The Washington Informer - June 29, 2023

WINNER OF SIX SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS D.C. AWARDS FOR 2022

Celebrating 58 Years - Vol. 58, No. 37 • June 29 - July 5, 2023

Items Burned at the Gravestone of a Young Girl at Historic Black Cemetery

By Kayla Benjamin WI Climate & Environment Reporter

When Patrick Tisdale talks about the people buried at the Mt. Zion and Female Union Band Society cemetery, where he has volunteered for more than three years, he often refers to the names on headstones as if they are old friends. He begins a story about the grave of a 7-year-old who died in 1856, “When I first met Nannie…” Other visitors to the historic Black cemeteries in Georgetown have traced family ancestors laid to rest at the site, and Tisdale is far from alone in feeling connected to the people interred there. That’s especially true for Nannie,

Bowser Admin

Fetes Cedar Hill Medical Center Topping Out

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, project partners, health care providers, political leaders and residents celebrated the topping out of the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health facility on the St. Elizabeths East Campus in Ward 8 on Thursday. Bowser and guests signed the facility’s final steel beam in the hospital’s frame to mark a critical portion of the project completion and to celebrate

CEDAR HILL Page 5

Historic Tour Through Montgomery County Takes Guests Back in

By Micha Green WI Managing Editor

When dozens of people boarded buses at Allen Chapel AME Church in Southeast, D.C., they began a trip, not only to Montgomery County, Maryland, but also embarked on a journey back in time. Participating in the Washington Informer’s African American Heritage Tour on Saturday, June 24, allowed for immersive experiences that transported guests from modern times all the way to the late 18th century. Featuring special appearances from innovative historians and local leaders, the tour offered engaging and didactic stories that provided insight to some of the challenges and achievements Montgomery County and Black

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

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communities face to this day.

“It’s not lost on us that things like the national anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, ‘liberty and justice,’ and all that stuff– are kind of meaningful for some people, and kind of meaningless for other people,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D), during the tour’s stop at Glen Echo– a place with its own loaded and complicated civil rights history.

With stops at Boyds Negro School, Button Farm Living History Center, Glen Echo and Josiah

TOUR Page 40

5 Community members have brought dozens of toys to the grave of a 7-year-old girl after items left for her over the course of a decade were burned the day after Juneteenth. (Kayla Benjamin / The Washington Informer)

5 Historian Anthony Cohen tells tour participants about the history of the 40- acre Button Farm, he founded and runs at Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

NANNIE Page 42

5 Mayor Muriel Bowser, project partners, healthcare providers, workers, and members of the community celebrated the topping out of the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health facility on June 22, at the St. Elizabeths East Campus. (Ja'Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

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Unforgettable Night of Music and Tributes at the 2023 BET Awards

The electrifying atmosphere of the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles served as the backdrop for a momentous occasion as the 2023 BET Awards took center stage.

This year’s highly anticipated event celebrated 50 years of hip-hop with an unforgettable night of special musical medleys handpicked by Kid Capri.

The star-studded affair kicked off with an explosive performance by Lil Uzi Vert, setting the tone for an evening that would pay homage to the genre’s trailblazers.

Hip-hop pioneers such as The Sugar Hill Gang, MC Lyte (who also served as the night’s announcer), D-Nice, and Big Daddy Kane graced the stage, taking the audience on a nostalgic journey.

A heartfelt sing-along to the late Biz Markie’s iconic track, “Just a Friend,” brought emotion and nostalgia throughout the theater.

The night was ablaze with captivating performances from an array of artists, including Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Jeezy, Kid ‘N Play, Master P, Redman, Remy Ma, Soulja Boy, Styles P, Warren G, Trina, and Trick Daddy.

Each artist brought a unique style and energy, igniting the stage with their music.

Drake led the list of nominees with an impressive seven nominations.

Patti LaBelle took the stage to pay tribute to the late Queen of Rock & Roll, Tina Turner. While she sang

of being unable to see the lyrics, LaBelle’s soulful rendition of Turner’s timeless hit, “The Best,” captivated the audience, honoring an icon who left an indelible mark on the music industry.

Another pinnacle moment came when Busta Rhymes received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Artists and emcee Kid Capri exalted the memory of late hip-hop luminaries, offering snippets of their iconic hits, from Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. to Biz Markie and Pop Smoke.

In a surprise moment that stirred the crowd, Quavo and Offset, the surviving members of Migos, delivered a powerful performance of “Bad and Boujee.”

The emotional tribute included a poignant image of Takeoff, their late bandmate who tragically died in a shooting incident last December.

WI

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STAFF

Micha Green, Managing Editor

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REPORTERS

Kayla Benjamin, (Environmental Justice Reporter) Stacy Brown (Senior Writer), Sam P.K. Collins, Curtis Knowles, Brenda Siler, Lindiwe Vilakazi, Sarafina Wright, James Wright

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor, Roy Lewis, Jr., Robert R. Roberts, Anthony Tilghman, Abdula Konte, Ja'Mon Jackson

UDC Formally Approves Acting Dean of David A. Clarke School of Law

After a national search, the University of the District of Columbia’s (UDC) Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Twinette Johnson, Ph.D., J.D., as the new Dean of the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. While Johnson currently serves as acting dean, she will officially become dean of the school of law on July 3.

“I am confident Dr. Johnson will shepherd UDC Law through this transition into new levels of engagement and excellence,” said UDC’s Chief Academic Officer Lawrence T. Potter, Jr.

Prior to becoming acting dean and the board’s recent approval, Johnson served as the school of law’s associate dean for academic affairs and a professor of law.

“I am truly honored to serve as the next Dean of the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law. UDC is a remarkable institution, and I’m humbled to have the opportunity to lead its Law School,” Johnson said.

Porter Jr., highlighted Johnson’s dedication towards justice and equity as one of the Board’s reasons for confirming Johnson as the school of law’s leader.

“She understands the important place our law school has staked out on the road to social justice for all in its mission and actions, part of a mission shared by UDC,” the chief academic officer said.

Fostering justice advocates is what Johnson is prioritizing as dean.

“I look forward to working with our outstanding law school faculty and staff and University colleagues as we cultivate the next generation of social justice advocates and further elevate UDC Law in reputation, impact, and outcomes.”

UDC President Ronald Mason, Jr., who is stepping down from his position to join the UDC Law faculty in the fall, said, “I trust Dr. Johnson’s leadership of the Law School as we navigate a surge of new social justice challenges on old and new terrain.” WI

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

5 Patti LaBelle (Courtesy photo)

5 Twinette Johnson, Ph.D., J.D. (Dourtesy photo)

D.C. Area Leaders Cited for Local Service on Behalf of Biden

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

A number of District leaders, many of whom reside and work in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River, were honored on Juneteenth for their volunteer community service with a citation by President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award and Presidential Volunteer Service Recognition Ceremony took place at Matthew Memorial Baptist Church in Southeast, D.C. on June 19 before a crowd of 80 people.

Radio and television personalities Guy Lambert and Renee Allen co-emceed the event. The Rev. Dr. George E. Holmes served as the chairman of the group that organized the recognition ceremony. Holmes said those recognized gave much of their time in the betterment of Washington, D.C. area neighborhoods.

“We must pay tribute to those who dedicate their talents and skills to our communities,” Holmes said. “They deserve to be recognized and respected for what they do. The people we honor today are not ther-

mometers who measure the climate but thermostats, who adjust and control the climate.”

Among those delivering short addresses on their community service were former District first lady and Founder and CEO of the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center and Recreation Wish List Committee Cora Masters Barry; Herb Scott, president of Life Enhancement Services; Virginia Ali, co-founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl; Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes; and Busboys & Poets President Andy Shallal.

Barry talked about how community service became a part of her life early on because of Isabell Masters, her mother, who had run for U.S. president as a minor candidate a few times, and as the wife of the late four-term District mayor and D.C. Council member Marion S. Barry Jr.

“My mother taught us it was important to be involved in the community and to help make things better for others,” Barry, 78, said. “She thought all service was good. My husband Marion Barry believed in service all the time. I refused to go to the grocery store with him because people would stop him and thank him for what he has done.”

Barnes thanked the committee for her selection. She said her volunteerism is for future Washingtonians.

“What we do is for them,” said Barnes, pointing to the young people in the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Concert Chorale, who were sitting behind her on the church’s choir stand.

Shallal talked about the importance of the contributions of Black people and others of color to the country.

“If it were not for Blacks and those of immigrant communities, this country would be a fascist mess,” he said.

Special remarks regarding the occasion were delivered by Glenarden, Maryland Mayor Cashenna A. Cross and Ward 8 Democrats President Troy Donte Prestwood.

The Children’s Theater, located in Ward 8, had a presentation in which its young actors dressed up as and portrayed District historical figures

such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Chuck Brown, and Marion S. Barry Jr. Public relations entrepreneur Raymone K. Bain, who works closely with the former first lady and has worked with Mayor Barry and entertainer Michael Jackson, received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award & Juneteenth History citation.

Throughout the ceremony, which lasted four hours, attendees were entertained by the Duke Ellington choir and its jazz combo, saxophonist Brian Lenair, dancer Paula Brown, and entertainer and evangelist Montell Jordan with a short rendition of his hit song “This is How We Do It.” WI @JamesWrightJr10

the construction progress of the building.

“With today’s topping out, we are even closer to fulfilling a decadeslong vision — a promise to bring a new high-quality hospital and health system east of the river,” Bowser said. “When we open Cedar Hill, this will be a facility that residents can trust, a hospital that is modern and financially stable. Today, I am grateful for all workers, healthcare partners, and teams who are helping me keep this promise and delivering D.C.’s first new full-time service hospital in over 20 years.”

The building of the hospital is expected to be done by 2025. The $434.4 million hospital will include 136 beds (with the ability to expand to 184), a verified trauma center, adult and pediatric

emergency departments, maternal health and delivery, an ambulatory pavilion for physician offices, clinics, a community space, a 500-car garage, and a helipad for emergency transports.

The hospital will be complemented by two new urgent care centers in Wards 7 and 8.

D.C. Councilmember Trayon White Sr. (D-Ward 8) said he can’t wait for Cedar Hill to open.

“Having a new hospital with a trauma center in Ward 8 will be a great benefit to our residents and the community,” White said.

Council members Vincent C. Gray (D-Ward 7) and Christina Henderson (I-At Large), who chair the Hospital and Health Equity and Health committees, respectively, both said the new facility will be a benefit for residents east of the Anacostia River as well as everyone in the city. WI

5Virginia Ali, the co-founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl, accepts her award for her community service. (Photo by Rob Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

CEDAR HILL from Page 1

AROUND THE REGION

facts

JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2023

SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

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

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

JULY 4

1881 – Tuskegee University is founded in Tuskegee, Alabama.

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 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.

1910 – Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight champion, defends his title by knocking out "The Great White Hope," Jim Jeffries, in Nevada.

1938 – Singer-songwriter Bill Withers is born in Slab Fork, West Virginia.

JULY 5

1975 – Arthur Ashe defeats defending Wimbledon champion Jimmy Connors, becoming the first African American man to win the singles title in the tournament. WI

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Washington Bids Farewell to Randall Robinson

By Austin R. Cooper, Jr. Managing Director, Our House D.C.

On Saturday, June 24, 300 individuals gathered at the historic Shiloh Baptist Church to bid farewell to Randall Robinson. A world-renowned lawyer, author, humanitarian and civil rights activist, Robinson passed away on March 24 at the age of 81 in St. Kitts and Nevis from aspiration pneumonia.

Inside the church were movers and shakers of Washington’s governmental, political and diplomatic society.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) attended the memorial service and offered reflections on Robinson’s life, including: the District’s Democratic Delegate in Congress Eleanor Holmes Norton, Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Maxine Waters (D-CA). Reflections were offered by other notables, including Mary Frances Berry, former Chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Ed Lewis, founder and former CEO of Essence Communications, and James L. Hudson, former Counsel for TransAfrica.

Letters of condolences were also extended to Robinson’s widow, Hazel Ross-Robinson, by President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and President Cyril Ramaphosa, Republic of South Africa.

“Randall was a passionate leader, whose unwavering commitment to democracy, justice, and human rights

lifted up countless lives in America and around the world,” said President Biden. “I witnessed firsthand his deep conviction that everyone deserves to be treated with decency and respect as well as his talent for shifting perspectives and changing hearts.”

President Ramaphosa noted Robinson’s activism in South Africa.

“Through TransAfrica and the South Africa Movement, Randall Robinson fought for a free South Africa in which all South Africans would enjoy democratic rights, and a South Africa that could take its rightful place in international forums and in the world economy,” said President Ramaphosa.

Founded on July 1, 1977, by Robinson, the TransAfrica Forum (now TransAfrica) is an advocacy organization that seeks to influence U.S. foreign policy African, Caribbean and Latin American countries and all African diaspora groups. Under Robinson’s leadership, TransAfrica, through the Free South Africa Movement, is credited for its role in the anti-apartheid through activism, which included letter-writing campaigns, legislation on Capitol Hill, hunger strikes, and protests against apartheid to compel action in the U.S. Government, American companies and academic institutions investing in South Africa.

Born in Richmond, Virginia, on July 6, 1941, in a rat-infested home— lacking heating, a television, or telephone— Robinson was the third of

four children born to Maxie and Doris Robinson, both of whom were teachers. Growing up in the segregated South shaped him from an early age.

Years later in an interview with The Progressive Magazine, Robinson recalled, “The insult of segregation was searing and unforgettable. I decided a long time ago to join the social justice movement.”

He went on to win a basketball scholarship to Virginia Union University and graduated from Harvard Law School.

Rep. Lee remembered Robinson as a world-changer.

“His brilliance, his vision, and his passion persist through the long-lasting legacy of his work,”

Lee said. “He changed the world.”

Vivian Derryck, former president of the Africa-America Institute and assistant administrator for USAID, reflected on Robinson’s influence after the memorial service. She recalled her children, Amanda and David, then sixth and eighth graders, standing in the cold in 1986 at the South African Embassy along with several of their classmates and parents chanting: “Free Nelson Mandela.” They were arrested.

“We tend to eulogize Randall, the brilliant strategist, committed activist, fearless leader speaking truth to the U.S. government. But equally important, children saw an unbowed Black man of rock-ribbed integrity and clear vision, an eloquent speaker committed to basic justice.” WI

5 Three hundred individuals gathered at Shiloh Baptist Church on Saturday, June 24, to commemorate the life of world-renowned lawyer and civil rights activist Randall Robinson, who died on March 24. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

AKA Xi Omega Chapter Celebrates Centennial, Gives $150K in Scholarships

By Micha Green WI Managing Editor

Xi Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s first and largest graduate chapter in Washington, D.C., is celebrating 100 years of service to the nation’s capital with festive programming throughout the year. As the chapter commemorates its centennial, Xi Omega and its nonprofit arm the Pearl and Ivy Educational Foundation (PIEF), is also remaining true to its mission of furthering academic opportunities for local youth.

Touting a long history of supporting students, this year, Xi Omega and PIEF raised $150,000 in scholarships, exceeding the foundation’s giving to more than $1 million since it was established in 1988. With more than 700 guests donning derby attire, and hues of pink and green filling the room, the Centennial Jubilee on Sunday, June 25, at the Marriott Marquis, highlighted Xi Omega and PIEF’s work in action. Using funds raised, 20 District students were awarded scholarships for their excellence in academia and service.

“For 100 years, education has been the backbone of our service initiatives,” said Raven L. Hill, Xi Omega Chapter and Pearl and Ivy Educational Foundation president. “Our earliest members were teachers, which set the foundation for tutoring, mentoring and scholarship programs. As we celebrate this centennial anniversary and million-dollar milestone, we pay tribute to the vision and generosity of those who paved the way.”

This year, five of the 20 students received $10,000 Centennial Scholarships for their exemplary achievements scholastically and as leaders in their communities. Even with the special centennial celebrations at the forefront, PIEF Executive Director Amanda Alexander emphasized that the nonprofit is not new to supporting students, it’s true to it.

“At the heart of PIEF’s mission, we make college dreams come true for youth in our nation’s capital,” Alexander said.

The sold-out Centennial event was a party with multi-purposes: to celebrate 100 years of Xi Omega

and foster the next generation of scholars.

“Our chapter’s rich legacy of service and scholarship in the Washington, D.C. region is truly a reason to celebrate all year,” said Centennial Jubilee Chairwoman F. Denise Gibson Bailey.

Outside of the ballroom were pink, green and ivy leaf photo walls and selfie installations for people to creatively capture memories; a bar with specialty cocktails such as “The Mint Jubilee,” and other beverages; and the Xi Omega Traveling Centennial Museum, which can later be viewed at spots throughout the city such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.

Hosted by NBC 4 anchor Molette Green, who is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Fox 5 DC’s Wisdom Martin, the event was smooth sailing as guests enjoyed a three-course meal, listened to captivating speeches, and celebrated the young scholars and work of Xi Omega and PIEF. Special guests included DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) and former DC Councilmember Brandon Todd. Alpha Kappa Alpha North Atlantic Regional Director Elicia Pegues Spearman was also present and delivered an encouraging and captivating speech.

"It’s of significance to note that the Pearl and Ivy Educational Foundation, celebrating 35 years of existence, perpetuates your commitment to the uplift and betterment of others in our nation’s capital—and beyond,” Spearman said. "It is duly noted that Xi Omega and the Pearl and Ivy Educational Foundation have accomplished great works, and that you have done exceedingly well serving the community. While you can’t yet rest on your laurels, you can indeed pause today, and let the good work you’ve done speak for you, as you are truly Alpha Kappa Alpha’s and the North Atlantic Region’s good and faithful servant-leaders.”

With entertainment from Bliss the Electric Blue Violinist and the get-on-your-feet sounds of Secret Society, guests jammed, but the major focus remained on the young scholars, who were also awarded laptops by one of the organization’s

major sponsors, Comcast.

Further, throughout the event, many guests approached scholars to offer congratulatory words and best wishes.

“I received a scholarship from the Pearl and Ivy Educational Foundation,” said Terrell Webster, with gratitude.

Student-athlete Terrell graduated from McKinley Technological High School on June 21 and is headed to Morehouse on a full scholarship. While he recently learned the majority of his education is already financed, Terrell, 19, still appreciates the PIEF scholarship, which he hopes will not only support his educational endeavors, but inspire others.

“I want to use this [opportuni-

ty] to advocate for other student athletes to motivate them to take school more seriously, and actually prioritize it before [sports],” he

said. “Your hard work in the classroom will be noticed as well as in whatever sport that you play.”

WI

5 (Courtesy photo/Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®, Xi Omega Chapter)

WORDS TO LIVE BY

– Frederick Douglass

Paige Muller reads the Washington Informer.

