D.C.’S JANEECE DOCAL WINS PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR 12
BET founder Johnson debuts Urban Movie Channel streaming service Page 8
Robert Eubanks/District Chronicles
November 27 - December 3, 2014
County laws to fight human trafficking Page 4 www.districtchronicles.com
Volume 14 Issue 15
6
Editorial Loretta Lynch deserves swift confirmation By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist
A
Eric Bridiers/Creative Commons
frican-American women were excited about President Obama’s nomination of Loretta Lynch to replace Eric Holder as Attorney General of the United States. Since she has sailed through two Senate confirmations, her current confirmation ought to move quickly and without controversy. But Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Tenn.) and his crowd seem to want to drag the process along, insisting on their “right” to question Lynch, and to make a spectacle of this confirmation. There are dozens of vacancies in the ambassadorial ranks, among others, because Republicans have blocked Senate consideration of these appointments. Many Republican Senators keep saying they want to work with the administration. One way to show it is to move some of the appointments out of gridlock. Lynch would be the first African-American woman to hold the position. This history-making nomination should not be tarnished by partisan nonsense. If Republicans are really trying to reach out to the African-American community, conducting a nonhostile hearing this year would signal their willingness to “do the right thing” by African Americans. President Obama is entitled
to his choice for Attorney General. She has been fully vetted by the White House and has an exemplary record trying cases that range from police brutality to corporate fraud. This is a piece of cake for the woman nominated attorney general. Why would the Senate not choose to confirm this woman? Simply to flex their partisan muscles and flaunt their power? I might remind the Senate of the mobilization that Black women when Alexis Herman had a rocky road in her confirmation for Secretary of Labor in President Clinton’s second term. Prominent African-American women, including Dorothy Height and C. Delores Tucker, were rallied their supporters. The message: Don’t mess with Alexis. The foundation of another mobilization is present and opposition to the highly qualified Lynch sends a signal to AfricanAmerican women, and to others, that this is a hostile Senate. This is not new information, but is the kind of information that repels many from the Republican Party. Maybe Republicans don’t care. Maybe, after their November rout, they feel no need to play nice with the president or with the people who didn’t support them. Memo to Republicans – two years from now you will have to defend your record. What will your vote on the Lynch confirmation say about you and your party? Republicans
There is a chance Republicans stall the Lynch’s nomination for attorney general, a first for an African American woman.
were the winners in the 2014 elections, but in some case they didn’t win by much (neither did Democrats). The electorate is divided, and angry enough to simply stay home. Both parties need to activate their base so that more people are excited about participating in elections. Low voter turnout
signals “none of the above.” There is no African-American woman in the Senate, and precious few in the House of Representatives. Undoubtedly, these women will speak up for Lynch, perhaps walking from the House offices to the Senate as they did in support of Anita Hill. The confir-
mation of Lynch is likely to be a watershed moment for the Senate. Will they act out of integrity or ignorance? Loretta Lynch deserves to be confirmed sooner rather than later, and the senators who talked bipartisan cooperation on the campaign trail need to practice what they preach.
Medicare’s program helps poor people pay for prescriptions Making ends meet should not mean going without your medications. If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for Extra Help to pay for some health care and prescription drug costs. Drug costs in 2015 for most people who qualify for Extra Help will be no more than $2.65 for each generic drug and $6.60 for each brand-name drug. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates that more than 2 million people with Medicare may be eligible for Extra Help, but aren’t currently enrolled to take advantage of these savings. A recent law changed how your income and assets are counted: < Life insurance policies don’t count as resources < Any help you get from rela-
tives, friends, and others to pay for household expenses—like food, mortgage, rent, heating fuel or gas, electricity, water, and property taxes—doesn’t count as income Many People Qualify and Don’t Know It Even if you were previously turned down for Extra Help due to income or resource levels, you should reapply. If you qualify, you’ll get help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums, copayments, and deductibles. To qualify, you must make less than $17,505 a year (or $23,595 for married couples). Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some extra help. Your resources must also be limited to $13,440
2 | Nov. 27 - Dec. 3, 2014 | District Chronicles
(or $26,860 for married couples). Resources include bank accounts, stocks, and bonds, but not your house or car. There’s No Cost or Obligation to Apply It’s easy and free to apply for “Extra Help.” You or a family member, trusted counselor, or caregiver can apply online at socialsecurity.gov/ i1020 or call Social Security at 1-800772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. All the information you give is confidential. You can also get help in your community from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC), and many tribal organiza-
tions. For information about how to contact these organizations, visit Eldercare.gov. To learn more about Medicare
prescription drug coverage, visit Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Finance
Make sure garage is insulated to cut energy bill
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The do-it-yourself garage door insulation kit can help you handle your heating costs during the winter.
