leaders are rallying in support of Vice President
National Convention, held Aug. 19- 22 in Chicago, Maryland leaders such as Gov.
U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08) (right) were proud to show unwavering support for Harris.
Maryland leaders shine at 2024 Democratic National Convention
Kamala Harris officially accepts nomination for president
By Tashi McQueen
Staff Writer
Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepted the Democratic nomination for president on Aug. 20, the second day of the Democratic National Convention, which took place from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22 in Chicago. Day two of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) featured a ceremonial roll call and enough Maryland pride to
go around to all states and territories.
“State by state, [presenters] rose to announce the votes they would cast to nominate the next Democratic presidential nominee,” said former Baltimore City Mayor Catherine Pugh, who reported happenings to the AFRO editorial department from Chicago. “Maryland, like most states, did it with great enthusiasm. Gov. Wes Moore (D) led the Maryland delegation in announcing the 10 votes
for Kamala Harris.”
Moore stood with his wife, Dawn Moore, and other Marylanders as he made the Aug. 20 announcement.
“We are Maryland and we represent Marylanders–past and present–who have contributed to America’s greatness. We are the birthplace of Harriet Tubman. We are the birthplace of Thurgood Marshall. We are the birthplace of Frederick Douglas,” said Moore,
as he announced the electoral votes cast from his area. “We are the place where soldiers defended our freedoms in Baltimore and also in Antietam… the home of thousands of veterans who call Maryland ‘home.’ This community of patriots is proud to cast our votes for the next president of the United States- Kamala Harris.”
The convention attracted other prominent Marylanders, such as Baltimore City Mayor Brandon
Michelle, Barack bring down the house at the DNC
By Aswad Walker Houston Defender
M. Scott, Chairman of Maryland’s Democratic Party Ken Ulman, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and more.
“I have always been inspired by women like my grandmother. Women who imagine a better future and then have the grit to make it a reality,” said Alsobrooks, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. “One of those women is a friend, a mentor and a role model. high.”
“His limited and narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people who also happened to be Black,” Michelle Obama said of Trump.
“America, hope is making a comeback…”
Warning of a difficult fight ahead, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama called on the nation to embrace Kamala Harris on Aug. 20 in urgent messages to the Democratic National Convention that were at times both hopeful and ominous.
“America, hope is making a comeback,” the former first lady declared. She then tore into Republican Donald Trump, a sharp shift from the 2016 convention speech in which she told her party, “When they go low, we go
Barack Obama, the first Black president in U.S. history, insisted the nation is ready to elect Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian heritage and would be the nation’s first female president. He also called Trump “a 78-year-old
Former President
20 in Chicago.
How will Project 2025 impact Black America?
By Joseph Williams Word In Black
Project 2025, the farreaching Republican Party plan to demolish and radically remake the federal government under a Trump presidency, has gotten a lot of attention lately, and not necessarily in a good way.
President Joe Biden warns it’s a threat to democracy.
Former President Donald Trump says he had nothing to do with it, even though members of his administration helped write it. Actress Taraji P. Henson sounded the alarm while hosting the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards last month, urging viewers to “look it up! Project 2025 is not a game!” What’s been missing in
the conversation so far about Project 2025 — which calls for eliminating the Department of Education, replacing career civil servants with political appointees, ending affirmative action in government hiring and virtually eliminating access to abortion, among other sweeping changes — is what it would mean for Black America. To answer that question, Word In Black took a look at Project 2025’s potential effect on five issues important to Black communities: education, healthcare, the environment, criminal justice and faith. While some proposals are explicit, others are unclear and likely would face significant, insurmountable barriers. But it’s likely that Trump would use much of it as a roadmapContinued on A3
Maryland
Kamala Harris (second from right) as she officially runs for president on the 2024 Democratic ticket. During the Democratic
Wes Moore (D) (far left), Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (second from left), and
AP Photo/Brynn Anderson
Barack Obama appears with former first lady Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention on Aug.
AP Photo/Paul Sancya
AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough.
AP Photo/Paul Sancya
AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
WHAT’S TRENDING ON AFRO.COM
Biden signs proclamation to preserve site of 1908 Springfield Race Riot
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
On the 116th anniversary of the Springfield Race Riot, President Joe Biden signed a proclamation establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument in Springfield, Ill. The new monument will preserve 1.57 acres of federal land and highlight a significant but painful moment in American history, when a White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, leading to the lynching of two Black men and widespread destruction of homes and businesses.
“Our history is not just about the past; it’s about our present and our future,” Biden said during the announcement. “The Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument will help us remember an unspeakable attack on the Black community and honor the Americans who came together in its aftermath to help deliver on the promise of civil rights.”
The Springfield 1908 Race Riot was a violent response by a White mob to allegations against two Black men, Joe James and George Richardson, held in the Sangamon County Jail. The mob’s demands for their release escalated into widespread violence after the men were moved to another location for their safety.
Throughout the weekend of Aug. 14-16, 1908, two Black men, Scott Burton and William Donnegan, were lynched, and dozens of Blackowned and Jewish-owned businesses were looted and destroyed.
The riot, which occurred just blocks away from President Abraham Lincoln’s home, shocked the nation and led to the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Civil rights leaders such as Ida B. WellsBarnett, W.E.B. Du Bois and Mary Church Terrell played pivotal roles in establishing the NAACP, an organization that has been instrumental in the fight for civil rights in the United States.
NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson attended the event at the White House on Aug. 16, where President Biden
President Joe Biden is joined by civil rights leaders, community members and elected officials on Aug. 16 as he signs a proclamation to preserve and honor the site of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.
in the Oval Office, including the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association of the Black Press of America.
The designation marks Biden’s 11th use of the Antiquities Act, following the establishment of the Emmett Till and Mamie TillMobley National Monument in 2023, created on the 82nd anniversary of Emmett Till’s birth. The White House announced that the National Park Service (NPS) will manage the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and include the charred foundations of five homes never rebuilt after the riot.
“Establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument is an important step in recognizing and remembering this painful but important moment in America’s history,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “The Springfield 1908 Race Riot was a horrific and significant part of our nation’s march toward equality and civil rights. As we work to tell America’s story—even when difficult— may this monument help us learn from the past in order to build a more just and equitable future.”
NPS Director Chuck Sams also applauded the new monument. “This national monument will provide current and future generations an opportunity to reflect on the tragic events but also to be inspired by the resilience of the Black community and national leaders that went on to fight for social change and civil rights in America,” Sams
Riot National Monument joins an extensive network of sites dedicated to commemorating civil rights history across the United States, including the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and the Brown v. Board National Historic Park. The NPS plans to collaborate with local communities to prepare for interpretation,
commemoration, and visitor experiences at the new site, which will eventually be part of the NPS’s African American Civil Rights Network.
White House officials said the new monument underscores the Biden-Harris
administration’s commitment to advancing civil rights and racial justice. Officials said it also builds on previous actions such as signing the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, establishing the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, and
making Juneteenth a federal holiday. With the president’s actions, the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument became part of the National Park System, which now includes 431 national park sites.
Jury convicts White Florida woman in fatal shooting of her Black neighbor
By Curt Anderson The Associated Press
A White Florida woman was convicted Aug. 16 of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Black neighbor after the jury rejected her claims that she fired through a metal door in self-defense amid an ongoing dispute over children playing outside her home.
The all-White jury in Ocala, Florida, found 60-year-old Susan Lorincz guilty after 2 1/2 hours of deliberation.
Lorincz faces up to 30 years in prison at sentencing. She had claimed self-defense when she fired a single shot with a .380-caliber handgun through her front door on June 2, 2023, killing 35-year-old Ajike “A.J.” Owens.
The confrontation was the latest in a dispute between the two neighbors over Owens’ children playing in a grassy area near both of their houses. Prosecutors said Owens had come to Lorincz’s home after her children complained that she had allegedly thrown
Pamela Dias (center) breaks into tears on Aug. 16 after a jury finds Susan Lorincz guilty of manslaughter for a June 2023 shooting. The incident claimed the life of Dias’ daughter, Ajike “A.J.” Owens.
annoyance at their boisterous play outside.
Lorincz told detectives in a videotaped interview that she feared for her life as Owens yelled and pounded on her door.
“I thought I was in imminent
Lorincz also said she had been harassed for most of the three years she lived in the
The victim’s family members broke down in tears after Lorincz left the courtroom with deputies. She showed no reaction or emotion when the verdict was announced.
Circuit Judge Robert W. Hodges did not immediately set a sentencing date but ordered a background report to
Anthony Thomas, an attorney for the Owens family, said they would push for the maximum 30-year prison term. Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, said she took some solace from the
“We’ve achieved some justice for Ajike. My heart is a little lighter,” Dias told reporters outside the courthouse. “This has been a long journey to get to this stage, to get to this verdict. I find some peace with State’s Attorney William Gladson, whose office prosecuted the case, said it was “a tragic reminder” of the
consequences of gun violence.
“The defendant’s choices have left four young children without their mother, a loss that will be felt for the rest of their lives,” Gladson said in a statement. “While today’s verdict can’t bring A.J. back, we hope it brings some measure of justice and peace to her family and friends.”
During closing arguments, prosecutor Rich Buxman had said there was no evidence
that Owens posed an imminent physical threat to Lorincz.
“It’s not a crime to bang on somebody’s door. It’s not a crime to yell,” Buxman told jurors. “There was no imminent danger whatsoever when she fired that gun.” A lawyer for Lorincz countered that she was frightened by Owens’ aggressive actions and was legally justified in firing her gun under Florida’s “stand your ground” law. An autopsy found Owens weighed about 290 pounds (130 kilograms), making her much larger as well as younger than Lorincz, and the two had previous confrontations.
“She can defend herself,” said Amanda Sizemore, an assistant public defender. “She had a split second to make a decision whether or not to fire her weapon.”
Lorincz did not testify but said in an interview with detectives that was played for jurors that she never intended to harm Owens. Still, in one 911 call, Lorincz told a dispatcher, “I’m just sick of these children.”
“She was not in fear. She was angry,” Buxman said. Owens’ family has expressed surprise no Black jurors were selected for the trial given the racially sensitive nature of the case. There were protests in the Black community when prosecutors took weeks to charge Lorincz with manslaughter, a lesser count than second-degree murder which carries a potential life prison sentence.
The county court clerk’s office said in an email that eight Black people were among the 70 in the initial jury pool. In contrast, 49 were White and 10 were listed as Hispanic, two as Asian and one as “other,” the clerk’s office said, based on records provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
AP Photo/ Doug Engle
A look at the destruction caused to the Black residential area by race riots in Springfield, Ill., 1908
Photo courtesy of the National Park Foundation
Susan Lorincz stands with no emotion after
AP Photo/ Doug Engle
Project 2025
for his second term.
Education While the document contains dozens of controversial proposals, arguably the biggest one is to shut down the Department of Education (ED), an institution created in 1867, not long after the end of the Civil War. The theory, according to the blueprint, is to eliminate red tape so that families will be “free to choose from a diverse set of school options and learning environments.”
But the plan also would wipe out the ED’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR), a sub-agency that enforces civil rights laws and investigates schools accused of engaging in discrimination. Although it’s been 70 years since the Supreme Court outlawed separate-but-equal education in public schools, OCR is not lacking for work: in 2023, it handled more than 19,000 complaints, roughly 1,000 more cases than in 2022.
“The total number of complaints has almost tripled since fiscal year 2009, and during this same period OCR’s number of full time equivalent (FTE) staff has decreased from 629 to 556,” according to the ED’s annual report.
Dismantling a cabinet-level agency that’s been around for 157 years and has more than 4,000 employees would probably be a very heavy lift for any administration. But other proposals in Project 2025 would be far easier to initiate: replacing Title I funds to struggling schools with block grants, allowing states to decide how to spend their share of federal tax dollars, expanding school-choice programs, using federal dollars to fund private schools, cutting “wasteful” school meal programs, swapping Pell grants for private loans while eliminating Biden’s student loan forgiveness program and curbing the teaching of race in schools.
Leaders shine
That woman is Kamala Harris.”
Ultimately, the plan essentially cripples the struggling public education system, which educates the bulk of Black students. It would make it harder to file a discrimination lawsuit. And fewer college-bound Black students — most of whom depend on the federal government to help pay tuition — would be able to pay for higher education.
