Baltimore Washington Afro-American Newspaper July 30 2016

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Inside The Healing Must Start Now

Mothers of the Movement

Baltimore

By Del. Cheryl Glenn

A5 • Summer

Learning at Morgan

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Washington Founder of UniverSoul Circus Brings Families Closer Together

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AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Sybrina Fulton, Geneva Reed-Veal, Lucy McBath, Gwen Carr, Cleopatra Pendleton, Maria Hamilton, Lezley McSpadden and Wanda Johnson from Mothers of the Movement speak during the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. See story on A4.

Freddie Gray

Mosby: Case Was Sabotaged

By Alexis Taylor Special to the AFRO

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In a matter of minutes, State prosecutors wrapped up the Freddie Gray case by dropping all criminal charges against the remaining three officers set to stand trial for his death on July 27.

No one will be held criminally responsible for the death of the 25-year-old, who was killed while in police custody.

Reporters rushed out of the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse with the news, where they had gathered

That’s how many people have liked the AFRO Facebook page.

Join last week’s 2,200 new fans and become part of the family.

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before Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams to hear pre-trial motions for Officer Garrett Miller, who was facing charges of second degree assault, misconduct in office, and reckless endangerment.

Instead of settling matters related to how Miller’s testimony against Officer Edward Nero would affect his own trial, Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Michael Schatzow and Deputy State’s Attorney Janice Bledsoe made three quick motions that put an end to the ordeal, which began a little more

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Your History • Your Community • Your News

Actress, Activists Press State How to Travel to “Drop the Flag”

By Barrington M. Salmon Special to the AFRO Aunjanue Ellis has deep roots in Mississippi and despite being an accomplished actress on the big screen and in the theatre, she still calls Mississippi home. Yet every time she returns to McComb, Mississippi, Ellis said, she feels a sense of unease because of elected officials’ refusal to remove the state flag which is incorporates the Confederate stars and bars into its design.

“I was raised here and I have always had a level of discomfort because of the flag,” Ellis told the AFRO. “I wasn’t really educated about it. I left and traveled. It’s very jarring for me to live in other places where there is a level of shame but not here. Every part of me was saying this was unacceptable.

“The flag is marching orders to young men to kill. This isn’t

Continued on A3

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AP Photo/Steve Ruark

Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, at podium, holds a news conference near the site where Freddie Gray, depicted in mural in background, was arrested after her office dropped the remaining charges against three Baltimore police officers awaiting trial in Gray’s death, in Baltimore on July 27. At left is Gray’s father, Richard Shipley.

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Aunjanie Ellis is an American actor who is pressing the government of Mississippi to remove its Confederate Flag.

Safely While Black Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com

The goal of traveling abroad to exotic locations and absorbing foreign cultures was not only attainable for twin sisters Janine and Jeanette Hewitt, but one they actively worked toward as tweens growing up in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 7. Now graduate students, the Hewitts have spent summers in distant locations for seven years, and despite the recent terror attacks in places such as France, Germany and Brussels, continue to encourage Blacks – especially those from D.C.— to embrace their global community.

“The biggest concerns we hear are about safety and those cannot be set aside,” Janine told the

• District Helps

Residents, Tourists Fight the Heat

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than a year ago in the Gilmor Homes public housing complex.

“We do not believe that Freddie Gray killed himself,” said a clearly upset Marilyn Mosby, at a press conference in a West Baltimore housing complex after the charges were dropped. “The judge has acquitted three of these officers- one of the arresting officers, the wagon driver, and the highest ranking police officer in this matter.” Officer Edward M. Nero, Lt. Brian W. Rice and Officer Caesar R. Goodson, Jr. were all acquitted earlier this year.

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Emmy Nominations

Improving

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com With the release of 2016 Emmy Award nominations, social critics have taken note of the increased diversity among performers and television series, as well as the roles for which minority performers are selected.

While noting a clear need for a broader range of roles, this year’s nominees represent a third consecutive year Continued on A4

Courtesy photo

Idris Elba was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his work on the London crime solving miniseries “Luther.”

50th Quadrennial Conference

AME Zions Elect New Bishops

Continued on A3

Copyright © 2016 by the Afro-American Company

Courtesy photo

The Rev. Staccato Powell, pastor of Grace AME Zion Church in Raleigh, N.C., was the first bishop elected during the General Conference of the AME Zion Church, which was held July 20-26 in Greensboro, N.C. The Rev. George Crenshaw (not pictured), pastor Shaw Temple AME Zion Church in Smyrna, Ga., was also elected.

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Several S.C. First Responders Lose Jobs over Black Lives Matter Posts on Social Media

AP Photo/Matt Dunham

Kendra Harrison of the U.S. clears the final hurdle as she runs on to win the women’s 100 meter hurdles in a world record time of 12.20 seconds during the Diamond League anniversary games at The Stadium, in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, July 22.

U.S. runner Kendra Harrison has broken a 28-year world record in the 100-meters hurdles by running 12.20 seconds at the London Diamond League meet.

The confidence-boosting run comes after the 23-year-old American failed to make the U.S. team for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next month.

“Not making the Olympic team I was really upset and I wanted to come out here and do what I know what I could have done [in Rio],” Harrison said.

Speaking on the Olympic Stadium track in London, Harrison said: “I was coming out here with just vengeance to show these girls what I have.”

Harrison finished ahead of compatriots Brianna Rollins and Kristi Castlin to surpass Yordanka Donkova’s previous mark of 12.21 set in August 1988.

Several South Carolina firefighters and emergency workers are out of a job due to controversial social media posts and comments about protesters of police brutality.

Columbia, S.C. paramedics Tommy Boland and Troy Beckham and emergency medical technician Tyler Dixon were terminated from Richland County Emergency Medical Services this week for their posts on Facebook. Donald Oliver, also a Richland County, S.C. EMT, chose to resign.

Their firings were among a second round of terminations that began earlier in the month after protests broke out over the shooting deaths of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La., and Philando Castile in St. Anthony, Mo. Captain Jimmy Morris, also of Columbia, S.C., was fired last week after he took a break from working a Black Lives Matters protest to post what he really thought about demonstrators blocking the interstate.

“Idiots shutting down I-126. Better not be there when I get off work or [they] is going to become run over dumb a—-,” said the captain.

Morris had been with the department 16 years, according to The State newspaper, and made a salary of $53,722. He was fired along with firefighter Dave W. Proctor and probationary firefighter Edward Augustyn III, who had just joined the department in February, according to Columbia CBS affiliate WLTX. Interim Richland County Administrator Gerald Seals strongly disapproved of the social media activities of all seven men, and said they were in direct violation of the company’s “zero tolerance” policy for “actions which are grossly unprofessional” or in violation of department standards.

“EMS is called upon to serve citizens in times of duress,” Seals said in a statement. “The statements on social media were threatening and could be taken as the County having individuals, who because of their bias, may adjust their care – and that erodes public trust and is unacceptable.”

WNBA Withdraws Fines for Player Protests

By The Associated Press The WNBA has withdrawn its fines for teams that showed support of citizens and police involved in recent shootings by wearing black warm-up shirts before games.

WNBA President Lisa Borders said in a statement on July 23 the league was rescinding penalties given to the Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury and their players for wearing the shirts during pregame protests, which began after shootings in Minnesota and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Each organization was fined $5,000 and players were each

AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

Members of the New York Liberty basketball team shout after a team huddle prior to a game against the Atlanta Dream July 13, in New York. In the midst of “Camp Day” at the New York Liberty’s mid-morning game July 20, Liberty players stood in solidarity as they donned all-black warm-ups in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. given a $500 penalty because WNBA rules stated that uniforms may not be altered in any way. The normal fine for uniform violations is $200.

“While we expect players to comply with league rules and uniform guidelines, we also understand their desire to use their platform to address important societal issues,” Borders said. “Given that the league will now be suspending play until August 26th for the Olympics, we plan to use this time to work with our players and their union on ways for the players to make their views known to their fans and the public.”

The fines seemed to galvanize the players, who have used postgame interview sessions and social media to voice their displeasure. There has also been public criticism of the fines, including from NBA star Carmelo Anthony.

The Rev. Al Sharpton said early Saturday his organization, the National Action Network, would pay the $500 fines. He called the penalty “unacceptable.”

Judge Cites Attorney for Wearing a Black Lives Matter Button—FIVE DAYS IN JAIL!

By The Associated Press A municipal court judge in Ohio has cited an attorney for contempt of court and given her five days in jail after she refused to remove a Black Lives Matter button she was wearing.

The Vindicator newspaper in Youngstown reports Judge Robert Milich cited attorney Andrea Burton on July 22 after briefly meeting with her in chambers.

A Vindicator reporter saw Burton handcuffed and taken to jail.

Milich said he issued the citation because a U.S. Supreme Court ruling bans political buttons in the courtroom.

Attorneys for the Youngstown NAACP branch asked the judge to stay the sentence but he refused.

The newspaper reports an appeals court later agreed to stay the citation and sentence WFMJ pending Burton’s Attorney Andrea Burton was sentenced appeal. In the to jail for five days after she refused meantime, she’s to take off a “Black Lives Matter” pin promised not to she wore to Judge Robert Milich’s wear the button Youngstown, Ohio, courtroom. in court.

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Freddie Gray Continued from A1

“In light of these consistent outcomes, the likelihood of the remaining defendant’s decision to elect a bench trial with this very same judge is highly probable and unfortunately, so is the outcome,” added Mosby.

Mosby alleged that the case was sabotaged from the beginning. In her press conference she said, “There were individual police officers that were witnesses to the case, yet were part of the investigative team.”

She also cited interrogations conducted with no hard questions as evidence of the sabotage, along with uncooperative lead detectives that started a counter investigation and failed to execute search warrants pertaining to text messages among the police officers charged.

While critics say the six

acquittals are a failure on her part, Mosby said, “The only loss- and the greatest loss in all of this was that of Freddie Gray’s life.”

A total of six officers were charged in the death of Freddie Gray, who died days after being arrested for carrying a spring knife and running way from a police officer after making eye-contact.

Somewhere between running from the police and the seven stops the police van made before calling a medic, Gray’s spine was fatally damaged.

Along with Miller, Officer Edward M. Nero was charged with second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. Lt. Brian W. Rice, the highest ranking police officer present during the April 12 arrest last year, and was charged with involuntary

manslaughter, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment.

Officer Caesar R. Goodson, Jr., the van driver, faced the most serious charge of second degree depraved heart murder, involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, manslaughter by vehicle due to gross and criminal negligence, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.

Officer William G. Porter was charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.

Sgt. Alicia D. White was charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and misconduct in office.

Before Miller and White’s cases were dropped, Porter’s trial ended

in a mistrial last year and Nero and Rice were acquitted. Five of the six officers charged are now suing Mosby in a civil court for defamation of character.

“The State decided to dismiss the cases because at this point they were really on the verge of being accused of a malicious prosecutionthey know will not result in a conviction,” said Warren A. Brown, a Baltimore defense attorney not associated with the case. “The evidence was not going to be any different. The charges were not going to be any different. The judge was not going to be any different.

It was going to be a court trial and you could easily see what the result would be.”

Though Mosby lost the most high-profile cases of her career so

far, Doug Colbert, a law professor at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, said the case represents, “new ground broken.”

“Every officer now knows that he or she will be held criminally accountable when a police officer is responsible for someone dying in police custody. There will be many positive changes that result from bringing these trials,” he said.

According to Mosby, those changes also include cameras in every police van, new accountability requirements to make sure officers are adhering to “departmental policy, general orders, or procedures,” the mandate that all prisoners be in a seatbelt when being transported, and body-worn cameras for all officers.

Actress, Activists Continued from A1

about us not wanting people to put the flag on their trucks or fly it in their front yards. The problem is when it’s paid for with public tax dollars.”

Ellis has been leading the effort to publicize and coalesce supporters around the issue and publicly shame Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) and state lawmakers into following South Carolina’s lead and removing the Confederate flag from all public places, cemeteries, statues, and other places where it currently flies. During the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, the Mississippi state flag was reportedly removed from a street lined with all 50 state flags.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) removed the Confederate battle flag from the grounds of the State House last year after 21-year-old White supremacist Dylan Roof shot and killed nine members of Emanuel African Episcopal Methodist Church in Charleston. On Flag Day, June 14, the actress and activists traveled by bus with a group of Jackson State University students and other millennial activists to Capitol Hill.

The activists met with members of Congress and several addressed the crowd at a rally near the Capitol dome. Ellis said her involvement is very important to her and she and other organizers want to reframe the discussion about the Confederate flag and ignite a national conversation about race.

“We stand here to declare that the stories are many and experiences are varied. The flag must represent the people who fall under it,” said activist Chokwe Antar Lumumba. “Some people say the flag isn’t an issue. It’s a fragment of a more problematic whole. It represents . . . a bloodstained, bigoted past and a resistance of change in the present.”

Lumumba, whose late father and namesake was revered in the Black nationalist movement for his work as an attorney and politician, said, “The mission is to change the state of Mississippi and change the state of this country. “. . . The issue begins with how we see ourselves,” he said.

“We cannot see ourselves through this flag. If this is the image of war, who is the state of Mississippi at war with? It’s a war against the Black residents of Mississippi. Now is the time to open our eyes and take an honest look at the people who support this flag.”

Reps. Hakeem Jefferies (D-New York), Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi), and Jared Hoffman (D-California), in their

remarks, offered their support for the flag ban. “I stand with you shoulder-to-shoulder . . . we call for this symbol of hate and racism to be removed,” said Hoffman. “The Confederate flag was the battle flag of Gen. Robert E. Lee. It is the symbol

“I was raised here and I have always had a level of discomfort because of the flag.”

