Baltimore-Washington Afro-American Newspaper January 9 2016 by AFRO News

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Gun Control?

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A tear rolls down President Barack Obama’s face as pauses in the East Room of the White House in Washington, as he speaks about steps his administration is taking to reduce gun violence. See story on A4.

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Caesar Goodson, right, faces charges of manslaughter and second-degree “depraved-heart” murder in the death of Freddie Gray.

Balto. Mayoral Candidates Settlement Agreement Offer Dueling Plans for Reached in Baltimore Troubled City Sex Abuse Case By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO

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Frances Cress Welsing, Respected Race Theorist, Dead at 80

By The Associated Press

Continued on A4

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Officer Must Testify in 2nd Trial in Freddie Gray case A Baltimore judge ruled on Jan. 6 that a police officer facing charges related to the death of Freddie Gray must testify against a fellow officer, an unprecedented move that means the officer could face jail time if he refuses. Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams ruled that William Porter, whose trial ended in a mistrial last month, can be compelled to take the stand in the trial of wagon driver Caesar Goodson. Goodson is facing the most serious charge of the six officers charged in the case: second-degree murder, in addition to manslaughter, assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment. The ruling could have sweeping ramifications. While its immediate impact on other cases is unclear, the judge warned

By The Associated Press and AFRO staff

Mayoral candidates Sheila Dixon and Nick Mosby announced competing major campaign platforms this week that seek to address essential quality of life issues for Baltimore, a city that saw riots last April and ended the year with 344 homicides, a near record. On Jan. 4, Dixon released a four point plan to create a safer Baltimore. In an interview with the AFRO, Dixon stressed that she has experience in creating a safer, more livable Baltimore. “We focused on a holistic approach (in contrast to former Mayor O’Malley’s zero tolerance approach to crime). Crime Continued on A3

Courtesy photo

Sheila Dixon and Nick Mosby (not pictured) say they have a plan to fix Baltimore.

Baltimore’s Buildings to be Torn Down, Questions Raised

The Housing Authority of Baltimore City has reached a settlement agreement in a lawsuit that accused maintenance men of demanding sex from at least 19 women before making repairs. Paul T. Graziano, Baltimore housing chief, and Cary J. Hansel, a lawyer representing the women, confirmed on Jan. 4 they reached an agreement for an undisclosed amount of money. It’s pending approval by the court and the U .S. Department of Housing. Settlement talks were held Dec. 14 and Dec. 22. Hansel and Graziano declined further comment. Attorneys for the women say they were denied basic repairs in public housing units because they refused to have sex with handymen. Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Rochelle Ritchie says a criminal investigation into the matter is ongoing. The AFRO first reported the allegations last July.

Frances Cress Welsing, a psychiatrist and race theorist whose theories ignited widespread controversy, died at the age of 80, according to media reports. Welsing died about 5:50 a.m. Jan. 2 following

YouTube

Frances Cress Welsing’s work helped inspire the rap group Public Enemy. complications from a stroke she suffered earlier in the week, according to the Washington Informer, which cited confirmation from her relatives. The news prompted an outpouring of tributes from many who praised her mentorship and scholarship. “The void she leaves has no boundary,” tweeted activist and radio host Harry Allen. Rapper Chuck D, of Public Enemy fame, said Dr. Welsing inspired their 1990 album “Fear of a Black Planet,” considered one of the seminal hip-hop albums of all time. “RIP to the elder Dr. Continued on A3

The Afro-American, January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016

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NATION & WORLD

Bill Cosby is Charged with Sex Crime Dating to 2004 By The Associated Press

Bill Cosby was arrested in the twilight of his life and career on Dec. 30 and charged with a decade-old sex crime after a barrage of accusations from dozens of women made a mockery of his image as TV’s wise and understanding Dr. Cliff Huxtable. Using a cane, the 78-yearold comedian walked slowly and unsteadily into court on the arms of his lawyers to answer charges he drugged and sexually assaulted a woman less than half his age at his suburban

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Bill Cosby leaves the Cheltenham Township Police Department where he was processed after being arraigned on a felony charge of aggravated indecent assault Dec. 30 in Elkins Park, Pa. Philadelphia home in 2004. He had no comment as he was released on $1 million bail. The case marks the first time

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Cosby has been charged with sexual misconduct despite years of lurid allegations, and sets the stage for perhaps the biggest Hollywood celebrity trial of the mobile-news era. “Make no mistake: We intend to mount a vigorous defense against this unjustified charge, and we expect that Mr. Cosby will be exonerated by a court of law,” his attorney Monique Pressley said in a statement. The former “Cosby Show” star and celebrated breaker of TV’s racial barriers was charged with aggravated indecent assault, punishable by five to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. He did not have to enter a plea. The decision to prosecute him came down just days before Pennsylvania’s 12-year statute of limitations for bringing charges was set to run out. Prosecutors accused Cosby of plying former Temple University employee Andrea Constand with pills and wine, then penetrating her with his fingers without her consent while she was drifting in and out of consciousness, unable to resist or cry out. She was “frozen, paralyzed, unable to move,” Montgomery County District Attorney-elect Kevin Steele said. In court papers, prosecutors said the drugs were the cold medicine Benadryl or some other, unidentified substance. Steele noted that Cosby has admitted giving Quaaludes to women he wanted to have sex with. Cosby acknowledged under oath a decade ago that he had sexual contact with Constand but said it was consensual. Wearing a black-and-white

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People protest a grand jury’s decision not to indict two white Cleveland police officers in the fatal shooting of Tamir Rice, a black 12-year-old boy who was playing with a pellet gun, Dec. 29, in Cleveland. hooded sweater into court, Cosby seemed to have trouble seeing the paperwork and finding the place to sign, and his lawyers helped him hold the pen. But he seemed at ease, laughing and chatting with his attorneys. When the judge said, “Good luck, Mr. Cosby,” he shouted: “Thank you!”

White Rookie Cleveland Cop Won’t Face Charges in Killing of Tamir Rice By The Associated Press A grand jury declined to indict a White rookie police officer in the killing of 12-yearold Tamir Rice, a Black youngster who was shot to death while carrying what turned out to be a pellet gun, a prosecutor said Monday. Cuyahoga County prosecutor Tim McGinty said it was

“indisputable” that the boy was drawing the weapon from his waistband when he was gunned down — either to hand it over to police or to show them that it wasn’t a real firearm. But McGinty said there was no way for the officers on the scene to know that. He called it “a perfect storm of human error” but said no crime was committed. Tamir was gunned down by patrolman Timothy Loehmann within two seconds of his police cruiser skidding to a stop near the boy outside a city recreation center in November 2014. Loehmann and his training partner, Frank Garmback, had responded to a 911 call about a man waving a gun. Tamir was carrying a borrowed airsoft gun that looked like a real gun but shot nonlethal plastic pellets. It was missing its telltale orange tip. A grainy video of the shooting captured by a surveillance camera provoked outrage nationally, and together with other killings of black people by police in places such as Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City, it helped fuel the Black Lives Matter movement. McGinty urged those who disagree with the grand jury decision to react peacefully, and said: “It is time for the community and all of us to start to heal.” The grand jury had been hearing evidence and testimony since mid-October. McGinty said Loehmann was justified in firing: “He had reason to fear for his life.” The prosecutor also said police radio personnel contributed to the tragedy by failing to pass along the “allimportant fact” that the 911 caller said the gunman was probably a juvenile and the gun probably wasn’t real. “There have been lessons learned already. It should never happen again, and the city has taken steps so it doesn’t,” McGinty said. Among other things, the Cleveland police department is putting dashboard cameras in every car and equipping officers with bodycams.

The Afro-American, January 9, 2016 - January 9, 2016

January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016, The Afro-American

Mayorial Candidates Continued from A1

irrelevant and ineffective, in spite of efforts by current Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to revitalize the board. Dixon’s approach focuses on detaining the most violent offenders, requiring community policing and extensive training, while developing alternative approaches to restoring non-violent offenders to productive community life and supporting disconnected youth. Dixon would use local, state and federal data currently available to target violent offenders. “We know who the violent offenders are” she said. Dixon advocates a collaborative approach to working with the city’s large population of disconnected youth. “We need to monitor them and work with both youth and their families. I am not advocating programs that will cost the city more money. We need to

Welsing

Continued from A1

Frances Cress Welsing, the inspiration behind FEAR OF A BLACK PLANET,” the artist wrote on his Twitter feed. Marc Lamont Hill, a Morehouse college professor and CNN contributor, was among several academicians who noted Welsing’s intellectual legacy. “Dr. Frances Cress Welsing represents a tradition of REAL Black Public intellectual work and community scholarship that must be protected,” he said in a tribute. “There is a whole generation of Black people, many of whom didn’t have access to formal academic spaces, who were trained by Dr. Welsing.” On March 18, 1935, Frances Louella Cress was born in Chicago the second of three daughters to Henry

an atomic bomb into the cultural and intellectual arenas when she published the 1970 essay “The Cress Theory of Color-Confrontation and Racism (White Supremacy).” “As a psychiatrist, and working in a hospital trying to treat Black people and White people, [I recognized] that the majority of the problems that Black patients had in psychiatric hospitals when you took a history, you’d run smack into racism. So I knew I had to understand racism to help solve the mental health problems of Black people,” she said of her reasons for the paper during a 1985 appearance on “The Phil Donahue Show.” Welsing posited global racism (specifically White supremacy) had its roots in the deficiency of melanin— the pigment-producing

“Dr. Frances Cress Welsing represents a tradition of REAL Black Public intellectual work and community scholarship that must be protected.” – Marc Lamont Hill N. Cress, a physician, and Ida Mae Griffen, a teacher. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Antioch College in 1957, she went on to receive her medical degree from Howard University in 1962. Welsing stayed in Washington, D.C., where she practiced both general and pediatric psychiatry. In addition to her role as an educator—she worked as an assistant professor of pediatrics at Howard University College of Medicine for more than a decade—she launched a private practice in 1967 and worked as a staff physician for the D.C. Department of Human Services and as the clinical director of two schools for emotionally troubled children for several decades. It was while she taught at Howard that Welsing launched what was considered

substance in skin—in Whites and their fear of genetic annihilation. Because white skin is the result of a genetic recessive trait, pure “Whiteness” would be easily decimated by interracial mixing, she said. Because of their “numerical inadequacy” and “color inferiority,” White people may have defensively developed “an uncontrollable sense of hostility and aggression” towards people of color – and particularly Black people since their high melanin content gives them the greatest genetic potential to annihilate Whites, the essay suggested. Welsing’s 1974 debate on PBS’s “Tony Brown’s Journal” against William Shockley, a physicist and eugenics proponent who theorized that Blacks were genetically inferior, further shot her into public notoriety.

Welsing continued her ideas of White supremacy and its permutations in global culture and society in 1990’s “The Isis Papers: The Keys to the Colors.” Among other things, she said White fears of annihilation were focused on the Black male. “In the White supremacy mind-set, consciously or subconsciously, Black males must be destroyed in significant numbers – just as they were in earlier days when there was widespread open lynching and castration of Black males, or during the Tuskegee Syphilis Study from 1932 to 1972 when a large number of Black males were used and destroyed by Whites,” she wrote. Welsing also suggested that homosexuality was something imposed on Black males by Whites to reduce the Black population. That theory and the others posed in her book were criticized, but she was praised for her overall intellectual bravery and her focus on the nurturing of Black children and families as a way to combat White supremacy. “Black people have to get in to the mind frame that ‘Black’ means dignity and being serious, that people respect one another,” said Welsing in a 2013 interview with Knowshi.com. “This is going to be the strength of Black people—valuing themselves, respecting themselves and having dignity.” Memorial services for Dr. Frances Cress Welsing will take place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jan. 23 at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium, 2455 6th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

maximize the programs that we have. We would evaluate our own city agencies as well as organizations that partner with the city. We would bring in foundations to help us”, Dixon said. “I have examples of how I have already done this with Promise Heights.” Promise Heights is a US Department of Education Funded program that partners with community and faith-based non-profits in the Druid Hills/ Upton Heights neighborhoods.

Mosby Focuses on Future

place stiff financial penalties for owners of vacant buildings, overhaul the Baltimore transportation system and expand the Charm City Circulator. Mosby did not provide details on how his plan would be funded or implemented but indicated that “in the coming weeks we will roll out the economics of the plan.” Both candidates focused on Baltimore’s future in discussing their vision for improving the quality of life for city residents. Dixon focused on her experience with city government and connection with the city’s youth. “Most people understand I know the city and city government. I know how to run city government and I can take this city forward by and with the support of young people who will work with me and who want to see Baltimore succeed,” she said. Mosby, in contrast, pointed to the future. “This election is not about the past, it’s about the future. This election is about new ideas, new energy and a fresh commitment to providing real opportunity for all Baltimoreans and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.” Mosby said.

On Jan. 5, Nick Mosby presented the press with what he called “A 15 Point Plan for Baltimore’s Future.” Speaking from a sidewalk near the corner of Howard and Franklin Streets, the contrasting images of the city’s blight and emerging signs of urban development were striking. “This is one Baltimore and if we come together now more than ever we can be and show the world what true urban revitalization is,” Mosby said. His plan focuses on five major initiatives including, eliminating gaps in the city’s educational system, investing in safe and healthy neighborhoods, economic development and attracting new businesses, a comprehensive transportation plan and enhancing government accountability and transparency. During the press conference, Mosby praised Police Commissioner Kevin Davis for his leadership during the 2015 unrest. “He has been unafraid to go after the bad actors on the police force. But there is no way we can ever return to a year like 2015”, Mosby said. Mosby has pledged to ensure all officers wear body cameras within the first 100 days of his administration, require community policing, and combat addiction. Mosby’s plan would also create universal pre-kindergarten, lower property taxes for all properties and provide livable housing for low-wealth residents, Nick Mosby laid out his vision for the city.