(BPT) – As ever-increasing home energy bills continue to plague Americans, homeowners are looking for cost-effective ways to reduce their heating and cooling costs. If your house has not been properly insulated, you may be paying more than you should to heat or cool it. Nearly all modern homes have insulation throughout the living spaces, but garages commonly get overlooked. Because the garage is the last barrier between your home and the outdoors, it’s important to ensure the insulation is adequate. You can do a few simple things to make sure your garage is insulated properly. First, it’s important to ensure that the door leading from your home to the garage is sealed properly. If air leaks through the cracks around the door, it’s nearly as problematic as leaving the door wide open. Weather-stripping kits are available to insulate the edges of your door. Some are made to just go along the bottom of the door, and some fit around the edges to prevent any air leaks. Other areas to consider when checking your garage’s energy efficiency are the ceiling and the garage door threshold. If there is a
room above your garage, it may be beneficial to bolster the insulation in the garage’s ceiling to help keep the living space above it comfortable. For the threshold, installing a rubber seal-strip on the floor where the garage door closes helps prevent air leaks, and keeps out insects and rodents. That said, one of the most important areas to examine is the garage door itself. While installing a pre-insulated garage door can cost up to a thousand dollars or more, and requires a skilled contractor, there is a simple and inexpensive DIY solution to insulate your garage - garage door insulation kits. Home owners can easily insulate their existing garage doors with these kits, which are readily available in leading home improvement stores or online. These affordable and easy-to-use kits are made to fit standard garage door sizes and can be cut to fit non-standard sizes. With pre-packaged insulation, do-it-yourselfers can insulate their garage door in less than an hour, at a cost of less than $100. Kits use energy-efficient expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation panels – a rigid white foam that trims easily, is durable, offers excellent long-
term insulation, and gives your garage a professionally finished look. “Whether in the garage door, or any other part of the home, EPS is a durable, high-performance insulation,” according to Insulfoam insulation expert, Ram Mayilvahanan. “It has minimal long-term moisture absorption, and dries quickly, so works well anywhere from the foundation to the roof.” Homeowners do not need technical skills to install garage door insulation. Simply cut the insulation panels to size with a knife and straightedge, and flex the panels into place between the garage door’s horizontal rails. The panels remain firmly in place without the use of messy glues or awkward tape. A simple how-to-video shows the step-by-step process. During fall and winter, the insulation helps keep heat inside the garage so that the furnace does not work as hard and use as much energy. In the summer, the insulation helps keep the sun’s heat at bay so the garage can stay cool. Insulating your garage also helps reduce interior noise and can earn federal tax credits as an energy-efficient upgrade (check your local energy guides for more information).
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Neighborhood Metro Briefs: Notable news in and around Washington Prince George’s Prince George’s Council approves human trafficking legislation
T
he Prince George’s County Council meeting during the council’s final session of legislative year 2014 last week, voted unanimously to approve Council Bill 79-2014, Council Bill 80-2014 and Council Bill 81-2014, a triad of legislation directly addressing the issue of human trafficking in Prince George’s County. Council Bill 79-2014 prohibits lodging establishments from renting rooms by the hour. Council Bill 80-2014 requires lodging establishments to provide employee training on how to identify human trafficking victims and activities. Council Bill 81-2014 amends County Code provisions for the licensing of massage establishments, operators, managers and technicians to require certain types of information. Council Member Karen R. Toles, chair of the Council’s Pub-
lic Safety and Fiscal Management (PSFM) committee and sponsor of the legislation, says human trafficking is a pervasive public safety issue that must be addressed. “We want to use every tool at our disposal to stem the tide of human trafficking in Prince George’s County,” said Toles. “The legislation enacted today is a definitive step in the right direction. Through the collaborative efforts of our County’s Human Trafficking Task Force, local nonprofits and public safety officials, there is now an effective means to eradicate this practice.” In other action, CB-78-2014, legislation prohibiting certain employers from conducting a criminal background check or inquiring into an applicant’s criminal record until after the first interview, received unanimous council support. Council Member Obie Patterson, sponsor of the legislation, said non-violent offenders
The council approved three bills that work collectively to fight human trafficking in the county.
