The Washington Informer - February 2, 2023

ASALH Highlights Black Resistance for African Americans Past and Present

Barrington M. Salmon WI Contributing Writer

For social justice advocates and educators like Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney, the benefit of the long view is invaluable.

As a student at Ohio State University and a member of the Black Studies Movement in 1973, Dulaney, national president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), said he focused on law enforcement, eventually writing the book “Black Police in America.” Published in 1996, the book looks closely at policing in America up to that point and offers a series of solutions.

“I was looking at what we’d done. I said we need more Black people in police departments,” Dulaney, recalled with a wry chuckle. “I wrote a whole book about it. Black people thought that if we have Black police officers, and if they lived in our communities, they would protect

ASALH Page 48

Jason Lewis Identified as Karon

Blake’s Alleged Killer

Lewis Charged with Second-Degree Murder, Denied Bond

Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

More than three weeks after Karon Blake’s death, the D.C. government employee accused of killing him has been identified and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

On the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 30, Jason Michael Lewis, a D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation employee, turned himself in to authorities. An arrest affidavit obtained by The Informer said Lewis, 41, intended to inflict bodily harm when he allegedly shot and killed Karon, 13, on the morning of Jan. 7.

During Lewis’ arraignment on Tuesday afternoon, his attorney Lee Smith unsuccessfully attempted to secure Lewis’

BLAKE Page 48

For Many, the Devastating Tyre Nichols Video Shows Policing in America Cannot be Reformed

Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The devastating video of Memphis police officers rehearsing their excuse for their deadly use of force even as Tyre Nichols' lifeless body lay just steps away, painted a horrifying, if not entirely clear, portrait of five cops who murdered a man for no apparent reason and then conspired to destroy his reputation.

The actions of Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills, Jr., and Justin Smith have left many convinced that policing in America cannot be reformed.

“One of the most devastating things to occur in this earthly existence is for one’s life to end in such a brutal and helpless way and to have the world watch, share and analyze the video of you taking your

Celebrating 58 years. Your credible and trusted source for Black news and information.

5 “Black Resistance,” is the 2023 theme for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

(Courtesy Photo/ ASALH)

5 After outrage post the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Karon Blake, his alleged killer Jason Michael Lewis, a D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation employee, turned himself in and has been charged with second-degree murder. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

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Report Reveals Police Issued 71 Conflicting Commands to Tyre Nichols in 13 Minutes

By Stacy M. Brown

Footage from Tyre Nichols’ fatal traffic stop found that police officers issued a barrage of confusing, conflicting, and sometimes impossible to obey commands.

If Nichols did not comply, or even if he did, the police would respond with increasing force.

According to the footage analyzed by the New York Times, police officers shouted a total of at least 71 orders in the roughly 13 minutes before they radioed in that Nichols was in custody.

The video revealed that often the officers shouted conflicting orders, making it difficult for Nichols to

understand and obey.

Nichols was ordered by officers to display his hand, even as officers held the young man’s hands.

At one point, they shouted for him to get down on the ground while he was already on the ground.

And when they had his body under their control, the officers still made him change positions.

Experts agree that the actions of the Memphis police officers were a blatant illustration of a widespread problem in policing, in which officers physically punish civilians for perceived disrespect or disobedience, a phenomenon known as “contempt of cop,” the Times reported.

As Indictment Draws Near, Trump Erupts on Social Media

By Stacy M. Brown

The walls appear to be closing in on former President Donald Trump, as a Georgia prosecutor appears on the verge of indicting the bombastic Republican.

“Decisions are imminent,” Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis told a judge following the completion of a special grand jury probe.

viewed former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and others among the 75 witnesses who testified.

The sensitivity of indicting a former president is expressed in Willis’ carefully crafted words, and those of Donald Wakeford, Fulton County’s chief senior assistant district attorney, who told a judge that releasing the report before an indictment is announced would be “dangerous.”

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. Announcements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 by The Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are $55 per year, two years $70. Papers will be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to:

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“We want to make sure that everyone is treated fairly, and we think for future defendants to be treated fairly it’s not appropriate at this time to have this report released,” she said.

The panel cannot issue indictments, but inter-

“We think immediately releasing before the district attorney has even had an opportunity to address publicly whether there will be charges or not – because there has not been a meaningful enough amount of time to assess it – is dangerous,” Wakeford said. “It’s dangerous to the people who may or may not be named in the report for various reasons. It’s also a disservice to the witnesses who came to the grand jury and spoke the truth to the grand jury.” WI

Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com.

Congresswoman Wilson Pushes to Increase Teachers' Salaries

By Sam P.K. Collins

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL Dist. 24) has set her sights on ensuring teachers are better compensated for their work in the classroom.

On Wednesday, Jan. 25, Wilson joined former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and leaders of the Teacher’s Salary Project in the U.S. Capitol to highlight these efforts and further shed light on the leaps and bounds teachers made during the pandemic.

In December, Wilson introduced The American Teacher Act, which would incentivize states to raise the minimum annual salary for teachers to $60,000, adjusting for inflation.

The median annual teacher salary in the U.S. is nearly $64,500 with teachers in some states making significantly lower than that.

Wilson, a former school principal and teacher, said her efforts would help attract more teachers and make

the field more competitive.

When schools transitioned back to in-person learning after the COVID-19 pandemic, the K-12 education landscape had experienced significant changes, especially as it related to the teacher workforce.

Though teacher turnover nationally stood at 16% at the end of the last school year, some states saw rates rise to between 24 and 54 percent.

Reasons for the teacher exodus include low pay, high stress levels, increasing demands on time, and safety concerns. WI

Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com.

In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark

Alphas Positively Impacts Young Men at Ballou SHS and Hart MS

Austin R. Cooper, Jr.

Our House Managing Editor

One of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s most renowned members set the tone for a mentorship program conducted at Ballou Senior High School in Washington, D.C.

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down at the table of brotherhood,” said the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in his famous “I Have a Dream,” speech at the 1963 March on Washington. Students listened to excerpts from the famous Alpha as part of the Education and Mentorship Initiative with Alpha Phi Alpha’s Mu Lambda Chapter.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

There are two components of the Alpha Education and Mentorship Initiative.

Project Alpha is an anti-teen pregnancy program designed to teach young men how to be responsible. Brother James Israel, a teacher at Hart Middle School, manages the program there.

The Henry Arthur Callis Academy focuses on young men at Ballou. Student participants engage in monthly courses and structured activities that aim to increase their capacity to be more successful during their first year in college. Academy courses and activities are designed to improve organization and study skills, critical thinking and problem-solving ability, presentation and public speaking skills, and capacity to manage college life.

Students at Ballou and Hart receive community credits for attending the sessions and both programs have been approved by District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS).

“This program gives us the opportunity to pour into young men knowledge of different topics each month that will benefit them for the rest of their lives,” said Sean Perkins, a teacher at Ballou and Chairman of the Mu Lambda Education Committee. “[It] gives me great joy that we are educating the whole child for the future.”

The program was launched in 2016, halted during the COVID-19 global pandemic, and resumed last December.

Mu Lambda operates both programs at Ballou and Hart with a core belief that all students deserve a quality educational experience that enriches both their academic, social, and cultural experiences.

As Brother Dr. King once said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively, and to think critically. Intelligence plus character –that is the goal of a true education.”

BALLOU STUDENT REFLECTIONS

Each month, the program meetings have a theme: December was time management, study skills and goal setting and for Jan. 24, eight days after marking the King federal holiday, the mentors and mentees discussed oral communications.

The discussion was led by Brother Samuel Armstrong, who always opens the sessions by having the young men play the game Rock, Paper, Scissors, as an icebreaker.

The seven males in attendance, who ranged from Grades 9 through 12, were spellbound while watching the oratory skills of the 34-year-old Dr. King, who pledged Alpha at Boston University in 1952.

While most of the students had seen or heard parts of the historic speech, some had not.

Tenth-grader James Hill reflected on the “I Have A Dream” speech and

said, “He fought very hard and said a lot of powerful things,” said 10th grader James Hill. “He spoke on equality and today we still don’t really get equality one hundred percent… it’s still not okay that we don’t have it.”

“I am half and half on going to college,” said sophomore Travis Jourden, when asked about his plans after graduation. “I liked the speech by Martin Luther King and how he talked about slaves and the sons of slave owners and how we should be treated. He also taught me how to elevate my speech when speaking in public.”

Durell Abjerry, a freshman, said he enjoys the mentorship program and that it’s “cool.”

“It teaches me a lot about history and stuff I didn’t know,” he said, before referencing the famous speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. “Dr. King’s speech was really cool. I really hadn’t heard it in a minute, but seeing it refreshed my memory.”

When asked about his favorite part of Dr. King’s speech, Abjerry responded “The Free at last, free at last part. We all still aren’t free now.”

Of particular interest to the students was hearing from Washington Informer photographer Robert Roberts, who shared his memories of attending the speech as an 11-year-old.

Each session ends with pizza, heart-to-heart conversations about what is going on in the students’ lives both in school and at home, and telephone numbers and emails are always exchanged. WI

5 Samuel Armstrong speaks to the students at Ballou High Senior High School as part of the Education and Mentorship Initiative with the Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. (Rob Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

AROUND THE REGION

facts

FEB. 5

FEB 2-8, 2023

SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

1869 – Educator Minnie Cox, one of the first Black female U.S. postmasters, is born in Lexington, Mississippi.

1934 – Baseball legend Hank Aaron is born in Mobile, Alabama.

1972 – Bob Douglas, "the father of Black professional basketball," becomes the first African American elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

1990 – Barack Obama becomes the first Black elected to Head Harvard's Law Review.

1994 – Avowed white supremacist Byron de la Beckwith is convicted of murdering civil rights activist Medgar Evers in 1963.

FEB. 6

1882 – Famed Black poet and civil rights activist Anne Spencer is born in Henry County, Virginia.

1933 – Walter E. Fauntroy, longtime former delegate to the U.S. Congress and former pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church in the District, is born in D.C. 1945 – Reggae music icon Bob Marley is born in Jamaica's Saint Ann Parish.

1993 – Tennis great Arthur Ashe dies in New York City from AIDS-related pneumonia at age 49.

FEB. 7

FEB 2

1990 – South African President F. W. de Klerk lifts a 30year ban on leading anti-apartheid group the African National Congress.

2009 – Eric Holder becomes the first Black person to be confirmed as United States attorney general.

FEB. 3

1870 – The 15th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which granted African American men the right to vote, is ratified.

1920 – The Negro National League, one of several organized Black baseball leagues, is founded.

1989 – Bill White is named president of Major League Baseball's National League, becoming the first Black to head a major professional sports league.

1956 – Autherine Lucy enrolls as a graduate student at the University of Alabama, becoming the first African American ever admitted to a white public school or university in the state.

FEB. 4

1913 – Rosa Parks, the "first lady of civil rights," is born in Tuskegee, Alabama.

1997 – Then-Rep. J.C. Watts becomes the first Black selected to respond to a State of the Union Address.

2006 – NFL great Warren Moon becomes the first Black quarterback inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2007 – Tony Dungy becomes the first African American head coach to win the Super Bowl when his Indianapolis Colts defeat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.

1887 – Famed pianist Eubie Blake is born in Baltimore.

1965 – Comedian and actor Chris Rock is born in Andrews, South Carolina.

1974 – The Caribbean country of Grenada declares its independence from the United Kingdom.

1991 – Jean-Bertrand Aristide takes the oath of office as Haiti's first democratically elected president.

FEB. 8

1944 – Harry S. McAlpin becomes the first African American journalist admitted to a White House press conference.

1986 – Oprah Winfrey becomes the first African American woman to host a nationally syndicated talk show. WI

BOB MARLEY

ROSA PARKS

BY SARAFINA WRIGHT

For the first time in NFL history, two Black quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, will start in the Super Bowl. What are your thoughts?

ANDRE WRIGHT / CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

I was raised in Detroit, so I’m a die-hard Lions fan, but I’m glad to see these brothers in a position to make history!

LARRY THOMAS / DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

Lots of Black QBs in the league. This will be normalized soon. Now let’s buy some teams!

RON WHITBY / SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

They see two Black men, I see two Texas boys in the Super Bowl. Football is a little bigger here than everywhere else.

GLORIA WHITLEY / NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Go Eagles!

MONIQUE GREEN / WASHINGTON, DC

Both are great players, no matter what.

Emmett Till Exhibition Opens at MLK Library

Kayla Benjamin Climate & Environment Writer

A touring exhibition that tells the story of Emmett Till and his mother Mamie Till-Mobley opened at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Thursday. To mark the launch, the library hosted “Let the World See: Emmett Till and the Media,” an event exploring the media’s—and particularly, the Black press’—role in forcing the country and the world to face the tragedy.

“What happened with Emmett Till was one of the worst things that could happen to any child,” said Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of the Washington Informer, speaking as a panelist at the launch event. “But I guarantee you he was not the first. And I guarantee you that the Black press was telling those stories.”

The exhibition, titled “Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See,” will remain at the library through March 12. Thursday evening’s launch event featured Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr., Emmett Till’s cousin and one of the last people to see Till alive, as its keynote speaker. The 83-year-old reverend, who recently authored the book about Till, “A Few Days Full of Trouble,” spoke with both humor and grace about the progress the U.S. has made and the remaining work to be done.

“The attitude we have today is not like it was then,” Parker Jr. said. “For 30 years it was like ‘Emmett got what he deserved.’ Until 1985: [NBC Chi-

cago journalist] Rich Samuels did a documentary, and then we were not ashamed to talk about it.”

The “Let the World See” exhibition aims to help people continue to talk about Till’s story. The District is the exhibit’s third stop on a seven-city tour that includes Birmingham, Chicago and Atlanta. Here in D.C., it’s situated in MLK Library’s Great Hall; visitors will see it as soon as they walk through the front doors. The library also developed a companion exhibit, “Mothers of the Movement,” which centers the experiences of mothers in the ongoing fight for justice in the D.C. region.

“One thing that we know from our history is that we should never underestimate a mother's ability to change the world,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said in brief remarks at the beginning of the event. “It was because of Mamie Till-Mobley’s strength in a time of extraordinary grief that we know what happened to Emmett Till. We know his name, and we know his story.”

Developed by a collaboration between the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute, the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, the Till family, and

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, the traveling exhibition offers a new way to learn Till’s story. Intended for children as young as 10, the exhibit includes interactive displays and a downloadable family guide with tips to help children process their feelings.

The launch event’s speaker panel specifically addressed the necessity of finding appropriate ways to share Till’s story with young audiences. One speaker, National Black Justice Coalition executive director Dr. David Johns, wore a shirt that read “Black boys deserve to grow up, too.” The last time he wore it, Johns said, was at a meeting about the death of Trayvon Martin.

“[We have to] move to a space where we can talk about safety and protection, and ensure that our babies have the ability to not only consume media that talks about our grief, but to produce media that talks about our freedom as well,” Johns said.

The rest of the panel included Vann R. Newkirk II, a writer for The Atlantic, and Dr. Amber Hewitt, the District’s first Chief Equity Officer. NPR reporter Ayesha Rascoe moderated.

The audience seemed energized during the event, audibly connecting with the panelists and gathering for a lively reception in the library afterward. Despite the exhibition’s somber subject, several speakers discussed the need to pair grief with both action and, wherever possible, joy.

“The exhibit is, of course, rooted in tragedy,” Bowser said. “But it is also a celebration of advocacy.” WI

3 Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr., Emmett Till’s cousin and one of the last people to see Till alive, spoke at an event held for the opening of the “Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See” exhibition at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Thursday. (Rob Roberts/Washington Informer)

Utilities Disconnected Over 70,000 Maryland Households’ Power Last Year, Report Says

Kayla Benjamin Climate & Environment Writer

Exelon, the parent company that owns major electricity providers in D.C. and Maryland, earned the dubious honor of the top spot on a list of utility companies with the most shutoffs recorded in 2022, according to a report released Monday. The company disconnected power to more than 368,000 homes across the country because of unpaid bills between January and October of last year, the analysis by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Energy and Policy Institute and Bailout Watch found.

The report also said that Exelon spent 51 times more on shareholder dividends than it would have cost to keep the lights on in those homes.

“They’re not worried about who’s in that house or why they’re struggling to pay their bills,” co-author Selah Goodson Bell said. “They're just worried about their bottom line.”

The Washington Informer reached out to Exelon for a comment, but have not received a response from the company.

The study, titled “Powerless in the United States: How Utilities Drive Shutoffs and Energy Injustice,” found that more than a million American households had their electricity cut last year. That includes over 70,000 homes in Maryland—putting it among the top ten states for total 2022 disconnects. A little over 3,800 households saw shutoffs in the District.

Many states, including Virginia, do not require utilities to disclose data about disconnections, so other companies may in actuality be disconnecting more households than Exelon but can simply avoid reporting them.

“Utilities are actively hiding this data,” Goodson Bell said. “But also, a lot of the regulators are just being negligent and not forcing them to provide this information.”

Nationally and locally, utility shut-

offs disproportionately impact Black households. In D.C., one in five Black had a ‘high energy burden’—defined as spending more than 6% of their income on energy bills—in 2020, according to a study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The study also found that the median energy burden for Black households in D.C. was 70% higher than that of white households.

Other factors besides income compound the racially disparate impacts of utility shutoffs. That’s because of discriminatory redlining—formal and informal practices aimed at shutting homebuyers out of certain neighborhoods due to race or ethnicity—has added to Black households’ energy burdens. Formerly redlined urban neighborhoods are, on average, about 5 degrees hotter in the summer than neighborhoods favored for home loans, a 2020 study in the journal Climate found. And discriminatory housing practices have also left communities of color with housing that, because of structural deficiencies, costs

more to heat and cool.

The impact of those disparities will only increase as climate change causes hotter and hotter summer temperatures.

“We had a lot of heat waves, floods and freezes last year, and that puts a lot of pressure on households and a variety of ways, but specifically on

their electricity use and energy demand,” Goodson Bell said. “And for low income households and houses of color especially—not only are they more often on the front lines on these climate crises, but it also usually costs more for them to heat their homes in response to these extreme weather events.” WI

Other factors besides income compound the racially disparate impacts of utility shutoffs.

AROUND THE REGION

The Newsletter

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

–

Philip Walker, Kemry Hughes, Emma P. Ward, and Markus Batchelor read the Washington Informer. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

Rosa Parks

“I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up, and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.”

Mayor Muriel Bowser, Metro officials, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George join other local community leaders at the Metro’s Northern Bus Garage Reconstruction project groundbreaking in Northwest on Jan. 25. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

The Bridge Launches Event Series Targeting Creatives and Entrepreneurs

Monthly event allows for networking

Ra-Jah Kelly Digital Strategist

“We need more”, said Lafayette Barnes, publisher of the Washington Informer Bridge. In its 58 years of existence, the Washington Informer, and offshoots such as The Bridge, have built up a tremendous amount of goodwill and following in the DMV community in terms of a loyal readership. Barnes sees the paper’s next venture of informing and engaging Washingtonians as providing opportunities to build sustainable relationships with figures in D.C.’s creative community.

To accomplish this goal, the publication is launching the “Bridge Creative Salon” series and a corresponding creator database.

Presenters and entertainers will engage attendees in topics related to visual and graphic arts, entertainment, film, media and future technologies. In addition to panel discussions, the event will focus on networking, skills and business

development. Events are RSVP-only and supported by partnerships with local colleges and universities, media partners and sponsors.

The first event will take place on Feb. 9 at Alice, located at 1357 U St NW, from 5-8 p.m., featuring music by DJ O’sCool as well as a Bridge-sponsored gift bag with special surprises.

February’s panel will feature independent publishers Mahadi Lawal of Big Facts Magazine, Aton Crawley of All Items Considered, Zahreh Barry of Bearings Magazine, and Lyric Amodia of The Movement Street, a youth advocacy organization based at Howard University. Hosting the panel will be Micha Green, Washington Informer managing editor.

Featuring a free arcade and Vietnamese and Chinese street foods, guests at Alice are invited to enjoy Alice’s ambiance, while participating in networking opportunities and all-around good vibes.

RSVP for the February Bridge

Creative Salon via bridgecreativesalon. splashthat.com. To sign up for the developing creative database please use the link via www.wibridgedc.com/ bridge-creators.

For information on sponsoring future Creative Salon events, contact: info@wibridgedc.com with the subject: Creative Salon. WI @Ra_jahDC

GOODProjects Launches Initiative, Offers Funds to Area Activists, Artists

Ra-Jah Kelly

Digital Strategist

For some, it would seem like a crowning achievement, but over the course of his multi-year journey in the advocacy world, the “Resolutions 2023,” event held at Eaton Hotel is just the next step for Darius Baxter in his goal to “eradicate poverty.”

Baxter, a native Washingtonian, founded GOODProjects in his senior year of college at Georgetown University.

Since then he has been able to evolve his vision based on the mission statement of: “Energizing a growing network of 4,000 plus grassroots activists, organizers and artists from across the DMV to engage at the local level in projects and initiatives to address community issues and make a material difference in the lives of low-income Black families that have suffered the effects of generational poverty.”

The millennial leader and GOODProjects Team have grown from their humble beginnings in Georgetown

dorm rooms to an annual budget exceeding 1.5 million dollars.

