The Washington Informer - August 11, 2022 by The Washington Informer

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Vol. 57, No. 43 • August 11 - 17, 2022

As Migrants Flood D.C., Pentagon Denies Mayor’s Request for National Guard Troops

Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

5 Iconic entertainers liven up the audience at the Summer Spirit Music Festival held at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md. on August 7. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer). See additional photos on pages 34 and 35 and the editor's reflection on Page 8.

In what statehood proponents have described as a serious problem, the Department of Defense (DOD) recently denied Mayor Muriel Bowser’s request for the D.C. National Guard to help mitigate the arrival of asylum-seeking migrants from Texas and Arizona. Last month, Bowser requested 150 National Guard members per day and recommended the D.C. Armory as an ideal location for housing and processing. By that time, more than 6,000 migrants had been bused from Texas and Arizona to D.C. since April. Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R), who initiated the transfer of migrants after the Biden administration lifted a restriction on migrant entry earlier this year, revealed New York City as an additional destination. He said these efforts will help get migrants closer to

Four Black Female Firefighters Sue the D.C. Fire Department

D.C. Police-Involved Shooting of Kevin Hargraves-Shird Leads to Outrage

Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

Family and Friends Allege Many Questions Remain Unanswered

Nearly half a century ago, when women started joining the Washington Metropolitan Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DCFEMS), the department and accompanying union consisted mostly of white men who critics say have made significant efforts to maintain the status quo. In the latest lawsuit filed against the fire department, four Black female firefighters allege that DCFEMS colleagues and leadership created a hostile work environment. Complaints focus on denial of additional compensation and job advancement opportunities and accumulation of disciplinary infractions that threatened career trajectory.

Sam P.K. Collins Staff Writer In the days following the death of Kevin Hargraves-Shird, shot and killed by a D.C. police officer, details about the events leading up to his demise continue to surface, often differing from initial accounts provided by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

KEVIN Page 25

MIGRANTS Page 44

5 DCFEMS Sergeant Paramedic Jadonna Sanders. (Courtesy photo)

FIRE DEPT Page 49

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CONTENTS

Around the Region........................................... 4-11 Prince George's County...............................12-13 Business..............................................................14-15 National..............................................................16-19 International........................................................ 20 Health................................................................ 22-25 Education.........................................................25-26 OpEd................................................................. 30-31 Lifestyle............................................................33-39 Sports......................................................................43 Religion...................................................................45

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PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes STAFF D. Kevin McNeir, Senior Editor Ron Burke, Advertising/Marketing Director Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor Lafayette Barnes, IV, Editor, WI Bridge DC Jamila Bey, Digital Content Editor Austin Cooper, Our House Editor Desmond Barnes, Social Media Stategist ZebraDesigns.net, Design & Layout Mable Neville, Bookkeeper Angie Johnson, Office Mgr./Circulation Angel Johnson, Admin. Asst. REPORTERS Stacy Brown (Senior Writer), Sam P.K. Collins, Aja Beckham, Ed Hill, Will Ford (Prince George’s County Editor), Hamil Harris, Curtis Knowles, Brenda Siler,Lindiwe Vilakazi, Sarafina Wright, James Wright PHOTOGRAPHERS Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor, Roy Lewis, Jr., Robert R. Roberts, Anthony Tilghman, Abdula Konte, Ja'Mon Jackson

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wi hot topics Jordan Brand Announces 20Year Partnership with Howard University Legendary baller Michael Jordan’s Jordan Brand and Howard University are launching a 20-year partnership. The public will have the chance to see the official debut at Howard’s Game Zero on August 27 when the new football uniforms will be unveiled. The iconic Jumpman logo will be part of the Bison attire for all the university’s sport teams, except for the golfers who have an unrelated deal with Golden State Warriors Steph Curry for their equipment and apparel. The new agreement, according to the Jordan Brand, is an exciting opportunity to build upon the legacy and influence of the learning institution dubbed “The Mecca.” The Jordan Brand announcement celebrating the connection praised Howard as “one of the most esteemed” Historically Black Colleges and Universities explaining, “This partnership with Howard is not only an investment in the organization, it is an investment in Black futures, inspired by basketball culture.” The partnership teased that simply having student athletes wear the new gear isn’t the only part of this new alliance. The Jordan Brand promises the company is looking forward to helping Howard continue to inspire and innovate across the diaspora saying, “We’re excited for the future of the Howard University athletics program, and for how together, we can amplify the influence of HBCU’s on collegiate sports and continue to impact culture globally.” WI

COMPILED BY WI EDITORIAL STAFF

Maryland Board of Elections to Certify Results Monday, Aug. 15 The Maryland Board of Elections plans to certify election results for statewide races at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15. The results of several races in Prince George’s County are so close that there could be petition for recounts in two legislative districts. In District 23, Kym Taylor holds the third and final spot by 21 votes, or .03%, ahead of Jocelyn Collins. In District 24, Tiffany Alston has a lead for the third and final spot ahead of LaTasha Ward by 101 votes, or .19%. Christopher Stevenson sits in fifth place trailing by 131 votes, or .25%. Candidates can petition for a recount if trailing by at least .25%, based on legislation the General Assembly approved this year. Candidates have until Aug. 18 to decide on making that request. WI

Wes Moore Holds Gubernatorial Rally in Prince George’s Maryland gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore said three words helped in his bid to win the Democratic nomination in last month’s primary election: Prince George’s County. The author and military veteran expressed his thanks before several hundred people at a rally Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex in Fort Washington. He garnered nearly 59,430 votes from the state’s second largest jurisdiction. “Prince George’s County spoke loudly and clearly with one voice in the primary election and it resonated across the state – a call to build a Maryland where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and no one is left behind,” Moore said in a statement. “The stakes are high but with your help, we will carry that message to every corner of our state, win this election and make that vision a reality for every Marylander.” County residents who supported Moore months ahead of the primary included County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy and state Sen. Obie Patterson (D-District 26) of Fort Washington. The governor’s seat remains a coveted prize because the second, four-year term of Republican Gov. Larry Hogan expires in January. And while Democrats outnumber Republicans in the state by a ratio of 2-to-1, a Democrat hasn’t been in the governor’s seat since former Gov. Martin O’Malley in January 2015. “The historic ticket we represent stands ready to realize the promise of inclusive government, build a state that works for all of us and ensure a brighter future for all Marylanders,” said Moore’s running mate and former Del. Aruna Miller. WI

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Silverman Determined to Continue Her Work on the D.C. Council James Wright WI Staff Writer D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman said she wants District voters to re-elect her on Nov. 8 so she can continue helping people thrive and be productive in the city. “I would like to serve another term because I have a lot more to accomplish and I am eager to do it,” Silverman said. “I am eager to work on policies that make this city a better place for families in regards to education, housing and public safety.” Silverman hopes to serve a third, four-year term on the council. A legislator since 2015, the former Washington City Paper and Washington Post journalist has established herself as a progressive voice on the council who asks probing questions regarding policies of the Bowser administration and has been known to challenge the leadership of the legislative body itself. In order to be successful, Silverman, an independent, must be one of the two top recipients of votes in the Nov. 8 general election in a field of 11 candidates which includes Democratic nominee Councilmember Anita Bonds and new independent candidate Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie. Silverman said times have changed in the city since she took the oath of office for the second time in 2019. “This is a challenging time for our city,” she said. “COVID has changed our habits as a city and its revenue stream. It has become clear by looking at the office vacancies in downtown that we will never return to the five-days-aweek work schedule where people traveled here to their jobs. A lot of people are working at home and not downtown and that has impacted our restaurants.” Silverman said as a result of the dearth of people coming to downtown to work, “employers don’t need as much space to conduct their business.” “The challenge is how we pivot to not having people come downtown during the weekdays and making that work,” she said.

“It will be a challenge but from a policy standpoint it is exciting to contemplate.” Silverman spoke of her awareness that some business leaders and entrepreneurs won’t support her candidacy because of legislation she has supported. “I am aware that some businesses didn’t like the paid family leave policy I advocated,” said Silverman, talking about the law that mandates District employers allocate weeks for employees to take care of personal and family matters without losing their jobs and pay. “But the paid family leave policy is working. It is working for families, workers and employees.” Silverman said if re-elected she will continue to advocate for small businesses. “I would like to get the DCRA [Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs] to work for small businesses,” she said. “I would like for the Office of Tax and Revenue to work for small businesses.” She said housing for low-income residents should be protected and has shown interest in the concept of social housing. Social housing serves low- and middle-income people who are employed and the units are managed by either the government or housing associations. “There will be a hearing on social housing this fall,” she said. “I am definitely open to making this city more affordable. I am still learning more about social housing. This may be needed when there are two-bedroom apartments costing $3,600 a month on the market. Plus, the Black family median income is significantly lower than the white family media income and we don’t want people leaving the city.” Silverman recently led the redistricting of the city’s ward and advisory neighborhood commission boundaries which takes place once every 10 years based on the latest census data. She said the process overall emerged as successful in terms of her goal of making sure “everyone was listened to.” Tiffany Brown, who serves as an advisory neighborhood commissioner for single-member district

7B02 in Ward 7, said she does not support Silverman’s reelection efforts. “We need fresh blood on the council and I will be voting for Karim Marshall,” Brown said. Brown said she didn’t approve of how Silverman handled redistricting in her ward and said she unnecessarily intervened in the process. But while Brown has rejected Silverman’s reelection, Brian K. Thompson, the outgoing commissioner for single-member district 8A03 in Ward 8, said he will cast his ballot for the lawmaker. “I found Elissa to be fair, decent and straightforward,” said Thompson, who chaired Ward 8’s commissioner redistricting. “I like the fact that she advocates for good things such as paid family leave and I think she has earned another term on the council.” WI @JamesWrightJr10

5 Elissa Silverman serves as an independent at-large D.C. Councilmember. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

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AUG 11 - 17, 2022 SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

AUG. 14

1876 – Prairie View A&M University, a historically Black institution, is established in Prairie View, Texas. 1959 – Basketball great Earvin "Magic" Johnson is born in Lansing, Michigan. 1966 – Halle Berry, the first woman of color to win an Oscar for best actress, is born in Cleveland.

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1887 – Eatonville, Florida, one of the nation's first self-governing all-Black municipalities and the hometown of famed author Zora Neale Hurston, is incorporated. 1938 – Longtime U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters is born in St. Louis.

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AUG. 11

1868 – Thaddeus Stevens, one of the leaders of the Radical Republicans who opposed slavery, dies in Washington, D.C. 1873 – J. Rosamond Johnson, African American composer and brother of James Weldon Johnson, is born. He is best known for composing "Lift Every Voice and Sing," written by his brother and regarded as the "Negro National Anthem." 1921 – Famed writer Alex Haley, who authored "Roots: The Saga of an American Family" and "The Autobiography of Malcolm X," is born in Ithaca, New York. 1960 – African nation Chad gains independence from France. 1965 – The Watts riots begin in Los Angeles after the traffic stop and arrest of an African American man. The riots lasted seven days and resulted in 34 deaths and $40 million in property damage.

AUG. 17

1887 – Political leader Marcus Garvey, proponent of the Pan-Africanism movement and founder of the Black Star Line, is born in Saint Ann's Bay, Jamaica. 1938 – Blues icon and famed guitarist Robert Johnson dies in Greenwood, Mississippi, at 27. 1990 – Tony-winning actress and singer Pearl Bailey (below) dies in Philadelphia at 72. WI

AUG. 12

1890 – Lillian Evanti, an internationally renowned African American opera singer, is born in Washington, D.C.

AUG. 13

1911 – James B. Parsons, the nation's first Black federal judge, is born in Kansas City, Missouri. 1933 – Joycelyn Elders, the first Black U.S. surgeon general, is born in Schaal, Arkansas.

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This is very sad. Honestly, I feel arrogance got us here. Brit’s arrogance, for not listening when to leave, for bringing paraphernalia in her luggage where she knew she should not. Then America’s arrogance for thinking they can politicize her way back here. It may have fueled their courts and lessened any chance of sympathy.

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I can only hope this encourages more Americans to research the laws and customs of countries they visit because Americans seem to think that their constitutional protections follow them everywhere they go.

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I want someone to tell me what is the difference between hundreds of thousands locked up for marijuana in America and her. Why not a protest to free them? Russia doesn’t owe her or America anything.

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SOCORRO, NEW MEXICO

Why do people think she gets a free pass just because she is American? Common sense should have told her to check and double-check her luggage, something I do before I fly internationally. Each country has its prohibitions listed.

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The World According to Dominic D. Kevin McNeir / WI Senior Editor

Summer Spirit Festival 2022 – An Unforgettable Day When Being a Black American Was Not an Obstacle to Overcome But an Honor and Privilege to Celebrate Erykah Badu, in her introspective song, “On & On,” the lyrical genius talks about the wheel which keeps turning in our lives, the lessons we, hopefully, learn from experiences – good and bad – and then almost while exhaling, she proclaims, “what a day, what a day, what a day.” As Badu, who closed out the 2022 Summer Spirit Festival on Sunday, Aug. 7, sang this song, along with a sea of music lovers in excess of 12,000 men, women and youth, I could not help but pause to thank God for holding my hand and guiding me during the past two years of unprecedented change brought on by COVID. Somehow, we have survived the turning of the wheel. And while it’s not over yet, listening to the Black Goddess Badu challenge us with her intellectual profundity, swaying to the smooth and soulful serenade of Anthony Hamilton and being treated to the vocal brilliance of Marsha Ambrosius, I felt like I had been taken back to the Day of Pentecost. Those who know this Old Testa-

All of the ancestors, no matter from whence they hailed, understood one another. They embraced one another not in spite of but because of their differences. ment account recall that on that day, all differences in language and ethnicity and religion and philosophy melted away. All of the ancestors, no matter from whence they hailed, understood one another. They embraced one another not in spite of but because of their differences. And as that Day drew to a close, they felt empowered – filled with joy, hope – and fueled with a sense of urgency

and motivation as they returned to their own communities to be about their Father’s business. That’s how I felt as I left the Summer Spirit Festival. I had journeyed down memory lane, thanks to the one-two punch of Method Man & Redman who took us back to the 80s and 90s when hip-hop music and old school R&B provided us with reasons to celebrate our Blackness – subtle, soulful, serendipitous and sometimes even sensual. D.C.’s own Junkyard Band, pioneers of the District’s homegrown form of music, go-go, with anthems during which the beat never stops, took us back to the days when D.C. was Chocolate City and proud to hold that distinction. As a native of Motown, that’s Detroit for those who somehow don’t know, I wasn’t exposed to go-go before moving to the DMV. We were junkies to the sounds and songs of the Tops and Temps and Supremes. So, unlike hundreds of folks in the audience at the Festival, I was unfamiliar with the lyrics from Junkyard Band’s hit song about “sardines and pork and beans.” But I didn’t have to know the words because hundreds of

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Sankofa Video Books & Cafe Approved for Property Tax Relief Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) recently honored an arrangement which grants Sankofa Video Books & Cafe an exemption from paying property taxes for a decade but it would be an arduous, threeyear long process that included a slew of tax bills and the discovery of a certification process. In the fall of 2019, the Mypheduh FIlms DBA Sankofa Video & Books Tax Exemption Tax Abatement Act, went into law after the D.C. Council overwhelmingly approved it and D.C. Mayor Bowser signed it into law with congressional approval. However, unbeknownst to Sankofa’s owners Haile and Shirikiana Gerima, implementation of the tax abatement required them to confer with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) and to apply for recertification every year. Shirikiana Gerima said, shortly after the bill’s passage, she unsuccessfully attempted to contact D.C. Councilmember Nadeua’s office to determine whether the abatement had gone into effect. By October 2020, when the pandemic caused several businesses, including Sankofa, to shutter, the Gerimas stopped paying property taxes. However, they kept receiving notices from OTR. By the beginning of this year, the bookstore had accumulated a tax debt of $90,000 and OTR had the storefront up for auction. It was only after a conversation with Nadeau and subsequent engagements with DMPED, that they discovered the need to recertify. Once the Gerimas had done so, OTR wiped Sankofa’s slate clean and took it off the auction list. “This is part of the way things in D.C. work. You need a team to be on the defensive to make sure [nothing] is happening that can bite you in the back,” Shirikiana Gerima said as she expressed her thanks to the community for its support throughout the years. “The technicality has been im-

plemented by the city [and] we had never been contacted after the law passed,” she said. “There was a lot of drama for two or three weeks.” DMPED said Sankofa has been certified for tax years 2020, 2021 and 2022. But to qualify for recertification, the owners had to show proof of business ownership and confirm that Sankofa still functioned as a bookstore, video store, or cafe. The tax abatement also requires that 30% of Sankofa’s staff live in Ward 1. Sankofa, named after Haile Gerima’s critically-acclaimed 1993 film about the return to one’s African identity and which opened in the late 1990s, has continued to attract community members of various ages and racial and ethnic backgrounds. Authors, poets and academics feature their works in the store and make presentations before live audiences. The storefront initially opened as a means of distributing the Sankofa film but later expanded into selling books and opening a cafe that serves sandwiches, coffee, smoothies and other treats. By the time the Gerimas and supporters lobbied the D.C. Council for a tax abatement, Sankofa’s property taxes had incrementally increased by $3,000. That’s why several people, including owners of other legacy District businesses, testified before the D.C. Council in support of Sankofa’s tax abatement. The Players Lounge, based in Congress Heights in Southwest, has since received similar support. Since District businesses and agencies fully reopened, Sankofa has showcased new book titles and hosted a bevy of community events, both in person and virtually. One of the most recent, a family game night, took place on the evening of August 5. Weeks prior, Sankofa hosted an open mic event that attracted several patrons, including Sean Davis, a local lawyer who has frequented Sankofa for five years. Davis, who spends much of his time with other bibliophiles in workshops he facilitates, first visited Sankofa while working remotely. He has since considered it a refuge for for-

5 Sankofa Video Books & Cafe on Georgia Avenue in Northwest. (WI FILE PHOTO)

ward-thinking, altruistic people of the Diaspora. Some of Davis’ biggest memories include seeing award-winning director Ava DuVernay and watching Haile Gerima connect a woman facing eviction with a lawyer at the

end of an event. He said these kinds of moments continue to inspire his vision of hosting a bookstore and lounge of his own one day. “With everything going on in the city, having a cultural space controlled by us is important,” Davis

said. “Just being here and seeing the owners is inspiring. It feels like a community. Haile Gerima is helping by being in the community. He stands his ground and cares about others.” WI @SamPKCollins

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D.C. Ponders What’s Next in Steps Aimed at Preventing Rash of Homicides James Wright WI Staff Writer

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“There is no healing process for them,” she said. “People just have to find a way to deal with their pain with no help.” Majeed said the devaluing of neighborhoods where homicides tend to occur must stop in order to end the violence. “In the past, our neighborhoods were clean,” he said. “The streets were clean and the yards were nice-looking. The neighborhoods were clean despite the people living there having low incomes.” Majeed also spoke about the importance of valuing people on a personal level. “You would not want to harm anyone you value, whether that be your brother or sister or a friend,” he said. “You can’t take a life if you value life.” District government leaders including Mayor Muriel Bowser and Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8) have proposed solutions and next steps to reduce the troubling homicide rate. However, Majeed and McKinney both agree residents should – must get more involved. “It’s on everybody to put a stop to this,” McKinney said. “We have to get to a place where a grandmother or a child getting shot is not the norm.” Majeed said, “it is not the responsibility of the mayor and the councilman to deal with the problem.” “It is our community that is being affected and it is our responsibility to value our community,” he said. “But we as a city need to invest more in education and public safety. What we invest in shows what we as a city value.” WI @JamesWrightJr10

ming the homicide rate must include talking about the state of the District’s public schools, the local economy and issues regarding parenting. Robin McKinney serves as the advisory neighborhood commissioner for single-member district 8A06 in Ward 8. McKinney said any discussion on next steps or solutions to the homicide problem have to start with the home life of the perpetrators and the victims. “Many of the kids who live in areas where gun violence is common deal with prostitution, poverty and guns when they step outside of their homes,” McKinney said. “It is easy for them to get a gun in their neighborhood. Also, the parents are either not there to support them or have significant problems themselves.” McKinney said generational conflicts, known as “beefs” also play a role. As an example, McKinney cited a shooting incident that occurred in the 1990s which still has an impact today. “I know of situations where a mother will cry about a son who died decades ago and is still grieving about it,” she said. “There may be a picture of her dead son in the house and the mother will get emotional every time she sees it. I have heard about conversations between people where one person says to another ‘your brother killed my brother.’ Plus, you have these neighborhood beefs where people from one neighborhood have a conflict with another that are ongoing.” McKinney said many homicide perpetuators and victims have had no mental health services to address their pain.

5 Washington Mystics guard Natasha Cloud, Washington Wizards players Monte Morris and Anthony Gill listen to a conversation about violence from D.C. residents. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

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The increased number of homicides in the District has residents, leaders and a noted District scholar contemplating the next steps in stemming the tide of violence which has recently plagued various parts of the city. “We have to learn to value our community,” said Warees Majeed, the chief operating officer for the Ward 8-based, nonprofit Yaay Me in Southeast. “We have long talked about solutions to gun violence. However, we should also talk about valuing ourselves more.” Majeed said District residents need to value the communities in which they reside particularly given the escalating homicide rate. As of Aug. 5, the city’s homicide rate stood at 128 – slightly higher than 121 recorded at the same time last year – a 12% increase according to statistics from the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. On Aug. 1, members of the Washington Wizards and a player with the Washington Mystics joined community leaders including Majeed for a meeting at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center in Ward 8 to discuss strategies for dealing with the increasing homicide rate. But many who attended the meeting wondered afterward what the next steps would or should entail. Charles Adams, chairman of Bowie State University’s Department of Criminal Justice in Prince George’s County, said a comprehensive plan should be implemented without delay. He knows many District residents remain frustrated and concerned with the rise in gun-related deaths but said programs created to solve the problem need time to work. “If I institute something by Monday, would I see results by Friday?” Adams asked while speaking to a reporter on local radio station, WTOP, Aug. 3. “What I see is a, ‘we don’t quite understand what’s happening but we have to do something.’” Adams said the present trend upward regarding homicides started around 2015 but like many cities throughout the country, the District didn’t really discuss ways to thwart it. He said any discussion on stem-

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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Black Financial Professionals Advocate Equity, Trust and Wealth William J. Ford WI Staff Writer Trust. Education. Eliminate fear. Build wealth. These count as some of the main words used at the 16th

12 AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022

annual Conference of African American Financial Professionals at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Northwest. This year’s conference, the first time in person since the coronavirus pandemic affected the nation in 2020, attracted its big-

5 Dr. Pamela C. V. Jolly (L-R), Salene Hitchcock-Gear, Kristi Rodriguez and Maggie Anderson lead a discussion on Black women in wealth Aug. 9 during the 16th annual Conference of African American Financial Professionals at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Northwest. (Robert R. Robert/The Washington Informer)

gest attendance ever with 1,000 people. This year’s conference, hosted by the American College of Financial Services in the District, would be convened under the theme

“Homecoming: Empowering our Legacy.” Blacks represent less than 10% of the entire financial industry which doesn’t just include investors or finance counselors but also those in the fields of marketing, social media and information technology. Those numbers decrease when it comes to leadership positions, said Hermon Mason, a regional director with Prudential Advisors in Atlanta. “When you talk about the financial industry, it is a relationship built on trust,” he said Tuesday, Aug. 9. “It is going to take all of us working together to increase representation so we can continue to build trust in the African-American community so we can get this industry to mirror that community.” Workshops during the three-day conference (Aug. 8 – 10) included: “Being Black in a White Industry,” “The Future of Wealth: Building Inclusive Client Experiences” and “Black Women in Wealth: Dispelling the Myths.” Some colorful conversations on Tuesday came from Deborah Owens, the founder and CEO of “WealthyU” who resides in Laurel in Howard County, Maryland. She led a session on retaining and marketing to high-earning women of color. Owens, known as “America’s Wealth Coach,” categorized some women such as the “rich and retired auntie,” who has retired from the government or a corporation. However, her pension and other investments have failed to keep up

the pace of inflation. One of the questions for her: “How can she create more income and who will take care of her if she becomes ill and needs care?” Owens insisted attendees will need to become teachers. “I’m just telling you, if you do this, you will attract your community because you are doing the right thing.,” said Owens, the author of three books. “You are that cheerleader. You are that financial freedom fighter. If we’re not careful, we will have a permanent underclass.” Broderick Young, a financial planner, wealth manager and co-founder of Reveal Wealth Management in Columbia, Maryland, said most people value their house, 401K and other retirement plans. He offered advice on what should be a person’s main benefit. “There is no greater asset on this Earth than you,” said Young, who’s been in the financial industry for 24 years. “When you understand and internalize that and give that to your children and your grandchildren, you will learn a lot about dealing with your money and your health.” The conference also encouraged attendees to pay closer attention to their own mental health, especially when working long hours with little sleep. Paul Bashea Williams, owner of Hearts in Mind Consulting who provides counseling and therapy, and Uneeka Jay, CEO of Rewrite 365, provided tips on how to maintain mental stress. Some of

WEALTH Page 19

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Walsh, Hoyer Visit Masonry Building in Bowie WI Staff Report Slightly more than a week after Congress passed a domestic package to bolster the chip manufacturing industry and finance in science research, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer visited a masonry training facility in Bowie. Before leading a roundtable Thursday, Aug. 4, the longtime Maryland congressman toured the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation building alongside U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh. Both talked with bricklayers, apprentices and others who receive training, certification and continuing education in craftwork that includes stone, marble, terrazzo and cement work. The foundation receives funding from the International Masonry Institute, a labor-management organization created by members of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers and contractors who employ them. The tour also promoted Hoyer’s “Make It In America” plan to expand and create jobs in the labor industry. Hoyer also received an opportunity to lay down brick, thanks to the instruction of bricklayer

Brandon Osbourne. “Making registered apprenticeship opportunities more accessible to American workers not only ensures they receive the training and skills they need to build meaningful careers, but also allows the U.S. to maintain our competitive edge in this twenty-first century global economy,” Hoyer said in a statement. “As a key part of my Make It In America agenda, I was proud to vote for and send the historic CHIPS and Science Act to the President [Biden], which will be essential to bolstering our supply chain and creating opportunities for American workers.” U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who also visited the Bowie site, said apprenticeship programs are vital to the nation’s economy. “Registered Apprenticeship is a proven model to connect workers to good jobs—a key priority for the Biden-Harris administration and for Congressman Hoyer,” Walsh said. “The IMTEF offers critical workforce development and training that ensures workers can support their families and create a rewarding career. Bolstering job training across industries is a major part of making more products in America...” WI

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5 Brandon Osbourne, right, a bricklayer, demonstrates the bricklaying process to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, left, and U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh during a visit to the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation building Aug. 4 in Bowie. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

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www.washingtoninformer.com AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 13

BUSINESS CareFirst Questions D.C. Medicaid Contract Process James Wright WI Staff Writer A component of one of the largest health care providers in the Washington, D.C. region wants to continue providing Medicaid services to District residents but its leaders complain the company has been caught up in an administrative and bureaucratic process that threatens its ability to deliver for its patients. Ieisha Gray serves as the chief operating officer for the CareFirst

BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan District of Columbia, herein known as CareFirst. Gray said her company has performed well in serving District residents on Medicaid and wants that to continue. “We have a demonstrated record serving Medicaid patients in D.C.,” Gray said. “We have the perspective that Medicaid patients should have the same level of health care quality that District government officials have access to.”

