The Washington Informer - March 6, 2025

In Economic Downturn,

Mayor Bowser Posits Football

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

For the better part of a week, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) stood before District residents at budget forums across the District, articulating her vision of a city that weathers a Trump-induced downturn with investments in education, public safety and economic growth. As it relates to economic growth, Bowser has identified RFK campus in Ward 7 as that catalyst, telling residents that, with D.C.’s chief financial officer recently predicting a revenue decrease of nearly $1 billion over the next

5D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser celebrates the new possibilities for RFK campus at a demolition event in December 2022. With D.C.’s chief financial officer recently predicting a revenue decrease of nearly $1 billion over the next three years, Bowser remains focused on generating future revenue and has identified RFK campus in Ward 7 as that catalyst. (WI File Photo)

The Collins Council Report: A Bereaved Mom Seeks Answers

Councilmember Henderson on the Path to Solidifying Title IX Protections

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

NOTE: This edition of The Washington Informer’s Collins Council Report doesn’t follow the usual format due to what unfolded at the end of the D.C. Council’s March 4 legislative meeting. Read and see.

Throughout much of the D.C. Council’s recent legislative meeting, Karen Hylton sat quietly in council chambers as council members weighed in on a bevy of issues, including the extension of nighttime hours for estab-

5Shortly after the end of the March 4 D.C. Council meeting, Karen Hylton approaches the dais, commands the legislative body’s attention and questions, for several minutes, why the council didn’t respond, or try to prevent, Metropolitan Police Department’s reinstatement of the officers convicted for their role in the death of her son, Karon Hylton-Brown. (Sam P.K. Collins/ Washington Informer)

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

In a heated Democratic primary, voters have made their decision about who they hope will succeed now Senator Angela Alsobrooks’ (D) in leading one of America’s wealthiest Black counties, and the person they want to fill the District 5 Prince George’s County Council seat. While voters waited in long lines even after the 8 p.m.

By

Shavonne Jecmenic needed to go shopping for a few groceries and toiletries on Feb. 28, so she went to the Target store located two blocks from the DC USA Mall in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Northwest, Washington. The Target had a small number of people

Stacy M. Brown, James Wright and Richard Elliott

Senior Writer,

Staff Writer

5State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy is projected to be the next Prince George’s county executive after winning the Democratic primary on March 4. (WI File Photo/ Anthony Tilghman)

• Fresh Gourmet Fruit & Nut Toppings 3.5 oz.

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• Green Giant One Step Potatoes 16 oz. pkg. or Signature SELECT®

Lemonade 64 fl. oz. ctn.

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Legendary Singer Angie Stone Dies in Car Accident at 63

The music and entertainment world reacted in shock and sorrow after the tragic death of Angie Stone, the pioneering singer-songwriter and hip-hop trailblazer who was killed in a car accident early March 1 morning in Montgomery, Alabama. She was 63.

Stone’s publicist, Deborah R. Champagne, confirmed the devastating news, stating that her family is heartbroken. “A number of her loved ones had just spoken to her last night,” Champagne told TMZ.

Born Angela Brown, Stone first rose to prominence as a member of The Sequence, hip-hop’s first all-female rap group. Their 1979 hit Funk You Up became one of the earliest rap records to break into the mainstream, later sampled in Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” and Dr. Dre’s “Keep Their Heads Ringin’.” After her years with The Sequence, Stone launched a solo career in the late 1990s, earning Grammy nominations and releasing celebrated R&B hits like “Brotha,” “No More Rain,” and “Wish I Didn’t Miss You.”

Several of Stone’s peers offered tributes following the devastating news.

Chuck D, the legendary Public Enemy frontman and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, called Stone a foundational figure.

“Angie Stone [was] a powerful pioneer whenever I

Drake Settles iHeartMedia Battle, But His War Over ‘Not Like Us’ Rages On

Drake took Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” personally—so personally that he took it to court. Now, he’s settled his dispute with iHeartMedia, but his fight with Universal Music Group (UMG) is just heating up.

In November, Drake filed a legal petition in Texas, accusing iHeartMedia of accepting illegal payments from UMG to flood the airwaves with “Not Like Us.” Both Drake and Lamar are signed to UMG, making the allegations even messier. While the rapper and iHeartMedia have now “amicably resolved” their dispute, the details of their agreement remain sealed.

But UMG isn’t off the hook. The company is still facing Drake’s claims of “irregular and inappropriate business practices” to boost Lamar’s hit at his expense. Drake argues “Not Like Us” falsely accuses him of pedophilia and other crimes—and that UMG knowingly pushed the narrative. He’s already escalated his attack, filing a

defamation lawsuit in federal court in New York. The feud between Drake, 38, and Lamar, 37, has been one of hip-hop’s most explosive in years. Drake, a five-time Grammy winner, and Lamar, a Pulitzer Prize recipient fresh off his Super Bowl halftime show, have turned their lyrical war into a legal one.

Meanwhile, iHeartMedia faces another challenge—the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating whether the company pressures artists into performing at its iHeartCountry Festival in Austin for lower pay in exchange for airplay. iHeart denies any wrongdoing, insisting, “We do not make any overt or covert agreements about airplay with artists performing at our events.”

For Drake, one battle is over, but the war isn’t. His case against UMG is still in play, and the fallout from “Not Like Us” is far from finished.

Wide Receiver Deebo Samuel is Making His Way to the DMV in a Striking Trade

The first chess piece of the offseason board has moved, as the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Commanders have struck a deal, sending wide receiver Deebo Samuel from the Bay Area to the DMV for a Washington fifth round pick.

Samuel’s exit from the 49ers was long expected for his trade request earlier this offseason. San Francisco’s General Manager John Lynch confirmed at the NFL combine that Samuel’s request would be honored, making the moving no surprise. However, his arrival in Washington could add more fiery flairs to the National Football Conference, especially after the Commanders’ deep playoff run in the rookie season of Jayden Daniels.

The rookie quarterback showed major excitement on his Instagram story reposting the news from ESPN and tagging the wide receiver, commenting, “Let’s work” with

a strong arm emoji.

Although the Commanders had such a historic season, it was no secret that they needed a strong yet reliable receiver option alongside Terry McLaurin, and Samuel is a perfect fit for that role. While McLaurin posted his fifth straight 1,000 yard season, no other Washington receiver came close to hitting that mark.

The Commanders showed that they were well-positioned for this move, as they entered the trade with the NFL’s third-highest cap space and star quarterback still on his rookie deal. With this in mind and the fact that the Commanders only acquired him for a fifth round pick, they will owe $17.46 million of Samuel’s salary in 2025, which is considered a manageable sum with $16.46 million in cap savings from defensive lineman Johnathan Allen’s pending departure. WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

5The music and entertainment world is mourning the loss of Angie Stone, the pioneering…in a car accident early March 1 morning in Montgomery, Alabama.

(Courtesy Photo)

D.C. Residents Face Dire Consequences from House Republican Budget Cuts

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The House Republican budget passed Feb. 25 threatens to slash essential services for thousands of District of Columbia residents, cutting Medicaid, SNAP, and college assistance to pay for tax cuts benefiting the wealthy. These cuts would disproportionately affect Black and low-income communities in the District, where 21.8% of residents live below 200% of the federal poverty level, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

As of June 2024, 260,218 D.C. residents relied on Medicaid and CHIP for health and long-term care. Proposed cuts could eliminate coverage for many, exacerbating health disparities. Medicaid spending in the District totaled $4.2 billion in fiscal year 2022, with the federal government cov-

ering 78.2%. Since the end of the COVID-19 continuous enrollment provision in March 2023, D.C. has disenrolled 67,619 people from Medicaid.

Food assistance is also at risk. In 2022, over 140,000 D.C. residents received SNAP benefits.

The proposed $230 billion reduction could force states to cover the gap or leave families without support. Cuts to SNAP would hit Black communities hardest, as they disproportionately rely on food assistance programs.

MAGA Republicans also didn’t spare education. The budget proposes $330 billion in cuts to student loan programs. In 2024, 11,910 D.C. residents enrolled in AffordableCare Act marketplace plans, with 22% receiving premium tax credits. Eliminating these credits would increase healthcare costs for thousands of small business owners and

5 The House Republican budget passed Tuesday threatens to slash essential services for thousands of District of Columbia residents, cutting Medicaid, SNAP, and college assistance to pay for tax cuts benefiting the wealthy. (Courtesy Photo)

self-employed workers.

The cuts contrast sharply with proposed tax breaks: households earning $743,000 or more would receive an average $62,000 tax cut, surpassing the annual incomes of many D.C. Medicaid recipients.

“This budget prioritizes billionaires over working families,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.).

Medicare beneficiaries in D.C. could also face challenges. In

2024, 95,577 residents were enrolled in Medicare, with 71,021 in Part D coverage. Recent measures capped monthly insulin costs at $35, benefiting nearly 4,855 D.C. users in 2020. These protections could be undermined under the new budget.

While the House plan includes a $4 trillion debt ceiling increase, it projects reaching the limit by November 2026.

With essential programs for

health, food, and education at risk, D.C. residents—particularly marginalized communities—face heightened economic insecurity under the proposed cuts.

Despite concerns, only one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), opposed the budget, warning, “If the Republican budget passes, the deficit gets worse, not better.”

AROUND THE REGION

THE PERFECT PORTRAIT HOLIDAY GIFT

black facts

MARCH 6

MAR. 6 - 12, 2025

1857 – The U.S. Supreme Court issues a decision in the Dred Scott case, affirming the right of slave owners to take their slaves into the Western territories.

1957 – West African nation Ghana declares its independence from Great Britain.

MARCH 7

1927 – In the U.S. Supreme Court case Nixon v. Herndon, the court strikes down a Texas law forbidding Blacks from voting in the state Democratic Party primary.

1942 – The first class of African American pilots at Tuskegee Army Air Field completes advanced pilot training.

1965 – The Selma to Montgomery marches, held to champion voting rights for African Americans and in protest of segregation, begin in Selma, Alabama.

MARCH 8

1825 – Alexander Thomas Augusta, the first Black professor of medicine in the United States and the Army's first African American physician, is born in Norfolk, Virginia.

1876 – PBS Pinchback, the nation's first Black governor, is denied by Congress a U.S. Senate seat he won four years earlier.

1993 – Famed jazz singer Billy Eckstine dies in Pittsburgh at 78 from complications following a heart attack.

MARCH 9

1841 – The U.S. Supreme Court rules that the African slaves who seized control of the Amistad slave ship had been illegally forced into slavery, and thus

are free under American law.

1961 – African American corporate executive, educator and philanthropist Clifton R. Wharton is sworn in as U.S. ambassador to Norway.

1966 – Andrew F. Brimmer is sworn in as the first Black governor of the Federal Reserve Board.

1997 – Famed rapper The Notorious B.I.G. is shot and killed in Los Angeles at age 24.

MARCH 10

1913 – Iconic abolitionist and escaped Harriet Tubman dies of pneumonia in Auburn, New York. 1969 – James Earl Ray pleads guilty to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and is sentenced to 99 years in prison.

MARCH 11

1959 – African American playwright Lorraine Hansberry opens "A Raisin in the Sun" at Barrymore Theatre in New York.

MARCH 12

1791 – Benjamin Banneker is commissioned by President George Washington as part of a team to survey the District of Columbia.

1955 – Influential bebop saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker dies in New York City of complications from lobar pneumonia and other health issues at 34.

1964 – Malcolm X announced the establishment of Muslim Mosque, Inc., four days after his departure from the Nation of Islam.

1982 – Playwright Charles Fuller wins the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "A Soldier's Play," a story of a Black captain's search for the murderer of a Black sergeant on a Louisiana army base during World War II.

AROUND THE REGION

view

P INT

BY SARAFINA WRIGHT

CARLA HUCKABY / TUCSON, ARIZ.

CRISSY KENDALL / NEW YORK, N.Y.

Phylicia Rashad. She’s always represented style, class, and grace. Her beauty and presence commands respect. Definitely one of my most favorite Black women that I’ve admired from childhood.

Bessie Coleman. I would love to see a film made about her—a brilliant woman.

ANITA SPENCER, / JACKSONVILLE, FLA.

ANTHONY RODGERS / BROOKLYN, N.Y.

The legendary Miss Marla Gibbs. She’s a trailblazer and an icon.

I love Madam Walker. In fact, my grandmother used her products as a hairstylist.

DENISE C. / WASHINGTON, D.C.

Since I love books so much, I want to highlight my favorite author—Kimberla Lawson Roby!

Our staff is made up of writers, just like you. We are dedicated to making publishing dreams come true. Trusted by authors for nearly 100 years, Dorrance has made countless authors’ dreams come true.

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Cherry Blossom Festival Set for March 20-April 13

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Wearing pink dresses, suits, and blazers, Washingtonians on Feb. 27 officially launched the 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival season, which will run from March 20-April 13.

“Spring in D.C. is a time of joy and renewal, and we can’t wait to bring the city to life with the National Cherry Blossom Festival,” said Diana Mayhew, president of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

The launch, which took place at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Northwest, D.C., featured noted speakers who talked about the importance of the Cherry Blossom Festival and the looming question in the minds of many: when will the cherry blossoms reach their peak in blooming?

Even before the expected peak bloom in late March, Mayhew, who has led the festival for the past 25 years, emphasized the importance of the event.

The festival honors the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo, the capital of Japan, to the District in 1912. The gift has come to symbolize the friendship of Japan and the United States.

The first festival was held in the District in 1935. A springtime event held between mid- March and mid-April, the festival features such activities as a parade and musical and cultural performances.

Mayhew said there’s much to be excited for in 2025.

“From cherished traditions to exciting new experiences, this year’s celebration will unite our community

and welcome visitors from around the world to create unforgettable memories,” said Mayhew.

2025 FESTIVAL DETAILS

During the official launch, the burning question—when will the cherry blossoms bloom—was answered in a unique manner.

Dr. Kevin Griess, the superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, led the presentation, starting with a video of Jeopardy television show host Ken Jennings, who will serve as the Grand Marshal of the 2025 festival parade, shown on monitors.

Jennings posed the question Jeopardy-style and flashed the answer: the peak bloom dates are March 28-31.

Fumito Miyake, the Embassy of Japan’s minister for public affairs, said the National Cherry Blossom Festival cements the bond between the two countries.

“Spring in the D.C. area is synonymous with the Cherry Blossom Festival,” Miyake said. “As the trees have grown, so has our friendship.”

Noting that the U.S. will celebrate its semi quincentennial, or its 250th

HOT TOPICS from Page 4

thought of her,” he told the Black Press. “A foundation of modern soul and hip-hop and women empowerment that she’s still uncredited for. A terrible loss.”

DJ Ralph McDaniels also told the Black Press that Stone’s artistry mainly was unmatched.

“Peaceful journey to our sister

birthday, in 2026, Miyake said Japan will send 250 more cherry blossom trees “as a birthday gift.”

Mayhew mentioned other National Cherry Blossom Festival events such as the Pink Tie Party presented by Union Station Washington, D.C. and Design Cuisine. The party serves as a primary fundraiser for the festival.

“Be sure to get your tickets because they are going fast,” Mayhew said.

The Opening Ceremony, co-presented with The Japan Foundation, is scheduled for March 22. The ceremony will consist of a one-night showcase featuring performances from world-renowned artists connected to the U.S. and Japan, with the highlight noting the 113th anniversary of the tree gifting.

The parade, presented by Events DC, takes place on April 12 Connective Avenue Northwest, with an estimated 3,000 participants. New experiences in 2025 include the first annual Stumpy’s Petals & Paddles Race at the Tidal Basin on March 20, with half of the proceeds supporting the Trust for the National Mall’s Adopt a Cherry Tree campaign for the care of the iconic cherry trees. WI

Read more on Washingtoninformer.com.

Angie Stone,” he said. “Her voice was unique and direct from hiphop’s female group Sequence to her solo soul songs.”

Stone was scheduled to perform later that day at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament in Baltimore, Maryland. WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

5National Cherry Blossom Festival President Diana Mayhew speaks at the festival’s official launch at the Waldorf Astoria on Feb. 27. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

B. Doyle Mitchell Jr. Excels Like His

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Many people would be apprehensive about following a legacy of such relatives as Jesse Mitchell, the man who revived the District’s only Black financial institution— Industrial Bank—in 1934 after a short period of inactivity. However, his son B. Doyle Mitchell Sr., not only continued his father’s mission, maintaining the bank as one of the largest of its type in the country, but furthered his work, becoming the first Black president of the D.C. Bankers Association.

Now, B. Doyle Mitchell Jr., Mitchell Sr.’s son, has followed in his dad and grandfather’s footsteps, having served as the president and CEO of Industrial since his father’s death in 1993.

Mitchell embraces the work of his forefathers and sees working for Industrial as his way of giving back to the community.

“When I was younger, I saw how we could help people and make money,” Mitchell, 62, said. “You can do well and do good.”

Mitchell is among the six people who will be honored as a legacy business at The Washington Informer’s 60th Anniversary gala that will take place at the Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Library on March 28.

Complimenting the grit of Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, Mitchell said he was flattered to be an honoree.

“Being honored by The Informer is indescribable for a number of reasons,” Mitchell said. “The Washington Informer is a family business. Denise is a colleague, and we are on some boards together. Denise has persevered during some tough times. I have received a lot of awards, but this is among the top five. It is special when you get recognized by one of your homegrown African American businesses. This is super special.”

MITCHELL’S IMPRINT ON INDUSTRIAL

Mitchell said he has been around the bank since he was a child but didn’t start working there until he was a teenager.

“My sister Patricia started working at the bank when she was 14, but my mother didn’t let me work until I was 16, when I was more mature,” Mitchell said with a giggle. “I started out as a mail messenger. This was when the bank would send out paper statements to customers. We would send out thousands of paper statements monthly.”

The Industrial Bank CEO said he performed a wide array of tasks for the company.

“I conducted research for the bank, and I worked in bookkeeping, finance, auditing, process mortgage, and when we did those—auto loans— and I worked in operations where thousands of checks are processed each day,” he explained. “I eventually worked in the commercial lending department and as a loan officer.”

A native Washingtonian, Mitchell said he worked for the bank during his summer vacation from Archbishop Carroll High School in Northeast, D.C. He attended Rutgers University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1984.

Mitchell went to work for Industrial full-time after graduation, and in 1990 was elected to the company’s board of directors.

Since assuming the helm at Industrial, Mitchell has helped it maintain its position as the largest minority-owned commercial bank in the Washington metropolitan area and the fourth largest African American owned financial institution in the U.S.

In an August 2010 edition of Washington Life Magazine, writer Adoria Doucette wrote about Mitchell in an article, “Power Source: The Mitchell Legacy.”

“The bank is led by the founder’s grandson, B. Doyle Mitchell Jr., who has patiently and expertly guided the institution with the pragmatism of a skilled banker

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while still intelligently seizing on the opportunity to expand its value to customers and the community,” Doucette said. “Mr. Mitchell led the bank's expansion into Prince George's County in the mid 90’s and at the time was recognized by the U.S. Treasury Department as a pioneer in the industry, cementing the value that his family has played in local development for over seven decades. Heirs of great establishments carry a heavy burden and often flounder where their predecessors flourished, Mr. Mitchell has represented the legacy of his grandfather in an exemplary manner.”

The bank, which celebrated 90 years in August 2024, has seven branches between the District, Prince George’s County, Maryland, two branches in New Jersey

and one branch in New York City. Mitchell serves on several boards, including the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce, the National Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers of America.

Corey Arnez Griffin, chairman of the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce, empha-

sized that Industrial has supplied the banking needs of Black businesses for decades and praised Mitchell for his leadership.

“Doyle has been a great leader in this town for a long time,” said Griffin, 54. “He has carried on the legacy of his family’s business in a meaningful way.”

WI

@JamesWrightJr10

5Industrial Bank President B. Doyle Mitchell Jr. (center) poses with D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (left) and former Ward 1 D.C. Council member Frank Smith at an event celebrating Industrial Bank’s 90th anniversary in August 2024. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

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Ben Uerzeler and Anthony Stewart, residents of the Shaw neighborhood in Northwest, D.C., read The Washington Informer at “The Negro Motorist Green Book” exhibition at the MLK, Jr. Library. (Brenda Siler/The Washington Informer)

“Each

Members of the National Cherry Blossom Festival launch the festival season with the annual kickoff and press conference on Feb. 27 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Northwest, D.C., including President and CEO Diana Mayhew and board chair David Moran (area director of operations for Clyde’s Restaurant Group), who pose centerframe with Cherry Blossom Festival ambassadors. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

from Page 1

lishments during special events, the definition of an unlicensed marijuana shop, and the timeline for the automatic sealing of non-convictions.

Shortly after council members adjourned the March 4 meeting, Hylton approached the dais, commanded their attention and questioned, for several minutes, why the council didn’t respond, or try to prevent, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)’s reinstatement of the officers convicted for their role in the death of her son, Karon HyltonBrown.

“These officers are back on duty, on their job to kill someone else,” Hylton told council members, at one point alluding to D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto’s Second Chance Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2025.

“And you guys are looking at me talking about clemency, talking about expungement. So my thing is now, if you guys are sitting here, what are you guys doing? What do we do? Wait for the next child to die?”

On Monday night, news of Terence Sutton and Andrew Zabavsky’s return to MPD hit social media, with members of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams decrying the move, and advisory neighborhood commissioners living in Hylton-Brown’s stomping grounds of Brightwood Park in Northwest gelling plans together for an upcoming community meeting.

Hylton’s impromptu appearance before the council reportedly followed her attempt to speak with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) at the budget forum she conducted at Rosedale Recreation Center last week.

Last December, Bowser met with then President-elect Donald J. Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Weeks later, at the start of his second presidency, Trump pardoned Sutton and Zabavsky, both of whom were serving federal sentences for their participation in, and cover up of, the illegal vehicular pursuit that killed Hylton-Brown in the fall of 2020.

In speaking about the pardon, Trump identified Hylton-Brown as an undocumented resident, a designation that Hylton said compel her to question what the Bowser administration has been telling the White House.

“None of you guys, except Ms. [Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese

Lewis] George knows Karon,” Hylton said on the council floor on March 4, as she emphasized her son’s birth in the United States. “So the information related to him had to come from Mayor Bowser’s administration. If it didn’t come from her administration, then where did it come from? That’s where the accountability comes in, because no one wants to take accountability for it. No one wants to say that ‘I said this and I said that.’”

