National

Standing on Shoulders of Giants, April Ryan Now Opening Doors for Others

Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

After 25 years working as a White House correspondent, April Ryan said she’s seen it all.

Before he became president, Barack Obama invited Ryan as his guest for a Congressional Black Caucus dinner.

She covered Obama’s two terms as president and wrote more about U.S. history when Kamala Harris became the first Black vice president and Ketanji Brown Jackson earned confirmation as the first African-American female on the U.S. Supreme Court.

But Ryan also counted among a host of other journalists and minority women who drew the wrath of former President Donald Trump who infamously railed at the decorated journalist in 2018, calling her a loser.

5 Journalist April Ryan recently celebrated in style her 25 years as a White House correspondent. (Photo courtesy Wikimedia commons)

“After what I’ve seen, no,” Ryan replied when asked whether anything surprises her anymore.

“I hope I don’t have to be surprised anymore,” she said. “I’ve seen 25 years of ebb and flow and at the end of the day, it’s about people and reporting for people.”

Ryan noted that while she once worked for a “boutique” news organization, she has since achieved unparalleled success at theGrio where she opened up the news department and the White House Bureau.

On Saturday, April 30, Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group and theGrio honored Ryan for 25 years of distinguished and passionate service as a White House correspondent during a star-studded bash, “A Seat at the Table: A Celebration of Black Media.”

The bash took place at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture and immediately following the White House Correspondents’ Association [WHCA] Dinner at the Washington Hilton.

Ryan, a Baltimore native and Morgan State University graduate, serves on the board of the WHCA, only the third African American in the organization’s more than 100-year history to hold such a position.

“It’s been 25 years, so what an honor,” Ryan said.

She added that the secret to her longevity remains simply keeping her head down and doing the work.

“It’s not about me. It’s about the story,” Ryan insisted. “Along the way, people found out about me. But if you’re true to the story and telling all sides, that’s where my longevity has been.”

With fake news, misinformation and social media wreaking havoc on traditional journalism, Ryan maintained that she’s praying for a middle ground.

“There’s always been opinion but now the line is obscured more than ever and there’s a lot of misinformation,” she said. “People are in need of facts. They don’t need lies and entertainment; they need facts. We’re in perilous times where the gas prices are higher than they’ve ever been. We’re looking at stores and they can’t keep stuff on the shelves.”

“We’re dealing with a pandemic and we’re watching one conflict on television when there are several more occurring around the world. The World Food Organization says it can’t meet the demand for food. We are in a crisis. It’s a pandemic and people are wearing masks and then they’re not wearing masks. We need facts, and I don’t have the stomach for entertainment when the stakes are so high,” she stated. wi

LIBRARY from Page 12

women’s history. It’s multicultural. This entire space is really inviting.”

“It feels

Marie Antoinette, who showcased her collage of artwork, “The Mariposa Collective,” at Arts’tination, said the addition of a library enhances the gallery.

“It’s going to be great. We are going to be offering a series of workshops this summer,” said Antoinette, who taught art in the Prince George’s public schools for three years. “The sooner you introduce children to different forms of art, the better. You let them interpret art the way they see it.”

Phillips added the significance of the library system’s decision to offer an inclusive selection of books and other materials cannot be overstated.

And when the Oxon Hill library holds its first in-person activity in over two years on May 21, it will be presented in conjunction with the Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project and feature a discussion about the lynching of Thomas Juricks in Piscataway in 1869.

“We are one of the few Democratic institutions still alive and still saying we welcome all points of being,” Phillips said. “We disdain book banning because we know everybody wants to be represented. All voices deserve to be heard. It’s not our job to limit what people have access to. It’s the customer’s job to decide what they would like to select.”

For more information on the county’s arts council and Pebble library, call 301-772-8943.

WI @WJFjabariwill

Andrew Young Shares Nuggets of Wisdom in New Book and at Forum

James Wright WI Staff Writer

The former United Nations Ambassador and two-term mayor of Atlanta, the Rev. Andrew Young, has a plethora of wisdom which he shares with the readers of his new book, “The Many Lives of Andrew Young.”

