Afro PG County 3-24-2017

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

Volume 125 No. 34

MARCH 25, 2017 - MARCH 31, 2017

Round 1

Inside

Baltimore • HBCU Night in Annapolis Focuses Fight on Additional Funds

Oscar Winner Lou Gossett Jr. Partners With Pepperdine to Erase Racism

C1

B1

Prince George’s AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

AFRO Editorial

The Reality Bad Dream Called Trump

A4

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus met with President Donald Trump on March 22 for the first time. Trump, famously, asked White House reporter April Ryan to set up a meeting between the two groups at a press conference during Black History Month. CBC leaders said they had a “candid” conversation about the needs of Black America. See story below.

Black Lawmakers Say They had Candid Conversation with Trump

By Jesse J. Holland The Associated Press

Join

the over

685K

members of the AFRO Facebook Family

afro.com

Your History • Your Community • Your News

The AFROAmerican Newspaper Prince George’s County Edition is Published weekly as an E-edition.

Notification is sent to you via email.

You can opt-out of receiving this by selecting the unsubscribe option at the bottom of each email notice.

Black lawmakers emerged from a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on March 22 saying the president was at least willing to listen to their concerns that his policies and positions could hurt their African-American constituents.

However, beyond a promise of future dialogue and a discussion about “divisive rhetoric,” it seemed that there was little change in either the White House’s mind or the minds of the leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus on issues like the president’s approach to health care, police misconduct investigations, criminal justice, education or funding

Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, center, accompanied Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind., second from right, and Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., right, speak to members of the media after they and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus meet with President Donald Trump.

AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

D1

for historically black colleges and universities.

“He listened and we talked and we proposed a lot of solutions, many of which I think he had not heard before. We’ll keep advocating,” said Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., caucus chairman, who presented the White House with written copies of the group’s history and agenda.

Trump met with the lawmakers in the Cabinet Room and the Oval Office, with a candid photo tweeted

by White House press secretary Sean Spicer showing the president in conversation with Richmond; Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the House’s No. 3 Democrat; and other members of the caucus leadership.

Continued on A3

CBC Releases ‘Moral’ SCOTUS Nominee Neil Gorsuch Alternative Budget and the Conservative Agenda

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

By Gloria Browne-Marshall AANIC Supreme Court Correspondent

On March 15, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) released its alternative budget for fiscal year 2018. The budget focuses on programs and policies that will help Blacks and other Americans. CBC Chairman U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) said the organization’s federal budget proposal will protect social safety net programs, close tax loopholes for the rich, provide universal health care by adding a public option to Obamacare, making college more affordable by reducing interest rates on student loans and investing more money in HBCUs. “You won’t find billion-dollar handouts for the wealthy and drastic cuts to domestic programs in our budget,” Richmond said. “A budget reflects priorities and our budget prioritizes Continued on A3

It is with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate that will determine if Judge

AP Photo/Zach Gibson, File

Join the AFRO on Twitter and Facebook

• D.C. Auditor IDs Mismanagement in Affordable Housing Trust

U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said that the CBC’s budget proposal would cut the national deficit by $2.9 trillion over the next decade.

Neil McGill Gorsuch ascends to this nation’s highest Court.

The seat was left vacant with the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. While Merrick Garland, the nominee of President Barack Obama, was

passed over by a Republicancontrolled Judiciary Committee, the effort to place the Republican nominee on the Court is in sight.

The controversy behind Continued on A3

Chuck Berry, one of the fathers of Rock ‘n’ Roll, died on March 18 at the age of 90. In 1984, the AFRO ran an appreciation of Berry following his induction into the Hall of Fame by ASCAP. He would be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame two years later.

AFRO Archived History

Chuck Berry… Legend July 21, 1984

By Ida M. Peters Fathers of Rock ‘N’ Roll, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and Little Richard started it all long before John Lennon, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Called the true king of Rock ‘N’ Roll, Chuck Berry, started it all with his foot-stompings, wailing country sounds, punctuated by his rolling on his back while still playing his wanging guitar. The Beatles recorded numerous Berry songs and Berry himself has been featured many times on television specials and hailed as “the man who showed us the way.”

Berry, in our last interview, told us how it was a fight to hold on to the royalties for his songs.

Continued on A3

Copyright © 2017 by the Afro-American Company

A2

The Afro-American, March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017

Your History • Your Community • Your News

The Afro-American Newspapers

Baltimore Office • Corporate Headquarters 2519 N. Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21218-4602 410-554-8200 • Fax: 1-877-570-9297 www.afro.com Founded by John Henry Murphy Sr., August 13, 1892 Chairman of the Board/Publisher - John J. Oliver, Jr. Executive Assistant - Sallie Brown - 410-554-8222 Receptionist - Wanda Pearson - 410-554-8200 Director of Advertising Lenora Howze - 410-554-8271 - lhowze@afro.com Advertising Account Executives Baltimore - Robert Blount - 410-554-8246 - rblount@afro.com Washington, D.C. - Vetta Ridgeway - 202-332-0080-ext. 1104 vridgeway@afro.com Director of Finance - Ronald W. Harrison - 410-554-8242 Assistant Archivist - Shelia Scott - 410-554-8265 Director, Community & Public Relations Diane W. Hocker - 410-554-8243 Editorial Managing Editor - Kamau High Washington D.C. Editor - LaTrina Antoine Associate Editor - James Bentley Editorial Assistant - Takiea Hinton Production Department - 410-554-8288 Baltimore Circulation/Distribution Manager Sammy Graham - 410-554-8266

Washington Office 1816 12th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-4422 202-332-0080 • Fax: 1-877-570-9297

(Washington Publisher Emerita - Frances L. Murphy II) General Manager Washington Circulation/Distribution Manager Edgar Brookins - 202-332-0080, ext. 106 Director of Advertising Lenora Howze - ext. 119 - lhowze@afro.com VOffice Administrator - Mia Aguilar - ext. 100

Customer Service, Home Delivery and Subscriptions: 410-554-8234 • Customer Service@afro.com Billing Inquiries: 410-554-8226 Nights and Weekends: 410-554-8282

NATION & WORLD

Rock ‘n Roll Legend Chuck Berry Dies at 90

By The Associated Press

Chuck Berry, Rock ‘n Roll founding guitar hero and storyteller who defined the music’s joy and rebellion in such classics as “Johnny B. Goode,” ‘’Sweet Little Sixteen” and “Roll Over Beethoven,” died March 18 at his home west of St. Louis. He was 90.

Emergency responders summoned to Berry’s residence by his caretaker about 12:40 p.m. found him unresponsive, police in Missouri’s St. Charles County said in a statement. Attempts to revive Berry failed, and he was (AP Photo) pronounced dead shortly before In this April 4, 1980 photo, 1:30 p.m., police said. guitarist and singer Chuck Berry’s core repertoire was Berry performs his “duck some three dozen songs, his walk” as he plays his guitar influence incalculable, from the on stage.

Beatles and the Rolling Stones to virtually any group from garage band to arena act that called itself Rock ‘n Roll.

“Just let me hear some of that Rock ‘n Roll music any old way you use it I am playing I’m talking about you. God bless Chuck Berry Chuck,” Beatles drummer Ringo Starr tweeted, quoting some lyrics from a Berry hit.

While Elvis Presley gave rock its libidinous, hip-shaking image, Berry was the auteur, setting the template for a new sound and way of life.

“Chuck Berry was a rock and roll original. A gifted guitar player, an amazing live performer, and a skilled songwriter whose music and lyrics captured the essence of 1950s teenage life,” The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame said in a statement.

Well before the rise of Bob Dylan, Berry wedded social commentary to the beat and rush of popular music.

“He was singing good lyrics, and intelligent lyrics, in the ‘50s when people were singing, “Oh, baby, I love you so,’” John Lennon once observed.

Berry, in his late 20s before his first major hit, crafted lyrics that spoke to the teenagers of the day and remained fresh decades later.

“Sweet Little Sixteen” captured Rock ‘n Roll fandom, an early and innocent ode to the young girls later known as “groupies.” ‘’School Day” told of the sing-song trials of the classroom (“American history and practical math; you’re studying hard, hoping to pass...”) and the

liberation of Rock ‘n Roll once the day’s final bell rang.

“Roll Over Beethoven” was an anthem to rock’s history-making power, while “Rock and Roll Music” was a guidebook for all bands that followed (“It’s got a back beat, you can’t lose it”). “Back in the U.S.A.” was a black man’s straight-faced tribute to his country at a time there was no guarantee Berry would be served at the drive-ins and corner cafes he was celebrating.

“Everything I wrote about wasn’t about me, but about the people listening,” he once said.

“Johnny B. Goode,” the tale of a guitar-playing country boy whose mother tells him he’ll be a star, was Berry’s signature song, the archetypal narrative for would-be rockers and among the most ecstatic recordings in the music’s history. Berry can hardly contain himself as the words hurry out (“Deep down Louisiana close to New Orleans/Way back up in the woods among the evergreens”) and the downpour of guitar, drums and keyboards amplifies every call of “Go, Johnny Go!” The song was inspired in part by Johnnie Johnson, the boogiewoogie piano master who collaborated on many Berry hits, but the story could have easily been Berry’s, Presley’s or countless others’.

Commercial calculation made the song universal: Berry had meant to call Johnny a “colored boy,” but changed “colored” to “country,” enabling not only radio play, but musicians of any color to imagine themselves as stars.

Shaq Furnishes Home of 5-Yr. Old Atlanta Girl Who Survived Dog Attack

By The Associated Press

Shaquille O’Neal has bought new furniture for the family of a 5-year-old Atlanta girl who survived a dog attack that left another child dead.

WAGA-TV reports Syari Sanders returned home this week after being hospitalized since the (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) Jan. 17 attack. Sanders and 6-yearIn this Dec. 22, 2016 old Logan Braatz were walking photo, retired Hall of Fame to a bus stop when they were basketball player Shaquille attacked by two dogs. Braatz died O’Neal smiles as he talks to from his injuries. The dogs’ owner reporters during an NBA has been charged with involuntary basketball news conference manslaughter and reckless in Miami. conduct.

O’Neal met Sanders and her family at an Atlanta furniture store and picked up the tab for new items. The family tells WAGA that the former NBA star and current TNT analyst has been involved with the family since the attack.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

Boulder Philharmonic

SHIFT your expectations.

March 27–April 1, 2017 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus Boulder Philharmonic with Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance

North Carolina Symphony

North Carolina Symphony The Knights with San Francisco Girls Chorus

Concerts only $25!

Plus many FREE events: pop-up shows, musical hikes, and more!

Learn more at SHIFTfestival.org.

The Knights

CO-PRESENTED BY

Generous support of the SHIFT Festival is provided through a matching grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, by Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather, and by Michael F. and Noémi K. Neidorff and The Centene Charitable Foundation.

SHIFT is funded in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Additional support is provided by Abramson Family Foundation, Betsy and Robert Feinberg, Morton and Norma Lee Funger, and Daniel R. Lewis.

SHIFT is presented in association with JFKC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy.

Support for JFKC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy is provided by Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Chevron, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, and Target.

A2

The Afro-American, March 25, 2017 - March 25, 2017

March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017, The Afro-American

A3

Black Lawmakers Continued from A1 Before the meeting, Trump reminded the media that he pledged during his campaign to “improve conditions for African-American citizens.”

“This means more to me than anybody should understand,” Trump said. “Every American child has a right to grow up in a safe community, to attend great schools, to graduate with access to highpaying jobs.”

But Black lawmakers said they reminded Trump in a “candid” discussion that many in their community still hold against him some of his campaign statements, including that former President

Barack Obama, the first AfricanAmerican president, was not born in the United States. Trump received only 8 percent of the AfricanAmerican vote in last November’s election.

“Several areas of concern were raised, including the way that African-American communities were depicted during the campaign as being areas that were completely lawless,” said Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif.

When asked whether he thought Trump was a racist after Wednesday’s meeting, Richmond was very careful. “He’s the 45th president of the United States

and we talked about issues that were critically important to the African-American community,” Richmond said. “We talked about divisive rhetoric that hurts AfricanAmericans and that may cause more divide in this country.”

There were areas of agreement, Richmond said, including the need for infrastructure spending, and the importance of increasing safety for Black families in the nation’s inner cities. He also noted that money for historically Black colleges and universities was not cut in Trump’s budget, although there was no increase in funding for those schools.

Trump offered up meetings with his Cabinet secretaries, including Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and offered to meet with the Congressional Black Caucus on a quarterly basis. But Trump adviser Omarosa Manigault said they want to meet with all 49 members of the caucus, not just the leadership.

“They’re not a monolith,” she said after the meeting, pointing out that they get requests from black lawmakers all the time about individual projects and districts.

“The CBC has different voices, different priorities, different constituents, and we have to address each of those and not just the seven

people who came today.”

In fact, Richmond said his constituents, Black voters and even caucus members urged him to cancel the meeting and instead focus only on resisting the president’s agenda and reducing the chances for his reelection, similar to what he said tea party Republicans did to Obama.

He said “if our only action is to resist,” African-Americans around the country are going to suffer disproportionately.

The Congressional Black Caucus is made up of 49 black members of Congress, mostly Democrats, but Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, is also a member.

Gorsuch Continued from A1 the scenes is enormous. President Donald Trump pledged during his campaign that his nominee to the Court would be a conservative who would overturn Roe v. Wade, the case that legalized abortion. Gorsuch, 49, a conservative, is an appellate judge who currently sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Colorado.

