The Washington Informer - June 27, 2024 by The Washington Informer

The Collins Council Report: The Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Support Act

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

The D.C. Council officially wrapped up the 2024 budget season with its unanimous approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Support Act on June 25. This milestone didn’t come without some discussion around hot-button issues that

COUNCIL Page 26

BREAKING

5 Eugene Daniels, 35, will serve over 700 journalists as the first openly queer Black president of the White House Correspondents’ Association (Courtesy Photo/ WHCA, National Press Foundation)

IN JOURNALISM

White House Correspondents’ Association to Instate Eugene Daniels as President

By Ashleigh Fields WI Contributing Writer

A son of a soldier, former Division I college athlete and storied journalist will now lead the prestigious White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) as president. Eugene Daniels, co-author of the daily Politico Playbook, is preparing to embark on a new and exciting journey at the helm of the White House Press Corps later this month.

DANIELS Page 34

Nalle Elementary’s Field in

Jeopardy During Modernization Process

DCPS Officials Acknowledge Lack of Community Engagement

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

For more than a decade, community members at J.C. Nalle Elementary School have waited patiently for the full modernization of a school building that, among other things, lacked a unified HVAC system and periodically reeked of fuel.

Though Nalle, and at least two other Ward 7 schools, are up in the queue, the impending modernization has highlighted other pressing issues concerning what some community members call D.C. Public Schools (DCPS)’

lack of stakeholder engagement during the process.

“Nalle should’ve been engaged first, in spite of whatever school community needed to use the space,” said Caprice Casson, president of the parent-teacher organization at Nalle as she spoke about a recent meeting in the school’s auditorium that left more than 150 students, parents, teachers and residents shocked, and even angry. “The bigger issue came from DCPS wanting to take the entire field,” she added.

During that June 11 meeting, DCPS officials revealed that the en-

5 D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and a bevy of community leaders recently broke ground on what will eventually become townhomes, affordable senior housing, and retail space at Skyland Town Center, an urban development project more than two decades in the making. Almost two years ago, Lidl opened as part of a previous phase in the development. (WI File Photo)

Third Phase of Skyland Town Center Development Represents a Vision Fulfilled

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), along with a bevy of government officials, community members, and developers, recently broke ground on what will

eventually become townhomes, affordable senior housing, and retail space at Skyland Town Center.

The June 20 groundbreaking represents the third, and final, phase of an urban development project more than two decades

Celebrating 59 years. Your credible and trusted source for Black news and information.

SKYLAND Page 15

BARRIERS

5Students from J.C. Nalle Elementary at the April 2023 Emancipation Day Parade. Nalle has been waiting patiently for a full modernization of a school building that, among other things, lacked a unified HVAC system. (WI File Photo)

NALLE Page 34

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Michael Jackson’s Legacy: 15 Years After His Death, His Influence Continues

Michael Jackson’s rise to fame began early. He was the seventh of nine children. Born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, Jackson joined his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon to form The Jackson Five, a group that quickly rose to stardom.

Jackson’s solo career, launched in the 1970s, reached unprecedented heights with the release of “Thriller” in 1982. The album became the best-selling of all time, with over 21 million copies sold in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide, cementing Jackson’s place as a global icon.

However, Jackson’s life was not without its challenges. His eccentricities, including his high-pitched voice, numerous plastic surgeries, friendships with children, and a pet chimpanzee, earned him the nickname “Wacko Jacko.” In 1993, he faced his first public child molestation allegations, which he vehemently denied. Although a jury acquitted him of all charges in a high-profile 2005

trial, the allegations severely damaged his reputation.

Jackson died of an overdose of the sedative propofol on June 25, 2009. He was 50, and a stunned world couldn’t conceive losing the biggest pop music entertainer ever to grace the planet. At the time of his death, he was rehearsing for a series of London concerts aimed at reviving a career shattered by allegations, wild spending habits, and strange bedfellows.

A Los Angeles court sentenced Dr. Conrad Murray, who was Michael Jackson’s personal doctor at the time of the singer’s death in 2009, to four years in prison for involuntary manslaughter in 2011.

A U.S. tax court judge noted in 2021 that Jackson had “earned not a penny from his image and likeness in 2006, 2007, or 2008,” highlighting the lasting impact of these allegations.

Baseball Legend Willie Mays Dies at 93

Willie Mays, the iconic Hall of Famer often hailed as the greatest player in baseball history, has died at 93. The news broke during a Mets and Rangers game in Arlington, evoking emotional tributes from the baseball community.

“He was the greatest I had ever seen on the field,” said Keith Hernandez, a New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals legend, tearfully during the broadcast.

Hernandez, who now serves as a color commentator for the Mets, reflected on Mays’ remarkable skills.

“Willie would play a shallow centerfield, making it all the more amazing how he’d catch fly balls against the wall,” added Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen. “He was the greatest ever to play.”

Just a day prior, it was announced that Mays would not attend a special game honoring him and the Negro Leagues. Scheduled for Thursday, June 20, at Rickwood Field, the game features the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals. Mays, who began his career with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues, had shared his plans to enjoy the event from home.

“I’m not able to get to Birmingham this year but will follow the game back here in the Bay Area,” he told the San Francis-

Biden Slams Trump’s Dangerous Policies, Defends Social Security and Medicare Obama Voices Strong Support for Biden

Recently, President Joe Biden emphasized his unwavering commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare reflected on severe cuts proposed by former U.S. head of state and current Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

“I’m reaching out to you today not just as a former president but as a fellow citizen who’s deeply invested in our country’s future,” Biden declared. “Trump wants to cut Social Security and Medicare. I will stop anyone who tries to cut these essential programs.”

Trump’s stance on entitlements has been unambiguous. When asked if he had changed his outlook on handling Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid due to rising debt, Trump responded, “So first of all, there is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting.”

Previously, Trump remarked, “Oh, we’ll be cutting.”

James Singer, spokesperson for the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign, sharply criticized Trump’s intentions.

“Trump’s record is clear: Every single year he was in the White House, he proposed cutting Social Security and Medicare, and he has said he will target them for cutting if reelected. Seniors can trust Joe Biden, who will never cut Social Security and Medicare.”

Former President Barack Obama also voiced strong support for Biden’s re-election.

“When I think back to the day Joe was elected president, I remember feeling a profound sense of hope, pride, and a great amount of relief,” Obama said in a statement. “He’s dedicated his first term as president to rebuilding and healing our nation and working to strengthen our democracy. But the journey doesn’t end there.”

For most, the upcoming election remains pivotal. Biden’s campaign continues its pledge to stand firm as a defender of crucial social programs and a leader committed to equity and justice for all Americans. WI

Extreme Heat Grips Washington, D.C., and Much of the U.S.

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The U.S. has been enduring a severe heat wave, with Washington, D.C. experiencing its highest temperature since 2012.On Saturday, June 22, the capital hit 100 degrees for the first time in over a decade, just one-degree shy of the record for the date, according to the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Baltimore-Washington office.

Maryland also broke a daily high temperature record, reaching 101 degrees in Baltimore, prompting the Maryland Zoo to adopt creative methods to keep its animals cool.

The heat wave has triggered an air quality health advisory for New York City and its surrounding areas. Over the weekend, pollution levels in New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley exceeded an Air Quality Index of 100. Newark’s Mayor Ras J. Baraka issued a code red warning as temperatures reached the high 90s.

According to the NWS, from the East Coast to the Southern Plains and much of the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin, and California, temperatures ranged from the mid-90s to the low 100s. Heat advisories remain in effect for more than 100 million people, with the heat wave expected to continue across the eastern U.S.

“These temperatures remain the most anomalous and dangerous for

MAYS from Page 4

co Chronicle earlier in the week. “My heart will be with all of you who are honoring the Negro League ballplayers, who should always be remembered, including all my teammates on the Black Barons.”

Mays’ career spanned from 1951 to 1972 with the Giants, where he won a World Series in 1954, was a 24-time All-Star, and was a two-time National League MVP. Among many other accomplishments, his 660 home runs and 12 Gold Gloves highlight his legendary status.

The home run total came despite having taken a two-year hiatus from baseball to serve in the military and having played in the three toughest

early summer over portions of the Midwest/Ohio Valley east to the Mid-Atlantic,” the NWS stated. “Heat-related advisories and warnings are in place as humidity will bring heat index values as high as the mid-100s.”

The heat index reflects how temperatures feel to the human body when humidity is factored in.

On Sunday, the heat began moving southward, bringing relief to the Midwest and Ohio Valley but continuing to scorch the Mid-Atlantic region.

Meanwhile, southern and western New England have experienced storms, and historic flooding has hit Iowa. A levee broke in Rock Valley, leading to an evacuation order as the city lost power and water. Spencer, Iowa, faced similar issues, with its sewer plant flooding and residents being urged to conserve water.

High temperatures in western and central states were expected to cool slightly. The Central and Northern High Plains and Central to Southern California will continue to experience intense heat. The Desert Southwest faced monsoon-like conditions, which brought some relief while maintaining hot temperatures.

The NWS Los Angeles office warned residents of the ongoing heat and advised practicing heat safety measures such as staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, and never leaving chil-

stadiums to hit home runs -- The Polo Grounds, Candlestick Park, and Shea Stadium.

Major League Baseball, the city of Birmingham, and the Friends of Rickwood nonprofit group have collaborated to renovate Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the United States, to honor Mays and the Negro Leagues.

Mays will be celebrated throughout the week’s festivities. “My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones,” Mays’ son, Michael Mays, announced. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his life’s blood.”

dren or pets in parked cars. Meanwhile, in the District, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office emphasized the importance of limiting outdoor activities, particularly for vulnerable populations like older adults and those with health conditions. The mayor highlighted the rapid onset of heat stroke, urging residents to recognize symptoms such as dry red skin, convulsions, throbbing headaches, disorientation, chills, delirium, and coma.

Health officials warned that extreme heat also impacts mental health, increasing irritability, symptoms of depression, and aggression. People with existing mental health conditions and those on certain medications are at higher risk. The District mobilized additional outreach teams and deployed cooling buses and centers across the city to help residents cope.

Residents are encouraged to stay cool, check on vulnerable neighbors, and call the shelter hotline for assistance with transportation to cooling centers. The last time D.C. saw temperatures exceed 100°F was

August 15, 2016. Since 2000, such extreme heat has been rare, occurring just 25 times, mainly during the summers of 2010–2012.

“The hot daytime temperatures over several days, when combined with very warm low temperatures and humid conditions, is raising the risk of heat illness,” National Weather Service officials warned. “Heat illness is a serious concern. Please take necessary precautions to be ready for the upcoming heat.” WI

5A young child eats a melting ice cream cone on a hot summer day. (Computer Generated Photo)

AROUND THE REGION

JUNE 27

1872 – Paul Laurence Dunbar, famed American poet, novelist and playwright of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is born in Dayton, Ohio.

1890 – Canadian boxer George Dixon beats Nunc Wallace and is recognized as world bantamweight champion, the first Black world boxing champion in any weight class.

1939 – African American inventor Frederick Jones is issued patent for ticket-dispensing machine.

1991 – Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the court, announces his retirement.

2007 – Jamaican-born pilot Barrington Irving lands at the Opa-Locka Airport in Miami after 95 days of travel, becoming the first Black person — and the youngest person ever at the time — to fly around the world solo.

JUNE

1864 – Malcolm X announces the formation of the Organization of Afro-American Unity, six weeks after returning from his pilgrimage to Mecca.

1971 – Supreme Court overturns draft evasion conviction of boxing great Muhammad Ali

JUNE 29

1941 – Political activist Stokely Carmichael, also known as Kwame Ture, a key figure in the civil rights movement in the 1960s, is born in Trinidad and Tobago.

JUNE 30

1847 – Dred Scott, a slave in Missouri, loses a lawsuit for the freedom of his family in the St. Louis Circuit Court. Scott unsuccessfully argued that his temporary

JUNE 27 - JULY 3 , 2024

SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

residence in a free territory should have made him a free man.

1917 – Grammy-winning singer/actress Lena Horne is born in Brooklyn, New York.

1960 – The Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly known as Zaire, gains its independence from Belgium.

1966 – Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson is born in Brooklyn, New York.

1967 – Maj. Robert H. Lawrence Jr. is chosen as the first African American for NASA's astronaut training program. He was killed during a training flight on Dec. 8, 1967.

JULY 1

1899 – Thomas Dorsey, the "father of gospel music," is born in Villa Rica, Georgia.

1942 – Gospel music star Andrae Crouch is born in San Francisco.

1991 – President George H. W. Bush nominates Clarence Thomas for the Supreme Court to replace the retiring Thurgood Marshall.

1893 – Walter Francis White, famed civil rights activist and longtime leader of the NAACP, is born in Atlanta.

JULY 2

1908 – Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to ever serve on the Supreme Court, is born in Baltimore. 1925 – Medgar Evers, civil rights activist, is born in Decatur, Mississippi.

1943 – Tuskegee Airman Charles Hall becomes the first African American pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft in World War II.

1964 - The Civil Rights Act, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin, is signed into law.

JULY 3

1950 – "The Hazel Scott Show," the first U.S. network television series to be hosted by an African American woman, premieres.

1956 – Television talk show host Montel Williams is born in Baltimore.

MIKE TYSON

LENA HORNE

BY SARAFINA WRIGHT

B. HUGHES / WINSTON SALEM, N.C.

MARCUS STURGIS / WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill, J. Cole’s Forest Hills Drive and 4 Your Eyez Only, and Tupac’s Me Against the World.

Born Sinner by J. Cole, Jay-Z’s The Black Album, and Me Against the World by Tupac.

CORY SCOTT / WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Black Album by Jay-Z!

MARCO LAINE / MIAMI, FLA. Flesh of My Flesh Blood of My Blood by

KAREEM HILL / BROOKLYN, N.Y.

Ready To Die by the one and only Notorious B.I.G.!

AROUND THE REGION

Mayor Bowser, Chief Smith Unveil Drone Technology Some Community Members Critical of Engagement around Program

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

Despite concerns about infringements on civil liberties, the Bowser administration spent much of this year advancing comprehensive public safety legislation and developing tools to enhance the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)’s response to crime.

In the latest chapter of that saga, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith announced the launch of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program.

“A quick deployable eye in the sky will ensure safety for all,” Smith said on June 24 during the unveiling of the drone technology at a location across the street from Audi Field in Southwest. “Specially trained officers may leverage this for search warrants and situations that reduce confrontation or provide critical information when officers are entering particular areas.”

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This program makes MPD one of more than 1,500 police departments across the country that use drone technology.

On Monday, Smith told reporters that the five drones currently under MPD possession won’t be used as first responders, for facial recognition, nor with weapons capabilities. They will instead support the retrieval of missing persons, reconstruction of major traffic scenes,

and crowd management at largescale gatherings.

They will also be used for tactical and situational purposes, such as barricades, Smith added.

Smith went on to emphasize that she engaged community members, including those living in Wards 7 and 8, over the last few weeks about the drone program.

The most recent meeting, she told The Informer, took place at the Office of Unified Communications (OUC) headquarters on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in Southeast on the evening of June 20.

“People are excited about utilizing technology. The public wants us to drive down crime,” Smith said. “It won’t be in the air but for designated reasons… In our policy, there are accountability measures. There's a checklist to make sure every aspect can be addressed. Accidents have to be documented.”

As outlined on MPD’s site, accountability measures include preflight checks, post-flight debriefings and documentation of operational activities.

UAS’ launch comes just months after MPD unveiled the Real-Time Crime Center, a physical space from which MPD personnel analyze data from CCTV cameras and

emergency calls to improve crime prevention efforts.

Bowser administration officials credited these tools, among other initiatives, with the 27% year-todate decrease in violent crime, as recorded by MPD.

The drones also accompany the purchase of a new Air Support Unit helicopter that, along with the drones, will send high-resolution images to the Real-Time Crime Center. While the new Falcon 1 helicopter can enter restricted airspace within seconds of contacting federal authorities, those areas -- which include the White House, U.S. Capitol, and U.S. Naval Observatory -- remain part of a No Drones Zone, as mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Each of the five drones cost between $15,000 and $16,000. Nearly 20 certified drone operators have gone through an internal 40-hour MPD training that aligns with the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Fiscal Year 2025 budget allocations will go toward “civilianizing” some of the drone operator positions, what MPD officials call efforts to better leverage its resourc-

DRONES Page 9

5MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith (pictured) and Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the MPD’s drone program to support the work of the Real-Time Crime Center. (WI File Photo/Roy Lewis)

DRONES from Page 8

es. Other investments during that fiscal year include 200 new CCTV cameras and 47 additional license plate readers.

An MPD spokesperson said that Smith met with advisory neighborhood commissioners, citizens advisory councils, Community Engagement Academy alumni and other stakeholders in the days leading up to the launch of the drone program.

DRONE DISCUSSIONS:

MUCH OF THE COMMUNITY

SEEKS CLARITY

In the coming weeks, MPD precinct commanders will make the rounds at community meetings to further promote the UAS program. Community members are also encouraged to reach out to MPD with questions.

Karen Gaal, an alumna of the Community Engagement Academy, said that she and other academy alumni met with Smith on June 20. She’s scheduled to meet with Smith, once again, on June 27 in her capacity as the Third District Community Advisory Council chairperson.

As Gaal recalled, the majority of the alumni who participated in a focus group supported the drone program after a robust discussion about the positive and potentially negative aspects of its implementation.

The dialogue, she said, touched on various scenarios, like the January 6, 2021 attack of the U.S. Capitol.

Gaal also pointed out that participants explored the possibility of civil liberties violations and asked about whether residents would be able to access drone footage, akin to what’s recorded on police bodyworn cameras.

“There was a considerable amount of input provided to Chief Smith,” Gaal said, commending the police chief for her insistence on engaging the community. “She took notes and was open to suggestions. When I said it was a well-rounded discussion where we looked at all sides, that actually did occur.”

An MPD official speaking on background said that drone footage wouldn’t be subject to the same

rule as police body-worn camera footage.

While the Ward 8 advisory neighborhood chairpersons who met with Metropolitan Police Chief Smith on June 20 learned about the drone technology program, the announcement, as one chairperson said, left much to be desired.

“The drone information was literally dropped at the end,” said the Rev. Wendy Hamilton, chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8D, which includes the Bellevue neighborhood. “It was kind of random and we didn’t have time to digest it.”

Hamilton counted among the less-than-a-dozen elected officials who attended the meeting at OUC.

The meeting, months in the making, was originally meant for Ward 8 advisory neighborhood commission chairs.

While a last-minute change opened the meeting to all Ward 8 commissioners, many weren’t given advanced notice, Hamilton said.

For more than an hour, Smith spoke to the commissioners about the reduction in crime and engaged them in discussion about their concerns. When it came to the dialogue about drones, Hamilton said she questioned whether MPD had data available from other jurisdictions about the tool’s effectiveness in combating crime.

As she recounted to The Informer, she had no idea at the time that MPD already had plans in motion for the drones.

“If Chief Smith had already decided on it, she should’ve just told us that,” Hamilton said. “If constituents ask us questions, and I don’t have the full information, it puts us at a disadvantage.”

Like Hamilton, ANC 8A Chair Jamila White said she wanted more information about the specifics of the drone program.