– Aunjanue Ellis of treason, Jim Crow and segregation – all the horrors of racial hatred. The good news is that we’re making progress but not fast enough.”

Hoffman said he introduced an amendment that would forbid sales of the flag. “The amendment was so toxic to our

Travel

Continued from A1

AFRO. “But those concerns have to be balanced in the same manner that we assess dangers in our own neighborhoods. You wouldn’t take a walk at 2 a.m. in Petworth or accept rides with strangers in Congress Heights, so don’t do it in Ladbroke or Rome.”

Janine said that American travelers should be cautious about how they travel and with whom they interact, but found that due diligence – learning about the region, city, and specific areas where traveling before arriving, understanding cultural and religious customs, and being humble to the new environment – tend to eliminate anxiety.

As to fears that Black people are targets of racial violence from nationalist groups throughout Europe, Jeanette said, incidents involving American tourists are almost non-existent and regular reports of general unrest are reported by the U.S. State Department to active travelers for additional safety.

The Hewitts said their parents initially pushed against the idea of having them leave the country, and then tried to keep them in regions where other Black

Courtesy photo

Twin sisters Janine (right) and Jeanette Hewitt have travelled around the world for seven years. daughters traveling across the Atlantic anti-immigrant violence, bombings, and social unrest began erupting in German, French, and British cities.

Janine told the AFRO that the State Department’s foreign affairs website offers a feature called STEP, the Smart Traveler Enrollment

“. . . do not allow random acts of violence in overseas places to keep you from traveling.”

– Janine Hewitt Identification Statements

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Republican colleagues that they shut it down,” he said. The bill would prohibit the flying of the flag in military cemeteries and is now a part of the appropriations process.

Last year, Gov. Phil Bryant said in statement, “A vast majority of Mississippians voted to keep the state’s flag, and I don’t believe the Mississippi Legislature will act to supersede the will of the people on this issue.”

Attorney Carlos Moore, a Grenada, Mississippi. resident, said he shares Ellis’ revulsion for the Confederate flag and what it represents. In February, the Mississippi-native filed suit in federal court after the Alabama legislature allowed 12 bills, that called for the flag to be taken down, to die in committee.

“We’re here to declare to America that we’re sick and tired of being sick and tired,” he said. “The governor has a hard heart. He’s pharaoh and the legislators are his imps.

South Carolina had a hard heart. I thought that surely if South Carolina did it, Mississippi would.”

people frequented, like the Caribbean. But with Janine earning degrees in Renaissance art and Baroque design, interior decorating, and Jeanette studying linguistic antiquities, European cities became destinations of choice.

And no sooner had the Hewitts become relatively comfortable with their

Program, that allows the U.S. government to send warnings about safety risks like civil unrest, disease, natural disaster, and terrorism, directly to the traveler and the travelers’ families. Each trip is registered and the information is sent directly to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate so that an extension of American

safeguards are at the ready.

“I’ve had friends who have received alerts while in Paris about unrest at the Calais-Dover border and it made them feel safer to have that extra security,” Janine said. “Travel in groups, use the buddy system, check in often with parents and relatives back home so they know you are safe, and you can calm any fear they have when news pops up, but do not allow random acts of violence in overseas places to keep you from traveling.”

Janine also reminds those who remain fearful that two days after she boarded a plane for her first overseas trip in 2002, the D.C. sniper began killing innocent people throughout the D.C. metropolitan area. “I was headed for Harare, Zimbabwe on a mission trip with stopovers in London coming and returning. I was gone for three weeks there were family members praying the trip was extended to keep me

safe from the carnage taking place at home,” Janine told the AFRO. “In all things, you pray for traveling grace and you live your best life with no fears.”

It’s important to research the destination to consider specific risks, as well as insurance for possibilities like trip cancellation, lost or stolen property, and bedside assistance, said Verna Hill, executive director and founder of Depart Smart, an organization that teaches safety tips to students and Americans traveling abroad for the first time.

“You need to really kind of do your homework and determine what travel insurance providers fulfill the need of where you’re going, for illness, injury, natural disaster, civil unrest, death, random insurance,” Hill said.

Finally, it’s important to know the emergency numbers in other countries, which can be found on the State Department’s website.

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Obama Boosts Clinton; Trump Talks Emails and Russia

By Julie Pace and Catherine Lucey The Associated Press Their political fates now entwined, President Barack Obama is imploring voters to elect Hillary Clinton to the White House, appealing to the women, minorities and young people who powered his rise and are now crucial to hers.

Obama’s address on July 27 at the Democratic convention is a moment steeped in symbolism, the passing of the baton from a barrierbreaking president to a candidate trying to make history herself.

Obama’s robust support for Clinton, his political foe-turned-friend, is also driven by deep concern that Republican Donald Trump might win in November and unravel the president’s eight years in office.

In excerpts released ahead of his speech, Obama acknowledged the economic and security anxieties that have helped fuel Trump’s rise, but he argued they don’t define the country.

“The America I know is full of courage and optimism and ingenuity,” Obama said.

Trump fueled more controversy Wednesday when he encouraged Russia to meddle in the presidential campaign — even as he dismissed suggestions from Obama and other Democrats that Moscow was already acting on his behalf.

On the heels of reports that Russia may have hacked Democratic Party emails, Trump said, “Russia, if you’re listening,” it would be desirable to see Moscow find the thousands of emails Clinton says she deleted during her years as secretary of state. At about the same time, Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence,

declared there would be “serious consequences” if Russia interfered in U.S. politics.

To Obama and Clinton, Trump’s comments only fed their contention that the billionaire businessman is unqualified to be commander in chief. Trump has no national security experience and few ties to the norms that have governed U.S. foreign policy under presidents from both parties, including standing by NATO allies threatened by countries including Russia.

“This has to be the first time that a major presidential candidate has actively encouraged a foreign power to conduct espionage against his political opponent,” said Clinton adviser Jake Sullivan.

Wednesday night’s Democratic lineup was aimed at emphasizing Clinton’s own national security credentials, a shift from two nights focused more on re-introducing her to voters as a champion for women’s issues, children and families.

Among those taking the stage is former Pentagon and CIA chief Leon Panetta, who served alongside Clinton in Obama’s Cabinet.

Obama, too, was vouching for Clinton’s national security experience, recalling their work together during trying times.

“Even in the middle of crisis, she listens to people, and keeps her cool, and treats everybody with respect,” he said in speech experts. “And no matter how daunting the odds, no matter how much people try to knock her down, she never, ever quits.”

Obama was closing a night also featuring Vice President Joe Biden, and Clinton’s running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine.

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., gives two thumbs up following his speech during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 25.

In a move aimed at broadening Clinton’s appeal, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg — an independent who considered launching a third party bid for president — will endorse the Democratic nominee.

Clinton’s campaign believes Trump’s unorthodox candidacy will turn off moderate Republicans, particularly women, who worry he’s too unpredictable to take the helm in a turbulent world. They recognize that Republicans, as well as many Democrats, have questions about Clinton’s character but hope to ease those concerns.

Still, the core of Clinton’s strategy is putting back together Obama’s winning White House

coalition. In both his campaigns, Obama carried more than 90 percent of Black voters, the overwhelming majority of Hispanics, and more than half of young people and women.

That coalition was vividly on display in the first two nights of the convention in Philadelphia. Women lawmakers were prominently featured, along with young activists, immigrants, and mothers whose Black children were victims of gun violence or killed during encounters with law enforcement.

Gun violence continued as a theme Wednesday night as families of mass shooting victims took the stage. Delegates rose in an emotional standing ovation for the mother of one of the victims in last month’s

Orlando nightclub shooting, who asked why “commonsense” gun policies weren’t in place when her son died.

“I never want you to ask that question about your child,” Christine Leinonen said.

Capping the somber section of the program focused on gun violence, a group of Broadway singers performed a rousing rendition of “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” as the audience sang and swayed in unison.

Clinton’s base-boosting strategy has some Democrats worried that she is ceding too much ground to her opponent. Her convention has made little mention of the economic insecurity and anxiety that has, in part, fueled Trump’s rise with White, working-class voters.

Trump has cast himself as the “law-and-order” candidate and has promised to get tough on terrorists.

Democrats have little noted the threat of terrorism or the Islamic State group, though both were expected to get more attention Wednesday night.

Clinton’s convention has been awash in history, with energized delegates celebrating her formal nomination as the first woman to ever lead a major political party in the general election. Some supporters of Clinton’s primary rival, Bernie Sanders, continued to voice their displeasure with the pick, but there was nothing they could do to take the nomination away from Clinton.

“As of yesterday, I guess, officially our campaign ended,” Sanders acknowledged during a meeting with New England delegates.

Clinton, Dems Put Gun Control at Center of Convention Stage

By Ken Thomas and Catherine Lucey The Associated Press With mothers of police violence victims on the stage and anti-gun protesters in the streets, Hillary Clinton and Democrats are giving gun control and efforts to curb police violence a starring role at their summer convention.

A group of women who have lost children to gun violence or after contact with police took the stage to applause and chants of “Black lives matter” on July 26 at the Democratic National Convention. Known as the Mothers of the Movement, the group includes Sybrina Fulton, whose 17-year-old son Trayvon Martin was killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer in 2012.

“Hillary Clinton has the compassion and understanding to support grieving mothers,” Fulton said. “She has the courage to lead the fight for common sense gun legislation.”

Also taking the stage Tuesday were former U.S. Attorney General

Eric Holder and Pittsburgh Chief of Police Cameron McLay, who said it is possible “to respect and support our police while at the same time pushing for these important criminal justice reforms.”

Clinton has made gun safety one of the foundations of her presidential campaign, vowing to overcome the legendary resistance of gunrights advocates and their GOP allies to push for expanded criminal background checks and a renewal of a ban on assault weapons.

Her search for a breakthrough comes as Donald Trump has repeatedly touted the benefits of access to firearms as a way to counter to acts of violence. The Republican nominee promoted a law-and-order message at his convention, where speakers routinely expressed solidarity with police officers and decried the recent slayings of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Yet Democrats view the recent spate of mass shootings and policeinvolved killings as turning the tide in favor of new restrictions on

firearms and a catalyst for criminal justice reform.

“This is the moment,” said Melissa Mark-Viverito, the speaker of the city council in New York.

Indeed, Americans increasingly favor tougher gun laws by margins that have grown after the spate of

with a wrenching period of violence and unrest, both in the United States and around the world. Last month, a gunman opened fire in a crowded gay dance club in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people and injuring dozens more in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

“Hillary Clinton has the compassion and understanding to support grieving mothers. She has the courage to lead the fight for common sense gun legislation.”

– Sybrina Fulton

recent mass shootings, according to a recent Associated Press-GfK poll. Almost two-thirds say they support stricter laws, with majorities favoring nationwide bans on the sale of semi-automatic assault weapons such as the AR-15 and on the sale of high-capacity magazines holding 10 or more bullets.

Both conventions have coincided

Still, despite a spate of highprofile shootings in recent years, including the 2012 slaying of 20 first graders and six adults at a Connecticut school and the murder of nine African-American church members at a Charleston church last year, Democrats have largely failed in their efforts to change federal gun laws.

In the recent AP-GfK poll, less than half of Americans said they believe gun laws will get tougher in the coming year. But advocates for gun control say the political landscape has changed dramatically since the 1990s, when then-President Bill Clinton blamed heavy losses in the 1994 mid-term elections in part to a public backlash against the ban on certain military-style weapons.

That ban expired after 10 years and has not been renewed.

“It’s clearly not 1994 anymore,” said Mark Kelly, the husband of former Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was seriously wounded in a 2011 shooting in Tucson that left six people dead.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said the shifting landscape is the result of several factors: Shootings such as the Sandy Hook school massacre in 2012, renewed concerns over terrorism and high-profile killings of Black men in several cities.

“For the first time, this is a winning issue in the general election,” Murphy said.

Emmy

Continued from A1

year’s nominees represent a third consecutive year in which non-White performers earned a substantial number of nods.

Much of the relief comes on the heels of protests following the 2016 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ceremony in which only White actors and actresses were chosen for the top four categories -- for the second year in a row. The resulting outrage by some Hollywood notables and the social media hashtag #OscarsSoWhite unleashed a storm of criticism against the Academy for its lack of diversity and inclusion. In response Academy president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, who is Black, vowed to increase the diversity of the awards.

“The issue surrounding the Academy Awards was so much deeper than just being acknowledged and included issues surrounding representation and stereotypes, access to casting agents, and having a seat at the scriptwriting table,” native Washingtonian Brian Gaston told the AFRO. “When you keep seeing criminals on television and they are Black males, you have to examine the writers,

the casting, and the motives of the shows.”

Gaston, said that with Black men showing up on shows like AMC’s “Hell on Wheels,” which became a powerful acting vehicle for rapper Common, and comedians Key and Peele on the FX show “Fargo,” the range of roles showed improvement as well.

“You get a show like “Luther,” starring Idris Elba as an unconventional crime solver, set in London, nominated against Black men building America’s railroads, two police officers tracking a serial killer, and Courtney Vance in the O.J. Simpson story, it’s amazing,” Gaston told the AFRO. “It shows the depth of the actors, but also the potential Black men have for being something other than suspects in the minds of White America.”

The announcement on July 14 of more than 20 non-White performers for this year’s Emmys also had the actors talking – many of whom turned to their social media feeds to voice their surprise.

“I am floored that I’ve been nominated but I am even more excited that Luther has been

nominated as well,” Idris Elba tweeted after learning both he and the show “Luther” had secured nominations. “The success of ‘Luther’ is so much due to the fans and I hope they are as proud of this nomination as we are.”