Young, 90, talked about his book with CNN journalist Suzanne Malveaux at a forum on April 27 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in downtown Washington. Young wrote the book with the assistance of Atlanta Journal-Constitution journalist Ernie Scruggs. He made history in 1972 as the first Black man to represent the South (Georgia) in the U.S. Congress since Reconstruction and as the first African-American UN Ambassador with his appointment by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.

In the book’s foreword, Carter expressed how much he has cherished his friendship with Young.

“Over the years, he has always been there when I needed him,” Carter wrote. “As an articulate and inspiring storyteller, he has often been called to speak about me and for me. Andy is a great friend and a national treasure.”

The 264-page book, published by NewSouth Books in Montgomery, includes photographs of Young starting as a youth growing up in New Orleans, to attending Howard University, becoming involved in the Civil Rights Movement with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., running for political office in

“They [Black women] look at the present Congress and become disgusted,” Young said. “Black women are very serious about politics and they are going to show up on Election Day in Georgia. Stacey Abrams is running a serious campaign for governor and the Rev. Raphael Warnock is pastoring the state of Georgia. He is using the Senate seat he has as a teaching ministry.”

Young said the struggle for justice and equality takes time and advised people “not to get tired.”

“Life is Hell,” he said. “You are here to struggle. Being angry paralyzes your thought processes. If you relax, your mind will start working.”

WI @JamesWrightJr10

the 1970s, serving in the House of Representatives, campaigning for Carter in the 1976 presidential race, serving as UN Ambassador, representing the city of Atlanta as mayor, persuading the International Olympic Committee to hold the 1996 Games in Atlanta and images of family life. “Life is a struggle; it’s not supposed to be easy,” 5 The book,” The Many Lives of Andrew Young” by Andrew Young and Ernie Scruggs. (Photo courtesy Target.com) Young said. “If you go out at night and look at the stars, you will realize how insignificant we are in the universe.”

Young said while he supports the Black Lives Matter movement, he has some advice for its leaders.

“The right-wing is using their slogans against them,” he said. “We have to be careful with slogans like ‘Defund the Police.’ We all need the police.”

“By the way, white supremacy is a sickness,” Young observed. “If someone is a white supremacist, that is their problem. Don’t get angry with sick people. You handle your business.”

Young said he considers Black women as a political force and believes the Democratic Party would be wise to reward them for their loyalty.

MAY IS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

DISTRICT from Page 13

mitted their resumes and a letter of interest to seek appointment to the seat.

Some residents and local community groups requested that the council choose a candidate to complete Davis’ term who would not be on the primary ballot because it could present an unfair advantage while diminishing the opportunity for voters to select a candidate.

“Our alliance of civic, good-government and environmental organizations [called] . . . on the Council to let democracy work and to let the voters of District 6 decide at the ballot box who should represent them for the next four years,” Greg Smith of Sustainable Hyattsville wrote in an email Tuesday. “We're glad the Council heeded our call.”

Several council members thanked the nine people who applied while acknowledging that the choice wasn’t easy.

“We had a challenging decision to make. We had a lot of information back and forth from the community,” said Council member Mel Franklin (D-At-Large) of Upper Marlboro. “But ultimately, our job is to make the best decision we can. It will be a privilege to work with Mr. Medlock.”

Medlock said “it’s bittersweet” stepping down as mayor. The city’s Vice Mayor Cynthia Miller will assume his mayoral duties.

Meanwhile, the city of 6,000 people will hold its election July 11 and Miller said Tuesday she’s seeking the office of mayor. She said certification of those running for seats on the city’s board of commissioners will be done this month.

“I’m excited,” she said in reference to her decision to run for mayor. “We have been working behind the scenes to change some things. We’re excited to take the city to another level.” WI @WJFjabariwill