A Bowser administration spokesperson told The Informer that the mayor and President Trump didn't discuss any pardons during her meeting last year.

COUNCILMEMBERS REACT TO A MOTHER’S PLEA, CALL FOR ACTION

On Tuesday, Hylton’s engagement with the council lasted nearly 15 minutes, with some council members on the outskirts of the dais slowly leaving the platform, and the council chambers altogether as Hylton poured out her heart.

At one point, D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds, in response to Hylton’s criticism of the council, told her that the council, at this point, could pass a resolution in opposition to Terence and Zabavsky’s reinstatement, though that might prove ineffective.

D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) later expressed similar thoughts.

“I really don't know what the council can do with regard to hiring decisions by the Metropolitan Police Department,” said Mendelson, who denied having prior knowledge of Sutton and Zabavsky’s reinstatement. “That doesn't mean that members won't think about it and think whether there's something we can do.”

Hylton-Brown’s death at the age of 20 inspired nights of protests in front of MPD’s Fourth District Headquarters on Georgia Avenue, less than a mile from the Kennedy Street corridor, where Hylton-Brown’s moped crashed into a moving van, and Sutton and Zabavsky, according to prosecutors, actively destroyed evidence of a chase.

Months later, with Lewis George representing Ward 4 on the council, the local legislative body passed legislation reinforcing MPD’s “no chase” policy. Provisions of that law would later be weakened during passage of emergency public safety legislation championed by Bowser and Pinto, chair of the council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety.

On Tuesday afternoon, before the council approved Pinto’s legislation, aimed at clarifying who receives au-

COUNCIL Page 46

5Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (speaking at the podium) says President Donald Trump’s decision to grant clemency to the officers involved in the chasing death of Karon Hylton-Brown is damaging to the whole community. (WI File Photo/Shedrick Pelt)

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

ELECTION from Page 1

closing times to cast their ballots on March 4, early returns showed State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy (D) in the lead for the county executive primary, and by 9:45 p.m., former Board of Education member Shayla Adams-Stafford held nearly half of the vote in the District 5 race.

During the campaign, Braveboy sent the most mailers of any candidate, including joint sample ballots alongside Adams-Stafford, whose nearest competitor in District 5 was CountyStat Director Ryan Middleton (D).

Fighting back tears and with

deep breaths, Braveboy accepted her victory while acknowledging the difficult path to governance amid national uncertainties and an economic downturn.

“Before anything else, I have to give honor to God,” the current Prince George’s County state’s attorney said. “I am grateful for every single opportunity that God has given me.”

On Election Day, Braveboy held a dominant early lead during the first returns, with former County Executive Rushern Baker (D), County Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D)—who officially dropped out of the race in February— County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins (D), and State Sen. Alonzo Washington (D- District 22) trailing, respectively.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D)

joined Braveboy, who he endorsed for county executive last month, at her victory party on March 4, offering an enthusiastic and impassioned speech in support of her leadership and in defense of the many federal workers who call Prince George’s home.

“Will she do it! Will she do it,” Moore said of the current state’s attorney. “Thank you to each and every one of you. You were willing to knock doors, make phone calls, to make sure that every neighbor turned in their ballots. Because of your work, we are now looking at the next county executive. I could not be more excited to have her as a partner in governance.”

Although the general election is on June 3, Prince George’s County is overwhelmingly Democratic, thus the winner of Tuesday’s primary is projected to win in three months.

The next county executive will be up for re-election in the 2026 midterm elections.

Celebrating Women’s History Month leading up to the election, Adams-Stafford emphasized the work she hopes to do in District 5 to fight for women, her constituents and all Prince Georgians.

“Every day, I juggle responsibilities, make tough decisions, and fight for what's best for my family - just like so many of you,” the former school board member and

mother wrote on March 3. ”I understand the challenges working women face because I live them. I know what it's like to navigate childcare costs, advocate for better schools, and work hard to build a better future. I'm ready to bring that insight and energy to District 5, fighting for stronger schools, lower taxes, improved public safety, and high-quality retail and community-centered development.”

THE ROAD TO VICTORY FOR BRAVEBOY AND ADAMS-STAFFORD, TACKLING CHALLENGES AHEAD

Mailers, signs and dozens of forums allowed voters from across the county to hear the ideas and perspectives of the diverse field of candidates in both races.

Many Prince Georgians wanted answers on strengthening the economy, particularly with concerns about widespread federal job losses and other challenges facing county residents with the new Trump administration.

“Taxes are too high in Prince George’s, but I don’t know if they can fix that quickly with all that’s going on,” said Hyattsville voter

5Voters wait late night lines at Suitland Community Center after the polls closed at 8 p.m. on March 4. The first results didn’t come in until 9:45 p.m. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

ELECTION from Page 12

Lydia Martin. “With what’s going on at the White House now, I see what’s happening there and it’s awful.”

Worries about finances, safety and education not only plagued residents county-wide, but in District 5, which includes Bladensburg, Cheverly, Colmar Manor, Cottage City, Edmonston, Fairmount Heights and Glenarden.

Ivey served as the District 5 council member until winning the special election to fill former council member Mel Franklin’s at-large seat in August 2024.

Adams-Stafford released a poll last week that showed her with a wide lead over Middleton in the race to fill the District 5 vacancy. She received endorsements from current county leaders including Councilmembers Edward Burroughs III (D-District 8), who serves as vice chair of the legislative body, and Krystal Oriadha (D-District 7).

"As County Council Vice Chair, 1 proudly support Shayla Adams-Stafford for District 5,” Burroughs said in his endorsement. “Her deep commitment to education, economic development, and equity is aligned with the values of progress on the council. She has a proven track record of advocating for our communities and delivering real results for Prince George's County."

No polls in the county executive race were publicly released since the November poll conducted by the Ivey campaign, which showed a competitive race between the council chair and state’s attorney.

During the campaign, Hawkins, buoyed by endorsements from Sen. Alsobrooks, former Congressman Al Wynn, and State Sen. Nick Charles (D- District 25), relied on his vast personal network and mailers to spread his message.

Alsobrooks joined him at the polls on the morning of Election Day to galvanize support at the Lake Arbor Community Center in Mitchellville.

Hawkins pledged during the campaign to continue the work of his predecessor on public safety, growing the county economy, and fiscal management.

Baker took a critical tone regarding the direction of the county

during his campaign, particularly regarding crime and the response to the January snowstorm that left many Prince Georgians unable to leave their homes. The former county executive’s campaign ran social media ads and even did a robocall to criticize crime trends while Braveboy has served as the state’s attorney, especially noting a spike in carjackings in 2023.

He received endorsements from County Councilmember Sydney Harrison (D- District 9), Treasurer Dereck Davis, and a coalition of the Prince George’s police and firefighters unions.

Braveboy has remained in the frontrunner position since Council Chair Ivey withdrew.

The Feb. 19 endorsement from Gov. Moore strengthened her position and she was also supported by several members of the county council and Senator Ron Watson (D).

The next county executive will inherit an estimated $170 million budget shortfall that is only expected to grow as federal spending cuts, the firing of government workers, and costs shifted from the state to the county are reflected in economic projections.

Acting County Executive Tara Jackson also emphasized the financial difficulties facing Prince Georgians.

“We are facing significant, unique challenges, and those challenges will impact our budget,” said Jackson on Feb. 13. “This year, challenges with the state budget and the federal government are adding to the challenges we have already faced and are impacting the fiscal health of our local government.”

Throughout her campaign, Braveboy pledged to invest in local business development to help improve the county economy.

During her watch party, endorsers including Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D) and Sheriff John D.B. Carr expressed support for Braveboy and her vision for the county.

“The door will always be open,” said Carr, “and she will always seek to build a partnership to serve the people of Prince George’s County.”

This story will be updated as returns are tallied.

WI

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

BUSINESS

By James Wright / WI Staff Writer

2025 ROBUST RETAIL GRANT PROGRAM

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) announced that applications are open for the 2025 Robust Retail Grant Program.

This initiative, managed by DSLBD, aims to support District-based retail businesses with a funding opportunity of $10,000. This year, 48 businesses will be selected through a lottery process.

Applications will be accepted until March 31.

“Supporting D.C.’s local businesses means more jobs, stronger neighborhoods, and greater opportunities for residents,” said Bowser. “When we invest in our retail community, we’re not just helping businesses to grow—we’re making D.C. a place where entrepreneurs can thrive and residents can enjoy vibrant, connected communities.”

Since the program’s inception in 2019, DSLBD has allocated $4 million to nearly 500 retail establishments across all eight of the wards, reinforcing the Bowser administration’s commitment to local entrepreneurs.

“The Robust Retail Grant represents an investment in the future of our physical retail establish-

briefs

ments, offering essential financial support to help them overcome challenges and adapt to changing market conditions,” said DSLBD Director Rosemary Suggs-Evans.

As part of the 2025 Robust Retail initiative, DSLBD will support small businesses along the North Capitol Main Street corridor through a targeted grant opportunity. With a total of $90,000 in available funding, DSLBD intends to award up to $10,000 each to nine eligible businesses in fiscal year 2025.

This investment aims to strengthen the corridor’s commercial vitality, enhance economic growth, and support local entrepreneurs in building a thriving retail environment. To qualify, businesses must be profit-oriented, consumer-facing, and independently owned with fewer than 25 full-time employees operating in a licensed retail location in the District.

The funding from the program can be used for employee wages and salaries, insurance costs, rent, utility expenses, inventory, cleaning supplies, new delivery or online costs, taxes, and debt obligations. The grant recipients will be announced during D.C. Small Business Week.

“Our goal this year is to provide meaningful assistance that inspires ambition and fosters economic re-

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silience,” said Suggs-Evans.

For full eligibility details and to apply, visit dslbd.dc.gov/robustretailgrant.

WI

D.C. WEED SHOPS BUSTED

D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced that the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) enforcement efforts over the past six months have led to the closure of 25 unlicensed cannabis retailers in the District.

In partnership with the District Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), OAG’s Civil Enforcement Section (CES) has brought actions against a total of 38 unlicensed establishments illegally selling cannabis products, many of which were tainted with other narcotics and posed an imminent threat to District residents’ health and safety.

“For too long, unlicensed cannabis stores have been illegally selling unregulated, untested products that put District residents’ safety at risk,” said Schwalb. “All so-called ‘gifting shops’ were given ample time to apply for legal medical marijuana licenses, but many failed or refused to do so.”

In 2023, the D.C. Council passed legislation expanding the District’s medical cannabis system and providing a legal pathway to bring gifting shops into the reg-

3Rosemary Suggs-Evans is the director of the District’s Department of Local and Small Business Development. (Courtesy Photo/DSLBD)

6Brian L. Schwalb is the attorney general for the District. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

ulated medical cannabis marketplace. Additional legislation then gave OAG and ABCA the authority to bring civil enforcement actions against establishments that fail to apply for medical licenses and continue operating in the illegal gifting market.

In July of 2024, ABCA began issuing cease-and-desist orders to unlicensed businesses, and in September 2024, with OAG’s collaboration, successfully closed the first shop that failed to comply, Supreme Terpene. Since then, shops such as Capital Budz, Capital THC and the Nomad Smoke Shop, all located in Southeast, have been closed or have come into compliance with the law thanks to joint District enforcement action.

“OAG, ABCA, and MPD have partnered to shut down these illegal retailers,” Schwalb said, “demonstrating our collective commitment to ensuring that every store selling cannabis products in the District complies with the law and plays by the rules.”

WI

TRADE ASSOCIATION RESPONDS TO ALLEN’S FAIR SWIPE BILL

The Electronic Payments Coalition (EPC) has responded to a bill introduced by D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward

6)—The Fair Swipe Act—that would prohibit banks and large credit card companies from including sales tax and gratuities when collecting swipe fees.

Allen announced the legislation on Feb. 20 at the Dubliner in Northwest in the presence of restaurant owners and Shawn Townsend, the president and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW).

A spokesperson from the EPC issued a statement challenging the bill.

“Retail and restaurant sales in the District have increased by 90% and 56% respectively over the last decade driven, in large part, by credit and debit card purchases,” the EPC spokesperson said in the statement.  “While we share Councilmember Allen’s goal to support local businesses, this bill is a misdirection.”

The coalition explained the challenges District business owners face.

“D.C. businesses have been increasingly saddled with new taxes and regulatory costs in recent years,” according to the EPC statement. “Meanwhile, the average interchange rate has remained flat for over a decade.”

“It’s also bad policy,” the spokesperson continued. “Credit cards are less expensive than the cost of cash, which is more than 4%, while protecting consumers from fraud and ensuring timely, efficient payments.  In fact, some D.C. businesses just fought the Council’s effort to require them to take cash.”

WI @JamesWrightJr10

Apple Shareholders Reject Effort to Dismantle DEI Initiatives, Approve $500 Billion U.S. Investment Plan

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Write

Apple has vowed to stick to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives despite pressure from a Trump-associated group and an atmosphere that derides a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Shareholders voted this week to keep the company’s DEI initiatives, rejecting a proposal from a conservative think tank that sought to eliminate them. The vote occurred during Apple’s annual meeting, during which the company also announced a $500 billion commitment to investments in the United States over the next four years—the largest domestic spending plan in its history.

The National Center for Public Policy Research submitted the proposal, citing recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and a rise in DEI-related lawsuits. The group claimed Apple’s DEI efforts could

expose the company to legal risks. In response, Apple said the proposal was unnecessary, pointing to its strong compliance measures and calling the effort an attempt to interfere with how it manages its operations and workforce. Officials did not disclose the final vote count.

“We are bullish on the future of American innovation, and we’re proud to build on our long-standing U.S. investments with this $500 billion commitment to our country’s future,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “From doubling our Advanced Manufacturing Fund to building advanced technology in Texas, we’re expanding our support for American manufacturing.”

The new spending plan includes a new 250,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in Houston, where servers supporting Apple Intelligence will be produced. The facility, set to open in 2026, is expected to create thou-

sands of jobs. Production will begin later this year, marking a shift from previous overseas manufacturing.

Apple will also double its U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Fund and open an academy in Michigan to train future manufacturers and increase silicon engineering and artificial intelligence research. The plan includes collaboration with thousands of suppliers across all 50 states, the development of data centers, and Apple TV+ productions in 20 states.

Cook acknowledged that adjustments to DEI initiatives may be necessary as legal challenges evolve but affirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining an inclusive workplace.

“We will continue to create a culture of belonging,” he told shareholders.

Apple’s decision comes after several major corporations pulled back on DEI programs. Com-

5 Apple is sticking to its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives despite pressure from a Trump-associated group and an atmosphere that derides a diverse and inclusive workforce. (Courtesy Photo)

panies such as Walmart, Target, Exxon, and Goldman Sachs have scaled down diversity efforts, with some citing legal concerns or shareholder pressure. Meta and Google have also reduced their DEI initiatives.

Institutional Shareholder Services, a leading proxy advisory firm, recommended that shareholders vote to maintain Apple’s DEI programs. Costco sharehold-

ers took a similar position in January, rejecting a proposal to evaluate risks associated with its diversity policies.

“We owe our success to the more than 300,000 employees who serve our members every day,” said Costco Chairman Hamilton Tony James. “It is important that they all feel included and appreciated.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

NATIONAL

Remembering Civil Rights, NAACP Leader Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes

Sharpton, Chavis Reflect on Dukes’ Legacy

By April Ryan Black Press USA

This story was originally published on Black Press USA, and edited for Washington Informer audiences and clarity.

Freedom fighters are celebrating the life and legacy of civil rights activist Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes, a leader within the ranks of the New York and

Democrats

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

national board of the NAACP, who died on March 1. She was 92.

“She was a warrior in the truest sense of the word and activist extraordinaire,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights leader and founder and president of the National Action Network (NAN).

Dukes remained steadfast in her longtime commitment to justice

work. Just two weeks ago, Dukes was wheelchair bound and present to perform her duty as NAACP Election Supervisory Chair certifying the elections of the justice groups’ board members.

officially recorded and announced at 6:38 a.m.,” the NAACP wrote in a message to their team. “Please lift her up in prayer and continue to pray for her son Ronald and all of her extended family. It is always hard to send a message like this but as Hazel would say, she is in God’s hands now.”

Dr. Benjamin Chavis, elected in 1993, was the seventh executive director and CEO of the NAACP and remembered Dukes’ remarkable work and guidance.

The NAACP Board was notified of Dr. Dukes’ death through a correspondence Saturday morning.

“Colleagues, it is with a heavy heart and a profound sense of sadness that I inform you that our sister, Momma Dukes, went to be with the ancestors at 6:20 a.m. today. Her transition was

Defy Trump’s Address as Chaos Erupts in Congress

will begin shortly,” Crockett noted in her Instagram post. “I’m gonna be in attendance.”

Just before President Donald Trump took the podium to deliver his address to a joint session of Congress, Texas Democratic U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett sent a message loud and clear: He is “not like us.”

Crockett, dancing and lip-syncing on Instagram to Kendrick Lamar’s culture-defining hit, later punctuated her defiance with a pointed jab.

“Well… the State of the ‘DisUnion’

5

It was just one of many signs of resistance from Democrats who braced for what they predicted would be an address filled with misinformation and political grandstanding.

Undeterred, Crockett implored her millions of social media followers, “Do not watch.”

The defiance extended beyond rhetoric. House Democratic leadership refused to participate in the traditional escort committee that brings the president into the House chamber, a symbolic rebuke of Trump’s presidency.

A spokesperson for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said the move “speaks for itself.”

It was a notable departure from the morning’s strategy session, during which Jeffries and his leadership team urged House Democrats to focus on Americans suffering under Trump’s policies.

However, when Trump took the stage, unity gave way to unfiltered outrage.

Trump entered the chamber, flanked by Speaker Mike Johnson, determined to present his administration as a sweeping success. The reality outside his rhetoric told a different story.

Days before the address, Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance engaged in a heated Oval Office confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, rocking the international community. The exchange reinforced concerns that Trump is abandoning Ukraine in favor of his well-documented admiration for Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

On the domestic front, his administration has dismantled civil rights protections, slashed federal jobs, and thrown millions into uncertainty. Yet, standing before Congress, Trump claimed that more Americans believe the country is on the right track for the first time in modern history.

“Now, for the first time in modern history, more Americans believe that our country is headed in the right direction than the wrong direction,” Trump declared.

That was false.

Of the 18 “right track/wrong track” polls archived by RealClearPolitics since Trump took office, only two showed more respondents believing the country was moving in the right direction—one by Rasmussen with a one-point margin and another by Emerson College with a four-point edge. Meanwhile, 16 other polls showed the opposite, some revealing double-digit margins. The RealClearPolitics average

showed a nearly nine-point lead for “wrong track.”

Yet Trump stood before the American people and claimed victory.

The speech had barely begun when Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Green (D) of Texas stood in the aisle, waving his cane at the president. Lawmakers responded with cheers and boos, forcing Speaker Johnson to issue repeated warnings for decorum.

“Members are engaging in willful and continuing breach of the quorum, and the chair is prepared to direct the Sergeant at Arms to restore order to the joint session,” Johnson declared.

He then ordered Green’s removal from the chamber.

While Republicans erupted in applause throughout Trump’s speech, Democrats sat stone-faced. Some took it further, removing their jackets to reveal messages emblazoned in white on their backs. Some read, “Resist.”

Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost’s shirt said, “No More Kings.”

At the start of Trump’s speech, Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan held up a whiteboard with the words, “That’s a Lie.”

Some Democrats refused to attend the address altogether. United States

NATIONAL Page 17

“The transformative leadership legacy of freedom fighter Hazel Dukes will now be enshrined with the greatest honor and respect as a leader of the NAACP in America and throughout the world,” said Chavis, who currently serves as president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).

Leon W. Russell, chair of the Board of the NAACP told Black Press USA that Dr. Dukes led the NAACP New York Conference for 50 years.

“Her work has helped ensure that the 116-year-old NAACP could remain relevant and continue its work throughout the years,” he said. “She has been consistent in her work and her support as a member and a leader.”

Sharpton said he has known her for almost 50 years since he was a teen.

“There never was an issue that she was not out front,” said Sharpton, who expects to offer comments at Dukes’ funeral service. “We’ve gone to jail together and the White House together.”

The NAN president recalls Dukes was “authentic, committed, and concerned.”

“We will never have another Hazel Dukes,” continued Sharpton, a civil rights leader and TV host. “But thank God we had this one.”

The NAACP remembered Dukes as a “true warrior for civil rights and social justice.”

“Her voice and her influence at our table will be missed, but we will all continue to be influenced by that same voice as we continue to fight for that same cause,” the civil rights organization wrote in a message to the board. “Hazel was one of the giants on whose shoulders we will continue to stand as we continue to do God’s work here on Earth.” WI

3 Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes, a leader within the ranks of the New York and national board of the NAACP, died on March 1. She was 92. (Courtesy Photo/ NAACP)

Texas Democratic U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett is adamant in her fight against President Donald Trump’s racist rhetoric and policies. She encouraged her social media followers not to watch the president’s joint address to Congress on March 4. (WI File Photo)

NATIONAL from Page 16

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) of New York announced her absence on social media.

“I’m not going to the Joint Address. I will be live posting and chatting with you all here instead. Then going on IG Live after,” she wrote.

Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D) also dismissed Trump’s speech as a “MAGA pep rally” and chose to spend the evening at an event with MoveOn.

“We have to fight every single day, every single day,” Murphy proclaimed.

Vermont U.S. Rep. Becca Balint (D) also made her position clear.

“I watched him take an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution, and all he did was spew lies, stoke division, and make no effort to unify our country. I won’t sit and watch him lie to the American people again,” she asserted.

Despite his claims, Trump failed to offer any real economic plan.

He blamed Biden for inflation while ignoring that his tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico are set to raise prices

even further, a reality already confirmed by economists. Yet he promised “dramatic and immediate relief” while enacting policies that would do the opposite.

At one point, Trump took credit for ending the so-called “weaponized government,” portraying himself as the victim.

“And we’ve ended weaponized government where, as an example, a sitting president is allowed to viciously prosecute his political opponent. Like me,” he said to Republicans’ cheers.

