Prince Georges Afro American Newspaper January 23 2016 by AFRO News

January 9, 2016 - January 9, 2016, The Afro-American A1 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EDITION

Volume 124 No. 25

JANUARY 23, 2016 - JANUARY 29, 2016

Inside

MLK Celebrated

Washington

• More D.C.

Surveillance Coming

Guns in the Wrong Hands

Baltimore

• Shelter Holds Sylver Sharp Keeps ‘Good Times’ Going’

Thousands of people across the country marched in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his birthday, Jan. 18. Marches were held in California, Texas, Maryland and Washington D.C., among many other places. See more pictures on B4 and D4.

Baltimore Homeless Youths Close

Foreclosure Crisis Still Hammers Blacks By Avis Thomas Lester Urban News Service

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Affluence is no antidote to foreclosure. In Prince George’s County, Maryland — one of the United States’ wealthiest majority-black jurisdictions — the foreclosure crisis has hammered several solidly middle-class communities. These include Perrywood, a neighborhood of two-story homes near the county seat in Upper Marlboro; Marleigh in Bowie, where the local homeowners association mows the lawns of foreclosed residences that the banks don’t maintain; and Fairwood, where the median income is

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One of the many homes in foreclosure in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Report: Black Women UnderRepresented in Public Office

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$170,000, according to the U.S. Census. “They didn’t understand what it meant to take out a second mortgage, to refinance or to receive a subprime loan, they just made purchases,” said Bob Ross, president of the NAACP chapter in Prince George’s County. “So when the bubble burst, they were stuck.” NAACP New York State Conference economic development chair Garry Anthony Johnson calls foreclosures “an epidemic” for people of color. “It’s a troubling reality that African-Americans and other minorities continue to Continued on A3

Study Finds Kidney Stones Increasing among Black Children, Teens By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com

Despite the high-profile of Black women office holders like D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (D) and U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), Black women hold few elected positions, particularly in statewide offices, according to a December report. It was commissioned by Higher Heights, a non-partisan organization dedicated to getting Black women elected to public office. The report, authored by Kelly Ditmar and produced in conjunction with the Rutgers University’s Center for American Women and Politics, said that Black Continued on A3

New research, from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, found that more focused efforts are needed to prevent Blacks, children, and women from developing debilitating kidney conditions. Based on records from 153,000 patients, kidney stones are increasingly common among adolescents, females, and Blacks, primarily because of obesity caused by Continued on A3

Courtesy photo

Kidney stones are becoming increasingly prevalent among Black children.

Judge Won’t Force Officer to Testify in Trial for 3 Officers in Gray Case By The Associated Press

William Porter will not have to testify against the other officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray. Jerry Jackson/The Baltimore Sun via AP

A judge has rejected prosecutors’ request to force a Baltimore police officer to testify against three of his colleagues facing charges in connection with Freddie Gray’s death. Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams on Jan. 20 denied the state’s motion. Prosecutors indicated this month for the first time that they wanted Officer William Porter to testify against all five of the colleagues charged along with him in

connection with Gray’s death. Previously, they had indicated they wanted his testimony against only two of them. Porter’s own trial ended with a hung jury. An appeals court is reviewing an order mandating that Porter testify against Officer Caesar Goodson, who was driving the van carrying Gray to jail. Gray died of injuries received in the van. Meanwhile, both Goodson’s and Sgt. Alicia White’s trials have been postponed pending the appeals court decision.

The Afro-American, January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016

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Gooding said He Didn’t Want to Meet with O.J. Simpson By The Associated Press

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Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. participates in “The People v. O.J. Simpson” panel at the FX Networks Winter TCA on Jan. 16, in Pasadena, Calif.

Actor Cuba Gooding, Jr., who portrays O.J. Simpson in FX’s 10-part miniseries on the 1995 murder trial, said he didn’t want to meet the former football star as part of his research for taking on the role. Gooding, who would not reveal at a news conference Saturday his opinion on whether Simpson stabbed his former wife Nicole and her friend Ronald Goldman to death in June 1994, said the Simpson he needed to portray in the television film was a much different man then, swaggering and confident. “I had no desire to visit him in his present condition, being incarcerated and being a shell of a man,” he said. Gooding said he gained weight and it took him a month to recover from the grueling six-month filming. The project, with executive producer Ryan Murphy and actors like John Travolta, David Schwimmer, Malcolm JamalWarner and Gooding, has been getting strong word-of-mouth before its Feb. 2 premiere. Based on a book by CNN’s Jeffrey Toobin, writers and producers said they worked hard to make the docudrama as authentic as possible. Writers said they were interested in showing viewers

(Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

Calls for a boycott of the Academy Awards are growing over the Oscars’ second straight year of mostly white nominees, as Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee each said Jan. 17 that they will not attend this year’s ceremony.

Calls for a boycott of the Academy Awards are growing over the Oscars’ second straight year of all-White acting nominees, as Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith each said Monday that they will not attend this year’s ceremony. In a lengthy Instagram post, Lee said he “cannot support” the “lily white” Oscars. Noting that he was writing on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lee — who in November was given an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards — said he was fed up: “Forty White actors in two years and no flava at all,” he wrote. “We can’t act?!” In a video message on Facebook, Pinkett Smith also said she wouldn’t attend or watch the Oscars in February. Pinkett Smith, whose husband Will Smith wasn’t nominated for his performance in the NFL head trauma drama “Concussion,” said it was time for people of color to disregard the Academy Awards. “Begging for

acknowledgement, or even asking, diminishes dignity and diminishes power,” she said. “And we are a dignified people and we are powerful.” She added: “Let’s let the academy do them, with all grace and love. And let’s do us differently.” The video had amassed 4.5 million by midMonday afternoon. Last year’s all-White acting nominees also drew calls for a boycott, though not from such prominent individuals as Lee and Pinkett Smith. Whether it had any impact or not, the audience for the broadcast, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, was down 16 percent from the year prior, a six-year low. This year, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs has made a point of presenting a more inclusive show. The Feb. 28 broadcast will be hosted by Chris Rock and produced by “Django Unchained” producer Reginald Hudlin and David Hill. On Saturday, Rock, unveiling a new promotion for the broadcast, called the ceremony “The White BET Awards.” The academy didn’t respond to messages left Monday. Cosby’s Lawyer Monique Pressley: Outshining Her Celebrity Client By Zenitha Prince Senior AFRO Correspondent zprince@afro.com

Attorney Monique Pressley is quickly becoming a household name for the manner in which she is defending actor-comedian Bill Cosby in the legal courts and in the court of public opinion. In fact, she is even being compared to the now-iconic television character, played by Kerry Washington, who can “handle” even the most hopeless of cases. “Bill Cosby went and hired a real life Olivia Pope. #MoniquePressley,” tweeted comedian Jason Russ. Many agree that Cosby’s situation—being accused

by more than 30 women of drugging and raping them and of other alleged improprieties— would require a person of the fictional Pope’s deft touch and competence. And Pressley, they say, is meeting that challenge as evidenced in numerous media appearances in which she not only breaks down the legalese in a way the average person can understand, but also provides a vigorous defense for her famous client. The Washington, D.C.-based lawyer has also not been shy about calling out journalists for slipshod or what she may have perceived as biased reporting. For example, when a CNN anchor questioned why Cosby was not “asserting his innocence,” Pressley calmly but firmly replies: “That’s exactly what I’m here to do. What do you mean?” She later challenges, “I know that you know—because you’ve been in the business a long time—that people who are charged with crimes have a right to remain silent. And, they don’t have an obligation to prove their innocence; it’s the people that are charging them that have an obligation to prove beyond a reasonable doubt their guilt. And if every time Mr. Cosby opens up his mouth he gets sued by another person with false allegations who is looking to make some money, then it becomes risky to say anything at all. So, under the good advice of counsel he’s letting me do the talking for him.”

(www.moniquepressley.com) Attorney Monique Pressley

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January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016, The Afro-American

Foreclosure Continued from A1

experience disproportionately high levels of unemployment, poverty and foreclosures,” Johnson said. Housing counselors and other experts told Urban News Service they blame unscrupulous lenders for the crisis. At a time when many prospective buyers were eager to purchase and as home prices skyrocketed, some lenders took advantage by offering black buyers discriminatory loans, these observers said. In 2007, the NAACP filed suit against Bank of America, Citibank, HSBC, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, alleging that these financial institutions had committed unfair lending practices. The NAACP dropped the suit against Wells Fargo after the bank agreed to invest in a “financial freedom center” to assist home buyers of color. The lawsuit was settled in 2010 after the banks funded programs to help home buyers, Lowery said. In August 2014, then-U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced the

Department of Justice had reached a $16.65 billion settlement with Bank of America “to resolve federal and state claims against Bank of America and its former and current subsidiaries,” including Countrywide Financial Corporation and Merrill Lynch. “Under the terms of this settlement, the bank has agreed to pay $7 billion in relief to struggling homeowners, borrowers and communities affected by the bank’s conduct,” a Department of Justice statement said. Last year, Cook County, Illinois, officials sued Bank of America and Wells Fargo in federal court. They claimed the banks had targeted people of color with discriminatory loans that led them to foreclose. The suits alleged the banks’ actions had cost the county property tax revenue and left it responsible for maintaining abandoned buildings. The Wells Fargo suit was dismissed earlier this year. Officials in Baltimore, Cleveland, Los Angeles and Memphis have also sued lending

institutions in similar cases. NAACP chapters across the United States are working to support people of color who are ensnared in foreclosure, Lowery said. On Nov. 14, more than 300 people attended a Prince George’s County NAACP “Help and Hope for Homeowners” workshop at Largo High School. The event was the NAACP’s fourth that year, following similar gatherings in Chicago, Fort Lauderdale and Long Island. One woman who attended the NAACP meeting in Maryland said she was there because she and her husband’s 3,800-squarefoot home in the Woodmore South community was foreclosed after they failed to pay their mortgage for more than six months. She was laid off from her paralegal job more than a year ago. Her husband owns an entertainment company. She said she and her husband bought their home for about $700,000 in 2008. It now is worth less than $500,000. “My husband is in the luxury entertainment

business, and when people started cutting back on luxuries, we had less money coming in,” she said. “Then I lost my job.” This woman spoke to Urban News Service on the condition of anonymity to avoid the embarrassment that often affects those who face foreclosure. “I have nightmares about driving my daughter to school and returning to find our things on the front lawn,” she said. The news going forward for blacks is bleak, according to Algernon Austin, senior research fellow at the Center for Global Policy Solutions in Washington, D.C. Wages are still down and joblessness is still up. “Data from the Urban Institute out to 2030 do not show a recovery,” Austin said. “[They show] a continued slide in terms of home ownership for blacks. That’s pretty distressing. It doesn’t show any strong upward movement for whites, either.”

women have succeeded despite the challenges. “Black women have proven their capacity to overcome these hurdles and, even more, capitalize upon the distinct advantages that they bring to candidacy and office holding,” she said. “Black women’s confidence and political experiences in community work and activism have contributed to their political ambition and success.” There are 18 Black women in the U.S. House of Representatives that includes delegates from thae District and the U.S. Virgin Islands and all of them but Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah) are Democrats. There are no Black women in the Senate. The first, and so far only, Black woman to be elected to the Senate was Illinois’s Carol Moseley Braun, who served from 1993-1999. D.C. Council member Anita Bonds (D-At

Large) said that it will take some generational mending for Black women to become the political force that it has the potential to be. “This younger generation of Black women doesn’t think you can make a difference in

Under-Represented Continued from A1

women make up 7.4 percent of the nation’s population but only 3.4 percent of the U.S. Congress, 3.5 percent of state legislators, 1.9 percent of mayors in cities with more than 30,000 people and less than one percent of statewide elected officials. Ditmar said that low numbers are discouraging given Black women’s level of voter participation. “Black women have registered and voted at higher rates than their male counterparts in every election since 1998,” Ditmar said. “Moreover, they surpassed all other race and gender subgroups in voter turnout in 2008 and 2012. Black women also turned out to vote at a rate of seven percentage points higher than their Black male counterparts in the 2014 midterm elections, out-numbered Black men at the polls by over two million votes and are at the highest rate among any non-White group.” There are only three Black female statewide elected officials in the country: California Attorney General Kamala Harris (D), Connecticut State Treasurer Denise Nappier (D) and Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton (R). Ditmar said that there are some “distinct hurdles” to Black women seeking political office. “Black women are less likely to be encouraged to run for office and are more likely to be discouraged from running than Black men and White women,” Ditmar said. “Black women also navigate race and gender stereotypes and the intersections therein, while running for and serving in office. Finally, Black women represent less affluent districts and are less likely to be part of moneyed networks, posing hurdles to fundraising.”

