PG County 12-22-2017

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EDITION

Volume 127 No. 20

Happy Holidays To Our Readers

The AFRO will be closed for the holidays Dec. 22– Jan. 2. The first edition of the new year will be out on Jan. 6. Afro.com will continue to update during the break. Have a safe and happy holiday.

DECEMBER 23, 2017 - JANUARY 5, 2018

Joy to the World

Prince George’s

Candidates Step Up in 2018 B1

Inside

Baltimore In Memoriam: Carl Edward Murphy Smith’

Charrity Newman 9, left, and Patty Foster with Central Rivers AEA work together to make a Christmas wreath out of beads at the Boys and Girls Club in Waterloo, Iowa. The AFRO will not publish a newspaper next week due to the holiday but will continue to post news at afro.com. Happy holidays.

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Matthew Putney/The Courier via AP

Defeating America’s Silent Epidemic

By Rep. Elijah Cummings

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AFRO Archived History

By Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO

Letters to Santa Claus Dec. 1916

Dear Santa Claus:--Please don’t forget to come and see us this Xmas. We haven’t much money this year and we all need new shoes, please and some clothes. Please bring me some candy. Of course James wants a wagon, Hattie wants a doll and so does Emma and Ada too. Ada is very sweet and she is our baby. Mama and papa say we want too much for poor children. Do you think so?

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Black Transgender Cheers Judge’s Ruling to Stop Military Ban President Trump’s attempt to prevent transgender individuals from enrolling in the military has been foiled once again by a federal court judge. A key Black transgender activist offered praise for the decision.

On Dec. 12, U.S. District Court Judge Marsha Pechman of the Western District of Washington state determined in the case of Karnoski vs. Trump that President Trump’s order that people who are transgender not be allowed to serve in the military is unconstitutional.

“Because defendants have failed to demonstrate that the policy prohibiting transgender individuals from serving openly is substantially related to important government interests, it does not survive immediate scrutiny,” Pechman said in her 23-page decision.

Nicole Lynn Perry a Black transgender activist who lives in Tacoma, Wash. told

Courtesy photo

Nicole Lynn Perry, a former U.S. Marine, said she approves of the court’s decision that found Trump’s ban on transgenders entering the military as unconstitutional. the AFRO that she supports Pechman’s decision.

“I am glad that she ruled that way on the case,” Perry said. “Trump’s ban on transgender service in the

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Baltimore Actress Is Part of Stellar Cast in Lena Waithe’s New Showtime Series

For many years the AFRO would print letters from children to Santa Claus. In the Christmas spirit, here are some that were printed in Dec. 1916. Letters such as these are why the AFRO continues to host programs such as Ms. Santa, which provides toys, food and clothes to children today.

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com

What to Expect from the Md. Legislative Black Caucus in 2018

military is an example of hate and transphobia.”

Perry was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps in October 2016 and technically isn’t covered

by Trump’s actions or the court rulings. However, if Perry chooses to re-enlist, she would be affected by the court’s ruling, she said.

Perry, who worked in IT in the Marines and, up until recently, was a resident of Dallas, said your gender status doesn’t determine your fitness to do our job.

“Transgenders are committed to protecting this country just like anyone else in the military,” she said. “They can fire a rifle the same way anyone else can.”

Perry said she remembers when Trump campaigned for president and promised to protect the rights of LGBTQ Americans if elected.

“He said to us ‘I will fight for you’”, she said, “but everything he does these days is fighting what the LGBTQ

There is a law of Physics that says that energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change from one form to another. For artists, the same can be said about their creativity.

Their tendency toward expressing themselves creatively Courtesy photo never goes away. It merely Baltimore native Tiffany metamorphoses. Baltimore born Boone is one of the stars of and raised actress Tiffany Boone Showtime’s ‘The Chi.’ got to a point a few years ago when acting no longer felt fulfilling. “For about a year I stopped acting. I was feeling kind of drained and I wasn’t super-excited about projects that I was auditioning for,” she tells the AFRO So she stopped acting but the impulse to create was still there.

Living in downtown Los Angeles at the time, across the street from a flower market, gave her all the incentive she needed to express herself in a different way. She embarked on a new career in flower arranging. “It

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Courtesy photo

Morgan State University’s football team, along with nine other sports, is facing several penalties for infractions.

College Sports

Morgan State Athletics Hit with NCAA Sanctions

By AFRO Staff

In the same week Morgan State University fired Fred Farrier, the school’s head football coach, there’s more bad news for Morgan athletics.

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Copyright © 2017 by the Afro-American Company

Continued on A3

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The Afro-American, December 23, 2017 - January 5, 2018

In Memoriam

Those We Lost in 2017

Dick Gregory (1932-2017) As a comedian and activist, Gregory broke racial barriers in the 1960s and used his humor to spread messages of social justice and nutritional health.

AFRO File photo

Della Reese (1931-2017) Reese was an actress, singer and talk show host who was best known for her role on the television drama “Touched by an Angel.”

Fats Domino (1928-2017) Domino was a rock ‘n’ roll pioneer who sold countless records.

(AP Photo)

Joni Sledge (1956-2017) Sledge was one of the founding members of the all-girl singing group Sister Sledge.

(AP Photo/Chris Polk)

Simeon Booker (1918-2017) Booker was a courageous and award winning journalist who put his life on the line to tell the story of Black America during the civil rights movement.

AFRO file photo

R.B. Jones (1952-2017) Jones was a former AFRO columnist who wrote “Real Side,” a column about Baltimore’s political class.

Rosetta Stith (1945-2017) Stith was a charismatic and tireless advocate for the education of teenage mothers and principal at Paquin JuniorSenior High School.

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

By AFRO Staff

(Courtesy photo)

(Courtesy photo)

George B. Murphy III (1945-2017) Murphy was the great-grand son of AFRO American Newspapers founder John H. Murphy, Sr. and went on to work in the aviation field.