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rates started to decrease. Brutality rates were going down. We didn’t tolerate the mentality of officers coming onto the force and ignoring the extensive training they received.” Dixon said. Dixon would require more training for all police officers and work with the anticipated consent decree that will be provided by the US Justice Department as a result of the agency’s current investigation of the Baltimore Police Department. “Whether or not the consent decree comes with funding, we will do what it takes to train our officers to engage 21st Century Community Policing,” Dixon said. “I will enhance the Civilian Review Board and ensure it has the support staff needed to function in an efficient manner.” The Baltimore Police Department’s Civilian Review Board, established by the Maryland General Assembly, is often criticized for being

The Afro-American, January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016

January 9, 2016 - January 9, 2016, The Afro-American

‘It Gets Me Mad’ - Obama Acts Alone on Gun Control By The Associated Press Tears streaking his cheeks, President Barack Obama launched a final-year push on Jan. 5 to tighten sales of firearms in the U.S., using his presidential powers in the absence of tougher gun restrictions that Congress has refused to pass. The president struck a combative tone as he came out with plans for expanded background checks and other modest measures that have drawn consternation from gun rights groups, which Obama accused of making Congress their hostage. Palpable, too, was Obama’s extreme frustration at having made such little progress on gun control since the killing of 20 first-graders in Connecticut confronted the nation more than three years ago. “First-graders,” Obama said woefully, resting his chin on his hand and wiping away tears as he recalled the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. “Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad.” Obama’s 10-point plan to keep guns from those who shouldn’t have them marked a concession by the president: He’ll leave office without securing the new gun control laws he’s repeatedly and desperately implored Congress to pass. Although Obama, acting alone, can take action around the margins, only Congress can enact more sweeping changes that gun control advocates say are the only way to truly stem the frequency of mass shootings. “It won’t happen overnight,” Obama said. “It won’t happen during this Congress. It won’t happen during my presidency.” But, he added optimistically, “a lot of things don’t happen overnight.” The National Rifle Association, the largest gun group, panned Obama’s plan and said it was “ripe for abuse,” although the group didn’t specify what steps, if any, it will take to oppose or try to block it. Even Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat and gunowner who co-wrote the bipartisan bill Obama supported in 2013, took issue with the president’s move. “Instead of taking unilateral executive action, the president should work with Congress and the American people, just as I’ve always done, to pass the proposals he announced today,” Manchin said. The centerpiece of Obama’s plan is an attempt to narrow the loophole that exempts gun sales from background checks if the seller isn’t a federal registered dealer. With new federal

dismissing it as the tired trope of gun lobbyists who question “why bother trying?” “I reject that thinking,” Obama said. “We maybe can’t save everybody, but we could save some.” Hoping to give the issue a human face, the White House assembled a cross-section of Americans affected by searing recent gun tragedies, including former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Mark Barden, whose son was shot to death at Sandy Hook Elementary School, introduced the president with a declaration that “we are better than this.” Obama readily conceded the executive steps will be challenged in court, a prediction quickly echoed by An emotional President Republicans. Barack Obama pauses Chuck James, a former federal as he speaks about the prosecutor who practices firearms youngest victims of the law at the firm Williams Mullen, said Sandy Hook shootings, opponents are likely to challenge Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, in Obama’s authority to define what the East Room of the White it means to be “engaged in the House in Washington, where business” of selling guns beyond he spoke about steps his what’s laid out in the law. The administration is taking to White House asserted confidence reduce gun violence. Obama was acting legally, and said Justice Department and White House AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin lawyers had worked diligently to ensure the steps were watertight. Other new steps include 230 new “guidance,” the administration is clarifying that even those who examiners the FBI will hire to process background checks, sell just a few weapons at gun shows, flea markets or online aiming to prevent delays that enabled the accused gunman in can be deemed dealers and required to conduct checks on Charleston, South Carolina, to get a gun when the government prospective buyers. Whether that step can make a significant dent in unregulated took too long. Obama is also asking the government to research smart gun sales is an open question, and one not easily answered. gun technology to reduce accidental shootings and asking Millions of guns are sold annually in informal settings Congress for $500 million to improve mental health care. Other outside of gun shops, including many through private sales provisions aim to better track lost or stolen guns and prevent arranged online. But the Obama administration acknowledged trusts or corporations from buying dangerous weapons without it couldn’t quantify how many gun sales would be newly background checks. subjected to background checks, nor how many currently Obama’s announcement carved a predictably partisan fault unregistered gun sellers would have to obtain a license. line through the presidential campaign. Easily reversible by a future president, the government’s Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, both competing for guidance to gun sellers lacks the legal oomph of a new law, the nomination from Obama’s party, pledged to build on his such as the one Obama and likeminded lawmakers tried but actions if elected. The Republican field formed a chorus of failed to pass in 2013. The Justice Department said online the voices vowing to annul the whole package, with Marco Rubio guidance “has no regulatory effect and is not intended to create claiming “Obama is obsessed with undermining the Second or confer any rights, privileges, or benefits in any matter, case, Amendment.” or proceeding.” “Rather than focus on criminals and terrorists, he goes after What’s more, none of the steps would have probably prevented any of the recent mass shootings that Obama invoked the most law-abiding of citizens,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican. “His words and actions amount to a form in the East Room: Aurora, Oak Creek, Charleston, Newtown, of intimidation that undermines liberty.” to name some. But Obama defiantly rejected that critique,

Grand Jury Indicts Trooper in Sandra Bland Traffic Stop By The Associated Press A Texas state trooper was charged with perjury on Jan. 6 in connection with a contentious traffic stop last summer where a Black woman wound up arrested for assault and then died three days later in jail. A grand jury indicted Trooper Brian Encinia on the misdemeanor count, alleging he lied about how he removed 28-year-old Sandra Bland from her vehicle during the July traffic stop. The same Waller County grand jury decided last month not to indict any sheriff’s officials or jailers in Bland’s death, which was ruled a suicide. Bland remained jailed following her arrest because she couldn’t raise about $500 for bail. Encinia, who has been on paid desk duty since Bland was found dead in her cell, also faces a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Bland’s family. The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

Courtesy of Bland family via AP

A grand jury indicted Trooper Brian Encinia with the misdemeanor charge of perjury. Encinia has been on desk duty since Sandra Bland (pictured) was found dead in her cell in July. Her death was ruled a suicide.

Encinia, who is White, pulled Bland over on July 10 for making an improper lane change near Prairie View A&M University, her alma mater, where she had just interviewed and accepted a job. Dashcam video from Encinia’s patrol car shows that the traffic stop quickly became confrontational. The video shows the trooper holding a stun gun and yelling, “I will light you up!” after Bland refuses to get out of her car. Bland eventually steps out of the vehicle, and Encinia orders her to the side of the road. The confrontation continues off-camera but is still audible. Encinia’s affidavit stated he “removed her from her vehicle to further conduct a safer traffic investigation,” but grand jurors “found that statement to be false,” said Shawn McDonald, one of five special prosecutors appointed to investigate. McDonald declined to say whether the grand jury considered any other charges. Neither Bland’s attorneys nor the Texas Department of Public Safety immediately returned messages seeking comment about the indictment. Department Director Steve McCraw said after the incident that Encinia violated internal agency policies of

professionalism and courtesy. Encinia wrote in his affidavit that he had Bland exit the vehicle and handcuffed her after she became combative, and that she swung her elbows at him and kicked him in his right shin. Encinia said he then used force “to subdue Bland to the ground,” and she continued to fight back. He arrested her for assault on a public servant. Bland’s sister, Shante Needham, has said Bland called her from jail the day after her arrest, saying she’d been arrested but didn’t know why, and that an officer had placed his knee in her back and injured her arm. After the traffic stop, Bland was taken in handcuffs by another officer to the county jail in nearby Hempstead, about 50 miles northwest of Houston. She was found dead in her jail cell three days later, on July 13, hanging from a jail cell partition with a plastic garbage bag around her neck. Her family has said they were working to get money for her bail when they learned of her death. Bland’s arrest and death came amid heightened national scrutiny of police and their dealings with Black suspects, especially individuals who were killed by officers or who died in police custody.

Officer Must Testify Continued from A1

prosecutors that calling Porter as a witness against Goodson could make it more difficult to put Porter on trial again. In a September letter to the court, prosecutors indicated they intended to call Porter as a witness against both Goodson and another officer, Sgt. Alicia White, arguing that his testimony is crucial. But Porter’s attorneys had said in court documents he planned to invoke his Fifth Amendment right against selfincrimination if called to the stand. Now, Porter is no longer able to do so; if he does, he can be held in contempt of court and potentially jailed. Prosecutors plan to offer Porter immunity, meaning they can’t use his own testimony during Goodson’s trial against him later. But Williams warned that keeping Porter’s accounts separate could be difficult. “I will note if Mr. Porter testifies at a trial that’s not his, once you’ve heard something, how will you put that out of your mind when you cross-examine him?” Williams asked Chief

Deputy State’s Attorney Michael Schatzow. “The second he testifies it might change the game.” Still, Williams said as long as Porter is offered immunity, “that seems satisfactory.” Porter’s attorney Gary Proctor said he plans to ask an appeals court to overturn the ruling before Jan. 11, when Goodson’s trial is scheduled to begin. No such ruling has ever been made in the state of Maryland and could have tremendous implications for future cases. “I’m in uncharted territory,” Williams said while issuing the ruling. Longtime Baltimore defense attorney Warren Brown, who is not involved in the Gray case, said Williams’ decision is extraordinary. The judge is essentially saying there is no difference between a witness and a defendant, so long as immunity is granted, he said. And he said that could make it difficult for people to get a fair trial in future cases involving

several defendants. “This has never happened in the state of Maryland. It’s only in regard to an investigation that a person is given immunity,” Brown said, adding that “it’s almost sacrilegious to make a defendant testify by giving him or her immunity, and that’s why it’s never occurred.” But Douglas Colbert, a University of Maryland Law professor, said the judge’s decision wasn’t surprising. He said it protects Porter because he’s granted immunity, but also protects the prosecution’s case. He also noted the case was highly unusual, given how rare it is to prosecute police officers. “Otherwise, any time you had co-defendants, they’d all gang up together and say, ‘everybody keep quiet. Let’s not cooperate.’ And who gets defeated? The public does because the public doesn’t learn the truth that would allow for some of those people to take responsibility and be found guilty,” he said.

January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016, The Afro-American

COMMENTARY

Advancing Dr. King’s Vision for Peace During this holiday season when people of all faith traditions recommit ourselves to living our faith and forging a better world, we cannot help but reflect upon the lessons that we learned in childhood about the eternal dream for peace on earth and goodwill toward all of humanity. For me, these reflections are especially poignant as we approach the January 15 anniversary of Dr. Martin Elijah Cummings Luther King, Jr.’s birth. As a young student in the Baltimore of the late 1960s, with all of the daily disappointments and frustrations of growing up Black in America, I easily could have descended into a lifetime of anger, self-indulgence and despair. I will be forever grateful that the liberating faith of my parents provided that young man with a different, far better foundation—a vision for the future that found encouragement in Dr. King’s example and his inspiring words. Together, these forces for good helped me to find my moral compass as a human being—and as an American. I offer this reflection because, once again, the shared humanity of our society is being challenged. Once again, the hardships, dissention and turmoil of our time could tempt even the strongest, most optimistic souls to doubt. In all honesty, the experience of our lives calls us to acknowledge that such doubts are not irrational. In an age when many Americans enjoy opportunities that would have been almost unimaginable in my parents’ youth, far too many of our neighbors continue to suffer from poverty, violence and the persistent fear that their country could abandon them to their peril. The threat of terrorism magnifies our fears of violent crime. Powerful forces in our society threaten to foreclose our dreams of an empowering education, a secure retirement and lifepreserving healthcare. Extremism, partisanship, demagoguery, and xenophobia seek to dominate our public discourse and threaten the legal foundations of our society. Even in an America that elected a Black man President of

these United States, the virulent reaction of these last years has taught us that doubts about the viability of Dr. King’s Dream are not irrational. Yet, neither is it inevitable that our worst fears will be realized. Personally, I remain convinced that Dr. King’s Dream can never die as long as his vison for America and our world remains the North Star in our hearts. The lessons of our past remain our surest guide for the road ahead. Today in the America of 2016, as it was in December 1967 when Dr. King gave his famous Christmas sermon on Peace and Non-Violence at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, “we have neither peace within nor peace without. Everywhere, paralyzing fears harrow people by day and haunt them by night.” Dr. King reflected upon the four years that had passed since the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and his now famous remarks about his Dream for America. He acknowledged that, in the aftermath of those stirring remarks, he had begun to see his dream for America turn into a nightmare. He spoke of the four innocent young Negro girls who were murdered in a Birmingham church bombing, about the crushing poverty in our nation’s ghettos, about the riots in America and the horrors of Vietnam. Dr. King acknowledged that he was not immune to our tendencies toward doubt and despair – that, personally, he was “…the victim of deferred dreams and blasted hopes….” His answer to the negative forces in his own life remains an inspiration today—an affirmation of our shared humanity and non-violent, constructive change that we are called to act upon today. As Dr. King counseled his congregation in 1967, we must continue to pursue our dream of a better America because we “…can’t give up on life.” Here, in our home town of Baltimore, stirred by the upheaval of last year, we are coming together as a community to relearn this fundamental lesson—and I am hopeful that the shocks of last year are helping us to regain our sense of urgency.

Now, in 2016, Baltimore and America have some important choices to make—and some important reforms to undertake. Throughout our community here in Baltimore, we are reexamining our responses to crime—and working to raise the expectations that law enforcement officers and the citizenry whom they are honor bound to protect must have of one another. Perhaps even more significant, Baltimoreans from all walks of life are continuing to challenge the underlying inequities in our society, widespread injustice that must be addressed if we truly are to have peace in our community. This is our living message—Dr. King’s message—to all who are burdened by the forces of doubt and despair about our future as a “blessed society.” We are a great people who know, in the depths of our souls, that we can overcome all of life’s obstacles when we overcome our own fears. In this knowledge, we can have confidence in our own competence to bring about constructive change. Congressman Elijah Cummings represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.

How to Have a Global Happy New Year The French have an expression that when translated states “…the more things change, the more they stay the same.” We as a global people can ill afford to continue to live that saying given our past of killing one-another in the name of religion or political differences. If this new year is to be a globally happy one, the underlying principles of John R. loving one-another through Hawkins III our words and deeds as called for in the Quran and the Bible as well as in other religious written doctrine, must become the touchstone of our actions and policies. We can ill afford to act insane (often defined as doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results). The term “global happy new year” may mean many things to many people. To the United States Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guard members, it means that

people of the world and their leaders decide to discuss their differences and come to potential positions of comfort and security without having to war. The individuals who actually have to prosecute the battles caused by political leaders have no interest in having to use their weapons while putting their own lives and the lives of others in harm’s way. While we enjoy being the most powerful country in the world, those who actually must fight when called, do not want to have to use the might. It is an absolute fallacy that the military wishes to use their weapons of war. Not one member of the US military wants to lace up his or her boots and go into the fight; although they will when called. We as human beings must learn to understand that when the time comes to go to war against your fellow man, leadership has failed. Clearly, to enjoy a global happy new year, the bastardization of religion as a false reason to fight over religious, race, borders and natural resources must be curtailed. I say curtailed and not stopped because after 37 plus years in the U.S. Army I am a realist. I understand that an immediate cessation of hostilities globally is not realistic; however, it is something worth working for, not fighting over. The sad part about our current plight is that those who perpetrate armed conflicts and terrorist activities for their own personal reasons

are aware that they depend upon inequalities and inequities in societies to grow their hatred and recruit. Terrorist recruitment reveals a need for all of us in every community to immediately examine what we can do to do away with the inequalities that allow some to become a part of terrorism. We must actively work to reduce hopelessness in those returning citizens from prison. We must do all we can to reduce the inappropriate actions of law enforcement which can cause the disenfranchised to view them as the enemy as opposed to those who serve to protect our safety. We must provide an atmosphere of hope for those with addictions and those experiencing economic deprivation. We must insist on quality education so that they may read for themselves what religious readings actually say; and empower themselves for success. We must ensure that our politicians hear our concerns, act accordingly and if not, are voted out. From my foxhole, if we are to enjoy a global happy new year, we must empower it. Maj Gen US Army (ret) John R. Hawkins III, JD, MPA is President and CEO of Hawkins Solutions Intl., a government relations and lobby company. His last military assignment as a “two star” was Dir., Human Resources Directorate for the Army world-wide and prior to that Deputy Chief Public Affairs for the Army, world-wide.

