Prince Georges Afro-American Newspaper November 4 2016

A1 The Afro-American, Volume 125 No. 14October 15, 2016 - October 21, 2016

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EDITION

NOVEMBER 5, 2016 - NOVEMBER 11, 2016

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3 Hillary Clinton o U.S. Senate 3 Chris Van Hollen o

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U.S. House of Representatives

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AP Photo/John Minchillo

President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at Capital University on Nov. 1 in Columbus, Ohio.

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Election 2016-Black Press , HU Poll:

90 Percent of Black Voters Will Cast Ballots for Clinton 84 Percent Think Donald Trump is a Racist

By Freddie Allen Managing Editor NNPA Newswire Nearly 90 percent of Black voters plan to cast ballots for Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, according to the 2016 National Black Voter Poll.

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) partnered with Howard University to produce the 2016 National Black Voter Poll, the first

Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA

Ashlei Cameron, a junior biology student at Howard University, makes phone calls from the HU/NNPA national polling center at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

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3 Eleanor Holmes Norton o

Vote on November 8 An overwhelming majority of those surveyed (96 percent) said that they plan to vote in the upcoming election dispelling the perception that Black voter turnout would decline, because President Barack Obama is not on the ballot.

When asked, “Do you think Donald Trump is a racist?” 84 percent of respondents said, “yes.” The respondents were not asked if they thought Hillary Clinton was a racist or if they found her trustworthy.

Terri Adams-Fuller, the associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University said that the results of the poll showed that African Americans are actively engaged in the political process and that they are aware of the issues that are important.

Eighty-seven percent of respondents said that high quality education was important to them. The economy and jobs (85 percent), race Continued on A3

HBCUs in Crisis

Congressional Black Caucus and Negro College Fund Step Up

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com

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scientific poll of Black voters conducted during this election season.

“This is truly a historic occasion and we are in a celebrated moment that the largest and oldest Black trade association representing Black-owned newspapers joined with one of the most prestigious historically Black colleges in Howard University to present the National Black Voter Poll,” said Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA.

Delegate to the U.S. Congress

!

Taraji P. Henson on Her New Memoir

District 2 3 o C.A. Dutch Rupperberger District 3 3 o John Sarbanes District 4 3 Anthony o Brown District 5 3 Steny o Hoyer District 7 3 Elijah Cummings o

The nation’s HBCUs took center stage in legislative matters recently, as members of the Congressional Black Caucus, with the aid of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), sought to Courtesy Photo more fully stabilize the Mansion at Tougaloo College in schools’ resources and outside Jackson, Mississippi is in viability. need of repair and restoration.

One piece of

America’s Changing Landscape

Chicago’s Magnificent Mile: Magnificence Lost

By Gerald Taylor Special to the AFRO Part of a series of articles and commentaries describing the impact the change in the manufacturing industry has had on the Black Community in major American cities.

Modern-day Chicago is known for her Magnificent

Mile, that stretch of opulence where designer names drip from the shops like diamond pendants, and the cost of retail space soars almost to the heights of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. But Chicago has another magnificent landscape: a seven-mile stretch, where the wealth has been measured more in terms Continued on A3

legislation addressed the fate of more than 700 historic buildings on campuses in jeopardy of being rendered uninhabitable unless support

from the U.S. Senate arrives.

According to UNCF, the passing of H.R. 295 by the Senate would reauthorize $10 million annually through 2023

AFRO Archived History

New attempt to take over Morgan State!

Education czar strikes during holiday

By James M. Abraham AFRO Staff Writer Jan. 1, 1980 While state universities are enjoying winter vacation, a move is being made in Annapolis which could bring Morgan State University, as well as the University of Baltimore and Continued on A4

Copyright © 2016 by the Afro-American Company

for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation Program. The bill passed the

Continued on A3

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The Afro-American, November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016

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Ga. Pastor Refuses State Order to Submit Sermons

By AFRO Staff

A Georgia minister is refusing an order from officials in that state that he turn over his sermons for officials to review.

According to Fox News, Dr. Eric Walsh, a Seventh-day Adventist minister, was ordered by the Georgia Attorney General’s office to turn over his sermon notes and (Courtesy Photo/Support Dr. Eric Walsh via Facebook) transcripts. The demand comes in connection to a Dr. Eric Walsh lawsuit Walsh filed against the state, in which he alleges religious discrimination played a part in his termination from a position with the Georgia Department of Health.

“No government has the right to require a pastor to turn over his sermons,” Walsh said in an Oct. 26 statement released by First Liberty, a non-profit law firm which seeks to “protect religious freedom for all Americans” and represents Walsh. “I cannot and will not give up my sermons unless I am forced to do so.”

Walsh was hired as a district director by the Georgia Department of Health in 2014, according to conservative news website The Daily Caller. But one week after his employment began, Health Department officials sought to review the content of his sermons. He was fired two days later, according to his attorneys.

According to The Christian Post, a nondenominational, Evangelical Christian media outlet, Walsh’s conservative views on marriage came to the attention of Georgia Health Department officials following protests from LGBT activists over Walsh’s selection as a commencement speaker at Pasadena City College.

In response to his termination, Walsh filed a federal lawsuit in April via the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging religious discrimination in his hiring. The EEOC approved the lawsuit, which is proceeding in Atlanta federal court.

As part of that case, Walsh’s attorneys said the state filed a Request for the Production of Documents on Sept. 28 which demanded he turn over documents relating to his service as a pastor and copies of his sermon notes and transcripts.

“The government is demanding that a pastor hand over copies of all of his sermons, including notes and transcripts, without limitation,” Jeremy Dys, senior counsel for First Liberty, said in a statement. “This is an excessive display of the government overreaching its authority and violating the sanctity of the church.”

in “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” ($9.6 million in its second week) and Ben Affleck in “The Accountant” ($8.5 million in its third week).

But Perry’s long-running character has fared better than each, at least in North America. The Halloween-themed “Boo,” released by Lionsgate, has made $52 million in 10 days, making it Perry’s biggest hit since 2009’s “Madea Goes to Jail.”

Wisconsin Univ. Fan: Requested to Remove Obama Mask with a Noose around his Neck

By The Associated Press

(Twitter)

Man at the Wisconsin game wearing an Obama mask with a noose around its neck.

The University of Wisconsin says it asked a fan wearing what appeared to be a President Barack Obama mask and a noose around his neck to remove the offensive parts of the costume during the school’s football game on Oct. 29 against Nebraska.

A picture circulating on social media showed the fan in a blackand-white jumpsuit, wearing the mask, the noose and a sign on his chest. Another person appeared to be holding up the rope of the noose.

The fan complied when guest services staff asked to remove the offensive parts of the costume, according to a school statement.

University policy does not allow fans to wear masks while entering the stadium, but they are allowed to wear them once inside.

The school said the costume, “while repugnant and counter to the values of the university and athletic department, was an exercise of the individual’s right to free speech.”

Wisconsin says it also exercised its right to ask the fan to remove the offensive parts of the costume.

Wife of Late Will Smith Speaks at New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame Induction

By The Associated Press

Perry’s ‘Madea’ Stuns Hanks’ ‘Inferno’ in Box Office Upset

By The Associated Press

(Twitter)

In this image released by Lionsgagte, Tyler Perry portrays Madea in a acene from, “Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween.”

Tom Hanks. Tom Cruise. Ben Affleck. None of them have been a match for Tyler Perry’s Madea.

In a surprise victory at the weekend box office, Perry’s “Boo! A Madea Halloween” toppled another A-lister as Hanks’ and Ron Howard’s new Dan Brown adaption, “Inferno,” went up in flames.

Perry’s latest movie about his tough-talking grandmother remained No. 1 for the second straight week with an estimated $16.7 million.

That was enough to scare away the third installment of the “Da Vinci Code” franchise. According to studio estimates Oct. 30, “Inferno” bombed with $15 million, about half of what more bullish predictions anticipated. “‘Inferno’ joins the long list of sequels that didn’t measure up to their predecessors this year and in particular this summer when only three of the 14 sequels released outperformed their immediate predecessors at the box office,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for comScore.

Hanks has still notched the fall’s biggest hit, Clint Eastwood’s “Sully.” It’s been an especially star-studded season, with Tom Cruise

(Matthew Hinton/The Advocate via AP)

Family members and children of slain New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith, including his wife, Racquel Smith, third from left, pose by a portrait of Smith that was unveiled at the NFL football team’s Hall of Fame luncheon, where he was enshrined into the team’s hall of fame, in Kenner, La., Oct. 28.

The wife of slain former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith said Oct. 28 that the defensive end’s zest for life and refusal to accept failure has guided her recovery from the physical and emotional wounds she suffered on the night her “worst fear came true.”

Racquel Smith, who was shot twice in the legs when her husband was fatally shot last April 9, made her first public remarks since Will Smith’s death at the former Pro Bowl player’s formal induction into the Saints Hall of Fame.

“There were days when I couldn’t get out of bed, nor did I want to,” Racquel Smith said. “I knew I had to be strong for my three beautiful kids, and that’s when I felt Will the most — his strength, his determination, his commitment to being the best.

“Through my darkest days of my life, Will gave me so much,” she

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continued. “He instilled so much in me and he showed me how to be strong. He always told me, ‘Rocky, you can do this.’”

Will Smith was fatally shot following an argument over a relatively minor car accident, just blocks from New Orleans’ renowned Garden District.

Cardell Hayes, who remained on the scene until police arrived and has argued he fired in selfdefense, has been indicted on a charge of second-degree murder in Smith’s death. He has also been indicted on a charge of attempted second-degree murder in the wounding of Racquel Smith, who described having to learn to walk again because of nerve damage and a broken femur.

About a month before Smith’s death, a panel of veteran reporters covering the Saints elected him into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Smith, a former Ohio State standout whose Saints career spanned from 2004 to 2012 and featured 67½ sacks, was informed of the honor before his death.

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November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016, The Afro-American

Step Up

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House on Sept. 12 and is now before the Senate.

“HBCUs have a significant place in American history and provide incredible value and values to minority and lowincome students, and to the communities in which they reside,” said Cheryl Smith, UNCF senior vice president of Public Policy and Government Affairs in a report. “The HBCU Historic Preservation Program serves an essential purpose to HBCUs, which have a special place in the fabric of American history, culture and education.

We look forward to working with the Senate to ensure final passage before the 114th Congress adjourns.”

Many HBCUs have buildings and sites on their campuses that have existed for more than a century that have fallen into disrepair or have deteriorated and are at risk of being lost completely if not preserved and protected.

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), a proud HBCU alumnus, was steadfast as he shepherded this important bill across the

finish line. “HBCUs are national treasures, and the recent vote puts us one step closer to securing the needed resources to support the restoration of a backlog of more than 700 historic buildings on HBCU campuses,” he said. “In 1998, at the request of the Congressional Black Caucus, the U.S Government Accountability Office (GAO) surveyed 103 HBCU campuses to identify the historically significant sites on these campuses and project the cost of restoring and preserving these properties.

The GAO identified 712 historic buildings and sites, and projected a cost of $755 million to restore and them. I have seen the – Cheryl Smith preserve transformative effect of these historic preservation grants on HBCU campuses in my district and across the country.”

Additionally, the HBCU legislation would address racial discrimination in higher education bond markets through the HBCU Investment Expansion Act. This legislation would allow municipal bonds issued by Black colleges triple tax-exempt

“HBCUs have a significant place in American history and provide incredible value and values . . .”

Magnificence Continued from A1 of its cultural cache.

The names associated with the place are designer in a more substantive way, for example: journalist and activist Ida B. Wells; author Richard Wright; Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks; first Black woman pilot Bessie Coleman; baseball’s Negro National League founder Andrew Foster; rhythm and blues singers Sam Cooke and Lou Rawls. Even Louis Armstrong claimed this section of Chicago as his home.

The community dubbed itself Bronzeville, an obvious reference to the skin color of the people who lived there. The neighborhood began forming during the Great Migration, as Black southerners escaped the overt oppression of the South, sought industrial jobs, and settled there. The area pulsed with the sights, sounds, and tastes of the new transplants. It grew so much in population and vibrancy, it became known as the Black Metropolis for its intersection of Black arts, commerce, and religion. During its heyday, more than 3,000 people lived in that narrow stretch of South Side Chicago.

By then, Chicago’s manufacturing sector had grown from the earlier metal working industries. In the mid-19th century, mills located to her rivers for access to water and the abundance of inexpensive land. They produced steel, pig iron, and coke. By the beginning of the 20th century, steel mills in Chicago had exploded in size and were selling large quantities of steel products to companies building railroads and bridges. As the steel industry expanded, it also consolidated — and giants emerged.

U.S. Steel and Wisconsin Steel together employed tens of thousands of workers.

Many of Bronzeville’s residents worked at the steel mills and were able to provide a decent living for their families while also contributing to the sustainability of their

Courtesy of New York Public Library

Chicago’s Bronzeville on the South Side was once a thriving community before the loss of many of the manufacturers that provided jobs. neighborhoods. New Deal legislation in the 1930s helped even more by making it easier for workers to unite in a union. By 1970, the United Steelworkers had more than 130,000 members. African American members had become one of the prominent USW ethnic groups. At about the same time period, steel production in the IllinoisIndiana region began to peak, rising to become the geographic center of the U.S. steel industry.

But steel produced overseas was allowed to overtake the U.S. product, and the U.S. steel industry suddenly collapsed. It was stunning; especially to the Chicago area that had once seen 200,000 people employed by her steel mills and steel-related manufacturers. Two hundred thousand families had been able to buy homes and cars, and contribute to the tax base that kept their communities comfortably livable. Jobs were slashed. Economic and emotional upheaval followed, as those suddenly unemployed scrambled to adjust. By the mid-1980s, Chicago’s steel industry had been eviscerated — and so had many of her neighborhoods built and kept viable by the manufacturing sector, especially Black neighborhoods like Bronzeville.

Industrial flight is devastating to all communities, but the devastation is even worse in those Black communities

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that depend on the stability of manufacturing jobs. Black neighborhoods take longer to recover — if they do at all.

Crime increases, while city services, due to the shrinking tax base, decrease. Those who can, leave. Those who cannot, remain — often on a course to chart a horrible legacy of generational poverty. Adding even more to the tragic demise, the jobs lost in the manufacturing sector are generally replaced by lowpaying non-union service sector jobs.