Sis. Mary Alice Chineworth (1918-2017) Sister Mary Alice Chineworth was a towering spiritual figure in Baltimore’s Catholic community as a member of the Oblate Sisters at the St. Frances Academy.

(Courtesy photo)

(Courtesy photo)

Your History • Your Community • Your News

The Afro-American Newspapers

Baltimore Office • Corporate Headquarters 1531 S. Edgewood Street Baltimore, Maryland 21227 410-554-8200 • Fax: 1-877-570-9297 afro.com Founded by John Henry Murphy Sr., August 13, 1892 Chairman of the Board/Publisher - John J. Oliver, Jr. Executive Assistant - Sallie Brown - 410-554-8222 Receptionist - Wanda Pearson - 410-554-8200 Director of Advertising Lenora Howze - 410-554-8271 - lhowze@afro.com Advertising Account Executives Baltimore - Robert Blount - 410-554-8246 - rblount@afro.com Washington, D.C. - Vetta Ridgeway - 202-332-0080-ext. 1104 vridgeway@afro.com Director of Finance - Ronald W. Harrison - 410-554-8242

Maj. Gen. (ret.)

John Hawkins III (1940-2017) Hawkins was the president and CEO of Hawkins Solutions International, a consultancy providing human capital support, and a columnist on military affairs for the AFRO-American Newspapers.

Dolores Kendrick (1927-2017) Kendrick was named D.C.’s poet laureate in 1999.

(Courtesy photo)

James Nero (1932-2017) Nero was a leader in the United Methodist Church.

(Courtesy photo)

James (Jim) Howard Vance III (1942-2017) Vance was a longtime local and highly respected news anchor who was the area’s longest-serving television anchor with 45 years of news reporting.

Rev. Morris Shearin, Sr. (1941-2017) Shearin served as the ninth pastor of Israel Baptist Church in Northeast Washington, D.C. and was a past

(Courtesy photo)

(Courtesy photo)

(Courtesy photo)

Assistant Archivist - Shelia Scott - 410-554-8265 Director, Community & Public Relations Diane W. Hocker - 410-554-8243 Editorial Managing Editor - Kamau High Baltimore Editor - Sean Yoes Washington, D.C. Editor - LaTrina Antoine Editorial Assistant - Takiea Hinton Production Department - 410-554-8288 Baltimore Circulation/Distribution Manager Clarence Massey - 410-554-8232

Washington Office 1816 12th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-4422 202-332-0080 • Fax: 1-877-570-9297

(Washington Publisher Emerita - Frances L. Murphy II) General Manager Washington Circulation/Distribution Manager Edgar Brookins - 202-332-0080, ext. 106 Director of Advertising Lenora Howze - ext. 119 - lhowze@afro.com Office Administrator - Mia Aguilar - ext. 100

Customer Service, Home Delivery and Subscriptions: 410-554-8234 • Customer Service@afro.com Billing Inquiries: 410-554-8226 Nights and Weekends: 410-554-8282

THANK YOU Over $6700 as of Dec. 20!

Army 2nd Lt. Richard Collins, III (1994-2017) Collins was an Army second lieutenant who was scheduled to graduate from Bowie State University in May.

Judge William Missouri (1940-2017) Missouri was a retired Maryland Circuit Court Judge.

(Courtesy photo)

(Courtesy photo)

The Howard L. Cornish Metropolitan Baltimore Chapter of the Morgan State University National Alumni Association Annual

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SCHOLARSHIP BREAKFAST

January 13, 9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon

Morgan State University Student Center Calvin & Tina Tyler Ballroom

Identification Statements

Baltimore Afro-American – (USPS 040-800) is published weekly by The Afro-American Newspapers, 1531 S. Edgewood St., Baltimore, MD 21227. Subscription Rate: Baltimore - 1 Year - $70.00(Price includes tax.) Checks for subscriptions should be made payable to: The Afro-American Newspaper Company, 1531 S. Edgewood St., Baltimore, MD 21227. Periodicals postage paid at Baltimore, MD. POSTMASTER: Send addresses changes to: The Afro-American Newspapers Company, 1531 S. Edgewood St., Baltimore, MD 21227.

The Washington Afro-American & Washington Tribune – (0276-6523) is published weekly by the Afro-American Newspapers at 1816 12th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009-4422. Subscription Rate: Washington - 1 Year - $70.00(Price includes tax.)

Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Washington Afro-American & Washington Tribune, 1531 S. Edgewood St., Baltimore, MD 21227.

HONOREES Ms. April D. Ryan Dr. Ruthe T. Sheffey Dr. Jelani Zarif Dr. A. Lois DeLaine Mr. Donlad Tynes, Sr.

Special Musical Performances By:

• Morgan Choir and Morgan Jazz Ensemble

GUEST SPEAKER Jandie Smith Turner CEO - Acuity Sports, Inc.

DOOR PRIZES • FUR ACCESSORIES BY KENT FISHER FURS • MORGAN MEMORABILIA

ADMISSION: $60 ($30 TAX DEDUCTIBLE) TICKET INFORMATION: (410) 461-3931

December 23, 2017 - January 5, 2018, The Afro-American

Transgender

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Morgan Athletics

Continued from A1

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On Tuesday, the NCAA announced penalties against the school because it “improperly certified the eligibility of 94 studentathletes in 10 sports,” according to a statement from Stacey Osburn, director of media relations for the NCAA. The ten sports penalized include: football, men’s and women’s tennis, softball, men’s and women’s track, men’s and women’s bowling and men’s and women’s basketball.

According to the NCAA, the infractions took place over the span of four years. “Over the same period, the university improperly provided financial aid to student-athletes in nine sports.

Due to the university’s lack of monitoring and control, studentathletes practiced and completed while ineligible. This included those who had not yet received their eligibility certification or met the eligibility standards. Other student-athletes competed while enrolled less than full-time, without meeting their progress toward degree requirements or after their eligibility was exhausted,” Osburn said.

