The Washington Informer - July 30, 2020

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Don’t Miss this Month’s WI Bridge Center Section Vol. 55, No. 42 • July 30 - August 5, 2020

Nation Pays Respects to Civil Rights Icon John Lewis Many Vow to Continue His Mission to Promote ‘Good Trouble’

By Hamil Harris, WI Contributing Writer and D. Kevin McNeir, WI Editor Rep. John Lewis, often referred to as the “conscience of Congress,” laid in state in the Capitol for the last of two days Tuesday, July 28 as a throng of Americans braved oppressive heat to pay their respects to the veteran lawmaker and civil rights icon.

Draped in an American flag, Lewis was slated to lie in state in Georgia’s capitol rotunda Wednesday before his funeral in

Atlanta on Thursday, July 30. Following a service in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda Monday, Lewis’ casket rested in the East Front Portico for public viewing.

Due to precautionary steps taken to contain the ongoing health pandemic, visitors’ movements were limited to walking to the bottom of the Capitol’s East Front steps where they made their final salutes. The crowd included men and women of all ages and races – each wearing masks while observing social distancing di-

LEWIS Page 29

5 Several thousand people stood in lines extending several blocks to say final farewells to the Honorable John Lewis lying in state in the Rotunda of the Capitol on July 27 and 28. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

Black Mayors Demand Authority to Enforce Face Mask Policies

Biden Prepares to Announce Historic VP Pick

By Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia To borrow the famous phrase from a long-running television game show, what, or who, is behind door number one for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden?

It’s selection time, and anticipa-

BIDEN Page 40

5 Rep. Karen Bass (Courtesy of BlackPressUSA)

Black mayors in some of the nation’s largest cities have called on governors to repeal any orders prohibiting them from enacting strategies that reduce the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Mayors Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta, Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C., and Sylvester Turner of Houston are among those who signed on to the resolution from the African American Mayors Association.

Mayor McKinley Price, DDS of Newport News, Va., and president of the Association says

mayors should be able to protect its citizens without interference.

“COVID-19 is surging across the country — threatening all Americans, and particularly people of color,” Price said. Face masks — along with other social distancing practices — are proven ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Yet many governors are preventing mayors from enforcing these strategies.”

“It shouldn’t be this way. Health experts are clear that wearing masks slows down the spread of the virus. We all need to take this powerful step to protect our communities.”

MAYORS Page 34

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Women the Cycle of wi hotBreak topics Domestic Violence VA Governor Orders Josey-Herring First Female

Restrictions in Tapped to Lead D.C. Trial Court law enforcement.

She said they threat,” she said. had come together to bring a Among the programs MarlowArea Hampton Roads The District of Columbia Ju-sense of uniformity in the way wants to see implemented are

By Tia Carol Jones WI Staff Writer

When Nomination L.Y. Marlow's Commission 23-year- domestic violence victims and stricter restraining order policies, dicial old daughter told her its theselection father ofsurvivors are treated.

Virginia Ralph recently announced more rights forGov. victim's familiesNortham ofD.C. her daughter threatened her signed an executive “She's using her own personal to intervene on behalf oforder a vic-Tuesday, Superior Court Associate life, andAnita the life of their child, Junea28 for restaurants dining esdomestic violence and assessJudge Josey-Herring as thestory, her own personal pain to tim, she knew be push forward,” Davis-Nickens ment tablishments in the Hampton unit coupled with further Roads next chiefsomething judge of had the toSuperior done. of her frustration training for law enforcement area, a coastal region in the southeastCourt,Out the first female to hold thesaid about Marlow. with law enforcement's Life Patrons Protec- cannot ern part aofChild's the state. position. Josey-Herringhandling will replace Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, ofthe the retiring situation,Chief she decided to who reads Marlow's book will tion Act andalcohol mandatory consume at counselbusinesses after Judge Robert start theonSaving batterers.

10 for p.m.

However, alcohol can be sold Morin Oct. 1.Promise cam- “get it.” She said she “puts the ing paign. case in such a way, the average “If we are ever going to All eradivia delivery or take out. businesses Josey-Herring, who holds a 1982 “It seems todegree be a vicious we must that domestic sell foodviolence, and alcohol must close bachelor’s from cycle Virginiaperson can get it.” She said at the cate that won't turn University my family at both sides of the coin. by midnight.

Additionally, all public Commonwealth and aend of the day, the book will look loose,” Marlow said. Marlow help people begin to have a dia- We need to address both vicand private in-personthe gatherings of 1987 Georgetown University Law shared her story with the audi- logue about domestic violence. tim the50batterer,” Marlow moreand than individuals are prohibCenter juris doctorate degree, has ence at the District Heights ited. The order highlights the city of clerked for Superior Court Judge Also present at the event was said.

Domestic Violence Symposium Mildred Muhammad, the ex- Portsmouth Marlow would also reported like to see 60 new which and worked for the onHerbert May 7 Dixon at the District Heights wife of John Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raise July 25, confirmed cases on Saturday, D.C. Public Defender rising Municipal Center.

TheService, sympowho was sentenced to six consec- awareness among children its largest daily total so far. in The cities from was a staffsponsored attorney to by deputy before her appointment to sium the director utive life terms without parole public and private schools. She affected are Virginia Beach, the Superior Court by President Clinton in 1997.

In 2012, President Family and Youth Services by a Maryland jury for his role in feels children need to be educat- Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Obamaofre-appointed to the courtthe for Beltway another 15-year Center the city ofherDistrict Sniperterm. attacks in ed about domestic violence.

Williamsburg, Newport With Josey-Herring’s elevation and the presence of D.C. Court of Heights and the National Hook- 2002. Mildred Muhammad is Hampton, “We have to stop being pasNews and Poquoson and the counties Appeals Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, two African-AmeriUp of Black Women. the founder of After the Trauma, sive-aggressive with poor chilof James City and York.

“While the can females overseeathebook, District’sancourt system for that the first time.

Marlow haswillwritten organization helps the dren about domestic violence,” health metrics remain largely stable D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), the chair“Color Me Butterfly,” which is a survivors of domestic violence Marlow said. in four out of Virginia’s five health reman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, praised story about four generations of and their children.

Marlow has worked to break gions, I am concerned about the recent Josey-Herring’s selection. domestic violence.

The book is “I lived in fear for six years. Six the cycle of abuse in her family, increase in casesthe in policies Hampton “There many transformational confronting the Disinspired by are hersoown experiences, yearsissues in fear is a long time.

It is and is confident she Roads,” trict’s justice with COVID-19, and criminal and those of system her grandmother, not civil an easy thing tojustice come reout isNortham pushing said for in willa statement. start that “These decisions are necessary to protect pubher mother her daughter. form, accessand to justice and public safety topsaid. among them. I know of,” she process. additional She said every time she reads Judge Josey-Herring to be a committed public Muhammad servant and I am Mildred said lic“Ihealth plan toand takeprevent these policies to virus outbreaks.andI implore will notthem hesitate excerpts from book, still people confident herher vision andshe approach to leadership be responsive who will want to help a Congress to to do what itour takes to keep Virginians can not believe words came domestic violence victim must change to these urgent the challenges.” laws,” Marlow said. safe.” from her. “Color Me Butterfly” be careful of how they go into “I will not stop until these poliwon the 2007 National “Best the victim's life, and understand cies are passed.”

Books” Award. that she may be in “survival Tia Carol Jones can be reached “I was just 16-years-old when mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net my eye firstinblackened my Marlboro “Beforeand youMorningside get to 'I'm in going Voters the townsand of Upper Prince lipsGeorge’s bled,” Marlow kill you,'July it started as a on verbal Countysaid. elected three newtomembers 27 to serve respec- WI Elaine Davis-Nickens, presitive boards.

Sarah Franklin won a special election to serve the remaining dentterm of of theformer National Hook-Up commissioner Kai Bernal-LeClaire who accepted a job of Black said there is no until January 2022 on the three-member out ofWomen, state. Franklin will serve consistency in town the way board. The willdomestic hold another special election Aug. 10 for the seat violence issues are Wanda dealt with by who died June 30. After next month’s held by the late Leonard, election, Upper Marlboro officials would have coordinated four elections in less than two years. Nearby in Morningside, residents selected two peo- 5 Upper Marlboro Town Clerk M. David ple on the town council: John Anthony, Jr. and Louis David Williams III. Williams (left) checks the temperature of the Rev. They will be sworn-in Aug. 10 for two-year terms to replace commission- Mike Rogers before he votes July 27. (William J. ers Sharon Fowler and Katie Blade.

Ford/The Washington Informer)

Upper Marlboro, Morningside Hold Town Elections

“

We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these Public Meetings Set for Prince George’s COVID-19 Task Force tolong-term Congress A Prince George’s Forward Task Force establishedpolicies to provide data and solutions to theand COVID-19 pandemic will hold two public meetings next month on Aug. 5 and Aug. 19. Prince George’s County continues to lead implore to change our the state of Maryland with the most confirmed cases – nearly them 22,330 as of Monday, July 27.

“Prince George’s County has been hit pretty hard by COVID-19,” said Charlene Dukes, the group’s co-chair who recently retired as president of the community college.

“The task is engaged in important to ignite a quicker laws.

I force will not stopwork until recovery for residents and our businesses.”

For more information on the task force, go to https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3501/Forward-Task-Force. these policies are passed.

“

SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY

COMPILED BY JAMES WRIGHT AND WILLIAM J. FORD, WI STAFF WRITERS

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L.Y. Marlow

AROUND THE REGION

St. Elizabeths Hospital Funded, Police Cut in D.C. Budget

By James Wright WI Staff Writer @Jamesdcwrighter The D.C. Council on Tuesday, July 28 unanimously passed a $16.7 billion fiscal 2021 budget, including funds for a new St. Elizabeths East Hospital despite a decline in revenue amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The final vote on the total budget, local and federal portions, took place with minimal additions and with a backdrop of a decline in monies coming into the District at the level of $800 million, according to the District’s chief financial officer. A July 23 session largely finalized the local part of the District’s budget and the July 28 session closed deliberations on the whole process.

At the meeting, Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8) inserted a friendly amendment to include returning citizens in an aid program supported by Events DC for undocumented workers who aren’t eligible for unemployment insurance. Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), over the objections of David Grosso (IAt Large), who chairs the Committee on Education, and council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D), passed an additional budget amendment essentially requiring public charter school boards to open their meetings to the public.

The council passed the bulk of the budget on July 23 in an additional session in which the advertising tax, strongly opposed by local news organizations and some businesses, withered away after receiving an endorsement by the legislative body on July 7. All but two of council members, Grosso and Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), backed away from the tax with reasons ranging from its negative effect on small businesses to legislators such as Council members Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) and Robert White (D-At Large) arguing — and Mendelson ultimately agreeing — a revision commission should be reignited to study the District’s tax structure.

Nadeau voiced her displeasure with how the discussions about the advertising tax took place, while Grosso said the tax shouldn’t have been a burden

on a “healthy business.”

Meanwhile, Councilmember Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7) led the effort to get funds for the St. Elizabeths East Hospital in Ward 8. The facility will have 136 beds and replace the United Medical Center, also located in Ward 8.

“I am ecstatic that we were able to get the new hospital bill passed,” Gray said. “This action was a long time coming and will vastly transform health care in Wards 7 and 8 by bringing equitable health services in the form of a new, state-of-the-art community hospital and health system. It will be built with an ambulatory care complex and two new urgent care centers on the east end of the city.”

The council also approved a measure sponsored by Allen to cut $15 million from the Metropolitan Police Department, mirroring a nationwide movement to shift law enforcement resources to social services.

Allen, who chairs the council’s Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, believes in the national trends in many cities that some police resources can be shifted to alternative community safety programs, WTOP on June 25.

Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham disagrees.

“What doesn’t seem to make common sense to me is to reduce the size of the police department,” Newsham told WTOP. “That, in effect, is what the chairman of the Judiciary Committee is recommending we do.”

The budget will go to Mayor Muriel Bowser for approval. After the mayor signs the budget, it will be transmitted to the U.S. Congress for review. If the Congress doesn’t object, the budget becomes law on Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

Cheh, in her remarks Tuesday, said lawmakers had to make tough decisions in light of the ongoing pandemic drastically cutting the city’s revenue.

“We had to balance the budget with this almost $1 billion shortfall,” Cheh said. “And there are more cuts to come and we will have to meet greater challenges. What we have here is a good document.”

WI

5 Trayon White (D-Ward 8) (Courtesy photo)

5 Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7) (Courtesy photo)

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AROUND THE REGION

black facts

JULY 30 - AUG 5, 2020 SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

JULY 30

1936 – Famed blues guitarist/singer Buddy Guy is born in Lettsworth, Louisiana.

1945 – Adam Clayton Powell Jr., activist and politician, is elected to represent the congressional district including Harlem — the first Black congressman from New York state.

JULY 31

1874 – Patrick Francis Healy, is inaugurated as president of Georgetown University, the first African American president of a predominantly White college.

1921 – Civil rights leader Whitney M. Young is born in Lincoln Ridge, Kentucky.

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1901 – Louis Armstrong, iconic jazz trumpeter and singer, is born in New Orleans.

1961 – Barack Obama, the first African American president in United States history, is born in Honolulu.

1963 – Keith Ellison (top), the first Muslim to be elected to U.S. Congress, is born in Detroit.

1964 – The bodies of three civil rights workers discovered on farm near Philadelphia, Mississippi.

AUG. 5

JAMES BALDWIN 6 - JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020

1953 – The beginning of integration in Chicago’s Trumbull Park Homes housing project, located in an all-white neighborhood, triggers yearslong violence and racial tension.

1960 – African nation Burkina Faso gains independence from France.

1962 – Nelson Mandela is arrested in South Africa for inciting a workers’ strike. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotaging the nation’s government.

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JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 7

AROUND THE REGION D.C. Council Approves New Hospital at St. Elizabeths in Ward 8

Councilmember Vincent Gray Welcomes Area’s First Healthcare System

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A new state-of-the-art, Level 3 community hospital to be built on the campus of St. Elizabeths in Ward 8 is moving closer from concept to reality following the D.C. Council’s unanimous approval on July 21 to replace the ailing United Medical Center in Southeast by 2024.

Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray, chair of the Committee on Health, who began leading the effort to build a new hospital when he was mayor, applauded his colleagues on the council for their support which also includes the addition of two new urgent care centers to be located in Wards 7 and 8, respectively.

“The most important thing for me is that this will be the first time in history that we’ve had a real healthcare system on the East End of the city, that being defined as collectively Wards 7 and 8, which encompasses, about 162,000 people,” Gray said in an interview with the Informer.

Residents and healthcare advocates, who held more than a dozen community meetings over the past two years, advocated for a Level 1 hospital with trauma services due to the high incidences of gun-related

5 St. Elizabeths Hospital (Courtesy photo/Turner Construction Company)

injuries and deaths in the area. Demands also grew in 2017 following the D.C. Department of Health’s decision to temporarily close UMC’s obstetrics unit, followed by the UMC board of directors’ decision not to reopen it due to costs.

Gray said the new hospital would encompass a host of services, including trauma care, “which I know has been a concern of a lot of people.”

“We will be able to cover 85 percent of what the health department now calls trauma care services in this one hospital,” Gray explained.

“And, of course, it will have complete access to the trauma one centers, including Howard University Hospital, George Washington University Hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital Center and Children’s National Hospital.”

Upon completion, Gray said, the hospital will have 136 beds, but it will be built to expand to 196 beds.

“That will make it easy to expand to a level one or two trauma care center if we get to the point where we need that level of care,” he said.

The new hospital, the first to be built in the District in over 20 years, will be part of the George Washington University Hospital healthcare system, run by Universal Health Services [UHS]. According to its website, UHS is one of the nation’s largest hospital and healthcare services, with 400 acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, and ambulatory centers across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.K. When asked what the hospital

will be named, Gray said George Washington Hospital.

“We felt that the quality of services having been provided by GW sends a particular message to people, so we felt it was important to try to keep the name as it is now.

Because George Washington is now often referred to as the Foggy Bottom George Washington, this may be the East End, I don’t know.

But George Washington will be the name of the hospital,” Gray confirmed.

Gray predicts jobs and significant economic development will emanate from the new hospital’s construction on and near the St. Elizabeths campus. He refutes the concern that the hospital will result in further gentrification in the area often considered the “last frontier” of African-American displacement in the District.

“What it has to do with is the many, many people who live in Wards 7 and 8 will finally have a healthcare system built for the people who live there now,” he said.

“And that’s always been my goal since I was mayor – to be able to create the healthcare services that people desperately need.”

“I just want to get going,” Gray continued. “I’m just so glad to see this happen. I think some people have given up and I wasn’t going to give up on this; there’s too much at stake.”

The measure now goes to Mayor Muriel Bowser for her approval.

WI

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Battle for Burial Ground Intensifies with Key Discovery of Remains

AROUND THE REGION

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins

The controversy surrounding a construction site behind a McDonald’s franchise along River Road has revolved around the question of whether Parcel 242, atop which Montgomery County Parks and Planning is building a storage facility, indeed served as a final resting place for enslaved and formerly enslaved Africans who lived in the community.