Strolling along the Magnificent Mile, it appears that Chicago has recovered from the plague of products being unmade in America.

In reality, that stretch of opulence is indicative of the disparity industrial flight has ushered in: stores filled with goods made overseas that seldom can be afforded by those Chicagoans whose livelihoods depended on manufacturing jobs that have left the United States.

The gap can be closed.

Fair trade policy that does not disadvantage American manufacturers can stop the flood of goods made overseas. Proper investment in Infrastructure could fuel the manufacturing sector even more. Smart workforce training can ready those frozen out of Chicago’s new economies.

Communities like Bronzeville don’t aspire to become the Magnificent Mile, and they will not. But they can recover some of their own magnificence lost.

and the Decline of Black Communities,” sponsored by the Washington-based Alliance for American Manufacturing.

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status (local, state, and federal).

The study, “What’s in a (School) Name? Racial Discrimination in Higher Education Bond Markets” found that HBCUs paid more in underwriting fees to issue tax-exempt bonds, compared to similar, non-HBCU schools. HBCUs spent about $5.1 million more in total, for bond placement than White institutions with the same credit rating. The HBCU Investment Expansion Act is one of several bills that UNCF Federal Policy and Advocacy team is lobbying for in order to boost private and public investment in HBCU campuses.

Black Voters Continued from A1

and racial justice (84 percent) and income inequality (82 percent) also helped to shape their decisions about political candidates.

William Spriggs, an economics professor at Howard University and chief economist at AFL-CIO, said that, the biggest surprise of the poll was the uniformity of the answers.

“We anticipated more variation,” said Spriggs. “The key issues are apparently very clear to Black voters,” regardless of age, income, employment status or gender.

In an effort to ensure a large sample size, 22,000 telephone calls were placed from the HU/NNPA national polling center between October 21 and October 30 and more than 900 Black voters were polled for the study. In comparison, a recent ABC News/Washington Post Poll conducted October 28-31 on the honesty and trustworthiness of both presidential candidates, nearly 1,200 likely voters (all races) were polled.

More than half of the respondents (53 percent) were employed and 47 percent were unemployed. Thirty percent of the respondents that held jobs worked for the federal government and

almost 20 percent were union members. Retirees accounted for 78 percent of those surveyed that said that they were unemployed. Seventy percent of those polled were female and 30 percent were male.

Forty-eight percent said that they were married and a majority (84 percent) said that they have a religious affiliation.

Nearly 20 percent of respondents said that they get information about political candidates and elections from Black newspapers. Chavis called that finding very significant.

Chavis said that the success of this poll not only opens the door for other polls, but that it also shows that Black folks trust and rely on the Black Press.

“There has been an elevation of the Black Press in terms of its level of importance in Black America and how African Americans get information on vital matters, like the national election,” said Chavis. “The publishers and editors of Black-owned newspapers should feel very enthusiastic that we have another timely point of verification of the strategic importance of the Black Press in America.”

UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PERFECT WORLD PICTURES A WILL PACKER PRODUCTIONS PRODUCTION A DAVID E. TALBERT FILM "ALMOST CHRISTMAS" KIMBERLY ELISE DANNY GLOVER JOHN MICHAEL HIGGINS ROMANY MALCO EXECUTIVE MO’NIQUE JB SMOOVE GABRIELLE UNION MUSICBY JOHN PAESANO PRODUCED PRODUCERS LYN SISSON-TALBERT DAVID E. TALBERT AND PRESTON HOLMES JAMES LOPEZ GABRIELLE UNION JEFF MORRONE BY WILL PACKER p.g.a. WRITTEN DIRECTED BY DAVID E. TALBERT A UNIVERSAL PICTURE SOUNDTRACK ON BACK LOT MUSIC

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Gerald Taylor, a doctoral student at Georgetown University majoring in philosophy, is the author of a new report, “Unmade in America: Industrial Flight

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African Scholars Assess Life Under a Possible Clinton Presidency percent) than in the West (18 percent) and Midwest (17 percent), census data reveals and the largest numbers of African immigrants are found in New York, California, Texas, The African Coalition for Hillary, a group Maryland, and New Jersey. of professionals and political activists who Robin Sanders, a panelist who served as support Clinton for president, convened a U.S. ambassador to Nigeria and the Republic town hall meeting on Oct. 24 at the George of the Congo, said those in the African Washington University Elliott School of Diaspora – defined as people of African International Affairs. The town hall’s topic descent outside of the continent – have an was “Options for the Future of U.S. Policies obligation to get politically involved. “African to Africa.” Angelle B. Kwemo, managing involvement in the political process is growing director for Africa at the Washington Media and we are seeing more Africans elected and serving at the city council and at the state level and that is the key,” Sanders said.

Omar Arouna is the former ambassador of Benin to the U.S. and said Africans must become more politically active and – Semhar Araia assertive. “We are too laid back,” Arouna said. “We need to learn to engage politically and each of us Group, told the gathering of 30 people that has a role to play. African Americans can serve Africans are set to play a role in this year’s as guides for us.” election and beyond.

The scholars on the panel said that while “This campaign is dominated by other Clinton is sensitive to Africa, it is how issues on foreign policy but Africa isn’t that sensitivity is put forth in policy that is discussed,” Kwemo said. “We want to important. make sure that we are influencing the next Witney Schneidman served as an African administration when it comes to Africa.” expert for the U.S. State Department and There are 1.8 million African immigrants the World Bank. He said that “trade is the living in the U.S., according to 2013 U.S. center of African-U.S. relations in the Obama Census data. African immigrants reside more administration and the next administration in the South (38 percent) or the Northeast (27 must go further and deeper.”

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

“Secretary Clinton has been an advocate for African women since her earlier years as first lady and then a senator.”

Morgan

Continued from A1

of Maryland, Baltimore county, under one authority.

Dr. Sheldon H. Knorr, State Commissioner of Higher Education, recently sent a memo to members of the State Board For Higher Education calling for a merger of the three institutions probably under the control of the University of Maryland.

According to Steny Hoyer, a member of the Board, the move is seen as a means of helping the state cope with declining enrollment and upgrading the state schools.

A statewide cut in September 1980 freshman enrollment was also advocated in Knorr’s memo, according to Hoyer, who stated that the measure would ensure that the state schools received a more qualified pool of students.

Reaction to Knorr’s proposals was mixed among black legislators and community leaders, and Morgan officials.

The Coldspring Lane campus has been the site of unrest recently as several members of the Morgan board of regents have called for the resignation of Morgan president Andrew Billingsley, who recently received a vote of no-confidence from his faculty.

Area ministers such as Marion Bascom and Vernon Dobson have led the forced seeking to remove Billingsley, and both viewed the current move toward state consolidation of Morgan as a result of the president’s leadership.

Black politicians such as Howard “Pete” Rawlings, who has been supportive of Billingsley, labelled the move well-timed to take advantage of the present turmoil at the institution. Rawlings blamed the local press and not Billingsley for the current furor surrounding the school.

“With the various newspapers taking a similar position on public discussion of mismanagement they’re all taking potshots at Morgan. They (the State Board For Higher Education ) saw our public rancor and differences and saw that this was the best time to make hay.”

Enolia McMillan, head of the Baltimore chapter of the NAACP and a member of the board of regents of the school, disagreed with Rawlings. However many of the embattled president’s most ardent detractors Mrs. Mcmillian, the

Courtesy photo

The African Coalition for Hillary discussed U.S. policies to Africa at a town hall Oct. 24, citing the Democratic hopeful as the more suitable candidate to continue relations with the continent.

Schneidman said the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), legislation that governs the expansion of trade in Africa, will expire in 2025 and “that will take place before you know it.”

“Those in the Diaspora must help the administration determine the next steps after AGOA,” he said.

Arouna said a Clinton presidency must give incentives to American companies to do business in Africa. “It’s hard to convince

current administration at Morgan has “played into the hands of those who seek to consolidate Morgan.”

Homer Favor supported Mrs. Mcmillan’s statement and said; “It has been pointed out that 75 percent of students at Morgan are in a lower division, (are still freshmen or sophomores), which means that only one out of five students successfully completes their senior year. Yet nothing has been done about that. It’s been pointed out that funds at the school have been handled in a way which violates state policy and law. Yet nothing has been done. This isn’t benign neglect; its malignant neglect.”

Rev. Vernon Dobson took a similar line. “The state should have listened to those who claimed that the management of the university should be in the hands of the board members who were accountable to the community and who understood managerial skills. Instead, people have been lulled into a state of complacency that will destroy the university.”

He branded that state’s action a case “of blaming the victim,” and explained that the state allowed the situation at Morgan to deteriorate to the point where standards became lax, then placed the blame for these conditions on the school.

But Rawlings feels that the problem is not with the president of the university, but in persistent criticism of the policies of the current administration.

“The quantum view is that the man is bringing in top faculty members from across the country. He has increased the number of faculty members with Ph.D’s to fifty percent.

That’s just during his short term here. (Billingsley has been president of the school since April 1975). You can’t bring in strong black academicians with the salaries paid at Morgan, and when he tries to bring them in he gets crucified.”

G. James Fleming, head of the school’s board of regents states that all parties involved should use caution in their reaction to the proposed merger.

“Dr. Knorr said that he knew this would be more of a political question than an educational one. All of the institutions involved have a constituency. People who have grown up feeling that Morgan belonged to the community may feel they are losing something. But the black community has to be prepared for one thing. We fought for desegregation and one of the policies of desegregation is that Morgan is a state school. Therefore we can’t be an exception when decisions are being made.”

When asked what role he plans on playing in the move toward annexation, he replied that he plans on going along with the board of regents.

The proposal to annex the campus or at least place it and other Maryland schools under a central authority, is the latest in a debate which has been going on for at least the past ten years. Area colleges faced with dwindling enrollments after the “baby boom” years of the sixties and seventies, have been hard-pressed to recruit students, and since the amount of state aid is dependent upon the number of students at an institution, some colleges have been forced to lower admission standards in order to maintains operations.

There has also been a large amount of duplication of programs at area colleges due in part to the college’s efforts to attract students from a shrinking pool of qualified applicants. Fleming pointed out that the plan may be part of a new philosophy on the part of the State Board For High Education.

“This means that Maryland is going back to the principle of elitist education. That is, students who have gone to better schools and who don’t need any special help to succeed in college will be those recruited for state schools”

an American corporation to come to Africa because they don’t think it is a good investment and they don’t think they will make a profit,” he said. “We must come up with a strategy to counter that or the Chinese will take over the continent.”

While Clinton has a history of dealing with African issues, her opponent doesn’t. On the Trump-Pence web site, there is no mention of Africa.

The scholars pointed out that Clinton has an international reputation as a feminist and that could work to her advantage when dealing with African countries.

“In Africa, 50.1 percent of the population is female,” Sanders said. “As president, Clinton needs to address their needs in terms of economic development and the emphasis on that should be entrepreneurship. African women tend to operate their businesses in the informal sector and don’t have access to credit and financial information.”

Semhar Araia is the CEO of Semai Consulting and the founder of the Diaspora African Women’s Network, an organization whose mission is to support and help develop the next generation of African women. Araia said that from her experience, Clinton has the temperament to understand the challenges African women face.

“Secretary Clinton has been an advocate for African women since her earlier years as first lady and then a senator,” Araia said. “A group of African women met with her when she was a senator to talk to her about what was going on in Darfur. She was very receptive to us and pledged to do what she could.”

The Knorr memo addressed this problem by calling for a fifteen percent cut in freshman enrollments for the September 21980 academic year, a move which would force colleges to be more selective.

Dr. Oakley Saunders and Mrs. Thelma B. Cox of the State Board For Higher Education, President Andrew Billingsley, Dr. Sheldon Knorr and Del. Lena Lee were unavailable for comment at AFRO press time.

The meeting of the State Board For Higher Education is scheduled for Jan. 3 in the Old House Appropriations Committee Room 1 at the State House in Annapolis, at 10:30 a.m.

But regardless of the outcome of the January 3 meeting of the State Board For Higher Education, the future of Morgan State University is still clouded.

According to Rev. Marion Bascom, on of Billingsley’s detractors, “The university must be preserved at all costs. If losing Dr. Billingsley mean the loss of the university, then I would rather lose the president than lose the university.”

His comments foreshadowed an even longer and more drawn out battle for control of the school.

“Billingsley has already wakened Morgan, The fact that he has weakened Morgan weakens the school’s position.

But the school is a public institution, so the community must be aware of what goes on there. Yet, due to the present administration, even the board of regents finds it impossible to find out what the score is on certain issues.”

Homer Favor, a leading faculty member at Morgan, also leveled the blame for Morgan’s current problems at Billingsley.

“It’s a tragedy that over the past few years since Mrs. Mcmillan revealed several facts, things that have been wrong and deleterious to the university have been held out to public view by a few brave souls yet nothing has been done. The only response we’ve gotten is some penalties and nonsensical utterings from people who’ve been elected to the legislature, and these for the most part are akin to those uttered by the Board of Regents. It amounts to maintaining the status quo.”

Favor also pointed out that the current plan to consolidate the school under the University of Maryland is no new threat to the institution.

“It’s the same kind of thing they talked about when Dr. Martin Jenkins was president of Morgan. He bought us five years of time by allowing us to be placed under state board of trustees.”

Congressman Parren Mitchell, D-7th, echoed Favors comments, stating that the state university system has tried for years to annex Morgan.

“Traditionally, the University of Maryland had sought to absorb all state education institutions. The long-standing goal is to become the only corporate entity in higher education in the state of Maryland.”

Mitchell added that he plans on doing everything within his power to block a move towards annexation, and stated vigorously; “The black community should take action. Let’s go for broke. Any across-the-board action which would save this fine institution, lets do it.”

The congressman was quick to point out however that the issues of Billingsley’s administrative credibility and the question of annexation of Morgan were two distinctly separate issues.

“Of course there is a relationship, but not a very strong one. It is important that the community realize this and not be fooled by the two distinctly separate media.”

Transcribed by Zanha Armstrong.

November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016, The Afro-American

D.C., Nation Head to Polls, Early

By Bria Horsley and Victoria Jones Howard University News Service Holly Gerberich, owner of a Washington advertising agency, jetted into the voting booths early at Malcolm X Elementary School in southeast Washington.