Health
One of the project’s core objectives is to reduce the federal government’s involvement in healthcare. This means the incoming president could take a battleax to the agencies that run Medicare and Medicaid as well as affiliated offices that research treatments for insidious diseases and approve prescriptions, medical devices and personal products like cosmetics.
The main goal: fewer Black or low-income people will have healthcare. Black women, especially expectant mothers, will continue having the worst health outcomes, and the practice of medicine will become more politicized than ever.
Although the plan doesn’t explicitly call for a federal ban on abortion, it does list “abortion, reproductive health, reproductive rights” as terms the incoming president must delete from every federal government document to make “institutions of American civil society hard targets for woke culture warriors.” And it removes federal protections for members of the military and their families if they choose to terminate a pregnancy.
The guidebook argues that “the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) also pushes abortion as a form of ‘health care,’” and that the “US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) should…reverse its approval of chemical abortion drugs because the politicized approval process was illegal from the start.”
The plan also proposes restrictions that effectively criminalize abortion: besides increasing the prospect that abortion providers
Alsobrooks warned that each vote counts, and called up memories of ancestors who gave their sweat, blood and tears
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would face criminal penalties, it calls for the government to track miscarriages, stillbirths and abortions. It would also restrict access to Plan B contraceptives — even if insurance covers the drugs.
The standard GOP goal of reducing regulations is frequently mentioned and would decrease oversight of healthcare providers and insurers, pharmaceutical companies and major wrongdoers like the tobacco industry.
Project 2025 also proposes significant changes to Medicaid, including a work requirement, and making Medicare Advantage, currently the paid supplement to Medicare, the default option.
Criminal justice
Since it began garnering attention, the criminal justice-related headlines from Project 2025 have focused on its proposed politicization of the Justice Department, allowing Trump to salt the department with political appointees and order investigations of his political enemies.
But the blueprint also proposes a range of low-key reforms that would have a significant impact on Black communities.
It argues for the undoing of police reforms enacted in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, absolves police departments under federal oversight because of racial discrimination, calls for more draconian sentencing guidelines and puts federal district court prosecutors on very short leashes.
The justification, according to the report, is that a left-wing approach to law enforcement — including progressive prosecutors, lenient judges and hamstrung police — has led to a “catastrophic” rise in violent crime.
“In recent years, federal and state officials have succumbed to calls from anti-law enforcement advocates for so-called criminal justice reform,” according to Project 2025. “This campaign is not just ill-advised; it has had real-world consequences.”
In reality, crime has decreased substantially,
for the right to take part in the electoral process.
“This is our moment to leave Donald Trump where he belongs– in America’s past,” said Alsobrooks. “We stand with Kamala Harris because we, as a country, are not going back.”
Harris briefly acknowledged the results of the ceremonial role call via video on Aug. 20, as she participated in a rally in Milwaukee.
“We are so honored to be your nominees,” said Harris. “This is a people-powered campaign and together we will chart a new way forward. A future for freedom, opportunity, optimism and faith.”
President Joe Biden (D) officially handed the reins to Harris in his Aug. 19 speech at the DNC. Biden served as keynote speaker on day one of the conference.
“Are you ready to vote for freedom? Are you ready to vote
Michelle, Barack
billionaire who hasn’t stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago.”
“It’s been a constant stream of gripes and grievances that’s actually gotten worse now that he’s afraid of losing to Kamala,” he said.
Michelle Obama also addressed race directly as she jabbed Trump, referencing a comment he made in a June debate.
“Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs’?” she said. “It’s his same old con: doubling down on ugly, misogynistic, racist lies as a substitute for real ideas and solutions that will actually make people’s lives better.”
The fiery messages from two of the Democratic Party’s biggest stars underscored the moment’s urgency as Harris works to stitch together a broad coalition in her bid to defeat Trump this fall. The vice president draws on stars like the Obamas and other celebrities, officials from the far left to the middle, and even some Republicans to boost her campaign.
And while the theme of the night was “a bold vision for America’s future,” the disparate factions of Harris’ evolving coalition demonstrated, above all, that they are connected by a deep desire to prevent a second Trump presidency.
As Democrats addressed the nation from Chicago, Harris faced an estimated
nationwide, over the last four years. Police departments under federal supervision usually end up that way because an investigation has revealed long-standing patterns of misconduct. Unleashing those departments increases the likelihood that more Black people will end up like Floyd — dead at the hands of aggressive law enforcement with no federal consequences. And harsher prison sentences for federal offenders are likely to increase the overincarceration of Black men, a trend that not only harms Black families but also disrupts Black communities.
Faith
Like the priests who blew their horns in the Biblical battle of Jericho, Project 2025 is a clarion call for demolishing the Constitutional wall separating church and state. And it’s not good news for Black Americans.
The plan integrates “Judeo-Christian tradition, stretching back to Genesis,” directly and indirectly, into official government policies, from using taxpayer money to fund parochial schools — which would further undermine public schools — to pushing businesses to close on Sunday, a move experts say would damage the economy.
The project calls for dismantling same-sex marriage, erasing specialized lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) healthcare programs, sharply curbing the sale of abortion pills by mail or in person and criminalizing pornography. While it doesn’t explicitly ban abortion — the top goal of farright conservatives — it outlines policies to make the procedure as difficult as possible. It allows churches to retain tax-exempt status, even if they engage in racial discrimination or partisan political activity. And it reinstates the ban on Muslims immigrating to the U.S. See more on afro.com
This article was originally published by Word In Black.
for Democracy and America? Are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?” asked Biden at the top of his speech in Chicago. “Our best days are not behind us, they’re before us.”
Biden officially withdrew from the 2024 presidential election on July 21, putting his support behind Harris.
Much of the DNC was about pushing excitement for and confidence in a Harris-Walz ticket, and highlighting the need for voter turnout on Election Day 2024, set for Nov. 5.
Hillary Clinton (D), a former presidential candidate, encouraged all to fight for the election of Harris in November.
“No matter what the polls say, we can’t let up. We have to fight for Kamala as she will fight for us,” said Clinton. “Kamala carries with her the hopes of every child she protected, every family she helped [and] every community she served. As president, she will always have our backs.”
strength.”
15,000 people in battleground Wisconsin in the arena where Republicans held their convention last month. She said that she was running “a people-powered campaign.”
“Together we will chart a new way forward,” the vice president said in remarks that were partially broadcast to the DNC. “A future for freedom, opportunity, of optimism and faith.”
Still, it was not all serious on the second night of the four-day convention.
A symbolic roll call in which delegates from each state pledged their support for the Democratic nominee turned into a party atmosphere. A DJ played a mix of statespecific songs — and Atlanta native Lil Jon ran out during Georgia’s turn to his hit song with DJ Snake, “Turn Down for What,” to the delight of the thousands inside the cavernous United Center.
And various speakers offered personal stories about Harris, who has served as a California senator and vice president but remains largely unknown among many voters.
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, who would become the nation’s first gentleman if his wife wins the presidency, shared details about his relationship with the vice president — their cooking habits, their first date and her laugh, which is often mocked by Republican critics.
“You know that laugh. I love that laugh!” Emhoff said as the crowd cheered. Later, he added, “Her empathy is her
Trump, meanwhile, was out on the campaign trail as part of his weeklong swing-state tour during the Democratic convention. He went to Howell, Michigan, on Tuesday and stood aside sheriff’s deputies as he labeled Harris the “ringleader” of a “Marxist attack on law enforcement” across the country.
“Kamala Harris will deliver crime, chaos, destruction and death,” Trump said in one of many generalizations about an America under Harris.
Throughout their convention, Democrats have sought to balance a message of unity with an embrace of diversity.
Barack Obama’s speech Tuesday night made perhaps the most forceful case for that model as a logical step forward for a bitterly divided nation. In contrast to the party’s rhetoric in the recent past around race, Obama framed the Democrats’ approach as “a new way forward” for a modern society in contrast to a “divisive,” “old” and “tired” strategy of vision offered by the party’s chief opponent, Trump.
Barack Obama returned to the convention stage 20 years after making his first appearance at a national convention, a 2004 appearance in Boston that propelled him into the national spotlight ahead of his successful presidential run. And he praised President Joe Biden, who ended his reelection bid last month and endorsed Harris.
“History will remember Joe Biden as a president who defended democracy at
a moment of great danger,” Obama said Tuesday as the crowd chanted, “Thank you, Joe.” “I am proud to call him my president, but even prouder to call him my friend.” Harris, meanwhile, cast the election in dire, almost existential terms. She implored Americans not to get complacent in light of the Supreme Court decision carving out broad presidential immunity, a power she said Trump would abuse.
She has also seized on Trump’s opposition to a nationally guaranteed right to abortion.
“They seemingly don’t trust women,” she said of Trump and his Republican allies. “Well, we trust women.” The vice president’s speech in Milwaukee evoked some of the same themes that underlaid Biden’s case for reelection before he dropped out, casting Trump as a threat to democracy. Harris argued that Trump threatens the values and freedoms that Americans hold dear.
Trump said he would be a dictator only on his first day in office, a quip he later said was a joke, and has vowed as president to assert more control over federal prosecutions, an area of government that has traditionally been left to the Justice Department.
Someone with that record “should never again have the opportunity to stand behind the seal of the president of the United States,” Harris said. “Never again.”
This article was originally published by The Houston Defender.
COMMENTARY
Can VP Harris win over skeptical Black men voters?
By Joseph Williams
In Georgia four years ago, Stacey Abrams was well positioned to make history as the first Black woman in the U.S. to ever occupy a governor’s mansion. Running neck-andneck with Gov. Brian Kemp, a White Republican, heading into election day, Abrams had the Black vote largely behind her, and many believed it would power her to victory.
Political analysts and pundits, however, detected an Achilles’ heel: polls repeatedly showed her struggling to fully win over Black men, a constituency that most believed were politically aligned with her. Her outreach, though, came too late in her campaign and she lost to Kemp by 8 percentage points.
Now comes Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman of color to hold the office, and the parallels between her and Abrams are hard to miss. Like Abrams, Harris is a Democrat and well-positioned to win a tight, highly consequential election. Like Abrams, Harris has generated excitement and enthusiasm, particularly among Black women voters, who see themselves in her.
And, like Abrams, it’s unclear whether Black men — feeling politically frustrated, unempowered, and disillusioned to the point of skipping elections — will fully support a Black and South Asian woman presidential candidate, even if her run for the White House makes history.
Considering the question,
Mondale Robinson, founder of the Black Male Voting Project, told ABC News that Black men feel abandoned and ignored by both political parties, until the next election comes around. They vote, he says, but feel politicians have given them little in return.
“There’s no apathy in Black men. There’s a level of antipathy,” he said. “Antipathy is a whole different emotion. You hate what politics is and does because you’ve not seen the growth, or benefit of it. Black men are not better off because of politics.”
But data also suggests a strain of lingering sexism could have been a factor in Abrams’ struggles with Black men — and a potential pothole for Harris’s groundbreaking run.
A 2023 survey on gender attitudes by PerryUndem, a public attitudes research firm, found that 4 in 10 Black men don’t agree that the country would be better off with more women of color in elected office, 48 percent believe women are easily offended, and nearly half think society punishes men “for acting like men.”
Dr. Moya Bailey, a Northwestern University professor, told The New York Times that patriarchy is not unique to the Black population, but “the consequences are much higher” in what’s seen as a door-die race against Trump.
There are other troubling signs for Harris, including disparities when Black men do show up at the ballot box. According to the Pew Research
Courtesy photo
Joseph Williams is a veteran journalist, political analyst and essayist. This week, he discusses Vice President Kamala Harris’ run for president and the Black men who will have to support her if she is to win the race.
Center, Black women vote at higher rates than Black men, and are overwhelmingly more likely to choose the Democratic Party. In the 2020 presidential election, for example, 95 percent of Black women voted for Biden, while 13 percent of Black men voted for Donald Trump, Harris’s opponent.
To be clear: Black men still vote in large numbers, and, like most Black women, tend to vote for Democrats. While the differential between Black men and Black women may seem small, it could make a big difference in Harris’ race against Trump, an election most experts believe will be won or lost at the margins.
“As Kamala Harris inherits the presidential campaign of Joe Biden, she also inherits his sagging poll numbers with
working-class Black men,” Roger House, an American studies professor at Emerson College, wrote in an essay for The Hill. “The historic nature of Harris’s candidacy will be viewed by many Black male voters as cold comfort unless she finds a way to address their material and cultural concerns.”