“I don’t understand how it’s going to work and what it’s specifically capturing,” White told The Informer. “It helps the community to understand [that] and see some data [about] how it’s worked in other communities. Are the drones looking for crime? Are they going to be concentrated on certain apartment complexes? There’s a lot of questions.”

White, whose constituency includes Downtown Anacostia, entered OUC headquarters on June

AROUND THE REGION

20 eager to relay residents’ concerns about police accountability, and how to bolster officer community engagement.

With months having passed by since the passage of the Secure D.C. Omnibus Amendment Act, White also said she wanted to convey frustrations about crime happening in front of police officers.

With another meeting in the works, White expressed her desire to dive deeper into the underlying causes of crime.

“There are things happening with agencies that you could fix to a certain extent but we want to hear how you’re going to fix it,” White said. “We didn't really expect to go deeper given the time allotted. We realized what happened in terms of some of the commissioners not getting the message. We could organize another meeting in the next two weeks and that might be an opportunity to go deeper.” WI

@SamPKCollins

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5Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner 8A Chair Jamila White said she wanted more information about the specifics of the drone program. (WI File Photo)

AROUND THE REGION

“Hope

Officer T. Collington, Jamie Tyler of Love and Marriage DC, and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy and members of her team. The state’s attorney hand Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy (third from right) and members of her team at the

Violence

Prevention Initiative in Forestville, Maryland. The event

attorney safe

summer. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)

AROUND THE REGION

Inaugural RAMMYS Honors Celebrate Legends and Leaders, Highlights Resilience

By Micha Green WI Contributing Writers

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s (RAMW) first-ever RAMMYS Honors highlighted the restaurant industry’s resilience, beauty and strength. Held at the Watergate Hotel on June 18, this inaugural event was more than a time to distribute awards, but a special moment to listen to the change makers working to advance the District’s restaurant scene overall.

“This event is a testament to the talent, hard work, and passion that define the Washington, D.C. restaurant scene,” Shawn Townsend, RAMW president and CEO, said in a statement.

The honors featured scrumptious finger foods, an open bar, craft offerings, and the dynamic hosting style of political strategist, author and co-host of MSNBC’s “The Weekend” Symone Sanders Townsend, who is married to the current RAMW president. The ceremony celebrated six RAMMYS Honorary Milestone Award recipients; Kathy E. Hollinger, former RAMW president and current CEO of Greater Washington Partnership, who received the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award; and Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, which won the Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year.

Honored for their significant number of years serving the DMV area, the Milestone Award Winners included: The Dubliner (50 years), Black’s Bar and Kitchen (25 years), Equinox on 19th (25 years), KAZ Sushi Bistro (25 years), Marcel’s (25 years), and Passage to India (25 years).

“We are proud to honor the six RAMMYS Milestone Award recipients whose remarkable achievements and enduring commitment have enriched our culinary community,” Townsend noted.

As each honoree accepted their award, there was a common theme of all of the trials each restaurateur had overcome to get to that point.

“I just want to say congratulations to all the recipients. It shows an amount of fortitude that very few people can grasp, because to stay relevant in this business, and stay strong in this business for that length of time is a tes-

5Award recipient and restaurateur Jeff Black and Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) President and CEO Shawn Townsend at RAMW’s inaugural RAMMYS Honors on June 18. (Courtesy Photo/Kalorama Photography)

tament to the people,” said Jeff Black of Black’s Bar and Kitchen and Black Restaurant Group.

Black emphasized the people who helped his business thrive.

“You don’t get to this point on your own. You don’t get to the top of the hill by fighting, you get lifted to the top. And you get lifted to the top by the people who work for you,” he explained. “So this is for everyone who works for me.”

UP-CLOSE WITH HOLLINGER, SURVIVING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

For many of the awardees, the RAMMYS Honors was a moment to not only celebrate, but get real about the issues they have overcome, continue to face, and hope to see addressed.

Sanders Townsend, hosted an engaging conversation with Hollinger about her road to RAMW, her work with the organization, and what she’s been up to since she’s left.

The relationship between Hollinger and the Townsends goes back. Hollinger, as former RAMW president, would regularly call Townsend, during the pandemic, as he then served as the District’s Nightlife Mayor.

“I joked about you calling the house during the pandemic. I was like ‘Seriously. What does Kathy do,’” Sanders Townsend, told the crowd. “It was during that time that I really understood, and got to know you even better, and just how dedicated you are.”

Hollinger revealed one of the hardest days she faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I did have a restaurateur who showed up at my front door in tears, and was devastated that they were absolutely losing everything. They were looking to me for answers and I had no answers. So that was the hardest day,” Hollinger recalled

She applauded the restaurant industry insiders and allies who have helped Washington area food and beverage establishments continue to thrive post the pandemic.

Through her work at Greater Washington Partnership, Hollinger continues to advocate for local businesses.

“There is a lot of work that’s done to consider how to grow a region inclusively, competitively, economically,” Hollinger explained. “I had a very different transition, but it’s really just flipping a script. It’s looking from a different lens, with incredible leaders in this region, who are really committed to industries like food service to ensure we grow.”

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Prince George’s County Local Updates

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

NEW APPRENTICESHIP, BUSINESS MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS LAUNCHED

Employ Prince George’s announced on June 11 it is planning to partner with local businesses, both big and small, including Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Heritage Care Inc., to provide apprenticeship opportunities for Prince Georgians. Each business that hires a Prince George’s County resident as an apprentice can receive up to $5,000 from an Employ Prince George’s incentive grant.

"Apprenticeships are a great tool to support businesses interested in creating employment opportunities while also creating earn and learn opportunities for job seekers looking to launch

their careers while earning a livable wage doing so,” said Employ Prince George’s President and CEO Walter Simmons in a press release announcing the new apprenticeship opportunities.

“Partnering with a large and influential employer such as WMATA should help attract other employers to join the apprenticeship community."

The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation launched a mentorship program called Grow Prince George’s to help small businesses get to the next level of success.

“This is actually an umbrella of a program to help our small businesses and minority business community with development: how to do a website, HR, manage your taxes, and leadership development,” said David Ianucci, president and CEO of the organization, during an interview.

Some of the other sessions they host include an AI training and teaching the benefits of franchising national brands.

“It’s been a successful program and we’re happy to celebrate it,”

5 Employ Prince George’s is planning to partner with local businesses to offer apprenticeships for Prince George’s County residents. Some of their placements will be with WMATA and in the healthcare sector.

(Anthony

Tilghman/The

Washington Informer)

Ianucci explained.

Employers interested in creating apprenticeship programs or hiring apprentices can connect via email at AIP@employPG. org. Job seekers seeking training or employment opportunities through registered apprenticeships may also contact AIP@ employPG.org or visit a Prince George's County American Job Center." WI

NORTH BRENTWOOD CELEBRATES A CENTURY, MOURNS DEATH OF LONGTIME MAYOR

North Brentwood, a town founded with an all-Black population in 1924, just celebrated the town’s 100th anniversary on June 12.

North Brentwood was originally built on plots of land that Black veterans of the Civil War purchased from their commander, Captain Wallace Bartlett, starting in 1887. The town

County Council Prepares to Set Date for Pending Special Election

Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

Prosecutors announced charges of theft, embezzlement, and perjury against former Prince George’s County Councilmember Mel Franklin on June 20, a move that comes after the longtime lawmaker resigned effective June 15.

The Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor alleges that Franklin used over $125,000 in campaign funds from 2020 to 2023 to cover personal

PICKUP INTRODUCED, BULKY TRASH PICKUP EXPANDED

Prince George’s residents will now have additional waste collection services available to pick up curbside trash beginning on July 1. Now, four items can be picked up for curbside bulk trash pickup and monthly appointments for electronics and scrap pickup can be scheduled on the third Monday of every month and will begin July 15.

debts, loans, rent, and other personal expenses after transferring funds from the account, and that he falsified his campaign reports during this time period.

The County Council is planning to set the date for the special election to replace Franklin by June 26. According to county rules, the special election should be held no less than 45 and no more than 60 days after the resignation. No candidates, as of yet, have publicly announced their interest in the seat. WI

grew over the following decades and in April of 1924, a bill passed the Maryland General Assembly to incorporate the town. When founded, North Brentwood had no white voters and 100 years later, the small town of 600 remains majority-Black.

“We celebrate every year because we have a deep, rich history here: first with African Americans who settled here, and what we have today is a livable community,” said North Brentwood Mayor Petrella Robinson in an interview with WTOP. “So we celebrate our ancestors. We celebrate 100 years of incorporation.” Robinson has served as Mayor since 2007.

North Brentwood was an entertainment destination during the era of segregation, as Sis’ Tavern often hosted jazz musicians who visited the town after leaving D.C. Duke Ellington and Pearl Bailey were two musicians who made stops in North Brentwood.

Despite celebration, many mourned the passing of longtime Mayor Lillian Kelsey Beverly, who died at the age of 95 on the morning of June 12.

On June 28, the First Baptist Church of North Brentwood will host a 10 a.m. viewing and an 11 a.m. service for the community to honor

“During her tenure, Mayor Beverly championed numerous initiatives to preserve the history and promote the beauty of this historically Black enclave nestled between two major cities,” Councilmember Evan Dame wrote in a statement. “She was a friend, mentor, and confidant to many of us. Her unwavering tenacity and invaluable wisdom touched the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.” WI

CURBSIDE SCRAP METAL AND ELECTRONICS

“We are excited to introduce these new Clear the Curb collection services demonstrating our continued commitment to providing value-added services to residents receiving County-contracted trash and recycling collection,” said Department of the Environment Director Andrea Crooms. “These long-term investments help reduce waste, increase recycling, protect our environment, and maintain a cleaner and greener county.”

For more information on these services, visit mypgc.us/clearthecurb or contact PGC311

NAKIA WRIGHT PUBLISHES FIRST BOOK

Nakia Wright, first lady of The Gathering at Forestville and special assistant to Maryland State Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, recently published her first book, "The Promise Is Still Intact,” based on her experience of running for political office and, in spite of the outcome, choosing to remain focused and involved.

“I aimed to place solutions in the world to remind people that, no matter how things appear or what seems lost, the promise remains intact. Through my book I wanted to be living proof that goals do not have to change, just the way you get there,” she said in an interview with The Informer. “The format is 21 days of me talking to myself and letting you listen: the conversations I had in victory, defeat, disappointment, and joy. My goal is to remind people that just because life does not go as planned, it does not mean it is over. Keep going. This literary work is a tool to help you persevere.”

She plans for this book to be part of a series, with the next books ideally focusing on business and entrepreneurship, marriage, raising children, and recovery.

For more information or to purchase the book visit amazon.com.

5 On June 14, Councilmember Mel Franklin (D- At Large) announced his decision to resign from the County Council. The vacancy will be filled via special election. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

5 Nakia Wright, who works as the Special Assistant to Treasurer Dereck Davis and serves as the First Lady of The Gathering, recently penned her first book on how to set and achieve goals and bounce back with grace from unsuccessful endeavors. (Courtesy Photo/Nakia R. Wright)

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

In Historic Move Gov. Wes Moore Issues Over 175,000 Marijuana Pardons

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

In a historic move on June 17, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced over 175,000 pardons for nonviolent cannabis arrests.

More than 150,000 pardons were for possession and another 18,000 were for possession of paraphernalia. Maryland is the first state to take such action to pardon paraphernalia convictions.

About 23% of the pardons are for Baltimore City residents and another 12% are for Prince Georgians.

“Just yesterday, we – again –made history right here in the Annapolis State House. I’ve issued an executive order pardoning certain Maryland convictions related to the simple possession of cannabis,

including convictions for misdemeanor possession of cannabis and convictions for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia,” read a statement posted by the Office of the Governor.

The governor noted that the historic action “impacts hundreds of thousands of Marylanders… from all economic backgrounds.”

“It is the largest state pardon in the history of this country, and a critical first step in addressing the racial wealth gap. There is still much more work to be done, and we're looking forward to getting that work done in partnership with legislators, advocates, and most importantly, you,” Moore noted.

However, these pardons are not expungements and will list the prior convictions as pardoned on

a judicial record. An existing law, called the “unit rule,” makes mass expungements rather difficult. Instead, expungements are generally handled on a case by case basis that can be difficult for average Marylanders to complete.

“Expungements are still necessary,” said cannabis activist and former Laurel Councilman Martin Mitchell. “However, it's up to the courts to expunge records, and not everyone will be eligible. Under Maryland law, people in violation of probation are not permitted to seek expungement.”

Heather Warnken, executive director for the University of Baltimore School of Law’s Center for Criminal Justice Reform, noted misdemeanor convictions can “create enormous barriers to opportunities,” as felony convictions.

“The collateral consequences of a conviction on someone’s life, it’s almost immeasurable … from employment to housing to education, public benefits, professional licensure, the list goes on.”

Warnken said that she hopes Moore is serious when promising that this move is only phase one of

his efforts toward justice.

“We’re hoping that the Moore administration continues pushing forward in both their unique exercise of executive clemency power, but also work with us out in the field who are addressing it from different angles.” WI

By Anthony Tilghman and Richard Elliott WI Photographer and WI Contributing Writer

Keith Sydnor’s 2023 election as Laurel’s first Black mayor was an im-

Visit mypgc.us/clearthecurb

Curbside electronics recycling and scrap metal pickups are available every third Monday of the month, by appointment only.

Increase of curbside bulky trash items from two (2) to four (4) on weekly collection day.

Collection day changes for some residents. Visit bit.ly/PGCcollectiondaylookup to verify day of service.

5 Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced over 175,000 pardons for nonviolent cannabis arrests on June 17. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

BUSINESS

By James Wright / WI Staff Writer

HAGGINS CONTINUES

FAMILY’S FLORAL TRADITION

Family small businesses are a hallmark of the District’s business landscape and Flowers by Alexes, based in the Northwest neighborhood of Petworth, is an example.

Flowers by Alexes is owned by Alexes Haggins, the daughter of Bernard Haggins, who served as a delivery driver for Colony Florist in the 1960s before buying the business when the original owner retired. Bernard moved Colony Florist to the 800 block of Upshur Street NW and changed the name to what it is today because of the birth of his daughter, Alexes.

“I worked in the store with my dad, like the rest of my family,”

briefs

said Haggins, 42. “We also helped him with other projects like selling fireworks.”

When Bernard died in 2004, Alexes tried to run the business but ultimately had to shutter. She decided to reopen in 2022 after people complimented her skills in putting together flower arrangements for special events.

“I knew how to make arrangements and after getting feedback from people, I decided that this might be a good time to restart the business,” she said.

Flowers by Alexes is located on Upshur Street a half-block away from the busy Georgia Avenue corridor. The business offers fresh flowers and plants for sale from Tuesday through Saturday.

Products can be picked up or delivered. People can choose from

what is offered through the store and have bouquets made immediately.

Haggins said she sells her products on occasions such as weddings, funerals, birthdays, and graduations.

“Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are like the Super Bowl in the floral retail industry,” she said. “Those are our biggest days.”

However, Haggins has made Father’s Day a focus also.

“Men like flowers too,” she said. “Men buy flowers for their wives or female friends. I have also found that men want them to. I believe we should give fathers their flowers.”

Haggins said she wants to “take the business to the next level” by focusing on data analytics and making plans to open a second location. She credited Eldridge Allen, who works with small businesses at the Greater Washington Urban League, as being a mentor in advising her on business strategies and operations.

Haggins received the District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s Retailer of the Year Award at the 2024 DC Small Business Summit and Expo on April 30. The award was presented to her by the leaders of the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development.

“I was really shocked that I received the award and pleased,” she said. “When I saw the email, I was so emotional. I just picked up where my father left off. I know my father is smiling down on me, making the family proud.” WI

BUSINESS SUMMIT POSTPONED

The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce Business and Economics Summit that was scheduled for June 28 has been postponed to August 7.

No reason was stated for the postponement. Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman was set to deliver opening remarks on June 28.

The summit will be held at the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction, located at 5830 University Research Court, College Park, Maryland from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

developed.

For more information, visit pgcoc.org. WI

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONTEST WINNERS

Global entrepreneurship education nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) has named four local student businesses as the winners of the annual Capital Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge.

The young entrepreneurs distinguished themselves through innovative business ideas, which they will present at the national finals in New York on Oct. 10 to compete for the national champion title and cash prizes.

First place went to Atman Patel from Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore with his business idea Story Crafter, which makes custom digital books about the customer, aiming to ignite a love of reading in all children. Patel received $1,500.

Second place went to Keith Harris from KIPP DC College Preparatory School with his business idea Tactful Tutors, which empowers students to unlock their full potential by providing the tools and knowledge to foster and develop confidence, critical thinking, and academic excellence. Harris received $1,000.

Runner-up was Noah Blackston from Oxon Hill High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland, with his business idea Table Top Pizza, a unique, interactive, and memorable dining experience where customers can customize their own pizzas according to their preferences. Blackston received $250.

Johns Williams was a runner-up from Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore, with his business idea Earbud Buddy, a tool made to extract earwax out of earbuds. Williams got $250.

The summit provides a platform for professionals from various sectors to exchange knowledge, foster collaborations, and drive innovation. With a diverse range of panel discussions on economic development, artificial intelligence, public safety, and procurement, networks can be expanded by participants and a sense of community can be

“I was blown away by the caliber of student finalists this year,” said Meg Stewart, NFTE Capital Region Executive Director. “These students showcase how an original idea, with support and training, can be turned into a full-fledged business pitch. That’s what NFTE is all about, igniting a spark and giving students the tools to own their future.” WI @JamesWrightJr10

3Alexes Haggins stands outside of her business, Flowers by Alexes. (Courtesy Photo/Alexes Haggins)

Democratic Nominee Alsobrooks Holds State of The Economy Address

Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

With more than 400 people in attendance, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks delivered the annual State of the Economy address on June 13. She offered credit and gratitude to the group of

SKYLAND from Page 1

-- and six mayors -- in the making.

Previous phases brought the District’s first Lidl’s grocery store along with 263 housing units, 79 of which are affordable. Residents of Hillcrest in Ward 7 have worked alongside Rappaport Development, WC Smith, the East Washington Foundation, Harrison Development and release estate developer Merrick Malone in tracking the progress of the project and ensuring that it reflects their desires for the community.

“Developers get a bad rap but Rappaport has been a tremendous partner throughout this whole project,” said Earl Wiliams, a longtime Hillcrest resident and chair of the Skyland Center Taskforce.

On June 20, Williams, a taskforce member of a decade, counted among several community members who attended the Phase 3 groundbreaking. For years, the taskforce facilitated discussions about zoning, amenities, housing affordability and how best to maintain the character of the community. Other parties that were involved in the conversations included Advisory Neighborhood Commission 7B and surrounding civic associations.

“Skyland went from being a strip mall, to fixing and tearing it up, to us putting housing on the project. To have two [Lidl’s and Safeway] of the three grocery stores [east of the Anacostia River] in Hillcrest is something else.” Williams said as he acknowledged Bowser and D.C. Councilmember Vincent C. Gray (D-Ward 7) as key engineers in the project. “ It’s been a labor of love. Rappaport knew that the Hillcrest community wanted a project that reflected the community, which is really middle income.”

