Prince Georges Afro-American Newspaper August 13 2016 by AFRO News

February 6, 2016 - February 6, 2016, The Afro-American A1 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EDITION

Volume 125 No. 2

The AFRO Initiates 125th Year Celebration

AUGUST 13, 2016 - AUGUST 19, 2016

Black Gold

Inside

Baltimore

• Baltimore Moves

Finding Success on Black YouTube: Comedy, Hair and Sex

Closer to $15 Minimum Wage

Washington

Late AFRO Sports Editor Sam Lacy Inspires Sports Achievers

AP Photo

Simone Biles performed the final floor exercise as one of the five members of the U.S. gymnastics team that won a gold medal at the Olympics in Rio. The other members of the team are Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Madison Kocian and Laurie Hernandez. See story on A3.

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The Baltimore Police Department’s “pattern of civil rights violations” has officially been uncovered and acknowledge by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). A DOJ report released Aug. 9 said that Baltimore police routinely use excessive force while unconstitutionally stopping, searching, and arresting African-Americans. In addition to racial discrimination, the report also found that “individuals

with mental health disabilities or in crisis” are being met with excessive force, and that sexual assault cases

engaging in activities protected by the U.S. Constitution. Few were baffled by the findings.

“It’s an opportunity to look forward at how we create a better environment and fairness in the equity of policing.” – Councilwoman Helen Holton are being mishandled- possibly due to gender bias. Police have also been retaliating against Baltimoreans for

“I was not overly shocked or surprised,” said Councilwoman Helen Holton (District 8), who called the

report an echo of the many “comments and concerns that citizens have expressed over the years.” “I think it’s an opportunity for us to be better than we’ve been- not to look back and lay blame,” Holton told the AFRO. “It’s an opportunity to look forward at how we create a better environment and fairness in the equity of policing.” Data collected from 2010 to 2016 was used to create the report, which categorically lists the ways police have targeted Charm City’s Black Continued on A3

AME Zion On Aug. 13 the AFRO will kick-off a series of events celebrating our 125th anniversary. Founded in 1892, the AFRO will turn 125 years-old on Aug. 13, 2017. Between now and then there will be a series of events honoring our community, supporters and our readers. As part of that celebration every week until the anniversary the AFRO will be printing stories from our archives, decade by decade, that showcase the AFRO’s legacy and contributions to the field of journalism. The first article is from 1899 and is a gripping, horrifying and all too common story of how a Black man was lynched. It is breathtaking in its details and gives the reader a sense of how life was lived back then. While only one article from that edition appears in this week’s paper we invite you to visit afro.com where the entire front page can be viewed. Sponsored By:

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Year Early

DOJ Echoes Baltimore’s Black Community; Finds Series of Civil Rights Violations in Report By Alexis Taylor Special to the AFRO

671k

• D.C. Schools Start

Only a Negro The Burning of a Poor Negro by Members of the Anglo-Saxon Race Last Sunday a Great Day of Frolic for Georgians Below we give from the telegraphic despatches an account of the roasting of a colored man by nearly three thousand white men. This event took place on last Sunday at a place called Newnan, not in Cuba or Philippine Islands but in the

Christian community commonly called the State of Georgia. It was a real hot time for those who took part. If the devil himself, that grand old rascal, the enemy of the world, had to be punished by a Georgian community, his punishment could hardly in, utter horribleness, surpass that meted out to Samuel Hose. Newnan, GA., April 23-in the presence of nearly 2,000 people, who sent aloft yells of defense and shouts of joy, Samuel Hose, a negro, was burned at the stake in a public road, one and-half miles from here, this afternoon, for the murder of Alfred Crawford and an alleged assault on his victim’s widow. Before the torch was applied to the pyre Continued on A5

This AFRO article from 1899 offered an eye-witness account of Samuel Hose being burned alive and then cut into pieces, which were sold as souvenirs, after being accused of murder in Georgia.

Moore Ready to Lead Mid-Atlantic District By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bishop W. Darin Moore is looking forward to his new assignment. He is now the leader of the denomination’s Mid-Atlantic district. At the 50th Quadrennial Session of the AME Zion Church, held at the Koury Convention Center in Continued on A3

Courtesy Photo

AME Zion Bishop W. Darin Moore will preside over the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. regions, among others.

The Afro-American, August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016

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Parole Denied Former Alabama KKK Killer of 4 Little Black Girls in 16th St. Baptist Church Bombing By The Associated Press

Alabama’s parole board decided on Aug. 3 against freeing a one-time Ku Klux Klansman convicted in a church bombing that killed four Black girls more than 50 years ago. The decision to keep Thomas Edwin Blanton Jr., 76, imprisoned was met with applause at the hearing. Relatives of three of the slain girls spoke against Blanton’s release during the hearing. “Justice is served,” Lisa McNair, sister of bombing victim Denise McNair, said afterward. (Alabama Department of Blanton is the last surviving Corrections via AP) KKK member convicted of Alabama inmate Thomas murder in the bombing of Edwin Blanton Jr., a oneBirmingham’s 16th Street Baptist time Ku Klux Klansman Church. convicted in the 1963 He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life church bombing that imprisonment in 2001 for being killed four Black girls in part of a group of Klansmen who Birmingham, Ala. was planted a dynamite bomb that denied parole on Aug. 3. exploded outside the church on Sept. 15, 1963. The blast killed 11-year-old Denise McNair and 14-year-olds Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Morris, also known as Cynthia Wesley. The girls, who were inside the church preparing for worship, died instantly in a hail of bricks and stone that seriously injured Collins’ sister, Sarah Collins Rudolph. Their deaths inside a church on a Sunday morning became a symbol worldwide of the depth of racial hatred in the segregated South. Blanton did not attend the hearing, which lasted about 30 minutes. In Alabama, inmates do not attend such hearings. No one spoke on behalf of his release. Relatives of all four victims were on hand, and the room was full of people opposing Blanton’s parole. Members of the Birmingham NAACP chapter rode to Montgomery on a bus to be there. Sarah Collins Rudolph, 65, of Birmingham, acknowledged she was nervous about testifying before the board, but added, “I had to come speak for Addie.” The board ordinarily has three members but there’s a vacancy. Only two members heard Blanton’s case, which came up for automatic review. Board member Cliff Walker said Blanton can seek another review in five years — the longest possible wait under Alabama law. The board could have allowed him to return as quickly as one year.

Doug Jones, a former U.S. attorney who prosecuted Blanton on the state charge, had previously said Blanton shouldn’t be released since he has never accepted responsibility for the bombing or expressed any remorse for a crime that was aimed at maintaining racial separation at a time when Birmingham’s public schools were facing a court order to desegregate. Long a suspect in the case, Blanton was the second of three people convicted in the bombing. Robert Chambliss, convicted in 1977, and Bobby Frank Cherry, who was convicted in the bombing in 2002, have both died in prison. Blanton and Cherry were indicted in 2000 after the FBI reopened an investigation of the bombing. Evidence against Blanton included secret recordings that were made using FBI bugs at his home and in the car of a fellow Klansman turned informant.

First Family Arrives at Martha’s Vineyard for 2-Week Break By The Associated Press

President Barack Obama’s seventh and final summer vacation at Martha’s Vineyard has begun with hopes of getting in some relaxing (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) time with the first family President Barack Obama with first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Malia before the busy fall Obama and Sasha Obama are vacationing leading up to in the Massachusetts island of Martha’s November’s Vineyard. presidential election. Obama will fill the next two weeks with leisurely rounds of golf, beach outings, bike rides and hikes with his wife and daughters, and dinner with Mrs. Obama and their friends at some of the island’s top restaurants. Congress is also on an extended summer break from Washington, something the White House has chided it for as the nation deals with the Zika virus making its way to Florida. The Obamas are staying in the town of Chilmark, located on the more remote western end of the island, but the White House did not disclose the specific home. On recent trips, they have rented a sevenbedroom, 8,100-square-foot residence featuring views of Vineyard Sound, an infinity pool and a dual tennis-basketball court.

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The Afro-American, August 13, 2016 - August 13, 2016

August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016, The Afro-American

‘Final Five’ Win One More Gymnastics Gold for Karolyi By Will Graves The Associated Press Martha Karolyi leaned forward, her hands clutching the railing in front of her seat. Knuckles white. Head tilted. Body tense. It didn’t matter that the U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics team had already sewn up the team gold by the time three-time world champion Simone Biles saluted the floor exercise judges during the final event on Aug. 9. Winning isn’t enough for Karolyi. Never has been. For 90 seconds the longtime national team coordinator leaned one way and then another, following Biles’ every move. Only after Biles’ score was posted — one that served as an exclamation point

on two hours of nearly flawless gymnastics — did the architect of a dynasty relax. Then, something else happened. Something she never saw coming. She started crying. And not just a little. “I pride normally being very tough,” Karolyi said. “I was ‘Oh, what’s happening to me? What is this?’” It’s goodbye. The 73-year-old is stepping away from the program she has spent the last 15 years turning into one of the most dominant forces at the Olympics. Her athletes — all of whom she’s nurtured from prodigies to champions — repaid her hard work with a fitting tribute of precision and tenacity.

Twenty eight times in two days they stepped up to compete. And 28 times they hit. No falls. No major wobbles. Nothing but brilliance. The U.S. posted a score of 184.897, more than eight points clear of silver medalist Russia and nearly nine more than bronze medalist China while winning its second straight Olympic title and third overall, a margin greater than the one that propelled the “Fierce Five” to victory in London four years ago. So much for the pressure of being the heavy favorite. The only real mystery surrounded what nickname the team would settle on before Biles stumbled upon it during a group text. The group — Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Madison Kocian and Laurie Hernandez — dubbed

themselves “The Final Five” as a nod to Karolyi. “It’s perfect,” Biles said. “It’s Martha’s last year. We wanted it to be meaningful.” Biles admitted there were nerves before Sunday’s preliminaries, though it hardly looked like it while the Americans posted the highest score by more than nine points. The only moment of tension on Tuesday came early. When Hernandez was introduced to the crowd, Raisman nudged her and told her to wave, which the 16-year-old did with a toothy smile. Barely five minutes later, the youngest member of Team USA was all business. Her double-twisting Yurchenko vault — basically a roundoff onto the block followed by

a pair of twists — put the machine in motion. Raisman, who won three medals in London four years ago and seemed to be on the outside looking in as recently as this spring, followed with perhaps the finest vault of her long career. When Biles drilled her Amanar and put up a 15.933 — tied for highest of the night — the U.S. was already on top of the leaderboard and everyone else was playing for second. The top spot was never in doubt. The U.S. hasn’t lost a major international competition since 2010 and there appears to be no end in sight to their run even though Karolyi and her husband Bela are selling the training facility on their Texas ranch to USA Gymnastics later this month.

