Baltimore Washington 12-14-2018

Is This Your House?

December 15, 2018 - December 15, 2018, The Afro-American

Volume Volume 127 123 No. No.19 20–22

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DECEMBER 15, 2018 - DECEMBER 21, 2018

Inside

Baltimore Race and Politics

Facebook Offers Hope for ‘Team Deandre’

Celebrate the Season with Black Nativity Musical

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Washington

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Save Monarch Academy Baltimore; Save Baltimore Families

Urban One Honors Photo by Deborah Bailey

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Students of HBCUs raise defiant fists to demand protection of their educational rights.

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HBCUs ‘One Step Closer to Victory’ Black Women Convene Bowie State University graduate student Elijah Bell Clarke sensed history was looming as he and a classmate drove to Richmond, Dec. 11, to listen to oral arguments before the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in the decade-long Maryland HBCU Equity Trial.

“The ramifications of this trial for HBCUs and my own education are critical.

The importance can’t be overstated,” he said.

Inside the historic Lewis F. Powell Courthouse, Judges Steven Agee, Harvie Wilkinson and Stephanie Thacker jumped in right away, intensely peppering attorneys from the State of Maryland and the Maryland Coalition for Equity and Excellence for Higher Education with questions about the US District Court’s original liability finding in 2013 and the Court’s remedy

issued in 2017, providing for a court-ordered administrator to oversee creation of unique academic programs at each of Maryland’s HBCUs. “Maryland’s nine TWI’s (traditionally white institutions) are fully integrated and the HBI’s (Historically black institutions) have diverse enrollments,” Adam Snyder, chief council for the Maryland Attorney General’s

By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware AFRO Managing Editor Who in your community is ringing the bell for justice?

Who won’t be silenced as long as anyone is denied a seat at the table? Who do you know who sleeps better when

Rihanna refused to perform for the 2019 Super Bowl Halftime show. Cardi B quickly joined her in support of Colin Kaepernick’s taking a knee to bring attention to rampant police brutality in this country. Should the protest affect Super Bowl entertainment or is that taking it too far?

Protests shouldn’t affect entertainment (207 votes) Take a knee for the halftime show too. (951 votes)

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Office said in opening remarks.

“The HBI’s are not integrated in the same way as the other institutions, are they?” Judge Thacker quickly interjected.

“How much is this going to cost,” questioned Judge Wilkinson, who openly expressed reservations throughout the two-hour proceeding about a range of issues from the effectiveness of the Continued on A3

AFRO to Highlight Justice Fighters to Honor Dr. King

Poll Results

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17.88% 82.12%

children are not going to bed hungry? Who provides basics for those with voids in their lives?

Who holds political leaders’ feet to the fire? Who will march and scream until everyone knows expungement is possible, that felons can vote, that employment is available for ex offenders, that education is the great equalizer?

These are the people, the organizations, the AFRO is looking to highlight in its January 10 issue that honors the birth of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We are always studying his life to see what we’ve yet to learn.

We are reading his sermons and speeches, and not just the most popular ones.

“Dr. King, by his own admission and practice, was a drum major for justice, for peace and for righteousness,”

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Post the 2018 Elections

By Micha Green AFRO Washington, D.C. Editor mgreen@afro.com When Black women come together, powerful shifts happen. The power of Black Girl Magic has been proven from stories told in “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics,” “Hidden Figures” and now from the testimonies of those who participated in the 7th annual “Black Women’s Roundtable Women of Power National Summit: Time for a Power Shift!!!” held by the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.

“We’re going to have a roundtable conversation about the role, of not only Black women turning out-because we always turn out. But the role that Black women played in creating what many are talking about as a “Blue Wave” in the nation,” said Melanie Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation

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Baltimore Blight Is this your house?

Photo by Deborah Bailey

523 N. Arlington Avenue

Copyright © 2018 by the Afro-American Company

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The Afro-American, December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018

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Rosanell Eaton, Queen Mother of Voting Rights, Dies at 97

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

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The Growing and Disproportionate Imprisonment of Black Women in America

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Rosanell Eaton Speaks at NC’s America’s Journey for Justice Rally Considered a Queen Mother and a leader in the struggle and movement for freedom, justice and equality, Rosanell Eaton proved a true matriarch to many civil rights leaders — especially when it came to the fight against voter suppression.

Eaton died on Saturday, Dec. 8, in her home in Louisburg, North Carolina.