Though Montgomery County maps and other records recognize nearby Parcels 171 and 177 as the burial ground known as Moses African Cemetery, members of the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition (BACC) have long maintained that Parcels 242 and 191 also deserve that designation, particularly since its former owner, the Warren family, was known to have buried loved ones on that property before tax increases and urban revitalization projects pushed them and other people of African descent out of Bethesda.

Since late June, BACC has protested in demand of a cessation of construction, testing of Parcel 242 for human remains, and the plot of land’s inclusion into the area known as Moses African Cemetery.

This crusade recently intensified with Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s alleged admission of an archeological discovery and BACC’s introduction of a lawsuit.

“What happened with the Warren family and Parcel 242 was about making Black folks scatter from the land. We believe before their land was stolen, part of it was used as a cemetery,” said Coleman-Adebayo, who also serves as social justice coordinator for Macedonia Baptist Church, an institution of historical significance to Black people who lived along River Road.

In testimonies before the Montgomery County Planning Board last week, BACC members framed the battle over Parcel 242 as an issue of Black people’s marginal-

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5 Demonstrators gather near the presumed site of the Moses Cemetery in Bethesda, Maryland to protest construction on sacred land. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

ization along the entire spectrum of their existence. Well-regarded archeologist Dr. Michael Blakey, as he had done in letters to county officials and conversations with Elrich, requested an independent archeological examination and inclusion of the descendent community in key decisions.

Meanwhile, Coleman-Adebayo referenced the Standards and Guidelines for Archeological Investigations in Maryland and the state’s hate crime laws to argue that Elrich and the Montgomery County Planning Board have the latitude to stop construction.

“We do think that there are members of the Warren family and other families buried in that land.

Parcel 242 is what we consider the old Moses African Cemetery,” she said.

“The new one is above the hill [in Parcel 177], but 242 is where bodies from major plantations on River Road — or what we call death camps — were dumped,” Coleman-Adebayo added.

“Parcel 242 is very close to River Road and it’s where the three death camps would dump Africans. The people buried further up were buried after emancipation. That’s why Parcel 242 is so important.”

Throughout much of last week, BACC members protested near Parcel 242 on three occasions and even led a march to Elrich’s Takoma Park residence as part of an effort to pressure him to step in and cease construction on the site.

These acts of civil disobedience differed from previous iterations, due mostly to the alleged assault

of protesters by private security guards and a local business owner who they said tried to hit them with his white truck — all as Montgomery County police officers watched.

As determined in a transcript obtained by The Informer, these demonstrations followed Elrich’s acknowledgment to Blakey that archeologists contracted by the owner recently found, and misplaced, some bones found on the site — what Blakey and other archeological experts called grounds for stopping construction on Parcel 242.

Earlier this month, Elrich told The Informer that the owner of Parcel 242 successfully navigated the construction approval process, which included excavation of the land by a private party. Last week, Montgomery County State’s Attorney John J. McCarthy followed up with a letter affirming that, after a tour of the construction site and conversations with the developer and their archeologists, Parcel 242 has no human remains. Construction company 1784 Capital Holdings, LLC has made similar assertions.

However, proponents of Parcel 242’s preservation characterized the aforementioned statements as part of a deal between Montgomery County, developers, and the owner of Parcel 242 to ignore any signs of human life that would warrant cessation of construction at that site.

Earlier this month, Blakey and

BURIAL Page 39

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AROUND THE REGION CAPTURE THE MOMENT BROTHERS SALUTE THEIR BROTHER

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“Black is beautiful when it is a slum kid studying to enter college, when it is a man learning new skills for a new job, or a slum mother battling to give her kids a chance for a better life . . . and so is Black ugly when Black people exploit other Blacks. No race has a monopoly on vice or virtue and the worth of an individual is not related to the color of his skin.”

– Whitney M. Young, Jr.

[1969], educator and civil rights activist, born Aug. 31, 1921 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

Residents, Activists Weigh In on Issue of Federal Intrusion in U.S. Cities

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins Much to the chagrin of local and state-level officials, President Donald Trump (R) recently ordered the deployment of federal troops to Chicago and other major cities where protests against police brutality and homicides have taken place over the past few weeks.

Trump announced the plan, titled “Operation LeGend,” amid clashes between military personnel and protesters in Portland, Oregon, that have even resulted in the bodily harm of the city’s mayor.

The potential for more use of military force against unarmed protesters has raised concerns among many people, but perhaps none more than D.C. residents who have long experienced various forms of federal government intrusion.

“We [already] don’t have control over a ton of our affairs [when it comes to] law enforcement, and our judicial system. The mayor got gun cases going over the federal court system,” said Ameen Beale, a lifelong District resident who lives in Southeast, as he reflected on how the District has often relied on the federal government to tackle local crime.

“The feds are not accountable to the people,” he added.

Beale, a Navy veteran, likened the occupation of federal troops in major American cities to the campaigns he witnessed firsthand abroad in the early 2000s before and after the 9/11 attacks.

In June, not long after George Floyd’s death sparked uprisings across the nation, memories of those experiences resurfaced when he saw uniformed officers, local and federal, behind the Metropolitan Police Department’s Seventh District police station gearing up and preparing to support comrades positioned throughout downtown D.C. “This has been happening since my childhood. It was scary seeing the National Guard on the corner when you stepped outside,” Beale said.

“There would be three homicides and they would have a spotlight on the corner — that does a lot to your psyche as a child.

“That was a common occurrence,” he said. “No kind of violence is good, but I know where we came from to where we are now, and federal intervention invites a lot of collateral damage, and lack of accountability to the communities that they occupy.”

In June, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) wrote Trump a letter requesting that he remove the occupying forces — including 1,200 heavily armed military personnel and armored vehicles — scattered throughout much of downtown D.C., where protesters coalesced in opposition to the police-related death of Floyd and others.

Trump took to Twitter shortly afterward and called the mayor incompetent and combative toward the National Guard.

The feud between Bowser and Trump morphed into the formation of Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House and an increasingly stronger rallying cry for D.C. statehood. Some local protesters however have said that Trump and Bowser are more alike than Bowser would like to acknowledge, especially as it concerns MPD’s conduct toward protesters.

For instance, the alleged nighttime beating of curfew-breaking protesters on Swann Road in Northwest raised eyebrows among members of the D.C. Council. For some protesters, another incident involving MPD officers and a first aid station in Black Lives Matter Plaza further heightened long-held skepticism about local law enforcement serving as a protective force.

Artist-activist Kymone Freeman, who provided a firsthand witness account of that situation on his social media platform, channeled his emotions in an online piece last month.

“As humans, all of us are physically vulnerable. From the dawn of humanity, we have engaged in collective activity to reduce that physical vulnerability,” Freeman, co-founder of We Act Radio in Southeast, wrote on June 6. “Police, in theory organized to reduce our common vulnerability, have instead become an instrument of increased physical vulnerability of some humans simply because of the color of their skin.”

AROUND THE REGION

On Saturday, protesters who stormed a courthouse in Portland tore down a steel fence — the strongest of three fences erected around the building since protests started — after going toe to toe with military personnel yielding tear gas and other projectiles for several days. The ongoing melee, which mirrored similar occurrences in Seattle, Aurora, Colorado, and other cities have elicited cries of domestic human rights abuses.

While she condemned the Trump administration’s latest exercise of power, local organizer Alexis McKenney noted that the Obama admin-

SAFETY Page 39

5 Protests remained peaceful as troops from various state National Guard units took up positions near the White House on June 3. (Courtesy photo/Military Times)

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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY New Carrollton Mayor Nembhard: ‘I Want to Be Everything in the City’

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill Phelecia E. Nembhard isn’t new to the city of New Carrollton as a community organizer and former city council member.

But she experienced some firsts last month, when she was elected as the city’s first Black, first female and, at age 51, youngest-ever mayor.

An added bonus for the native Jamaican: the June 8 election also celebrated National Caribbean Heritage Month in June.

“My sister used to live here.

When I would visit her, I just loved the neighborhood,” Nembhard, who moved to New Car-

rollton from Silver Spring 22 years ago, said Friday, July 24. “When I moved here, I just got involved with the neighborhood and everything that we’re doing. It’s been great.”

As part of her “community” platform, Nembhard will encourage residents to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously that will include distributing thousands of masks.

Earlier this month, she contracted a mild case of COVID-19.

“I had no taste. I didn’t have no fever, but I had chills and joint pains,” she said. “I had to quarantine in my room by myself. This thing is not a joke.”

Nembhard shared a home remedy which boosted her immune sys-

5 New Carrollton Mayor Phelecia E. Nembhard, who became the first Black, first woman and youngest person ever elected in the city last month, attends a police reform rally in Palmer Park on July 4. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

tem thanks to a youth who sought community service hours.

“He sent me ginger, turmeric, lime and garlic. I was drinking that and it worked wonders,” she said.

“That’s how community looks when you look out for each other.”

Nembhard said her husband and mother exhibited symptoms and await test results. Her daughter and granddaughter, who also reside with her, didn’t contract the virus.

After she took another COVID-19 test and it came back negative, she went back to work.

On Friday, she helped organize a food giveaway for seniors near her

home with dozens of boxes of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

She said food has become one of the major needs for residents which became accentuated since COVID-19 began to flourish in March.

Although the mayor’s a parttime position in the city of nearly 13,000, Nembhard also uses her connections as a realtor and property manager to help bring resources to the city.

One of those collaboration moments shined through with County Council member Dannielle Glaros (D-District 3) of Riverdale Park.

Bond Bills Coming on November Election Ballot

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill

5 Prince George’s County Councilmember Derrick Leon Davis reads a statement on July 21 during the council’s last meeting before its summer recess.

12 - JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020

Besides choosing a president of the United States in this year’s Nov. 3 general election, Prince George’s County voters will also decide whether to pay for various capital projects.

Five bond bills at $506 million will be placed on the ballot to fund the public works department, the community college, libraries, public safety and county buildings between fiscal years 2021 through 2026.

“They are touching every part of the country,” Councilmember Deni Taveras (D-District 2) of Adelphi said Friday, July 24. “In those bond bills, there is work on police stations, fire houses, schools.

But I hope everyone understands that staffing and the maintenance of these buildings also needs to be done. Funding must come from somewhere to do that, too.”

The most expensive bond at $178 million deals with public works and transportation that include four bridge replacements, road work and pedestrian safety improvements.

Construction and renovation of county buildings ranks second at $133 million for courthouse renovations and security upgrades, Shephard’s Cove Women’s Shelter in Capitol Heights, schools and other projects.

The main item deals with a clinical health facility that the council approved July 21 to use $20 million toward that project. The money got reallocated from the police

World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit organization co-founded by world-renowned chef José Andrés and his wife, has provided nearly 70,000 meals in Glaros’s district in more than three months.

Carrollton Elementary in New Carrollton houses one of the district’s biggest distribution sites that grew from 200 meals per week to 800 meals.

“I think she is a really strong example of passionate leaders who places community first,” Glaros said about Nembhard. “She is really driving by serving people

MAYOR Page 40 department capital budget slated for a training outfit.

The council also approved nearly $122 million to renovate academic and administration buildings, a health and wellness center and the Largo student center.

Public safety improvements are estimated at $44 million to finance work at various sites such as nine fire and emergency medical services stations, two police stations in Oxon Hill and Clinton and renovations to the housing unit at detention center.

About $29 million would be designated for library projections such as two new ones in Bladensburg and Hillcrest Heights.

However, the council didn’t approve a proposed charter amendment to the county’s homestead tax credit.

Slightly more than two dozen

COUNCIL Page 40

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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Recommendations Flow for Reforming Prince George’s Police Department

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill Prince George’s County residents have a few suggestions on how to reform their beleaguered police department.

A police reform task force created by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks heard ideas such as implicit bias training, residency requirements and making more data transparent.

One recommendation nearly three dozen residents made during a 90-minute community session was to cut some of the police budget and use it for mental health, social and other community services.

“It is possible for the county to shift resources from a bloated police department to community services,” Heather Cronk of Riverdale Park said Thursday, July 23. “This work group has an opportunity to think about what’s possible rather than simply nibbling around the edges of reform.”

A 23-member task force estab-

lished earlier this month listened to community suggestions with a goal to assess and analyze police department use of force, hiring and training policies.

The group, scheduled to present a report to the county executive by Oct. 30, will work as the county fights an ongoing lawsuit filed in December 2018 by former and current Black and Latino officers who alleged racial and retaliatory practices within the department.

A 94-page report written by Michael E. Graham, a former 33-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department, highlights more than two dozen incidents by white officers who created a hostile work environment, as well as a lack of training with the department.

Police Chief Hank Stawinski resigned hours after the report became public last month. The next day, Alsobrooks announced the appointment of Assistant Chief Hector Velez as interim chief while a national search for a new leader continues.

Police reform has been a topic of national conversation since the

police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 that sparked protests against police brutality and other forms of racism.

Other reform measures include taking officers out of schools, which the Los Angeles Board of Education did earlier this month to cut its budget by $25 million.

According to board documents, that money will be redirected to schools with majority-Black student populations for social services, guidance counselors and safety aides.

Some Prince George’s residents want similar measures to remove school resource officers (SROs) out of school buildings.

Ibrahim Aziz of Upper Marlboro said money paid for SROSs should be used instead for mental health professionals in the schools, as well as a pilot program “where they are sent on nonviolent calls … where no guns are present.”

Calvin Charles, a county native and law enforcement officer, said having officers in the school help build relationships with the youth.

5 Del. Alonzo Washington (top right corner) reads the names of members on Prince George’s County police reform task force during a July 23 listening session.

Charles didn’t specify whether he’s a Prince George’s officer.

“That will give young people ventures to probably become a Prince George’s County police officer, or any police officer, when they have positive influence,” he said. “This also keeps the teachers and staff safe when they have children running amok … not getting the right education and thinking

Prince George’s Board Set to Vote on School Reopening Plan

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill Prince George’s County school board plans to vote Thursday, July 30 on a reopening virtual learning plan that includes live sessions with teachers, independent work and at least two breaks during the day.

Students will receive at least six hours of instruction and the school system’s transportation department plans to deliver meals in neighborhoods where students live more than 1½ miles from a school.

Nine centers will be set for parents and guardians to receive assistance with accessing various technology and navigating platforms starting Sept. 1, one day after the first day of the 2020-21 school year.

“Six hours for a child is a long

time. It is going to be hard, but it is safer than sending the kids back to school,” said school board member Belinda Queen, who supports the virtual learning plan through Jan. 29. “Teachers are going to have to be creative. It’s going to be a lot different for everybody.”

The full draft report, which can be viewed on the PGCPS website, provides advice from parents who endured distance and online instruction when schools closed March 16.

The best practices include establish a routine with your child, communicate with the teacher, ask for help and “give yourself grace.”

A half-day schedule will be provided for students in pre-kindergarten, Montessori schools and early childhood centers.

An early morning schedule shows

5 Maryland public schools Superintendent Karen Salmon (right) speaks during a July 22 press conference at the State House in Annapolis. (William J. Ford/The Washington Informer)

four live sessions with a small group setting in between from 8 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. In the following hour, students will have a break and then complete the day with lunch.

Those students in the second half, or “P.M. schedule,” will also receive four lessons with small group instruction in between from

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

11:25 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. However, no break and lunch will be provided in this session.

School officials will assess a hybrid model starting Dec. 1 to determine whether students can return to the buildings for twice a week.

SCHOOL Page 40

that violence is OK.” County officials did restructure part of the fiscal year 2021 budget. The county council on July 21 approved to accept a recommendation from Alsobrooks to reallocate $20 million from the police budget earmarked for public safety training facility to construct a building for mental health and addiction.

According to the fiscal 2021 county budget documents, the police department budget passed in May slightly exceeds $365 million with about 1,700 full-time officers.

Meanwhile, some Black and Latino officers who filed a suit against the county and police department offered a dozen recommendations to transform the department, such as adopting a stronger affirmative action plan, providing incentives for officers hired within two years to reside in the county and adopting a bystander intervention program that teaches officers how to intercede when wrongdoing by another officer occurs.

Additionally, any current supervisor aligned with Stawinski must also step down, the group recommended.

“There is no leadership going on right now,” said Lt. Thomas Boone, a 22-year veteran of the county police department and president of the United Black Police Officers Association. “We have to make sure we bring in someone who hasn’t been tainted under [Stawinski].” WI

JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 13

BUSINESS Advocates Call on Congress to Protect Black Homeowners

Millions Facing Housing Insecurity

By Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer Millions of Americans who are in jeopardy of being put out of their homes await a lifeline as lawmakers iron out a new federal relief stimulus package that will likely include another round of $1,200 payments and extend federal eviction and foreclosure moratoriums.

Under the federal moratorium in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act, and many state and local eviction moratoria, it is illegal to evict someone for not paying rent.

The CARES Act was signed into law in March as a result of the coronavirus pandemic impairing the nation’s economy and rummaging the job market.

With moratoriums expiring last week and Congress yet to finalize a relief package, housing experts such as the National Housing Law Project say 20 to 28 million people — particularly Black tenants and homeowners — are in danger of losing their housing if lawmakers don’t act fast.

Donnell Williams, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, testified before Con-

gress last week about the challenges Black homeowners face.

