Just one year after the expiration of its retroactive contract, the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) and District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) finalized a tentative contract that dictates the next four years of their working relationship.
This milestone marks what's been one of the shortest, but more tumultuous, contract negotiations between the two entities in more than a decade.
“I hope this shows that we’re able to
EDUCATION Page 42
5The Washington Teachers’ Union, led by Jacqueline Pogue-Lyons, and District of Columbia Public Schools have finalized a tentative contract that dictates the next four years of their working relationship. (WI FIle
Jackson)
5 The D.C. Council unanimously passed the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Emergency Amendment Act on Oct. 1. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)
The Pervasive Fears of Black Parenthood In Urban Communities
District Parents Face Unique Stressors, Concerns for their Children
By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Health Reporter
Today’s social climate has presented children with a host of obstacles and challenges, many of which make a parent’s job all the more anxiety-ridden. The quality of an environment can greatly impact the course of a child’s life, and for Black parents across the District of Columbia, city life bears its own burdens of stress and concern
Amid Affordable
Housing Crisis, D.C. Council Okays Evictions, with Conditions
Advocates, Councilmember Question Bowser’s Assertion about Tenants
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
In the hours leading up to the D.C. Council’s approved emergency legislation that narrows emergency rental assistance and eases evictions, Molly Catchen continued to implore council members to understand that tenants are, in fact, applying for emergency rental assistance in good faith.
Despite D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s assertion that delinquent tenants are deliberately using the emergency rental assistance application process to delay evictions, Catchen told The Informer that it’s the landlords who are slowing up the process.
“We see situations regularly where tenants apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program [ERAP] and landlords don’t respond to requests for documentation and/or payment plans,” said Catchen, super-
HOUSING Page 52
Collins Council Report: Medical Marijuana, Circulator Bus Drivers, and 911 Response Oversight
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
The D.C. Council conducted its legislative meeting on Oct. 1, the beginning of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.
There was much to discuss, including changes to emergency rental assistance, medical marijuana, and Circulator bus employees. In the days leading up to the legislative meeting, D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) started her fall season oversight of a beleaguered D.C. Office of Unified Communications.
In addition, the Council also unanimously passed the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Emergency Amendment Act, and more information on the vote and bill can be found in a separate article.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA MATTERS
On its final reading, the D.C. Council unanimously approved the Medical Cannabis Classification and Program Enforcement Amendment Act, legislation that D.C.
Jazz Keyboardist Matthew Whitaker Page 34
5A parent walks with her two children to school in Prince George’s County Maryland. (WI File Photo/Anthony Tilghman)
Photo/Ja’Mon
wi hot topics
BY STACY M. BROWN, WI SENIOR WRITER; BRENDA C. SILER, WI CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Georgetown Great and NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo Dies of Brain Cancer at 57
Dikembe Mutombo, the towering 7-foot-2 center who starred at Georgetown University before becoming one of the NBA’s greatest shot blockers, died of brain cancer, the league announced on Monday. He was 57.
Mutombo first made his mark at Georgetown, where his shot-blocking abilities and imposing presence on the court quickly earned him national recognition. Legendary coach John Thompson, who also helped the Hoyas' defense become one of the best in the game, recruited Mutombo and fellow star Alonzo Mourning. During his time with the Hoyas, he was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year twice and famously blocked 12 shots in a single game, prompting Georgetown fans to create the "Rejection Row" cheering section.
After graduating with degrees in linguistics and diplo-
In Memoriam
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REPORTERS
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macy in 1991, Mutombo entered the NBA, where his defensive dominance became the hallmark of his nearly two-decade career. Over stints with six teams—including Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and Houston—Mutombo swatted 3,289 shots, the second most in NBA history. His signature finger wag warned opponents not to challenge him at the rim after each block. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year four times, cementing his reputation as one of the league's most feared defenders. Yet, for younger fans, Mutombo’s legacy extended beyond his playing days through his appearance in Geico commercials, where his signature blocks and finger wags were humorously showcased.
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John Amos, Beloved ‘Good Times’ Star and Emmy-Nominated Actor, Dies at 84
John Amos, the Emmy-nominated actor and pioneering television star who brought to life some of the most beloved characters in entertainment history, died at 84. His son, K.C. Amos, confirmed in a statement that the actor passed away more than a month ago, on Aug. 21, in Los Angeles of natural causes.
The younger Amos didn’t say why he kept his father’s death under wraps for more than a month.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,”the son said. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”
Amos’ acting career spanned over five decades, with his most iconic role being that of James Evans Sr., the no-nonsense, hard-working father on the
New York City Mayor Eric
groundbreaking CBS sitcom “Good Times” (1974–1979). The show, which was the first sitcom to center on an African American family, became a cultural touchstone, and Amos’ portrayal of the hardworking father made him a symbol of strength and dignity for countless viewers.
Born John Allen Amos Jr. on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, Amos began his professional life with dreams of playing football. He played the sport at Colorado State University and had brief stints with teams like the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. But after a series of injuries and cutbacks, Amos transitioned to entertainment, beginning his career as a writer and performer.
Amos got his first major acting break as Gordy Howard, the good-natured weatherman on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” appearing on the iconic series from 1970 to 1973. WI
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
Adams Criminally Indicted
Indictment Outlines Alleged Illegal Actions Stretching Back to 2014
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been criminally indicted, becoming the first sitting mayor in the city’s history to face such charges. Adams has been indicted on five federal charges related to bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, according to a 57-page indictment unsealed Thursday, Sept. 26. The indictment outlines alleged illegal actions stretching back to 2014, from when he was Brooklyn Borough president.
“For nearly a decade, Adams sought and accepted improper valuable benefits, such as luxury international travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him,” the indictment reads.
Adams allegedly sought and accepted illegal “nominee” or “straw” contributions. By “smuggling their contributions” to Adams’ campaign through the straw donors and actors from overseas, Adams “defeated federal laws that serve to prevent foreign influence on U.S. elections,” according to the indictment.
In 2018, when Adams had announced his plans to run for New York City mayor, he allegedly accepted and sought illegal campaign contributions to his upcoming mayoral campaign, the indictment says.
Businesses also circumvented the city’s ban on corporate
Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark
5Eric Adams (Courtesy Photo/NYC. gov)
AROUND THE REGION
U. S. Mint Memorializes Harriet Tubman in Coins
By James Wright WI Staff Writer
The United States Mint is honoring the contributions of 19th century abolitionist and feminist activist Harriet Tubman with a commemorative coin program in her name.
“Harriet Tubman was a trailblazer and a pioneer,” said Ventris C. Gibson, the first Black female director of the U.S. Mint to the Informer. “She led people to freedom 13 times and never lost anyone.”
Gibson’s reference to Tubman comes as September was noted as International Underground Railroad Month, honoring the series of homes, churches and public places that served to shelter Black people seeking freedom from slavery throughout the U.S. in the 19th century. The Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program is designed to honor Tubman for her bravery, sacrifice and leadership during slavery, the Civil War and afterwards fighting for people’s rights.
The U.S. Mint’s program is not to be confused with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s effort on having Tubman’s likeness on the $20 dollar bill, starting in 2030. Tubman will replace former U.S. President Andrew Jackson’s portrait on the bill and will be the first Black and first woman honored in that manner.
TUBMAN’S STORY
Tubman was born a slave as Araminta “Minty” Ross on a Dorchester County, Maryland plantation, around 1822.
Tubman freed herself from slavery in 1849 with the help of the Underground Railroad Network.
Though she found freedom in Pennsylvania, she braved the perilous journey repeatedly, returning to Maryland 13 times over the next decade to personally guide about 70 people from slavery to freedom.
She provided instructions to approximately 70 additional people
ADAMS from Page 4 contributions “by funneling their donations through multiple employees,” according to the indictment.
The charges mark a pivotal moment in Adams’ tumultuous tenure, which high-level resignations and a series of federal investigations have plagued.
who found their way to freedom on their own. Despite laws that put her life at risk and made the journey increasingly dangerous and long, Tubman stated at a women’s suffrage convention in 1896 that she “never lost a passenger” as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.
In 1862, Tubman joined the Union Army as a nurse. She served in multiple roles, including as an Army scout and spy.
Tubman proved an exceptional leader, recruiting newly freed men into regiments of Black soldiers. She became the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the Civil War, the Combahee River Raid.
The raid resulted in the freedom of more than 700 enslaved people in South Carolina.
After the Civil War, Harriet Tubman spent the remaining 54 years of her life living in Auburn, New York. There, she continued to work to provide the means necessary to care for newly freed enslaved people, including the young and elderly.
She gave speeches in support of women’s suffrage, civil rights, and access to health care – not only for African Americans but for all people. Tubman was also active in the AME Zion Church.
She died on March 10, 1913, in Auburn.
DETAILS OF THE COIN PROGRAM
The coin program celebrates the bicentennial of Tubman’s birth through the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act, enacted by the U.S. Congress directing the U.S. Mint to issue coins as part of the program.
The Tubman Coin Program is limited edition and ceases operation on Dec. 31. Gibson said the set can be purchased individually or as a set.
In a video statement posted online, Adams fiercely denied the allegations, calling the charges “entirely false” and “based on lies.”
He asserted that federal authorities had targeted him because of his commitment to standing up for New Yorkers. Adams vowed to fight the charges in court. He made it clear he had no plans to resign. WI
There are three specific Tubman coins. There is the Silver Dollar Coin that portrays Tubman as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. The Half-Dollar Coin reflects Tubman’s service during the Civil War, featuring her with a spyglass, symbolizing her work with the Union Army.
The $5 Gold Coin depicts Tubman in her later years as a proud activist.
Surcharges from the sale of each coin support two Tubman-related nonprofits, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio and the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn.
Gibson said presently, about $1 million has been raised from the coins.
OTHER AFRICAN AMERICANS ON U.S. CURRENCY
Tubman joins other noted African Americans on U.S. currency. The late
author-poetess Maya Angelou’s likeness was placed on an edition of quarters in recent years, becoming the first Black woman to be featured in such a manner, according to a February 18, 2022 article written in Rutgers magazine by Magaret McHugh.
“This is a big deal!” said Ruth Anne Robbins, distinguished clinical pro-
fessor of law at Rutgers Law School in Camden, New Jersey. “The design of money is deliberately tied to marking parts of history. We have to have diversity to show it from all dimensions.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
The Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program contains $5 currency.
(Courtesy Photo/U.S. Mint)
AROUND THE REGION
black facts
OCT. 3
1904 – Mary McLeod Bethune opens the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls, which eventually became Bethune-Cookman University.
1941 – Singer Chubby Checker of "The Twist" fame is born in Spring Gully, South Carolina.
1949 – WERD, the first radio station owned and programmed by African Americans, is established in Atlanta.
1954 – The Rev. Al Sharpton is born in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
1974 – Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson is named manager of the Cleveland Indians, becoming the major leagues' first Black manager.
OCT. 4
1943 – Social activist H. Rap Brown is born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
OCT. 5
1992 – Soul singer Eddie Kendricks, one of the founding members of the Temptations, dies of lung cancer in Birmingham, Alabama.
OCT. 6
1917 – Fannie Lou Hamer, voting rights activist and civil rights leader, is born in Montgomery County, Mississippi.
1921 – Joseph Lowery, civil rights leader and longtime president of the Southern Christian Leadership
0CT. 3 - 9, 2024
SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB
Conference, is born in Huntsville, Alabama.
1971 – The first legal interracial marriage in North Carolina, between John A. Wilkinson and Lorraine Mary Turner, takes place.
OCT. 7
1897 – Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad is born in Sandersville, Georgia.
1931 – Desmond Tutu, anti-apartheid activist and retired Anglican bishop, is born in Klerksdorp, South Africa.
1934 – Amiri Baraka, renowned African American writer, is born in Newark, New Jersey.
1993 – Famed author Toni Morrison wins the Nobel Prize in literature.
OCT. 8
1893 – Early 20th century jazz musician and composer Clarence Williams is born in Plaquemine, Louisiana.
1941 – The Rev. Jesse Jackson, famed civil rights leader, is born in Greenville, South Carolina.
1992 – Sir Derek Walcott, Saint Lucian poet and playwright, wins the Nobel Prize in literature.
2004 – Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmental and political activist, becomes the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
OCT. 9
1806 – Benjamin Banneker famed African American astronomer, scientist, almanac author and surveyor, dies in Baltimore County, Maryland, at age 74. 1962 – African nation Uganda gains its independence from the United Kingdom. WI
AROUND THE REGION
view
P INT
BY SARAFINA WRIGHT
VELDA M. / DETROIT, MICH.
RALPH TAYLOR / DALLAS, TEXAS
Use common sense. If it can happen to others, it can happen to you.
Live within your means and cook at home.
D. RIEUX / WASHINGTON, D.C.
Getting eight to ten hours of sleep every night for just one year straight will put you eight to ten years ahead of everyone else. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. What is a “cheat code” in life that you think more people should know?
DAROHN MCDOWELL / BALTIMORE, MD.
Develop relationships with people from other countries.
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Knowing when to speak.
a
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AROUND THE REGION
World War II Medic Finally Receives Honors for D-Day Heroism
By WI Contributing Writer Brenda C. Siler
A packed room inside the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill saw a lack of action turn into a long overdue right. Staff Sergeant Waverly B. Woodson, Jr., who died in 2005, was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for saving more than 200 casualties while suffering from his injuries during the Allied Invasion of Normandy during World War II.
Present for the ceremony were the Staff Sergeant’s widow, Joann Woodson, his son Stephen Woodson, and his granddaughter Michele Williams, whose mother (Waverly and Joann Woodson’s daughter) Elaine Hood, was out of the country. Dozens of relatives of the late Staff Sergeant’s family were also at the event.
The honoree, Woodson, was a 20-year-old First Army medic during the WWII battles as a member of the all-African American 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion. This unit was responsible for hoisting balloons resembling giant blimps in Normandy above the invasion of Omaha and Utah Beaches. The term “First Army” refers to the oldest and longest-standing field army.
THE TREK TO MAKING THINGS RIGHT
For nine years, a campaign has been underway advocating for Woodson to receive appropriate military recog-
nition with the Distinguished Service Cross.
The research was done, and the paperwork was submitted. The proof came from senior First Army officers, author Linda Hervieux for her book about the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, “Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-Day's Black Heroes,” published in 2019, as well as from the office of Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
The documentation concluded that Woodson’s race was probably the reason why America failed to acknowledge his unselfish, brave act of saving the lives of fellow soldiers.
“His power and valor burned through the fog of the war,” Van Hollen said about Woodson. “All the way back to Washington, D.C., aids to President Franklin Roosevelt heard his name. It was recommended that he receive the Medal of Honor.”
IMPACT OF WOODSON’S HEROISM ON TODAY’S SOLDIERS
Staff Sgt. Aaron Williams, currently serving, received a special acknowledgment for his role this year in the 80th-anniversary observance of WWII battles on June 7, 2024,
on Omaha Beach. He was chosen to put the Distinguished Service Cross in the sands to commemorate Woodson’s service.
Williams is the same rank as Woodson. He was unfamiliar with the WWII hero’s bravery until that 80th-anniversary observance in France.
On behalf of the family, Stephen Woodson presented Williams with the U.S. Army insignia from Woodson’s uniform, which can still be worn on uniforms today. The proud son also presented Williams with his father’s sergeant stripes. Gifting rank-inuniform medals from one generation to the next is an old-age military tradition.
Williams, holding back tears, went back to his seat. He kept staring at the framed mementos as members of Woodson’s family patted his arm over his surprise honor.
“Being in for 17 years, there have been times when I questioned the meaning of my service,” said Williams, who is based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. “Getting something as prestigious as this makes it all worthwhile.”
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Read more on washingtoninformer.com. @bcscomm
5Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) presents the Distinguished Service Cross to Joann Woodson, widow of Staff Sgt. Waverly Woodson, and their son Stephen Woodson. Staff Sgt. Woodson is credited with saving more than 200 lives during the invasion of Omaha Beach on D-Day.
(Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
Staying True to Who She Is: A Conversation with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing
More than 1,000 people in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) waited with patient excitement to hear U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson share her life as captured in her autobiography “Lovely One: A Memoir,” on Sept. 24.
The program began with Jackson at the podium, reading a passage from her book that recalled the day she was sworn in as the 116th justice and the first Black woman to sit on the bench of the highest court in the land. Her writing style and speaking tone makes audiences feel like they were really in that moment with her. Through the words, people can feel Jackson’s anxiousness and the pride that her family felt.
At NMAAHC, it was a beautiful way to begin the conversation with Elizabeth Alexander, Ph.D., president of the Andrew Mellon Foundation. Alexander is a noted poet, scholar, and cultural advocate, a perfect match for the evening.
Jackson acknowledged those who had the greatest influence in her life on her path to the Supreme Court.
“There were so many people starting with my parents, my grandparents, my brother, mentors, and friends, who helped prepare me for this job,” Jackson said.
Throughout the conversation, Jackson frequently shared what she learned from her parents, and in particular her grandmother. She was born in D.C. in 1970 and her parents were teachers in District of Columbia Public Schools.
Her father wanted to go to law school and he was accepted at the University of Miami, so the family moved back to Miami, her parent’s home town, when Jackson was 3 years old. They lived in on-campus housing, which was an advantage to a curious child like Jackson.
“My earliest memories are of being on a college campus and watching my dad study law. That's where I first came to the notion of law,” Jackson said acknowledging her childhood vi-
5Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson speaks as Vice President Kamala Harris stands by, after President Joe Biden's nomination of her to serve as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, at The White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 25, 2022. (WI File Photo/Cheriss May)
sion of being on the Supreme Court.
A nod to a career in law kept coming. In junior high school, Jackson stumbled upon a magazine article she said was in either Ebony or Jet about Constance Baker Motley, the first Black woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court, and as of 1966, the first to serve as a federal judge.
She was a voracious reader and even recited poetry as a child at her mother’s urging.
She recalled an instance where a note was left on a sink at the house indicating that it was not working. The short note was filled with misspellings. Jackson thought the note was funny and showed it to her grandmother, thinking she would also find the misspellings funny.
“I thought we were raising you better than this. You don't laugh at somebody just because they can't spell as good as you,” said Jackson’s grandmother.
That was a lesson in understanding circumstances before being judgemental.
It’s a lesson that Jackson may have reflected on in reviewing the recent ongoing case of Marcellus Williams that came before the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices issued an unsigned order denying Williams’s request for a stay of execution.
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Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
AROUND THE REGION
CAPTURE THE MOMENT
Hundreds of families and organizations gathered on the National Mall in downtown D.C. over the weekend for the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The annual event helps raise awareness and funds towards research, care and a cure for Alzheimeir’s disease. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)
“Never abandon
vision.
– Benjamin Banneker
Marilyn Gates-Davis with Michelle May-Curry and Aaron Myers, executive director of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, reading The Washington Informer at DC Art Now 2024. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)
D.C. Celebrates Artistic Excellence at Mayor’s Arts Awards
By: Demarco Rush WI Contributing Writer
The 39th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards, presented by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Sept. 30 at the historic Lincoln Theater, highlighted and celebrated the District’s creative community.
The District’s highest recognition of excellence in the arts, the Mayor’s Arts Awards honors artists, arts educators, nonprofit organizations, creative industries and patrons of the arts across all eight wards. The 2024 theme, “Homecoming: Celebrating DC’s Creative Spirit,” reflected the resilience, innovation and fearless creativity that defines the District’s rich artistic heritage.
Mayor Bowser highlighted the importance of the work being done in the District’s artistic community.
“Our creative community brings us so much joy and helps us tell the story of the real D.C., and the Mayor’s Arts Awards are an opportunity for us to show our appreciation as a community,” Bowser said.
The event was hosted by Sunni and The City and Raheem DeVaughn, while Director of Content for WHUT TV Angie Ang announced speakers and performers as they took the stage. The event was live streamed by the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment.
Grammy-nominated artist Davaughn, expressed his gratitude for the nominees.
“Our gathering here is a real homecoming. The [nominees] make our city a better place to live.”
Khalil “Wavy” White, whose GoGo Band, Sounds of the Youth (S.O.Y), received a nomination in the Go-Go category, was honored to simply receive recognition.
“I was stunned for words, you don't think you’re ever going to make it to something like this… I’m just grateful,” said White.
HAPPENINGS THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVE EVENING
The night kicked off with Eastern High School’s Marching Band delivering a strong, energetic performance. Then, the crowd stood on their feet as the go-go band Crank Caviar set the tone for a night dedicated to excellence in the arts.
The atmosphere was electric, with everyone in attendance packing seats, donned in their chic attire and sending good vibrations and high energy throughout the building.
Guest Ariel Casey was impressed by the fashionable ensembles fellow attendees sported for the festive night.
