NATIONAL NURSES WEEK
Women of 6888th receive highest Congressional honor
By Alexis Taylor
Roughly 300 descendants of the women who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion came together on April 29 to get a glimpse of history in the making.
Sitting inside of Emancipation Hall on Capitol Hill, the men, women and children witnessed their mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters receive the Congressional
Gold Medal for their sacrifice in World War II (WWII).
“It’s a day long overdue but it’s here at last,” said Tara Garcia, granddaughter of Crescencia “Joyce” J. Garcia of Maunabo, Puerto Rico.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor that can be awarded by the U.S. Congress.
Recognition for the 855 Black and Brown women who did the impossible in the European Theater of WWII comes eight decades after their service.
Only two women who served in the all- Black, all women’s unit are alive today. Fannie McClendon lives in Arizona and turned 104 in September of last year. Anna Mae Robertson lives in Milwaukee and is 101 years old.
According to information released by the Library of Congress (LOC), the 6888th was formed in 1944 after the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) was developed in 1942. Black women received the right to join the WACs in 1943 after a hard fought
battle by Mary McLeod Bethune and her allies.
“Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and First lady Eleanor Roosevelt opened a path for service and encouraged women to serve our nation. As a result, hundreds of thousands of women answered their call,” said Col. Ret. Edna Cummings, the woman who spearheaded efforts for the unit members to receive the medal. “With 85 percent of the Six Triple Eight having college degrees or working as former school teachers, the Six
Rev. William Barber arrested in Capitol Rotunda
By Jack Jenkins
Prominent pastor and anti-poverty activist the Rev. William Barber and two others were arrested while praying in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on April 28, an action he said would be part of a recurring series of demonstrations aimed at challenging the Republican-led budget bill.
The arrests occurred roughly 15 minutes after Barber, the Rev. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove and Steve Swayne, director of St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, started praying in the Rotunda as dozens of police stood nearby, some prepared with plastic handcuffs. The three took turns praying,
“Arresting Rev. Barber and others at the Capitol after announcing a task force to eradicate anti-Christian bias in government is an absolute travesty.”
lamenting potential budget cuts to social safety-net programs such as Medicaid, often chanting together: “Against the conspiracy of cruelty, we plead the power of your mercy.”
“When we cannot depend on the courts and the legislative power of human beings, we
can still depend on … the power of your love and your mercy and your truth,” Barber said in the Rotunda as police began to surround him.
While arresting protesters at the Capitol is not unusual, the
Triple Eight were among the nation’s most educated workforce, armed with education and patriotism.” Tasked with clearing a postal backlog of mail that was leading to low morale, the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion cleared roughly 17 million letters and packages that were stacked to the warehouse ceilings when they arrived. Working in shifts, the women “processed an average of
returns to
Nearly one thousand gathered at Martin’s West on April 26 for the AFRO High Tea. The event was an opportunity to fellowship and honor local organizations that have served the community.
AFRO Photo / Stephen Hopkins
Shown here, Rhonda Clyburn (left) with Monica Truesdale, Crystal Scott Harris and Patricia Johnson at the AFRO High Tea on April 26.
AFRO Managing Editor
AP Photo / Rod Lamkey, Jr.
Col. Ret. Edna Cummings (right) joins Judith Earley and Stanley Earley III, children of Lt. Col. Charity E. Adams-Earley, as they receive the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of the women in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Adams-Earley led the 6888th during their time as the only unit for Black and Brown women to serve overseas during World War II. Cummings spearheaded efforts to have members of Congress bestow their highest honor upon the women.
AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor
WHAT’S TRENDING ON AFRO.COM
Student loans in default to be referred to debt collection, Education Department says
By Annie Ma
The Education Department will soon begin collection on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said April 21.
Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans.
The Trump administration ‘s announcement marks an end to a period of leniency that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. No federal student loans have been referred for collection since March 2020, including those in default. Under President Joe Biden, the Education Department tried multiple times to give broad forgiveness of student loans, only to be stopped by courts.
through the Treasury Department’s offset program, which withholds government payments — including tax refunds, federal salaries and other benefits — from people with past-due debts to the government.
After a 30-day notice, the department also will begin garnishing wages for borrowers in default.
The decision to send debt to collections drew criticism from advocates, who said borrowers had experienced whiplash and confusion with the changing student loan policies between the Biden and Trump administrations.
“This is cruel, unnecessary and will further fan the flames of economic chaos for working families across this country,” said Mike Pierce, executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center.
multiple times by the Biden administration through 2023, and a final grace period for loan repayments ended in October 2024. That meant tens of millions of Americans had to start making payments again.
Borrowers who don’t make payments for nine months go into default, which is reported on their credit scores and can go to collections.
Along with the borrowers already in default, around another 4 million are 91 to 180 days late on their loan payments. Less than 40 percent of all borrowers are current on their student loans, department officials said.
Layoffs at the Federal Student Aid office at the Education Department have made it harder for students to get their questions answered, even if they wanted to pay their loans, said Kristin McGuire, executive director for Young Invincibles, a group that focuses on economic security for younger adults. And questions are swirling about certain income-driven repayment programs after a February court ruling blocked some Biden-era payment plans, placing borrowers in the more lenient SAVE Plan in forbearance.
Beginning May 5, the U.S. Department of Education will begin involuntary collection through the Treasury Department’s offset program, which withholds government payments — including tax refunds, federal salaries and other benefits — from people with pastdue debts to the government. After a 30-day notice, the department also will begin garnishing wages for borrowers in default.
“We can’t assume that people are in default because they don’t want to pay their loans. People are in default because they can’t pay their loans and because they don’t know how to pay their loans.”
For borrowers in default, one step to avoid wage garnishment is to get into loan rehabilitation, said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute for Student Loan Advisors.
“American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said.
Beginning May 5, the department will begin involuntary collection
Already, many borrowers have been bracing for obligations coming due.
In 2020, President Donald Trump paused federal student loan payments and interest accrual as a temporary relief measure for student borrowers. The pause in payments was extended
The Education Department in February took down applications for income-driven repayment programs — which tie a monthly payment to a person’s income level — only to bring them back online a month later.
“Things are really difficult to understand right now. Things are changing every day,” McGuire said.
Borrowers must ask their loan servicer to be placed into such a program. Typically, servicers ask for proof of income and expenses to calculate a payment amount. Once a borrower has paid on time for nine months in a row, they are taken out of default, Mayotte said. A loan rehabilitation can only be done once.
Biden oversaw the cancellation of student loans for more than 5 million borrowers. Despite the Supreme Court’s rejection of his
signature proposal for broad relief, he waived more than $183.6 billion in student loans through expanded forgiveness programs.
In her statement April 21, McMahon said Biden had gone too far.
“Going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repayment — both for the sake of their own financial health and our nation’s economic outlook,” she said.
Associated Press writer Adriana Morga in New York contributed to this report.
The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File
Congressional Medal
more than 65,000 pieces of mail” every eight hours, according to the LOC.
Stanley Earley III is son of Lt. Col. Charity E. Adams-Earley. She led the unit as the highest ranking Black woman serving overseas during WWII.
Earley noted how the work of the 6888th was “all done by hand” with “no computers, no optical scanners, no sorting machines.”
“These soldiers exemplified determination in the face of adversity and demonstrated the ability to go beyond what was thought to be possible,” he said. “They overcame obstacles to achieve success, and made a substantial difference to the Army.”
In a time with no internet or social media to connect with loved ones, the work done by the women of the 6888th to restore lines of communication between the soldiers on the frontlines and their family and friends back home gave strength to fight another day.
What was expected to take six months took three. After clearing the backlog in Birmingham, England they were asked to replicate their feat in Rouen, France. Again, the women “delivered” in more ways than one.
“Many said that they did their jobs and came home…I wouldn’t accept that as the end of the story,” said Cummings. “We now commend
these soldiers who did four things: They exceeded performance standards; succeeded where others failed; restored reliable mail service and connected loved ones to the front line…it was more than the mail.”
About seven years ago
Cummings started petitioning Congress to bestow the medal upon the unit. Her initiative gained more traction after she found a list in archives of the AFRO-American Newspapers. The roster included names and addresses of the more than 800 women in the unit, which Cummings then used to petition individual lawmakers based on the states the women called home.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D), who represents New York’s 8th Congressional District, gave remarks to those in attendance. He also took a moment to honor Private First Class (PFC) Mary Bankston, a member of the 6888th from New York who died in a car crash overseas in 1945 with two other women in the unit.
“These fiercely passionate, patriotic and persistent members of the Women’s Army Corps deployed, knowing that they would confront the dual challenges of racism and sexism at the hands of their own military and beyond,” he said. “We salute the ingenuity with which they sprang into battle.”
Descendants present for the ceremony included AFRO Publisher Dr. Frances Murphy
Draper, whose aunt, Vashti Murphy-Matthews, served in the 6888th unit. Murphy-Matthews was one of the five daughters of Carl Murphy, who served as AFRO publisher from 1922-1967 after the death of his father, AFRO Founder John H. Murphy. Draper gave a moving invocation for those gathered.
Included in the crowd were Murphy-Matthews’ daughter, Martha Elizabeth (Betty) Murphy Schuler, of Alexandria, Va.; Her son, Rodger Murphy Matthews of Lenexa, Kansas; Granddaughters Donne Elizabeth Lewis, of Washington, D.C. and Bobbie Evon Padgett, of Hughesville, Md. Murphy Matthews’ great-granddaughters Ava Padgett and Sydnee Padgett, both of Hughesville, were also in attendance.
Murphy-Matthews, like many of the 6888th women, did not boast about her time in the U.S. Army or the courage it took to work in a war zone. Though many kept their story in the shadows, some women were open about their time in the military.
The oldest daughter of PFC. Annie Beatrice Knight Jordan, Dr. Carmen Jordan-Cox, recalls her mother’s stories vividly.
“She was one of the rare individuals that actually talked about her experiences,”
said Jordan-Cox. “She told us she did morse code. We didn’t know what that meant until recently, when we discovered she was a codebreaker. She entered the military in 1943. She trained in Des Moines with everyone else and then went to Texas and then Ft. Wilbur.”
Jordan-Cox said that even before joining the 6888th unit, her mother had made a place for herself using her God-given talents.
“She said they would send a chauffeur to her barracks every night and take her to what we know now as a ‘skiff’- a secure chamber,” said Jordan-Cox. “She would decode enemy messages, and then they would burn them and return her back to her barracks. She did that before the 6888th was formed. She volunteered to join the 6888 in Europe and we know she was involved with the mail in Europe.”
Standing next to an oversized mock-up of the 6888th’s Congressional Gold Medal, Angela King spoke to grandmother’s service in the unit. Hailing from Amherst, Mass. PFC. Laura Amelia Bias was born in 1923. King said her grandmother would have been 102 years old if she were still alive to see the unit receive the medal.
“I think she would have
been quite humbled and maybe even overwhelmed. My grandmother, like so many other members of the 6888, rarely spoke of their service,” said King. “They just considered it a job - their country called on them, they stepped up and served and didn’t necessarily ask for all of the accolades. My grandmother never spoke of it.”
King said her grandmother instilled “a sense of quiet duty and honor” in her. In recent years, she has been able to learn more about her grandmother’s story.
“Edna Cummings was key in making that happen. Through her, I found out about my grandmother’s service,” said King. “I got to see her enlistment papers. I wouldn’t have seen these things otherwise, had it not been for someone stepping up and saying ‘we need to honor these women and what they did.’”
In 2022, members of Congress voted to honor the women with the Congressional Gold Medal. In 2023, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed a bill into law proclaiming March 9 as “6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day” in his state. In 2024, renowned director and producer Tyler Perry released his film,
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response to Barber’s prayer was unusually dramatic: After issuing verbal warnings, dozens of officers expelled everyone in the Rotunda — including credentialed press — and shut the doors, obscuring any view. Press and others were then instructed to leave the floor entirely.