Gerberich, founder of Gerberich Growth Strategies, wanted to make sure she cast her vote and wasn’t going to let anything get in the way.

“I came to vote early for convenience,” she said. “I’ll be traveling for work right up until the day before Election Day and I just don’t feel like dealing with all of that.”

Gerberich is one of thousands of Washington-area residents and millions of voters across the nation who are going to the polls early to cast their ballots for either Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton or Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

About 23 million Americans have already cast their votes in the presidential election, according to election officials. As of Nov. 1, more than 58,000 Washington residents had cast their ballots, with the largest turnout, more than 18,000 voters, at One Judiciary Square polling site in northwest D.C. not far from the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

At the Sherwood Recreation Center, the Ward 6 polling station near H. Street, so far, 3,421 people have voted. On Nov. 1, parents dropped off their children at the center before heading to work and then got in line to elect the country’s newest president.

“They’re still coming, but it was mostly busy on Friday,” said poll worker Shawanda Rosette said, mentioning the

first day that the polls opened in the neighborhood for early voting.

“A lot of people who work

by Judiciary tend to go there.

I guess it just has to do with convenience.”

Over in Ward 8 at Malcolm X Elementary, only 2,188 people had made their way to the polls Tuesday.

“I came to vote early to avoid traffic,” Scott Kendrick said. “That’s it. I doubt there’s anything that could happen between now and Election Day that would make me change my mind.”

Voter registration overall lower than last year’s 483,000 voters, but of those registered this year, early voter turnout has been high in most poll sites, election officials said.

“In certain parts of the city there are better turnouts,” poll worker team captain Adrienne Jackson said. “Statistics say that there are about 1,000 non-African-American people coming to the district per week.”

James Cobb, a poll worker, said he feels that unfortunately the lowest voter turnout is in low-income communities.

“I think lack of education is a big problem with voters,” Cobb said. “I find that more uneducated people have a bigger problem with performing this civic duty.”

Columbia Heights Community Center, with over 6,000 votes cast, is one of the communities with the highest number of early voters, so far.

Columbia Heights Community Center polling coordinator Tony Bouillion said he thought the community’s voting numbers were high because of the makeup of the neighborhood.

“You can vote citywide,” Bouillion said. There’s a lot of people that pass through

Columbia Heights. So, I think that’s why a lot of people come here.”

For many voters, it’s the convenience of the short lines and getting voting out the way that they decided to vote early.

Polling places also offer same day registration, adding to the convenience of going out to vote early.

The District of Columbia Board of Elections has a section on its website called The Queue where voters can check the wait times at each polling location. Most locations don’t have a wait time of more than five minutes, which beats the long lines that can be found on Election Day. Tamara Robinson, public affairs and voter outreach specialist at the District of Columbia Board of Elections, said that The Queue influences a lot of voters to vote early and choose which time they want to go vote.

“We’re glad that it’s helpful in terms of helping them plan their day and make it more convenient for them,” Robinson said.

Other voters say that early voting is convenient for them because they don’t have the time to vote on Election Day or they won’t be in town.

Lewis Yelin, a lawyer with the U.S. Department of Justice, said that he voted early to prepare for an argument.

“I could have taken time off work,” Yelin said. “I work for the federal government, and the government is good about allowing time to vote, but I’m a lawyer and I have an argument on Nov. 9. So, I thought it would be better to vote now than to worry.”

Felicia Howard, a teacher at the University of the District of Columbia, said she wanted to avoid the long lines on Election

Smithsonian App

Bridging History with Digital Technology

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com The lines outside of the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture show no signs of dissipating, with online ticket reservations secured through January 2017. For those who wish to get a sneak peek or even relive the experience afterwards, a new museum app may be just the solution.

Designed by Clearly Innovative (CI), one of the Washington area’s leading digital and business solutions companies, the official mobile app for the Smithsonian’s’ new museum boasts English, French, and Spanish capabilities and stellar reviews among users.

Twyla Porter, a Detroit tourist visiting the museum told the AFRO that after downloading the app on iTunes to her phone, she was able to plot her visit before ever reaching the District. After standing in line for nearly an Courtesy Image hour, the advanced planning proved beneficial.

The new app for the Smithsonian “Using the app was almost like having a preview of National Museum for African some of the exhibits before arriving, which was pretty American History and Culture cool,” Porter said. lets visitors take the experience While the app does not duplicate the actual visitation home with them. experience, its designers believe it provides information about exhibits and key features of the museum’s location and its architecture, as well as sections designed as social media platforms, including access to the 11 constant exhibitions, an area for children and family-oriented activities, stories about the sites surrounding the museum, and a multimedia area where users can view video clips and ephemera related to various exhibits.

“We are proud, honored and excited to be working with Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on a mobile solution for the museum,” Clearly Innovative CEO and Founder Aaron Saunders said in a release. “As an African-American owner of a D.C.based technology company, I could not have dreamed of a more meaningful project to be a part of #ApeoplesJourney.”

Darryl Williams and his wife, Carrie, drove from Chester, Penn. to the museum and downloaded the app after hearing about it outside the museum. Using the Google version of the app, Williams said he found it most useful after viewing several exhibits and wanting additional information about them.

“The exhibits are phenomenal and I think that like a lot of visitors, we were slightly overwhelmed by the whole experience. The app made it easier for me to regain some of that experience without walking out of the museum with a handful of brochures,” Williams told the AFRO. “My wife hates using phones and tablets for information, so she was happy to stick with the printed material, but for my purposes, the app, helped plant the memories a bit deeper.”

Day. “I didn’t have anything to do, so why not?” Howard said.

Several voters said they don’t feel like their vote doesn’t count nor do they have a lot of faith in this election.

“I vote simply because I feel like people died that I

can,” Howard said. “I don’t necessarily believe that my vote counts, but I just think of the people who lost their lives so I can have that privilege.”

Kathleen Simone, who works for a government contractor, said she thinks in some cases, voting does

not really matter, but it’s still important to do it.

“It doesn’t really matter in D.C,” Simone said. “It’s going to go blue, but it’s important to do if you care about it to do it. I’d say in many places it doesn’t [matter], but you can’t take that chance just in case.”

“WHEN THEY GO LOW, WE GO HIGH!” “This November, when we go to the polls this election and every election...is about who will have the power to shape our children for the next four or eight years of their lives.” ~ Michelle Obama

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The Afro-American, November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016

Lil Wayne Walks Out on Questions over Black Lives Support

Appeals Court Orders New Murder Trial for Ex-Rap Promoter “Jimmy the Henchman”

By The Associated Press Lil Wayne has walked out of a television interview after being questioned about his support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Wayne walked out as Linsey Davis of ABC News was following up on his comment to Fox Sports in September when he said there’s “no such thing as racism.”

Wayne says he stands by the comment and doesn’t “feel connected” to Black Lives Matter.

Wayne describes himself as a “young, Black, rich” man, which he says shows America understands that Black lives do matter.

The 34-year-old rapper angrily told Davis he isn’t a “politician” while ending the interview broadcast on the Nov. 1 episode of “Nightline.”

Wayne is promoting a new biography detailing his 2010 stint in New York’s Riker’s Island prison.

(Photo by Brad Barket/Invision/AP, File)

In this Dec. 5, 2015, file photo, Lil Wayne performs during Hot 97’s “Busta Rhymes & Friends: Hot For The Holidays” at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

By The Associated Press A former hip-hop and rap promoter serving a life prison term will get a new trial on charges that he ordered the killing of a rap group associate, an appeals court ruled Nov. 1.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said a judge made errors that affected the fairness of the trial of James Rosemond, known in rap circles as “Jimmy the Henchman.”

Rosemond was convicted in December 2014 on charges he ordered a crew to kill an associate of the rap group known as G-Unit. Prosecutors said the killing was payback for an assault on (Associated Press) Rosemond’s son. Rosemond’s lawyer argued DEA agents escort James Rosemond witnesses against him were unreliable. after his arrest on cocaine-dealing Rosemond, who owned New York Citycharges, in this June 21, 2011, in New based Czar Entertainment, has represented artists including The Game and Sean Kingston. He York. already was serving a life sentence for smuggling cocaine in music equipment cases between studios in New York and Los Angeles.

In March 2014, Judge Colleen McMahon declared a mistrial when a jury could not reach a verdict in the murder case brought against Rosemond.

In its Nov. 1 ruling, a three-judge 2nd Circuit panel said McMahon erred in unduly restricting Rosemond’s ability to defend against the charges when he was convicted at a second trial.

The judge had ruled that any argument by defense attorneys that the government had failed to prove that Rosemond had intended to murder rather than merely shoot the victim would open the door to prosecutors telling jurors about things Rosemond told them when he was considering cooperating with the government.

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November 5, 2016, 2016 - November 11, 2016, The Afro-American

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COMMENTARY

The Coalition Speaks

It is time to vote and African American women make a difference. This is a call to all women 18 and older from all walks of life and all worldviews to step forth to get out the vote.

Now is the time to mobilize neighbors, friends, colleagues, church members, women on the buses and in the grocery stores to get to the polls.

In recognition of all those who fought so hard for the right to vote, it is our duty to honor their struggles and not only cast a vote, but get hundreds of others to do the same. We must defeat the negative attitudes of those who say their vote will not make a difference. To vote is to undergird this great democracy in which we live in this state, and in the United States of America.

There is no such thing as abstaining. Those who stay home and fail to cast a ballot, by default give the vote to the winning candidates, whoever they may be.

By The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter

We vote for children, for better schools, for access to housing, for better roads and bridges, for manageable taxes and policies, for protection from violence and wars, for healthy living in general.

Maryland is the home of Harriet Tubman, who fought for freedom. It is the state where Frederick Douglass challenged the chains of slavery. It is the state that offers us four great Black institutions of higher education: Bowie State University, Coppin State University, and Morgan State University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore. It is the state that ranks among the top nationally in the public school system.

To live in this great state with a dynamic culturally laden city, thriving towns and hamlets, beautiful farmlands, the great Bay, majestic mountains, and an ever growing diverse multicultural population is a privilege. The casting of a ballot is a small gesture that reaps big, big benefits to enhance and protect this wonderful privilege that we enjoy.

Black women made the difference in 2008 and 2012 and must do so now. So, why vote?

We vote for children, for better schools, for access to housing, for better roads and bridges, for manageable taxes and policies, for protection from violence and wars, for healthy living in general. We vote because it is what many fought for and is now ours to protect and honor. It is the opportunity to select the best leaders at the local, state, and national level.

Recently Black women from 60 different clubs and organizations in the Baltimore area gathered to work across organization lines to register voters. This novel approach merited numerous new registrants. Now the work must be focused on getting all eligible voters to the polls.

Each woman must reach one. Make the lines at the polls spill out the doors. This is the call for action. The vote is crucial and the time is now.

Let us not suppress the vote through inaction. Vote is the key word. Women please step forth.

NCBW Mission: To advocate on behalf of Black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment.

EPA Works to Protect All of America The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established on Dec. 2, 1970 under Republican President Richard Nixon’s administration in the wake of elevated concerns about the environment.

On Oct. 28, 2016, the EPA released their 5-year Environmental Justice-EJ strategic plan for advancing environmental justice for the years 2016-2020.

What does the plan entail and how would that effect people of color?

In the 46 years of the EPA existence, under President Obama’s administration there is an urban and tribal community plan for the EPA that targets, protects, educates, partners, and motivates people of color to get actively involved in environmental issues that have direct effects on the air they breathe and the water they drink. This is a big deal for the EPA to admit that the agency has been slow in correcting systemic failings in urban and tribal communities.

Blacks and Latino are twice as likely to live near chemical

facilities and industrial pollution areas as Whites, accordingly to the Center of Effective Government. The NAACP is becoming increasingly passionate about the environment because environmental violations of civil rights are at play and closely intertwined with health and economic opportunities in the urban community.

Take for example the Standing Sioux Tribe of North Dakota, which is currently battling the federal government to protect their water supply from toxic contamination of a proposed pipeline. Under the plan the EPA is encouraging environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club to be more diverse in their hiring and volunteer base of minority groups to effectively educate all America on environmental issues.

Historically, the environmental movement has been prominently affluent Whites that do not face the same environmental issues as the urban population. There are currently national environmental groups that are making inroads in these communities. The EPA is increasing its programs in the Latino community in an effort to expand their network. The Hispanic population is the largest ethnic or minority in our nation, making up 17 percent of total population at 55 million.

The Environmental Justice (EJ 2020) strategic plan has three goals, with an emphasis on populations that are low-

income and in underserviced communities.

Increasing environmental enforcement resources in 100 targeted overburdened communities where known environmental violators of pollution are not in compliance of EPA rules. Supporting day-to-day needs through community based work to revitalize communities affected by environmental violators. The EPA will convene partners to identify geographic areas with the greatest lead exposure, reduce sources of lead contamination and take national action to reduce lead in drinking water in under serviced communities.

It is time for all of America to get involved in environmental issues, not just to save the environment, but to save ourselves.

Cathy Allen is an award-winning Urban Environmentalist, the co-creator of G.R.A.S.S. (Growing Resources After Sowing Seed) as well as Chair of the “Grow-It Eat It” campaign.

G.R.A.S.S. is an environmental entrepreneurial nonprofit program based on the fundamentals of gardening, agriculture and ecology. In conjunction with Baltimore City Public Schools, Allen’s campaign has planted over a half-million trees on the lawns of Baltimore City public schools.}She can be reached at cathy.allen@thegreenambassador.org.

Why We Need Universal Paid Leave About this time last year, I found out the devastating news that my husband had stage 4 cancer. Although he is recovering now, I could still use a program like family and medical leave even this year. It would have given me the peace of mind, when I needed it most, to sustain my small business during a family emergency. I’m glad Universal Paid Leave Act is a proposal in front of the City Council, hopefully to be passed before the year closes.

Due to my husband’s life threatening condition, my business went from a bustling 6 full time employee operation to only 1 part time groomer. I wanted to spend as much time as possible with him so I do not regret any business decisions I had to make, but if I had access to a policy like paid leave, it would have been a different story for the Doggie Washerette.