“I’m loving the attire people decided to wear, they are all dressed to impress,” said Casey, a first-time Mayor’s Arts Awards attendee.
Salih Williams, program director of the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program, was surprised when he was nominated for an award.
“I’m glad that I looked at my [email] because I don't always check my emails and I was just completely thrown by surprise,” said Williams, who ultimately won an award for Excellence in Media Arts.
“I'm still surprised,” Williams said, before also acknowledging the other honorees and creatives present. “I think this is a great thing of knowing what everyone else is doing that you don’t know about.”
Williams said he was happy that his work wasn’t going unnoticed.
“It’s good to know that people understand that you can come back to the community and pour in [to it] and develop and create a route. I’ve sent 49 kids to college, 32 of them on full rides,” he said.
Ronald Moten, who presented the award for Go-Go, emphasized the importance of the night’s festivities.
“We are thriving, we are preserving our history, preserving our culture and it's great to come here and recognize people doing that,” said Moten.
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5Crank Caviar performs during the Mayor’s Arts Awards on Sept. 30. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
5Sunni and The City and Raheem DeVaugh host the Mayor’s Arts Awards on Sept. 30. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
Prince George’s County Political Updates
By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter
KING OF JORDAN VISITS ANNAPOLIS, DISCUSSES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WITH GOV. MOORE, LOCAL LEADERS
A historic visit from a foreign dignitary was hosted at the Annapolis State House, as Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) played host to King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein of Jordan alongside a contingent of prominent Maryland business leaders and several Cabinet officials.
While full details aren’t currently available, as members of the press were escorted from the meeting a few minutes after it began, the governor’s office said in an official statement that the conversation focused on “trade, investment and partnership opportunities between
Maryland and Jordan.”
Moore has previously met other heads of state, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but this was his first opportunity to host a foreign leader. According to the Governor’s Office, this was the first time that the Statehouse hosted a foreign dignitary on official business.
With Jordan’s king, the governor touted Maryland's large and highskilled workforce and the state’s top rank in the proportion of graduates with science and engineering degrees as signs of Maryland’s economic strength.
“This is where you come together to talk about common goals, talk about common interests and talk about collaboration,” Moore said, opening the meeting.
“We have brought leaders from across the state to engage in this historic visit. We look to have a very vibrant discussion about our people and our economies and
our opportunities ahead.”
The king offered thoughts on the state’s efforts toward education and research, which University of Maryland, Baltimore County President Valerie Sheares Ashby was ecstatic to hear during the discussion. Both she and University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay Perman attended the roundtable discussion.
“As a president of a university, you’re always the person talking about the transformative power of education, but to have the king and the governor say it and start the conversation with that basis was inspiring to me,” she said after the meeting. “It was just a wonderful day. Wonderful for the state. Wonderful for our global visibility and a fantastic day for higher education.” WI
SEN. VAN HOLLEN, REP. IVEY INTRODUCE LEGISLATION
Senator Chris Van Hollen (DMd.) has introduced bills to fight corporate insider trading and improve care for Americans struggling with sickle cell disease.
The bill to combat corporate insider trading would prohibit stock sales during a four-day period leading up to the legal disclosure of bankruptcies, mergers, and oter major corporate events.
The legislation surrounding sickle cell, a disease that disproportionately impacts Black Amer-
icans, was personal for the Maryland senator.
“Having lost a beloved member of my staff to this disease, improving access to care and services is personal to me,” said Van Hollen.
His bill would establish an annual grant to expand sickle cell treatment from existing treatment facilities to community health and outpatient clinics.
“For the tens of thousands of Americans living with sickle cell disease, the difficulty of finding care is not just an inconvenience –it could be the difference between life and death. By giving existing sickle cell centers the capacity to share their resources beyond their walls, we can more easily expand treatment to the countless communities that don’t yet have it. Better care and support is out there for sickle cell patients – and our legislation will help bring it within closer reach,” Van Hollen explained.
He also introduced legislation to extend the protections of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program, which he first introduced and passed a decade ago.
“Since our creation of the ABLE program a decade ago, it has empowered tens of thousands of people with disabilities to bolster their financial stability and support critical needs. We’re fighting to make these key ABLE provisions permanent so those Americans and many more can count on this vital
program for years to come – giving them the tools to grow their savings and strengthen their economic independence.”
Congressman Glenn Ivey (DMd.), has also been busy in the House. He introduced a bill on Sept. 23 alongside Florida Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R) to protect children from private online solicitations by predators.
“We must protect children from pedophiles. As a former prosecutor, Congresswoman Laurel Lee understands, like I do, that criminal cases against on-line sexual predators must have solid legal predicates. This bill would assure that anywhere across the federal legal landscape that any notice or advertisement from adults to children for explicit acts or images is consistent and clear,” said Rep. Ivey. “When it comes to one-toone communications with minors from these purveyors of child pornography, this conduct harms kids.”
The Maryland congressman emphasized that the bill will help protect children and prevent pedophiles from targeting young people online.
“I fully support this legislation and commend Rep. Lee’s partnership on this matter and stand with her to protect our young people,” he said. “We must deter these predators from acting on their worst impulses, this bill helps us do that.”
WI
5 Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, several of his cabinet leaders, and a litany of Maryland business leaders discussed trade, investment, and partnerships with the King of Jordan. This was the first time the Statehouse hosted a foreign dignitary. (Courtesy Photo/Office of Governor Wes Moore)
5 Congressman Glenn Ivey co-introduced a bill to protect children from child predators online. (WI File Photo)
Prince George’s County Local Updates
By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter
CAPITOL RADIOLOGY SUES UMMS, ALLEGES UNFAIR BIDDING PROCESS
Black-owned radiology clinic Capitol Radiology is suing the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) and alleges that UMMS had an unfair bidding process that will allow RadNet, a Los Angeles-based company started in 1981, to provide imaging services just 50 yards from Capitol Radiology’s outpatient center in Laurel.
Dr. Doriann Thomas, who has operated in that location for nearly 20 years, believes this will have a negative impact on the business.
“UMMS knew that locating an outpatient radiology facility on the Laurel campus would have a substantially adverse effect on the Black- and female-owned Capitol Radiology,” attorneys wrote in a complaint filed on July 31 with the Prince George’s Circuit Court. “On information and belief, it excluded Capitol Radiology from bidding on the joint venture opportunity precisely because it was Black- and female-owned, and therefore likely to prevail under state bidding rules. Creating a competing outpatient radiology center on the Laurel campus, and excluding Capitol Radiology from the bidding process, violated the applicable anti-discrimination laws.”
Former Laurel Mayor Craig Moe sent a letter in April 2023 to UMMS President and CEO Nathaniel Richardson Jr., noting that UMMS had closed the Laurel Regional Hospital and would negatively impact a local Black-owned business by partnering with RadNet.
Thomas believes that she operates the only Black-owned radiology clinic in the County, and possibly on the entire East Coast.
However, Judge William A. Snoddy denied the request to halt the UMMS center from opening
on Aug. 9.
“Upon consideration of Capitol Radiology’s motion and the record in this matter, the court finds that plaintiff has failed to convince the court why it should order a party to do or refrain from doing certain acts before the final determination of this case under the four-factor test for interlocutory injunction,” wrote Circuit Court Judge Snoddy.
The University of Maryland issued a brief statement to Radiology Business following the filed complaint.
“While we cannot comment on pending litigation, the University of Maryland Capital Region Health is a mission-driven organization focused on providing high-quality, safe, and compassionate care to residents of Prince George’s County,” said a UMMS spokesman. “In general, expanding and enhancing access to care and increasing healthcare options for the community, giving individuals choice and flexibility, is part of our strategic approach and among our top priorities.”
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Read more on washingtoninformer.com
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
5 Capitol Radiology, a Black-owned radiology practice in Laurel, is suing UMMS Laurel for alleged unfair bidding practices that will open a new radiology center 150 feet away from their doors. Capitol Radiology has been practicing for nearly 20 years. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
BUSINESS
By James Wright / WI Staff Writer
LEE’S FLOWER AND CARD SHOP GETS
$10K GRANT
Lee’s Flower and Card Shop Inc., a Black woman-owned florist has been awarded $10,000 from Intuit QuickBooks on behalf of its Small Business Council.
The grant was bestowed on Good Morning America 3, where Nicole “Nic” Cober, founder of The BOW Collective, and Stacie Lee Banks, president and co-owner of the floral shop, were featured. Banks is a member of The BOW Collective, an organization and sisterhood of the nation's top one percent of small business owners.
The grant will be utilized for staffing and employment development.
Lee’s Flower and Card Shop Inc. was founded in 1945 by Banks’ grandparents, William and Winnifred Lee during the height of the Jim Crow era, and has thrived since, passing down to three generations. Today, Banks, alongside her sister and co-owner, Kristie Lee Jones, struggle to find skilled florists which limits time off for the co-owners.
“We are extremely grateful to receive this grant,” said Banks. “This gift will allow us to expand our resources and pour into our current and future employees with the benefits that they deserve.”
Intuit Inc. is a business software company known for products that include Intuit TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp.
briefs
“Small businesses are the superheroes of America,” Cober said. “99.9% of all jobs are created by small businesses. We need capital, clients and community. We want her business to go through the 5th and 6th generation.”
A staple of the U Street corridor since 1945, Lee’s Flower and Card Shop only uses the freshest flowers to create stunning floral arrangements in traditional and contemporary styles, with a highly skilled floral design team and a professional, caring staff to serve everyone. WI
U.S. BLACK CHAMBERS HONORS OWOLEWA
The District’s shadow U.S. Representative Oye Owolewa (D) has been named one of the 2024 US Black Chamber of Commerce Power 50 under 40 awards.
On Oct. 11 at The Mayflower hotel in Northwest starting at 6 p.m., Owolewa will be honored alongside actor Michael B. Jordan, basketball player Angel Reese, Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud and gymnast Simone Biles and others. The honor follows the launch of Owolewa’s successful Capital Business Seminar, where business owners from underrepresented communities learn about the grants, contracting and certification process.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Owolewa created these seminars to help level the economic playing field by helping business owners meet change agents and learn how to prepare for success. Serving a majority-minority population in the District, Owolewa supports the chambers’ efforts to increase economic opportunities for Black and Brown business owners.
“I’d like to thank the U.S. Black Chambers of Commerce for this honor,” he said. “I appreciate the Black Chamber’s commitment to support local businesses. I dedicate this honor to my mother, Mrs. Bolade Yakubu-Owolewa. It was through her example that led me to public service as well as inspiring my business workshops. I also want to thank the Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce for the continued partnership and guidance. As D.C.’s representative, I am grateful to be able to serve a city of great people and trailblazers. WI
WACIF GETS $3.6M GRANT
The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) received a $3.6 million grant from the Greater Washington Community Foundation Health Equity Fund to launch its Sustainable DC Project in partnership with Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development (CNHED).
The award marks Wacif’s largest grant to date. The three-year funding will enable Wacif to spearhead initiatives aimed at unleashing the power of the green economy for communities of color in the District.
Sustainable DC Project is an innovative and disruptive economic mobility strategy designed to help BIPOC and women-owned small businesses grow and build resilience by implementing sustainable practices.
“It’s not enough to invest in green
The District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency is seeking the services of a contractor to provide User Awareness Training. This procurement is set aside for Certified Business Enterprises only.
The RFP can be found at www.DCHFA.org/about/business-opportunities. Deadline for submission of proposals is October 17, 2024, by 2:00 p.m.
energy,” said Shannan Herbert, CEO of Wacif. “We need to ensure that small businesses – especially those owned by women and communities of color – are set up for success, by providing them the resources, the knowledge, and the opportunities they need to thrive.”
Through the Sustainable DC Project, Wacif and CNHED will advise small businesses on capacity building, support green certification and procurement, and provide access to capital including Wards 5, 7 and 8. The range of services includes: one-on-one and group advisory services, small business cohort learning, green certification and procurement support and helping small concerns have access to capital.
WI
CLEAN ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE
The Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC) announced the upcoming 2024 Annual Clean Energy and Transportation Conference, where the organization strives to promote sustainable solutions in energy and transportation.
The conference will include a virtual pre-conference on Oct. 15, and an in-person meeting on Oct. 16 at Martin’s Crosswind in Greenbelt, Maryland. This event features expert panels on alternative fuel corridors, sustainable aviation fuels, and emerging technologies for reducing emissions in heavy-duty vehicles.
Attendees will learn how alternative fuel passageways are becoming
essential for securing federal funding for transportation projects, along with the aviation industry's efforts to reduce carbon emissions using sustainable aviation fuels.
Key sessions at the in-person conference will address the electrification of school buses, legislative updates on clean energy policies, and strategies for fleet electrification. Additionally, the conference will honor outstanding achievements in the field and present awards to notable organizations and individuals.
For more information, please visit the GWRCCC website at gwrccc.org. WI
VIRGINIA’S SWAM CERTIFICATION
The Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a workshop for small, women-owned or minority-owned firms that are interested in doing business with the Commonwealth of Virginia on Oct. 8.
Small business owners looking to participate in Virginia’s specialized procurement and contracting opportunities are encouraged to become SWaM certified.
The SWaM certification is a vehicle to promote the economic growth of Virginia’s businesses. Becoming SWaM certified is just the first step in doing business with the Commonwealth.
The workshop will be presented by Angela Barber, SWaM’s business services manager for Hampton Roads/ Eastern Shore Region.
For more information, call 540-2160021. WI
5Oye Owolewa is the District’s shadow representative to the U.S. Congress. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)
D.C. Leaders Upbeat on Business Environment
By James Wright WI Staff Writer
The District’s business sector is moving forward from the adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic and there are plans for economic expansion, particularly in the downtown area, city leaders in the public and private sector said on Sept. 27 at Howard University in Northwest.
“There are benefits of having a long tenure,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser at the the 2024 State of the District & Region program sponsored by the D.C. Chamber of Commerce. Bowser has served as mayor since 2015.
“You get to see things through,” Bowser, 52, said. “Before I was elected mayor, I represented Ward 4 on the [D.C.] Council. I have been in the executive and legislative branches in the government, and I have served with three presidents. I have led the District in good times and in some of its most challenging times. I am proud of the way city residents, government and businesses responded to COVID.”
Bowser was the focus of the Fireside Chat portion of the event with Pepco Region President Valencia McClure. In addition, there were other panels focusing on the city’s education policy and developments as well as its challenges and opportunities in health.
THE DISTRICT’S BUSINESS STATUS
The DC Policy Center published a report in concert with the chamber called “2024 State of Business: Creating a Thriving Business Environment” that was released to the public on Sept. 27.
The report explains through 2023 and the first half of 2024, the District’s economy continued to navigate chal lenges stemming from the increase in remote work. While a slight uptick in commuting activity occurred, of fice occupancy remains below half of pre-pandemic levels, leading to higher vacancy rates and substantial discounts on office building valuations.
Resident employment has re bounded to pre-pandemic levels, but
overall employment in the city has not yet fully recovered, according to the report. Nevertheless, in the challenging and uncertain environment, businesses in the District have shown tremendous resilience.
Further, the report reveals entrepreneurial activity in the District remains higher than pre-pandemic levels, although some signs of weakening are becoming increasingly evident. The city continues to see new business formations but also faces higher closure rates and slower growth in new business applications, the report said.
With weakening finances and limited resources, the District must turn
as a vibrant center of the city. Nina Albert, the deputy mayor for Planning and Economic Development, spoke about the city’s investment in revitalizing downtown “since the 80s and 90s” and said the key to that would be “filling space, changing space and bringing the people back.”
Gerren G. Price, the president and CEO of the Downtown Business Improvement District, agreed with Albert, saying downtown “is the workhorse engine of the city.”
D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (I-At Large) said more capital needs to flow downtown and “into the District.”
“We need to keep people safe,”
McDuffie, 49, said. “Businesses create jobs. We also need more affordable housing so that more people can be a part of this inclusive green economy.” He also emphasized that since 100,000 people have become city residents since 1998, “prosperity has flowed.”
“When I grew up here in the 1980s, the District was the economic hole in a donut,” he said. “There was a need for economic growth then. We have that now with hospitality being huge [in the city]. We are also getting recognition for our restaurants. The best restaurants are independently owned, not the chains.”
WI @JamesWrightJr10
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5 D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser participated in a fireside chat during the 2024 State of the District, where she expressed pride in District businesses. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)
NATIONAL
The
Tragedies of Eric Adams, Marcellus Williams, and Mark Robinson
The Recent News Stories of 3 Black Men Reveal What Happens When We Don’t Participate Effectively in Our Government
By Keith Boykin Word in Black
“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election. 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).
Three Black men have dominated the news in recent days for different reasons: Eric Adams, Marcellus Williams, and Mark Robinson. Their stories don’t have much in common, but they reveal much about our country and our politics.
First, Adams, mayor of New York City, was indicted Wednesday on bribery and corruption charges. Three years ago, when I was still living in New York, I refused to vote for him. Even after he was elected, I was still not a fan but gave him four years to prove me wrong.
He did not prove me wrong.
Last year, Adams refused to condemn a white man who choked a Black man to death on a subway train. In January, he vetoed a ban on solitary confinement in city jails and killed a plan to document police stops. Just as I expected, Adams brought back the racially biased stop-and-frisk policing
5 The state of Missouri executed Marcellus Williams, a 55-year-old Black man from St. Louis, after the Supreme Court refused to stop his execution, even though the prosecutor said the case against him was flimsy and tainted. (Courtesy Photo/Innocence Project)
“There can be no redemption without contrition. So, tell me: when will Trump, Vance, Higgins, and Elon Musk apologize to the Haitian Americans whose lives they’ve endangered in the most overtly racist major-party presidential campaign in 60 years?"
that was ruled unconstitutional a decade ago. And in the past few months, his administration has been engulfed in scandals and resignations.
Adams is exactly who I thought he would be, and many of us tried to warn New Yorkers. But I remember talking to Black men in Harlem who supported him over a talented Black woman named Maya Wiley, in part because he’s a Black man. For all the lies about Vice President Kamala Harris — that “Kamala is a cop” — Adams actually was a cop, and a former Republican. But many Black men were still willing to support him.
Second is Williams, a 55-yearold Black man from St. Louis, my hometown. The state of Missouri executed him this week after the Supreme Court refused to stop his execution, even though the prosecutor said the case against Williams was flimsy and tainted. The NAACP appropriately called the execution a “lynching.”
A 6-3 Supreme Court decision split along party lines: the six conservatives approved his execution, while the three liberals voted to stop it. Donald Trump appointed three of the six conservatives; therefore, if Hillary Clinton had won in 2016 Williams would more than likely still be alive.
Still, some people on social media tried to blame President Joe Biden and V.P. Harris for Williams’s death. That’s a damn
lie. Missouri’s Republican governor, Mike Parson, and Missouri’s Republican Supreme Court approved the execution. It was the Democratic prosecutor in St. Louis County, and the Democratic appointees on the U.S. Supreme Court, who tried to stop it.
No legal authority gives Biden the power to intervene or pardon Williams in a state murder case. So, if you’re going to criticize Democrats, at least understand how our system of government works.
I’ve been a lifelong opponent of the death penalty in all cases, so for anyone who is upset about Williams’s execution, don’t ever tell me it doesn’t matter who wins elections. This is literally life or death. Elections have consequences.
Third, Mark Robinson, North Carolina’s lieutenant governor, has been outed as a self-hating, hypocritically porn-obsessed, Black Nazi who wants to bring back slavery and join the Ku Klux Klan. After all that, Trump and running mate JD Vance refuse to disavow him. This proves the point I’ve made many times that Republicans love Black people…who hate Black people.
I get why white people support Robinson, but how the hell can any self-respecting Black person be associated with a party like this? Just this week, Louisiana
Republican Clay Higgins called Haitian Americans “wild,” nasty, “vudu”-loving, pet-eating “thugs” who should get “their ass out of our country.” And even then, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to condemn his racist rhetoric.
“Clay Higgins is a dear friend of mine and…a very frank and outspoken person. He’s also a very principled man,” Johnson said.
First of all, Clay Higgins admitted years ago that he voted for Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke for governor of Louisiana, so why is he a dear friend of Johnson?
Second, Johnson claimed that Higgins deleted the post after “he prayed about it.” Turns out that the “very principled man” only did so only after the Congressional Black Caucus brought up a resolution to censure him.
“But, you know, we move forward,” said Johnson. “We believe in redemption around here.”
Redemption?
No, sir. There can be no redemption without contrition. So, tell me: when will Trump, Vance, Higgins, and Elon Musk apologize to the Haitian Americans whose lives they’ve endangered in the most overtly racist major-party presidential campaign in 60 years?
These people are not the least bit remorseful about their bigotry unless it blows up in their faces. And just like Robinson, they all had a
long history of racist, sexist, and inflammatory rhetoric before these scandals erupted.