WHAT’S AHEAD IN TERM 2, DEMOCRATS TALK FIGHT AHEAD

Beyond the speech’s theatrics, the real story remains the fallout of Trump’s second term.

Civil rights protections have been dismantled. Federal workers have been fired en masse. Veterans and people with disabilities have been left scrambling. MAGA loyalists have received unchecked power. And yet, the president stood before Congress and told

Americans everything was fine.

Rep. Crockett, however, was not having it.

She fired back without hesitation when asked if she had anything to say to Trump.

“Grow a spine and stop being Putin’s hoe," Crockett railed, using language that proved common in an earlier meeting between Congressional Black Caucus members and Black journalists.

The apparent divide in the chamber became more undeniable as television cameras panned across the room. Republicans stood, grinning, basking in Trump’s promises. Democrats, many dressed in bright pink as a deliberate display of protest, sat in silence.

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico, chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, explained the color choice.

“Pink is a color of power and protest.," she said "It’s time to rev up the opposition and come at Trump loud and clear.”

By the time Trump’s speech ended, one thing was clear.

Democrats aren’t backing down. They aren’t standing idly by as Trump and his enablers attempt to rewrite reality.

They aren’t going to pretend that what’s happening to this country is normal.

As Trump walked out of the chamber, the message left behind by Democrats and on the backs of those standing in defiance said it all.

“Resist.”

After the address, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Illinois), slammed Trump’s address and agenda, calling his economic promises “a reckless and chaotic gamble” that would “walk us into a recession.”

A former CIA analyst, Slotkin framed the high stakes of the current administration as a choice between responsible leadership and misguided upheaval.

“America wants change, but there’s a responsible way to make change and a reckless way,” she said. “We can make that change without forgetting who we are as a country and as a democracy.”

Closing her remarks with a call to

action, Slotkin urged Americans not to disengage.

“Hold your elected officials, including me, accountable,” she said. “Go to town halls. Demand action. Doom scrolling doesn’t count—I’m putting that on a pillow.” WI

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5 Senator Elissa Slotkin (Courtesy Photo)

Trump Overrides WHCA, Picks His Own Press Corps in Latest Dictatorial Move

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

In 2017, nearly a year before his death, Republican Senator John McCain defended the media against attacks by then-President Donald Trump, cautioning that suppressing the free press is “how dictators get started.” McCain, a frequent Trump critic, responded to Trump’s then claim that the media was “the enemy of the American people” by stressing the importance of a free press to democracy and the postWorld War II international order.

Now, in 2025, under a repressive and vengeful second Trump term, McCain’s warning has come into sharp focus.

For the first time in a century, the White House —not the independent White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA)— will determine which news outlets are included in the press pool. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the change on Feb. 25, saying, “Legacy outlets who have participated in the press pool for decades will still be allowed to join ... but we will also be offering the privilege to well-deserving outlets, who have never been allowed to share in this awesome responsibility.”

The decision follows a lawsuit filed by the Associated Press (AP), which was barred from covering certain events and traveling with the president. The WHCA filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the AP. In a court filing on Monday, Feb. 24, the White House argued that access to the president is not “a constitutional right.” Citing the AP’s mention of its press pool role 52 times in its 18-page lawsuit, the administration said it would now control the selection process.

More than a dozen reporters, photographers, and producers traditionally rotate daily through the White House press pool, providing real-time updates on the president’s movements and statements. The WHCA’s print press pool, comprising over 30 news organizations, has long served as the public’s primary source of direct information from the Oval Office and presidential events.

Pool reporters have historically covered pivotal moments such as President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the attempt on President Ronald Reagan’s

life, and the historic Barack Obama presidency.

Eugene Daniels, president of the WHCA, condemned the administration’s unilateral action.

“This move tears at the independence of a free press in the United States. It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps,” Daniels said. He added that the WHCA has expanded pool membership for generations to include new and emerging outlets.

“Since its founding in 1914, the WHCA has sought to ensure that the reporters, photographers, producers, and technicians who actually do the work—365 days of every year—decide amongst themselves how these rotations are operated,” Daniels declared. “To be clear, the White House did not give the WHCA board a heads up or have any discussions about today’s announcements. But the WHCA will never stop advocating for comprehensive access, full transparency, and the right of the American public to read, listen to, and watch reports from the White House, delivered without fear or favor.”

McCain’s 2017 remarks remain prescient. “We need a free press. We must have it. It’s vital,” he said. “They get started by suppressing free press. In other words, a consolidation of power. When you look at history, the first thing that dictators do is shut down the press.” WI

@StacyBrownMedia

5 Eugene Daniels is president of the White House Correspondents' Association. (Courtesy Photo)

DIRECTOR CHARON P.W. HINES

Hello Seniors,

The first quarter of the year is nearly complete, and we have already experienced so much. One lesson we have learned and will continue to embrace is the importance of living boldly while keeping our loved ones close. Every day, my team and I are committed to ensuring that aging remains one of the best phases of your life by maintaining your quality of life and amplifying your voices.

Last month, I had the privilege of testifying at the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Performance Oversight Hearing before the DC Council’s Committee on Executive Administration & Labor. This was a key opportunity to highlight our progress over the past year and outline our vision for the future. Under the leadership of Mayor Muriel

Live Boldly - March 2025 Message from Department of Aging and Community Living

Bowser, DACL remains committed to three essential priorities: strengthening partnerships with our sister agencies, streamlining resources to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction, and improving the overall well-being of our seniors so they can Live Boldly in the District of Columbia.

I often remind my team of a guiding principle: “For without the seniors, there is no us.” Your lives and contributions make our work at DACL possible. Your feedback, accountability, and encouragement drive us to be better every day. If you ever have questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to DACL at 202-724-5626.

Recently, we also had the chance to participate in Mayor Bowser’s discussions surrounding the FY2026 budget. Through our Senior Budget Engagement Tele-Townhall and watch parties, DC’s aging residents played an active role in shaping the conversation—voicing their priorities, concerns, and ideas for the future. Hearing directly from you brought me immense insight into senior needs and reinforced DACL’s mission to advocate even more effectively for our senior community.

As a proud DC native, it is an honor to serve and make a difference in the city that raised me. This month, as we celebrate Women’s History Month, I reflect on the remarkable women who have shaped our community. From Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton to Sharon Pratt, the first woman mayor of DC, to Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has led the Nation’s Capital for the last decade, their legacies inspire us to lead with purpose

and drive positive change.

I encourage you to celebrate the strength of women by joining Mayor Bowser and thousands of DC residents at the annual HERSTORY 5K on March 8, 2025, at Freedom Plaza. To register, visit fitdc.com.

Living boldly is not just a motto—it is a call to action. Our seniors embody this spirit daily, and we know you have powerful stories to share. If you’d like to share your experiences and wisdom, please email us at dacl. communications@dc.gov. We look forward to amplifying your voices.

Thank you for your continued support. Here’s to another year of serving and celebrating our vibrant aging community!

In Service,  Charon

P.W.

Hines

Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health Opening Soon

We are delivering on our promise to expand healthcare access East of the River, and we’re just a few weeks away from opening a brand-new, world-class hospital on the St. Elizabeths East campus! On April 15, Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health will officially open in Ward 8, marking a significant milestone in our work to build a comprehensive system of care. https://cedarhillregional.com/

At Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health, seniors will be able to benefit from a range of services, which includes, but not limited to:

• Adult Emergency Services

• Cardiology and Cardiac Rehab

• Oncology

• In-patient and Out-patient Dialysis

• Out-patient Infusion

• Orthopedics

• Out-patient Rehab

• Surgical Capability

• Catheterization Lab and Interventional Radiology Procedures

• Wound Care

• Behavioral Health

n Banners

n Canvas Bags

n Color Copies

n Contracts & Vouchers

n

n Fax &

n

How Ghana Led the Way From Colonization to African Sovereignty

The Black Star Shines as a Symbol of Freedom Across the Diaspora

By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer

On March 6, 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan colony to gain independence from colonial rule, a distinction that made the country a vanguard of the liberation of African nations from Western powers. In 2025, 68 years later, the country’s Independence Day remains a reminder of resilience and unity across the diaspora while offering a sense of hope for the future.

After traveling to the United States and London to acquire degrees in economics, sociology, philosophy and education, Ghanaian Kwame Nkrumah became familiar with more radical Pan-African ideologies and returned home to lead his people to liberation. From 1949 until 1957, Nkrumah fought relentlessly for Ghana– formerly known as the Gold Coast– and its independence from Great Britain.

Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, believed the West African nation’s plight toward sovereignty would be in vain until Africa was free from corner to corner of Western control.

“I prefer self-government with danger, to servitude with tranquility,” Nkrumah famously said, ready to face the challenges of building a new nation head-on and vowing to never give up Ghana’s freedom.

This belief propelled his urge for unity across the continent and throughout the diaspora.

“We prefer to starve on our own than to be free in bondage,” said Nakwa-born John Nyarku, a city planner and specialist at the D.C. Office of Zoning, referencing Nkrumah’s wellknown statement. “One thing that strikes fear in the hearts of Western nations is Africa becoming united.”

Ghana’s liberation served as a testament to strengthening and uniting the African diaspora, proven by the sheer amount of attendees to the coastal country’s independence ceremony from across the entire global Black community– including the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Witnessing the successful conclusion to the fight against colonization in Ghana inspired the activist to continue leading the struggle for civil rights in the U.S. King used lessons learned from the sub-Saharan nation’s accom-

plishments to prove to his audiences that liberation from one’s oppressors is something that is fought for rather than something willingly granted.

“It’s the greatest example of how interconnected all of our struggles [are], and how none of us are… able to truly succeed and liberate without one another,” said Folly Koeuvi, whose mother is from Ghana’s Volta region.

COMMEMORATING GHANA’S INDEPENDENCE, CONTINUING NKRUMAH’S LEGACY

During the first independence ceremony, a crowd of 500,000 gathered to view the replacement of the British Union Jack flag with the red, yellow and green-striped Ghanaian flag, its Black star shining as the symbol of African liberation and the unified fight against colonization and exploitation.

Afterward, attendees walked through the streets of Accra, joyously chanting in celebration of their triumph.

While citizens in Ghana today participate in or watch the televised Independence Day Parade through Accra’s Black Star Square, Ghanaians abroad find other ways to celebrate. In Koeuvi’s family, oral histories of the struggle toward freedom are exchanged, emphasizing independence’s impact on Ghanaian culture and the entire African diaspora.

The stories his mother tells highlight the violence and injustices inflicted on the West African country’s land and people, but simultaneously emphasize a sense of optimism that one day Africa will know true peace and prosperity.

“I hope to one day become an elder who is knowledgeable and able to pass those traditions onto my kids and my community where my voice is more than just noise,” Koeuvi told The Informer. “It’s an instrument of… bridging history and the future together.”

Other Ghanaians in the U.S., like Dr. Daniel Ofori-Addo, commemorate Independence Day by eating traditional dishes like jollof rice and watching videos of celebrations online. He views Nkrumah as a role model, appreciating the former Ghanaian president’s utilization of his Western education to make strides toward development.

He encourages and admires the African Americans who have relocated to Ghana since the country’s Year of Return initiative in 2019. Such migration is rooted in the pan-African ideals that compose Ghana’s foundation, as it connects the diaspora back to the continent and fuels collaboration between a diverse group of Black communities.

“If this generation is going to figure it out, we have to emulate [Nkrumah’s] legacy,” Ofori-Addo said. “If we do not support the development of where we came from, it cannot be done on its own.” WI

5 Ghanaians worldwide are celebrating Ghana’s Independence Day on March 6. The Black star featured on the Ghanaian flag was inspired by Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line, which sought to connect members of the diaspora back to Africa. (WI File Photo)

Oral Health Matters: Early Childhood Dental Visits

Submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas DC

Good oral health is an important part of a child’s early years. Creating healthy oral habits early can set the foundation for a lifetime of strong teeth and gums. Regular dental visits, beginning in infancy, play a key role in preventing tooth decay and teaching families how to maintain oral health.

YOUR CHILD’S ORAL HEALTH

JOURNEY

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday.1 These early visits allow dentists to monitor oral development and identify potential issues such as misaligned teeth or gum concerns.

Dental visits in your child’s early years also provide opportunities to build their comfort with dental care, eliminating any fear or anxiety. As parents and caregivers, you can receive guidance from their dentist on proper brushing and flossing methods, tips on nutrition to maintain their oral health, and advice on oral habits such as pacifier use or thumb-sucking, which can impact dental health.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR CHILD’S FIRST VISIT

Your child’s first dental visit is a milestone in their growth and development. Whether it’s a baby’s first check-up or a toddler’s visit to the dentist, at these early visits, the dentist will:

• Examine your child’s mouth.

• Provide oral health tips.

• Apply preventive treatments.

• Answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A DENTAL VISIT

As you begin to take your child to their dental appointments — especially during their early years — it can be helpful to prepare them and yourself. These visits provide an opportunity to build trust and for the dentist to learn your child’s dental needs. Here are some ways you can help your little ones feel calm and comfortable at these visits, even if they’re too young to fully understand:

• Choose the right dentist for their needs. Start early by choosing a pediatric dentist depending on your child’s age, their health history, and when their last dental visit was.

• Practice at home. You can gently open your child’s mouth and count their teeth to show them what the dentist will do so they are comfortable with someone looking at their mouth.

• Use positive language. Avoid words like “hurt” or “scary” when talking about the dentist. Instead, focus on how the dentist helps keep their teeth strong and healthy.

• Bring a comfort item. This can be a favorite toy, blanket, or pacifier.

Creating good oral hygiene practices in young children is essential for their overall oral health. As you learn to prioritize their early dental care, you set the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Sources

1. “Maintaining and Improving the Oral Health of Young Children,” American Academy of Pediatrics, https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/151/1/ e2022060417/190307/Maintaining-andImproving-the-Oral-Health-of-Young

2. “Immunizations to Protect Infants,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

1. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/protect-infants.html?s_cid=SEM.

GA:PAI:RG_AO_GA_TM_A18_ RSV-Pregnancy-Brd:maternal%20rsv%20 vaccine:SEM00087&utm_id=SEM.

GA:PAI:RG_AO_GA_TM_A18_ RSV-Pregnancy-Brd:maternal%20rsv%20 vaccine:SEM00087&gad_source=1.

All images are submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia and are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model

Should your baby get the RSV shot?

Is your little one ready to take on the world? Make sure they’re protected against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus that can cause serious respiratory issues in infants.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that infants younger than 8 months get the RSV shot if:2

• The mother did not get an RSV

vaccine during pregnancy.

• The mother’s RSV vaccination status is unknown.

• The baby was born within 14 days of the mother’s RSV vaccination.

If your baby is between 8 and 19 months of age, ask their primary care provider if the RSV vaccine is recommended.2

RSV vaccines are available at no cost to all AmeriHealth Caritas DC enrollees through their primary care provider or local pharmacy. For help finding where to get your baby vaccinated, enrollees can call the AmeriHealth Caritas DC Community Outreach Solutions team at 202-216-2318.

HEALTH

By Jada Ingleton WI Digital Equity Fellow

Despite continuous legislative attempts to avert economic equity, Black business owners are steadfast in shaping the professional and social landscape, pioneering entities that challenge societal norms and aim to propel Black leadership in various sectors.

From D.C.’s Plant Magic Bottle Shop and Travis LeFlore’s Smoothie King in Maryland to self-starter Mick

Hunt’s leadership in South Carolina, Black entrepreneurs across the nation are leveraging health education, professional development and a commitment to community building to ensure generational wealth and redefine the legacy of Black trailblazers.

“Black excellence isn't new. It's just been under-reported,” said Hunt, modern leadership expert and founder of “Mick’s Unplugged.”. “We don't need permission. We don't need validation, we don't need a corporate initiative to succeed. The future belongs

to those who own their narrative, who control their opportunities, and who move with intelligence, strategy and execution.”

PLANT MAGIC BOTTLE SHOP: MORE THAN A MOCKTAIL

Black businesses demonstrate a 22.2% year-by-year increase, according to Lending Tree, and local enterprises like Plant Magic Bottle Shop and Travis LeFlore’s Maryland-based Smoothie King are counted among the novel businesses, working to revitalize the community one beverage at a time.

“The long-term impact is to really raise the vibration of humanity, getting people [to have] clarity in their life, and then feeling healthy and good,” said Anahata (formerly Jamie Sabat), owner of D.C.’s Plant Magic Bottle Shop. “The more we can do that, and be this beacon of light here in Washington, D.C., I really think we can make a better world.”

Discovering the medicinal benefits of essential oils in natural birth, Anahata became inspired by the healing power of herbs and plants. This realization sparked the vision for the pioneering bottle shop that now thrives in the Union Market District.

Plant Magic Bottle Shop, a non-alcoholic wellness boutique, opened for business in Northeast, D.C., on Jan. 2, launching a platform for thoughtfully crafted products made of holistic, plant-based remedies, such as lion’s mane, ashwagandha, and CBD.

“Plants really are medicine and we can use them as a tool and as an ally to support us on our wellness journey,”

when they first came in, they were telling me about some of the issues they're dealing with health-wise. With us directing them to a certain kind of smoothie, that little change has changed so many people just over the last nine, 10 months that we've been open,” LeFlore told The Informer.

Like Anahata, LeFlore’s background in wellness stems from familial health crises that drove the Michigan native towards a need for better food options, or the lack thereof, in marginalized communities.

He set his sights on the popular smoothie shop in April 2024, with hopes to increase wellness and nutrition value in the DMV.

Anahata said.

With health-benefiting alternatives like euphorics, nootropics, and adaptogens, consumers still reap the benefits of mood enhancement, mental clarity, and relaxation without the aftereffects of alcohol consumption or other unhealthy dependencies.

Drinks like “Chili Margarita” are infused with vitamins and suntheanine, which naturally stimulates brain activity; while “Spill the Tea, Long Island” – comprised of liver protectant antioxidants and gut health ingredients – provide focus and a sense of tranquility, all the while hinting the base taste of an alcoholic beverage.

According to Anahata, part of the job includes channeling her background as a certified coach and Reiki Master to “prescribe” customers the necessary product(s) to achieve a functional and enhanced lifestyle and mindset.

“It's more than a mocktail, it's a medicine,” said the wellness leader. “[You] drink this with intention.”

LEFLORE PUTS HIS ALL INTO LOCAL COMMUNITY

LeFlore, who owns the Smoothie King at 3550 Donnell Drive in Forestville, Maryland, prioritizes a similar approach to building a relationship with customers.

As a former track athlete, with a personal understanding of the intricacies of health, LeFlore has made it his mission to uplift wellness and the future of leadership through direct engagement with the local community.

“I have guests that…I remember

“Coming from inner city Detroit…just growing up, you see what's around you, and what healthy options are there, and where I grew up, there’s very little healthy options,” LeFlore said. “Even now, coming to Maryland and D.C., it's the same thing where you have a predominantly Black community that has these fast food chains all over the place.”

In less than a year, the store has nearly hit $1 million in sales, a benchmark achievement that takes most franchises a full year to achieve.

“Seeing that's where we were at the end of [last] year, that was obviously a great feeling. But for me, it's really [about] the impact that we've made up to this point,” said the Smoothie King owner. “That's really been the driving point: being here every day, putting our all into the business, into our employees, and into the community.”

BLACK ENTREPRENEURS TOUT VITALITY, LEADERSHIP, FUTURE OF YOUTH

Further, these entrepreneurs leverage their businesses and personal experiences to affect change beyond sales and local exposure.

For LeFlore and Hunt, a business visionary in South Carolina, championing economic prosperity means fostering relationships with the next class of Black founders.

“In our communities, we don't have a lot of people who these kids look up to. They don't see people that look like them, that are in the community, working and [owning] businesses,” LeFlore explained.

WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

Lawsuit Claims D.C. Psychiatric Facility Held Patients Without Cause to Maximize Profits

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

A 73-page class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia accuses the Psychiatric Institute of Washington (PIW) and its parent company, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS), of involuntarily detaining patients without medical justification, falsifying records, and withholding necessary treatment in pursuit of profit.

An individual only described as Jane Doe stands as the lead plaintiff. In court filings, Doe describes being involuntarily committed to PIW for four days in April 2024 after her estranged husband reported she was suicidal. Medical records noted a “current suicidal/homicidal ideation with intent, realistic plan, and/or available means,” though the lawsuit alleges no such ideation existed. PIW staff allegedly fabricated the assessment to justify her admission. Doe’s attempts to seek legal counsel during her stay were unsuccessful. She said she was denied access to a phone, leaving her “stripped of her autonomy and unable to contest her confinement.” While at PIW, Doe alleged that she received no individualized therapy or meaningful treatment, the complaint asserts. Conditions in the facility included broken fixtures, cold temperatures, and limited access to food.

The lawsuit claims that UHS, through its management of PIW, directed policies aimed at increasing patient admissions and prolonging hospital stays to maximize insurance reimbursements. Patient records were allegedly altered to justify these extended stays. One section of the

complaint states, “PIW routinely fabricates patient records, ensuring maximum financial gain through involuntary detentions and unnecessary hospitalizations.”

The complaint describes Doe’s experience as representative of a wider pattern, alleging that patients are admitted regardless of medical necessity and kept longer than needed.

“PIW and UHS have chosen profit over patient care, deliberately placing vulnerable individuals in harm’s way,” the lawsuit contends.

The suit cites violations of consumer protection laws and claims of false imprisonment and medical negligence. It seeks compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of Doe and other affected patients and calls for accountability for what it describes as “deliberate actions that have stripped countless individuals of their dignity and basic human rights.”

“No person should be forced into confinement without cause, denied basic rights, or exploited for corporate profit,” the suit contends.

One social media user who described himself as a healer, counselor, coach and hypnotherapist took to social media to weigh in on the announcement.

“This is very common with psychiatric facilities, as the focus is often on sustaining business and profits, not on true quality of care or respecting patients' rights,” social media user Jed Shlackman wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Modern psychiatry currently fosters more harm to mental health than genuine healing aids.”

WI

@StacyBrownMedia

Get the caregiving help you need, when you need it.

