Baltimore Washington Afro-American Newspaper July 23 2016

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JULY 23, 2016 - JULY 29, 2016

State of the GOP

Inside

Washington

• Inside the

National African American Museum

The Declaration of Independence and the Freddie Gray Six

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By John L. Hudgins

Baltimore

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First Brother Raps about His Autobiography and Barack

• Activists Target AP Photo/John Minchillo

Police and protesters fall to ground during a demonstration on July 20 in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican National Convention.

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In Cleveland, Another Lily White Republican Freddie Gray Convention Reflects GOP’s Math Problem Prosecutors Absence of Minorities Represents Logical Barrier to Victory in November

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AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Delegates on the floor of the convention are reflected in a mirror on the side of a camera stand during the second day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, July 19.

Black Issues Addressed in Democratic Platform Document

Listen to Afro’s “First Edition”

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Toy Guns

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responsible for the initial draft of the platform, 97 percent of which comprises the final document. “I kept saying over and over from the beginning: I am not interested in finding common ground, I am interested in finding

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other minorities were well represented on the committee that drafted the Democratic Party’s platform, a groundbreaking document that will be presented at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, which -- Rep. Elijah Cummings will be held July 25-28 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, a Democratic higher ground. And I think this leader told the AFRO. document can take us there.”

“This is, without a doubt, The Philadelphia conclave the most progressive platform is where the Democratic Party we have all seen in a long will officially nominate former time,” said U.S. Rep. Elijah Secretary of State Hillary Cummings (Md.), who chaired Continued on A3 the Drafting Committee

After Mitt Romney lost the 2012 presidential election, Republican Party heavyweights uniformly agreed that White voters alone do not hold the keys to winning the White House.

Yet in 2016, another overwhelmingly White gathering of Republican convention delegates — the makeup clear on television

images or a walk through the Quicken Loans Arena floor — has nominated an all-White male ticket: businessman Donald Trump and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

Trump leaned almost exclusively on White voters to win the nomination and, in the process, alienated swaths of minorities with his push for a border wall to stop illegal immigration, calls for a “deportation force” Continued on A3

AME Zion Church Holding 50th Quadrennial Conference in Greensboro, N.C.

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church will hold its 50th Quadrennial Conference at the Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel & Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C. from July 20-26 to take care of denomination business that includes electing new bishops, one of whom may come from Baltimore.

The Rev. George E. McKain II is the director of public affairs for the denomination and told the AFRO that thousands of people that consist of senior-level officials, clergy, lay and visitors are expected at the conference.

“We want to have Continued on A5 accountability tools to ensure our people Black French Endure Random Stop are moving forward.” and Searches Following Nice Attack Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com As the French coastal city Nice mourns the loss of life left in the wake of a Bastille Day terror attack, growing anxiety has surfaced among many African Muslim immigrants fearing retaliatory violence. While the Bastille

Day attack brought a single immigrant, the Tunisian-born Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, to the attention of French citizens, according to a survey by the television network France 24, anti-immigrant sentiments have simmered just beneath the surface for more than a decade.

Research conducted by

Copyright © 2016 by the Afro-American Company

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Continue Pushing

By Juliet Linderman The Associated Press

A Baltimore judge dealt the state yet another blow in the protracted and unsuccessful prosecution of six police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray, a young Black man who was injured in police custody.

Even though it was the judge’s third consecutive acquittal in the case, prosecutors seem to be willing to try the remaining three cases amid mounting pressure to call it quits.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams found Lt. Brian Rice, who faced manslaughter, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment charges, not guilty on July 18, telling prosecutors they failed to Continued on A6

AP Photo/Steve Ruark

Phyllis Janny Allen, of Baltimore, was one of many people who came out to protest as Lt. Brian Rice, not pictured, one of the six members of the Baltimore Police Department charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, was acquitted on all charges.

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NATION & WORLD

Former Vanderbilt Player Sentenced to 15 Years for Dorm Rape

By The Associated Press

Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Monte Watkins handed down the sentence for Cory Batey after the victim in the case said her life has been shattered as a result of the rape.

The woman was a neuroscience and economics major when she was assaulted in a dorm on the Nashville campus in June of 2013. In all, four former football players were charged. The Associated Press does not generally identify victims of sexual assault.

The players used their cellphones to take pictures of the rape. One also videoed it and sent the footage to friends as it was happening.

The victim said she learned of what happened to her when detectives showed her the graphic images retrieved from the phones.

During her victim impact statement, she described the horror she felt seeing the images of herself.

“I’ve seen with my own eyes what I was when Mr. Batey was done with me: a piece of trash, face down in a hallway, covered in his urine and palm prints, a photograph he took himself,” the woman said. “There are no words to describe the horror of the images from that night and how it feels to watch yourself be dehumanized.”

She wept throughout much of her statement as she described how her life and her belief in the fundamental goodness of people were both upended with the discovery of what happened to her.

The victim has had to testify at multiple trials, and Batey’s high-profile status and the international attention the case received left her in constant fear of being known as the victim. As a result, she said she feels the attack on her continues throughout every new court proceeding.

“Everything the defendant has done in this case and the media circus surrounding it have been a continuous disruption, repeatedly dragging me back every single step I try to take forward,” she said. “I can only feel that the defendant has intentionally wanted this to be as tortuous for me as possible.”

The sentencing comes amid widespread furor over a Stanford University swimmer

(Samuel M. Simpkins/The Tennessean via AP, Pool)

Cory Batey weeps during his sentencing hearing July 15, in Nashville, Tenn. who was sentenced to six months in jail for a similar crime: sexually assaulting an unconscious woman on a college campus.

In Tennessee, the judge did not have the discretion to give Batey a lighter sentence.

Batey was convicted in April of aggravated rape, which carries a sentence of 15 to 25 years.

Prosecutors asked for the maximum, saying the crime was particularly egregious and that the punishment would send a message about campus rapes.

Prosecutors have said Batey urinated on the woman and made a racial statement at the end of the attack. Batey is African-American and the woman is White. One of the four former players is also White. They did not say what the statement was.

Batey, a 22-year-old who grew up in Nashville, apologized to the victim and to his family and mother. He also apologized to Vanderbilt University. He testified at one of his trials that he was drunk and blacked out at the time of the rape.

Williams’ Criticism of NAACP, HBCUs Results in Lost Sponsorships, and an Apology

By Jerica Deck Special to the AFRO On July 6, during the hot topics segment of her show, Wendy Williams brought up TV actor and activist Jesse Williams’ speech about racial inequality at the BET Awards.

Her comments quickly took a turn for the worse when she said, “His speech was very poignant, on one hand. On the other hand, you know, I would be really offended if there was a school that was known as a historically White college. We have historically Black colleges. What if it was the National Organization for White People only? There’s the NAACP.”

Although Williams is known for never holding her tongue, her usually receptive audience was nearly dead silent.

“Look everybody’s quiet.

You’re leaving me out here to dry by myself?” Williams asked the silent audience.

“National speeches like this always rub people the wrong way. Just like White people will be offended because Spelman College is a historically Black college for women. You might feel funny about that. I know I’d feel funny like I just told you.

If there was a White college or whatever.”

On July 10, Chevrolet reportedly removed their sponsorship from the Wendy Williams show after her illadvised comments. Andrea Holmes, president and CEO of ACE Media Crop, the company that facilitated the sponsorship,

(Diane Bondareff/Invision/AP)

Television talk show host Wendy Williams. is a graduate of Howard University, an HBCU. Television commentator Roland Martin slammed Williams for her lack of knowledge about Black history.

“Wendy let me help you out,” said Martin in his TV One news segment. “When you’re on TV and have no idea what you’re talking about, shut the hell up. Don’t open your mouth. Don’t embarrass yourself. Because you sound silly.”

Williams received criticism on social media, causing her to clarify her statements on her show the next day. On July 7, Wendy Williams told her audience, “On yesterday’s show a lot of you all misinterpreted some of the things I was saying regarding Black schools being Black…I will clarify again… be very clear: I find nothing wrong with historically Black colleges.”

Rapper Azealia Banks Defends Bleaching Her Skin

By Jerica Deck Special to the AFRO “212” rapper Azealia Banks has not only publicly admitted to bleaching her skin, she defends her choice. After being banned from Twitter for several controversial comments, the artist turned to Facebook Live to reveal the reason behind altering her skin color.

On July 1, Banks told her followers: “I don’t really think it’s important to discuss the cultural significance of skin bleaching anymore because I think that, just as African American people, just as Black people in this world, you assimilate, and there are things you accept, not just out of necessity but things become norm because they just happen all the time.

“I guess people see the skinbleaching thing as something different but I see it as another … assimilation thing. It’s a continuation of the falsification of self that comes with being a Black person in America,” Banks added.

Banks also compared it to other forms of cosmetic enhancement, saying that it was no different than wearing hair extensions or getting a nose job.

“Nobody was upset when I was [wearing] 30-inch weaves, tearing out my edges, and doing all types of shit like that,” said Banks. “You guys loved it, but what is the difference?”

This came as a shock to Banks’s audience because

(Rich Fury/Invision/AP)

Rapper Azealia Banks. the rapper often uses social media to condemn cultural appropriation and discuss issues that plague the AfricanAmerican community. On Banks’ Instagram page, the rapper revealed that she was using the lightening product Whitenicious to bleach her skin.

Banks has previously talked about the difficulties she’s faced as a darker-skinned Black woman. In February of 2015, Banks tweeted: “Seriously… the treatment I get for being a dark skinned woman just makes me want to lay down and die sometime.” She also wrote, “I don’t care what anyone says: men in general despise dark skinned women.”

Women with darker skin tones are often marginalized within the hip-hop industry.

Rappers often glorify women deemed as “red bones” in their lyrics or cast women with lighter skin tones in their music videos. Many artists such as Tyga, Kanye West and Lil Wayne appear to solely date women who are lighter than them or outside of their race.

Colorism has taken a toll on other female hip-hop artists including Lil’ Kim, who has bleached her skin, worn wigs and received various plastic surgery procedures that gave her more European features.

In April, Lil’ Kim made headlines after selfies of her with bleached skin looked disturbingly unrecognizable.

Despite these barriers, Banks claims that this assimilation is simply cosmetic and that it is not important to analyze the cultural significance of her actions. She also said that bleaching her skin does not negate her previous pro black stances. “To say that [skin bleaching] negates what I’ve been saying about blackness in America is ignorant and just stupid,” Banks said during her Facebook live stream. “What do body modifications have to do with somebody’s level of intellect?”

July 23, 2016 - July 29, 2016, The Afro-American

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Republican Convention Continued from A1

and proposals to ban non-citizen Muslims from entering the country.

“He offended so many people,” said Texas GOP delegate Adryana Boyne, who is Latina. “I think he needs to apologize and he hasn’t.”

At the ballot box, simple math is at play as the country becomes less White with each presidential cycle. The more Trump struggles with non-Whites, the more pressure there is for him to reach levels of White support no candidate has managed since Ronald Reagan’s 1984 landslide.

Pence may shore up support among White conservatives, particularly evangelical Christians wary of Trump, but Trump’s running mate may not easily connect with non-White voters, and many of the elected Republicans who could play that role aren’t Trump allies.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, the child of Indian immigrants, skipped the convention. Erstwhile Trump primary rival and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, is tepidly backing Trump, as is New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, the first Latina to lead an American state. But they aren’t addressing the Cleveland gathering from the podium, and both make clear their reservations about Trump.

In previous Republican conventions, delegate bodies were overwhelmingly White, but the rostrum was filled with prominent GOP minorities — like Haley and Rubio and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Meanwhile, the message from the Cleveland convention has at times directly conflicted with calls from

Nice Attack Continued from A1

France 24 in conjunction with INSEE, France’s national statistical agency, indicated that in 2013, the unemployment rate for all immigrants was approximately 17.3 percent, nearly 80 percent higher than the nonimmigrant rate of 9.7 percent.

Descendants of immigrants from Africa said that they have a difficult time finding work. The report found that education and skill levels only explain 61 percent of the difference in employment rates between descendants of African immigrants and those whose parents were born in France, noting that racism and nationalist views account for the remaining sentiments.

“The nation has a xenophobia that arises within far-right circles in times of crisis, but the reality is that it has been difficult for the

nation to demonstrate both global altruism by allowing distressed immigrants into the country, and assimilating them into the nation in a way that doesn’t leave them vulnerable to exploitation,” French immigrant Abena Adeyemi, told the AFRO. “Terror attacks against citizens perpetrated by Muslims create levels of anxiety among a lot of Africans who have been corralled into public housing and cannot find work.”

Adeyemi, who was born in Kassala Sudan, said she moved first to Calais, France as a student and then immigrated several years later after unrest in her homeland made it unsafe to return.

France’s weakened economy, according to Adeyemi, has slowly turned a space that once readily accepted foreigners into one with strict

Democratic Platform Continued from A1

Clinton for president, along with her vice presidential pick.

Equally important, the event is where the Party will select its platform, the roadmap that will guide its policy and advocacy for the next four years.

Minorities were strongly represented on the Drafting Committee. In addition to Cummings, CBC members Reps. Barbara Lee (Calif.) and Keith Ellison (Minn.), Ohio State Rep. Alicia Reece, the Clinton campaign’s Senior Policy Advisor Maya Harris and Union Theological Seminary professor Dr. Cornel West were among the Blacks in the group. Other minorities included Hispanic Rep. Luis Gutiérrez and Deborah Parker, former chairman of the Tulalip Tribe (Washington State).

The inclusive process resulted in a 50-page document – which the 187-member DNC platform committee only slightly amended – that Cummings said he is “excited about” and one that addresses several specific concerns that impact Black lives.

Chief among them is voting rights. “We have very,

very strong language over the right to vote,” Cummings said.

“States that are passing laws that restrict the right to vote are criminal because they are stealing voters’ ability to take their destiny in their hands.”

Also on the platform is college affordability, and among the solutions are expanding the Pell Grant program and enabling students to refinance their college loans, much like mortgage loans.

Another key education issue was the financial support of HBCUs. Cummings, who sits on the board of Baltimore’s Morgan State University said, “Many of these institutions are hanging by a thread because of financial issues even as they continue to contribute to the cadre of people who are educated.”