Prior to the Tuesday NCAA announcement, Morgan was informed of the pending NCAA penalties and given an opportunity to appeal the NCAA decision. MSU issued the following statement describing what it initially did to explain its actions in pursuit of a reduction in the NCAA penalties which at that time were pending: “In the lead up to today’s announcement from the NCAA, the University’s athletics director Ed Scott and President David

community wants.”

Trump issued the ban on July 26, 2017, via Twitter, saying that the “tremendous medical costs and disruptions” that would be caused by transgenders pushed him to say that the armed forces “will not accept or allow them to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military.

In August, Trump issued a presidential memorandum that said all transgender service troops would be discharged. The order flies in the face of a 2016 study of transgenders in the military that states that their presence would have a minimal impact on health care and the country’s readiness.

Also, in 2016, President Obama lifted the ban on transgenders serving in the U.S. military.

Pechman’s decision is in line with what U.S. District Court Judges Colleen Kollar-Kelley of the District of Columbia Circuit Court and Marvin J. Garbis of Maryland have ruled. Sarah McBride, the national press secretary for the District of Columbiabased Human Right Campaign, the country’s leading advocacy organization on LGBTQ issues, said in a statement that the ruling “is a victory in the fight against Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s cruel and animus-fueled policy.”

“Allowing this discriminatory ban to take effect would cause serious harm to our national defense and to the thousands of transgender people serving and wishing to serve their country,” McBride said.

The U.S. Justice Department led by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made it clear that they will appeal the decisions of the district court judges. However, Pentagon officials have said that of as of Jan. 1, 2018, transgenders will be allowed to enlist in the armed services.

The Black transgender community made history on Nov. 7 when Andrea Jenkins became the first Black transgender elected to public office by her winning campaign to serve on the Minneapolis City Council.

Wilson made the decision to appeal the judgment of the Infractions Panel. The university was granted an expedited hearing this past November in Indianapolis. At that hearing, the university presented a strong case to challenge the NCAA’s verdict, and to seek relief from those penalties deemed excessive, unwarranted or unfair. As a result of the presentation, the university was successful in convincing the NCAA Infractions Panel to reevaluate and lessen a number of penalties in key areas.”

Following the NCAA hearing on the alleged NCAA violations, Morgan State will now be subjected to several penalties the most notable of which will include: • a four-year probation period through Dec. 18, 2021 during which the school will face increased scrutiny from the NCAA; • a one-year postseason ban for softball, tennis and football; • recruiting restrictions for the 10 sports; and • a five percent reduction in scholarships in the 10 sports for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Boone Continued from A1

AFRO Archived History Continued from A1

Please bring us some books to read.

Yours truly, Clarence Ockliney Dear Santa Claus:--I am a little orphan boy. I would like you to bring me a bicycle and some nuts. Please do not forget my aunt, mother and my uncle. Love to you.

From E. L. Wilson Dear Santa Claus:--I am a little girl from New York. This is my first Christmas here. I want a doll and carriages, a pair of skates, some handkerchiefs. I would like to have a new dress and some nuts.

From your little friend, Daisy Marie Mason

wasn’t a super lucrative thing,” she says, “it was just something creative for me to do. It was small events and I did it out of my house and there was word of mouth.”

When Boone started acting again, her first audition was for Lena Waithe’s new series on Showtime, “The Chi.” Set on Chicago’s South Side, the multi-generational dramedy follows a group of residents as they navigate the triumphs and pitfalls of life in a challenging environment.

Boone plays girl next door Jerrika and the love interest of Brandon played by Jason Mitchell (“Straight Outta Compton,” “Mudbound,” “Detroit”), an aspiring chef trying to walk the straight and narrow path.

Although Boone says she never met Mitchell prior to doing the show, the chemistry between the two characters is off the charts. Though we don’t know what choices the writers will eventually make, from the looks of the pilot, Jerrika and Brandon have the potential to be one of the great stories of young black love on screen.

Sonja Sohn of iconic crime drama “The Wire” also stars in “The Chi,” playing Brandon’s mom. She is a complicated, combative character with a tendency to clash with everyone with whom she comes into contact, including Jerrika. Boone was familiar with Sohn prior to shooting but not just because of Sohn’s acting. “Her daughter went to the Baltimore School of the Arts with me and then I went to California Institute of the Arts for college and her daughter went there with me too.” Boone and Sohn have become fast friends who text back and forth even when they’re not filming.

“My father was murdered when I was three,” Boone says. “My mother kept me super busy. She made sure I always had the opportunity to go to a class or do this or that even though she was a single parent. I think that being a part of the arts really saved me. It’s such a powerful healing tool.”

TIME TO CASH IN!

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The Afro-American, December 23, 2017 - January 5, 2018

Carl Edward Smith Was ‘Simply Amazing on so Many Levels’

who started the paper in 1892 and decreed that members of the family would always find employment with the family business.

He also had the distinction of being the only grandson for 10 Everyone wants to be known as a person for all seasons, one years. This gave him plenty of time to shadow his grandfather, who embraces life fully and makes the world a lot better just by then AFRO publisher, Dr. Carl Murphy Sr. who often intervened Smith, right, with his son Blair, and daughters having been present. within the community to mobilize leadership on behalf of the Jonee Brown and Michelle Howard It seems Carl Edward Murphy Smith was such a man; maybe community at large. not in his own sight, but in the hearts and minds of his family.

“As a boy, he’d sit in on AFRO board undergraduate degree in history and political science at Morgan “I think of him first, as a man of mystery,” said Qiana Smith meetings and take the minutes,” Blair Smith State University where his grandfather, as chair of the board of Gabriel, daughter of Smith, who died Dec. 15 after a lengthy said. “I’m sure this gave him the insight and regents presented his diploma. Smith often touted it as one of his illness. maybe even the courage to go travel the world proudest moments.

“He was anything you could think of but nothing you’d for business or just on his own.”

