Volume Volume 124 123 No. No. 26 20–22
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Inside
Baltimore
• Passing of
Balto. Coaching Legend - Carmie ‘Pete’ Pompey
The Palins: ‘Personal Responsibility’ Hypocrites
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Washington
Saving Flint
How Real are Civil War Dramas?
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• Md. Congressman AP Photo
Jazmine Davis stands next to water cases and jugs of water that will be loaded onto a U-Haul truck for the people of Flint on Jan. 25 in Kalamazoo, Mich. AFRO Editorial: More Heads Must Roll in Flint, Michigan -- Starting with Gov. Rick Snyder A5
Says No to D.C. Statehood
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New Lawsuit Seeks Replacement of Flint’s Lead Pipes By The Associated Press
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Environmental and civil rights groups want a federal judge to order the prompt replacement of all lead pipes in Flint’s water system to ensure that residents have a safe drinking supply, a demand that Gov. Rick Snyder said on Jan. 26 might be a long-term option but not an immediate
one. A lawsuit filed on Jan. 26 seeks an order forcing city and state officials to remedy alleged violations of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, including a failure to properly treat the water for corrosion, test it for lead, notify residents of results and accurately report if the correct sample sites are being selected. Flint residents
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The King Monument in Washington D.C.
For Some, “National Day of Service” Weakens Stronger Image of MLK
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By Drew Johnson Urban News Service
• Walmart
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The group filed the complaint on behalf of citizens along with the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, the Concerned Pastors for Social Action and Melissa Mays, a Flint resident. Snyder’s administration has estimated it could cost up to $55 million to repair what officials have
L.A. Students Suffer as School Officials Waste Billions on Hi-tech Fiasco
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are currently unable to drink unfiltered tap water, and tests have shown high lead levels in some children’s blood. “The only way to permanently and completely fix the problem of lead in drinking water is to conduct the full replacement of the lead-containing pipes and solder in a water system,” said Sarah Tallman, a lawyer with the Natural Resources Defense Council.
L.A. schools lost a billion dollars on a failed tech experiment. Students got iPads that taught them nearly nothing. The Los Angeles Unified School District began delivering curriculum materials to students using Apple iPads in 2013. The devices were supposed to replace school books, foster interactive study and streamline test taking. But teachers, district officials and taxpayers now call this plan a pricey flop. The failed program triggered an FBI investigation, prompted the resignation of the district’s superintendent and left countless schoolrepair and construction projects unfinished. The iPad program initially cost $1.3 billion – $500 million for the devices and educational software from publishing giant Pearson and another $800 million to upgrade the district’s computer networks. Continued on A3
Ferguson, Feds Reach Tentative Police Reform Deal By The Associated Press
By Eric Easter Urban News Service This year, way too many people wanted to honor Martin Luther King Jr. In a morning meeting of parents from the elite private Potomac School in McLean, Virginia, Arun Gupta, an investment banker, gives his report on the response to the school’s sign-up for Martin Luther King Day activities, which Gupta coordinates. With only some variation in numbers, it’s the same report he’s given for the last seven years: “Once again, we are over-subscribed.” That means demand for the school’s coveted100 slots to Continued on A3
While the L.A. school district bought iPads for students, the poor conditions in classrooms went unaddressed.
Wikipedia
The death of Michael Brown at the hands of a police officer touched off days of unrest in Ferguson, MO.
Copyright © 2016 by the Afro-American Company
The Justice Department has reached a tentative agreement with Ferguson on systemic changes following the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in 2014, city officials announced on Jan. 27. The recommended overhaul follows seven months of negotiations and likely averts a civil rights lawsuit that federal officials have the option to bring against departments that resist changing their policing practices. City officials posted the proposed 131-page deal between the federal government and the Ferguson Police Department on the city’s website and scheduled three public sessions over the next two weeks for input from residents. A City Council vote is scheduled for Feb. 9. Continued on A3
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The Afro-American, January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016
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Gabrielle Union: Who is Stacey Dash? By The Associated Press
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Gabrielle Union, a cast member in “The Birth of a Nation,” poses at the premiere of the film at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 25 in Park City, Utah.
Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File
In this 2014 file photo, Stacey Dash attends the “American Sniper” premiere in New York.
Actress Gabrielle Union is taking aim at Stacey Dash after the Fox News contributor last week questioned the BET channel’s existence. When asked about Dash’s comments at the Sundance Film Festival premiere of “The Birth of a Nation” on Monday, Union first replied, “Who’s that? Who’s Stacey Dash? Is she like related to Dame Dash? Was she on Roc-A-Fella (Records)?” Union said the BET Awards remain necessary because of the lack of diversity in mainstream awards. “The more that we focus on inclusion and a true representation of this country, I think that crazy lady will have less to say,” Union said of Dash. Union has a TV series on BET called “Being Mary Jane.” Dash’s comments stemmed from a “Fox & Friends” interview last week when she was asked about the lack of Black nominees for Academy Awards. The former “Clueless” star said people need to make up their minds between segregation and integration, “and if we don’t want segregation, then we need to get rid of channels like BET and the BET Awards and the (NAACP) Image Awards, where you’re only rewarded if you’re Black.” Dash then wrote on her website that BET lies to American Blacks by telling them the rest of America is racist. “And they’re absolutely mortified that someone like me — an independent-thinking Black woman — dares call their bluff.”
Protest Outside Phoenix-Area School after Racial Slur Photo Goes Viral
strong words for Holtzclaw, who was convicted last month on 18 counts, including four first-degree rape counts as well as forcible oral sodomy, sexual battery, procuring lewd exhibition and second-degree rape. Holtzclaw was acquitted on 18 other counts. “I think people need to realize that this is not a lawenforcement officer that committed these crimes. This is a rapist who masqueraded as a law-enforcement officer,” Prater said. “If he was a true law enforcement officer he would have upheld his duty to protect those citizens rather than victimize them.” Prosecutors said Holtzclaw targeted Black women in neighborhoods east and north of the state Capitol building. During the monthlong trial, 13 women testified against him, and several said Holtzclaw stopped them, checked them for outstanding warrants or drug paraphernalia, and then forced himself on them. All of the accusers were Black. Holtzclaw is half-White, half-Japanese, and the son of a longtime Enid, Oklahoma, police officer. Several of Holtzclaw’s victims have filed civil lawsuits against Holtzclaw and the city in state and federal court. The Associated Press highlighted Holtzclaw’s case in a yearlong examination of sexual misconduct by law officers, which found that about 1,000 officers in the U.S. lost their licenses for sex crimes or other sexual misconduct over a sixyear period. Those figures are likely an undercount, because not every state has a process to ban problem officers from law enforcement. In states that do decertify officers, reporting requirements vary.
AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, Pool
Daniel Holtzclaw, right, sits with his attorneys Robert Gray, left, during his sentencing in Oklahoma City, Jan. 21.
By The Associated Press
Ga. White Police Officer Indicted in Shooting of Unarmed Black Man By The Associated Press
Six Desert Vista High School students pose for a picture on senior picture day. Some members of the NAACP are protesting outside a suburban Phoenix school after a photo of students spelling out a racial slur with T-shirts showed up on social media. Since the photo went viral Friday, an online petition has started that calls for the six Desert Vista High School students involved to be expelled and the principal fired. Tempe Union High School District officials declined Monday to discuss possible punishment for the students. Officials say they’re outraged and saddened by the offensive photo and want to ensure it never happens again at the school. Desert Vista students were wearing shirts to spell out BEST(asterisk)YOU’VE(asterisk) EVER(asterisk)SEEN(asterisk)CLASS(asterisk) OF(asterisk)2016 for a senior class yearbook photo. The six girls in the photo went off on their own and used their shirts to spell out the slur.
Ex-Oklahoma Officer gets 263 Years for Rapes, Sex Assaults of Black Women By The Associated Press A former police officer convicted of raping and sexually victimizing women while on his beat in a low-income Oklahoma City neighborhood was ordered Thursday to spend the rest of his life in prison. Jurors had recommended that Daniel Holtzclaw be sentenced to 263 years in prison for preying on women in 2013 and 2014. District Judge Timothy Henderson agreed, said Holtzclaw will serve the terms consecutively and denied his request for an appeal bond. Holtzclaw waived his right to remain in custody in the county jail for 10 days, instead opting to be taken directly to prison. Defense attorney Scott Adams said Holtzclaw will appeal. “It is what it is,” Adams said. “It wasn’t a surprise.” Oklahoma County District Attorney Scott Prater had
A White Atlanta-area police officer who shot a naked, mentally ill Black veteran who was unarmed has been indicted on felony murder and other charges. The decision came AP Photo/DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Thursday after DeKalb This Jan. 22, photo County prosecutors presented provided by the DeKalb their case against Officer County Sheriff’s office, Robert Olsen, who fatally shows DeKalb County shot Anthony Hill on March Police officer Robert Olsen. 9 while responding to a call of a naked man behaving erratically outside a suburban Atlanta apartment complex. The family of the 27-year-old Hill says he was a U.S. Air Force veteran who struggled with mental health problems. Tensions between police and minorities have risen across the country in the aftermath of a series of shootings mostly involving white law enforcement officers and unarmed African-American males. However, critics in Hill’s case, including his family, have focused more on his mental health and whether force should have been used at all because he was unarmed. DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said a warrant had been issued for Olsen’s arrest. After announcing the indictment, James said prosecutors presented evidence for eight hours but declined to give many other details. Olsen was indicted on two counts each of felony murder and violating oath of office and one count each of aggravated assault and making a false statement. The felony murder counts do not indicate malice, but rather that Olsen killed someone during the commission of another felony, in this case aggravated assault or violation of his oath of office, James said. Olsen violated the department’s use of force policy and lied during the investigation, falsely saying Hill hit him in the chest before the shooting, James said. Olsen’s attorney, Don Samuel, said they are disappointed in the grand jury’s decision, but he noted the defense was not allowed to present any witnesses, experts or evidence and was not allowed to challenge any of the prosecution’s evidence. Hill’s family in November filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the DeKalb County Police Department, Olsen, the county and its board of commissioners.
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January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016, The Afro-American
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Flint’s Lead Pipes Continued from A1
estimated are 15,000 damaged lead service lines leading from water mains to homes and other buildings. The complaint says the pipes should be replaced at no cost to customers. The governor, speaking at a news conference in Flint, said “a lot of work is being done to even understand where the lead services lines fully are. ... The short-term issue is about recoating the pipes and that will be based on third-party experts saying the water is safe.” He announced that the state will have an increased administrative presence in Flint and called it the beginning of a long-term effort. And Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said she hired a Virginia Tech professor whose extensive testing helped bring the city’s lead problems to light. Marc Edwards will oversee all water testing done by the state and federal governments. She added that he will be “fully independent,” report to her and get paid through private donations. She also touched on the issue of residents’ water bills. A House-passed spending bill
pending in the state Senate includes $3 million to help the city with unpaid water bills. “Flint residents should not have to pay for water they did not and are not using,” Weaver said. “Once we have more accurate numbers from the Flint water department, we will revisit what is right for our citizens.” It remains unclear when residents will be able to resume drinking unfiltered water.
of the lead lines by anti-corrosion chemicals, Creagh said. “Yes or no? ... We’re not going to guess.” He said officials are working to identify neighborhoods with no lead pipes, so those residents can get the all clear on their water. It remains unclear how badly the pipes were damaged after the decision in 2014 to use the Flint River as the city’s drinking water
“Flint residents should not have to pay for water they did not and are not using.” – Flint Mayor Karen Weaver State Department of Environmental Quality Interim Director Keith Creagh said water samples show “things are trending better,” but he stressed they are not statistically valid because he cannot guarantee homeownerprovided samples are from homes at more risk — those with lead pipes or with no filters. “Now we need to figure out ... is there a protective barrier” being recoated on the inside
source without adding a chemical to control corrosion. That caused lead to leech into the water for a year and a half and contributed to the spike in child lead exposure before state and officials fully acknowledged the problem in early October. Flint has reconnected to Detroit’s water system while awaiting the completion of a new pipeline from Lake Huron.
King
Students Suffer
volunteer with the organization City Year is higher than can be accommodated, leaving at least 40students and their parents unable to join a volunteer project. On the holiday, the lucky 100, and more than 800 others, mostly from wealthy sections of Washington, D.C. and its even wealthier suburbs, descended on Ballou Senior High, located in southeast D.C., one of the District’s poorest neighborhoods. There, they got an earful of speeches from local officials, ate bagels, drew pictures and packed bags for the homeless or performed minor cosmetic improvements to neighboring schools and playgrounds. Ballou itself was not part of this effort. It recently re-opened after
That outlay only financed 120,000 iPads, for about 20 percent of district students. This left more than 650,000 children behind. L.A. funded the iPad experiment with 25-year school-construction bonds. Thus, with interest, the final taxpayer expenditure could exceed $2 billion – on equipment that typically has a three-year lifespan. The district’s purchase of iPads via construction bonds leaves L.A. with far less money to repair and replace deteriorating schools, especially in poor and minority neighborhoods. That clearly riled many teachers. Two local instructors formed the “Repairs, Not iPads” Facebook page. Teachers used it to display pictures of neglected maintenance in their schools. One photo shows a digital thermometer reading 92 degrees inside a classroom with an overwhelmed air-conditioning system. Other pictures show broken toilets, a dangerously exposed electrical outlet and cockroaches in classrooms. Several snapshots feature leaky roofs and even flooded classrooms. “If you came home to see this kind of flooding in your home, would you think that it is time to buy everyone in the family a new iPad?” asked Matthew Kogan, who teaches at Chinatown’s Evans Community Adult School. The iPad program’s problems outpaced its budget. Once students received the devices, complications multiplied. Within days, high school students hacked into them, bypassed security controls, and then played games and visited Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. The fragile machines also broke in teenaged hands. When many parents were unable to pay the iPads’ $768 replacement cost, thousands of low-income students could not follow along in class or do homework. Pearson’s software platform suffered technical glitches and offered incomplete curriculum programs. Hence, teachers rarely had enough working iPads in classrooms, leaving some students – and sometimes, entire classes – frittering away days of valuable learning time. The frustration grew so great that, by the end of the project’s first academic year, only two of 69 participating schools still used the devices, according to project director Bernadette Lucas. The other schools had “given up on attempting regular use of the app,” she said. School district leaders soon unplugged the iPads, barely two years after they were clicked on. “While Apple and Pearson promised a state-of-the-art technological solution for [the iPad program’s] implementation, they have yet to deliver it,” school district attorney David Holmquist wrote to Apple’s general counsel last April, announcing the project’s termination. “As we approach the end of the
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commitment is “an erosion of the King potency to make people feel better.” “Men don’t get assassinated because they dream and advocate for service,” says Miller. “King was pushing for wealth transference at the end of his life and an end to the [Vietnam] War just prior to that. Actual equality based on the whole human person (not just race or social status) was his purpose. That is a dangerous and obviously deadly position on which to stand in the United States. He wanted to topple and transform the power, wealth, poverty, injustice paradigm.” Georgetown University law professor Christopher Alan Chambers, who spent the day with his own family in quiet reflection, agrees that while service is laudable, it should not evolve into the holiday’s central theme. “His legacy was about challenging a terrible status quo, leadership and sacrifice. That’s what all Americans should be thinking about. But my kid and other kids, even college students, are told — often by Black teachers and leaders, but mostly by Whites — that service must be the component, and learning about the man and his struggles is secondary. [People] seem to be motivated about the service thing and are fed the Saint Martin – Vince Brown mythology, rather than the truth about protests and the daunting sacrifices and compromises he an$85-million renovation and now rivals the had to make. I’m no revolutionary. I just want facilities of many of the private schools the to pay homage in the most appropriate way.” volunteers attend. Vince Brown, a Washington, D.C. DJ and This scene was duplicated in cities music critic, thinks the day should be one of across America, with millions of volunteers direct protest. “How about an occupation of participating in“ A Day On, Not a Day Off” D.C. and demand for food and housing for all, celebrations to mark the King holiday. This re-distribution of wealth and an end to war?” year, President Barack Obama and his family he said. “That was what Dr. King was about to chose the same City Year event in Washington lead the week he was assassinated. Anything as their project, boosting its popularity. less is falling short of the vision he had.” The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service These opinions reflect a growing concern grew out of a bill sponsored by Rep. John in both scholarly discussion and dinner table Lewis, D-Ga., and Senator Harris Wofford, conversation in the Black community that the D-Pa., and later signed by President Bill further Americans get from the age of the civil Clinton in1994. Obama further popularized rights movement, King’s history of radical the day by making it an official program of opposition to injustice is being lost to more the Corporation for National and Community benign talk about hope and “a dream.” Service. Yet despite this event’s connection For these critics, the focus on service on the to Obama and its origins with the iconic John King holiday contributes to that loss. Andrea Lewis, a King associate and civil rights legend Pringle, a political organizer who has worked in his own right, a small but growing number with many of the leaders of the early civil of observers see this focus on service as“ rights movement, sees passing on the King off the mark” from the way King should be legacy as a family obligation. “We have to remembered. take responsibility to educate the generations For Traci Miller, a Maryland real-estate behind us of our history as black people in this developer who spent the holiday attending country and give context to Dr. King’s life, his forums on justice, the focus on painting mission and his death,” Pringle said. “A day of schools, planting gardens and traveling to service is honorable, but helping our children poor neighborhoods without an extended understand is on us.”