5 A patient receives a medical examination. (Courtesy photo/Stock)

Medicaid serves as the federally-funded, locally-managed health care plan for those who count as low-income, disabled, under the age of 19, pregnant, some senior citizens and needy single parents. In the District, managed care organizations (MCOs) like CareFirst serve Medicaid patients who do not pay for their medical care. Those who qualify for the

CAREFIRST’S COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS

Invitation For Bid (IFB) Solicitation GAGA-2022-I-0296 Audio Visual (AV) System Services DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE OF CHIEF OPERATION OFFICER The District of Columbia Public School (DCPS), Office of Data and Technology (ODT), is seeking a qualified vendor who will provide support, repair, maintenance, design, and installation services for audio-visual (AV) systems and equipment at DCPS Locations. The services will comprise ongoing maintenance, assessment, repair and replacement, design and installation, and reporting. Solicitations will be available Friday, August 12, 2022. This solicitation can be downloaded from the OCA website delineating all the details of the solicitation at http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/About+DCPS/Doing+Business+with+DCPS/Procurement. The bid will be accepted at DCPS/OCA on Thursday, August 25, 2022, no later than 11:00 am at dcpsoca.inquiries@k12.dc.gov. 14 AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022

program range from an individual who earns up to $19,000 annually to a family of four with a combined income of no more than $37,000 a year. Statistics reveal over 230,000 residents – 33% of the city’s population, utilize Medicaid. The multi-year contract MCOs operate under amounts to $3 billion collectively.

CareFirst leaders said the recent MCO procurement process “was deeply flawed and highly unusual” in documents obtained by the Informer. “It was marred by the disqualification of three-out-of-four plans for unimportant minutia – whether the listed certified business enterprise (CBE) numbers were the new ones or old ones and for simple typos in the numbers of bona-fide CBEs,” the documents said. “The District’s choice of Medicaid MCO plans has serious implications for its ability to address chronic diseases that disproportionately afflict low-income District residents.” According to CareFirst documents, the first Request for Proposals took place in November. In January, the District’s Office of Contract and Procurement (OCP) disqualified three of the MCOs, including CareFirst for what it termed “non-substantive” errors in their subcontract-

ing plans. Two competing plans – MedStar Family Choice and Amerigroup – used old CBE numbers given to them by subcontractors which terminated them from consideration while CareFirst received disqualification from the process due to small typos in its subcontracting plan. In the District by law, there must be three MCOs to move forward with granting Medicaid contracts. As a result, the process moved into February in which OCP opened up a second round for consideration because only one MCO, AmeriHealth, had been selected. Meanwhile, the three MCOs that received denial appealed the decision to the District’s Contract Appeals Board (CAB). In consideration, CAB upheld MedStar’s disqualification but overturned Amerigroup’s. CareFirst’s disqualification remained with CAB ruling that the contracting officer had the right not to give it a contract based on the typos of which the company labeled “minor” and “non-substantive.” In its documents, CareFirst officials said, ‘what happened next defies logic.” It said Amerigroup “was put back in the original procurement, the one that began in November 2021.” The two remaining plans in the original procurement – AmeriHealth and Amerigroup – received contracts by the OCP by default. As a result, CareFirst and MedStar had to compete for the third MCO spot in February.

CAREFIRST Page 15

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CAREFIRST from Page 14 CareFirst officials complained that the plans didn’t receive assessment based on “substantive items that matter.” “For instance, the quality of each plan’s provider network, care coordination and case management tools, etc.,” the documents said. “In other words, the items that have real consequences for the overall quality of healthcare received by low-income District residents were seemingly less important than whether the CBE number listed for a subcontractor was up-to-date.” Gray said in 2021, CareFirst achieved the first perfect score on all six National Committee on Quality Accreditation criteria in the history of the city’s Medicaid program. She said CareFirst lead other MCOs in 10-out-of-14 quality categories measured by the District. Additionally, in regards to children’s access to routine care, CareFirst received a 95% compared to 83% and 77% by the other two plans. “We have the largest network of health care providers,” Gray said. “We can give Medicaid patients the care they need.” Ambrose Lane, Jr., the chairman of the Health Alliance Network, has watched the District’s Medicaid process over the years. He spoke about the contract procurement system’s shortcomings.

“There are flaws in the procurement process and they need to be addressed in order for things to go forward,” Lane said. “Last year, Amerigroup was the odd man out and this year, it is CareFirst.” Lane said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser should submit the contracts to the D.C. Council for approval adding that contracts over a $1 million must be approved by the council. “The executive doesn’t have to wait for the ruling from the CAB,” he said. “I was told by a councilmember that she doesn’t have to wait on them. But by the way things look now, it looks like she will have to request an extension until 2023.” Regarding CareFirst’s complaints about the contracting process, OCP’s communication team sent the Informer a statement noting the November and February solicitations. “Both solicitations have since closed,” the statement said. “In accordance with District requirements and to ensure the sustainability of the District’s managed care program, the District will contract with up to three MCOs so that Medicaid beneficiaries will have a choice of providers. There are three pending protests at the [CAB]. OCP will complete the award process once these protests are resolved. WI @JamesWrightJr10

BUSINESS Aimee D. Griffin, Esq.

It’s FERPA Time!

It’s an amazing time when high school graduates move on to college. We celebrate the major achievement of completing the academic rigors of high school. Most young people turn 18 around high school graduation time. The achievement of the status of legal adulthood is commensurate with the high school graduation. However, in many cases the young adult is still in need of support of guidance from his or her parents or trusted grown ups and mentors. As adults it seems we must manage our lives independently. However, we can be interdependent. Young adults have the right to privacy but have the choice to create their own support systems. As adults there is a legal right to privacy that must be exempted for support. In general, I advise that we should have our first Estate Plan at the age of 18 due to the legal status achieved. We always pray for the best and plan for the crisis. Even in the best of times young adults can benefit from support and wisdom of a parent or mentor. When a young person goes to college “adulting” is often modified. There is often the support of room and board while given the freedom to make many more decisions away from the parent or guardian home. The right to privacy is granted to everyone at the age of 18. Parents cannot access the information of their children based on the relationship. The Family Educational Right to Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student records. For students over the age of 18 a FERPA waiver should be a standard part of the total Estate Plan. I have stated many times that the foundational estate plan should answer 3 questions: 1. What happens when you die? 2. What happens if you cannot manage your decisions independently? 3. What is the legacy you choose to leave? We do not ever want to consider the thought of young people passing away. However, it happens. Considering the question of what happens upon death is scary, especially when thinking about a young life. Unfortunately, it happens. The legal steps necessary to manage the catastrophic happening can be more effectively facilitated with a Last Will & Testament in place. I have had the sad experience of supporting families through the unthinkable after car accidents when a police statement is sought. The additional steps that were necessary due to an intestate (when there is no will) status complicates the process. With the extreme grief of loss of a young life fighting through any additional layers can be overwhelming. Young adults are often confronted with situations that go beyond their wisdom not due to lack of intelligence but lack of life experience and resources. Their right to privacy does not allow parents or supporters to intervene without legal authority. The Power of Attorney allows trusted people to be appointed to act for them and/or with them. This appointment can be as broad or specific as necessary to provide comfort. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) waiver and Health Care Proxy appoints someone to be able to speak on behalf of another for health care decisions. These documents accompanied by the FERPA waiver allow the trusted person the ability and authority to advocate for young people. Legacy building should be intentional. The achievement is derived from the intention. We would love the opportunity to partner with you to build your legacy to impact future generations. Aimee D. Griffin, Esq., The Griffin Firm, PLLC http://yourestateplanningattorney.com (855) 574-8481 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW Suite 440 Washington DC 20015 4041 Powder Mill Drive Suite 215 Beltsville MD 20705 100 International Drive 23rd Floor Baltimore MD 21202 4601 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 1200 Arlington, VA 22203

Stay Informed! www.washingtoninformer.com

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AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 15

NATIONAL

“We never take anything for granted – even in Maryland – we have to keep fighting to further expand and protect abortion access”

Abortion Bans Increase Nationwide – What They May Mean for the DMV D.C., MD, VA Residents Still Have Access to Abortions but For How Long? Kayla Benjamin WI Contributing Writer In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade earlier this summer, more than 15 U.S. states have passed tight restrictions or approved outright bans on abortion.

16 AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022

And while D.C., Maryland and Virginia have yet to follow the growing trend among states, that doesn’t mean residents here in the DMV should stop paying attention as sweeping legislation changes the terrain and the rights of and choices available to women. “It is of critical importance that

5 Afeni, a D.C. resident, demonstrating for abortion rights at the Supreme Court earlier this year. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

we keep telling stories of how the Supreme Court's recent ruling is affecting real people every day,” said

Betsy Harned, vice president of public affairs at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington. “The vast majority of people in this country are pro-access to abortion and are against the ruling that just came out from the Supreme Court. We need to make sure that those voices are heard,” she said. In Maryland, supporters of abortion access scored a win with the Abortion Care Access Act, which passed in April and went into effect July 1. The law expanded insurance coverage for an abortion, increases the types of medical professionals who can perform abortions and funded training for new abortion care providers. “We never take anything for granted – even in Maryland – we have to keep fighting to further expand and protect abortion access” said Harned who added that of the three municipalities in the region, Maryland has the strongest protections related to abortion rights. Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin has indicated that he plans to pursue a ban on all abortions beyond the 15-week mark. However, in recent months, the slim majority held by Democrats (21 to 20) in the state senate has prevented a 20-week ban proposed in February and an effort in June by Youngkin to prohibit people on government-funded programs like

Medicaid from using their insurance for abortions in the case of fetal anomalies (state funds are already not allowed to pay for abortions in most cases under Virginia law). Republicans currently control the state House of Delegates. However that could change as legislators in both chambers will be up for reelection in 2023. D.C. councilmembers and residents continue to be in favor of abortion access but abortion providers and legal experts point out that Congressional control may pose a threat to the protections the city currently has in place. “Not being a state is a huge vulnerability for the rights of D.C. residents,” Harned said noting that Congress already imposes some restrictions on abortion access in the District through a policy called the Dornan Amendment. “Every year, Congress passes legislation that prohibits D.C. from using locally-raised tax dollars to be able to provide abortion coverage through Medicaid,” she said. Still, Harned said providers of reproductive services want DMV residents to know that abortion is still completely legal and safe in the area. Planned Parenthood Metro Washington locations – in Northwest, Prince George's County and Montgomery County – have all seen an increase in inquiries. However, official numbers have not been released that would confirm an increase in the number of appointments booked following the Supreme Court decision. “We're doing everything we can to meet the need both locally and for anyone who might come to our area, including the potential for an increased number of patients traveling from other states,” Harned said. WI

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NATIONAL

Young Black Americans Now Dominate Still-Developing Cryptocurrency Market Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer When considering the current state of the cryptocurrency market, Dr. Tonya Evans couldn’t help but recall the reception banks gave the then-fledgling assets in 2014. “When I think back to 2013 or 2014, the second kind of big crypto was coming on the scene and banks were really pushing back at the time on discussions surrounding regulating cryptocurrency,” said Evans, a law professor and founder and CEO of Advantage Evans. “Big banks feared [cryptocurrency] would become more legitimate. Back then, banks didn’t have a customer service problem, but now they do, and they realized that they were going to start losing customers if they didn’t shift,” Evans insisted. She noted that banks, especially Deutsche Bank and Bank of America, have begun to give added attention to the cryptocurrency market. “With Bitcoin and Ethereum leading the way, the cryptocurrency market is booming and growing,” Evans stated. She called cryptocurrency a “fastpaced, fast-moving, emerging asset class.” According to Terri Bradford, who researched Black crypto ownership for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, cryptocurrency has gained popularity among African-American consumers due to historical context and forward-looking views of young customers.

“Surveys show that Black consumers are more likely than white consumers to own cryptocurrencies,” said Bradford, who penned the research article “The Cryptic Nature of Black Consumer Cryptocurrency Ownership.” Bradford noted a 2021 Pew Research Center survey which found that 18% of Black adults had invested in, traded, or used a cryptocurrency compared to 13% of white adults. “This difference between Black and white consumers’ cryptocurrency ownership contrasts sharply with other traditional assets,” Bradford asserted. According to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System’s 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances, 61% of white households owned equity investments compared with 34% of Black households – nearly a two-toone margin. “Unlike white consumers, Black consumers are, in fact, more likely to own cryptocurrencies than assets such as stocks and mutual funds,” Bradford wrote. “Leveraging the same technology is blockchain,” she said. “Crypto is digital currency offered on Blockchain while NFTs and others are different ways to leverage that currency. Younger ones are leveraging crypto as we see in research that 50% of Black consumers of crypto are millennials and younger and when you think about the fact that this constituent is digital-native where they spend a lot of time, then we see why it’s having a great influence on the adoption of cryptocurrency.” WI

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Stay Informed! 5 Young African Americans now dominate the cryptocurrency market. (Photo courtesy Wikimedia commons)

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AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 17

NATIONAL

Soaring Rent Prices in D.C., other Major Markets, Make for Tough Choices Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

5 Nationally, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment stands at $1,769 but remains much higher in areas in and around the District. (Photo courtesy Grace C via Flickr Creative Commons)

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Monica Scantlebury lived in D.C. for a decade before picking up stakes and moving to the Big Apple where she’s lived for about 11 years, so she’s no stranger to high rents. A high school teacher for 15 years, Scantlebury has decided to leave the teaching profession and New York at the end of the month. “It’s not sustainable,” she said referring to ever-escalating rent prices. The median rent for a one-bedroom in New York City stands at about $4,000 per month and Scantlebury said landlords require earnings of 40-times the rent for application approvals. “The average income needed is $160,000,” she said. “If a teacher is a single person, that’s not even feasible, even at charter schools which generally pay 10% more.” “I have 15 years of experience, two master’s degrees and I top out at $106,000 at a charter school. But even with my husband’s salary, we are not at $160,000 nor close to it given he is in the dance performance industry.” Nationally, the average cost of a one-bedroom in August stands at $1,769 – a 39% increase over 2021, Rent.com reported. Two-bedroom rentals averaged $2,105 nationally this month, a 38% increase over 2021. “If you’re interested in a single bed and a single bath, the average of such apartments is mostly around $2,000 to $2,100 here in Fairfax, Virginia,” said Dustin Fox, owner and realtor of Fox Teams Real Estate Brokers in Virginia. “For each additional room, the rent increases by $500 on average,” Fox stated. “This information varies because of the difference in neighborhoods and amenities. The figures drop and move up but don’t really cross much of the budget.” Fox said rental patterns reveal that current prices are comparatively lower but soared from $3,000 to $3,5000 in Fairfax last year. “With the prevailing fluctuations

in interest rates and home prices, it’s getting miserable for new home buyers to settle in their own places,” Fox said. “The only recommendation for people is that they should hold their expenses within strict limits and keep saving until the market cools down.” Nate Johnson, a real estate investment expert and product manager at the leading property search site NeighborWho, offered recommendations for first-time and current homeowners. “My recommendation for firsttime buyers is to wait and keep saving aggressively,” Johnson wrote in an email. “For some individuals, it might make sense to move in with friends and family to save money over the next year. If their job allows for remote work, it could also make sense to move from a highcost area to a lower-cost area that might be further away from the workplace.” Johnson said he’s witnessed some negotiate for slightly lower rents with their landlord by locking into longer contract terms or putting more money down as a deposit. “Another possible strategy for some renters is to rent out extra rooms on short-term rental sites like Airbnb or VRBO to help cover rent,” he said. He added that it’s unlikely that a current homeowner would lock in a mortgage as low as what they already have. “My recommendation for current homeowners is to stay where they are if possible,” Johnson insisted. Joshua Haley, the founder of Moving Astute, said there are many ways to make housing more affordable. “One is to increase the availability of units at lower rates,” Haley said. “Another is to provide incentives for developers to build more affordable housing. A third solution is to make it easier for people to access credit to purchase a home. Finally, increasing the supply of affordable housing will help bring down the rent cost in major cities.” WI

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NATIONAL THE 18TH ANNUAL

DC JAZZFEST AUGUST 31 SEPTEMBER 4 TICKETS NOW ON SALE! DCJAZZFEST.ORG COMMENTARY from Page 8 others did and proudly sang along with the band. And then we got a taste of the Caribbean in a sing-song message from Ayanna Gregory, the daughter of one of my mentors, the late Dick Gregory. She came on at the top of the show singing her new single, “Life is Calling You,” during which she reminded us, among other things, that “fear is a liar.” CD Enterprises, Inc., under the superb leadership of the dynamic duo of Darryll Brooks and Carol Kirkendall, have been in the business for 50 years. And it shows. As for the rumor that Black folks cannot get together in masse without something negative popping off, all

I can say is “lies, lies, lies.” It was a scorching hot, summer day during which strangers met and found instant points of similarity. Women were treated with honor and respect, even as they sported their short-shorts. Brothers embraced in genuine love – sporting all the colors, nuances of fashion and hairstyles from the African Diaspora. And for one of the rare moments in my life, I felt like I was a member of the privileged community, free from the shackles, seen and unseen, that have been placed on the shoulders of my ancestors and on my own shoulders, simply because of the color of our skin. What a day, what a day, what a day! WI

5 About 1,000 people registered for the 16th annual Conference of African American Financial Professionals at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Northwest. Pictured are attendees at a breakfast session Aug. 9. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

WEALTH from Page 12 them include: Schedule a “self-care” day once a week to relax your mind and body. Talk with a trained, licensed professional versus your best friend, family member or spiritual leader who doesn’t practice as a mental health therapist or other related professions. Become vulnerable in yourself

as a way to establish boundaries. “You were probably taught to hold stuff in and act it out,” said Jay, whose firm assists companies and individuals refocus their vision to improve customer service, diversity and other skills. “We have been taught to perform as opposed to heal. The only way we can heal is to know where we are,” Jay said. WI @WJFjabariwill

THE DC JAZZ FESTIVAL®, A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT SERVICE ORGANIZATION, AND ITS 2022 PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE, IN PART, WITH MAJOR GRANTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, MURIEL BOWSER, MAYOR; DC COMMISSION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES; NATIONAL CAPITAL ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS PROGRAM OF THE U.S. COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS; DC OFFICE OF CABLE TELEVISION, FILM, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT; AND WITH AWARDS FROM NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, DORIS DUKE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, GILLON FAMILY CHARITABLE FUND, GALENA-YORKTOWN FOUNDATION, MORRIS AND GWENDOLYN CAFRITZ FOUNDATION, LEONARD AND ELAINE SILVERSTEIN FAMILY FOUNDATION, HENRY J. KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION, CHAMBER MUSIC AMERICA, DALLAS MORSE COORS FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, MAX AND VICTORIA DREYFUS FOUNDATION, MID ATLANTIC ARTS, THE VENABLE FOUNDATION, ARTS FORWARD FUND OF THE GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, LES PAUL FOUNDATION, AND HUMANITIESDC. ©2022 DC JAZZ FESTIVAL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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africa now

COMPILED BY OSWALD T. BROWN, WI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Varsity Student’s Business Nominated for $100,000 Global Award

Ernest Mugisha, 22, started pondering about how to create a business empire that could change his life as well as help fight poverty in his community when he was studying Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science (MPC) in high school. Today, the second-year student at the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) is among the 50 nominees for the Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2022. The $100,000 global award is given to an exceptional student who made a real impact on learning, the lives of peers and society. Mugisha was selected from nearly 7,000 nominations and applications from 150 countries, according to The New Times, Rwanda’s leading daily newspaper. The young man who is studying conservation agriculture – mechanization and irrigation – is a co-founder of a multimillion dollar company, “Infim Ag-Transform Africa,” dealing in agricultural production, supply-chain and project development. “My family was too poor to afford paying my school fees. Fortunately, Imbuto Foundation offered to pay school fees for me until I completed secondary school in 2018,” Mugisha told Doing Business. Upon finishing high school, Mugisha put his computer science skills to good use. He developed software able to link refugees to job opportunities in the country. But he did not stop there. In 2019, he created Pangelassa Revival, a non-profit that aimed to solve the problems of social exclusion among communities including refugees. “We could mobilize and provide various support to such communities and people donated using the software I created,” he said. In order to create sustainable sources of income, Mugisha chose business in agriculture. To make sure he did things right and had a viable agribusiness, he applied and obtained a scholarship to study at RICA and enhance his knowledge and skills in sustainable agriculture. In December 2019, he brought on board three colleagues to start the firm. The co-founders include: Jean Damascene Kubwayo, the chief of operations; Eric Sibomana, the chief administrative officer; Benjamin Ntihemuka, in charge of sales and marketing; and Assoumpta Umwali Ujeneza, the projects’ lead who joined the team later on. “The mission is to create sustainable communities by transforming agricultural innovative ideas into tangible ventures and then transform the lives of smallholder farmers through digital and smart agriculture. Our main goal is innovation for impact in agriculture,” Mugisha said. “We joined efforts and each contributed Rwf27,000 to start a tomato farming project in the Gashora sector where we leased land. The savings came from the bursary each of us receives every month. Our capital gradually increased. Later, we chose to focus on consultancy instead of production so as to help the farming community to transform agriculture in the country. We want to extend the services to the region.” The company trains farmers on good modern agricultural practices, designs agribusiness projects and provides advisory services during project implementation. WI

caribbean now Bahamas to Host National Memorial to Honor Victims of Hurricane Dorian The Bahamas government will host a week-long national memorial with various activities to honor the victims of Hurricane Dorian that hit the archipelago on September 1, 2019, as a Category 5 hurricane killing at least 74 people and leaving many others missing and presumed dead. The government press secretary, Clint Watson, said the activities will begin next month and will be held on Abaco and Grand Bahama, the two islands directly affected by the storm as well as New Providence, Caribbean National Weekly (CNW) reported on Friday, August 5. “It will be a week of activities which we will be announcing very soon as to how we will go through the week of memorializing those involved in Hurricane Dorian so listen out to that,” Watson told reporters during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). “There will be events here in New Providence, Abaco and Grand Bahama,” he said, adding that plans are continuing for a national memorial concert to be held at Baha Mar featuring local talent as well as famous American gospel singer, CeCe Winans, who will be headlining the event. “The New Providence concert, which is being sponsored by the private sector, will take place on Thursday, September 1. A concert will also take place in Abaco on Saturday, September 3, with Grand Bahama’s being held the following day,” the OPM said, adding the concerts will be free. Other memorial activities planned include social outreach events and a weather symposium on Abaco which will be hosted by media personalities and Bishop Silbert Mills. “The celebrations will be the first government-recognized memorial since Dorian. We highlight the opposition’s support for these national events for what will be a nonpartisan and unifying effort,” OPM said. WI

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August 2022 Message from Department of Aging and Community Living INTERIM DIRECTOR JESSICA SMITH

Dear Seniors, It’s been an incredible time to be at the forefront of the great things happening at DACL! Since DC “reopened,” we’ve been able to connect with all of you in ways that we couldn’t imagine during the public health emergency. Over the last few months, we’ve brought back some of your favorite events like the Ms. Senior DC Pageant and the Mayor’s Annual Senior Symposium — both of which were sorely missed these past two years. At our senior wellness centers and community dining sites, many of you have joined us for group trips

to places like the Dutch Market, Arena Stage and the Kennedy Center. And, while you’re there, you’ve continued to connect with one another, which we know is such a vital part of our health and wellbeing. All of these things are what makes summertime with DACL so great. What’s also been great this summer is having the opportunity to learn from you all. You may recall us launching an initiative back in January called the Future of Aging Project. Since we’ve launched, we have spoken to over 300 seniors. We’ve asked you for your insights, feelings and experiences, and how you want to redesign systems and programs. We have learned so many valuable things from you and how you want to engage with us and other District agencies. Over the past three months, we’ve heard the same sentiment — you want to be respected for your experience, wisdom and knowledge. Older adults want to be treated as individuals who have strong minds and have agency over how they choose to age, and we plan to continue to do just that. We’ve also learned that while DC has some of the best senior services, we need to do a better job at advertising them and making sure older adults in every corner of the city know about our programs. We’ve heard over and over that transportation is one of your biggest concerns, and that support with getting around is critical to you aging in your homes and communities.