“Black women are less likely to be encouraged to run for office and are more likely to be discouraged from running than Black men and White women.”

Twitter

D.C. Council member Anita Bonds thinks that more Black women should seek political office. D.C. Council member Anita Bonds (DAt Large), chairman of the D.C. Democratic State Committee, agrees with Ditmar’s conclusions. “Black women are often charged with taking care of their families so they don’t get involved as much as they want to,” Bonds said, who has served for decades in management levels in political campaigns, D.C. Council members offices and the District government. “They tend to look to the males for political direction.” Nevertheless, Ditmar said that some Black

Kidney Stones Continued from A1

poor nutrition and exercise habits. According to the study, published Jan. 14 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, kidney stones are often associated with much older populations. “The emergence of kidney stones in children is particularly worrisome, because there is limited evidence on how to best treat children for this condition,” said Dr. Gregory E. Tasian, a pediatric urologist and the study’s leader. Tasian assessed records from children and adult patients over a 16-year period, and found that among Black patients, kidney stones increased 15 percent more than in Whites within each five-year period covered by the study.

Kidney stones are small, hard mineral deposits that form inside kidneys. Made of mineral and acid salts that can affect any part of the urinary tract – including the bladder – stones form when the urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together. While kidney stones are not usually dangerous, according to Tasian’s report, they can be very painful to pass through the urinary tract and in some cases require surgery to remove. And while White men have previously made up the bulk of kidney stone patients, childhood obesity and its links to diabetes in young Black children has led researchers to re-evaluate diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Dennis Kubinski, a urologist with the National

Kidney Stone Center, said he wasn’t surprised by the new study’s results concerning overweight children because insulin-related imbalances increase calcium development. “Childhood obesity is becoming more and more common, and obesity is strongly correlated with kidney stones,” he said in a statement of the results. “We don’t see a ton of kids in our practice, but obviously the percentage of kids getting kidney stones is going up so we’re seeing an increase. A lot of that has to do with processed food – potato chips, fries, and even sports drinks that are very high in sodium.” Jacinta Grison, a D.C.based nutritionist said the results are unsettling, but also fixable. “We must begin demanding healthy and fresh foods for our children – especially those on meal plans and who live in food deserts,” Grison told the AFRO. “These are the children who are overweight from eating high-sodium, high-sugar foods that are heavily processed, but filling. Because they contain little to no nutritional value, these kids face malnourishment, coupled with diseases that generally only face senior citizen populations.”

– Dr. Kelly Ditmar the lives of people by being a politician. For example, I have four granddaughters and they are more interested in business and entrepreneurship and see that route as serving their community rather than going into politics,” she said.

The Afro-American, January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016

January 23, 2016 - January 23, 2016, The Afro-American

St. Paul Officer Apologizes for Facebook Post on MLK Protesters By The Associated Press A St. Paul police officer is apologizing for a post he made on Facebook urging drivers to run over protesters who rallied against the police killings of two black men in the Twin Cities last year. Sgt. Jeff Rothecker apologized on Jan. 20 in a statement released by the St. Paul Police Federation. Rothecker says he is “extremely sorry” for what he did and understands that the post was “insensitive and wrong.” The St. Paul Police

Department has put Rothecker on leave while it investigates allegations that he made a post on Facebook urging drivers to run over protesters who rallied against the police killings of two black men in the Twin Cities last year. The social media message said, “Run them over,” and told people how to avoid being charged with a crime if they struck someone during the Martin Luther King Day march and rally on a bridge linking St. Paul and Minneapolis, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported. Mayor Chris Coleman

AP Photo/Kyle Potter

Dozens of protesters braved the bitter cold for a Martin Luther King Day rally on Jan. 18, briefly shutting down traffic across the bridge spanning the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. to highlight the deaths of two Black men shot by police last year. issued a statement saying he was “outraged and disgusted” and had directed officials to investigate. “There is no room in the St. Paul Police Department for employees who threaten members of the public. If the allegation is true, we will take the strongest possible action allowed under law,” Coleman said. The Pioneer Press posted

a preview story about the protest on its Facebook page Friday night. Rothecker allegedly posted a comment in reply, under a different name, that said: “Run them over. Keep traffic flowing and don’t slow down for any of these idiots who try and block the street.” The post gave advice for avoiding charges and said anyone hit who sued would probably lose a jury trial.

Andrew Henderson, who runs the Minnesota Cop Block Facebook page, which focuses on police accountability, spotted the comment early Saturday and immediately reported it to police. He then filed an internal affairs complaint Sunday and turned over the evidence he believed showed that post really came from the officer.

The head of the internal affairs unit, Senior Cmdr. Shari Gray, said the department treated the post with “grave concern” because of the scheduled protest. “If we needed to change tactics or operational security on the event, we needed to do it,” Gray said. “And then, two, make sure that if indeed this was one of our officers, that it’s addressed quickly.”

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January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016, The Afro-American

COMMENTARY

The Cost of Courage

As we continue to move forward toward the rebuilding of mutual trust and cooperation between our community and the police, we must not lose sight of this reality: far too many of our neighbors are being harmed by the plague of violent crime. As we work toward bipartisan consensus on the issues of police accountability and sentencing reform, the Elijah Cummings public’s safety — as well as genuine and effective consideration for the victims of crime —must continue to be our primary considerations. Consider these facts: As early as August of last year, more than 30 cities were reporting increases in violence from the year before, and many were seeing an unacceptable spike in murders, including Baltimore, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and St. Louis. Baltimore City homicides, which totaled 211 in 2014, increased to 344 in 2015. According to the {Baltimore Sun}, more than 90 percent of the victims were Black, and more than one-half were between the ages of 18 and 30. Perhaps most appalling of all, the local death toll from gun violence last year included 22 young people under the age of 18 — 10 under the age of 10. For the victims of this violence and their grieving families, there is little solace to be found in the fact that this level of suffering is not unique to our community. They need and deserve action — on the part of both government and the public at large — even more than they deserve our sympathy. This imperative must be central to our objective of balanced, criminal justice reform. Just as those who are charged with having committed a crime have a constitutional right to due process and unbiased justice, the American people have a right to expect that our justice system is doing everything within its power to assure their safety and security. We also must be clear that assuring greater safety and security has costs. We, the American People, must pay the taxes that fund our

justice system — and serve on the juries that our Constitution demands. When circumstances arise, having the courage to provide the information and testimony that will hold violent criminals accountable for their actions can be the most costly duty of all. As Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby has repeatedly stressed, the intimidation and murder of witnesses to crime have become serious obstacles to the effective pursuit of justice. It would be hard to disagree. The Washington Post reported in January of last year that, since 2004, at least 37 people in Washington, D.C. and Maryland had been killed “for cooperating with law enforcement or out of fear that they might [cooperate].” More recently, Mr. Rashaw Scott, a Baltimore man whose 16-month-old son was fatally shot, refused to cooperate with the investigation and had to be compelled to testify at the trial. These examples illustrate that those who find the courage and wisdom to stand up to violence through their testimony must not be forced to do so alone and unprotected. As a community and a great nation, we must have the honesty to declare this truth: the intimidation and murder of witnesses to crime are terrorism, just as surely as if these attacks were initiated from abroad — and we must do whatever it takes to bring this violent, home-grown terrorism to an end. Standing together, I am confident that we can provide witnesses to crime with greater protection from intimidation and retaliation. We cannot allow the justifiable fear of harm to continue to deny justice to the victims of crime and security to us all. This is why, last month, Senator Ben Cardin and I introduced the Witness Security and Protection Grant Program Act of 2015 [H.R. 4194, S. 2376]. Our proposed legislation would direct the U.S. Attorney General to award competitive grants to state and local governments for witness protection programs in cases involving homicides, violent felonies, serious drug offenses,

gang related crimes or organized crime. Expanding upon the witness protection programs that states like Maryland have instituted, the federal government would become a stronger partner to the extent of $150 million — $30 million a year for five years. Securing the safe cooperation of witnesses is now more crucial than ever. As Senator Cardin has declared, “Witnesses want to do the right thing and testify, but they need to know that they and their families are safe from harm.” Despite the political obstacles that we have faced in advancing more effective witness protection in the past, I remain hopeful that an expanded federal role will be recognized as a central element of bipartisan criminal justice reform this year. Just as our courage as citizens may be demanded if we witness a violent crime, we who have been elected to serve the public must not allow political fear to stand in the way of doing what protecting our communities requires. Congressman Elijah Cummings represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.

Teachers Do More Than Just Teach In my fourteenth year of teaching in American schools, Shakera Oliver I’ve had many highlights. This spring, several of my former students met with President Obama. And this May, on National Teacher’s Day, I was invited to the White House. I was exhilarated. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm didn’t last long, as I parted with my colleague—Ms. Alicia Hudson, whom I had sensed was at a breaking point— just one month later. Ms. Hudson had 16 years of teaching experience. Her frustrations began with the lack of focus on our professional development and support for our growth as educators. The system didn’t feel reflective of our commitment to our students or our true ability to thrive in the classroom. Teachers are being asked to do more than ever before, making it a more difficult and demanding profession. The bar is being raised for kids, schools, and teachers. Teachers do not desire to leave a profession in which they’ve invested years of time and energy. Ms. Hudson learned Spanish fluently as an adult and was a devoted educator of English language learners. Her fluency placed parents at ease during our conferences. My students asked about my co-teacher early in September: “But Ms. Oliver, where is Ms. Hudson? Where is she? Is she ok?” They stared at me with innocent eyes as they asked about Ms. Hudson. Our students suffer when we lose a veteran

teacher—especially one of color. Ms. Hudson’s presence made our students feel accepted and validated their experiences. Of course, I knew where she was—but I couldn’t tell them the truth. Last year we were introduced to three new software programs to implement along with a new gradelevel of reading and math curriculum. The final straw was the implementation of a new format of quarterly computerized testing to accommodate national testing. Our third graders couldn’t type, or even manipulate a mouse, yet we had to meet expectations. Ms. Hudson was exasperated. If we had significantly more time and support for teachers to succeed, including thorough planning and collaboration, we’d still have her with us. Our planning time was continuously interrupted with “meetings.” The design for professional learning should address the teachers’ needs, while fostering feedback for improvement in a non-competitive space. Furthermore, urban teachers must confront societal ills, including poverty. Our students are constantly in transition, often with no one to help them on their homework. Supplies come out of our own pockets. We are expected to be positive and encouraging at all times despite the challenges. And yet, we weren’t provided adequate support or compensation to best serve our students. So when Josue, one of her students who made impressive gains in speaking proficiency and reading, asked again in October, “Where was Ms. Hudson?” in quiet reverence, I

responded that she is well, and working in another noble profession. I know why she left—for all of the above reasons. After realizing the need to accommodate new students arriving from war-torn countries with little capacity with the English language, Ms. Hudson pitched a “Newcomers’ Program” to the administration. Josue’s participation in this program increased his confidence in academics. The loss of a veteran teacher like Ms. Hudson is experienced by all—colleagues, parents, and most importantly, the students. I am cautious to likening teachers to superheroes. Yet as I reflect on my time with Ms. Hudson spent introducing peace to students with gang affiliations and sometimes instances of abuse, we were a dynamic duo. As educators, we are on the front lines of education in America. Ms. Hudson and I didn’t need a new initiative or supervisors to be effective—we held each other accountable and when we didn’t agree; our solution always centered around what was best for our students. We needed someone to truly hear us. I joined #TeachStrong because we teachers need support and tools to teach all of America’s students. Shakera Oliver has taught at Brightwood Education Campus for seven years. She is a Washington Teachers’ Union Teacher Leader and an Army veteran. She believes a diverse teacher workforce is critical for educating America’s 21st Century learners.