The groundbreaking took place just days after the Bowser administration celebrated the opening of The

elected officials, business owners, and other community leaders that she called “Team Prince George’s” for the successes including transit-oriented development, new school buildings, and a growth in locally owned small businesses.

Prince George’s County led the state of Maryland in both overall job

Westerly, a mixed-use development in Southwest, and the Reservoir Park Recreation Center, located in Northwest on the site of the former McMillan Sand Filtration Site.

The District committed a total of $40 million to the development of Skyland Town Center. In 2014, the D.C. Council approved that allocation through tax increment financing, a process by which the project would be paid for with sales tax and property tax revenue.

To date, the District has raised $25 million out of the $40 million in that manner.

In April, as plans for Phase 3 of the Skyland Town Center development were underway, the council approved legislation that would secure the remaining $15 million, not through TIF, but a transfer of capital funds allocated for the Benning Road Station development project.

Nina Albert, D.C. deputy mayor for planning and economic development, said relatively weak economic projections, and an insistence that Skyland Town Center gets completed and within budget, compelled the change in the funding source.

Albert, who worked in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) early in her career, said she counted this project among her priorities since returning to DMPED as deputy mayor last fall.

“I was interested in progress at Skyland and the developers approached me and I spoke with the team,” Albert said. “We had an interest in making sure the final phase got delivered. I’m really proud that we’re able to do that under this mayor’s watch. I know the community has been impatient and desirous.” WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com. @SamPKCollins

growth and Black business development last year, and financial agencies maintained the County’s coveted AAA bond rating status in early June.

“Prince George’s County is the single best place to live and work, the best place to raise a family, and the best place to start a business in the national capital region,” Alsobrooks, who is also Maryland’s Democratic nominee for the U.S. senate, said. “And I do know that it’s our time.”

She was especially thankful for the group effort that has led to the FBI selecting Greenbelt as its next headquarters, and also gave praise to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) for jumpstarting the Purple Line project. She noted that Moore’s predecessor and Republican senatorial nominee Larry Hogan deliberately slowed down and undermined the Purple Line project during his tenure in office.

Event attendees, including County Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D-

District 5), M.H. “Jim” Estepp, president of the Greater Prince George’s County Business Roundtable and David Ianucci, Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation president and CEO, praised Alsobrooks for her leadership.

“This is the most expensive economic development project in

the history of the United States of America,” said Ianucci, speaking of the FBI site selection. “It will literally change the economy of Prince George’s County. And the equity issue was the game changer. County Executive Alsobrooks showed everyone the difference between diversity and equity.”

5Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks delivered the annual State of the Economy address on June 13. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

NATIONAL

NNPA 2024 Convention in Baltimore Breaks New Ground

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) concluded its 2024 annual summer convention on Saturday, June 22, leaving its mark on Baltimore and making history as the first trade association with a presidential campaign as an event sponsor. The Biden-Harris campaign also announced a groundbreaking seven-figure advertising and sponsorship deal with the NNPA, which

represents 250 Black-owned newspapers and media companies comprising the Black Press of America.

“In August of last year, our campaign announced the earliest and largest investment into Black media for any reelection campaign in history,” said Jasmine Harris, the director of national Black media for Biden-Harris 2024. “This partnership with the NNPA is a continuation of those efforts and will strengthen our work in meeting Black voters where they are, to underscore the stakes of this elec-

tion for Black America. President Biden and Vice President Harris are responsible for creating millions of new jobs for Black workers and record low Black unemployment. Black America has far too much to lose this election.”

In a letter to publishers, Vice President Harris emphasized that the NNPA has remained steadfast in its commitment to supporting Black publishers.

“Your work helps ensure that communities gain critical knowledge and have access to accurate information on the pertinent issues impacting our country,” Harris asserted. “As you know, the freedom of the press is essential to our democracy. I commend the efforts of the NNPA as you continue to be trusted voices of your communities and tell stories that too often go untold.”

NNPA Chairman Bobby R. Henry Sr., declared that “It is extremely important to show support of the business side of the Black Press owned by Black business leaders. Verbal support is good, but financial support is better.”

5U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (front center) accepting an award for his service from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), presented by NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis and the Delta Association’s Chairman Bobby Henry Sr. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

The 2024 convention began with unveiling the “Marylanders Cry Freedom, Civil Rights at Home and Abroad” exhibit at Baltimore City Hall, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of Maryland’s divestment from South Africa’s apartheid regime in 1984.

The unveiling featured remarks from Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Democratic Maryland Rep. Kweisi Mfume, Chavis, Henry, AFRO Publisher Dr. Toni Draper, and other dignitaries. Distinguished guests included U.S. Black Chambers President Ron Busby Sr. and Dr. Camille Ragin of Fox Chase Cancer Center.

The convention offered a series of insightful panels and discussions.

A GenZ panel on voter issues featured journalist Ashleigh Fields, University of Maryland student journalist Savannah Grooms, North Carolina A&T student journalist Melvin Harris Jr., Huffington Post Senior Front Page Editor Philip Lewis, community organizer Brielle Morton, who works with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and Elijah Pittman, an Afro-diasporic-centered journalist from Howard University and Cap-

ital Reporting Fellow at Maryland Matters.

Additional panels, hosted by Wells Fargo, Google News Initiative, General Motors, Pfizer, and Reynolds, aligned with the convention’s theme, “Empowering the Black Press, Communities, Families, and Voter Turnout.”

During the NNPA Fund’s Merit Awards, Baltimore Times Publisher Joy Bramble was honored as Publisher of the Year. The St. Louis American led with 12 awards, including first place in the Armstrong Ellington Entertainment category and the Robert L. Vann Layout & Design Award. Real Times Media publications, the Michigan Chronicle, and the New Pittsburgh Courier collectively garnered eight awards. The Michigan Chronicle won five awards, while the New Pittsburgh Courier earned three.

The Atlanta Voice received six awards for journalistic excellence, including the Emory O. Jackson Award for health coverage and the Ada S. Franklin Award for fashion. The Sacramento Observer, whose publisher Larry Lee won the 2023

NNPA 2024 from Page 16

Publisher of the Year award, also secured six awards. Other recognized publications included The Washington Informer, Texas Metro News, Houston Forward Times, Houston Defender, Insight News, Minneapolis Spokesman-Recorder, Los Angeles Sentinel, New York Amsterdam News, and Seattle Medium.

The NNPA’s daily digital show, “Let It Be Known,” was celebrated with the Black Press of America’s “Black Excellence in Media” award.

The NNPA National Legacy Awards, always among convention highlights, honored Mary-

“In August of last year, our campaign announced the earliest and largest investment into Black media for any reelection campaign in history,” said Jasmine Harris, Black Media Director for Biden-Harris 2024.

land Democratic U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume on Friday, June 21.

Led by producer Greer Marshall, “Let It Be Known” presented the show’s inaugural “Future Goes Viral” award to Erica P. Loewe, an assistant to the president and chief of staff of the White House Office of Public Engagement, and photographer Mel D. Cole for their courageous and unrelenting determination during and since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Philadelphia Tribune Publisher Robert Bogle and Defender Network CEO Sonny Messiah Jiles were also presented with the “Future Goes Viral,” award for their tireless advocacy as publishers of Black-owned newspapers and media companies.

The conference formally closed with a celebratory and informative cruise. With singing, dancing and impromptu performances, the cruise also served as an educational resource, as Regi Taylor of The Baltimore Times presented “From Shackles to Ownership: A Reflection of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.”

“Gratitude is owed to our sponsors, speakers, awardees, and organizers for their unwavering support in making this event possible,”

Henry stated. “Together, let’s harness this moment to inspire, learn, and collaborate, shaping a brighter future for all through the NNPA and its Black-owned media companies.” WI

5Jasmine Harris, Director of Black Media for the Biden-Harris Campaign 2024, at the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s 2024 gala during the annual convention, which occurred in Baltimore June 19-22. (Courtesy Photo/NNPA, Mark Maloney)

How the 50-30-20 Rule Can Help You on Your Journey to Financial Success

Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Having a plan for your money is crucial to building a solid financial foundation. If you’re just getting started on your financial journey, the 50-30-20 rule can help you spend and save your money wisely. By distributing your dollars into three main categories or buckets: needs, wants and savings, the idea is to limit fixed expenses (or needs) to 50% of your after-tax income and discretionary expenses (or wants) to 30%, leaving 20% for savings.

The 50-30-20 rule isn’t a requirement but can be a great starting point to help you take control of your finances, plan your spending and progress towards your financial goals.

50: WHAT ARE YOUR NEEDS?

In this bucket, half of your funds go toward paying expenses you can’t avoid. We all need food, housing and healthcare, and other needs could include transportation, clothing and utilities. Reg-

ular debt payments, like monthly credit card minimums and loan payments, would also be considered a need because you have a deadline to pay them each month. What makes something a “need” versus a “want” depends on your lifestyle. Transportation is typically considered a need, but the type of transportation you select might vary depending on where you live. Having a vehicle may be a legitimate need to get to work and earn money to pay bills, but consider whether you need a luxury car, or if something less expensive would work. We also need food and clothing, but funds spent on these two categories can flow into the “wants” bucket depending on your choices, such as dining out versus cooking at home or wearing designer gear versus department store basics.

30: WHAT DO YOU WANT?

Everyone should be able to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, and maybe a few extravagant ones as well. Put aside 30% of your funds for these “wants,” which can include entertainment, cable/streaming

services, dining out, fitness memberships, travel, hobbies, personal care beyond the basics and a cell phone beyond the basic plan. Overspending can be common in this category since it’s fun to spend money on things we enjoy. Take time to prioritize your most important wants and desires and cut back if you find your spending here going over 30%.

20: SAVE FOR THE FUTURE

This category is all about what you want to do with the money in the future. Do you want to travel the world? Retire early? Help your

children pay for college? Once your essential needs and more immediate wants are handled, you can put the rest of your funds — 20% — toward achieving your long-term goals.

If you want to pay off debt more quickly, beyond making your ongoing required payments, you can use money from this bucket to help speed up your plan as well.

REFILLING YOUR BUCKETS

Once you’ve given this rule a try for a few months, you might notice your spending and savings habits fall well outside of the 5030-20 guideline. That’s when it’s time to make some tradeoffs. Be honest about whether the items you’re putting in the needs category are vital to your life or if you could classify some or all those expenses as a want. It’s OK to spend more on housing if having a more expensive place is important to you; it just means you spend less on a car to balance things out.

If your wants are way beyond 30%, consider scaling back and contributing more to saving for long-term goals. In the same vein,

if you don’t have 20% leftover after spending on needs and wants, consider making some adjustments in your other buckets so you have enough for savings.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER

The 50-30-20 rule can help you allocate your money to needs, wants and savings and offer insights into where you may need to cut back. Use it to help you on your journey to financial success.

For more saving tips, visit chase. com/personal/financial-goals.

For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any individual. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy.

We’re proud to support the people, businesses and neighborhoods of Greater D.C. for over 50 years. Together, we’re creating a stronger, more inclusive economy for generations to come.

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n Color Copies

n Contracts & Vouchers

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Access to Finance Rwanda Launches Finscope 2024

Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) on June 20 launched the fifth Finscope Survey which revealed access trends and changes in financial inclusion in Rwanda over the past four years, The New Times, Rwanda’s largest daily newspaper, reported on Sunday, June 23.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), and the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), AFR unveiled the findings of the Finscope 2024 under the theme “Financial Inclusion in Rwanda: From Access to Usage and Benefits.”

The launch brought together stakeholders from the financial sector, including financial service providers, nonbank financial institutions, Fintechs, mobile network operators, policymakers and regulators, the private sector, researchers and academia, and development partners.

According to Jean Bosco Iyacu, the CEO of Access to Finance Rwanda, the 2024 Rwanda Finscope report is noteworthy since it is the first survey undertaken following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic shocks over the last four years.

“It actually provides great insights into how these shocks have changed the access and utilization of financial services and how financial sector actors have responded to the pressure,” he remarked. “For instance, FinScope consumer surveys in recent years have been motivated by the need to create trustworthy information or evidence to support policy actions by financial sector providers in their efforts to broaden the breadth and depth of Rwanda's financial ecosystem, but in 2024, the focus shifted from financial inclusion to inclusive finance.”

Iyacu also stated that the primary goal is to target and transform the livelihoods of Rwandans through the use of appropriate financial products and services. Findings from the latest survey show huge growth in formal financial inclusion from 77%, about 5.4 million people in 2020, to 92%, 7.5 million people in 2024, surpassing the 90% target set for 2024.

In Rwanda, one-third of adults (31%), or 2.5 million, use banking channels or services. Access to Finance Rwanda’s Head of Research and Information John Rwirahira who presented the latest study's results revealed that the use of digital financial services climbed from 30% (2.1 million) in 2020 to 73% (5.9 million) in 2024.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, emphasized the need for universal financial inclusion and access to financial services, saying they are key for strong economic development and ensuring that no one is left behind in the process. WI

Guyana is moving full speed ahead with monetizing its natural gasses and, already, the company, Fulcrum LNG Inc., is being considered as a possible partner to achieve this goal, President Dr. Irfaan Ali disclosed to reporters on Thursday, June 20, during a press conference at State House in Georgetown, his official residence, The Guyana Chronicle reported on Sunday, June 23.

The U.S.-based energy company was selected from among 17 proposals submitted.

“That company with the government of Guyana and Exxon as partners will now have to have discussions and we will now have to, together, arrive at a model and a plan as to how we’ll advance this major gas development in our country,” the president said.

For the government of Guyana, “the technical team has been assembled,” the president explained.

“We have identified a technical team to work with the stakeholders in coming up with the model and to negotiate an agreement and look at the viability – technically and financially – of the project,” he said.

Notably, the government has made it clear that it has a clear strategy for advancing investment in gas development and, earlier this year, the government launched the Request For Proposals (RFPs) for the designing, financing, construction and operation of the required gas infrastructure.

According to the RFP, the requirements include:

• The developer’s capability and credibility to execute such a project

• Clear written agreements among the parties, and if a consortium, evidence of consortium agreement for this project

• The site plan for the project

• A summarized and detailed project schedule

• The project costs

• The project structure diagram

• A business plan

• A list of legal agreements

• The proposed capital structure.

5Rwanda’s Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente delivers remarks while presiding over the launch of the Finscope Survey 2024 on June 20. (Courtesy Photo)

5Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali. (Courtesy Photo)

Celebrating Progress for District Seniors

Louis Davis, Jr. AARP DC State Director

It has been said that a budget is a set of priorities put in numbers. Show me your budget, and I’ll see what you value. For over 65 years, AARP has advocated in a non-partisan way for Americans 50 and older to have what they need to live their best life at any age, choosing where they want to live, and never being discriminated against because of their age, gender or financial status.

Earlier this year, we asked District residents to join us in calling on the Mayor and District Council to keep their promise of making DC an Age-Friendly City. And you made your voices heard! Hundreds of you sent emails demanding a stop to budget cuts for essential senior supports. Your efforts have paid off!

The District Council recently passed its FY2025 budget and with your assistance, AARP DC was able to help provide seniors with access to the services they need. From housing stability and financial assistance to keeping seniors connected, AARP DC worked hard to advance priority programs that support District seniors, achieving these victories:

• Retained funding for the Home Care Partners' Homemaker program, and preserving the program’s FY2024 funding levels in FY2025, which includes maintaining $2 million in DACL local funds and $350,000 in federal dollars.

• Restored $60,000 for VIDA Senior Services in FY25. VIDA Senior Services is the

only DACL funded program serving primarily Spanish speaking older adults from Mexico and 20 countries of Central and South America.

• Prevented $21 million cut to Access to Justice Grant. Worked alongside Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) in their efforts to lobby Chairman Mendelson and the Council to restore the Mayor’s proposed budget cuts of $21.211 million from the Access to Justice Grant in the OVSJG Budget. In addition, AARP DC fought for the inclusion of an additional $100,000 for LCE to hire a new Hotline Attorney and Social worker. This will help strengthen core services including social work access and legal representation to help keep seniors in their homes.

• Restored a $2.5 million cut to housing counseling and other HUD services. AARP DC advocated for the full restoration of the cuts to the federal the Department of Housing and Urban Development Block Grants for housing counseling and preservation. Housing preservation includes foreclosure representation, tenant advocacy, wealth preservation through life planning, and secur-

ing public and VA benefits. While the Council did not fully restore the funding, the Council restored $2.5M of the grant, which means increased support and resources to advance housing preservation for District residents.

• Fought against flat funding for senior transportation services that was proposed by the Mayor. This resulted in the Council enhancing the Connector Card program for seniors by $247,000 in FY25, which will work towards eliminating the existing backlogs and service gaps.

By adding your voice, you made sure the District Council and Mayor knew we were united in fighting for protecting seniors and the services they need to live and age as they choose. Rest assured, our efforts won’t stop here. We will continue to work to ensure the programs are implemented in a way that best serves District residents, their families and caregivers.

We're in Your Corner

People today can spend nearly half their lives over the age of 50. That’s a lot of living. So, it helps to have a wise friend and fierce defender like AARP in your community. Find us at aarp.org/dc

HEALTH

Men’s Health And The Concerning Disparities Among Black Men

By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Health Reporter

John Manirakiza, a local farmer in Prince George’s County, Maryland, was unsuspecting of any looming health issues as he tirelessly worked in his greenhouse amid a heat wave in July 2021. While routine doctor visits were not Manirakiza’s common practice as long as he felt up to par, the startling onset of a stroke amid his drive home became the clarion call to take control of his health.

“I would joke with a close friend of mine that in my prayers, I was asking for a breakthrough, but I didn’t necessarily expect for it to be this painful,” Manirakiza said as he recounted the moments that led to the cerebrovascular episode.

Toughing through a migraine in the scorching heat, Manirakiza pushed to finish his workload despite growing symptoms signaling a more serious issue. During his drive home from a long day's work, he was just two lights away from his house when

he developed blurred vision, quickly leading to the slip of his motor skills as he continuously missed the turn to his street.

It wasn’t long before he blacked out in the driver seat of his car, not yet realizing that he was having a stroke. While cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death across the United States, according

to the National Library of Medicine, “the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed hypertension among African American men (42.4%) greater than 20 years of age in the U.S. is among the highest in the world.”

The higher prevalence of CVD risk factors, and hypertension among African Americans, contributes to stark disparities in stroke, peripheral artery disease, and heart failure.

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Manirakazi, a former semi-professional soccer player who kept physically active and maintained a moderately balanced diet, was not the common candidate for CVD, as he did not drink or smoke, was a healthy weight, and was only 48 years old at the time. However, the almost fatal moment encouraged him to address pressing health concerns; namely his levels of stress and high blood pressure that led to that scary 2021 day.

WHAT LIES BENEATH HEART DISEASE

Having treated many Black men in the D.C. area, Dr. Quinn Capers, noted many Black men disregard their health due to stress, poor lifestyle habits, and lack of access to resources.

Capers emphasized the complexity of health disparities among Black men as a legacy of racism, particularly in housing segregation, which can lead to people residing in unhealthy parts of towns with restricted access to fresh fruits and vegetables, clean air and water, and green space.