And that’s the problem. Too many Americans don’t pay attention to their government until it’s time for a presidential election every four years. But Adams, Williams, and Robinson show what happens when we don’t.
Our ignorance makes us susceptible to the clickbaiters, cynics, opportunists, hoteps, bots, and opps who spread misinformation for clout and pay. I’ve worked in local, state, and federal government, and I know that governing is complicated. The system is designed to make it easy for the powerful to maintain their power but difficult for the powerless to fight back.
So stop listening to the clout-chasing clowns who don’t know anything about government or politics who try to get you not to vote or to throw away your vote. Stop listening to cynics peddling unrealistic expectations of what can happen in a single term in office and then weaponize your disappointment.
The truth is we can’t win if we don’t participate, and we can’t participate effectively if we don’t know the rules. WI
Keith Boykin is a New York Times–bestselling author, TV and film producer, and former CNN political commentator.
Vance and Walz Begin Cordially but End in Heated Clashes Over Trump, Jan. 6, and National Policy Issues
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
Republican Senator JD Vance of Ohio and Democratic Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota faced off in the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 election on Tuesday night, which began with a measured tone but eventually escalated into a combative exchange. The debate, which CBS News hosted at their Broadcast Center in New York and Norah O'Donnell and Margaret Brennan moderated, covered a range of important national issues, with Vance's connections to former President Donald Trump and the January 6 uprising emerging as key flashpoints.
The debate's early moments were largely civil, as both candidates laid out their platforms and shared their visions on topics such as foreign policy and the economy.
However, tensions flared when Vance was asked about Trump's recent comment that childcare was “not very expensive” compared to the money the country would gain from his pol-
icies. Vance explained that Trump was referring to the nation’s ability to raise funds by “penalizing companies shipping jobs overseas” and those using “slave laborers.” But Vance sidestepped when pressed on whether Trump was committed to the child tax credit, redirecting the discussion to economic penalties for outsourcing, prompting frustration from Walz.
The debate took a sharper turn when Vance was questioned about the 2020 election and Trump’s role in the January 6 insurrection. Rather than directly answering whether Trump lost the 2020 election, Vance defended the former president’s actions that day.
“Remember, [Trump] said that on January 6, the protesters ought to protest peacefully, and on January 20 what happened? Joe Biden became the president. Donald Trump left the White House,” Vance said.
“To deny what happened on January 6, the first time an American president
or anyone tried to overturn an election, is unacceptable. This has got to stop. It’s tearing our country apart,” Walz said.
Walz also drew attention to the broader implications of Vance's remarks, reminding voters of the violence on January 6, including a march on the governor’s mansion in Minnesota.
“What I’m concerned about is, where is the firewall with Donald Trump? Where is the firewall if he knows he could do anything, including taking an election, and his vice president’s not going to stand up to it? That’s what we’re asking you, America,” Walz said, clarifying that accountability for democracy was at stake in the 2024 election.
Vance avoided direct answers on election integrity and instead pivoted to discussions of censorship, blaming tech companies for “censoring their fellow citizens” and touting Trump's endorsements by former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He continued to defend Trump’s policies, including on tax cuts and immigration, while steering clear of
addressing the core issue of Trump’s role in questioning the election results.
The debate further escalated as the two candidates clashed over climate change, healthcare, and gun violence.
On climate change, Walz highlighted the Biden-Harris administration’s investments in clean energy and infrastructure, citing the Inflation Reduction Act as a crucial step in addressing the crisis.
“We’ve made massive investments in electric vehicles, solar technology, and job creation because we know climate change is real,” Walz said.
Vance countered by downplaying the urgency, arguing that Democrats were not serious about the issue. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
$25K
During his presidency, the Black unemployment rate was at an all time high
His Project 2025 agenda would roll back civil rights policies that offer opportunity for Black Americans He uses race to divide us, scapegoating Black & Brown communities
5 Republican Senator JD Vance of Ohio and Democratic Governor Tim Walz (pictured at the Democratic National Convention) of Minnesota faced off in the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 election on Oct. 1. (WI File Photo)
NATIONAL
Africa-America Institute Gala Celebrates Ties Among African Diaspora
Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo Champions Diaspora Connection, Highlights Initiatives
By Eden Harris WI Contributing Writer
During the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) gathering in New York City, many notable events throughout the city highlighted Africa's advancement alongside other timely topics. One particularly
sought-after event, the Africa-America Institute (AAI) gala on Sept. 24, attended by dignitaries from different parts of Africa and the United States, offered a clear message of global unity, healing and repair.
One notable dignitary in attendance was Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, who focused on connecting with the Black diaspora in the United States to Ghana.
"[In an effort] to build a bridge between us on the continent and you, the Black people in the African diaspora of the Americas, we decided that we would try to make a symbolic gesture," he said, touting the success of the Year of Return program, an African diaspora program which saw nearly one-million foreign visitors to the country in 2019.
The president noted that since the program's launch, "it's been a regular feature of Ghanaian life, and at Christmas, we have this large entrance of people from [the U.S.] from the Caribbean and increasingly also from Latin America."
During his speech, he said there were three reasons he launched the program: to help connect Black Americans back to their home so they could learn where they come from. Secondly, he said: “For us to make a statement that we would never allow such indignities [like slavery] to be perpetrated on Black people ever again.” Thirdly, he said it is important for people across the African diaspora to work together to develop the continent and in America, work to "regain our dignity and our place in the world."
The Year of Return, as president Akufo-Addo noted, has sparked significant interest from the African diaspora, as they have expanded the one-year program to a 10-year strategic plan dubbed Beyond the Return. This program bears the same goal as the first.
Building on that success, the Atlantic Council reports, "the United States and the Caribbean are strengthening economic and cultural ties with African communities through business, sports, art, mov-
ies, politics, religion, philanthropy and more."
The Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan organization that works with U.S. leaders and world leaders to provide solutions to global challenges.
The AAI gala not only attracted the attention of world leaders but also Black business leaders who maintain the institute's success in connecting the global Black community and have a shared return on investment.
"The Africa-America Institute has such a rich legacy of what it's achieved, and it's been driven by the diaspora's desire to connect with the continent and vice versa, and so to be here at a gala that recognizes that shared connection and the mutual benefit that is accrued to global Africa, it's a powerful gathering," Kendra L. Gaither, the president of the U.S.-Africa Business Center told the Washington Informer.
COMBATING SYSTEMIC RACISM
Also in attendance was the African Union ambassador to the United States, Hilda Suka-Mafudze, who highlighted the institute’s work in highlighting the stories and work of Africans across the diaspora. She wrote a congratulatory note to AAI, commending them on their African and American efforts, saying: "As the African Union, we are committed to supporting AAI's mission to remedy the historical erasure of Africa's pre-colonial past and the contributions of Africa and its diaspora."
In regards to colonialism, the tragic killing of George Floyd at the hands of police served as a catalyst for global Black solidarity in the face of entrenched systemic racism. From across the globe, Black people in London demanded just treatment by the United Kingdom government, as did Blacks in the United States.
WI
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
5Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Africa-America Institute Gala on Sept. 24. (Eden Harris/The Washington Informer)
DIRECTOR CHARON P.W. HINES
Dear Seniors,
As we welcome the crisp air and vibrant colors of fall, we are reminded that this season symbolizes new beginnings. It’s a time to embrace change, reflect, and prepare for the months ahead as the year ends. In September, we celebrated Healthy Aging Month with a focus on embracing aging and the tools necessary to do so with grace and vitality.
One of the highlights was Mayor Muriel Bowser's 38th Annual Centenarian Salute, where we honored over 50 remarkable centenarians in our city. These individuals have lived long lives and profoundly impacted their families, communities, and history here in the District. Each centenarian was presented with a medallion and certificate on behalf of Mayor Bowser and DACL.
Live Boldly - October 2024 Message from Department of Aging and Community Living
Hearing their life stories was truly inspiring, as they shared insights into how they reached the incredible milestone of 100 years or more. Whether through weekly church attendance, regular exercise, or staying socially active, one common theme stood out: they remained engaged with life. Their commitment to staying physically and socially active has contributed to their longevity.
This serves as a reminder to us all—whether you’re approaching your golden years or supporting a loved one as a caregiver—that staying connected to your community and continuing to do what you enjoy are key components of healthy aging.
We also participated in Falls Prevention Day, holding awareness events in all eight wards. Falls are a significant health concern, with one in four individuals over 65 experiencing a fall each year. Sadly, falls are one of the leading causes of loss of independence for seniors. Thankfully, there are proven strategies to reduce the risk. We can prevent falls and protect ourselves by staying active, getting regular vision checks, making homes safer, and speaking with healthcare providers about potential health issues.
As we move forward into October and beyond, let’s focus on active aging, community engagement, and embracing all the changes this season offers. Let’s also remember to care for our bodies and minds as we age, ensuring that we live long, fulfilling, and healthy lives.
In Service,
Charon P.W.
Hines
Director, Department of Aging and Community Living
5 “In partnership with DC Public Library, DACL brought District seniors the 7th Annual Brain Games! Seniors from all eight wards competed in a Jeopardy-style trivia game to see who would bring home the prize. After 7 rounds of trivia the Ward 6, Cerebrals took home the trophy as the 2024 Brain Games winner! Congratulations Cerebrals!”
DACL
DACL CELEBRATES THE 7TH ANNUAL BRAIN GAMES
6 Eunice Bobo was one of the centenarians celebrated by Mayor Bowser
5 Carrie Simpkins was also one of the centenarians celebrated by
“DACL and Vida Senior Centers took on the annual Fiesta DC Parade to Honor Hispanic Heritage Month. Seniors were able to participate in the parade supporting and celebrating the vibrant colors of all of their communities.”
TAKES ON FIESTA DC
Mayor Bowser
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United States President Joe Biden will go to Africa next month for the first time as president, following through on a promise he made to visit the continent while in office.
During the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the White House announced a trip to Angola and Germany next month. The President will spend time in the capital city of Luanda from Oct. 13 to Oct. 15 to discuss economic partnerships and a vision for Africa's first transcontinental open-access rail network connecting the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, among other issues.
"The president's visit to Luanda celebrates the evolution of the U.S.-Angola relationship, underscores the United States' continued commitment to African partners, and demonstrates how collaborating to solve shared challenges delivers for the people of the United States and across the African continent," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
Biden had long pledged to visit Africa as president, but without specific plans to follow through.
He then shared hopes to visit after he was reelected.
"I plan on going in February after I am reelected,” Biden said as he greeted Kenyan President William Ruto at the White House in May. But Biden's decision to exit the race for president altered that calculus, casting a trip to Africa in doubt.
Earlier Tuesday, the president announced the U.S. is providing at least $500 million, as well as 1 million Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) vaccine doses, to aid African countries as they try to prevent and respond to the Mpox outbreak.
In August, the World Health Organization determined that an upsurge of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a growing number of nations in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations, the highest level of alarm. WI
Leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARCOM) have endorsed the United Nations-led Pact for the Future, which is viewed as the most wide-ranging international agreement in many years to safeguard the future of the global community.
Pact for the Future, which includes the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, was adopted on Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Summit of the Future, a global forum to coalesce multilateral efforts around some of the most pressing issues in the global environment.
Held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from Sept. 2223, ahead of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Summit heard several CARICOM Heads of Government making impassioned pleas for actions to address the concerns of developing countries.
Peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation and human rights are among the issues covered in the wide-ranging Pact, which also includes commitments to improve the effectiveness of representation of the United Nations Security Council.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, one of the first CARICOM speakers at the Summit, said his country is proud to have contributed to the historic process as he congratulated the co-facilitators of the Pact.
“This Summit and the Pact together embody renewed hope for advancing a common vision on leveraging multilateralism to create a dynamic framework within which our future generations will thrive,” Holness stated.
Hailing the Pact as a historic opportunity, prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves said while the multilateral system has been “ailing for far longer that many have wished to acknowledge,” it is “now poised to finally make surgical incisions that can aid healing.” WI
5Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, one of the first (CARICOM) speakers at the Summit of the Future, said his country is proud to have contributed to the historic Pact for the Future. (Courtesy Photo)
5 U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Angola next month, marking his first state trip to Africa. It will be the first visit by a US President to an African nation since 2013. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)
World Mental Health Day: Highlighting Modern-Day Mental Health Challenges
Submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia (DC)
On October 10, we celebrate World Mental Health Day and address the mental health challenges people face today. Some communities have more health problems than others, making managing their mental health a bigger challenge. Health disparities continue to affect certain communities. Environmental factors, from climate change to urbanization, play a large role in mental well-being. Alongside other modern-day issues, these factors underscore the heightened importance of mental health support and awareness.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES
Mental health is an important part of overall well-being. In the District of Columbia, a city full of cultural diversity, underrepresented communities face unique mental health challenges. These challenges are worsened by socio-economic issues such as systemic racism and trauma, leading to higher rates of mental health issues and lower access to care.
REASONS
FOR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
In our modern society, many factors can greatly impact mental health, such as:
• Financial stress
• Social isolation
• Technological impact (social media and digital overload)
• Racial and social injustice
• Remote work (feeling socially isolated)
• Health issues
• Substance use
In the District, 19.32% of residents suffer from mental illness,
which is slightly higher than the national average of 18.29%.1 During the COVID-19 pandemic, people of color experienced higher rates of COVID-19 infection and death, and greater financial challenges, which may have negatively affected their mental health.2 The suicide rate among Black youth has also been rising, highlighting a critical need for mental health interventions.3
BARRIERS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Many barriers prevent underrepresented communities from accessing mental health care. Negative beliefs surrounding mental illness remain a large obstacle. Cultural perceptions in certain groups can often discourage people from seeking help, making them fear judgment or misunderstanding from their community. Financial barriers also play a crucial role. Although Medicaid expansion has made access to mental health services easier, many still find the high cost of care to be a barrier, along with lack of insurance and high co-pays.
EFFORTS TO BRIDGE THE MENTAL HEALTH GAP
Despite these challenges, there are efforts in the District of Columbia that aim to improve mental health outcomes:
• The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) offers several programs, from emergency psychiatric services to community-based mental health support.
• The DC Mental Health Access in Pediatrics (DC MAP) initiative includes mental health services in primary care settings, making it easier for children and adolescents to get the care they need.
• The DC Stabilization Center offers 24/7 support for those experiencing mental health crises, ensuring care that is immediate. Learn more by visiting www.dcstabilizationcenter.com or by calling 202-839-3500. Building an environment of care
Breast cancer awareness and mammography screenings
As the crisp air and changing leaves of October move in, not too far behind is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month serves as a reminder to prioritize your health by staying informed and proactive about breast cancer.
As a part of our special health programs, AmeriHealth Caritas DC enrollees can access breast cancer awareness and mammogram resources such as:
and support can help address the modern-day issues affecting mental well-being. By understanding and tackling these challenges, we can pave the way for better mental health for everyone.
Sources
1. Hana Burkly, “Washington DC, USA: An Urban Design and Mental Health Case Study,” Journal of Urban Design and Mental Health, 2020, https://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/journal-6-washingtondc. html#:~:text=D.C.%20ranks%20 30th%20in%20terms,%25%20 (43.7%20million%20Americans).
2. Nirmita Panchal et al., “Five Key Findings on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders by Race/Ethnicity,” KFF, September 22, 2022, https://www.kff.org/mental-health/ issue-brief/five-key-findings-on-mentalhealth-and-substance-use-disorders-byrace-ethnicity/.
Farzana Akkas and Allison Corr, “Black Adolescent Suicide Rate Reveals Urgent Need to Address Mental Health Care Barriers,” Pew Charitable Trusts, April 22, 2024, https://www. pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/ Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/amerihealthdc.
• Local mammography events. AmeriHealth Caritas DC has hosted or supported several mammography screening events which include activities, education, and screenings for attendees.
• Mobile mammography van program. AmeriHealth Caritas DC hosts a mobile mammography screening van once a month in different areas of the District, making getting a breast cancer screening easier.
All images are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model
Breast cancer awareness emphasizes early detection through regular mammograms, aiming to reduce disparities and ensure all women have access to life-saving care. For more information on mammography events, view our events calendar at www.amerihealthcaritasdc.com or call our Community Outreach Solutions team at 202-216-2318.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) held the inaugural Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) summit on Sept. 24, designed to educate the masses and connect various parts of the SCD community.
The landmark event themed “Empowered and Thriving SCD Warriors and Communities,” provide sickle cell warriors (those surviving the crippling condition), health professionals, and advocates alike, an opportunity to network and align goals and initiatives to accelerate developments in research, SCD care, and an improved quality of life.
“I hope you're here because you believe that there is a chance that we can actually change this paradigm when it comes to sickle cell,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said to the attending audience. “I hope you're here to send a message to the scientific community, [to] keep going. We're going to figure out how to make your life saving therapy available to people, if you just partner with us and make sure others can afford it.”
The summit’s program was packed with an array of panel discussions featuring several resilient ‘SCD warriors,’ leading healthcare providers, members of Congress, and community advocates. Each discussion examined a bevy of information, highlighting the latest research and innovative treatments, while discussing the economic, social, and healthcare challenges encountered by individuals with SCD.
The inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped can lead to arduous health challenges including excruciating pain crises - a major symptom of sickle cell anemia - as well as blood clots, anemia, stroke, and other complications that often impede one’s ability to maintain work, school, or demanding life responsibilities.
The event’s keynote speaker Dr. Edward Donnel Ivy, vice chief medical officer for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA), is also a sickle cell warrior who weathered severe pain crises and complications throughout his childhood and adult years.
Beginning his federal career at the National Health, Lung, and Blood Institute, Ivy helped develop some of the most critical SCD clinical treatment guidelines that exist today. During the summit, he shared his first visit with a hematologist being the most pivotal moment of his bout with SCD, introducing him to a groundbreaking medication called Hydroxyurea.
“[While at UNC Chapel Hill], I spent weeks in ICU recovering from acute chest syndrome, and it was at that time that I was able to meet Dr. Gene Oringer [who] was also an investigator on the Hydroxyurea study, and he would talk to me often about [the treatment],” Ivy shared. “I'm talking to him and saying, ‘I don't know if I want to take Hydroxyurea. I don't want to be a guinea pig. I've heard of the Tuskegee experiment.’ Or, ‘Hey, what if this gives me cancer?’”
After heavy consideration,
Ivy started taking Hydroxyurea, which turned out to be what he calls ‘a game changer.’ He went from having three to four crises a year that required hospitalization to not having any crises for years, allowing him the stable health and ability to complete his undergraduate studies.
Ivy’s continued studies in pediatrics highlighted the vast disparities in patients who were not exposed to Hydroxyurea, often due to fear of fatal side effects from the medication unfamiliar to many, along with community barriers, like the lack of providers prescribing the drug. His treatment has encouraged his efforts to improve clinical trial guidelines and access to quality care for people living with SCD.
“I'll never forget what Dr. Oringer said to me. He said, ‘Donnell, I can't guarantee you that you won't get cancer if you take Hydroxyurea, but, chances are, if you had one episode of acute chest syndrome (ACS), you're more likely to have another. So, you could not take Hydroxyurea and develop ACS in six months to a year and die from that,’” Ivy said. “That helped me to realize that sickle cell is a very severe disease, that there is risk to not treating sickle cell disease, just like there are risks to some of the therapies that exist.”
WHY THE SUMMIT MATTERS: THE WIDESPREAD IMPACT OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE
Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
“It affects approximately 100,000 Americans and more than 20 million people worldwide,” the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reports.
Further, there is a genetic disparity shown throughout persons with the disease, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 90% of people with SCD in the U.S. are non-Hispanic Blacks or African Americans.
Among the many experiencing the most challenging complications from the disease, there are more than roughly 2 million people in the United States who live with the sickle cell trait. But while people with only sickle cell trait typically experience no symptoms or health complications in their daily lives, their lifestyle and decisions are still impacted by their genetic makeup.
People like Nigerian-born, British actress Wunmi Mosaku, of “Lovecraft Country,” “Deadpool”
and “Wolverine,” spoke volumes to the lesser known effects of having SCD trait that impacted her life when she received her diagnosis in 2020.
“I just didn’t realize how many decisions were being made because of SCD. The jobs, travel, the climate they choose to live in. I have friends who have told me that every decision they make in their life, Sickle cell is a part of that decision making,” Mosaku said.
For Mosaku, whose husband also discovered he too is a trait carrier, the confirmed blood testing unexpectedly changed the trajectory of her future maternity journey, leading her to carefully consider motherhood with the potential of birthing a child with SCD - an experience that many with the SCD trait can relate to.