Gorsuch was questioned by Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee at his confirmation hearing about his ties to a conservative agenda. Current White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, who led the Republican National Committee, said that the appointment of Gorsuch will change forty years of law. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), who sits on the Judiciary Committee, confronted Gorsuch at the hearing with the promise, allegedly made by White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, to select appointees to “deconstruct the government.”

Gorsuch is the the son of Anne Gorsuch Burford who was the first leader of the Environmental Protection Agency and resigned in 1983 after questions arose about corporate influences on environmental regulations. She was cited for contempt of Congress, according to the New York Times, when she refused to provide documents demanded by a subcommittee of the House of Representatives on an investigation of the alleged mismanagement of a toxic waste cleanup.

Despite Trump’s populist campaign

promises he chose Gorsuch, an elitist, over appellate Judge Thomas Hardiman of Pennsylvania, who was from a working-class family background and known to have driven a taxicab to pay for law school. Gorsuch, however, attended Oxford University, Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He clerked for Supreme Court Justices Byron White and Anthony Kennedy as well as Judge David Sentelle of the D.C. Court of Appeals, all conservatives.

At the confirmation hearing, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R. I.) cited a dozen Supreme Court cases with 5-4 decisions involving Republican-nominated conservative justices who voted in favor of corporations. As in the controversial case of Citizens United v. FEC where Federal campaign regulations were struck down by conservative justices who found corporations could spend freely on political campaigns as part of their freedom of speech.

The American Bar Association gave Gorsuch its highest rating deeming him ‘very qualified.’ However, Sen. Whitehouse made it clear that Judge Merrick Garland “was even more qualified.”

Democrats have found Gorsuch difficult to pin down due to his humor and restrained demeanor. When asked how he would respond to Trump’s demands, Gorsuch said, “When I became a judge they gave me a gavel and not a rubber stamp.” But, Sen. Al Franken looked beyond Gorsuch’s statement of judicial

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch listens on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 22, as he testifies at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. independence and suggested that conservatives chose only those nominees willing to follow their agenda.

Democrats may choose to filibuster the vote. If Republicans cannot reach the 60 votes need to overcome a Democratic filibuster than Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chair

of the Judiciary Committee, may ask for a simple majority vote. Republicans want to secure Gorsuch’s confirmation in time to rule on Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer case because Gorsuch could be the fifth vote conservatives need in that case, which involves separation of church and state.

CBC Budget Continued from A1 improving the lives of Americans and their families by ensuring that they can go to the doctor when they’re sick, get a college degree if they want one, find a good job that pays a living wage, and pay a lower rate in taxes than President Trump. President Trump says he wants to make America great again: well, in order to do that, he’ll need a budget that makes economic sense for the AfricanAmerican community and the rest of the nation.”

The first time the CBC created its own federal budget was in 1981, in response to President Reagan’s unprecedented cuts in social and government aid programs and an increase in military spending. Since then, the CBC has proffered its own federal budget regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White

House.

The driving force behind the CBC’s budget plan this year is Rep. Bobby Scott (DVa.), who has helped devise the CBC federal budget plan for the past 10 years and collaborates with the Democratic staff of the House Budget Committee to finalize it.

Scott said that the CBC budget is a responsible blueprint for the nation. “The CBC budget makes targeted investments in programs that support working families, students, seniors, and the most vulnerable in our communities,” Scott said.

“At the same time, the CBC budget actually improves the fiscal situation in our nation by reducing the deficit by nearly $2.9 trillion over the next decade.”

The president’s budget, no matter who is in the

Identification Statements

Baltimore Afro-American – (USPS 040-800) is published weekly by The Afro-American Newspapers, 2519 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4602. Subscription Rate: Baltimore - 1 Year - $70.00(Price includes tax.) Checks for subscriptions should be made payable to: The Afro-American Newspaper Company, 2519 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4602. Periodicals postage paid at Baltimore, MD. POSTMASTER: Send addresses changes to: The Afro-American Newspapers Company, 2519 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4602.

The Washington Afro-American & Washington Tribune – (0276-6523) is published weekly by the Afro-American Newspapers at 1816 12th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009-4422. Subscription Rate: Washington - 1 Year - $70.00(Price includes tax.)

Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. POSTMASTER: Send addresses changes to: The Washington Afro-American & Washington Tribune, 2519 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4602.

“You won’t find billion-dollar handouts for the wealthy and drastic cuts to domestic programs in our budget.”

– Rep. Cedric Richmond White House, is usually not passed in totality by the U.S. Congress. Both House and Senate lawmakers make adjustments.

While the CBC budget has never been passed

by a Congress, when the Democrats are in charge of both chambers, many of their ideas, such as additional funding for HBCUs and housing programs, become prominent in the final budget

that is passed.

“There is input from all of the members,” Paul Brathwaite, a former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus, told the AFRO. “It is an inclusive process. Also, keep in mind that while members of the CBC generally are progressive, you do have some moderates.

Nevertheless, all members of the CBC want government to function properly and want the lives of their constituents to improve.”

John Bullock, a political

scientist who taught at Towson State University and represents District 9 on the Baltimore City Council, said there is zero chance the CBC budget will become operational given the Republican majorities in both houses and Trump in the White House. Nevertheless, he told the AFRO what the CBC is doing is important.

“It is a moral document,” Bullock said. “With President Trump cutting health care, food programs and education, the CBC is saying this is where our priorities are.”

Berry Continued from A1 He was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame by ASCAP and given a gold plaque. The last time we talked to Berry was when he did the “Buddy Holly Story.”

In 1955, Berry took his recording “Ida Red” to the Chess Brothers in Chicago. They changed the name to “Maybelline” and got their friend, Allen Freed, a N.Y. Deejay to play it. The record first had the D.J. as a writer and Berry’s name was not on it.

Over the next few years, Berry produced a string of hits, including “Roll Over, Beethoven” and “Sweet Little Sixteen.” In the late ‘50s and early

‘60s, Berry recorded a new set of hits, including “Nadine,” “No Particular Place To Go,” and “You Never Can Tell.” In 1966, he signed with Mercury Records, but three years later returned to Chess, when he wrought still another slew of hits.

His “Back Home” and “San Francisco Dues” LPs are considered by some to be his finest. Appearance at the Lanchester Arts Festival in England resulted in a live recording of “My Ding-A-Ling,” which became Berry’s biggest seller. Meanwhile, Chuck Berry’s music and performing style have influenced two generations of rock

stars, The Rolling Stones first single, “Roll Over, Beethoven” (The Electric Light Orchestra similarly had a hit with the song). The Beach Boys reworked “Sweet Little Sixteen” into their monster hit, “Surfin USA.” And Chuck Berry’s duck walk is virtually endemic to contemporary Blues. From his early influences, St. Louis Country radio and Chicago Blues, Chuck Berry has gone on to create a wholly original musical genre.

New Musical Express’ “Illustrated Encyclopedia Of rock” describes Berry’s contribution as the “introduction of a disciplined lyricism” to Rock ‘N’ Roll.

A4 The Afro-American, March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017

Editorial

COMMENTARY

The Reality Bad Dream Called Trump

The lies from President Donald Trump just keep coming.

How can Americans trust anything that comes out of Trump’s mouth? How can world leaders assess Trump’s global view and thus what is the true view of our country? Furthermore, if we do get faced with a real national security crisis, how can we believe what aspect, if any, is true?

Trump is inappropriately using his White House bully pulpit to create a false image of his perfections by repeatedly crying wolf to distract the world from seeing his own personal inadequacies and realities. His foolishness has grown tiresome; it’s absurd; it’s embarrassing and it’s potentially dangerous.

Without a shred of proof, Trump has accused former President Barack Obama of wiretapping his New York offices during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Trump has no facts to back up this felonious allegation against Obama; he has offered no witnesses; he has presented no credible evidence.

This week, even FBI Director James Comey told Congress that he has no information “to support the claim” that Obama wiretapped Trump’s tower in New York.

Another Trump façade emerged when he said 3-5 million people voted illegally in the 2016 presidential election, somehow to apparently create the impression that he had received more popular votes then those received by Hillary Clinton.

A lie.

Trump said his victory “was the biggest electoral college win since Ronald Reagan.”

A lie.

And for five years -- with absolutely no proof -- Trump promoted the manufactured “birther” movement, the false claim that Obama wasn’t born in the United States.

Another lie.

When does it end?

Former President Barack Obama was reportedly outraged by the wiretapping allegation.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Obama was reportedly furious about Trump’s unsubstantiated and absurd claims that Obama wiretapped Trump’s offices during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Obama should be angry by Trump’s wild and baseless accusations — and, in fact, all clearthinking Americans should be angry, too.

A spokesman for Obama said: “Neither President Obama nor any White House official ever ordered surveillance on any US citizen. Any suggestion otherwise is simply false.”

And what about repercussions? Trump lies over and over again and he is never held accountable. How do you punish a president for habitual lying? This is uncharted territory for Congress; for the FBI; and, frankly, for all Americans.

“The president clings to his assertion like a drunk to an empty gin bottle, rolling out his press spokesman to make more dubious claims,” according to a scathing editorial in the conservative leaning Wall Street Journal.

The newspapers labeled Trump as being guilty of a “seemingly endless stream of exaggerations, evidence-free accusations, implausible denials and other falsehoods.”

Some congressional legislators have called Trump’s lies weapons of mass distractions.

“I think this is just a distraction,” Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., told ABC’s “This Week.” “To distract from this very, very serious interference by a foreign power [Russia] on our democracy.

And, the question of whether Trump’s world, his campaign, his business associates, had anything to do with it and colluding with them. So I think he’s just distracting, as he tends to like to do.”

In the meantime, Trump continues to weave his network of convenient falsehoods and lies as segments of the American public continue to cling to a diminishing hope that his actions are only momentary mistakes, or innocently made overstatements; instead of a really big bad dream come true.

King’s Words 50 Years Ago on Vietnam Still Ring True This year we will commemorate the 50th Ralph E. Moore Jr. anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s earthshaking statements opposing the war in Vietnam. He called his remarks of April 4, 1967, “Beyond Vietnam: Time to Break the Silence.”

I’ve always been struck by the fact that King’s most radical, most far-reaching, most challenging speech was delivered exactly one year to the day before he was assassinated. I always found that fact both fascinating and frightening. But now, nearly fifty years after King delivered what was essentially an indictment of America’s prosecution of the war in Vietnam, his radical words then are no less true about modern day America. He noted the country’s aggressive military actions, its irresponsible spending, its misplaced priorities and its essential hypocrisy—that is, its capacity to live with contradictions.

In his 1967 speech at Riverside Church in New York City, Martin clearly departed from the uplifting tone of his iconic 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech, in which he dreamed of a better, more racially harmonious America as he stood before 250,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial. His point of view sharpened as he looked right into the face of America, seeing its uglier countenance. In his speech at Riverside, King called for a “true revolution of values.” America needs radical change, he said—not mere reform, not gentle tweaking, not tiny steps, but leaps of change. He said on that day in April

1967 that it is time to end the violence of war and the violence of poverty.

The War on Poverty was launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in his January 1964 State of the Union address. In the more than fifty years since the campaign was announced, $22 trillion has been spent on anti-poverty programs. Imagine if the government had just given the money to the poor folks directly. But Head Start, Legal Aid and Medicare and Medicaid, and food and nutrition programs have been lifesavers for the poor.

Soon after Johnson launched his war on poverty, he escalated U.S. involvement in the war in Vietnam by seeking and getting Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin resolution in August 1964. The resolution authorized LBJ to “take any measures he believed were necessary to retaliate and to promote the maintenance of peace and security in southeast Asia.” The nation’s time, attention and treasure was shifted from fighting poverty at home to fighting the Viet Cong overseas.

King understood the shift. It moved him after he realized poverty was losing the nation’s attention, thereby hurting folks, especially in the inner-cities, even as the war in Vietnam was killing and maiming American and Vietnamese citizens, disproportionately those from the inner-cities and Asian villages. His increasing awareness of that triple whammy of death, injury and mass poverty seems to have been the biggest influence on King to speak out. He saw the racist nature of the war.

In his speech, MLK said the triple threats to American life are racism, militarism and poverty. After fighting for years for voting rights for tax-paying American citizens of color; after touring southern towns and northern cities and seeing hunger, poverty and dilapidation staring him in the face; and after seeing the impact of the Vietnam War on returning veterans and their families, King connected the dots and was moved to speak out.

King’s comments in his searing April 4, 1967 speech are just as relevant today as they were then. Our spending priorities are still askew, we are still too committed to what Columbia University’s Seymour Melman once called “The Permanent War Economy,” and we are perhaps getting more inclined to approve increased defense spending. And we still have much racism to eliminate—against African Americans, Jews, Moslems and Hispanics.

The parallels to then and now are quite striking: as the U.S. prioritizes defense spending increasingly it is at the expense of domestic spending. Now, more than ever, we need King’s voice: its moral tone, its clear direction and its challenging purpose. We must be bold if we want things to be better. We will not be able to bring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. back. We all must become Martin Luther King Jr. Ralph E. Moore Jr. is a Baltimore resident. He has a long history of supporting many activist causes for improving the city’s Black community and promoting opportunities for inner city youth.