Then there’s Harris’s past career as a prosecutor in California, a background that has Black men wary of her. Disinformation and misinformation have spread on social media that Harris contributed to the overincarceration of Black men, locking up tens of thousands of them. It’s an incorrect notion her campaign has tried to dispel.
man will vote for Harris but there are positive signs a majority know what’s at stake in November and plan to cast a ballot for her.
An analysis by The Marshall Project found Harris’s record is more nuanced: on the job, she advocated for progressive criminal-justice policies, including re-entry programs for the formerly incarcerated. Politically, however, she adopted a tough-on-crime stance when critics accused her of coddling criminals.
Of course, not every Black
The critical importance of Black men’s health
By Kenny Hampton
The health and well-being of Black men is a topic of paramount importance that demands our collective attention and action. Black men face significant health disparities that not only affect their individual lives but also have profound impacts on their families, communities and the broader society.
Addressing these disparities and promoting the health of Black men is not merely a matter of individual wellbeing; it is a crucial step toward fostering stronger, more resilient communities.
The health disparities faced by Black men are welldocumented. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black men have higher rates of chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease compared to their White counterparts. They are also more likely to die from these conditions.
Additionally, Black men experience higher rates of certain
cancers, including prostate and colorectal cancer, and have lower survival rates for these diseases.
These disparities are not solely due to genetic factors but are deeply rooted in social determinants of health, including access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, education and environmental factors.
One of the most striking health disparities is the significantly shorter life expectancy of Black men. On average, Black men live about six years less than White men. This gap is a stark reminder of the systemic inequities that continue to plague our healthcare system.
These inequities are compounded by factors such as racial bias in medical treatment, lack of access to preventive care, and socioeconomic challenges that limit opportunities for healthy lifestyles.
The impact of poor health on Black men extends beyond the individual to the entire community. When Black men are healthy and thriving, their families are stronger and more stable. Children benefit from having healthy, active fathers
and role models who can fully participate in their lives.
Healthy Black men contribute to the economic stability of their families and communities, as they are better able to work, provide, and participate in community activities.
Moreover, the health of Black men is inextricably linked to the overall health and well-being of the Black community. When Black men face significant health challenges, it places a strain on community resources and social structures. Healthcare costs rise, and the burden of care often falls on family members, who may themselves face health challenges and economic hardships.
By contrast, when Black men are healthy, they can contribute to community resilience, leadership and economic prosperity.
Promoting the health of Black men requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both individual and systemic factors. It begins with raising awareness about the importance of preventive care and encouraging regular health screenings.
Education and outreach efforts must be culturally
Give our children the right to read
By Zenobia Judd-Williams
Frederick Douglass
famously said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” Unfortunately, some Americans don’t want everyone to read. While the tactics may have changed since the 19th Century, there are still wellorganized efforts to take away the fundamental right of literacy from Black children.
A well-orchestrated campaign to ban specific books in schools has the potential to undermine the reading development of Black children. If this effort is successful, it will deprive our students of valuable
knowledge and undermine their interest in learning to read. Far too often, those proposing book bans target books by Black authors and about the Black experience.
As the leader of the Baltimore region of a national literacy organization, our model encourages tutors to pick books relevant to children’s lives. When students read about characters and experiences they identify with, they relate to the story and take away life lessons. They’re also more engaged when books reflect their cultures and tell their ancestors’ stories.
The PEN/Faulkner Foundation has documented
that 30 percent of books that are censored include characters of color and themes of race and racism - a number that is disproportionate given the farlower percentage of published children’s books overall that include primary characters of color.
Other organizations, such as the American Library Associations and the Southern Poverty Law Center, have identified books about Black history, such as picture books about the 1619 Project and The Tulsa Race Massacre, as common targets. The novels of Alice Walker and Toni Morrison are also often vilified as books to be banned.
tailored and accessible, addressing the unique needs and concerns of Black men. This includes dispelling myths and misconceptions about healthcare and promoting positive health behaviors.
Access to quality healthcare is another critical component.
This means not only increasing the availability of healthcare services in underserved communities but also ensuring that these services are culturally competent and responsive to the needs of Black men.
Healthcare providers must be trained to recognize and address implicit biases that can affect the quality of care. Policies that expand healthcare coverage and reduce economic barriers to accessing care are essential.
Community engagement and support are also vital. Black men need safe spaces where they can discuss their health concerns, share experiences, and receive support. Community organizations, faith-based groups, and social networks play a crucial role in providing this support and fostering a culture of health. Initiatives such as the
When asked about how students respond to culturally relevant materials, one Reading Partners tutor said, “I especially enjoyed seeing my student so amazed to see his heritage represented in the books that I found for him…. He wanted to know all about the author as well as wanting to read it over and over again. Representation really matters.”
The state legislature passed the Maryland Right to Read Act this spring. Outlawing censorship in public libraries is a step in the right direction and a beacon of hope for Maryland’s communities. But the next step is to ensure our students have the right to read great works by
Not long after Harris replaced Biden at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket, a virtual fundraiser called specifically for Black men drew 40,000 participants who poured more than $1 million into her campaign coffers.
“Sometimes as Black men we get confused as to what strength is, and sometimes we think that standing behind a Black woman as a leader does not display strength as Black men,” said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who spoke on the call.
“I’m here to tell you all tonight
African American Male Wellness Walk, which our agency proudly sponsors, create opportunities for Black men to come together, get active, and access health resources in a supportive and empowering environment.
At the African American Male Wellness Agency, we are dedicated to saving Black men’s lives and promoting their health through comprehensive programs and initiatives. Our mission is to eliminate health disparities and improve the quality of life for Black men. Through our annual Wellness Walks, health fairs, and community outreach events, we provide free health screenings, educational workshops, and resources to thousands of men. Our programs focus on prevention, early detection, and management of chronic diseases, as well as mental health support and wellness education.
We also advocate for policies that address the social determinants of health and promote equity. By partnering with healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations, we work to create systemic change that benefits not
Black authors and about great Black artists, inventors, and leaders like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. Our community has to stand guard. The book banners want to put up roadblocks to the reading development of our children and keep censoring the history and art of the Black experience in America.
We must be prepared to stop an organized effort to block books about Black experiences, which would rob our children of the opportunity to engage with books that would make them enthusiastic about reading and give them a rightful sense of belonging.
that it does the opposite of that: it displays strength.”
Mr. Raoul then cut to the point. “I’m standing behind a Black woman to be president of theUnited States, and it doesn’t make me any less of a Black man,” he said. “I’m asking all of you all to do the same.
For her part, Harris has personally reached out to groups and organizations that speak to Black men, held White House listening sessions with influential Black business leaders and pledged to earn their vote — not take it for granted.
This article was originally published by Word in Black.
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only Black men but also their families and communities. Our efforts are driven by the belief that when Black men are healthy, our entire community thrives. See more on afro.com
Kenny R. Hampton is president of the African American Male Wellness Agency, an organization dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of Black men through education, advocacy and community engagement. This week, he discusses the relationship between healthy communities and healthy Black men.
Courtesy photo
Zenobia Judd-Williams is the executive director of Reading Partners Baltimore. She has over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience across healthcare, housing, education and family investment sectors. This week, she speaks on book bans and the right to read.
Courtesy photo
Racial healing, from the inside out
By Renata Sago Word in Black
LaShanda Sugg says she is a soul hugger.
She does not give just a standard embrace. Sometimes, it is a spirited connection without physical touch; an invitation to laugh or yell or rest in response to a thought or happening. The contact is deep, ineffable, and what she believes is a way to repair centuries of damage Black people like herself have suffered from all the –isms — racism, sexism, classism, colorism.
“We as Black folk in this country often feel extremely — oh, the word was there — disenfranchised,” she says. “We are not seen as valuable, purposeful souls in human form and we’ve been treated terribly. If we can get into relationship with our nervous system, then the way that we have responded — the way we have had to respond, personally, intergenerationally, and ancestrally to the things that are happening in the world — then we can have more control over those responses.”
That relationship with one’s inner self is the central concept behind somatic abolitionism, a form of racial healing that Sugg practices and uses as a therapist.
Its origins are in an early 19th-century theory that unresolved trauma and emotions linger in the body and soul — the soma — causing imbalance if not properly addressed. In its modern application,
somatic abolitionism is straightforward: to fight racism, an individual must abolish it from their body first. That happens by eliminating White-body supremacy and racialized trauma. It is among several movements to raise individual and collective consciousness through cellular-level healing.
Somatic abolitionism “is essentially knowing and understanding that soma, the body, our nervous system, are all impacted by the life we live and what I call the ‘human flesh suit,’” says Sugg.
Her path to this work began in 2012, as Sugg’s long-term romantic relationship unraveled. In therapy, she soon realized her body had been carrying the weight of past traumas — some of which she had experienced first-hand, and others that had been passed down.
She was introduced to somatic abolitionism through a nine-month cohort with Resmaa Menakem, a leader in the movement, and Education for Racial Equity, a nonprofit devoted to communal healing. Through guided instruction, she developed the language and techniques to begin helping others, gaining a unique perspective along the way.
“The biggest observation I’ve made is the reality that at one point in time, our bodies were literally considered animals,” she says. “Our bodies were used for production. Now,
in a very similar way, but a somewhat disguised way, we’re not animals. We’re machines” connected wirelessly to our jobs, without much thought to the harm done to our bodies.
“We’re often disconnected from our bodies and feelings, and there’s been some emotions that have been ‘acceptable’” especially if you are Black,” Sugg says.
“Think about anger,” she continued. “When it’s in a male Black body or malepresenting black body, anger is acceptable and they’ve channeled it through force, but they didn’t capitalize off of it. But those same young black boys who are told ‘Man up, don’t cry,
become Black men,’ who are so disconnected from that experience.”
Individual and collective responses to stress, threat or danger vary for Black Americans and other ethnicities. However, Sugg observes five options: flocking, fleeing, fighting, freezing, and fawning.
The inclination to call a confidante after a stressful event is an example of flocking. Fleeing is to withdraw from connection after an incident.
“Sometimes it’s distraction: ‘I’m’a just scroll on social media.’ It’s mindless scrolling,” Sugg says. “You just are trying to get some distance from
the person, the situation, the event, the environment that’s causing stress, threat, and danger.”
Fighting is an aggressive response, taking shape in the form of physical movement; think demonstrations or uprisings. Freezing, she says, is feeling unable to take any action. Fawning is the opposite: helping a person or situation to the point of selfabandonment.
While the responses are neither good nor bad, “We do them all in some capacity in and out everyday,” Sugg says. “But most people don’t know this. So when something is happening in their life and they’re having a response, that response
is automated: It’s worked before, so they’re going to keep doing it, but it’s wreaking havoc on their relationships. They don’t like the impact of that response, but most people don’t know that they can work to change that.”
To process and release pent-up emotions, one must observe the body by embracing stillness and presence, then recognize breathing patterns and the body dealing with immediate stresses, Sugg says. The constant demands of capitalism, she says, results in many Black people to sleepwalk through daily life with disconnected, dysregulated nervous systems.
“There is a distinct lack of rest,” in part because of racial trauma, she says. Because of the Black liberation struggle, Sugg says, “rest is seen as weakness. I have had so many older Black people say throughout my life, ‘I’ll rest when I die.’ And it literally breaks my heart.”
She encourages building and cultivating a relationship with the nervous system at all ages, from infants to seniors.
“There is no time [or] age limit to this. Once we understand it, it just shifts how we engage with ourselves and others. That’s why healing can go frontward and backwards. It’s not just for us.”
This article was originally published by Word in Black.
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WASHINGTON-AREA
DC Circulator to shut down, union calls for transition plan
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 called out the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) on Aug. 12 for not moving to transition the DC Circulator into the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
“We’re disappointed that there is not a clear transition plan in place to take care of the workers and the bus operators, who could be facing layoffs, and the thousands of people who have come to rely on the Circulator bus service,” said Ben Lynn, a spokesperson for
“DDOT is working with WMATA and circulator contractor RATP Dev USA to highlight employment opportunities for circulator staff.”
ATU Local 689.
The union urged WMATA to absorb the Circulator into the Metrobus instead of terminating the service altogether.
“There is already a process in place,” said Lynn. “When WMATA first put together their bus service in the 1970s, they absorbed four private bus entities into one. It worked back then, it works now and it will work in the future.”
The mayor’s office declined to comment on this matter.
DDOT announced on July 29 that the DC Circulator would begin phasing out on Oct. 1 and services would completely shut down on Dec. 31. As of Aug. 12, the union had not received information from the mayor’s office or DDOT about a transition plan.
