Inaugural Teen Unity Walk takes place in nation’s capital
By Ariyana Griffin AFRO Staff Writer agriffin@afro.com
Crittenton Services of Greater Washington (CSGW) held its first Teen Unity Walk on Sept. 22 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
For more than 135 years, CSGW has
been dedicated to providing teen girls with the resources and tools they need to be successful academically and in their everyday lives. Their programming equips Black and Brown girls in the greater Washington area with mentorship for middle and high school aged teens.
More than 200 teen girls from Maryland and D.C. participated in the inaugural Teen Unity Walk to raise awareness around everyday issues that teen girls face, but are often overlooked such as societal pressures, bullying, positive self image, etc.
According to their website, “99 percent or more of our girls graduate from high school; 99 percent advance to the next grade level; and at least 80 percent attend higher education or vocational training programs.” The organization has over 1000 girls across its current programming.
LaTara Harris, the CEO of CSGW , expressed the importance of the event and what it would mean to the girls.
“We knew that girls were struggling, especially since COVID,” Harris told the AFRO. “Girls have told us that we want to be safe, seen and protected - we wanted to bring together the community and other groups to let them know we are here for you. We want to be a part of your lives and we want to help you survive and thrive,” said Harris.
She shared with the AFRO that they teach the girls a very important life skill: the ability to advocate for themselves.
“The positive youth development element of what we’re teaching them to be advocates for themselves and to stand up for themselves is just such a critical piece. Knowing all of the challenges that we face in general as women - we know it’s exacerbated once they are entering certain spaces,” Harris stated.
Plenty of supporters of the organization and teen girls were in attendance, as well as resource booths. The event was hosted by NBC4 Washington News Anchor Shawn Yancy. Attendees were able to hear from D.C. Secretary of State Kimberly Bassett and Meedie Bardonille, the founder and president of Black Nurse Collaborative, before starting their walk.
“I just wanted to help advocate for young girls, especially going through a lot,” 16-year-old Naomi Asfaw told the AFRO
“There’s a lot of things going on right now, especially because of social media - insecurities and hate. Young girls really don’t know where to go to get resources or how to deal with issues,” Asfaw explained.
She shared that the walk would be an excellent opportunity for her to learn more and be a helping hand to friends and family members.
“I wanted to come out here and support young women and advocate for them and be able to even learn more for myself so that I can share advice with my friends or community,” said Asfaw.
Photo courtesy of D2D CREATIVE + D2D FOCUS
Ninth grade Crittenton Girls Marshai Langston (left), and Destiny Thomas march along the path to the Washington Monument.
Photo courtesy of D2D CREATIVE + D2D FOCUS LaTara Harris (left), CEO of Crittenton Services, celebrates the Unity Walk with other organizers, including Kymber Lovett-Menkiti, a board chair of Crittenton Services; Kimberly Bassett, secretary of State of Washington, D.C.; Meedie Bardonille, founder and president of Black Nurse Collaborative and Celeste James, a board member of Crittenton Services of Greater Washington.
Photo courtesy of D2D CREATIVE + D2D FOCUS
Crittenton Service seniors Micah Settles (left), and Kira Wendt celebrate the opportunity to stand with other young ladies in an effort to support each other.
Courtesy Photo
Standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, seventh grade Crittenton Girls Sophia Nogales (left) and Katherine Ávalos pause for a moment to take in the scene of the first march for teen girls.
AFRO Photo/ Ariyana Griffin
Above: Participants of the Crittenton Services of Greater Washington Teen Unity Walk in D.C. come together.
AFRO Photo/ Ariyana Griffin
LaTara Harris (center), CEO of Crittenton Services of Greater Washington, prepares to kick off the Teen Girls Unity Walk.
AFRO Photo/ Ariyana Griffin
The girls, staff and supporters set out on their walk, raising their voices–and signs– together.