DOJ Echoes Continued from A1

population; creating a picture reminiscent of the Jim Crow Era. Whether traveling by car or foot, Black Baltimoreans were stopped, searched, and arrested illegally at disproportionate rates. The report found that Baltimore police routinely “invert the constitutional notice,” by asking citizens to “justify” their presence” – instead of them saying why they have stopped the citizen. In some cases citizens were assaulted for refusing to move from their own front steps when ordered or for talking to police in a manner they deemed “disrespectful.” Others were hit with a blast from a Taser for moving when they were commanded to “stop.” According to the report, 86 percent of all crimes are charged to African-American citizens that make up 63 percent of the city’s population. Black people were “91 percent of the 1,800 people charged solely with ‘failure to obey’ or ‘trespassing’; 89 percent of the 1,350 charges for making a false statement to an officer; and 84 percent of the 6,500 people arrested for ‘disorderly conduct.’” Forty-four percent of more than 300,000 pedestrian stops were for Black Baltimoreans “in two small, predominantly AfricanAmerican districts that contain only 11 percent of the City’s population,” said the report. Hundreds of people were stopped more than 10 times during the selected time period. “Seven African-American men were stopped more than 30 times during this period.” Most telling from the data is the fact that excessively searching for criminals in

the Black community has yielded less than satisfactory results. According to the report, “BPD stopped African-American residents three times as often as White residents” even though “only 3.7 percent of pedestrian stops resulted in officers issuing a citation or making an arrest.” “Indeed, BPD officers found contraband twice as often when searching White individuals compared to African Americans during vehicle stops and 50 percent more often during pedestrian stops,” read the report. Councilman Carl Stokes (District 12) told the AFRO there is “no breaking news” in the DOJ’s findings. “My community knows about it and all of Black Baltimore knows about it,” he said. “We know that hundreds of thousands of young Black males have been arrested for no good reason. They are held and given jail time and criminal records that causes them to have difficulty in getting jobs, going to college, and in housing searches. We know that. “These subgroups of officers have brutalized people and then put the city in a position to pay these victims. We often pay two and three times for the same officers doing the same acts of brutality.” Moving forward, Stokes said he is looking for reform in how police brutality and settlements with victims are handled. “We need to stop sealing records when there is a settlement,” he said. “We should open the records and take officers to court when we have a strong case against them.” “We’re past dialogue for people whose

Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun via AP

Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, left, and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake spoke after the release of a Justice Department report that criticized officers for using excessive force and routinely discriminating against Blacks. lives have been damaged by police brutality and systematic racism. I want to see a mayor and a police commissioner with the political will to dramatically change our police department. “That means, within a month, get rid of those people that we know have been shown as ‘racist’ from their actions and mindsets. People inside the department know it, we just have to have people with the courage to do that.” The City and the DOJ will work together with the community in the coming months to agree on waves of reform that will address the violations named in the report.

“The findings are challenging to hear, but let me clear- I never sugarcoat our problems, nor will I run away from our most pressing challenges,” said Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake at a press conference. “The report identifies specific but the transparency in the report offers a crucial foundation if we are going to move forward. Transparency is the only foundation upon which we can rebuild community trust. Rawlings requested the DOJ inquiry last May and Police Commissioner Kevin Davis said the report is meant to help officers- not indict those trying to make Baltimore better.

Moore

Continued from A1

Greensboro, N.C. from July 20-July 26, Moore was elected as the presiding bishop for the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District that covers Ohio, Virginia, Baltimore, the District of Columbia, Allegheny, East Tennessee, Barbados, Guyana, and Saint Vincent Island. He was first elected bishop in 2012 as the presiding bishop for the Western District. The AME Zion Church was founded in 1796 in New York City and has more than 2 million members with churches on every continent except Australia. “I’m thankful to my colleagues for allowing me to continue in this important office,” Moore told the AFRO. “Ninety-eight other people have been elected as a bishop since the church was established and my goal is to model and engage our members in this important office.” Moore is a native of Mount Vernon, N.Y. and holds a bachelor’s degree from Purchase College and a master’s and doctorate in divinity from United Theological Seminary. He has pastored churches in Monroe, N.C., Greensboro, N.C., and in Indianapolis where he served as the presiding elder for that district. Moore and his wife Devieta Moore, the missionary supervisor of the district, have three children. It was his stewardship of the Greater Centennial AME Zion Church in Mount Vernon, however, that gained him national

recognition. During his 19-year tenure, Moore increased the number of members from a few hundred to over 6,000. “I have come to learn that healthy things grow,” he said. “My goal was to have a healthy congregation that was in tune with the community and had a healthy relationship with Christ.” Moore said he and his members would go to what he called “Centennial Parish,” the neighborhoods around the church, door-to-door to see what their needs were. “Churches normally go out in the community and tell people what it has to offer and what it needs but we didn’t do that,” he said. “It was the people who told us that they needed an after-school center for young people and a program to help African-American boys in – Rev. Vernon Shannon the Mount Vernon School District, and we created, in response, Save Our Sons.”Save Our Sons is an initiative to stop youth violence in low income Black neighborhoods. Moore served two terms on the Mount Vernon Board of Education, which gave him insight into the political system in the area. As the bishop, Moore said he will mentor and coach pastors. He said spiritual and administrative leadership “go hand in hand.” “You have to do both,” he said. “I have CEO responsibilities but I am not a CEO but I have been a pastor for 30 years. That is what I know best.” Moore wants to “reclaim the spiritual heritage of the denomination,” noting that it was known as the “freedom church” with members such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass.”In the 1880s, the church was fighting chattel slavery and now the fights are police brutality, jobs, economic empowerment, and crime,” he said. “My freedom agenda will have three components: scriptural holiness, social justice, and community transformation.” Moore understands his jurisdiction covers presidential battleground states such as Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and he wants his members to make a difference in the November 8 general election. “We will launch voter registration and voter education drives,” he said. “The presidential election will be decided among those three states.” “Bishop Moore is a dynamic person,” the Rev. Vernon Shannon, pastor at John Wesley AME Zion Church in the

“Bishop Moore is a dynamic person.”

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District told the AFRO. “I knew him when he was a boy growing up in Mount Vernon and I know of his great work at Greater Centennial.” Moore visited the national church of Zion Methodism on July 31. Moore is a “blessing to the Washington area,” Shannon said. He also said he wants to introduce Moore to the District’s mayor as well as make a stop at the White House to potentially meet President Obama.

The Afro-American, August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016

COMMENTARY

The Plight of the Washingtonian East of the Anacostia

It may not be scripture but it sure is true: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” People clearly haven’t enough on their minds to keep them busy when they are shooting and killing like it’s the Wild West. There used to be a time when these kinds of things took place primarily in the middle of the night in certain types of places and usually within groups of people who limited the violence to each other (not saying it is any better). Nowadays they’re out in broad daylight in busy areas while residents are walking to and from school and work and going about their business. Why are these people not somewhere doing something productive in the middle of the day? We’ve got much work to do to get our people to see the value of a human life. People have become so callous that they don’t have any concern for those they intend to shoot/kill or those who live and work nearby who may be collateral damage. Somehow D.C. is starting to feel like it did in the 80’s when it earned the moniker “Murder capital” of the nation. It’s deplorable that in the shadows of glorious National Monuments and the seat of the government of one of the most powerful nations in the free world and amid rampant gentrification that people are so underserved, disenfranchised and disconnected from the American Dream, services and the resources people right across the river benefit from daily. We run all over the globe acting as “Team America: World Police” serving up democracy and a slice of the American pie to people who may or may not want or need our help. We continually deploy immeasurable resources (human and monetary) all over the world to ensure civility is enacted in the parts of the world that serve our interests and house desirable resources yet we leave citizens in our own backyard to fend for themselves. We leave women to be murdered while walking into their homes with hands full of groceries and children to be gunned down in the streets like animals. The local authorities do little to make life better or safer and the Federal Government sits right across the river and does nothing to intervene (outside of determining how the city’s money is spent). Let some unrest like this happen in a place where the skin is fairer and the money is greener and longer and where natural resources abound, and they’d be rushing in like gangbusters organizing and bringing order and ensuring ample resources were provided to address the issues and serve the people. We have got to demand more from each other, from our city officials and from our national officials. No longer can we sit idly by ignoring things that don’t directly affect us and pretending it’s someone else’s problem. It’s everyone’s problem. Let’s do our part to help the

Racquelle Proctor

young and old alike value themselves and others and create a climate of economic growth and financial solvency and eradicate the looming despair and generational poverty that exists east of the Anacostia River. Racquelle Proctor is a third-generation native Washingtonian who loves her hometown and its residents.

The MTA’s Transformative Transit Plan for Baltimore In July, Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn announced the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) received the green light to advance the $27 million North Avenue Rising project to revitalize a five-mile stretch of North Avenue in Baltimore City – a key transit corridor in Governor Larry Hogan’s BaltimoreLink transit plan. Governor Hogan unveiled Paul Comfort BaltimoreLink in October 2015, by announcing $135 million in targeted investments to transform and improve transit throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (U.S. DOT) $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant provides the final piece needed to move North Avenue Rising forward. The MTA and the

Baltimore City Department of Transportation will administer the project that is jointly funded with $14.7 million from MDOT, $1 million from Baltimore City, and $1.6 million from U.S. DOT’s Federal Highway Administration. The TIGER grant will include funding for dedicated bus lanes, traffic signal prioritization, new bike lanes, upgrades to MTA’s Penn Station Metro Subway and Light Rail stations, targeted improvements at major bus stops, improved sidewalks, streetscaping, and needed roadway re-pavement along the corridor. North Avenue Rising will also strengthen and improve transit connections to important institutions, such as Coppin State University and Maryland Institute College of Art, as well as employment centers along the corridor and the growing Station North Arts and Entertainment District. North Avenue is traversed by Baltimore’s second busiest bus line–carrying nearly 4 million passengers annually–and is one of the few roadways that connect the MTA’s Metro Subway and Light Rail transit systems. A part of BaltimoreLink, North Avenue Rising is a major step to creating an integrated, efficient transportation network that connects people to life’s opportunities. BaltimoreLink

includes redesigning the entire local and express bus systems throughout Baltimore, and adding 12 new high-frequency, color-coded bus routes that improve connections to jobs and to other transit modes. Three new Express BusLink routes were rolled out this summer with the launch of CityLink colorcoded bus routes, and the completely redesigned LocalLink bus network will occur in June 2017. Thanks to Governor Hogan and Senator Barbara Mikulski for championing MDOT’s application for federal funds for North Avenue Rising. You can expect North Avenue Rising to get underway in the fall of 2017. In the meantime, please be part of our efforts to improve transit in Baltimore by participating in MTA’s public outreach meetings taking place now through September. You are urged to comment on recent revisions to our BaltimoreLink transit plan made thanks to public input. Visit our website at baltimorelink.com, where you can review the new version of the plan, share your comments, or find a meeting near you and come tell us what you think. We look forward to hearing from you as we work together to improve transit in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. Paul Comfort is the MTA administrator and CEO.