“It is well-documented the COVID-19 pandemic has had a crushing and devastating effect on Black homeowners and caused mass unemployment, putting a deep economic strain on many Black borrowers who have worked hard to achieve the American dream of homeownership,” Williams said. “As of midJune 2020, roughly 24% of Black homeowners reported some difficulty making their mortgage payments compared to white homeowners.”

Williams, the owner of Destiny Realty, a brokerage firm in New Jersey, added that there is a 13% gap between Black homeowners and white homeowners receiving forbearance under the CARES Act, which allows borrowers to apply for a forbearance period of up to 360 days.

“It is imperative that Congress take action to ensure that the congressional and governmental efforts to maintain homeownership are equitable and include Black homeowners,” he said.

Williams said there are five necessary actions Congress should take: allocate specific funds targeted to the preservation of Black homeownership; provide assistance for mortgage borrowers not covered by the CARES Act; required private mortgage lenders to offer government supported forbearance to their borrowers, comparable to the treatment of government-supported mortgage

loans; and require FHA and all servicers to notify borrowers in all communications, including mail, electronic communication and phone calls of their rights to apply for forbearance.

Williams, who represents the nation’s oldest and largest Black real estate trade association, also called for servicers to have dedicated toll-free lines staffed with representatives knowledgeable about their forbearance procedures, a large-scale public awareness initiative by the federal government to inform borrowers of their rights, and assurance that borrowers continue to have the same access to mortgage forbearance protections, financial relief and assistance.

“The National Association of Real Estate Brokers since its inception has stood for democracy in housing and we are the guardians of the communities we serve,” Williams said. “We will continue to advocate for the preservation and sustainability of homeownership for Black Americans and all Americans.

“As trusted advisers, we are the conscience of the real estate industry and want any efforts of Congress to align with NAREB’s declaration of a cease-and-desist on the decline of Black homeownership,” he said. WI

5 Donnell Williams, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (Courtesy photo)

Black Suffrage Heroes Honored in Digital Public Library

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia

5 (Photo courtesy of DPLA)

14 - JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020

Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) has announced a set of partnerships with the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library; Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture in Charleston, South Carolina; Tuskegee University; the Amistad Research Center at Tulane University; and Southern California Library to collaborate on the creation of a national digital collection that highlights the roles and experiences of Black women in the women’s suffrage movement, as well as Black women’s history of activism, as part of the centennial celebration of the passage of the 19th Amendment.

Atlanta University Center and

Tuskegee University are both HBCUs with collections documenting women’s history of organizing for political action in the South, according to a news release.

The Avery Research Center and Amistad Research Center are institutions committed to collecting, preserving and providing open access to the history and culture of African Americans and the diaspora.

The Southern California Library documents and makes accessible histories of struggles that challenge racism and other systems of oppression and holds extensive collections of histories of community resistance in Los Angeles and beyond.

“We are excited to be able to launch this collaboration with these five vital American institutions,” DPLA Executive Director

John Bracken said in a news release. “Our mission at DPLA is to expand access to knowledge and information, and we are thankful to our partners and to Pivotal Ventures for enabling this collaborative effort to shine a light on an important piece of our nation’s history.”

DPLA Community Manager Shaneé Yvette Murrain added in the release that “the digitization of these collections focused on Black women represents an important opportunity for researchers, students, and the public to interact more intimately with the legacies of these inspiring women, and make connections to the present moment.”

The collaboration is powered by funding from Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company created by Melinda Gates.

Funds will enable the partner

BLACK SUFFRAGE Page 39

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BUSINESS

Magic Johnson’s EquiTrust to Fund Over $100 Million in PPL Loans

Initiative to Support Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses “The NNPA, therefore, is enthusiastic and pleased to assist Johnson’s EquiTrust and with MBE Capital to enhance the economic recovery of African-American- and other minority-owned businesses amidst the devastating COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. Our businesses are the lifeblood of our communities.”

Johnson’s EquiTrust provides critical financial support to underserved communities and businesses that have been traditionally neglected. These small and diverse businesses often have difficulty developing strong lending relationships with big banks. According to the Center for Responsible Lending, up to 90 percent of businesses owned by people of color have been, or will likely be, shut out of the PPP program.

MBE Capital stands positioned to help small and diverse businesses take advantage of this latest round of PPP funding and

WI Staff Report

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., president/CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association [NNPA] recently announced that the NNPA has agreed to assist the efforts of Earvin “Magic” Johnson, majority owner of EquiTrust, the nation’s largest minority-owned insurance company, and MBE Capital Partners [MBECP], the largest certified minority-owned asset-based lender, to fund over $100 million in PPP loans.

EquiTrust, MBECP and the NNPA together remain focused on informing and encouraging minority- and women-owned businesses throughout the U.S. to take advantage of the current PPP loan opportunities for businesses in underserved communities.

“I have the highest regard and respect for the entrepreneurial leadership and courage of Earvin Magic Johnson,” Chavis said.

remains an approved SBA lender with over 20 years of experience serving diverse and minority businesses. They can process up to 5,000 loans per day, utilizing end-to-end online technology to accept, underwrite and transmit the applications to the SBA. MBE Capital has already processed over $300,000,000 in PPP loans, including the EquiTrust partnership funding $100,000,000.

The NNPA is the nation’s largest trade association of African-American-owned newspapers and media businesses that reaches 22.4 million readers per week across the nation.

MBECP has also partnered with The Enterprise Center (TEC), a Community Development Financial Institution [CDFI], providing them with technology and resources to help them process over $100,000,000 in PPP loans. This will allow TEC’s CDFI to process more SBA loans in two weeks then

they have in the last 10 years.

By working with EquiTrust, MBECP pipelines total over $500,000,000. MBE Capital is committed to providing vital funding for small businesses in underserved communities. With almost $100 billion left in the second round of PPP funding, it remains imperative that vulnerable small businesses are able to secure resources to sustain.

“This is a unique SBA-backed opportunity to use the vast resources of EquiTrust to prudently provide real and much needed cash to deserving minority- and women-owned businesses that find it difficult to secure such funding through traditional means,” said Eric Holoman, EquiTrust president/CEO. “The jobs saved will make a significant difference to their families and communities.

Equitrust is excited to partner with MBECP to do this and more as we try to level the playing field for businesses that are the backbone of America.”

5 Magic Johnson (Rob Roberts/The Washington Informer)

For more information or to apply for a PPL loan, visit www.mbeppp. com/go/nnpa and use loan referral code NNPA. WI

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7/14/2020 10:47:47 AM JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 15

NATIONAL One Thousand Health Experts Push Vote by Mail

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia Americans should “never again be asked to choose between performing one of the most hallowed obligations and privileges of citizenship — voting for our representatives at the local, state and federal levels — and our health,” a mass group of health experts say.

In a letter to Congress, 1,000 public health experts have urged lawmakers to provide states with $4 billion so that they can expand access to vote by mail and ensure safe in-person voting in November.

“In order to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and protect the public health at the same time, it is incumbent on our leaders to prepare for a presidential election by mail, in which ballots are sent to all registered voters, to allow them to vote from home and ensure their health and safety in the event of a new outbreak of SARS-CoV-2,” the letter said.

The experts hail from institutions such as Yale School of Public Health, Adelphi University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Allegheny Health Network and the Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Additionally, experts from the

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American Psychological Association, American Public Health Association, Harvard Medical School, Georgetown University and James Madison University also signed the letter.

President Donald Trump and many Republicans have voiced opposition to voting by mail despite the raging coronavirus pandemic. Democrats have uniformly supported voting by mail, opining that the GOP is attempt-

ing to suppress the vote by taking measures against ballots cast through the U.S. Postal Service.

“Congress and states need to act quickly in order to be ready for November,” the letter said. “As the number of positive COVID-19 cases trends sharply upward in many states this summer, social distancing is critical to keep the virus in check.”

To make the changes to expand vote by mail and early in-person

“In the midst of this pandemic, voters should not need to choose between their health and casting their ballots. Expanding access to voting by mail and early voting is not a partisan issue.”

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voting, the public health experts note that congressional action is needed to cover the costs of expanding these options, including ballot printing, postage, drop boxes for absentee ballots, and appropriate security.

Additional funds are also needed for secure electronic absentee ballot request technology, ballot tracking, and improvements to absentee ballot processing, including additional facilities and staffing.

“The right to vote should not have to be sacrificed or compromised to ensure our health and safety,” the letter said. “If you act now, we can all vote without fear of acquiring or spreading COVID-19 as we exercise this fundamental democratic right in November 2020.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who has helped lead the push for Congress to invest more to expand vote by mail and early in-person voting, said the funds are critical to ensure the November election is safe and secure.

“In the midst of this pandemic, voters should not need to choose between their health and casting their ballots,” Klobuchar said, according to the Center for American Progress. “Expanding access to voting by mail and early voting is not a partisan issue.

As Congress prepares to provide states with medical and economic relief, we should also act swiftly to provide states with additional resources and pass my legislation to ensure that every American has a safe way to participate in our democracy during a national emergency.” WI

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NATIONAL

D.C. Seniors Forced to Choose Between Risking Health or Eviction

By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Contributing Writer D.C. courts have now set new protective order legislation in place — yet another hurdle amid the coronavirus pandemic for elderly residents potentially forced to risk their health to fight their cases in court.

Established on June 19, the District Landlord Tenant Court order mandates litigants to deliver payment of active protective orders directly to their landlord — although the directive technically operates against the legal rule of order, which directs tenant payments to the Court Clerk’s Office until the case is deemed closed.

“The purpose of the protective order is truly to protect the interest of both parties, and this is not protecting the interest of tenants. It’s only protecting the interest of landlords,” said Daniel Palchick, a senior staff attorney for the Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE).

The motion essentially leaves little to no room for alternatives, as elderly residents are left choosing between risking their health by going out to purchase a money order and deliver the payment to one’s landlord — with possibility of no proof of payment or acceptance on their behalf — or risking a loss in court.

“I think it’s fair to say when choosing between your health and your [court] case, most people are

going to choose their health,” Palchick said.

If tenants fail to comply with the stated procedure, landlords can file a motion for sanctions, which in turn can summon a judgement against the tenant, creating grounds for the eviction.

Palchick said that courts have denied motions made by LCE requesting that its clients be allow to withhold their monthly rent payments while still maintaining the obligation to eventually pay the full amount, but to the court upon its reopening, as dictated by law.

Meanwhile, although the courts have decided to take existing circumstances into account if a landlord does decide to file a motion against a tenant, there have been no parameters communicated to clarify which circumstances are applicable.

The court orders are arguably irrational, considering that a healthy number of these cases are elderly residents living in substandard homes, not having their disputes remedied in court, and not being notified of the required payment order which is a due process that should always be issued to litigants.

“Landlords, to me, have many other remedies that they can take,” Palchick said. “They’re small-business owners, they have the right to get a small-business loan, if they have a federally backed mortgage they can go into a forbearance if needed. They

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JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 17

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Malema: Scientists Advising Ramaphosa are Misleading Nation on COVID-19 EFF leader Julius Malema has slammed scientists advising South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration on the COVID-19 pandemic and effectively accused them of hypocrisy,.

Malema, addressing on Sunday the virtual seventh-anniversary rally of the party, which he formed in 2013 after he was expelled from the ANC while he was ANC Youth League president, accused Ramaphosa of having fallen into the trap of the private sector by reopening the economy and schools, leading to the massive rise in infections in the country, The Cape Times reported.

He also criticized the scientists in the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19, including its chair, professor Salim Abdool Carrim, of failing to stick to proper professional principle in their advice to the government.

“At the beginning of the first lockdown which was meant to last for 21 days, the scientists said we should retain strict lockdown regulations if there are more than 100 infections per day,” Malema said. “Currently, SA has an average of 13 000 per day and the same scientists are advising the government to open schools and loosen strict lockdown regulation.”

The leader of the red beret party criticized and questioned the scientists’ agenda of changing their tune.

“Science must not change due to political convenience,” he said. “We do not want scientists who sacrifice scientific principle on the altar of political convenience. Scientists have an obligation to, at all times, tell the truth. It is evident however that the scientists advising the government are in the pockets of politicians and possibly of the white monopoly capital establishment.”

Malema took direct aim at Carrim, accusing him of being behind the reopening of schools.

“This is a health expert who abandoned his own scientific evidence for economic expediency and supported the program of using children as the testing of waters for the impact of the deadly coronavirus,” he said.

He accused Ramaphosa of ignoring the EFF’s suggestion of the mandatory quarantining of infected people in Robben Island and of “giggling” at his warning that private hospitals would be nationalized during the pandemic if they did not play a progressive role.

Malema also lambasted the theft of the COVID-19 relief funds during the pandemic.

“It is worse in the Eastern Cape where R4.8 million is used to conduct door-to-door campaigns and R10 million is spent on embarrassing scooters that serve no purpose,” he said.

Malema praised his party’s influence on SA and African political landscape since its formation.

The EFF’s role in the ultimate ousting of former President Jacob Zuma and the current process to amend the Constitution to enable the expropriation of land without compensation displayed the influence of the young party, Malema said.

Malema said the EFF’s successful campaign against the continued honoring of the last apartheid president Frederik de Klerk, its fight against racism, corruption and its contribution in the fight for equality and free education in higher learning were also among the credentials earned by his party since its founding. WI

caribbean now Barbados’ Top Cop Says Crime Down 34 Percent

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Barbados Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith reported that major crime declined by 34% over the past six months, compared to the same period last year.

Though not giving a breakdown in a press release Friday, he lauded his officers for their efforts but urged them not to become complacent even as they faced new challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, NationNews reported.

“To each and every police officer across all uniform and plain-clothes sections of the force, I say thanks for a job well done so far,” Griffith said. “Special mention must be made of those members of the police band who set aside their instruments to join hands with their colleagues in the regular force during this rather challenging period. That being said, it would be remiss of me if I did not mention that corps of civilian members of staff, who must be commended for their supporting roles as well.”

The commissioner told his officers not to lose sight of the challenges presented as they continued their work with strategic partners to create an environment where all felt safe.

“We are indeed grateful to those non-governmental organizations which demonstrated their care and concern for us by contributing significantly towards the provision of personal protective equipment and sanitizing materials,” he said.

He commended Barbadians for adhering to the curfews that were in place, wearing their masks and adhering to social distancing protocols. WI

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Capital Alone Won’t Save Small Businesses

By Gigi Dixon SVP, Sr. Director of External Relations Wells Fargo It’s no secret that small businesses are struggling under the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. But when it comes to small businesses in racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods, we’re seeing a downturn that grows more concerning every day.

Black-owned small businesses are closing at nearly twice the rate of the industry according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. Even in good times, just over two-thirds of business survive for two years and only about half make it to five years.

The impact on our communities is devastating. Why is this happening? #1 Black-owned businesses are a major economic driver in our economy, so when they suffer, we prolong economic recovery. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Black businesses account for approximately $138 billion in revenue.

In addition, they are responsible for jobs and livelihoods for many who live in the communities they serve. We cannot watch businesses continue to close without taking action. #2: Industries that have been most impacted by COVID-19 restrictions are the industries in which underrepresented groups are most often employed: retail, the restaurant and food sector, and the service industry. Prosperity Now’s report “The Cascading Impact of COVID-19 on Microbusinesses and the U.S. Economy” finds that these industries disproportionately employ women, immigrants and racial and ethnic minorities. For microbusinesses in these industries,

32% are minority-owned. This means that when these businesses disappear, our communities lose key services like small restaurants, food stores, barber shops, auto repair and clothing stores, all of which impact overall quality of life. #3 Minority-owned small businesses already faced challenges and now it’s compounded. Out of the gate, Black-owned businesses, along with other racially and ethnically diverse owners, have more challenges ahead of them as they stage a comeback. They are often smaller by way of employees, payroll and startup capital, and they may not have established banking relationships. These factors make them much more susceptible to economic downturns, and they will need greater access to capital and innovation to be resilient in this pandemic.

The time is now to accelerate rebuilding our Black-owned small businesses. No single government program can bring about a full recovery. And, capital alone won’t save neighborhood businesses – or the employment they sustain.

We need multiple avenues of capital, coupled with training, technical support, and long-term resiliency planning to help small business owners find ways to pivot their business models and reimagine their products and services so they can meet the needs of an evolving economy.

There’s a role for the nation’s business leaders to play. Examine your supplier diversity and look for ways to increase minority-owned businesses in it. Invest in growing the small business ecosystem for the communities you operate in and beyond.

This month, Wells Fargo launched an industry-leading commitment through the new Open for Business Fund. We are donating all gross processing fees earned from the Paycheck Protection Program – approximately $400 million -- to nonprofits focused on supporting small businesses, particularly those owned by racially and ethnically diverse people. It has three areas of focus: capital and payment relief via Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs); technical assistance to help owners pivot in an evolving economy, and long-term recovery and resiliency grants.

The first two grants will allocate $28 million to the Expanding Black Business Credit Initiative (EBBC) and Local Initiatives Development Corpo-

ration (LISC), aimed at empowering Black and African American-owned small businesses. EBBC will support the launch of the Black Vision Fund to increase the flow of capital to Black-focused CDFIs for transformational work to close the racial wealth gap in African American communities.