Criminal justice reform, including a call to abolish the death penalty which studies have shown is disproportionately applied to Blacks, is another marquee issue on this year’s agenda.

“We have far too many African-American men—and a growing number of women—

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GOP leaders, like House Speaker Paul Ryan, for White Americans to acknowledge the challenges and fears Black Americans face, including in their dealings with police.

Even minority speakers reinforced Trump’s tough law-andorder message, putting them at odds with what many Black Americans think about race relations and police practices.

Iowa Rep. Steve King turned heads with a television appearance during which he suggested minorities haven’t contributed to building Western civilization. Even Ryan, with his calls for a national dialogue on race, garnered negative attention after widespread social media distribution of a picture of him with a nearly all-White class of House GOP interns.

rules, including random stop and search procedures and micro-aggressive encounters with average residents.

“I am Muslim, but I am insulated by my education, the professional neighborhood where I live, and my work as a physician,” Adeyemi told the AFRO. “Between the Paris terror attacks in November 2015 and the Bastille Day attack, many of my less fortunate friends have been cursed in the street or spat upon. They worry about going to mosque or being on public transport in certain areas.”

Across France, the far-right National Front party, which counts Nice as a stronghold, has doggedly attacked French President François Hollande’s tolerance position, calling for jihadist violence and ISISinspired domestic terrorism to be met with deportation, closed borders, and violence.

“I understand the fear and even the desire to retaliate against immigrants – Africans who are in prison, often for nonviolent crimes, and they are not able to contribute or be there for their families or their communities.”

Another major issue, which former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders championed, is an increase of the minimum wage to $15. The issue directly impacts Blacks, many of whom work minimum wage jobs but can’t afford to make ends meet, Cummings said.

“Businesses complain about the cost of raising the minimum wage but their executives are making more and more money while the income of the average worker remains the same,” said the Congressman who represents low-income communities in Baltimore. “Meanwhile, with inflation, the cost of housing has gone up, the cost of groceries has gone up, all the things essential to life have gone up.”

Those are just a few among a plethora of issues, including environmental racism, securing and expanding Social Security and others, included on the platform.

“Mr. [Donald] Trump (the GOP nominee) talks about taking our country back and going back to how things used to be [but] we can’t afford to go back,” Cummings said.

He added, “People need something to vote for so the platform becomes very important, but just as importantly we have to get people to believe that we are actively going to fight for these things.

“I want a document that is not going to sit on a shelf and gather dust,” Cummings said. “We want to have accountability tools to ensure our people are moving forward.”

Romney in 2012 won about six out of 10 Whites and still trailed President Barack Obama nationally by almost 5 million votes. Romney’s share of Whites was roughly identical to what George H.W. Bush won 24 years earlier. But in a muchWhiter country, Bush won 41 states and captured 426 electoral votes, easily clearing the 270 required to win. Romney won 24 states and 206 Electoral Votes.

Trump insists he’ll drive up White turnout and his share of the White vote, while improving GOP performance among non-Whites, thus flipping diverse states like Florida and Colorado and Whiter Democratic-leaning states in the Midwest.

At a convention breakfast, Republican Chairman Reince Priebus suggested Trump isn’t doing

as poorly with minorities as media portray. But, Priebus confessed he has “long-term” worries even about GOP-leaning states like Arizona and Georgia, and said “you cannot ignore” the growing influence of minority voters.

The same conclusion prevails among many Republican delegates, regardless of race and ethnicity.

Michael Barnett, who is Black and leads Florida’s Palm Beach County GOP, said Republicans must “reach out to those who (we) historically have not been accustomed to talking to.”

From Alabama, White state Sen. Cam Ward said that the effort must involve “two-way” conversations.

“We must not only explain our principles,” Ward said, “but we also must be willing to listen to their concerns.”

AP Photo/Thibault Camus

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the government is declaring three days of national mourning after the attack in Nice that left at least 84 people dead. and Muslims especially because they are easy to identify – but the attacks have nothing to do with the good people here trying to make a good living and be good citizens,” Nuru Babangida, a

graduate student at the Ecole Polytechnique – Paris, told the AFRO. “Racial profiling by the police where you are stopped and searched proved humiliating, but I guess they are necessary… I just pray

that the killings stop so that the nation can get back to normal.”

Stop and search procedures began throughout France following several attacks in 2015, including an attack on an American-owned chemical factory near Lyon in June 2015 and two in January 2015, when 12 people were murdered at the satirical news outlet Charlie Hebdo and then, days later, four hostages were killed at a kosher supermarket.

Like other European nations, France has a long and complicated relationship with the Muslim world and its own immigrant population, many of whom have been in the country for generations.

“This was my father’s second home and has become mine as well,” Babangida said.

“Unfortunately, right now, my home does not feel very welcoming.”

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The Afro-American, July 23, 2016 - July 29, 2016

COMMENTARY

The Declaration of Independence and the Freddie Gray 6

Earlier this month many of us celebrated the signing of The Declaration of Independence 240 years ago creating these United States of America. For the former colonies this became necessary because of abuses suffered at the hand of the King of England.

Among the grievances cited were the following: “He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the civil power.”

“For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:” “For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:” “For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:” Fast forward to April 2015. These statements apply almost verbatim to the conditions brought upon many of the citizens of Baltimore by its police department. Last year’s disturbance was not just about poverty and unemployment. The cry in the streets was “No Justice, No Peace!” Not economic opportunity, but justice. The John L. Hudgins conditions of poverty and economic oppression were no worse last year than they had been for the 50 years since the 1960s riots.

This disturbance, like the 1960s, was about justice. Every 1960s disturbance was sparked by egregious police behavior. Like the colonists of 1776, poor and minority citizens are subject to bodies of armed troops (or police) that operated independent of and superior to (the citizen’s) civil power. These armed troops (the Blue wall) have been protected by mock trials (or no trials) from punishment for any murders or wrongs which they have committed on the inhabitants of these States.

Marilyn Mosby was elected Baltimore City State’s Attorney as a cry for justice, especially from an oppressive police force. This police department had accumulated a string of deaths, broken bodies and other atrocities amounting to near $6 million dollars paid by the city in victim compensation. Prior administrations refused to hold police officers accountable for arbitrary and inhumane behavior. A prosecutor can only bring charges and present the available evidence to the court.

She cannot force a police-friendly judge to render justice. It is noteworthy that the acquitted police officers avoided a jury trial. They obviously do not consider the citizens that they abuse and disdain as their peers.

Alone, Ms. Mosby cannot bring justice. Cries from police supporters to drop the cases are ill founded. They are the same persons, including the police union, who did not want the charges in the first place.

The Freddie Gray 6 will get away with a killing. Some may call this a lynching. They willfully disobeyed a department order and the spirit of state and national seat belt laws. A citizen who transports a 3-4 year old child not appropriately secured, who sustains injuries resulting in death, is likely to be charged and found guilty of negligence if not manslaughter. When Freddie Gray was bound and shackled, he in effect became that child totally dependent upon the judgment, compassion and professionalism of his abductors. Sadly none of that was present among the six who contributed to his death. It is unlikely that a jury of persons with sons, fathers and brothers would have found all of the defendants blameless for this death. Remember that the first trial (Officer Porter) resulted in a hung jury which means between one and eleven impartial jurors saw guilt and responsibility beyond a reasonable doubt.

Strategically, the remaining officers have elected to receive the blessings and generosity of a police friendly judge and avoid the judgments of their peers, the citizens of Baltimore. Like the Rodney King abusers, police officers have a strange and predictable way of separating themselves from the judgment or review of those whom they profess to “protect and to serve.” Like the thugs in the Rodney King incident, almost lynching, the Freddie Gray 6 will be acquitted.

During the last week two Iraq veterans have sought justice, revenge and punishment. While no one can or should condone the killing of other human beings, police or non-police, in a strange way their logic parallels

Democrat’s Pledge to America

that of the settlers in the Revolutionary War. These men who became soldiers, who were trained to defend the Constitution and the rightness of individual freedom and justice, became upset at the willful killing (or lynching) of Black men like themselves by the police. Remember much of the lynchings in this country following the Civil War into the mid 1960s involved law enforcement and the consent or silence of the larger White population.

The actions of these two “soldiers” inflicted tremendous pain and suffering upon police officers who by all accounts were good officers, family men who were committed to protecting and serving. Unfortunately, the “Police Blue Wall” is casting a stench over all police officers. The failure of the justice system to bring justice and the ability of rogue cops to manipulate the system as well as intimidate their colleagues has created a perilous situation and an impasse.

In a gun laden society despicable acts happen. The cry “No justice, No Peace,” while largely rhetorical, carries a very real assessment of our current conditions. Good police officers must enforce the law and uphold the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution especially as it applies to their fellow officers. This great democracy derives “It’s just powers” from the consent of the governed.

This applies as much to the residents of Gilmore homes and West Baltimore (or Baton Rouge, or St. Paul or Ferguson, Cleveland or Charleston) as it did to the founders in Boston or Philadelphia. The stark reality is that justice brings peace. Peace is built upon justice.

Dr. John Hudgins is an associate professor of sociology at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Md.

America’s Democratic Party now has an undisputed candidate Elijah Cummings for President and a platform upon which most progressive Americans — and, more specifically, progressive Americans of Color — can agree.

In primary elections and caucuses across this nation, Democratic voters gave Secretary Hillary Clinton their majority approval, while also giving Senator Bernie Sanders and his key issues a very substantial level of support.

For those of us who were honored to serve on the Democratic Party’s Platform Drafting Committee, we understood that far too many Americans are struggling to achieve the basic necessities of life. During this challenging time in our country’s history, our recommitment to progressive, constructive change is a practical, as well as a moral, necessity.

Along with Secretary Clinton, Senator Sanders and their tens of millions of supporters, we also recognized that the process of charting a more progressive and democratic course for our nation must be inclusive, representative and transparent.

This is why our Democratic coalition undertook the inspired and unprecedented step of opening up the Platform Drafting Committee’s process and deliberations.

Our watchwords were empowerment, inclusion, transparency, and an unwavering focus upon what the late Senator Paul Wellstone termed “the issues that are at the center of everyday Americans’ lives.”

I am proud of the vision for our nation and her people that my colleagues and I, as well as the full Democratic Platform Committee, have achieved: the most progressive Democratic Platform in American history.

America’s voters can reach their own judgment about the extent to

which we have succeeded by considering the Democratic Party’s 2016 Platform, as well as the process that we followed, on the Internet at demconvention.com/platform.

When you take a few moments to consider our future, I hope that you will test our Platform against your own aspirations and challenges in life — as well as your own evaluation of the best course for our country.

Ask yourselves, as we have done: “Will these commitments move us forward toward becoming an America that truly offers “liberty and justice for all?”

I am convinced that they do — and as you make your own determination, please be assured of this solemn pledge.

President Hillary Clinton, a Democratic United States Senate and a far more Democratic House of Representatives will do everything within our power to achieve expanded opportunity, greater inclusion and more pervasive equity for every American.

In future columns, I will have more to share about my respect for Secretary Clinton and my heartfelt conviction that she is the best person to build upon the progressive foundation that President Obama has created.

Yet, as we have been painfully reminded during the last six years, even one of the best Presidents in our history can be blocked, far too often, by a recalcitrant Republican Congress. The Republican’s failure to give President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court an up-ordown vote is only the latest example of this obstacle to the progressive action that the American people need and deserve.

The reality that one-third of the Senate and the entire membership of the House of Representatives are also up for election this year gives heightened importance to Election Day 2016. The control of all three branches of our federal government and the direction of our country are at stake.

The Republicans’ undeniable track record of reaction and obstruction will only become more egregious if they maintain their majorities in the Congress — and there are very good reasons to conclude that the Republicans’ presumptive presidential nominee, if elected, would present a clear and present danger to America and the world.

Yet, revulsion and fear alone are seldom enough to win a national election. A positive, meaningful and realistic vision for the future is required.

Our continuing objective must be to achieve the “higher ground” that all Americans, whatever their political inclinations, can honestly conclude are the actions that our future requires.

Who the candidates are is an important consideration for voters on Election Day. Equally important, if not more so, is what the candidates have committed to accomplishing once they have gained the voters’ trust and approval.

As America’s citizens review our Democratic Platform this year, I believe that they will conclude that ours is the most progressive commitment to the American people in our history, rivalling and even surpassing President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal.

Our pledge is to work with the American People to create a far more equitable opportunity society — a society that lives up to our highest aspirations rather than degenerating into hostility, division and fear.

The convictions expressed in our Platform about the future that we intend to build for our society are the same pledges to the American people that are written in our hearts.

Only treating the symptoms of anything like a physical ailment provides at best, temporary relief. The same is true with only treating the symptoms of hopelessness and despair that can result in people acting out in murder. Be it Black on Black, Black on Brown, Black on White, White on Black, police on Black or Black on police. To save our current society and our future, we must determine the answer to the question that defines the underlying ailments resulting in senseless deaths. The question we must answer is: “What is causing people to reach the point in their life that they choose to take the life another?”

I do not know the exact answer to the problem, however, from my foxhole, there are many different matters that lead to such frustration, but the answer to lessening the likelihood of people killing people has to do with hearts and minds. While the mind part is obvious, I am not talking anatomically about the heart muscle that pumps blood, but rather the symbolic heart that contains the soul and helps formulate attitude and love.

While attending the national conference of the National Association of Blacks in Law Enforcement (NABCJ) entitled “Restoring Humanity: All Lives Matter,” much was said by professionals and interest groups involved in criminal justice. As A.J. McQueen from the St. Louis based We are Writers Block, himself a young man who has seen both sides of the incarceration system said, “I choose to say All Souls matter.” He further insisted that attention must be paid to the music lyrics young people listen to today. He warned that while music lyrics have always pushed boundaries or to

say they are only enjoying a stage of life or to not want to seem old fashioned, can have serious consequences. Given that most youth listen to music more than they listen to anything else every day, he said, “You better not be afraid to monitor the music.”