Even Funerals Are Not Family Reunions Anymore Most of the relatives on my mother’s side migrated from Tuscaloosa, Ala. to Johnson City, Tenn., where my oldest aunt, Julia Mae Cousin, established roots after she was married. Growing up, I divided my summers between Johnson City and Reform, Ala., where my father’s relatives are anchored. Because I spent so much time with my cousins, we have always enjoyed a George E. Curry strong bond, stronger than some brothers and sisters. And because we were closer in age, I spent most of the early years roaming the streets of Johnson City with Aunt Julia Mae’s kids – Hattie, D.D., Charles and Little Buddy. My cousin, Bertha Mae, was almost a decade older and she was more like an aunt than a cousin. With her strong personality and huge heart, Aunt Julia urged her siblings to move to this small, east Tennessee town, near the Virginia-Tennessee border. Over the years, a parade of uncles and aunts acquiesced: Uncle Frank, Uncle Buddy, Uncle Percy, Uncle Padna (Jesse) and Aunt Kat. Mama (Martha L. Brownlee) and Big Mama (Sylvia Harris) were the holdouts, preferring to stay in Tuscaloosa but making frequent trips to Johnson City. No one loved going to Johnson City more than I did. By day, I lived at the Carver Rec Center with D.D., Charles and Little Buddy and at night, Hattie would take me to one of the

Black clubs. There was a rough one up on Wilson Avenue, but we knew to stay away from there unless Hattie and I had been dispatched by Aunt Julia Mae to look for Uncle Frank. For the younger members of the family, nothing was more popular than our family reunions that featured us cracking jokes on one another. Aunt Julia warned us each year not to showcase our comical side, which was considerable, and this was the one time we brazenly disobeyed. Everyone had a story about Uncle Percy, who perfected lying to an art form. Uncle Buddy, a Navy veteran who introduced me to world travel, was easy-going and fun. But he should have known better than to wear red socks to the reunion one year. As expected, we lit into him, accusing him of everything from having been cut on the ankles to working for the Red Cross. The next year, the first thing Uncle Buddy did was raise the legs of his pants to show us he was wearing black socks. When he was only 4 or 5 years old, Hattie’s son Robbie surprised everyone by going to the front of the room and cracking on his mother. Hattie gave Robbie a look that only Hattie can give, but it was too late – Robbie had brought the house down. His brother, Phill, was accused of bringing a renta-date to one reunion. Through those family reunions and hot summers, I grew closer to my younger cousins: Lynn, Phill, Robbie, Charlene, Audrey, Albert, Regina, Greg, the twins (Ronald and Randall), and “Suzie Q” (Katherine Madison). I had already been close to Uncle Frank’s children, especially the older ones – LuLu, Dosha, Doris, Carolyn, Alberta, Knuck and Herman – because he held out a long time before moving from Tuscaloosa to Johnson City. Over the years, the family elders died – Big Mama, Aunt Kat, Uncle Frank, Uncle Percy, Uncle Padna and, most

recently, Aunt Julia Mae, who took over as head of the family upon the death of Big Mama. With each passing, the reunions became fewer and fewer, to the point that we don’t hold them anymore. In recent years, I have said family funerals have become our family reunions. I told it as a joke, but it was the painful truth. At my cousin Charlene’s funeral last week, family relations had deteriorated to the point where it was obvious that funerals can no longer be used as family reunions. For a variety reasons, some relatives refuse to speak to others. I remain on speaking terms with all of my cousins and have made it clear that whatever dispute they have with one another will not alter my relationship with any relative. I have made appeals for a truce, but my cousins are strong-willed and nothing I or anyone else can say will get them to move off of dead center. My cousin Lynn said it would be like this when Aunt Julia Mae passed, but I did not want to believe it. Now, I have no choice but to accept that reality. Uncle Buddy and Mama are the only two children of Big Mama still living. And sadly, this next generation of relatives are nowhere near as close as I was to my cousins growing up. Neither Big Mama nor Aunt Julia Mae would be pleased that our once close-knit family is in shambles. But as long as I have breath in me, I am going to try to get my family back together. I know it’s a very long shot, but I owe that to Big Mama and Aunt Julia Mae to keep trying. George E. Curry is President and CEO of George Curry Media. He is the former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA). For more information go to georgecurry.com.

August August13, 13, 2016 2016 --August August 13, 19, 2016, 2016, The The Afro-American

A3 A5

Black and Hispanic Journalists Convention

Clinton Commits to Aiding Minority Communities 66 percent,” Clinton said. “President Obama doesn’t get the credit for leading us out of the Great Recession. His leadership saved us from another Great Depression.” Clinton, who served as a U.S. senator from New York from 2001-2009, said when she becomes president “there will be a new comprehensive commitment to Black and Latino communities.”

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com Former Secretary of State and Democratic Party presidential nominee Hillary R. Clinton was the highlight of the 2016 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) 45th Annual Convention which took place on? in Washington, D.C. Clinton spoke to about 4,000 professionals of color at the joint convention held at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. In her address, Clinton noted the work of pioneering media professionals such as the late Ethel Payne, the first Black women commentator for a national network (CBS); Ruben Salazar, the first Mexican-American to work for the Los Angeles Times; and Bob Maynard, the first Black to own a large daily newspaper, the Oakland Tribune, and said creating opportunities is a hallmark of her campaign. “As president, I will expand economic opportunities for African Americans and Latinos,” she said. Clinton joins a list of political and governmental officials who have addressed the Black association, including U.S. Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, as well as John Kerry, Condoleezza Rice, and Colin Powell, who are serving or have served as U.S. secretaries of state. NABJ President Sarah Glover told the gathering that

“It was very relevant what she said to us.” AFRO File Photo

Hillary Clinton spoke at the convention for journalists of color in Washington, D.C. More photos are on D4. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was extended an invitation to speak but declined. Clinton’s speech was the key event at the joint conference that featured workshops on career development, a job fair, the latest technology in regards to news gathering and reporting, honoring outstanding media professionals, as well as other social events. During her speech, Clinton talked about the Great Recession and complimented Obama for his role in turning the country around. “During the Great Recession, Black wealth was cut in half and Latino wealth was cut by

Only A Negro Continued from A1

the negro was deprived of his ears, finger, and other portions of his anatomy. The negro pleaded for his life while the mutilation was going on, but stood the ordeal of fire with fortitude. The body was cut into pieces before it was cool. The bones were crushed into small bits and even the tree upon which the negro met his fate was torn into pieces and disposed of as souvenirs. The negro’s heart was cut into several pieces, as was also his liver. Those unable to obtain the ghastly relics direct, paid their more fortunate possessors extravagant sums for them. The small pieces of bone went for 25 cents and a bit of liver crisply burned sold for 10 cents. Hardly had he been deprived of his organs of hearing than his fingers, one by one, were cut from his hand and passes among

hold me accountable as president,” she said. During the question-and-answer period, Clinton responded to issues such as her use of emails as secretary of state, her trustworthiness, the appeal of Trump and her relationship with Black friends. In closing the session, Clinton said people of color are an important part of her political life. “I hope people take this election seriously because I take you seriously,” she said. Neil Cummings, who came to the convention with his wife, told the AFRO that he took Clinton’s – Neil Cummings speech seriously. “It was very relevant what she said to us,” “In the first 100 days of my presidency, Cummings, who is from New York City, said. I will pass the biggest investment in jobs in “Her speech reinforces the things that we as our country’s history,” she said. “I will also Black people are looking for in a president. invest in rebuilding our infrastructure and I She is thinking about us.” support the plan by Congressman Jim Clyburn Kelvin Childs, who works in the that 10 percent of government investment to communications field, told the AFRO he liked that Clinton provided details. “That has been communities where 20 percent or more of the population had lived below the poverty line for lacking in the campaign of her opponent,” he said. the last 30 years.” There were murmurs in the audience that Clinton also pledged to help Black and some of the questions that Clinton answered Latino entrepreneurs access capital, to work were frivolous, such as the one about her to “Ban the Box” that would not allow Black friends. Childs wouldn’t comment on an employer to inquire about a potential the weight of the questions but said that the employees’ criminal history at the application candidate was speaking to two audiences. stage, to institute a $5 billion program to help “She was talking to us and she was talking to returning citizens get good paying jobs, and to a national audience,” he said. “People have to support comprehensive immigration reform. Clinton said she wants people of color to be listen and evaluate what was said and make up engaged in the political process. “I want you to their own minds.”

the members of the yelling crowd. The shrieking negro was quickly deprived of other portions of his anatomy and the words “come on with the oil” brought a huge can of coal oil to the foot of the tree tree where the negro, his body covered in blood from head to foot, was striving and tugging at the enveloping chains. The oil can was lifted over the negro’s head by three or four men and its contents poured over him. By this time a good supply of brush, pieces of fencerail and other firewood had been placed about the negro’s feet. This pyre was thoroughly saturated with oil and a match applied and a match applied.A flame shot upward and spread quickly over one pile of wood. As it licked the negro’s legs he shrieked once and began tugging at his chains. When the flames crept

higher and the smoke entered his eyes and mouth Hose put the stumpe of his hands to the tree back of him and with a terrific plunge forward of his body severed the upper portion of the chains bound him to the tree. His body, held to the tree only as far as the thighs, lunged forward, thus escaping the flames which roared and crackled about his feet One of the men nearest the burning negro quickly ran up, pushed him back, said: “Get back into the fire there,” and quickly coupled the disjointed links of the chain Ghastly Souvenirs of Burning The road for a distance of half a mile on each side of the burning negro was black with conveyances and impassable. The crowd surrounded the surrounded all sides, but none of those further than 100 feet from the centre were able to see what was going on. Yell after yell went up and the progress of the flames was communicated to those in

the rear by shouts from the witnesses. The torch was applied about half past 2 in the afternoon and at 3 o’clock the body of Hose was limp and lifeless, his hand hanging to one side. The body was

not cut down. It was cut to pieces. Members of the crowd fought for places about the smoldering tree, and with knives secured such pieces of the half-charred body as did not fall to fragments. The chain was severed with

hammers, the tree chopped down and sections of it, with such pieces of the firewood as had not burned, was carried away as souvenirs. Thus the mob dispersed Transcribed by Amina Georgie

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August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016, The Afro-American

BALTIMORE-AREA

Race and Politics

Was there a Rush to Kill Korryn Gaines?

