2017 - January 21, 2017, The Afro-American

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How Obama Used the Law to Bring About Change

By Gloria Browne-Marshall AANIC Supreme Court Correspondent Barack Hussein Obama, 55, departs the White House with a legacy of sweeping change and political controversy. He was not only the first Black President of the United States; he was a change agent in the lives of Americans and people worldwide with accomplishments that far outweighed his defeats.

In 2009, I stood among a million people in frigid temperatures awaiting the swearing-in of a community organizer turned law professor and then politician. Then Sen. Obama promised to bridge a divided in Washington. Few recall how much rested on his relatively young shoulders.

He campaigned on making change. It was symbolic that the Supreme Court’s conservative Chief Justice John Roberts bungled the oath of office at the swearing-in. In unprecedented fashion, it would have to be repeated later that evening.

Within his first months in office, President Obama signed economic recovery laws that saved the automotive industry and supported the failing housing industry. The Justice Department led by Eric Holder attacked Wall Street and housing for discriminatory practices by large banks that had forced homebuyers, especially people of color, into risky subprime loans with balloon payments resulting in millions of foreclosures. Keeping people in their homes and employed was the mission of President Obama’s first term.

President Obama is the child of a White mother from Kansas and Kenyan father. He was also raised by her White parents in Hawaii. Childhood challenges, as an outsider, gave him insights that led him to champion immigration reform. He signed Executive Orders protecting the children of undocumented parents brought to America and facing deportation. The Dreamers Act would allow young undocumented children to remain in the United States.

As a constitutional law professor, President Obama’s legacy is marked by high profile cases before the Supreme Court. He nominated two female justices, including the first Latino, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagen. Since the President’s mother had struggled with cancer and failed attempts to gain insurance coverage, the Affordable Care Act became his hallmark legislation.

The Affordable Care Act became America’s first national health plan. It met numerous attacks by conservatives but was found constitutional in a surprising Supreme Court victory.

However, his Dreamers Act was defeated in the Supreme Court and his nominee to replace a deceased conservative was never given a hearing by a Republican controlled Senate. The Voting Rights Act which protected voters from discrimination

History Continued from A1 “I had to pinch myself,” said U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), a national cochairman of the Obama campaign. “When we started this race, people laughed at us. Now, we see Barack Obama, a man of color, become the President of the United States.”

Obama won a lopsided victory in the Electoral College Tuesday, defeating an older and more experienced John McCain by a 2 to 1 margin en route to becoming the first Democrat to win a majority of the popular vote since 1976. Obama became PresidentElect by winning 95 percent of the Black vote, 68 percent of Latino ballots and 59 percent of voters 18 to 34 years old, according to a survey conducted by NBC and the Wall Street Journal.

Obama won as large a share of the White vote as any Democrat in the past two decades.

He won 43 percent, compared to John F. Kerry, who won 41 percent in 2004 and Al Gore, who captured 42 percent in 2000.

Although the Constitution was amended in 1870 to allow Blacks to vote, it wasn’t until the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that African Americans, especially those in the South, could vote without trickery or fear of retaliation.

With some election returns still trickling in Wednesday, Obama held a 338-161 lead over McCain in electoral votes.

McCain, in is concession speech before supporters in Phoenix, Ariz., summed up the results best. “The American people have spoken. And they have spoken clearly,” he said.

The first indication that McCain would have difficulty making inroads into Obama’s lead came at around 8:30 p.m. when Pennsylvania was called for the Democratic candidate by a 10-percentage point margin.

The McCain campaign had said earlier that they had to win the state to have a viable chance at victory.

Courtesy photo

Barack Obama and Joe Biden, then president-elect and vice president elect walk through the hallway of the Supreme Court with eight of the nine Justices in 2009. was gutted by the high Court and civil rights laws for people of color came under attack.

However, President Obama successfully advocated for the civil rights of gays and lesbians. The Supreme Court upheld marriage equality and defeated any legislation that defined marriage as only between a man and a woman. The President pushed for climate change as a national policy and supported environmental laws to increase research for clean air products and resisted building a new oil pipeline across America.

President Obama will be remembered for removing the threat of Osama Bin Laden. When he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, the judges made clear his prize was given not because of what he had done but for the world peace he could bring. In his speech, however, President Obama made clear that he would protect American interests with force if diplomacy did not work. America’s political divisions were evident when some conservatives grudgingly accepted

Ohio, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana and other states won by President Bush in 2004 were added to the Obama column, making McCain’s defeat inevitable.

As soon as the polls closed in California, Oregon and Washington State – 11 p.m., EST – all of the television networks projected Obama as the winner, causing thousands of supporters to erupt in cheers at an outdoor rally at Grant Park in Chicago.

For Obama, 47, the victory ended a journey that began nearly two years ago as he defeated some of the biggest names in politics along the way, including Hillary Clinton and McCain, a lionized Vietnam War hero.

According to exit interviews, nearly one in five voters who backed

Bin Laden was dead; but, they refused to give the Obama Administration credit.

Despite his efforts, President Obama did not close the prison on Guantanamo Bay. Nor did he deliver immigration reform. Although the economy is much improved for most there are pockets of working-class who remain underemployed while some Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans are still struggling with unemployment rates over twice that of Whites. He could not pass legislation to stem gun violence in the form of mass shootings and urban homicides. He leaves a more divided Congress and country. In renewing relations with Cuba, he distanced himself from the Cold War era without forgetting the harm Russia can cause to global stability.

President Obama was a 21st century statesman. He leaves the White House with a generational legacy of intelligence, compassion and perseverance. He leaves us all with the audacity of hope.

Bush in 2004 said they went for Obama.

That swing reflected a general discontent with the Republican Party, a brand tarnished under the last eight years of the Bush administration.

“After eight years of Bush and the Republican Party, there’s no way I’d vote for a Republican again,” said Keith Parrish, 51, as he walked into his polling station in Northeast Baltimore.

Even among Republicans that disgruntlement was palpable. Democrats outpaced the GOP in voter registration.

According to polls, the number of voters who identified themselves as Republican dropped to 31 percent compared to 40 percent Democrats.

And despite the appeal of McCain’s vice presidential running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, two in 10 conservatives backed Obama.

“I’m a born-

again Christian and I believe the Among younger voters ages 18-25, Obama was a fresh new face and voice that drew them out in record numbers. According to CIRCLE, a non-partisan organization that researches the civic engagement of American youth, young voters sided 68-30 percent with Obama – the largest share of the youth vote obtained by any candidate since exit polls began reporting results by age in 1976.

For African Americans, Obama’s election became a source of pride.

“I was in the voting booth crying because it hit me so hard that a Black man could become our President,” said Jackson, the public relations consultant. “I had to continuously wipe my eyes to finish my ballot but when I walked out that door I had my head held high and my fist higher, yelling ‘O for Change! O for Change!’”

Obama’s calm assurance and intellectual approach – qualities that many pundits decried – also seemed to give him the edge in voters’ opinions of who would best bolster the economy.

For example, in Ohio, a state that was crippled by the loss of manufacturing jobs, 61 percent of voters said the economy was the most important issue and of those, 55 percent voted for Obama.

“He seems to be a very thoughtful, confident and centered person,” said Bill Millen, 63, a Presbyterian minister, who voted for Obama at his Waverly polling place. “While his opponent was all over the place grasping at straws, he was very consistent. I feel very good with him.”

Former Maryland State Sen. Larry Young can be forgiven if he looks sleepy this week.

“I just couldn’t go to sleep last night,” he said. “I’m just so happy we’ll be able to send Bush back to Texas I don’t know what to do. Now that Bush has to go back to Texas, Obama can go to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. on the backs of Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. I have no apology to make.

If some of us cry [on inauguration], it will be alright.”

January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017, The Afro-American

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Celebrities Pay Tribute to @BarackObama Jan. 20 marks the end of an eight year term of our first African American president, Barack Obama. Over the years celebrities have used social media such as Twitter to express their support and admiration for the 44th President. Here’s a look at some of the noteworthy posts from the past four years, since Twitter was still a baby back in 2008.

Compiled by David Smith Celebrities Pay Tribute to @BarackObama

Jan. 20 marks the end of an eight year term of our first African American president, Barack Obama.

Over the years celebrities have used social media such as Twitter to express their support and admiration for the 44th President. Here’s a look at some of the noteworthy posts from the past four years, since Twitter was still a baby back in 2008.

Compiled by David Smith

On Obama Winning a Second Term

https://twitter.com/maryjblige/status/266031475122659328

https://twitter.com/ciara/status/265655534395473920

https://twitter.com/IAMJHUD/status/266035680893861888

Tue., Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.

The Winter in Lisbon (Billy Wilson) Walking Mad (Johan Inger) Ella (Robert Battle) Revelations (Alvin Ailey)

Wed., Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Robert Battle, Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya, Associate Artistic Director

Yannick Lebrun. Photo by Andrew Eccles

February 7–12 | Opera House

Deep (Mauro Bigonzetti) After the Rain Pas de Deux (Christopher Wheeldon) Untitled America (Kyle Abraham) Revelations

Thu., Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. r-Evolution, Dream.

(Hope Boykin) Masekela Langage (Alvin Ailey) Ella Revelations

Fri., Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Deep After the Rain Pas de Deux Untitled America Revelations

Sat., Feb. 11 at 1:30 p.m.

The Winter in Lisbon Awakening (Robert Battle) Revelations

Sat., Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Exodus (Rennie Harris) Walking Mad Revelations

Sun., Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m.

The Winter in Lisbon r-Evolution, Dream.

Revelations

Explore the Arts Explore the Arts is made possible by

Support for JFKC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy is provided byAmbassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley and The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation.

Additional support is provided by The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, Inc. and The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.

Kennedy Center education and related artistic programming is made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee of the Arts.

Sat., Feb. 11 matinee Free Post-Performance Discussion

Sat., Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m.

Free Revelations workshop on the Millennium Stage

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The Afro-American, January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017

AFRO Editorial

COMMENTARY

Inauguration Week—Our Celebration From the AFRO’s first inauguration coverage in 1904, the temperament of the overall Black community surrounding the celebration of the seating of a new American president has in most cases been one of excitement and hope. Surprisingly, this excitement was despite the Jim Crow environment that excluded Black people from actually participating in the principal presidential inaugural celebrations during all of the first part of the 20th century. Such exclusions, however, did not prevent African Americans from producing our own celebrations since it was always believed that we were still and nevertheless Americans, and the president of the United States was our leader too.