By no means the end of his education, Smith actually expect of a man who matured in the 60’s,” she Smith is the son of Ida Murphy Peters embraced lifelong learning with membership in said. who was the company’s first Mrs. Santa Leadership Anne Arundel and Prince George’s “And when he would tell his stories, I’d always and the entertainment editor, just a counties as well as being an executive exchange respond, ‘No you didn’t do that. No you weren’t there.” couple of the hats she wore. fellow assigned to the U.S. Environmental Gabriel still finds it hard to believe the impact her His sister, the Right Rev. Vashti Protection Agency at the Wharton School. He father had, as a businessman, a registered lobbyist and Smith Murphy McKenzie, also pursued also participated three years in the St. John’s John H. Murphy Jr. much more. a career in communications and media, College Executive Seminar series. cuddles with his little “Can you believe him skiing in the Swiss Alps, and ministry before becoming the first His education really paid off, nephew. traveling for business meetings in Berlin? With White woman to serve as bishop in the AME according to Gabriel. people? And it wasn’t as if he was trying to pass, with his “My dad was the smartest six foot tall self, sporting a huge Afro,” she added. man I’ve known. Throughout In fact, his son, Blair Carl Smith, called his father the my life I could ask him any “most well travelled man I knew.” question on any topic and he He seemed to be a larger than life figure to knew something of value everyone who knew him. about it,” she said.

He was much more than a mere cousin, it “Even as I got older, I was said of Smith who had the distinction of would challenge him and having been among the oldest of the Murphy The Murphy Google his answers, but he cousins. “He was the big cousin we all looked was always right.”

Cousins up to, “ said the Rev. Dr. Frances “Toni” She said he was simply amazing Draper, pastor of Freedom Temple AME Zion on so many levels.

Church in Baltimore. “He was a faithful friend who Church.

“I don’t know how I’ll move through life without him.” cherished our family.”

But beyond family, AFRO publisher and cousin, Jake Oliver, called him his impact was felt in An initial Celebration of Life Service for Carl Edward “our idol. He was the giant we all wanted to grow up the business world Murphy Smith will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2018 to be.” through his (Smith’s birthday) at The Clubs at St. James, 3779 Members Club Another cousin, Robert Murphy Matthews Sr. expansive Blvd, Southport, NC 28461. For more information, please call called him, “our go-to guy for Murphy family history,” career with Blair Carl Murphy Smith at (917) 608-3994. also remembering Smith as “all our Verizon, A second Celebration of Life Service will be held on babysitter.” formerly Saturday, January 6, 2018, in Baltimore beginning at 11 a.m.

The African-American Bell for the family hour, with the service following at noon at Payne community is largely familiar Atlantic.

Memorial AME Church, 1714 Madison Ave., Baltimore MD with the Murphy family He 21217. through the AFROretired as a registered lobbyist and external affairs manager in American Newspaper, Annapolis. the longest, continuously And as someone who cared deeply operating, family owned about the community, especially the Black publication in this African-American community, Smith was country. a founding member of 100 Black Men Smith is the of Maryland, a member of The Rotary oldest great Club of Baltimore, and a Golden Heritage grandson of member of the NAACP. He was also a Blair Carl Smith and his father, AFRO founder, member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Three generations: Smith with his Carl Edward Murphy Smith Smith with his late John H. The Frederick Douglass High School grandson and great grandson, Murphy Sr., graduate attended the University of grandson, Gerald T:11” Brandon Sr. and Jr. Courtesy photos the ex slave Wisconsin at Madison after earning his S:10.5”

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December 23, 2017 - January 5, 2018 The Afro-American

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COMMENTARY

AFRO Editorial from Dec. 24, 1966

“Every American has the right to be treated as a person. He should be able to find a job, educate his children, vote in the elections and be judged on his merits as a person. This is the fixed determination of our party and our nation. So long as I am your President, I intend to carry out what the Constitution demands —and justice required equal justice under the law.”

-PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON

St. Luke 2:1-20 In those days a decree was issued by the Emperor Augustus for a general registration throughout the Roman world. This was the first registration of its kind; it took place when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.

For this purpose everyone made his way to his own town; and so Joseph went up to Judea from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to be registered at the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was of the house of D avid by descent; and with him went Mary who was betrothed to him.

She was pregnant, and while they were there the time came for her child to be born, and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped Him round, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them to lodge in the house.

NOW IN this same district there were shepherds out in the fields, keeping watch through the night over their flock, when suddenly there stood before them an angle of the Lord, and the splendour of the Lord shone round them.

They were terror-struck, but the angel said, “Do not be afraid; I have good news for you; there was a great joy coming to the whole people. Today in the city of David a deliverer has been born to you - the Messiah, the Lord. And this is your sign; you will find a baby lying all wrapped up, in a manger.”

All at once there was with the angel a great company of the heavenly host, singing the praises of God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven.

And on earth His peace for men on whom His favour rests.”

AFTER THE angels had left them and gone into heaven the shepherds said the one another, “Come, we must go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they went with all speed and found their way to Mary and Joseph; and the baby was lying the in the manger. When they saw Him, they recounted what they had been told about this child;

This cartoon originally ran in the AFRO on Dec. 24, 1966. It is being reprinted to highlight how some things never change. and all who heard where astonished at what the shepherds said.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered over them. Meanwhile the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for what they had heard and seen; it had all happened as they had been told.

Defeating America’s Silent Epidemic In the spirit of the holidays, I am pleased to share some very good news. Although some may not consider the issuance of a new stamp by the U.S. Postal Service to be all that important, I can assure you that the issuance of one new stamp is very important to us all.

America is aging, a progression that is bringing with it threats to our society, as well as joy. Every American family must ultimately confront the passage of time, but nowhere are the challenges more prevalent than within our nation’s communities of color.

This is why our successful efforts to convince the U.S. Postal Service to issue its Alzheimer’s Semi-postal Fundraising Stamp are so heartening. Priced at 60 cents, 11 cents of every stamp purchased by the American people will expand support for our nation’s promising efforts to conquer Alzheimer’s disease [ALZ].

Here are some important facts.

Today, more than 5 million Americans are living with ALZ, a progressive and ultimately fatal brain disease. Another 15 million of their families and friends are providing care to their loved ones who are failing, often at enormous personal and financial cost.