Think Before You Spank Everyday my sons Kiye and Kole commit a spankable offense. Whether it’s talking back, being off task at school, or breaking something in the house, at 7 and 5 years old, they are always doing something. But wait, why are these spankable offenses? Is it because these are the incidents that I was spanked for? Is it because all of my friends and family spank their children? Is it because I have to spank them to get them in order to prepare them for their lives as Black Men? Or is it because the Bible tells me so?

Whatever the reason, I know that now more than ever, I really need to think about my goals and intentions in raising my children and I want my community to do the same. Do we want to raise children who do right because they fear us, or do we want them to develop the critical thinking skills needed to make good decisions? Do we want them to behave when we’re watching or make good choices because they are global citizens who care about their impact on the world. Do we want to break their rebellious spirits or do we want to help them channel their convictions in ways that benefit themselves and our community? Do we want to raise children that learn to stay in their place or do we want to raise those that make places for themselves in higher education, corporations, government, or their own entrepreneurial pursuits. If our answer to any of these is the later, we must Think Before We Spank.

Satira Streeter

A recent research article reviews studies representing 160,927 children over the last 50 years. The findings of this research gave concrete evidence that spanking can cause lifelong detrimental effects on children. These effects include anxiety, depression, limited cognitive ability, and parental resentment. What other parenting practice do we continue to participate in that has known damaging impacts?

We don’t drink or smoke while we’re pregnant, we put our kids in car seats, we feed them balanced diets, we make them do their homework, and we limit screen time. So why do we continue to hit them when we know the possible results.

Maybe it’s because we don’t know the possible results, because if we did, of course, we would stop. The gamble that they could suffer these consequences is not even worth it.

We are decades older than our children, which means we should be able to come up with some way to get them to comply with our rules aside from having to hit them. We teach them every day that violence is not the way. Plus, being so much bigger than them, hitting them is really an unfair fight that in no other circumstance would be okay.

I’ve been doing this work long enough to know that many people reading this will say, “I got spanked and I turned out alright.” Yes, this may be true, but I challenge you to reflect on these questions. How did it feel to be hit by the person you loved the most? Was there anything else they could have done to help you modify your behavior? Could they have talked to

you; modeled the behavior they wanted you to display; created logical consequences; rewarded your positive behavior; taken away privileges? Was spanking absolutely necessary for you to become the person you are today? Is it completely necessary for your children, for your grandchildren? Is there anything else that you can do? I believe that there is.

In an effort to help caregivers fill their toolkit with effective discipline tips and strategies, the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect and Ascensions Psychological Services will kick off the “Think Before You Spank” campaign during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. This campaign seeks to empower parents through free workshops on effective discipline, free effective discipline literature, and a website that will provide parenting resources and workshops provided by agencies throughout D.C. For more information, please call 202-889-4344 or visit us at thinkbeforeyouspank.com. With so many other systems and strategies currently failing our children, the changes that we make at home can make a world of difference.

Dr. Satira Streeter has served as a Clinical Psychologist in Anacostia for the past 13 years. She is also the current chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect where she continues her work as a child and family advocate.

March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017, The Afro-American

A5

Whether at home or on the go, there’s nothing like X1. Stream live TV and thousands of XFINITY On Demand TV shows and movies on any device, anywhere, with the XFINITY Stream app. Plus, XFINITY delivers fast in-home WiFi with the most coverage for your home and gives you access to millions of hotspots nationwide, so the only thing you’ll have to worry about now is missing your flight. X1 will change the way you experience TV.

#$

$

99

! ' "%$$

!&

Ask how to get a $200 VisaÂŽ Prepaid Card when you step up to a

Call 1-800-XFINITY ( %

Offer ends 3/28/17. New residential customers only. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Requires subscription to Starter XF Triple Play with Digital Starter TV, Performance Pro Internet and XFINITY Voice Unlimited services. Early termination fee applies if all XFINITY services are cancelled during the agreement term. Equipment, installation, taxes and fees, including regulatory recovery fees, Broadcast TV Fee (up to $7.00/mo.), Regional Sports Network Fee (up to $5.00/mo.) and other applicable charges extra and subject to change during and after the promo. After promo, or if any service is cancelled or downgraded, regular charges apply (subject to change). Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. TV: Limited Basic service subscription required to receive other levels of service. XFINITY On Demand selections subject to charge indicated at time of purchase. Internet: WiFi claim based on March 2016 study by Allion Test Labs, Inc., based on router performance. Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. XFINITY WiFi hotspots included with Performance Internet or above only. Available in select areas. Requires WiFi-enabled device. Voice: $29.95 activation fee applies. If there is a power outage or network issue, calling, including calls to 911, may be unavailable. Two-year term agreement required with prepaid card offer. VisaŽ Prepaid Card offer requires minimum term agreement. Cards issued by MetaBankŽ, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from VisaŽ U.S.A. Inc. Cards will not have cash access and can be used everywhere VisaŽ debit cards are accepted. Money-back guarantee applies to one month’s recurring service charge and standard installation charges up to $500. Š 2017 Comcast. All rights reserved NPA197690-0006 DIV17-1-203-AA-$89x12bau-A11

121049_NPA197690-0006 Seamless ad REV_A11_11x20.indd 1

3/16/17 1:11 PM

A6

The Afro-American, March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017

SENIOR GUIDE

Memory Ball Dancers Raise Money for Alzheimer’s Research

By Janneh G. Johnson Special to the AFRO On April 8, the Alzheimer’s Association is hosting its 11th Annual Memory Ball at Baltimore’s Marriott Waterfront. The Memory Ball takes the form of a “Dancing with the Stars” style competition as Baltimore locals from various walks of life compete against each other after months of practice with trained professionals to raise the most money for Alzheimer’s research. The Memory Ball is a black tie affair and each vote serves as a dollar donation to the Alzheimer’s Associations cause.

(Courtesy photo)

Mary Teddy Wray is one of the ten participants in the Memory Ball that will take in Baltimore on April 8.

Alzheimer’s is a widespread disease that affects many people across the globe, an estimated 5.5 million people in America have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and many of the ten participants, including Dr. Mary Teddy Wray, have a personal connection to the cause.

Wray is a dentist located in Harford County, Md. who worked her way through dental school as a caregiver for a patient that was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

“I had to support myself through school, I was an immigrant, I was here by myself and I didn’t have anybody…the only job

I could find was being a caretaker for this woman (Lucy Garfield) who had Alzheimer’s disease. I took care of her from 6 in the evening to 6 in the morning.

I fed her, bathed her and put her to bed for four years,” Wray told the AFRO. During her time as Garfield’s caretaker Wray said she saw the deleterious effects of Alzheimer’s disease firsthand, and it inspired her to make a difference.

“I want to participate and dance because I know how

dreadful this disease is, I saw the changes in her from the year I started taking care of her to four years later when I finished dental school and I saw the toll it took on her,” she said.

By March 21, Wray had raised $18,589 in funds and is close to achieving her goal of $27,000.

Rachael Campbell, vice president of administrative services at Correct RX Pharmacy, and Derek Valcourt, CEO of Creative Spot Productions are this

year’s Memory Ball cochairs. “I have attended the Memory Ball since 2005 and served on the steering committee in 2016. What an honor to now assist as cochair.” Campbell said in an interview with Patch.com.

“These are exciting times for the Alzheimer’s Association.”

Tickets for this event can be purchased at act.alz. org and all proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the Alzheimer’s Association and advancing efforts to find a cure.

More Ways to

Get Fit and Stay Well Right Outside Your Door.

At Mercy Ridge, we know the importance of fitness and overall well-being. With an indoor heated pool, hot tub, Kaiser weight machines, Cybex treadmills and bikes, NuSteps and a team of fitness coordinators, those who live here experience a variety of ways to maintain vitality and independence.

We’re introducing an expanded schedule of exercise and wellness opportunities that offer more choices than ever before. There are classes

for all levels of ability that include dance, circuit training, muscle toning, flexibility, balance, core strengthening, golf and more! Plus educational sessions featuring important wellness topics such as nutrition, weight lifting, humor, tai chi and meditation.

Come visit us at Mercy Ridge and get connected with unparalleled retirement living that offers you more. Call (410) 561-0200 today to schedule your personal tour.

2525 Pot Spring Rd. | Timonium, MD 21093 (410) 561-0200 | (800) 657-6268 | www.mercyridge.com A joint venture of Mercy Health Services and The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Located on the beautiful Stella Maris campus in Timonium, MD.

NP/AFRO/9-14

Mercy Ridge is committed to providing equal housing opportunities for all races, religions, ethnic groups and disabilities.

The “LEED” Certification Mark is a registered trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council® and is used with permission.

You don’t need a Ph.D. to understand why Roland Park Place is the right choice.

Roland Park Place also offers something you won’t likely find in other continuing care communities. Life here is like going back to class. Many residents are former university professors, educators, business leaders, entrepreneurs and artists. So there are always stimulating activities, and the enriching company of like-minded individuals.

Call (410) 243-5700 or visit RolandParkPlace.org

830 W. 40th St | Baltimore, MD 21211 | (410) 243-5700 | rolandparkplace.org RPPJ6597 PhD Ad 11x5_AAN.indd 1

8/21/15 1:36 PM

Send your news tips to tips@afro.com.

March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017, The Afro-American

BALTIMORE-AREA

Race and Politics

Firebombing Recalls One of City’s Darkest Chapters According to Baltimore City Police, Antonio T. Wright, 26, turned himself in on March Sean Yoes 20 for a heinous, Senior AFRO retaliatory Contributor fire bombing, which took the lives of two teenagers, Shi-heem Sholto, 19, and Tyrone James, 17, and injured six others. A four-year old girl was among the injured.

However, some ambiguous details connected to Wright’s arrest may raise questions in the minds of more than a few people. Some of the ambiguity has been generated

by Wright and his supporters, while some has been manifested by BCPD. Police released a video of what they argue is Wright, at the scene of the firebombing in the 1200 block of Greenmount Avenue, in the early hours of March 18, allegedly hurling two Molotov cocktails into the home.

But, anybody objectively viewing the incredibly grainy (perhaps to the point of dramatic distortion) video, will probably conclude they cannot discern who (or what) is at the scene of the murders, or what (if anything) they are doing there.

Wright’s declaration of innocence and his insistence he is perhaps being set up by a rogue cop (the specter of the DOJ report and the BCPD Overtime Seven doesn’t

Morgan Honors Verda Welcome

B1

HBCU Night in Annapolis Focuses Fight on Additional Funds

By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO

Courtesy photo

Originally dedicated in 1964, the Verda F. Welcome bridge at Morgan State University was re-dedicated on March 18. Enhancements, which are rendered in the above picture, will be made to the current bridge in the near future.

Verda Welcome was the first Black woman to serve in the House of Delegates and the State Senate, among other accomplishments. Pictured from left to right: MSU regent Winston A. Wilkinson, Mary Sue Welcome, daughter of Verda Welcome, Dr. David Wilson, MSU president, Kim McCalla, associate vp, Facilities, Design & Construction Management, MSU, Kweisi Mfume, MSU Board of Regents chairman.

The Verda Freeman Welcome bridge was recently re-dedicated at Morgan State Univeristy. Welcome, the first Black woman to serve in Maryland’s House of Delegate and State Senate, was profiled by the AFRO in 1967. That story is below.

“No matter what else we’re doing, our HBCU’s come first.”

AFRO Archived History

The Lady Senator

– Cheryl Glenn

April 1, 1967

By Sterling A. Paige Mrs. Verda Freeman Welcome, school teacher-turnedpolitician, speaks for 68,693 persons in the Legislature.

As state senator from Baltimore’s Fourth Legislative District, she controls a large number of state patronage jobs and appointments that are passed out through senators of the various districts.

Located in the heart of Northwest Baltimore, her Fourth District is made up of 91 percents of six wards. * * * Of the 68,693 registered voters there, 53,681 are Democrats, like Sen. Welcome.

Republicans number 13,180, while another 945 are registered as Independents or “others.”

Of the total 74.4 percent or 51,121 are colored as of Sept.

1, 1966. There are 38,940 colored Democrats and 11,545 colored Republicans.

All roads led to Annapolis for HBCU alumni, students, supporters, and Legislative Black Caucus members across the state this week.

This year’s Legislative Black Caucus sponsored HBCU Night focused on rallying support for SB-712, The Blount-Rawlings-Britt HBI Comparability Program. The bill would give additional state funds to Maryland’s four HBCU’s in an effort to make them comparable and competitive with Maryland’s other state universities and colleges.

Ex-Teacher Mrs. Welcome’s political career followed years of civic work including participation in voter registration.

Having abandoned her 11-year teaching career in Continued on B2

Continued on B2

With just weeks left to go before the 2017 session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourns, Legislative Black Caucus members are counting on the full house of supporters attending HBCU Night to make their collective voices heard in Annapolis. Legislators who came to support the event also reflected on the need to work collectively to move proposed legislation to signed law before the scheduled session ends in mid-April.

For Cheryl Glenn and other members of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, the historic Continued on B2

Baltimore Mayor Pugh Presents Comprehensive Plan to Address City’s Major Problems

By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO In her first State of the City address, Mayor Catherine E. Pugh outlined plans to fix the city’s ailing schools and police force and continue Baltimore’s rebuilding process on March 16.