(Courtesy photo)

“The American people have this to learn: that where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob, and degrade them, neither person nor property is safe.”

The Langston Jr. Boys & Girls Golf Club, founded by professional golf instructor and Hall of Famer, Ray Savoy (2nd right) held an awards ceremony on June 27. (L-R) Ciana Nelson who plans to attend Clark Atlanta University in Georgia, Jason Davis who will be attending Towson University in Baltimore, and Nasira Majid who will be attending the University of the District of Columbia received scholarship awards. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

CANADY FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS

Inaugural Gala Celebrates Young Artists, Artivists, Arts Educators, D.C. Arts

By Micha Green WI Managing Editor

With its inaugural gala “Dream in Color,” on Saturday, June 24, the Canady Foundation for the Arts (CFA) not only celebrated local arts, arts educators and artists, but also emphasized the importance of providing young people with artistic opportunities.

“Tonight we are celebrating some incredible artists who are from the DMV, who are doing incredible work in the community, nationally, and throughout the world. And, of course, we’re celebrating our young people,” said CFA Founder and Executive Director Marjuan Canady. Having pushed arts education with much of her efforts since 2015, Canady celebrated CFA’s work pre-pandemic, and since “the world opened back up.”

“Tonight we’re raising funds to keep this work going and to celebrate, to honor, all of the artists, activists, culture workers that are doing this work every single day,” Canady said during the event.

Held at the Hecht Warehouse in Northeast, D.C. CFA’s celebration included an open bar and specialty cocktails crafted by Mixin Mimi and sponsored by El Silencio Mezcal, delicious dining options from Crown Bakery, a dynamic steel-pan duo, desserts from Georgetown Cupcake and a show-stopping performance from the organization’s Youth Improv Slam winners.

The youth performance was one way of witnessing CFA’s work in action.

“The program… actually exposes students who have never been in theatre before, never been on stage,” emphasized CFA Board Chair Carl Gray III.

The young artists performed the improv games, “What are you doing?” and “Stipulations.” During the youth performance the foundation’s founder, and one of the evening’s honorees, actor Jessica Frances Duke, joined in on the fun– improvising with the students.

Frances Duke, a DMV native who stars on Netflix’s “Ozark” under-

scored the importance of exposing students to opportunities in the arts.

“I started my arts journey with a program like this… with someone like Marjuan, who saw something in me as a young girl, who said, ‘Let me give you the tools, let me give you the resources, let me give you the environment, the people, the space, and the time,’” she said.

Frances Duke also acknowledged the hard work of arts educators and arts programs, recognizing them as life changing.

“I remember a teacher took me to

see my first play… and it just changed my life. I came up in a family of visual artists, and I was the only one who wanted to perform, so I’m thankful for programs like this because they lead to where I am right now.”

Other honorees included: artists and arts educators Chelsea Dee, Tatiana Figueroa, Shanna Lim and Devin Walker; Shellée Haynseworth, who received the Storyteller Award; Natalie Hopkinson, recipient of the Artist Activist Award; and Cultivator Award recipient Alorie Clark. Similarly to Frances Duke, Haynesworth said she appreciates the work of CFA because she began storytelling as a young person.

“I was part of a very active arts and storytelling scene, so I’m so inspired to see this group of young people,” she said.

Hayneworth also said she appreciated CFA for acknowledging the importance of storytelling and celebrating her personal artistic grind.

“Storytelling is critically important as we still fight all the tropes in our society. I feel like our story [can be] super one note, but as I look around this room, I’m inspired by all the beautiful storytellers and the stories that are here,” Haynesworth said. “Thank you CFA for the opportunity to just be recognized, because it’s a lot to be a storyteller.” WI

5 The Canady Foundation for the Arts held its inaugural gala on Saturday, June 24, celebrating the work to empower young artists, and the efforts of artists, arts activists, and arts educators at the Hecht Warehouse, in Northeast, D.C. (Courtesy Photo)

“The program… actually exposes students who have never been in theatre before, never been on stage,” emphasized CFA Board Chair Carl Gray III.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

PRINCE GEORGE’S POLITICAL UPDATES

Alsobrooks Delivers State of the County, Ivey Sponsors Inclusion Act

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ALSOBROOKS GIVES STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS

Sharing updates on economic development strategies, particularly regarding housing and transit, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks delivered her annual State of the Economy Address on June 14.

“I'm honored to be here at the University of Maryland, where Discovery Point will soon be underway to offer 300,000 square feet of new, state of the art office space to our community,” she said. “That’s what progress looks like. These are the kinds of partners who share our vision for a transit-rich, inclusive Prince George’s County.”

In her 2022 announcement, she noted plans for future investments, and this year, she shared progress on some of those efforts. These projects have represented a major part of her economic development strategy.

Some of the projects discussed included the redevelopment of Cheverly Hospital, affordable housing development in New Carrollton, and particularly the Blue Line Corridor’s timeline for growth.

“Some years ago at New Carrollton, some of our partners showed a graphic of what $150,000,000 of investment could do to transform that area into a true transit hub. We saw retail centers and an inviting plaza, a walkable and bikeable social structure, with affordable housing for our residents,” she said. “It was a nice idea: but in two short years, we secured $120,000,000 to turn that image into a completed

project.” Alsobrooks continually noted that additional public funding for various projects has opened up additional private investment.

The planned spending to improve the Blue Line Corridor was also of great pride.

“As of this past February, over $750,000,000 in private investment from minority-led partners are taking shape in the Blue Line Corridor, opening up generational wealth for Prince George’s,” said Alsobrooks. “We have well over $1,000,000,000 invested in our corridor already, and we are supporting new investment with an eye on smart and sustainable growth.”

The right of first refusal and other housing programs have created over 2,000 affordable housing units since 2021, and nearly another 1,000 affordable properties are under maintenance or construction currently.

“I'm honored to be here at the University of Maryland, where Discovery Point will soon be underway to offer 300,000 square feet of new, state of the art office space to our community. That’s what progress looks like. These are the kinds of partners who share our vision for a transit-rich, inclusive Prince George’s County.”

COUNTY COUNCIL ADOPTS FY24 BUDGET

On May 26, the Prince George’s County Council approved a $5.4 billion budget. The FY-2024 budget includes an increase of $318 million, or 6.3% over the prior year’s budget.

The largest portion of general funds (62%) goes to Prince George’s County Public Schools. Nearly 20% of general funds fund law enforcement agencies, with the remaining 18% supporting the rest of county government operations. Increases in funding will bring new firefighters and police, fund anti-flooding measures and help to fill vacancies in County government.

BOWIE MAYOR TIM ADAMS DONATES 6 FIGURES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

On June 7, Bowie Mayor Timothy Adams and his wife, the Honorable Sheila Tillerson Adams personally donated $100,000 to Luminis Health’s behavioral health services in Prince George’s County.

Tori Bayless, chief executive officer of Luminis Health, and Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, joined members of the Adams family for a ceremonial check presentation inside the new Behavioral Health

Pavilion in Lanham.

“Since 2019, Luminis Health, a locally formed health system, has invested $85 million at our Lanham campus, including expanding behavioral health services,” said Richmond. “The Adams’ generosity and commitment to our community warms my heart tremendously. Their financial support will provide access, treatment and programming to Prince Georgians who deserve high-quality care close to home. It is my sincere hope these much needed services will help end the stigma of receiving mental health and substance use treatment.”

This donation will help to fund a new eight-bed addiction services clinic and a substance use disorder treatment program. Additional funding for the project was provided via a $20,000,000 grant by the County Council.

Adams, the first Black Mayor in Bowie’s history, previously ran for Comptroller in the Democratic primary against now-Comptroller Brooke Lierman.

IVEY SPONSORS ECONOMIC INCLUSION ACT OF 2023

On June 15, Maryland Reps. Jamie Raskin (D) and Glenn Ivey (D) introduced the Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act, a bill to protect individuals from racial

discrimination and foster economic inclusion.

The Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act restores and strengthens Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, addressing the erosion of Section 1981's original guarantees by adopting a motivation test— allowing for disparate impact claims, and expanding protection to a broader array of economic activity.

Over time, however, the Supreme Court has chipped away at the ability to adequately enforce and uphold Section 1981.

“I am proud to support the reintroduction of the Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act. Economic empowerment and opportunity for historically underserved communities is vital to generational wealth. Economic inclusion is a civil right,” said Ivey.

Sen. Cory Booker (D- NJ) also supported the reintroduction of the Economic Inclusion Civil Rights Act.

“Over 155 years ago, Congress enacted Section 1981 to guarantee equal treatment for Black Americans and other communities of color in our economy. However, the Supreme Court’s decades-long pattern of systemically striking down its critical protections has left the law’s promise unfulfilled today,” said Booker. WI

5 County Executive Angela Alsobrooks gave her annual State of the Economy Address on June 14 in College Park, touting the accomplishments of development particularly in New Carrollton and the Blue Line Corridor. (WI File Photo)

5 Congressman Glenn Ivey (pictured) (D- Maryland) and Bennie Thompson (D- Mississippi) called on the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General to resign, following a pattern of deleting work-related text messages from his government issued phone. (WI

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY WEEKLY UPDATES

Local Teen Competes

Nationally, Camp Embers Ignites Future Firefighters

Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

UPPER MARLBORO

RESIDENT COMPETES IN NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

Faith Harrison, a resident of Upper Marlboro and 2023 graduate of Bishop McNamara High School, traveled to Mobile, Alabama on June 14, to participate in the 66th Distinguished Young Women National Finals, a competition that took place between June 22 and 24 at the Mobile Civic Center Theater. Harrison was one of 50 representatives competing for $155,000 in cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2023.

“We are excited to welcome the 50 outstanding state representatives to Mobile for the 66th annual National Finals of Distinguished Young Women,” said Carole Hegwood, Executive Director of Distinguished Young Women. “These young women are accomplished, talented, intelligent, and have exciting futures ahead of them.”.

Harrison and the other 49 contestants participated in team building activities, completed community service projects, interacted

with the Gulf Coast community through various events and engaged in hours of rehearsal in preparation for the three-night scholarship competition.

“The biggest thing I have done to prepare for this competition is saying yes to every single opportunity handed or offered to me that I thought would benefit me,” said Faith.

“From speaking in public at grand openings, to leading my dance team in certain activities, performing… anything that could help me with my talent, my fitness, my public speaking. I did mock interviews for practice to help me. I really say yes to any opportunity that could be used as a tool to help me in this competition.”

For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Tara Lawson, the National Headquarters Marketing and Communications, via email or visit their website.

CAMP EMBERS GRANTS FIREFIGHTING KNOWLEDGE TO COUNTY TEENS WORD COUNT: 272

On June 24 and 25, the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department (PGFD) hosted 30 young women aged 14-18 for the

inaugural summer session of Camp Embers, a free two-day summer camp to teach young women skills used in fire and emergency medical services. The camp was hosted at the PGFD training grounds in Cheltenham.

Tiffany Green, the first woman to serve as Fire Chief of PGFD’s, acknowledged the importance of outreach. ‘This camp is vitally important. It will introduce young girls and women to the Fire/EMS industry, and they will know that this is an awesome career opportunity where they can achieve a high level of personal reward and success,” said Chief Green.

The PGFD fire chief also emphasized what such programming can do for other aspiring firefighters.

“I wish there had been a program like Camp Embers for me when I was considering a career choice, and that is why this is so important to me. This camp will leave an impression on young women, and they will know what this career involves and how lucrative and satisfying a career of service can be.’

"I came in here confident as ever

and I left even more confident. I did apply for the course so I'm just waiting to hear back, so hopefully I do and I'm just excited to join them," said 18-year-old Alexis Morales, who will be applying for one of 85 open positions later this year.

Chief Green is committed to the efforts of Camp Ember and plans to continue to grow the camp each

year. According to the US Fire Association, only 5% of career firefighters are women. Another study showed only 8% of career firefighters are African-American. For more information about this program, contact PGFD Public Information Director, Alan C. Doubleday or Camp Embers directly. WI

Josiah Henson Museum and Park

5 Bowie Mayor Tim Adams (centered), alongside his family, donate a $100,000 check to Lanham’s Luminis Health clinic. This donation will help to expand addiction treatment services on site. (Photo Courtesy: Luminis Health )

By James Wright / WI Staff Writer

BUSINESS briefs

D.C. AREA SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE UPBEAT: TD BANK SURVEY

A survey released recently by TD Bank found that despite ongoing market and macroeconomic volatility, an impressive 90% of Washington, D.C. metro small business owners anticipate meeting or exceeding their business goals this year.

This is as much as eleven percentage points higher than in other East Coast metro areas surveyed such as New York City, Philadelphia and Miami/Fort Lauderdale. This optimism stems from 2022

results, when 87% of respondents in the DMV met or exceeded their revenue goals.

Along with their bullish outlook, 81% of business owners anticipate that their revenue/sales and/or number of employees will increase in the next 12 months. When asked to rank their top three priorities for 2023, entrepreneurs cited attracting new customers, expanding products or services, and creating a business succession plan.

Understanding that these activities will need financing, 52% of businesses will seek credit in the next 12 months, the survey reported.

While local business sentiment is positive, the survey reported concerns. The top three challenges are increasing costs of supplies/ materials/equipment, local/regional economic uncertainty, and rising rates/inflation.

“Following lessons from the pandemic, enterprises are looking to ensure they have sufficient cash on hand and access to credit to operate now and in the future,” said Terry Kenny, commercial market president of D.C., Maryland and Virginia, TD Bank.

The survey was conducted by Big Village among a sample of 250 entrepreneurs in the Washington region with fewer than one hundred employees and revenue of $250,000 to less than $10 million from Jan. 31-Feb. 20.

GIANT FOOD OFFERS BITS OF BEN’S CHILI BOWL

Giant Food, a leading Mid-At-

lantic grocery chain, recently announced its launch of Ben’s Chili Bowl’s world-famous chili and half smokes available in the prepared food sections and hot bars in its District, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware stores, as of June 23.

This signifies the first chili retail distribution partnership for Ben’s. Giant will offer Ben’s original and spicy half smokes, chili con carne, turkey chili and the secret chili sauce that cannot be purchased anywhere else.

“We are proud to introduce Ben’s Chili Bowl’s fan favorite recipes and menu items into our

stores, and we are sure they will be a welcomed addition for our customers,” said Ira Kress, president at Giant Food.

Ben’s co-founder Virginia Ali said Giant will be a good partner and her late husband co-founder would be happy.

“When we first met the wonderful team at Giant, we realized that it would be a perfect fit because we share the same values, including our deep dedication to serving our community,” Ali said. “I only wish Ben was still here with us because he would be so proud.” WI

@JamesWrightJr10

Joint Venture

Project: Adams EDU Campus Modernization

Only Trades Bidding: Demolition & Abatement

Subcontractor Small Business Requirement CBE/SBE

Bid Date: 07/07/ at 12:00PM

Virtual Bid Kick-off meeting 06/28/2023 at 10:00AM

For documents and RSVP kick-off meeting Michelle Evans mevans@consigli.com

5 The D.C. Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual “Doing Business on the Green” Golf Tournament on June 12 at the Country Club at Woodmore in Mitchellville, Maryland. Attendees included (left to right) Carolyn Howell, president and CEO, Events USA; Wen Liang, vice president, Anchor Construction; Thomas Graham, board member, Goodwill of Greater Washington; Angela Franco, president and CEO, DC Chamber of Commerce; Chris Taylor, senior manager, Pepco; and Rob Hawkins, head of D.C. Government Relations, BerlinRosen.

BID Leaders Are Bullish on Downtown D.C.’s Future

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

The coronavirus pandemic earlier this decade economically devastated the downtown sector of the District, but the leaders of DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) — charged by the Bowser administration to resurrect it— are confident they can make it a profitable area again, which was their main message at a gathering on June 21.

The DowntownDC BID hosted 250 business and community leaders and residents for their annual meeting held at Planet World in Northwest. DowntownDC BID President and CEO Gerren Price said the location of the meeting serves as an example of downtown’s possible revitalization.

“This building sat vacant for years and before that it was the Franklin School Shelter,” said Price.

“Now it is a thriving museum with a restaurant, Immigrant Food +,” Price added. “You have to get here early if you want lunch on weekdays.”

Price said the board of directors approved the organization’s $15.7 million budget for 2023-2024 and is in the process of celebrating the BID’s 25th anniversary. He said the time is ripe for downtown’s revitalization, noting the meeting “is the first in-person event since the pandemic.”

Price said 2022 was a transition year where the organization stepped up to challenges. He said there was widespread concern of a potent new variant of the coronavirus that could shut downtown again, but it never materialized. Price said downtown is grappling with the rising homelessness population, an increase in First Amendment activity and concerns about public safety.

“We cannot have a reimagined downtown and D.C. if we don’t have a safe downtown and D.C.,” he said.

D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) spoke to the audience about her activities aiding the BID’s efforts with the legislature.

The event was keynoted by Eran Chen, world-renowned architect with buildings in Chicago and Buenos Aires. Chen suggested the Dis-

Price said 2022 was a transition year where the organization stepped up to challenges. He said there was widespread concern of a potent new variant of the coronavirus that could shut downtown again, but it never materialized.

trict should look to employ city alleyways to connect parks and plazas in downtown.

Price remains upbeat on downtown’s development and his organization’s commitment to it.

“Together, we’ve been resilient, and we’ve weathered the storm of danger and of doubt throughout the pandemic,” Price said. “And now, as we continue to face challenges, we believe we have an unparalleled opportunity to completely reimagine the downtown as we know it and to secure its future for many years to come.”

WI

@JamesWrightJr10

DC FUTURES is a new program that gives District residents up to $8,000 for college tuition. Students can choose from more than 50 in-demand fields.

Other benefits include:

• One-on-one coaching to help keep you on track.

• $1,500 stipend for books, travel, and other extras.

• Emergency funds to cover some of life’s unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, rent, food, and child care.

So, whether you want to finish the degree you started, or start the degree you’ve always dreamed of, the first step is just a click away.

Learn more at osse.dc.gov/dcfutures.

— Lauren, Class of 2023

“The career I never thought possible... is possible.”

5 Gerren Price serves as the president and CEO of the DowntownDC BID.

Ruling Presents Challenges for Innocent Federal Prisoners

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court delivered a blow to the rights of federal prisoners, particularly those who may be completely innocent.

This week’s ruling in Jones v. Hendrix establishes a significant hurdle for prisoners seeking to challenge their convictions in court.

The case revolved around Marcus DeAngelo Jones, a federal prisoner convicted in 2000 of possessing a firearm after a felony conviction.

However, in a 2019 case called Rehaif v. United States, the Supreme Court declared that individuals could not be convicted under the felon-in-possession statute unless they were aware of their prior felony conviction at the time of possessing the gun.

