Washington Informer - March 29 2012 by The Washington Informer

If we want to improve the quality of life for all Americans then we must begin by teaching our children to read which they will not be able to achieve until they can learn to spell. –Dr. Calvin Rolark

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C e l e b r a t i n g 4 7 Ye a r s o f S e r v i c e

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Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area / Vol. 47, No. 24 Mar. 29 - Apr. 4, 2012

Thousands showed up at Freedom Plaza and in front of the John A. Wilson Building in Northwest for the Washington DC Rally for Justice on Saturday, March 24. The crowd gathered to protest the death of Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed one month ago. /Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah

Thousands Demand Justice for Trayvon Martin Freedom Plaza Rally First of Many in the District By Barrington M. Salmon WI Staff Writer Perhaps as many as 2,000 people packed a closed-off section of Pennsylvania Avenue in Northwest to demonstrate their revulsion and outrage at the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

The throng which took part in Saturday’s Washington DC Rally for Justice, spilled down the steps of the John A. Wilson Building and clogged a city block and large sections of Freedom Plaza adjoining city hall. Latoya Smith, 36, brought her two sons, Kelis, 11, and Dante, 6, with her to the rally, which

took place under overcast skies and intermittent drizzle. “When I heard what happened to Trayvon it hit home,” said Smith who lives in Northeast. “I’ve been asking why it happened, what was the story and it’s getting worse and worse as you find out more.” Bishop Michael Kelsey of

New Samaritan Baptist Church in Northeast, said indignation brought him to the March 24 rally. “My outrage in terms of injustice brought me out here,” said the 56-year-old Glenn Dale, Md., resident. “I wanted to be in Florida but could not. The turnout is incredible considering the

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weather and I’m really impressed with the range of age groups.” Kelsey said education and a greater willingness by people of all races and ethnicities to learn and appreciate other people’s cultures are keys to change. Taking to the Streets

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Election Page 12 Prince George’s County Page 20 Opinions and Editorials Page 27 Lifestyle Page 30 Hundreds of students from the District, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and North Carolina attended the 11th Annual College Round-Up event at Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro, N.C. on Sat., March 10. /Photo courtesy f Chairman Kwame Brown

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4 / May 15 - 21, 2008 The Washington Informer / www.washingtoninformer.com The Washington Informer

We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor New Poll Question: ES Y children about domestic Will President Obama sail through the 59% 2012 election? Visit violence. I plan to take these Washingtoninformer.com to cast your vote! policies to Congress and 20. 1% NO implore them to change our February is Black Last Week’s Most laws. I will not stop until S E History Month: Y Popular Articles: % Find out more about Award Recipients Want More 73.4 these NNPA policies are passed. African American history, Community Involvement Y % 3 3

PHOTOGRAPHERS John E. De Freitas, Roy Lewis, Khalid Naji-Allah, Shevry Lassiter

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law enforcement. She said they threat,” she said. had come together to bring a Among the programs Marlow sense of uniformity in the way wants to see implemented are domestic violence victims and stricter restraining order policies, survivors are treated. more rights for victim's families “She's using her own personal to intervene on behalf of a vicstory, her own personal pain to tim, a domestic violence assesspush forward,” Davis-Nickens ment unit coupled with further said about Marlow. training for law enforcement Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, a Child's Life Protecwho reads Marlow's book will tion Act and mandatory counsel“get it.” She said she “puts the ing for batterers. case in such a way, the average “If we are ever going to eradiperson can get it.” She said at the cate domestic violence, we must end of the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin. help people begin to have a dia- We need to address both the viclogue about domestic violence. tim and the batterer,” Marlow Also present at the event was said. A Washington Mildred Muhammad, the exMarlow would Exclusive! also like to see Informer wife of John Allen Muhammad, Trayvon programs designed to raise continues to dominate who was sentenced to six consec- awareness among children in be the news. Read about the utive life terms without parole public and private schools. She Saturday’s bigneed rallytothat took by a Maryland jury for his role in feels children be educatplace in the District of Columbia. the Beltway Sniper attacks in ed about domestic violence. 6.5% UNDECIDED gives 2002. Mildred Muhammad Our is Barrington “We haveM. to Salmon stop being pasyouwith the full story. the founder of After the Trauma, sive-aggressive poor chilan organization that helps the dren about domestic violence,” survivors of domestic violence Marlow said. and their children. Marlow has worked to break “I lived in fear for six years. Six the cycle of abuse in her family, years in fear is a long time. It is and is confident the policies she not an easy thing to come out is pushing for will start that of,” she said. process. Mildred Muhammad said “I plan take of these policies to Have thetorash scandals, people who want to help investigations a Congressand andpolitical implorefallouts them to domestic violence victim must change our laws,” Marlow said. involving the mayor and members be careful of how they go into “I will not stop until these poliCouncil shaken your the victim's life, and understandof the ciesD.C. are passed.” confidence in theirJones ability lead? that she may be in “survival Tia Carol cantobe reached mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net Voting Results: “Before you get to 'I'm going to kill you,' it started as a verbal WI 12% MAYBE

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of Soul” celebrates her 70th When L.Y.Aretha Marlow's 23-yearbirthday. Franklin oldhasn’t daughter told her the father of her daughter threatened her slowed down a bit she life, and the life of their child, planning to gohad back sheeven knew something to be into the done. Outrecording of her studio. frustration with law enforcement's handling of the situation, she decided to start the Saving Promise campaign. Dealing with “It seems to be a vicious cycle sleeplessness -- some that won't turn my family things to do when youMarlow loose,” Marlow said. can’t sleep shared her story with the audience at the District Heights Domestic Violence Symposium on May 7 at the District Heights Municipal Center. The symposium was sponsored by the Family and Youth In the aftermath of theServices Center of the city of District recent shooting deaths Heights and the National Hookof Afghanistan women Up of Black Women. and Marlow has written a book, children an “Color Me by Butterfly,” which is a American serviceman, story about four generations of U.S. provides monetary domestic violence. The book is inspired by her own compensation to experiences, andvictims’ those families. of her grandmother, her mother and her daughter. She said every time she reads excerpts from her book, she still can not believe the words came from her. “Color Me Butterfly” won the 2007 National “Best Books” Award. “I was just 16-years-old when my eye first blackened and my lipsPolitics bled,”Fuel Marlow said. Debate Elaine Davis-Nickens, presion Gas dent of the National Hook-Up of Black Women, said there is no consistency in the way domestic violence issues are dealt with by UN

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Some highlights of this week

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• All ﬁve lawyers again voted “Best Lawyers in America”, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012 • Jack Olender included in 2011 DC Superlawyers, Top 100 • 150 years combined medical/legal experience • Contingent Fees

Women Break the Cycle of Domestic Violence Arts and

7 UN

Nurse/attorney Karen Evans, R.N., J.D. Attorney/pediatrician Robert Chabon, M.D. J.D., (Of Counsel).

Washingtoninformer.com

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around the around the region

heritage and culture at L.Y. Marlow washingtoninformer.com DCPS Leads in School Breakfast Programs Read both articles and much more online at Washingtoninformer.com! www.washingtoninformer.com

Week of march 29 to april 4

Black Facts APRIL 1 1984 - R&B Singer Marvin Gaye is shot dead by his father after an argument. 1950 - Death of Charles R. Drew (45), surgeon and developer of the blood bank concept, after an automobile accident near Burlington, North Carolina. 1930 - Zawditu , first female monarch of Ethiopia dies. 1917 - Scott Joplin dies in New York City. Joplin was one of the early developers of ragtime and the author of “Maple Leaf Rag”. He also created several rag-time and grand operas, the most noteworthy was Treemonisha. APRIL 2 1984 - Coach John Thompson of Georgetown University becomes the first Black coach to win the NCAA basketball tournament. 1939 - Marvin Gaye is born in Washington, D.C. 1932 - World famous African American cowboy Willie “Bill” Pickett died in Ponca, Oklahoma, hospital of injuries sustained after he was kicked in the head by a horse on the Miller’s Brothers’ Fabulous 101 Ranch. 1865 - Black soldiers of the Twenty-Fifth Corps were among the first Union soldiers to enter Petersburg. 1855 - John Mercer Langston, considered the first African American to be elected to public office is elected clerk of Brownhelm, Ohio township APRIL 3 1968 - In 1968, on this date, Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his final address at Bishop Charles J. Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee. 1963 - Martin Luther King Jr. opened anti-segregation campaign in Birmingham. More than two thousand demonstrators, including King, were arrested before the campaign ended. 1961 - Eddie Murphy, 38, comedian Born Brooklyn, NY, born April 3, 1961. 1950 - Death of Carter G. Woodson (74), “father of Black history,” Washington, D.C.

1944 - Supreme Court (Smith v. Allwright) said “white primaries” that excluded Blacks were unconstitutional. 1944 - April 3, 1944. The US Supreme Court, in an 8-1 ruling declared that Blacks could not be barred form voting in the Texas Democratic primaries. The high court repudiated the contention that political parties are private associations and held that discrimination aginst Blacks violated the 15th Amendment. 1930 - Ras Tafari was proclaimed Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. 1889 - Savings Bank of the Order of True Reformers opened in Richmond, Virginia. APRIL 4 1972 - Death of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (63), former congressman and civil rights leader, in Miami. 1968 - Independence Day in the Republic of Senegal. 1968 - On April 4, 1968, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. In the following week riots occurred in at least 125 places throughout the country. 1967 - April 4, 1967. Speaking before the Overseas Press Club in New York City, Revered Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, announced his opposition to the Vietnam War. 1942 - Richard Parsons, CEO of Dime Savings Bank, the first African American CEO of a large non minority U.S. savings institution, born. 1928 - Poet Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri.

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March 29 1999 - March 29 marked the fourth anniversary of the beginning of a two trek to Tanzania by thousands of Rwandan refugees fleeing the violence in Burundi 1968 - Students seized building at Bowie State College. 1959 - Barthelemy Boganda, President and founder of the Central African Republic, dies in a plane crash. March 30 1955 - Football star Earl Campbell was born in Tyler, Texas. 1945 - Basketball legend Walt Frazier was born in Atlanta, Georgia. 1918 - Singer Pearl Bailey was born in Newport News, Virginia. 1898 - W. J. Ballow combined the hatrack and table (1898 Patent No. 601,422) March 30 1941 - National Urban League presented one-hour program over a national radio network and urged equal participation for Blacks in national defense program. 1870 - On March 30, 1870, the ratification of the 15th Amendment secured voting rights for all male U.S. citizens. March 31 1988 - Toni Morrison wins the Pulitzer Prize for her novel Beloved 1980 - Death of Jesse Owens (66), who won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics, 1936, in Tuscon, Arizona. 1960 - Laurian Rugambwa of Tanzania becomes the first black Roman Catholic Cardinal 1931 - Cab Calloway recorded “Minnie the Moocher”-the first jazz album to sell a million copies. 1878 - Jack Johnson, (1908-15) First African American to hold heavyweight champion title; defeated Tommy Burns for crown at age 30. 1856 - Henry Ossian Flipper, the first African American graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, was born in Thomasville, Georgia.

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Supreme Court Takes Up Health Reform Law Poor, African Americans to be Most Affected By Talib I. Karim WI Staff Writer

his week, the U.S. Supreme Court convened hearings to settle the question once and for all of whether the historic health reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, dubbed “Obamacare” by Republicans is constitutional. Supreme Court experts suggest that this case is the most significant before the Court in more than 50 years – rivaling Brown v. Board of Education – a landmark case that led to the end of legalized segregation. Given the magnitude of the case, the Supreme Court had set aside six hours of arguments over a three day period which began on Monday, March 26 through Wednesday – more time given to any case since 1966. The justices have also postponed half of their normal monthly case load to clear way for the Court to issue a decision by as early as July. The case will have a significant impact on the upcoming election in November. If the Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act, it could be considered a win by Republicans who seek to unseat President Obama and take over both houses of Congress. However, if the Court allows the law to stand in whole, or in part, the president could declare his signature legislative achievement to date, a victory. A recent report by Brown University Professor Michael Tesler makes the point what many, including former President Jimmy Carter, have long stated: much of the opposition to Obama’s initiatives like health reform has less to do with policy than with race. While Obama himself has attempted to set aside the racial dimensions of debates over health care and even the tragic killing of Trayvon Martin, Tesler’s study is clear. “African Americans were about 20 points more supportive of the Barack Obama [health] plan than they were of Bill Clinton’s plan,” said Tesler during an interview with National Public Radio’s Michel Martin. Yet, the divide isn’t simply an issue between African Americans and European Americans, Democrats or Republicans, Tesler said. Instead, Tesler contends that health and other

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Obama policies are likely to be supported by people of all races who have liberal attitudes about race.

program, thus states can opt-out if they object to the expanded coverage.

Four Separate Hearings The reason behind the unprecedented three-day, 6 hours of oral arguments before the Supreme Court is rooted in the four separate issues being considered. Each issue is considered so unique, that the Supreme Court has afforded separate hearings for each. On Day One, lawyers were asked to debate whether the Supreme Court has the power to decide on the merits of the Affordable Care Act’s penalty for failure to get health insurance – considered a tax by some – since the fines and other sanctions don’t kick in until 2015. If the Court rules that the penalty for not getting health insurance is a tax then it could punt and put off the issue for three more years, after the presidential elections. On Day Two, the Court requested arguments on whether the health law’s individual mandate itself is constitutional under the Commerce Clause, which allows the federal government to regulate interstate activity. The final day of arguments focused on two questions, the first: whether the health reform law can stand even if the Court declares the individual mandate unconstitutional; the second whether the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid to cover everyone under 133 percent of the federal poverty line [individuals with yearly earnings of about $14,000] by 2014 is too onerous. The federal government argues that Medicaid is a voluntary grant

People of Color, Poor Caught in the Middle While health reform was being debated by lawyers before the Supreme Court, the nation’s top African-American physicians – members of the National Medical Association (NMA) – along with state legislators from across the country lobbied federal officials to ensure people of color are able to get their fair share of benefits. NMA President, Dr. Cedric Bright, said people of color may likely feel the brunt of any decision. On the one hand, if the law stays intact, out of those unable or unwilling to get health insurance as mandated, Bright acknowledges that African Americans in particular may be those disproportionately required to pay thelack-of-insurance fine [at least $695 per year by 2016]. Bright argues, that even this modest sum is a lot for “… folk with only a few dollars a month left over in their pockets.” Bright said, “I believe an ounce of prevention is much better than a pound of cure.” He also said that the mandate is a small cost for benefits provided by health reform: billions to build community health centers, funding to address ethnic health disparities, and increased minority participation in clinical trials. wi (You can read the remainder of this story online. Go to washingtoninformer. com.) www.washingtoninformer.com

around the region Interviews by Khalid Naji-Allah/ Photos by Khalid Naji-Allah

Viewp int Allan Nicome Centreville, Va. Trayvon Martin’s death was unjustified. George Zimmerman chased down Trayvon even though the 911 operator told him not too. George Zimmerman guessed the boy was a threat and killed him. It’s mind boggling that Florida would passa law that will allow a person kill someone based on a hunch. Briscoe,

A. John Jr. Washington, D.C. Every time the smoke of racism seems to evaporate the phantom of racism and overzealous police brutality, especially against Blacks, always rises from the bottom of the cesspool to remind us that racism will never die. Well, the phantom of racism once again emerged and the victim is a 17 year-old AfricaAmerican teen--Trayvon Martin.

Na’im Outlaw Laurel, Md. I am not outraged, I am disappointed. I am more disappointed at the police because they didn’t do a full investigation and allowed a man to leave the scene of a murder to go home and then returned the murder weapon to him.

Chris Greaves Silver Spring, Md. I am outraged about the Trayvon Martin killing because it could be me or someone I know and love.

Barbara Dunkley Wheaton, Md. I am very outraged about the Trayvon Martin killing. I am wondering George Zimmerman hasn’t been arrested yet and where is he. I feel so bad for Trayvon’s family, especially his mother.

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   Fiduciary Panel Attorney - Superior Court of the District of Columbia - Probate Division Former DC Fraud Bureau Examiner - Insurance Administration  Former Law Clerk for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

www.washingtoninformer.com

The Washington Informer

Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

Around the Region

Angela Davis

Most protestors sported hoodies at the Washington DC Rally for Justice at Freedom Plaza in Northwest on Saturday, March 24, to symbolize their support of the slain youth. Photo by Khalid Naji-

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RALLY continued from Page 1 A phalanx of protestors stood on the steps of the Wilson Building shoulder-to-shoulder holding hands with heads bowed before the afternoon event started. Most sported hoodies and held packs of Skittles and cans of Arizona Iced Tea, the items Trayvon had gone to the store to purchase. Others, with arms fully extended before them, held fliers with a photograph of Trayvon wearing a grey hoodie. Among the signs held aloft: “I don’t apologize for my blackness or your fear”, “Hoodie, Skittles, tea, black – Guess I’m next,” and “Skittles is not a weapon.” One young white woman held a large poster above her head emblazoned with the words, “Trayvon Martin is my son too.” The crowd’s energy ratcheted up several levels when a large contingent of demonstrators marched up shortly after speakers began addressing the crowd and converged across from the Wilson Building. “We are …” the new arrivals chanted with a throaty roar. “… Trayvon!” their compatriots across the street shouted back. Each side repeated this call and response for several minutes before the second group hollered, “Skittles, ice tea are not suspicious to me!” and then both sides picked up the chant. Trayvon, an honor roll student, was shot and killed on Sunday, February 26 while returning home from a convenience store in Sanford, Fla. He was staying with his father in a gated community that was being patrolled by George Zimmerman, a self-styled community defender. Zimmerman, 28, admits shooting the high school junior, who was spending time with his father after being suspended from school for tardiness. Zimmerman told a police dispatcher that the young man looked The Washington Informer

suspicious, he followed Trayvon despite being told not to, and during the confrontation shot him in the chest. He claimed self-defense and has not been arrested. One month has passed since the slaying. Craig Sonner, Zimmerman’s attorney, said his client – who is of white and Hispanic descent – is not a racist. Trayvon’s father Tracy Martin told more than three dozen publishers from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) during an interview last Friday, that he thought his son was hanging out with his nephew and he began searching for him the next day when he realized he had not returned home. After searching for his son and while preparing to file a missing person’s report, officers came to his home. “I got up, got on clothes, went outside because I knew my kid was going to walk back up to the door,” Martin said. “Instead, three cars pulled up to the door, one of them an unmarked police vehicle. [One officer] asked me if I had a recent picture of Trayvon and it just so happened that I had taken a picture … maybe a week or two prior to the incident. I showed them the picture. He told me to give him a second. He walked to his vehicle, retrieved a folder and asked could we go into the house.” “He told me he was going to show me a photo and that he was going to ask me if this was my kid. And he pulled out the photo. From that point, it’s been like a nightmare.” The case has sparked a conflagration of fury, condemnation and mass protests. Social media has helped drive the response to the shooting. President Obama weighed in about the case when asked at a Rose Garden ceremony last Friday. “Obviously, this is a tragedy. I can only imagine what these parents are going through,” he said.

“When I think about this boy, I think about my own kids … You know, if I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon.” Also Friday, the Miami Heat basketball team paid tribute to the slain youth by donning hoodies. In the team photo tweeted by LeBron James, 13 players’ heads were bowed with their hands in their pockets. Several of them also penned messages on their sneakers before the game. A MoveOn petition initiated by Trayvon’s parents has so far gained 1.75 million signatures. Seeking Legal Cover Both Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee and Seminole County State Attorney Norman Wolfinger stepped down last week, following an avalanche of criticism for their handling of the case. Wolfinger recused himself to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. It was his decision not to press charges against Zimmerman, and Lee was prepared to sign off on a finding that the department couldn’t determine enough probable cause and that all the evidence appeared to suggest self-defense. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation stepped into the investigation and are trying to determine if a hate crime was committed. Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law” is under intense scrutiny as a result of the killing. The law grants immunity to those who use deadly force inside and outside of the home, if the person can “reasonably claim he was defending himself.” But the law’s author, State Rep. Dennis Baxley, said in an interview following the slaying that “there was nothing in this statute ever intended to protect somebody who was pursuing or confronting other people.” wi (Read the remainder of this important story about Trayvon Martin online at washingtoninformer.com.) www.washingtoninformer.com

HARD WORK, REAL RESULTS. FROM STATE-OF-THE-ART SCHOOLS TO SAFE STREETS,

YVETTE ALEXANDER IS DELIVERING REAL RESULTS TO WARD 7. n Completed more than $300 million in public projects over the last 4 years — the most in Ward 7 history. n Protected the $102 million dollars in funding to ensure completion of the state-of-the-art H.D. Woodson High School. n Worked successfully with multiple groups to ensure completion of 3 new libraries (Anacostia, Dorothy Height, and Francis Gregory). n Paved the way for the largest recreation center in the city, The Deanwood Recreation Center.

The new, state-of-the-art H.D. Woodson High School

n Completed the new Employment Services Headquarters in Ward 7, bringing job opportunities and job training directly to Ward 7 residents. n Fought for greater police presence to keep homicides and serious crimes at an all time low. n Responded to and completed more than 5,000 constituent service concerns.

With more on the way…

The Francis Gregory Library

n Educare – $11 million early learning center. n The Washington Nationals Baseball Academy – $15 million (3 baseball diamonds with lighting, concessions, and classrooms). n The Washington Tennis and Education Foundation – $10 million (6 indoor and 9 outdoor tennis courts with classrooms). n Introduced education legislation to limit class size and extend the school day one hour. n Pushing for more car patrols and foot officers in the ward to keep our families safe.