She was 97.

“Ms. Rosanell Eaton was the 97-year-old matriarch in our fouryear successful court fight against voter suppression, from 2013 to 2016,” the Rev. Dr. William Barber, the architect of the Forward Together Moral Monday Movement, and president of the North Carolina NAACP, said in a Dec. 9 statement.

“While alive, she stayed focused on the prize of justice for all,” said Rev. Barber, who also serves as pastor of the Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Goldsboro and is president of Repairers of the Breach. “She once told me, ‘They think I’m gonna die before this case is over, but I’m not gonna die. I’m fed up and fired up.’”

Social media users joined the millions who mourned Eaton.

“May her memory be for a blessing,” wrote Jody Drezner Alperin on her Twitter feed.

“May she rest in peace and rise in glory,” Anne Hartley wrote on Twitter.

“RIP Queen Warrior,” wrote Olga Melendez on Twitter.

Said Veronica Wade, “Thank you for your legacy Mother Eaton.

Now take your rest.”

One of seven children born on a farm in North Carolina, Eaton attended segregated schools and used segregated bathrooms. However, she always counted as an advocate for voting rights.

The Times noted that in her first act of defiance, when she was 21, she went to the Franklin County Courthouse in Louisburg. Three white men confronted her there and demanded to know what she wanted.

“I’m here to register to vote,” she said.

They told her that she could register only if she could recite from memory the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. It was a common ruse, disguised as a literacy test, to turn away Black voters.

The valedictorian of her high school class, she complied without hesitation.

“Well, little lady,” one of the men conceded. “You did it.”

She registered and cast her ballot that year, 1942, becoming one of the state’s first Black voters since Reconstruction.

She voted in nearly every election thereafter. For more than 40 years, she was a county poll worker on election days, and a special registrar commissioner, helping some 4,000 people to register to vote.

Missy Venable (not her real name) said she has trouble sleeping at night.

It’s not the typical case of insomnia. It’s the after effects of spending more than 7 years in prison – which, incidentally, is where her fellow inmates began calling her “Missy,” and the name just stuck.

She made up her last name for this article, choosing to hide her identity because her children are both of school age and Venable said she doesn’t want their classmates teasing them.

The imprisonment rate for African American women is twice that of white women. (Stock Photo) It’s a similar story to that shared by her friend, Tina Blackman – also a fictitious name.

Blackman, who said she’s in her mid-40s, spent nearly 9 years in prison. “When I went in, I left behind two teenagers and one child that was 8 years-old and autistic and another child that was 2,” Blackman told NNPA Newswire.

While Venable was imprisoned for insurance fraud, Blackman was sentenced on drug charges.

Courtesy photo

The imprisonment rate for African American women is twice that of white women.

After hearing their stories, one might wonder, why so much time?

Venable said she thought she was referring people to get legitimate assistance with old, broken down vehicles and didn’t know the auto shop’s owner, who was once one of her closest friends, was committing insurance fraud.

Blackman said her ex-boyfriend always denied being a drug dealer and she could find no evidence that he was. No bankroll, no fancy car and certainly not a stack of cash, because she was often late on rent and utility payments.

“Every day, I’d take mail to his friend’s because his friend didn’t have a reliable mailbox,” Blackman explained. “They all looked just like regular mail, letters and stuff,” she said.

However, one of the envelopes contained drugs and she was charged for selling narcotics.

Blackman and Venable are part of an alarming trend: The growing and disproportionate imprisonment of Black women in America.

A recent NAACP Criminal Justice Fact Sheet noted that between 1980 and 2015, the number of people incarcerated in America increased from roughly 500,000 to over 2.2 million.

Today, the United States makes up about 5 percent of the world’s population and has 21 percent of the world’s prisoners.

Also, according to the Fact Sheet, 1 in every 37 adults in the United States, or 2.7 percent of the adult population, is under some form of correctional supervision.

Further in 2014, African Americans constituted 2.3 million, or 34 percent, of the 6.8 million correctional population total and Black people are incarcerated at more than 5 times the rate of whites. (see more on afro.com)

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The Afro-American, December 15, 2018 - December 15, 2018

December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018, The Afro-American

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Hogan Secretly Tries to Keep NFL Franchise in Prince George’s County

By Mark Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com With the District of Columbia ready to make a strong run at luring the professional football franchise back to the place it represents, Gov. Larry Hogan appears ready to call a Hail Mary to try and keep the team from leaving the free state.