Tragically, Americans of color are disproportionately

Elijah Cummings

affected.

Scientific studies have confirmed that African Americans are significantly more likely to succumb to ALZ than are other ethnicities, a disparity that, in all likelihood, is a result of our increased risk for other health problems and our reduced access to high quality health care.

The danger to each of us is compounded by the fact that ALZ, too often, remains a “Silent Epidemic,” a threat that steals into our communities, like a thief in the night, and, one by one, takes our grandparents and parents, our husbands, wives and others we love.

Here are some important actions each of us can take to protect ourselves and our families.

First, each of us has the power to become better informed about this terrifying and widespread disease. The Alzheimer’s Association is a good place to begin: alz.org.

Second, a healthy lifestyle is believed to reduce our vulnerability. We can reduce the calories and fats in our diets, as well as the alcohol, salt, processed foods and refined carbohydrates that we consume.

Third, we can remind ourselves and those we love to have regular medical exams so that we do not wait too long to discover the disease and begin treatment.

Finally, our nation’s scientists are on the verge of amazing breakthroughs in our struggle to eventually defeat Alzheimer’s

and reduce its impact in the nearer term. We are making progress in the areas of stem cell research and other promising strategies that hold much promise.

All Americans have a direct and personal stake in expanding both federal and private funding for this promising ALZ research. This is where our support of the new Alzheimer’s Stamp is essential.

Most of us do not have the training to mitigate and eventually defeat ALZ, but we do have the power to support those who do. During the holidays and throughout the year, every card and letter that we send through the U.S. Mail can take us a step closer to overcoming the Silent Epidemic that is threatening our families.

I am confident that our personal engagement in this effort can make a major difference in our lives.

The companion Breast Cancer Fundraising Stamp, issued nearly 20 years ago, has raised more than $86 million toward fighting that devastating disease – and our support of the new Alzheimer’s Stamp can do the same.

Congressman Elijah Cummings represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.

Maryland Appeal of HBCU Coalition Follows Southern Strategy Maryland officials recently filed notice of their intent to appeal the decision of federal court judge Catherine Blake in the Historically Black University Coalition case against the State.

The State’s appeal follows the strategy used in similar lawsuits brought in Alabama, Mississippi and other southern states seeking to maintain dual systems of higher education.

Judge Blake found in October 2013 that Maryland continues to promote the practice of unnecessary program duplication between the HBCUs and PWIs [Primarily White Institutions] in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

After attempts at a settlement and weeks of court trial, the Court ordered the State to discontinue the unlawful practice of offering similar programs at HBCUs and nearby PWIs. Instead, the judge directed Maryland to develop clusters of unduplicated, high demand programs at each of the HBCUs to give them distinct programmatic identities and to provide additional funding for enhancement of academic support

David Burton

services, marketing and recruitment activities.

The Blake decision holds great potential for increasing the attractiveness of HBCUs for students regardless of race. But contrary to Coalition arguments for a realignment of programs, the ruling would leave in place existing program duplication such as engineering at Morgan and UMBC, and business between UMES and Salisbury University on the eastern shore.

The appeal by Governor Larry Hogan, Attorney General Brian Frosh and the legislative leadership appears to be a desperate effort to maintain the most distinguishing feature of a dual and segregated system of higher education: unnecessary program duplication between neighboring HBIs and PWIs. Maryland deserves better from our elected officials and rest assured, the Coalition is committed to continuing its challenge

in the Court.

Equally important, we must take our quest for equity and excellence for HBCUs to the ballot box and the upcoming election provides the ideal opportunity. Using the same formula that flipped the legislature in Virginia and elected Doug Jones in Alabama. African Americans and other minorities make-up almost half of the population of Maryland.

We must now mobilize our students at HBCUs, church congregations, Black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities, minority business people, neighborhood associations and other civil rights advocacy groups to ensure that our elected officials deliver on the agreement the State made in 2000 to make HBCUs as competitive as Primarily White campuses in attracting students regardless of race.

David Burton is the president of the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education, which filed suit against the state of Maryland over the state of segregated HBCUs in Maryland.

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American • 1531 S. Edgewood St. • Baltimore, MD 21227 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

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The Afro-American, December 23, 2017 - January 5, 2018

YOU’RE ALWAYS A WINNER WHEN YOU PLAY RESPONSIBLY.

Playing the Maryland Lottery is fun, but please play within your limits.

For confidential help with gambling problems, please visit mdgamblinghelp.org or call 1-800-GAMBLER. You must be 18 to play.

December 23, 2017 - January 5, 2018, The Afro-American

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PRINCE GEORGE’S-AREA/BALTIMORE-AREA Race and Politics

Is Mayor Pugh Up to the Task?

From the outside, it is impossible to fully grasp the day to day inner workings of Baltimore City Hall from the perspective of the woman Sean Yoes Baltimore AFRO currently sitting in the Editor syoes@afro.com mayor’s chair, Catherine E. Pugh.

However, Mayor Pugh has been confronted with some titanic challenges during her first year in office and has been forced to make some difficult decisions in response. And people in Baltimore are judging Pugh based on her actions during the mayor’s tumultuous first year.

The verdict seems mixed at best.

Pugh has notched some significant wins.

Pugh ordered statues honoring the Confederacy in Baltimore (including a statue of Roger B. Taney) taken down.

In that unequivocal action, Pugh shut down what had been a protracted battle over Confederate monuments (which she inherited from the previous administration) in Baltimore literally overnight.

Also in August, Pugh announced a proposal to provide free tuition for Baltimore high school graduates who attend Baltimore City Community College, a move viewed as positive almost across the board.

Perhaps the month of August was the highpoint of Pugh’s first year as mayor of Baltimore, because beyond those two victories additional clear cut wins have been elusive.

On the campaign trail Pugh promised if a bill to raise the city’s minimum wage to $15/ hour got to her desk she would sign it. Well, the bill made it to her desk in March and she promptly vetoed it.