It is very difficult to get your foot in the door when many employers are reluctant to give you an opportunity to move beyond the application process. We want individuals who come out of the penal system, nonviolent offenders who have paid their to society, – Karen Toles, Prince George’s Council member debt to have a fair opportunity for the difficulties experienced by finding work.” those with a criminal history who The council also supported are looking for work,” said Patter- legislation amending the county’s public nuisance provisions and son. “ who have paid their debt to society, deserve a fair chance to secure gainful employment. “As a former parole commissioner, I have witnessed, firsthand,
We want to use every tool to stem human trafficking
Divine Intervention By Mary Beth McCauley Religion News Service
4 | Nov. 27 - Dec. 3, 2014 | District Chronicles
Pope Francis confirms visit to U.S.
Mazur | catholicnews.org.uk
“The pope is coming to Philadelphia,” announced Mayor Michael Nutter at a news conference held last week. The Vatican officially confirmed what has been rumored for months: that Pope Francis will visit the city in September 2015, for the eighth World Meeting of Families. Nutter said the visit was part of what is anticipated to be a threecity trip to the U.S. The pope is expected to visit New York City and Washington, D.C. According to Bishop John J. McIntyre, auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia, he has been invited to address both the U.N. and the U.S. Congress, though official acceptance of those invitations has not yet been made. Donna Crilley Farrell, executive director of the Global Catholic Conference on Family Life, said the pope’s final schedule is still being worked out, but the pontiff will be present at the September 26 Fes-
tival of Families. The festival is a three-hour program of song, dance, prayer, and testimony, which will take place at the steps of the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art. The next day, Sunday, September 27, the pope will celebrate mass in the same place. The great front steps of the museum spill onto the city’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway, perhaps the city’s most noted public space and host to many a large crowd though none as large as this. An estimated 1.5 million people are expected for the festival, which is the culmination of the September 22-27, World Meeting of Families. More than 2 million are expected for the mass. “This will be the biggest event in Philadelphia’s history,” said Nutter, rattling off a list of organizations that would be enlisted to protect the pilgrims as well as the pope, including the Swiss Guard and the Vatican security forces. The announcement of the visit is unusually early. Most papal trips
Code of Ethics, and adopted legislation, sponsored by County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, approving a multi-year publicprivate partnership agreement for the design, construction, management, operation and maintenance of county property comprising Prince George’s County’s Urban Stormwater Retrofit Program. The November 19 council meeting marked the final legislative session for Council Members Will Campos (D) – District 2, Eric C. Olson (D) – District 3, and Ingrid M. Turner (D) – District 4, who will complete their second and final terms in office on December 1.
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis will visit New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. in September 20115.
are announced much closer to the actual time of the visit. According
to McIntyre, the archdiocese petitioned the Vatican for the early an-
nouncement to give the city time to get a jump on the planning.
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District Chronicles | Nov. 27 - Dec. 3, 2014 | 5
Cover Legendary former D.C. mayor Barry dies at 78 District Chronicles staff
H
courage, empowerment, hope, tragedy, triumph and inspiration. “I was born on a farm,” he wrote. “I went to a one-room school house.” Following his work with SNCC, in 1968, Barry co-founded Pride, Inc., a federally funded job training program for unemployed Black men. “Formation of Pride, Inc., made it possible for more than 1,000 D.C. Black youth to secure jobs, solidifying Barry’s pledge to jump start African-American economic empowerment and redevelopment in the District,” wrote Ron Busby, President of the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce, in a tribute to Barry’s legacy. His political career began in 1971 with his election to D.C.’s first independent school board. He served as president of the board until 1974. When Congress granted the District Home Rule, Washingtonians elected him to the first city council. In 1978, he was elected to his first of several terms as mayor. He served three consecutive terms until 1990, when he was convicted of crack cocaine use. After his release from prison, Barry was elected to the D.C. City
Robert Eubanks/District Chronicles
e was born in Mississippi to sharecropper parents 78 years ago. But when he died on Sunday, November 23, legendary former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry had what many politicians crave – widespread love and admiration, in spite of personal indiscretions and public scandals. From the White House to Congress, DMV politicians, students and just plain folks’ tributes to Barry’s legacy as a champion of Black people and disenfranchised came pouring in from the moment of his passing got on air and online early Sunday morning. President Obama lauded Barry for advancing the cause of civil rights as a one-time leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and decades of D.C. politics. Like every person reacting to Barry’s death, Obama noted the many programs Barry put in place during decades in elected office in the nation’s capital to help city residents escape poverty, expand opportunity and return “home rule” to the city, the Associated Press reported.