LISC will provide grants and low cost capital to more than 2,800 entrepreneurs with a focus on preventing loss in revenue, sustaining employment, and averting vacancies among vulnerable small business owners in urban and rural markets nationwide. These grants are just the start of the Open for

Business Fund, which will distribute roughly $250 million to CDFIs so they can reach small businesses hardest hit by the pandemic.

This program is a step in the right direction, and I hope to see others follow suit. It takes a holistic look at what small business owners need to get back on track. The only way we can accelerate the recovery of our small businesses is by creating many pathways for entrepreneurs to seek the help they need.

When we collaborate effectively, we can add employment, increase wealth, and demonstrate entrepreneurial success that will inspire other residents to

start businesses.

I hope everyone involved in this crisis – the federal government, corporate America, and our nation’s leaders – will continue to work toward solutions because millions of jobs and entire neighborhoods are depending on it.

Donating approximately $400M to help small business owners recover, especially minority-owned businesses.

Wells Fargo is donating all gross processing fees from the Paycheck Protection Program to nonprofits helping small businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

The Open for Business Fund will help small business owners keep their doors open, retain employees, and rebuild.

The first wave of grants is aimed at empowering Black and African American-owned small businesses.

Learn more about the Open for Business Fund: stories.wf.com/helping-entrepreneurs-stay-open-for-business

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© 2020 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved

JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 19

HEALTH New Prostate Test Could Help African-American Men Black Philanthropist Robert F. Smith Aids Effort

By Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) and Black philanthropist Robert F. Smith have partnered to re-

duce diagnoses and deaths of prostate cancer, one of the largest health issues facing African American men today.

The research Smith is supporting will lead to the development of the Smith Polygenic Risk Test for Pros-

tate Cancer, a noninvasive, early detection test that will identify a man’s lifetime risk of prostate cancer by using a combination of more than 250 genetic variants obtained from a single sample of saliva or blood.

The Smith Test is expected to cost less than $90 and will be made available in PCF’s dedicated Veterans Affairs network of Centers of Excellence.

“As African American men are at an increased risk for being diagnosed or dying from prostate cancer, understanding their risk profile and applying this knowledge earlier with strategic detection, care, and decisions about cancer risk management is of utmost importance to address health inequity in the U.S.,” Smith said.

“This is why I made a personal commitment to help accelerate research, encourage African American men to participate in the study and subsequent testing, and develop new detection strategies that have the

5 (Courtesy photo/The Telegraph)

power to transform how we diagnose and treat this disease and help save lives,” he said.

The research team led by Dr. Chris Haiman, a genetic epidemiologist at the University of Southern California, aims to reduce prostate cancer disparities for African American men by 2030.

The test is part of a larger PCF research initiative to improve the understanding of genetic risk in African American men and transform early detection and imaging strategies, risk management, and clinical decision-making by men at highest lifetime risk of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer affects more than three million men in the U.S., with one in nine men diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime, according to the PCF. African American men are disproportionately affected.

The foundation says Black men are 76% more likely to develop prostate cancer than caucasian men, and are more than twice as likely to die from the disease compared to men of other ethnicities.

“Earlier, strategic detection is a key step in finding a cure and ending the health disparity faced by men of Afri-

can descent,” Haiman said.

PCF says most genomic studies of prostate cancer have focused on men of European ancestry, and there is a vital need for additional resources to develop and optimize a polygenic risk score in those disproportionately affected.

Haiman says this new Smith-PCF initiative will increase the representation of African American men in the study and vastly expand the research to quadruple the size of his study cohort, a key step to providing worldwide access to the Smith Polygenic Risk Test as soon as possible.

“Reducing prostate cancer disparities is at the heart of PCF’s mission to end prostate cancer once and for all,” said Dr. Jonathan W. Simons, CEO of PCF. “This test will democratize access to genetic testing and machine learning algorithms for prostate cancer risk. It will have a historical impact in public health, racial health justice, and cancer research.

“We are profoundly grateful to partner with Robert to close the health equity gap and spare more men the hardship of a late-stage prostate cancer diagnosis,” Simons said.

WI

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EDUCATION Informer Spotlights Thriving Summer Intern Getting to Know Devynne Johnson

By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Contributing Writer Every summer, the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) deploys young, aspiring students to various District organizations in hopes of providing opportunities to gain experience within their desired career field. This summer has brought Delaware State University student Devynne Johnson to the doors of The Washington Informer.

We sat down with Devynne to learn more about her goals, experience with The Washington Informer, and plans for her fall semester of school amid the coronavirus pandemic: Washington Informer: Where are you from, Devynne?

Devynne Johnson: I’m from Washington, D.C. — born in the southeastern area, and I live in Southwest now.

WI: What school are you attending, and what is your current standing?

DJ: I go to Delaware State University, and I’m a rising junior. I’m a Mass Communications major with a concentration in journalism.

WI: What brought you into the field of journalism?

DJ: I’ve always been nosey, and I like to write. So I thought that being in journalism would be best, and then being a writer and having great communication skills kind of made it easier to fall in line with this area of work.

WI: How long have you been writing for, personally and professionally?

DJ: Personally, I have been my entire life. I started writing short stories at the age of maybe 6 or 7, and ever since then I’ve been writing.

WI: What is your favorite genre of writing?

DJ: I do creative writing, fictional

5 Devynne Johnson (Courtesy photo/ Brittany Monay)

stories. That’s how I mostly express myself.

WI: Are you looking to publish some of your short stories?

DJ: Yes, as soon as I find them. Not necessarily that I’ve lost them, but misplaced in my room. I have a lot, so I have to go through and find them.

WI: Tell me about your life and experiences growing up.

DJ: Growing up I was very sheltered.

I went to my neighborhood school in southeast D.C.. I lived on MLK Avenue, so it wasn’t somewhere where I was allowed to be out all the time, because during the time it wasn’t very safe, so I was very sheltered growing up.

WI: You know that The Informer is based out of southeast D.C. How would you say being a Washingtonian, growing up in the heart of D.C., if you will, influenced your writing, journalistic goals, and your outlook on how you are tackling your stories in reporting news today?

DJ: I was very sheltered growing up so I was never able to get any kind of inspiration growing up, but being that I got older and I got to explore more, not just Southeast but D.C. in general, it gave me more of an aspect of the diver-

sity that is in D.C.. Not just of Blackness and the African Diaspora, but of people in general. So I got to meet, and touch, and talk to different cultures, creeds, and creations of all sorts. It’s a very nice experience living here, but you also get to feel what other microaggressions are as well.”

WI: What issues are you currently seeing in the District, and around you that you really want to place focus on?

DJ: “Mental health disparities that are within the lower income communities. Also gentrification that is happening in lower income communities, along with the entry of non-minorities within the district and how that correlates to more construction, better buildings, and areas within the SE location.”

WI: How did the decision come about for you to join The Washington Informer’s Intern Program?

DJ: I got to The Informer through MBSYEP. So when I went to apply for a job through the summer youth employment program, I was looking for a place where I could get my foot in the door as a journalist. And when I was there I decided to choose The Informer.

WI: What would you say you have learned and can take away from this experience that has helped prepare you for future newsrooms?

DJ: I really enjoy this environment.

It’s very homey. You get assignments, and then they let you work with it. You do what you’re supposed to do with it on time, but there’s not a lot of breathing down your neck to say “was it done yet?” I like the almost-family kind of style there is at The Informer. Everyone has a mutual respect for each writer in the office, and there’s a lot of great communication, and a lot of great ideas that happen at The Informer as well. I really just enjoy being there overall.

WI: As far as the fall, will all of your courses be virtual for the semester? How will you be completing your education at Delaware State moving forward?

DJ: There has been a plan to have students actually come back on campus. They have different prerequisites set in place for everyone that’s coming in. Only 75 percent of the campus said that they are able to come back. If they choose, they can do an online option as well. I’m combing through that decision now, but I’m thinking about going back to school. They’re a lot of reasons, but I focus better when I’m in class.

WI: Thank you, Devynne. Are there any last sentiments you would like to leave us with?

DJ: Your perception is your reality, but your reality is how you perceive it.

WI

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Stepping Into Power July 2020. Volume 6. Issue 7

A DAY IN THE LIFE: JUSTIN “YADDIYA” JOHNSON’S VIEW OF THE CITY PG. 4

THE HUSTLERS GUILD W/ YASMIN SALINA PG. 6

BLACK DOLLARS MATTER: KEZIA M. WILLIAMS BLACK WEALTH ACTIVIST PG. 8

CHERRELLE SWAIN: THE GOOD NEIGHBOR PG. 10

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editor-in-chief & creative director :

Lafayette Barnes IV Claudia M. Watts copy Editor : Sam P.K. Collins Photography Editor : Lafayette Barnes IV Layout Design : Lafayette Barnes IV Art & Photography : Brittany Hinton, Forrest Givens Contributing Writers : Maleke Glee, Lindiwe Vilakazi, Saskia Kercy, Claudia M. Watts, Marcus K. Dowling managing Editor :

Letter from the Editor In general, it would seem 2020 came in the night and took no prisoners, boasting a plummeting economy, police brutality, and social unrest amid a raging pandemic. We can all feel the heightened sense of tension as dire states feed extreme actions.

Though, like everything in life, 2020 is not all bad. Similar to the Death or Tower cards in the tarot, the unrest of 2020 makes way for transformation. Now is the time to question all preexisting structures, a new era renaissance.

Many Ma have found strength in solitude, smaller circles, and living at a slower pace. This newly cultivated power has allowed them to step further into their purpose. This month, we profiled four dynamic players on the city’s scene. We follow Yaddiya on his rise from go-go promoter to community activist and spokesperson. Kezia Williams of #MyBlackReciept shares invaluable financial insight while Yasmin Salina explains what it’s like to experience rapid growth and become a model for the small business pivot. Finally, filmmaker and Bridge writer Cherrell Swain tells us about her experience connecting with frontline protestors on a two-week tw tour across the country.

We hope these stories serve as a reminder of the ever-present silver lining.

Best, Claudia M. Watts

3

justin “Yaddiya” Johnson Shows the Bridge his view of the city

4

A DAY IN THE LIFE Justin “Yaddiya” Johnson prepares to address the people at Ben’s Chili Bowl on U St. N.W. | Photography Lafayette Barnes IV | @lafayette4dc

Justin “Yaddiya” Johnson, go-go promoter turned community leader and advocate, continues to stomp the pavement as he prepares for the rollout of upcoming projects set to preserve the native culture of D.C. Yaddiya’s tireless movement and networking have produced multiple initiatives intended to salvage the dying culture refused by transplants moving into what is now a diluted “Chocolate City.”

“I spent a lot of my time here and just developed a lot of relationships and have always been involved in the culture from a party promotion aspect to fashion,” Yaddiya said. “I’ve touched many factions of the culture, and I feel like that is what gives me a strong connection to the city.”

When Yaddiya jumped into the local media and event industry at 18 years old, go-go became an entryway to connect with the culture of D.C. He became a local promoter in the music scene, simultaneously working with District designers inclusive of the luminary clothing brand Madness.

The consistent hustle and experience led the creation of Yaddiya’s own production company after developing significant relationships throughout the District. He quickly proceeded to host all-age go-gos by the age of 19.

Yaddiya’s work resume has certainly come full circle as years of his ability to convene the masses heightened in the mega movement sweeping thousands of residents in its rapture. This movement, called Moechella, is a spin-off of the California festival that’s infused with D.C. vernacular.

Moechella has shut the city down with past electrifying performances starring Backyard Band, Takeova Band (TOB), and several other groups. It continues to coordinate various community efforts to raise awareness and highlight demands amid the surge of police brutality against Black Americans.

“I look at Mochella as a byproduct of go-go. An intersection between gogo and politics,” Yaddiya said.

Yaddiya’s organization, Long Live Go-go, is facilitating an educational curriculum which will serve as part of their human rights, social action and go-go programming. The course is slated to launch next year within Roosevelt High School and Dunbar High School.

The organization is also in talks of teaming with the social studies department of DC Public Schools (DCPS) to develop a go-go curriculum for insertion into their existing D.C. History course scheme. The courses, intended as graduation requirements, are momentarily designated for the 3rd and 12th grades.

DCPS comprises a sizable Black and Brown student population, allowing greater opportunity for Yaddiya’s desired program to thrive through the city.

The spark behind the innovative school programming generated from a speaking appearance held by the American Friends Services Committee. Learning that the D.C. chapter was reportedly dissolving presented what Yaddiya believed to be an opportunity for Long Live Go-Go to add an element that will place emphasis on the organizing aspect of human rights and social justice within the musical movement.

“Intentionally “In over the past year or two, go-go has become more political. It’s kind of evolving. My plan is to give the culture a facelift and to insert it back into popular culture,” said Yaddiya. “I think that will economically empower our community since we are the culture. If we are the ones that are populating these industries, then once the funds and money come back to the city they would go to us - the Black community.”

Words

Lindiwe Vilakazi | IG: li_writes_

Yaddiya continues to work in the spirit of creating a bigger platform to empower and spread D.C culture, values, and it’s official music far and wide.

“People always look at go-go as something separate from the music industry, when actually it too is an art form - it’s the same thing,” he said.

5

The Hustlers Guild "Students are struggling during the pandemic. Many of them were struggling already. Add COVID to their difficulties, and we are supporting their survival and success at a different level."

Throughout 2020, Yasmin Salina has aided a demographic of young, Black, and financially disadvantaged people squarely in the population of those most likely to be imperiled by the novel coronavirus. She's the executive director and chair of The Hustlers Guild, a non-profit organization founded in Washington, D.C. that focuses on using hip-hop culture as a bridge to foster sustainable tech-related careers for at-risk high school and college students.

In the past four months, Yasmin’s three-year-old business has expanded into a groundbreaking model of pivoting a small business without sacrificing company goals or bottom-line financial expectations.

In this conversation, proper planning, seeding your initial business plan with altruistic good, plus a helping of serendipity are identified as the foundations of The Hustlers Guild's recent success. Post-COVID-19, their continuance as both a real-time and online leader in developing uniquely talented minority tech leaders of the present and future, is a more than fair expectation.

Words Marcus K. Dowling | IG: marcuskdowling

Photography Courtesy

6

How were you able to so swiftly pivot a company that would, on the surface, seem to have a plethora of moving parts that could not work in concert, so quickly after March's quarantine?

In December, we had refocused the infrastructure of our business to share resources and deliver services, both real-time and digitally. Many people haven't figured out how to pivot, but we had already started figuring out ways to do so that would be both cool and engaging. Initially, we worked with three or four organizations, but once the pandemic hit, via our "Hustlers Hangouts" Zoom series, we were swept into a grassroots movement.

From being an organization based in D.C. and a few other cities, we quickly expanded to being an organization working in places like Boston, Chicag Chicago, Waterloo, Iowa, even Wyoming. Now, four months later, we've successfully developed opportunities for not just ourselves, but our new partners, too. And still, our impact continues to amplify, daily.

What was your overall service population like as far as real-time service delivery before the pandemic? How has that evolved since?

Initially, we had 18 in-person sessions with high school students from D.C.'s Ballou High School, plus 40 college-age students between Bowie State and Alabama State universities, weekly. Now, we've grown this into a Zoom-based series of guest lectures and regular online check-ins. We're averaging 20 kids per scheduled call, weekly. Because the kids are so engaged, the five-week-long, 45-minute sessions we were having have expanded to 90-minute events that are still occurring.

Insofar as maintaining a successful game plan, what have been the most significant obstacles The Hustlers Guild has overcome in both maintaining sudden growth while maximizing expectations on service delivery?

One of our biggest initial obstacles was retaining Generation Z's attention on Zoom. We've had to incorporate production into our working sessions because these kids are on Zoom all day long. Our thought process has had to include asking, "what would make them want to be on the call the entire time?" As a solution, we've included dance breaks and allowing for more student-driven conversations. Also, celebrities like Snoop Dogg have joined our virtual sessions to surprise the kids. Of course, that has only elevated expectations. The kids have enjoyed talking to celebrities about self-awareness, time management, peer pressure, and effective adult communication. Also, we've given our students the ability to speak to hiring and human resource directors at places like Sony Music and Roc Nation. In those conversations, they've learned how these organizations are implementing remote hiring and what skills these organizations covet during a pandemic.

Well, then. Snoop. And Roc Nation. Quite the lineups. How do you intend to maintain this level of successful engagement both as the company grows and as the nation begins to lift quarantine restrictions?

One of my mentors is [nationally-respected, D.C.-based] comedian Red Grant. He helped produce the sessions and pulled in many of his friends.

Also, corporations with whom we already had partnerships were very open to assisting, because at the beginning of the pandemic especially, we were not interrupting any schedule. Everyone was sitting in the living room of their homes on our calls!

Als Also, we've been doing this for a long time, so we're just mapping our existing real-time work into the virtual space. We want to make sure that kids are engaged. Moving forward, we'll likely solve for splitting our services into half-online and half-real-time in delivery. We'll trailblaze into this space, too, given what we've learned both before and during the pandemic.

What do you consider to be the issues of most significant concern for The Hustlers Guild -- past student engagement and blending real-time and online service delivery -- moving forward?