“How about an occupation of D.C. and demand for food and housing for all, re-distribution of wealth and an end to war?” That was what Dr. King was about to lead the week he was assassinated. Anything less is falling short of the vision he had.”
The suit expresses doubt about whether the city can maintain optimal corrosion treatment when it switches to the new water source later this year. Much of the blame for the emergency has been put on the state Department of Environmental Quality because staff told Flint water officials not to treat it for corrosion until after two six-month monitoring periods. But the suit also focuses on problems with the city’s monitoring of lead. It alleges the city is not providing comprehensive, reliable information to identify locations with lead lines and is under-testing homes with a higher risk of lead exposure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week issued an emergency order directing the state to take actions to protect public health and said it would begin sampling and analyzing lead levels. At least three other suits have been filed since the crisis was exposed in the fall. Two seek class-action status and financial compensation; another asks a judge to declare that users do not have to pay their water bills.
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school year, the vast majority of students are still unable to access the Pearson curriculum on iPads.” But not even the program’s cancellation stopped its woes. Some observers wondered why the district paid $768 for iPads that retail for as little as $250. The Los Angeles Times and Pasadena public-radio station KPCC revealed e-mails in which L.A. school superintendent John Deasy quietly agreed to work with Apple and Pearson more than a year before unveiling the program. The FBI is now investigating the iPad contracts for improprieties. Also, the federal Securities and Exchange Commission is probing whether school leaders properly disclosed that bonds would fund the effort. Deasy resigned as superintendent in October 2014, largely due to the failed iPad experiment and the alleged wrongdoing involved in granting contracts to Apple and Pearson. But even post-Deasy, many taxpayers, who are still on the hook for the scrapped program, remain furious. “Taxpayers are getting fed up with this kind of irresponsibility because they know it is damaging the academic success of their children,” said Lydia Gutierrez, a board member of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council. The school district got some money back from Pearson and Apple, because the companies did not fulfill their contracts. Pearson agreed to refund $6.4 million for failing to provide completed math and English curricula. Apple paid $4.2 million after the district threatened to sue over faulty software. For its part, Pearson says the curriculum was complete, but the company had “important enhancements to add,” which were scheduled to occur twice a year, according to Pearson spokesman Brandon Pinette. The contract’s cancellation made those improvements moot. L.A.’s failures contrast with other schools and districts that successfully harnessed the Internet to offer students more personalized education. Ohio’s Hilliard City Schools, Seattle’s Highline Public Schools, and Boulder, Colorado’s Valley School District are just a few places that have improved learning via tablet and notebook computers, and related software, at a fraction of what Los Angeles misspent. These achievements suggest that Los Angeles’ educators learned little before launching their iPad venture. This frustrates Ben Barker, an Angeleno and parent of a district student. “At the end of the day, school district leaders still [threw] away over $1 billion on iPads that didn’t work, and a lot of kids went weeks without learning a thing,” Barker said. “The whole thing was a craptastic embarrassment and a disaster.”
Ferguson
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Under the agreement, within 180 days, all patrol officers, supervisors and jail workers will be required to wear body cameras and microphones, and the equipment will be installed inside the Police Department’s squad cars. The cameras are to be activated for all traffic stops, arrests, searches and encounters with people believed to be experiencing a mental health crisis. The city also agrees to revise its municipal code, including repealing sections that authorized jail for people who fail to pay fines for violations. The plan calls for more thorough training of police officers and changes to the city’s use of force procedures. Such deals also generally
require the appointment of a monitor to oversee a police department’s compliance. A federal investigation into the Ferguson police force found sweeping patterns of racial bias across the city’s criminal justice system. A Justice Department report issued in March found that officers routinely used excessive force, issued petty citations and made baseless traffic stops. The federal inquiry came amid heightened national scrutiny over deadly police shootings in Ferguson, Baltimore, New York and elsewhere. A St. Louis County grand jury declined to indict former Ferguson officer Darren Wilson, who is White, in the death of Brown, who was Black.
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Fired: 6 Cleveland Officers Involved in Killing of Unarmed Black Couple 137 Shot Barrage Following Car Chase Involving 62 Police Cruisers By The Associated Press Cleveland officials said on Jan. 26 they’re firing six police officers involved in a 137-shot barrage that killed two unarmed black people after a high-speed chase. Those officers included Michael Brelo, a patrolman acquitted of manslaughter charges in May for having fired the last 15 shots of the barrage in East Cleveland on Nov. 29, 2012. The chase began when officers standing outside police headquarters mistook the sound of a beat-up Chevrolet Malibu backfiring as a gunshot. Six more officers who fired during the barrage face suspensions ranging from 21 to 30 days, said Public Safety Director Michael McGrath, the former police chief. A total of 13 officers had been notified they faced administrative discipline, and one of them has retired, McGrath said. The president of Cleveland’s largest police union, Steve Loomis, vowed to fight the discipline and said grievances appealing the firings were filed with the city on Jan. 26. He described the firings as unbelievable, unprecedented and politically motivated. “It’s tragic that it went
down this way, but at the end of the day, two people high on crack cocaine, high on marijuana, one of them intoxicated, made the decisions that they made and we responded to them,” Loomis said. “And we responded within our training.” The officers had been cited for joining the chase or leaving the city without permission. More seriously, some were accused of endangering other officers by creating or contributing to a crossfire situation. McGrath said officials reviewed hundreds of pages of related documents and multimedia to reach decisions on discipline. “It was very difficult. ... But at the end of the day, there were general police orders. There are manual rules and regulations that we expect officers to comply with,” McGrath said. “If they didn’t comply with those particular general police orders or manual rules and regulations, I sustained charges.” The high-speed chase involved 62 police cruisers and more than 100 officers. The shooting killed both occupants of the car. Timothy Russell was hit by 24 shots, Malissa Williams by 23. Authorities never learned
John Kuntz/The Plain Dealer via AP
Cleveland officials said they’re firing six police officers involved in a 137-shot barrage that killed two unarmed people after a high-speed chase. why Russell didn’t stop. He had a criminal record including convictions for receiving stolen property and robbery and had been involved in a previous police pursuit. Williams had convictions for drugrelated charges and attempted abduction. Both were described as mentally ill, homeless and addicted to drugs. A crack pipe was found in the car. Of the officers who fired, only Brelo faced criminal
charges. Prosecutors said he stood on the vehicle’s hood and fired inside repeatedly after the car had stopped and its occupants were no longer a threat. Defense attorneys said the officers involved in the chase and shooting had probable cause to believe the people in the car were a safety threat. Brelo’s disciplinary letter cites that and also notes that he fired 49 times, more than double any other officer involved.
Investigators eventually concluded Russell and Williams weren’t armed. Loomis said the officers were right to chase the car because Russell fled at a high rate of speed. After the car stopped, the first shots were fired after Russell used the car as a deadly weapon and drove at an officer, Loomis said. The shooting preceded a months long U.S. Department of Justice investigation that concluded Cleveland police engaged in a pattern and
practice of using excessive force and violating people’s civil rights. The city negotiated an agreement to make changes overseen by an independent monitor. It also paid a $3 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by relatives of Russell and Williams. Dorothy Sigelmier, Williams’ aunt, told cleveland. com she felt “OK” about the officers’ discipline but wished they had ended up in jail. She said she’s forgiven them.
Obama, Sanders at the White House: Nice Chat but that’s All interview was a reflection of his close, working relationship President Barack Obama and his with Clinton and his focus on aides have said a lot of nice things wanting Democrats to win, not his about Bernie Sanders, but not this discomfort with Sanders. one: He’s ready to be president. Although Sanders and Obama The key omission was particularly overlapped in the Senate, they noticeable on Jan. 27 as Obama and have few personal ties. Sanders, an Sanders met for their first one-on-one independent who tends to vote with since Sanders jolted the Democratic Democrats, is an unabashed liberal campaign and locked Hillary Clinton willing to hold the line. Obama in an unexpectedly tight race. has shown far more interest in The long-discussed meeting pragmatism than ideological purity. between Obama and his sometime The president respects the role critic was a moment for the president Sanders has played in the Senate, a to display his public neutrality in the White House official said. Indeed, heated primary race to replace him — a younger Obama once cheered that rebutting suggestions that he’s in the effort. tank for Clinton. For Sanders, it was “It seems like power is always a chance to show he’s got some sway trumping principle,” Obama said as with a president who’s still popular he campaigned for Sanders in 2006. among Democrats. “Things can change, that we can “By and large, over the last seven overcome that cynicism.” years on major issue after major But as president, Obama has issue, I have stood by his side where not relied on Sanders for advice or he has taken on unprecedented legislative heft. The senator hasn’t AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster Republican obstructionism and has been a regular at the White House. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., walks from the West Wing of the White House He last met privately with Obama tried to do the right thing for the American people,” Sanders said after in Washington on Jan. 27 to speak to media after meeting with President Barack Obama. in December 2014 to alert the the meeting. president of his plans to run for his But neither the White House nor job, Earnest said. own battle against Clinton in 2008. Obama Increasingly, it appears, he sees Clinton as his Sanders is suggesting the men are kindred While in Washington, Sanders stopped by allies bristle at comparisons between Sanders best hope. spirits, or even close political allies. White the Senate after his White House visit, then and the president. Sanders emerged from the 45-minute House officials say the men lack much of headed back to Iowa for yet one more evening It’s a reminder that even as Obama watches meeting with gracious things to say about his a personal relationship and have markedly event. the nomination battle from a distance, he is host. different approaches to politics. The president Obama allies have dismissed suggestions personally tied to the outcome. He remains He said he believes Obama has been “even this week declared bluntly he doesn’t see that Sanders’ campaign is following a path focused on ensuring a Democrat wins the handed” in his dealing with the candidates. Sanders’ upstart campaign as a reboot of his Obama charted eight years ago. Despite both White House and on protecting his legacy. The president has campaigned for him in the men attracting youthful crowds, promising past, Sanders noted, harking back a decade change and running against Clinton, the to an appearance then-Sen. Obama made in comparison is thin, they say. Vermont. And he has campaigned for Obama, Sanders rails against the gap between the he said, delivering a pointed rebuke to Clinton, nation’s wealthy and poor, which has grown who has suggested Sanders has been disloyal during Obama’s presidency, and slams the to the president. role of Wall Street and big corporations in the The White House had kind words economy. for Sanders’ contribution to Democrats He also blasts the proliferation of big enthusiasm, although not his leadership. money in politics. In 2012, Obama blessed the “That ability to engage Democrats and creation of a Democratic super PAC, Priorities excite them and inspire them will be critical USA Action, to support his re-election bid. to the success of Democrats up and down the Like Clinton, Sanders opposes the Transballot,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest Pacific Partnership, a key part of Obama’s said. “Whether Senator Sanders is the nominee trade agenda. He also opposes the president or not.” in advocating transforming Obama’s health The caveat was a marked contrast to care law into what he describes as a universal remarks Obama recently made about Clinton. “Medicare for all” system. In an interview with Politico, the president These issues weren’t the focus of the described his former secretary of state as meeting, Sanders said, downplaying the “more experienced than any non-vice president differences as he stood in the driveway has ever been who aspires to this office.” of the White House to talk to reporters. Sanders has “great authenticity, great passion Photographers were not allowed to shoot the and is fearless,” Obama said, but he added the president and Sanders together in the Oval senator is untested. Office. White House officials say the Obama By The Associated Press
January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016, The Afro-American
AFRO Editorial
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COMMENTARY
More Heads Must Roll in Flint, Michigan -Starting with Gov. Rick Snyder It’s outrageous that Flint is experiencing a citywide health crisis where 8,177 children have been diagnosed with lead in their bloodstreams. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, longterm exposure for infants and children can lead to “delays in physical or mental development; children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities.” This is a humanitarian catastrophe that could have been avoided. Here’s the reality: in order for the City of Flint to save money, the residents of Flint, a predominantly Black city, were cold heartedly all put at risk. It’s criminal. In April 2014, Flint officials decided to cut costs by switching its water source from Lake Huron water -supplied by the Detroit water system - to water from the Flint River. Residents immediately began complaining about the water’s taste and also saying the water was cloudy and had a foul smell. But no one paid them any attention. Michigan’s Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, is facing all sorts of accusations of blame – among which includes Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Democratic presidential candidate, who said Snyder should resign immediately. We agree. Snyder took office in 2011 so the water crisis happened on his watch. He claims he got bad information from environmental officials so he wasn’t able to move fast enough to address the crisis. It’s a lame excuse. As governor, Snyder should have been more engaged the moment he learned that residents were complaining about the water. “I’m sorry and I will fix it,” Snyder said during his recent speech to state officials. “Government failed you at the federal, state and local level. “We need to make sure this never happens again in any Michigan city.”
But who else will be held accountable? Susan Hedman, the head of the Midwest region of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, resigned last week over the water contamination crisis after she minimized an EPA memo that said tests had shown high levels of lead in the city’s water. So would state officials have put a greater emphasis on fixing the problem if Flint wasn’t a predominantly Black city? Perhaps. “We’ve had a city in the United States of America where the population, which is poor in many ways and majority African American, has been drinking and bathing in lead contaminated water,” Hillary Clinton, the Democratic frontrunner for president, said during the presidential debate in South Carolina two weeks ago. “And the governor of that state acted as though he didn’t really care.” Meanwhile, Black and White entertainers are pitching in to help. The rapper, The Game, recently announced that he was donating $500,000 of his own money to help with the water crisis in Flint. He also said that the water bottle company Avita Water is going to donate $500,000 to help the Flint victims. AQUAhydrate, a water company owned by Sean “Diddy Combs” and Mark Wahlberg has pledged 1 million bottles of water. This generous offering goes along with other
contributions by Aretha Franklin, who indicated that she will provide hotel rooms and food for up to 50 Flint residences; Cher, who has reportedly sent thousands of bottles of water to Flint; and Eminem, Jimmy Fallon, Wiz Khalifa and other notables who have made similar contributions of water or money to aid the Flint citizens victimized by this insensitive governmental catastrophe. Sadly, it’s too late for many: thousands of residents in Flint will experience serious health issues for the rest of their lives because they drank polluted water. But did Flint’s city officials also drink the tainted water? In the meantime, Gov. Snyder should offer a brief note to the public: his resignation.