Barry’s pastor, the Rev. Willie Wilson of Union Temple Baptist Church in Anacostia, remembered him as “an icon in the city” who created jobs for generations of Black people and youth. “Many of the people remember how he touched their lives and made ways for them,” said Rev. Wilson. “Many of the persons who are middle class in the city and some who have moved to Maryland and Virginia he gave them city jobs and business loans.” Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser described Barry as someone who “gave a voice to those who needed it most. She said he “lived his life in service to others. Barry published his autobiography, “Mayor for Life: The Incredible Story of Marion Barry Jr,” which described the influences that turned him into a fierce advocate for Black and disenfranchised people. Barry said early lessons on honesty and courage largely shaped the way he views the world and the Black man’s role in it. These lessons came from his mother to whom he dedicates his book, which one reviewer describes as “a story of
The man fondly known as ‘mayor for life,’ Marion Barry died Sunday, Nov. 23.
Council in 1992. He was elected mayor in 1994 and ultimately served from 1995 to 1999. “Mayor Barry will always be remembered for the most expansive youth jobs program in the United States, where summer employment was guaranteed for every schoolage resident,” said Congresswoman Maxine Water (D-California). “I will always fondly remember beating Marion handedly on the tennis court, and our many warm interactions over the years.” “He was the people’s mayor and in the end the people loved him regardless of his personal indiscretions until the day he died,” said Wanda Baker-Joseph, former
resident . “I think one of the greatest accomplishments for which he will be remembered is the creation of the Summer Youth Employment Program. It provided and still provides employment to many youth in the District who would not have had employment otherwise.” At his death, Barry was a City Council member, representing Ward 8. Fellow council member David Gross (I-At Large) remembered Barry’s advocacy for the poor. “His strong passion for making our city a great city was only surpassed in effort by his incredible commitment to ensuring that the poorest of our residents were never forgotten.”
Obama takes on GOP-controlled Congress on immigration District Chronicles staff For six years, President Obama tried to work with a divided Congress. He really believed that a Democratically controlled Senate and a GOP-controlled House of Representatives could give him an immigration reform bill he could sign. It didn’t happen. After the November 4 Midterm Election, which gave the Senate and the House of Representatives to Republicans, he saw no hope of that ever happening. On June 20, he took to the airwaves, issuing a televised executive immigration order, giving an estimated 5 of 11 million undocumented immigrants protection from deportation. Under the president’s plan, parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents would be able to apply for work permits and deferred deportation. The order would also offer protection for more immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children. The order also charges the Department of Home-
land Security to focus on illegal immigrants with criminal records, gang affiliations or ties to terrorvism. “To those members of Congress who question my authority to make our immigration system work better, or question the wisdom of me acting where Congress has failed, I have one answer: Pass a bill,” he told the nation on June 20. It was like waving a red flag in front of a raging bull. Republicans and opponents of immigration reform went ballistic. A day after the televised Executive Order, Nathan Mehrens, president of conservative Americans for Limited Government, accused the president of setting up a “constitutional crisis.” Mehrens called the Executive Order an “illegal alien amnesty plan.” “Last night’s pronouncement by President Barack Obama that he will change our nation’s immigration laws with the stroke of his pen sets up a profound constitutional crisis, said Mehren in a press re-
6 | Nov. 27 - Dec. 3, 2014 | District Chronicles
lease. “If Obama is allowed to impose changes in law that Congress has specifically rejected, it sets an irreversible precedent that forever changes the separation of powers between the two branches. “Congress must immediately return to Washington, D.C., and defund every aspect of the announced amnesty. Acquiescence to this constitutional power grab is not an option.” But not all Republicans embraced fighting Obama by defunding his unilateral immigration action. According to a House Appropriations Committee spokeswoman, defunding would be “impossible,” because Citizenship and Immigration Services is funded through fees, not congressional appropriations, reported liberal website Daily KOs. House Speaker John Boehner immediately filed a lawsuit against the president. “We’re working with our members and looking at the options that are available to us, but I will say to