The Deanwood Recreation Center

IN THE APRIL 3rdDEMOCRATIC PRIMARY,RE-ELECT

YVETTE

Alexander COUNCILMEMBER WARD 7 For more information contact (202) 583-2012 or email info@yvettealexanderforward7.com PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT YVETTE ALEXANDER 2012, 2524 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE SE, WASHINGTON DC 20020, DEREK FORD TREASURER. A copy of our report is filed with the Director of Campaign Finance. www.washingtoninformer.com

The Washington Informer

Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

around the region

Anti-Tobacco Groups Lobby D.C. Council By Barrington M. Salmon WI Staff Writer

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Jennifer Whitten and 11 members of the city’s anti-tobacco lobby spent several hours Friday morning making the rounds at the John A. Wilson Building in Northwest. The group’s mission this day focused on persuading council members to restore funding to programs that would fight the resurgence of tobacco use, particularly among young people. For Whitten, the first joint lobby day on tobacco control is professional and personal. “For us at the American Heart Association, the No.1 killer in the nation is cardiovascular disease. Tobacco use is the No. 1 reason. We can eliminate cardiovascular disease – it’s preventable. Just quit smoking.” “My dad had quadruple bypass surgery last year. He started smoking at 12. I harped on it all my life. His surgeon told him he has to quit smoking. [Doing that] will add years to his life. It’s personal.” Whitten and her peers decided to lobby elected officials because the body spent no money on tobacco prevention in FY 2012. The group represented the American Lung Association; the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; the American Stroke Association; the DC Cancer Consortium; and the American Cancer Society. The District received an ‘F’ in the most recent State of Tobacco Control Report Card because it funded no tobacco control programs. “D.C. is one of five states spending no money. It speaks to priorities. Healthcare costs are so enormous. A small investment could have a tremendous impact,” said Stuart Berlow, of the DC Cancer Consortium. According to the American Lung Association, health-related costs borne by the District because of smoking is $626 million a year. An estimated 15 percent of adults in the city are smokers and for high school students, the smoking rate is 10.6 percent. Annual healthcare expenditures in the District caused by tobacco use totaled $243 million and lost productivity costs to the city totaled $232 million. The group wasn’t able to speak The Washington Informer

directly to council members because they were otherwise occupied with the release of the 2013 budget. But they were invited into the inner sanctums of the respective officials where they pled their case to legislative staffers. City officials could have paid for prevention programs from tobacco settlement money and tax revenues. Their decision not to do that left them ranked 50th in the nation. At the same time, the tobacco industry spent $13.5 million in advertising and other promotions last year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the District of Columbia spend $10.5 million annually to prevent and reduce tobacco use among District residents in its Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs. Investing in tobacco control programs has proven effective at helping to keep kids off of tobacco and encouraging current smokers to quit, Center staff said. And a new report released by the U.S. Surgeon General, Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults, notes that “the failure of states to adequately invest in tobacco control has resulted in three million new youth and young adult smokers, a third of whom will ultimately die from their addiction. The devastating toll that tobacco use has on the District is no different.” So in their visits to the offices of lawmakers including Michael Brown (I-At-Large), David Catania (I-At-Large), Mary Cheh (DWard 3), and Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), the group asked for the council members to commit to the $10.5 million figure.

“Well, I hope we get a significant amount because this is a significant problem,” said Patricia Tompkins, of the Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington. “We have to keep the word out there. This is still a scourge that affects children [and] spouses. We’re also aware of the growing number of young people smoking.” “I don’t know if residents know that none of this tax money is going into prevention programs. We recognize that the city has overwhelming needs, but millions are poured into healthcare which in the long run we could be saving with prevention.” Christina Marsh, 24, could barely contain her displeasure. “D.C. has one of the highest taxes on cigarettes but it’s unacceptable that none of that money is going toward prevention,” said Marsh, who is a researcher at the National Institutes of Health. “Our current state is not okay.” The District’s tax on cigarettes is $2.50 a pack – 10th in the nation – which is funneled into the general fund. Courtney Tyne, who participated as a private citizen and not on behalf of her employer, said although neither she nor her parents smoked, the more she’s learned about the deleterious effects of tobacco use, the more she’s redoubled her efforts to educate the community.WI (You can read more about anti-tobacco lobbying efforts in the District of Columbia by reading this story in its entirety. Visit washingtoninformer.com.) www.washingtoninformer.com

Hunter Knocks on Ward 5 Council Door Again Candidate Touts Commitment and Passion for the Ward By Barrington M. Salmon WI Staff Writer When Delano Hunter finished second in the race to succeed former Council member Harry Thomas, Jr., in 2010, he tamped down his disappointment and pledged not to disappear. “It was passion and tenacity that led me to run,” he said. “When I ran, I ran against a legend. Usually after candidates lose, they disappear but I dusted myself off.” Hunter, 28, said he became president of his community’s civic association, worked at a homeless shelter and closely monitored the ward’s ebb and flow. Being born and raised in the ward has allowed him an intimate picture of what makes it tick. Another benefit has been the opportunity to fashion a vision that he believes will facilitate the transformation the ward sorely needs. Like one of his political advisors, Hunter sees every problem as an opportunity. “[Harry] Thomas’ downfall has provided opportunities,” he said. “For example, what happened has pushed integrity and ethics to the forefront. Folks don’t usually ask these questions. [Ethics and campaign finance] bills by Muriel Bowser and Mary Cheh are steps in the right direction.” “D.C. is a young place politically. We have to have these moments. And we have to get back on track. It’s [having integrity and honesty] an expectation now.” Hunter recalled meeting an elderly woman while out canvassing who warned him about letting her down. “She said, ‘we’re going to give you a chance but if you mess up I’ll come to the Wilson Building and beat you myself,’” Hunter said with a laugh. After Thomas admitted stealing $356,000 of public funds and resigned his post, 15 people jumped in to vie for his seat. The group includes a crowded field of Democrats, one Republican and one independent. Hunter’s main adversaries are Kenyan McDuffie and local businessman Frank Wilds. Ward 5 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner [ANC] Bob King, who has held the position for 29 years, is effusive in his praise for Hunter. “Most folks agree that Delano has the best organization, has

around the region

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  

   Delano Hunter said that Ward 5 is a very diverse community and for many residents of the ward, the focus is on how to achieve a decent quality of life. / Photo courtesy of the Delano Hunter Campaign

raised the most money and has perhaps the best vision for the ward,” said King during a recent interview. “Delano is ahead of his time. He is pound-for-pound the best candidate in the race. I like his vision. He was cum-laude at Delaware State University, and he did like Obama and came back to the community.” “He understands the ward with respect to education, he’s a consensus builder and he’s smart. With Vincent Orange at his side, it will be a one-two punch.” However, a fellow ANC member begs to differ. Herman “Rip” Preston, a native Washingtonian and lifelong Ward 5 resident, said Hunter is “a nice guy who has some issues but who has done some things.” “He is a decent candidate but he will lose to Kenyan,” said Preston, 63, who lives in the North Michigan section of the ward. “He [Hunter] is another young man I met in the last campaign. He asked to have a conversation with me and we did. He has a bright future.” Preston, a senior program analyst and Retired Command Sgt. Major in the Army National Guard, said McDuffie is stable, has an impressive background, understands the legislative process and has worked hard for his community. “He has served in this commu-

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nity as president of the Stronghold Civic Association, he’s married and is helping raise two kids. Even though he went to a rival school, I won’t hold that against him,” said Preston with a hearty laugh about the Roosevelt-Wilson high school rivalry. Preston acknowledges that “this will be a tough race because both are really strong candidates,” but whoever wins will have to be the council member for all of the residents, not just those who supported the winner, he said. Hunter said his independence will serve him well in city hall if voters trust him to serve them. “What separates me from many challengers is that I’ve never served at the pleasure of the mayor. I’ve never been shy of taking stances that may be confrontational. I am not afraid. It’s important to have representatives not [willing] to cave to conventional wisdom or political expediency.” Hunter said he is no stranger to hard work and cites stints as a community organizer, and running truancy, ex-offender and job training programs as evidence of his time spent in the “trenches” while trying to make a discernible difference in the lives of residents most in need of advice, support and direction. (You can read more of this story online. Go to washingtoninformer.com.) wi The Washington Informer

  

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Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

election

District Residents Decide Key Races on April 3

Polls are open in the District and Prince George’s County allowing voters to cast their ballots early before the April 3 primary election. / Photo by Victor Holt

By Barrington M. Salmon and James Wright WI Staff Writers This is the first time in decades that the District of Columbia will hold primaries for mayor, the D.C. Council and Congress in April. These elections were customarily held in September, but the city is bowing to new federal requirements covering absentee ballots. These ballots must be mailed overseas at least 45 days before the general election to allow expatriates and members of the Armed Forces to mail them back. This is a significant change on the city’s election calendar, but the Democratic and Republican primaries will be held on Tuesday, April 3. Ward 4 Race – Bowser Holds Her Ground D.C. Council member Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) faces Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Judi Jones, union attorney Renee Bowser (no relation), Max Skolnik and Baruti Jahi in

the April 3 primary. Bowser has been criticized by her opponents as aloof about the needs of Ward 4 residents and some have suggested that she is not free of ethics violations, either. “It’s evident, I believe, that we suffer a void of responsive leadership in Ward 4 and tarnished, unsteady leadership in city hall,” Renee Bowser said. “Fortunately, the winds of change are at our backs, blowing in our favor. I’ll bring a fresh, independent voice to the stale leadership in city hall.” Renee Bowser has picked up the influential endorsement of the Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO in her bid to unseat the incumbent. Nevertheless, Council member Bowser has been endorsed by the Washington Post, the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, DCNOW, a feminist organization, and she also received 72 percent of Ward 4 Democrats who voted for their candidate in the race in February. The council member has even

12 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

been touted as a possible 2014 mayoral candidate by political writers such as Harry Jaffe and political analysts such as Chuck Thies. Bowser said that if she is re-elected, she will work to improve the lives of Ward 4 residents. “In the next four years, I pledge to keep working fulltime to restore the public’s trust in D.C. politics, to create jobs and opportunity for D.C. residents and businesses, and to continue to build extraordinary communities,” she said. Bowser was elected to the D.C. Council in a special election in May 2007. She prevailed against a number of candidates, including At-Large Council member Michael Brown (I), with the support of then-D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty. Bowser still has close ties to Fenty loyalists. Her crowning achievement on the D.C. Council has been the passage of the comprehensive ethics bill that has changed, in some ways, the ethical standards that elected The Washington Informer

officials and city employees are governed by. Plus, Bowser has been dogged by her opponents for supporting two Walmarts in her ward while not giving much attention to small businesses. “Two Walmarts within a mile of each other is economic exploitation,” Jahi said. “This is Washington, D.C., not Walmart City.” Thies said that Bowser should not have a problem winning the primary on April 3. “There are three reasons why Muriel Bowser will win,” Thies, 47, said. “There is an anti-Muriel sentiment in Ward 4 but her opponents are dividing it up so they cannot win because of their division. Also, in the climate of scandal that we have, there are no serious questions about her ethics and there is no case of corruption against her.” Thies, of Northwest, said that Bowser has a tremendous financial advantage over her opponents.

Race Winds Down Ward 7 Council member Yvette Alexander should be coasting to an easy re-election victory on April 3, but there are those who still question her suitability for the job. She has been criticized by several media and web publications, who have accused her of taking credit for projects that were initiated before she took office, and she has also been slammed for a less than stellar record. Alexander, who is running for her second full term, was philosophical. “None of them understand Ward 7. They are not in touch with it. Overall, they still support [former Mayor Adrian] Fenty,” she said during an interview late Tuesday. “Their minds are closed. It’s upsetting because you want people to have an open mind. This leans toward racism. People expect you to be open to them but

Ward 7 – A Contentious

See ELECTIONS on Page 13 www.washingtoninformer.com

election ELECTIONS continued from Page 12 they aren’t willing to afford you that same respect.” Alexander said she has worked particularly hard in the past several weeks to close out her re-election bid on a high note. She said she has been “awfully busy maintaining the work of a council member while campaigning.” She has adhered to a grinding schedule of canvassing, knocking on doors, using GOTV, continuing to meet residents and attending community meetings, events and forums. In the waning days of the campaign she is concentrating on full visibility. “The time has come for me to continue to do what I’ve always done,” said Alexander. “It has been a very contentious race and I look forward to working with all the candidates who’ve expressed that they want to work for the benefit of the ward. Let’s see who stays with me after April 3.” While she has not expressed it overtly, Alexander’s ace in the hole is her incumbency. Name recognition, the financial backing of a range of interests because of her position and other perks accrue simply because she is a council member. Something else in her favor is that she has so many challengers running against her. These factors, according to political pundits and based on races in the past give her a decided edge as she seeks re-election. Those seeking to unseat Alexander are Kevin B. Chavous, Tom Brown, the Rev. William Bennett, II, School Board member Dorothy Douglas, Republican Don Folden and Ronald Moten, co-founder of Peaceoholics who is running as a self-described “Civil Rights” Republican. Brown has picked up a good deal of momentum recently, particularly with the endorsement of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce’s political action committee, DC for Democracy, the Washington Post, Greater Greater Washington, Washington Metro Labor, AFL-CIO, the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club and the Washington Examiner. “We’re working really, really hard, staying very calm and focused and acting as if we’re far behind,” said Brown dur-

ing an interview Tuesday night. “You’ve got to feel a little good to have some momentum … I’m excited with the wide range of endorsements. It shows that I am someone who is not owned or seemingly identified with one group. And they are all saying the same thing. It means a lot to me.” Brown noted that several news publications had written complimentary stories about his campaign and what he represents. “We’re starting to pick up some traction,” he explained. “We were that candidate a lot of people said can’t win and we’ve moved to someone seen as an option. We’re staying calm and focused and still working extra hard on the get out to vote effort. We’re not losing focus.” Alexander said she understands and accepts the rough and tumble nature of politics in her ward, but wishes that her critics were more nuanced in their criticism of her. “It’s very disappointing,” she said. “They don’t want to give you any credit. They don’t see what you’ve done or the world as it is – they’re trying to create the world they want instead.” Alexander said with the presence of Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Council Chairman Kwame Brown and herself as residents of Ward 7 means “the power of the city is tilted to East of the River.” But that very fact is the source of much frustration for residents like Jeri Washington and Paul Savage who represent a faction of the dissatisfied who expected that with the ward boasting three residents, who by virtue of their jobs hold some of the most powerful political positions in the city, there would be a requisite return for them in real terms. That has yet to happen, some said. “Ward 7 has the highest crime rate and the highest unemployment outside of Ward 8,” Washington said in an earlier interview. “Education is dismal with our schools rated probably at the bottom of the barrel, economic development is scant and public safety is an issue. Education has to be driven by parents but parental involvement and community engagement is low. The politicians sit around and pontificate instead of making things hap-

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Campaign workers at Turkey Thicket Playground in Northeast are prepared for early voters. /Photo by Victor Holt

pen. If I’m running something, my neighborhood would be the best.” “You’d think that with the mayor, [the council chairman] and ward representative from Ward 7, the ward would be in better shape. What do we have to show for it?” Savage, a longtime Ward 7 resident with considerable clout, spearheaded the creation of a group of influential, disgruntled residents to find a suitable candidate to oust Alexander. The group finally gave its support to Chavous. “Nothing has happened here, yet the city is on a trajectory in six wards that is unbelievable but Ward 7 is standing still,” said Savage, who chaired former Mayor Tony Williams’ re-election campaign. “She is not on-point with ward needs, knows nothing about economic development and is not doing a good job. It’s a striking contrast [between Ward 7 and other wards]; by any measure we’ve been left behind. She had the unmitigated gall to bring Reservation 13 to Ward 7 … there is no fight in that woman. The library is fine and good but we need private investment and the government needs to incentivize this.” Her critics notwithstanding, Alexander said she takes great pride in her accomplishments to date. Among them she counts the renovation of four libraries, the YES Organic store located at one of the ward’s gateways, the $100 mil-

lion renovation of H.D. Woodson High School, financing the Great Streets and Streetscapes programs and refurbishing Benning Road and Anacostia libraries. But Alexander can get no love. She contends that without her shepherding projects at various stages of the process, many would have fallen through the cracks. Some political observers and even the candidates themselves talk about how tough a crowd Ward 7 residents are, particularly when it comes to politics. Alexander wishes it was less so. “Some support me, some don’t. One disagreement on an issue will cause one person to withhold their vote, that’s not good,” she said. “One issue that you disagree with could be the breaking point. No one is going to agree with anyone 100 percent of the time. Look at the overall picture, that’s what I ask.” Alexander easily outpaced her rivals in terms of fundraising. Campaign contributors gave her $45,900 during this quarter. Chavous was a distant second. She has received the endorsement of the DC Building Industry Association and the DC Hotel Association. Brown, 45, said he continues working as hard as he can to secure the trust of those he seeks to serve. He is the founder and ex-

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ecutive director of Training Grounds, a non-profit that specializes in workforce development. “My background primarily speaks to workforce and small business development. I have done that for more than a decade,” said the former Anacostia High School teacher and cofounder of KIPP schools. In the jobs/workforce capacity, Brown said he works closely with representatives from a wide cross-section of organizations, individuals and agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, local unions, CSOSA, the General Services Administration, Goodwill Industries, Potomac Job Corps and other employers. He said he is interested in co-designing how employees can be matched up with the nexus of employer organizations which are looking for qualified applicants. Brown said he was taking nothing for granted. “The campaign is going very well ... I feel really good about the possibilities,” he said. “Most people feel that the race is between the council member and me. But I still have to grind it out.” Brown, who lives in River Terrace, said he’s lived on and off in the ward but is attuned to what residents are demanding. “I feel like I can offer servic-

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Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

election ELECTIONS continued from Page 13 es to Ward 7 residents that they are lacking – communications, inclusion and accessibility,” he explained. “Ward residents are searching for someone to lay down their life for the ward. I am making the sacrifices necessary to get the outcome people want.” Sylvia Brown, a Deanwood resident and a Georgetown University student pursuing a master’s degree, said she’s an enthusiastic Brown supporter. “Ward 7 can be a challenge because of false divides such as north and south, young and old and other things but he is a consensus builder, a listener and has a vision for moving the city forward,” she said. “It comes down to a vote of conscience. I’m not going to hold my nose and vote for the devil I know. People make political races about a horse race and political favors. Time is out for that.” “We have seen the outcome of that. When it comes down to what we want for the ward,

we have to do better.” Chavous appeared to be shaping up as a formidable challenger to Alexander until he was arrested and charged with soliciting an undercover police officer for lewd and immoral purposes late last year. “In terms of how we stand, I believe we’re on the verge of victory,” said Chavous during a recent interview. “We’ve knocked on 8,000 doors, put up yard signs and have been most aggressive. People are responding to our vision. They want someone with a plan.” “I have been honest. I have not made any promises. I will be passionate about representing their interests. I am a public servant at heart.” Chavous works with the Black Alliance for Educational Options, a D.C.-based nonprofit. He’s youthful, energetic, and carries his father’s name which is a blessing and a curse. He also has had the benefit of his father’s experience, counsel, contacts and fundraising abilities. Chavous, 27, has struggled to regain any traction he gained

14 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

Garrett Avans, a Ward 5 resident, participates in early voting at Turkey Thicket playground in Northeast on Tuesday, March 27. /Photo by Victor Holt

prior to the arrest and has operated under a cloud. He agreed to enter a diversionary program and said the case has been settled and is behind him. Challenges aside, Chavous is upbeat going into the final days of the campaign. He has been relentless in hammering Alex-

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ander for what he describes as her lack of leadership and an absence of a clear vision for the ward. Among the issues he champions: Creating parents unions so that they have a greater say in the running of schools; encouraging highly qualify teachers to come across the Anacos-

tia River to teach and paying them a bonus after four years on the job; and establishing a moratorium on property taxes for seniors. Ward 8 Race – Trying to Topple a Legend As April 3 approaches, the

See ELECTIONS on Page 16

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Re-Elect

At-Large Councilmember

Vincent Orange

All of the residents of DC need his progressive leadership in improving education building strong communities creating a skilled workforce

VOTE

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April 3rd Paid for by DC Legal, Charles Parsons, Treasurer, 1615 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009

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election ELECTIONS continued from Page 14 cascade of criticisms from those opposed to Ward 8 Council member Marion Barry is reaching a crescendo. Critics, from news publications, the media and some in his ward have been relentless in their calls for the four-term mayor and elder statesman to be replaced. They say he has done little of consequence in the ward during his two terms representing the ward that finds itself on the wrong side of a number of social indicators. But while Barry, 76, is viewed with disdain and askance by some in other parts of the District, he is beloved by significant swathes of his constituency and regarded by many of the Ward 8 residents as the elected official most likely to defend their interests and one who remains the guardian of the neglected and underprivileged. In other parts of the District conversations about Barry in black circles is as likely to touch on his seminal role in building

the black middle class, or who got hired in his summer youth jobs programs or they would focus on his fall from grace in 1990. Barry’s challengers are his former communications director Natalie Williams, Jacque Patterson, former president of the Ward 8 Democrats, who ran against Barry in 2004; Darrell Gaston, an advisory neighborhood commissioner and community activist, and perennial candidate Sandra Seegars, who has lost to Barry in the two most recent elections. Patterson believes “that this comes down to a race between me and the incumbent. I’m going toe-to-toe with Mr. Barry. [Residents] want change but they want to make sure who they choose will defend and promote the interests of the ward.” “You hear it all the time. People need work and want to work,” said Patterson who lives in the Shipley Terrace neighborhood in Southeast. “Homeowners would like to be able

Garrett Avans, a Ward 5 resident prepares to cast his ballot on Tuesday, March 27 at the Turkey Thicket playground in Northeast. /Photo by Victor Holt

to shop in their own ward and public safety is a concern. Violent crime has gone down but petty crimes, which are very personal to people and which makes them feel unsafe, still occurs.” Patterson, 41, said he gives Barry a lot of credit for his work in the past, but said the

issues of jobs, economic development and crime are what residents talk most to him about. As to the question of Barry’s lack of a substantive legislative record this term, Patterson said he thinks Barry is disengaged. “I think he’s distracted with health and other issues,” he said.

