Afro e-edition 01-19-2024 by AFRO News

January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024 The Afro-American A5 THE BLACKwww.afro.com MEDIA AUTHORITY • AFRO.COM $2.00 $1.00

Volume 132 No. 25

JANUARY 20 , 2024 - JANUARY 26, 2024

Graphic courtesy Career Communications Group • Photo courtesy of the Baltimore City Office of the Mayor / J.J. McQueen

The BEYA Conference, organized by Career Communications Group (CCG), will make a return to Baltimore in 2024 after more than a decade. Dr. Tyrone Taborn (left), chairman and CEO of CCG, has successfully led the organization to 38 years of success while also creating opportunities for others and highlighting Black professionals in STEM fields. Over the years he has gained the attention and respect of leaders such as Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott, shown here presenting Taborn with an award for his hard work.

A triumph in STEM excellence: BEYA Conference returns to Baltimore

By Ericka Alston Buck Special to the AFRO

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The Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) is making a grand return to Charm City Feb. 15-17 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The “Welcome Back to Baltimore” reception took place on Jan. 16 with a remarkable turnout, despite adverse weather conditions. The organization last held their conference in Baltimore in 2010. The well-attended event symbolized the anticipation and excitement regarding the

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comeback of this prestigious conference to the city. Amidst a snowstorm that had much of the city shut down, the Reginald Lewis Museum was filled with hundreds of attendees, including high-ranking military officials, corporate leaders, representatives from engineering firms, elected officials and aspiring

young minds in the STEM industry. The evening commenced with accolades for Dr. Tyrone Taborn, the chairman and CEO of Career Communications Group (CCG), the driving force behind the 38-year success of BEYA. Rev. Dr. Alvin Hathaway Sr., expressing his pride as a partner, emphasized

the significance of the new partnership between BEYA and the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center. Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby, a self-proclaimed “recovering engineer,” shared personal anecdotes of attending BEYA as a young student and presented Taborn with a citation for his hard work. Mosby thanked Taborn

for creating an opportunity in BEYA that allowed him as a student to “explore the field, knowing that we were underrepresented.” A representative from Congressman Mfume’s office presented the entrepreneur with a citation, thanking him for his “steadfast commitment to STEM.” Mayor Brandon

Scott also acknowledged Taborn’s commitment to the field. “Everything Black and successful should be celebrated in our city– all the time,” said Scott, during his speech, which led to a standing ovation for CCG and the return of BEYA to Baltimore. Continued on A3

Johns Hopkins Medicine employees and students decry rebuke of Dr. Sherita Golden University officials take issue with chief diversity officer’s definition of ‘privilege’ in ‘Diversity Digest’ newsletter “The January edition of the monthly newsletter from the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity used

By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com Employees and students at Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) have sent a letter to President Kevin W. Sowers and Dean Theodore L. DeWeese expressing their disappointment over the institution’s response to its chief diversity officer’s definition of “privilege” in a monthly newsletter shared with the school community. In the January issue of JHM’s “Diversity Digest,” Dr. Sherita Hill Golden defined “privilege” as a “set of unearned benefits given to people who are in a specific social group.” She went on to list White people, males, Christians, heterosexuals and Englishspeaking people –among others– as part of those social groups. JHM’s leadership renounced this language, saying the definition ran counter to its values and commitment to serving everyone equally.

“In the face of badfaith attacks, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins University must state clearly, loudly and Photo courtesy of Johns Hopkins Medicine proudly that we value Dr. Sherita Hill Golden serves diversity, equity and as the chief diversity officer for Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM). inclusion.” The institution’s students and employees have sent a letter of disappointment to JHM leadership after the institution repudiated Golden’s definition of “privilege” in a monthly newsletter.

language that contradicts the values of Johns Hopkins as an institution,” wrote a JHM spokesperson in an email to the AFRO. “Dr. Sherita Golden,

Johns Hopkins Medicine’s chief diversity officer, has sincerely acknowledged this mistake and retracted the language used in the message.” According to the open letter, students and employees believe this retraction was provoked by pushback from individuals external to Continued on A3

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A2 The Afro-American January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024

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World health officials say nearly 10,000 COVID-related deaths in December signal deepening health crisis By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a staggering total of nearly 10,000 global deaths in December, raising alarm bells about a worsening worldwide health crisis stemming from the continued threat of COVID-19. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also noted pressing humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan and Ethiopia that exacerbates the ongoing challenges related to COVID-19. While COVID-19 is no longer classified as a global health emergency, the virus remains a formidable threat, Ghebreyeus warned. He said newer cases, driven by holiday gatherings and the prevalence of the JN.1 variant, led to a 42 percent increase in hospitalizations and a 62 percent rise in ICU admissions. Ghebreyeus urged governments to maintain surveillance and sequencing and ensure access to tests, treatments and vaccines. He also noted other emergencies the WHO is responding to, including in Gaza, Ukraine, Ethiopia and Sudan. Ghebreyesus called it “indescribable” that Jan.14 “marks

“People are standing in line for hours for a small amount of water, which may not be clean, or bread, which alone is not sufficiently nutritious. The lack of clean water and sanitation and overcrowded living conditions are creating the ideal environment for diseases to spread.” the 100th day of the conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.” He said Gaza continues to face an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe to go along with rising health concerns borne out from the pandemic. The conflict has displaced nearly 90 percent of Gaza’s 1.9 million residents, who continue to endure “excruciating conditions with long queues for limited water and nutritionally inadequate bread,” the director general lamented. He said only 15 hospitals are partially operational, and the absence of clean water and sanitation creates a breeding ground for diseases. WHO’s humanitarian aid efforts have encountered

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Though COVID-19 is no longer classified as a global health emergency, the virus remains a formidable threat, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyeus warned. He said newer cases, driven by holiday gatherings and the prevalence of the JN.1 variant, led to a 42 percent increase in hospitalizations and a 62 percent rise in ICU admissions. “insurmountable challenges” due to intense bombardment, movement restrictions, fuel shortages, and communication breakdowns, Ghebreyeus stated. “People are standing in line for hours for a small amount of water, which may not be clean, or bread, which alone is not sufficiently nutritious,” he said. “The lack of clean water and sanitation and overcrowded living conditions are creating the ideal environment for diseases to spread. We have the supplies, the teams and the plans in place. What we don’t have is access.” Further, the director general stressed the need for the

release of hostages and an imperative for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law, ensuring healthcare protection. He also sounded an alarm about the ongoing situation in Sudan, a nation that’s grappling with nine months of conflict where there’s escalating violence and mass displacement. Ghebreyeus said Sudanese residents have also experienced the rampant spread of diseases, including cholera. The WHO temporarily suspended operations in Gezira due to security concerns, disrupting the annual harvest and heightening the risk of food insecurity. Even before the conflict, Ghebreyeus said Sudan faced food shortages, intensifying the crisis for vulnerable groups, particularly children under five and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Meanwhile, in Ethiopia, the north-western region of Amhara is in the grip of a severe health crisis due to ongoing conflict since April 2023, he said. Communication challenges, damaged health facilities, and restricted movement impede humanitarian assistance. Conflict, drought, and displacement exacerbate hunger and disease outbreaks, with cholera, malaria, measles, leishmaniasis and dengue spreading. Urgent access to affected areas is crucial, the director general affirmed. Finally, Ghebreyeus insisted that just as governments and individuals take precautions against other diseases, “we must all continue to take precautions against COVID-19.” The WHO plans to release its Health Emergency Appeal for 2024, outlining how much there’s a need to protect the health of the most vulnerable people in 41 emergencies globally. “In 2024, we aim to reach almost 90 million people with lifesaving support,” Ghebreyeus declared. “The coming year will be a test for humanity, a test of whether we give into division, suspicion and narrow nationalism, or whether we are able to rise above our differences and seek the common good.” This article was originally published by NNPA Newswire.

Ohio woman who miscarried at home won’t be charged with corpse abuse, grand jury decides By Julie Carr Smyth The Associated Press An Ohio woman facing a criminal charge for her handling of a home miscarriage will not be charged, a grand jury decided Jan. 11. The Trumbull County prosecutor’s office said grand jurors declined to return an indictment for abuse of a corpse against Brittany Watts, 34, of Warren, resolving a case that sparked national attention for its implications for pregnant women as states across the country hash out new laws governing reproductive health care access in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned. The announcement came hours before about 150 supporters gathered for a “We Stand With Brittany!” rally on Warren’s Courthouse Square. The event had been planned before the Jan. 11 announcement of the grand jury’s decision. Watts was among several speakers who addressed the crowd. “I want to thank my community — Warren. Warren, Ohio. I was born here. I was raised here. I graduated high school here, and I’m going to continue to stay here because I have to continue to fight,” she said. Watts’ lawyer said an outpouring of emails, letters, calls, donations and prayers from the public helped her client endure the ordeal of being charged with a felony punishable by up to a year in prison. “No matter how shocking or disturbing it may sound when presented in a public forum, it is simply the devastating reality of miscarriage,” attorney Traci Timko said in a statement. “While the last three months have been agonizing, we are incredibly grateful and relieved that justice was handed down by the grand jury today.” A municipal judge had found probable cause to bind over Watts’ case after city prosecutors said she miscarried

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Brittany Watts, center, speaks to a rally of supporters, Jan. 11, in Warren, Ohio. A grand jury decided that Watts, who was facing criminal charges for her handling of a home miscarriage, will not be charged. — clogging the toilet and removing some of its contents to an outdoor trash area — then left the house, leaving the 22-week-old fetus lodged in the pipes. Watts had visited Mercy Health-St. Joseph’s Hospital, a Catholic facility in workingclass Warren, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) southeast of Cleveland, twice in the days leading up to her miscarriage. Her doctor had told her she was carrying a nonviable fetus and to have her labor induced or risk “significant risk” of death, according to records of her case. Due to delays and other complications, her attorney said, she left each time without being treated. After she miscarried, she tried to go to a hair appointment, but friends sent her to the hospital. A nurse called 911 to report a previously pregnant patient had returned reporting “the baby’s in her backyard in a bucket.” That call launched a police investigation that led to the eventual charge against Watts. Warren Assistant Prosecutor Lewis Guarnieri told Municipal Court Judge Terry Ivanchak the issue wasn’t “how the child died, when the child died” but “the fact the baby was put into a toilet, was large enough to clog up the toilet, left in the toilet, and she went on (with) her day.” An autopsy determined

the fetus died in utero and identified “no recent injuries.” Timko told Ivanchak that Watts, who is Black, had no criminal record and was being

“What happened to Brittany Watts is a grave example of how Black women and their bodies face legal threats simply for existing.” “demonized for something that goes on every day.” She also argued that Ohio’s abuseof-corpse statute lacked clear definitions, including what is meant by “human corpse” and what constitutes “outrage” to “reasonable” family and community sensibilities. When Ivanchak bound the case over, he said, “There are better scholars than I am to determine the exact legal status of this fetus, corpse, body, birthing tissue, whatever it is.” Trumbull County

Prosecutor Dennis Watkins said in a statement that county prosecutors “respectfully disagree with the lower court’s application of the law,” after their follow-up investigation found Watts committed no crime. In Our Own Voice, a Black reproductive rights group, expressed relief Jan. 11 at the case’s outcome. “What happened to Brittany Watts is a grave example of how Black women and their bodies face legal threats simply for existing,” president and CEO Dr. Regina Davis Moss said in a statement. “Her story is one that is becoming alarmingly common: in states with abortion restrictions, Black women, girls, and gender-expansive people are being surveilled, arrested, prosecuted and punished for pregnancy loss.” Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, a key backer of Ohio’s successful fall amendment protecting access to reproductive health care, had lobbied Watkins to drop the charge against Watts, which Watkins insisted was not within his power. On Jan. 11, the group commended the grand jury and called for the “dangerous trend” of criminalizing reproductive outcomes to be halted. “It not only undermines women’s rights but also threatens public health by instilling fear and hesitation in women seeking necessary medical care during their most vulnerable moments,” President Dr. Marcela Azevedo said in a statement. Watts hopes her story can be an “impetus to change,” Timko said. “Through education and legislation,” Timko said, “we can make sure no other woman must set her grief and trauma on a back burner to muster the strength to fight for her freedom.” This article was originally published by the Associated Press.

January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024 The Afro-American A3

National Blood Donor Month: a look at the importance of blood donation in the Black community By Gene Lambey Special to the AFRO During the National Blood Donor Month of January, the AFRO takes a moment to acknowledge the importance of blood donation and concerns regarding the service in the Black community. Donating blood at blood banks, blood drives or hospitals may in fact save someone’s life. In the Black community, there is often skepticism on donating blood or worries based on a lack of information. This week, the AFRO spoke with Dr. Cyril Jacquot, director of the Hematology Laboratory and the Blood Donor Center at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., along with Janie Parrot, a recruiter for the Blood Donor Center at the same institution. “People from historically underserved communities, especially people who are Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino, tend to hesitate more. It’s important to get information out about the need to donate in their communities. Each person has different antigens (for example, proteins and sugars) on their red blood cells. A diverse blood donor population ensures the blood bank can find compatible blood for all patients.” In a study from the American Red Cross, sickle cell disease is the most common “genetic blood disease in the U.S., most commonly affecting individuals of African descent.” People who have sickle cell disease regularly receive blood transfusions to suppress sickle cell complications such as organ failure, stroke and other devastating conditions. According to this same study from the American Red Cross, one in three African Americans are possible matches for a sickle cell patient. “Research shows that the mutation causing sickle cell disease arose in Africa thousands of years ago to help protect against malaria, a historically major cause of death there. Over time, as sickle cell disease emerged, it became known by various names in different tribal languages in Africa, long before it was discovered in western medicine,” states the American Red Cross, on their website. “While sickle cell disease affects people across the world of all backgrounds, the greatest number of affected patients in the U.S. are those with African ancestry.” People that have the sickle cell trait do not have the complications of someone who has sickle cell disease. For Black or African-American babies, one in thirteen are born with the sickle cell trait. Information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shows that sickle cell disease “occurs among about one out of every 365 Black or African-American births,” compared to “one out of every 16,300 HispanicAmerican births.” In a recorded report from the American Blood Center, “approximately 3 percent” of the eligible U.S. population donates blood on an annual basis, highlighting the “Blood donation absolutely helps the community. There is no artificial source of blood. All life-saving transfusions come from generous donors.” Dr. Jacquot and Parrot told the AFRO that many patients in need of blood transfusions include, “trauma patients, surgery patients, cancer patients, and sickle cell disease patients.” A blood donation does not add direct health benefits to the donor however, it does give the donor a sense of purpose and achievement. The American Red Cross reports that there are multiple methods of blood donation, including whole blood donations, power red donations, platelet donations and plasma donations. A whole blood donation defined by the American Red Cross is, “the most flexible type of donation.” In this

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This month, in honor of National Blood Donor Month, the AFRO encourages all readers to donate blood– it could save a life.

process, the blood can be transfused in its original form, or used to help multiple people. The blood can be separated into specific components of red cells, white cells, plasma and platelets. The whole blood donation procedure takes approximately one hour and it takes a pint or half a liter of blood from the donor. Whole blood donations are needed for patients fighting cancer, life-threatening injuries, blood disorders and many more conditions. All blood types can be used for whole blood donations. In the process of a power red donation, the patient gives a concentrated dosage of red cells in the blood. The American Red Cross states that red cells are used “every day for those needing transfusions.” Power red donations use a process which separates the donor’s blood cells from the bloodstream. After the red blood cells have been extracted, the remaining blood components are returned back into the donor’s bloodstream. The name of this process of extracting a certain component of a donor’s blood is apheresis. An apheresis, described by the Mayo Clinic is when the donor “is hooked up to a machine that collects and separates different parts of your blood.” Power red donations, according to the American Red Cross, are given to patients under trauma, emergency transfusions after childbirth, patients with sickle cell disease, anemia or anyone suffering blood loss. The time frame for a power red donation takes up to an hour and thirty minutes. The ideal blood types are O-positive, O-negative, A-negative and B-negative. The platelet donation process concentrates on extracting the platelets in the donor’s blood. The platelets, stated by the American Red Cross, are “tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding.” A platelet donation uses an apheresis machine to extract the platelets from the donor’s blood and then returns the remaining elements of the blood back to the donor. The process of a platelet donation takes approximately three hours. The ideal blood types that the American Red Cross prefers for platelet donations are A-positive, A-negative,

“Blood donation absolutely helps the community. There is no artificial source of blood. All life-saving transfusions come from generous donors.”