The phase-down includes terminating the RosslynDupont Circle route, ending
Mayor Bowser hosts back-to-school pep rally for D.C. educators
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com
As summer comes to a close and the new school year approaches, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee held a back-toschool pep rally for District educators on Aug. 19. The event preceded a week-long professional development series that D.C. teachers will participate in ahead of the start of school on Aug. 26.
The rally took place at Alice Deal Middle School in Ward 3, which was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education in 2019.
the kids who have come back to school and are coming back the fastest achievement wise are our students in D.C. Public Schools,” said Bowser. “That’s comparing to the region but it’s also comparing to our own schools in Washington D.C. We know that’s because we have the most highly-effective teaching core in the United States of America.”
According to a May report from EmpowerK12, an education consultant in D.C., District students in grades four to eight experienced academic gains equal to two additional months of learning in reading and one additional month in math than expected over the last year. These students would have been in grades kindergarten through fourth grade during the pandemic and most vulnerable to learning loss while schooling was virtual.
“We are ensuring that you continue to be one of the highest-paid groups of educators in the nation.”
“I want to thank you for your commitment to public education and to training, loving and challenging our young people in Washington, D.C. so that they can have a phenomenal school year but also a phenomenal future,” said Bowser. “We are just so grateful.”
“We spend all year making sure that our schools have their budget, that our buildings have what they need and that our young people are supported not just at school but with all of the agencies that serve kids and families throughout the year,” she continued.
Bowser’s budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 features a number of new investments in education. Some of the largest contributions include $2.2 billion to modernize 33 District schools, $349 million to the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF) and $255 million to upgrade the conditions of District school buildings.
During the rally, the mayor highlighted the recovery DCPS has made since the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to gaps in math and reading for students across the country.
“We’re very proud that if you look at this entire region,
However, their math and reading test scores are still not yet on par with pre-pandemic expectations.
At the rally, Ferebee noted that the District is sustaining efforts to increase educator pay. The latest data from the National Education Association (NEA) ranks D.C. fifth in average teacher salary at $84,882 and one in average teacher starting salary at $63,373.
“We are ensuring that you continue to be one of the highestpaid groups of educators in the nation,” said Ferebee. “We also want to continue to ensure that you are encouraged, inspired and that you are receiving the best professional learning experiences to guide the young Washingtonians who are attending school at Alice Deal Middle School.”
He also encouraged educators to take advantage of DCPS’ Inova Employee Assistance program. The benefit provides free counseling services and legal and financial assistance to teachers 24 hours a day year-round.
“Take care of yourself,” said Ferebee. “We know when you do that well, you are able to support our young people, our number one stakeholder, and that’s our students.”
MedStar Health Kids Mobile Medical Clinic to serve D.C. youth with free, accessible health care
By Mekhi Abbott Special to the AFRO mabbott@afro.com
Washington, D.C. residents in Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8 who are under the age of 21 will continue to have access to free and accessible health care via a new partnership between MedStar Health and Monumental Sports and Entertainment (MSE). Aimed at serving the children and adolescents of the District, the Kids Mobile Medical Clinic will continue to serve the community for at least the next five years through the financial backing of MSE founder and billionaire Ted Leonsis.
“They’re
there when you need them, they’re
on call, they even call to check in. They get you seen, they get you fixed up. They were there when I delivered my baby!”
The Kids Mobile Medical Clinic has been a mainstay in Southeast D.C. since 1992, serving approximately 800 patients a year and providing more than 1,600 screenings of social determinants that disproportionately affect Black and inner-city children such as food insecurity, income, education, community safety and more.
“The Mobile Clinic has been a part of my family for about 20 years,” said Markia Gilbert, a D.C. native. “They’re there when you need them, they’re on call, they even call to check in. They get you seen, they get you fixed up. They were there when
Feds arrest D.C. Council member Trayon White for allegedly accepting $156,000 in bribes
By D. Kevin McNeir
Special the AFRO
D.C. Ward 8 Council member Trayon White was arrested on federal bribery charges near his home in the Navy Yard area of Southeast D.C. on Aug. 18 White, 40, who was first elected to represent Ward 8 in 2016, won the Democratic primary for what would be his third term in June. The councilman faced a judge on Aug. 19. He has been accused of using his position to influence contracts. White allegedly agreed to pressure employees of the D.C. Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services to extend local contracts in exchange for multiple cash payouts. He currently serves as the chair of the Council’s Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs, which oversees several agencies including the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).
In a press release issued on August 19 from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia, the charges White
now faces were clearly detailed.
“White corruptly agreed to accept $156,000 in cash payments in exchange for using his position to extend several D.C. contracts. The contracts at issue were valued at $5.2 million and were for two companies to provide Violence Intervention services in D.C.,” according to the statement.
Authorities alleged that White made an agreement with the owner of the companies which included four $35,000 payments to White on June 26, July 17, July 25, and Aug. 9,
2024. Conversations about the deal were captured on video, according to the statement.
FBI officials said one of their informants, who agreed to plead guilty to fraud and bribery charges, reported giving White gifts, to include trips to the Dominican Republic and Las Vegas, along with paying him bribes.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia,
Lewis D. Ferebee, chancellor of D.C. Public Schools, speaks during a back-to-school rally for educators at Alice Deal Middle School, imploring teachers to take care of themselves in the 2024 - 2025 school year. D.C. Public School students will return for classes on Aug. 26.
Photo courtesy of Alice Deal Middle School
Photo courtesy of DC.gov
DC Circulator
Continued from B1
late-night service on the Woodley Park-Adams Morgan and Georgetown- Union Station routes and changing bus arrival to every 20 minutes instead of 10 minutes.
The free bus line has served Washingtonians for nearly two decades through various cuts and enhancements.
In 2019, just before the pandemic began to impact ridership, the DC Circulator served about 5.5 million riders.
The D.C. Council approved Bowser’s (D) budget in June, which cut the funding for the DC Circulator and made way for the phase-down.
Lynn said the mayor’s office reached out to the union a couple of days before the budget was presented to the Council, to notify them of the phase-out.
“The union walked away from that conversation with the understanding that there would be a transition plan in place and that the union would be provided a copy of that transition plan,” said Lynn.
ATU is concerned about the reduction in service for riders
and workers.
“DDOT is working with WMATA and circulator contractor RATP Dev USA to highlight employment opportunities for circulator staff,” a spokesperson from DDOT told the AFRO
DDOT said on Aug. 15 they would host a WMATA information session for RATP Dev USA Circulator employees where workers could apply for available WMATA positions.
“RATP Dev USA employees who are part of a collective bargaining agreement may have received additional guidance regarding future employment opportunities from the contractor or their union representative,” said the DDOT spokesperson.
DDOT’s current guidance for circulator riders is to use the DC Circulator website and WMATA’s online trip planner to see what routes they can take.
“Additional information regarding these impacts will be shared in the coming months as the service transitions,” said the DDOT spokesperson.
The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 is calling on DDOT to create and release a transition plan to merge the DC Circulator, which is soon to be terminated, with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
Attorney for far-right Oath Keepers extremist group pleads guilty to Capitol riot charges
By Michael Kunzelman
The Associated Press
An attorney who represented the far-right Oath Keepers pleaded guilty on Aug. 21 to charges stemming from a mob’s Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, including members of the extremist group.
Kellye SoRelle, who was general counsel for the antigovernment group and a close associate of its founder, is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 17 by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C.
SoRelle, 45, of Granbury, Texas, answered routine questions by the judge as she pleaded guilty to two charges: a felony count of obstructing justice and a misdemeanor count of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. The felony carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, but her estimated sentencing guidelines recommend a maximum of 16 months behind bars.
SoRelle was arrested in Junction, Texas, in September 2022. Her case remained suspended for months amid questions about her mental health.
More than a year ago, medical experts concluded that SoRelle was mentally incompetent to stand trial. In November 2023, she reported to a federal Bureau of Prisons facility for treatment. Last month, Mehta ruled that SoRelle had recovered to an extent that she could understand the nature of her charges and could assist in her defense.
Kellye SoRelle, former general counsel for the Oath Keepers, leaves federal court in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 21. SoRelle pleaded guilty on Aug. 21 to charges stemming from a mob’s Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes is serving a 18-year prison sentence for orchestrating a plot to keep Donald Trump in the White House after the 2020 presidential election. After Rhodes’ arrest, SoRelle told media outlets she was acting as the president of the Oath Keepers in his absence.
SoRelle, a former Texas prosecutor, was photographed with Rhodes outside the Capitol on Jan. 6. As the riot erupted, she posted a chat message for other Oath Keepers that said, “We are acting like the founding fathers — can’t stand down. Per Stewart, and I concur.”
“Although SoRelle did not personally enter the Capitol Building on January 6, she understood the role those inside and outside the building, like herself, played in delaying the certification proceeding that had been taking place inside the Capitol,” said a court filing accompanying her guilty plea.
The night before the riot, she joined Rhodes in meeting with other extremist group members in an underground garage in Washington, D.C. The meeting also included
former Proud Boys national leader Enrique Tarrio, who
“Although SoRelle did not personally enter the Capitol Building on January 6, she understood the role those inside and outside the building, like herself, played in delaying the certification proceeding that had been taking place inside the Capitol.”
is serving a 22-year prison sentence for his role in a separate plot to stop the peaceful transfer of power
from Trump to Joe Biden after the election.
Rhodes, a former U.S. Army paratrooper, founded the Oath Keepers in 2009. The group recruits current and former military, police and first responders and pledges to “fulfill the oath all military and police take to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
During the trial for Rhodes and other Oath Keepers charged with seditious conspiracy, jurors heard testimony that SoRelle had a romantic relationship with Rhodes.
SoRelle pleaded guilty to obstructing justice for encouraging others to destroy electronic evidence of their participation in the plot. Two days after the riot, Rhodes and SoRelle both sent messages from her cellphone encouraging Oath Keepers to delete any incriminating evidence.
She was indicted on other charges, including conspiring with Rhodes and other Oath Keepers to obstruct Congress from certifying the Electoral College vote. But she did not plead guilty to the conspiracy charge.
Also on Wednesday, a judge set a Feb. 3 trial date for an Illinois man charged with firing a gun during the riot. John Banuelos climbed scaffolding outside the Capitol, took out his revolver and fired two shots into the air, according to prosecutors.
Banuelos, of Summit, Ill., was arrested in March. U.S. District Judge Judge Tanya Chutkan refused on Wednesday to free Banuelos from pretrial custody. She ruled that he poses a flight risk and a danger to the public.
“It could have been much more tragic,” the judge said of the gunshots.
This article was originally published by The Associated Press.
I delivered my baby!”
Regardless of insurance coverage, families are never charged and children are always seen at the Kids Mobile Medical Clinic. The clinic provides services that range from sick visits, well visits, immunizations, mental health screenings, vision and hearing screenings and even specialist referrals.
“They helped me when I got hurt and they checked in on me to make sure that I was OK and healthy,” said Markia Gilbert’s son, Michael Gilbert.
The pediatric health center on wheels has two units - a medical unit and a wellbeing unit. The wellbeing unit focuses on addressing complex social and mental health risk factors and how they impact young
children and their families. The redesigned units will include the logos of the Washington Wizards, Mystics, Capitals and the Capital City Go-Go due to the new partnership with Leonsis, who is the owner of the aforementioned franchises.
“It goes beyond me being a father myself. I grew up as a really, really poor kid in Brooklyn, New York. I didn’t go to doctors often,” said Leonsis. “This program takes pediatricians and nurses, alongside a lot of technology, and brings it into the neighborhoods. You don’t have to be insured. If your kid is sick or you want a preventative checkup, come in and get scheduled. We’re doing it four days a week and the other three we’re parked at a permanent
location. We’ve been doing it for over 20 years and we just made it another five.”
With Leonsis’ $1.1 million donation, the clinic will continue its typical four-dayper-week schedule. The clinic treats patients on site outside of public housing communities in Southeast D.C. on a rolling basis.
Since 2019, Leonsis and Monumental have donated more than $6 million to health care initiatives and projects with MedStar Health.
“[The clinic] is very beneficial. Checkups, they’re on point. Asthma, they’re on point. They’re on point with everything we need from them. There’s never any hesitation on their behalf and that’s amazing,” said Gilbert.
Courtesy photo
Medstar Health continues to provide health care services for the children of Washington, D.C., via a new $1.1 million investment and partnership with Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis.