The Palins: ‘Personal Responsibility’ Hypocrites Since former half-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin erupted on the national scene by telling everyone she could see Russia from her perch in Alaska, she has been lecturing everyone about accepting responsibility. For example, speaking to Tea Party supporters in Nashville in 2010, Palin said, “My plan is quite simple. To support those who support George E. Curry the foundation of our country when it comes to the economy. It is free-market principles that reward hard work and personal responsibility.” As Professor Melissa Harris-Perry explained, the “language of personal responsibility is often a code language used against poor and minority communities.” For sure, accepting “personal responsibility” is not a trait of the Palin family. Take the latest family drama in the news – the arrest of Track Palin on Jan. 18 in Wasila, Alaska for domestic violence. According to formal complaints, the son of Senator John McCain’s 2008 vice presidential running mate was charged with 4th degree assault and misconduct involving weapons. According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, Jordan Loewe, Track Palin’s girlfriend, stated he had physically
attacked her and threatened to commit suicide with a firearm. “Loewe stated the following: She and her boyfriend of one year, Track Palin, left a different residence together and were arguing the whole way home. Once they got to his home they argued in the car, then in the driveway. They were screaming and he was calling her names. “…Palin approached Loewe and struck her on the left side of her head near her eye with a closed fist. Loewe then got on the ground in a fetal position because she didn’t know what else he would do. Palin then kicked Lowe on the right knee.” The report also noted, “Sergeant Rader observed Loewe to have bruising and swelling around her left eye. She complained of pain to that area as well as to her right knee. He observed a small red area near her knee. The involved firearm, an unloaded AR-15 rifle was located on the kitchen counter.” Rather than urging her 26-year-old son to accept personal responsibility for striking his girlfriend with his fist, Sarah Palin chose to blame President Obama, who was more than 4,200 miles away in the nation’s capital. She said her son, an Army reservist who served in Iraq in 2008 under President George W. Bush, was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Democratic strategist Donna Brazile said to Anderson Cooper on CNN, “You have known me for a long time, so I’m just gonna say it: she’s a liar. That’s a damn lie.” Veteran groups also made similar comments. “It’s not President Obama’s fault that Sarah Palin’s son has PTSD,” said Paul Rieckhoff, head of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
of America (IAVA). “PTSD is a very serious problem, a complicated mental health injury and I would be extremely reluctant to blame any one person in particular.” Another Palin offspring, Bristol, has also proven to be a hypocrite. She earned nearly a million dollars for giving abstinence-only speeches yet had two children out of wedlock. After having her first child as an unwed teen, Bristol Palin became a vocal advocate for teen abstinence, earning $15,000$30,000 per speech. She was 18 when she had her first child, shortly after her mother was selected to become John McCain’s running mate. The family announced that Bristol would be marrying Levi Johnston, the baby’s father, but the couple broke up before sharing wedding vows. Under circumstances strikingly similar to her first pregnancy, 25-year-old Bristol Palin announced last year that she was pregnant a second time after becoming engaged to Dakota Meyer, a Medal of Honor recipient. However, that relationship also ended and the couple never made it to the altar. Of course, the Palins are human like everyone else. But all we expect is that they accept responsibility for their actions – instead of pointing the fingers at everyone except themselves. George E. Curry is President and CEO of George Curry Media, LLC. He is the former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA). For more information, go to georgecurry. com.
Innovative Baltimore Youth, Innovative Baltimore City While we are often reminded that big business can Charlotte James be bad, we rarely acknowledge that when leveraged for good, big and small business are essential in reviving any struggling city. We are often led to believe that the non-profit and private sectors are diametrically opposed when in reality, the relationship between the two is mutually beneficial. As we pump trillions of dollars into unnecessary wars overseas, Americans, disproportionately Black and Brown youth, are not being provided quality social and educational services. Baltimore, a minority-majority city, is particularly familiar with this vicious reality. According to the 2015 Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS) District Profile report, 83% of BCPSS students qualify to participate in the Free and Reduced Lunch (FARM) program. Eighty-three percent of the school population also happens to be Black. Though this does not represent a one-to-one correlation, the numbers certainly speak to the harsh reality many minority youth face on a daily basis. However, these grim statistics do not represent all Baltimore residents. Despite its gritty reputation, Baltimore has attracted a new class of entrepreneurs. Known as a do-it-yourself kind of city, Baltimore encourages exploration of new solutions for
old problems. Co-working spaces are popping up across the city from Station North to Fed Hill encouraging collaboration between non-profits, start-ups, and established companies. This is particularly evident in the blossoming tech sector. Tech education non-profits and start-ups are quickly multiplying; numerous public schools and rec centers are beginning to offer coding classes and robotics clubs, and in 2015, Maryland instituted a mandatory technology credit as a prerequisite for high school graduation. These changes are largely motivated by evidence that shows that by the year 2020 there will be 1,000,000 unfilled jobs in the broad field of computer science. According to Code.org, this is a $500 billion dollar opportunity we cannot overlook. We must prepare our students to meet the demands of the modern work world while simultaneously pushing companies to employ the scores of untapped locals. The trend in STEM education recognizes the need to equip students with 21st century skills that prepare them to move on to secondary education and eventually, the professional world. Unfortunately, as with all aspects of public education, Black and Brown students are disproportionately under-served in STEM curriculum, and underfunded urban schools regularly lack the materials needed to administer such a curriculum. Creative tech-ed non-profits and their backers (largely
privately funded grants, sponsorships from tech companies, and donations) are filling this gray area, the space where people, especially poor Black and Brown youth, easily fall through the cracks. Through in-school and after-school classes, paid internship programs, and workforce development, this new ecosystem of support hopes to strengthen Baltimore’s reputation as a city of innovation. These partnerships are not just beneficial for educational outcomes but have positive economic benefits as well. There is solid evidence showing the importance of workplace diversity yet the tech center continues to be dominated by White and Asian men. Through tech workforce development programs (WDP) like the White House TechHire Initiative, we can directly impact the diversification of the tech sector. By creating strategic relationships between education non-profits, WDP, and private companies we can ensure that Baltimore youth are not left behind, yet again. Charlotte James is the communications director for Code in the Schools (CITS), a Baltimore based non-profit providing quality computer science education to under-served and underrepresented youth in Baltimore City. This year, CITS ran a successful pilot program matching talented high school seniors with local tech companies in paid internship opportunities.
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The Afro-American, January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016
Obama Bans Solitary Confinement for Juveniles in Fed Prisons By The Associated Press President Barack Obama says he will ban the use of solitary confinement for juvenile and lowlevel offenders in federal prisons, citing the potential for “devastating, lasting psychological consequences” from the use of the isolation as punishment. “It has been linked to depression, alienation, withdrawal, a reduced ability to interact with others and the potential for violent behavior,” Obama wrote in an
op-ed posted Jan. 25 on The Washington Post’s website. “Some studies indicate that it can worsen existing mental illnesses and even trigger new ones. Prisoners in solitary are more likely to commit suicide, especially juveniles and people with mental illnesses.” Obama asked the Justice Department to review the use of solitary confinement last summer, as part of the administration’s increased focus on the criminal justice system. Activists have been pushing for changes to the
prison system. The department review yielded a series of recommendations and 50 “guiding principles,” which officials said would aim to ensure solitary confinement was an increasingly rare punishment used as an option of last resort when inmates posed a danger to staff, other inmates or themselves. The changes would also expand treatment for the mentally ill and ensure that inmates in solitary can spend more time outside their cells. Obama said the reforms would affect roughly 10,000 inmates in the federal system. Roughly 100,000 people are
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
President Barack Obama says that solitary confinement for juveniles could have “devastating, lasting psychological consequences.” in solitary confinement in
the U.S., he said, adding that he hoped the changes would serve as a model for reforms at the state level. Some states already are making changes. New York prison officials agreed last month to
Mississippi, Arizona and Ohio have agreed to changes under legal pressure. In making his case for changes, Obama cited the “heartbreaking” case of Kalief Browder, who at 16 was arrested on suspicion of stealing a
“Prisoners in solitary are more likely to commit suicide, especially juveniles and people with mental illnesses.” –President Obama overhaul the use of solitary confinement with reforms aimed at reducing the number of inmates sent to restrictive housing. Facing a lawsuit, California agreed in September to stop the practice of isolating gang leaders for unlimited periods.
backpack and sent to the Rikers Island facility in New York for three years. Browder was kept in solitary confinement and, according to his lawyer, beaten by inmates and guards. He was never tried and was released in 2013. He killed himself last year in his mother’s Bronx home.
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January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016, The Afro-American
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BALTIMORE-AREA
Race and Politics
Felon Voting Law Could Be Political Game Changer Over the years I’ve known dozens of Black men and a few Black women who Sean Yoes have done a bid (been Senior AFRO incarcerated) Contributor in the Maryland prison system (the official name is the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services). Add the people I’ve known who have been on probation with no real jail time and I suspect the number may be in the hundreds. Some have struggled when they get back home, with substance abuse or the inability to get or keep a job. Tragically, many of them go back in. But, the vast majority of the people I know have come home and stayed home. Their families have rallied around them and many have thrived through the West Baltimore values of hard work and resilience; they’ve got good jobs and some have started their own businesses. We’ve all got our challenges, but for the most part, the people I know who have been incarcerated are doing okay. However, there is a universal stigma just about everybody who has been in the system experiences, and that is the ambiguity connected to the fundamental American right (and duty) to vote. If you were a felon in Maryland you could not vote until you completed your full sentence, which included
“…they [the bills] will give them the opportunity to weigh in on public policy, making sure they have a seat at the table.”
Who’s Who in the Baltimore Mayoral Race
Courtesy photo
Dance is proud of the course the school district has taken under his leadership. By Zenitha Prince Senior AFRO Correspondent zprince@afro.com
All photos courtesy twitter
Clockwise from top left: Catherine Pugh, Joshua Harris, Sheila Dixon, Elizabeth Embry, Patrick Gutierrez, David Warnock, Calvin Young, Nick Mosby, Carl Stokes (center) By Lisa Snowden-McCray Special to the AFRO Baltimore’s primary election is not until April 26, but a major milestone is coming up. The candidates looking to become the city’s next mayor must file their paperwork with the State Board of Elections by February 3. Here are the current frontrunners. Some of the candidates had not officially filed as of press time. (The following candidates appear in alphabetical order.)
Sheila Dixon
In early January, Dixon released a four-point plan aimed at making the city safer. In it, she suggests ways to stop gun violence, make changes to the police department and make city agencies more unified. “This has been a year of profound hardship for our city. With the painful loss of Freddie Gray, the entrenched conflicts that his death brought to the surface, and the horrifying spike in violence that followed, we all strive to find words of healing and actions to match. But that takes leadership, and that is what I’m offering the citizens of this city,” she writes on her website. Officially filed: no
Elizabeth Embry
Embry, who is currently on leave from her job as Chief of the Criminal Division for the Attorney General, says that she will roll out a comprehensive plan detailing what changes she’d
make as mayor in the coming weeks. In an interview with the AFRO, she said her experience prosecuting crime could be a big asset to the city. “I’ve seen what can work, but what I’ve also seen in the criminal justice system is what happens when every system does not work. To me, the criminal justice system is what you see when everything fails,” she said. Officially filed: no
Patrick Gutierrez
Gutierrez is a former bank executive who believes he can take the skills he learned in that job, and use them to make Baltimore better. “Seeing the dysfunction in city government and knowing my background as an operations manager was specifically to go in and address the same problems that city government has. You know, there’s no accountability anywhere, there’s no transparency, the communication is poor and when you have those things you get the results that we’re getting,” he said in an interview with the AFRO. On his website, he has posted his five steps to a better police department – a plan that calls for body cameras, a better civilian review board and incentives for officers to live in the communities they police in, among other things. Officially filed: yes
Continued on B3
Dallas Dance is anxious to know whether he’ll get another four years at the helm of Baltimore County Public Schools. The schools superintendent asked the school board to let him know by the end of November whether his contract would be renewed when it expires June 30. By law, however, the board cannot sign a contract with Dance before Feb. 1. “For me it was about reassuring the county,” the 34-year-old administrator told the AFRO. “Even though the board doesn’t have to sign a contract until February, I think it is important to send a message to the community about whether they will have to move in a different direction or not.” Dance said he is proud of the course the school district has taken under his leadership. When he came to the job in 2012 as a fresh-eyed 31-yearold transplant from Houston, where he served as one of three chief school officers in the Houston Independent Continued on B2
The Passing of a Balto. Coaching Legend-Carmie ‘Pete’ Pompey By James Bentley AFRO Associate Editor jbentley@afro.com Carmie “Pete” Pompey died of pneumonia on Jan. 22 at the age of 75. He had been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2011. Pompey
spent his 37 year career as an educator in Baltimore City where he touched the lives of countless youth. He spent 31 of those years as the basketball and football coach of Dunbar and Edmondson High Schools. Between both sports he coached 776 games
– Del. Cory McCray parole and probation. Further, advocates of voting rights for felons have complained there were nuances to the Maryland law that compelled many to simply forgo voting period. But, things are changing rapidly and in the very near future the political landscape, especially in Baltimore could be dramatically altered. “House bill 980 and Senate bill 340 will allow for some 43,000 ex offenders currently on parole or probation that’s across the state and numerous zip codes they [the bills] will give them the opportunity to weigh in on public policy, making sure they have a seat at the table,” said Del. Cory Continued on B2
Balto. County Supe. Looks to the Future
Carmie ‘Pete’ Pompey on the football field in 1994.
AFRO file photo
and amassed 533 victories, and many of those years he also served as the school’s athletic director as well. Pompey, a West Baltimore native and Douglass High School graduate, then went on to Morgan State University, where he played quarterback, until he graduated in 1964. His first job in the Baltimore City school system was in 1966 at Harlem Park Middle School where he became the physical education teacher and from there he would go on to Edmondson High School. In 1986 he took over as head football and basketball coach as well as athletic director after Bob Wade left the program to become the University of Maryland men’s basketball coach. Pompey enjoyed the most success in his career during the six years he spent at Dunbar High School including a national 1st place ranking, a coach of the year award, a 57 game winning streak and the Dunbar Poets’ first state title in 1992. That celebration would be cut short in 1993 when Coach Pompey was placed on administrative leave for an alleged misuse of funds from the school’s Continued on B2
From the Archives
Pompey: He Stirs Drink that Toasts Tradition By Sam Lacy Feb. 15, 1992
A group of youngsters is gathered in the gymnasium of a small institution in east Baltimore... the group is Sam Lacy AFRO Archive Photo made up of young basketball players who have committed to keeping alive a winning tradition which began over 40 years ago at Dunbar High School. The 51-year-old man serving as their coach is Carmie “Pete” Pompey who is as dedicated to these teens and early twenties kids as were his predecessors - Sugar Cain and Bob Wade - to the youngsters of the sixties, seventies and eighties. Continued on B2
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Past Seven Days
13 2016 Total
Data as of Jan. 27
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The Afro-American, January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016
Carmie ‘Pete’ Pompey Continued from B1
Continued from B1
athletic department. The money, in excess of $51,000, was said to be earned by students working in a concession stand at Camden Yards. Pompey was cleared of all charges after a 14 month long investigation by then Baltimore City State’s Attorney, Stuart O. Simms. “Coach Pompey’s presence in the school makes a difference and the entire graduating class paid the price of your decision to remove him pending the outcome of the State’s Attorney’s investigation,” read the letter submitted by Lori Phelps, then a Dunbar student’s parent and volunteer in the school’s test preparatory association. The letter continued, “now that the investigation is closed and no charges have been filed, Coach Pompey needs to be reinstated at Dunbar High School.” However, after the investigation Coach Pompey was reassigned to Edmondson in 1994. Pompey is reportedly survived by his sisters Carole Brown and Jean Nicholas; daughter Rhonda McNair; son-in-law Thomas McNair and three grandchildren. The viewing for Carmie “Pete” Pompey will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Jan. 31 at the Wylie Funeral Home in Randallstown, Md. The service to celebrate the life of Coach Pompey will be held at Morgan State University’s Murphy Fine Arts Center on Feb. 1 with the wake beginning at 3 p.m. followed by the service at 4 p.m. The family asks that anyone who attended a school where Pompey taught wear the school’s colors.