Courtney B. Vance reacted with similar excitement over his nomination for “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” posting “It was an opportunity of a lifetime to work with such a dream cast and to portray a man like Johnnie Cochran. To receive an Emmy nomination today is the continuation of this phenomenal journey and is indeed a true blessing and honor.”

Black performers saw a high point in 2014, with the Emmys, that they had not seen since 1977 when Alex Haley’s miniseries “Roots” earned nine nominations (and wins for Olivia Cole and Louis Gossett Jr). In 2013, Kerry Washington’s portrayal of Olivia Pope in ABC’s “Scandal” landed her a best actress drama nom — the first for a Black actress since Cicely Tyson for NBC’s “Sweet Justice” in 1995. (Washington earned a second nom last

year as well.)

Kenya Barris, creator of the series “Blackish” which garnered nominations for its lead characters portrayed by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, told People Magazine, following the nomination announcement that the time for diversity on all levels had arrived.

“The idea of inclusion is a word I wish didn’t exist because I feel like everyone is included in this space because we are all of one,” Barris said. “But I do think until it’s a well-known thing we have to use words like that. I’m glad we are part of that conversation.”

The non-White actors nominated also include Rami Malek, Mr. Robot (lead actor, drama series); Kerry Washington, “Confirmation” (lead actress limited series/ movie); Bokeem Woodbine, “Fargo” (supporting actor limited series/movie); Regina King, “American Crime” (supporting actress limited series/movie); Tracy Morgan, “Saturday Night Live” (guest comedy series actor); and Mahershala Ali, “House of Cards” (guest drama series actor).

July 30, 2016 - August 5, 2016, The Afro-American

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COMMENTARY

The Healing Must Start Now

As a ranking member of the Maryland House of Delegate and chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, I cannot remain silent, I must stand up against these senseless killings that have taken place around the nation. My heart and condolences goes out to the families of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and the families of the officers and the two civilians targeted in this horrifying terrorist attack in Dallas, TX. The healing must start now.

We cannot allow these deplorable acts to define our relationship with the men and women charged to protect us. The vast majority of law enforcement officers are good cops – a few bad apples, a few disconnected officers, do not define all police everywhere. The caveat being that there must be real consequences for police officers who cross the line and murder innocent people. This is absolutely critical to the healing of racial divide, and is absolutely critical to building the trust between the Black community and law enforcement.

We must band together, with respect and understanding of the roles of law enforcement officers, to empower the good cops and punish the bad cops who abuse their authority, violate human rights, and U.S. laws. We must band together to ensure that the good cops, who dedicate themselves to making a positive difference in the communities they serve and protect, are loved, respected, supported, and protected. Public safety is an all hands on deck effort, in order to effectively address violent crimes, we must first trust each other.

As we gleamed from the Freddie Gray trials, the law enforcement modus operandi needs to be reassessed and reformed. We as a people need to take a larger role in ensuring that officers make it home to their families at the end of their shifts, in turn we need officers to abandon the “us versus them” mentality and the “above the law” attitude towards their authority.

No matter how many good cops there are, what has been shown on social media, the senseless cold-blooded murders by uniformed officers, cannot and will not be tolerated. Justice will only be served by the thorough and unbiased prosecution of all officers who violate the law. Officers who commit murder must be charged with murder and face the stiffest penalties prescribed by the law.

Moving forward, we need independent investigations of law enforcement officers and “mandatory minimums” for the guilty. We also need national reform of law enforcement from recruitment, training, support services (such mental health, morale, and welfare), and a more community centric approach to policing. At the same time, the community needs to open up their hearts and minds to the men and women who give their lives to protect us – and together we must begin to build trust.

Let’s stand together, and unequivocally support the good cops who stand on the frontlines in our fight against violent crimes in America – but have their honor and integrity sullied by a

Cheryl Glenn

It’s Good to be Seen

When my children were younger they would call me into a room and beg me to “look at what I can do.” Often their act was extremely miniscule in terms of theatrics or technical difficulty. As humans it was important that I could “see” them. All children have a need to be seen.

The sad truth for most young African American boys is that they live in a space where they are often overlooked. They live in communities run by the political and financial machines that can’t see them beyond their skin color and their spending capacity. It’s apparent that the majority of society does not take the time to see these boys and men of color as equals.

But we must. We must see them as equals worthy of the same recognition of ontological freedom, a form of equality that declares they have the right to be. However, society chooses not to see them.

What I find interesting is that this selective blindness is also a threatening condition for those Blacks legitimately rooted in the African American community. If you wanted to, you could easily escape the reality of poverty in Baltimore.

All you have to do is roll up your windows and turn up your favorite radio station. Even though poverty is so entrenched in several prominent neighborhoods, the people who suffer there can be placed out of sight and out of mind. Recent events and decisions in this city show that not many are willing to open

Kevin A. Slayton Sr.

few bad actors. As a state delegate and chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, I am committed to starting the process of building the trust between law enforcement and the Black community, will you join me and the community at large?

Cheryl D. Glenn is a Delegate in the 45th Legislative District of Maryland and the chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland.

their eyes and see beyond their own interest.

But even that task becomes easier when you simply avoid living in the city all together. Maybe that’s what really bothers me about leaders that offer damaging support to efforts in a city, in which they don’t live. They’ve become so brilliant and connected that they can now speak for what’s in the best interest of poor and marginalized people, once again in the communities which they do not live.

Shame on those clergy that signed onto a letter drafted by Sagamore Development leadership, prior to having the interest of these communities assured. [On July 7 The Baltimore Sun published an Op-Ed by Kurt Schmoke, former mayor of Baltimore, that argued in favor of the Port Covington deal.

The Op-Ed was signed by, among others, Alvin C. Hathaway Sr., pastor of Union Baptist Church, Darron McKinney Sr., pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, Walter S. Thomas, pastor of New Psalmist Baptist Church, S. Todd Yeary, senior pastor at Douglas Memorial Community Church as well as several Black business leaders.]

The problem for dismissive African American clergy in Baltimore is that their success allows them to overlook the facts. The fact is that many, if not most, of the realities of impoverished communities also exist in the pews of their churches. Most of the issues that are disturbing their member’s homes are also concerns in the homes surrounding their churches. . The truth of this matter lies in the fact that too

many of us are merely passing through. We rarely take the time to look and see our fellow brothers and sisters along the way.

Maybe this is best understood in “preacher talk.” In a story written by Apostle John, a young man who is blind has been recognized. John writes in the ninth chapter that the man is acknowledged by a passerby named Jesus. Once he is acknowledged the writer tells us that the other men traveling with Jesus want to know whether or not his blindness was a result of some sin committed by the man or his parents.

To be blind in the first century was considered a direct result of sin. The disciples’ response is further proof that ignorance has been with us for a long time. Over the past 260 years ignorance has stood at the door of progress for women, children, poor people, and most definitely people of color. We can stop the ignorance by starting with our own response to our people. We must do it now, because the current status quo is killing us.

In the end, I was once told that it’s better to be seen than viewed. So let’s begin to see them in the image that they were made: God. Kevin A. Slayton, Sr., M.Div. is the senior pastor of New Waverly United Methodist Church in Baltimore. He is also pursuing a doctoral degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, NY.

Baltimore Nature Center Built By Baseball

Did you know that Maryland is home of over 40 natural native nature centers? One nature center in particular is linked to baseball.

Eddie Murray, a Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer, left an endowment to the City of Baltimore to open the first of its’ kind urban nature center, after he was traded in 1988 to the Los Angeles Dodgers The Carrie Murray Nature Center, named after Eddie’s mother, is the oldest urban nature center in the America.

Nestled in a heavy forested setting covering over 1,200 acres of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park in Baltimore Maryland.

Although surrounded by an urban environment, some areas of the park and nature center are so heavily wooded that it gives the impression of the wilderness. So much so, that the popular horror film, “The Blair Witch Project” was filmed

there.

The center’s spectacular setting offers youth and adults the opportunity to explore the great outdoors in a fun and educational environment.

The Carrie Murray Nature Center, located at 1907 Ridgetop Road in Baltimore City, features native meadows, springs and marches and is host to wild animal habitats of hawks, owls, deer, red fox, raccoons, beavers, possums, turtles and numerous songs birds.

The center is a wildlife rehabilitation clinic for disables birds of prey and exotic reptiles as well as the home to the largest insect zoo in the region.

Lead by Corinne Parks, director since 1988, and her team of naturalist and wildlife experts the center is Baltimore’s nucleus for environmental and wildlife education outreach.

“I am happy to say that I have raised many children here at the Carrie Murray Nature Center over my 39 years of being the director. I am so proud to see children from all walks of life, ages and colors who have benefited from their experiences

here at the center. Even though they live in the urban city through our environmental education they can find nature in their backyards,” said Parks.

In addition, visitors can get up close and personal with live permanently injured birds of prey such as: Retailed Hawks, Black Turkey Vulture, Barred Owls, and Ravens. Plus, visitors can learn about the environment through specialized native and natural curriculums on recycling, watershed/stream, soil, plant and tree studies.

Environmental education classes are offered all year around on-site at the center and off-site for schools, social and faithbased organizations, private corporations and individuals. Visit carriemurraynaturecenter.org for more information.

Cathy Allen is an award-winning Urban Environmentalist, the co-creator of G.R.A.S.S. (Growing Resources After Sowing Seed) as well as Chair of the “Grow-It Eat It” campaign.

G.R.A.S.S. is an environmental entrepreneurial nonprofit program based on the fundamentals of gardening, agriculture and ecology. In conjunction with Baltimore City Public Schools, Allen’s campaign has planted over a half-million trees on the lawns of Baltimore City public schools.

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American Newspaper 2519 N. Charles St. • Baltimore, MD 21218 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

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The Afro-American, July 30, 2016 - August 5, 2016

Judge Dismisses Manslaughter Charge Against Florida Deputy

By Curt Anderson, Associated Press A judge on July 27 dismissed a manslaughter charge against a Florida deputy who claimed self-defense in the 2013 fatal shooting of a 33-year-old Black man carrying what turned out to be an air rifle.

Circuit Judge Michael Usan ruled in favor of suspended Deputy Peter Peraza of the Broward Sheriff’s Office under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defense law that eliminates a requirement to retreat — for civilians and law enforcement officers, the judge said — when facing a dire threat.

The now-dismissed manslaughter charge carries a potential 30-year prison sentence. Prosecutors immediately said the decision will be appealed.

The ruling was issued the same day all remaining charges were dropped against Baltimore police officers in the death of Freddie Gray, who was injured while being transported in a police van. And it comes in the midst of a tense national discussion of policing and race, including the fatal shootings of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and recent police killings of Black men in Baton Rouge and Minnesota.

Peraza, 37, who identifies himself as a White Hispanic, testified during a hearing that Jermaine McBean initially refused commands from him and other deputies to drop the authentic-looking weapon and then turned and pointed it toward the deputies in July 2013. Peraza fired three shots, killing him.

(Rafael Olmeda/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, File)

Peter Peraza, a Broward County sheriff’s deputy testifies at his trial in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A judge has dismissed a manslaughter charge against Peraza, who claimed self-defense in the 2014 fatal shooting of a Black man carrying what turned out to be an air rifle.

Jermaine McBean “I’ve never been so scared in my life,” Peraza testified.

In his 36-page order, the judge called the shooting a “tragedy” and noted the ongoing national debate involving the shootings by police officers of Black people and the hostility and threats sometimes directed at police.

But Usan said that debate has “no place in this courtroom concerning this case” and said Peraza’s use of deadly force was justified under Florida law.

“This case involves the tragic death of one man and the liberty of another. To allow the conflicting agenda of supporters of either side to invade this legal process would be a far greater injustice,” he said.

Peraza attorney Eric Schwartzreich praised the decision and said the deputy should never have been charged.

“All police officers should feel confident that, in this dangerous day and age, they can now protect and serve without fear of being indicted,” said Schwartzreich, who represents Peraza along with attorney Anthony Bruno.

“Regardless, this case is a tragedy all around. This case was never about race; it was about self-defense.”

McBean family attorney David Schoen said he will continue to pursue a federal civil rights lawsuit against the sheriff’s office over the shooting.

“It is (a) complete travesty and miscarriage of justice,” Schoen said of the ruling. “It should have been impossible for any judge to take this case away from a jury.”

A spokesman for State Attorney Michael Satz said in an email that the ruling will be appealed. Satz’s office added in a statement that the “Stand Your Ground” defense should not

apply in a law enforcement case.

“While there is conflicting evidence, we feel a jury should resolve those conflicts. We believe that the facts of the case do not support that this was a justifiable shooting,” the statement said.

Amid national debate over police tactics involving minorities, Peraza was the first Florida law enforcement officer in three decades charged with a crime for an on-duty shooting.

On June 1, fired Palm (AP File photo) Beach Gardens officer Nouman Raja was charged with manslaughter and attempted first-degree murder for killing stranded motorist and musician Corey Jones, who was Black, while Jones waited for a tow truck. Raja, of South Asian descent, has pleaded not guilty.

Witnesses during the Peraza hearing described how 911 callers were reporting a man carrying a rifle, possibly a shotgun, down a busy street in broad daylight. In previous hearings, McBean has been described as being bipolar and recently recovering from a serious mental episode. He had just purchased the air rifle at a nearby pawn shop.

Peraza testified that McBean initially was carrying the camouflage-designed rifle like a cane, and then put it across his shoulders behind his neck in a common military style as he approached his apartment complex, where families with children crowded a pool area. Suddenly, he said, McBean turned and pointed the gun at the officers.

“Completely defenseless, you have all these women and children in the pool area trying to enjoy their day,” Peraza testified. “I don’t know if my heart can race any faster and my fear level can go any higher.”