“I spoke to a few mothers of [SCD] warriors, and I heard the stories about changing from pediatric care to adult care, prejudices that come into play with adult care. I knew that as a parent I could be there for a child, but [when they become an] adult, you’re not always around,” she said. “So just hearing how people live, the struggle, pain, and decisions that warriors were having to make because of their disease, [including] carriers, I felt like because I have the knowledge, I shouldn’t gamble [those possibilities].” WI
5 US Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra delivers opening remarks at the inaugural Sickle Cell Disease Summit held at the Hubert H. Humphries Building on Sept. 24 in Southwest. (Courtesy Photo/HHS Facebook Grab)
New Study Reveals Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality Rates Across All Tumor Subtypes
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
Despite advancements in early detection and innovative treatments, Black women in the United States face higher mortality rates from breast cancer compared to white women. A systematic review and meta-analysis led by Mass General Brigham Integrated Health Care System sheds light on the extent of these disparities across different breast cancer subtypes.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, aimed to determine the disparities in breast cancer survival between Black and white women according to tumor subtype. Researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of 18 studies published between 2000 and 2022, including data on 228,885 breast cancer cases—34,262 of which were in Black women. The different types were determined by the presence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and hormone receptor status. HER2 is a protein that is linked to more aggressive cancer.
The results revealed that Black women have a significantly higher risk of breast cancer mortality across all tumor subtypes. Specifically, the risk of death was 50% higher for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative tumors, 34% higher for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive tumors, 20% higher for hormone receptor-negative, HER2-positive tumors, and 17% higher for hormone receptor-negative, HER2-negative tumors. The findings indicate that disparities are present even in the most treatable forms of breast cancer.
“Our findings demonstrate that multiple, interacting factors contribute to disparities in breast cancer survival between Black and white women,” said senior author Dr. Erica Warner, ScD, MPH, a cancer epidemiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. “To achieve equity, intervention is necessary at multiple levels—from community to health-
care systems and individual healthcare providers to patients themselves learning about their disease and what their expectations should be for their care.”
Along with Warner, the study’s co-authors were Dr. Paulette Chandler, Juliana M. Torres, Michelle O. Sodipo, and Margaret F. Hopkins. The study calls for concerted efforts at all levels of the healthcare system to ensure that Black women receive the quality of care necessary to reduce breast cancer mortality rates.
Breast cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer among U.S. women and is the second leading cause of cancer death. Reportedly, Black women are around 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. Until this study, researchers said it was unclear if this disparity existed across all breast cancer subtypes.
The study contends that several factors, including systemic racism, socioeconomic inequality, delays in cancer diagnosis, and inadequate access to high-quality cancer treatment, contribute to these disparities. These factors can affect the timeliness and effectiveness of treatment, regardless of the biological nature of the tumor.
“There had been an anecdotal sense in the research community that differences in survival between Black and White women were great er for the most treatable forms of the disease—tumors that carry hormone receptors—and smaller for the his torically less-treatable, hormone-neg ative tumors,” Warner explained.
The study confirms that disparities are indeed present across all subtypes, though they vary in magnitude.
“These findings underscore a stark reality in our healthcare system (that) Black women are facing higher risks of death from breast cancer com pared to their white counterparts, across all types of the disease,” Chandler, emphasized. “This disparity isn’t just about biology. It’s a call to action for healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities alike to confront these inequities head-on
and strive for meaningful change in
The researchers highlight the need for multilevel interventions to achieve health equity.
Programs that have successfully reduced disparities in cancer survival include those that help patients navi-
gate the healthcare system, proactively identify social needs, and connect patients with necessary resources.
Additionally, the study points to the potential impact of the underrepresentation of Black women in clinical trials, which may result in therapies not being adequately tailored to specific tumor subtypes.
However, researchers concluded that the disparities are not inevitable. With targeted, multilevel interventions, the authors said it is possible to close the gap in breast cancer outcomes and achieve health equity. WI @StacyBrownMedia
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5 A new study reveals despite advancements in early detection and innovative treatments, Black women in the United States face higher mortality rates from breast cancer compared to white women. (WI File Photo/Jacques Benovil)
In an effort to drive environmental reform, actress Antonique Smith and activist the Rev. Lennox Yearwood have joined forces to launch Climate Revival, a nonprofit that uses culture, art and music to mobilize communities of faith and people of color and spearhead the transition to a healthy planet.
“We must bring our culture, our creativity and our collective power to this movement and bring it to the forefront. Having the faith community and having that power source allows us to not only have the power of faith, but to change hearts and minds, to mobilize action and to hopefully hold power accountable,” said Yearwood, who also founded Hip Hop Caucus.
Climate Revival serves as a beacon of change for underrepresented communities that fall victim to environmental injustices, tackling specific narratives such as climate change, pollution, fossil fuels, and other common hindrances to people of color.
By combining the power of grassroots action with faith and storytelling, the nonprofit aims to shift public perception, build a broader support base and press policy makers to take a stand in the fight for a greener planet.
“Engaging the faith communities is using every tool at our disposal. These industries have treated our neighborhoods as sacrifice zones, releasing toxic emissions that drive up cancer rates, exacerbate respiratory illnesses and cause this untold suffering among our
people,” Yearwood told The Informer. “Climate Revival is going out to churches. We're going to elevate the voices of the faith community. We're going to tell those stories of those who endure the daily impact of living under these facilities, this pollution, and we're going to make sure that these stories are brought to light.”
New Bethel Baptist Church in Northwest, D.C. hosted the official launch gospel concert on Sept. 13, a testament to the co-founders’ commitment to integrating faith with creativity in a call to action. Coupled with praise and worship from Smith, New Bethel Choir, and Tony and Grammy award-winning performer Leslie Odom Jr., the event showcased motivational speakers like environmentalist Maya Penn, Time 100 recipient Sharon Lavigne, and more.
The passionate faith leaders and eco-activists shared testimonies of environmental injustices that have not only plagued their hometowns, but disproportionately affected minorities as a whole. Amongst the list: heat waves, flooding, climate change, and air pollution.
“I think that we zoom in on the climate union and what is approaching us, and we flee in fear. And this is why I also recognize how the goal of oppressive systems is to make us feel weary, tired and powerless,” Penn told the congregation. “Climate optimism and climate joy are incredibly powerful tools for tangible action. People put optimism in proximity to naivety when really, especially in
“Engaging the faith communities is using every tool at our disposal. These industries have treated our neighborhoods as sacrifice zones, releasing toxic emissions that drive up cancer rates, exacerbate respiratory illnesses and cause this untold suffering among our people,” Yearwood told The Informer.
times of emergency and crisis like this, it’s one of the greatest things that you can embody.”
The award-winning founder of Maya’s Ideas, an eco-friendly fashion company, underscored the need for “intergenerational collaboration” to amplify resources and insights that can lead to a better planet.
“Not only have we never faced a challenge like this before in history, we are also at a point in history where we have never had so many environmentalist heroes and solutionists…under a shared cause,” she said. “As a member of Generation Z, I often hear from people of older generations that they're leaving this fight in our hands. This is an all hands on deck situation.”
‘IT’S ABOUT RIGHTING HISTORICAL WRONGS’
Environmental injustices have continued to plague the Black community at an unjust rate compared to white counterparts.
A 2020 New York Times Magazine report found that Black Americans are exposed to 1.5 times as much fossil fuel pollution as the population at large, revealing a correlation between the many people of color residing in communities adjacent to petrochemical facilities, power plants, and other sources of pollution.
Part of the work lies in challenging harmful practices, like the
development of toxic infrastructures in Black neighborhoods and the funds allocated towards it, but as Yearwood told The Informer, it takes more than funding to make a difference.
“It's about righting historical wrongs and ensuring that those who are most affected by environmental harm are at the forefront of the solutions. We know either you shape policy or policy shapes you, but we also know that policy alone isn't enough, and so we must connect these investments to the lived experiences of our communities,” he said. “Showcasing how funding can rebuild our neighborhoods, create jobs and improve lives, that's the key thing here.”
Yearwood and Smith are set to embark on an electoral tour to various churches, starting Oct. 10 in Louisiana, and continuing on to North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. A reflection of Climate Revival’s plan of action, the tour – sloganed “Get Out the Message” – aims to forward the climate justice movement by educating faith communities on how to protect the earth and recognize the ways environmental racism exists around them.
“We know the Supreme Court
5 Maya Penn, the Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Antonique Smith, Roishetta Ozane, Sharon Lavigne, and Democratic Tennessee House of Representative Justin Pearson at the official launch of Climate Revival at New Bethel Baptist Church on Friday, Sept. 13. (Jada Ingleton/The Washington Informer)
OUR EARTH
OUR
EARTH from Page 24 future generations. God has called us to be good stewards of this planet, and so we're going to do everything we can to be the best stewards that we can be.”
is poised to overturn long standing legal precedents that have protected our environment for decades,” Yearwood said, citing recent legislation that has restricted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s involvement in environmental action. “We need our faith community to take decisive action and measures to ensure that our communities know what's at stake.”
Yearwood emphasized how Climate Revival will work to make a difference.
“What you can expect from Climate Revival is to inform our community, educate them,” he said. “We're using the culture that the faith community knows, so that it doesn’t seem foreign to them. It's time for us to mobilize, organize and demand that our decision makers step up to the plate…and protect our planet for
As Climate Revival prepares for its electoral tour this month, the organization’s mission remains clear: the future of the world is in the people’s hands, and the best way to save it is through unity, faith and a commitment to a better planet.
“We talk about leaving a better place for our future generations, for our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. But…if things continue the way they're going right now, we are going to have a real hard time living on this planet,” Smith said. “There is a real villain, there is a culprit, and if we mobilize and unify…it doesn't have to be something that we just get used to. It's something that we can fight and something that we can win.” WI
5 CEO and co-founder Antonique Smith performs with New Bethel Choir at Climate Revival’s launch event on Sept. 13, a reflection of the nonprofit’s commitment to integrating faith with creativity in a call to action. (Jada Ingleton/The Washington Informer)
EDUCATION
Disproportionate Discipline: Study Shows Black Girls
Punished 5 Times Higher Than Peers In Schools
National and Local Efforts Work to Improve Rates, Close Racial Disparities for Students
By Zsana Hoskins
WI Contributing Writer
Black girls are more susceptible to severe discipline than other girls, according to a new report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Sept. 19.
According to the report, Black girls receive harsher punishments than their white counterparts for similar behaviors. Further, the report shows Black girls face exclusionary discipline at rates 5.2 times higher than those of white girls.
“This groundbreaking GAO report…highlights the unacceptable discrimination that Black and brown girls face in K-12 schools every day,” Speaker-Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who requested this report along with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), said in a press release. “The wildly disproportionate number of Black and brown girls who face harsher, more frequent discipline is truly a challenge to the conscience of our nation.”
This new data suggests that schools across the country may need to do more work to eliminate exclusionary discipline and introduce discipline methods that allow Black girls to feel safer in their learning environments.
Congresswoman Pressley plans to do this through the Ending Punitive, Unfair, School-Based Harm that is Overt and Unresponsive to Trauma (PUSHOUT) Act, which would establish $2.5 billion in new federal grants to support states and schools
that: commit to ban unfair and discriminatory discipline practices; protect the Civil Rights Data Collection; strengthen the Department of Education’s office of Civil Rights; establish a Federal Interagency Taskforce to end school pushout; and examine disproportionate impact on girls of color.
The bill, which was introduced in 2019 and reintroduced in 2023, has been endorsed by the National Education Association, the National Women’s Law Center, the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, and several other organizations.
“The only way we can address this crisis is through intentional, trauma-informed policy. I hope this report will motivate Congress to advance legislation including my Ending PUSHOUT Act to address the discriminatory pushout of Black girls in schools and create safe, nurturing school environments where every student can thrive,” said Pressley in a press release.
EXAMINING THE CRIMINALIZATION OF BLACK GIRLS IN SCHOOL
This legislation was inspired by the experiences of girls of color, as well as the “PUSHOUT” book and film written and co-produced by Dr. Monique Couvson, which focuses on the criminalization of Black girls in school, especially through exclusionary discipline.
Couvson gave more insight into biases that often cause issues for Black students in schools.
“When I talk about push out, I describe it as the policies, practices, conditions, and the prevailing consciousness associated with Black girls. So what we think about Black girls that renders them vulnerable to future contact with the juvenile court or criminal legal systems. And so at the core of that is the adultification bias that Black girls experience, it is the reading of Black girl behaviors as deserving of harsher treatment, no alternatives available,” Couvson explained.
As one of the bill’s endorsers, Couvson said she believes that the Ending PUSHOUT Act “elevates the opportunity for schools to become trauma informed and healing responsive,” as it would offer incentives to schools to improve dress code policies, examine codes of conduct, and provide training for educators.
“Any policy that is really looking to lead with love rather than fear and that is looking to build out a community for young people and allow them opportunities to respond to their mistakes with care and with guidance are important policies to advance,” Couvson said. “I'll tell you what needs to go: are the zero tolerance policies… and the hyper punitive codes of conduct that just…push young people away from their learning rather than bring them in close when they need us most.”
The Ending PUSHOUT Act could help to change school environ-
ments nationally as well as locally. According to the 2022-2023 Discipline Report from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, which is aggregate data from all Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in Washington, D.C., Black girls were disciplined at higher rates than their peers. Out of all the female students who faced discipline during the 2022-23 school year, Black girls made up 94% of expulsions and 92% of out of school suspensions, as shown in the report.
Also according to the report, the frequency of discipline actions for all students has decreased since the last two school years, as well as the percentage of students with out-of-school suspensions. The data also shows that 88% of the students who have been expelled are facing economic disadvantages.
LOCAL EFFORTS TO UPLIFT STUDENTS
District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is moving towards restorative justice practices to combat the criminalization of students and create a healthier learning environment overall.
The school district implemented restorative justice practices, such as the DCPS Becoming program, in 2021. DCPS Becoming is an $18 million initiative launched by the DC Education Fund focused on bettering the school environments or students, mentally and emotionally by redesigning DCPS policies and practices, and
equipping schools and staff to deal with students facing trauma and mental health issues.
Kera Tyler, the chief of external affairs for DCPS, highlighted the importance of minimizing exclusionary discipline, especially for Black girls. She said this school year they’ve already seen a 46% decrease in out-of-school suspensions and a 63% consistent decrease throughout the past decade.
“In the past five years, we've been really focused on increasing engagement and belonging,” said Tyler. “We're really trying to get at the core of not just decreasing behaviors in our students, but also training adults.
Tyler emphasized other DCPS initiatives aimed at addressing these issues, including professional development like the "Creating Belonging for All" and "Focus Black and Hispanic Girls Furthest from Opportunity" training for behavioral staff. Additionally, the We The Girls program for middle and high school girls provides a safe space for girls of color and their allies to build confidence, leadership, and community. This program includes a major spring conference at Howard University.
“We've seen a 5% increase in belonging for our Black girls in 6th to 12th grade,” Tyler said. “We want to... decrease the percentage of schools where less than 50% of Black students feel that sense of belonging and safety, and we want to increase the percentage of schools where 90% or more of our Black students feel that sense of belonging and safety.” WI
5 A new study from the Government Accountability Office reveals Black girls are more susceptible to severe school punishment, however local programs are working to combat such rates. (Courtesy Photo/Pexels)
By Sharif El-Mekki Word in Black
If she wins the White House in November, Vice President Kamala Harris would make history in ways that are important and well-acknowledged: the first woman, and woman of color, to serve in the world’s most powerful job.
As a self-identifying Black woman who attended Howard University, Harris also would become the first Historically Black College and University graduate to sit in the Oval Office. That fact could have major implications not just for HBCUs but for education, the teaching profession, and the futures of Black and Brown young people.
When she ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, thenSen. Harris pledged that, if she became
president, she would allocate $2.5 billion for teacher training programs at HBCUs to increase the number of educators of color.
“We can’t write the next chapter without remembering the last one,” she told the National Urban League’s 2019 annual conference in announcing that plan. “We’re going from when the doors to many of our country’s prestigious colleges excluded our community to new investments that will educate the next generation of black leaders.”
Such an investment in our HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions, would be transformative. The path to diversifying our teacher workforce very literally runs through these institutions: according to federal data, MSIs, including HBCUs, enrolled more than half of all aspiring educators of color nationwide in recent
years. Increasing their capacity would turbocharge the teacher of color pipeline and make a measurable impact on the stubbornly persistent lack of diversity in the teaching workforce.
The mismatch between the rising diversity in our public-school body— which is majority Black and brown— and the stagnant demography of our overwhelmingly white teaching workforce has real, potentially life-changing implications for our students.
Research shows that Black and brown teachers improve a range of academic and social outcomes for students who look like them: higher graduation rates, reduced dropout rates, fewer disciplinary issues, more positive views of schooling, and better test scores.
For example, studies show that having a single Black teacher before third grade improves a Black child’s chances
EDUCATION
of enrolling in college by 13%. Having a second Black teacher before third grade improves that child’s college enrollment chances by 32%.
The impacts aren’t isolated to just Black students: teacher diversity not only benefits all students but also improves the performance
of their white colleagues.
The investments in HBCU teacher preparation programs that Harris called for five years ago were indeed prescient. WI Read more on wordinblack.com
Dreaming of homeownership?
5 If she wins the White House in November, Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidency could transform K-12 education. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)
Inequality is Far Too Pervasive for Black Politicians to Yield to Corruption
As Black children leave the safety of their home and community, either to pursue higher education in colleges and universities, or in pursuit of their dreams, parents routinely advise, “You must be better – 10 times better – than the others.”
In other words, to make it in America, where the institution of slavery, racial inequality and the restriction of civil and political rights are embedded into the fabric of society, they must stand head and shoulders above the competition, particularly white Americans. Such advice should not be misconstrued as racist but rather as realistic. And with no segment of society garnering greater scrutiny than the political arena, it’s hard to fathom why Black men – stalwarts in their communities –were caught by federal prosecutors with their hands, allegedly, in “the cookie jar.”
In August, D.C. residents witnessed the arrest of Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White (D), charged with bribery after allegedly agreeing to accept $156,000 in exchange for using his position to persuade local employees to extend several lucrative contracts.
Then, about a week ago, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was charged with five separate criminal counts, including: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bribery and receiving campaign contributions by foreign nationals.
Innocence or guilt notwithstanding,
what’s disturbing about both cases is how these pillars of their communities allowed themselves to become sullied by various forms of graft that have destroyed the careers of so many politicians– Black and white– before them.
Only through activism, persistence and great sacrifice have Black Americans overcome slavery, Black Codes and Jim Crow to finally secure political power. From Hiram Rhodes Revels in 1870 becoming the first Black elected to the Mississippi state Senate, to Barack Obama taking over the White House as America’s first Black president in 2008, to Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court in 2022, African Americans have ascended to some of the highest positions in the nation.
There are scores of bad examples that Black politicians can follow. But if we continue to knock down centuries-old walls of injustice, level the playing field and make this a better world for all, those who seek political careers would do well to follow in the “right footsteps.”
Leaders such as: Shirley Chisholm, Andrew Young, Carol Mosely Braun, John Conyers Jr., Colin Powell and John Lewis set an example. No, they were not perfect. But they strove for excellence . . . and accepted nothing less. That’s what we need today – no more, no less.
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District Programs, Residents Affected By Ward 8 Council Member’s Legal
As reported by City Administrator Kevin Donahue on Sept. 30, the District government did not renew its contracts for Life Deeds for the 2025 fiscal year. That means that the nonprofit that’s at the center of Ward 8 Democratic D.C. Councilmember Trayon White’s bribery allegations no longer has a working relationship with the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services or Child and Family Services Agency.
As for the Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement, Life Deeds secured a 30-day extension on its 2024 fiscal year contract with the agency, but only to facilitate the transition to a new provider.
Bravo on another excellent issue! From the stories to the photos, I thoroughly enjoyed reading and gained a lot of info I plan to share with family and friends.
Greg Daniels Washington, D.C.
This Life Deeds debacle is another D.C. government disruption in the wake of White’s summer recess surprise that’s already triggered: a $400,000 purchase for an attorney, chipped at the credibility of violence interruption programs, and threw the Ward 8 D.C. Council general election into a frenzy. However, the council member has not publicly taken accountability for the challenges his drama is causing to the ward and District. Despite Councilmember White’s inability to apologize for the alleged misdeeds that were caught on camera, dozens upon dozens of Christian and Islamic clergy prayed over him at an event that
Reverend Willie Wilson hosted at Union Temple Baptist Church. The charade continued last week at Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center where the council member declared that he wouldn’t drop out of the general election.
Of course, he already let that be known on Sept. 12 when he rejected a plea deal and entered a not guilty plea in his federal bribery case. Such a move is true to the council member’s previous actions. Since the council’s return from summer recess, a committee-less, quasi-staff having Councilmember White hasn’t returned to the John A. Wilson Building. Instead, he tunes into council meetings from
TO THE EDITOR
Thanks for the story on Diner En Blanc! I love to see us wearing white and enjoying ourselves. Every year, I hope to attend myself, and hopefully, one day, I will.