Foremost we want to make sure that all of our affiliates and partners, plus their students, have sustainable access to technology. We've identified this as a concern for many of the school systems with which we've partnered. Our "Don't Sweat the Tech" campaign has allowed us to provide wi-fi, headphones, the whole nine yards. We were already viewed as an "intervention organization" of sorts with students who have peer-to-peer and peer-to-adult communication problems and school attendance issues. Most of our students come from households with a household income of roughly $38,000 a year. Making sure that those students are fully equipped to participate in e-learning is essential.

How does this play out over the next 6-18 months, what do perceive to be The Hustlers Guild's best course of action for continued success as a service provider?

Ideally, we'll build out our services in similar phases to say, school systems. It appears as if each of our service cohort areas across the country has different expectations. If a school system isn't returning until February, then we know we'll be a virtual-only service for that community until February. We typically plan out our services and goals a year ahead. COVID changed that strategy. However, within the next 18 months, we'll be aiding our nationwide service map in solving post-COVID life.

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Words Maleke Glee | IG: majahmal

Photography Brittany Hinton | IG: lunamonay

black dollars matter. kezia m. williams black wealth activist 8

MG: When did you realize it was your time to share your financial and business expertise?

KW KW: When the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that less than 4 percent of Black business owners create jobs, I knew we needed Black job creators and not just Black jobs. When I read that Black wealth was projected to be zero by year 2053, I knew that we needed to flex with assets more than liabilities. When I read that Black women would lose $840,000 over their working career, I knew every Black person needed to multiply their streams of income or risk hustling backwards. The time for Black wealth independence has hu always been now, and I am humbled to serve that cause.

MG: How did you first share this knowledge?

KW: The Black upStart was founded in November 2015. The goal was to recruit 20 Black aspiring entrepreneurs to apply and join a pop-up school designed to teach them how to start a scalable small business.

We received 123 applications in two days.

Just 48 hours before our first class, our business coach cancelled.

Not only was this person contracted to coach the entire experience, but they were also responsible for curriculum implementation. With reservation, I stepped into the coaching role. Though I had taught college students online before, I had never taught adults and inside a classroom. Through God’s grace, I was able to leverage the skills I developed speaking publicly, the information I learned developing a validated entrepreneurship curriculum, and the experience I gained valid starting three businesses.

MG: I've spent my quarantine reading about Maroon spaces and the Reconstruction Era. I am looking back to shape a course forward, something that I know you do as well. As far as economics, where are you finding inspiration?

MG: What is the #MyBlackReciept?

KW: #MyBlackReceipt tracks consumer spending at Black-owned businesses through a public counter. It was launched by The Black upStart on Juneteenth, or Black Economic Independence Day, with the intention of buying Black through July 6, 2020.

This initiative was in response to the public lynching of George Floyd and the discriminatory denial of Payment Protection Program loans to under-funded, at-risk, tax-paying Black entrepreneurs. Our project leverages the $1.3 trillion dollars that Black consumers spend annually, and re-directs those dollars to Black storefronts. #MyBlackReceipt is the first measurable Buy Black campaign that leverages technology to drive social change. This initiative inspired Black consumers and also allies to buy from Black-owned businesses, save their receipts and upload them to a form that tracks their collective purchases along with other committed consumers using a public counting tool. We believe that when consumers take pride in documenting their Black business patronization, it will create long-term value for all participating.

MG: What are some easy and potentially overlooked ways to strengthen our money mindset?

KW: Every Black person should start an LLC and leverage the tax KW benefits of ownership to reduce their tax liability. The tax code was set up for owners to win and employees to pay! An LLC can not only be used to reduce your tax bill, but also can be used with your skinfolk and your kinfolk to start an investment circle to buy property and invest in the stock market.

MG: What are some first steps to starting a business enterprise, MG especially given potential hesitation to spend or invest during a pandemic?

KW: Black consumers in Montgomery, Alabama weaponized their capital to protest the discriminatory practices of a racist enterprise for 381 consecutive days. Our ancestors chose sacrifice over individualistic gain, and comfort over convenience in order to unbuild a white supremacist structure that forced them to pay for their humiliation -- and call it equality. Their actions prove that one day activations for change are insufficient. And, black squares, cute fliers with temporary calls to action, and 24-hour commitments to raise Black consciousness are popular but true behavioral change happens over time, not overnight.

KW: Find a problem and solve it! Ideally speaking, find a need in the KW Black community and create a solution for it. When Mary McLeod Bethune opened her one-room schoolhouse, she was solving the problem of the lack of viable, quality educational opportunities for Black children. When Diishan Imira started Mayvenn, he was solving the problem of Black women consumers not having enough hair extension options and qualified stylists to install them. When Eunique Jones [Gibson] started Because of Them We Can, she was solving the problem of Black people not seeing themselves and their stories represented in the media.

MG: How important is your network during the entrepreneurial process?

MG: What businesses are you currently patronizing?

KW: Your network is your net worth. Issa Rae proved this when she crowdfunded Season 2 of Awkward Black Girl. Not only did her YouTube followers see value in the strong, culturally relevant voice of a young, Black professional represented in Season 1, but they also endorsed the creative dream of a Black woman entrepreneur by donating to her campaign to produce more episodes.

As Black people, we often don’t give ourselves permission to see the power of our dollar when we invest it in Black spaces. Issa’s first angel, first VC, first financial endorsement came from her community.

Issa was and is still gracious enough to acknowledge that Insecure could not have happened without Black people. That’s why we still root for her, like she roots for us.

KW: I applaud Jerri Evans’ effort to scale her vegan shop and juice bar, Turning Natural! I visit her store at least three times a week and buy my favorite Bob Marley or Marion Barry smoothies and spinach patty. Now that my braids are out, I also buy hair products from Bel Nouvo founded by Arcman Durosier.

MG: What's next for the Black upStart?

KW KW: We will continue to grow SkillhouseU into the largest, online Afro-centric learning environment for the culture. Also, MyBlackReceipt will establish a new-age Black Wall Street by tracking sales generated inside Black-owned businesses nationwide.

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Cherrelle Swain

Photography

Forrest Givens | @forrestgivens

Words

Saskia Kercy | @saskiakercy

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The GOOD Neighbor

Saskia: I love that so much. I am such a fan! I’m also interested to know what GOODProjects is doing moving forward and what y’all are planning for the rest of the year.

Cherrelle Cherrelle: Well, we’re continuing to stay committed to staying in touch and building with grassroots organizers from across the country so we can collectively work on ways to address these issues. I don’t think we’ll have another tour soon, but leading up to the election, we’re looking into how we can keep this momentum going, especially in battleground states. But the most important commitment that we have is to the Greenleaf community in Southwest Washington, DC. And our goal in that community is to help families to achieve generational wealth. It’s a public housing complex in Washington, D.C. that’s been there for decades, and we want to create programs and pathways that create agency among the residents so that they can have the lives they deserve.

Oftentimes Of we need to -- as a Black community in particular -- make sure that we’re doing our part to help our community members, especially when conditions do not allow for that as easily.

Saskia: You know what I just thought of! I’m going to call this “Cherrelle Swain: The GOOD Neighbor.”

Cherrelle: Thanks, Saskia! You know, recently someone mentioned to someone else that I was a good neighbor, and it made me really happy because that’s my point!

Saskia: Absolutely! And we need to deconstruct this stigma of who we choose to honor or who we choose to value. Even calling someone our neighbor is humanizing them a little more. Telling them that they matter.

Cherrelle: Cherrelle I 100% agree.

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Clayola Brown

Embracing Youth Leadership

Congressman John Robert Lewis was just 17 when he reached out to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a letter conveying his desire to attend all-white Troy State College (now Troy State University) that was just 10 miles from his home. Lewis submitted an application but never heard from the college, and hoped King would help. Instead, he went to Fisk University. Later, Dr. King reached

out to him and invited him to visit Montgomery during spring. That was the beginning of John Lewis’ relationship with King and his 60-plusyear commitment to the civil rights movement.

Congressman Lewis, who died on July 17, exemplified so many things.

Commitment. Resilience. Humility.

Goodwill. Good Trouble. He died at 80, and there are photos of him, as a much younger man, marching alongside Dr. King and so many others. One of the things that strikes me about this remarkable man is how

young he was when he got involved in the movement. As impressive as John Lewis was, he was one of several very young people who put their lives on the line for civil rights and human rights. There is no wonder that he smiled when he visited Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. That plaza and the protests after the murder of George Floyd are direct descendants of protests that John Lewis was involved in during the 1950s and 1960s.

Many of the youth of that era boldly challenged the status quo. Consider

Guest Columnists

the Little Rock Nine. They were verbally and physically harassed and, in at least one case, experienced economic consequences. The Nine endured a harrowing year. Ernie Green, the best-known of the Little Rock Nine, was the only African American to graduate from Central High School in 1958. The school was closed the following year, and the Little Rock Nine completed their high school education elsewhere.

Just as it is agonizing to think of John Lewis beaten so severely that his

skull was cracked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965, it is also painful to think of Melba Patillo, one of the Nine who was kicked, beaten and had acid thrown in her face, or Gloria Ray, who was pushed down a flight of stairs. Elizabeth Eckford attempted to walk into Central High School alone, having missed the others because of a communications snafu. She faced an angry and hostile mob and soldiers who would not allow her to enter

BROWN Page 41

By Marc H. Morial

In John Lewis’ Honor, Restore the Voting Rights Act is, reacting to the U.S Supreme Court’s Shelby v. Holder decision in 2013 “Although the court did not deny that voter discrimination still exists, it gutted the most powerful tool this nation has ever had to stop discriminatory voting practices from becoming law. Those justices were never beaten or jailed for trying to register to vote. They have no friends who gave their lives for the right to vote. I want to say to them, Come and walk in my shoes.” — Congressman John Lew-

For those of us whose work is focused on racial justice and voting rights, the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby v. Holder, which gutted the Voting Rights Act, felt like a punch to the gut.

For John Lewis, it can only have felt like a knife to the heart.

When Lewis died earlier this month at the age of 80, every tribute mentioned that his skull was fractured by

Guest Columnist

an Alabama state trooper on March 7, 1965, as he led 600 peaceful marchers out of Selma, Alabama, on the way to the state capitol in Montgomery.

By then, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the organization Lewis led, had been working to register Black voters in the south for three years. He called the Selma Campaign “the single event that gave birth to the Voting Rights Act” — landmark legislation that was seven decades in the making.

The Supreme Court’s decision in

Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896 enshrined the doctrine of “separate but equal” and unleashed the Jim Crow era of legal segregation across the south.

But these laws could not survive unless Black people were prohibited from voting and electing anti-segregation lawmakers. It was the decision Williams v. Mississippi in 1898 that allowed the disenfranchisement of Black citizens through poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses that exempted white voters from these restrictions.

Even if they could navigate the nearly impossible restrictions, Black people could be fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes, boycotted and denied loans for registering to vote.

The rise of “Citizenship Schools” that helped Black registrants study for the literacy test prompted Alabama officials to Alabama changed the test four times in less than two years. In

to equally enjoy the benefits that are constitutionally guaranteed.

I cannot do justice to a description of the achievements of any one of these men with the limit of words available to me for each of my articles, much less three. To the extent that you may be unfamiliar with them, I encourage you to explore their biographies. With human nature as it is, I am sure one will be able to find much to admire and points with which you may disagree, but no one can argue the past significance of their contributions to “The Struggle” and the influence of

their engagement upon the future.

As leaders representing the interests of thousands of African Americans, these men had an impact that was matched by a rare few. Although their individual approaches differed in many ways, their personal values drove them to self-sacrifice and lives of service to their communities and the nation. Common to them were character traits that enhanced their ability to guide others and demand results.

They were men of conviction. They

MORIAL Page 41

By E. Faye Williams

Times Three

From my youth, I can remember many of the elders lamenting that death comes in threes. In fact, when a community suffered the deaths of two elders, most of the others would walk and talk gingerly in wonderment of who would be next. Although rooted in superstition, the idea of Death Times 3 does sometimes seem to be valid, if not in fact, in circumstance.

This month, the occurrence of Death

Times 3 seems to be more than mere circumstance with the deaths of Rep. John Lewis, the Rev. C.T. Vivian and Mayor Charles Evers — three luminaries of the civil rights era.

Initially, questions loom: How do we fill the chasm? Who will fill the chasm? There’re some who, in passing, leave an immeasurable vacuum in the ether of history, causing all to wonder if this person can ever be replaced.

This month, the challenge for the African American community is to resolve or answer these questions three times.

Throughout my life, I have heard

24 - JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020

and agreed with the premise that African Americans are not monolithic in our philosophies and opinions, and that the voice of one person does not represent our entirety. For the past 75 years, WE have been greatly blessed with any number of thinkers and representatives who have expressed our different perspectives with the singular goal of guiding “the race” to parity in the legal, economic and social structures of this nation. Lewis, Vivian and Evers are three such persons. Each in his own way has led others toward the achievement of the right of all citizens

WILLIAMS Page 41

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Glenn Ellis

‘Vulnerable Populations’

The CDC stated early on in this pandemic that “vulnerable populations” need to take extra precautions in order to protect themselves, and their families from COVID-19. By now, we know that COVID-19 causes more serious illness in the elderly, especially those who have preexisting con-

ditions. I’m still trying to find an elderly person over the age of 80 without a preexisting condition.

The people who live in these facilities are, on average, probably over 80 and tend to be some of the frailest and sickest members of our society. It was established as far back as 2002, in a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, which stated that nearly 82% of Medicare beneficiaries have at least one chronic condition, and

64% have multiple conditions.

But that’s another story, for another time.

For now, we need to consider the extent to which this whole notion of vulnerable populations. No group has come to represent these “vulnerable populations” with preexisting conditions more than African Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that 30 percent of the Africans Americans who have died

Guest Columnist

from COVID-19 were younger than 65, compared to just over 13 percent of white Americans within the same parameters.

Dr. William Bommer at UC Davis Health feels that overall people with chronic (preexisting) conditions are 10 times more susceptible to a COVID-19 infection than the general population.

Think about it — just the fact that a person has high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, or

some type of lung disease not only makes them more likely to get infected with COVID-19, but also increases the odds of them getting admitted to a hospital, then to ICU or dying. In fact, chronic conditions can almost double the chance that you will die if you are infected with COVID-19.

One study from the CDC reports that patients with underly-

ELLIS Page 42

By Marian Wright Edelman

Lessons from Geese: Standing By Each Other in Difficult Times

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we human beings had as much sense of community as geese? During an Outward Bound experience in Maine, participants read these lessons we humans can learn from geese that bear repeating, considering and sharing in these trying times.

Lessons from Geese Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings, it cre-

ates an “uplift” for the birds that follow.

By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.

Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in

front of it.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.

Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.

Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and

Askia-At-Large

unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.

Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.

Fact 5:

When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

“Lessons from Geese” was transcribed from a speech by Angeles Arrien at the 1991 Organizational Development Network. It was based on the work of Milton Olson and shared with Outward Bound alumni. WI

By Askia Muhammad

White Hate Doomed to Failure

ven if Donald J. Trump manE ages to stay in the White House until 2036 like his role model Vladimir Putin has been permitted by the Russian people; even if he gets a 6-3 majority, a 7-2 majority, even a unanimous majority on the Supreme Court; even if his Repugnikkkans hold on to the Senate majority and

take back control of the House of Representatives in 2020 and proceed to rewrite every liberal law on the books; it will avail him/them naught, because their time for evil domination is up.

That’s because race hatred is a losing proposition.

The same goes for Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton (R) and Hall of Fame football coach Mike Ditka. It goes for all the Karens and Kens out there as well. Time’s up for hate.

Game over.

Most recently, The Donald left the White House the day Rep. John Lewis’s remains arrived to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. He told reporters, “I’m not going,” when asked if he would pay his respects to the civil rights icon.

He recently showed more respect to accused sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell than he did to this hero.

He also said that the Confederate “stars and bars” flag does not represent hate and that he would veto legislation requiring U.S.

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Army bases named for traitorous Confederate generals be renamed.

Cotton, whose state ranks 48th out of 50 for most every positive measurement in this country — only ahead of Alabama and lowly Mississippi — and what prosperity Arkansans have is built on the forced labor of enslaved Africans, got his panties in a bunch over public schools desiring to use the Pulitzer Prize-winning series “The 1619 Project” by the New York Times in their curricula.

He offered an amendment to education funding to withhold money from schools which taught “1619,” a study of “the peculiar institution.” He defended his bigoted policy, telling the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that slavery was a “necessary evil,” which requires no further study.

Ditka came to fame in a league whose players are 68 percent Black.

Ditka said that players taking a

ASKIA Page 42

JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 25

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS EDITORIAL

Michael Collins: The Man Beside Rep. John Lewis

Today, Congressman John Lewis will be laid to rest in Atlanta and buried alongside his wife, Lillian, who died eight years ago. Family, colleagues and friends will fill Ebenezer Baptist Church where his mentor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once pastored. This marks the final homegoing celebration, following a week of others in Troy, Selma and Montgomery, Alabama, and Washington, D.C. Thousands of admirers lined streets in every city as Lewis’ hearse passed by, holding signs and honoring his mantra: “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble and help redeem the soul of America.”

All along the trip to Lewis’ resting place has been a young man who has ridden and stood by him for more than 21 years. Like John-Miles, Lewis’s son, Michael Cotton was Lewis’ other son in spirit while he officially served as the congressman’s Chief of Staff since 2000. A graduate of Morehouse College, and a native of Boston, Collins began his career with Rep. Lewis in 1999 as his floor assistant, while he also received a Master of Social Work from Boston College and an MBA from Emory University.