So, when America evolved to the point of being able to look beyond the color of a presidential candidate’s skin color and elected a Black man in 2008, the excitement and celebration of the entire Black community surrounding his inauguration was unmatched by any of the previous presidential investitures. The inauguration of Barack Obama was the impossible dream come true for a vast majority of the African-American community. From Jim Crow America to President Barack Obama—that was quite an accomplishment!

Such excitement was repeated in 2013 when President Obama was again inaugurated for his second term.

We are now about to inaugurate a successor to President Barack Obama. In comparing our history of presidential election coverage, it appears that the inauguration of Donald Trump is, in many respects, like those of the early 20th century inaugurations. The level of excitement surrounding Trump’s installment is not, however, at a noticeable level in the African-American community—he received a paltry less than 20 percent of the Black vote in the presidential election.

This low level of excitement is due to the vicious presidential

campaign conducted by this incoming president which has left most of the American voters (Black and White) stunned and disappointed as reflected in many of the recent popularity polls this week.

Because of Trump’s campaign rhetoric, a majority of the African- American community can only view this incoming president as being anything other than a positive beacon of progress for our community.

Donald Trump clearly has not shown that he has any meaningful connection or level of understanding about our community’s needs that can compare with those of President Obama. His generalizations and recent Twitter insults directed at Congressman John Lewis have further depressed any hope of Trump quickly establishing any meaningful relationship or support base within the African-American community.

The task of connecting with the African-American community and unifying an extremely fragmented and disjointed country is a formidable one Trump must face and master if he is to succeed. A large part of this country’s fragmentation lies at Trump’s feet due to the campaign rhetoric style he used and continues to pursue.

However, he now works for us all.

The contrast of the dire possibilities facing us in a Trump presidency does not, however, dim the reality of accomplishments President Obama achieved over the past eight years. This is what we choose to celebrate.

In spite of the never-before-seen level of demonstrations planned to protest Trump’s values and rhetoric that will be clearly visible for the world to see during this inaugural weekend, we believe a recognizably large part of the American population will continue to realize the progress we have

made during the past eight years under this Black American president.

Therefore, in this AFRO Inauguration Edition, we focus and celebrate not on the inauguration of the incoming president. Instead, we pay tribute to and acknowledge the positive experiences the out-going President Barack Obama provided this country and to the African- American community.

President Barak Obama

JOB WELL DONE !

Hope & Change: The Transformation of America If the mark of a successful American presidency is to leave our nation and world in a better place than it was when a President first entered office, then the 44th President of the United States could conclude with some confidence that he has succeeded.

It would be an evaluation of President Obama’s stewardship of our highest office with which the American people, by a significant majority, would agree.

Elijah Cummings Even in the wake of a decade of unfair and hyperpartisan attacks – and a bitterly partisan 2016 campaign to succeed our President in which his record of achievement was often derided and criticized – every major national polling organization confirms an essential truth.

A solid majority of the American People approve of the job that President Obama has done for us.

Indeed, it is quite likely that our nation would elect Barack Hussein Obama, II, for a third term, if constitutionally permitted to do so.

In part, the public’s judgment reflects our President’s solid record of accomplishments. Consider just a few of his achievements.

After years of steady job growth, most Americans have not forgotten President Obama’s leadership in saving an economy that was losing more than 700,000 jobs each month when he took office – fundamentally reforming our financial system and consumer protection in the process.

We will not forget that he expanded access to health care for more than 22 million Americans, establishing access to

care as a fundamental right; or that he expanded Pell Grants for lower-income college students by $36 billion while providing significant debt-relief to our next generation.

We now live in a nation in which solar energy installations have increased by 2,000 percent, both carbon emissions and our dependency on oil have been reduced, and combatting climate change is now a serious national priority.

I call these facts to your attention because the American People’s closing evaluation of our President is more important than some would have us think – primarily because of what it reveals about us as an American majority.

Although some would have us believe that the next President and Congress will erase Barack Obama’s legacy from history, I disagree.

The next four years may well be a period dominated by our struggle against political reaction. Tens of millions of Americans may experience serious economic and social pain.

Yet, in the longer term, I remain confident in our future – in no small part because of Barack Obama’s transformative presidency and its impact upon all of us as an already strong, talented and humane people.

Americans of Color should not forget the long-considered, well-reasoned and positive evaluation of our President by the American public. For hundreds of millions of Americans of every race, Barack Obama has not simply been America’s first Black President. He has been, and remains, our President.

He remains our President because he sought our highest office by evoking the better Angels of our Nature; and he remains our President because, during 8 years in office, he consistently focused upon the aspirations and values that we Americans share – rather than upon the fears that can divide us.

For all the uncertainty we now must face and overcome as a nation, there is a lasting truth upon which we can rely. In pursuing higher ground for us as a nation, President Obama achieved something far deeper and longer lasting than eight years of political power.

As the respected CNN commentator, Mr. Fareed Zakaria,

accurately observed: “Presidential legacies also exist above and beyond laws and policies . . . . And in that sense, Obama has left an indelible mark.” “[President Obama] and his family occupied the White House with dignity, grace and good humor,” Mr. Zakaria continued. “He ran an administration that was largely scandalfree. He celebrated and promoted American excellence in every sphere, from science to art to sports. And he did it all while under a microscope, because he looked different.”

Most of us would agree. As a candidate, Barack Obama, along with Michelle Obama and their children, offered America hope and change.

As our President, Barack Obama delivered – and the most lasting and transformative change has been within each of us.

It is a simple, yet important truth about our lives that there is a fundamental difference between a hope that has never been realized and one that, once realized, is now being threatened.

Never again can anyone successfully argue that a Black American (or any American) cannot master the most difficult job in the land. Never again will any American child fear to aspire to greatness because the color of his or her skin traps them in a rigid cast of unacceptability.

Now, we can believe that any achievement is possible. We have experienced Barack Obama’s reality – and no one can deprive us of this transformative change.

As we face an uncertain and difficult time together, we are strengthened by what we have learned from a very, very good President – and, arguably, a great one.

Barack Obama has respected us as a people, believed in our ability to have compassion for one another, and believed in our ability to grow. As a result, we have come to believe more strongly in ourselves and in a better future for our country.

This transformation will not easily be erased – and, for this, above all, a grateful nation can give thanks.

Congressman Elijah Cummings represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.

A Millennial Says Farewell to Obama Throughout my time in high school and college, it seemed as if one of two things were always consistent: LeBron James making an NBA Finals appearance and Barack Obama being the 44th President of the United States of America.

While the two things have absolutely nothing in common, they symbolized a familiarity that an African-American millennial, such as myself, would know.

For the entirety of many African-American youth, our entire adolescence and much of our formative years, Obama was in the Oval Office. All we’ve seen, for nearly a decade, was the first family on our television sets and all over our social media as the representation of a modern day AfricanAmerican family.

While all of that is wonderful, it is sad to say that the familiarity will come to an end when Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. The Obama family will have moved out of the White House and their representation in mainstream media

Terrance Smith

will dwindle as the focus turns to the new commander-in-chief.

Our next president is no Obama. Obama is a unique individual yet African-Americans across the country could relate to him. Obama was our symbol and personification of the word hope. To see someone with a similar skin tone make a positive difference is what this millennial will forever see him as.

However, there are some that wanted Obama to be the “savior” for Black people. They wanted the man with the highest position of power in the entire country to save the entire Black community. Those people wanted him to fix our neighborhoods, reduces crime, add jobs, free our family members from jail and end racism in only eight years.

If you had those expectations for Obama, I’m sure you were disappointed. Obama wasn’t meant to be the president for only Black people but the entire country.

It is forgotten by many the state this country was in before Obama became president in 2009. The country was in its worst economic crisis since the great depression. Our debt, while it still remains high, was higher than it is today and many more

Americans today will have healthcare than a decade ago.

For this millennial, Obama’s two terms and legacy will not only be viewed favorably today, but will be marveled at in years to come as America yearns for another president just like him. Everything Obama has done in the past eight years has, and will continue to, faced criticism. Yet he still pushes forward with what he believes is right for the betterment of this country.

To be challenged every day, even before taking the position, and still get the job done is a feat itself. Obama has accomplished so much, yet never lacked in those who wanted to see him fail. He has made America better, yet some won’t see that. Those who don’t see it are those who support the Affordable Care Act while simultaneously hating Obamacare.

Obama will be missed and we can hope that the work he has done will not soon be forgotten.

Terrance Smith was an intern in the Baltimore office of the AFRO-American during the Fall semester of 2016.

January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017, The Afro-American

Barack Hussein Obama redefined Washington Cool and may be the closest thing to a rock star we have ever had as President. From our first introduction to the unknown junior Senator from Illinois when he made his speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, the American people have fallen in love with Obama, his infectious smile, his oratory prowess, his love for his family and his love for his fellow Americans and country.

Over the eight years of the Obama administration we have seen him deliver awe inspiring speeches and fight for the American people in Washington as he tried to move our nation to a better place. He will go down as one of the most accomplished Presidents in history. Below

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are images of the Obama and the First Family doing everything from meeting South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, musical icon Stevie Wonder, going to church, and teaching the next generation. Obama leaves office with one of the highest approval ratings of any outgoing President in history. #ThanksObama

President Obama at his desk in the Oval Office.

First Lady Michelle Obama sits with Nelson Mandela when he visited the White House

The Obamas: Michelle, Malia, Barack and Sasha

President Obama meet Ruby Bridges, the little girl depicted in the famous Norman Rockwell painting seen here

President Obama prays during a meeting at the White House

First Lady Michelle Obama shows a young man some of the artwork in the White House

President Obama presents Stevie Wonder with the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize

The First Family at church

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The Afro-American, January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017

pepco.com

OUR HISTORY CONNECTS US ALL. In celebrating Black History Month, we honor the pioneers and leaders who energize us to make a brighter future for the communities we serve.

© Pepco, 2017

Send your news tips to tips@afro.com.

January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017, The Afro-American

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PRINCE GEORGE’S-AREA Prince George’s County Brown Hits the Ground Running in Congress, Boycotts Inauguration Freshman U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown (D) was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 3 and he hasn’t stopped working since then. “This is a fastpaced environment here,” Brown told the {AFRO} Jan. 17 from his office in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill.

The Fourth Congressional District is located in much of Prince George’s County and parts of Anne Arundel County. It consists of areas such as Suitland, Capitol Heights, Temple Hills and Laurel in Prince George’s and Pasadena, Crofton and Arnold in Anne Arundel.