Balto. County Supe. Continued from B1
School District, Dance said his first test was figuring out how to build on the legacy of former long-time superintendent, Joe Hairston. “Just trying to figure out how to take a good school district and make it better” was a key challenge, said the educator, who earned doctorate and master’s degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Union University. Even more difficult, however, was the work involved in building relationships with the community and getting different stakeholders to coalesce around a shared plan. “Relationships are key to success in this position,” Dance said. “When I first came there were a lot of communication and trust issues.” The superintendent’s critics, for example, point
From the Archives
to his seemingly unilateral decision to change the high schools’ schedule from seven to eight periods back in 2013. Others point to the dustup that occurred when it was discovered Dance was being paid as a consultant and trainer for SUPES Academy, an Illinois-based firm that was contracted by BCPS to provide training to its principals. Dance has himself acknowledged the misstep (he later resigned from the job). The superintendent said his administration has worked hard to move past those barriers, however, and he is most proud of what they have done in terms of making connections with parents, businesses, lawmakers, etc. Laying that groundwork has translated into more support—monetarily and otherwise—for the district. Such was the case with Blueprint 2.0, a five-year strategic plan spearheaded
Like Cain and Wade, Pompey was himself an outstanding athlete - all of whom came out of the once great fountain of talent that prevailed at Morgan State College. The tradition was born in the fifties when Cain moved in and transformed a chaotic program into a lure for scores of one-parent youngsters who were destined to learn the value of education through organized athletic effort... three consecutive undefeated basketball seasons followed, as well as an acceptable mark in football. It continued under Wade until the great success of his teams brought about the ill-fated journey to the University of Maryland. Today, under Pompey, Dunbar basketball is unmatched by any high school team in the country... this according to polls conducted by Sports Illustrated, Parade magazine, USA Today, The Sporting News and The Associated Press, all of which have had the Poets ranked No. 1 for 11 weeks.
Dunbar... His love for the kids he had then and now is reflected in the manner of his rebuff when someone mentions the success of Reggie Lewis, Reggie Williams, David Wingate, Tyrone “Mugsy” Bogues, the Dozier Twins, etc., all of whom left Dunbar to pursue brilliant collegiate careers. “Oh sure,” he replies, “but we had some successes at Edmondson also... Sam Cassell is captain at Florida State, Kevin Green is at Loyola, Louis Lambert at Cleveland State and
“…under Pompey, Dunbar basketball is unmatched by any high school team in the country...”
Meanwhile, Pompey maintains a low profile... with a modesty that is uncharacteristic of most coaches, he prefers to regale interviews with tales of his past and present players. He tells of the fine young teams he was “lucky” to have at (Baltimore’s) Edmondson High prior to moving to by Dance that is focused on improving academics, safety, communication and organizational effectiveness. Under the plan, for example, Dance set a goal of boosting digital learning by putting individual computers into each student’s hands and of ensuring all BCPS students are fluent in a second language. Other initiatives have also begun to have an impact, such as a computer tracking system that helps to flag students in need which has helped to boost graduation rates, including those of Blacks and other minorities. According to the Maryland Report Card, in 2011, the four-year cohort average graduation rate for BCPS high-schoolers was 82 percent and 80 percent for Black students. In 2014, the average graduation rate increased to 88 percent for all students and 87 percent for Black students, earning BCPS the designation of a national “District of Distinction” by District Administration magazine.
Clarence Alexander is playing well at Towson State.” Then comes the chastisement... “don’t spend time on me... It is the young people who make me look good.” But, despite his protestations, if Cain and Wade supplied the winning potions, it is Pompey who stirs the drink. Carmie, insisting that he is nothing special, was born in Morganton, N.C., came with his family to Baltimore when he was 6-years-old, and was enrolled in School 116 in East Baltimore.
Dance added that a significant percentage of Baltimore County schools are consistently named among the nation’s top-ranked institutions and several are Maryland and national blue ribbon schools. As a result of the advances spearheaded by Dance, BCPS was accepted into the League of Innovative
“As a kid, I played a little of everything on the local playgrounds and open lots... Like most youngsters, I had no favorite sport - baseball in the summer, football in the fall and basketball in the winter... Whatever the season, that was the sport I loved the most.” At Douglass High - under the late Mack Payne and Roy CragwayPompey played quarterback and handled the kicking... At Morgan, he was the quarterback and the finest punter in the school’s history rivaling the feats of the great Otis Troupe of earlier Bears teams. Carmie has three sisters - Carol, Jean and Cynthia - and a brother, Bobby... His wife, Barbara, was described last week by AFRO columnist Bettye Moss as a loyal fan who attends every game of her husband’s spectacular basketball team... A daughter, Rhonda, is a state employee at 23. Although, the present education condition has him wearing many hats; a teaching load of 4 classes, coach and acting athletic director, Carmie says he “wouldn’t change a thing.” The most rewarding thing of all, he declares, is “that for the past 15 years, I’ve been dealing with an assortment of fine young athletes and beautiful people.”
Educational Excellence for African Americans and to the executive committee of the American Association of School Administrators. Dance said if he is given another term as superintendent, he wants to build on what his administration has already achieved and to put more emphasis on issues such as
“When I first came there were a lot of communication and trust issues.” –Dallas Dance Schools, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded a $1.5 million grant to BCPS, according to the district’s website. Additionally, Dance was selected by President Barack Obama as one of 10 national “Connected Educator Champions of Change” in 2014 and was appointed to the President’s Advisory Commission on
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the gender achievement gap and on equity. “We have not had enough conversations about how adult decisions affect students,” Dance said, highlighting issues such as disparate
funding and unequal equal access to highly-trained teachers and high-quality courses, such as AP classes, in certain schools. In order to continue making those improvements, however, the school board will have to make a decision on his contract, which he said is currently still being negotiated. School Board spokesman Mychael Dickerson said the board was scheduled to vote on the contract on Feb. 2 and that by law, it was obligated to inform Dance of its decision by March 1. Board members could not comment further on the matter since it was a personnel matter, however. Dance hopes the vote will go his way, saying, “Stability in leadership is important in any organization when you’re trying to get certain things done.”
Race and Politics Continued from B1
McCray (D45), sponsor of the House bill that would restore voting rights to felons as soon as they leave prison. McCray also led last week’s effort to successfully override Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto of the bills (Sen. Joan Carter Conway (D43) sponsored legislation in the Senate). “We have a judicial system...whether that’s a judge, whether that’s a parole board, or any type of similar authority, they have deemed our family, our friends, our neighbors merit the opportunity to reintegrate into the community,” McCray said. “They have said they are no harm, they are no danger...and they feel that it’s okay for them to reintegrate back into the community,” McCray added. The political calculus is pretty straightforward; add a potential 43,000 voters, the vast majority coming from Baltimore City and the race for mayor of Baltimore, which has at least 14 candidates becomes even more volatile. The financial numbers of the top candidates for mayor were divulged last week. Sen. Catherine Pugh has about $664,000 on hand; former prosecutor Elizabeth Embry has $393,000; former mayor Sheila Dixon has about $320,000 in her coffers; followed by Councilman Nick Mosby with $203,000; and Councilman Carl Stokes with about $155,000. But, the financial wildcard in the race is businessman David Warnock, who is going to infuse his campaign with about $1 million of his own money. However, the trump card could very well be the newly liberated (in a couple of ways) ex felons. That is, if they are registered and if they vote then their impact could be huge. The mayor’s race could be determined by a few thousand votes given the city’s demographics and the number of candidates. Do the math. “If you’re not sitting at the table, you’re on the menu,” said McCray. “This gives them the opportunity to join the table.” 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.
January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016, The Afro-American “The Riders’ dangerous passage through the bus terminals and jails of the Jim Crow South represented only one part of an extended journey for justice that stretched back to the dawn of American history and beyond. But once that passage was completed, there was renewed hope that the nation would eventually find its way to a true and inclusive democracy.” -Professor Raymond Arsenault “The Freedom Riders were remarkable, fearless Americans. They were extraordinary, ordinary people . . . young people who took the reins of history and wouldn’t let go.” -Mark Samels In association with Black History Month the Archdiocese of Baltimore Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is presenting a Harambee Hidden Colors Midnight to Midday Freedom Ride weekend retreat Feb. 13 for students. The retreat is modeled after the training sessions the Freedom Riders experienced during the 1950s and 1960s to prepare them for the marches, sit-ins and civil disobediences. Students and their chaperone will be on a learning bus tour tracing the movements of the Freedom Riders in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Kudos to
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recuperate.
Eunice Jenifer Robinson, Kim Bennett and Howard Roberts, the retreat coordinators. “So build a statue and oh build it high so all the world can see…”-David Ruffin Baltimorian Kenya Brown’s love for Poe and restoration of historic statues has earned her a commission to restore the statue of Edgar Allan Poe at the University of Maryland. Kenya is the owner of Urban Renaissance Restoration. “Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play? I don’t remember growing older, when did they? When did she get to be a beauty? When did he grow to be so tall? Wasn’t it yesterday, when they were small?”Fiddler on the Roof “Welcome home.” I feel like Teyve in “Fiddler on the Roof” lamenting the children growing up so quickly. It’s hard to believe that Little Napoleon was, as the old folks used to say, “knee high to a grasshopper” just “yesterday.”
Napoleon has returned home to the Naval Academy after a successful coaching position in North Carolina to assist Coach Shaun Nua with the winning Navy football team. Proud mom and dad Napoleon and Brenda can’t wait to spoil those adorable grandbabies. Congratulations to Baltimore Horeshoe Casino’s Alex Dixon on his induction into the Durango High School Athletic Hall of Fame. If you missed Kool and the Gang at Maryland Live you’ll be pleased to know that although it’s only four original members they still “Take It To The Top.” The Baltimore Chapter of the Hampton University Alumni Association is sponsoring a fundraising event with the Arena Players. on Feb. 21. For more information, contact Barbara Cuffie at 410-448-1824. Celeste Taylor and Alternative Directions are hosting “Because you are loved” a celebration of friendship and sisterhood at an afternoon fundraiser to benefit ADI & We Can Cer-Vive Feb. 6 at Turf Valley Resort and Spa
in Ellicott City, Maryland. Pink and green was everywhere as the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) showed up and showed out at Colin’s Restaurant Randallstown in celebration of the founding of their sorority. More than two hundred fabulous ladies dined and danced the night away as Deltas, Kappas, Alphas, Omegas, Iotas, Sigmas, and Zetas stopped pass to join in the festivities., I don’t know about you but “I get lifted” when Baltimore is represented in the media by our talented citizens in the arts. Congratulations to Robyn Bragg Dixon and Juan Dixon, who are in the newest reality TV show “Real Housewives of Potomac, which received rave, reviews when it premiered on Jan. 17. According to Bravo, it was the most watched premiere in its series. Another familiar name is Gizelle Bryant, former wife of Baltimore Pastor Jamal Bryant. “There’s something about having a great bottle of wine and a great cigar. Nothing
compares to it.” -D. L. Hughley “My Girl” Colleen Randall is hosting Sassy Stixx for the Love of Cigars and Professional Attire at The Place 315 N. Franklin Street Feb. 2. Enjoy cigars and drink specials in the enclosed patio. Word in Annapolis is that Delegate Corey McCray’s defense of the veto override to restore voting rights to people reentering society after a criminal felony conviction was successful in the bill passing the House of Delegates. Kudos Corey “The way I see it, you should live everyday like it’s your birthday”-Paris Hilton Happy birthday Sherri Fraling, Reginald “Reggie” Haysbert, Ora Reed, James “Jimmy” Lewis, Gwenny Pinder, Melvine Turlington Vera Dillard, Berlinda Redfern, Anita Hunter, Jeff Hettleman and happy 21st birthday Kenyetta Chambers, Sending thinking of you flowers to our friend Howard Jessamy as he continues to
“Suddenly, I’m all alone out of a clear blue sunny sky the happy world I found came tumbling down when you said goodbye.”-Sir Walter Jackson Sending our prayers and condolences to the Neverdon family on the death of their youngest sister Michal Neverdon Merritt; to the family of Coach Carmie “Pete” Pompey on his death and to the family of Dr. John Braxton may they rest peacefully in paradise. Rest in Paradise Abe Vigoda, Jack Bowden and Royal Parker. Your lives made a difference to so many in TV land. Condolences to Lorna Brice and family on the death of her husband Frazier Brice. Many of you remember Frazier Brice as the owner of Brice’s Hilltop on Reisterstown Road when back in the day our friend and radio personality Randy Dennis used to host Randy Dennis’ Best Fest in the 80s. A young Toni Braxton performed there doing the talent fest as a soloist. It was the first time I met Sir Walter Jackson and other performers. Brice was an avid golfer and hosted the annual Brice Open at Forest Park Golf Course. Hit them straight Frazier, the fairway is clear.
Mayoral Race Continued from B1
Joshua Harris
Community organizer and communications worker Joshua Harris outlines his solutions to things like housing, energy and social justice on his campaign website. In the speech he gave announcing his candidacy for mayor, he said that some of the city’s woes stem from a communication breakdown between city leaders and residents “[In communications], the traditional and older model is send a message-receiver, and I also believe that that is the common mode that the city operates under . . . we are the sender, we want to get [the message] out, and you receive it. We also now have to incorporate the feedback,” he said. Officially filed: yes
Nick Mosby
Nick Mosby, who currently serves on the Baltimore City Council and is the husband of State Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby, has issued a 15-point plan of what he would do as mayor called “Connecting the Dots.” The plan targets things like education, public safety and jobs. “City Hall’s job is to Connect the Dots that define our wellbeing, providing an honest, reliable vision that guides our residents along their individual paths to shared success,” he writes on his website. Officially filed: no
Catherine Pugh
This is the current state senator’s second run for mayor of Baltimore. She has also served on the Baltimore City Council and was appointed to the Maryland General Assembly, House of Delegates. On her website, she
points to her long career in politics as proof she’d be a good mayor for the city. She says she has passed over 150 pieces of legislation. Officially filed: yes
Carl Stokes
On his website, the city councilmember writes that he believes that investing in neighborhoods and redeveloping abandoned housing are keys to making Baltimore better. He underscores this statement with a reprint of the speech he gave when he announced his candidacy back in December. “When I am mayor, there will be new standards for Tax Increment Financing. You want help? You show that you will benefit a community – parks, jobs, capital improvements. And the community will decide what they need before any TIF is granted. We will invest in neighborhoods and there will be accountability,” the speech reads. Officially filed: no
David Warnock
The businessman and philanthropist told the AFRO that he is working on a comprehensive plan detailing the changes he’d make as mayor, with help from people like former Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick and Community College of Baltimore County president Sandra Kurtinitis. “I think this election is about ideas, it’s about change and it’s about whether we’re ok with business as usual,” he said. “There are tactical things that are in her [Sheila Dixon’s] plan and in Nick’s [Mosby] plan that we’ll all do. The question is, are you really going to create sustainable significant change for the
city?” Officially filed: yes
Calvin Young
In a September interview with the AFRO, Young said that his work as a jet engine engineer and as National Chairperson for the National Society of Black Engineers could help him lead the city.
He said that as mayor, he would focus on education, removing lead from city homes and improving the relationship between the police and he community. “I’m running to provide a counterpoint to what we’ve heard about our city for decades – crime, drugs, homicides – that does not have to be what Baltimore is about moving forward,” he said. Officially filed: yes
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For these pictures and more go to afro.com/slideshows.