According to MarylandMatters.org – an independent, nonpartisan, non-profit website that covers state politics - the Hogan administration reached the parameters of a deal with the U.S. Department of Interior to gain control of land near National Harbor as part of a strategy to keep Washington’s NFL from heading back to D.C. The memorandum of understating involves a 300-acre tract at Oxon Cove Park, which is located inside the Capital Beltway just prior to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. This clandestine deal was reportedly negotiated between Maryland officials in September 2017 but wasn’t made public until a recent story published in The Washington Post. It also reportedly involves two separate letters from Hogan and former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker sent to President Donald J. Trump to request the Department of Interior transfer the site to the county.

Maryland’s new potential home site being eyed for a possible NFL stadium is home to two popular attractions — the Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm – that were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. According to The Post, the city’s lease on the stadium site, with the National Park Service, states the land must be used for “stadium purposes”

HBCUs

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District Court’s remedial order establishing an administrator, to the legitimacy of the court’s role in mitigating the “effects” of discrimination.

“The remedy is highly unlikely to boost White enrollment at HBI’s,” Wilkinson mused.

“So, what would succeed?” countered Thacker. “Has the State been doing that?” Are you saying that nothing would succeed?” Thacker added.

Agee jumped into the fray, seeking clarification from the State on the types of issues being brought before the 4th Circuit Court. “You challenge both liability and remedy?”

Agee questioned. Most cases appealed from U.S. District Court will end with the decision of their designated Appellate Court. The U.S. Supreme Court hears less than two percent of cases brought before them annually.

“It seems like the State did not come to the table at all on the remedy issue,” said Thacker. “What assurance do we have that the State would come to the table if we reverse this decision,” she asked?

Michael Jones and Jon Greenbaum, attorneys for the Coalition for Equity and Excellence (HBCU students, alumni and supporters) emphasized State Maryland Higher Education practices that continue to have a damaging effect on HBCU’s.

“The traceable policy is program duplication,” Jones told the appellate judges. “White students would not go the HBI if they could get the same [academic] program at a TWI,” Jones said.

Jones told 4th Circuit Court judges that the State of Maryland did not present an expert on academic programs during the trial. “The State is trying to re-litigate issues of liability. The consensus of experts in the field is that unnecessary program duplication hurts the HBI’s,” he added.

“The State had an affirmative responsibility to remove duplication of programs,” argued Greenbaum before the Court. “One of the things that is unique about Maryland is the system has been set up to unfairly disadvantage HBCUs.” “I don’t see the endpoint in this,” said a frustrated Wilkinson. “I just see more supervision stretching out for years.”

Greenbaum ended by affirming that 10 years is not too long for students and alumni who have witnessed a violation of their 14th Amendment rights.

“You made a point that Maryland could have fixed this, but it hasn’t,” said Greenbaum. “Allow HBI’s to reach their potential, don’t duplicate their programs and then students would have a real choice,” he concluded.

Oral arguments, usually limited to 20 minutes per attorney, were extended far beyond the normal court time frame due to the high interest in the case demonstrated by Appellate Court judges. Judge Agee ended the afternoon with a final comment. “This is a case that should have settled long ago,” he said.

The usually hollow appellate court chambers were filled with more than 100 HBCU students, alumni, faculty, staff and advocates from Maryland’s four HBCUs along with friends and supporters from neighboring institutions in Washington DC, Virginia and North Carolina. Supporters left the courtroom with diverse views on what should come next.

“The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education is hopeful…that the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals will affirm the judgment of District Court Judge Catherine C. Blake and cease delaying judgments for HBCUs their students…and all beneficiaries of HBCUs,” said Lezli Baskerville NAFEO CEO who drove down from Washington