Speaking with RNS shortly after he was released from police custody on April 28, Barber, who has a chronic illness that affects his ability to walk, said he was in pain from the prolonged ordeal but that his interactions with police were “cordial.”
Barber — who is founder of the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School, where he also teaches — said he was handcuffed by police and briefly detained. While he found the incident unsettling, he hoped it would draw attention to those who will be impacted by potential budget cuts, he said.
“To think that we went in to pray — pray against the budget, but to pray nonetheless — and the order now is that, evidently, if you pray, you are seen as violating the rules of the Rotunda,” he said. “What we hope is that folks will see this and it will begin to remove some of the fear, and people will understand that this is the time — now — that we must engage in nonviolent direct action to register our discontent.”
Reached for comment, a Capitol police spokesperson said Barber and two others were charged with “crowding, obstructing and incommoding,” explaining demonstrations in congressional buildings are “not allowed in any form, to include but not limited to sitting, kneeling, group praying, singing, chanting, etc.”
The spokesperson also said the Rotunda is “not a dedicated press area unless it’s for a pre-approved event.”
Some quickly argued that Barber’s arrest
appeared incongruous with President Donald Trump’s efforts to eliminate “anti-Christian bias” in federal agencies.
“Arresting Rev. Barber and others at the Capitol after announcing a task force to eradicate anti- Christian bias in government is an absolute travesty,” Anthea Butler, a professor of religion at the University of Pennsylvania, said in a text message.
“Seems like this administration only wants Christians who are supporters of Trump to have access to pray in the Capitol and express their faith.”
She was echoed by the Rev. Paul Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance and a critic of the Trump administration.
“The arrest of Bishop Barber feels like the most clear example of hypocrisy of the Trump administration when they talk about anti-Christian bias,” Raushenbush said. “They are not interested in the broad expression of faith as exemplified by Bishop Barber, but rather only Christians approved of by the Trump administration.”
The arrests followed a rally nearby outside the U.S. Supreme Court building, where Barber rallied with other clergy and faith leaders, as well as federal workers who lost their jobs, to condemn the GOP-led budget.
Speakers at the rally, which was organized by Repairers of the Breach, focused specifically on how the budget would impact women and children. Among those who addressed the crowd at the rally or press beforehand were: the Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women; Imam Talib M. Shareef, president and imam of historic Masjid Muhammad, also known as “the Nation’s Mosque”; Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League; and Sarah Anderson with the Institute for Policy
“The Six Triple Eight,” on Netflix. Jordan-Cox said when it comes to the women of the 6888th, “there are so many stories” that need to be passed down.
“The next generation needs to know these things,” she said. “The things that we’re able to do are based on what our ancestors were able to do.”
Studies.
“Forty-three percent of women and almost half of all children are poor and low income,” Barber told the crowd, citing an assessment of Economic Policy Institute data. “Somebody ought to say something … Somebody gotta challenge this budget.”
The protest was the beginning of a “Moral Monday” campaign that Barber said he hopes will feature demonstrations every week moving forward. It’s an approach to activism the pastor has used to great effect in the past. Today’s protest was launched on the 12-year anniversary of the original Moral Monday protest movement he organized in North Carolina in 2013, which was credited with helping unseat the governor in that state.
A Repairers of the Breach spokesperson acknowledged in a statement that the three people were arrested in the Rotunda after the rally, while “practicing their First Amendment rights.”
“On this, the first Moral Monday in D.C., faith leaders and impacted people came to the people’s house to demand a moral budget — one that lifts from the bottom, prioritizing poor and low- wage people, women, children and workers,” the statement said.
This article was originally published by Religion News Service.
RNS photo/Jack Jenkins
The Rev. William Barber II speaks at a Moral Monday rally near the U.S. Capitol on April 28.
AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor
Dr. Carmen Jordan-Cox, the eldest daughter of PFC Annie Beatrice Knight Jordan, is joined at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony with Carla Jordan-Detamore, Esq., another descendent of Knight Jordan.
AFRO Photos / Alexis Taylor
Angela King holds a photo of her grandmother, PFC. Laura Amelia Bias, who was a member of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.
AFRO Archives Shown here, Vashti Murphy-Matthews, daughter of Carl Murphy, who served as AFRO publisher from 19221967. Murphy-Matthews routinely kept AFRO readers informed by reporting from Europe during World War II.
OPINION
The war on birthright citizenship is a war on all of us
By Civitas Special to
On May 15, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a case that could upend the very foundation of American identity.
At the center of the fight is Executive Order 14160, issued by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, 2025, which seeks to revoke automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants or temporary residents. If the court upholds it, the consequences won’t just be felt by immigrant families. This decision could fundamentally shift the balance of power in our democracy—turning rights into privileges and presidents into unchecked monarchs.
Let’s be clear: birthright citizenship is not a policy—it’s a constitutional guarantee. The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, was crafted after the Civil War to undo the legacy of slavery and ensure that every child born on American soil would be an American citizen, regardless of their parents’ race or status. That principle was reaffirmed in United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) and has been settled law for over 125 years.
But now, through executive action—not legislation, not
amendment—Trump wants to erase that right for millions. His legal team argues that the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” excludes undocumented immigrants. But the courts have rejected that logic for decades.
In Plyler v. Doe, the Supreme Court held that even undocumented immigrants are subject to U.S. law, and so are their children. This isn’t a legally gray area—it’s constitutional fact.
block passports, and disenfranchise entire communities.
This strategy is dangerous and deliberate. And it’s not new.
We’ve seen it before: voter purges, gerrymandering, redlining, and discriminatory policing— each a tool to rewrite who gets to belong. This is the same playbook, now aimed directly at the Constitution itself.
So why this push now?
Because it’s not just about law—it’s about power. The goal is to create chaos, to overwhelm the courts, and to force families—many Black, Brown, and poor—to sue for citizenship that should already be theirs. It’s governance by attrition. Flood the system with unconstitutional executive orders, let them drag through the courts for years, and in the meantime? Disrupt lives,
If the court sides with Trump, the implications go far beyond immigration. Any president could attempt to reinterpret the Constitution to their liking—revoking rights first and asking questions later. Today, it’s birthright citizenship. Tomorrow, it could be the right to protest. The right to vote. The right to exist freely in your own country.
And let’s be honest. The communities targeted by this order are
not random. They are the same communities that have always been told they’re “guests” in the country their ancestors built. Black and Brown Americans have long been told their rights are provisional. Executive Order 14160 makes that threat explicit. We must not wait for the Court’s decision to sound the alarm. This is the time to act.
Congress must codify birthright citizenship into federal statute. Civil rights groups must be ready to mobilize. And every American who believes in liberty and equality must speak out—loudly and often.
Because if we allow presidents to erase constitutional rights with a
signature, we may find ourselves in a country where the Constitution no longer matters at all.
Drawing inspiration from the original authors of the Federalist papers’ use of “Publius” (referring to Publius Valerius Publicola, a founder of the Roman Republic), we use “Civitas” as our pseudonym.“Civitas” is Latin for “citizenship” or “community of citizens,” emphasizing both the rights and responsibilities of citizens in maintaining a constitutional republic. This pseudonym reflects our focus on civic engagement and the collective effort required to preserve democratic institutions in the face of current challenges.
the AFRO
Unsplash / Larry Alger
The U.S. Constitution, which begins with the phrase, “We the People…,” enshrines the right to citizenship for all persons born or naturalized into the country.
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BALTIMORE-AREA
OBITUARY
Dorothy Anna Williams, matriarch and former federal employee, dies at 95
Sunrise: Jan. 20, 1930 - Sunset: March 27, 2025
By James E. Bentley II
Dorothy Anna Williams, known as “The Queen” to those who loved her, was the epitome of a true lady and devoted family matriarch. Her unmatched graciousness endeared her to everyone she met, and her warm, pleasant personality ensured a lasting impression. Cherished by many and respected by all, Dorothy’s incredible charm and zest for life inspired those around her.
Dorothy A. Bolden was born on Jan. 20, 1930, in Annapolis, Md., to John and Henrietta Bolden. She was their youngest child and the only daughter, with an older brother, Frank, who has since died. Due to her father’s service in the Navy, Dorothy lived in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania during her childhood. At 16, she moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., with her parents to help care for her brother’s two children.
While living in Brooklyn,
photo The family and friends of Dorothy Anna Williams continue to mourn her March 27 death at the age of 95. The AFRO fondly remembers Williams as the mother of Diane Hocker, the newspaper’s longtime director of community and public relations.
Dorothy met her husband, Edgar Fitzroy Williams. They married in Fort Greene on Dec. 3, 1949, and remained together for 61 years until his death in June 2011. Together,
How 4MyCiTy is feeding Baltimore
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
In a city grappling with food insecurity and environmental waste, Christopher Dipnarine is turning trash into treasure—one meal and compost pile at a time.
Dipnarine, founder of 4MyCiTy, is helping people convert waste into a resource, prevent food waste and reduce food insecurity in Baltimore.
“4MyCiTy focuses on environmental sustainability, primarily through the
vision of food waste,” said Dipnarine.
“We’re trying to mitigate the harmful effects caused by food waste on the environment. I wanted to develop not just a typical food bank model, but a system that would close the loop on food waste.”
The nonprofit is also home to Maryland’s first zero-waste facility, which operates with an overhead cost of around $1 million.
4MyCiTy is built on four phases of sustainability, which include educating people about food waste and trying to stop it at the source, feeding the hungry and generating biodegradable energy
via food waste and composting.
“Aside from nourishing a community in a food desert and recycling food scraps to develop nourishing soil additives, 4MyCiTy educates [people] by example [on] the importance of understanding the value in what we call waste,” said Mariama Changamire, who has known about 4MyCiTy since 2021. According to the USDA, 30 to 40 percent of the American food supply is wasted.
In 2023, about 22 percent of African Americans dealt with food insecurity,
Courtesy
Courtesy photo
Christopher Dipnarine, 44, is the founder and executive director of 4MyCiTy, a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental sustainability.
Local organizations honored at AFRO High Tea in Baltimore
By AFRO Staff
Nearly one thousand people attended the AFRO’s 2025 High Tea in Baltimore at Martin’s West on Saturday, April 26.
In their fanciest tea attire, men and women of all walks of life joined with local leaders, legislators and members of the AFRO team to fellowship and network.
“It was fabulous,” said Kara D. Beverly, an attorney that works as an equity compliance investigator. “This was my first time and it won’t be my last. It was like a family reunion, actually. There were so many people here that I knew– it was lovely. It was a nice celebration of organizations that are doing great work.”
This year, the tea offered refreshments via a buffet, and guests were excited to get more time to shop.
Shawn Millin, a veteran of the AFRO High Tea is a federal consultant.
“This is amazing,” she said. “There were many changes and I’m very happy that there were – I will definitely come back.”
Each year the event serves as much more than a time to come together over tea sandwiches.
“All of the details were so impressive, but what was most phenomenal was the convening of Black Baltimore,” said Chrissy Thornton, executive director of Associated Black Charities. “We needed this moment. We need to see Black joy– it is a form of resistance.”
Dr. Toni Boulware Stackhouse, a licensed therapist, agreed that the fellowship that takes place at the tea is good for the soul.
“It brings us joy to come together and celebrate each other,” she said, adding that the tea is a chance to take “time out from the daily mundane activities that we all have to do,” such as family and work obligations.