Pugh kicked off her address by reiterating her pledge to direct $180 million over three years to partially fill the Baltimore City Public School System’s $130 million funding deficit. The money would come from the City’s “Rainy Day” fund, as well as by tightening up police and city agency overtime in addition to asking Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young to use the city’s newly-established Children and Youth Fund.

Pugh seemed confident Governor Hogan and Maryland State Senate President Mike Miller would bring additional funds to the table in time to turn the city school system’s status around by the time the next school year starts in September.

“I am confident we will see that help in our state budget around March 20,” Pugh said at the Baltimore City Council, where she delivered the address.

Pugh said she would continue her drive to regain authority for city officials to make appointments to the BCPSS School Board. The effort rests with a pair of bills currently before the state Senate and state House of Delegates.

Turning to public safety, Pugh looked to citizen involvement in law enforcement as a meaningful measure to combat police corruption and move criminal justice reform forward. Among the reforms she is seeking is the placement of public citizens on the Baltimore Police Department’s Internal Disciplinary Trial Boards.

“Two citizens on our Trial Boards are essential to building trust between the community and the Police Department,” the mayor said.

“I have also issued a call-to-action to get community members to partner with me to develop workable solutions that brings the community into the action,” Pugh said, adding that she has already held two community meetings to solicit

YouTube

Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh outlined her plan to reform the city’s schools and police department. feedback on improving police-community relationships.

Pugh has also called for a forensic financial audit of the police department’s budget and use of overtime following the recent indictment of seven Baltimore police officers on federal corruption charge.

Finally, Pugh promised to enhance economic development opportunities throughout the city.

“I directed my department heads to find ways to include people of color and minority classes in those opportunities,” Pugh said.

Among the mayor’s programs is a first-ever job fair to be held by the city’s Office of Human Resources. City contractors and corporations will be asked to join the event to offer employment and training opportunities to more than 76,000 unemployed Baltimoreans, including 10,000 ex-offenders.

Pugh said she is restructuring the Baltimore Development Corporation with the goal of “moving our city toward a more inclusive vision and not just developer driven,” she said. Pugh said she wants the BDC to spur investments in local enterprises and expand business in West and East Baltimore communities

“as well as investing in Baltimoreans who have the capacity to participate in the opportunities to rebuild Baltimore.”

Following the mayor’s address, City Councilman Brandon M. Scott (D-2) said that he is hopeful about many aspects of Pugh’s agenda, but felt that dipping into the Children and Youth Fund to resolve the school system’s budget crisis is not an option.

“I heard a lot of what I needed to hear. I heard that we’re going to finally look at adding more civilians to the police department. I heard that we are going to look at the Public Safety problems in the city in a long-term way,” Scott said.

“However, I heard [the Mayor] suggest that we go to the Children and Youth Fund to help with school funding for this year,” he added. “The Children and Youth Fund was passed by this body [the City Council] and voted on by the citizens. For me, that’s a non-starter.”

Veteran Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke (D-14) said Pugh has spent her first 100 days on the job connecting with people to move her initiatives forward.

“She’s familiar with specific things that are going on, she knows people by name, she’s one of us. We’re together and that’s the most important thing,” Clarke said. “I’m pleased with a lot of the initiatives she’s mentioning. I believe she can get them done with our help.”

9

Past Seven Days

72 2017 Total

Data as of March 22

B2

The Afro-American, March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017

The Lady Senator Continued from B1

Baltimore’s public school system she won a seat in the House of Delegates of 1958, her maiden effort to win election to public office.

During her first year in the Legislature, Sen. Welcome led the fight for passage of the Public Accommodations law.

She co-sponsored a bill which netted a $4,800,000 state and city grant for the new Provident Hospital. On the basis of her successful record in the House, plus a strenuous campaign in 1962, she won a seat in the Senate.

One of Four This is her second four year term in the senate. The lady senator is one of four women among a total of 43 state senators.

Others are Mrs. Mary Nock, Miss Louise Gore and Mrs. Mary Schweinhaut, all from Maryland counties.

Under provisions of a reapportioned General Assembly the Fourth District was allotted Senators.

A strong supporter of apportionment, Mrs. Welcome has been joined by Sen. Clarence M. Mitchell 3rd. Other legislative successes credited to Sen. Welcome include: Obtaining funds for improvements at Morgan State College; A Law requiring the state to pay $10 for each day a person is wrongfully imprisoned; An investigation into high finance changes on motor vehicle insurance; and Abolition of a 300-year-old state law barring marriages between whites and non-whites.

Civil Rights The Lady Senator is now hoping for another major success – passage of a strong open housing law.

Once a farm-girl, Sen. Welcome’s early education was in the public schools of her native North Carolina. Coming to Baltimore in 1929, she later earned a diploma from Coppin State College and a B.S. degree from Morgan.

The impeccably-clad senator earned a Master of Arts degree from New York University. Another dimension of the energetic office holder is that of housewife.

Prominent She is married to a prominent physician, Dr. Henry C. Welcome. Their daughter, Mary Sue, 23, is a freshman law school student at Howard University.

Senator Welcome has been called “Mrs. Civil Rights” by New York’s Adam Clayton Powell.

Honors and citations she has received would fill a volume.

The list of organizations in which she holds memberships would fill another.

Untiring A few include President Johnson’s Citizens’ Committee for Community Relations, Board of Governors, Fourth District Democratic Organization; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and life member of the NAACP. Mrs. Welcome founded the Fourth District Organization and the Valiant Women’s Democratic Club.

Assassin Much of her support has come from women voters. Two years ago she was the target of a would-be assassin’s bullets.

Despite superficial wounds, the senator continued her normal activities under constant police guard. A rigid schedule allows little time for other, unrelated activities.

On Occasion On rare periods of relaxation the legislator indulges in sociable card games, reading or the arts.

For her legislative appearances Mrs. Welcome dresses immaculately, but without flair.

She drives the 60 miles a day to and from Annapolis, seat of the Legislature. This year sessions were extended to 70 days, often running from morning until night.

Despite the great physical demands, the senator derives much satisfaction from her work.

“The greatest,” she said, “comes from my being given the opportunity to serve my people.”

Tenacious A veteran legislator, who has often witnessed and sometimes opposed the Welcome view, described the senator this way.

“When she has a bill to put across, she can talk you to death. She pleads, shouts, and even threatens to oppose your bills. When all else fails, she bursts out in tears. Just what in H--- is a man supposed to do?”

Race and Politics Continued from B1

help), he accuses of illegally selling an AR15 rifle, along with a woman professing to be Wright’s wife vigorously proclaiming his innocence via social media, further convolutes the Greenmount murders and even the circumstances that sparked them.

However, the Greenmount Avenue firebombing murders of 2017 spark horrific memories of one of the most diabolical crimes in the city’s history, the mass murder of the Dawson family in October 2002. Angela Dawson, her husband Carnell and their five children were all murdered in retaliation for Angela Dawson’s unwillingness to back down from neighborhood drug dealers. All seven of them died in their home on E. Preston Street, in the Oliver neighborhood of East Baltimore, not far from where Wright allegedly firebombed his victims on Greenmount Avenue last weekend.

Ultimately, the Dawsons were murdered by

a 21-year old neighbor, Darrell Brooks who was once a page in the Baltimore City Council.

Brooks also was allegedly under unsupervised probation at the time he firebombed the Dawson’s home.

Angela Dawson’s courage and the murder of the family in the midst of Baltimore’s ubiquitous and ongoing narcotics carnage made them martyrs across many of the city’s neighborhoods. Yet, the city’s inability to protect the Dawsons, when they did exactly what law enforcement and City Hall asks us to do, that is cooperate with the police, helped explode and disperse the incredibly toxic and maddening, “stop snitching,” culture. I don’t think our mostly Black, mostly poor neighborhoods have ever fully recovered from the Dawson tragedy. Yet, a small army of soldiers continue to work zealously to bind wounds.

“They fought, they advocated, they tried to

get the government, the city to listen to them and listen to their woes and what was going on in their community. And they were not listened to and subsequently they were murdered by another community member,” said Navasha Daya, an international recording artist, community leader and resident of the Oliver community. I wrote about the work of Daya and her husband, music producer and musician Fanon Hill in February of 2016.

Last year they released, “I Am Because We Are (Tribute to the Dawson Family),” which is the third single from the original motion picture soundtrack, “Lom Nava Love,” a documentary chronicling the life and work of Cherry Hill community organizer Shirley Foulks. The documentary, which was officially released in Baltimore last month, is written, produced and directed by Hill, who also wrote, composed and produced the song honoring the Dawsons.

“Black families living in low-income communities often possess rich tactics and practices that can transform entire neighborhoods,” Hill told me last year.

“Far too few institutional structures and systems value poor Black families enough to acknowledge them as possessing solutions to ills plaguing our cities, which in turn, creates an unequal two-tiered notion of citizenship.

The Dawson family lived and died in such a system,” he added.

Daya said we should always remember the Dawsons and their example. “We want to honor the spirit of this family, which everyone should look at as a model of how determined and resilient we are.”

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

HBCU Night Continued from B1

underfunding of Maryland’s HBCU’s is an urgent concern. Glenn’s top job is to marshal support for SB-712 across both the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate.

“It’s a political fight; it always has been,” said Glenn, (D-45), at the rally. “Thank God we have a Black Caucus 50 members strong and counting. Those of us who are here are solidly united on our priority agenda and HBCU’s are at the top of our agenda,” Glenn said.

“No matter what else we’re doing, our HBCU’s come first,” Glenn said.

Senator Joan Carter Conway, (D-43) primary sponsor of SB-712 spoke to the gathering about what it will take to move the HBCU state funding equity legislation through the General Assembly process.

“You’ve got to stand united here,” Conway told her colleagues in the House of Delegates and the general audience. “We’re not always united and that’s what takes a little long,” she said.

“You need to be calling Budget and Tax every day like they call me about fracking,” Conway said. “You gotta’ call and call and call and call. From this day forward and every day until the day they bring the bill,” Conway instructed both fellow legislators and supporters. The Senate Budget and Tax committee must refer SB-712 to the full Senate body for the bill to remain under consideration in the current legislative session.

“In order to do the right thing, they need to do the right thing,” she said urging the Senate Budget and Tax Committee to move SB-712 forward. “But you need to call them every day.

Every African-American, Black, Hispanic, ethnic, cultural, anybody. Call the [Senate]Budget

Photo by Deborah Bailey

Former State Senator Larry Young, center sitting, Legislative Black Caucus Chair Cheryl D. Glenn, right sitting, and a host of Maryland General Assembly members and HBCU supporters at HBCU Night in Annapolis. and Tax [Committee] and the House Appropriations Committee,” Conway emphasized.

Delegates like Jay Jalisi, MD, from Baltimore County, (D-10) doesn’t have an HBCU in his district, but came because equity for HBCU’s supports the overall higher education profile in the state.

When asked about colleagues who have been slow to openly support SB-712 Jalisi added, “Look at the number of people who are here. It’s not about favoring one over the other, it’s just about being just and that’s why I support HBCU’s.”

HBCU equity legislation has been introduced unsuccessfully in the Maryland General Assembly each year for the past 12 years, said. This year, coalition building may be the key to helping move the bill forward.

Elizabeth Proctor (D-27) Prince Georges and Charles County, said that the Black Caucus is reaching out to work with other legislative caucuses this year. “We’re now joining with the Hispanic Caucus and the Asian Caucus. We’re attempting to pull everyone together which will give us more than the number of votes needed. If we can get everyone to work together we’ll be in a very positive place,” she said.

“When I look at the other colleges in Maryland and the way they come down. They’re not asking, they’re demanding for their colleges. We don’t have the same level of demand from the colleges here. We’re too accustomed to going along to get along,” Proctor said.

“Here, it’s all about the numbers and we have the numbers,” Proctor commented about how the General Assembly works. “I think Senator Young is right,” Proctor said referring to comments made by former State Senator and WOLB host Larry Young.

“I don’t think we realize our power.”

March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017, The Afro-American

The Baltimore City Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs hosted their annual Living Women’s History Makers’ Awards Breakfast at the Forum Caterers on March 18. The NANBPW is a service organization, and in observance of their theme,

B3

“Recognizing and Awarding the Outstanding Achievement of Women Living History Makers,” five women were honored in the categories of Business, Community Service, Entrepreneurship, Law and Justice and Leadership.

Awards were presented to S. Monique Smith-Person, Lisa Yerby-Bryson, Muriel Gayle Briscoe, the Honorable Shirley M. Watts, and Teresa Everett.

Living Women’s History Makers are Lisa Yerby-Bryson, Community Service Award, Teresa Everett, Leadership Award, S. Monique Smith-Person, Business Award, The Honorable Shirley Watts, Law and Justice Award, Muriel Gayle Briscoe, Entrepreneurship Award Dr. Edmonia Yates gave the closing prayer

Flutist Cassandra Lucas entertained the guests with “My Help”, “A Change is Gonna Come” and “I’m Every Woman”

The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Baltimore City Club Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

The 17th annual Buffalo Soldiers’ Memorial Ball was held on Feb. 25 at Morgan State University in Baltimore. The ball

was sponsored by the National Association for Black Veterans.

Over 400 attended. Attendees came from as far away as Chi-

cago, IL. Clarence “Tiger” Davis was the M.C. MSU ROTC Color Guard presented the colors. The Transportation Battalion of the Maryland National Guard and Montford Point Marines were honored.