On Track with the Greater Washington Urban League

Guns in the Wrong Hands Most of us know someone who’s been impacted by gun violence. Maybe it’s a neighbor’s kid who became the unintended victim of a shootout or a drive-by. Maybe it’s an old friend’s nephew who made a bad choice one night, and what might have been a black eye is instead a family tragedy— all because of the easy availability of guns. George H. Black people, who make Lambert Jr. up only 13 percent of the population, account for more than half of the gun homicide victims. Here in D.C., 162 murders took place in 2015, compared to 105 the previous

year. There are a lot of explanations for the rise, but I can’t help suspecting that guns have something to do with it. Mayor Muriel Bowser just formed a task force to combat gun robberies, which last year increased to 1,249, 10 percent more than the 1,112 recorded in 2014. The biggest deterrent to violent crime in many urban areas is a job, but that is a topic for a future article. Too many guns are too easy to purchase. That fact may not change soon—certainly, not soon enough. But when it comes to doing background checks on people who want to buy a gun, we need a system with greater integrity. President Obama’s recent executive action on guns is designed to patch up a broken system, so that the standard for buying a weapon in a physical store is applied to online sales and gun shows. The law-enforcement system in our country is far from perfect, but I feel it’s important to improve the capability of officials to monitor gun sales. I also believe we need to prevent people with criminal

records and certain mental health issues from getting their hands on lethal weapons. Clearly, we need an aggressive push around mental health education. In the meanwhile, President Obama’s executive action helps the Feds to do a better job of notifying local officials when someone in their community who is prohibited from purchasing a gun attempts to buy one. It’s common sense. This final year of Barack Obama’s presidency is shaping up to be the most dynamic yet, and his last State of the Union Address was especially stirring. I admire the President’s determination to make progress where he can, given the contentious and challenging policy climate. His executive action on guns is a perfect example. It isn’t revolutionary, but it will save lives. It will save black lives. George H. Lambert, Jr. is the President and CEO of the Greater Washington Urban League. For more information go to twitter.com/GWUrbanLeague

The Afro-American, January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016

More Job Training for a Stronger DC

“The merger will provide people like Demika with more job skills.” Carmen Robles-Inman Program Director Edgewood/Brookland Family Support Collaborative

“The Edgewood/Brookland Family Support Collaborative gave me the training I needed to find a job.” Demika Alston Pepco Customer Southeast DC

The Pepco Holdings-Exelon Merger: Affordability, Reliability and Sustainability for DC. Job training in the District is important for economic growth. That’s why the Pepco Holdings-Exelon merger includes $5.2 million for workforce development to help DC residents get jobs. The Edgewood/Brookland Family Support Collaborative, which trains DC workers and helps them find jobs, knows just how important that workforce development funding is. Workforce development is one of many benefits of the merger. We signed the petition to show our support. You can, too, at PHITomorrow.com.

For more information or to show your support, visit PHITomorrow.com.

Paid for by Exelon Corporation.

Send your news tips to tips@afro.com.

January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016, The Afro-American

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY-AREA Planned Parenthood Battle Leaves Women Vulnerable

District Residents Honor Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with Peace Walk, Parade

D.C.’s Surveillance Progam Moves Forward

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com Attempts at undermining preventive healthcare by Republicans opposed to President Barack Obama’s universal healthcare and Planned Parenthood have turned into a bitter fight with the nation’s most vulnerable in the middle. The recent attempt to defund Planned Parenthood just days before Christmas with H.R. 3762: Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 was cut down by executive veto – only to be resurrected by states such as Texas at the turn of the calendar as retaliatory cuts to other health programs. In Texas, for instance, the Department of State Health Services announced that at the start of 2016 it would cut off about $600,000 in state funding for HIV prevention services provided by Planned Parenthood – that included more than 138,000 HIV tests, HIV and STI counseling, and education programs in jails,

Courtesy photo

Mayor Bowser signed a bill to provide rebates for security camera systems on the exterior of certain buildings. By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com Politicians, organizations and residents gathered in Southeast D.C. to march in the 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk and Parade Jan. 18. By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com The 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk and Parade Jan. 18 took place on the District street that bears his name. Thousands of people stood on the sidewalks and curbs of a major thoroughfare in Southeast D.C. to observe marchers, floats and bands honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the federal holiday designated in his honor. The peace walk started at the parking lot next to the headquarters of the United Black Fund. It consisted of leaders of organizations speaking about the impact of King had on the nation. “Many people have forgotten who Dr. King was,” said Eugene Puryear, a leader in the Justice First advocacy organization. “When Dr. King left us he was fighting militarism, racism, and poverty and all of those things are still with us. We need to get rid of them completely.” There were speakers on District statehood, women and youth issues, and ways to stop the violence on the streets of the city and in society. After the speeches, 300 people, with their organizations, marched one mile to St. Elizabeth’s East campus. The peace walk had diverse groups participate in it, such as the D.C. GOP, Justice for Barry Farm, Save McMillan, and the Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Backers of D.C. Council member LaRuby May (D-Ward 8) and her strongest challenger in the June 14, 2015 Democratic Party primary, Trayon White, walked with them wearing purple and white for May and light green and red for White. White said participating in the peace walk and parade was never a

Photo by Shantella Sherman

question for him. “I feel it is my responsibility to keep Dr. King’s dream alive,” he said. “His dream is that we collectively can do more for people. We need to do more for people who live in Wards 7 and 8.” The marchers in the peace walk took a side entrance on King Avenue to join the parade contingent gathering next to the R.I.S.E. Demonstration at St. Elizabeths East. A large gathering of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s supporters begin the parade procession. Bowser arrived shortly before the parade started. During the parade, the mayor dashed to both sides of King Avenue taking pictures and selfies, handing out beads and greeting residents. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) and council members Vincent Orange (D-At Large), Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7), and Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4) marched with their supporters. Orange’s followers handed out orange beads to the crowd while Alexander, – Keith Davis Mendelson and Todd stayed with the procession. Two graduate chapters of King’s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha’s Omicron Lambda Alpha and Omicron Eta Lambda, marched separately. Omicron Eta Lambda President Thomas Davis said that the work of King will continue. “We must continue to provide manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind,” he said. “That is Alpha Phi Alpha’s mission.” The soon-to-be-opened Rocketship Charter School and the IDEA Charter School Jr. ROTC had a contingent of officials, parents, and students while the Anacostia and Ballou High School

“This is the best parade we have had in decades.”

Attempts at undermining preventive healthcare have turned into a bitter fight. nightclubs, and on college campuses. U.S. Rep. Donna F. Edwards (D-Md.) issued a statement immediately following the bill’s introduction, which passed by a House vote of 240181, denouncing the bill as irresponsible. “Just six days into the New Year, Republicans picked right up where they left off in 2015 with this damaging Reconciliation bill,” Edwards said in a written statement. “The vote exemplifies the definition of insanity.” The House Republicans have made 62 attempts to repeal or dismantle the Affordable Care Act and 11 attempts to defund Planned Parenthood since its inception, according to Edwards. All of them have failed. “This Republican obsession with attacking access to health care for women and working families is outrageous and unacceptable, “she said. Executives at Unity Healthcare, one of the largest providers of services for the city’s low-income residents, told the AFRO that Title X funding ensures smooth service provision even amid Planned Parenthood cuts. “Unity is the Title X grantee for the District of Columbia. While we do not have a Planned Parenthood affiliate currently as a Title X sub-recipient, Unity has multiple funding sources for the reproductive health services we provide including the Federal 330 grant, Title X grant from the Office of Continued on B2

Continued on B2

Walmart Pulls Out of Southeast D.C. Leaving Anger in its Wake By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com Former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray was livid while discussing the recent economic pullout of Walmart from several signed leases to build new stores east of the river. He described it as Walmart’s “midnight raid” that yanked the deals from the table. “Walmart reneged on a deal and there is nothing they can do to justify the way in which they did this,” Gray told News Channel 8. “We should have stayed on top of Walmart because it always had a bit of an uneasy feel. They wanted to come, but they didn’t want to put stores where they were most needed.” Gray’s uneasy feeling came after constant wrangling with Walmart executives while serving as mayor to court the chain into the city – without compromising the integrity of the city’s workforce. In one battle Walmart refused to sign off on offering employees a “living wage” – no less than $12.50 an hour in combined wages and benefits. But even after concessions were made by Gray, including his veto of the Large Retailer Accountability Act, that would have forced retailers with corporate sales of $1 billion or more operating in the District to pay the living wage, Walmart came in, and then refused to follow through with a wage that exceeded the city’s current $8.25 an hour wage. “It has been under discussion for several years – not a few weeks and Walmart knows how important it was to have their presence is at Skyland,” Gray said. “Walmart is a company that generates billions of dollars in revenue each year, so even if it went to litigation and we win – what do we have to show for

Following recent legislation, D.C. residents can expect to see an increase in surveillance cameras on businesses, non-profits, religious institutions and homes. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the Private Security Camera System Incentive Program Emergency Act of 2016 into law Jan. 14, Continued on B2

Prince George’s County

Residents March on MLK Jr. Day to Stop the Violence By Lauren Poteat Special to the AFRO The rise in homicides in Prince George’s County has provoked Mayor Eugene Grant of Seat Pleasant, Maryland to initiate a “Stop the Violence” campaign. The campaign began with a march Jan. 18 to promote nonviolence. From 2014 to 2015, the county saw a 36 percent increase in homicides, enduring another homicide at the start of the New Year. “We have to remember Dr. King’s principal point of nonviolence in this country, because there is a retreat in values, Grant said. “Everywhere you turn there is violence. It’s like

Courtesy photo

Walmart decided against building stores in Southeast D.C., causing a major ripple in several development deals in areas in desperate need of revitalization. it at the end of the day? We still don’t have the stores, jobs, or the 400 to 500 housing units that were supposed to go with it.” Mayor Muriel Bowser echoed Gray’s frustration. She said she was “blood mad” about the pullout, during a news conference Jan. 15. Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander (D) followed the same sentiment. “I am angry and I take this personally as I advocated – Vincent Gray to bring them to Ward 7. The District had a deal with Walmart to bring in five stores with two coming to Ward 7. They signed leases and now they have broken their deal,” she said. “This has racial and social-economic discrimination implications. This is a major setback but I am confident that the District will do everything possible to move forward with the projects.” A Wal-Mart spokesman told reporters, “As part of a broad, strategic review of our existing portfolio and pipeline, we’ve concluded opening two additional stores in Washington, D.C.

“They wanted to come, but they didn’t want to put stores where they were most needed.”

Continued on B2

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Seat Pleasant, Md. Mayor Eugene Grant

a disease. We have to do something to change the way we are thinking.” The increase comes at time when homicides are on the rise in nearby Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. After the march, participants attended a panel discussion at The City of Continued on B2

The Afro-American, January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016

Murder Rate Desensitizing D.C. Youth By Briana Thomas Special to the AFRO

Deontray Ingram, 22, was one of D.C.’s 162 homicides in 2015. His death is one of many that leaves community members concerned about the youth’s lack of sensitivity to violence. “It is very much appropriated now, and they are always fighting,” Fehema Johnson, 22, told the AFRO Jan. 16. She is on staff at John Tyler Elementary School in Southeast, and said she fears that children are becoming too familiar with violence and crime. “I asked a student what he wanted to be when he grew up and he said, ‘I want to be a gangster.’” The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Nathaniel Beasley, 24, on Jan. 1 in the killing of Ingram, who was shot in Southeast, D.C. in September. On Sept. 19, Ingram was shot and killed around 4 a.m. in the 2400 block of Elvans Road in the parking lot outside of Forest Ridge apartments. Ingram, who was also known as “Fat Boy,” left behind two young children, a son and a daughter. His grandmother, Dianne Ingram, told the Washington Post in September that he loved cooking and dreamed of one day being a chef. “If you wanted something, there was nothing he wouldn’t do to get it for you,” Dianne said of her grandson. “And he would do it with a smile.” She said her grandson was chatting with friends when he was shot. A preliminary hearing for Beasley, is scheduled for Jan. 29, according to D.C. Courts. Beasley was arrested on a warrant and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Stop the Violence

Continued from B1 Praise Church in Landover, Maryland on topics that included violence risk factors, resources for those being abused or dealing with violence, and anger management. “In 2016, I want to be able to say that we made a significant dent in stopping violence,” Grant said. “By culture America has become more violent and it is time to bring everyone together.” Panelists included Jerome Schiele, dean of Professional Studies at Bowie State University; Kevin Washington, president, The Association of Black Psychologists; Lisa M. Cullins, director of child and adolescent psychiatry, Michelle Balamani, founder of Baraka Counseling Services, and Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka, president of the D.C. Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists. “One major reason for the increase in violence in our community and nation stems from destitute families, children feeling alone, looking for family in unhealthy social settings,” Cullins during the panel the discussion.