Even greater than their budget is their hope for the future. With that in mind, on Jan. 28 GOODProjects officially launched their “$150,000 Black Justice Fellowship for activists, artists and organizers on the front lines of advancing racial equity across Greater Washington”.

According to Baxter, 10 Black Lead-

ers representing the District, Maryland and Virginia will be selected to each receive a grant of $15,000 to support their living expenses for a year.

“They will also receive training and access to the networks necessary to scale their activism,” the CEO and co-founder of GOODProjects said.

Baxter, who lost his father to gun violence at a young age, was encouraged by his mother– who now works alongside him at GOOD Projects– to push beyond the boundaries placed on others in his position.

“I’ve always wanted to live this life of not being an exception but of being an example,” said Baxter.

Sharece Crawford, a former ANC commissioner from Congress Heights is a supporter of Baxter’s efforts.

“I think the biggest thing is reciprocity. We live in a time where everyone is all about, ‘give give give give, me, me me me,”” Crawford said. “GOODProjects are like, ‘we’ve received and we want to pour back into the people around us.’”WI

@Ra_jahDC

5 The “Bridge Creative Salon,” event series launches Feb. 9 at Alice on U. (WI Bridge)

5 GOODProjects CEO Darius Baxter said the nonprofit launched their first $150,000 Black Justice Fellowship for activists, artists and organizers in the D.C. area. (Courtesy Photo/ Maeva Yacine Komenan)

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Governor Moore Announces Additional, Barrier-Breaking Cabinet Picks

Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

Earlier this week, Gov. Wes Moore announced several additional cabinet picks who will be leading state agencies.The cabinet picks, along with most commission appointees, require approval in the State Senate. Several of these picks will be the first African-American to serve in their position, including the Secretaries of Environment, Veterans Affairs and Commerce.

The first Black woman to serve as Secretary of Environment is Serena McIlwain, former undersecretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. She has also worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Maryland also gets its first African American Secretary of Veteran Affairs in Maj. Anthony Woods, who was discharged from the military as a lieutenant under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy in 2008, later resuming his service in the Army Reserve. He also worked in the Office of Personnel Management during the Obama Administration. Woods, a Bowie resident, is executive director of the Quad Fellowship, a program he founded for 100 exceptional American, Japanese, Australian, and Indian masters and doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to study at American universities.

Secretary of Commerce Kevin Anderson is the founder and CEO of Cardinal Atlantic Holdings. Based in Upper Marlboro, his

company provides advice to funds, corporations, and governments on economic and community development strategies and projects.

Secretary of Disabilities Carol A. Beatty, who was originally appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan in 2015, will keep her role. Beatty previously served as director of The Arc in Howard County, an organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2021, Beatty was given The Arc Baltimore’s 2021 Public Service Award for providing vital advocacy.

Moore also named Hagerstown Mayor Emily Keller as the Special Secretary for Opioid Response, a newly-created post. Before serving as mayor, Keller served as a councilmember in Hagerstown, and has worked for years to improve service and treatment options for addicts as co-chair of Washington Goes Purple, a community education program about the dangers of drugs. She is also a member of the board of directors for the Phoenix Foundation, home to the only “Recovery High School” in the state of Maryland. Her resignation as mayor will be effective Jan. 31.

U.S. Rep. David Trone (D), who represents Western Maryland, called Keller “a passionate leader in the fight against substance abuse disorder” and “an invaluable partner… and an incredible resource to others across our state.”

Other appointments include:

Secretary of Transportation: Paul Wiedefeld is former head of the Washington Metropolitan Area

Transit Authority. As Secretary of Transportation, he would again serve on Metro’s eight-person leadership board.

Secretary of Health: Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, former vice president at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, medical director of Population and Community Health at Johns Hopkins Healthcare and served as deputy secretary of Public Health under former Gov. Martin O’Malley. Joshua Sharfstein, O’Malley’s Health Secretary, said “Herrera Scott is a caring clinician with a deep understanding of population health and the health of communities and expertise in health care financing.”

Secretary of Labor: Portia Wu currently works as managing director of the U.S. Public Policy at Microsoft. She formerly served on the White House Domestic Policy Council as special assistant, senior policy advisor to President Barack Obama for Labor and Workforce, and also as Labor Policy director for the late Senator Ted Kennedy. Donna S. Edwards, president of the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO, said “Wu has a tremendous labor background, and she comes with great experience from both sides – a labor point of view and a business point of view.”

Secretary of Human Services: Rafael Lopez served in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as senior advisor to the Administration for Children and Families. He has also served as the asso-

ciate director of the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore, president and CEO at the Family League of Baltimore City, and as executive director of the Commission for Children, Youth, and their Families for the City of Los Angeles.

Secretary of General Services: Atif Chaudry was appointed as Maryland Department of Health deputy secretary of operations in 2021.

Secretary of Juvenile Services: Vincent Schiraldi is a senior research scientist at the Columbia University School of Social Work. He was appointed commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation and Senior Advisor to the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice under Mayor Bill de Blasio. He is frequently called a reformer.

Secretary of Housing and Community Development: Former Salisbury mayor Jake Day is an

architect and Major in the Army National Guard, who formerly served as president of the Maryland Municipal League. Day resigned as Mayor of Salisbury on Jan. 27.

Secretary of Agriculture: Kevin Atticks is the executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association, the Brewers Association of Maryland and the Maryland Distillers Guild. He also serves on the Maryland Tourism Coalition and as a past president of the Maryland Agricultural Resource Council.

Secretary of Natural Resources: Josh Kurtz is an environmentalist who serves as executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. He has advocated for improving water quality through restoring oyster sanctuaries and tree conservation.

Secretary of Planning: Rebecca Flora is founder of the woman-owned and operated consulting company ReMake Group, LLC. She formerly served on the Chestertown Waterfront Task Force.

Secretary of Aging: Carmel Roques is president and CEO of Keswick Multi-Care Center. In a statement, AARP Maryland State Director Hank Greenberg said: “We welcome the appointment of Carmel Roques to lead the Maryland Department of Aging. She has earned an excellent reputation among many advocates for seniors and shares our aspirational goals of making Maryland an Age Friendly state.” WI

5 The first Black woman to serve as Secretary of Environment is Serena McIlwain.(Courtesy Photo)

5 Secretary of Commerce Kevin Anderson is the founder and CEO of Cardinal Atlantic Holdings. (Courtesy Photo)

The first Black woman to serve as Secretary of Environment is Serena McIlwain, former undersecretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

Upscale Dining Option GrillMarX Comes to College Park

Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

GrillMarX opened its newest steakhouse in the lobby of The Hotel at the University of Maryland, College Park, on Jan. 28, and the local community is coming out to support the venture.

“We were ecstatic to see so many friendly faces welcome us to the College Park community. With our connection to the University of Maryland we’re really excited to host the athletic departments as well as the different communities across University of Maryland (UMD),” said Victoria Harvey, the restaurant’s marketing director. “Being located in The Hotel, we have the opportunity to connect with a lot of different groups so we’re really excited to see what comes along.”

At its VIP opening, restaurant owners Jackie Baker-Nees, Andy Leach, Executive Chef Douglas Kellner and UMD head coach Michael Locksley invited tennis star Frances Tiafoe, who was given a quick tour of the restaurant.

College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn was also spotted dining with a group of friends.

Bowie PJ’s Coffee owners Mike and Tyra Harris were chatting with a video professional and Fairwood resident who frequents their coffee house.

“Everything here has been phenomenal so far. The service is top notch. Bartender and cocktails, perfect,” said the Harrises, who recommend the goat cheese salad and the crab dip.

GrillMarx is an upscale steakhouse, with two other Maryland locations currently operated by the same group in Olney and Columbia. Harvey said

the owners felt the College Park loca tion was a perfect fit to expand their brand.

“They immediately fell in love with the atmosphere and location,” said Harvey. “GrillMarX has always been about community and bringing peo ple together, so to find a location so close to campus was a great find for us,” said Harvey. The menus are consistent across their locations.

“Some of our bar items have changed in terms of our wine list and draft beers, but we’ve taken the past 10 plus years to curate and perfect our dinner menu so we’re sticking to it,” Harvey said, adding that 14-ounce Kona Ribeye steak, glazed in a home made marinade, is one of the most popular items, noted for its distinct flavor.

“I think a lot of people really love it because it’s so unique and comes with a lot of unexpected flavor everyone seems to love,” the restaurant’s director of marketing explained.

UMD’s Director of Football Op erations Abir Chaudhry had a sneak peek at the steakhouse during the VIP opening, and she recommended the mushroom ravioli with grilled shrimp.

“Very delicious, great portion sizes,” Chaudhry said, suggesting the restau rant as a spot for date night.

The GrillMarX team prides them selves on having one of the members of the leadership team in-house every day, in order to connect with employees and diners.

“They love to stay connected with the staff and guests and that’s what makes GrillMarX feel like a home away from home for our guests and staff included,” Harvey said.

The Harrises commended the customer service and even during a busy opening day, arriving diners were quickly seated and dishes moved quickly to guests.

By choosing The Hotel as their location, GrillMarX will get conference crowds, visiting scholars, and offer

beltway commuters a new, closer- tohome option for upscale dining.

The ownership group is focused on growing the College Park restaurant before opening additional locations.

“Of course we’re always thinking ahead, but for now we want to continue perfecting our current locations

before we think about branching out again,” Harvey said.

Patrons can park in a garage attached to GrillMarX at The Hotel at University of Maryland and the restaurant will validate parking for up to three hours. The dress code is business casual. WI

5 Business owners Michael Locksley, Jackie Baker-Nees and Douglas Kellner (pictured left to right) greet tennis pro Frances Tiafoe (center) at the VIP opening on Saturday of GrillMarX in College Park, Maryland. (Anthony Tilghman/ The Washington Informer )

WE NEED SOME R&R! NOT REST & RELAXATION, BUT RISK AND REGENERATION. PERHAPS EVEN RAGE & REPAIR.

BUSINESS

Allyson McKithen Breaks

Barriers Leading D.C.’s World Trade Center

Micha Green WI Managing Editor

‘A MINI U.N,’

Brookly born, DMV raised, Allyson McKithen has always been surrounded by diversity, and

The Washington Convention and Sports Authority (t/a Events DC) Bid Opportunity

now, as executive director of the World Trade Center Washington, D.C., she dedicates her efforts to welcoming and collaborating with international business communities. The first Black woman to hold the post– McKithen says there’s “never a dull moment,” as she learns something new about politics, policy, culture and foreign business dynamics through

Events DC is seeking a qualified contractor to perform on a as needed basis, supply and maintenance of mobile equipment, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center meeting the specifications/ scope of work identified in this solicitation. Located at 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Washington, DC 20001 and at any of its Facilities owned and operated by Events DC.

To respond online, you need your company's user name and login ID. Go to the Events DC (Washington Convention and Sports Authority) site at https:// www.wcsapex.com/bso/login.jsp. Enter your login and password information to sign into the system. Once logged in, open formal bids are listed in the Open Bids section of the home page. All formal bids can be accessed by clicking on Bids, then Open Bids.

The information from the request is below:

Bid Header

Requesting Department: Events DC (Washington Convention and Sports Authority)

Buyer Name: Kaila Turner

Buyer Phone: (202) 249-3215

Buyer Email: Kturner@eventsdc.com

Bid Number: 22-S-011-808

Description: Supply and Maintenance of Mobile Equipment

Proposal Due Date: 5:00 PM EST, Thursday, February 23, 2023

her daily work with international delegations.

“All throughout my life there was that common thread of having a global experience,” McKithen, who studied history at Georgetown University.

As the barrier-breaking leader and VP of International Programs at Trade Center Management Associates (TCMA), the exclusive manager of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, McKithen, 63, directs the first and only federal building dedicated to both public and private use.

“We’re a federal building. It’s owned by the U.S. General Services Administration and it’s operated in a public-private partnership with the company I work for, which is TCMA.”

The District’s trade center, located at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, is one of 300 trade centers part of the global World Trade Center Association.

With its unique setup, located right in the nation’s capital–just blocks away from the White House– the D.C. trade center has a mandate for Congress to bring together both public and private resources to create a forum for international trade.

The Washington Convention and Sports Authority (t/a Events DC)

Bid Opportunity

The Washington Convention and Sports Authority (t/a Events DC) is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to provide Uniform Purchase or Rental and Optional Cleaning Services. Interested parties can view a copy of the RFP by accessing Event DC’s e-procurement website at https://eventsdc.com/about/procurement. APEX

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Key Dates:

RFP Release Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Site Visit: 11:00AM EST, Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Questions Due Date:  12:00 PM EST, Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Proposal Due Date:  3:00 PM EST, Friday, February 24, 2023

Primary Contact Name: Gerald Green

E-mail: ggreen@eventsdc.com

Phone: (202) 249-3028

CONNECTING WITH THE WORLD

From events, to programming, meetings, to initiatives, McKithen looks forward to each time she gets to work with the international business community.

“We have great opportunities to use our platform to showcase business opportunities in these regions and cultural opportunities. I launched a program here called Winternational,” McKithen said.

Though suspended during the pandemic and now offering a virtual marketplace, according to the center’s website, Winternational “brought together over 60 embassies under one roof to showcase their art, their culture,” McKithen explained.

Providing others with cross-cultural experiences is a highlight of her work. “I think anytime you have those opportunities to show the diversity, but also the common thread of the things that no matter what culture you’re coming from, you encounter another and you say,’that reminds me of this element in my culture,’ that’s a good day’s work,’” she said.

McKithen also touted some of the trade center’s programming with local youth and its intentional work to help communities of color in D.C., nationally and abroad.

“I’ve been able, in that work, to really be able to go out there and actively find organizations that provide opportunities that can impact people of color, especially the next generation. Providing a

platform here for them that are doing interesting work. There’s a program that is one of my personal favorites. Here in Washington… the Embassy Adoption Program,” she said, explaining that the latter initiative is an effort through the Washington Performing Arts Society and District of Columbia Public Schools.

A personal passion for McKithen is her work with the African Union, “showcasing trade and investment opportunities there,” she shared. “Our World Trade Center Association is actually going to be in Ghana this spring, welcoming 300 trade centers from around the world.”

WHY EVERYONE SHOULD CARE ABOUT INTERNATIONAL TRADE

The executive director encourages all people to keep up-to-date with all the free and open to the public programming offered at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center by registering at: tradeinfo@rrbitc. com.

While she’s spent much of her life and career working with diverse communities, McKithen said no one should ignore international relations.

“If the pandemic did nothing, it showed us how interconnected we are as a human race. That something could start on one side of the world, and, in a couple of weeks, it’s impacting where you’re working— you’re working remotely instead of going into the office. People have to care,” she said.

The executive director added that from a career standpoint, employment-hopefuls are up against people from all over the world when stepping into the job market.

“You’re competing on a global stage,” she said. “So the more you understand and the earlier you understand it, the better off you are, the more competitive you are from a business perspective. It’s just survivability moving forward.” WI

3 Allyson McKithen is the first Black woman to serve as executive director of the District’s World Trade Center. (Courtesy Photo)

business briefs

James Wright / WI Staff Writer

Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.

KING TO CHAIR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Gale V. King, a retired executive at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, has been elected the chair of The Executive Leadership Council (ELC).

The ELC, headquartered in Northwest, D.C., serves as a global membership organization for Black CEOs, C-Suite and senior executives, board members and leading entrepreneurs. The organization seeks to build a business leadership pipeline designed to make contributions to the marketplace and the larger world.

King succeeded Lloyd W. Brown II of Citigroup as the chair. She started her position last month.

“For more than a decade, I have been an enthusiastic advocate for The Executive Leadership Council and its stellar work in advancing Black

leadership at the highest levels within global corporations and for paving the way for the next generations to come,” said King. “It is an honor to serve in this leadership role and I embrace the opportunity to partner with our members and member-affiliated companies to create lasting change and drive sustainable impact in the global community.”

Michael C. Hyter, president and CEO of The ELC, spoke highly of King.

“I have had the privilege of witnessing Gale’s leadership over several years and am delighted to welcome her as our new board chair,” Hyter said. “I am certain that we will benefit greatly from her unwavering commitment to our organization’s promise and its continued progress.”

In addition to her work at The ELC, King serves on the board of directors on several corporate boards

such as AutoZone, J.B. Hunt and Unum Group.

“Gale is an exceptional leader who has provided significant insights and contributions to the AutoZone board,” said Bill Rhodes, chairman, president and CEO of AutoZone. “As chair of The ELC, I know that she and the board will be a tremendous team in advancing The ELC mission.”

PRINCE GEORGE’S CHAMBER TO HOLD BREAKFAST

The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce will hold its “State of the Chamber Breakfast” on Feb. 15 at The

The event is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. Invited guests include Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Prince George’s County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Angie Rodgers. Highlights will include a quick review of 2022 and a reveal of the chamber’s director for 2023.

For more information, contact creid@ pgcoc.org.

D.C. AGENCY TO SPONSOR DREAM PITCH COMPETITION

The District of Columbia’s Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) launched last week its annual Dream Pitch Program, in which participants get the opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges and present the knowledge they gained through the program. Now in its sixth year, Dream Pitch is open to small businesses in Wards 7 and 8 with fewer than five employees. Past winners are not allowed to participate.

Participants will get feedback from judges and resource partners resulting in each participant receiving a pitch prize award between $2,000 and $7,500. Microbusinesses accepted into this competitive program will receive business development training in four areas: Business Pitch, Financial Projects/Accounting, Marketing & Branding, and Mentorship.

“Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle, and you must believe in your mission and yourself,” said DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield. “It takes vision, passion, dedication, and the strength to dream out loud and to persevere despite the hardships. Those concepts are essential to succeed in the Dream Pitch Program.”

The program will be conducted by DSLBD in conjunction with the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, D.C. Public Library, Congress Heights Community Training and Development Corporation, and the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization. For more information, go to https:// dslbd.dc.gov/dreampitch. WI @JamesWrightJr10

5 Gale V. King has been elected chair of the Executive Leadership Council. (Courtesy Photo)

NATIONAL

Leaders, Individuals React to Video of Police Beating

The video of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols being brutally beaten by Memphis Police Department sent shockwaves throughout the world wide web, as news outlets, activists and quotidian residents alike, shared the disturbing footage though social media platforms. Images of Nichols’ brutal beating remain etched in the minds of millions, as many discuss tactics to prevent police brutality from happening again.

While leaders and activists continue to mobilize to demand change through planning, rallying and strong discussions, most justice advocates have also been diligent about condemning poor policing, offering words of encouragement and issuing a call to action.

Kenyan McDuffie

D.C. Councilmember (I-At-Large)

“Every individual sworn to uphold the United States Constitution and protect and serve the public must be required by law to intervene to prevent a law enforcement official from committing assault. Tyre Nichols' killing is yet another tragic example of why we need and must continue to demand that Congress act to pass federal reforms that establish national standards for professional policing and public accountability,” said D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (I-At-large), chairman of the council’s Judiciary Committee.

“Tyre Nichols should be alive today. Instead, his family is mourning his death and experiencing excruciating pain and grief that no family should ever have to suffer. I pray for the Nichols family and hope that his death sparks a conscience awakening that moves us collectively as a nation towards love, compassion, and justice for all people.”

Ronald E. Hampton, retired D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer and former executive director of the National Black Police Association

“The behavior of these officers and others on the scene… is a raw, naked manifestation of the systemic and internalized racism within policing which is a mirror reflection of other institutions in our society,” said Ronald E. Hampton former executive director of the National Black Police Association.

“This unconscionable incident should cause us to examine the idea that just having Black police officers in the ranks of police departments in this country will prevent or reduce police brutality and misconduct in the Black community. This is obviously not the case. I say what’s needed is, not “reform,” but a complete restructuring of a corrupt culture and system of policing in America. In the interim, what I do think is important is connecting with Black police officers within police departments to create a network of socially conscious Black officers who will counter the racist blue culture by fighting for restructuring from the inside.”

Because the 29-year-old was a lover of sunsets, who loved to photograph them in all their beauty, people are taking to social media to follow Nichols’ suit and honor his life.

“We believe everyone has the right to an environment where they can live, work, and play safely,” tweeted the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, with the hashtag #SunsetsforTyre and a photo attributed to Ryan Osbourne.

C. Virginia Fields, president and CEO of The National Black Leadership Commission on Health

"As the family of Tyre Nichols mourns, so do we as a nation. Our collective mourning comes from the devastation, anger and outrage over yet another senseless killing by those who are paid by taxpayers to protect and secure our safety. Words are becoming more difficult to express the sorrow that is felt by so many with the passing of each such tragedy.”

The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network (Courtesy Photo)

On behalf of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) membership, our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Tyre Nichols. The video released… was disturbing and regrettably continues to tell the story of the need for law enforcement to reinvest in universal training standards which fosters systemic unbiased practices that ensures officers are equipped to serve our nation’s citizens regardless of race, color, creed, or location,” Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of NCNW.

Kimberly

“The charges against the police officers who brutally killed Tyre Nichols in Memphis are a necessary first step in delivering justice for Tyre and his family, although nothing will ever be enough to fill the void that his loss has left,” said Reverend Al Sharpton, who is delivering the eulogy at Nichols’ funeral on Feb. 1, according to a statement from the National Action Network (NAN).