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5 A 73-page class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia accuses the Psychiatric Institute of Washington and its parent company, Universal Health Services, Inc., of involuntarily detaining patients without medical justification, falsifying records, and withholding necessary treatment in pursuit of profit. (Courtesy Photo)

EARTH OUR

After

the L.A. Fires ‘Disaster Gentrification’

Looms

Black People in Altadena Worried About Developers Swooping in to Displace Residents

By Alfred L. Glover Word in Black

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

Living and practicing medicine in the Los Angeles area for over 20 years, I have been shaken to the core by the velocity of the loss to our community. The Eaton Fire has had a devastating impact on the historically Black community of Altadena, California.

This enclave, a stronghold of the Black middle class, resilience, and generational wealth, has faced

profound losses, with over 1,000 structures destroyed and countless residents displaced. The fires not only obliterated homes but also profoundly affected the cultural and emotional fabric of the community, which has a unique legacy tied to the civil rights movement and Black home ownership. Altadena, with its historically high Black ownership rate (81.5% before the fire), has long been a refuge for African Americans fleeing discrimination. For generations, families have built wealth and stability here, but the wildfires have devastated much of this progress.

Residents like Danny Bakewell Jr., president of the Bakewell company, which owns the Los Angeles Sentinel, stated that both his girlfriend and son lost their homes and “the devastation is unreal for so many families.”

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The psychological and financial toll is further compounded by the fear of “disaster gentrification,” in which developers capitalize on such tragedies to acquire land at discounted rates, potentially displacing long-term residents. This has become a common practice in multiple communities of color throughout the United States. Disaster gentrification further magnifies the climate and equity challenges facing marginalized communities and communities of color after disasters. The destruction underscores broader issues of environmental justice. \

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PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Monday, March 17, 2025 at 12:00 p.m

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Climate change has intensified, and fire conditions, such as the rapid alternation between extreme drought and heavy rains, have made areas like Altadena increasingly vulnerable. Black communities, statistically, are more susceptible to climate disasters and often lack the safety nets and resources needed for recovery. This disparity is starkly evident in Altadena’s struggle to rebuild.

Despite the devastation, community mobilization with local activists and organizations is providing relief. Crowdfunding campaigns, including GoFundMe platforms, have been set up for

multiple families. Major initiatives by local leaders aim to preserve the community’s legacy and resist displacement.

The emotional and cultural loss these fires have inflicted on the community leaves behind significant emotional pain, which some have termed “solastalgia,” the grief over environmental destruction.

Families are mourning not only the loss of physical homes but also Altadena’s natural spaces, and its residents’ profound connection to the land. This cultural loss resonates deeply in a community that has historically overcome systemic barriers to establish its foothold in the region.

Altadena’s recovery will require equitable rebuilding policies, robust community support, and sustained advocacy to ensure this historically Black community retains its identity and continues its vital legacy. WI

Alfred L. Glover, DPM, FACFAS, is a Board-Certified Podiatrist in Foot and Ankle Surgery. He was a 2023 Climate Health Equity Fellow with the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, and a 2024-5 Policy Experience in Equity, Climate & Health Fellow.

5 A home burns behind the wreckage of Trena Spurlock’s home during the Eaton Fire. (Courtesy Photo/Trena Spurlock)

Marylanders Experience Utility Rate Spikes

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

Marylanders from Bowie to Baltimore have experienced record high utility rates in past months, leading many to wonder what changes have caused this price surge. Maryland has closed coal plants in past years, and 40% of Maryland’s energy is now imported, an amount expected to rise.

The emPOWER program has allowed families to make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes and nearly 55,000 households have used this program to make these upgrades on debt. This debt is now being repaid by consumers, and is expected to be repaid by 2032. The Public Service Commission (PSC) argues that for every dollar spent on this program, it generates $2.12 in benefits.

Delegates Adrian Boafo (D-

District 23) and Marlon Amprey (D- District 40) called on the commission to pause utility rate hikes in a joint press conference, citing 150% or more bill increases particularly in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D- District 10) has emphasized protecting consumers as part of her legislative agenda, and seeks to expedite clean energy development and bring a new power plant to Maryland.

Maryland has reduced emissions by 36% since 2005, the most of any state.

“We need to address these issues and protect everyday Marylanders and business owners across the state from unaffordable costs,” said Speaker A. Jones at an early February news conference outside the State House. “The three bills announced today will lower con-

sumers’ utility bills, ensure the reliability of our energy grid, and create more predictability in our state’s regulatory environment as we move toward a more sustainable future.”

The Baltimore City Council passed a resolution in February calling on Baltimore Gas and Electric to pause their proposed 2026 rate increases. Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen (D) has been vocal about the impact of rising utility rates on working families.

"We are not saying that BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric), or any other utility, should not repair where there are broken pipes," said Cohen. "But what we heard in that meeting is that they are responding to their shareholders and not to the ratepayers."

Blogger Robert Dyer has argued that Maryland should embrace nuclear power as a means to avert the energy crisis. A Baltimore area nuclear plant recently announced $100 million in investment for upgrades.

5 Marylanders are concerned after experiencing utility rate increases over the winter, in part due to power plant closures. Legislative leaders are introducing bills to speed up clean energy development. (Courtesy Photo/Flickr)

“It also means expediting the construction of new nuclear plants across the state. One modestly-positive proposal on the table in Annapolis this session: adding nuclear to the list of ‘green’ power sources,” Dyer said.

“But we also need to move urgently on actually getting nuclear plants constructed,” Dyer continued. “There are several new players in the nuclear energy field, and new technology such as micro reactors.” WI

Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay is once again Virginia’s best Continuing Care Retirement Community, according to Newsweek and Statista. Plus, we jumped 8 spots nationally to #19 out of nearly 2,000 U.S. communities.

Only one bayfront community offers unbeatable views, unmatched amenities, and the full continuum of care. Relax in the security of knowing that no matter what kind of lifestyle you’re searching for, or how your health care needs may change, you’ll be right at home at WCCB, Newsweek’s #1 Continuing Care Retirement Community in Virginia.

With our 22-story Bay Tower expansion coming soon, there’s never been a better time to experience beachfront living.

Visit today and discover why we’re recognized as the best! Call 757-405-7225 to schedule your personal appointment or visit www.wcbay.com.

For an alternative Virginia Beach lifestyle option, feel free to check out our sister rental community, Opus Select. Visit www.opusliving.com.

EDUCATION

Howard University Community Members Recommit to Founding Values during Charter Day Celebration

Questions Persist about HU’s Response to Trump Administration Directive

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

In a matter of months, Jay Jones will graduate from Howard University (HU) -- one of the educational institutions that received a letter from the Trump administration mandating that they eliminate racebased educational programming and policies or risk losing their federal funding.

While Jones, a speaker at HU’s Charter Day Convocation, didn’t directly speak about the Trump administration’s recent demand, she encouraged those sitting in Cramton Auditorium to reflect on the significance of March 2, 1867, when President Andrew Johnson signed the federal charter that brought their beloved university into existence.

“This act defined Howard as a place of higher learning, dedicated to training African Americans in critical fields such as law, medicine, and science -- fields that were seen as essential at the time,” Jones told hundreds of students, faculty, staff, board members and community members on Feb. 28 -- the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Office for Civil Rights’ compliance deadline.

“As we embark on the 158th anniversary of Howard University's founding, we can truly see how relevant and essential the mission established back then remained in the 21st century,” she continued.

“Our commitment to producing the world's best Black lawyers, doctors, philosophers, and leaders continues no matter how much our world truly

does evolve.”

Jones, a senior and HU’s first trans woman student body president, gave her remarks near the end of a nearly two-hour ceremony where community members also heard from HU President Ben Vinson III and keynote speaker D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Other parts included the invocation and benediction by the Rev. Dr. Bernard L. Richardson, dean of Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, and musical selections from the Howard University Chorale.

In less than five minutes, Jones elicited cheers and hand claps as she spoke about the university perched on the hilltop “against the eastern sky” during the darkest of times, paying homage to HU alumni: the last Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and the first Black U.S. Army general Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. Toward the end of her remarks, Jones gave her peers and other HU community members a call to action.

“I leave you here with the enduring dream of our forefathers and foremothers that carried through times of hardship,” she said. “When we've gone away, may we continue to strive each day. And as we all sail life’s running seas, oh Howard, how we will sail. Don’t lose hope in her, because she will never lose hope in us.”

HU PRESIDENT VINSON LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

In the days leading up March 2, HU community continued to celebrate a 158-year milestone with a charter day dinner where actor, producer and HU alumnus Anthony Anderson served as master of ceremonies and received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Other award recipients include: Nelson Leon Adams III, Sunny Sumter, Donald A. Thigpen, Jr., and Christopher J. Tyson.

Carrie Hackney, HU Divinity librarian, also received the LaRue V. Barkwell Capstone Distinguished Service Award.

During the Feb. 28 charter day convocation, Vinson recognized students who would be receiving scholarships funded with alumni contributions. He later reminded HU community members, particularly students, and young people from Howard University Middle School of Math and Science Public Charter School and HU’s Early Learners program, about what he called their roles in preserving the legacy of HU.

“You carry the torch of this institution in every space you inhabit, every office you work in, every room you enter, every interaction you take,” Vinson said, just moments after staff members gifted dozens of early learners with HU paraphernalia. “Charter Day for me is exactly this: a moment to pause, to take time, to touch the annals of history so that those very annals can grow, can continue to live within us, to renew our purpose, to refresh and restore our soul.”

Since its 1867 inception, HU has expanded from one building to 14

schools and colleges. The campus spans more than 89 acres, which includes Howard University Hospital, HU School of Law, HU School of Divinity West Campus, a facility in Northeast and a tract of land in Beltsville, Maryland.

Well before, and especially after, the Supreme Court dismantled affirmative action, HU and other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) experienced an enrollment boost that, at one point, increased pressure on academic systems. More than 13,000 students currently attending HU hail from every U.S. state, D.C. and more than 70 countries. They can also participate in 19 varsity sports -- including basketball, football, tennis, volleyball, swimming, and indoor and outdoor track.

Students also have at their disposal a university library system with more than 1.8 million volumes and the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, which received a grant in 2023 for the digitizing of Black Press archives. In 2023, HU continued to forge ties on the federal level with a multi-million research deal with the Air Force and U.S. Department of Defense. Other advancements include the hiring of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Nikole-Hannah Jones, two prolific Black academics and writers who made their exodus from predominantly white institutions.

Most recently, HU became the first and only historically Black college or university to receive a Research One (R1) designation, based on what the American Council of Education calls

“high research spending and doctorate production.”

Even with such success, there remains the dark cloud of what many call a stronger and more dangerous Trump presidency.

The Trump administration’s controversial Valentine’s Day letter to U.S. colleges and universities comes on the heels of other actions that President Donald J. Trump, since taking office in January, took against HBCUs, and postsecondary institutions serving Latino and Indigenous American populations.

Though an HU spokesperson confirmed that higher-level conversations about Trump’s letter are ongoing, they didn’t reveal specifics about when, or whether, university officials would publicly denounce the DOE directive.

Like Jones, Vinson focused on HU’s legacy as a North Star in navigating a situation eerily similar to what newly freed Black men and women faced during ithe Reconstruction Era.

“We were founded in turbulent times, but we were founded with unqualified purpose,” Vinson said. “Charter Day reminds us that in these walls, in this sacred space that we call the Mecca, we are encouraged to be our best selves, to innovate, to inquire, to be bold, to discover the frontiers of excellence, to soar, and to imagine the full potential and the endless possibilities of our world.”

WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

5 Jay Jones, speaking at Howard University’s Charter Day Convocation on Feb. 28 in Cramton Auditorium, is the first trans woman to serve as president of the historically Black institution. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

Bowie Business Center Announces New Cohort, Federal Contact Accelerator Program

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

The Bowie Business Innovation Center (BIC), an accelerator program that has helped countless Black-owned and local businesses get off the ground, has announced the Federal Contracting Collaborative Accelerator (FCCA), a new accelerator program which launched on Feb. 24.

Participants in the FCCA will develop their skills in marketing intelligence and research, business development and client relationship management, capture and proposal management, project and subcontract management, teaming arrangements and legal strategies, and contract management and transition strategies.

The program has already garnered commitments from 18 8(a) firms.

“This initiative has the potential to significantly expand federal contracting opportunities for 8(a) certified firms, enhance their collaborations with HBCUs, and stimulate new economic growth in the communities surrounding the colleges and universities,” said Jesse Buggs, chairman of the Bowie BIC Board of Directors. “We’re confident this program will deliver measurable community development assets and long-term economic benefits, including potentially significant numbers of 21st century jobs, for the firms, HBCUs, and their respective communities.”

The center was recently ranked as the sixth best business incubator program in Maryland, and announced their 11th business cohort where 18 different businesses will further develop their skills. Further, BIC has assisted 1,789 entre-

preneurs and welcomed over 200 participants into the previous 10 cohorts.

“The launch of the Federal Contracting Collaborative Accelerator is a groundbreaking initiative that reflects the mission of the Center of Excellence for 8(a) Government Contracting,” said June Evans, BIC executive director. “We are honored to partner with Bowie State University on this transformative endeavor, which will create lasting opportunities and catalyze impactful change in the federal procurement landscape.”

Aurora Technical Systems President Donna Ragins-Wright cited the 8(a) Accelerator Program as giving her “invaluable insights and resources that have helped her to navigate challenges and achieve success. WI

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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY BUSINESS UPDATES

5 A new addition to the Bowie Business Innovation Center’s programming is the Federal Contracting Collaborative Accelerator, which launched on Feb. 24. (Courtesy Photo/Bowie Business Innovation Center, Facebook)

By Zerline Hughes Spruill WI Staff

The majority of Washington, D.C.’s residents are renters. WTOP reported at the end of 2022 that 54.7% of the District rents their home, illustrating that more than half of the city’s population does not benefit from home equity, nor generational wealth through homeownership–that is unless they double dip and also own a property.

Despite current interest rates and a national low housing supply, real estate and financial experts say owning a home is the most viable long-term investment. Furthermore, District renters are offered several initiatives to inspire homeownership including the District Housing Community Development’s (DHCD) Inclusionary Zone program, Home Purchasers Assistance Program, amongst others in both D.C. and Prince George’s County offering down payment assistance, no-interest loans, and loan payment deferment.

In condominiums or condos–not to be confused with apartments–you own your unit within a larger property or complex where ownership includes 100% of your unit, and a percentage or share of all or most common spaces. Condos can be multi-family buildings, town houses, rowhomes or single-family homes.

DHCD offered a condo-buying workshop to offer tips and tools for District residents which include the following:

1) In apartment buildings being sold, the District

Top 7 Things to Know When Buying a Condo in the District Do

Your Homework Before Considering a Condo Purchase

has created a regulation that requires landlords to give tenants the first opportunity to purchase the property before going to a public or private entity.

“That’s unheard of, right? No where else gives tenants that kind of power,” said Terrance Laney, DHCD Rental Conversion and Sale Division Administrator.

“When tenants get together, they can buy their apartment building and convert it to a condominium or coop. That way you can own your unit once it’s gone through that process.”

2) Owning a condominium unit, also means owning the land that the building sits under, in addition to the airspace–just like a single-family home–but only a percentage, divided by the number of condo owners.

“[When you own a home] you typically own 100 percent of the land that the house sits on,” said Laney. “On top of that, you own

all the air on top of your property … and can actually sell that air space … and all the ground beneath it. That’s a good deal. That’s why single-family homes cost more money than condominiums.”

3) Housing supply across the country, including in the District, is low. Finding a single-family home, even a townhouse is challenging, especially if a buyer is looking in a highly sought after neighborhood. The availability of condominiums, however, is much more likely, especially in Washington, D.C., according to Laney.

4) Condo documents or condo docs detail specifics like additional costs outside of homeowners association (HOA) fees for amenities or special features, remodeling, emergency repair often referred to as special assessments. Read them thoroughly. Furthermore, inquire about the financial health of the HOA. The

timeline to comb through condo docs before making a final decision to purchase is different in every jurisdiction. The District offers 15 days to read through condo docs, while Maryland offers 21 days.

5) Note that if you get a home inspection, only the unit will be inspected, not the building. This means the roof, foundation, elevators, electrical system, pool, etc., will not be reviewed for safety or longevity.

DHCD recommends prospective buyers request from the condo board a copy of the transition study or the most recent engineering or architectural report on the property.

6) Newer, modern condos allow owners to get more bang for their buck. Residents seeking multi-family units in large buildings decked out with

amenities see more value when they don’t have to spend additional money on a gym or pool memberships, event venue rental fees, and in some cases morning coffee and nightly beer–efforts many condos are offering now to entice buyers.

7) Ask how many people who own the units actually live in the condo and what the foreclosure rate is. It’s critical to know who your neighbors are going to be or if you will be living next door to temporary tenants, like Airbnb customers–people who may not be invested in caring for the condition of the unit or the building’s amenities.

It’s also important to know if condo owners are leaving due to foreclosure, often due to not paying HOA fees, because if you ever want to sell your unit, the banks will review the foreclosure rate and may require you to seek cash-only buyers due to the risk, according to DHCD.

“A low ownership rate vs tenant rate in a condo building is a red flag for maintenance and quality life issues,” said Laney. “I tell people to fall in love with your condo unit but be mindful that you are also marrying the building, you’re stuck with these people. You want to buy in a building with more owner-occupied units because when I own where I live, I take care of where I live. That’s just how human beings are."

5When purchasing outright a single-family home or townhouse seems like too big of a bite to chew on, buying a condominium is a good option to consider. (Courtesy Photo)

Celebrating Black Women Who Have Made Contributions Nationally,

Women’s History Month is an annual observance highlighting women's contributions to historical and contemporary events. In the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, it is celebrated through March, and every year on March 8 people around the world commemorate International Women’s Day.

The Washington Informer is proud to celebrate women's resilience, strength, and achievements everywhere. Today, we honor several Black women who have made significant contributions nationally and globally.

Denise Rolark Barnes is the publisher of The Washington Informer, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) has been the Mayor of the District of Columbia since 2015. Before her election, she represented Ward 4 on the D.C. Council for eight years.

Johnette B. Cole is an anthropologist, educator, museum director, and college president.

Marian Wright Edelman is a champion of civil rights and children’s rights. She is the founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund.

Myrlie Evers-Williams dedicated more than 30 years to pursue justice for her husband, Medgar Evers, who

Globally

was assassinated in June 1963. She also held the position of chairwoman of the NAACP.

Vice President Kamala D. Harris was the first female Attorney General of California. She later served as a senator, vice president, and the first Black and Southeast Asian woman to serve as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) has represented the District of Columbia in Congress since 1991. She is a lawyer and human rights activist and served as chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under President Jimmy Carter.

First Lady Michelle Obama, an attorney and author, served as the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2016.

Lt. Governor Winsome EarlSears (D), a Jamaican native, is the lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Each of the above Black women inspires the current generation of women and men. Their words, actions, and deeds will undoubtedly inspire future generations.

Despite political leaders’ work and legislative efforts to revoke women’s rights, such as the Supreme Court’s overturning of the 1973 Roe v. Wade in June 2022–taking away the consti-

Black Church Initiative to Boycott Business Abandoning DEI Policies also Serves as a Clarion Call to ‘Buy Black’

Millions of Christians in the U.S. recently celebrated Ash Wednesday –a holy day of fasting and prayer which signals the beginning of Lent. This 40-day period of penance leading up to Easter symbolizes repentance, calls for us to remember human mortality and ushers in a time of self-sacrifice.

And while it’s observed in ways that include attending special services where one received ashes on their foreheads, to fasting and abstaining from meat or giving up something someone “loves” including chocolate, sweets, or social media, now, something else has been added for 2025.

This year, leaders of the Black Church asked their members and

supporters to give up (or to withhold their financial support) businesses who have yielded to the president’s executive order and ended diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which formerly encouraged and required greater diversity within the workplace.

The buzz behind this nationwide boycott— which, like the season, began on Ash Wednesday (March 5) and continues for 40 days and nights—was first announced during February on President’s Day, by the Rt. Reverend Reginald T. Jackson, presiding bishop, 2nd Episcopal District, of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) church, which includes

tutional right to an abortion— these leading ladies, and other strong sheroes, have advocated for not only women, but equal rights for all. Through their dedicated work in publishing, politics, law, education, and organizing, these women have paved paths, inspired and worked toward justice.

During Women’s History Month and throughout the year, may we all remember the words of activist Angela Davis, who said, “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”

Happy Women’s History Month! WI

Super cool and creative issue of the latest WI Bridge. The creativity continues to inspire me. Awesome job!

Baker Jones Washington, D.C.

the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.

“We’ve got to do more than just make statements – we’ve got to do something,” Jackson said. “The Black Church must once again become the leaders, the moral conscience, of America.We’ve got to remind Americans that diversity has been essential to the nation’s success. America was once one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. How did it become the richest on the planet? On the backs of our ancestors – free labor.”

He emphasized the irony in the push to eliminate DEI, while trying to appeal to African Americans’ wallets.

“If diversity isn’t good for them, then neither is our money,” he said. “Corporate America will have to decide if they stand with us or not. We’re in a fight against spiritual wickedness in high places and we’ve got to do

TO THE EDITOR

Thank you for your coverage of Ward 8 and the upcoming special election in July. I look forward to the continuation of the series highlighting the candidates and the issues. We appreciate all that you do, Washington Informer!

Amy Liles Washington, D.C.

more than talk – we’ve got to act.” Jackson said.

Some African Americans have said that while they support the idea of a boycott, they would have liked more time to hear the pros and cons and then consider if they will follow suit.

We believe such comments are like blowing smoke in the wind and do not consider the gravity of the issue at hand.

When boycotts were called for during the Civil Rights Movement, social media, cell phones and other technological wonders did not exist. And yet, Black folk knew what was happening and what was at stake.

Call it the Black Press or word of mouth, but they knew. And they moved quickly.

Let’s not pretend that the majority of African Americans don’t understand what’s going on under the watch of President Donald Trump.

Many African Americans are not immigrants. Black Americans who descended from enslaved Africans did not volunteer to be kidnapped from their homes in the Motherland and brought to the Americas and other parts of the world as free labor.

But alas, African Americans are here, and have made critical contributions to the rise of the United States with blood, sweat, tears and lives.

The poet Langston Hughes said it best in the poem, “I, Too,” in which he concluded with the words, “I too, am America.”