Under the Universal Paid Leave Act, as the employer, I would have paid a 1% tax on payroll into an insurance pool to fund the program. For instance, a payroll of roughly $200,000, I would have paid $2,000. Broken up into -four payments of $500 throughout the year, makes this a manageable and predictable amount. It is dramatically more manageable and predictable than dealing with a family emergency without any income or safety net.

The best aspect of this program is that the employer can realistically take leave too, just like my employees can. And, since the person on leave would be paid out of this insurance pool, by the city, their salary can easily be put toward a temporary replacement at the employer’s discretion.

There is a right way and a wrong way to establish paid leave for D.C. Having dealt with private insurance companies this year for my husband, that is not something I would wish on

Ethel Taylor

anyone. We need the D.C. government to work in the best interest of business owners and their employees by creating a social insurance fund for leave with a 1% tax on payroll, not requiring us to purchase private insurance to cover protections like this. Further, we need to be sure this program works, in view of how our families care for one another. Not including parents or grandparents or aunts and uncles or siblings in the bill’s definition of family goes against the African-American tradition of shared family caregiving responsibilities.

My small business venture is a way to honor my own background. It is foundational to the African-American culture that we share, that we give back, and that we take care of each other.

A job is one thing, a quality job, another. But ownership – that is the pathway, not only to the middle class, but toward meaningful economic, self-determination. And my contribution to my community is to hire people who would not otherwise have a job. At one time, two of my employees were homeless.

One way to protect and promote a pathway to the middle class for the African American community is to encourage local entrepreneurship by giving the tools to succeed in building wealth and creating jobs. Small businesses, like the people who work for them, and for all businesses, need safety nets when life throws the inevitable curve ball. Without policies like the Universal Paid Leave Act in place, it was nearly impossible for me to care for my husband, which had a ripple effect of heartbreaking layoffs for my loyal staff.

Ethel Taylor is the owner of Doggie Washerette on Georgia Avenue in Washington, D.C. She is a long time resident of Shepherd Park/Colonial Village and lives there with her husband, son, and her Standard Poodle, Joy. She is a member of the DMV Small Business Alliance, a project of the Main Street Alliance.

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to: The Afro-American Newspaper • 2519 N. Charles St. • Baltimore, MD 21218 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

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The Afro-American, November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016

Mayor Calls “Vote Trump’ Message & Fire Cemetery with Dozens of Slaves, Freed Slaves at Mississippi Black Church a Cowardly Act Rededicated

By The Associated Press

The mayor of a small Mississippi town is describing a fire at a black church that was also spray-painted with a “Vote Trump� message as a “hateful and cowardly act.�

The fire Nov. 1 heavily damaged the Hopewell M.B. Church in Greenville, (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Mississippi. “Vote Trump� is spray painted on the side of the fire Mayor Errick damaged Hopewell M.B. Baptist Church in Greenville, Simmons told a news Miss., Nov. 2. conference Nov. 2 that said local officials consider the fire a hate crime is because of the political message he believes was intended to interfere with worship and intimidate voters.

But neither Simmons nor Fire Chief Ruben Brown has labeled the fire a case of arson, although Brown has said arson investigators are at the scene.

Brown says the fire caused heavy damage to the sanctuary and water and heat damage to the kitchen and pastor’s study.

Pastor Caroline Hudson says the 111-year-old church congregation will rebuild on the same site.

By The Associated Press A slave cemetery in New Jersey has been rededicated following restoration efforts after it was damaged during Superstorm Sandy.

The Rev. Ella Hayes was among those who presided over the rededication Oct. 30 of the Hopper Slave Cemetery in Upper Saddle River, The Record reported.

Hayes said the “bittersweet� rededication (Mitsu Yasukawa/The Record via AP) recognizes the contributions Anthony Cureton, president of Bergen County NAACP, of African-Americans in building Bergen County. talks to participants during the Hopper Slave Cemetery He called the site “sacred Rededication in Upper Saddle River in N.J., Oct. 30. ground.�

The plot, owned by the Upper Saddle River Historical Society, contains the remains of up to 50 slaves and freed slaves.

The Rev. Robert Fretz said those buried in the graveyard worked for the Hopper family — early Dutch settlers who were among the area’s largest landholders and owned an 18th-century sawmill on the Saddle River.

In 2012, Superstorm Sandy downed trees at the cemetery and destroyed a wrought iron fence, along with many grave markers.

Donors covered a new fence at the site, which is only accessible through a private driveway. A local Boy Scout made restoring the cemetery his Eagle Scout project last year.

Slaves were first brought to the state by the Dutch in the 1600s. New Jersey was the last northern state to abolish slavery, beginning the “gradual abolition� of the practice in 1804, but not fully outlawing it until 1846. “Their history is not memorialized in books but, thanks to you, it’s memorialized here,�

Anthony Cureton, president of the Bergen County NAACP, told the crowd during the rededication ceremony.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Original Founding Members of Sly & The Family Stone JERRY MARTINI & GREG ERRICO Featuring PHUNNE STONE

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November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016, The Afro-American

B1

BALTIMORE-AREA

Questions Remain after Baltimore School Diversity MTA Bus Crash Leaves Six Dead in Medical Bus and 10 Victims Sent to Hospital Race and Politics

Marijuana in Md. Up in Smoke

Probably not since the great Pike’s Peak Gold Rush of 1859, has Colorado enjoyed an economic Sean Yoes boom Senior AFRO sparked (pun Contributor intended) by the legalization of marijuana in January 2014.

According to the Colorado Department of Revenue, the state took in $996,184,788 in medical and recreational marijuana sales in 2015. In the first five months of 2016 alone, Colorado raked in $486 million, on track to surpass the $1 billion mark by the end of this month.

Weed revenues in Colorado have several states scrambling to lift prohibition and allow businesses to set up shop, while state governments collect millions in tax revenues and fees.

Yet, of the 25 states that have legalized recreational or medical marijuana, fewer than one percent of licensed dispensaries and retail stores are owned and operated by people of color.

As Maryland prepares to enter the pot business, issuing preliminary medical marijuana licenses, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (which oversees the process), seems determined to keep lucrative licenses out of Black and Brown hands.

Almost all of the preliminary licenses have gone to companies led by White men. Of the 15 issued in August, Green Thumb Industries (GTI), who has a Black man (former Ravens lineman Eugene Monroe) as

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AFRO and Morgan State Celebrate Milestones

By James Bentley AFRO Associate Editor jbentley@afro.com

Photo by Jeffrey F. Bill/Baltimore Sun via AP

Baltimore Fire department and rescue officials rushed to the scene of an early morning fatal collision between a school bus and a commuter bus that left six dead and 10 wounded on Nov. 1. • 67-year-old Glenn R. Chappell (School bus driver) • 51-year-old Cherry Yarborough • 52-year-old Terrance Lee Casey Federal and local authorities are continuing their investigations Two of the victims of the crash who were taken to University into what led to a bus collision on Nov. 1 that left six people dead of Maryland Medical Center for treatment Nov. 1 have been and sent ten others to the hospital with multiple injuries. discharged.

Investigators say a school bus was traveling eastbound near “This was a grueling and gruesome process of removing the 3800 block of Frederick Avenue when it hit a Mustang, then bodies; all six people were dead on the scene,â€? Smith said. struck a wall at Loudon Park Cemetery before finally running “Our homicide investigators were out here because this is an into an oncoming No. 10 MTA bus traveling from Dundalk to extraordinary incident. Rarely do we deal with mass casualty Catonsville. situations that involve this many The driver of the Mustang sustained deaths at one scene. So we brought out minor injuries and is expected to survive. additional personnel to support our crash The six people killed in the crash scene. This is a crash investigation; not a included both the school bus driver and criminal investigation.â€? the MTA driver. The school bus was During the same press conference, on its way to pick up 18 special needs MTA spokesperson Paul Shepard children and there were no children the death of the MTA bus – Baltimore City Police confirmed onboard. In addition to the driver, a driver. spokesman T.J. Smith school aide was on the bus and survived, “We are really wounded but were according to Baltimore City Police. going to come out of this stronger,â€? said The school bus is contracted to Shepherd. “We want to thank you all for Baltimore City through AA Affordable Transportation. being here. We can confirm, sadly, that our operator was among During a press conference on Nov.1 Baltimore City Police the fatalities in this terrible accident.â€? spokesman T.J. Smith identified the deceased six victims only by That MTA bus operator has been identified as Ebonee Baker. age; by Nov. 2 five of the six victims had been identified: Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis expressed his • 51-year-old Gerald Halloway sadness at the tragic event. • 46-year-old woman (Next of kin not determined) “They’re on their way to make a living, they’re on their way • 33-year-old Ebonee Danell Baker, (MTA bus driver) Continued on B2

By Michelle Richardson Special to the AFRO

“This is a crash investigation; not a criminal investigation.�

On Nov. 8 The AfroAmerican Newspaper, in conjunction with Morgan State University, will host a symposium entitled “125 Years of Speaking Truth to Power.� The symposium will highlight the 125 years of the AFRO, with a focus on how the paper has covered presidential administrations, as well as Morgan’s 150th anniversary.

Jake Oliver, CEO and publisher of the AFRO said, “I want people to get a sense of the enormous amount of history the AFRO has written about over the past 125 years.

While it will be impossible to address all of the major historical events the AFRO has covered within the short time of the symposium, my hope is that those who attend will nevertheless come away with a deep appreciation of why a Black newspaper is critical to the progress of the American Black community.�

Dewayne Wickham, dean of Morgan’s School of Global Journalism & Communication, said, “The Afro American Newspaper has had a long and impactful history of speaking truth to power. It has been the voice of Black America and the conscience of White America.�

Oliver was interviewed on camera by Morgan representatives ahead of the symposium. Clips of the interview will be played during the symposium and then the panelists will react to Oliver’s comments. The discussion will cover five historical periods and the impact and influence each period had on Black America.

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What Are the Questions Week 9 on the Baltimore Ballot? The Baltimore High School

Football Wrap-Up

By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO

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The ten questions on the Baltimore ballot for Nov. 8 are as important for Baltimoreans to weigh-in on as the vote for City Council and Mayoral candidates.

Most of the initiatives will direct what the new City Council and Mayor give their attention to in the coming years. After conferring with a variety of public policy leaders and local organizations working with the issues, here is the AFRO’s breakdown of the initiatives: Question A: Affordable Housing Loan authorizing the mayor and City Council to borrow up to $6 million for the Affordable Housing Program. Advocates for question A indicate Baltimore City currently lacks adequate resources to support affordable/low income housing. The city Housing Commission would manage this money along with a commission that would include both a mayoral appointees and low-wealth residents. The money could be used for everything from housing counseling to renovation and rehabilitation.

Question B: Authorizing the Mayor and City Council to borrow up to $34 million to acquire land or property to construct and erect school buildings, athletics and auxiliary facilities, additions, improvements or modernization of facilities.

Currently, more than one-third of Baltimore City Schools are in serious disrepair with inadequate heating, air conditioning and other major problems with core operational systems that impact Baltimore

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By Jordan Hawkins Special to the AFRO Welcome to the AFRO’s weekly sports wrap-up.

The Matchup Wrap-up: In an extremely tight game, The Douglass Mighty Ducks just edged out the visiting City College Black Knights 8-6 in the Mighty Ducks’ league win on Oct. 28. Neither team scored a touchdown but rather from field goals and a safety. The Mighty Ducks are now 7-2 and for their next matchup will host the Dunbar Poets for a Baltimore City I bout.

Douglass will take on a Poets crew fresh off a 28-14 league win over the Digital Harbor Rams. The Poets stand at 6-3.

As for City College, the Black Knights will play the Poly Engineers for an inleague match on Nov. 5. The Black Knights will attempt to improve its 5-4 record. The

Engineers will do the same as they are now 5-4 after their loss to the Mergenthaler VoTech Mustangs.

Player(s) of the Week:

The Player of the week for Baltimore this time around is Jamal Pope of Digital Harbor High School. Pope is one of the top receivers in the Baltimore City I region. Boasting an impressive 458 yards, it is not hard to see why Pope is some of the best talent the Digital Harbor Rams have to offer. To see more from Jamal and the Rams, check out their upcoming game against

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Past Seven Days

Courtesy Photo

Jamal Pope, of Digital Harbor, is the Player of the Week due to the impressive 458 yards he has gained as a receiver this season.

Mergenthaler Vo-Tech on Nov. 4.

The Games to Come: Continued on B2

263 2016 Total

Data as of Nov. 2

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The Afro-American, November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016

Bus Crash Continued from B1

to the job and they’re on their way to support their families,” said Davis. “Our hearts and prayers go out to them, to their families, to their co-workers as well.”

The NTSB team is gathering information on the crash and will remain on the scene for the rest of the week. Jennifer Morrison, NTSB investigator, said her team expects to remain in Baltimore for some time.

“We expect to be in the area for the remainder of the week.

During that time, we will continue to gather factual information with the goal of ultimately determining the cause of the crash, and issuing safety recommendations aimed at preventing future crashes and fatalities,” Morrison said.

Sean Braxton, of Columbia Maryland, and the driver of the Mustang that was hit by the school bus, said he was driving to work when his silver Mustang was hit. The collision crushed the rear of the car and forced its nose into the pavement.

“I just look up and I still see the bus going down the street and at that point I just had to close my eyes and try to get myself together,” Braxton told reporters. “And then people came into the

car and started helping me out.”

Many first responders rushed to the aide of those involved in the crash, trying to help and save lives.

According to a statement released by Baltimore City Schools, seven different vendors are contracted to provide transportation for students. The bus involved in the crash provided curb to curb transportation to 18 students from their homes to school. As of Nov. 2 those children are being transported by a bus owned by Baltimore City Schools.

“At this time of tragedy, our hearts and thoughts are with the families, friends, and loved ones of those killed and injured,” the statement says. “We hope for the speedy and full recovery of those injured,” the statement says.

10 victims were injured and taken from the scene to area hospitals. Their injuries ranged from minor to critical.

Deborah M. Stein, Chief of Trauma and Director of Neurotrauma Critical Care at the University of Maryland R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, and her team are treating five of the victims.