Courtesy Photo/Mekhi Abbott
AP Photo
the FBI Washington Field Office, the D.C. Office of the Inspector General and the IRS Criminal Investigation Washington Field Office will handle the ongoing investigation. White is scheduled to face a judge again on Sept. 19. If convicted, the vocal advocate for community safety could face up to 15 years in prison.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described the charges which White now faces as “disturbing” and in a brief statement to reporters, promised that services provided by programs under which the council member currently serves as chair would not be interrupted during the course of the investigation.
Kaden ‘Baby K’ Holland, 15, receives maximum sentence for attempted murder of PG County middle school student
At just 15 years old, Kaden Holland put a gun to the head of a 14-year-old, middle school student and pulled the trigger three times. Though he tried, the gun never went off. Instead, it jammed.
The attack, captured on video, shows Kaden, along with two other teens, first holding down and beating the victim on a school bus and then pulling out the weapon.
Now, Kaden, currently 17 years old, has received a 60-year sentence with all but 25 years suspended, after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree murder. He also pleaded guilty to the use of a gun in the commission of a felony – a charge for which he received 20 years, to be served concurrently. Kaden will serve the sentence in a “youth offender” for young adults program at Patuxent Institution in Maryland.
“[The sentence] was appropriate in this case because of the planning, the deliberation, the execution of what he wanted — which was to murder a child,” Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy said. “Our victims are still feeling the impact of the decision that Mr. Holland made on May 1, 2023.”
The mother of the boy attacked said she has since moved her son across the country to keep him safe, but he still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Despite the defense arguing for a lesser sentence because of the teen’s multiple juvenile crime risk factors including low IQ, damaging family situations, drug issues and being a victim of violence himself, the judge disagreed. The judge said Kaden showed premeditation by planning the violent ambush of a fellow teen and that age and risk factors notwithstanding, the planning and violence could not be ignored.
After the sentencing hearing, Braveboy said Kaden had previously been a ward of
the juvenile system, for a different gun charge, but failed to complete any of his program’s requirements – a situation which she described as “unacceptable.”
Since 2020, firearms have been the number one cause of death among children and teens in the U.S., surpassing even car accidents, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, there were 45,222 firearm-related deaths in the U.S. in 2020. Of these, 10,197 deaths were of youths 24 years old and younger. In 2022, more than 4,500 young people died from firearm injuries.
Metal detectors being considered for Montgomery County Public Schools
Don’t be surprised if you see metal detectors in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) this year. According to Marcus Jones, former police chief for the county who now serves as the chief safety and compliance officer for MCPS, change is on the way. According to officials, Jones, as part of his work, is currently considering several options that would enhance security in schools and offices.
In a letter Jones recently sent to MCPS parents and families, he wrote the following:
“I understand that transitioning from a police department to a school system requires a different approach, one that emphasizes collaboration and attentiveness to the unique needs of our educational community . . . [and] while safety is everyone’s responsibility, recent school and staff climate surveys have pointed to concerns about safety across the district. I look forward to supporting our new superintendent’s vision for a safer MCPS,” Jones wrote.
He further indicated that he’s taking another look at the effectiveness of the school system’s School Resource Officer Program – a program which has since been renamed by MCPS with its employees currently designated as “Community Engagement Officers.”
MCPS counts as Maryland’s largest school system with over 270,000 students and 211 schools. Its neighbor, Prince George’s County, which has a clear backpack policy for high school students, is among the surrounding school districts that already employs metal detectors.
AFRO Tea set for return to nation’s capital
By AFRO Staff
The AFRO will host its annual D.C. High Tea on Sept. 7 from 2 - 5 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church.
Each year the publication hosts the tea in honor of men and women who have significantly impacted the Black community.
The AFRO will recognize Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks at the 2024 event, along with Congresswoman Eleanour Holmes Norton, civic leader and professor Cora Masters Barry and Former D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt.
“This year’s honorees were chosen due to their remarkable and unwavering service to the D.C. community,” said Diane Hocker, AFRO director of community and public relations. “It’s going to be a delightful tea with lots of high energy. Our attendees will have the chance to network, be entertained and enjoy some delicious food.”
Hocker started planning this year’s tea in December 2023. The event last came to D.C. in 2022, honoring Cathy Hughes, Dorothy Butler Gilliam, Denise Rolark Barnes, Michelle
Richardson and Karyn A.Temple. The job of organizing the D.C. tea passed to her after the death of D.C.’s own Edgar Brookins, a beloved member of the community and longtime AFRO circulation and general manager, who orchestrated the inaugural D.C. High Tea years ago.
“Edgar Brookins was everything. He was ‘Mr. D.C.,’” said Hocker. “He was very instrumental in the AFRO bringing the tea to the D.C. in 2018.”
This year’s tea will be a highlight of the 2024 social calendar, complete with catering from B&B II, great entertainment and of course, the AFRO High Tea fashion show, where participants show off their finest threads and hats. Tickets for the 2024 D.C. AFRO High Tea are available for $100 at afrotix. live and the admission price includes a free six month subscription to the publication.
The AFRO High Tea will once again return to the D.C. area on Sept. 7, 2024. Each year the publication hosts the event, complete with elected officials, residents and community leaders in attendance. Shown here from left to right, Dorothy Butler Gilliam, Michelle Richardson, Cathy Hughes, Frances “Toni” Draper, Karyn A.Temple and Denise Rolark Barnes at the June 26, 2022 High tea.
AFRO Photo / James Fields
By D. Kevin McNeir Special the AFRO
By D. Kevin McNeir Special the AFRO
Tuskegee Airmen of Virginia come together for national convention
By Patricia McDougall
The Tuskegee Airmen held their national convention and annual business meeting Aug. 14-17 in Crystal City, Va. at the Hyatt Regency.
Honorees included Lt. Col. Shelton “Ivan” Ware USAF Ret., one of the few surviving members of the nearly 15,000 World War II Tuskegee Airmen. He was recognized with the Hall of Fame Award at the Aug. 17 awards banquet. Col. Ware was honored for his invaluable contributions to the Tuskegee Airmen, and at age 101, is said to be the last living member of the original 40 Tuskegee Airmen who started Tuskegee Airmen Inc. (TAI) in 1972. The group was created to preserve the legacy of the pioneering Black airmen.
Students from various high schools participated and received backpacks at the convention. “Coca-Cola Consolidated’s donation of backpacks and school supplies will ensure our students are well prepared for the new school year,” said Jerome Hodge, president of the East Coast Chapter of TAI. “This support is invaluable in helping us inspire and equip the next generation of aviation and aerospace professionals.”
All photos by Patricia McDougall
Maryland Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col.
Shelton “Ivan” Ware USAF Ret. receives the Hall of Fame Award at the Tuskegee Airmen National Gala in Crystal City, Va.
Frank “Chief” Killebrew enjoys the 2024 National Convention Gala.
Tuskegee students Precious Palmer (left) and Oluwatobi Adekunielisten listen as instructor Vatanne Gaizes speaks.
Air Force Maj. Chris “Tuco” Harrison (left) and Capt. Douglas “Blane” Jenkins both fly F16 planes. They volunteered their time teaching high school students the art of flying.
Tuskegee students Lucy Cardona and Joseph McCoy practice flying small simulator planes.
Yvonne McGee instructs the Tuskegee students.
Monette Madayag (left) and veteran Carla Moss hand out gift boxes to guests in attendance at the 2024 Tuskegee Gala.
Jerry Burton (left), Jerome Hodge, Gabrielle Martin, Dr. Sarah Williams, Quincy Magwood and Phil Benjamin pose together after the awards ceremony.
The 2024 President’s Award goes to Ms. Candace Millicent Moon.
Tuskegee student Jotha Borse (right) receives school supplies from Vanessa Butler.
Small Business Administration preps entrepreneurs for natural disasters with resilience guide
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com
As climate change continues to escalate extreme weather events, like heat waves, hurricanes, flooding and wildfires, it has also magnified the importance of entrepreneurs having a plan in place to withstand business interruptions brought on by unexpected calamities with little to no warning.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently unveiled a new Business Resilience Guide to help business owners prepare. The handbook outlines best practices and supplies templates to help entrepreneurs curb and bounce back from crises.
“Small businesses are vital to local economies—creating jobs and providing essential products and services, which is why the SBA is committed to ensuring they can survive and recover quickly from natural and other disasters,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman in an Aug. 2 release. “At a time of increasing economic impacts from climate change and natural disasters, SBA’s new Business Resilience Guide equips business owners with the tools and strategies they need to strengthen their operations and preparedness, recover from disruption and build resilience.”
The AFRO compiled some of the best tips from the new guide below.
Establishing a baseline
● Begin crafting your resilience plan by cataloging the condition of your business in normal times.
● Take inventory. Determine equipment, supplies and technology that are essential to your business operations.
● Identify which equipment, supplies and technology are replaceable, how long it will take for them to be replaced and come up with a list of alternatives.
● Think about whether your equipment and supplies can be moved or kept inside for protection in case of extreme weather or whether they would need to be relocated.
● Make a detailed list of your critical business functions, ordering them from most essential to least. The level of importance will depend on how often you execute each function.
● Consider the results of certain functions not taking place and determine bypasses and adjustments to reduce the effects of disruptions to your operations.
● Conduct a vulnerability assessment by identifying what threats you’re most likely to be exposed to. Research the frequency and severity of past weather events and natural disasters to inform your evaluation.
Keeping track of key relationships
● Maintain a current list of your employees, insurance
agent, accountant and attorney with their contact information. The list should be kept digitally and in print.
● Involve employees in disaster planning. Especially for bigger businesses, employees in niche departments may have more insight into how certain operations may be impacted.
● Determine how you will check in with employees after disaster strikes.
● Ensure every employee knows what protocols are in place in the face of disasters.
● Evaluate your supply chain and determine how unforeseen hazards may interrupt its flow.
● Make a list of alternative suppliers and include those in areas that would not be impacted by the same disaster.
● Ensure your suppliers have resilience plans themselves.
Protecting your resources
● If you can, invest in strengthening your facilities after determining what could be damaged by disasters.
● Try to determine what utilities may need to be turned off to prevent fires during emergencies.
● Defend your data from cyber attacks. Train your employees in cybersecurity, utilize antivirus software, secure your internet connection with a firewall and hide your Wi-Fi network.
● Back up your data regularly to the cloud storage or USB drives, but maintain physical copies in case of power or internet outages.
Managing your financials
● Know the details of your insurance plan. Talk to your agent about coverage limits, exclusions and deductibles as some policies may not cover flooding and earthquakes or business interruptions and extra expenses.
● Ensure there are no gaps in coverage.
● Regularly update your business records and have an action plan to turn to if your business closes temporarily.
● If possible, reserve three to 12 months of emergency cash or try to acquire a line of credit.
● Discuss extensions on bills during disasters.
● Set up an automatic payroll system and ensure your employees know how they will be paid during emergencies.
‘Supermarket Redlining’: Why Black families pay more for food
By Jennifer Porter Gore Word in Black
Anyone wondering why it feels like grocery shopping requires taking out a small loan isn’t imagining things. Grocery prices, which soared due to pandemic-era inflation, are still just too blankity-blanking high, and the federal government suspects food producers might be engaged in some lucrative price-gouging.
But for Black consumers, decades of supermarket redlining, disinvestment and racially-driven urban planning have put them in an even tighter financial squeeze in the grocery-store checkout lines.
Experts say Black households, on average, pay disproportionately higher prices than whites at the checkout line, with few options for bargain-hunting in food deserts and less access to fresh, nutritious food. Coupled with chronically high, postpandemic inflation and food producers’ continued price spikes, they say, Black households are at greater risk of food insecurity than whites.
Although whites make up the bulk of the food-insecure population in the U.S. “food insecurity rates among Black individuals and Latino individuals exceed those of White individuals” nationwide, according to a report by Feeding America, a nonprofit. “These disparities are an example of how historical, social, economic and environmental factors have held many communities of color back, creating barriers to food security.”
At the same time, the Federal Trade Commission recently announced it will investigate the high cost of groceries that are
straining the budgets of Black households. The investigation comes on the heels of a March FTC report that questions why prices have continued to rise amid what FTC Chair Lina Kahn this month called “enormous profits” for the commercial food industry.
Researchers say that, for decades, Black households have consistently been twice as likely as white households to experience food insecurity, and this trend continued in 2022, the latest year for available data. More than 1 in 5 Black families grappled with hunger, while around 1 in 10 white households did.