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or “recreational facilities, Another suburban open space or public outdoor Maryland stadium as home recreation opportunities,” for the franchise appears only excluding commercial to be a difficult sell for the development. fan base that has become Washington’s NFL disillusioned with traveling franchise has played in front to FedEx Field, which has of more empty seats despite become antiquated. Despite a season where they remain attempts to remodel the facility in contention for the playoffs. it remains less than state of the However, despite the efforts of art by standards set by the new the new aggressive marketing generation of stadiums around team, they haven’t been able the NFL. Snyder reportedly to improve the overall fan commissioned an architect to experience. Most games are begin design work on a new filled with fans of opposing stadium that would revive teams who purchase unused memories of RFK Stadium Courtesy Photo although the lease at FedEx season tickets from disgruntled Oxon Cove Park is one of the sites being considered for owners choosing not to brave Field runs through 2027. the new Redskins stadium. the elements or deal with The Post also reported that traffic problems heading into the organization and certain and leaving games. congressional leaders are pushing for a provision in a federal The original configuration has been altered as the team has budget deal that would enable the club to build a new stadium at removed thousands of seats due to declining fan interest. A the site of the old RFK Stadium in Northeast, D.C. new generation of fans – without allegiance to days when the Amelia Chasse, Hogan’s communications director, franchise was among the NFL’s elite – have grown alienated and reportedly said he has met with Snyder at least twice to discuss are not continuing the legacy of watching games in the stadium. the Oxon Cove site as an ideal location for a new stadium.

During this dismal era – since Daniel M. Snyder wrestled the However, elected officials in Prince George’s County feel franchise away from Jack Kent Cook heirs - the organization they’ve been made bystanders on a high-profile project that confirms there is no longer a waiting list for season tickets. would have a major impact on area residents. to witness oral arguments.

“There has been a lot of time and effort spent on this case over more than 12 years,” said Morgan State University President, David Wilson, who was also present for oral arguments. “I hope the parties will come together and reach a settlement in the best interest of Morgan State and all of Maryland’s HBCUs.”

“Today is one step toward victory,” said Marvin “Doc” Cheatham, chair of HBCU Matters Coalition who worked with alumni and students from Bowie, Coppin, Morgan and UMES to sponsor buses that packed the courtroom.

“We still have a long way to go and must keep the pressure on,” Cheatham said looking ahead to an HBCU event at the Maryland State Capital in Spring of 2019.

Black Women’s Roundtable Women of Power National Summit: Time for a Power Shift!!!,” was held on Dec. 11 in Washington, D.C. with women weighing in nationwide.

Convene

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(NCBCP) and national convener for the Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR).

The event was held at the NCBCP offices in Northwest, Washington, D.C. For over two hours Black women from around the nation shared their experiences in mobilizing the African American community in their respective

out, ‘Don’t forget to vote…

We were everywhere,” said the Rev. Dr. Judith Moore, convener for the Pittsburgh/ Mon Valley Unity Coalition sector of BWR. The Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams Skinner shared how she worked to mobilize clergy in order to educate communities about voting in the midterm elections.

“The expansion of this electorate was really rooted in the turnout of Black voters. I think it’s very clear, we’ve demonstrated that Black Voters Matter.”

–LaTosha Brown states. Many of the women shared stories about holding rallies, using social media marketing, sponsoring events and transporting people to the polls in order to ensure they voted.

“We did canvassing, we did distribution literature, we did voter education, we did advertisement. Our youth went with us. We shared with the community we served that their vote mattered and their vote counts. Posters, literature, we even camped out at a 5K race… We handed out fliers and t-shirts, yelling

“We all knew starting this election that it was about 2020 and that voter suppression was going to be an issue… It was blatant, it was bold, it was vicious,” Skinner said.

In order to combat the voter suppression she said that her work primarily focused on clergy and parishioners knowing their voting rights, ultimately engaging 916 churches. In addition clergy and churches worked to hold events such as prayer breakfasts and used

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The Afro-American, December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018

COMMENTARY

A Path Forward for Public Safety Whether you are talking to city residents, students, or business owners, one topic continues to dominate the conversation: public safety. The past few decades of disinvestment in our communities, inequities in education and recreation, and an inability of past elected officials to ensure real accountability in government has brought us to our current predicament.

In recent years, we have seen some examples of public officials reckoning with our challenges and attempting a course correction for our city. The 21st Century Schools Initiative, increased investments in recreation centers and parks, the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative, and free tuition at Baltimore City Community College each stand out as another step in the right direction.

While I am the first to acknowledge that some of these programs have their flaws, it is also important to realize that initiatives such as these have an ability to reshape the trajectory of Baltimore when they are adequately funded and are implemented with an eye towards equity.

We know that investments like these pay dividends in the long run. Still, whenever proactive solutions are introduced, it is all too common for some in the public forum to use the old smoke screen of “tough on crime” rather than zero in on long-term policy objectives.

The solution, they argue, lies not in investing in communities but in pursuing an agenda of charging more juveniles as adults and increasing mandatory minimum sentences.