So, while boycotting businesses like Target, Walmart and Amazon is a great first step, let’s not forget that there are thousands of Black-owned businesses whose goods we can and should purchase.

That’s right – it’s a good time to consider supporting and buying from Black-owned businesses again. WI

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 2025

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

The Case for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in America

der or background — have a fair chance at success.

ensuring that workplaces reflect the diverse makeup of our nation.

The 14th Amendment enshrines the principles of equal protection and opportunity, serving as the foundation for policies to expand economic access to employment, housing and financing. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are a natural extension of these values, ensuring that all individuals — regardless of race, gen-

"I'm deeply saddened that many of the songs I recorded 50 years ago about civil rights, equal rights, poverty, hunger and suffering in our society are still relevant in 2020. I hope that people will hear these songs in a new way as they connect to their lives today, to this pandemic to the growing economic disparities to Black Lives Matter to police brutality to activism versus apathy,

The realities of our nation are harsh, but I truly hope young people, particularly those of color, are now watching and taking note. I understand the unfortunate realities we face. Despite the historic importance of the past presidential election, the reality of apathy is very real and dangerous. We have a nation filled with

DEI has its roots in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination in employment based on race, color, sex, religion and other criteria. Over the decades, policies have evolved to address bias in hiring, workplace fairness and career advancement for women and people of color. Today, DEI has expanded to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity,

Critics argue that DEI undermines meritocracy, yet experts contend that DEI enhances merit rather than replacing it. David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at New York University School of Law, describes diversity as a commitment to ensuring hiring and promotion systems do not inadvertently screen out talented candidates from un-

derrepresented backgrounds. By removing systemic barriers, DEI efforts create opportunities for talent that may be overlooked.

Equity is a key component of DEI, aiming to level the playing field for historically underrepresented workers. Jessica Fulton, vice president of policy at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, highlights that DEI policies address wage gaps and career stagnation marginalized groups face. Beyond hiring, companies

develop inclusion strategies to help diverse employees feel safe, valued and supported. As Fulton notes, retention is as critical as recruitment: "It is about building a great team, treating that team well and retaining the folks they hire."

Far from being merely symbolic, DEI efforts drive business success. Studies indicate that organizations embracing diversity are better equipped to adapt to

COOPER Page 53

and the need for each of us to see it and address it."

— Roberta Flack

From the time she was a 4-yearold girl in Black Mountain, N.C., Roberta Flack dreamed of having her own piano. But her parents couldn't afford one.

When she was 9 and her family was living in Arlington, Virginia, her father spied a beat-up old upright piano in a junkyard. He brought it home and painted it green.

That green piano — later immortalized in Flack's children's book,

"The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music" — launched the child prodigy into one of the most remarkable and influential careers in American music history.

Flack, who died last week at the age of 88, was perhaps best known for her chart-topping romantic ballads, "Killing Me Softly" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." But her defiant performances addressing war, racism, sexism, LGBTQ rights and other social issues led the Rev. Jesse Jackson — whose Operation Breadbasket she

supported — to call her "socially relevant and politically unafraid."

The first track on her debut album, "First Take," released at the height of the Vietnam War in 1969, was the protest ballad, "Compared To What." On that same album — recorded before the Stonewall Riots — she turned the campy musical theater number "Ballad of the Sad Young Men" into a gay rights anthem.

"There is no way to fully emphasize the political risks Roberta Flack may have faced as an R&B singer in

the late '60s, '70s and '80s, performing and discussing songs advocating human rights for gay men and women," music critic Eric Weisbard wrote.

She was one of the many guest performers on the feminist children's entertainment project "Free to Be ... You and Me," performing "When We Grow Up" with Michael Jackson on the 1974 ABC television special.

Her commitment to creating op-

young people of color who are simply turned off and disinterested in politics. Understandably, toxic and polarized politics can overwhelmingly affect people who simply want little or no part of it. According to data from the University of Florida's Election Lab, nearly 90 million Americans eligible to vote in the 2024 presidential general election decided to stay home. Roughly 36% of the eligible voting-age population did not vote, which is greater than the number of people who voted for

either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.

With apathy comes consequences. Making up the 90 million eligible voters may be white federal workers who felt that Project 2025 was not a threat to them but ultimately lost their jobs due to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) firings. Many of the 90 million also consist of people of color who maintain a deep sense of hopelessness due to decades of disenfranchisement. With concerns about the country's

future, young people should take a renewed interest in the nation's current events.

The race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris was historic for several reasons. The re-election of Trump represents an unusual political comeback for a man who lost the last presidential election to Joe Biden. Despite the warnings surrounding Project 2025, along with the real threat of fascism, as a candidate, Trump distracted the majority of voters into ignoring the warnings and return-

ing a convicted felon and authoritarian back into the White House.

The election was historic as it pitted a convicted felon against a former prosecutor, and the American voters picked the felon. When given the choice, America chose corruption and the type of discrimination that removes the racial and economic checks and balances that were previously in place to keep people of color protected. The checks and balances associated

Marc H. Morial

Roberta Flack: The Green Piano That Launched a Legend

David W. Marshall

Jeffrey Cooper

Guest Columnist

Guest Columnist

Joy Brought Us Joy!

If we can't defeat fascism, sexism or racism in our country, who are we to tell anybody else what to do? Colin Kaepernick warned us when he chose not to stand for the national anthem that is worshiped by the very people who voted for the man who got us into this evil backward tailspin — and now he's even against those who voted for him, those who didn't vote at all, those

who didn't want any woman telling them what to do — even though Kamala Harris ran circles around the orange man who couldn't touch her in intelligence or accomplishments. Even those who made the mistake of voting for him are sorry now because their groceries didn't go down, the gasoline didn't get cheaper, the hatred didn't lessen, voting didn't get easier — and Trump just got worse — so what are we going to do about it?

We can follow Kaepernick's lead and kneel or stand up and sing the Black national anthem at all of our

events. We can celebrate our own people — many of whom lost their jobs or lives while fighting for the right to speak out as Joy Ann Reid did. We must celebrate our heroes and sheroes. Kneel when you sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" if you choose, and don't forget to honor our fathers, uncles, brothers, sisters, spouses, cousins, friends who tried their best to make America great for all of us. Don't forget the men of "Red Tails" and the men and women of color who still serve in many ways for an ungrateful nation.

We don't have to look far to see ungratefulness still exists. We're not recipients of MAGA. Again? It never was great for us. Gen. Charles Brown, 21st chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was dismissed without cause recently. Gen. Colin Powell was the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The haters said "enough" when it came to another Black military chief! So many of our people still serve our country admirably without respect. Now we have a man who never knew what it's like to serve his country and he has the nerve to insult a friendly

How Industry Sector Partnerships Can Bridge the Racial Workforce Gap

Systemic barriers such as discrimination, lower pay, and lack of quality job opportunities have created a labor market that is unresponsive to the needs of Black workers. The annual Black unemployment rate averaged 11.6% from 1972 to 2022. In 2023, it was 5.5%, a record-low rate. Black workers are still underrepresented in high-paying fields, such as informa-

tion technology and financial services, but overrepresented in lower-paying health care support positions. Emerging industries, such as offshore wind, clean energy, and semiconductor manufacturing, offer promising opportunities for Black workers to access high-quality jobs and training programs to address these workforce gaps. Industry Sector Partnership Programs, a workforce development strategy that requires collaboration among employers, training providers, and workers, are a promising tool to meet the needs of those in

the labor market. As such, policymakers, business leaders and community advocates have a role in elevating this strategy.

Industry sector partnerships are a required workforce strategy in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA), the law governing our nation's federal workforce system, and is due for reauthorization. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Good Jobs Challenge also invested $500 million into sector partnerships. This workforce strategy is gaining momentum, and given its history, it can

From Elon, With Love: You're Fired

It was Feb. 14. But what nearly 400 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees got that day were not Valentines. They were pink slips.

The firings touched critical roles in EPA offices across the country, including dozens of scientists at the agency's Chicago office.

The American people did not vote for toxic air and poisoned water. But

that will be the consequence as Donald Trump and Elon Musk move not only to dismantle the programs that keep our families healthy and safe but to fire, recklessly, the dedicated civil servants who have devoted their careers to doing the same.

That same wave of civil servant layoffs ensnared about 3,400 U.S. Forest Service employees and roughly 1,000 employees of the National Park Service (NPS). You might be struggling to make sense of a decision to institute big cuts at an agency tasked with managing forests and

preventing and fighting wildfires immediately following some of the most destructive wildfires this country's ever seen. But an examination of these mass firings also shows that senselessness and sloppiness — and utter inefficiency — are hallmarks of Trump and Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Further illustrating that sloppiness: across agencies, some of the most egregious terminations of vital workers had to be rescinded days later.

Imagine vacationing with your

country's leader while defending a communist leader!

We can sit around and moan and groan, but that doesn't make things any better for us or for those who need us most to stand up against racists and fascists. The lives of so many government workers, farmers and others (and I'm sure many of them voted for Trump) but are now suffering. Still, they don't deserve what's happening to them. People with disabilities, children, seniors, the poor without jobs

Page 54

play a helpful role in tackling economic and workforce disparities. Ninety-three percent of Black voters believe there needs to be a closer partnership between training providers and businesses to train people for the jobs businesses are hiring for, and 92% of Black voters support the need to expand training opportunities with earn-andlearn models such as apprenticeships.

Industry sector partnerships were initially connected to the Civil Rights Movement. FOCUS: Hope in Detroit, for example, began as a civil rights organization in 1968 to combat

poverty and racial injustice. In 1981, FOCUS: Hope opened its Machinist Training Institute (MTI). to train low-income Black men in precision machining and metalworking skills, a predominantly white occupation. MTI partnered with local firms to employ program graduates and with local universities to design manufacturing engineering curricula.

The racial workforce gaps that led to the creation of sector partnership programs still exist today in our public

family at one of America's beloved national parks and getting stuck in a bathroom for hours because something is wrong with the lock but the park doesn't have a locksmith.

Nate Vince, Yosemite National Park's locksmith, was also fired on Feb. 14. He explained in a post on Instagram that he was just three weeks shy of the end of his one-year probationary period, after apprenticing for four years under the park's previous locksmith. He also noted Yosemite is the size of Rhode Island with "more locks than a small city,"

for everything from a federal court to administrative buildings, gun safes, and more. "Without a locksmith I'm deeply concerned for the safety and security of the park and people in it," Vince said. "The people that fired me don't know who I am, or what I do. They simply don't understand this park and how big and complex it is."

Park Ranger Alex Wild, also fired on Feb. 14, was the only emergency medical technician at Devils Postpile National Monument, a rock forma-

WILLIAMS

Justin Nalley and Nakeisha Ricks-Pettyjohn

Ben Jealous

Guest Columnist

E. Faye Williams

LIFESTYLE

WASHINGTON INFORMER WEEKEND CHECKLIST

WASHINGTON INFORMER'S

Things To Do, DMV!

By Tait Manning WI Intern

This week is full of opportunities to kick off Women’s History Month and celebrate local artistry in the DMV.

From dance parties to art exhibitions, check out a handful of the many local events happening this weekend.

Don’t forget to keep up with the Washington Informer Calendar to stay up-to-date and your spirit – and social life – lit year round.

THURSDAY, MARCH 6

Art Afternoon with Alex: Bookmaking

2 p.m. - 5 p.m. | $25.00 Plaza Art, 1120 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20036

Find out how easy it is to make books, journals or handmade photo albums with instructor Alex Donahue at Plaza Artist Materials & Picture Framing.

Participants will spend the afternoon making a creative book from scratch, then will take beautifully decorative and handmade papers to make book covers–great as gifts or to keep for yourself to journal in.

Donahue, the general manager of the Plaza Art location in Northwest, D.C., is an artist with a large repertoire

of skills ranging from fine arts, mixed media, murals, a master picture framer, and everything else in between.

CalledOut MusicBest Days Of Our Lives

8 p.m. | $49.99

Union Stage, 740 Water Street SW, Washington, D.C., 20024

British music producer, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Hampshire, England, Samuel Nwachukwu – who performs under the pseudonym CalledOut Music – is a symbol of hope and excellence in the 21st century. His music captures the essence of faith and hope, spreading joy and positivity to all who come in contact with him.

Gather at Union Stage to witness Nwachukwu in an unforgettable evening of music, worship, interaction, and inspiration.

Nicholas Payton

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. | $35.00+ Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20007

Don’t call what trumpeter Nicholas Payton makes “jazz.”

The New Orleans-born and bred musician argues that his music should be described as simply part of the Black American music tradition. It’s an atti-

tude that reflects his history in the Big Easy, where traditional jazz can easily morph into funk, hip-hop, R&B, bounce or whatever else is playing in the streets.

Blues Alley welcomes back the Grammy award-winner to engage audiences with his reflective sound, pulling from Afro-Caribbean and modern electronic influences.

There will be two separate sets at 7 and 9:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 7

LINKED by chitra.MOVES

8 p.m. - 9 p.m. | $36.25

Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE Washington, D.C., 20005

With a creative vessel for deep community engagement and building, chitra.MOVES presents “LINKED” – a dynamic, soulful dance production that brings together the movement languages of Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance, and hip-hop culture to tell powerful stories of connection.

Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by birth of South India, Chitra Subramanian is an Indian American dancer and educator currently residing in Washington, D.C., where she teaches, choreographs and performs with a collective of artists that make up chitra. MOVES.

Subramanian’s aesthetic draws from hip-hop and Indian classical foundations to tell stories, elevate artists, and meaningfully engage unseen and new audiences.

DANG! - A Soulful Electronic Dance Night

10 p.m. | $20.00+

Union Stage, 740 Water Street SW, Washington, D.C., 20024

Welcome to “DANG!” – a soulful electronic dance celebration of only

the best music, spanning from house to R&B.

With dancey, bounce, and transcending genres, “DANG!” is the ultimate dance party for fans of left center electronic music with soulful and rhythmic influences.

Come get a dose of dopamine on the dancefloor and lose yourself in the intoxicating rhythms from songs from artists like Kaytranada, Disclosure, Tyler, the Creator and more.

SATURDAY, MARCH 8

Curry J. Hackett: Collage Salon 2 - 3:30 p.m. | Free Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20001

Washington Project for the Arts (WPA) hosts an artist-led collage workshop using materials and imagery related to D.C.’s and WPA’s history, led by transdisciplinary designer, artist and educator Curry J. Hackett.

The program is a part of WPA’s ongoing archival work in preparation for the association’s 50th anniversary in 2025, as well as the culmination of Hackett’s Research & Development Residency.

During his residency, Hackett explored the relationship between local Black history and WPA’s programming at specific sites throughout D.C., building on his ongoing examination of what shapes the Black experience. This workshop will explore these ideas through material forms.

Collage materials will be provided, but participants are also welcome to bring other materials to incorporate into their collages.

Food Truck Saturdays 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Free Bridge District, 600 Howard Road SE,

Washington, D.C.,

20020

Known as Southeast D.C.’s most well-connected neighborhood, Bridge District has lined up some of their favorite food trucks for this special Saturday series for residents, neighbors and visitors.

This Saturday, Roaming Rooster will be there, highlighting their mission to provide quality comfort food that customers can feel good about eating, sparking an appetite in every lover of fried chicken.

Come hungry and discover a taste of the DMV every Saturday.

SUNDAY, MARCH 9

Celebrating Elizabeth Catlett with the Howard University Jazz Ensemble 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. | Free National Gallery of Art, 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20565

Listen to music performed by a quartet from the Howard University Jazz Ensemble during the opening day of “Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist,” an exhibition showcasing more than 150 of Catlett’s creations centering justice and prejudice experiences throughout the United States and Mexico.

Catlett, a Howard University graduate and D.C. native, tapped these local beginnings to launch a stellar career that has spanned almost seven decades. On view through July 6, 2025.

America’s Architecture of Freedom and Unfreedom 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. | Free National Gallery of Art, 6th Street and Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20565

In the four-part series of the 74th A. W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts, titled “America’s Architecture of Freedom and Unfreedom,” cultural historian Mabel O. Wilson of Columbia University addresses the history of slavery and dispossession in United States civic architecture.

March 9 brings the first of four lectures, where Wilson will explore the vision of statesman, architect, and planter Thomas Jefferson in designing Virginia’s new state house, a neoclassical building based on a Roman temple, to symbolize and enable the power of “the people” to govern. WI

3“Angela Libre,” part of the exhibition “Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist,” will be on view through July 6 at the National Gallery of Art. (Courtesy Photo)

5Chitra Subramanian is an Indian American dancer, choreographer, and educator whose aesthetic draws from hip-hop and Indian classical foundations, will be performing at Atlas Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 7. (Courtesy Photo)

If It Is Sold Out, It Must Be Blues Alley

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

Looking forward to a mega 60th-anniversary celebration this summer, Blues Alley in Georgetown is working to keep spirits high with internationally respected talent. Two acts, Marion Meadows and The Baylor Project, brought their sounds to the nation's oldest continuing jazz supper club for the observance of Black History Month.

In February, the venue honored two music legends, Jerry Butler and Roberta Flack.

“We celebrate here,” said Norelco Carroll when introducing the evening’s act at the historic club. Carroll continued sharing the impact of Blues Alley. “When people get married, they celebrate here. When people get divorced, they celebrate here.”

A SAXOPHONE AND SOME ART

Originally from West Virginia and educated at Berklee College of Music, saxophonist Meadows enjoyed four sold-out shows, two sets each night in mid-February.

His set included upbeat mainstream jazz sounds blended with R&B, slow jams, and pop.

Creating original paintings is another way Meadows uses his creative juices. He has his art on display at some of his performances, in separate art shows, and on his website, “Marion Meadows Atmospeares,” designed specifically for his paintings.

See Meadows' tour schedule on marionmeadows.com

FAITH, LOVE, AND HAPPINESS EQUAL MUSIC FOR ALL

The Baylor Project has eight Grammy nominations and a NAACP Image Award.

Married for 22 years, the visibility for Marcus and Jean Baylor continues on a trajectory comparable to a rocket.

They ended Black History Month with a two-night sold-out booking at Blues Alley.

Looking around the club, one could see that their sound appeals to all demographics.

Midway through their Blues Alley set, Marcus Baylor announced that the group will perform at the 2025 DC Jazz Festival, Aug. 27-31. Keep up with The Baylor Project by visiting thebaylorproject.com WI @bcscomm

Read more on washingtoninformer.com

5Spouses Jean Baylor and Marcus Baylor brought their group The Baylor Project to perform at Blues Alley during Black History Month. (Courtesy Photo/Deneka Peniston)

5Saxophonist, composer, band leader, and painter Marion Meadows (left) with two ofhis followers and art collectors James Williams and Tamara Jackson from Petworth in D.C. at Blues Alley during Black History Month. (Brenda C. Siler/The Washington Informer)

LIFESTYLE

Re-envisioning of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ Gives Three Women a Voice and ‘A Room in the Castle’

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Contributing Writer

As one of the most popular plays in the English language, Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” continues to appeal to audiences because of its timeless themes of grief, revenge and indecision, its complex, philosophical questions which confront the characters, and famous words spoken, like “to be or not to be,” that still resonate today.

However, there’s still something missing in “Hamlet” and its many iterations since the play’s debut in 1603: the voices and perspectives of the women who live in the kingdom and the challenges with which they’re forced to contend in a male-dominated society world.

But have no fear, fans of the Bard!

A reimagining of “Hamlet” from the perspectives of the women within the troubled castle is coming to Washington, D.C. at the Folger Theatre enti-

tled, “A Room in the Castle.”

The world premiere, written by one of America’s most produced playwrights, Lauren M. Gunderson, and directed by Kaja Dunn, opens March 4 on stage at the historic Folger Shakespeare Library and is co-produced with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

Dunn notes that the spotlight shifts to Ophelia (Sabrina Lynne Sawyer), Queen Gertrude (Oneika Phillips) and Anna (Burgess Byrd), Ophelia’s handmaid, as they grapple with the chaos and danger surrounding them in the king’s court.

“In this current moment, a story about women fighting for liberation, finding autonomy and helping the next generation thrive feels incredibly urgent and relevant,” Dunn said.

Gunderson said she’s been more than ready to reimagine the women of Shakespeare – women who are vibrant, have agency and move with

“radical hearts eager for a new ending.”

“A play about women defying a rotten patriarchy by ripping a hole in the fabric of their suffocating story is certainly the work I want to be doing right now,” Gunderson told The Informer. “These women of this play aren’t holding a mirror up to nature. We’re shattering the glass.”

The Actresses have Their Say, On and Off the Stage

The play retains many of the elements from traditional productions of “Hamlet,” but gone are Prince Hamlet, King Claudius, Lord Polonius or Hamlet’s sidekicks like Horatio or Rosencrantz. Instead, the cast is composed of a trio of women – three Black women – who each admitted that there’s a good portion of themselves in the characters they portray on stage.

“This production counters the promise that Gertrude was taught to believe: if you’re a good girl, good things will happen to you,” Phillips said. “As a woman who came to the U.S. from the Caribbean with high expectations about the opportunities I could expect in this country, I have learned, as Gertrude comes to realize, that such notions are nothing but a false narrative.”

She explained a challenging reality women face daily.

”Women must still find ways to

survive and to be treated fairly within our feminine bodies while male constructs surround us and men often seek to manipulate us,” Phillips told The Informer.

Byrd said that while you won’t see Anna appear in Shakespeare’s script, she’s honored to portray a character who embodies many of the best characters of the women she knows and loves.

“Anna is an amalgamation of different women who are often overlooked but who matter a lot, especially in the lives of other women,” she said.

“Women who are nurturers and caretakers. Women who are protective and fiercely loyal to their sisters. Women who are unafraid to act when action is needed no matter what the cost.

That’s what Anna does in this production in her relationship with Ophelia who dies in the traditional version [the cause remains unclear: perhaps by accident, perhaps by suicide] but who, in this version, manages to move forward and leave the castle because of their commitment to and concern for one another.”

But is “A Room in the Castle” a retelling of “Hamlet,” or is it something else – something more?

Sawyer said it’s an expansion of the classic tale and it’s fitting for today and the women who must take care of

themselves, their families and others.