Patterson’s activities and achievements have created a good deal of buzz in the media. He is a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran who worked as a community affairs coordinator for former Mayor Anthony Williams. Patterson was also a reserve officer with the Metropolitan Police Department for four years, served as an advisory neighborhood commissioner, and he was also employed as a project manager with the Federal City Council. “I’m a certified public manager; I’m trained to look at the budget,” he said. “I’m up at 5 a.m. in the morning and I don’t go to bed until 1 a.m. I’m canvassing, emailing, calling, and on Facebook and other social media.” “I ran in 2004 against him as a newbie. It was an experience and it has served me well this time,” said Patterson. Patterson is committed to education and also supports the idea of having a business improvement district in Anacostia. He seeks to provide more school options that will better prepare children for college, careers and leadership. He supports vocational schools and institutions that allow children to receive college credit and a trade license during high school. He wants to create an environment in the ward for job creation, and advocates improving public transportation around the ward.

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16 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

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election ELECTIONS continued from Page 16 Patterson said if elected, his immediate focus would be on human services, enhanced economic development and education. Patterson has received endorsements from the Washington City Paper, the Washington Post, Greater Greater Washington and the Washington Examiner. Since announcing her intention to replace her former boss, Natalie Williams and Barry have bumped heads fairly frequently. The latest salvo came Tuesday when Barry fired off a news release castigating his former communications director for her opposition to a proposed women’s shelter in Anacostia. The release said in part: “The planned protest of the Calvary Women’s Shelter in Ward 8 led by Natalie Williams, a candidate for the Ward 8 City Council seat, indicates, her insensitivity and knowledge about the shelter. This is an issue I investigated and have been working with the community on for over three months. Her Johnny-come-lately efforts are just that. If she had taken the time, she would have found that Calvary Church is doing the Lord’s work and that they have successfully operated a women’s transition house at 5th & K for almost 30 years. They are focusing on single women with health or personal problems, and working hard to get them employment. Ms. Williams apparently does not know city law which allows the transition house to be on Good Hope Road as a matter of right. While the ANC ought to be given great weight when there’s a variance, this is not true in this case. The transition house has a matter of right to be there. I couldn’t stop the transition house if I wanted to and I don’t want to. Calvary is doing the Lord’s work. It is putting a 50 bed transition house on Good Hope Road for 50 single women, a third of whom are already working; the Calvary people intend to work vigorously to get jobs for the others. Anyone who opposes this transition house opposes 50 women trying to get their lives back together.

Natalie Williams just recently moved into the ward and knows very little about it. She should be ashamed of herself to oppose a group that is trying to bring help, hope, jobs and, resources to 50, single women who are attempting to get their lives together.” Williams, a single mother of a 10-year-old girl, is running on a platform that includes: Increased employment opportunities; equitable and goalcentered education; reduction in the dependency on government subsidies; improved healthcare services and safe and livable communities. She advocates responsible ethical practices and accountability and public, not private Council agendas. At-Large Race – Round 3: Orange vs. Biddle

A volunteer shows Garrett Avans of Ward 5 how to electronically cast his vote. Avans voted at Turkey Thicket playground in Northeast.

as a part of an investigation of the ongoing troubles of D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray. The winner of the April 3 primary will vie for two at-large

positions on the D.C. Council in the Nov. 6 general election. The Democratic Party primary winner is generally considered a shoo-in for one of the posi-

tions because of the city’s 10-1 Democratic ratio. Political insiders consider

See ELECTIONS on Page 18

The race for the Democratic Party nomination for one of the at-large seats on the D.C. Council has emerged as one in which the incumbent is fighting a challenger who once held the position he is trying to keep. D.C. Council member Vincent Orange (D-At-Large) is trying to hold off three challengers in the Tue., April 3 Democratic Party primary. One of his challengers is Sekou Biddle, a former D.C. Council member who Orange defeated in a special election last April. “For too long the D.C. Council has served themselves instead of the residents who elected them,” Biddle, of Northwest, said. “I am committed to providing the ethical and responsive leadership that has been missing from our Council for too long. I ask residents to join my campaign and on April 3 vote for the leadership we deserve in the District.” Biddle is a former member of the D.C. State Board of Education representing Ward 4 while Orange served on the D.C. Council from 1999-2007. Orange ran for mayor in 2006 and for chairman of the D.C. Council in 2010, losing both contests. Orange, 54, has been cited for his role in accepting donations – in the form of money orders –from multi-millionaire businessman Jeffrey Thompson, whose house and offices were raided by federal agents

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Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

election ELECTIONS continued from Page 17 the at-large race a two-man show, with the others challengers, Peter Shapiro and E. Gail Anderson Holness, both of Northwest, too little known to the general public to be serious contenders. Orange and Biddle first fought for the D.C. Council member seat that was vacated by Kwame Brown, who was elected chairman of the Council in November 2010. The majority of the members of the D.C. Democratic State Committee voted for Biddle to have the seat temporarily over Orange. Biddle was supported by Brown, who was still smarting

“

over Orange’s challenge to him in the September 2010 primary election for chairman. A special election was called by the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics in April 2011 to permanently replace Brown on the D.C. Council. Biddle ran with the support of Brown, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (D), and D.C. Council members such as Harry Thomas (D-Ward 5) and Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) to stay on the Council permanently but Orange and a few others jumped into the race. Orange slipped past Republican Patrick Mara in the special election, with Biddle coming in a distant third. Political observers said Orange won the permanent seat because he had higher name recognition that

Ben Cardin is a man of integrity and action who fights to protect the rights of all. I am supporting his re-election to the U.S. Senate. I hope you will join me and vote on April 3rd for my friend, Ben.

Biddle. Biddle has picked up some key endorsements during this election season, with the Washington Post, DCNOW, and the D.C. Chapter of the Sierra Club putting their support behind him. However, organized labor continues to back Orange. “He’s knowledgeable and when he was elected as an atlarge member of the Council, he did not skip a beat,” Joslyn Williams, president, Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO, said. “He knows the rules of the [D.C.] Council and he will serve the city well.” Williams said organized labor will stick by Orange “until it is proven otherwise that he has done something wrong.” Some longtime political ac-

tivists are giving Biddle a serious look. “I am looking at Biddle because there is an ethical cloud that is hanging over the [John A.] Wilson Building,” Don Murray, of Southeast, said. “We need someone on the Council who is considered ethically clean. The city is in a crisis and we need people we can feel good about.” Murray is an experienced District political operative. He was part of the Hillcrest group of political activists in Southeast that convinced Anthony Williams to run for mayor in 1998. He also played a leading role in Gray’s successful defeat of Kevin P. Chavous for the Ward 7 Council seat in 2004. Kemry Hughes, a political

analyst who has been involved in District politics for nearly three decades, said that the atlarge race is wide open. “It is anybody’s race to call,” Hughes, 50, said. “Naturally, you have to give the upperhand to the incumbent but with what is going on in the city now, who knows? There is an anti-incumbent energy out there and really, the race will be won on who can get their voters to the polls on April 3.” Orange said that the voters should let him keep his job. “I am the best person to serve you now and in the future,” he said. wi

MILLIONS ARE ON THE BRINK OF STARVATION

—Congressman Elijah Cummings

” Photos by Jake Lyell

The worst drought in more than 50 years is affecting 11 million people in the Horn of Africa. Already tens of thousands of people, mostly children, have died from starvation – and millions more lives are at stake. ChildFund is on the ground delivering life-saving food and water.

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Paid for by Ben Cardin for Senate, Inc.

18 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

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Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

Prince George’s County

When It Comes To Prince George’s Future, There Is A Big Difference Between Rosecroft And National Harbor Proposals For Alternative Gaming.

Maryland State Sen. C. Anthony Muse wants the voters of Maryland to send him to the U.S. Senate this year. /Photo courtesy of the Muse campaign

One of those proposals will be a better choice for Prince George’s County and benefit our community a great deal more!

That proposal will pay the proper amount of taxes, will generate more funds for Prince George’s, will benefit minority and locally owned business, will pay for infrastructure needs and will support education.

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

READ THE FACTS

Find out which alternative gaming proposal is best for Prince George’s community...

ROSECROFT RACEWAY PROPOSAL

NATIONAL HARBOR PROPOSAL

Committed to a minimum $300 million state-of-the-art gaming and racing facility under current tax structure.

Promises a $1 billion mega casino but it’s completely conditioned on a 37% tax cut of the current slots tax rate.

Estimates that it will generate nearly $40 million annually for Prince George’s County from gaming taxes.

Estimates that it will generate $29 million annually for Prince George’s County from gaming taxes.

Commits to a robust minority and locally owned business participation program in the development.

Does not commit to a minority and locally owned business participation program for their development.

Committed to paying for direct infrastructure needs for a gaming facility at Rosecroft Raceway.

Keeps the original intent of the slots law: to support education and the horse racing industry in the State of Maryland.

This development has already received hundreds of millions of taxpayer-backed dollars for infrastructure (i.e. roads). Current plan will require additional millions from the county for road improvements.

Reduces the share of gaming dollars originally supposed to go to education and instead gives it to the casino operator.

ROSECROFT RACEWAY IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR PRINCE GEORGE’S. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TODAY!

ICE THE CHO R! IS CLEA 20 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

Race between Cardin, Muse on April 3

Paid for by Prince George's Racing Ventures.

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he Democratic Party primary race for the U.S. Senate between the incumbent who has a progressive voting record and an ambitious, telegenic state senator in Maryland has gained attention from political observers in the D.C. region and on the national level. U.S. Sen. Benjamin Cardin finds himself in an unexpected and tough race for his seat against C. Anthony Muse, who represents Prince George’s County’s 26th Legislative District in the Maryland State Senate on Tue., April 3. Cardin, 68, has been endorsed by some African-American leaders such as former NAACP President and Chief Executive Officer Kweisi Mfume, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Rawlings-Blake, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, Maryland Lieutenant Gov. Anthony Brown, U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and President Obama.

“Ben is one of the good guys,” Obama, 50, said in a November 2011 endorsement of Cardin. “He has the courage to stand up for what he believes and he works for solutions to the most important issues. That’s why I need your help keeping Ben Cardin in the U.S. Senate.” The Cardin-Muse race is one of many in Prince George’s County and in Maryland, where Democratic and Republican primaries will take place on Tue., April 3 for the presidential and congressional races and in Prince George’s, residents will also vote for members of the Board of Education. Muse, who is the senior minister of the Ark of the Covenant in Upper Marlboro, Md., received the endorsement of 200 ministers in Baltimore on March 5. John A. Lunn Sr., the president of the Baltimore Baptist Ministers Conference, who spearheaded the endorsement, said that

See MUSE on Page 21 www.washingtoninformer.com

Prince George’s County MUSE continued from Page 20 Muse represents change. “Muse is a man who cares for the people,” Lunn said. “He is the change in Washington coming from the State of Maryland, which is needed. We are tired of business as usual.” In Maryland, the black church is a key conduit of political activity. Political leaders routinely make their way to black churches for the support of the ministers, who hold considerable sway over their congregations in terms of who to support in elections. Muse said that a victory over Cardin on April 3 will serve as a symbol of the American Dream. “With 35 years of public service in the State of Maryland, beginning as a youth pastor and organizer in Baltimore and now a state senator and candidate for the U.S. Senate, I have come to know that the hope and promise I was taught by my adopted family was indeed the American Dream,” Muse, 53, said. “[It’s] A dream that has been shattered for many Americans by our nation’s economic crises, through no fault of their own.” Change is the central theme of Muse’s campaign, said Terry Speigner, a seasoned political operative who is working with Muse. The change, Speigner, 45, said, is based on the lack of African-American representation in the U.S. Senate. “Right now, in the 112th Senate, you have 84 Whites who are 62 percent of the U.S. population, 12 Jews who are 1.87 percent of the population, two

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Hispanics who are 16 percent of the population, two Asians who represent four percent but no blacks, who are 12 percent of the country,” Speigner said. “That is not right that blacks are not represented in the U.S. Senate. Muse can change that.” However, Cardin supporters who are African American said that it is the quality of the representation that counts. “We need someone who will support President Obama’s agenda effectively,” said Maryland State Sen. Joanne Benson (D-Prince George’s County). “Whenever we as Blacks needed an ally, Ben has been there for us.” Benson is the chair of the organization, Women for Cardin, and members include political heavyweights such as Maryland Delegates Carolyn J.B. Howard, Jolene Ivey, Tawanna Gaines and Catherine Leggett, the wife of Montgomery County Executive Isaiah Leggett. Muse’s strength lies in rankand-file political and civic leaders such as Belinda Queen, who is an activist in Prince George’s County. She said that it’s time for change. “I have nothing against Ben Cardin but it is time for some new blood,” Queen, 46, said. “We need some new people to represent Maryland in Washington and Muse will do that.” “Ben has been good because he has had a long political career, but it is time for him to make a change and we need a new senator.” wi

If Your Ad Were Here Someone Would Be Reading It! Contact me, Ron Burke, at 202-561-4100 or rburke@washingtoninformer.com

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CP SIDE 1

NATIONAL Experienced quarterbacks like the Dallas Cowboys’ Tony Romo (9) are aware how seriously they could be hurt in the game and often try to avoid tackles. In this photo, Romo slides to the turf before Redskins LB London Fletcher (89) can tackle him. /File photo by John E. De Freitas

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Saints Top Brass Deserve Punishment Meted Out By Barrington M. Salmon There’s no getting around the fact that football is a tough and often brutal sport. One need only look at a game or at clips to see up close the big hits, concussions, broken body parts and damage players inflict on themselves and each other. But as details emerged about the bounty program the New Orleans Saints engaged in, and sports channels like ESPN ran clip after clip of nasty hits by Saints players on Brett Favre, Kurt Warner and other players, and the absolute exuberance of the punishers, I began to look at those hits in a different light. I remember watching the 2009 NFC title game and felt much pity for Vikings quarterback Brett Favre. Saints defenders used him like a beating stick. They kicked him around good and proper with combinations of tough, late and questionable hits. At some point, he had to leave the field. Even then, I cussed at the television screen when I saw the egregious hits on an essentially defenseless player and I’m not even a Vikes fan. Now I know why the defenders did what they did, and the cause for their glee. I was sickened when I, along with rest of the public, learned that Saints’ former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams funded and nurtured a bounty system which offered players money for jarring hits and to injure opposing players. National Football League officials released a damning 50,000page report on March 2 which presented evidence of the Saints complicity. Williams, Head Coach Sean Payton and GM Mickey Loomis offered mea culpas later, but it

was too late to avoid the hammer. Williams – who in the off-season accepted the defensive coordinator job with the St. Louis Rams – has been suspended indefinitely and Payton is out for a year without pay. Loomis will miss the first eight games of the season. The NFL also fined the team $500,000 and took away two second-round draft picks. There seems to be no timetable for when Commissioner Roger Goodell announces the punishment to the 22 to 27 Saints players known to be actively involved in what has been dubbed “Sinnergate.” Between 2009 and 2011, these defensive players threw cash into a bounty pool, an act that violates NFL rules. Williams stood at the center of the program which offered players $1,500 to knock an opponent out of the game, and $1,000 if an adversary was “carted-off.” During playoff games the reward doubled or sometimes tripled. The objective was to target the best players on opposing teams and take them out of the game. Williams coached the Redskins from 2004-2007 but the league chose not to investigate whether he ran a bounty program while in Washington. All of the principals involved, Williams, Payton and Loomis, apologized for their actions. But even I was surprised by the severity of the punishment. I figured Williams would be taken to the woodshed but didn’t think Payton would miss more than six or seven games. But given what the program was designed to do, the punishment is more than appropriate. wi (There’s a lot more to this important story. If you want to read it all, go to washingtoninformer.com.) www.washingtoninformer.com

INTERNATIONAL up for the seventh straight session, reaching 13, 252.76, the highest close since the last day of 2007; Standard & Poor’s 500 Index ended above 1,400 for the first time since 2008; unemployment applications fell last month to a seasonally adjusted 315,000, matching a four year low; rising automobile sales and increasing demand for heavy equipment; a jump 3.3 per cent in wholesale prices, the smallest year on year gain in almost two years; and an indication that inflation is being contained suggest, say top economists in the U.S., such as Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics and Robert Kavcic at BMO Capital Markets, the U.S. economy was slowly improving. Francis, who keeps tabs on the economic performance of some Caribbean states, Grenada included, said that the slow U.S. recovery “was bound to have some spill-over effect on the Carib-

bean region” but a key indicator of things to come was America’s jobless rate which remained at about 8.3 per cent. “Obviously if you don’t have a job in the U.S. you are not likely to go on a vacation (in the islands) and I think there will be a lag in the Caribbean,” he added. “We do expect some kind of recovery, but it would be pretty modest. Once unemployment starts trending down in the U.S. you can expect an increase in the tourism sector in the Caribbean. For the investment projects in the region the economic performance of the U.S. is also going to be very important for the various countries. But there is going to be a lag. “In the Caribbean, tourism has been very slow to recover and a lot of the investment projects that were put on hold are only coming back on line gradually,” Francis added. “For most of the region it’s going to be a very

slow recovery. The credit rating actions that we have taken across the Caribbean reflected the economic downturn and the increasing levels of indebtedness. That’s why there have been several negative rating actions including those for Barbados, the Bahamas, Jamaica and more recently Belize. The Bahamas is still solidly at an investment grade, despite the downgrade. Jamaica actually went to default and is going through a restructuring. Although we don’t rate St. Kitts-Nevis, it’s our understanding that it is going through restructuring as well. In Belize, the ruling party which was recently re-elected is talking about restructuring as well. “So, with respect to creditworthiness we have seen some negative trends throughout the Caribbean,” said Francis. Tony Best is a writer/reporter for the New York Carib News. wi

Slow Economic Growth on Cards for the Caribbean By Tony Best New York Carib News Special to The Washington Informer

A resurgent job market that is lifting the U.S. economy out of the doldrums, sending the stock market to its highest point in years isn’t going to return Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas and their neighbors to robust levels immediately. In essence, the impact of America’s increasingly positive economic picture on Caribbean island-nations is “going to be gradual,” lagging behind what’s happening in the U.S. and any growth in Jamaica and the rest of the region, with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana which have natural resources is expected to be “slow.” So said Richard Francis, Director of Standard & Poor’s Sovereign Ratings Group, who told the Carib News York that countries in the region were being adversely affected by a mix of their high debt levels and the www.washingtoninformer.com

global recession, both of which make it difficult to predict when the island-nations would see any robust economic growth. “It’s hard to say if the worst of the economic difficulties in the Caribbean have passed,” was the way he put it in an interview from his Wall Street office. “A lot of the governments in the Caribbean started out with relatively high debt levels and obviously it has been exacerbated by the global recession. A lot would depend on growth prospects and fiscal adjustments. In terms of the economic prospects, there should be a gradual recovery when you take the debt overhang. But that’s going to be a difficult process to work through. Caribbean nations that range from Jamaica, St. Kitts-Nevis and Barbados to St. Lucia have some of the highest debt to GDP (gross domestic product) ratios in the developing world and that’s going to be a negative factor on their pace of growth. In the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average recently closed

The Washington Informer

Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

business

Business Exchange

What Does It Cost to Rent a Negro Leader?

id you see George Clooney getting arrested in front of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington, D.C.? The Hollywood activist brought his “A-Team” for the latest demonization of the Islamic government of the Republic of Sudan. The staged sidewalk show featured: Clooney’s father Nick, civil rights leaders Martin Luther King III, NAACP President Ben Jealous, and actor and comedian Dick Gregory. The staged protest also included veteran “anti-Sudan” activists, African-American Rep. Al Green from Houston, Massachusetts Reps. James McGovern and John Olver, and Rep. Jim Moran

of Virginia. How Martin Luther King III allowed himself to be cast as a bit-player in the show is questionable; but participants such as Green looks at his role and arrest like a badge of honor. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Green lauded Clooney for “shining a spotlight on turmoil in Sudan.” Dazzled by the star-and-celebrity-power around him, Green said “Actions like these to prevent humanitarian crises usually start with one person, and [Clooney] has been that one person.” Fred Kramer, executive director of Jewish World Watch and Clooney’s cellmate, said “It was dignified, an incredible array of activ-

24 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

By William Reed ists and champions for the issue.” Kramer is a part of a Washington lobby that’s comprised of a collection of groups that has provided ongoing opposition to Sudan’s Islamic government. And, Green can’t help but gush because he’s a part of such a superbly creative visual extravaganza designed to

