The Washington Informer - March 7, 2019

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VOL. 54, NO. 21 • MARCH 7 - 13, 2019

Clocks ‘Spring Forward’ Saturday, Midnight – Daylight Savings Time

African American Heritage Tour Page 26

UNCF Chief Touts HBCUs in Landmark Speech

It’s Official: Ferebee Becomes Chancellor By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins

By James Wright WI Contributing Writer The leader of one of the nation’s premier organizations designed to support and advocate on behalf of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) said that those institutions are thriving despite dealing with daunting challenges and Congress should aid them in their mission. Michael Lomax, president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), delivered the first annual State of the HBCU address on Tuesday, March 5 at

UNCF Page 50

5 The Washington Informer African American Heritage Tour on the campus of Georgetown University at Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart which was built in 1893. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

Congressman: Trump Drama Shrouds $23B Schools Disparity By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia The controversial blackface and sexual assault scandals that have rocked the Virginia leadership and the drama that regularly surrounds President Donald Trump simply act as distractions, said Rep. Bobby Scott. Those distractions lead the media and others to take their eyes off what’s vital to everyday life, particularly for African Americans, said Scott, chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor.

The Virginia Democrat highlighted two important bills he recently spearheaded that’s received little or no attention. His committee voted this week in favor of the Rebuild America’s School Act that would provide about $100 billion for school infrastructure and Scott and his colleagues also advanced the Paycheck Fairness Act which toughens penalties that businesses face for gender-pay disparities. “The first thing we have to do is focus on the issues,” Scott said. “We can’t spend all of our time

5 D.C. Council approves Lewis Ferebee as DC Public Schools Chancellor (WI File

SCHOOL Page 54 Photo/Shevry Lassiter)

A little over a year after Antwan Wilson resigned as D.C. Public Schools chancellor, the city council unanimously approved Mayor Muriel Bowser’s selection of former Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Lewis Ferebee to lead a D.C. system mired in more than a decade of controversy. Tuesday morning’s vote culminated a monthslong process that tested Ferebee’s ability to convince elected officials, teachers, parents, students and community members of his qualifications and dedication to implementing new ideas and closing an ever-persistent achievement gap. Despite initial reservations, Ferebee had a believer in Ward 8 Council member Trayon White (D) who called for all hands on deck as Ferebee, no longer acting chancellor at this point, embarks on the new leg of his professional journey. “In my conversations with Ferebee, he gave me assurances about career and technical education programs,” White told his council colleagues. “He talked about his trip to Ballou Senior High School and getting feedback from students.” Last month, White and Atlarge D.C. Council member

CONFIRMATION Page 60

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