Of course, these are just reactive measures that distract from the underlying issues faced in neighborhoods throughout Baltimore. Reactive measures like this appeal to some because they cost little on the front end and provide a sense of short-term satisfaction. The problem is that these so-called solutions have been empirically shown to result in more problems down the road.

Prosecuting minors as adults does not reduce crime; this approach only introduces them to a broken adult prison system that has been woefully inadequate in rehabilitating offenders.

Similarly, creating new mandatory minimums does not prevent crimes from happening; rather it takes away discretion from independent judges who are in a unique position to evaluate an offender’s individual circumstances and impose the most appropriate and proportional sentence.

These reactive approaches aren’t results-oriented. They are distractive policy measures that do little to effect meaningful change.

To be clear, there is no short-term solution to a pattern and practice of disinvestment towards education, recreation, and neighborhood revitalization in communities like Darley Park, South Clifton Park, Berea, and so many others. The problems in these communities were not created overnight nor will they be fixed overnight. Producing real change requires a comprehensive vision and leaders who are committed, focused and unapologetic about pursuing the resources necessary from our City and State.

This vision – that we must urgently turn into reality – is a balanced approach to public safety that combines investments in our youth, a continued commitment to our seniors, and upgrading technological resources for law enforcement.

Youth. In 2018, we had 11,370 young adults who completed applications to work a summer job. Only 8,654 received an offer. While securing employment for that many individuals is no small feat, imagine the message that our City would be sending if every applicant were offered employment. That’s another 2,700 youth who would be off the streets and in the workforce learning valuable skills under the supervision of employers who can serve as professional mentors. Not only should we expand the operations of programs like YouthWorks, we ought to establish a pilot program that will look at partnering youth with companies that are able to provide year-round employment.

Seniors. Many of our seniors find themselves in the position of having devoted 30+ years to their occupation and now live off a fixed-income and reside in some of our City’s most vulnerable communities.

Del. Cory McCray

This is a population that needs our assistance. The benefits of focusing Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors (HUBS) on providing structural/aging repairs in high-priority neighborhoods would be paramount.

Technology for Law Enforcement. We also need to invest in law enforcement technology upgrades, which will allow for the type of policing that modern realities demand. Initiatives such as creating 21st Century Call Centers for 911 operators, redistricting existing police districts, and increasing capabilities for high-tech forensic analysis of ballistics each deserve to be prioritized.

As a newly elected leader who will be sworn into a new office in January, I feel optimistic about the partnerships that can be formed and strengthened between state legislators, the Mayor, and City Council.

The new Baltimore City Delegation will be active in shaping the public safety agenda–including through the ideas listed above–for our city. We will not be distracted by failed policies of the past that have never delivered real results.

Cory McCray is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing the 45th District, which encompasses Northeast and East Baltimore City.

Save Monarch Academy Baltimore, Save Baltimore Families Terry Jones

If Monarch Academy Baltimore, a Baltimore City public charter school, is closed, Baltimore students will lose a

safe, beautiful place to learn.

Monarch educates nearly 1,000 students from some of Baltimore’s toughest neighborhoods. The school’s campus offers a clean, renovated building, with up-to-date security, while many Baltimore City schools offer students old, run-down, rat-infested facilities, without working heating systems.

Monarch provides strong academic and special education programs and also offers quality mental health support to its students. This is critical to helping disadvantaged students learn, as many of the school’s students have suffered trauma in the past.

What is more, Monarch has become a hub of the ColdstreamHomestead-Montebello neighborhood. Monarch invested $15.5 million in the vacant and deteriorated Coca-Cola bottling plant on Kirk Avenue to create the existing state-of-the-art school building that includes bright murals on nearly every wall that tell the story of Baltimore City. The students respect the artwork and appreciate the light and colors that fill the hallways, which make learning not only easier, but also fun. The school has continued its work to revitalize the neighborhood by helping the community at large. For example, it serves as a host for Hungry Harvest, a low-cost fresh fruit and vegetable program. It also launched an initiative to purchase vacant homes in the area, fully renovate them and offer them to our families, teachers and community members at below-market prices to help stabilize and reinvigorate the neighborhood.

Monarch educates the whole child and knows that children’s progress is measured by more than a test score. It is clearly committed

to the children and families that it serves, as well as to the community.