BEYA

Continued from A1

Taborn, in his closing remarks, reiterated the significance of BEYA in Baltimore, spotlighting its roots in the city. He spoke about the commitment of BEYA to teaching students in Baltimore. He also emphasized that BEYA is not just a conference but a trusted community partner. Taborn reminded all in attendance that BEYA originally stood for “Becoming Everything You Are.” “BEYA never left Baltimore, Baltimore is home, my office is and will be right across the street,” said Taborn,

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speaking on his commitment to the city and the new partnership with Hathaway, which extends his reach to West Baltimore. Stephanie C. Hill, the highest-ranking Black woman at Lockheed Martin Corporation, reflected on the growth of BEYA over the years. Her words echoed the sentiment that BEYA has evolved into something truly remarkable, stating “ Seeing what BEYA has grown into in 38 years is nothing short of amazing.” Organizer Larian Finney, of the Finn Group, pledged to raise $2 million to ensure that the conference remains in Baltimore, setting ambitious goals for the 40th-year celebration. The return of BEYA to Baltimore marks a triumphant celebration of excellence in STEM. Taborn’s commitment, coupled with partnerships and enthusiastic support from the community, sets the stage for a promising future. As BEYA continues to evolve and adapt with the Digital Twin Experience, it remains a beacon of inspiration for the STEM community, both in Baltimore and beyond.

B-positive, O-positive, AB-positive and AB-negative. The platelets are a vital element for cancer treatments, organ transplants and surgical procedures. Platelet donations are separate from standard blood donations under American Red Cross Donation Centers. These are appointment based donations and are only offered at a select number of donation centers. Plasma donations are also known as AB Elite donations. These donations extract the plasma from the donor’s blood, which is used for emergencies. Plasma donations use the apheresis machine to extract the plasma, separating the components within the donor’s blood. After the plasma has been extracted through the apheresis machine, the remaining components within the donor’s blood are returned. The donation process takes approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. The ideal blood type that the American Red Cross prefers are AB-positive and AB-negative. In preparing for a blood donation, the AFRO advises readers to comply with the American Red Cross’ guidelines. Donors that are above the age of 17, weigh at least 110 lbs and in good health are eligible for blood donations. Dr. Jacquot and Parrot presented to the AFRO the statistics on blood types within the U.S. “The universal blood type for red blood cells is O. The universal blood type for plasma and platelets is AB. However, all blood types are needed to support our patient[s]. In the U.S., about 45 percent of donors are O, 40 percent are A, 10 percent are B and 5 percent are AB.” Experts advise donors to rest well the day before their blood donation and to eat a well-balanced meal. They should also be well hydrated before their appointment.

Golden

Continued from A1

the JHM community who claimed that the definition was discriminatory. An account on X (formerly known as Twitter), titled “End Wokeness,” posted a screenshot of the newsletter on Jan. 10, drawing a number of negative comments about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and demands for Golden to be fired. Tesla Motors CEO and X owner Elon Musk quoted the post, writing “This must end,” in reference to the newsletter. Conservative-leaning tabloid the Daily Mail referred to the newsletter as a “diversity hit list.” “The pushback about the article was not part of a commitment to building an inclusive and fair community at Hopkins. Rather it was part of a strategic effort to disseminate disinformation about the importance of ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion at institutions of higher learning,” wrote JHM students and employees in the letter. They continued by calling out and taking issue with those responding to Golden’s statements with the line that “not all White men have privilege.” They clarified that Golden did not claim all or only White men have privilege– but that there are certain unearned privileges that accompany White and male identities. “Surely discussions about privilege can be challenging. The word is easily misinterpreted or taken to mean that people who benefit from systems of advantage are immoral or unworthy,” wrote JHM students and employees. “However, it is important for our institution to respond to assaults on our commitment to DEI with courage and conviction. In the face of bad-faith attacks, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins University must state clearly, loudly and proudly that we value diversity, equity and inclusion.” Megan Sayles is a Report For America Corps member.

A4 The Afro-American January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024

COMMENTARY

We must work together to support the sustainability of HBCUs in America By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. Earlier this year the U.S. Department of Education sent all colleges and universities across the nation a notice, reminding them that they need to comply with the newly updated cybersecurity regulations published by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The regulations – which include specifications such as implementing critical controls for information security programs, maintaining oversight of service providers and designating an individual to oversee a school’s cybersecurity infrastructure – came in response to an uptick in ransomware attacks on schools around the United States. While these regulations are certainly warranted in an age where personal data is becoming increasingly vulnerable to cybercriminals, the penalties for failing to comply with the regulations – especially the withholding of federal needs-based funding under Title IV – pose an existential threat to schools operating under tight budgets. Take historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), which have throughout their existence struggled to find the substantial funding that many state and private predominantly White institutions (PWIs) of higher education enjoy and who are already steeling themselves

to deal with an expected surge of applicants following the Supreme Court’s regressive decision to effectively end affirmative action admission programs. The loss of Title IV funding would drastically affect around 80 percent of the student bodies at HBCUs and would have a consequential negative impact on the future of these vital institutions of higher education. Endowments at HBCUs pale in comparison to those at the U.S.’s top ranked colleges and universities, with the overall endowments at all the country’s HBCUs accounting for less than a tenth of Harvard’s. The gap in funding between PWIs and HBCUs isn’t just because of smaller endowments, it’s also because state lawmakers keep funds off HBCU campuses – in North Carolina, for example, legislators awarded N.C. State an extra $79 million for research while N.C. A&T – the nation’s largest HBCU – was given only $9.5 million. When it comes to access to technology, HBCUs also face an uphill battle with 82 percent of HBCUs being located in socalled “broadband deserts.” Despite their struggles with funding, and the fact that these schools constitute only 3 percent of four-year colleges in the country, HBCU graduates account for 80 percent of all Black judges, 50 percent of Black

Photo courtesy of National News Release Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. serves as chairman of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) and president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). lawyers, 50 percent of Black doctors, 40 percent of Black members of Congress and our country’s current vice president. HBCUs truly know how to do more with less, but they cannot be saddled with costly regulations that pose an existential crisis to their ability to operate and be given no help to deflect some of the costs. Fortunately, however, there are businesses and individuals who see the importance of HBCUs to the Black community and are

willing to lend their hands – and their dollars – to support them. The Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), a non-profit chaired by philanthropist and entrepreneur Robert F. Smith and

funded by major tech companies like Cisco, has raised millions of dollars to help HBUs comply with the Education Department’s mandates. Cisco alone donated $150 million to the SFI with

$100 million allocated to bringing HBCU cybersecurity system upgrades and $50 million going to establish an endowment to offer alternative student loans. See more on afro.com

After Claudine Gay’s resignation, who and what will colleges defend? By José Luis Vilson Claudine Gay was the first Black president in Harvard University’s history and, as such, stewarded the work of the world’s most prestigious university over a six-month tenure. I’ve read dozens of opinions, and no one has any illusions about the nature of working for a university like Harvard. Creating a space where intellect and fierce debate flourish while keeping funders, academics and policymakers happy is no small feat, even less so when the leader embraces her Black heritage. High-level jobs of this nature already look difficult without layering international conflicts, fascism and growing social stratification across the board, but here we are. So in December, when Rep. Elise Stefanik interrogated three college presidents about the role of antisemitism on college campuses, it couldn’t have come at a worse time. In speaking to current Harvard students and reading posts from current Harvard students, many of them didn’t feel like Gay did enough to protect students who support

Palestinian rights from doxxing, harassment and other forms of ostracization for exercising the right to protest a mass genocide. Other students didn’t feel like she could have done more to quell the protests and the anti-Jewish provocations that spiked postOct. 7. Then, Congress compelled Claudine Gay and two other college presidents to testify about a stormy situation on campus that no one’s gotten pitch perfect. Rep. Stefanik asked, “Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate your university’s rules or code of conduct?” University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill, MIT President Sally Kornbluth and Gay each gave responses based on their code of conduct. Knowing how they would respond, Stefanik jumped on the moment to charge each of the presidents and their institutions with antisemitism. To critics, this moment required an answer that placated the general public, not the lawyers. It didn’t matter that Stefanik’s use of “intifada” was imprecise or that she currently supports a presidential candidate with openly anti-Jewish

sentiment. It also didn’t matter that a consortium of Black Harvard alumni rejected initial calls for her ouster. A small set of well-organized and well-funded malcontents could galvanize their coalition to oust university leadership and chip away at the credibility of higher education. Of course, none of this helps college students, just the folks who openly plot against legitimizing a democratic plurality under the guise of plagiarism. A few months later, the day after Haitian Independence Day, Gay resigned. As a Dominican-Haitian American, I saw what she did there. People who empathized with Gay understood that her mental health and personal well-being mattered way more than this esteemed position. Yet, Black women and other women of color saw how the nonsense solidified the glass ceiling on their prospects again. Legions of conservatives and their devotees celebrated the move, but as I scanned through those who celebrated, I didn’t see anyone who would directly benefit from her stepping down.

Well, besides a few cheerleaders whose plan had come to successful fruition. Then it hit me: too many people look for any reason to tell Black people — and so many “others” — that they’re inferior as opposed to figuring out why they don’t love themselves enough. For instance, people have charged Gay with plagiarism, but her doctoral advisor shot the accusation down, as have most scholars who followed 1990s editions of APA citation styling. With the advent of ChatGPT and the plethora of college essay writers and black-market test-prep companies, charging plagiarism at a moment’s notice only makes college entry harder for everyone. Amid hundreds of formulaic essays detailing prospective students’ accomplishments and sob stories, admissions offices may be more inclined to lean toward essays that don’t sound like the writer checked off the typical checkboxes. If admissions become even more opaque for prospective students, that serves no one. But dissenters don’t care that their own people do it; they just know

that Claudine Gay can be charged with it, and enough people believe it. Billionaires worry not about the hypocrisy games, just about whether they can restrict the referees. Mainstream media shares the blame here, too. They’ll say Black people have the lowest GPAs when matriculating in colleges and universities but rarely account for how prospective Black and Latinx students generally have higher GPAs than the average GPA just to get in. They proclaim that DEI and other identity-based initiatives have deteriorated academic expectations, but students of various backgrounds provide evidence that we’re not even close to achieving equality– much less equity– on campuses large and small. They shout about how inclusivity programs, including affirmative action, have subverted notions of merit, but merit has always been a subjective measure, and affirmative action programs were an effective corrective measure. A version of this post originally appeared at The José Vilson.

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Photo courtesy of TheJoseVilson.com José Luis Vilson is a veteran educator, writer, speaker and activist in New York City. He is the author of “This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education.” He’s a National Board Certified teacher, a Math for America master teacher and the executive director of EduColor, an organization dedicated to race and social justice issues in education. He is currently a doctoral candidate studying sociology and education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is now on the board of directors for the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and PowerMyLearning.

Clean energy: A glimpse at the new American economy By Ben Jealous What if the answer to undoing the harm wrought by the demise of America’s manufacturing sector was right in front of us? An economic boom waiting to happen, to rebuild communities and revitalize our beaten-down working class… and, this time, without the rampant industrial pollution that fuels climate change and sickens our people… It is not too good to be true. But we must seize the moment if we do not want it to pass us by. Last week, I visited the Qcells solar panel plant in Georgia. It is the largest facility of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. And as the world transitions away from fossil fuels and to renewable energy sources, it represents the opportunity we have in front of us. Solar manufacturing jobs in the U.S. are already on pace

to more than triple from about 35,000 in 2023 to 120,000 by 2033. We can do even better – by expanding the energy market and domesticating the solar supply chain. The new green economy should mean an American century that rivals or even surpasses America’s global success in the 20th century. The Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) gives us the tools to turn this dream into reality. But the private sector needs to do its part, with investments that are both patriotic and profitable – not to mention planet-saving. My visit came one day after Qcells announced a massive deal to supply Microsoft with 12 gigawatts of solar modules and Engineering, Procurement and Construction services over eight years. That’s enough energy to power more than 1.8 million homes annually. And it will help Microsoft meet its goal of being

carbon negative, water positive and zero waste by 2030. More than that, it’s an investment in America. According to the energy research firm Wood Mackenzie, China will control more than 80 percent of the world’s solar manufacturing capacity through 2026. This is the future of energy. And the United States needs to catch up. The goal should be to scale up investments like Microsoft’s as rapidly as possible, and bring the entire manufacturing lifecycle for solar technology to the US. And to do it in a way that pushes the energy utilities that power the factories towards clean fuel sources. How we power the supply chain is as important as where it lives. Manufacturing clean energy tech domestically can create a virtuous cycle in which grids are increasingly powered by clean sources. That means lower

energy bills and cleaner air to breathe. The IRA ensures it is not just corporations and utilities that are in the game. Billions of dollars are available for local community organizations, cities, schools, and homeowners to spur growth in our domestic clean energy industry. Despite the “drill, baby, drill” political rhetoric from the oil and gas industry and the politicians in its pockets, elected representatives of both parties understand damn well what these jobs mean for their states and districts. Trust that most lawmakers from Georgia and the other states now being referred to as the “Battery Belt” are eager to reap the IRA’s economic benefits when it comes to clean energy manufacturing. New Years Day marked the 30th anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which contributed

to the obliteration of America’s manufacturing sector throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s. What ensued in the wake of those lost jobs, and the devastation of the communities that relied on them, was much of the social, economic, and political strife plaguing our country today. In this post-NAFTA moment, America can reassert its global leadership in manufacturing the technologies on which the world runs. It will mean an explosion of new American jobs and a windfall for American consumers – who will save money and get other benefits from domesticating supply chains. It will also accelerate the end of fossil fuels. And the protections and incentives in the IRA that focus on equity will help ensure this new energy economy reflects our values, and that marginalized communities do not get left behind. Another industry that

uniquely helped establish America’s pride, identity, and economic might in the last century – the automobile industry – should also be paying attention. Because they have some catching up to do as well. But that is a topic for another column. Watch this space.

Photo courtesy of National News Releases

Ben Jealous is the executive director of the Sierra Club and a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American ∙ 233 E. Redwood Street, Suite 600G Baltimore, MD 21202 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024 The Afro-American

Harry Dunn, former U.S. Capitol officer, announces run for Congressional seat in Maryland By Tashi McQueen AFRO Political Writer Tmcqueen@afro.com

An ex-officer who was working during the violent Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection announced his run for Congress in Maryland on Jan. 5. “On January 6th, I defended our democracy from insurrectionists as a Capitol police officer. After, President Biden honored me with the Presidential Citizens Medal. Today, I’m running for Congress to stop Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) extremists and ensure it never happens again,” said Harry Dunn via X. Dunn, 40, is running for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District, left open by U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.03), who announced he won’t run for re-election this year. “I couldn’t stand back and watch,” said Dunn in his announcement video. “We’ve got a democracy to protect.”

Dunn recently released a book about his experience, “Standing My Ground: A Capitol Police Officer’s Fight for Accountability and Good Trouble After January 6th.” Last month, Dunn resigned from the police force after 15 years. As a political newbie, Dunn may have a disadvantage ahead as

“I couldn’t stand back and watch. We’ve got a democracy to protect.” some of his opponents are state legislators with years of experience. State Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-Md.-30) and State Del. Mike Rogers (D-Md.-32) have also announced that they are running for the congressional seat. Elfreth plans to fight for an end to gun violence, a strengthened

AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Former U.S. Capitol officer on duty during the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot announces his run for Congress in Maryland. Harry Dunn is running for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District.

democracy and affordable childcare in Congress if elected. Rogers was endorsed by Democrats Serve, a political action committee (PAC), on Jan. 5. Brett Broesder, executive

director of Democrats Serve, credited Rogers’ 29 years of service in the U.S. Army and his work in the state legislature for the PAC’s endorsement. “Public service isn’t just a job for Mike; It’s

his way of life,” said Broesder in a statement. About 15 people have officially filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections. Dunn has not yet formally filed with the state elections board. The

filing deadline is Feb. 9, about three months before the state’s Democratic primary on May 14. Tashi McQueen is a Report for America corps member.