Reflecting on 200 Years of BGE and the Smart Energy of the Future This June, a company, a city and an entire industry will observe a major milestone. BGE – Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, turns 200. The company was founded as the Gas Light Company of Baltimore in 1816. Very few companies from 1816 are still around today, but this is not the only reason why this anniversary is significant. BGE’s predecessor was the very first Calvin G. Butler gas company in the country. Jr. The founding of the Gas Light Company in the city of Baltimore also marked the beginning of the utility industry – electric companies would not come into existence until much later in the century. BGE is excited to share our anniversary celebration with a city that has long been a place of innovation. While the founders of the company were certainly visionary, they may not have quite imagined what BGE would look like today. I have been proudly serving as BGE’s CEO since March of 2014, and many have noted that I am the first

Black person to hold this position. This would not have been possible when our company was founded. Having been around for 200 years, BGE has witnessed many challenging times in our country’s history. We have records of Blacks working at BGE since 1898, but we know that certain types of roles would not have been accessible until much later. I am very mindful of those who came before me who helped make it possible for me to be in this role today. People like Camillus Wilson, BGE’s first Black meter reader who began working at the company in 1952. While this was more than 130 years after the company had been in existence, BGE has certainly made great strides in the ensuing decades. As we mark our 200th anniversary, I will remember Mr. Wilson, who retired from BGE in 1994 as manager of radio services, and the many others like him who literally changed the face of our company. BGE’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is now evident at all levels of our internal operations as well as our external partnerships. Our workplace is reflective of the communities we serve and we have recruiting practices in place to ensure we are reaching a broad cross-section of candidates. We also support a number of programs to develop, mentor and support under-resourced high school and college students to put them on a path to success. BGE donates almost $4 million dollars to community initiatives each year and almost

50 percent of these dollars go directly to organizations that focus on diverse communities. BGE is also fast becoming an industry leader in supplier diversity. We understand that supporting small and community-based businesses creates new opportunities and stimulates growth for our region. Our “Focus 25” initiative to develop partnerships with regional minority, women and veteran-owned businesses now has 18 graduates. Last year, BGE purchased a total of $182 million in goods and services from diversity-certified suppliers, a $31-million increase over the previous year. The theme of BGE’s 200th anniversary celebration is “Moving Smart Energy Forward.” Building on our legacy of innovation, we will continue to explore ways to improve and expand our services and community investments, so we can meet the rapidly changing needs of our customers. We thank our customers in Baltimore and central Maryland for supporting us as your hometown company. We look forward to sharing this great occasion with you. We invite you to learn more about BGE’s 200th anniversary activities, including our planned legacy gifts to the community, by visiting www.bge200.com Calvin G. Butler Jr. is the chief executive officer of Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE).

The Afro-American, January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016

Your Support Is Stacking Up

40,000 petition signatures 6,500 letters of support

The Pepco Holdings-Exelon Merger: Affordability, Reliability and Sustainability for DC. The merger will provide $72.8 million for bill credits, low-income assistance, renewable energy and energy-efficiency programs in the District. Millions more will go to local charities and workforce development. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why tens of thousands of DC residents support the Pepco Holdings-Exelon merger.

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Send your news tips to tips@afro.com.

January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016, The Afro-American

WASHINGTON-AREA

D.C. Statehood Supporters Want Obama State of the Union Mention

Barnes & Noble Says Goodbye to the District

Bowser Seeks More Police Surveillance in D.C.

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com President Obama will deliver his final State of the Union Address in a few days and District leaders and residents don’t want him to forget about the District of Columbia. Obama is set to speak before a joint session of the U.S. Congress on the country’s status and his

Courtesy photo

Mayor Bowser’s new crime legislation would allow increased police presence and surveillance by both police and business owners. By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com

Courtesy photos

The Barnes & Noble store on 12th Street shuttered Jan. 2, which closes the last store of the book chain inside the city. By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com

whitehouse.gov

President Obama will deliver his final State of the Union on Jan. 12. programs and policies in his last year in office on Jan. 12. District political leaders and residents say they will tune into the event to see what the president says about the many issues facing the country, but want him to talk about statehood for the city. “I am looking for the president to talk about executive action on stopping illegal guns and I would also like for him to talk about immigration reform,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D)

“We want his support for statehood now.” – Anise Jenkins said. “What we really need to hear from the president is a real urban agenda and I am always looking for him to talk about supporting statehood for the District of Columbia.” Obama delivered his first State of the Union speech in 2009 but has never talked about statehood in a State of the Union speech. In 2014 he said, “I’m in D.C., so I’m for it,” while at a town hall meeting in the District. “Folks in D.C. pay taxes like everybody else,” he added. “They contribute to the overall well-being of the country like everybody else. They should be represented like everybody else. And it’s not as if Washington, D.C., is not big enough compared to other states. There has been

Continued on B2

The hustle and bustle of the Barnes & Noble downtown D.C. location seemed as if it was unending. From avid readers who used its store shelves as a marketplace for finding new books, to college students who made its café the perfect study hub, many took advantage of its location, hours, and accessibility. However, the store closed the doors of its 2-story location on Jan. 2, forcing D.C. residents to not only lose the city’s only national book chain, but also a much-needed retail-community space. While some reports suggest plans to close the store came on

the heels of an economic downturn which projected the closure of 10 stores throughout 2016, Barnes & Noble Vice President of Development David Deason told the {Washington Business Journal} that the location simply lost its lease. “Despite our best efforts to come to an agreement with the property owner to extend the lease, they have decided to move forward with another tenant and the store will close at the end of December,” Deason said. “The Washington, D.C. community is extremely important to us.” “The quality of life of District residents is being dictated by developers, who could care less about the literacy of our kids,” Carlos Solinas, a Ward 1 resident and literacy campaign organizer, told the AFRO. “What does it say about a major

D.C. Preps for MLK Jr. Parade, Peace Walk By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com Preparations for one of the nation’s oldest and continuous processions dedicated to the memory of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., are under way and event leaders are urging residents to get involved. The 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk & Parade is scheduled to take place on Jan. 18 on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, S.E. The walk will begin at the 11 a.m. at the parking lot next to the headquarters of the United Black Fund and the parade will begin at 12 p.m. on the campus of St. Elizabeths East, with the viewing stand at the Living Word Church and the final destination at Leckie Elementary School located at 4201 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SW. Individuals and organizations interested in participating in the event can attend Saturday meetings until the day of the event at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center on the campus of St. Elizabeths East. Specifics of the peace walk and parade will be discussed and applications from organizations interested in participating are being accepted. Stuart Anderson, a Ward 8 political and civic activist, serves as co-chair and logistics coordinator, and is encouraging representatives from District organizations to come to the meetings and work to make the event a success. He said he expects 1,500-1,600 participants this year with thousands of people lining up along the avenue to observe the floats, marching bands, and dignitaries. The initial parade started in 1972 by community activists Calvin and Wilhelmina Rolark and Keith Silver. However, it received some controversy in 2005 when former D.C. Mayor and Council member Marion S. Barry, who wanted to hold the parade in the warmer months. The parade was changed to a peace walk shortly after. Silver still spearheads the annual procession with the assistance of Calvin Rolark’s daughter, Denise Rolark Barnes. The parade was part of a national strategy,

at that time, to urge U.S. Congress to make King’s birthday a national holiday. The strategy worked. President Ronald Reagan (R) signed legislation designating the third Monday in January as King’s holiday in 1983. Barnes said District residents should support the march and the memory of King, citing the words of a prominent anti-gang activist in the city. “Ron Moten said to me recently that there are very few things that are culturally ours in this city,” Barnes said. “We need to get the word out about the march and have people line up along the avenue.” Radio and television personality Donnie Simpson, vocalist Blake Miles Hopkins, and civil right attorney Johnny Barnes have been designated as honorary grand marshals. It is a tradition that the District mayor, the city’s delegate to the Congress, and D.C. Council members from across the city participate in the parade. However, there will be a slight change in participation this year. “Politicians will not be part of the peace walk,” Yango Sawyer, who has worked with Silver and Barnes on the parade for decades, said. “But if an elected official, such as a council member, wants to participate in the peace walk, we will respect their wishes. Candidates for political office can march in the parade but not the peace walk.” Andre Byers, a resident of Ward 8, supports the event and is looking forward to attending. “I am absolutely planning to go this year because I didn’t attend last year,” Byers said. “I think the peace walk and the parade are great and it is a time for all of us to come together in memory of Dr. King. He did great things for this country.” Louis Henderson, owner of the Civil Rights Café in Northwest Washington, said he will attend the event but it may be time for it to evolve. “The parade shouldn’t be limited to Southeast, there should be marches on Georgia Avenue and on 14th Street,” Henderson said. “It shouldn’t be limited to one area and people all over the city should have the chance to march on behalf of Dr. King.”

Continued on B2

Mayor Muriel Bowser opened the calendar year touting the benefits of Council and resident support for her reduced crime legislation, “Safer, Stronger D.C.” despite a tenuous relationship between law enforcement and residents in many metropolitan areas. In a package initially introduced in August to settle community disruption, Bowser’s proposal has yet to be voted on by Council members. Included in Bowser’s proposal are an increased police presence in designated

Continued on B2

District Moves Homeless Indoors to Avoid Hypothermia By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com The District of Columbia activated its cold weather emergency plan for the first time this winter on Jan. 4. By doing so, the city was able to secure temporary emergency housing for more than 500 of the area’s homeless. The District activates the Cold Emergency plan when the temperature and wind chill drop to 15° F or when the temperature, with wind chill, is 20° F and there is an accompanying meteorological event such as snow. The plan aims to protect residents from life-threatening illness and injury associated with severe cold weather and was initiated originally in 1987 after 10 homeless people died from hypothermia throughout the city. As temperatures reached unseasonable lows – in some areas the ground temperature was only 5 degrees – hypothermia alert teams hit the streets to move homeless residents indoors. “Sometimes I have to beg and prod clients indoors even when it is bitterly cold because some fear a loss of freedom and mobility by leaving their outside space,” homeless advocate Mondraya Corley told the AFRO. Corley has worked for more than a decade to convince residents without permanent homes to move indoors once the weather turns cold. It is an effort she describes as difficult no matter how cold it becomes. As many of the region’s homeless population suffers from some form of mental illness and may not be able to advocate for their own safety, city officials have found that tips to their hypothermia hotlines have increased. During the week of Jan. 4, the D.C. hypothermia hotline received over 400 calls about homeless people in need of help; 543 people were picked up and taken to area shelters with some twenty-seven of those picked up were described, by aids, as disabled. In November, Mayor Bowser led a charge to remove several homeless encampments around the city in an effort to move homeless populations indoors before winter began. However, despite those efforts, many remained. Department of Human Services (DHS) in collaboration with the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) assisted in the execution of the city’s Cold Emergency Plan. Key components of the plan include providing access to emergency shelter, access to overnight warming sites, and free transportation to warmth and safety at an emergency shelter or warming site. In releasing the city’s 2015-16 Winter Plan, Deputy Mayor Brenda Donald, said that the city had a duty to help those facing hypothermia. “With hypothermia season here, we remain focused on extending a helping hand to our homeless neighbors, and connecting them with resources as soon as possible,” Donald said. “We need to intensify our outreach to those living on the streets. It is not safe for people to be outside when it gets dangerously cold, and because we firmly believe that we are our sisters and brothers’ keepers, we need to stand together and bring them in from the cold.” To request transportation to shelter for people in D.C. who are experiencing homelessness, contact the toll-free Shelter Hotline: 1-800-535-7252 or 311. Include the time, the address or location of the sighting, and a description of the person’s appearance.

The Afro-American, January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016

Obama

Continued from B1 a long movement to get D.C. statehood and I’ve been for it for quite some time. The politics of it end up being difficult to get it through Congress, but I think it’s absolutely the right thing to do.” D.C. Statehood Rep. Franklin Garcia (D) wants Obama to make his actions match his words. “We have waited seven years for him to address the injustice of 600,000 U.S. citizens who live in the District of Columbia but don’t have a vote in the U.S. Congress,” Garcia said. “When he was running for president, he promised he would work on D.C. statehood if elected president and we want him to deliver.” The District is the only political jurisdiction where citizens pay federal taxes but have no vote in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate. District residents can be drafted to fight the country’s wars and it has more people within its boundaries than states such as Wyoming and Vermont. In addition, the District’s laws and its budget, largely generated by local funds, must be approved by the U.S.

Congress, the only jurisdiction that is required to do that. The city is represented by a delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives who possesses every privilege and obligation of being a member except voting on legislation on the floor. Eleanor Holmes Norton has represented the District as its delegate since 1991. Norton (D) tried to pass a D.C. statehood bill in 1994 and delegate vote in the House legislation in 2010 but her efforts failed. Anise Jenkins, executive director for Stand Up! for Democracy and Free D.C., said she too is frustrated and disappointed in Obama’s inaction on statehood. “President Obama has received over 90 percent of the vote in D.C. for election and re-election and while I cannot statistically verify this, almost 100 percent of the African-American vote,” Jenkins said. In the Nov. 6, 2008 general election, Obama won the District with 94.92 percent of the vote, the highest percentage of any Electoral College jurisdiction. In the District’s Wards 7 and 8, with the highest percentages of African Americans,

Obama got 98.72 percent and 99.02 percent of the vote respectively. He was re-elected on Nov. 4, 2012 with 90.91 percent of the District’s vote and 98.52 percent in Ward 7 and 98.82 percent in Ward 8. While statehood is at the top of most District dwellers agenda, D.C. Council member Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4) wants the president to also focus on other areas. “I am looking for him to set the tone for the next president, especially if that person is a Democratic as I expect it to be,” Todd said. “I also want to hear his plans in his final months in office on rebuilding the country’s middle class.” DC Vote, an advocacy organization that is lobbying the U.S. Congress to support a vote for the District’s delegate, has in the past initiated a media campaign where residents contact the White House to urge the president to mention the political plight of District residents. This has been done with the support of Norton and Garcia. “We want his support for statehood now,” Jenkins said. “He should do right by us. We will be watching him.”