Several factors contribute to this disparity, including lower household incomes, higher unemployment rates and the seemingly intractable presence of food deserts — neighborhoods where residents have limited access to healthy, affordable food, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables.
Instead of full-service supermarkets or grocery stores, food desert residents must rely on convenience stores, bodegas or discount markets to buy groceries. Rather than fresh produce, those stores are more likely to stock limited supplies of highly processed food, prepackaged meats, sodas and salty snacks — and sell them at inflated prices — than stores in more affluent areas.
The lack of nutritious food in food deserts contributes to higher rates of dietrelated diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, health challenges that disproportionately affect Black people.
That helps explain why Black consumer spending on food is projected to grow each year between 2021 and 2030, according to a 2022 report from the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility, a nonprofit policy center.
The report describes supermarket redlining as “the disinclination of major grocery chains to open or maintain stores in disproportionately Black, low-income communities,” which “limits choices while driving up prices for the food options that are available.”
“Counties with higher-than-average Black populations tend to have more convenience stores and fewer fresh food options compared to counties with lowerthan-average Black populations,” the report states. “Those counties have about 1.2 convenience stores for every convenience store in a county with a lower-than-average Black population.”
The federal government, along with several states, and nonprofit organizations, are working to end hunger in America.
Earlier this year, the Biden Administration launched its Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities, with a goal of eradicating food insecurity. In June, Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman, both Pennsylvania Democrats, introduced bills that would expand access to free or reducedprice meals for children. And the city of Minneapolis made food insecurity a part of its development plan for the city’s future.
Meanwhile, the FTC wants to know why grocery prices are still high although the supermarket industry has seen its costs decline and supply chains have improved. “We want to make sure that major businesses are not exploiting their power to inflate prices for American families at the grocery store,” says FTC’s Khan.
This
story was originally published by Word in Black.
Photo by Carl Kho on Unsplash
In the face of natural disasters, extreme weather events and global pandemics, it’s vital for businesses to have a plan to defend against and recover from disaster. The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently released a new Business Resilience Guide to help entrepreneurs craft their plans.
‘Lady in the Lake’: A look at the AFRO’s exclusive coverage
By D. Kevin McNeir Special to the AFRO
While the disappearance of a beautiful, popular Black woman in Baltimore may not have made front page news in the city’s White-owned publications, the AFRO-American Newspapers–following the mission of the Black Press–deployed its reporters week after week asking the question: Where is Shirley Parker?
Eventually the body of Shirley Lee Wigeon Parker, 35, a divorcee and mother of two sons, would be found months after her April 1969 disappearance. On June 2, 1969 an electrical company crew was dispatched to repair two lights in the fountain at the center of Druid Hill Park Lake.
There, they found an answer to the question being asked throughout the Baltimore’s Black community: The body of a woman floating face down, subsequently identified as Parker.
Despite their best efforts, neither reporters nor the police were able to determine whether foul play was involved or if Parker had simply made a poor decision in choosing to swim alone and, after somehow becoming injured or fatigued, had been unable to swim ashore.
The city coroner would eventually rule the cause of her death as hypothermia. But questions remained.
Now, Parker’s disappearance and unsolved death is making the news again. This time, with a seven-part television series, “Lady in the Lake.”
The suspenseful noir thriller, which made its global debut on July 19 on Apple TV+ , has among its cast Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winner Natalie Portman, who also serves as executive producer. Emmy Award nominee Moses Ingram also appears. New episodes will continue to be unveiled every Friday through August 23.
In Baltimore, decades after her death, Parker’s death still lingers in the minds of residents who lived in Charm City during the 1960s. One woman, Marilyn Jones, was just a girl when the case set the Black community’s concern and curiosity ablaze.
Jones, a Baltimore native, was so moved by the story that ten years before the “Lady in the Lake,” series, she wrote a short fiction novel based on the case.
The 2014 novel is titled “Auchentrolly Park Drive,” and is proof of how the story captivated the minds of Black Baltimore in 1969 and beyond.
“My father used to frequent the Sphinx bar where Ms. Parker worked and he knew her,” Jones wrote in a letter to the AFRO. “When she disappeared, Daddy often talked about the mystery of her disappearance. At the time, most White newspapers paid little attention to these types of occurrences in the Black community. However, the AFRO carried the entire story of Shirley Parker– but I was just a young girl at the time.”
Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew, CEO and founder of Baltimorebased Root Branch Media Group, weighed in on how the archives of the Black Press are used to tell Black stories, but often don’t get credit.
“We tell our story first and we tell it without allowing ourselves to be exploited as others have so often done,” said Pettigrew.“Far too often…mass media has simply scrubbed information from Black sources like the AFRO or The Baltimore Times without getting the real story. And when they tell our stories, we are not on top.”
In fact, while other publications can only say they covered Parker’s death- the AFRO covered important happenings in her life. On Feb. 1, 1964, years before her death, an AFRO photographer snapped a photo of her as she participated in an event with The Clerics, a business club for women.
Even after news of Parker’s death faded from the headlines, the AFRO followed what became of her family. Decades after the death of his mother, the AFRO tracked down Parker’s son, who was just nine years old when his mother went missing. The paper asked the man,
56, what he believed happened to his mother –now that he was an adult himself.
“What I think happened was my mother swam out into the lake because she was an excellent swimmer and got awards for swimming,” he said. “I feel she swam out there to clear her mind after an argument with Arno, her boyfriend, and to think about me and my brother. I think when she was ready to go, she stood up and fell back and hit her head on the spout, where the water comes out, because the autopsy said she had a hole in the back of her head.”
In honor of Shirley Parker and her story, the Afro Charities team, which cares for and curates the archives of the AFRO-American Newspapers, made available a variety of articles and photos printed as the case unfolded in 1969.
Take a look through the AFRO’s coverage below if you are watching the “Lady in the Lake” series and seek to learn more about Shirley Parker and discern fact from fiction.
The archives of the AFRO-American Newspapers are a trove of information related to the death of Shirley Parker. The paper was the only publication that extensively covered the disappearance of the Baltimore woman week after week, leading to the exclusive coverage used to create the Apple TV+ series, “Lady in the Lake.”
Years later, at age 56, David Parker spoke on his mother’s death with the AFRO, saying he believed she hit her head after swimming out to the fountain of Druid Hill Park Lake to clear her mind.
1969.
An obituary for Shirley Parker is still available today in the AFRO Archives, curated and cared for by the team members of Afro Charities.
(1893-); Jun 28, 1969; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Black Newspaper Collection pg. 20
Left: Shirley Parker’s mother, Mrs. Theresa Austin, examines her missing daughter’s purse along with her grandson, David Parker, age nine.
Shirley Parker’s remains are recovered from Druid Hill Park on June 2,
Upcoming events in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area
By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Even though the summer season is winding down, the calendar of events for the Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area is quickly heating up. Offerings for the whole family are available, from home ownership workshops to music festivals. Now is the perfect time to get involved in the community and learn something new!
Maryland
First-time homebuyer workshop
Join Mitch Pollard of Mogul Realtors for a virtual workshop to begin the homebuying journey. In this session, aspiring homebuyers will learn about financing options and how to build wealth through homeownership.
Date: Aug. 30
Time: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Baltimore by Baltimore Festival
Baltimore by Baltimore has returned for its third year. Baltimore by Baltimore is a chance for you to get to know and support Baltimore-based creatives and artists. On Sept. 7, enjoy a celebration of dance with performances curated by Cjay Philip, artistic director of Dance and Bmore.
Date: Sept. 7
Time: 12 - 8 p.m.
Location: Inner Harbor Amphitheater
Baltimore, Md., 21230
Cost: Free
Community Bombazo: Puerto Rican Bomba for All!
Join Semila Cultural, a non-profit organization, as they celebrate Puerto Rican culture and arts for a community bombazo. A bombazo is an event where people come together to sing, dance and play bomba, a genre of Puerto Rican music and dance style influenced by African culture. All skill levels are welcome! Instruments and skirts will be available for use during the event.
Date: Sept. 22
-Time: 4 p.m.
-Location: Jo’s Movement Emporium
3309 Bunker Hill Rd.
Mt. Rainer, Md.
Cost: Free
Clinicians of Color to host quarterly dinner
The Clinicians of Color quarterly dinner serves as a safe space for Black clinicians to gather and share tips in the career field. The quarterly dinner provides a positive atmosphere for networking and celebrating each other’s wins.
Date: Sept. 26
Time: 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: The Ale House Columbia 6480 Dobbin Center Way Columbia, Md., 21045
Cost: Free
Washington, D.C.
Community Volunteer Day
Every Tuesday and Thursday DC Greens, a community organization focused on addressing and eliminating food deserts in the nation’s capital, welcomes volunteers of all ages and abilities to get their hands dirty in the garden. Volunteers get a chance to support DC Greens’ work at The Well at Oxon Run, a community farm and wellness space. Volunteers will help workers create fertilizers, harvest produce, maintain the soil and much more.
Date: Sept. 5
Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: The Well at Oxon Run
300 Valley Ave, SE Washington, D.C. 20032
Cost: Free
Black Girls Code: Animate your name
Black Girls Code DMV will host an in-person event for young girls between the ages of seven and 12 who are looking to learn how to code. Attendees will be able to learn how to animate their names, bringing their creativity to life through coding.
Date: Sept. 28
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Trinity Washington University
Payden Academic Center
125 Michigan Ave, NE
Cost: Free
Washington, D.C. 20017
Honfleur Gallery hosts artist talk on Black beaches and segregation
Contemporary art space, Honfleur Gallery will host an artist talk with D.C. muralist and artist Rik Freeman. Freeman will be discussing his current exhibit “Black Beaches During Segregation,” and the creative standpoint behind his artwork.
Date: Aug. 31
Time: 5- 6 p.m.
Location: Honfleur Gallery
Cost: Free
1241 Marion Barry Ave., SE Washington, D.C., 20020
Breastfeeding 101 for families
Mamatoto Village will host a breastfeeding workshop for the whole family in celebration of Black Breastfeeding Week. The workshop will go over health and bonding benefits as well as answer any questions that families may have. Registration is required through Eventbrite.
Date: Aug. 31
Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Mamatoto Village 4315 Sheriff Rd., NE, Washington, D.C. 20019
Cost: Free
Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2024
Join Rosslyn BID and Arlington Arts for their 32nd Rosslyn Jazz Fest. Come and enjoy live music, food trucks, yard games and so much more. Performers will include two-time Grammy award-winning group Ranky Tanky, D.C.-based vocalist Cecily and more. Registration is available on Eventbrite.
Date: Sept. 7
Time: 1 - 7 p.m.
Location: Gateway Park 1300 Langston Blvd. Arlington, Va. 22209
Cost: Free
Free shopping spree for families
The Psi Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will host their annual free family shopping spree. This event is for families in need of lightly used clothes, shoes, backpacks and toiletries.
Date: Sept. 14
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Park View High School 400 West Laurel Ave. Sterling, Va. 20164
Cost: Free
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 54-2024
JOB ORDER CONTRACT (JOC) PROGRAM
GENEERAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) requires licensed, qualified professionals to provide Job Order Contract General Construction services in response to this solicitation.
SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning Monday August 19, 2024, can be found on Bonfire at: https://dchousing.bonfirehub.com/portal
Proposers will then need to log in and locate this RFP for all related documents. It is the Proposers responsibility to check the Bonfire site regularly to stay current on the documents that are available as this is the primary communication site for this RFP.
To access files Vendors are required to Register on the Bonfire platform. See registration link below.
https://vendor.bonfirehub.com/
DCHA will provide either a live or pre-recorded demonstration for any vendors unfamiliar to the platform, this will be provided at the mandatory Pre-Bid Conference.
A MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 300 7 th St. SW, Washington, DC 20024, 1 st Floor Board Room, MPR145A. Parking is limited to street meter parking or an adjacent parking lot.
PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 12:00 NOON.
Email Gene Summerville, Sr. VP Procurement and Contracting (OAS) at genesummerville@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.
abundance of free events are coming to the Washington D.C.,
International Peace Week Celebration
Change USA will return with their International Peace Week Celebration, this year’s theme is “(Re)Turning to Healing.”
The event is filled with various events, conversations and activities surrounding peace and community. Registration is available through Eventbrite.
Date: Sept. 19 - 22
Times:
Sept. 19 – 6 - 8 p.m.
Sept. 20 - 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sept. 22 - 12 - 5 p.m.