50 million views and counting: Katt Williams sets internet ablaze with brutally honest interview By Helen Bezuneh Special to the AFRO hbezueneh@afro.com

The last two weeks have consisted of response videos, diss tracks, rumors and memes related to comments made by comedian Katt Williams during an intimate interview with Shannon Sharpe. The explosive interview has everyone in the comedy entertainment world firing back at the artist, who held no punches when it came to his truth. In his conversation with Sharpe on “Club Shay Shay,” Williams called out comedian and television host Rickey Smiley for allegedly lying when did his interview on the platform. Smiley said that he was originally supposed to take on the role of Money Mike in the film “Friday After Next,” a role that Williams ultimately played. He also said Williams was originally cast in the film in the role of Santa Claus. “You mean in Hollywood they cast a five foot five Black Santa Claus, that weighs 140 pounds– that’s your story? Your story is the Rickey Smiley–who couldn’t even do curse words because he had a Christian fanbase– he was going to play the pimp? Williams also

called out Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, Kevin Hart and more for not being the great comedians they claim to be. “Every guy I’ve mentioned to you is not funny out there in

“Every guy I’ve mentioned to you is not funny out there in real life.” real life,” Williams told Sharpe. Shortly after criticizing Cedric the Entertainer for stealing one of his best jokes for the Kings of Comedy tour in the 1990s, Williams called Hart an “industry plant,” claiming he had not worked hard for his success. “He already had his deals when he got here. Have we ever heard of a comedian that came to L.A. – and in his first year in L.A. had his own sitcom on network television and his own movie called “Soul Plane” that he was leading? No. We’ve never heard of that before that person or since that person,” Williams said, speaking of his success in L.A.

The comedian also pointed fingers at Harvey for supposedly claiming he stopped doing standup because he was busy with seven television shows. “The only problem is, when he stopped standup, he didn’t have those seven TV shows,” said Williams. “He stopped stand-up because he got in a comedy battle called the ‘Championship of Stand-up Comedy’ with Katt Williams in Detroit in front of 10,000 people and lost because Katt Williams said he was actually bald and that was a wig. I went in and that’s

why he couldn’t do standup anymore.” The comedian also discussed the viral, explosive radio interview he had with Wanda Smith during a 2018 episode of “Frank and Wanda In The Morning.” Williams told Sharpe that Smith promised the interview would not discuss his “kids,” “jail” or “cases” and would instead focus on his recent Emmy win. However, instead Smith “immediately” went “the opposite way” once the interview began, Williams claimed. After Smith ridiculed Williams’ hair and called him

“little mama,” Williams unleashed a chain of offenses towards the radio host. “You can’t flip up on me because you’re an inferior comedian,” he told Sharpe. “I’m going to destroy you and I’m never going to call you out of your name. I’m never going to say anything disrespectful to people that look like you. It’s a very thin line I have to call, but this lady is trying to embarrass me in front of a largely homosexual fanbase.” “Gay people don’t take it kindly that you would, as a derogatory

[remark], call me gay,” he continued. “Gay people don’t feel like it’s derogatory, so why are you trying to shame me with something in a community I don’t even belong in?” The shots fired were endless, as the nearly three-hour interview went on to be posted in its entirety, seemingly uninterrupted and unedited. While the interview is lengthy, that has not stopped it from gaining more than 50 million views within the first two weeks of its release.

AP Photo/Richard Shotwell

Katt Williams is going viral for his brutally honest comments during an interview with Shannon Sharpe, host of Youtube show Club Shay Shay.

A6 The Afro-American January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024

WASHINGTON-AREA

January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024 The Afro-American

District residents look forward to cleanup of toxic waterways

Firearm unit in D.C. crime lab seeks to regain full accreditation as gun crime in District continues

By Asha Taylor Special to the AFRO Washington, D.C. residents have struggled to enjoy their local waterways for years due to hazardous pollution. Following the enactment of the largest environmental settlement in D.C. history, the Potomac Electric Power Company, also known as Pepco, will be responsible for cleaning up the District’s local

“The watershed has historically suffered from trash, toxins, sewage, runoff, oil, heavy metals and more due to adjacent agricultural, industrial and urban land uses.” rivers, including the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, Oxon Run, and Rock Creek. “The watershed has historically suffered from trash, toxins, sewage, runoff, oil, heavy metals and more due to adjacent agricultural, industrial and urban land uses,” according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Pepco has been charged Continued on B2

By Chrisleen Herard Special to the AFRO

Radio icon Donnie Simpson takes final bow after 55 years in media Photo courtesy of NNPA Newswire

Donnie Simpson retires from his show on WPGC-FM . By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Legendary radio and media personality Donnie Simpson signed off, possibly for the last time, on Jan. 12. The illustrious career that spanned an incredible 55 years ended with a heartfelt message from the iconic DJ himself. “Today’s the day,” Simpson posted on X. “Please make sure you tune into my last day … Let’s celebrate together as I thank each and every one of you for your support during my 55 years in radio.” An icon, trailblazer, and media legend, Simpson held a commanding presence in Washington, D.C. He gained international fame as a television and movie personality. From his early beginnings in Detroit to his stints at WKYS and WMMJ in Washington, he etched his name in the history of radio. A true industry pioneer, Simpson was one of America’s first video jockeys, hosting iconic shows like BET’s “Video Soul.” His achievements reached new heights when, in 1988, Billboard Magazine recognized him as both the best top radio personality and top program director in the nation. After retiring in 2010, Simpson triumphantly returned to

the airwaves and television screens in 2015. As the afternoon drive host on WMMJ, Majic 102.3 in Washington D.C., and the face of TV-One’s “Donnie After Dark,” he continued to captivate audiences with his signature style. As noted in his bio, Simpson started in Detroit as the “Love Bug.” Simpson’s passion for music, nurtured in his mother’s record shop, laid the groundwork for an extraordinary career. He connected with the biggest stars globally throughout the years, showcasing his talent and versatility. Simpson’s television career soared as he anchored sports and hosted “Video Soul” on BET. In 2021, he announced the revival of “Video Soul.” Honored with inductions into the BET Walk of Fame (2004) and the R and B Hall of Fame of Class of 2020, Simpson’s legacy is cemented in the annals of entertainment history. “I’m going to miss doing the show, Donnie’s going to miss it, too, but he’s got some great things planned,” wrote News4 anchor Tony Perkins, who joined “The Donnie Simpson Show” in the 3 p.m. slot six years ago. “We loved doing the show. Thank you for all the responses on social media.”

“I’m going to miss doing the show, Donnie’s going to miss it, too, but he’s got some great things planned.”

This article was originally published by NNPA Newswire.

Wendell Felder expands campaign for Ward 7 council seat concerns are not impossible to address. Together, we can make a difference and build a better community that we can be proud to call home.”

By Sabreen Dawud Special to the AFRO As a fourth-generation Washingtonian and local community servant, Wendell Felder, who currently serves as chair for the Ward 7 Democrats and director of regional and local affairs at Howard University knows about making change. Now, he’s campaigning for the Ward 7 council seat. Felder has centered his campaign around a self crafted “Ward 7 Recovery Plan.” According to the Wendell Felder campaign, this initiative has the goal to build safe and healthy communities, drive intentional and inclusive economic growth, preserve affordable housing and expand homeownership among many other initiatives. “I know the most pressing challenges across Ward 7 require an immediate plan of action. That’s why I’m in the community every day,” said Felder. “This has given me great insight which guides my course of action to address their concerns. These

“His ability to connect meaningfully with residents from all walks of life is a testament to his inclusive and people-centered approach to governance.”

Photo courtesy of Wendell for Ward 7

Wendell Felder is a native Washingtonian who is looking to expand his impact through seat for Ward 7 on the District’s council.

As a current resident of Ward 7, Felder is known to build connections with fellow neighbors as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Chair for 7D. “Mr. Felder’s dedication to addressing the historical

underrepresentation of Ward 7 stands out for me,” shared Tiffany L. Brown who was elected as the 2nd Vice-Chair of the Ward 7 Democrats. “He is deeply committed to providing strong and effective leadership for our community. His ability to connect meaningfully with residents from all walks of life is a testament to his inclusive and people-centered approach to governance.” Felder’s community work began at the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS) where he served as Ward 7 advocate addressing access to resident

Continued on B2

Fraudulent behavior led to D.C.’s Department of Forensic Sciences’ (DFS) losing its accreditation for over two years. The crime lab has partially regained credibility on Dec. 26, 2023, as the biology and chemistry units seek to regain their ability to process evidence and conduct forensic testing. It remains unclear when the firearm unit will return, even as the ongoing issue of illegal guns and violent crime continues to disturb the District. “I am pleased to announce that the Department of Forensic Sciences’ (DFS) application for reaccreditation of its Forensic Biology and Forensic Chemistry Units has been approved,” Mayor Muriel Bowser (D-D.C.) wrote in a statement on Dec. 26, 2023. “Responsible for testing and analyzing biological substances, including DNA, controlled substances and drugs, these reaccredited units will support MPD investigations and will add to our existing network of outside labs as well as those accessible by the U.S. Attorney.” Nearly 10 years ago, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB) discovered that the D.C. crime lab inaccurately linked casings from two 2015 murders to the same gun before allegedly attempting to cover up their mistake. It was this case, among other concerns of mishandled evidence analysis, that prevented the lab from testing evidence for nearly three years. As a partial result, this prevented 67 percent of criminal cases from being prosecuted in 2022, according to D.C. U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and the U.S. Attorneys’ annual statistical report. “DFS is D.C.’s independent forensic laboratory that conducted the DNA, fingerprint, firearms and drug testing for the vast majority of our Office’s criminal cases,” Graves said in a hearing before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on May

Continued on B3

Past Seven Days 2024 Total Data as of Jan.17

B2 The Afro American January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024

Montgomery County partners with United Therapeutics for long-term economic growth in Silver Spring By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com Montgomery County recently announced a $100-million deal with United Therapeutics, a biotechnology public benefit corporation, that will pave the way for economic growth in downtown Silver Spring, Md. As part of the partnership, United Therapeutics will build a new public parking garage on Georgia Avenue, supply land and funding to Montgomery County for a state-ofthe-art fiber hub and relocate the transportation

“When this thing builds out, it’s going to provide a lot of job opportunities. It’s going to be another reason for people to look at Silver Spring as a potential location for life science jobs.” department’s parking operations to a renovated facility on Brookville Road. The new parking garage will include space designated for future development of affordable housing in Silver Spring. “When this thing builds out, it’s going to provide a lot of job opportunities. It’s going to be another reason for people to look at Silver Spring as a potential location for life science jobs,” County Executive Marc Elrich told the AFRO. “We’ve got a healthy cluster between

Photo courtesy of the Office of the County Executive, Montgomery County, Md.

Marc Elrich serves as the county executive of Montgomery County, Md. He recently forged a deal with United Therapeutics to propel economic growth in downtown Silver Spring, Md. Bethesda and the Great Seneca Corridor up by Shady Grove, but we’ve not had the same level of activity on the East side of the county. Silver Spring being right on the metro line is an ideal location to start building a hub around.” Montgomery County is recognized as a leading life sciences and biotechnology hub. This partnership enables the county to build on this reputation. Under the agreement, once United Therapeutics constructs the new parking garage, the county will take over as owner. In return, United Therapeutics will become owner of the Spring Cameron Garage

to accommodate its future growth. Montgomery County’s relationship with United Therapeutics dates back to 2002 when it first sold land to the biotechnology company for its headquarter’s construction in Silver Spring. In 2015, the county again sold land to United Therapeutics for its Unisphere project, the world’s largest net-zero energy office building. “Since our founding almost 30 years ago, we have been honored to be part of the downtown Silver Spring community,” said Thomas Kaufman, associate vice president of corporate real estate for United Therapeutics

in a statement. “Montgomery County has been a key partner in supporting our growth during that time, and this agreement will allow us to continue our growth and support Silver Spring for years to come.” While this partnership is expected to advance downtown Silver Spring, Elrich said infrastructure challenges remain a hindrance to the county’s overall economic growth. “The biggest challenge the county faces is a lack of infrastructure,” said Elrich. He explained that Maryland’s tax system does not allow Montgomery County to levy the same amount of development impact fees that Virginia counties can. These charges are imposed on the private new commercial and residential developments in order to fund infrastructure improvements made necessary by the development. “If you look to Northern Virginia, you realize that they’ve got 30 to 40 cents above their base tax rate that’s levied on the private sector developers for construction of transportation projects. That money is walled off because they got authority from the state to have these special taxes to build transportation,” said Elrich. “Montgomery County has none of that.” He wants the state of Maryland to permit Montgomery County to model its tax system off of localities in Northern Virginia. “You hear all of this, ‘Look at Virginia this, and look at Virginia that.’ Conveniently, none of the people who point that out tell you that they tax the private sector far more than we do. They focus on income tax, and I’m looking at the tax on actual development, which generates hundreds of millions of dollars that we could access in the county,” said Elrich. “We are trying to model a tax system based on what they do in Northern Virginia so we can stay competitive.” Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

Felder

Continued from B1 resources. His local government work did not stop there, as he then moved on to serve as the special assistant and deputy chief of staff for the Office of the City Administrator. During his time with the Office of the City Administrator, Felder was responsible for assessing local operations and working alongside local government. Felder continued on to the Office of the Deputy Mayor’s Office for Planning and Economic Development in which he worked as the Community Development Manager, organizing projects in the Ward 7 and 8 areas. In an effort to increase voter turnout and enhance public awareness leading up to the Felder campaign, Felder and members of the Ward 7 Democrats have adopted a hands-

on approach in promoting his goals if elected as a Ward 7 councilman. “We conducted door-to-door canvassing, effectively introducing ourselves and our organization to the community,” Brown explained. “We also actively worked on voter registration drives to empower the residents of Ward 7. Our aim was to ensure that every eligible voter had the opportunity to register and exercise their right to vote.” With community at the center of his campaign and the support of local organizations, Felder looks forward to his potential future on the Ward 7 council. “I’ve been on the campaign trail officially for 30 days. I’ve knocked on over 2,000 doors. Before this campaign is over, I

will have personally reached every resident within the ward. I am taking notes. I am listening to their concerns because I share them. I’m looking forward to addressing their concerns as their neighbor. Taking swift action to implement plans to improve the quality of life for residents in Ward 7 is what I’m looking forward to the most,” he shares. For more information on the Wendell Felder campaign, visit wendellforward7.org.

Yankus rides his bike along the river and participates in D.C. Sail, a club that sails in the Anacostia River. Wyatt said he recalls the images of the Anacostia River from the early 2000s, where he was exposed to the trash and litter floating in the water. “I think cleaning up the Anacostia is great… I don’t know if I would be comfortable swimming in it, but I have spent time on it, or next to it, and it definitely looks better,” said Yankus. D.C. natives Katherine Hernandez and Erick Martell are both two young residents. They described their experiences at the Anacostia River, specifically, as “stinky.”

conveyed her desire to push for more youth to learn about and spend time at the Anacostia River, a D.C. staple location. In light of the news regarding a cleanup of the water, Hernandez and Martell were overjoyed. “Usually I don’t really think about stuff like that and don’t really take [environmental issues] serious, but you really realize that it is very damaging to our living,” said Martell. Organizations such as the Clean Rivers Project, Anacostia Riverkeeper, Anacostia Watershed Society, Potomac Conservancy, and the Little Falls Watershed Alliance are among many

The AFRO is invested in providing the community with balanced information on each candidate up for election in the D.C. Council races. Please note, this is not an endorsement of any kind for the candidate interviewed.

Toxic waterways Continued from B1

with a total of $57 million dollars for cleanup and penalties associated with pollution of the environment, attributable to the company. Although Pepco is not the only polluter responsible for the state of the D.C.’s water, the settlement is intended to shed light on pollution of District waterways and how companies can be held responsible. As announced by D.C.’s Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb, the goal of this change is to make the future of D.C.’s water safer. In response to the plan for environmental restoration, residents have expressed varied opinions regarding the future of the environment,

specifically the state of the city’s popular Anacostia River. Along the Anacostia River, Ward 8 of the District is home to a population that is predominantly Black and Brown. Approximately 683,154 people are directly affected by the conditions of the water, as calculated in a District run demographics profile from 2017 to 2021. However, despite their distance from the issue, residents have claimed to witness the poor quality of the water in the nation’s capital. Wyatt Yankus, a threeyear resident of Washington, D.C.’s Columbia Heights neighborhood, spends time at the Anacostia River regularly.

“I feel like it depends where you are, like if you are by the restaurants then it is way nicer, but when you go way down, then it is not the best environment,” said Hernandez. Martell is also a lifelong D.C. resident, but has yet to spend any time near the city’s water. “I actually have never been [to the Anacostia River], but I heard a lot about it,” said Martell. Hernandez works with a wilderness program that takes local youth to various sites in the city, known as the City Kids Wilderness Project. In order to build toward a more sustainable future, Hernandez

Photo courtesy of EPA.gov

Pepco will pay out $47 million towards a cleanup of D.C. rivers after being found liable for polluting the local waterways. The company will also pay $10 million in fines for their actions.

others that are supporting the initiative to clean up the city’s waterways. Residents can get involved in any of these opportunities to contribute to a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment in Washington, D.C. Northwest resident April Thompson was unaware of the possibilities of a cleanup for the District’s water. Thompson stated that she had never heard of anyone swimming in or enjoying the rivers in the city. However, she explained having a strong desire for there to be “oversight of the cleanup.” “I do advocate for strong oversight of that process,” Thompsons said. “If there is not strong independent oversight of the cleaning up process, then we are leaving the fox to oversee the henhouse.” Nonetheless, Thompson, too, is looking forward to spending more time along the water in the future and becoming more educated about the state of her home’s environment. “This is my city and we should take advantage of everything that is in the city,” said Thompson. “We get so caught up in our daily lives and we move about sometimes with blinders on.”