Jones argued that he mistakenly believed his previous felony conviction had been expunged when he acquired the firearm, rendering his conviction invalid under Rehaif.

He said because he was unaware of his felony status, federal law did not make his possession of the firearm illegal.

Unfortunately, the Supreme Court’s ruling, as outlined in Justice Thomas’s opinion, prevents

Jones from challenging his conviction altogether.

The outcome is because of a federal law known as Section 2255, which generally bars federal prisoners from making multiple challenges to their convictions or sentences.

Jones had previously succeeded in petitioning a federal court to vacate a portion of his sentence before the Rehaif decision, which Thomas argued extinguished his sole opportunity to challenge his conviction, even though Jones had no way of knowing that his claim of innocence would become potentially valid after Rehaif.

Although Section 2255 does include exceptions that allow for a second challenge under certain circumstances, Thomas narrowly interprets the provision, stating that the usual process is “inadequate or ineffective” to test the legality of a prisoner’s detention.

In her dissenting opinion, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson criticized Thomas’s restrictive construction and even mocks it by claiming that only a fire or mudslide could provide relief.

Thomas’s majority opinion extends the consequences beyond individuals like Jones, who hope to overturn their convictions due to developments like the Rehaif decision.

Many other individuals who are entirely innocent and wrongfully convicted will also be denied the opportunity for second appeals and remain unjustly imprisoned.

Before Section 2255’s enactment in 1948, federal prisoners had to challenge their convictions in the judicial district where they were incarcerated.

However, the system was impractical and burdensome for federal trial courts near prisons, as they often needed easier access to necessary records, evidence, and witnesses.

Section 2255 addressed this issue by requiring prisoners to bring challenges to the court that initially tried and convicted them, ensuring a more equitable distribution of cases among federal district courts, and providing the court most familiar with the prisoner’s case to hear the habeas suits challenging their confinement.

Although Section 2255 ordinarily restricts prisoners from filing a second habeas challenge if they were previously denied relief, it permits a second challenge if the usual process is “inadequate or ineffective” to test the legality of their detention.

However, Thomas characterized previous decisions allowing prisoners to file second challenges as an “end-run” around the limits set by federal law for habeas petitions.

He interpreted the “inadequate or ineffective” provision so narrowly that very few cases would meet its requirements, leaving prisoners fighting unlawful convictions with limited recourse.

In response, Justice Jackson argued in her dissent that Thomas’s reading of Section 2255 is completely unsupported by the text.

Both justices agreed on the historical purpose of Section 2255, which aimed to relieve the burden on district courts near federal prisons.

However, the statute contains no language that aligned with Thomas’s interpretation of the “inadequate or ineffective” provision.

Jackson asserted that Congress reenacted this exception in 1996, using identical language, and intended it to preserve prisoners’ ability to bring postconviction claims, including those based on statutory innocence, that might have been inadvertently barred by the language adopted in the amendment.

Experts said the outcome of the Jones case revealed, not only the complexity of federal habeas law and the procedural challenges prisoners face, but also a longstanding philosophical divide within the Supreme Court.

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

WI @StacyBrownMedia

5 This week’s ruling in Jones v. Hendrix establishes a significant hurdle for prisoners seeking to challenge their convictions in court./Wikimedia commons

Supreme Court Rules Against Challenges to Indian Child Welfare Act

Poised for Other Major Decisions

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

As the Biden-Harris administration and most of America awaits a decision on the president’s student loan forgiveness plan and affirmative action, the Supreme Court has declined to disturb a federal law that governs the process for the placement of Native American children in foster or adoptive homes, rejecting constitutional challenges to the law.

The court ruled 7-2 in the case known as Haaland v. Brackeen, which a birth mother, foster and adoptive parents, and the state of Texas brought.

The challengers claimed the law exceeds federal authority, infringes on state sovereignty, and discriminates on the basis of race.

In a majority opinion authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the court turned down the challenges, a victory for the Biden administration and several Native American tribes

that defended the law.

“The issues are complicated,” Barrett wrote, adding that “the bottom line is that we reject all of petitioners’ challenges to the statute, some on the merits and others for lack of standing.”

Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented.

Enacted in 1978, the Indian Child Welfare Act aims to keep Native American children connected to Native families by giving preference to those families or Native institutions during foster care and adoption proceedings that involve Native children.

The law defines “Indian child” as not only one who is a member of a Native American tribe but also one who is eligible for membership and the biological child of a tribal member.

The dispute before the Supreme Court arose from three child custody proceedings, during which the Indian Child Welfare Act was

invoked to govern the placement of Native children.

The white foster and adoptive parents, joined by the state of Texas, challenged the law’s constitutionality in federal court, arguing in part that it uses racial classifications that unlawfully impede non-Native families from fostering or adopting Native children.

A federal district court ruled in favor of the families.

Still, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit affirmed the lower court’s decision that the law’s preferences for prioritizing “other Indian families” and “Indian foster home[s]” over non-Native families are unconstitutional.

The appeals court also upheld the district court’s ruling that several of the law’s requirements violated the 10th Amendment.

In a concurring opinion by Justice Neil Gorsuch, joined by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Gorsuch praised the majority opinion upholding the law and wrote that when enacting it more than 30 years ago, Congress

exercised its lawful authority to “secure the right of Indian parents to raise their families as they please; the right of Indian children to grow in their culture; and the right of Indian communities to resist fading into the twilight of history.”

“In affirming the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), the Court safeguards the ability of tribal members to raise

their children free from interference by state authorities and other outside parties,” he wrote.

“In the process, the Court also goes a long way toward restoring the original balance between federal, state, and tribal powers the Constitution envisioned.”

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

WI @StacyBrownMedia

5 In a majority opinion authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the court turned down the challenges, a victory for the Biden administration and several Native American tribes that defended the law. (Courtesy Photo/ Wikimedia Commons)

COMPILED BY OSWALD T. BROWN, WI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rwandans in Ghana Appeal to World not to Shield Genocide Perpetrators

The High Commission of Rwanda in Ghana in close collaboration with the Rwandan Community in Ghana have called on the global community to bring to justice architects and perpetrators of the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 and to commit with actions to the fight against Genocide ideology and its denial, The New Times, Rwanda’s largest daily newspaper, reported on Saturday, June 25.

They made the appeal on Friday, June 23, in Accra, as they commemorated the 1994 Genocide, according to a press release from the High Commision of Rwanda in Ghana.

Rwandans were joined by officials from the Government of Ghana, U.N. Agencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps, top political and business leaders, Senior Military Officers, the media and other friends of Rwanda.

Also present at the event were Rd. Major General Henry Kwami Anyidoho and Rd. Major General Major General Joseph Narh Adinkra – both of whom were last year decorated by His Excellency President Paul Kagame with the Rwandan Order of Bravery for their selfless service to save innocent lives during the 1994 Genocide.

The former military officers were joined by a number of the members of the Ghanaian contingent that led that was part of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), which despite orders to withdraw decided – with support of their government – to stay in Rwanda and as a result saved many lives.

The Charge d’Affaires of the High Commission of Rwanda in Ghana, Theophile Rurangwa, reminded of the psychological trauma that survivors of the 1994 Genocide continue to battle on the knowledge that its masterminds and perpetrators of are still at large and being harbored and sheltered by some countries around the world.

“Many countries globally continue to shield these criminals from facing justice, caring not what that means for the innocent victims of their actions,” he said.

“We continue to call upon all of you, in government and the international community, to mobilize for justice to be served. Rwanda is ready to try these fugitives if they are extradited but instead of delaying justice, it would be best for countries unwilling to extradite to try them in their own courts. Let us all remember that justice delayed is justice denied,” he appealed.

Government Working to Reduce Jamaica’s Climate Vulnerability

Dr. Nigel Clarke, Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and the Public Service, says the Government is working to reduce Jamaica’s climate vulnerability by instituting a “suite of financial instruments that can pay out in the event of a natural disaster”. He noted that Jamaica became the first small country globally to independently sponsor a catastrophe bond that provides fiscal resources to respond to catastrophic events.

5 Dr. Nigel Clarke, Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and the Public Service. (Courtesy Photo)

The Minister was speaking during the virtual discussion forum, “Let’s Connect with Ambassador Marks”, hosted by Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, on Thursday, June 22, according to Jamaica Information Services (JIS).

Dr. Clarke explained that the bond is complemented by other products, namely the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Credit Contingent Claim, the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) and a Natural Disaster Fund for which work is still in progress.

“That suite provides us with some degree of resilience building to the possibility of climate shocks. We have to work on increasing our resilience to energy commodities. That’s still a work in progress. We import about U.S $2 billion worth of energy commodities per year, about 11% of GDP (gross domestic product), which is far too much,” Dr. Clarke said.

Noting that dependency on imports can potentially undermine Jamaica’s economy in the event of price spikes, Dr. Clarke said the government is “working on a transition to renewable energy to reduce that structural vulnerability”. Meanwhile, the Finance Minister maintains that Jamaica’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic speaks volumes about the country’s resilience. WI

5 Officials light candles during the commemoration of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Accra in Ghana. (Courtesy Photo)

Five Things to Know About Social Security

AARP DC Staff Reports

Social Security is your money — you earned it through a lifetime of hard work. And like most Americans, that money is needed to help cover living expenses and pay bills. More than one in nine District residents – 83,647 people – receive Social Security benefits, and 32 percent of residents 65 and older rely on the program for at least half of their income.

We know Social Security can be confusing, so it’s only natural to question how it works and how much money you’ve earned. When should I claim? When do I start collecting? How much will I get?

HERE ARE 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY.

1. When can I start collecting Social Security?

You are eligible to receive Social Security as early as age 62. However, the longer you wait to start collecting after you become eligible (up until age 70), the larger your annual payments will be. For those who are eligible for survivor benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you can start collecting earlier.

2. Can I collect Social Security while working?

Yes, you can collect payments while working. In fact, 26% of Social Security recipients in 2023 are still working. But your monthly payments will be temporarily reduced if you are below full retirement age (67) and earn more than a certain amount. Once you reach full retirement age, your payments will be increased to compensate for any previous benefits reduction caused by making more than the limit.

3. How much will I receive each year from Social Security?

Your Social Security income will depend on multiple factors, but the most important is your lifetime earnings from work. The Social Security Administration takes your 35 highest-earnings years, calculates an inflation-adjusted average, and plugs this information into a formula to find your “basic” benefit. How old you are when you claim Social Security will also impact the amount you receive.

4. What is the maximum Social Security payment I can receive each month?

In 2023, the highest monthly payment for Social Security is $3,627; however, the average retirement benefit is $1,833. To receive the maximum payment, your earnings must exceed the maximum taxable income for at least 35 working years, and you must be at full retirement age, which is age 67 for people born in 1960 or later.

5. How do I sign up for Social Security?

You can apply for retirement, spousal, or disability benefits online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-7721213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Find the local office closest to you at ssa.gov/ locator.

Have more questions? Visit AARP’s Social Security Resource Center (aarp.org/YouEarnedIt) to find answers. There you will find tools and resources, such as:

• A calculator will help you determine how much money you will receive at various ages.

• Q&A tool to help you understand how significant life events, like divorce or losing a loved one, impact your Social Security.

• A place to email your elected officials about how important Social Security is to you and your family.

You worked hard and paid into Social Security for your future. It’s your money. It’s only fair you get what you’ve earned.

You earned your Social Security. Learn how to maximize it.

You work hard and pay into Social Security for your future. So it’s only fair for you to get the money you’ve earned.

If politicians don’t take action in the next 10 years to save Social Security, your Social Security could be cut by 20%, an average of $4,000 a year. AARP is urging Congress to find a solution to protect and save Social Security, so you get the money you earned.

Learn more at aarp.org/YouEarnedIt

New Recommendation

Calls for Anxiety Disorder Screening in Adults

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued a new recommendation stating that adults aged 19 to 64 in the U.S. should undergo screening for anxiety disorders.

This marks the first final recommendation from the task force regarding anxiety disorder screening in adults, including pregnant and postpartum individuals.

However, the USPSTF found insufficient evidence to support screening for anxiety in older adults.

The recommendation also aligns with the task force's previous guidance from 2016, which advised screening all adults for major depressive disorder, including pregnant or postpartum individuals and older adults.

The USPSTF is an independent group of medical experts whose recommendations influence doc-

5 The USPSTF found insufficient evidence to support screening for anxiety in older adults. (iStock photo) can alleviate symptoms associated with anxiety disorders and depression.

tors' decisions and insurance plans.

“I believe that there should be more scrutiny and more concern on anxiety disorders, especially since COVID,” said Janet Wheeler, a District of Columbia nurse who said she’s witnessed a large climb in cases since the pandemic.

“We were locked in the house. Many people didn’t have an outlet, or even family support and I just believe when you’re isolated your capacity to maintain a healthy mental disposition increasingly wanes,” Wheeler stated.

In recent years, the prevalence of clinical depression has been steadily increasing in the United States, but it experienced a significant surge during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in six adults will experience depression.

Although depression and anxiety are distinct conditions, they often coexist.

Consequently, screening recommendations can help clinicians identify patients who may require treatment for both conditions or either one.

The USPSTF researchers emphasized the need for more robust screening, as most individuals with anxiety disorders do not receive treatment within the first year of symptoms, or sometimes ever.

Only 11% of U.S. adults with

an anxiety disorder sought treatment within the first year of onset, according to research by the USPSTF.

The median time to treatment initiation was 23 years.

In a study involving 965 primary care patients, only 41% of those with an anxiety disorder received treatment.

Medical professionals can perform screening for anxiety disorders using questionnaires and scales that evaluate symptoms like feeling on edge, uncontrollable worrying, and difficulty relaxing.

Similarly, screening for depression includes questions about feeling hopeless, having trouble concentrating, losing interest in daily activities, or having thoughts of self-harm.

Major depressive disorder is diagnosed when an individual experiences at least two weeks of persistent sadness or a lack of interest in everyday activities.

If there's a positive screening result, it should be confirmed through a diagnostic assessment to determine symptom severity and identify any additional psychological concerns.

Subsequently, health experts said appropriate care should be provided to patients.

The USPSTF said it acknowledges that potential harms of screening include false positives, which may lead to unnecessary appointments or treatment.

However, for most adults, screening and subsequent care

Effective treatments for anxiety disorders encompass psychotherapy (talk therapy) with a therapist, medications like antidepressants or beta blockers, and relaxation or stress management therapies. Treatment options for depression include antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both.

The USPSTF's recommendation emphasizes that if left untreated, major depressive disorder can hinder daily functioning and increase the risk of cardiovascular events, exacerbate comorbid conditions, or lead to higher mortality rates.

Only about half of individuals with major depression are correctly identified.

Research also indicates that anxiety disorders and depression may be associated with suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and othe

However, the new USPSTF recommendations state that there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend screening specifically for suicide risk in adults who are not displaying signs or symptoms.

This stance aligns with the task force's previous recommendation from 2014, and the USPSTF has called for further research to understand suicide risks among asymptomatic individuals better.

WI @StacyBrownMedia

Northeast Church Installs Over 400 Solar Panels Above Its Parking Lot

By Kayla Benjamin WI Climate & Environment Reporter

Congregants of Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church can now leave their cars under the shade of a huge solar panel installation over their parking lot. The installation went online in early June and will lower energy bills for more than 70 District households, according to D.C.-based clean energy nonprofit Groundswell.

“This project started out as a selfish endeavor, meaning that we wanted to have solar for ourselves,” the

church’s pastor, Juan Guthrie, said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 16. “And then we met Pamela Nelson [of the Office of the People’s Counsel], and she helped us expand our ministry and our mission beyond ourselves: to our community, to our neighbors, to our friends, and even strangers. And here we are—what a blessing.”

The Office of the People’s Counsel, where Nelson does outreach to utility consumers around energy efficiency and clean energy projects, served as the link between Sargent and the Department of Energy and

Environment’s Solar for All program. Income-qualifying households in the District can sign up for the program and receive savings on their energy bills from the energy produced by community solar facilities. Crucially, Solar for All subscribers can rent or live in multi-family buildings—the program allows people to benefit

from cheaper solar power without having to install panels on their own roof.

“Energy equity is critical if our communities are to survive,” People’s Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye said.

“Not every consumer has a house or

SOLAR Page 23

5 Representatives from the project’s many partners—including Groundswell, the Office of the People’s Counsel, SunLight General Capital and SunCatch Energy—gathered to celebrate the new solar installation as Pastor Juan Guthrie of Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church cut the ribbon. (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

“Energy equity is critical if our communities are to survive,” People’s Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye said. “Not every consumer has a house or the resources that will allow them to maximize their energy independence. Programs that aggregate energy resources can provide benefits to a lot more consumers.”

SOLAR from Page 22 land-based, Black-owned engineering and construction firm, built the solar array. Bradford Boston, the company’s founder and the fourth generation of electrical engineers in his family, said working on the project felt “like going to my grandparents’ home on Sundays—when I show up here, it’s like showing up for family.”

the resources that will allow them to maximize their energy independence. Programs that aggregate energy resources can provide benefits to a lot more consumers.”

Sargent’s 222 kWdc community solar array will save the church money while also providing up to $500 in energy savings to 73 local, income-qualified households, according to Groundswell, who received a Solar for All grant and spearheaded the project at Sargent. Several organizations focused on financing green energy projects also partnered with the church, including SunLight General Capital and Working Power.

SunCatch Energy, a Mary-

“It's just so great to be a part of this project, with Groundswell, the Sargent family, Reverend Guthrie,” Boston said. “It's so many pieces and it wouldn't be possible without all of us. We come from so many directions and so many places. And we come together and we make good things happen.” WI

DC FUTURES is a new program that gives District residents up to $8,000 for college tuition. Students can choose from more than 50 in-demand fields.

Other benefits include:

• One-on-one coaching to help keep you on track.

• $1,500 stipend for books, travel, and other extras.

• Emergency funds to cover some of life’s unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, rent, food, and child care.

So, whether you want to finish the degree you started, or start the degree you’ve always dreamed of, the first step is just a click away.

Learn more at osse.dc.gov/dcfutures.

“The career I never thought possible ... is possible.”

— Quinton, Class of 2024

5 Bradford Boston, founder of the Maryland-based solar engineering and construction firm SunCatch Energy, speaks at the ribbon cutting event. SunCatch Energy built the new solar array at Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5 These electrical boxes now sit in a small corner of the parking lot, while more than 400 solar panels make up an awning overhead. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

EDUCATION

UDC Honors Grandfather of Black Basketball

By Ed Hill WI Contributing Writer

Regarded as the Grandfather of Black Basketball, Edwin “EB” Bancroft Henderson was honored this past weekend by dedication of a statue to him at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC)

sports complex also named after him on the Van Ness campus. The ceremony was highlighted by a number of speakers and family members who were in attendance to give testimonials on this giant of a man’s contributions as a noted author, teacher, coach and administrator in the disciplines of physi-

cal education and athletics.

