B4
The Afro-American, July 22, 2017 - July 28, 2017
Previous Ms. Senior D.C. winners
The 2017 Ms. Senior D.C. Pageant, for women who are 60-years-old and older, was held at the University of the District of Columbia, Performing Arts Theater on June 25 in Northwest, Washington, D.C. Francis Curtis Johnson was crowned
the 2017 Ms. Senior D.C. with Judyan Andrews as the first runner up and Patricia Ragland the second runner up. The pageant is a collaborative effort of the D.C. Office of Aging and the D.C. Seniors Cameo Club.
Evening gown competition
2016 Ms. Senior D.C., Billie LaVern Smith, final walk
Lillian Pope Berry, pageant judge
First runner up, Judyan Andrews; Ms. Senior D.C. 2017, Francis Curtis Johnson and Second runner up, Patricia Ragland
James Hughes, pageant judge
Alvanetta S. Cribbs, pageant judge
Honoree Bern Nadette Stanis
Marco Clark, founder/ CEO, Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts and Gregory Adams, chair, Board of Trustees
Edgar Brookins, Washington D.C. AFRO office General Manager and JC Hayward, former WUSA9 News anchor
Deborah Robinson, pageant judge
Darlene Nowlin, D.C. State Pageant director, Francis Curtis Johnson, Ms. Senior DC 2017 and Laura Newland, executive director, D.C. Office of Aging
Romain B. Thomas, chair, D.C. Commission of Aging
Carroll “Mr. C” Hynson, WHUR radio personality, emcee
Photos by Rob Roberts
Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts hosted its 6th Annual Richard Wright Black Tie Gala on June 10 at the historic Warner Theatre in Northwest D.C . Engaging student-produced short films of Honoree, Ward 8 D.C. various genres, inspired the captivated Council member, audience with innovative techniques, fresh Trayon White, Sr. perspectives, and powerful voices of change. The theme of Gala 2017 was “Inspiring the Next Generation.” Honorees included the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Actress Bern Nadette Stanis and John Gibson, advisor for Inclusion and Multicultural Outreach for the Motion Picture Association of America. Joe Clair, WPGC, and Renee Starlynn Allen served as the event’s emcees.
Joe Clair
Renee Starlynn Allen, honoree Jim Watkins, general manager; WHUR-FM Radio, honoree Renee Nash, director, public affairs; WHUR-FM Radio and Darlene Jackson, director, WHUR-FM Promotions Kim Moss, Wanda Watts, Crystal Riley and Anita Graham
Alyssa McCall, Classy Consulting Solutions with Henry and April Jenkins
Melissa Macaya, president, The National Association of the Hispanic Journalists, D.C. Chapter
Richard Wright Instrumental Ensemble U.S. Rep. Franklin Garcia for the District of Columbia, and president of the D.C. Latino Leadership Council
Photo by Rob Roberts