January American January 20, 20, 2024 2024 -- January January 26, 26, 2024 2024 The The Afro Afro-American

B3 B1

Here’s what you should know about the marijuana pardons from President Joe Biden By Ashleigh Fields AFRO Assistant Editor afields@afro.com Thousands of people now have the opportunity to clear their records of any conviction of marijuana use, to include simple and attempted possession charges. In order to be approved, those seeking clemency must submit an application to the Justice Department requesting a certificate of pardon throughout the District and on certain federal property. Appeals are currently being accepted online, via email and mail by the Office of the Pardon Attorney. This new opportunity was announced by President Biden ahead of the Christmas holiday on Dec. 22 and applies to all cases federally and in the District of Columbia which uniquely falls under presidential jurisdiction. Those who were charged on or before Oct. 6, 2022 by either a federal or D.C. Superior court and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or were lawfully present in the United States at the time of the offense meet the requirements for forgiveness. “We’re going to continue to push President Biden to free all cannabis, prisoners, and address all those that are serving long sentences. DCMJ was pleased that 11 long-term prisoners will be freed under the pardons, but this is just scratching the surface so we expect more,” said Adam Eidinger, founder of D.C. Marijuana Justice, an advocacy organization. Cities and states across the county have followed suit. According to 2021 statistics reviewed by the United States Sentencing Commission, “of the 1,765 offenders whose criminal history category was impacted by a prior marijuana possession sentence, most were male (94.2 percent), U.S. citizens (80.0 percent) and either Black (41.7 percent) or Hispanic

AP Photo / Jose Luis Magana

As calls for marijuana reform echo around the country, President Joe Biden is making moves on the federal level by offering pardons to people who meet all requirements and have convictions related to the substance, dating back before Oct. 22, 2022. (40.1 percent). Nearly all (97.0 percent) of the prior marijuana possession sentences were for state convictions, some of which were from states that have changed their laws to decriminalize (22.2 percent) or legalize (18.2 percent) marijuana possession, states that allow for expungement or sealing of marijuana possession records (19.7 percent), or some combination thereof.” Mayor Muriel Bowser (D-D.C.) has been pushing for representation on the matter since Biden’s first announcement. “While we have made good progress with our medical marijuana program, because of our lack of statehood, we remain limited in our ability to right past wrongs and move forward with an equitable adult-use program,” Mayor Bowser wrote in a 2022 statement released after the announcement of the original pardon.”One of those

limitations, and a reason President Biden’s pardons are especially important to our community, is that the Mayor of D.C. lacks the ability to grant pardons or commute sentences – a power that every state’s governor has.” The Mayor did not immediately respond to the AFRO’s requests for comment and the D.C. Office of the Attorney General declined to speak on the matter. Local residents in the District feel especially crippled sharing that Biden and other leaders have not done enough reform for there to be a viable impact. “The Biden announcement would have been more impactful if it covered people that sell or cultivate cannabis,” said Eidinger. “Currently there are over 3000 people sitting in federal prison from these cannabis crimes that are not covered by President Biden’s pardons.”

Local civil rights attorney Donald Temple agrees. “I think the big question for D.C. is two fold, whether there should be a commutation of their sentences is a question that needs to be met square on and if the federal government is going to legalize marijuana, or allow the D.C. to do what other states are doing in terms of licensing at the retail level, not just medicinal licenses,” Temple told the AFRO. The District’s Initiative 71 (I-71), legalizes the possession, personal use, home cultivation and gifting of small amounts of marijuana but leaves millions of earned profit untaxed in the industry dominated by Black and Latino residents. D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D-D.C.-At-Large) proposed an alternative solution for citizens in the District through the Reparations for Victims of the War on Cannabis Fund in late January

of 2023. The legislation would offer payments of between $5,000 and $80,000 to people arrested, convicted or incarcerated for a marijuana-related offense prior to the enactment of I-71 on March 27, 2015 and regulate recreational marijuana sales by taxing 40 percent of all sales for 10 years. The bill currently awaits congressional action and approval but could make significant strides towards improving racial equity in the District. On the federal level, marijuana remains an illegal drug classified under Schedule I laws which deem it, “currently unacceptable for medical use and a high potential for abuse.” “As for the other steps the Biden-Harris Administration is taking to address the country’s failed approach to marijuana, relevant agencies have been pursuing solutions that will move our community forward, including ongoing deliberations on revising how marijuana is scheduled in federal law,” shared Rodericka Applewhaite, White House spokesperson. Many law regulators are pushing for its reclassification as a Schedule III with less restriction and described as “a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” “Every American has a fundamental right to equal justice under law,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “Last year, to address these historic injustices and with the support of faith leaders, civil rights advocates and law enforcement officials, President Joe Biden granted a blanket pardon for simple marijuana possession under federal and D.C. law.” Currently no prisoners have been or will be released under the 2022 and 2023 pardons. White House officials say that there is no one currently in federal prison solely for simple possession of cannabis.

Gun crime Continued from B1

16, 2023. “The forensics laboratory on which we relied was no longer permitted to perform scientific work and we could no longer rely on DFS’s expert opinions in our pending cases. Forensic evidence is a cornerstone of most violent crime prosecutions and it is difficult to overstate the catastrophic effect of DFS’s loss of accreditation.” Graves went on to reveal the considerable amount of resources that the U.S. Attorney’s Office had to utilize in place of the DFS due to its suspension, including hiring and paying

outside assistance that required more time and funds. This consequently affected Graves’ ability to constructively indict suspects involved in serious crimes. In 2023, 56 percent of criminal cases were not prosecuted in the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2023 after D.C. reported nearly 4,000 violent crimes, 1,387 of which included assaults with a dangerous weapon. Although the reaccreditation of the biology and chemistry units show progress for the lab, as violent crime surges, the use of D.C.’s DFS firearm unit is a prominent piece

“We remain focused on reducing crime and that means ensuring all parts of our public safety and justice ecosystem are working at full capacity. Reaccreditation is a critical step in supporting case closure and affording us another tool to advance justice for victims.” private laboratories to test evidence and experts to testify in court. Without DFS in the nation’s capital, the District could no longer test drug evidence in felony cases or produce firearm examinations in shooting cases unless provided with

in prosecuting defendants who are charged in shooting cases, especially as it relates to the testing and tracking of unregulated guns. “D.C. has also experienced, consistent with national trends, massive spikes in machine gun

AP Photo / Carolyn Kaster

D.C’s Department of Forensic Sciences received partial accreditation for their biology and chemistry unit. They previously lost accreditation which resulted in a two year suspension, the firearm division and others remain without a license. conversion switches and privately manufactured firearms, which are commonly referred to as ‘ghost guns.’ D.C. went from single-digit ghost gun recoveries in 2018 to 461 ghost gun recoveries in 2022,” Graves said. “We are concerned with the increases in these categories of violent crimes, grieving every loss of life in this city and recognizing that one homicide is one too many.” In 2020, Attorney General Karl A. Racine filed a lawsuit on behalf of D.C. against Polymer80 Inc., a firearm

manufacturer known to sell kits containing partially assembled handguns and semi-automatic rifles without serial numbers, making them untraceable and accessible for many, including juveniles, to construct in the comfort of their homes. It was ultimately discovered that the guns produced using Polymer80’s kits were involved in several homicides in the District as well as the growing number of ghost guns that have been recovered by authorities. In order to prevent them from selling unregulated guns

to D.C. consumers, Racine sued the Nevada-based gun manufacturing company and, in 2022, won the lawsuit against Polymer80, who was ordered to pay $4 million in penalties. “This judgment against Polymer80 is a major victory for D.C. residents and for public safety and it will help slow the flow of deadly, untraceable ghost guns into our community,” Racine said in a statement. “As the District continues to face an epidemic of gun violence, our office will do everything in our power to keep D.C. residents safe.” That same year, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott (D-Md.) also sought out Polymer80 in a lawsuit due to the company accounting for 91 percent of all seized ghost guns in the city. Mayor Scott’s need for retrieving ghost guns has intensified, however, following the Brooklyn mass shooting that took place in July 2023, which claimed two lives and injured 28 others, including 15 minors. “You’re talking about a country where it’s easier for a 14-year-old kid to order pieces together, to put a gun together and go out and use it and commit a crime than it is for me to get Claritin-D from CVS,” Mayor Scott said during a news conference. “People are dying in Baltimore and the United States, and that’s what should matter and that’s what

we should be acting on every day.” Though Polymer80 accounted for some of the ghost guns recovered in D.C. and throughout the country, there is still a percentage of illegal firearms that remain unaccounted for. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is pleased that DFS has regained its ANAB accreditation in two forensic science units, a critical first step in rebuilding the lab,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement. “Accreditation is an important mile marker in the journey toward having testifying experts again. We look forward to DFS completing the journey in the coming years and we are prepared to provide whatever support we can in these efforts.” While D.C. public servants are celebrating the DFS’ partial accreditation, they continue to work toward acquiring licenses for the firearm division and the remainder of the department’s units to combat the wave of illegal weapons and violent crime that has been sweeping over the District. “We remain focused on reducing crime and that means ensuring all parts of our public safety and justice ecosystem are working at full capacity,” Mayor Bowser said. “Reaccreditation is a critical step in supporting case closure and affording us another tool to advance justice for victims.”

B4 The Afro-American January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024

Congressional Black Associates serve as staffers for elected officials in the House of Representatives.

Yolanda King (left), Arndrea King and Martin King III speak during the ceremony alongside Rev. Al Sharpton.

National Action Network honors Martin Luther King Jr. at annual breakfast By Ashleigh Fields AFRO Assistant Editor afields@afro.com

rominent leaders from around the country joined forces to honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr. during the National Action Network’s annual breakfast at the Mayflower Hotel on Jan 15. Members of the King family honored Donovan Woodberry represents the youth organization, “A Celebration of Us,” during the Washington, D.C. event.

Maryland Gov. Wes since the passage of the Moore (D-Md.), actress Civil Rights Act of 1964 and producer Taraji P. Henson and Phylicia Rashad, the film, stage and television star who captured hearts decades ago. The honorees received awards for their work towards making Dr. King’s dream of equality a present reality. This year’s celebration also recognized 60 years

and the difference it has made for voting rights.

AFRO Photo / James Fields

Recipient of the MLK Day Visionary Award, Gov. Wes Moore, sits next to Phylicia Rashad, who was selected to receive the MLK Day Lifetime Service of Excellence in the Arts Award.

Georgette Anderson (left) and Rev. Dr. George E. Holmes celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.

Brandon R. Cahee (left), of the National Education Association, attends NAN’s MLK Jr. breakfast with Paige Galloway.

Rev. Al Sharpton addresses the crowd as president of the National Action Network, which he founded in 1991. Erica Ford, an activist from New York, celebrates Martin Luther King Day at the annual National Action Network breakfast on Jan.15, hosted by the Washington D.C. Bureau of the organization.

Deyona Burton stands proudly with her MLK Day Youth Award.

Dy Brown (left) and Janaye Ingram celebrate Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s founders day at the breakfast while engaging with community leaders.

To purchase this digital photo page or photos contact editor@afro.com

January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024 The Afro-American

Patriots select Jerod Mayo as next head coach, successor to Bill Belichick earlier this month that Mayo already garners lots of respect around the locker room. “Players love him. I

By Kyle Hightower and Rob Maaddi The Associated Press

Jerod Mayo spent his entire professional football career learning from Bill Belichick, first as a player and then as an assistant. He’ll now have the weighty task of succeeding the future Hall of Famer and leading a New England Patriots team as its first new voice in more than two decades. The Patriots named Mayo to succeed Belichick as the franchise’s 15th head coach on Jan. 12. Mayo is the first Black head coach in team history. He will be formally introduced at a news conference on Jan. 17, the team announced. Mayo played eight NFL seasons and earned a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots during the 2014 season. He has been an assistant under Belichick since 2019, serving primarily as the Patriots linebackers coach. He’ll become the NFL’s youngest head coach at age 37. Mayo’s hire comes a day after Belichick agreed to part ways with the Patriots after a 24-year run that included six Super Bowl wins. Mayo immediately rose to the top of the

list of viable Belichick successors after the Patriots took the unique step of announcing they were giving the assistant a long-term extension last offseason. Mayo, along with Belichick’s son and fellow linebackers coach Steve Belichick, handled the play calling duties for the Patriots defense over the past two seasons. Despite New England’s 4-13 record this season, the team’s defense has remained highly ranked in several categories despite losing top linebacker Matt Judon and rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez early to seasonending injuries. Though it’s unclear what the terms of Mayo’s deal prior to last season entailed, it came after he interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs in Philadelphia and North Carolina each of the past two years. In announcing the decision to part ways with Belichick on Jan. 11, Patriots owner Robert Kraft promised to move quickly on trying to fill the hole. Kraft said that the mandate for the next

AP Photo/Steven Senne

New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo will succeed Bill Belichick as the next head coach.

coach would be a return to the postseason for a Patriots team that has missed the playoffs in three of the past four seasons and hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2018 season. “We’re looking for someone who can help us get back to the playoffs and win,” Kraft said. “Believe me, after my family, this is really one of the two most important assets in my life. I am very upset when we don’t win games. It carries the whole week. So, I promise you I’ll be focused to do the best I can do to make sure we’re putting ourselves in the best long-term position to win for many years.” During his time in the coaching ranks, Mayo

has quickly developed a reputation for being able to relate to players. Former Patriots safety Devin McCourty played alongside Mayo for six seasons and then under him from 2019-22. During an appearance on NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk on Jan. 12, McCourty pointed out that one thing that will benefit Mayo is that he also had the opportunity to hone his skills in other places as well, notably the time he spent working in finance at Optum. “When you hear him talk, he talks not just [about] leadership in football but kind of CEO talk in life leading people,” McCourty said. Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley said

“Players love him. I love to play for him. He gets the best out of his players. At the same time, he understands as far as the culture and everything how to get everybody going.” love to play for him. He gets the best out of his players,” Bentley said. “At the same time, he understands as far as the culture and everything how to get everybody going.” But Mayo will likely get criticism from some about how much time he’s spent inside the Patriot bubble. That’s nothing he can’t overcome, McCourty said. “I understand the

reservations of people who are like, ‘Well, all he is, is a Patriot,’” McCourty said. “But when people get to be around him and talk to him, they’ll see the differences in him and Bill and how the organization will be going forward.” One thing Mayo isn’t expected to have is the same control over personnel matters like Belichick did for most of his tenure with the Patriots. Along with being coach, Belichick also served as New England’s de facto general manager. But Kraft pointed out on Jan. 11 that Belichick didn’t receive that power until after he won his third Super Bowl with the team following the 2004 season and that Belichick “earned it and it worked pretty well for most of the time.” That means a new general manager hire, or some other restructuring of the front office, is likely next on Kraft’s plate. “I think it’s good to have checks and balances,” Kraft said. This article was originally published by the Associated Press.