“As a cardiologist, I'm always telling my patients, go for a 20 to 30 minute walk every day. Well, some of them, because of what was at one point legal racial segregation and

housing, they live in neighborhoods where they don't feel it's safe to go for a walk. There's no green space, the air is polluted, the water may be polluted,” Capers said. “I would point out particularly with minority communities, it's not just that people are making bad choices that impact their health and therefore they're dying earlier. There is the legacy of racism in minority communities where they don't have a choice. There is a societal issue, and we call some of these things, the social determinants of health that often are outside of an individual's control.”

UNLEARNING OLD HABITS

Almost three years after his stroke, Manirakiza prioritizes his peace of mind, strategically cutting stressors out of his life as much as possible and unlearning the social culture that does not encourage Black men to seek medical care.

He told The Informer he continues to visit different medical specialists to learn the impact of high blood pressure and underlying factors contributing to high stress, which he highlights as a newer lifestyle habit that did not always come naturally.

“If you grew up not seeing doctors or having access to healthcare on a regular basis, it becomes training to not see a doctor for routine checkups, but rather medical emergencies,” Manirakiza said. “A part of me was creating this impression that I am superman but I’m not, and breaking down this counter-stereotypic narrative has been an important step for me.”

5John Manirakiza, a local farmer in Prince George’s County, Maryland, learned the importance of regular health checkups and prioritizing mental health. (Courtesy Photo)

EARTH OUR

Everyone Wants Electric School Buses Now

Federal Government Spending $900 Million Updating Fleets, Move Could Benefit Black Communities

Black Communities

By Willy Blackmore Word in Black

This article was originally published online with Word In Black, a collaboration of the nation's leading Black news publishers (of which the Informer is a member).

By now, it’s a well-established pattern for environment-related announcements from the Biden Administration: when unveiling a new program that’s good for the climate overall, the news is often announced in a place where a lot of Black and/ or Latinx people live.

A few weeks ago, it was Jackson, Mississippi, where U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Michael Regan returned to hold a press conference to announce the investment of nearly $900 million to electricity school bus fleets in states across the country.

And while it is political theater to make announcements like this, especially in an election year when the

president is polling miserably, there’s this truth too: it is almost always the case that doing good things for the environment, things that will help everyone, will often help Black people the most.

Black communities tend to have closer proximity to major roads and other transportation infrastructure, exposing them to higher levels of fine particulate pollution that can cause a host of respiratory health problems, including asthma. And as we wrote when Chicago took steps to electrify its school bus fleet, where the buses are going to be deployed first in the city’s Black and brown communities, this overhaul of student transportation can have an even stronger effect when the new investment is specifically targeted to such neighborhoods.

“The NAACP recognizes this bold step on behalf of the EPA to ensure children from disadvantaged and excluded communities are prioritized with the air they breathe,” Abre’ Conner, the NAACP’s director of

environmental and climate justice, said in a release (the president of the NAACP was at the Jackson event).

“Now is the time to ensure Black youth are not left out of mass transit and clean air conversations. It is critical that we prioritize having clean school buses in Black school districts and it remains our hope that President Biden and Administrator Regan will center the needs of Black children in these additional environmental and transportation funding conversations.”

The Clean School Bus program was initially going to be a $500 million fund. But after the window to apply for the money, which will come in the form of rebates, closed last fall, the fund was nearly doubled due to the huge amount of interest from school districts. The funding

will help replace 3,400 older diesel school buses, which as heavy-duty vehicles, emit a significant amount of pollution.

The new buses will nearly all be electric (8% will be newer low-emission models). Nearly half of the projects are in “rural, low-income, or tribal communities,” according to the EPA, which also said that the in-

vestment meets the Biden Administration’s Justice40 requirements too. Jackson, for its part, could definitely use the cleaner air. In the latest State of the Air report from the American Lung Association the Mississippi city, which is more than 80% Black, was the 29th worst city for particle pollution in the country. WI

5U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator Michael Regan held a press conference to announce the investment of nearly $900 million to electricity school bus fleets in states across the country. (WI File Photo)

EDUCATION

lessons she learned at Trinity Washington University this past year.

Greenwood counted among a handful of school and clinical-based mental health practitioners who went through the Kaiser Permanente Practitioner Scholars Professional Development Program, a partnership between Kaiser Permanente and Trinity Washington University intended to equip mental health professionals with the tools needed to effectively serve marginalized youth, particularly those living in communities east of the Anacostia River.

“This program opened my eyes [and helped me] to understand what I needed to do to provide that communal space, grace, compassion, love and care,” Greenwood

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

Nardia Greenwood entered her role as a licensed mental health counselor at D.C. Jail during the pandemic. Young residents who are obtaining their education at the facility through Maya Angelou Academy at D.C. Depart-

ment of Corrections often met with her to address the trauma that led to their incarceration.

As she wraps up her third year at Maya Angelou Academy, Greenwood said she remains resolute to reach the population of young adults under her purview, many of whom are men between 18 and 24 years old.

She expressed plans to do so with

During the 2023-2024 academic year, Greenwood enrolled in courses that focused on expressive arts therapy and other techniques inspired by indigenous practices. She and other members of her cohort also fostered comradery as they talked about the mental toll of their work and learned self-care strategies.

Greenwood said the coursework, and wisdom she gleaned from her classmates, particularly about facilitating group sessions, helped her to better

(Courtesy Photo)

establish a rapport with the residents at D.C. Jail.

“This wasn’t cookie cutter or something you can take out the DSM 5 [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition] for,”

said Greenwood, a licensed mental health counselor of five years. “We talked about real situations. We were talking about disparities and speaking about these truths. It was something

that really…made me want to do more work to address it.”

A PROGRAM INSPIRED BY UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES

Since its inception in 2021, 23

5 Nardia Greenwood, a licensed mental health counselor at Maya Angelou Academy at D.C. Department of Corrections.

5 Dr. Cynthia R. Greer, an associate professor of counseling at Trinity Washington University and facilitator of the Kaiser Permanente Practitioner Scholars Development Program. (Courtesy Photo)

school and clinical-based mental health practitioners have gone through the Kaiser Permanente Practitioner Scholars Development Program.

An award to Trinity Washington University by Kaiser Permanente will allow for another cohort of school and clinical-based mental health professionals. This fall, new program participants will take one course per semester and receive post-program professional development that helps them maintain their professional certification or licensure.

“We provide the…model where you’re not only learning together, but you’re talking about your experiences together,” said Dr. Cynthia R. Greer, an associate professor of counseling at Trinity Washington University and facilitator of the Kaiser Permanente Practitioner Scholars Development Program.

Greer told The Informer that the program came out of a relationship that Trinity Washington University and Kaiser Permanente established in the aftermath of Relisha Rudd’s disappearance.

From 2016 up until the pandemic, Trinity Washington University hosted speakers and collaborated with The Playtime Project.

They did so in recognition of the school-based mental health professional who inquired about Relisha’s absences, which sparked the years-long investigation into her disappearance.

The Playtime Project, formerly known as The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project, once provided extracurricular activities for children at D.C.

General Hospital, where Relisha and her family were living.

Relisha regularly participated in that program.

The launch of the pilot for the Kaiser Permanente Practitioner Scholars Development Program, Greer said, represented a concerted effort to help school counselors and other mental health professionals recognize and address signs of racialized and generational trauma while learning to take care of themselves.

Counselors who go through the program often serve as mentors to those coming behind them, Greer said.

“Because you’re with people who are experiencing the same thing, you’re supporting each other as you learn how to deal with vicarious and secondary trauma and develop a self-care plan,” Greer said as she explained the significance of the Kaiser Permanente-Trinity Washington University collaboration.

Greer emphasized that the faculty facilitator serves as a mentor and guide for participants.

“The general public does not always recognize that the people providing mental health services are themselves experiencing secondary trauma or stress [because of] the number of the clients and their caseload,” Greer continued. “The professional development model that we created with Kaiser’s support provides support for school counselors and other mental health practitioners.”

By the time Rosette Ladson learned about the Kaiser Permanente Practitioner Scholars Development Program, she had vicarious knowledge of the long-term socioemotional effects of the pandemic.

Ladson told The Informer that many of her students lost parents and other family members to a bevy of health issues. As she recounted, getting those young people to even mention their parents became an uphill battle.

After securing a recommendation from her assistant principal, Ladson applied, and eventually got accepted, to the program. She said that experience challenged her as she attempted to balance time between home visits and evening classes. The best part, Ladson told The Informer, was her exposure to expressive art therapy, a modality through which young peo-

EDUCATION

ple pour their feelings on paper and eventually open up to others.

“You see the softer side of yourself as students evolve,” said Ladson, a practitioner for a decade who just wrapped up her sixth year at a District public school. “It’s a beautiful thing to observe. It increased my empathy. If practitioners are on the fence about the program, they should do it. This was a rich experience.”

A BLACK MALE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL WEIGHS IN

As the only Black man in his cohort, Azim Ross provided what his colleagues called a unique perspective.

However, as Ross tells it, he learned just as much from his female counterparts.

“I can have tunnel vision as a Black man and things get mundane,” said Ross, a licensed professional counselor who works in a Fairfax County, Virginia group home with adults.“It adds more flavor to see things differently, zoom out and see the wider lens. I see a diversified perspective. I get jewels and techniques I wouldn't have heard otherwise.”

Ross has spent 17 years in the clinical mental health field, a trajectory he said was inspired by his college psychology class. These days, he works with teenagers and young adults in Maryland and Virginia through his private practice, For The Good Therapeutic Services.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR PAY EQUITY FUND

At the very beginning of the 2024 budget season, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) issued a warning that Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, which she decimated in her budget proposal, wouldn’t be sustainable in the coming years if the council chooses to fund it.

The D.C. Council restored funding to the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, though not at its original levels. As the pay equity task force mulls how best to allocate those funds, the council approved a provision of

the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Support Act lowering the salary that childhood educators with bachelor’s degrees would receive through the fund.

As D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson (I-At large) explained, this change would likely stay in place until the fall, when the task force compiles its recommendations. She told her colleagues on Tuesday that Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee expressed a desire for fiscal predictability that couldn’t be ensured while the task force continued to meet.

“The chief financial officer felt uncomfortable with the amount of things we left to the task force,” Henderson said. “The council will come back in September to replace this language with something else. So the task force can make a different recommendation if this is something that they choose.”

SOME GLIMMER OF HOPE FOR HOUSING SECURITY

The Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Support Act includes a provision that no longer obligates the District to provide permanent supportive housing

as a means of meeting the long-term needs of homeless people and families. That help, according to the legislation, would stop upon a person’s exit from rapid rehousing.

Earlier this year, the Bowser administration circulated notices to rapid rehousing clients who've exceeded the timeline that they would soon have to exit the program. D.C. Councilmember Robert White (D-At large) said that efforts to reverse much of the mayor’s budget cuts and legislative changes proved unsuccessful.

White however pointed to an outcome in which his council committee, the Committee on Housing, secured housing vouchers for 3,000 of the 3,200 clients leaving rapid rehousing this year. He also mentioned a provision within the Budget Support Act that allows Bowser to shift policy based on cost savings that accumulate during Fiscal Year 2025.

Those extra funds, he said, could be found once a newly formed council office scours the budget for possible cost savings.

In recent weeks, Bowser, in response to Informer inquiries about housing instability, referred to programs within D.C. Department of Human Services

that unhoused residents could use in place of rapid rehousing. White said that those overtures wouldn’t suffice in the face of market forces that disadvantage working-class people.

“The administration usually talks about [the] Career Map [program] but it implies that people aren’t trying hard to find work that takes over their rental payments,” White told The Informer on Tuesday. “A lot of people in rapid rehousing are working but they don’t make enough. It’s a function of our economy. The cost of rent has gone up higher than incomes in the past decades.”

THE COUNCIL SETTLES THE SPORTS WAGERING DEBATE, AND COUNCILMEMBER MCDUFFIE SOLIDIFIES BABY BONDS FUNDING

As promised, D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (I-At large) circulated an amendment to the 2025 Budget Support Act that ensures that small business owners in contracts with vendors would always have kiosks, even in the event that a vendor fails to provide one, as mandated by

contract or law.

McDuffie said he worked on this amendment in collaboration with D.C. Councilmember Matt Frumin (D-Ward 3), the D.C. Council Budget Office and other entities. That work took place amid concerns by D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), an opponent of the budget amendment that opened the sports wagering ecosystem to all vendors, said that small businesses would be disadvantaged under these circumstances.

The D.C. Council ultimately approved McDuffie’s amendment 101-1-1. Parker ended up being the sole “no” vote, but not before evoking South Capitol Liquors and Ivy City Smokehouse as part of an effort to personalize the discussion. D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), a vocal critic of sports wager, voted present.

Starting Oct. 1, the funds from D.C.’s sports wagering program will fund the Child Trust Fund Program, popularly known as Baby Bonds. Babies born after October 1, 2021 to families meeting the income requirement for the program stand to benefit. Read more on washingtoninformer.com WI

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5The D.C. Council officially wrapped up the 2024 budget season with its unanimous approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Support Act on June 25. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

Seniors Often Isolated, Ignored Despite Being Society’s Most Precious Living Commodity

America has come a long way since declaring its independence from England and establishing a new country based on such lofty ideals as “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

But securing and living up to its initial promise of “justice for all” has not always been easy – and certainly not without pain and suffering, particularly for those fighting to cash the check written and signed by America’s Founding Fathers.

As freedom fights still occur, one population where prejudice continues is for older Americans.

When it comes to ageism, unlike racism or sexism, America still has a long way to go as we lag behind other leading countries on the planet.

In Japan, for example, citizens are revered for being older and wiser. In India, the elderly are cared for by their families, live in their children’s homes and are often acknowledged as the spokesperson for and head of the family. However, these ideals are not the custom in America.

A recent special produced by Scripps News assembled a seasoned group of business professionals who all agreed that the last acceptable form of prejudice in America is “age.” In fact, a poll conducted by AARP in January 2023 showed that 40% of Americans have experienced discrimination in the workplace.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor predicts that those 65 and older will soon represent the fastest growing group of Americans in the labor force. It’s unclear whether they will be working because they have to or because they want to. But experts say that working helps people remain healthier, maintain relationships and continue to feel a sense of usefulness.

On the other hand, those who are downsized, released or fired because of their age, have often lost their purpose in life and their identity – both of which they once enjoyed because of the job they held.

And, if you can believe it, by 2035, there will be more Americans 65 and over than those 18 and under for the first time in U.S. history.

Business leaders who examine the limits of human potential routinely suggest that age-diverse teams make better decisions. It makes sense because you have people with such a wide variety of experiences joining forces to solve or resolve a problem.

If that’s not enough, consider another fact that cannot be refuted: for the first time in U.S. history, the workforce is now composed of five generations.

Some workers may require a cane, longer breaks for lunch, chairs or desks that are easier on their backs – maybe even a larger computer screen with even larger fonts. But so what?

As older Americans continue to make up a larger and larger percentage of the population, we’d better make room for them in as many ways and in as many areas of society as possible.

We must not forget what the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) regularly declares: “a mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

The History Making First Presidential Debate of 2024

The first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle between President Joe Biden and former President Donald J. Trump on Thursday, June 27, hosted by CNN anchors Dana Bash and Jake Tapper in Atlanta, Georgia, should be considered history-making.

Third-party candidates Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Cornell West, Jill Stein, and Chase Oliver needed to meet the criteria for sharing the debate stage with Biden and Trump.

Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon participated in the first televised presidential debate on October 21, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois.

Presidential debates are important for Americans because they allow the Democratic and Republican nominees to stand side by side and present their visions,

I was happy to read about the Capital Book Fest and glad to see the organization is still going strong. Books and reading are never out of style and are more important to our children and community than ever.

Louise Shepard Washington, D.C.

personalities, and policies to the American people.

When Biden and Trump first walked onto the debate stage in Atlanta, American history was immediately made by both men in several areas:

First, this presidential debate is historic because it marked the first one not organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates. This bipartisan organization has managed debates for the White House since the 1988 presidential election. Second, the discussion made history as the earliest presidential debate ever held. All previous meetings of the Democratic and Republican nominees took place in September and October.

Third, it marked the first time a former President of the United States appeared in a debate as a convicted felon on any count, much less 34.

Fourth, no other current or former occupant of the White House has appeared at a presidential debate having been impeached twice by Congress, home having been raided by the FBI, accused of rape by at least twenty women, and facing 54 additional charges.

Fifth, President Biden is the first sitting occupant of the White House to have a child convicted of a crime while in office. Hunter Biden was recently convicted on three counts of firearm possession.

Lastly, Biden and Trump are the oldest presidential candidates to debate and seek to convince the American people to remain in or return to the White House. Biden

TO THE EDITOR

I really enjoyed the Things To Do DMV section. If I hadn’t seen it, I would’ve missed comedian Luenell being in town! Appreciate you all!

Tina Gueret Laurel, Md.

turned 81 on November 20, and Trump turned 78 on June 14.

Before the election of both men, President Ronald Reagan was the oldest to sit in the Oval Office. Reagan was 69 when elected.

Regardless of your party affiliation, American Democracy is at stake in the next election. So, watch and listen closely to each candidate because only one of these men will return to the West front steps of the U.S. Capitol next January 20 and take the oath of office.

On May 17, 1957, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in a speech on the National Mall, declared to a racist America, “Give us the ballot!” America responded, and on August 6, 1965, Dr. Kind stood behind President Lyndon B. Johnson as he signed the Voting Rights Act into law. Today, that same act has, in recent years, been weakened by the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress.

An educated voter is a smart one.

Regardless of who that man is, we will be significantly impacted, and America will never again be the same.

The next presidential debate on Sept. 10 should again be a must-watch television event for all District residents and Americans. After watching the two presidential debates and educating ourselves on where the candidates stand on the issues, we should vote on Nov. 5.

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

The Cost of the American Dream

homeowner — has been an increasing financial strain.

Regardless of race, income, or geography, every family needs and deserves a place to call home. It's a place not only for shelter from life's many storms; but also, where families come after school or work, celebrate birthdays or holidays — and all the activities that together turn a house into a home. But in recent years, the ability to have a home — as a renter or as a

In the worst circumstances are those who no longer have a place to call home. In 2023, a record 653,100 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January, up 70,600 people in a single year, according to The State of the Nation's Housing 2024, an annual report just published by Harvard's Joint Center on Housing Studies (JCHS). This figure includes an additional 22,800 people living outside or staying in places not intended for human habitation, push-

Jumped 47% Since 2020

ing the unsheltered population to an all-time high.

The report also documents that of the 22.4 million renters who pay over 30% of household income for housing, 12.1 million of these consumers pay more than half of their income on housing and utilities. And nationwide, renters with the lowest incomes have just $310 left over each month to cover all their non-housing needs.

"Rents have been rising faster than incomes for decades," says Alexander Hermann, a senior research associate at the Center. "However, the pan-

demic-era rent surge produced an unprecedented affordability crisis that continues."

More than half of Black (57%), Latino (54%), and multiracial (50%) renter households remain cost-burdened since 2022. As a rule, affordable housing should cost no more than 30% of household income.

Renters seeking to transition to homeownership face daunting financial challenges as well.