Brown was elected in Nov. 8, 2016 general election.

Before his election to the Congress, Brown served in the Maryland House of

“This is a fast-paced environment here.” – Rep. Anthony Brown.

Delegates from 1999-2007 and as Maryland’s lieutenant governor from 2007-2015.

He was nominated by the Democratic Party for governor in 2014 but lost to Republican Larry Hogan.

Brown hadn’t been in office a full month before he took his first controversial stand as a federal lawmaker.

On Jan. 16, Brown announced he would not attend the inauguration ceremony of Donald J. Trump on Jan. 20 because of Trump’s stand on issues dealing with women and

Continued on B2

Thousands March in D.C. in Honor of King

D.C. Struggles to Say ‘Goodbye’ Obama

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

Photo by Rob Roberts

Thousands gathered in D.C. Jan. 14 to pay homage to the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to vocalize displeasure with the upcoming Trump administration.

By Akira Kyles and Shantella Sherman Special to the AFRO Thousands of Blacks gathered in Washington, D.C. to send a message to President-elect Donald Trump by marching, a week before his inauguration, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King and to peaceably reject the incoming presidential administration.

The National Action Network (NAN) led a coalition of civil rights groups and their followers to join forces for the “We Shall Not Be Moved” march on Jan. 14. The march was held to remind Trump and Congress that the fight for civil rights will not rest, to demand accountability from Trump and Congress and to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. White “We want this nation to understand that what has been fought for and gained that you’re going to need more than one election to turn it around,” the Rev. Al Sharpton told marchers.

Diane White made her way to the march from Philadelphia to continue the fight from her generation and in honor of her deceased husband who attended the Million Man March.

“We have to come together,” White told the AFRO, “and the way that they did it in the 60s was by organizing, by standing up marching, they didn’t go through violence.”

One thing White wanted millennials to understand is that violence will not help Black people move forward. “[The march] is really about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and other heroes and sheroes that have struggled and fought for us to have the opportunities that we have today,” said Sen. Nina Turner (D - Ohio). “All of the Violence that African Americans have had to endure over the last two to five

years is intense, it’s happening in our cities and we have to do something about it.”

The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Peace Walk took on an additional level of political and social importance, Jan. 16, with the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Activists, organizers and attendees voiced concerns over how best to court peace and conflict resolution when entering a new political landscape that often appears hostile, fragmented, and anything but peaceful.

“Young people in this nation learn from what they are shown, not what you tell them,” Ward 6 resident McKinley Clark told the AFRO. “Coming off a particularly nasty and divisive election, we want our kids to know that those tenets of peace and – Diane helping our fellow man that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. exemplified still have value today.”

The initial parade was started in 1972 by community activists Calvin and Wilhelmina Rolark and Keith Silver.

Silver still spearheads the annual procession with the assistance of Calvin Rolark’s daughter, Denise Rolark Barnes.

The parade was part of a national strategy, at that time, to urge U.S. Congress to make King’s birthday a national holiday.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan (R) signed legislation designating the third Monday in January as King’s holiday.

“We have got to stop talking about what Trump or the nation is doing or not doing for us and do it for ourselves. We don’t want handouts, but we do expect a level playing field,” Clark told the AFRO. “My goal is to teach my grandsons the difference between the hard work you put in paying dues, and the institutionalized racism that may be keeping that hard work from yielding fruit long after dues have been paid.”

“We have to come together.”

D.C. National Guard Set to Serve Despite Loss of Leader

By Hamil R. Harris Special to the AFRO Despite the abrupt removal of their long-time leader, the members of the D.C. National Guard are going to line the streets for the inauguration of Donald Trump -- the 45th President of the United States.

Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, who has proudly led the 2,700 member unit since 2008, will be relieved of his command immediately after Donald Trump is sworn in as president on Jan. 20.

“The timing is very unusual,” Schwartz said in an interview with the Washington Post. “My troops will be on the streets.

I’ll send them off, but I won’t be able to welcome them back to the armory.” Whether it is protecting D.C. streets or fighting in Afghanistan, the 65-year-old soldier said that he has never left a mission, “in the middle of battle.”

In the wake of several news reports, members of the Trump Transition team asked Schwartz to remain on until after the inauguration, but he declined. The National Guard did not respond to AFRO inquiries before press time.

“I am glad he declined. General Schwartz is man of integrity,” said Chief Warrant Officer Betty Brown, who was a member of the DC National Guard for more than 23 years before she retired. “This is the military and they are trying to run it like a big business. There is no transition, there is no institutional knowledge.”

“The timing is very unusual.” – Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz

Brown said she worked closely with Schwartz before she retired. “He sent us to Afghanistan, He sent us to Iraq, I applaud his integrity,” she said.

Georgia Eaves, a retired Army Captain, who is now Commander of the D.C. Chapter of the National Association for Black Veterans, said “It is very important to give proper respect to our military leaders. The D.C. National Guard is very important in this city because they provide protection to all of government leaders. They are the first people called if there is a threat in D.C.”

Once Barack H. Obama (D) passes the presidential baton to Donald J. Trump (R) on Jan. 20, his presence will be missed mightily by D.C. residents and leaders.

“President Obama was tremendous for the city,” D.C. Council member Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7) told the AFRO. Gray served as mayor of the District from 20112015 and complimented the 44th president for his support of the city. “He

“He embraced our city in many ways that other presidents hadn’t.” – Vincent Gray visited our restaurants and neighborhoods,” Gray said. “He embraced our city in many ways that other presidents hadn’t. His predecessor, George W. Bush, was in the city but not of the city.”

Obama has long been a popular figure in the District.

When he was a candidate for president in 2008, he won the Feb. 12 Democratic presidential preference primary with 75 percent of the vote, followed distantly

by Hillary R. Clinton with 23 percent. In the historic Nov. 4, 2008 general election, Obama took the District decisively with 92 percent of the vote and in his bid for re-election in 2012, he did slightly worse

Continued on B2

Prince George’s County

Shooting at Magnet School Worries Community

By Bruce W. Branch Special to the AFRO

With the incoming administration, Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz (middle), commander of the D.C. National Guard, has been asked to step down immediately after the inauguration.

Brig. Gen. William J. Walker, another Black man, was named as Schwartz’s interim replacement. And while Walker said his soldiers and airmen are ready to serve, the change at the D.C. Armory caused officials to point fingers at Donald Trump even though members of his transition reportedly asked Schwartz to remain at his post until after the inauguration.

Typically, the National Guard is under the authority of the Governors in the 50 states, but in the District of Columbia and U.S. territories, these soldiers answer directly to the President of the United States.

Walker said the tumult won’t impair the day’s operations or how the thousands of service members will respond to emergencies.

Schwartz enlisted in the District of Columbia Army National Guard in 1976, according to his official bio. He was commissioned in June 1979 and appointed as a platoon leader in the 104th Maintenance Company and later rose to the rank of Major General.

But now Schwartz, who commanded ground forces and aviation wings for the D.C. Air National Guard, is reportedly preparing for retirement.

Despite a shooting at Suitland High School on Jan. 13 that left one student wounded and caused a lockdown, supporters of the school say it is safe, secure and continuing to operate as one of the top schools in the county.

Their response comes after several students and parents voiced their concerns after a student at the school was shot at a nearby apartment complex.

“We are not going to allow a couple of bad apples to spoil the reputation of our school,” said one student who didn’t want to be identified. “Something like this can happen anywhere.”

A dispute between two students that started with a fight led to the wounded student retreating to the building where authorities were called and the building was locked down for about an hour. One of the students fired multiple shots in an apartment building parking lot adjacent to the school, according to police reports.

The student, a teen boy, was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. His injuries were not life threatening. A group Continued on B2

3

Homicides

2

In last 7 days

Data as of Jan. 4

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The Afro-American, January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017

Brown

Continued from B1 minorities and his insulting comments about civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis.

“I thought long and hard about this,” Brown said. “I was thinking about this and consulting colleagues on not attending the inauguration long before Lewis was insulted. I went along with the consensus of some of my colleagues because there have been two years of disrespectful comments from Trump.”

Brown said the Lewis Twitter message “was the tipping point.”

“Trump insulted John Lewis the civil rights icon [and] John Lewis the congressman,” Brown said.

“Trump needs to learn the office of congressman and earn the respect of Congress.”

Brown said on Jan. 20, he will be in his district serving his constituents. “Constituent service is priority number one,” he said. “We already have casework that needs to be done. This is a district work week, where the House isn’t in session.”

Constituent services are just one of the priorities for Brown. He was appointed to the Armed Services and Natural Resources Committees, assignments he likes. “I am an U.S. Army veteran and Joint Base

to Congress because they bring a different perspective to legislating. Whether governing or legislating, you have to reach consensus and common ground.”

Democrats boycotting Trump’s inauguration:

(AFRO File Photo)

Democrat Anthony Brown represents the Fourth Congressional District of Maryland in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Andrews is in my district,” he said. “While Fort Myer isn’t in my district, a number of my constituents work there. I also can rely on my experience as lieutenant governor working with the Base Realignment Commission.

“I have a great understanding of what veterans need. [Regarding] the Natural Resources Committee, I will do what I can to protect the Chesapeake Bay, the second largest estuary in the world next to the Baltic Sea. Its tributaries need to be protected and preserved.”

Shooting

Brown said he will work with political leaders such as Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III and Anne Arundel Executive Steve Schuh, as well as the Maryland House and Senate delegations and the municipalities in Prince George’s to be the most effective lawmaker he can be. “I have some strong advantages coming to Congress [after] being a former lieutenant governor and state legislator,” he said.

“House leaders have told me that they like governors and lieutenant governors come

1. Georgia Rep. John Lewis 2. Texas Rep. Al Green 3. California Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard 4. Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison 5. Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen 6. California Rep. Mark Takano 7. New York Rep. Yvette Clarke 8. California Rep. Ted Lieu 9. New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler 10. Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva 11. Michigan Rep. John Conyers 12. California Rep. Mark DeSaulnier 13. New York Rep. Nydia Velazquez 14. Oregon Rep. Kurt Schrader 15. Missouri Rep. William Lacy Clay 16. California Rep. Barbara Lee 17. New York Rep. Jose

Serrano 18. California Rep. Judy Chu 19. Illinois Rep. Luis Gutierrez 20. California Rep. Jared Huffman 21. Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark 22. Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer 23. New York Rep. Adriano Espaillat 24. Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal 25. Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan 26. Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge 27. California Rep. Maxine Waters 28. New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman 29. Maryland Rep. Anthony Brown 30. Virginia Rep. Don Beyer 31. Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree 32. Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth 33. California Rep. Karen Bass 34. Pennsylvania Rep. Dwight Evans 35. California Rep. Zoe Lofgren 36. California Rep. Grace Napolitano 37. California Rep. Raul Ruiz 38. Washington Rep.