Potential prescriptions to make life more sacred were offered along with ways to make them in real life. While the take-aways were many, the conference and recent events in our country caused me to focus on the possible cause and effect relationships that can result in murder. I am quick to say murder, even in some instances involving of police, because the laws in the United States do not allow for any person to be one serving the public safety and the executioner all wrapped into one. I also realize that all, and especially the police, have the right to protect their lives when threatened. But when non-lethal weapon use is bypassed, one must question why.

Equally important is, no individual is justified in killing police officers who provide us with public safety, potentially at the risk of their lives. When trouble comes to your front door most people are quick to call the police. Further good cops by in large despise bad cops. As African Americans we should not follow the fallacy of guilt by association.

If hopelessness and desperation are causing community folks, even veterans, to act-out in violence then we must work together to treat behavioral and mental health issues, provide equal opportunity to prosper and create loving and nurturing environments to restore hope and the opportunity to at least strive to enjoy a level of life with some degree of comfort and well-being. Given that much police violence stems from fear, we must get at the recruitment and training such that the communities the police are deployed in do not fear them.

Schools, churches and civic groups must teach the goodness in every human being and at the same time, how to act when confronted by law enforcement. Police must be trained in community sensitivity and interpersonal relations and the doctrine that says they are public servants not merely enforcers. Police must be taught how to ascertain the difference between a person upset and a person who is dangerous.

If that is too difficult, EMTs and police patrols should be provided as ride-along behavioral or mental health assistants for domestic calls and the like. While all these things cost money, the resulting inefficiencies cost more.

Methods of improving one’s economic plight without resorting to illegal activities must be taught and made available and accessible to all. Behavioral and mental health diagnosis and treatments must be viewed as essential as physical medical diagnosis and treatment.

From my foxhole, there are two things for sure: we will never cure this violence ailment by trying to arrest every potential perpetrator and we cannot say it is somebody else’s problem to solve. It affects all of us now and can ill-affect those who come after us. We must attack this ailment from the perspective of recruiting to the principles of love and respect for each other, by getting at the hearts and minds.

Transparency of adjudication of complaints against improper policing must exist – no more closed systems.

Hearts, Minds and Stopping the Violence John R. Hawkins III

Congressman Elijah Cummings represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.

Maj Gen US Army (ret) John R. Hawkins III, JD, MPA is President and CEO of Hawkins Solutions Intl., a government relations and lobby company. His last military assignment as a “two star” was Dir., Human Resources Directorate for the Army world-wide and prior to that Deputy Chief Public Affairs for the Army, world-wide.

July 23, 2016 - July 29, 2016, The Afro-American

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State Dinner for Children Encourages Better Eating Habits Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com First Lady Michelle Obama teamed up with PBS, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to host the fifth annual Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, also known as the White House Kids’ State Dinner, on July 14. The goal is to promote cooking and healthy eating among young people across the nation.

Kids aged 8-12, in collaboration with a parent or guardian, were invited to create an original, healthy, affordable, and delicious lunch recipe.

Fifty-six young chefs representing each U.S. state, five territories, and the District of Columbia utilized guidelines from ChooseMyPlate.gov to meet USDA nutritional guidelines to create recipes that provided tasty, healthy, original, and affordable meals. More than 1,200 entries were submitted for this year’s challenge.

“This is about setting kids like all of you up for a lifetime of healthy choices. Because here’s what we know: Eating healthy foods can affect how well you do in school. That’s right. I can’t say this enough – the food that you put into your bodies can actually help you get better grades,” First Lady Michelle Obama told the audience. “When you give your body

the best possible fuel, you have more energy, you’re stronger, you think more quickly. You just feel better in general all throughout the day, every day.”

The winning chef for the District of Columbia was 8-year-old Elena Sotobashi.

She won the judges over with her D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) Sushi, which she told Obama, was inspired by her Japanese grandfather’s love of sushi. “Sushi has pretty much the same ingredients but everyone gets to make their own rolls. It is good for school lunches because the seaweed is separate and doesn’t get soggy,” Sototbashi said at the event. “I like it because it is easy to make and you can choose what you want. In summer we can get the carrots and cucumbers from our garden and it is fun to make.”

Sotobashi’s recipe, like the others selected

by Obama and a committee of chefs from around the country, was chosen as not only healthy, but kid friendly.

“When children eat healthy as a matter of daily habit, it become so natural that as adults they are naturally inclined to eat the foods that will sustain their good health into adulthood,” Unity Health nutritionist Harriet Hicks, told the AFRO. “First Lady Obama’s efforts to make better food choices the purview of children means they will avoid the bad choices and chronic illnesses, like diabetes and hypertension that plague a lot of children –

Courtesy photo

First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at the White House Kids’ State Dinner. especially African-American children.”

Maryland’s leading kid chef, Colby Trenor, wowed judges with Maryland Crab Lettuce Cups – a play on the region’s love of fresh seafood that was considered both fun and also quick. “Working with my mom, we nixed some ingredients and reduced others. We also reworked proportions and used fresh-frozen foods in place of some items not in season

right now, to save money,” Trenor told judges.

“This dish got smiles and clean plates all around, so it’s a hands-down winner.”

The winners and a parent or guardian will enjoy a healthy lunch hosted by Obama that features a selection of the winning recipes.

Following lunch, everyone headed to the South Lawn to visit the White House Kitchen Garden.

White Methodist ministers but in 1820, six of these churches met to ordain African American James Varick as an elder. In 1821, Varick was made the first general superintendent of the

throughout the world. The denomination has 10 Episcopal districts, excluding the West Africa districts.

The senior bishop of the denomination is George E. Battle, who also serves as the presiding prelate of the Piedmont Episcopal District that covers the nation’s Blue Ridge Mountain region, West Central North Carolina, Cornwall-Middlesex-Surrey of Jamaica, West Indies, as well as east and west Angola in Africa.

–The Rev. George E. McKain II At the conference, the Rev. Lester A. McCorn, who is the pastor of the Pennsylvania Avenue AME Zion Church in Baltimore, is seeking to become one AME Zion Church and on July 30, 1822, he became the first of the denomination’s newest bishops. McCorn is campaigning bishop of the denomination. for bishop on a platform of strategic planning, spiritual health and vitality, support for clergy, social justice, stabilizing and Presently, the AME Zion denomination has 1.4 million members with churches in most U.S. states and in many areas strengthening, stewardship and scholarship.

AME Zion

Continued from A1

“We estimate that 10,000 to 12,000 people will be at the conference,” McKain said. “We have some important business to attend to such as installing bishops in the newly created jurisdictions in eastern West Africa and western West Africa as well as electing new bishops here in the U.S.” The AME Zion Church was founded in New York City in 1800 as a response to the racism Black worshippers experienced at White-ruled Methodist Episcopal Churches.

The early AME Zion churches were a part of the Methodist Episcopal Church denomination but the congregations were independent.

Many of the early AME Zion churches were ministered by

“We estimate that 10,000 to 12,000 people will be at the conference.”

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Afro-American, July July 23, 23, 2016 2016 -- July July 29, 23,2016 2016 The Afro-American,

D.C. Moms, Youth Advocate for Cleaner Air taking action. For every dollar invested in cleaner air and a more stable climate, American families could see up to $7 in health benefits. The familyfriendly Play-In protest included family activities, such as dancing, hula-hoop challenges, yoga, giant puppets, and storytelling.

“More than ever, children need to move and be active.

Climate change makes that harder to do, because it will lead to more polluted air, more pollen, more asthma, and more heat waves,” former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist Chamique Holdsclaw said at the press conference. “Climate change and air pollution have a huge influence on the health and fitness of millions of American children. Our kids need clean air so they can play outside

Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com Raising the alarm about asthma attacks, infectious diseases, premature deaths, and other health impacts of climate change, more than 700 moms and kids gathered to hold a “Play-In” protest. The event took place on July 15 in a park on Capitol Hill and was organized by Moms Clean Air Force. The families called for action on climate change and air pollution, and also demanded climate solutions like renewable energy and federal limits on greenhouse gas emissions.

In making the case for more federal action on climate and air pollution, organizers and speakers emphasized the monetary health benefits of

Courtesy photo

More than 700 moms and kids gathered July 15 on Capitol Hill to hold a “Play-In” protest for action on climate change and air pollution. without getting sick.”

Particularly among Black children, already at risk from air pollution, climate change is expected to contribute to asthma attacks and other respiratory issues. In 2014, almost 2.4 million non-

Freddie Gray Continued from A1

a patterns and practice investigation into allegations of widespread abuse and unlawful arrests by the Baltimore Police Department.

Rice’s acquittal is the fourth consecutive blow to the state’s case, but the next officer remains scheduled to stand trial next week.

Prosecutors have given no indication that they plan to change course.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys are barred from commenting due to a gag order.

Earlier this year, officers Edward Nero and Caesar Goodson, the van driver who was facing a murder charge, were also found not guilty. Officer William Porter’s trial ended in a hung jury in December and his retrial is scheduled for September. The last two officers have trials this month and in October.

At a news conference, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 President Gene Ryan called for the remaining cases to be dismissed, calling it “malicious prosecution against the remaining

establish that Rice was aware of his duty to buckle Gray into a seat belt, and more importantly, that he deliberately breached his duty in order to put Gray in danger.

“There are a number of possibilities this court could entertain, some that are innocent and some that are not,” Williams said.

“However, the burden of proof rests with the state, and the court’s imaginings do not serve as a substitute for evidence.”

Gray was arrested in April 2015 when he ran from police in a high-crime area. He was handcuffed and shackled but left unbuckled in the back of a police van and suffered a critical neck injury. Gray’s name became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement, fueling outrage nationwide over the treatment of Black people by the criminal justice system and prompting the worst rioting in the city in decades.

The U.S. Justice Department launched

NOW OPEN in

Hispanic Blacks reported that they have asthma. From 2012-2014, Black children had a death rate 10 times that of non-Hispanic White children and a greater likelihood of being admitted to the hospital for asthma, as compared to

non-Hispanic White children.

“Poor air quality puts millions of Americans at risk and is an environmental justice issue that disproportionately impacts communities of color, such as the African-American community where AfricanAmerican children are twice as likely to be hospitalized and four times more likely to die from asthma than others,” Dr. Erica L. Holloman, founder and CEO of Ayika Solutions and coalition coordinator for the Southeast CARE Coalition, told the crowd.

“For our children, this is a lifeand-death issue.”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under President Obama, has established new platforms including the Clean Power Plan, which encourages states to embrace energy efficiency

three officers.”

Even Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, chimed in.

“My personal thinking is they should not go further” with the rest of the trials, he said after Rice’s acquittal. “It’s a waste of time and money. But that’s up to the court system to decide.”

Gray died April 19, 2015, a week after he suffered a critical spinal injury in the back of Goodson’s police wagon. Prosecutors say the officers were criminally negligent when they failed to buckle Gray into a seat belt or provide medical attention after he indicated that he wanted to go to a hospital.

With no courtroom victories, activists are focusing on protests and police department reforms. A protest on July 16 that blocked the interstate through downtown resulted in more than 60 arrests. Activists said they were demonstrating in support of having civilians sit on boards that review police misconduct cases, and spending more public money on community programs instead of policing.

“I’m disgusted, as usual, and they’re

and renewable energy. In addition, the agency’s Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP) offers rewards to businesses whose investment in wind and solar generation implemented in low-income communities deliver results during 2020 and/or 2021.

“Our children are coming into contact with contaminants that are in the air of public housing, old schools and libraries, and our auto exhaust.

We’ve got to get a handle on it now,” Michelle HowardDully, a Ward 7 mother of two, who attended the rally, said. “We must be concerned that our children will not lead their best lives if they have to drag oxygen machines and nebulizers behind them because the air is so foul. It’s our responsibility to fight for them.”

sending a daily message all across the world that our lives don’t matter, and that’s sad,” said Tawanda Jones outside the courthouse July 18.

She was there marking the third anniversary of her brother’s death in a separate case involving Baltimore police.

“We’re more than hashtags and body bags,” she added.

During the trial, prosecutors had said Rice was most responsible of the six officers charged for following police procedures to fasten a prisoner in a seat belt, citing his 18 years of experience on the force.

The officer’s attorney said police could use discretion, if they believe their safety is at risk.

Rice attorney Michael Belsky said officers had concerns because Gray was not cooperative and they weren’t sure what onlookers would do if extra time was taken to fasten Gray in the van.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys gave different characterizations of the onlookers.

Prosecutors described them as concerned observers, while Belsky said officers heard threatening comments during the arrest.

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July 23, 2016 - July 29, 2016, The Afro-American

WASHINGTON-AREA New African American Museum Adds Historical Context to America’s Race Discussion

Black Officers Promote Training, Persistence

Johnny Barnes, one of the District’s most wellknown civil rights attorneys, was celebrated for his work defending those who have had legal problems with the city government.

In the wake of officerinvolved shootings that have left several, on both sides of the law, dead, Black officers from several law enforcement agencies around the United States recently gathered to focus on new training tactics.

The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE) celebrated 40 years from July 16 to July 20 with their annual Training Conference and Exhibition at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park hotel in Northwest D.C. The conference featured a July 17 “Blessing of the

– Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams-Harris Badge” ceremony in which NOBLE leaders pressed Black officials to show strength during raciallymotivated times of police killings and criticism, a Founders’ Forum, a Civil Rights Brunch, various workshops and awards receptions, a march from the hotel to Howard University’s Crampton Auditorium, and guest speakers, including U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, WHUR DJ Quick Silva and entrepreneur Russell Simmons.

The week of events centered around NOBLE’s mission statement of “Justice by action.” This year’s theme included the original mission statement with a reference to the organization’s history and Continued on B3

D.C. Attorney Johnny Barnes Celebrated for Civil Rights Work

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com

By Briana Thomas Special to the AFRO

“If you don’t understand your position, you don’t understand your authority.”

B1

Courtesy Photo

Johnny Barnes is one of the District’s most well-known civil rights attorneys.

Photos by Rob Roberts

Images of various exhibits that will be featured in the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall. The museum is scheduled to open on Sept. 24.

By LaTrina Antoine AFRO Washington D.C. Editor lantoine@afro.com A new Smithsonian museum, slated to open this fall, holds the promise of teaching a part of the African-American culture and adding historical facts to the country’s race discussion, according to a museum executive.