Honorees of this year’s event included the The DuBois Circle; The Women’s Civic League, Inc.; Baltimore Chapter of The Girl Friends, Inc.; The Baltimore Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; The Links, Inc.; The Baltimore Alpha Wives, Inc.; The
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they had three daughters, whom she insisted must have names that begin with the letter “D”: Denise, Doreen, and Diane. Eventually, the family moved to Queens.
While in New York, Dorothy worked for the federal government in the Department of Labor as a wage and hour specialist for 25 years before retiring in October 1980 at the age of 50. After her retirement, Dorothy took the opportunity to visit her daughters and grandsons, often traveling to Detroit or Baltimore for extended periods.
“Dot and Eddie” – as the couple was called – were also active members in their local Veterans Club, the 369th, and could usually be found at events or playing pinochle there.
Following the passing of her husband, Dorothy embraced a new chapter in her life by relocating to Maryland to be near her family. In Baltimore, she joined the Forest Park Senior Center, where she became a vibrant, active member. She dedicated her days to forging new friendships, sharing her voice in the choir, and engaging in lively pinochle games.
Lovingly known as “Grandma Dynamite,” Dorothy lived a joyful and fulfilling life. Her passion for traveling, both domestically and abroad, reflected her adventurous spirit, while her keen fashion sense and love for hats showcased her distinctive personality. Dorothy found joy in cooking and treasured moments with her family. You would often find her at the card table playing
Baltimore Chapter of The Kappa Silhouettes and The Greater Baltimore Section of the National Council of Negro Women. Representatives of each organization took to the stage to receive a framed front page AFRO cover from Dr. Frances Murphy Draper, AFRO publisher; Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott; Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Congressman Johnny “Johnny O” Olszewski, Jr. (D-Md.District 2). The AFRO’s D.C. High Tea, taking place Sept. 7 from 2 – 5 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church, is already sold out. But the tea in Baltimore next year already has a date. The high society event will return to Martin’s West on Saturday, Apr 25, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
AFRO Photos / Stephen Hopkins
bid whist or pinochle, always raising a stemmed glass of Grand Marnier in celebration. In her later years, she embraced technology, using her iPad to refine and hone her pinochle skills when she wasn’t sitting on “The Bench” with her buddy, Frank. Dorothy is survived by her three daughters: Denise S. DeLeaver, Doreen W. Frazier, and Diane W. Hocker; one son-in-law, Frank A. Hocker Sr.; one brother-in-law, Dr. Vernon St. Clair Williams; and five grandsons: Charles W. Frazier III, James E. Bentley II, Frank A. Hocker Jr., Timothy M. Hocker (Maria), and Adam T. Hocker Sr. She also leaves behind 11 great-grandchildren: Nasja M. Frazier, Phoenix C. Frazier, Ashlyn J. Hocker, Markus A. Hocker, Sr., Adam T. Hocker Jr., Ayden T. Hocker, Frank A. Hocker III, Ava L. Hocker, Jatasha B. Cipriano, Jekka A. Baclao and Lorraine J. Hocker; as well as two great-great-grandsons, Markus A. Hocker Jr. and Nazir A. Rivers. Dorothy is remembered by her nieces: Joyce B. Bolden, Myrna Bolden, Dawn Bolden Davis, Deborah A. McDaniels, Tizu T. Arrington (Mark), and Cecily A. Williams Blijd; nephews: Frank Bolden and Alan L. Bolden; grandnephews Kevin E. Harris, Xavier E. St. Clair Blijd, and Johan St. Clair Blijd along with a host of other relatives, and dear friends.
Funeral services for Dorothy Anna Williams will be held on May 3 at Wiley’s Funeral Home, located at 9200 Liberty Road, Randallstown. The service will begin at noon with designated family time, followed at 12:30 by a memorial service and celebration of life.
Frances Murphy Draper presents an award to Laura Johnson, senior vice president and chief acceleration officer for United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM), and Kendra Parlock, an inaugural member of UWCM’s Philanthropic Women’s Leadership Development Program, alongside Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Congressman Johnny “Johnny O” Olszewski, Jr. (D-Md.- District 2).
4MyCiTy
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over twice the rate of White Americans, according to Feeding America, a hunger relief nonprofit. The USDA, in 2023, said more than 9 million Black Americans could not access enough food to live healthily.
According to the USDA’s vehicle access definition, 50 percent of Baltimore City is classified as a food desert, and 42 percent of residents live in one.
Changamire shared her reaction to 4MyCiTy during her first visit.
“I was excited about fresh vegetable options and eager to enter a communal cycle of composting,” Changamire said. “What I found was community. Like-minded and kind neighbors helped me with selections of fresh vegetables, dry goods and protein–always with a smile.
“4MyCiTy has supplemented my monthly budget immensely as my diet is largely vegetables, fruits and grains, making it possible for me to maintain my practice of eating the nutrients my body needs to bear its challenges,” said Changamire, who has been diagnosed with cancer and multiple sclerosis. “My visits to 4MyCiTy have included exercise to get there and back and so much amazingly fresh produce to fuel my body in the way that matters most.”
Guy Johnson has benefited from 4MyCiTy since May 2022.
“It’s had a positive impact on my family,” Johnson said. “Not only do we receive fruits and vegetables daily, but I get to help seniors in my building who can’t get out or afford certain foods.”
Home Chef, a meal prep company, began a partnership with 4MyCiTy in late 2023 and has been donating food weekly ever since.
“Home Chef is all about making home-cooked meals achievable – and 4MyCiTy is a partner that helps us extend that purpose beyond our customers and into our communities we operate in, like
“4MyCiTy is the perfect partner for reducing our overall food waste and loss, as they have deep connections in the community and are always looking for new ways to get food to those in need.”
Baltimore,” said Greg Butler, Baltimore plant director of Home Chef. “4MyCiTy is the perfect partner for reducing our overall food waste and loss, as they have deep connections in the community and are always looking for new ways to get food to those in need.”
Butler shared that Home Chef contributes a wide variety of items such as canned goods, grains, condiments and fresh produce.
“Having a well-rounded list of foods that we can donate not only means more Baltimore residents served, it means less edible food ends up in landfills,” said Butler.
“Home Chef has donated nearly half a million meals since we began our partnership with 4MyCiTy about a year and a half ago,” said Butler. “That’s over 500,000 pounds of food diverted from Baltimore landfills.”
Dipnarine shared that 4MyCiTy may lose about $800,000 due to cuts to federal environmental sustainability grants by the 47th president’s administration.
“We’re in a financial crunch this year,” he said. “Any donations or support would be greatly appreciated.”
To donate to 4MyCiTy, go to 4mycity.us/donate.
Dawn Taylor (left) sits with Linda Carter; Jocelyn Grogan-Jones; Danielle Green O’Reilly; Kathe Hammond and La Keisha Purnell at the AFRO High Tea.
Maryland’s First Lady Dawn Moore speaks to attendees at the AFRO High Tea.
Dr.
Bonnie Finch (left) with Risa Augustus arrives in style.
Jade Madden performs for the crowd at the 2025 High Tea.
Esther Kane Corbett offers her 360 photo booth experience to tea attendees.
C. London Hilton (left) and Ivory Saunders arrive in their finest threads.
Vendor Carrie Pierce shows her line of organic holistic skin care products.
WASHINGTON-AREA
D.C. lawmakers push for youth-led climate change advisory council
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
While federal climate change initiatives are expected to slow over the next three years, the D.C. Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment is considering legislation to bolster the District’s climate change initiatives by giving youth a say.
“The bill recognizes the critical role that young people play in addressing the urgent challenges of climate change and environmental degradation,” said Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), chair of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, during a recent live-streamed hearing. “As the future steward of our planet, young people already have and will continue to inherit the consequences of our collective failure to mitigate the impacts of climate change.”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rising temperatures in D.C. are believed to be contributing to the earlier blooming of the District’s well-known cherry trees. This could mess up plants’ reproductive processes and pollinators’ ability to collect nectar.
photo
25, is a co-leader of the D.C. and DMV Hub of Black Girl Environmentalists, an organization focused on empowering emerging leaders of color in environmentalism.
Courtesy photo Olivia Wilson, 26, is a co-leader of the D.C. and DMV Hub of Black Girl Environmentalists. The organization regularly hosts events for young environmentalists to enjoy, such as hikes, gardening and networking.
Bill 26-66, the Youth Advisory Council on Climate Change and Environmental Conservation Establishment Act of 2025, would create a youth advisory council to organize young Washingtonians’ perspectives on the climate crisis and its impact on D.C.
“The 17-member body would be tasked with working with DOEE (D.C.
E3 Business Group hosts resource fair to aid workers hit by federal cuts
By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com
Anthony Butler, international director of E3 Business Group, held a resource fair for D.C., Maryland and Virginia workers displaced by the 47th presidential administration’s raid on the federal workforce. Since the 47th president took office and created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), thousands of federal employees have been terminated, taken buyouts or retired early.
Butler’s event took place at the E3 Center for Entrepreneurial Development in Waldorf, Md. on April 26. It day featured resume support, professional headshots and financial advice.
“Fed Day 2025 is a bringing together of resources for those that have either been impacted by the federal government’s reduction in workforce, or they’re fearing it. There are companies here that have people in their families or client base who have experienced the same thing,” said Butler. “The goal today is to provide hope, information and a sense that you’re not alone.”
Butler, a Charles County resident, has a 30-year history of supporting entrepreneurs across the country. His philosophy rests in educating, encouraging and empowering small businesses to set goals and forge their own roads to success.
Many of the entrepreneurs Butler works with contract with the federal government or even hold agency positions. He had experts like Anthony Buono, a retirement and wealth growth specialist, on hand to speak with job seekers at the fair.
Anthony Buono, who works at the Virginia-based
Shirley Luu and Associates (SLA), said his firm has received many calls from people who are worried about the fate of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Through the plan, workers receive retirement benefits from three main sources: a pension, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and Social Security.
If displaced workers were forced to retire earlier than they planned to, their pensions could be smaller or they may need to tap into TSP funds early, which can come with financial penalties. Even federal workers who still have their jobs face legislative proposals to cut retirement benefits and market volatility that threatens the balances of their TSP accounts.
New tariffs from the 47th president have caused a
sharp decline in the U.S. stock market.
“Your TSP is vulnerable just simply because it’s in the stock market. It’s all money that’s in the stock market, and it’s going up and down, like an EKG, “ said Buono. “Right now, it’s probably taking some hits.”
SLA offers alternatives that reduce or eliminate market risks by working with life insurance companies. Life insurance companies guarantee a fixed income for life, regardless of what happens in the market.
“For example, with life insurance companies, there are certain kinds of annuities that will take your TSP and, when you are a certain age of retirement, you will be able to contract with the life insurance company to take
a guaranteed income for as long as you live,” said Buono. TSPs also cannot be adjusted if a person outlives their savings. Life insurance companies, on the other hand, pool funds from many policyholders, using the collective contributions to ensure lifetime income regardless of whether a person lives longer than expected.
“The number one problem in America with retirement is the longevity crisis. It’s living too long,” said Buono. “The stock market was not designed for people living another 30 years after they retire. We can create contracts through life insurance companies with your TSPs where you’ll get a set amount every year as long as you live.”
Metro offers reduced fares for low-income riders - not many takers
By Tom Friedl
When WMATA General Manager Randy Clarke took to Twitter on March 5, 2024 to commend the D.C. Council for its passage of the Secure D.C. crime bill, he was careful to talk about both a carrot and a stick. The stick, in this case, was an expanded crackdown on fare evasion in the transit system. The new law made it a criminal offense for anyone to refuse or otherwise fail to provide Metro Transit Police with accurate name and address information if stopped. The carrot? “We also have reduced-fare programs,” Clarke said. “Including Metro Lift for SNAP recipients.” Metro Lift was introduced in June 2023, about six months after WMATA first ramped up fare enforcement in the system. The program offers a 50 percent discount on rail and bus rides to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – food benefits – and was touted as a major step towards increasing access to transit for low-income residents.