Adam Smith 39. Florida Rep. Darren Soto 40. Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego 41. North Carolina Rep. G.K. Butterfield 42. Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro 43. California Rep. Tony Cárdenas 44. Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Doyle 45. North Carolina Rep. Alma Adams 46. California Rep. Juan Vargas 47. Pennsylvania Rep. Brendan Boyle 48. Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett 49. California Rep. Jerry McNerney 50. Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky 51. Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin 52. Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson 53. New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne 54. New York Rep. Louise Slaughter 55. Pennsylvania Rep. Robert Brady 56. Florida Rep. Frederica Wilson 57. Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio 58. Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings

Courtejsy Photo

Continued from B1 of students dragged him back to the school from the scene of the shooting, according to police reports.

The students were outside an apartment complex behind the school when another student produced a gun and shot the student, according Prince George’s County Police Lt. David Coleman. The student is expected to make a full recovery. The second student was arrested later that day.

Jennifer Donelan, a spokeswoman for Prince George’s County police, said multiple shots were fired. She said gunshots broke the window to the school building that housed music and art classes. A bullet lodged in the building’s ceiling, she said. Principal Nate Newton said the school was placed on lockdown as a precaution. Parents were notified of the shooting in a letter sent home with students. Classes were also cancelled for the remainder of the day.

Suitland High School is a public magnet high school located at 5200 Silver Hill Road in

Forestville, Md. The school has long been regarded for its Visual and Performing Arts magnet program. Suitland hosts one of the most specialized programs of instruction in the county, which includes the Center for Visual and Performing Arts magnet program, an International Baccalaureate magnet program, the Technical Academy signature program, the America’s Choice School Design signature program, and the Academy of Finance.

“We must work together to put an end to the increasing incidents of gun violence in Prince George’s County,” said civic leader Aisha Braveboy. “Too many of our young people have access to weapons and they choose to end disputes with violence. This reckless disregard for life impacts our families, our communities and our schools.

My heart goes out to the families involved and the Suitland High School family. It is a blessing that the student who was shot did not sustain life-threatening injuries.”

“We must work together to put an end to the increasing incidents of gun violence in Prince George’s County.” – Aisha Braveboy

Senate President Vows to Restore Hospital Center Money

By The Associated Press Maryland’s Senate president vowed to restore money cut from the state budget for the planned Prince George’s Regional Medical Center, as more details about Gov. Larry Hogan’s budget proposal became public Wednesday.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller told senators during their morning session that Gov. Larry Hogan’s budget cuts $22 million from the hospital plan. Miller, a Democrat whose district includes part of Prince George’s County, assured lawmakers the money would be restored before lawmakers adjourn in April.

“We’ll find a way to make it happen this year,” Miller said.

The Democrat-controlled legislature and the Republican governor have disagreed over how to pay for the hospital center, which is slated to open in 2020.

David Brinkley, Hogan’s budget secretary, said the budget action for the next fiscal year isn’t intended to hold the project back in the long term.

“What we’ve done is fulfill the commitment, but we’ve been able to stretch it out based on where they say their timeline is,” Brinkley said. “So, you know, the legislature can work with it either way they want to go, but we’re trying to deal with some realistic expectations and timelines with that.”

More details about the governor’s budget were being made public Wednesday, a day after he gave an outline of his spending plan during a news conference. Hogan’s budget plan addresses a $544 million budget deficit, partly by tapping financial reserves to avoid bigger cuts. During an outline of highlights Tuesday, Hogan said his plan spends less than last year and “sounds too good to be true, but it is true.”

Still, lawmakers were finding out more about some of the

cuts as more of the budget plan became public Wednesday.

“The real budget story is where did they get the money to do what they did?” asked Del. Maggie McIntosh, D-Baltimore. “I know they transferred money from the Rainy Day (Fund,) but I also know that there are programs that were cut.”

Money for initiatives approved last year aimed at helping Baltimore, including a scholarship program and afterschool programs, were among items omitted from the governor’s proposal.

The governor’s plan also cuts back on wage increases for people who provide community services for the developmentally disabled, part of a law passed in 2014 when lawmakers raised the state’s minimum wage to keep those providers’ pay above minimum wage. The law included a 3.5 percent rate increase annually over 4 years, but the budget scales that back to a 2 percent increase, said Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton, D-Charles.

January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017, The Afro-American

Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area Deltas Celebrate 104th Founders Day (January 17, 2017) Frida January 13th marked the 104th founding of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. To celebrate the occasion, The Red Alert! Divas, Deltas from the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, hosted a happy hour at posh M Street restaurant, lounge and cigar bar, Ozio.

“Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on the principles (Photo by: Lynn Selby) of scholarship, sisterhood (L to R) Host, Adriane Keepler, reconnects with longtime and service. It is an absolute friends and Deltas during the happy hour. joy to be able to take time after leaving our jobs, many of which have a profound Selby, Kimberly Robinson, Smita Sharma, impact on the community, to celebrate our Xzaquoinett Warrwick, Nicole Williams, and Founders’ vision with your Sorors. For some it Lorna Wisham served as hosts for the happy is an opportunity to spend casual time with our hour; along with fraternal hosts Henry Stewart, Sorors whom we often only see when doing representing Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; community service projects,” shared Johnine John Calhoun and Roland Selby, representing Barnes, member of the Washington, DC Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; Al Grant, Eric Metropolitan Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.

Harley, and Marcus McDonald, representing Music, signature cocktails, and for some Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; and John Beard, the pull of a cigar, provided the perfect representing Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. backdrop for professionals from both ends of Founded on the campus of Howard the I-95 corridor to join the Delta’s in honoring University on January 13, 1913, by 22 college the sorority’s founders and rich history. Taking educated women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a break from the community service provided Incorporated is a private, not-for-profit in their respective communities, the Deltas and organization whose purpose is to provide their guests spent the evening reconnecting, assistance and support through established reminiscing and forging new friendships, all programs in local communities throughout the the while snapping selfies. world. Since its founding more than 200,000 Kimberly Robinson, past president of the women have joined the organization. The Baltimore Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter, organization is a sisterhood of predominantly reflected “It is an incredibly powerful thing Black, college educated women. The sorority - the ability to work side by side with your currently has 1,000 collegiate and alumnae sorority sisters to make our communities chapters located in the United States, England, stronger. The celebration of Delta’s founding, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, and recognition of the incredible vision 22 the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, college women had for this organization in Jamaica and the Republic of Korea. The 1913, is always a special occasion.” major programs of the sorority are based upon The Red Alert! Divas, Meedie Clarke the organization’s Five Point Programmatic Bardonille, Johnine Barnes, Shelynda Thrust – Economic Development, Educational Burney Brown, Tasha Cole, Stephanie Development, International Awareness and Cummings Carr, Adriane Keepler, Brandey Involvement, Physical and Mental Health and Rodgers McDonald, Dorothy Myers, Lynn Political Awareness and Involvement.

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WASHINGTON AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Silve Springs, Md.

District Heights, Md.

9525 Georgia Avenue,

New 24 Fitness, 6417 Marlboro Pike

The Mediation Museum Hosts Session to Find Trust in Changing the World

Basketball: PG Valor Basketball Team vs. Steel City Yellow Jackets

The Mediation Museum, 9525 Georgia Avenue, will host an event on Jan. 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

by Sister Jenna to learn how to use innate spiritual powers to increase self confidence and trust. The event is free and open to the public. To RSVP for the event, visit eventbrite. com.

Tyson’s Corner, Va.

PG Valor is set to play the Steel City Yellow Jackets from Philadelphia on Jan. 21 at New 24 Fitness, 6417 Marlboro Pike. The event will be hosted by comedian J Raz. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. There is a $10 admission charge. Tickets are only available at the door. For more information, visit pgvalor.com.

1984 Chain Bridge Road

The Mediation Museum II Hosts Breaking Free with the Power of Forgiveness

On Jan. 22 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. the Mediation Museum II, 1984 Chain Bridge Road, will host a workshop to discover how to let resentments go. The workshop is free and open to the public. To RSVP, visit eventbrite. com.

AFRO.COM •Your History •Your Community • Your News

FY18 BUDGET PROPOSAL REALITY CHECK

For Fiscal Year 2018, General Manager Wiedefeld’s “Reality Check” budget proposal identified a gap of $290 million – larger than recent years due to growing expenses to operate and maintain the system and declining ridership. Facing this major funding challenge, Metro’s Board of Directors must consider every available option to balance the budget.

Tell us what you think!

Take the survey online at wmata.com/budget or attend an open house from 4:306:30 p.m. and public hearing starting at 5:00 p.m. at Metro Headquarters, 600 5th Street NW, Washington DC on Monday, January 30, 2017. Speaker registration is onsite only and will close at 9:00 p.m. Provide your feedback by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 6, 2017.

Public feedback will be provided to Metro’s Board of Directors in March 2017 as part of the final decision making process. Any Board-approved fare or service changes will begin on July 1, 2017.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, disability or family status. If you require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or translation services (free of charge), contact the project team at 202-962-2511 (TTY: 202-962-2033) at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing date.

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The Afro-American, January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017

Ashton B. Carter, the 25th secretary of defense, and Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., the 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff hosted an Armed Forces Full Honor Review Farewell Ceremony in honor of President Obama on Jan. 4 at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Fort Myer, Va. The Commander in Chief was presented with a DoD medal for his selfless service to the Armed Forces.

President Obama

Armed Forces Color Guard

US Attorney General Loretta Lynch

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter presents special award to the president

President Obama with Col. Jason T. Garkey, Old Guard commander

Old Guard Fife and Drum Corp

Vice President Joe Biden, President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter

Army band

Commander of Troops Staff

US Army and Marines

US Air Force

US Navy

Photos by Rob Roberts

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

January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017, The Afro-American

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ARTS & CULTURE

Faith Leaders Assess Obama Presidency

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com While political scientists and historians are academically dissecting the Obama administration, a book has been published doing the same type of analysis for the 44th presidency’s spiritual legacy.