Over the next few months, we’ll take what we’ve heard and turn it into actionable ideas to improve how we serve you. Together, we’ll continue to create systems and a customer service experience we can all be proud of. To learn more about how you can get involved with Future of Aging, please call 202-715-7534 or email us at futureofaging@ dc.gov. As always, if you need general assistance, you can call our Information and Referral Assistance line at 202-724-5626. Enjoy the rest of your summer, Jessica

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We’ve also learned that while DC has some of the best senior services, we need to do a better job at advertising them and making sure older adults in every corner of the city know about our programs.

AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 21

HEALTH Black Youth and Young Professionals Join the Climate Fight

Diversity Needed for Environmental Justice Efforts as the Crisis Escalates Kayla Benjamin WI Contributing Writer At the height of the pandemic, Glenn Hall found himself strolling through Anacostia Park, thinking about stepping into a new career. The Southeast resident had recently graduated from Lincoln University with a degree in mass communications and planned to get a master’s in the same field. But he said he didn’t feel like the job he had at that time truly allowed for personal and career growth. And walking among the

22 AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022

trees and plants, he realized growing was exactly what he wanted to be doing. “I really did a lot of soul searching like, ‘what do I enjoy the most?’ and knew the answer: the environment, gardening,” he said noting that as a child, he had spent a lot of time in the garden with his grandmother. “It was like a movie,” he said. “I'm having an epiphany right now walking through Anacostia Park: I love the environment. And I can see myself doing this in the future.” Today, Hall continues to work

5 Naadiya Hutchinson speaks at a climate rally in front of the Supreme Court July 6. (Kayla Benjamin/The Washington Informer)

toward earning a graduate degree in urban agriculture from UDC while working on urban farms and gardens with DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation. He sees it as a way to both protect green spaces and address the dearth of healthy food in wards 7 and 8. “I want to see the future that we’re heading into be the best future for the environment and human health,” he said. “I really think that by going into urban ag, I can make a difference in the lives of the people around me.” As a Black young professional, Hall isn’t alone in realizing early on that he wanted to work in environmental protection. A looming climate crisis and growing environmental justice movement have led more Black youth and young adults to add their voices to the fight and to choose related career paths. “In a lot of spaces, when we talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, we often exclude young people,” said Zanagee Artis, co-founder of the youth climate justice advocacy group, This Is Zero Hour. “But young people will inherit this crisis.” Artis and other Zero Hour co-founders started the organization and coordinated climate marches around the country while they were still in high school. On the day of the first annual youth climate march in 2018, pouring rain pelted the District. Artis, who marched on that first

“I want to see the future that we’re heading into be the best future for the environment and human health.” day, described it as “like a monsoon.” Still, over a thousand people showed up. “It was just incredible to see that so many people who were there were youth and at a time when we were not being heard by our elected officials or when some were too young to even have our voices considered in a vote,” Artis said. A recent graduate from Brown University, Artis now serves as a climate justice advisor with IKEA on the Ingka Group’s Youth Leaders Forum and continues to lead This is Zero Hour as its executive and policy director. The movement which Artis helped found attracted Elsa Mengistu, then a high school junior and now a senior at Howard University. She, too, helped organize the first youth climate march and joined the crowd at the rainy event. “I had never really seen people

talk about climate change from a place of empathy or from a place of community,” Mengistu said. “These were college and high school kids who were trying to make this really big change on the national level, working to change the national conversation regarding climate change to center the voices of diverse and frontline youth. So I just got involved.” These days, Mengistu’s focus is on Black environmentalism which she describes as working to “fuse together culture and Blackness with environmentalism and justice.” Like Hall, she sees food justice issues, like the prevalence of fast food and the lack of full grocery stores in many Black neighborhoods, as part of a larger conversation about the environment. “For me, it's really important that we use a holistic definition of environment,” Mengistu said. “Opening up the definition of environments to include the spaces that we occupy, rather than just the green and the blue that we tend to see whenever we think about nature and the environment.” Even so, many groups and companies focused on bringing people of color into historically non-inclusive outdoor recreation have sprung up in recent years including Outdoor Afro, Black Girls Hike, Brown Girls Climb and DC’s own Soul Trak. Naadiya Hutchinson, a gov-

YOUTH Page 52

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HEALTH

Africa’s Healthy Life Expectancy Rises But Issues Persist

The World Health Org Asks for International Help to Address Hunger Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa’s healthy life expectancy progressed from 2000 to 2019. The Associated Press reported that the region “rose by almost 10 years to stand at 56 years in 2019 compared with 46 years in the year 2000,” Dr. Lindiwe Makubalo, assistant regional director for WHO Africa, said. During the online briefing on Aug. 4. the gains were attributed to better health services, improved maternal care and proactive work against infectious diseases. Despite the progress, leaders say health issues persist as millions in the horn of Africa are experiencing an unprecedented food crisis. Over 80 million people in the seven countries spanning the region – Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda – are food insecure. In addition, upwards of 37.5 million people are classified as being in IPC phase 3, a stage of crisis where people have to sell their possessions to feed themselves and their families and malnutrition is rife. Driven by conflict, changes in climate and the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO said this region has become a hunger hotspot with disastrous consequences for the health and lives of its people. In response to the devastation, WHO announced on Aug. 2, the launching of a $123.7 million funding appeal. The funds will go towards urgent measures to protect lives, including beefing up the capacity of countries to detect and respond to disease outbreaks, procuring and ensuring the supply of life-saving medicines and equipment, identifying and filling gaps in health care provisions and providing treatment to sick and severely malnourished children. “Hunger is a direct threat to the

health and survival of millions of people in the greater Horn of Africa but it also weakens the body’s defenses and opens the door to disease,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said. “WHO is looking to the international community to support our work on the ground responding to this dual threat, providing treatment for malnourished people and defending them against infectious diseases.” With the upcoming rainy season expected to fail, the health agency said the situation is worsening. There are already reports of avoidable deaths among children and women in childbirth. In addition, the risk of trauma and injuries is high as violence, including gender-based violence, is rising. There are measles outbreaks in six of the seven countries mentioned above against low vaccination coverage. Countries are simultaneously fighting cholera and meningitis outbreaks as hygiene conditions have deteriorated, with clean water becoming scarce and people leaving home on foot to find food, water and pasture for their animals, according to WHO. WHO said it has already released $16.5 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to ensure people have access to health services, treat sick children with severe malnutrition and prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. “Ensuring people have enough to eat is central. Ensuring that they have safe water is central. But in situations like these, access to basic health services is also central,” Dr. Michael Ryan, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, said. “Services like therapeutic feeding programmes, primary health care, immunization, safe deliveries and mother and child services can be the difference between life and death for those caught up in these awful circumstances.” WI

Put Vaccines On Your Back-to-School List Vaccines are the best protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

All DC students must have their immunizations up-to-date before the next school year begins. COVID-19 vaccines are strongly recommended for eligible age groups.

dchealth.dc.gov/immunizations

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Stay Informed!

www.washingtoninformer.com

AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 23

HEALTH

OSSE Lowers Age Mandates for COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements Students 12 – 15 Must Now Be Inoculated for Upcoming School Year Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Contributing Writer The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) has officially mandated a full series of COVID-19 vaccination shots for students 12- to 15-years-old as a part of the required inoculations for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. According to District data, over 85% of D.C. residents ages 12 to 15; 76% of residents ages 16 and 17 and 52% of residents ages 18 to 24, have been fully vaccinated with their primary series. However, the 85% pool of vaccinated children ages 12 to 15 years of age drops at a significant 60% rate when observing Black children across the city. OSSE’s latest mandate will now ensure full vaccination rates

within in-school learning spaces overall. “We want to make sure that all of our students have everything they need for a healthy start to the school year,” State Superintendent of Education Dr. Christina Grant said in a press statement. “This means making sure children see their primary medical provider for a well-child visit and receive all needed immunizations.” The city is currently providing various vaccination centers for District residents made available at Mary’s Center, Children’s National Medical Center clinics and Unity Health Care, in addition to a number of school-based health centers. As the District pushes the need for protection against the viral infection within classrooms, local instructors support the mandate for

safety sake, while also acknowledging the lingering concern of some parents to complete the vaccination series for their children. “[Initially], it wasn’t so much that I didn’t trust the vaccine [but rather] that I had a fear of needles. But I feel like in the long-run, me taking this vaccine will make it so that I can be in front of my students and colleagues and not be of any danger to them,” said Mr. Z, a District teacher in a Ward 4 charter school who works mostly with special needs children. “So I took on the vaccine knowing that doing this will make it so that my students, co-workers and especially I don’t get sick. Although, I probably would have preferred it to be more so a choice for parents, for them to vaccinate their children for COVID,” he said.

5 The Kids Mobile Medical Clinic/Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® partners with D.C. Health to help ensure all D.C. children meet vaccination requirements in time for school. (Photo courtesy MedStar Health)

The D.C. teacher said the previous virtual schooling period adopted due to the virus outbreak has created a more difficult schedule for parents attempting to keep up with their children’s inocula-

tions. He said he has had a number of parents share their apprehension about having their children receive the vaccine. But he believes it serves

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KEVIN from Page 1

As MPD conducts an internal investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia pursues a similar course of action, Hargraves-Shird’s family remains set on challenging MPD’s narrative about his alleged involvement in the double shooting on Longfellow Street and Georgia Avenue in Northwest. They have expressed qualms about MPD’s insistence that Hargraves-Shird had a gun when MPD Sergeant Ronaldo Otero Camacho shot him once in the back of his head. They have also questioned the credibility of body cam footage released to the public. “There are independent investigations and other videos that show that there’s no gun,” said Serena Hargraves, Kevin Hargraves-Shird’s sister. “If there was a gun, they would kneel on top of it,” she said. “We’re fighting the police and the media. It’s not okay. The police shot Kevin in the back of his head. There was no threat and no engagement. The officer was a sharp shooter. He had [to have been] in the military.”

BODY CAM FOOTAGE, AN INVESTIGATION AND MULTIPLE RESPONSES

On the afternoon of July 30, MPD responded to reports of shots fired near the corner of Longfellow Street and Georgia Avenue in Northwest. During that incident, two teenagers suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds and witnesses mentioned seeing two dark sedans leaving the scene. MPD Chief Robert J. Contee III said dispatchers also received a phone call about a Black man with a white shirt and dark jeans stashing weapons underneath a trash can in a nearby alley. When police arrived at the alley, the person in question allegedly hopped into a white sedan which sped northbound on Missouri Avenue in Northwest. MPD officials said they recovered three weapons from underneath the trash can. They also reported that three other men, including one matching the description given by the caller, ran from

the white sedan once it crashed on the 200 block of Madison Street in Northwest during Camacho’s pursuit of the vehicle. The portion of Camacho’s body cam footage released on Friday, Aug. 5 shows the pursuit and the final moments of Hargraves-Shird’s life. Once Camacho reached Fort Slocum Park, where children had been frolicking, he stepped out of his car with service weapon in hand. Seconds later, he yelled “gun” before letting off one shot from 35 yards as Hargraves-Shird ran away. Immediately after shooting Hargraves-Shird, Camacho ran over to his lifeless body. Another officer handcuffed Hargraves-Shird and other personnel later performed CPR. The body cam footage shows a black object next to Hargraves-Shird that police described as a gun. Camacho has since been placed on administrative leave. Camacho’s keys and the frame of the driver’s side of the MPD patrol vehicle blocked the view of his body cam throughout most of the video released to the public. Family members have pointed out discrepancies between what the video showed and earlier MPD officials’ insistence that Camacho told Hargraves to put down his weapon before firing at him. Hours after MPD released body cam footage, D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George said Hargraves-Shird’s death could’ve been prevented and lamented that MPD would shoot him in a public park where families congregated for an outing. She, too, demanded a transparent investigation and the release of body cam footage from other officers on the scene. Since Hargraves-Shird’s death, family, friends, community members and activists representing Black-led community defense hub Harriet’s Wildest Dreams have coalesced around efforts to hold MPD accountable for his death and that of Lazarus David Wilson, a man shot and killed by MPD Commander Jason Bagshaw at the Wharf last month. On Friday, they led a protest in front of the John A. Wilson Building. Their demands of MPD include the release of information about Camacho’s disciplinary records, the 911 call that led to the

release the 911 call due, in part, to concerns about exposing witnesses.

BROADER COMMUNITY ISSUES AT PLAY

5 Kevin Hargraves-Shird. (Courtesy photo)

pursuit of Hargraves-Shird and footage from body cameras worn by other officers on the scene. On Sunday, Contee said it remains unlikely that MPD will

Brightwood Park and Manor Park, located near the Kennedy Street corridor in Northwest, count among areas of interest among MPD officials and violence interrupters. Over the last few years, amid several incidents of gun violence, conversations about police-community relations have been tenuous among community members concerned for their safety. For ANC Commissioner Tiffani Johnson, Hargraves-Shird’s death and the events leading up to it raise red flags about not only how to curb violent crime and keep residents safe but how to ensure that police officers take every precaution when pursuing suspects. On the afternoon of June 30, Johnson, a mother and caretaker, locked her doors upon learning

HEALTH

about the police-involved shooting in Fort Slocum Park. Over the next few days, she spoke with the National Park Service, Lewis George and other ANC commissioners to determine how to help residents, young and old, impacted by the trauma of seeing Hargraves-Shird killed. Developing plans include a community healing day where residents can receive mental health resources. In the interim, Johnson continues to question whether more could have been done to prevent Hargraves-Shird’s death. “Why was there a need to draw your gun while driving your vehicle?,” asked Johnson, commissioner of Single Member District 4B06. “If the individual suspect was running away from the police car, why was there a need for evasive measures? Could this have been deescalated? I know some people say, ‘shoot to kill’ but that’s not the methodology we need,” Johnson said. WI @SamPKCollins

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EDUCATION Teens Learn Advocacy and Research at Social Justice Camp in Prince George’s William J. Ford WI Staff Writer After she graduates from high school, Ariana Kearney wants to attend college and become a software engineer. The 15-year-old rising sopho-

more said there’s one major aspect she sees in the engineering profession: it’s dominated by whites. A Pew Research Center report released in April shows engineers and scientists ranked last among African-American adults who view those professions as “open” to Blacks.

5 Chinasa Iheagwara (L-R), Camryn Kelly and Mischa Smith participate in a social justice camp Aug. 3 at the Spauldings Branch Library in District Heights. Isaiah West, teen services specialist for the Prince George’s County Memorial Library system, looks on. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

“It’s very disappointing because there aren't a lot of Black people in software engineering,” she said. “I aim to make a difference very

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quickly. We need more Black people, especially Black women, in the profession. Being here is helping me go to the next level and raise my voice a little more.” The ability to make her voice heard gained needed assistance through her participation in a weeklong social justice camp the week of Aug. 1 at Spauldings Branch Library in District Heights. The new program offered this summer by the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System helps teens ages 13 to 17 learn not only about advocacy but also how to conduct research and learn the fundamentals of public speaking and other skills to improve the quality of their communities. The five weeklong camps began July 11 at the Bowie branch and will end the week of Aug. 15-19 in Hyattsville. And for the record, the teens don’t just sit in chairs and listen to lectures all day. On Aug. 3, they walked around a room to jot down answers for an “activist research scavenger hunt.” Among the questions for which they searched for answers: find an activist who’s not an American citizen (Greta Thunberg from Sweden); find an activist or group that use social media to get their messages out to the public (Parkland Teens and Never Again MSD); and find someone who became an activist before the age of 18 (Marley Dias).

They also shared their thoughts one special person which they wrote on a Post-it note and placed next to a photo of their chosen activist on a wall. “There’s no right or wrong answer – just your thoughts about the activism and that person,” Jessica St. Sulme, a library associate, said to the teens. Nearly two dozen books counted as those available for reading including: “The Gay Rights Movement;” “Rise Up! How You Can Join the Fight Against White Supremacy;” and “Ten Lives, Ten Demands: Life-and-Death Stories, and a Black Activist’s Blueprint for Racial Justice.” Isaiah West, teen services specialist for the library system, said it took nine months to create and coordinate the curriculum. “We’re trying not to focus heavily on politicians and politics,” he said. “We’re focusing more on things affecting the teens right now. We want them to see the injustices in their community and the inequities in their community . . . ” He said students presented proposals that addressed problems in their communities including how to fight homelessness and strategies to improve funding to better support the foster care system. Although they aren’t old enough

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SOCIAL JUSTICE from Page 26 to vote in this year’s gubernatorial general election, several of the youth, including Micah Smith of Clinton who turns 16 in September, will be 18 before the November 2024 presidential general election. His passion: recycling. “I’m an environmentalist. I control all the trash in the house. That’s my job,” said Micah, who’s homeschooled along with his 13-year-old sister, Mischa Smith, also a camp participant. “People are uneducated in the art of recycling. Recycling can actually save them money and it keeps the environment clean.” Ariana plans to take what she

has learned back to her high school in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She’s spending the summer in Prince George’s with her aunt, Ashley Kearney, who ran for a seat on the county’s school board in last month’s primary election. “I want to fight for a lot of things,” she said. “In school, you don’t talk about social issues that much. It’s very controversial and [school officials] try not to offend people. But it’s something we should really be discussing.” For more information on this or other teen programs and activities, go to https://pgcmls.info/teens. WI @WJFjabariwill

EDUCATION

5 Jessica St. Sulme, a library associate with the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, reviews an assignment for teenagers participating in a social justice camp Aug. 3 at the Spauldings Branch library in District Heights. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

OSSE from Page 24 as an essential step to take prior to bringing their children back for the upcoming fall semester. But despite many parents’ concerns about completing COVID vaccinations and continuing booster shots throughout the season, local health physicians continue to advocate the extreme importance of utilizing the available shots to protect school children from the rampant spread of the virus. One local physician, Dr. Valda Crowder, provided insights for educators on how they can more effectively communicate with parents who may be less inclined to

follow through with the mandated shots. “I ask [parents], have you had this conversation with [your child’s] pediatrician? Because most of them have not,” she said. “And the pediatrician is somebody that they really respect and with whom they have a long term relationship. I sometimes tell them that as a physician, I recommend getting the vaccine. Above all, I tell them to trust their pediatrician who I know will advise them to get their child vaccinated. It’s important not to force them into any decision or shun them but rather to treat them with respect and to respect how they feel.” WI

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A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 H E A LT H WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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Farming the Roots of Self-Sufficiency

A series of running jokes among folks who know me surrounds my inability to cook well. With few exceptions, the punch line to receiving a bad dish comes with the declaration, “this tastes like something Shantella cooked.” Up until a few years ago, I sat chastened, rebuked, scorned, and forbidden to enter kitchens for family celebrations. I am a daughter of a “daughter of the South,” who grew up hunting, fishing, growing crops, canning foods, and eating farm to table. Still, I resisted at every turn learning the very necessary skills of self-sustained nourishment. The truth is I have never had the prerequisite patience for preparing meals, let alone planting and harvesting in order to prepare 5 Dr. Shantella Sherman (Photo by India Kea) meals. That began to change a few years ago when it became clear that eating from outside sources with no clear knowledge of the food’s chain of custody, preparation, ingredients, or nutritional value retarded my ability to live healthier. One of the first resources I sought, aside from my mother (whom I humbly begged for retooling), was Virginia-based chef, urban landscape designer, and gardening guru, Bonnie McDaniel. McDaniel’s books, Queen Bee: 7 Reasons Why Women Are Not Empowered and What You Can Do Now to Change This Phenomenon, and Farm Girl In The City: Of Food and Love, sit on the edge of my office desk as well-read reference guides for being a better me. Her approach to life and gardening are a godsend to folks seeking healthier, happier existences. What’s most impressive about both works? The conscientious and very compassionate delivery. That latter being key for me in gaining confidence enough to purchase a bit of soil and seeds and inch my way into healthier habits. Along the way and in conversation with college friends and fellow journalists, Chrystal Mincey and Dr. Sophia Sparks, I found that many of our former classmates, whether residing in Mississippi, Nebraska, Chicago, or D.C. had also established greenways – patio gardens, windowsill planters, backyard patches, and corners of bay windows, to grow their own foods. Some canned, fished, and even took part in the generations-old traditions of hog killing season. These friends are among the thousands of new farmers Natalie Baszile discusses in her anthology, We Are Each Other’s Harvest: Celebrating African American Farmers, Land, and Legacy. Replete with essays, poems, photographs, quotes, conversations, and first-person stories, this masterful work examines Black people’s connection to the American land from Emancipation to today. In the 1920s, there were over one million African American farmers; today, just 45,000. Baszile explores this crisis, through the farmers’ personal experiences, and the young farmers building upon the legacy of their ancestors. Naturally, Farm-to-Fork (or Farm-to-Table) living made the top of our editorial list for health supplement themes. Debate ensued about how so much of the rich culture of African American foodways had been reduced as folkish, country, or antiquated – and subsequently set aside by successive generations. It reminded me that this year marks the 130th anniversary of the first Tuskegee Negro Conference held in February 1892. At this gathering, Booker T. Washington opened the campus of Tuskegee Institute to Black farm families for a day of education and instruction from the faculty and staff on ways to improve farming, health, and home life. He invited 75; more than 400 men and women attended. Washington noted that many Black families felt compelled to “mortgage” their crops and go into debt in order to earn enough money to eat and clothe themselves. Through planting and securing his own roots, managing his own crops, and divesting in sharecropping, Washington believed Black families found agency and self-sufficiency. The same value exists in managing our foodways today. Fortunately, the roots Washington and Tuskegee planted have not died. With this Washington Informer supplement, we hope to encourage our readers to move forward by looking back (yes, that’s a Sankofa reference!). In addition to offering information about the nutritional benefits of harvesting, this supplement provides data about the mental, physical, and emotional vitality gained from ‘working the land.’ Read, Learn & Grow (some crops!) Dr. Shantella Sherman

www.washingtoninformer.com / AUGUST 2022 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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Mental, Physical Health Benefits Found in Gardening By Lee Ross WI Staff Writer

There is increasing evidence that exposure to plants and green space, and particularly to gardening, is beneficial to mental and physical health, and so could reduce the pressure on health services. It combines physical activity with social interaction and exposure to nature and sunlight.

Sunlight lowers blood pressure as well as increasing vitamin D levels in the summer, and the fruit and vegetables that are produced have a positive impact on the diet.

Garden Healing Patients who are recovering from conditions, including stroke find that exercise in a garden is more effective, enjoyable, and sustainable than therapy in formal exercise settings.

The social benefits of such projects can can delay the symptoms Gardening of dementia (an evendue lead effect that might be partly to to the beneficial effects of exercise). employment. Social Interaction

The social interaction provided by communal and therapeutic garden projects for those with learning disabilities and poor mental health can counteract social isolation.

Digging, raking, and mowing are particularly calorie intense; there is a gym outside many a window.