"Whether it's the high downpayment or the monthly mortgage payments, the costs of buying a home

Black Americans Are Embracing a New Era of Financial Inclusion

continue to create more opportunities for our historically underserved communities to participate in the financial system, including in the areas of banking and investing.

In a country where wealth disparities persist, financial inclusion is still the road that leads to equity. Black Americans have historically faced barriers to wealth generation and investment opportunities. Today, the tide is turning, and technology is paving the road to education, access, and empowerment. A myriad of new technologies

What is Financial Inclusion?

At its core, financial inclusion is a term of hope. It aims to ensure all individuals and communities, regardless of socio-economic background, have equitable access to affordable and reliable financial services to manage their finances, invest, save, and build wealth.

Guest Columnist

"Through nonviolence, courage displaces fear; love transforms hate. Acceptance dissipates prejudice; hope ends despair. Peace dominates war; faith reconciles doubt. Mutual regard cancels enmity. Justice for all overthrows injustice. The redemptive community supersedes systems of gross social immorality."

— Rev. James Lawson

History attributes the success of the civil rights movement of the mid-20th century to nonviolence. The stoicism and quiet dignity of the marchers, the Freedom Riders, the lunch counter sitters stood in stark contrast to the brutality of the segregationists. Scenes of the confrontation, beamed via television into America's living rooms and splashed across newspaper pages, shocked our collective conscience and galvanized support for the Civil Rights Act and Voting

For Black Americans, it represents a pathway to rectifying historical injustices and systemic barriers that have hindered economic progress for centuries. Financial inclusion is a prime facilitator of poverty reduction and a generator of financial stability for Black families to accumulate assets and create pathways to mobility.

Technology: A Great Equalizer Access to modern technology is not universal, and the digital di-

vide is a crucial example of how much we still need to achieve. But for many Black people throughout the country, technology provides an unprecedented opportunity to participate in the financial market. Here’s how:

• Access to Information: The internet provides a wealth of knowledge previously kept from marginalized groups at a lower cost only technology can produce. Now, those groups can educate themselves about personal finance, investment strategies, and

have left homeownership out of reach to all but the most advantaged households," says Daniel McCue, a JCHS senior research associate.

According to the report, a consumer purchasing a home with an affordable FHA loan that requires only a 3.5% down payment would incur a monthly payment of $3,096, and an annual income of at least $119,800, only one in seven (6.6 million) of the nation's 45 million renters can qualify for that mortgage payment.

CROWELL Page 49

wealth-building.

• Mobile Apps: Apps have transformed the way we connect with businesses and one another. Intuitive interfaces, quicker response times, and overall enhanced user experience make apps a powerful tool for us to do business.

• Financial Literacy: Educational resources are available to empower individuals to make informed financial decisions, whether through e-newsletters, podcasts, webinars,

Rights Act.

No one can claim more credit for that hard-won success than Rev. James Lawson, who passed away this month at the age of 95. He was a driving force behind most of the major civil rights action of the era, His seminars on nonviolence steeled young demonstrators against the inhuman violence they were to experience. He sought understanding and reconciliation with those who opposed him.

He also was a friend to the Ur-

ban League who frequently attended the Los Angeles affiliate's annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Gala.

Lawson's serene and disciplined courage is recounted in David Halberstam's book on the Nashville student movement, "The Children": " … he was enraged by Lawson's coolness and he spat at him. Lawson looked at him and asked him for a handkerchief. The man, stunned, reached in his pocket and handed Lawson a handker-

chief, and Lawson wiped the spit off himself as calmly as he could. Then he looked at the man's jacket and started talking to him. Did he have a motorcycle or a hot-rod car? A motorcycle was the answer. Jim asked a technical question or two and the young man started explaining what he had done to customize his bike … In that brief frightening moment Jim had managed to find a subject which they both shared and had used it

Rep. Jonathan Jackson

Marc H. Morial

Rev. James Lawson, an Unsung Hero of the Civil Rights Movement

Charlene Crowell

Guest Columnist

Guest Columnist

Erika Harrell

D.C. Council's FY '25 Budget a Step in the Right Direction, But Families Deserve More

A municipal budget reflects a city's values and priorities. In this light, despite some concerning provisions, the Council of the District of Columbia's passage of the city's fiscal year 2025 budget is a positive step for Ward 7 and 8 families and students.

The council had the challenging task of reconciling punitive public safety measures with restorative

and holistic solutions. While Mayor Muriel Bower's initial budget proposal focused heavily on funding the controversial Secure DC Act, the council listened to concerns from advocacy groups like ours and introduced amendments to address the Act's more contentious items impacting youth, like the Anti-Mask provision and truancy policies.

Notably, the council embraced a commitment to social determinants of health by nearly restoring the Community Schools grant

program, which the mayor's initial budget would have reduced to operating at fewer than 18 schools. Our polling data showed a strong desire among residents for more high-quality schools for our children in Wards 7 and 8. As a parent of two public school students, I know firsthand the value of Community Schools, which provide wraparound services to students and families, reducing chronic absenteeism and improving academic performance.

The revised budget also explores

innovative approaches to incentivizing parental behavior instead of penalizing families. The Parent Stipend Program provides a monthly stipend to eligible parents, ensuring their children can safely make it to school.

Funds were restored for school sports programs, recognizing their positive impact on reducing crime and reoffending. Investments were made in the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and Local Rent Supplement Program

The Good News in 2024: Poor People Are the New Swing Vote

If you're an ordinary American who goes to work to pay the bills or takes care of a loved one most days, it's easy to feel down when you see the headlines about the 2024 election. Donald J. Trump has been convicted of 34 felonies for falsifying business records to cover up hush money he paid to bury an alleged affair with a porn

star during the 2016 campaign, and the Republican Party continues to think he's their best candidate. At the same time, President Biden is struggling to hold together his Democratic base as images of devastation in Gaza continue to dominate the news. Stories of good news in politics seem few and far between.

But as a preacher, I learned a long time ago that you don't get to the good news by looking away from problems; the good news is most often found right in the

midst of trouble. Yes, politics is a mess in 2024. But, at the same time, several popular movements of everyday people struggling for economic justice have emerged that have the potential to reshape our politics. Against the backdrop of decades of rising inequality, low-wage worker movements have made huge strides since the pandemic, insisting that living wages are a moral issue for "essential workers" and seeing the largest increase in real wages in decades. Young people who've watched ed-

ucation and healthcare costs soar have come together to form effective coalitions for debt relief and won billions in loan forgiveness. Leveraging worker power, unions have waged effective strikes and negotiated new contracts while expanding to include new workers, especially in the South. Though they're rarely in the headlines, these movements made up of millions of low-income workers have the potential to reframe political debates for people who are weary of the status quo. The good news

— all wins for entry-school professionals and families in Wards 7 and 8.

However, the council axed funding for a new Interim Alternative Education Program, which would provide a safe and educational focus space for suspended students with behavioral issues — a concerning oversight. Suspended students will not have any structured environment during school hours — alarming with the passing of

in 2024 is that poor and working people are the new swing vote in U.S. politics.

A report from Lake Research Partners demonstrates just how powerful this untapped coalition of low-income voters could be. Looking back at the past three presidential elections, they found that in the seven states that will likely decide the 2024 election — Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada and

The Scorching Truth: Extreme Heat is a Wake-Up Call to Act on Climate Change

temperatures are just the tip of the (melting) iceberg.

Are you one of the more than 100 million Americans who live somewhere that was (or still is) under a heat advisory?

As I write these words, the mercury is soaring. The world is reeling from the deadly impact of extreme heat and weather events. This is climate change in action. We are living it. And the thermometer-busting

Jocelyn Richards of Manassas, Virginia, is currently staying in Maine to escape the summer heat in the South. She suffers from Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) from past exposure to mold. Heat is a major trigger for her due to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), a common component of CIRS.

Richards says, "Not only is the heat itself a major trigger, but heat releases VOCs [volatile organic compounds] from asphalt. It becomes

unbearable to even take a walk outside or run errands because it's so difficult to breathe from the VOCs in the air. Along with other MCAS symptoms triggered by the heat like tachycardia, high blood pressure, and dizziness, it can quickly turn into a medical emergency if I'm out in the extreme heat for even half an hour."

Richards is still looking for a permanent place to reside with mild temperatures and low levels of the environmental toxins that also trigger her illness. And stories like hers are increasingly common.

A host of illnesses are caused or dangerously exacerbated by extreme heat. Air quality is generally worse during periods of extreme heat.

Ground-level ozone — the main component in smog — presents one such threat. It is produced when pollutants, like those from burning fossil fuels, react with heat and sunlight. The stagnant, hot air during heat waves worsens ozone pollution.

The infamous 2022 summer heat wave in Europe is now thought to be responsible for up to 70,000 excess deaths, with ozone pollution play-

ing a big part. Julie Nicely, an atmospheric chemist at the University of Maryland who worked on a report on the 2022 heat wave, noted the mix of conditions created by such a heat wave "is very bad for the lungs and the cardiovascular system. It's just very unhealthy."

Then there is the smoke from wildfires. In addition to the destruction they cause, wildfires are making it harder for millions of Americans to breathe. It is a problem that is getting

HARRELL

Rev. William J. Barber II

Ben Jealous

Guest Columnist

LIFESTYLE

WASHINGTON INFORMER'S

Things To Do, DMV!

By Jada Ingleton WI Contributing Fellow

Check out a handful of the many events happening in the DMV this weekend.

Start with a celebration of standup comedy at the Fire Station 1 Restaurant & Bar, before tapping into the innovative world of improv with Friday night’s “What Had Happened Was.”

Enjoy the electric sounds of Renée Georges and Vince Evans as they pay tribute to R&B legends Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. Find inspiration in the beauty and culture of locs throughout the DMV, or explore the world of Pixar through a family-friendly game of mini-golf.

Looking to experience a live musical? Sunday welcomes a recurring production of “Funny Girl,” followed by an evening of fireflies lighting up the night at Fort C.F. Smith Park.

There’s always something happening in the DMV to keep your spirit-- and social life-- lit.

To keep up with all the fun, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar.

THURSDAY, JUNE 27

Comedy on Fire: A Standup Comedy Showcase

8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | $12.51

The Fire Station 1 Restaurant & Bar, 8131 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Presented by Encore Comedy, come see four of the DMV’s promising comics perform live in Silver Spring at the newly opened Fire Station 1 restaurant.

FRIDAY, JUNE 28

Renée Georges & Vince Evans: The Music of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway

7 p.m. - 10 p.m. | $20.00

Mr. Henry's Restaurant, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, D.C., 20003

The dynamic duo of vocalist Renée Georges and pianist Vince Evans reunite to honor the legendary singer and songwriter Roberta Flack. Come to Mr. Henry’s Restaurant for a captivating evening celebrating the life and music of Flack, featuring timeless hits such as “Tryin’ Times,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” and more, including the popular Fu-

gees cover of her grammy-winning song, “Killing Me Softly.”

The artists bring their unique blend of musical prowess and electrifying chemistry to the stage as they pay homage to both Flack and Donny Hathaway with unforgettable duets including “Where Is The Love,” “The Closer I Get to You,” and “Back Together Again.”

What Had Happened Was 7:30 p.m. | $15.00

Studio Theatre, 1501 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Ever wonder what “Friends” or “Full House” would be like with a dash of melanin? This is your chance to find out!

Directed by spouses Krystal and Samiyyah Ali, the improv production of “What Had Happened Was” will take classic sitcoms and reimagine it with a fresh perspective. So forget the reruns and join the only reboot that’s unscripted before it’s time to go into syndication!

SATURDAY, JUNE 29

Pixar Putt

Noon - 8 p.m. | $34.50

The Wharf, 580 Water Street SW, Washington, D.C., 20024

A wildly popular experience

for players of all ages has arrived at The Wharf just in time for the summer. This open air, pop-up mini-golf sensation is made up of interactive putt-putt holes inspired by the stories, characters, and icons from some of Pixar’s most beloved films including “Toy Story” (1995), “A Bug’s Life” (1998), “Monsters, Inc.” (2001), “Finding Nemo” (2003), “The Incredibles” (2004), “Cars” (2006), “Soul” (2020), and more.

The Pixar-themed mini-golf sensation is only in Washington, D.C. for limited summer engagement. Children tickets cost $32.00; Adult tickets cost $34.50.

When the sun goes down on Fridays and Saturdays, it's time for Pixar Putt After Dark. Tee times after 7 p.m. will be reserved for golfers 18+.

Afrobeats & Loc Hair Show: DMV Loc Meet Up

1 p.m.- 5 p.m. | $19.99

3001 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20001

Loc Meet Up brings a vibrant community together with locs for an event that embraces the beauty of their hair. The highlight of the day is the captivating hair show, featuring the expertise of top locticians from the area, showcasing the beauty and versatility of locs.

The event theme is Afrofuturism – African inspired fits with futuristic and/or modern elements. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

SUNDAY, JUNE 30

Funny Girl

1:30 p.m. | $67.85+

Kennedy Center, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20566

Featuring one of the greatest musical scores of all time, including classic songs "Don't Rain On My Parade," "I'm the Greatest Star," and "People," this bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.

Firefly Festival

7:30 - 9:30 p.m. | Free with registration

Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 24th St N, Arlington, VA 22207

Come celebrate the night and the special creatures that need it to survive. Learn about fireflies and how you can help them thrive. Event will be canceled if it rains. Registration Required. WI

5For a limited time this summer, lovers of Pixar and match play can enjoy the likes of a Pixar-themed mini-golf sensation, featuring interactive putt-putt holes drawn from some of Pixar’s classics, such as “Toy Story,” “Cars,” and more. (Courtesy Photo/Pixar Putt website)

5Loc owners and admirers have the chance to come together in a vibrant community engagement to celebrate the cultural hairstyle in all its versatility, while grooving to the sounds of Afrobeats, hip-hop, and R&B. The event will also include vendors, food, games, and more. (Courtesy Photo)

Local Topics Featured During DC/Dox Film Festival

Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

One of the D.C. area’s most unique film-viewing experiences, the DC/Dox Film Festival, was held recently at multiple venues from June 13-16.

Established in 2022 by veteran film festival producers Jamie Shor and Sky Sitney, the local film festival showcased 100 diverse documentary full-length features and film shorts. Further, the four-day event featured the DMV with 47 films produced by local area filmmakers or on subjects that strongly resonated with DC area communities.

The festival was a space to screen unique films and serve as a nurturing learning environment for aspiring filmmakers.

“I think film festivals become a rare space to talk to filmmakers,” said Sitney, a Film and Media Studies Program professor at Georgetown University. “In this

festival, filmmakers from many documentaries grapple with critically important issues. They are the kinds of topics that journalists might be covering.”

“DAUGHTERS”

At the beginning of the documentary “Daughters,” an off-camera voice says, “Girls know what they need.” This documentary tells us in a special way what young girls need.

The synopsis of this film says it is about a Daddy Daughter Dance. The unusual hook is that their fathers are incarcerated in a Washington, D.C. jail. The dance occurs where these men are. It’s a reunion no family should have to go through. Co-directors Natalie Rae and Angela Patton spent eight years following this emotional journey.

“I visualized it as a dance and the power of them being together,” said Patton who was motivated to pursue this film from her Ted Talk

presentation many years ago. “I shared with Angela how powerful it would be seeing this from a girl’s perspective.”

This documentary takes a deep look into unconditional love.

“Daughters” premieres on Netflix on Aug. 14.

51ST STATE

The documentary short “51st State” had its world premiere at the DC/Dox Film Festival, and explores the past, present, and future of D.C. statehood through a profile of 26-year-old advocate Jamal Holtz.

A native Washingtonian who grew up in Southeast D.C., Holtz has recruited Generation Z native Washingtonians to advocate for statehood through his organization “51 for 51.”

Through 51 for 51, statehood information events are organized, and outreach to congressional

DC/DOX Page 32

You’ve worked to build your wealth wisely. Now, let’s put it to use strategically. With our estate planning and trust services and unique understanding of the area, you’ll receive personalized support and the knowledge to confidently take your next financial step.

5Keith hugs his daughter Aubrey during the Daddy Daughter Dance held at the D.C. Jail in the film “Daughters.” The film was screened at the DC/Dox Film Festival from June 13-16. (Courtesy Photo/Netflix, DC/Dox)

The Anacostia Community Museum Farm Stand returns for Another Season in 2024

Submitted by Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum

On Saturday mornings the outdoor plaza at the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum comes to life once again with colorful, locally grown fruits and veggies. The FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand returns for its second season, and it is open every Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (weather permitting) through November 23.

The ACM Farm Stand launched its inaugural season on Earth Day 2023, and since then it has welcomed hundreds of neighbors. Once again this year, the ACM Farm Stand is produced in partnership with D.C.-based nonprofit FRESHFARM, which is the nation’s third-largest farmers market organization. ParkView Farms, based in Poolesville Maryland, supplies the farm stand with their own homegrown produce. Family-owned and operated, located in the heart of Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve, ParkView Farms naturally grow seasonal vegetables and fruits for the local community and beyond.

Also, this summer, staring June 22, the ACM Farm Stand will be part of the Free Summer Meals Program (also referred to as DC Youth Summer Meals), works to close the meal gap during the summer months for children in the District. Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through August 24, children aged 5 to 18 years old can visit the farm stand with their families and request their free meal which has a protein, a fruit, a vegetable, a grain, and a small milk container. The menu changes regularly and will be displayed onsite. There is no ID or proof of residency required.

As part of the FRESHFARM Market family, which includes over two dozen other markets around the city and northern Virginia, the ACM Farm Stand accepts SNAP/EBT, WIC, and Senior FMNP checks. Plus, the farm stand offers the FRESHFARM FreshMatch program which provides a dollar-for-dollar match on all federal benefits spent at market, helping shoppers take home more fresh and nutritious produce and local foods while creating and sustaining new revenue streams for local farmers and food producers.

We look forward to working with our friends at FRESHFARM to continue to increase access to fresh, healthy foods through the FRESHFARM ACM Farm Stand. We hope you will join us on the plaza sometime this year.

The ACM Farm Stand is open every Saturday (weather permitting) on the ACM Plaza at 1901 Fort Place SE, Washington, DC 20020 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. until November 23. Follow the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum on social media or visit the museum’s website at anacostia.si.edu/farmstand for the most up-to-date information.

DC/DOX from Page 31

leaders is made. Director Hannah Rosenzweig, a veteran filmmaker, met Holtz at a 51 for 51 in New York City.

She immediately got on board for D.C. statehood.

“I felt I could come in to get the message about statehood out of the District,” said Rosenzweig, an award-winning producer and director. “More people should know the importance of DC statehood and the situation for Washingtonians.”

AIN'T NO BACK TO A MERRY-GO-ROUND

Bethesda, Maryland’s Glen Echo Park may not have known the amusement park was segregated for nearly 60 years until students from Howard University mounted a protest in 1960. The effort to desegregate the park gained the support of Jews in the neighborhood where Glen Echo

was located. This civil rights protest is told in the film “Ain't No Back to a Merry-Go-Round,” another full-length feature screened at the DC/Dox Film Festival.

Rockville, Maryland native Ilana Trachtman is the director and producer of the film. Growing up in the area, she often visited the park as a child

About 15 years ago Trachtman had an “ah-hah” moment when she learned from a National Park Service Ranger that Glen Echo Park had been a whites-only park.