“We are currently treating five patients. One is critically injured,

one is in serious and the other three are fortunately in stable condition…They are actually relatively generic injuries for what we see in motor vehicle crashes. I can’t give any details on the actual specifics of the injuries of the patients, but injuries to the facial bones, injuries to spine, spinal column, some visceral injuries as well.”

Police say it is possible the school bus driver had a medical emergency because they have no evidence the bus tried to stop or decelerate before hitting the car and the MTA bus.

“The school bus basically ripped the entire driver’s side off the MTA bus,” T.J. Smith said. “It literally looks like a bomb exploded in the bus and its catastrophic damage. We did not observe any type of skid marks on the road, which leads us to believe there, was no type of deceleration, but we don’t know all of those answers at this point in time.”

Governor Larry Hogan and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake were among many officials releasing statements expressing their condolences.

Police are asking anyone that may have footage, pictures, or just witnessed the crash to come forward with any information.

that legalized medical marijuana in 2014 (which she sponsored) included specific language on diversity. “It says the commission shall actively seek racial diversity, ethnic diversity and geographic diversity,” Glenn said.

So what happened? Glenn says, “one of the new Republican delegates,” wrote a letter to Attorney General Brian Frosh seeking guidance on racial diversity in the process of distribution of licenses. Glenn argues Frosh’s instruction that a disparity study had to be utilized was misinterpreted; no disparity study was in place, because marijuana was still illegal. Ultimately, the MMCC relied on a, “blind,” process (which seems ironic).

“We were able to fight back the most onerous regulations that the commission rolled out,” Glenn said, who adds the Black Caucus may introduce emergency legislation to strip the MMCC of its authority.

Among the controversial regulations were restrictions on who could receive medical marijuana treatment based on criminal backgrounds connected specifically to drug possession offenses.

A measure that seems inherently unfair given the fact Blacks and

Hispanics are disproportionately given significantly more jail time for possession of marijuana, despite marijuana usage being roughly equal between Blacks, Hispanics and Whites.

That Maryland disproportionately enriches its coffers by fining and incarcerating Black and Brown people for marijuana possession, yet seems to be willfully shutting them out of the potentially multi-million dollar marijuana industry is beyond ironic.

“Nationally, there are about 60 licenses for medical marijuana.

Guess how many are owned by African Americans? Zero, zero... we’re not doing that in the state of Maryland,” Glenn said.

“If we allow this to move forward in Maryland, we don’t need a Black caucus. In fact, I would be ashamed to even admit that I’m a Black legislator in the state of Maryland. This...new industry is like oil. This is a wealthy billion dollar business.”

Race and Politics Continued from B1

part of the ownership team, was initially awarded a license only to have it taken away.

Cheryl Glenn, chairperson of the Legislative Black Caucus says Black legislators are determined to derail the process of implementation of a medical marijuana infrastructure in the state, unless people of color have an opportunity to be full participants in what could be a profitable industry for generations.

“We have to be a strong, organized, relevant organization,” Glenn said during an interview on AFRO First Edition on November 1. “I’ve seen this Black caucus more unified on this issue...We are 100 percent unified that the state of Maryland... we will not have this industry up and running in this state with no African American participation,” she added.

The political infighting on this issue has been ferocious and it could get even more intense as we head into the 2017 legislative session. At the center of the machinations is the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC).

“The commission has no oversight, the governor can’t even control the commission,” Glenn said. According to Glenn, the bill

Sean Yoes is a senior contributor for the AFRO and host and executive producer of AFRO First Edition, which airs Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on WEAA 88.9.

Ballot

Continued from B1 City Public School students daily.

Question C: Authorizing the Mayor and City Council to borrow up to $54 million for the Planning Department to make loans and grants to various projects to improve cultural life of the city and to promote tourism.

Question D: Authorizing the Mayor and City Council to borrow up to $45 million for parks and recreation facilities. Supporters say this funding would help reduce the dearth of recreation facilities in some of Baltimore’s core-urban communities. Concerned citizens will need to work closely with the City Council to ensure funding goes to communities in highest need.

Question E: Amending the Baltimore City Charter to establish a continuing children and youth fund mandating $.03 cents of every $100 of assessed property value to be appropriated to this Fund annually.

This is one of the most controversial ballot questions. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and City Council President Bernard C. Jack Young opposed the measure. Most City Council members are in favor of Question E. Question F: Transfers certain powers and duties from the Department of General Services to the Department of Transportation. Voters should be aware that in 2014, city voters already transferred some responsibilities of the Department of General Services to the Department of Transportation,

including approval of recommended subdivision plans.

Question G: Small and Disadvantaged Business preference: Authorizes the Mayor and City Council to waive or modify certain procedures for awarding contracts and to assist local, small, or disadvantaged businesses by establishing programs that grant purchasing preferences to local, small, or disadvantaged businesses.

Question H: Expands the area within Inner Harbor Park for outdoor eating locations.

Question I: Requires the Baltimore City Auditor to perform biennial financial and performance audits. The Resolution also creates the Biennial Audits Oversight Commission to guide the City Auditor on the scope of performance audits.

This ballot initiative was promoted by several city council members, including Carl Stokes, Chair of the Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee of City Council. City Council members have expressed concern that Baltimore City does not require routine audits of its agencies.

Question J: Establishes a continuing, non-lapsing Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the establishment and preservation of affordable housing in Baltimore City. The Fund will be operated

by Department of Housing and Community Development and a 12-member commission. Advocates point to more than 30 states and multiple counties and cities that already have similar trust funds, combined with the large number of low-wealth residents living in Baltimore in justifying the need.

Football

AFRO

The game to see this week in Baltimore is definitely the Edmonson-Westside Red Storm versus host Loyola Blakefield Dons on Nov. 5. While it is a non-conference matchup, both teams are even in record and talent. This should be an exciting challenge for both teams and a nice matchup for fans.

That’s it for this week’s Baltimore football wrap-up.

The panelists for the symposium are journalist and filmmaker Tony Harris, writer and contributor Lauren Victoria Burke and professor and political analyst Dr. Jason Johnson.

On the role of the Black press going forward Oliver said, “The role of the Black Press in the 21st century will continue to be the reporting of the news that involves and impacts the Black community.

It will furthermore serve as a forum where Black thought can be aired and debated through editorials, commentaries, blogs, videos etc. It also must continue to promote issues important to the Black community at large, and to defend against the types of threats against our civil rights the coverage during the past 125 years so clearly dramatizes as having been too often threatened in innumerable ways.

The symposium is one of many events to mark the celebration of the AFRO’s 125 years. Other events throughout the year include a concert at Morgan State University by Anthony Brown and group therAPy on Nov. 12 (ticketmaster.com), Ms. Santa in Dec., Character Education in Feb. and AFRO Clean/Green Block in 2017. The celebration culminates with the AFRO’s 125 Gala in 2017.

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In Memoriam

Dr. Donald W. Stewart, 87

Dr. Donald W. Stewart, physician in internal medicine, died October 16, 2016 at Towson Manor Care from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Born in Baltimore to Clarence R. Stewart and Naomi Brown Stewart, he graduated from the Frederick Douglass High School in 1947, and earned a bachelor’s degree with Highest Honors from Morgan State University. Initially desiring a degree in dentistry, he applied to the University of Maryland dental school but was rejected because of race.

When Stewart subsequently determined that he would prefer to be a physician rather than a dentist, Thurgood Marshall encouraged him to apply to the medical school. After a bitter legal battle, he was accepted and was admitted in 1951. After receiving a medical degree, Stewart completed a residency in internal medicine at Sinai Hospital.

A memorial service will be held November 12, 2016 at 10:00AM at Providence Baptist Church, 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21217. The family has requested that donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Maryland Chapter (Designation- Education in the African American Community), 1850 York Road, Suite D, Timonium, MD 21093.

Stewart is survived by his wife, Olivia Cheeks Stewart, two sons, Philip H. Stewart and Wayne Stewart, a daughter, Karen P. Stewart; six grandchildren; a great grand-son; a sister, Thelma Green Cauldy; a stepson, Gregory Cheeks, and two stepdaughters, Donise Cheeks and Gayle Watkins.

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November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016, The Afro-American

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The Afro-American, November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016

A book signing was held at Freedom Temple AME Zion Church where Rev. Dr. Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper, serves as pastor, on Oct. 30. Rev. Draper wrote “No Ordinary Hook Up: The Courtship of Vashti Turley and Carl Murphy (1915-1916),” which chronicles a seven-month period of the courtship of her grandparents through their love letters while they were both attending Howard University. Carl Murphy was publisher of the AFRO for 45 years.

Rev. Draper, who sits on the AFRO’s board, also introduced a second book, “Life Happens, But You Can Finish: The Trials, Triumphs and Truths of 12 Amazing Finishers” which she compiled and co-wrote with author, Pam Love.

Light refreshments were served as friends, family members and her sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority stood in line to get their books signed.

Proud grandmother Rev. Dr. Frances Murphy Draper with Morgan Peck and Taylor Peck

Rev. Joyce England and Amy Billingsley Portraits of L. Vashti Turley Murphy and Dr. Carl J. Murphy

Dr. Andrew Billingsley, former president of Morgan State College (University)

Fmr. Congressman Kweisi Mfume and Rev. Frances “Toni” Draper

Rachel Wood Rogers, Lynda Swain and Chuck Swain

Happy readers are Leslie Carter, Marie W. Banks and Patricia Tunstall Delois Pearsall, John and Beverly Carter

Dr. Pam Love Manning, co-author, with former judge Marcella Holland

Dr. Wali and Frances Gill

The Murphy family descendants Delta Sigma Theta Sorority sorors

Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

Jake Oliver, CEO and publisher for The AFRO-American Newspaper, was one of several people honored at the 76th Annual Maryland State NAACP convention held at the Embassy Suites Hotel Baltimore at BWI Airport on Oct. 28.

Wandra Ashley Williams, MSC first vice president , Marlaa Reid, wife of Bishop Frank M. Reid III, and Gerald G. Stansbury, president of MSC NAACP

The theme of the convention was Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count. Oliver received the Reginald Lewis Corporate Award. Other awardees were: Mary Ashanti, Enolia P. McMillan ‘Women in

NAACP’; Carla Hayden, Parren J. Mitchell Humanitarian Award; Bishop Frank M. Reid, III, Maryland State NAACP FaithBased Organization Award; Marilyn Mosby, Kweisi Mfume Excellence in Advocacy Award; Lorretta Johnson, Labor Leadership Award; Charnell Ferguson, Youth Leadership Service Award; Barbara Dezmon, Natalie Woodson Vernon Ricks, recipient Education Visionary Award. of MSC President’s Award Among the notables in attendance was Democratic Congressman Chris Van Hollen.

Wandra Ashley Williams, Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore City state’s attorney and Gerald G. Stansbury

Wandra Ashley Williams, Jake Oliver Jr., publisher of Afro American Newspaper and Gerald G. Stansbury

Mary Ashanti, president of Wicomico NAACP

Wandra Ashley Williams, MSC NAACP first vice president, Barbara Dezmon and Gerald G. Stansbury, MSC NAACP president

Honorees and MSC Dream Team Members

Christopher Haley, guest speaker and Monica Mitchell, mistress of ceremony Charnell Ferguson Courtesy photos

NAACP representatives, guests, honorees, and dignitaries including Sen. Delores Kelley and Congressman Chris Van Hollen

To purchase this digital photo page contact Takiea Hinton: thinton@afro.com or 410.554.8277.

November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016, The Afro-American

ARTS & CULTURE

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Taraji P. Henson on Her New Memoir, ‘Around The Way Girl’

By Charise Wallace Special to the AFRO As she finds continued success in Hollywood, there is one thing that Taraji P. Henson would not change: where she came from The Golden Globe winner and Academy Award winner appeared at the Howard Theatre in Washington D.C. on Oct. 22, for a discussion and signing of her new memoir, “Around The Way Girl,” released earlier this month.

The discussion was moderated by author and digital strategist Luuvie Ajayi in a room full of fans, family members and even actress and director Debbie Allen. Henson detailed her major roles including Cookie on the Fox TV series “Empire” and Queenie from the film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

When asked who her role models are, Henson named performers such as Bette Davis and Joan Crawford—and with perfect timing included fellow Howard University alum Allen.

“This woman taught me that there is no such thing as little roles,” said Henson, noting Allen’s appearances on the TV series “Fame.” “I learned that from this woman. And that’s when I was like I’m going where ever she went—‘Howard, I’m there!’”

Henson also is a 1988 alum of Oxon Hill High School in Oxon Hill, Md. From Academy Award nominee to Golden Globe awardee, Henson has proved to the entertainment industry that she is a singular talent. In her memoir, she describes the challenges she faced as an actress coming into the industry “a** backwards,” as she termed it. She also delves into family’s turmoil while growing up in the rough streets of southeast D.C., escaping an abusive relationship from the father of her son and finding her own path as a single mom with only $700 and a dream.

“I didn’t back down,” said Henson. “I didn’t change who I was. I created a

lane for me. I kept being told that I was edgy, but when I walk in a room and I’m comfortable, I’m not going to be uncomfortable. I’m an around the way girl, I’m not going to be embarrassed by that, because that’s where I’m from, but that’s not who I am.”

Henson said her realness came from her father, Boris Henson.

“It started with my dad,” she said. “He was unapologetically himself and taught me that being humanly flawed is the most beautiful thing you can be because that’s what we are.”

Henson also credited her best friend with keeping her “grounded.”

“She literally kept me balanced because she spent so much time with me she knew my idiosyncrasies,” said Henson.

Fear and mistakes don’t play out in Henson’s world. Every role she took was for the better and every obstacle she encountered, she pushed through.

“I don’t believe in mistakes because then I believe in perfection,” she said. “My thing is I’m clear on fear…whenever it comes up I check it, because I know what it is, it’s the devil.”

Henson wants the world to know that, aside from her starstudded role as Cookie, she is still a regular girl from the DMV. She enjoys seafood, kicking back and relaxing.

“Right now everyone has forgotten all that I have done. All they see is “Cookie,” but that’s not Taraji,” Henson said. “I played a lot of not so pretty roles…I had to prove time and oto) time again that I was pretty.” h p sy e rt (Cou Henson said her memoir, which was released Oct. 11, f the hit o s r e sta r h t e came from a desire to reconcile her complex life. f h o s e il n ta enson, o ew memoir de ia area.

H .