The Revs. Barbara Williams-Skinner and Darryl D. Sims recently worked on Mr. President: Interfaith Perspectives on the Historic Presidency of Barack H. President Obama delivers the Obama that was published this eulogy for pastor and state senator month by the District-based Clementa Pinckney, who, along with Sims Publishing Group.

8 other members, was killed by White “We produced this book supremacist Dylann Roof at Emanuel on the hope that this is AME Church in Charleston.

Courtesy photo something that chronicles the feeling, love and respect those theologians and faith leaders Obama,” he said. “It was obvious to them that the president was have for the 44th president,” Sims told the AFRO. “We talked a man of faith and relied on his faith during the tough times he with 84 theologians about President Obama and found that they faced. The consensus was that Obama traveled a road unlike any respected the president and his attempt to work with people with other president and did it with dignity and high moral standards.” whom he disagreed with.”

McKenzie, in her essay, “An Ordinary Kind of Guy” talks Williams-Skinner is a faith leader who leads the Skinner about how skeptical she was of Obama when he first decided to Institute, a place designed to train and educate leaders who are run for president but after meeting him she was on board. During moral and technically competent and committed to aiding the the essay, she made a point of noting how he was mistreated by other politicians and the media.

“As with President Obama, all manner of things have been said to him and done to him,” McKenzie said. “Yet, he still maintains poise, integrity, calm and wisdom and is one of the best presidents we’ve had for the kinds of things he has done.”

Obama’s disrespect can be traced to White supremacy Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners magazine, wrote.

“The election of Barack Obama to the presidency was a fundamental blow to White supremacy-a Black man in the highest office in the land and the most powerful position in the world,” Wallis wrote.

The Rev. George Holmes, president of the Obama National -Rev. Darryl D. Sims Clergy Leadership Committee based in the District, wrote, “There is something about this man: The Anointing and the economically disadvantaged. Sims, a native of Chicago, is a Appointing of President Barack Obama” and was happy to do graduate of Chicago State University with a bachelor’s degree so.” and the Howard University Divinity School with a master’s in “I became involved with this project first and foremost divinity. because I was led by God to do so,” Holmes told the AFRO. Williams-Skinner and Sims convinced noted religious leaders “In order to preserve the legacy of President Barack Obama, such as AME Bishop Vashti McKenzie, seasoned pastors and it was essential that many of us who contributed to the book scholars, including the Rev. Otis J. Moss and Dr. James Forbes Mr. President give an in-house, up close view of the varied as well as Catholic Church leaders such as D.C. Cardinal Donald experiences of Barack Obama, the man and the president.”

Wuerl, Rabbi Julie Schonfield and Jim Winkler, the president While the comments regarding the president were positive and general secretary of the National Council of Churches overall, the book contained critics. Dr. Martha Simmons took and rising faith leaders such as Rev. Jamal Bryant of the Obama to task for not appointing a Black woman to the U.S. Empowerment AME Church in Baltimore. Sims said that many Supreme Court. of the religious leaders who participated in the book never met “What a major missed opportunity to provide little Black Obama but identified with him. girls with a new view of hope and promise for their lives in “Many of them pointed out the qualities they admired in America,” Simmons wrote in her essay, “A Major Missed

“We produced this book on the hope that this is something that chronicles the feeling, love and respect those theologians and faith leaders have for the 44th president.”

Five Baltimore Music Artists to Watch in 2017

By Maliik Obee Special to the AFRO

The city of Baltimore is ingrained with a rich culture of arts, especially in music.

From jazz legends Billie Holiday and Chick Webb, to R&B stars Dru Hill and Mario, Charm City has achieved success on the biggest stages.

When it comes to hip-hop, the city has achieved marginal mainstream success historically. But now, a resurgence of artists are receiving national recognition. Across multiple genres, Baltimore is making waves in music, here are five artists to watch.

CTM Ball East Baltimore rapper CTM Ball made a splash regionally with “Cut Throat Money” his rendition of rapper O.T. Genasis’ hit “Cut It”. Ball’s 2016 mixtape “Sandwich Bags & Scales Reloaded” has thrust him to the pinnacle of the Baltimore scene. Ball combines a slick flow with raw street tales over hard-hitting production.

Young Moose Rapper Young Moose is arguably the most notorious rapper in the city of Baltimore. Moose has seen regional success behind his 2014 single “Dumb Dumb,” and got the attention of major players in the rap game. He’s even affiliated with Baton Rouge rapper Boosie Badazz, who participated in the #FreeMoose campaign that began after Moose was incarcerated in 2016. Legal troubles are Moose’s biggest problem, having faced an array of gun and drug charges over the years. But with his recent release, Moose can harp on his allure and reclaim the title of King of Baltimore.

JPEGMAFIA JPEGMAFIA is unique, showcasing the thin line between being controversial and polarizing. His 2016 album “Black Ben Carson” is a beautiful fusion between political and gothic hip-hop, combining grungy beats with jaw-dropping crude lyrics.

Beneath the surface lies plenty of substance and consciousness, making JPEGMAFIA an artist worth listening to. Receiving attention both locally and nationally, JPEGMAFIA is the perfect artist to kill stereotypes of what a Baltimore rapper looks and sounds like.

Martina Lynch Rapper Martina Lynch is the first lady of Courtesy photo Out The Mud, the East Baltimore imprint spearheaded by local rap star Young Moose. Martina Lynch is a poet turned Abdu Ali rapper who is making waves in Lynch first made waves in the city as a Baltimore rapper Abdu Ali is making the Baltimore rap scene. poet, before appearing on Moose’s “No waves on the Baltimore rap scene, and it’s Sunshine”, a tribute to slain Baltimore not because he’s gay. Ali bears an incredibly native Freddie Gray. Lynch’s consciousness makes her stand unique sound and flow, combining hip-hop with the house out among Baltimore emcees who are more concerned with music sound Baltimore is known for. The conscious, freematerial things, but she possesses the versatility to make upbeat spirited emcee creates catchy tracks, as evident by 2016’s tracks for club and radio. Lynch’s 2016 single “Laugh in Ya “I’m Alive”. Ali’s 2016 debut project “Mongo” was released Face” was featured in the Baltimore Sun’s 2016 mixtape of to much acclaim, even generating a feature from national essential songs. publications.

Opportunity.”

Nevertheless, Sims said that overall, the book reflects about not only Obama the president but Obama the individual.

“He was a very successful in being the president of the United States,” he said. “He was a man of character, excellence and unblemished as a husband and a father.”

Bowie State President Earns CIAA Hall of Fame Honor

By Mark F. Gray Special to the AFRO When Bowie State President Dr. Mickey Burnim retires at the end of this academic year the reverberations will be felt throughout the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association for years.

During more than three decades at institutions throughout the CIAA Burnim has been at the forefront of helping the conference become one of the elite in NCAA Division II athletics.

Burnim has been a staunch advocate of intercollegiate athletics who provided the blueprint for leadership in stewarding programs throughout the conference. Since his presidency began in 2006 the university’s athletic success has coincided with the improvements in the department’s leadership and the improvement of its facilities.

Burnim’s impact on the conference will be honored when he is inducted as part of the Hall of Fame class of 2017 on Feb. 24 during the CIAA Basketball Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“What I’m most proud of is the CIAA is widely viewed as strongest conference in Division II,” Burnim told the AFRO. “It’s a great honor”.

Bowie State has seen its athletic department infrastructure improve to become one the CIAA’s best.

The football stadium has transitioned to include a state of the art field house with new locker rooms and lights allowing for teams to dress at the stadium and host high school and night games.

The school also built a new weight room which has improved the quality of athletic conditioning. A new world class track keeps them on pace with St. Augustine’s University – a consistent national power – that is the benchmark program of the conference.

“He’s a great leader,” Anton Goff, who Burnim hired from the University of Maryland in 2010, and is now the athletic director at St. John’s University, told the AFRO. “I try to pattern a lot of my leadership style after him. If he hadn’t been president at Bowie I probably wouldn’t have taken the job.”

Dr. Burnim’s fingerprints are on the improvements to the basketball arena as well.

The upgrades to the facility, including air conditioning and office space for coaches and administrators, have made more appealing.

The Bulldogs won their second CIAA Basketball Championship in 2013 and

Courtesy photo

Outgoing Bowie State President Dr. Mickey L. Burnim will be inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame as an administrator during the CIAA Basketball Tournament on Feb. 24 in Charlotte, N.C. has won football’s north division for the last two years. The program has also won five championships in women’s bowling under his watch.

“He has always understood how athletics could help the university,” said Goff. “He’s unique. His values as a man and a leader aren’t duplicated.”

In addition, Burnim has been a vital cog in growing the brand of the CIAA and protecting its legacy. As chair of the CIAA Council of Presidents he was one of the leaders in helping grow its media presence through national TV and radio deals that are unprecedented in Division II. He also helped the conference to navigate through the difficult transition after the surprise resignation of former Commissioner Leon Kerry in 2011. Facing a $1.7 million deficit and controversy following misappropriation of funds allegations he stabilized the conference. He oversaw the national search for Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter from the NCAA office.

“People who graduate have loyalty but its sports that brings them back to campus,” said Burnim.

“Sports provides a window into university through which alumni can show support and express their pride”.

This year’s class of CIAA Hall of Fame inductees is one of the most noteworthy in its history. Among those joining Burnim in the 2017 class are former NFL running back Richard Huntley from Winston Salem State and Virginia Union’s Terry Davis who played in the NBA. ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, who played basketball for Clarence “Big House” Gaines at Winston Salem State, will also be inducted as a supporter.

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The Afro-American, January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017

Richardson Outlines Disparity in HBCU ‘Equality Lawsuit’

By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO Week two of the remedial phase of the Maryland Higher Education Desegregation Trial, as the case is popularly known, featured the testimony of Dr. Earl Richardson, former president of Morgan State University and the man credited by many with transforming Maryland’s designated public urban university and the state’s largest HBCU during his almost 30-year tenure as president.

While the remedial or “remedy” portion of The Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education, et al. v. Maryland Higher Education Commission et.al. has thus far focused on how to create unique and unduplicated, high demand academic programs at Maryland’s HBCU’s, Richardson warned that academic programs must be considered in the larger context of the fiscal support needed to properly support and maintain the programs.

Disparate Investment – Disproportional Growth – HBCU’s and PWI’s Richardson was quick to inform the court that while Morgan’s transformation under his tenure from 1984-2010 did include the development of new academic programs and facilities, the growth of the campus and its academic profile during his presidency paled in comparison to the evolution of the state’s predominately White institutions during the same period.