“I was completely dumbfounded. I had been looking at pictures of the park during its heyday,” said Trachtman during a post-screening discussion. “It just had not occurred to me that everyone in those pictures was white. I was so shocked at my own ignorance.”

For more information, visit www. edcjcc.org

Get ahead of the DC/Dox Film Festival 2025 by visiting the festival website at dcdoxfest.com. WI @bcscomm

5RThe ACM Farm Stand is open every Saturday (weather permitting) on the ACM Plaza 10 a.m.-12 p.m. until November 23. Credit: Matailong Du, Anacostia Community Museum.

5The film short “51st State” was screened during DC/Dox held from June 13-16. The film examines the efforts to achieve DC Statehood by activist Jamal Holtz. (Courtesy photo/51st State)

5A security officer confronts a Black visitor on the carousel at Glen Echo Park in Bethesda, Maryland, to protest the park’s segregation. The photo is from “Ain't No Back to a MerryGo-Round,” a film screened at DC/Dox held from June 13-16. (Courtesy photo/DC/Dox)

Submitted by Washington Gas

As temperatures rise, so do our energy bills. These practical, energy-saving tips from Washington Gas can help you stay comfortable, reduce costs and use energy resources more efficiently.

Optimize Air Conditioning

Your air conditioner is likely your home’s largest energy consumer in the summer. Aim for a thermostat setting of 78°F when you’re at home, higher when you’re away. Each degree below 78°F can increase your energy consumption by about 8%.

A programmable thermostat lets you set a schedule that automatically adjusts the temperature when you’re not home, reducing unnecessary cooling. Clean or replace filters monthly and service your system regularly to keep it in peak condition.

USE ‘NATURAL A/C’

Natural ventilation can significantly reduce your need for air conditioning. Open windows during cooler times, like early mornings and evenings, to create cross-ventilation. Close blinds or curtains during the hottest parts of the day to block out the heat.

REDUCE HEAT GAIN AND IMPROVE INSULATION

Appliances generate heat, making your home warmer and causing your air conditioner to work harder. Use your microwave, toaster oven or outdoor grill instead of your stove or oven, especially in the evening when it’s cooler. Unplug devices or use smart power strips to reduce standby power usage. Insulate your attic and walls to

Savvy Summer Energy Tips

reduce the heat entering your home. Check for and seal leaks around windows, doors and other openings to keep warm air out.

MAXIMIZE NATURAL AND ENERGYEFFICIENT LIGHTING

Whenever possible, take advantage of natural light for lighting instead of artificial light. Switching to energy-efficient lighting can also reduce your cooling load. LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy and produce less heat than incandescent bulbs.

FIX THAT FLOW

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that household leaks waste nearly a trillion gallons of water yearly in the United States. One leaky faucet dripping one drop per second can add up to more than 3,000 gallons per year—enough for 180 average showers! Check out more easy ways to fix water leaks in your home at bit.ly/washgas-fix-leaks. And while not exactly a leak, leaving a faucet running while brushing your teeth uses much more water than you may realize. According to the EPA, turning off the tap while brushing can save an average of four gallons of water per brushing.

CONSIDER

ENERGY-EFFICIENT APPLIANCE UPGRADES

Summer is a great time to consider highly efficient ENERGY STAR® appliances, estimated to have helped American families and businesses save more than $500 billion in energy costs since 1992. In fact, Washington Gas is proud to be a multiple recipient of the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award. Learn more at bit. ly/wg-estar-2024.

LEVEL UP LANDSCAPING

Strategically planting trees and shrubs around your home can provide natural shade and help keep your home cooler while adding beauty to your property. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, properly placed trees can save up to 25% of a typical household's energy for cooling. Consider planting deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your home to provide shade in the summer and allow sunlight in the winter when the leaves fall.

EXPLORE

WASHINGTON GAS PROGRAMS

A professional energy audit can identify areas where you can improve your home's efficiency, providing personalized recommendations to help you save energy and reduce costs. Washington Gas partners with local agencies to offer weatherization services, including insulation upgrades and sealing leaks, particularly for low-income households. Learn more at bit.ly/washgas-energy-audit. We also offer multiple energy assistance programs, including the award-winning Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF). Learn more at bit.ly/washgas-energy-assistance. Your energy choices also play a critical part in global energy conservation. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that primary energy use will increase between 16% and 57% by 2050. At the same time, the International Energy Agency esti-

mates that it’s possible to reduce global emissions, for example, by up to 40% simply through energy efficiency.

Alongside the value of these dayto-day actions, Washington Gas is leading large-scale advanced technologies to help provide our region with affordable, reliable and safe energy. By making energy-conscious choices

today, we can all help build a more energy-efficient future.

We hope these summer energy tips will help you stay comfortable while supporting efficiency. Be sure to read our complete list of energy-saving summer tips at bit. ly/wg-summer-tips.

Happy summering!

WASHINGTON GAS CONSTRUCTION NOTICE

WARD 4 - DC PLUG

the amount of disruption and impact to customers residing in the area. Construction work will entail the replacement of main

of 8th Street, NW Majority of work completed

• 6800 - 7100 block of 9th Street, NW

• 900 block of Aspen Street, NW Pending

• 700 - 900 block of Butternut Street, NW Majority of work completed 500-800 block of Dahlia Street, NW Work remains at Dahlia Street, NW & Piney Branch Road, NW

processes, please call the

Hotline at 202-624-6400, email Project_Pipes@washgas.com or visit washingtongas.com/projectpipes.

tirety of Nalle’s field and playground would be used to hold modular space -- trailers that serve as temporary school buildings during school modernization projects. This revelation followed months of questions about the size of the modular space and whether other schools would use that space.

In a June 7 letter announcing the community meeting, Lisa D. Putman, DCPS’ chief of operations, acknowledged that the central office had “not adhered to DCPS’ value of keeping school communities informed in a timely manner.” She later revealed a five-year timeline that included construction of the modular space (one year), and occupation of the modular space, first by Drew Elementary School, then by Nalle, in two-year increments.

Though it ultimately wouldn't come to fruition, community members also learned about conversations around the Anne Beers Elementary School community using the modular space for an additional two years.

More than a week after the meeting, Casson and other community members continue to demand that DCPS conduct another community engagement meeting with advance notice. Though Casson noted that a meeting

“A younger version of myself could never have imagined one day working alongside such talented journalists, let alone serving in this important role for all of you,” Daniels wrote in a letter to WHCA members. “The importance of a free press, access to our elected leaders, and essential fact-based reporting about the politicians, policy, and people of our country has never been more important. Defending these causes is no longer enough, we must advocate for and advance them.”

The 35-year-old storyteller’s diverse experiences have prepared him for this next chapter.

Daniels’ father was a lieutenant colonel in the Army who was deployed to Iraq numerous times. While his dad was gone, Daniels’ discipline grew propelling him into sports as a defensive lineman at Colorado State University and past vice-chair of the Division I National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Composure amidst chaos is second nature to him. A character trait often recognized and admired by his colleagues on the White House Press beat.

“As someone who knows Eugene personally, I can attest to his unique

has been tentatively scheduled for July, she lamented that DCPS hasn’t formally confirmed a date or time.

“We were not informed about [the information in] the presentation so there was complete outrage. We just ask for another community meeting,” Casson said. “Why wouldn’t we be at the table if [modernization] required this much displacement? We could ensure that the kids didn’t lose a safe, recreational space.”

LACK OF TRANSPARENCY WITH SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES

Another community member who requested anonymity told The Informer that Laena Lee, principal of Nalle Elementary School, had been pushing back against the construction of the modular space since January.

They said that Lee had no knowledge of DCPS’ plans to occupy the entirety of Nalle’s outdoor space, including the playground.

On June 13, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson sent DCPS

Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee a letter insisting that construction be paused until DCPS works on, and communicates, a plan with the Nalle community that specifies how students will have

5Eugene Daniels celebrating Capital Pride. (Courtesy Photo/Instagram, Eugene Daniels)

ability to work skillfully and collaboratively -- all while boldly doing so in his own unique style. When I first joined the, at times, grueling and intimidating White House beat, it was Eugene whose presence put my angst at ease,” Gerren Gaynor, managing editor of Politics at The Grio recalled. “He not only offered his counsel and friendship, but he also gave me a sense of solace in knowing that there was space for young, Black queer voices in the press briefing room and press pool.”

access to outdoor recreation space.

Mendelson also criticized what he called DCPS’ lack of engagement, demanding answers about a timeline of communication with the schools scheduled to use Nalle’s modular space. His inquiries focused on the selection process for modular space, including other sites that had been considered and reasons why DCPS didn’t select them.

A Mendelson staffer told The Informer that no one from DCPS has responded to the letter as of close of business on June 18.

On June 18, DCPS Deputy Chancellor Patrick Ashley wrote a letter to Nalle parents speaking about the “lack of community and transparency that led to anger and mistrust.”

He told community members that, since the meeting, DCPS central office contacted the Department of General Services (DGS) to postpone all pre-construction activity that had been scheduled to start on June 11 until after the end of the school year, which was June 17 for students.

In speaking about DCPS’ decision to build modular space on Nalle’s outdoor space, Ashley said that officials identified P.R. Harris Educational Center, Fletcher-Johnson Recreation Center, Winston Education Campus, and Oxon Run Park Modular Campus

At this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Daniels wore a cape, signifying the hero he is to many.

“For years, Black and brown people, marginalized people, have been told—especially in journalism—that their experience, who they are, what they look like, who they love, is a bias. We have to be careful when we cover this thing, because you’re Black and so you’re too close to it. And that is not at all how it is at Politico. It is instead treated as an expertise,” Daniels told Forbes earlier this year.

In 2016, while covering his first presidential election for Newsy, Daniels revealed a personal piece of himself in regards to his sexuality. After coming out as gay, Daniels says his perspective on a lot of issues were appreciated and valued by his news organizations.

“As a Black person working in an industry that is mostly white, it is huge to be able to go to your bosses and say to them, ‘hey, I think we should be doing this, and I’m saying that based on my experience as a Black person, as a gay person in this country’ and they say ‘hell yeah, let’s do it,’” Daniels continued. “There’s nothing better than that validation, because not everybody gets that in this industry.”

as other possibilities before determining that they didn’t prove suitable for students.

Ashley noted that DCPS officials also considered swing spaces that are currently in operation in Southeast before realizing they would be unavailable. As it relates to Nalle, proximity to the tight-knit community, fiscal responsibility and the prevention of construction delays counted among the primary motivators for settling on that location, Ashley told community members.

In his letter, Ashley said that DCPS and DGS are currently identifying additional options to expand recreation space for students during the modernization process.

“Your voices matter, and I want to reiterate our commitment to maintaining better lines of communication throughout this process,” the letter read. “We want families to feel confident in the decisions that are being made now for the long-term benefit.”

La’Mont Geddis, a former DCPS elementary school principal who currently serves as Nalle’s community schools director via the National Center for Children and Families, said that it’s incumbent upon officials to secure outdoor space for students.

On June 11, Geddis counted among those who saw Nalle students at the en-

THE ROAD TO WHCA PRESIDENT, APRIL RYAN WEIGHS IN ON HISTORIC LEADERSHIP

Daniels has spent the past two years training, researching and preparing to take on this highly acclaimed role. He’s covered every presidential election dating back to 2016 and currently serves as senior correspondent for MSNBC’s Morning Joe in addition to regular appearances on NBC’s Meet the Press.

A change of events in 2022 swung the course of Daniel’s tenure as treasurer of the association unexpectedly. CNN’s Kaitlan Collins was originally elected president of the board but was unable to serve due to a promotion causing her to relocate to New York. Daniels was next in line according to the association’s bylaws.

“I understand this is not the position for which you voted for me to serve. But please know I will spend every second on this board earning your support, and most importantly your trust in the weeks, months and years to come,” Daniels wrote courageous-

gagement meeting waving signs asking for a place to play.

“The higher ups are forgetting that recreation is a strong part of education. You can’t separate the two,” Geddis said. “The students will miss out on physical education. When it’s hot, they will miss out on sports. And they will miss out on having green space in their community.”

Geddis went on to mull how the denial of a field and playground would affect students in the long run.

“The students are the biggest losers in this situation, especially with the students coming to kindergarten,” Geddis said. “When they come out in the fifth grade, they wouldn’t have had a chance to enjoy Nalle’s green space.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE ABOUT SCHOOL MODERNIZATION

Eboni-Rose Thompson, president and Ward 7 representative on the D.C. State Board of Education also attended the June 11 engagement meeting at Nalle. She told The Informer that she couldn’t recall another situation where DCPS constructed modular space on a public school’s field to be used by more than one school. WI

First on the Moon

On July 20, 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the

person to set foot on the

Use the code to find out what Armstrong’s first words were when he set foot on the moon’s surface. “That’s one _

Stick the apple on the pencil.

When you see only the dark side of the apple, this is like a new moon. When the sun is directly behind the moon and blocks the sunlight, that phase is called the new moon.

The apple is the moon, and your head is Earth. The ashlight is the sun.

In a very dark room, hold the apple in front of you and a little bit above your head. Have your friend on the other side shine the light on the apple.

Stay in the same spot and turn your body slowly. Soon you will see a small part of the apple (moon) lit up. This is called a crescent moon. 4.

Keep turning and you’ll see more and more of the apple (moon) light up. At one point, one whole side of the apple will be in the light. This is the full moon phase. 5.

To discover the answer, cross out all the words below that rhyme with STAR.

THE CAR MOON TAR DOES GUITAR ARE NOT RADAR ACTUALLY JAR SHINE. IT IS SCAR LIKE A FAR MIRROR AND AVATAR REFLECTS THE JAGUAR LIGHT OF PAR THE HANDLEBAR SUN.

Keep turning and you will see less and less of the apple (moon) lit up. When you can no longer see any of the apple (moon) lit up, you will have seen all the phases of the apple—er, moon!

What would you take if you were going to the moon? Look through the newspaper for five things you would pack. Pack

Making Strides

Find a newspaper article about an advancement in science, education, art, the quality of life in your community, etc. Tell someone why you think this advancement will make life better for people. Standards Link: Read from a

at the moon tonight. What phase is it in?

review wi book

Books About Traveling by Various Authors

c.2024, Various publishers

$21.95-$35

Various page counts

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

You're ready to go.

You were ready months ago, when you set the dates. So where will you spend your precious vacation? Before you decide for sure, check out these great books on travel …

If you've got your bags packed for an overseas journey, take "I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself" by Glynnis MacNicol (Penguin Life/ Viking, $30) with you. In the months following the COVID-19 lockdown, MacNicol decided that she was done being lonely so she accepted an offer to stay at a friend's flat in Paris for a short time. This book — rowdy and indulgent, a little on the ooh-la-la side — is a tribute to traveling by one's self and having a wonderful, intimate, relaxing, revealing, soul-soothing time doing it.

Then again, if being by yourself is what you want in your vacation, and water must be involved, look for "Sailing Alone" by Richard J. King (Viking, $35). Taking to the ocean by yourself is challenging, exhilarating, exciting, and it can sometimes make you ask yourself what you were thinking when you launched. This book is a story-collection of people who set out to explore, learn, and seize some adventure along the way — including the author, who recounts a hair-raising trip across the Atlantic.

Going somewhere you've never been before can be fun but exhausting. Where do you go, and what do you say without insulting the locals? In "Just Go." by Drew Binsky (BenBella, $21.95), you'll get advice from an expert you can also follow on YouTube, if you wish.

This is a handy book to have with you because you'll receive the encouragement you need to branch away from the touristy areas to find those things that make an otherwise routine journey memorable. Learn how to get a visa for that hard-to-reach spot. Find out how to endear yourself to the people in the area, before you get there and after you've arrived. Know how to ask for and communicate the basics with handy pages of common phrases in other languages. Find out how to be prepared for the good stuff and the "crazy" stuff — because, says Binsky, there's always "crazy" stuff.

Even if you're planning a staycation, this is a fun book to have. And finally, since you'll want something to read while you're vacationing, grab "The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands" by Sarah Brooks (Flatiron Books, $28.99). This book tells the story of the passengers of the Trans-Siberian Express, a train that takes sojourners on a trip through the Wastelands. It's the only way to get there and it's usually an interesting ride — although the last time, something went terribly wrong. But this is a brand-new trip with new passengers, even though the past may linger on the train …

This novel of travel and mystery is just what you want to pack. And if it's not, be sure to ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for more ideas. They've got them, plus tips for packing, history for your destination, and ideas for fun. Bon voyage! WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE

JUNE 27 -JULY 3, 2024

ARIES When the week begins, your creative instincts kick into high gear. You'll be feeling more imaginative and more private, so you'll do well to lean in to self-expression. Later, it's challenging for you to get on the same page as your mate or a business colleague. It might feel like your game plans are at odds with one another. Your best bet is to rely on diplomacy and patience, which can bolster harmony. Lucky Numbers: 19, 37, 43

TAURUS At the start of the week, you might find yourself craving one-on-one time with your dearest friend. Working together toward a shared goal can be especially productive and fulfilling during this transit. Later, you might need a time-out to focus on self-care. You might actually be on the verge of burnout, so do your best to avoid feeling guilty if you're caring for yourself in this way. It's key to preserving your morale and energy. You'll be back to business. Lucky Numbers: 6, 17, 54

GEMINI Do your best to insulate yourself from other people's projections. Confusion reigns supreme, so you might do well to take a step back from interpersonal and professional situations that are getting way too dramatic. Later, you might have to make a last-minute change to your schedule. The unexpected turn might be an effort to preempt illness or tackle your anxiety around a previous commitment. It's a moment you can tune in to your heart and trust it to lead. Lucky Numbers: 9, 18, 57

CANCER You'll want to find a way to put work on the back burner in order to prioritize playful activities. Your instincts are to express what's in your heart and spend time going with the flow with loved ones. Later, the cosmos causes you to feel torn and pressured by expectations of family versus work. You'll do well to focus on checking major to-dos off your list, then turn your attention to a fitness routine you love in order to cope with stress. Lucky Numbers: 5, 27, 50

LEO You might feel tense and struggle to focus early in the week. This can be frustrating because you'll want to tackle both professional and personal tasks, but nervousness only serves to make it tougher to get ahead. Taking a step back might seem counterintuitive, but it could be exactly what you need to keep your energy up in the long term. Later, you'll want to get innovative and imaginative with how you think about and pursue your wildest fantasies. Lucky Numbers: 20, 28, 51

VIRGO When the week starts, you'll be even more fired up than usual to exchange ideas with others. You might also enjoy going on short trips and connecting with siblings. Schedule a weekend getaway to an exciting nearby location, or make it a point to brainstorm creative ideas with colleagues to make the most of this vibe. Later, you might become very aware of areas in which you're lacking reciprocity. Addressing that now can set up a more satisfying bond. Lucky Numbers: 9, 13, 39

LIBRA At the week's start, the cosmos amplifies your desire to bring a more creative approach to your work. One way this might play out is working with colleagues on a whimsical project. If you can blend your enjoyment of socializing with your professional goals, you'll take your earning potential to the next level. Later, you might be feeling irritable while interacting with your partner or a close friend. Physically working through your feelings, either through a tough workout or an aggressive romp between the sheets, can offer an eventual sense of calm. Lucky Numbers: 1, 35, 47

SCORPIO In the beginning of the week, you'll be drawn to self-pampering activities. At the same time, wanting to look and feel your best might be at the top of your mind, so you'll do well to try that hair makeover or shop for new clothes. You'll be more magnetic than ever. Later, you might be fed up with a stalemate related to your wellness and want to find a way to step up your day-to-day routine so that it better supports your goals. Lucky Numbers: 8, 19, 30

SAGITTARIUS When the week starts, privacy might feel more precious to you. You could feel like bowing out of those events you initially said yes to. This might seem somewhat foreign to you because you're generally the life of the party, but focusing on you this time is integral to continuing to fire on all cylinders. Later, the cosmos amplifies your desire to open up to loved ones about sweet, heartfelt feelings. This can bolster bonds all around. Lucky Numbers: 13, 16, 23

CAPRICORN Spending time with loved ones and colleagues might be appealing when the week starts. In addition to sharing stimulating conversation that brings you closer, you could bat around deas that lend inspiration to your next big project. Later, your attention turns to your work/life balance, or the lack of it. Emotional issues with loved ones or to-dos around the house might require your focus. Take a time-out from work to recenter yourself. Lucky Numbers: 2, 15, 48

AQUARIUS You'll want to take advantage of opportunities to pitch your most creative ideas early in the week. Higher-ups will be impressed by your unusual takes. Another way to make the most of this moment is to collaborate with colleagues. Later, you might be torn between your need to spend time alone and others wanting to connect. It might even push your buttons in a way that you weren't expecting. Cope by focusing on a physical activity you enjoy or dedicating time to meditation or journaling. Lucky Numbers: 26, 34, 46

PISCES When the week starts, you'll be itching to expand your horizons mentally, physically, and emotionally. Signing up for a class or taking a trip that opens your eyes to uncharted territory is your priority now. Later, you'll be focused on the give-andtake of your work. If a particular aspect of your professional journey doesn't seem to be offering you enough security, sense of empowerment, or emotional fulfillment, now is the time to reassess. Meditate on the needs your job should fulfill and how that dovetails with the demands of the job. Lucky Numbers: 2, 22, 27

SPORTS

Remembering ‘The Coach:’ James ‘Butch’ McAdams Leaves Behind Lasting Legacy

By Ed Hill

WI Contributing Writer

The DMV has lost another icon in the sports community. In early June, local sports fans mourned the death of A.B. Williamson, and on Sunday, June 23, James "Butch" McAdams died at his home in Northwest, D.C., at the age of 74. There is an irony here: McAdams' last show was a tribute to Williamson.