Thanks to the Congressional Black Caucus, a cadre of African Americans have been tapped to serve on Capitol Hill where Congressional leaders are often criticized for their lack of diversity. Collins was among them, and wherever you saw Congressman Lewis, Collins was never far behind, beside or leading him.

It was Collins who had to correct the false story that Lewis passed away in early July, and it was Collins who reached out to members of Congress and others to let them know of his death on July 17 from pancreatic cancer. Collins’ name is called out by many who are offering words of condolences to the family and staff of the late Congressman. And, he is often seen in the background in the media coverage of the hearse, watching over the Congressman’s body as he did for the past 21 years. A close look at their relationship is reflected in Dawn Porter’s documentary, John Lewis: Good Trouble.

It’s at times like these when a good leader is shown to us by their ability to follow and to lead when called upon. We predict that Collins, who’s enviable oportunity to have walked with John Lewis for the past 21 years, will serve us all well going forward. We have not spoken to him, but we honor him and thank him for his service, and we wish him well! WI

TO THE EDITOR Good Trouble Job well done, Mr. John Lewis. We all should aspire to leave a legacy, stand for something and get in “good trouble.”

Mr. Lewis was unwavering in his beliefs, his convictions of justice and equality and his will to be a decent human being.

May we all honor him in our own lives.

Chasity Dawkins Washington, D.C.

Readers' Mailbox

5 Chief of Staff Michael Collins with Rep. John Lewis (D-GA). (Photo grab from Collins’ Facebook page)

26 - JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020

Staying Afloat Amid COVID Very good to know about the numerous Black historic sites that will get funding to reopen or stay open and continue to educate.

Half of these places I’d never heard of and they’re now all on my list to visit on my annual summer trip next year. I would go to some now, but ya know … COVID-19.

Larry Eubanks Washington, D.C.

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

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JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 27

APPROVAL

LIFESTYLE Virtual Summit to Shed Light on Voting Rights Act of 1965

Rainbow PUSH, Transformative Justice Coalition to Lead Three-Day Event

By D. Kevin McNeir, WI Editor @dkevinmcneir While many Americans continue to mourn the recent death of Rep. John Lewis and reflect upon his contributions in civil rights and justice, a three-day virtual summit will seek to

answer his plea to ensure voting rights for all citizens.

Fittingly, the “Voting Rights Act Weekend,” kicks off on Aug. 6 – the 55th anniversary of the signing of the landmark piece of federal legislation

by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – which

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prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

Congress later amended the Act five times to expand its protections. Designed to enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the Act secured the right to vote for racial minorities throughout the country, especially in the South. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Act is considered to be the most effective piece of federal civil rights legislation ever enacted in the country.

Lewis often decried, “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” while pointing toward the importance of standing up to protect voting rights in America.

And with the General Election just over three months away, a diverse group of national organizations have joined forces for a weekend that will include prayer, praise, workshops and a march from the site of the Thurgood Marshall Center Trust, Inc. in Northwest, also the hosting venue for the summit, to Black Lives Matter Plaza.

5 Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. (Courtesy photo)

5 Barbara R. Arnwine, Esq. (Courtesy photo)

The events begin at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Summit conveners include: the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Barbara R. Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl D. Jones, Esq. under the auspices of The Rainbow PUSH Coalition [RPC], founded and led by Jackson, and the Transformative Justice Coalition [TJC], founded by Arnwine. Arnwine serves as the president of TJC with Jones providing leadership as the Coalition’s board chair.

Co-conveners RPC and TJC, in concert with noteworthy leaders, activists and organizations from across the U.S., say their committed to achieving the following goals: combating voter suppression; combatting COVID-19 era “virus voter suppression;” opposing election interference; stopping police violence, killings and hate; promoting electoral reforms; providing cyber security’s best practices and awareness; and commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Arnwine says we must not allow “virus voter suppression to infect our election.”

“It is imperative that we provide safe options for all voters to cast their ballots, whether by mail, drop box, curbside or in-person voting,” she said. “It is the bedrock principle of American democracy that people be provided the right to safely exercise their right to vote.”

Rev. Jackson stresses that protecting the right and facilitating the streamlined effort to vote for communities of color remains as important in 2020 as any time in his storied civil rights career.

“There are many agendas out there but no agenda is more important than the vote,” he said.

The Voting Rights Act contains numerous provisions that regulate elections. Its “general provisions” provide nationwide protections for voting

rights. Section 2 is a general provision that prohibits every state and local government from imposing any voting law that results in discrimination against racial or language minorities.

Other general provisions specifically outlaw literacy tests and similar devices that were historically used to disenfranchise racial minorities. Another special provision requires jurisdictions containing significant language minority populations to provide bilingual ballots and other election materials.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE ACT

Despite the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870, African Americans in the South faced tremendous obstacles to voting. As a result, very few African Americans were registered voters, and they had very little, if any, political power, either locally or nationally. Reconstruction Era attempts to enforce the 15th Amendment were struck down by the Supreme Court in 1883, an action that ended the federal government’s efforts to protect civil rights for decades.

By the 1950s the civil rights movement galvanized the nation. Congress passed Civil Rights Acts in 1957, 1960, and 1964, but none of these laws were strong enough to prevent voting discrimination by local officials. On March 7, 1965, peaceful voting rights protesters in Selma, Alabama were violently attacked by Alabama state police. News cameras filmed the violence in what became known as “Bloody Sunday.” Many Americans and members of Congress began to wonder if existing civil rights laws would ever be properly enforced by the local authorities. The question before Congress was whether the fed-

SUMMIT Page 34

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LEWIS from Page 1 rectives.

Among the thousands of mourners, one couldn’t help but see a group of men dressed in royal blue blazers quietly standing at the base of the steps of the Capitol – members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the Black Greek organization to which Lewis also belonged. Some had driven all night from Atlanta in order to join their fraternity brothers who participated in a private farewell, the Omega service, traditionally held by fraternities and sororities.

The Rev. Grainger Browning, Jr., senior pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, offered the invocation during a private service for Lewis held Monday in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Afterwards, he shared a brief reflection about Lewis.

“John Lewis exemplifies the nonviolent life style that Dr. King possessed more than any of King’s disciples,” he said. “He was beaten with bats, clubs and chains but he maintained an attitude of forgiveness throughout his entire life.”

While tributes continue, Black lawmakers have called upon Congress to honor the legacy of John Lewis by supporting legislation that would restore a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) says a bipartisan group of lawmakers should be designated to negotiate details.

“If you want to honor his legacy, pick a `gang of eight’ and let’s go to work,” Richmond, former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, told a reporter for USA Today.

“If they’re serious. My gut tells me they’re not.”

With Lewis presiding over the vote, the Democratic-led House passed voting rights legislation in December on which the Senate, Republican controlled, has yet to move forward. The bill, which will be named after Lewis in a decision made by the House Monday, would amend the 1965 law to create a new way of measuring if states require oversight for violating minority voting rights.

Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Oh.), leads a House subcommittee on elections and held a hearing Tuesday on voting rights in the U.S. territories. She says members of Congress who publically have praised Lewis, must now

LIFESTYLE With Lewis presiding over the vote, the Democratic-led House passed voting rights legislation in December on which the Senate, Republican controlled, has yet to move forward.

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either “put up or shut up.”

Alabama U.S. Senator Doug Jones, Martin Luther King III and Rep. Terri Sewell, the first Black woman to ever serve in the state, spoke during a service held July 25 in Selma at the historic Brown Chapel AME Church.

Jones said in the same way that Lewis risked his life in a journey for freedom, “that ride can’t end for us until we make it right.

Sewell said she remembered how civil rights pioneers including Coretta Scott King, the Rev. Joseph Lowery, Amelia Boyington Robinson and Lewis returned years after “Bloody Sunday” to the church providing encouragement for future generations.

“They have left us with a fantastic legacy,” she said. “Every generation must move forward to protect that legacy. They are gone but never forgotten.”

Quoting his father, Martin Luther King III said men have to ask themselves specific questions when they make decisions and John Lewis often asked was it is right.

“The ultimate measure was, is it right?” King asked. “That’s who John Lewis was.”

Individuals or representatives of an organization who wish to present testimony at the public hearing are requested to furnish his or her name, address, telephone number and name of the organization (if any) by calling 202-787-2330 or emailing the request to Lmanley@dcwater.com no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday August 3, 2020. Other persons wishing to present testimony may testify after those on the witness list. Persons making presentations are urged to address their statements to relevant issues.

Oral presentations by individuals will be limited to five (5) minutes. Oral presentations made by representatives of an organization will not be longer than ten (10) minutes. Statements should summarize extensive written materials so there will be time for all interested persons to be heard. Oral presentations will be heard and considered, but for accuracy of the record, all statements should be submitted in writing. The hearing will end when all persons wishing to make comments have been heard.

Written testimony or comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking may be submitted by mail to Linda R. Manley, Secretary to the Board, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, 1358 Canal Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003, or by email to Lmanley@dcwater.com. Such written testimony to be clearly marked “Written Testimony for Public Hearing, August 5, 2020” and received by 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 10, 2020.

dcwater.com “It was just a few good men and women, the foot soldiers,” King said during his comments. “Dad used to call them the ground crew. Ground crews used to do things you always didn’t see but if it weren’t for them

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there wouldn’t have been any victories.” ”This is history,” said Kimberly Curry, 30, a mortuary science student from Lexington Park, Md. She came with her 10-year-old son Josiah

on Monday and waited in line for six hours.

“Standing in this heat was worth it,” she said. “John Lewis fought hard not just for himself but for everyone.” WI

JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 29

LIFESTYLE A CONTINUING SERIES

COVID 19 UPDATE Strategies to Survive, Sustain and Succeed

Keep Your Heart Healthy During Pandemic, Doctors Advise

By James Wright WI Staff Writer @Jamesdcwrighter Strong evidence exists showing the coronavirus and heart disease complement each other as far as harming people who possess those ailments even at the same time but

physicians say healthy living and responding to medical episodes in a timely fashion may negate the impact of the afflictions.

During a July 8 press briefing, the D.C. Department of Health presented PowerPoint slides showing the link between coronavirus complications and heart disease.

One of the slides listed the maladies people suffering from heart disease and stroke exhibit that could serve as a trigger for the coronavirus: hypertension, stroke, diabetes, obesity, bad chronic lung, kidney and liver conditions, and those with compromised immune systems. Another slide read bluntly “heart attacks, strokes and cardiac arrests don’t stop for COVID-19” and Dr. Reginald L. Robinson, who practices with MedStar Health Cardiology Associates in the District and Bowie, Md., agrees.

“Twenty to 30 percent of COVID-19 patients in D.C. have had a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke,” Robinson said. “It has become apparent that people have stopped calling 911 because they believe they won’t be served at a hospital because of the coronavirus pandemic and that is simply not true.”

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In 2014, the health department released a study, “The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in the District of Columbia,” revealing heart disease and stroke rank first and fourth, respectively, among the 10 leading causes of death in the city and overall cardiovascular deaths account for nearly one-third of deaths. The study mentioned heart disease as one of the top reasons people seek the services of a hospital.

A slide indicated heart attack victims display symptoms such as chest discomfort; uneasiness in other areas of the upper body such as pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath; and other signs as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea and lightheadedness. Another slide disclosed stroke sufferers’ manifesting face drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulty. Robinson said unmanageable stress can play a role in whether a person has a cardiovascular episode in addition to a diet high in cholesterol, overeating, lack of exercise, and smoking.

Robinson said external factors play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease and the coronavirus, too.

“Many people who tend have heart disease and the coronavirus, whether one or both, live in food-insecure neighborhoods where health equity is an issue,” he said. “These people have limited transportation options, substandard housing and have concerns with the police. They tend to walk more to get around, buy food and

drinks from liquor stores and carryouts and to get to a good grocery store they have to take a few buses.

All factor into people having bad heart health and make them susceptible to the coronavirus.”

The American Heart Association, of which Robinson serves as a board member of the District’s and Mid-Atlantic Region chapters, has advice on its website on combatting COVID-19. Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, the organization’s chief medical officer for prevention, wrote the post for the site, advising people to practice social distancing, wash hands frequently, avoid touching public surfaces, wear face coverings, cover coughs and sneezes with tissues and avoid touching mouths, noses or eyes.

Sanchez encourages individuals to seek care at a hospital as soon as possible if they are having a cardiovascular episode and not be concerned about the presence of COVID-19 patients. He noted first responders are well-trained in avoiding spreading germs to non-coronavirus patients.

Dr. Jacqueline Bowens, president of the D.C. Hospital Association, agreed with Sanchez.

“Don’t delay care,” Bowens said.

“Your health must be a priority and annual visits to the doctor must be engaged. The hospitals are safe in the District and ready to take one anyone having a medical problem even if it is not COVID-19 related. Delaying medical treatment could make your health situation worse and impact your ability to recover.”

WI

This campaign is managed by Albertsons Companies Foundation, doing business as Safeway Foundation, a 501(C)(3) organization.

5 The human heart. (Courtesy photo)

30 - JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020

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LIFESTYLE

wi book review “Thank You for Voting: The Maddening, Enlightening, Inspiring Truth about Voting in America”

By Erin Geiger Smith c.2020, Harper $25.99 / 240 pages

By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer The checkmarks marched down the columns like hand-holding toddlers on a day care outing.

You cast your vote for this candidate. You liked what that guy had to say, and this woman thinks like you. You hope this person wins, and that one, and your civic duty is done. In the new book “Thank You for Voting” by Erin Geiger Smith, you’ll see how you got here, and how you maybe almost didn’t.

In the earliest days of this nation, the rules for voting were easy: if you were a white male landowner over age 21, you could vote.

That rule, says Smith, wasn’t hard-and-fast: in 1776, Pennsylvania allowed any white male over 21 to go to the polls, and New Jersey allowed landowning women and free Black men to vote, too.

By 1807, laws began rolling back, until white male property owners had the only say in elections again. Black male suffrage was granted after Reconstruction; it took women more than a century to get the vote, which included Black women — though the latter, like their menfolk, continued to be victims of voter suppression until 1965’s Voting Rights Act or later. Some Native Americans could vote in 1924, while others were barred until the late 1950s. Some Asian Americans were kept from the booths until 1952.

Today, says Smith, Americans have more opportunities to vote in 10 years than Japanese citizens get in their entire lives. With such an abundance of opportunities to choose our elected officials, why are voting numbers so low?

Many reasons, she says: convicted felons may or may not be allowed to vote, depending on state of residency. States can set different laws on registration and voter ID issues. Voter suppression and gerrymandering are problems that are in the news right now. People can be apathetic. So how can we ensure that everyone has a voice in our democracy?

We can work toward that goal. We can also model good behavior and vote, vote, vote.

Chances are, you’ve already made up your mind. You know exactly who’ll get your nod in November’s election. Now find out how this wonderful right came to be, because the story’s quite eye-opening.

“Thank You for Voting” is one of those books you might feel like you’ve read already but trust this: author Erin Geiger Smith is going to surprise you with factlets, shocking statistics, and stories of outrage and courage. There’s lots of history in this book but though it might seem familiar, it doesn’t read like a lecture. Readers may find, however, that the most helpful parts of this book are the explanations of voting issues and suppression tactics, why you should stay as informed as possible, and how you can encourage friends and family to join you on Nov. 3.

“Thank You for Voting” is for readers ages 16 and up but if you want to co-read with your kids, there’s a child’s version available, too. You probably already know where you stand on this fall’s ballot but just in case, this book checks all the right boxes. WI

horoscopes

JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020

ARIES This week be aware that not everyone can move as fast as an Aries. You may find some frustration with people and distractions in your way. Have clear goals, as well as backup plans to get through the next few days. Lucky Numbers: 20, 23, 28 TAURUS It’s good to recognize that people around you may not have the presence of mind that you do.

You may have a picture in your head what you want, and other people’s unreliability may boggle your mind. This can cause you some irritations. But patience is your key today especially with lackadaisical coworkers and undependable repair people. Lucky Numbers: 2, 21 52 GEMINI There’s a clash between the vision of what you want and the reality of your obligations. Schedule time for musings, creative work, or a little bit of meditation between company meetings and spreadsheet projects. But most importantly, don’t allow others to push you in a direction that leaves you feeling out of balance. Lucky Numbers: 6, 7, 32 CANCER Thoughts become things. What you’re thinking about today becomes your reality tomorrow. Today’s a good day to audit your thoughts. You can change your life by changing your thinking. Pluto gives you the power to change a habit. Eliminate negative thinking and you’ll start to see a world of possibilities.

Lucky Numbers: 16, 27, 36 LEO You may see that some of your routines and daily habits are not conducive to the kind of results you’re looking for. Perhaps you need to get more exercise. Maybe you need to find ways of being more productive when you’re working at home or when you’re working in a busy office. Lucky Numbers: 21, 38, 45 VIRGO If you’re looking for love, you have several opportunities available to you over the next few weeks if you plant a seed or two today. Consider uploading your profile to online dating sites or answering some of the requests you’ve already received. This energy is also quite good for fertility if you’re looking to add to the family through pregnancy or adoption. Or you could use this energy to add a pet to the household.