Metrorail rides can range between $2.25 and $6.75 each, while regular bus routes cost a flat $2.25. That might not seem like much, but
for those receiving SNAP benefits, they can present a significant burden: In order to qualify for SNAP, a four-person household must have a net income of less than $2,600 per month.
Metro’s program was the latest in a string of similar initiatives enacted around the country – including those in Los Angeles, Seattle and New York City – and there was hope that it could make a real difference in the lives of low-income D.C. residents.
But nearly two years after the program launched, enrollment remains low. According to new data obtained from WMATA, just 6,695 D.C. residents were enrolled in Metro Lift as of March — 4.7 percent of the eligible population, based on enrollment data provided by the D.C. Department of Human Services that listed 141,346 people receiving SNAP benefits as of January.
Metro Transit Police interventions in fare evasion incidents, on the other hand, have exploded. According to MTPD data, transit police officers made 7,389 stops (citations or arrests) for fare evasion within city limits in 2024, up from 618 the year before – a 1,095 percent increase. So why aren’t people enrolling in Metro Lift?
There is one innocuous answer:
AFRO Photo/Megan Sayles
Maryland Delegate Edith J. Patterson (D-District 28) (right) gives Anthony Butler, founder of E3 Business Group, a citation on behalf of the Maryland General Assembly for his work to support federal workers, entrepreneurs and veterans. Butler received the honor at Fed Day 2025, an event he hosted on April 26 to arm displaced federal workers in the Baltimore-Washington area with resources amid workforce cuts.
Courtesy
Deja Newton,
The 51st
Photo courtesy of Tom Friedl
Metro has ramped up enforcement against fare evaders, while at the same time launching a new program to
riders a 50 percent discount on rides.
Climate Council
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Department of Energy and Environment), the Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency, the mayor and the council to comment on laws, policies and practices affecting the climate and the environment,” said Allen, a lead sponsor of the bill. “The Youth Climate Council would also be empowered to make recommendations on environmental education and outdoor recreation programs.”
Several D.C. youth and climate change advocates attended the hearing and offered suggestions for improving the initiative. Those ideas include making the council more inclusive for college students and those who are not D.C. residents and ensuring the youth
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They might just be using WMATA’s other reduced-fare programs. The agency offers the same 50 percent discount to seniors and people with disabilities; provides SmarTrip cards for DDOT’s Kids Ride Free program, which distributes pre-loaded cards to 5-21 year olds enrolled in any of D.C.’s public, charter, private or parochial schools; and operates U-Pass for full-time college students. It’s difficult to tell, however, how many of the people enrolled in those programs are also SNAP recipients.
“I do think that a lot of people don’t know about it,” says Ashley Moore, Associate Director of Care Management at Bread for the City, a long-standing D.C. nonprofit which provides social services to the District’s low-income communities.
As part of her work, Moore helps connect people to local resources and government programs. “We have helped [people] apply for Metro Lift, but it does not come up a ton.”
Within Metro stations, the Lift program is often promoted as part of WMATA’s ongoing Pay The Fare campaign, which warns would-be fare evaders of the fines they could face if caught. (In D.C., that’s $50.)
At the bottom of Pay The Fare signage is a notice inviting riders to visit the “Fares” section of WMATA’s website or call the agency’s helpline for further information about fare assistance programs — but Metro Lift is not mentioned by name, nor is it directly linked to.
“You’re asking people who are already struggling to pay the bills month to month to now jump through one more hoop.”
“I haven’t seen much outreach in the Metro stations,” says Jeremiah Lowery, Policy Director for Systemic Advocacy and Law Reform at Legal Aid DC and a daily Metro rider. “I think there’s a lot of people who just aren’t aware.”
A WMATA spokesperson said in a statement that the agency currently promotes their reduced-fare programs through a variety of events and local partnerships, with an emphasis on communities they believe are most likely to benefit. These include “job fairs, food distribution at pantries, community college resource fairs, dedicated residencies at public libraries” and “shelter outreach, and collaborations with religious organizations and nonprofits.” The spokesperson said the agency has conducted more than 109 outreach events since July 2024.
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles
council meetings are educational for the younger participants.
The bill, as written, permits youth from middle school to college age to participate.
Co-leaders of the D.C. and DMV Hub of Black Girl Environmentalists, Deja Newton, 25, and Olivia Wilson, 26, chimed in on the initiative. Black Girl Environmentalists is an organization that empowers up-and-coming leaders of color in environmentalism.
“The D.C. and DMV Hub of Black Girl Environmentalists supports the creation of a youth advisory council as a crucial step in engaging young people in climate policy,” said Newton and Wilson in a statement to the AFRO . “The first step to change starts by recognizing that change is needed and
“If we want to get real about climate action, we have to center those most impacted.”
Councilman Allen has willingly taken the charge to revitalize the District–the place we call home.”
“However, for this initiative to be truly impactful, it must not only listen to youth but
also act on their recommendations, ensure fair compensation for their contributions and prioritize representation from Wards most affected by climate change,” they added.
Newton and Wilson highlighted the need for “Black young women to have a say on the matter of climate change.”
“Climate change exacerbates existing social and economic inequalities and Black communities, particularly in urban areas, tend to face greater exposure to those environmental impacts,” said Newton and Wilson. “If we want to get real about climate action, we have to center those most impacted.”
As of April 29, there has been no significant further movement on the bill.
Data shows the overall the overall enrollment in the in the Metro Lift program is high is high however, new enrollments are down even though interventions are up.
Allen, who chairs the D.C. Council’s Committee on Transportation and Environment, says he believes the agency is serious about Metro Lift’s success. Allen previously advanced the Metro for D.C. Act, which sought to make Metrobuses fare-free and provide subsidized SmarTrip cards to city residents.
“I’ve talked to [Randy Clarke], he feels very strongly about this,” says Allen. “I think WMATA values the program.”
The issue, says Allen, is the enrollment process itself.
“You’re asking people who are already struggling to pay the bills month to month to now jump through one more hoop,” he says.
“Go fill out this form, show up at this certain office, wait for a while, bring the right paperwork, have all that paperwork checked, or you don’t get this program.”
While the Metro Lift signup process is fairly streamlined, Moore says, it has certain requirements — namely an existing SmarTrip card, a SNAP card, government-issued ID, and a phone number. If applicants want to sign up other members of their household, they need to also submit a SNAP benefits summary.
Moore points out that not everyone can manage this, especially people with limited means. “You do have to have those three cards, type in some numbers from those cards, and even upload a copy of those cards,” she says. “In the office, that’s easy for us to do, but obviously that might be a barrier for people.”
Lowery also notes that people in poverty often have their hands full, leaving them little time or energy to go through the process of signing up for government services. “From the policy standpoint, we think that people have the time when oftentimes they just really don’t,” he says.
What happens to those people is a second, and perhaps more troubling
question. Are some of them choosing to evade the fare, when an alternative is available to them?
It’s difficult to tell. MTPD does not record whether people detained for fare evasion receive SNAP benefits. Incident locations could be compared geographically to SNAP enrollment per ZIP code or census tract, but this doesn’t account for whether the people being detained actually live in the area. Organizations that provide legal services to low-income communities — such as Legal Aid DC — might be able to speak to people’s circumstances
for a number of other infractions, but since fare evasion is no longer a criminal act, they rarely come into contact with offenders.
What is known is that MTPD action against fare evaders is on the rise. Transit officers intervened in 911 fare evasion incidents within the city in January 2025, the highest monthly total since WMATA resumed ticketing a little over two years ago.
But, Allen says, that still constitutes a fairly recent change in policy.
“You would expect the numbers to be higher, but simply because they’re actually doing more
enforcement,” he says.
Lowery, on the other hand, notes that while enforcement policy may have changed, the circumstances of D.C.’s low-income residents have not.
“They have to make a choice, either they take the chance to fareevade and get a fine or potentially locked up, or they just don’t reach their destination,” he says. “At the end of the day, Secure DC didn’t put more money in people’s pockets.”
This article was originally published by the 51st.
Photo courtesy of the 51st
Photo courtesy of the 51st
Shown here, a graph showing the increase in fare interventions from Metro transit police since 2022.
Janet Currie President,
C elebrating
NATIONAL NURSES WEEK
Answering the call: How Southern University’s School of Nursing prepares future leaders
By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com
The Southern University School of Nursing (SUSON) has been serving students since 1986.
Based in Baton Rouge, La., the school offers degrees that range from a bachelor of science in nursing to a doctorate of nursing practice.
“Our mission is to serve the underserved and overlooked. That is threaded throughout everything that we do,” said Sandra C. Brown.“I often say we move students from poverty to prosperity, and we give them a purpose in life.”
Brown joined the school 30 years ago and became dean in 2019. Over the decades, she said SUSON has experienced significant growth.
“From the time I started to now, we’ve added new programs and our enrollment has almost quadrupled. We’ve expanded so much that we are going to be building a new school of nursing because we have outgrown our space,” said Brown. “It’s been tremendous growth, and I think most of it has been driven by the shortage of nurses in our state and nationwide.”
According to a 2024 brief from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA), the U.S. will face a 10 percent shortfall of registered nurses by 2027.
Though this gap is projected to close over time, the demand for licensed practical and vocational nurses is expected to grow much faster
“Our mission is to serve the underserved and overlooked. That is threaded throughout everything that we do.”
than the supply through 2037. Across the country, the supply of licensed practical and vocational nurses will only be able to meet 64 percent of the demand for them in 2037, compared to 80 percent in 2027.
Amid these widespread shortages, the nursing workforce also faces persistent racial disparities, with African Americans significantly underrepresented in the field. According to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey, 8.6 percent of registered nurses identified as Black in 2024, though African Americans represent 13.7 percent of the population. For Black males, this number falls to a fractional percent.
This lack of representation inspired James Rogers, a Chicago native, to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.
“I’ve always wanted to do this since I was a young boy. My mom was a housekeeper at a hospital, and we’d pick her up. In the hospital, I felt like that’s where I was supposed to be…helping people,” said Rogers. “I didn’t see people of my color in those roles, and I felt like there was a need for that.”
Rogers’ dream was deferred following his decision to join the army
and serve active duty for 22 years. However, his passion for nursing stuck with him.
In 2022, he retired from the Army in order to support his wife, who was attending the Southern University Law Center (SULC). This provided him with the opportunity to enroll in SUSON.
“I chose Southern because of the strong reputation they had and their commitment to diversity. With my wife going to school there, I would go to the nursing building from time to time and talk to the faculty,” said Rogers.
The 42-year-old said the instructors at the historically Black institution were a deciding factor for him as he chose a nursing school.
“I knew that they had compassion and that they would shape us culturally. I would have practitioners who look like me and understand what it’s going to be like for me in the field,” he said.
Now a level two student, Rogers is the president of SUSON’s Student Nurse Association. Some of his favorite experiences have been working in the local Baton Rouge community, which is integrated in the school’s curriculum.
SUSON’s “Jag Mobile” acts as
a clinic on wheels, visiting underserved and disadvantaged neighborhoods within a 50-mile radius of the school. It features two examination rooms, a patient intake area and state-of-the-art equipment and medical supplies.
The Student Nurse Association also hosts health fairs, blood pressure screenings, mental health awareness events and breast cancer walks in the surrounding community.
Roger said having these real-life experiences has helped to develop his cultural sensitivity and awareness.
“Regardless of who you’re caring for, you’re looking at them as an individual instead of judging them on what they look like or who they are. I want to provide the best care possible,” said Rogers. “Southern teaches you how to listen and how to ask respectful questions. We never make assumptions.”