Peraza also testified he did not see earbuds in McBean’s ears before the shooting. McBean’s family says he likely did not hear police commands to drop the rifle because he was listening to music.

Broward Sheriff Scott Israel did not comment directly on the judge’s decision but said he hoped the local community would be able to heal.

“A life was lost, and this is a tragedy no matter how you look at it,” Israel said.

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July 30, 2016 - August 5, 2016, The Afro-American

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BALTIMORE-AREA

Race and Politics

Do Black Lives Really Matter to the DNC?

Earlier this week, seven women known as, “Mothers of the Movement,” took front Sean Yoes and center Senior AFRO at the Contributor Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. They are the mothers of the “martyrs” who inspired the Black Lives Matter movement.

Gwen Carr is the mother of Eric Garner, who, while unarmed, was choked to death by an NYPD police officer, his death captured on video and seen by millions around the world. Sybrina Fulton is the mother of Trayvon Martin killed by George Zimmerman, while he was walking home armed with Skittles and iced tea. Lezley McSpadden is the mother of Michael Brown, who, while unarmed, was gunned down by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.

We know their stories. And some believe the leadership of the Democratic Party put them in the spotlight for dubious reasons. Because ultimately, the words, “Black Lives Matter,” only appear one time in the platform of the Democratic Party.

There is no mention in the platform of the specific stories of Garner, Martin or Brown.

No mention of Sandra Bland, Continued on B2

Summer Learning at Morgan

T.J. Smith Speaks for Baltimore P.D.

By Michelle Richardson Special to the AFRO T.J. Smith is seemingly everywhere in Baltimore.

If he’s not using Periscope to update the media or giving a

Courtesy photo

Baltimore native T.J. Smith has been the face of the Baltimore Police Department for the past year.

Students at Morgan State University’s Summer Transportation Institute on a field trip in Baltimore.

By Jannah Johnson Special to the AFRO For a group of Baltimore area high-school students, there is excitement in the air at Morgan State University’s Engineering Building. The young students chatter about the day’s activities as they listen to their professor, Safieh Lally give them instructions about the task at hand.

The high-school students are there for the Summer Transportation Institute, a 4 week program hosted by the National Transportation Institute that marks its 20th anniversary this year. Students in the program learn transportation concepts, go on STEM related field trips and attend classes. All of the

Photo by Jannah Johnson

participants attend the program for free and receive a $250 stipend.

On this day in July, the first part of the student’s day consists of a lecture by Professor Lally about roundabouts, the concept they are currently researching. “My lectures give an overall understanding of what a STEM education is and sustainable transportation, and how it’s translated into design and system management for efficiency,” Lally says. “I treat them (the students) as college students…it is very similar to a college course.”

While Professor Lally teaches the room is silent and the group of students scribble notes furiously into their notebooks,

Continued on B2

press conference, he’s posting to Twitter or Facebook. He does all of these things because he is the spokesman for Baltimore City Police.

In addition to his day job, the Baltimore native enjoys gardening. While Smith often delivers bad news in the form of updates of shootings, robberies and murders, in person he’s a lighthearted, open, and approachable regular guy who is trying to make the city he grew up in a better place to live in.

As a PIO (Public Information Officer), Smith’s duties include keeping the public, as well as the media, informed on any breaking news that takes place including police involved shootings, murders, Continued on B2

In Memoriam

City Council New Faces

Schleifer Seeks Unity in District 5 Margaret Armstrong, Noted

By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO

The dust is still settling from a crowded candidate field and a tight race in what is perhaps Baltimore’s most diverse City Council District. This past spring, Isaack “Yitzy” Schleifer, 27 became the first new Democratic City Council candidate elected in District 5 in almost 40 years, following the retirement of Rochelle “Ricki” Spector, the city’s longest serving city council member. Schleifer was elected in the Democratic primary and there is no Republican opponent on the ballot.

But the packed field of seven candidates has left Schleifer picking up the pieces from a primary season that at times pitted neighborhood against neighborhood as community groups across District 5 clung to their favorite candidate and familiar territory.

Neighborhood identity is strong Courtesy photo in Baltimore’s Isaack Schleifer is 5th District, the next City Council home to a large member for District 5. orthodox Jewish population, sizeable immigrant and Hispanic populations and historic African-American enclaves. The economic disparity is vast between areas like Howard Park, a predominately AfricanAmerican community overwhelmed with more than its share of foreclosures and abandoned homes, and the well-heeled Roland Park, where single family homes sell for upwards of $800,000.

For Schleifer, job one is bringing the

disparate communities of District 5 together and helping his neighborhoods embrace a unified vision. “I’ve gone neighborhood by neighborhood finding out what their challenges are,” Schleifer told the AFRO. There are a lot of challenges that overlap across the whole district, and there are some of them that are neighborhood and block specific,” Schleifer said.

Schleifer said that he often deals with

“I’ve gone neighborhood by neighborhood finding out what their challenges are.”

–Isaack Schleifer residents who erroneously suspect that neighbors in other District 5 communities are receiving a better quality of services and benefits from the city. “Nothing can be further from the truth,” Schleifer said. “I think the most important piece that I’m hoping to accomplish is bringing the district together because it couldn’t be further apart,” he said.

Schleifer feels that a lot of District 5’s problems can be resolved if residents started listening to one another and solving problems together. “I think in opening up a dialogue that a lot of best practices that work in certain neighborhoods can be brought to other neighborhoods,” Schleifer said.

Schleifer believes his orthodox Jewish beliefs, humble childhood and the example set by his father provided a blue print that will help convince his new constituents across District 5 that diversity is one of their most favorable assets. “I grew up in Fallstaff. I would say that’s the most diverse community in the district. My father was the community association for many years there,” Schleifer said. “You name the race, the nationality, the Continued on D2

Champion of the Arts, Dies at 100

By AFRO Staff

Margaret DeMan Armstrong, a Baltimore icon known for her groundbreaking contributions to the arts and education, died in her sleep on July 19, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Towson, Md. at the age of 100.

Armstrong was born January 30, 1916 in Baltimore to the late Claudia Thomas DeMan and the late Henry Oliver DeMan. She was a devout Catholic throughout her life and a parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

She was a Douglass High School graduate and completed her college education at Coppin Normal School. She later earned a master’s degree in History and Philosophy of Education from Loyola College. She began her career as a music education teacher in Baltimore City Schools and was shortly promoted to administrative specialist for the Music Division for the Baltimore City Department of Education. She also served as a program consultant with the Federal Housing and Urban Development Agency and as the Coordinator of Cultural Enrichment with the Department of Education.

Three sons, William Oscar, Roderick, and Carroll Robbins, were born from her marriage to William Oscar Armstrong, Jr., deceased.

Armstrong used her creativity, positions, and influence to change the face of the arts in Maryland and

Courtesy photo

Margaret DeMan Armstrong across the country. She created a performing arts curriculum proposal and a cultural arts workshop proposal, both successfully and widely implemented. She also created and implemented a cultural enrichment program that combined the arts and humanities through a series of experiences performed by professional musicians, actors, artists, and dancers.

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Past Seven Days

Her love of the arts, and her continued determination to encourage and support artistic talent in Baltimore City’s youth, resulted in her bringing together a group of business leaders, leaders in the arts, and education representatives, to draft the fundamental proposal for the Baltimore School for the Arts. It opened in 1979 and has graduated many students who are now nationally known for their talents.

In 1992, Armstrong was a member of the task force that undertook a feasibility study to determine the possibility of creating a middle school for Baltimore City youths. In 1993, the Saint Ignatius Loyola Academy opened as a tuitionfree, private Jesuit school for middle school boys from lowincome families.

Armstrong is survived by her sister, Frances Ashby (daughter Cleo), her son, Roderick (wife Gloria), Barbara Blount Armstrong (daughterin-law), grandsons, Mario (wife Nicole) and Sean, and a

Continued on B2

169 2016 Total

Data as of July 27

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The Afro-American, July 30, 2016 - August 5, 2016

Race and Politics Continued from B1

Jordan Davis, or Tamir Rice or the thousands of other Black men, women and children who have died while in the custody of law enforcement across the country in just the last few years. So, the Mothers of the Movement moment feels like more Democratic symbolism without the substance to effect real law enforcement reform. Symbolism of mourning Black mothers to appease the Democratic Party’s seemingly unshakeable Black base and assuage White guilt perhaps.

It seems like a recurring theme of the 2016 Democratic Convention; Black women, perhaps the most loyal members of the Party, are sent in to clean up the mess (a narrative brilliantly outlined by political strategist Catalina Byrd on First Edition July 25).

On day one of the convention, there was Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the disgraced former chair of the DNC clinging to the privilege of gaveling in the convention, until the gavel was literally snatched from her hands and passed to Baltimore Mayor

Stephanie Rawlings Blake (a Black woman) who opened the convention by proclaiming she is the, “mayor of the great city of Baltimore.” Baltimore is one of the epicenters of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Donna Brazile (a Black woman), a veteran leader of the Democratic Party who ran Al Gore’s bid for the presidency in 2000, was forced to take over for Wasserman Schultz, after the DNC email leak scandal. And it was Brazile, not Wasserman Schultz, who was forced to apologize. “With a humble heart, I want to say something as your vice chair. I sincerely apologize, my friends, for those of you who took offense and were offended, for those inappropriate emails released from the Democratic Party,” Brazile said.

And then of course there was the First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama (a Black woman) ending what began as a chaotic first day of the convention, with grace, dignity and elan while delivering one of the great speeches in American

Morgan State

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.

T.J. Smith

Continued from B1

giving her their undivided attention. “On a regular day we go SAT prep, we have a guest speaker, and then we go to lunch and work on another project,” Omobolade Odedoyi, a 10th grader at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, explains.

“The program has taught me how to think critically and practically and helped me work on my communication skills.”

After the students finish their class they don fluorescent orange traffic vests and venture to Light Street. Once there, they split up into groups of six and analyze traffic flow.

“We’re trying to get traffic data to see what types of cars, buses, SUV’s, like what types of modes of transportation drive through,” says Odedoyi.

In 15 minute shifts the

political convention history.

There are two questions I keep asking over and over again.

One, what’s worse: to have your vote taken (Republicans) or to have your vote taken for granted (Democrats)? Two: is it better to be stabbed in the chest (Republicans) or stabbed in the back (Democrats)?

Once again, that seems to be the terrible choice of Black people, people of color and poor people in this broken two party system. A choice between Hillary Clinton or Dystopian Donald Trump (or if you want to cast a protest vote, Gary Johnson or Jill Stein). As one caller said of the 2016 General Election during the First Edition show on July 25, “If you think somebody is coming for you, you’re on your own.”

Continued from B1 students recorded the traffic flow onto a worksheet that they will later use to interpret the data and determine whether or not the roundabout was sustainable and efficient.

Over the program’s twenty years, many participants have gone on to make engineeringrelated fields their careers.

“Some of our students go on and study the field of transportation, some enter post-secondary education in engineering fields and some go into other related fields like architecture,” says program coordinator Valerie Baker.

“The program is funded through the Federal Highway administration and is focused on workforce development in the transportation field… we want our students to learn more about transportation,

become involved in transportation, and gain an interest in pursuing a career… some of our students come to Morgan after completing the program and others attend other HBCU’s.”

Jawiyambe Thomas-James, an incoming freshman at Morgan State and graduate of the Summer Transportation Program, said that the four week program helped him immensely in deciding what to major in. “The program allowed me to look into career options that were available in the near future, said James. “It gave me the opportunity to get exposed to the transportation side of engineering and ultimately showed me how my current major, Civil Engineering, could tie into the transportation sector.”

Obituary

Julie Jenkins Ramsey

Freedom Initiative, an organization that fights human trafficking. Donate online at: aramintafreedom.org/ donate and fill in the “in honor/memory of” field OR if preferred send checks made payable to: Araminta Freedom Initiative and include her name on the memo line sent to P.O. Box 22106, Baltimore, MD 21203.

Julie Jenkins Ramsey, age 58, of Pikesville, MD went home to be with the Lord July 7, 2016 after experiencing a stroke. A celebration of Julie’s life will be 4:00 PM Friday, July 29 at Trinity Life Church, 2122 West Joppa Road, Lutherville, Maryland 21093.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Araminta

robberies, and anything else of significance. Sometimes the update will come in the form of an email or Smith will hold a live briefing and he usually arrives on scene quickly. But Smith is more than just the voice of BCPD. T.J. Smith grew up in the Northwest Baltimore area on Dolfield Ave. He attended Calloway Elementary, Fallstaff Elementary Middle, and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. Smith attended Polytechnic for a few years before transferring to Woodlawn High, where he graduated from.

Smith’s mother has been a city school teacher for almost 30 years and his wife is a teacher of 15 years that currently teaches 5th grade.

Both of his grandparents worked at the main post office downtown, as well as an aunt.

Another aunt was a major with the housing authority police.

“All of my family is right here in Baltimore so I’m here back in Baltimore in my natural element. I grew up right in these city streets seeing what a lot of people are seeing today,” Smith tells the AFRO. Before coming back to Baltimore a year ago, Smith was a police officer in Anne Arundel County for more than a decade. For the first half of his career, Smith was assigned to a community that “had similar problems and

segments as Baltimore City has. It was great. I got paid to interact with the community and help them solve some of their problems and partner with them. So I was literally a community police my entire career and then on the second half of my career, I became the spokesperson for the county.”

Law enforcement was not a huge presence in Smith’s life growing up so becoming an police officer was not his first dream. “I wanted to be an architect. I remember going to Poly and doing my engineering stuff. I wanted to design office buildings and design houses; I was all into that creative stuff. I wanted to really do some dope stuff like you can enter your bedroom from the outside the house type of stuff,” he says.