“This play is a story about how women, from generation to generation, have found strength and courage in a chaotic world and society when they learn how to rely and lean on one another,” she explained. “It’s exciting to see more coloring added to the cast and even more exciting that we’ve each been given permission to bring authentic parts of our Black womanhood to the stage in the characters whom we portray,” she said.

The actress playing Ophelia added there’s a profound lesson to learn that she hopes audiences will take with them at the play’s conclusion.

“In a time like this that’s overwhelming for so many women and for so many reasons, this play leaves one with the reminder that movement is important – that movement brings hope. So, even if you don’t see your actions leading to immediate results, women must realize that it’s not a race, it’s a marathon,” Sawyer said. “And as long as we keep moving, we will not allow ourselves to become paralyzed.”

“A Room in the Castle” opens March 4 and continues through April 6 at the Folger Theatre. Fortickets and event information, email folgerboxoffice@folger. edu.

WI

Sabrina Lynne Sawyer, Burgess Byrd and Oneika Phillips take centerstage in the world premiere of “A Room in the Castle,” a re-envisioning of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” from the perspective of the women inside the castle walls. Performances begin March 4 and continue through April 6 at the Folger Theatre. (Courtesy Photo/Mikki Schaffner)

LIFESTYLE

‘Kunene and the King’: A Lesson in Trust in Post-Apartheid South Africa

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s current production, “Kunene and the King,” which runs until March 23, features two older men who must build trust between each other inside their country’s complex political history. A play set 25 years post-apartheid South Africa, this production takes two people from completely different worlds in post-apartheid South Africa—two different personalities, backgrounds, and races—and smashes them together in a confined space, forcing them to navigate that space.

Set 25 years post-apartheid South Africa, this play, directed by celebrated actor and director Ruben Santiago-Hudson, stars John Kani as Lunga Kunene, an in-home nurse assigned to care for Jack Morris, a terminally ill Shakespearean actor played by Edward Gero, who is learning lines for the role of King Lear, which he hopes to achieve before he dies.

Their immediate reactions to one

another are: anger, frustration, and resistance. Kunene has to be assertive with Morris, ensuring he follows the orders the doctor has given.

As they spend more time together, the two men realize they have more in common than expected. They have similar regrets about having one adult child and not spending time with their children for a long time. Also, they both have misperceptions about each other’s cultures and communities. To Morris’s surprise, Kunene loves Shakespeare, which he read in school.

“Shakespeare is the common ground both of them love and understand,” said Santiago-Hudson.

“By speaking some of his most powerful and poetic words, Shakespeare allows them to love and understand each other.”

Incorporated into the play is singer Ntebo. With her beautiful voice, she is the character Isithunywa, who opens and closes the play. Further, Isithunywa's voice is a bridge between the three acts of the play by singing acapella, South African songs where you can hear the click-

ing sounds through the rhythms. Going into the third act of “Kunene and the King,” the setup felt uneven. Kunene is at home, and Morris arrives unannounced, which felt odd. Is Kunene still Morris’ nurse? Though the men were more comfortable interacting with each other, the change in the dynamic between the two was unclear. How much time had lapsed? The audience has to make assumptions.

In addition to Kani being the colead in “Kunene and the King,” he is also the playwright.

This is the first time the South African actor, director, and advocate has performed at Shakespeare Theatre Company.

Kani, who has a long history in theater and film, co-wrote the Tony award-winning plays “The Island” and “Sizwe Banzi Is Dead” with fellow South African playwrights Athol Fugard and Winston Ntshona.

The character of Morris is played by Gero, who has appeared in more than 80 productions during Shakespeare Theatre Company’s 40-year history. Gero has also performed ex-

tensively in regional and off-Broadway productions. Santiago-Hudson was in D.C. last fall to direct “The Other Americans,” written by John Leguizamo.

“Kunene and the King” has been at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre at 450 7th Street, NW, closer to Penn Quarter. It is 90 minutes with an intermission.

For tickets, visit the Shakespeare Theatre Company website at shakespearetheatre.org WI @bcscomm

ADVERTISE IN OUR COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

On October 16, 2024, The Washington Informer marked 60 years of informing, educating, and empowering our community. As a minority-owned, small business dedicated to serving the African American community, we’ve remained a trusted voice in Washington, DC and beyond. Now, we are celebrating our past, embracing the present, and envisioning the future. Join us by advertising in our special issue!

Showcase your business in this special publication and let the world know you support and celebrate The Washington Informer.

Deadline: March 18, 2025

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5(L-R) Edward Gero as Jack Morris and John Kani as Lunga Kunene in “Kunene and the King” at Shakespeare Theatre Company until March 23. (Courtesy Photo/ Teresa Castracane Photography)

Connection Is the Theme for Streaming Comedies From Roy Wood, Jr. and George Wallace

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

Comics know how to turn life’s experiences into funny routines: a thoughtful process which is what audiences will receive when watching Roy Wood, Jr.'s stand-up comedy special on Hulu and George Wallace’s sitcom on Prime Video.

D.C. AUDIENCE GET WOOD’S JOKES

Wood taped his comedy special “Lonely Flowers” last September at the historic Lincoln Theater in Northwest, D.C. He talked about politics, random observations of people, and relationships with each other.

Wood’s view of life is rooted in his upbringing in Alabama. His mother’s career has been higher education administration. His father was a journalist and founder of a Black-owned radio network. Wood was built to be naturally curious, turning his ideas into thoughtful stories with an edge.

In addition to staying on the road doing standup, Wood was a key player on Comedy Central’s

“The Daily Show” and is currently the host on CNN’s “Have I Got News for You.” Through all of his comic analyses, Wood has a comic spin for everyday situations that are a request for connecting.

In a guest appearance last September on The Washington Informer’s “Let’s Talk” digital show, Wood provided insight into his comedy special.

“We wanted to find a connective tissue through the material,” said Wood in his Washington Informer interview. “It’s about friendship and loneliness. A lot of what’s wrong in the world is because we are disconnected as human beings.”

WALLACE GIVES US A REAL WORLD IN NEIGHBORHOOD SITCOM

“Clean Slate” is the new Prime series starring George Wallace and Lavern Cox. The heart of the comedy is renewing a father and child relationship after 23 years when

the son of Wallace’s character, Harry Slate, returns as his daughter.

The series is set in a community where Slate owns a car wash with loyal staff, nosey friends of the family, tension between the elders and their young folks, and people with secrets. Sound familiar? That’s because the creator and executive producer was the late Norman Lear.

The innovative visionary producer/director brought social topics to television through “All in the Family,” “Maude,” “Sanford and Son,” “The Jeffersons,” “One Day at a Time”, and “Good Times.” Lear died in 2023 at age 101, but he left an indelible imprint through his brand of television. During interviews about “Clean Slate,” Wallace said he and Lear had been working on a way to collaborate for decades. There is a difference between Lear’s classic television shows and Wallace’s series. “Those shows were not written by people of color. This show is written by our people and people from Lavern Cox’s community,” said Wallace on an episode of Sherri Shepherd's talk show. “Coming back as a daughter is a big surprise, but it educates me as a father.” WI @bcscomm

5Iconic comedian George Wallace leads the cast for “Clean Slate,” a series on Prime Video.

(Courtesy Photo/Greg Fritz Blakey, Fritz Photographics)

5Sharing his views on life and the world, Roy Wood, Jr.'s stand-up comedy special on Hulu is something audiences will truly enjoy.(File Courtesy Photo)

Dr. Jane Goodall was the rst person to study chimpanzees in the wild! She learned many new things about chimpanzees.

It All Started with Reading

Jane loved to read. Two books Jane read as a child led her to dream of going to Africa. What are the names of these books? Circle every other letter.

Look for these books in your local library and discover what young Jane found so interesting about them.

Naming the Animals

Before Jane, chimps were each given a number. Jane was different. She gave the chimps names based on their appearance or personalities. For example, she named the chimpanzee that first approached her David Greybeard because he had a gray chin.

Use the letters found on each correct path to discover the name Jane gave each chimpanzee.

Jane’s Discovery

Replace the missing words.

Jane kept dreaming. And then worked hard to make her dream come true.

Arriving in Africa

In July 1960, at the age of 26, Jane was finally able to travel to Africa. She got a job studying chimpanzees in the country highlighted on the map.

Use the code to discover the country’s name.

Jane was the first scientist to see chimpanzees make and use _________. Jane observed a chimp using a __________ of grass as a tool. The chimp put the grass into a termite ________ to catch termites to eat.

She also saw chimps ___________ leaves from twigs to make a tool. And she _____ chimpanzees use rocks to crack open nuts.

Look through the newspaper to find a picture or word: Of a tree or plant found in your community That describes the weather today Of a place where you can find nature in your community Of an animal you can find in your community

by looking up, down, backwards, forwards, sideways and diagonally.

Observation Practice

Select a newspaper photo. Study the photo for one minute. In your mind, make a list of all the details you can observe in the photo. After one minute, cover the photo and write down all the details you remember.

© 2025 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Je Schinkel, Graphics Vol.

review wi book

"Firstborn Girls: A Memoir"

By Bernice L. McFadden

c.2025, Dutton

$30

400 pages

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

The Bible includes a lot of begetting.

Cush begat Nimrod. Jacob begat Joseph. Abraham begat Isaac. Salmon begat Boaz and Boaz begat Obed and on and on and on. You might notice that those lines are all fathers and sons, sons and grandsons but in the new book, "Firstborn Girls" by Bernice L. McFadden, it's like mother, like daughter.

For most of her life, Bernice McFadden was followed by her "angelcestors," who watched over her and kept her safe. They swung into action when she was a toddler trapped in a fiery car accident; they subtly stopped her many times when, as a young girl in Brooklyn, she considered killing her abusive, alcoholic father, Robert.

She was never sure why her mother, Vivian, stayed with Robert. Maybe it was because Vivian's mother, Thelma, had loved abusive men, and other women in the family had had man-problems. McFadden's matriarchal tree was riddled by that kind of thing, by domestic violence, hasty marriages, and early death and early pregnancies. In addition, it seemed like every firstborn girl in McFadden's lineage ran away at age 15.

And yet, for McFadden, there were a lot of saving graces through her life. As a child, she spent time every year in Barbados, summering with extended family; there was always family around for support. Neither of her parents graduated from high school, but she did — in fact, because of the car accident, she was able to escape her father's abuse and attend a private high school in Pennsylvania, and then college, later.

And she kept tucked away a dream of being a writer.

When she was still quite young, McFadden cried when the main character on TV's "The Waltons" published his first book. John Boy was a white man, though, and she didn't dare think the opportunity was there for a Black girl but she grew and learned, watched and learned some more. And she began to understand that knowledge is just another kind of seed, and seeds can grow into stories.

Have you ever accidentally eavesdropped on a stranger in a public place and before you know it, whatever she's saying makes you want to lean in and hear more? That's what it's like to read "Firstborn Girls." You'd gladly give up your afternoon or skip your bus or train stop because you simply have to know what's next.

And when you do, it's unbelievably satisfying. Author Bernice L. McFadden's style invites her readers into her life, even in — especially in — the messy parts, and her candor is casual and comfortable without a speck of overwrought embellishment, which will make you feel as thought you were there, right with her, in every event. She's funny and gossipy and relatable, which is exactly what you want in a memoir.

If you're a fan of McFadden's novels, "Firstborn Girls" is a peek inside the making of a writer, and it plainly proves why Black authors are important. If you just want a great memoir from a first-rate storyteller, you should be getting it. WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE

MAR. 6 - 12, 2025

ARIES Communication breakthroughs occur as Mercury activates your expression sector, bringing clarity to both personal and professional exchanges. Your direct approach cuts through confusion in negotiations requiring quick decisions. Technology upgrades midweek enhance productivity and expand networking reach in unexpected ways. Lucky Numbers: 7, 19, 31

TAURUS Financial foundations strengthen as Venus enhances your value sector, creating pathways for increased security. An unexpected resource becomes available through a loyal connection from your past. Property matters develop favorably midweek, particularly involving renovations that increase both comfort and value. Your natural eye for quality helps identify worthwhile investments that others might overlook. Patience with financial decisions pays dividends through steady growth. Lucky Numbers: 4, 16, 28

GEMINI Personal charisma peaks as Jupiter expands your social presence, bringing connections with influential individuals who appreciate your quick wit. Multiple communication channels buzz with activity, potentially leading to an exciting collaborative project. Travel plans crystallize midweek, possibly involving educational opportunities or intellectual pursuits. Your ability to synthesize diverse information impresses someone with decision-making power. Lucky Numbers: 11, 23, 35

CANCER Emotional intelligence guides important decisions as the moon illuminates your intuitive sector, bringing clarity to relationship matters. Family discussions reach productive conclusions regarding shared living spaces or responsibilities. A nurturing approach resolves tension with a colleague midweek, transforming a potential conflict into cooperation. Financial matters connected to home show positive developments after a period of uncertainty. Lucky Numbers: 2, 20, 38

LEO Creative leadership opportunities emerge as the Sun energizes your vision sector, bringing recognition for your ability to inspire others. A passion project gains momentum, attracting valuable supporters who contribute resources. Romantic connections deepen midweek through honest conversations about shared aspirations. Lucky Numbers: 5, 17, 29

VIRGO Professional precision impresses key decision-makers as Mercury sharpens your analytical sector, bringing appreciation for your methodical approach. Systems you've developed demonstrate their value during challenging situations that require efficient solutions. Health routines benefit from adjustments midweek, creating better efficiency in your daily schedule. Lucky Numbers: 6, 18, 40

LIBRA Partnership harmony deepens as Venus activates your relationship sector, bringing meaningful exchanges with important connections. Your diplomatic approach helps navigate potentially contentious situations involving competing perspectives. Aesthetic decisions reach an important phase midweek, particularly those involving shared spaces or collaborative projects. Lucky Numbers: 9, 21, 33

SCORPIO Transformative insights reveal hidden patterns as Pluto deepens your investigative abilities, bringing clarity to complex situations. Your perception uncovers valuable information about a financial matter requiring immediate attention. Joint ventures reach a critical turning point midweek through honest conversations that address underlying issues. Lucky Numbers: 8, 24, 42

SAGITTARIUS Expansive opportunities emerge as Jupiter amplifies your adventure sector, bringing possibilities for growth through travel or education. Your optimistic outlook attracts resources and supporters for projects with international elements. Publishing initiatives gain significant momentum midweek after periods of development. Lucky Numbers: 3, 27, 39

CAPRICORN Professional recognition accelerates as Saturn rewards your consistent efforts, bringing attention from authority figures. A long-term career goal reaches a significant milestone midweek, validating your strategic planning and persistence. Resource management skills prove especially valuable during organizational changes that create uncertainty. Lucky Numbers: 10, 22, 34

AQUARIUS Innovative solutions gain traction as Uranus activates your creative sector, bringing unexpected opportunities to apply your forward-thinking approach. Collaborative projects benefit from your ability to envision possibilities beyond conventional thinking. Friendship networks expand midweek through unusual circumstances or shared humanitarian interests. Lucky Numbers: 1, 25, 37

PISCES Intuitive guidance illuminates your path as Neptune enhances your spiritual awareness, bringing clarity to decisions requiring both compassion and discernment. Creative inspiration flows naturally in artistic endeavors involving visual imagery, music, or emotional storytelling. Workplace dynamics become easier to navigate midweek through heightened sensitivity to unspoken feelings. Lucky Numbers: 12, 30, 36

SPORTS

Gervonta Davis Vs. Lamont Roach: Contested Draw, Controversial Knockdown, and the Rise of Local

A controversial knockdown call quickly became the center of attention in Saturday night’s thrilling showdown between local amatuer rivals, WBA Lightweight Champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and WBA Super Featherweight Champion, Lamont “The Reaper” Roach Jr.

The event commenced at 8 p.m. on Prime Video Pay-Per-View with some exciting preliminaries at 8 p.m. ahead of the main event square off. The fight marked a major milestone in attendance at Barclays Center, with 19,250 fans packing the Brooklyn venue.

Davis shattered his previous atten-

dance record from May 2022 when he defeated Rolando Romero. Capping it all off, the DMV turned up the heat etching its name in the history books.

In an extraordinary turn of events, Roach, D.C. native and heavy underdog, managed to force a majority draw securing a moral victory despite the fight’s disputatious moments. His performance was indeed impressive against the powerful Baltimore native, and was highly contested as a win amongst many.

“I thought I won. I thought I did enough to get the victory over a spectacular fighter,” said Roach. “I told y'all from the beginning that I got the skills to pay the mother f**king bills. I've been told y'all that and I’m just glad and

I’m just glad I got to show it.”

Davis’ tendency to fight passively in the beginning of his fights has been a notable pattern throughout his career. His ability to adjust and land punishing shots after studying his opponents usually leads him to straight success in the ring. However, Roach’s persistence kept him in the fight outlanding Davis in total punches and matching Davis’ power.

“You know you live and you learn,” said Davis. “That was on me too. That was on me for sure because I didn’t pick it up when I was supposed to pick it up and I could have definitely [done] more.”

After 12 rounds of a fiery exchange between the local rivals, the final scorecards read 115-113 for Davis and two even split cards of 114-114, which generated the contested draw.

Both boxers have expressed interest in a rematch that could possibly take place later on this year. This showdown could even sway Davis’ decision for an early retirement, but only time will tell. Meanwhile, Roach is eager to run it back, ideally back home in the DMV.

“That’s a goodie right there, I hope so. I’m gonna bargain for that for sure. No question I’m trying to do that,” said Roach.

Virginia State Men, Fayetteville State Women Capture CIAA Crowns

By Ed Hill

WI Contributing Writer

Since 1907, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament has maintained its status as an event that features some of the best basketball that historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have to offer. This year's edition, hosted in Baltimore, was no different.

In the end, it was the Virginia State men's basketball team that pulled out a hard-fought 71-64 victory over Bluefield State. On the women's side, Fay-

etteville State defeated Virginia State, 64-56, in the finals.

In the Virginia State (21-8, 13-3) CIAA, it was especially sweet. The Trojans had not won the coveted title since the 2018-19 season.

Bluefield State held onto slim leads through most of the game and took a 36-35 edge to the locker room.

During the tense second half, the two teams battled back and forth as neither would allow a significant run. That is until the Trojans turned to the defense and were limited to only one field goal during a key three-minute

stretch to open the biggest lead of the game, 69-62, with just under two minutes remaining.

Bluefield (19-11, 10-6 CIAA) made a valiant attempt to close the deficit, but the Virginia State defense kept them at bay and closed out with a free throw to secure the win.

While the university is certainly celebrating the major win, the last message posted to the institution’s social media acknowledged the tragic death of Angie Stone.

“Our Trojan Community mourns the tragic death of Grammy Award-Winning Singer Ms. Angie Stone, who died in a car accident while en route to perform at the CIAA,” Virginia State wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

FAYETTEVILLE STATE DEFEATS VIRGINIA STATE IN WOMEN’S FINALS

In the women's game, the Fayetteville State University Broncos used the formula they have used all season: stifling defense and some deft threepoint shooting. It was the same as the year before when Fayetteville State captured the crown.

Fayetteville State (21-7, 13-3 CIAA) was led by standout performances from Keayna McLaughlin and Talia Trotter, each contributing 15 points. McLaughlin, who was named the Food Lion MVP of the Game, also added eight rebounds and three steals. Trotter filled the stat sheet with six rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks.

Fayetteville State's defense was a key factor in the win, holding Virginia State to just 14.3% shooting from beyond the arc. The Broncos also forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 13 points.

WI

THE CONTROVERSIAL KNOCKDOWN

Throughout the 12 rounds, Davis appeared passive, which allowed Roach to outland him overall. While Davis held a slight advantage in power punches, it was Roach’s unwavering pace and ability to match his opponent that set the tone.

In what turned out to be the pivotal moment of the night in the ninth round, Roach landed a jab before Davis unexpectedly took a knee, as he walked to his corner for his team to wipe his face. Despite the sequence following a clean punch, the referee opted that it was not a knockdown, which left Roach without the crucial point he needed to win.

“I wasn’t relying on that. I was relying on what I was doing in there,” Roach said. “I think I was taking control. I think I was landing more shots. I think I was landing more power shots, and I thought I was doing my thing. I’m not really that frustrated about that. But if that was counted as a knockdown, I would win a majority decision,” said Roach.

This moment sparked debate, as boxing rules declare that taking a knee after a punch is considered a knockdown. Had Davis been penalized for taking a knee, Roach would have won the fight, claiming a majority decision victory.

However, Davis claimed that the knee was a result of hair grease dripping into his eyes, but the excuse was met with heavy criticism from other boxers and fans.

“I didn’t wanna get caught while my eyes were burning and you know like, you can get knocked out like that,” said Davis. WI

Skylar Nelson WI Intern

3Lamont Roach Jr. throwing a punch at Gervonta Davis in a tremendous Saturday night showdown at Barclays Center in New York city on March 1. (Courtesy

Photo/The Boxing Source Media Group)

5In the women’s CIAA championship, Fayetteville State outed Virginia State, 64-56, in the finals. (Courtesy Photo/CIAA)

CAPTURE the moment

Three of the District’s top high school culinary teams put their skills to the test at the Washington, D.C. ProStart Student Invitational on Tuesday, March 4. Students from Ballou High School, Roosevelt High School, and Cardozo Education Campus competed in culinary and management challenges to represent the nation’s capital at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore May 2-4. (Ja'Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

RELIGION

Local Church Leaders Mobilize for L.A. Wildfire Victims

By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer

Bishop Joel Peebles of Global United Fellowship (GUF), headquartered in Landover, Maryland, recently got an up-close view of the devastation from the Los Angeles fires after he and other faith leaders converged on California, raising more than $150,000 for those affected by the blazes.

Peebles took part in a telethon in Los Angeles, in the wake of the massive fires that spread across several communities, destroying homes, schools and churches.

“We knew that there was a big need, but now we are funneling resources through 10 different churches,” Peebles, presiding bishop of the Global United Fellowship, told The Informer. “In terms of needs, people need food, shelter and community needs.”

The telethon was held Feb. 28 at the Cathedral of Praise International Ministries (COPIM) in San Bernardino, California, which is led by Bishop Cortez Vaughn, a national recording artist, who said

that many of his 1,500 members lost everything.

“The word I would use is devastating,” Vaughn said. “Many families, including those from our church, had everything one day and then lost everything in a matter of moments.”