Rogers is set to graduate in May 2026. Drawn to the fast-paced environment and demand for critical thinking skills, he plans to work in a critical care setting, such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Though he noted that the workload of nursing school requires strong time management skills, he encouraged more people to pursue nursing.
“Go for it. Don’t waste time. But, do it with a whole heart. Don’t just do it because nurses make a lot of money or it looks good as a career,” said Rogers. “Do it because you want to because it’s more than just a career— nursing is a calling.”
Beyond the bedside: How nurses stand strong for their patients
By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Nurses do it all—advocating for patients, providing care under intense pressure and facing potential risks to their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Despite their crucial role, they don’t always receive the recognition they deserve.
As Nurses Week approaches, Malik Shelton, a travel emergency room (ER) nurse with Aya Healthcare, and Taneka Walker, a nurse practitioner, shared their experiences of navigating the demanding field of nursing and how they cope.
“It’s not a profession that you join for the money,” said Shelton, who has worked as a travel ER nurse for five years. “There is money to be made in it, but you don’t do it for the money, because if you do, you’re going to crash out in the beginning.”
Shelton said one of the most challenging aspects is dealing with patients who are uncooperative.
“At the end of the day, you have to remember that we take care of people at their worst times,” he said. “You don’t want to bring the drama from the last patient to the room of the next patient.” Walker, with over 20 years in nursing, echoed sentiments about the unpredictable nature of the job.
“You can start your shift with a full plan in place, and by hour one, everything’s flipped upside down,” she said. “Emergencies happen. Emotions run high. We’re constantly juggling the
needs of multiple patients… while still keeping up with documentation, protocols, family questions and unexpected changes.”
Shelton said he uses prayer and music to get through rough moments on the job, while Walker emphasized the importance of boundaries and self-care.
“At the beginning of my career, I tried to be everything to everyone,” Walker said. “I said yes when I should’ve said no.
I skipped meals, missed sleep and emotionally carried the weight of every patient, every outcome, every loss. It caught up with me.”
uplift their patients.
“One of my proudest moments as a nurse practitioner came when I was able to help an 11-year-old girl battling
“It takes a special soul to do each side of nursing.”
Despite the rough patches, nurses find motivation to persevere in those moments when they truly reach and
rhabdomyosarcoma,” Walker said. “She had lost her hair due to treatment, and I was able to provide her with a cranial
prosthesis—a medical-grade wig. When she put it on and looked at herself in the mirror, her whole face lit up. It was radiant, pure joy.”
Walker said her personal health challenges help motivate and keep her grounded in the work.
“I know what it feels like to not recognize yourself in the mirror,” she said. “I know what it’s like to feel like your confidence has been snatched away. It’s not just about
caring for others—it’s about restoring people.”
Both Shelton and Walker spoke about the added challenge of being Black in healthcare.
“Navigating this profession as a Black nurse is a challenge in itself,” said Walker. “A lot of the bias I’ve encountered has not always been loud or direct—but it’s there. I’ve also had moments that were much heavier—like patients who flat-out refused to let me care for them simply because of the color of my skin.”
Shelton noted reactions he receives from patients as a Black male nurse, including being described as a “big Black scary man.”
Walter said she believes the solution is more awareness and accountability in the industry.
“There needs to be a serious conversation around cultural competence,” said Walker. “We need more representation in leadership. We need systems that support and protect nurses of color when they’re wrongly accused or mistreated, and we need to celebrate the resilience, intelligence and compassion that Black nurses bring to the profession.”
For aspiring nurses, Shelton offered encouragement.
“It takes a special soul to do each side of nursing,” said Shelton. “There are different ways that you can serve the people of the community. You just have to find a way to do what’s best for you and to remember the reason why you’re doing this.”
Photo courtesy of James Rogers James Rogers is a student at Southern University School of Nursing (SUSON). Upon graduation in May 2026, he hopes to work in the critical care setting.
Sandra C. Brown is the dean of the Southern University’s College of Nursing and Allied Health (CNAH). In this role, she leads the Southern University School of Nursing (SUSON).
Courtesy photo
Taneka Walker is a nurse practitioner of over 20 years and founder of Walker Wellness and Aesthetics Clinic, a medspa based in Houston.
Courtesy photo
Malik Shelton is a travel emergency room nurse at Aya Healthcare, a travel nursing agency. He has worked as a travel nurse since May 2020.
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) surges, so do its impacts on society. More and more, AI and technology are coming together to improve health outcomes. Telemedicine, for example, has effectively transformed the way the medical system delivers care. Technology has also fundamentally reshaped the roles and responsibilities of nursing professionals.
Experts say AI can expand access and continuity of care, enhance decision-making, reinvent the nurse-patient relationship and more.
“One of the most powerful impacts of telemedicine is its ability to bridge the gap between patients and providers—especially in underserved, rural or marginalized communities,” said Shebna N. Osanmoh, a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Savant Care. “As a mental health professional—I have seen how telepsychiatry enables consistent, stigma-free support for individuals who may otherwise lack access to care.”
Osanmoh said the shift is reorienting nursing roles from strictly in-clinic caregivers to virtual care coordinators, educators and advocates. He said telemedicine, in particular, allows nurses to follow up with patients more frequently, track medication compliance and monitor mental health trends.
“In practice, this means nurse practitioners like myself are evolving into data-informed clinicians,” said Osanmoh. “We’re integrating AI insights into care planning while preserving the empathetic, personalized touch that defines nursing.”
The rise of AI requires nurses to be tech-literate and fluent in digital health systems, and be educators and advocates for both patients and colleagues navigating new technologies.
Pepin, director of Professional Services, Integration and Platform Development at Harmony Healthcare IT. “It can help bring some sanity and focus back into a day that’s often anything but predictable.”
Pepin acknowledged that a big challenge in implementing AI tools like ClearWay is ensuring nurses trust it.
“Nurses have seen plenty of ‘tech solutions’ that promise the moon but end up adding more screens, more logins, more complexity and less time
Osanmoh highlighted that telemedicine platforms create a unique intimacy where patients often feel safer opening up in their own environments.
According to a 2024 national telehealth survey by Public Opinion Strategies, a public affairs firm, 54 percent of Americans have had a telehealth visit, and 89 percent of people who have used telehealth were satisfied with their visit.
“AI and telehealth platforms allow continuous data collection—from wearable devices to mood trackers,” said Osanmoh. “As nurse practitioners, we’re interpreting real-time biometric and behavioral data to tailor interventions. This granular insight enables individualized care plans that evolve with patient needs.” AI algorithms can flag patterns in mood disorders or detect early warning signs of decompensation, allowing for timely intervention.
“As nurse practitioners, especially in mental health, we guard against over-reliance on AI in emotional or nuanced situations,” he said. “[We] uphold ethical standards in privacy, consent and equity in digital health. Balancing hightech tools with high-touch care is the future of compassionate nursing.”
Another example of how AI is transforming the medical field is Harmony Healthcare IT, a healthcare data management solutions provider. Harmony Healthcare IT has an AI platform called ClearWay, which is designed to automate the clinical data abstraction and submission process. ClearWay saves up to 80 percent of time spent on data abstraction using their AI tools.
“That 80 percent time savings can mean one more patient can be seen, or one more question can be answered, or even just gives a nurse a moment to breathe and regroup between emergencies,” said Leigh Ann
with patients,” said Pepin. “It’s about listening to what nurses really need and then building technology that respects their time and doesn’t overstep. That’s how we earn trust, and how AI can become a helpful tool for them, not just another task to manage.”
In light of those concerns around AI, Pepin assured that ClearWay was built and has been implemented in a way to ensure nurses are supported, not sidelined.
“When building and implementing ClearWay, we work closely with nurse abstractors to truly understand their workflow and challenges,” said Pepin. “This hands-on collaboration helps us design a solution that’s practical and relevant from the ground up. At its core, ClearWay is about using technology with clinicians to solve a clinician problem.”
Done right tools like AI and telehealth, can enhance–rather than replace–the human
of nursing.
Courtesy photo
Shebna N. Osanmoh is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Savant Care, a mental health clinic based in San Francisco, Calif.
C elebrating
NATIONAL NURSES WEEK
Black nurses are often underrepresented in medical settings. According to the American Association of Colleges of
percent White or Caucasian; 7.4 percent Asian” and “6.3 percent Black or African American.”
FROM BIRTH PLANS TO BETTER OUTCOMES:
Meet the nurses who empower expecting mothers
By Andrea Stevens AFRO Staff Writer
astevens@afro.com
This National Nurses Week, the AFRO recognizes the vital contributions of Black labor and delivery nurses who bridge the gap in advocacy for their patients.
Across labor and delivery rooms nationwide, Black nurses are playing a critical role in addressing racial disparities in maternal health care, advocating for patients, and pushing for systemic change.
As a perinatal nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Kiera Wisen wears many hats. She works across labor and delivery, postpartum and nursery care—providing her with a broad view of the birthing experience. What drives her most is ensuring that her patients, especially Black women, are heard and respected.
“It means everything to be able to advocate for people who look like me,” Wisen said. “I want my patients to have full autonomy over their care from the moment they walk through the door.”
That sense of autonomy often starts with education. Wisen emphasizes the importance of birth plans, patient preferences, and informed decision-making—areas many Black patients may not realize they have control over.
Ashley Harris, a labor and delivery nurse, echoes this sentiment, stressing the importance of ensuring patients understand the process throughout their entire experience.
“We step in to slow things down, to make sure all the questions are asked and that consents are signed freely and fully,” Harris said. “Unfortunately, not all patients are treated equally in healthcare.”
because they know we understand them on a different level,” Harris said. “Sometimes providers think Black women are stronger and can tolerate more pain, but it’s our job as nurses to advocate. If the pain medication isn’t working, we push for more options– we speak up.”
Before advocating for a patient’s wishes, nurses must ensure the patient understands their options so they can truly own their birthing experience.
“I always tell them, ‘This is your birth—I just show up,’” Wisen said. “A lot of people don’t know they can make a birth plan or have a say in how their labor goes. Learn as much as you can before coming to the hospital. Find videos, look up resources, and educate yourself because, at appointments, you’re told so much that you only remember a small part of it.”
Wisen hopes to launch community-based prenatal education classes focused on labor preparation, lactation support, and postpartum care.
“My next goal is to start teaching classes so people feel prepared and confident before they even step into the hospital,” Wisen said. “Everyone deserves access to knowledge that can help them have a safer, more empowered birth experience.”
“Sometimes providers think Black women are stronger and can tolerate more pain, but it’s our job as nurses to advocate. If the pain medication isn’t working, we push for more options, we speak up.”
Representation in the healthcare field is vital because it brings perspective to patient care. When Black patients see someone who shares their experiences, they’re more likely to open up and feel safe.
“When Black patients see a Black nurse, they often feel more comfortable and heard
Harris believes increasing the number of Black nurses in specialties like labor and delivery is crucial to improving outcomes and experiences for patients. Although the field remains predominantly white, she encourages new nurses not to limit themselves.
“If labor and delivery is your passion, go for it,” Harris said. “We need more Black nurses in all specialties to better support our communities.”
Unsplash / Solen Feyissa
Nursing, “the breakdown of RN population in 2022 was 80
Courtesy photo/ Kiera Wisen
Kiera Wisen is a perinatal nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and works across labor and delivery, postpartum and nursery care.
Courtesy photo/ Ashley Harris
Ashley Harris is a labor and delivery nurse, as well as a patient advocate.
NATIONAL NURSES WEEK C
Adaptability and advocacy: The vital role of mobile nurses
By Andrea Stevens AFRO Staff Writer astevens@afro.com
The extraordinary commitment and adaptability of travel and strike nurses are essential to maintaining patient care across the country. These nurses fill critical staffing gaps, bringing diverse experience, cultural competence and deep compassion to every assignment. Their dedication reflects the true spirit of nursing — delivering skill, strength and empathy no matter the circumstances.