Lonnie Bunch, director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, scheduled to open Sept. 24, gave a walk-through tour on July 19. So far, approximately 40 percent of the exhibitions selected for the museum are in place.

This is a, “Place where people will wrestle with questions that they won’t wrestle with anywhere else,” Bunch said. “Help people understand that this museum helps you wrestle with a fuller understanding of America’s identity and a fuller understanding of America’s notion of living up to the state of its ideals.”

According to Bunch, the museum will show Black history from before slavery until president day. “We’ve already collected Black Lives Matter, we’ve collected Ferguson, we’ve collected Baltimore. There is a lot of material that we will continue to collect that will show up in changing exhibitions and other galleries,” he said.

“This is a museum that looks at American culture through African American history, so obviously those [race] discussions are at the heart of what we are, but we are not the race conscious museum,” Bunch told the AFRO. “We are a museum that says the only way that you can understand America is by understanding the African American experience.”

The initial thought and development of the museum started 11

years ago, Bunch said. Development also included the curators, along with himself, interviewing the public for two years to determine how the museum should be constructed.

The museum’s floors will carry a varied view of the Black American’s experience, including insights on slavery with an actual slave cabin from Edisto Island, S.C., one of the state’s sea islands that is part of Charleston County. The museum will also feature a Tuskegee Airman’s plane; a segregated train car; a cell from Angola Prison in Louisiana; George Clinton’s P-Funk Mothership; artifacts from Black Hollywood, including costumes and play bills; and an interactive hub that will enable customers to share their stories and learn from the stories of others. The exhibitions maneuver around the theme of “making a way out of no way” to tell the intimate stories of Black people throughout several different periods in America. Bunch said that the entire space will be used to show the mass public about the Black American’s experience. Artifacts not on display will be held at a separate location in Maryland.

“Our goal is to use the exhibitions as a point of departure to raise issues,” Bunch – Lonnie Bunch said. “We’re not giving simple answers to complex questions. We’re saying race is difficult and here is a history of how we explored that, successfully or not successfully. Our goal is, by weaving in contemporary issues, to help the public realize that this is not a place about yesterday. It is a place about yesterday, today and tomorrow and that means ambiguity, that means controversy, that means different issues. Our goal is pretty simple, this museum has to contribute to making America better, if it doesn’t do that, then why do we do it?”

According to Bunch, the museum’s location on the National Mall contributes to its educational Continued on B2

“Our goal is to use the exhibitions as a point of departure to raise issues.”

Barnes received accolades from community activists, politicians, and movers and shakers in the District at the home of Darnell Williams in the Hillcrest section of Ward 7 on July 18.

Ronald Moten, co-founder of the anti-gang violence organization Peaceoholics, told the gathering of 30 people that Barnes is a unique individual. “This is a special day and a special occasion,” Moten said. “Johnny Barnes is a special guy and he is a super hero.”

Barnes is the former executive director of the ACLU of the Nation’s Capital – the District’s local chapter – and is currently a private practice trial lawyer.

He is considered an expert by the District of Columbia Bar Association on the federal and local legislative processes. He received his bachelor’s degree from Central State University and his juris doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center. He worked on Capitol Hill in several positions including as the chief of staff to then D.C. Del. Walter Fauntroy.

Continued on B2

D.C. Police Union Aims to Unseat Councilmembers 4th Arrest in October SE Fatal Stabbing

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com

The chairman of D.C.’s police union, Matthew Mahl, will work to unseat 10 city council members who signed a resolution calling for police reform, he said in an emotional statement.

The platform, written by Council member David Grosso (I-At Large) as a “Sense of the Council to Implement Police Reform” decree, asked for the implementation of dialogue between District communities and the police to reduce policeinvolved killings. According to the police, there have been five police-involved shootings in D.C. to date. The Washington Post reported that four people died in D.C. from police-involved shootings in 2015. The deceased were Black.

“We stand in support of the families and loved ones of those persons who have lost their lives to police shootings.

We acknowledge the anger, fear, frustration, and grief felt by so many District of Columbia residents and Americans across this country but hold firm that these feelings should be expressed peacefully…” Grosso wrote. “While the District of Columbia has not experienced fatal shootings by the police on

the same scale as other cities in the country, it is critical that we fully examine current policies and practices employed by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to ensure that all residents of the District of Columbia are treated equally and with dignity under the law.”

Councilmembers Anita Bonds (D-At-Large), Elissa Silverman (I-At-large), LaRuby May (D-Ward 8), Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7), Grosso, Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4), Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5), and Vincent Orange (D-At-large), each of whom signed off on the resolution, are the targets of Mahl’s call for replacement.

“It’s a ceremonial resolution that is just saying that the Council of the District of Columbia cares, is paying attention – Walter Bay really to the issues around police brutality and the country, and in fact, what happens here as well, and that there’s something needs to be done about it,” Grosso told NBC News 4 in response to Mahl’s complaint. “I’m sorry if it upset the police officers independently on this issue, but it’s time to have this tough conversation and really understand what is the bias we understand. Why are more Black residents of our city, more Black residents of our country being impacted by violent acts?”

Continued on B2

“Real leaders understand that a city that wants statehood and is racked by a disrespect for authority, needs to show… unity…”

By Briana Thomas Special to the AFRO Over a span of nine months, Metropolitan police arrested four people in connection to a homicide that happened on Oct. 13, 2015.

The last arrest was made on July 18, according to D.C. police.

Last October, police responded to a call of an unconscious person in the 300 block of Parkland Place around 1 p.m.. There they found Cortez Lamont Clark, 32, of Temple Hills, Md., unconscious and suffering from multiple stab wounds. Clark was later pronounced dead.

On Nov. 2, 2015, an adult male from Southeast D.C., whose identity has not been released, was arrested and charged with the second-degree murder of Clark while armed, according to police.

On May 18, two additional arrests were made in connection with the homicide of Clark. Tavon Felton, 19, Northeast D.C. and Wade Rashod Wilson, 20, Southeast D.C., were arrested and charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, police said.

The most recent arrest occurred on July 18 when authorities arrested Ameesha Gray, 22, Southeast D.C., for suspected involvement in the murder of Clark. Gray was arrested and charged with first-degree felony murder while armed, police reported.

According to D.C. Courts, Gray is scheduled to appear in court on Sep. 22 for a preliminary hearing. Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Police spokesperson Aquita Brown told the AFRO by email July 20 that the case was closed with the arrest of four suspects.

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The Afro-American, July 23, 2016 - July 29, 2016

Johnny Barnes Continued from B1

Since leaving the ACLU in 2012, Barnes has focused his practice on helping people who have issues with District government agencies. In 2014, Barnes became Moten’s counsel when Peaceoholics was hit with a $638,389 D.C. Superior Court judgment for fraudulently obtaining grants from the District government. Moten had little money to work with but said Barnes stuck with him. “Johnny never said to me’ Mo, where’s the money’,” Moten said. “He said ‘Mo, I’m here to help you, brother.’”

The Moten matter, with Barnes as his counsel, was resolved on April 16. He will pay $10,000 to the District and agreed to stricter oversight by the government in future anti-gang activities.

Barnes also aided Trayon White, the presumptive D.C. Council member for Ward 8. White, who in 2011 was the ward’s representative on the D.C. State Board of Education, was arrested that year for “unauthorized” visits to the Woodland Terrace public housing complex by the District of Columbia Housing Authority police. Barnes won the battle and White was aquitted of all charges.

White and a number of his friends such as Ward 8 D.C.

“Johnny Barnes isn’t using the law to make money but to help the people.”

– Markus Batchelor State Board of Education candidate Markus Batchelor attended the party. “Johnny Barnes isn’t using the law to make money but to help the people,” Batchelor said. “We should thank him for doing what many see is a thankless job. He maximizes his power for the people.”

Former D.C. Council member William Lightfoot, one of the city’s most established attorneys, was present, as was D.C. statehood activist Anise Jenkins, world-renowned boxing announcer Henry “Discombobulating” Jones, and political consultant Kemry Hughes. Vocalist Ayanna Gregory, the daughter of comedian-activist Dick Gregory, sang a few songs in honor of Barnes.

Museum

Union

foundation as well. ”Giving people the opportunity to recognize that the [National] mall is sacred space. So much of African American history has occurred on the mall, whether it’s the March on Washington, the fact that there are mixed race communities that lived on the site, the fact that within blocks of this site were slave pens during the 1850s, so we actually created a space where people can walk out an enjoy the view.”

In addition to the view, the museum will have 134 media pieces on various events and artistic expressions, including riots, plays and a recreation of baseball stadium.

“All exhibitions really treat the African American culture as a way of bringing people together, but also as a way of progress and reflecting the social and cultural time,” said Dwandalyn R. Reece, curator of Music and Performing Arts.

Councilmembers, identified in the call for replacement, did not respond to AFRO inquiries before deadline. At issue for Mahl, was a list of Blacks who had died in police custody in other jurisdictions over the course of the last few years – an inclusion which gave the resolution the tone of an attack. “It is our position that this resolution accomplishes no relevant goal,” Mahl said in a written statement. “In fact, it is a redundant measure given the checks and balances currently in place for the legislative and executive to monitor our Department.”

“Regrettably, this resolution appears highly political and implies a mistrust of our current policies and procedures, despite the fact that the facts have shown that our members, through those policies and procedures, conduct themselves in a professional and tempered manner within the bounds of what is morally and legally correct,” he continued.

Mahl, who is White, also told News Channel 8 that the inclusion of those who had died in police custody suggested that despite many of the officers being acquitted of any wrongdoing, the police somehow got away with misconduct. “To scrutinize our members as a mere response to these videos before an investigation is completed is a knee-jerk reaction, a rush to judgment, and may only result in further distrust of our T:11” members – a trust that our members build upon daily with their work and S:10.5” sacrifice,” Mahl said.

Continued from B1

Barnes told the AFRO that the civil rights struggle today is different from the 1950s and 60s. He said that while the fights for integrating institutions have been won, there is a different battle at hand. “The District of Columbia is in far better shape than most places,” he said. “However, Blacks must continue to be vigilant about police activity.”

Barnes said the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights have become a casualty when police powers are expanded unchecked by the people. He said individuals like Moten and Ronald Hampton, the executive director for the National Black Police Association, are making sure the District’s police force is as honest as possible and respecting the rights of Blacks.

Barnes also said that Blacks possessing political power is not enough to be a viable force in the District. “Political power without economic power is empty,” he said. “I remember the late Julius Hobson [member of D.C. Council and D.C. statehood activist] saying that ‘Home Rule is Home Fool,’ meaning that we got some political rights in Washington but not all that we were entitled to as American citizens. Today, we need economic growth and economic development in many areas of the city.”

Continued from B1 Speaking on behalf of the police union, Mahl said that as increased numbers of District officers resign and move to other jurisdictions, in part because of lack of Council support, it is necessary to rally for new leadership.

“This resolution furthers this divide [between the Council and officers] and will push more members out the door. This in turn will create a very dangerous situation for our city, its residents, and visitors,” Mahl’s announcement read. “It is our position that the council’s resolution will result in further division between our members and their city.”

Ward 7 resident Walter Bay said the infighting between the police and the Council reinforces a belief among many Washingtonians that the city faces a leadership crisis caused by an inability – Matthew Mahl among agencies to work together for the good of the city. “Instead of sitting down behind closed doors, these two bodies – which we need – are having public debates about how they feel and what they want with no regard for each other. Publicly placing MPD in the same light as officers in jurisdiction where racial unrest has taken place is unfair,” Bay said. “By the same token, trying to get members of the Council removed is childish. Real leaders understand that a city that wants statehood and is racked by a disrespect for authority, needs to show publicly unity and diplomacy within their own ranks.”

“Regrettably, this resolution appears highly political and implies a mistrust of our current policies and procedures…”

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July 23, 2016 - July 29, 2016, The Afro-American

B3

NOBLE

Continued from B1 future, “Justice by action, then, now and tomorrow.”

At the Blessing of the Badge ceremony current NOBLE chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams-Harris, along with past NOBLE chaplains prayed over the badges of judges, lawyers, and police officers. NOBLE leaders thanked God for sustaining the organization and its members and prayed for continuous protection in the future.

Teaching from Psalm 1, Williams-Harris delivered a message that encouraged fellow law enforcement members to remain strong during a time of hatred. “In spite of the storm we will bear fruit,” she said. “On Sunday morning, three officers were shot and killed in Baton Rouge; five officers were shot and killed in Dallas on July 7, both incidents in alleged retaliation to police murdering two Black men, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.

Attendees of the ceremony agreed with the chaplain’s call for positivity and prayer.

“People need to understand the importance of prayer,” Kareen Campbell, president of National Organization of Black Women in Law Enforcement New Jersey chapter, told the AFRO on July 17. Campbell said it is essential for officials “stay prayed up,” because law enforcers need covering and protection on a daily basis.

She said law enforcement has the responsibility to protect, serve, and minister to everyone no matter the race, background, or

gender. According to Williams-Harris the duties of an official can be misconstrued when an officer doesn’t know how to properly exercise their authority. “If you don’t understand your position, you don’t understand your authority.” She continued, “We have people that want the title, but don’t want to do the work.”

Maj. Reginald R. Brown Sr., Baton Rouge City constable, told the AFRO on July 19 that a majority of the disconnect between urban communities and law enforcement agencies stem from the lack of appropriate training, specifically community policing. Brown has been in law enforcement for 15 years. “Learning new policies and procedures, let’s face it, we in the African-American community have more or a larger presence today in our community than ever before, so we are in need of learning tactics, means of training that can help us effectively do our job in the safest manner possible,” Brown said, using Lee Brown, chief of police in various metropolitan areas across the U.S., as an example. “He wrote the book on community policing.”

“Our job takes on the complexion of a number of services you provide that might be closely related to social services as well as law enforcement services, so when you’re out there policing you’re a social worker, sometimes you’re a minister, sometimes you’re a counselor, and some other social aspect of the social field,” Brown said.

A large part of the solution to the tragedies such as the

recent killings of citizens and officers, Brown said that law enforcement officials need to take responsibility for their actions.