“Yes, Morgan’s budget expanded [during my tenure] but not proportional to the state’s predominately White institutions (PWI’s)” Richardson said.

“I maintain that the state’s funding formula is flawed,” Richardson said.

Richardson reminded the court that the State of Maryland established The Bohanan Commission with the goal of developing an equitable statewide formula for higher education funding. The Commission specifically recommended that HBCU’s be made comparable and competitive with other public institutions. The recommendations in the Bohanan Commission were never acted on by the state, Richardson said.

Additionally, in 2000, Maryland entered into an agreement with the US Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights to come into compliance with the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The state failed to meet its obligations under this agreement as well, according to the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “Until you address the disparity in funding and infrastructure, the disparity becomes memorialized and institutionalized,” Richardson said when attorneys asked how creating special academic programmatic niches and designing non-duplicative programs at HBCU’s would assist with desegregation.

Richardson told the court that like many HBCU’s the growth and development of the academic profile at Morgan involves a constant balancing act.

Unique Academic Programs Require Financial Support “I used a strategy called selective enhancement at Morgan,” Richardson said explaining to the court the process he often used to start a new academic program without additional fiscal support from the state or an external entity.

“You can move money around to launch the program but it can’t sustain the program,” Richardson said supporting the premise that a re-allocation of academic programs must be partnered with the necessary funding to support new and expanded programs, an issue at the heart of the remedy phase of the trial.

Richardson reiterated that quality academic programs need more than tuition and fees to support continued survival.

Both Juliette Bell, President of University of Maryland Eastern Shore and David Wilson, current president of Morgan State University mentioned their own battles with constantly

juggling funds to ensure the survival of their academic programs. Both mentioned that they would have liked to receive more funding support or even feedback from the State.

“One of the problems we have is that these programs start without resources,” Bell said.

“We know these programs attract students of all races, but we have to retain these programs,” Bell said.

Maryland’s current Commissioner of Higher Education, James Fielder admitted in testimony before the court last week that he had not met with any of the state’s four HBCU’s to discuss the proposals they submitted to the court to recommend suitable remedies as requested by Judge Blake.

In 2013, Federal District Judge Catherine Blake ruled that Maryland violated the constitutional rights of students at the state’s four Historically Black Institutions (HBIs) by unnecessarily duplicating academic programs at nearby white institutions.

The plaintiffs in The Maryland Higher Education Desegregation Case in collaboration with the state of Maryland were ordered to develop a remedy in mediation.

Judge Blake’s 2013 decision offered a remedy that will include “expansion of mission and program uniqueness and institutional identity at the HBIs.” The ruling further stated “New programs at the HBIs will require specially trained faculty and may require special facilities and other support to be effective.”

Two years after the ruling in The Maryland Higher Education Desegregation case, the State failed to cooperate in a mediated agreement. Judge Blake ordered the parties to return to her courtroom in January 2017 for a remedial trial and a court-ordered remedy.

The remedial phase in the Maryland Higher Education Desegregation case is being

watched nationally by other states who have previously and/or are currently operating under US Department of Education Civil Rights Division compliance agreements such as Georgia, Ohio and Texas.

The case is expected to conclude in four to six weeks.

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January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017, The Afro-American

Holder Tackles GOP Gerrymandering

By Lenore T. Adkins Special to the Afro

to enlist them in the fight.

The committee will deploy a three-point strategy in the fight. First, it will

“We’ll take people as they are, we’ll see where it is that you stand. And if we’ve got to fight you, we’ll fight you.”

– Eric Holder

with leadership from the NAACP’s Legal Defense and Educational Fund – where he sits on the board of directors –

focus on making gains in key governors’, legislative and other down-ballot races that impact redistricting.

AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Eric Holder heads a group that will fight against Republican gerrymandering.

Obama’s Impact

Priorities there are winning the Virginia governorship and state legislative seats in a potential special election in North Carolina.

The second strategy involves giving Democrats the legal resources they need to take election fights to the courts – Holder is a partner at the law firm Covington & Burling. The third strategy involves investing in state ballot initiatives that push reform as a means of changing maps.

What Democrats don’t want is a repeat of 2011. That year, Republicans drew the districts in a way that favored their party and blocked Democrats from making gains in Congress and legislative chambers. Holder says Democrats were too focused on winning the White House and lost sight of the bigger picture – making sure they were fully represented during the redistricting process.

That oversight cost them.

House Republican candidates secured 51 percent of the vote nationally in the November elections, but scored 55 percent of the seats in Congress, according to the Cook Political Report. Moreover, the GOP now controls a record 32 states in both chambers.

“Gerrymandering has always been a part of our political process and I think that what we’re seeing right now is gerrymandering on steroids,” Holder said.

“We’ll take people as they are, we’ll see where it is that you stand,” Holder said. “And if we’ve got to fight you, we’ll fight you.”

Continued from A2

foreign entity-planned, mass casualty attack on American soil similar to what occurred on September 11, 2001, under his Republican predecessor.

If one wanted to add a cherry to the top of that list, the successful discovery and elimination of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden would do it.

Any casual observer of the Obama presidency would admit that it was by no means perfect – which is not unlike any other presidency in U.S. history. Still, it was definitely more than simple “first Black president” salutations and fond memories of the first Black family residing in a White House built by slaves.

But, as former senior White House aide Heather Foster notes, no one can walk away from a top to bottom assessment of the Obama presidency without acknowledging the dramatic increase in the number of insured Blacks due to the president’s signature health care reform law. “The uninsured rates for elderly African Americans has been cut in half since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and over 3 million Blacks now have healthcare,” says Foster.

In addition, Black incarceration rates fell each year Obama was in office and are the lowest they have been in two decades.

As that happened, Pell Grant funding for HBCU students grew from $523 million to $824 million from 2007 to 2014, while at the same time changes to credit standards for Parents PLUS loans caused a decline in HBCUs. High school completion rates are at the highest ever (75 percent) for Black seniors.

The Center for American Progress’ Danyelle Solomon, who also served as legislative counsel at the White House Office of Legislative Affairs, emphasizes “that more African Americans than ever are owning their own businesses. That increase in Black entrepreneurship occurred under President Obama’s watch.”

Despite constant obstruction from Republicans in the Senate, President Obama was able to confirm more Black judges than both President Bush and President Clinton. That’s important considering a loaded docket of key issues in federal court districts across the country.

Still, as a recent Brookings Institution report notes, inequities among Black Americans were still significant in relation to their White and, even, Latino counterparts. More than 1 in 5 Black families live in “food insecure” households – compared to only 1 in 10 White families. Four in 10 Black children live in poverty, double other racial groups. Among prime-age adults (ages 25 to 54), 1 in 5 Black men are not in the labor force, nearly twice that of others. “[Despite that] I think on a number of levels the Obama presidency still helped significantly improve the Black American condition,” argues Dayna Bowen Matthew, a visiting fellow at the Brookings’ Center for Health Policy. “Millions of African Americans got access to healthcare, along with the Medicaid expansion, was no less than transformational.

There’s 62 provisions in the Affordable Care Act dealing with disparity.”

DC/BALTIMORE AFR0-AMERICAN

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#9

Voting is the cornerstone of American democracy. It is a right that Republican gerrymandering systematically undermined for Democrats in the last district remapping process, according to former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

In response to that, Holder announced on Jan. 12 that he’s fighting back with a group of Democratic leaders he chairs called the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. The group is implementing a multi-faceted redistricting strategy targeting state and local elections. Its goal is leveling the playing field for Democrats in time for the congressional and state legislative remaps in 2021 that will shape governance for the next decade.

“The biggest rigged system in America is gerrymandering,” Holder said at a newsconference?, alluding to presidentelect Donald J. Trump’s pronouncements before winning that the presidential election was rigged. “A system where the lines are drawn, not to represent American communities, but to benefit politicians.

A system where politicians pick their voters, and not where American citizens choose their representatives consistent with our founding ideals.”

Holder launched the group at liberal think tank Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C., and it has already found an early ally

in outgoing President Barack Obama, who has made it one of his post-election priorities.

Holder is also in discussions

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D1

BALTIMORE-AREA

New Psalmist Remembers King, Honors President

Race and Politics

Is Baltimore’s Consent Decree Worthless?

Last week, a consent decree between the City of Baltimore and the Sean Yoes Department of Justice Senior AFRO was Contributor finalized. It is a legally binding agreement that is supposed to enforce reforms to the Baltimore Police Department, which was subject to one of the most damning “patterns or practice” reports by the DOJ in recent memory.

The report concluded, “BPD engages in a pattern or practice of conduct that implicates our statutory authority. This pattern or practice is rooted in BPD’s deficient supervision and oversight of officer activity, leading directly to a broad spectrum of constitutional and statutory violations.”

However, the consent decree states, “The City and the BPD deny the allegations in the Complaint and Report...

Nothing in the report...was intended to be used by third parties to create liability.”

So… This caveat, designed specifically to cover the city’s fiscal a$$ (I’m told this language is not uncommon in consent decrees in other jurisdictions and functions in the same way), also essentially tells thousands of Baltimore residents who have had their heads busted, arms broken, or have generally been hassled by police in violation of their constitutional rights over decades, `You’re lying, it never happened.’

For example, the DOJ documents the case of a Black man in his mid-fifties who had Continued on D2

By Alexis Taylor Special to the AFRO Thousands poured into Baltimore’s New Psalmist Baptist Church to celebrate the legacies of both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Barack Hussein Obama on the evening of Jan. 15.

Led by Bishop Walters S. Thomas, Sr., the ceremony honored Dr. King’s push for human and civil rights through dramatic performance, stunning arrangements from the New Psalmist Baptist Church Choir, and words from Congressman Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland’s seventh congressional district.

Cummings opened his remarks with a strong reminder to live out King’s

Photo by Briahnna Brown

A woman on stilts waves to the crowd during the 17th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade.

Baltimore Residents Festive and Reverent at MLK Day Parade

By Briahnna Brown Special to the AFRO The people of Baltimore came out in droves to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the 17th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade.

The procession marched down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from Eutaw Street to Baltimore Street. Many in attendance said they were thankful that it was not as cold as it was during last year’s celebration.