The difference between a strike nurse and a travel nurse is simple. Travel nurses typically commit to contracts lasting no more than a few months, while strike nurses stay at a hospital only for the duration of a strike.
Travel nurses bring flexibility and broad experience to hospitals in need. Jade Thomas, a registered nurse who has worked across multiple Johns Hopkins institutions, said her move into local travel nursing has expanded her clinical skills.
“Working in cardiology was very specific, so I needed to see a variety of diagnoses to prepare for case manage-
Thomas also addressed common misconceptions about travel nursing, particularly about pay rates that surged during the pandemic.
“People think we do it for the money — that we’re making $10,000 a week — but COVID-era rates were the exception, not the rule,” she said. “Most of us do it for new challenges, to help areas
but can be controversial within the nursing community.
“You have to hit the ground running as a strike nurse. In my last strike, we worked six days a week, making $8,000 a week,” said Joanne Johnson. “They call us ‘scabs,’ because ultimately, the hospital nurses are striking for better wages and benefits.”
Johnson said it is often a
“I love caring for my patients, but if I don’t take care of myself, I can’t take care of them. Self-care is essential, not optional, in this profession.”
prioritize patient care above all else.
“Strike nurses get no orientation– you have to be prepared to jump in and perform from day one,” she said. “If your mom got sick
Thomas also stressed the importance of representation in nursing, noting that patients often feel more comfortable when they see themselves reflected in their caregivers.
“Patients often feel more
accept,” she said.
Though she is dedicated to the people she serves, Thomas said she must also keep her own needs in mind.
“I love caring for my patients, but if I don’t take care
Courtesy photo/ Jade Thomas Jade Thomas is a travel nurse that is dedicated to patient advocacy.
Unsplash / Marcelo Leal
Always ready to go, nurses who are willing to travel and live a mobile lifestyle often help fill voids left by staffing shortages and strikes.
C elebrating
NATIONAL NURSES WEEK
Meet Renée G. Omoyeni: The nurse guiding the next generation
By ReShonda Tate
In Houston, where the nursing shortage has reached critical levels, the demand for qualified healthcare professionals is higher than ever.
Hospitals across the city are dealing with staffing shortages that threaten patient care, leading to increased workloads for nurses, longer wait times and potential declines in healthcare quality. The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies reported a shortage of over 27,000 Registered Nurses (RNs). It projected a shortage of approximately 57,000 RNs by 2032, making it imperative to cultivate the next generation of healthcare workers.
Amid this crisis, one woman is stepping up to bridge the gap and inspire future nurses by equipping them with not only basic nursing skills but technological traits that are crucial as we head into a more advanced society. Renée G. Omoyeni, MS, BSN, RN, founded CompassRN, a Houston-based, nurse-led nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and supporting students—especially those from underrepresented communities—who aspire to enter the nursing profession.
“Being able to access digital study guides and practice tests can help students prepare for nursing program entrance exams anywhere at any time—whether at home, at the library, during study hall, or on a break during a part-time job,” Omoyeni explains. “Moreover, clinical simulations and virtual training courses are key ‘no-fault’ ways students can continue honing the skills they will use every day with patients.”
Technology is also revolutionizing the way nurses provide care in hospitals, helping to alleviate some of the burdens caused by staffing shortages. Electronic health records (EHRs) streamline documentation, reducing paperwork and allowing nurses to spend more time with patients. Telehealth services enable nurses to monitor patients remotely, improving access to care and reducing hospital readmissions. Additionally, automated medication dispensing systems and artificial intelligence-powered diagnostic tools assist nurses in delivering more precise and efficient treatment. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, integrating technology into nursing education and practice will be essential in shaping a more resilient and effective workforce.
Changing the future
Since its inception in 2021, CompassRN has introduced over 400 middle and high school students
prerequisites, licensing exams, hard skills and clinical training required to become a nurse,” she said. “Nor did I know about the endless options within the field, such as becoming a nurse practitioner or a nurse educator.”
Navigating the complexities of nursing school without a mentor was a challenge for Omoyeni, and she knows firsthand how much of a difference guidance can make.
“I now know that my road could’ve been much easier if I had only had a mentor at an early age— someone to help inspire me and navigate the unexpected realities of nursing school,” she said. “That’s why I started CompassRN.”
Inspiring the next generation
many are not taking the challenging math and science courses needed to prepare them for college.
“Having a built-in network of mentors and fellow mentees, like the ones at CompassRN, can help students persevere and grow together.”
across 14 school districts to the field of nursing through seven summer camps in Metro Houston, Texas City and Dallas. By creating pathways into the profession, Omoyeni and her team are not just shaping careers— they’re strengthening the future of healthcare in Houston and beyond.
For Omoyeni, CompassRN is more than just an organization—it is the realization of a long-held passion.
“Since I was little, I always dreamed of being a nurse. What I didn’t dream of was all the academic
CompassRN operates on a simple but powerful belief: inspiration is the first step. The organization introduces students to the field of nursing through school information sessions, summer camps and year-round mentorship programs. CompassRN creates pathways for students who might not otherwise consider nursing as a career by partnering with healthcare organizations, schools and nursing professionals.
“Young people might not realize the opportunities they have, so it’s important to expose them to a wide variety of career pathways to help them figure out what they might like to do in the future,” Omoyeni says. “Being visible at career fairs and organizing local field trips to meet nurses where they work are two vital ways we get underserved middle and high school students engaged and eager to learn more.”
Summer camps are a cornerstone of CompassRN’s outreach. These camps offer hands-on experience, CPR training and interactive sessions with nurses across different specialties. At the conclusion of each camp, students who wish to continue their journey can remain connected with CompassRN through year-round events and peer support networks.
The power of mentorship
Mentorship is a crucial component of CompassRN’s approach. The CompassRN Mentorship Program pairs high school students with experienced nurses, providing a supportive relationship that extends through their educational journey and into their careers. This kind of guidance is particularly vital for first-generation college students, who may lack the familial support systems needed to navigate higher education.
“As a first-generation college student, I know how hard it can be to adjust to a rigorous workload in a new environment,” Omoyeni says. “American students have suffered profound learning loss since the pandemic, and
support they receive.
“The things I’ve learned in the program are invaluable,” said Ashley Lane, who completed the program this past year. “I love the fact that my mentors from the program are there for me long after I go to work in my first job.”
“Being able to access digital study guides and practice tests can help students prepare for nursing program entrance exams anywhere at any time—whether at home, at the library, during study hall, or on a break during a part-time job.”
Students who have come through CompassRN have seen the benefit of the enormous support they receive.
“The things I’ve learned in the program are invaluable,” said Ashley Lane, who completed the program this past year. “I love the fact that my mentors from the program are there for me long after I go to work in my first job.”
Innovation in nursing education
Mentorship is a crucial component of CompassRN’s approach.
The CompassRN Mentorship Program pairs high school students with experienced nurses, providing a supportive relationship that extends through their educational journey and into their careers. This kind of guidance is particularly vital for first-generation college students, who may lack the familial support systems needed to navigate higher education.
“As a first-generation college student, I know how hard it can be to adjust to a rigorous workload in a new environment,” Omoyeni says. “American students have suffered profound learning loss since the pandemic, and many are not taking the challenging math and science courses needed to prepare them for college.
“Having a built-in network of mentors and fellow mentees, like the ones at CompassRN, can help students persevere and grow together.”
Students who have come through CompassRN have seen the benefit of the enormous
Innovation in nursing education
Recently, the federal government announced $100 million in grant funding to strengthen the healthcare workforce. Omoyeni applauds such efforts but stresses that more investment is needed.
“We must continue to support and scale youth empowerment organizations on the ground,” she said. “With more funding behind organizations like CompassRN, we can increase opportunities for students— regardless of their background—to pursue a nursing degree and career and ensure a healthier tomorrow for all of us.”
Looking ahead
Reflecting on her journey, Omoyeni is proud of what CompassRN has accomplished but knows that much work remains.
“Looking back, I am proud of my professional journey and what I’ve achieved. However, so much more lies ahead to mitigate the nursing shortage. Now is the time for policymakers, academic institutions, providers, and other stakeholders to come together to support and fund pathways to nursing.”
With CompassRN leading the way, the future of nursing looks brighter than ever, ensuring that the next generation of diverse nurse leaders is equipped, inspired and ready to make a difference.
This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship Lab. The Lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal.
This article was originally published by
The Houston Defender.
Photo courtesy of CompassRN Hands-on training is crucial for new members of the nursing workforce.
Photo courtesy of CompassRN CompassRN summer camps provide CPR training and interactive sessions with nurses from a variety of specialties. Shown here, CompassRN founder Renée G. Omoyeni.
Courtesy photo
Houston is facing a nursing shortage, but CompassRN is inspiring the next generation of nurses, particularly from underrepresented communities.
NATIONAL NURSES WEEK
By AFRO Staff
This week the AFRO is honoring Black nurses by spotlighting ground breakers and way makers in the industry. Can you name that nurse? Test or grow your knowledge by placing the correct photo number next to the correct clue.
male nurse— Black or White— to receive a regular commission in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1967.” He was also the first “African-American male nurse to receive his military science certification” and the first “African-American male Army Nurse Corps officer to be promoted to the rank of colonel.”
B. ___ This person not only fought for better protection during the COVID-19 pandemic, they served as the 36th President of the American Nurses Association.
C. ___ This medical professional served on the New York State Governor’s Health Care Advisory Board and retired as Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Nursing at Lehman College.
D. ___ This person broke the barriers for Black nurses, serving in the U.S. Army ending their career ranked as a general.
E. ___ This scholar was the first Black nurse in the U.S. to earn a master’s degree and the first Black faculty member of NYU’s College of Nursing first Black elected official on the American Nurses Association Board of Directors.
F. ___ This Black woman was the first to earn a professional nursing license in the U.S. Starting as janitor, she worked her way up at the hospital and became the director of the Howard Orphanage Asylum for Black children in 1911.
G. ___ A hero of the Crimean War, this nurse–without support from the government– set up hotels to care for wounded soldiers in order for them to fully recover.
H. ___ This woman served as a nurse during the Civil War, but that was the least of her contributions to American society. Due to her work on the Underground Railroad, she will forever be known for leading as many people out of chattel slavery as she could.
I. ___This nurse co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses and held the office of president from 1916 to 1923.
J. ___ This nurse served in two hemispheres. Working within the Clinton Administration and for the Royal College of Nursing in the U.K.
K. ___ This person served as the first registered nurse elected to Congress and was appointed Regional Director of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare by former President Jimmy Carter.
L. ___ This groundbreaking nurse, educator and author went on to initiate a baccalaureate nursing program at Hampton University.
M. ___ This medical professional organized a tuberculosis clinic in Booker T. Washington Sanatorium and was its first superintendent. This person also was influential in changing the Army’s policies on Black nurses service.
Photo courtesy of Simmons University Mary Eliza Mahoney (1845-1926)
Courtesy photo Mary Seacole (1805-1881)
Photo courtesy of Chamberlain University Ada H. Belle Thoms
Photo courtesy of AARP Catherine Alicia Georges (1944-present)
Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service Mabel Keaton Staupers (1890-1989)
Photo courtesy of New York University Estelle Massey Osborne (1901-1981)
Photo courtesy of Meta (Facebook) Beverly Malone (1948-present)
Photo courtesy of Britannica Harriet Tubman (1822-1913)
Photo courtesy of Meta / Black Nurses Rock Foundation Col. Lawrence C. Washington (1935-present)
Photo courtesy of Duke School of Nursing Ernest J. Grant (1958-present)
Linkedin/
Mary Elizabeth Carnegie (1916-2008)
Photo courtesy of Texas Christian University Eddie Bernice Johnson (1935 – 2023)
Photo courtesy of the Army Woman’s Foundation Hazel Johnson-Brown (1927-2011)
Clues
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NATIONAL NURSES WEEK
Nursing students talk purpose, pain and pushing through challenges
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer tmcqueen@afro.com
With nursing week around the corner, two Coppin State University nursing students shared their inspiring stories about why they are pursuing a career in nursing and how they find the motivation to persevere.