The Afro-American, January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016
The Howard L. Cornish Metropolitan Baltimore Alumni Chapter of The Morgan State University Alumni Association held its 31st Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Scholarship Breakfast on Jan. 9 at the Morgan’s Student Center in Baltimore, MD. The Scholarship Breakfast, the Chapter’s premier scholarship fundraising mechanism, commemorates the birthday of Dr. King, and provides financial assistance to deserving
students. More than $50,000 in scholarships and 8 laptop computers were awarded to Morgan students. Scholar Niraje’ Medley-Bacon was recognized for acquiring a 4.0 GPA, and Scholar Stanley Gross was awarded $500 for designing the MLK souvenir journal cover design. The Cornish Alumni Chapter gave its first time
$10,000 Endowed Scholarship to the Morgan State University Foundation. Major General Linda L. Singh, Commander, Maryland National Guard was the keynote speaker who encouraged the scholars “not to give up their dreams…surround yourself with people who are positive and those who want to make a change in the world.”
Scholarship recipients are Monique Wynder, Crystal De Leon and Kenya Grant Scholarship recipients are Nomina Waters, Raigan Wheeler and Brianna Williams
Rev. Dr. Charles Fletcher Jr, president, Morgan State University Alumni Association
Marcus Washington, WJZ-13 News Anchor, Master of Ceremonies and received an Appreciation Award
Anthony C. McPhail and Ernestine Shepherd received the Howard L. Cornish Humanitarian Award Jeheiel Smith, soloist from The Baltimore School for the Arts performed for the crowd
Erica M. Waters received the Howard L. Cornish Chapter Distinguished Service Award
Joseph Haskins Jr, The Harbor Bank of Maryland, received the Howard L. Cornish Drum Major Award
Scholarship recipients are Janae Peterson, Emmanuel Shedu and Chabelle Arroyo
Scholarship recipents are Ijang Nolika, Oluwamayowa Middleton and Micah Middleton
Bishop Heber M. Brown II, Shiloh Baptist Church of Baltimore County received the Howard L. Cornish Community Service
Scholarship recipients are Jasmine Cooper, Kendra Hawkins and Michael Faulkner
Scholarship recipients are Brianna Dorsey, Olakunle Awotedu and Jhenelle Anglin
The breakfast address was delivered by Major General Linda L. Singh, Commander, Maryland National Guard
The Morgan Singers
Cheryl Hitchcock, vice president, Morgan State University Foundation and Dr. Wilson accept a $10,000 donation from the Howard L. Cornish Chapter
Dr. Clara I. Adams, a gold sponsor and Ernestine Dunston, Chairman’s Circle were recognized by the Howard Cornish Chapter
Tomasine Kirkland-Quamina received the Howard L. Cornish Appreciation Award with Delores C. Cooke, president, Howard L. Cornish Alumni Chapter
Virginia B. Coleman, founder of the Howard Cornish Chapter, Wilbert Walker, Chairman’s Circle with Henri Daniels Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine
By Chanet Wallace Just the first of many anticipated events, Strong City Baltimore Americorps VISTA Impact Taskforce held a panel, Jan. 19th, about its initiative to expand employment opportunities for the youth and Photos by Chanet Wallace
Melissa Wells and Dexter Thompson Kimberly Lagree and Marvin Price
VISTA Member Matheno Fraizer- Bey with comments and questions
VISTA Taskforce Members
Panelist Chris Eames, Social worker Lara Law, Celia Neustadt, and Author Jay Gillen, with Karen Stokes
Lewis Smith speaking on youth violence
preventing violence in Baltimore’s communities. Each panelist had ten minutes to speak about making their organization and resources more effective and improving collaboration among youth-services providers, while the audience took notes. Shortly after the last panelist spoke, the audience were able to ask questions, concerning jobs, financial stability, and the future of youth of Baltimore.
Chris Eames and Resource Coordinator Kimberly Lagree
Police Commander Lt. Melvin Russell
Jeff Harris with a few comments and questions for the panelists VISTA Members John Descoteaux, Kylea Wright and Mark Oberly
Michael Stevenson and Rachael Wooden
Kristin Blumer and Tony Brown
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 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016, The Afro-American
ARTS & CULTURE
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Books
When the White House was also the Big House By Monica Smith Special to the AFRO
McKinley Belcher plays Samuel Diggs on the PBS drama ‘Mercy Street.’
Courtesy image
History Fact Check
How Accurate is the Civil War Drama ‘Mercy Street’? By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com Period sagas have become the next big thing. As if yearning for some wistful bits of the past, public television docu-series like “Finding Your Roots” and “Who Do You Think You Are,” gave way to cable productions like the celebrated “Boardwalk Empire,” “Hell on Wheels,” and “Copper.” Using a successful British template created with “Call the Midwife,” “Selfridges,” and “Downton Abbey,” PBS
to some period inconsistencies – too many women speaking their mind, and some rather one-dimensional characters – the litmus test for most viewers has been its treatment of enslaved Africans in the midst of the Confederacy. Fortunately, for both viewers and some historians, “Mercy Street” makes a decent mark. “It is not just that we are currently dealing with a lot of racial tensions in 2016 focused on representation and realism, but also that the Civil War remains a bit of an incendiary narrative for Whites and Blacks alike,” said
“…the Civil War remains a bit of an incendiary narrative for Whites and Blacks alike.” –Barbara Bell recently began producing its own Civil War-era series, “Mercy Street.” Based on real events, “Mercy Street” offers a relatively accurate look at life in a Union-occupied mansion-turned hospital in 1862 Alexandria, Virginia. The show premiered on Jan. 17. And while reviewers point
historian Barbara Bell, whose work examines convict leasing following the Civil War. “‘Mercy Street’ does a decent job of broadening the scope of the narrative, but brushes over a lot of the violence and hostilities away from the battlefields.” Dramatized from the perspectives of two volunteer
AFRO Sports Desk Faceoff
“Who would want to read about slaves in the White House?” a classmate asked Jesse J. Holland. The crushing feedback stifled the published author for weeks. Thankfully, Lyons Press thought otherwise and “The Invisibles: The Untold Story of African American Slaves in the White House” (Lyons Press, 2016) was born. Holland, a native of Holly Image courtesy of Jesse J. Holland Springs, Mississippi, the Jesse Holland explores the home of legendary journalist lives of slaves in the White and NAACP co-founder Ida House in ‘The Invisibles.’ B. Wells, writes about race, ethnicity and demographics for the Associated Press. Holland has also covered the White House, Congress, and Supreme Court. He resides in Bowie, Maryland with his wife and children. Holland didn’t want the “great Black reporter” label, preferring “great reporter” instead. Yet he found himself drawn to Black anecdotes, they were “the stories that interested me the most,” the ones he had the most fun writing, he said during a Jan. 13 panel on Race and Writing at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD adding, “You do your best writing when you care about your subject.” Clearly, Holland is passionate about Black history, writing the books he wants to read. After moving to the District in 2000, he searched for a narrative about the history of Blacks in the area that matched the oral snippets he had heard. Finding none, Holland wrote the book himself. He took two years off from the AP to complete “Black Men Built the Capitol: Discovering African-American History In and Around Washington, D.C.” (Globe Pequot, 2007). While President Obama set his sights on the Oval Office, Holland conceived what later became “The Invisibles.” He nurses – one a Unionist, the other a supporter of the Confederacy – Mercy Street introduces strong-willed, defiant White women into a world often filled with soldiers’ stories of battles and loss. The series showcases the melting pot of Alexandria – a Southern city taken over by the Union and brimming with soldiers, civilians, female volunteers, doctors, wounded men from both sides, runaway slaves, prostitutes, speculators and spies.
Historian Kevin M. Levin said that “Mercy Street’s” careful exploration of shifting ground between freedom and slavery occupied by thousands of fugitive slaves or contraband as described by military and civilian authorities in mid-1862, was a pleasant surprise. “Hospital orderlies such as Samuel Diggs, a free man and Aurelia Johnson, a former slave from North Carolina, both face the humiliation of widespread racism and the
SPORTS
aimed to explore three different eras of Black history in the White House. “The Invisibles” “is only a first look,” Holland writes in the Foreword, “at the slaves who worked to build the White House, the slaves who lived inside the presidential mansions in New York City and Philadelphia at the dawn of the United States, and the first slaves to live inside the White House.” The decor and tenor of the executive mansion, whatever its locale through history, was fashioned by the chief executive; Holland delves into the mindset and preferences of each president to frame the presidential slave narratives. An entire chapter devoted to the laws surrounding slavery and indentured servitude provides the context, along with the forced immigration history and examples of Native American assistance to slaves, which transports the reader back a century or more. Oney Judge’s story illustrates Holland’s skilled use of first person accounts to detail her quest for freedom, including the ad President Washington’s steward placed following Judge’s escape. After she was found, a reply sent to Washington read, “She should rather suffer death than return to slavery and (be) liable to be sold or given to any other persons.” “And there was no [president] more involved with his slaves than Thomas Jefferson,” Holland writes. But readers looking for details about Sally Hemings may be disappointed, as history does not place her in the White House; Holland’s reference is for her brother James. Readers travel alongside James Hemings while Jefferson was Ambassador to France; relive Paul Jennings’ account of the White House evacuation before the British burned it in 1814; and view Simon’s jaw-dropping races as a jockey Andrew Jackson simultaneously reviled and coveted. “The Invisibles” is rich with vibrant, suspense-filled anecdotes which document the presidential slaves’ roles in American history and, as Holland hoped, honor their sufferings and sacrifices. The book also highlights the importance of recording and preserving Black life stories before they are permanently lost to history. See Jesse J. Holland at Bus Boys & Poets (14th & V)-Jan 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Barnes & Noble (Bowie Town Center)Feb 13, 1-4 p.m. FMI, visit jessejholland.com. more immediate dangers of slave catchers and even sexual violence,” Levin said. “At the same time these Black characters are not presented as passive, but instead assert themselves in ways that challenge and surprise their White counterparts.” For viewers like Georgetown history major Ingrid Arthur, it doesn’t make sense to go from showing the racial tensions among Black characters to the seemingly nonsensical jibes between the
two nurses that disrupts the real story within Mercy Street. “When you consider how the injuries and loss these White soldiers face was believed to be caused by Black bodies – free, enslaved, or runaway – there would have been an extreme amount of tension in Alexandria,” Arthur said. “Even those bickering nurses would have had some type of reactions to these Black bodies, rather than staying in their lanes [and not doing anything].”
Will Tyronn Lue Guide Cavs to Championship? By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley AFRO Sports Desk Despite last season’s NBA Finals appearance, and a 3011 record and current first place standing in the Eastern Conference this year, the Cleveland Cavaliers sent head coach David Blatt packing on Jan. 22. With Blatt gone, the team promoted assistant head coach Tyronn Lue to take over, and ensured his tenure with a threeyear extension. Lue will take over a ship that has LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love aboard. Blatt’s strategies and techniques were less a problem than his relationship with his players. Lue, a former NBA player himself, carried more credibility, but will it be enough to win the title this season? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk debate this question. Riley: Lue’s promotion will serve James’ comfort and ego, but it won’t alter the probable outcome that the Cavs will lose in the Finals at the hands of either Golden State or San Antonio. Cleveland’s East-leading mark looked like a joke after the Warriors blasted them by 34 points in mid-January, and another coach wouldn’t have improved their 0-3 record against the Warriors and Spurs this year. The fact remains that the Warriors and Spurs are better teams and, based on salaries, there really isn’t too much Cleveland can do to change that. Blatt was just the unfortunate one to catch the blame. Green: Blatt shouldn’t have been there in the first place considering he was hired before Cleveland remade its roster with the additions of James and Love. The team’s superstar, LeBron, wasn’t meshing well with Blatt’s personality and the
front office made a much-needed move. The talent is there to challenge Golden State and San Antonio, but perhaps the team cohesion wasn’t. The difference between the three teams isn’t talent, Riley, it’s camaraderie and the Cavs haven’t had that this season or last. Sometimes changes can be as simple as a different coaching voice, and now Cleveland has that. Look at what happened to the Warriors once Steve Kerr took over for Mark Jackson. Riley: Make no mistake, this is all about James. Regardless of which coach is on the Cavaliers sideline, this team is controlled by LeBron—and that may be the issue itself. During James’ time in Miami, the Heat leadership boasted more accolades and accomplishments than he did, so he had no choice but to buy in. In Cleveland, Lue will bring some championship experience, but even he was just a marginal role player on a title team dominated by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. Will James respect Lue’s voice when it’s time to make critical decisions? Can James get his teammates to buy into a first-time coach? There are too many variables right now that aren’t in Cleveland’s favor. Green: I agree that this is definitely a LeBron-driven team. I’ve always said that James had a better chance at winning another championship in Miami than anywhere else. He only left because he was tired of answering to Pat Riley, an oldschool NBA mind who wasn’t into coddling his players like babies. Now LeBron has a hand-picked coach in Lue, who will let him continue do what he wants, instead of being held accountable. I’m not saying that Lue won’t make his own imprint on the team—he’ll do that by taking the leash off
AP Photo/Tony Dejak
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue answers questions during a news conference before a game between the Chicago Bulls and the Cavaliers, on Jan. 23 in Cleveland. of James and Irving and giving them more freedom on the offensive end while also lightening the mood around the locker room. But there won’t be much difference in the destiny of this team. Cleveland was already largely penciled in for a return trip to the Finals. As long as they remain healthy and their role players make shots, unlike last year, they’ll have a 50-50 chance of beating whomever they square off with from the Western Conference. Lue doesn’t have to be the savior, but he does have to create a working environment and extract stronger play from the Cavaliers’ stars. I suspect he’ll do both.
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The Afro-American, January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016
Nate Parker’s ‘The Birth of a Nation’ a Powerful Achievement
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Nate Parker, the director, star and producer of “The Birth of a Nation,” takes the stage to introduce his film onstage at the premiere of the film at the Eccles Theatre during the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 25 in Park City, Utah. By The Associated Press Nate Parker left a successful Hollywood acting career behind to make the movie that mattered most to him. It took seven years for
Parker to bring the story of slave rebellion leader Nat Turner to the screen. “The Birth of a Nation” premiered Jan. 25 at the Sundance Film Festival. “I’ve poured everything that I am into making it,” the
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Nate Parker as Nat Turner in ‘The Birth of a Nation’. writer/director/actor/producer said following of human nature. As the writer, director an uproarious standing ovation. “I made this and producer of the film, he channels that film for one reason, with hope of creating understanding into a moving work of art. He change agents, that people could watch this said he wanted to create “a healing mechanism film and be affected.” for America.” Turner was a slave who taught himself to “We have to look at slavery and the layered read and became a preacher, bringing profits to system that it was, because then it will be a his owner as he delivered God’s word to slaves lot easier to accept the fact that the remnants throughout the state. But those travels showed or legacy of it could be affecting us now,” he him such injustice and cruelty that he had to said. “Without honest confrontation, there is act, and he led a violent rebellion that wiped no healing. Slavery was an injury that was out 60 slave owners. inflicted upon people of color in our country, “The Birth of a Nation” is a beautiful, and the more we ignore it, the more those painful and powerful film that juxtaposes wounds will seep and our children will be pastoral settings with inhumane violence. dealing with it, and their children will be Elliot Davis’ cinematography captures the dealing with it.” ethereal natural settings of the American The film was difficult to make, Parker said, south and the and not just heartbreaking because of brutality of the painful slavery. roles for both It Black and introduces White actors. Nat Turner as “Anytime a precocious we’re dealing boy who with our was deemed history, a leader by specifically his African with slavery, elders but I’ve found who grew up it’s been a prisoner of desperately slave owners sanitized, in Virginia. so there’s a Wikimedia Commons resistance to A kindly white woman Still from the American film ‘The Birth of a Nation’ (1915). dealing with recognized this material,” his intelligence and introduced him to the Parker said. Bible, and Turner was a believer. He preached “The original D.W. Griffiths ‘Birth of A and believed, ultimately deciding that God’s Nation’ was the foundation of our industry. word justified bondage as much as it did We’re built on sand in this industry. We freedom, and he preferred the latter. just are. And if we don’t give it attention, Parker embodies Turner’s compassion and we’re going to have these issues, this racist heart, on both sides of the camera. As Turner, infrastructure that we’re going to have to deal his eyes communicate a deep understanding with from generation to generation.”