Smith says it all started when he was attending college at the Community College of Baltimore County Catonsville where he took a criminal justice course and liked it.

After that he did some security work and became a police officer.

As a prominent Black man who speaks for a police department that has often had strained relations with a predominantly Black city, Smith is aware of the conflict inherent in his position.

“It’s conflicting at times (to be both a Black man and an officer) because I do see what we’re trying to do and it’s

not recognized because of the uniform’s officer’s wear. I want it to be conveyed when I speak that it hurts every time we get a report on another young, Black male killed in the city. I get offended because this is my city. I want young, Black kids to see that I went to the same schools they did and this is the path I chose. I’m not a bad guy. I’m not out here hurting people; you can ‘make it out’ of the situation that you’re in,” he says.

“Any person that wears this uniform that wants to kill somebody shouldn’t be in our job and I hope we can get rid of them. I have a young, Black son that’s going to grow up one day and any person that’s scared of my skin color and if their making decisions because their scared of my skin color, they should not be wearing a police officer’s uniform, period.”

Smith replaced Capt. Eric Kowalczyk as spokesman last August and was brought on by new Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis.

He took a year-long leave from his position as director of media relations for the Anne Arundel police department.

“If I have a choice, I would stay and continue to work in Baltimore. My time here has been rewarding, it’s been the best time to be here. I work with absolutely amazing men and women,” he said.

Schleifer

Continued from B1

Before you climb

higher

look for the wire.

Smart energy. It’s in the overhead power lines that deliver safe and reliable energy to your home or business. But those same power lines must also be avoided. If you’re planning to do work, keep all ladders, poles or landscaping equipment at least 10 feet away from them— that’s the law. Call BGE at 800.685.0123 before starting any work within 10 feet. Also don’t build playhouses and tree forts in trees with power lines running through or near them. To learn more about safety around power lines, visit BGE.COM.

religion, we all grew up together; we all played ball together; we all got along,” he said. Schleifer is one of five children.

Current Fallstaff Improvement Association President Sandra Johnson believes Schleifer is a hard worker, but warns him not to underestimate the scope and complexity of the challenges facing District 5. “I think he certainly understands the problems. He’s lived in the community all his life, “she said. But it’s going to take some time for him to work his way into the job,” Johnson said.

While crime, drug abuse and abandoned properties are problematic for neighborhoods near Reisterstown Road, Johnson warns that Fallstaff has special needs involving the community’s large Latino population and its senior citizens – many whom are dying or have difficulty keeping up their homes.

Schleifer would like to revitalize struggling neighborhoods by attracting anchor businesses and non-profits that believe in partnering with the community. Schleifer hopes to measure success by creating opportunities and stability that will result in transforming the physical appearance of District 5’s struggling neighborhoods. “A goal is that if you drive from the bottom of the district to the top of the district that you would not notice you’ve gone from one community to another,” Schleifer said.

“It’s an attainable goal. I am young, energetic and I’m here for the long haul. So it’s going to be challenging but I’m open to the challenge,” Schleifer said.

Armstrong

Continued from B1 Advertiser: BGE cherished great-grandson, Christopher. She is predeceased by her oldest son, William and her youngest son, Carroll. Armstrong is Publication: Afro American also survived by cousins Ruth and Kim McCalla, as well as other relatives and friends.

Insertion Date: July 2016 Public viewing will be held30, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. July 28 at August 6 & 20,Old 2016 March Family Life Tribute Center, 5616 Court Rd., Baltimore, Maryland. The funeral will take place 11 a.m. July 29 at Cathedral Ad Size: 7.28” x 8” St., Baltimore, Maryland, of Mary Our Queen, 5200 N. Charles with viewing from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Margaret’s honor can be sent Title: OVP Climb higher - 200th to the Baltimore School for the Arts.

If youDevelopment have received this publication material Attn: Office in error, or have any questions about it please Baltimore School for the contact the traffic dept. at Weber Shandwick Arts Foundation at (410) 558 Street 2100.

712 Cathedral Baltimore, MD 21201

July 30, 2016 - August 5, 2016, The Afro-American

“They held their hard-boiled eggs in one hand and a piece of bread and butter in the other, munching happily. There was a dish of salt for everyone to dip their eggs into; I don’t know why, but the meals we have on picnics always taste so much nicer than the ones we have indoors…” -Enid Blyton The 3 No Trump card party out trumped themselves at their annual party in Patapsco State Park where guests dined on barbeque, fried fish, burgers and more prepared by Chef Stanley Dukes. Each host provides the libations of choice for their invited guests. The tranquility of the park and the sound of music enhanced the exquisite table designs arranged by the hosts adorned with crystal, china, napkins and floral arrangements. The 3 No Trump members are Brenda Sykes, Sara Smalley, Dr. Charlene Cooper-Boston, Rosemary Atkinson, Shirley Richmond, Denise Dobson-McDonald, Aldonna Wylie, Joan Brown, Jean Powell, Pat Roselle, Evon Haskins Jackson and Steve Wainwright.

“We challenge them to ignore those who challenge their father’s citizenship or faith. How we insist that the hateful language from public figures on television does not represent the true nature of this country. How we explain when someone is cruel or act like a bully, you don’t stoop to that level,” No, our motto is: When they go low, we go high.” -First Lady Michelle Obama Just Cousins hosted their annual summer picnic at the home of Jerrelle Francois on a balmy Saturday afternoon. The weather didn’t deter the family and friends who enjoyed a bevy of activities while eating tons of barbeque food hot off the grill. Just Cousins host a yearly scholarship brunch to sponsor the college education for family members. It was great seeing my longtime friend Selena Redd, a member of Just Cousins.

“Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days; an old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful; a meaningful friend or a meaningful day.” -Dalai Lama A special shout out to Nancy Snead and the crew for coordinating the D ’Joint reunion at Tea Spot on Duncan Street in East Baltimore. It was great seeing former D ‘Joint owner Butch Anderson and barmaids, Marla McKinney, Barbara Anderson, Kim Mason and partygoers, Gladys Savage, Toni Boone- Green, Juanita Rollins, Ernestine Scroggins, Carol Rose and Sheila Weems.

Special thanks to Tea Spot owner Rodney for his hospitality, good food and awesome drink prices.

Join Big Shirley and Yolonda and Company for Happy Hour Aug. 5 at Karma’s Dance Factory, 5808C Johnnycake Road, Woodlawn, Md. from 4 p.m-8 p.m. food fun and dancing.

Poncho n Pepe’s Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar on Route 3 in Crofton is the ideal location to enjoy the fishbowl margarita for two with grand Marnier floating on the top. They also have a huge selection of beer and frozen margaritas.

“…the story of generations of people who felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation, but who kept on striving and hoping and doing what needed to be done so that today I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves.” –First Lady Michelle Obama Congratulations to Glen Middleton on winning his international vice president executive board seat representing the Capital District with AFSCME by acclamation.

“Dreams are lovely. But they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It’s hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change.”-Shonda Rhimes The glass ceiling was smashed with the nomination of Hillary Rodham Clinton for president of the United States. The appointment of past National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority U.S. Representative Marcia Fudge to be the Permanent Chair of the 2016 DNC, Donna Brazille ,the chair of the Democratic National Committee and Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake opening the Democratic National Convention in due form, created moments that were previously denied to women, especially women of color. Oh and how proud we were to see our favorite Senator, Barbara Mikulski, a history maker in her own right nominate Hillary Rodham Clinton.

“It’s been a longtime coming but I know a change is gonna come”-Sam Cooke Nine-year-old Amber Swift-Rose is on her way to become the next Michael Phelps, after winning 2nd place in the 200 Free Style swim at the 14th annual Black Heritage National Swim Meet in Cary, N.C. Amber is a member of Marvin Thorpe’s swim team in Randallstown, Md. Many of you remember daddy Thorpe. Angela Alexander said Amber is an inspiration to the young people at Morning Star Baptist Church.

“The joy that a newborn brings cannot be equaled.”-Byron Pulsifer Welcome to the world Xander Dwight Moore-Brown. The proud grandparents are Ralph and Dana Moore and exuberant parents are Zahra and Dwight Brown.

“The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.”Marcus Tullius Cicero Praying for Wendle Billips and family on the death of his granddaughter Kailah Gross; to the family of Darnell Faison on his death; to Carolyn Fugett and family on the death of her husband, Jean Fugett; and to Rod Armstrong and family on the death of his mother, Margaret Armstrong.

“Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years”-Ausonius Happy birthday to Joy Owens, Ronald Hayes, Patricia Jessamy, Judson Wood, Marvin “ Doc” Cheatham, Tracee Strum Gilliam, Deleanor Boone, Wesley Wood, Richard Tabuteau,

Valarie Smith, Mark Butler, Anderson Ward, AFRO photographer, Thurman Pinder, Richard McClearn, Bronzella Rochelle, Sharon Pinder, Granville Templeton lll and a special happy 95th birthday to Dr. Ruth Pratt.

Sending get well wishes to Stella Fullwood and Sherry Jackson as they continue to recuperate.

Aleuta continua (the struggle continues).

Valerie and the Friday Night Bunch

BALTIMORE AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Send your upcoming events to tips@ afro.com. For more community events go to afro.com/Baltimore-events Art with a Heart Shop & Bop Fundraiser Art with a Heart, a non-profit arts organization based in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore, will host its annual Shop & Bop on July 29, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at its social enterprise/retail store, HeARTwares, 623 W. 34th St., 21211 in Hampden Village Centre. This free event will feature live music from Saleem and the Music Lovers with special guest, Caleb Stine; food and drinks by the Farm to Charm food truck, and community art projects. For more information about Art with a Heart or HeARTwares, visit artwithaheart.net or call 410-366-8886.

AFRO Clean/Green Block Meet and Greet The 2nd Annual Easterwood Community Cook Out and Health Fair will take place on July 30 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Troy Brailey Easterwood Park located at 1540 Bentalou and Baker streets in Baltimore. Come and meet the AFRO Clean/Green Block captains and community leaders. This is a free event. Call Dr. Marvin L. “Doc” Cheatham Sr. at 410-669-8683 for more information.

Waterfront Partnership’s First Annual Field Day The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore is hosting the first Annual Field Day at Rash Field, 201 Key Highway, Baltimore on July 30 from noon to 6 p.m. Attendees will enjoy an afternoon filled with local food vendors, adult beverages and outdoor games and activities. The event is free. Visit waterfrontpartnership.org for more details.

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.

Registration is FREE so sign up today at www.nul.org.

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MC Lyte

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 30, 2016 - August 5, 2016

As part of the AFRO’s Clean/Green Block program, community leaders gathered for clean-up training and to discuss and encourage clean streets and communities in Baltimore on June 21 at the Matthew A. Henson Elementary School.

Baltimore City firefighters and police officers opened the training with information about new policies and changes that

Diane Hocker and Marvin “Doc” Cheatham

will be implemented soon. Shortly after, Marvin “Doc” Cheatham started with open remarks and a simple run down of the schedule.

Community leaders were all able to voice their concerns and solutions in order for cleaner streets, hoping these actions will result in safer neighborhoods. Delegate Antonio L. Hayes announced new programs for Baltimore’s youth and methods on how the youth can contribute.

The training also included distribution of materials and kits that will assist during the clean up. The kits included items such as buckets, trashed grabbers, and gloves.

Del. Antonio L. Hayes

Yvonne Miles and Angela Rice Angela Rice and Linda Frink Marie Braxton and Alex Braxton Karen and Jeff Dixon Nathaniel Bruce

Ira and Peggy Booker

The Afro Cleanup Training

Signing up for supplies Photos by Chanet Wallace

The sixth grade classes of 1969-1970 of Baltimore’s Edgewood Elementary School #67 organized a reunion

which was held at the Colin’s Seafood Restaurant in Randallstown, Md. Other classes of 1968 and 1971 also joined in the celebration.

The students came from as far away as Illinois, Pennsylvania and Delaware along with those who settled in different areas near Baltimore. Former students spokes of their

careers as veterinarians, engineers, government analysts, researchers, pastors and educators.

Five teachers were present: Shirley Ammons Montgomery, Blanche Beckham, Dr. Patricia Hall, Alan Silverberg and Percy Mack.

Edgewood Elementary School former students with their teachers Shirley Montgomery receives a plaque from Valarie Smith for her exemplary service to the students at Edgewood Elementary School.

Teacher Blanche Beckham

Samuel Winder, ‘69 and Joseph Howard, ‘69 Alan Silverberg Guy B. Richardsdn, ‘69, Terri Murphy Baileu, ‘69 and Robyn Elliottt, ‘69

Percy Mack

Gwendolyn Howard

Reunion Committee chairs, KathyNicholas Boykins, Valarie G. Smith and Avis Smith Johnson

Judy Smith, ‘69, Vernon Simms, ‘70, Niki Jackson Deanda, ‘71 and Dwight Johnson, ‘69

Roslyn Boone Peakes, ‘70, Janet Hadnott, ‘70 and Brigitte Nash Hodges ‘71 Photos by A. Lois De Laine

Beverly Booth Brown, Verna Jackson, Alice Sue Cooper-Lee, Virginia Walker, Executive Council

The Art of Dance performed by Aliah Evans to “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” by Whitney Houston

Chapter members of the Baltimore County , Baltimore City and D.C. Chapters

Kaisha Dukes, both of whom plan to continue their education at higher institutions of learning.

Other performing students received certificates and stipends for their participation.

The performances were followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall at Epworth United Methodist Chapel in Woodlawn, Md.