On her watch, murder, violence and the Baltimore Police Department have continued to spiral out of control. It seemed clear by the summer that Baltimore was on pace to eclipse the record of 344 homicides set in 2015.

Yet, it wasn’t until November, around the time of the murder of Alexander Wrobleski, 41, a White city resident during a robbery attempt in an upscale area of Locust Point, that Pugh declared crime “out of control.”

New tales of police misconduct seem to be spun every week connected to the nefarious, now disbanded Gun Trace Task Force. The FBI had to be called in by a seemingly hapless Commissioner Kevin Davis, to investigate the murder of Baltimore Homicide Det. Sean Suiter, because people from Roland Park to Park Heights believe Det. Suiter’s murder was an “inside job.” Meanwhile, community leaders have yet to discern if Mayor Pugh actually has a crime plan.

Pugh inherited a herculean task when she signed the oath book last December.

Her supporters believed the competence, work ethic and creativity she exhibited as a legislator would serve her well as mayor. But, her greatest attributes have not been consistently apparent as she has grappled perilously through her first year.

Sean Yoe is the Baltimore editor of the AFRO and host and executive producer of The AFRO First Edition, which airs Monday and Friday on the AFRO’s Facebook page.

Prince George’s County

Candidates Step Up in 2018

D.C. Crime Down in 2017, Problems Remain in Seventh District

By Lenore T. Adkins Special to the AFRO

Paul Monteiro (left, facing the camera) is a millennial candidate who is running for Prince George’s County executive in 2018.

By Hamil R. Harris Special to the AFRO Former White House aide Paul Montero returned to a Langley Park Boys and Girls Club Dec. 18 for a prayer breakfast that highlighted the need for the next Prince George’s County Executive to remember all communities in the county.

“It is important that we remember the forgotten voices of the county and serve all people,” said Monteiro, a candidate for Prince George’s County Executive who hosted an event that featured former White House Domestic Policy Director Cecilia Munoz.

Monteiro said, after working for President Obama, he came back to the county to make a difference. Today, despite being chief of staff for the President of Howard University and an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, Monteiro is running to be Prince George’s County Executive against States Attorney Angela Alsobrooks, State Sen. C. Anthony Muse and former Maryland Rep. Donna Edwards.

But Monteiro, 37, is more than just a candidate. He is part of a new generation of candidates fueled by Millennials and Generation Xers, who have given baby boomers and people more than 50 years of age a run for their money.

As of Dec. 19, Edwards picked up three endorsements from the Service Employees International Union of the Capital Area District; CASA in Action, the mid-Atlantic region’s largest electoral organization fighting for immigrant rights; and Progressive Maryland, a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization that promotes social, economic and racial justice.“It says that we have the hopes, dreams and aspirations of workers in

Photo by Hamil Harris

Prince George’s County,” Edwards told the AFRO. Edwards has been traveling through the county to speak with residents young and old.

In Prince George’s County there are two members of the Board of Education in their 20s and in communities across the county some residents can vote in local election at the age of 16.

In 2018, the Democratic field looking to challenge Republican Gov. Larry Hogan is crowded with candidates, including County Executive Rushern Baker, 59, former NAACP President Ben Jealous, 44 and Maya Rockeymore, 46, wife of Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings.

In addition to the governor’s race, dozens of candidates are running for seats in the Senate and the House of Delegates in Annapolis, Md. “I was motivated to run for office because many people in our community do not have a voice,” said Wala Blegay, 33, a law professor at the American University Washington College of Law, who is a Prince George’s County resident.

Blegay, who grew up in District Heights, is running — Wala Blegay for the District 25 seat in Annapolis. She said she felt compelled to run for office because she wanted to be an advocate for her people. “The seniors in my community were complaining about finance companies preying on them, victims of domestic violence were complaining about a lack of enforcement and parents are complaining about a lack of accountability in the school system.”

“It is time for us to step up. People have told us to wait but wait for what,” Blegay said. “We have people in the community crying for help and we need to respond and advocate for them. I am part of the Millennial Age. We don’t have property, retirement benefits, health care and we are burdened with student loans.”

“I was motivated to run for office because many people in our community do not have a voice.”

Merry Christmas & Happy Kwanza to Each One of You Hello everyone, I want to wish each one of you a very happy Kwanzaa and/or a Merry Christmas. I truly hope the holidays bring you everything you wished for. Be safe, enjoy your family and most of all thank God that you are alive to celebrate the most important holiday of the year. While celebrating your holidays, keep in mind all the loved ones we lost this year, their memories will always be in our hearts.

To help celebrate this holiday, the Eubie Blake Cultural Center will have their free Annual Community Kwanzaa Celebration on Dec. 28 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for an African Marketplace, live performances, food and a Kwanzaa Ceremony as they celebrate Ujimaa’, or Collective Work and Responsibility.

Keur Khaleyi African Dance and Drumming Company will perform at the Eubie Blake Cultural Center Annual Community Kwanzaa Celebration on Dec. 28, 6-9 p.m. at the Eubie Blake Center, 847 N. Howard St. For more information, contact Charsa Palamore at 443-255-3130.

There is another Kwanzaa celebration at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Dec. 30 from noon to 4 p.m. There will be a lecture

by Kwanzaa Founder, Dr. Malauna Karenga, followed by African dance, storytelling, drumming performances, workshops and traditional crafts using fiber art.

Joy Baltimore, in partnership with the historic Arch Social Club and the Baltimore International Black Film Festival, will present “A Miracle on Pennsylvania Avenue” on Dec. 22 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be tree lighting, food games, entertainment, vendors, marching bands, live music, pictures with Santa & much more. All of this will be at the Arch Social Club, 2426 Pennsylvania Avenue.

For more information contact Lonnie Walker at 443-522-8553.

Well, my dear friends, I have to go now. Enjoy your holidays, have fun & be safe. God bless you and Merry Christmas from my heart and home to yours.

Remember, if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com.

Until the next time, I’m musically yours.