Bowser

Continued from B1 communities, getting tough on repeat violent offenders, offering grants to small businesses to secure video surveillance, reduced time in prison for inmates with good behavior, and providing law enforcement with additional tools. On Jan. 4, Bowser criticized the D.C. Council for not acting quickly to enact her crime bill. “I think the Council just hasn’t acted, and we’re calling on them to act on the public safety legislation,” Bowser said. “So far as I know, there hasn’t been any robust

discussion among the council following the September hearing, and we’re in January.” Critics of the proposal, like Ward 8 resident Gerald Stanton, cite an emotionalism and disconnect in the document that provides scarce data and poor insight into how best to combat crime. “All I’m reading is police presence, manpower, crime lab, and equipping local businesses to identify potential and definite criminals. Are we supposed to have our entire neighborhood under surveillance and

ALYSON CAMBRIDGE, soprano In Her Voice

with Christine Lamprea, cello; Ina Zdorovetchi, harp; and Justina Lee, piano

Wed, Jan 20, 7pm Kennedy Center Terrace Theater WILLIAM BOLCOM - From the Diary of Sally Hemings JEFFREY MUMFORD - three windows (world premiere) ADAM SCHOENBERG - new work (world premiere)

The powerful, award-winning soprano and D.C. native Alyson Cambridge performs In Her Voice, a one-of-akind recital exploring the theme of women’s voices from the 19th century to the present. [Cambridge is] “radiant, vocally assured, dramatically subtle and compelling, and artistically imaginative.” — Washington Post Made possible by Reginald Van Lee and supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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profile?” Stanton asked. “Bowser wants to add revolving 12-hour shifts and bring in retired police to weed out criminals, something the rest of the nation is trying to move away from.” D.C. Council Judiciary Chairman Kenyan McDuffie said he would not engage in finger pointing regarding the status of the legislation, though he was troubled by certain aspects of the bill, including the ability of law enforcement to conduct warrantless searches of violent offenders on probation or parole. There was also concern about allowing police to hold some released offenders for 72 hours. “We do plan to take the elements of her proposal that make sense,” McDuffie told the Washington City Paper. “But unfortunately, many elements of the mayor’s plan are not evidence-based or data-driven.”

During the last year, the city has witnessed a return to violent crimes, many documented on public transportation. The 162 homicides in the city, an uptick of 54 percent from December 2014 has left residents and city officials grappling with how best to address crime amid growing concerns over police misconduct. “The continuing problem with the Bowser administration is the belief that they can run the city from the top-down without asking and actually utilizing the residents to address issues. There are other ways of addressing crime that does not entail the police,” Stanton said. “When you talk law enforcement in a Black city, you need to ensure you aren’t asking parents to give you license to shoot down their kids.”

Barnes & Noble Continued from B1

metropolitan city and the seat of the U.S. government that

there is not a single major book retailer inside the city?”

Solinas points to the closure of independent bookstores like Sisterspace and Books and Karibu, which lost leases through redevelopment and eventually went out of business, as an early sign of things to come. Few people, he said, believed that same type of closure could take place with a book chain. However, 2011 brought the closure of Barnes & Noble stores in Georgetown and the Borders stores; and in 2013 the closure of the Union Station location – replaced with an H&M clothing store. The Booksa-Million store in DuPont Circle also closed in 2015. “Lots of people are moving to digital books, but that is what makes stores like Barnes & Noble that much more functional,” Howard University student Amanda Tyson, who uses the university-operated B&N location connected to the campus, told the AFRO. “I’m sorry to see the closure of the store just because it maintained hours as late as 11 p.m. and was convenient to everything downtown.” With the closure of the store, the building’s 32,000-square-foot off space, owned by MetLife and Norges Bank Investment Management, has become vacant. Community activist Royce Neville, said the absence of a book chain in the city speaks volumes to residents about the priorities of developers who take possession of property. “The fact that a major retailer was placed on a month-tomonth lease that jeopardized the access residents had to a retail space where learning took place, demonstrates the value these outsiders place on our activities,” Neville said. “We don’t need another luxury apartment building, restaurant, or clothing store. At some point there has to be an investment in something more than turning a profit.”

January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016, The Afro-American

Black-Owned Business

D.C. Bookstore Stands as Keepsake of Black Culture “going back to our past in order to go forward,” became known a bookstore, it was the name of an independent film that Gerima Even though gentrification has challenged and her husband Haile, the other owner several small businesses in the District, the of the store, produced. The film gained owners of a local Black bookstore continue international success, obtaining several to hope it will remain in business based on awards, but was not as widely accepted customers’ devotion to its unique subject in America. According to the company’s matter at a time when major bookstore website, the owners ordeal attempting to get chains such as Barnes and Nobles are the film shown in this country inspired the leaving. idea of the store – what community and artist Sankofa Video Books & Café, a retail teamwork could accomplish? establishment in the District since 1997, “At that time, VHS tapes were the form provides books, videos, of video” Gerima and programming created said. “So we by people of African converted them to Descent to encourage VHS and rented reflection. The store holds here, and also sold events that teach up-andthem to universities coming filmmakers about . . . The idea was techniques in the industry, we wanted to make while featuring Black people respect writers and film directors films the way that including Sistah Souljah, good literature was Sonja Sanchez, Eloise Photo by Vance Brinkley respected.” Greenfield, and many Gerima and her Sankofa Video Books & Café others. husband are working “The population on adding a theatre that we serve still feels the strain, and they for future screenings. She is also moving come to Sankofa like it’s an oasis. If there’s forward with her film project, which has taken no Black customer, there’s no Sankofa,” a while to finish due to funding issues. Shirikiana Gerima, one of the store’s coHowever, Gerima said, with her helpful owners, told the AFRO. staff and a deeply-rooted family structure According to Gerima, recent marches at Sankofa, she believes she can take time in D.C. such as the “Justice or Else” March off from growing her business to finish her and the 20th Anniversary of the Million production. “We’ll be here as long as the Man March helped generate large amounts Black community makes sure that we’re still of business. Though Gerima was absent here.” Gerima said. the day of the “Justice or Else” March, she Upcoming events at the bookstore include heard about the influx customers through her an Ethiopian Christmas Commemoration and husband and workers. “It was one of our best celebration on Jan. 7, a Rastafarian Study weekends” Gerima said. “[They] told me it circle on Jan. 9, a taping of the online news was just packed, and people were coming in . show “All Eyes on D.C.” on Jan. 15, and a . . they just flooded the place.” Sip and Paint event on Jan. 16. For more Before Sankofa, an Adinkra term meaning information, visit sankofa.com. By Vance Brinkley Special to the AFRO

WASHINGTON AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Send your upcoming events to tips@afro.com. For more community events go to afro.com/ DC Events

Washington, D.C.

Sheryl Underwood Scheduled to Perform at D.C. Improv

Sheryl Underwood is scheduled to perform at DC Improv, 1140 Connecticut Avenue NW, on Jan. 8 and 9. As one of the hardest-working women in show business, Sheryl Underwood made her first appearance at the DC Improv in the 1990s. Since that time, she has built a media empire. Sheryl co-hosts “The Talk,” a daily panel show on CBS. She’s a regular on the Steve Harvey Morning Show and hosts Sheryl Underwood Radio. She is also the CEO of Pack Rat Productions. On stage, Underwood continues to push the envelope: Her show is a no-holds-barred look at sex, politics, current events and relationships. Tickets cost $30. To purchase tickets and get more information, visit dcimprov.laughstub.com.

Upper Marlboro, Md.

The First Baptist Church of Glenarden will host a free leadership training with Bishop T.D. Jakes on Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. at the church located on 600 Watkins Park Drive. The event will help participants realize their full potential and gain effective tools to transform their leadership skills at the training session. For more information call 301-773-3600 or visit fbcglenarden.org.

For these pictures and more go to afro.com/slideshows.

The Afro-American, January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016

Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham

Robert Stanton, Gopaul Noojibail, Ezekiel Dennison, Sylvia Cyrus, Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, Robert Vogel, Paul Wells and Rachel Wells

Lloyd Jordan

Renada Johnson, executive director, Kiamsha Youth Empowerment

The National Park Service (NPS) partners and community members gathered at Shiloh Baptist Church in Northwest D.C. on Dec. 19 to celebrate the 140th birthday of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson is considered the father of Black history and founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, the new president of ASALH. Event speakers also included D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D); Robert A. Vogel, regional director of the NPS National Capital The Washington Performing Arts Region; Robert Stanton, Society Children in the Gospel Choir former director, NPS, Ezekiel Dennison Jr., 3rd District representative for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; Sylvia Cyrus, executive director of ASALH and Rachel Wells, a descendent of Dr. Woodson.

Robert G. Stanton, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) and Robert Vogel

Robert G. Stanton, former director of NPS

Rachel Wells

Rev. Earl Harrison

Ezekiel Dennison, Jr.. 3rd District Representative, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

Robert Vogel

Melissa Green, ranger teacher, Dogwood Elementary School, Reston, Va.

Robert G. Stanton, Sylvia Cyrus, Dr. Bettye Gardner and George McDonald

Dr. Vernon A. Shannon, Lloyd Jordan and Paul Wells

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D)

Photos by Rob Roberts

Mistress and Master of Ceremonies Kamie Crawford and Chris Saltalamacch

Deshauna Barber and Dylan Murphy were crowned Miss DC USA 2016 and Miss DC Teen USA 2016, respectively on Dec. 19 at the Renaissance Hotel in Northwest D.C. Twenty young ladies vied for the coveted crowns and completed in evening wear, swimsuit and Q & A categories. Both winners will represent the District of Columbia at the national Miss USA Pageants that will be held during the summer of 2016.

Miss DC Teen USA 2015, Niara Iman and Miss DC USA 2015, Lizzy Olsen

Pageant contestant Alexis Becton

Carla Crawford, executive state director

Contestant in the Miss DC 2016 Teen Swim Suit Competition

Pageant Judges- Nikki Clark, Angela Patsy, Antoneo Lee, Katrina Fleming and Vanessa Simmons

Ciea Nicole, Miss DC USA 2014 and Monique Thompkins, Miss DC USA 2012

Sierra Hadley, Miss D.C. Teen 2015 Niara Iman, Miss D.C. Teen 2016 Dylan Murphy, Miss D.C. 2016 Deshauna Barber, Miss D.C. 2015 Lizzy Olsen, Ciera Nicole, Miss D.C. 2014 Monique Thompkins, Miss D.C. 2010 Heather Swann and Miss D.C. 2008 Chelsey Rogers

Deshauna Barber

Miss DC 2016 Teen USA, Dylan Murphy and Miss DC 2016 USA, Deshauna Barber The Miss D.C. Teen 2016 Question and Answer Competition, Ramella Suber (middle)

Miss DC Teen USA 2015, Niara Iman Photos by Rob Roberts

January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016, The Afro-American

ARTS & CULTURE

Natalie Cole, Master of Past and Present Styles By The Associated Press She began as a 1970s soul singer hyped as the next Aretha Franklin and peaked in the 1990s as an old-fashioned stylist and time-defying duet partner to her late father, Nat “King” Cole. Natalie Cole, who died Dec. 31 in Los Angeles at age 65, was a Grammy winning superstar honored and haunted by comparisons to others. “Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived ... with dignity, strength and honor. Our beloved Mother and sister will be greatly missed and remain UNFORGETTABLE in our hearts forever,” read a statement from her son, Robert Yancy, and sisters Timolin and Casey Cole. (Courtesy photo) According to her family, Natalie Cole in an undated publicity photo. Cole died of complications from ongoing health issues. She had battled drug problems and hepatitis that forced her to undergo a kidney transplant in May 2009. Cole’s older sister, Carol “Cookie” Cole, died the day she received the transplant. Their brother, Nat Kelly Cole, died in 1995. “I had to hold back the tears,” Franklin, who had feuded with Cole early in Cole’s career, said in a statement. “She fought for so long. She was one of the greatest singers of our time. She represented the Cole legend of excellence and class quite well.” A mezzo-soprano with striking range and power, Cole was destined to be a singer, the only question being what kind. She was inspired by her dad at an early age and auditioned to sing with him when she was just 11 years old. She was 15 when he died of lung cancer, in 1965, and would reunite with him decades later in a way only possible through modern technology. All along, she was moved by and sometimes torn between past and present sounds. As a young woman, she had listened to Franklin and Janis Joplin and for years was reluctant to perform her father’s material. She sang on stage with Frank Sinatra, but also covered Bruce Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac.” “I was determined to create my own identity,” she wrote in her 2010 memoir “Love Brought Me Back.” The public loved her either way.

Book Review

‘Where Everybody Looks Like Me’ and the Challenges Facing HBCUs By Granville M. Sawyer Jr. Special to the AFRO In “Where Everybody Looks Like Me,” author Ron Stodghill writes about the status of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in America focusing on the challenges leaders of these institutions face. Stodghill contends that HBCU presidents aren’t effectively addressing challenges threatening the very existence of their institutions including; a waning black middle class, conservative state legislators who want to shut down or merge HBCU’s with other schools and steep federal funding cuts that reduce operating funds and financial aid for students. Stodghill writes extensively about leadership and administrative crises at several HBCUs including Howard University in Washington, D.C. and Morris Brown University in Atlanta. Stodghill also writes about the challenges HBCUs face recruiting and retaining the most talented students and administrators—key assets who are lured away by mainstream universities with more money and resources. Throughout the book the author described the deficits at HBCUs including dysfunctional boards, mismanagement of funds and an inability to generate alumni support. He also cites President Obama’s speech at Morehouse College in Atlanta where he said HBCU’s and students attending them must take more responsibility for their educational experiences and professional success after graduation. At various points in this discussion, Stodgill shifts his focus from what HBCUs need to do better to what they are uniquely qualified to do well—for example, the unique nurturing environment, especially for first in family college students, HBCUs provide. He quotes Dr. Beverly Tatum, former president of Atlanta’s Spelman College who said “The fact is that many HBCUs offer an environment where people are rooting for you and saying, ‘You are going to graduate,’ because they know who these kids are and where they are coming from.” He

goes on to describe several black students’ feelings of isolation and their inability to fit in at mainstream universities that lack this nurturing environment These shifts in focus occur several times throughout the book—switching from a litany of crises at HBCUs to students’ personal experiences and back again. This detracts from continuity and a consistent theme for the book. However, the book’s most glaring shortfall is the lack of solutions for the problems the author so thoroughly researched and reported. He offers few ideas of his own or recommendations from other educators on how to deal with the important issues facing HBCUs or how to make a stronger case for HBCUs based on an educational environment unmatched at mainstream universities. Not enough is written about the important contribution to higher education HBCUs make by providing talented capable students with educational opportunities they can find nowhere else. Opportunities that may elude them because majority institutions only seem to believe the “talented tenth,” as W.E.B. Dubois described them, have the best chance to obtain a college education. Stodghill does a very good job of describing and discussing two important aspects of HBCUs in America – the need for strong, visionary innovative leadership and the nurturing environment they provide that many minority students need to do well in college. However, better integration of these themes coupled with suggested targeted solutions would have made for a more successful exploration of these important subjects. Dr. Granville M. Sawyer Jr., the, author of “College in Four Years: Making Every Semester Count” is a professor of finance and director of the MBA program at Bowie State University in Baltimore, Maryland. An authority on helping minority students achieve success in higher education, Dr. Sawyer writes about education and life at GranvilleSawyer.com.