Jeheiel Smth was awarded a certificate and a stipend from the Baltimore County Pierians HadassahBeulah Dowuona, scholarship recipient

The Art of Music: Jeheiel Smith performed a “Abide with Me” medley, “More Love to Thee, “I Asked the Lord”

Doris Holmes Shirley Hill and Shirley S. Kane

Kaisha Dukes painted a portrait of her sibling

Photos by A. Lois De Laine

Nakita Hdaysbert and Tenyo Pearl

The Baltimore County Pierians, an organization founded in 1958 to support the arts, showcased a group of talented students from the George Washington Carver Center of Technology who demonstrated their skills in the art of dance, theater, music, and visual expression.

The Art of Theater: Jeremiah Two scholarships were Pearl performed an original presented to HadassahBeulah Dowuona and “The Bridge Matters”

Kaisha Dukes, scholarship winner and student at George Washington Carver Center for Technology

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 30, 2016 - August 5, 2016, The Afro-American

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ARTS & CULTURE

Cedric Walker, Founder of UniverSoul Circus, Brings Families Closer Together

By Charise Wallace Special to the AFRO Founder and CEO of UniverSoul Circus, Cedric Walker, has spent the past 23 years putting smiles on the faces of families.

“At this time in our history we need to come together, to embrace and learn from each other,” Walker, a native of Baltimore, told the AFRO. “I believe the circus naturally brings people together. In 23 years of searching for talent, I have journeyed to every continent to find a multicultural, multinational mix of talent to showcase.”

As the UniverSoul Circus tour kicked off on June 30 at the National Harbor near Washington, D.C., Walker brought out incredible acts from across the globe. Each day was different and filled with acts like the dancing elephant’s “Soul Circus Divas,” “Airborne,” “Fresh The Clownsss,” “Trinity,” “Quick Change,” “Caribbean Dynasty,” “Fly High” and “The Porcelain Dolls.”

Walker was inspired to bring families together while a young man attending Christ Edmonson Methodist Church in Baltimore. It was there that he saw how much joy families could have while fellowshipping.

Growing up in Baltimore, Walker’s

Courtesy photos

The UniverSoul Circus’s Moko Jumbie, or stilt walkers, performing. Inset: UniverSoul Circus’s founder and CEO, Cedric Walker. passion for circus acts started when he attended the circus with his family. After attending Edmondson-Westside High School, he left his hometown in the 70’s and moved

to Tuskegee, Alabama with his uncle who owned a night club.

Walker worked with his uncle for big time R&B soul groups like The Commodores as

Local Artist KnoImnot Puts Himself on Tour

By Akira Kyles Special to the AFRO A young local artist is using his own money to finance his first solo tour at the age of 21.

Evolving from poetry into rapping and producing, Koleco Elizaire, better known on stage and on social media as Knoimnot (pronounced No I’m Not), is not only paying for his own tour but he isn’t getting paid for a single performance on it. Elizaire is from Fort Washington, Md. and currently works and performs in Washington, D.C. The only thing he cares about gaining from this tour is connecting with people.

“The more connections I get, the better my chances of succeeding in life. That’s why I’m not getting

paid for any of these shows,” said Elizaire.

Elizaire has titled his tour “Knoimnot: Creative Collaboration Tour.”

On his tour, Elizaire will be joined on one of his shows by Last Niight, a music group that he cofounded, and opening for 21 Savage at the Howard Theatre in D.C. in August.

His tour will be visiting Baltimore, New York, Atlanta, D.C. and Los Angeles.

Elizaire is currently working on preparing himself for his upcoming travels on his tour.

“I have to adapt. Like going to New York, it’s a city that don’t sleep so I’m not sleeping ‘til 3 o’clock,” said Elizaire. “When I go to LA it’s pushed back four hours so I have to work on myself now. Like I’m in

Koleco “KnoImnot” Elizaire is paying for his own musical tour.

Courtesy photo

training mode right now.”

With all the shows and excitement of his upcoming tour, the main thing Elizaire is looking forward to is his next project.

“I’m just looking for inspiration,” said Elizaire. “I’m looking forward to seeing things in different perspectives, so after touring I can come back and grow. I look forward

a stage and production manager, and The Jackson 5 as a promoter. He also helped organize and produce the Fresh Festival, one of the first Hip-Hop music tours.

Following his stint in the entertainment industry, he decided to follow his own dreams and in 1993 started what was then called the Universal Big Top Circus.

“He traveled the world, he studied… he pretty much became an expert and then wanted to create a new type of circus,” said senior public relations manager Hank Ernest. Walker has traveled to locations such as South Africa, Europe, China, Trinidad, Columbia and Ethiopia, among others.

Walker’s wife and Universoul vice president, Cynthia Walker, is now in charge of finding new talent from around the world.

At a UniverSoul Circus performance, music ranging from Hip-Hop, jazz, Pop, R&B, Latin and more will be heard.

As they continue to travel on tour to hit major cities like Houston, Dallas, St.Louis and Detroit, the company is looking for new locations in North America to go to.

“We plan to continue to keep growing… for now we are certain of expanding the tour with different live entertainment,” Ernest said.

to talking to people and letting people know my vibe.”

His motivation to do this tour on his own began with him being tired of waiting.

“I just got tired of waiting for a music festival or a manager or just anybody,” said Elizaire. “I noticed that if you really want something, you know how to get it, it’s just ‘where are you going to go get it?

Black people are dying, like real fast and I’m in one of the stats because I’m tall and Black. I just said ‘forget this, I’m just going to go ahead and do my thing.’ I know I can spread the love of music and connecting with other people.”

After putting all his money into his tour, Elizaire has started a GoFundMe page to try to get a new laptop for his music.

“I set up a GoFundMe link in my Instagram so I can get a new laptop,” said Elizaire. “My mixes are recorded off my laptop. It’s a plain

2010 Mac Book, it’s crashing on me, it’s like busted up. Usually I’d buy this stuff myself but I’ve already paid for this tour, I have to pay rent, I have to pay bills, like I have to do a lot of stuff. It’s kind of wild for me but I just need some help.”

His goal is $1,000 and on his first day his page raised $80.

In the next three to five years, Elizaire sees himself living in either D.C. or New York comfortably.

He also plans on travelling a lot, creating vibes to share with people.

His ultimate goal is to be self employed by “mid 22” (he turns 22 next month).

Elizaire’s first show was on July 16, in Baltimore at Art Scape and he will be performing at the Urban Outfitters Gallery Space on Aug. 14 and Howard Theater, both in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 18.

For tour dates and more information follow him on Twitter and InstaGram at KnoImNot.

SPORTS

CIAA Tournament Faces Social Test After NBA Moves All-Star Weekend

By Mark F. Gray Special to the AFRO

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the league would take the unprecedented step to move its 2017 all-star weekend from Charlotte in opposition to North Carolina’s House Bill 2 on July 21. The law which denies public bathroom access to non-birth gendered individuals – won’t impact America’s premiere HBCU basketball event.

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) remains committed to keeping its conference offices in Charlotte and hosting its championships in North Carolina. Its signature event - The CIAA Tournament – is the largest basketball tournament in NCAA Division II and third largest overall will stay in Charlotte through 2020.

It will be held at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte in 2017.

CIAA Basketball has one of the richest traditions in college sports history. Prior to integration it was best basketball conference in America. CIAA alumni have made significant contributions as innovations and pioneers of the game. Earl Lloyd, the NBA’s first Black player, is an alumnus having played in college at West

Virginia State. (Full disclosure: I have been the national radio voice of the CIAA Football & Basketball championships on Heritage Sports Radio Network since 2009.)

Hall of Fame players Sam Jones and Earl Monroe trace their roots to the CIAA as does legendary Harlem Globetrotter Curly Neal. Coaching legends Clarence “Big House” Gaines and John McClendon – regarded as the father of fast break basketball – innovated the game by creating the stage for Black players who were denied chances to play at major colleges.

Maryland is represented in the 12-member conference by Bowie State University who has won two men’s basketball championships and played in the football championship game last year.

After being on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement the CIAA said it will remain in North Carolina, despite its objections to the law. The power of corporate ties and long term civic commitments make it difficult for the CIAA to play politics in a highly charged moral debate. When negotiating its deal for the basketball tournament to remain in Charlotte in 2014 the conference also agreed to move its headquarters to Charlotte.

Cltblog.com

Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte remains home to the CIAA Tournament despite the NBA moving its All Star Weekend in opposition to North Carolina’s HB2 anti-LGBTQ law.

Despite the NBA distancing itself from Charlotte other athletic organizations remain committed to hosting events in the region.

The Atlantic Coast Conference football championship will stay in Charlotte through 2019. Their

2019 and 2020 men’s basketball tournament’s continue in Charlotte and Greensboro, respectively. All NASCAR events and the PGA Tour’s event at Quail Hollow will remain in North Carolina.

However, 13 conventions and

nine concerts including Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, and Pearl Jam have cancelled dates in protest. Cirque du Soleil also rescinded previous commitments to North Carolina.

The Charlotte Convention and Visitor’s Bureau reportedly claims the loss of the All Star weekend will have a $100,000,000 impact on the city. However, that’s a one-time hit.

The CIAA Tournament’s financial impact is nearly $56,000,000 annually and even a temporary move would be more devastating.

While the profile of the NBA casts a larger magnifying glass on the state’s position towards LGBTQ values, it continues to put the CIAA in the unenviable place to defend keeping its marquee event in North Carolina beyond 2020. The conference is recovering from a financial crisis left by its previous administration and doesn’t have the leverage to vehemently support this cause.

The CIAA, in statement, said, “it strongly disagrees with HB2” and “as we assess current and future championship locations, the CIAA will ensure that the host city and venue demonstrate a commitment to provide inclusive and nondiscriminatory practices.”

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TYPESET: Tue Jul 19 07/15, 07/22, 07/21/16 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM324 Rose Freeman Decedent Robert M McCarthy Esq 4405 East West Highway, Suite 201 Bethesda, MD 20814 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS June Freeman, whose address 6105 3rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 is was appointed personal representative of the estate of Rose Freeman, who died on September 7, 2000 without 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 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 Rose Freeman Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

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TYPESET: Tue Jul 19 17:03:15 EDT 2016 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM696 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

202-332-0080 410-554-8200

TYPESET: Tue Jul 19 17:02:22 EDT 2016

NAME: ________________________________________________ Superior Court of_____________________________________________ ADDRESS: the District of District of Columbia PHONE NO.:____________________________________________ PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. CLASSIFICATION: ______________________________________ 20001-2131 Administration No.House, etc.)

(Room, Apt., 2016ADM324 Rose Freeman INSERTION DATE:_________________ Decedent

Robert M McCarthy Esq TYPESET: Tue Jul 19 17:02:41 EDT 2016 4405 East West Highway, Suite 201 Bethesda, MD 20814 Superior Court of Attorney Legal Advertising Rates the District of NOTICE OF District Effective of ColumbiaOctober 1, 2008 APPOINTMENT, PROBATE DIVISION NOTICE TO Washington, D.C. CREDITORS 20001-2131 AND NOTICE TO PROBATE DIVISION Administration No. UNKNOWN HEIRS 2015ADM1479 (Estates) June Freeman, whose address 6105 3rd Street, Frederick Robinson 202-332-0080 NW, Washington, DC Decedent 20011 is was appointed Steven H. Schiff PROBATE NOTICES personal representative 10507 Beechknoll Lane of the estate of Rose Rockville, MD 20854 Freeman, who died on Attorney a. Order Nisi $ 60 per insertion $180.00 per 3 weeks NOTICE OF September 7, 2000 withb.

Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion APPOINTMENT, out a will, and will serve NOTICE TO with Court supervision. c. Notice to Creditors CREDITORS All unknown heirs and $ 60 per insertion $180.00 per 3 weeks AND NOTICE TO h e i 1. r Domestic s w h o s e UNKNOWN HEIRS whereabouts are un2. Foreign $ 60 per insertion $180.00 per 3 weeks Steven H. Schiff, whose known shall enter their d.

Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion $360.00 per 6 weeks a d d r e s s i s 1 0 5 0 7 appearance in this Beechknoll Lane, Rockproceeding.

Objections e. Standard Probates $125.00 to such appointment (or ville, MD 20854 was apto the probate of de- pointed personal repreestate of cedent´s will) shall be sentative of theCIVIL NOTICES filed with the Register of Frederick Robinson, who died on January 22, 2015 Wills, D.C., Changes 515 5th 202-879-1133 a. Name $ 80.00 Street, N.W., 3rd Floor without a will, and will b.

Real Property $ 200.00 serve with Court superviWa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before sion. All unknown heirs January 15, 2017. a n d h e i r s w h o s e are un- COURT Claims against the de- whereaboutsFAMILY cedent shall be pre- known shall enter their this sented to the under- a p p e a r a n c e i n202-879-1212 Objections RELATIONS signed with a copy to the proceeding.

DOMESTIC Register of Wills or filed to such appointment (or of dewith the Register of Wills to the probate 202-879-0157 with a copy to the under- cedent´s will) shall be signed, on or before filed with the Register of January 15, 2017, or be Wills, D.C., 515 5th a. Absent Defendant $ 150.00 forever barred. Persons Street, N.W., 3rd Floor b.

Absolute Divorce $ 150.00 believed to be heirs or W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . legatees of the decedent 20001, on or before c.

Custody Divorce $150.00 who do not receive a J a n u a r y 1 5 , 2 0 1 7 . copy of this notice by mail Claims against the dewithin 25 days of its first cedent shall be preTo place ad, sented call 1-800-237-6892, publication shallyour so into the under- ext. 262, Public Notices $50.00 & up form the Register of signed with a copy to the depending on size, Baltimore Legal Notices are $24.84 per inch.