Monford Point Marines, Richard Bright, Henry Wilcots, Patricia Ruffin and Odell Young, Seated: Carol Bright, William Foreman and Lee Douglas Jr.

Honoree Rose Mary Pinder

Honoree Dr. Joann Fisher

Honoree Samuel Rodriguez

Honoree William “Crab” Foster

Honoree Arthur Cooper

Photos by Anderson R. Ward

Clarence “Tiger” Davis, MSU Color Guard and Congressman John Sarbanes

Honorees with members of the 231st Transportation Batt. Maryland National Guard

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

B4

The Afro-American, March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017

“When God created man and woman, he was thinking, ‘Who shall I give the power to, to give birth to the next human being?’ And God chose woman. And this is the big evidence that women are powerful.”-Malala Yousafzai As we close out the exciting month of March and embrace the new season of spring and the rebirth it brings, Living for the Weekend is honored to recognize a few of Baltimore’s Women of Substance. So many women of Baltimore have made significant contributions that have added to the fabric of our great city, some names you may know and some you may never have heard of but, collectively, they create the multicolored quilt that covers our city of Baltimore and adds to the enrichment of our lives. We salute you as we celebrate the International Month of Women today and everyday to all women.

Celebrating our women, Lucille Baldwin Brown, Evangelist Ida Dates, Clara Adams, April Ryan, Mabel Hubbard, Essie Hughes, Pauline Wilkins, Enolia McMillian, Frankie Murphy,

AFRO

BALTIMORE AREA COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Send your upcoming events to tips@afro.com.

For more community events go to afro.com/ Baltimore-events Mt. Royal E & M Schools: Maryland Kick Butts Day Students at Mt. Royal Elementary and Middle School and the Baltimore City Health Department will hold a rally and a cigarette butt cleanup to raise awareness about the problem of tobacco use on March 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will also announce the winner of a school-wide poster contest. Mt. Royal is located at 121 McMechen Street, Baltimore, Md. 21217.

Baltimore City’s Recreation and Parks’ 5K Series The BCRP’S 2017 $5 5k is on April 1 in Druid Hill Park, Baltimore City. Runners and walkers alike are welcome. For a full list of races visit bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/5kseries. To register visit tinyurl.com/BCRP5KSeries.

USE YOUR MACY’S MONEY IN STORE & ONLINE 3/28-4/2/17, EVEN ON TOP OF COUPONS! HOW IT WORKS: For any single transaction of $50 or more you make from in store & online 3/223/27/2017, we’ll give you a $10 (spend $50-74.99), $15 (spend $75-99.99), $20 (spend $100149.99), $30 (spend $150-199.99) or $40 (spend $200 or more) Macy’s Money Reward Card at the register. EXCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PURCHASES: Apple Products, tech watches/jewelry/accessories, gift cards, services & fees, sales tax, macybed, all phone & live chat orders, lease depts, restaurants, international orders, online backorders, e-gifting orders. USE YOUR MACY’S MONEY REWARD CARD from 3/28-4/2/2017. May not be: redeemed for cash, used to purchase Macy’s gift cards or applied as payment or credit to your credit card account. If a purchase used to accumulate Macy’s Money is returned, your return may result in a reduction of the value of your Macy’s Money Reward Card and/or a reduction of your total refund amount. The remaining balance of your Macy’s Money Reward Card will reflect the Macy’s Money amount you qualify for after deducting the returned item(s) from your original purchase amount. For more information, go to macys.com/macysmoney

Damita Jo, Ida Peters, Mary Pat Clarke, Vashti McKenzie, Eleanor Janey, Ann Butler, Marguerite Campbell, Aleta Green, Ruby Glover, Shirley Fields, Nikki Cooper, Brenda Alford, AFRO columnist Rosa Pryor, Flossie Dedmond, Geraldine Waters, Weptanomah Carter, Jacqueline Richardson, Patricia Thomas, Agnes Welch, Rikki Specter, Sister Mary Lange, Mary Pat Clark, Marie Washington, Cheryl Glenn, Sharon Green Middleton, former AFRO editor Rev. Dorothy Boulware, Charlene Cooper Boston, Diane Hocker, Pastor Toni Draper, Maggie McIntosh, Mary Washington, Catherine Pugh , Marcella Holland, Beverly Carter, Thelma Daley, Nancy Kopp, Nancy Pelosi, Jean Hitchcock, Marama Nagel, Vicki Ballou Watts, Jackie Brock, Marie Braxton, Belinda Conway, Georgeanna Chester, Mary Conway, Zoe Washington-Sheff, Jackie Washington, Dana Henson, Hattie Harrison, Betty Moss, Carolyn Stith, Paula Johnson Branch, Joan Pratt, Mabel Murray, Anne Emery, Carla Hayden, Juanita Morton, Carolyn Colvin, Charlene Brown Baldwin, Chili Washington, Libby Harris, Delores Kelly, Juanita Brown, Lisa Gladney, Joy Carter, Oprah Winfrey, Lisa Robinson, Kelly Swope, Bresha Webb, Ambre Anderson, Nicole Ari Parker, Pamela “Ms. Maybelle” Hill, Bessie Norris, Marilyn Mosby, Patricia Jessamy, Kathleen O’Malley, Sylvia Brown, Catalina Byrd, Ernestine Jolivet, Julia Woodland, Michele Emery, Angela Gibson, Lisa Lee Packer and Tina Jolivet.

“I speak not for myself but for those without voice, those who have fought for their rights, their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated.”-Malala Yousafzai Congratulations to gospel songstress Minnie Carter representing Baltimore performing as an Inspired Gospel Artists at a VIP Concert this weekend at the “Stellar Awards” in Las Vegas. So proud of Cherie Pittman the smiling server at Colin’s on the successful completion of her studies for Medical Assistance.

“There are people that have that confidence, who march into VIP areas. I assume I won’t get in. I don’t say, ‘Do you know who I am?’, but sometimes I’m with someone who says it for you. Then, I pretend to be all, “Oh, please don’t shame me!”-Chris Lowe Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Casino, rolled out the red carpet providing an excursion of a lifetime from the overnight stay at the Sheraton Inner Harbor to the limousine transportation to BWI until our arrival in Reno where once again we were whisked away to Lake Tahoe, one of the most scenic places in the country with snowcapped

mountains and alpine trees stretching for miles surrounding the crystal blue lake.

Once we arrived at Harrah’s, Jason Brookes, executive host for Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, greeted us at the limo, arranged our check in and provided our schedule during our stay. One of the events was dinner in the 19 Kitchen and Bar with a panoramic scenic view of Lake Taho; there the Maître D Frank Greco arranged for a seven course dinner featuring seafood, steak, chicken and duck accompanied by assorted desserts including freshly made sugar donuts that the chef personally served. The next evening there was a private happy hour in our honor in the Cliché Lounge with complimentary cigars and an open bar.

This was formerly the bar for Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack.

Our local Casino hosts Brandi Albanese and Wendy travelled with us along with Harrah’s hosts and were available during our stay with all amenities to make our stay enjoyable. ‘Round Midnight” my niece Deartra Tarter and I would venture to the Highlander Restaurant on the 18th floor for a late breakfast supper prepared by former Baltimore Chef Jhmad Parker. A special thanks to Harrah Executive Sean Schickedanz.

Happy birthday Andrea McDaniels, Lynnette Lewis, Donnie Green, Mildred Harris, Rita, Horsely-Johnson, Tim Johnson, Guy Bragg, Marshall Toby Goodwin, Larry Gibson, Tony Hawkins, Dan Henson, Kevin Brown, Erin Brock, David Scott, Norman Johnson, Dr. Annette King- El, Bishop Walter Scott Thomas and a special happy 70th birthday to Aldonna Wylie.

We are keeping Margaret and Luther Johnson in our prayers on the death of their nephew Cory Holt; Doris Nash, Bridgette and Harold Hodges on the death of your husband and father John Nash, Margaret Solomon and Sandi Matthews on the death of Mildred Armstrong and Sheila Ford and Robert Ford on the death of their brother James Ford.

“What’s happening?”

In celebration of the AFRO American Newspaper’s 125th anniversary they will be honoring women of the AFRO at a Sunday Tea on April 23 at Sharon Baptist Church. For more information, contact Diane Hocker at 410-554-8200.

In celebration of International Women’s Month, the Friday Night Bunch will host an outstanding Happy Hour March 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Jack Binion’s Steakhouse located inside Horseshoe Casino. Complimentary valet parking is available.

Douglass High School’s Jazz Band and Brooklyn, NY’s Stan the Man Hampton will be performing at Magooby’s, March 26 as they pay tribute to Teddy Pendergrass. For tickets, call 410599-9159.

get 10 $

MACY’S MONEY FOR EVERY $50 YOU SPEND THROUGH MON, MARCH 27!

GET UP TO $40 MACY’S MONEY.

3O-75% OFF STOREWIDE

MACY S MONEY NOW-SUN, MARCH 26

EXTRA

20% OFF

WITH YOUR MACY’S CARD OR PASS

SELECT SALE CLOTHING, JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES EXTRA 15% OFF SELECT SALE WATCHES, SHOES, COATS, SUITS, DRESSES, LINGERIE, SWIM FOR HER, MEN’S SUIT SEPARATES & SPORT COATS & HOME ITEMS MACYS.COM PROMO CODE: MONEY Exclusions may differ on macys.com EXCLUDES ALL: Deals of the Day, Doorbusters/web busters, Everyday Values (EDV), Last Act, M by Macy’s Marketplace, Macy’s Backstage, shoes for her, specials, Super Buys, athletic clothing/shoes/accessories, cosmetics/fragrances, designer jewelry/watches, designer sportswear, electrics/electronics, furniture/mattresses, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, maternity, select licensed depts., previous purchases, rugs, services, smart watches/jewelry, special orders, special purchases, select tech accessories, 3Doodler, Apple products, Barbour, Ben Sherman, Brahmin, Breville, Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, COACH, Dyson, Eileen Fisher SYSTEM, Fitbit, Frye, Hanky Panky, Jack Spade, Kate Spade, KitchenAid Pro Line, Le Creuset, Levi’s, littleBits, Locker Room by Lids, Marc Jacobs, select Michael Kors/Michael Michael Kors, Michele watches, Movado Bold, Natori, Original Penguin, Rudsak, Sam Edelman, Samsung watches, Shun, Stuart Weitzman, Tempur-Pedic mattresses, The North Face, Theory, Tory Burch, Tumi, UGG, Vans, Vitamix, Wacoal, Wolford & Wüsthof; PLUS, ONLINE ONLY: baby gear, kids’ shoes, toys, Allen Edmonds, Birkenstock, Hurley, Johnston & Murphy, Merrell, RVCA & Tommy Bahama. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer except opening a new Macy’s account. Extra savings % applied to reduced prices.

FREE SHIPPING ONLINE & FREE RETURNS

FREE SHIPPING WITH $99 PURCHASE. EXCLUSIONS APPLY; SEE MACYS.COM/FREERETURNS

DON’T MISS OUR LOWEST PRICES OF THE SEASON ON FURNITURE & MATTRESSES!

VALID 3/22-3/26/2017

MACY’S MONEY SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 3/22-3/26/2017, EXCEPT AS NOTED. N7020046A.indd 1

3/15/17 12:46 PM

March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017, The Afro-American

ARTS & CULTURE

C1

Oscar Winner Lou Gossett Jr. Partners With Pepperdine to Erase Racism the garbage of the oceans. There are too many chemicals in our plants, too much disease. So if we’re not doing all of this, to take care of one another so that everybody can survive we all may as well be in a 747 airplane at 30,000 feet and about to crash and everybody is on the plane fighting about who is going to be in first class.”

Recent socio-political developments have served only to embolden him more in his hope and his mission to persuade people to join him in creating a better world. “It’s just above the table now so we can see what we’re up against. Now that we can see it, we can deal with it. The largest demonstration in the history of the planet happened globally the day after inauguration day. So now we’re awake. We’re gonna keep up that momentum regardless of what anybody thinks.”

Although he allows that there is intersectional work to be done to align the White feminist movement with those of other women of color, he remains sanguine about the ability of women to bring about change. “I think it’s time for women. Anyone who goes against that is intimidated by the female force,

By Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO

At the age of eighty, Academy Award winning actor and lifelong activist, Lou Gossett, Jr. remains in love with life and in love with humanity. “Everything is green.

It looks like Ireland or Scotland it’s so gorgeous. The fruit trees are beginning to burst. The oranges, the lemons, persimmons, clementines,” he told the AFRO. He is describing how his Malibu neighborhood, where he has resided for the past thirty years, looks after a brief stint of rain. As much as he loves it, he is planning on moving in the near future to be closer to the ocean. “I have been here for thirty years. It’s time to move on. I need to be by the ocean air. I’m from Sheepshead Bay Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. So wherever the ocean is in breathing distance, that’s where I’m gonna be at my best. It’s the purest air (Courtesy photo) there is in the country.”

Lou Gossett Jr. and his foundation, ERacism, are working to fight the pernicious effects Gossett’s memories of his childhood are of racism. a guiding force. It’s apparent that for him it was a special time and place, the template for a better world. He recalls nostalgically a neighborhood where a cornucopia of nationalities and which I am not. I cheer it on, I think it’s time.” ethnicities looked out for one another. His own uncles were his childhood heroes.