“Everywhere you turn there is violence. It’s like a disease. We have to do something to change the way we are thinking.” – Eugene Grant Participants at both events included local county residents, educators, members of the Washington Redskins, the faith-based community, law enforcement, and political leaders such as Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford and U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). Grant said he plans to implement seminars discussing nonviolence, hold meditation sessions and anger management courses at churches, libraries, and other local venues. For more information or to get involved, visit pgcstv.org.

Walmart

Continued from B1 is not viable at this time. Our experience over the last three years operating our current stores in D.C. has given us a fuller view on building and operating stores in the District. This decision will not affect our three existing stores and we look forward to continue serving these customers in the future.” For residents like Lonnie Rice, who lives on Wheeler Road in Southeast, the bail out by Walmart is another example of high-

stakes gambling with the livelihood of the residents gone wrong. Rice said he was never convinced that the Skyland development would go through without additional hiccups, especially after Gray left office. “Now we have an eye-sore vacant lot, no affordable housing, and an opportunity for other stores that were supposed to follow Walmart into Ward 8 probably ready to pull out as well,” Rice said.

Martin Luther King Continued from B1

marching bands performed. The popular go-go group, Junk Yard Band, performed on a huge float and developed such a following among the crowd that the D.C. police had to step in to separate the float from the people. The final participant in the parade was Ballou’s band, which has been a tradition. “This is the best parade we’ve had in decades,” Keith Davis, owner of a barbershop on King Avenue said. “The mayor and council members were participating and the Ballou band closing it at the end is great. There were different groups of people and multiple races in it.”

See more photos of the parade and walk on B4.

Surveillance Continued from B1

creating a community link to surveillance and crime solving. The program provides rebates for the purchase and registration of security camera systems on the exterior of buildings owned or leased by a residents, businesses, nonprofits, or religious institutions. “This law empowers members of our community to stop crime, and sends a clear message that we will no longer tolerate bad behavior anywhere in our city,” said Bowser. But opponents of the legislation point out the invasive nature of the street surveillance and its potential for abuse at a time of growing concerns over racial profiling. “We can see how technology can help pinpoint actors in crimes, however, it can also unduly cast suspicion on innocent people,” Ward 8 resident Cornelius Grady told the AFRO. “We don’t need ‘big brother’ watching us slowly chipping away at our civil and constitutional rights.” Others, like Grady’s daughter Sonia Graybill, who recently moved back to the city from Atlanta, said she fully supports the new legislation

because crime in and around the District has reached historic highs. “I see a lot of young men who are aggressive and volatile. The police cannot be everywhere at once and I think the community needs to be more responsible for the types of bad influences that we let grow unchecked under our feet,” Graybill said. “If a camera positioned against my home can help deter crime in the neighborhood, I’d put up ten.” Bower’s legislation

will help serve as a deterrent. The program provides a rebate of up to $200 of the purchase price per camera installed on the exterior of a residential building, with a maximum rebate of up to $500 per residential address; and up to $200 of the purchase price per camera installed on the exterior of a business, commercial, nonprofit or religious institution with a maximum rebate of up to $750 per address. The city will not provide any additional funding for maintenance, replacement or upkeep. The Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants, an agency within the Deputy Mayor Public Safety – Cornelius Grady for and Justice Cluster will serve as administrators of the program and grew out of a September facilitate officer requests for 2015 public safety agenda the video footage. Bowser that encouraged businesses notes that there will be no live and religious institutions, video access to the cameras. among others, to install “I would still rather see security cameras. Cameras police officers and detectives would be registered with interact with communities the Metropolitan Police face to face, rather than using Department (MPD) and be technology, but we do have to used to identify potential do something to bring down culprits or persons of interest the crime rates,” Grady said. following a crime. Bowser “I guess Bowser is giving us said she hopes the cameras the most productive option.”

“We don’t need ‘big brother’ watching us slowly chipping away at our civil and constitutional rights.”

Planned Parenthood Continued from B1

Population Affairs, private foundation funding, and insurance reimbursement,” Jennifer Vollett-Krech, Unity’s family planning nurse coordinator said. “Federal funding of the Title X program has remained flat for many years despite evidence of the cost-effectiveness of the program.” According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Title X is the only federal grant program dedicated to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services.

April Newberry, a Ward 6 college student, who relies on both Unity and Planned Parenthood for screening services said she is troubled by Republican efforts to challenge women’s rights and weary that others states could follow Texas’ example. “There are such high stakes for these middle-aged white men to control when and how women and girls reproduce, but why strip HIV testing because your plan was vetoed? This is a lot of political posturing with potentially deadly consequences for the mostly Black women clients,” Newberry said.

January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016, The Afro-American

WASHINGTON AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Fairfax, Va.

‘Someone You Love’ Documentary Screening There will be a screening of the documentary “Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic” Jan. 21 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Inova Dwight and Martha Schar Cancer Institute Auditorium, 3580 Joseph Siewick Drive. The film follows the stories of five brave women touched by HPV and cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is almost exclusively caused by HPV and kills over 250,000 women every year. There will be

a question and answer session with Tamika Felder (featured in the film), founder and chief visionary, Tamika & Friends; Dr. Stella Hetelekidis, Radiation Oncologist and Dr. G. Scott Rose, Gynecologic Oncologist. For more information, visit inova.org.

Washington, D.C.

Smithsonian Seeks African Diaspora Perceptions The National Museum of African American History and Culture would like to hear from members of the African

Diaspora community who live in the metro D.C. area. The museum is planning a project that will tell stories of contemporary Black populations in the U.S. to discover the perceptions of and expectations for the museum. Project findings will assist in the planning of postopening exhibitions, programs and collaborations for the museum. Volunteers accepted through January 30. To sign up, visit surveymonkey.com/r/ NMAAHC_Members.

D.C. Resident Geraldine McCrae Turns 100

as the recipe their success. As a master seamstress, sewing wedding dresses, christening gowns and bedspreads, McCrae made sure she passed along the skills she Family and friends gathered at Martin’s learned to her children and grandchildren, which Camelot in Upper Marlboro, Maryland Jan. inspired her granddaughter Candace to turn her 16 to celebrate the life and accomplishments love for baking into a career. “She was different of longtime D.C. resident, Geraldine McCrae from your typical grandmother,” Candace said. who turned 100-years-old. McCrae was born in “She spent a lot of time with us and gave us a lot Guyana, South America on Jan, 15, 1916. By the of love. She had a passion for sewing and baking age of 21, she married Frederick C. McCrae, and and crocheting and she always tried to teach her they had seven girls and six boys. grandchildren. She was always sharing words of In order to offer their children a better life and wisdom with you that I would cherish forever.” opportunity, McCrae and her husband decided Candace explained that every birthday, to migrate from Guyana to the United States McCrae would bake a princess style cake and in 1967, when the couple purchased a three present it to her saying, “I don’t have any money bedroom home in Southeast D.C. but this is all I can give you.” Candace said she McCrae has 41 grandchildren, 61 decided to ask her grandmother if she great-grandchildren, and 19 greatcould bake the same traditional great-grandchildren. pound cakes. With a push from She is lauded by her her grandmother, Candace family as loving, caring, and started her very own compassionate. “She is a God business called, Sweet fearing and just one of the Kiss Cupcakes. “One day most caring people that I have she just said to me to turn ever known,” Orin McCrae, my passion into a profit, her son, told the AFRO. and that is what I did.” Orin is the 11th of 13 When asked siblings. He said he credits about her greatest his mother’s dedication and accomplishment thus D.C. resident nurturing spirit which she far, McCrae said, “I Geraldine McCrae affectionately displayed am very proud of turned 100 on Jan. 15. to him and his siblings my children.” Photo by Valerie Russell By Maria Adebola Special to the AFRO madebola@afro.com

Homicide Count

Data as of Jan. 20

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

The Afro-American, January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016

MLK Peace Walk, Parade Photos by Shantella Sherman

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk and Parade on Jan. 18 took place in Southeast D.C. along the street named after the civil rights icon. The walk, parade featured local politicians and organizations who spoke about the impact Rev. King had on the nation. Members the U.S. Coast Guard Ms. Senior D.C. 2011 Emma P. Ward

Bishop Dr. Edward Barnett and Evangelist Brenda Graham of Greater Grace Family Ministry Church

Ballou High Schools band

Sheila Bryant, co-chair of the competition D.C. Councilmember Vincent Orange (D-Ward 5)

Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School student Zoree Jones with her father Sandra Mitchell, co-chair

The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in conjunction with the Cecil & Irene Hylton Foundation hosted the 31st Annual King Day Celebration and

Photos by Rob Roberts

Gentlemen of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

26th Annual Youth Oratorical Contest Jan. 18. The theme was , “Imagine: What if…?” Winners included Zoree Jones, Ronald Reagan Middle School and Norman Jones Jr., Stonewall High School. Also, Elementary Writing Contest Winners were recognized.

D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) and a D.C. resident

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.)

Sheila Bryant; Zoree Jones, winner of the Middle School category and Tabatha T. Turman, president, Prince William County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

Lillie G. Jessie, founder oratory contest, member of Prince William County School Board

Sheila Bryant; Norman Jones Jr., winner of the High School category and Tabatha T. Turman

MLK Community Choir

Photos by Wil Payton

Oratorical Contest winners: Norman Jones III, 1st Place Winner; Melody Brown, 2nd Place Winner; Samantha O’Sullivan, 3rd place winner; Samuel Dade, 4th Place Winner; and Kasandra Sanchez-Hernandez, 5th Place Winner.

Brother Gerald L. Gladney (left), president of the Ira Dorsey Scholarship Foundation and Brother Darryl W. Sharp, Sr. (right), president of the Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Kasandra Sanchez-Hernandez

William J. Calhoun, Educator and Ira Dorsey Scholarship Endowment Fund Board of Directors

Lorraine Jackson, 1st vice president, Prince William County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

Alpha Oratory Contest, Community Brunch

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Boy Scout Troop 1906. Standing: Troop Leader Brother Jerome Furlow (left); Troop Leader Brother Calvin Small (center) and Chapter member Brother Horace McClerklin (right).

Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Ira Dorsey Scholarship Endowment Fund conducted their 2016 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Contest and Community Recognition Brunch Jan. 16 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner hotel. The event theme was entitled “Achieving the Dream”, and the program featured five high school aged oratorical contest finalists who spoke about their views concerning the questions, “Has Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream been realized? Why or why not?” Prizes, awards and special gifts valued in excess of $4000.

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

January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016, The Afro-American

ARTS & CULTURE

Sylver Sharp, Former CHIC Singer, Keeps Good Times Going School of the Arts High School. “That’s where I got a chance to meet so many talented people, from all over the city,” she says. As a kid, she primarily grew up in the city’s Northeastern section, and also spent vital developmental years in Prince Georges On Jan. 21, the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, will serve as the County, Maryland. venue to portray the talents of one of Washington, DC’s unsung superShe eventually met a Philly-based publicist and radio personality named talents -- Sylver Logan Sharp. Dyana R. Williams, a regular contributor to the UNSUNG TV show (of the Though Sharp may not be a house-hold name in the DMV, in the Kenny Gamble of the legendary Gamble & Huff music production team in internationally-acclaimed music industry, her vocal talents are wellPhiladelphia.) Williams knew of Chic’s interest in auditioning new singers to known. re-tool the group and connected Ms. Sharp with the audition opportunity. For nearly 20 years, she worked stages throughout North America, During her years with Chic, Sharp says she was provided an unforgettable Europe and Asia - as lead singer with Nile Rodgers of the legendary disco/ opportunity to see the world, meet top musicians, while working to develop pop band, Chic. Sharp says that her tenure with the group began in 1991, her own craft. She appeared on the “Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”, when co-founders Nile Rodgers and the late Bernard Edwards wanted to “Storytellers on VH-1”, the Ellen DeGeneres Show with Kid Rock, and re-form the band after its hey days of the late 1970s. Larry the Cable Guy’s Christmas Special. She also recorded with and shared “At one point, I was working the local DC circuit, and the next - I stages with Roberta Flack, Patti LaBelle, Michael Bolton, Ledisi, Whoopi did an audition with Nile and Bernard [Edwards, bassist]. They Goldberg, Italian singer-songwiter, the late Pino Daniele and earned a liked what they heard, and hired me on the spot. I accepted the gig, Grammy Award singing background with Yolanda Adams on a live LP at but told them I still had some commitments at home I needed to Constitution Hall in DC, she says. fulfill.” In 2010, she decided the time had come to leave CHIC and forge Sharp had been working with several local bands, including an allahead with her own solo career. girl group named Euphoria. In addition, she needed to return to D.C. to Sharp is no stranger to solo recording success. In 2005 she released accept a local award from the Washington Area Music Association. “All This Time,” a house-music hit with DJ Jonathan Peters. The song “I’ve been around, but I still credit my D.C. musicians for helping make me charted for several weeks in the Billboard dance category, she said. what I am. And that includes all my homies in the Go-Go world,” Four years later, she released her debut solo CD, “Place to Begin,” (Courtesy photo) she added. produced by noted songwriter Daryl “L.A.” Hunt. Her first solo CD Sylver Logan Sharp will be performing at the As a self-proclaimed child of the arts, Ms. Sharp’s career titled “The Groovement,” recorded live in Stockholm, Sweden, is Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Jan. 21. scheduled for release early in 2016. The debut single, “Little Things,” started humbly as the daughter of a classically-trained dance teacher, Paula Potts. “By age 4, I was learning tap, ballet and jazz is available now. dance from my mother. I was a busy child,” she fondly recalls. In addition to her musical talents, Ms. Sharp also owns a jewelry Sharp’s family pedigree is notable, considering her grandfather is Dr. John Foster Potts Sr., line called Sylverwear. Her clients include Sir Elton John, Chaka Khan, Nile Rodgers, her friend and acclaimed drummer Omar Hakim (Sting and Journey). a former president of the prestigious Vorhees College, a historically Black college in Denmark, South Carolina. Sylver Logan Sharp’s will perform at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club on Jan. 21. “As a small child, my mother moved us to D.C. [from South Carolina],” she says. The venue is located at 7710 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814. For tickets, call 240-330Eventually, her talents would lead her to matriculate to the highly acclaimed Duke Ellington 4500. By Timothy Cox Special to the AFRO