P “I’m just human,” she said. “We’re all too complex to ji a r n Ta gin ire,’ land, Vir w, ‘Emp y o r a h be put in a couple of sentences. That’s why it’s in the book, s M x , t o F ric the Dist in s t and I don’t even think this is enough pages.” o o r

Words Beats and Life Festival Takes Hip Hop Arts to Kennedy Center

(Courtesy photo)

D.C. rap producer Odissee is part of the Words Beats and Life Hip Hop Festival at the Kennedy Center through Nov. 6.

By Mark F. Gray Special to the AFRO Even the harshest critics of hip hop, who once said that rap music was a fad that wouldn’t last, must bow to the reality that the inner city cultural phenomenon has gone mainstream. This weekend at the Kennedy Center the first Words Beats and Life Hip Hop Festival concludes with performances that capture the essence of America’s urban art form.

The festival began with spoken word performances at Bus Boys and Poets restaurant on Nov. 1 and features six days of

shows and exhibitions which are a platform for undiscovered talent from Washington, D.C. and around the country. Live poetry, college forums, a chess tournament, and a concert tribute to the late rap music legend Guru are the just a few events that give hip hop culture a platform spanning eras from Gen X to millennial.

“We wanted to create an event that appeals to everybody,” said Words Beats and Life founder, Mazi Mustafa. “It’s a chance to reach cats that were alive before hip hop [started] and those who grew up with it as a part of their everyday lives.”

Fourteen years ago, Mustafa and several of his classmates at the University of Maryland founded Words Beats and Life as a volunteer organization that would provide one afterschool program centered around the arts. The organization’s impact has expanded to eight programs around the District.

Their vision of using arts based educational experiences to harness the power of the imagination has reshaped lives and communities.

Words Beats and Life has become an international ambassador for America’s hip hop culture. It has led an underground export of the music and conventional arts such as painting around the world. Canada, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom – and most recently Pakistan - have been exposed to the cultural lessons taught by this art form.

“None of this was a part of the initial mission,” said Mustafa. “I wish I had been the visionary leader who saw this coming.”

Mustafa also didn’t envision the Kennedy Center collaborating with Words Beats and Life for a Hip Hop

Festival either. The National Theatre of Performing Arts has established itself as a driving force of the industry and the events of this week are an extension of the Words Beats and Life Festival. That allowed the Kennedy Center to provide the funding and marketing support to present the event on a stage of like this.

“This festival is the culmination of all the work and partnerships that we have forged over the years,” said Mustafa.

“Eighty five percent of the reason this event coming off is because of the Kennedy Center.”

The weekend’s program features a series of free events highlighted by DJ Premiere’s tribute to the late lyricist Guru, of the group Gang Starr, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. on the Millennium Stage. These two hip hop pioneers collaborated on classics such as “Words That I Manifest” and “Hard to Earn” which brought that group to prominence as one of the iconic groups of the 1990’s. They went on to create “Jazzmattaz,” which infused hip hop lyrics with jazz music and crossed cultural and demographic lines.

Oddisee returns home to D.C. to kickoff the weekend’s live performances Friday at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. His “Odd Spring” project was the voted as one of the best local mixtapes by {The Washington Post} in 2014.

There are competitive performances in various theatres around the Kennedy Center all weekend. The Hip Hop Orchestra features musicians from D.C. and Philadelphia while the Bee Boy Jam will be a dance competition featuring local and national dancers.

For more information go to: wblinc.org

‘Brokeness to Boldness’ Monologues Touches on Women Who Abuse Men

By Alexa Lisitza Special to the AFRO At a point in time, years ago, while her boyfriend slept, Queen Afi Gaston straddled his waist, put a gun against his head and pulled the trigger. But, the gun didn’t go off.

Now, she travels around the United States, hosting a survivor’s monologue series titled “Brokeness to Boldness” through her nonprofit organization – founded in D.C. -- Domestic Violence Wears Many Tags. Her latest series was held in Northwest D.C. at the Thurgood Marshall Center on Oct. 20.

The series includes five monologues that touch on all aspects of domestic abuse, including: physical, verbal, sexual, emotional, financial and spiritual. The monologues include a woman who was financially abused and gave her money to her boyfriend in exchange for love; a woman who was raped at 13 years-old and became a prostitute at 14; and Queen Afi Gaston, who was the abuser in her relationship with the father of her child.

“There are two types of abusers. The first is a victim who is fighting to get back what was taken from him or her during years of abuse. The second is me,” Gaston told {AFRO}.”The second makes the conscious decision that they are going to abuse men.”

According to the Domestic Violence Child Advocacy Center, 29 percent of Black women and 12 percent of Black men reported at least one instance of intimate partner violence with one in every three victims being killed by domestic violence. Higher rates of domestic violence in the Black community are related to higher levels of poverty and economic oppression, the center’s website said.

During her monologue, she expressed how she had not been sorry about her actions or the path she was on until one night she was driving drunk. She was pulled over by the police and had not realized her son was in the back seat of the car until she rolled down the window.

That was when, she said, she recognized her self-destructive ways and decided to put the monologues together as a way to educate communities about abusers and victims, and the importance of parents talking to their children.

“Be transparent with your children and have dinner table conversations about abuse, because you probably have your own stories,” Gaston said.

Gaston said that many parents are quiet about issues that involve depression, abuse and generally negative feelings. But this is how abusers get a hold of victims. When parents are unwilling to have these conversations and connections with their children, Gaston said she believes children will search for these connections elsewhere and find them in the form of an

abuser. And once an abuser latches on, their parents will most likely never even realize what has happened, she said.

“Some victims I don’t have to hit. I control their emotions by saying something about them, threatening them or making certain comments,” Gaston said. “It’s solid for an abuser when you will do what we tell you to do and when we tell you to do it. I’ve trained you to be obedient; I could just look at you a certain way and you’ll act how I want you to.”

Gaston said she does not give advice she does not follow herself. She said she is transparent with her son, who was two months-old when she attempted to shoot his father.

“I told him what I did, why and what I wanted. I never said sorry. I meant to kill his father and he knows this,” Gaston said. “I don’t sugar coat anything. I told him that I wanted that gun to go off, and was upset when the gun stalled and didn’t go off, and he knows this.”

Gaston said she believes America has it wrong. She said she believes women are abusers more often than we care to notice, and she explained that when she would visit schools (Courtesy photo) to talk to young girls about domestic abuse, she would meet Queen Afi Gaston’s young ladies who she saw herself in. monologue ‘Broken to “They are aggressive just like me, and that’s scary.

Boldness’ discusses how Because I can go out right now and grab a victim. They she abused men in her are like running water. You have to stop this behavior and relationships. it starts with educating young girls and boys. If not, you’re adding to the abuse by ill-preparing them,” Gaston said.

The monologue series is all visuals, reenacted by the abusers and abused. Gaston calls it “Drama Therapy.” While a narrator recites the story for the audience, actors reenact the abuse on stage. It brings the audience back to that real-life space and recreates a moment in their lives that at a time was so controlling, but now they hold all the power as they choose to tell their story.

Gaston said she hopes to use the monologue series as a way to educate audience members about abuse, and begin the conversations she believes in detrimental to saving people from becoming victims.

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The Afro-American, November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016

“There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin sick soul. Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my works in vain, but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.� Mahalia Jackson Nov. 8 will bring changes to our city as we vote to elect a new mayor; there will be cheers of joy and moans of despair.

Whatever the outcome may the citizens of Baltimore move forward, united to continue to heal our wounded city. “There will be mountains that I will have to climb and there will be battles that I will have to fight. But victory or defeat, it’s up to me to decide; but how can I expect to win if I never try. I just can’t give up now I’ve come too far from where I started from. Nobody told me the road would be easy and I don’t believe he brought me this far to leave.� Mary Mary For the first time in two- decades Mayor Stephanie Rawlings–Blake will leave elected public office, taking a wealth of knowledge and experience with her. She has served the city of Baltimore with passion and conviction since 1995.

We have witnessed her transformation from a 25-year-old young woman elected to the city council to a national mover and shaker in the world of politics and the mayor of our city.

Like the cocoon, she has blossomed into a vision of

INVITES YOU AND A GUEST TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF

loveliness and the envy of the fashion models on the fashion pages she has enriched with dignity and grace. During her tenure every night wasn’t Saturday night, yet she dedicated the first half of her life to Baltimore and we thank her sincerely. As Mayor Rawlings-Blake ventures into the next chapter of her amazing life may she remember the words of James Cleveland, “When peace like a river attendeth my way when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say It is well it is well with my soul.� “Don’t be drag, just be a queen whether you’re broke or evergreen. You’re black, white, beige, chola descent, you’re Lebanese, you’re Orient. Whether life’s disabilities left you outcast, bullied or teased rejoice and love yourself today. ‘Cause baby, you were born this way.� Lady GaGa Parents share the story of Khoudia Diop who, as a child, was teased and ridiculed because of her dark-skinned complexion and subjected to cruel jokes. That changed when at the age of 17 she became a fashion model. Now instead of being ridiculed, she has an brilliant career as a model and a large following on social media. Don’t allow your children to be bullied. Encourage them to excel in their arena.

The Baltimore Chapter of The Society Incorporated’s Youth and Arts Showcase Luncheon was outstanding. I was reluctant to attend assuming it would just be another ho hum event; am I glad my host Debbie Taylor insisted that I attend and sent numerous texts and phone calls to make certain I didn’t forget.

The stellar performance by the youths was extraordinary from the young dancers from Thomas Jefferson Elementary Middle School, orator and journalist Ahmad Jeremiah Pearl, pianist Nina Duke, trumpeter Mekhi Samad Onque, vocalist and ballet Mariah Frazier, artist Kaila Hammonds, my heart was overwhelmed as I sat in amazement at our talented youth.

Our friend Eartha Lamkin, director and CEO of B-Sharp Summer Enrichment Academy was the keynote speaker asked the audience “what inspires you� and then told the audience what inspired her and finished by singing “This is my story.�

Brenda Baker is the chapter president and Debbie Hawkins was the program chair. “I’ll be there� at the next showcase in

LY’S 40TH Anniversary You are invited to attend LY’s 40th Anniversary Celebration.

We are commemorating Larry Young’s 23 years in the Maryland General Assembly and 17 years Radio One Talk Host.

Join us for an evening of Live Entertainment, Networking, Great Food and more.

We ask that if you would like to attend to please RSVP as soon as possible at (410)-539-6650 or (410)-907-0364 with your name, number and ticket requests.

Thursday, November 10th EMAIL: CUSTOMERSERVICE@AFRO.COM TO REGISTER TO WIN TICKETS!

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2100 N. Monroe St., Baltimore, Md. 21217

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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.

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two years. “There is never time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment; the time is always now.â€? James A. Baldwin Kevin Brown and William Maughlin have continued their mission of supporting artists by displaying their work in a restaurant gallery setting. Ten years ago, they opened Station North Arts Gallery CafĂŠ in the 1800 block of Charles Street as a place to view the artwork of local and national artists, serving breakfast and lunch. Now three years later their venue SNAC by Nancy at 131 W North Avenue is a melting pot for artists to display their work for view by the customers as they enjoy an animated meal.

Did I say animated? Yes because the effervescent Kevin Brown entertains his guests in conversation and laughter as he prepares the menu of the day to the sound of jazz in the background and James Baldwin on the walls overseeing the daily activities. SNAC by Nancy is the place where people just drop by as they drive by or walking through the neighborhood.

Artist Joyce Scott, Alma Roberts, Caprece Garrett, Jannette Witmyer and Mary Holter add to the charm of these artsy venues. Join artist Alma Roberts on Nov. 4 from 5 p.m. 8 p.m. as she exhibits her artwork “Breathing,� which is adapted from the phrase “I can’t breathe.� On Nov. 11 The Friday Night Bunch will be at SNAC’s by Nancy hosting author Kevin Shird and all Veterans starting at 6 p.m.

Singing happy birthday to Kweisi Mfume, James “Dickey�

Harris, Phil Bass, Shirley Swafford, Nick Abrams Stacey Queen, Willie Flowers, Libby Massey, Shawon Reed, Myra Owens Queen, Rhonda Winbush, Leah Hasty, and my son Keith Anthony Lee. Sending condolences to Pierre and Valerie Stewart on the death of his father Alvin Stewart; to Mildred and Dickey Harris and Barry Watson on the death of their brother in- law and Barry father Alvin Watson and to JoAnne Day and family on the death of your husband William “Bill� Day a fine Kappa Man. Remember you Veterans on Nov. 11 and every day.

November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016, The Afro-American

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SPORTS AFRO Sports Desk Faceoff

Sam’s Love of Baseball Special to the AFRO In my efforts to show you a side of my pop, Sam Lacy, that isn’t obvious to outsiders, we have shared some humorous times. Aside from family and work, Sam had two loves: baseball and golf.

My introduction to Sam’s love of baseball was a tale he told of his days at the 12th Street YMCA in Washington D.C. Sam spent his days as a youth at that YMCA, and with his band of brothers he played sports as they came in season. When baseball season rolled around, this crew took their bats and balls to the alley behind the “Y.” Because of the placement of back yards and garages they had to learn to bat left handed. This served Sam well later on when he faced serious competition.

His love of baseball took him to Griffith Stadium and the Washington Senators, where he became a “go-for” for the players. He would shag fly balls in the outfield, go to the cleaners and the store for the players and sell peanuts in the stands during the games. His favorite job was the selling of programs.

In those days there was no TV, so programs were necessary for fans to identify players on the visiting teams.

Who knew the seed was being planted for Sam to one day be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

As a teen, Sam won the reputation of being a quality pitcher. Since he was of Native American descent, White teams would recruit him and bill him as an Algonquin Indian. Sam’s mother wouldn’t allow her son to travel all around the country until his older brother intervened and he agreed to write home every day. On one windy day, Sam settled in under a foul ball caught in the wind. At the last minute the ball swerved and broke Sam’s finger. Until that finger healed, the nightly letters were the product of a left-handed Sam. After his career took off in the sports writing field, he covered the Negro League

teams playing against the Homestead Grays. I was just a nip, but I attended these games with him. Before game time we would wander around the field, and while he was talking to players I would stand around trying to look important. At game time I would join my Grandpa in seats behind home plate. I heard some salty language and witnessed some heartstopping baseball.