The Washington Informer

demonize the Sudan government. The protest had the legendary King name but many of us doubt that Martin, the father, would have placed his creditability among such a lot. Anti-Sudan activists have misled the American public on Sudan for decades and the spectacle in front of the Sudan Embassy was an endorsement of the rebels the Americans support in southern and eastern regions of Sudan. The record over past decades shows that America’s imperialist policies have supported separatist movements in the south of Sudan, particularly in areas where oil was found. U.S. intervention on the side of rebel forces during the long civil war drained the central government. Forces such as Clooney and his colleagues caused the division of Africa’s largest country into the oil-rich South and the diminished North. The cause of Clooney and cohorts is “regime change.” The charade’s current origins date back to 2002, when Christian Solidarity International (CSI), paid $50 each to buy back 400 Sudanese men, women and children from “Arab slave traders.” The Sudan Campaigns reek with imperialism and buffoonery and much care should be taken before one casts their lot with them. Clooney is no friend of these Africans and there’s no evidence that he’s done anything to positively affect the lives of people on the ground in Sudan. They spent millions to pass “Save Darfur” legislation and have

made “smashing the Sudanese an American cottage industry.” In 2006 Clooney made a TV special called “A Journey to Darfur.” In 2011 Clooney co-wrote a Washington Post Op-Ed titled “Dancing with a dictator in Sudan” in which he encouraged diplomatic isolation of the Sudan regime and freezing of targeted accounts and transactions of senior officials. “Caution” should be exercised regarding these “slam Sudan” activists. They have manufactured media events and stories that distorted situations in the region. It was through, what Louis Farrakhan calls “deceitful practices” that these activists successfully brought about the division of Sudan. A critical look reveals these campaigns to be rife with imperialist policies and practices that further demonize Arab and Muslim people. People in Congress, like Green, need to move toward constructive engagements we need to pursue with the country and people of Sudan, not new lies that advocate the overthrow of the Sudanese government. Unfortunately, the family of Martin Luther King Jr. has done plenty over the last decades to tarnish his legacy. Marty sullied his father’s image and legacy for a speaker fee, travel, and lodging to be a bit-player in the Clooney Show. wi (William Reed is head of the Business Exchange Network and available for speaking/seminar projects via the BaileyGroup.org)

www.washingtoninformer.com

High-Risk Pregnancy: Why Me? nderstanding and Managing a Potential Preterm Pregnancy By Kelly Whitehead Special to The Washington Informer Every year, 1 million U.S. women with high-risk pregnancies are placed on bed rest to protect their developing babies. Despite that, every year, about 500,000 newborns – one of every eight – arrive too early, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Enduring a high-risk pregnancy can be an overwhelming experience of stress, fear and unknowns, leading to more questions than answers. Many of these moms adhere to strict regimes of bed rest; face major changes in lifestyle and relationships; and are subject to dozens of doctor visits and even surgery or medications to protect their unborn children. For them, birth may not be the joy-filled event most families expect. Knowing those feelings all too well, research scientist Kelly Whitehead wrote High-Risk Pregnancy: Why Me? Understanding and Managing a Potential Preterm Pregnancy, which is backed by fetal and maternal medicine specialist Dr. Vincenzo Berghella, a top pre-term birth researcher. Whitehead’s first child died following his premature birth. During her next pregnancy, she spent 4½ months in bed worrying over and trying to protect her daughter. The book is both a medical reference and provides emotional support for mothers-to-be, with Whitehead providing answers in layman’s terms to the myriad of medical questions families have. Whitehead also shares coping strategies she discovered, along with what she’s learned through benefit of hindsight, and insights from other mothers. • Try to enjoy being pregnant. Don’t miss out on this experience because you’re high-risk. Do the normal prego things, even if you have to modify them: Shop online, get a belly cast, shoot expandingbelly photos, and savor those kicks and body changes. Don’t forget or stop dreaming about the actual birth and your desires for what it will be like. I regretted missing out on so much while carrying my daughter. Rather than enjoying the pregnancy, I kept focused on the end and my hope she would survive. • Don’t let your emotions become your enemy. Say goodbye to guilt – this is not your fault! It’s okay to be bitter, angry and upset at the world, and to hate “normal” pregnant women, but it isn’t going to change anything. So go get mad, www.washingtoninformer.com

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yell, and cry, and then move on. • Pelvic rest sounds easy, but it isn’t. It’s not fun being forced to become a nun, so don’t. There are still ways to enjoy intimacy; you just need to get creative. Think high school – remember how much fun necking was? Try body oil, a massage… whipped cream? Sexy lingerie is still hot, even if you’re pregnant. Flaunt your new assets - they surely went up a cup size or two. • Educate yourself about your situation. Don’t go reading about every other possible scenario out there. You don’t need to worry about problems that aren’t a likely issue for you. • Ask and you shall receive. It may sometimes feel as though people have forgotten about you, but the reality is they’re busy and they have no idea what’s it’s like for you. If you want company, reach out and invite someone over. “I know it’s tough to be going through a high-risk pregnancy and living in fear every day,” Whitehead says. “Though this will be the toughest time of your life, many of us have been through it and now have our children. You can, too. “Keep your chin up and keep hoping. Healthy babies are born every day to families who’ve walked the same path.” About Kelly Whitehead Kelly Whitehead is a scientist-mom, who lost a preemie son and went on to have two high-risk pregnancies. She wrote “High-Risk Pregnancy: Why Me? Understanding and Managing a Potential Preterm Pregnancy” as an educational tool and emotional guide for those experiencing a difficult pregnancy and the providers who work with them. She is also a trained doula, birth advocate and spokesperson for Sidelines National High Risk Pregnancy Support Network. For more information, check out www.hrpwhyme.com. wi

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Wilson Tigers Poised for National Science Bowl By Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer With their spirits flying high, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Science Bowl champs from Woodrow Wilson High School are poised to prove their mettle at the next level. In winning the Feb. 18 competition at Friendship Collegiate Public Charter School, the team led by three-time champion Reid Rumelt, triumphed over second place winner McKinley Tech (74-46). Wilson’s Tigers also defeated National Cathedral, Cardozo and Washington Math/Science Technology Public Charter School, to take their rightful place in the national contest in May. “We won for the fourth year

in a row,” said team coach Angela Benjamin. “The nationals will take place at the 4H Center in beautiful downtown Chevy Chase, Md., May 1-2,” she said, noting that the Tigers “finished 10th in the nation in 2010.” The regional science bowl is a quiz competition similar to the popular TV show, “It’s Academic.” During the bowl, two teams compete to buzz in answers to questions about physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, energy and astronomy. In addition to Rumelt, the team consists of Ari Taske, Sutria Suyati, Jenna Wade and Lisa Zhao. Benjamin said they practice each week with team members assigned an area for concentrated study. A newly-released U.S. De-

The Tigers of Woodrow Wilson High School in Northwest won the regional Science Bowl in February, and now look forward to competing in the national competition later this spring. /Photo courtesy of Woodrow Wilson High School

partment of Education report revealed the absence of calculus programs among the nation’s high-minority high schools. However, Benjamin partially credited her team’s win on its knowledge of calculus. “Strength of the team depends on the excellent advanced

The mission of Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts is to transform students in grades 8-12 into well-versed media contributors by providing a student-centered environment that connects them to the classics and modern languages and a curriculum focused on strong writing skills and vocabulary.

placement Science and calculus courses offered at Wilson,” said Benjamin. She added that the Tigers’ success also hinged on the “commitment of students, study assignments, and good team captains like Rumelt.” While none of Wilson’s African-American students partici-

pated in this year’s competition, Benjamin expressed optimism for the future. “We have some young black [students] in the wings,” she said. “This is also the first time we have had more than one female student.” wi

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2012 Supplement

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT March 29, 2012

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HISTORY OF THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

SPELLING BEE T

he Washington Informer’s first year of sponsorship of the D.C. Wide Spelling Bee took place during the 1981-82 school years. The late Dr. Mary E. White, supervising director, D.C. Public Schools Division of Instructional Services, Department of English, wanted D.C. Public Schools students to have the opportunity to participate in the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee held annually in Washington, D.C. Scripps-Howard, the National Spelling Bee sponsor was willing to include the District of Columbia in the national competition, but the rules required that only daily newspapers could sponsor local competitions. Many years prior, The Washington Daily News, a daily tabloid, sponsored the local spelling bee. Subsequently, The Washington Star purchased the Daily News, and ceased sponsorship of the spelling bee. Thus, for more than 14 years, District of Columbia public, private and parochial school children could not participate in the national competition for lack of a sponsoring newspaper. Dr. White solicited support from The Washington Post, hopeful that the publisher would agree to become the District’s official sponsor. According to Dr. White, Post officials told her that since the daily newspaper was a regional publication; their sponsorship would have to include not only the District of Columbia, but suburban Maryland and Virginia, as well. However, at that time, the Journal newspaper chain had served as the suburban sponsor for several years, resulting in the Post’s refusal to sponsor the bee solely for students enrolled in District schools. Dr. White then appealed to Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, a friend and supporter of the D.C. Public Schools, who was president and founder of the United Black Fund, Inc. and publisher of The Washington Informer newspaper. It was Dr. White’s hope that Dr. Rolark would exercise his influence over the Post officials and persuade them to agree to sponsor the spelling bee. However, as publisher of a weekly newspaper, which served more than 25,000 readers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, Dr. Rolark volunteered his publication to serve as a sponsor. With that, he brought in his daughter, Denise Rolark, managing editor of The Washington Informer, to assist in coordinating the District’s first spelling bee along with Dr. White and other D.C. Public School officials. The first city-wide spelling bee was held at Backus Junior High School in March 1982.The winner was a sixth grade student, John Krattenmaker, who attended Mann Elementary School. Krattenmaker was not permitted to participate in the Scripps Howard National Spelling

Photos from the WI Archives

Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes prepares for NBC4 interview following the spelling bee with D.C. Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman. Dr. Ackerman is now superintendent of the Philadelphia Public Schools.

See BEE on Page S-3 Ashley White gets a big hug from her mother following her successful bid as D.C. spelling bee champion. Last May, Ashley received her undergraduate degree from Howard University.

It was Dr. White’s hope that Dr. Rolark would exercise his influence over the Post officials and persuade them to agree to sponsor the spelling bee. However, as publisher of a weekly newspaper, which served more than 25,000 readers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, Dr. Rolark volunteered his publication to serve as a sponsor. S-2

March 29, 2012

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT

Each year, approximately 2,000 students enrolled in nearly 200 D.C. public, charter, parochial and home schools participate in the spelling bee. For the past 26 years, the City-Wide Spelling Bee has been held at the studios of NBC4, where it is taped and later aired for general viewership. Bee held the following May because The Washington Informer was and still is not a daily newspaper. As an officer of the National Newspaper Publisher’s Association, a trade organization of over 300 African American-owned newspapers across the country, Dr. Rolark concluded that the national spelling be was maintaining an inherently racist policy because there were no African American-owned daily newspapers in the country at that time. Dr. Rolark argues that if, in a jurisdiction like Washington, D.C., where the majority of the student population is African American, students who might otherwise be eligible to participate in the spelling bee would be precluded from doing so unless a White-owned daily agreed to become the official sponsor. Dr. Rolark called in his legal counsel and wife, Wilhelmina J. Rolark, who threatened Scripps Howard with an injunction that would forbid the national competition to take place in the District of Columbia until the court ruled on the merits of the case alleging discrimination. Scripps Howard complied, and changed its rules allowing weekly newspapers sponsorship in the national competition. That year, the Loudon County Times, a weekly newspaper based in Loudon County, Virginia and the only other weekly newspaper to participate along with the Informer in the national spelling bee that year, produced the national spelling bee winner. Each year, approximately 2,000 students enrolled in nearly 200 D.C. Public, charter, parochial and home schools participate in the spelling bee. For the past 25 years, the City-Wide Spelling Bee has been held at the studios of NBC4, where it is taped and later aired for general viewership. Scripps, a diversified multi-media company with several daily and non-daily newspapers, established the National Spelling Bee to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabulary, learn concepts, and develop correct English that will help them all their lives. Spellers experience the satisfaction of learning language not only for the sake of correct spelling but also for the sake of cultural and intellectual literacy. The Washington Informer’s participation in Scripps National Spelling Bee helps to further those goals in the District of Columbia and addresses the issue of illiteracy, particularly among young Black youth. Since the Washington Informer Spelling Bee was started 27 years ago, the youngest participant would be 40 years old and the youngest would be 32. It has not been easy to keep up with the 25 winners who represented the District of Columbia in the National Bee, according to Rolark Barnes, but reports indicate that many of the spellers have gone on to live successful lives pursuing careers in law, public affairs and journalism. “If we want to improve the quality of life for all Americans,” said the late Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, publisher, “then we must begin by teaching our children to read, which they will not be able to achieve until they can learn to spell.” Now in its 27th year, Washington Informer publisher Denise Rolark Barnes believes the spelling bee is as important today as it was when Dr. White first brought the idea to Dr. Rolark. “We believe that improving literacy among all of our readers and their families is an essential element of our mission to inform, educate, empower and entertain the community we serve,” Rolark Barnes said. “The partnership that has endured between The Washington Informer, NBC4 and the D.C. Public Schools is one of the most meaningful relationships we have developed over the years, and we are proud to continue this relationship which directly benefits the children of our city,” Rolark Barnes added. WI

Dr. Mary White, chairman of the English and Language Arts Dept., congratulates John Krattenmaker, of Lafayette Elementary School, D.C.’s first winner of the Washington Informer Spelling Bee held 27 years ago.

Daphne Gaither, of Evans Junior High School, with Dr. Mary White and her team of spelling bee coordinators from the English and Language Arts Department of DC Public Schools.

Washington Informer publisher Dr. Calvin W. Rolark interviews spelling bee champion Ronald Benson-El during his weekly taping of Sound-Off on WYCB 1340-AM.

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT March 29, 2012

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March 29, 2012

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT

Mr Olender shares his wisdom with the winners during his reception

Attorney Jack H. Olender hosted a special reception for the spelling bee winners and presented them with cash prizes. Shown are (from left) Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, First place winner Tuli Bennett-Bose, second place winner Noa Rosinplotz , Mr. Olender, third place winner Justin Atwood, fourth place winner Ella Goldblum, and Washington Informer director of marketing Ron Burke

2012 Washington Informer Spelling Bee Winners First Place

Tuli Bennett-Bose

Oyster-Adams Bilingual School 7th Grade Second Place Noa Rosinplotz Oyster-Adams Bilingual School 5th Grade

THE MALPRACTICE LAW FIRM

Jack H. Olender

& ASSOCIATES, P.C. Congratulations to Winners TULI BENNETT-BOSE NOA ROSINPLOTZ JUSTIN ATWOOD ELLA GOLDBLUM and all the

Third Place Justin Atwood Deal Middle School 6th Grade

30th Annual Washington Infomer Spelling Bee Participants 888 17th St., N.W., 4th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20006 www.olender.com (202) 879-7777 FAX (202) 393-2245

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT March 29, 2012

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We consider each and every finalist to be a winner, and our sponsors and partners have helped us to reward every one of them. We humbly ask that you support our sponsors, partners, and advertisers.

2012 Spelling Bee Sponsors and Partners Southwest Air Giant Food The Nielsen Company McDonalds Microsoft DC Public Schools NBC4 Champion Trophy Coca Cola Washington Nationals Pepco Inspire BBQ and Catering McMillon Communications The Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education Inc. (FAME) Jack H Olender and Associates Lunch Provided by Inspire BBQ and Catering

2012 PRIZE LIST First Place Winner: • • • • • • • • • •

First Place Trophy – courtesy by Champion Trophy Laptop Speakers courtesy of Microsoft X box Game software and web design software – Courtesy of Microsoft Four Tickets anywhere Southwest Airlines flies – courtesy of Southwest Air Check for $1000 – courtesy of Jack H. Olender and Associates 1 hour session with Doris McMillon on effective public speaking Hotel stay for the national bee at the Grand Hyatt – courtesy of The Washington Informer Washington Nationals tickets Invitation to be honored at Home Plate of a Nationals game and a meet and greet with a player and Screech. Giant gift card

•

Washington Informer gift bag

Second Place Winner: • • • • • • •

Second Place Trophy – courtesy of Champion Trophy X box Game software and web design software – Courtesy of Microsoft Washington Nationals tickets Check for $500 – courtesy of Jack H. Olender and Associates Invitation to be honored at Home Plate of a Nationals game and a meet and greet with a player and Screech. Giant gift card Washington Informer gift bag

Third Place Winner: • • • • • • •

Third Place Trophy – courtesy of Champion Trophy X box Game software – Courtesy of Microsoft Washington Nationals tickets Check for $300 – courtesy of Jack H. Olender and Associates Invitation to be honored at Home Plate of a Nationals game and a meet and greet with a player and Screech. Giant gift card Washington Informer gift bag

All other finalists: • • •

Finalist Trophy – courtesy of Champion Trophy Giant gift card Washington Informer gift bag

Please feel free to contact The Washington Informer with any questions, concerns, suggestions for next year, or if

Please feel free to contact The Washington Informer with any questions, concerns, suggestions for next year, or if you would like to personally thank any of our sponsors. The Washington Informer Newspaper www.washingtoninformer.com 202-561-4100 (office) 202-574-3785 (fax) Denise Rolark Barnes, Publisher Ron Burke, Advertising and Marketing Director

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March 29, 2012

you would like to personally thank any of our sponsors. The Washington Informer Newspaper www.washingtoninformer.com 202-561-4100 (office) 202-574-3785 (fax) Denise Rolark Barnes, Publisher Ron Burke, Advertising and Marketing Director

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT

certain achievements open everyone’s eyes. Nielsen would like to congratulate the 30th Annual Washington Informer Spelling Bee Winners First Place - Tuli Bennett-Bose Second Place - Noa Rosinplotz Third Place - Justin Atwood

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT March 29, 2012

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Did you know?

Did you know the McDonald’s® Family Restaurants of Greater Washington, D.C. are committed to education and have awarded over $600,000 to local students through the annual McDonald’s Educates Scholarship Program? McDonald’s is proud to sponsor the Washington Informer Spelling Bee. Congratulations Tuli Bennett-Bose!

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March 29, 2012

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT

Photos by Victor Holt

Atiya Webb, 7th grade, Columbia Heights Education Campus, gets a kiss from her father who was said he was proud that she was a finalist in the Washington Informer spelling bee.

First place winner Tuli Bennett-Bose, Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, second place winner Noa Rosinplotz , Courtney Jones of Nielsen who was a sponsor, and third place winner Justin Atwood

The intense two hour spelling bee was followed by a delicious lunch provided by Inspire BBQ Restaurant and Catering.

First place winner Tuli Bennett-Bose, Giant Food representative Jennifer Gonzalez, third place winner Justin Atwood, and second place winner Noa Rosinplotz

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT March 29, 2012

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The Washington Informer Spelling Bee Celebrates 30th Annual Competition By Floyd Nelson Jr. WI Staff Writer Two students from OysterAdams Bilingual School won the top spots in the 30th Annual Washington Informer spelling Bee. Armed with their daunting arsenals of words and spelling skills, they claimed the first and second prizes and a chance to represent the District of Columbia in the National Scripps Spelling Bee in May. Tuli Bennett-Bose, a seventh grader, and Noa Rosinplotz, a fifth grader, won first and second place, respectively. Tuli, a familiar face because she won second place at The Washington Informer Spelling Bee last year, will go on to compete in the 85th Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National, in Oxon Hill, Md., on May 31, 2012. Despite all of her etymological prowess, Tuli, the veteran spelling bee champion, who said she practiced “over and over again,” didn’t expect to win. “I didn’t expect to know the last word,” Tuli said. “I was really nervous.” Tuli’s winning word was “epistolary” and spelling it correctly allowed her to walk away with a cash prize of $1,000 and other prizes. Meanwhile, Noa, a star wordsmith in her own right, nabbed the second-place trophy and a $500 cash prize. Taped before a live studio audience of family, friends and supporters on March 10, the bee was held at NBC4 studios in Northwest D.C. The Washington Informer Spelling Bee is set to air locally Easter Sunday, April 8, at 2 p.m. News anchors Aaron Gilchrest and Angie Goff co-hosted the event. One of those spelling bee supporters in attendance was D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson who said she was “beaming” and excited for Tuli, Noa, Oyster Adams, the parents and D.C. Public Schools. “People underestimate us and I think this goes to show that our students are at least better spellers than anybody else,” Henderson said. “Activities like

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Spelling bee participants raise their trophies to show they are all winners. Each one participated in a school spelling bee and a regional bee before going on to the citywide competition.

the Spelling Bee help us to reinforce for our young people a set of high expectations. The competition they are going to face out there in the world…we actually show them we support them and they can be excellent and I think these young people did a tremendous job today. We have a stage full of winners. People underestimate D.C. Public School students and don’t think we can achieve or perform at these high levels. Showcases like this show the city, the country, the world that DCPS can produce excellent students.” Although The Washington Informer reached a milestone by sponsoring the spelling bee for the last 30 years, it almost never happened. Before 1981, the now defunct daily tabloid, The Washington Daily News, owned by the E.W. Scripps Company, sponsored the spelling bee annually. The Daily News merged with the Washington Star, but the Star went out of business. This left the spelling bee without its sponsor--a mandated

daily newspaper-- for more than 14 years. Meanwhile spellers from around the world continued to come to the District to participate in Scripps’ famous annual championship event. All 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Canada participated in the spelling bee. Spellers even came from parts of Europe, the AsiaPacific, and Africa. But with no daily newspaper sponsor, the District of Columbia was left out in the cold. After The Washington Post turned down the opportunity to sponsor the event, Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, the founder and publisher of The Washington Informer, was approached and agreed to sponsor the citywide spelling bee. The first Washington Informer sponsored spelling bee was held in 1982 at Bertie Backus Junior High School. Because The Informer, however, was not a daily newspaper, the city’s spelling bee winner was not permitted to compete at the national compe-

tition. The District found itself effectively still blocked out of completion. With The Washington Informer being the only black newspaper sponsoring a spelling bee, Rolark felt something else was going on —racial discrimination. He and his wife, attorney and city council member, Wilhelmina J. Rolark, threatened to file an injunction blocking Scripps from holding the spelling bee in the District of Columbia until Scripps decided to allow weekly newspapers to be spelling bee sponsors. The Informer took the sponsorship mantle. Denise Rolark Barnes, The Washington Informer publisher and Rolark’s daughter, said her late father would be happy and pleased to know the newspaper he started is continuing to sponsor the spelling bee. “If my dad were here, he would be overjoyed that The Washington Informer is continuing a tradition that he started— the tradition of sponsoring the annual spelling bee,” Rolark

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT

Barnes said. “He believed that education was fundamental to the growth and success of young people, this city, the nation and the world. Our newspaper is proud to be associated with the education of our local children who truly are our future.” Rolark Barnes underscored that corporate sponsors are a significant part of The Washington Informer Spelling bee. This year’s sponsors who have contributed cash and prizes include: NBC4, DCPS, McDonald’s, the Washington Nationals, Pepco, the Foundation for the Advancement of Music and Education (FAME), Champion Trophies, Jack H. Olender & Associates, Microsoft, Nielsen, Giant, Young Designs, The Coca-Cola Company, McMillon Communications and Southwest Airlines Nielsen’s Director of Public Affairs Courtney Jones, said “all companies should be invested” in the future and enSee 30th on Page S-11

Photos by Victor Holt

First place winner Tuli Bennett-Bose and second place winner Noa Rosinplatz prepare for an interview after receiving their first and second place trophies, respectively. The Washington Informer spelling bee was held in the same studio where Meet the Press, NBC4’s award-winning public affairs program, is taped.