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AUGUST 2022 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

Do You Have Your Child’s Immunization Record? Is it Updated? Submitted by Amerigroup Marynad Many families have recently gone through the process of preparing to send their children to school for the first time or enrolling their children in a new school. This has likely involved finding out which vaccines are required for children to attend school, and even having to present proof of immunization. Have you ever wondered what happens if a child’s immunization record is lost or if vaccines weren’t updated on an immunization card? How can

families update records if a child was immunized by multiple doctors/clinics, in different states or in another country? What do they do if they are unsure if a child has all required vaccines? What are the required vaccines for each grade level? Many families are diligent about keeping updated copies of a child’s immunization record and consulting their doctors for guidance on vaccines, but there are many situations that can leave families scrambling to track down and update records. Fortunately, Maryland is one of a handful of states that has made immunization records available to

residents online at no cost. Families can simply visit MD.MyIR.net to register for access to records. Users of this portal can view and print official copies of immunization records that have been digitally filed in Maryland, without having to request them from healthcare providers. However, there may be instances where the online records are not complete or updated. Vaccines may have been administered in states that do not offer online records, or in doctor’s offices/clinics that do no have digital filing capabilities. In these cases, families can get help from a child’s pediatrician to locate or update records. If a child

doesn’t have a primary care provider, it might be best to immediately get established with one and ask the doctor’s office for help to track down immunization records. Doctor’s offices have experience finding immunization information from other doctor’s offices, from various databases and even from antibody tests if necessary, so their help can save a family a lot of time and frustration. Doctors can also advise which vaccines are needed and when. When immunization records cannot be found, doctors can advise if it is better to test for antibodies or revaccinate. Doctors can even answer questions about required vaccines and recommend vaccines for certain risk factors, so getting established with a primary care doctor/pediatrician – if families don’t already have one – should be a top priority. Amerigroup Maryland members who need help getting established with a doctor or pediatrician can always turn to Amerigroup for help by calling Member Services at 1-800-600-4441 (TTY 711) or vis-

iting www.myamerigroup.com/md. Families who would like to learn more about required vaccines and immunization records can access several resources for information: • Required and recommended vaccines by age: https://www.cdc. gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/index. html • Vaccines required by the state of Maryland for the 2022 – 2023 school year: https://bit.ly/3yMMTdb • General information about finding and updating vaccine records: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/records/find-records. html • Online vaccination records: https://myirmobile.com/register/ • Finding a doctor or pediatrician in Amerigroup Maryland’s provider network: https://www. myamerigroup.com/md/care/finda-doctor.html • Help and resources offered by Amerigroup Maryland: https:// www.myamerigroup.com/md/ home.html WI

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Preserving Food Through Canning – A Lost Art Dr. Sophia Sparks WI Staff Writer When my husband first started planning for an apocalypse, he asked if I could find someone from my home state of South Carolina who could show us how to can food. I looked at him perplexed and stated, “I know how to can food. My grandmother taught me.” Immediately, he asked why we were waiting for the bombs or zombies to arrive to get started when our historic foodways had benefits needed now. Though I believed the frozen or dried foods we had been consuming were both safe and tasty, I was not going to win that argument. I returned to canning that week. I use both the boiling and pressure methods; however, I realized that most people stopped preserving foods unless they also planted their own gardens. We have ample green space surrounding the home and with the pandemic fostering rising produce costs or empty store shelves, we moved easily back into gardening. Later, in a conversation with my grandmother, I asked why gardening and canning had all but gone the way of the wildebeests. Without flinching, my grandmother surmised that the culprit was freezer culture. Freezers offered shelf life to an abundant amount of fresh foods, while affording busy professionals an opportunity to simply warm up ready-meals that are already prepared. “Why would I buy the jars and spend time over a stove when I could purchase it frozen for less,” she concluded. Convenience made Americans dependent upon the grocery store. Our survival as it relates to substance is totally dependent upon something other than ourselves. That reliance also places the overall nutritional value of those pre-packaged foods in the hands of those who use preservatives, fillers, and additives to give products longer shelf lives. Americans saw the glaring frailty of dependency upon grocery stores during the 2020 lockdown when our food distribution system grinded to a slow crawl. We are still reliant to a great degree, but are also, now, more aware. One

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Our survival as it relates to substance is totally dependent upon something other than ourselves. misstep within the flow of picking crops to delivery could crash the entire system or drive prices so high that it loses its affordability. This realization has resulted in more home gardens according to research from Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, which surveyed mostly individuals who live in urban areas. The study reported that food-related challenges significantly predicted whether someone would take up gardening. The fluctuating prices at the grocery stores combined with having to visit multiple stores to obtain everyday household goods continues to frustrate many Americans. This social challenge has revived old ways of self-sufficiency such as gardening and canning. And I am not alone. Recently a co-worker asked if I knew how much egg prices had fluctuated in recent weeks. I had not really paid attention. She told me that she stopped paying attention to it after the prices went to $3 a dozen and she decided to invest in chickens. Self-sustaining measures are a necessity not only because of the costs, but because buying certain foods like fruit from the store can prove a gamble. Some containers are ripe, and others are not. Not every type of fruit has a trick to determine its ripeness. Once produce becomes ripe, it begins to spoil. The rate at which produce spoils varies. This is hardly a rally against supermarkets or grocers, be clear. It is a reminder that there are somethings you can manage the growth, quality, and sustainability of on your own. Canning allows you to lock in the ripeness and prevent the spoiling process. In turn, you can eat different, ripe produce in and outside of its growing season. WI

Nutrition, Movement, Wellness & Community – A Recipe for Success Submitted by DC Hospital Association

The Healthy Hospital Initiative and District of Columbia hospitals are committed to promoting health and wellness through a balanced lifestyle that includes nutritious foods low in salt, sugar, and saturated fats, and wellness practices like exercise, adequate sleep, and proper stress management. Join DC hospitals and health professionals this summer to decrease your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and cancer. Follow our recipe for success to achieve overall health and wellness. Learn more at dcha.org/advocacy-policy/healthy-hospital-initiative.

AUGUST 2022 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

Canning/ Jarring 101 Dr. Sophia Sparks WI Staff Writer Canning or jarring is the process that prevents spoilage of food sealed in jars. Cookbooks and the internet brim with information and How-to instructions for canning and jarring. Even the best tend to overlook sage advice that can keep you safe from unhealthy bacteria. Below is a quick list of reminders when preserving food.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PRESERVING METHOD

Boiling water bath only high-acid foods can be preserved by water bath canning. This includes most fruit preserves, including jams, jellies, and fruit canned in syrup, and many pickles. Boiling water bath is the most commonly used and needs no special equipment. You need a deep pot that will allow water to boil rapidly without boiling over, an inch or two of water to be above the jars, and a rack/device to allow water to boil under the jars. Place a rack in the bottom of a tall pot. The rack keeps the bases of the jars off the bottom of the pan, allowing evaporating water to escape around the jars and preventing them from rattling against each other, which could cause breakage. Add enough water to cover the jars you are going to process by at least one inch above the lids. Turn on the heat. If raw-packing, bring the water to 140 F; if hot-packing, bring the water to 180 F. You can do this while you are preparing your foods to be canned. Pressure is used to preserve vegetables, meats, and seafood. You can utilize a pressure cooker. A pressure canner uses pressure to create temperatures well above boiling to effectively heat process low acid foods. Atmospheric steam is an alternative to boiling water bath but requires specific equipment. Utilize glass jars Wash before using Ensure no defects, like cracks, appear in jars Sterilize in boiling water for about 10 minutes Choose a thickening agent -- If using cornstarch or flour, use grandma’s recipe to avoid bacteria growth. Use clearjel to thicken without worry about bacteria growth from the product.

FILLING JARS

Leave head space/ don’t fill to the brim Raw vegetables will shrink when heated, so pack tightly. Exclusions are peas, lima beans, and corn.

REFILLING WATER BATH Don’t pour water over the jars. Pour water between jars.

STORAGE

Don’t store in hot place or direct sunlight.For recipes, please go to t he National Center for Home Food Preservation (nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_home.html) WI

www.washingtoninformer.com / AUGUST 2022 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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Recommended Books By & About Farm to Fork Living By Lee Ross / WI Staff Writer From Farm to Fork: Perspectives on Growing Sustainable Food Systems in the Twenty-first Century By Sarah Morath Interest in the food we eat and how it is produced, distributed, and consumed has grown tremendously in the last few years. Consumers are exchanging highly processed, genetically engineered, chemical-laden, and pesticide-contaminated food often associated with big agribusinesses for fresh produce grown using organic methods. The growth of farmers markets from 1,755 in 1994 to over 7,500 today, in both urban and rural areas, is just one indication that consumers are interested in knowing who produced their food and how the food was produced. This book addresses the importance of creating food systems that are sustainable by bringing together a number of experts in the fields of law, economics, nutrition, and social sciences, as well as farmers and advocates. Farm to Fork: Cooking Local, Cooking Fresh By Emeril Lagasse In this extraordinary new book, Emeril Lagasse continues his lifelong commitment to using fresh, local ingredients in his restaurants and home kitchen. He has spent the past thirty years building close relationships with farmers, fishermen, and ranchers. Farm to Fork is his guide to help you explore the great local bounty through fifteen flavorful chapters—sweet summer in “The Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, and Squash,” juicy “Berries, Figs, and Melons,” sublime naturally raised meats in “Out on the Range,” fresh catch in “Fresh Off the Dock,” and home canning tips from “Home Economics: Preserving the Harvest.” Learn how to make your own cheese and pasta at home. Emeril shares his love for fresh from-the-fields foods—and the heritage of the artisans who bring them to the table.

Freedom Farmers: Agricultural Resistance and the Black Freedom Movement By Monica M. White In May 1967, internationally renowned activist Fannie Lou Hamer purchased forty acres of land in the Mississippi Delta, launching the Freedom Farms Cooperative (FFC). FFC grew to over 600 acres, offering a means for local sharecroppers, tenant farmers, and domestic workers to pursue community wellness, self-reliance, and political resistance. Life on the cooperative farm presented an alternative to the second wave of northern migration by African Americans--an opportunity to stay in the South, live off the land, and create a healthy community based upon building an alternative food system as a cooperative and collective effort. Freedom Farmers expands the historical narrative of the Black freedom struggle to embrace the work, roles, and contributions of southern Black farmers and the organizations they formed. Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land By Leah Penniman In 1920, 14 percent of all land-owning US farmers were black. Today less than 2 percent of farms are controlled by black people--a loss of over 14 million acres and the result of discrimination and dispossession. At Soul Fire Farm, author Leah Penniman co-created the Black and Latinx Farmers Immersion (BLFI) program as a container for new farmers to share growing skills in a culturally relevant and supportive environment led by people of color. Farming While Black organizes and expands upon the curriculum of the BLFI to provide readers with a concise guide to all aspects of small-scale farming, from business planning to preserving the harvest. Woven throughout the book is the story of Soul Fire Farm, a national leader in the food justice movement. WI

The Color of Food: Stories of Race, Resilience and Farming By Natasha Bowens The growing trend of organic farming and homesteading is changing the way the farmer is portrayed in mainstream media, and yet, farmers of color are still largely left out of the picture. The Color of Food seeks to rectify this. Natasha Bowens’ quest to explore her own roots in the soil leads her to unearth a larger story, weaving together the seemingly forgotten history of agriculture for people of color, the issues they face today, and the culture and resilience they bring to food and farming. The Color of Food teaches African Americans about preserving culture and community, digging deeply into the places we’ve overlooked, and honoring those who have come before us.

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AUGUST 2022 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

The Power is in the Pairing! By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, Safeway Corporate Dietitian Food synergy is how components in food — like fatty acids, phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals — work together in your body for maximum health benefit. Food synergy is like adding one plus one and getting four instead of two. In other words, it’s about getting the biggest bang for your food buck and achieving a higher level of health. We can get so focused on the health benefits of a certain vitamin or nutrient that we miss a crucial link. Different components within a single food can work better together and certain components of different foods can produce amazing results when eaten in combination. Over the past 15 years, research has discovered many examples of food components working together within a whole food (like apples with the peel, cruciferous vegetables, whole grains), as well as food components working together be-

tween foods. Here are a few examples of the latter. The more you know about food synergy and how components within food work together in the body for maximum health benefits, the more it makes sense to eat more whole foods for the nutrients we need.

EXAMPLE #1

Broccoli + Tomato (the whole tomato, including skin) One study found prostate tumors grew much less in rats fed tomato and broccoli powder than in rats that ate diets containing just one of those powders or cancer-fighting substances isolated from tomatoes or broccoli. Separately, tomatoes and broccoli appear to have cancer-fighting potential; together they seem to bring out the best in each other, maximizing this potential cancer-fighting effect. (J Nutr 2005 Dec)

EXAMPLE #2 Salad

Veggies

Avocado

(monounsaturated fat) Eating a little “good fat” along with your salad vegetables can help your body absorb 4 to 13 times more protective phytochemicals like lycopene from tomatoes, carotenes from carrots and lutein from dark green vegetables, according to a study. Research tested this with spinach salads using good fats from avocado or salad dressings containing canola oil. (J Nutr 2005 Mar; 135(3): 4316) For many years, the science of nutrition has focused on specific pieces of the puzzle instead of the inherent power of the whole picture. Because there are synergies we haven’t yet discovered, the only way to insure we are including as many of them as possible is to eat whole foods. The power is in the pairing — whole foods working together.

EXAMPLE #3

of them may protect the heart by helping to keep arteries flexible and clear of plaque damage. When you eat garlic and onions together, you are more likely to cover your bases and get plenty of the powerful plant compounds. SYNERGIZE your HEALTH Garlic + Onions = possible improvement in heart health. Tomatoes + Broccoli = decreasing prostate tumor growth was shown in a study involving mice. Salad Veggies + Avocado = higher absorption of protective phytochemicals from dark green veggies, tomatoes, and carrots. Fruit Salad = eating a mixture of fruits at the same time has a greater antioxidant response than eating one fruit alone High Omega-3 fish like. Salmon + Extra Virgin Olive Oil = phytochemicals in olive oil may strengthen the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3s found in higher fat fish. Tomatoes (cooked) + Extra Virgin Olive Oil = phytochemical ab-

sorption is greater when tomatoes are cooked and even greater when some monounsaturated fat is added as well. Whole Soy/Tofu + Green/White Tea = decreased breast cancer tumor growth in mice was shown in a Harvard Medical School study; similar results were shown with human prostate cancer cells (J Nutr 2003 Feb; 133(2) 516-21). Dark green Veggies + Almonds = possible improved protection of LDL “bad” cholesterol oxidation from suggested synergy between the antioxidant’s vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene from the green veggies and the phytochemicals in almond skin. Oats + Citrus = phytochemicals in oats were shown to possibly interact synergistically with vitamin C and other phytochemicals in citrus to protect LDL cholesterol even more during oxidation (thought to lower heart disease risk), according to several studies (J Nutr 2004 June 134(6): 145966). WI

Garlic + Onions Organosulfur compounds are the primary active phytochemicals in garlic and onions. Several

We put the pro in produce shop now at Safeway.com shop now at Safeway.com GL00181266_081122_WashingtonInformer_HalfPg

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Dental care during pregnancy Submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia The birth of a baby is a life-changing event, and there’s a lot to do to get ready. You might wonder if visiting the dentist should be one of your priorities. The answer is yes! It is especially important to keep up with your oral health routine while you are pregnant, including going to regular dental checkups. Morning sickness and hormonal changes make you more prone to cavities and gum disease during pregnancy.1 A good oral health routine can help you have a healthy mouth, a healthy pregnancy, and a healthy baby.1 To maintain good oral health during pregnancy, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:2 • Visiting the dentist every six months, or as recommended • Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste at least two times per day • Drinking fluoridated tap water (Yes, DC’s water contains fluoride!) • Talking to your dentist about ways to prevent or manage dental problems

ORAL HEALTH AND YOUR BABY

Your mouth affects your baby,

too. Keeping up with your oral care throughout your pregnancy helps protect your baby from cavity-causing bacteria. Cavity-causing bacteria can build up in your mouth and then be passed to your baby.1 This increases your risk of premature delivery, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia, which can threaten your baby’s health.3

TALK TO YOUR DENTIST ABOUT YOUR PREGNANCY

You should tell your dentist as soon as you know you are pregnant. Most dental treatments are safe if your dentist knows you are pregnant. Make sure to also tell your dentist:1 • Your due date • Any medications you are taking • Any medical conditions you have or specific advice you have received from your prenatal care provider • If your pregnancy is high-risk

AFTER YOUR BABY IS BORN

It’s never too early to start caring for your infant’s oral health, even before they have teeth! Here are some tips for caring for your infant’s teeth.4 • Whether you are breastfeeding or

feeding your baby formula, try to wipe their gums with a clean, soft cloth in the morning after their first feeding and before they go to sleep. This helps wipe away bacteria and sugars. • When your baby’s first tiny teeth come in, brush them with a soft, small-bristled toothbrush with water twice per day. • Start taking your child to the dentist after their first tooth appears or no later than their first birthday. Like you, your baby should go to the dentist every six months (two times per year) unless otherwise directed by their dentist.1 Ask your child’s dentist about fluoride varnish treatment. Fluoride varnish can help prevent tooth decay.5 Remember to keep up with your oral care routine, too! By doing this, you will also be modeling good oral care for your child, building on the strong foundation you have given them for lifelong health. The information in this article is to help you learn more about this topic. It is not to take the place of your health care provider. If you have questions, talk with your health care provider. If you think you need to see your health care provider because of something you have read in this article, please contact your health care provider. Never stop or wait to get medical atten-

Giving Your Baby a Bright #BestMe Corner Bright Start® is AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia’s (DC’s) maternity care program for pregnant enrollees. The program is designed to support you during your pregnancy and after you give birth by connecting you to health care services and community resources. When you join Bright Start, you are assigned a Care Manager who will call you and work with you throughout your pregnancy to help you access what you need. If your pregnancy is high risk, a team of nurses and Care Connectors will check in with you often. They can help you stay connected to care during your pregnancy. Get help with: • Creating a birth plan • Choosing the right doctor or midwife for your family tion because of something you have read in this material. Source: 1. “Questions Moms Are Asking About Oral Health,” American Academy of Pediatrics, https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/ campaigns-and-toolkits/oral-health/. 2. “Dental Care During Pregnancy Is Safe and Important,” American Academy of Pediatrics, https://www.aap.org/en/ news-room/campaigns-and-toolkits/oralhealth/. 3. “Is It Safe to Go to the Dentist

• Making appointments • Finding breastfeeding support and childbirth classes • Learning about prenatal vitamins • Finding housing • Getting supplies to prepare for your baby • Getting rides to and from your appointments • Signing up for home-delivered meals and other nutrition programs To join Bright Start as an AmeriHealth Caritas DC enrollee, call 1-877-759-6883. Our trained staff is ready to help you Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more, visit https://www. amerihealthcaritasdc.com/preventive-care/member/postpartum/index.aspx. During Pregnancy?” American Dental Association, https://www.mouthhealthy. org/en/pregnancy/concerns. 4. “Children’s Oral Health,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/ childrens-oral-health/index.html. “Fluoride Varnish: What Parents Need to Know,” American Academy of Pediatrics, https://www.healthychildren.org/ English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/ Fluoride-Varnish-What-Parents-Needto-Know.aspx

Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/amerihealthdc. / Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmeriHealthCaritasDC. / Find us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/amerihealthcaritasdc.

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AUGUST 2022 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

Engaging Our Community: A Key to Health and Wellness Submitted by Summit Health Institute for Research and Education, Inc. (SHIRE) “When ‘I’ is replaced by ‘we’ even illness becomes wellness”. Malcolm X For the last 25 years SHIRE’s work in the East of the River community has given living testimony to the wisdom of Malcolm X. We have been guided by a deep understanding that together we are so much stronger than we are as individuals. That has been the experience of African Americans in this nation over 400 years, and it is as true today as it has ever been. SHIRE has demonstrated this truth in many ways. A few years ago, for example, SHIRE partnered with residents of a tenant – owned housing cooperative to address the lack of safe space for physical activity for their children. Partnering with SHIRE, the residents decided to develop a KaBoom® playground which was identified as an urgent need. The tenants designed and helped to construct the playground with the help of 300 volunteers, most of whom came from wards 7&8. Another indicator of SHIRE’s respect for the wisdom, skills and capabilities of community members is the fact that 50% of SHIRE‘s current staff comprises DC residents who were formerly participants in SHIRE’s

programs. These individuals are valuable members of SHIRE‘s leadership team helping to design new projects and implement projects on the books. They have become experts in reaching individuals and encouraging them to join SHIRE projects, including Wellness Circles. They help program participants maintain their commitment to make lifestyle changes that will improve their health. SHIRE is convinced that there are no more effective communicators than persons who have shared similar life experiences and are committed to reach out and help their neighbors. This year with the help of SHIRE’s community outreach team of peer educators, we have engaged persons living with diabetes and high blood pressure in virtual Wellness Circles in partnership with AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia. Wellness Circles provide an opportunity for individuals seeking to improve their health to receive the support and encouragement of others dealing with the same challenges, while at the same time gaining information and other tools, they can use to take charge of their health. Again, SHIRE peer educators play a key role as a build relationship with the persons they have enrolled – answering their questions, listening to their concerns, and helping to motivate them and promote sustained participation.

Wellness Circles illustrate dramatically the power of Malcolm X’s instruction: replacing “we” for “I” can help individuals to discover how “Illness becomes Wellness.” The Wellness Circle model which SHIRE has now tested for nearly 2 decades provides a dramatic example of the power of community which can be transferred to many other situations. Engaging community members to help build communities of support for change can apply to persons with other chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, or asthma; individuals with hearing or vision impairment; community members dealing with behavioral health challenges; and even non-health related issues such as money management or wealth building strategies. SHIRE welcomes inquiries about our work, and we can be reached at rperot@shireinc.org and our website can be access via www.shireinc.org

This year with the help of SHIRE’s community outreach team of peer educators, we have engaged persons living with diabetes and high blood pressure in virtual Wellness Circles in partnership with AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia.

ABOUT SHIRE VISION SHIRE envisions health care as a human right, fully implemented in a nation where individuals, families and communities are empowered to achieve and sustain optimal health and well-being.

MISSION SHIRE seeks to promote and implement effective and sustainable strategies to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities and to help communities galvanize to improve health care access, quality and outcomes SHIRE works with communities, government agencies, corporations, foundations and other institutions to achieve its mission by: • Convening and engaging people of color and other individuals to take collective action • Informing public policy decision makers on strategies to eliminate health disparities • Raising awareness of policy implications for communities of color • Serving as a trusted source of information • Providing technical assistance and consulting services to allied organizations.

www.washingtoninformer.com / AUGUST 2022 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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By the Numbers By Lee Ross / WI Staff Writer

A study released in July 2021 by The Farm to School Census and Comprehensive Review examined the impact of edible gardens on the overall health of children in U.S. schools. A total of 18,832 school food authorities (SFAs) were invited to complete the 2019 Census and included survey participation from public, private, and charter SFAs as well as residential childcare institutions (RCCIs) in the 50 States, U.S. territories, and Washington D.C. A total of 12,634 SFAs completed the 2019 Census (67 percent) from all 50 States as well as American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C. These are some of the results… by the numbers.

34.3 percent of the 12,334 Schools researched by the 2020 Census had edible gardens. One third of responding School Food Authorities operate edible gardens where food is grown. Gardens are a popular way to teach students where their food comes from, to inspire youth toward careers in agriculture, and to produce food for use in Child Nutrition Program meals or snacks.

42%

42 PERCENT OF F2S SFAS PERCEIVED THE BENEFITS OF FARM TO SCHOOL PARTICIPATION AS HIGHER QUALITY FOODS, WHILE 31 PERCENT SAW INCREASED STUDENT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT LOCAL AND HEALTHFUL FOODS, AND 26 PERCENT NOTED AN INCREASED CONSUMPTION OF ITEMS IN SCHOOL MEALS.

Among these, 52 percent served garden produce as a part of their education activities

Approximately 34 percent of F2S SFAs reported holding taste tests or cooking demonstrations of locally grown foods.

31%

Another 31 percent conducted student field trips to farms, farmer’s markets, producers, or processors

HEALTHY OPTIONS ONE CLICK AWAY

$1.26 billion is the amount of national spending on local foods by SFAs Farm to school SFAs estimated that they spent about 20 cents of every food dollar to buy local food during the 2018-2019 school year.

Most F2S SFAs that participated in Federal meal programs served local foods as a part of those programs, including 72 percent of those participating in the National School Lunch Program, 68 percent of those participating in the School Breakfast Program, and 79 percent of those participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

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ROUGHLY 48 PERCENT USED GARDEN PRODUCE IN SCHOOL MEALS.