Sonya Bufort Washington, D.C.
home. He speaks every now and again on the virtual dais, but that’s if other council members, who are actually in the room and speaking louder and more confidently, aren’t in the queue to provide comments.
Suffice it to say, Ward 8 is without substantial power on the council. Not only is that situation awkward, but it’s sad and disappointing for a ward on the brink of socioeconomic change that threatens the livelihood of those White purports to love.
However, what’s even more disappointing is our inability as a community to take White to task and let him know how this is, for the most part, his doing.
LIFE DEEDS CONTRACT
DYRS --- group homes and credible messenger services are concluding for FY 2024
ONSE --- two grants for families of violence victims.. And violence interrrupton contract subcontract …. Having a 30 day extension into FY 2025 to transition to new provider
CFSA - two grants with life deeds to run the family success centers concluding in FY 2024; running a group home for people needing specialized services
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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
Guest Columnist
Bobby R. Henry
We Can't Normalize the Demonization of Haitians
running mate, J.D. Vance.
The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing more than 200 Black-owned print and online media outlets, is outraged by the demonization and blatant lies being spread about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his
This purposeful defamation and dehumanization of people legally seeking a better life, like so many immigrants before them, has no place in a country that built its success on the backs of enslaved people and immigrants.
We strongly embrace and respect the diversity and positive contributions of everyone who calls the United States home. This is a core tenet of our values.
Let's be clear — what Donald Trump and J.D. Vance have done
Guest Columnist
by sanctioning and attempting to normalize assaults on immigrants has provided fertile ground for breeding a new generation of hate-mongers.
The NNPA will join forces with, and add our voice to, any organization that denounces and takes action against this kind of open bigotry, hate, and violence.
Today, in a country whose foundation rests on a system of true democracy, we must never vote for those whose self-interests conflict with the greater good.
Our most powerful weapon to eradicate this behavior is our vote. We must vote them out, or better yet, not vote for them in
the first place. VOTE like your life depends on it — because it does. WI
We strongly embrace and respect the diversity and positive contributions of everyone who calls the United States home. This is a core tenet of our values.
Sybil Haydel Morial Was Matriarch to an Entire City, the Steel in the Spine of the Civil Rights Movement
wisdom, passions, tenacity and love will live on for generations.
"Though not tall in stature, Sybil Haydel Morial was a tower of grace, kindness, dignity and strength who inspired generations of servant leaders. For the past three decades, she was the matriarch of New Orleans politics. … Sybil was just as tenacious and just as fearless, but in a quiet yet iron-willed way — the epitome
New Orleans has lost its matriarch.
America has lost one of the last soldiers in that battle of the 1950s and 1960s that opened doors so we could walk through them.
My family has lost its mother, grandmother and grandmother, Sybil Haydel Morial. But our grief is tempered by our gratitude, and the knowledge that her
Guest Columnist
My father, Ernest "Dutch" Morial, was a trailblazer: the first Black graduate of Louisiana State University School of Law, the first in Louisiana to be elected or appointed to his many public offices, including mayor of New Orleans, and a major force in the civil rights movement.
But he'd have been nothing without Sybil.
One of the enduring memories from my early childhood was a
serious car accident in one of the most stringently segregated areas of the Jim Crow South: Columbia, Mississippi. My parents, my sister Julie, and I escaped injury, but the brand-new Cadillac my parents had borrowed from Sybil's father was totaled.
My parents had to decide whether we would continue our journey to the NAACP meeting in Chicago, where they would continue planning for the March on Washington. It was Sybil who urged my father to forge ahead.
It was Sybil who made arrangements for us to ride a Trailways bus to a Greyhound bus to a train that would take us to Chicago.
When my father ran for mayor in 1977, his campaign was planning a huge fundraising concert at the Rivergate Convention Center. But as the date of the concert approached, he found that the people he had entrusted to organize it has sold no ticket,
Harris' Appeal to Gen Z and Millennials Serves as a Bridge Between Generations
It is refreshing to see a leader like Vice President Kamala Harris who understands the wide generational gap we have in our nation. There will always be situations where older and younger people maintain different perspectives on life and the nation's future based on their experiences, opinions, habits and behavior.
Harris' candidacy for president serves as a bridge between generations and has effectively found ways to close the gap in a relatively short time. Almost half of Gen Z (ages 16–27) respondents in a UCLA study said they were not motivated to vote at all in the 2024 presidential election prior to Kamala Harris' nomination. In addition, 29% of Gen Z respondents who said they were not motivated to vote in the upcoming election before the change in the Democratic nominee say they are
now motivated to vote for Harris.
The vice president's campaign has a notable social media presence. It is through this presence she has successfully inspired undecided voters.
"Young adults are increasingly getting news from TikTok, reporting social media as the most authentic form of media," said Yalda Uhls, founder and CEO of the UCLA Center for Scholars & Storytellers. "Our data shows that young people are very engaged with what's happening in the po-
litical sphere around them, and keeping up with the news seems to be influencing their desire to vote for Kamala Harris."
For young people interested in voting for Harris, her identity as a woman of color was not a large motivating factor. Of Gen Z respondents, 82% cited reasons other than Harris' racial or gender identity when explaining their support for her. Some respondents agreed with her stance on the issues; they see her as an exciting candidate that gives hope,
and some liked what they learned about her on social media.
"Contrary to Republican messaging about Kamala Harris being a DEI hire, young people seem more excited about her candidacy because of the tone and substance of her campaign rather than because of her race, ethnicity or gender," said Alisha Hines, the center's director of research from its 2023 Teens and Screens Report, which showed that young people
of a Steel Magnolia." — Clancy DuBos
Marc H. Morial
David W. Marshall
Guest Columnist
Hate Seems to Have Taken Over
I long for the days when we had hope that things were getting better in our country — especially on women's rights, extinguishing racism against people of African descent, improving the Congress by electing an increasing number of non-white people (especially people of Hispanic, Asian and African descent), as well as a Native
sister being in charge of the Department of Interior, with several other women being secretaries of agencies, and were we excited when Supreme Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson came along!
We cheered that Barack Obama could be elected by people of all races and backgrounds to become president of the United States of America. We were proud of the fact that Hillary Clinton (but for our crazy Electoral College rule) would have been our first female president!
We have wannabe-president-again Donald Trump and vice presidential-wannabe Vance to thank for the hate launched on the Haitian community of Springfield, Ohio. Without reason, that story continues in spite of being told by leaders of the city that Haitians were invited and went to Springfield legally and were welcomed there! Of course, Vance thought it was OK to make up a story about the situation, causing people to believe residents were eating cats and dogs!
Now, despite the unlikely chance
Championing the Freedom to Read
Banned Books Week, which is typically observed the last week of September and this year is Sept. 22-28, brings together the entire book community — including librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all ages — to support the freedom to read. It was first launched in 1982 and its importance is ur-
gently clear today. The nonprofit PEN America's latest research counted more than 10,000 book bans in the 2023-2024 school year. Children's Defense Fund (CDF) recently joined a consortium of nonprofits coordinated by PEN America and We Believe in signing an open letter urging state officials to reject legislation that takes away the right of students, parents, and educators to access age-appropriate books in schools and libraries.
The letter reads in part: "De-
fending diverse literature means defending those books that teach us, challenge us, entertain us, and introduce us to new ideas. … It's no coincidence that most of the books being banned today address issues of race, gender, and sexuality head-on. These books teach kids about age-appropriate topics that affirm their own identities and those of their peers, making them an essential part of a diverse and inclusive school community. Banned books teach us the difficult lessons. They lead us to what's pos-
of the story being true, Trump brought it to the big stage during the debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. He threw in the lie on the presidential debate stage and has never stopped bringing it up with people correcting him. He not only didn't pay attention, but went on vowing to go to Springfield, knowing that story would not be welcomed!
At the debate, moderators calmly tried to correct him. His and Vance's lie about this story resulted in the unnecessary, racist lies they knew
would hurt Springfield's Haitian community. Schools and businesses had to be closed. This frightened young children who wanted to be in school. That was brought on by hate of Haitian people and for no other reason than their being Black!
Let's go to the Middle East. We've witnessed a situation where millions of innocent people, many of them babies, were killed for no reason because they were not the ones who went into Israel and caused havoc.
sible. They show us what it means to be better."
CDF has its own list of "banned books we love" featuring titles from the CDF Freedom Schools' Integrated Reading Curriculum, which promotes rich, culturally relevant and high-quality books for young readers of all ages that have been banned in schools and libraries. Scholars at CDF Freedom Schools sites across the country have marched and spoken out defending their own freedom to read. This week is a reminder
Our Protected Public Lands Remind Us: Nature is for Everyone
"There are so many people in Detroit, there's so many people in Chicago, there's so many people in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., and Cleveland and L.A. that don't realize that whatever is ailing them potentially could be cured by a visit to a place like this."
Those are the words of Yosem-
ite National Park Ranger Shelton Johnson. Johnson is a renowned advocate for diversity in our national parks. As a community engagement specialist for the park, he sees it as his duty to connect people with nature and our national parks — especially people who, in their communities, maybe do not historically feel a connection to them.
Recently, Johnson welcomed a group of high school students from his hometown of Detroit — and from the same high school he
attended, Cass Tech — on their first visit to Yosemite. They were with a trip organized by Detroit Outdoors and the Sierra Club. He told them:
"You own this. This is your property. Yosemite is your property and your family's property. Yellowstone is your property and your family's property. The Grand Canyon is your property and your family's property. Any time you visit a national park, any ranger that you see, your taxes paid for that ranger. They work for you.
Now, I never thought, growing up in Detroit, if I saw any guy with a badge that he worked for me."
Ranger Johnson is right. America's public lands belong to all of us. That goes for the more than 640 million acres of land that make up our more than 400 national parks, 560 national wildlife refuges, 154 national forests, more than 130 national monuments, and millions more publicly managed acres. Diversity in our national parks
that banning books is a key tactic in the ongoing war against teaching children the truth about our shared history. When Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves, a pioneering Harvard-trained historian, and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, created the precursor to Black History Month in 1926, he did so because he was alarmed how few people, White or Black,
EDELMAN Page 54
is a tradition as old as the parks themselves. Decades before the National Park Service was created, the famed African American Buffalo Soldiers served as the first rangers for the country's early national parks like Yosemite and Sequoia. (Ranger Shelton happens to be an expert on that topic.) Making our national parks accessible to more people and communities is an act of patriotism and love. Kids like the group
JEALOUS Page 54
WILLIAMS Page 54
Marian Wright Edelman
Ben Jealous
Guest Columnist
E. Faye Williams
Guest Columnist
LIFESTYLE
WASHINGTON INFORMER WEEKEND CHECKLIST
WASHINGTON INFORMER'S
Things To Do, DMV!
By Rachelle Smith WI Intern
By Rachelle Smith WI Intern
Check out a handful of the many events happening in the DMV this weekend, including hearing from distinguished storytellers, dancing the night away, singing your heart out to your favorite artists, enjoying some art with the little ones, and so much more.
To keep up with all the fun, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar, and remember, there’s always something happening in the DMV to keep your spirit-and social life-- lit.
THURSDAY, OCT. 3
In Conversation with Ta-Nehisi Coates
7 p.m. - 9 p.m. | $60.00
Cramton Auditorium, 2455 6th Street NW Washington, D.C. 20059
Closing out the International
Black Writers Festival at Howard University and in conjunction with Howard University Moorland-Spingarn Research Center and the Office of the Provost, Ta-Nehisi Coates will engage in conversation on his new book “The Message.”
Malcolm Gladwell: Revenge Of The Tipping Point
7 p.m. | $45.00
Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st Street NW Washington, D.C. 20052
Twenty-five years after the publication of his groundbreaking first book, Malcolm Gladwell returns with a brand-new volume that reframes the lessons of "The Tipping Point” in a startling and revealing light.
FRIDAY, OCT. 4
Maxwell: The Serenade Tour
7:30 p.m. | $49.50+
Capital One Street Arena, 601 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20004
Three-time GRAMMY®
Award-winning multi platinum artist Maxwell will take the stage in D.C. for the Serenade 2024 North American Tour and will be joined by two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning R&B powerhouse Jazmine Sullivan and rising singer-songwriter October London.
SATURDAY, OCT. 5
The Art of Women Tour Noon - 1 p.m. | Free Freer Gallery of Art, 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20560
Join a docent-led tour highlighting women’s untold stories in the art world, where their contributions have frequently been overshadowed. During the tour, discover the importance of women artists, subjects, patrons, and collectors who’ve shaped
history. In addition, celebrate women’s creativity and resilience by exploring captivating narratives that include inspirational subjects, ruling monarchs, and revered figures of divinity.
First Studio
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | $10.00
The Kreeger Museum, 2401 Foxhall Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
Young artists ages 3-5 and an adult companion are invited to use their imagination as they explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. Each program focuses on a theme supported by a story, works of art from the collection, and a hands-on art-making experience. This month explore the collection with our theme "A, B, C to Y & Z."
Please note: due to room capacity, no more than two adult companions are allowed per child.
SUNDAY, OCT. 6
TASTE di ISLANDS | Caribbean
Food & Music Black Party
2 p.m. - 8 p.m.| $20.00+
The Bullpen, 1201 Half Street SE Washington, D.C. 20003
Enjoy a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture at 'Taste Di Islands.
3This family friendly event offers a chance for little artists to shine. Children ages three to five along with an adult guardian are invited to explore the collections of paintings, sculptures, and architecture at the Kreeger Museum to inspire their creations. Each program is focused on a theme supported by a story.
Indulge in the mouth watering flavors of jerk chicken, plantains, and other Caribbean delicacies, while jamming to the rhythmic beats of reggae, soca, and dancehall.
Kaytranada - TIMELESS tour
9 p.m. | $65.00+
Echostage, 2135 Queens Chapel Road NE Washington, D.C. 20018 Haitian-born, Montreal-raised Louis Kevin Celestin, better known as Kaytranada, began to DJ at age 14 and started producing the following year after his brother introduced him to music software. He made his debut in 2010 under the moniker Kaytradamus, releasing an impressive string of albums under that alias before renaming himself Kaytranada in 2013 and dropping the album "Kaytra Todo."
Since then his hip hop-influenced productions and remixes have made him a fixture on the global club circuit, with performances in more than 50 cities around the world. In addition to his own tracks, Kaytranada has produced for a growing list of artists that includes Kali Uchis, Freddie Gibbs, and Mick Jenkins.
With his cutting-edge sound and energetic live sets, Kaytranada brings an unforgettable dance party to ticket buyers every time he hits the road on tour.
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5At TasteDiIslands events guests can enjoy Caribbean food, music, and culture. (Courtesy Photo)
Comics Shared Love, Respect, Joy and Laughs in Honoring Comedy Legend George Wallace
By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer
In a room full of comedians, the laughs flowed for the “Because They Are Funny Comedy Festival” (BTF) (Sept. 27-29), which kicked off at the Southwest Wharf for a weekendof bringing joy to the nation’s capital.
Produced for a second year by entertainment company NICE Crowd in collaboration with Events DC, the festival weekend opened with a tribute to comedian George Wallace, who was presented with the “Comedy Trailblazer Award. Proceeds from the opening night event went to DC Central Kitchen.
Comedian, writer, producer, and director Chris Spencer hosted the evening, but the entire weekend was about comedians supporting each other. Free workshops
were given to better understand the business and hone comic skills. Six comics were scheduled to appear in a nationwide competition, hoping to win $10,000 after becoming finalists from more than 100 other comedians.
“This festival acknowledges comedians of color, especially Black ones,” Spencer said. “This event has been curated for us by American Black Film Festival founders Jeff and Nicole Friday.”
One of D.C.’s comedy legends, Sylvia Traymore-Morrison, led the tributes for Wallace. She was featured in the documentary “The Mecca of Comedy: The Rise of Standup Comedy in Washington, DC.”
Traymore-Morrison is known as the first African American female impressionist and the first Black woman writer for Saturday Night Live.
An admirer of Wallace before
she met him, her career expanded further when he noticed her talent and asked her to perform with him in D.C.
“He had already established himself as my favorite,” Traymore-Morrison said. “I was doing a residency in Las Vegas, and he came to my show and invited me to do a show with him at Bethesda Blues and Jazz. He’s been an amazing person.”
Traymore-Morrison brought in other guests to honor Wallace and the Because They are Funny tribute. Through her impersonations, Whoopi Goldberg, Wendy Williams, and Vice President Kamala Harris were brought into the room. Video tributes were presented by comedian and actress Luenell and comedian, producer, actor, and Wallace’s best friend for more than 50 years, Jerry Seinfeld.
When Wallace came forward to accept his award, he targeted some
comments primarily to young comedians on how to view success.
“When I first came to Las Vegas in 1976, I worked for Diana Ross,” Wallace said. “Now, I am the only Black comedian working in Las Vegas who owns the show. I did not work for the hotels. I’ve been able to do all that, bring in other comedians, and do shows like they have never seen before.”
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Accolades from other comedians throughout the evening showed genuine appreciation to Wallace for being a leader in the comedy entertainment business. Everyone wanted to get a picture with him. Wallace had his non-stop smile and encouraging words for everyone who approached him.
WI @bcscomm
5Comedy Trailblazer Award honoree George Wallace is surrounded by professionals representing D.C.’s impact in comedy. Comedian Sylvia Traymore-Morrison, Parrish Smith, producer/director of the documentary “The Mecca of Comedy: The Rise of Standup Comedy in Washington, DC,” George Wallace, and comedian Tony Woods. (Brenda C. Siler/The Washington Informer)
Fourth Annual “Art All Night” Festival Promotes DMV Artists, Creatives
By DeMarco Rush WI Contributing Writer
By the time Alex Vaughn was set to perform at Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen on Friday, Sept. 27, one of the venues hosting Pennsylvania Avenue East Main Street’s (PAEMS) Art All Night event, it was a packed house.
District resident Shekita McBroom even decided to celebrate her birthday at the event.
“I just look forward to a good time tonight. I look forward to [Alex Vaughn] performing tonight,” she told The Informer before the songstress took the stage. “I'm excited.”
Vaughn’s performance was part of this year’s “Art All Night,” presented by Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Local and Small Business Development.
This year’s theme, “Art to the Future,” focused on futuristic creativity through multiple mediums.
As part of its mission to revitalize retail, retain and attract a diverse customer base, empower surrounding communities, and develop businesses along the Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast corridor, PAEMS offered establishments an opportunity to engage residents in a creative way.
“We want to make this side of Pennsylvania Avenue across the Sousa Bridge as nice as the Pennsylvania Avenue on the other side
of the bridge. Our merchants here have traditionally been kind of ignored. They haven't got the same resources as businesses on the other side of the river, so we want to promote these businesses and help them,” said Earl Williams, chair of the Promotions Committee with PAEMS.
The District’s film community was also highlighted, featuring the documentary “7 Rising,” produced by local cinematographer Paul Grant, chronicling the election process of Ward 7’s highly contested race and discussing the importance of civic engagement in the community.
More than 70 local vendors participated in the weekend-long event held across the city. Programming along PAEMS included a parade, wrestling match, live paintings, an outdoor art market and performances from Black Alley, Sugar Bear, EU, and Alex Vaughn.
The District’s film community was also highlighted, featuring the documentary “7 Rising,” produced by local cinematographer Paul Grant, chronicling the election process of Ward 7’s highly contested race and discussing the importance of civic engagement in the community.
The citywide event provided entertainment, good energy and promoted the DMV and its talent.
CEO of Marshall Heights Community Development Organization Babatunde Oloyede, emphasized the importance of creating a platform for DMV creatives.
“I'm expecting a lot of high electric intensity, a lot of vibrancy, a lot of good moves, and good vibes,” Ooloyede said before Art All Night fully kicked off. “The whole idea behind this event is to really support the community, support D.C., and make sure that we are giving them a platform to do what they do right, and to make sure that we're amplifying all their talent and hard work,” he said.
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Historic Blues Alley Hosts Master Keyboardist and Composer Matthew Whitaker
By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer
Touring with the release of his fourth album, “On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute,” Matthew Whitaker performed this past weekend in D.C. at Blues Alley in Georgetown for an audience that got in the groove with a predominantly upbeat music set.
“On the Shoulders” features the multi-keyboardist and composer paying tribute to organists who have influenced Whitaker’s style on the Hammond Organ. Whitaker, who is blind,
demonstrated that his hands move at a high rate of speed on the keys.
A blip happened for the two shows on Sunday evening. Whitaker announced that his Hammond Organ went out of commission after the Saturday night shows. However, that did not matter to the Sunday audience.