Wills, including name, Register of Wills or filed 17:02:22 addressEDT and2016 relation- with the Register of Wills 1-800 (AFRO) 892 ship. with a copy to the underFor Proof of Publication, please call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 244 Date 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 the decedent LEGAL NOTICES LEGALofNOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES Law Reporter who do not receive a Rose Freeman copy of this notice by mail Personal within 25 days of its first Representative publication shall so inform the Register of TRUE TEST COPY Wills, including name, REGISTER OF WILLS address and relationship.

07/15, 07/22, 07/29/16 TYPESET: Tue Jul 19 17:02:41 2016 Date of EDT Publication: July 15, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Superior Court of Washington the District of Law Reporter District of Columbia Steven H. Schiff PROBATE DIVISION Personal Washington, D.C. Representative 20001-2131 Administration No. TRUE TEST COPY 2015ADM1479 REGISTER OF WILLS Frederick Robinson Decedent 07/15, 07/22, 07/29/16 Steven H. Schiff 10507 Beechknoll Lane Rockville, MD 20854 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Steven H. Schiff, whose address is 10507 Beechknoll Lane, Rockville, MD 20854 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Frederick Robinson, who died on January 22, 2015 without a will, and will serve with 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 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 SUBSCRIBE TODAY 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 relation-

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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

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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

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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 07/22, 07/29/16

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The Afro-American, July 30, 2016 - August 5, 2016

Washington NFL Team Season Preview

Will the NFC East Division Championship Remain in D.C.?

By Breana Pitts Special to the AFRO Washington’s NFL team won the NFC East in 2015, so expectations are high heading into the 2016-17 season. If Washington wants to win the division again, however, the key is starting strong, because the second half of the season will be brutal.

Their playoff appearance last season earned Washington a tougher outof-division schedule this year, including matchups against the Packers, Cardinals and Panthers.

With the addition of rookie running back sensation (Courtesy photo) Ezekiel Elliot, and allThe Washington NFL team participates in the annual conditioning test at their training around better health, center on July 27. the Dallas Cowboys are expected to significantly last year, and with Bashaud Breeland, the new Washington improve, which leaves Washington with little room for error. secondary will give opposing quarterbacks a tougher time.

Washington’s biggest offseason move was signing free Although Washington’s secondary improved, defensive agent cornerback Josh Norman to a five-year, $75 million deal. coordinator Joe Barry has his work cut out for him with the There’s no doubt that Norman was an elite player in Carolina defensive line. In 2015, opponents seemed to run freely against

Washington, and there aren’t any major changes to the lineup heading into this season. To be successful against the elite out-of-division teams this year, Washington must stop the run.

If the defensive line can improve, the rest of the defense will fall into line.

After drafting Josh Doctson with the No. 22 pick, Washington has what some may consider the best receiving corps in the NFL. Doctson joins fellow wide receivers DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder—along with tight end Jordan Reed—as quarterback Kirk Cousins’ options in the passing game.

With the addition of tight end Vernon Davis, it is expected that Reed will have less blocking duties, freeing him up as an option on passing plays. With a healthy Jackson, more opportunities for Reed and the addition of Doctson, Washington’s receivers could be a problem for opposing defenses.

In 2015, Washington averaged 3.7 yards per carry, but stayed committed to the run despite the poor results. With Alfred Morris gone, running back Matt Jones takes over as the starter, and he has a lot to prove. Last year, Jones’ potential was overshadowed by his inability to handle the ball, evidenced by five fumbles. Whether the sophomore running back has improved his ball-handling skills—and his level of consistency—remains to be seen.

Washington’s training camp commences on July 28, and most of their key players are returning for the 2016 season.

Will they repeat as the NFC East champion, and return to the playoffs? It depends on if Washington can put up big performances against the league’s best, and if Cousins can prove his worth.

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July 30, 2016 - August 5, 2016, The Afro-American

WASHINGTON-AREA

Metro Maintenance Surge Affects Red Line for First Time

Congrats Summer Grads

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Experts: District IllPrepared for Climate Change

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

By The Associated Press Metro’s nine-month maintenance surge will soon affect riders on the heavily traveled red line for the first time.

Starting on August 1, trains will be sharing a single track in both directions between the Silver Spring and Takoma stations, disrupting the commute for thousands of Maryland residents. The single-tracking will last for one week.

On July 27, Metro general manager Paul Wiedefeld will join officials from Montgomery County, the District of Columbia and Takoma Park at a news conference to discuss what riders should expect.

Commuters are being strongly encouraged to find other ways to get to work.

So far, Virginia commuters have been more broadly affected by the shutdowns and singletracking involved in Metro’s maintenance surge, which started in June.

Because of the maintenances surges, Metro has been closing earlier on the weekends.

Metro’s general manager is proposing that the Washington-area subway system should close at midnight on a permanent basis to allow for ongoing maintenance.

Metro suspended latenight service in May before it launched its ongoing ninemonth maintenance surge.

The system had been open until 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings. It’s now closing at midnight every night.

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Photos by AFRO Washington D.C. Editor LaTrina Antoine

The Public Charter School Board Chair Darren Woodruff (top left), Executive Director Steve Pearson (top right) and other members held a graduation July 26 for high school seniors from various D.C. Public Charter schools, including Cesar Chavez, E.L. Haynes, Friendship, IDEA, KIPP DC, Maya Angelou, National Collegiate, Paul, Washington Latin and Washington Math Science Technology (WMST). The ceremony was held at the Thurgood Marshall Center in Northwest D.C.

City Offers Cooling Plans for Homeless and Tourists during Extended Heatwave

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

More than 500 residents and visitors to the District had to be treated for illnesses amid the escalating heat index, which forced city officials to roll out an extended plan to provide water and cooling locations as a safety precaution. The D.C. government’s 2016 Heat Emergency Plan was released July 25. City officials, Courtesy photo including Department of Department of Health Health (DOH) Director Director Dr. LaQuandra Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, Nesbitt along with other Department of Human D.C. officials informed Services (DHS) Director Laura residents July 25 that Zeilinger, Department of special precautions were Parks and Recreation (DPR) being put into place Director Keith Anderson, to protect all from the and Pecpo Holdings Senior unusually hot climate Vice President Bill Gausman, conditions in the city. told participants at the Greenleaf Recreation Center in Southwest that every possible contingency was covered for keeping residents and visitors safe.

The level of humidity rising with the temperatures is making the heatwave dangerous to residents, because of the

rising heat index values. The heat index is a temperature “adjustment” relative to the human body’s ability to cool itself to maintain internal temperature; the same concept as the wind chill in the colder months. The higher the amount of moisture in the air (reflected by a type of temperature called the dew point), the less sweat evaporates off the skin or evaporation which would have taken excess body heat with it.

“Heat stroke is a serious illness characterized by a body temperature of greater than 105 degrees,” said Nesbitt. “Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heatstroke that may develop upon continued exposure to high temperatures. Both should be

“Heat stroke is a serious illness characterized by a body temperature of greater than 105 degrees.”

–Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt taken seriously.”

For some residents, like Tony Vargas, who works construction, being outdoors is a requirement of his job, but beating the heat has proven a challenge for many on his contracting team.

“We come out earlier than usual to try and get the most Continued on D2

D.C. Sorority Combats Social Inequality

By Lauren Poteat Special to the AFRO Two local Delta Sigma Theta sorority chapters and dc.gov held a discussion with D.C. residents on systematic social inequalities, such as the lack of affordable housing, insufficient healthcare, and inadequate incarceration.

The event, organized by the Delta Washington, D.C. Alumnae and the Federal City Alumnae chapters, was held on July 19 in Northwest D.C. and focused on reasons and solutions to community disparities that coincided with the organization’s “program for economic, educational, political, international, and health awareness. The program provides an extensive array of public service initiatives for residents.

“We have been planning this event since February and wanted to do our best at bringing powerful, dynamic speakers to help educate and inspire D.C. residents and combat some of these social inequalities,” said Selerya Moore, committee chair of social action for the D.C. Alumnae chapter.

The panelists for the event included R. Denise Everson, director of Community Empowerment; Charles Thornton, director of D.C. Office of Returning Citizen Affairs; Marco Clark, founder and CEO of Richard Wright Public Charter Schools for Journalism and Media Arts; Polly Donaldson,

director of D.C. Housing and Community Development; and DaShawn Grooves and Joe Weissfeld, project managers for the D.C. Department of Health Care Finance.

“D.C. is still experiencing high incarceration rates among Black residents with women becoming the fastest growing population in America,” Thornton said. “At the Office of Returning Citizens Affairs program, residents can look to readjust back into society with community involvement and look to find proper housing.”

Alongside incarceration, the D.C. region also battles housing disparities among residents. The area’s median income is currently $110,000 annually, according to a 2015 dc.gov report.

Eighty percent of the city’s Black citizens bring home below that average, according to the report. “We are currently looking at a 5-point plan that sets out to create more affordable housing, preserve existing housing, increase home ownership opportunities, end D.C. homelessness, and transform vacant property space as we lead the way into taking public funding and transporting it in a more positive way,” Donaldson said.

Another topic of interest included a need for better D.C. health care practices in terms of personal prevention, such as proper nutrition and exercise, to bring awareness to health illnesses and lower the District’s population (42 percent), who

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The District of Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) released a draft of climate adaptation protocols and procedures, and an assessment of the city’s most vulnerable areas. The action plan, Climate Ready DC, identifies current and future impacts of a changing climate on the District’s infrastructure, public facilities, and residents.

According to the plan, Wards 6, 7, and 8 are among the neighborhoods most affected.

Climate Ready DC was developed through consultation with leading experts including a team of national consultants, 15

“…we’re already experiencing the consequences of a changing climate.”

– Tommy Wells District government agencies, 11 community-based organizations, and public input from two community meetings. What they found was that heatwaves or heavy rains, both of which the city has experienced in recent months, will increase, with the city’s most disenfranchised feeling the effects more directly.

For instance, Wards 7 and 8 are most vulnerable given the higher levels of unemployment, poverty, obesity, and asthma, as well as a large elderly population.

According to the report, individuals who are most vulnerable to climate change are more sensitive to events like heatwaves and have less capacity to adapt and respond.

This includes older adults and Continued on D2

Police Investigate Northwest D.C. Officerinvolved Shooting

By Briana Thomas Special to the AFRO Authorities are still investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on July 23, Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Alice Kim told the AFRO. According to Kim, at about 7:50 p.m. July 23, an off-duty police officer heard the sound of gunshots in the 5200 block of Georgia Avenue NW. The off-duty officer went to investigate and saw someone getting into a white vehicle.

The officer identified himself and gave verbal commands that were allegedly ignored by the person getting in the car.

The police statement does not specify what “verbal commands” were made by the officer.

The suspect pointed a weapon at the officer, prompting the officer to fire his gun at the suspect. The suspect then drove away with several other individuals, according to police reports.

Shortly after the individuals fled the scene, two people suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds were dropped off at a local hospital by a white vehicle, police said.

Authorities identified one of the individuals as Curtis Fowler, 21, who was arrested in connection with the officer Continued on D2

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The Afro-American, July 30, 2016 - August 5, 2016

Heatwave

Climate Change

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strenuous work done before the temperatures and humidity get really high, but even that has been a problem this week. It’s getting oppressively hot by 10 a.m. and that means the bulk of the work is being done with the sun high,” Vargas told the AFRO. “We have constant hydration mandates and so far the heat has not overwhelmed anyone to the point of illness, but it is very uncomfortable.”

And with the consecutive days above the mid-90s with oppressive heat indexes, several agencies have streamlined their services to address the immobility some will face in accessing resources.

For instance, to accommodate residents experiencing homelessness, low-barrier shelters will remain open 24/7 and the Adam’s Place Day Center will be open Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. As they do during every heat emergency, United Planning Organization (UPO) vans will be canvassing various areas throughout the city for persons suffering from heat-related stress and to provide transport to one of the cooling centers.

“Our spray parks are safer and more fun

Metro

than opening fire hydrants,” Anderson said at the press conference. “Opening fire hydrants is prohibited. You can get hurt and you are using water that our firefighters may need to use to save your home or your life.”

The Capital Area Food Bank also began delivering pallets of water throughout the D.C. area and set up a food and water distribution service for residents to take to their homes.

“Our main business is food, but in times like these water is even more essential than usual,” said Marian Barton Peele, a senior director with the food bank, who advised those who are able-bodied to check on neighbors who may be elderly or infirmed, as well as children who may be unable to express their discomfort.

Cooling centers will continue to open their doors early and maintain expanded hours, in addition to creating makeshift cooling centers at local libraries along the Metrorail lines throughout the heatwave.

Residents and visitors can find cooling center locations and tips for keeping cool online at heat.dc.gov.

those unable to afford air-conditioning.

“From scorching summer temperatures to higher precipitation and more intense storms, we’re already experiencing the consequences of a changing climate,” said DOEE Director Tommy Wells. “To mitigate the catastrophic effects from acute weather events like the 2012 derecho [an extended wind storm] and address longer-term concerns like sustained high heat advisory days, we must take action immediately. Climate Ready DC is the answer to that charge.”

Poverty and other socioeconomic indicators are not the full story, however. In fact, Climate Ready DC found that several areas around the city, including the Waterfront district in Southwest (Ward 6) and the area surrounding Federal Triangle, downtown, face high risks of flooding from both heavy rains and the sea level rise of the Potomac River. In both areas, District agencies, schools, fire and EMS stations, and public housing would be overwhelmingly impacted.

The DOEE also completed Vulnerability Risk Assessment, which further evaluated the District’s vulnerability to climate change impacts, and the effects those impacts may have on infrastructure, community assets and the city’s most vulnerable populations.