“I always knew I wanted to go into the medical field,” said Mawata Keita, a sophomore at Coppin. “I didn’t know if I was going to want to be a doctor or a nurse, but what made it clear was when my mom almost died giving birth to my brother, and how nurses can be advocates for their patients, especially Black women, when they’re going into labor.”
Tanayah MaGee, 18, said she’s pursuing nursing because she’s always felt the
“Often, Black women are not listened to when it comes to their needs. They’re often labeled as dramatic and aggressive. Me being a Black female nurse, I’ll hear them out.”
need to help others. “It makes me feel better about myself,” said MaGee a freshman at Coppin. “I’ve always wanted to help people get better.”
MaGee said her desire to help people feels especially important in today’s society where she’s seen individuals, far too often, ignoring those in need.
MaGee, who’s working to become a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, said the news motivates her to persevere through her studies.
“Every time I read a sad story, it just makes me want to help more,” she said.
Both MaGee and Keita mentioned the importance of advocating for Black female
TRAINING TOMORROW’S NURSES TODAY:
patients. as a Black nurse.
“Often, Black women are not listened to when it comes to their needs,” said MaGee. “They’re often labeled as dramatic and aggressive. Me being a Black female nurse, I’ll hear them out. I’ll know that they’re not being aggressive and just actively in pain.”
A 2023 survey from HealthCentral, a digital health media platform, reported that over 94 percent of patients have experienced their doctor ignoring or dismissing their symptoms.
Keita, 19, views having Black women in nursing as a matter of life and death.
“People need to see people that look like them in rooms when decisions are being made about their bodies, especially if they are not well informed on the topic,” she said.
MaGee and Keita shared
student at
State University, draws motivation from current events as she pursues her goal of becoming a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse.
advice for their fellow aspiring nurses.
“Keep going,” said MaGee. “Anatomy and Chemistry are going to be hard, but you’ll get through it. Once you learn it, you’ll feel so much better.”
Keita, who aspires to be a midwife, advised having a purpose when pursuing a healthcare career.
“Be true to you,” she said. “Know why you’re in it, and stay true to the course.”
Inside a Baltimore high school’s health care pipeline
By Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com
For students at Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy, the journey to a nursing career starts early. Through a nursing assistant career and technical education (CTE) pathway, high schoolers are gaining real-world skills, professional credentials and head start in a field that’s urgently in need of new talent.
The program is supported by Baltimore City Community College (BCCC). According to Chavon Robinson, lead instructor for health care programs at BCCC, early exposure is paramount for young people interested in nursing.
“It’s very important for them to get exposure to the health care field now. I always tell my students that if you get your foot in the door, you can write your own ticket,” said Robinson. “It opens up so many other doors and pathways into other professional careers.”
The nursing assistant program at Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy focuses on teaching students how to take care of vulnerable populations, and, in particular, older adults. Robinson explained that the aging population is increasing, spurring a need for more nurses to work in long term care facilities and community hospitals.
As part of the program, students learn how to assist patients with activities of daily living; communicate with each other on a team and their patients; and to promote dignity and respect when caring for patients. The curriculum covers subjects, like anatomy, physiology and kinesiology.
Students also have the opportunity to secure accredited nursing certifications.
“Once they successfully complete the training, they can get their certified nursing assistant (CNA) license and their geriatric nursing assistant (GNA) license certification through the Maryland Board of Nursing,” said Robinson. “They’re also getting their CPR certification.”
If a student falls short of earning the CNA or GNA credential, they still obtain valuable skills and experience that can lead to other careers.
“Even if I have a student who doesn’t quite make it through their CNA, they have their CPR
certification, and they can still go work as a transporter in the hospital,” said Robinson. “They also get medical terminology as well, so they could work at a front desk of a doctor’s office and start there.”
The nursing student experience at Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy
The adverse health outcomes that Black women face led 17-year-old Amya Moore to pursue the nursing assistant pathway. The Edmonson Village resident said she’s encountered horror stories of women not receiving proper care, and she felt compelled to make a difference.
“I’ve seen things where doctors and other health professionals think that Black people in general do not feel pain,” said Moore. “I’ve seen that when Black women get pregnant, they go unnoticed. Health professionals pay them no mind.”
Her middle school guidance counselor helped her discover Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy’s program. She said her family was excited about her decision and immediately believed she would succeed in the field.
The hands-on experience has been her favorite part of the program. One of the skills she said she’s become proficient in is taking blood pressures. She’s currently learning how to perform bed baths.
The teenager said earning her certification will help to shatter the preconceived notions people have about Baltimore’s youth. Her longterm career goals include becoming a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse, doula and midwife.
“This is my way of showing them that this is who I am and who I want to be. I’m not just my environment,” said Moore. “I’m going to be more than my environment. I won’t be a product of it.”
Lakeland resident Anyeli Baches Alfaro, a junior at the school, was not sure what she wanted to be when she grew up. But, when a family member had to give up on her dream of becoming a nurse because of financial struggles, it motivated her to carry that dream forward and pursue nursing herself.
Like Moore, her favorite part of the program is the hands-on experience. She said she’s learned about bedside
manner, how to put stockings on patients, how to conduct bed baths and how to manage bed pans.
“I love the labs. I’m a hands-on learner,” said Baches Alfaro. “ I’m not a ‘read-a-book’ learner.”
She believes earning her certifications will have a significant influence on her future— financially and emotionally. She plans to continue her education in college with the goal of obtaining a registered nursing (RN) degree.
She would be the first person in her family, whose roots are in Guatemala, to attend college.
“I’ll actually be able to help others be more comfortable, especially those who are Hispanic and don’t know English,” said Baches Alfaro. “I’ve always noticed that when my mother goes to the hospital, she’s not able to get a translator. Every time it has to be the child answering questions. I want to have that impact where they can say, ‘Oh, you speak Spanish,’ and feel relieved.” Jamiah Howell, a senior at the school, is following in her mother’s footsteps by pursuing a career in health care. She worked as a certified medical assistant (CMA), and Howell would accompany her to nursing homes as a young child.
Early in her freshman year, she admitted she failed to take the program seriously. But, she quickly grasped the level of effort required to manage the demanding workload. She’s already managed to secure her CNA and GNA certifications. She explained that obtaining the credentials at such a young age had made her feel like she’s “going to be somebody in the future.”
Growing up in Baltimore City, Howell said her peers’ professional aspirations can be limited at times.
“Because we live in a city where there’s so much violence, people feel like they can’t be where I’m at today, which is not true,” said Howell. “You can definitely be like me. I’ve seen so many people who’ve made it out of the hood in Baltimore. You can definitely do it— you just have to put your mind to it.”
After graduating in May, Howell plans to attend college. She hopes to become a midwife in the future.
“If you have your mind set on a dream, follow and pursue it,” said Howell. “Don’t let anyone else downplay your dreams, your goals, your future or your career. Just do you. As long as you focus on you and your career, you’re definitely going to get somewhere.”
Courtesy photo
Tanayah MaGee, a freshman nursing
Coppin
AFRO Photo/Tashi McQueen Mawata Keita, 19, is a sophomore nursing student at Coppin State University. She desires to pursue a career as a midwife, advocating for Black women in healthcare.
AFRO Photo/Megan Sayles
Amya Moore is a junior at Viven T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy. She hopes to become a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse, doula and midwife in the future.
AFRO Photo/Megan Sayles
Anyeli Baches Alfaro is a junior at Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy. A Spanish speaker, she hopes to use her skills to better serve Hispanic patients in a hospital setting.
AFRO Photo/Megan Sayles
Chavon Robinson is the lead instructor for Baltimore City Community College’s health care programs. In her position, Robinson supports nursing students at Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy in West Baltimore.
AFRO Photo/Megan Sayles
Jamiah Howell is a senior at Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy. Upon graduation in May, she hopes to attend college and pursue midwifery.
PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000328 BARBARA JEAN BYRD-MARSHALL Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs TRAVANION MARSHALL-PORTER whose address is 151 Q ST NE APT#3224 WASHINGTON DC 20002 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BARBARA JEAN BYRD-MARSHALL who died on JANUARY 13, 2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025, or be forever barred.
Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: APRIL 18, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
TRAVANION MARSHALL-PORTER Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 04/18, 04/25, 05/02/25
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000332 JEAN M. BROWN Name of Decedent
DIANN DAWSON, ATTORNEY 2101 STEUBEN WAY SILVER SPRING, MD 20905 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs CLARENCE L. BROWN, JR. whose address is 3207 32ND AVENUE, TEMPLE HILLS, MD 20748 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JEAN M. BROWN who died on DECEMBER 21, 2008 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding.
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM337 BRIAN SMITH AKA
BRIAN LEONARD SMITH Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs CHRISTINE SMITH JENNINGS whose address is 9209 WINTERSET COURT, CLINTON, MD 20735 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of BRIAN SMITH AKA BRIAN LEONARD SMITH who died on JANUARY 18, 2025 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 shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: APRIL 18, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
CHRISTINE SMITH JENNINGS Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 04/18, 04/25, 05/02/25
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ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000330 JAMES K. COOPER, JR AKA JAMES KELLY COOPER, JR. Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION 2025FEP000036 JANUARY 05, 2018 Date of Death CHRISTINE W. ROBINSON Name of Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS GWEN S. TERRY whose address is 2908 SPRIGGS REQUEST WAY, BOWIE MD 20721 was appointed representative of the estate of CHRISTINE W. ROBINSON deceased, by the REGISTER OF WILLS Court for PRINCE GEORGES County, State of MARYLAND,
with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: APRIL 18, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
CAROL LIGHTFOOT WALKER Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 04/18, 04/25, 05/02/25
Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.
Date of first publication: APRIL 18, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
CLARENCE L. BROWN, JR. Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 04/18, 04/25, 05/02/25
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM291 JAMES VINCENT MARSHALL, JR. Name of Decedent JOHN F.X. COSTELLO, COSTELLO & EDWARDS, LLC 5845 ALLENTOWN ROAD CAMP SPRINGS, MD 20746 Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
TAWANA E. TALLEY-COOPER whose address is 3356 ALDEN PL., N.E., WASH., D.C., 20019 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JAMES K. COOPER, JR AKA JAMES KELLY COOPER, JR who died on NOVEMBER 15, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presenTed to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: APRIL 18, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
TAWANA E. TALLEY-COOPER Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
REGISTER OF WILLS 04/18, 04/25, 05/02/25
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM346 JESSE ALFRED WINSTON JR. Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000343 JEROME CULBREST Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs
WANDA BEHM whose address is 31275 KEIFERS RIDGE RD. LOCUST GROVE VA 22508 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JEROME CULBREST who died on NOVEMBER 16, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown
L JONES. Personal
TRACEY WALKER whose address is 1199 46 PLACE, S.E., WASHINGTON, DC 20019 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JAMES VINCENT MARSHALL, JR. who died on SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance In this proceeding. Objections to such, appointment shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: APRIL 18, 2025 Name of newspaper and/or periodical: Washington Law Reporter AFRO American Newspapers
TRACEY WALKER Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 04/18, 04/25, 05/02/25
JESSE AJANI WINSTON whose address is 6800 HARRIS DEPOT ROAD, HARRISBURG, NC 28075 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of JESSE ALFRED WINSTON JR. who died on FEBRUARY, 04 2025 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 shall be filed With the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presenTed to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before OCTOBER 18, 2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: APRIL
PROBATE DIVISION ADMINISTRATION NO. 2025ADM000333 MARY JO CARTER Name of Decedent Notice of Appointment, Notice to Creditors and Notice to Unknown Heirs CLEVELAND ALEXANDER CARTER, JR whose address is
kallah@baltimorecity.gov.