NBC4 co-hosts Aaron Gilchrest and Angie Goff interview Washington Informer spelling bee winners TuliBennett-Bose and Noa Rosinplatz, along with DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson.

Alex Togneri-Jones, 5th grade, Murch Elementary School

Noa Rosinplatz shares a private moment with her mother after winning second place in the Washington Informer spelling bee.

30th continued from pg S-10

couraging students to be voracious readers” while studying the English language, foreign languages and embracing learn

ing opportunities. “We will continue to support initiatives such as The Washington Informer Spelling Bee. We do a lot of support with science technology, engineering and math and something like the spelling bee--when students are

encouraged to read and understand language--that is a building block for success in their future endeavor. Being a good speller and being someone who avidly reads--that’s the foundation and the building blocks for whatever you want to do.” wi

Ward 6 State Board of Education member Monica Warren Jones with her daughter, and Sandra Schlicker, Deputy Superintendent of Education attended the Washington Informer Spelling Bee that included students enrolled in DC public, charter, independent and home schools

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT March 29, 2012

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Photos by Victor Holt

DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson said she is proud that first place winner Tuli Bennett-Bose, second place winner Noa Rosinplatz and third place winner Justin Atwood attend D.C. Public Schools. The Washington Informer spelling bee attracts 4th through 8th grade students that attend D.C. public, charter, independent and home schools.

We are proud to provide the trophies for

the Washington Informer Spelling Bee

trophies and gift bags were provided for everyone

52 Years of Expert Engraving Services

Competition and camaraderie marked the Washington Informerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 30th anniversary spelling bee among spellers including George Turmail, #27, of Stoddert Elementary School and Alex-Togneri-Jones, #23, of Murch Elementary School.

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30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT

Message From

The Washington Nationals

Before the April 22nd game vs. the Miami Marlins, the Nationals will honor the winners of the Washington Informer Spelling Bee. The Nationals are providing all winners and their families, complimentary tickets to the game, and will honor all winners on field before the game with a “Spirit Award” in front of the entire crowd. Congratulations to all winners.

Noa Rosinplatz shows the intensity of the final rounds of the 30th Annual Washington Informer spelling bee. She won second place and Tuli Bennett-Bose (right) won the first place title.

DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson attended the spelling bee and encouraged the spelling bee participants to continue doing their best in school.

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT March 29, 2012

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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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Trim: 10.9375" x 14.5" Client Name: Fitzgerald BEE SUPPLEMENT 30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING

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My Bee Experience by Tuli J. Bennett-Bose

ast year, I left the Washington Informer Spelling Bee with a second-place trophy and an inspiration to win first place in the future. It was my first spelling year in the US, and I was surprised that I had made it close to the top. (In 2010, I had come first in the Paris Spelling Bee.) I was up against Donovan Jordan in the Washington Informer Spelling Bee in 2011. We went back and forth for over 10 rounds. When I misspelled “sas-

safras,” a word that I had seen before and that was on the list, I was a little frustrated but still excited to have made it to second place. I realized that there was a chance for me for me to come first if I studied and tried again. During this last year, I collected hard words, read lots of books, and had my parents and friends drill me on my word lists until I knew them well. Unlike the year before, this year I felt I had a chance to win, so I studied more seriously. Still, once I saw how good the other spellers

were this year I didn’t think I was likely to win first place. When I did win, I was joyful, shocked, and nervous at the same time. I couldn’t believe that I was actually going to the National Bee! Although I’m scared about the National Bee coming up at the end of May, it will be amazing to be there. I’m excited to meet all the other spellers from around the country and the world. Spelling has been an overall great experience for me. wi

First place spelling bee winner Bose-Bennett-Bose with her parents and sister.

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT March 29, 2012

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Meet The 2012 Spellers

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Speller 1 Ben Topa Deal Middle School 8th Grade

Speller 6 Dev Bhojwani Washington Latin Public Charter School 6th Grade

Speller 2 Ella Pearlman-Chang Lafayette Elementary School 4th Grade

Speller 7 Michaela Knox Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science 7th Grade

Speller 3 Susie Joseph Cavalry Christian Academy 4th Grade

Speller 8 Sylvia Gisler Holy Trinity School 8th Grade

Speller 4 Noa Rosinplotz Oyster-Adams Bilingual School 5th Grade

Speller 9 Iman Hassen Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School 6th Grade

Speller 5 Aaron Rosenthal Lafayette Elementary School 5th Grade

Speller 10 Evan Kearney Eaton Elementary School 5th Grade

March 29, 2012

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT

Meet The 2012 Spellers

Speller 11 Stokely Lewis Roots Activity Learning Center 8th Grade

Speller 16 Samuel Joyce Holy Trinity School 7th Grade

Speller 12 Tuli Bennett-Rose Oyster-Adams Bilingual School 7th Grade

Speller 17 Mahler Revsine Washington Latin Public Charter School 7th Grade

Speller 13 Hudson Primus, II Stoddert Elementary School 5th Grade

Speller 18 Rasaan Johnson Roots Public Charter School 7th Grade

Speller 14 Olivia Barr Deal Middle School 6th Grade

Speller 19 Justin Atwood Deal Middle School 6th Grade

Speller 15 Eric Wright Washington Latin Public Charter School 6th Grade

Speller 20 Atiya Webb Columbia Heights Education Campus 7th Grade

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT March 29, 2012

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Meet The 2012 Spellers Speller 21 Andrea Giordano Holy Trinity School 7th Grade

Speller 26 Sam Lossef Washington Independent School 5th Grade

Speller 23 Alex Togneri-Jones Murch Elementary School 5th Grade

Speller 27 George Turmail Stoddert Elementary School 4th Grade

Speller 24 Ella Goldblum Washington Independent School 5th Grade

Meet The Pronouncer and The Judges

Pronouncer Ms. Doris McMillon

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Judges Dr. Elizabeth V. Primas, Literacy Consultant, Ms. Mildred Washington, Program Manager and DCPS Spelling Bee Coordinator, Ms. Patricia Bailey, Budget Analyst 30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT

Spelling Bee in 8 Languages

pepco.com

French: un concours d’orthographe German: Rechtschreibwettbewerb Italian: gara di ortografia, gara di abilità ortografica Hatian Creole: myèl òtograf Polish: Pisownię bee Swedish: stavningslek, stavningstävling Spanish: concurso de ortografía Swahili: spelling nyuki (Source: dictionary.com)

Apply your energy and you’ll go far. We are proud to support all of the hardworking participants in the 30th Annual Washington Informer Spelling Bee.

My Best Spelling Bee Moment By Misty Brown WI Staff Writer

My most memorable spelling bee moment was in the third grade at Edgar P. Harney Elementary School in New Orleans, La. The year was 1963. I knew I was going to win that particular class contest. I was going to get that gold star on the middle of my forehead. I was going to run home with my golden crown, screaming, “Mommy! I won! I was the new kid on the block. I knew I could spell because I didn’t always understand the various dialects spoken by my family, my babysitters and the natives. We are a melting pot of races. So, I mastered spelling. I had to show my team as their captain that I was a winner with words. I was going to be crowned the best of the best. It was the only way to stroll to the “head of the class.” Every student before me was stuck, falling to the wayside. My tapping feet were jumping for joy. I struggled to contain my hands. My eyes stared straight ahead at my competitor. The other captain was smart, like me. But, I knew she was going down for the count. I was on a serious

mission. I would be declared the one and only winner, once and for all. My brain raced as I strolled down memory lane. I felt my blood rushing to my head. I knew that word existed in my gut. I chewed it to the bare bones to get to the delicious marrow. I raised it, since it was a teen weenie baby. I killed it, every time they made me do it in front of the entire clan of bookworms. My brilliant older cousins attended Yale, Vassar, and Grambling. Competition was in my blood. I slaughtered it with my bare hands for all to see, old and young applauded. Once, I tried to cook it for my Grandfather Miles. I savored it as if it was my last meal. I relished every drop of it. I licked my fingers each time it was served by my mommy, Mary Jane, a professional cook. She loved hearing me spell everything. I smelled it before I got to the front door. I counted each piece, measuring which one is the better, dark or white, big or small. It didn’t matter. I wanted to fly with it. I knew that word. I had dreams about it. Hmmm! I loved it, like no other. C-H-I-C-K-E-N WI 30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT March 29, 2012

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The Award Winning African American Newspaper Celebrating Our 47th Year of Service

The Washington Informer Congratulates our 30th Annual Washington Informer Spelling Bee Winner! First Place

Tuli Bennett-Bose

Oyster-Adams Bilingual School 7th Grade

We celebrate all of our finalists and everyone who helped make our 30th Annual Washington Informer Spelling Bee a huge success.

Kaya Henderson: "I was thrilled to be a part of an event that showcases our students skills and talents. DCPS is thriving, our students are on the rise - and we look forward to continuing this tradition of success."

The Bee will air on NBC 4 on Saturday April 8, 2012 at 2:00 pm The Washington Informer Thanks all of our 2012 partners for making this year special

Young design

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C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

30TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON INFORMER SPELLING BEE SUPPLEMENT

Editorial

opinions/editorials

Martin and King

Some may take issue with any comparisons made between Trayvon Martin and Martin Luther King Jr. Right now the focus is on the killing of Trayvon, the 17-year-old black teen shot to death by George Zimmerman, a white neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Fla. Zimmerman remains free and has not been charged for Trayvon’s death. Sanford police were convinced that the killing was justified. Zimmerman reportedly said he felt “threatened” and was defending himself, invoking the Stand Your Ground Law. A national outcry marked by mass demonstrations and calls for Zimmerman’s arrest have resulted. People are calling for justice for Trayvon and his family and demanding a thorough investigation by federal law authorities. People are talking about racial injustice, and joining a growing movement to address racial inequality in America. This same movement, 40 years ago, gave birth to Dr. King who fought the concept that race determines the rights of people to freedom and access. On April 4, 1968, Dr. King, 39, was shot and killed on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, Tenn. A white gunman who felt threatened by Dr. King and what he stood for assassinated him. Instead of wearing a hoodie, and carrying a pack of skittles and a can of iced tea, Dr. King often wore a preacher’s robe, and carried his bible. Neither Trayvon, in his short life, nor Dr. King was perfect. But both of their untimely deaths revealed the racial tensions that exist among blacks and whites. No matter what officials decide, seasoned activists, the few who are left that marched with Dr. King, know that the movement never ended and that it won’t end any time soon. Trayvon’s death proves it. And it is through his death that new activists are being born. They will have to be the one’s to lead the next phase of civil rights movement on behalf of Trayvon’s generation.

Memorial to the Slave Trade The United Nations General Assembly recently commemorated the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade and recommitted its efforts to end slavery and human trafficking around the globe. It was a solemn occasion that included statements from UN member states from Africa, Asia, the Pacific region, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. Among the speakers were Dr. Rick Kittles, DNA scientist director with African Ancestry, an organization that has performed DNA tests on thousands of African-Americans wanting to trace their ancestry back to Africa. In addition to condemning the African slave trade, labeled the worst crime against humanity, the March 16 International Day of Remembrance honored the “Heroes, Resistors and Survivors” of the slave trade and recognized the injustices and discrimination their descendants still experience today. The day also served as a renewed call for reparations for the descendants of slavery and several statements were issued denouncing all modern forms of slavery including: racism, child labor, human trafficking of women and girls, forced marriage and the forced recruitment of children in armed conflict, all which arise as the result of poverty, illiteracy and economic, social and gender inequality. We commend the UN General Assembly for incorporating this historic event in its global agenda and for its commitment to erect a permanent memorial honoring the heroes, resisters and survivors of the slave trade at its headquarters in New York. It will serve as a reminder to future generations of the past and present impact of the transatlantic slave trade and to remind global leaders of their commitment to combat racism and intolerance everywhere. It is a battle that is not over yet.

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four weeks prior to the event to news@washingtoninformer.com The Informer receives hundreds of emails per day for coverage, so please allow at least seven days for a reply to email requests.

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The Casino is a Win-Win

As a citizen of Prince George’s County, I fully support the idea of a casino at the National Harbor. To me, it is a win-win situation for the county, but our county executive, Rushern Baker, has to make sure that he gets everything for the county he says he will. National Harbor is perfect with its location on the Potomac River. There could be water taxis ferrying visitors from the District after a long day of visiting monuments. There could be private boats sailing in from points up and down the Chesapeake Bay docking at an expanded marina. There could even be buses traveling on newly-built roads and bridges carrying gamblers to the casino. This could be very good for our county, the jobs, and the tax revenue. But it has to be done right! Let’s get behind Mr. Baker on this one, but we have to hold his feet to the fire so he holds National Har-

bor’s feet to the fire to ensure we get everything we are supposed to. Colin George Oxon Hill, Md.

Mayor Insults Citizens--Hires Williams

It is very strange that in Washington, D.C., the capital of the free world, with all of its connections to high-powered financial firms and government agencies, our mayor decides to reach back and select a former mayor, Anthony A. Williams, to lead the Tax Commission as noted in your story “Former D.C. Mayor will lead Tax Commission” written by James Wright. How soon we forget, or just don’t want to remember, Mr. Williams and his partner, Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi. You may recall they were overseeing our District taxes when we were being robbed blind of some $50 million. They raised taxes again and again during that run. So much money

was being raised they didn’t even miss the $50 million being stolen from right under their noses. Mr. Mayor, you should have fired Mr. Gandhi years ago, but to now put him and Mr. Williams back together again is an insult to the citizens of the District of Columbia. Jamal Shelby Washington, D.C.

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Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

opinions/editorials

Guest Columnist

By Marc H. Morial

Justice Demanded in the Death of Trayvon Martin “Everybody is outraged. There is no justice in this.” Tracy Martin, the father of Trayvon Martin Being a young black man has been called the hardest job in America. Young black men are much more likely than white men to be jobless, in jail and labelled “suspicious,” sometimes with deadly consequences. Such was the case on February 26, when 17-year-old high

school student, Trayvon Martin, was shot and killed by a white neighborhood-watch vigilante in Sanford, Florida. The shooter, George Zimmerman, a 28-yearold white Hispanic, noticed Trayvon walking through his gated community and called 911 to report a suspicious person. Instead of following the dispatcher’s instructions and ending his involvement there, Zimmerman continued following Trayvon. An altercation ensued and Trayvon was shot. Zimmerman claimed self-defense and has not

been charged with a crime. Trayvon’s parents are both heartbroken and outraged. As Benjamin Crump, the family’s lawyer put it, “If Trayvon would have been the triggerman, it’s nothing Trayvon Martin could have said to keep police from arresting him Day 1, Hour 1.” Of the many unanswered questions in this case, two stand out. First, Trayvon Martin, who had just stopped off at a convenience store, was armed only with a bag of Skittles and a can of ice tea. George Zimmerman,

Guest Columnist

who weighed over 100 pounds more than the victim, was armed with a 9 millimeter handgun. Even if there was a physical altercation between the two, why was such deadly force necessary? Second, one of the reasons the police gave for not immediately arresting Zimmerman was that he had a “squeaky clean” record. A few days later it was discovered that Zimmerman had been arrested in 2005 for resisting arrest with battery on a police officer. Trayvon Martin, on the other hand, had no criminal

record. These and other troubling facts have led the Central Florida Urban League and others, to call on the State’s Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice to conduct an independent investigation. Central Florida Urban League president and CEO, Allie Braswell said, “A private citizen taking law enforcement into his own hands cannot be condoned. If it is found that a crime has been committed, the

See Morial on Page 49

By Dr. Julianne Malveaux

What Happened to Audacity? Forty years ago this month, 10,000 African-Americans thronged to Gary, Ind. for the first National Black Political Convention. They gathered to develop a black agenda and to influence 1972 presidential politics. One of the things on the agenda was the development of an independent black political party and to explore the notion of independent black politics. To commemorate this anniver-

sary, Dr. Ron Daniels convened a group of people on Capitol Hill to see the movie, Nation Time, and to listen to a group of people, some of whom had been at Gary, talk about what Gary means today. One of the things that was exciting about the film was the energy and audacity of the black folk who were gathered at Gary. There is a young Jesse Jackson leading the chant, “What time is it? It’s nation time.” There is a forceful Richard Hatcher, then

mayor of Gary, explaining why the gathering was necessary. There is Imamu Baraka, calling for votes. There is Queen Mother Moore, speaking on the necessity for reparations. There is energy, audacity. All weekend, there have been rallies in support for Trayvon Martin and his family, demands that George Zimmerman, the man who executed Trayvon, be arrested, and demands that Florida’s vigilante laws be reviewed. Rev. Al Sharpton led

Guest Columnist

some 30,000 people in a Florida rally, and the NAACP also plans a rally. As people rally to support Trayvon Martin and condemn Zimmerman, it is important to remember that this tragedy is one of several. Zimmerman, apparently, felt threatened by Skittles, iced tea, and a hoodie. How many other young black men have been executed in similar circumstances? This Trayvon Martin case may have a galvanizing effect on African-American people. Still, we

have to ask what has happened to the audacity that was so clearly present in Gary four decades ago. Since then, too many of us have become satisfied and complacent. Too many are into “me” not “we.” Even as AfricanAmericans continue to be battered by our economy, too many are blaming themselves, not our economic structure, for the situation they find themselves in. And we have been too tolerant

See Malveaux on Page 49

By George E. Curry

12 Things to Remember about the Trayvon Martin Case

1) Trayvon Martin was a 17-year-old Miami student visiting Sanford, Fla., near Orlando, with his father when he was killed On Feb. 26. His father, who also lives in Miami, was visiting his girlfriend in Retreat at Twin Lakes, a gated townhouse community. 2) Trayvon had made a short trip to a nearby 7-Eleven store to pick of a bag of Skittles and a

can of Arizona iced tea as was returning when he was stalked by Zimmerman. 3) George Zimmerman, whose father is White and mother is of Peruvian descent, fatally shot unarmed Trayvon in chest. 4) Zimmerman was an unregistered neighborhood watch captain who was not supposed to carry a weapon while on patrol. Chris Tutko, director of Neighborhood Watch for the National Sheriffs’ Association, told the Orlando Sentinel that Zimmerman had broken a couple of

28 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

cardinal rules. “If you see something suspicious, you report it, you step aside and you let law enforcement do their job,” Tutko said. “This guy went way beyond the call of duty. At the least, he’s overzealous.” Tutko also said volunteers should never carry lethal weapons. He said “There’s no reason to carry a gun.” 5) Though Zimmerman acknowledged killing Trayvon, he was questioned and then released. Police did not follow basic guidelines of homicide investigations such as testing him for The Washington Informer

drugs and alcohol, though they performed the tests on Trayvon. 6) Trayvon was talking on his cell phone to his girlfriend shortly before his death and reported being followed by a strange man in a vehicle. 7) A police dispatcher specifically told Zimmerman not to follow Trayvon, instructions he ignored. When Zimmerman confirmed he was following Trayvon, the dispatcher said. “OK, we don’t need you to do that.” Zimmerman continued anyway.

8) Benjamin Crump, the family’s lawyer, said that based on 911 tapes, Zimmerman harbored at least three stereotypes of Black males: “He said, No.1, he looked suspicious. No.2, he must be high. No. 3, he’s looking to break in some place.” 9) Some said that Trayvon became a suspect because he wore a hooded sweat shirt, known as a hoodie. Some have even blamed Trayvon’s death on his clothing. On the March

See curry on Page 49 www.washingtoninformer.com

opinions/editorials

Child Watch©

By Marian Wright Edelman

“Walking While Black” Every parent raising black sons knows the dilemma: deciding how soon to have the talk. Choosing the words to explain to your beautiful child that there are some people who will never like or trust him just because of who he is—including some who should be there to protect him, but will instead have the power to hurt him. Training him how to walk, what to say, and how to act so he won’t seem like a threat. Teaching him that the burden of

deflating stereotypes and reassuring other people’s ignorance will always fall on him, and while that isn’t fair, in some cases it may be the only way to keep him safe and alive. But sometimes it isn’t enough. It wasn’t enough to protect Trayvon Martin. Seventeen-year-old Trayvon’s English teacher said he was “an A and B student who majored in cheerfulness.” Trayvon loved building models and taking things apart, his favorite subject was math, and he dreamed of becoming a pilot

and an engineer. Instead, he was gunned down by a self-appointed neighborhood watch captain vigilante who profiled him, followed him, and shot him in the chest. His killer, George Zimmerman, saw the teenager on the street and called the police to report he looked “like he’s up to no good.” At the time Trayvon was walking home from the nearby 7-11 carrying a bottle of Arizona iced tea and a bag of Skittles for his younger stepbrother, leaving many people to guess that the main thing he was doing that

Guest Columnist

made him look “no good” was wearing a hooded sweatshirt in the rain and walking while Black. George Zimmerman’s decisions made that suspicious enough to be a death sentence. Now there is widespread outrage over the senseless killing of a young black man who was doing nothing wrong and the fact that the man who killed him has not been arrested. People are trying to make sense of the series of gun laws that allowed George Zimmerman to act as he did—starting with the Florida

laws that allowed someone like Zimmerman, who had previously been charged for resisting arrest with violence and battery on a police officer, to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon in the first place. Many more questions are being raised about Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, which also has been described as the “shoot first, ask questions later” law, and gives the benefit of the doubt to Zimmerman and others claiming

See Edelman on Page 50

By Ron Busby

Women’s History Month, We Have Good Reason to Celebrate As this year’s women’s history month comes to an end, I am reminded of how proud I was to have our history acknowledged every February for Black History Month. My parents made sure I learned everything possible about our Black heritage, the struggles and obstacles we endured and the importance of African Americans on the history of our nation.