‘The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration 25th Anniversary’ to premiere Feb. 10 By Black PR Wire

CBS will present “The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration 25th Anniversary” (previously known as the “Super Bowl Gospel Celebration”) on Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. (EST) on the CBS Television Network and streaming

“As a multicultural and multifaceted celebration of togetherness, the Soulful Celebration has been an integral part of the Super Bowl’s DNA for the past 25 years.” on Paramount Plus. Cedric the Entertainer and Tichina Arnold of CBS’ “The Neighborhood” are confirmed to host the event “I’m thrilled to return to the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration stage in Vegas as co-host of the 25th anniversary broadcast on CBS with my dear friend and ‘The Neighborhood’

Courtesy photo Cedric the Entertainer and Tichina Arnold will team up to present CBS’ “The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration 25th Anniversary” on Feb. 10 at 8 p.m.

co-star Tichina Arnold,” said Cedric the Entertainer. “A huge congratulations to Melanie Few for creating this amazing celebration of music, faith and football.” “Co-hosting the 25th anniversary Super Bowl Soulful Celebration with Cedric the Entertainer is a true highlight for me. Melanie Few’s achievement in hitting this incredible milestone is a testament to her dedication and the event’s cultural impact,” said Tichina Arnold. “I’m thrilled to be part of this historic event, and Cedric and I are geared up to bring our energy, laughter and soul to this momentous occasion!” The one-hour music special, in partnership with the NFL, tapes Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Pearl Theater at the Palms Casino Resort

in Las Vegas, in advance of Super Bowl LVIII, airing Sunday, Feb. 11 on CBS. Commemorating its silver anniversary this year, the concert event brings an inspiring blend of music and football to a broadcast television audience. Honorees and performers will be announced at a later date. For a quarter-century, “The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration” has captured the hearts of millions through the shared love of music, faith and the exhilaration of football. Bridging cultures and igniting inspiration, the Super Bowl LVIII sanctioned special brings together NFL players with award-winning artists and acclaimed musicians from diverse genres onto a single stage. The

result is an unforgettable evening that transcends boundaries and remains the sole multicultural and inspirational program sanctioned by the NFL during the electrifying Super Bowl week. “As a multicultural and multifaceted celebration of togetherness, the Soulful Celebration has been an integral part of the Super Bowl’s DNA for the past 25 years,” said Arthur McAfee, NFL senior vice president for football operations. “We are proud of this storied tradition and look forward to bringing yet another year of joy and inspiration through music to CBS audiences.” “We’ve come an incredible distance from our humble gospel brunch beginnings in Miami. This event has been a

labor of unwavering love and dedication, and it’s an immense honor that our 25th anniversary will debut on a major broadcast network like CBS,” said Melanie Few, founder of The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration. “It’s a privilege to collaborate with the NFL for 25 years and counting, creating an event that celebrates the powerful intersection of football, music and inspiration.” Joining “The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration 25th Anniversary” production team is Grammy-nominated artist Adam Blackstone, who serves as music director. The special is executive produced by Melanie Few and Valarie Benning Thompson serves as producer.

Tickets for “The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration 25th Anniversary”are on sale now and available to the public via Ticketmaster. com. Additionally, to mark this special occasion, exclusive commemorative 25th anniversary limitededition merchandise is available via the event’s official website SuperBowlSoulful. com or on-site at the special taping in Las Vegas, allowing attendees to take home a piece of this historic celebration. For more information, talent and taping updates, please visit SuperBowlSoulful.com and on X and Instagram at @superbowlsoulful. This article was originally published Black PR Wire.

C2 The Afro-American January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024

Meet Dr. Jamie Ware, the woman advocating for more cervical cancer education and preventive screenings By Mylika Scatliffe AFRO Women’s Health Writer mscatliffe@afro.com January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and if nothing else, Dr. Jamie Ware wants women to remember that unlike many other cancers, cervical cancer can be prevented. “There is a screening test to detect cervical cancer and with regular screening at the proper intervals, we can take measures to diagnose and treat the dysplastic cells before they become cancerous,” said Ware. The pre-cancer stage of cervical cancer makes it somewhat unique. By the time other cancers are diagnosed, the cancerous cells have developed into full-blown cancer. With cervical cancer there is dysplasia, or abnormal cells which have not yet progressed to cancer, and they can be treated. Most adult women at some time in their lives have had conversations about the dreaded annual pelvic exam, commonly known as the PAP smear. Dreaded though it may be, it is one of the easiest and quickest methods of preventive screening for women to endure. Dysplasia can be detected with a PAP smear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2020 there were an estimated 604,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 324,000 deaths from cervical cancer throughout the world. All women are at risk, but data shows it occurs most often in women over the age of 30. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an extremely common family of sexually transmitted viruses that causes almost all cervical cancers. Most individuals under the age of 30 can clear the virus on their own, but some infections last longer, and in addition to cervical cancer it can cause cancer of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus or the back of the throat, called oropharyngeal cancer. Oropharyngeal cancer includes the base of the tongue and tonsils. “Certain risk factors like smoking, multiple sexual partners, and a compromised immune system can increase the chance of re-exposure to HPV, or a different strand of the virus which can lead to a progression or resurgence of abnormal cells,” said Ware.

when it comes to cervical cancer. “The current recommendations for cervical cancer screenings, or PAP smears, are every three years beginning at age 21 for a woman of average risk. By age 30, a woman can do co-testing, which is a PAP smear and HPV test. If they are both negative, and she remains of average risk, she can be screened every five years,” said Ware. There is also a high-risk test for HPV that an individual can get every five years beginning at age Photo courtesy of Meharry Medical Group 25. It is FDA approved but not yet Dr. Jamie Ware is a board-certified obstetricianreadily available. gynecologist at the Meharry Clinic in Nashville, Tenn., “In this instance high-risk and associate professor in the Meharry School of refers to high risk strains of the Medicine. Ware has dedicated her career to educating HPV virus, not an individual’s her patients and addressing health disparities high-risk behaviors or personal among indigent and underserved populations. This characteristics,” said Ware. January, during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, If a woman receives abnormal she is advocating for education and early detection results, then she and her provider measures. will decide what pathway to provider availability. consider in terms of future There are over 100 different strains of The current political implications screening and treatment. HPV. surrounding health care for women as well In addition to proper screenings, cervical What are the signs/symptoms cancer can be prevented with the HPV vaccine. as the high malpractice risk means there are geographical areas where a dearth of providers of cervical cancer? Vaccination can begin at nine years of age, exists. • Bleeding during or after sexual but the CDC recommends two doses of HPV “Many doctors are opting not to enter this intercourse. vaccine between the ages of 11 and 12. The area of practice,” said Ware. • Abnormal bleeding. vaccine is most effective when it is given prior As a provider of color, Ware believes • Changes in menstrual cycle including to exposure to the virus and before becoming it is her responsibility to dispel myths and prolonged bleeding, heavy bleeding, and sexually active but is still recommended if a encourage open and honest dialogue around more than one menstrual cycle per month. person has already been exposed. The HPV these topics, and to encourage women to vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug If a woman experiences any of these Administration to be given up to the age of 45, prioritize themselves. “Reproductive and sexual health are often symptoms, she should see her doctor at once. and the CDC recommendation is that everyone taboo, particularly in the Black community. Ware encourages women to have honest through age 26 years get the HPV vaccine if Early in my career I became interested in the and forthright conversations with their not already fully vaccinated. social aspects of educating teens in particular; providers about cervical cancer and their Unfortunately, Black people and other I wanted them to have a better understanding general reproductive health. people of color may have increased barriers to “Don’t be afraid to inquire about all of obtaining care– which includes cervical cancer of their bodies, how it functions and how to care for it,” said Ware. your options for treatment and caring for your screenings. “That is what I enjoy about gynecology; health. Lack of insurance doesn’t have to be a “Historically, women are the primary we see women from each era of life from barrier for obtaining screenings and treatment. caregivers in their families and communities. adolescence into their mature senior years. I Your local health department is a good place to This leads to women putting themselves last really appreciate the opportunity to care for inquire about resources if you are underinsured and not prioritizing their health,” said Ware. women across all those spectrums,” Ware or have no insurance,” said Ware. There are other barriers for Black women continued. For Ware, cervical cancer awareness means when it comes to caring for their reproductive To that end, Ware cannot emphasize remembering that with proper screenings, it health. Financial constraints. Lack of enough the importance of preventive care can be prevented. insurance or underinsurance. Even lack of

Andrea Brown and the Black Mental Health Alliance discuss 2024 agenda By Aria Brent AFRO Staff Writer abrent@afro.com For the last 40 years the Black Mental Health Alliance(BMHA) has been healing and helping the people of Baltimore. Trusted in the community, the organization routinely puts on culturally-relevant educational forums and offers referral services that support the health and wellbeing of Black people and their communities. The organization has a mission focused on developing,

facing trauma that is related to the systemic racism that continues today,” said Brown, who has been the executive director of BMHA since March of 2020. Brown explained that being the head of the organization amidst the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t an easy task. She’s noted her time in the position has been engaging, exciting, saddening and yet, hopeful. Much like Brown, the other members of the BMHA team have a lot of hope for the work that their organization does and the

Photo courtesy of blackmentalhealth.com / Richard A.Rowe

Richard A. Rowe is in charge of the National Training Institute for the Black Mental Health Alliance and works directly with men and young boys regarding their mental health.

“The community is facing trauma that is related to the systemic racism that continues today. We goal of providing them with need to call that out because we the resources they need is the same across all fields. often feel less than that, but it’s “I think one of the things that we have been based on a system of oppression successful in doing is our community. that has come down through the educating Both the professional and the health community and years.” promoting and sponsoring trainings that support mental health education efforts. BMHA executive director, Andrea Brown, and other members of the team spoke with the AFRO about the plans they have for the year 2024. “The community is

impact they’ll continue to make on the community. Each staff member who spoke with the AFRO focuses on a different demographic of the Black community, such as men and adolescents. They noted that different demographics come with different issues, however their

the community at large about what’s affecting our mental health and well being,” explained long-time BMHA staff member, Richard A. Rowe. “We have also been good at referring our folks to culturally competent clinicians and therapists. If they are suffering or having issues related to depression,

Andrea Brown /Images Courtesy of blackmentalhealth.com

Nia Jones Courtesy of blackmentalhealth.com

Andrea Brown has been leading the Black Mental Health Alliance for nearly four years and shared that the organization has a lot of exciting initiatives happening in 2024.

Nia Jones oversees the youth and college division of the Black Mental Health Alliance and is looking forward to seeing young people advocate for themselves and their mental health needs.

anxiety [and] stress... they need to be connected to culturally responsive and culturally competent therapists, clinicians and mental health professionals who can understand what happened to them and address those issues in a forthright way.” Rowe is the director of the National Training Institute for the Black Mental Health Alliance. Although a great portion of his work is centered around the well being of men and young boys, Rowe sees the problems that are deeply impacting Baltimore as an entirety.

Rowe says that he thinks one of the greatest issues plaguing the Baltimore community is their inability to acknowledge the trauma and suffering they’ve faced. “The greatest mental health issue in Baltimore City is our inability to acknowledge that we have suffered historical and contemporary trauma,” stated Rowe. “Humiliation and demonization and dehumanization has caused us to respond to each other in not the most loving, caring and optimal way. Without this understanding and acknowledgement, we are at

each other, we are harming each other, we are ignoring the needs of our children and our youth, and we are not taking care of one another in a manner that I think we must and that we should.” Keeping the community a priority is always on BMHA’s to-do list. They help the community heal with their Salwa Bona community conversation circles, a youth alliance program, their annual youth summit and a series of trainings that are available to both clinicians and the community. Brown noted that the organization is going to continue to have these events throughout 2024, but they also have plans to launch some new initiatives. “We’re really working to launch a national campaign around health and wholeness and healing. We are working to launch a healing tour. We haven’t decided whether that’s going to start on HBCU campuses or not but that’s part of our work,” Brown explained. “One of the other things that will happen this year is the release of a Black paper and the paper will examine the mental health of Black people in Baltimore. We’ll come from a historical context, and we’ll talk about systemic racism– not only how did we get here, but what’s the call to action to get us out?” See more on afro.com

January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024 The Afro-American

Why does Iowa launch the presidential campaign? By Will Weissert and Steve Peoples The Associated Press Iowa assumed its position as the state that votes first for a presidential nominee more than 50 years ago. But it’s 1972 caucuses didn’t feel very historic. Two folding tables at state Democratic Party headquarters were enough to accommodate all staff and media present. No television cameras rolled. Results from around the state trickled in on two phone lines because the party didn’t want to pay for a third. Just one person, a then-25-year-old anti-Vietnam War activist who helped engineer the Iowa caucuses, did the counting. “I did borrow a memory calculator to speed up the process,” recalled Richard Bender, now 78, with a laugh. “That was state of the art.” “We did not have any clue how big this was going to get,” he said. So big that the Iowa caucuses became an entrenched part of U.S. politics and launched some unexpected candidates toward the White House. But when Iowa’s Republican caucuses started the 2024 election race on Jan. 15, the way voters go about choosing the two major parties’ nominees looked different. The order in which states vote has changed. So have some of the rules. It’s a sign of our tumultuous politics, and also how the two front-runners — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump — have moved party levers to give themselves an advantage, at times sowing chaos and confusion.

The way that presidential nominees are selected has changed significantly over the years — and hasn’t always involved the will of the voters. For decades during the 1900s the process was dominated by state and local party bosses, giving rise to the notion of the “smoke-filled room,” where top leaders were said to huddle secretly to determine their presidential candidate. That legend began with the Republican convention of 1920, when party leaders met secretly in a three-room suite at the stilloperating Blackstone Hotel in Chicago and Warren G. Harding emerged as the party’s surprise presidential nominee. The party machine model continued until the bloody 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, when police clashed with street protesters including students opposing the Vietnam War. Democrats later said the chaotic scenes contributed to Republican Richard Nixon’s subsequent victory. As a result, the party created a commission seeking to empower women, minority voters and young people in selecting their presidential nominee. The post-1968 Democratic reforms had a lasting effect on Iowa. New party rules required more time to pass between the state party’s four tiers of conventions, which ranged from local to statewide. That forced Iowa’s Democratic leaders to start the process earlier in the calendar. When it became clear Iowa’s caucuses could move ahead

AP Photo

In 1976, Iowa propels former Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter, the little-known one-time peanut farmer.

AP Photo

Ron DeSantis completes his 2024 Iowa campaign by visiting all of the state’s 99 counties. of New Hampshire — where the primary had kicked off presidential voting for decades — officials jumped at the chance. “We finagled a little bit,” Bender recalled. In January of that year, the corn-producing state tucked within America’s heartland

in which states vote matters so greatly. It’s also why candidates for years have spent so much time in Iowa, from stopping at the state fair to chat up voters while working the storied pork chop grill to talking policy at swanky GOP dinners or tiny town halls deep in corn country.

“Primary voters in later states pay attention to what happened in early states and they react to what they learn.” hosted the Democratic Party’s opening presidential contest for the first time. Republicans followed four years later. Voters today weigh in on who should be the major parties’ general election candidates through a series of contests held over the first half of the year. Candidates accumulate delegates — those people who will formally select the nominee at the parties’ national conventions this summer — based on state-level performance, using complex rules that vary by party and place. Officially, neither party will have a nominee until a candidate wins the number of delegates needed at the convention to clinch the nomination. Besides the delegate race, how a candidate performs early on is critical to gaining campaign momentum and media attention. That’s why the order

“Primary voters in later states pay attention to what happened in early states and they react to what they learn,” said David Redlawsk, a University of Delaware professor and coauthor of a book about the Iowa caucuses. This year, Iowa again held the first Republican contest. But Biden last year directed the Democratic National Committee to shake up the party’s primary calendar to start in South Carolina, which used to follow Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. South Carolina, where the population is 26 percent Black, has a primary electorate that’s much more representative of the Democratic Party’s diverse coalition than Iowa and New Hampshire, two of the Whitest states in the nation. The state also is safer political terrain for Biden, who struggled badly in Iowa and New Hampshire

in 2020 before a victory in South Carolina resurrected his campaign. The DNC also voted to put Nevada on the same day as New Hampshire, followed by Georgia and Michigan — other more diverse states — next after South Carolina, which votes Feb 3. But Georgia Republicans refused to move their state’s primary date and New Hampshire opted to push ahead with its primary on Jan. 23 anyway. Biden won’t be on the ballot, but could still win as a write-in candidate. Iowa Democrats went ahead with voting on the same day as Republicans,but they did so by mail and say results won’t be publicly announced until March, so they comply with party rules letting the other states go earlier. Biden, 81, is expected to win the Democratic nomination. The president faces token opposition from Minnesota Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips and progressive author Marianne Williamson. Meanwhile, Republicans have continued to open with Iowa. Trump, 77, is Republicans’ overwhelming favorite, though he faces several significant GOP challengers, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, 45, and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, 51. He also has been indicted multiple times, and a trial for one criminal case could begin in the middle of the primary campaign. While their campaign strategies have varied, the GOP candidates know one of the keys to winning over Iowa voters is

spending time in person courting them and embracing some of the state’s political traditions. But winning — or losing — in Iowa isn’t everything. In the earliest contests, candidates are really playing an expectations game. In the 1976 caucuses, Carter finished second to those who chose not to commit to any candidate — but it was far better than expected and served to lift his campaign. In 1992, Bill Clinton finished fourth in Iowa but notched a stronger-thanexpected second-place New Hampshire finish, declaring himself the “Comeback Kid.” Trump lost Iowa in 2016 to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, but then dominated in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. This year, GOP voters will gather in local schools or other community sites for hours to be part of caucuses, which are party-run events conducted by local officials and volunteers. Voting is open only to registered Republicans. Those who show up — typically a fraction of the state’s eligible voters — hear from representatives of the campaigns before making their selections. Trump was hoping for a commanding win in Iowa so he looks unstoppable going forward. Now that he’s been successful, Iowa can claim to once again hold a central role in U.S. politics, and in how the nation chooses a president. This article was originally published by the Associated Press.