His foundation’s newest initiative is a growing partnership with Pepperdine University’s Still, he witnessed through the eyes of a young boy the pernicious effects of racism on those Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution. Gossett served as Master of Ceremonies for its recent same beloved uncles once they came back to America from the war. He credits Jewish friends program on South Africa and was a speaker at its Black Law Students Association’s Black for getting him into acting at a young age. Remarkably, in his first acting role, Gossett starred History Month event. on Broadway in “Take A Giant Step” at the age of seventeen. The New York Times declared that The Institute’s head, Tom Stipanowich, is on the Board of Advisors for E-Racism. He told play one of the best for that year. the AFRO that, “Lou and I have talked about his idea of a masterclass which derived from his Unity is Gossett’s almost desperate refrain. The ERacism foundation, a non-profit he own experience from early childhood on. A major portion of which deals with the management founded in 2006, as its name implies, seeks to eradicate racism. According to him, racism of conflict and relations with other people. And so for that reason I thought it was important is “the automatic assumption of superiority on anybody’s part. It is destroying the fabric of that we try to assist and help him in making this a reality. We are figuring it out now. The fact America. In fact, the fabric of the world. When somebody thinks they are better than somebody is Lou has incredible insight into the challenges confronting young people today but also he is else because they have more money, all the weapons, all the gold, all the oil. There’s no such very thoughtful about relations between ethnic and racial groups. John Adams once said ‘there thing.” From his viewpoint, racism a dangerous impediment to human survival and precludes are two creatures of value in this world. Those with a commitment and those who demand a us all from carrying out our larger purpose which is, “Preservation of the planet. Clearing up commitment of others’ and Lou is both. He is an exceptional person.”

Jazz

College Baseball

Local Musician: James King, Jr. Coppin State Reps HBCU Baseball in DC Grays Showcase

By Byron Scott Special to the AFRO

For the past 40-plus years, local musician James King, Jr. has been laying a solid foundation for musicians around the world. His mastery of the upright bass displays confidence and ebullience. King is a bender of notes and ideas. His resonate tone puts the meat on the musical bones of a (Courtesy photo) composition.

Jazz musician James King, Jr. has played with many King, who resides in of the greats of the genre.

He continues to perform Bowie, Md., started his musical journey in Houston, with the Smithsonian’s Jazz Masterworks Orchestra in Washington, D.C. Texas, where he was born.

“My mother actually had a do a concert with Max Roach, here in D.C. degree in music education, It must have been 1979, 78 something like and she played piano for the church, so I kind that. It was a great eye opener for me, a of got into music from listening to her,” he little young blood trying to play with the big told the AFRO. stars,” King said.

But King’s days on the piano wouldn’t He said he fondly remembers the multilast long. He briefly picked up the alto talented vibraphonist Milt Jackson, who died saxophone while in junior high school before in 1999. “I got a chance to work with Milt moving on to the electric bass. The upright Jackson three days at Blues Alley back in wasn’t far off. “My father had some jazz the day back when…an artist would come records around and, of course, [there were] in and play the whole week. It was great. the album covers; you’d see guys with the Now, Milt could bake. He actually baked bass. And something about the bass just a peach cobbler that week and I remember always fascinated me.” trying to mess with him a little bit, told him, That fascination inspired King to get ‘You didn’t bake this thing, this thing taste an after-school job. “I told my father, look, too good, you got one of your lady friends to as you see, I got this afterschool job. I’m bake this thing.’ It was good though. He was consistent, why don’t you come down to this a great player also; great musician,” King store with me and sign for this bass and I’ll said. pay you every week. And, believe it or not, The list of musicians King has played he said, yeah.” with is like an ancient scroll of the greats: The bass, he would learn, is not an easy Elvin Jones, Stanley Turrentine, David instrument to handle. “I can remember many “Fathead” Newman, James Moody, Regina nights”, King said, “being at the house after Carter and Cyrus Chestnut, to name a few. trying to go play with some people and lying He can also be heard on a number of albums, in bed and my fingers are throbbing, like a including his own “Allen’s Odyessy.” cartoon almost. And at some point it goes These days King performs with the away. You don’t even feel them anymore.”

Smithsonian’s Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Still, King was determined. And jazz in Washington, D.C. “Some kind of way I would be his musical vehicle. “It’s a music got into the mix and they called me about that’s alive and in a lot of ways you have a something and I was able come in and play. lot of freedom. The jazz approach is a very In recent years they’ve been calling me to do democratic approach,” he said. quite a few of those things,” he said.

King would study music at Texas And since the late 1980s, King has been Southern, Hampton University and the touring with sax great, Gary “Ju Ju Man” University of the District of Columbia.

Bartz, stopping in New York, Milano, Tel There was the time he joined the late, Aviv and Switzerland. noted, drummer Max Roach on stage. “I did

By Mary F. Gray Special to the AFRO

For college baseball’s boys of summer, whose rites of passage are drenched in the warmth of heat and humidity in June and July, a frosty March weekend at the Washington National Baseball Academy helps the DC Grays fulfill its mission to embrace HBCU baseball.

Coppin State faced Lafayette and Harvard in the inaugural Head First Honor (Courtesy photo) Roll Collegiate Challenge, Despite freezing temperatures Coppin State represents which was sponsored by the MEAC and HBCU Baseball in the first Collegiate the DC Grays, on March Baseball Challenge at the Washington Nationals Youth 3, 4 and 5. The Grays, who Baseball Academy in SE D.C. compete in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, play their summer league home games at a venue built to revive baseball in southeast D.C. This was the first time they hosted a Division I tournament at their local stadium bringing a major college event into the heart of their urban community.

“Our mission is to have quality baseball in the community,” Chris Spera, vice president of operations for the DC Grays, told the AFRO. “It’s important for young kids to see players they can relate to.”

Coppin State is the closest “partner” to the DC Grays, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing baseball to the inner city of Washington, D.C., which made them the perfect HBCU representative to compete in the first year of the challenge. Players from as far south as Grambling and as far west as Brigham Young University have served previously as social ambassadors through America’s national pastime.

“We have ongoing relationships with several HBCUs though all our players don’t play at Black colleges,” said Spera. “It’s a two way relationship to find athletes who fill a need of our team and fit the Grays’ mission”.

For Coppin State the weekend was a marketing tool and a history lesson for players to understand the legacy of Negro League Baseball that the host organization represents. The DC Grays honor the Homestead Grays that were founded in 1935 and became a dominant team in the Negro National League. The original Grays played 38 years while winning three world championships in a five year stretch from 1938 – 1943, playing between Washington and Pittsburgh, with legends such as “Cool Papa” Bell, Josh Gibson, and Buck Leonard.

“Many young players think you have to travel south to play college baseball,” Coppin State Coach Sherman Reed, told the AFRO. “We just wanted to expose the fact that there is a chance to play Division I college baseball 30 miles north of D.C.” Facing Lafayette of the Patriot League and Harvard of the Ivy was the perfect early season measuring stick for the Coppin State Eagles. However, Mother Nature was not in a cooperative mood wreaking havoc on the three day schedule. The competition’s format was for one team to play a doubleheader each day with games scheduled in the late afternoon and early March 3 and the evening of March 4 so each team would play through an early season two game day. The challenges of preseason inclement weather worked to Coppin’s advantage by preparing them for scenarios that arise during their pre-MEAC schedule.

“Pitchers were still able to get their innings and the position players still got nine to 14 at bats so it was a good benchmark for us to find where we stand heading into our conference schedule where early season weather can be a challenge”.

The DC Grays commitment to advancing the HBCU brand continues with the collegiate challenge tournament. The organization plans to make it an annual event but non-conference schedules are made two years in advance so it may not resume until 2019.

Of the four games played, Coppin State won one and lost three.

“Anytime we stage the tournament we’ll feature an HBCU team since it fits into the DC Grays mission,” said Spera.

“The more we can market baseball so close by playing in urban America it brings to the surface what might be if we get a facility built in west Baltimore,” said Reed.

CLASSIFIED

Sma

l ad

s

Payment Policy for legal notice advertisements. Effective immediately, The Afro American Newspapers will require prepayment for publication of all legal notices.

Payment will be accepted in the form of chwecks, credit card or money order. Any returned checks will be subject to a $25.00 processing fee and may result in the suspension of any future advertising at our discretion.

AD NETWORK

AUTOMOBILE DONATIONS

DONATE AUTOS, TRUCKS, RV’S. LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY. Your donation helps local families with food, clothing, shelter, counseling. Tax deductible.

MVA License #W1044.

410-636-0123 or www.

LutheranMissionSociety.org

AUTOS WANTED

LEGAL NOTICES

wsmith@mddcpress. com or visit our website at www.mddcpress.com

VACATION RENTALS

Ocean City, Maryland.

Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/parital weeks, Call for FREE brochure, Open daily.

Holiday Resort Servcies.

1-800-638-2102. Online reservations: www. holidayoc.com

LEGAL NOTICES

202-332-0080 410-554-8200 Buy it • Sell it Swap it • Lease it Rent it • Hire it

Washington SAMPLE

A F R O

l

C2 The Afro-American, March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017

results

1 Col. Inch Up to 20 Words

AFRO Classified minimum ad rate is $26.54 per col. inch (an inch consists of up to 20 words).

Mail in your ad on form below along with CHECK or MONEY ORDER to: WASHINGTON AFRO-AMERICAN CO. 1917 Benning Road, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002-4723 Attn: Clsf. Adv. Dept.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

NAME: ________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ PHONE NO.:____________________________________________ CLASSIFICATION: ______________________________________ (Room, Apt., House, etc.)

INSERTION DATE:_________________

CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2000 and Newer! Nation’s Top Car Buyer! Free Towing from Anywhere Call Now: 1-800-864-5952

BUSINESS SERVICES

WASHINGTON AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER

Bulk advertising at its best: advertise in over 70 newspapers and reach millions of readers with ONE call. Broaden your reach and get results for pennies per reader. Call Wanda at 410-212-0616 or email wsmith@mddcpress.com.

PROBATE DIVISION (Estates) 202-332-0080 PROBATE NOTICES

Legal Advertising Rates Effective October 1, 2008

a. Order Nisi $ 60 per insertion b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion c. Notice to Creditors 1. Domestic $ 60 per insertion 2. Foreign $ 60 per insertion d. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion e. Standard Probates

Place a business card ad in the Regional Small Display 2x2/2x4 Advertising Network - Reach 3.6 Million readers with just one call, one bill and one ad placement in 71 newspapers in Maryland, Delaware and DC TODAY! For just $1450.00, Get the reach, Get the results and for Just Pennies on the Dollars Now... call 1-855-721-6332 x 6 or email wsmith@ mddcpress.com

CIVIL NOTICES a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 b. Real Property

$180.00 per 3 weeks $180.00 per 3 weeks $180.00 per 3 weeks $360.00 per 6 weeks $125.00

$ 80.00 $ 200.00

FAMILY COURT 202-879-1212 DOMESTIC RELATIONS 202-879-0157 a. Absent Defendant b. Absolute Divorce c. Custody Divorce

EDUCATION/CAREER TRAINING

AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING – Get FAA certification. Financial Aid if qualified. No HS Diploma or GED – We can help. Approved for military benefits.

Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-8236729

$ 150.00 $ 150.00 $150.00

To place your ad, call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 262, Public Notices $50.00 & up depending on size, Baltimore Legal Notices are $24.84 per inch.

1-800 (AFRO) 892 For Proof of Publication, please call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 244 LEGAL NOTICES

HELP WANTED: SALES EARN $500 A DAY: Insurance Agents Needed*Leads, No Cold Calls*Commission Paid Daily*Lifetime Renewals* Complete Training* Health & Dental Insurance* Life License Required. Call 1-888-713-6020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Delaware New MoveIn Ready Homes!

Low Taxes! Close to Beaches, Gated, Olympic pool.

FOUR New Homes from $90’s. No HOA Fees.

Brochures Available 1-866-629-0770 or www.coolbranch.com.

Want a larger footprint in the marketplace consider advertising in the MDDC Small Display 2x2 or 2x4 Advertising Network. Reach 3.6 million readers every week by placing your ad in 71 newspapers in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia.

With just one phone call, your business and/ or product will be seen by 3.6 million readers HURRY....space is limited, CALL TODAY!!

Call 1-855-721-6332 x 6 or 410-212-0616 email

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

SERVS./MISC.

AFRO.COM

March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017, The Afro-American LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

To advertise in the Washington AFRO call

202-3320080

C3

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS D.C. Classifieds continue on C5

Sma

CLASSIFIED

l ad

s

Payment Policy for legal notice advertisements. Effective immediately, The Afro American Newspapers will require prepayment for publication of all legal notices.

Payment will be accepted in the form of chwecks, credit card or money order. Any returned checks will be subject to a $25.00 processing fee and may result in the suspension of any future advertising at our discretion.

AD NETWORK

AUTOMOBILE DONATIONS

wsmith@mddcpress. com or visit our website at www.mddcpress.com

DONATE AUTOS, TRUCKS, RV’S. LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY. Your donation helps local families with food, clothing, shelter, counseling. Tax deductible.

MVA License #W1044.

410-636-0123 or www.

LutheranMissionSociety.org

VACATION RENTALS Ocean City, Maryland.

Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/parital weeks, Call for FREE brochure, Open daily.