“As

and professor at Howard, every day I encounter brilliant young people growing into their independence right before my very eyes. I also know all too well how many of their parents have tried to prepare them for potentially hostile run-ins with law enforcement, but moments like these lay bare how impossible, unimaginable, unreasonable it is to prepare for the absolute worst. At a moment in history when law enforcement across the country is under increased scrutiny, we expect — if not demand — they be above reproach,” said Dr. Wayne Frederick. “This violence must stop

“As we have seen in the years since the 2020 protests after the killing of George Floyd, the demands for justice failed to put an end to this cycle of death. In fact, the opposite has happened. Last year, at least 1,176 Americans were killed by the police — a record high for this country. And the growing numbers of young adults who count themselves among those demanding racial justice have sparked a backlash attack on the very conceptualization of structural racism,” said Kimberly Crenshaw, executive director of the African American Policy Forum.

Eight civil rights organizations wrote a letter to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris requesting a meeting to discuss police reform and address the federal response after Nichols’ tragic death. The organizations include the National Urban League, National Action Network (NAN), National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), NAACP, Legal Defense Fund, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Leadership Conference on Civil and Hu-

man Rights, and National Council of Negro Women (NCNW).

“Given the urgency of the matter, we ask that the meeting occur before next week’s State of the Union Address,” the leaders of the eight organizations wrote. “The survival and thriving of Black people and the other communities we serve depend on our success and the continued leadership of your administration.”

Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO, NCNW (Courtesy Photo)

Dr. Wayne Frederick, President, Howard University

president

Crenshaw, executive director of African American Policy Forum

Dr. Shavon Arline-Bradley Named First President and CEO at NCNW

Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

When President Joe Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court, Dr. Shavon Arline-Bradley counted among the first to cheer the nomination.

She asserted that Judge Jackson “embodied the principles of our communities and brings lived experience.”

Further, Arline-Bradley predicted that the nomination would “make an indelible mark on the Supreme Court for generations to come.”

Now, the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) have expressed its confidence that Arline-Bradley would also make an indelible mark on its organization.

They’ve tapped her as the first president and CEO of the 88-yearold organization.

Dr. A. Lois Keith, the new board chair of NCNW, predicted that Arline-Bradley would do better than expected because “these are the areas in which NCNW would like to continue, as we bridge the generational gap.”

In a press release, the organization said that Arline-Bradley co-founded The Health Equity Cypher Group because she wanted to advance DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and improve the health and social outcomes of the most vulnerable people.

That group is made up of health leaders who work to advance DEI and executive leadership in all sectors, officials stated.

As president and chairman of Delta for Women in Action, a 501(c)4 organization, Arline-Bradley works as a community advocate.

Arline-Bradley is also a member of the advisory board for the Oprah Winfrey Network initiative “OWN Your Health.”

A southern New Jersey native, Arline-Bradley attended Tulane University where she received a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public health.

Later, she earned a Master of Divinity from Virginia Union University’s Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology and became a minister.

Additionally, Arline-Bradley obtained an Executive Certificate in Business Management from Howard University and an Executive Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.

“This is an exciting time for NCNW. Shavon is a person of vision, with tremendous ideas, a broad outreach, and a flawless work record that will be recognized for years to come,” said Dr. Thelma T. Daley, NCNW immediate past president and chair, the last individual to hold the combined position in the organization’s history.

At the 60th Biennial National Convention of the NCNW, which was held in December 2022, officials said that Daley “skillfully led the assembled delegates in passing the bylaws to allow the organization founded in 1935 to be restructured.”

In a news release, officials said, “This is the first time NCNW has designated separate leadership roles electing a board chair and hiring a president/CEO serving in a salaried position.”

Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole suggested a new structure for NCNW where the chair would oversee bringing the board together to do its work, which will be focused on governance and making big decisions “to set a tone for carrying out the vision and mission of NCNW.”

“With this structure, NCNW will be an even better civil rights and women’s rights group,” Cole said in the press release.

“We are in an intensely difficult time in our country. A time when there are constant challenges to the fundamental rights of women, people of color, and all marginal-

ized communities.”

She went on to say, “At such a time as this, a deeply challenging time such as this, NCNW is so fortunate to have Shavon Arline-Bradley as

our president and CEO; for she is a deeply admired and an effective leader in our on-going struggle for justice and equity.” WI @StacyBrownMedia

5 Dr. Shavon Arline-Bradley has been named the first president and CEO at NCNW. (Courtesy Photo/ Facebook)

5 Workers on duty at UFACO garment factory at Kigali Special Economic Zone. (Courtesy Photo)

COMPILED BY OSWALD T. BROWN, WI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Ilo Urges East African Countries to HarmonizeLabor Laws

The International Labour Organisation is asking East African countries to adopt global labour standards and harmonize laws on migrant labour, The New Times, Rwanda’s leading daily newspaper, reported on Saturday, Jan. 28.

This week, the ILO’s East African office gathered government and labour rights experts in Zanzibar to push for a common agenda on adopting standards as provided by the global workers’ organization.

And as countries work towards free movement of labour, the ILO says a common policy on migrant labour can help protect the workers as well as ensure only the needed labour is available.

Wellington Chibebe, Director of the ILO Country Office for the East African region that includes Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, told an audience that the region must work towards common policy to ensure legal migrant labour is categorized the same way across the region.

“There’s a need to formulate and implement coherent, comprehensive, consistent, and transparent policies in line with international labour standards, for better protection of migrant workers,” he said, according to a speech shared with the media. “Let’s domesticate, ratify, and implement relevant international labour standards, to effectively manage labour migration in a way that is beneficial to all.”

All of the East African Community partner states have passed some labour laws, including banning child labour and trafficking. But not all have minimum wage policies, for example.

In some cases, employers have taken advantage of lack of minimum wage as well as insufficient travel papers for labourers to pay low wages.

The ILO gathered the officials under the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme. The meeting was the first high-level labour migration advisory group (LMAG) for the East and Horn of Africa, meant to discuss opportunities and challenges on labour migration.

Jamal Kassim Ali, Minister of State of the President’s office of Zanzibar, said the region should jointly address the effects of labour migration to cover loopholes used by the bad elements.

Countries in the wider eastern Africa region have all been faced with irregular labour policies and this type of gathering was supposed to be a platform to exchange lessons on what works.

Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association Appoints New CEO

5 Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Chief CEO Ryan Forde. (Courtesy Photo)

The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has announced the appointment of a new CEO, Ryan Forde, who will officially take up the post on Feb. 13. With over 12 years of experience in the industry, Forde has held various management positions during that time including Sales and Marketing manager, Group Sales manager and marketing officer at local, regional and international brands. Forde holds a Master’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality from EADA Business School (Barcelona, Spain) and a Bachelor’s Degree with honors from the Barcelona Business School (UIBS) in International Business with a minor in Tourism Management.

The new CEO is honored to be the first Barbadian to be accepted and graduate from the Elevator Management Trainee programme for Hilton Worldwide, where he trained as a manager across multiple brand hotels and departments within Hilton throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

With a proven track record of successfully delivering on significant marketing projects and sales initiatives, Forde explained that he is up for the challenge of being one of, if not, the youngest CEOs to join the BHTA team and noted that his main mission is to work towards the continuous improvement, growth and success of the Barbados tourism industry.

date. Card terms and conditions apply. Reply by 10/15/2021.

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Chairman of the BHTA, Renée Coppin, said the Association was thrilled and delighted to welcome Ryan as its newest CEO, “Our Board of Directors and members have expressed unanimous delight at his selection. In our 70th year of existence as an association, as a mature tourism destination coming out of a pandemic, we feel it is time for our industry to take fresh guard.

DF-CD-NP-Q321

Maintaining a Healthy Heart

Submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women.1 Unfortunately, the risk of heart disease is even higher for minority racial and ethnic groups, as health disparities are highly influenced by socioeconomic disadvantages. As we celebrate American Heart Month, learn about heart disease and find out the best practices you can take to maintain a healthy heart.

WHAT IS HEART DISEASE?

Heart disease can refer to several types of heart conditions. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD) which affects how blood flows to your heart.2,3 This happens when plaque builds up around the arteries. Different factors can lead to plaque buildup inside of your arteries such as smoking and high blood pressure.3

WHAT RISK FACTORS CAN LEAD TO HEART DISEASE?

There are many preexisting health conditions that can lead to

heart disease. You or someone you know may be at risk for heart disease if you already have any of the following:4

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• High cholesterol

• Type 2 diabetes

• Heavy alcohol use

• Chronic kidney disease

• Preeclampsia or toxemia

Both high blood pressure and diabetes are the biggest risk factors of heart disease.1 You may also be at risk for heart disease through a lack of exercise and poor diet and nutrition.5

WHO IS AT RISK FOR HEART DISEASE?

Minority groups such as Black and Hispanic/Latinx individuals are more likely to develop heart disease than white groups. For example, 59% of Black adults have hypertension — the highest among all racial and ethnic groups — a key risk factor for heart disease.6 It is important to monitor risk factors, such as checking your blood pressure regularly. Genetics can also play a role in heart disease if high blood pressure runs in your family.7 If you believe that you or someone in your family may be at risk for heart

disease, contact your health care provider about what your options may be.

HOW CAN YOU PREVENT HEART DISEASE?

While heart disease can be hard to prevent through risk factors like genetics, it is not impossible. You can lower your chances of getting heart disease by doing the following:8

• Limiting your use of tobacco

• Increasing or adding exercise into your daily routine

• Eating and maintaining a healthy diet

• Contacting your health care provider for regular health screenings

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 information, please contact your health care provider. Never stop or wait to get medical attention because of something you have read in this material.

Sources:

1. “Heart Disease Facts,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm

2. “About Heart Disease,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm

3. “Coronary Artery Disease (CAD),” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/coronary_ ad.htm

4. “Cardiovascular Disease,” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21493-cardiovascular-disease

5. “Keep Your Heart Healthy,” Health.gov, https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/health-conditions/heart-health/keep-your-heart-healthy

6. “How Race and Ethnicity Impact Heart Disease,” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/ar-

#BestMe

BEST ME: As an AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia (DC) enrollee, you can make an appointment with your provider at any time, right from your home. Our telehealth options are offered at no cost to you. Call 1-833-669-7679 to get connected to care through the following ways:

•Press 1: Video and phone calls. A provider will review the medical history you provide and contact you. Standard messaging and data fees may apply.

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ticles/23051-ethnicity-and-heart-disease#:~:text=Black%20women%20 are%20more%20likely,to%20have%20 coronary%20artery%20disease

7. “Know Your Risk for Heart Disease,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm#:~:text=Genetic%20factors%20 likely%20play%20some,that%20 may%20increase%20their%20risk.

8. “Strategies To Prevent Heart Disease,” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease-prevention/art-20046502

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sible. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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BLACK HISTORY month Environmental Justice on the Ballot

Kayla Benjamin Climate & Environment Writer

The environmental justice movement began more than four decades ago with a lost battle. After four years of town hall arguments, three lawsuits and over 500 arrests for civil disobedience, a majority Black community in Warren County, North Carolina became the site of a toxic landfill in 1982. The community did go on to acquire state and federal resources to remediate the site—but not until 2001.

The Warren County protesters

couldn’t have known, when they laid down on the road to block trucks loaded with contaminated soil, that their protest would become the catalyst for an international movement. Soon after their protest, academic and government reports began documenting, indisputably, how U.S. and state governments dumped hazardous waste in Black and low-income communities at staggeringly unequal rates. Influential advocacy groups began to form in the late 1980s and early 90s to fight against environmental injustice.

In the last few years, the movement has picked up momentum in major policymaking spaces. President Joe Biden signed an executive order in January 2021 that requires at least 40% of the benefits of certain federal programs to flow to disadvantaged communities. Two major pieces of recent federal legislation (the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act) included billions in specially earmarked environmental justice funding.

Starting with Warren County, decades of activism have moved ra-

cial and economic disparities to the forefront of policy conversations about the environment. But to continue that momentum, and make sure agencies keep their promises, the right officials need to get elected. And that means fighting an even older fight: voting rights.

“We have to protect the vote, and we have to utilize the vote,” said Mustafa Santiago Ali, an environmental justice leader and executive vice president for the National Wildlife Federation, at a rally in support of climate legislation last year. “Our vote has to be a part of this overall set of actions and tools that we have to bring forward justice.”

In 2022, seven states passed new laws that make voting more difficult, according to a report by the Brennan Center. The previous year, 19 states passed such laws. These restrictions disproportionately target Black, Latino and Indigenous voters. In other words: the communities that face the most environmental health hazards have the fewest opportunities to elect the people who will fight to clean them up.

Other forms of voter suppression stand in the way of environmental justice, too. Last year, Ohio conducted its midterm elections using maps that the state’s Supreme Court had deemed unconstitutionally favored Republicans. A Brennan Center analysis found that the Ohio communities facing some of the worst environmental health hazards were also communities who lost political influence because

of redistricting.

“The cracking apart of communities and haphazard connection of wildly different communities severely diminishes the ability of Ohioans experiencing environmental injustice to advocate for their needs,” the report said.

The connection between voting power and environmental justice is clear locally, too. Last year, 28 delegates in Maryland’s legislature sponsored a bill that would add the right to “a healthful and sustainable environment” to the state constitution. Maryland would have become the fourth state to enact a so-called “green amendment”—but the bill never made it out of committee. Another bill, which would have required certain Department of Environment permit applications to include specific environmental justice data, met a similar fate in the Maryland senate. But this year, with an environmentally ambitious ally in Governor Wes Moore, re-introduced legislation may stand a better chance.

People at all levels of government—including appointed officials like judges and agency leaders—make a huge difference in whether communities like Warren County see justice done or not. The ballot box determines, in part, the path toward clean air, water and soil for everyone.

“My grandmother says, ‘you have power unless you give it away,’” said Ali, the environmental justice leader. “And one of our forms of power is our vote.” WI

5 Mustafa Santiago Ali (Courtesy photo/Harvard Radcliffe Institute)

Black Vote Key in Presidential Races

James Wright

WI Staff Writer

Black voters, especially when voting in a bloc, have often played an integral part of winning presidential campaigns.

African Americans voted in presidential elections in large numbers starting in 1928 with most of their votes going to Republican candidate Herbert Hoover.

Many Blacks voted Republican because of its perception as the Party of Abraham Lincoln, the emancipator. In 1932, a number of Blacks in the northern states bolted from the GOP to Democrat Franklin Delano Roosevelt due to the effects of the Great Depression.

Jennifer Scanlon, a professor of humanities at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, wrote in an article, “One Reason Why Blacks Rallied to Harry Truman in 1948,” is that Blacks as a constituency had not yet exercised national influence over a presidential election, but 1948, some thought, could be the year.

Scanlon noted that while Blacks favored Roosevelt, they voted Republican in congressional, state and local races because of many white Democrats' pro-segregation stances. Scanlon credits the efforts of Black political activist Anna Arnold Hedgeman of New York City for increasing Truman’s support among Blacks in the 1948 election.

Hedgeman facilitated a rally in Harlem, then informally known as the “capital of Black America” where Truman spoke, the first time a president visited the New York City neighborhood. When the election results came in, New York strongly went to Republican Thomas Dewey, (he was the governor of the state) but Truman defeated him in Harlem, 90,000 votes to 25,000. Scanlon said Truman won 1948 by a “narrow margin nationally, thanks in part to the Black electorate in northern states like New York.”

In 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower sought reelection to a second term. Eisenhower campaigned in Black neighborhoods in northern cities talking about his role in abolishing segregation in the military, integrating Washington, D.C. and hiring more African Americans in the Foreign Service than ever before,

according to an article by Lincoln M. Fitch, a scholar at Gettysburg College. Eisenhower went on to win re-election over Democrat Adlai Stevenson. U.S. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell (D-N.Y.), who represented Harlem in the Congress, supported Eisenhower. Fitch pointed out that Eisenhower won 36% of the Black vote that election, a feat no Republican hasn’t matched since.

Then there was the 1960 election, when then Democratic candidate Senator John F. Kennedy called Coretta Scott King, wife of civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., while her husband languished in an Atlanta jail. A PBS.org article revealed Kennedy’s brother Robert convinced an Atlanta judge to grant King bail. The piece also reported King’s father, known as Daddy King, switched his alliance from Republican candidate Vice President Richard Nixon to Kennedy. That call sparked many northern Blacks to switch their votes to the senator. Kennedy barely won the election with the Black vote playing a decisive role in states such as Illinois, Michigan and New York.

With the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Blacks voter participation increased substantially in the late 1960s and beyond. However, a November 3, 1976, article in the Harvard Crimson written by Seth Kaplan and James Kaplan said the Black vote put former Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, over incumbent Republican president Gerald Ford in that year’s presidential election.

They said Carter carried 10 out of the 11 states of the Old Confederacy due to Southern whites and Blacks voting for him. Carter also won states such as Pennsylvania and New York on the strength of the Black vote, the Kaplans reported.

The Black vote made all the difference in 1992 when Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, a Democrat, defeated Republican President George W. Bush and independent Ross Perot. Election statistics reveal Clinton won the 1992 race with 83% of the Black vote and re-election four years later with 84% of African Americans’ support. Clinton lost the white vote in 1992 and 1996 by getting only 39% and 43% respectively.

Barack Obama, the first Black elected president, lost the white vote

in both his initial election in 2008 and re-election effort, getting 43% in the former and 39% in latter. However, political analysts noted Obama’s Black vote at 95% in 2008 and 93% in 2012 complemented by a high voter turnout among African Americans and young people of all races.

In 2020, former vice president Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump with 87% of the Black vote, according to Cornell University’s Roper Center. WI

@JamesWrightJr10

5 President Obama won his election in 2008 and re-election in 2012 by winning decisively among Black voters. (WI File Photo/ Shevry Lassiter)

African Americans Say Voting Would Help Overcome Racial Inequities

Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

When Democrat Joe Biden ran for president in 2020, his campaign was falling apart.

A meeting and interview with a group of National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) publishers, led by President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., and an endorsement from South Carolina Democratic Rep. James Clyburn gave Biden’s campaign the boost it needed, carrying him all the way to the White House.

During his first two years in office, President Biden has routinely reminded everyone about the importance of the Black vote.

Recent reports revealed that a group of Black elected officials were worried that Black people would not vote at all in the 2020 election.

They are also worried about the 2024 presidential election.

While Black voters did not go for Republicans in large numbers, in many places, they did not show up to vote as often as they used to, CNN reported.

When compared to other voter groups in the 2022 midterms, they did not perform well.

Top Democratic operatives and Black leaders reportedly have said they worry that if former President Donald Trump and extremist candidates aren't on the 2024 ballot, driving suburban and independent voters to vote for Democrats again, they worry “they will need big changes, and quickly, to get more Black voters showing up to win in swing states and tough districts.”

VOTING VERSUS PROTESTING

Meanwhile, most Black adults told researchers that they see voting as an extremely or very effective strategy for

helping Black people move toward equality, but fewer than half say the same about protesting.

According to a new Pew Research poll, more than six in ten Black adults (63%) say voting is an extremely effective strategy for Black progress.

However, only around four in ten (42%) say the same about protesting.

The research found notable differences in these views across political and demographic subgroups of the Black population.

According to researchers, Black Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents are more likely than Black Republicans and Republican leaners to say voting is an extremely or very effective tactic for Black progress (68% vs. 46%).

Black Democrats are also more likely to say the same about supporting Black businesses (63% vs. 41%) and protesting (46% vs. 32%).

Researchers said views also differ by age.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

For example, around half of Black adults ages 65 and older (48%) say protests are an extremely or very effective tactic, compared with 42% of those ages 50 to 64 and 38% of those 30 to 49.

WHY THE RESEARCH AND WHAT IT SHOWS

Painting a backdrop for its research, Pew officials noted that Black Americans’ resistance to racial inequality

has deep roots in U.S. history and has taken many forms – from slave rebellions during the colonial era and through the Civil War to protest movements in the 1950s, 1960s, and today.

They also said that Black Americans had built institutions like churches, colleges and universities, printing presses, and fraternal organizations to help their communities. VOTING

in February, we recognize and honor the accomplishments of so many who have helped shape the face and future of our nation.

HARRIET TUBMAN

FREDERICK DOUGLASS

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

5 Most African American adults see voting as an extremely or very effective strategy for helping Black people move toward equality. (Pete Souza/ Wikimedia Commons)

VOTING from Page 22

Pew researchers said that “these movements and institutions had stressed freedom, self-determination and equal protection under the law.” Additionally, research found that those with a high school education or less are more likely than college graduates to say that establishing a national Black political party would effectively achieve equality for Black people.

Young Black adults (ages 18 to 49) are more likely than older Black adults (ages 50 and up) to believe that Black officials governing Black neighborhoods would aid in advancing equality.

ALLIES FROM OTHER RACIAL GROUPS

Further, clear majorities of Black adults told researchers that people of other races or ethnicities could make good political allies for Black people. About four-in-ten Black adults (42%) said white people would make good political allies only if they experienced the same hardships as Black people. Another 35% said white people would make good political allies even if they don’t experience these same hardships. Approximately onein-five Black adults (18%) said white people would not make good political allies.