AP Photo

In 2008, Iowa gives Illinois Sen. Barack Obama his first win over Hillary Clinton, one of the most storied names in Democratic politics.

Maryland General Assembly begins 2024 legislative session By Tashi McQueen AFRO Political Writer tmcqueen@afro.com The much anticipated 2024 Maryland General Assembly commenced on Jan. 10. Though the first day is largely ceremonial, hundreds of pieces of legislation have already been filed and assigned to committees. The 90-day session will feature policies aiming to reduce gun violence trauma, protect youth and hold them accountable for their actions and ensure legislators are executing their roles to the fullest. “As we’re focused on addressing the issues around juvenile crime. I think that we have to be thoughtful on how we do it,” said Del. Marlon Amprey (D-Md.-40). “I’m looking forward to figuring out how we can hold [youth] accountable, but at the same time, taking care of our young people holistically.” Amprey pre-filed HB 121, which aims to limit the number of police training facilities near hospitals, school buildings, state correctional facilities and juvenile locations. “Training locations are

next door to the prisons. When you are walking around in the yard on the premises, you can hear gunfire throughout the day,” said Amprey. “If they’re really trying to become better people and leave that life behind, hearing gunfire throughout the day is not going to help them.” “We can’t fix it overnight, and we’ll have to find those kinds of spaces somewhere else or move it indoors, but it’s going to cost money, and we don’t have a lot of money right now,” continued Amprey. “I think the ultimate fix is what can we do around firing range times to make sure those who are incarcerated either have earmuffs or they’re not outside. I’m up for any solution, but I know for a fact we cannot have repetitive gunfire around our prisons. That is just not humane, in my opinion.” The first hearing on this legislation will be held on Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. in the Maryland House Appropriations Committee. Amprey also plans to re-introduce his artistic expression bill, which aims to prohibit creative work such as

Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor

As the 2024 Maryland General Assembly kicks off, State Del. Marlon Amprey (D-Md.-40), State Del. Regina T. Boyce (D-Md.-43A) and State Sen. Jill P. Carter (D-Md.-41) discuss some of their pre-filed legislation this session. rap music from being used in criminal cases in Maryland. “The Judiciary Committee had a heavy plate last session, and I think that our bill just wasn’t a priority at the time. This year, they have a little bit of a lighter load as far as major bills,” said Amprey. “We’re looking forward to continuing to press on that matter and collect more people that have more information around how it truly impacts the state of Maryland.” Del. Regina T. Boyce (D-Md.-43A) will re-file

legislation, HB 80, which she has been trying to get passed for the last five years. “[It dictates] that an elected official cannot also be an elected central committee member,” said Boyce. “There’s no need for an elected official to be an organizing member of a party when the committee essentially works on behalf of a candidate from each party.” Boyce said central committees are organizing bodies that help candidates aligned with a political party, such as Republicans and

Democrats, garner votes and fundraise for their campaigns. “As an elected official, there’s no reason for me to be on the committee. When it comes to organizing, doing the work, I’m not going to be available because I’m doing the work of being a delegate or a council member,” said Boyce. This legislation will be heard on Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. in the Maryland House Ways and Means Committee. Sen. Jill P. Carter (DMd.-41) will re-introduce the NyKayla Strawder Memorial Act, SB 2. NyKayla Strawder was a 15-year-old girl who was shot and killed by a nineyear-old in Baltimore in 2022. Due to the juvenile justice reform law, the nine-year-old could not be charged with the crime. His grandmother, April Gaskins, has since been found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison for reckless endangerment and one year for firearm access by a minor, according to the state’s attorney office.Attorney Baltimore City. “After talking to the family and other people at

the Department of Juvenile Services, it is my belief that we need to mandate that [there is] some type of evaluation and assessment of that nineyear-old,” said Carter. Currently, a Child in Need of Supervision (CINS) can be filed when an intake officer suspects a child needs guidance, but it’s not required. Carter aims to change this with her legislation. “If a child commits a violent or a felonious act and they are not eligible for prosecution because they’re too young, then it would mandate that a CINS petition would automatically be filed,” said Carter. Carter sponsored the Juvenile Justice Reform Act in 2022. This legislation has been assigned to the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee but has not been given a hearing date yet. Marylanders can keep up with what‘s happening in the general assembly, including bills introduced and hearing dates at mgaleg.maryland.gov. Tashi McQueen is a Report For America Corps member.

C4 The Afro-American January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024

For More Information Please call the number above LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM1425 ABRAHAM BETHEA Name of Decedent KEITH A. ANDERSON 4700 BLAINE STREET, N.E. WASHNGTON, D.C. 20019 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs CHERYL B. GARDNER, whose address is 22309 GOSHEN SCHOOL RD., GAITHERSBURG, MD. 20882, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ABRAHAM BETHEA, who died on MARCH 17, 2014 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 5, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 5, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 5, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM1410 CHRISTINE CODY Name of Decedent KATELYN E. HOLBROOK ESQ. 4800 MONTGOMERY LN. STE 600 BETHESDA MD 20814 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs JEFFREY D. KATZ, whose address is 4800 MONTGOMERY LN STE 600 BETHESDA MD 20814, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of CHRISTINE CODY, who died on OCTOBER 23, 2022 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 5, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 5, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 5, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001426 ROSEMARY SONJA LOWERY Name of Decedent WASHINGTON DC 20006 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs KAYLA RODRIGUEZ SKEETE, whose address is 6841 MILLTOWN COURT, DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD 20747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ROSEMARY SONJA LOWERY, who died on MAY 11, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 5, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 5, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 5, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

CHERYL B. GARDNER Personal Representative

JEFFREY D.KATZ Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/05, 1/12, 1/19/24

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001442 AVON DECARLOS SHELL SR. Name of Decedent WASHINGTON DC 20006 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs BARBARA ANN SIMMONS SHELL, whose address is 625 HAMLIN ST NE #3 WDC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of AVON DECARLOS SHELL SR., who died on DECEMBER 7, 2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 5, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 5, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 5, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers BARBARA ANN SIMMONS SHELL Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/05, 1/12, 1/19/24

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/05, 1/12, 1/19/24

KAYLA RODRIGUEZ SKEETE Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/05, 1/12, 1/19/24

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001467 LEONARD L. LONG JR. Name of Decedent ELIZABETH V. NOEL ESQ. 10770 COLUMBIA PIKE- SUITE 250 SILVER SPRING MD 20901 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs LETICIA LONG, whose address is 2327 BRANCH AVE SE, WASHINGTON DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LEONARD L. LONG, JR., who died on SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 5, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 5, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 5, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001096 WEBSTER ALPHONSO COBB Name of Decedent H. ALEXANDRA P.C. COBB ESQ. FRIEDMAN, FRAMME, & THRUSH 10461 MILL RUN CIRCLE, STE #550 OWINGS MILLS MARYLAND 21117 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs JAMES BERNARD COBB JR., whose address is 11403 MARY CATHERINE DRIVE, CLINTON MD 20735, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WEBSTER ALPHONSO COBB, who died on MARCH 24, 2020 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 5, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 5, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 5, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

LETICIA LONG Personal Representative

JAMES BERNARD COBB JR. Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/05, 1/12, 1/19/24

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001412 ALPHIE R. WILLIAMS Name of Decedent DENIS C. MITCHELL STEIN MITCHELL BEATO & MISSNER LLP 2000 K STREET, N.W SUITE 600 WASHINGTON DC 20006 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs JOHNICA WILLIAMS, whose address is 3407 WHEELER ROAD, S.E. WASHINGTON D.C. 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ALPHIE R. WILLIAMS, who died on AUGUST 29, 2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 5, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 5, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 5, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001440 BAHAI PAUL-BAHA Name of Decedent TIMOTHY J. SESSING 12850 MIDDLEBROOK ROAD, SUITE 308 GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND 20874 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs OMAR CATOE, whose address is 6010 BIRKDALE VALLEY DRIVE APT 228, CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA 28277, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BAHAI PAUL-BAHA, who died on SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 5, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 5, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 5, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001399 SARA HAGOS Name of Decedent WASHINGTON DC 20006 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs ABIGAIL HAGOS, whose address is 4211 ARKANSAS AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of SARA HAGOS, who died on OCTOBER 21, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 5, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 5, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 5, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

JOHNICA WILLIAMS Personal Representative

OMAR CATOE Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/05, 1/12, 1/19/24

ABIGAIL HAGOS Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/05, 1/12, 1/19/24

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001483 EKONG ESSIEN AKA EKONG OKON ESSIEN Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs NOEL OKON, whose address is 3 GLEN BURNIE DRIVE SICKLERVILLE NJ 08081 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of EKONG ESSIEN AKA EKONG OKON ESSIEN who died on NOVEMBER 17, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 12, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 12, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 12, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers NOEL OKON Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/12, 1/19, 1/26/24

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM1448 JEANETTE C. SIMMS Name of Decedent THOMAS H. QUEEN ESQ, 7961 EASTERN AVENUE SUITE 304 SILVER SPRING, MD 20910 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs THERESA M. GARZA, whose address is 1517 K STREET, SE, WASHINGTON, DC 20003 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JEANETTE C. SIMMS who died on AUGUST 9, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 12, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 12, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 12, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

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Effective immediately, The Afro AmericanNewspapers will require prepayment for publication of all legal notices. Payment will be accepted in the form of checks, 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.

THERESA M. GARZA Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/12, 1/19, 1/26/24

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM1487 MARCELLA GREEN Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs JAMAAL GREEN, whose address is 1911 ROSEMARY HILL DRIVE, UNIT R1, SILVER SPRING MD 20910 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARCELLA GREEN who died on AUGUST 10, 2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 12, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 12, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 12, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers JAMAAL GREEN Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/12, 1/19, 1/26/24

Washington Classified Continued on C5

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uled on or after January 25, 2024 at 10:30 AM in City Hall; 100 N. Holliday Street, Room 215, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Please visit llb.baltimorecity.gov under the link for &quot;Hearing Schedules&quot; for confirmation of the date, time, and place for all matters being heard by the Board.

January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024 The Afro-American C5

1. CLASS “A” BEER, WINE &amp; LIQUOR LICENSE Applicant: MBG Liquors, LLC T/a Perry’s Liquors - Manroop Sandhu Petition: Transfer of ownership Premises: 2550 Edmondson Avenue 21223 Applicant: Mesi, Inc. T/a Fox Liquor - Brian Ward Knight and Daniel Tadesse Petition: Transfer of ownership Premises: 1301-03 N. Fulton Avenue 21217

2. CLASS “B” BEER, WINE &amp; LIQUOR LICENSE Applicant: 2105 Eastern Avenue Realty, LLC T/a Trade Name Pending Kristian Spannhake and Jesse Vann Petition: New restaurant license requesting outdoor table service Premises:advertisements. 2105 Eastern Avenue 21231 Payment Policy for legal notice Applicant: HTMD, LLC T/a Broadway Diner - Loukas Renieris and Pete Effective immediately, The Afro American Newspapers will require prepayment for publication of all legal notices Payment will be accepted Koroneos in the form of checks, credit card or money order. Any returned checks will be Transfer subject toofaownership $25.00 processing fee and may result in the Petition: suspension of any future advertising at our discretion. Premises: 6501 Eastern Avenue 21224 Applicant: Palance Roti Shop &amp; Bar, LLC T/a Trade Name Pending - Sean Andre Stephen, Gregory Miles Smith, LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES and LaRon Robertson Petition: Amended – Transfer of ownership BOARD OF LIQUOR LICENSE COMMISSIONERS FOR BALTIMORE Premises: 2031 E. Fairmount Avenue 21231 CITY Applicant: Semam, LLC T/a Dukem Restaurant - Joseph Zewdie and Abiot Gebremariam NOTICE – JANUARY 2024 Petition: Transfer of ownership Premises: 1100 Maryland Avenue 21201 Petitions have been filed by the following applicants for licenses to sell Applicant: Slutty Vegan, Inc. T/a Slutty Vegan - Jason Crain, Angel Gale alcoholic beverages at the premises set opposite their respective names. Barnwell, and Michelle Andrea Cole The real property for these applications will be posted on or about January Petition: New restaurant license requesting live entertainment, outdoor 15, 2024. Written protests concerning any application will be accepted table service, off-premises catering, and until and including the time of the hearing. Public hearings may be sched- delivery of alcoholic beverages uled on or after January 25, 2024 at 10:30 AM in City Hall; 100 N. Holliday Premises: 301 Mission Boulevard 21230 Street, Room 215, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Please visit llb.baltimorecity.gov under the link for &quot;Hearing Schedules&quot; for confirmation 3. CLASS “BD7” BEER, WINE &amp; LIQUOR LICENSE of the date, time, and place for all matters being heard by the Board. Applicant: El Pueblito Restaurant &amp; Bar, LLC T/a El Pueblito Restaurant &amp; Bar - Carlos Amilcar Ramirez Rivera and 1. CLASS “A” BEER, WINE &amp; LIQUOR LICENSE Janet Beth Bonilla Diaz Applicant: MBG Liquors, LLC T/a Perry’s Liquors - Manroop Sandhu Petition: Transfer of ownership requesting live entertainment and delivPetition: Transfer of ownership ery of alcoholic beverages Premises: 2550 Edmondson Avenue 21223 Premises: 3311 Annapolis Road 21230 Applicant: Mesi, Inc. T/a Fox Liquor - Brian Ward Knight and Daniel Applicant: R &amp; G Traders, Inc. T/a Joe’s Tavern - Rajwant Singh Tadesse Petition: Transfer of ownership Petition: Transfer of ownership Premises: 1006-08 Dundalk Avenue 21224 Premises: 1301-03 N. Fulton Avenue 21217 Applicant: NMP North, LLC T/a Robbie’s Nest - Mamata Ranjitkar and Broderick Leon Graham 2. CLASS “B” BEER, WINE &amp; LIQUOR LICENSE Petition: Amended – Transfer of ownership requesting delivery of alcoApplicant: 2105 Eastern Avenue Realty, LLC T/a Trade Name Pending - holic beverages Kristian Spannhake and Jesse Vann Premises: 2250 E. North Avenue 21213 Petition: New restaurant license requesting outdoor table service Applicant: W.T.J., Inc. T/a Walt’s Inn - Ronald G Legler, Jr. and Andrew Premises: 2105 Eastern Avenue 21231 M. Springer Applicant: HTMD, LLC T/a Broadway Diner - Loukas Renieris and Pete Petition: Transfer of ownership with continuation of live entertainment Koroneos Premises: 3201 O’Donnell Street 21224 Petition: Transfer of ownership Applicant: Flock Restaurant Group, LLC T/a 1415 Washington BoulePremises: 6501 Eastern Avenue 21224 vard - Alexander Aaron and Benjamin Aaron Applicant: Palance Roti Shop &amp; Bar, LLC T/a Trade Name Pending Petition: Amended – Transfer of ownership requesting off-premises ca- Sean Andre Stephen, Gregory Miles Smith, tering and delivery of alcoholic beverages and LaRon Robertson Premises: 1415 Washington Boulevard 21230 Petition: Amended – Transfer of ownership Premises: 2031 E. Fairmount Avenue 21231 Applicant: Semam, LLC T/a Dukem Restaurant - Joseph Zewdie and Abiot Gebremariam Petition: Transfer of ownership Premises: 1100 Maryland Avenue 21201 Applicant: Slutty Vegan, Inc. T/a Slutty Vegan - Jason Crain, Angel Gale Barnwell, and Michelle Andrea Cole Petition: New restaurant license requesting live entertainment, outdoor table service, off-premises catering, and delivery of alcoholic beverages Premises: 301 Mission Boulevard 21230

For More Information Please call the number above LEGAL NOTICES HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BALTIMORE CITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS HABC STAFFING STRUCTURE ASSESSMENT RFP NUMBER: B-2000-24 The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (“HABC”) is seeking proposals from interested and qualified firms to assess the staffing structure of HABC’s Central Office and Developments to determine the right sizing needed to meet the organizations established business objectives Specifically, the assessment shall be focused on best practices to achieve maximum productivity. PROPOSALS WILL BE DUE no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, February 16, 2024 A non-mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., which will be scheduled as a virtual meeting. The RFP may be obtained on or after Monday, January 22, 2024, at the following location: Housing Authority of Baltimore City Division of Fiscal Operations, Procurement Department 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 414 Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Attention: Patrick Sullivan, Senior Buyer Tel: 443-984-1963 patrick.sullivan@habc.org Questions regarding the RFP should be directed in writing to the address and individual indicated above and must include the reference: HABC RFP Number B-2000-24.