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CERTIFICATION OF PUBLICATION CITY OF BALTIMORE
OFFICE OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS PUBLIC NOTICE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL - PROJECT NO. 1412
ON-CALL CIVIL/STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING DESIGN SERVICES
The City of Baltimore’s Department of General Services Capital Projects Division has been authorized to request the Office of Boards and Commissions (OBC) to advertise Project 1412 for the selected services for the City of Baltimore from qualified Civil/Structural Engineering firms services on renovation, repair, and construction projects for various City agencies. It is the expectation of the City that interested firms providing these services must demonstrate and document the following services for the City of Baltimore.
The services to be provided may include but are not limited to assisting the City of Baltimore Department of General Service Capital Projects Division with studies and designs for repairs, renovations, and upgrades to a variety of City-owned or maintained structures. The services may include feasibility studies, field investigations, analysis of existing structures for safety, and prepare temporary or permanent corrective measures, bid analysis, post-award services, maintenance of project records and documentation, review of contractor’s application for payment, attendance at progress meetings, preparation of record drawings, review of contract claims and supports, estimating, scheduling, project engineering, constructability reviews, submittal reviews and responses, RFI reviews and responses, and construction contract administrative support.
The needs of the Department of General Services Capital Projects Division vary widely as projects are identified. Consultants and selected team should consist of licensed Professional Engineers (PE) in the State of Maryland with specialized and skilled professionals capable of providing engineering design services which may include expertise in the following areas:
*Demonstrated success working with public sector clients and adherence to government procurement and contracting processes, particularly with experience on commercial high-rise buildings (5+ stories), municipal buildings, and critical infrastructure projects and managing projects in urban environments with complex permitting, zoning, and stakeholder coordination.
* Experienced in civil and structural engineering design services, including site grading, drainage, and stormwater management, structural analysis and design for new and existing facilities, Seismic retrofitting and structural failure analysis, Bridge, tunnel, and transportation-related structural engineering, Foundation engineering and geotechnical analysis, and Utility design and coordination.
*Experience in preparing complete bid-ready contract documents, including but not limited to construction plans, specifications, cost estimates, and permits, and providing technical support services through contract bidding and post-award services.
*In-depth knowledge of local, state, and federal codes and standards, including familiarity with the latest Baltimore City Green Building Code, International Green Construction Code (IgCC), International Building Code (IBC), current ASCE, AISC, and ACI codes, and other related codes and standards.
*Expertise in historic preservation policy and procedures, including the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
*Experience conducting and producing detailed field investigations & reports, feasibility studies, field assessments, life-cycle cost analyses, and condition assessments, preparing technical reports with recommendations for structural modifications, repairs, and compliance improvements.
*Experienced in environmental engineering services, including sampling, testing, and remediation planning for hazardous materials (e.g., lead, asbestos, PCB, mold) and compliance with environmental regulations and sustainable engineering practices.
*Experienced with various engineering and design disciplines, including architectural, mechanical, and electrical, with expertise in building systems design, energy efficiency, code compliance, adaptive reuse, and integration of sustainable and high-performance building practices.
*Experienced in project management and critical path method scheduling, including expertise in construction scheduling and cost control, including Oracle Primavera P6, change order management, claims analysis, and dispute resolution.
* Experience in quality control & cost estimation, including developing and implementing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols and preparing accurate cost estimates and budget assessments for public sector projects.
*Experience managing a multi-disciplinary team and developing an effective approach and collaboration with Minority/Women Business Enterprises (M/WBE).
*Proficiency in Building Information Modeling (BIM), GIS applications, and digital twin technologies for infrastructure projects.
The City intends to select the services of up to four (4) firms for a period of five (5) years for a fee not to exceed $5,000,000.00 for each selected firm. The Department of General Services Capital Projects Division reserves the right to have a second interview with eligible consulting firms.
DPW encourages all contracting firms that have the experience and capacity to work on this scope to submit their proposals. All firms must demonstrate and document their capacity and resources to deliver the required services on time. Projects must comply with the 2006 edition of “The Specifications for Materials, Highways, Bridges, Utilities and Incidental Structures”. City personnel will utilize the City of Baltimore Guidelines for the Performance Evaluation of Design Consultants and Construction Contractors for this contract/project.
Should you have any questions regarding the scope of the project, please contact Ms. Azza Rizkallah at 410-396-1073 or by email at azza.rizkallah@baltimorecity.gov.
All firms listed in the specific proposal for the Project must be prequalified by the Office of Boards and Commissions for each applicable discipline at time of submittal for this Project. Any firm listed in this specific proposal to perform work must also be prequalified. A copy of the prime and sub consultant’s current Prequalification Certificate should be included in the bid submittal
All firms listed in the specific proposal for the Project must be prequalified by the Office of Boards and Commissions for each
cipline at time of submittal for this Project. Any firm listed in
proposal to perform work must also be prequalified. A copy of the prime and sub consultant’s current Prequalification Certificate should be included in the bid submittal package. Information regarding the prequalification process can be obtained by calling the Office of Boards and Commissions on 410.396.6883.
Submittal Process Each Firm responding to this Request for Proposal (RFP) Project #1412 is required to complete and submit an original Standard Federal Form (SF) 255 / 330 unless otherwise specified in this RFP Provide one (1) original submittal, along with five (5) additional copies to the Office of Boards and Commissions at 4 South Frederick Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 on or prior to the due date by NOON Friday June 13, 2025 Submittals will not be accepted after the due date (NOON) and cannot be emailed. The Federal Standard Form (SF) 255 cannot be supplemented with additional pages, or additional information such as graphs, photographs, organization chart, etc. All such information should be incorporated into the appropriate pages. Applications should not be bound; simply stapled in the upper left-hand corner. Cover sheets should not be included. Inclusion and/or submittal of additional material may result in the applicant being disqualified from consideration for this project.
Firms interested in submitting a proposal for this Project, shall address a “Letter of Interest” to the Office of Boards and Commissions, or you may email: OBC.consultants@baltimorecity.gov. Letters of Interest will be utilized to assist small minority and women business enterprises in identifying potential teaming partners and should be submitted within five (5) days of the date of the project’s advertisement. The Letter of Interest must provide the name and number of your firms contact person. Failure to submit a “Letter of Interest” will not disqualify a firm submitting a proposal for the project.
Only individual firms (including, for example, individuals, sole proprietorships, corporations, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, and general partnerships) or formal Joint Venture (JV) may apply. Two firms may not apply jointly unless they have formed a joint venture.
COSTS OF RFP RESPONSE
There will be no payment or compensation provided to firms’ w ho desire to participate in any part of the submission. All expenses related to the preparation of a response, including additional requested information, interviews, and any other necessary information, will be the sole responsibility of the firm.
The City, its staff, or its representatives will not be responsible for reimbursing any costs or expenses incurred as a result of providing a submission to this RFP.
MBE/WBE Requirements – Mayor’s Office (SMBA&D)
It is the policy of the City of Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development (SMBA & D) to promote equal business opportunity in the City’s contracting process. Pursuant to Article 5, Subtitle 28 of Baltimore City Code (2000 Edition) – Minority and Women’s
Business Program, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) participation goals apply to this contract.
The MBE goal is 27% The WBE goal is 10%
Both the proposed Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise firms must be named and identified as an MBE or WBE within Item 6 of the Standard Form (SF) 255 in the spaces provided for identifying outside key consultants/associates anticipated for utilization for this project.
Any submittals that do not include the proper MBE/WBE (in some instances DBE) participation will be disapproved for further consideration for this project.
Verifying Certification
Each firm submitting a SF 255 for consideration for a project is responsible for verifying that all MBEs and WBEs to be utilized on the project are certified by the SMBA& D prior to submitting the proposal. A directory of certified MBEs and WBEs is available from SMBA & D. Since changes to the directory occur daily, firms submitting SF 255s should call SMBA & D at (410) 396-3818 to verify certification, expiration dates and services that the MBE or WBE is certified to provide.
Non-Affiliation
A firm submitting a proposal may not use an MBE or WBE to meet a contract goal if:
* The firm has a financial interest in the MBE or WBE
* The firm has an interest in the ownership or control of the MBE or WBE
* The firm is significantly involved in the operation of the MBE or WBE (Article 5, Subtitle 28-41).
Insurance Requirements
The consultant selected for the award of this project shall provide professional liability, auto liability, and general liability and workers’ compensation insurances as required by the City of Baltimore.
Local Hiring Law
Article 5, Subtitle 27 of the Baltimore City Code, as amended (the “Local Hiring Law”) and its rules and regulations apply to contracts and agreements executed by the City on or after the Local Hiring Law’s effective date of December 23, 2013, which is applicable to all vendors. The Local Hiring Law applies to every contract for more than $300,000 made by the City, or on its behalf, with any person. It also applies to every agreement authorizing assistance valued at more than $5,000,000 to a City-subsidized project.
Please visit www.oedworks.com for details on the requirements of the law.
Additional Information Any firm submitting a SF255 in response to the RFP that fails to comply with the requirements of Article 5, Subtitle 28 of Baltimore City Code when executing a contract is subject to the following penalties: suspension of a contract; withholding of funds; nullification of contract based on material breach; disqualification as a consultant from eligibility to provide services to the City for a period not to exceed 2 years; and payment for damages incurred by the City.
A resume for each person listed
April 28, 2025. Written protests concerning any application will be accepted until and including the time of the hearing. Public hearings may be scheduled on or after May 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM at the Liquor Board Hearing Room; 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2300. Please visit llb.baltimorecity.gov under the link for "Hearing Schedules & for confirmation of the date, time, and place for all matters being heard by the Board.
1. CLASS “B” BEER, WINE & LIQUOR LICENSE Applicant: Pusser’s Landing Canton, LLC T/a Pusser’s Landing - Grace Pilet Jacobson Petition: Transfer of ownership with continuation of outdoor table service, requesting delivery of alcoholic beverages (Amended) Premises: 2711 Boston Street 21224 (City Council District: 1st;
Sealed proposals addressed to the Board of Estimates of Baltimore will be Received until, but not later than 11:00 am local time on the following dates3for the stated requirements May 21, 2025 * ROLLER SKATES RFQ-000710 June 18, 2025 * REPAIR and MAINTENANCE for PLUMBING and HEATING SYSTEMS RFQ-000684 ENTIRE SOLICITATION CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWNLOADED BY VISITING THE WEBSITE:
https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/supplier/baltimorecity/SupplierSite
Name that nurse: Honoring trailblazers in healthcare
Answer Key
A- #13 Col. Lawrence C. Washington (1935-present)
B- #11 Ernest J. Grant (1958-present)
C- #9 Catherine Alicia Georges (1944-present)
D- #7 Hazel Johnson-Brown (1927-2011)
E- #5 Estelle Massey Osborne (1901-1981)
F- #3 Mary Eliza Mahoney (1845-1926)
G- #1 Mary Seacole (1805-1881)
H- #2 Harriet Tubman (1822-1913)
I- #12 Adah Belle Thoms (1870-1943)
J- #10 Beverly Malone (1948-present)
K- #8 Eddie Bernice Johnson (1935 – 2023)
L- #6 Mary Elizabeth Carnegie (1916-2008)
M- #4 Mabel Keaton Staupers (1890-1989)