Baltimore Moves Closer to $15 Minimum Wage

We don’t really know what happened in the final fateful moments before the Sean Yoes killing of 23-yearSenior AFRO Contributor old Korryn Gaines, a young mother of two, who was gunned down by police in front of her fiveyear old son, Kodi, in her Randallstown apartment in Baltimore County on August 1. All we really know is what Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson has told us. Johnson says police showed, “extreme patience,” before they fired first on Gaines after an hours long standoff (initially police were at Gaines’ home to serve a failure to appear warrant for traffic violations, and other

“…although Baltimore County Police recently implemented a body camera program, none of the officers…were equipped with body cameras.” charges). The reason we have to rely solely on what Johnson tells us, is because although Baltimore County Police recently implemented a body camera program, none of the officers on the scene of the Gaines’ shooting were equipped with body cameras. And although the encounter with police lasted hours, there seemed to be no urgency to dispatch an officer with a body camera (or any other kind of camera) to the scene to document what happened. Additionally, Continued on B2

Courtesy Photo

Kareem Courtney is facing nine charges after police found drugs at the apartment he and Gaines shared. By Michelle Richardson Special to the AFRO

Photo by Deborah Bailey

Deaira Perry (age 5) supports her mother, Terena, Perry at the Fight For $15 coalition rally at City Hall before the City Council minimum wage vote. By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO Baltimore City Council is slowly moving toward final passage of a bill that would increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020. But Council members and supporters still have one more river to cross before the final approval. City Council members gave the bill preliminary passage on Aug. 10 after rejecting an amendment offered by City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young to adjust the minimum wage increase to $11.50 by 2020. Young has been vocal opponent to the $15 an hour minimum wage on the grounds that the city cannot afford the increase. Seven city council members voted to pass the bill, four voted against it, and three abstained. District One Council member James B. Craft, who expressed opposition to the bill, was absent from Monday evening’s council meeting. A final vote will be held on Aug. 15. “This is a positive step forward in raising the wage for workers in Baltimore City,” Ricarra Jones, chair of the Fight for $15 coalition, told the AFRO. “It is gratifying that City Council members took a principled stand and set a high standard for increasing wages in Baltimore.” Jones led a coalition of about 50 representatives from labor unions, community based and faith-based organizations in a rally to support the 15$ an hour minimum wage bill before Monday’s council meeting.

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, primary sponsor of the legislation, will need to secure one additional vote in favor of the bill between now and next Monday. “You can get so far and then you still have to figure out how to get to the next place,” said Clarke. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has gone on record in support of the bill, saying she will sign it if it passes the Council next week. “It’s not going to be easy, but it’s the right thing to do for Baltimore,” said District two Councilman Brandon M. Scott after voting for preliminary passage of the bill at Monday’s Council meeting. “Baltimore for once will not be a follower but a leader in moving something positive forward”, Scott said. Grass roots supporters of the $15 an hour wage bill are gearing up to convince selected council members to support final passage of the bill next week. ”We are turning out grassroots efforts targeting those who abstained Monday night, especially Carl Stokes and Pete Welch,” said Charly Carter, Director of Maryland Working Families. “They both are long term public servants who serve some of the most devastated districts in the city”, Carter said. “We are certain that the legacy they will want to leave will be one to help people earn a living wage in their districts,” she said. Both Stokes and Welch are leaving the City Council when their terms expire at the end of 2016. Stokes is concerned that employers will hire residents from Continued on B2

Baltimore’s Dream Girls Mentors Pregnant Teenage Mothers By Jessica Dortch Special to the AFRO While the State of Maryland’s teen pregnancy rate has been on a continuous decline, according to The

Boyfriend of Korryn Gaines Facing Drug Charges

National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, it is still one of the highest teen pregnancy states, averaging 55 pregnancies per 1,000 teenage girls, as of 2011.

Dream Girls Mentoring Program held a baby shower for pregnant mothers earlier this year.

When one of Tamira Dunn’s friends got pregnant it galvanized her into action. “I had a personal friend of mine at that time who was 17, and she was pregnant for the second time. Her first

Courtesy Photo

child was two, and I was her godmother. I had the responsibility of caring for her [the child] because her mother was so young and pregnant again…I saw that there was a need in the community that wasn’t being addressed.” In 2008, Tamira Dunn founded the Dream Girls Mentoring Program, dedicated to providing services and support to teenage mothers in Baltimore City. “There is a lot of services for young girls to prevent pregnancy, but once they get pregnant there is nothing to support or help them continue to transition from being a teenager into

adulthood, and having services available [for them].” Through a grant from the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle, combined with the helpful hand of the program’s vice president, Terry Cornish, Continued on B2

Past Seven Days

Kareem Courtney 39, the boyfriend of Korryn Gaines, the woman who was fatally shot by police last week, is facing nine charges after police found roughly 26.7 grams of heroin at the apartment he and Gaines shared. Baltimore County Police executed a search of the Randallstown apartment in the complex of Carriage Hill after a 7-hour standoff that left Gaines, 23 dead and her 5-year-old wounded. Gaines was armed with a shotgun when she threatened to kill police after they came to the home to serve she and Courtney arrest warrants. Courtney escaped through the backdoor with a smaller child, while Gaines remained in the home with her son. Gaines was being served a failure to appear warrant for a traffic violation, while Courtney’s arrest warrant was for seconddegree assault-against Gaines. When the apartment was being searched after the standoff, police found three bags containing 75 capsules of a white substance which, after forensic testing, was determined to be heroin. Investigators also found the Mossberg Pistol Grip shotgun used by Gaines and several shotgun casings. Courtney’s nine charges include possession of a narcotic with intent to distribute; possession of a Schedule I narcotic; maintenance of a common nuisance; possession of paraphernalia; and five firearms charges. According to police, Courtney was not allowed to own or have access to firearms because of his previous record. Courtney was convicted of attempted murder in 1996 and sentenced to 8 years according to Maryland Case Search. Other previous convictions include drug distribution and firearms violations. Courtney remains held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

180 2016 Total

Data as of Aug. 3

The Afro-American, August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016

Race and Politics Continued from B1

Gaines posted several videos of her ongoing confrontation with law enforcement on August 1 via Facebook and Instagram. However, police asked Facebook (which also owns Instagram) to deactivate both of her accounts. It seems County Police exercised extreme diligence in attempting to make sure the only narrative that emerged from this tragic encounter was the one controlled by Johnson. But, “extreme patience?” When armed anti-government militants (if they had been Muslim and/or Black I guess they would have been terrorists) took over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon in early Jan. law enforcement and government officials didn’t engage them directly for days. The occupation ultimately ended 40 days later and one man was killed when he allegedly reached for his gun, while 27 others were taken alive. Now, I would call that, “extreme patience.” But, back to Baltimore County. County police engaged in another infamous standoff in March of 2000, which lasted for days, not hours. After Joseph

Palczynski engaged in a murderous shooting spree in the Baltimore suburbs, which left four people dead (including a pregnant mother of a two-year old boy) he took the family of his estranged girlfriend hostage in their Dundalk home. After a 97 hour (!) standoff with Baltimore County police (Palczynski actually shot at police on several occasions during the siege), two of the three hostages escaped after drugging the gunman and that’s when law enforcement finally entered the home while Palczynski slept and killed him. Joseph Palczynski killed four people in a span of about 48 hours, held a family hostage while he shot at police, and law enforcement waited almost 100 hours before they finally entered the home where he was holed up as he slept and killed him. Yet, Korryn Gaines dies in less than six hours after police attempted to serve her a warrant for a traffic violation. During the August 3 episode of “First Edition,” Neill Franklin, executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), and a 33 year veteran of Maryland State Police and Baltimore City Police, discussed the dubious tactics of Baltimore

County Police in the August 1 incident that ended in Gaines’ death. “Now this is what SWAT, the tactical team is all about. This is what they do, evacuate the premise, isolate and then control and then negotiate and once you get to that point...time is on your side,” said Franklin, who was in charge of training during his stint with BCPD. “If it takes six hours, if it takes 12 hours. You know what? If people are inconvenienced for a couple of days, this is a life we’re talking about and also her five-year-old son,” Franklin added. Ultimately, time was not on Korryn Gaines side in her deadly encounter with law enforcement and despite what County Chief Johnson argues, it seems clear she actually was not afforded the same level of, “extreme patience,” others have received during other perilous standoffs. Of the myriad questions swirling around Gaines’ death, perhaps the most pressing is why didn’t law enforcement give her more time? Sean Yoes is a senior contributor for the AFRO and host and executive producer of First Edition, which airs Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on WEAA 88.9.

Minimum Wage

Dream Girls

neighboring counties before selecting Baltimoreans if the city offers a $15 minimum wage without a corresponding regional hourly wage increase. “It’s going to turn into a very competitive situation. We’ll be four or five dollars higher than anyone else in the state,” Stokes told the AFRO. “It’s only natural that people will come into Baltimore city to get those jobs. Employers are more likely than not to accept them, rather than taking a chance on a Baltimore resident”, said Stokes. Councilwoman Helen Holton, who also abstained from voting, believes that Blackowned businesses operating close to or above $500,000 in revenue would be forced to cap growth or move out of the city. “In theory, it’s a wonderful idea. I am concerned about minority small business and I know this will hurt these small businesses if Baltimore City does this alone,” Holton said. “In the economic fragility of Baltimore, it would not be prudent,” Holton said to the Council. Holton will retire from City Council this year. The minimum wage bill slated for final approval by City next week includes – Carl Stokes Council exemptions for businesses with less than $500,000 in gross annual receipts or with fewer than 25 employees. Baltimore’s YouthWorks program and the Baltimore Zoo would also be exempt from the wage requirement. The minimum wage rate will adjust upward to $9.50 an hour by July 2017 and increase by an additional dollar each year until 2021. The minimum wage will finally move to $15 an hour in 2022. Cost of living adjustments will be included annually. Tipped workers will receive a pay increase from the present rate of $3.65, however the legislation does not include a guaranteed cost of living increase for this group of workers.

the Dream Girls Mentoring Program is able to hold bi-weekly workshops that focus on topics from self-esteem to etiquette and job readiness. Along with a new location, the program has also expanded to include college tours, annual retreats, and one-on-one mentoring. The program is geared toward teens and emerging adults ages 12-20. With a Bachelor’s of Science degree in psychology, and a Master’s of Science degree in human administration, Dunn recognized the importance of teens obtaining their high school diploma as a launching point for their future endeavors. “…The young ladies, the ones that do go through the program, graduate high school. There are so many barriers that prevent them from graduating high school, but that is just like the all-time success story there.” As far as the future goes for the Dream Girls

Continued from B1

“It’s going to turn into a very competitive situation.”