Four-in-ten Black adults (37%) say

Latinos would make good allies only if they experienced the same hardships as Black people. In comparison, a similar share (40%) say Latino people would make for good allies even if they don’t experience the same hardships. Some 16% of Black adults say Latinos would not make good political allies.

The views of Black adults on this question are similar to those stated about Asians, though a somewhat higher share (23%) say Asian Americans would not make good political allies.

Around four in ten Black adults believe that Black Lives Matter have done the most to help Black people in recent years.

That opinion proved more than the share who said the NAACP (17%), the Congressional Black Caucus (6%), or the National Urban League (3%).

Black Democrats are more likely than Black Republicans (44% vs. 26%) to say Black Lives Matter has done the most to help Black people in recent years.

And Black adults with at least a college degree are more likely than those with less education (44% vs. 37%) to say Black Lives Matter has done the most.

“Black Americans have long articulated a clear vision for the kind of social change that would improve their lives,” researchers wrote. WI @StacyBrownMedia

What African Americans Want Most from Congress in 2023

Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

As 2022 closed, Black Americans saw gains with historic candidates and timely legislation.

President Joe Biden signed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act and later, the Respect for Marriage Act, which protected interracial marriages.

A slim majority in Congress prevented other significant bills from reaching the president’s desk.

As Black History Month begins, there remains key issues that African Americans want to see happen.

A December poll of Black voters revealed that African Americans want the government to do more to fight white supremacy.

That FBI helped underscore that need when it issued a report noting

that hate crimes disproportionately target African Americans.

With mass shootings continuing at a record pace, gun control remains a hot-button issue for Black America.

Further, many Black voters have suggested strong desires for a comprehensive voting rights package, whether

that’s in the form of the Freedom to Vote Act, or the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

The former would expand mail-in, early voting, and automatic voter registration, while the latter would restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965. And, following the brutal murder

of Tyre Nichols at the hands of five Tennessee police officers, African Americans have continued to voice outrage over the failure of lawmakers to pass the George Floyd Justice in Police Act. While the bill has twice passed the House, the measure has stalled in the Senate despite a

Democrat majority there. The legislation would end qualified immunity, which many believe would greatly curtail the type of police behavior that led to the deaths of Nichols, Floyd, and so many other African Americans. WI

@StacyBrownMedia

5 New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D) is the House Minority Leader and head of the House Democratic Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Courtesy Photo)

HEALTH

When Bullets Pierce the Body And Mind: Life After Surviving A Gun Wound

Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Health Writer

While city residents adamantly argue tougher sentencing on the perpetrators of gun-involved crimes, local surviving victims once stricken with bullets bear the heaviest burden of them all: the struggle to heal their minds and spirits after suffering at the hands of gun violence.

“Gun violence is an epidemic that is tearing life from our city. What’s left behind are the countless friends and family members whose lives have been forever changed,” said Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Police Chief Robert Contee, addressing the city gun violence issue on New Year’s Day.

Victims’ trauma can create a domino effect of mental distress for their loved ones, while consequently leaving community members scrambling for a sense of security in the neighborhoods they call home.

Gun-related crimes contributed to the 203 homicides reported in the District in 2022. According to The John Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, young Black males, ages 15-34, account for roughly 32% of all firearm homicide victims, while representing only 2% of the U.S. population. The staggering numbers have left the city unsettled with concern for their public safety.

Joshua, 36, who has requested his last name be redacted for privacy, experienced the menacing cycle of gun violence firsthand the day he felt an explosion of bullets pierce through his shoulder and riddle his hands while driving away from a violent run-in with residents. Today, Joshua reflects on the horrid chain

of events that changed his life forever-- having evolved from a hopeless teenager surrounded by violence, to an adult who sees the youth’s desperate need for a sense of direction and a listening ear.

“At first I didn’t know I had gotten shot, I just heard a loud explosion in my ear. Instinct told me to look back and I saw my back window was busted. I thought someone threw a brick through my window, initially, [but] when I turned my head back around I saw my hands were disfigured and there was blood everywhere,” said Joshua, a native D.C.’s Michigan Park community.

Rushing himself to the hospital, Joshua had no idea of the changes he was in for beyond his emergency surgery to repair the severe damage to his hands.

“At the time they weren’t talking to me about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), I didn’t know anything about it. Everything [in my mind] was revenge and getting healthy. I was thinking my hand was going to go back to normal once it was done healing. Young and dumb,” Joshua said, chuckling as he reflected on that moment.

“But when I, unfortunately, ended up going to prison a year after that [incident], that was when I started having cold sweats. I pretty much knew what it came from, but I didn’t know what triggered it. So when I was released, I went through a mental evaluation and told them about it so I could get a better understanding of what was going on. I was [later] diagnosed with PTSD, heightened paranoia and depression.”

Joshua came to find his bouts of cold sweats periodically triggered by thoughts of, or being present in,

aggressive, violent, intense or unsafe environments. The symptoms went from harsh to worse when he later discovered a glitch in his memory, speculatively due to his reconstructive (hand) surgeries requiring general anesthesia, in conjunction with a mental safety defense of blocking out painful and traumatic losses in his life. The now 36-year-old’s protective method eventually displaced more of his memory than he ever intended.

Similar to the holistic approach to treating cancers where physicians are focused on the physical tumor, the emotional and mental state of trauma victims require the same attention to remedy their mental health after a chilling encounter.

Dr. Masica Jordan-Alston, CEO of Jordan Peer Recovery and assistant professor at Bowie State University, emphasized the necessary attention that must be given to trauma victims in not only treating medical conditions, but also what physicians call, “lifestyle diseases,” caused by unaddressed stress, grief, and various elements later manifesting as illness within the body.

“Trauma-informed care is something that people toss around, but when you are a person who has survived a gunshot wound, or any victim of a crime, there is a level of fight or flight that happens. It was never designed for people to live in a constant state of fight or flight, but what you’ll find is when peo-

experiencing periodic cramping and complicating simple tasks like opening doors or grabbing certain items with ease. He also jumps at the sound of any type of loud explosion including fireworks, and remains extremely uncomfortable in crowds of people. Further, the current trend of young men sporting ski masks around the city leaves him particularly unnerved, but he manages as best as he can.

The gunshot survivor continues to find solace while pouring into his work, hobbies, and the youth, as he sets focus on the grave importance of inspiring the younger generations to reframe their value for life, and lack of conflict resolution outside of deadly force.

ple experience trauma, not just the person that was shot but the persons that are connected with that victim, being a spouse, children, [whoever] that is, [they] are experiencing something called vicarious trauma. Even the neighborhood that person is in shows a level of vicarious trauma. What you’ll see is that people can experience all kinds of things,” Jordan-Alston explained.

Joshua still struggles with the mental, social, and physical ramifications of his gun wounds. Both hands having been struck with bullets, his righthand lacks full function, with both still

“Honestly, I believe a lot of the issue is due to the elders not giving back and sharing their stories and experiences with the youth. The older dudes are not looking out for the younger ones. They aren’t even trying. [I notice] every time I bring it up they say, ‘oh those youngins’ don’t listen.’ Yeah, but, we all didn’t listen,” Joshua said. “You have to continuously stay on them, stay involved, and stay the course. It is not something that you can just address one time.”

The youth mentor said it’s important to demonstrate true interest and care in the lives of young people

“It’s always good to have someone cheering you on. I think these youth just need someone to relate to, and there aren’t many, but for the ones that are still here, there is work that needs to be done.”

WI

5 Dr. Masica Jordan-Alston, CEO of Jordan Peer Recovery and assistant professor at Bowie State University, emphasized the necessary attention that must be given to trauma victims in not only treating medical conditions, “lifestyle diseases,” caused by unaddressed stress, grief, and various elements later manifesting as illness within the body. ((Courtesy photo/LinkedIn)

EDUCATION

Registration Portal Opens for Summer Youth Employment Program

Oldest Youth Employees Will See a Pay Bump

Sam P.K. Collins

WI Staff Writer

With the registration portal for the 2023 Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) now open, thousands of young people can apply for public and private sector jobs

that pay an hourly rate slightly higher than what was offered in years past.

In July, wages for the oldest group of summer youth employees will increase from $16.10 per hour to $17 per hour.

Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) mentioned the salary increase during a

recent event commemorating MBSYEP’s launch and described the program as an impetus for young people who want to lead positive lives.

"We are pouring into young people and we also never want to forget that we have thousands of young people doing the right thing," Bowser said on Monday, Jan. 30 at the Village Cafe DC in Northeast.

"[Ways to] keep a young person occupied is one way to keep them out of trouble and being surrounded by positive adults and earning some money," she continued. "That's why we work hard to design an engaging program to help them grow and help them earn money."

An hour before the 2023 MBSYEP registration portal opened, Bowser and Kevon King, MBSYEP alumnus and owner of Village Cafe DC, appeared on a livestream hosted by Jessica Smith and Eric Curry III, two District high school students who’ve been enrolled in the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program.

Morris-Hughes, D.C. Councilmembers Kenyan McDuffie (I-At large) and Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1) and D.C. Youth Mayor Lourdes Robinson.

This year, MBSYEP will mostly consist of in-person assignments. Youth between 14 and 24 years old have until March 10 to submit applications with their preferred work assignments. They will also need proof of residency, age and parental consent, along with other documentation.

Last summer, wages for all age groups slightly increased. However, because of their designation as work readiness trainees, District residents under the age of 18 won't receive an hourly wage on par with the District's minimum wage. Young people ages 14 and 15 years now S6.25 per hour while youth between the ages of 16 and 21 earn $9.00 per hour.

District residents also get to take part in the Mayor Marion S. Barry Youth Leadership Institute, through which they can learn about leadership and self-development throughout the entire year. Over the last couple of years, Jessica and Eric have sharpened their media skills in the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program. They’ve interviewed D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), television news reporters Wisdom Martin and Allison Seymour, along with other public figures.

Publication Date 2-9-23

During the livestream, Jessica and Eric asked questions about their adolescent work experiences, lessons they learned while navigating their career fields and the importance of career opportunities like what MBSYEP provides. They conducted the podcast before an audience that included former District first lady Cora Masters Barry, Department of Employment Services Director Unique

Last academic year, students at Anacostia High School in Southeast launched a campaign for higher wages. They recorded a video and wrote letters to Bowser and members of the D.C. Council, including then-D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman, who chaired the council's Labor Committee.

Bowser’s office didn’t respond to an email about whether she’s including significant wage increases for work readiness trainees in her budget proposal.

Since its 1979 inception, MBSYEP has provided weeks of work experience for teens and young adults during the summer. Young

"This is the culture of Black journalism. I want to create the capacity to help others. This is a means of stability and an opportunity for generational wealth,” said Jessica, a junior at Jackson-Reed High School in Northwest. She joined the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program in 2020 .

Eric, who joined the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Journalism Program in 2021, called the internship a stepping stone to launching his own film production company.

"Youth should have more of these experiences [to] know how to be on time and deal with coworkers," Eric said. "[As a film producer], I want to hire Black men and women to shift the culture… SYEP and Deanwood Radio Broadcast Journalism Program are giving me the knowledge to move in this industry and conduct myself in a certain manner." WI @SamPKCollins

5 Jessica Smith and Eric Curry III asked D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Kevon King of Village Cafe DC questions during a livestream on Jan. 30. (Courtesy photo/DC Office of the Mayor)

Each

brings students interactive games, activities, puzzles and more in a bright & bouncy, award-winning feature kids and their family members can enjoy together.

D.C. Council Starts Deliberation on Ratified WTU Contract

Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

Several weeks after District public school teachers ratified their retroactive contract, the D.C. Council started deliberating on the long-awaited document that includes pay raises and other stipulations about benefits and planning time.

The council's Committee on Executive Administration and Labor and the Committee of the Whole conducted a joint roundtable about the contract. Several District public school teachers discussed the next steps in their action plan at an event hosted by the D.C. Caucus of Rank-andFile Educators (DC-CORE), a contingent of the Washington Teachers' Union (WTU).

David Ifill, a music teacher and DC-CORE member who participated in the meeting, said that the road to a contract has taken too long, and often without the direct input of educators.

"Teachers in my school are still asking when the D.C. Council is going to approve the contract," Ifill said. "We have IMPACT for raises but if you don't get a highly effective score or you're not in a principal's good graces, you don't see a raise. There are teachers who are waiting. It took a long time to make it happen."

WTU membership ratified the 2019-2023 contract shortly before Christmas. In early January, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson told The Informer that the contract was still on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's desk.

The council would later receive the contract on Jan. 26, where it has since gone before the Committee of the Whole and the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor, the latter of which is chaired by D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds (D- At large).

WTU members and government witnesses were scheduled to speak before Bonds, Mendelson and other council members at the roundtable. Bonds' office didn't respond to an inquiry sent on Jan. 30 about how she plans

to expedite the legislative process and ensure passage of the contract.

In November, WTU and Bowser reached a tentative agreement that included a 12 % pay raise over four years, a 4 % retention bonus, an increase in an administration premium and the inclusion of vision, dental and legal benefits.

Teachers under the new contract would receive an increase of $50 in annual startup funds that can be used to purchase classroom supplies.

Contract negotiations happened over more than three years, during which teachers left the classroom in droves. The trend sparked a movement to boost teacher retention and allow District public school teachers to run for D.C. State Board of Education.

Some of the teachers who stayed in the profession contracted COVID while helping young people transition back to in-person learning. They also grappled with the likelihood that the mission to improve test scores would affect their planning time.

Meanwhile, WTU continued organizing and even converged at the John A. Wilson Building. At one point discussions came to a standstill with Bowser and WTU President Jacqueline Pogue-Lyons providing differing accounts of what caused the delay.

Throughout the negotiations, parents and other community members rallied around teachers. This movement not only highlighted concerns about the physical condition of school buildings and the mental strain placed on students and teachers, but the struggles that substitute teachers faced in the classroom.

With the contract in question scheduled to expire in June, WTU and Bowser will soon return to the bargaining table for another round of negotiations. Pogue-Lyons said events of the last three years have laid the foundation for what she anticipates will be a productive discussion.

"This [process] is going on four years. Throughout this period, we had a pandemic, inflation, and

4 WTU President Jacqueline Pogue-Lyons, who has diligently been working to amend contracts for District teachers. (Courtesy Photo)

high food and gas prices. This is an expensive city. We have a long way to go to keep great teachers but this is a start." WI

@SamPKCollins

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Through Project UP, Comcast is committing one billion dollars to reach millions of people with the skills, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed in a digital world and build a future of unlimited possibilities.

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners Should Get Paid

When Home Rule formally became the governing instrument for the District government in 1974, one of its creations was the advisory neighborhood commissions. This body was set on the neighborhood level, below the D.C. Council, to address the concerns of residents. The advisory neighborhood commissions are a unique District institution with no other major city having anything else like it.

The commissions, known informally as ANCs, have several single-member districts represented by an elected commissioner. Commissioners serve two-year terms, represent about 2,000 residents, and receive no salary, but their commissions do get funds from the District government for the general purpose of improving their area and hiring staff. The initial idea behind not offering compensation to commissioners had to do with the part-time nature of the job and to stress civic participation and volunteerism in the neighborhoods.

However, for many years, commissioners have complained about the lack of compensation. Many have said they dip into their personal funds to pay for supplies or services to do their jobs. Some have said no wages prevents many qualified residents from running for commissioner because they cannot take on a demanding volunteer position. Still, others say the unpaid position creates opportunities for petty corruption where unscrupulous commissioners feel the need to get paid “under the table” for their support for projects and initiatives.

The time has come for commissioners to receive compensation. The District is in a good enough financial position to pay the nearly 300 commissioners a stipend. The years of balanced budgets and projected quarterly surpluses has generated enough financial confidence in city leaders that this bold step can take place. A stipend would incentivize commissioners to continue working in their neighborhoods without the underlying fear of being taken advantage of. Residents interested in running for commissioner can do so with the knowledge that they will be compensated if they win.

The D.C. Council should pass a bill supporting commissioner compensation and Mayor Muriel Bowser, a former commissioner, should support it. Commissions fall under the jurisdiction of Council member Robert White (D-At Large), who chairs the Committee on Housing, and his office should be contacted at 202-727-8270 and told to sponsor or support legislation creating a stipend for commissioners. WI

Can Black People, Cops Be Racist, Too?

Since Tyre Nichols’ police-involved death in Memphis, people continue to question how this situation counts as a racist encounter when the majority of the officers seen and heard on the explicit body camera footage were Black men.

Let this editorial serve as a reminder that, in the system of white supremacy, Black people too can act as agents of institutions that were created to control Black bodies.

Policing as many know it today originated in the slave patrols, which were established in the early 18th century to quash slave uprisings and bring those who escaped bondage back to their captors. Chattel slavery parallels modern-day policing in several ways, the most crucial being the use of other enslaved Black people as a buffer between the enslaved and the so-called slave master.

Long after the abolition of slavery, the system of white supremacy continued to thrive off of the class and ethnic schisms that pit Black people against one another.

In his 1969 book, Groundings with My Brothers, Walter Rodney said that race has no longer been relegated to physical characteristics, but the circumstances that people, particularly nonwhite people, attempt to create on their mission to stay away from the bottom of the racial totem pole.

That’s why racial representation will never be the end all, be all in eradicating police brutality. As long as people like Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis can create the SCORPION unit, and participate in the Red Dogs unit in Atlanta before that, then Black people in urban America will always be in trouble.

The same thought comes to mind as we continue to mourn the death of Karon Blake, a 13-year-old Black youth killed by a Black D.C. government employee who our Black-ran police department and Black female mayor have yet to identify.

Indeed, the modern-day “power struggle” has centered on participating in the system of white supremacy rather than eradicating it.

That’s why we must question and eventually dismantle systems that are heavily steeped in anti-Blackness. For many of “us” in positions of power, doing so requires a long look in the mirror. WI

EDITORIAL TO THE EDITOR

Taking It to The Bridge

I loved this month’s WI Bridge. Very creative, artistic and informative. Great work, all!

Morgan Talley Washington, D.C.

Ready for Moore

I’m excited to see the work Gov. Wes Moore will do in the great state of Maryland. Kudos to him for being the first and opening the door for many more.

Rachel Prince Silver Spring, Md.

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.

Guest Columnist

No Safe Spaces

middle of a massive, joyous two-day festival celebrating the Lunar New Year and the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit.

In California recently, hearts, families and lives were broken again by two mass shootings. On Saturday evening, Jan. 21, 11 people were killed and nine more were injured at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, a community outside Los Angeles known as the first suburban Chinatown. The neighborhood surrounding the ballroom was in the

At a time when hate crimes have targeted Asian Americans across the country, the Monterey Park community and gathering spaces like the Star Ballroom have long felt like a safe haven for many people. But as we have seen again and again, there are no safe spaces from guns in our nation. Instead, a place of fellowship and celebration that was especially beloved by many older community members

Guest Columnist

Marian Wright Edelman

turned into another site of tragedy. Two days later, seven more people were killed and one was critically injured by a coworker at the farms where they worked in Half Moon Bay, a coastal city south of San Francisco. These two mass shootings were immediately unusual because both gunmen were older than 65; the man who killed fellow dancers in Monterey Park was 72, one of the oldest mass shooters in modern American history. But there is no age limit to the way easy access to guns in our nation lethalizes anger and despair. The shooter in Half

Svante Myrick

Moon Bay, who was taken into custody, allegedly told investigators he felt "disrespected" by colleagues. A former tenant of the Monterey Park shooter described him as an isolated person who was "hopeless and desperate."

These murders in California came just a few days after another mass shooting in the state's Central Valley that left six people dead, including a 10-month-old baby and his 16-yearold mother. And the tragedies in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay were also far from the only gun attacks in America in those 48 hours. Early

Sunday morning a dozen people were injured at a Baton Rouge nightclub that had advertised a party celebrating the start of the new semester at Louisiana State University and Southern University. On Monday, the same day as the Half Moon Bay shootings, an 18-year-old and a 16-year-old were shot and killed at their charter school program for at-risk youths in Iowa and the program's founder was injured.

Soon afterward, Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Ac-

EDELMAN Page 53

Private Acts, Public Shaming: Decoding the Far Right's Attack on Who Can Access Bathrooms

the most hateful members of their base. And the tactic isn't even new.

Over the past few years, we've all become painfully aware of the far right's attacks on trans people, often centered around the right to use the restroom. So-called "bathroom bills" have popped up in a number of states, including right now in Arkansas. These bills are obvious attempts by the far right to attack an already marginalized group and score some culture war points with

The far right has used the fear of boogeymen in the bathroom — Black people, queer people, now trans people — to scare up support for decades. It's never been about the bathrooms; it's always been about riling up their base and trying to keep marginalized groups under control. When we look at the history of these attacks, we can see how the targets may change, but the hate remains the same.

Guest Columnist

Over the past year, Democrats in Washington have begun to level the playing field between health care special interests like Big Pharma manufacturers and regular Americans, especially those most in need. Thanks to President Biden's leadership and the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, seniors will enjoy an annual cap on how much their prescription

drugs will cost them out of pocket, and insulin costs will be limited to $35 per month. But while we have this new law that positively impacts Black and brown communities, we have an old law that if not properly administered by Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Resources & Services Administration, will ultimately negate any new gains.