Holiday Resort Servcies.

1-800-638-2102. Online reservations: www. holidayoc.com

AUTOS WANTED

BUSINESS SERVICES

AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING – Get FAA certification. Financial Aid if qualified. No HS Diploma or GED – We can help. Approved for military benefits.

Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-8236729

HELP WANTED: SALES EARN $500 A DAY: Insurance Agents Needed*Leads, No Cold Calls*Commission Paid Daily*Lifetime Renewals* Complete Training* Health & Dental Insurance* Life License Required. Call 1-888-713-6020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Delaware New MoveIn Ready Homes!

Low Taxes! Close to Beaches, Gated, Olympic pool.

FOUR New Homes from $90’s. No HOA Fees.

Brochures Available 1-866-629-0770 or www.coolbranch.com.

SERVS./MISC. Want a larger footprint in the marketplace consider advertising in the MDDC Small Display 2x2 or 2x4 Advertising Network. Reach 3.6 million readers every week by placing your ad in 71 newspapers in Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia.

With just one phone call, your business and/ or product will be seen by 3.6 million readers HURRY....space is limited, CALL TODAY!!

Call 1-855-721-6332 x 6 or 410-212-0616 email

AFRO Classified minimum ad rate is $26.54 per col. inch (an inch consists of up to 20 words). Mail in your ad on form below along with CHECK or MONEY ORDER to: BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN CO. 2519 N. Charles Street Baltimore, Md. 21218-4602 Attn: Clsf. Adv. Dept.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

Legal Advertising Rates

Effective October 1, 2008

PROBATE DIVISION (Estates) 202-332-0080 PROBATE NOTICES a. Order Nisi $ 60 per insertion b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion c. Notice to Creditors 1. Domestic $ 60 per insertion 2. Foreign $ 60 per insertion d. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion e. Standard Probates

CIVIL NOTICES a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 b. Real Property

$180.00 per 3 weeks $180.00 per 3 weeks $180.00 per 3 weeks $360.00 per 6 weeks $125.00

$ 80.00 $ 200.00

FAMILY COURT • 202-879-1212 DOMESTIC RELATIONS • 202-879-0157 a. Absent Defendant b. Absolute Divorce c. Custody Divorce

$ 150.00 $ 150.00 $150.00

To place your ad, call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 262, Public Notices $50.00 & up depending on size, Baltimore Legal Notices are $24.84 per inch.

1-800 (AFRO) 6892 For Proof of Publication, please call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 244 LEGAL NOTICES

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

EDUCATION/CAREER TRAINING

1 Col. Inch Up to 20 Words

BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER

To advertise in the Baltimore AFRO call 410-554-8200

Place a business card ad in the Regional Small Display 2x2/2x4 Advertising Network - Reach 3.6 Million readers with just one call, one bill and one ad placement in 71 newspapers in Maryland, Delaware and DC TODAY! For just $1450.00, Get the reach, Get the results and for Just Pennies on the Dollars Now... call 1-855-721-6332 x 6 or email wsmith@ mddcpress.com

results

NAME: ________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ PHONE NO.:____________________________________________ CLASSIFICATION: ______________________________________ (Room, Apt., House, etc.)

INSERTION DATE:_________________

CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2000 and Newer! Nation’s Top Car Buyer! Free Towing from Anywhere Call Now: 1-800-864-5952

Bulk advertising at its best: advertise in over 70 newspapers and reach millions of readers with ONE call. Broaden your reach and get results for pennies per reader. Call Wanda at 410-212-0616 or email wsmith@mddcpress.com.

LEGAL NOTICES

410-554-8200

Buy it • Sell it Swap it • Lease it Rent it • Hire it

Baltimore SAMPLE

A F R O

l

C4 The Afro-American, March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017

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

March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017, The Afro-American

C5

LEGAL NOTICES

CAREER CORNER

Washington

APT. FOR RENT

To advertise in the Baltimore AFRO call 410-554-8200

ds

410-554-8200

Buy it • Sell it Swap it • Lease it Rent it • Hire it

r e scontinue ults D.C. Classifieds from C2

LEGAL NOTICES

To advertise in the Washington AFRO call 202-332-0080

LEGAL NOTICES

l

CLASSIFIED

la

Sma

A F R O

C6

The Afro-American, March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017

YOU’RE ALWAYS A WINNER WHEN YOU PLAY RESPONSIBLY.

Playing the Maryland Lottery is fun, but please play within your limits.

For confidential help with gambling problems, please visit mdgamblinghelp.org or call 1-800-GAMBLER. You must be 18 to play.

March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017, The Afro-American

D1

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY-AREA County Politics

Redistricting Lawsuit Hangs Over Sen. Miller Minority voters are concerned about the power of political bosses and gerrymandering Bruce Branch in the state of Maryland, Special to which the AFRO won a key victory last week in Federal Court. The debate about gerrymandering ratcheted up another notch last week when U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar ordered state Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael E. Busch to provide testimony and documents in a lawsuit over the way they redistricted the Sixth Legislative District in 2012.

Until now, Miller and Busch had been hiding behind executive privilege, but more than a few Black candidates suggested the lines had been withdrawn to keep Miller, who is White, and several of his allies in power while suppressing the power of the Black vote.

James Dula, president of the South County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDA) and former chairman of the Prince

In Maryland, the argument is not founded on race, but it could be.

George’s County Chamber of Commerce and former cabinet member in the Jack Johnson Administration, once tried to mount a campaign against Miller only to find he had been redistricted out of Miller’s District while several of his neighbors across the street remained in.

Today, Dula is organizing voters through social media and other avenues to change the “culture of politics” in the county where he says Black polls are controlled by White party bosses who don’t always have the best interests of the community at heart, at least not in Prince George’s County where winning candidates must get the blessings of party leaders to get on ballots and curry favor with an electorate that many times fails to keep up with the issues.

Several other people are said to be galvanizing support for a group of candidates to mount a serious campaign run against Miller in 2018.

“A lot of people want him out because the man has so much power, no one wants to say it publicly. A lot of people are scared of him or to go against him, so everyone just goes along with whatever he says or what he wants to do and then talks about him when he is not around. This time a lot of people are hoping will be different,” Dula said.

Continued on D2

D.C. Auditor IDs Mismanagement in Affordable Housing Trust

Prince George’s County

Despite Politics, County will Persevere, Baker Says

By Hamil R. Harris Special to the AFRO

Photo by Mark Mahoney

D.C. Residents, Mayor Bowser, and various organizations participate in a rally for Affordable Housing at Foundry United Methodist Church on March 18. See more photos on D4.

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com The Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF), the District’s highest profile and costliest initiative to increase affordable housing, requires “significant improvements in its management,” according to an audit conducted by the Office of the D.C. Auditor (ODCA).

“Our audit, based on a small but diverse sample of projects, demonstrates a lack of oversight on loan repayments, retaining affordable units, and compliance with program requirements,” said D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson. “With improved monitoring, we believe that HPTF can more effectively achieve its mission of providing D.C. residents with the affordable housing they so desperately need.”

Following a random sampling of the HPTF program, researchers found it did not comply with the city’s annual spending requirements for housing projects that target extremely and very low-income households, it did not submit annual household income certifications, and neglected to record and maintain all loan agreement data. ODCA noted a lack of oversight related to repayment of loans from developers, including nine loans within the sampling that were more than $1 million, as of September 2016.

“Given that the sample is less than 10 percent of the approximately 158 multi-family projects that DHCD reported, the amount due for the entire HPTF portfolio is likely much greater and represents funds that could be used for additional projects and provide housing for more individuals and families,” Patterson told the Washington Post.

HPTF was authorized in 1988 to develop affordable housing in the District and allocated approximately $692 million from FY2001 through FY2016 for at least 218 multi-family and single family projects.

And while the city housing department touts 9,588 units of affordable housing have been created in 158 multifamily projects with help from the trust fund, the audit casts doubt on the data due to “unreliable” records.

Nearly 40 percent of – Kathy Patterson households in the nation’s capital spend more than onethird of their incomes on housing – with more than 47,000 families on the D.C. Housing Authority’s waiting list for public housing, and more than 7,500 people homeless. The audit was requested by Council Finance and Revenue Chair Jack Evans (D-Ward 2).

The report recommends that DHCD should: develop a compliance plan to ensure that future obligations do not deviate from the required 40 percent for both extremely and very lowincome households; create a standard income certification form Continued on D2

“With improved monitoring, we believe that HPTF can more effectively achieve its mission of providing D.C. residents with the affordable housing they so desperately need.”

In a week when the Affordable Health Care Act was scheduled to be voted on in Congress and budget priorities are being debated in Annapolis, Md., Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III can only wait and see how many of

Courtesy Photo

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker says that the county will continue to flourish despite the next budget. his budget priorities will be undermined by politics.

Last week Baker unveiled his FY2018 budget that was partly a road map on how Baker has lead the county over the last six years and what he plans to do in the future.

“Six years ago, I stated Continued on D3

George’s County D.C., Maryland Leaders Wary of King Prince Student Killed on Spring Break Anti-Public Education Bill

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com Education leaders in the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County, Md. are reacting negatively to a bill proposed by an Iowa U.S. representative that makes substantial changes in

Courtesy Photo

Markus Batechelor, who represents Ward 8 on the D.C. State Board of Education, said that voucher programs don’t help students with academic achievement. the administration of public education.

On Jan. 23, Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) introduced HB 610, “The Choices in Education Act.” This legislation would repeal “The

Elementary and Secondary School Act of 1965” that supports public schools with federal dollars. It also weakens nutritional standards in the nation’s public school cafeterias and authorizes a federal voucher program.

“As the spouse of a former Iowa teacher, I understand that it’s the right thing for our children to take education decisions out of the hands of the federal government and back into the rightful hands of parents who know best to meet the educational needs of our own children,” King said.

Regarding the voucher program, King said “the freedom of choice will result in parents being able to send their children to safer, better schools by taking federal dollars from failing programs like No Child Left Behind and Common Core” and giving parents the choice to use those dollars to send their children to public, private, or home-schooled institutions.

On the nutrition standards, King wants to get the United States Department of Agriculture out of feeding school children. He wants the states to make those types of decisions so that “schools must be serving our students

as much nutritious food as they need, so that our students can grow, learn, and excel, in school and out of schoolin the classroom and on the playing field.”

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) wants to expand the state’s school voucher program by $7 million, while Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III, is opposed to the voucher concept. Baker believes taxpayer funds should be used to strengthen Prince George’s County public schools.

Others in the Washington metropolitan area are also critical of King’s bill. “I don’t support this legislation at all,” Markus Batchelor, a Ward 8 D.C. State Board of Education member, told the AFRO. “The promise of America is a good quality education, no matter where you live.”

The District was the first jurisdiction in the country to have a federally-supported school voucher program in 2003, despite some reservations by D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D).

The program, known as the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, was authorized in 2003 and expired in 2009.

Continued on D2

Courtesy photo

A high school graduation photo of slain St. Augustine’s University freshman Ayana McAllister.

Family members say a college freshman travelled to Prince George’s County (her home) for spring break and was watching a friend film a music video when the young woman was fatally shot in Northeast Washington.

Metropolitan Police say Ayana McAllister, of Upper Marlboro, Md., died on March 20. Police said a second woman was also shot and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

McAllister was studying criminal justice at St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, N.C. Anthony McAllister said his daughter was watching a rap video being videotaped by a friend when someone pulled out a gun at the scene and started shooting.

Police have not released any information about the gunman or a possible motive.

McAllister graduated from Largo High School in 2016.

D2

The Afro-American, March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017

Trump’s ‘Starvation Budget’ to Disproportionately Impact Blacks

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com What U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn) termed the “starvation budget,” or President Donald Trump’s recently released proposal, would impair services for Meals on Wheels.

This is an organization that provides free hot meal deliveries to impoverished and disabled Americans – many Black seniors and veterans.

The $3 billion Meals on Wheels program, started during the Ford administration and authorized through the “Older Americans Act,” gave states and cities flexibility in how they combat poverty. The program currently spends more than $200 million for home delivery services. Meals on Wheels services are provided directly to seniors by a nationwide network of 5,000 local community-run programs that receive 35 percent of their funding from the federal government, according to the organization’s website.

“The problem with a skinny budget is it is lean on details.

So, while we don’t know the exact impact yet, cuts of any kind to these highly successful and leveraged programs would be a devastating blow to our ability to provide much-needed care for millions of vulnerable seniors in America, which in turn

saves billions of dollars in reduced healthcare expenses,” Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, said in a statement following the release of Trump’s budget.

But, Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget, told “Meet the Press” on March 19, “Some of the stories are just either grossly wrong or nearly grossly wrong, all the stories about how we cut Meals on Wheels.”

Ward 7 resident Carrie Sands said she is particularly fearful of the proposed cuts and the impact they will have on her overall livelihood, especially with uncertainty surrounding rumored cuts by Trump to other social services programs.

“For every $8 that we lose, that’s one more person, one more day, that hasn’t been served a meal.”

– Stephanie Archer-Smith “When you live on a fixed income, in a city where the costs of living constantly increases, it’s difficult to make money stretch – even when you scrimp and save,” Sands, a retired registered nurse, told the AFRO. “Meals on Wheels

and the prescription drug program have been the only way for me to keep afloat over the last two years as the cost of my medications and utilities increased.”