She made her recording debut in 1975 with “Inseparable,” and the music industry welcomed her with two Grammy Awards — one for best new artist and one for best female R&B vocal performance for her buoyant hit “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love).” Her quick success and the similarities to Franklin, another mezzo-soprano, did not please the “Queen of Soul,” who at the time called Cole “just a beginner.” “The first time I saw Aretha was at an industry banquet,” Cole later told Franklin biographer David Ritz. “She gave me an icy stare and turned her back on me. It took me weeks to recover.” Backed by the writing-producing team of Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, she followed with such hits as “Our Love” and “I’ve Got Love on My Mind,” and by 1979 had a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But her career faded in the early 1980s and she battled heroin, crack cocaine and alcohol addiction for many years. She spent six months in rehab in 1983. Her recovery began later in the decade with the album “Everlasting” and reached multiplatinum heights with her 1991 album, “Unforgettable ... With Love.” No longer trying to keep up with current sounds, Cole paid tribute to her father with reworked versions of some of his best-known songs, including “That Sunday That Summer,” ‘’Too Young” and “Mona Lisa.” Her voice was overlaid with her dad’s in the title cut, offering a delicate duet a quartercentury after his death. Although criticized by some as morbid, the album sold some 14 million copies and won six Grammys, including album of the year as well record and song of the year for the title track duet. While making the album, Cole told The Associated Press in 1991, she had to “throw out every R&B lick that I had ever learned and every pop trick I had ever learned. With him, the music was in the background and the voice was in the front.” “I didn’t shed really any real tears until the album was over,” Cole said. “Then I cried a whole lot. When we started the project it was a way of reconnecting with my dad. Then when we did the last song, I had to say goodbye again.” She was nominated for an Emmy award in 1992 for a televised performance of her father’s songs. “That was really my thank you,” she told People magazine in 2006. “I owed that to him.” Another father-daughter duet, “When I Fall in Love,” won a 1996 Grammy for best pop collaboration with vocals, and a follow-up album, “Still Unforgettable,” won for best traditional pop vocal album of 2008. She also worked as an actress, with appearances on TV’s “Touched by an Angel” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” But she was happiest touring and performing live. “I still love recording and still love the stage,” she said on her website in 2008, “but like my dad, I have the most fun when I am in front of that glorious orchestra or that kick-butt big band.” Cole was born in 1950 to Nat “King” Cole and his wife, Maria Ellington Cole, a onetime vocalist with Duke Ellington who was no relation to the great bandleader. Her father’s graceful easygoing style was admired by Sinatra, Ray Charles and many others and, in 1956, he became the first black entertainer to host a national TV variety show. Natalie Cole grew up in Los Angeles’ posh Hancock Park neighborhood, where her parents had settled in 1948, despite animosity from some White residents about having the Black singer as a neighbor. When told by residents they didn’t want “undesirable people” in the area, the singer said, “Neither do I, and if I see (any), I’ll be the first to complain.” The family eventually included five children. Cole herself married three times, her husbands including Marvin Yancy and “Unforgettable” co-producer Andre Fischer. Robert Yancy was her only child.

AFRO Sports Desk Faceoff

How Far Will Washington Advance in NFL Playoffs?

AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Washington Redskins’ Will Blackmon (41) and Jeron Johnson (20) celebrate a pass intercepted by Brockmon on a Dallas Cowboys’ Kellen Moore throw in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. ( By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley AFRO Sports Desk With the NFC East already wrapped up and a playoff position secured, it’s time to start talking about referring to the Washington NFL team as a championship contender. Set for postseason play with a 9-7 record, Washington caught fire at just the right time and that momentum will hopefully propel the team into the playoffs, especially with an opening round home game. The Washington NFL club won four straight to close the season and finished with a 7-3 record after opening with a 2-4 record. The turnaround was sparked by replacement quarterback Kirk Cousins and statistically, he’s played as good as any other signal caller in the NFC. Washington’s next opponent will be Green Bay, a solid team. Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk debate Washington’s chances of advancing through the playoffs. Riley: Washington’s been red hot and with a home game to open the postseason they should be a lock to advance. Their defense continues to make plays to fuel a hot offense, being led by a quarterback that’s setting franchise records. He’s thrown for the most yards in a season and he’s cut down on the nagging interceptions that plagued him during the early part of the year. Washington’s high tempo offense backed by what’s going to be a raucous crowd should be enough to at least advance through the first round. Green: Washington has been one of the hottest teams down the stretch but they’ve also had one of the most favorable schedules. They didn’t win a single game against a team with a winning record. The remaining teams in the NFC playoffs are all battle-tested after facing tougher schedules. Washington’s opening game won’t be as easy as you make it sound, Riley. Cousins has been playing good football but, again, what high-caliber defense has he played against this season? Washington is a feel-good story, but the fact remains they haven’t beaten anybody worthy of note and they shouldn’t be trusted to advance next weekend. Continued on C2

The Afro-American, January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016

How Far Will Washington Advance in NFL Playoffs? Continued from C1

Riley:Sometimes it’s not always about quality but quantity. Professional sports is all about confidence and no team has more than Washington right now. It’d be silly to just count a team out that’s won four straight and five out of their last six games. Each of the remaining teams just haven’t had the same success down the stretch. Green Bay just lost 38-8 to Arizona. Any team can be beaten on any given day, and Washington will have just as much chance as any to advance. We’ll worry about next week when it comes. Green: It’s all about match-ups in the NFL, and the odds aren’t

INVITES YOU AND A GUEST TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF

in Washington’s favor for next week or any week beyond that. Green Bay coming to town will be a daunting task. It’s just hard to be sold on Washington’s chances for advancing. There’s no proof on which to gauge how they’ll fare against upper-level talent. They were outscored 71-26 after they played a pair of division-leaders in Carolina and New England and played solid football against clubs who weren’t even close to making the postseason. The NFC as a whole is pretty tough, Washington was simply the beneficiary of one of the worst divisions in the NFL.

Morgan State University 1966 Golden Bears Honored at Citrus Bowl

By Mark F. Gray Special To The AFRO

EMAIL: CUSTOMERSERVICE@AFRO.COM TO REGISTER TO WIN TICKETS! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Supplies are limited. One pass per winner. Each pass admits two. Seating is not guaranteed and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Employees of all promotional partners and The Afro American are not eligible. All decisions are final.

IN THEATERS JANUARY 15 AFRO AMERICAN FRI, 01/08/16 4 COLOR 3.753” x 8.11” ALL.RA2-P.0108.AFROAM

Life came full circle in at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on Jan. 1 for the 1966 Morgan State football team. Fifty years ago the “Golden Bears” were one of the premiere college football programs in America. They were in the midst of a historic streak after winning the 18th of 31 consecutive games and second of four CIAA championships before truly making history as the first Historically Black College to win a postseason bowl game. Morgan State fielded one of the most talented teams in college football history for that Tangerine Bowl in 1966. Fourteen players on their roster were drafted into the NFL including Pro Football Hall of Famer Willie Lanier. Lanier (Chiefs) was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame along with their legendary coach Earl Banks. Super Bowl champions: Raymond Chester (Raiders) and John “Frenchy” Fuqua (Steelers) were also on that team. Cornerback Mark Washington also played with the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl 10. “It’s hard to recall the whole experience because Coach [Earl] Banks treated it as just another game,” said running back Earl Mayo. “There wasn’t a whole lot of pressure but you know that other [HBCU] coaches like [Eddie] Robinson (Grambling), [Jake] Gaither

[FAMU], and [John] Merritt [Tennessee State] put in a phone call to coach to wish us luck.” Banks died in 1993. On the field they were at a disadvantage though. As an NAIA school the Bears were allowed to dress only 32 players for the game. During the regular season they dressed 53. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics was the first to sanction sports events at Black colleges but this was Morgan’s first NCAA sanctioned contest so players like Chester were spectators and Lanier had to play double duty. “If we had all of our players we could we would have won by 50,” said Mayo. “Some of my teammates feel that with all the big plays that were called back against us that we were fighting uphill.” The impact of their legacy goes beyond a championship season as the Bears played in the first integrated college football game in Orlando’s history. That stadium, which was fully renovated in 2014, now hosts two HBCU classics: The Florida Classic (BethuneCookman vs. Florida A&M) every November and the MEAC/ SWAC Challenge featuring representatives of the Mid-Eastern Athletic and Southwestern Athletic Conferences each September. “What this team did in 1966 was lay the foundation for African American student athletes to participate in those classics on that field today,” said Morgan State President Dr. David Wilson. “Morgan shattered the belief that HBCU players couldn’t play with white players.” Morgan State beat the Westchester Golden Rams 14-6 in a stadium that was still coming to grips with integration. The “Golden Bears” - featuring a White offensive tackle John Bowers - had already broken down barriers in their locker room. They set the tone for full integration of the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando by comporting themselves as gentlemen off the field and dominating on it. Ten members of the “Golden Bears” went back to central Florida and watched as Michigan dismantled Florida 41-7 in the Buffalo Wild Wings Florida Citrus Bowl. They were honored on the field during the first quarter to resounding applause. In the 50 years since the Bears took the field against Westchester the demographics of what was known then as the Tangerine Bowl has changed. The Wolverines and Gators fielded teams of mostly Black athletes who were revered in the buildup to the game. “We didn’t know at the time that it would have this kind of impact,” said Mayo. “Looking back it was worth it.”