Three decades ago, Congress passed a law — The Federal 340B Drug Pricing Program — creating a requirement that drug manufac-

THE LONG, SAD HISTORY OF BATHROOM RESTRICTIONS

Across the country, segregated bathrooms prevented Black people from accessing public accommodations well into and even after the 1960s. The far right made whatever racist arguments they could think of to justify their bigotry, including supposedly protecting women — the same specious argument they've doled out during other bathroom

Rev. Al Sharpton

turers sell their medicines to certain nonprofit hospitals and community clinics at a steep discount, in some cases even as little as a penny. These hospitals and community clinics, which cannot be operated for profit under the law, serve the poorest and the most remote patients in America. The idea is that in getting drugs for low cost or nearly for free, they can and should pass along the savings to these patients in the form of free or nearly free health care. When we evaluate the facts, we see where bad actors have taken a well-intended

fights.

Through the 1970s and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, paranoia about queer people in bathrooms was rampant. Gay men were said to use bathroom stalls for illicit sex and to prey on youth. These types of baseless accusations fueled homophobia and helped established public restrooms as places of fear.

Today, the attacks largely focus on trans people, calling them "groomers" and implying they're trying to do anything other than use the bathroom in peace and privacy. The

attacks are completely disingenuous. So, if they're not actually about protecting people in public restrooms, what are they about? Simple. Like most things in the far right's culture war, they're about control.

WHEN YOU CAN'T USE THE RESTROOM, YOU CAN'T ENGAGE IN PUBLIC LIFE

Whether you want to spend a

government program and created unintended negative consequences.

I was disturbed to read a recent report in the New York Times about how a hospital chain (Bon Secours) used a hospital in an underserved, largely Black neighborhood in Richmond, VA to turn a profit for its hospitals in wealthier, non-Black majority neighborhoods. As one of the doctors at the hospital said, "Bon Secours was basically laundering money through its poor hospital to its wealthy outposts." What's happening in Richmond and in this hospital

system is just the tip of the iceberg. This is yet another example of how bad actors perpetuate a systemic of racism upon America's most vulnerable communities, plain and simple. How did we get here?

This drug discount law, known as "340B" in Beltway jargon, is well intentioned and the right thing to do. Pharmaceutical manufacturers make billions of dollars in profit by participating in government health care programs. It's a good thing that they

Congressional Oversight Over Pharma Drug Pricing

Guest Columnist

Woodson's Wisdom

Carter Godwin Woodson, "the father of Negro (Black) history," remains an invaluable source of historic information and critical thinking which prepares today's young African Americans to confront and challenge the persistent racism that continues to plague the national psyche. Ninety years ago, when most sources of public information characterized African

Americans as ignorant, non-contributing, subhuman vermin who had no legitimate place in American society, Carter G. Woodson was a vocal champion of African American contributions to the nation and the reconstruction of a new, positive mindset among African Americans. In my opinion, the 1933 publication of his "The Mis-Education of the Negro" is one of the most important literary works introduced to African Americans and this nation.

Among his notable quotations (and one of my favorites) is: "If the

Guest Columnist

E. Faye Williams

Negro in the ghetto must eternally be fed by the hand that pushes him into the ghetto, he will never become strong enough to get out of the ghetto." In the context of my interpretation, the ghetto is not a location, it is a mindset. In that same context, feeding is more than food, it is the constant barrage of information that molds our thinking.

During this year's celebration of Black History Month, we must reevaluate the information or lack thereof, we and our children are being fed. The real destruction of a

Marc H. Morial

race begins with the destruction of its children. Woodson states: "As another has well said, to handicap a student by teaching him that his black face is a curse and that his struggle to change his condition is hopeless is the worst sort of lynching."

Fast forward to January 2023 in America. As recently reported by ABC News' Averi Harper, members of the Ron DeSantis-appointed Florida Department of Education rejected the optional AP African American Studies program in a letter to SAT test ad-

ministrators, the College Board, incorrectly claiming that the program "significantly lacks educational value." Given appropriate thought and consideration, this offensively bold assertion negates the presence of African Americans in this nation. This is not a new or unexpected phenomenon, but one must ask how this position affects the student who sees no evidence of "self" in her/his educational process.

This "theft" of history may be

DeSantis' Path to the White House Cuts Through Swamp of White Supremacy

is American history, and you are on the wrong side of history." — Florida state Rep.

Fentrice Driskell

"Ron DeSantis has clearly demonstrated that he wants to dictate whose story does and doesn't belong. He wants to control what our kids can learn based on politics and not sound policy ... He wants to say that I don't belong. He wants to say that you don't belong. Whose story does and doesn't get to count. But we are here to tell him, we are America. Governor, Black history

Bayard Rustin, as most students of American history now know, was one of the key organizers of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was Rustin who introduced Martin Luther King Jr. to the Gandhian tactics of nonviolent resistance that guided the civil rights movement through the 1950s and 1960s.

Because Rustin was a gay man

Guest Columnist

at a time when same-sex relationships were criminalized, he often was forced to work from behind the scenes, allowing others to take the credit for his achievements. For decades, his transformational influence was downplayed and devalued. A warped history of the movement was allowed to take shape, one that historians only recently have begun to correct.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to shove the legacy of Rustin and others like him back into the shadows, perpetuating a warped history

Ben Jealous

of the nation.

DeSantis' reactionary move to ban an AP course on African American studies is loosely based on his opposition to what he calls Critical Race Theory, a legal concept taught in law schools and little understood by the general public. Right-wing activists and politicians like DeSantis have co-opted and corrupted the term to undermine any effort to confront or even to acknowledge systemic racism.

As CNN political writer Brandon Tensley noted, "Because so many

Americans don't know what CRT is, it's the perfect tool for scaring white conservative voters with made-up problems — for mobilizing them against the racial awakening of the past year."

The course itself is organized into four major units: Origins of the African Diaspora, including topics such as "The Strength and Reach of West African Empires" and "Intercultural Forces in African Kingdoms and City States;" Freedom, Slavery, and

MORIAL Page 54

Taking on the Symptom That is Gun Violence and the Disease Behind It

despite decades of tragedies. But they likely will unless we can confront both the symptom that is gun violence and the underlying disease that causes it.

We've had more mass shootings this year than we've had days this year.

It's sad to imagine that Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park will join a list with Uvalde and Buffalo and Orlando and Charleston and Sandy Hook and Columbine, reference points for a national epidemic we haven't mustered the will to end

I shoot for sport, and I've trained others to shoot. I live in a coastal community in Maryland where hunters and hikers share wild places and work together to preserve them.

I also live not far from the Capital Gazette's offices, where a man armed with a shotgun and angered by newspaper stories about him

killed five and injured two five years ago. For generations, many in my family have served in law enforcement. I support common-sense steps to keep guns out of the hands of those who have demonstrated they shouldn't have them. We all know that list by now — more and more thorough background checks, bans on assault weapons and unnecessarily large magazines, red flag laws that allow guns to be taken away from those who are risks to others or themselves, and penalties for gun owners who fail to keep them out

of the hands of children, teens, and mentally unstable people.

Fighting the disease at the root of the violence demands that we address it like the public health crisis it is. I realized that as a graduate student at Oxford when I started exploring rates of suicide in the United States. Almost unfettered access to guns, particularly handguns, has a lot to do with the numbers. If you try to kill yourself with a firearm, you're much more likely to succeed.

While suicides among young Black men sparked my research, I learned

that white men over 55 were more likely to die of suicide with a gun than Black men 15 to 30 were to kill each other with a gun. You would never have known that from the media and popular culture at the time.

What pushes those two trend lines in the same direction are shared causes — hopelessness, economic uncertainty, downward mobility, and addiction all made more painful by social isolation. Those

JEALOUS Page 54

EARTH OUR

Dany Sigwalt Tells

Why She Fights for

Environmental Justice

Dany Sigwalt, a third-generation Washington native, has worked to build power for climate justice for more than seven years. The 35-year-old, who now lives in Knoxville, TN with her preschooler and her partner, recently joined Green Leadership Trust as its managing director.

Green Leadership Trust, founded in 2013, aims to strengthen the environmental movement by focusing on equity and diversity within environmental leadership; the organization functions as a network of Black, Indigenous, and people of color who serve on U.S. nonprofit environmental boards. Before this position, Sigwalt served as executive director of the Power Shift Network, an

organization that serves a similar network-building role but focuses specifically on youth in the climate justice movement.

This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

Kayla Benjamin: Tell me a little bit about your family and growing up here in D.C.

Dany Sigwalt: My grand-

parents—my mom's parents— moved to D.C. in 1956. They settled in Mount Pleasant, where they were the first black family to buy a house on their block. And my grandmother still lives in that house. Her porch is my favorite place in the world.

I grew up in Columbia Heights, a couple blocks away. And a big part of my organizer story is that I grew up like a block away from

buildings that were still burnt out from the ‘68 riots into the late ‘90s. Now where there's a Target and a Washington Sports Club, and like all of these other stores, [then] it was just like burnt out storefronts and a Payless and a Woolworths. But even through all of that disinvestment, I grew up with a certain amount of privilege. My parents are professors. My mom got her PhD at Howard, where my parents met. I grew up going to private schools west of the park. So I grew up with a very clear view on social inequity. And in D.C., any kind of conversation about social inequity is also about racism, structural racism. And racial justice has always been the lens through which I do my work.

KB: What led you to work in the climate justice space?

DS: For a very long time, I didn't really think about doing climate work, because it felt like it was folks with a lot of privilege who were able to be worried about things that are going to happen 50 or 100 years from now, right?

Thinking about climate change the way that people were talking about it in the 2000s, even the early 2010s, it just felt like something that was very, very far away. And you know, when my family, my extended family is dealing with housing insecurity, mass incarceration, the school to prison pipeline, joblessness, like all of these issues—it’s hard to worry about climate. But I realized that climate is an issue that is very much impacting our lives now. It’s impacting the economy, it’s impacting the way that we relate to one another. And is really, definitely causing the most harm to Black people across the planet. So all my work in environmentalism is really grounded in my passion for racial justice.

KB: Was there an experience, or a person, that kind of catalyzed that realization about climate and made you want to focus your activism in that space?

DS: I think, for me, it was a combination of seeing Hurricane Katrina when I was in college, and then seeing Hurricane Sandy. [Katrina] was like a front seat

Kayla Benjamin

Climate & Environment Writer

5 Dany Sigwalt, climate justice advocate and managing director of Green Leadership Trust, speaks at a climate rally outside the DNC in 2020. (Photo courtesy of Dany Sigwalt)

to understanding how climate disasters are going to disproportionately impact Black folks. Even just like the way that the messaging existed around Black people—like, Black people are ‘looting’ but white people get to ‘scavenge’ in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Hurricane Sandy didn’t hit D.C. nearly as hard as it hit other places. But my now-husband had to walk home in the middle of the storm because he didn’t have any options and he had to work. His job at a restaurant just made him stay through his shift. And the man was walking home in the middle of this hurricane. It wasn’t that bad as hurricanes go, but trees were down, it was a real, real bad storm. So [it was] one of the closest experiences I’ve had to that kind of immediate climate disaster, and I saw the labor implications, the class implications, and just the ways that folks who didn't have a lot of choices were going to be the most impacted. I decided at that point that I wanted to figure out how to get more into climate work.

KB: You just left the Power Shift Network after almost seven years in top leadership there. Can you tell me a little bit about your work and what the organization does?

DS: Yeah, so Power Shift is a network and resource hub for organizations either run by young folks or committed to building youth development for climate justice. So we convene folks, facilitate relationships between people, try to move resources, do trainings, and provide mentorship for young folks who want to create or initiate a project or are already leaders of organizations. We have a specific focus on multi-marginalized youth, because the climate movement has not historically been a safe space for [any] folks who are living at the margins, but particularly young folks of color, and queer folks and disabled folks. So we've had a unique focus on building a safe and nurturing space for those people to be able to build some power.

KB: And now you’re headed to the Green Leadership Trust to join their team as managing director. What are you looking forward to in the next chapter?

DS: I'm really excited about being a liaison at GLT between generations. GLT has a lot of Gen Xers and baby boomers who founded the organization, who've been running the organization for a really long time. And as a millennial, I've been longing for relationships with folks who have been doing this work for longer than I have, because I've been working with young folks new to the movement. But I'm really excited about creating opportunities for folks even younger than me to be able to access the kind of mentorship that's been so important and so critical for activism and movement work in Black communities forever.

KB: In your career, have you ever found yourself consistently one of the only Black activists in the room, and if you have, how has that impacted your experiences?

DS: I would say that the whiteness of the climate movement is why it took me so long to get my foot in the door. And I haven’t necessarily been in the kind of organizations or communities where I would be the only Black woman—like, I’ve avoided those, and that’s strategic. It’s how I survive.

But the power dynamics can be really intense in terms of having conversations with funders and trying to explain why fighting for racial justice in tandem with climate mitigation is actually a good strategy.

KB: And what do you usually say to help people, especially funders, understand that strategy and get on board with it?

DS: It’s a lot, but generally speaking, [I say] that the only way that we're going to actually find successful systemic solutions to the climate crisis is if we bring everybody to the table, and folks have a voice. One, so that we're not leaving folks behind, but also so that we're not depending on Band-Aid solutions that are going

to continuously create new crises. So if we have folks at the table, we're able to actually find solutions that are going to be sustainable for the long run and aren't just throwing folks under the bus—because so often, the people who are being thrown under the bus are Black and brown people and poor people.

This is the fourth in a series highlighting local Black advocates fighting for environmental justice, a stable climate, and our Earth. If you would like to nominate someone to be featured in our next Spotlight, please reach out! I’m at kbenjamin@washingtoninformer. com. WI

For a very long time, I didn't really think about doing climate work, because it felt like it was folks with a lot of privilege who were able to be worried about things that are going to happen 50 or 100 years from now, right?

LIFESTYLE

Models walking D.C.’s Runways

James Wright WI Staff Writer

While Washington, D.C. might not be associated as an industry hotspot for national and international beauty and style experts, some District entrepreneurs--with the aid of the Bowser administration—want to change that by offering residents job, education and business opportunities in the fashion fields.

“We know that Paris, New York and Los Angeles are known throughout the world as fashion centers,” said Lanaysha Jackson, the chairman of the D.C. Commission on Fashion Arts and Events. “Paris is the North star. New York is the innovator and the launching pad for many fashion and beauty firms. We feel D.C. can play a role in the industry, too. D.C. can be the conceptualizer.”

The District’s beauty and fashion industry exists as a part of the creative economy in which 60% of residents are employed, according

to city officials. Throughout the District in commercial strip malls and stand-alone buildings are barber, beauty and nail shops in addition to clothing concerns.

Jackson and other fashion and beauty activists such as Mariessa Terrell, seek to grow their industry to become an entrepreneurial, consumer and manufacturing hub.

“We want to make sure that D.C. residents know that they can get a real job in the fashion and beauty industry,” Jackson said. “The industry can be an educational path and vehicle for creativity for many.”

Jackson said she realizes many people equate the District as a center for politics, technology and health care innovation.

“But we want people to know that they can make a living in fashion and beauty,” she said. “This industry is a segment of D.C.’s economy.”

Terrell served as a co-founder of the commission and as the vice chair during her time of service.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Terrell said the District cannot compete with the likes of New York or Los Angeles in terms of being fashion centers, but can be viable to the industry in other ways.

“We want D.C. to be the center for fashion advocacy,” said Terrell, who works as a trademark and fashion attorney. “The work involving copyright and trademarks for companies and individuals in the industry nationally is here in the city. The goal of people in the industry here should not be to pattern after New York. We want to use fashion and beauty to become an economic resource.”

Terrell said fashion and beauty activists and entrepreneurs are

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working with the Bowser administration to become a larger part of the city’s creative economy.

“When the city is being promoted, why not include fashion in their portfolio?” she asked rhetorically.

Jackson agrees with Terrell the District could become the legal and political facilitator for the industry.

“We can affect legislation and have impact on bills and regulations regarding fashion and beau-

ty,” she said. “Washington can be the brains of the industry and the place to go where decisions on it are made.”

On the creative side, Jackson said “there are a lot of designers in D.C. but they are low key.” Terrell agreed, saying “when people think of fashion, they tend to think of urban fashion such as hoodies and sweatshirts.”

“We have plenty of entrepreneurs in the city who sell their wares on sidewalks and street corners and in brick-and-mortar stores,” Terrell said. “Our goal is to get them to the next level as far as more support from D.C.’s Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)in the form of grants. We also want to have more high-profile events such as Fashion Week to highlight what is going on in the industry in the city.”

The chairman said the commission will seek to engage institutions of higher learning to offer more fashion and beauty courses of study and push for more shows and venues so that entrepreneurs can showcase their work.

“We know we will never be Paris or New York but we want to make it so appealing here for fashion and beauty entrepreneurs that they can get big without leaving town,” she said.

WI @JamesWrightJr10

5 A model walks down a runway at a fashion show. (Courtesy photo/Harry Crosland)

“We want to make sure that D.C. residents know that they can get a real job in the fashion and beauty industry,” Jackson said.

“The industry can be an educational path and vehicle for creativity for many.”

Taking action to help prevent underage access to tobacco.

Kids should not smoke, vape, or use any tobacco products. Altria strongly supports policies and legislation that can help keep tobacco out of kids’ hands — and that includes the federal law that makes 21 the legal age of purchase for all tobacco.

We know from decades of experience that restricting youth access at retail is a critical component in curbing underage tobacco use.

That’s why we provide an array of incentives for retailers who implement new, electronic age-validation technology in their stores. Once the system is installed, all tobacco purchases prompt a scan of a government-issued ID.

Today, youth smoking rates are at 2.1% — a historic low. And we remain committed to being part of the solution.

Learn what we’re doing at altria.com

Audience Embraces Ne-Yo in Dynamic NSO Performance

Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

Donning his signature-style fedora hat, audience members of all ages and genders came to the Kennedy Center ready to see Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Ne-Yo– and he did not disappoint. Working up a sweat in a black patent leather tuxedo suit, Ne-Yo gave concert goers a good time.

An outstanding entertainer, NeYo’s performance with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) was thrilling, as the crooner and composer sang his own recorded hits, plus those he wrote for other artists.

After a few opening songs, he explained the premise behind the evening.

“A Ne-Yo show is made up of classic classics and future classics. It’s like the song when you had

your first kiss,” Ne-Yo said with fans screaming.

“Ms. Independent,” “She Knows, “Because of You,” “Sexy Love,” and “Champagne Life” was how the show began. It was a high-energy vibe aided by four flexible female dancers whose every move illustrated Ne-Yo’s lyrics.

As the crowd showed their pleasure with every song, he asked the audience to stand up and dance at their seats. Several overzealous fans thought that meant to come down the aisle to the stage. Ne-Yo was accommodating by taking selfies with gleeful fans. Ushers had to kindly ask those fans to go back to their seats.

National Symphony Orchestra, the Max Back-Up Group

The symphony did a concert with India Arie last year that sold out, and this year’s presentation followed suit in packing the audience and bringing a strong, dynamic performance.

Under the direction of conductor Steven Reineke, the National Symphony Orchestra was outstanding. The musicians were fantastic in adding gusto to NeYo’s well-loved rhythms. Accom-

panying the NSO were Ne-Yo’s own musicians: guitarist Rayfield Holloman, bassist Justin Raines, Leonard Tribbett Jr. on drums and Paul Lamont Reynolds on keyboards.

“I am a die-hard Ne-Yo fan. This was my first time at the Ken-

nedy Center,” said Navy Yard area resident Poetry Deal. “I also wanted to hear the symphony. I wanted to hear actual classical instruments play along while he was doing his set.”

Ne-Yo’s Magic Works for Other Singers

Of course, Ne-Yo knew his fans wanted to hear songs he had composed for other artists.

“There’s no secret to anybody here that I write songs for myself as well as other people,” Ne-Yo said to the audience as they yelled.

“To the Left” and “Irreplaceable” recorded by Beyoncé, “Let Me Love You” by Mario, “Take a Bow” by Rhianna, and “Spotlight” recorded by Jennifer Hudson were just a few of the songs from NeYo’s songwriting catalog that the crowd enjoyed.

“I love his songs,” said Keontae Kells, who came to the concert from Baltimore. “I could sing along with his songs that I knew, like the song by Mario, who is from Baltimore. The audience loved Ne-Yo. For most of them, I think it was their first time at the Kennedy Center.”

Performing more than 20 songs, including a few from his most recent album “Self Explanatory,” Ne-Yo’s fans could have hung out at the Kennedy Center for a little longer. The singer, songwriter, actor, dancer, and record producer left his audience satisfied as they exited the concert. WI @bcscomm

5 Ne-Yo performed at a Kennedy Center concert with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). Behind him is Steven Reineke, NSO conductor. (Courtesy Photo: Scott Suchman for the Kennedy Center)

New Play by Pearl Cleage Marks 50th Anniversary of a Milestone Election

Honoring Maynard Jackson, First Black Mayor of a Major Southern City

Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

“Something Moving: A Meditation on Maynard” is a new play by author and playwright Pearl Cleage. A reading of Cleage’s play is a part of the free event, “A First Look: The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions.” Cleage’s “Something Moving” is one of three plays that will be presented as a reading or in a workshop format and will be read on Feb. 2 and 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Cleage’s play takes a deep look at the significance of Maynard Jackson’s historic election, when he was elected mayor of Atlanta in 1974, becoming the first African American mayor of a major southern city. The play is timed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jackson’s election in 2024. The reading of the play allows director Seema Sueko to hear how the actors tell Cleage’s story.