Location: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts 200 North Arthur Ashe Blvd. Richmond, Va. 23220
Cost: Free
Roots and Reconnection Festival
Poplar Forest’s African American Advisory Group and the Board of Directors for the Roots and Reconnection Festival are excited to invite D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) residents to celebrate and learn about the enslaved Africans who worked on the plantation. The special event will include music, food, workshops, conversations and a tour.
Date: Sept. 14
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest 1776 Poplar Forest Parkway Lynchburg, Va. 24502
Cost: Free
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) SOLICITATION NO.: 47-2024
GENERAL REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE FOR DCHA PROPERTIES
The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) requires licensed, qualified professionals to provide an On-Call General Repair and Maintenance for DCHA Properties in response to this solicitation. SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning Monday, August 12, 2024, on DCHA’s website at www.dchousing.org under “Business” and “Solicitations”.
PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 12:00 NOON.
Email Gene Summerville, Sr. VP of Procurement and Contracting, at gsummerville@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.
and “Solicitations”.
PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 11:00 AM.
Email Ahmad Zubair MAJEED, Sr. Procurement Consultant at amajeed@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.
Unsplash/Rohan
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000871
JEROME BERNARD HERGENREDER Name of Decedent
MITCHELL I. ALKON, ESQUIRE 6110 EXECUTIVE BLVD STE 300 ROCKVILLE MD 20852
Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
KATHERINE LEIGH HERGENREDER, whose address is 3516 BRADLEY LANE, CHEVY CHASE MD 20815 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JEROME BERNARD HERGENREDER who died on JUNE 06, 2024 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 FEBRUARY 09, 2025. 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 FEBRUARY 09, 2025 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: AUGUST 09, 2024
Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
KATHERINE LEIGH HERGENREDER
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 8/09, 8/16, 8/23/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000851 MARY EPPS Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs JIMMIE EPPS, whose address is 71 POTOMAC AVE SE APT 710 WASHINGTON DC 20003 was appointed
Personal Representative of the estate of MARY EPPS who died on MARCH 20, 2024 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 FEBRUARY 09, 2025. 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 FEBRUARY 09, 2025 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: AUGUST 09, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
LETTIE TRICE BATTLE Personal Representative
8/16, 8/23/24
JIMMIE EPPS Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 8/09, 8/16, 8/23/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000903 REMBERT SEAWARD Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
LINDA ANDERSON, whose address is 9012 CLAUDINE LANE, FORT WASHINGTON, MD 20744 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of REMBERT SEAWARD who died on APRIL 27, 2024 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 FEBRUARY 09, 2025. 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 FEBRUARY 09, 2025 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: AUGUST 09, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
LINDA ANDERSON Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 8/09, 8/16, 8/23/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000841 WILLIAM E. TAYLOR AKA WILLIAM EDWARD TAYLOR Name of Decedent
NATALIE S. WAKER, ESQUIRE 1101 CONNECTICUT AVENUE NW SUITE 402 WASHINGTON DC 20006 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
KRISTIE PALMER, whose address is 2310 34TH STREET, SE, WASHINGTON, DC 20020 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of WILLIAM E. TAYLOR AKA WILLIAM EDWARD TAYLOR who died on FEBRUARY 22, 2024 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 FEBRUARY 09, 2025. 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 FEBRUARY 09, 2025 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: AUGUST 09, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
KRISTIE PALMER Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 8/09, 8/16, 8/23/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000894 KEITH DORIAN CRAVEN Name of Decedent HEATHER CHERRY ESQUIRE THE CHERRY LAW OFFICE LLC 9701 APOLLO DRIVE SUITE 100 UPPER MARLBORO MD 20774 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs LISA CRAVEN DARLINGTON, whose address is 5603 CAMP SPRINGS AVENUE TEMPLE HILLS, MD 20748 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of KEITH DORIAN CRAVEN, who died on DECEMBER 3, 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 FEBRUARY 16, 2025. 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 FEBRUARY 16, 2025 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: AUGUST 16, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
LISA CRAVEN DARLINGTON Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 08/16, 8/23, 8/30/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION
ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000891
LAKEESHA MASHAUN BUTLER
Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
CARROL STALLINGS ADAMS, whose address is 447 CHEROKEE DRIVE, NORTH AUGUSTA SC 29841 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LAKEESHA MASHAUN BUTLER, who died on JULY 14, 2024 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,
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION 2024FEP000093
JUNE 8, 2007 Date of Death VINCENT RONNIE JONES Name of Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
6499
98312
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2024ADM000893 MARY ALZERLEEN SMITH Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs RENEE M. SMITH, GABRIELLE D. DUBOSE, KELLY C SMITH, whose address is 1313 ROXANNA ROAD NW WASHINGTON DC 20012 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of MARY ALZERLEEN SMITH, who died on MARCH 17, 2024 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 FEBRUARY 16, 2025. 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 FEBRUARY 16, 2025 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: AUGUST 16, 2024 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Daily Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
RENEE M. SMITH GABRIELLE D. DUBOSE KELLY C SMITH Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 8/16, 8/23, 8/30/24
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2023ADM000893 ROSA LEE SUBER AKA ROSA LEE POUNDS Name of Decedent HORACE L. BRADSHAW JR. 1644 6TH STREET NW WASHINGTON DC 20001 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
Premises: 101 S. Eaton Street 21224 (City Council District: 2nd; State Legislative District: 46th)
2. CLASS “B” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSE
Applicant: Rayne Supreme, LLC T/a Trade Name Pending - Valencia Guess Petition: New restaurant license requesting delivery of alcoholic bever-
Premises: 617 N. Duncan Street 21205
(City Council District: 13th; State Legislative District: 45th)
Applicant: District Jerk, Inc. T/a Jerk at Nite - Denville Myrie and Loic Samy Petition: New restaurant license requesting live entertainment Premises: 21 N. Eutaw Street 21201
(City Council District: 11th; State Legislative District: 40th)
Applicant: Fred and Margies, LLC T/a Fred & Margie’s - Keshav
Dahal and Larry Lair
Petition: Transfer of ownership with continuation of live entertainment Premises: 3603-05 Fairhaven Avenue 21226
(City Council District: 10th; State Legislative District: 46th)
Applicant: The BeeGee’s Lounge, LLC T/a The BeeGee’s Lounge - Luis F. Cabrera, Oluwagbenga Ofi, and Bolaji Amoo
Petition: New restaurant license requesting live entertainment, outdoor table service, and off-premises catering
Premises: 4528 Harford Road 21214
(City Council District: 3rd; State Legislative District: 45th)
Applicant: Loving Every Endeavor-Lee Investments, LLC T/a PapillonsLarry Darnell Lee, Jr. and Monica Lee
Petition: New restaurant license requesting live entertainment, outdoor table service, off-premises catering and delivery of alcoholic beverages Premises:
B-2016-24 IFB NUMBER: B-2016-24
The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (“HABC”) will issue an Invitation for Bids (“IFB”) for interested and qualified vendors to supply Class 1 & 2 Vans, Pickup Trucks and SUVs.
BIDS WILL BE DUE no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 30, 2024
A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., which will be scheduled as a virtual meeting.
The entire IFB can be viewed and downloaded by visiting https://habc. bonfirehub.com/projects on or after Monday, August 26, 2024 Questions regarding the IFB should be directed in writing to the address and individual indicated below and must include the reference: HABC IFB Number B-2016-24.
Housing Authority of Baltimore City Division of Fiscal Operations, Procurement Department 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 414 Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Attention: James Mobley, Senior Buyer Tel: 410-396-3105 james.mobley@habc.org
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BALTIMORE CITY INVATATION FOR BIDS CLASS 3, 4 & 5 TRUCKS HABC IFB NUMBER: B-2017-24 IFB NUMBER: B-2017-24
The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (“HABC”) will issue an Invitation for Bids (“IFB”) for interested and qualified vendors to supply Class 3, 4 & 5 trucks.
BIDS WILL BE DUE no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 30, 2024
A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., which will be scheduled as a virtual meeting. The entire IFB can be viewed and downloaded by visiting https://habc.bonfirehub.com/projects on or after Monday, August 26, 2024 Questions regarding the IFB should be directed in writing to the address and individual indicated below and must include the reference: HABC IFB Number B-2017-24.
Housing Authority of Baltimore City Division of Fiscal Operations, Procurement Department 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 414 Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Attention: James Mobley, Senior Buyer Tel: 410-396-3105 james.mobley@habc.org
BALTIMORE-AREA
Residents, leaders react to new Charm City Circulator route in Cherry Hill
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
The Charm City Circulator (CCC), a free transit system in Baltimore, recently expanded into Cherry Hill, a neighborhood where 90 percent of its residents are African American.
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) announced the Cherry Route in May and implemented it on June 23.
“Service enhancements include a long-anticipated new CCC route, which will serve the Cherry Hill neighborhood,” said a
Gov. Wes Moore pledges support for more than 150,000 military and veteran caregivers
CLLCTIVLY opens applications for new social entrepreneur fellowship program
By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer msayles@afro.com
CLLCTIVLY, a Baltimore-based social change organization, is working in partnership with the Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS) at the University of
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) pledged to assist more than 150,000 military and veteran caregivers around the state through the Hidden Heroes campaign, an initiative of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, on Aug. 6.
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports military families. Their Hidden Heroes campaign promotes awareness about the problems veterans and caregivers face and brings military caregivers together.
“Last
“Last year, Governor Moore declared 2024 to be the year of the military families. Today, the MooreMiller administration takes further action to support our military families by becoming a Hidden Heroes state,” said Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller during the announcement at the Maryland State House. “As such, we are committed to supporting caregivers facing the physical, emotional and financial challenges as they navigate our health care system and advocate
for their loved ones in uniform.”
According to the governor’s office, Maryland joins 10 other states in the Hidden Heroes campaign.
Moore said the partnership will help make sure resources that are available to Maryland veterans and families are expedited to those who need them.
year, Governor Moore declared 2024 to be the year of the military families. Today, the Moore-Miller administration takes further action to support our military families by becoming a Hidden Heroes State.”
“This is a very military and veteran-heavy state,” said Moore. “We take a deep sense of pride that this is a very military friendly, and, frankly, military forward state. We take care of our own.”
Moore added that it’s important to support those who help take care of servicemembers.
“It’s the family that is oftentimes taking the brunt of this work,” said Moore.
According to a 2023 report by the newly named Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, more than 550,000 service personnel, veterans and families call Maryland home.
The agency was previously called the Maryland Department of Veteran Affairs.
“We’re thankful that Maryland is a part of this movement,” said Moore.
“This program not only honors the incredible legacy of Dr. Elmer and Joanne Martin but also invests in the future of Baltimore by equipping social entrepreneurs with the resources they need to lead change.”
Pennsylvania to launch a new fellowship program. The Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin Social Impact Fellowship is designed to arm social entrepreneurs with the tools and
Meet the local creatives telling Shirley Parker’s story in new Apple TV+ series, ‘Lady in the Lake’
By Aria Brent AFRO Staff Writer
abrent@afro.com
Since July 19, Apple TV+ has been streaming “Lady in the Lake,” a seven-episode series centered around the disappearance of a Baltimore woman, Shirley Parker.
Parker disappeared on April 23, 1969 and was found in the lake at Druid Hill Park approximately weeks later. When this story first broke news, the AFRO did extensive coverage of the case.
Although the new series is centered around Parker’s case, many aspects of the show are fictional. Despite this, many things throughout the production of the series were true to Charm City, including some of the actors and sets featured in the show.
The AFRO sat down with some of the local talent that worked on the set of “Lady in the Lake” to discuss their experiences and the importance of sourcing local talent.
“I’ve had many TV and film experiences, but this show in particular was special to me. One, it was filmed in Baltimore and a lot of actors and crew members were specifically from Baltimore,” said Avery Pearsall, a local actor who worked on the series. “It felt good being home and doing this work at home. It also [felt good] telling a Baltimore story and a story that doesn’t often get told– it
“The use of local talent is a need. It’s something that makes it or breaks it when you’re doing these shows about specific places. That sense of pride really hits hard when it’s your hometown.”
felt special.”
The series was directed by Alma Har’el, who was very intentional about encompassing the look, feel and sound of Baltimore during the 1960’s. A plethora of Baltimore landmarks were featured throughout the show, including the Sphinx Club, a legendary jazz venue that once
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Meta (Facebook) / Charm City Circulator Baltimore city radio personality Johnny “Porkchop” Doswell takes a ride on the Charm City Circulator’s new Cherry Hill route.