The crowd cheered and waved for Mayor Catherine Pugh, who was at the front of the procession, and State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. The parade’s grand marshal this year was Baltimore native singer/songwriter Brave Williams, known for her appearances on “Making The Band” and “R&B Divas L.A.” Spectators danced along with the many marching bands and cheerleaders from Dunbar High School, Carver VocationalTechnical High School, the New Edition Legacy Marching Band, Citywide GoldStarz Marching Band and Gwynn Park

Malone Family Grateful for Community Love & Support Following Horrific Loss 6 Malone Children Die in Baltimore Fire; Mother Worked for Cummings

By Michelle Richardson Special to the AFRO On Jan. 12, a fire so harsh that it melted a car across the street, ripped through a family’s home on the 4200 block of Springwood Avenue near Belair Road in Northeast Baltimore.

Three children and their mother escaped the blaze but had to be hospitalized; six other children were killed.

William Malone, the father, was at work at the time.

A short time after the fire, the mother was identified as Katie Malone, an 11-year employee in the Catonsville office of U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, and mother of nine.

“I am asking that our entire community pray for my staff member, Katie Malone, and her young family,” Cummings said in a statement. “I am grateful to the Baltimore City Fire Department and all those who responded quickly to the devastating fire. My staff is a family and this unimaginable tragedy is shocking and

High School among others.

Representatives from Baltimore chapters of Black fraternities and sororities also marched in the parade, and many local organizations like The Baltimore Ethical Society and the Greater Baltimore Urban League were among the parade’s participants. Many in the parade carried slogans for peace which King famously called for during his life of activism.

“There’s a lot of discourse in the world, I think more than ever we have to remember Dr. King’s message of peace and for people coming together,” Tracy Baskerville, a parade official, said. “I think today is a great day to celebrate that.”

Christine Jones, 56, and her husband Larry Jones, 67, said that they love coming to the parade together and have been for years. They said that as an interracial couple, they love King and his stance on racial equality.

“We come out here to honor Dr. Martin Luther King because of what he stood for,” Christine Jones said. “Black people, White people, green people, purple people, it doesn’t matter. I like to see us all out here together, celebrating Martin

Continued on D2

Coppin State University

Black Workers Center Aims to Fight Joblessness

By Ken Morgan Special to the AFRO

Courtesy photo

Kate Malone worked in the office of Congressman Elijah Cummings, D-Md. heartbreaking to us all. I again ask for your prayers.”

The AFRO spoke exclusively to Frank Antmann, a close friend and colleague of Malone’s, who said he wanted the family to know: “I love them, and am totally undone by the passing of their children. No one deserves to lose children, but to lose them in this manner is every parent’s horror. My heart goes out to

them, and I am ready to help them as they work through the grieving and healing process.”

According to Antmann, Katie Malone was born and raised in Maryland and attended the Institute of Notre Dame and then Towson University.

Antmann described Katie as a “very friendly, empathetic person who would have done Continued on D2

On Jan. 16, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Baltimore Black Workers (BBWC) Center launched at Coppin State University with a day of organizing workers. The Center will focus on joblessness and organizing Black workers.

BBWC is one of nine affiliates of the National Black Workers Project.

Dorcas R. Gilmore, an organizer with the organization, told the AFRO at the event, “We are building a Baltimore Black Worker Center as a Black worker-led organization that focuses on the dual Black jobs crisis of unemployment and lowwage work. We believe that Black workers play a pivotal role in transforming Baltimore into a just and equitable place for all its residents.”

Courtney Jenkins was Continued on D2

dream of all humans showing compassion, concern, and care regardless of skin color.

“I drop a tear because of the things that Martin Luther King taught us. You do not judge a person by the color of their skin. You judge them by the content of their character- that’s what King talked about! That’s what he preached,” said Cummings, who’s speech riled the crowd even after it was announced that President Obama would not be in attendance as some had hoped.

Cummings spoke of the hard times that the African Americans have faced since King’s death in 1968, saying, “There have been times where we fell down- but we got back Continued on D2

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder at MTA Machine

By Michelle Richardson Special to the AFRO Baltimore City Detectives arrested 20-year old Lamar Caldwell of the 900 block of Meadowbrook Road, for the shooting of a 30-year old man, in the 400 block of Freeman Street.

On Jan. 6, at approximately 12:39 p.m.

Southern District patrol officers responded to the 400 block of Freeman Street for a report of a shooting.

When officers arrived on the scene, they located the victim, a 30-year old male suffering from gunshot wounds to both ankles.

Medics were dispatched Continued on D2

5

Past Seven Days

Baltimore Police Department

Lamar Caldwell was arrested and charged with shooting a man while attempting to rob him.

14 2017 Total

D2

The Afro-American, January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017

Worthless

Parade

Continued from D1

Continued from D1 Luther King.”

“I remember the march on D.C., I remember his speech and everything,” Larry Jones said. “I really loved what he was trying to do, and what he was standing for, and still to this day, 2017, [his message] is strong as ever.”

Sylvia Gray, 66, said she has been coming to the parade every year for as long as she can remember, and has been following King’s message since she saw him in Baltimore in the late 1960s.

“This is what it’s all about, us getting together, stop trying to go backwards and continue to go forwards,” Gray said. “This is what I want to do and I want our people to do.”

Helena Wise, 55, said she’s been coming to the parade her entire adult life

Photo by Briahnna Brown

Singer/songwriter Brave Williams, this year’s grand marshal, waves to spectators at the 17th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade. and traditionally goes by herself, no matter how cold. She said she considers attending the parade an

New Psalmist Continued from D1

up.” He also commended President Obama’s calm, cool, and collected nature during his presidency in the face of visceral hatred and “maximum opposition.”

“It was mean, it was mean spirited, but “No Drama, Obama!” said Cummings, bringing laughs with the catchy moniker. “As we step into this new arena…don’t be scared.

We’ve come this far by faith and now we have to run on and see what the end is going to be.”

Audience members were brought to their feet by Bishop Thomas’ sermon, which also praised King for laying down the bricks needed for President Barack Obama’s path to the White House.

“We didn’t see being able to vote. We didn’t see being able to live where we wanted to live. The Montgomery Bus Boycott was supposed to last one day. One 24-hour period span was all it was supposed to last,” Thomas said.

Thomas applauded the works of King, who was once just a “26-year-old preacher” with the ability to see victory even as others were doubtful- much like President Barack Obama.

honor.

“That a man stood up for our equal rights, so we can have equal rights,” Wise said.

“We need coming together, we need peace, we need blessings. Without that what do you have?”

“I was one of those in the early days that said ‘I don’t see this,’ said Thomas, recalling his misgivings about the presidential campaign of a “little lanky, skinny dude from Illinois who won the senatorial race on a fluke.”

“He saw victory and sometimes you have to believe in yourself when nobody else around you sees it. You have to be willing to overcome paranoid pessimists and say ‘You don’t see it- but I believe it!’”

Ten-year-old Antonio Clayhardy told the AFRO that seeing an African-American president leading the country for most of his life inspires him to “become one of those presidents that helps this country along the way.”

“It’s very sad,” Clayhardy said. “I feel like he was a – Elijah E. Cummings good president. I feel like he’s accomplished a lot of things since he was elected president. It’s really sad to see him go.

Clayhardy’s sentiments were shared by other crowd members like 73-year-old Clarice Bryant, who said she considered the election of a Black American president “a miracle.”

“It was something that I thought would never happen,” said Bryant. “What it said to me is that no matter what we feel or what we think there is a way for everything.”

“I drop a tear because of the things that Martin Luther King taught us.”

Malone

Continued from D1 anything for her husband and kids; she loves to be around people and loves sharing her life with others.”

Kate’s friendly and empathetic personality helped in her role at the Cummings office. Malone “handled casework inquiries from constituents that entails her needing both the ability to communicate as well as being empathetic to their needs.”

Antmann said Malone succeeded him at the position when he left to attend graduate school.

He described Malone as an “excellent” mother who instilled moral values in her children.

“Her husband is also a great role model for their children. Together they made a fabulous team and did a great job in raising the children” said Antmann.

When asked to describe the children, Antmann said “they were loving and loved. They had a sense of humanity and understood the importance of celebrating life. That many of them have died so young and so tragically is an absolute horror. No parent should have to deal with burying one child,

no less six.”

William Malone, the father of the children and husband of Katie Malone released a statement thanking family, friends, and those all over Maryland who have shown his family love and support during this tragic time.

“My family and I are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received in the wake of the tragic fire my wife and children experienced,” he wrote.

William Malone asks that monetary donations be sent to the Go Fund Me page the family set up at gofundme. com/malone-housefire and there will be information released later on where nonmonetary donations can be sent.

been stopped 30 times in less than four years, yet none of the stops, none, resulted in a citation or criminal charge.

The city is telling that brother, `It’s all in your head.’

The fact that he, and countless others, have been treated like they live in apartheid era South Africa, is simply an inconvenient reality of being poor and Black in Baltimore.

And what are you going to do about it? What can you do about it?

We talked about the city’s duplicitous position connected to the consent decree on First Edition, Jan. 17, and one caller who identified himself as, “Smitty,” a Black man in his 70’s, asked perhaps the most cogent question of the night, “Where does a Black man go to get justice?”

Ironically, on the same night I listened to people’s thoughts and insights on the consent decree, I had the opportunity to talk to Ron Davis, the father of Jordan Davis, the 17-year old Black Florida high school student who was murdered by Michael Dunn, a 47-year old White man, in the infamous, “loud music,” case in Nov. of 2012.

Since the murder of his son and Dunn’s conviction, Davis has been traveling around the nation and the globe telling the tragic story of his son’s death and speaking out against the inherent bias within the U.S. criminal justice system.

And he cogently laid out how the system often fails to protect most Black, mostly poor people.

“Understand that in Baltimore and every other city in this nation the system is designed to protect itself,” Davis said.

“When I went to Ferguson because of the shooting there, you look at the police department that is hired by the city. The prosecutor is working for the city, the city budget manager is telling the prosecutor, don’t prosecute the policeman, because if you prosecute the policeman and find him guilty, the family is going to sue the city. And if they sue the city...the city is going to go broke. So, therefore as a prosecutor you may lose your job and you as a policeman may lose your job. So, we’re all together in this,” Davis added.

“It’s the system that protects itself for fear of being broke.”

The DOJ’s report stated, “...(there is)profound lack of trust...in particular, between BPD and certain communities in Baltimore.”

Those communities are mostly Black and mostly poor and for them, whatever trust there is between them and the police is tattered and torn, dangling by a thread.