Washington Classified Continued from C4

of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 12, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

CHALMERS H. KNIGHT Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/12, 1/19, 1/26/24

of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 19, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

SABRINA SHORTS Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/19, 1/26, 2/2/24

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001500 ALEASE C FIELDS Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs CYD CHERISE FIELDS AND LEON FEILDS JR , whose addresses are 435 PEABODY ST NW WDC 20011; 4308 4TH STREET, NW WASHINGTON DC 2011 were appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ALEASE C FIELDS who died on OCTOBER 25, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 19, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 19, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 19, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001553 DORIS VANCILLIA ROBINSON Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs LARRY C. MONROE AND MAURICE MONROE , whose addresses are 16901 DERRY COURT, UPPER MARLBORO MD, 20772; 12330 CRAIN HIGHWAY, BRANDYWINE, MD. 20613 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of DORIS VANCILLIA ROBINSON who died on MAY 18, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 19, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 19, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 19, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

CYD CHERISE FIELDS LEON FIELDS JR. Personal Representative

LARRY C. MONROE MAURICE MONROE Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/19, 1/26, 2/2/24

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001475 ELLEN M. BROWN Name of Decedent FRAZER WALTON, JR. 1913 D STREET, N.E. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20002 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs JUDITH E. BROWN , whose address is 742 HILLTOP TERRACE, S.E., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20019 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of ELLEN M. BROWN who died on JUNE 19, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 19, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 19, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 19, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001558 LEROY GARFIELD CLARK Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs JETTIE M BROWN , whose address is 2811 WINTERBOURNE DRIVE UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20774 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LEROY GARFIELD CLARK who died on SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 19, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 19, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 19, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

JUDITH E. BROWN Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/19, 1/26, 2/2/24 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001561 EDWARD ANGELO GRAY Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs DAVID H. JOHNSON , whose address is 11807 EARNSHAW COURT, BRANDYWINE, MD 20613 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of EDWARD ANGELO GRAY who died on JANUARY 1, 2020 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 19, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 19, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 19, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers DAVID H. JOHNSON Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/19, 1/26, 2/2/24

JETTIE M BROWN Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/19, 1/26, 2/2/24

Washington Classified Continued on C6

•Your History •Your •Your Community •Your News

LEGAL NOTICES

afro.com

LEGAL NOTICES

3. CLASS “BD7” BEER, WINE &amp; LIQUOR LICENSE Applicant:SUPERIOR El Pueblito Restaurant PueblitoCOURT OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE &amp; Bar, LLC T/a El Restaurant &amp; BarOF - Carlos Amilcar Ramirez Rivera and DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DISTRICT COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION PROBATE Janet Beth Bonilla Diaz DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. ADMINISTRATION of ownershipNO. requesting live entertainment and delivPetition: Transfer 2023ADM001533 2023ADM001493 ery of alcoholic beverages BEVERLY J. SHORTS WILBERT SPENCER KNIGHT Premises: 3311 Annapolis Road 21230 Name of Decedent Name of Decedent Applicant: RNotice &amp;ofGAppointment, Traders, Inc. T/a Joe’s Tavern - Rajwant Notice Singh of Appointment, Petition: Transfer of ownership Notice to Creditors Notice to Creditors Premises:and 1006-08 Avenue and Notice to Unknown Heirs Notice Dundalk to Unknown Heirs21224 SABRINA Ranjitkar SHORTS , whose CHALMERS KNIGHT, address is 3292Nest AL- - Mamata Applicant: H. NMP North,whose LLC T/a Robbie’s and address is 71 BRYANT ST. PINE DRIVE ANNGraham ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48108 was ap- NW WASH, DC 20001 was appointed Personal RepreBroderick Leon sentative of the estate of BEVERLY J. SHORTS who pointed Personal Representative theownership estate of WILPetition: Amended – Transferof of requesting delivery of alcoBERT SPENCER KNIGHT who died on NOVEMBER died on NOVEMBER 14, 2023 without a Will and will holic beverages 17, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and 2250 E. North Premises: supervision. All unknown heirsAvenue and heirs21213 whose where- heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their Applicant: W.T.J., Inc. Walt’s - RonaldInG Legler, Jr. and Andrew appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, apabouts are unknown shallT/a enter theirInn appearance M. Springer this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall pointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washingbe filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 ofBuilding Petition: Transfer of ownership with continuation live entertainment 5th Street, N.W., Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, ton, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 19, 2024. Claims Premises: 32013rd O’Donnell Street 21224 against the decedent shall be presented to the underon or before JULY 2024. Claims againstLLC the deceFlock12, Restaurant Group, T/a 1415 Washington BouleApplicant: dent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy signed with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with vard - Alexander Aaron and Benjamin Aaron to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on Petition: – Transfer of before ownership requesting off-premises ca-or be forever barred. Persons or before JULY 19, 2024 with a copyAmended to the undersigned, on or JULY 12, tering delivery of alcoholic beverages 2024 orand be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do Premises: Washington Boulevard 21230 or legatees of1415 the decedent who do not receive a copy not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days

C6 The Afro-American January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024

# Church fights to keep libraries from becoming detention centers

By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware Word In Black A student who misbehaves in Houston, Texas, might find himself in the library — or what used to be the library. Nowadays, students looking for reading resources from a library would find no librarian, only a few books, and the space occupied by students who are in trouble. They might find what used to be the library is now an inschool detention center. This is the situation that has captured the attention of the social justice ministry of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston. “With all of the challenges that face Brown and Black children, their education should not be subjected to these sorts of roadblocks,” the Rev. Dr. Angela Ravin-Anderson, head of the ministry, tells Word In Black.

She says their first instinct was to put a stop to the detention libraries as soon as possible. “So we began a writing campaign to make our voices heard, to let the powers-that-be know they don’t know what they’re doing. We went to the school board meeting and presented close to two thousand letters we’d collected at church.” Ravin-Anderson says there was such an outpouring of support at the church that they’ve now started a second campaign. “We know how critical it is for children to be on point with reading by third grade, so we were very concerned.” Rev. Ravin-Anderson says books would be in the library, although the librarians would not be there. “How do you associate something fun with someplace you

“How do you associate something fun with someplace you go when you’re in trouble? The libraries were reconfigured into detention centers.” go when you’re in trouble? The libraries were reconfigured into detention centers.” Houston neighbor Sandra Thomas initially thought it might be

Unsplash/Redd F on Unsplash

Houston’s Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church is rallying the community to keep a place of learning and fun from becoming a space for punishment. a good idea when she heard about it, but that soon changed. “It was presented to me as a way to keep children in school, where they’d be safe, rather than send them home because they misbehaved,” Thomas says. “But when I realized it meant the librarians were losing their jobs and the children would be left to their own devices for help with their reading, that was an entirely different story.” She says it was a real shock to

the entire community. Wheeler Avenue’s outrage is equally shared by the Houston branch of the NAACP. “Nelson Mandela stated that the clearest depiction of a nation’s character is seen in how it treats its children. That needs to sink in deeply because what we are witnessing presently in HISD are actions towards our children that are beyond egregious,” said NAACP Houston President Dr. James Dixon, according to the

Houston Defender. “The thought of closing and repurposing libraries in schools is not only insulting, but it’s also repulsive,” Dixon said. “It reveals a measure of disrespect and disregard for our children’s need to have access to the best and most functional libraries and schools available. And that includes professional staff.” This article was originally published by Word In Black.

Washington Classified Continued from C5

We are proud to present a reprint of the AFRO book “This is Our War,” from seven AFRO war correspondents!

The war continued for Black soldiers when they returned home from WWII, and this war still rages today. “This is Our War” not only preserves our history but lives on as a testament to the ongoing pursuit of justice.

$30/copy includes s/h Scan above or call 410-554-8200 for your copy today

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM1548 MARY FRANCES ROBINSON AKA M. F. ROBINSON AKA MARY ROBINSON Name of Decedent HORACE LEE BRADSHAW JR. 1644 6TH ST NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs SHIRLEY ROBINSON , whose address is 2007 HAYDEN RD, HYATTSVILLE MD, 20782 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARY FRANCES ROBINSON AKA M. F. ROBINSON AKA MARY ROBINSON who died on OCTOBER 23, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 19, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 19, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 19, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM001510 YVONNE G. DEWS Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs DARRELL WARD DEWS , whose address is 2960 VADEN DRIVE, UNIT 317, FAIRFAX, VA 22031 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of YVONNE G. DEWS who died on AUGUST 29, 2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before JULY 19, 2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before JULY 19, 2024 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: JANUARY 19, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers

SHIRLEY ROBINSON Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/19, 1/26, 2/2/24

DARRELL WARD DEWS Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/19, 1/26, 2/2/24

January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024 The Afro-American

Commentary

BALTIMORE-AREA

Baltimore County residents do not want any new taxes or fees

Billy Murphy makes one million dollar donation to Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law at University of Maryland

Legislators should listen to the people who say “Read my lips; no new taxes.” The poor and the plummeting middle class are financially burdened enough because of the lackluster economy without having additional taxes that lower their standard of living.

According to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation reached the highest levels since 1981 — putting everyday necessities like food, fuel and rent out of reach for many. And like most economic downturns, including the Great Recession and the pandemic, Black communities are disproportionately impacted. This

Courtesy photo

This week Baltimore County NAACP President Ryan Coleman speaks on the impact of increased taxes on residents.

Continued on D2

Mayor Brandon M. Scott touts crime reduction strategies and continued safety measures in 2024

By Tashi McQueen AFRO Political Writer tmcqueen@afro.com

By Ryan Coleman

“At some point, local and state legislators’ actions must mirror their desire to help the working class and middle class.”

Courtesy photos

William H. “Billy” Murphy Jr. is investing in the future of civil rights lawyers from around the country with his one million dollar investment into the Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law at the Francis King Carey School of Law, located at the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus. By Mekhi Abbott Special to the AFRO William H. “Billy” Murphy Jr. has invested $1 million dollars into the Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law, housed within the Francis King Carey School of Law at the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus. The school of law announced the new center in Fall 2023, with a goal of improving the lives of those affected by historical, systemic and current racial oppression. Murphy, a Carey Law alum, said he took the initiative to help advance the center’s mission. “My goals for Black people now align with what the University of Maryland is about to do. I have known Larry [Gibson] since 1959. When the university decided to open the center and do it in the name of – among others– Larry Gibson, that was music to my ears,” said Murphy. Larry Gibson is a professor and legal historian who has written “one of the definitive biographies of Thurgood Marshall,” the law school’s website says. Murphy has long been a champion for justice and Black empowerment. He quickly grew to prominence as a criminal defense lawyer in Maryland in his early years practicing law. “I now have a vehicle for donating money that will have a legacy value for years to come. And it will advance the cause of justice for Blacks, Browns, women and others who have been mistreated because of their status or their color or nationality,” Murphy said. “The center is going to focus mainly on getting Black people to become full-fledged citizens in this country for the first time,” said Murphy, when asked why it was important for him to make this donation. The Gibson-Banks Center for Race and the Law is named after the University of Maryland’s first Black male and female tenured professors, Larry Gibson and Taunya Lovell Banks. “Larry Gibson became a member of the faculty in the ‘70s and has a distinguished reputation as a professor at the university. He has taught about every Black graduate who came out of the university. He taught evidence and criminal procedure and he has taught civil procedure. That man has been the chief historian of Black lawyers in the United States,” said Murphy. Carey Law professor and faculty director Michael Pinard reiterated the sentiment shown to Gibson and Banks, while also

adding some insight on their legacy and impact to the school of law. Pinard said that Larry Gibson and Taunya Lovell Banks “devoted their careers and advocacy to addressing racial and intersectional oppression,” adding that “no other name would be appropriate,” for the law center. In honor of the Gibson-Banks Center launch, Pinard penned a letter for what the center will achieve in the proceeding years. Pinard also shared that the students will see the importance of the center as the law school “deepens their commitment to addressing racial oppression.” Carey Law school dean Renee McDonald Hutchins extended much praise to Murphy for his donation. “Billy Murphy’s gift was an absolutely transformative gift. One of the things we have said all along is that we want to make sure that the center is adequately funded at an endowment level so the good work of the center will continue no matter who is sitting in leadership chairs and Billy Murphy’s gift absolutely accomplishes that.” Carey is one of the most diverse law schools in the nation, according to data showing that 39 percent of the 2023 incoming class are students of color. Hutchins said that the center will be hiring student fellows and allowing law students to train in an area focused on civil rights law, which in her opinion is “absolutely central to the future of American democracy.” The center has already hired its first fellow and the Gibson-Banks Center is hitting the ground running. Last November, the center co-sponsored Professor Matiangai Sirleaf’s book launch and it will continue to roll forward with events after that, according to Hutchins. When asked what the future of the center looks like in the next 20 years or so, Hutchins painted a picture of philanthropy and progress. “Maryland Carey Law is already a thought leader in the state and in the nation. I would love to see the center lean into that legacy and become a thought leader on questions of race and democracy in America. I would love to see the center be the go to voice when we are wrestling with hard issues in this country and say, ‘Here’s a path forward. Here are some things that we need to consider and here are some things we need to investigate.’” Hutchins ended by adding that Murphy is a “remarkable representation of the high quality attorney that the law school produces.” She added that Carey is very thankful for Murphy’s donation and proud of his success, as someone who has been practicing law for over five decades.

Mayor Brandon M. Scott, alongside legislators and public safety officials, reflected on the city’s public safety strategies, accomplishments and shortcomings from 2023 and shared the city’s plans for 2024. “When I took office, Baltimore was grappling with high rates of violence that have crippled our city for nearly a decade,” said Scott to the press on Jan. 3. “I set the goal of achieving a 15 percent reduction in homicides. While it took us more than a year to achieve that initial goal, we are finally seeing those efforts paying off and saving lives.” Scott said there was a 20 percent reduction in homicides and a 6.8 percent decrease in non-fatal shootings in 2023. This is the first time Baltimore City has ended the year with less than 300 homicides since 2014, but still, he acknowledged that one death is too many. “None of us that you see here today are ready to celebrate. We are ready to push this work even further,” said Scott. “We still lost 263 Baltimoreans to violence and that is unacceptable.’’ There have been five homicides in the new year, according to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD). Scott acknowledged the collaborative work of community organizations and local, state and federal agencies that helped decrease the number of homicides and non-fatal shootings in 2023. Scott highlighted youth violence and illegal guns as significant issues the city must continue to address in the new year. “Guns continue to flow from outside of Baltimore into the hands of young people and other individuals who are using them to deal death and destruction on our streets and in our neighborhoods,” said Scott.

Continued on D2

Baltimore lands on New York Times’ ‘52 Places to Go This Year’ list By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com The New York Times just dubbed Baltimore one of the top places to visit this year as part of its “52 Places to Go” in 2024 list. It joined destinations like Paris, France; Maui, Hawaii; Hurghada, Egypt; and Vienna, Austria. Freelance travel writer Daniel Scheffler penned the excerpt on Baltimore, highlighting the up-andcoming Baltimore Peninsula neighborhood and the ongoing

transformation of the historic Henry Highland Garnet School into the Justice Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center. “After all the years of work the city has done with so many cheerleaders, from John Waters, to the mayor and the governor, to people like the Empanada Lady, the team from Pendry Hotel and poet Unique Mical, it’s in good hands to get all the international and national attention it deserves,” Scheffler told the AFRO. Scheffler was born in Africa but grew up all over Europe. He first visited Charm City a couple years ago for an interview with

“For far too long, we have let naysayers and people who do not understand Baltimore drive our narrative as to what makes a city a great place to live, work and visit.”

“To me Baltimore is one of the most interesting and wonderful places I have been on the planet and, thus, I return as often as possible,” said Scheffler. “Some may say this isn’t my story to tell, but I am grateful to have a platform to share Baltimore and my own love for it. The city’s done the work, I am merely telling people about it.” Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore,

said he and his team were thrilled about Baltimore being added to the list. “It’s no secret that Baltimore is having a major moment—our arts, culture, medical and tech industries are huge assets in our city’s appeal as a cultural destination. Visitors repeatedly comment on our ease of access, walkability, beautiful waterfront, diversity in people,

Continued on D2

Photo courtesy of Visit Baltimore.