AUGUST 2022 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

Get connected with dozens of corner stores offering fresh and frozen produce all over DC. Find stores near you, know what’s in stock, and explore new recipes by downloading the Healthy Corners app.

healthycorners.org

From Farm to Table - African Americans Return to the Their Roots By Chrystal R. Mincey WI Staff Writer The scent of lemongrass, sage, lavender, chocolate mint, basil, and other plants and herbs draws butterflies, hummingbirds, and deer to Alison Frazier Hayden’s backyard. Living on Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, a town on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, since 2011, Hayden had no idea that a garden could grow in the North or make such an amazing and colorful backdrop in the shadows of her home. “I heard stories about my grandparents and my father growing up on the farm, and I wanted to start eating healthier and organically,” Hayden said. “My mother always had peppermint in our backyard in Philadelphia, so mint was the first herb that I started growing… it was a great way to start.” Hayden said she had a bit of a learning curve, but happily joined a growing number of African Americans returning to the land – even small swaths of soil – to farm their own harvests. Research from McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility found that while the role of the agriculture economy has grown, the share of Black farmers in the United States has declined over the last century. Today, just 1.4 percent of farmers identify as

5 Whether a full garden or a planter box, growing your own food yields delicious results. (Photos by Chrystal Mincey)

Black or mixed race compared with about 14 percent 100 years ago. Additionally, with poor food choices contributing to gross disparities in Black health outcomes, increased numbers of African Americans are shifting cities into urban gardens. The Black Urban Gardening Society based in Oklahoma City, which focuses on “sustainability in the Black community” has reported “easily” over

30,000 membership inquiries since the beginning of the pandemic. Gardening societies and clubs readily fill gaps created by a loss of Black foodways (traditions passed down usually orally, from parents and grandparents to new generations about growing, preparing, and storing foods). For Hayden, who found out the hard way about cold temperatures and the various plant species that thrive in shade and cooler temperatures, gardening clubs proved beneficial. Hayden said she supplemented her knowledge of gardening by volunteering at a local greenhouse when she arrived on the Oak Bluff, and her garden grew from what she learned there. In addition to using herbs and plants in her food and teas, she shares with family and friends who are welcome to pick the herbs from her garden. “I assumed every plant needed full sun and 75- to 80-degree heat. Some plants and herbs thrive in shade. Now, a lot of what I grow are perennials, meaning they grow back the next season unless the previous season was harsh.” Similarly, Traci Cameron, 50, considered joining the field-to-fork movement as early as 2015, but took pause of the notion until life and COVID-19 reshaped life for many in the Atlanta area where she lives. “The pandemic made us take that final leap and get it done. We grow year-round because our Atlanta climate allows for it. We wanted to eat fresher foods and not depend on an unsteady and potentially hazard-

ous food supply,” Cameron told the Informer. “By 2020, we also found gardening a way of spending time together safely as a family.” Cameron said they do not sell anything, yet, but cook and give the excess to friends and family. “We grow (have grown) a ton of stuff, including tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, zucchini, squash, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peppers, cabbage, collards, kale, lettuce, turnips, beets, a variety of herbs, apples, peaches, pears, blueberries, and grapes, so our grocery bills have seen a drastic reduction,” said Cameron. Urban farming shows no gender preference either. Of the African American respondents to a recent study of gardeners by Purdue University (Personal Gardens: Who is growing their own in the U.S.?), a higher percentage of men (6.4 percent) than women (3.3 percent) reported growing produce of any kind in a personal garden not at home. Some African American men have returned to generations-old practices of living from the land in response to the “food apartheid” or food deserts plaguing urban communities. Roy Harrington,46, an IT professional, counts among them. For four years, the stay-at-home dad and Congress Heights, D.C.-resident has recreated the foodways of his grandparents. “I learned from my grandparents in Pickens and Durant, Mississippi, who rarely ever made trips to grocers. They ate what they grew and lived happier, healthier lives as a result,” Harrington

told the Informer. Harrington purchased a home and initially formed a garden to grow fresh herbs. He later added dietary staples including tomatoes and vegetables, before moving on to preserve pickles. Currently, his haul includes tomatoes, pickles, figs, and peppers. “I realized that I could grow food year-round the way my grandparents did and am now building a hoop house that will give me more room for seedlings. What I do not use for myself and family, I give away at local farmers’ markets,” he said. “I think I will add some more next season. I am going to add more raised beds to grow watermelon out of a tire.” Similarly, Mahdee Muhammad of Chicago Heights, Illinois, has been gardening for 16 years. He said he took the advice of a minister years ago to manage one’s life by controlling the source of nutrients going into the body. “This minister talked about growing your own food and how it was better to eat for overall health. He talked about health disparities that plague African American communities and how many of them begin with food sources and preparations that exist outside of our control,” Muhammad said. “Once he opened my eyes, I began to notice all of the wax that produce manufacturers put on vegetables before shipping to keep them fresh. I realized that I could grow my own food in small amounts and make a noticeable difference in the quality of foods my family and I consume.” WI

www.washingtoninformer.com / AUGUST 2022 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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A Return to the Garden with Bonnie McDaniel By Lee Ross and Shantella Sherman WI Staff Writers Stepping into Bonnie McDaniel’s garden transports visitors into a wonderland of robust fragrances that announce the presence of herbs like oregano, thyme, and basil, and the fragrant smell of lavender. They scent the grounds amid a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors bursting from cherry red tomatoes, sprayings of green from varieties of lettuce, cucumber, and okra, and the deep purples of eggplant. McDaniel’s oasis draws from her childhood home in the small country neighborhood Tucker Hill, in Central Florida. McDaniel said it was here that she developed a love for the garden and where the secrets of creating amazing landscapes and good food was born. McDaniel, an accomplished chef, urban landscape designer, television, and podcast host, earned stellar reviews for her restaurant, Christina’s at The Bailiwick, including, the Wine Spectator Award, for having one of the best food and wine menus in the world. Her inn, The Baliwick was also a distinguished member of Select Registry a club of the top inns in the country. Today, McDaniel provides architectural expertise, gardening advice, healthy food recipes, and encouragement through her website, BonnieMcDanielGoodLiving.com. McDaniel gave us a tour of the grounds before near 100-degree temperatures set in. We settle into a cooling pitcher of water next to the latest installation to the garden – a greenhouse -- to discuss the importance of farm-to-fork living. WI: What has been the importance for you of relying on the land for sustenance? BM: It’s been a way of life and has helped me balance myself. There are a lot of people who are doing this now because it is fashionable or a trend, but this is a lifestyle for me. I like the serenity that it brings me. I like the fellowship that it allows me with other people. It also helps me spiritually – everyday that I get up it reminds me that I am just a tiny grain of sand it a great big old universe and it keeps me humble. We were created from this earth, and we are to respect this earth and to give back to this earth. I want to give that to people if they are willing to receive it. I don’t preach about it, I

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say I could love all 400 pounds of you, but I want to love less of that because I want you alive. Michelle Obama was trying to have that conversation when she had the White House Kitchen garden and started the ‘Let’s Move’ campaign. She wanted to encourage people to live healthier when she talked about the economics of it. I could get $15 worth of seeds and I could feed myself and a lot of my neighbors for an entire season. In this area, where you can grow eight or nine months out of the year, you can feed the average family with just $15 worth of seed. The outcomes would be financially and nutritionally healthier.

(Photo by Shantella Y. Sherman )

just do it and if they pick it up, then great. WI: More than 100 years ago, Booker T. Washington rallied African Americans to take control of their lives by taking control of the soil beneath their feet...building structures and tilling the soil to create nourishment. Your book Farm Girl In The City immediately bought Washington to mind, as you both attach familial love, fellowship, and personal pride to growing your own food. Talk to me a bit about the relationship between you and your grandmother Lula Duncan and what she instilled in you about foodways. BM: One of the vivid images that I have as a child is my aunties and grandmother and other relatives (because we all lived right around each other) –sitting on the porch and shelling peas and telling tales. That was their way of communicating and gathering with each other. I understand, with our history as a people in this country, why we would want to get as far away as possible from what happened to us as slaves. It is not what happened as slaves that we need to focus on; it’s the survival that happened in spite of it that we lose sight of. There’s an author, Patricia Jones-Jack-

son, who wrote When Roots Die. She went down to South Carolina to a community of Geechee (Gullah) people to learn about how they have thrived there long after slavery ended. She found that the generations’ knowledge was being lost. It helps you understand that we’re not here to do anything other than keep those roots alive. We do that by taking care of that little patch of earth that God allows us. WI: There is also a belief that communion with the land represents a communion with God and the bit of God that is in each of us. BM: I’ve never met a farmer or person who gardens who didn’t believe in a higher power. If you garden and say you don’t believe in God that’s frightening; it’s crazy. I see the hand of God moving every day in this garden. If I come out and see a plant that is sick, I’m asking, ‘what is wrong with you?’ I’m asking that plant, but I’m also asking God. And I get my guidance and I just know instinctively what to do. Not because I know, but because of the greater power that I’ve allowed to come inside me. WI: But is this sustainable in an urban area with pollution and urban density? BM: Plants clean the air – my air is great around here because of the

AUGUST 2022 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

greenery. We think in terms of the negative side, but there are things we can do to clean the air. Trees clean the air. We also keep talking about food deserts, but we have land that can be used for community gardens. Get students to come so they can do projects with them and get parents involved. Get the kids involved so that we help them learned new habits that counter some bad behaviors they have learned. This is something for them to do that will positively impact their overall health. It will teach them about economics and there is a certain level of pride that comes from growing something of value that benefits their health and the health of those around them. WI: What are some of the health benefits you’ve found in controlling the sources of our food? BM: I see so many young men in their forties dropping dead from heart attacks or in their thirties going through kidney failure and having to go on dialysis. It’s no accident that as you drive through D.C. that your see dialysis clinics springing up at shopping centers. Wea re facing kidney failure as a direct result of what we’re eating. Look at the young people – not being a little chubby but being obese. It is out of control. We need to have those conversations where we

WI: How does the early education that Mrs. Obama worked to establish impact younger African Americans, whose obesity rates have steadily increased? BM: The kids are sitting around eating stuff from those restaurants – we know who they are – and it’s just junk. It’s killing our children; when you think about it that way, it breaks your heart. I want you to see you get up in the morning and you’re not panting when you take 15 steps. I want you to be able to kick a ball and run with the best of them. I want you to be cognitive, because when your body is being stressed, it compromises the way your brain functions. WI: Your work absolutely predated the current “Farm-to-Table” or “Farm-to-Fork” movements. Do you think these movements are sustainable beyond trends? BM: I love the farm-to-table or farm-to-fork restaurants – my restaurant my chef would come to my garden and pick them from here and that is what we used. It is a good move. Chefs are typically not taught that they can do on the premises -- put pots around the restaurant to grow what they need. There needs to be more education and what they restaurant owners would find that cooking with fresh herbs, especially when they are homegrown, there’s a bit difference – you notice the smell and it’s a lot more intense – which means you will also cut your food costs as you will use less of it the oils are very active and its powerful, so you use less. God gave us senses for a purpose – you see it, taste it… if you cannot smell it, you probably should not eat it. WI

Quick List of a Few D.C. Fresh Produce Markets EASTERN MARKET

Located just seven blocks east of the U.S. Capitol, Eastern Market is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From Tuesday through Sunday, guests can visit South Hall Market, where merchants serve everything from meats and pasta to baked goods.

14&U FARMERS’ MARKET

Located in the heart of one of DC’s most buzzworthy neighborhoods, the 14&U Farmers’ Market shows off the goods every Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. from May through November.

MOUNT VERNON TRIANGLE FRESHFARM MARKET

After four seasons as an open-air farmstand, the Mount Vernon Triangle farmers’ market was upgraded to a full-fledged market open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. from May through November.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FARMERS’ MARKET

Put Vaccines On Your Back-to-School List Vaccines are the best protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

If you’re in the mood for tacos, head to the Columbia Heights Farmers’ Market at Civic Plaza on 14th Street and Park Road NW from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturdays (January through December) or from 4 - 7 p.m. on Wednesdays (May through October).

WARD 8 FARMERS MARKET

The Ward 8 Farmers Market is located in the parking lot behind the Martin Luther King Elementary School and operates from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, from June to November.

CAPITAL HARVEST ON THE PLAZA

Located at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Capital Harvest on the Plaza is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Fridays from May through November.

BLOOMINGDALE FARMERS’ MARKET

All DC students must have their immunizations up-to-date before the next school year begins. COVID-19 vaccines are strongly recommended for eligible age groups.

dchealth.dc.gov/immunizations

Lovingly known as “BFM” to locals, this Sunday market (9 a.m. – 1 p.m. from May through December) can be found on R Street between 1st Street and Florida Avenue NW. The market strictly abides by a local producer-only policy, and features DC restaurants on-site during certain weekends.

USDA FARMERS’ MARKET

In its 25th year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers’ Market features more than 30 vendors. Shop for organic produce, fresh cut flowers, homemade breads, and locally made foods near the National Mall on the corner of Independence Avenue and 12th Street on Fridays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (May through October).

ROSE PARK FARMERS MARKET

In Georgetown’s Rose Park, this farmers market takes place on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., from May through October.

OPEN AIR FARMERS MARKET

Held at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium’s parking lot No. 6, this market runs year-round on Thursdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. WI

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

Melanie L. Campbell

With Midterm Elections Looming, America Needs a Summer of Activism

This summer, our nation has witnessed a series of disturbing milestones. From the rollback of gun safety measures amid backto-back massacres to the historic repeal of Roe v. Wade to the stripping of EPA powers to protect our planet despite the existential threat of climate change, one reality stands out: Our freedoms are under attack. The U.S. Supreme Court has methodically chipped away at our rights to make deci-

sions about our own bodies, to live free of gun violence, and even survive on an inhabitable planet — and is signaling they would undermine LGBTQ+ rights as well. All the while, conservative lawmakers are preparing to further dismantle our democracy by elevating states' rights over federally protected individual rights and enshrine these disastrous decisions into law. Make no mistake: this represents only the beginning for this increasingly conservative court and the rightwing machine that installed it — and the clock keeps ticking to change the course set for

our country. With under 90 days until the Nov. 8 midterm elections, the stakes could not be any higher. For all our movements, everything that we love is on the line. We are in a state of emergency that requires the civil rights, women's rights, labor, environmental and social justice communities to work together during a summer of activism. So where there's life, there's hope — but only if we fight for a future worth hoping for. From the 1964's Freedom Summer to the 2020 protests in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, we

Guest Columnist

have always demonstrated our perseverance in the face of injustice, letting the heat of a July morning fuel our righteous anger rather than deflate it. And so, in the spirit of our ancestors, over 50 organizations have signed onto our NCBCP Unity 2022 Black Voting & Power Building Campaign to serve as national and state partners, starting with our call to organize a summer of activism, to mobilize our neighbors, friends and loved ones, and empower our community members to use every tool at our disposal to fight back against these

catastrophes — all the way to the ballot box in November 2022. We urgently need to elect leaders who will fight to cure what ails our damaged democracy and codify our sacred rights into law. That entails voting for lawmakers who will work for us, not conservative, reactionary, bought-and-paid-for forces that are weaponizing the courts in order to execute an unconstitutional power grab. Because let's be clear: when radical conservatives take power, marginalized and lowwealth communities suffer most.

CAMPBELL Page 53

Ben Jealous

With Extremism on the Rise in Republican Party, Kansas Voters Turn Out to Preserve tol on Jan. 6, is a member of the right billionaire Peter Thiel, who undermine Biden's victory. Abortion Rights Red flags are flying for democracy and democratic values. We need to pay attention to the threats — and also to signs that we can work together to preserve our freedoms. This summer's primary elections are making it clear that our rights and freedoms are threatened by the rising power of extremists within the Republican Party.

Consider the Aug. 2 primaries in Arizona. President Joe Biden's 2020 victory in the state sent many Arizona supporters of former President Donald Trump down a deep hole of lies and conspiracy theories about the election. They engineered a ridiculous "audit" that stirred up election-deniers from across the country but failed to

Responsible Republicans defended the election and its outcome, but on Aug. 2, they were outvoted by Trump's troops. Mark Finchem, who claims against all evidence that the election was stolen from Trump, won the nomination to be secretary of state. He has called for the 2020 election to be decertified. He wants to get rid of early voting and restrict voting by mail — and give legislators the power to override voters. Finchem, who was at the Capi-

Guest Columnists

Oath Keepers, the far-right group whose members were involved in planning and leading the assault. A state Republican consultant told The Atlantic, "I would absolutely expect Finchem to both bend the meaning of laws and throw up roadblocks to the normal election procedures." Arizona Republicans have also nominated Blake Masters for the U.S. Senate. Masters' campaign was backed and funded by far-

has openly said he no longer believes in democracy. Masters has blamed gun violence on "Black people." His campaign has generated excitement among the white nationalist crowd that was energized by Trump. The governor's primary is close, but as I wrote this column the day after the election, it appeared that Trump endorsee Kari Lake will win the Republican nomination.

JEALOUS Page 53

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. and Jim Winston

Diversifying Media Ownership Must Become a National Priority

2022 thus far has been a year of multiple socioeconomic and political challenges for all Americans across the nation. Yet for African Americans and other communities of color, this year represents both challenges and opportunities from a business ownership perspective. In particular, for Black-owned media businesses, there is a growing

30 AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022

sense of resilience even in the face of continued profound racial disparities and societal inequities. The communications and media industry in America especially should be one of the leading industries that adopts the "good business" sense to embrace the values and benefits of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). This is

not about charity or benevolence. Diversity is objectively good for business. The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) are working together to encourage the media and advertising industries to become more proactive and committed to diversity from the C-suites to the decision-making managers. But more needs to

be done to increase and to enhance the ownership of media businesses by African Americans and other minorities. Economic equity in media requires equal access to investment capital, technical advances in communications infrastructure, and inclusion in other industry innovations. As increased changes in the racial demographics of the nation continue to accelerate in the United States, American media

must be more representative of the growing diversity of the nation. It is noteworthy, therefore, that one of the recently announced major media mergers has Standard General, a minority-owned firm, pending regulatory reviews and approvals by the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission, acquiring TEGNA, a company owning

CHAVIS/WINSTON Page 52

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnists

Tamika Spellman and Queen Adesuyi

Ward 8 is Leading D.C. in Fatal Drug Overdoses — and In Support for Drug Decriminalization DecrimPovertyDC is a grassroots campaign born out of the need to save lives and improve the health outcomes for people who use drugs, their families and friends and the city as a whole. After decades of the War on Drugs, the outcomes have been punishment, incarceration, the worst fatal overdose rates on record, and lingering penalties that inhibit people from living a healthy and stable life. Last year, we lost nearly 600 Washingtonians to drug overdose. That is more than double those we lost to homicide. 86% of family members, friends,

and neighbors whom we lost to overdose were Black, and one-fifth of those deaths happened in Ward 8. We are in desperate need for a change to the status quo, because treating drug use and addiction as criminal matters have not made our communities healthier or safer. In fact, it is actively contributing to worsened individual and community health outcomes. The DecrimPovertyDC movement is led by HIPS, the Drug Policy Alliance, and nearly 60 local organizations, representing service

Guest Columnist

providers, faith leaders, youth, civil rights activists, organizers, sex workers and more. The coalition, along with countless concerned community members, collaborated on a bill proposal to stop arresting people simply for using or possessing small quantities of drugs, and instead treat it as a public health concern. Collectively, we have been doing footwork in the most impacted communities and with local elected officials to urge D.C. Council to introduce the bill proposal and swiftly bring it up for a hearing.

ANC 8C recently unanimously passed a resolution urging for Council member Trayon White and other council members to swiftly introduce this proposal, noting the state of emergency that we are all in collectively, but especially in Ward 8. Polling data shows that 83% of D.C. voters agree that possession should be decriminalized, and 93% of voters support 24-hour harm reduction centers. Additionally, an overwhelming 96% of Ward 8 voters support the full proposal, encompassing possession decriminalization and

radical reinvestments in health and harm reduction services as necessary steps toward treating drug use as a public health matter. This bill proposal is backed by evidence, and has been intentionally crafted to reflect the changes that community members want to see when it comes to health and safety in the District. The last place a person who is struggling with addiction should be is in a cage. In our fight to improve individual and community health, simply

SPELLMAN/ADESUYI Page 54

Marian Wright Edelman

'We Belong in History'

"History is important. If you don't know history it is as if you were born yesterday. And if you were born yesterday, anybody up there in a position of power can tell you anything, and you have no way of checking up on it." — Howard Zinn Earlier this month, staff at the Children's Defense Fund-Texas joined students, parents, teachers

and coalition members of Teach the Truth: Texans United Against Censorship in Education at a State Board of Education meeting on proposed changes to the state's social studies curriculum. Texas is one of many states reexamining what history schools will be expected and allowed to teach, and when young people were given their turn to speak, current Texas middle school, high school, and college students shared comments like these: "We deserve to have ourselves reflected in the courses we study." "It's important to accurately teach

Guest Columnist

history to prepare your future leaders to make informed decisions with proper historical context. It is just as important for students to understand the diversity of the human experience." "I'm here as a student to ask for a public education system with an accurate representation of the history of America." CDF-Texas Youth Civic Education and Engagement Intern Alisha Tuff put her thoughts this way: "It is time to strengthen African American/ Black, Latino, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, Indigenous, women, and

LGBTQ+ voices in the curriculum. This country was built on the backs of many of these people. It is time to honor all of our experiences. We are going to be the generation that changes things. … We will not allow the whitewashing of our ancestors' experiences to prevail. We have the power to influence education reform, and our collective voices will lead to the education we deserve. We are the protectors of our ancestors' stories. We belong in history, and we will no longer allow our existence and history to be tarnished." I was blessed to have Howard Zinn

as one of my own history professors and mentors at Spelman College. An eloquent chronicler of "The People's History of the United States," the civil rights movement, and the longings of the young and the poor and the weak to be free, he understood and taught us the importance of history. He also taught us to stand up and feel empowered to act and change our own lives and the community and region in which we lived. This is a lesson these students already understand. Young people are speaking

EDELMAN Page 54

Marc H. Morial

Bill Russell Paved the Way for Two Generations of Social Activist Athletes

"Racism cannot just be shaken out of the fabric of society because, like dust from a rug, it dissipates into the air for a bit and then settles right back where it was, growing thicker with time. Police reform is a start, but it is not enough. We need to dismantle broken systems and start over. We need to make our voices

heard, through multiple organizations, using many different tactics. We need to demand that America gets a new rug." — Bill Russell When current NBA players speak out against racism and social injustice, they might face criticism from right-wing media, like Laura Ingram's infamous "shut up and dribble" tirade, but they have the backing of their union and of the league.

That wasn't the case in the 1950s and 1960s when Bill Russell risked not only his livelihood, but his very life, to demand equal treatment and respect. When Milwaukee Bucks players refused to leave their locker room in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake in August 2018, the NBA canceled not only the Bucks' playoff game against the Orlando Magic, but every game that day. The WNBA, Major League Base-

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ball, NHL and Major League Soccer responded with boycotts of their own. Sixty years earlier in 1961, Black players were refused service in their hotel's restaurant just before an exhibition game in Lexington, Kentucky. Russell, along with four of his Black teammates and two Black members of the opposing St. Louis Hawks, walked out, but the game went ahead as scheduled. One of the striking Hawks, rook-

ie Cleo Hill, never played another season. After the walkout, Celtics owner Walter Brown vowed "never to subject my players to that embarrassment again." That was the same year Russell first met a 14-year-old who idolized him: Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who kept a 1956 photo of Russell,

MORIAL Page 54 AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 31

EDITORIAL

Addressing D.C.’s Opioid Overdose Problems

Too often, residents in D.C. who need critical services go without, not because they are denied or due to a lack of resources that the government and private sectors offer. It’s too often due to a lack of information or concerted efforts by providers to do outreach to ensure widespread public awareness about what is specifically available to address those needs. This is not a blame game. We know that funding rarely includes dollars for outreach, leaving providers with a handout begging media organizations to promote their causes for free. We also know that media organizations strive to support causes and engage in community awareness efforts. As a part of their corporate responsibility, they honor their obligation to keep the public informed and to serve as a catalyst for good and positive outcomes. The Washington Informer is no exception. Years ago, we partnered with Rosalind Parker, director of the Ward 5 Drug Coalition, to promote the local, small organization’s efforts to address drug abuse and prevention, primarily in Ward 5. Since then, opioid use and overdoses have increased in D.C., and Parker is emerging from the impact of COVID on her organization’s ability to serve and to request support for initiatives planned around International Opioid Overdose Awareness Day on August 31. Parker reminds us that this year, D.C. is averaging about 30 fatal overdoses a month, and the overdoses are increasing in younger people. Street purchases and an online black market are making available fake pills laced with Fentanyl “that is killing our people,” Parker wrote. Moreover, she added, “we have seen and continue to see over 400 fatal [opioid] overdoses a year . . . twice as many as homicides in DC.” This is a problem and one that Dr. Edwin E. Chapman, a specialist in internal and addiction medicine, testified in March before the House Ways and Means Committee on “Substance Use, Suicide Risk and the American Health System.” Dr. Chapman is championing the impact of telemedicine on the opioid crisis, one that he sees all too closely. In his testimony, he included a photo captioned, “It is far easier to buy fentanyl outside of my office just 2 miles from the U.S. Capitol than to get a legitimate buprenorphine prescription.” Buprenorphine is a replacement drug used to treat heroin and methadone addiction. It should also be noted that the use of Narcan Nasal Spray is also reducing deaths related to opioid overdoses. Still, Parker, Chapman, and others agree that more residents need access and training on how to use it. Drug abuse and addiction are widespread problems with practical solutions. It’s getting those who need help to those who can give it. If it takes a special day to amplify both, let’s all get on board to make a difference. WI

CBC Prepares to Engage America During the 51st Annual Legislative Conference in D.C. After being forced to convene virtually over the past two years due to the COVID pandemic, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation returns to the District in person for its annual policy session that focuses on the issues and challenges facing Black America while seeking strategies to secure greater equity and justice for all Americans, particularly those of color. The 51st Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) will be held Sept. 28 – Oct. 2 with the theme, “Advancing Our Purpose. Elevating Our Power.” The Conference comes at a critical time in our nation’s history as many believe 2022 to be a year which demands action and civic engagement within the Black community as we face a pivotal election season in November. CBCF leaders say 2022 serves as a year of reuniting and focusing on raising our voices and perspectives with pride as we engage and explore policy and today’s most critical issues from a Black perspective. Convening in person for the first since 2019, the Conference, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest, will once again feature signature events including: the Prayer Breakfast, National Town Hall, Phoenix Awards and Black Party. The Washington Informer is honored to be a leading media sponsor for this year’s Conference and promises to have all hands on deck during the five days of formal meetings, informal pow-wows and awards presentations and much, much more. Finally, we salute and pay homage to those brave visionaries who, led by Rep. Charles Diggs (D-Mich.), created the Democracy Select Committee during the late 60s in an effort to bring the few Black members of Congress together for mutual support. In 1971, the Congressional Black Caucus would be established by 13 founding members – trailblazers in every sense of the word. Those founders include: Shirley A. Chisholm, William L. Clay, Sr., George W. Collins, John Conyers, Jr., Ronald V. Dellums, Charles C. Diggs, Jr., Augustus F. Hawkins, Ralph H. Metcalfe, Parren J. Mitchell, Robert N.C. Nix, Sr., Charles B. Rangel, Louis Stokes and Walter E. Fauntroy. It’s time to get busy and to make our voices heard. WI

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TO THE EDITOR Blacks Are Climate Activists, Too Thank you, Washington Informer, for spotlighting African American climate activists. I agree that environmentalism and its advocates are whitewashed, and we don’t see the full scope of the people fighting the good fight. So, it’s important we continue to tell our stories. Black folks are involved in any and all areas of importance despite what the media shows.

Rest In Power Rest in peace to the icons Bill Russell and Nichelle Nichols. It’s incredible what they accomplished in their lifetimes despite the odds against them. We hold our ancestors in high regard because they earned and deserved it — safe passages to the other side, brother and sister. O'dell Armstrong Laurel, Md.

Roger Watson Washington, D.C.

Readers' Mailbox

The Washington Informer welcomes letters to the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to: lsaxton@washingtoninformer. com or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032. Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you.