Whitaker performed on his Yamaha WC61 keyboard, which had the same sound as an organ, plus that of a bass guitar, percussion, and other instruments. Whitaker and his dad, Moses Whitaker, said a number of adjustments had to be made to ensure the
sound was right. In addition to Whitaker on the Yamaha, his trio included Marcos Robinson on guitar and Johnny Steele on drums. They opened with “The Organ Grinder’s Swing,” with Whitaker's rendition influenced by Jimmy Smith’s version of this 1936 composition by Will Hudson, Mitchell Parish, and Irving Mills. Then the group played one of Whitaker’s compositions, “Yessaah,” a title that lets you know you will be
BLUES Page 36
5Locals dance to music played outside at the Pennsylvania Avenue East Main Street Art All Night event on Friday, Sept. 27. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)
Yours to discover this fall
Through January 19, 2025
Through January 12, 2025
LIFESTYLE
At Washington Gas, safely and reliably meeting the energy needs of our customers are our highest priorities. Please read the information below and share it with others.
NATURAL GAS SAFETY
What to Do If You Smell Natural Gas
Please make this a 3 col x 10” ad and place a border around it
At Washington Gas, safely and reliably mee@ng the energy needs of our customers are our highest priori@es. Please read the informa@on below and share it with others.
If you suspect a natural gas leak or other gas emergency, evacuate the area immediately and, from a safe location, call 911 and then the Washington Gas Emergency Leak Line at 844-WASHGAS (Select Option 1). Never attempt to locate the source of the odor.
NATURAL GAS SAFETY
What to Do If You Smell Natural Gas
RECOGNIZE
If you suspect a natural gas leak or other gas emergency, evacuate the area immediately and, from a safe loca@on, call 911 and then the Washington Gas Emergency Leak Line at 844-WASHGAS (Select Op;on 1) Never aHempt to locate the source of the odor.
RECOGNIZE
What does natural gas smell like? Natural gas is non-toxic, colorless, odorless and combustible. For safety and detection, Washington Gas adds an unpleasant odorant called mercaptan to the natural gas delivered through our distribution system. Call 202-624-6092 for a "Scratch & Sniff" brochure. Government agencies and officials, schools, businesses, property managers and others are invited to request multiple copies of the brochure for public educations and awareness purposes.
Other Signs of Natural Gas
Because gas traveling through a small portion of our transmission pipelines is not odorized, you should also familiarize yourself with visible and audible signs of a possible leak.
What does natural gas smell like? Natural gas is non-toxic, colorless, odorless and combus@ble. For safety and detec@on, Washington Gas adds an unpleasant odorant called mercaptan to the natural gas delivered through our distribu@on system. Call 202-624-6092 for a "Scratch & Sniff" brochure. Government agencies and officials, schools, businesses, property managers and others are invited to request mul@ple copies of the brochure for public educa@ons and awareness purposes.
Other Signs of Natural Gas
Because gas traveling through a small por@on of our transmission pipelines is not odorized, you should also familiarize yourself with visible and audible signs of a possible leak.
Follow the same precautions described below if you are outside and smell gas; hear hissing or blowing noises; see dirt being thrown into the air; see fire coming from the ground or appearing to burn above ground; see water bubbling or being blown into the air at a pond, creek or river; or see a dry spot in a moist field or dead or dying vegetation on or near a pipeline right-ofway.
REACT
Follow the same precau@ons described below if you are outside and smell gas; hear hissing or blowing noises; see dirt being thrown into the air; see fire coming from the ground or appearing to burn above ground; see water bubbling or being blown into the air at a pond, creek or river; or see a dry spot in a moist field or dead or dying vegeta@on on or near a pipeline right-of-way.
If you smell natural gas, do not attempt to locate the source of the odor. Evacuate the area immediately and, from a safe location, call 911 and then the Washington Gas Emergency Leak Line at 844-WASHGAS (Select Option 1).
REACT
If you smell natural gas, do not aHempt to locate the source of the odor. Evacuate the area immediately and, from a safe loca@on, call 911 and then the Washington Gas Emergency Leak Line at 844-WASHGAS (Select Op;on 1)
If the odor is very strong, or you hear a blowing or hissing noise, vacate the building or area immediately, leaving doors unlocked as you go. Warn others as you exit, if possible. Do nothing that could create an ignition source. Do not light a match or use any type of phone or battery-powered equipment. Do not turn electrical equipment or light switches on or off. Do not start a car or any type of motorized equipment. Call 911 and the Washington Gas emergency numbers listed above, only after you are a safe distance away from the building or area.
Gas Migration
If the odor is very strong, or you hear a blowing or hissing noise, vacate the building or area immediately, leaving doors unlocked as you go. Warn others as you exit, if possible. Do nothing that could create an igni;on source Do not light a match or use any type of phone or baHery-powered equipment. Do not turn electrical equipment or light switches on or off Do not start a car or any type of motorized equipment. Call 911 and the Washington Gas emergency numbers listed above, only a8er you are a safe distance away from the building or area.
Natural gas is distributed through a network of underground pipes and service lines. If a leak should occur, it is possible for gas to migrate into buildings, including those without natural gas service.
Gas Migra:on
Natural gas is distributed through a network of underground pipes and service lines. If a leak should occur, it is possible for gas to migrate into buildings, including those without natural gas service.
RESPOND
RESPOND
Washington Gas responds 24 hours a day, seven days a week to address natural gas leaks and other emergencies. If a leak poses an immediate threat, the company takes quick action to make the area safe. If a natural gas leak does not pose an immediate threat, corrective action may be scheduled for a later date.
Washington Gas responds 24 hours a day, seven days a week to address natural gas leaks and other emergencies. If a leak poses an immediate threat, the company takes quick ac@on to make the area safe. If a natural gas leak does not pose an immediate threat, correc@ve ac@on may be scheduled for a later date.
PREVENT PIPELINE DAMAGE - CALL MISS UTILITY AT 811 BEFORE YOU DIG
Digging related damage is a major cause of pipeline accidents. 811 is the national Call Before You Dig/ Miss Utility telephone number that initiates the process of marking the underground utility lines in your yard or on your job. Your call to 811 will be routed to your local One Call Center - in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia. Local One Call Center personnel then notify member utilities, such as Washington Gas, to mark the approximate locations of underground utility lines with high-visibility safety paint and/or flags. The service is free.
PREVENT PIPELINE DAMAGE - CALL MISS UTILITY AT 811 BEFORE YOU DIG Digging related damage is a major cause of pipeline accidents. 811 is the na@onal Call Before You Dig/Miss U;lity telephone number that ini@ates the process of marking the underground u@lity lines in your yard or on your job. Your call to 811 will be routed to your local One Call Center - in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia. Local One Call Center personnel then no@fy member u@li@es, such as Washington Gas, to mark the approximate loca@ons of underground u@lity lines with high-visibility safety paint and/or flags. The service is free
5Keyboardist and composer Matthew Whitaker performed with his trioat Blues Alley in Georgetown. He has been on tour for his recent album “On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute” (Courtesy photo/Hollis King)
BLUES from Page 34
moving in your seat.
When the group played “Happy Cause I’m Goin’ Home,” it was golden. The arrangement was reminiscent of the Charles Earland version from the early 1970s, recorded by the group Chicago and composed by one of its founding members, Robert Lamm.
As the set continued, Whitaker acknowledged one of his mentors, organist and NEA Jazz Master Dr. Lonnie Smith. The trio played “Pilgrimage,” a Smith composition. The audience heard music from Whitaker’s other albums before he tapped
PARENTHOOD from Page 1
on their mental health and well-being.
In August, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a “Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents,” underscoring the dire need to provide greater support to parents, caregivers, and families to encourage thriving communities.
back into “On the Shoulders” with “Expect Your Miracle” by Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark Terrell of the famous Clark Sisters.
Over the years, Whitaker has performed in D.C. many times, most recently for the Kennedy Center’s observance of Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday. His most recent visit was his first performing gig at the venerable Blues Alley. I am sure his fans will find him whenever Whitaker returns to D.C.
Visit Matthew Whitaker's website for his tour schedule and music at matthewwhitaker.net
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parents face today, a national survey released by Pew Center in 2023 outlined the top concerns of participating parents raising their children, largely based on the quality of their neighborhoods. Among the responses, the majority of U.S. parents (58%) rated their neighborhood as an excellent or very good place to raise children, while an additional 28% gave their community a ‘good’ rating.
Everyone, including homeowners and construc;on companies, should always call Miss U;lity at 811, at least two full business/working days - excluding weekends and holidays - before you are scheduled to begin any digging, regardless of size or depth. When using mechanized equipment, it is required by law to call 811 before you dig. Do not begin digging un@l the lines have been marked or confirmed as "no conflict." If you are unsure whether the underground u@li@es have been marked in your yard or on your job, check back with your One Call Center to make certain there are no underground u@li@es where you plan to dig.
Everyone, including homeowners and construction companies, should always call Miss Utility at 811, at least two full business/ working days - excluding weekends and holidays - before you are scheduled to begin any digging, regardless of size or depth. When using mechanized equipment, it is required by law to call 811 before you dig. Do not begin digging until the lines have been marked or confirmed as "no conflict." If you are unsure whether the underground utilities have been marked in your yard or on your job, check back with your One Call Center to make certain there are no underground utilities where you plan to dig.
Most importantly, dialing 811 can help avoid serious injury and even fatalities, as well as property damage and significant expense that can occur when underground utilities are damaged. Always call 811 before you dig, each dig, every dig.
Most importantly, dialing 811 can help avoid serious injury and even fatali@es, as well as property damage and significant expense that can occur when underground @li@ damaged. Always call 811 before you dig, each dig, every dig.
To learn more, visit washingtongas.com
To learn more, visit washingtongas.com.
“Parents have a profound impact on the health of our children and the health of society. Yet parents and caregivers today face tremendous pressures, from familiar stressors such as worrying about their kids’ health and safety and financial concerns, to new challenges like navigating technology and social media, a youth mental health crisis, an epidemic of loneliness that has hit young people the hardest,” Murthy said in the release.
However, more than 1-in-10 parents (14%) reported their neighborhood as only a fair or poor place to raise children. These groups of parents show higher levels of fear or concern for their children’s well-being.
The survey reports that, “46% of parents who give their neighborhood only a fair or poor rating say they are very or extremely worried about their children getting shot at some point,
Highlighting the significant stressors PARENTHOOD Page 44
LIFESTYLE
‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ at Arena Stage Highlights Immigrant Trials and Triumphs in Hilarious, Engaging Tale
By Micha Green WI Managing Editor
Jocelyn Bioh’s “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” directed by Whitney White, currently running at Arena Stage until Oct. 13, is hilarious, captivating, educational and for anyone that’s ever been to a hair salon–particularly a braiding shop— relatable. However, in a divided political climate, Bioh’s play is not just a theatrical source of comic relief, it’s a necessary tale of immigrants in America, who build lives, achieve goals and face challenges, despite obstacles that make the United States feel far from a welcoming place for foreigners seeking new lives.
“It was interesting. I wasn’t expecting the ending for sure,” said audience member Kiana Cunningham, originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, after seeing the show at Arena Stage in Southwest, D.C. on Sept. 24.
“I think it was a poignant topic… especially [in] the political time period. I thought it was a good message. It also puts things into perspective for people who may not be fully understanding
of the immigrant experience– especially how they impact the economy and things about their lives.”
As the election season heats up, the immigrant experience has become a major topic for political candidates–particularly the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. In a debate between the two major party candidates, Trump alleged that Haitian immigrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, claims that have now been debunked, including by the city’s mayor.
Theatre-maker, teaching artist, and creator of the Free Black Chesapeake Project Chelsea Dee Harrison considered why plays like “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” and theatre in general, are necessary to speak truth to power, particularly in such politically tense times.
“When we have candidates spewing hate and sparking violence against immigrants- I’m thinking specifically of the Haitians eating pets in Ohio lies- we need theater, we need a place to gather folks, tell stories, laugh out loud, and remind us all of our shared
humanity,” Harrison told The Informer after seeing the show on Sept. 20.
JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING: A MUST-EXPERIENCE PRODUCTION
In a play that includes comedy, drama, challenges for multiple characters, and Afrobeatz, ”Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” at Arena Stage is an experience for everyone present. The multimedia production, which shows the passage of time through the use of the shop’s television and clients’ hair-
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dos, brings audiences into a day at the braiding shop and takes audiences into the drama, joy, encouragement and tea that accompanies such an experience.
With Jordan Rice excellently and engagingly executing the character of Marie, audiences are immediately introduced to the intricacies of getting to work via the New York Subway and being the teenage daughter of an African immigrant and entrepreneur in 2019.
The quick-moving tale welcomes audiences into Marie’s mother’s shop, the play’s namesake, on the day of Jaja’s (Victoire Charles) wedding. As an illegal immigrant, Jaja hopes her wedding will cement her U.S. citizenship, which is not only critical for her, but for her daughter. Marie is a smart-girl who is unable to attend college and works in the shop because she too, is an illegal immigrant, though she was reared and educated in the United States.
Audiences meet staff members Aminata (Tiffany Renne Johnson), Bea (Awa Sal Secka), Miriam (Bisserat Tseggai), and Ndidi (Aisha Sougou), who are keeping the place bustling by braiding, along with Marie who is managing the shop. The strong work of these actresses not only are displayed in their individual performances, but also collaborative skills onstage, that show various dynamics from joy, to gossip, competition, respect and encouragement.
The show is also strongly supported by clients and people who come in and out of the shop including Mia Ellis, who plays Jennifer, and Michelle Brezill, Yao Dogbe, and Colby N.
Muhammad who captivatingly transition between various roles, and adds color, comedy and a bit of creative chaos to the cast.
When Charles enters as Jaja, she takes the stage in a bold, beautiful way that makes audiences think about struggle, achieving goals, building lives and families, and the trials of being an immigrant in America. While Charles isn’t on stage long, audiences await her arrival before she enters and feel her presence even once she exits.
The twists and turns of the hair braiding and narrative is amazing to watch in action, and will leave audiences engaged the entire 80 minutes.
UPLIFTING IMMIGRANTS’ STORIES
While “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” takes audiences on an emotional roller coaster, by the end of the action, they are left learning more about the immigrant experience in the United States. Considering her own life and experiences, Margaret Thomas was also reminded of the contributions immigrants have made to the country when watching the play.
“I am an American but I was born in Grenada– a small island in the Caribbean. I think the show tonight is a reminder of all the things that we (immigrants) have brought to this country,” Thomas told The Informer. Harrison emphasized that the play reminds audiences of the importance of immigrants’ stories and contributions to the nation, particularly in a divided political time.
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5Awa Sal Secka (Bea), Colby N. Muhammad (Vanessa/Sheila/Radia), Melanie Brezill (Michelle/Chrissy/LaNiece), Victoire Charles (Jaja), Bisserat Tseggai (Miriam), Jordan Rice (Marie), Tiffany Renee Johnson (Aminata), and Mia Ellis (Jennifer) in “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding." (Courtesy Photo/T. Charles Erickson Photography, Arena Stage)
Grate the apple, potato and onion separately. Wash the grater before grating each of the foods. Put each grated food in a separate bowl.
Believe it or not, it is difficult to taste the difference between a potato and an onion if you can’t smell it. Don’t believe me? Try my experiment!
Blindfold a friend or partner. Have your partner hold their nose tightly.
Place a small amount (about ¼ teaspoon) of one of the foods on your friend’s tongue. Tell your friend not to chew the food, but to roll it around their mouth. Ask your friend to guess which food is in their mouth.
Repeat with each of the foods. Be sure to have your friend rinse their mouth between tastings. Do three taste tests with each food item. Use the chart to keep track of the taste tests.
French Fry Fun
Look closely! Can you find the two identical boxes of fries?
Find the words by looking up, down, backwards, forwards, sideways and diagonally.
Find your way through this spud- lled maze!
he “Keystone State” could also be called the Potato Chip State, since it’s known as the Chip Capital of the World! Dozens of snack food companies got their start in this state. Use the code to find out the name of this state.
One Potato, Two Potato
Find examples of one-syllable, two-syllable, three-syllable and four-syllable words. Find the words themselves, or cut out the letters to spell the words. Paste words with the same number of syllables into groups on a chart. Standards Link: Recognize syllables in words.
people about each
Write a poem about a potato or your favorite way to eat one. Be sure to include descriptions using the five senses.
Last spring, all you saw was rows and rows of dirt, with a promise of more to come.
Then there were soft rows of green, followed by real plants, then crops of bales or food or cobs. That acreage you know or imagine is dear to your heart, so why not read these great books on farms, food, and farm history?
If there are animals on your farm, you already know that they have feelings, make friends, and have definite opinions. In "The Wisdom of Sheep: Observations from a Family Farm" by Rosamund Young (Penguin Press), you'll read about life on Kite's Nest Farm, where crops are organically grown and the animals are loved.
You almost can't raise livestock without watching them closely and here, Young writes about her sheep and her cows (she's also the author of "The Secret Life of Cows"), how they interact with one another, and how they otherwise behave. Farmers will identify with Young's quiet reverence for the land she loves; anyone who appreciates domestic animals of any kind will truly enjoy this collection of short essays and observations.
For any farmer, it comes as no surprise that what we eat has become politicized. The surprise is that it didn't happen this century. In "Ruin Their Crops on the Ground" by Andrea Freeman (Metropolitan Books), you'll learn the long, but nearly hidden history.
It started just after America officially became a country. George Washington told his troops to ruin the Indigenous people's crops and land. Later, a lack of access to food was one way slave owners kept control over the enslaved; today, feeding children at school is contentious and sometimes, growing crops and growing votes are tied together. This book explains how this happened, why it's relevant, and what readers can do to ensure that the best meals get to our plates, despite of (or because of) government laws and policy.
And finally, what you know about the history of farming in America depends on which side of the field you're on. In "Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership" by Brea Baker (One World Books), you'll read about Baker's search for her ancestry, and what she learned about disenfranchisement, wealth, and the legacy of Black farms.
Yes, this is a book about Black history, but it's also one of American history. It asks a lot of questions and offers much to think about. Most of all, it'll make you wonder: what do we do now with the knowledge we have about the farms that were stolen?
If these aren't enough and you want more books about farms, food, and farm history, be sure to check with your favorite bookseller or librarian. They'll find plenty more for you on growing your own food, owning a farm and being a farmer, farm-to-table recipes, farms in history, raising livestock, and keeping chickens in your backyard. For the person who knows and loves the land, animals, and history, these are books you'll plow through quick. WI
horoscopes
LIFESTYLE
OCT. 3 - 9, 2024
ARIES When the week begins, you might find yourself craving more solo time or feeling more secretive than usual. You'll be drawn to affairs or romantic moments that feel clandestine and understand the underlying psychological pull of a love interest. This might also be a time to put an end to relationships that are no longer serving you mentally and emotionally. Lucky Numbers: 13, 14, 15
TAURUS If you're single, spending time with groups of friends and engaging with your community could lay the groundwork for you to connect with someone special early in the week. Another way this could play out is you'll have the opportunity to make progress on a creative project with the help of colleagues or other people in your social circle. Lucky Numbers: 23, 27, 29
GEMINI At the beginning of the week, you'll be especially charming to higher-ups. You can make the most of this by initiating team meetings, pitching creative business proposals, and spending more time connecting with colleagues on your common interests outside of work. These shared experiences can help you find common ground and help you take your professional game plan to the next level. Lucky Numbers: 3, 10, 37
CANCER You won't be satisfied with mundane, conventional experiences in love at the start of the week. Instead, you'll be stirred to sign up for a class that bolsters your knowledge of a subject you've always been fascinated by (like art, music, or theater) or plan long-distance trips that can open the door to thrilling new experiences. S Lucky Numbers: 14, 18, 26
LEO You'll have the energy and focus required to hit lofty fitness goals early in the week. Map out your vision and the action plan that can help you get there. Then taking even just the first step in that direction can have you feeling even more on track. Later, the cosmos magnifies your desire to get on the same page with your significant other, your best friend, or a colleague with whom you work closely. Lucky Numbers: 6, 11, 18
VIRGO At the week's start, you'll crave one-on-one time with your significant other or someone new who has the potential to become your partner. Give in to these urges, because fostering an even deeper mental and emotional connection with a special someone feels rejuvenating and enlivening. Later, the cosmos indicates a greater focus on general housekeeping related to your health. Lucky Numbers: 13, 26, 30
LIBRA You might be very much in your feelings and wanting to share them with those closest to you when the week begins. You could have an epiphany about deep-rooted, psychological patterns or spiritual matters and feel that opening up to your loved ones will help you understand them even better, and it very well could. Feel free to speak from your heart and soul. Lucky Numbers: 25, 27, 45
SCORPIO Prepare for a particularly sexy, fun time with your lover or a potential partner early in the week. You're inclined to prioritize your pleasure and self-expression, which can lead to spontaneous, chemistry-boosting encounters. You're often inclined to get swept up in deep emotion, but doing your best to keep your affairs light and dreamy now can be a refreshing change of pace. Lucky Numbers: 8, 23, 24
SAGITTARIUS You might be focused on making your domestic world feel even more secure and aesthetically pleasing early in the week. Enlisting loved ones to support you in your efforts, perhaps by going with you to a nursery to pick out new plants or rearranging art, makes the experience even more gratifying emotionally. Lucky Numbers: 3, 10, 23
CAPRICORN If you've been willing to step up to the plate and do the challenging work required to hit your personal goals, you'll feel like it's finally time to claim your rewards when the week begins. But if you've been slacking, this period could be a reminder to put your nose to the grindstone and commit to the aspirations that truly matter to you. Later, the cosmos is stirring you to tap into your resources and social network to better understand details related to your big-picture business plan. Lucky Numbers: 23, 24, 31
AQUARIUS Connecting with friends and colleagues on matters outside of the workplace can inspire even more collaboration as the week starts. By being even more personable than usual, you could land on new opportunities for earning. Just be sure that they align with your big-picture values before diving in. Later, opening up about a long-held fantasy can lead to fulfillment, and the cosmos can make it even easier to share your views with others at this time. Lucky Numbers: 4, 5, 16
PISCES You'll be feeling especially dreamy, focused on relationship matters and self-pampering in the beginning of the week. If you've wanted to go on a vacation with your sweetheart or plan a relaxing weekend trip with friends, this period could set the tone for a beautiful, rejuvenating, bond-bolstering time. Later, it's a sweet time to connect with your significant other, loved ones, or dear friends about emotional matters. Lucky Numbers: 26, 36, 57
ESPN’s First Take Makes It’s Way To The Mecca Showcasing Student Athletes And Giving Stephen A. Smith A Heartfelt Surprise
By Skylar Nelson WI Intern
ESPN’s “First Take" is on the road for an HBCU Tour and the first stop was on the campus of Howard University just a day before the annual Truth and Service Classic, better known as the “Battle of the Real HU" game versus Hampton University. The show included hosts Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim, Shannon Sharpe, Dominque Foxworth, and student guests, bringing the latest sports news to debate on the yard of Howard, and inviting the university community and District at-large to join the conversation.