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Conrad C Bassett Jr. Lenear E Bassett-King Personal Representatives TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2016FEP3 Date of Death June 19, 2015 John Henry Palmer Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Gail Maurita Good and Alan Jay Palmer whose a d d r e s s i s 11 9 0 2 Castlegate Court, North Bethesda, MD 20852 was appointed personal representative of the estate of John Henry Palmer , deceased by the Orphans’ Court for Montgomery County, State of Maryland, on December 8, 2015. Service of process may be made upon Ferguson Evans, Esq., 601 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 900, South Building, Washington, DC 20004 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: 5 0 0 1 5 t h S t . , N W, Washington, DC 20011 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 floor,Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. (Strike preceding sentence if no real estate.) Gail M Goode Alan Jay Palmer Personal Representative(s) TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS Date of first publication: January 29, 2016 Name of newspapers and/or periodical: The Daily Washington Law Reporter The Afro-American
Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM13 Jack Birch Decedent Shraga Kawior, Esq 8630 Fenton Street Ste 822 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Timothy Alan Birch, whose address is 7233 Oliver Street, Lanham MD 20706 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Jack Birch , who died on May 31, 1989 with a will, 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 Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 29, 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 29, 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 29, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Timothy A Birch Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS
TYPESET: Jan 19 01/29, 02/5, Tue 02/12/16
TYPESET: Tue Jan 26 09:44:27 EST 2016 01/29, 02/05, 02/12/16 01/29, 02/05,Tue 02/12/16 Superior TYPESET: Jan 26 09:46:03 EST Court 2016 of the District of Superior Court of District of Columbia the District of Superior Court of PROBATE DIVISION District of Columbia the District of Washington, D.C. PROBATE DIVISION District of Columbia 20001-2131 Washington, D.C. PROBATE DIVISION Administration No. 20001-2131 Washington, D.C. 2016ADM8 Administration No. 20001-2131 2015ADM946 Mary Louise Roebuck Administration No. Jeannetta W Keitt Decedent 2016ADM0038 Decedent Marcia A McCree Esq Vivian A Daniel Wesley L Clarke 1828 L Street Nw Suite 1629 K Street, NW, Ste AKA 600 300, Washington, DC Annie V Daniel Decedent Washington, DC 20036 20006 NOTICE OF Attorney Attorney APPOINTMENT, NOTICE OF NOTICE OF NOTICE TO APPOINTMENT, APPOINTMENT, CREDITORS NOTICE TO NOTICE TO AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Chandra A Porchia, UNKNOWN HEIRS Wesley L Clarke, whose whose address(es) is address is 1629 K Street, 2718 Sweetwater Court, Linda Marie Roebuck, NW, Ste 300, Washing- District Heights, MD whose address is 940 ton, DC 20006, was ap- 20747, was appointed Newington Court, Capitol pointed personal repre- personal representative Heights, MD 20743, was sentative of the estate of of the estate of Vivian A Jeanetta W Keitt, who Daniel AKA Annie V Dan- appointed personal redied on August 19th 2011 iel, who died on Septem- presentative(s) of the estate of Mary Louise without a will, and will ber 5, 2014 without a will, Roebuck, who died on serve with Court superviand will serve without sion. All unknown heirs October 14, 2015 witha a n d h e i r s w h o s e Court supervision. All un- will, and will serve withwhereabouts are un- known heirs and heirs out Court supervision. All known shall enter their whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their unknown heirs and heirs appearance in this whose whereabouts are proceeding. Objections a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s to such appointment proceeding. Objections unknown shall enter their shall be filed with the to such appointment a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Register of Wills, D.C., shall be filed with the proceeding. Objections 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Register of Wills, D.C., to such appointment (or Floor Washington, D.C. 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd to the probate of de20001, on or before July Floor Washington, D.C. 29, 2016. Claims against 20001, on or before July cedent´s will) shall be the decedent shall be 29, 2016. Claims against filed with the Register of presented to the under- the decedent shall be Wills, D.C., 515 5th signed with a copy to the presented to the under- Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Register of Wills or filed signed with a copy to the Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . with the Register of Wills Register of Wills or filed 20001, on or before July with a copy to the under- with the Register of Wills 22, 2016. Claims against signed, on or before July with a copy to the under29, 2016, or be forever signed, on or before July the decedent shall be presented to the underbarred. Persons believed 29, 2016, or be forever signed with a copy to the to be heirs or legatees of barred. Persons believed the decedent who do not Register of Wills or filed receive a copy of this no- to be heirs or legatees of with the Register of Wills tice by mail within 25 the decedent who do not with a copy to the underdays of its first publica- receive a copy of this no- signed, on or before July tion shall so inform the tice by mail within 25 Register of Wills, includ- days of its first publica- 22, 2016, or be forever ing name, address and tion shall so inform the barred. Persons believed Register of Wills, includ- to be heirs or legatees of relationship. ing name, address and the decedent who do not Date of Publication: relationship. January 29, 2016 receive a copy of this noDate of Publication: Name of newspaper: tice by mail within 25 Afro-American January 29, 2016 days of its first publicaWashington Name of newspaper: tion shall so inform the Law Reporter Afro-American Register of Wills, includWashington ing name, address and Wesley L Clarke Law Reporter Personal relationship. Representative Personal Date of Publication: Representative January 22, 2016 TRUE TEST COPY Name of newspaper: REGISTER OF WILLS TRUE TEST COPY Afro-American REGISTER OF WILLS Washington Law Reporter 01/29, 02/05, 02/12/16 01/29, 02/5, 02/12/16 Linda Marie Roebuck Personal Representative
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TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/22, 01/29, 02/5/16
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
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1 Col. Inch Up to TYPESET: Tue Jan 26 09:43:06 EST 2016 TYPESET: Tue TYPESET: EST Wed 2016Jan 20 13:48:31 EST 2016 TYPESET: Tue Jan 26 09:45:18 EST 2016Jan 26 10:15:47 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. 2016ADM31 Mary H Bassett AKA Juliette Bassett Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Conrad C Bassett Jr, and Lenear E Bassett-King whose address is 3038 Silent Valley Dr.,Fairfax, VA 22031 & 5903 Harland St., New Carrollton, MD were appointed personal representatives of the estate of Mary H Bassett AKA Juliette Bassett, who died on November 16, 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 29, 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 29, 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 29, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter
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TYPESET: Tue Jan 19 16:51:16 EST 2016 01/22, 01/29/16 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM0003 Albert S Banks Decedent 16:51:40 EST 2016 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 TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/22, 01/29, 02/05/16
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TYPESET: Tue Jan 26 09:42:13 EST 2016 LEGAL NOTICES
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY INVITATION TO BID INVITATION NO. 130260 EAST SIDE INTERCEPTOR REHABILITATION The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) is soliciting bids for Invitation No. 130260: East Side Interceptor Rehabilitation. The following listing enumerates the major Bid Items for the work included in this contract: *3,200 Linear Feet -CIPP Lining - 4”-3” East Side Interceptor *2,800 Linear Feet - CIPP Lining 10” thru 15 ” Diameter Sanitary Sewer *690 Linear Feet - Relocation - 15” Diameter Sanitary Sewer A non-mandatory Pre-Bid meeting and site visit will be conducted by DC Water on February 10, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., with a rain date of February 11, 2016. Bidders shall contact Bruce Beall at bbeall@dcwater.com or at 202-787-2476 to make arrangements to attend the meeting and site visit. Attendees must sign in and enter through the Arboretum’s R Street gate. They will be assigned a DC Water representative and an Arboretum staff member. Attendees must be accompanied by an Arboretum staff member at all times when inside the Arboretum. Neither DC Water representatives nor Arboretum staff members will answer questions. Those should be submitted to DC Water in writing. The project requires completion within 925 consecutive calendar days. This project is estimated to cost between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000. DC Water will receive Bids until 2:00 p.m., local standard time on February 24, 2016. This project may be funded in part by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A Fair Share Objective for Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises participation in this work of 32% and 6%, respectively, has been established. The program requirements are fully defined in USEPA’s ”Participation by Disadvantaged Enterprises in Procurement under EPA Financial Assistant Agreements - May 27, 2008”. The Davis-Bacon wage determinations shall apply. DC Water Owner Controlled Insurance Program will provide insurance. Bid documents are available at the Department of Procurement, 5000 Overlook Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20032. Sets of Bidding Documents can be procured for a non-refundable $50.00 purchase price each, payable to DC Water. Payment must be in the form of a money order, certified check or a company check. Documents can be shipped to Bidders providing a Federal Express account number. The DC Water Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant is a secured facility. Persons intending to pick-up Bidding Documents are to contact the Department of Procurement at 202 787 2020 for access authorization. For procurement information contact DC Water Procurement Dept. via email: procurementconstructioninquiry@dcwater.com For technical information contact: DETS-Construction.Bid.Inquiry@ dcwater.com. Please insert the IFB No.130260 in the Subject Line.
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
View DC Water website at www.dcwater.com for current and up coming REGISTER OF WILLS TYPESET: Tue Jan 19 16:52:00 ESTTue 2016Jan 19 16:52:15 TYPESET: Jan 19 16:50:51 EST 2016 solicitations. TYPESET: ESTTue 2016 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. 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 01/22, 01/29, 2/5/16
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 1/22, 1/29, 2/5/16
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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 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 Nora Mered Nadia Mered Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS
TYPESET: Jan 12 01/15, 1/22, Tue 1/29/16
01/22, 1/29, 2/5/16
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.
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Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 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: 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 11:43:43 EST 2016
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 1/15, 1/22, 129/16
To advertise in the AFRO Call 202-332-0080
C4 The Afro-American, January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016
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
TYPESET: Wed Jan 13 14:38:45 EST 2016 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
January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016, The Afro-American
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RISK SERVICES FOR IMACREAGE S AND WET WEATHER FLOW BACK RIVER WASTEWATER GREAT MTN. LAND SALE 5.3AC. WAS $64,900 NOWhas of Boards and Commissions blic Works, $49,900 Office ofCLOSE Engineering r services ofTO a Construction ManTOWN/ NEAR works and LAKE Wet CABIN WeatherSHELL Flow Wastewater$26,000 Treatment Plant (the Rare chance to own private one of a kind Firm to provide services for Land both with Mtn. views for perfect struction Phase Services the for is camp, ATV, ref the Project for build professional tire, recreation abounds m, which include value engineerte bid packages, master Critical on this mix of Open and opment of the Guaranteed Maxiwooded rolling land. e-Construction if the City NewPhase, perc, elec, Survey. on the GMP, is the Noittime to intent build. of the tract to the CMAR Firm. The City ExcellentPhase financing. the Construction of the CONTACT OWNER nt on the GMP cannot be reached 800-888-1262
s within the scope of this Request SERVS./MISC. monstrate and document:
and value engineering Want a largerservices; foothe Project and key personnel print in the marketplace consider advertising in thecoverage; MDDC Display 2x2 nd insurance or 2x4 Advertising Netment plant projects of similar size work. Reach 3.6 million uirements; readers every week by mented Experience Modification placing your ad in 82 newspapers in Mary., USACE CQM). land, Delaware and the Districtonofthe Columbia. received based following With just one phone call, your business and/ or product will be seen by 3.6 million readers HURRY....space is lim5%) ited, CALL TODAY!! Call 1-855-721-6332 x n Phase will take up to eight (8) 301 852-8933 email ng activities,6 or prepare work packwsmith@mddcpress. for the Project. The minimum fee com or visit Proposers our website is set at $2,000,000. um fee or propose a higher fee for at www.mddcpress.com s. The level of effort for the ased on $350 million - inclusive of
Payment Policy for legal notice advertisements. Effective immediately, The Afro American Newspapers will require prepayment for publication of all legal notices. Payment will be accepted in the form of checks, credit card or money order. Any returned checks will be subject to a $25.00 processing fee and may result in the suspension of any future advertising at our discretion.
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Baltimore
TYPESET: Wed Jan 27 15:02:20 2016 LEGALEST NOTICES CERTIFICATION OF PUBLICATION CITY OF BALTIMORE OFFICE OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS PUBLIC NOTICE PROJECT # 918H: CONSTRUCTION MANAGER-AT-RISK SERVICES FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE HEADWORKS AND WET WEATHER FLOW EQUALIZATION FACILITIES AT THE BACK RIVER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT The City of Baltimore (the ”City”) Office of Boards and Commissions has been requested by the Department of Public Works, Office of Engineering and Construction (”OEC”), to advertise for services of a Construction Manager at Risk (”CMAR”) for the Headworks and Wet Weather Flow Equalization Facilities at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant (the ”Project”). The City intends to select one (1) CMAR Firm to provide services for both the Pre-Construction Phase and the Construction Phase Services for the Project. The Pre-Construction Phase of the Project is for professional services to be provided by the CMAR Firm, which include value engineering, determination of the most appropriate bid packages, master Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule, and development of the Guaranteed Maximum Price (”GMP”). At the end of the Pre-Construction Phase, if the City and the CMAR Firm reach an agreement on the GMP, it is the intent of the City to award the Construction Phase contract to the CMAR Firm. The City reserves the right to publically re-solicit the Construction Phase of the Project or any portion thereof, if agreement on the GMP cannot be reached with the CMAR Firm. Proposers interested in providing services within the scope of this Request for Proposals (”RFP”) must be able to demonstrate and document: *Relevant experience providing CMAR and value engineering services; *The intended staffing committed to the Project and key personnel qualifications; *Approach for both phases of the Project; *Ability to provide the required bonding and insurance coverage; *Past experience with wastewater treatment plant projects of similar size (50 million gallons per day and greater); *Ability to meet schedule and budget requirements; *Approach of safety program and documented Experience Modification Rate (EMR); and *Past performance of Quality Control (e.g., USACE CQM). The City intends to evaluate all proposals received based on the following criteria: *Qualifications and approach (65%) *Interview (20%) *Financial capacity and proposed fees (15%) It is anticipated that the Pre-Construction Phase will take up to eight (8) months to complete the value engineering activities, prepare work packages, and to develop an acceptable GMP for the Project. The minimum fee for the Pre-Construction Phase Services is set at $2,000,000. Proposers have an option to either accept the minimum fee or propose a higher fee for the Pre-Construction Phase Services. The level of effort for the Construction Phase Services should be based on $350 million - inclusive of all fees, allowances, and contingencies. MBE/WBE/DBE Requirements Pre-Construction Phase - Baltimore City: It is the policy of the City to promote equal business opportunity in the City’s contracting process. Pursuant to Article 5, Subtitle 28 of Baltimore City Code (2000 Edition) - Minority and Women’s Business Program, Minority Business Enterprise (”MBE”) and Women’s Business Enterprise (”WBE”) participation goals apply to this Project. The MBE goal is 10% The WBE goal is 3% Construction Phase - State of Maryland: The State of Maryland will determine the Disadvantage Business Enterprise (”DBE”) requirements prior to the finalization of a GMP for the Construction Phase Services. Pre-Proposal Meeting Representatives from the City will be conducting a pre-proposal meeting with interested Proposers on Friday, February 12, 2016 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant, located at 8201 Eastern Boulevard, Baltimore MD, 21224. Proposal Submission Sealed Technical and Financial Proposals, one (1) marked ”Original” and five (5) copies marked ”Copies” should be submitted along with one (1) CD, DVD or USB compatible memory stick containing an electronic copy of the Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. The Proposals should be addressed to the Office of Boards and Commissions and marked for Sanitary Contract No. 918H - Headworks and Wet Weather Flow Equalization Facilities at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Sealed Technical and Financial Proposals will be received until 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time on March 2, 2016 at the following address: City of Baltimore Office of Boards and Commissions 4 South Frederick Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Positively no Proposals will be received after submission deadline of 12:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time on March 2, 2016. Prequalification of Proposers For this solicitation, potential Proposers are not required to be Prequalified to purchase the procurement documents. However, Proposers will need to be Prequalified at the time of proposal submission. Any firm currently prequalified with the City’s Office of Boards and Commissions as a construction firm or engineering firm is duly Prequalified as a CMAR firm for the purpose of this RFP. Also, for this solicitation, the Work Capacity calculation done by the OBC will not be used to determine the Proposer’s qualification for selection. Company financial information will be submitted as part of the proposal evaluation. Work Capacity will be determined by a guarantee letter issued by a Proposer’s Surety, stating the bonding capacity at the time of proposal submission. Details are contained within the RFP. The procurement documents may be examined, without charge, at the Department of Public Works Service Center located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Room 6, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of Friday, January 29, 2016 and a copy on DVD may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $100. Regulation of Board of Estimates Meetings and Protests The Regulation of Board of Estimates Meetings and Protests effective as of February 5, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference and is available at www.baltimorecitycouncil.com. Should you have any questions regarding the Project, please contact Mr. Gurminder Singh at (410) 396-5385 or by e-mail at Gurminder.Singh@ baltimorecity.gov. Kumasi Vines, Chief Office of Boards and Commissions Issue of: January 29, 2016 The Daily Record The Afro-American The Baltimore Times eMaryland MarketPlace
To advertise in the AFRO Call 410-554-8200
AD NETWORK
C5
Proposal Submission
1 Col. Inch Up to 20 Words
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AFRO Classified minimum ad rate is $26.54 per col. inch (an inch consists of up to 20 words). Mail in your ad on form below along with CHECK or MONEY ORDER to: BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN CO. 2519 N. Charles Street Baltimore, Md. 21218-4602 Attn: Clsf. Adv. Dept.