To close the school now would ignore the investment Monarch is making on behalf of our students.

Monarch has seen student success—especially in students who have attended the school for two years or more. With a continued focus on math and reading literacy, whole-brain teaching and standards-based practices, Monarch will position our students to continue to grow in academic achievement.

Monarch offers programs in robotics, dance, drama, jazz band, step team, chorus, soccer, basketball and lacrosse and continually expands its extracurricular and enrichment opportunities. These programs allow Monarch to guarantee after-school activities during the critical window between 3 and 7 p.m. when children are most vulnerable.

By partnering with the local YMCA, Monarch offers a before- and after-school program where these children have a safe place to learn, play and eat healthy snacks. The school even provides citywide bus transportation.

Families choose Monarch because of its strong reputation from gifted learners to children with special education needs plus the school’s enhanced social services, amazing facilities, great teachers and administrators and citywide school bus service. Because of this, Monarch is at capacity, and in many years, there is a waiting list for families to enroll their children in the school.

Is Baltimore City Public Schools really going to harm Monarch’s families and take these resources away? The school system bases its decision to close schools on assessment results, which are losing credibility due to racial and socio-economic biases. If the school system closes Monarch, three out of four kids will be shipped to poor performing schools. For Monarch parents, it means more safety concerns and fears that their children will not receive proper mental

health care and struggle to graduate high school, let alone get into college.

The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners is charged with considering and voting on the recommendation to close Monarch.

But right now, the school’s parents are marching and speaking out because they understand the stakes of the board’s decision.

I am confident the board takes their responsibility seriously and wants the best for our children. I implore them to consider the students of Monarch and their families when reaching a resolution.

I recommend that the board takes a broader perspective toward assessing schools and re-examines what success means beyond outdated and racially-biased assessment exams.

Consider other data. Monarch Academy Baltimore students who have been with the school for three years or more, for example, outperform students of less than three years. Further, in each of the last three years, national iReady scores show the number of students achieving grade-level performance in reading and math moved from less than 10 percent in the fall to over 20 percent in the spring. Closing the school now would be to turn our backs right as students are gaining traction.

Monarch students say the school has become a home to them and view their teachers and classmates as family. Monarch is an asset to the city and can continue to be an asset if provided with the opportunity. The board should not just save the school; it should prioritize partnering with ambitious charter schools like Monarch.

The board must save Monarch Academy Baltimore because so much is at stake for its parents and students.

Terry Jones is a member of the Monarch Academy Baltimore Parent Advisory Board.

Using White Privilege to Speak for Black People - Not so Fast In the vein of being politically correct while trying to fight against white privilege by leveling the playing field, the new civil rights element of 2018 became white people using their privilege to help people of color by speaking for us.

We saw this earlier in the year when the salary of Octavia Spencer, a superb actress, was increased due to a joint negotiation and contract with Jessica Chastain, who worked with Spencer in 2011’s The Help.

Although these women worked together in the voyage to get Spencer higher pay, the narrative quickly morphed that Chastain used her privilege and spoke “for” Spencer. Taking this as a model, the new catchphrase for liberal white America became to speak out “for” their minority group friends by “using privilege.” This model of activism was lauded during the entire year as allies to various groups who are discriminated against vowed to use their voices to speak for marginalized communities. This method became mainstream, but for me is a point of contention. I found at times, these allies were offended when I, as a Black woman, was not, yet they were speaking for me.

But how authentic is it for one person even in a gesture of goodwill to speak for another?

If we really want equality, we have to ask critical questions and have the difficult conversations about how privilege works even when a person does not want it or doesn’t believe he or she uses or benefits from it. After hearing a coworker say that she has educated her son about how he might have to use his privilege to speak for his Black friends if they are ever pulled over by the police, I was further

Marlyn Thomas

disenchanted with the concept of white allies speaking for Black people. Yes, we know that privilege allows the same actions and words to be interpreted differently based on who does or says them, effectively altering the aftermath. However, instead of advocating that people with privilege speak for those who don’t have it, should not our call to action be that privilege itself be eradicated instead of trying to use the devil’s tools to tear down his own house? If I relinquish my right to speak for myself and eventually what is said on my behalf to supposedly assist me is not to my liking or benefit who is to blame?

What degree of indebtedness is produced from this ventriloquist culture?