Known affectionately as "The Coach,” McAdams' legacy expands back over five decades. A graduate of Mackin High School and the University of the District of Columbia, he has made his mark and impacted the lives of many.

From an early age, growing up Northwest, it was apparent to many that McAdams would be destined for a career in sports.

"Butch was always around the playground, " recalled Lloyd Mayes, a longtime friend and former standout at Cardozo High School and American University. "I was about 16 and he was only 12. He would never play, but he al-

ways had on his Converse sneakers and carried a sports page with him. He would talk about all sports and what was going on. And he had the newspaper to back him up."

McAdams would go on play at his alma mater, Mackin High School, in Northwest, at the time, one of the top high school basketball programs in the area. He then embarked on a journey as a basketball coach. After a couple of years as an assistant, Butch took a position as a teacher and head boys basketball coach at Northwest, D.C.’s Maret High School.

There, McAdamns was able to take a team that featured strong academics and turn it into one of the top programs in the talent-laden DMV area. He produced Top 20 teams and a number of All Met selections during his career that spanned over three decades. Among his former players is Tony Dobbins, who recently won the NBA championship as an assistant with the Boston Celtics

Several of his players would go on to play at NCAA Division 1 schools like Virginia Tech, Brown

University and the University of Pittsburgh.

Travis Allen attended Maret and played under McAdams from 1989-1993, before attending Brown University.

"My experience under Coach McAdams was life changing,” Allen told the Informer. "There were some tough times when I first got to Maret. But Coach helped me get through them with a wellplaced hug or pat on the back. The lessons that we learned on and off the court under him have carried me through to my current career."

Allen is the managing director at Bernstein, a private wealth management company in D.C.

Michael Dade, a former teammate of Allen, shared his perspective on McAdams’ influence.

"It was Travis who first talked to me about attending Maret," recalled Dade. "Once I got to be a part of the program, Coach McAdams helped me understand that sports and the basketball part of it were just a stepping stone to education and a career."

Dade went on to graduate from Boston University and he now owns his own detailing company in Florida.

After his successful run as a coach, McAdams decided to retire from Maret. However, rather than sit back and enjoy the benefits of retirement, McAdams decided to enter a new and unchartered territory, sports radio broadcasting.

It was the year 2011 and after a trial run, McAdams reached an agreement to start, “In and Out of Sports,” a Radio One program which featured local sports guests and personalities from the DMV area.

McAdams learned the broadcasting business from legends such as Joe Madison, Harold Bell, Bernie McClain, Larry Hicks and most notably from Hughes.

Over the years, “In and Out of Sports,” featured notable sports personalities including high school, amateur, college and professional coaches and athletes.

"I love this city, and every Sunday I get up to do the show, I’m like a kid on Christmas morning,” McAdams once told The Informer,

adding that no guest is too big or too small to be on the show. “My mission is to tell our story; the story of the DMV.”

A flashy dresser and ebullient personality, McAdams became a sought-after personality and served as master of ceremonies at a number of award banquets throughout the DMV. The celebrated coach turned broadcaster also received numerous honors, including induction into the DCSAA and Metropolitan Basketball Halls of Fame. In 2013, McAdams was one of the 12 men who met weekly to create the infrastructure of DMV-Athletes in Action, Inc., formed to acknowledge former athletes, coaches and community leaders. The organization hosts its annual cookout every third Sunday in July at Haines Point.

Cathy Hughes, the owner of WOL-AM’s parent company, Radio One, once said that McAdams had a critical role in a troubling time for African Americans.

“If you don’t know where you have been, you don’t know where you are going,” Hughes said of McAdams. “Butch helps us know where we have been so we can be proactive in where we are going.”

While he was known for a number of clever phases one of his famous lines is quite fitting as many people locally and nationally remember the coach’s life. “Simply one of the best!” WI

5After a long coaching career, James “Butch” McAdams began hosting a celebrated sports radio show “In and Out of Sports.” (Courtesy Photo)

CAPTURE the moment

The Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center (CHACC) hosted the fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration and Fundraiser on Friday, June 21, at the historic Old Congress Heights School on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Southeast, D.C.

5 Keynote speaker Angie M. Gates, president and CEO of Events DC, Blaire Houston, fan development manager for the Washington Wizards, Phinis and Keyonna Jones of the Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center, and Monica Ray, operator of the Retail Village Incubator at Sycamore and Oak. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5 The recipient of The 2024 Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center Hero Award Regina Snead. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5 Keyonna Jones with Melissa Jackson, recipient of The 2024 CHACC Soufside Change Maker Award, and Phinis Jones. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

3 Keyonna Jones with Keon Lindsay, recipient of The 2024 CHACC Outstanding Citizenship Award, and Phinis Jones. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5 The 2024 CHACC Living Visionary Legend Award recipient Aniekan Udofia. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5 The recipient of The 2024 CHACC Community Service Award, Monica Ray, operator of the Retail Village Incubator, Sycamore and Oak and founder and chairman of the Black Bone Project. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

RELIGION

University of Maryland Football Coach Overcomes Adversity, Inspires Through Journey

By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer

First Baptist Church of Glenarden held its annual Men’s Conference under the theme “Decision Maker 24,” on June 22, and one of the main speakers was University of Maryland Head Football Coach Mike Locksley.

Even though the Terps posted a winning season and a Bowl Game victory, Locksley mainly talked

about overcoming a series of setbacks ranging from being fired as a head coach to coping with the fatal shooting of his son.

Despite trials, Locksley, the son of a D.C. firefighter and graduate of Ballou High School, blazed a trail of success that included winning a national championship as an offensive coordinator at Alabama and posting winning seasons at the University of Maryland for the last two years.

Locksley posted on a big screen a

list of negative headline stories that included him allegedly punching an assistant coach, harassing someone, and finally being fired. Then, on September 3, 2017, his son Meikel was fatally shot.

But after working under Nick Saban, Locksley was hired by Maryland in 2018 after the university’s head coach was fired following the death of lineman Jordan McNair,

who died of heat stroke.

“I lost a son (but) I inherited a team that just had lost a brother,” said Locksley. “Broke people help broke people.”

The Men’s Conference began with a praise and worship service led by Brian Courtney Wilson followed by a message from the Rev. Kelvin J. Cochran, former chief of the Atlanta Fire Department.

National Symphony Orchestra and Top Gospel Artists Celebrate Richard Smallwood‘s 75th Birthday and His Inspirational Faith Music

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

Two evenings of praise for Richard Smallwood and his music filled the Concert Hall at the Kennedy Center as the nation also celebrated Juneteenth.

“A Gospel Symphony Celebration Tribute to Richard Smallwood at 75” was presented by the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and conducted by Grammy

“Back in the 80s, whenever we would go on the road with Richard Smallwood, we always knew it would be a good one,” said Winans, praising the honoree.

The event concluded with a testimony from Inky Johnson, a former cornerback from the University of Tennessee. Johnson, who suffered a significant injury to his arm in college, is a motivational speaker nationwide today.

As Alabama racked up wins toward a national championship, Locksley tried to understand what happened to his son. Then came a job offer from the University of Maryland.

First Baptist Church of Glendarden has hosted a Men’s conference for the last 14 years, but this time was different.

“In the past, we have done the conference by partnering with other organizations, but this was the first time in 14 years that we had the conference singularly, and we had about 1000 men,” explained the Rev. John K. Jenkins, First Baptist Church of Glenarden’s pastor. Jenkins said Locksley’s message “was very influential.”

“He addressed mental health, which troubles a lot of families today,” Jenkins said. “I loved his talk about how failure is not the end. That was very, very powerful. They may have had some failures, but it is not the end of the story.” WI

Award-winning producer, composer, and arranger Dr. Henry Panion, III on June 18-19. Top gospel artists Dorinda Clark-Cole, Maurette Brown Clark, and Bishop Marvin Winans sang exceptional interpretations of Smallwood's compositions. They were backed by Smallwood’s vocal ensemble Vision, the Howard University Gospel Choir, and the Bowie State University Choir. Opening with an instrumental prelude, everyone in the Concert Hall stood as Panion led the orchestra and singers in an uplifting rendition of the “Lift Every Voice.”

Those who love Smallwood’s approach to faith music love his blend of gospel surrounded by classical orchestrations and performed with strong vocal arrangements. Enough space is left with each verse to allow soloists to go above and below the notes, extending when necessary. The focus must be on staying mindful of the message through the lyrics.

In the first half of the tribute, “The Question Is”(a 1981 song sung

by The Winans) and Smallwood’s “Center of My Joy” (1987). After intermission, he spoke about his favorite Smallwood song, “Trust Me” (2011).

“Back in the 80s, whenever we would go on the road with Richard Smallwood, we always knew it would be a good one,” said Winans, praising the honoree. “I really don’t know how this one became my favorite.”

Brown Clark sang “It Ain’t Over” (2006), and Clark-Cole sang “Bless the Lord” (1996). Vision ensemble members Charrisse Nelson and Vanessa Williiams performed “Psalm 8” (1984), and “I Love the Lord” (1976) respectively.

Smallwood’s “Total Praise” (1996) considered an anthem, was sung by all choirs, Vision and the soloists.

At the end of the evening, everyone in Concert Hall showed their gratitude by applauding, standing and looking toward the box seat where Smallwood was sitting– a fitting conclusion after outstanding performances honoring the legendary singer and composer.

WI @bcscomm

5 First Baptist Church of Glenarden held its annual Men’s Conference under the theme

“Decision Maker 24,” on June 22, with University of Maryland Head Football Coach Mike Locksley as one of the main speakers. (Hamil Harris/The Washington Informer)

5 Richard Smallwood enjoys the National Symphony Orchestra NSO Concert celebrating his 75th birthday at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Northwest on June 19. (Jacques Benovil/The Washington Informer)

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GLENARDEN HOSTS MEN’S CONFERENCE 2024

This year, on Juneteenth, local, state and federal officials broke ground on a new affordable apartment community for seniors in Detroit's Schulze neighborhood.

The site is the former location of the Lewis College of Business, which is Michigan’s only historically Black college. and is now known as Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design. Family members of Dr. Violet Lewis, the college's founder, were also in attendance for event.

Dr. Violet Ponders, the granddaughter of Lewis, called the

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Violet T. Lewis Village the religion corner

groundbreaking "just another chapter, a continuation of what my grandmother started almost 100 years ago."

Though I was unable to attend, allow me to give special thanks to Dr. Violet Ponders for sending me an invitation, and for her follow-up phone call.

This project is of particular interest to me because I worked on the campuses as the event planning consultant for 15 years, flying or taking Amtrak, going back and forth to and from Detroit six months of each year.

Violet T. Lewis Village will be on that site of the former Lewis College of Business, a campus of 11 acres located at 17370 Meyers Road. The project is honoring the past while building the future by combining building rehabilitations with new construction to create 105 new homes for seniors 55 and older.

Though Pensole Lewis College is now located in downtown Detroit in a lovely new facility, this new housing development is coming to the community for seniors at a time when baby boomers are becoming senior citizens.

"In Detroit, we're different, we celebrate Juneteenth with action," said Mayor Mike Duggan.

Fox News Detroit reported that the nearly $30 million development will bring more than

100 affordable housing units to seniors on Detroit's west side.

"This is a community that came together to make this happen," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

"As our neighborhoods are restored, we must not forget its history and history-makers and their contributions," added Julie Schneider, director of Detroit's Housing & Revitalization Department.

The list of invited attendees for the groundbreaking ceremony also included Detroit Council member Whitfield Calloway, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, (D-Mich.), Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate and Michigan state Rep. Regina Weiss.

Dr. Lewis was a leader and made powerful strides for the community and beyond. Her granddaughter is proud to see her legacy live on.

"It is very, very special. One, she would be happy it is being done," Ponders said. "Not just because it's associated in her name, but because it's going to help the community. She has a memorial highway sign, and it, too, was erected on Juneteenth. I think both instances are testimony to the contributions African-Americans have made down through the years."

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

Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant Pastor

401 Van Buren St., NW, Washington D.C. 20012 Office (202)-882-8331

Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331

Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday "Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ."

Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “ The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson

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

Website: Theplbc.org Email: churchclerk@theplbc.org

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rehoboth Baptist Church

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Promised Land Baptist Church

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000660

Loretta Ann Coughlin Decedent

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

Peter James Kochanski, whose address is 4408 Silverbrook Lane, Unit K204, Owings Mills, MD 21117, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Loretta Ann Coughlin who died on February 26, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: 6/13/2024

Peter James Kochanski 4408 Silverbrook Lane, Unit K204 Owings Mills, MD 21117 Personal Representative TRUE

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION

2024 NRT 000026

Jennifer A. Hamilton

Name of Deceased Settlor

NOTICE OF EXISTENCE OF REVOCABLE TRUST

Jennifer A. Hamilton (name of deceased Settlor) whose address was 3034 Newark Street NW, Washington DC 20008 created a revocable trust on November 15, 2015 which remained in existence on the date of her death on April 4, 2024, and Christopher D. Hamilton, whose address is 13385 Reva Road, Boston, Virginia 22713 the currently acting trustee, hereinafter the Trustee. Communications to the Trust should be mailed or directed to Christopher D. Hamilton at 13385 Reva Road, Boston, Virginia 22713.

The Trust is subject to claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors, costs of administration of the settlor’s estate, the expenses of the deceased settlor’s funeral and disposal of remains, and statutory allowances to a surviving spouse and children to the extent the deceased settlor’s residuary probate estate is inadequate to satisfy those claims, costs, expenses, and allowances.

Claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors are barred as against the Trustee and the trust property unless presented to the Trustee at the address provided herein on or before 12/13/2024 (6 months after the date of the first publication of this notice.) An action to contest the validity of this trust must be commenced by the earliest of (1) 4/4/2025 (One year from date of death of deceased settler) (2) 12/13/2024 , (6 months from the date of first publication of this notice) or (3) Ninety days after the Trustee sends the person a copy of the trust instrument and a notice informing the person of the trust’s existence, of the Trustee’s name and address, and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding.

The Trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the turst before the expiration of the time within which an action must be commenced unless the Trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust or the Trustee has received notice from a potential contestant who thereafter commences a judicial proceeding within sixty days after notification.. This Notice must be mailed postmarked with 15 days of its first publication to each heir and qualified beneficiary of the trust and any other person who would be an interested person within the meaning of D.C. Code 20-101 (d).

Date of First Publication:

6/13/2024

Christopher D. Hamilton

Signature of Trustee

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000398

Tyrone Anthony Jenkins

Decedent

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

Tyree Jenkins, whose address is 344 Tartan Ct., Fayetteville NC, 28311, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Tyrone Anthony Jenkins who died on July 9, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: June 13, 2024

Tyree Jenkins

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2024 ADM 000646

William S. Metzel Decedent

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

Sarah Adams, whose address is 3503 Farragut Ave., Kensington, MD 20895, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William S. Metzel who died on April 23, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: 6/13/2024

Sarah Adams Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000672

Mary E. Mobley

Decedent

Brian L. Kass, Esq. 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 434

Washington, DC 20006

Attorney

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

Brenda Mobley-Wooten, whose address is 3025 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary E. Mobley who died on February 21, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: 6/13/2024

Brenda Mobley-Wooten Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000645

Hind Sadek aka Hind Hassan Sadek Decedent

Lisa M. Nentwig, Esq. Dilworth Paxson LLP 1500 Market Street, Suite 3500E Philadelphia, PA 19102

Attorney

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

Shirin Kooros, whose address is 4200 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Apt. 1007, Washington, DC 20016, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Hind Sadek aka Hind Hassan Sadek who died on July 16, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: 6/13/2024

Shirin Kooros

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000663

Albert DuBose Jr. Decedent

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

Carrie DuBose, whose address is 1508 Deep Gorge Court, Oxon Hill, MD 20745, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Albert DuBose Jr. who died on March 29, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: 6/13/2024

Carrie DuBose

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 585

Leander Moore Decedent

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

Dwayne Moore, whose address is 5134 Fowler Lane, Fairfield CA 94533, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Leander Moore who died on April 7th 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: 6/13/2024

Dwayne Moore

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 FEP 000058

December 10, 2023

Date of Death

John A. Epps

Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

John D. Epps whose address is 10702 Black Locust Ct., Clinton, MD 20735 was appointed personal representative of the estate of John A. Epps, deceased, by the Probate Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on December 29, 2023.