“We can’t stop trying,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do.”

NOBLE was founded in 1976 to address crime in urban low income neighborhoods.

AFRO Washington D.C. Editor LaTrina Antoine contributed to this article.

Homicide Count

WASHINGTON AREA

2016 Total

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Largo, Md.

Prince George’s County EDC Hosts South African Mutual Briefing The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will host the Embassy of South Africa Minister of Economics for a Mutual Briefing on the business markets in South Africa and Prince George’s County on July 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Economic Development Corporation’s headquarters, 1801 McCormick Drive.

Key officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Maryland Department of Commerce and the EDC’s International Business Division will discuss the resources available to local companies who are serious about taking advantage of business opportunities in South Africa.

More than 74 local companies have already RSVP’d to attend.

Participants will also get an exclusive preview of Prince George’s County’s planned trade mission to South Africa, and other targeted countries.

The event is free and open to the public, however RSVP is required. To RSVP, visit pgcedc.com/events/mutualbriefing-south-africa.

the forums, including other great things to do in the cities where forums are being held.

To register, visit http://lsac. org/2016forums/.

Reston, Va.

The Reston Chapter of the Links High eSTEAM Day at the Brothers’ Fun Camp The Reston Chapter of The Links is scheduled to hold

a High eSTEAM Day at the Brother’s Fun Camp (July 25-Aug. 5) at the Heritage Fellowship Church, 2501 Fox Mill Road. Gen. Kip Ward and the Mighty Military Men are scheduled to speak at the High eSTEAM event July 27. The events programs will include sessions on excellence in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering,

Art, and Math) and focus on high self esteem, personal growth and development and mentoring young men.

The camp was designed to design and enhance Black boys academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually for the new school year. For more information, email Olivia Toatley at aec@ heritagefellowshipchurch.org.

70 2

Past Seven Days Data as of July 20

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Hemingway Temple AME Church Anniversary Celebration The Hemingway Temple AME Church, located 501 P Street, NW, is scheduled to present a musical journey through its years of existence with a reception on July 23 at 1 p.m. The anniversary celebration will continue during the church’s Worship Service at 11 a.m. on July 24. The event is free and open to the public.

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LSAC Hosts Law School Forum in D.C. LSAC is scheduled to hold a Law School Forum July 23 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert Street, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Forums are held in cities throughout the United States to give prospective law students an opportunity to talk personally with representatives from ABA-approved law schools and attend informative workshops. Admission to all Law School Forums is free. Preregistering will help save time at the forum.

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DCL1010 | Community Pubs | Baseball Bonus | Afro-American Newspaper | BW | 5.42x10.5

B4

For these pictures and more go to afro.com/slideshows.

The Afro-American, July 23, 2016 - July 29, 2016

The Ms. Senior D.C. event was held June 29 at the University of the District of Columbia in Northwest D.C. The contest is for women who are 60 and older.

Contestants presented their philosophy of life, talent and evening gown during competition. Billie LaVerne Smith was crowned Ms. Senior D.C. 2016.

Mr. C, WHUR Radio

Master of Ceremonies Carroll H. Hynson, Ms. DC Senior 2016, Billie La Verne Smith; 3rd Runner Up, Elynore Hooker Herron; 2nd Runner Up Judyan Andrews; 1st Runner Up, Jessica HaynesFranklin and Laura Newland, executive director D.C .Office on Aging

Wendy Bridges, former Ms. Senior D.C.

Photos by Rob Roberts

Billie LaVerne Smith, Ms. Senior DC Ms. Senior D.C. Contestant Elynore Hooker Herron

Ms. Senior D.C. Contestant Elvera Patrick Ms. Senior DC Contestant Rebecca Ann Washington

MC Steppers

Billie LaVerne Smith, Ms. Senior DC Ms. Senior DC contestant Iris Johnson

MC Steppers

Elouise Kelly and Darryl Sharp

The Brothers of the Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Ira Dorsey Scholarship Endowment Fund (IDSEF) held the 2016 Black and Gold Ball – A Night of Merit & Memories on June 11 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner hotel,

Stacy Lemis, Xnetra Miller, Fransina Miller and Dianne Miller

Brenda H. Hoore,Lt.Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, Haywood G. Stowe Jr. and Eunice A. Stowe

Al Phillips, Tia Johnson, Darryl Sharp and Scott Guillory

7920 Jones Branch Drive.

IDSEF scholarships were presented at the Ball. The scholarships

celebrate the excellence and achievements of outstanding collegebound students.

Founders’ Table

Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

Ms. Senior D.C. Contestant Jenise Jo Patterson

Photos by Rob Roberts

Scott Guillory, master of ceremonies, education committee

Melvin Cloud, Education Committee

Scholarship recipient Imad Arouna

Darryl Sharp, president, Xi Alpha Lambda chapter

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity with Scholarship recipients Lawrence Shorten

Brother Gerald Gladney, president, Ira Dorsey Scholarship Endowment Fund

Scholarship Recipients

To see more of these photos and purchase them visit afro.com/slideshows. To purchase this digital photo page contact Takiea Hinton: thinton@afro.com or 410.554.8277.

July 23, 2016 - July 29, 2016, The Afro-American

Interview

C1

ARTS & CULTURE

First Brother Raps about His Autobiography and Barack

chapter about the loss of your brother, David.

MON: Thank you so much. That was a tribute to my brother.

I wanted to make sure that no one forgot him. He was the closest to me in many ways. We had the same mom and the same dad.

In that chapter and the one on my step-father I try to pay my respects to two remarkable people. Part of my purpose was to express the humanity of these wonderful people in my family.

By Kam Williams Special to the AFRO Born in Kenya in 1965 to Ruth Baker and Barack Obama, Sr., Mark Obama Ndesandjo is an accomplished musician, author, artist and businessman. Prior to settling in Shenzhen, China, he earned a BS in Physics from Brown University, an MS in Physics from Stanford, and an MBA from Emory.

A half-brother of U.S. President Barack Obama, Mark consults worldwide, employing his considerable telecommunications, international marketing and branding experience gained as a senior manager at Lucent, Nortel and other companies. He is also fluent in Mandarin, both as a speaker and as a writer, and he’s an avid brush calligrapher, too.

As an author, he has published the novel, “Nairobi to Shenzhen,” as well as an intriguing autobiography, “An Obama’s Journey.” Musically, he’s released 3 piano CDs, “The Untimely Ones,” “Night Moods” and his own composition “Reflections on William Blake.”

KW: Well, you certainly succeeded. But you also succeeded in painting your biological father as a monster.

MON: He was tortured. For a long time, I felt that it wasn’t a big deal, until I appreciated its effects on my life. For a long time, I couldn’t remember anything good about my father. That was one of my reasons for writing the book. How can a child actually not remember one good thing about his father? I would really try to, Kam, but I couldn’t.

KW: I found “An Obama’s Journey” fascinating.

MON: Thank you. It was a very difficult book to write.

KW: I can imagine. It’s so revealing emotionally. Plus, you had to deal with the burden of your brother being in the public eye.

MON: I’m so glad you liked it. Writing a book, you have to reach very deep inside of yourself to share a message that will touch the readers. Otherwise, people will know, and it won’t connect.

Courtesy photo

President Barack Obama with his brother, Mark Obama Ndesandjo.

KW: Some of what you wrote about Barack, like how, for political reasons, he lied to the press about when he first met you, was very revealing.

MON: One of the focuses was just to share some of the important facts that have shaped lives in our country and in individuals in my family. Hopefully, people can take positive lessons from that, and use it to make a change or do something positive. I don’t speak for Barack. I speak for myself, as you know.

There are many things about him that are difficult and almost inscrutable. That’s part of the mystery and also part of the reason for his success. When he said that he’d only met me for the first time a couple of years before, when he really hadn’t, it was very surprising and disappointing to me, because it seemed like politics were taking precedence over family. Having been through the excesses and the extreme emotional politics of family dynamics had already made me very sensitive. But that being said, I support my brother. He’s a remarkable person, and he’s changed my life in many ways.

the book? What did you hope to achieve by publishing the book?

MON: There were a few reasons why I wrote the book. One was that I wanted to tell my story myself, and not have others tell it for me. Another was that I felt my family is nebulous in many ways. A lot of people don’t understand it. It represents change which can be frightening to many people. I wanted people to know about the Obama family and where we come from, with a lineage traced back to the 17th Century. I think that’s a service the country needs to know. The other thing I wanted to talk about is the experience of being mixed-race.

Many Americans, and more and more people around the world are going through this globalization of race, culture and religion.

And we’re discovering that we don’t represent just one culture, but two or three. Growing up as a mixed-race kid was a very bumpy road, and I wanted to share how that experience helped form my identity, hoping that it might serve as a lesson for the kids of the world who are closer and closer physically as well as intellectually.

KW: What message do you think people will take away from

KW: I found your writing intense and moving, especially that

AFRO Sports Desk Faceoff

SPORTS

KW: Professor/Author Dinesh Sharma asks: Do you feel that growing up with parents from two different cultures shaped you in any important ways?

MON: I talk about this in the book. Because of the issue of domestic violence, I instinctively gravitated towards my mother and bonded with her, her values and her culture, Western culture.

She was a beacon of love in a family driven by conflict. And I associated my father with negatives. My father was brilliant, but doctorates don’t have currency with kids. Children look for love, but they don’t really care about degrees. So, I gravitated away from African culture, and towards being alone, reading books and my music: Chopin, Beethoven and Mozart, and towards the intellectual giants. I love Western culture in many, many ways.

These cultural conflicts and also these cultural joys sustained me and kept me going in Africa for a long time.

KW: Editor Robin Beckham asks: How would you describe your relationship with Barack now?

MON: I’ve been pretty open and candid in the book about my past experiences with my brother. But out of respect for his feelings and privacy, I’ve decided not to comment any further about our relationship. All I can says is: how could anybody take a job that gives you so many white hairs?

KW: Marcia Evans asks: Wasn’t your father just a product of his environment in Africa where men can have more than one woman, if they so choose? How would that part of your book help American and European readers, when we have a different culture?

MON: Sometimes, it’s a little more complicated than just having more wives. There were a number of issues in my father’s case that led him to turn out the way he did: childhood abuse, alcohol, domestic abuse. I wrote about them in the book.

It’s not fair to lump him into a category suggesting he’s simply representative of a certain culture.

Is Washington Smart to Gamble on Kirk Cousins?

By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley AFRO Sports Desk With a sizable list of mega deals handed out on July 15 shortly before the 4 p.m. deadline, the NFL finally got its turn to shine in lieu of the NBA’s big money offseason in which several $100-millionplus deals have been handed out. The 4 p.m. deadline represented the time frame in which NFL teams had to reach long-term deals with dedicated franchise players who were slapped with oneyear franchise tags for the upcoming football season.

For the Washington football team, their franchise tag was handed out back in March to last year’s success story, Kirk Cousins. While it wasn’t expected that Cousins and the Washington brass would reach a multi-year deal, the 27-year-old signal caller will play for the one-year tag of $19.95 million, making the situation a calculated risk for both Washington and its emerging star. Cousins ripped up team record books last season on the way to an NFC East title and a

playoff berth in his first full season as the team’s starter.

Washington, however, is banking on Cousins repeating his performance before they commit to major money. But, was it a smart move?

Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk debate the question.

Green: As a Ravens reporter for several years, no one understands the importance of stability at the quarterback position better than I and the rest of the Ravens fan base.

For a Washington team that’s gone several seasons with inconsistency at the quarterback position, gambling on whether or not their record-setting signal caller deserves a new deal is a big mistake.

Washington is banking on the notion that if Cousins performs well again then they can just re-sign him as they wish once next season is over. But with the history of a franchise that typically botches things in bumbling fashion, re-signing Cousins won’t be a slam dunk. And even if he does play well,

he can force Washington to overpay him, something many around Ravens Nation think occurred when quarterback Joe Flacco won the Super Bowl in 2013. Flacco bet

AP Photo/Mark Tenally

Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins will receive a one-year $19.95 million deal from the team. on himself and played on a contract year in 2012.

After hoisting the Lombardi trophy, Ravens front office was forced to pay him a $120 million contract. I

don’t think Cousins will be winning a Super Bowl this coming season, but another trip to the playoffs could force Washington’s brass to pay him more than he’s actually worth.

Riley: Washington does have a laughable recent history of poor decisions and handing out huge dollars to duds which is why I agree with their move to stand firm. How many times has Washington forked over big money to a free agent based off of one year’s worth of work? Cousins became the darling of the team after he piloted Washington to the playoffs for the first time since 2012. He even had a decent showing in their 35-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round.

Cousins’ 2015 season performance was great but so was the campaign of Robert Griffin III, the quarterback of the last Washington team to make the playoffs in 2012.

Perhaps if not for Griffin’s miraculous 2012, Washington would’ve inked Cousins with no hesitation. But, with the past still fresh in their

minds, the front office made a conservative decision.

Green: Griffin’s 2012 season was explosive and exciting but it wasn’t the masterpiece that Cousins just painted. Even if Cousins played half as well in this upcoming campaign as he did last season, he would still be the most consistent quarterback that Washington has had in a while.

The quarterback position is so tricky in the NFL that a oneyear wonder can completely fall off the map next season, so I understand Washington’s reluctance. However, for Washington, this isn’t your ordinary quarterback who signs on out of nowhere and becomes a star.

Cousins has been inside Washington’s program since 2012 so the team obviously knows more about him than outsiders. But the franchise has struggled so long trying to find a savior to manage the helm that they’ve pretty much painted themselves into a corner. Another season of success shouldn’t be the tipping point after five seasons of seeing Cousins

in-house every day, but apparently the team still isn’t sold. Another Washington football team blunder.

Riley: The team seeing Cousins every day should tell you everything you need to know about why Washington wanted another year’s worth of work. No one knows Cousins better than his own coaches, and if they were hesitant after last season then there’s definitely something more that they need to see.

Quarterback is a complex position full of intangibles and different variables.

One good solid season of production does not equate to a stellar career. And, for a team that’s been burned in the past by flash in the pans, I can’t fault them for not wanting to sink money again into an unsure thing.