“The scientific research behind the draft Climate Ready DC plan shows increased storms, flooding, and extreme heat in the District impacting our most vulnerable residents and neighborhoods disproportionately,” said Courtney Snowden, deputy mayor for greater economic opportunity. “We must ensure all of our citizens are resilient in the face of climate change; your comments on this draft plan will help to make sure we are prioritizing the actions most important to our residents in all eight Wards.”

Climate Ready DC also includes 74 actions the District must take to ensure the safety and prosperity of communities in the face of a changing climate. Over the next 45 days, DOEE will hold a series of public meetings, tours, and webinars to share the District’s plan to prepare for severe weather, the sea level rise, extreme heat, flooding and other climate change-related events.

Shooting

Sorority

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General manager Paul Wiedefeld is also proposing that Metro close even earlier on Sunday nights — at 10 p.m. Metro said in a statement July 26 that Wiedefeld consulted with other transit agencies and rail engineering consultants before proposing the new schedule.

Metro’s board of directors will have to approve the proposal, which Wiedefeld will present at a board meeting on July 28.

are currently enrolled in Medicaid.

Proper housing and medical assistance all range high in cost for D.C. residents and a huge solution

to the problem seemed to fundamentally stem from the need to have more adequate educational practices, Clark said. “Education saved my life. It took me 5 years to

“We…wanted to do our best at bringing powerful, dynamic speakers to help educate and inspire D.C. residents…”

– Selerya Moore

graduate from high school and now I am a doctor. The school systems are just that bad, but at the same time, parents need to already be preparing their kids for school, by doing little things like teaching them to read to place their kids on the same playing field,” he said.

involved shooting. Fowler is charged with assault on a police officer while armed.

Investigators are unsure at this time if the individuals were shot by the officer or shot during the initial shooting that caught the officer’s attention.

Police are searching for a white four-door sedan, possibly a Kia or a Toyota, they suspect was involved in the incident.

The white car may have been struck by gunfire and could have broken or missing glass. The suspected driver is a Black female with dark skin and short dreadlocks, according to police.

Anyone with information about this case can contact police or text the tip line. The department is currently offering up to $1,000 to anyone who can provide information that leads to an arrest or conviction of the persons involved in the shooting.

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July 30, 2016 - August 5, 2016, The Afro-American

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Heatwave Spurs Mayor Bowser to Institute New Energy Plan with Pepco

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com The District’s record heatwave, with temperatures lingering around the 100-degree mark, has spurred D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) to sign legislation requiring Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO) to procure 50 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2032 for its customers in the city,

and 5 percent of its electricity from solar cells.

“This week’s extreme heat and our volatile weather, including last week’s hail storm and this winter’s blizzard, are examples of the impacts climate change will continue to have on our city and the planet,” said Department of Energy and Environment Director Tommy Wells in a press release. “The Renewable Portfolio Standard bill expands the set of tools we need to address and mitigate the effects of climate change in the District and will help keep us on track to meet our Sustainable

Black Business Local Entrepreneur Takes Sports Industry by Storm

By Adina R. Young Special to the AFRO When Chanelle Blackwell of Stafford County, Va. finished Virginia Tech in May 2007, she said she wanted to practice law. So she moved to D.C. after college and went to American University Washington College of Law. “It was kind of an interesting journey,” she told the AFRO. “I knew I wanted to go to law school but in the back of my mind I wondered if I would go into the entertainment and sports space.”

Fast forward to her first internship with the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office, where Blackwell , 31, realized she did not want to litigate or even be an attorney. “Intuitively, I knew that if I didn’t like doing this as an internship, then maybe I need to go a different direction,” she said.

Blackwell continued with law school but began weighing her options. Her career interest peaked when her brother Demetrius Taylor, a football player at Virginia Tech, graduated in 2010, and was picked as a free agent for the

“She’s like a pit bull in a skirt.”

– Sherill Rowe Pittsburgh Steelers. Blackwell said the NFL reignited her interest in being involved in sports and entertainment.

Through her brother and the university’s alumni, she was able to secure highly-sought after internships with Octagon, a sports agency in Tysons Corner, and the Washington football team. “A lot of it was glamorous, like exactly what you thought it was and a lot of other parts were very educational in terms of me really understanding the culture,” Blackwell said. “It gave me knowledge that was going to be useful later.”

In 2012, she graduated from law school and had difficulty finding suitable positions in sports and entertainment. “I

didn’t feel valued,” she said. “I was overlooked and I absolutely was passed up for promotions and positions that I felt I had earned and deserved.”

After working for a couple of nonprofits in D.C, Blackwell knew it was time to live out her dream. She Courtesy photo founded CPBlack Media, an Chanelle Blackwell independent public relations founded public relations firm that prides itself on firm CPBlack Media. giving a “boutique feel with big-firm results.”

Although she is not licensed nor practices law, she said still has her Juris Doctorate to fall back on. “I feel like I am a little more versatile because I can also tell my clients about the legal implications of what they are doing,” she said.

Blackwell’s clientele have included Washington’s wide receiver Pierre Garcon and Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor. She has also provided services for NFL agents, local musicians, and politicians.

D.C. Council At-Large candidate Robert White hired Blackwell as his communications director for his first run in 2014. “Chanelle worked with our strong volunteer organization to help build our communications program, he told the AFRO July 20. “Her energy and entrepreneurial spirit filled a large hole in our campaign. We didn’t win that race, but Chanelle became a good friend and joined us again in 2016 when we won the democratic primary against a longtime, well-heeled incumbent.”

Sherell Rowe, a local independent R&B artist, said she met Chanelle through mutual friends. Blackwell has helped Rowe to book a number of events throughout the city. “She’s definitely another mouthpiece for me,” she said. “She’s like a pit bull in a skirt. She believes in me, which I absolutely appreciated. She does an excellent job.”

WASHINGTON AREA

DC goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent and to ensure renewables make up at least 50 percent of the District’s energy supply by 2032.”

City officials estimate that the plans for low-income solar will create at least 100 jobs in the first year alone, and this follows an agreement between the city and non-profit GRID Alternatives to provide young residents of D.C. with paid training in solar panel installation, energy efficiency, and safety and construction skills.

This is a substantial increase on the city’s previous target of 20 percent by 2020, and gives Washington D.C. the fifthstrongest renewable portfolio standard (RPS) policy in the United States, after Hawaii (100 percent by 2045), Vermont (75 percent by 2032), California and New York (both 50 percent by 2030). It positions the city ahead of Oregon, which increased its RPS to 50 percent by 2040 for large investor-owned utilities last year.

As part of the program, the city plans to install solar panels on 6,000 low-income homes annually, and reach over 100,000 low-income homes by 2032.

The new law also raises new penalties should PEPCO not comply with the mandate in any given year. According to current legislation, Bill 21-650: “If an electricity supplier fails to comply with the renewable energy portfolio standard for the applicable year, the electricity supplier must pay a compliance fee of fifty cents 2011-2016, 35 cents in 2017, 30 cents in 2018, and 20 cents in 20192020 for each kilowatt-hour of shortfall from required solar energy sources. This would be increased to fifty cents per kilowatt-hour 2016-2023, and 40 cents per kilowatt-hour between 2024-2028.”

Homicide Count 2016 Total

70

Past Seven Days

0

Data as of July 27

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COMMUNITY CONNECTION Bowie, Md.

available for purchase on site during the event.

Negro League Legends Hall of Fame’s 13th Anniversary Celebration

Bowie, Md.

The Negro League Legends Hall of Fame (NLLHOF) will hold its 13th Anniversary Celebration during the week of July 27-30. The vision of the Negro League Legends Hall of Fame is to educate the young and old about the contributions of the Colored Professional League and the Negro leagues in American Baseball history. There were over 3,000 players that played from the 1900s to the early 1960s. The celebration will include a Charitable Car Show and an East/West Vintage Game at the Prince George’s Stadium, 4101 Crain Hwy. Registration for the car show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. General admission to each event is $5. Children, 13 and younger, and seniors (60+) can attend the car show for free. Veterans and active duty members can attend the game for free. For more information on the car show, call E. Jackson 240-353-4431 or go to facebook.com/ MetroVettesCorvetteClub. For more information on the game, email Legends@nllhof.org or call 240-353-1748.

Woodbridge, Va. Cirque Italia

Cirque Italia, the first traveling WATER circus in the U.S., is scheduled to be in the area from July 28-31. The circus will be held at Potomac Mills Mall, 2700 Potomac Mills Cir. Ticket costs range from $10 -$50 and can be purchased at cirqueitalia. com/tickets. The show is for people of all ages.

Washington, D.C.

The Kennedy Center Presents National Dance Day

The Kennedy Center, in partnership with the Dizzy Feet Foundation and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton(D-D.C.), invites everyone to celebrate the art of dance as it hosts the Northeast’s installment of National Dance Day on July 30 from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. The free, day-long, celebration takes place on the Kennedy Center’s North Plaza, 2700 F St., NW, and also include a 6 p.m. performance on the Millennium Stage in the Grand Foyer that will feature interactive dances, lessons, outdoor performances, live music, and more, including the return of the summer night social “Dancing Under the Stars.” So You Think You Can Dance All-Star and fan favorite Alex Wong will lead patrons in the National Dance Day routine. Food and drinks will be

Sports Radio/TV Host to Speak at Greater Mt. Nebo Church

James Brown, the 2016 recipient of the Pete Rozelle RadioTelevision Award that recognizes host’s longtime and exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football, is scheduled to speak at Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church, 1001 Old Mitchellville Rd., July 31 at 9:45 a.m. All are welcomed.

Nationwide

Hair Cuttery Share-A-Haircut Program: Gives Youth Free Haircuts

Hair Cuttery, the largest family-owned and operated chain of hair salons in the country, will be donating back-to-school haircuts to children from August 1-15. Children who are 18 years old and younger, who purchase a haircut at one of Hair Cuttery’s nearly 900 salons on the East Coast, in New England and the Midwest, will enable one free haircut certificate to be donated to a disadvantaged child in the community. Since 1999, the ShareA-Haircut program has donated more than 1.89 million free haircut certificates valued at nearly $30.35 million.

START HERE h Tips and programs at pepco.com/everyonesaves can help you save money and energy year-round.

What kinds of resources are available?

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Find tips for saving money and energy Use online tools to look closer at your daily energy use and calculate savings from a few easy changes Learn about energy-saving programs available to our customers in the District Get assistance to help make bills more affordable

Who can save?

You’ll find options for everyone, even kids.

And if you need help, just call 202-833-7500.

We’ve made major improvements in our electric system over the past three years, including new technology that helps us offer more ways than ever for you to save.

Learn how at pepco.com/everyonesaves.

© Pepco, 2016

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

The Afro-American, July 30, 2016 - August 5, 2016

NOBLE National President Gregory A. Thomas, senior executive for Law Enforcement Operation Office of King County District Attorney in Brooklyn, N.Y.

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 included an Annual Awards Banquet and Installation July 20.

Kevin B. Hampton; recipient of The Walter Lawson Award, Melanie Campbell, Willie J. Williams and Gregory A. Thomas

Master of Ceremonies Jim Vance, NBC

Deon M. Thompson, Cynthia D. Thompson and Ron Nesbitt

Walter Anderson, Valorie Anderson, Willie Smith, Leontine Smith, Morris Roberson and Catherine Roberson Beverly Galloway, Cheryl J. Dobbins, Elsie Scott and Laura Ann

Aquonett and Thedford White

Beverly Galloway, John Gibbons, Grayling Williams and Jamie Brannon

Installation of New NOBLE President, Perry Tarrant, assistant chief of police, Special Operation & Homeland Security, Seattle, Wash. Police Department and Reggie E. Walton, senior judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Rev. Dr. Barbara Y. Williams-Harris, NOBLE chaplin and New York City Police Department inspector

Dwayne Crawford, NOBLE executive director

Installation of the 2016-2017 Vice President, Clarence E. Cox III, by Reggie E. Walton, senior judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Kevin B. Hampton, Motorola

Juanita Mays, Donnetha A. Wallace, Darryl Qualls, Terri Parker-Qualls and Bria Qualls Installation of the 2016-2017 Executive Board by Reggie E. Walton, senior judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Photos by Rob Roberts

Recipient of The Walter Lawson Award, Melanie Campbell, president and CEO, National Coalition on Black Civil Participation

The W.A.G.O.(Women Always Giving To Others) Jazz Tea was held at the Country Club at Woodmore in Prince Georges County, Md. on June 12. State Sen. Joanne C. Benson was honored along with seven other women who gave unselfishly to their communities.

Maryland State Sen. Joanne C. Benson , honoree

Geraldine D. Harris and Anita Clarke

Robyn Mitchell, Sharon Collins (Honoree) and Rakieh Mohamed

Honoree Cheryl Petty Garnett

(Standing) Vanessa Lamb, Charlene West, Veronica L. Davis and Stephanie Mitchell.

(Seated) June Clayburn, Connie Davis, Jannel French and Minnie Davis

Sen. Joanne C. Benson and Toni Roy, event coordinator Barbara Sanders, Michia Johnson, Janice B. Harris and Cynthia Johnson

Linda H. Jetterson and Virginia Moore The escorts

Photos

by Rob Roberts

(Standing) Serenity Amber Garnette, Cheryl W. Owens and Airienne D. Jeffery. (Seated) Alease Brooks, Cheryl Petty Garnette, Cynthia R. Roteat and Lydia K. Darr

Honoree April Richardson

Ingrid Turner, Community Programs-Outreach honoree; Vanilla P. Beane, Millenary work honoree

(Standing) Toni Roy, Rhonda Exum, Carolyn J.B. Howard and Doris Brown. (Seated) Nina Turner, Marcia Fields Milton and Dr. Charlene Dukes