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LIFESTYLE

3 Executive Chef Angela Rose prepares deviled eggs at Smoke and Mirrors at AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard. Rose oversees the food and beverage operations at the hotel. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer

Veteran Chefs Bring New Flavors to D.C. Area Exciting Dining Options Added to Familiar Neighborhoods Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer Two popular D.C. communities can now taste creative food offerings at new restaurants headed by chefs with proven talent. AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard has named Executive Chef Angela Rose to oversee the hotel’s food and beverage operation which includes: Smoke & Mirrors, a rooftop restaurant and bar with gorgeous city views; the AC Lounge, a first-floor bar serving craft cocktails and Spanish-inspired tapas; and the AC Kitchen, where guests can enjoy European-inspired breakfast. Chef Randall Matthews has made the switch from the fine dining restaurant kitchen to create a “ghost kitchen” at Underground Food Court north of Dupont Circle. A leap of faith explains the moves by both chefs.

WEST TO EAST MOVE FOR CHEF ROSE

Coming from luxury-brand hotels including Seattle’s Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Thompson Hotel and Grand Hyatt, Rose moved to Baltimore for a hotel executive chef opportunity. She was soon recruited by Marriott for the newly-created executive chef opportunity at the AC Hotel. Like many dining establishments, Rose came to her position with a staffing and kitchen equipment deficit but said she’s excited about getting the kitchen well-stocked and beams with pride when describing the team she’s building. “They are full of energy. They want to work,” Rose said. “I have a mentality of I’m going to put my team on my back and we’re going to go. They jump in where it’s needed.” Creating a variety of menu se-

lections represents what Rose envisions for the rooftop environment at Smoke and Mirrors. The menu includes fried shrimp and cornbread waffles, banana bread pancakes, pork belly biscuits and Duck Confit Chilequiles for Saturday and Sunday brunch. She also wants to bring the “shared plates” dining experience to patrons with menu options that reflect a flair for spice honoring her Mexican and African-American heritages. “I’m half Mexican and really close to both of my grandmothers,” Rose said. “For example, my chicken has a chili powder, paprika, cumin and coriander rub, then I just roast it.” Rose has already made strides in building her ground-up operation at the AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard. During our time together, she shared the secret ingredient in her deviled eggs. Visit the Smoke and Mirrors website at https://www.smokeandmirrorsrooftop.com

delivery bag for people who order multiple times because we want customers to know who the chef was.” Matthews plans to introduce more ideas to make takeout a more pleasurable experience. Chef Matthews’ menu standouts include Sincerely Breakfast’s Nana’s Favorite Fried Chicken Biscuit and Masa Taco’s

Smoked Chicken Burrito. Matthews, a well-respected successful chef who most recently served as executive chef at “Ada’s On The River” in Alexandria’s Old Town, Va., graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York. He has made the rounds at luxury-level establishments throughout the mid-At-

lantic and northeast regions. He attributes his success to guidance from mentors and suggested attending meetups for those with similar career interests or going to open enrollment and back-to-school nights at community colleges. The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) has also been a good networking source for Matthews. “Though it might seem like there are a lot of restaurants, being a chef is a small industry,” Matthews said. “We will do events together and invite each other to our restaurants. That way, you learn faces and names per restaurant.” Customers can view menus and order online at www.UndergroundFoodCourt.com WI @bcscomm

GHOST KITCHEN IS ALIVE IN DUPONT CIRCLE

Matthews grew up in District Heights, Md. and now oversees the development of the Underground Food Court, a pick-up or third-party delivery ghost kitchen concept. Ghost kitchens became more popular during the pandemic when dining out options shut down. The Underground Food Court offers a variety of brands including Sincerely Breakfast, Brioche Belly, Tacotopia, The Lonely Taco and Masa Tacos. “There are so many things that go wrong with takeout, like a cold box with cold food,” Matthews said. “We want to give great food from a great chef as a hospitable act. For example, we will put a personal note in the

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AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 33

LIFESTYLE

Celebrating the spirit at Summer Spirit Festival 2022

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LIFESTYLE

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LIFESTYLE

Black Athletes Use Celebrity Status to Speak out on Racism, Sexism

Colin Kaepernick Led the Way By Refusing to Stand During National Anthem James Wright WI Staff Writer

THE METOO MOVEMENT

While Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality and racism has drawn a lot of attention, athletes have also spoken out against sexual harassment and discrimination. Simone Biles, a seven-time gold medal gymnast, told NBC in 2021 that she competed in the Tokyo games to send a message about the wrongness of not punishing disgraced gymnastics coach Larry Nassar enough for his documented sexual and child abuse transgressions. “I just feel like everything that happened, I had to come back to the sport to be a voice, to have change happen,” Biles told NBC News. “Because I feel like if there weren’t a remaining survivor in the sport, they would’ve just brushed it aside.” While Biles eventually withdrew from competition due to mental health problems, her presence and outspokenness on sexual harassment brought a lot of atten-

tion to the issue. Elizabeth Taylor, an associate professor at Temple University who focuses on gender and sexual violence in sports organizations has noticed female athletes are using their platforms to support issues such as pay equity, better working conditions and treatment for sexual and mental abuse, according to the July 2021 edition of The Lilly. “Women are really finding their voice and they’re realizing that their experiences matter,” Taylor said. WI @JamesWrightJr10 4 Colin Kaepernick protests police brutality and racial bigotry in the U.S. by refusing to stand to acknowledge the national anthem prior to kickoff at a football game. (Photo courtesy Britannica.com)

Visit loc.gov/bookfest to learn more. Join us as the National Book Festival returns to the Washington Convention Center Saturday, September 3, from 9 am to 8 pm Conversations with authors

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When then San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand and acknowledge the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality and racist policies which targeted people of color, he ignited a national discussion about the role of athletes in politics and continued the history of sports as a platform for advocating for social change. Dr. Harry Edwards, a retired sports sociologist and scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, thought so much of Kaepernick’s action that in 2020, he suggested the former quarterback receive one of the world’s greatest honors. “I’m eligible to nominate people for the Nobel Peace Prize and I’m going to do that for Kaep,” said Edwards, sportswriter Mark W. Wright reported on his Aug. 27, 2020 LinkedIn page. “[This is] not just because of him but because of all the athletes down through history, going all the way back to our first major Black superstars: Major Taylor, Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis, Jesse Owens and, of course Paul Robeson. All of these great athletes who’ve taken stands at great sacrifice in order to push social justice and human rights, none of them have ever been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. I’m going to do that,” he said. While Kaepernick has not been honored with the Nobel Prize, his refusal to acknowledge the national anthem would be met with retaliation. He became a free agent after the 2016 season and has yet to be signed onto a team. In 2017, President Trump denounced Kaepernick and other NFL players who refused to acknowledge the national anthem and encouraged NFL owners to fire those who protested. The protests of athletes ramped up after the killing of Minneapolis resident George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, 2020. In response, on May 31,

Los Angeles Laker LeBron James wrote on his Twitter page “Why doesn’t America Love US!!!!!!!! TOO.” Washington Mystics guard Natasha Cloud wrote on the Players Tribute on May 30 on Twitter, “Neutrality about Black lives might as well be murder.” NBA Hall of Famer and controlling interest owner of the Charlotte Hornets Michael Jordan expressed his outrage at Floyd’s murder. “I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration,” he said. “I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.” Jordan said he didn’t have the answers “but our collective voices show strength and the inability to be divided by others,” he said. “Our unified voice needs to put pressure on our leaders to change our laws, or else we need to use our vote to create systemic change. Every one of us needs to be part of the solution.”

SEPT. 3 AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 37

LIFESTYLE

‘Hamilton’ Finally Hits the District at the Kennedy Center Thrilling Musical Provides a Different Look at American History Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer I’ve attended performances where the audience buzz was thick with anticipation before the curtain was raised but for “Hamilton,” the anticipation was indescribable. Now at the Kennedy Center Opera House through Oct. 9, the musical focuses on the formative years of America’s independence and political process.

Thank you Lin-Manuel Miranda for your genius in creating the book, music and lyrics using hip-hop, jazz and R&B surrounded by Broadway thrills. All recognition is deserved from Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors. As I imagined, the buzz in the Opera House revealed that the audience was all too familiar with “Hamilton” either from going to see it on Broad-

way or from the movie exclusive that aired on Disney Plus during the early months of the pandemic. The characters were well known – from Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to King George and the Schuyler Sisters. The audience remained eager to hear every lyric sung by this superior cast representing a global community of immigrants. “We just wanted to get on board in terms of musical theater, in terms of representation, in terms of what it means for us to tell the story of these flawed people who created a flawed country with ideas worth chasing to which we have fallen short for 200 years,” said Miranda in an interview with “The Undefeated” now known as “Andscape.” The opening scene was an overview of a uniquely-delivered history lesson. “Hamilton” was like riding a wild horse. Just hold on! As a “Hamilton” newcomer, I looked everywhere and listened to every word of the dialogue in song. It’s a lot for the acting team to take on, especially when the set design includes a turntable that moves the actors around the stage. That was dizzying for me. I cannot imagine

what it was like for the cast to learn that process. Ta'Rea Campbell was Angelica, one of the three Schuyler sisters. Her sister Eliza marries Alexander Hamilton. The close relationship between these two sisters is one of several plots which unfolds within the storyline. As for experiencing the unyielding movement of “Hamilton,” Campbell said there were four weeks of rehearsal before hitting the road. Several actors and members in the ensemble are understudies and in swing roles. Swings can move in and out of any character when necessary. For the performance I attended, Eliza was played magnificently by Vanessa Magula who was an understudy. Her performance showed how you should never dismiss the work of understudies. “Now that we are up and running, we don’t have rehearsals as much unless you are a new person coming in,” Campbell said. “Who would have thought that historical content can come from hip-hop?” “Hamilton” followers already know what’s next as new songs and scenes are featured in the production. For example, whenever King George enters, the lyrics to the songs he sings and his highly-exaggerated facial expressions deliver comic relief.

“They usually applaud him every night. It’s weird when they don’t,” said Campbell, who has also appeared in “The Lion King,” “Sister Act” and other musicals on Broadway and with touring companies. In her role as Angelica, Campbell both raps and then transition her style to one reminiscent of a Broadway diva. She shared how she changes the pace. “It is just like a song. If you’re a singer or do musical theater, you are used to learning lyrics,” Campbell said about rapping. “You have to be comfortable with it so that if there’s any outside influence like I trip on my dress, I won’t be deterred.” The cast performs in authentically-designed costumes. Shoes, coats, vests, dresses with a bum roll and corsets mean a lot of heaviness when moving around the stage. And from the audience’s reaction to everything about “Hamilton,” the cast clearly felt the love from fans. “It stimulates the mind, spirit, heart and senses,” said audience member Clyde Nelson, a District resident and Fairfax County school teacher. For more information, visit www. Kennedy-Center.org WI @bcscomm

FRI, AUG 19 Tickets On Sale Now!

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5 “Hamilton” continues at the Kennedy Center through October 9. The Schuyler Sisters are a pivotal component in the musical’s storyline. (L-R) Stephanie Jae Park is Eliza who is married to Alexander Hamilton, Ta’Rea Campbell is Angelica and Paige Smallwood is Peggy. (Photo courtesy Joan Marcus)

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LIFESTYLE

Ebony/Jet Photo Archive Given to Smithsonian African American Museum Ford, Mellon, MacArthur Foundation Transfer Ownership to NMAAHC & Getty Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer The acclaimed Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) that produced the iconic Ebony and JET magazines documenting decades of Black life in America has a new home. The Ford Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Mellon Foundation, announced on July 28 the official transfer of ownership of the archive to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and the Getty Research Institute, a program of the Getty Trust. The photographic archives of JPC include more than three million photo negatives and slides, 983,000 photographs, 166,000 contact sheets, and 9,000 audio and visual recordings, representing one of the most comprehensive collections documenting Black culture in the 20th century. While the collection will be housed primarily at NMAAHC, a portion of the JPC archive pertinent to the history and culture of Chicago — where the company was headquartered — will remain in Chicago permanently for ongoing conservation and select exhibitions and programming. “The consortium is pleased to assure that this historic treasure is available to be viewed and studied in perpetuity,” Jim Cuno, president of the J. Paul Getty Trust said. “Both Getty and the Smithsonian have worked diligently for the past three years to safely house the Johnson Publishing archive, begin the digital archiving process and to plan for the archive’s future, so that these vital histories can be freely

shared with everyone.” The Getty Trust has committed $30 million in support for the archive’s processing and digitization— an “essential step in the critical work of making this preeminent collection available and searchable to scholars, researchers, journalists, and the general public.” Considered staples in Black homes across the nation, Ebony and Jet were the first publications to fill the gap in the lack of Black representation in popular culture and media. From World War II through the Civil Rights movement and the cultural boom of the 1980s and 1990s, the archive reveals myriad facets of the Black experience, foundation leaders said. It allows viewers to consider American life of the last century through the eyes of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Maya Angelou, Shirley Chisholm, and scores of Black activists, artists, athletes and everyday people. The archive also reveals the processes and editorial practices of the publishing company, founded in 1942 by John H. Johnson. “For decades, Ebony and Jet documented stories of Black celebrity, fashion, and the Civil Rights Movement and provided an opportunity for African Americans to see an authentic public representation of themselves while also offering the world a fuller view of the African American experience,” Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon Director of NMAAHC said. “Our museum is proud that this significant and iconic collection of African American images will be housed in our museum and preserved for generations to study, observe and enjoy.” WI

5 Entertainer Eartha Kitt in an undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Johnson Publishing Company Archive)

Our Beloved Diane J. Fleming August 13, 1942-November 6, 2021 On her birthday, which would have been August 13, we fondly remember her amazing, gracious and beautiful presence in our lives. Always and ForeverHer son, Lewis B. Fleming; sisters, Claudia Head, and Deborah Nix; brother, William Davis; niece, Jenene Lee; cousins Patricia and David Mays; and best friend, Yvonne Moore

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AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 39

Jacques Cousteau’s invention of the Aqua-Lung allowed more and more people to explore and enjoy the wonders of the underwater world. The Aqua-Lung would eventually be called SCUBA gear. Today, millions of people worldwide enjoy SCUBA diving. CROSS OUT THE LETTERS Z AND Y TO REVEAL WHAT SCUBA MEANS:

Jacques Cousteau introduced people to the beauty of the undersea world.

ZSELYFCOZNTYAIYNEDZUNYDZERZW AYTERZBREAYTHIZNGAPZPARYATUS

hen he was four years old, Jacques Cousteau learned to swim. Little did his family know that swimming would lead him to a life of adventure, discovery and joy.

hat hidden here!

=A =C =L =O

=P =S =V =Y

As an adult, Cousteau transformed a navy ship into a research vessel he and his crew used to explore the world’s oceans. He named it after the Greek goddess of the sea. Use the code to discover the name.

In the Navy Replace the missing words.

fter high school, Jacques ________ the Navy. With his movie camera, he filmed pearl divers and men __________ fish with their bare hands. Soon he put his movie camera inside a waterproof ______ and filmed movies of the wonders under the sea.

Movie Kid Jacques loved movies. But not just to watch them. He wanted to

make them. At 13 years old, Jacques saved his allowance, penny by penny, until he could buy a small home-movie camera.

The more time Jacques spent _______________, the longer he wanted to stay. He and his friends practiced ___________ their breath for longer and longer times.

Then he made as many movies as he could. He liked to dress up as a villain with a painted-on mustache.

But Jacques wanted more _______ underwater. To be able to do that, he invented something that would let him _____________ underwater. He called it the Aqua-Lung. Aqua means water, and our lungs are the part of our body that breathes. The Aqua-Lung let Jacques breathe beneath the water so he could ____________ for longer periods of time.

How many fish can you count on this page while holding your breath? Have a friend try. Who held their breath the longest?

He needed a boat to travel and explore bodies of water around the world. He found a used naval ship and turned it into an explorer’s ship. For the rest of his life, Jacques traveled the world, explored, studied and made films about the wonders of the underwater world.

Sadly, as time went on, Jacques saw underwater plants and animals dying. He saw that when people dumped garbage and chemicals into the ocean, it poisoned the animals and plants he loved so much. He started to make movies to warn people of the dangers of pollution. His movies have raised money and helped people understand the importance of saving our oceans.

Explore the News

Look through your newspaper to find: Something that needs water. A place you’d like to visit someday. Five numbers that add up to 100. A picture of an animal. A headline that is three inches wide.

Standards Link: Use a variety of media including newspapers.

Standards Link: Read biographical text.

ADVENTURE AWARDS BREATH CAMERA DANGERS DIVING EXPLORE FISH GOGGLES INVENTION OCEAN PEARL SCUBA SEA WONDERS

H F S I P N F S B A T S D N L H R A E E

A C R V F E N R X S

E U A E G P A E P G

R B W N D L E M L O B A A T F N C A O G L D F I L U O C R G

O Q S O M K S W E L T H G N I V I D Y E

E R U T N E V D A S

Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

Look through the newspaper for an article about scientific developments or research. Find the answers: Who are the scientists conducting the research? What kind of science is involved? How will this help humans? Standards Link: Cite evidence in text to respond to questions.

Explorer’s Journal

Pretend you are exploring a country you have never visited. Where would you go? Write a journal entry.

KID SCOOP IS SPONSORED BY

40 AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022

Science in the News

Explorer, Moviemaker, Environmentalist s Jacques Cousteau spent longer periods of time underwater, he could make longer, more informative movies. Soon, his movies were getting attention and awards around the world. People wanted more.

One day, while swimming at a beach, a friend gave Jacques a pair of goggles with rubber rims to keep out water. With these, Jacques was able to see fish, shells, plants—a whole Find a cup, pencil, glove and new world under the sea.

Find the two identical mustaches.

Cousteau an creatures on t Follow th

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LIFESTYLE

wi book review "What the Children Told Us: The Untold Story of the Famous 'Doll Test' and the Black Psychologists Who Changed the World" by Tim Spofford c.2022, Sourcebooks $26.99 368 pages s

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer What was your favorite possession when you were a child? Of course, you remember it, the weight of it in your hands, the way it fit your fingers, the envy of your peers, the pretending fun of it, and the security of knowing it would be waiting for you after school. Toys are essential in childhood, important in some adulthoods, and in the new book "What the Children Told Us" by Tim Spofford, they're key in understanding racism and inequality. Kenneth and Mamie Clark had both grown up with the benefits that Black middle-class life bestowed on its members in the 1930s and '40s. Still, they were both grad students when they eloped and after their marriage, his research and her job kept them in different cities. Her family didn't approve of him; Kenneth was driven, Mamie was focused, and in those Jim Crow years, they both keenly understood the effects that racism has on the human psyche. Rather than let it deter them, though, they complemented and supported one another and used that inequality to form their careers. In 1939, Mamie began studying the effects of racism on young children, determining that self-awareness of race was set by age 4, and publishing three articles on findings that gained attention from established psychologists. The following year, Kenneth, who'd become quite passionate about psychology himself, helped Mamie to set parameters for a project based on some of the data that "gnawed at" her. He also found the main ingredients for that project: four plastic baby dolls, identical except for their color. Then the Clarks invited 253 Black children ages 3 to 8 to a conference room in an integrated school in the North and in the segregated South, and they asked the children a question: which doll — the white one or the brown one — looked more like you? Two-thirds of the Black children chose the white doll. Questions. You're going to have a bunch of them, once you're finished with "What the Children Told Us." The first one will be: why haven't the Clarks taken their place next to other influential people in Black history? The answer may be because most stories stop at the "doll test," but not this one. Author Tim Spofford tells this decadeslong story almost in three pieces: the Clarks' backstory, which unspools pleasantly like an old-time movie; the "doll test" years in which the study was refined and processed; and the Clarks' many years after the test which, quite surprisingly, were so important that they almost turn everything else into a footnote. Indeed, readers who have, until now, been unfamiliar with the work of Mamie and Kenneth Clark will have their eyes opened. Spofford takes us well past a nationally shocking study to the streets, schools, the White House and into history. It's a story you need to read, and it may leave you with more pesky questions. It may also inspire you because this is that kind of book. "What the Children Told Us" shows that heroes exist and activism is not child's play. WI

horoscopes

AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022

ARIES You could feel more compelled than usual to team up with colleagues on an ambitious project when the week begins. Pinpointing a bold goal and aiming for a collaborative effort across the board can lay the groundwork for everyone to benefit from a positive result. Midweek, the cosmos bumps up your curiosity in social settings and offers you even more fulfillment than usual when you connect intellectually with friends and partners. Lucky Numbers: 9, 36, 46 TAURUS You'll be inspired to get even more assertive and laser focused on what you want professionally when the week starts. Your main goal right now is to be recognized and rewarded by higher-ups for all your hard work. You'll do well to showcase just how progressive and forward thinking you can be (even if you generally prefer to stick to a tried-and-true approach). Lucky Numbers: 19, 35, 53 GEMINI Your appetite for learning, growing, and evolving is sure to be cranked up a notch at the beginning of the week. Harness this enthusiasm and sign up for an online class that will allow you to boost your skill set. From there, you might be in an improved position to advance your career. Lucky Numbers: 5, 40, 41 CANCER At the start of the week, carving out time to get in touch with your most intuitive, psychic side could be especially beneficial to your personal growth. Communicating and dreaming about spiritual pursuits (like Tarot or journaling sessions) on your own or with loved ones could prove truly eye-opening and revelatory. Lucky Numbers: 13, 15, 54 LEO You might be fired up to spearhead an exciting and bold project with your significant other or a close friend at the start of the week. If you pair up on whatever it is you've set your sights on, you're sure to get more done. But watch out for digging in your heels on a perfect vision that might not be replicated in real life. Lucky Numbers: 11, 32, 47 VIRGO Pouring more energy into your everyday schedule and cultivating healthful habits can feel far more possible than usual early in the week. You have the bandwidth now to experiment and add more workouts or try new recipes. Be sure to enjoy at least a daily dose of fresh air to fuel you even further. Lucky Numbers: 2, 10, 44 LIBRA Don't be surprised if you find yourself craving more lighthearted, playful energy as the week begins. You might even feel like your inner fire has been lit, and you'll stop at nothing to make your fantasies a reality. It's really the perfect time to embrace self-expression and speak straight from your heart to loved ones and your significant other or potential partner. Lucky Numbers: 23, 29, 45 SCORPIO You could feel like throwing yourself into a wide variety of ambitious projects around your house at the start of the week. Enlist loved ones to work with you to do that deep cleaning or redecorate the family room and you could bolster bonds all around as a result. Lucky Numbers: 15, 17, 38 SAGITTARIUS At the beginning of the week, you might feel more compelled to tackle all those everyday to-dos that have been stacking up in your brain. You'll be shooting off responses, taking video conferences, and generally pursuing all your goals on a daily basis. Fostering your intellectual bond with friends and loved ones feels tremendously gratifying. Lucky Numbers: 27, 48, 49 CAPRICORN No doubt you've been going through an emotional, possibly even transformative, time, but you can look forward to the start of this week. You'll feel driven and laser focused on achieving successful results related to your business or personal goals, and you'll know it's possible. What's more, this can feel like an especially fortunate moment during which the planets are on your side. You won't necessarily be the same as you were yesterday, but that could be a cause for celebration. Lucky Numbers: 4, 49, 45 AQUARIUS Standing up for your beliefs and values comes even more organically when the week begins. Whether you've wanted to get involved in an issue that's close to your heart or have a crucial conversation about your professional goals with a higher-up, you have the assertive energy to make it happen now. Lucky Numbers: 16, 27, 39 PISCES You'll have the green light to connect with loved ones in a way that warms your heart at the start of the week. Spending time close to home and bonding over traditions both old and new, can offer you a helpful perspective on the importance of your relationships and the everyday things that bring you security. Lucky Numbers: 5, 18, 31

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SPORTS Mystics/Commanders On the Move 4 Myisha Hines-Allen (2) drives to the basket during a Washington Mystics loss to the Los Angeles Sparks 76-79 at the Entertainment Sports Arena in Southeast on August 7. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

5 Jahan Dotson (1) goes up for a catch during the Washington Commanders

practice at Inova Sports and Performance Center at FedEx Field in Landover on August 6. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

6 Shakira Austin (0) leaps for the jump ball during a Washington Mystics loss to the Los Angeles Sparks 76-79 at the Entertainment Sports Arena in Southeast on August 7. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

5 A great number of Washing-

ton Commanders fans showed up for practice at Inova Sports and Performance Center at FedEx Field in Landover on August 6. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer) 3 Chase Young (99) greets

4 Elena Delle Donne (11) shoots during a Washington Mystics loss to the Los Angeles Sparks 76-79 at the Entertainment Sports Arena in Southeast on August 7. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

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fans during the Washington Commanders practice at the Inova Sports and Performance Center at FedEx Field in Landover on August 6. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 43

MIGRANTS from Page 1 their families. But Bowser said such a course of action doesn’t work for migrants arriving in D.C., many of whom find themselves stranded near Union Station and without resources. On Friday, August 5, Bowser revealed her office’s attempt to submit more of a specific request to the DOD. She also expressed her hope that Beltway politics will not further complicate efforts to ensure safe passage for migrants as they make their way

from the U.S. border. “[W]e want to work with the Department of Defense so they understand our operational needs and political considerations are not part of their decision,” Bowser said. “When D.C.’s mayor says, in the past and future, they need the D.C. National Guard, we need fair consideration.” In 2020, D.C. permanently became a sanctuary city with the passage of the Sanctuary Values Act, which restricts cooperation between the D.C. government and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The legisla-

THE WASHINGTON CONVENTION AND SPORTS AUTHORITY T/A EVENTS DC BID ANNOUNCEMENT The Washington Convention and Sports Authority t/a Events DC is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide interior and exterior waterproofing, leak repair, expansion joint and trench drain replacement, and general contractor services, on an as-needed basis. Interested parties may view a copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) by accessing the Event DC’s E-Procurement website at www.wcsapex.com and opening APEX BID #22-S-011-781. Key Dates RFP Release Date: Monday, August 8, 2022 Site Visit:

12:00 PM EST Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Proposal Due Date: 3:00 PM EST Thursday, September 8, 2022

tion means police and other agencies cannot share information with ICE and prohibits correction facilities from serving as ICE detention facilities. The legislation also amended a loophole that allowed ICE and U.S. Marshals to detain immigrants outside of D.C. Superior Court. Over the last few months, faith and community groups, with financial assistance from FEMA, have stepped to the plate to provide food and housing to migrants. However, Bowser remains resolute in acquiring the D.C. National Guard for more of a centralized and long-term response. For some, the DOD’s denial brought to mind a similar situation that unfolded on January 6, 2021. Unlike her counterparts in U.S. states and territories, Bowser has no control of her jurisdiction’s National Guard. On January 6, she had to submit a request for District national guard troops. As the Pentagon mulled over the request, legions of men and women who've come to be known as J6ers, overwhelmed local and U.S. Capitol police forces. Last month, the U.S. House passed the District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act, which would cede control of the D.C. National Guard to the mayor. That legislation, which had been approved in the House for the second time since January 6, 2021, counted as an amendment to the

5 Mayor Muriel Bowser’s request for help from the DC National Guard to process incoming migrants from Texas and Arizona has been denied. (WI File Photo)

fiscal year 2023 National Defense Amendment Act (NDAA). Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who co-introduced the amendment with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Congressman Anthony Brown (D-Md), celebrated the milestone as a step in the right direction for District residents. “The D.C. National Guard Home Rule Act simply gives the District’s chief executive the same

authority afforded to governors of states and territories over their guards,” Norton, Maloney and Brown said in a statement. “This bill might have ended the insurrection hours earlier on January 6th and would afford D.C. a critical element of home rule as it moves toward statehood. We will fight to include this provision in the final fiscal year 2023 NDAA.” WI @SamPKCollins

LEE MONTESSORI PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) Special Education Services Lee Montessori Public Charter School (PCS) is seeking proposals from companies to provide Special Education Services (described below) at our 3025 4th St. NE campus and 2345 R St SE campus.