Lucky Numbers: 10, 16, 39 LIBRA While you would prefer to live in harmony and peace, people around you seem to have other ideas.

Their issues that may intrude on your day. There could be some conflict at work perhaps not directly related to you, but you’re pulled in to see if you will take a side. At this time, it’s best to remain impartial and stand aside to observe the goings-on from a neutral vantage point. Lucky Numbers: 12, 14, 42 SCORPIO Today, you are capable of great concentration, which is perfect for writing a college essayor learning how to alter the HTML on your website. You can also use this energy to persuade the one you live with that your way is best when it comes to laundry or loading the dishwasher. But the best use of this aspect is to sit and contemplate what it is you want, and how you’re going to get it. Lucky Numbers: 5, 8, 23 SAGITTARIUS Some of the seeds you been planting over the last few months sprout into a lovely garden of opportunity. This could bring a job possibility within your company, a contract for employment with a competing company, or new clients to add to your roster. This is a good day to send out proposals, contact headhunters, or negotiate contracts. This aspect won’t form again until August 2021. Don’t miss this positive energy. Lucky Numbers: 2, 12, 33 CAPRICORN You may have a day of relationship difficulties and if you are dating, you may want to postpone your get-together (unless of course, it’s their birthday as missing that could cause even more problems). This aspect can bring some really compulsive thoughts rolling over and over in your brain. You may obsess about the worst-case scenarios. Instead, make a list of situations from your past where you trusted yourself and you rose to the challenge. Lucky Numbers: 28, 34, 57 AQUARIUS You may encounter a person today who will not budge no matter how good your argument is or how persuasive you are. This may be a close family friend or a neighbor. While this may be an issue it is important you recognize that changing their mind is not your job. Fortunately, Aquarius can swivel and go in a different direction. That is your best course of action today, as it would be easier to pick up a semi-truck and throw it then change this person’s mind. Lucky Numbers: 10, 25, 39 PISCES This week your wonderful dream may clash with the hard, practical aspects of life today. For some reason you feel you would be better off paying for something that others get for nothing. This could be investment advice, business connections, or software training all of which are abundantly free on the internet. Before writing a check, open your mind to the vast resources out there in the world. Don’t hesitate to ask for it to be free. Lucky Numbers: 23, 30, 34

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JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 31

CAPTURE the moment

For more photos, visit www.washingtoninformer.com

A FINAL FAREWELL TO REP. JOHN LEWIS

Top left A stop at the Lincoln Memorial in Northwest where Lewis delivered a speech during the March on Washington in 1963. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer) Top right The hearse carrying the Honorable John Lewis is escorted down Suitland Parkway crosses Alabama Avenue, SE. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

Stay Informed!

Bottom right Vice President Mike Pence pays his final respects to John Lewis lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer) Bottom left D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Northwest as the procession makes a stop where Lewis was last photographed on the painted roadway.

(Brigette Squire/The Washington Informer)

www.washingtoninformer.com 32 - JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020

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JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 33

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MAYORS from Page 1 McKinley said as Black mayors they have a heightened awareness on the need to mitigate COVID-19 transmission especially among communities of color who have been disproportionately impacted.

“In passing this resolution, Black mayors — from cities of all sizes — are sending a clear message to governors: mayors must have the ability to implement public health strategies that keep their constituents safe.”

The resolution comes on the heels of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp filing a lawsuit against Bottoms and the Atlanta City Council two weeks ago for requiring face masks in the state’s largest city after a surge of new COVID-19 cases.

According to NPR, the suit asserts that Kemp alone “leads the State of Georgia in its fight against the worldwide novel coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic” and adds he has the power “to suspend municipal orders that are contradictory to any state law or to his executive orders.”

“As the Mayor of the City of Atlanta, Mayor Bottoms does not have the legal authority to modify, change or ignore Governor Kemp’s executive orders.”

The lawsuit against Bottoms came after Kemp released an order forbidding local jurisdictions to require face masks for residents in public places.

Kemp took to Twitter to saying the lawsuit is on behalf of “the Atlanta business owners and their hardworking employees who are struggling to survive during these difficult times.”

Bottoms responded to Kemp via Twitter stating “3104 Georgians have died and I and my family are

SUMMIT from Page 28 eral government should guarantee the right to vote by assuming the power to register voters. Since qualifications for voting were traditionally set by state and local officials, federal voting rights protection represented a significant change in the constitutional balance of power between the states and the federal government.

Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which aimed to increase the number of people registered to vote in areas where there was a record of previous discrimination. The legislation outlawed literacy tests and provided for the appointment of Federal examiners (with the power to register qualified citizens to vote) in certain jurisdictions with a history of voting

5 Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms. (Keisha Lance Bottoms Facebook)

amongst the 106k who have tested positive for COVID-19.”

“Meanwhile, I have been sued by @GovKemp for a mask mandate. A better use of tax payer money would be to expand testing and contact tracing.”

On Monday, the Associated Press reported that Kemp had withdrawn a request for an emergency hearing in the lawsuit against Bottoms. A spokesman for Kemp said the Republican wanted “to continue productive, good faith negotiations” with the mayor and the City Council.

In the District, Bowser issued a mandatory face mask order last week.

She also extended the state of emergency and public health emergency for the District through Oct. 9.

WI discrimination. In addition, these jurisdictions could not change voting practices or procedures without “preclearance” from either the U.S. Attorney General or the District Court for Washington, DC. This act shifted the power to register voters from state and local officials to the federal government.

COME ONE, COME ALL

Additional supporters of and spokespersons for the summit include: Ayanna Gregory, daughter of Dick Gregory; Thomasina W. Yearwood, president, Thurgood Marshall Center Trust, Inc.; the Rev. Bernice A. King, CEO, The Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Nonviolent Social Change; Thurgood Mar-

5 Mayor of Newport News, Va., McKinley Price, DDS. (Courtesy photo) 5 Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms. (Keisha Lance Bottoms Facebook)

5 Mayor of Washington D.C. Muriel Bowser (Courtesy photo)

shall, Jr., Esq., son of Justice Thurgood Marshall; and the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, president/senior lecturer, Repairers of the Breach. The free event seeks to protect America’s vote with additional sponsors including: the National Organization of Women, the National Election Defense Coalition, the NAACP, the Hip Hop Caucus, National Education Association, Vote. org and MomsArising.

TJC Board Chairman Jones said, ”55 years ago, Congressman John Lewis stood on the Edmund Pettus Bridge demanding the right to vote for people and communities of color. In 2020, we must stand together to be certain that the right to vote for people of color is not hijacked by voter poachers!”

For more information, visit www.votingrightsalliance.org. WI

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Reversed Faith is Fear!

What great things could happen in our lives if we would continue to stand on these promises today?

What was the first thing the angel told the shepherd? “Do not be afraid.” This command is still valid today. We are charged to not be afraid. Fear is faith in reverse. Fear opens the door to our enemy.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. — 2 Timothy 1:7 God didn’t create us with a “fear gene.” Fear didn’t enter into the garden until sin entered. Fear is from the enemy, pure and simple.

The first time we find fear in the Bible is after Adam and Eve ate the apple. Suddenly, when they heard God walking through the garden, they had communed with Him daily before, yet, now they hid themselves because they were ashamed and afraid.

When fear is in action, you have decided you cannot have whatever it is you want, and you see the goal going in the other direction. Your goal moves away from

you when you have fear. Fear and faith cannot and will not operate simultaneously. The minute you begin to feel fear, your goal moves backward. That’s your non-belief at work.

When you say you “can’t believe” you got a job, you are offering up some negativity, and you may forfeit it.

Callers tell me they have saved this column. Some send it to others in times of trouble. Prayerfully, those who never saw this, it will help you as well.

In fact, a reader called once, upset that her newspaper containing this column had been destroyed accidentally. She saved this column for years, reading it, and holding on to it for herself and for others.

It begins with this scripture: But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:1011) We must practice speaking in the positive rather than the negative. Another example is when someone is planning an event, and as you’re planning you say something like “we can’t have an empty room, we’ve really got to get some people out to this event.”

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Death and life are in the power of

the tongue. — Proverbs 18:21 Well the “empty room” part of your comment will attract exactly what it is you’re saying. If instead you would say, “the room will be filled for this event,” and begin to be thankful for a filled room, then you’re speaking life into your event. You will be speaking for a point of faith rather than fear.

When you examine your level of faith, all you need to do is look at your crop, what is it that you’ve been able to produce. “Makes you look at who planted the crop” doesn’t it?

All you need to do is look in the mirror. It was you. It’s the truth that tells the mind what is really wrong. It’s not the economy, not elected officials, not the government — it’s you!

Like the old Negro spiritual says, “It’s me, it’s me, It’s me, Oh Lord, Standing in the need of prayer; Not my mother, not my father; But it’s me, oh Lord; Standing in the need of prayer.”

It’s not what’s going on outside that’s the problem, it’s what’s going on within. Each of you must press toward the mark, but as you do so, keep your eyes toward your future.

Faith is the unseen. Scripture says, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, and it is the evidence of things not seen.” Don’t put your faith in reverse! WI

John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.

5101 14th Street, NW / Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202-726-2220 Fax: 202-726-9089

1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005

“A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org

EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS MCCOLLUM & ASSOCIATES, LLC ADA, Age Discrimination, Benefits, Civil Rights, COBRA, Contracts, Deaf Law, Defamation, Disability Law, Discipline, Discrimination, FMLA, FLSA, FOIA, Family Responsibility, Harassment, HIPPA, OSHA, National Origin Discrimination, Non-Compete, Race Discrimination, Rehabilitation Act, Retaliation, Severance Agreements, Sexual Harassment, Torts, Whistleblowing, Wage-and-Hour, Wrongful Discharge SERVING MARYLAND, DC, & NORTH CAROLINA

www.jmlaw.net

(301) 864-6070

jmccollum@jmlaw.net

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

Reverend John W. Davis Pastor

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.

(301) 864-6070

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

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JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 35

RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church

Pilgrim Baptist Church

Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor

Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor

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

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

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

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

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ

Blessed Word of Life Church

Church of Living Waters

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

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

St. Stephen Baptist Church

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

Third Street Church of God

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

Reverend William Young IV Interim Pastor

Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Senior Pastor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org

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

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

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

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

Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net

St Marks Baptist Come Worship with us...

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

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

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

Turning Hearts Church Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher

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

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

Crusader 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

36 - JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020

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

Website: Shabbathcommandmentchruch.org Email: Praisebetoyhwh@gmail.com

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

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

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

Israel Baptist Church

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

Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor

2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office / (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Moving Faith Forward” 0% Perfect . . . 100% Forgiven!

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: 8:00 AM & 10:45 AM Baptism/Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30 PM Prayer Service: Tuesdays – 8:00 PM www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church Rev. Richard B. Black Pastor

Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor

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

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

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

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

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

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

Service and Times Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 PM Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 PM Prayer/Seeking: Wednesday at 8:00 PM Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged.

The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42

New Commandment Baptist Church

Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rehoboth Baptist Church

Reverend Peter R. Blue Sr. Pastor

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

2001 Brooks Drive District Heights MD. 20744 240.838.7074

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shiloh Baptist Church

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 AM Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 PM Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 PM Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 PM Noonday Prayer Every Thursday

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

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

4504 Gault Place, N.E. / Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service : 11:00 AM The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Prayer & Praise Services: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: 7:30 PM Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries: 10:30 AM A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

Christ Embassy DC

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

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

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor

Email Address: admin@pbc712.org

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

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor

Rev. Dr. Jerryl V. Moody Pastor-Elect

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

St. Matthews Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church

King Emmanuel Baptist Church

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

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

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

JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 37

LEGAL NOTICES

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

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

2020 ADM 000336

2020 ADM 000338

Benjamin F. Wims Decedent

William Eugene Giles aka William E. Giles Decedent

Joan M. Wilbon, Esq. 1120 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 1020 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

Wilbert Baccus 11807 Lisborough Road Bowie, Maryland 20720-3423 Attorney

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

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

Juanita B. Wims, whose address is 1426 Sheridan Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Benjamin F. Wims who died on September 14, 2009 with a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/23/2021. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 1/23/2021, 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.

Brenda F. Triplett, whose address is 329 Jefferson Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William Eugene Giles aka William E. Giles who died on April 7, 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/30/2021. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 1/30/2021, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 7/23/2020

Date of first publication: 7/30/2020

Juanita B. Wims Personal Representative

Brenda F. Triplett Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Washington Informer

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

In God We Trust Declaration of Nationality Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: walker, dejon dwight© in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: WALKER, DEJON DWIGHT©, corp. sole Dba.: “ DEJON DWIGHT WALKER© “, having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern 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: ani yun wiya Moorish American 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 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and all Natural laws governing moors and hereby Declare and Proclaim my nationality as an: ani yun wiya Moorish American National. Any and all facts contained in this publication, are fully applicable to any and all private tribal issue offspring of: walker, dejon dwight©, & my wife by common-law marriage, castillo, alexis julianna©, Nunc pro tunc, not limited to but including : 1. walker, aleia skye©, the beneficiary and heir of: WALKER, ALEIA SKYE©, corp sole, Dba: ALEIA SKYE WALKER©. I am that I am: walker, dejon dwight© from this day forward, Nunc pro tunc, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “walker-bey, dejon dwight©”. I am that I am: walker-bey, aleia skye© from this day forward, Nunc pro tunc, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “walker-bey, aleia skye©”.

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: “ WALKER, DEJON DWIGHT© ”, corp.sole Dba.: DEJON DWIGHT WALKER©, Re: “CASTILLO, ALEXIS JULIANNA© ”, corp.sole Dba.: ALEXIS JULIANNA JULIANNA©, & Re: WALKER, ALEIA SKYE©, corp sole, Dba: ALEIA SKYE WALKER©, etc., to the depositor, and or in the capacity as Guardian/Chairman of the Board of Trustees: walker-bey, dejon dwight©, nom deguerre: walker, dejon dwight©.

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: walker-bey, dejon dwight©, nom deguerre: walker, dejon dwight©, as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : DEJON DWIGHT WALKER BEY TRUST©, a private foreign islamism ecclesiastical trust. CASTILLO, ALEXIS JULIANNA©, corp.sole Dba.: ALEXIS JULIANNA JULIANNA© is hereby conveyed to ALEXIS JULIANNA CASTILLO TRUST© when the beneficiary reaches the age of majority. WALKER, ALEIA SKYE©, corp sole, Dba: ALEIA SKYE WALKER© is hereby conveyed to ALEIA SKYE WALKER TRUST© when the beneficiary reaches the age of majority. 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.

All Rights Reserved.

2020 ADM 000352 Margaret Dean Decedent Nakia Gray 800 Maine Ave., SW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20020 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Lawrence Dean, whose address is 3512 Commodore Joshua Barney Drive, NE, Apt. 101, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Margaret Dean who died on March 18, 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/30/2021. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 1/30/2021, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 7/30/2020 Lawrence Dean Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

38 - JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020

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BURIAL from Page 9

SAFETY from Page 11

SENIORS from Page 17

other archeological experts examined photos from Parcel 242 that they said alluded to the possibility that construction workers were disturbing a burial ground. The legal document compiled by Coleman-Adebayo and archeologist/cultural property crime expert Dr. Tammy R. Hilburn referenced those photos and gave an account of what researchers saw early on in the construction.

“The contract archaeologist stood idly by, watching the excavator bucket scrape forcefully away at the soils that revealed a possible rectangular area, an obvious archaeological feature, roughly seven feet long, and rich with organic deposits,” a portion of the document read. “The mechanical arm of the excavator bucket lifted up rich soil, possible organic biomass of African American human remains, and spun around only to dump this soil, and any possible bone or osseous fragments, into a pile of other soils from the site of construction: a hateful display of the mechanisms of structural and systemic racism.” WI

istration used federal resources in the same manner during protests in Ferguson, Missouri, Baltimore and other epicenters of Black resistance during President Barack Obama’s second term.

McKenney said acknowledging this reality has since compelled her and others to unite around various means of helping Black people outside means reliant on the local and federal government.

“We’re seeing so much hysteria in Portland because these are majority white cities experiencing brutality from armed troops that Black people have always faced,” McKenney, an organizer for Bread for the City and DC Mutual Aid, told The Informer. “In Baltimore, people were concerned about the CVS instead of the people affected by the techniques [these forces] used on protesters.

“It doesn’t seem like more force than what has happened historically,” she said. “It’s dangerous to attribute this kind of state violence solely to Trump. This is how the U.S. has always reacted to uprisings.”

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could also, if they have a protective order, dismiss the need of the protective order, and the tenant will then be paying the landlord directly.”

Palchick has spearheaded efforts by the LCE to mediate with landlords, proposing that his clients should be able to hold onto the protective order, and pay due balances in a lump sum once the courts reopen. While a few landlords agree, some refuse to mitigate the issue.

Recently, District courts have enacted online payment processing for protective-order litigants. Although it would seemingly rectify the delivery risks, the process isn’t perfect — the system restricts payments to $1,000 or less, in addition to charging tenants a $1 processing fee and 2.5% processing fees for credit card payments, adding financial burdens on elderly tenants already having to watch every dollar during the ongoing pandemic.