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Washington

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

TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:13:59 EST 2016

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. Payment Policy for legal notice 2015ADM1454 advertisements. Effective immediately, The Afro American Newspapers will require prepayment AFRO Classified minimum ad rate is $26.54 per Gladys Marie Fryfor Decedent publication of all legal notices. Payment will be accepted in the form of chwecks, credit card or money col. inch (an inch consists of up to 20 words). OF order. Any returned checks will be subject to a $25.00 processing fee and may resultAPPOINTMENT, inNOTICE the suspension Mail in your ad on form below along with of any future advertising at our discretion. NOTICE TO CHECK or MONEY ORDER to: CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO WASHINGTON AFRO-AMERICAN CO. UNKNOWN HEIRS TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:27:03 EST Tue 2016Jan 05 15:11:36 TYPESET: Jan 05 15:14:39 EST 2016 adTYPESET: ESTTue 2016 Louis Fry III, whose 1917 Benning Road, N.E. LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES dress is 7100 Alaska Washington, D.C. 20002-4723 Ave, NW, Washington, Superior Court of SUPERIOR COURT OF DC 20012, was apSuperior Court of Attn: Clsf. Adv. Dept. the District of THE DISTRICT OF pointed personal reprethe District of District of Columbia COLUMBIA sentative of the estate of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION PROBATE DIVISION Gladys Marie Fry, who PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. died on November 7, Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 20001-2131 2015 without a will, and 20001-2131 Administration No. Administration No. will serve without Court Administration No. 2015ADM921 2015ADM1482 supervision. All unknown 2015ADM1511 Earl Toles Estate of heirs and heirs whose Hassan Ismila Boykin Decedent Preston L Williams whereabouts are unDecedent Darrel S Parker Esq known shall enter their Sharon M Chambers AKA 1822 11th Street, NW a n d H a r t e l , K a n e , Preston Levi Williams a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Washington, DC 20001 Sr. proceeding. Objections Desantis & Howie, LLP Attorney to such appointment (or 7467 Ridge Rd, Ste 100 Deceased NOTICE OF NOTICE OF to the probate of deHanover, MD 21076 APPOINTMENT, STANDARD cedent´s will) shall be Attorney NOTICE TO PROBATE filed with the Register of NOTICE OF CREDITORS Notice is hereby given Wills, D.C., 515 5th APPOINTMENT, AND NOTICE TO that a petition has been Street, N.W., 3rd Floor NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS filed in this Court by W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . CREDITORS Tia Staton aka Tia TolesCharles A Queen for 20001, on or before July AND NOTICE TO Staton and Venus Bugstandard probate, includ- 8, 2016. Claims against UNKNOWN HEIRS gie AKA Venus Franklin, Haddassah Belle Boykin, ing the appoint-ment of the decedent shall be whose addresses are whose address is 3753 one or more personal represented to the under6907 Pine Valley Dr. 46th Ave, South 6 St., presentative. Unless a signed with a copy to the Glenn Dale, MD Petersburg, FL 33711 complaint or an objection Register of Wills or filed 20769;3352 6 St. SE, Apt with the Register of Wills was appointed personal i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h 103, Washington, DC representative of the Superior Court Probate with a copy to the underwas, appointed personal estate of Hassan Ismila Division Rule 407 is filed signed, on or before July representative of the Boykin, who died on in this Court within 30 8, 2016, or be forever estate of Earl Toles, who October 11, 2014 without days from the date of first barred. Persons believed died on April 24, 2015 a will, and will serve with- publication of this notice, to be heirs or legatees of witha will, and will serve out Court supervision. All the Court may take the the decedent who do not without Court superviunknown heirs and heirs action hereinafter set receive a copy of this nosion. All unknown heirs tice by mail within 25 whose whereabouts are forth. and heirs whose unknown shall enter their 0 Admit to probate the days of its first publicawhereabouts are uncopy of the will dated tion shall so inform the appearance in this known shall enter their proceeding. Objections 8/7/2013 exhibited with Register of Wills, includappearance in this to such appointment the petition upon proof ing name, address and proceeding. Objections shall be filed with the satisfactory to the Court relationship. Legal Advertising Rates to such appointment (or Register of Wills, D.C., of due execution by af- Date of Publication: to the probate of de515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd fidavit of witnesses or January 8, 2016 Effective October 1, 2008 cedent´s will) shall be Name of newspaper: Floor Washington, D.C. otherwise filed with the Register of 20001, on or before July 0 Ordered any interested Afro-American Wills, D.C., 515 5th 8, 2016. Claims against person to show cause Washington PROBATE DIVISION Street, N.W., 3rd Floor the decedent shall be why the provisions of the Law Reporter Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . Louis Fry III presented to the under- lost or destroyed will (Estates) 20001, on or before July Personal signed with a copy to the dated 8/7/2013 should 8, 2016. Claims against 202-332-0080 Representative Register of Wills or filed not be admitted to prothe decedent shall be with the Register of Wills bate as expressed in the PROBATE NOTICES presented to the underTRUE TEST COPY with a copy to the under- petition signed with a copy to the REGISTER OF WILLS signed, on or before July 0 Appoint an unsuRegister of Wills or filed 8, 2016, or be forever pervised personal repre- TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:13:37 EST 2016 a. Order Nisi $ 60 per insertion $180.00 per 3 weeks with the Register of Wills 01/8, 1/15, 1/22/16 barred. Persons believed sentative with a copy to the underRegister of Wills b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion to be heirs or legatees of signed, on or before July Clerk of the the decedent who do not Superior Court of c. Notice to Creditors 8, 2016, or be forever Probate Division receive a copy of this nothe District of barred. Persons believed 1. Domestic $180.00 per 3 weeks tice by mail within 25 Date of First Publication TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:12:58 EST 2016 $ 60 per insertion District of Columbia to be heirs or legatees of days of its first publica- January 8, 2016 PROBATE DIVISION 2. Foreign $ 60 per insertion $180.00 per 3 weeks the decedent who do not tion shall so inform the Names of Newspapers: Washington, D.C. receive a copy of this nod. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion $360.00 per 6 weeks Register of Wills, includ- Washington Superior Court of 20001-2131 tice by mail within 25 ing name, address and Law Reporter the DistrictProbates of Administration No. e. Standard $125.00 days of its first publicaWashington relationship. District of Columbia 2015ADM1488 tion shall so inform the AFRO-AMERICAN Date of Publication: PROBATE DIVISION Audrey C Fine Register of Wills, includThomas H Queen January 8, 2016 TYPESET: Tue Jan 05NOTICES 15:12:32 EST 2016 Washington, D.C. Decedent CIVIL ing name, address and 7961 Eastern Ave, Name of newspaper: 20001-2131 NOTICE OF relationship. Suite 304 Afro-American a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 $ 80.00 Administration No. APPOINTMENT, Date of Publication: Silver Spring, MD 20910 Washington 2015ADM1106 NOTICE TO Superior Court of January 8, 2016 b. Real Property $ 200.00 Law Reporter Viola S Crooks CREDITORS the District of Name of newspaper: Haddassah Belle Boykin Signature of Decedent AND NOTICE TO District of Columbia Afro-American Personal Petitioners/Attorney Jamison B Taylor UNKNOWN HEIRS PROBATE DIVISION Washington Representative TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:14:19 FAMILY COURT EST 2016 Pamela L Bundy , whose 1218 11th St. NW Washington, D.C. Law Reporter 01/8, 01/15/16 address is 5203 Tinkers Washington, DC 20001 20001-2131 Tia Staton 202-879-1212 TRUE TEST COPY Creek Place, Clinton MD Attorney Administration No. TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:12:14 EST 2016 AKA REGISTER OF WILLS NOTICE OF 20735, was appointed Superior Court of DOMESTIC RELATIONS 2015ADM1485 Tia Toles-Staton TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:46:37 EST 2016 APPOINTMENT, personal representative the District of Lalla Beatrice KingVenus Buggle 01/8, 01/15, 01/22/16 202-879-0157 NOTICE TO of the estate of Audrey C District of Columbia Green AKA Superior Court of CREDITORS Fine, who died on PROBATE DIVISION Decedent Venus Franklin the District of Superior Court of AND NOTICE TO January 24, 2014 with a Washington, D.C. Jamison B Taylor Personal District of Columbia the District of UNKNOWN will, and will serve witha. Absent HEIRS Defendant 20001-2131 1218 11th St. NW Representative PROBATE DIVISION $ 150.00 District of Columbia out Court supervision. All Homer Crooks, Jr. whose W a s h i n g t o n , D C Administration No. Washington, D.C. b. Absolute $ 150.00 PROBATE DIVISION is 559Divorce 25th 20001Attorney unknown heirs and heirs address 2015ADM1438 TRUE TEST COPY 20001-2131 Washington, D.C. Place NE, Washington, whose whereabouts are TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:11:57 Ramona Diane Young NOTICE OF c. Custody Divorce REGISTER OF WILLS Administration No. $150.00 20001-2131 unknown shall enter their DC 20001, was apDecedent APPOINTMENT, 2015ADM1517 Administration No. pointed personal repreappearance in this NOTICE OF TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:13:20 EST 2016 NOTICE TO 01/8, 01/15, 01/22/16 Adedayo A Lesi 2015ADM1394 proceeding. Objections sentative of the estate of APPOINTMENT, CREDITORS Court Decedent place who your ad, call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 262, Public NoticesSuperior $50.00 & upof Anderson A Dews, Jr. S Crooks, died to such appointment (or ViolaTo NOTICE TO AND NOTICE TO the District of Thomas P Hartnett Esq Decedent on October 13, 2014 to the probate of deCREDITORS UNKNOWN HEIRS District of Columbia depending on size, Baltimore Legal Notices are $24.84 per inch. SUPERIOR COURT OF 209 Pennsylvania Ave William A Bland Esq cedent´s will) shall be without a will, and will Ronald Moore, whose SE AND NOTICE TO PROBATE DIVISION THE DISTRICT OF (AFRO) 892 1140 Connecticut Ave serve without Court su- address is 4521-800 filed with the Register of UNKNOWN HEIRS Route 82, Washington, D.C. Washington, DC 20003 COLUMBIA NW #1100 pervision. All unknown Rachelle M Jackson, Wills, D.C., 515 5th Hopewell Junction,please NY Attorney 20001-2131 PROBATE DIVISION Forwhose Proof of Publication, call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 244 Washington, DC 20036 Street, N.W., 3rd Floor heirs and heirs whose address is 1200 12533, was appointed Administration No. NOTICE OF W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . Attorney whereabouts are un- personal representative Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . Stratwood Ave, Oxon 2015ADM1456 APPOINTMENT, 20001-2131 NOTICE OF Hill, MD 20745 was ap- 20001, on or before July known shall enter their of the estate of Lalla BeCatherine Jennings NOTICE TO Foreign No. APPOINTMENT, pointed personal repre- 8, 2016. Claims against a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s atrice King-Green, who Decedent CREDITORS 2015FEP136 NOTICE TO sentative of the estate of the decedent shall be proceeding. Objections died on AugustLEGAL 25, 2015NOTICES Wesley L Clarke AND NOTICE TO Date of Death CREDITORS Ramona Diane Young, presented to the under- to such appointment without a will, and will 1629 K Street, St 300 UNKNOWN HEIRS May 28, 2015 AND NOTICE TO who died on September signed with a copy to the shall be filed with the serve without Court su- Adetunji A Lesi, whose Washington, DC 20006 Dorothy Chambers UNKNOWN HEIRS 21. 2015 without a will, Register of Wills or filed Register of Wills, D.C., pervision. All unknown address is 4409 Wake- Attorney Hodge Milton M Dews, whose and will serve without with the Register of Wills 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd heirs and heirs whose field Street, Madison, WI, NOTICE OF Decedent address is 2008 Thist- Court supervision. All un- with a copy to the under- Floor Washington, D.C. where-abouts are un- 53711 was appointed APPOINTMENT, NOTICE OF l e w o o d D r i v e , F o r t known heirs and heirs signed, on or before July 20001, on or before July known shall enter their personal representaNOTICE TO APPOINTMENT Washington, MD 20744, whose whereabouts are 8, 2016, or be forever 8, 2016. Claims against a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s CREDITORS tive(s) of the estate of OF FOREIGN was appointed personal unknown shall enter their barred. Persons believed the decedent shall be proceeding. Objections Adedayo A Lesi, who AND NOTICE TO PERSONAL representative of the a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s to be heirs or legatees of presented to the under- to such appointment died on November 3, UNKNOWN HEIRS REPRESENTATIVE estate of Anderson A proceeding. Objections the decedent who do not signed with a copy to the shall be filed with the 2015 without a will, and Sarita K Muhammad, Dews, Jr, who died on to such appointment receive a copy of this no- Register of Wills or filed Register of Wills, D.C., will serve without Court whose address is 1625 AND October 11, 2015 with a shall be filed with the tice by mail within 25 with the Register of Wills 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd supervision. All unknown Gainsville St. SE, unit NOTICE TO will, and will serve with- Register of Wills, D.C., days of its first publica- with a copy to the under- Floor Washington, D.C. heirs and heirs whose 102, Washington DC, CREDITORS Ta n y a M a r i a G r e e n outCourt supervision. All 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd tion shall so inform the signed, on or before July 20001, on or before July whereabouts are un- 20020 was appointed whose address is 14200 unknown heirs and heirs Floor Washington, D.C. Register of Wills, includ- 8, 2016, or be forever 8, 2016. Claims against known shall enter their personal representaH i g h l a n d s Te r r a c e , whose whereabouts are 20001, on or before July ing name, address and barred. Persons believed the decedent shall be a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s tive(s) of the estate of to be heirs or legatees of presented to the under- proceeding. Objections Catherine Jennings, who Accokeek, Maryland, unknown shall enter their 8, 2016. Claims against relationship. the decedent who do not signed with a copy to the to such appointment died on October 20, 2015 the decedent shall be Date of Publication: 20607 was appointed a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s proceeding. Objections receive a copy of this no- Register of Wills or filed shall be filed with the with a will and will serve January 8, 2016 presented to the underpersonal representative tice by mail within 25 with the Register of Wills Register of Wills, D.C., without Court superviof the estate of Dorothy to such appointment (or signed with a copy to the Name of newspaper: days of its first publica- with a copy to the under- 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd sion. All unknown heirs Chambers Hodge, de- to the probate of de- Register of Wills or filed Afro-American tion shall so inform the signed, on or before July Floor Washington, D.C. a n d h e i r s w h o s e ceased by the Orphans’ cedent´s will) shall be with the Register of Wills Washington Register of Wills, includ- 8, 2016, or be forever 20001, on or before July whereabouts are unCourt for Prince Georges filed with the Register of with a copy to the under- Law Reporter Wills, D.C., 515 5th ing name, address and barred. Persons believed 8, 2016. Claims against known shall enter their Pamela L Bundy signed, on or before July C o u n t y, S t a t e o f Street, N.W., 3rd Floor relationship. Personal 8, 2016, or be forever to be heirs or legatees of the decedent shall be a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Maryland, on June 11, Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . Representative Date of Publication: barred. Persons believed the decedent who do not presented to the under- proceeding. Objections 2015, . 20001, on or before to be heirs or legatees of January 8, 2016 receive a copy of this no- signed with a copy to the to such appointment (or Service of process may 7 / 11 / 2 0 1 6 . C l a i m s Name of newspaper: tice by mail within 25 Register of Wills or filed to the probate of debe made upon Aaron R against the decedent the decedent who do not TRUE TEST COPY Afro-American REGISTER OF WILLS days of its first publica- with the Register of Wills cedent´s will) shall be McMurray Sr. 141 47th shall be presented to the receive a copy of this noWashington tice by mail within 25 tion shall so inform the with a copy to the under- filed with the Register of St., NE, Washington, DC undersigned with a copy TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:12:58 EST 2016 Law Reporter 1/15, 1/22/16 days of its first publica- 1/8, Register of Wills, includ- signed, on or before July Wills, D.C., 515 5th 20019 whose designa- to the Register of Wills or tion shall so inform the Homer Crooks, Jr ing name, address and 8,2016, or be forever Street, N.W., 3rd Floor tion as District of Colum- filed with the Register of Register of Wills, includPersonal relationship. barred. Persons believed W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . bia agent has been filed Wills with a copy to the ing name, address and Superior Court of Representative Date of Publication: to be heirs or legatees of 20001, on or before July with the Register of Wills, 7/11/2016, or be forever relationship. the District of January 8, 2016 the decedent who do not 8, 2016. Claims against D.C. District of Columbia barred. Persons believed Date of Publication: TRUE TEST COPY Name of newspaper: receive a copy of this no- the decedent shall be The decedent owned the to be heirs or legatees of January 8, 2016 PROBATE DIVISION REGISTER OF WILLS Afro-American tice by mail within 25 presented to the underf o l l o w i n g D i s t r i c t o f the decedent who do not Name of newspaper: TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:12:32 EST 2016 Washington, D.C. Washington days of its first publica- signed with a copy to the Colombia real prop- receive a copy of this no- Afro-American 20001-2131 01/08, 01/15, 01/22/16 Law Reporter tion shall so inform the Register of Wills or filed erty:141 47th Street, NE, tice by mail within 25 Washington Administration No. Ronald Moore Register of Wills, includ- with the Register of Wills Washington, DC 20019 2015ADM1106 days of its first publica- Law Reporter Superior Court of Personal ing name, address and with a copy to the underClaims against the de- tion shall so inform the Rachelle M. Jackson Viola S Crooks the District of Representative relationship. signed, on or before July cedent may be pre- Register of Wills, includPersonal Decedent District of Columbia 8, 2016, or be forever Date of Publication: sented to the under- ing name, address and Representative Jamison B Taylor PROBATE DIVISION TRUE TEST COPY barred. Persons believed January 8, 2016 1218 11th St. NW signed and filed with the relationship. Washington, D.C. REGISTER OF WILLS to be heirs or legatees of Name of newspaper: Washington, DC 20001 Date of Publication: Register of Wills for the TRUE TEST COPY 20001-2131 the decedent who do not Afro-American TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:12:14 EST 2016 Attorney 1/8/2016 District of Columbia, REGISTER OF WILLS Administration No. 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16 receive a copy of this noWashington NOTICE OF Name of newspaper: Building A, 515 5th 2015ADM1485 tice by mail within 25 Law Reporter TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:13:59 EST 2016 APPOINTMENT, 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16 Lalla Beatrice KingStreet, NW., 3rd FL, Afro-American Adetunji A Lesi days of its first publicaNOTICE TO Superior Court of Green Washington, D.C. 20001 Washington Personal tion shall so inform the CREDITORS the District of Decedent within 6 months from the Law Reporter Representative Register of Wills, includSuperior Court of AND NOTICE TO Milton M Dews District of Columbia Jamison B Taylor date of first publication of ing name, address and the District of UNKNOWN HEIRS Personal PROBATE DIVISION 1218 11th St. NW relationship. this notice. (Strike TRUE TEST COPY District of Columbia Homer Crooks, Jr. whose Representative Washington, D.C. W a s h i n g t o n , D C Date of Publication: preceding sentence if no REGISTER OF WILLS PROBATE DIVISION address is 559 25th 20001-2131 20001Attorney January 8, 2016 real estate. TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:11:57 2016 Washington, D.C. Place NE, Washington, TRUE TEST COPY Administration No. NOTICE OF Name of EST newspaper: 01/8, 01/15, 01/22/16 20001-2131 DC 20001, was ap2015ADM1517 APPOINTMENT, Afro-American Tanta M Green REGISTER OF WILLS Administration No. pointed personal repreAdedayo A Lesi NOTICE TO Washington Personal 2015ADM1454 sentative of the estate of Decedent Superior Court of CREDITORS Law Reporter Representative(s) 01/8, 01/15, 01/22/16 Gladys Marie Fry Viola S Crooks, who died Thomas P Hartnett Esq the District of AND NOTICE TO Sarita Muhammad TRUE TEST COPY Decedent on October 13, 2014 209 Pennsylvania Ave District of Columbia UNKNOWN HEIRS Personal REGISTER OF WILLS NOTICE OF without a will, and will Ronald Moore, whose SE PROBATE DIVISION Representative Date of first publication: APPOINTMENT, serve without Court suWashington, D.C. You know address is 452 Route 82, Washington, DC 20003 January 8, 2016 NOTICE TO pervision. All unknown Hopewell Junction, NY Attorney 20001-2131 TRUE TEST COPY you’re in the Name of newspapers CREDITORS heirs and heirs whose 12533, was appointed NOTICE OF Administration No. REGISTER OF WILLS know... and/or periodical: AND NOTICE TO whereabouts are un- personal representative APPOINTMENT, 2015ADM1456 The Daily Washington When you read UNKNOWN HEIRS known shall enter their of the estate of Lalla BeNOTICE TO Catherine Jennings 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16 Law Reporter Louis Fry III, whose ad- a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s the AFRO! CREDITORS Decedent atrice King-Green, who The Afro-American dress is 7100 Alaska proceeding. Objections died on August 25, 2015 AND NOTICE TO Wesley L Clarke SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16 Ave, NW, Washington, to such appointment without a will, and will UNKNOWN HEIRS 1629 K Street, St 300 DC 20012, was apshall be filed with the serve without Court su- Adetunji A Lesi, whose Washington, DC 20006 pointed personal repre- Register of Wills, D.C., pervision. All unknown address is 4409 Wake- Attorney sentative of the estate of 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd heirs and heirs whose field Street, Madison, WI, NOTICE OF Gladys Marie Fry, who Floor Washington, D.C. where-abouts are un- 53711 was appointed APPOINTMENT, died on November 7, 20001, on or before July