Washington will pay Cousins close to $20 million next season so it isn’t like they’re being stingy. They’re being cautious and calculated, and for a Washington brass that’s made several mistakes in prior seasons, they’re finetuning their thought process and that is admirable.

Sma

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Washington

1  Col. Inch  Up  to TYPESET: Tue TYPESET: Tue Jul 19 17:03:52 EDT 2016Jul 19 17:04:11 EDT 2016 TYPESET: Tue Jul 19 17:03:34 EDT 2016 TYPESET: Tue EDT 2016 TYPESET: Tue Jul 19 17:05:05 EDT 2016Jul 19 17:04:27 LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES 20  Words

07/08, 07/15, 07/22/16

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 07/8, 07/15, 7/22/16

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Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM710 Elaine T. Sykes Decedent Theodora H. Brown, Esq Law Office of Theodora H. Brown, PLLC 3127 Cherry Rd, NE, Washington, DC 20018-1611 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Gloria D Raymond, whose address is 7200 E Spring Street, Landover, MD 20785, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Elaine T. Sykes , who died on June 4, 2016 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before January 8, 2017. 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 January 8, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: July 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Gloria D. Raymond Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 07/08, 7/15, 7/22/16

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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2016FEP61 Date of Death June 29, 2011 William Scott Davis Sr. Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Dorothy Baines Davis whose address is 116 Robert E Lee Lane, Bluffton, South Carolina 29909 was appointed personal representative of the estate of William Scott Davis, Sr. , deceased by the Beaufort County Probate Court for Beaufort County, State of South Carolina on August 17, 2011.Service of process may be made upon Aimee D. Griffin, Esq, 5335 Wisconsin A v e , N W, S t e 4 4 0 , Washington, DC 20015 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Colombia real property: 1301 Delaware Avenue, SW, #N705, Washington, DC 20024 Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills for the District of Columbia, Building A, 515 5th Street, NW, 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Dorothy Baines Davis Personal Representative(s) TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS Date of first publication: July 8, 2016 Name of newspapers and/or periodical: The Daily Washington Law Reporter The Afro-American 07/08, 07/15, 07/22/16

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 1988 ADM1355 Lucretia A Smith Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Donna F Roberts White , whose address is 4075 Coho Lane, Lake Oswego Or 97034 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Lucretia A Smith, who died on April 10, 1988 with a will, and will serve with Court supervision.

All unknown heirs and h e i r s w h o s e whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before January 8, 2017. 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 January 8, 2017 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: July 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Donna F. Roberts White Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 07/08, 07/15, 07/22/16

TYPESET: Tue Jul 19 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 17:04:432016ADM696 EDT 2016 Wanda L Wren Decedent Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Helena Muse , whose address(es) is 7121 Goblet Way, Clinton, MD 20735, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Wanda L Wren, who died on May 23, 2016 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before January 1, 2017. 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 January 15, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: July 15, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Wanda L Wren Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 07/15, 07/22, 07/21/16

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Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM324 Rose Freeman Decedent /HJDO $GYHUWLVLQJ 5DWHV Robert M McCarthy Esq (IIHFWLYH 2FWREHU 4405 East West HighTYPESET: Tue Jul 19 17:02:41 EDT 2016 way, Suite 201 Bethesda, MD 20814 Attorney PROBATE Â DIVISION NOTICE OF (VWDWHV

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All unknown heirs and NOTICE TO h e i r s w h o s e CREDITORS whereabouts are unAND NOTICE TO CIVIL Â NOTICES known shall enter their UNKNOWN HEIRS a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Steven D 1DPH &KDQJHV H. Schiff, whose proceeding. Objections a d d r e s s i s 1 0 5 0 7 Lane, E 5HDO 3URSHUW\ to such appointment (or Beechknoll

Rock- to the probate of de- ville, MD 20854 was apcedent´s will) shall be pointed personal reprefiled with the Register of sentative of the estate of FAMILY  COURT Wills, D.C., 515 5th Frederick Robinson, who

Street, N.W., 3rd Floor died on January 22, 2015 Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . without a will, and will 17:03:15 EDT 2016 20001, DOMESTIC Â RELATIONS on or before serve with Court superviJ a n u a r y 1 5 , 2 0 1 7 . sion. All unknown heirs Claims against the de- a n d h e i r s w h o s e cedent shall be pre- whereabouts are unsented to the under- known shall enter their D $EVHQW 'HIHQGDQW a copy to the a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s signed with Objections E $EVROXWH 'LYRUFH Register of Wills or filed proceeding.

with the Register of Wills to such appointment (or F &XVWRG\ 'LYRUFH with a copy to the under

to the probate of de- signed, on or before cedent´s will) shall be January 15, 2017, or be filed with the Register of forever barred. Persons Wills, D.C., 515 5th 7R SODFH \RXU DG FDOO H[W 3XEOLF 1RWLFHV XS believed to be heirs or Street, N.W., 3rd Floor GHSHQGLQJ RQ VL]H %DOWLPRUH /HJDO 1RWLFHV DUH SHU LQFK legatees of the decedent W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . who do not $)52

receive a 20001, on or before copy of this notice by mail J a n u a r y 1 5 , 2 0 1 7 . within 25 days of its first Claims against the de)RU 3URRI RI 3XEOLFDWLRQ SOHDVH FDOO H[W publication shall so in- cedent shall be preform the Register of sented to the underWills, including name, signed with a copy to the TYPESET: Tue Jul 19 17:02:22 2016 addressEDT relation- Register of Wills or filed LEGAL NOTICES LEGALand NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES ship. with the Register of Wills Date of Publication: with a copy to the underJuly 15, 2016 Superior Court of signed, on or before Name of newspaper: January 15, 2017, or be the District of Afro-American forever barred. Persons District of Columbia Washington believed to be heirs or PROBATE DIVISION Law Reporter legatees of the decedent Washington, D.C. Rose Freeman who do not receive a 20001-2131 Personal copy of this notice by mail Administration No. Representative within 25 days of its first 2016ADM324 publication shall so inRose Freeman TRUE TEST COPY form the Register of Decedent REGISTER OF WILLS Wills, including name, Robert M McCarthy address and relationEsq 07/15, 07/22, 07/29/16 ship.

4405 East West HighTYPESET: Tue Jul 19 17:02:41 EDT 2016 Date of Publication: way, Suite 201 July 15, 2016 Bethesda, MD 20814 Name of newspaper: Attorney Superior Court of Afro-American NOTICE OF the District of Washington APPOINTMENT, District of Columbia Law Reporter NOTICE TO PROBATE DIVISION Steven H. Schiff CREDITORS Washington, D.C. Personal AND NOTICE TO 20001-2131 Representative UNKNOWN HEIRS Administration No. June Freeman, whose 2015ADM1479 TRUE TEST COPY address 6105 3rd Street, REGISTER OF WILLS NW, Washington, DC Frederick Robinson 20011 is was appointed Decedent Steven H. Schiff 07/15, 07/22, 07/29/16 personal representative of the estate of Rose 10507 Beechknoll Lane Freeman, who died on Rockville, MD 20854 September 7, 2000 with- Attorney NOTICE OF out a will, and will serve APPOINTMENT, with Court supervision.

NOTICE TO All unknown heirs and CREDITORS h e i r s w h o s e AND NOTICE TO whereabouts are unUNKNOWN HEIRS known shall enter their Steven H. Schiff, whose appearance in this proceeding. Objections a d d r e s s i s 1 0 5 0 7 to such appointment (or Beechknoll Lane, Rockto the probate of de- ville, MD 20854 was apcedent´s will) shall be pointed personal reprefiled with the Register of sentative of the estate of Frederick Robinson, who Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor died on January 22, 2015 without a will, and will Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before serve with Court superviJ a n u a r y 1 5 , 2 0 1 7 . sion. All unknown heirs Claims against the de- a n d h e i r s w h o s e cedent shall be pre- whereabouts are unsented to the under- known shall enter their signed with a copy to the a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Register of Wills or filed proceeding. Objections with the Register of Wills to such appointment (or with a copy to the under- to the probate of designed, on or before cedent´s will) shall be January 15, 2017, or be filed with the Register of forever barred. Persons Wills, D.C., 515 5th believed to be heirs or Street, N.W., 3rd Floor legatees of the decedent W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . who do not receive a 20001, on or before copy of this notice by mail J a n u a r y 1 5 , 2 0 1 7 . within 25 days of its first Claims against the depublication shall so in- cedent shall be presented to the underform the Register of Wills, including name, signed with a copy to the address and relation- Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills ship. with a copy to the underDate of Publication: signed, on or before July 15, 2016 January 15, 2017, or be Name of newspaper: forever barred. Persons Afro-American believed to be heirs or Washington legatees of the decedent Law Reporter

WASHINGTON  AFRO-­AMERICAN  NEWSPAPER

SUBSCRIBE Â TODAY

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM682 Charletta T. Woodard Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Brenda Smith Hester, whose address is 2420 Corning Avenue Apt 104, wasappointed personal representative of the estate of Charletta T. Woodard who died on May 15, 2016 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before January 8, 2017. 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 January 8, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: July 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Brenda Smith Hester Personal Representative

AFRO

Betty Dingess Jeannie Gray Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM263 Esther Lowe Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Seth T. Lowe, III, whose address is 5750 Windsong Ct., New Market, MD 21774, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Esther Lowe, who died on June 10 , 1998 without a will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose where-abouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before January 8, 2017. 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 January 8, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: July 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Seth T. Lowe, III Personal Representative

YOU  KNOW  YOU’RE  IN  THE   KN  OW...WHEN  YOU  READ  THE Â

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM731 John Lewis Mahone Decedent Lisa Smith Sanders, Esq 14452 Old Mill Road, Suite 101 Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Betty Dingess and Jeannie Gray, whose addresses are 402 Daughters Drive, Newport, NC 28570 and 421 Hardy Road , Newport, NC 28570 were appointed personal representative of the estate of John Lewis Mahone, who died on March 28, 2016 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before January 8, 2017. 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 January 8, 2017 , or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: July 8, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter

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Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM699 Floria C Brockenborough Decedent Deidra Haywood 1437 10th Street Glen Arden, Maryland 20706 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Deidra Haywood, whose address(es) is 1437 10th Street, Glen Arden, MD 20706, was, appointed personal representative of the estate of Floria C Brockenborough, who died on January 25, 2015 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before January 15, 2017.

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 January 15, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: July 15, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Deidra Haywood Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM687 George Powell Decedent Jamison B Taylor 1218 11th St., NW Washington, DC 20001 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS G e o r g e P o w e l l J r. , whose address is 1417 Stansbury Ave, Richmond, VA 23225, was appointed personal representative of the estate of George Powell , who died on April 16, 2016 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before January 22, 2017.

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 January 22, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: July 22, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter George Powell Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM768 Sterling E King Jr. Decedent Darryl F White 302 Mississippi Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Robbie Walker-King, whose address is 1415 Geranium Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Sterling E King, Jr., who died on June 29, 2014 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose where-abouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before January 22, 2017.

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 January 22, 2017 or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: July 22, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Robbie Walker-King Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

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Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM773 Greta P Brown Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Ramona T Brown and Maureen L Brown, whose addresses are 315 Myrtle Ave, Albany NY 12208 & 50 East 106st Apt 13A, Ny, NY 10029, was appointed personal representatives of the estate of Greta P Brown, who died on May 28, 2016 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before January 22, 2017.

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 January 22, 2017, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: July 22, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM799 Estate of Willie E Partin AKA Willie Edward Partin Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Vanessa Gail Partin for standard probate, including the appoint-ment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

0 Admit to probate the copy of will dated 9/17/1998 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses or otherwise 0 appoint an unsupervised personal representative Register of Wills Clerk of the Probate Division Date of First Publication July 22, 2016 Names of Newspapers: Washington Law Reporter Washington AFRO-AMERICAN Vanessa G. Partin 1601 Evarts Street NE, Washington, DC 20018 Signature of Petitioners/Attorney

TYPESET: Tue Jul 19 17:01:30 EDTTue 2016 TYPESET: Jul 19 17:01:48 EDT 2016

Ramona T Brown Maureen L Brown Personal Representative

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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM725 Estate of Tyrelle C Wright Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by 407 for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative.

Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 30 first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

0 In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution , enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate 0 Appoint a supervised personal representative 0 Appoint a disinterested member of the Bar to serve as Personal Representative Register of Wills Clerk of the Probate Division Date of First Publication July 22, 2016 Names of Newspapers: Washington Law Reporter Washington AFRO-AMERICAN Ebony Lincoln 777 6th Street, NW, Suite 520 Washington, DC 20001 Signature of Petitioners/Attorney

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM728 Estate of Emma L Saunders Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Deborah Fewell for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

0 Admit to probate the will dated May 23, 2006 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses or otherwise Register of Wills Clerk of the Probate Division Date of First Publication July 22, 2016 Names of Newspapers: Washington Law Reporter Washington AFRO-AMERICAN Steve Larson-Jackson 1629 K Street NW Ste 300 Washington, DC 2000 Signature of Petitioners/Attorney

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City of Baltimore Department of Finance Bureau of Purchases Sealed proposals addressed to the Board of Estimates of Baltimore will be received until, but not later than 11:00a.m. local time on the following date(s) for the stated requirements: August 17, 2016 *UNIFORMS FOR DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TRAFFIC AND SAFETY DIVISION B50004657 *THERMOPLASTIC BLOCKS B50004684 August 24, 2016 *JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR AREA D B50004606 August 31, 2016 *FURNISH AND DELIVER VARIOUS SOIL AND SAND PRODUCTS B50004682 THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWN LOADED BY VISITING THE CITY’S WEB SITE: www.baltimorecitibuy.org

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Race and Politics

The Whole World Is Watching

Earlier this week, Lt. Brian Rice became the fourth police officer to escape a guilty verdict in the Sean Yoes trials of the Senior AFRO six officers Contributor charged in the death of Freddie Gray.

By the evening of day one of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, speakers were acknowledging Rice’s acquittal on all charges.

During his prime time speech, Milwaukee County Sheriff David “Blue Lives Matter” Clarke, talked about the “good news” out of Baltimore, in reference to the Rice acquittal. He also characterized Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s prosecution of the six officers as, “malicious,” and her specifically as an, “activist.”