In 1987, our government decided that women also deserved to be honored in the same way. So, while February is Black History Month, March has been designated as Women’s History Month. This is a time to focus on and acknowledge the important roles that women take on in today’s world and the contributions they continue to make to history. This year, the theme of Women’s History Month is the empowerment of women through education. For many years, women have

struggled to obtain the rights so long held by men alone; the right to an education, the right to vote, the right to work, the right to fair wages, and the right to own their own businesses. Within the last 20 years, there has been a rise in corporate affirmative action programs, meant to help diversify the workplace and make way for more Black entrepreneurs and businesses. It was intended that African Americans and other minorities would find a level playing field in the business world. Somewhere

ASKIA-AT-LARGE

along the way, women were also categorized as minorities. This is often seen as a point of frustration for many minorities because while women may own the businesses, in many cases the companies are still being managed by white men, and white men continue to benefit the most. It is believed that for this reason Black businesses have suffered when it comes to all levels of government contract opportunities and access. Federal contracting still does not fall equally between each minority

and disadvantaged groups. The U.S. Black Chamber, however, chooses to embrace this point of diversification and celebrate women-owned businesses each day of the year. African American women have struggled to overcome these disadvantages, and with perseverance they have succeeded. In 2007, there were nearly 912,000 African American women-owned businesses in America. From 1997, that is a

See Busby on Page 50

By Askia Muhammad

Hoodies, Hijab and Hatred These days, there is plenty of hatred going around in America. Haters are trying to defend the indefensible. They are trying vainly to deny the undeniable. And they are trying to avoid uttering the unspeakable. There is no explanation except race hatred to explain the conduct of self-appointed neighborhood watch patrolman George Zimmerman when he stalked and hunted, confronted and www.washingtoninformer.com

eventually murdered unarmed Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida more than one month ago. Such behavior is indefensible. Suppose a black person in a rapidly gentrifying inner-city neighborhood followed a white jogger, or bicyclist, or person walking a dog and then confronted that white person because, let’s say, the person did not tidy up after his pet, and the white guy ended up dead. If you can imagine such a scenario, it’s not hard for you to already see the black person being put under

the jail for such an offense. That the state of Florida and 15 other states have passed laws permitting persons to “stand their ground” and use deadly force to “defend” themselves whenever they feel threatened, is clearly a racist law, intended to give legal cover to white vigilantes like George Zimmerman, and like New York City subway shooter Bernard Goetz. That’s undeniable. You just don’t have armed black militiamen going around tracking the white criminals who rob black neighbor-

hoods, going and coming, night and day. Oh! What criminals you might wonder? They are the mortgage bankers who stole at least half of the accumulated black wealth from homeowners and families in the space of five years, from 2007 through 2012. They are the tradesmen who operate liquor and convenience stores, charging highway robbery prices for inferior products, and then put their thumbs on the scale to secretly up the weight on the rotten meat they peddle. That too, is undeni-

The Washington Informer

able. And black people tip-toe around facing these uncomfortable truths, quick to forgive, and beseech any other white adjudicating body not involved in the altercation to referee the dispute and reason with the offending white race-haters to convince them to behave like civilized people and treat black folks like human beings. It’s never going to happen. That’s unspeakable. It never has. It never will.

See MUHAMMAD on Page 50

Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE

Courtesy photo

An interview with veteran

DJ Rich Medina By John Richards Special to The Washington Informer

DJ, Producer and all around renaissance man, DJ Rich Medina (Richard Medina) has been rocking crowds from NYC to Japan with his unique blend of hip-hop, house, Afrobeat, funk and soul for nearly twenty years. His parties in Philadelphia and NYC are legendary. He’s performed and collaborated with several chart toping artists including: Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, The Roots, Roy Ayers, Antibalas and Fema Kuti. But perhaps, his greatest contribution to music is introducing a new generation of people to Afrobeat music with his Jump N Funk dance parties. Jump N Funk, created by Rich in 2001, celebrates the life and music of legendary Fela Kuti. The

Washington Informer caught up with Rich to discuss his 30,000 + record collection, his time on “Smirnoff ’s Master of the Mix”, being a father and everything else in between. Attention all DJ’s: If you’re looking for that one record and you just can’t seem to find anywhere, Rich probably has it. Washington Informer: For the people, who may not know you, please introduce yourself. Rich Medina: Peace everybody. This is Rich Medina. Washington Informer: You’ve said that you come from a family of collectors. Who or what inspired you when you first got started?

Rich Medina: Honestly, my

30 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

real direct DJ inspiration was my older sister’s first husband. My sister is 18 years older than me; her first husband was the local, around the way, Elks club, VFW DJ. He would go play parties on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Elks Club. I was born into watching somebody gather records, practicing DJing and getting themselves together for a set.

to coming into knowledge about Fela were American; the pro black perspective from American artists is a particular angle. But to hear those same sentiments coming from a brother from Lagos Nigeria; the home of black on black crime, the home of colonization, the home of oil, and all of that, it just really opened me up to a completely different mindset.

Washington Informer: How influential has Fela Kuti been for you and what inspired the Jump N Funk party?

Washington Informer: Unfortunately, a lot of people still have no idea who Fela is.

Rich Medina: Fela has influenced me tremendously. Fela gave me a brand new lens on the notion of being pro-black. The vast majority of my heroes prior The Washington Informer

Rich Medina: It’s just a beautiful piece of Black history that I think is missing from a great deal of our houses as black Americans. So I feel really blessed that once I was turned on to it, what

I realized was that there were no disc jockeys in my community or in any other community of my friends that I associated with on a regular basis - who were championing that sound. I don’t consider myself deep for doing it but I definitely feel that I beat a great deal of people to the punch. Washington Informer: You’ve been doing Jump N Funk for over 10 years. Are you surprised that it’s gotten so big? Rich Medina: You know, I feel like, as a product of hip-hop culture and watching how the mainstream embraced hip-hop and washed some of the rougher

See Medina on Page 31 www.washingtoninformer.com

LIFESTYLE Medina continued from Page 30 edges off of it and made it palatable for the rest of the world. At this point, no it doesn’t surprise me. You know a larger surprise for me came when the real Nigerian cats who were studying Yoruba and were wearing Nigerian garb who, initially looked down on me like, who is this Yankee? Who is this Yankee think he is to be playing our music? For them to realize that I’m actually being a humble student and I don’t think that I have all of the answers. For them to turn around and begin to endorse me has been the biggest surprise for me. Washington Informer: I recently read that you have 30,000 records in your collection. Are we going see you on an episode of Hoarders at any time soon? Rich Medina: (Laughs) Let’s make it all the way one hundred. I got 30,000 in my house. I got another 10 to 20 [thousand] floating around between my momma’s house and other relatives’ houses but no, my record collection will not be on episode of Hoarders because as much as there’s a gigantic abundance of records in my collection, my record collection is active. These are not things that I am holding on to and hording per se. These are things that are part of my fabric as an artist. They are part of my fabric as a creator. They are part of what makes me who I am and every single day that I am actually physically in my house I am putting hands on my tools. So there’s definitely an abundance but it’s like being a librarian to a degree. You know you’re kinda the gate keeper to all this history that you got up on these walls and I try my best to treat it that way and stay as active with my collection as I possibly can. Despite the information age and technology and being able to go DJ a party with no records at all. I still bring them with me. Washington Informer: So you still do gigs where you just use vinyl? Rich Medina: I still do gigs where I use just vinyl. I still do gigs where I bring my computer and vinyl. I try to approach it like mixed martial arts, you know? I’m not gonna give up my boxing just because I picked up jiujitsu. I’m not gonna give up my

jiu-jitsu just because I picked up muay thai. The combination of those things makes me a more dangerous fighter. So I always have records with me, no matter what. I always, without fail, every single gig that I go to, I have vinyl with me. Washington Informer: Traveling with vinyl has to be difficult. Rich Medina: Doesn’t make my travel difficult at all man. I’ll tell you what’s difficult, difficult is jail. Not paying your rent is difficult. Carrying records and not having a boss, I got the best job on the planet. If I had to buy the extra protective case in case I need to check records under the plane, fine. It’s the overhead for my business. I’m on a five day road trip right now, I didn’t check a single bag and I’ve got enough records to play 8 hours uninterrupted. Washington Informer: So you’ve got it down to a science basically? Rich Medina: When you’ve been doing this as long as I’ve been doing it, it’s all science brother [laughs]. It’s all beakers, beakers and liters…(laughs). Washington Informer: Bunsen burners…(laughs). Rich Medina: You know what I mean? Bunsen burners, all that. Dissect some frogs. Yeah however you need to hear it, yo. Washington Informer: Let’s say, God forbid, that your apartment’s on fire. You can only save one record. Which one do you save? Rich Medina: “Sunday and Sister Jones”, Roberta Flack. Actually I take that back, the album is called Quiet Fire. The reason I would keep that album is because of the song “Sunday and Sister Jones”. I come from a Baptist church background. I grew up around preachers, deacons, choir directors, church people. The sentiment in the song writing of that tune speaks so deeply to the history of my family that from the first time I heard it as a child; I’ve carried that record with me every day. Washington Informer: Technology has definitely made the world smaller. How has

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technology made digging for records easier? Rich Medina: Technology doesn’t make digging for records easier at all. Technology creates saturation, with regards to digging for records. All of us know that when you’re dealing with saturation, you gotta wring it out before you get to the good water. The technology has put us into a position where anybody and their momma who can read a manual and learn how to program music is suddenly a producer. You have to sift through all the riff raff to get to the meat and potatoes. Washington Informer: That leads me to my next question. All the DJs I interview, I always ask them the same question. What do you think of all the “celebrity” and “iPod” DJs that are out there now? Rich Medina: I think that food cooked on a gas stove, over the day, tastes way better than food cooked out of the microwave. Washington Informer: You’re an in-demand DJ; you’ve been all over the world. How are crowds different in the U.S. compared to overseas? Rich Medina: Well It depends on where you’re speaking about at overseas. If you’re talking about Asia, you’re talking about the full gamut of proper eastern culture: very much about honor, very much about bowing to your elders and code. The Asian community are the absolute best students of black culture. They study black culture from a polar standpoint. So that when it’s given to them, they’re very thirsty for it. When you go to Europe, Europe is steeped in club culture where designing a club that’s built to accommodate patrons that want to feel with what you’re bringing to the table is a major part of the fabric meaning production is always tight. The promotional system that the club uses is always tight and the people who patronize those clubs are very loyal. So all you have to do is come in and do a good job and as long as you represent yourself well you’re going to be treated well. In the United States, we’re basking in the crux of black music culture,

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See Medina on Page 34 The Washington Informer

Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

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Horo scopes

mar 29 -Apr 4, 2012

ARIES Give birth to some new impulses about love. The ones you’ve been using have led you to a place you do not wish to be. Give yourself a break. Change. Be less critical. Accept love even from those you do not completely agree with. Soul Affirmation: I keep in mind the practical side of life this week. Lucky Numbers: 6, 33, 45 TAURUS Lots of spirituality discussions are going on around you this week. This energy will probably last throughout the week, so expect to enjoy yourself, or pass on all social company and spend the week enjoying yourself. Soul Affirmation: I am a giver of good words this week. Lucky Numbers: 1, 17, 22 GEMINI This could turn out to be the most argument-filled week you’ve had for a while. Your feelings could be deeply hurt if you try to force your sense of rightness off on anyone else. Chill. Remember that in the past when people were cantankerous you could find pleasure in nature, or animals. Soul Affirmation: I put my charm to work for me this week. Lucky Numbers: 8, 39, 54 CANCER Your good will and intentions towards others will reap you an inheritance of abundance and wealth. You will be blessed with many good wishes and enjoy them in the company of family and friends. Soul Affirmation: I appear to others what I know myself to be. Lucky Numbers: 30, 32, 33 LEO Your dignity and composure is a sure asset this week. Be Mr. or Ms. Cool Breeze. In touchy situations you have the ability to maintain a high level of emotional balance and a calm disposition. Use these qualities to the fullest this week. You have the know-how to re-direct negative feelings into a positive solution. Soul Affirmation: Superficiality is often the best route to clarity. Lucky Numbers: 20, 28, 31 VIRGO It’s best to keep your opinions to yourself this week, as many will be experiencing minor irritations and general grumpiness. Let others be who they are. You are a beacon of serenity. Others will notice. Soul Affirmation: As chances come around again. I take advantage of them. Lucky Numbers: 21, 50, 54 LIBRA You are often superb at exercising good judgment and rational decision-making. Yet sometimes you are rash. Flip to the observant side of your mentality this week. You will soon find yourself in a situation where there will be strife if you are not careful. Soul Affirmation: A cheerful soul should be wrapped in a cheerful package. Lucky Numbers: 22, 36, 44 SCORPIO Just to prove to yourself once again how lucky you are you should fly into the face of bad predictions. Gamble this week in business, relationships, love – something. Remain truly confident that things will come out in a way that will satisfy you. Soul Affirmation: Change is my middle name. Lucky Numbers: 5, 28, 37 SAGITTARIUS It’s a great week to tell somebody you are close to that you love them. Saying it aloud gives you energy, and of course your designated adoree will be delighted! Keep the big picture in mind this week and you’ll feel completely buoyant! Soul Affirmation: I keep my eyes open for business opportunities this week. Lucky Numbers: 13, 30, 45 CAPRICORN Keep focused. Your energies are likely to be spread out this week. Your attention is likely to be pulled in many directions. Let yourself be seduced by the things that interest you most. Concentrate on your affairs. Others need you, but they can wait. Soul Affirmation: I find a source of strength in someone I love. Lucky Numbers: 7, 20, 21 AQUARIUS Hardly anyone alive learns new skills in an instant, so cut yourself some slack if you feel you’ve made a beginner’s mistake somewhere. Mistakes are part of the learning process that is called Life, so self-correct and proceed with happiness. Soul Affirmation: I let go and let the spirit take control. Lucky Numbers: 20, 42, 54 PISCES This week will bring a tendency to dwell on a past betrayal. Your feelings of suspicion are well founded. However, do not personalize it. Work against the harmful act but not against the person who committed it. Soul Affirmation: I am what I consistently do. Lucky Numbers: 5, 6, 23

32 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

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LIFESTYLE

Digital Shoppers R Us Remember back in the day when Yellow Pages encouraged everyone to: “Let Your Fingers do the Walking,” to quickly and efficiently thumb through its pages to locate any business or service imaginable? Which really came in handy when we were in the market for anything from pizza to electronics to specialty shoes to a plumber (this catchy phrase, by the way, is cited by AdAge.com as an Honorable Mention in the listing of “The Top 10 Slogans of the 20th Century”). We have become spoiled rotten, since the not-so- long-ago heyday of the Yellow Pages – including the very people who work in the techno-wonder companies that keep upping the ante and changing the game, as well as those who track all of the subsequent trends in consumer behavior. Because as consumers, all of us need or want something – food, shelter, clothing, electronics, entertainment, etc. You name it. But, our fingers still do the walking, alright – on our phones. According to new Nielsen mobile research, in addition to talking and texting, American smartphone owners are whipping out these handy little devices and trolling retail apps and websites to shop, research products and product reviews, compare prices, find retail locations and redeem coupons. “Mobile shopping has reached scale and is only going to grow as smartphone penetration continues to rise,” according to John Burbank, Nielsen’s president of strategic initiatives. Here’s what Nielsen data shows: • • • •

• •

•

During the 2011 holiday season, the top retail apps and websites combined – Amazon, Best Buy, eBay, Target and Walmart – reached nearly 60% of smartphone owners. Both men and women prefer retailers’ mobile websites over mobile apps; though men are more likely to opt for the apps over women. Female smartphone owners prefer Target and Walmart mobile websites, while Best Buy skews male. Amazon and eBay appeal to both. While we, as shoppers, still use traditional forms of marketing like direct mail and newspaper ads, we are nearly twice as likely (60%) to read a retailers’ email than those colorful paper circulars in the stores (30%). More than 30% of shoppers are actively researching online while shopping (talk about advanced multi-tasking). 31% of ALL purchase decisions (both consumer packaged goods, e.g. packaged food, beauty and personal care, baby care, household cleaning products; and Non-CPG categories, e.g. consumer electronics and technology, entertainment items and content, etc.), involve some online or mobile activity. Digital shoppers spend 27% more per household per trip.

Shoppers cannot be classified simply as either digital or not. There are specific shopper segments, based on our attitudes toward experimentation. Nielsen Category Shopping Fundamentals Research breaks it down: 55% of shoppers are defined as “Occasional Trialists.” These are middle-class people aged 50-59 who either live with a spouse or a partner and usually keep up with what’s going on; although they don’t go out of their way to try every new thing. The second group is the “Trendsetters” (27%). This is a more affluent group between 25 – 49. They have children or teenagers in the household and love to keep ahead of what’s happening; love to try the newest, latest and greatest and telling others all about it. Lastly, we have the “Satisfied & Sedentary” (18%). These folks are 60+, less affluent and live alone. The S&S crowd knows what they like and don’t feel the need to keep up with new things. Any of those sound like anyone you know? Know what all of this means? Well, yes, shopping can be crazy-easy: like taking your store right of your pocket. But, it also means that retailers from your local grocery store to the biggest chains must think even more outside the box in getting your attention and your business, as the options for penetration and awareness are almost endless. It means they are going to have to hone in with even sharper, laser focus on you as an individual consumer – your likes, dislikes, preferences. Retailers are going to have to work harder and more creatively for your business and your loyalty. They have to woo you. Because you have infinite choices; more than ever before – no matter what kind of shopper you are. Ah, power. Use it wisely. Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of public affairs and government relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www.nielsenwire.com.

Medina continued from Page 31

we do ourselves a knowledge disservice. And I think that it dumbs our perspective down.

there’s a great deal of things that we take for granted.

Washington Informer: What’s your best DJ experience?

Washington Informer: Do you think we take it for granted? Because, like you said we’re basking in it.

Rich Medina: My entire career has been my best DJ experience. You know I’ve been blessed to have traveled the world. I’ve played the worst, [expletive] hole dive bars. I’ve played the biggest, most overly populated super clubs. I have been blessed with the opportunity to experience every single aspect of the range of the game. Good equipment, bad equipment, cool promoters, [expletive] promoters, wellequipped venues, venues that don’t get it. I’ve danced around with all of those people and the culmination of that experience puts me in a position now where I can call my own shots, I know where my hot buttons are, I know what the protocols are for a successful event and as long as all those pistons are firing there’s no way to lose. So I really have to generalize to you and say that my entire experience has been amazing. The good. The bad. The up and down. It’s put me where I am now and where I am now is in a position to understand all the tenets of the culture. I have the person who’s flying me into their city. I know what they’re supposed to be doing in order for me to be at my best. I know what I’m supposed to be doing to be at my best when I get there. (There is more Rich Medina online. To get the full story, visit washingtoninformer.com.)wi

Rich Medina: I know we take it for granted. If you played basketball, no matter how much you like your teams’ uniforms, once you put your uniform on; you don’t think about it anymore, you go play. As a black man in the United States, I don’t think about Earth, Wind and Fire Earth Wind and Fire is part of my fabric, Commodores is part of my fabric, The O’Jays is part of my fabric. I don’t think about it, it’s natural to me, right? Natural to you, feel me? So maybe “for granted” carries a particular connotation in a general context but for what we’re talking about I absolutely believe we take for granted what we have. Washington Informer: Definitely. I live here in DC and when people from out of town come to visit they want to go see the cherry blossoms or go to the Smithsonian and I’m like, ‘been there, done that’. I live here. Rich Medina: Right. Why am I gonna rush over to do that? I live in that. I think that we do ourselves a disservice with that mindset. I think we do the larger community a disservice. I think

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“The Under Shepherd” Takes A Controversial Look at the Black Church By Tene’ Croom Special to The Washington Informer

he latest foray into movie making by nationally syndicated morning DJ Russ Parr is astounding. He wrote and directed his fifth movie entitled, The Under Shepherd. It’s sure to have people, particularly those deep in the Black church, saying a lot more than amen. For example, this one scene from the movie illustrates what I mean. “You’re a fraud and an insult to this church (First Baptist Church) and God.” Deaconess Carter, with controlled anger, deftly portrayed by Vanessa Bell Calloway, said to the Rev. Lawrence “LC” Case. He’s played by Isaiah Washington, whose character was a doctor in the ABC network drama, Grey’s Anatomy. Looking at her straight in the eye, with an air of self-righteousness, Rev. Case replied, “I am God.” It seems Parr was destined to write this story. His mother took him to the Black church as a young child. However, it was not a good experience he said. “I was really invested into the church and the church I was going to. Then I started seeing things that didn’t make sense. My mom, who was a very religious woman, pulled me out of the church. She thought I was losing myself.” Politics also had something to do with why he felt the need to make this movie explaining, “It was the 2004 election and I had a Republican friend of mine say, hey I’ll tell you a little secret when the election is over. We’re going into a lot of swing states and buying off the Black ministers and giving them talking points.” Parr said he did research and found something out six months www.washingtoninformer.com

after George Bush won the presidential election. “I saw evidence of what he said. A lot of these pastors would donate money to their church. A lot of these pastors would put it in their pockets. Then he started to see a lot of the pastors were under federal indictment.” Parr was quick to point out the pastors were not all Black. There were White pastors involved in corruption too. After looking at the situation he said, “That encouraged me. There’s a story here.” But he says he held back when he wrote the script. “I didn’t want to go too far with it. I didn’t want to get into the Bishop Eddie Long stuff. (Long was accused of sexually abusing several teenaged male members of his church.) I wanted just enough on this man’s plate that it was real and honest and very believable.” Being Rev. Case wasn’t easy especially when he was extremely verbally abusive to his wife Cassandra, played by Malinda Williams. So much so that Washington said he needed to take a break after filming one intense scene. “I stormed out after every take. I think I maybe did two takes. I almost walked back to my trailer. I think the wardrobe person asked me where was I going. I said I hate Russ Parr. (laughing) I told them I’m not being difficult. But, if you don’t get it in this take, I’m not doing this again.”wi (There is a lot more to this movie and more to this story, including the exciting things that happened this week at the Russ Parr Red Carpet Movie Premier in Silver Spring, Md. More on that later. Tene’ Croom, president of Tene’ Croom Communications, wrote this article. You can reach her at www. tenecroom.com.)