A 1904 graduate of the university when it was, Miner College, Henderson would later earn his graduate degree from Harvard and

became the first African American man to earn certification to teach physical education in the United States.

His contributions to Black athletes over a half century are too numerous to list. His storied career includes the formation of YMCA programs geared toward getting Black people to participate in health and physical education. He is also credited with the formation of the Eastern Board of Officials which gave structure to the sport of organized basketball for Black players.

His efforts were also instrumental in the forming of the CIAA conference and the District of Columbia Public Schools athletic program.

“From a historical perspective, EB had the blueprint,” said Barrington D. Scott, a member of the UDC Board of Trustees and a key driving force in the honor. “He was on a mission to create opportunities for Blacks in sports at a very challenging time. His dedication and vision helped take the participation of Blacks in sports, recreation and education to a new level that changed the landscape forever.”

Scott said that the project to name a building in 2021 was the first of a two-stage process.

“We realized that there were no buildings on the UDC campus named after anyone,” explained Scott, an alum of UDC. “They were all numbered. So we pushed for the naming of the athletic complex as a part of Stage 1.”

In February 2022, UDC renamed its sports complex to the Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson

Sports Complex in his honor. The Stage 2 proposal by Scott featured the statue in Henderson’s honor.

”It was certainly a team effort,” Scott said. “It started with pledges and donations from alums with a generous donation from the Ted Leonis Group. It was only fitting that he received this prestigious honor. His contributions to Blacks in the area of sports but also in the education arena is unmatched. We have to make sure that we preserve the history of those like EB who make significant contributions.”

Classically trained master sculptor Brian Hanlon was selected to create the E.B. Henderson statue. Henderson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and the UDC Athletic Hall of Fame.

“We are so very proud of his accomplishments,” said grandson, Edwin Bancroft Henderson II, following the ceremony.

Of all his grandfather’s lofty accomplishments, Henderson II said one sticks out more than others.

“To be the first to create the opportunity for Blacks to learn to play the game with officials and rules is remarkable when you think about it,” the proud grandson said. “That is an important part of his legacy.”

Henderson has an award named after him that recognizes minority SHAPE America members, who have proven years of dedication to scholarship, mentorship and service to minorities and under-served populations within their profession.

WI

5 The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) unveiled a new statue honoring the late Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson. The statue will be located at the Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson Sports Complex on the Van Ness Campus. (Ja'Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

Goldson, Former PGCPS CEO, Appointed to State Board of Education

Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

On June 14, outgoing Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) CEO Monica Goldson was appointed to the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE) by Governor Wes Moore (D). Goldson will begin serving on the Board on July 1, after she officially steps down as PGCPS CEO.

Goldson’s successor, Millard House II, was announced on June 7. She will remain for at least 90 days to help House transition to his new role in leading PGPCS, the state’s second-largest school system, with more than 131,000 students.

Goldson will replace Charles Dashiell, a retired attorney with the firm Hearne & Bailey in Salisbury. Samir Paul, who ran for Delegate in Montgomery County in the 2018 election, and Bonnie

Suchman, of Suchman Law LLC, was also appointed to the MSBE. Abisola Ayoola is the newest student member of the Board.

Paul will replace Gail Bates, a former state legislator from Howard County.

The terms of the current members expire June 30. The Senate will have to vote to confirm Goldson, Paul and Ayoola during next year’s legislative session.

"The work of the Maryland State Board of Education and Maryland Public Service Commission have an enormous impact on Marylanders’ lives every day," said Gov. Moore. “I am grateful that Dr. Goldson, Mr. Paul, Ms. Ayoola, and Ms. Suchman have answered the call to serve and am confident that their expertise and experience will serve Marylanders well.” WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

DC FUTURES is a new program that gives District residents up to $8,000 for college tuition. Students can choose from more than 50 in-demand fields.

Other benefits include:

• One-on-one coaching to help keep you on track.

• $1,500 stipend for books, travel, and other extras.

• Emergency funds to cover some of life’s unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, rent, food, and child care.

So, whether you want to finish the degree you started, or start the degree you’ve always dreamed of, the first step is just a click away.

Learn more at osse.dc.gov/dcfutures.

5 Monica Goldson, who formerly served as the PGCPS CEO, was appointed to the Maryland State Board of Education on June 14 by Governor Wes Moore. (WI File Photo)

“The career I never thought possible... is possible.”

— Shayla, Class of 2024

What to the Black Washingtonian is the Fourth of July?

While the Fourth of July celebrates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by Congress on July 4, 1776, Black Washingtonians were enslaved. Ironically, as America gained its freedom, Black people were still considered property– Black Washingtonians weren’t freed until April 16, 1862 and the Emancipation Proclamation wasn’t signed until January 1, 1863. Further, the last enslaved Black people in Texas wouldn’t learn of their freedom until June 1865.

So on July 4, 1776, freedom was far from afforded to Black people living in America.

When Frederick Douglass delivered his Independence Address in 1852, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”, he emphasized the challenges of celebrating freedom while people were still enslaved.

“What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim,” said Douglass. “I will not enlarge further on your national inconsistencies.”

Douglass criticized the contradictory ideals of the U.S. and slavery.

“The existence of slavery in this country brands your republicanism a sham, your humanity a base pretense, and your Christianity a lie. It destroys your moral power abroad; it corrupts your politicians at home,” said Douglass. “It is the antagonistic force in your government, the only thing that seriously disturbs and endangers your Union. It fetters your progress; it is the enemy of improvement, the deadly foe of education; it fosters pride; it breeds insolence; it promotes vice; it shelters crime; it is a curse to the earth that supports it; and yet, you cling to it, as if it were the sheet anchor of all your hopes.”

As Dogulass begged the question 171 years ago, this Fourth of July, ask, ‘What is the Fourth of July to the Black Washingtonian?’

Black Americans still fight for equity and justice, and while the nation’s capital was once touted as “Chocolate City,” disparities remain.

According to a 2022 Brookings article, Black people had the lowest per capita annual median income and a great disparity income in D.C.. The article reported that the median income for Black residents, per research in 2019, came at $29,927, while white residents made $92,758 and Latinx $41,151.

Further, in 2019, Black D.C. residents had the highest unemployment rates at 4.8% and the largest percentage of residents living below the poverty line at 21.6%.

Such numbers show the major difference in lifestyle and access afforded to Black Washingtonians.

Further, all Washingtonians still aren’t afforded the rights of all other U.S. citizens: full voting representation in the House and Senate.

Without full rights and equity, Black Washingtonians still aren’t fully free. WI

Remember to Celebrate Caribbean Americans Contribution this Month, Year Round

June is filled with celebrations, including Juneteenth, Pride, Black Music Month and Caribbean American Heritage Month. As Caribbean American Heritage Month comes to a close, it’s important to acknowledge the contributions of Caribbean Americans to this country. Since its founding, people of Caribbean heritage have been instrumental to building and growing the United States.

“Caribbean Americans from Alexander Hamilton to Colin Powell have contributed to the United States in the most profound ways,” President Joe Biden noted in a proclamation on May 31. “Today, pathbreakers like Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor continue advancing our work toward a more perfect Union.”

The president noted he is particularly pleased having Caribbean Americans on his staff.

“I am especially proud of the extraordinary leaders of Caribbean heritage now serving in my Administration -- from Vice President Kamala Harris to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre,” he said, before noting the many Caribbean Americans who contribute to the U.S. daily.

“And I take equal pride in the generations of Caribbean Americans who literally built this country — bringing tremendous hope and energy to bear as small business owners, teachers, health care workers, military service members, union organizers, community leaders, and so much more.”

Another beauty of Caribbean heritage is that it’s far from monolithic.

“There is no single Caribbean American identity. The mix of cultures, languages, and religions alive across the United States and the islands reflects the diversity of spirit that defines

My heart goes out to Elder Dorothy Elliott. We are still saying his name: Archie Elliott, III.

Lennie Thomas Bowie, Md.

the American story,” the president said.

However, as Americans celebrate the beauty and brilliance of Caribbean Americans, it is also important to note that many people of Caribbean descent continue to fight for freedoms in this country.

While the president said he’s made efforts towards racial justice and equity, he admitted there’s still more work needed to be done on the federal level.

“We are using all the tools we have to make our Nation’s broken immigration system as orderly, safe, and humane as possible, sending support to the border while expanding lawful pathways for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans — among others — to come to the United States without taking the dan-

I didn’t know organized Double Dutch was still a thing. I grew up doing it, and it was the highlight of my days as a youngster. It warms my heart to see the youth are keeping the culture and tradition going.

Diana Garris Washington, DC

gerous journey to our southern border,” Biden said. “What we really need is for the Congress to finally pass comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, farm and essential workers, and temporary status holders, many of whom are from the Caribbean. I will not quit pressing the Congress to act.”

As we wind down Caribbean American Heritage Month, be sure to support a Caribbean American entrepreneur or business, check out the rich history of Caribbean communities in the District and nation, and learn about some of the recent achievements and challenges facing our Caribbean American brothers and sisters.

WI

Guest Columnist

Charlene Crowell

FTC Takes On Fraudulent Student Debt Relief Scams, Fake 'Free Trials'

More than 37,800 student loan borrowers who were tricked by a student loan debt relief operation soon will share more than $3.3 million in restitution, thanks to enforcement action announced in mid-June by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The FTC began investigating Arete Financial Group in 2019 after complaints of false promises of student debt

relief. The agency found that Arete Financial Group and several related companies used radio, television, online ads, and telemarketing calls promising their monthly fees would reduce or eliminate consumers' student loan balances. Instead, borrowers were lured into illegal upfront payments because the firm falsely claimed to be affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education.

The June action follows another FTC enforcement action that delivered this April more than $1.1 million in refunds to 41,934 consumers who had been defrauded in so-called "free-trial

Guest Columnist

Listening Again to Loving

part negro, and part indian.

Sixty years ago in June 1963, a young wife and mother drafted a neatly handwritten letter about a "problem" her family was facing:

Dear Sir:

I am writing to you concerning a problem we have.

5 yrs. ago my husband and I were married here in the District. We then returned to Va. to live. My husband is White, I am

At the time we did not know there was a law in Va. against mixed marriages. Therefore we were jailed and tried in a little town of Bowling Green.

We were to leave the state to make our home.

The problem is we are not allowed to visit our families. The judge said that if we enter the state in the next [25] yrs., that we will have to spend 1 yr. in jail.

We know we can't live there, but we would like to go back once and awhile to visit our families and friends. We have 3 children and cannot afford

Guest Columnist

offers."

In that case, RevMountain, LLC, Anasazi Management Partners, and 59 related corporate defendants were charged for deceptive "free trial" offers for tooth whiteners and other products to consumers who paid a small fee. Instead, consumers were charged, without their knowledge, for two ongoing subscriptions to nearly identical products that cost them approximately $200 a month, or until a cancellation was received.

Information on all FTC refunds is available at https://www.ftc.gov/en-

forcement/recent-ftc-cases-resulting-refunds/refund-programs-frequently-asked-questions.

Last year, FTC returned more than $392 million to more than 1.9 million consumers who registered complaints, according to the agency's annual report. Auto sales and financing, payday lending, credit repair and debt relief were targets of other successful enforcement in 2022 that benefited consumers in every state.

For example, $9.8 million in restitution was paid to 66,355 consumers last November by an Illinois-based au-

Marian Wright Edelman

an attorney.

We wrote to the Attorney General, he suggested that we get in touch with you for advice.

Please help us if you can. Hope to hear from you real soon.

Yours truly, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Loving

Mrs. Mildred Loving, the letter's author, had chosen to reach out to U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who suggested she and her husband contact the ACLU for help. Over the next several years, dedicated ACLU

David W. Marshall

lawyers took their case through the court system, and the Lovings eventually made history when their struggle to have their marriage recognized in their native Virginia led to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Loving v. Virginia. On June 12, 1967, the justices ruled 9-0 that Virginia's law banning interracial marriage and all others like it were unconstitutional and that the freedom to marry was "a basic civil right."

The Lovings, who shunned the spotlight, made it clear they never set out to be social revolutionaries. It was simple: they loved each other, wanted to mar-

Why Were Military Bases Named After Failed Confederates?

At first glance, the numbers don't make sense. At one point there was approximately 700 Confederate monuments spread throughout 31 states and the District of Columbia. Yet, there were only 11 states which formed the Confederate States of America. Historians have noted that most of the Confederate memorials were not built with the intention of honoring

fallen soldiers, but to continue advancing the ideas behind white supremacy. James Grossman, the executive director of the American Historical Association, says the increase in statues and monuments was clearly meant to send a message.

"These statues were meant to create legitimate garb for white supremacy," Grossman said. "Why would you put a statue of Robert E. Lee or Stonewall Jackson in 1948 in Baltimore?"

The Civil War was a culture war which ended in 1865 on the battlefield, but the war has never ended in the

hearts and minds of those sympathetic to the Confederate cause.

In other words, the spirit behind the war still rages on. While slavery and Reconstruction, as distinct eras of our long and turbulent history ended over a century ago, the abolishment of slavery never ended racial hatred. Nor did the end of Reconstruction stop the unwillingness to grant people of color full rights as American citizens and as human beings.

The belief in white supremacy and the never-ending desire to defend it is not limited to the boundaries of former Confederate states. Nor is it constrained

by time. There are five major institutions in the United States: the family, education, government, economic and religion. The connection from our past history to our current events shows that each institution has found their unique way of preserving, defending, and advancing the Confederate cause of white supremacy. This would also include our U.S. Army.

Organizations such as the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy were influential in having roughly 1,500 symbols of Confederacy placed in pub-

tomobile dealership group, Napleton, that charged junk fees to consumers for unwanted add-ons such as payment insurance and paint protection. The dealership also advertised $90 down payments on mailers without disclosing the terms of repayment or annual percentage rate, as required by law, which led to consumers incurring hundreds or thousands of dollars in excessive fees. These actions violated multiple consumer protection laws including the Truth in Lending Act, and were

CROWELL Page 49

ry, and beyond that, as Mrs. Loving said, "It was God's work." The two first met in the early 1950s in Central Point, Virginia, the small community where they both grew up. They became young sweethearts, and in 1958, when Mildred became pregnant they decided to get married. They drove to Washington, D.C., for their marriage license, and Mrs. Loving later said she initially believed they were doing that because less paperwork was required there. But Richard may have under-

lic spaces. These organizations totally ignored the act of treason when forces from the Confederate States of America attacked the United States military garrison at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, thereby starting the American Civil War.

Having major U.S. military installations in the South named after Confederate officers who supported the Fort Sumter attack is not only an insult to people of color, but to all true Americans. Nine southern Army bases were

Guest Columnist

Twelve

To say that recent news has been compelling, fast-paced, and exciting would be an understatement. Whether it was Kevin McCarthy organizing a censure action against Adam Schiff for his participation in the Trump impeachment trial, the search for and ultimate loss of life in the Titan/Titanic Tour submersible tragedy, or the House floor verbal argument between two

crazies, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert, the news has been "hot and heavy." The far-reaching consequences of these events will have to take a back seat to another.

Without argument, the most consequential news story of recent weeks has been the indictment of Trump for his mishandling of government documents at Mara-Lago. I usually give sufficient time for "the dust to settle" before I comment on events, but this indictment for Trump's mishandling of classified documents is too im-

Guest Columnist

Faye Williams

portant to leave to "settle." Although too many Americans have become desensitized to Trump's antics and their seriousness, I find the potential for damage to national security related to this event to be a compelling reason for near-immediate comment.

I have read the indictment and found it to be sobering and frightening. My political orientation may be progressive, but I am reasonable enough to understand the numerous international AND internal threats which exist to the security and sovereignty of the na-

Marc H. Morial

tion. I am sensible enough to realize that my aims and aspirations for the futures of myself, my race, and my nation cannot be achieved in the dystopian, anti-democratic autocracy that is philosophically embraced by one political party (Hint: Republican).

I encourage my readers to take the time and opportunity to read the full text of the indictment. At first, you may consider it a word salad of acronyms, but further reading will show the lengths to which Trump went to violate and obstruct the requirements of the

Kristen Clarke Leading the DOJ Into a New Age on Civil Rights

United States assistant attorney general for civil rights

law. A full reading will illuminate the expectations of an individual formerly entrusted with the nation's most critical secrets and his alleged disregard of his obligations under the law.

The indictment reads in stark contrast to the myriad of excuses offered by Trump before and since his Miami indictment. Paragraph #17 of the indictment reads: Pursuant to Executive Order 13526, information classified at any level could be lawfully accessed only by

The National Urban League advocated passionately and emphatically for Kristen Clarke's nomination and confirmation to head the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. The department's first reports on policing show exactly why.

a comprehensive framework for criminal justice advocacy that takes a holistic approach to public safety, the restoration of trust between communities and law enforcement, and a path forward for meaningful change.

have borne this brutality for generations.

"I want to ensure that the doors of justice remain open so all the people can feel that they are seen and heard, especially when we are talking about the most vulnerable among us. I am very hopeful that we will see the Justice Department truly be an engine of reform when it comes to enforcement of our nation's federal civil rights laws."-- Kristen

Clarke,

Weeks before her confirmation in 2021, we unveiled "21 Pillars for Redefining Public Safety and Restoring Community Trust,"

Guest Columnist

The recent Justice Department report on Minneapolis policing, like its report on policing in Louisville issued in March, reaffirms the themes of "21 Pillars," collaborating with communities to build a restorative system, holding law enforcement personnel and agen-

Have You No Sense of Decency, Sir?

Texas is suffering from record high temperatures, with heat indexes topping a staggering 120 degrees.

Forty million people are at risk from what scientists call a "heat dome," and storm chasers call a "death ridge." Texas already is the state that suffers the highest number of deaths from heat exposure,

And the National Weather Service warns that the "extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities." Officials warn Texans to stay cool and hydrated.

In response, the Republican Texas state legislature and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott passed and signed into law a bill that voids any city law that requires water breaks for employees.

You read that right. At the midst of a deadly heat wave, Republican officials passed a law to revoke city laws — such as one passed in Austin in 2010 and Dallas in 2015 — that require water breaks for workers. The law takes effect in September, but next summer, this will end up killing people.

"Construction is a deadly industry. Whatever the minimum protection is, it can save a life. We are talking about a human right," said Ana Gonzalez, deputy director

cies accountable for their actions, reforming divisive policies, requiring transparency, reporting, and data collection, and improving hiring standards and training. In fact, most of the recommendations in the reports correspond directly to one of our pillars.