Service of process may be made upon Daphne Epps 4100 Georgia Ave., NW, Apt #604, Washington, DC 20011 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property:

5230 Blaine Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: 6/13/2024

John D. Epps

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000609

Albertha W. Cobb aka Albertha William Cobb Decedent

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

Laurie Anita Manning and Isaiah Jerome Cobb, whose addresses are 8110 Foxhall Rd., Clinton, MD 20735 and 307 15th St., NE, Washington, DC 20002, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Albertha W. Cobb aka Albertha William Cobb who died on March 18th 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: 6/13/2024

Laurie Anita Manning Isaiah Jerome Cobb Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000578

Jessie Clyde Hairston Decedent

Peggy A. Miller, Esq. 5130 7th St., NE Washington, DC 20011-2625

Attorney

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

Audrey J. Hairston, whose address is 111 49th Pl., NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jessie Clyde Hairston who died on 9/3/2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: 6/13/2024

Audrey J. Hairston Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 FEP 000059

July 12, 2023

Date of Death

Lacey Jackson Thomas, II Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Michaele Lynn Abner whose address is 3409 Sherbrook Road, Richmond, VA 23235 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Lacey Jackson Thomas, II, deceased, by the City of Richmond Circuit Court for the City of Richmond, State of Virginia, on May 6, 2024.

Service of process may be made upon Lauren Wilcock; The Geller Law Group 1250 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property.

7525 Alaska Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20012. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: June 20, 2024

Michaele Lynn Abner

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000669

Joyce M. Bush Decedent

Mahsa Alaeian

Legal Counsel for the Elderly 601 E Street NW Washington, DC 20049 Attorney

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

Joseph B. Bush, Jr., whose address is 536 Hamilton St., NE, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joyce M. Bush who died on March 21, 2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision.

All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: June 13, 2024

Joseph B. Bush, Jr. Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000692

Delores Kittrell Decedent

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

Juan Harrison, whose address is 7809 Beddington Court Clinton, MD 20735, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Delores Kittrell who died on 4/19/2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/20/2024. 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 12/20/2024, 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: 6/20/2024

Juan Harrison Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 00347

Shirley J. Riley Decedent

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

Quiana Harris, whose address is 17308 Newton Ct., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Shirley Riley who died on April 25, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: 6/13/2024

Quiana Harris

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000685

Rachel Mae Ross Ellis Decedent

Carlos Da Rosa Law Office of Carlos D. Da Rosa 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

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

Elizabeth L. E. Wiggins, whose address is 2403 Shade Oak Court, Waldorf, MD 20601, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Rachel Mae Ross Ellis who died on 5/21/2020 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/20/2024. 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 12/20/2024, 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: 6/20/2024

Elizabeth L. E. Wiggins Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000684

Larry William Cook Sr Decedent

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

Larry William Cook Jr., whose address is 9444 Mayflower Ct., Laurel, MD 20723, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Larry William Cook Sr. who died on 2/18/2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: 6/13/2024

Larry William Cook Jr. Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 FEP 000060

July 26, 2022

Date of Death

Ethel Cobbs Spencer Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Larry Spencer whose address is 4843 Greencove Circle, Sparrows Point, MD 21219 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Ethel Cobbs Spencer, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Baltimore County, State of Maryland, on 9/13/2023.

Service of process may be made upon Augusto D. Macedo 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property.

5733 Blaine Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: June 20, 2024

Larry Spencer Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000657

Carey Edwin Brown Decedent

Tabitha R. Brown, Esq. Law Offices of Tabitha R. Brown 1200 G Street SE, Suite A Washington, DC 20003 Attorney

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

Teknika Mills, whose address is 506 Hill Road, Hyattsville, MD 20785, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Carey Edwin Brown who died on May 29, 2018 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/13/2024. 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 12/13/2024, 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: 6/13/2024

Teknika Mills

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000724

Estate of Ernest Postell Sr.

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Pamela Metts and Dominique Postell for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative waive bond for personal representative per waiver for as filed w/petition

Date of first publication: 6/20/2024

Stephen B. Pershing, Esq. Pershing Law PLLC 1416 E St., NE Washington, DC 20002

Petitioner/Attorney:

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000667

Elizabeth Lee Hogenson Barnes Decedent

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

Victoria Ellen Barnes Bishton, whose address is 6020 Walhonding Road, Bethesda, MD 20816, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Elizabeth Lee Hogenson Barnes who died on March 18, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/20/2024. 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 12/20/2024, 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:

6/20/2024

Victoria Ellen Barnes Bishton Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000709

Gail Veronica Brooks Decedent

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

Cassandra Mary Payne, whose address is 6008 Survey Square Lane, Apt T2, District Heights, MD 20747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gail Veronica Brooks who died on April 8, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/20/2024. 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 12/20/2024, 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: 6/20/2024

Cassandra Mary Payne Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000661

Lorraine Jerman Ivey aka Lorraine Ivey Decedent

Stephanie L. Royal, Esq. The Royal Legal Group, LLC 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 440 Washington, DC 20015

Attorney

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

Montina I. Wood-McAbee, whose address is 733 Saint Michaels Drive, Bowie, MD 20721, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lorraine Jerman Ivey aka Lorraine Ivey who died on 10/3/2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/20/2024. 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 12/20/2024, 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: 6/20/2024

Montina I. Wood-McAbee Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 1458

Rush M. Fritz Decedent

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

Judith Duberrier, whose address is 1907 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Rush Monroe Fritz who died on September 27, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/20/2024. 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 12/20/2024, 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: 6/20/2024

Judith Duberrier Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000671

Mable Turner Decedent

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

Owens T. Turner, whose address is 38700 Creek Lane Mechanicsville, MD 20659, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mable Turner who died on June 21, 2007 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/20/2024. 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 12/20/2024, 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: 6/20/2024

Owens T. Turner Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 706

Catherine Grayton Lee Decedent

C. Hope Brown Johnson, Esq. 1319 F Street, NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20004

Attorney

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

Anthony M. Grayton, whose address is 5075 Breezewood Ct., Indian Head, Maryland 20640, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Catherine Grayton Lee who died on February 3, 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 (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/27/2024. 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 12/27/2024, 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: 6/27/2024

Catherine Grayton Lee Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000659

Alfred Plato Robinson, Jr. Decedent

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

Toni Newman, whose address is 2238 13th St., NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Alfred Plato Robinson, Jr. who died on October 11, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/20/2024. 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 12/20/2024, 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: 6/20/2024

Toni Newman

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2024 ADM 710

Lestina Amanda Crawford Decedent

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

Tiffany Crawford Fells, whose address is 8653 Chatsfield Way, Hyattsville, MD 20785, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lestina Amanda Crawford who died on 5/3/2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/27/2024. 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 12/27/2024, 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: 6/27/2024

Tiffany Crawford Fells Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2024 FEP 61

October 6, 2022

Date of Death

Louis Wilfred Provost aka Louis W. Provost Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

M. J. Gertrude Provost whose address is 6 Sally Sweets Way, #108, Salem NH, 03079 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Louis Wilfred Provost aka Louis W. Provost, deceased, by the Probate Court for Essex County, State of Massachusetts, on November 14, 2023. Service of process may be made upon Robin Laupheimer, Sparacino PLLC 1920 L Street, NW, Suite 835, Washington, DC 20036 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned District of Columbia personal property. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication:

06/20/2024

M. J. Gertrude Provost

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 722

Irene E. Goodman aka Irene Elizabeth Goodman Decedent

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

Kim Roxanne Fridie, whose address is 10165 Dorsey Lane, Lanham, MD 20706, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Irene E. Goodman aka Irene Elizabeth Goodman who died on May 21, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/27/2024. 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 12/27/2024, 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: 6/27/2024

Kim Roxanne Fridie 10165 Dorsey Lane, Lanham, MD 20706

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 000477

Estate of E. N Ade aka Esau N. Ade aka Esau Nji Ade

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Roseline Oniya for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

Order any interested person to show cause why the provision of the lost or destroyed will dated June 12, 2013 should not be admitted to probate as expressed in the petition Appoint an unsupervised personal representative

Date of first publication: 6/27/2024

Sharon Legall, Esq. 1325 G Street, NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005

Petitioner/Attorney:

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000752

Ruth C. Smith aka Ruth Camp Smith Decedent

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

Henry Nash, whose address is 919 South Belgrade Road, Silver Spring, MD 20902, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ruth C. Smith aka Ruth Camp Smith who died on November 1, 2022 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding.

Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/27/2024. 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 12/27/2024, or be forever barred.

Date of first publication: 6/27/2024

Henry

Washington

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

2024 ADM 000723

Trinidad E. Lopez Decedent

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

Benito Lopez, whose address is 1805 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Trinidad E. Lopez who died on October 21, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/27/2024. 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 12/27/2024, 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: 6/27/2024

Benito Lopez Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 FEP 000065

12/21/2017

Date of Death

Ingrid J. Ollivierre-Smith Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Jasmine Ollivierre whose address is 2638 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20018 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Ingrid J. Ollivierre-Smith, deceased, by the Maryland Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on 10/1/19. Service of process may be made upon Jasmine Ollivierre, 2638 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20018 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 2638 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20018. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: 6/27/2024

Jasmine Ollivierre

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000720

Josephine Catherine Guy Decedent

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

Attorney

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

Joann B. Johnson, whose address is 5102 Just Street NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Josephine Catherine Guy who died on January 16, 2020 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/27/2024. 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 12/27/2024, 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: 6/27/2024

Joann B. Johnson Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000739

Andrew Burnett aka Andrew S. Burnett Decedent

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

Charles A. Roessler, whose address is 4000 Cathedral Ave., NW, Apt 211B, Washington, DC 20016, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Andrew Burnett aka Andrew S. Burnett who died on October 11, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/27/2024. 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 12/27/2024, 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: 6/27/2024

Charles A. Roessler

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2023 ADM 001085

William F. Hill Jr. Decedent

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

Ciara Hosein, whose address is 202 Joellyn Court, Fort Washington, MD 20744, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William F. Hill Jr. who died on 2/14/2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/27/2024. 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 12/27/2024, 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: 6/27/2024

Ciara Hosein

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000678

Alexander King Boyer Decedent

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

Peter King Boyer, whose address is 9516 Evergreen Street, Silver Spring, MD 20901, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Alexander King Boyer who died on 5/11/2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/20/2024. 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 12/20/2024, 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: 6/20/2024

Peter King Boyer Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2023 ADM 001462

Doris B. Lowrie aka Doris Lowrie Decedent

Glenda M. Wheeler Allen, Esq. Law Office Glenda M. Wheeler 800 E Street, NE, Suite A Washington, DC 20002

Attorney

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

Adriane Lowrie and Theodore R. Lowrie, III, whose addresses are 16 Knox Cir., SE, Washington, DC 20020 & 2508 Hurston Ln., NE, Unit #K, Washington, DC 20018, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Doris B. Lowrie aka Doris Lowrie who died on August 23, 2022 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/27/2024. 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 12/27/2024, 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: 6/27/2024

Adriane Lowrie Theodore R. Lowrie, III Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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CROWELL from Page 29

"In the event a buyer could not qualify for a low-downpayment loan, the required cash would be $89,600 for a 20 percent downpayment and 3 percent closing costs on the same property. Assuming the buyer earns the national median household income of $74,800, they would need to save more than a full year's salary to amass sufficient cash," states the report.

Beyond the nation's 47% jump in housing costs since 2020, households of color now have additional hurdles to overcome before achieving their own American Dream.

JACKSON from Page 28 or online courses.

• Digital Banking: Online banking allows for more convenient and cost-effective money management. No longer tied to physical branches, underserved communities can transact, save, and invest from anywhere.

• Fintech: With the convergence of finance and technology, Fintech is leveraging digital platforms to create innovative solutions to democratize financial services. Companies like Robinhood have enabled a new wave of investors to participate in the stock market without costly trading commissions and high account minimums.

According to the Ariel-Schwab Black Investor Survey conducted in 2022, trust in technology surpasses trust in people when it comes to managing assets. Young Black investors are leading the charge, with

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in a way that made each of them more human in the eyes of the other."

His gentleness shrouded a fierce radicalism, which was instilled in him by his staunchly anti-racists parents. His minister father, a graduate of McGill University in Montreal, carried a pistol and taught his son to fight. But his mother, a Jamaican immigrant, was a pacifist. When his mother scolded him for slapping a white boy who called him the n-word, he vowed never again to resort to violence. He was 10 years old. He stayed true to that vow when he received his draft notice for the Korean War. As a candidate for the ministry, he was eligible for

For example, increasing costs and numbers of climate disasters have led to corresponding increases in home insurance costs. In 2023, the number of billion-dollar disasters reached a record 28, affecting 60.5 million housing units.

In reaction, and according to Forbes, the average annual cost for insurance on a house valued at $350,000 is $1,678. However, insurance costs in Alabama, Florida, Kansas and Mississippi average more than $2,000 per year. Residents in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma pay more than $3,000 yearly.

Further, historic racial wealth disparities contribute to the nation's large racial homeownership gap, Intergen-

three times as many investing in the stock market for the first time in 2020, compared to their white counterparts. Additionally, 29% of Black investors under 40 were new to investing in 2020, compared to 16% of white investors.

Federal Reserve data reinforces this trend. In 2022, 58% of American households owned stocks. Notably, Black and Hispanic investors increased their participation significantly, both almost doubling since 2019.

The Road Ahead

The Black community stands at the forefront of this era, where under-resourced communities embrace their newfound access to the financial landscape. But despite increasing literacy and inclusion and the combined efforts of our political leaders, including the Congressional Black Caucus and the Financial Services Committee, and recent legislation like the “Financial

deferment, which he considered a "moral and ethical sellout." He served 13 months in prison for refusing to serve.

He was on a mission in India, studying satyagraha — Mohandas Gandhi's principles of nonviolent resistance — when he read a newspaper story about the Montgomery bus boycott. "He began whooping, clapping, and dancing in joy," according to Peter Drier's The 100 Greatest Americans of the 20th Century: A Social Justice Hall of Fame. "The photographs offered evidence that a nonviolent mass movement was taking hold back home. Moreover, the boycott movement was being led by a young Christian minister of about the same age as Lawson."

In preparation for joining the

erational transfers of wealth that often help whites with down payments and/ or mortgage financing remain an exception rather than the rule for many Blacks, according to JCHS. And access to affordable credit remains a nagging deterrent to homeownership.

"Addressing these challenges will not be easy," says Chris Herbert, managing director of the Center. "But with concerted efforts by policymakers at all levels of government, together with the private and nonprofit sectors, we have the ability to increase the supply of quality, affordable homes in thriving communities across the U.S." WI

Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act” (FIT21), history has taught us that our continued progress isn’t guaranteed. Some federal regulators, like Securities and Exchange Commission’s Gary Gensler, have pursued new regulations that would undermine important efforts to narrow the racial wealth gap and increase financial inclusion for the Black community. As we look ahead, the support of young and new voices in Congress who champion pro-innovation policies is exactly what we need to sustain momentum. Despite the setbacks, recent progress is encouraging, but there is so much more that can be done to increase participation. Harnessing the power of technology and advocating for financial inclusion can pave the way for a more equitable future where every Black American is ensured the tools needed to thrive and prosper.

civil rights movement in the south, Lawson began work on his master's degree in theology at Oberlin College. But in 1956, Martin Luther King Jr., came to speak at Oberlin. The two bonded over Ghandi's teachings, and King persuaded Lawson to join him immediately. He transferred to Vanderbilt University in Nashville and began conducting workshops on nonviolent protest for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

His commitment to reconciliation extended even to the man convicted of King's assassination, James Earl Ray, whom he ministered in prison.

"The motivation was simple," he said. "I did not see it as something apart from the love of God or the love of Jesus." WI

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the Secure DC Act that permits controversial Metropolitan Police Department practices that could be harmful or even fatal to these students.

We must continue finding an equitable approach that addresses all students' and families' needs, incorporating their voices even

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Pennsylvania — low-income voter participation was an average of 12 percentage points lower than that of their higher income voters. Using past averages to project 2024 turnout, this study measured the difference between the margin of victory in the last Trump-Biden matchup and the number of eligible low-income voters who are likely not to vote. In Georgia, for example, Biden won by almost 12,000 votes in 2020. In North Carolina, he lost by 74,000. But in both states, more than a million eligible low-income voters will likely not vote in 2024 if past trends continued. That's a huge potential swing vote, and the proportions are similar across the seven swing states in the study.

Since the 2024 presidential race

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worse with longer, hotter fire seasons — another feature of climate change. The still-burning Post Fire northwest of Los Angeles is just the most recent high-profile fire in California to get national attention. And wildfire smoke has now become an issue for even more parts of the country.

At one point last summer, Chicago officially had the worst air quality in the world. Other major American cities across the Midwest and East Coast were similarly impacted, as smoke pollution from Canadian wildfires poured over the continent. The threat of a repeat this summer is still there. Wildfires in Canada are still raging, and experts say the 2024 season still could be as bad as or worse than last year's.

In places where the wildfires occur, once the flames subside, flooding becomes a threat. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the removal of trees and shrubs increases the the speed and volume of runoff and hot fires can "create a water-repellent layer of topsoil, which further amplifies runoff volume and

after the bill becomes law. The status quo exacerbates the schoolto-prison pipeline in D.C.

We must continue finding a balanced approach that addresses all students' and families' needs, incorporating their voices even after the bill becomes law. The status quo exacerbates the school-toprison pipeline in D.C.

While the council had a difficult

will likely be a rematch of 2020, this study used exit poll data from 2020 to ask who unlikely low-income voters would vote for if they did turnout in 2024. Of the 1.3 million likely nonvoters in Georgia, 746,000 would likely be Biden voters. Of the 1.1 million in North Carolina, some 594,000 would likely go for Biden. In short, Biden and other Democrats have a huge advantage among this demographic when they are able and willing to vote. The overwhelming takeaway of this study is that a relatively small increase of low-income voter turnout in any of these seven states would dramatically increase Biden's chances of winning a second term in the White House. The millions of low-income people who've risen up as leaders in movements for

speed," increasing the risk of flash floods.

The heat itself dries out the ground and makes water absorption more difficult, which creates a threat of flash floods. And as the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences points out, "Warmer air holds more moisture, resulting in heavy rainfall, snowstorms, and flooding." And "warming seawater can fuel stronger, more destructive hurricanes." NOAA predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal hurricane season this year.

Beyond the threat of hurricanes along our eastern and southern coasts, inland storms are a growing threat for more and more Americans.

The regions affected by serious tornados are expanding. And once-rare derechos, another kind of incredibly destructive windstorm, are becoming more frequent.

Sadly, the list goes on. Around the world, threats from increasing temperatures include: rising sea levels, food insecurity from the loss of land suitable for crop cultivation, increased risk of infectious disease outbreaks and another pandemic like COVID-19, and the extinction

job reconciling various viewpoints and funding pressures, this budget version is likely the best we'll get out of this cycle. However, we must emphasize that more work remains to be done. We call on the mayor and council to make even deeper investments in families and children in Wards 7 and 8 in the next budget cycle.

economic justice over the past few years have the power to decide the outcome of the 2024 election.

Celinda Lake and her research partners are consultants for the Biden campaign, and they are clearly focused on the potential for his candidacy in 2024, but the potential power of this swing vote is much larger than one election or even one political party. Both Democrats and Republicans have ignored low-income voters for decades precisely because they are unlikely voters. But when the nonpartisan Poor People's Campaign, which I serve as a co-chair, surveyed poor people to ask why they don't vote, the number one reason they gave was, "No one speaks to us."