Indeed, all eyes have been on Baltimore since the uprising last April following Gray’s death. But, it’s not just the eyes of the nation.

Last week I facilitated a discussion at Coppin State University with community leaders, activists and representatives of organizations, who have engaged in protest to effect change specifically in the area of law enforcement reform.

Tawanda Jones and her family have been fighting for more than 1,000 days to shed more light on the death of her brother Tyrone West, who was beaten, tazered and ultimately died while in police custody on July 18, 2013.

Elder C.D. Witherspoon, who leads the Baltimore chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, has been protesting police brutality and misconduct from Ferguson to Baltimore and many points in between. Ray Kelly, of the No Boundaries Coalition, has also been working for police accountability among other goals. Jones, Witherspoon and Kelly, along with members of the Maryland ACLU and others met with Maina Kiai, the United Nations Special Rapporteur, “on the rights to

Baltimore Activists Target Toy Guns

Maryland Aviation Administration

Ricky Smith Marks One Year at Helm

Photo by Alexis Taylor

Dominic Nell (left) and Juan Nance (right) stand in the aisle of a Dollar General in West Baltimore, where they are working to have every toy gun and replica firearm removed from shelves. stores located in the fresh food deserts across Zone 17.

“I’m not just asking storeowners to take something off their shelves- I’m actually replacing it with something people can use every day. We have the ability to put fresh food in these Dominic Nell knew he had to do something.

He was shaken by the shooting death of Tamir Rice in 2014. stores everyday of the week,” he said.

Nell and his band of community leaders have been to over He was alarmed by the non-fatal shooting of Baltimore teen, 20 corner stores and major retailers in Zone 17, the area of Dedric Colvin in April. But with tension rising between the West Baltimore where his family runs six community and police after the killings of generations deep. They have been met with Alton Sterling and Philando Castile - he hit little resistance. the pavement.

“We took all the guns that they had to The target was clear: Every toy the front counter and we said ‘either we gun that could be the source of a fatal buy them all or you put them away.’ They misunderstanding with police had to come off chose to put them away,” said Juan Nance, a the shelves in West Baltimore.

Since earlier this month, the 39-year-old – Dominic Nell Baltimore educator, entrepreneur, and mentor who took to the streets with Nell. photographer, urban farmer, and mentor has pulled together community organizations and Nance, 39, told the AFRO the initiative concerned citizens to rid both the Sandtownis about more than just preventing negative Winchester and Penn and North neighborhoods of all toy and interactions with authorities. replica firearms.

“People are also using fake guns for very real robberies.

“I don’t want another ‘hashtag’ on my shift,” Nell told the People don’t even know that they are being robbed with a fake AFRO. “I’m challenging parents to stop buying toy guns for gun,” he said. “As an educator, I also know how children are their kids and I want stores to stop selling them- at least in programmed at early ages. They are guided to do things they see.”

Baltimore City.”

Baltimore Police Department officials say they fully support In exchange for toy guns, Nell, who owns and operates Fresh at the Avenue, is offering a much healthier substitute to Continued on D2

By Alexis Taylor Special to the AFRO

“I don’t want another ‘hashtag’ on my shift.”

freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.”

Kiai, a lawyer trained in the United States and Kenya, is an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and he is traveling the country to hear the stories of individuals and organizations engaged in protest primarily over issues connected to law enforcement reform. Last week he stopped in Baltimore and truly got an earful from Jones and others who have been engaged in this struggle on the front lines for years.

Kiai, who worked in the United States with TransAfrica during the fight to end Apartheid in South Africa,

Continued on D2

Kids Support AFRO Clean/Green Block

Children from the “We Care A Lot 2,” part of the Greenmount West Community Association, took part in cleaning their blocks and keeping them green as part of the AFRO Clean/Green Block initiative. Kisha Webster (not pictured) is the coordinator and overall block captain in the area.

Courtesy Photo

Ricky Dorell Smith

By Zenitha Prince Senior AFRO Correspondent zprince@afro.com For Ricky D. Smith, his first year at the helm of the Maryland Aviation Administration, including the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, has been a dream.

“It’s been a true homecoming for me,” he told the AFRO. “I’ve been in this business now for 27 years, and most of those years I grew up in this airport. So to come home in a way that I can work with the team and impact the direction of the airport and provide such a valuable service to the airport, it’s a dream come true. I couldn’t have scripted it any better.”

Continued on D2

One Hour of Silence in W. Suspect Who Allegedly Balto. Following Violence Took Hostages at W. Balto.

Burger King Identified

By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO

“One hour of silence; one hour of no violence,” chanted participants who gathered at a school playground in the heart of Sandtown-Winchester July 14. Approximately 100 parents, families, youth, teachers, community activists, and residents came braving the near 100-degree heat to stand together in the wake of a rash of shootings involving African-American men and police in Louisiana, Minnesota and Dallas.

Event organizer, Nova Gray of Sandtown, said the event was meant to serve as the start of a crusade that can transform Baltimore. “One hour of us holding hands across Baltimore can generate an energy that has never been felt. In one hour, if we can be in each other’s presence, we can build bonds that can’t be broken,” Gray told the AFRO. “We have to be there to interrupt when things are going wrong,” said Nancy Assero. A Baltimore native, Assero came because she is involved with the city’s schools and wants to support ways for residents to reach across “divided Baltimore.”

“When people see things that don’t look right, we can at least be a witness and speak up. We have to protect Black folks who are dying,” said Assero, who is White.

Participants hugged, spoke affirmations to each other and expressed care for the children and youth who gathered during the hour-long observance.

Patrol Officer Dennis Dour from the Western District was on duty to patrol the event, but got out of his car to join in as the group began giving affirmations. “It looks like a nice thing that is going on. This is a start, but I think more of the community might have to get involved. Maybe a lot of different groups from different areas,” Dour said.

Wilson Park/Penn Lucy resident Marshalynne Seavers, brought her four children to the event to see a different side of the struggle between African Americans and law enforcement.

“It’s good to see us taking actions that emphasize love and positivity led by black activists in the city. I want to raise racially conscious children in this city”, Seavers said.

The next Hands Across Baltimore event will be held in late July-early August, according to Gray. The ultimate goal is a city-wide event that will involve Baltimoreans from every background and community. “If we do more listening and less talking we can hear more of what’s going on in our community,” Gray said.

By Michelle Richardson Special to the AFRO The man accused of taking four hostages, including a 7-year-old girl, in a West Baltimore Burger King on July 17 was identified by police as George Johnson, 26, of the 1500 block of Penrose Avenue in West Baltimore.

Johnson is facing numerous charges including different counts of handgun violations, illegal detention of the hostages, reckless endangerment and auto theft according to Baltimore City Baltimore Police Department Police Spokesman T. J. Smith.

Police say George A search of Maryland court Johnson took four cases shows Johnson hasn’t been hostages, including in trouble in the past and all of the a 7-year-old girl, at charges he is currently facing stems a West Baltimore from barricading himself inside of Burger King. the Burger King and taking hostages.

Those charges also include various counts of traffic violations such as failure to stop for red light, unsafe lane change, and failure to control speed on highway to avoid collision resulting in 11 traffic charges due to the police pursuit. The police originally pursued Johnson because he is a suspect in a pending rape case.

He has also been charged with the rape.

Continued on D2

10 163

Past Seven Days

2016 Total

Data as of July 13

D2

The Afro-American, July 23, 2016 - July 29, 2016

Activists

Continued from D1 the efforts. “We all have the same goal in mind,� said T.J. Smith, spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department. “A replica firearm in a community plagued with gun violence is only encouraging familiarity and use of an object like that. We’re not talking about orange see- through water pistols. We’re talking about black- sometimes steel- dead ringers for firearms.� “We’re in a city where over 290 people were killed by a handgun last year,� Smith said in a sit-down with the AFRO. “That’s not unique to Baltimore- but it’s on the higher end of what we see nationally. It doesn’t make sense to play with something that looks like an object that killed over 290 people and injured hundreds more.�

Councilman Nick Mosby, who represents the seventh district in Zone 17, believes the bigger problem is the “normalization of guns.�

Mosby said his mother did not purchase or allow him to play with toy guns as a child. “It’s something that we need to stop normalizing,� he said. “Handgun violence is significantly impacting black men in Baltimore and across the country.�

Nell and his group are targeting all toy and replica guns that could easily be mistaken for the real firearms they imitate perfectly up close or at a distance.

Alan Kaufman, senior vice- president of technical affairs for The Toy Industry Association, said the general public needs more clarity on laws and definitions related to toy guns. “Toy guns and imitation firearms are already regulated

for marking at the federal level,� said Kaufman, noting that states and municipalities can add on additional restrictions and regulations.

According to federal law, if the toy or imitation gun is not a bright, non-traditional color for a firearm or transparent, then it must at least have an orange tip or a blaze orange marking that is no less than six millimeters wide.

None of these regulations apply to “traditional B-B, paintball, or pellet-firing air guns that expel a projectile through the force of compressed air, compressed gas or mechanical spring action.�

Kaufman said “what is sometimes called a ‘toy’ is an

It doesn’t make sense to play with something that looks like an object that killed over 290 people‌â€? – T.J. Smith item outside of that law that does not have to adhere to the requirements because it is not seen as a toy. The word ‘toy’ is used loosely and somewhat incorrectly.â€?

The BB gun 14-year-old Colvin had when shot by Baltimore police on April 27 was a $25 Daisy Powerline 340 air pistol.

Ricky Smith

Suspect

Continued from D1

A career in transportation was never something Smith dreamed about as a child growing up as the second of six children on Whitelock Street in Baltimore’s Reservoir Hill—although dreams were sometimes the only escape in a neighbourhood riddled with drugs and crime. “There [was] always the lure of engaging in activities that would allow you to get some of the joys in life much more quickly‌ particularly when you compare yourself to people who seem to be doing better than you,â€? Smith said. But the experience prepared him for success later in life.

He also attributes his longevity in business to his parents— his mother, a factory worker for over 33 years, and his father, whom he called a “hustler�—in a good way. “My father was not someone who could work for someone for long. He was not a good employee. He was not disciplined enough. He was too much of a free spirit to hold a job for long time. He was much more entrepreneurial,� Smith said of his father, who started several enterprises, including driving a taxi cab and a landscaping business, over the years. “I had the patience to stay in an organization like this for a long time and see it through because my mother instilled in me a more disciplined, stable personality. But I am innovative and try to be creative in a way people associate with entrepreneurs, and that comes from my father,� he added.

Smith began his long-time relationship with BWI-Marshall in 1990 when the Howard University graduate took on the position of budget manager. After a while he bounced around to several positions in the airport’s operations, then left to spend two years as the deputy administrator for the Maryland State Highway Administration. He then returned to the Aviation Administration as chief operating officer, helping to lead BWI Marshall through a $2 billion expansion program, increased global air service, and the creation of a new food and retail program. In June 2006, he left BWI for Cleveland, where— among other duties—he served as CEO of the city’s Cleveland Hopkins International Airport for nine years.

The difference in circumstances at Hopkins International and at BWI-Marshall is very stark, he said. “It really is a tale of two cities,â€? the longtime transportation executive said. “[Hopkins International] was a very difficult environment to operate in because the economy in Cleveland, like so many of the Rust Belt cities, is much more depressed,â€? he elaborated. “On the other hand, even when the economy is in a downturn, Maryland’s economy is relatively stable‌. So you don’t have to be as creative with very scarce resources.â€?

All the pitfalls he encountered and mistakes he made in Cleveland have prepared him to be a much better CEO at BWIMarshall, Smith said.

Joe Murfin, vice president of public relations for Daisy Outdoor Products, said “air guns are not toys or replicas- they do shoot a steel or lead projectile in a rate of speed can cause serious injury or death if you misused.�

When asked about the company’s products and their role in police-involved shootings, Murfin said “a BB gun is a gun.

It’s not a ‘mistake for a gun’ – it is a gun. If someone wants to use it criminally- or make a bad decision, you are looking at someone mishandling a gun.�

Murfin said that Daisy products come with a warning against brandishing their BB guns in public spaces. He also said that BB guns should be used only for “practice, competition, pest control and small game hunting.� “When the community outlaws something like this, they are outlawing a very product that could teach someone how to be responsible with a gun,� said Murfin.

Though many issues surround both real and toy guns, Kaufman doubts children will stop playing cops and robbers any time soon. “Children have done it for many years and will continue to do it for years to come,� he said.

According to Nell, however, the game comes with rules that aren’t so simple for Black children in Baltimore. “A little White boy with a toy gun isn’t a threat- a six foot black boy playing cops and robbers with a toy gun on Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore is a target,� he said. “I look at that little orange tip and I know it isn’t going to save a life alone- it’s just an orange clip.�

Continued from D1 “For example, I would be so focused on what is the right thing to do from a professional standpoint that I didn’t always factor in the politics of stuff,â€? and that placed him at odds with the Cleveland City Council early on in his tenure, Smith said. “So here [in Maryland] that’s not a learning curve I have to go through‌. I don’t take it for granted that the public or the political community here understand why I’m doing something and why it’s important. I know I have to spend time educating and informing stakeholders around what we’re doing.â€?

That’s why, for example, the airport’s four-year strategic plan, which will be announced soon, is driven by feedback from the business community, political community, the airport community, airlines and other tenants, and the employees, Smith said.

The four-year plan seeks to expand on the growth BWIMarshall is experiencing and to address some of the challenges presented by that growth.

The heavy traffic through BWI-Marshall is being fuelled by its convenient access, its offering of more low cost flights than any other airport in the Washington-Baltimore-Philadelphia region as well as more non-stop destinations through Southwest Airlines, the airport’s main carrier, Smith said.

His challenge in the past year has been to not only continue that growth, but also to configure the facility to handle that growth without changing the airport’s easy-come, easy-go character, he said.

Smith has also led the airport on a capital building campaign, including a new connector between Concourse D and Concourse E, which will provide new gates for additional airlines, new spaces for food and retail and a new security checkpoint that would allow passengers to be processed more efficiently. The connector will open later this year.