Now, the city comes forward like Pontius Pilate, washing its hands of the findings of the DOJ report and in the process dismissing the broken, bruised and dead bodies of Baltimore citizens at the hands of the BPD. What happens to that alleged trust between the police and the people now that the city officially, “deny the allegations in the Complaint and Report?”

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

Joblessness Continued from D1

only able to get low-wage jobs such as a food worker, laborer, and cashier before he landed a job with the U.S. Postal Service. He said, “Once I found unionized work I realized the importance of a union. And now I want to make every workplace unionized.” Robin Gaines is a cook at Johns Hopkins University, who has been there for almost 20 years.

“The University says we are one, but we are not one when it comes to workers wages and benefits.”

For Baltimore White median income was $60,550, compared to $33, 610, for Blacks. For young Black men between the ages of 20 and

Photo by Ken Morgan

L-R Robin Gaines, food service worker, and Alberta Palmer, UniteHere Local 7 organizer, speak at Coppin State University about unionizing workers.

24, the unemployment rate was 37% according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It was

10% for White men of the same age.

ATM

Continued from D1

BOOKLOVERS’

BREAKFAST featuring

JACQUELINE WOODSON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2017 Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel 700 Aliceanna Street Price: $50 per person, $450 for table of ten ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED Register at prattlibrary.org/booklovers For more information, call 410-396-5494

to the scene and the victim was transported to an area hospital. His condition was unknown at press time.

Initial investigations revealed the victim was at the ATM machine when he was approached by an unidentified male suspect who attempted to rob him. The suspect pulled out a handgun and proceeded to strike the victim multiple times, the suspect than shot the victim in both the left and right ankle, before fleeing the scene.

Caldwell was arrested on Jan. 13, and transported to Central Booking where he has been charged with attempted first degree murder and numerous assault and robbery charges.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Citywide Shooting Detectives at 410-396-2221.

January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017, The Afro-American

Live Entertainment in Baltimore Night Clubs Hello everyone, I hope everything is well with you. If not, just keep your head up and have faith, it will get better.

We lost another dear friend last week; Stella Fullwood, the wife of Everett Fullwood passed away Jan. 8. March Funeral Home West had her body. The viewing was Jan. 13 and it was standing room only in their largest chapel. Her funeral was Saturday at First Charity Baptist Church. She will be truly missed. Please keep her husband and family in your prayers.

This couple is a well known and admired couple in the community.

On the brighter side, one of my favorite topics, as you know, is live entertainment and it is good to know some of our local clubs are still hosting this type of music.

Matter-of-fact there has been another club added that does live entertainment. I am talking about the Corinthian Restaurant & Lounge, located at 7107 Windsor Mill Road in Baltimore. Last week they featured Cedric Le’Mont, Isaac Parham and Devin Ward performed. On Jan. 26 a group called Café Red will perform featuring Howard Brooks on drums, Chris Rhodes on bass, Eugene Chapman on sax and Kevin Powe on guitar. The club is really very nice and the food is very good. They have great barmaid service and I love the atmosphere because it is mostly an over 50 clientele. There is no cover charge.

Ron Scott, the owner of Caton Castle Lounge on Caton Avenue and Hilton Street is celebrating his birthday on Jan. 21 from 6 p.m.10 p.m. while his guests are enjoying the live entertainment by the Eric Alexander Quartet. Also you can have your dinner while enjoying the show.

Their food is also very good.

Lexington Market hosts live entertainment every Saturday afternoon from noon-2 p.m. They have a variety of groups Scotty P and his band will and bands; jazz, blues, perform on the Arcade Stage R&B, Gospel, Country & at Lexington Market from Western, and Reggae or noon to 2 p.m. on Jan. 21.

Scott Paynter, his birth name, Caribbean music. On Jan. is a renowned Reggae singer 21 Reggae singer Scotty P who founded the group Jah and his band will perform.

Works in Baltimore, Md. and This group has been touring has produced nine original the U.S. and traveled the albums, with more than world. This weekend his 1000,000 copies sold on their repertoire will include own independent Riddim different style of music House Productions Label.

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Staff and artists of the recent Baltimore Community Art Show. such as acoustic blues, soul, traditional country and rock.

Bobby’s Jazz Club, located 1140 S. Paca Street in Baltimore, has jazz musicians performing every week and you can order dinner and have cocktails while you enjoy the show.

Another night club that has been around for many years, called Cat’s Eye Pub, is very popular for live jazz entertainment. I remember the late Ruby Glover use to sing here a lot. They are located 1730 Thames Street. They have live music every night.

Then, of course, you have Club 347 located at 347 N. Calvert Street in Baltimore. They have jazz jam sessions every Monday night like the Sportsman’s Lounge and the Bird Cage used to do back in the day.

Last, but not least, Water Street Jazz Supper Club at Velleggia’s Italian, 110 Water Street in Baltimore, just recently started live jazz entertainment while you enjoy some great Italian food.

Well my dear friends, I am out of space, remember, if you need me call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@ aol.com.

Until the next time, I’m musically yours.

The AFRO American Newspapers

Salutes African American Leaders in Education Thursday, February 23, 2017 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. @The Reginald F. Lewis Museum I would like to purchase a patron ad for the souvenir journal

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Inside Front or Back Cover Color Ad • $150 (5.125’’w x 7.125”h, bleed only)

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Full Page Color Ad (4’’w x 6”h) • $75

Half Page Color Ad • $50 (4’’w x 3”h horizonal, 2”w x 6”h vertical)

Name______________________________________ Address__________________________________ City_____________________________________ State________________________Zip____________ E-mail_______________________________________ Primary Phone________________________________ Employer____________________________________

Ron Scott, owner of the famous Caton Castle Lounge, located at 20 South Caton Avenue in Baltimore, is celebrating his birthday on Jan. 21 from 6 p.mm.-10 p.m.

There is a cover charge and food is on sale.

Eric Alexander Quartet, featuring Harold Mabern on piano, Joe Fransworth on drums, John Webber on bass and Eric on sax will perform at the Caton Castle on Jan. 21 from 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

Please make all checks payable to The AFRO American Newspaper and write “Patron Ad” on the memo line of the check. Mail the check to the AFRO American Newspapers, 2519 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. To make a credit card payment call Takiea Hinton at (410) 554-8200.

Please email submissions in the exact size of the purchased ad to lhowze@afro.com, no later than Friday, February 10, 2017. The artwork needs to be cameraready with high resolution (300 dpi) in a JPEG or PDF format. Please note the subject line “ Black History.”

As part of Black History Month,

The AFRO will be honoring top Black educators in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area.

Come out and show your support on Feb.

23 at the

Reginald F. Lewis Museum

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The Afro-American, January 21, 2017 - January 27, 2017

Gwynn Park H. S. Band, Brandywine, Md. New Edition Legacy Marching Band Drum Line

“Little Drummer Boy” (NELB)

Nice weather made the Martin Luther King Jr. parade on Jan. 16 much more enjoyable than previous years. This year’s parade, sponsored by the Baltimore Office Of Promotion & The Arts, had more than 50 groups as part of the parade.

Brave Williams (“R&B Divas,” MTV, Co-Founder Rich Girl) was the Grand Marshall.

Konan (92Q Radio) and April Watts (95.9 Radio) were CoM.C.s. Baltimore City Mayor Catherine E. Pugh, Baltimore City States Attorney Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, and Baltimore City Council Pres. Bernard “Jack” Young, among others, marched in the parade.

Carver Voc.-Tech H.S. Band

Jerusalem Temple #4 Drill Team McKenzie Smith, Madison Rowe, Matthew Sampson and Jacqueline Thomas-Moore

Photos by Anderson R. Ward

Scholarship honorees Oluwamayowa Ilori and Paige Thomas

Dr. Virginia Johns was presented the Howard L. Cornish Appreciation Award from Delores Cooke and Anthony McPhail The Howard L. Cornish Metropolitan Baltimore Chapter of Morgan State University Alumni Association sponsored the 32nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast on Jan. 14 at the Morgan State University Student Center in the Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom.

In spite of the threat of a morning wintry mix of sleet and rain, the weather did not keep approximately 700 alumni, students and other guests from trekking to the northeast campus.

Scholarship honorees Brian Melton Jr. and Micah Middleton

Corvelli McDaniel is presented the Howard L. Cornish Chapter Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Burney J. Ericka Alston-Buck Hollis, Morgan is presented the State University Dr. David Wilson, Howard L. Cornish is presented the President, Morgan Community Service Howard L. Cornish State University Award Drum Major Award Awards were presented to Dr. Virginia Jones, a retiree from the Baltimore City Public Schools, who serves as the Professional Development Elementary School Coordinator at Morgan; Ericka Alston-Buck, CEO, Maryland Community Health Initiatives (Penn-North), and founder of Penn-North Kids Safe Zone, Dr. Burney J. Hollis, professor of English and Dean Emeritus at Morgan State University, and Corvelli A. McDaniel, Scholarship honorees Cameron Potts, Shamyra Rogers assistant commissioner, Revenue Collections and Malik Smith Management, US Treasury.

Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

Michael Conway, president, Global Channel Development, Starbucks Coffee was breakfast speaker

Melvin Miles, MSU band director was awarded $2,000 for band students

Senator Nathaniel J. McFadden, James Butler, Director of Legislation and Policy Affairs, Jason Newton, WBAL - TV News Anchor

Scholarship honorees Kenya Grant and Jordan Hebron

Kevin Peck Marks 50th Birthday with Star-Studded Celebration

Robert Blount

Eric Peck , Patricia Thomas and Kevin Peck

On Jan. 7 MPECKABLE 5.0, the 50th birthday celebration for President and CEO of MPECKABLE Entertainment, Kevin Peck, took place at Martin’s West in Baltimore. Peck is a multifaceted entrepreneur and long-time manager of the R&B group Dru Hill.

Dru Hill made a special appearance along with Ruff Endz, The Choir Boyz, and Dudley. The gala was hosted by Baltimore’s own incredible Indie mom of Comedy, Meshelle, and DJ Tanz rocked the house.

After growing up as part one of Baltimore’s first families, the Murphys, founders and operators of the city’s own AFRO American Newspaper, the longest-running African-American family-owned newspaper in the United States, Peck has spent nearly 25 years in the entertainment business.

Andre and Toni Draper Kevin and Dana Peck

Dru Hill

Kevin Peck with his children

Dr. James Wood , Robin Wood and Kevin Peck

Maureen McLain with Kevin

Kevin with his grandmother, Margaret “Doll” Peck

Marcus and Shaiah McLain Kappas Courtesy Photos

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