you, the House will, in fact, act,” said Boehner in a news conference at the Capitol, hinting at one possible action the Republicancontrolled Congress is considering: Impeaching the president. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus called the President’s action “executive overreach.” “We are a nation of immigrants, and we are also a nation of laws and limited executive power,” said Priebus in a statement.” The Constitution does not grant the president the power to act as a one-man legislature when he disagrees with Congress. The American people rejected the administration’s policies during the midterms; they will do so again in 2016.” The Tea Party Economist, a free daily digital subscription service from Ron Paul’s original staff economist Gary North, challenged “some Republican to announce today that “ he is “running to repeal Obama Amnesty.” This is a moment of opportu-
nity, said North. “Some Republican senator or governor should announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination for President in 2016. He should announce his reason: “I will repeal by executive order President Obama’s executive action granting amnesty to five million illegal aliens. “My first act as President will be to repeal this unconstitutional monstrosity. I will sign my executive order when I give my inaugural address.” But, what Republicans saw as amnesty, Washington, D.C.’s Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton saw as “family solidifying Executive Immigration Reform, following bi-partisan precedents.” “The President’s family stabilizing executive actions continue the tradition of American presidents of both parties, most recently Presidents Bush and Reagan in the 1980s and 1990s, who moved to stabilize families when Congress had not,” Norton said in a press statement.
Politics
Churches to serve as safe spaces after Ferguson grand jury news By Lilly Fowler St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jamelle Bouie/Creative Commons
ST. LOUIS (RNS) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; After a prayer service outside her church turned violent last month, the Rev. Teresa Danieley, pastor of St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tower Grove, allowed those trying to escape the demonstrations to enter her church. Now, Danieley and dozens of other clergy members are preparing to once again offer their churches as safe spaces, or sanctuaries. The grand jury decision on whether to indict Darren Wilson, the officer who fatally shot African-American teenager Michael Brown, is expected by the end of the month, potentially triggering further civil unrest. Clergy anticipate some might seek refuge in churches, whether to escape violence or find fellowship. Organizations such as the Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Shoot Coalition, which was formed after the death of Brown, and Metropolitan Congregations United, a group of interdenominational, multiracial congregations from around the region, are in the process of creating a list of churches that are volunteering the use of their space. Many of these churches will be packed with supplies such as food, water and phone chargers. Medics, legal observers and counselors will also be on hand. Some believe that unless officers are needed in an emergency, churches should also function as police-free zones during protests. The Rev. Tommie Pierson of Greater St. Mark Family Church said that while his church does not intend to harbor criminals, he expects police to keep their distance. The idea is to make everyone, especially protesters, feel like they have a safe place to go. Piersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s church is near many of the protest staging areas used over the last few months in Ferguson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just want to administer to the needs of the people,â&#x20AC;? Pierson said. Danieley said she and the St. Louis police have always had a good relationship. She doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect that to change if and when protests take place in her neigh-
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Churches will be a safe haven for peaceful protestors if things go bad.
borhood. She noted, for example, that police have been respectful when she asked them to intervene with the mentally ill who visit the church to receive free meals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not worried about police not respecting our boundaries,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think if you have transparency and communication, then this doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even come up.â&#x20AC;? But the decision to mark a church as a safe space is not easy under the current circumstances. The Rev. David Gerth, executive director of Metropolitan Congregations United, said many clergy feel obligated to consider how members of their congregation feel about the safety of their property. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not for everybody, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lots of other ways that congregations can be open and supportive without being a sanctuary,â&#x20AC;? Gerth said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think there are a number of congregations that will respond to whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in front of them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If it were a tornado, it would be a little more straightforward for folks,â&#x20AC;? he said. Denise Lieberman, a lawyer specializing in civil rights who works with the Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Shoot Coalition, said some churches are still determining where to draw the line.