Continued from B1

Mentoring Program, Dunn says she wants the business to run like any typical organization. “…I think that my mission overall is to help support people where they are, to help them prosper into something bigger, and to help them see the reality of their dreams, and be able to make their dreams become a reality.” The goal is to be accessible to the public whereas a young mother can walk in at any time seeking help, and knowing that they can come directly to the program for their needs. Jasmine Jenkins, a 22-year-old mentee, “The Dream – Tamira Dunn said, team has taken me to sign up for college, helped me get my first job, and they are still leading me in the right direction to not only have a job but a career. When I need someone to talk to or vent to in my time of need my mentor is who I go to. I’m very thankful to be a part of Dream Girls.” For more information, call (443) 497-1101 or email contactus@dreamgirlsmentoring.org

“…I think that my mission overall is to help support people where they are, to help them prosper into something bigger…”

investing in Jevaugh Anderson and Kayla Washington shoot video during their Johns Hopkins internship.

Good neighbors create meaningful job opportunities for young people. This year, Johns Hopkins is hiring more than 300 city residents ages 15 to 21 through our Summer Jobs Program, a partnership with Baltimore City’s YouthWorks and Hire One Youth programs. Paid internships across the university and health system will provide up to eight weeks of hands-on learning along multiple career paths. Giving these young adults a feel for the working world in their own backyard is important to us because when Baltimore thrives, we all do.

Johns Hopkins. Investing in our community.

August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016, The Afro-American

â&#x20AC;&#x153;And when the storm comes, and the mighty wind shakes the forest, and thunder and lightning proclaim the majesty of the sky, then let your heart say in awe, â&#x20AC;&#x153;God moves in passion.â&#x20AC;? And since you are a breath in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sphere, and a leaf in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forest, you too should rest in reason and move in passion.â&#x20AC;?Kahlil Gibran Carla Thomasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gee Whizâ&#x20AC;? itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas should be renamed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gee Whizâ&#x20AC;? whereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer? Am I the only one who thinks summer is the shortest of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Four Seasonsâ&#x20AC;?? Just when we get used to the dog days of August, poof! â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just like Magicâ&#x20AC;? itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over and we are tasting â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Last of the Summer Wines.â&#x20AC;? So enjoy the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Days of Wine and Roses.â&#x20AC;? Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake was on the move in Philadelphia from banging the gavel to start the Democratic National Convention, recording the delegates votes at the roll call of the states and being seated on stage during the DNC, our Mayor was visible and looking every bit presidential 2024. The excitement generated during the convention was tremendous. The people were inside and outside the Wells Fargo Center witnessing a day in history when the first AfricanAmerican president of the United States endorses the first woman nominee of a major partyfor

President of the United States. I had goose bumps as I realized the enormity of what was taking place in the City of Brotherly Love. Our first stop was the Maryland Delegation luncheon at the historic Wanamaker Building with more than 1,400 Marylanders in attendance. Always great seeing our favorite politician Kweisi Mfume at his tenth Democratic Party convention (clearly he started as a teenager), Karenthia Barber, Speaker Pro Tem Adrienne Jones, Glen Middleton, Councilwoman Sharon Green Middleton, Delegate Cheryl Glenn, Joyce Smith, Delegate Antonio Hayes, Delegate Ben and Teresa Brooks, Senator Barbara Mikulski, State Senator Cathy Pugh, Yolanda Winkler, Black Girls Vote and County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, who hosted a wonderful after party. Later that evening we attended the DNC where President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden gave the keynote address to the overflow crowd mesmerized by these amazing leaders of our country. Special shout out to Terrell Boston, Delegate Antonio Hayes and Anthony Jones for navigating our activities in Philadelphia and the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center. Terrell showed us how to use the ride hailing app Uber for the first time, which was the

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only mode of travel to the Wells Fargo Center other than the hotel shuttle buses. Friends of Distinction members, Vivian Braxton, Nancy Brister, Pete France, Shawn Braxton and me will host a book signing at Colinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seafood and Grill Restaurant for former Police Commissioner Leonard Hammâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hamm Rulesâ&#x20AC;? and Hattie Fieldsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; book â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tacoâ&#x20AC;? on August 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Be prepared to enjoy a delightful evening as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tacoâ&#x20AC;? meets â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hammâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rules.â&#x20AC;? What happens in Vegasâ&#x20AC;Ś Congratulations to Omega Psi Phi Pi Omega Chapter, recipients of the International Large Chapter award in Las Vegas. Congratulations to Dwight Taylor celebrating 50 years as an Omega man in Las Vegas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.â&#x20AC;? Friends are gathering to say good-bye to former states attorney Patricia Jessamy and her husband Howard, as they transplant their deep roots in Baltimore and head south. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I bless the day I found you, I want to stay around you and so I beg you, let it be meâ&#x20AC;?-Jerry Butler â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t It Funny How Time Slips Away.â&#x20AC;? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to believe that my awesome daughter, Lisa Lee, has been married to my amazing son-in-law Gregory for twenty-four years. Wishing a happy anniversary to Ret. Lt. Colonel & Mrs Packer. I thank God daily because â&#x20AC;&#x153;You Bring Me Joy.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;She Must Be a Special Lady.â&#x20AC;? Kudos to Kelly Carter

on making a difference in the Randallstown community. Kelly chaired President Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cancer Moonshot Summit initiative spearheaded by VP Joe Biden at the March Tribute Center. Guests in attendance were Delegate Ben Brooks, Councilman Julian Jones, Delegate Adrienne Jones, Cecil Fox Tony Randall, George Williams, Erich March, and Teresa Brooks. Jeri Lacks Whye, niece of the immortal Henrietta Lacks and Don Graves, Deputy Assistant to President Obama and Counselor to VP Biden, were among the 100 plus people in attendance. Colinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant catered the Summit. Kelly, a mover and shaker in Baltimore County, also spearheads the Friday evening summer jazz sessions at Kings Park Square. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No complaints and no regrets, I still believe in chasing dreams and placing bets for I have learned that all you give is all you get so give it all youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got. I had my share, I drank my fill and even though Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m satisfied, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m hungry still. To see whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s down another road beyond the hill and do it all again. So, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to life, and all the joy it brings. Yes, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to life, dreamers, and their dreams.â&#x20AC;?-Shirley Horne Happy birthday to my nephew Kevin Johnson, Frank Hocker, Janet Johnson, Carole Miles, Stephanie Farmer, Gary Brooks, Dell Perry, Rita Cooper, Debbie Alexis Parker, Tanya Pajardo, twins Robin and Russell Neverdon, Louise Green, Faith Thomas, Janice Fox Carney, Helen McDonald, happy 1st birthday Randolph â&#x20AC;&#x153;RJâ&#x20AC;? Gardner Jr. and to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dance Machineâ&#x20AC;? twins, Doris Mooney and Vivian Kee celebrating their 92nd

birthday. The National Urban League was a success under the leadership and vision of J. Howard Henderson. Baltimore transformed into a Lady of Beauty displaying her jewels as she welcomed more than 10,000 guests to visit all of Baltimore from Harbor East to Sandtown and the inner Harbor for the National Urban League Convention. The opening reception at the Frederick

Douglass/Isaacs Myers museum featuring Baltimoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dru Hill, the delicious crab cakes prepared by Jimmy Britton of Class Act and the honoring of Raymond V. Haysbert were the perfect ingredients for a splendid night. The July breeze drifting off the water helped to create â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some Enchanted Eveningâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be seeing you.â&#x20AC;? -Valerie and The Friday Night Bunch

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FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PASS (ADMITS 2) TO THE ADVANCE SCREENING, VISIT LIONSGATESCREENINGS.COM/MRABALT AND ENTER THE CODE: MRABALT This film is rated R for violence throughout and language. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Supplies are limited. One pass per winner. Each pass admits two. Seating is not guaranteed and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Employees of all promotional partners and The Afro American are not eligible. All decisions are final.

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The Afro-American, August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016

Andrew Plepler, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Marc H. Morial, J.Howard Henderson, Gary Douglass and John Ridgeway

President and CEO, Marc H. Morial, National Urban League, Keynote Speaker

The National Urban League held their annual convention at the Baltimore Convention Center Aug. 3-6. Formed in 1910, the theme for this year’s convention was “Save Our Cities.” Members from 37 different chapters came to Baltimore for the four day convention. President and CEO Marc H. Morial gave the State Of The Urban League message at New Shiloh Baptist Church. The convention included workshops, plenary sessions, career seminars and health care screenings. The Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Senator Tim Kaine (Va.) and the Rev. Al Sharpton addressed the convention. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and Wade Henderson, civil rights activist, received Living Legend Awards. Music industry heavyweight Kevin Liles received the President’s Award. Gale V. King received the Collins Distinguished Trustee Award.

Living Legend Awardee Hon. Elijah Cummings

Cameron E. Miles

Democratic Vice President nominee Senator Tim Kaine speaks to the NUL

Larry Gibson

Shannon LaNier and Gale V. King

The ribbon cutting for the NUL Expo

Author and former president of Bennett College, Dr. Julianne Malveaux Author D. Watkins

Jo Ann Evans and Stacia Mobley Angela Winbush performs

Vendors Vanessa and Cleveland Smith

Michael F. Neidorff, chairman NUL

Rapper M C Lyte Awardee Kevin Liles and Nykidra Robinson Paula Stephens and Ernestine Shepherd

Lillie and Charles Hyman enjoying the NUL Expo

The Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN) held a fundraiser on April 9 at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore. There was a tribute to honor Jerry Turner, a former WJZ TV news anchor, who died from the illness in 1987. Turners’ two sons and other family members were in attendance. Denise Koch (WJZ TV) was the Honorary Chair of the event. Mindy Mintz Mordecai is the ECAN President and CEO and actor and motivational speaker David DeBoy was the M.C.