What to Expect from the Md. Legislative Black Caucus in 2018

By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO

The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (LBCM) will focus on the state’s HBCUs, increasing the number of AfricanAmerican owners in the medical cannabis industry and sentencing and economic reforms, among other things in the upcoming legislative session.

After months of listening sessions, town hall meetings and a day-long hearing in Annapolis to hear citizen concerns, the LBCM is ready to provide leadership on issues that impact the lives of Maryland’s more than 1.7 million African-Americans, said Del. Cheryl Glenn (Baltimore-45), chair of the Caucus.

“The 50 members of the LBCM stand united in our continued fight and advocacy for justice for the African American population of the great state of Maryland,” Glenn said. She added the LBCM is dedicated to bringing the central issues involved in the Maryland HBCU Equity trial to the attention of the entire General Assembly.

“We are committed to bringing consensus within the Maryland General Assembly and the Democratic Party to support the decision of Judge Blake,” Glenn said. In 2013, the U.S. District Court of Maryland ruled that the State continues to engage in discriminatory practices against its four HBCUs. In November, the Court issued a ruling outlining a remedy to bring equity in academic programs to the state’s four HBCUs. That ruling was challenged by Attorney General Brian Frosh earlier this month.

Currently a special master is being selected who will attempt to oversee a resolution between the State and those who sued the State.

But with only a third of Caucus members attending last week’s hearing on priorities, it remains to be seen how the LBCM will connect with all 50 of its members to gain consensus on critical criminal justice issues in 2018. Last year, the LBCM was sharply divided between Sen. C. Anthony Muse (Prince Georges County– 26) and other Caucus members who supported a bill favoring the Bail Bond industry. The majority of the LBCM prevailed, opting to wait for implementation of a landmark rule by Maryland’s Court of Appeals instructing judges and commissioners to avoid setting bail that defendants can’t afford.

Glenn said the LBCM will present their agenda to the General Assembly Jan. 10, the first day of the 2018 session, followed up by a breakfast with Gov. Larry Hogan the next day.

Even though overall crime is on the downswing in the Seventh District, which includes Ward 8, a community leader from Anacostia says trends mean nothing when you have to hold the hand of someone who just lost a loved one to violence.

“I’m happy the trends look good, but we still have so much work to do,” Troy Donté Prestwood, who chairs the Advisory Neighborhood Commission, told the AFRO. Data from the Metropolitan Police Department shows violent crimes in the Seventh District are down nearly 25 percent from last year.

In 2017, as of Dec. 11, there were 811 total violent crimes, with assault with a dangerous weapon excluding a gun accounting for the most of them with 210 reported. Violent crimes were down in every category this year: homicide, sex abuse, robberies with and without guns and assault with a dangerous weapon including and excluding guns.

There were 38 homicides as of Dec. 11.

Conversely, there were 1,078 violent crimes during the same period last year, with 293 of them falling into the assault with a dangerous weapon excluding a gun category — the most reported type of violent crimes reported then. There were 43 homicides that year.

This year has also seen a decrease in several property crimes including arson, auto theft and theft from autos — the total number of property crimes stood at 2,211, down from 2,363 reported last year, according to police data.

But the number of burglaries and thefts went up slightly, going from 270 and 1,047 respectively in 2016, to 277 and 1,048 this year.

All told, total crime was down roughly 12 percent from 2016, going from 3,441 crimes to 3,022 crimes.

The Metropolitan Police Department declined to say what caused the overall crime numbers to fall in the Seventh District.

But to keep crime falling downward in 2018, the police department will continue to foster and promote ties and communication with the community, keep partnering with citizens through programs like the Private Security Camera Incentive Program and keep pushing to get illegal guns off the streets, said Rachel Reid, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police Department.

“As always, we urge anyone who has information about illegal firearms in their neighborhood to contact us, and we will take action to make that neighborhood safer,” Reid told the AFRO via email.

Prestwood, the chair of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission, said he wants to see more police officers walking the beat in the neighborhood to meet residents and build the kinds of partnerships and connections that could give them intelligence to help solve and prevent crimes.

It’s not all on the police, though, Prestwood said.

“Trends can be encouraging but at the end of the day there are people on the other end of those numbers and it’s those people who are most impacted by violent crime and we must do more for them,” Prestwood said. “We must … be more mindful of how we serve and protect our communities and that’s including everybody from police to elected leadership, even to residents.”

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The Afro-American, December 23, 2017 - January 5, 2018

USMC Master Sgt.(Ret.) Gregory Jackson and Cherie Brown Jackson

The Washington, D.C. Alumnae Foundation hosted its 29th Annual Breakfast, Fashion Show and Live Auction on Dec. 2 at the Hyatt Regency Washington Hotel in Northwest D.C. Under the leadership of Audrey Doman, Foundation President and Co-Chairs, Michelle Young and Venida Hamilton, guest were treated to a sumptuous breakfast, grant awards presentations and a live auction all topped off with a high style, up-tempo fashion show by D.C. based Ida’s Idea. Live music was provided by Rahmat Shebazz.

Danike Grant, Bobbi Poston, Gloria Todd, Tramia Coates, Tony Crews, Monica Malisa, Edgar Brookins and Pamela Jenkins Terri Braxton, Audrey Doman and Karla Gilchrist-Saunders

Shomari Stone, event emcee; Michelle Young and Sarah Hartley

Beverly Hunt, Virginia Ali and Virginia McLaurin

The Chess Girls

The Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation(BCBF) hosted a Holiday Thank You Social on Dec. 5 at Ben’s Next Door in Northwest D.C. to honor several individuals for outstanding community service.