Although churches are under no special legal protection, there is a long history of operating as safe houses. The Bible refers to cities of refuge for accidental killings where those accused of murder could safely await trial. In the 19th century, churches hid runaway slaves. In the 1960s, civil rights leaders often gathered at churches. In 1963, for example, Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., was bombed, killing four girls. And in the 1980s, hundreds of churches supported the so-called sanctuary movement in an attempt to save Central American refugees, fleeing civil conflict from deportation. Some of those active in the movement were put on trial and criminally prosecuted for transporting illegal immigrants. But churches plan to be there for the community under all circumstances. St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has set a prayer vigil for 7 p.m. the day of the grand jury announcement. Christ Church Cathedral downtown will host a 24-hour prayer vigil. West Side Missionary Baptist Church in Florissant is throwing a freedom rally and prayer service. Lilly Fowler is the religion reporter at the Post-Dispatch. Follow her on Twitter @LillyAFowler.
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Arts and Entertainment
BET founder announces launch of Urban Movie Channel
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Urban Movie Channel is subscription streaming service that you can watch online or your mobile device.
(TriceEdneyWire.com) – Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television and Chairman of RLJ Entertainment (RLJE), has announced the launch of Urban Movie Channel, RLJE’s proprietary digital channel. UMC is a premium subscription-based streaming service devoted to films and entertainment for the African-American and urban audience. Launched initially in 2007 as One Village Entertainment, UMC titles are distributed across multiple platforms that range from theatrical, broadcast, Blu-ray/DVD, digital streaming and downloading and features may be watched online or from any mobile device. “I am convinced that urban consumers will gravitate to the economic and entertainment value proposition of UMC and that the creative community will embrace UMC as the best way to
reach their loyal fans and benefit financially from showcasing their outstanding work product, “ said Johnson in a statement. Johnson also announced that Traci Otey Blunt is joining RLJE as Corporate Executive Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Affairs and will oversee the company’s marketing, public relations and investor relations, as well as the promotion of the UMC channel. For the last six years, Blunt served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at The RLJ Companies, the holding company which formed RLJ Entertainment. Prior to RLJ, Blunt served as a national deputy communications director and director of African-American media for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the 2008 presidential campaign. Programs previously released
by RLJE under the One Village brand will be incorporated into UMC’s library, which will also include titles from RLJE’s existing Image independent feature film line. UMC will launch with a free trial period for subscribers through February 4, 2015 and with a suggested retail price of $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year thereafter, but with a special limited time introductory pricing of $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year to start. Among the titles launching are live stand-up performances featuring Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx and Charlie Murphy, documentaries “Dark Girls” and “I Ain’t Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac,” feature films “All Things Fall Apart” starring 50 Cent, Mario Van Peebles, and Ray Liotta and “The Suspect,” starring Mekhi Phifer. The digital channel can be accessed at urbanmoviechannel. com.
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In the Neighborhood
Metro Briefs: Notable news in and around Washington District of Columbia Committee announces MLK literary, visual arts show contest
T
he Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Commemorative Committee seeks entries for the literary arts contest and the visual arts show in observance of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Both contests are open to all elementary, middle and high school students in Montgomery County. The annual contests are also supported by the city of Gaithersburg and the Gazette Newspapers. The theme for 2015 is “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: His Words and Ideas in Our Time.” Literary contest entries must be 150 words or less, and must be in poetry or essay format. Entries will be judged on understanding
Montgomery County County launches bioscience grants program
The county offers a broad range of programs, services, partnering opportunities and strategic financing resources to stimulate and expand the County’s business, job and tax base. Life sciences companies with a primary business address in Montgomery County are eligible to apply. Awarded funds can be used to complete essential business formation and development tasks such as, IP development, patent or market research, product valuation, prototype development, proof of concept, or clinical development studies. “Many of the job creators of tomorrow are the innovators of today. These grants will help turn innovative ideas into drivers of growth for Montgomery County’s economy,” said Montgomery County Council president Craig Rice. “Montgomery County innovators are developing health and security solutions with the potential to dramatically improve lives around the world and bring employment and investment to Montgomery County,” added Councilmember Nancy Floreen. “For all of these reasons we want
December 5. There is no limit on the number of visual arts entries from each school. Entries for both contests should be sent to: MLK Entries, Montgomery County Office of Human Rights, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850. The top three winners from all literary entries will be invited to read their essays and receive an award presented by the County Executive and the Gazette Newspapers as part of the countywide MLK celebration on Monday, January 19, 2015 at the Music Center at Strathmore. All visual arts submissions will be exhibited at the program, as well as at the Executive Office Building during Black History Month in February. For more information, contact James Stowe, director of the County’s Office of Human Rights, at 240-777-8491 or email humanrights.commission@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development has introduced a new program aimed at strengthening the life sciences industry which will award grants of $5,000 to $25,000 to companies. An information session for potential grant applicants will be held on December 12, at 10 a.m. located at 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 800, Rockville, Maryland. “The county’s new Life Sciences Impact Grant Program is the latest local strategic initiative to support the continued growth and commercial success of our local biosciences sector,” said Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett. “These grants will aid companies in moving a product under development forward. This new initiative, when combined with existing programs like our local biotech investment tax credit, show that Montgomery County is as committed as ever to supporting our valued life sciences sector.”