(AFRO File Photo)

Sam Lacy served as the AFRO’s sports editor for six decades.

My travels with Sam have brought me to a coin toss for my rooting interest in the current World Series.

I attended Spring Training with the Indians. We were in Tucson, Arizona and because of the climate in America during the 1940’s we stayed in an approved home with a very nice family. The upside of this arrangement was the fact that my roommates were Larry Doby and Minnie Minosa. Larry Doby was the second Colored player selected to play Major League Baseball; he was hired by the Cleveland Indians 11 weeks after the Dodgers hired Jackie Robinson.

Doby was no big deal for me, because whenever the Indians came to Washington to play, he would stay at our house. However, Minnie was another story. He was an entertainer and loved kids.

Despite the attention he gave me, my favorite thing was to watch him mix all of his food together on his plate and tell me it was all going to the same place.

Every baseball fan knows

the story of the Chicago Cubs—the Cubs haven’t been in the World Series since Thomas Jefferson was president. I have a penchant for rooting for underdogs so at the moment I am juggling my loyalties. Go team.

When Sam was inducted into the Hall of Fame I gained a brand new respect for my father. I was aware of how popular he was locally. But when I arrived at the Hall of Fame, he was standing outside waiting for me with a line of fans stretching the length of the block wanting autographs and pictures. When the car arrived to take us back to the hotel, Sam wouldn’t budge until every fan’s autograph was signed and sealed.

The Hall of Fame trip brought me a little notoriety.

I played in the Hall Of Fame Golf Tournament and I was really on my game. I called Ms. L that night to tell her of my good fortune. I explained that I had won a set of golf clubs and the same crystal trophy Se Ri Pak had won earlier that week at the Women’s Open Championship. Ms. L responded, “Se Ri Pak got a check for $160,000, did you get a check?” I promptly fell back to earth.

Some of you readers know that Sam worked until five months before his 100th birthday. During the later years he wasn’t so active, but just enjoyed his baseball on TV. I can remember one year when we were hit with an early heat wave. Sam’s apartment complex wasn’t prepared and had to perform maintenance on the air conditioning units, and relief was a week away. I hustled off to the local retail outlet and purchased a fan. The fan was called the “Cyclone,” and I prepared the setting for comfort and left Sam to enjoy his TV. When I returned, Sam had cranked that fan to its highest setting and he was sitting with his hair blowing in the wind.

When Sam departed for his Heavenly reward, I am sure his first stop was at the Pro Shop to pick up a baseball glove.

Is Russell Westbrook a MVP Candidate?

By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley AFRO Sports Desk No Kevin Durant? No problem. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook is taking the term “his team” to a whole new level.

Three games into the new NBA season and Westbrook is averaging 38.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and 11.7 assists per game.

The league’s opening week belonged to Westbrook, who is scoring, rebounding and leading his team. The Thunder are 3-0, while Durant’s Golden State Warriors suffered an embarrassing opening night loss before scraping together a tough win over the lowly (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) New Orleans Pelicans on Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook looks Oct. 29. on during the second half of an NBA basketball The sample size isn’t game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 26 in huge but Westbrook has Philadelphia. The Thunder won 103-97. been an MVP candidate in prior seasons and appears ready to deliver another MVP-worthy campaign. Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk debate whether Westbrook has what it takes to win an MVP title this season.

Riley: A team needs a lot of regular season wins for one of its players to qualify for MVP honors. While his team may not win a boatload of games this year, as long as Westbrook stays healthy, he’ll definitely be in the conversation. There’s a very small portion of NBA players who can average a triple-double all season. Westbrook falls into that category, along with LeBron James and perhaps the emerging Anthony Davis. As long as Westbrook keeps pushing and the Thunder make the playoffs, then he’ll be at the top of the list by season’s end.

Green: The sample size definitely isn’t large, but I like Westbrook’s numbers. I just hate the fact that he’s had to put together two miracle games that barely got the Thunder past the Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns, two teams who failed to make the playoffs last season.

The 76ers stunk it up so bad last season that they drafted first overall in last June’s NBA draft, taking LSU’s Ben Simmons. However, Simmons didn’t even play on opening night due to injury, and the Thunder still barely made it out of Philadelphia with a win. Oklahoma City is going to struggle to win games this season as easily as they once did. Without the wins there won’t be an MVP trophy for Westbrook.

Riley: All Oklahoma City has to do is make the playoffs with a respectable seed and keep Westbrook healthy, and he’ll be a shoo-in for the MVP. LeBron is going to make a case, but the last two MVP winners, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, might cancel each other out by playing together, so the competition for best player might not be as thick as it has been in previous seasons. Westbrook’s messy divorce from Durant garnered plenty of media attention over the summer, so he’ll have the admiration from voters. As long as he continues to crank out huge numbers and stay away from senseless drama, he’ll be fine. Westbrook’s been ridiculed for his attitude and selfish play before but those same traits with Durant in California should undoubtedly push him to the top of the MVP list.

Green: Westbrook’s attitude and selfish on-court demeanor could also work against him.

He’s never truly endeared himself to the media or NBA fans. He’s already gotten into an altercation with a 76ers fan sitting court side who made an obscene gesture in his direction. I wouldn’t exactly call him a “media darling” just because Durant bolted.

It’s going to take a monster season and perhaps even some humility from Westbrook to butter himself up for voters to accept him. He’s going to be a marked man as the sole star in OKC, and it’ll be interesting to see how he handles that attention from his opponents night in and night out. He’s going to have to control the blow-ups and the anger that can sometimes overshadow his play.

I don’t have a lot of confidence in him doing that, because we haven’t seen him do that in the past. I’m penciling LeBron atop the MVP list, and I also like James Harden’s chances out in Houston. Harden’s Rockets have the potential to finish the season with one of the best records in the NBA, which will attract MVP votes. Westbrook has the skill set, but he might not have the variables needed to win his first MVP.

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The Afro-American, November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016

Get The Latest Surge Updates Where We Are

Project Details

Metro is near the halfway mark in the SafeTrack program, having completed eight SafeTrack Surges during the summer months. As the program moves forward, we’ve made some adjustments to the schedule to address new safety recommendations, incorporate work on the track interlockings, and account for the impact of record heat this summer. The dates for work through the end of the year, as well as a schedule for work into early 2017, have now been released. Find out more about the revised SafeTrack schedule in the chart below.

Surge

Date

9

Lines Affected

• SafeTrack Surges impact all riders, including rush hour commuters, on the affected lines.

• Riders are strongly urged to consider alternate travel options during Surges that affect their lines.

• In addition to the Surges, increased track work throughout the Metrorail system is being conducted on nights and weekends, and during some rush hours.

• During SafeTrack, Metrorail will continue to close at midnight, 7 days a week. Last train times vary, so check wmata.com/ stations for information.

For real-time updates, sign up for MetroAlerts at wmata.com/metroalerts

Stations Affected

Type of Surge

9/15 – 10/26

Vienna to West Falls Church

Complete

10

10/29 – 11/22

Fort Totten to NoMa-Gallaudet U

Line Segment Shutdown

11

11/28 – 12/29

East Falls Church to West Falls Church

Continuous Single Track

12

Early January

Braddock Rd to Huntington/Van Dorn St

Continuous single tracking; weekend line segment shutdown

13

Late January/Early February

Rosslyn to Pentagon

Line Segment Shutdown

14

March

Braddock Rd to Huntington/Van Dorn St

Continuous single tracking; weekend line segment shutdown

15

Late March/April

Greenbelt to College Park

Continuous single tracking; weekend line segment shutdown

Note: No SafeTrack work will be conducted during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays, and Inauguration Week, providing a break for our riders and workers.

D E TA I L S O N S U R G E 1 0

October 29 through November 22, 2016 Line shutdown between NoMa-Gallaudet U and Fort Totten Reduced service at all

stations. Brookland-CUA and Rhode Island Ave stations closed.

• Red Line trains will run in two segments: Shady Grove to NoMa-Gallaudet U and Glenmont to Fort Totten • Two stations will be closed: BrooklandCUA and Rhode Island Ave • Shuttle buses will replace trains between NoMa-Gallaudet U and Fort Totten • Expect crowding on all trains due to less frequent Red Line service • Green Line provides alternate path for travel between Fort Totten and Gallery Place • All Red Line customers should consider alternate travel options and avoid traveling during rush-hour periods if possible; expect trains to be extremely crowded

For more information, visit wmata.com/safetrack or call (202) 637-7000.

November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016, The Afro-American

D1

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY-AREA D.C., Md. Prepare for Nov. 8 Elections

Prince George’s County

Lynnhill Residents Face Day of Reckoning

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

By Bruce Branch Special to the AFRO

As Election Day draws closer, political candidates in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area working feverishly to get people to vote for them and elections officials are dealing with what appears to be heavy early voter turnout.

On Oct. 27, U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) was hard at work at the Largo Town Center Metro Station talking with commuters and handing

Week 10

The Prince George’s County High School Football Wrap-Up Christopher Rhodes, of Wise High School is the Player of the Week

By Jordan Hawkins Special to the AFRO Welcome to the AFRO’s weekly sports wrap-up.

Courtesy Photo

Anthony Brown is the Democratic nominee for Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District. out literature. Van Hollen, who is the Democratic Party nominee for the U.S. Senate, told the AFRO that he is going to “go strong� until Election Day, which is Nov. 8. “There are a few days left until the election ends and I am going all over the state to talk to people about what is at stake,� Van Hollen said. “I think a lot of people will be glad when this election is over with. I am also urging people to vote for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump.�

Van Hollen wasn’t the only candidate working Prince George’s County. Former Lt. Continued on D2

The Matchup Wrap-up: Oct.29 was a good day for the Bowie Bulldogs as they knocked out the visiting DuVal Tigers 31-22 in an in-league faceoff. With the win, the Bulldogs advance to a 4-5 record and will travel to Bladensburg to take on the Mustangs in a Prince George’s County 4A game on Nov. 5. The mustangs just lost to the Wise Pumas 60-0, so no doubt they will be hungry for a victory as they come into the match 3-6. As for the Tigers, DuVal drops to 6-3 after their loss and will next travel to take on the Oxon Hill Clippers also on Nov. 5. The Clippers 9-0 are coming off their recent 33-18 win over the Friendly Patriots and look to continue their streak.

Player(s) of the Week: The Player of the Week for Prince George’s County is Christopher Rhodes of Wise High School. Rhodes is a junior middle linebacker and fullback for the Pumas. He is also one of the top defenders in the county 4A region. While not having the most tackles, Rhodes has an impressive number of 53, while also leading the region in sacks with eight. Rhodes is a standout reason why Wise remains one of, if not, the top teams in the region. To see more from Chris and the Pumas be sure to watch them take on the Suitland Rams, Nov. 5.

The Games to Come: The next big game to see will be the Flowers Jaguars faceoff against the Laurel Spartans on Nov. 5. Flowers enters the matchup with 5-4 on a three-win streak, while Laurel enters the match 1-8, on a three-loss streak. Flowers is definitely looking to win to secure the best possible chances for playoffs while Laurel is looking for a win and possibly to spoil the Jaguars’ chances.

Prince George’s County

Hospital Center Shuts Down Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Again over Deadly Bacteria

By The Associated Press For the second time in three months, a Maryland hospital has shut down its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after babies tested positive for potentially deadly bacteria.

According to media reports, Prince George’s Hospital Center announced Nov. 2 that two infants have tested positive for an antibiotic-resistant bacterium known as pseudomonas.

The hospital says five babies are being transferred to other hospitals that have intensive-care units.

The hospital previously shut down its NICU in August after three infants tested positive for pseudomonas, which can lead to serious illness or death for people with compromised immune system.

Prince George’s Hospital Center is the suburban Washington county’s publicly funded hospital. It’s expected to close in 2020 after a new hospital is built in Largo.

Prince George’s County

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Bowie State University’s Arts Center Opens to Public

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By Lenore T. Adkins Special to the AFRO Bowie State University has inked a partnership with Maryland-National Park and Planning )& Capital ,*+$(" (!

Commission that aims to let Maryland residents take advantage of arts programming

at the school’s Fine and Performing Arts Center.

)+% The partnership, which the school announced on Oct. 31, means both institutions

activities that will include small-group classes, camps, master will design cultural

)+% workshops and professional performances. Classes are open to Maryland residents who are at least years old.

16

Officials )+% say the collaboration will help the school’s performing arts center – with

its main stage, recital hall, black box theaters studio and classrooms – become a

valuable community asset. )+% “Bowie State University would like to expand [the]

audience for the university’s

#! & '! arts offerings,� said Damita

Chambers, a university

)+% spokeswoman. “The university also wants to create more Continued on D3 – Damita Chambers

“Bowie State University would like to expand [the] audience for the university’s arts offerings.�

Courtesy Photo

The day of reckoning that many Lynnhill Condominium residents dreaded finally came to light on Oct. 25 when Pepco cut off power to the troubled housing complex in Temple Hills, Md. Washington Gas did the same. Meanwhile, residents were left to scramble for new housing and county officials were left to explain why they didn’t have the resources or were prepared for the dozens of families who were suddenly homeless.

Those who were left without power and a place to live after the utilities were

“There is no safety net here in the county.� – Bill Butler turned off were renters and condo owners who paid their rent and fees to the condo association and management company that mismanaged what appears to be millions of dollars over the past 10 years.

The Pepco bill for the complex was in excess of $1 million and negotiations for a suitable repayment plan failed.

By Oct. 28, following a Continued on D2

Prince George’s County

D.C. Cop Claims He Was Racially Profiled

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com On Oct. 25, D.C. Harbor Patrol officer Robert Parker Jr., was in the Iverson Mall area when he was confronted by officers looking for a suspect who recently committed a crime in the neighborhood. Parker, who initially didn’t identify his status as a law enforcement colleague, was thrown to the ground and punched in the face when one of the officers felt a weapon on him.