Debbie Jarvis, Pepco; Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher for The Washington Informer and Edgar Brookins, general manager for the Washington AFRO American Newspapers received awards. Special guest included 108 year old Virginia McLaurin. BCBF funds 16 community based organizations in our neighborhood Nizem Ali with improving the quality of life in our city. photo tribute to Jim Vance and Dick Gregory

Photos by Rob Roberts

Patricia Mitchell, Industrial Bank and Kamal Ali, member, Board of Directors, Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation

Outstanding Community Service honorees, Debbie Jarvis and Edgar Brookins, General Manager, Washington AFRO American Newspaper

Brothers Joe Briggs, and Eric Twiggs singing the Omega hymn

Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter and Eta Delta Delta Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity held its Annual Achievement Week Gala on Nov. 18 at the Waterford in Fair Oaks, Fairfax, Va. The gala recognized chapter members who have

Brother Marvin Chisolm, chair, Achievement Week

Brother Jared Christopher Lewis, Superior Service awardee

Photos by Rob Roberts

Community Service honoree, Debbie Jarvis, Pepco, Sonya Ali, Kamal Ali and Dr. Bernard Demczuk, Chair, BCB Foundation

Ron Burke, Virginia Ali, matriarch of the Ali family and Donna Cooper, Regional President, Pepco

Brother (Lt. Col.) Samuel Lashley, Colonel Charles Young Military Leadership awardee

contributed to the success of the chapter by carrying out its social action and community service programs under the leadership of the chapter Basileus, Brother Craig Spraggins.

Brothers Eric Twiggs and Sydney Bailey were the emcees.

Gwendolyn Howze, Helen Lattern and Sharon Younger

Brother Craig Spraggins, chapter Basileus, Brother Cornelius M. Beidleman, Omega Man of the Year and Brother Shawn Lacy

Annabelle Bailey, essay contest winner and Craig Spraggins

Psi Alpha Alpha chapter members

December 23, 2017 - January 5, 2018, The Afro-American

Elf Sallie Brown and Santa

Ms. Santa Hosts at Next Phaze Events The weather tried to dampen the day but, some members of the staff of the AFRO, and Santa warmed the evening with friends at The Next Phaze Cafe.

AFRO Staff, Takiea Hinton,Santa,Diane Hocker,Sallie Brown,Wanda

Pearson and

Willie Banks

Jake Oliver, AFRO Publisher and CEO and Tony Randall, Sr., Managing Partner, Next Phaze Cafe

Ms. Santa at Hot Skates

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Sherika Massey-Ortiz and Takiea Hinton

Ms. Santa (Diane Hocker) and Gabriella Ackwood The Ravens Skate Club: Corey Carter, Ariel Brown, Joshua Henley, Ira Hinton, Gabriella Ackwood, Back Row Takiea Hinton, DeJa-Renee Deanda, Jackie Hinton, Harmony Lucas, Ms. Santa (Diane Hocker), Aubrenda Erving, Aaminah Ackers, Destiny Lucas, Matthew Hinton and Rodney Samples

Wanda Pearson, AFRO receptionist

Photos by James Fields Sr.

Del. Adrienne Jones and Pastor Kevin Hook’s Annual Toy Drive Gloria Stewart and Norma Bush Del. Jones,Pastor Hooks and Mrs.Hooks

Pearl Palmer, 95 years old, member of Eastern Star, Angie Bazemore and members of the Prince Hall Masons

Jalen Jones and Santa Claus

Saniyah Simmons,Santa Claus,Donna Speights and Chantel Charles

On Dec. 12, the 15th annual toy drive was held at the Randallstown Community Center. Guests were joined by Del. Adrienne A. Jones, Speaker ProTem of the Maryland House of Delegates and Pastor R. Kevin Hooks, Transformation of Life Christian Center. Toys will be distributed to families in need in the Randallstown/Reisterstown/ Owings Mills communities.

Food donations will benefit The Maryland Food Bank. Guests included: Del.Benjamin Brooks, Tony Bazemore special assistant to County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, Jerome Stephens, representing Sen. Ben Cardin and Cynthia T. DeJesus, Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival. Music was performed by various artists and vendors displayed their merchandise.

Del. Adrienne A. Jones

Del. Jones and the Randallstown volunteer fire department

Ms. Santa held a toy drive at Hot Skates in Photos by Anderson R. Ward Woodlawn, in Baltimore County, on Dec. 12.

Ms. Santa (Diane Hocker) and Jeniah Shuron

On Dec. 14, City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young, held his annual Toys For Tots holiday reception on the first and fourth floors of City Hall.

Guests bought new, unwrapped toy gifts collected by the U.S. Marines as admission.

There was food and live music for guests to enjoy.

Many residents of Baltimore City and surrounding counties supported this event.

Zariyah Taylor, Darryn Hough, Ryan Bolden, Rija Bolden, Lathan Epps, Kyon Christian and Nicolus Mills of Catherine’s Family and Youth Services

Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, with Baltimore City Council President, Bernard C. “Jack” Young

Photos by James Fields Sr.

Carol Canty (Mrs. Elf) Baltimore Sheriff’s office

Toys For Tots around the Christmas tree

Photos by Devone Marshall

Larry Young’s Toy and Teddy Bear Drive

Takiea Hinton, Ms. Santa (Diane Hocker) and Pat Roberts

Diane Hocker and Kevin Davis (Balto. City Police Commissioner)

Photos by Anderson R. Ward

Del. Nick Mosby with daughters Aniyah and Nylyn bringing donations

“Coach” Butch McAdams, Diane Hocker, Marilyn Mosby (Balto.

City S.A.), Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh, Larry Young and Del. Antonio Hayes

“Coach” Butch McAdams and Larry Young

Lady “B” and Larry Young (WOLB Radio) This year’s live broadcast of the Larry Young Morning Show, was held at the the Arena Players on Dec. 14. Larry Young along with Lady “B”, “Coach” Butch McAdams and John Cheatham hosted their annual toy drive show. This is a major event that is held to benefit the AFRO’s Ms. Santa campaign.

Mayor Pugh, BPD Commissioner Kevin Davis, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, AFSCME reps, members of the BCFD and other friends and politicians stopped by. The Pi Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., once again brought in a supply of new bicycles for the drive. Ms. Santa collected a truck full of toys.

Dwayne White, Ms. Santa (Diane Hocker), Adrian Williams and Allen Taylor

Pat Roberts

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