“Growing up I was always deep
EDUCATION from Page 1
break bad habits and know that teachers and schools are an important factor in a child’s success,” WTU President Jacqueline Pogue-Lyons said. “We work side by side with families, parents and guardians to help children be successful and that has to be honored if we want to get and keep wonderful people.”
Pogue-Lyons credited the union’s collective bargaining team for sacrificing portions of their summer vacation to create a contract that outlines the scope of teachers’ duties, leave and vision and dental coverage, a cap on class size and school start and end times, and teacher planning time, among other benefits.
Over the next week, Pogue-Lyons will meet with union building representatives, board members and the general body. The vote on the tentative contract, she said, will take place in the middle of October, thus culmi-
into sports and I wanted to be a sports analyst when I was younger, " said sophomore Architecture major Braydon Austin. “I’m very familiar with ‘First Take.’ I watched it a lot, especially with my dad. It’s definitely a good environment, especially to be this close and personal with people I’ve watched all my life.”
From Smith’s opinion on the Dallas Cowboys, to NBA star LeBron James, or even predictions for the “Battle of the Real HU” game, there were topics of conversations for all audiences to enjoy.
Two Howard University student athletes, Kelsie Jarret and Bryce Harris, had the opportunity to help spearhead some of the conversations in the show with the “First
nating efforts to ensure a safe school environment and protect teachers’ benefits that have been in place since the 1960s.
“We just stuck with it,” Pogue-Lyons said. “We called our bargaining team to work at the table, and look at articles. Our members came out for rallies, and we involved our city council, State Board of Education leaders, and lastly the community. They were so supportive.”
WTU’s collective bargaining team had 25 teachers, speech pathologists, counselors, athletic trainers, and social workers from across the city who came together in a manner similar to how United Educators of San Francisco collective bargaining team members coalesced around contract negotiations with their local public school system.
As The Informer previously reported, negotiations started off slowly when, as union bargaining team members recounted, education of-
Take” cast, keeping audiences entertained and engaged.
Jarrett, a junior Journalism major and member of Howard’s Softball team, shared her excitement of being featured on ESPN’s “First Take.”
“Honestly, my heart dropped because I’ve been watching ‘First Take’ since I was little,” said Jarrett. “A few weeks ago I made a post on my Instagram saying how the highlight of my day is coming home from practice and watching ‘First Take,' so to have the opportunity to be on it is amazing.”
Harris, a senior Marketing major from Long Island, New York and
ficials didn’t respond for months to a campus safety memorandum that they submitted to DCPS.
Union bargaining team members later decried what they described as Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee’s absence from the bargaining table and confusion about whether to engage DCPS or Office of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining.
Amid DCPS’ attempt to take WTU before the Public Employee Relations Board, WTU members continued to rally in support of a new contract. They did so with members of the State Board of Education and D.C. Council. D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) also showed up to negotiations as did D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds (D-At large) and members of her staff.
Last year, before the council approved WTU’s retroactive contract, Bonds, chairperson of the council’s Committee on Executive Administration & Labor, implored the teachers’
member of Howard Men’s Basketball team said he asked a question to Smith and Sharpe that sparked a great debate.
“Basically, I was asking who was the GOAT between Michael Jordan and LeBron James,” Harris told The Informer. “I was asking Shannon that, and Stephen A is a Michael Jordan guy, so it was cool seeing them go back-and-forth. Love it.”
Although “First Take” stimulated major excitement from the Howard community and District at large, Smith received a special surprise from junior Journalism student Harmony Bailey.
“Fifteen years ago, when I was
union and DCPS to jump into negotiations around the new contract more quickly, especially since the retroactive contract would expire within a matter of months.
Bonds said her main concern, in speaking with teachers, Ferebee, City Administrator Kevin Donahue and other relevant parties, centered on ensuring that the Office of the Chief Financial Officer could address the terms of new contract as soon as possible, especially since the Fraternal Order of Police and other government employees were navigating a similar process.
“It just seemed like they were bogged down on a lot of discussions and I thought that we had an existing contract that we operated under, so let’s pull out areas of discontent and address them,” Bonds told The Informer, commending Pogue-Lyons in what she described as her transparency with union bargaining team members. “They got through management
5 years old, I interviewed Stephen A. Smith at Jesse Jackson’s 69th birthday party, and never would I have thought I would be 20 years old, standing on my college campus having this full circle moment with such an acclaimed journalist such as him again.”
“This was a very big opportunity for me because in preparation and thinking about my question, I asked something that was not just benefiting me but benefiting the students of SOC (School of Communications),” said Bailey.
“First Take” will make its next stop on the campus of Tennessee State University on Oct. 11. WI
authority and I’m glad we reached an area of improvement.”
Throughout contract negotiations, Bowser didn’t divulge much about what caused moments of contention between two sides. At times, however, she did place blame with WTU hindering the process. However, at the culmination of negotiations, she struck a different tone as seen in a statement released on the night of Sept. 30 that looked toward the union’s ratification, and council’s approval, of the tentative contract.
“We have the best teachers in the nation, and the agreement builds on our ongoing commitment to ensure our educators have the best compensation in the country and have the supports and resources they need to bring their best to the classrooms and schools in which they serve,” Bowser said.
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Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
5Stephen A. Smith, Molly Querim, Shannon Sharpe and Dominique Foxworth, hosting “First Take” at Howard University, the first stop in the ESPN show’s HBCU Tour. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)
CAPTURE the moment
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music (OCTFME), and the Creative Affairs Office (CAO) invited D.C.’s creative community to the 39th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards on Sept. 30, where they payed tribute to local residents who have helped shape the District as the “Capital of Creativity.”
(Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
RELIGION
Faith Tabernacle of Prayer Continues the Legacy of Founder
Building on the Work of the Rev. Dr. Judy Talbert 6 Years After Her Death
By Hamil Harris WI Contributing Writer
The Rev. Dr. Judy Talbert, founder and former pastor of Faith Tabernacle of Prayer in Southeast, D.C., was a pioneering preacher whose legacy continues to inspire six years after her death. During the church’s Founder’s Day recognition, faith leaders emphasized continuing Talbert’s mission of serving God’s people.
“She instructed us with wisdom, always believing that if you reach one, you teach one," said Evangelist Josina Talbert, the late Talbert's daughter, who followed her in ministry.
PARENTHOOD from Page 36
Talbert died August 19, 2018.
During her 40 years in ministry, she was a community leader working toward multiple causes.
The faith leader turned pain into passion and progress, such as working for transplant recipients after her son Joseph Talbert Jr. died while waiting for a heart transplant in 1995.
She also helped returning citizens as they reentered society.
Mayor Anthony Williams, former MPD chief Charles Ramsey, and former federal judge Alexander Williams were frequent visitors to the Faith Tabernacle of Prayer on “Reentry Sunday," an annual event that welcomes
compared with a far smaller share (18%) of parents who say they live in a good, very good or excellent area.”
The Pew Center’s 2023 survey supports the surgeon general’s advisory about parental stressors when raising children.
“Parents and caregivers experience a multitude of unique stressors from raising children, including children’s safety, children's health, time demands, financial strain, economic instability, and poverty among other things,” noted the surgeon general’s advisory, according to data from 2023.
PARENTING TODAY: D.C. PARENTS TALK CHALLENGES, ACHIEVEMENTS, SUPPORT
For parents in Washington, D.C., like Jay Clarke, a father of four, and Imani Banks, a mother of two, every day presents its own concerns and challenges.
“You have no control of their safety at school, when they are out with their friends, or even taking public transportation,” Clarke said.
Clarke, father of four, raised his first
returning citizens to the community. Talbert also was a frequent visitor to the White House as a member of President Obama’s African American Clergy Network.
Bishop Daryl Young, from Tabernacle of Prayer Revival Center in Dobbs Ferry, New York, delivered a powerful message that inspired the congregation to remember Talbert, while pressing onward toward greater achievements.
child in Washington, D.C. during the early 1990s with the help of his parents and family. Now, he restarts his journey with two young children and a stepchild, who he also raises as his own.
Despite his experience raising his oldest son, now 27, Clarke shared that fatherhood never gets easier as he continues to navigate parenthood through the dangers and concerns that surround his children in a largely Black, urban city.
“The older your kid is, I think you start to worry just a little bit more. You worry about them all the time, but then you start to worry about other things, like if they are watching out for their surroundings,” Clarke said. “What unexpected things they may run into. We as humans are so fragile. You can just sniff something that might make you sick, or could kill you.”
Banks, a Ward 8 resident, has some of the same concerns of Clarke, as she worries about her children experiencing bullying and violence in the city.
“I think initially my main concern was bullying, [as] bullying has been on the rise. Thankfully, I don’t think they’ve experienced much of that,” Banks explained. “But now as they’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to keep us in, I
Drawing from Job 42:12, Young emphasized the theme that one’s latter days should surpass their beginnings, building upon a firm foundation.
“So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning,” Young said.
Elder Wanda Jackson of Faith Tabernacle reflected on Young’s message as it relates to their church in Southeast.
“He highlighted the ministry's enduring commitment to serving the Ward 8 community… The bishop’s challenge today is to go beyond the past and outside the four walls of the church,” said Jackson, inspired to continue Faith Tabernacle’s founder’s legacy.
He reflected on the 2020 death of his mother, Dr. Eloise L. Young, founder and overseer of the Tabernacle of Prayer Revival Center. Bishop Young said he came to an abrupt conclusion when his mother died: “My season has changed.”
Young realized he had to choose to reach a higher level in ministry.
“I couldn’t just be satisfied with her accomplishments, but strive for greater,” he explained.
guess calmer and more vibrant-- if there is such a thing-- environments.”
She credits her selectiveness in her children’s schools of choice, as well as keeping her family in a close knit space that helped keep her children away from the heightened safety issues often experienced in more violence-ridden parts of the city.
“The caliber of children [in the schools that I placed them in] are just a little bit different,” said Banks. “I felt like with the city changing, that there would likely be a certain type of environment in these schools that I chose, where it would likely limit the amount of exposure they would get in comparison to some of these other schools in higher poverty stricken or urban areas, so to speak.”
Banks told The Informer she attributes some of the parenting challenges of today to the overall shifts in society overall. She says that mothers are working more than the older generation of women, ultimately taking time and opportunity away from their ability to parent their children.
“These younger mothers aren't working the same way that the older mothers and our generation coming
With attendees from across the DMV area and beyond coming together, and many more joining via social media, the Founder’s Day event worked to reinforce the unity and collective vision of the church community.
“While her light has dimmed, she has passed the torch that burns through Faith Tabernacle ministry,” Evangelist Talbert declared of her mother. “What she started extends beyond the walls of the church. We are feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the incarcerated and fulfilling the Great Commission to Go into all the world to preach the gospel.” WI
up were working. They had more solid jobs that had them out of the house between certain hours, where these younger parents are doing more shift work,” Banks said.
“They're gone at night because they're doing security or whatever the case may be, and they're [often] starting these families with no support. So, they are just figuring it out as they go along. There is no structure across the board.”
Positive community support is helpful in parenting, Banks and Clarke explained.
Clarke said that support from his family had a significant impact on the mental well-being and success of his first child. He told The Informer he hopes that the same village of support continues to protect his younger children as they navigate life today.
“When we were young, we had everyone from parents, to aunts and uncles, and grandparents steering us the right way, and also being a disciplinarian for the kids in their family,” Clarke said. “Without that guidance, these kids are having a hard time ahead of them when they step out of their family’s doors and into the real world.”
WI
5The Rev. Dr. Judy Talbert, founder and former pastor of Faith Tabernacle of Prayer in Southeast, D.C., was a pioneering preacher whose legacy continues to inspire six years after her death. (Courtesy Photo)
5Parents and children wait to enter a school building on the first day of school in Prince George’s County in August 2023. (WI File Photo/Anthony Tilghman)
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. — Hosea 4:6
In sharing with you, the readers, the story of my family's struggle with Type 2 diabetes, titled "A Battle to Halt the Diabetes Epidemic," it is my prayer that each reader will benefit. Let me conclude this series with words I heard during an interview with Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D., from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. During his C-SPAN interview, a caller asked the following question:
"My mother had triggered diabetes. I don't recall what type it was. I have a brother and sister who are 10 years older than I am. They both take insulin shots and have had difficulties with this disease. Here I am, so far in my life, I've been disease-free of sugar diabetes. This genetic makeup — if they have the gene and I don't, I would like to know why I succeeded in life without becoming a victim of that."
Dr. Rodgers answered by saying, "Our genetic makeup says
WITH LYNDIA GRANT
Fanning the Flames of the Diabetes Epidemic, 7th Edition (Pt. 6) the religion corner
a lot about what we are likely to become. You may or may not have the same risk because we have two parents and you inherit half of your genes from one parent and half from the other. It could be that, that susceptibility gene, you may have been lucky to not inherit. A lot has to do with our environment, how much we are exposed to, what we eat."
He continued, "As it turns out, in Type 2 Diabetes, our environment begins even earlier. For studies we have funded, both in our NIH Phoenix branch and other sites nationally, determines that our environment begins in utero. A mother who develops Type 2 diabetes or who has diabetes during pregnancy, the infant born to that mother when they have diabetes is more likely to develop diabetes later on in life than an infant born to that same mother who was not affected with just a small diabetes – known as gestational diabetes. There is something in our environment we are trying to understand. That’s another factor to be considered. Of course, if it runs in your family, that does put you at higher risk. It sounds like you’re doing the right thing and you are being checked periodically to determine whether you have any signs of it. A good prescription, however, is exercise and maintaining your weight at a
level that your doctor approves." I wanted to share this significant question and answer that I took the time to transcribe for you, as I conclude this important column on how we must battle the diabetes epidemic. The research on millions of people who have this now, and those millions who don't even know that they have it, is a problem we must face head-on! It is not our fault when it is in our genes; some are born with that, according to Dr. Rogers. Read his answer again and again so you will understand. This shows more why early detection is important. Type 2 diabetes did run in my mother's family, but it wasn't discussed. They didn't understand what they needed to know and share. By sharing with my family and you, the thousands of readers, I have taken the bull by the horns to teach as many as will hear, the way to save yourselves. This story will be told for the rest of my life. Dr. Griffin said a good prescription is: 1 — Get checked early and regularly for Type 2 diabetes; 2 — Learn how to eat properly when you discover you are a candidate; and 3 — Exercise and lose weight! When you follow this simple 1-2-3 plan, you will save yourselves and your loved ones from experiencing a life filled with pain, unnecessary suffering, and regrets! WI
Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org
Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 Fax : 202-338-4958
Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org
Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant Pastor
401 Van Buren St., NW, Washington D.C. 20012 Office (202)-882-8331
Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331
Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday "Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ."
www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “ The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson
All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2015 ADM 001492
Estate of Vincent L. Alexander
NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE
Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Michele T. Alexander for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.
In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative
Date of first publication: 09/19/2024
Michele T. Alexander
3465 Marigold Place, Unit D Waldorf, MD 20602
Petitioner/Attorney:
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PROBATE DIVISION
Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 FEP 000107
July 2, 2015 Date of Death
Corinne Raymond Gantt
Name of Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Gloria Raymond whose address is 7200 East Spring St., Landover, MD 20785 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Corinne Raymond Gantt, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on 9/1/2016.
Service of process may be made upon Franklin D. Hicks, 4272 E. Capitol Street, NE Apt. 101, Washington, DC 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.
242 57th Place, 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: 9/26/2024
Gloria D. Raymond
Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 000822
Alice H. Lindsey aka Alice Hunt Lindsey Decedent
Michelle Lanchester, Esq. 9701 Apollo Drive, Suite 295 Largo, MD 20774
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Quinne Harris-Lindsey, whose address is 1900 Half Street, SW, Apt. 640, Washington, DC 20024, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Alice H. Lindsey aka Alice Hunt Lindsey who died on June 12, 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 3/19/2025. 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 3/19/2025, 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: 9/19/2024
Quinne Harris-Lindsey 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 001079
Dorothy G. Collins aka Dorothy Grace Collins Decedent
Joan M. Wilbon, Attorney at Law 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Hyacinth Collins, whose address is 300 M Street, SW, Unit N. 615, Washington DC 20024, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy G. Collins aka Dorothy Grace Collins who died on March 20, 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 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Hyacinth Collins 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 001019
Dorian Denice Sanders
Decedent
Ferguson Evans, Esq.
601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 900 South Bldg. Washington, DC 20004
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Kyle Sanders, whose address is 250 W. Sample Rd., Apt. B222, Pompano Beach, FL 33064, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorian Denice Sanders who died on June 9, 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 3/19/2025. 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 3/19/2025, 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: 9/19/2024
Kyle Sanders 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 001062
Eleanor Craft Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Bridget Lawrence, whose address is 1209 20th PL, NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Eleanor Craft who died on 3/4/2024 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 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Bridget Lawrence 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 001020
Jean J. Murray Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Julia L. Williams, whose address is 2300 St. Clair Dr., Temple Hills, MD 20748, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jean J. Murray who died on November 26, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/19/2025. 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 3/19/2025, 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: 9/19/2024
Julia L. Williams
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 000382
Ellen McKinney Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Saretta McKinney, whose address is 5047 13th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ellen McKinney who died on 11/15/2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Saretta McKinney 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 001103
Cheryl Diane Summers Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Robert Lee Summers Jr., whose address is 2950 2nd Street, SE, Apt. 31, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Cheryl Diane Summers who died on 8/24/2024 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 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Robert Lee Summers Jr. Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 968
Lateessha Terry Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Traye Laster, whose address is 1418 Howard Rd, SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lateessha Terry who died on November 7, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Traye Laster 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
2015 SEB 328 2024 ADM 001068
Ferdie H. Williams aka Ferdie Henry Williams Decedent
Suren G. Adams, Esq. Adams Law Office, LLC
4201 Northview Drive, Suite 401 Bowie, MD 20716
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Teresa Marie Seldon, whose address is 400 Oglethorpe Street, NE, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ferdie H. Williams aka Ferdie Henry Williams who died on May 2, 2015 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 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Teresa Marie Seldon 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 000694
Phillip Doyle Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
J. Anthony Concino III, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Phillip Doyle who died on July 31, 2019 without a Will. 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 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
J. Anthony Concino III Personal Representative
Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 001085
Frederic Tcheliebou Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Erwin Nouwezem Tcheliebou, whose address is 2005 Maryland Ave., NE, Apt. 105, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Frederic Tcheliebou who died on June 12th 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 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Erwin Nouwezem Tcheliebou
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 1050
Quanda Renee King Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Jacqueline King, whose address is 19352 Sandy Lake Dr., Gaithersburg, MD 20879, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Quanda Renee King who died on May 15, 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 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Jacqueline 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
2024 ADM 001076
Gilda Sherrod-Ali Decedent
James Larry Frazier 918 Maryland Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Zindzi Malika Ali, whose address is 3233 Pope Street, SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gilda Sherrod-Ali who died on June 25, 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 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Zindzi Malika Ali 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 001099
Virginia H. Washington Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Alan G. Washington, whose address is 1226 Faraday Place, NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Virginia H. Washington who died on 8/29/2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment 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 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Alan G. Washington 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 001044
James W. Johnson Decedent
Brian L. Kass, Esq. 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 434
Washington, DC 20008
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Henrietta Thomas, whose address is 207 49th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James W. Johnson who died on May 3, 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 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Henrietta Thomas 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 001084
Reginald Ray Bynum Decedent
Howard Haley, Esq. 7600 Georgia Ave., NW #416 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Fatima Lewis, whose address is 336 55th St., NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Reginald Ray Bynum who died on 8/29/2021 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 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Fatima Lewis 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 1073
Lee Andrew Pearson Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Brandi Sharice Zimmerman, whose address is 612 Knightsbridge Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lee Andrew Pearson who died on June 17, 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 3/26/2025. 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 3/26/2025, 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: 9/26/2024
Brandi Sharice Zimmerman 612 Knightsbridge Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES
In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender.