On May 9th DCTV will host a special one-day workshop for qualified nonprofits interested in expanding their outreach, as well as their knowledge of social media and other communication tools. Participants receive: • Presentations by local media experts, including the Washington Post, WHUR and a special presentation by the District’s Office of Partnerships & Grant Services; • Social media tools and strategy training; • Communication strategy development for your organization; • A one-minute public service announcement (PSA) produced by DCTV that will air on DCTV channels and web – reaching more than 300,000 viewers; and • A one-year membership with DCTV! To apply for this exciting one-day workshop, contact Tonya Gonzalez at tgonzalez@dctv.org

Election Season 2012

DCTV recently held an open house for all of the candidates running in both the Primary elections and the Special elections for Ward 5 this 2012 election season. Stay-tuned to hear from your local candidates, in their own voice. Only DCTV provided candidates an opportunity to speak directly to you – our viewers – no interviews or debates, just the candidates discussing their platforms and explaining why you should vote for them. Schedule for the election season PSAs is now available on our web site at www.dctv.org.

DCTV'S LATEST CAMPAIGN AIRING ON ALL CABLE NETWORKS

DCTV will now air its ad campaign showcasing DCTV's new capability to stream live through the internet, which allows everyone to watch us "Anytime, Anywhere"! Produced by 2011 DCTV Viewers' Choice Producer of the Year Tommy Taylor Jr., these comic shorts will appear throughout channels on Comcast, RCN, Verizon FiOS as well as on DCTV channels. Visit to www.dctv.org to preview our ads. VIEW OUR FULL SCHEDULE, SEARCH FOR A SHOW, OR COMMENT ON A PROGRAM, ALL ON DCTV.ORG

The Washington Informer

Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

LIFESTYLE

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Indie Filmmaker Hopes To Save Lives With ‘Pressure’ By Floyd Alvin Galloway Special to The Washington Informer For New York native Abdu Dandridge, who now calls Phoenix home, growing up was fun, but it was also dangerous. “I’ve buried a lot of friends,” said Dandridge as he talked about his life in Brooklyn. He hopes his film Pressure will show youth how to handle pressure and keep them from making some of the wrong choices some of his friends made, so they can live the long life they were supposed live. For an independent filmmaker, following his dreams life is full of sacrifices and challenges. “I don’t have any rich uncles or cousins. I have to work hard for everything and sacrifice a lot to make this work.,” says Dandridge in fulfilling his purpose in life. With a family to support it makes even more challenging. But the owner of the independent film production studio, Pressure Entertainment, he knows you have to believe in your dream fully and not be deterred by mountains and potholes on the journey. Even Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Spike Lee had challenges to overcome during their genesis in filmmaking. “I’ve been in the film making business for over 19 years and have won

36 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

The Washington Informer

“Best Music Video of The Year” at the 2010 South Carolina music awards,” he said. As the writer, producer and director of his new film he is all in; completely encased in it. His film Pressure is about a young person who learns life lessons from a dream. It is a coming of age story about five teenagers growing up in Harlem, New York during the 1980’s. (It’s the beginning of the hip-hop generation, which also is the “growing up alongside of the crack-cocaine generation.”) The main character Karon finds himself face to face with many challenges and decisions. “The film is geared toward adolescents making the right choices in life. Harkins Theatres is supporting the film and giving me a chance to spread the positive message in the film and its moral values.” “I’m trying to teach our young generation that life is all about making the right choices. And making the wrong ones can lead to your demise,” Dandridge says. “This film is a conscious and positive film with morals that speak the truth of the streets and on the level of all our young adolescents around the world today. All families who have lost loved ones to the street will relate.” Earl Smith, an assistant to Spike Lee and his 40 Acres and a Mule FilmWorks, says in an endorsement letter, “On behalf of 40 Acres and a

Mule FilmWorks, I strongly recommend this film to any moviegoer. It’s a touching story that tells the truth and can also save lives if you truly believe your destiny lies within your own hands.” The movie is scheduled to open April 27 if he has enough pre-sales at Harkin’s Theatres in Arizona Mills, Metro Center, Superstition Springs 25, Tucson Spectrum 18, Northfield 18 in Denver, Colorado and Moreno Valley 16 in Moreno Valley, California. Tickets for Pressure can be purchased by visiting the Coming Soon section of harkinstheatres.com. When asked about what he hopes people get from the film, Dandridge noted, “I want viewers to appreciate it of course. But more importantly I want them to receive the message of this film and understand that life is all about making a choice. Making the right choices.” You can connect with Dandridge on Facebook under Pressure Entertainment. Visit pressureentertainment. com to find out if/when the film is coming to Washington , D.C., Maryland or Virginia. wi (A special thanks to the Arizona Informant for supplying this article.) www.washingtoninformer.com

LIFESTYLE

Griot

“Astride a Pink Horse”

by Robert Greer c.2012, North Atlantic Books $23.95 / $26.95 Canada 376 pages By Terri Schlichenmeyer Special to The Washington Informer When it comes to friends, there’s always room for one more. The ones you’ve had the longest are the ones that are best: whether you’ve been apart for five minutes or five decades, you slip into conversation easily. The ones you make at work are what you need to get you through your day-to-day. And then there are the new friends, so full of potential and promise. Retired Air Force Master Sergeant Thurmond Giles

made many friends over the course of his long career. But in the new book “Astride a Pink Horse” by Robert Greer, some of them were no friends at all. Once upon a time, the man had surely been tall and hand-

some, even athletic. But there he was, naked and gray-haired, his cocoa skin dry in the Wyoming desert. Because the man had been found hanging out near an abandoned nuclear missile site – which was clearly posted “No

Trespassing” – Air Force officials were keen to know why he was trespassing. Platte County sheriff Art Bosack wanted to know who’d stabbed the man five times and had mutilated his corpse. The death of Thurmond Giles was just the kind of news that Freddy Dames thrived on. Dames, former baseballstar-turned-millionaire, owned Denver’s Digital Registry News and prided himself on doing whatever it took to get a story, whether it was 100% right or not. That included sending his best friend and employee Elgin “Cozy” Coseia wherever Dames thought the juiciest lead might be found. And Cozy was okay with that. Actually, he was better than okay with it when he learned that Major Bernadette Cameron would be spearheading the Air Force’s investigation into Giles’ death. For his part, the recently deceased Thurmond Giles had led an interesting life. By all accounts, he’d been a terrible womanizer, which was more-or-less why the Air Force had demoted him and banished him to their version of Siberia before discharging him. Giles, who was a decorated nuclearmissile expert, had then gone

to work for a company in Canada that specialized in outdated hospital equipment and he’d left a trail of jilted women and jealous husbands there, too. Yes, there were a lot of people who had reason to see Giles dead. But was he the only target? Right in the middle. That’s where I’d place “Astride a Pink Horse.” It’s a five, dead center, both good-and-bad. It’s okay. There’s a great mystery here, but the protagonist is implausibly weird. The characters are likeable enough, but not enough to make me want to see them again. Author Robert Greer created a couple of good corpses, but he didn’t give me much of a reason to care why they became so. There was excitement in this book, but there’s also a stilted, predictable romance that made me roll my eyes. I think “Astride a Pink Horse” is good enough for a look-see, even though it’s sometimes colorless. If you’re looking for something to pass the time, it’ll work. If you’re looking for a thrill-a-minute, though, this book bombs. but not enough to make me want to see them again. Author Robert Greer created a couple of good corpses, but he didn’t give me wi

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The Washington Informer

Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

Capture the Moment

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Food Services Manager Shiloh Baptist Church seeks a licensed Food Services Manager to coordinate and manage the food service activities of the Church and the Family Life Center. The individual must be a spirit led individual with good interpersonal skills. Essential duties include: coordinate assignments of cooking personnel, monitor food preparation, monitor compliance with health and fire regulations, maintain food and equipment inventories and supervise the food/catering staff. Individual must be a licensed food service manage, with a high school diploma and at least six years of experience working in catering, cafeteria or restaurant. The individual would work between 20 and 25 hours a week. This is an exempt position. Send resumes to: Reverend George Mensah, Executive Minister at Shiloh Baptist Church – 1510 Ninth Street, NW – Washington, DC 20001 or email to georgemensah@ shilohbaptist.org. Deadline for resumes: February 29, 2012.

38 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

During the Black Women’s Roundtable Women of Power National Summit, Mentor/Protégé Luncheon, women talked about various topics that ranged from health-related issues to voting rights. The distinguished panel, from left to right, Eleanor Hinton Hoytt, Tanya Leah Lombard, Barbara W. Ballard, Barbara R. Arnwine, Tamika D. Mallory, Avis A. Jones-DeWeever, and Susan L. Taylor engaged the crowd in a lively discussion at the Renaissance Washington Hotel in Northwest on Thursday, March 22. /Photo by Roy Lewis

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Hadiyah Abdul-Alim, 10, right, studies the move of 13-year-old Chess Master Joshua Colas as he takes her pawn during a triple simul chess match at Gallup World Headquarters in Northwest on Tuesday,. March 20 . Colas was one of three 13-year-old chess masters from various parts of New York City, dubbed the “Triple Threat,” that took on 30 top chess players from Chess Challenge / Photos by Khalid.Naji-Allah .

Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and the convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable, 2nd right, front, leads a group along Pennsylvania Avenue in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, D.C., after a short stop at the Dorothy I. Height Building on Saturday, March 24. The group set out from the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Northwest with the sole intent of visiting the national headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women to pay tribute to Height on her birthday during their “Love You More Power Walk 2012 and Community Day.” / Photo by Roy Lewis

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Capture the Moment

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Ronnie Edwards, chair of the D.C. Democratic State Committee, posts the votes for the Ward 8 D.C. Council seat on March 17, at Imagine Southeast Public Charter School. Since no candidate received 60 percent of the vote, no endorsement was given. /Photo by Victor Holt

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The Ward 8 Democratic Committee held their official endorsement election Saturday, March 17, at Imagine Southeast Public Charter School for the Ward 8 City Council seat. D.C. Democratic State Committee members Alice Love and Tim Thomas prepare the ballots for tabulation. /Photo by Victor Holt

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The Washington Informer

Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

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Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

Renew the Movement to Fight for Civil Rights By Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

Special to The Washington Informer

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40 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

We mourn Trayvon Martin, the young African American who, armed only with candy and a soft drink, was shot dead for the offense of “walking while black.” George Zimmerman, the vigilante who shot him, has not been arrested, apparently protected by Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, which “authorizes” anyone to shoot someone whom he or she feels is threatening. This surely is a test of our faith. Faith, the Bible tells us, is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For decades, African Americans risked their lives if they walked in certain neighborhoods. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., however, had a different dream. And he helped build a movement to achieve the “substance of things hoped for.” Now we must choose: We will decide if Trayvon Martin’s death is a moment, or becomes the spark for a movement. We can’t bring him back. But we can make his voice louder in death than it could be in his short life. Emmett Till’s murder sparked a movement. After he was brutally beaten, his mother put him in an open casket to show the horror that he had endured. Although he was crucified as a The Washington Informer

warning to others who might demand freedom, his murder gave some the courage to join the civil rights movement. Rosa Parks remembered. When I asked her why she decided to risk being beaten, jailed or worse by refusing to move to the back of the bus, she said, “I thought about Emmett Till and couldn’t go back.” When King was assassinated in Memphis, it triggered a 40year journey of progress, culminating in the election of an African American to the presidency. Yet, that achievement is misleading. Athletes are cheered by fans of all races. Oprah Winfrey is trusted by viewers across lines of race. In a shining moment, Barack Obama is elected. But behind the klieg lights, we have a long way to go. The action in the spotlights has blinded us to the realities Trayvon Martin’s tragic death exposes. African Americans are still too often victims of vigilante justice. African Americans are more likely to be arrested, more likely to be charged, more likely to be jailed for a nonviolent offense. A private, profit-making prisonindustrial complex now lobbies for harsher sentences — and minorities are disproportionately the victims. African Americans were more likely to be steered to risky subprime loans, more likely to pay high interest on auto loans, more likely to find it hard to get fi-

nancing for businesses. Over the past 30 years, opportunity has narrowed. Incomes for non-college-educated men fell, as labor unions were crushed and the exporting of good jobs undermined wages. More young people, disproportionately minorities, found themselves priced out of college or forced to go deeply in debt to gain the education they earned. We must go from moment to movement and struggle to gain the substance of things hoped for. What do we hope for? A fair and healthy start for every child. An end to Stand Your Ground laws and vigilantes. Quality public education for everyone. Full employment and an end to discrimination that results in an African-American jobless rate twice that of whites. Given the realities beneath the klieg lights, we need a new Kerner Commission to report on the status of race and discrimination in 21st century America. We need a renewed Civil Rights Commission that issues an annual report detailing our progress — or our regression — in racial relations. We have to decide. Let us take a moment to grieve for Trayvon Martin, whose life was so brutally taken from him. Then let us move from moment to movement, and revive the struggle for a more perfect Union. wi www.washingtoninformer.com

The Religion Corner

religion

Remove Weeds and Increase Your Faith Weeds cause the garden to suffer. In order to ensure a good spiritual garden, weeds must be pulled out; they steal the nutrients that help the good plants to grow. Weeding is hard work but it’s necessary work. Likewise, there are many different kinds of weeds that destroy the lives of people. Your heart is your garden. Here are a few types of weeds we experience in our lives: •

•

Rebellion, we sometimes do the opposite of that which is good for us, and on purpose; Peer pressure, going with the wrong crowd looks attractive, right crowds serve as a hedge of protection against wrong influences; Bad thoughts are like dandelions, blow them around and they sprout more trouble and are hard to get rid of; Fast, good-time living will eventually catch up with you and cause poor health and illness. If your life is solely about pleasure, it’s off balance, Past mistakes, when we dwell on them, they stunt and prevent growth; Low self-esteem can sour your life;

Pull weeds early and keep your garden life free of things that can kill it. You have one body to live in the rest of your life. Proverbs 24:30-34 tells the story of a man who didn’t pull the weeds. He loved to sleep and procrastinate. Poverty came into his life. He was named “slothful.” Your weeds could be a toxic, going nowhere people, who give you bad advice, and you listen to it. What kind of person have you become because of this weedy person in your life? For example, my daughter was hanging around a young woman, a friend from cosmetology school. There was such an amazing difference that came over my child that I knew these negative behaviors had been picked up from her new friend, even her dialect changed. She didn’t sound like my daughter? I spoke with her about this toxic relationship, she said, “Ma, I’m trying to help her, she has a lot of problems!” My response was, “But daughter, picture her down in a ditch and you’ve reached out your hand to her; gravity alone makes it easier for her to pull you down to her level, than it would be for you to pull her up.” She got the picture, and though she didn’t kick her out of her life totally, things changed. It was author Wayne Dyer who said, “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Begin to take some steps. Now that you understand how weeds will grow in abundance in

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with Lyndia Grant your mind, if the seeds of more desirable crops are not sown, keep reading this column so that you can learn how to increase your faith, and I promise you, it works! Weeds cannot and will not grow when we say what we need to say to ourselves, and in a deliberate fashion and in faith. Go back and read this paragraph again and again so you can understand this point clearly. When our mouth lines up with the Word of God alive in our hearts faith will be released. Your dreams will begin to become a reality, no matter what it is you have decided to do. Work on improving you, keep your eyes on Jesus, and get rid of the toxic, weedy people in your life so that you can grow! wi Lyndia Grant is an inspirational speaker, living in the Washington Metropolitan area; she is kicking off her new radio program entitled “Think on These Things” on WYCB, mid-April, 2012. Visit her website at www.lyndiagrant.com, email fanniestelle@yahoo.com. Call 202 518 3192.

Listen to

“Praise In The City”

The New Public Affairs Talk Show Hosted by Praise 104.1’s Sheila Stewart Saturday 5:30am-6:30am on Praise 104.1 For more info visit www.praise1041.com

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NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS **MANDATORY SUBCONTRACTING: This bid requires thirty percent (30%) subcontracting to a Prince George’s County Certified Minority in accordance with Subtitle 10A-136 of the Prince George’s County Government Procurement Regulations and Law: The Prince George’s County, Maryland, Office of Central Services is requesting bids on the following project: Bid No.: 12-0004 Project No.: OCS 12-0004 New Kitchen and Laundry Renovations for the Department of Corrections ARCHITECT/ENGINEER: GWWO NON-REFUNDABLE SPEC. FEES: $ 75.00 DRAWING/SPECIFICATIONS AVAILABLE: March 29, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. PRE-BID CONFERENCE: April 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. BID PRICE RESPONSE DUE DATE: _May 15, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. PROJECT MANAGER: __Abdul Saadu Phone: 301-817-4360 All bidders are encouraged to attend the pre-bid conference. Copies of the bid specifications may be picked up at the Office of Central Services/Contract Administration and Procurement Division, 1400 McCormick Drive, Suite 200, Largo, Maryland 20774 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST. ONLY. ALL NON-REFUNDABLE FEES shall be in the form of a MONEY ORDER, OR CHECK made payable to Prince George’s County. Contractors desiring more than three (3) copies, please call in advance to order the desired number of copies. Interested Bidders may review the plans, specifications, and other contractual documents at the address listed above on or after March 29, 2012. Contractors interested in submitting a bid on the project listed above should direct inquires to Alicia Proctor. Bids shall be received at the Office of Central Services/Contract Administration and Procurement Division on the date and time shown. For further information, contact Alicia Proctor, Buyer III at (301) 8836448 or 883-6400 or via e-mail at amproctor@co.pg.md.us. By Authority of Rushern L. Baker III County Executive Prince George’s County, Maryland

Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

religion BAPTIST

african methodist episcopal

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Rev. James Manion Supply Priest Foggy Bottom • Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW • Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 • Fax : 202-338-4958 Worship Services Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.

Blessed Word of Life Church Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors 4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax Schedule of Services: Sunday School – 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service – 11:00 AM Communion Service – First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study – Tuesday, 6:30 PM www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org e-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Campbell African Methodist Episcopal Church Reverend Daryl K. Kearney. • Pastor 2568 MLK Jr., Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20020 (202) 889-3877 (o) • (202) 678-1291 (fax) Services and Times 7:45 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Small Groups/Church School: 9:00 a.m. Small Group Bible Study Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Wednesday Noon Thursday 7:39 p.m. God our Father, Christ our Redeemer, Humankind one Family www.otfmall.com/camecame reedley5@aol.com

Mt. Zion Baptist Church Rev. John W. Davis, Pastor 5101 14th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20011 202-726-2220/ 202-726-9089 Sunday Worship Service 8:00am and 11:00am Sunday School 9:15am Holy Communion 4th Sunday 10:00am Prayer and Bible Study Wednesday 7;00pm TV Ministry –Channel 6 Wednesday 10:00pm gsccm.administration@verizon.net

Pilgrim Baptist Church

700 I. Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20002 Pastor Louis B. Jones, II and Pilgrim invite you to join us during our July and August Summer schedule! Attire is Christian casual. Worship: Sundays@ 7:30 A.M. & 10:00 A.M. 3rd Sunday Holy Communion/ Baptism/Consecration Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @12:00 Noon @ 6:30 P.M. – One Hour of Power! (202) 547-8849 www. pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ Drs. Dennis W. and Christine Y. Wiley, Pastors 3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) (202) 562-4219 (Fax) SERVICES AND TIMES: SUNDAYS: 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM Worship Services BIBLE STUDY: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM) SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 AM – Hour of Power “An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantbaptistdc.org

Morning Star Baptist Church Pastor Gerald L Martin Senior Minister 3204 Brothers Place S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032 202-373-5566 or 202-373-5567

Church of Living Waters

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew, Assistant Pastor 4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464 Schedule of Service Sunday Service: 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday www.livingwatersmd.org

Advertise your church services here call Ron Burke at 202-561-4100 or email rburke@washingtoninformer.com

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., • Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave., SE • Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 Fax: (202) 889-2198 • www.acamec.org 2008: The Year of New Beginnings “Expect the Extraordinary”

Crusader Baptist Church

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews • Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 Fax: (202) 526-1661

Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan, Pastor 800 I Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 Fax No. 202-548-0703

Sunday Worship Services: 8:00a.m. and 11:00a.m. Sunday Church School - 9:15a.m. & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30a.m. 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study - 10:00a.m. Tuesday Topical Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Wednesday Children’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Thursday Men’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service - 6:30p.m. Saturday Adult Bible Study - 10:00a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00am Holy Communion – 1st Sunday Sunday School-9:45am Men’s Monday Bible Study – 7:00pm Wednesday Night Bible Study – 7:00pm Women’s Ministry Bible Study 3rd Friday -7:00pm Computer Classes- Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org

“The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”

“God is Love”

Third Street Church of God Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor 1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202.347.5889 office 202.638.1803 fax Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study: Wed. 7:30 p.m. “Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org

Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:20 a.m. Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!” Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.; Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax Sunday Worship Service: 8 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6 AM & 6:30 PM Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org emailus@gmchc.org

ST Marks Baptist Come Worship with us... St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011 Dr. Raymond T. Matthews, Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews Sunday School 9:am Worship Service 10:am Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service 6:45 pm Thur. Bible Study 7:15 pm

We are proud to provide the trophies for the Washington Informer Spelling Bee

Service & Time Sunday Worship 7:45A.M & 11A.M Communion Service 2nd Sunday 11A.M Prayer Service Tuesday 7:00 P.M Bible Study Tuesday 8:00 P.M Sunday Church School 10:00 A.M Sunday “A church reaching and winning our community for Christ” morningstarbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.morningstarchurch-dc.org

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

52 Years of Expert Engraving Services

Joseph N. Evans, Ph.D Senior Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423 Sunday Church School : 9: 30am Sunday Morning Worship: 10: 45am Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00pm Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00pm Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10: 45am themcbc.org

42 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

The Washington Informer

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religion Baptist

All Nations Baptist Church

Friendship Baptist Church 900 Delaware Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20020 (202) 488-7417 (202) 484-2242 Rev. Dr. J. Michael Little Pastor Sunrise Prayer: 6:00 AM Sunday School: 9:30 AM Morning Worship 11:00 AM Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday-11:00AM www.friendshipbaptistdc.org Email: frienshipde1900@verizon.net

Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor 2001 North Capitol St, N.E. • Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591 Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

Zion Baptist Church

Israel Baptist Church

Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor

Rev. Dr. Morris L Shearin, Sr. Pastor

4850 Blagdon Ave, NW • Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 • Fax (202) 291-3773

1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288

Sunday Worship Service 10:15AM- Praise and Worship Services Sunday School 9:00am Monday: Noon Bible School Wednesday: Noon & 7PM: Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission Zion Baptist Church Shall; Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, and Exalt Our Savior. (Acts 2:41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org

Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 A.M. Sunday School: 8:30 A.M. Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 P.M.