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

WASHINGTON AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Gita Austin Brown, whose address is 1207 Dixie-Bowie Way, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 was appointed personal 15:11:17 EST 2016 representative of the estate LEGAL NOTICES of Walter H. Brown, who died on September 20, 2015 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 (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, 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 first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Gita Austin Brown Personal Representative

C4 The Afro-American, January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016 LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM612 Celeste Adele Robinson Decedent Ara D Parker 5827 Allentown Road Camp Springs, MD 20746 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Ara D Parker , whose address is 5827 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, MD 20746 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Celeste Adele Robinson, who died on October 28, 2013 without a will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, 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 first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Ara D Parker Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1427 Jessie Creola Fernanders Decedent Montague A Buck Esq 6445 Luzon Avenue, NW 109 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Thomas E Fernanders, whose address is 5050 11 t h S t r e e t , N E , Washington, DC 20017, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Jessie Creola Fernanders, who died on October 9, 2015 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 (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, 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 first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Thomas E Fernanders Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1391 Walter H Brown Decedent Theodora H Brown, PLLC 3127 Cherry Road, NE Washington, DC 20018-1611 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Gita Austin Brown, whose address is 1207 Dixie-Bowie Way, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Walter H. Brown, who died on September 20, 2015 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1063 Mildred Lee Debnam Decedent James E McCollum Jr Esq McCollum & Associates LLC 7309 Baltimore Ave, Suite 117 College Park, Maryland 20740 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Consuella Debnam, whose address is 3115 15:11:02 EST 2016 Berry Rd NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Mildred Lee Debnam, who died on June 15, 2015 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., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, 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 first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Conseuella Debnam Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16 TYPESET: Wed Jan 06 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM964 Estate of John W Beach Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Linda J Beach for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Di15:10:34 EST407 2016 vision Rule is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. 0 Admit to probate the will copy dated August 23, 2003 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses or otherwise Register of Wills Clerk of the Probate Division Date of First Publication January 8, 2016 Names of Newspapers: Washington Law Reporter Washington AFRO-AMERICAN Perry L Foreman Jr P.O Box 44819 Fort Washington, MD 20744 Signature of Petitioners/Attorney 01/08, 01/15/16

TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 16:21:42 EST 2016

LEGAL NOTICES

Actress Kerry Washington Earns Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Award

MBE/WBE/DBE Subcontractors and Suppliers Ulliman Schutte Construction, LLC, Rockville, MD is interested in receiving quotes from qualified MBE/WBE/DBE subcontractors and suppliers for the Saint Elizabeth Water Tower and Large Diameter Water Transmission Mains Project bidding on January 27, 2016. By The Associated Press Opportunities are available for Specifications Divisions 1 thru 40. Please Fax quotes to 301-545-0810. Contact telephone 301-545-0750. Actress Kerry Washington has been Ulliman Schutte Construction, LLC 7615 Standish place, named woman of the year by Harvard Rockville, MD 20855 University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals. www.ullimanschutte.com Equal Opportunity TYPESET: Tue Jan Employer 05 15:09:51 ESTWed 2016Jan 06 11:43:08 TYPESET: EST 2016 Hasty Pudding, the nation’s oldest Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1457 Theresa T Pinckney Decedent Jamison B Taylor 1218 11th St. NW Washington, DC 20001 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Wendy Pierce and Lawrence Ray Pearson, whose address is 3733 Nash St. SE, Washington, DC 20020 and 25521 Hillcreek Rd, Wagram, NC 28396, were 15:10:11 ESTpersonal 2016 reappointed presentative of the estate of Theresa T Pinckney, who died on September 28, 2015 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 (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, 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 first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Wendy Pierce Lawrence Ray Pearson Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Wed Jan 06 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1044 Doris F. Parker Decedent Julius P Terrell Esq 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW #400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Julius P. Terrell, whose address is 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW #400, was appointed personal 11:25:17 EST 2016 representative of the estate of Doris F. Parker, who died on April 17, 2015 (with, without) a will, and will serve (with, without) Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, 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 first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Julius P Terrell Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/8, 01/15, 1/22/16

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM980 Estate of William Samuel Gwyn Sr. Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by William Samuel Gwyn, Jr., for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. 0 In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate 0 appoint a unsupervised personal representative Register of Wills Clerk of the Probate Division Date of First Publication December 11, 2015 Names of Newspapers: Washington Law Reporter Wa s h i n g t o n A F R O AMERICAN Enoch Perry III, Esquire 1413 Fairlakes Place Mitchelleville, MD 20721 Signature of Petitioners/Attorney

collegiate theatrical organization, announced on Jan. 6 that it had selected Washington because she is a “talented and socially engaged film, TV and stage actress who keeps breaking barriers in Hollywood.” Washington, the first Black woman to headline a network TV drama since 1974 as crisis management specialist Olivia Pope on the hit show “Scandal,” has earned Golden Globe, Emmy and SAG Best Actress nominations as well as an (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) NAACP Image Award for Best Hasty Pudding Theatricals named Washington as its Actress. 2016 Woman of the Year. Washington will be paraded She will be given her pudding through the streets of Cambridge, Mass., and awarded pot following a parade through the Pudding Pot at Harvard University on Jan. 28. Harvard Square and roast scheduled for Jan. 28. Previous winners include Meryl Streep, Katharine Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor. Comedian Amy Poehler won last year.

TYPESET: Wed Jan 06 11:25:35 EST 2016

12/11, 12/18/15

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2008ADM1013 Essie Mae Nelson Decedent E. Nichole Patterson 1003 K Street, NW, 3rd Floor Washington, DC 20001 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO 11:25:50 EST 2016 UNKNOWN HEIRS Juwanna Nelson, whose address is 66 New York Avenue, Apartment 201, Washington, DC 20001, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Essie Mae Nelson, who died on November 25, 1988 without a will. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, 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 first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter E Nichole Patterson Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/08, 01/15, 01/22/16

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C6 The Afro-American, January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016 TYPESET: Wed Jan 06 13:44:06 2016 LEGALEST NOTICES CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE OF ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for Water Contract No. 1183-Replacement of Loch Raven Dam Environmental Operation Facility will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204, City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, February 10, 2016. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon. The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, in Room 6 located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of Monday, December 28, 2015 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $60.00. Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call 410-396-6883 or contact the Committee at 4 South Frederick Street, 4th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (”JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is E13001Structure Three-Story and Under Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $5,000,000.01 to $10,000,000.00 A ”Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at the Ashburton Filtration Plant, 3001 Druid Park Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21215 on January 6, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. A project site visit will take place following the meeting at the Loch Raven Dam on January 6, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. Principal Item of work for this project is, but not limited to, the following: Construction of new office building, parking lot, security fencing, sewage collection and subsurface disposal systems. Demolition of all existing buildings, foundation, paving, removal of existing fueling facilities, fencing, storm drainage systems, and abandonment of existing well and septic system.

The WBE goal is 5% Hispanic: 0% Asian American: 0% WATER CONTRACT NO. 1183 APPROVED: Bernice H. Taylor Clerk, Board of Estimates APPROVED: Rudolph S. Chow, P.E. Director of Public Works

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Blues guitarist Long John Hunter, who recorded seven solo albums in a 60year career and was known internationally for his onstage showmanship, has died. He was 84. Hunter died in his sleep on Jan. Visit our website at www.aacounty.org for additional informa4 at his home in tion and to apply on-line. You may use the Internet at any Anne Phoenix, his family Arundel County library, or visit our office at 2660 Riva Road in (Courtesy photo) announced Tuesday Long John Hunter was known for his Annapolis. Deadlines to apply posted on website. on their Facebook showmanship. AEO/DF/SFE page. The cause of death wasn’t immediately known, said Marc Lipkin, director of publicity for Chicago-based Alligator Records. Lipkin added that he believed Hunter lived in Phoenix for the past decade or more. Great Jobs. Great Benefits. Hunter also was a singer-songwriter whose best-known Great place to grow. tracks are “El Paso Rock” and “Alligators Around My Door.” Afro American Newspaper Born John Thurman Hunter Jr. in Ringgold, Louisiana, The Community College of Hunter Issue 1/10/16 grew up in Arkansas and Texas and bought his first Baltimore County guitar after seeing B.B. King in concert. Due 1/7/16 Full-time faculty positions are available Hunter adopted his stage name in 1953 when he released for Fall 2016. For more details, visit: Size 2x2 his first single. He relocated to El Paso, Texas, and then made www.ccbcmd.edu/jobs a name for himself leading the house band at the Lobby Bar CCBC is an EOE/Affirmative Action Employer in Juarez, Mexico, from 1957 to 1970. James Brown, Buddy Holly, Etta James and Albert Collins reportedly attended shows by Hunter, who also became a mentor to then-teenager Bobby Fuller of “I Fought the Law” fame. It was at the Lobby Bar that Hunter developed his showmanship. He was known for holding his guitar by the neck in one hand while continuing to play. With his free hand, Hunter would reach up, grab a rafter above the stage and start to swing but never missed a beat. The antics inspired the title of Hunter’s 1997 album “Swingin’ From The Rafters,” which made him an internationally touring festival headliner. Hunter released independent CDs in 2003 and 2009 and reportedly continued to play regularly until he was 80. He’s survived by his wife, Gayle, and brother, Tom. Funeral services are pending.

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Blues Guitarist Long John Hunter Dies in Arizona at Age 84

January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016, The Afro-American

BALTIMORE-AREA 1000s of Buildings to Be Torn Down

Race and Politics

New Political Faces

As the Freddie Gray Trials Go Forward, What’s the Plan?

Baltimore Mayoral Candidate Warnock: ‘This is the Most Important Election in a Generation’

Courtesy photo

David Warnock wants to change the way Baltimore police conduct business. By Lisa Snowden-McCray Special to the AFRO As mayoral candidates Nick Mosby and Sheila Dixon released competing plans detailing how they would tackle issues like schools, crime and more – Baltimore businessman and philanthropist David Warnock sat down with the AFRO to discuss his own campaign. “I think this election is about ideas, it’s about change and it’s about whether we’re ok with business as usual,” he said. “There are tactical things

“The question is, are you really going to create sustainable significant change for the city?” –David Warnock that are in her [Dixon’s] plan and in Nick’s [Mosby] plan that we’ll all do. The question is, are you really going to create sustainable significant change for the city?” Although Warnock is a political newcomer, he’s a somewhat familiar face in Baltimore City. He is the cofounder of the West Baltimore charter school Green Street Academy. He’s a trustee and former board chairman for the Center for Urban Families. He’s also the former chairman for the Greater Baltimore Committee. He stepped down from those two positions to run for mayor. He is originally from Michigan, but came to Baltimore 33 years ago as a T. Rowe Price executive. He announced his candidacy in November at a rally at Lexington Market. Warnock said he would be releasing a plan of his own as well, but that he is taking his time putting it together. “I’m creating policy groups around these issues so we will be releasing a housing policy, a social change and economic justice policy, a crime policy, an education policy, a transportation policy that will be formed with a working group. Continued on D2

Amy Davis /The Baltimore Sun via AP

A blighted row house is among the many to be demolished in hopes of reviving Baltimore’s impoverished neighborhoods—will it succeed? By The Associated Press Thousands of vacant buildings in Baltimore will be demolished over the next four years, city and state officials announced Jan. 5, starting in the neighborhood where Freddie Gray was arrested and fatally injured in police custody, prompting civil unrest that highlighted the urban decay. Gov. Larry Hogan and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said the new open space and state-subsidized financing will stimulate private investment in new homes, retail stores and other businesses to revive impoverished, crime-ridden neighborhoods. “Fixing what is broken in Baltimore requires that we address the sea of abandoned, dilapidated buildings that are infecting entire neighborhoods,” the first-term Republican governor told a news conference. “They aren’t just unsightly; they’re also unsafe, unhealthy and a hotbed for crime.” But as a bright yellow excavator tore into the first row house, some urban redevelopment experts and community activists said the program lacks a clear vision and firm plan for creating employment opportunities. Other large-scale demolition efforts, including those in Detroit, Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio, have had mixed results, leading researchers to conclude that demolition may not be the best solution, said Katie Wells, a visiting scholar in George Washington University’s geography department. “Demolition is just a baby step in a larger process toward a rehabilitated area,” she said. “How does demolition fit into a

larger vision of, ‘What does a healthy city look like? What does a good neighborhood look like?’” The Baltimore plan includes $75 million in state funding to demolish blocks of abandoned buildings to create space for affordable housing, businesses and parks. The city will provide nearly $19 million worth of administrative services, and the state will offer more than $600 million in financing opportunities for private-sector development.