The racism, violent abuse, and habitual misconduct that pervades the Minneapolis and Louisville police departments, as outlined in the reports, were not a revelation. People of color across the country, in communities large and small,

What the reports did reveal is an enlightened approach by the Justice Department to achieving police reform and racial justice.

The Justice Department's recommendation that the Louisville Police "improve community engagement in violent crime reduction" reflects a growing trend toward community-led violence intervention systems that the Na-

of policy and politics at the Texas AFL-CIO. "We will see more deaths, especially in Texas' high temperatures."

The threadbare excuse for the law is that companies don't want to deal with a confusing patchwork of local regulations. Of course, the governor could have removed that irritation by supporting a state law to mandate sensible water breaks rather than one banning them.

In reality, this legislation essentially treats workers as property — without human rights, even

the right to life — to be used as their employers deem fit. The extreme expression of this, of course, was slavery, in which slaves literally were valued and sold as property. The 13th Amendment, passed after the Civil War, outlawed slavery — but it did not enshrine basic human rights or economic rights. The majority of construction workers in Texas are Latinos, many undocumented, and relatively easy for employers to abuse and legis-

WILLIAMS Page 50

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. JACKSON Page 50

LIFESTYLE

COMMENTARY

My Visit to Senegal and a Call to Action

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

This piece is part of a series based on Sam P.K. Collins' travels to Dakar, Senegal.

In the days before my significant other and I arrived in Dakar, several young people had gone toe to toe with local police forces in response to the conviction of Ousmane Sonko, a presidential opposition candidate who had been accused of wrongfully influencing the youth.

We saw the remnants of that

deadly clash while walking through Cheikh Anta Diop University on June 16.

Students and teachers spent much of their time picking up scraps of paper scattered along the ground. To my immediate right stood a car burnt to a crisp. Later, soldiers guarding the main entrance of the university, kindly but bluntly told me in French that I couldn't walk beyond the gates to take the photo of the voluminous Cheikh Anta Diop mural.

The campus of Cheikh Anta Diop University spanned several miles and

had along some of its walls murals of great African leaders like Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso and Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana.

I also saw political messages on these walls conveying the need for peace and African Liberation. Despite the concerns some people had about my travels to Senegal during this precarious time, I felt safe here. Like many of our anti-violence orga-

nizers in the District, the Senegalese people fight for a peaceful state of mind day in and day out, even with some hiccups along the way.

Years prior to my visit to the university, I read Diop's 1978 book, Black Africa: The Economic and Cultural Basis for a Federated State. In that book, Diop, an anthropologist and political scientist, explained the benefits of a political system where independent West African countries form a federation, much like what the original 13 colonies achieved when they became the United States.

Diop said that, in forming a federation, these West African nations, and all nations on the African continent for that matter, could prevent foreign powers' economic and political takeover of newly independent African nations.

Because of our collective failure to listen, that is exactly what has happened over the last 60 years under what many understand as neocolonialism. Our African nations, though independent in name, are still attached to their former colonial overseers as well as other foreign powers that continue to exploit the continent and its people -- all with the approval of neocolonial heads of state who are backed by these foreign entities.

Long story short, we have a ways to go in achieving global African sovereignty. It won't be done in the presidential mansions and legislative chambers of Africa and the Diaspora. It must instead take place in the grassroots among everyday people, much like who I encountered while in Senegal.

What I am learning further affirms my understanding that Black people in the United States are not a minority, but part of a global majority

that shares a kinship with other Africans on the continent and around the world. Despite ongoing efforts to divide African people along the lines of ethnicity, nationality, language and culture, I am more convinced of commonalities in our customs and attitudes that highlight the need for African political unity.

Everywhere I turn, I see reminders of my life in D.C., especially as it relates to the people. While staying in Dakar, I'm further emboldened to embrace all that has become taboo in American society for Black people – posting up on the streets in large groups, laughing and talking loudly in public, playing music, chanting and dancing.

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

WI @SamPKCollins

(Sam P.K. Collins/The Washington Informer)

“Everywhere I turn, I see reminders of my life in D.C., especially as it relates to the people. While staying in Dakar, I'm further emboldened to embrace all that has become taboo in American society for Black people – posting up on the streets in large groups, laughing and talking loudly in public, playing music, chanting and dancing."

Orrin Evans Taking Risks With His New Album "The Red Door"

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

Thinking about how to approach his next album, pianist, composer and bandleader Orrin Evans admitted he was ready to try something different. Paying homage to musicians he had worked with and admired, was a part of Evans’ vision for the album, “The Red Door,” recently released on Smoke Sessions Records on June 16.

“Honoring those people and to continue keeping their legacies alive, I am really about that,” Evans said in a recent interview. “I also wanted to do a record with people that I love or even people I had some kind of issue with that I want to clear up right now.”

Evans assembled two core bands for “The Red Door.” One had the rhythm section of bass legend Buster Williams and veteran drummer Gene Jackson, joined by the late trumpeter Wallace Roney

or Philly legend Larry McKenna on tenor saxophone. The other was a quintet with trumpeter Nicholas Payton, saxophonist and flutist Gary Thomas, bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. In addition, the album features guest appearances by vocalists Jazzmeia Horn, Sy Smith and Alita Moses.

The vocalists shine. Singer and songwriter Horn is featured on “Big Small,” composed by Evans and Bill McHenry. There is an opening interplay between bassist Hurst, drummer Williams and Evans on piano. Horn comes in with a style that can be described as singing around the notes.

Moses lends her intentional vocals to a slowed-down delicate version of Stevie Wonder’s “They Won’t Go When I Go.”

Evans’ piano intro to “Amazing Grace” allows for Smith’s multi-octave vocals softly punching through the chords, then you

recognize the melody. I just wanted this jazz interpretation of a beloved spiritual to last a little longer.

Trumpeter Wallace Roney is prominently featured on “All the Things You Are,” a jazz standard that is arranged with an upbeat tempo than previous recordings of this 1939 Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II composition. Roney attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts in D.C. and graduated from Howard University. Roney died in March 2020, three weeks after this song was recorded.

With Evans on piano, Williams on bass and Jackson on drums, “All the Things You Are” is a wonderful way to understand why other top musicians respected Roney.

There are many positive moods on “The Red Door,” with each one reinforcing Evans’ exceptional talent. In addition to working on his own projects, he also has time to be the artist-in-residence for DC JazzFest.

Evans was asked to be in that role early during the pandemic, which he admitted was an interesting time to join anything.

“When people ask me what my role is, my quick answer has been

to learn,” Evans said. “I’d never been an artist-in-residence, so my thing was to listen.”

Evans will put his touch on several sessions during this year’s DC JazzFest. WI

5 “The Red Door” is the latest album from pianist/composer/bandleader Orrin Evans released on June 16. (Courtesy Photo/ Christopher Kayfield)

An Ode to Inclusion: Chela Mitchell Gallery Opens in Union Market

By Andrew S. Jacobson WI Contributing Writer

On a drizzling summer night, the glow of promise and anticipation shone bright on H Street Northeast, as Chela Mitchell, a fierce advocate for artists of color, celebrated the launch of her eponymous art gallery at a private dinner. Situated in the bustling epicenter of D.C.'s food, art, and culture, and with the who's who of the District’s art community rallied around her, Chela Mitchell Gallery's pre-opening dinner marked an unforgettable milestone in the local art

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scene's vibrant tapestry.

The opening dinner was hosted at Bronze, a trendy H Street restaurant. Keem Hughley, one of the restaurant’s owners, and noted architect Jimmie Drummond, whose keen eye for design has enhanced many urban spaces, were among the esteemed attendees. With a menu curated by Mitchell herself, the gastronomic offerings were rivaled only by the sparkling conversations and the vivacious company.

Every sip of the specialty cocktail, crafted with Blackleaf Organic Vodka – a local sensation– whispered stories of D.C's love for all things organic and homegrown. At this intersection of art and culinary finesse, the evening flowed with the vibrancy of a perfectly mixed cocktail –smooth, potent and unforgettable.

The spotlight of the evening was Nate Langston Palmer, a D.C. native turned Brooklyn resident, whose photography has created mesmerizing narratives using local D.C. dancers as subjects since 2019.

“The intention behind this work is to capture the beauty in interpretive work, as a commentary on cultural erasure,” Palmer shared.

Palmer's work – an exploration of displacement, motion and emotion – is the first to be exhibited at the gallery, drawing in the artistic cognoscenti like a moth to a flame.

Art writer and blogger Jasmin Hernandez, founder of GalleryGurls, offered nuanced commentary on the wonder of woman-led art throughout the night. Sitting at the table beside her were the National Gallery of Art’s Curator Katrina Fletcher and

Deputy Director of Development

Maria Bonta de la Pezuela, the former Sotheby’s senior vice president for Private Clients and Sales Strategy.

Collector Janjay Sherman and Sandlot Co-Founder Kevin “Scooty” Hallums added to the convivial diversity of art luminaries.

Chela Mitchell Gallery's opening is more than just an event – it is a symphony of art, diversity, and fellowship. The gallery, a brainchild of Mitchell’s, pioneers a space for artists of color, setting a precedence for inclusivity and representation. The establishment of this Black woman-owned gallery in the District marks a significant evolution in the local arts community, shedding light on diverse narratives and unique artistic expressions.

As Mitchell takes the baton forward in this important race towards inclusive representation in art, her vision is as clear as it is ambitious.

Growing up in Southeast, Mitchell envisions a world where the language of art is universal, breaking barriers of color, geography, and socio-economic backgrounds. A world where every artist, irrespective of their race or ethnicity, is given a platform to paint their stories, dance their dreams, and carve their realities.

"This gallery is a gift to D.C., a city that has given me so much,” Mitchell said. “When you’re viewing the art in my gallery, you’re viewing through the lens of a Black woman from Southeast, D.C."

For more information or to visit Chela Mitchell Gallery visit: chelamitchellgallery.com WI

(Courtesy photos /Amber Logan)

As Mitchell takes the baton forward in this important race towards inclusive representation in art, her vision is as clear as it is ambitious.

Exhibit Shows Frederick Douglass,’ Life, Work, Love for Photography

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

“One Life: Frederick Douglass,” a new exhibition at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, explores the life and legacy of one of the 19th century’s most influential global writers, speakers, and intellectuals. The exhibition, which is rooted in Douglass’ love of photography, showcases more than 35 objects and will be on view until April 21, 2024.

“One Life: Frederick Douglass” is guest-curated by John Stauffer, Ph.D., Sumner R. and Marshall S. Kates Professor of English and African and African American Studies at Harvard University, and consulting curator Ann Shumard, National Portrait Gallery’s senior curator of photographs.

At age 14, Stauffer was given a copy of Douglass’ narrative, which he said was hard to read, but very powerful.

“That led me to my interest in abolitionism and activism in the civil war,” said Stauffer, who has authored several books about Douglass. “I was the first to really write about Douglass’ love of photography and words. He was es-

sential to my dissertation and my first book, “Black Hearts of Men.”

Stauffer continued by explaining that Douglass believed photography was crucial to the fight for democracy. He strategically set out to correct the suffering Blacks experienced from slavery and any efforts geared toward tearing down the races.

Douglass incorporated descriptions of Blacks struggling in America in his writings, meetings with other abolitionists and public speaking.

“One Life: Frederick Douglass,” documents Douglass’ work for justice.

Douglass was the most photographed man during the 19th century. Even with that recognition, he was thinking about how he wanted to be seen.

“He knew a lot of photographers. He had his set of favorite photographers,” Stauffer said. “He engaged Black, white, and women photographers he felt would

present him in a specific way.”

Consulting curator Shumard began working on the Douglass exhibition in January 2021. The process involved reviewing a list of pieces that would properly show the extent of Douglass’ mission with photography.

“The ‘One Life’ exhibitions really take a visual approach to charting the trajectory of a featured individual’s biography,” said Shumard. “Stauffer approached the layout as though representing chapters in a biography.”

There are seven sub-titles that identify each chapter of the exhibition, beginning with enslavement and escape, then ending with the afterlife.

The afterlife section contains portraits of the Black leaders Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois and Langston Hughes, all of whom carried on Douglass’ legacy.

The National Portrait Gallery is located at 8th and G Streets N.W., Washington, D.C. To learn more about “One Life: Frederick Douglass,” and other exhibitions, connect with the museum at npg.si.edu and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

WI @bcscomm

5 Frederick Douglass by an unidentified artist. Oil on canvas, c. 1845. (Courtesy Photo/ National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution).

5 Frederick Douglass by an unidentified artist. Wood engraving on paper c. 1883 (Courtesy Photo/ National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution).

An Artist Reflects on Urban Change

By Miriam Doutriaux

Almost a century of ambitious development projects and demographic shifts have transformed neighborhoods across Washington, D.C., in sweeping ways. It is no secret that Highway 295 replaced bustling neighborhoods along the river in Southwest, or that the Capital One Arena occupies several blocks of Chinatown. The roadway and grand sports & entertainment venue replaced city blocks full of homes, schools and businesses, areas that once looked and felt quite different. In both cases, longtime residents saw their communities disrupted and transformed.

A recent artwork by Washington, D.C. artist Terence Nicholson reflects on the personal and collective impacts of neighborhood change. Safety Jacket:

A Mourning in Chinatown commemorates the powerful sense of community that developed at the Wah Shing Kung-Fu School, which was located near 7th and H Streets NW from the 1980s to early 2000s. Nicholson studied under the school’s founder, Master Chao Chi Liu, and eventually assisted him with administration and training of other students of traditional martial arts. The school closed in 2016 due to rising rents in the gentrifying Chinatown neighborhood, and he recalls feeling a loss of direction, not knowing where to turn.

Nicholson’s sculpture takes the form of an oversized Kung-Fu uniform shirt, with frog-buttons, upright collar, and arms outstretched on either side. It incorporates dozens of colorful martial arts belts that were left behind after the school closed—literal remnants of the community of practitioners who met and practiced together. The belts are draped vertically on a wire mesh frame and coated in a translucent glaze that gives the work a polished yet weathered appearance. The title of the work is two-pronged. Safety Jacket alludes to the personal sense of security Nicholson derived from his practice of Kung-Fu, while A Mourning in Chinatown conveys the collective sense of loss following the school’s closing. Rather than dwelling on what was lost, the sculpture reconstitutes the individual belts into a beautiful, powerful new whole. It stands as a reminder that the school lives on in the human bonds it cemented and the strength of spirit it instilled, if not in the bricks and mortar of Chinatown. Nicholson invites us to reflect on processes of loss and healing. As he describes it, the sculpture is “a means of mourning not only the loss of my school, but the legacy of the Chinatown that I knew growing up in Washington, D.C. in the late 70’s and early 80’s. This piece represents a letting go of an era in D.C. history for many.” At its core, the sculpture bears witness to the passing of an era. It serves as a vehicle of personal and collective healing, helping to process change, acknowledge the past and face the future. Safety Jacket brings us along on Nicholson’s own journey, a powerful beacon of resilience and hope.

National Portrait Gallery Brings Back Iconic Portraits of Black Women

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

“I Dream a World: Selections from Brian Lanker’s Portraits of Remarkable Black Women,” are breathtaking portraits of African American women representing many walks of life. On the second floor of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the exhibition, a portion of a 75-piece photo collection, is on display until Sept. 10. Further, curatorial choices create an interesting conversation, with 25 images from the full collection of “Remarkable Black Women,” exhibited near the “One Life: Frederick Douglass” exhibition, which offers varying African American perspectives and tales to capture visitors.

Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Brian Lanker took the photos that were first seen in his book, “I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America.” The cover photo of the book was of Septima Poinsette Clark, an African American educator and civil rights activist who was called the “Mother of the Movement.”

“She is emblematic for the exhibition, which first premiered in 1989 at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.,” said Ann M. Shumard, senior curator of photographs at the National Portrait Gallery. “The exhibition traveled extensively.”

A relatively recent acquisition, the complete group of 75 portraits, was secured by the National Portrait Gallery in 2020 during the pandemic.

“It was a wonderful, inspiring project to work on during such dark days,” said Shumard. WI @bcscomm

3 The emblematic photo of Septima Poinsette Clark 1987, from “I Dream a World: Selections from Brian Lanker’s Portraits of Remarkable Black Women” is currently at the National Portrait Gallery (Courtesy Photo/ National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. © Brian Lanker Archive.)

5 Safety Jacket: A Mourning in Chinatown by Terence Nicholson invites reflection on the impact of gentrification and neighborhood change. The sculpture is in the collection of the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum. Photo courtesy of Carlo Pizzaro.

5 Washington, D.C., artist Terence Nicholson in his studio. Photo courtesy of T. Nicholson.

4 The portrait of actress Cicely Tyson, 1988, is included in the current Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery exhibition “I Dream a World: Selections from Brian Lanker’s Portraits of Remarkable Black Women.” (Courtesy Photo/ National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. © Brian Lanker Archive.)

Congratulations Ward 8

We’ve been proud to partner with and support Ward 8 residents as they’ve worked with the Ward 8 Community Economic Development planning process to build their report outlining resident priorities for a stronger, healthier, safer, and wealthier Ward 8. To learn more: download the report at https://w8ced.org

Berry Challenging

In the 1600s, when settlers arrived in North America from England, they had to find food. The Wampanoag people showed them how to plant corn and how to gather and use native plants. An important native plant was blueberries! These could be eaten fresh or dried and stored for the winter.

Unscramble the letters on the label of each jar to discover what kind of jam is inside it.

2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = TRUE FALSE

Star Berries

The blossom end of each blueberry forms the shape of a perfect five-pointed star. A Native American legend tells how the Great Spirit sent “star berries” to end the children’s hunger during a famine.

A single blueberry bush can produce up to 6,000 berries in one year.

In most parts of the country, July is the month when blueberries ripen. Do the math to discover some blueberry facts. If the answer is an even number, that fact is TRUE. Blueberries do not ripen after they have been picked.

Billy and Betsy are picking blueberries. But what’s this? There is more than just blueberries in the bushes. Can you find a car, a bird, a shoe, a crayon, a fish, a cat and a glove while finding your way through the maze?

Blueberry Roots

Blueberries have roots that go way back in history. In fact, they have been growing in North America for about 1,3000 years.

Native Americans found many uses for these tasty little blue balls. They ate the ripe berries and made a tea from the leaves. They said this tea was good for the blood. Blueberry juice was used to treat coughs.

Chef LeBloo baked a dozen delicious blueberry pies, but can’t remember where he left them to cool. Can you find all 12 on this page?

To figure out the answer to this important question, number the parts of the sentences in order. Then, write the answer on the lines below.

The juice of the blueberries made an excellent dye for baskets and cloth. The berries added flavor to stews, soups and meats.

How Blue Are You?

If someone says he is blue, it usually means he is sad, not painted. Look through the newspaper and find pictures or words that mean the same as sad. Then cheer yourself up by finding a word that means the opposite of each sad word.