As a companion, Concourse E, the international terminal, will be expanded to add six more gates. Since he began, the airport has added more international carriers, including Norwegian Airlines, which offers flights to exotic locales, such as Martinique, Smith said.

The airport executive said they are also implementing new systems to make the processing of passengers more convenient and efficient. “I think we are getting better at using technology to allow passengers to go through a strict security process without spending as much time in the lines or having to do a lot of other things they would have to do 10, 15 years ago,� he said. “That’s bringing efficiency to our international program that many airports do not have.�

Another, more personal, challenge for Smith has been informing minorities about the career opportunities available in the air transportation business. They’ve had some success in attracting minority-owned businesses to the airport and now over half of BWI-Marshall’s food and retail concepts are owned and operated by local minorities, he said. But there are many unexplored options. “One of the struggles we have in this business is minorities are so un-exposed to life at an airport that they don’t see it as a career opportunity because they think you have to be a brain surgeon or something to be in this business,� he said. “So if my story can cause someone to get past the mystique associated with being in the airport business, this story would be worth it.�

Homeownership is important.

According to Smith, police began to pursue a vehicle the suspect was driving when he refused to pull over for police at around 11:00 a.m. The suspect, wanted for a rape that occurred “no more than 24 to 48 hours ago� according to Smith, fled inside of the Burger King. While being pursued by police, the suspect ran into a vehicle in the area of the 1700 block of Washington Blvd and Monroe Street. The civilian in the other vehicle sustained non-threatening injuries.

Johnson’s mother, Kimberlee Combs spoke with media and said that police allowed her to speak with her son after he was taken into custody on June 17. When she spoke with her son, she asked him was the 7- year-old hostage ok and Johnson said, “Ma, I kept telling the little girl we’re going to be OK.�

According to Johnson’s mother, he called some family members from inside the restaurant “He was scared. He thought the police would shoot him as soon as he came out�

Johnson, who has a four-year-old son, is a freelance documentary filmmaker and was in the process of getting his CDL license to drive trucks. He has worked a security job and recently planned to re-enroll in college.

Johnson’s mother said she has a newfound respect for police after the way they ended the barricade without her son being harmed.

Race and Politics Continued from D1

is somewhat constrained in talking to the press when it comes to his UN mission; the possible perception of bias reflected through media reports could imperil his ability to hold frank conversations in other cities with governmental leaders.

But, there were two revelations in particular for Kiai during the meeting at Coppin, which I found fascinating.

When I began to craft a bit of historic context on the nature of protest in Baltimore and the vanguard position our city took in the struggle for equal rights, human rights and civil rights during the 20th century, I highlighted the contributions of a young lawyer named Thurgood Marshall. “Wait, are you saying Thurgood Marshall was from Baltimore?� exclaimed Kiai. That’s right, Kiai, an expert sent to Baltimore by the United Nations to learn more about protest didn’t know Marshall, America’s first Black

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Supreme Court justice, was from Baltimore.

He didn’t know that just weeks after passing the bar exam in 1933, Marshall was the attorney who represented Kiowa Costonie, the mysterious, “faith healer,� who began the, “Buy Where You Can Work,� campaign that boycotted stores on Pennsylvania Avenue, until Blacks were able to work in those businesses, which they patronized.

The other revelation that opened Kiai’s eyes was the fact that Maryland’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights is the oldest and most expansive in the nation.

The connection between Maryland’s LEOBOR, the trials of the six officers connected to Gray’s death and Mosby’s seemingly futile effort to convict any of them of a crime was clearly of interest to Kiai. “I have never heard of this (LEOBOR)...I want to learn more,� he said.

As the trials of the officers charged with Gray’s death go forward and homicides continue to climb through the summer, the eyes of the world apparently are on us. And whether we realize it or not, and despite our pathology (or perhaps because of it) our city continues to play a leading role in the struggle for human rights internationally.

Sean Yoes is a senior contributor for the AFRO and host and executive producer of First Edition, which airs Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on WEAA 88.9.

July 23, 2016 - July 29, 2016, The Afro-American

Hello my friends, how are you doing? I hope you are well while reading me today, if not, put a smile on your face and think about all the good things that have happened in your life and if you are reading me, that means you are above ground and kicking. I know of a few things coming up that will make you laugh. So fix yourself your favorite cocktail, whether it’s Scotch, Bourbon, wine or a cup of coffee. Sit back and relax and check this out.

The Meritocrats, a wellknown historical social group have been around for over 50 plus years and are hosting their “Big Jesse” Yawn, a beloved annual picnic on July 23 from blues singer passed away 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Patapsco State Park in the #706 A and in Florida on July 5 from #706 B area off of Johnny health complications. Jesse Cake Road. You can BYOB. I was 79 years old. He was a will see you there. For ticket Baltimorean in all senses information, call Cleve Brister of the word. He was born at 443-580-2417.

The Arch Social Club in Florida, but came to on Pennsylvania and North Baltimore in 1970. Jesse Avenues is bringing back live was a blues singer who entertainment on Sundays, gave his all on stage with starting July 24 from 5 p.m. – 9 his band “The Music Men.” p.m. featuring Vivian Owens and Khymari singing R&B and His funeral will be held in Neo Soul Music. For ticket his home state, Florida. information call 410-746-4819.

Condolences to his family.

Dress to impress, there will be a He will never be forgotten. cash bar and the kitchen is open with some good soul food.

We’re not stopping there, we got more; The Gamma Omicron Omega Chapter Iota Phi Theta Fraternity is hosting a “White Out Summer Breeze Affair” on July 23 at the Forum Caterers, 4210 Primrose Avenue from 8 p.m. to midnight with open buffet and cash bar. DJ Tanz will provide the music. For ticket information, contact James Mobley at 410-9714492.

“Next Phaze” will host an evening with David Bach and live jazz, Southern Cuisine & cocktails on July 23 from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. at the Eubie Blake Cultural Center, 847 N. Howard Street. For ticket information, call 443-900-9699.

Please join me at the “Liberty Live Outdoor Concert and Festival” every Friday from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Kings Point Square, 9900 Liberty Road in Randallstown. Rain or shine, free admission and parking. Bring your own folding chairs, money and credit cards to shop til your heart’s content from all the vendors; all kinds of food, including barbeque

ribs, wines, beers, clothes, jewelry, hats and live entertainment and DJ playing all the line dancing favorites. Oops. I forgot I will be there with my books doing a book signing right by the band stand.

Ali Entertainment Group gives some dynamite shows every month. Bilal Ali will host again at the Quality Inn, 1800 Belmont Avenue, next to Martin’s West, another “Smooth Jazz R&B Summer Concert Series” on July 30, starting at 7 p.m. It will feature Marcus Mitchell, Stoney Ellis, Alyce Walker and Marcus Young. Dinner is served at 7 p.m. So if you are in the area and want to relax to some good music and have dinner and cocktails, this is the place. For ticket information, call 443-540-7797.

The crab season is going wild! The Enterprise Lodge No. 3 Prince Hall Affiliated will host a “Crab Feast and Bull Roast” on July 30 from 7 p.m. to midnight at Tall Cedars Hall, 2501 Putty Hill Avenue in Parksville, Md. Your ticket will include free beer, a buffet that will blow your mind and it is BYOB. For ticket information, call Albert Queen at 410-674-8541.

I told you folks that Crab Season is going wild. Here is another “All You Can Eat Rockin’ Crab Feast and Bull Roast” at the La Fontaine Bleue Catering, 7548 Ritchie Hwy in Glen Burnie, Md. on July 22 from 8 p.m. to midnight with live entertainment, open bar, draft beer, coffee, soda and juice are included with your ticket. For more information, call 410-760-4115.

Well, my dear friends, I’ve got to go, I am out of space. Try to stay cool and enjoy yourself. Remember if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com.

Until the next time, I’m musically yours.

Rickey Shackleford and Howard G, two of our most popular comedians, will perform at the Sheraton Warfield Ballroom, 903 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, Md. on July 23 at 8 p.m. along with Larry Lancaster and Sonny Fuller.

For ticket information, call Rickey at 443-226-9157.

BALTIMORE AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Send your upcoming events to tips@ afro.com. For more community events go to afro.com/Baltimore-events

Evang. Cynthia Loving Hosts 9th Annual Women’s Conference

Evang. Cynthia Loving will be hosting the 9th Annual Women’s Conference at One Accord Apostolic Church on July 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year’s theme is, “Needing more of God.” One Accord Apostolic Church is located at 1406B Crain Highway South

Suite 106B, Glen Burnie, Md. 21061.

BSO Orchkids’ Green Festival

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Orchkids is hosting a Green Festival on July 24 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Carroll Park, Baltimore. There will be food, fun and entertainment. For more information go to orchkidsgreenfestival.com.

Exhibit: To Be Black In White America

To Be Black in White America explores the politicization of the Black

Identity in the United States. From legalized slavery to the most recent, hateful thing that Donald Trump said, a minority of Americans have been desperately and diligently fighting against a White power structure for equality throughout the nation’s relatively short history. Some of the twelve artists in the exhibit will give a talk about their artwork on July 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Galerie Myrtis, 2224 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Md. 21218. For more information visit galeriemyrtis.net.

FREE EVENTS / / A U G U S T 4 – 6 BALTIMORE CON V EN TION CEN TER 1 WEST PRATT STREET, BALTIMORE, MD THE N.U.L. EXPERIENCE EXPO HALL THURSDAY, AUGUST 4–SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 11:00 AM–5:00 PM (4:30 PM ON FRIDAY) Don’t miss the ribbon cutting on AUGUST 4TH AT 11:00 AM. The first 250 people to go through the Expo Hall on Thursday, August 4th will receive a FREE ticket to attend URBAN LEAGUE LIVE: an interactive music experience with celebrity DJs. Check out the dynamic EMPOWERMENT SEMINARS MEET-AND-GREET WITH CELEBRITIES Get FREE SCREENINGS for the entire family in the HEALTH & WELLNESS ZONE Opportunities to win prizes

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SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 // 8:00 AM–5:00 PM A full day of workshops, resources, and networking for budding and seasoned entrepreneurs looking to launch or take their businesses to the next level. PUT YOUR 60 SECOND BUSINESS PITCH INTO ACTION for the opportunity to win up to $20,000 in financing and one-on-one counseling services from a local N.U.L. Entrepreneurship Center.

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MC Lyte

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Nicci Gilbert R&B Divas: Atlanta

SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA & ART EXPO Join us for a three-day shopping extravaganza and art expo featuring unique merchandise and art from the Baltimore area.

FREE CAREER & NETWORKING FAIR THURSDAY, AUGUST 4–SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 // 11:00 AM–5:00 PM (4:30 PM ON FRIDAY)

PLUS! DON’T MISS THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE

COMMUNITY DAY & FAMILY EXPO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAYOR STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE’S BACK TO SCHOOL RALLY FREE Backpacks & School Supplies (while they last) Face Painting, Games, Prizes and more!

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For these pictures and more go to afro.com/slideshows.

The Afro-American, July 23, 2016 - July 29, 2016

Headliner Wyclef Jean DJ Ameer Muhammed at the “Art Of House” event

BSO OrchKids

Cheryl Goodman participates in dance tribute to Prince

Rumba Club Latin Band

Baltimore’s largest arts event drew over 350,000 people to the annual Artscape festival. Nationally known entertainers such as Wyclef Jean, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Burning Spear appeared on stage throughout the weekend. Even the threat of rain on Saturday didn’t deter the crowds. There were huge displays, interactive play areas for kids, art exhibits, fashion shows, organ recitals, dance events, tours and plenty of food options.

Photos by Anderson R. Ward

Fire Dancers

Greenspan Band Chelsey Green and The Green Project

Omar Jimenez, WJZ TV

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

“Art Of House” Block Party Wyclef brings the kids on stage for a dance contest.

Robert Shahid, WEAA Radio

It was a memorable day at the Spirit of the Triple Crown also included a celebration representing 30 years of event, sponsored by The Harbor City (MD) Chapter of The Friendship and Service of the Harbor City Links in the Baltimore community with charter Links, on May 15.

On this sunny day at the Turf Valley Country Club ladies members being recognized. showcased their finest spring dresses with boldly colored “Dreamers and Achievers”, a seven-year hats and pastel fascinators of award-winning STEM program at Dunbar High School was presented to the guests along with flowers and feathers, donned 6 graduates who attended the event. These with ribbons, jewels and bows. Men topped off their students are now enrolled in seer sucker blazers, busy colleges such as NC A&T, plaids and bowties with Morgan, Coppin, Sisters Dr. Frankie Martin and Zola Boone 1920s-styled fedoras with majors of and bowler architecture and hats. engineering, Dr. Frankie Martin, Lawrence computer sciences The Leonard and Jacqueline elegant carrying GPAs as Hrabowski Renee Keys, Barbara Hall and event high as 4.0.

Annette March-Grier Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

Del. Cory McCray, Jackie Washington, Bernard “Jack” Young, Baltimore City Council President, Robert Stokes and Zoey Washington

Yvonne Holt Stone, Patricia Jessamy and Wilhelma Garner Brown

Savonne L. Ferguson, Brenda Lane Oliver, Karen Bond and Virginia Bond

Adrienne Jones Taylor, Joseph Brown and Felicia Chambers

Ganesha Martin, Alicia Wilson, Michelle Wilson and Myshala Middleton

Senator Nathaniel McFadden with wife, Rachel and Del. Cheryl Glenn

Senator Catherine Pugh

Kumasi Vines, Janel Vaughan, Edwin Gonzalez, Kellee Gonzalez, Maisha M. Crosby, Tyrone Crosby and Marcus Simms

Dreamers and Achievers Annie McPherson, Anthony Crawford, Ibukon Alo, Irene McPherson and Kevin Ingram

Nikita Haysbert, president, Baltimore Chapter Links

Karen Bon and Lynn Johnson

Candace Simms and Maritha Gay

Diane Julian, E. Dean Evans, Pamela Holt, Jessica Ivy and Rev. Yvonne Robinson

Heather Williams, Betty Williams, Tony Artwell and Brenda Artwell

Violet Apple, Gwen Skillern, Vonzella Perry and Del. Adrienne Jones

Lamont Corprew, Linda and Barry Williams