3.
Sealed Technical and Financial Proposals, one (1) marked ”Original” and five (5) copies marked ”Copies” should be submitted along with one (1) CD, DVD or USB compatible memory stick containing an electronic copy of the Technical Proposal and Financial 6. Proposal in Adobe 7. Acrobat (.pdf) 8.format. The Proposals should be addressed to the Office of Boards and Commissions and marked for Sanitary Contract No. 918H - Headworks and Wet Weather Flow Equalization Facilities at the Back River Wastewater 12. Proposals will 13.be reTreatment Plant. Sealed 11. Technical and Financial ceived until 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time on March 2, 2016 at the following address:
16. City of Baltimore17. Office of Boards and Commissions 4 South Frederick Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202
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Positively no Proposals will be received after submission deadline of 12:00 NAME: ________________________________________________ P.M. Eastern Standard Time on March 2, 2016.
ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ PHONE NO.:____________________________________________ For this solicitation, potential Proposers are not required to be Prequalified CLASSIFICATION: ______________________________________ to purchase the procurement documents. However, Proposers will need to be Prequalified at the time of proposal submission. Any firm currently (Room, Apt., House, etc.) prequalified with the City’s Office of Boards and Commissions as a construction firm or engineering firm is duly Prequalified as a CMAR firm for INSERTION DATE:_________________ Prequalification of Proposers
the purpose of this RFP.
BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER
Also, for this solicitation, the Work Capacity calculation done by the OBC will not be used to determine the Proposer’s qualification for selection. Advertising Rates Company financial information will be submitted as part ofLegal the proposal evaluation. Work Capacity will be determined by a guarantee letter issued Effective October 1, 2008 by a Proposer’s Surety, stating the bonding capacity at the time of proposal submission. Details are contained within the RFP. The procurement documents may be examined, without charge, at the Department of Public DIVISION PROBATE Works Service Center located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Munici(Estates) pal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Room 6, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of Friday, January 29, 2016 and a copy on DVD may be purchased for a 202-332-0080 non-refundable cost of $100. Regulation of Board of Estimates Meetings and Protests
PROBATE NOTICES
a. Order Nisi 60ofper insertion The Regulation of Board of Estimates Meetings and Protests effective$as February 5, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference and is available b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60atper insertion www.baltimorecitycouncil.com. c. Notice to Creditors 1. regarding Domestic $ 60 Should you have any questions the Project, please contact Mr.per insertion Gurminder Singh at (410) 396-5385 or by e-mail at Gurminder.Singh@ 2. Foreign $ 60 per insertion baltimorecity.gov. d. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion
e. Standard Probates Kumasi Vines, Chief Office of Boards and Commissions
CIVIL NOTICES
$180.00 per 3 weeks $180.00 per 3 weeks $180.00 per 3 weeks $360.00 per 6 weeks $125.00
Issue of: January 29, 2016 a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 The Daily Record b. Real Property The Afro-American The Baltimore Times eMaryland MarketPlace
$ 80.00 $ 200.00
a. Absent Defendant b. Absolute Divorce c. Custody Divorce
$ 150.00 $ 150.00 $150.00
FAMILY COURT 202-879-1212 DOMESTIC RELATIONS 202-879-0157
To place your ad, call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 262, Public Notices $50.00 & up depending on size, Baltimore Legal Notices are $24.84 per inch. 1-800 (AFRO) 892 For Proof of Publication, please call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 244
TYPESET: Wed Jan 27 15:01:57 2016 LEGALEST NOTICES
TYPESET: Wed Jan 27 15:53:54 EST 2016
LEGAL NOTICES
CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS
City of Baltimore Department of Finance Bureau of Purchases
NOTICE OF LETTING
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:
Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for RP 15818ROffice Trailer Relocation to Gwynns Falls Park Maintenance Yard will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204, City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 2, 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 29, 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, 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 F02200 Earthwork and Site Preparation Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $100,000.01 to $150,000.00 .A ”Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at 2600 Madison Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21217 on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. Principal Items of work for this project are: Office Trailer Relocation The MBE goal is 20% The WBE goal is 4% RP 15818R APPROVED: Bernice H. Taylor Clerk, Board of Estimates APPROVED: Rudolph S. Chow, P.E. Director of Public Works
You now you’re in the know...When you read the
AFRO!
March 16, 2016 *REQUIREMENTS FOR CONCRETE SIDEWALK AND OTHER STRUCTURAL REPA I R S A N D VA R I O U S L O C AT I O N S . B50004491 THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWN LOADED BY VISITING THE CITY’S WEB SITE: www.baltimorecitibuy.org
C6 The Afro-American, January 29, 2016 - February 5, 2016 TYPESET: Wed Jan 27 15:02:40 2016 LEGALEST NOTICES
AFRO.COM
CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 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 FAP NO. TAP-000B(167)E; SHA NO. AX2615225; DOWNTOWN BICYCLE NETWORK will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204 City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. March 2, 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 Service Center located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of January 29, 2016 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $225.00. Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prerequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call (410) 396-6883 or contact the Committee at 3000 Druid Park Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21215. 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 A02602 Bituminous Concrete Paving. Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $1,000,000.00 to $2,849,999.00. A ”Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. on February 24, 2016 at 417 E. Fayette Street, Charles L. Benton Building, Richard Baker Conference seventh floor. Principal Items of work for this project are 5 Inch White Lead Free Reflective Thermoplastic Pavement Markings - 110,730 LF and HMA Superpave 19.0MM for Base PG 64-22 Level 2 - 728 TON. The DBE goal is 10% APPROVED: Bernice H. Taylor, Clerk Board of Estimates
CAREER CORNER
TYPESET: Wed Jan 27 15:00:27 EST 2016
ADMINISTRATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE CARROLL COMMUNITY COLLEGE has a full-time, 12month position as an Administrative Associate - Nursing. Additional information may be obtained at www.carrollcc.edu. TYPESET: EOE/M/FWed Jan 27 15:00:10 EST 2016
Your History •Your Community • Your News
APARTMENTS
EDUCATION ASSISTANT TO THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS CARROLL COMMUNITY COLLEGE seeks a full-time, 12 month position as an Assistant to the VP for Academic and Student Affairs. Additional information may be obtained at www.carrollcc.edu . TYPESET: EOE/M/FWed Jan 27 14:59:53 EST 2016 HOUSEKEEPING -ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES SPECIALIST CARROLL COMMUNITY COLLEGE has a full-time, 12 month position available as Environmental Services Specialist. Additional information may be obtained at www.carrollcc. edu. EOE/M/F
2015 Rav4 Limited
2016 Camry XSE
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NEW 2015 SIENNA
NEW 2015 RAV4
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NEW 2015 PRIUS LIFTBACK, c AND v
NEW 2016 CAMRY INCLUDES HYBRIDS
*
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NEW 2016 COROLLA
NEW 2016 TACOMA
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* *0% APR FINANCING UP TO 60 MONTHS AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED BUYERS THRU TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. TOTAL FINANCED CANNOT EXCEED MSRP PLUS OPTIONS, TAX AND LICENSE FEES. 60 MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $16.67 FOR EACH $1000 BORROWED. NOT ALL BUYERS WILL QUALIFY. **ALL LEASE OFFERS: CUSTOMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXCESSIVE WEAR AND EXCESS MILEAGE CHARGES OF $.15 PER MILE IN EXCESS OF 36,000 MILES. YOUR PAYMENT MAY VARY BASED ON DEALER PARTICIPATION AND FINAL NEGOTIATED PRICE. DOES NOT INCLUDE $350 DISPOSITION FEE DUE AT LEASE END. OFFER AVAILABLE ON APPROVED CREDIT TO QUALIFIED CUSTOMERS FROM TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. LEASE A RAV4 LE FOR $199 PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS WITH $1999 DUE AT SIGNING. DUE AT SIGNING INCLUDES $1800 DOWN (AFTER APPLICATION OF $750 TOYOTA LEASE CASH INCENTIVE FROM TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES), FIRST $199 PAYMENT, AND NO SECURITY DEPOSIT. 2015 RAV4 2WD 4 CYLINDER AUTOMATIC MODEL 4430, MSRP $24,805. LEASE A COROLLA LE FOR $149 PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS WITH $1999 DUE AT SIGNING. DUE AT SIGNING INCLUDES $1850 DOWN (AFTER APPLICATION OF $1000 TOYOTA LEASE CASH INCENTIVE FROM TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES). FIRST $149 PAYMENT, AND NO SECURITY DEPOSIT. 2016 COROLLA LE 4 CYLINDER AUTOMATIC MODEL 1852, MSRP $19,500. LEASE A TACOMA FOR $259 PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS WITH $2999 DUE AT SIGNING. DUE AT SIGNING INCLUDES $2,740 DOWN, FIRST $259 PAYMENT, AND NO SECURITY DEPOSIT. 2016 TACOMA MODEL 7540, 4X4 DOUBLE CAB SR5 V6 MSRP $33,460. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. ***CUSTOMERS CAN RECEIVE $1250 CASH BACK ON CAMRY AND SIENNA OR CAN APPLY CASH BACK TO DOWN PAYMENT. †FINANCE CASH INCENTIVE FROM TOYOTA IN ADDITION TO SPECIAL APR FINANCING IF VEHICLE IS PURCHASED AND FINANCED THROUGH TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. INCENTIVE WILL BE APPLIED TO THE DOWN PAYMENT. ONE INCENTIVE PER FINANCE TRANSACTION. FINANCE INCENTIVE IS AVAILABLE ON APPROVED CREDIT TO QUALIFIED CUSTOMERS THROUGH TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. NOT ALL BUYERS WILL QUALIFY. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. ††TOYOTACARE COVERS NORMAL FACTORY SCHEDULED SERVICE. PLAN IS 2 YEARS OR 25K MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. THE NEW VEHICLE CANNOT BE PART OF A RENTAL OR COMMERCIAL FLEET, OR A LIVERY/TAXI VEHICLE. SEE PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER FOR PLAN DETAILS. VALID ONLY IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. AND ALASKA. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE DOES NOT INCLUDE PARTS AND FLUIDS. PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID COMES WITH AN EXTRA YEAR OF ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, FOR A TOTAL OF THREE (3) YEARS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE. OFFERS DO NOT INCLUDE DEALER FEES. OFFERS MAY NOT BE COMBINED. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. OFFERS END 2/1/16.
January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016, The Afro-American
D1
WASHINGTON-AREA
Residents Don’t Deserve Statehood
D.C. Storm Response Gets High Grades
—MD Rep. Harris
By Leanna Commins Howard University News Service District government officials and the Skyland Town Center developer told frustrated Southeast residents Jan. 21 they will continue to search for a retailer to replace Walmart after the company announced it will not be building a store in Ward 7. Gary Rappaport, CEO of Rappaport Companies,
By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com The District of Columbia has fought for federal city status since the 1870s. As citizens of the U.S. taxed without the benefit of legislative representation, proponents of D.C. statehood consider the city’s status both unconstitutional and unfair. Recent comments by U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (RMd.) at a town hall meeting, demonstrated that there is still resistance to making the District the 51st state. Harris said the District should not be granted statehood because its nearly 700,000 residents made irresponsible decisions, arguing that home rule should not be placed in the hands of those ill prepared for full citizenship. “I don’t think [D.C.] ought to be a state because they make irresponsible decisions like legalizing marijuana when the African-American unemployment rate is 40 percent and the AfricanAmerican graduation rate from high school is 12 percent,” Harris said at the meeting. In what some consider a throwback to sentiments Continued on D2
City, Developers Looking to Replace Walmart Deal in Ward 7
AP Photo
Washington, D.C. was blanketed with up to 24 inches of snow during the recent blizzard.
By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is getting high marks from residents for the city’s handling of the recent blizzard. One of the worst blizzards in the city’s history took place Jan. 22-23 and dropped as much as 24 inches of snow on the nation’s capital. Bowser organized her snow response team, declared a snow state of emergency on Jan. 21 for the blizzard, and made sure that snow removal equipment was available to clear the District’s main thoroughfares and eventually side streets and cul-de-sacs. In addition, Bowser held press conferences on Jan. 23-25, twice a day, to keep District residents informed of developments. Greg Rhett, a Ward 7 community activist and longtime District resident, was impressed with what the mayor did. “If I had to give her a grade it would be a B-plus,” he said. “She was very consistent with providing the public information
that was needed.” While D.C. Schools opened on Jan. 27 neighboring jurisdictions seemed to have more trouble getting back to business. Prince George’s and Montgomery County governments and schools were closed on Jan. 25-26 with no definite time set for resuming business at AFRO press time. Residents of the two neighboring Maryland counties complained on social media and the news that they were snowed in and there has been no snow removal equipment sent to their neighborhoods. That was not the case in the District for the most part. Anthony Lorenzo Green, the chairman of 8B advisory neighborhood commission – Greg Rhett in Ward 8 in Southeast and a sometime critic of Bowser, said it was too early to give the mayor an assessment on her performance during the blizzard. “She was caught off guard on Wednesday [Jan. 20] by the clipper that dropped two inches in some places but it seems she is doing the right things now,” Green said. “I think it was
“If I had to give her a grade it would be a B-plus.”
Continued on D2
“There’s not a retailer that is in Washington, D.C… that doesn’t know about Skyland, because we’ve been working on this project for 15 years.” – Gary Rappaport the development company handling the Skyland Town Center, told residents during an Advisory Neighborhood Commission meeting that his company has been talking with other big box retailers, but he was unwilling to discuss which companies. “There’s not a retailer that Continued on D2
Hunger Exhibit Puts Face, Context to District’s Working Poor Problems By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com
Photo by Diandra Bolton, HU News Service
Ronald Fonville dishes out a hot meal of chicken nuggets, corn, and bread for McKinley Tech’s students on Jan. 25.