That response upset David Grogan, a retired U.S. marshal who is politically active in the county. “This is a classic case of racial profiling,� Grogan told the AFRO. “According to what I Courtesy Photo heard and read, Parker didn’t fit D.C. police officer Robert the description of the man they Parker Jr. was brutalized were looking for. This situation

by Prince George’s County tells you that Blacks in law officers. enforcement don’t have a free pass either.�

In a statement, the Prince George’s County police department’s said, “Based on our preliminary investigation and preliminary review of an audio recording of the encounter in question, we believe our officer acted professionally and with restraint. This encounter took place within several minutes of the shooting reported at the mall and approximately three blocks from the scene. Our officer, who was responding to the shooting which prompted the lockdown of two nearby schools, spotted a man walking who matched the broadcast suspect description.�

The statement said the officer, who was a sergeant, conducted an investigatory stop, discovered the gun and took Parker down after a brief struggle. The statement said that Parker identified himself as an officer after he was restrained by the sergeant and the backup officers.

Belinda Queen-Howard, a political activist in central Prince

Continued on D3

D2

The Afro-American, November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016

Lynnhill

Continued from D1 lawsuit brought by Maryland State Sen. C. Anthony Muse, the lights came back on, but by that time, many of the residents had found housing elsewhere. On Oct. 31, Washington Gas resumed its services.

“These are my friends; my constituents,” Muse said during a visit to the property. “They have done nothing wrong. They paid their rent. We will get this straightened out.”

Prince Georges County Executive Rushern T. Baker also visited the property and said he had no knowledge of the property being sold to developers. He promised residents the county would do its best in finding the right solution.

Once the blackout occurred many homeowners were left in the black while others were moved to shelters and nearby apartments that pitched in to help with what is becoming a growing challenge in Prince George’s County -- affordable housing. While D.C. rents apartments for the homeless in Prince George’s, the county doesn’t have a similar program, but rather they depend on three shelters and the Warm Nights Program which allows the homeless to come in out of the weather during winter months.

“Ray Charles can see what is going on,” said Bill Butler, 36, who lived on the property with his girlfriend. “A lot of these people are returning citizens or recovering drug abusers. They are single mothers trying to make it. Now this happen. There is no safety net here in the county. There is a lack of affordable housing.

We have no place to go.”

The Maryland Business Clergy Partnership and National Capital Baptist Convention DC & Vicinity joined forces to set up a fund to pay first month deposits and rent for displaced residents.

“It’s what we are called to do,” said National Capital Baptist Convention DC & Vicinity President and Maryland Business Clergy Partnership Co-Chairman Rev. Charles W. McNeill, Jr. He said he was appealing to his church partnerships to sponsor at least one family because many had been “traumatized” and would need more than just money.

Others like Rev. Tony Lee, a pastor at City of Hope AME Church in Hillcrest Heights, Md., also stepped up to help. The Prince George’s Community Foundation established a Neighbors in Need Fund for residents as well.

“It’s criminal what they have allowed to happen here,” said Jack Lyle, a disgruntled renter. “It’s been the same merry go round over and over again.”

Problems at the condo go back at least 15 years, according to Patsy Stewart, who owns four units at the complex and ran her nonprofit Reach One Teach One at the property. She said she had spent thousands of dollars helping the youth that lived there with basic essentials, including eyeglasses. She said she has been fighting the legal system since early 2000 in an effort to hold on to her property and to address what she said was a litany of legal problems and mismanagement.

Most recently residents charged a past condo association for misusing their condo fees, failing to pay electric bills and misappropriating more than $400,000 in insurance that was supposed to restore a building that burned in a fire.

“This has been a long fight and a nightmare for our families,” said David Gilmore, president of the Lynnhill condo association.

“We are still working with Pepco and others to come out with a viable solution.”

Elections

Continued from D1 Gov. Anthony Brown is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives seat that was vacated by Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) and he too was engaging voters.

“I am out here working,” Brown told the AFRO on Oct. 28. “I have been traveling to North Carolina to talk up Hillary Clinton and I am Courtesy Photo campaigning here to make sure Marcus Batchelor is that I win my own race.” running for the Ward 8 D.C. While Van Hollen and State Board of Education Brown face Republican and seat. other third party opponents, they are expected to win easily because Democrats outnumber registered Republicans in the state, 2 to 1, and in Prince George’s County 4 to 1, respectively.

Early voting appears to have been a success in Prince George’s County. Maryland Board of Elections officials say that Prince George’s first day of early voting, Oct. 27, is up 101 percent this year from 2012.

Early voting in Maryland ends on Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. and there are nine centers throughout Baltimore City.

There is also a flurry of campaign and voting activity in the District of Columbia. At stake in the District are two at-large

positions on the D.C. Council races in Wards 2, 4, 7 and 8, in addition to an at-large D.C. State Board of Education race, there are contested races for that board in Wards 7 & 8 and all of the advisory neighborhood commissioners positions are in play.

D.C. Council members Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4) and Ward 8 Democratic candidate Trayon White are running unopposed while former D.C. Mayor and council chairman Vincent Gray (D) is running for re-election as a Ward 7 council member with no serious opposition. D.C. Council members Robert White (D-At Large) and David Grosso (I-At Large) have significant advantages in winning election and re-election, respectively.

Todd told the AFRO that he is going to be campaigning for re-election as if he had an opponent. “I never hesitate to engage the voters of Ward 4,” the council member said. “I want to touch every single voter. We need to have a strong turnout in Ward 4.”

Robert White is a Democrat who is a shoo-in because of the city’s 10 to 1 Democratic registration over Republicans and no Democrat who has run at-large in the city has lost. Grosso has a substantial fundraising and campaign operation that overshadows the Republican, Statehood-Green and independent candidates.

There has been a lot of activity in the Ward 8 race for board of education. Ward 8 D.C. State Board of Education candidate Markus Batchelor has been endorsed by Trayon White, Robert White and D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine (D).

“We need to have a strong turnout in Ward 4.”

–D.C. Council member Brandon Todd “I believe that Markus is an excellent choice to represent us as the new school board representative. He has shown a consistent commitment over the years, serving on the front lines in Ward 8 in various capacities. Join me in showing your support for Markus Batchelor,” Trayon White, who served as the ward’s representative on the board of education from 2011-2015, said.

Batchelor is facing incumbent Tierra Jolly, who has been endorsed by outgoing Ward 8 D.C. Council member LaRuby May (D), Grosso, Evans and the Washington Teachers’ Union.

Ward 7 Board of Education member Karen Williams has been endorsed for re-election by the Washington Teachers’ Union while facing educator Marla Dean and longtime activist Dorothy Douglas.

Early voting in the District started on Oct. 22 and ends on Nov. 4.

In addition to candidates, there will be referendums on the ballot in Maryland and the District. In Prince George’s County, voters will be asked to decide whether to expand the county council to two at-large seats and in the city, voters will decide on whether to support D.C. statehood.

JOIN US FOR THE WARM UP D.C. EVENT

Volunteers will gather at Randall Memorial United Methodist Church to sort and distribute coats, clothing and food to community members in need. Every single item you donate and every minute you volunteer makes a huge difference.

Coming together to provide comfort for others … that’s what it means to RETHINK CHURCH.

Learn more, donate and volunteer at

WarmUpDC.org.

Friday & Saturday

November 11–12 1002 46th St. NE Washington, D.C.

November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016, The Afro-American

D3

Bowie

Continued from D1

WASHINGTON AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Washington, D.C. Gethsemane Baptist Church Holds Fall Revival 5119 4th Street NW

The Gethsemane Baptist Church will be holding their Fall revival from Nov. 2-4 that will begin at 7: 15 p.m. The devotion is scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m. The main speaker for the rival will be Rev. Dr. Janet Jenkins Sturdivant, presiding elder for South District of the Philadelphia Annual Conference. Rev. Khalsani Drummer, pastor of the church, will also be at the revival. For more information, call the revival Chair Deacon Fred Bowen at 202-882-5836.

D.C. Latino Caucus hosts D.C. Community Voter Education Rally 3258 Mount Pleasant Street NW

In an effort to spread voter awareness, educate the community on important issues and inclusive civic engagement, the D.C. Latino Caucus and various community partners invite you to the “D.C. Community Voter Education Rally” at Lamont Park, 3258 Mount Pleasant Street NW on Nov. 5, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event is a safe space for all affiliations, and all are encouraged to attend to learn more about the current election and the process of voting. The event is free to the public. For more information, visit dclc.org.

Revival of Pan-Africanism Forum Hosts 5th Annual Thomas Sankara Conference Festival Center on 1640 Columbia Road NW

On Nov. 5, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the Revival of Pan-Africanism forum will be hosting its 5th Annual Thomas Sankara Conference. The conference will include a discussion on Thomas Sankara’s legacy, democracy in the Global South, and Black Lives. The event will also include an all-woman panel, including: Mary-Alice Waters (Socialist Workers Party and Pathfinder Press), Heather Benno (Answer Coalition), Msia Clark (Howard University), Aline Piva (Brazilian Political Analyst & Council on Hemispheric Affairs) and possibly Amber Murrey (Clark University). The event will take place at the Festival Center on 1640 Columbia Road NW. The conference is free to the public. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.

Clinton, Md.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Hosts Community Food Drive 8745 Branch Avenue The Prince George’s County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will host a Community Food Drive on Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Clinton Walmart, 8745 Branch Avenue. Please bring non-perishable food items to donate and share with those in need. For more information, e-mail HSW@pgcacdst.org.

Homicide Count 2016 Total

80

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Past Seven Days

4

Data as of Nov. 2

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Ricardo, with Dr. McDonald, Community Hospice medical director

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opportunities for the community to visit the Fine and Performing Arts center as well as meet a need for additional arts programming in the community.”

As part of the deal, an existing staffer at the commission will support program development and management, said Kira Calm Lewis, a spokeswoman for the planning commission.

According to Lewis, a winter concert series will begin next month and winter classes will commence in January. Family activities are scheduled for the spring and summer. Chambers declined to confirm that account. “Stay tuned for announcements for joint arts programming offered at Bowie State Fine Performing Arts Center,” she said.

Meanwhile, the programming is designed to sustain itself, and pricing varies depending on the type and length of classes, Lewis said. For example, ticket prices for each of the three winter concerts are $35. Ceramic workshops are $150 for county residents, $195 for non-residents, in addition to a $35 supply fee.

D.C. Cop

Continued from D1 George’s County, is a graduate of the Prince George’s County Citizens Police Academy, a training program that educates citizens on the county’s law enforcement procedures and processes. QueenHoward also co-facilitates a police-community relations monthly program.

“Prince George’s County police normally follow proper procedures,” she told the {AFRO}. “It has been my experience that it is the people who don’t follow procedures. People should listen to officers when they give commands.”

Queen-Howard said she wasn’t at the incident but inferred that Parker “must have resisted.”

“Police officers don’t have the right to brutalize citizens,” she said. “The officers are there to protect the citizens.”

Grogan agreed with Queen-Howard on her point about police officers having rules and regulations to follow. He said Parker was in a vexing situation.

“He had a tough way to go,” Grogan said. “He should have said to the officer ‘I’m armed and I’m a cop’ earlier than when he did. Still, that is not how you police.”

The incident has caused many Black county residents to remember how terrible policecommunity relations were in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, as Blacks moved into Prince George’s – David Grogan in large numbers and began to assert themselves politically.

Grogan, who is a lifelong Prince Georgian, remembers those days.

“I hope we don’t go back to the bad days when White police officers routinely harassed and assaulted African-American residents,” he said. “There is less overt racism in the police department but it is now more covert. Police officers aren’t as blatant as they used to be, it is now institutionalized racism.”

Ronald Hampton served as a District police officer from 1970-1994 and is a consultant on police and security matters. Hampton is the former executive director of the National Black Police Association and knows what Grogan is talking about. “It is common for police officers, especially Whites, to assault Black police officers if they aren’t in uniform and they could be working as undercover agents or in plainclothes,” Hampton told the AFRO. “Many White police officers think that Black people are criminals.”

According to news reports, Parker said he hired an attorney and plans to file a formal complaint.

“This is a classic case of racial profiling.”

D4

The Afro-American, November 5, 2016 - November 11, 2016

Joyce Turner, Wanda Cartwight, Sharon Holland Gray and Johnny Davis Presentation of Flowers to Dr. Carla D. Hayden 14th Librarian of Congress

Kia Campbell, Chamisa Redmond and Melinda Briscoe

In commemoration of appointing the first Black and first female Librarian of Congress, the Daniel A.P. Murray African American Cultural Association and the Library of Congress Chapter of Blacks in Government held a reception on Oct. 25 for The 14th Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden at the Library of Congress on Capitol Hill.

Pauline T. Burton-Sudds Oreon W. Pinkston II

Ahmed Johnson, Jaelyn Hawkins, Larry R. Sarratt, Christel Klimgensmith, Michele Thornton, Dorothea Escalera, Patricia Hawkins, Mia Baker, Iris Taylor Darren Jones, Theresa Mims Davis and Shameema Rahman

Photos by Rob Roberts

Darren Jones Librian of Congress Carla Hayden and AFRO D.C. Editor LaTrina Antoine

Gloria D. Duarte’, Hattie N. Washington and Reba N. Burruss-Barnes, publicist

Pauline T. Burton-Sudds, Loretta Freeman and Juanita Lyle

Wedding party at Brunch on the Georgetown waterfront

The wedding party

Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness and Ali Gail

Ali Gail Holness being escorted down the aisle by her Uncle Ronald Errol Anderson

Bride and Groom with Mrs. Virginia Ali of Ben’s Chili Bowl

Ring bearer Noah Lucas

Ali Gail Holness and Thomas Jordan Roland were married on Oct. 2 in an elaborate wedding at the historic Metropolitan AME Church officiated by the pastor, Rev. William Lamar IV and Rev. Dr. John Foster, pastor of Big Bethel Atlanta, Ga. Ali is the daughter of D.C. activist and pastor, Rev. Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness and Allan Holness, Jr. Thomas is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Roland of Atlanta, Ga. There were more than 300 guests in attendance, including D.C. Shadow Sen. Michael Brown, Shadow Rep. Franklin Garcia, Virginia Ali, and Mary Sue Welcome among others. The couple met while students at Spelman and Morehouse Colleges. They honeymooned in London, England.

Courtesy photos The bride and some of her Spelman sisters

Grandmother of bride and cousin Michael Pinckney

Mothers of Bride and Groom, Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness and Norma Jordan Roland

The Bride and Groom stopped by the White House on their ride around Washington, D.C.