“They aren’t just unsightly; they’re also unsafe, unhealthy and a hotbed for crime.” – Gov. Larry Hogan The city of 620,000 people has about 17,000 vacant houses, concentrated in neighborhoods that saw rioting, looting and arson after Gray’s death in April. In block after block in poor neighborhoods, former homes have doors and windows covered in plywood. Some of the boards are marked with signs about controlling the rat population, others with posters about the violence that took the lives of 344 people last year. “We must stop killing each other,” one says. The empty, brick row houses are often vandalized and sometimes catch fire. Continued on D2

The trial of Caesar Goodson, the police officer who faces the most serious charges connected Sean Yoes to the death Senior AFRO of Freddie Contributor Gray, began this week; pretrial motions were on Jan 6, while jury selection is scheduled for January 11. Goodson, the driver of the police transport van during the ride the prosecution argues led to Gray’s ultimate demise in April is charged with second degree depraved heart murder and other crimes connected to his death. William Porter, the first of the six officers tried in the death of Gray, trial ended in a mistrial last month. And now attorneys for Porter are arguing he should not be compelled to testify against Goodson or Sgt. Alicia White, whose trial is set for January 25. Porter’s attorneys allege the State’s Attorney’s office is offering him immunity, so that he can testify against his colleagues with impunity when he is retried in June. I don’t believe any specific incident leading up to or during the trial of William Porter portended its ending. And I don’t know what fate has in store for Caesar Goodson either. But, I know there will be an outcome for Goodson, there will be subsequent trials, and verdicts or not. The point is Judge Barry Williams has the judicial process moving forward at a brisk pace; he seems determined to keep it moving Continued on D2

Alan Floyd Arrested for First Murder of New Year in Baltimore By James Bentley Associate Editor

In the early afternoon on the first day of the New Year, Baltimore City Police and Fire Department personnel responded to a call for a house on fire in the 2300 block of East Madison Street. After the blaze was extinguished the property search revealed the corpse of a 61 year old woman, Sharon Williams, reportedly the mother of a Baltimore City firefighter. “Brutal, ruthless, vicious, merciless, sadistic and cruel so pick one they all apply to public enemy #1, Alan Lorenzo Floyd” said Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Davis in a press conference on Jan. 2. He continued by saying “We want to send a message to Alan Lorenzo Floyd and to

Photo by James Bentley, inset photo courtesy Baltimore Police

The house where the deadly fire was set that claimed the life of Sharon Williams on Jan. 1. Alan Floyd (inset)

any other person or persons who want to cause harm to our communities that in 2016 you will not be able to

“Brutal, ruthless, vicious, merciless, sadistic and cruel…” –Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Davis

operate in anonymity.” Floyd was not able to operate in anonymity and police captured him on Jan. 6. He was found in a vacant building in the 800 block of Montford Avenue in the Eastern District and will be charged with murder in connection with the arson. After speaking with

2016

witnesses the police learned the fire may have been intentionally set. Further investigation revealed that there were two other individuals in the house when the fire began: one was another victim, a female who was able to escape the property and the other a male suspect, Alan Lorenzo Floyd, who the police believe barricaded the other two in the property before covering it with an accelerant and setting the house afire. Williams is believed to be an unintended target of this crime the police said possibly stemmed from an ongoing dispute between Floyd and the other victim.

344 2015 Total

Data as of Jan. 6

The Afro-American, January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016

New Political Faces Continued from D1

My educational policy group has [former Maryland State Superintendent of Schools] Nancy Grasmick and [Community College of Baltimore County president] Sandra Kurtinitis and a bunch of really wonderful people.” In his interview with the AFRO, Warnock spoke about what he thinks are some of the most important issues. These includes big changes to how policing is conducted and more access to jobs for people in the city. “I fundamentally believe that we need to look at our police district offices as centers of community engagement,” he said. “We need to create working conditions that are respectful of our cops and we need to improve the front of the house of our police districts and renovate to make them places of community engagement so that essentially we have a PAL [Police Athletic League] center and a police department.” He said that the Baltimore City police department needs to be better at promoting from within when it comes to top hires. “Imagine if you worked for a company where whenever

they hired the top person or division manager they always went outside. You never had a chance to have the top job. That’s the way it’s been in the Baltimore City police,” he said.

“I fundamentally believe that we need to look at our police district offices as centers of community engagement.” –Warnock He said that this would be an election about jobs and opportunity. “Fundamentally, if we don’t create economic opportunity for

people we are not going to change the arc of crime in our city.” “That’s what I’ve been doing at the Center for Urban Families…We’ve had 25,000 people go through that program on their way to a better life and jobs. The same thing at Green Street Academy, my charter school, we want to have all of our kids graduate high school with a tool kit of certifications that will allow them to go to work at the job of their choice.” Warnock said that this is the most important election in a generation. “I really do think city government in many ways is in crisis. It certainly hasn’t fulfilled promises on many levels.” He said that he is running for mayor because of his children, and the grandchildren he hopes to one day have. “I want to be able to tell my grandkids that I took all the skill that I had, all the experience that I had…all the good fortune I had in this city…and at a time of crisis their grandad put his hand up and said ‘I can do this.’ I can do what I did in other situations surrounding myself with a really great team and we changed the arc of a great American city.”

Race and Politics Continued from D1

no matter what and perhaps he should be commended

for his leadership during this incredibly precarious moment

in our city’s history. However, what many don’t

see is an obvious proactive plan of action by City Hall to assuage the anxieties and concerns of residents as the judicial process rolls on. In the days leading up to the Porter trial, the perilous insights of two women who have worked in criminal justice and law enforcement continue to resonate with me. “What I think is the leadership in Baltimore City right now has a very narrow window, when they can do some big outreach to the community, outside of the courtroom, outside of these verdicts, outside of all of this stuff and use this as a moment to heal,” said Leigh Maddox, a former captain with the Maryland State Police and currently an executive board member for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), during an interview in November on First Edition. Instead, while the Porter jury deliberated it felt like Baltimore simply held it’s collective breath, while the national media seemed to hope for the worst and the

armored vehicles lined up in Druid Hill Park. “We are basing so much on this trial...And I really think we need to change that narrative because I don’t think we should base the future of

imperfect criminal justice system,” she added. But, ultimately I don’t believe acquittals for any or all of the officers means violence is inevitable, just like guilty verdicts are not the

“…I don’t think we should base the future of our city on these trials.” – Sheryl Wood our city on these trials,” said Sheryl Wood, a legal analyst and principal attorney at the Wood Law Firm, during that same First Edition interview. I’m not suggesting there has been no outreach by city leadership, but is it enough and is it directed at our most vulnerable communities? I don’t know. “There has to be a plan outside of the courtroom and somebody’s got to lead that charge,” Wood said. “We cannot have everything at stake based upon this imperfect trial...in this

ultimate salve for our city. The death of Freddie Gray didn’t cause the unrest in Baltimore, generations of neglect and abuse did. And his death was the tipping point. City leaders need to acknowledge the message sent in April was received loud and clear, and then act accordingly. Sean Yoes is a senior contributor for the AFRO and host and executive producer of First Edition, which airs Monday through Friday, 5-7 p.m. on WEAA 88.9.

Buildings

Continued from D1 Rawlings-Blake, a Democrat who is not seeking re-election, said the program would accelerate the city’s existing demolition plan, funded at $10 million per year. The program is dubbed CORE for “Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise.” The Maryland Stadium Authority will manage the demolition of buildings jointly identified by the state and the city. The first targets are the 40 houses in the 1000 block of North Stricker Street in Sandtown-Winchester, the West Baltimore

neighborhood where Gray grew up and was arrested. Planners estimate that 20 blocks can be cleared in the first year. At that rate, 3,200 buildings could be torn down in four years. Hogan said he’s sure the jobs will come. “Tearing down these buildings doesn’t directly and immediately bring in jobs, except for maybe some demolition jobs taking the building down, but cleaning up the neighborhood is going to make more people want to invest and do more projects here,” he said.

January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016, The Afro-American

BALTIMORE AREA

People gathered from all over to enjoy the Ruth Kirk Community Fun Festival.

drove cross country to Vegas and up the coast of California. We stayed in Las Vegas at Treasure Island on the strip and on New Year’s Eve the fireworks were awesome as usual. Now it is time to get back to work. I had a wonderful time with some well deserved rest and now I am ready to go. I thank all my readers, friends and fans for your strong support of reading

my columns in the AFRO for the past years. This year will be just as much fun. Remember if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@ aol.com or you can mail me your information to: 214 Conewood Avenue, Reisterstown, Maryland 21136. Until the next time, I’m musically yours.

Oldies but Goodies Night at Caton Castle

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Send your upcoming events to tips@ afro.com. For more community events go to afro.com/Baltimore-events 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast The Alpha Foundation of Howard County, in conjunction with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Phi Lambda Chapter, will present the 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast at Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Baltimore, MD 21244 on Jan. 10. For information on tickets please contact Ernest Jackson at ernestljackson@yahoo.com or 410-215-7803. Finding Money for College Seminar Central Scholarship will launch its 2016 College Cash Financial Literacy Series with the “Finding Money for College” seminar on Jan. 13 from 5:30 p.m.to 8 p.m.at the University of Baltimore School of Law, 1401 North Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201. These free workshops aim to educate students and their parents on how to manage college costs and increase the impact of federal, state and private aid. For more information, visit central-scholarship.org.

Guests danced to the music of Billie Holiday at the Historical Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church hosted by Tom Saunders.

Happy New Year to You from My House to Yours

My Goodness, gracious dear friends of mine, Happy New Year to you. These photos are just a very few of you, your friends and family showcasing what you did last year. Everyone had a good time socializing at the parks, clubs, festivals and social events in the community. Do you remember? We had a fantastic time last year, let’s do it again this year. Please send in your press releases, photos and flyers to me early for Black History Month in February. I have been on vacation, just getting back today. My husband, Shorty, my “Boo-Boo” and I

Working in our community helps our community work

better.

Guests having a good time at Ms. Maybelle’s Event.

Guests having a good time at the Travis Winkey Show. Pamela Leak and Darlene Douglas were among the guests.

Smart energy. It’s the belief that when we work in our community, our community works better. Through charitable contributions, outreach and volunteer projects focused on education, arts and culture, the environment and community development—BGE and its more than 3,400 employees work together with our customers to help make central Maryland a better place to live and work. Now that’s smart energy. To learn more, visit BGE.COM/Giving.

Prince George Festival brought folks together to enjoy the festivities.

If in c a

For these pictures and more go to afro.com/slideshows.

The Afro-American, January 9, 2016 - January 15, 2016

Members of The Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority joined with the Baltimore Delta

Alumnae Foundation to host a New Year’s Eve Monte Carlo Casino Night at the BWI Hilton Hotel in Linthicum,

Maryland. After midnight, guests were treated to the traditional New Year’s Day

menu of collard greens, black eyed peas and cornbread.

DST Baltimore Foundation president, Roslyn Smith with Dr. Walker Robinson

Members of the Foundation Gala committee are introduced to the crowd

Senator Delores and Dr. Russell Kelley

Richard and Flora Johnson, Seated are James and Marguerite Walker

Gladys Rice, Lorna Byers, Emile Wilson, Freida Robinson and Duane Lloyd

Craig and Mary Seeney

Adrienne Diggs, Peggy Caranda, Standing are Kathleen and Michael Seeney

Barbara Blount Armstrong and John "Jake" Oliver, CEO & Publisher of the AFRO American Newspapers

Gerri Flanigan, Donald Tynes, Sheila and Jesse Bennett

Kimberleigh De Laine and Marsha Logan

Samuel and Lucretia Bilups, Dorothy and James Coleman

Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

Judge Lewin Garrett receives the Memorial Award for outstanding service to children and youth from Lynetta Parker, chair of the event and Ann Taylor Ross, chapter president Deltas in attendance gather on the steps for a group photo

Edna Lee Moffitt, national president and Robin T. Browder, national 2nd vice president

The Baltimore Chapter of the Continental Societies held their annual gala on Dec. 27, 2015 at Martin’s West in Baltimore. The gala is the organization’s major fundraiser which supports the Baltimore community; specifically promoting, fostering and developing the welfare of underprivileged children and youth. Lewin Garrett, Chief Judge, Orphans’ Court, Baltimore City was presented with the prestigious Continental Memorial Award. Judge Garrett volunteers as a youth advocate and karate instructor at the John Eager Howard Recreation Center.

Mish Masterson, Toni Ray and Joyce Davis

John McTizic, Diana Jolley, Madeline Campbell and Joseph Campbell

Gina Komaroff, Beulah Parker, Barbara Huggins, Standing are Lyndale Parker, Mozelle Fisher and Mattie Sauls

Robert and Gladys Rice

Robin Beaman, Margaret Turner, Charter Member and Dr. Herb Joiney-Bey

Alpha Phi Alpha men are John Johnston, Dr. Marco K. Merrick, Dr. Michael Carter and R. Anthony Mills

Deana Platt, Dawn Millner, Delease Landram and Keith Landram

Kimberly Camphor, Arnold Camphor, Lynetta Parker and William Folk Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

E. Francine Stokes McElveen, Cecelia Wright Brown, Jocelyn Brown and Audrey Freeman

Lawrence and Karen Dates Dunmore

Ivy Gates-Smith, Geraldine Gates and Danard Smith

The Baltimore, Harbor City and Patapsco River Chapters of The Links, a women’s service organization, and their friends gathered at

Linda Folsam Jackson, Roslyn Haysbert, Angela Seriki and Fabienne Royale-Larkins

the Forum for an evening of holiday cheer, laughter, good food and dancing In the spirit of sisterhood and service, the Baltimore area Links held a silent auction to benefit scholarships and programs for the Baltimore community.

Faith Thomas, Nicole Brown, Lynn Reed Selby, Roland Selby, Shari Sheffield, Capital City Link and Aileen Taylor

Judge Miriam and Argin Hutchins

Maya Rockeymoore Cummings and Rep. Elijah Cummings Kendra Brown and Dr. Dominique Allen

Alice Cole, Donnice Brown, Carolyn Cole and Marlene Downs, Patapsco River Links Carol Carter, Camay Calloway Murphy and Karenthia Barber

Lois De Laine and Thelma T. Daley

Dr. Crystal Watkins-Johansson, Patricia Wilson and Kimberly Mumby-Green Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

To see more of these photos and purchase them visit afro.com/slideshows. To purchase this digital photo page contact Takiea Hinton: thinton@afro.com or 410.554.8277.