“The reading is a chance to hear the words out loud,” Cleage said on a recent episode of the Washington Informer’s WIN-TV. “The thing with a play is that you can read it to yourself all day long. You need to have actors read it so you can hear how it really sounds outside of your own imagination.”

MAYNARD JACKSON’S IMPACT ON SOUTHERN HISTORY

Cleage got to know Jackson personally when she worked on two of his political campaigns. When he won the mayoral campaign in 1974, she became his chief public information officer overseeing media briefings and other communications activities for the Office of the Mayor. Realizing the 50th anniversary of Jackson’s landmark win was approaching, Cleage was moved to do something.

“One of the things I’m trying to do is give a little history,” said Cleage, an award-winning author and playwright. “To talk about how it felt to be in Atlanta during that wonderful transformative moment, we all knew we were making history.”

Cleage wants to ensure that folks who weren’t around 50 years ago, know the Black history facts about Jackson as Atlanta’s mayor. Atlantans, many who were going to be firsttime voters, were eager to register and vote for Jackson. That election was a pivotal moment for Atlanta showing that the city was forward-thinking. A major statement was also being made about the look of new leadership in the south. “Something Moving” will bring together the excitement of Jackson’s role as mayor rooted in his love for Atlanta and its people.

“He was the hardest working person I had ever known,” Cleage said about Jackson. “He was dealing with high expectations from the Black community and nervousness from the white community. He was balancing any number of things.”

FORD’S THEATRE COMMISSIONS FEATURE BLACK PLAYWRIGHTS

“A First Look: The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions,” will also present readings and workshops from two additional playwrights.

“Young and Just” by Dominic Taylor is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m. Taylor’s commission explores the life and work of African American pioneer biologist Dr. Ernest Everett and that of his lead researcher Dr. Roger Arliner Young.

Also, to be presented is “Blackbox” by Rickerby Hinds on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 2:30 p.m. Hinds’ commission explores the remarkable life of abolitionist Henry Box Brown, who was also a magician and an illusionist. In 1849, he arranged to mail himself in a wooden crate from Virginia to abolitionists in Philadelphia.

Though these readings and workshops are free, reservations must be made. To order free tickets, go to www.fords.org.

View the full interview with Pearl Cleage on WIN-TV. WI @bcscomm

5 “Something Moving: A Meditation on Maynard,” from playwright Pearl Cleage is one of three plays presented as a reading or workshop, February 2-4

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during “A First Look: The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions” (Courtesy photo/Pearl Cleage)

Actor Frankie Faison Opens Up, Talks NAACP Nomination

Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

You know the work of Frankie Faison. In a career that runs almost 50 years, Faison has accumulated 134 acting credits. He is recognizable from many roles. Currently, he can be seen in two projects. Faison plays Christopher “Cutty” Clark on “The Rookie: Feds,” and he is John Carthan, the father of Mamie Till in the movie “Till.”

“Till” is about the murder of 14-year-old Emmet Till and the efforts of his mother, Mamie Till Mobley, who demands justice for her son. The movie has been nominated for seven NAACP Image Awards. Two top categories for which the film has been nominated by the

NAACP are “Best Film,” and the cast is also nominated for “Best Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture.” The significance of “Till” is not lost on Faison.

“To me, it was a no-brainer to do this,” Faison said during an interview on WIN-TV, the Washington Informer’s digital platform show. “It was gut-wrenching and became a deep part of my makeup as soon as I decided to do it. I knew the responsibility I had taken on with the film and with the community at large.”

Fans vote for the NAACP Image Awards. The deadline to vote is Feb. 10, and the ceremony airs on Feb. 25 on BET. For more about the awards and how to vote, visit the NAACP Image Awards website at https://naacpimageawards.net.

FAISON IS “BLESSED AND BOOKED”

Faison is having a good time with his role on “The Rookie: Feds,” where his character Cutty is father to actress Niecy Nash’s character Simone Clark. Faison says this television role is right in his “wheelhouse.” In the series, Nash’s character is the oldest recruit in the FBI. Faison’s character was incarcerated for 10 years by the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department for a crime he did not commit. He was finally released and won a huge lawsuit. Now his daughter has become a part of the one thing for which he has a huge disdain, which creates bumps in the father-daughter relationship.

“I love portraying strong fathers,” Faison said about his character in “The Rookie: Feds.” “I have three daughters, and raising them has been a delight and a highlight in my life. I’ve seen them grow up, and now they challenge me with their

ideas. This is what happens with my Cutty in ‘The Rookie: Feds.’”

INTERESTING ROLES FIND FAISON

Another recent film project Faison is proud of is “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain.” Available on several streaming channels, the film is a true story about the wrongful death of a 67-year-old ex-Marine, who had mental health issues, including dementia. Playing the lead role in the film, Faison won a Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Actor.

With a massive portfolio of roles that includes “Do the Right Thing,” “The Wire,” the “Silence of the Lambs” films, the original “Coming to America,” and “White Chicks” audiences can expect to see Faison in many more on-screen roles.

View the full interview with Frankie Faison on WIN-TV. WI @bcscomm

Dreaming of homeownership?

5 Successful character actor Frankie Faison can now be seen in the television show “The Rookie: Feds” and in the movie “Till,” which has been nominated for seven NAACP Image Awards. (Courtesy photo/AGPR)

Like a ghost, the snowy owl glides through the air in soundless flight. This owl is different from most owls because it hunts during the day and at night. Most owls hunt at night. In the arctic region, the summer days and nights are always light. An owl waiting for darkness to hunt would starve before the dark days of winter arrive.

Many animals can blend into their environment. This is called camouflage. There are few trees on the tundra, so the snowy owl’s white plumage blends with the snowy world of the northern arctic.

The snowy owls need to eat a huge amount each day— enough to equal their own body weight. They don’t chew their food— they just swallow their prey whole, including fur, claws, teeth and bones. Then they spit out a pellet of all the parts they can’t digest.

The snowy owl is one of the largest owls, with a height of about 27 inches (69 cm) and a wingspan of up to 60 inches (152 cm). Wingspan is the measurement from wing tip to wing tip, when the wings are fully stretched.

How many of the things in this chart could fit into a snowy owl’s wingspan?

Measure 60 inches (152 cm) on the floor. Now lie down with your arms outstretched along the line. Measure your outstretched arms. How do you compare?

In the spring, when the snowy owl makes a nest, the snow has started to melt and the brown earth shows through patches of white snow. The female snowy owl’s soft white feathers are streaked with brown so she cannot be seen as she nests on the ground. Here are three other animals that blend into their habitats, or homes. Can you unscramble their names?

What silly things can you nd on this owl’s dinner plate?

Standards Link: Life Science: Animals have external features that help them thrive in

Baby owls are called owlets. Can you help the mother owl nd her way home to her owlets?

All owls have excellent sight so that they can spot creatures like mice that run fast along the ground. Owls’ eyes are not the same as human eyes. We move our eyes in their sockets to see from side to side. The owl must turn his head to see in different directions. Owls also have a third eyelid, which protects the eye. It is a milky white eyelid that comes up from the bottom of the eye. Its purpose is to clean and refresh the owl’s eyes. This third eyelid is called a nictitating membrane

The snowy owl has round, yellow eyes. Can you find the pair of eyes that match?

of eyes that you find.

How many are human eyes?

How many are the eyes of other animals?

Standards

Create Camou age

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple multiple-step directions.

Animal Report

review wi book

"The Fresh Prince Project: How the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Remixed America" Gy Chris Palmer

c.2022,

$28.99

Atria

320 pages

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

You turned the TV on and look …

Nine hundred forty-eight channels and there's still nothing you want to watch. Seen that, seen that, watched that twice, but it wasn't always the case. Once, your Monday nights were spent with a show you never missed, featuring a young guy who made you laugh. And in the new book "The Fresh Prince Project" by Chris Palmer, he made America laugh, too.

Born to solidly middle-class parents in West Philadelphia, young Will Smith gained a reputation early for being something of a class clown. Though he tried, he was not athletic; instead, his talents lay in helping people have fun. When he met Jeff Townes it was a perfect match: DJ Jazzy Jeff spun the tunes, "Fresh Prince" Smith made the raps.

Everybody wanted to be at their party. They made records and went on tour. Weeks before high school graduation, months before he turned 18, Smith was a rich kid with a nice car and lots of friends. But "bubble gum" hip hop was on its way out, "hard-driving" rap was in, and Smith's money dried up as fast as it had arrived. Seeking Fame and Fortune Part II, Smith headed for California.

Writer Andy Borowitz was already there, cutting his teeth on Normal Lear projects and other television productions in Hollywood. When Brandon Tartikoff, who seemed to have a golden touch when it came to TV, asked Borowitz to work for him, the answer was yes and Borowitz's wife even joined the team. Tartikoff knew a lot of industry people, including Quincy Jones and music mogul Benny Medina, who was considering a step into the TV industry. At this same time, Will Smith was hanging around "The Arsenio Hall Show" backstage, hoping that fame might rub off on him.

On the afternoon that Smith met Medina, the young rapper had no idea who the elder man was. Medina, conversely, was well aware of Smith's early career. And when he asked Smith if he could act, Smith bluffed his answer, as he had so many times before …

From the outset, "The Fresh Prince Project" tries too hard. Its earliest chapters are filled with 30-year-old language that feels forced, and allusions to some issues with Smith's father that are never completely, satisfyingly explained. This unevenness doesn't ever get much better as the book progresses — there's a lot of backtracking, and the words "fish out of water" show up a ridiculous number of times.

And yet, if you can separate style from substance, author Chris Palmer does the job: his book shows how one TV comedy and the people who made it, shaped Monday nights and everyday viewpoints. It's also a great profile of a star with one foot in a job he loved, and the other foot firmly on film.

Overall, fans who can withstand the ups and downs of this book and don't mind a little whiplash sometimes will want to hop on "The Fresh Prince Project." If you like things freshly polished, though, this book might turn you off. WI

horoscopes

ARIES You'll be feeling especially self-assured when it comes to working on one-on-one projects and pursuing shared goals with a significant other, business partner, friend, or loved one when the week begins. Prioritizing collaboration and hearing one another out as you work through every step of the way can lead to success. Lucky Numbers: 14, 27, 40

TAURUS You should enjoy a burst of confidence around your daily routine and health goals in the beginning of the week. The key to making the most of this transit is to strike a balance between the more aggressive pushes (like cardio, running, or following a clean healthy eating plan) and caring for yourself mentally and emotionally (think therapy, sound baths, or meditation). Lucky Numbers: 2, 44, 58

GEMINI Enjoying more pleasurable downtime with friends, loved ones, and someone special can come more naturally at the start of the week. Don't shy away from making your joy and relaxation a priority. Finding new ways to build self-care into your daily routine can be empowering and rejuvenating. Lucky Numbers: 11, 16, 29

CANCER As the week begins, you'll crave more quality time spent on domestic pleasures like enjoying a beautiful meal, baking, gardening, or perfecting the interior design of your space in a way that boosts a feeling of calm. Enjoying quiet evenings with loved ones can warm your heart and bring unparalleled emotional fulfillment. Lucky Numbers: 6, 31, 52

LEO You'll get a burst of self-assuredness around all those to-dos on your calendar and social plans you've been wanting to make at the start of the week. Asserting yourself is generally easy, but now you'll feel even more centered in the way you approach these everyday interactions. It can be a fruitful time to brainstorm alongside colleagues or discuss a big-picture pitch with friends. Lucky Numbers: 1, 6, 23

VIRGO You'll be extra empowered to go after professional opportunities that reflect your values and dreams at the start of the week. Putting yourself out there in a diplomatic but assertive way during this period could lead to concrete financial rewards. Later, you'll be connecting and making plans with friends, loved ones, colleagues, and higher-ups left and right. Lucky Numbers: 25, 35, 56

LIBRA You'll be feeling especially comfortable in your skin and fired up when it comes to pursuing your long-term dreams in the beginning of the week. You have every right to take the bull by the horns and shine whenever possible. Meet with that higher-up or pitch that seemingly long-shot client. You got this! Lucky Numbers: 14, 29, 33

SCORPIO It's a sweet time to dream and feel productive while doing so early in the week. What you meditate and muse on now could actually serve as a roadmap for fulfilling major goals down the road. Later, you'll get the green light to put what's in your heart into words in a truly impactful way. You might do well to put this energy to use in a relationship, opening up about deep emotional wounds or fantasies with your partner, or meeting with higher-ups and verbalizing aspirations you've been keeping in your back pocket until now. Either way, the more open the lines of communication now, the smoother your personal sailing could be in the coming weeks. Lucky Numbers: 19, 21, 48

SAGITTARIUS You'll be feeling positive, sensitive, and interested in having an eye-opening experience when the week gets underway. Sharing your needs with a significant other or loved one could help you land on the perfect game plan. Lucky Numbers: 23, 25, 38

CAPRICORN Cultivating competence and self-assuredness on the job is your general M.O., but you'll enjoy an extra burst of confidence around professional matters when the week begins. Bringing a balanced, diplomatic, artistic viewpoint to the table can be a particularly smart way to appeal to higher-ups and end up earning their recognition, not to mention more responsibility and opportunity. Talk about a win. Lucky Numbers: 1, 16, 27

AQUARIUS Shrugging off your usual routine in an effort to hone your skill set and broaden your horizons could feel even more appealing than usual in the beginning of the week. Consider planning a short trip or downloading an app that will support your efforts to soak up knowledge. You'll be rejuvenated by prioritizing your mental and spiritual growth. Lucky Numbers: 24, 37, 46

PISCES You might do well to hold your tongue or, at the very least, consider a far more diplomatic approach to communication when the week begins. That's because money issues, especially those in which loved ones are involved, could pave the way for a tense conflict. But striking a softer, more patient tone can help you keep the peace. Later, you'll do well to research interesting ways to hone your professional skill set, because it could ultimately lead to advancing your career. Lucky Numbers: 7, 18, 35

in all areas of your life. He was always preaching about taking ownership, being a leader and the price you have to pay,” Thornton said. “It has gone a long way with me.”

After graduating from Gonzaga, Thornton went on to have an outstanding career at Duke University. He is currently an assistant on the men's basketball coaching staff at Howard University.

Gonzaga Basketball Coach Inspires On and Off the Court

Edward Hill Jr. WI Contributing Writer

When Stephen Turner took over the reins as head basketball coach at Gonzaga College High School 16 years ago, after serving as an assistant under legendary Coach Dick Myers for five years, there was some skepticism as to whether he could continue the team’s strong tradition.

It wasn't like he was taking over a program that was without success or tradition in the DMV area. Gonzaga, located at 19 I Street Northwest, D.C, had its share of success under Myers; thus, there was pressure to continue that

long-standing 29-year tradition.

After an admitted transitional period, Turner has continued Gonzaga’s basketball success. His accomplishments include:

• Five WCAC Coach of the Year honors

• 2015-16 first-ever National Gatorade Coach of the Year

• No. 1 team in the country (2007-08).

• Numerous former players who have received national honors and have gone on to have outstanding collegiate careers:

• One such notable player is former Eagle, Kris Jenkins, who made one of the most dramatic shots in NCAA history when he

Super Bowl LVII Serves a Historical First

When Super Bowl LVII kicks off in State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Feb. 12, it will be more than just another major sporting event that will be attended and watched by a huge audience. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs are two of the more exciting and explosive teams in the NFL.

But the best storyline is that for the first time in NFL history, there will be two African Americans, starting at quarterback, the most important position in the sport.

Patrick Mahomes, 28, will lead his team, the Kansas City Chiefs and Jalen Hurts, 24, will be the man at the controls for the Eagles.

Hurts is a former standout, first

hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer to lift his team, Villanova, to a national title in 2016 NCAA National Championship

"Everyone has some of those days," said Terrence Williams, referring to things not going well. Williams is now a sophomore player at the University Michigan, who benefitted from Turner’s tutelage.

"When I had one of those days, Coach Turner kept me going. He helped us understand the impor-

at the University of Alabama and then with the University of Oklahoma before being drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2020 draft, with the 53rd pick.

After serving an apprenticeship before missing part of last season with an injury, Hurts really came into his own this season, leading his team to a 14-1 mark while accounting for 35 touchdowns (22 passing, 13 rushing). For this, he is in strong contention for both NFC and NFL Player of the Year. Mahomes is more of a household name. He played collegiately at Texas Tech before being drafted by the Chiefs in the 2017 draft. All he has done in career with the franchise is lead them to back-toback Super Bowls, garnering them to a victory last year at Super Bowl LIV. This season, despite some injuries that would have kept most out of the lineup, the talented native of Tyler, TX willed his team to a 14-3 season.

Mahomes passed for over 5,200 yards and had 41 touchdowns for

tance of keeping it going on the basketball court, in the classroom and in your personal life. That experience has helped prepare me for Division 1 basketball and my life."

Tyler Thornton, who was part of the transitional period in 2006 for Turner, weighed in on what the coach has meant to his life and career.

"The thing that I recall most about my experience at Gonzaga under Coach Turner was his ability to teach lessons from basketball

the Chiefs, who won the AFC West.

Their styles are very similar but different.

Mahomes can magically escape pressure, while making plays with uncanny accuracy, especially in time of pressure.

Hurts is a running threat, but he also has the arm strength and accuracy to throw both the deep ball or the short routes that keeps defensive coordinators up late at night.

They both simply make their teams better.

James "Shack" Harris, the first African American to regularly start as a quarterback in the NFL, weighed in on the significance of the moment.

"It is especially exciting for me to see this come to reality," said Harris, who was the first Black quarterback named to the Pro Bowl, where he earned Most Valuable Player as a member of the Los Angeles Rams. WI

RE-EVALUATING SUCCESS

"When I took over, there was still talent left over from the previous team," Turner recalled. "We still experienced success, but things had to be re-evaluated. Coach Myers was an offensive genius whereas I am a strong proponent of defense. We had to find a way to make it all work."

During that period, Turner built the program, not just into a local, but national power. Gonzaga is a member of the Washington Catholic Athletic Association (WCAC), arguably the best basketball league in the country, with some of the top programs in the nation.

GONZAGA VS. PAUL VI

Friday, Jan. 27 was the much-awaited showdown between the Eagles and Paul VI, ranked No. 1 in the nation and the DMV area. Gonzaga was ranked 11th in the country going into the game. Despite a 70-57 loss to Paul VI, Turner says that there are lessons to be learned.

"Paul VI is a very good basketball team. Give them credit, it is the reason they are ranked No. 1. We try to stress the important things that we practice and prepare each day to get better.”

The Gonzaga coach added that for WCAC, true winners are cemented at the tournament championship (next month).

“You can go 18-0 in the WCAC during the regular season, but what matters most is who wins the tournament."

Even with all the gaudy accolades and accomplishments, Turner said coaching his son Jared Turner, now a freshman at Northeastern, has been his most rewarding experience.

"And seeing him now be prepared to play in Division 1 basketball, I get a chance to go watch him and see his growth,” Turner said. WI

5 Gonzaga head basketball Coach Stephen Turner has spent the last 16 years working to continue the institution’s strong reputation as a leader in high school basketball. (Jonae Guest/The Washington Informer)

5 Patrick Mahomes (right), 28, will lead his team, the Kansas City Chiefs and Jalen Hurts, 24, will be the man at the controls for the Eagles. (Courtesy photo)

CAPTURE the moment

4 Destiny Howell (1) drives to the basket during a Howard Bison win over the South Carolina State Bulldogs 67 - 35 at Burr Gymnasium in Northwest on Jan. 30. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

5 Donta Scott (24) goes up for the dunk during a Maryland Terrapins win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers 82 - 63 at Xfinity Center in College Park on Jan. 28. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

4 Hakim Hart (13) dribbles down the lane during a Maryland Terrapins win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers 82 - 63 at Xfinity Center in College Park on Jan. 28. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

5 Amirah Allen (12) gets the inbound pass during a Howard Bison win over the South Carolina State Bulldogs 67 - 35 at Burr Gymnasium in Northwest on Jan. 30. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

6 Steve Settle III (2) backs up during a Howard Bison win over the South Carolina State Bulldogs 100 - 73 at Burr Gymnasium in Northwest on Jan. 30. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

5 Bryce Harris (34) goes up for a dunk during a Howard Bison win over the South Carolina State Bulldogs 100 - 73 at Burr Gymnasium in Northwest on Jan. 30. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

35 Churches Receive $4 Million Grant for National Trust for Historic Preservation

Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer

Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church has a rich history of advocacy and education that dates back to the

construction of its building between 1915 to 1924 in what is now known as Potomac, Maryland.

While the church closed because of needed repairs, the congregation is being born again thanks to a grant

from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to rehabilitate African American churches from across the country.

A privately funded nonprofit organization, the D.C.-based National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save historic sites in the U.S, tell full stories regarding American history and build stronger communities. During the federal holiday honoring the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the organization’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund announced $4 million in grants to 35 historic Black churches across the United States, including Scotland A.M.E.