Photos by Anderson R. Ward

WJZ TV Ch. 13 Ron Matz, Game Show Host David DeBoy and MPTV Charles F. Robinson III Jerry Turner, former WJZ news anchor

The winning MPT TV Team: Maggie Linton, Charles F. Robinson III and John Davis (Motorweek) Larry Collins and Patrice Sanders, Fox 45 TV

WJZ TV Team: Marty Bass, Denise Koch and Ron Matz

ABC2 TV Team Denise Koch WJZ TV and Donna Hamilton WBAL TV

Robert Blount, Natalie Frazier, Kelly Swoope (ABC2 TV), Valerie Fraling and Eunice Jenifer Robinson Patrice Sanders (Fox 45 TV) and Monte Sanders

Veronica Santos (Comcast) and Merlenda Harris

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

Jamie Costello, ABC2 TV and Charles F. Robinson III, MPT TV

August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016, The Afro-American

ARTS & CULTURE

Finding Success on Black YouTube: Comedy, Hair and Sex By Jerica Deck Special to the AFRO Six college students cracking jokes and making beats turned into an internet phenomenon with over 900,000 subscribers and videos with over 3,000,00 views. The group of Atlanta comedians, known as Dormtainment, consists of Amanuel Richards, Jerome “Rome” Green, Mike Anthony, Daunte “Tay” Dier, Chaz Miller and his brother Cameron Miller. After viral videos like “Ass on the Internet” and one of the first Black Harlem shake videos, they soon expanded their talent past laptop screens. Both Dier and Green went to school for music, and the group created comedic mixtapes, albums, and music videos. Their albums “Broke and Famous” and “Broke and Famous 2” went to number one on iTunes. Dormtainment also performs live comedy shows at colleges across the country and after moving to Los Angeles, they’ve worked on a web series with Comedy Central called “Six Guys One Car.” YouTube is a billion dollar social network that has allowed users around the world create and share video content. Producers and performers have received numerous opportunities from YouTube including recording contracts, acting careers, endorsement deals, and even earning money from advertising. Although many high profile YouTubers are White, unlike mainstream media, YouTube has given Black users a platform to create their own content and claim to fame. Along with making people laugh, Dormtainment has also used their sketches to shed light on social issues like police brutality and racism. “It’s hard sometimes because we don’t know how to joke about certain situations, especially like nowadays with everything going on. But we know with our comedy we help heal how people are feeling at the moment and if we can hit on a little bit on what’s going on it can help them think about it and also maybe start a resolution about maybe they can help,” Anthony told The AFRO. After the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO in 2014, they created a video called “Cop Stories” where each group member talked about their experiences being pulled over by the police. Internet sensation King Russell, commonly known by his YouTube username Kingsley, also finds his way to both discuss social issues and make people laugh. “I feel like not a lot of Black creators have a giant reach, but it’s growing thankfully…I feel like everyone makes an attempt to let our audience know what’s actually happening…and we’re all vocal, spread petitions, and do anything we

(Courtesy photo)

Natural hair guru Whitney White (Naptural85) uses videos to teach women to care for and embrace their curls and afros and has close to one million subscribers on YouTube. can to help. I think through us doing it, it allows everyone else to help as well,” Russell told the AFRO. Kingsley is one of the most wellknown YouTubers on the internet with over 3,000,000 subscribers.

He’s also worked with companies such as Logo and LIFT to promote them to the African American and LGBT community. Whitney White’s successful natural hair channel “Naptural85,” found an audience amid the many make-up and hair tutorials out there. “You can do everything with your hair. Natural hair is amazing. It’s so versatile. You can have an afro one day, straight the next. You can braid it up and even put on a wig. There’s so much you can do with natural hair its crazy. You literally will look like a different person every day if you wanted to. You can go from kinky to curly, coily, wavy, bone straight, mow hawk. It’s actually probably one of the most versatile textures out there,” White told the AFRO. Whether styling her Kinks, experimenting with veganism, or vlogging about her adorable family, White has risen to the top in the Natural hair world. Because of her success she’s been able to promote The Wiz Live, appear in commercials for Shea Moisture, perform at Essence Fest and more. “People have been connecting over hair in general since the beginning of time. That’s something that’s always been important to every culture, specifically the Black culture,” said White. Sexologist Shannon Boodram uses YouTube to tackle sexual education and relationships. “We’re all here because of sex. I think sex drives a lot of our behavior and our choices. It’s a major part of lives,” Boodram told the AFRO. Although she says she’s sometimes lost jobs for talking about a topic some consider taboo, Boodram has used her passion to rise to the top. She’s currently working with MTV and Trojan Condoms to create videos that advocate safe sex. She’s also worked with AIDS health care, BET, written a book, and is invited to this year’s VMA’s. Boodram is a woman of color, but doesn’t want to be simplified to just a Black YouTuber. “I think that YouTube can be a place where it’s very racially polarizing. The White YouTubers get the benefit of not being pigeonholed in a racial box,” said Boodram. “A lot of my audiences will only be people of color or minorities…my topic is colorless” Like many people on YouTube, Whitney White also deals with negative comments online. “Back in the day it was a bunch of people online who were very friendly and wanting to form relationships. Coming from that era it was a lot easier to open up and share my life with people,” said White. “Throughout the years it has opened us up to scrutiny and judgment and that kind of makes you want to close down a little bit…but personally I enjoy sharing my personal life.”

Local Students Hope to Make The Demo Tape the Next Big Thing By Jannah Johnson Special to the AFRO The Demo Tape, a recently launched web site started by two University of Maryland, College Park and Temple University students who are both from Baltimore, is a virtual man-cave that covers topics from popular video games to local musicians. The Demo Tape (thedemotape.com) was founded last year by Justice Gray (Temple) and Jordan Taylor (UMD), who both graduated from Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore, and has become a hub for burgeoning writers and college students to gain experience and share their opinions. The Demo Tape has blossomed over the past year from a journalism project to an up and coming media outlet. “I used to be a Political Science major but I later switched to Journalism…internships were hard to find and I didn’t want to rely on other people to start my career so I reached out to Jordan and we decided to start The Demo Tape,” Gray told the {AFRO}. “I’m a communications major and I always was blogging but I was pretty inconsistent with it. I was really interested in journalism but I had no intentions of switching my major, when Justice hit me up I saw it as like my opportunity to bridge the gap between communications and journalism,

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over time I got more consistent and we as a site gained some direction and a lot more writers,” said Jordan. With 23 writers, most of whom are also in college at either Towson, Morgan, University of Maryland, or Temple University, The Demo Tape serves as a place for students to voice their opinions and interests and also gain writing experience. Many of the writers came to The Demo Tape seeking a platform from which to begin their careers after undergraduate school. “I wasn’t really into writing like that I’m really into music,” said Joel Aggrey-Smith, a writer for The Demo Tape. “Working for The Demo Tape put me in contact with a lot of musicians and helped me interact with more people in the industry…I want to go into A&R (Artist and Repertoire) work and this really helped me learn how to maneuver within the industry and get my name out there.” All of the Demo Tape’s writers are currently unpaid and a majority of the writers are still in college and hold other jobs. “ It’s a real family atmosphere, we all have other jobs but at the end of the day we’re doing this to benefit ourselves, we know where this can take us if we put the work in and if that means that we pay out of pocket then that’s what we have to do,” said Gray. Brandon Austin, senior editor, said the pro bono work took some getting used to. “I’ve had paid internships before so I had to humble myself

to get used to no pay… I really got involved because I saw a group of young hungry guys and I wanted to show my support,” said Austin. “We may not have the resources but we’ll outwork everyone and we’ll constantly be putting out content.” Although co-founder Jordan Taylor acknowledges the lack of revenue involved with the Demo Tape, he believes ultimately the project will be a success. “What we lack in structure and experience we make up for with work ethic…we’re really new so right now it’s all about getting our name out there.” In the next year The Demo Tape, which currently carries no advertising, hopes to expand (Courtesy photo) and garner more support on Jordan Taylor, co-founder of The Demo Tape, interviews social media and also begin Atlanta artist Russ. generating ad revenue as they hire more writers. In addition to the web site, The Demo Tape “We’re really excited about what this year also promotes events. For example, on Aug. 20 has to offer, musicians have been reaching out to they will one of the hosts of The BackPack Jam us and I really think we’re becoming a respected at Baltimore’s Graffiti Warehouse. The price of voice in the community,” said Gray. “I can’t wait admission is school supplies. to see what we have ahead of us.”

SPORTS

Howard Bisons Play Season for Respect

(Courtesy photo)

Howard quarterback Kaelin Johnson, #15, hopes to lead the Bison back to respectability after a 1-10 season in 2015. By Mark F. Gray Special to the AFRO These are tough times at Howard University which is personified by the fiscal crisis manifesting itself in the troubles of the football program.

With the university recovering from a multi million-dollar deficit and the athletics department dealing with NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) sanctions, Bison football prepares for a season where there is nothing to play for other than respect.

That is something the rest of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) doesn’t show Howard these days. The Bison are picked 10th in the 11 team MEAC, just above Savannah St., which hasn’t made a mark in conference play since moving from Division II. They are 6-17 over the last two years and are facing significant challenges in their quest to regain respectability in the league. “In this generation we don’t feel disrespected at all,” said Howard coach Gary Harrell. “We are trying to stay on track and move the program forward”, “I know we are going to have a good football team this year. We feel like we can go from 1-10 to a first place record”. Harrell, the all-time leading receiver in Bison history, has confidence that he is the steward to right this ship after facing similar challenges as a player. During his sophomore year in 1990 the team finished 2-9. By his senior year in 1993 Howard was undefeated MEAC and Black College National Champions. “As we navigate through the

challenges we face it will make everything more gratifying once we get things turned around,” said Harrell. Howard’s APR situation doesn’t make the prospects for this season any brighter. The football program, already facing NCAA sanctions last year, failed to meet the APR requirements by scoring only 908. If an NCAA athletic program doesn’t reach the APR minimum score of 930 they can receive probation. For this season the Bison are ineligible for any postseason games including the Celebration Bowl, which is the only Bowl game featuring Football Championship Subdivision teams from the MEAC and Southwestern Athletic (SWAC) Conference. The controversial APR issue – which many feel is biased against HBCU’s because most schools don’t have the resources to adequately staff compliance divisions in financially strained athletic departments – has affected Morgan State University, Florida A&M, and Savannah State in the MEAC as well. The NCAA implemented the APR standard in 2013 and awards a point to each student athlete for remaining academically eligible and in school. The maximum any program can receive is 1,000 points. Any team that doesn’t

score at least 930 faces sanctions such as reduced practice time to increased academic concentration or the loss of postseason eligibility. In recent years Howard’s compliance issues have led to roster adjustments having to be made abruptly on game days. In other cases, players were notified of their academic ineligibility when on the bus preparing for travel and told to stay on campus minutes before departure. “Our compliance department is doing a good job right now of making sure our certifications are on point,” said Harrell. The schedule doesn’t do Howard any favors this season. They open the season against two Big 10 conference opponents – Maryland and Rutgers -before their MEAC play starts on September 24 versus Hampton in the Nation’s Classic at RFK Stadium followed by a prime time Saturday night matchup at Morgan. This is an ambitious task for a program facing its challenges although three of their first five games are day trips that ease the financial burden on the program. With a roster full returning players who matured under fire last year thanks to injuries Howard should be better. After finishing 1-10 in 2015, however, there is no place to go but up.