and appreciation of the ideals of Dr. King; clarity and originality of expression; and adherence to the 2015 theme. The deadline for submitting entries for the literary contest is Friday, December 12. Participating schools should submit a maximum of three entries per school to the MLK Literary Contest. Entries submitted from Gaithersburg area schools will also be entered into the City’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Literary Arts Contest, and awardees will receive a certificate from the city and a monetary award from the Gazette Newspaper. Entries for the visual arts show can include prints, posters, collages, murals, photographs and all other two-dimensional visual art forms. Entries should also portray the 2015 theme. Students should work with their art teacher on more specific submission criteria. Deadline for visual arts submissions is
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The county hopes to draw more business to its bioscience sector.
them to succeed.” Montgomery County life sciences companies are encouraged to submit an application that will be evaluated on the strength and ability of the company to execute the project, ability to leverage other funding sources, and use of local vendors for goods/services purchased for the project. The deadline for applications is Friday, January 2, 2015. Between five and seven companies will be selected to receive grants and will be notified by February 20, 2015. The application and additional information is available at www.choosemontgomerymd.com.
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Metro Briefs: Notable news in and around Washington
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REAL WORLD
Chancellor Henderson (right) and incoming mayor Bowser surprise principal Docal (center) at Powell Elementary school.
District of Columbia Powell Elementary School leader named Principal of the Year
A
t a surprise visit at Powell Elementary School last Thursday, District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced Janeece Docal as the 2014 DCPS Principal of the Year, and recipient of the Excellence in Leadership Award. Docal has been the principal at Powell since the 20092010 school year. “When I think about the qualities that make a phenomenal principal, and the qualities that I want in a school leader, both as a parent and as chancellor, I think about Janeece Docal,” said Chancellor Henderson. “She holds incredibly high expectations for her students, has built a team of people who deliver on those expectations every day, engages the Powell Elemen-
tary School family and community members as partners in the work, and literally does whatever it takes to help all of her students achieve at the highest levels. Powell has doubled its enrollment, significantly increased student proficiency and become a strong neighborhood school because of Janeece Docal and her amazing team. She cares deeply, driven by a passion
ton Post Cultural Ambassador and Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar to Japan. She completed her education specialist degree in educational leadership and administration and has taught as an adjunct professor for the Graduate School of Education and Human Development. Docal is currently in Georgetown University’s Executive Masters in Leadership program with the McDonough School of Business and is her Principal Docal completing doctoral thesis with the University of Vigo, Spain. Docal began her time in school leadership as an assistant principal at the Columbia Heights Education Campus – Bell Multicultural Senior High School in northwest Washington, D.C., where she was previously an educator for nine years. She is a New Leader for New Schools (cohort 2008) and became principal of Powell Elementary School in July 2009 where her passion for her students, teachers, and community continues to inspire her work.
She cares deeply, driven by a passsion to equity. – DCPS Chancellor Henderson on and true commitment to equity.” Principal Docal will receive the Excellence in Leadership Award during the fifth annual Standing Ovation for DC Teachers at the Kennedy Center on January 12, 2015. Docal began her career in school leadership by obtaining her Master’s in education from The George Washington University. She served as a Fulbright-Hays scholar to New Zealand, studying curricular frameworks and reform efforts and as the Washing-