AFRO Photo/ Ariyana Griffin
Above: Naomi Asfaw prepares for the walk. Right: Participants craft their own signs with messages to hold during the walk.
AFRO Photo/ Ariyana Griffin
New Shiloh Baptist Church celebrates 122 years Service highlights work of Sen. Ben Cardin and Rev. Jerome Stephens
By Patricia McDougall
New Shiloh Baptist Church celebrated its 122nd anniversary on Oct. 6. In its 122 years, the church has only had four pastors. For the last 28 years, New Shiloh has been under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Harold A. Carter Jr. The church continues to remain centered on biblical education teaching, prayer, witnessing and saving souls for Christ. Still today, New Shiloh is a refuge of resources and service to the Baltimore community.
Pastor Carter and his wife, Rev. Monique Carter, share in the ministry,
and he currently serves as president of the Hamptons Ministers Conference. The anniversary attracted elected officials such as Gov. Wes Moore, as Sen. Ben Cardin and his retiring Special Assistant of Faith-based and Community Affairs, Rev. Jerome Stephens, were honored during the service. Gov. Moore delivered an inspiring message that resonated deeply with all in attendance. Cardin served as a delegate in the Maryland State House from 1967-1986, and was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in Congress from 1987 to 2007. He began serving in the United States Senate in 2007. Cardin spoke to an enthusiastic congregation ahead of his upcoming retirement from the office.
Stephens will soon culminate over two decades of service to Maryland and has proven to be a pivotal bridge between communities of faith and the federal government.
Stephens’ message on Oct. 6 was one of resiliency and perseverance from The Book of Psalms Chapter 27, verses one through seven.
Celebration of life honors Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant
By AFRO Staff
Friends, family and revered members of the faith community gathered for the celebration of life for Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant on Oct. 5. The service took place at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 1300 Druid Hill Avenue in Baltimore.
Those gathered came from near and far to celebrate Dr. Bryant’s life and legacy.
Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning served as mistress of ceremonies during the service. Rev. Dr. Thema Simone Bryant, Dr. Bryant’s daughter, spoke on the values instilled by her mother, such as caring for those in need, being prepared to reach for greatness and how to stand up for yourself.
All speakers had only the best memories and stories to share about the missionary, wife, mother and giant of the faith community.
AFRO Photo / Patricia McDougall
Maryland Governor Wes Moore brings greetings to the historic New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore.
New Shiloh Baptist Church Pastor Harold A. Carter, Jr. (left) and Congressman Ben Cardin share their sentiments with those in
Members of the Baltimore Chapter of Continental Societies Michele McCoy Jones (left), Senior Vice President Lynn Lawings, President Joyce Cummings and Phyllis Brown enjoy the anniversary service.
Rev. Jerome Stephens serves as special guest preacher on Oct. 6 in honor of the 122nd anniversary of New Shiloh Baptist Church.
Shown here, the Agape Ushers of New Shiloh, Laurie McNair (left), Larry Glover, Alvin Curtis, Sharon Wright and Mallory Crawford.
Candice Stephens (left), Paula Stephens, Brittany Stephens and Debbie Washington
Braxton C. Street, an elected member of the Democratic Central Committee for District 40) (left), Wanda Draper and Dr. Robert Draper stand outside the sanctuary, located at 2100 N. Monroe St.
Photos courtesy of The Christain Recorder via Bethel A.M.E. Church
Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant lays in rest at Bethel AME Church in Baltimore on Oct. 5.
Hundreds gather for the homegoing ceremony of Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant inside of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, pastor of Georgia’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, listens as those in attendance speak on how his mother impacted their lives and the community.
Rev. Dr. Thema Simone Bryant, president of the American Psychological Association, prepares to deliver remarks about her mother.
Retired Bishop John Richard Bryant, husband of the late Rev. Cecelia Williams Bryant for more than five decades.
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie delivers the eulogy to a packed audience. Attendees from near and far took every seat inside of the church and overflow rooms.