AFRO Sports Desk Faceoff Did Tarentino’s Support of Will Cam Newton Become BLM Hurt ‘The Hurtful Eight?’‘ Sixth Black Quarterback to Play in Super Bowl? By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com

New York Times film critic O.A. Scott described director Quentin Tarantino’s latest film ‘The Hateful Eight,’ as having an “impulse to imagine how the fantasy world of film genres might intersect with the cruelty of real-world history and offer a kind of belated symbolic redress.” Full of violence and racial tension, ‘The Hateful Eight’ had the potential to shock viewers into movie theaters simply because of its potential to raise ire. The film, released around Christmas, though, has been anything but a moneymaker, and Tarantino blames the film’s less than stellar box office on New York City police officers. The connection began when Tarantino, whose films are often riddled with racial slurs and epithets, took part in a Brooklyn rally against police brutality and excessive force against Black Americans. Flanked by members of Rise up October, an advocacy group supporting families whose relatives have been injured or killed in police custody, Tarantino said he had flown in from Los Angeles to support the organization’s cause. “I am a human being with a conscience, and when I see murder I cannot stand by,” Tarantino told the crowd. “I have to call the murdered the murdered and I have to call the murderers the murderers.” Tarantino claims afterwards he was warned that the New York police unions were planning to picket or otherwise disrupt screenings of ‘The Hateful Eight’ in retaliation. And while no picket lines officially went up, Tarantino believes that many have been steered away from the film based on the backlash of his protest involvement. “I am no fan of Tarantino, the filmmaker because there is way too much violence in his work for my taste, but as an activist and an American citizen, I support his right to get into the fray and speak out against rogue cops,” said American University film student Jordan Wade. “I have heard lots of speculation about how the cops may have been involved in the film’s censure, all of which I hope is unfounded.” While he remains unapologetic for telling the crowd, “these murdering cops should be in jail or at least be facing charges,” Tarantino emphasized that when he talked about murder he was referring to specific instances in which unarmed individuals, usually Black, were shot and killed. “All cops are not murderers. I never said that. I never even implied that,” he told The Los Angeles Times. “The Hateful Eight” earned $16.2 million its first weekend in wide release, according to U.S. News and World Report The movie’s earnings during its first weekend is the lowest result for Tarantino’s projects since “Jackie Brown” – which took in only $9.3 million its first weekend in 1997. His other films showed considerably better debuts, including “Inglourious Basterds” ($38 million), “Django Unchained” ($30.1 million), “Kill Bill: Vol.1” ($22.1 million) and “Kill Bill: Vol. 2” ($25.1 million).

for even Newton to overcome next Sunday. Green: It’s not like the Panthers aren’t loaded themselves. The only weak area on the team would be the receiver position. But, just like other great quarterbacks in the game, Newton has elevated the play of his receivers. He’s a threat both running and passing and there’s a reason why this team is 16-1 so far this season—Newton’s been impossible to stop. He was a total threat this year, throwing for 35 touchdowns while running for 10. Arizona will have its hands full next Sunday and I (AP Photo/Bob Leverone) fully expect Newton to join history. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) works Riley: Newton’s season against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an has been spectacular but it’s NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, still a team game. It’s going 2016, in Charlotte, N.C. to take more than just Newton to beat Arizona in the NFC By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley Championship Game. I think AFRO Sports Desk it’s safe to say that it would be a shocker if Newton just ran wild against Arizona’s Fresh off the Carolina Panthers’ 31defense next Sunday. 24 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. The Cardinals finished the regular season 17, quarterback Cam Newton is one game with the fifth-best defense in yards allowed away from becoming just the sixth Black and the seventh-best unit in points-per-game. quarterback to play in a Super Bowl. Arizona’s no slouch on the defensive side of The Panthers have the NFC’s best record the ball and their offense is good enough to and perhaps its best signal caller. Newton’s put the Panthers’ stingy defense into awkward had an MVP season and has guided a shortpositions. Carolina’s defense finished right handed receivers’ corps to unexpected alongside Arizona in several categories, but heights. since the first week of December they’ve Carolina will host the Arizona Cardinals given up games of 24, 35 and 38 points. on Jan. 24 in a battle of two of the best Bad timing, considering Arizona will enter quarterbacks in the league between Newton the game as the NFL’s second-ranked offense. and Carson Palmer. If Carolina wins then Green: This is the ideal matchup between Newton will enter elite company. Can he do the two best teams in the NFC so obviously it? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the both teams will enter the game loaded AFRO Sports Desk debate the question. at several positions. It’ll come down to Riley: Newton’s been awesome this year, quarterback play, and Newton will have the but the Cardinals hold a severe advantage advantage playing at home in Carolina’s first with their secondary against a group of ever hosting of an NFC title game in Bank of fill-ins at wideout for Carolina. I love what America Stadium. Newton has done and how the Panthers have Newton’s ability to prolong plays and competed but Arizona enters as the bettermove defenses with his legs just adds another rounded team. dimension to the Panthers’ attack. Newton Palmer has played as good as any won a Heisman trophy back in college and quarterback in the NFL for a unit that has he’s a heavy candidate to win the MVP this excellent options at both running back and season. He’s hard to bet against and I won’t receiver. The Cardinals’ front seven is strong make that mistake. I look forward to him and led by all-pro corner Patrick Peterson and representing in the Super Bowl and capping the secondary is among the game’s best. The off Carolina’s year with an 18-1 record and balance within the Cardinals will be tough Super Bowl championship.

The Afro-American, January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016

Baltimore TYPESET: Wed Jan 20 16:12:38 2016 LEGALEST NOTICES CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for GS 14857-Old Town Firehouse Roof Replacement will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204, City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon. The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, in Room 6 located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of Friday, January 22, 2016 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $50.00. Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call 410-396-6883 or contact the Committee at 4 South Frederick Street, 4th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (”JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is F07500Roof Replacement Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $100,000.01 to $500,000.00 A ”Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at The Site: 1100 Hillen Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. Principal Items of work for this project are: 1. General Requirement 2. Site Conditions 3. Thermal and Moisture Proofing The MBE goal is 6% The WBE goal is 1% CONTRACT NO. GS 14857 APPROVED: Bernice H. Taylor Clerk, Board of Estimates APPROVED: Steve Sharkey Director, Department of General Services

TYPESET: Wed Jan 20 16:12:55 2016 LEGALEST NOTICES

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CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for RP 15815Skatepark of Baltimore-Phase II will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204, City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, February 24, 2016. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon.The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, at the Department of Public Works in Room 6 located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of January 22, 2016 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $100.00. Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call 410-396-6883 or contact the Committee at 4 South Frederick Street, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (”JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is G90131Skatepark Construction Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $100,000.01 to $500,000.00. A ”Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at 2600 Madison Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21217 on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. Principal Items of work for this project are:Skatepark Construction The MBE goal is 3% The WBE goal is 1% RP 15815 APPROVED: Bernice H. Taylor Clerk, Board of Estimates APPROVED: Rudolph S. Chow, P.E. Director of Public Works

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Detention Officer Environmental Sanitarian I/II Latent Print Examiner II Office Support Assistant I Office Support Assistant II Planning Administrator Technical Trainer Utilities Maintenance Crew Leader Visit our website at www.aacounty.org for additional information and to apply on-line. You may use the internet at any Anne Arundel County library, or visit our office at 2660 Riva Road, in Annapolis.

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1 Col. Inch Up to TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:27:03 EST Tue 2016Jan 05 15:11:36 TYPESET: ESTTue 2016 TYPESET: Tue TYPESET: Jan 05 15:14:19 EST 2016Jan 05 15:13:37 EST 2016 LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES 20 Words Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM921 Earl Toles Decedent Darrel S Parker Esq 1822 11th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Tia Staton aka Tia TolesStaton and Venus Buggie AKA Venus Franklin, whose addresses are 6907 Pine Valley Dr. Glenn Dale, MD 20769;3352 6 St. SE, Apt 103, Washington, DC was, appointed personal representative of the estate of Earl Toles, who died on April 24, 2015 witha will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Tia Staton AKA Tia Toles-Staton Venus Buggle AKA Venus Franklin Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 01/8, 01/15, 01/22/16 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2015FEP136 Date of Death May 28, 2015 Dorothy Chambers Hodge Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Ta n y a M a r i a G r e e n whose address is 14200 H i g h l a n d s Te r r a c e , Accokeek, Maryland, 20607 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Dorothy Chambers Hodge, deceased by the Orphans’ Court for Prince Georges C o u n t y, S t a t e o f Maryland, on June 11, 2015, . Service of process may be made upon Aaron R McMurray Sr. 141 47th St., NE, Washington, DC 20019 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Colombia real property:141 47th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019 Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills for the District of Columbia, Building A, 515 5th Street, NW., 3rd FL, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. (Strike preceding sentence if no real estate. Tanta M Green Personal Representative(s) TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS Date of first publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspapers and/or periodical: The Daily Washington Law Reporter The Afro-American 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1511 Hassan Ismila Boykin Decedent Sharon M Chambers and Hartel, Kane, Desantis & Howie, LLP 7467 Ridge Rd, Ste 100 Hanover, MD 21076 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Haddassah Belle Boykin, whose address is 3753 46th Ave, South 6 St., Petersburg, FL 33711 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Hassan Ismila Boykin, who died on October 11, 2014 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Haddassah Belle Boykin Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1438 Ramona Diane Young Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Rachelle M Jackson, whose address is 1200 Stratwood Ave, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Ramona Diane Young, who died on September 21. 2015 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Rachelle M. Jackson Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16

Superior TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:46:37 EST Court 2016 of Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 15:13:20 EST 2016 2015ADM1394 Anderson A Dews, Jr. Decedent William A Bland Esq 1140 Connecticut Ave NW #1100 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Milton M Dews, whose address is 2008 Thistlewood Drive, Fort Washington, MD 20744, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Anderson A Dews, Jr, who died on October 11, 2015 with a will, and will serve withoutCourt supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before 7 / 11 / 2 0 1 6 . C l a i m s against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the 7/11/2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: 1/8/2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Milton M Dews Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/8, 01/15, 01/22/16

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TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16 TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:13:59 EST 2016

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/8, 01/15, 01/22/16

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1488 Audrey C Fine Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Pamela L Bundy , whose address is 5203 Tinkers Creek Place, Clinton MD 20735, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Audrey C Fine, who died on January 24, 2014 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Pamela L Bundy Personal Representative

the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1454 Gladys Marie Fry Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Louis Fry III, whose address is 7100 Alaska Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Gladys Marie Fry, who died on November 7, 2015 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Louis Fry III Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/8, 1/15, 1/22/16

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1106 Viola S Crooks Decedent Jamison B Taylor 1218 11th St. NW Washington, DC 20001 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Homer Crooks, Jr. whose address is 559 25th Place NE, Washington, DC 20001, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Viola S Crooks, who died on October 13, 2014 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Homer Crooks, Jr Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/08, 01/15, 01/22/16

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NAME: ________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:12:32 EST 2016 PHONE NO.:____________________________________________ CLASSIFICATION:Superior ______________________________________ Court of the District of (Room, Apt., House, etc.) District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION INSERTION DATE:_________________ Washington, D.C.