Mount Moriah Baptist Church

St. Luke Baptist Church Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Study: Monday - 7:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting: Thursday - 7:00 p.m.

Dr. Lucius M. Dalton, Senior Pastor 1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 Fax: 202-544-2964 Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 am and 10:45 am Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 am and 10:45 am Sunday School: 9:30 am Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon and 6:30 pm Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 pm Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 pm Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org

Rehoboth Baptist Church

St. Matthews Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Maxwell M. Washington Pastor 1105 New Jersey Ave, S.E • Washington, DC 20003 202 488-7298 Order of Services Sunday Worship Services: 9:05 A.M. Sunday School: 8:00 A.M. Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer Meeting: 7:00 P.M. (Tuesday) Bible Study: 7:30 P.M. (Tuesday) Theme: “Striving to be more like Jesus “Stewardship”. Philippians 3:12-14; Malachi 3:8-10 and 2 Corinthians 9:7 Email: stmatthewbaptist@msn.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.com

Advertise your church services here call Ron Burke at 202-561-4100 or email rburke@washingtoninformer.com

Advertise your church

Emmanuel Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Clinton W. Austin Pastor 2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Come Grow With Us and Establish a Blessed Family” Sunday Worship 7:30am & 10:45am Baptism/Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30pm Prayer Service Tuesdays – 8:00pm www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

Advertise your church

services here

call Ron Burke at

202-561-4100 or email

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Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

New Commandment Baptist Church

Rev. Terry D. Streeter Pastor

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Pastor and Overseer

215 Rhode Island Ave. N.W. • WD.C. 20001 (202) 332-5748

625 Park Rd, NW • WDC 20010 P: 202 291-5711 • F: 202 291-5666

Early Morning Worship: 7:45 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:45 a.m. Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:45 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. C.T.U. Sunday: 2:45 p.m. Bible Study: Wednesday 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service: Wednesday 8:00 p.m. Noon Day Prayer Service: Mondays 12 p.m.

Sunday Worship Service - 11 am Sunday School - 9:45 am Bible Study & Prayer Wed. - 7 pm Substance Abuse Counseling 7 pm (Mon & Fri) Jobs Partnership - 7 pm (Mon & Wed) Sat. Enrichment Experience - 9:30 am

Salem Baptist Church

“A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”

Shiloh Baptist Church

Rev. R. Vincent Palmer Pastor

Rev. Alonzo Hart Pastor

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

621 Alabama Avenue, S.E. • Washington, D.C. 20032 P: (202) 561-1111 F: (202) 561-1112

917 N St. NW • Washington, DC 20001 (202) 232-4294

9th & P Street, N.W. • W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4200

The Church Where GOD Is Working.... And We Are Working With GOD

Sunrise Prayer Services - Sunday 7:00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Prayer Service: 8:00 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship: 10:40 a.m. Third Sunday Baptismal & Holy Communion:10:30 a.m. Tuesday Church At Study Prayer & Praise: 6:30 p.m.

Morning Worship: 8:00 a.m Church School : 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:55 a.m. Bible Study, Thursday: 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting,Thursday : 7:30 p.m.

Sunday Service: 10 am Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 am 1st Sunday Baptism: 10: am 2nd Sunday Holy Communion: 10 am Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 pm Prayer Meeting: 7:45 pm

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Florida Avenue Baptist Church

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert SR. Pastor

623 Florida Ave.. NW • WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 • Study (202) 265-0836 Home Study (301) 464-8211 • Fax (202) 483-4009

4504 Gault Place, N.E. Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184

Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 a.m. Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 p.m. Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 p.m. Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 p.m. Noonday Prayer Every Thursday

9:30AM. Sunday Church School 11:00 Am. Sunday Worship Service The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Wednesday 7:00pm Prayer & Praise Services 7:30pm. Bible Study Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries 10:30am A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

Mt. Bethel Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Bobby L. Livingston, Sr. Pastor

Dr. C. Matthew Hudson, Jr, Pastor

75 Rhode Island Ave. NW • Washington, DC 20001 (202) 667-4448

2616 MLK Ave., SE • Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 • Fax 202-678-3304 Early Worship Service 7:30a.m Worship Service 10:45a.m. New Members Class 9:30a.m. Holy Communion : 1st Sunday -10:45a.m Church School 9:30a.m. Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: Wednesday 7p.m Bible Study : Saturday: 11a.m. Baptism: 4th Sunday – 10:45a.m “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”

Peace Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Sunday Morning Worship Service 7:15 am & 10:50 am Sunday School 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship Service 10:50am Wednesday Prayer & Testimonies Service 7:30pm Wednesday School of the Bible 8:00pm Wednesday - Midweek Prayer Service 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm “The Loving Church of the living lord “ Email Address pbcexec@verizon.net

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church 602 N Street NW • Washington, D.C. 20001 Office:(202) 289-4480 Fax: (202) 289-4595 Sunday Worship Services: 7:45am & 11:00am Sunday school For All Ages 9:30am Prayer Services Wednesday 11:30am & 6:45pm Bible Institute Wednesday at Noon & 7:45pm “Changing Lives On Purpose “ Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org

Sunrise Prayer Service 6:00 A.M. Sunday Church School 8:30 A.M. Pre-Worship Devotionals 9:45 A.M. Morning Worship Services 10:00 A.M. Holy Communion 1st Sunday Worship Services Bible Study Tuesdays, 6:00 P.M. Thursdays, 1:00 P.M. Prayer Meetings Tuesdays, 7:00 P.M. Thursdays, 12:00 P.M.

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Sunday Church School: 9:30 A.M. Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 A.M. Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 P.M. Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 P.M. Prayer Service Bible Study

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor 2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 Fax: (202) 529-7738 Order of Services Worship Service: 7:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30 a.m. & 10:30a.m. Prayer Services: Tuesday 7:30 p.m. Wednesday 12 Noon Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.

Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

sports What Do You Think? We’d Like To Know. E-mail Us: news@washingtoninformer.com

Write Us: The Washington Informer 3117 MLK Ave, SE • Washington, D.C. 20032

Paul V1’s Tilman Dunbar (Black shirt) shows some of his basketball athletic skills during the 46th Annual Abe Pollin City Title Games at the Verizon center on Tuesday, March 22. Paul V1 defeated Coolidge 7064. /Photo By John E. De Freitas

View

Sports Photos by John De Freitas

at:



This photo documents an unusual situation in a basketball game. In the latter part of the Annual Abe Pollin City Title Game between Good Counsel and H.D. Woodson girls on Tuesday, March 22, the game was tied at 48-48. Woodson guard Breonn Hughey (3) was pushed by her opponent when she went to the basket for a lay-up and ended up on the basketball court. Good Counsel guard Stacey Koutris (33) helped Hughey to her feet before Hughey’s fellow teammate could help her up. It is universally accepted that teammates help each other up when one of them finds themselves on the court. In my many years of photographing basketball, this is the first time I’ve seen and been able to capture this kind of sportsmanship. Kudos to Koutris for her kind gesture and thoughtfulness. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

Dr. Patricia B. Briscoe (r) was recognized as the 2012 Past Honorary Chairperson during half-time recess of the Boys 46th Annual Abe Pollin City Title Games at the Verizon Center on Tuesday, March 22. Briscoe is a native Washingtonian who started her career with D.C. Public Schools in 1975 and is still committed to athletics in local schools. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

44 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012 Was_Informer.indd 1

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Good Counsel forward Nicole Enabosi (r) blocks Woodson guard Chanel Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (33) attempted shot in the second half of the girls 46th Annual Abe Pollin City Title Games at the Verizon Center on Tuesday, March 22. Woodson defeated Good Counsel 64-54. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

Distribution Manager 202-739-1967 ptrantham@washingtoninformer.com

H.D. Woodson guard Janae Blount (10) out-jumps three of her opponents to score two points during the second half of the 46th Annual Abe Pollin City Title Games at the Verizon Center on Tuesday, March 22. /Photo By John E. De Freitas

Paul V1 guard Patrick Holloway (10) tries to evade his opponent Deshaun Morman (1) during the Boys 46th Annual Abe Pollin City Title Games on Tuesday, March 22 at the Verizon Center. Paul V1 defeated Coolidge 70-64. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

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Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS legal notice SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Notice of Standard Probate Estate of Grover L. Ware Deceased Administrative No. 2012 ADM 220 Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Daniel Ware, Sr., and Janelle Ryan Colbert for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless 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 of the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint a supervised personal representative. Date of first publication: March 22, 2012 Daniel Ware Sr. 4920 Niagara Road #206 College Park, MD 20740 Personal Representative

legal CLASSIFIEDS notice SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2012 ADM 252 Georgia Lois Atkins aka G.L.A. aka Georgia L. Atkins Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Brenda Carter-Clark, whose address is 1619 Isherwood Street, NE #4, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Georgia Lois Atkins aka G.L.A. aka Georgia L. Atkins, who died on February 23, 2012 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. Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before September 29, 2012. 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 September 29, 2012, 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: March 29, 2012 Brenda Carter-Clark Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Administration No. 2012 ADM 181 Burnie Carey Washington aka Burnie C. Washington Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Melvin A. Jones, whose address is 2107 2nd St. NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Burnie Carey aka Burnie C. Washington, who died on December 29, 2011 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. Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before September 22, 2012. 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 September 22, 2012, 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: March 22, 2012

Anne Meister Register of Will Washington Informer

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Estate of Alvin Gregg Deceased

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.

Administrative No. 2012 ADM 229

MEDIABIDS MISCELLANEOUS

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Muriel Mealing for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless 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.

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Notice of Standard Probate

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 a supervised personal representative.

Date of first publication: March 29, 2012 Talib I. Karim 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Personal Representative

Melvin A. Jones Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

legal CLASSIFIEDS notice

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

46 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

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Morial continued from Page 28 shooter must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” This case is now generating national attention and we will be following it closely. We do not know for sure why George Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin. But we do know, according to a 2011 College Board report, that 45 percent of

Malveaux continued from Page 28 of those who freely bandy about racial slurs. George Zimmerman apparently thought he could get away with a public execution. And, truth be told, to date he has. There has been no investigation, no arrest. All he had to say was that he acted in self-defense, and he was off scott free. No matter that the 911 operator told him not to pursue Trayvon. No matter that there is no evidence of self-defense. Trayvon Martin is dead and George Zimmerman is free. Where is our audacity? George Zimmerman seems to think there are no conse-

African-American high school graduates between the ages of 15 and 24 will end up “unemployed, incarcerated or dead.” We also know that the murder of innocent black men in the American South is nothing new. Fifty-seven years ago, the white murderers of 14-year old Emmitt Till in the Mississippi Delta were acquitted of the crime in a clear case of racial injustice.

As the father of a 10-year-old African-American son, I join all African-American parents and Americans of conscience everywhere in calling for an end to the war against young black men and a thorough investigation of the death of Trayvon Martin. wi Marc H. Morial is the President and CEO of the National Urban League

quences to executing a young black man on the public streets. He seems to think so because African-American audacity has just about disappeared. Facing an organized African-American community, Zimmerman might have thought twice between raising his gun and using it. Fearing an organized black community, Zimmerman might have thought twice before uttering a racial slur. No doubt, he has learned from the best. Rush Limbaugh pops off at the mouth any chance he gets, using racial and gender slurs and only recently suffering any consequences. Newt Gingrich calls President Obama a “food stamp president” and he is only

mildly called on it. No wonder Zimmerman thought his effort was acceptable. Until now, he has had no evidence to the contrary. It is easy to say, “black people need to be more organized,” but it is difficult to do. Still, the Trayvon Martin case reminds us of the need for an organized African-American movement. And Gary reminds us that once there was audacity. We have to find that audacity again so that no racist on the loose ever again feels it acceptable to execute a child on the street. wi Dr. Julianne Malveaux is the President of Bennett College.

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Curry continued from Page 28 23 edition of Fox News’ Fox & Friends, network contributor Geraldo Rivera said, “I am urging the parents of Black and Latino youngsters particularly to not let their children go out wearing hoodies. I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was.” However others, such as CNN’s Anderson Cooper, say they frequently adorn hoodies and have never been viewed as suspected criminals. And no one dare suspect New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick or Facebook cofounder Mark Zuckerberg, both known for wearing hoodies, of being criminals. Some kooks posting on Fox News Network site were extremely crass. One wrote, “GOOD SHOT ZIMMY. I’m just glad Zimmerman didn’t miss and hit an innocent bystander.” 10) Police say Zimmerman was not arrested because of Florida’s stand your ground www.washingtoninformer.com

law, a measure that gives broad protection to any citizen acting in self-defense. However, Jeb Bush, who as governor of Florida signed the stand your ground bill into law, said the legislation does not cover the neighborhood watch captain who shot Trayvon Martin to death. “This law does not apply to this particular circumstance,” Bush said after an education panel discussion at the University of Texas at Arlington. “Stand your ground means stand your ground. It doesn’t mean chase after somebody who’s turned their back.” 11) At 9 years old, Trayvon saved his father’s life. In an interview with Roland Martin on TV One, the elder Martin said: “At the time, he was 9 years old. We had just [come] from the Little League football park. We fell asleep while the stove was on. A grease fire started. I went into the kitchen to try to put the grease fire out. The grease splattered all over my leg. My body went into shock and by me and him being in the house, I started

calling out his name. He finally woke up and, at 9 years old, he pulled me from out of the kitchen, where the kitchen cabinets were on fire. He pulled me out of the kitchen onto the balcony. He actually went back into the house and got the cell phone and called 911.” 12) Trayvon’s parents still have nightmares about his death. His father, in an exclusive interview with NNPA publishers, said: “I can’t describe the feeling, I can’t describe what was going through my mind because I was actually staring at a photo of my pride and joy on the ground dead. I still see the photo now – his eyes weren’t closed all the way, his mouth wasn’t closed, it was the worst feeling of my life.” wi George E. Curry, former editor-inchief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA News Service, is editorial director of Heart & Soul magazine. He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry. com You can also follow him at www. twitter.com/currygeorge.

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Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

stranger following him, and then shot the unarmed, 100-poundslighter teenager while neighbors said they heard a child crying for help. The prospect now that Zimmerman might never set foot in a courtroom for the shooting has caused widespread frustration and fury. Just as sadly, Trayvon’s death was not unique. In 2008 and 2009, 2,582 black children and teens were killed by gunfire. Black children and teens were only 15 percent of the child population, but 45 percent of the 5,740 child and teen gun deaths in those two years. Black males 15 to 19 years-old were eight times as likely as white males to be gun homicide victims. The outcry over Trayvon’s death is absolutely right and just. We need the same sense of outrage over every one of these child deaths. Above all, we need a nation where these senseless deaths no longer happen. But we won’t get it until we have com-

mon-sense gun laws that protect children instead of guns and don’t allow people like George Zimmerman to take the law into their own hands. We won’t get it until we have a culture that sees every child as a child of God and sacred, instead of seeing some as expendable statistics, and others as threats and “no good” because of the color of their skin or because they chose to walk home wearing a hood in the rain. And we won’t get it until enough of us—parents and grandparents—stand up and tell our political leaders that the National Rifle Association should not be in charge of our neighborhoods, streets, gun laws, and values. In Trayvon’s case, his father Tracy speaks for what his family needs: “The family is calling for justice. We don’t want our son’s death to be in vain.” I hope that enough voices will ensure that it is not. wi Marian Wright Edelman is the President of the Children’s Defense Fund

191.4% increase. Businesses owned by African American men during that same time period increased 93.1%. Of all African American-owned businesses, 47.4% are owned by women. The U.S. Black Chamber sees this opportunity to partner with fast growing sector. When we think of Black women who have been successful entrepreneurs, we often look back at Madame C.J. Walker. She traveled the country, demonstrating her methods for African-American hair care and styling. She was the first Black female to own a business valued at over $1 million dollars. Fast forward to recent history, we can refer to the success of business women such as self-made billionaire Oprah with her Harpo Productions, Janice Bryant Howroyd founder of Act1-group, the largest minority-owned employment agency in the country and Cathy Hughes, Founder and Chairperson of Radio

One, a multi-media company that focuses on African American and other urban consumers across the country, and so many others. We can also look to the strength and perseverance of our own women, the women of the U.S. Black Chamber that we serve on a daily basis and celebrate all year long. A woman such as the President and CEO of this month’s featured Black Chamber, Natalie Cofield. Natalie is the CEO of the Capital City African American Chamber of Commerce in Austin, Texas. She has brought her extensive skills and knowledge to the chamber in order to help with the economic development on behalf of the African American community in the greater Austin area. Another shining example of strong female leaders is the owner of the U.S. Black Chamber’s featured business of the month, Leah Brown, President and CEO of A10 Clinical Solutions, Inc. Ms. Brown has earned the honor of being Inc. Magazine’s Number One African-American-Run Business. Her company is one of the fastest-

growing businesses in America. New York, Georgia and Florida are the three states which have the highest number of businesses owned by African American women. The top industry in which African American women own businesses include social assistance and health care (32%). No matter the industry, African American women have a place to stake a claim. They have the ability and opportunity to become leaders and to make a true difference in their communities. It takes drive, passion, strength and knowledge to get to where these women are today. Through education and inspiration, we can see a country that is full of businesses that are owned and operated by African American women. Those businesses cannot help but succeed if we work together and take their dreams for a future company and turn them into reality. The U.S. Black Chamber takes great pride in celebrating the successes of Blacks and women, not just during a single designated month, but all year long. wi

black potential customer browses, so he can be followed and carefully watched until he leaves the premises. It’s not about the hoodie, black people. If a black person wears a tuxedo into a showroom of a fancy European automobile, those sales people ignore him, assuming the black guy can’t afford any car sold there. So, forget about the hoodie. It’s not about the hoodie. It’s about the black person. Get it? But it is about the hijab. The hijab is the headscarf which Muslim women wear for the sake of modesty. In modern American society,

few women, except Muslims, cover their hair. Some women wear bonnets, or other hair coverings, but nothing like a Muslim woman’s hijab, or scarf or veil. Unlike a black person who is instantly identifiable with or without a hoodie, it would not be possible to detect that some white-skinned Muslim women, are in fact Muslim if they did not wear hijab. So at the same time black people were rising up in righteous indignation over the indefensible, racially selective murder or Trayvon Martin in Florida, an Iraqi-born woman died in California just

days after she was brutally beaten. Shaima Alawadi was found lying in a pool of blood in her home next to a note saying, “Go back to your country you terrorist.” She was a mother of five children, ranging in ages 8 to 17. So it seems, hatred is run amok today in America. That’s undeniable. The haters are getting away with murder. That’s indefensible. Yet, black people still want to be around these wicked folks, rather than demanding our own separate state or territory where we can live free away from these demons. That’s unspeakable. wi

Edelman continued from Page 29

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WEEK OF: MARCH 26, 2012 Prince George’s County, Maryland Is Committed To Delivering Excellence In Government Services To Its Citizens. The County Is Seeking Bids Or Proposals From Businesses Who Share In A “Total Quality” Commitment In The Provision Of Services To Their Customers. Sealed Bids And/Or Proposals Will Be Received In The Prince George’s County Office Of Central Services Until The Date And Local Time Indicated For The Following Solicitations. BID/

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- BY AUTHORITY OF – Rushern L. Baker, III County Executive

MUHAMMAD continued from Page 29 Black people: White people just aren’t “into you.” So if a black person wears a hoodie—a hooded sweatshirt— for example, then that justifies any gun-toting white vigilante to conclude that said black person is

“up to no good.” Black people just don’t get it. Forget the hoodie. If a black man stands on a corner in a suit, it’s very, very hard for him to get a taxi to stop for him. If he goes into a high-end department store, a store detective or clerk will find some shelving to do next to each aisle in which the

50 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

“self-defense” by allowing people who say they are in imminent danger to defend themselves. Some states limit this defense to people’s own homes, but others, like Florida, allow it anywhere. As Josh Horwitz, executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, says, this law “has turned common law—and common sense—on its head by enabling vigilantes to provoke conflicts, resolve them with deadly force, and avoid ever having to set foot in a courtroom.” The fear in Trayvon’s death is that this is exactly what has happened so far: that the story told by witnesses, phone records, and Zimmerman’s violent past and earlier complaints during his neighborhood patrols shows an overzealous armed aggressor who followed Trayvon even after police told him to stop, chased Trayvon down when the frightened boy tried to walk away from the

Busby continued from Page 29

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#1 ON THE BALLOT

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A seasoned politician with a passion for the issues and, getting the job done with wisdom and skill.

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Marion Barry promises QUALITY SCHOOLS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES, IMPROVED RETAIL CHOICES, FULL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE JOBS for residents of ward 8. Paid for by Barry for Ward 8 Re-Election Committee | Robert James, Treasurer | A copy of our report is on ямБle with the Director of Campaign Finance.

52 Mar. 29, 2012 - Apr. 4, 2012

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