FEDERAL SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Proposals are due by Friday, August 26 2022 at 3:00pm ET and should be sent via email to Josh McComas (joshua@leemontessori.org), Deputy Director of Operations, and Eboni Akingbe (eboni@leemontessori.org), Director of Special Education.

Projects: John F Kennedy Center 3 Projects

Please reach out to Josh McComas (joshua@leemontessori.org) to request a full copy of the scope of work.

Power Outage Deficiencies 8/17/2022 Noon

For additional information or questions, please contact: Eboni Akingbe Director of Special Education 3025 4th St. NE Washington, DC 20017 202-779-9740 eboni@leemontessori.org

44 AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022

AC-50R Replacement 8/17/2022 Noon Plaza Level Finishes Replacement bid date 8/22/2022@10AM Encouraging all SBE, SDB, Hubzone, SDVOSB, SDB,WOSB Email Michelle Evans: mevans@consigli.com for documents and questions

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RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Life-Changing Principles: The Sixth Sense

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. — Gallatians 6:9 Animals put their tails between their legs when they feel something is not right. Far too many of us put our tails between our legs, yet we keep going, ignoring all signs that this is a no-no! This man is so handsome, or this woman looks like she came from my dream — you can't resist. Yet in the end, he/ she is abusive, treating you like you're nothing, all because you did not listen to your sixth sense. This is the final principle in Napoleon Hill's book "Think and Grow Rich," which has an entire chapter titled "The Sixth Sense." Remember, Hill researched these principles for 20 years to find out what makes one person successful and another one not. In this principle of the sixth sense, Hill reminds us how we all have a sixth sense — hunches, inklings, thoughts that keep coming back. Things you're destined to do, if you only heed the call and begin to take action. When we get a sense that someone is pretending to be our friend, yet they are faking; when you feel your husband or wife is cheating on you; you feel the need to give a phone call to someone that ends up being a time when they really need you — that, my friend, is your sixth sense at work. As Christians, this is a discerning spirit, the Holy Spirit. Notice the book title, "Think and Grow Rich." This chapter is a culmination of all of the chapters. Every chapter and every action begins with what it is we are thinking and governs what we choose to

do with those thoughts, once they come forth. According to Hill, once you've mastered the first 12 principles, you can now go through the door to the Temple to Wisdom and tap into your sixth sense — infinite intelligence. It is quite simple. As Hill states over and over again, "Whatever the mind of man can conceive, he can achieve." This book has helped millions of people learn how to make their dreams become a reality by simply "walking by faith, and not by sight." As you followed the past 12 weeks, did you notice Scriptures were always applied? In fact, 2nd Corinthians 5:7 is the lead Scripture for these 13 weeks of study: "For we walk by faith, not by sight." There will be times when things won't make sense as you travel along this journey toward where God is leading you. You will have to trust God and continue to move forward. I call it your "yellow brick road." Do your part. Desire something, believe you can have it, then see yourself in possession of whatever it is you desire — that's called faith. See yourself running your business, see yourself married to a wonderful husband or wife, see yourself driving that new Jaguar you want, see yourself graduating

Promised Land Baptist Church Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant Pastor

401 Van Buren St., NW, Washington D.C. 20012 Office (202)-882-8331 Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331 Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday

"Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ." Website: Theplbc.org Email: churchclerk@theplbc.org

from college. See the dream as if it is already a reality, by faith, not by sight. Weaknesses hinder you from getting to your destination. We all have some, but strengthen yourself, e.g., seeking more training or a mentors. Cast your care upon the Lord. Pray, stay positive; don't get jealous of others who don't have your problems. God has a plan just for you. Don't compare your life to others. Be committed, especially when it's hard to do. Psalm 37:3, says "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this." Though this is the final principle, it is no good unless all of the others are at work! Practice walking by faith and not by sight, and allow the Lord Jesus to "order your steps" all along the way! We must not quit — keep going as God keeps directing your path. Finally, you will reach the other side. Never give up. Do not be weary in well-doing, in due season you shall reap. The Word say that we're the head and not the tail; our faith moves mountains, allowing God to speak to you through the Holy Spirit, your Sixth Sense. WI

(301) 864-6070

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Adams Inspirational A.M.E.Church Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness / Senior Pastor Rev. Ali Gail Holness-Roland / Assistant & Youth Pastor

12801 Old Fort Road • Ft. Washington, MD 20744 Office (301) 292.6323 • FAX (301) 292.2164 Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:15 am Sunday Church School 11:00 am Youth Sunday every 4th Sunday Prayer Call @ Noon every Tuesday & Thursday 978.990.5166 code: 6166047# Virtual Bible Study Wednesday Facebook & Zoom 7:00 pm “A Growing Church for a Coming Christ” www.adamsinspirationalamec.org

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AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 45

RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church

Pilgrim Baptist Church

Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor

Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor

9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 / Fax: 301-499-8724

700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849

Service and Times Sunday Worship Times : 7:30 AM 7 10:00 AM Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon Bible Study in homes: Tuesday 7:00 PM Website: www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com Motto: “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”

Blessed Word of Life Church

Service and Times Worship Sundays: 7:30 & 11:00 AM 5th Sundays: 9:30 AM 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 PM www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ

Church of Living Waters

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew Assistant Pastor 4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464 Service and Times Sunday Service: 8:30am& 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday www.livingwatersmd.org

St. Stephen Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., / Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave., SE - Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 / Fax: (202) 889-2198 - www.acamec.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 8:00am and 11:00 AM Sunday Church School - 9:15am & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30 AM 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study: 10:00 AM Tuesday Topical Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Children’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Thursday Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service: 6:30 PM Saturday Adult Bible Study: 10:00 AM “The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”

Third Street Church of God

Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors

Reverend William Young IV Pastor

Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Senior Pastor

Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor

4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax

3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) / (202) 562-4219 (Fax)

5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555 Services and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship: 7:45 AM Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45 AM Tuesday: 7:00pm/Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday , 12:30 PM Mid-Day Bible Study Wednesday: Prayer/Praise/Bible Study-7:30 PM Baptism & Communion Service: 4th Sunday – 10:30 AM

1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-347-5889 office / 202-638-1803 fax

Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion Service: First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study: Tuesday, 6:30 PM www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org E-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Campbell AME Church Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White 2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 AM Bible Study Wednesday: 12:00 Noon Wednesday: 7:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 PM “Reaching Up To Reach Out” Mailing Address : Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020

Turning Hearts Church Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher 421 Alabama Ave. SE Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202-746-0113 Fax: 301-843-2445 Service and Times Sunday School: 10:15 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11;15 AM Children’s Church: 11:15 AM Tuesday Bible Study: 6:30 PM Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment” Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org Email: gr8luv4u2@gmail.com

46 AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022

Services and Times Sundays: 10:00am Worship Services Bible Study: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM) Sunday School: 9:00 AM – Hour of Power “An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantdc.org

Twelfth Street Christian Church Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor (Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW - Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion every Sunday: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 10:00 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 12 Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday: 6:30 PM Motto: “Discover Something Wonderful” Website: 12thscc.org / Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

“We are one in the Spirit” www.ssbc5757.org / E-mail: ssbc5757@verizon.net

www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org

800 I Street, NE - Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 - Fax No. 202-548-0703 Service and Times Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:45 AM Men’s Monday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00 PM Women’s Ministry Bible Study: 3rd Friday -7:00 PM Computer Classes: Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org / “God is Love”

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.; Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax

Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6:00 AM & 6:30 PM Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church / Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org / emailus@gmchc.org

Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 - Fax: (202) 526-1661 Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Church School: 9:20 AM Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 PM Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!” Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net

St Marks Baptist Come Worship with us... Dr. Raymond T. Matthews Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011 Services and Times Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service: 6:45 PM Thur. Bible Study: 7:15 PM

Reverend John W. Davis Pastor 5101 14th Street, NW / Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202-726-2220 Fax: 202-726-9089 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service - 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Children’s Church - 11:00 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays) Communion - 10 a.m. 4th Sunday Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. (4th Sunday 8:15 a.m.) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m. “A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org

headline and photo for Mount Olivet LIF - MALCOLMXLutheran Church DAY John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.

901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423

1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005

themcbc.org

“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital”

Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan Pastor

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Reverend Dr. Paris L Smith, Sr. Senior Pastor

Service and Times Sunday Church School : 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:10 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00 PM Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00 PM Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10:10 AM

Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM

Crusader Baptist Church

Service and Times Divine Worship, Sunday 10:00 a.m. Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday “Friendliest Church in the City” Website: mountolivetdc.org Email: mtolivedc@gmail.com

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

RELIGION

Shabbath Commandment Church Bishop Adrian A. Taylor, Sr. Pastor 7801 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-534-5471 Service and Times Sabbath School 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 AM Service 11:00 AM Praise & Worship Preaching 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Motto: “A Church Keeping It Real for Real.” Website: Shabbathcommandmentchruch.org Email: Praisebetoyhwh@gmail.com

Zion Baptist Church Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor 4850 Blagdon Ave, NW - Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 - Fax (202) 291-3773 Service and Times 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School 10:15 a.m. – Worship Service Wed. Noon: Dea. Robert Owens Bible Study 7 PM Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Sunday, Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission: Zion shall: Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, And Exalt our Savior. (Acts 2: 41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org

St. Luke Baptist Church Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute: Wednesday - 1:30 PM Prayer Meeting: Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

All Nations Baptist Church Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor 2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591 Service and Times Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education / School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

Israel Baptist Church

Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor 2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730 Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Baptismal Service: 1st Sunday – 9:30 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday – 11:00 AM Prayer Meeting & Bible Study: Wednesday -7:30 PM “Where Jesus is the King”

Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor 2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office / (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Moving Faith Forward” 0% Perfect . . . 100% Forgiven! Service and Times Sunday Worship: 8:00 AM & 10:45 AM Baptism/Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30 PM Prayer Service: Tuesdays – 8:00 PM www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church

Rev. Lance Aubert Imterim Pastor

Rev. Richard B. Black Interim Pastor

Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor

1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288

1301 North Carolina Ave. N E Washington, D C 20002 202 543 1318 - lincolnpark@lpumcdc.org www.lpumcdc.org

5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005

Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:45 AM Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 PM Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 PM Bible Study: Tuesday at 10:30 AM

Mount Moriah Baptist Church Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM Holy Communion: First Sunday 10:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30 PM Motto: "Faith On The Hill"

Service and Times Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 PM Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 PM Prayer/Seeking: Wednesday at 8:00 PM Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42

New Commandment Baptist Church

Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 - Fax: 202-544-2964

8213 Manson Street Landover, MD 20785 Tel: (301) 322-9787 Fax: (301) 322-9240

13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 AM and 10:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 AM & 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:30 AM Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon & 6:30 PM Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 PM Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 PM

Service and Times Early Morning Message: 7:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 9:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM Prayer, Praise and Testimony: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11 AM Sunday School: 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study: Wed. 7 PM

Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org

St. Matthews Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church

King Emmanuel Baptist Church

Rehoboth Baptist Church

Reverend Peter R. Blue Sr. Pastor

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

2001 Brooks Drive District Heights MD. 20744 240.838.7074

621 Alabama Ave., S.E.- Washington, D.C. 20032 P: (202) 561-1111 - F: (202) 561-1112

Service and Times Sunday Worship Experience: 10:15am Sunday School: 9:00am Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Morning Noontime Bible Study: Tuesday @ 12:00pm Prayer Meeting/Bible Study: Tuesday @7:00pm Theme: "Building On A Firm Foundation"

Service and Times Sunday Service: 10:00 AM Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 AM 1st Sunday Baptism: 10:00 AM 2nd Sunday Holy Communion:10:00 AM Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting: 7:45 PM

Email: revprbstmbc@gmail.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org

Motto: “Where God is First and Where Friendly People Worship”

“Real Worship for Real People” Website: www.easterncommunity.org Email: ecc@easterncommunity.org

“A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”

Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958

Shiloh Baptist Church

Dr. Joseph D. Turner / Senior Pastor 2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Early Worship Service: 8:00 AM Worship Service: 11:00 AM New Member’s Class: 9:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday, 11:00 AM Church School: 9:45 AM Wednesday 12:00pm Bible Study Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: 7:00 PM Saturday Bible Study: 11:00 AM Baptism 4th Sunday: 11:00 AM “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”

Peace Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Prayer & Bible Study Class: 8:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Service: 12:00 PM “The Loving Church of the living lord “

Kelechi Ajieren Coordinator 6839 Eastern Avenue, R1 Takoma Park, MD 20912 (202) 556-7065 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Friday Evening Service: 7:00 PM ; Last Friday “…Giving Your Life a Meaning” www.Christembassydc.org Christ.embassy.dc@hotmail.com

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 PM Prayer Service Bible Study

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor

Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor

9th & P Street, N.W. - W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4288

602 N Street NW - Washington, D.C. 20001 Office:(202) 289-4480 Fax: (202) 289-4595

2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 - Fax: (202) 529-7738 Service and Times Worship Service: 7:30 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30AM & 10:30 AM Prayer Services:Tuesday 7:30 PM. Wednesday 12 Noon

www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org

Service and Times First Sunday Worship Service (one service): 10:00 AM Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sunday Worship service: 7:45 AM and 10:55 AM Sunday Church School/Bible Study: 9:30 AM Thursday Prayer Service: 6:30 PM

All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.

Email: sbc@shilohbaptist.org Website: shilohbaptist.org

Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist

Baptist Church

Email Address: admin@pbc712.org

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest

them include: Schedule a “self-care” day once a week to relax your mind and body. Talk with a trained, licensed Holy Trinity Florida Avenue professional versus your best United Baptist Baptist Church friend, family member or spirituChurch al leader who doesn’t practice as a mental health or other Dr. Earl D. Trent Rev. Dr.therapist George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor Senior Pastor related professions. 4504 Gault Place, N.E. / Washington, D.C 20019 Become vulnerable in yourself 623 Florida Ave.. NW - WDC. 20001 202-397-7775 – 7184 Church (202) 667-3409 / Study (202) 265-0836 as a way to establish boundaries. Home Study (301) 464-8211 / Fax (202) 483-4009 Service and Times “You were probably taught to Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM hold stuffSunday in and out,” Service and Times AM said Worshipact Serviceit: 11:00 Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 AM Jay, whose The Lord’sassists Supper 1st Sunday firm companies Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 AM Prayer & Praise Services: Wednesday 7:00 PM refocus Holy Communion: Every First Sunday and individuals Bible Study: 7:30 PM their viIntercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 PM before 4th Sunday Men, Women, sion to Saturday improve customer service, Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 PM Youth Discipleship Ministries: 10:30 AM diversity and other skills. Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 PM Christ Centered Church Noonday Prayer Every Thursday “We have Abeen taught to perhtubc@comcast.net form as opposed to heal. The only way we can heal is to know where Matthews we are,” Jay said. WI Christ Embassy DC Memorial @WJFjabariwill

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Service and Times Sunday School for All Ages: 8:00 AM Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 AM Midday Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 11:30AM Evening Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 PM Laymen's League: Thursday 7:00 PM Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “

Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.

AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 47

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DCFEMS Sergeant Paramedic Jadonna Sanders, one of the four women filing the suit, said this legal action follows previous attempts to hold DCFEMS accountable. By the time she met Attorney Pamela Keith at a town hall earlier this year, Sanders had already contacted the firefighters union, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), Attorney General Karl Racine and the entire D.C. Council. She said only D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) responded. Years ago, when she laterally transferred from a paramedic to a firefighter paramedic and received a promotion to the Fire Investigation Unit, Sanders didn’t receive the 15% pay bump awarded to her colleagues. This happened even though she maintained paramedic certifications as outlined in a union collective bargaining agreement. Sanders said the discrimination continued well into the present day when DCFEMS ignored Sanders’ petition to place her and her daughter, who recently joined the force, in separate shifts, as has been mandated by the department to prevent substantial loss of life in one family or household. The ongoing situation has made Sanders uncertain about her future as a firefighter. “I wanted to go up the ladder but there was a standstill because I was afraid of the racism and discriminatory practices,” said Sanders, a 21year FEMS member who received a promotion to sergeant last December. “Because I was so outspoken about the practices, it deterred me from becoming an officer sooner,” Sanders added. “I always said I need to fight this fight. It hasn’t been easy going through the profession. I just want to move up to help as many people who are like me.” The FEMS lawsuit has been filed amid litigation around a similar suit that 10 Black female police officers filed against the Metropolitan Police Department. Attorney Keith, who’s also representing the plaintiffs in that case, said the judge should be making a decision in December on a partial motion MPD filed to dismiss the suit. Other plaintiffs named in the FEMS lawsuit include Shalonda Smith, Takeva Thomas and Bolatito “Bebe” Ajose, each of whom have decades of experience in the

(Courtesy photo)

department. They are seeking $10 million compensation for mental and emotional distress incurred, along with the loss of compensation accumulated over several years. According to the lawsuit, Smith, Thomas and Ajose received writeups for what had become innocuous and common practices taught to them by senior-level officials in the department. In 2007, the DCFEMS disciplinary board suspended Sanders for 12 hours after she submitted a report denying that a Black male colleague spat on a white colleague during an altercation. Four years later, DCFEMS leadership penalized Sanders for helping co-workers resuscitate a four-year-old child experiencing cardiac arrest. Once internal investigations open, firefighters facing disciplinary action can expect the process to last up to a year, during which they lose opportunities for promotion and overtime pay. DCFEMS Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Donelan said the department cannot comment on pending litigation. In 1990, DC FEMS settled a class-action lawsuit that alleged systemic racial discrimination against African Americans. Years later, another lawsuit focused on a group of female firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who officials forced to have an abortion

to keep their job. DC FEMS also settled that case and the women received more than $100,000 in damages. Keith, an employment attorney and CEO of the Center for Employment Justice, said African-American women and other women of color continue to experience discrimination within the fire department to this day. While she described the lawsuit as the first step in addressing a pattern, Keith encouraged advocacy groups, like the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters, to draft policies that prohibit discriminatory practices from occurring in fire departments and other institutions. “It’s not an isolated incident or a series of incidents but a pattern . . . in which Black women are denied job development opportunities, paid less and disciplined far more harshly and retaliated against when they do complain,” Keith said. “That’s endemic to a lot of enterprises in D.C. Some women had the courage to come forward to tell the story of how they’ve been treated. They’ve been in the fire department for decades and are strong performers in an elite division. It is ridiculous that the fire department keeps ignoring their complaints,” she said. WI @SamPKCollins

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2021 ADM 001660

2022 ADM 000725

2022 FEP 000080

2022 ADM 000706

2022 ADM 000707

Mary Delia Butler aka Delia Swann Butler Decedent

Hazel Lunsford Williams aka Hazel Williams Decedent

December 8, 2021 Date of Death

John Henry Boldin Decedent

Alethia Missouri Richardson Decedent

Cheryl Chapman Henderson 4920 Niagara Rd., #200 College Park, MD 20740 Attorney

Ruby Susie Kilgo Sherrill Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

James Larry Frazier, Esq. 918 Maryland Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Denise Allen, whose address is 2304 Park PL SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Hazel Lunsford Williams aka Hazel Williams who died on March 26, 2022 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/28/2022. 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 1/28/2022, 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.

Colee Covington whose address is 2355 Eden Terrace, Apt. 101, Rock Hill. SC 29730 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Ruby Susie Kilgo Sherrill, deceased, by the Probate Court for York County, State of South Carolina, on March 11, 2022. Service of process may be made upon Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW #700, Washington, DC 20015 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real estate. 625 Gallatin Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Gwendolyn Gibson, whose address is 4145 Clyde Lane, White Plains, MD 20695, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary Delia Butler aka Delia Swann Butler who died on 2/19/2021 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/28/2023. 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 1/28/2023, 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 first publication: 7/28/2022 Denise Allen Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 7/28/2022 Gwendolyn Gibson Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Date of first publication: 7/28/2022 Colee Covington Personal Representative Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

TRUE TEST COPY

Larry Noel Boldin, whose address is 804 Forest Cove Court, Mary Esther, FL 32569, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John Henry Boldin who died on May 24, 2022 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/28/2023. 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 1/28/2023, 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 first publication: 7/28/2022 Larry Noel Boldin Personal Representative

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Washington Informer

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Washington Informer

Patrick Richardson, Anthony Richardson and Daniel Reynolds, whose addresses are 1504 Lorelei Dr., Ft. Washington, MD 20744, 7702 Jeffrey Rd., Ft. Washington MD 20744, 1262 Drakeford Rd, Cassatt, SC 29032, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Alethia Missouri Richardson who died on March 28, 2022 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/28/2023. 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 1/28/2023, 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 first publication: 7/28/2022 Patrick Richardson Anthony Richardson Daniel Reynolds Personal Representative

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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 ADM 000661

2022 ADM 000658

2022 ADM 000727

2022 ADM 000573

2022 ADM 000775

Beverley Ann Moorefield Decedent

Larry Campbell Decedent

Ethel C. Meachum Decedent

Gwendolyn Yvonne Dean Decedent

Gretchyn G. Meinken 616 N Washington Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Attorney

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW # 700 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney

Ferrele A. Garling aka Ferrele Garling Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Kerri Moorefield Hess, whose address is 21 Rye Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Beverley Ann Moorefield who died on July 27, 2020 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/28/2023. 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 1/28/2023, 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.

Sabrina Campbell, whose address is 12 Crittenden St., NE, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Larry Campbell who died on February 2, 2022 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/28/2023. 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 1/28/2023, 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 first publication: 7/28/2022 Kerri Moorefield Hess Personal Representative

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Date of first publication: 7/28/2022 Sabrina Campbell Personal Representative

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Monet McKinzie, whose address is 3576 Hastings Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28311, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ethel C. Meachum who died on 5/10/2018 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/28/2023. 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 1/28/2023, 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 first publication: 7/28/2022 Monet McKinzie Personal Representative

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Washington Informer

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Howard J. Walsh III 7101 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1200 Bethesda, Md 20814 Attorney

Edward G. Varrone, Esq. 1825 K Street, NW Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Katharine G. Sickel, whose address is 418 Palm St. Palo Alto CA 94301, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ferrele A. Garling aka Ferrele Garling who died on 9/25/2008 with 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/4/2023. 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 2/4/2023, 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.