20001-2131 TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:12:14 EST 2016 Administration No. 2015ADM1485 Lalla Beatrice KingGreen Superior Court of DecedentLegal Advertising the District of Rates Jamison B Taylor District of Columbia October 1, 2008 1218 11thEffective St. NW PROBATE DIVISION Washington, DC Washington, D.C. 20001Attorney 20001-2131 TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:11:57 NOTICE OF PROBATE DIVISION Administration No. APPOINTMENT, 2015ADM1517 NOTICE TO (Estates) Adedayo A Lesi Superior Court of CREDITORS Decedent 202-332-0080 the District of AND NOTICE TO Thomas P Hartnett Esq District of Columbia UNKNOWN HEIRS PROBATE NOTICES 209 Pennsylvania Ave PROBATE DIVISION Ronald Moore, whose SE Washington, D.C. address is 452 Route 82, Washington, DC 20003 Hopewell Junction,$ 60 NYper Attorney a. Order Nisi insertion $180.0020001-2131 per 3 weeks Administration No. 12533, was appointed NOTICE OF b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion 2015ADM1456 personal representative APPOINTMENT, Catherine Jennings c. Notice to Creditors of the estate of Lalla BeNOTICE TO Decedent atrice King-Green, who CREDITORS 1. Domestic 60 per insertion $180.00 3 weeks Wesleyper L Clarke died on August 25, $2015 AND NOTICE TO 1629 Kper Street, St 300 without a will, and$ 60 willper insertion 2. Foreign $180.00 3 weeks UNKNOWN HEIRS serve without Court su- Adetunji A Lesi, whose Washington, DC 20006 d. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion $360.00 per 6 weeks pervision. All unknown address is 4409 Wake- Attorney heirs and heirs whose field Street, Madison, WI, $125.00NOTICE OF e. Standard Probates APPOINTMENT, where-abouts are un- 53711 was appointed NOTICE TO known shall enter their personal representaCREDITORS a p p e a r a n c eCIVIL i n t h i sNOTICES tive(s) of the estate of AND NOTICE TO proceeding. Objections Adedayo A Lesi, who UNKNOWN HEIRS a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 to such appointment died on November 3, $ 80.00 Sarita shall be filed with the 2015 without a will, and $ 200.00K Muhammad, b. Real Property Register of Wills, D.C., will serve without Court whose address is 1625 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd supervision. All unknown Gainsville St. SE, unit Floor Washington, D.C. heirs and heirs whose 102, Washington DC, 15:12:58 EST 2016 FAMILY 20001, on or before July COURT whereabouts are un- 20020 was appointed 8, 2016. Claims 202-879-1212 against known shall enter their personal representative(s) of the estate of the decedent shall be a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s presented to the under- RELATIONS DOMESTIC proceeding. Objections Catherine Jennings, who signed with a copy to the to such appointment died on October 20, 2015 Register of Wills 202-879-0157 or filed shall be filed with the with a will and will serve with the Register of Wills Register of Wills, D.C., without Court superviwith a copy to the under- 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd sion. All unknown heirs and heirs whose a. Absent Defendant signed, on or before July Floor Washington, D.C. $ 150.00 8, 2016, or be forever 20001, on or before July whereabouts are unb. Absolute Divorce $ 150.00 barred. Persons believed 8, 2016. Claims against known shall enter their appearance in this to be heirs or legatees of the decedent shall be $150.00 c. Custody Divorce the decedent who do not presented to the under- proceeding. Objections receive a copy of this no- signed with a copy to the to such appointment (or mail within 25 Register of Wills or filed to the probate of deTo place your ad, tice call by 1-800-237-6892, ext.the 262, Public Notices $50.00 & up days of its first publica- with Register of Wills cedent´s will) shall be the Register of tionsize, shallBaltimore so inform the withNotices a copy to the depending on Legal areunder$24.84filed perwith inch. Register of Wills, includ- signed, on or before July Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor 1-800 (AFRO) 892 ing name, address and 8,2016, or be forever ashington, D.C. relationship. barred. Persons believed W For Proof of Publication, please call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 244 Date of Publication: to be heirs or legatees of 20001, on or before July January 8, 2016 the decedent who do not 8, 2016. Claims against Name of newspaper: receive a copy of this no- the decedent shall be presented to the underAfro-American tice by mail within 25 TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:12:32 EST 2016 Washington LEGAL NOTICES days of its first publica- signed with a copy to the Law Reporter tion shall so inform the Register of Wills or filed Ronald Moore Register of Wills, includ- with the Register of Wills Superior Court of Personal ing name, address and with a copy to the underthe District of signed, on or before July Representative relationship. District of Columbia 8, 2016, or be forever Date of Publication: PROBATE DIVISION barred. Persons believed TRUE TEST COPY January 8, 2016 Washington, D.C. to be heirs or legatees of REGISTER OF WILLS Name of newspaper: 20001-2131 the decedent who do not TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:12:14 EST 2016 Afro-American Administration No. receive a copy of this no1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16 Washington 2015ADM1485 tice by mail within 25 Law Reporter Lalla Beatrice KingAdetunji A Lesi days of its first publicaSuperior Court of Green Personal tion shall so inform the the District of Decedent Register of Wills, includRepresentative District of Columbia Jamison B Taylor ing name, address and PROBATE DIVISION 1218 11th St. NW relationship. TRUE TEST COPY Washington, D.C. Washington, DC Date of Publication: REGISTER OF WILLS 20001-2131 20001Attorney January 8, 2016 Administration No. TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:11:57 2016 NOTICE OF Name ofEST newspaper: 01/8, 01/15, 01/22/16 2015ADM1517 APPOINTMENT, Afro-American Adedayo A Lesi NOTICE TO Washington Decedent CREDITORS Superior Court of Law Reporter Thomas P Hartnett Esq AND NOTICE TO the District of Sarita Muhammad 209 Pennsylvania Ave UNKNOWN HEIRS District of Columbia Personal Ronald Moore, whose SE PROBATE DIVISION Representative Washington, DC 20003 address is 452 Route 82, Washington, D.C. Hopewell Junction, NY Attorney 20001-2131 TRUE TEST COPY NOTICE OF 12533, was appointed Administration No. REGISTER OF WILLS APPOINTMENT, personal representative 2015ADM1456 NOTICE TO of the estate of Lalla BeCatherine Jennings 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16 CREDITORS atrice King-Green, who Decedent AND NOTICE TO died on August 25, 2015 Wesley L Clarke UNKNOWN HEIRS without a will, and will 1629 K Street, St 300 serve without Court su- Adetunji A Lesi, whose Washington, DC 20006 pervision. All unknown address is 4409 Wake- Attorney heirs and heirs whose field Street, Madison, WI, NOTICE OF where-abouts are un- 53711 was appointed APPOINTMENT, personal representaknown shall enter their NOTICE TO a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s tive(s) of the estate of CREDITORS proceeding. Objections Adedayo A Lesi, who AND NOTICE TO to such appointment died on November 3, UNKNOWN HEIRS shall be filed with the 2015 without a will, and Sarita K Muhammad, Register of Wills, D.C., will serve without Court whose address is 1625 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd supervision. All unknown Gainsville St. SE, unit Floor Washington, D.C. heirs and heirs whose 102, Washington DC, 20001, on or before July whereabouts are un- 20020 was appointed 8, 2016. Claims against known shall enter their personal representathe decedent shall be a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s tive(s) of the estate of presented to the under- proceeding. Objections Catherine Jennings, who signed with a copy to the to such appointment died on October 20, 2015 Register of Wills or filed shall be filed with the with a will and will serve with the Register of Wills Register of Wills, D.C., without Court superviwith a copy to the under- 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd sion. All unknown heirs signed, on or before July Floor Washington, D.C. a n d h e i r s w h o s e 8, 2016, or be forever 20001, on or before July whereabouts are unbarred. Persons believed 8, 2016. Claims against known shall enter their to be heirs or legatees of the decedent shall be a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s the decedent who do not presented to the under- proceeding. Objections receive a copy of this no- signed with a copy to the to such appointment (or tice by mail within 25 Register of Wills or filed to the probate of dedays of its first publica- with the Register of Wills cedent´s will) shall be tion shall so inform the with a copy to the under- filed with the Register of Register of Wills, includ- signed, on or before July Wills, D.C., 515 5th ing name, address and 8,2016, or be forever Street, N.W., 3rd Floor relationship. barred. Persons believed W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . Date of Publication: to be heirs or legatees of 20001, on or before July January 8, 2016 the decedent who do not 8, 2016. Claims against Name of newspaper: receive a copy of this no- the decedent shall be Afro-American tice by mail within 25 presented to the underWashington days of its first publica- signed with a copy to the Law Reporter tion shall so inform the Register of Wills or filed Ronald Moore Register of Wills, includ- with the Register of Wills Personal ing name, address and with a copy to the underRepresentative relationship. signed, on or before July Date of Publication: 8, 2016, or be forever TRUE TEST COPY January 8, 2016 barred. Persons believed

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January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016, The Afro-American

C4 The Afro-American, January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016 LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM612 Celeste Adele Robinson Decedent Ara D Parker 5827 Allentown Road Camp Springs, MD 20746 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Ara D Parker , whose address is 5827 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, MD 20746 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Celeste Adele Robinson, who died on October 28, 2013 without a will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Ara D Parker Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

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

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1427 Jessie Creola Fernanders Decedent Montague A Buck Esq 6445 Luzon Avenue, NW 109 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Thomas E Fernanders, whose address is 5050 11 t h S t r e e t , N E , Washington, DC 20017, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Jessie Creola Fernanders, who died on October 9, 2015 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Thomas E Fernanders Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

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

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

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1063 Mildred Lee Debnam Decedent James E McCollum Jr Esq McCollum & Associates LLC 7309 Baltimore Ave, Suite 117 College Park, Maryland 20740 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Consuella Debnam, whose address is 3115 15:11:02 EST 2016 Berry Rd NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Mildred Lee Debnam, who died on June 15, 2015 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Conseuella Debnam Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 1/8, 1/15, 1/22/16 TYPESET: Wed Jan 06 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM964 Estate of John W Beach Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Linda J Beach for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Di15:10:34 EST407 2016 vision Rule is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. 0 Admit to probate the will copy dated August 23, 2003 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses or otherwise Register of Wills Clerk of the Probate Division Date of First Publication January 8, 2016 Names of Newspapers: Washington Law Reporter Washington AFRO-AMERICAN Perry L Foreman Jr P.O Box 44819 Fort Washington, MD 20744 Signature of Petitioners/Attorney 01/08, 01/15/16

TYPESET: Tue Jan 05 15:09:51 ESTTue 2016 Jan 12 LEGAL NOTICES TYPESET: LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1457 Theresa T Pinckney Decedent Jamison B Taylor 1218 11th St. NW Washington, DC 20001 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Wendy Pierce and Lawrence Ray Pearson, whose address is 3733 Nash St. SE, Washington, DC 20020 and 25521 Hillcreek Rd, Wagram, NC 28396, were appointed personal representative of the estate of Theresa T Pinckney, who died on September 28, 2015 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be 15:10:11 EST 2016 presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Wendy Pierce Lawrence Ray Pearson Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

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

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1044 Doris F. Parker Decedent Julius P Terrell Esq 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW #400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Julius P. Terrell, whose address is 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW #400, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Doris F. Parker, who died on April 17, 2015 (with, without) a will, and will serve (with, without) Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the 11:25:17 EST 2016 Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Julius P Terrell Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/8, 01/15, 1/22/16

You Know you’re in the know... When you read the AFRO!