Al Hutchinson serves as the president and CEO of Visit Baltimore, the city’s tourism center. His team was elated to hear Baltimore was chosen for The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go This Year” list. Baltimore native and American filmmaker John Waters. While walking the streets of the city, he fell in love with its uniqueness.

Even having traveled to 130 countries and thousands of cities, Scheffler said Baltimore has a special ingredient that can’t be found anywhere else.

Past 7 Days

2024 Total Data as of January 17

The Afro-American January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024

Baltimore County

Mayor Brandon Scott

means that Black households are now spending more of their post-tax income on necessities like food and energy, according to a new Bank of America report cited by Business Insider. Baltimore County residents’ purchasing power is down, because it is costing consumers more money to buy the same products they bought a year ago. Black residents have to fight to get quality stores, high quality education, and good customer service. On top of this we have to deal with the following taxes/ fee increases:

“We must continue on the path of progress and build on the groundwork we laid. Continue to remove illegal guns from our streets by going after straw purchases and gun trafficking in addition to going after locations that continue to sell guns to people that they know are going to end up on the streets of Baltimore.” According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), straw purchasing is when a person buys a gun for someone who is prohibited from owning one or for someone who does not want their name affiliated with the firearm. Straw purchasing is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Continued from D1

1. Maryland’s tax on gasoline increased from 42.7 cents to 47 cents per gallon. The tax on diesel increased from 43.5 cents to 47.5 cents per gallon. The Transportation Infrastructure Act of 2013 indexed the state’s tax on diesel fuel and gasoline to the consumer price index. Prior to this, the tax was static and could be altered only through legislation. 2. The Baltimore County Plastic Bag law requires retailers to charge five cents for paper bags. Whether we call it a tax or fee, it simply removes money from the working class and middle class pockets. 3. The Public Service Commision approved BGE’s rate hike. The approved rates will result in average year-one bill increases of $4.08 a month for residential electric customers and $10.43 per month for residential gas customers in 2024. In 2025 and 2026 your BGE rates will increase to 68 cents a month for electric and $5.60 a month for gas.

Analysts project the state will have to deal with a structural gap of $322 million in the coming legislative session. Projections show the gap continuing to grow in fiscal 2026 and 2027 to $376 million and $436 million respectively. By fiscal 2028, the gap would grow to nearly $1.8 billion followed by a nearly $2.1 billion deficit the following year. Lawmakers have three options to deal with the projected gaps between expected spending and projected revenues. The first is to reduce spending to sustainable levels. The second is to spend down the state’s socalled rainy-day fund. The final option would be to increase revenues through taxes and fees. The poor and middle class can’t stomach any new fees or taxes. Today, I write to the powers that be:

Continued from D1

Baltimore City recently filed a lawsuit against ATF for denying their Freedom of Information Act request, which would have allowed them information on the top ten “crime gun” sources in Baltimore City from 2018 to 2022. Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said BPD took over 2,900 guns off the streets of Baltimore in 2023. “We continue to work with many of our law enforcement partners and target those perpetuating violence in our city while focusing on limited resources to reach a greater epidemic of gun violence in our city,” said Worley. Worley spoke on the limited

number of BPD officers, approximately 2,000, and how they will persevere despite the challenge. “Even if we hired 500 cops a day, we’re not going to see any residual effect of it for all of 2024,” said Worley. “We’re going to continue to do what we did in 2023 with the people we have now. I’d like to have the cops, but they’re not coming anytime soon, and we will continue to adjust and do the best job we can with what we have.” Stefanie Mavronis, interim director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), said MONSE plans to expand the Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) to the Central District. Mavronis said GVRS is in year three of its five-year plan. “We will scale the

Dear Gov. Moore and State Legislators in Annapolis, Please, do not raise taxes or fees on the working poor and middle class. These fees and taxes lower the quality of life of all Marylanders– especially Black residents. At some point local and state legislators’ actions must mirror their desire to help the working class and middle class. At some point, legislators must hold the line on fees and taxes. This will allow all residents a high quality of life, especially Black Marylanders.

promising outcomes of the Group Violence Reduction Strategy beyond the Western and Southwestern Districts,” said Mavronis. “It’s directly playing a role in driving down overall violence. We engage the individuals we know are the most at risk of gun violence and offer them another way.”

Ryan Coleman can be reached at randallstownnaacp@ gmail.com

The opinion in this articlr are not necessarily those of the AFRO.

Send letters to The Afro-American ∙ 233 E. Redwood Street, Suite 600G Baltimore, MD 21202 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

“When I took office, Baltimore was grappling with high rates of violence that have crippled our city for nearly a decade. I set the goal of achieving a 15 percent reduction in homicides. While it took us more than a year to achieve that initial goal, we are finally seeing those efforts paying off and saving lives.”

Photo courtesy of Office of the Mayor Baltimore City/J.J. McQueen

Mayor Brandon M. Scott says Baltimore City officials will double down on 2023 public safety efforts, which he says helped the City of Baltimore end with a 20 percent reduction in homicides.

Tashi McQueen is a Report For America Corps member.

AFRO inside look: Legislators discuss top agenda items for 2024 Maryland General Assembly By Tashi McQueen AFRO Political Writer tmcqueen@afro.com The 2024 Maryland General Assembly began on Jan. 10. As youth violence and the projected budget deficit stand as top priorities, this year demands more from Gov. Wes Moore (D) and Maryland’s new legislators. Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott recently shared his priorities for this year’s legislative session.

in Leadership Development (BUILD) and Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC). During this session, securing that funding will be a top priority. “We want the state of Maryland to allow us to keep some of our local sales taxes here in Baltimore so that we can do two things: pull down a billion dollars in order to help with our vacant problem and give every homeowner in Baltimore $1,000 off their property taxes,” said Scott to the press on Jan. 3.

“We’re going to figure this out, but we’re going to figure this out making sure that our budget reflects our priorities and the people that have been marginalized for decades, that have been historically disinvested, will be represented in a product that we put forward. “ Scott said he’ll be working to secure $900 million in state funding over the next 15 years for a joint vacant housing eradication initiative with Baltimoreans United

His other legislative priorities include permitting the city to remove unregistered vehicles from the streets of Baltimore, impound vehicles of “repeat offenders” of red-light cameras

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arts and culture and our amazing up-and-coming dining scene,” said Hutchinson. “As Governor [Wes] Moore so often says, it’s Maryland’s decade, but it’s Baltimore’s time.” He expressed that Baltimore’s critics have unduly steered the city’s narrative without having a grasp of its merits. He thinks everyone should be proud of Baltimore for what he considered a momentous accomplishment. “For far too long, we have let naysayers and people who do not understand Baltimore drive our narrative as to what makes a city a great place to live, work and visit,” said Hutchinson. “The Baltimore we know and love is a palace where innovative ideas and ambition are the currency that matters most, where art is seen as a catalyst for conversation, food as a means of connection and history as an opportunity for education.” Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

AFRO Photo/ Tashi McQueen

As the 2024 Maryland General Assembly session kicks off, the AFRO highlights the top priorities for this session. and automated speed and amendments to Youth Data Hub legislation to allow the mayor’s office and other city agencies to receive unrestricted data about youth to help them protect Baltimore’s juveniles. Youth crime laws are a bigticket item for 2024, not only for Baltimore but across the state. According to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, state juvenile complaints have risen from 7,100 in the 2021 fiscal year to 12,363 complaints last year. In Nov. 2023, the Maryland Republicans called for legislators to make crime a top priority in 2024. Republicans called on Democrats to join them in tightening penalties for particular crimes and rolling back specific laws, such as the Child Interrogation Protection Act, which prevents officers from interrogating children until they receive counsel from an attorney. Many have sought the governor’s specific plans

on youth violence concerns throughout the state, but he has yet to announce those plans. The projected $761 million structural deficit for the 2025 fiscal year is a top focus for this session, as the Moore administration has proposed some cuts to transportation projects, citing the need to balance the budget. The Brooklyn Homes mass shooting, which resulted in two deaths and 30 injured, drew attention to Baltimore youth’s safety and what’s being done to ensure juveniles who commit crimes are held accountable. Scott will push for legislation addressing the youth-related crime issues in Baltimore. “For years, you hear me talk about going on homicide scenes and finding people dead with ankle bracelets on. The largest mass shooting in the history of the city, one of the folks arrested had an ankle bracelet on,” said Scott. “Residents in Baltimore and, quite frankly, across the

state of Maryland, think that if someone is on home monitoring or GPS monitoring, the moment they step out of where they’re supposed to be, the local government, law enforcement can [do] something immediately. No we can’t, and that needs to change.” Scott is suggesting a bill to speed up the process of notifying authorities that a person on ankle monitoring has left their designated area. The Maryland Department of Transportation plans to cut $1 billion from its operating budget, $2 billion from its capital budget and approximately $400 million in grants to local governments. The agency will implement the cuts over the next six years as proposed. Sen. Cory McCray (D-Md.45) says he won’t back the proposed budget as written. “The $3.3 billion cut to the state of Maryland is detrimental, but especially to the city of Baltimore. It removes hundreds

of millions of dollars starting with our Highway User Revenue but also MTA cuts. In order for those cuts to be accepted, the legislature would have to approve it,” said McCray. “I know that I would be one, even if I’m by myself, not moving in that direction at this moment.” McCray is hopeful that negotiations will take place that would mean a win for Baltimore. “We’re going to figure this out, but we’re going to figure this out making sure that our budget reflects our priorities and the people that have been marginalized for decades, that have been historically disinvested, will be represented in a product that we put forward,” said McCray. The governor has until Jan. 17 to finalize and introduce his proposed budget for fiscal year 2025. Tashi McQueen is a Report For America corps member.

The Afro-American Afro-American January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024 The

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Meet Chelsea Brown, the new president of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com

“I want everyone to feel a sense of equity when they join the chamber, and I want them to feel heard.”

The Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce recently named Chelsea Brown president. Brown brings more than seven years of experience in philanthropy, fundraising, grant-making and community-building to the new role. Brown said she took the position because she fell in love with the mission of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, which is to serve as an engine for business and economic development that promotes its members’ and Baltimore’s core value propositions. “My goal is to give everyone in Baltimore the opportunity to see themselves as part of this Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce community. I want everyone to feel a sense of equity when they join the chamber, and I want them to feel heard,” said Brown. “I want to provide the resources they need to grow and provide impact here in Baltimore City.” Hailing from Columbia, S.C., Brown has lived in Baltimore for eight years. She is the founder of The Black Mill, a consulting firm that supplies nonprofits and businesses with community engagement plans, fundraising strategies, partnership building and philanthropic advising. The AFRO recently sat down with Brown to learn more about her vision for her new role. The responses below have been edited for length and clarity. Q: As president of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, what are some of your responsibilities? A: It involves a lot of strategy and operations, from dayto-day management of our contractors and team members to ensuring that we’re bringing in new members. I also uplift the work of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce and ensure that we put on events and programming that allow folks to learn more about our work and how it can benefit their businesses. In addition to that, I work closely with the Chamber Foundation, our new entity that creates entry-level programming for entrepreneurs throughout the city. Our principles are focused on collaboration and inclusivity. We focus on that through fostering innovation, supporting a thriving entrepreneurial landscape and propelling the growth of our member organizations. We do this with panel discussions, workshops and initiatives that support the ecosystem of Baltimore City entrepreneurs. Q: What are some of your most pressing goals in this new role?

A: Through the chamber and through the chamber foundation, we are generating specific programming for Black-owned businesses. We’re also working to capture data on the current landscape of Black-owned businesses that are a part of membership so that we can provide them with the resources they need. Our chamber foundation focuses on inclusivity at a more aggressive level, and we are creating programming for folks who run businesses but may not have an official LLC. We want to get them licensed so they’re able to make legit money and find ways to thrive in this community. Q: What sort of benefits do members of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce receive, and how can interested businesses become members?

Photo courtesy of Chelsea Brown

Chelsea Brown serves as the president of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce. The Columbia, S.C. native was named to the role in December 2023.

A: My biggest goal is to increase our membership. I believe that we have a good amount of members. But, I’m thinking about how we can strategically design ways to find new businesses in Baltimore City to support and become part of our network. Increasing our community engagement is another goal. We’re always looking for opportunities to collaborate with our member organizations, as well as nonprofits throughout the city. We want to support an entrepreneurial landscape from the small business owner to the large corporation, and we want to do it in a way that’s inclusive as far as age group, race, ethnicity, gender and level of business acumen. Q: How is the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce supporting Baltimore’s Black entrepreneurs?

A: Members have the opportunity to get discounted or free access to all of our networking events. They also have discounted access to our signature events, like our golf tournament and holiday gala. They can also use our online membership directory, so they can connect and collaborate with others. Through our partnerships with other organizations, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, our members are granted discounted or free access to their networking opportunities and events as well. If folks are interested in becoming members, they can go to www.baltimorecitychamber.org and click on “join the chamber.” Or, they can email us at info@ baltimorecitychamber.org, and we’d be happy to direct them. Q: Are there any upcoming events for entrepreneurs to learn more? A: We have our new year networking happy hour happening on Jan. 17 at the True Chesapeake Oyster Co. Folks can network and learn more about the chamber while enjoying some oysters and drinks. They can also meet me and our board members. You can also follow us on social media for updates on future events. Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member.

D4 The Afro-American January 20, 2024 - January 26, 2024

Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with wreath laying ceremony By AFRO Staff

he Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (LBCM) commemorated the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Banneker- Douglass Museum in Annapolis, Md. on Jan. 15, the day the civil rights leader was born in 1929. Led by Chanel Johnson, executive director of the museum, the event included remarks from Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-Md.-20), who currently serves as LBCM chairwoman, and Dr. Edwin T. Johnson, chair of the Maryland Commission on African American history and Culture.

Shown here, the plaque that sits at the base of a tree near the Maryland State House, planted 40 years ago in honor of Dr. King.

Members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (LBCM) celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Annapolis, Md. on Jan. 15, at the Banneker- Douglass Museum.

“The highlight was the largest Black caucus in the U.S. marching and singing from the Banneker-Douglass Museum to the state capital to lay the wreath at the MLK tree that was planted 40 years ago,” Haki Ammi, LBCM parliamentarian board member, told the AFRO. With former Sen. Larry Young leading the way, activists, community members and legislators, convened at a memorial tree to honor King. They were joined by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the first Black man to lead the state. Once the wreath was placed, Sen. Anthony C. Muse (D-Md.-26) delivered a closing prayer as snow softly fell on each bowed head.

Photos by Randy Opong

Del. Kent Roberson (D-Md.-25) speaks to those gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and former Sen. Larry Young march to the memorial tree from the BannekerDouglass Museum.

Those present heard a call to action from Del. Melissa Wells (D- Md.-20) and Del. Kym Taylor (D-Md.-23), who implored those gathered to become activists in their own way. Together, the two legislators encouraged audience members to partner with an organization working to push their communities forward or volunteer where possible to make change. Del. Jamila Woods (D-Md.26) and Del. Jeffrie Long Jr (D-Md.-27B) then lent their musical talents to the occasion. Still there was more to come.

LBCM Executive Director Ufuoma O. Agarin prepares to help lay a wreath at the tree planted in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Annapolis, Md.

Sen. Antonio Hayes (D-Md.-40) shares a moment with Prince George’s County Councilwoman Wanika Fisher (D-Md.-02) and Jheanelle Wilkins, LBCM chairwoman.

Billie Holiday Center for Liberation Arts (BHCLA) kicks off 2024 programming with spotlight on Black culture

BHCLA founder and director, Lawrence Jackson, Ph.D, speaks to those gathered on Jan. 12 to celebrate the beauty and impact of jazz.

BHCLA Artist-in-Residence Jamal Moore performs for the crowd.

Former WEAA radio host and deejay, “Doc” Manning, participates in a roundtable discussion, organized by the Billie Holiday Center for Liberation Arts (BHCLA) at Johns Hopkins University. Photos by Stephen Hopkins

By AFRO Staff

Designer Jody Davis makes an appearance at the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center for a roundtable discussion and the “Birth of Baltimore Jazz” archival exhibit.

embers of the Billie Holiday Center for Liberation Arts (BHCLA) at Johns Hopkins University began 2024 with a roundtable discussion and performance on Jan. 12. The event took place at the Eubie Blake National Jazz Center in Baltimore, located at 847. N. Howard St., and served an offering of the Helena Hicks Speaker Series. BHCLA Artist-in-Residence Jamal Moore, spoke during the roundtable and performed for the audience, which also enjoyed an archival exhibit, “Birth of Baltimore Jazz” and a catered reception.

Michele Blu (left) enjoys an evening of Black culture at the Eubie Blake Center along with musician, Bashi Rose.

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