D.C. Public Schools Brave Snow to Feed Hungry Children, Families By Diandra Bolton Howard University News Service The snow that blanked the region and kept millions confined to their homes, put a frown on many faces, but not Loletta Robinson. On a day when most people stayed at home and many businesses, schools, and organizations were shut down, Robinson, the cafeteria supervisor at McKinley Technology High School in Northeast D.C., headed to work Jan. 25 with a smile on her face, because she could help feed hungry children -- the one thing that she loves. “My passion is for feeding kids, more so
than being in a classroom setting,” Robinson said in between checking with the cafeteria staff to make sure all the food was prepared properly for the children. “It brings me joy to feed students. Some children go without eating in the morning. Some are homeless. Some don’t have the income to provide enough food.” So, even though the D.C. Public School System was closed, McKinley and nine other public middle schools opened their doors to feed any child who might not have enough to eat. On Jan. 25, 15 students braved the still unplowed streets around the school to eat Continued on D2
Martha’s Table hosted the “Witnesses to Hunger” exhibit Jan. 14, showcasing photos by District residents who find themselves suddenly living hand-to-mouth, and unceremoniously cast aside by city officials. The exhibit details, with pinpoint accuracy and heart-wrenching insight, college-educated, formerly self-sufficient residents, struggling to cope with government-sponsored development, including the loss of more than 30,000 affordable housing units, replaced by luxury apartments in an eight-year span (20022010). Nefatera McQueen knows all too well the stigma attached to poverty in D.C. In addition to being thought of as lazy, syphoning-offthe-system, and somehow responsible for being unable to meet the demands of her bills, most Americans believe that the inability to pull oneself up by one’s bootstraps – an inherent inability to cope – stands as the core of poverty, she said. But for McQueen, a college graduate with a biology degree that has garnered little more than student loan debt, nothing could be further from the truth. “I am a full-time worker
with full-time jobs, only the money I earn doesn’t meet the bills, and believe me, I am not living above my means with
D.C. “My photos show and prove that the stereotype of lazy, uneducated women with a mountain of children and
Photo by Shantella Y. Sherman
Nefatera McQueen points to a photo of the mounting bills she faces each month, despite working as a full-time teacher with a biology degree. some extravagant lifestyle. It is really hand to mouth,” McQueen told the AFRO during the exhibit’s opening at the THEARC in Southeast
no ambition, is a boogeyman used to misinform and encourage those who can change the system to ignore it Continued on D2
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The Afro-American, January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016
Southeast Shooting Leaves Young Man Dead By Briana Thomas Special to the AFRO
ongoing and no motive for the shooting has been determined. Additional details have not been released. So far this year there have been six homicides in the District
The Metropolitan Police Department identified Timon M. Jones, 23, as the victim of a fatal shooting Jan. 20 in Southeast, D.C. According to reports, the police received a call for a man down in the Sixth District area. Jones was lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds when officers arrived. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Jones’ death is the fourth homicide to happen in D.C. in 2016.The police investigation is
“I think it is nonsense that people are out here losing their lives over nothing.”
Storm Response
Rep. Harris
good that she shut the District government down for Monday because the main roads need to be taken care of first and then the side streets.” Green agreed with Rhett that Bowser did the right thing with her twice-daily updates to the media. He does have a concern, though. “I would love to see more plows on this side of town in Ward 8,” he said. One of Ward 8’s most prominent businesses is the International House of Pancakes franchise owned by the family of Clarence Jackson Jr. and located on Alabama Avenue., S.E. Tyoka Jackson, co-owner of the two franchises – the other one is in Columbia Heights in Northwest – said he would give the mayor a passing grade but he is really interested in how the Metro bus and rail system performs. “Many of our employees ride the Metro to work,” Tyoka said. Washington Metro general manager Paul Wiedefeld made the decision to shut down the entire system on Jan. 23-24 and brought back limited bus and rail service on Jan. 25. Wiedefeld said he didn’t want Metro’s cars to become damaged during the storm due to the high winds, piling snow, and ice build-up. He said that buses wouldn’t be able to function properly with the blizzard in force and streets packed with snow. The high winds of the blizzard were expected to generate numerous power outages but that never took place. Rhett said the fact that there were minimal power outages by Pepco, the utility company that primarily services the city, is a milestone. “For years, Pepco has been criticized by many people, including myself, as being ineffective in restoring power to people but I saw on the news that Saturday night there were only four outages,” he said. “To me, that is great.”
held more than a century ago by Delaware Congressman Thomas F. Bayard that Black suffrage would sicken businessmen and developers in the city by placing governance in the hands of “its most ignorant and degraded classes,” Harris equated what he believed to be the educational deficiencies and unemployment rates of Blacks with social competency. “Whether it is [Supreme Court Justice] Scalia or Harris, many of the nation’s leaders still believe in the inferiority of Black people and their inability to govern their own lives, let alone a municipality,” said political scientist Rob Edwards. “This level of institutional racism – that places a man’s citizenship alongside his ability to find a job or earn a diploma is a gigantic step back and one that should be addressed by Harris’ constituency going forward.” In addition to Harris’ data being conflated to support his position against statehood, proponents of D.C.
Continued from D1
– James Alston
as of Jan. 26, a 25 percent decrease from the same time a year ago. However, violent crime, including sexual assaults, assaults with dangerous weapons and robberies are up 15 percent as of Jan. 26. Even though there is a decrease in homicides, residents are still fed up with the killings. “I think it is nonsense that people are out here losing their lives over nothing,” James Alston, 25, told the AFRO Jan. 24. Alston grew up in Southeast and said he is tired of small altercations resulting in murder. “Young people would rather shoot it out, instead of talking it out,” he said.
Continued from D1
D.C. Schools Continued from D1
breakfast at McKinley. The staff made a hot and cold breakfast option in addition to a hot lunch. Those who came were able to get a meal with a protein, fruit, juice, vegetables, and a carbohydrate. About 90 percent of the students at McKinley eat two of their meals during the day as part of the school’s free meals program, said Lori Leetz, a district manager for Chartwells, a food service management organization that provides services for all D.C. Public Schools. The staff attributed the low turnout to the snow that still surrounded the school. “We started out kind of slow and it picked up,” cook Ronald Fonville said. “We had a nice little rush about midway, and then they said they would be back for lunch. We’re looking forward to more for lunch than we did breakfast, because the streets have been cleared off a little more.” Supervisors at Chartwell said they were more than happy to come in despite the inclement weather. “We love serving kids; we love giving back,” said Mikia Dixon, an area manager. “I
“You walk through and you see the kids eating and knowing that some of those kids may not have another meal.” – Lori Leetz didn’t like that we had to come out into the snow, but I think that it’s really, really good that this option is available.” Representatives from the mayor’s office and the school worked diligently to clear the roads before the end of the day, said Roberta Downing, a member of the mayor’s office who was on site. “This type of event is always a concern when schools are closed for snow days to make sure kids are getting food,” Downing said. “For the snow event, we have an all hands on deck situation where everybody is working in a number of roles to make sure that we can dig out and respond.” Students and their families also turned out to eat at Brookland Middle School in the 1000 block of Michigan Avenue near Catholic University in northeast D.C. The cafeteria was staffed with six volunteers and four Chartwell employees. They fed around 17 students and family members a cold breakfast in addition to cheese pizza for lunch. “One man came and got food to bring home for his father,” said Kenneth Grady, cafeteria manager at Brookland. Despite the lower than expected turnout, the meals still made an impact in the communities that they served, Leetz said. “You walk through and you see the kids eating and knowing that some of those kids may not have another meal,” she said. “I really stress to my team that we want them to feel that this is a place where they can come, where it’s safe and every day they know can get a meal and see a smiling face.”
“Rep. Harris’ comments just show how out of touch with reality he is.” – Ann Loikow
Courtesy Photo
Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) says the District is not ready to be a state. statehood noted his position was starkly antiquated. The actual unemployment rates for Blacks in D.C. stands at 13.6 percent, higher than any other state; the high school graduation rate is 59.7 percent, lower than the national average for Blacks of 69 percent. “Rep. Harris’ comments just show how out of touch with reality he is,” Ann Loikow, a D.C. statehood
proponents Yes We Can! spokesperson, told the AFRO. “It would be nice if people like him actually knew the facts. Given the state of decision-making in Congress, he is not the person to be talking about responsible decisions.” Currently the city has no senators or voting members of the House of Representatives, though residents continue to pay local taxes that are subject to the control of Congress. After decades of hard-fought political battles, social engagement, and civic outrage, the District was granted Home Rule – the ability to directly elect its own mayor and City Council – in 1974. Prior to 1974, the District was
governed by either three presidentially-appointed commissioners (1874-1967) or a presidentially-appointed mayor-commissioner and a nine-member council (19671974). “Also, it seems like [Harris] does not believe in ‘liberty and justice for all’ when he grandstands in denying the right to selfgovernment to 680,000 Americans. He is acting more like King George III than a responsible American elected official,” Loikow said. “Admission of the State of New Columbia would merely right a 215 year old wrong that stripped the people living in what is now the District of Columbia of their right to self-government.”
Walmart
Continued from D1 is in Washington, D.C., or ever under construction. wants to be in Washington, Rappaport said Walmart’s D.C., that doesn’t know about decision has made it unclear Skyland, because we’ve been whether construction for the working on this project for Skyland property will continue. 15 years,” Rappaport said. CVS will be moving into “It’s not going to happen in a the temporary trailers in the couple of weeks, but at least parking lot of the property everyone knows the project.” in the first week of February. Rappaport said his They will continue to operate company does have a signed there until Skyland is built. lease with Walmart as of Brian Kenner, deputy mayor December 2014, but said of economic development, said it can’t force Walmart to the city had what he described open. “You could look at skylandtowncenter.com as a “pledge” from Walmart the liabilities, and we can to build in neighborhoods A rendering of the proposed Skyland property go down that road, with the throughout the city, but no District’s help, but at the same official contract. But at the time, we can’t wait,” he said. “So, what we do is we list every meeting some residents said they were frustrated that the city kind of retail tenant that could possibly fit in this space. We never had a written contract with Walmart that required it to have put together that list and we have started calling that list.” build in Southeast. The city and developers learned Jan. 15 that Walmart was Tiffany Brown, an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner pulling out of a project to build two superstores in Ward 7 east for Ward 7, said that many residents were under the impression of the Anacostia River, citing disappointing performances at the that there was a signed agreement between Walmart and three stores it has opened in the District since 2013. See story the District. “I just wonder who does business like that,” on AFRO.com. Brown said. “[The District is] dealing with people’s lives and The Skyland Town Center is a property that was sold to livelihoods. There’s no place to shop. There’s no place to work. Rappaport in Dec. 2014, a decade after the city seized it. There’s no place to eat. There’s no place to live.” Sitting at the intersection of Good Hope Road, Naylor Road Gary Butler, another Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner and Alabama Avenue in southeast D.C., the 18.5 acres of for Ward 7, said he thinks the city should open their scope land is to be home to 340,000 square feet of retail space and for the town center. “We really need to stop dealing with big 480 residential units. The retail space was to be anchored by developers and start trying to nurture some of small midsize Walmart. As of early December, Skyland Town Center was still developers that actually serve the city,” he said.
Hunger Exhibit Continued from D1
instead.” Ignoring the problem, according to the Center for Hunger-free Communities, has allowed the rates of hunger across the nation rise to include more than 45 million people – which for District of Columbia residents is roughly 1 in 5 people living at or below the poverty threshold of $19,100 a year. And like McQueen, whose salary places her a few dollars above the threshold, many have been rendered ineligible for food subsidy programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The District’s distinction of having the third highest food costs in the nation makes matters worse, according to Ryan Palmer, director of stakeholder engagement of Martha’s Table. “This exhibit brings the message home that those facing poverty are not just sitting around waiting for a handout, they are working really hard at two and three jobs,” Palmer said. “There are issues of access to quality services and products because living where you can afford often means being situated in food deserts where fresh food and groceries, are not available. [These] exhibit photos document these issues and gives a voice to the people who took them as their own advocates.” Witnesses to Hunger is a research and advocacy project with additional sites in Philadelphia, Camden, Baltimore, New Haven, and Boston. The Witness to Hunger exhibition at THEARC will run until Jan. 31.
January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016, The Afro-American
WASHINGTON AREA
COMMUNITY CONNECTION Bethesda, Md.
Go-Go and Soul at Bethesda Supper Club The Chuck Brown Band is scheduled to perform at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Jan. 29. R&B artist Bilal is also scheduled to perform Jan. 30. Both shows are set to begin at 8 p.m. Tickets cost: $25 $45. For more information or to purchase tickets for either show, visit bethesdabluesjazz. com.
Landover, Md.
facebook.com
The Chuck Brown Band is scheduled to perform at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club Jan. 29
Sisters4Sisters Vision Party 2016 Sisters4Sisters will host their 17th anniversary vision party Jan. 31 at Signature Blue Events, 337 Brightseat Road, #120 from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Attendees will enjoy a workshop, lunch, goodie bag and more! The event also includes special guest Lucinda Cross, founder of the Activate Movement, who is a chief activator, best selling author, speaker and spokesperson. The theme of the party is “It’s Time to Dream Again.” Tickets cost between $36.87–$91.19. To purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/sisters4sistersinc17th-anniversary-vision-party-2016tickets-19837321964.
Fort Myer, Va.
JBM-HH Gospel Service Black History Month Celebration The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Gospel Service will host a Black History Month celebration on Feb. 6 at the Memorial Chapel, 204 Lee Avenue, at 1 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Myrtle Bowen, senior pastor at Contee A.M.E. Zion Church in D.C. Lt. Col. Bowen is with the U.S. Air Force Reserve. The event is free and open
to the public, however, all attendees must present picture identification when entering the installation. Early arrival is recommended. For more information, contact Edgar Brookins at 202-320-0939 or edgarb@afro.com.
Washington, D.C.
DeceptiComics Set to Perform at Bier Baron DeceptiComics return to D.C. Feb. 12 for their fourth performance at the Bier Baron 1523 22nd St NW. There will be two performances, at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The DeceptiComics are five malevolent comedians: brutal, merciless, and hilarious. Their purpose is to conquer and destroy audiences with brutal wit and deadly punch lines. They are driven by a single undeviating goal --total domination of the entertainment universe. Members of the DeceptiComics have performed at comedy clubs such as Caroline’s on Broadway, New Jersey’s Stress Factory and New York Comedy Club. Tickets cost $20 online and $25 at the door. For more information, visit lastresortcomedy.com/#!decepticomics--feb-1-2/iajsc.
Homicide Count
6
Data as of Jan. 27
The District’s Health Insurance Marketplace
THIS IS IT!
Your last chance to make it to the finish line to get health insurance for 2016! DON’T DELAY, ENROLL TODAY! DEADLINE IS JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY - JANUARY 31
FREE one-on-one enrollment support Financial help is available See if you qualify. 8 out of 10 people who enrolled in a health insurance plan qualified for financial help.
GO TO DCHEALTHLINK.COM CALL 1 (855) 532-5465 | TTY/TDD 711-1-532-5465 VISIT AN ENROLLMENT CENTER NEAR YOU FIND ONE AT DCHEALTHLINK.COM/ENROLLMENTCENTERS
Remember, if you don’t have health insurance in 2016, the IRS may fine you $695 or 2.5% of your household income, whichever is higher, when you file your 2016 taxes.
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The Afro-American, January 30, 2016 - February 5, 2016
For these pictures and more go to afro.com/slideshows.
Photos by Rob Roberts
The University of the District of Columbia held a Ribbon-Cutting and Grand Opening Ceremony for its newly built student center Jan. 20. The building is designed to be environmentally sensitive and is the first of its kind on the East Coast. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) speaks to D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D)
New UDC Student Center
The UDC University Chorale
Theodore Wilhite, student representative, Board of Trustees; Tsholofelo Motshwane, vice president, Undergraduate Student Government Association and Joshua Lopez UDC alumnus
Attendee and former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray
Diamond Barbour and Felicia Phillips, executive director, UDC Foundation
Lisa Pointer, UDC student
Roland G. Lemke, Cannon Design
Valerie Epps, chief student development and success officer
James E. Lyons Sr.
Lisa Pointer, UDC student; Roland G. Lemke; Michael Marshall
Michael Marshall, Marshall Moya Design
Erik Thompson and Renee Allen
Brandon Wallace, president, Student Bar Association, David A. Clark School of Law; Lana Qudat, UDC alumna; Joniee Barnes, president, Undergraduate Student Government Association and Rok Bozie, UDC student athlete
Mayor Bowser (D); Ronald Mason, Jr., UDC president and Elaine A. Crider, chair, Board of Trustees