TYPESET: Tue Jan 05

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1536 OraBelle H Turner Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Brenda Fleet , whose address is 3710 Ninth St. NW, Washington, DC 20010 was, appointed personal representative of the estate of OraBelle H Turner, who died on July 29, 2014 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose where-abouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 15, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 15, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 15, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Brenda Fleet Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Jan 12 1/15 , 1/22, 1/29/16 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 11:25:50 EST 2016 2015ADM1419 Emma Townsend Decedent Erick R Tyrone; The Tyrone Law Group 9701 Apollo Drive , Suite 301 Largo, MD 20774 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Louise Smith, whose address is 5600 Signet Ln, Riverdale MD 20737, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Emma Townsend , who died on August 12, 1999 without a will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 15, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 15, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 15, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Louise Smith Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Jan 12 01/15, 1/22, Tue 1/29/16 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1514 Shelton Don’tae Jackson Decedent Curtis A Boykin 1850 M Street, NW Suite 640 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Shelly Jackson, whose address is 114-42 155 Street, Jamacia, NY 11434, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Shelton Don’Tae Jackson, who died on August 28, 2009 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C.

Don’Tae Jackson, who died on August 28, 2009 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their a p p e a r EST a n c e2016 in this 16:51:57 LEGAL NOTICES proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 15, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 15, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 15, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Shelly Jackson Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Wed Jan 13

1/15, 1/22, 1/29/16

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM62 Gloria Louise Williams AKA Gloria Williams Decedent Debra Williams 2819 32nd St SE Washington, DC 20020 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Jacqueline M Bell, whose address is 156 R Street,NW, Washington, DC 2 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Gloria Louise Williams AKA Gloria Williams, who died on March 28, 2009 without a 16:51:41 2016 withwill, and EST will serve out Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 15, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 15, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 15, 2016Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Jaqueline M Bell Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Wed Jan 13 1/15, 1/22, 1/29/16 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM426 Sarah Williams Decedent Claude Roxborough Sr. 705 Irving St. NW Washington, DC 20010 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Patricia Lipford, whose address is 649 Morris Pl, NE Washington, DC, 20002 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Sarah Williams, who died on June 4, 1998 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose where-abouts are unknownEST shall2016 enter their 16:51:26 appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 15, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 16, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 15, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Patricia Lipford Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/15, 01/22, 01/29/16

TYPESET: Tue2016 Jan 19 16:52:15 ESTTue 2016 TYPESET: Wed Jan 13 11:43:43 EST TYPESET: Jan 19 16:51:16 ESTWed 2016Jan 20 13:48:31 TYPESET: LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM15211 Lillie B Gamble Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Willie B Donaldson, whose address is 5001 Box Turtle Court ,Indian Head, MD 20640 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Lillie B Gamble, who died on October 28, 2015 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose where-abouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the 11:44:27 2016 D.C., Register EST of Wills, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 15, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 15, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 15, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Willie B Donaldson Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM24 Leighton Reid Berry Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Leighton Reid Berry, Jr., whose address is 415 DIx Lee On Drive, Fayetteville, GA 30214, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Leighton Reid B e r r y, w h o d i e d o n January 4, 2016 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before January 22, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before January 22, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 22, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Leighton Reid Berry, Jr. Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/22, 1/29, 2/5/16

LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM0003 Albert S Banks Decedent Rohulamin Quander, Esq 1703 Lawrence Street, NE Washington, DC 20018 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Michael L. Banks, whose address is 16601 Medinah Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Albert S Banks , who died on June 15, 2011 withouta will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 22, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 22, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 22, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Michael L Banks Personal Representative

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM16 Estate of Brenda Marie Chappelle Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Raymond Allen Washington Jr. for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. 0 Admit to probate the will dated October 16, 2014 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses or otherwise 0 In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate0 Appoint an unsupervised personal representative Register of Wills Clerk of the Probate Division Date of First Publication January 22, 2016 Names of Newspapers: Washington Law Reporter Washington AFRO-AMERICAN Jamison B Taylor 1218 11th St. NW Washington, DC, 20001 Signature of Petitioners/Attorney

TYPESET: Tue Jan 19 16:52:00 EST 2016 1/22, 1/29, 2/5/16

TYPESET: Tue Jan 19 16:50:51 EST 2016 1/15, 1/22, 129/16 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM12 Kerima Y Mered Decedent Alan B Frankle Esq 751 Rockville Pike, Suite 7 Rockville, MD 20852 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Nora Mered and Nadia Mered, whose address is 3942 Camino Calma, San Diego, CA, 92122// 1719 2nd Avenue N #2 Seattle, WA 98109 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Kerima Y Mered, who died on February 25, 2015 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall 14:38:45 EST enter 2016 their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 22, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 22, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 22, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Nora Mered Nadia Mered Personal Representative

LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM18 Lewis Maxwell Johnikin Decedent Julius P Terrell, Esq 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW #400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Maxwell Butler, whose address is 1476 Stonegate Lane East Lansing, MI 48823 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Lewis Maxwell Johnikin, who died on September 12, 2015 without a will, and will serve withCourt supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 22, 2016 shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 22, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 22, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Maxwell Butler Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Jan 19 16:51:40 EST 2016 01/22, 01/29,Tue 02/05/16 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM8 Mary Louise Roebuck Decedent Marcia A McCree Esq 1828 L Street Nw Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Linda Marie Roebuck, whose address is 940 Newington Court, Capitol Heights, MD 20743, was appointed personal representative(s) of the estate of Mary Louise Roebuck, who died on October 14, 2015 witha will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 22, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 22, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 22, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Linda Marie Roebuck Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Gita Austin Brown, whose address is 1207 Dixie-Bowie Way, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 was appointed personal 15:11:17 EST 2016 representative of the estate LEGAL NOTICES of Walter H. Brown, who died on September 20, 2015 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before July 8, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 8, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Gita Austin Brown Personal Representative

January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016, The Afro-American

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TYPESET: Wed Jan 20 13:48:31 EST 2016 LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM16 Estate of Brenda Marie Chappelle Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Raymond Allen Washington Jr. for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. 0 Admit to probate the will dated October 16, 2014 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses or otherwise 0 In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate0 Appoint an unsupervised personal representative Register of Wills Clerk of the Probate Division Date of First Publication January 22, 2016 Names of Newspapers: Washington Law Reporter Washington AFRO-AMERICAN Jamison B Taylor 1218 11th St. NW Washington, DC, 20001 Signature of Petitioners/Attorney 01/22, 01/29/16

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SUBSCRIBE TODAY TYPESET: Wed Jan 20 13:48:51 EST 2016 City of Baltimore Department of Finance Bureau of Purchases Sealed proposals addressed to the Board of Estimates of Baltimore will be received until, but not later than 11:00a.m. local time on the following date(s) for the stated requirements: February 3, 2015 *SUPPLY AND DELIVER WATER DISPENSERS & BOTTLED WATER TO VARIOUS CITY AGENCIES B50004467 THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWN LOADED BY VISITING THE CITY’S WEB SITE:

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The Afro-American, January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016

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January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016, The Afro-American

BALTIMORE-AREA Baltimore Celebrates $700 Million… Strings MLK Jr. Day Attached

Baltimore Homeless Shelter Holds Youths Close

Race and Politics

By Tiffany Ginyard Special to the AFRO Danny “Virgo” Jones lived homeless in Baltimore for nine years. Ever since he was eight years old, his family has been homeless. At 15, he struck out on his own and found a home at Loving Arms. “I had nowhere to go,” Jones, now 20, to the AFRO. “My mom was dealing with some stuff with herself and it was hard for her to keep her own space so we would always be in and out of different spaces. “I got to Loving Arms and they took care of me. At first I was a little uncomfortable around a bunch of strangers,

See more Parade photos on D4. Photo by Anderson Ward

Baltimore residents came out to support the city’s 16th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Jan. 18.

Baltimore Rebuilds

Organization Tries to Bring Baltimore’s Penn and North Back from Brink By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO

Facebook/Danny Jones

Danny Jones says that Loving Arms Shelter helped put him on the right track. but somehow they pulled it off to make me feel so comfortable. Everybody was warm. I had structure,” said Jones. Loving Arms is a basic care, emergency shelter located in Windsor Hills for unaccompanied homeless, throwaway, and runaway youth. It was founded by Cindy Williams in 2009 and is the only federally-

“I got to Loving Arms and they took care of me.” –Danny Jones funded shelter in the state of Maryland that exclusively houses young people under 18 who are homeless. The shelter offers crisis intervention, life skills education, community services and prevention education for youth and adults, and individual and family counseling. Williams says the preferred outcome is family reunification, but the crippling effects of poverty on families and faulty public systems still at work, Williams contends, the portal of homelessness will continue Continued on D2

Last April, the CVS standing atop the MTA metro Station at Penn North Plaza became a nationally televised symbol of Baltimore’s chaotic unrest in the wake of Freddie Gray’s detainment by Baltimore police and subsequent death. But on MLK Day 2016, the drug store and Plaza served as markers of hope as organizers of Baltimore’s Innovation Village

“The greatest advantage that these neighborhoods have is that they have a soul.” – Richard May announced the new project from a platform at the Plaza. A contingent of politicians, public figures, university officials and community activists came to lend their support to a partnership seeking to revitalize West Baltimore. “Innovation Village represents a strong community collaboration that fuels an ambitious agenda by West Baltimore residents who have resolved to do great things,” said Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake to about 100 west Baltimore residents who stood in the cold to hear some good news about their community. The Baltimore Innovation Village is a cooperative effort sponsored by the Mount Royal Community Development Corporation (MRCDC) in collaboration with Coppin State

University and the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) as well as other community and business partners. Founded on the model of community-driven improvement, Baltimore joins cities such as Boston, Philadelphia and Detroit in Courtesy photo utilizing Innovation Districts in Maria Thompson, an attempt to restore urban areas President of Coppin State plagued by long standing blight University, was on hand and neglect. Richard May, to announce the Coppin’s one of three co-founders of Science and Technology Innovation Village stressed that Center. Innovation Village is an effort initiated by residents of the West Baltimore community and for the good of the West Baltimore Community. “We addressed the issue of gentrification right at the beginning” said May. ”We do not agree with a displacement model at all. The greatest advantage that these neighborhoods have is that they have a soul. They have a cultural underpinning” May said. The Innovation Village initiative hopes to attract businesses and entrepreneurs that can help stabilize the more economically vulnerable West Baltimore neighborhoods. “We have sought out conscious developers with a commitment to the community and we will turn as many existing residents as are interested into entrepreneurs”, said May. MRCDC’s goal is to stabilize existing West Baltimore communities while reinvigorating Continued on D2

Baltimore Police Seek Suspects in Andre Hunt Murder By AFRO Staff

Andre Hunt was killed in broad daylight last April 29. In addition to being a wellliked barber and volunteer, he had recently been sentenced to three years in federal prison for his role in distributing heroin in Freddie

Gray’s neighborhood in West Baltimore. Hunt, who reportedly attended high school in Milford Mill and volunteered at the local NAACP, was shot in the 3800 block of Liberty Heights Avenue 10 days before he was to report to prison.On Jan. 14 Baltimore police released surveillance

One of the men police are looking for in the murder of Andre Hunt.

footage showing two men fleeing the scene of the crime. Hunt’s sister, Lauren Dotson, after the footage was posted wrote on Facebook, “I just want to know what was on the minds of these people when they prepared to kill my brother? Was there a regret? Was there a minute that they thought maybe we could

handle this different? I’ve been in such a great place my faith in God gave me strength to heal, and now this!!!! I hate to see them calmly walking to end such a great life!!! Who gave them the right?!!!” Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup.

Baltimore Police

Past Seven Days

A lot of people freak out when one of those astronomical Powerball totals (a $1.6 billion Sean Yoes record jackpot was Senior AFRO recently Contributor sliced up three ways) hits the news. The quixotic daydream about what they could do with all of that money, (forget the fact most lottery winners file for bankruptcy ultimately). But, inherent in their excitement is the serendipity of it all. It’s an unexpected windfall, free money; you don’t have to work for it or kill anybody, it’s big cheese from heaven, no strings attached. The $700 million recently pledged by Gov. Larry Hogan for the revitalization of

“As I walked the streets of this city, people were repeatedly calling out and begging us to help do something about the blight that is all around them…” – Gov. Hogan some of Baltimore’s most impoverished and beleaguered neighborhoods is no such arrangement. Over the course of four years, $94 million will be set aside for the demolition of 4,000 properties across the city. Another $600 million in subsidies is designated for redevelopment. Demolition in the 1000 block of N. Stricker St. (the same neighborhood where Freddie Gray lived and was arrested on the day that led to his ultimate demise) in SandtownWinchester began the first week in January. “As I walked the streets of this city, people were repeatedly calling out and begging us to help do something about the blight that is all around them,” said Gov. Hogan during a joint press conference with Continued on D2

11 2016 Total

Data as of Jan. 20

The Afro-American, January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016

Loving Arms Continued from D1

to widen in Baltimore City. “The foster care system is clogged and has lost its focus,” Williams told the AFRO. In cases like Jones’ there are no public support services set up for families who just don’t have the means to support their children--or themselves. Williams has seen plenty of cases where the parent or caregiver is also homeless and the children are turned away from the Department of Social Services. The foster care system is not equipped to handle situations like this, she said, which have unfortunately become all too common place. “These young people have basically been thrown away,” said Williams. “If we don’t get a grip when it comes to supporting parents and strengthening families, we are not going to end homelessness in this city.” Loving Arms is also a place of refuge for youth who become homeless after aging out of or running away from the foster care system--

those youth who become homeless when their juvenile status expires and the subsidy checks stop. “These people are paid to take care of

the staff there to pool together resources to transition residents into a viable, permanent living situations. For Jones, it took a little over three months.