Round O

Find ten or more numbers in today’s newspaper. Round off each number to the nearest ten. If the number is more than 100, round off to the nearest hundred also.

Standards Link: Mathematics: Number Sense. Students round off numbers to the nearest ten or hundred.

The Magic Blueberry

Write

Kids

Play this game member. Take or vertical Each time your worth 1 point. blueberry, Replace

In March of 2023, state fruit of of fourth Mannsdale

They ________ Kansas persuaded name the Sandhill

The students major fruit Mississippi. blueberry. Just used to _______ around 8.5 The class ______________ Mississippi

“Nothing thrills get ____________ Representative blueberry

With hundreds Kid Scoo features six-to-seven high-interest activities for school! Get sample today

Find the two star berries that match.

review wi book

"The Talk"

by Darrin Bell

c.2023, Henry Holt and Company

$29.99

352 pages

Terri Schlichenmeyer

WI Contributing Writer

Someone who was older than you taught you to tie your shoes. An elder showed you around a kitchen, a car, a workplace, a classroom, and the inside of a library. A lot of what you know has thoughtfully come from someone with years — which might make you wonder, as in the new book, "The Talk" by Darrin Bell, why weren't you taught the most important lessons of all?

It was 1981 and little Darrin Bell wanted nothing more than a squirt gun. It seemed like everyone had a squirt gun, but the one Darrin's mother bought him was lime green, not black like a real gun. She tried to tell him why his was green, but he didn't understand. He only knew that his mother must never find out that a policeman took his squirt gun away.

Once he was old enough, Darrin attended a school where he was one of a small handful of biracial students. White kids teased him because his dad was Black. Black kids teased him because his mom was white. He wanted to know what to do so he asked his father, who was good at knowing all the answers, but this was one time when Dad had nothing. He could only say that "a white boy's words never made me run for my life."

Soon afterward, Darrin's dad left the family home and Darrin's mom became super-protective. She made a scene many times over racism, in and out of school. Still, Darrin learned to get by. He found a tribe, found a girlfriend, and learned what it felt like to stand up for himself. As an adult, his comic strip and political cartoons were picked up by national and local newspapers and news outlets. He won a Pulitzer Prize for his work, and he started a family.

But on a sunny afternoon, as his son helped him with some gardening tools, Bell saw the past, and he saw the future. He saw that it was time for people to stop lying …

Looking for a good biography with a bit of edge? Here: hovering over every panel of artwork and action inside "The Talk," there's a threat. It starts at the beginning and never lets up.

Author Darrin Bell doesn't voice that threat until several pages into his story, but it's there and readers won't be able to ignore it. Racism is subtle in the opening pages of his book, and it taints the innocence of play. From there, the threat increases and readers are made to squirm as Bell grows up through his art; we see his charming awkwardness and his maturing — but still, that threat. By the end, we know how Bell perceives it, too, which is one of the more powerful ways of ending a book that you'll ever see.

This story is great for readers, especially male readers ages 16 to 30, but also for parents of any young Black child, not just boys. Give "The Talk" to an older kid. Give it to an elder. WI

horoscopes

ARIES As you near the finish line on Monday, thrust your neck forward so that you're ahead when the picture snaps. Whatever it takes. That's your motto. Spend Tuesday basking in the sweet glow of success. The risks you assume in any situation (work, romantic, whatever) are totally worth it in the end. People regard you as a leader and a pioneer on Wednesday, but the next day you find yourself crippled by frustration and doubt. Lucky Numbers: 5, 7, 52

TAURUS It's funny, the way you stand says a lot about how you're feeling. You're standing tall on Monday, feeling grounded, steady, and particularly connected to the earth. This is a good place to be in. Poise is important this week, especially on Tuesday and Wednesday, when a weird conflict with a friend or authority figure unexpectedly presents itself. Stroll. Lucky Numbers: 2, 7, 23

GEMINI Monday is a tough day, as Mondays so often are, but that changes quickly. Many of the questions swimming around in your head as the week gets going are answered by Tuesday or Wednesday. An intellectual conversation on one of those days sets you thinking in a radically new way about a subject you've long considered yourself an expert in. Ideas...exciting! Lucky Numbers: 5, 17, 43

CANCER The Monday blahs have a hold on you at the start of the week. If you don't feel like going out, well, find a way to stay indoors. You have a million projects to occupy yourself with. The last thing you need to grapple with right now is, you know, other people. On Tuesday and Wednesday, watch out for stubborn people (and be extra conservative about money issues). Lucky Numbers: 4, 8, 32

LEO Making a good impression is a key concern of yours on Monday, but so is not coming across as arrogant. It's a delicate balance. One way to strike that balance is to do something for someone else. Help out a friend. Force your ego to the sidelines for as long as you can, because it may explode to the fore by Wednesday. Ego clashes aren't pretty, so do what you can to avoid them. Lucky Numbers: 6, 45, 50

VIRGO A lovely weekend leads to a romantic Monday. If you're single, that might change. You may even meet someone through work. The fun you have on Monday leads to a desire to organize your life on Tuesday. While you're enjoying yourself, you also want to have a clean house! Notice the way your routine changes subtly when you're in good spirits, as you will be on Wednesday. Lucky Numbers: 4, 7, 19

LIBRA There are limits to what you'll be able to accomplish on Monday, because a sentimental mood has you feeling oddly unbalanced. But by Tuesday, this weirdness dissolves in a headlong rush of romance and goodwill. On Wednesday, you understand the people around you better than you have in a while, and Thursday has you so busy that the hours fly by. Lucky Numbers: 27, 35, 54

SCORPIO You're usually a rather sensitive being, but Monday has you thinking like a CEO. You're all business, and determination and shrewdness define the day. Sign on the dotted line. Get this project going. If only you could get projects underway so easily at home on Tuesday and Wednesday. You have the urge to rip off part of the roof and install a skylight, but someone else thinks a skylight is a bad idea...etc. Lucky Numbers: 5, 8, 42

SAGITTARIUS The way you look at things is startling and unique. And the way you communicate on Monday is startling as well...and plenty direct! On Tuesday and Wednesday, perfect strangers are carrying on fascinating conversations with you wherever you go. Actually, you're carrying the conversations, but who's keeping score? You just have a talent for these things. Lucky Numbers: 24, 31, 55

CAPRICORN The week begins on a great note. Your plans are working, and everyone you see smiles big in response to your own huge grin. You're rather impressive these days! Financial issues may affect your mood slightly midweek. It's not that you don't have cash, it's just that you're indecisive about what to do with it.

Lucky Numbers: 4, 25, 27

AQUARIUS Monday is one of those days when you have to trick yourself into staying on task. Reward yourself throughout the day for your discipline. At the end of the workday, you might return home tired, but that's only because your body is gearing up to glow extra bright on Tuesday and Wednesday. You spend the middle of the week inspiring your friends and instigating exciting changes, all while spending as little as possible.

Lucky Numbers: 15, 17, 35

PISCES A friend in a high place pulls strings for you at the beginning of the week, and you can't believe your luck. Life is good. But you feel a bit like the star of a movie that doesn't have a director. In the absence of strong leadership, then, turn your efforts toward helping others midweek. It will be totally rewarding. Explore! Lucky Numbers: 5, 11, 13

James Harden and Russell Westbrook.

Williams has taken on a similar task with the Pistons as he had with the Suns, who were at one time, of the youngest teams in the league. The current Pistons are one of the youngest teams in the NBA.

Monty Williams Named Pistons Head Coach

By Ed Hill WI Contributing Writer

During the recent Detroit Pistons press conference, the new head Coach Monty Williams was asked why he was taking the job and promptly responded, “Troy, the money and the players.”

The “Troy” that he was referring to is Pistons General Manager, Troy Weaver. He is from the DMV area, having played at Archbishop Carroll

High School in Washington, D.C. and playing at Prince George's Community College.

Williams is also a product of the area having played at Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland before having a standout career at Notre Dame. The two were together in 2015-16 at OKC when Williams served as associate head coach and Weaver as an executive.

Williams would go on to be drafted by the New York Knicks with the

24th pick. He played for nine years from 1994-2003. His coaching career featured stops at the Portland Trailblazers as an assistant, as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, as an assistant at OKC and at the 76ers before landing the head coaching job

Wizards Draft Update: Bilal Coulibaly and Tristan Vukcevic

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

The 2023 NBA draft officially concluded on June 22 with the Washington Wizards cementing themselves as the rebuilding team for the next several years.

The Wizards traded picks with the Pacers, moving up one spot to select Bilal Coulibaly, a versatile forward who went through a height spurt and played alongside Victor Wembenyama in France. While raw in his abilities, he possesses considerable potential for growth and has been compared to Raptors forward OG Anunoby. Coulibaly has also compared himself to Mikhail Bridges and Paul George.

Tristan Vukcevic was drafted at 42 by the Wizards. He recently won an Adriatic Basketball Association championship, and his potential to be a big man that can stretch defenses to the three-point line would be a huge boon for Washington.

With these selections alongside large amounts of long-term cap

flexibility generated by trading star guard Bradley Beal, the Wizards are now planning to be one of the lower performing teams in the league with long-term upside and ability to plan for the upcoming years. The Wizards have the opportunity to fill holes in their rotation, particularly at the big man role, in free agency.

There are multiple big men who went undrafted, including Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe and Gonzaga’s Drew Timme, who would have the opportunity to get quality minutes in Washington and potentially earn long-term contracts to ensure they remain in the league for years to come. Daniel Gafford and Mike Muscala, recently acquired in a trade, are the only big men currently on the roster. Jordan Poole and Tyus Jones, both acquired during recent trades, are likely to be the starting guards.

This draft may be regarded as one of the most stacked drafts in recent memory.

Wembenyama, drafted first overall by the Spurs, may redefine

the big man role in the NBA.

The Thompson Twins, Ausar and Amen, were drafted 4th and 5th overall. They are the first set of brothers taken in the first five slots in the NBA draft.

Cam Whitmore, a DMV na tive, was drafted at number 20 by the Houston Rockets. Whit more has versatile guard skills that will serve the Houston Rockets well as they deter mine how to use the variety of young players they have at their disposal.

Gaithersburg native and DeMatha High School grad Jordan Hawkins was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 14th pick in the draft. Hawkins is the cousin of LSU star Angel Reese, who congratulated him via Twitter after he was drafted. Hawkins is expected to be a shooter with extended range.

The Wizards still have Delon Wright, Monte Morris, and the expiring contract of Kyle Kuzma as potential pieces during free agency.

with the Suns 2019. Weaver is credited with building the OKC franchise into one of the tops in the league from 2008 to 2020 as an executive there. He put together a franchise that featured the drafting of the All-NBA players,

“I’m just grateful God has blessed me with these opportunities to not only play in the NBA but to coach. I’m grateful for the trust that Troy had in me. It’s been a great partnership, going back to Oklahoma City and to be here to be here with him now is a true blessing.”

Weaver weighed in on the excitement of having Williams.

“We’re excited,” said Weaver. “Monty arriving here is huge for our franchise. Think about this: we didn’t have the best record in the league—in fact, the worst (17-65), yet teams with the best records in the league were after this guy. He decided to partner with us and lead the charge.

Williams was signed to a six-year deal of 78 million dollars. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

Rumors of Kuzma being signed to a long-term contract and traded to teams including Sacramento and Dallas have persisted through the week.

Former Washington Wizard Davis Bertans was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange

for moving up two draft positions in the first round. While Burton's contract is not fully guaranteed, the Oklahoma City Thunder have the cap space and roster room to give him a spot and see if his abilities meet team needs as they prepare for a playoff push. WI

5 New Detroit Pistons Head Coach Monty Williams. (Courtesy photo/Detroit Pistons)

5 Bilal Coulibaly (Courtesy photo/ Yusuf Abdullah)

5 Tristan Vukcevic (Courtesy photo)

CAPTURE

the moment

5 African American Heritage Tour participants tour the Boyds Negro School and receive information about the school’s past from Nanette Hunter (left). (Robert Roberts/The Washington Informer)

3 One of the participants who has attended all the Washington Informer Charities African American Heritage Tours since they first started, reads information on the Log Kitchen in the Josiah Henson Museum. (Robert Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

6 Washington Informer Charities African American Heritage Tour participants gather for a photo at the Button Farm in Montgomery County on June 24. (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

5 African American Heritage Tour participants view and pass a replica of a slave’s punishment collar during a tour at Button Farm in Montgomery County. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

5 Bernice Bernstein shares historical facts with participants of the Washington Informer Charities’ African American Heritage Tour at the Josiah Henson Museum. (Robert Roberts/The Washington Informer)

Henson Museum and Park, the tour allowed guests to appreciate the about 500-square-mile-county and some of its historic gems.

“History, including Black history, is right under our feet. We walk along the paths of those who came before us, yet we don’t know their names or their stories. That is why The Washington Informer and Washington Informer Charities established the annual African American Heritage Tour 11 years ago. It is our way of keeping our history alive,” said Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes.

The tour was sponsored by Bank of America, Pepco, Visit Montgomery, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation and Safeway Foundation, and coordinated by Juanita Katon of DC in Black.

“I am grateful to the folks at Visit Montgomery, our sponsors, the tour guides and especially those who traveled with us who appreciate teaching, sharing and experiencing Black history and culture,” Rolark Barnes added.

The African American Heritage Tour and its featured guests highlighted Montgomery County’s commitment to historical preservation and the intentional work being done to uplift sights important to Montgomery County and the area’s Black history, communities, challenges and achievements.

TAKING A TOUR BACK IN TIME

In the more than hour’s time it takes to get from Southeast, D.C. to Boyds Negro School in Germantown, Maryland, it becomes clear

that Montgomery County goes far beyond some of the popular cities bordering or near the District, such as Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Potomac. Montgomery County is big–with the largest population in the state, packed with diversity, and featuring towns, cities, neighborhoods and rural farmland.

BOYDS NEGRO SCHOOL

The long ride to the first destination seemed to wrap up as lanes narrowed and the big bus began winding through the very rural roads. The farmland scenery and signs highlighting both the school (1896-1936) and Boyds as a Montgomery County Historic District, helped set the tone for, what proved to be, only the beginning of pseu-

do-time traveling.

The preserved small school featured old desks, utensils, photos and more, offering attendees a glimpse into what it was like to seek an education as a Black person in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

BUTTON FARM LIVING HISTORY CENTER

After a lesson in the schoolhouse, guests traveled to Button Farm Living History Center where they were schooled by a leading Underground Railroad and Montgomery County historian, and provided an interactive and engaging view into the lives of Black enslaved people.

“Here we strive to create sensory experiences, tastes, touch, smells, sights, and sounds of the past, some

of which tie into the story of enslavement, and to use those sensory experiences to inform people of the history that’s really between the lines– the things you’re not going to get in a history book,” said celebrated historian Anthony Cohen, president of the Menare Foundation and creator of the Underground Railroad Immersive Experience (URIE). “Here, we want people interacting.”

With livestock such as chickens, geese, guinea hogs, and infrastructure and agriculture specific to the nineteenth century, Cohen and the people at Button Farm Living History Center create immersive, unforgettable moments for guests.

Passionate about studying, researching and preserving the history of the Underground Railroad, Cohen has braved the elements and more to experience a semblance of the journey necessary for an enslaved person to escape to freedom. In 1997, when media mogul Oprah caught wind of Cohen’s personal journey and research, she wanted to have a similar experience in preparation for her role in “Beloved,” and thus, the URIE was officially born.

Button Farm Living History Center is an extension of decades of Cohen’s immersive research and educational programming.

“We worked with the state of Maryland to acquire this farm on a long term lease. We pay $1 a year to be here and then we’re responsible for raising all the money to restore the buildings, which we’ve done over the past 10 years, and keep the grounds accessible to the public,” Cohen explained.

GLEN ECHO

After seeing and smelling some of the livestock and crops such as tobacco, onion and cotton, it was time to head to Glen Echo Amusement Park.

“The story of this place was a story that was born in exclusion, but also emerged a revolution,” said Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson (DDistrict 1).

A segregated Glen Echo would become a place for protest and catalyst for change. The amusement park was forcefully integrated in 1961.

Sixty-three years ago, Howard University students staged a protest on Glen Echo’s carousel to advocate for integration, and on June 25, people gathered back at the

amusement park to commemorate the historic and brave action.

According to Montgomery County Community Media, back in 1960, some white residents served as allies to the cause and purchased tickets for the Howard students so they could ride the carousel and demand justice.

“This was a significant struggle that was occurring in the ‘Summer of Change,’ as it was called in 1960. It was the student-led group at Howard University and allies,” Friedson emphasized.

While at Glen Echo, participants listened to presentations from Elrich, Friedson and other Montgomery County and Washington Informer leaders, before enjoying a delicious, flavorful and filling lunch provided by All Set Restaurant and Bar, that included offerings such as salmon, chicken and a vegetarian pasta.

Adding to the immersive experience, guests were given a pass to ride the same carousel that catapulted action at the park 63 years ago.

JOSIAH HENSON MUSEUM AND PARK

The day of history and fun wrapped at Josiah Henson Museum and Park in Bethesda, Maryland.

Born in Maryland in 1789, Henson was once celebratorily hailed as the “real Uncle Tom.” However, his heroic story of resilience, bravery and leadership has been tarnished by racist, revisionist history that painted him as a negative, disloyal, betrayer to his people.

“Our Museum sits on about four acres of the 560-acre plantation that existed right where you’re sitting today,” a tour guide from the Josiah Henson Museum and Park told the guests. “Five-hundred-sixty acres translates to about 423 football fields. All that land was land that was overseen by Josiah Henson, who was once a slave himself, and was once exchanged just for the fee of putting horseshoes on a horse.”

Henson went on to escape slavery, before helping 118 enslaved people flee to freedom, becoming a Methodist pastor in Canada, and being renowned as the person on whom Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” (1852) is based. WI

Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com

5 Posing for a picture at Glen Echo during the 11th Annual African American Heritage Tour (L-R) Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation Vice President of Marketing and Communications Michael Mitchell, Montgomery County Executive Marc Ehrlich, Councilmember Andrew Friedson, Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, Visit Montgomery President and CEO Kelly Groff, Visit Montgomery Chief Strategy Officer Cory A. VanHorn, Glen Echo Park Executive Director Katharine Boerner, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Bill Tompkins and Washington Informer Advertising Director Ron Burke. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

Happy 175th Birthday, Washington Gas!

We’ve been waiting all year— actually, 175 of them—to observe our quartoseptcentennial anniversary on July 8. This jawbreaker word represents a milestone birthday for our Washington Gas family, and we can’t wait to celebrate our past, present and future as part of the DMV.