Remote hearings were slated to begin July 6. The District courts have also officially begun Phase Three of their openings as of July 20 and are now hearing a broader range of cases than previously allowed. WI

BLACK SUFFRAGE from Page 14

Through this funding we can digitize print and audiovisual materials, and via metadata remediation add and edit access points from previously digitized records in the Lowcountry Digital Library.”

The centerpiece of the Black women’s suffrage collection will be a new website that will surface artifacts related to Black women in

the suffrage movement as well as original content providing historical context.

The site will launch later this summer. In addition, DPLA is partnering with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library on their Engage2020: Look Back, Move Forward events.

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institutions to digitize artifacts related to the history of Black women in the suffrage movement, and, more broadly, women’s rights, voting rights and civic activism between the 1850s and the 1960s, in order to make these important collections more widely accessible, the press release noted.

“The Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture at the College of Charleston is delighted to be a partner on this important grant as it aligns with our mission,” said Aaisha Haykal, Manager of Archival Services at the Avery Institute of Afro-American History & Culture.

“The grant is important to us as it provides us the space to expand the story of civil rights and activism in the South Carolina Lowcountry by centering Black women. Additionally, it supports the College of Charleston’s curriculum and research needs of the faculty and students,” Haykal added. “The selected collections represent an intent to demonstrate that women-led and/or focused organizations impacted many avenues of life including, but not limited to health, education, and politics.

The centerpiece of the Black women’s suffrage collection will be a new website that will surface artifacts related to Black women in the suffrage movement as well as original content providing historical context.

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

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18+ JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020 39

BIDEN from Page 1 tion has built perhaps as never before in the vice presidential sweepstakes.

Will it be Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) or Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)? Will the nod go to former Georgia Rep. Stacey Abrams, Florida Rep. Val Demings, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, or former U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice?

It could also be a sleeper pick, or even Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (D-Calif.), who seemingly has gained momentum over the past month with more pundits speculating that she’ll get the nod.

Biden, who reportedly has opened as much as a 12-point national lead over President Donald Trump ahead of the November election, promises to end the suspense on Saturday, Aug. 1.

The Washington Informer will have the story when Biden makes his announcement.

This week, Biden confirmed that four African American women were among the finalists to join the Democratic ticket.

Because of the current climate

SCHOOL from Page 13 Teacher-led instruction and access to teachers would be arranged on Wednesdays.

School systems statewide will be allowed the “flexibility” on how to reopen schools.

Depending on conditions and locality, public schools Superintendent Karen Salmon said school systems may be more restrictive than

COUNCIL from Page 12

“I don’t know how vital it is that the woman he chooses [be] a Black woman,” said Jennifer Clyburn Reed, daughter of Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-South Carolina).

“Biden is a man of his word, and he said he would appoint a Black woman to the Supreme Court, and I think that is important. It’s also important to remember that there are Cabinet positions that would need filling, and it would be great to have Black women in those jobs.”

It’s also essential that any vice presidential choice compliments the presidential candidate, Clyburn Reed said, adding that the overall goal is to unseat President Donald Trump.

Biden has said that he would choose someone he’s confident could, if necessary, immediately step in and take over the Oval Office.

“The person best prepared to step into the job of the president if the occasion arose would

be former National Security Council Director Susan Rice,” Ross K. Baker, a distinguished professor of political science at Rutgers University in New Jersey, wrote in an opinion column for USA Today. “She is very smart and knows her way around the White House. Her principal shortcoming is her somewhat steely demeanor. But with Biden at the head of ticket, there would be more than enough high effect.

“Her credentials are impeccable and would put to rest the argument that Biden is merely pandering to minority voters,” Baker said. “Value-added: She would eat Pence alive in a debate.”

Michael Medved, a syndicated talk radio host, opined that Rep. Val Demings of Florida is the best choice, while author Brett M. Decker said Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would help flip her state if chosen.

Sally Kohn, author of “The Opposite Of Hate: A Field Guide To Repairing Our Humanity,” said Bass would be a great choice because “she’s a powerful progressive visionary.”

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the state’s education recovery plan.

“Our job at the state department is to help systems succeed and keep staff and students safe, regardless of which path they choose,” she said during a July 22 press conference at the State House in Annapolis alongside Gov. Larry Hogan.

“Within the framework of local control, the state will set a series of guardrails for school systems.”

No matter how schools open, they must adhere to guidelines pre-

scribed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including washing hands, social distancing and face coverings for staff and students “particularly when physical distancing is not possible.”

To help with the digital divide amongst students with limited to no technology, the state will provide $100 million for Wi-Fi access and devices. Another $100 million will go toward tutoring to help students who have fell behind since

schools closed for in-person instruction March 16.

As schools continue to participate in summer school sessions and enrichment learning programs, Salmon said nine school systems have already decided to begin the school year to conduct virtual and online learning that include Prince George’s, Charles, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Howard and Baltimore counties.

Officials in Frederick County continue to work on a reopening plan, but a parent advisory group supports a hybrid model where students would attend class twice a week and virtual learning three times a week.

Four parents in the county on Tuesday, July 28 hosted “Considering homeschooling?,” a virtual discussion on education alternatives.

In the meantime, Salmon stressed schools must also rely on state and local health officials to determine when schools could bring students back to the classroom.

“The reopening of schools is a deeply personal issue,” she said.

“What happens in the weeks ahead is largely depending upon each of us.” WI

in America following the police killing of George Floyd, many believe Biden must choose a Black woman.

SOME AREN’T SO CERTAIN.

40 - JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2020

residents chimed in virtually that the change would create a future property tax increase when homes become assessed at a higher value.

The bill’s sponsor, Councilmember Derrick Leon Davis (D-District 6) of Upper Marlboro, decided to postpone its introduction.

“During these times and most difficult days for county,” Davis said. “I remain committed to working on our commitments to balance the needs of our residents with the need to reform and continue to strategically and collaboratively address the challenges that hold our county back.”

Before the council went into its summer break for August, it approved other measures such as readjusted salary schedules for front-line workers with hazard pay working during the coronavirus pandemic, extending the time for Hector Velez as interim chief another four months after Aug. 18; and establishing a county food security task force to assess healthy food options and decrease food insecurity.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9.

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MAYOR from Page 12

The 2000 census data shows the Latino population in New Carrollton at nearly 7%, whites at 21% and Blacks at almost 68%. About 18 years later, census data shows the city’s population increased among Latinos at 22%. Whites fell to 14% and Blacks slightly decreased to 64%. and neighbors. I have hundreds of volunteers helping people out, but she is definitely one of the key [people] making things happens.”

In the meantime, Nembhard has other initiatives for New Carrollton such as program for youth and seniors and increase businesses to fill out empty storefronts and buildings.

What some people don’t realize the transportation hub that houses the New Carrollton Metro station, MARC train, Metrobus, Greyhound and Peter Pan bus lines sits on unincorporated land. Although those businesses may show up as a New Carrollton mailing address, Prince George’s County controls and owns the property.

Nembhard also wants to help the Latino population and some residents who might be undocumented to help become citizens, which in turn, count toward this year’s census.

The 2000 census data shows the Latino population in New Carrollton at nearly 7%, whites at 21% and Blacks at almost 68%.

About 18 years later, census data shows the city’s population increased among Latinos at 22%.

Whites fell to 14% and Blacks slightly decreased to 64%.

“I think the population in the city is probably bigger with some of those undocumented immigrants,” she said. “We can make sure they get married so they can be counted.

I want to be a matchmaker. A guidance counselor. I want to be everything in the city.” WI

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

BROWN from Page 24 the school. Gloria Ray’s mother, Julie Miller Eckford, lost her state job because she would not withdraw her daughter from Central High School.

These young people, like John Lewis, had tenacity, commitment, and vision.

Consider Dr. Ron Walters (19382010), the distinguished professor who spent most of his career as a political scientist at Howard University. He was president of the NAACP Youth Council in Wichita, Kansas, when he organized a sitin at Dockum Drug Store in July 1958, just weeks after Ernie Green graduated from Central High School and more than a year before the Greensboro sit-in in 1960. The students who participated in the sitin ranged in age from 15 to 22. The sit-in lasted three weeks and ended when the store manager said the sit-

MORIAL from Page 24 her memoir, “Witness to Change,” my mother, Sybil Haydel Morial, described the humiliation of Clara, a woman she had tutored: “That mean man was so ugly to me. He told me I wasn’t smart enough to vote. I know I had the right identification, I read the Preamble [to the Constitution] without any mistakes and I passed that citizenship test. My age in years, months and days was right, because you helped me figure it out. Mrs. Morial, will I ever be able to vote?”

But far more than these onerous literacy tests, it was the threat of violence that kept Black people from voting. “If economic pressure proved insufficient, the Ku Klux Klan was ready with violence and mayhem. Cross-burnings.

Night riders. Beatings. Rapes. Church bombings. Arson of businesses and homes. Murder and mob lynchings, drive-by shootings and sniper assassinations,” according to the Civil Rights Movement Archive.

John Lewis knew he was taking his life in his hands, not just that day on

WILLIAMS from Page 24 identified principles that they consider “right” and worked fervently to achieve that state of “rightness.” Each of them understood that certain privileges were universal entitlements granted by God and that those privileges could not be abridged by any human determination or pronouncement.

They were men of humility. Absent from their personas was the display of

in was costing too much money.

In 1960, a young Jesse Jackson led a protest at the segregated Greenville, South Carolina, library, when he was told he could not check out a book he needed for his undergraduate research. The Greenville Eight, including Jackson, were arrested for disorderly conduct when they visited the library, browsed, and refused to leave.

After the arrests, the City Council voted to close both the white and the dilapidated one-room colored library.

The libraries reopened about two months later, available to all citizens.

Like Lewis, Jackson has dedicated his life fighting for civil rights and economic justice.

In celebrating John Lewis and his remarkable life, we also honor other young civil rights activists who risked their lives to take a stand. They made a difference in the struggle for justice.

And just as we celebrate them, we must also celebrate today’s young ac-

tivists, those in the Black Lives Matter movement who have mobilized young people to protest police brutality, the myth of white supremacy, and economic injustice.

As I think of John Lewis, his remarkable courage, and the leadership he offered at every stage of his life, I also reflect on the much-discussed generational conflict in the African American community. This conflict is, in some ways, inevitable. In other ways, it is unnecessary. Black folks of every age want the same thing — social and economic justice. And depending on our age, we approach the struggle differently. Some will put their lives on the line; some will march, others will boycott racist companies and write checks. Some of every age will do nothing. Those of us who are elders must embrace youth leadership in the spirit of John Lewis, Ernie Green, Jesse Jackson and others.

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the Edmund Pettis Bridge, but every day he spent working to register Black voters. But, he told an interviewer in 2015, “We didn’t have a choice. I think we had been tracked down by what I call the spirit of history, and we couldn’t — we couldn’t turn back. We had to go forward. We became like trees planted by the rivers of water.

We were anchored. And I thought we would die. I first thought we would be arrested and go to jail, but I thought it was a real possibility that some of us would die on that bridge.”

John Lewis paid for the Voting Rights Act with his own blood. The Supreme Court made a mockery of his sacrifice when it gutted the Act, saying the country had changed and states no longer needed federal oversight to protect Black voters from discrimination. States across the nation wasted no time in showing the Court how wrong it was, enacting a torrent of racially motivated voter suppression laws. Shelby v. Holder, a blatant violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, will live in infamy among the Court’s most grievous

mistakes, along with Plessy v. Ferguson, Williams v. Mississippi and Dred Scott v. Sandford.

In December, Lewis presided over the House of Representatives as it passed the Voting Rights Advancement Act, to repair the damage of Shelby. The Senate’s continued refusal to pass the bill would be an insult to Lewis’ memory.

In his words, “We must confront the fact that there are forces in our society that want to reverse that democratic legacy. They do not want to be subject to the will of the people, but prefer a society where the wealthy have a greater say in the future of America than their numbers would dictate. They want to eliminate checks and balances and pave a route to a freewheeling environment for corporations to make money, even at the expense of the least and most vulnerable among us. All we have to do is say no to this tyranny and begin to stand up and speak out for the heritage of equality and justice most Americans believe in.”

WI

bravado or arrogance. They pursued their respective goals with quiet assurance and dedication.

They were men of tenacity and endurance. Under physical and emotional threat, each of these men persevered with tireless endurance. When others withered and faded, these men could be counted on to continue the fight.

Laudatory and critical assessments of these men will continue to

be made. Critics may dispute their effectiveness in the achievement of their stated goals, but what cannot be disputed is the empty space they leave. Their immediate presence will be missed by all who knew them or knew of them. Others will continue to enjoy the benefits of their achievements. Said solemnly, succinctly and with great admiration and respect, they will be missed!

WI

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ELLIS from Page 25 ing health conditions are six times more likely to end up in the hospital and 12 times more likely to die if they contract COVID-19 than otherwise healthy people.

As reported by CBS News, “African Americans are more likely to work in jobs that can expose them to the virus, less likely to be able to take time off from work and more likely to be the sole breadwinner for their family. Such factors, a legacy of the country’s long history of racism and segregation, compounds the higher incidence of underlying health conditions among Blacks that make COVID-19 deadlier for Black, Latino and Native people.

Further risks come from the fact that African Americans are less likely than people working in the general workforce to work in the sorts of jobs that allow the option of working from home.”

Lost during all the frenzy around this pandemic is the fact that the social determinants of health at play during this pandemic are an exacerbating factor for African Americans. A 2017 study in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that for African Americans, just moving out of racially segregated neighborhoods, with its associated

ASKIA from Page 25 knee during the national anthem before games was “disrespectful” and that folks doing so should “get the hell out of this country.”

The kneeling protest was begun several seasons ago by champion quarterback Colin Kaepernick to call attention to police brutality committed wantonly against Black people in this country.

Meanwhile, almost every day, otherwise intelligent White men and women — professionals, stock brokers, attorneys and realtors, not your so-called “deplorables,” Karens and Kens — are getting unhinged, drawing guns, ranting, refusing to wear protective face masks during the worst health crisis in 100 years, just because, I believe, they perceive Black folks to somehow be beneficiaries of their otherwise cautious behavior. Too bad.

Now, while neither #45, nor Cotton, nor Ditka, nor Karen nor Ken would ever knowingly be on my BFF list, I don’t hate them. I’d never proclaim that I believe in free speech, and then seek to block

social determinants of health, was linked to a drop in blood pressure!

Do you understand how critical this situation is?

Like it or not, we will be going back and forth with some form of “shelter in place vs. reopening” for some time to come.

We see clearly, the testing for our communities are not anywhere close to being a priority in the eyes of officials; there has been no effort to ensure that African Americans are included in the clinical trials, especially considering what we know about the impact of the social determinants of health on drug efficacy in respective populations.

One of the biggest challenges awaiting us in this regard is the question of who gets the vaccine first. Will the conscience of this nation lead it to the acknowledge that there are upwards of 40 million Americans who are at increased risk of every danger this virus poses? Higher risk of infection, higher rates of hospitalization and death, and should we be fortunate to survive, we are expected to recover in communities with decimated primary care systems that are not capable of providing the care so badly needed by a population fraught with “preexisting”

Now, while neither #45, nor Cotton, nor Ditka, nor Karen nor Ken would ever knowingly be on my BFF list, I don’t hate them. one of them from exercising their freedom to speak. What kind of hypocrite would that make me if I did? You see a “democracy” such as this country boasts itself to be, exists with the consent of the governed.

So just because His Nibs steals the 2020 election, or refuses to vacate the office after he’s defeated, it doesn’t matter. I can always withhold my consent. I’m not going to commit treason as Robert E. Lee

conditions that result in numerous complications, and a tougher road to recovery.

We must be extremely vigilant in how practice the necessary precautions and safety measures to protect ourselves. We’ve been shown that we can’t rely on press briefings, nightly news or Facebook to make decisions. We have to use our sound judgment and use our collective voices to advocate and demand equitable protection and care, as citizens, as we all go through this pandemic.

I close with the powerful statement from Alan Elbaum in his essay, “Black Lives in a Pandemic: Implications of Systemic Injustice for End‐of‐Life Care”: “What are the ethical implications of racial health disparities when it comes to end‐of‐life care? Is there such a thing as a ‘good’ or ‘dignified’ death when African Americans are dying not merely of COVID‐19 but of structural racism?”

Don’t shoot the messenger … I just deliver the facts … as is.

Remember, I’m not a doctor. I just sound like one!

Take good care of yourself and live the best life possible! WI and former Mississippi Sen. Jefferson Davis did, leaders of the Confederate rebellion did, and raise up arms against my government.

I’m not going to blaspheme my colleagues just because I have the bully pulpit and don’t dig where they’re coming from. But I’m certainly not going to go along with them when they ask for volunteers to help them defeat some foreign enemy. Let their children volunteer to fight. No Iranian ayatollah ever called me a “nigger” or athletes who look like me “sons of bitches.”

These guys can be in charge and make all the rules, just as they’ve done over Black folks for more than 400 years — just like it says of Pharaoh in the Bible. But there’s no way they’re going to force me or my progeny back into slavery.

They are going to need my enthusiastic support before I ever bow and scrape to them to get the Freedom, Justice and Equality they’ve denied to my people for centuries. And their conduct does not deserve my support.

WI

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