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August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016, The Afro-American LEGAL NOTICES

BOARD OF LIQUOR LICENSE COMMISSIONERS FOR BALTIMORE CITY NOTICE-AUGUST 2016 Petitions have been filed by the following applicants for licenses to sell alcoholic beverages at the premises set opposite their respective names. The real property for these applications will be posted on or about Monday, August 8, 2016. Written protests concerning any application will be accepted until and including the time of the hearing. Public hearings may be scheduled on or after August 25, 2016. Interested parties should contact the office of the Board, 231 E. Baltimore Street, 6th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 or by calling (410) 396-4380 to determine the exact time and date that a particular application will be considered by the Board. Written protests will be acknowledged by the Board and such protestants will be notified as to the date, time and place of the hearing . 1. CLASS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aâ&#x20AC;? BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSE Applicant: Shin Dae Gae, Inc. T/a Smittyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cut Rate Liquor Peter Chung and Sung Jin Jang Petition: Transfer of ownership, delivery of alcoholic beverages Premises: 1044 S. Charles Street 21230 Applicant: Jason Oh, Inc. T/a B&J Liquor Store Tae Kun Oh Petition: Transfer of ownership Premises: 1801 E. Federal Street 21213 Applicant: 29th Street Licensee, LLC T/a trade name pending Thibault Manekin Petition: Transfer of ownership and location of a Class â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aâ&#x20AC;? BWL license presently located at 401 W. 29th Street to 220 W. 27th Street Premises: 220 W. 27th Street 21211 Applicant: Didi Liquor, LLC T/a Didi Liquors Michael Sium and Meron Gebretatios Petition: Transfer of ownership Premises: 2000 W. Lanvale Street 21217

Applicant: Harpenny, LLC T/a Maggies Farm Andrea Weaver and Matthew Weaver Petition: Transfer of ownership Premises: 422-26 S. Macon Street 21224

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2. CLASS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bâ&#x20AC;? BEER, WINE & LIQUOR RESTAURANT LICENSE Applicant: Ganesh Bhagwah, Inc. T/a Mount Everest Restaurant Uma Chhantyal and Debra Dutton Petition: Transfer of ownership Premises: 1011 W. 36th Street 21211

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Applicant: Sammyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Enoteca, LLC T/a Sammyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Enoteca Samuel Curreri Petition: Request to add outdoor table service Premise: 621-25 S. Broadway 21231 3. CLASS â&#x20AC;&#x153;BD7â&#x20AC;? BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSE Applicant: Kantha, Inc. T/a trade name pending Mrigendra Homagain, Sandip Koirala and Steven Morgan Petition: Transfer of ownership Premises: 5511 Belair Road 21206 Applicant: Port City Tavern, Inc. T/a Port City Tavern Michael Kitsopoulos and Miranda Bartling Petition: Transfer of ownership Premises: 2036 Eastern Avenue 21231 Applicant: King, Charles and Parrish, Lorraine T/a Baltimore Eagle Charles King and Lorraine Parrish Petition: Transfer of ownership and location of a Class â&#x20AC;&#x153;BD7â&#x20AC;? BWL license presently located a 934-36 N. Charles Street to 2022 N. Charles Street; request for live entertainment Premise: 2022 N. Charles Street 21201 Applicant: Onyejiaks, Elizabeth T/a Ibis International Elizabeth Onyejiaks Petition: Transfer of location of a Class â&#x20AC;&#x153;BD7â&#x20AC;?BWL license presently located at 6016 Harford Road to 6014 Harford Road; request to add live entertainment and off-premise catering Premise: 6014 Harford Road 21214 Applicant: Scratch Mill Kitchen, LLC T/a Rachelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barry Fleischmann Petition: Transfer of ownership Premise: 554 E. Fort Avenue 21230 Applicant: Club Harem, Inc. T/a Club Harem Duane Henderson Petition: Transfer of ownership of a Class â&#x20AC;&#x153;BD7â&#x20AC;? BWL license with Adult Entertainment Premise: 425 E. Baltimore Street 21201 Applicant: Das Bier Haus, LLC T/a Das Bier Haus Nathan McKinney Petition: Request to add outdoor table service Premise: 1542 Light Street 21230 Applicant: Ecstasy Bar and Restaurant, LLC T/a My Cousinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place Priscilla Irizamy and Blaca Pesquera Petition: Transfer of ownership Premise: 3925-27 E. Lombard Street 21224 Applicant: Suah Lighthouse Company Inc. T/a Club Bar Suah Lee and Darline Williams Petition: Transfer of ownership Premise: 1609 Laurens Street 21217 4. CLASS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dâ&#x20AC;? BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSE Applicant: 32 North Chester Restaurant, LLC T/a trade name pending Andrew Klymkowsky Petition: Transfer of ownership Premise: 32 N. Chester Street 21231

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The Afro-American, August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016

Late AFRO Sports Editor Sam Lacy Inspires Sports Achievers By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com The legendary Afro-American Newspaper sports editor Sam Lacy

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was recently cited as an inspiration by some of the country’s leading sports figures. Retired Washington, D.C. area sportscaster Glenn Harris, former Georgetown University men’s basketball coach John Thompson, former Howard University soccer coach Lincoln Phillips, Washington Redskins running back Larry Brown, National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts and National Basketball Association Hall of Famer Earl “The Pearl” Monroe were honored at the 2016 Sports Task Force Sam Lacy Pioneer Awards. Baseball legend Frank Robinson was also honored but couldn’t attend the ceremony, which took place on Aug. 5 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. The sports task force, whose purpose is to promote African Americans in sports journalism, was founded in 1987 and it renamed the Pioneer Awards program after Lacy in 2003. Lacy worked for 60 years at the AFRO, primarily in its Baltimore headquarters, and was a key player in the integration of Black players in Major League Baseball. Lacy also covered several Olympics and other high-profile events. In 1948, Lacy became the first Black sportswriter to become a

(AFRO File Photo)

Sam Lacy served as the AFRO’s sports editor for six decades. member of the Baseball Writers Association of America and in 1998, he was selected to the writers’ and broadcasters’ wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Lacy mentored William Rhoden from February 1972 to August 1973 while the latter worked as an AFRO sportswriter and now Rhoden is a sports columnist with The New York Times. Lacy also advised former Washington Post sports journalists Michael Wilbon and David Aldridge, among others. Lacy died in 2003 at the age of 99 but is still remembered as a guiding light for those in the sports industry. “Sam Lacy used to send me notes of encouragement,” Thompson, who in 1984 became the first Black coach to win an NCAA men’s basketball title, said to the audience of 90. “I heard about Lacy’s efforts to integrate baseball. One owner told Lacy that to integrate baseball would be to break up the Negro Leagues and 400 people would be out of jobs. I heard Lacy respond to that in a column saying that when slavery was abolished, 400,000 people were out of a job.”

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August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016, The Afro-American

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY-AREA Prince George’s County

National Night Out Continues Tradition of CommunityPolice Relations

D.C. Public Schools Start Year-Round Program

Photo by DCPS Photo by Linda Poulson

A crowd of Prince George’s County residents gather at National Night Out on Aug. 2. By Linda Poulson Special to the AFRO In an effort to strengthen community relationships and prevent crime, the National Association of Town Watch along with the U.S. Park Police recently held the 33rd annual National Night Out for Prince George’s County residents. Hundreds of county residents gathered at the Hillcrest Heights Civic Association in Oxon Hill, Md. on Aug. 2 to celebrate the annual National Night Out event. According to the county police Facebook page, the event is designed to promote police and community partnerships by engaging in fun activities and great food. The need for stronger partnerships and relationships between the community and the police has been a national topic with several publicized officer-involved shootings of unarmed Black men in the last couple of years. The event was created in 1983 and occurs in thousands of communities Continued on D2

Students in a 2nd grade class at Turner Elementary in Ward 8 do a “get to know you” exercise on the first day of school on Aug. 8. By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com The District of Columbia Public School System recently expanded its year-round program, with a Southeast Washington Elementary School serving as its public launch. Anita J. Turner Elementary School, located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Ward 8, is one of 11 schools participating in the District schools’ extended school year program. On Aug. 8, Turner Elementary School Principal Eric Bethel stood outside of the entrance with staff members welcoming students and parents to the 2016-2017 academic year. “I think year-round school is a tremendous opportunity to stretch the school year to the advantage of our students,” Bethel told the AFRO. “Year-round school will give us the chance to address the glaring academic gaps that persists between students in Congress Heights and the more affluent areas of the city.” The extended-year calendar includes an extra month of instruction from the traditional school calendar, which extends the academic school year from 180 to 200 days. One of the goals of year-round learning is to eliminate the “learning loss” which some students experience during the summer. Under year-round learning, there is an optional two weeks for students who need extra academic support. There are scheduled breaks in October and June to accompany winter and summer breaks. The Raymond Education Campus in Ward 4 served as a pilot for the extended learning program and interim D.C. Schools Chancellor John Davis told the AFRO that “the program worked well at Raymond Elementary.” D.C. Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson said that the

program is designed to give low-income children the same advantages as middle class ones. “The extra classroom time that an extended-year calendar provides is critical,” Henderson, who will leave her post on Oct. 1, said. “We know that students from low-income families often lose more than two months of reading achievement during the summer, despite the fact that their middle-class peers are making gains. Providing students in struggling schools with more instructional opportunities across all subjects – from math and English language arts to world language and music – leads to better outcomes in the long term.” In addition to Turner and Raymond, the schools participating in the program include H.D. Cooke Elementary School in Ward 1 and Randle Highlands and Thomas Elementary School in Ward 7. Ward 8 schools include Kelly Miller Middle School, Garfield Elementary School, Hendley Elementary School, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, and Hart and John Hayden Johnson Middle Schools. There are 3,600 students attending the year-round schools. The schools were selected based on community interest, school leadership, and interest in academic outcomes. – Cheri Hall improving Bethel told the AFRO that the extended-school year will allow his students to experience “rigorous, joyful learning” that includes classes in ballet, string music, choir, and foreign languages. Presumptive D.C. Council member Trayon White (D-Ward 8) attended the Turner launch. White is a former D.C. State Board of Education member for the ward and endorsed the extended-year program. “This is huge,” White said. “Programs like this will allow our students to compete throughout the world. Education is the great equalizer and this program will help raise our next generation of leaders.” Continued on D2

“This will get the kids off the streets and into the classroom where they belong.”