Our region’s energy needs have morphed dramatically over the past two centuries. In 1848, wood-burning stoves or fireplaces provided the sources for heating and cooking in most households, and coal was used almost exclusively for industrial processes. Gas-lit street lights (hello, WGL!) were starting to line main streets, increasing both public safety and after-dark social life. The thriving city was ready for the advent of gas energy to illuminate homes, businesses and communities.

The demand for reliable energy has only skyrocketed since those earliest days. Washington Gas has remained committed to keeping pace with our region’s needs while simultaneously developing next-generation technologies. Here in 2023, we find ourselves in an exciting world of providing innovative natural gas options as we work to advance the energies of the future.

And what are these emerging technologies? While the field is broad, you might hear a lot about combined heat and power, renewable natural gas, steam-methane reforming and lower-carbon hydrogen in the near future. In the next three editions of the Washington Informer, we’ll be focusing on how these cutting-edge options may become part of your future energy choices.

The value of strong community kinship has also only strengthened since 1848. It has been our honor to serve our DMV communities since our founding days, and the last 10 years alone have seen the emergence of dozens of exciting programs and partnerships.

Through millions of dollars in local investments, we continue to support vocational training, job placements and other paths to long-term employment. We have helped empower underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers via more than $500,000 in scholarships. We were also proud to support local middle school student environmental projects through the recent WUSA9 Eco Challenge.

One of our most urgent community calls is being there when our neighbors need us most. We founded and support the Community Disaster Relief fund with $1 million annually to help families rebuild and recover after catastrophic events. Alongside of this, we have also invested more than $10 million to enhance our emergency response capabilities.

Food security is especially close to our hearts in the aftermath of COVID-19 and the subsequent supply issues and inflation. As described in our annual and community engagement reports, our donations and volunteering have

helped provide millions of meals to local food banks, as well as nutritious foods for underserved students and families. With more than $750,000 in support for community gardens and farmers markets, more families now have access to fresh, locally grown foods.

While we hear a lot about the importance of reliable supply chains, dependable “cold chains” are just as critical when it comes to delivering fresh food. Our $315,000 commitment and partnership with the Prince George’s County Food Council is expanding a fleet of refrigerated food delivery trucks that will assist multiple organizations. (Breaking news: watch our website and social media accounts in late June and July for exciting expansions to the refrigerated food truck fleet!)

While July 8 is our official birthday, we’re also busy planning events during the cooler autumn months. Visit washingtongas. com and our Washington Gas social media accounts to learn more about upcoming events. We look forward to celebrating with you, DMV friends!

The project began in June 2021 and has an estimated completion date in March 2024. The following neighborhoods have or will be impacted by this project: Orren Street NE, Staple Steet NE, Holbrook Street NE, 14th Street NE, H Street NE and Florida Avenue NE. The project consists of 8,260 feet of main installation, 12,647 feet of main abandonment/retired, and 189 affected services. To date, 75% of the new main has been installed, 48% of the affected services have been replaced, and 52% of the old main has been retired. Our contractor, Infrasource, Inc., is conducting all construction activities in accordance with the guidelines set forth by DDOT. We will do our best to minimize the amount of disruption and impact to customers residing in the area. Construction work will entail the replacement of main and services between 9:00 am–4:00 pm, Monday–Friday, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Washington Gas values and is committed to a continuous improvement process. We are grateful for your patience want to reassure residents that we will continue to communicate with our contractors. If you have questions regarding any of our construction processes, please call the PROJECTpipes Hotline at 202-624-6400, email Project_Pipes@washgas.com or visit washingtongas.com/projectpipes.

5 Artist concept of early Washington D.C

One-Day Vacation Bible School Sparks Lifetime of Memories

By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer

The main sanctuary of the University Park Church of Christ in Hyattsville was filled with screaming children who took part in a one-day Vacation Bible School on June 24, where everybody received gold medals.

Vacation Bible School is a popular event at many churches across the area but during the COVID-19 pandemic, many churches eliminated or shortened the annual summer event, where generally students learn the Bible and engage in arts and crafts.

“We believe that we need to meet

NANNIE

from Page 1

whose last name remains unknown.

For more than a decade, someone has left toys and yearly birthday cards by the young girl’s headstone. Nannie’s grave has inspired a series of paintings and prompted a deep-dive research effort seeking to uncover more of her story. The tradition of leaving special items by loved ones’ graves has a long history at the site, dating at least as far back as the 1800s.

“People started leaving things, just like they left things since the beginning of time,” said Lisa Fager, executive director of the Black Georgetown Foundation, which manages the cemeteries’ preservation and commemoration. “Nannie’s grave was really an ancestral memory.”

That’s part of why it was so appalling when, the day after an uplifting and well-attended Juneteenth event at the cemetery, Fager found a burnt, blackened heap where Nannie’s toys, cards and hair pins had been.

“To see such violence, coming off a happy moment of people wanting to learn—it was really shocking and

people where they are,” said University Park Church of Christ Minister Don Ballard as he stood in the foyer of the church that was adorned with five big rings, a medal stand, and all the trappings of the Olympic Games.

“You can see the effort of an event like this. You had more than 60 volunteers, and over 60 children on deck, people are giving of their time in a demonstration that they loved the Lord,” said Ballard, just before the church’s young adults put on a play about a young lady who needed faith, hope and trust to be an Olympic champion.

Alicia Harris, a TV network pro-

disheartening and disappointing and sad,” Fager said. “Who targets an almost 8-year-old, a child who died a week before her eighth birthday?”

“IT WAS HORRIBLE”

Fager first discovered the wreckage on June 20, while leading a group of George Washington University graduate students through the cemetery. Tisdale was there, too, trailing a ways behind the tour.

“When [Fager] got over to Nannie, I heard this mournful, sorrowful scream or cry,” Tisdale said. “So I rushed over there. It smelled of fire, you know, everything was fresh from the night before. It was—it was horrible.”

While one or two items remained intact, much of the plastic and metal from toys left around the grave had “fused together,” and become essentially unrecognizable, Tisdale said.

Fager said one of the students on the tour suggested filing a police report, which they did. Vito Maggiolo, a spokesperson for the D.C. Fire and EMS Department, said that the agen-

ducer in real life, wrote and directed the production.

“The play is called a ‘Champion for Jesus,’ but the play is really about having faith and that’s what being a champion for having Jesus is all about,” Harris told the Informer.

Peace Mbuashu-Ndip, played Sarah, a young lady, fearful of being in a Nike commercial, who overcomes her fears after she was visited by three angels named Faith, Trust, and Hope.

Alana Harris, 21, who played the

cy’s investigators examined the burned materials but did not find anything that would show the source of the fire.

“In this case, there was no way to determine what the origin was,” Maggiolo said. “It’s a cemetery—there’s no security cameras.”

Fager said the Black Georgetown Foundation plans to install cameras around the site.

“WHEN ARE WE GOING TO BE AT PEACE?”

Though Fager has never seen anything like this at the cemetery before, it’s not the only example of disrespect she’s dealt with since joining the Black Georgetown Foundation in 2019. The Instagram account she runs for the organization features repeated instances where people let their dogs run through the cemetery, despite clear signage with reminders to keep pets on-leash. Dog poop has become a consistent problem for the cemetery, Tisdale said.

“The fact of the matter is both of those actions, the fire and the dog-walk-

angel Trust, encouraged Sarah to change her mind.

“This play was important because kids need to learn about God especially in this society today because it’s the norm not to believe in God so this is very important,” the perfomer said.

At 4 p.m., it was time to go home and each child and volunteer received a replica of a gold medal. They also got flash lights, horns and bag full of treats.

VBS Director Mariama Reid said

ing, are examples of disrespect,” said Neville Waters, president of the Black Georgetown Foundation. “And in many ways, [they] are a reflection of the ultimate impacts and results of systematic racism, institutional racism.”

Those structural inequalities are clearly illustrated in the contrast between Mt. Zion and Oak Hill, a historically white cemetery located directly adjacent. Oak Hill appears pristine and well-manicured. Meanwhile, Black advocates have been fighting since the 1970s for necessities like a stormwater drainage system, for which D.C. allocated $1.6 million earlier this year.

Descendents of those buried in the Mt. Zion and Female Union Band Society cemeteries struggled to maintain the property in the midst of discriminatory housing and development policy that displaced Georgetown’s Black community. Parts of the cemeteries’ land have been seized for government infrastructure development, and for decades, commercial interests threatened the property as well.

“When are we going to be at

“Growing up, Vacation Bible School was among my fondest memories.”

Reid said she now enjoys witnessing others make lasting memories at University Park Church of Christ’s Vacation Bible School.

“As a mom, it was fun to see the joy on my son’s face as he was growing up,” Reid said. “To see the joy on the faces of children who may not attend church is part of my act of service to the Lord.”

WI

peace?” Fager said. “This land has not been at peace.”

“PEOPLE ARE HELPING US HEAL”

In recent decades, advocates for the cemeteries’ preservation have made real headway. The land became locally and nationally recognized as a historic site in 1975. In addition to being one of the oldest Black cemeteries in D.C., Mt. Zion also served as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

More than 200 people came out to the cemetery on Juneteenth this year to learn more about the site’s history.

“That day was one of, frankly, the most inspiring days that I've ever experienced at that sacred location,” Waters, whose family has roots in the cemetery, said of the event. “People were very interested in sharing knowledge, gaining knowledge.

There was a connection, if you will, with the history and legacy of those who are interred there.” WI

Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com

5 Students perform as part of the Vacation Bible School final play at University park Church of Christ in Hyattsville, Maryland. (Hamil Harris/The Washington Informer)

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." — Galatians

6:7

Rev. Charles Stanley made some pertinent points in a recent sermon about soiwing and reaping. Do you realize that your previous thoughts and actions got you to where you are right now? Thoughts are such powerful things that influence the type of person we become and spills over into all facets of our lives.

Please use your foresight, because those who act wisely now will certainly make pragmatic decisions going forward. Those who are fiscally prudent and save on a regular basis are prepared for the needs of tomorrow. In fact, that's how my grandfather managed to purchase a 226-acre farm back in 1945. He save his money while others spent theirs.

It's the shortsighted individual who thinks only of the here and now, and doesn't prepare adequately for the future. Eventually, they will have no way to avoid the poor quality and small quantity of reaping they're getting. Quite frankly, they will wonder, "Where is my stuff?"

Scripture puts it this way: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows,

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

You Do Reap What You Sow!

this he will also reap."

The verse describes a law that doesn't discriminate; it's fair, believe it or not, and applies to all areas of our lives, whether it pertains to our families, our jobs, or during times of rest and relaxation. It serves as a warning for those of us who are out of sync, and it encourages those who continue to help others without recognition or fanfare.

Remember, we reap what we sow. Every farmer who tills the soil can appreciate the meaning of this principle. Let's examine it to make sure we understand the inference. This truth applies to everyone, including Christians and non-Christians.

The tenet in Galatians 6:7 can't be taken back; there's no escape, either for the believer or for the non-believer. It's a law that we all must face.

II Corinthians 5:10 says, "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." If you were required to appear before the Lord's judgment seat in the next five minutes, what kind of fruit would you be able to show?

Personally, I've made some changes in my life, by evaluating

Shiloh Church of God 7th Day

what we're doing. Scripture says every word that comes out of our mouths will be judged. Why do farmers plant seeds? They fully expect to harvest a great deal more than they sow. It's the same way with both sin and righteousness — a small decision to do either good or bad reaps a much larger crop, for joy or for sorrow. Remember this and don't be duped.

The prophet Hosea describes the consequences awaiting those who choose wickedness: "They sow the wind and they reap the whirlwind."

Some are fooling themselves since their present seed hasn't produced that bad crop yet. So they continue down their same course, mistakenly believing that there will never be a harvest.

But unlike the crops of the field, which are gathered at about the same time each year, there's no set timetable for the harvest of life. Some results come quickly; others take a longer time. But never be deceived — your season will come. And by going the second mile now and doing more than is required, you will collect your dividends later.

Righteousness in such situations will produce a rich harvest in the future, for our Heavenly Father always keeps His promises. WI

Adams Inspirational A.M.E. Church

RELIGION

The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church

www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com

Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com

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

Blessed Word of Life Church

Dr.

4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011

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

Service and Times

Sunday School: 9:30 AM

Sunday Morning Worship Service: 11:00 AM

Communion Service: First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study: Tuesday, 6:30 PM www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org E-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Campbell AME Church

Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White

2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020

Adm. Office 202-678-2263

Email: Campbell@mycame.org

Service and Times

Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM

Sunday Church School: 8:45 AM Bible Study

Wednesday: 12:00 Noon

Wednesday: 7:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 PM

“Reaching Up To Reach Out”

Mailing Address : Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020

Turning Hearts Church

Virgil K. Thomas, Sr.

Senior Pastor/ Teacher 421 Alabama Ave. SE Washington, DC 20032

Phone: 202-746-0113

Fax: 301-843-2445

Service and Times

Sunday School: 10:15 AM

Sunday Worship Service: 11;15 AM

Children’s Church: 11:15 AM

Tuesday Bible Study: 6:30 PM

Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment”

Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org

Email: gr8luv4u2@gmail.com

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

Services and Times

Sundays: 10:00am Worship Services

Bible Study: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM)

Sunday School: 9:00 AM – Hour of Power

“An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantdc.org

Twelfth Street Christian Church

Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor (Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW - Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494

Fax: 202 265 4340

Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion every Sunday: 11:00 AM

School: 10:00 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 12 Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday: 6:30 PM

Motto: “Discover Something Wonderful” Website: 12thscc.org / Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

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

Service and Times

Sunday Church School : 9:00 AM

Sunday Morning Worship: 10:10 AM

Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00 PM

Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00 PM

Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10:10 AM themcbc.org

Sr. Senior Pastor 5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555

Services and Times

Sunday Early Morning Worship: 7:45 AM Church School: 9:30 AM

Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45 AM

Tuesday: 7:00pm/Kingdom Building Bible Institute

Wednesday , 12:30 PM Mid-Day Bible Study

Wednesday: Prayer/Praise/Bible Study-7:30 PM Baptism & Communion Service: 4th Sunday – 10:30 AM

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

Mt.

Zion

Baptist Church

Reverend John W. Davis Pastor

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

Fax: 202-726-9089

Service and Times

Sunday Worship Service - 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Children’s Church - 11:00 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays) Communion 10 a.m. 4th Sunday

Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. (4th Sunday 8:15 a.m.)

Prayer Meeting & Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

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

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

Crusader

Street

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

Services and Times

Sunday School: 9:30 AM

Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM

Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM

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

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

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church

Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002

(202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax

Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM

Sunday Youth Worship Services:

1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE

5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services

Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6:00 AM & 6:30 PM

Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round

Contact Church Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org emailus@gmchc.org

St

with us...

Dr. Raymond T. Matthews Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011

Services and Times

Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service: 6:45 PM Thur. Bible Study: 7:15 PM

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

headline and photo for LIF - MALCOLMXDAY

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

Service and Times

Divine Worship, Sunday 10:00 a.m. Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday

“Friendliest Church in the City”

Website: mountolivetdc.org Email: mtolivedc@gmail.com

Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D.

Third

Church of God

Bishop Lanier C. Twyman,

St. Stephen Baptist Church

Reverend William Young IV Pastor

Covenant Baptist United Church  of Christ

Marks Baptist Come Worship

Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.;

Dr. Dekontee L. &

Ayele A. Johnson Pastors

4850 Blagdon Ave, NW Washington D.C 20011

Phone (202) 722-4940 - Fax (202) 291-3773

Service and Times

9:00 a.m. – Sunday School 10:15 a.m. – Worship Service

Wed. Noon: Dea. Robert Owens Bible Study

7 PM Pastor’s Bible Study

Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Sunday, Holy Communion 4th Sunday

Mission: Zion shall: Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, And Exalt our Savior. (Acts 2: 41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org

St. Luke Baptist Church

Pastor

1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851

P: (202) 726-5940

Service and Times

Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM

Sunday School: 9:15 AM

Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun.

Bible Institute: Wednesday - 1:30 PM

Prayer Meeting: Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

All Nations Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor

2001 North Capitol St, N.E. Washington, DC 20002

Phone (202) 832-9591

Service and Times

Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM

Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM

Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM

Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM

Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM

Christian Education / School of Biblical Knowledge

Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration

Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com

All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

Israel Baptist Church

Imterim Pastor

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

Service and Times

Sunday Worship Service: 10:45 AM

Sunday School: 9:15 AM

Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:45 AM

Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 PM

Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 PM

Bible Study: Tuesday at 10:30 AM

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church

Interim Pastor

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

Service and Times

Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM

Holy Communion: First Sunday 10:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM

Bible Study: Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30 PM

Motto: "Faith On The Hill"

Emmanuel Baptist Church

Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor

2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020

(202) 678-0884 – Office / (202) 678-0885 – Fax

“Moving Faith Forward”

0% Perfect . . 100% Forgiven!

Service and Times

Sunday Worship: 8:00 AM & 10:45 AM

Baptism/Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday

Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30 PM

Prayer Service: Tuesdays – 8:00 PM

www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor 623 Florida Ave.. NW - WDC. 20001

Church (202) 667-3409 / Study (202) 265-0836

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

Service and Times

Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 AM

Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 AM

Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 PM

Pastor’s Bible

Christ Embassy DC

Pastor

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

Service and Times

Sunday Apostolic Worship Services

11:00 A.M and 5:00 PM

Communion and Feet Wash

4th Sunday at 5:00 PM

Prayer/Seeking: Wednesday at 8:00 PM

Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42

New Commandment Baptist Church

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

Service and Times

Sunday Worship: 11 AM

Sunday School: 10 AM

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

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

St. Matthews Baptist Church

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

Service and Times

Sunday Worship Experience: 10:15am Sunday School: 9:00am

Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Morning

Noontime Bible Study: Tuesday @ 12:00pm

Prayer Meeting/Bible Study: Tuesday @7:00pm

Theme: "Building On A Firm Foundation"

Email: revprbstmbc@gmail.com

Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org

Rehoboth Baptist Church

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

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

Service and Times

Sunday Service: 10:00 AM

Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 AM

1st Sunday Baptism: 10:00 AM

2nd Sunday Holy Communion:10:00 AM

Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 PM

Prayer Meeting: 7:45 PM

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

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest

Foggy Bottom Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW Washington, DC 20037

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

Service and Times

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

Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist www.stmarysfoggybottom.org

Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org

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

Promised Land Baptist Church

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant Pastor

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

Service and Times

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

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

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

Senior Pastor

2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 Fax 202-678-3304

Service and Times

Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 AM

Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 9:30 AM

Sunday School: 8:15 AM

Bible Study: Wednesdays at Noon

Baptism: 4th Sunday 9:30 AM

Website address: www.mmbcdc.org

“Where God is Praised, Christ is Obeyed, and People are Loved”

Peace Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002

Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836

Service and Times

Sunday Early Morning Prayer & Bible Study Class: 8:00 AM

Sunday School: 9:00 AM

Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM

Wednesday Service: 12:00 PM

“The Loving Church of the living lord “

Email Address: admin@pbc712.org

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

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

Fax: (202) 289-4595

Service and Times

Sunday School for All Ages: 8:00 AM

Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 AM

Midday Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 11:30AM

Evening Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 PM

Laymen's League: Thursday 7:00 PM

Email: Froffice@firstrising.org

Website: www.firstrising.org

“Changing Lives On Purpose “

Kelechi Ajieren Coordinator 6839 Eastern Avenue, R1 Takoma Park, MD 20912 (202) 556-7065

Service and Times

Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM

Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 PM

Friday Evening Service: 7:00 PM ; Last Friday

“…Giving Your Life a Meaning” www.Christembassydc.org Christ.embassy.dc@hotmail.com

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church

Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500

Service and Times

Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM

Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM

Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 PM

Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 PM Prayer Service Bible Study

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor 2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 - Fax: (202) 529-7738 Service and Times Worship Service: 7:30 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM

Worship Service: 10:30 AM

Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30AM & 10:30 AM Prayer Services:Tuesday 7:30 PM. Wednesday 12 Noon

Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org

Website:www.mthoreb.org

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

Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor

Zion Baptist Church

Rev. Lance Aubert

Elder Herman L. Simms

Rev. Richard B. Black

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Dr. Joseph D. Turner

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

Rev.