“Leaving an indelible imprint on our society, historic Black churches hold an enduring legacy of community, spirituality and freedom that continues to span generations,” said Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and senior vice president for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “The Action Fund created the Preserving Black Churches program to recognize and

While the church closed because of needed repairs, the congregation is being born again thanks to a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to rehabilitate African American churches from across the country.

celebrate the Black church for its contributions on American life, culture and history, while also investing in their physical permanence and financial sustainment into the future.”

The Action Fund’s Preserving Black Churches program is a $20 million initiative funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. to “ help historic Black churches and congregations to protect their physical and cultural assets.

The first-round of grantees include the following churches: Birmingham, Alabama’s 16th Street Baptist Church, known as the site of the bombing that killed four little girls in 1963, tragically and famously advancing Black history; First

Bryan Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia, one of the oldest African American Baptist churches in the U.S.; Ohio’s Cory United Methodist Church, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X spoke in 1963 and 1964; St. Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, located on the HBCU campus of Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee; and Manzanola United Methodist Church in Colorado, built by 50 Black homesteaders in 1915, among others.

Preservation grant categories include: Endowment and Financial Sustainability, Organizational Capacity Building, Capital Projects, Project Planning, and Programming and Interpretation.

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., professor, historian, filmmaker and national advisory council member for the African American Cultural Heritage Fund, said the grant initiative is inspiring.

“After all, these are our sacred sites, which our ancestors built from the ground up, and we must do everything we can to ensure their survival,” Gates said. “Preserving these structures is a visible way of preserving a crucial chapter of Black History.” WI

3 Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church is Potomac, Maryland is one of the 35 churches receiving a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.

(Courtesy Photo)

Last week, this series began by sharing a portion of historical documentation from the District of Columbia Office of Tourism. In particular, Dr. Marya Annette McQuirter's research shows how African Americans have been a significant part of Washington, D.C.'s civic life and identity since the city was first declared the new national capital in 1791.

This is the second of a series that I’m writing about where we are today in the District of Columbia, which will lead to the third submission, which shares how African-American churches have fared for the most part, especially during the gentrification that has been taking place during the past two decades.

According to the most recent American Community Survey (ACS),:Black or African American are still the largest majority in the District, though the margin is much smaller– with 45.39% Black residents and 41.07% white. Let us take a look at how this all began for African Americans, here in Washington, D.C.

World Population View cites that the median age in Washington, DC is 33.8 years, with a slight gender gap of 52.5% female, and 47.5% male spread across the state. When you’re out late at night, you see the thick crowds along U Street, especially during the warmer seasons.

You see white people walking dogs, and they are taking daily walks through neighborhoods that once were all African American. It seems no neighborhood has been spared. Gentrification is all across the city.

There are many denominations represented in the District, including Baptist (17%), Catholic (13%), Evangelical Protestant (6%), Methodist (4%), Episcopalian (3%), Jewish (2%), Eastern Orthodox, Pentecostal, Buddhist, Adventist, Lutheran, Muslim, Buddhist, Mormon, Hindu and Presbyterian.

the religion corner

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

The History Behind African Americans in D.C., Religion, Activism

As we continue to talk about the history of African Americans in Washington, D.C., let’s look back at how our people began their lives here.

During the Great Depression (19291939) and World War II (1939-1945), the early civil rights movement gained ground. In fact, in 1933, the same year that President Franklin Roosevelt (1933-1945) began to end segregation in the federal government, the young Black men of the New Negro Alliance instituted "Don't Buy Where You Can't Work" campaigns against racist hiring practices in white-owned stores in predominantly black neighborhoods.

This history also shows how the Washington chapter of the National Negro Congress also organized against police brutality and segregation in recreation beginning in 1936. The "Double V" effort - Victory Abroad, Victory at Home - increased civil rights activity.

In 1943 Howard University law student Pauli Murray led coeds in a sit-in at the Little Palace cafeteria, a whitetrade-only business near 14th and U streets, NW, an area that was largely African American. In 1948 the Supreme Court declared racially restrictive housing covenants were unconstitutional in the local Hurd v. Hodge case. Beginning in 1949 Mary Church Terrell led a multiracial effort to end segregation in public accommodations through pickets, boycotts, and legal action.

Four years later, in the District of Columbia v. John R. Thompson Co., the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregation in Washington, D.C. was unconstitutional based on the 1872 law passed during Reconstruction but long forgotten. In 1954 a local case, Bolling v. Sharpe, was part of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, which declared separate education was unconstitutional.

In 1957 Washington's African American population

surpassed the 50% mark, making it the first predominantly Black major city in the nation, and leading a nationwide trend.

The 1963 March on Washington for Jobs, Peace and Freedom brought more than 250,000 people to the Lincoln Memorial. Its success was helped by the support and contributions of local churches and organizations.

The assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 4, 1968, triggered immediate and intense reactions throughout the nation and the city.

During the 1968 riots, buildings were burned and destroyed, you could see African Americans carrying furniture down the street as they looted and took whatever they wanted.

The federal government took first steps towards "home rule" by appointing Walter Washington as mayor in 1967. In 1974 residents chose Washington as the city's first elected black mayor and the first mayor of the 20th century.

By 1975 African Americans were politically and culturally leading the city with more than 70% of the population, and indeed, Marion Barry, who succeeded Washington as mayor, began his public life here as a leader of local justice movements.

Next week in the third submission, look for a couple interviews from some of our ‘great’ and long lasting pastors of some of the Black churches of the District of Columbia. WI

RELIGION

The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church

Pilgrim

www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com

Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com

Motto: “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”

Blessed Word of Life Church

4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011

(202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/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

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

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

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

Reverend Dr. Paris L Smith, Sr. Senior Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423

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 themcbc.org

Senior Pastor 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

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

Mt.

Zion

Baptist Church

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

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

Crusader

Street

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church

St

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

Sunday School: 9:30 AM

Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM

Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM

“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org

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

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

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

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

headline and photo for LIF - MALCOLMXDAY

John F. Johnson Reverend Dr. 1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005 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

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

Third

Church of God

Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr.

St. Stephen Baptist Church

Reverend William Young IV Pastor

Covenant Baptist United Church  of Christ

Marks Baptist Come Worship

Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.;

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

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

Imterim Pastor

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

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

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church

Rev. Richard B. Black Interim Pastor

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

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"

Mount Moriah Baptist Church Eastern Community Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church

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

Florida

Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor 623 Florida Ave.. NW - WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 / Study (202) 265-0836

Home Study (301) 464-8211 / Fax (202) 483-4009

Service and Times

Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 AM

Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45

Holy

Pastor

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

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

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor 13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560

Service and Times

Sunday Worship: 11 AM Sunday School: 10 AM

Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study: Wed. 7 PM

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

“Real

www.easterncommunity.org

Email: ecc@easterncommunity.org

St. Matthews Baptist Church

Reverend Peter R. Blue Sr. Pastor 2001 Brooks Drive  District Heights MD. 20744 240.838.7074

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"

Email: revprbstmbc@gmail.com

Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org

Rehoboth Baptist Church

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor 621 Alabama Ave., S.E.- Washington, D.C. 20032

P: (202) 561-1111 - F: (202) 561-1112

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

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

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest

Foggy Bottom Founded in 1867

728 23rd Street, NW Washington, DC 20037

Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958

Service and Times

Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns

Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist

www.stmarysfoggybottom.org

Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org

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

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

Matthews

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 “

Email Address: admin@pbc712.org

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor 602 N Street NW - Washington, D.C. 20001 Office:(202) 289-4480

Fax: (202) 289-4595

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 “

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

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor 2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 - Fax: (202) 529-7738 Service and Times Worship Service: 7:30 AM

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

Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org

Website:www.mthoreb.org

For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.

Rev. Keith W. Byrd,

Zion Baptist Church

Rev. Lance Aubert

Elder Herman L. Simms

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Memorial Baptist Church

Christ Embassy DC

Rev.

Church

King

Dr.

release pending trial. D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Judith Pipe said the circumstances of Karon’s death significantly overshadowed Lewis’ lack of criminal history and years of service with DPR.

“The incident happened at the threshold of his home,” Pipe said.

“Even if I placed him on home confinement, that's where the offense occurred,” she added. “[The situation] came to his home, but it’s his reaction that brings us to this courtroom. There’s significant evidence against him which brings us to trial. Given what occurred, I don’t see what conditions could ensure the safety of the community.”

Smith released a statement on Tuesday asserting Lewis’ innocence.

Lewis’ Linkedin page says he has served as a DPR recreation specialist for 16 years. Other cited jobs include outreach coordinator for Backyard Band and co-host of Bounce Beat Radio on GoGoRadioLive.com.

Since Karon’s death, community members from all corners of the

District have demanded information about the teen’s alleged killer. During a Jan. 10 community meeting at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center that Ward 5 D.C. Councilembmer Zachary Parker (D) coordinated, people asked why officers didn’t arrest Lewis, who at the time had not been publicly identified.

Over the past several days, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Robert J. Contee III counted among those who discouraged the spread of misinformation about the circumstances of Karon’s death. On Tuesday, Contee credited the grand jury indictment and Lewis’ subsequent arrest to newly acquired video evidence and information from witnesses.

Video footage from the morning of Jan. 7 shows Lewis, who recounted being awakened by an outside noise, standing at the very end of his courtyard at his residence on the 1000 block of Quincy Street in Northeast with a firearm in his hand.

By that time, three young men, captured in video obtained by detectives, hopped out of a Kia Sportage and approached an Audi A8L, a Kia Soul, and a white Ca-

dillac XT6 with a flashlight. Lewis looked into the street from the courtyard and fired a shot at the white Kia Sportage, which, according to the affidavit, had been reported stolen hours prior.

The two young people ran toward the Kia Sportage while Karon ran toward Lewis. By Lewis’ account, and as seen in footage obtained by detectives, Karon pleaded for mercy just seconds before Lewis fired the two fatal shots. .

The District medical examiner later designated Karon’s death as a homicide.

Lewis’ fiance called 911 to report the shooting. When MPD officers appeared on the scene, they saw him performing chest compressions on Karon. They also recovered a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol from the scene and discovered the aforementioned cars with busted windows.

Lewis told officers he had a concealed carry permit and fired two shots. He later went to the station and provided a statement with an attorney present. Over the course of the investigation, detectives spoke to Lewis again, along with other witnesses.

Video footage came from an

Amazon/BLINK camera erected outside of Lewis’ home and that of a neighbor on Quincy Street.

When asked about the length of time it took to arrest Lewis, Contee said that getting to that point required approaching the situation scientifically, especially since Lewis claimed he shot Karon in self-defense.

“We wanted to be methodical

and correct and not make assumptions,” Contee said. “We wanted to follow the evidence. I’m not going to rush to judgment because of what someone said I should be doing. The investigation took the amount of time it would take so we can get to this point.”

WI @SamPKCollins

ASALH from Page 1 and women joined would change them. Some would act no differently from their white counterparts and other Black officers seeking meaningful change faced ostracism and danger to themselves if they spoke out and a host of other dangers.

after a Jan 7 traffic stop.

people, administer fair, authoritative and equitable justice, go after criminals, make the community safe.”

“But with integration, Black men and women moved out of the community.”

What Dulaney and other civil rights and social justice reformers didn’t count on was that the police institutions and structures that African-American men

America is seeing the absolute worst outcome of these realities with the recent murder of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old who was beaten to death by five Black Memphis police officers

“The Tyre Nichols incident blows me away. It destroyed everything we thought integrating police departments would do,” said Dulaney, who retired from teaching in 2016 after 42 years in the classroom and who served as deputy director and chief operating officer for the Dallas African American Museum.

Over the past few years, Dulaney said ASALH represents the adage, “plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose” – the more things change, the more they remain the same.

“Obviously, there’s a lot going on. We focused on the fact that we’re still fighting the same old battles in the classroom and attempts by Republicans to take away our vote,” said Dulaney, who served as a consultant on African and African American history curricula with the Fort Worth and Dallas Independent School Districts. “All of this is going on: a constant attempt to turn the clock back. All this stuff is just constant. It keeps you on edge.”

This year’s theme, “Black Resistance,” is deliberate, Dulaney said.

As ASALH notes, “African Americans have resisted ancient, pervasive and ongoing oppression during their sojourn in the United States,” including what ASALH describes as “the

racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings,” since African Americans arrival upon these shores.

“These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction,” the organization explains.

Dulaney said ASALH, a legacy organization founded by Carter G. Woodson in 1915 to promote Black history, has “been constant.”

With white supremacy and MAGA extremist backlash pervasive, Dulaney and ASALH have advice: resistance.

“As [Maryland-born Black abolitionist and minister] Henry Highland Garnet said, ‘let your motto be your resistance!’ Fortunately, we don’t have to work so hard. We have the methodology and ways to resist and we do have laws and institutions that will help us to resist,” he said.

In Black history, the continuum of resistance included establishing colleges and universities, hospitals, clinics, nursing schools so Black people can get quality health care, marches, demonstrations, boycotts, sit-ins and lobbying elected officials. The ASALH website explains that African Americans devised “ways to nurture and

protect Black lives,” such as “voluntary emigration, nonviolence, education, music, literature, sports, media, and legislation/politics.”

Resistance is also witnessed through Black-led institutions and affiliations lobbying, litigating, legislating, protesting and achieving success.

ASALH and similar organizations fight for justice by vigorously pushing back against racism, racial intolerance and discrimination in every segment of society ranging from housing, employment and education. At every step, African Americans and their allies have had to unswervingly push, coax and cajole America to live up to the ideals the country purports to represent: freedom, liberty, and justice for all.

Dulaney also emphasized the intimate intertwining of Black churches and institutions where congregants organized resistance efforts served as safe spaces and source of inspiration for citizens who joined various movements and took advantage of sanctuary in times of danger and crisis.

“That’s how we resisted in the past, running away, starting our own churches, starting the NAACP and national women’s organizations,” Dulaney said. WI @SamPKCollins

5 Karon Blake, 13, was killed on the early morning of Jan. 7. (Courtesy Photo)

5 Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney is national president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). (Courtesy Photo/ ASALH)

last breath,” officials at the nonprofit The Black Girl’s Guide To Healing Emotional Wounds wrote in a statement.

They plead, “please, my friends, don’t share it or watch it. Let’s keep the family in our prayers and work to identify solutions to this nonsense.”

On Friday, Jan. 27, over an hour of footage was extracted from the officers' body cameras and an overhead surveillance video that the men in blue were apparently unaware existed.

Each officer was arrested and terminated. They have been charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping and other crimes in connection with Nichols' death.

A sixth officer, Preston Hemphill, has not been fired or charged, but relieved from duty during the investigation.

A body camera worn by an officer revealed that Nichols, 29, was initially confronted on Jan. 7 at 8:24 p.m. During what appeared to be a standard traffic stop, several officers approached with their weapons drawn.

Immediate hostility ensued, with one officer threatening Nichols, "You're going to get your [expletive] blown off."

Nichols is heard saying, "I'm just trying to go home. I'm not doing anything."

He is then sprayed with pepper spray and repeatedly attacked.

One of the officers can be heard struggling to catch his breath while cursing Nichols due to the severity of the beating.

Nichols begins yelling for his mother in a manner eerily similar to that of George Floyd, a Black man killed by police in 2020 in Minneapolis. The 29-

One of the officers, displaying no compassion, pulls out a baton and yells, "I'm going to baton the [bleep] out of you!"

As the young man struggles to regain his balance, the officer strikes Nichols multiple times with the baton, while other officers can be seen punching him in the face and head.

Officers eventually drag Nichols and toss him against a patrol car. More than 21 minutes pass before emergency medical personnel arrive, during which time the officers celebrate their victory by fist-bumping and laughing about their crime.

The release of the video sparked protests across the country, including in the District of Columbia, New York, Los Angeles and Memphis,

where the crime took place.

In addition civil rights organizations released several statements condemning the officers.

Lawmakers promised legislation to reform American policing. Similar promises were made after the murders of Floyd in Minneapolis, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, Tamir Rice in Ohio, and Eric Garner in New York, among numerous others.

In contrast, the Memphis officers were immediately fired and arrested, and the police unions did not offer them any support.

“What I witnessed in that video was horrific. It was a barbaric assault on another human being and is sickening,” Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police President Clyde Boatwright said.

“This does not represent policing or the men and women who wear a badge and dutifully protect their communities. I hesitate to even call these men police officers, because what I saw on that video is not policing. They deserve the strongest punishment allowed by Tennessee law.”

Boatwright added that in his state, “we have had historic police reform in our state over the last five years to ensure these types of actions don’t occur in Maryland. We will continue to be a partner with our communities as we work to protect those we serve.”

Patrick Gaspard, the president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, called driving while Black “one of the most dangerous acts in America.”

“As we all just witnessed in the searing video of the brutal slaughter of Tyre Nichols at the hands of police who are paid by us to protect all of us. The evidence here is startling and indisputable. These officers need to be tried, convicted and imprisoned to satisfy justice and to send a message to police in all of our cities that this culture of violence in their ranks will no longer be sanctioned,” Gaspard stated.

President Joe Biden said he spoke with Nichols’ family and expressed his outrage.

“Like so many, I was outraged and deeply pained to see the horrific video of the beating that resulted in Tyre Nichols’ death,” the president stated.

“It is yet another painful reminder of the profound fear and trauma, the pain, and the exhaustion that Black and Brown Americans experience every single day.”

WI

@StacyBrownMedia

A body camera worn by an officer revealed that Nichols, 29, was initially confronted on Jan. 7 at 8:24 p.m. During what appeared to be a standard traffic stop, several officers approached with their weapons drawn.

5 Tyre Nichols, 29, was fatally beaten by the police on Jan. 7. (Courtesy Photo/ via Barack Obama Twitter)

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender.

Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: " Paul Lawrence Morant Jr.© ", in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ PAUL LAWRENCE MORANT JR. ", corp.sole Dba.: " PAUL L. MORANT JR.© ",  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. declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Al Maghreb Al Aqsa, Estados al Marikanos, 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: " Paul Lawrence Morant Jr.© ", from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: " huni sen hotep el © ". 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: 32, 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: Tennessee Office of vital records: STATE FILE NUMBER, 141-1976-022080 © ", is as a special deposit order, conveyed to " HUNI SEN HOTEP EL Trust© ". 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: " Lawrence morant bey © ", nom deguerre: " Paul Lawrence Morant Jr. © ", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : " Huni Sen Hotep El 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. 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 001182

Thomas L. Sullivan Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Brian K. Sullivan and Khristopher J. Perrin, whose addresses are 1127 Ring Bill Loop Upper Marlboro MD 20774/4165 Alabama Ave SE WDC 20019, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Thomas L. Sullivan who died on August 25, 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 7/19/2023. 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 7/19/2023, 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:

1/19/2023

Brian K. Sullivan Khristopher J. Perrin

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 000003

Lidia Dominga Gramajo Giron Decedent

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

Jeniffer A. Ochoa, whose address is 3126 Newton Street, NE Washington DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lidia Dominga Gramajo Giron who died on July 10, 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 7/19/2023. 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 7/19/2023, 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:

1/19/2023

Jeniffer A. Ochoa

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

SUPERIOR

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 ADM 1456

Claudette L. Helms

Decedent

Ferguson Evans, Esq.

601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 900 South Building Washington, DC 20004

Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Ferris C. Helms, whose address is 4830 8th St., NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Claudette L. Helms who died on 10/17/2022 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 7/19/2023. 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 7/19/2023, 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: 1/19/2023

Ferris C. Helms Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 ADM 000896

Diane Adams Decedent

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

Dominick Adams, whose address is 701 Monroe Street NE, Apt 607, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Diane Adams who died on November 8, 2021 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 7/19/2023. 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 7/19/2023, 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: 1/19/2023

Dominick Adams Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 ADM 001446

Albert Leon Avery

Decedent

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

Vera M. Thomas, whose address is 315 Livingston Terrace SE #B, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Albert Leon Avery who died on 7/13/2020 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 7/19/2023. 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 7/19/2023, 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: 1/19/2023

Vera M. Thomas

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 ADM 001413

Douglas Edward Young Decedent

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

Attorney

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

DeAngelo Edward Young, whose address is 5626 Clay Place NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Douglas Edward Young who died on September 6, 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 7/19/2023. 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 7/19/2023, 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: 1/19/2023

DeAngelo Edward Young Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2022 ADM 1484

Dorothy Loretta Mosley Horne Decedent

Howard Haley, Esq. 7600 Georgia Ave., NW #416 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney

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

Angela Horne-Jackson, whose address is 65 Posting Way, Charles Town, WV 25414, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy Loretta Mosley Horne 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 7/19/2023. 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 7/19/2023, 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:

1/19/2023

Dorothy Loretta Mosley Horne

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 ADM 001081

Estate of Mary Alice Tucker

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Ann E. Tucker and Michael Tucker for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative

Date of first publication:

2/2/2023

Caren M. Webb 1308 Ninth Street, NW Suite 250

Washington, DC 20001

Petitioner/Attorney:

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2021 ADM 000282

Nolia Belemu Mooya Decedent

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

Hilda Choobe Nzuwah, whose address is 5128 9th NW Washington DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Nolia Belemu Mooya who died on September 2, 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 8/2/2023. 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 8/2/2023, 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: 2/2/2023

Hilda Choobe Nzuwah

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens

Register of Wills

Washington Informer

III

Notice (for publication)

This publication certifies the existence of one man assuming the role of head for his house. Notice the man to be mature and to act of sound mind as the bearer for all good deeds.  Notice “See” United States foreign relations manual 8 FAM 505.21 Endorsement Code

Procedures the Bearer IS ALSO KNOWN AS (K-A GIVEN NAMES) (K-A SURNAME).