Vaughn emphasized the pain caused when “you literally have to watch your house burn down.”

“One of my members was 82, and all that she could do was stand on the sidewalk and watch her home burn down,” Vaughn told The Informer. “We have people who literally have only the clothes on their backs and that is a nightmare.”

BRINGING ‘HOPE BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY’

Normally, Vaughn keeps a heavy performance schedule, but since the fires he has been in Los Angeles most of the time.

“The fires have brought many churches together and this has brought hope back into the com-

munity,” he said.

Peebles told The Informer Global United Fellowship could not stand by and just watch the painful plight of those affected by the wildfires.

”Through monetary donations, providing goods and services and much prayer, Global will continue to help in the rebuilding efforts of this vibrant community,” he said.

During the telethon, Global United Fellowship presented a check to COPIM Relief Fund for more than $123,000; however the numbers are still growing, according to Peebles, exceeding more than 150,000 as of March 3.

The Cathedral of Praise telethon, which was aired live on the Word Network to raise money and increase support to devastated Los Angeles communities, will run

again on Friday, March 7 at 1:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. EST. Bishop Neal Ellis, founding bishop of GUF, and the Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, executive secretary of the organization both flew out to take part in the telethon. Ellis hosted the “Night of Hope,”

which was also broadcasted internationally on the Word Network.

“Bishop Peebles, Bishop Ellis and all of our leaders have really helped us,” Vaughn said. “One thing that something like this does is that it pushes people into another level of faith.” WI

5Global United Fellowship (GUF) leadership presents a check to Cathedral of Praise International Ministries (COPIM) Relief Fund during a telethon on Feb. 28 to support victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. There to support the efforts included: Pastor Jamal Bryant, Ylawnda Peebles, Bishop Joel Peebles, Bishop Karen Belton, GUF co-founders Bishop Neil Ellis and Lady Patrice Ellis, and Bishop Willie W. Cooper II. (Courtesy Photo/Cathedral of Praise International Ministries)

5Items gathered to help victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. (Courtesy Photo/Cathedral of Praise International Ministries)

Can you control your subconscious mind through auto-suggestion, meaning you reprogram your thinking with only positive thoughts? The subconscious mind works day and night even while we are asleep, but we can give your mind "food for thought." With all that is going on today in America, this message is very much needed. Thousands of workers now must go to their subconscious mind, fast and pray, and wait to hear from the higher power, regardless of the name your religion gives him!

Research which described a success formula during a 20-year period discovered by author Napoleon Hill teaches how one person can achieve success and another not. In his study, Hill researched the formula whereby anyone who applies these principles can achieve success beyond their wildest expectations. In this chapter on the subconscious mind, Hill reminds us, get the other 10 principles down to a science first. We must begin utilizing every principle successfully before this principle will kick in.

Hill talks about using your mind to visualize your future as you want it to be. And he talked about following your hunches - the messages that you get from

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Life-Changing Principles: Controlling Your Subconscious Mind the religion corner

your subconscious mind. The best way I can describe this chapter is to remind you of how the Holy Spirit works. It is also a reminder of how important it is for us to have faith. You will not visualize your future with confidence if you do not have faith.

The subconscious can be consciously programmed and controlled by the conscious mind, the mind you and I deal with daily with full awareness. The subconscious mind is the source of insight, intuition, imagination and creativity. Garbage in, garbage out; positive affirmations in, you will begin to see your future through faith.

The subconscious mind is also your direct link to universal consciousness, which is the source of all power and creativity. Amen, it is where the Holy Spirit operates!

Your subconscious mind is accessible only when you learn how to stop the hyperactivity of the conscious mind and hear the voice of the Lord speak to you. Meditation is an excellent technique to accomplish this control.

God works in different ways with different people. He spoke in different ways to Adam, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Job, Moses, Mary and Paul. He speaks in different ways to us today too.

Just as the Holy Spirit decides to give different abilities to different people (1 Corinthians 12:11), he works with us in different ways, because he has different jobs for each person. The Spirit (subconscious mind) shapes us in different ways, and as a result, we value different goals.

For some people, he speaks subtly, in general principles; for others, he must speak with unmistakable details. Each of us must listen in the way that God has made us, in the way that he chooses to deal

with us. The important thing is that we listen — that we are ready and willing to hear what he says. We should be listening to his leadership rather than ignoring it.

One of my personal accounts is when the African American Civil War Memorial was scheduled to be unveiled in about a week. The site was unfinished, yet thousands had hotel rooms, plane tickets from around the world to attend the unveiling. I had a spiritual awakening! One night, after leaving my Reeves Center office, God led me to the site. I remember walking throughout the site, lifting my hands and praying that God would bless this site and help me and Councilman Frank Smith to get the project finished in time, since people were coming from around the world. I will forever remember the communication from God that night. He said to me, "Everything will be just fine!" And it was. People came, the story was broadcast around the world, live on CNN and C-SPAN. It was broadcast on 183 national television stations and 64 local. It made front page news on most major newspapers, including The Washington Post, The New York Times and others. Now, more than 25 years later, we are about to plan for the ribbon cutting of the brand new multimillion-dollar museum to the 209,145 African American soldiers known as USCT, who fought to help save the Union.

I tell you, you've got to trust God; you've got to walk by faith and not by sight. And you've got to learn to use this principle called the subconscious mind, aka the Holy Spirit! Amen! WI

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tomatic record expungement, Lewis George expressed her thoughts on the timely topic of clemency.

“It deserves noting the harm that [Trump’s executive order] has had to our community. D.C. as a whole, but the Ward 4 community,” Lewis George told her colleagues. “So while we have this moment. While we’re talking about clemency, I don’t want that moment to go by that we don’t address what happened in our own D.C. community.”

MPD declined to comment on personnel matters.

BUSINESS DURING THE COUNCIL MEETING

During the council’s fifth legislative meeting of the 26th council period, council members passed ceremonial resolutions in recognition of Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Charles C. “Sandy” Wilkes, D.C. Policy Center’s founding board chairman. They also conducted first readings on bills designating an alley in Ward 1 as D.C. Legendary Musicians Way and exempting digital-only telehealth platforms, among other entities, from the certificate of need process.

The council also took one step toward further protecting sexual

misconduct survivors, approving on the first reading a bill that D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson (I-At large) introduced. That bill, titled Institution of Higher Education Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Resource Accessibility, requires the provision of emergency support for survivors, amnesty for those who report alleged perpetrators, and mandatory sexual misconduct training for students and personnel.

Henderson, chair of the council’s Committee on Health, called the legislation a game changer for college students.

“A lot of students who we talked to didn't necessarily feel comfortable going to the Title IX coordinator at their university,” she told The Informer. “Talking to the extent of what additional support should we be providing to victims in those circumstances?”

Earlier, Henderson said that during a politically precarious time, her bill provides some level of stability for District college students.

“We felt that because there had been some volatility in terms of the federal government side, that it was important for us to have basically a baseline, if you will,” Henderson explained. “We worked with a consortium of colleges and universities in our area to establish this floor.”

WI

@SamPKCollins

coming in and out of it but Jecmenic paid no attention to that. She got what was needed and proceeded to leave the store when The Informer pointed out to her that a national boycott of Target was taking place because the company decided to cut its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Jecmenic was puzzled by the development.

“That does not sound right,” Jecmenic, 41, said. “That does not sound good at all.”

Jecmenic said she was a regular customer at Target. Learning that Target was being boycotted as a result of a request from leaders of Black national organizations, she reluctantly agreed that it was a good idea.

“Yeah, I support it,” she said. “I guess something has to be done.”

The Target boycott, is part of a larger “economic blackout” of Target. The Rev. Jamal Bryant, pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, is encouraging a Lenten fast, the Christian season of the 40 days and nights leading to Easter, with the support of Black organizations such as National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade organization with more than 200 Black-owned publications as members, and civil rights groups.

“After the murder of George Floyd, they made a $2 billion commitment to invest in Black businesses,” Bryant said in a February interview with the Black Press’ Let It Be Known News. “That commitment was due in December 2025. When they pulled out of the DEI agreement in January, they also canceled that $2 billion commitment.”

Bryant said that Target’s role in the Black consumer market makes it the logical first target of this economic protest.

“Black people spend $12 million a day at Target,” he said. “Because of how many dollars are spent there and the absence of commitment to our community, we are focusing on Target first.”

African American consumers were discouraged from shopping at Target and instead urged to spend their dollars with Black small businesses due to its termination of its DEI programming.

Target’s move against DEI is part of a national effort supported by the Trump administration to encourage companies and public agencies to dismantle their anti- discrimination programs, saying they are biased BOYCOTT

against white people.

NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. emphasized the need for financial realignment.

“Black Americans spend $2 trillion annually. We must evaluate and realign to question why we continue to spend our money with companies that do not respect us. These contradictions will not go unchallenged.”

DMV RESIDENTS WEIGH IN ON BOYCOTT

Richard Keller, who lives in Northwest, stopped by the Columbia Heights Target to pick up some paper.

Like Jecmenic, he didn’t know much about the national boycott or that Target was one of those singled out.

But he said the boycott was no surprise to him.

“It’s a wake-up call for Black people,” Keller, 27, said. “This has been going on for quite a while. Things are really starting to hit the fan.”

Keller said he doesn’t expect anti-DEI activities to cease “anytime soon.” Plus, Keller questioned the value of boycotts.

“We have been doing that stuff for decades,” he said. “What has it done?”

Mary Williams visited Target but decided not to make a purchase. She spoke of her awareness of the boycott and voiced support.

“It’s okay, it makes sense to me,” Williams, a resident of Ward 5 in Northeast, said. “I think boycotts can be effective if they are done properly.”

Jhaff Idiris, a resident of Columbia Heights, agrees with Williams that boycotts are a good strategy to fight the anti-DEI trend among U.S. companies.

“I would support boycotting Target, including this one, but I need my medications, and this is the only place close to me where I can get them,” Idiris said.

Idiris, 67, had a shopping cart with packaged allergies and asthma medications. He assessed the Target at the time he was in the store.

“The place is empty,” he said, noting it is usually busy when open. “I support the boycott because Black people should be respected where they spend their money.”

The Target on Connecticut Avenue in Northwest had limited foot traffic on Feb. 28, also, with observers noting that parking spots were available in front of the store for portions of the day.

“It’s been about the same,” said an anonymous Target representative at the location. Target personnel are not permitted to talk to the media without authorization from corporate headquarters.

“Our Target is very convenient, the security is very attentive and aware, and ours is one of a kind; it’s uniquely sized and also has a variety of things compared to Targets,” the representative said.

Dale, an unincorporated neighborhood in the county, that had seen bustling lines prior to their effort to roll back DEI policies.

Prince George’s County Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D-At Large) echoed the call for a boycott on a Facebook post with Bladensburg Council member Carol McBryde co- signing.

Business owner LaTasha Ward, who runs a DMV Black-owned business group, encouraged the boycott, as well. WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

5The Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, is encouraging a fast of Target during Lent, the Christian season that comprises the 40 days and nights leading to Easter. (File Courtesy Photo/NNPA)

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AMAYA L YANCEY PUBLIC NOTICE #1

Notice Under Fictitious Name

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Notice hereby given that the undersigned pursuant to the Code of District of Columbia  29-103.01 Washington D.C. code will register with the Division of Corporations, Department of State, District of Columbia upon receipt of this notice, the fictitious name, to-will:

AMAYA L YANCEY  under which (I am) (we are) engaged in the business of  P.O. Box 90057 Washington D.C. 20090 interested in said business is as follows: Amaya Yancey P.O. Box 90057 Washington D.C 20090

Dated:03/06/2025 at Washington D.C.

AMAYA L YANCEY PUBLIC NOTICE #2

Notice under common law birth certificate

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Notice hereby given that the undersigned pursuant to the Acquisitions of U.S. Citizenship and Nationality  in the United States under 8 FAM 300 Washington D.C. code will register with the Department of State, District of Columbia upon receipt of this notice, the Jus soli (the law of the soil) , to-will:

AMAYA L YANCEY  under which (I am) (we are) engaged in the business of  P.O. Box 90057 Washington D.C. 20090 interested in said business is as follows:

Amaya Yancey P.O. Box 90057 Washington D.C 20090

Dated:03/06/2025 at Washington D.C.

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2019 ADM 001158

Estate of LaNelle L. Daughtry aka LaNelle Leevette Daughtry

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Kaamalah Lucas for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

Order any interested person to show cause why the provisions of the lost or destroyed will dated December 8, 2009 should not be admitted to probate as expressed in the petition

Date of first publication: 2/20/2025

Anna L. Nathanson

800 14th Street NW, Fifth Floor Washington, DC 20005

Petitioner/Attorney:

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 001345

Nannie Lawrence Decedent

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW #400 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney

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

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW #400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Nannie L. Lawrence who died on May 30, 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 (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 9/6/2025. 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 9/6/2025, 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: 3/6/2025

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. 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

2025 ADM 000076

LeRoy Alfonzo Brannock, Jr. Decedent

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

Lisa M. Brannock, whose address is 5527 Chillum Place NE, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of LeRoy Alfonzo Brannock, Jr. who died on December 18, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/20/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/20/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/20/2025

Lisa M. Brannock Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

DISTRICT COURT DIVISION

DUPLIN COUNTY FILE NO: 24 CVD 568

Marco Tulio Obando Montalvan ) Plaintiff, ) ) NOTICE OF SERVICE ) OF PROCESS vs. ) BY PUBLICATION )

Gilda de Carmen Meza ) Defendant, )

TO: Gilda de Carmen Meza, the above named defendant.

TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above entitled divorce action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: The plaintiff is seeking a divorce from the defendant, Gilda de Carmen Meza. You are required to make defense to such pleading no later than 1st day of April, 2025, said date being 40 days from the first publication of this notice, or from the date complaint is required to be filed, whichever is later; and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

This is the 12th day of February, 2025.

S. Reginald Kenan

Attorney for Plaintiff

106 West Hill Street Post Office Box 472 Warsaw, N.C. 28398 (P) 910-293-7801 (F) 910-293-7437

RUN: Washington Informer

Publish Dates: February 20, February 27, and March 6, 2025.

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

2023 ADM 000477

Esau N. Ade Decedent

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

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

Roseline Onyia, whose address is 5300 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Esau N. Ade who died on January 11, 2021 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/20/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/20/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/20/2025

Roseline Onyia 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

2025 FEP 000010

March 2, 2023

Date of Death

Marilyn Black Jackson aka Marilyn B. Jackson Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Calvin James Jackson Jr. aka Calvin J. Jackson Jr., whose address is 4132 N. River St., McLean VA, 22101 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Marilyn Black Jackson aka Marilyn B. Jackson, deceased, by the Circuit Court for Fairfax County, State of Virginia, on 5/25/2023.

Service of process may be made upon Calvin J. Jackson Jr., 5012 14th St., NW, Washington, DC 20017 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.

800 Capital Square Pl., SW, Washington, DC 20004. 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: 2/20/2025

Calvin James Jackson, Jr. aka Calvin J. Jackson, Jr. Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 74

Michele E. Jackson-Saunders aka Michele E. Jackson Decedent

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

Chermaine C. Moore, whose address is 1653 Tulip Ave., District Heights, MD 20747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Michele E. Jackson-Saunders aka Michele E. Jackson who died on September 13, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/20/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/20/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/20/2025

Chermaine C. Moore

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000022

James Williams Decedent

Yvonne Davis Smith, Esquire 2501 Northampton Street, NW Washington, DC 20015 Attorney

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

Deborah Williams Lofton, whose address is 1919 11th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James Williams who died on July 30, 2007 with a Will and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/20/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/20/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/20/2025

Deborah Williams Lofton 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

2025 ADM 000080

Sarah Fauntroy aka Sarah M. Fauntroy aka Sarah Kathryn Moore Fauntroy Decedent

Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. ProbateLawDC 1308 Ninth Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001 Attorney

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

Michael Fauntroy, whose address is 7601 Morningside Dr., NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sarah Fauntroy aka Sarah M. Fauntroy aka Sarah Kathyrn Moore Fauntroy who died on 11/5/2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/20/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/20/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/20/2025

Michael Fauntroy 7601 Morningside Dr., NW, WDC 20012

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

2025 ADM 67

Shane Michael Reeder aka Shane Reeder Decedent

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

Jeffrey Paige, whose address is 5718 8th St., NW, Washington, 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Shane Michael Reeder aka Shane Reeder who died on October 29, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/20/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/20/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/20/2025

Jeffrey Paige 5718 8th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000108

Catherine Butler Decedent

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

Darlene Butler, whose address is 512 Ingaham Street, NE, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Catherine Butler who died on February 17, 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 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/27/2025

Darlene Butler Personal Representative

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

2024 ADM 001434

Terrance Maurice Parker Decedent

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

Tiffany Markeha Parker, whose address is 2451 James Banks Rd., SE, Washington DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Terrance Maurice Parker who died on April 30, 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 8/20/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/20/2025, or be forever barred.

Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/20/2025

Tiffany Markeha Parker

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

2025 ADM 000113

Charles H.G. White II aka Charles Henry Clay White, II Decedent

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

Pamela Ann White, whose address is 1332 Quincy St., NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Charles H.G. White II aka Charles Henry Clay White, II who died on 5/20/2020 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/27/2025

Pamela Ann White 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

2025 ADM 79

Valerie Ann Gadson

Decedent

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

Richard C. Gadson, whose address is 3459 22nd Street SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Valerie Ann Gadson who died on October 28, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/20/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/20/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/20/2025

Richard C. Gadson

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

2025 ADM 000110

Diane Elaine Baxter Decedent

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

Lamont S. Baxter, whose address is 1805 Tulip Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Diane Elaine Baxter who died on January 7, 2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/27/2025

Lamont S. Baxter 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

2025 ADM 000058

Shane Casey Welch aka Shane C. Welch aka Shane Welch Decedent

Law Office of Robert P. Newman

Robert P. Newman, Esquire 801 Wayne Ave., Suite 205 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney

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

Anne Marie Welch, whose address is 5401 Galena Place NW, Washington, DC 20016, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Shane Casey Welch aka Shane C. Welch aka Shane Welch who died on 8/21/23 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/20/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/20/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/20/2025

Anne Marie Welch Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000132

Dorothy L. Waters Decedent

Brian L. Kass, Personal Representative 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 434 Washington, DC 20008 Attorney

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

Brian L. Kass, whose address is 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 434, Washington, DC 20008, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy L. Waters who died on March 25, 2019 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/27/2025

Brian L. Kass 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

2025 ADM 000102

Bernice H. Little Decedent

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

Beverly B. Allen, whose address is 3905 Burns Ct., SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Bernice H. Little who died on December 22, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/27/2025

Beverly B. Allen Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION

2025 NRT 000003

Gennady Doiban aka Henry Doiban

Name of Deceased Settlor

NOTICE OF EXISTENCE OF REVOCABLE TRUST

Gennady Doiban aka Henry Doiban whose address was 6060 Star Grass Ln, Naples, FL 34116 created a revocable trust on 9/10/2024, which remained in existence on the date of his/her death on May 3, 1983, and Gennady Doiban, whose address is 6060 Star Grass Ln, Naples, FL 34116, is the currently acting trustee, hereinafter the Trustee. Communications to the Trust should be mailed or directed to C/O Gennady Doiban TTEE at 6060 Star Grass Ln, Naples FL 34116.

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

Claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors are barred as against the Trustee and the trust property unless presented to the Trustee at the address provided herein on or before 8/27/2025 (6 month after the date of the first publication of this notice.) An action to contest the validity of this trust must be commenced by the earliest of (1) 9/10/2025, (One year from date of death of deceased settlor) (2) 8/27/2025 (6 months from the date of first publication of this notice) or (3) Ninety days after the Trustee sends the person a copy of the trust instrument and a notice informing the person of the trust’s existence, of the Trustee’s name and address, and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding.

The Trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust before the expiration of the time within which an action must be commenced unless the Trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust or the Trustee has received notice from a potential contestant who thereafter commences a judicial proceeding within sixty days after notification.

This Notice must be mailed postmarked within 15 days of its first publication to each heir and qualified beneficiary of the trust and any other person who would be an interested person within the meaning of D.C. Code 20-101(d).