Hollander said that with a shortfall of funds since 2005, Sands represents an increased group of people who would go unserved with the cuts. “The need is growing rapidly, and federal funding has not kept pace. The network is already serving 23 million fewer meals now than in 2005, and waiting lists are mounting in every state,” Hollander said. “At a time when increased funding is needed, we fear that the millions of seniors who rely on us every day for a nutritious meal, safety check, and visit from a volunteer will be left behind.”

Stephanie Archer-Smith, executive director of Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, told WTOP radio that Trump’s administration believes programs like Meals on Wheels are not only costly, but ineffective; an accusation she called “infuriating.”

Programs in D.C. serve 6,900 seniors – with Meals on Wheels alone serving providing meals to more than 3,000 seniors in the region. “When you cut several thousand dollars from that, it means that people aren’t served and that meals aren’t being delivered,” Archer-Smith said. “For every $8 that we lose, that’s one more person, one more day, that hasn’t been served a meal.”

County Politics Continued from D1

Many are buoyed by this first sizeable chink in Miller’s armor. At 74, Miller, who lives in Chesapeake Beach, has represented the 27th District since 1975 and has served as president of Maryland State Senate since January 1987, longer than any other senate president in Maryland history. He has made a lot of Black politicians who supported him and destroyed just as many who have gone against him. Many Black judges owe their starts on the bench to Miller, a respected defense attorney, who helped to get them appointed.

Both Miller and Busch claimed “legislative privilege” to shield their decision making from public scrutiny. But, Judge Bredar said he would not allow it. Discovery of the evidence “lies at the heart of this case,” he said in a court brief. The lawsuit, filed in 2014, argues that Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, which was redrawn to oust U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R) and help elect one of Miller’s top

lieutenants, unconstitutionally discriminated against the plaintiffs’ political viewpoint, violating First Amendment rights.

Miller did not respond to the AFRO’s request for comment before press time.

Courts have traditionally deferred to state legislatures in the drawing of district maps, and similar lawsuits have routinely failed.

But the U.S. Supreme Court has been treating gerrymandering with increased skepticism, in part because of the computer-aided precision and racial biases in redistricting.

It is also fair to assume, however, that our nation’s increasingly polarized and toxic politics is also a consideration. The South’s Jim Crow laws abridged Blacks from their voting rights for a century after Republicans passed the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution.

After the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, numerous Jim

Crow states and counties came under federal supervision. Those landmark civil rights laws were associated with the Democrats, and Black voting patterns shifted from the GOP to the Democratic Party. To increase minority representation in Congress, legislatures began creatively gerrymandering majority-minority districts. This got Blacks into Congress at historic rates, protected White incumbents and helped keep the South under Democratic political control into the 1990s.

After the “Republican Revolution” in 1994, more legislatures came under GOP control, and they began to gerrymander to their advantage after 2002. Their majority-minority districts are being challenged in court, however, for disenfranchising Blacks who vote Democratic.

The Supreme Court last fall heard arguments against such districts in Virginia and North Carolina. In Maryland, the argument is not

founded on race, but it could be.

Many believe a special district was drawn to ensure the election of Chris Van Hollen (D) in the U.S. Senate race against Donna Edwards, who was seeking to become the first Black woman to win the post in history.

She was ousted, in part, by a political establishment that used the force of its power and control of local politicians to defeat her bid. Whether redistricting schemes use race or voter registration as criteria, the result is the same — political power for some at the expense of others because of who they are.

Miller argues that Maryland should not go first — that we need a national solution.

Ironically, that’s just what this case could force. If the courts at all levels rule against Miller and Busch, it would set a national precedent – and create a mandate – for fair redistricting.

Housing

OWNING YOUR HOME CAN BECOME A REALITY

Continued from D1 and include it in all loan agreements and send it annually to all HPTF borrowers; monitor sites’ compliance with requirements including tenants’ income certifications and annual re-certifications; and require properties to submit annual certifications of affordable units.

Polly Donaldson, director of the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) said in a statement March 16 that DHCD has successfully implemented more than 12,000 affordable housing units for 15 years since the agency’s inception.

“DHCD is making progress in monitoring and regulating the HPTF because of the directive that the Mayor gave me as DHCD Director to do more with more, which includes improving the administration of this vital affordable housing tool,” Donaldson said. “Looking ahead, DHCD looks forward to collaboratively working with ODCA to resolve the audit findings identified by the review.”

Bill

APPLY TODAY United’s Affordable Housing Loan Program offers: - LOW down payment - NO private mortgage insurance - Standard processing fee WAIVED - LOW interest rates - Financing for credit scores as low as 640 Your local United Bank lender can help you every step of the way and answer any questions you may have about homeownership and the loan application process.

Contact Benny today: Benny Poole NMLS #476399 7845 Wisconsin Ave. | Bethesda, MD 20814 O: 301.708.8565 C: 301.708.8565

The Community Bank of the Nation’s Capital Subject to credit approval. Certain restrictions apply. Member FDIC | BankWithUnited.com

Continued from D1 The program was value of vouchers resurrected in 2011 is questionable. despite Norton’s “Vouchers also have chief argument that a doubtful history the D.C. Council, not as related to poor the Congress, should students and students decide on school with disabilities,” vouchers. she said. “Often the Batchelor isn’t private schools cannot a fan of vouchers. accommodate these “Voucher programs students, so they don’t necessarily don’t have the same help students achieve opportunity. The MSC academically,” he observes inequities said. “What is needed even in public and what I support is – Dr. Barbara Dezmon education; however, a good quality school moves such as those in walking distance suggested in this bill or close proximity in will only exacerbate every neighborhood in the city.” problems in this area.”

“Those in support of HB 610 posture that Regarding the watering-down of nutritional it will ‘systematically’ fix what is wrong with standards, Batchelor said that HB 610 “would public schools,” Barbara Dezmon, education be a death knell for our kids.” committee chairman of the Maryland Conference “I represent a ward where children of NAACP Chapters, told the AFRO. “The MSC are living in food deserts and obesity is a would suggest that most of the bill’s supporters problem,” he said. should try to fix those perceived wrongs rather King’s bill is in line with the beliefs of than adopt measures that encourage ‘flight’ President Trump and U.S. Education Secretary from public schools. With already diminishing Betsy DeVos. U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), resources and cuts in federal funding to a member of the Congressional Black Caucus education for the public greater good, we just and the ranking member of the Committee on can’t afford investment in voucher programs.”

Education and the Workforce, the panel that “Additionally, it raises further questions will look at King’s bill if it is scheduled, hasn’t about equity in schools for Black and other taken a public stand on the legislation but minority and poor students,” she said. has made it clear through statements that he Dezmon agrees with Batchelor that the supports public education.

“With already diminishing resources and cuts in federal funding to education, for the public greater good, we just can’t afford investment in voucher programs.”

D3

March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017, The Afro-American

AFRO

WASHINGTON AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Man Who Brandished BB Gun at US Capitol Gets 11 Months Homicide

Montgomery College – 20200 Observation Dr. DELTA Girls Youth Conference

The Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is scheduled to host its first allgirls youth conference for middle and high school girls, as well as their parents, at Montgomery College – Germantown campus, 20200 Observation Dr., on March 25 from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The conference theme is “Formation: Building a Can-Do Attitude”. This event is free but advance registration is required. For more information, visit mcacdst. org and click on the Formation banner.

Larry Russell Dawson of Antioch, Tennessee, was sentenced on March 20.

Washington, D.C.

Continued from D1

The Thurgood Marshall Center Trust is scheduled to host the “Justice is a Black Woman” panel discussion on March 29 at the Thurgood Marshall Center For Services, 1816 12th Street NW. Black women have been on the front lines of today’s fight for Black liberation, making this modern-day movement more egalitarian and inclusive than those preceding it. In this installment of the lecture series, community members of various ages and backgrounds will hear from local Black women making a difference in their communities through the arts, education, on-the-ground activism and more. This discussion is guaranteed to lay to rest any doubt that Black women have a place in the Black freedom struggle.

This event will also lead the charge for unity and mutual support between Black women and other segments of the Black population, particularly Black men. The event is free. Register at eventbrite.com.

2017 Total

19 1

Germantown, Md.

Thurgood Marshall Center For Services, 1816 12th Street NW Thurgood Marshall Center Trust ‘Justice Is A Black Woman’ Panel Discussion

Count

By The Associated Press

Courtesy Photo

A man who displayed a weapon at a security checkpoint at the visitor center of the U.S. Capitol last year has been sentenced to 11 months in prison.

Prosecutors said in a news release that 67-year-old Larry Russell Past Seven Days Dawson of Antioch, Tennessee, was sentenced on March 20 in federal court in Washington. He has been ordered to receive mental health treatment.

Data as Dawson had previously pleaded to a charge of assaulting, of March 22 resisting, or impeding officers while using a deadly or dangerous weapon.

An officer shot Dawson on March 28, 2016, after he pulled out a BB gun that looked like a handgun at the checkpoint.

Dawson was also sentenced Monday to 90 days in prison for an earlier incident in which he disrupted Congress and failed to return to court.

Baker

that Prince George’s County would become the economic engine of this region and state,” Baker said in a statement.

“The reactions I generally received to that declaration was that I was being very optimistic and hopeful, or they were patronizing, assuming that I was naïve.”

While Baker talked about how Prince George’s County led the state in the third quarter over the past 12 month reporting period with 7,850 new jobs, or 22 percent of the State’s total job growth, he is voicing concerns about the impact the Trump cuts will have on the county.

“Since the election of Maryland’s Republican governor in 2014 and President Trump last fall, Prince George’s County has been adversely impacted by budget and policy decisions affecting the quality of services we provide to our residents,” Baker told the {AFRO}. “Our residents are facing a non-stop onslaught of new challenges from our Governor and President that we would have to disproportionately absorb.”

Even so, Baker said he is confident that Prince George’s County will persevere facing these Republican created cuts and service reductions at the state and federal levels.

“We are saddened that even as we have made great progress over the past five years, we continue to have to battle the

“Our job is to continue creating jobs, increasing revenue and improving service for our residents.”

– Rushern Baker politics of the day,” he said. “Our job is to continue creating jobs, increasing revenue and improving service for our residents.”

Seat Pleasant, Md. Mayor Eugene Grant echoed Baker’s sentiments, saying that for too long local governments have dependent on federal and state lawmakers for their future.

“What we have to do is create our own budget and reprioritize our own priorities,” said Grant, who leads a city with 5,000 residents. “We have to look for strategic and public private partnerships.”

Urban Bush Women Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Artistic Director

Walking with ’Trane The celebrated company known for vivid performances and intelligent dance pieces performs a new work that explores the legacy of jazz musician John Coltrane, visualizing his life’s work through dance and eye-catching multimedia components.

“Few companies connect as deeply and genuinely with their audiences.”

April 7 & 8 | Eisenhower Theater A PART OF

Support for JFKC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy is provided by Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Chevron,The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, and Target.

Photo by Gennia Cui

—The New York Times

D4

The Afro-American, March 25, 2017 - March 31, 2017

An Affordable Housing rally was held on March 18 at the Foundry United Methodist Church in Northwest D.C. At the rally, tenants, homeowners, social service providers voiced their need for more affordable housing in the city.

Housing Production Trust Fund Resident Flor De Guzman

Chairman of the District of Columbia Democratic State Committee and Ward 5 Council member Anita Bonds.

Vice President and Mid-Atlantic market leader for Enterprise Community Partners David Bowers discusses the importance of home ownership.

Advocacy specialist at Miriam’s Kitchen Jesse Rabinowitz, Director for the D.C. Department of Human Services Laura Zeilinger, Mayor of D.C., Muriel Bowser, Polly Donaldson; and Steve Glaude

Steve Glaude, president and CEO at Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development, gives the opening welcome .

“Home is where the art is” Youth winner Nana Osei-Ampedu and the Vice President of Local Initiatives Support Coalition Oramenta Newsome

Home Purchase Assistance Program Resident Jeanette Bright, tearfully tells her story of buying her first home.

Photos by Mark Mahoney

The Greater Washington Urban League held its 45th annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Memorial Gala on March 10 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Northwest, Washington, DC. Marc Battle, vice president, Pepco Region, D.C.; Debbi Jarvis, vice president, Corporate Citizenship and Social responsibility, Pepco and David M. Valazquez, CEO, and president, Pepco Holdings

GWUL Board of Directors

George Lambert, Jr. and Norma Barfield presenting the Impact Leadership Award to Lonnie Bunch

Special guest Marc Morial, president and CEO, National Urban League

2017 Scholarship Recipients George, Bernaedette and Guy Lambert

Carol Motley, Lavern Chatman and Ethel Mitchell Rock

Michael Akin, outgoing chair introduces Jessie Price, new chair, board of directors

Lonnie Bunch, Lelah Hathaway and Maria Marable-Bunch

Prince George’s Council, District 7 Karen Toles; Cora Master Barry and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker

Thomasina Perkins-Washington; Ben Chavis; Sharence Crawford, ANC commissioner; Lonnie Bunch and Ciera Jackson, Miss D.C.

Stacey Burnette(left) and George Lambert present to NBC4 Anchor, Jim Vance and the Jim Vance Scholarship for the National Collegiate Preparatory School

George Lambert, Jr., R&B singer Lelah Hathaway, and Michael Akin and his wife

Photos by Rob Roberts