Andre O. McDonald, Esq. 10500 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 420 Columbia, MD 21044 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Kelechi J. Lane, whose address is 1420 Cowsill Drive, Severn, Maryland 21144, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Isadore Lane who died on 6/27/2024 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 4/3/2025. 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 4/3/2025, 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: 10/3/2024
Kelechi J. Lane Personal Representative
of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2024 ADM 001124
Joyce Ann Wilson Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Sherika J. Wilson, whose address is 1911 Savannah Street, SE Apt 203, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joyce Ann Wilson who died on July 27, 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 4/3/2025. 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 4/3/2025, 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: 10/3/2024
Sherika J. Wilson
1911 Savannah Street, SE, Apt 203 Washington, DC 20020
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 001015
Catherine Ann Jackson Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Wendell E. Jackson Jr., whose address is 521 K Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Catherine Ann Jackson who died on September 15, 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 4/3/2025. 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 4/3/2025, 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: 10/3/2024
Wendell E. Jackson Jr. Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 000915
Laverne Seegers Decedent
Donald Marlais, Esq. 411 10th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Catrice Simpson, whose address is 2800 Jasper Street SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Laverne Seegers who died on 11/21/2010 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 4/3/2025. 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 4/3/2025, 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: 10/3/2024
Catrice Simpson Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 FEP 000110
December 31, 2023
Date of Death
Edward Garfield Jones aka Edward G. Jones Name of Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Zaiafanice Jones Lipscomb whose address is 12507 Pleasant Prospect Road, Mitchellville, MD 20721 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Edward Garfield Jones aka Edward G. Jones, deceased, by the General Court of Justice Superior Court Div. Court for Caswell County, State of North Carolina, on March 19, 2024.
Service of process may be made upon Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. at 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW #400, Washington, DC 20015 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: 3704 26th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.
Date of first publication: 10/3/2024
Zaiafanice Jones Lipscomb Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 1122
Mack R. Walston Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Gralan M. Walston, whose address is 2962 2nd Street #31, SE, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mack R. Walston 5120 Sargent Rd #305, Washington, DC 20017 who died on December 13, 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 (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 4/3/2025. 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 4/3/2025, 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: 10/3/2024
Gralan M. Walston 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 001115
George E. Belton Sr. Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
George E. Belton Jr. & Gia E. Lawrence, whose addresses are 3113 S. Dakota Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20018 & 2971 Brookwood Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of George E. Belton Sr. who died on 8/5/2024 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 4/3/2025. 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 4/3/2025, 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: 10/3/2024
George E. Belton Jr. Gia E. Lawrence
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 001160
Michaela Sylvia Godette Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Pierre Michael Godette, whose address is 5418 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Michaela Sylvia Godette who died on February 14, 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 4/3/2025. 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 4/3/2025, 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: 10/3/2024
Pierre Michael Godette 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
2021 FEP 000004
August 9, 2020
Date of Death
Norris E. Millard aka Norris Edward Millard Jr. Name of Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Andre K. Bland and Kevin Millard whose addresses are 3204 Accolade Dr., Clinton MD & 10500 Westwood Pl., Cheltenham MD were appointed personal representatives of the estate of Norris E. Millard aka Norris Edward Millard, Jr., deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on July 8, 2024.
Service of process may be made upon Aimee D. Griffin, Esq., Life and Legacy Counselors, 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20015 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: 3468 23rd Street 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: 10/3/2024
Andre K. Bland
Kevin Millard
Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 001136
Troy Nathaniel Bullock Decedent
Andre O. McDonald, Esq. 10500 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 420 Columbia, Maryland 21044 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Troy N. Goode, whose address is 44 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Troy Nathaniel Bullock who died on December 7, 2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment 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 4/3/2025. 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 4/3/2025, 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: 10/3/2024
Troy N. Goode 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 001138
Roseline McKinney Decedent
Andre O. McDonald, Esq. 10500 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 420 Columbia, Maryland 21044
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Jesse E. McKinney, whose address is 3436 Coach Lantern Avenue, Wake Forest, NC 27587, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Roseline McKinney who died on May 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 4/3/2025. 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 4/3/2025, 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: 10/3/2024
Jesse E. McKinney 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 1143
Shelley D. Massey Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Janice E. Hutton, whose address is 929 Bonifant Street, #1110, Silver Spring, MD 20910, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Shelley D. Massey who died on 1/21/2024 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 4/3/2025. 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 4/3/2025, 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: 10/3/2024
Janice E. Hutton Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
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Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the following classifieds. Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home. Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license ID, or credit card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guarantee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it s illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in US dollars. 800 numbers may or may not reach Canada.
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vising attorney in the housing unit of Legal Aid DC. “We don’t want to see tenants losing rights because their landlords didn’t participate in the process.”
On Sept. 26, a coalition that includes Legal AID DC, Bread for the City, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, and Legal Counsel for the Elderly sent a letter to D.C. council members in opposition to the emergency legislation.
In the letter, advocates said the bill, titled the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Emergency Amendment Act, wouldn’t address D.C.’s housing crisis. They also argued that the bill didn’t focus on governmental and courtroom bureaucracy that delays eviction cases and processing of rental assistance.
Catchen echoed those sentiments, telling The Informer that Bowser’s assertions about ERAP abuse are a nonfactor.
“I’ve heard allegations [of people gaming the system] but I haven’t seen any evidence,” she said. “We shouldn’t be legislating based on that.”
THE D.C. COUNCIL COLLABORATIVELY APPROVES EMERGENCY LEGISLATION
In September, the D.C. Department of Human Services closed the ERAP application portal for Fiscal Year 2025 to explore reforms in collaboration with the D.C. Council.
Those reforms appear in the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Emergency Amendment Act, which had set out to give judges discretion in determining whether ERAP applicants can delay eviction proceedings. The legislation, which would last for 90 days after Bowser signs it into law, also included a provision prohibiting affordable housing tenants from self-certifying their income while applying for emergency rental assistance.
Against Bowser’s wishes and that of affordable housing developers, the D.C. Council unanimously approved the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Emergency Amendment Act with amendments introduced by D.C. Councilmember Robert White (D-At-Large).
One of White’s amendments maintained the elimination of self-certification while creating a narrow category of emergency situations -- domestic violence, for example -- where ERAP applicants don’t need to provide doc-
Another amendment provided judges leeway in allowing for more than one stay of eviction in the event of ERAP application processing delays. Both passed unanimously with D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson (I-At large) voting “present.”
While White acknowledged the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Emergency Amendment Act as a necessity, he emphasized the need to holistically address the District’s affordable housing crisis, as evidenced in the lack of construction permits that are currently in the queue for the Downtown sector that the Bowser administration wants to revitalize.
“The reforms are about making sure that programs help those who need it the most,” At-Large Councilmember White said. “At the same time, giving judges [the power] to extend stay reflects the reality that best intention efforts take time. The program is one part of the solution and wasn’t meant to carry the entire weight of our housing crisis. We need a movement to build more affordable housing.”
AT LEAST ONE COUNCIL MEMBER CRITICIZES BOWSER’S ASSERTION
Earlier this year, the Urban Institute predicted that evictions would reach pre-pandemic levels of 1,500 by the end of the 2024 fiscal year. By June, at the report’s release, evictions had been nearing the 1,000 mark, close to what the District experienced during the previous fiscal year when schools, business, and venues were reopening. Even so, Bowser continues to maintain her position that a sizable number of District tenants are avoiding eviction via submission of ERAP applications that trigger repeated stays
Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (I-At large) initially introduced last year to address aspects of the District’s opaque medical marijuana laws that have allowed illegal marijuana shops to thrive.
Since the passage of Initiative 71, the council deliberated on this legislation amid a crackdown on illegally operating shops, as allowed by legislation that the council passed in July. As reported in Axios last month, the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) issued 21 cease-and-desist orders and 75 warnings to unlicensed shops.
by judges. She told reporters that their negligence, as she describes it, places landlords at risk of foreclosure, and the District’s affordable housing ecosystem in danger of collapse.
“Before COVID, it took about six months to resolve a rent dispute. Now it takes 1.5 to two years,” Bowser said on Sept. 30. “One of the drivers has been the change to [the emergency rental assistance program], which was designed to support low-income residents facing unforeseen emergencies, not perpetually prevent landlords from taking action for rent nonpayment.”
As reported in a previous Informer story, Bowser didn’t provide any empirical evidence of tenants “gaming the system” due to the current emergency rental assistance laws that don’t require them to prove their income.
However, Mendelson, who introduced the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Emergency Amendment Act, told his colleagues at the Oct. 1 council breakfast that the D.C. Department of Human Services counted more than 100 instances of false self-certifications.
D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) would later acknowledge that reality, though as something that doesn’t represent the majority of ERAP applicants. On the dais, she cautioned her colleagues from making blanket accusations against legions of District residents struggling to keep their head above water.
“The framing that there’s evidence that fraud is more prevalent within that conversation will not result in solutions if we focus on the outlier cases,” Lewis George said. “We owe it to District residents to address the affordable housing crisis and I expect us to do it as the permanent legislation moves forward.”
WI @SamPKCollins
the amendment, said that its passage would make medical marijuana laws more stringent than laws dealing with alcohol. Parker, who said he spoke extensively with McDuffie and Mendelson about his intentions, pushed back against that assertion, telling The Informer that he wanted to prioritize young people, teachers and staff at La Petite.
Last year, a person suffering a mental health episode attacked two teachers escorting two dozen children from the Ward 5 infant daycare center. Community members, still reeling from that episode, would later learn about a cannabis business attempting to set up shop in proximity to the center.
At its inception, McDuffie’s legislation allowed for, among other things, ABCA to issue temporary non-resident registration identification cards that are valid for no longer than one year, the testing of samples of medical cannabis products from qualifying patients, and, most importantly, the imposition of a deadline date for existing cultivation centers and dispensaries to file applications with ABCA for additional medical cannabis facility licenses.
Much to McDuffie’s chagrin, D.C. Councilmembers Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) and Anita Bonds (D-At large) successfully included an amendment on Oct. 1 that: clarifies ventilation requirements for safe-use treatment facilities to apply to facilities where combustible medical cannabis products are available to qualifying patients consuming in a designated area; allows daycare centers to protest the establishment of medical cannabis cultivation center, retailer, or internet retailer license within 400 feet of their vicinity; and specifies restrictions on products that are likely to be mistaken for food that’s appealing to minors.
McDuffie, who voted “present” on
“Parents… realized they didn’t have the standing to make sure their concerns were registered at levels like elected officials,” Parker said. “It was about acting on that specific example but making sure that we expanded the voice and rights of early childhood education centers. We already extend protections to schools to not allow shops to open up in the vicinity of a school. There was a lot of fear mongering.”
COUNCILMEMBER ALLEN SPEAKS ON BEHALF OF LAID-OFF CIRCULATOR DRIVERS
The 2025 Fiscal Year began with 90 layoffs from a now-defunct Circulator bus, with more to come throughout the end of the calendar year.
Days prior, D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) told The Informer that the Bowser administration, via D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT), failed to create the transition plan that Allen and others requested for several months. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
5The D.C. Council kicked off the beginning of Fiscal Year 2025 with important topics, including emergency rental assistance, medical marijuana, circulator bus employees and working to improve the Office of Unified Communication. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)
5The D.C. Council unanimously passed the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Emergency Amendment Act with amendments from At-Large Democratic Councilmember Robert White (pictured) on Oct. 1. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson) umentation.
MORIAL from Page 30
booked no musicians, and failed to lock down the venue. Once again, it was Sybil to the rescue. Headlined by the late jazz legend Lionel Hampton, the concert she organized raised the then-significant sum of $25,000, and saved my father's campaign.
The House of Sybil was a no-nonsense place. In the House of Sybil, you were going to school. You were going to church. You did your chores. She was a diplomatic drill sergeant.
MARSHALL from Page 30
are 'overwhelming' interested in stories of hope — a defining mood of the Harris campaign.
Young people are distancing themselves from the political polarization we've become accustomed to seeing during previous election cycles. Harris has shown a unique ability to assess different demographics' true needs and concerns and then meet them at their point of need. Like older generations before them, Gen Zers and millennials (ages 28-40) should be able to have hope in their futures while pursuing the "American dream," allowing a new wave of younger leaders who understand the challenges of their peers to articulate to the American people.
Harris' ability to be flexible when dealing with various demographics while still being authentic is a character trait that draws the support of young people. President Biden had the right message but was not the most effective messenger. Harris is also unique because she is an HBCU graduate. Just as she has found ways of successfully motivating and inspiring
I see my mother's many attributes in my siblings, our children, and our children's children: her keen intelligence, her ease of making friends, and her drill sergeant-like ability to take charge. What I think I inherited was her ability to multitask. She could cook dinner, talk on the phone and help us with homework, all at the same time, without missing a beat, without a hair out of place.
Now she has gone to join her husband, her parents, her siblings. But she also has gone to join her fellow "sheroes" of the movement
Gen Zers through social media, she can also connect with young Black voters from HBCUs in ways other candidates cannot.
As a graduate of Howard University, she understands the cultural significance behind the HBCU homecoming. Homecoming is a special time of the year for students and alums on HBCU campuses. If Harris becomes president of the United States, there will be a sense of special pride in having someone from Howard University hold the highest office in the nation. It is the type of pride shared with all HBCU students and alums, not just those from Howard. As a Norfolk State University graduate, I will also share in the proud moment of her election, as well as the journey of her historic campaign.
The Harris-Walz campaign kicked off an HBCU Homecoming Tour across the battleground states of North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia and Pennsylvania to reach Black Gen Z voters. The tour will give special recognition to HBCUs.
It started at Winston-Salem State University during the week-
like Mary McLeod Bethune, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King and Fannie Lou Hamer. They've gathered beyond the Pearly Gates for a strategy session, and they're going to send a message back down here to the men of the movement. That message is this: "You all have been running things, and we've been standing by you. You did some great things, and you made some mistakes. Now it's time for us to lead, and we expect you to stand by us as we stood by you."
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end of Sept. 28. It continues on Oct. 12 with stops at Lincoln University and Virginia State University. On Oct. 19, the campaign will visit Howard University, North Carolina A&T and Clark Atlanta University. Then, on Oct. 26, they will visit Morehouse and Spelman College. One of the keys to winning the election is gaining the support of Gen Zers and millennials.
"HBCUs are responsible for educating generations of leaders across all industries and remain some of the most distinguished institutions of higher learning in the United States — that is why as a proud Howard University graduate, Vice President Harris helped lead the Biden-Harris administration in investing $17 billion into HBCUs across the country," said Harris–Walz 2024 senior adviser Trey Baker. "Engaging young Black voters and the broader HBCU alumni network across battleground states is a testament to the commitment of the Team Harris-Walz to truly meeting voters where they are at, to underscore the stakes of this election."
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WILLIAMS from Page 31
Many are afraid to speak out because they are afraid to be called antisemitic but those thousands of Palestinians who've been killed by Israeli forces had nothing to do with the tragedy in Israel. Then even, as he came to the United Nations, Netanyahu had the gall to blame the whole United Nations as being antisemitic.
It's time for Netanyahu, friends of Netanyahu, and AIPAC to stop accusing everybody whose help they
EDELMAN from Page 31
knew anything at all about Black people's achievements. Dr. Woodson believed it was critical to claim our rightful place in the history books and teach future generations about the great thinkers and role models who came before us. As he said, "Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history."
But Dr. Woodson also understood that this was much more than just an academic discussion. He saw the connection between erasing Black history and assaulting Black bodies, and said the
JEALOUS from Page 31
from Detroit and millions of others like them in cities across the country deserve the transformative experience had by those Cass Tech students in Yosemite: hiking among the majestic rock formations and expansive meadows of Yosemite Valley; finding peaceful sanctuary among the placid lakes and serene landscapes Tuolumne Meadows.
Our national parks are part of America's identity, gifts to us to enjoy and use to connect with nature in a profound way. But our parks and other public lands are more. They are a means of fighting both the extinction and climate crises. Protecting wildlife and critical ecosystems. Cleaning our air with their trees and removing carbon dioxide from our atmosphere.
The Biden-Harris administration has advanced initiatives that recognize this. A new public lands rule from April recalibrated the Bureau of Land Management's mandate from having a nearly exclusive focus on resource ex-
are only too happy to keep getting by frightening people who care about what is right but are afraid to speak out against wrong. If you watched, you saw that only a handful applauded during his long and hate-filled speech. I know people, even many in Israel, are tired of him spewing his hate toward everybody who doesn't agree with him. I've already been hurt over this issue so I am not afraid. I applaud those who are willing to point out wrong from right no matter who is doing it.
crusade to teach the truth about Black history was "much more important than the anti-lynching movement, because there would be no lynching if it did not start in the schoolroom. Why not exploit, enslave, or exterminate a class that everybody is taught to regard as inferior?" In his seminal book "The Mis-Education of the Negro," Dr. Woodson also explained that providing a standard "mis-education" to young Black children in the school system — "the thought of the inferiority of the Negro is drilled into him in almost every class he enters and in almost every book he studies" — was a calculated and insidious attack: "When you control a man's thinking you do not have to
traction to giving equal weight to conservation. And the U.S. Forest Service just concluded a public comment period on a proposed plan that could protect the country's remaining old growth forests. Mature and old-growth trees have a unique ability to absorb and store carbon pollution, making them one of nature's most powerful climate solutions. This is near and dear to my heart. The first protest I ever organized as a high-schooler was an anti-clearcutting rally in Sacramento, California. There are boundless examples of why protecting public lands is so important. I recently visited the Western Arctic in Alaska where an effort to add so-called Special Areas would preserve millions of acres of public lands in one of the last untouched ecosystems in the United States. It would safeguard a vital habitat for imperiled species and help protect the Arctic from the devastation of fossil fuel extraction. I am convinced that witnessing the migratory paths of caribou and the ancient stone fences of the Inupiaq people would drive home for anyone the urgency of
Trump, Vance and Netanyahu should not be leading any nation. We can't do anything about Netanyahu since we don't vote in Israel, but we do have the right and obligation to vote in the United States. On November 5, 2024, we can lessen the hatred by making sure Trump is never again allowed to lead our nation. So please listen to the candidate who is leading us in the right direction. Vote for VP Kamala Harris and return our nation to one of hope and love — not hate. WI
worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his 'proper place' and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary."
The connection to this moment remains clear. We must all stay vigilant against every new effort to miseducate our children and our communities, and to deny children and young people access to books that help them understand the truth about their own histories and identities and all they have in common with others. We must protect the freedom to read. WI
protecting our planet and conserving wildlife and wild places.
And our national monuments recognize sites of not only natural but historical and cultural importance. Our newest national monument — designated by President Biden in August — commemorates the 1908 Springfield Race Riot that sparked the creation of the NAACP, a national reckoning with racial violence, and birth of the modern civil rights movement. Last week we celebrated National Public Lands Day. Let us use the opportunity to break down lines of race, income, and geography when it comes to enjoying America's public lands.
As Ranger Johnson told those kids from Detroit, one of the reasons he was so excited to see them was because by simply being there, they were "changing the whole sociological dynamic right now, just being present." He told them, "That's why it's powerful that you're here. Because this is a sign of change and this is what the future looks like. You are the future."
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Together, these 10 HBCU students drive the summer internship of a lifetime with Black-owned newspapers