Bearer uses an assumed name in addition to their legal name.

Name KENNETH MICHAEL SIMMONS II

II The address of the known place of business is 9801 Apollo dr. P.O Box #6101, Largo Maryland [20792]

note: I Kenneth Michael, of the Simmons come forth as the executor public and private for the name KENNETH MICHAEL SIMMONS II.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, perpetually.  The original known place of existence for the entity known as KENNETH MICHAEL SIMMONS II is:  Adventist Health Care Shady Grove Medical Center, u9901 Medical Dr Rockville, 20850, the agent for this entity is a living, breathing and comprehensive man, notice I am original to the land mass referenced by given names Maryland, America, and Amexem, North America.

Notice the bearer, am that am reflection of man. Having power of attorney in fact for Kenneth Michael Simmons II and for my new court commissioned named change as Mubaraq Tali El, in esse. Notice by this publication an act of good deeds assume the role of executor, guardian, conservator, and power of attorney over the following names estates and trusts as caretaker for all legal names: KENNETH MICHAEL SIMMONS, KENNETH MICHAEL SIMMONS II, KENNETH MICHAEL SIMMONS III, NAJAH KENNA SIMMONS, MARIAMA UMU BAYOH, HABBIE FOFANAH.

IV Copyright notice for stramineous homo. This copyright notice informs any potential use, usage, users, of any constructive use thereto any legal names created for my paramount use may be a direct violation for using the expressed intellectual property protected by this notice. Any user of the names expressed heron shall be protected by this notice intended to protect all intellectual property and not to interfere with any commercial activity regarding trafficking or employment thereto. intend to uplift humanity and help all my fellow mankind. In propria persona, sui juris, proprio solo, proprio heredes, in esse.  Notice any unauthorized use thereof hereon without my express, prior, written authorized permission signifies the users unauthorized users’ consent. Notice that use will imply your debt obligation to any injury, damages, loss, etcetera. In the amount of $500,000 per use, plus time material and additional cost. Notice this publication is not expressed to take advantage of anyone for anybody. I redeem IAW 12 USC 411 and 412.

V Special indorsement i grantee "accept" and "certify" that i am of sound mind over the age of majority. I notice all parties living and robotic that claim all proceeds exceeding $1 USD for good cause and for non-failure to state claim for which relief can be granted. Relief can be granted by thy appointing all public and private officials, officers, commissioners and each agent or employee fiduciarily responsible to settle this matter without recourse. Sincerely, manager, real party of interest, non-commercial, not trafficking, not understanding anything commercial. Notice I am not trading with the enemy nor am an ally to any enemy of the state of the union, so be it.

VI Declaration of nationality

Notice of Special Appearance: I am: simmons, kenneth michael © in full life, in proprio, by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of:

SIMMONS II, KENNETH MICHAEL© corp.sole Dba: KENNETH MICHAEL

SIMMONS II© having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and south-western shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly sworn, hereby affirms to declare my intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as an: sharakhi shabtau Moorish American moslem national, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and inalienable, allegiance to the Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados / United States Republic, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Barbary Treaties, International Law, United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and all Natural laws governing moors and herby Declare and Proclaim my nationality as an: sharakhi shabtau Moorish American moslem national. Any and all facts contained  in this publication, are fully applicable to any and all private tribal issue offspring of: simmons, kenneth michael©, my wives, Nunc pro Tunc, not limited to but including: 1. fofanah, habbie©, the beneficiary and heir of Fofanah, Habbie© corp sole, Dba: HABBIE FOFANAH© am: simmons, kenneth michael© from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality /Status /Jurisdiction, shall be known as “el, mubaraq tali ©”. Notice of 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: SIMMONS II,KENNETH MICHAEL© corp.sole DBA.: KENNETH MICHAEL SIMMONS II©, Board of Trustees: simmons II  Chairman of the & Re: FOFANAH HABBIE©, corp sole Dba: HABBIE FOFANAH©, etc., to the depositor and or in the capacity as Guardian/: el, tali mubaraq© nom deguerre: simmons-ii, kenneth michael©. 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: el, mubaraq tali© nom deguerre: simmons, kenneth michael© as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is used exclusively for the benefit of: KENNETH MICHAEL SIMMONS II TRUST, to be used exclusively for the benefit of THE BOOK OF KENNETH TRUST, a private foreign Islamism ecclesiastical trust. Notice, the direct living beneficiary in flesh as people and in person having rights in name(s): najah-kenna; mariama-umu bayoh, kenneth-michael simmons III of the house SIMMONS and now officially known as house of EL This deposit is not to commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary /trustee / agent /bailee /donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including discharge and set off, all outstanding liabilities accord and satisfaction. All that which provides for me also provides for my wives and offspring vice versa. In addition, common law copyright KENNETH MICHAEL SIMMONS, KENNETH MICHAEL SIMMONS II, MUBARAQ TALI EL, NAJAH KENNA SIMMONS, KENNETH MICHAEL SIMMONS III, HABBIE FOFANAH, MARIAMA UMU BAYOH, mubaraq tali el, kenneth michael simmons, kenneth michael simmons II, kenneth michael simmons III, najah kenna simmons, mariama umu bayoh, habbie fofanah ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © common law, in esse; Notice we are in union and good faith with the United States, the United States of America, and the United Nations we are not sovereign citizens.

I am giving this notice in accordance with UCC 1-202(Notice; Knowledge). In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender. Notice of Special Appearance: I am, that I am: "Jeremy Lamond Henderson©", in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: "JEREMY LAMOND HENDERSON", corp.sole, Doing Business

As.: Copyright of trade name/trademark "JEREMY LAMOND HENDERSON©", including any and all derivatives and variations in the spelling, i.e NOT limited to all capitalized names: JEREMY LAMOND HENDERSON TRUST©, HENDERSON©, JLH©, JEREMY HENDERSON©, HENDERSON JEREMY JL©, JL HENDERSON©, and any derivatives thereof are under Copyright 1997, 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 National, and not a citizen of the United States Corporation - United States, Inc. or any·of its corporate subsidiaries, including the STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC, STATE OF NC, INC. or any similar derivatives associated with same.

I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Al Maghreb Al Aqsa, Estados al Marikanos, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the United States of America, Article Ill Section 2, The Uber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People], and all natural laws governing Moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a Moorish American National. I am, that I am: "Jeremy Lamond Henderson©", from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality/ Status/ Jurisdiction, shall be known as: "ambassador jeremy lamond henderson, ttee©". Notice of White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article Ill, as a Diplomatic Minister and Ambassador of The Moorish Empire and a Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 32, 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, and to reserve all rights, titles, and interest, in the property,

Re: THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES VITAL RECORDS CERTIFICATE OF LIVE

BIRTH CERTIFICATE NUMBER:

1979-00-0046798 for "JEREMY LAMOND HENDERSON©" is a special deposit order, conveyed to "JEREMY LAMOND HENDERSON TRUST©". 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: "ambassador jeremy-lamond:henderson, ttee©", nom deguerre: "Jeremy Lamond Henderson©", as a special depositorder in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of: "JEREMY LAMOND HENDERSON TRUST©", an Inter Vives Unincorporated Divine Granter Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary/ trustee/ agent/ bailee/ donee /debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding balances and liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit.

HOMESTEAD PUBLICATION

Be it known to All courts, institutions, cooperation’s, banks, tax collectors, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, STATE(s) OF, and all other artificial and commercial entities, this PUBLIC NOTICE is presented to All and  is NOTICE to the world that One, :rickey-martin: :gilliam and wife :barbara-louise: :gilliam:,  do lawfully secure all interest, rights and title entitled to both as Constitution Assignees, and both, by this present do perfect their private status as UNEMBARRASSED FREEHOLDER.  :rickey-martin: :gilliam and wife :barbara-louise: :gilliam:,  declare  and proclaim  full right of undisputable HOMESTEAD claim to distinct land within the seven square leagues in Los Angeles County, Huntington Beach, California Republic Constitutionally granted and protected by Law. The above is the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help me God. Any man, or woman who wishes to dispute this claim of rights must do so on their unlimited liability under the penalty of perjury.

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

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

2023 ADM 000025

Dawn F. White Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Cait L. Breeze and Sara Flynn-Kramer, whose addresses are 3608 Wilder Ln., Orlando FL. 32804 and 610 Greely Street, Orlando, FL 32804, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Dawn F. White who died on November 2, 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 8/2/2023. 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 8/2/2023, 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: 2/2/2023

Cait L. Breeze

Sara Flynn-Kramer Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 000084

Estate of Mildred Chappelle aka Mildred Chappelle Williams

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Marla A. Freeman for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

Admit to probate the will dated September 8, 2010 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of the witnesses or otherwise

Date of first publication: 2/2/2023

Marla A. Freeman Boyd 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 402 Washington DC 20036

Petitioner/Attorney:

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 ADM 001464

Thelma Hatcher Greene

Decedent

Stephanie L. Royal, Esquire The Royal Legal Group, PLLC 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 440 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Karina M. Holland and Lawana Holland-Moore, whose addresses are 2718 Lewis & Clark Ave., Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 and 15720 Presswick Ln., Bowie, MD 20716, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Thelma Hatcher Greene who died on 8/3/2022 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 7/26/2023. 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 7/26/2023, 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:

1/26/2023

Karina M. Holland

Lawana Holland-Moore

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens

Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Notice Of First And Final Notice Of Demand

Notice To Principle Is Notice To Agent; Notice To Agent Is Notice

To Principle, Ht: 5’9, Wt: 172, Nationality: American National, Gender: Male. On and for the record I am Charles of the family Samuel (Man) New Yorker(nation), I’m in the private, on the Land Jurisdiction in the Continental United States Republic, my right to contract and NOT contract is inviolable. Attention Public Officials New York State Attorney General, Federal Trade Commissioner(s), USPS Postal Inspector General, SSA Inspector General, HHS Inspector General (HHS Secretary & OCSE Commissioner) there is fraud, scam, waste, abuse, identity theft by constituents within the aforementioned departments by way of personage, usufruct and barratry. Public officials 1. identify who you are 2. what is your principle 3. who is the real party of interest 4. who understands this matter 5. by what authority you move in this matter. The SSA have a debt on their property the SSN noncustodial parent CHARLES SAMUEL (Ens Legis) is grammatically incorrect there’s no Nexus/Joinder, I am a flesh and blood Man, parties attempting to contract are improper. SSA take care of your created debt(scheme) blatant war against the United States of America constitution or go into default judgment and/or be charged for high crimes, treason and sedition. Fraud upon a private for-profit corporation Bronx County NY foreign court case PA32455T1 due to violation of due process, duress, coercion, word and language fraud and fictitious conveyance, separation of powers doctrine, lack of personal, subject matter, geographic jurisdiction and improper venue etc. I’m accepting Oaths and bonds, I’ve received irreparable injuries and demand remedy in law, dismissals of bonds, securities and full compensation. Furthermore, breach of contracts of Oaths of office, nonperformance of duties and obstructing the peace and security of a Free State. An unrebutted Affidavit stands as TRUTH in commerce, rebuttals shall be point by point in an AFFIDAVIT under penalty of perjury sign by (2) two witnesses no later than 30 days and/or aforementioned will be held commercially liable in their private/ public capacity. No blanket statements, send Affidavits to my email: Charles.s47@yahoo.com and/or for my physical mailing address. All my natural unalienable rights reserved. Real Land North America. 2/2/2023

In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender.

Notice of Special Appearance I am that am: "Lowell Terry Allen© ", in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “LOWELL TERRY ALLEN ", corp.sole Dba.: "LOWELL T. ALLEN© ", [LOWELL T ALLEN, LOWELL T. ALLEN, L ALLEN, LOWELL A, LOWELL ALLEN, L.T. ALLEN, LT ALLEN, L T ALLEN, LTA, LT, LA, L.A., L.T.A., L.T., ALLEN LOWELL, ALLEN T LOWELL, ALLEN Lowell T, also Lowell t allen, lowell t. allen, l allen, l. allen, l.t. allen, allen lowell, allen lowell, allen t lowell, lta, la, l.t.a., a.l.t., allen Lowell ], 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 intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Mississippian but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, and all natural laws governing American Citizens, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Mississippian. I am that I am: "Lowell Terry Allen© ", from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: "lowell terry allen©".

Notice of White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of yhwh's covenant, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND (HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 32, 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: Mississippi State Department of Health and Vital Records: 123-69 015972: " LOWELL TERRY ALLEN© ", is as a special deposit order, conveyed to " lta Christian Trust© ". 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:" lowell terry allen© ", nom deguerre: " Lowell Terry Allen© ", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of: "lta Christian 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. 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.

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS

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tion, singled out those four attacks as examples in a social media post condemning the regular and relentless toll gun violence takes in our nation: "11 dead in Monterey Park. 12 wounded in Baton Rouge. 7 dead in Half Moon Bay. 2 students dead in Des Moines. 300 shot EVERY SINGLE DAY. Every time you vote for a lawmaker who opposes gun safety, you're voting for policies that make it more likely your loved one will be slaughtered." Her words were followed by a graphic from Moms Demand Action: We don't have to live like this. We don't have to die like this.

Just a few days into the new year,

MYRICK from Page 30

leisurely day in the park, go out on the town, or stand in line to vote, you need access to public facilities when you're out in public. The far right knows that, and that's precisely why bathrooms have always been on their radar.

Keeping Black people from public restrooms made it harder to do things like vote, protest, or participate in society. Keeping queer people out of bathrooms ensured they remained marginalized and were met with fear and persecution.

SHARPTON from Page 30

must give back to make sure charitable-minded hospitals and clinics can serve the neediest patients at levels affordable to all. Unfortunately, the drug discount program is rife with fraud and benefits from almost no government oversight. Hospitals in particular that can buy the discount drugs are under no requirements to show how those savings are passed onto society's most vulnerable patients. In fact, what often happens is that the hospitals bill insurance companies and government health programs for the full cost of the drug, even if they bought the medicine via the discounted program. That's right — hospitals buy drugs for pennies on the dollar, then get to charge for the full price of the drug. This is a clear example of placing profits over people, not health care.

It bears repeating that most of the hospitals and clinics participating in the drug discount program are non-profits. They are not supposed to have windfalls for ownership in mind at all. They were set up as taxfree entities for the express purpose

America's gun violence epidemic is back under a harsh spotlight. The Gun Violence Archive, which documents the number of mass shootings in the U.S. in which four or more people are shot or killed in a single incident, counted 40 mass shootings in the first 25 days of 2023. This was 21% higher than in the previous two years and more than any January on record. Seventy-three people were killed and 165 more were injured in those mass shootings alone. Every day, on average, more than 100 people are killed and more than 200 others are injured by guns in our nation in assaults, suicides and suicide attempts, unintentional shootings, and police intervention. Gun violence is the lead-

Keeping trans people out of bathrooms fuels the narrative that trans people are attempting to force their way into private spaces for nefarious purposes.

The worst part is, they know it's a lie. It's always been a lie. Trans people aren't out to get you in the bathroom, nor were queer people or Black people. We are all just trying to exist in public spaces, and that's what the far right can't stand. They want the people with whom they disagree to disappear completely from public life, relegated to the shadows until they need to scare

of serving the communities around them, not well-heeled management. Yet growing the bottom line is exactly what many of these entities are doing — a violation of public trust that further perpetuates the feelings by many of corruption and greed.

I applaud Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney for his leadership to direct a letter to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, in September 2022 asking for an investigation into Bon Secours. He said it best: "Inadvertent loopholes have been utilized, increasing profit margins for the hospital system while they have reduced services in one of our predominantly Black communities. It is immoral to benefit off the backs of Black and Brown residents under the guise of healthcare, and it must cease immediately."

On behalf of those without a voice I am calling on the new Congress to encourage oversight. Every congressperson of every partisan and ideological stripe has at least one of these discount program-eligible hospitals or clinics in their district. Towards this end our nation's elected leaders must ask the hard questions about where

ing cause of death for children in our nation. This is American exceptionalism at its worst.

Will we continue to let these numbers escalate month after month? Will we continue to stand alone in accepting our pervasive culture of gun violence and the insane proliferation of guns by the millions that have no business in civilian hands? Will we keep electing members of Congress who put their perceived political self-interest and gun lobby profits ahead of the safety of our children and communities? Or will this be the year we finally find the courage, decency and will to change course?

their base again. Bathrooms bills are a convenient way for them to restrict public access and create fear at the same time.

So, the next time someone tries to argue that trans people shouldn't be allowed to use the bathroom, remind them these scare tactics were rolled out against gay people and against Black people in the past. Remind them that it's always been about depriving people of power, not plumbing. And remind them that, just like in the past, these attacks will ultimately fail if good people stand up for what's right. WI

the drug discount program's savings are going. The executive agency which administers the program could also play a stronger role and provide a level of regulation that ensures our nation's most vulnerable are served.

So what can be done? Hospitals and clinics who participate in the drug discount program are in dire need of more oversight from congressional committees and the Biden administration. As part of that oversight, the drug discount eligible facilities should provide a detailed accounting of how the medicines they can buy for pennies on the dollar are, in fact, benefiting patients and not the bottom line.

In near future I will be convening community leaders, policy makers and private sector partners to seek a solution. It's been 30 years since Congress created the drug discount program, and it rightly enjoys bipartisan support. But making sure the program is improving health equity, not doubling down on a system that enriches already wealthy neighborhoods at the expense of poor underserved communities, should be a top priority. WI

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codified in Florida, but it is replicated in so many other academic jurisdictions. A lack of relevant knowledge by teachers or their direct intent to ignore or exclude Black History from local curricula delivers the same result. Woodson opines, "Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history." Or even worse, "If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated." Woodson echoes my greatest fear, "The education of the Negroes, then, the most important thing in the uplift of the Negroes, is almost entirely in the hands of

MORIAL from Page 31

Resistance, which covers the period from the origins of the transatlantic slave trade to abolition; The Practice of Freedom, focused on African-American experiences since abolition including Reconstruction and the Negro Renaissance, and Movements and Debates, which examines the civil rights movement, Black feminism and intersectionality, and the diversity within Black communities.

DeSantis' feeble efforts to rationalize the ban are so vague they are essentially meaningless. "Intersectionality is foundational to CRT," his Department of Education howled, without even attempting to explain

those who have enslaved them and now segregate them." If we accept this reality, we have limited choices in our plan to resolve this problem.

I submit that when/where our numbers are sufficiently large or when we can collaborate with other "out" groups to exert our influence, that we do so. White supremacy is sustained and enlarged with the exclusion of the historic contributions of those they wish to demean. The historic reduction of their self-aggrandizement only diminishes their truth of superiority.

When our numbers are insufficient to exert that measure of influence, we must do it the old-fashioned way — we must value, learn, and then teach our history. No one will do this for us. No one else has a vested interest.

WI

why either concept represents a threat. His "concerns" reflect a profound ignorance — or deliberate misrepresentation — of both the curriculum and the legal theory he claims to oppose, but the ignorance is largely the point. The ban, like the ludicrous Stop WOKE Act that the course allegedly violates, is less about the details of a specific curriculum and almost entirely about weaponizing white grievance and resistance to a multicultural democracy.

DeSantis has charted a course to the White House that cuts straight through the swamp of white supremacy.

After all, if white people experience "guilt, anguish or other forms of psychological distress" as a result

of acknowledging systemic racism, they might be inspired to alleviate that distress by dismantling systemic racism. That's a terrifying prospect for people who are so accustomed to the status quo that even the slightest effort to level the playing field feels like an earth-shattering cataclysm.

It's impossible to know whether DeSantis genuinely shares that fear. But it's undeniable he's eager to exploit it for political advantage. His opponent in his first gubernatorial campaign famously remarked, "I'm not calling Mr. DeSantis a racist. I'm simply saying the racists believe he's a racist."

Three Florida students are poised to sue DeSantis if he does not lift the ban and allow the AP African American studies to be taught in schools. But because the College Board has agreed to revise the course, it's likely that future students will be taught a watered-down curriculum that avoids the harsh realities that cause "distress." This injustice gives DeSantis and his allies the power not only to distort the past, but to shape a future where structural inequalities persist and racism is allowed to flourish. WI

be determined to act now to find the solutions we can agree on — even gun owners overwhelmingly support some regulations, just as majorities support helping those with mental health needs.

Let's not accept the isolation so many feel and the polarization we see in our public discourse as reinforcing and insurmountable. Let's

six weeks. Men grew not only more empathetic but more humane. Some eventually wanted to do more together and formed Whites Interrupting Racism in our community. It was one of many lessons my dad taught me — that how we treat each other in our lives shapes what we'll permit in the structures of our country. WI

White supremacy is sustained and enlarged with the exclusion of the historic contributions of those they wish to demean. The historic reduction of their self-aggrandizement only diminishes their truth of superiority.

After all, if white people experience "guilt, anguish or other forms of psychological distress" as a result of acknowledging systemic racism, they might be inspired to alleviate that distress by dismantling systemic racism.

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