AFRO Photo/Tashi McQueen
Anthony Woods (left), secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families; Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D); Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D); first lady Dawn Moore and Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, announce a new partnership that will make it easier for Maryland’s military families to access the resources they need
Photo courtesy of Avery Pearsall Avery Pearsall is a local actor who is now eligible to be a part of the Screen Actors Guild following his work on the production of “Lady in the Lake.”
Photo courtesy of Brandon Woody Brandon Woody portrays jazz trumpeter Roy “Tanglefoot” McCoy in the “Lady in the Lake” series, currently available for streaming on Apple TV+.
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representative of the City of Baltimore in a news release. “The expanded network will allow ease of access to job opportunities, entertainment and all Downtown Baltimore has to offer.”
In its first month, 10,553 people rode the new line, according to information released by BCDOT.
The AFRO reached out to BCDOT for comment but did not get a response in time for print.
Councilwoman Phylicia Porter (D-District 10) said this new route has been in the works for nearly 10 years through the work of Cherry Hill community organizations and residents.
Within Porter’s role on the council, she helped to ensure the route was made possible.
“It took a long time… I’ve been pushing and we
were successful,” said Porter.
Since the route was enacted over a month ago, Porter says she believes the service has been received
“If I have to catch the 71 to get to the free bus, I’m defeating the purpose. Staying on the 71, which I paid for, makes more sense,” said Vicky
The Cherry Route goes from the Inner Harbor to Cherry Hill. Stops include Middle Branch Park, MedStar Harbor Hospital and the Cherry Hill Light
“We now have it in Cherry Hill, but the majority of Black people do not live in Cherry Hill, they live all over Baltimore. It’s still an issue for us because they still haven’t really addressed the problem.
well by the Cherry Hill community.
“I’ve heard accounts from residents that not only can they go to the grocery store at McHenry Row, they also can get to their jobs pretty quickly,” said Porter.
However, one Cherry Hill resident who spoke to the AFRO said the route is not accessible enough.
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stood as a pillar throughout the community. Local jazz musician, Brandon Woody also starred in the show and told the AFRO what it was like to portray jazz trumpeter, Roy “Tanglefoot” McCoy.
“The role that I was playing was Roy ‘Tanglefoot’ McCoy, a well known jazz trumpet player from Baltimore. To play him– somebody who is a part of the Black trumpet lineage in Baltimore– was really dope,” said Woody. “He made a very big name for himself, not only from being an amazing musician but also by being an amazing person and that inspired me alot.”
Woody noted how the use of local talent made the production feel very natural. Much like Pearsall, he feels that the recruitment of local talent is vital when telling narratives based on true stories.
“The use of local talent is a need. It’s something that makes it or breaks it when you’re doing these shows about specific places,” said Woody. “Me and a lot of folks that I know, we all know about the history of Baltimore and we all have a great sense of heritage. That sense of pride really hits hard when it’s your hometown.”
The use of local talent really helped embody the aesthetic of 1960’s Charm City. Parker was a barmaid and bookkeeper at the Sphinx Club and the story of her disappearance continued to buzz around the venue, long after 1969. Considered a social institution that allowed local artists, politicians and community members to establish themselves, the Sphinx Club has a legacy that still seems to be shaping Baltimore.
“My grandfather was very passionate about African Americans and he wanted to create an environment that brought out the elite amongst the Black community. The Sphinx Club was a place where deals and investments were made, where you went to get help, etc.,” said Kendrick Tilghman, grandson of the Sphinx Club founder, Charles Tilghman. “It was a place you could
Morris, who travels to the downtown area regularly for work.
Based on the Cherry Route map, the buses primarily travel Cherry Hill Road in and out of the community.
In response to this concern, Porter points towards the additional funding needed to expand the route.
Rail Station. Cherry Route buses arrive every 20 minutes.
“We know that more connectivity means more funding,” said Porter. “Having that conversation with our state legislators and my colleagues on the city council is going to increase that connectivity.”
In 2023, the AFRO reported on calls from
go to get help. From what I’ve heard, my grandfather paid people’s tuition, sponsored a supermarket, saved people’s lives from gambling debts– the stories go on and on. These stories show how much heart he had for his people.”
Charles Tilghman’s community oriented mindset allowed him to create an environment that pushed the
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confidence they need to create social change in Baltimore.
The first cohort will accept twelve social entrepreneurs who hail from Charm City. Applications are due by Aug. 30, and chosen entrepreneurs will be selected by Sep. 20.
“This program not only honors the incredible legacy of Dr. Elmer and Joanne Martin but also invests in the future of Baltimore by equipping social entrepreneurs with the resources they need to lead transformative change,” said Jamye Wooten, founder of CLLCTIVLY, in a statement to the AFRO. “Dr. Yanique Redwood, CLLCTIVLY’s scholar-practitioner in residence, is supporting the development of the fellowship and is infusing liberatory leadership principles into the design of the program. We look forward to seeing the innovative solutions and leadership that will emerge from this cohort.”
The new fellowship will run from October 2024 to March 2025. Each cohort member will be given $2,000 per month to support them while they participate in the program. The fellowship will cover topics, including social impact strategy, business models for social enterprises and the role of digital media in social movement. Participants will also create a capstone project to present to an audience of potential supporters at the program’s end.
In order to be considered for the fellowship, social entrepreneurs must lead an initiative, organization or project engineered to devise solutions for systemic social issues and challenges. They must also have a strategy to finance their work beyond obtaining grant funding and gifts.
“I am so proud and excited that the Center for Social Impact Strategy will support this important and historic initiative,” said Ariel Schwartz, managing director of
West Baltimore activist Marvin “Doc” Cheatham and others to make the service more diverse.
Cheatham proposed creating a “Brown Line,” which aims to connect Baltimore’s majority Black neighborhoods from East to West.
“We now have it in Cherry Hill, but the majority of Black people do not live in Cherry Hill, they live all over Baltimore,” said Cheatham. “It’s still an issue for us because they still haven’t really addressed the problem.”
In response to this concern, Porter said she’s “more than willing” to talk about expanding the circulator into other routes in West and South Baltimore communities.
Porter said she will push for more opportunities to increase transit in communities like Brooklyn
in the upcoming Maryland General Assembly session.
“I think that connectivity within some of our Black and Brown neighborhoods needs to happen,” said Porter. “I’m more than willing to have that conversation with residents in West Baltimore to see how, not only we can increase connectivity, but increase connectivity in neighborhoods that typically and historically have not had that kind of (access) to main bus lines.”
Cheatham believes his communities’ call to action and the CCC being called out for having a facility in Cherry H¨ill but not servicing the area led to the Cherry Route being rolled out this year.
Though it is unclear if BCDOT will move on Cheatham’s proposed “Brown Line,” he said he will continue to advocate until the job is done.
community and the culture forward. His club, being portrayed by local Black talent in this series, is a full circle moment that speaks to the importance of Black people telling Black narratives
“As Black people it’s a personal responsibility to make sure these stories are told,” said Pearsall. “We’re already aware of the adversaries that we face, why haven’t we
the center, in a statement to the AFRO. “I am thrilled to be working with CLLCTIVLY to provide tools, resources and a learning and engagement platform for the fellows
to cultivate their social ventures and fill their own cups.”
Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin started The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum with four wax figures purchased in 1980. By 1983 they couple had a storefront museum in Baltimore, operating the first AfricanAmerican history wax museum in the country together as a dynamic husband and wife duo. Today, the Baltimore-based institution maintains nearly 150 figures of prominent African Americans who have made their mark in time.
The Martins established the museum to fuel interest in Black history, while also supporting community organizations and advancing economic development in the East North Avenue corridor.
Photo courtesy of CLLCTIVLY Jamye Wooten is the founder of CLLCTIVLY, an ecosystem builder for Baltimore-based social change organizations. His organization, in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy, will lead a sixmonth fellowship program for local social entrepreneurs.
Morgan State University unveils newly renovated Edward P. Hurt Gymnasium
By Ariyana Griffin AFRO Staff Writer agriffin@afro.com
After a closure of nearly three years due to renovations, Morgan State University officially reopened Edward P. Hurt Gymnasium on Aug. 19, just in time for the first day of the Fall semester.
While the exterior of the building, built in 1950, remains untouched, the inside of the historic edifice boasts roughly $30 million in upgrades.
The two-story building is named after legendary Edward P. Hurt, a longtime professor and coach of the football, basketball and track teams at Morgan State. During his time at Morgan from 1929 to 1970 he led Morgan’s football team to 53 consecutive game wins. On February 12, 1953 the gym hosted the first interracial American basketball game played south of the Mason-Dixon Line, where the Bears played against Loyola College Maryland.
The renovations include a dance studio, gym, classrooms and a pool for students to enjoy on the campus.
Police search for suspects after Baltimore mass shooting leaves one
By Ariyana Griffin AFRO Staff Writer agriffin@afro.com
A mass shooting took place in East Baltimore on Aug. 18, leaving one person dead and seven injured.
The incident claimed the life of Anthony Martin, 36.
According to information released from the Baltimore Police Department, around 8:01 p.m. shots were fired in the 1300 block of Spring Street.
The victims’ ages range from 22 to 45 years old, with at one female victim.
Several firearms were found at the scene, however the police department is still looking for suspects, according to Baltimore police Commissioner Richard Worley, who shared that the victims’ injuries currently range from stable to critical.
“Baltimore is grappling with the impacts of another mass shooting event
dead, seven injured
that has taken the life of one Baltimorean and irreparably changed several others.
Investigators from the Baltimore Police Department will diligently work to find and hold those who are responsible accountable for this horrific act of violence,” said Baltimore Mayor Scott in a statement. “To those who know who was involved - even if they are your loved one - I implore you to do the right thing and urge them to take accountability.
If you have any information that might help us bring justice to our community, call BPD’s homicide tip line at 410-3962100.”
Mayor Scott announced that his Office of Neighborhood Safety would activate a “coordinated neighborhood stabilization response,” to help the community begin the healing process following the mass shooting.
“These tragic acts of violence — which are still too common in our city — are only possible because of the continued
ease of access to guns on our streets,” said Scott. “We cannot acknowledge this tragedy without acknowledging the role that the proliferation of guns plays in endangering our communities.” Witnesses or persons with information or video footage related
Photo courtesy of X (Twitter) / Morgan State University
Dr. David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University, officially reopens Edward P. Hurt Gymnasium on Aug. 19 after nearly three years and $30 million in renovations.
Baltimore Police are looking for suspects involved in an East Baltimore mass shooting that took place Aug. 18. The incident claimed the life of 16-year-old Anthony Martin and injured several others.
AFRO News celebrates 132 years
By AFRO Staff
The AFRO celebrated 132 years in operation on Aug. 13, marking a long history of delivering news to the Black community and representing their interests in the media. The company came together on Aug. 15 to honor the legacy of the paper and those who have diligently worked to sustain the publication. Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper and her executive team took time to make the day a special one for all in attendance, spotlighting Publisher Emeritus Jake Oliver and all who have worked for the AFRO for more than five years. The luncheon took place at Martin’s West, featuring a full buffet, rounds of crab cakes and top notch service.
Publisher Emeritus Jake Oliver receives recognition for his service to the AFRO. Oliver served as publisher from 1982 to 2018.
AFRO Board Member Laura Phillips Byrd enjoys the celebration.
AFRO Staff Reporter Tashi McQueen represents the company’s younger generation of employees.
Ariyana Griffin, the newest member to the AFRO editorial team, joins in on the festivities.
AFRO Production Manager Denise Dorsey and AFRO Special Projects Editor receive honors for decades of service to the publication.
AFRO Receptionist Wanda Pearson shines as she receives recognition from AFRO Publisher Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper for being a polite, friendly first point of contact for community members looking to connect with the publication. Pearson has been a member of the company for 43 years.
AFRO Finance Manager Bonnie Deanes assists as honorees and trivia winners receive their gifts. During the event, attendees completed small games, competing for items from the AFRO Mall.
AFRO Billing Specialist Chakya Brown shows off her prize for finding the names of AFRO employees in a company word search.
AFRO Web Editor Stephanie Cornish takes a moment with AFRO Director of Operations Andre Draper at the company’s 132nd birthday party.
AFRO Photos / James Fields
AFRO Executive Director Lenora Howze delivers a toast in honor of the AFRO.
AFRO News continues to thrive, more than a century after its humble beginnings