Jacquelyn Howell, whose address is 91-1079 Kaihohonu Street, Ewa Beach, HI 96706, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gwendolyn Yvonne Dean who died on 1/27/2021 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/4/2023. 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 2/4/2023, 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 first publication: 8/4/2022 Katharine G. Sickel Personal Representative

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Date of first publication: 8/4/2022 Jacquelyn Howell Personal Representative

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AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 49

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION 2022 NRT 22 Jesse L. Davis Name of Deceased Settlor NOTICE OF EXISTENCE OF REVOCABLE TRUST Jesse L. Davis whose address was 3914 20th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018 created a revocable trust on March 13, 2006, which remained in existence on the date of his/her death on 2/28/2021, and Guy P. Davis, whose address is 703 Candle Ridge Ct., Fredericksburg, VA 22407, is the currently acting trustee, hereinafter the Trustee. Communications to the Trust should be mailed or directed to Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. at 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, #700, Washington, DC 20015. The Trust is subject to claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors, costs of administration of the settlor’s estate, the expense of the deceased settlor’s funeral and disposal of remains, and statutory allowances to a surviving spouse and children to the extent the deceased settlor’s residuary probate estate is inadequate to satisfy those claims, costs, expenses, and allowances. Claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors are barred as against the Trustee and the trust property unless presented to the Trustee at the address provided herein on or before 2/4/2023 (6 month after the date of the first publication of this notice.) An action to contest the validity of this trust must be com menced by the earliest of (1), 2/28/2022 (One year from date of death of deceased settlor) (2) 2/4/2023, (6 months from the date of first publication of this notice) or (3) Ninety days after the Trustee sends the person a copy of the trust instrument and a notice informing the person of the trust’s existence, of the Trustee’s name and address, and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding. The Trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust before the expiration of the time within which an action must be commenced unless the Trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust or the Trustee has received notice from a potential contestant who thereafter commences a judicial proceeding within sixty days after notification. This Notice must be mailed postmarked within 15 days of its first publication to each heir and qualified beneficiary of the trust and any other person who would be an interested person within the meaning of D.C. Code 20-101(d). Date of First Publication: 8/4/2022 Jesse L. Davis Signature of Trustee TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

LEGAL NOTICES DECLARATION NATIONALITY PROTOCOL In God We Trust Declaration of Nationality Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “ Rosanna Avril Stephanie Smith©”, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ROSANNA AVRIL STEPHANIE SMITH©”, “ ROSANNA A S SMITH©”, " SMITH, ROSANNA AVRIL STEPHANIE": As natural mother, and guardian of: “ Ek, Renee Annalise Mikaela ” and “ Ek, Reanna Gabrielle”, the beneficiaries and heirs of: “ ROSANNA AVRIL STEPHANIE SMITH© ”, corp. sole Dba.: “ RENEE ANNALISE MIKAELA EK ”, “RENEE A M EK ”, “ EK, RENEE ANNALISE MIKAELA ”, “ REANNA GABRIELLE EK ”, “ REANNA G EK ”, “ EK, REANNA GABRIELLE ”. Having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: “ Rosanna Avril Stephanie Smith©”, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ rosanna smith-ek©”. Notice of White Flag Surrender: as “hors de combat”, pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and internationally Protected Person. Notice of LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 46. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title: This order is to preserve legal and equitable title, and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: REPUBLIC OF JAMAICA – REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT – BIRTH REGISTRATION NUMBER: NA 4951, “RENEE ANNALISE MIKAELA EK©”, “ EK, RENEE ANNALISE MIKAELA ”. & Re: REPUBLIC OF FLORIDA – OFFICE OF VITAL STATISTICS – REGISTRATION NUMBER: 109-2020-004904 : All property, of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned full intact, as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor /Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: “ rosanna smith-ek ”, nom deguerre: “ Rosanna Avril Stephanie Smith©”, as a special deposit order in lawful money. This deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of: “ Rosanna Avril Stephanie Smith Trust©”, an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / done / debtor. All Attorneys with a License from the Bar Association are explicitly prohibited from administering " Rosanna Avril Stephanie Smith Trust©", property without handwritten consent from each and every trustee, after said Attorneys have furnished their nationality, and Principal for whom's interest they are working, pursuant to [Public Law 75-583], to Trustees in plain writing. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente.

Washington Informer

DECLARATION OF EXISTENCE THE POSTERITY 1782 TO PRESENT THE SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES 4 U.S.C.S. §41 League of Indian Nations Of United States We, the People of the United States not United States of America, members of the “The League of Indian Nations of North America”, Chief Akil Ali, by the DECREE OF OFFICIAL ACCREDITATION & RECOGNITION FROM Chief Patrick Sarrazin of the headquartered office of “THE LEAGUE OF INDIAN NATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA – CANADA. Officially inform all interested parties of the actions of the official Posterity of the United States by its appointed Chief Akil Ali of the “League of Indian Nations of North America” [United States not United States of America] makes this declaration of existence being the Posterity, Autochthon American Indian More=Moor and for the “Public Record” states the following: PROCLAMATION Ref: Letters Patent Number #RE 345 528 665 US

50 AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022

This notice is to notify all entities government and non-government that the fictitious name/trade name/DBA name RAYMOND ALLEN WASHINGTON has been registered with the State of Maryland and authenticated with the Department of State for the United States of America in Washington DC under Registration/file numbers T00527392 and 22041170-1 and in the American Republic/International with CitySide Records under Common Law Copyright Registration #6558472310027. The name is claimed and held under Trust. Infringement fees apply for violators. For a copy of the full Registration Notices or if you have any adverse claim you may contact Trustee Makhosi Rahman El of the Raymond Allen Washington TRUST at (240)416-2389 or write to: Britam Towers 4th Floor unit #101 Upper hill Nairobi, Kenya

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 ADM 000756

2021 ADM 000044

Brenda Carol Ward Decedent

Denise M. Long Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Brenricha Isom Huggins, whose address is 1906 Colebrooke Drive, Temple Hills, Md 20748, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Brenda Carol Ward who died on April 19, 2022 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/4/2023. 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 2/4/2023, 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 first publication: August 4, 2022 Brenricha Isom Huggins Personal Representative

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Steve Larson-Jackson 1629 K Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Diane G. Long, whose address is 103 G Street, SW #702B, Washington, DC 20024, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Denise M. Long who died on 6/24/2020 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/4/2023. 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 2/4/2023, 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 first publication: 8/4/2022 Diane G. Long Personal Representative

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In God We Trust Declaration of Nationality Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: ‘‘ Reanna Gabrielle Ek© ’’, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ EK, REANNA GABRIELLE© ’’, corp. sole Dba.: ‘‘ REANNA GABRIELLE EK© ’’, corp. sole Dba.: ‘‘REANNA EK© ’’, corp. sole Dba.: ‘‘ R. G. EK© ’’, and all derivatives of the name, having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: ‘‘ Reanna Gabrielle Ek© ’’, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: ‘‘ reanna ek© ’’. Notice of White Flag Surrender: as “hors de combat”, pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title, and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: STATE OF FLORIDA – OFFICE OF VITAL STATISTICS, REGISTER FILE NUMBER : 109-00-022796, ‘‘ REANNA GABRIELLE EK© ’’, to the depositor: ‘‘ reanna ek© ’’, nom deguerre: ‘‘Reanna Gabrielle Ek© ’’. All property, of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact, as a Special Deposit Order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: ‘‘ reanna ek© ’’, nom deguerre: ‘‘ Reanna Gabrielle Ek© ’’, as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : ‘‘ Reanna Gabrielle Ek Trust© ’’, an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. All Attorneys with a License from the Bar Association are explicitly prohibited from administering " REANNA GABRIELLE EK TRUST©" property without handwritten consent from each and every trustee, after said Attorneys have furnished their nationality, and Principal for whom's interest they are working, pursuant to [Public Law 75-583], to Trustees in plain writing. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off etc., of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction.

In God We Trust Declaration of Nationality Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: ‘‘ Sylvia May Livingston© ’’, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ LIVINGSTON, SYLVIA MAY© ’’, corp. sole Dba.: ‘‘ SYLVIA MAY LIVINSTON © ’’, corp. sole Dba.: ‘‘ SYLVIA LIVINGSTON© ’’, corp. sole Dba.: ‘‘ S.M. LIVINGSTON© ’’, and all derivatives of the name, having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: ‘‘ Sylvia May Livingston© ’’, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: ‘‘ sylvia livingston© ’’. Notice of White Flag Surrender: as “hors de combat”, pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title, and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: STATE OF JAMAICA – REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT, REGISTER FILE NUMBER : FC 7760, ‘‘ SYLVIA MAY LIVINGSTON© ’’, to the depositor: ‘‘ sylvia livingston© ’’, nom deguerre: ‘‘ Sylvia May Livingston© ’’. All property, of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact, as a Special Deposit Order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: ‘‘ sylvia livingston© ’’, nom deguerre: ‘‘ Sylvia May Livingston© ’’, as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : ‘‘ Sylvia May Livingston Trust© ’’, an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. All Attorneys with a License from the Bar Association are explicitly prohibited from administering " SYLVIA MAY LIVINGSTON TRUST©" property without handwritten consent from each and every trustee, after said Attorneys have furnished their nationality, and Principal for whom's interest they are working, pursuant to [Public Law 75-583], to Trustees in plain writing. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off etc., of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction.

LEGAL NOTICES DECLARATION NATIONALITY PROTOCOL In God We Trust Declaration of Nationality Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “ Roberto Carlo Ek©”, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ROBERTO CARLO EK©”, “ ROBERTO C EK©”, " EK, ROBERTO CARLO ": As natural father, and guardian of: “ Ek, Renee Annalise Mikaela ”, the beneficiaries and heirs of: “ ROBERTO CARLO EK© ”, corp. sole Dba.: “ RENEE ANNALISE MIKAELA EK ”, “RENEE A M EK ”, “ EK, RENEE ANNALISE MIKAELA ”, “ REANNA GABRIELLE EK ”, “ REANNA G EK ”, “ EK, REANNA GABRIELLE ”. Having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: “ Roberto Carlo Ek©”, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ roberto ek©”. Notice of White Flag Surrender: as “hors de combat”, pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and internationally Protected Person. Notice of LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 46. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title: This order is to preserve legal and equitable title, and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: REPUBLIC OF BELIZE – VITAL STATISTICS UNIT – BIRTH REGISTRATION NUMBER: 721, “RENEE ANNALISE MIKAELA EK©”, “ EK, RENEE ANNALISE MIKAELA ”. & Re: REPUBLIC OF FLORIDA – OFFICE OF VITAL STATISTICS – REGISTRATION NUMBER: 109-2020-004904 : All property, of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned full intact, as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor /Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: “ roberto ek ”, nom deguerre: “ Roberto Carlo Ek©”, as a special deposit order in lawful money. This deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of: “ Roberto Carlo Ek Trust©”, an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / done / debtor. All Attorneys with a License from the Bar Association are explicitly prohibited from administering " Roberto Carlo Ek Trust©", property without handwritten consent from each and every trustee, after said Attorneys have furnished their nationality, and Principal for whom's interest they are working, pursuant to [Public Law 75-583], to Trustees in plain writing. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente.

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2022 ADM 000766 Deborah Ann Brown Decedent Nakia Gray, Esq. 800 Maine Ave. SW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20024 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Jacqueline Palmer, whose address is 2905 Sedgemore Place, Bryans Road, Maryland 20616, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Deborah Ann Brown who died on 12/14/2019 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/11/2023. 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 2/11/2023, 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 first publication: 8/11/2023 Jacqueline Palmer Personal Representative

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THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 ADM 000827

2022 ADM 00356

2022 ADM 000805

2022 ADM 759

2022 ADM 000818

Barbara Simms aka Barbara Jean Simms aka Barbara J. Hall Decedent

Adrian Calin Lobontiu Decedent

Barbara Jean Daniels Decedent

Effie Basnight Decedent

Ethel Dickens Decedent

Aimee D. Griffin 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW Suite 440 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney

Tina Smith Nelson, Esq. Legal Counsel for the Elderly 601 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20049 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Julius Nichols, whose address is 2900 14th Street, NW, Apt. 1009, Washington, DC 20009, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Effie Basnight who died on December 17, 2004 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 shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/11/2023. 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 2/11/2023, 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.

Gwendolyn Charles, whose address is 2334 14th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ethel Dickens who died on October 30, 2015 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 shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/11/2023. 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 2/11/2023, 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 first publication: 8/11/2022

Julius Nichols Personal Representative

Gwendolyn Charles Personal Representative

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Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Earle W. Douglass, Esq. 4225 Jenifer Street, NW Washington, DC 20015 Attorney

Donald R. Marlais, Esq. 411 10th Street NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Janelle Simms, whose address is 11208 Lanette Lane, Glenn Dale, Md 20769, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Barbara Simms aka Barbara Jean Simms aka Barbara J. Hall who died on July 15, 2020 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/11/2023. 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 2/11/2023, 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.

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Mihaela Daniela Lobontiu, whose address is 5311 43rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Adrian Calin Lobontiu who died on March 7, 2021, 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/11/2022. 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 1/11/2022, 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 first publication: 8/11/2022 Mihaela Daniela Lobontiu Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 8/11/2022 Janelle Simms Personal Representative

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Benjamin Franklin Daniels Jr., whose address is 2541 Fairhill Dr., Suitland Md 20746, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Barbara Jean Daniels who died on March 27, 2022 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/11/2023. 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 2/11/2023, 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 first publication: 8/11/2022 Benjamin Franklin Daniels Jr. Personal Representative

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Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 ADM 000730

2022 ADM 000802

2022 ADM 755

2022 ADM 000813

2022 ADM 000669

Eva Mae Rogie Decedent

James Thomas Bradley, Jr. Decedent

JoAnne Pritchett Decedent

Laurence R. Driver aka Laurence Robert Driver Decedent

Lorraine G. D’Antonio aka Lorraine Giorgio D’Antonio Decedent

Melinda M. Bolling, Esq. 2108 31st Street, SE Washington, DC 20020 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Johnetta M. McCrae, whose address is 227 46th Place NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Eva Mae Rogie who died on 2/15/2000 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/11/2023. 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 2/11/2023, 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 first publication: August 11, 2022 Johnetta M. McCrae 227 46th Place NE, Washington, DC 20019 Personal Representative

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Colline Silvera Robinson Kirlew & Associates 7731 Belle Point Dr. Greenbelt, Md 20781 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Jason Thomas Bradley, whose address is 6227 9th St., NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James Thomas Bradley, Jr. who died on 10/12/2016 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/11/2023. 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 2/11/2023, 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 first publication: 8/11/2022 Jason Thomas Bradley Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Kevin Pritchett, whose address is 87 Cossio Drive, Newark, NJ 07103, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JoAnne Pritchett who died on 1/9/2022 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/11/2023. 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 2/11/2023, 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 first publication: 8/11/2022 Kevin Pritchett Personal Representative

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Washington Informer

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Vanessa D. King, whose address is 3311 16 Street, NE, Washington, DC, 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Laurence R. Driver aka Laurence Robert Driver who died on 1/29/2020 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/11/2023. 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 2/11/2023, 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 first publication: 8/11/2022 Vanessa D. King Personal Representative

Albert C. Antonio, whose address is 28 Lewis Road, Marlborough, CT 06447, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lorraine G. D’Antonio aka Lorraine Giorgio D’Antonio who died on April 6, 2022 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/11/2023. 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 2/11/2023, 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 first publication: 8/11/2022 Albert C. D’Antonio 28 Lewis Road Marlborough, CT 06447 Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

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AUGUST 11 - 17, 2022 51

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CHAVIS from Page 30 64 television stations around the country. Soo Kim, a successful Asian American business leader who serves as Standard General's founding and managing partner, emphasized, "We're open to exploring new partnership models to get diverse viewpoints and perspectives on the air and to make sure people have the resources to do it." We agree with this sentiment as multiracial ownership of American media businesses will continue to be viewed as a strategic forecast for the future economic well-being of the nation. We intend to raise our voices in support of the positive economic and social-equity consequences of diversifying American media. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights has pointed out, "Access to the media by the broadest sector of society is crucial to ensuring that diverse viewpoints are presented to the American people, but racial and gender disparities in media owner-

YOUTH from Page 22 ernmental affairs manager at the nonprofit We Act for Environmental Justice, said the prevalence of these organizations shows just how unfriendly these spaces can be for non-white people. “Maybe it's not that Black people don't want to go on hikes – maybe it's that you have to drive by multiple Confederate flags to get to the hike,” Hutchinson said. “It's not resistance to being outdoors. It's not resistance to being an environmentalist. I think it's resistance to being in contact with both overt and covert racism.” She said that’s why intentionally inclusive workspaces like We Act and Zero Hour are so important. While working on Capitol Hill for Representative Donald McEachin, Hutchinson, who has a master’s in environmental health from Johns Hopkins, was asked to speak at an event. The person making the request told her outright that “it would look bad if it was two white men speaking about environmental justice.” “It really hit me that [while] I was the only person with a degree specifically on environmental issues, I was being asked to speak because of my race,” she said. Working on the Hill, she said

ship dating back to the beginning of the civil rights era continue to persist." Again, overcoming these disparities should be a national media industry priority. "At a time when more people, particularly Black people, are distrustful of the media, diversity in media ownership has become more important than ever for the functioning of our democracy," the Leadership Conference argues. "Diversity in ownership is part of that solution." We agree with the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights' position on this issue. Lastly, as our nation today prepares for the upcoming midterm elections in November, there are many who are predicating low overall voter turnout. Millions of dollars will be spent on Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaigns. Those who desire to increase GOTV among African Americans and other communities of color will have to engage Black owned media as the "Trusted Voice" of Black America in order to increase voter turnout. WI she often counted as the only Black person in the room. Sometimes, she was asked to speak for all Black people, even on issues with which she had little expertise. Eventually, she left Congress for the nonprofit world. “I realized that as a young, Black professional in the environmental movement, I needed community support in a way that I really struggled to get on Capitol Hill,” Hutchinson said. “We Act is so diverse as a workplace and that diversity is so needed.” Even outside of organizations led by people of color, young activists are pushing back against the environmental movement’s lack of diversity. Hall said Black success stories in agriculture and the environment inspire him to keep pushing here in D.C. “I started doing a regenerative agriculture training at a Common Good City Farm and there aren't that many Black people doing it,” he said. “And just seeing that, at times, I feel discouraged. But at the same time, it's good to see the people that do look like me shine.” “It's sometimes an uphill battle, especially when you don't have people that look like you rooting you on – but I'm ready for the battle,” Hall said. WI

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

CAMPBELL from Page 30 Nearly 40% of all abortions in America since Roe vs. Wade have been by Black women. Who pays the price when abortions are outlawed? Poor women, women of color, and the millions of women who already face limited access to high-quality health care. From Charleston to El Paso to Buffalo, the past decade reveals that racially motivated shootings and domestic terrorism is on the rise — with Black and brown communities in the direct line of fire. Who pays the price when common sense gun legislation is held up and rolled back while white nationalists are emboldened to emerge from their hiding places? Black, Latino, Asian-Pacific Islander, Jewish and Muslim people. The climate emergency means hotter summers, more destructive tornadoes, stronger hurricanes. Who bears the brunt of this crisis? Black and brown communities living in neighborhoods devastated by environmental racism. As our communities choke on toxic air and dirty water, drown in Southern floods, and are forced into

displacement because of increasingly hostile and extreme weather patterns, our lawmakers are happy to fill their pockets with donations from the same harmful corporations who are facilitating this catastrophe. Enough is enough. We're calling on our brothers and sisters who believe in democracy and justice for all to own your voting power, fight for ALL of your rights and freedoms. Naysayers might tell you that voting doesn't make a difference or that all politicians are the same. We know this isn't the case. In fact, we are stuck with three of the ultra-conservative justices on the bench today partially due to the results of the 2016 presidential election. When turnout was higher than ever in 2020, it led to Vice President Kamala Harris being elected to serve as the first Black and South Asian female vice president; and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, being sworn in as the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Elections matter. If voting did not matter, too many conservatives and white nationalists in Congress,

JEALOUS from Page 30 Lake, an election conspiracy advocate, calls president Biden "illegitimate" and has said that if she wins, she will instruct the attorney general to seize all voting equipment in the state. Arizona is also home to politicians who openly embrace white nationalists, including Rep. Paul Gosar and state Sen. Wendy Rogers, who both won their primaries. Other extremists have picked up Republican nominations this summer, including election conspiracy theorist Doug Mastriano, who has campaigned with QAnon activists in his bid for governor of Pennsylvania; Trumpist election denier Dan Cox for governor of Maryland; Confederate sympathizer Michael Peroutka for attorney general of Maryland, who has said laws passed by the state legislature are illegitimate because in his eyes, legislators broke God's law by embracing marriage equality; and Big Lie promoter Kristina Karamo for secretary of state in Michigan. The list goes on — too many to name in a single column. This is bad news. In a political system dominated by two political

Arizona is also home to politicians who openly embrace white nationalists, including Rep. Paul Gosar and state Sen. Wendy Rogers, who both won their primaries. parties, it is dangerous to have one party taken over by the kind of truth-rejecting, voter-suppressing, authoritarianism-embracing people who are still driven by the same lies and rage that fueled the Jan. 6 attack on our country. But Trumpists aren't winning all their races. We have seen examples of courageous Republicans standing up to the Trump mob. And voters in Kansas gave us another big bright spot — on Aug. 2, when they rejected an anti-choice

in courts, gubernatorial offices and state legislatures across the nation wouldn't be working so hard to take our rights and freedoms away to maintain white power and privilege for a few, at the expense of everyone else. We stand at a perilous crossroads. What's at stake? Bodily autonomy, gun safety, civil rights, marriage equality, the future of the planet — the list goes on. We can sit back and descend deeper into fascism, leaving future generations to inherit a nation led by racists. Sexists and white nationalists. Or we can stand up to the rightwing zealots that will gleefully throw us under the bus for their own personal gain. That starts with voting them out to save our democracy from peril. Our freedom is in danger — but we will not go silently in the night. We have 90 days to organize, mobilize and vote like our lives depend on it, because it does. Now is the time to live out the movement chant in your community that states, "When Our Lives Are Under Attack, what do we do, STAND UP, FIGHT BACK!" Let's fight back together. WI referendum by more than 20 points. After the Supreme Court's hardright majority overturned Roe v. Wade, anti-choice legislators have rushed to pass more extreme anti-abortion bills targeting health care workers and even friends and family who help someone needing abortion care. Those bills represent the wishes of powerful religious-right groups that have a lot of influence in the Republican Party, but they don't represent the public, which overwhelmingly supports access to abortion. Given a choice about whether to strip abortion-rights protections out of the state constitution and give legislators a green light to pass a ban, Kansas voters overwhelmingly voted no. That victory for privacy, freedom and bodily autonomy was driven by huge voter turnout and the organizers who worked to achieve it. It is a promising sign that many Americans can be motivated to vote this year by the Supreme Court's harmful embrace of a restrictive and regressive social agenda. Let's make it so. WI

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SPELLMAN from Page 31 removing criminal penalties is not enough. We must also implement a strong public health and harm reduction safety net, including 24/7 harm reduction centers and drug checking services, in order to meet the needs of people who use drugs throughout the District. It is crucial to replace punishment and stigma with trauma-informed crisis intervention support from peer- and community-led teams. In short, we aim to replace police interactions with community-led and -driven support. The War on Drugs and the lack of urgency to shift the status quo allows for more drug-related deaths to happen that are entirely preventable. Even former Chief of Police Peter Newsham said we cannot arrest our way out of these

problems. The economic and social impacts of mass criminalization and overdose are both public health failures. Black and low-income residents in Wards 5, 7, and 8 have been particularly devastated by the District’s drug war policies. Black and low-income Washingtonians experience the highest number of drug overdose deaths, drug arrests, police harassment, and violence. Despite drug use rates being relatively equal across Black and white Washingtonians, statistically white Washingtonians and residents of more affluent areas of the District do not face the same level of enforcement or harassment. This is a long-standing racial disparity and classist barrier – one that this bill aims to address in an equitable way for all people who use substances. We can take our power back, and re-invest the resources previ-

ously squandered into drug law enforcement into where it should be: in the hands of the health care, harm reduction, and other community service providers who have the experience to effectively reduce the harms associated with substance use, prevent deaths, and improve the health of individuals and the city as a whole. Housing, food security, financial security, and physical and mental healthcare are the foundations of a more stable and healthier life — not policing and cages. D.C. Council members: How many more have to die before action is taken to stand with the evidence, science, compassion and the will of an overwhelming majority of Washingtonians who are ready to reimagine our failed drug policies? WI

EDELMAN from Page 31 up, and their voices are yet another reminder that all children need to be taught the full truth about their own and others' history in our increasingly multicultural nation and world; that Black, Native American, Latino, Asian American, LGBTQ, immigrant and women's history are all American history, and that none of our children can afford miseducation and ignorance about the rainbow of others around them. Only the truth will set us all free! WI

MORIAL from Page 31 then a University of San Francisco track and field star, competing in the high jump. "There was something else about that photo that affected me even more than Bill's amazing performance," Abdul-Jabbar wrote. "If you do a search of the image, you'll find that most versions are cropped to frame Bill flying up over the bar. Yet, if you see the complete photo, you'll see about three dozen white people watching him, most of them frowning, glaring, or just staring. But standing beside the post is one young Black kid with a smile on his face. A kid who suddenly saw the possibilities for achievement, despite a crowd of mostly white faces who maybe saw the future of sports in America — and didn't like what they saw." Abdul-Jabbar would join Russell in what became to be known as the

Young people are speaking up, and their voices are yet another reminder that all children need to be taught the full truth about their own and others' history in our increasingly multicultural nation and world.

Cleveland Summit of 1967 — a meeting of the nation's top Black athletes regarding Muhammad Ali's refusal to be drafted into the Army. After subjecting Ali to tough questioning about his motives and beliefs, the group decided to back his decision. Russell later told Sports Illustrated, "I envy Muhammad Ali. He faces a possible five years in jail and he has been stripped of his heavyweight championship, but I still envy him. He has something I have never been able to attain and something very few people I know possess. He has an absolute and sincere faith. I'm not worried about Muhammad Ali. He is better equipped than anyone I know to withstand the trials in store for him. What I'm worried about is the rest of us." Any serious debate about the greatest NBA player of all time surely would cite Russell's record

11 championship rings and his unrivaled defensive stats. But what made Russell the GOAT, to quote Washington Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell, "was ferocious, indomitable seriousness of purpose, wedded to elite intelligence … His presence, his competitive menace, his fearless, reckless abandon in midair and his desire to glare into the opponent's psyche and break some crucial gear made him exhilarate and frightening to watch." Russell never put his love for the game above the fight for dignity and racial justice. In his final years, he was heartened by the wave of Black Lives Matter protests that swept the nation. As we mourn his passing, we share his unflagging hope that that these kinds of strange days are forever behind us, and that real, lasting change will finally be realized." WI

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