County Fun Spots

Crab Shack Shares Florida Culture By Kristi Love Special to the AFRO After five years of trying and failing at numerous business endeavors, Lenell Watson finally listened to a little bird in his ear – his wife – and created Photo by John Relosa, Creative Hysteria LLC Crab Boss Crab Shack, an (Left to right) Prince George’s County Councilman Jamel R. (Mel) Franklin (D-District 9), establishment that provides Larry Hentz, director of Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, Florida style seafood. “I saw Lenell Watson, Leighla Watson (Daughter), Asheligh Watson (Wife) ; Back row: Ian the potential in him and told Richardson (Lenell’s Dad), Mercedes Richardson (Lenell’s Mother) him he needed to try it,” Ashleigh Watson told the AFRO. “Follow your dreams George’s County Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) and know that you are never failing and you will succeed Director of Business Development Larry Hentz attended eventually.” the establishment’s ribbon cutting ceremony. “Crab Boss is The Crab Shack celebrated its grand opening in home grown and in my district,” Franklin said. “It’s about the Brandywine, Md. on Aug. 5-6. The shack is located at 1425 American Dream. Prince George’s is open for business and Brandywine Rd. more than that we are all about helping small business grow District 9 Council Member Mel Franklin and Prince Continued on D2

Prince George’s County

Hogan Taps Clark-Edwards for Judgeship By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com

Ada Clark-Edwards, a veteran prosecutor for the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, was one of two Black attorneys appointed to start a new phase in her legal career as a judge. On July 26, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) appointed Clark-Edwards to the Prince George’s County District Court. Hogan made the ClarkEdwards appointment with new judges, Bryon Bereano and Donnaka Lewis, and said all three are qualified to serve Prince Georgians after a “thorough vetting process.” Clark-Edwards said she is excited about being selected to serve on the bench. “I am a member of the community and I have the interests of the citizens and residents to

Courtesy Photo

Ada Clark-Edwards has practiced law as a prosecutor and in private practice. administer justice,” ClarkEdwards, a Bowie, Md. resident, told the AFRO. The District Court’s jurisdiction includes all landlord and tenant cases, replevin actions –returning personal property – motor vehicle violations, misdemeanors, and certain Continued on D2

Alleged Intruder Shot by Off-Duty Police Officer By The Associated Press Authorities say a man who was shot after breaking into the home of an off-duty Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission police officer was armed with a knife. Prince George’s County police said, in a statement, that 31-year-old David Bartholmew was shot in the arm Aug. 7 after forcing his way into the Laurel home. Bartholmew faces several charges, including home invasion and attempted firstdegree assault. Police say the unidentified officer shot the suspect after Bartholmew, who is Black, approached him with a knife. The police said the suspect ran from the scene and was later apprehended. Agency spokeswoman Ayoka Blandford said the officer was not injured but has been placed on routine administrative leave. She says Bartholmew and the officer did not know each other. It’s unclear whether Bartholmew has an attorney.

Homicide Count 2016 Total

Past Seven Days

Data as of Aug. 10

The Afro-American, August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016

Clark Edwards Continued from D1

said. “I interviewed with the bar associations such as the Women’s Bar and the J. Franklyn felonies. In civil cases, the court has exclusive jurisdiction in claims of $5,000 or less, and Bourne Bar Association as well as with the Judicial Nominating Commission. I also spoke with concurrent jurisdiction with the Prince George’s County circuit courts in claims for amounts Governor Hogan and explained to him my judicial philosophy.” above $5,000 but less than $30,000. The court is concurrent with the circuit courts in criminal cases where the penalty may be confinement for three years or a fine of $2,500 or more. The court “As a judge, I want to help make sure that my community is safe,” she said she told Hogan. doesn’t conduct jury trials. The appointment is for 10 years and a judge, no matter where they are Clark-Edwards does not favor the instant “lock em up” approach but instead believes in being in their tenure, must retire at the age of 70. a problem solver. “In my work in the domestic violence and sexual assault unit, I worked with Clark-Edwards grew up in the county and received her bachelor’s individual families,” she said. “In many cases, the family didn’t want the abuser to be locked up, just for the abuse to stop so that people can degree from Towson State University and her Juris doctorate at the be safe in their homes. The abuser may be the primary breadwinner in a Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in D.C. It was family so that person may need to be involved in the family. at Towson where she developed an interest in the law. “My plan was “That is what I will do as a judge; I will determine the merits of the to become a broadcast journalist,” she said. “I was going to be the next case individually.” Oprah Winfrey. One day, I went to a meeting of the Pre-Law Society According to Mahasin S. El-Amin, president of the J. Franklyn Bourne and was mentored by the faculty advisor. I took some independent study – Mahasin S. El-Amin Association, an organization for Black legal professionals in Prince courses and my interest in broadcasting waned.” George’s County, Clark-Edwards’ appointment is a progressive move for After graduating from law school and passing the bar, Clark-Edwards the achievement of Black women. worked as a general practitioner for three years, practiced criminal “Anytime an African-American female is appointed to the bench defense law as a specialty, and landed in the State’s Attorney’s Office as whether it is in Prince George’s County or anywhere else, it is phenomenal,” he told the AFRO. the chief of the domestic violence unit and chief of the special victims and family violence unit. “She is knowledgeable, fair and will exercise good judgment. She is a great addition to the She said she decided to take the next step in her legal career by applying for a court vacancy with the county’s Judicial Nomination Commission. “I didn’t just submit my application,” she bench.”

“She is a great addition to the bench.”

Crab Shack

National Night Out

Continued from D1

and excel.” Crab Boss sells a variety of seafood dishes, including “Crab Fries” (with a special – Mel Franklin sauce) and seafood combos consisting of crab, shrimp, and lobster. The establishment has more than 73,000 followers on Instagram (@crabboss00). Hentz, who focuses on creating more quality restaurants and food options in the county, was enthusiastic about the EDC helping Lenell make the Crab Boss successful. “It was important for me to help him continue the legacy his Grandfather instilled in him. He can now provide for his family and serve his community,” he said. Born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, Lenell brought his grandfather’s crab recipe to the midAtlantic area because he saw a culture he did not see in the south. Since June 1, 2015, Lenell has progressed from serving meals to family and friends in his home to delivering meals in a food truck to opening a restaurant. “I saw an opportunity here, and I knew I had to leave the south where their thinking was not as progressive as it is in this area,” he told the AFRO. Crab Boss is open for business Wednesday through Saturday from noon-9 p.m.

“It’s about the American Dream.”

Continued from D1

throughout the United States on the first Tuesday in August. “It is because of you that we care,” a park policeman told attendees at the event. Food, refreshments, music, demonstrations, and safety information were available at the events. National Night Out events were also held in other Prince George’s County

communities, including Hyattsville, Bowie, Landover, Clinton, Beltsville, and Ft. Washington. The community-police awareness event identifies programs that relate to drug prevention, neighborhood watches, and other anti-crime efforts. “This is really nice to have for the community,” Gross said.

Schools

Continued from D1 White isn’t the only Ward 8 resident enthusiastic about the program. Cheri Hall, parent of three Turner students, is elated that school started early. “I love it,” Hall told the AFRO. “This will get the kids off the streets and into the classroom where they belong.” The District’s traditional public schools will begin classes on Aug. 22.

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August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016, The Afro-American

AS ONE JOURNEY ENDS, ANOTHER BEGINS. CONGRATULATIONS!

Eight Howard University students were selected to take the journey and DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTEDâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a first-ever fellowship program sponsored by the all-new 2016 Chevrolet Malibu in partnership with the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Congratulations to our brilliant fellows! Thank you for taking us on this wonderful journey. May you continue to discover new roads that help you shatter perceptions and inspire us all.

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

The Afro-American, August 13, 2016 - August 19, 2016

Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary R. Clinton

Sarah Glover, NABJ president

Reporters’ forum on Aug. 5

David Aldridge, NABJ Legacy Award and Sam Lacy Sports Pioneer Award honoree

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), in partnership with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) held a joint convention, “One Mission, Driving Innovation,” from Aug. 3-7 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in D.C. Hillary Clinton addressed the convention on Aug. 5 and both organizations held their journalism galas on Aug. 6.

NABJ Salute to Excellence Gala host Gayle King, CBS Morning

Photos by Rob Roberts Singer Avery Sunshine

Steve Crump, Journalist of Distinction honoree

Mekahlo Medina, National Association of Hispanic Journalists president and Sarah Glover, National Association of Black Journalists president Jamiles Lartey, Michael J. Feeney Emerging Journalist of the Year awardee and Reba Willis, the late Feeney’s mother

Sheila Brooks; Darci McConnell, Patricia L. Tobin Media Professional Award honoree and Gayle King

Elise Durham, NABJ President’s Award recipient and Sarah Glover

Roland Martin, TV One

Mistress of ceremonies, Miss Black USA 2011 Ocielia Gibson

Miss Black USA 2015 Madison Gibbs

Pageant judges: Dr. Kalilah Allen, Madison Gibbs, Thomas Dortch, Jr., Stacye Montez with Madison Gibbs, Miss Black USA 2015 and Danita Barrett, Miss HBCU

Royal court (L to R): Miss Black Pennsylvania Thais Ridgeway (3rd Runner-up), Miss Black Michigan Nicole Johnson (1st Runner-up), Miss Black USA 2016 Tonille Watkis, Miss Black Maryland Ashlee Thomas (2nd Runner-up) and Miss Black Tennessee Ty Thomas (4th Runner-up)

Miss Black USA, the nation’s premier pageant for women of color, was held on Aug. 7 at the University of the District of Columbia Performing Arts Theatre. The pageant featured more than 25 contestants from across the United States. Tonille Watkis was crowned as Miss Black USA 2016. Her award includes a $5,000 scholarship, Miss Black USA contestants meet trip to West Africa, with Abassador of Sierra Leone career development opportunities and other amenities. Ocielia Gibson, Miss Black USA 2011, hosted the event and Laundau Murphy Jr., winner from America’s Got Talent, provided the musical entertainment. Photos by Rob Roberts

Miss FireBird 2016-17 Shanelle Cooper Gormes and Miss Black USA 2015 Madison Gibbs Miss Black USA 2016 and Miss Black USA 2015

Edgar Brookins, D.C. AFRO General Manager; Miss Senior D.C. 2014 Toni Jackson and LaTrina Antoine, D.C. AFRO Editor

Brenda Slowe, Kimberly Holton, Vernon Carter and Jerristene Berry

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., Season 6 America’s Got Talent winner

Miss D.C. Cameo Club Rebeeca Washington and Miss Black Rhode Island Talented Teen USA 2016 Angela Pierre-Louis

Toni Jackson, Ms Senior DC 2014; Mary L. McCoy, Ms Senior DC 2012; Emma P. Ward, Ms. Senior D.C. 2011 and Jessica Franklin, Ms Senior D.C., Ist Runner-up 2016