Mount

Rev.

Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE

DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 FEP 132

November 28, 2018

Date of Death

Bertha High

Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESEN

TATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Anthony James whose address is 15804 Carlee Court, Accokeek, Maryland 20607 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Bertha High, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on 10/24/2022.

Service of process may be made upon Bernadette James 4417 Sheriff Road NE, Washington DC 20019 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real estate. 4916 Arkansas Ave., Washington, DC 20011. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: 6/15/2023

Anthony James Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 ADM 001427

Edith H. Riley-Gottowy Decedent

Frederick D. Cooke, Jr.

1250 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 700

Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Maximillian Riederer von Paar, whose address is 210 E. Franklin Street, Apt. C, Richmond, VA 23219, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Edith H. Riley-Gottowy who died on March 9, 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 12/15/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/15/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/15/2023

Maximillian Riederer von Paar Personal Representative

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 000658

Juanita J. Moore Decedent

Johnny M. Howard Houston & Howard 1001 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 402 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

LaShawne Jackson, whose address is 7801 Regal Court, Clinton, MD 20735, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Juanita J. Moore who died on 2/21/2023 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 12/15/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/15/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/15/2023

LaShawne Jackson

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 000630

Kareen B. Wilson aka Kareen Burgess Wilson Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Sandra Wilson, whose address is 13036 Salford Ter., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Kareen B. Wilson aka Kareen Burgess Wilson who died on April 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 12/15/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/15/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/15/2023

Sandra Wilson Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 FEP 000048

April 23, 2020

Date of Death

Lynell Israel Halley, Sr. Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

John Halley whose address is 1520 W. North Avenue, Apt. 506, Baltimore, MD 21217 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Lynell Israel Halley, Sr., deceased, by the Orphans Court for Baltimore City, State of Maryland, on September 2, 2020.

Service of process may be made upon Iris McCollum Green, Esquire, Green & Foushee 1714 15th Street, NW, Suite B, Washington, DC 20009 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: 6/15/2023

John Halley

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 0006577

Tawanda M. Joppy

Decedent

Sharon Legall 1325 G. Street NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005

Attorney

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

Sarelle Joppy, whose address is 8702 Dulwick Court, Apt.32, Laurel MD 20708, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Tawanda M. Joppy who died on 10/8/2020 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 12/15/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/15/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/15/2023

Sarelle Joppy 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 000736

Marion Moody Shell Decedent

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

Attorney

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

Eric Graye, whose address is 1304 Monroe Street NW, Washington, DC 20010, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Marion Moody Shell who died on April 30, 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 12/22/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/22/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/22/2023

Eric Graye Personal Representative

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

2023 ADM 000709

Annie Y. Carter aka Annie Y. Fitzgerald Decedent

Howard Haley, Esq. The Haley Firm, PC 7600 Georgia Ave, NW #416 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Mark Anthony Cates, whose address is 5503 Colorado Ave., NW, WDC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Annie Y. Carter aka Annie Y. Fitzgerald who died on 4/3/2023 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 12/22/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/22/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/22/2023

Mark Anthony Cates

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 000717

Dorothy Lee Higgins

Decedent

Suren G. Adams, Esq. Adams Law Office, LLC 4201 Northview Drive, Suite 401 Bowie, MD 20716

Attorney

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

Deborah Floyd, whose address is 8288 Quill Point Drive, Bowie, MD 20720, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy Lee Higgins who died on February 15, 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 12/22/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/22/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/22/2023

Deborah Floyd Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 000731

Amma Hawthorne Decedent

Joan M. Wilbon Attorney at Law 1629 K Street, NW Suite 300

Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

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

Sharon J. Hawthorne, whose address is 57 Frontenac Estates Drive, St. Louis, MO 63131, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Amma Hawthorne who died on 5/15/2020 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/22/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/22/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/22/2023

Sharon J. Hawthorne Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 00115

Helen Brown Decedent

Peggy A. Miller

5130 7th St., NE

Washington, DC 20011-2625

Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Crystal Y. Rice, whose address is 6008 Rosedale Dr., Hyattsville, MD 20743, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Helen Brown who died on May 9, 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 12/22/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/22/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication:

6/22/2023

Crystal Y. Rice

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 000705

Roxie Ann Burton

Decedent

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

Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Fred Tarpley, whose address is 7124 Chestnut St., NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Roxie Ann Burton who died on April 25, 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 12/22/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/22/2023, or be forever barred.

Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/22/2023

Fred Tarpley Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 000639

Kazumi P. Wall aka Kazumi Peggy Wall aka Peggy Wall Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

David Alvin Wall, whose address is 2611 Moreland Pl., NW, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Kazumi P. Wall aka Kazumi Peggy Wall aka Peggy Wall who died on 11/23/2022 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 12/22/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/22/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/22/2023

David Alvin Wall Petitioner

2611 Moreland Pl., NW Washington, DC 20015

Address & Phone Number

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE: TAKE NOTICE THAT; that anyone with an equal, prior or superior equitable or legal right or interest in/to/for/of the TITLE: GRIFFIN, JOYCELYN DENEASE, JOYCELYN D. GRIFFIN, J. D. GRIFFIN, JDG, JOYCELYN GRIFFIN or GRIFFIN JOYCELYN in any style variations and ROSALINE DIOR LUCILLE GRIFFIN, PATRICK NEIL TINKER JR, DARIOUS JONTE’ GRIFFIN, ERICA DENEASE DAVIS, MALIK KYREE GRIFFIN, in any style variations thereof capable to confuse, suspend or clog said Title, right or interest in/to/for Title is HEREBY REQUESTED to present their claim to witness: Joycelyn Denease Griffin Trust, 921 East Dupont Road, Suite 838, Fort Wayne, IN, [46825] before expiration of thirty days of this publication. have returned from the sea. 6/08/2023 x 6/29/2023 4x

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 000687

Alfred J. Hiltebeitel aka Alfred John Hiltebeitel

Decedent

Julie A. Simantiras, Esq. The Geller Law Group PLLC 4000 Legato Road, Suite 1100 Fairfax, Virginia 22033 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Adam Claude Hiltebeitel and Simon Eric Hiltebeitel, whose addresses are 2611 22nd Street NE, Washington, DC 20018 and 2207 Ross Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20910, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Alfred J. Hiltebeitel aka Alfred John Hiltebeitel who died on 3/12/2023 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 12/22/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/22/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication:

6/22/2023

Adam Claude Hiltebeitel

Simon Eric Hiltebeitel

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 693

Geraldine P. Boykin

Decedent

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

Jeannetta Boykin, whose address is 3253 Highwood Drive, SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Geraldine P. Boykin who died on 1/13/2023 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 12/29/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/29/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication:

6/29/2023

Jeannetta Boykin

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 000733

Carrington L. Diggs Decedent

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

Carrington D. Diggs, whose address is 475 Burbank St., SE Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Carrington L. Diggs who died on December 13, 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 12/29/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/29/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/29/2023

Carrington D. Diggs 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

2021 ADM 589

Richard Hailey, Sr. Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Sean Hailey, whose address is 12010 Towanda Lane, Bowie MD 20715, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Richard Hailey, Sr. who died on 2/19/21 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 12/29/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/29/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/29/2023

Sean Hailey 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 708

C. N. Odom aka Charles Odom aka Charles Nathaniel Odom Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Adrene Maria Odom, whose address is 3903 Chapel Forge Dr., Bowie, MD 20715, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of C. N. Odom aka Charles Odom aka Charles Nathaniel Odom who died on January 4, 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 12/29/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/29/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 6/29/2023

Adrene Maria Odom

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 000691

Thelma Emma Pringle aka Thelma Pringle Decedent

Donald Marlais, Esq. 411 10th Street NE Washington, DC 20002

Attorney

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

Patricia A. Hawkins, whose address is 932 Amer Drive, Fort Washington, MD 20744, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Thelma Emma Pringle aka Thelma Pringle who died on April 26, 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 12/29/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/29/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication:

6/29/2023

Patricia A. Hawkins Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 000721

Charles Glover

Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE

TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Neatha Glover, whose address is 5101 Sargent Rd., NE, Apt. 303, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Charles Glover who died on 04/25/2020 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 12/29/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/29/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication:

6/29/2023

Neatha Glover

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens

Register of Wills

Washington Informer

CLASSIFIEDS

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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 725

Robert Clifford Brown III

Decedent

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

Brenda E. Brown, whose address is 10506 Calumet Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20901, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Robert Clifford Brown III who died on March 19, 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 12/29/2023. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 12/29/2023, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication:

6/29/2023

Brenda E. Brown Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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brought in cooperation with the State of Illinois.

Similarly, a 2022 case involving Harvest Moon Financial, an internet-based payday lending enterprise that included 11 firms, multiple websites and telemarketing, bilked millions of dollars from consumers through deception about the terms of their loans and an absence of required loan disclosures.

"Harvest Moon bled consumers dry, by promising a single payment payday loan, but then automatically debiting consumers' bank accounts for finance charges every two weeks, in perpetuity," said Andrew Smith, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Further, the firm made withdrawals

EDELMAN from Page 28 stood something she didn't: Getting a marriage license as a mixed-race couple would have been illegal and impossible in Virginia.

Mr. Loving may not have known how the state would treat legal interracial marriages that had been performed elsewhere, but five weeks after their wedding they received a very literal rude awakening: acting on a "tip," sheriff's deputies surrounded their bed with flashlights at two in the morning demanding to know why they were there together. Their reply that they were husband and wife made no difference. The Lovings were arrested, and Mr. Loving

MARSHALL from Page 28 named after treasonous Confederate officers who fought against the Unites States Army to preserve slavery and white supremacy. The bases include: Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia; Fort Lee, Virginia; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Fort Pickett, Virginia; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Fort Benning, Georgia.

Rather than covering white supremacy in ways to make it appear legitimate, it should always to be exposed in the manner it is presented along with highlighting its true intent. Fort Benning was named after Henry Benning who, in a speech inviting Virginia to join the Confederacy, said Georgia had chosen to secede because "a separation from the North was the only thing that could prevent the abolition of slavery," warning that if slavery was abolished, "then we will have Black governors, Black legislatures, Black juries, Black everything."

His comments were met with

from consumers' checking accounts without authorization, violations of both the FTC Act and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. FTC secured a $970,000 refund for the scam's victims.

Last year in written testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, reminded lawmakers of the agency's value to the nation.

"The FTC is charged with tackling unfair or deceptive practices — be it businesses who lie about products being Made in America, fraudsters who peddle fake COVID cures, or firms who abuse consumer data — and we're responsible for rooting out unfair methods of competition that can crush entrepreneurs and stifle innovation," Kahn stated. "I have asked staff to orient our enforcement efforts around target-

was held in jail overnight while the pregnant Mrs. Loving was forced to stay for several days. Both were charged with violating Virginia's Racial Integrity Act. Under a plea bargain, in order to avoid a yearlong jail sentence they were forced to leave the state and were prohibited from returning together for 25 years. They settled in Washington, D.C., but missed the small town where they had spent their entire lives. These were the conditions that led the Lovings, inspired by the growing civil rights movement, to reach out to Attorney General Robert Kennedy asking for change.

After the landmark 1967 victory Mr. and Mrs. Loving returned to their hometown with their three children. Sadly

laughter, but Benning's fears were materialized. It is only fitting that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, as the first Black to hold the highest civilian position in the Department of Defense, ordered changing the name of Fort Benning following a U.S. Army commission recommendation. Needless to say, not everyone is happy and the renaming issue is now being exploited to score political points.

Former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as GOP presidential candidates, understand the message behind honoring failed Confederates. Both men condemned the renaming of Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty and have vowed to restore the name as president. While Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson are well known Confederate generals, I never heard of Confederate General Braxton Bragg until now. The reason behind his obscurity and insignificance comes from the fact that he was simply not very good. He was known for his incompetence, quarreling with key subordinates and losing major battles. As

ing and rectifying root causes to avoid a whack-a-mole approach that imposes significant enforcement burden with few long-term benefits. We are also ensuring that our work is tackling the most significant harm across markets, particularly by dominant firms whose business practices affect huge swaths of Americans."

Ms. Khan also advised that these accomplishments came despite successive budget cuts in 2017 and 2018 that left the agency with two-thirds of the staff it had in 1980.

Even so, recent enforcement actions continue the pro-consumer achievement. Now as Congress resumes its annual appropriations process, it would be useful to remind lawmakers of what's really working for the people.

their own happiness ended in tragedy in 1975 when Mr. Loving was killed and Mrs. Loving lost the sight in one eye in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. But the Lovings had paved the way for thousands of other couples like themselves who were marrying the people they loved. Thanks to God's work and the Lovings' love, my husband Peter and I were the very first interracial couple to be married in Virginia after the U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Mrs. Loving never remarried and lived quietly at her home in rural Caroline County, Virginia until she passed away in 2008. WI

Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com

one historian describes, Bragg "had done as much as any Confederate general to lose the war." Bragg was known for his ruthless style so much that one of his own soldiers tried to kill him.

Fort Bragg is one of the largest military complexes in the world, and sadly it was named after a Confederate slave-owner who historians called the South's worst and most hated general. His incompetence didn't matter nor did his cruelty, lack of leadership and betrayal to his country. As long as he and other Confederate officers proved to be staunch defenders and heroes of white supremacy, they were deemed worthy to be recognized by statues, monuments, schools, roads and even military installations. The culture war continues. Despite the name change to Fort Liberty, people vow to keep calling it Fort Bragg. We should be prepared that people will continue to passionately embrace the Confederate cause while rewarding those in positions of power despite their cruelty, incompetence and national betrayal. WI

WILLIAMS from Page 29

persons determined by an appropriate United States government official to be eligible for access to classified information and who had signed an approved nondisclosure agreement, who received a security clearance, and who had a "need-to-know" the classified information. After his presidency, Trump was not authorized to possess or retain classified documents.

Few will ever know or be able to accurately speculate whether Trump was motivated by arro-

MORIAL from Page 29

tional Urban League documented in the recently-released Toward a New Age of Community Safety, a framework for violence prevention that we unveiled as part of the Safe & Just Communities Summit we convened with John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

The investigations of the Minneapolis and Louisville police were two of eight investigations into law enforcement agencies opened during the Biden Administration by the Civil Rights Division. The department also has ongoing investigations into the Phoenix Police Department; the Mount Vernon Police Department; the Louisiana State Police; the New York City Police Department's Special Victims Division; the Worcester Police Department; and the Oklahoma City Police Department.

Speaking in Minneapolis recent-

JACKSON from Page 29

latures to oppress, as Blacks were under slavery. Linking a fake populism with appeals on conservative social issues like abortion, Republicans have been gaining ground among Latino voters — but apparently not enough to begin to respect their basic human right to survival.

In any case, this is less about race than about workers of all races. Under Donald Trump, Republicans have offered workers heated rhetoric about nativism, about crime, even about mythical Democratic pedophiles, using populist rhetoric as a cover for relentlessly anti-worker policies. Republican legislatures in Iowa and Ohio have

gance, avarice, or the potential to use the classified information to leverage an unknown outcome

(all three have been suggested by media sources). Whatever his motivation, his possession and refusal to return classified documents as requested by the National Archives and Records Administration, his futile and misguided attempts to hide classified documents, and his attempts to involve his employees and attorneys in this effort were criminal.

If this document case does go to trial, the fate of the nation will rest in the character and judgment

ly, Clarke noted that the protests that unfolded there and around the country after George Floyd's murder in 2020 were "a call for constitutional, fair and non-discriminatory policing and respect for people's civil rights."

President Biden took the first of several steps toward answering that call when he nominated Clarke to head what he called the "moral center" of the Justice Department.

of 12 as-yet-unknown Americans. The trial will test Trump's 2016 claim that he could shoot someone in Times Square and not lose any voters. It will test the premise that no one is above the law. And it will, invariably, define the path that this nation will take to the future. It will test whether 12 citizens, regardless of political affiliation or personal ideals, will have enough concern for the nation to objectively evaluate the evidence to reach a fair and appropriate verdict. I anxiously wait for their decision.

WI

She was confirmed by the Senate as first woman to hold the position on the one-year anniversary of Floyd's murder.

As her work to enforce the principles of the "21 Pillars" demonstrates, she is living up to her promise to make the Justice Department an engine of reform so the doors of justice remain open to all.

The investigations of the Minneapolis and Louisville police were two of eight investigations into law enforcement agencies opened during the Biden Administration by the Civil Rights Division.

weakened child labor laws, allowing children as young as 14 to be employed on evening shifts using caustic chemicals in meat coolers and industrial cleaners. Republican justices have rolled back the right to organize, and disemboweled the powers of existing unions. Republicans oppose raising the minimum wage, enforcing workplace safety, and seek to weaken unemployment support for those who are laid off.

Passing a law to ban local protection of water breaks in the midst of a record and deadly heat wave speaks for itself. It reminds me of the famous moment in the McCarthy hearings at the height of the '50s Red Scare. Wisconsin Sen. Joe McCarthy, after feeding the Red Scare with repeated screeds about

communists subverting the government, convened hearings on whether the U.S. Army was soft on communism. Frustrated by the Army's defense attorney, Joseph N. Welch, McCarthy slurred a young associate in Welch's firm as linked to communists. Flabbergasted, Welch responded: "Until this moment, senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?" That moment marked the effective end of McCarthy's reign of terror.

Now in the wake of the cruel law passed by the Republican legislature and signed by its governor, surely it is time to ask each of them, "Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?" WI

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