WINNER OF SIX SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS D.C. AWARDS FOR 2022
Vol. 57, No. 42 • August 4 - 10, 2022
Capture the Moment Page 43
Wizards, Mystics Players Join the Fight to Reduce and Eliminate Surging Gun Violence in the District
James Wright WI Staff Writer
5 Volunteers Kevin Kearney and Shaukeria Reese spinning cotton candy during the kick-off of the National Night Out with the Metropolitan Police Department (1D) at Lincoln Park on Tuesday, August 2. (Jacques A. Benovil/The Washington Informer). (See additional photos on page 39)
Members of the Washington Wizards and a player with the Washington Mystics joined community leader and residents and anti-violence activists on Aug. 1 to discuss ways to confront gun homicides in the District. The meeting took place at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center on the campus of St. Elizabeths East in Southeast Washington’s Ward 8. A crowd of 100 listened to speakers from the sports teams, District government, nonprofit leaders and residents who shared how they have been affected by gun violence. “Gun violence has persistently devastated families and ravaged neighborhoods for a generation,” said James Cadogan, executive director of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition.
Advocates: Voting Rights, Especially for Blacks, Remain Under Attack
Data Shows Likely Enrollment Declines Among Pre-Schoolers D.C.’s Absence of Compulsory Attendance Could Be a Factor
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer As District public and public charter schools continue to prepare for new and returning students this upcoming academic year, a recently-released study has raised some concerns about trends in citywide enrollment and what that means for school budgets and allocation of resources. The study, conducted by the DC Policy Center, highlighted declining birth rates, the movement of families of child-bearing age out of the District, and, to a lesser degree, COVID-19
DECLINE Page 48
SPORTS Page 44
5 Ward 5 resident and one-time D.C. Council candidate Faith Gibson Hubbard, pictured with her son, said all District public and public charter schools must partner with early childcare centers to make better educational connections for children. (Courtesy photo/Twitter grab)
As the 57th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act nears, advocates say voting rights have once again come under attack, especially for African Americans. The Voting Rights Act signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Aug. 6, 1965, sought to prohibit racial discrimination. But since then, advocates say some Supreme Court decisions and new laws have put barriers in place for minorities looking to cast ballots. Various bills that have been pro-
VOTING RIGHTS Page 16
SPELLING BEE Page 12 Celebrating 57 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area