“If we don’t get a grip when it comes to supporting parents and strengthening families, we are not going to end homelessness in this city.” –Cindy Williams these kids. Their job is to prepare them for independence, [and] help them transition into something stable--not warehouse them until their 18th birthday,” said Williams. Loving Arms is funded to house young people for up to 21 days. But for the most part, young people can stay as long as it takes for

Today, the self-proclaimed musical genius is renting a room, attending Baltimore City Community College, works as a party promoter and is thriving on his own. “After 21 days I ain’t know what to say to [ Mrs. Williams],” said Jones. “She knew I still had nowhere to go, and she let me stay. She figured

Penn and North

Race and Politics

the heritage and culture that made West Baltimore home to nationally known artists and pioneers such as Billie Holiday and Thurgood Marshall. “The more residents that become entrepreneurs, the more stable communities become” he said. The anchor institutions selected for the project, Coppin State University and the Maryland Institute College of Art were based on the community asset model utilized by MRCDC. “The opening of Coppin’s Science and Technology Center will strengthen innovation in West Baltimore; Innovation Village leverages the resources of our community and taps into the talents of many to create entrepreneurial and economic opportunities that ultimately benefit all of Baltimore,” said Maria Thompson, President of Coppin State University. A steering committee will be appointed from the community to develop a 90 day plan to move the innovation District forward. The Innovation District spans close to 7 miles from Druid Hill Park on the North end to MLK Boulevard on the South and from Mondawmin Mall on the West to Station North on the East. The Startup Soiree, one of the two new businesses launched by the Innovation Village, will host its kickoff event on Jan. 27 followed by the Innovation Village’s formal grand opening reception on Jan. 30.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake the same day demolition began. “We have heard your call for action…,” Hogan added. He called Baltimore the “core” of Maryland. How convenient. The mission name for the $700 million makeover is, “Project C.O.R.E,” (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise). Cute. But, why is the Maryland Stadium Authority overseeing an integral component of what Jay Brodie (king emeritus of the Baltimore Development Corporation), characterizes as an unprecedented, “infusion of this magnitude,” into Baltimore’s poorest neighborhoods? The Maryland Stadium Authority was originally formed in 1986 by Gov. Harry Hughes to preside over the construction and operation of sports stadiums in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The MSA’s crown jewels are Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium (originally PSINet Stadium). And the entity has been in charge of the construction of sports complexes all over the state, as well as the Hippodrome Performing Arts Center, expansion of the Baltimore Convention Center and demolition of old Memorial Stadium. So, again, why is the Maryland Stadium Authority (of all the state entities) being handed the ball (so to speak) to be at

Continued from D1

some things out for me and every since then I’ve been fine. I’ve been better than I’ve ever been in my life.” Jones is headed to Morgan State University to live on campus next fall. He’s not sure whether he’ll major in psychology or business management, but he knows he’s going to be an entrepreneur. “I’m still dealing with myself, trying to gain confidence to a level where I can really go out in the world and be myself--not ashamed of where I came from,” he said. Williams says she will continue to fight the good fight if it means more success stories like Jones’ but is tired of butting heads with a broken system. In 2015, Williams acquired two additional properties to extend Loving Arms’ reach throughout the Baltimore. One shelter is not enough. “Our kids deserve stability and permanency in their lives,” said Williams,” they need to be loved on--hard.”

Continued from D1

the center of a massive revitalization of the city’s poorest most troubled neighborhoods when they have zero experience in doing so? The MSA consists of seven members who serve four year terms. Six of those members are appointed by the governor and one is appointed by the mayor of Baltimore. So, the MSA operates almost solely at the governor’s pleasure. Obviously, the concept of a nearly billion dollar infusion of resources in poor communities should be a cause for great hope. But, putting the MSA in charge seems like a paternalistic gesture at best and at worst a continuation of the plantation like relationship between state lawmakers (including the governor) and the city of Baltimore. Further, some could see Gov. Hogan’s insertion of the MSA into the process as a rather transparent effort to inject Baltimore’s robust gentrification engine with rocket fuel. But, on the other hand, the sad truth is we’ve seen billions tossed at Baltimore for decades and we’ve witnessed a feeble and oftentimes corrupt Democratic political infrastructure “mess up” money with great acumen (Think about the original Enterprise Zone for SandtownWinchester). Ask yourself this question; given Baltimore’s record of fiscal ineptitude and misconduct, who would you hand over a billion dollars to for the resurrection of Baltimore’s poorest neighborhoods who need it most? Sean Yoes is a senior contributor for the AFRO and host and executive producer of First Edition, which airs Monday through Friday, 5-7 p.m. on WEAA 88.9.

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January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016, The Afro-American

“More Musicians Added to the Big Band in Heaven” Hello my dear friends and readers. I hope everything is well with you. For some of us the New Year kicked up with prosperity and life and I am so happy for you, but there are others whose New Year kicked off with sadness and despair and I share your grief. Just recently, we lost a couple more musicians who now have joined the “Heavenly Big Band and Choir.” And a Big Band it is. Phil Townes, vocalists with the Bleu Lights and Major Boyd, saxophonist and songwriter, known from the group “Moon August” and the Dottie Tims group, have now joined musicians such as: Arnold Sterling, Jimmy Wells, Julious Brockington, Peanut Saunderlin, Fuzzy

Gwen Richards will host a Broadway Excursion trip to see the Broadway play, ‘The Color Purple’ March 12-13 in New York City. For reservations call 410-9677503. Kane, Mickey Fields, Dave Ross, Chico Johnson, Johnny Polite, Bing Miller, Barretta, Ruby Glover, Vernon Wolst, Raymond Shields, Chico Blair, Nikki Cooper and, Jennell Fisher, just to name a few. We miss them all and their music, but they will never be forgotten. Moving on to upcoming

events; Jesse Powers of the group Spice Productions is at a club called The Place Lounge, located at 315 W. Franklin Street in Baltimore every Thursday from 7-10 p.m. with an open mic and a jam session. There is no cover charge, which is great. I know some musicians don’t mind club hopping and jamming with a band, but some of the club owners were taking advantage of that, by having a cover charge and getting free music at the same time, which was unfair to the musician and the owners shouldn’t do it. But if the musician wants to go in and get their kicks off with other professional musicians it is okay as long as they are treated fair. The King David Lodge #18 will host “The Men in Black”; all Black Everything

Cabaret on Jan. 30 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Delta Center, 2501 Springhill Avenue in Baltimore. It is Cabaret Style, BYOB and BYOF. DJ Mike Jones will provide the music. For ticket information, contact Worshipful Master Curtis Williams at 410-258-1715. A lot of people are talking about the Broadway play “The Color Purple.” Well, here is your chance to go see it with your friends and family. Gwen Richards is putting together a very special group of theater lovers to join her in seeing Academy Award, Golden Globe and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson, Danielle Brooks and Cynthia Erivo on March 12-13. There will be a Greyhound bus departing from Baltimore on March 12 at 10 a.m. Reservations are

due now. For more details, contact Gwen at 410-9677503. If you enjoy jazz, than check out Bilal Ali’s show when he hosts a sweet soul and smooth jazz evening featuring one of the hottest vocalists, Shang, and Baltimore’s own sax man, Isaac Parham on Jan. 31 at Magooby’s Joke House and Soundstage, 9603 Deereco Road in Timonium, Maryland. Showtime is 5 p.m. For tickets and information, call 443-8589781. Well, my dear friends enjoy the rest of your week. I have to go. I am out of space. But remember, if you need me call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@ aol.com.

Phil Townes, renowned singer of the Bleu Lights vocal group, passed on Dec. 21 at University of Maryland Medical Center. Townes was one of the original members of the group, along with his twin brother Al, Charlie Davis and Lou Law, since 1967. I extend a long stem rose in his memory. Until the next time, I’m musically yours.

BALTIMORE AREA

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

Family Night Poetry Open Mic On Jan. 21 at 5814 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748, the 2016 Family Night series at Annie’s Art Gallery will kick off with poet, playwright and educator, Dr. Mary Stone Hanley. The event will go from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a poem or two. ‘Do Life Better’ Interactive Seminar Iyabunmi Moore is hosting the ‘Do Life Better’ seminar on Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Westin BWI, 1110 Old Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090. The event will feature Andre Vaughn, multimillion dollar entrepreneur, speaker and author. To register visit dolifebetterlive.com and for more information call 443.864.9440.

(Courtesy photo)

Dr. Mary Stone Hanley will perform at Family Night Poetry Open Mic in Camp Springs, MD.

Waverly’s Annual Academic Resource Fair The Annual Academic Resource Fair will take place at 3400 Ellerslie Ave, Baltimore, MD 21218 on Jan. 26 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This event is free to the public and open for everyone to attend. Dinner will be provided. For more information contact Jerrell Bratcher at jdbratcher@bcps.k12.md.us or Jamilla Thompson at jthompson@bcps.k12.md.us.

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The Afro-American, January 23, 2016 - January 29, 2016

The Band Marching Unit

MLK Birthday Float Emcee Konan, 92 Q Radio

Baltimore City honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with regional marching bands, color guards, steppers, equestrian units, dance squads, civic organizations, and floats. The parade stepped off at Martin Luther King, Baltimore City Fire Department Color Guard Jr. Boulevard and Eutaw Street, continuing south on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard on Jan. 18. Black Professional Men, Inc. Thousands came out in the frigid temperatures Westsiders to support the parade. Marching Band

Ms. Exquisite Contestants Photos by Anderson Ward

Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake and Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Davis

Nykidra Robinson, founder of Black Girls Vote

Baltimore Branch NAACP Float

Country Zydeco Horsemen and Women

Dunbar High School Band

Morgan State granted honorary doctorates to students who participated in the sit-ins and demonstrations in Maryland from the late 1940s to early 1960s.

National Pan-Hellenic Council of Metropolitan Baltimore

The New Baltimore Twilighters Band

State Senator Catherine Pugh

Edmonson Westside Marching Band

Penelope Taylor, Rev. Frances Murphy Draper, Dr. David Wilson, Hon. Kweisi Mfume, Shelonda Stokes, Gen. (Ret.) Larry Ellis and Winston Wilkinson were among the Board of Regents congratulating Rev. Jackson on his award.

Overjoyed graduates!

Alpha Phi Alpha Steppers

Nadira France

The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr, noted civil rights leader and human rights activist, was the keynote speaker as more than 345 individuals celebrated their graduation at Morgan State University’s December commencement. The graduation exercises Autherine Juanita Lucy Foster, a in the Talmadge Hill Field House marked the University’s 50th anniversary civil rights pioneer was awarded the Dr. David Wilson commemoration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Doctor of Laws Honorary degree. “Fifty years ago, this important legislation made it possible for all people in this country, particularly African Americans, to exercise their right to vote…’ said Dr. David Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “And as we pause to celebrate 50 years since enactment of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, we are fortunate that our students were able to share in this milestone with a longtime champion of civil rights.” Graduates preparing to Honorary doctorates were also presented to Autherine Lucy Foster, receive their degrees another civil rights pioneer who helped to desegregate the University of Reverend Bernard Keels Alabama, and Morgan State’s civil rights pioneers from 1947-1963 who were responsible for desegregating theaters and lunch counters in Baltimore.

ROTC graduates Honor graduates stand as their names are called.

Murphy family member Laura Phillips Byrd was honored as one of the Civil Rights Pioneers. Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.

The Doctor of Philosophy was awarded posthumously to Stacy Lockhart ‘and was presented to her husband and son. Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

Doctor of Education candidates

Civil Rights Pioneer Dr. Cynthia Neverdone Morton

The Honorable Kweisi Mfume