Date of First Publication: 2/27/2025

Gennady Doiban

Signature of Trustee

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000114

Joan B. Nelson Decedent

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

Rayneshia Bivens, whose address is 2150 Commissary Cir., Odenton MD 21113, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joan B. Nelson who died on January 17th, 2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/27/2025

Rayneshia Bivens Personal Representative

Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000089

Robert Allen DuPree Decedent

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

Letitia DuPree, whose address is 150 Post Office Rd., No. 1861, Waldorf, Md 20602, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Robert Allen DuPree who died on September 2, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/27/2025

Letitia DuPree Personal Representative

TRUE TEST

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000104

Kathleen Simpkins Decedent

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

Evonne Powell, whose address is 1420 18th Place SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Kathleen Simpkins who died on 9/5/2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/27/2025

Evonne Powell 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

2025 ADM 106

Mary Malissia Southerland Decedent

Timothy J. Sessing, Esq. 12850 Middlebrook Rd., Ste 308 Germantown, MD 20874

Attorney

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

Sandra Southerland, whose address is 219 Blackberry Drive, Fort Washington, MD 20744, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary Malissia Southerland who died on October 6, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/27/2025

Sandra Southerland Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 FEP 11

August 31, 1952

Date of Death

Wardsworth Thomas Soders Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

James Ray Soders whose address is 3922 Panorama Drive, Missouri City, TX 77459 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Wardsworth Thomas Soders, deceased, by the County Court for Falls County, State of Texas, on July 6, 2023. Service of process may be made upon Thomas S. Paquin, 347 L Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: Lots 0010 and 0011 in Square 5218-N (55th Street NE, Washington, DC 20019). Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: 2/27/2025

James Ray Soders

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 001309

Dalaneo M. Martin Decedent

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

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

Tyrell D. Jones, whose address is 22110 Shortfin Mako Court, Katy, TX 77449, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dalaneo M. Martin who died on March 18, 2023 without a Will and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/13/2025, 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: 3/6/2025

Tyrell D. Jones 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

2025 ADM 115

Phebe Ann Marr Decedent

Laurie Pyne O’Reilly, Esq. 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 434 Washington, DC 20008 Attorney

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

Louay Bahry, whose address is 3637 Upton Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Phebe Ann Marr who died on December 26, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/27/2025

Louay Bahry 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

2025 FEP 000013

12/17/2019

Date of Death

Brian Taves aka Brian M. Taves aka Brian P. Taves Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Pachara Yongvongpaibul whose address is 1311 Delaware Avenue SW, Apt S-729, Washington, DC 20024 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Brian Taves aka Brian M. Taves aka Brian P. Taves, deceased, by the Superior Court for Los Angeles County, State of California, on July 10, 2023. Service of process may be made upon Pachara Yongvongpaibul, 1311 Delaware Avenue, SW, Apt. S-729, Washington, DC 20024 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 1311 Delaware Avenue SW, Apt. S-729, Washington, DC 20024. 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: 3/6/2025

Pachara Yongvongpaibul Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000111

Rhonda Allard Decedent

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

Jonathan Allard, whose address is 4433 South Dakota Ave., Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Rhonda Allard who died on 1/25/2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 2/27/2025 Jonathan Allard Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2022 ADM 311

Delenia A. Johnson aka Delenia Ana Johnson aka Delenia Johnson aka Delenia Ana Gilkes Johnson Decedent

Jennifer Ann Johnson Green, Pro Se 216 SW 19th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Attorney

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

Jennifer Ann Johnson Green, whose address is 10163 Sweet Bay Manor, Parkland, FL 33076, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Delenia A. Johnson aka Delenia Ana Johnson aka Delenia Johnson aka Delenia Ana Gilkes Johnson who died on 1/16/2021 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 9/6/2025. 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 9/6/2025, 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: 3/6/2025

Jennifer Ann Johnson Green Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

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

2025 ADM 000119

Eva M. Lauter-Pigott Decedent

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

Christopher C. Hillerich, whose address is 20 Pine Robin Rd., Greenfield Center, NY 12833, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Eva M. Lauter-Pigott who died on January 4, 2025 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 9/6/2025. 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 9/6/2025, 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:

3/6/2025

Christopher C. Hillerich

Personal Representative

Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000118

Harleen D. Matthews Decedent

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

Sonia Adams, whose address is 1409 18th Place SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Harleen D. Matthews who died on 1/7/2025 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 9/6/2025. 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 9/6/2025, 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: 3/6/2025

Sonia Adams Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2023 ADM 001345

Nannie Lawrence Decedent

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW #400 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney

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

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW #400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Nannie L. Lawrence who died on May 30, 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 (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 9/6/2025. 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 9/6/2025, 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: 3/6/2025

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq.

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

2024 ADM 001413

Kenneth Louis Price Decedent

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

Gabrielle King, whose address is 225 I Street NE, #609, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Kenneth Louis Price who died on October 16, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/6/2025. 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 9/6/2025, 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: 3/9/2025

Gabrielle King

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

2025 FEP 000015

November 18, 2024

Date of Death

Patricia Ann Cheeks-Beard

Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Leon Beard whose address is 9604 Atom Road, Clinton, MD 20735 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Patricia Ann Cheeks-Beard, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on February 14, 2025. Service of process may be made upon Julius P. Terrell, 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20004 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real Property: 2123 Young Street #203, SE, Washington, DC 20020. 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: 3/6/2025

Leon Beard Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

three years, she remains focused on generating future revenue.

“The way out of [the financial downturn] is to have plans for four years and invest in them so that you have an income driver,” Bowser said on March 3. “The big thing that we have to be strategic about is investing in things that are catalytic, that create additional dollars, not take additional dollars, and sometimes that's a hard concept for everybody to embrace.”

Some of those people include D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) who, as of that morning, appeared cautious about publicly financing a new football stadium with other capital investments, like the renovation of the Henry J. Daly Building on Indiana Avenue in Northwest and a new jail, in queue.

Meanwhile, a contingent of community members living near RFK campus are demanding the development of housing, food, recreation and other amenities. Even so, Bowser continues to promote a new football stadium as what she calls the only suitable pathway to economic development on the 177 acres of land along the Anacostia River.

“At this point, the types of uses that have expressed interest at RFK are all sports-related,” she told reporters.

RFK STADIUM AND THE ‘D.C. 2050’ COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Ward 7 resident John Capozzi remains adamant that, despite a poll showing overwhelming support for a football stadium, the Bowser administration’s position on economic development doesn’t align with that held by the masses of District residents.

“If it’s so popular, why not have a referendum and see if people want to spend taxpayer dollars on a football stadium?” said Capozzi, a member of No Billionaire’s Playground, a group that’s organizing against the construction of a new football stadium on RFK campus. “There’s been skepticism, opposition, and hostility to the idea. People are supportive of the [Washington Commanders] but that’s not about spending taxpayer money to build something for

a billionaire.”

Capozzi, a Hillcrest resident, counted among the hundreds who attended Bowser’s budget forum at Kennedy Park Recreation Center in Northwest on Saturday, where, for the third time that week, Bowser posited a new home for the Washington Commanders as a viable pathway to economic development.

More than a decade ago, Capozzi, then living just blocks away from what was then the home of D.C. United often lost the parking spaces near his home to soccer fans and patrons attending other events on RFK campus.

With those memories at the front of his mind, Capozzi said the Washington Commanders’ return to RFK campus wouldn't bode well for residents brought into Ward 7 via redistricting.

“A lot of those residents have families and move there because of the neighborhood,” said Capozzi, a former D.C. shadow representative.

“And now they will be confronted with traffic, noise and general mayhem from a stadium, which wasn’t in the plans five, 10, 15 or even 20 years ago.”

Capozzi’s remarks come one day after Bowser announced the launch of D.C. 2050, what will be the District’s first revamp of its comprehensive plan in two decades, at The Strand D.C., a Deanwood-based restaurant located less than four miles from RFK campus.

This new plan, which officials aim to submit to the D.C. Council by 2027, will follow amendments made in 2021 that are credited with helping Bowser meet her 2025 housing goals.

For nearly an hour, Bowser, with the support of D.C. Councilmember Wendell Felder (D-Ward 7) and Office of Planning (OP) Director Anita Cozart, outlined a two-year process where OP engages and shapes a comprehensive plan in collaboration with District residents, organizers and government officials.

Such efforts will start in March via a virtual platform and at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Northwest and Barry Farm Recreation Center in Southeast.

Cozart later delved into OP’s

RFK from Page 51

focus on preparing for the projected addition of 145,000 residents and 175,000 jobs by 2050.

“Our current comprehensive plan, it doesn't address some of the things that we're dealing with today related to the impact of the pandemic on how we live, we work, we shop, we recreate and connect with one another,” Cozart told residents, workforce development specialists, organizers and government officials who filled two levels of The Strand’s main dining area.

The comprehensive plan, she said, achieves OP’s goal by dictating the location of new housing and jobs, and the manner in which the District preserves and connects neighborhoods and invests in public spaces.

“And so when we rewrite our comprehensive plan, we can really identify how we as a city can develop and accommodate growth in a way that ensures our neighborhoods provide what residents need and need to thrive and for the city to be prosperous,” Cozart continued.

An OP spokesperson told The Informer’s it’s yet to be determined the degree to which this once-ina-two decade process would affect development in the communities surrounding RFK campus -- including Kingman Park, River Terrace, Benning Road and Hill East. However, amid residents’ concerns about noise and traffic congestion, Bowser revealed that OP will conduct a series of tests to ascertain the best scenario for residents.

“There’s a series of contests for what works for the community, infrastructure, of which there's not really any there, so that's gonna have to be built,” Bowser said. “The roads network, public transportation, access to emergency routes, all of those things.”

D.C. COUNCILMEMBER FELDER WEIGHS IN

Weeks before the release of the D.C. Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee’s dismal revenue projections, Bowser joined Felder and Events DC personnel at Eastern High School in Northeast where, for hours, they answered residents' questions about the status of RFK campus development.

As outlined in a plan that Bowser, Felder, and Events DC presented, the District will incrementally demolish the old stadium before focusing on the planning and development of an economic anchor. Officials will then focus on shaping the 30% of outdoor and park space located on the plot of land. The finalized plan to be submitted to the D.C. Council will include information about commercial activity on RFK campus and the funding of a sportsplex.

Bowser, in the weeks since the council’s approval of the land transfer, has employed what some describe as a new level of clarity in identifying a new football stadium as her ideal anchor of economic development. Her fervor on the evening of Feb. 13 came weeks after the end of what was one of the Washington Commanders’ best seasons in decades, and more than a year after the release

see some other more sluggish activity in other projects that don't have a driver, that have all-day traffic or night traffic of people living there, so you have to have that mix of uses.”

In the days following the community meeting at Eastern High School, Felder expressed his desire to help residents have as much information available when deciding on whether to embrace a football stadium as an anchor of economic development.

“It will be good to help neighbors, to present neighbors, rather, with two scenarios of what the redevelopment of RFK site looks like with the Commanders coming back, and then what the site looks like without the Commanders coming back,” Felder told The Informer.

While Felder didn’t reveal the timeline to release the two plans, he said that the final outcome must spur the type of economic activity that brings vibrancy to the community and ultimately finances the amenities that improve residents’ quality of life.

Last month, after joining his council colleagues in approving the transfer of RFK campus to the D.C. government, Felder reflected on the significance of the moment, alluding to what he called decades of underinvestment that could potentially be reversed with the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

of a Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development-commissioned report showing that “anchor sports facilities” in urban areas maximize pedestrian and economic activity.

Bowser continues to highlight examples throughout her 10-year mayoralty to further support her assertion.

“We can look at a lot of our projects around the city and see that they had anchors, just like St. Elizabeths,” Bowser said on Monday. “There was literally nothing happening at St. Elizabeth's until we made the investment in the entertainment and sports arena, and now we have housing, we have jobs, we'll open a hospital.”

In continuing her point, Bowser went to Southwest.

“Same is true at the Wharf, where there's a lot of housing, but there are drivers, there are hotels, there's The Anthem, there's activity,” she said. “I think that we can

since President Donald J. Trump entered office earlier this year. Both documents, more than likely, reflect the reality of a projected FY26 revenue deficit of $300,000 caused by the hemorrhaging of federal government jobs.

On Monday, at The Strand, Charles Boston, an arborist and proponent of increasing workforce development opportunities for youth, questioned the degree to which the D.C. government will ensure that D.C. residents get to participate in the construction on RFK campus.

“We know that joblessness is high in the District of Columbia,” Boston told The Informer. “ It's definitely higher than it's ever been before post-pandemic with the learning loss and so forth. And even with the economy, some of the jobs that never return. And so this will be a great opportunity to provide construction career pathways to dislocated workers, youth that are not prepared for college.”

Felder doubled down on that sentiment while speaking with The Informer.

“I'm a firm believer that if we get the anchor that will jumpstart some of our longstanding projects and then also bring the neighborhood-serving amenities that many neighbors want,” he said.

“An anchor will help contribute to that. It's not the only thing, but I think that it will deal with the necessary resolve.”

ONE RESIDENT SEEKS BOWSER ADMINISTRATION’S ATTENTION ON OTHER ISSUES

Bowser is scheduled to submit her Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal to the council within a matter of weeks. She recently hinted at a workforce development plan to support federal government employees who’ve lost their jobs

At the end of March, Boston has activities scheduled for aspiring arborists at University of District of Columbia and Langston Golf Course on Benning Road in Northeast. He described the events as part of his effort to expose more young people to trades that align with the District’s economic future while promoting environmental sustainability.

“Most of our parks are in very bad shape so [it’s about] having 50, 60, 70 acres of a nice forest plan,” Boston said. “The temperature is projected to be extremely hot by 2050, so let's plan for that by planting trees.”

Speaking of sustainability, Boston expressed skepticism about the Washington Commanders’ return attracting economic development of benefit to Ward 7 residents facing housing insecurity and joblessness.

“We don't have a lot of businesses in Ward 7 that are owned and operated by District residents,” Boston told The Informer. “From an economic standpoint, affordability is really important because even with some of the housing development we have now, most residents don't earn an income to afford to rent [or pay ] mortgages.” WI

@SamPKCollins

5Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder says that the final outcome for RFK campus must spur the type of economic activity that brings vibrancy to the community and ultimately finances the amenities that improve residents’ quality of life. (WI File Photo/ Ja’Mon Jackson)

COOPER from Page 30

change, drive innovation and enhance profitability. Michael Posner, director of the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, asserts, "The objective of DEI is not to set quotas or hire unqualified individuals, but to create opportunities and remove historic barriers to entry." Companies, universities and government entities function more effectively

MORIAL from Page 30

portunities for children — especially Black girls — was rooted in her own challenges. When she had the opportunity to produce her own records — one of the first Black women ever to do so — she used the pseudonym "Rubina Flake" — a glamorous "concert artiste" alter ego she'd dreamed up during her childhood.

"Rubina helped Roberta endure the indignities faced by gifted black children in the South, as when she'd

MARSHALL from Page 30

with the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act were implemented for specific reasons. We live in a society that will always be based on race and class; therefore, there is always the need for federal oversight in protecting the rights and safety of people of color. Remove the protection and then hate and discrimination flourish.

The controversy surrounding the 1876 presidential election led to the Compromise of 1877. To secure the presidency, Rutherford B. Hayes agreed to withdraw federal troops from the South, which were stationed there to protect African American voting rights. Federal troops were a means of protection and a system of checks and balances. The troop removal led to the end of Reconstruction, allowed the return of white Southern political power, and led to the decline of African American political power and the unfortunate rise of Jim Crow laws. The pushback eventually came in the form of federal laws such as the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as means of racial protection. Now, counter-pushback is occurring, and those two critical laws are being attacked. In 2013, the Supreme Court gutted Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.

when they reflect the diversity of the populations they serve.

DEI was introduced in corporate America precisely because marginalized communities lacked equal opportunities and a sense of belonging. DEI remains essential for creating safe, inclusive and productive workplaces today. From business and finance to healthcare and housing, inclusive policies foster an environment of fairness and respect, benefiting individuals and

sing 'Carry Me Back To Old Virginny' for contest judges in hotels where she wasn't allowed to stay the night," NPR music critic Ann Flake wrote.

Even against those odds, she earned a full music scholarship to Howard University when she was just 15, graduating at 19. She later founded the Roberta Flack School of Music, to give students in the Bronx, New York, the opportunity to receive free music lessons.

She was a pioneer of the blend of jazz, blues, soul, and pop music that

In a 5-4 vote, the court struck down the heart of the Voting Rights Act, which required specific states and localities with a history of discrimination against minority voters to get changes in voting laws to be cleared by the federal government before they went into effect. The removal of Section 5 emboldened lawmakers in Southern states, previously covered by law, to enact new voter ID laws, polling place closures, and other voter suppression restrictions. Fast forward to 2025, and the latest wave of executive orders is removing protections for people of color under the Civil Rights Act.

By requiring the government and the private sector to eliminate DEI safeguards, the door is wide open to a new wave of discrimination. The Trump administration is systematically bringing us back to a rigidly controlled society in which it is legal to do anything to hold back Blacks and to keep them in line. What type of future is in line for Black and brown teens and young adults living in 2025 who are unfamiliar with the segregation of 1950s Mississippi? Are they prepared to live in a society where talented Blacks are constantly told "Blacks Need Not Apply," and it is supported by the federal government?

The Black Engineer of the Year

institutions alike. As a nation built on the ideals of liberty and justice for all, the U.S. must continue investing in intentional DEI practices. These efforts strengthen workplace culture, drive business performance and create lasting social impact. Committing to diversity and inclusion is not just a moral imperative but an economic and societal necessity.

WI

became known as "Quiet Storm," but she continued to defy categorization until ALS, sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease, cruelly robbed her of her voice in the last few years.

Her artistic, activist, and philanthropic legacy is endless, but best summed up by her advice in "Green Piano” –“Find your ow 'green piano' and practice relentlessly until you find your voice, and a way to put that beautiful music into the world."

WI

Awards, or BEYA, is an annual conference with a long-running partnership with the Army Recruiting Command. The Baltimore event has historically been a critical venue for the military to recruit highly qualified Black engineers and scientists. As a result of President Trump's fight against diversity, equity and inclusion, the Army and other military service branches are no longer seeking recruits from the conference.

The rejection of highly qualified applicants of color falls in line with the president's plan to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion not only in the military, but throughout all sections of the public and private sectors. In doing so, he is taking the nation back to a 1950s version of segregated Mississippi. It was a period of racial hatred where it was permissible to do anything to hold Blacks back and keep them in line.

I hope that young people of color do not get caught up in the battle of emotions when personally hit by heightened hate and discrimination. Staying focused on this administration's real threat to their long-term professional futures and how to push back effectively is necessary. Young men and women of color are now faced with a growing obstacle that didn't exist a year ago. WI

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You will discover Arts and Entertainment, Social Tidbits, Religion, Sports, People’s Viewpoints, Letters to the Editor, Classified Ads and more! And best of all… No crime, no dirty gossip, just positive news and information each week, which is why…

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WILLIAMS from Page 31

don't deserve what is happening. What are the wealthy doing who became wealthy at the expense of poor people who worked for them to make them wealthy? Now they barely have enough to provide for their own families. How do wealthy people who never paid their workers fairly feel? What are they doing to help those workers?

workforce system. The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and the National Skills Coalition are committed to eradicating these gaps and have researched to explore solutions using sector partnership programs. The Joint Center conducted a six-state legislative analysis of sector partnership programs and found that most states did not require programs to collect data on outcomes like retention and completion according to participants' race. Without these data, it's hard to know which programs serve Black workers and trainees equitably and which need improvement. The National Skills Coalition's recent brief centered the voices of practitioners, policymakers, businesses, and workers who called for Congress and governors to invest in the governance, con-

JEALOUS from Page 31

tion and waterfall along California's Pacific Crest Trail.

And the layoffs hit other popular sites like Grand Canyon National Park, which prompted the Association of National Park Rangers to warn of slower rescue efforts, as well as reduced programs and more litter. Following layoffs that gutted the team managing rentals within Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, visitors received notice their reservations had been indefinitely canceled.

The list of examples goes on. And again, this is not what the American people voted for. Three-quarters of Americans see the National Park Service in a positive light and 88% of Americans (including 85% of Republicans) want National Park wildlife better protected.

The financial wrongheadedness of the Trump-Musk slash-and-burn project also jumps out. Their supposed efforts to save taxpayers money by laying off thousands of hardworking civil servants and cutting food aid, science, education, medical re-

Those of us who also have little, but share what we have with those who have nothing, must continue to stand up and fight for what's right even when nobody else does. Let's continue the BUYCOTT — meaning do business only with those who respect our human rights by standing up for the rights of all. No matter how much we like brands where the companies making them ignore their respon-

vening, and measuring of sector partnerships through the creation of a 21st Century Sector Partnership Grant Program that develops a national network of high performing industry sector partnerships and implements career pathways which improve workforce equity and job quality. It will take all of us to move equity-centered sector partnerships forward. Policymakers should be informed and educated to invest in high-quality programs through dedicated funding for ISPs, understand the need to enhance supportive services and employer benefits, and create explicit partnerships with Black-led and worker-led organizations. Business leaders should commit to recruiting, hiring, and retaining diverse talent and be committed partners through convening, designing, and implementing sector activities. Community

search and more are going to end up costing Americans more out of their own pockets. In some cases, the programs and agencies being gutted will cost taxpayers far more in economic growth and direct government revenue than the amount of the "cuts."

For 2025 and the past few years, the National Park Service budget hovers at just over $3 billion per year. In 2023 alone, that budget (a relatively high $3.75 billion that year) supported 415,000 jobs and $55.6 billion in economic output. To put it another way, for every $1 invested, American taxpayers see a nearly $15 boost to our national economy.

This is part and parcel with the sloppiness — and also dishonesty — with which DOGE is operating.

The total personnel costs for the federal civilian workforce are only 4.4% of our federal budget. Foreign aid — which has been at the top of the headlines since Trump and Musk decided to decimate USAID — has only ranged between 0.7% and 1.4% of the budget since 2001.

As they gut key agencies and the federal workforce, what are some examples of where this administration

sibility for giving back a part of their profits or hiring our people — drop them! You don't have to take disrespect and still support the evildoers.

My dear Mother taught her children that "God don't like ugly." It's ugly to always be the taker — and never the giver. Now that you know, as Joe Madison always asked, "What are you going to do about it?" WI

advocates can elevate worker and student voices in the community and be partners in program design.

The potential reauthorization of WIOA should include new sector partnership requirements that increase access, engagement, and funding. Increased access to training is crucial in creating career pathways in emerging industries. Employer engagement can align Black workers with training and available regional jobs. Sector partnership dedicated funding can create robust labor market research, employer outreach, industry-specific career pathways, supportive services, and technical assistance. The opportunity to bridge the racial workforce gap through industry sector partnerships must be embraced in the coming year to advance Black workers' economic mobility and enhanced job quality.

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is focusing our tax dollars? Well, there is the $200 million international ad campaign by the Homeland Security Department, personally requested by Trump, "thanking" the president for his immigration and border policies. And, of course, there are the massive tax cuts for America's very wealthiest that are really the crown jewel of the Trump-Musk agenda.

The great John Lewis, who would have turned 85 this past Friday, wrote "When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself."

That act of democracy must not happen only in election years. It is up to all of us to hold power accountable, keep sounding the alarm, and keep speaking out for justice for all. Because, as Rep. Lewis also reminded us, "A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few."

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Step into a night of global flavors, vibrant performances, and cultural celebration at the iconic Pink Tie Party, as the DC community gathers at historic Union Station Washington D.C. to kick off spring.

Experience the vibrant energy of global Carnival traditions blended with D.C.’s own National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Show off your unique style and flair in pink and floral attire with a Carnival twist

Bid to win exclusive dining packages, unique apparel, and more in the benefit auction.

Enjoy incredible culinary delights, cocktails, and more from DC’s best area restaurants

801 Chophouse - Tysons Corner

Bar Japonais

Carmine’s DC

China Chilcano by José Andrés

Cordelia Fishbar

Dirty Habit DC

Estuary

Hiatus Cheesecake

Wren Tysons Featuring

Jaleo by Jose Andres KYOJIN DC

Pisco y Nazca

Raising Cane’s

Stellina Pizzeria

Trini Vybez Restaurant and Bar

Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood & Crab