What we should teach the upcoming generation is not that white people should speak for Black people as this is an infantilizing view of Black people that has historical roots and generational consequences. Our allies should want us to reach the same level of legal, financial, and political actualization that they have reached without the prerequisite of our silence. The conundrum of settling for a metaphorical seat at the table without being able to enter the conversation already diminishes our ability to be equal partners.

Standing with me is not the same as speaking for me. The latter attempts to debunk white privilege by using it and all the while operating in its confines. And sometimes, this misguided advocacy might win because privilege recognizes privilege.

At what point will Black children be encouraged to use their own voices versus being persuaded that because someone else is willing to activate their privilege, it is best to be spoken for? This mirrors the power dynamic of beneficent master/good slave that while not

as brutal as some paradigms of power is just as emotionally and intellectually degrading and dehumanizing. In 2019, we have the opportunity to change the discourse. Inclusion of all viewpoints should be the goal. There are things that minorities can do to help ourselves, specifically when it comes to our children. Because of our brokenness, I often see us ushering children into a code of silence and fear while white children are quite verbal about their feelings even as toddlers.

If any of us thinks that the slap in the mouth threat of childhood is not connected to relinquishing one’s voice, we fool ourselves. We cannot raise fearful children and expect fearlessness from them as adults.

A few days ago, Viola Davis, whose catalog of roles boasts twenty years of film, television, and stage, gave a speech as the recipient of the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award. Her message was that in regards to Black women, Hollywood should “stop taming us,” going on to explain, “...it’s just so hard to find the people who have the courage with these narratives to just trust that you can sit with our [psychological] pathology…[to have] the courage to write a narrative where people just want to sit with you...we want what you want.”

But when we allow others to speak on our behalf, and acquiesce to the premium of what it costs for them to render the service of being an ally, we continue to serve in the capacity of servant at the table of white privilege.

Marlyn Thomas is an Instructor of English at Alabama A&M University who focuses on African American culture and the Diasporan experience.

Marlyn Thomas, matho13@gmail.com

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO.

Send letters to The Afro-American • 1531 S. Edgewood St. Baltimore, MD 21227 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

December 15, 2018 - December 21, 15, 2018, The Afro-American

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Dr. King

Continued from A1 said the Rev. Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO Publisher/CEO. “And 90 years after his birth, the AFRO is planning to highlight the present-day drum majors,” she said, “the seasoned, as well as those who are just beginning their marches for justice.”

It is more evident than ever that Dr. King’s passion was justice and equality for all people, not just people of color, in all areas of their lives. Equal rights for old Americans and new Americans, seniors and infants, natives and immigrants. Sometimes “hard” justice that demands some give up what they cherish

so others can have that to which they’re entitled. Righteous justice. And he could not be silenced, even in death. Tiny children who never met Dr. King recite his speeches and spit out his message with a passion that seems descendant from his own. It is as if they’ve caught his vision through the power of his words.

We all know people who have caught his vision. Please let us know who you would like highlighted so the world knows the fight for justice is ongoing in the DMV in spite of what is played out in the media.

The struggle continues.

Convene

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vans to take people to vote.

“We had almost 90,000 people transported to the polls on Election Day,” Skinner said.

LaTosha Brown, cofounder of Black Voters Matter, shared the work her organization and volunteers did to ensure people got out to vote.

“The expansion of this electorate was really rooted in the turnout of Black voters,” Brown said. “I think it’s very clear, we’ve demonstrated that Black Voters Matter.

“We make the difference when it comes to propelling progressive candidates. We make the difference when it comes to changing the political landscape,” Brown added.

The Black Voters Matter co-founder explained that leaders must focus voter and electorate protection leading to the 2020 election cycle.

“We’re seeing an offset by people who want to restrict

democracy,” she said.

The Black women leaders also shared frustrating stories about voter suppression and unfortunate tales about voter illiteracy that prevented people from going to the polls.

In working with childcare centers, Cassandra Welchlin of Making Mississippi Women Secure learned a lot.

“We partnered really closely with childcare centers and one of the things we learned is we really need to do voter registration,” Welchlin said.

She also explained mothers did not know that by law they could ask their employer’s to take off in order to vote.

Some mothers learned their identifications expired once arriving to the polls, thus unable to vote. She said leaders must ensure voters are prepared before they go to vote on Election Day. Moore emphasized that the grind BWR and other

leaders have put in have to mobilize voters is working and that they’ll endure the efforts leading up to the 2020 election.

“We’ll continue what we’ve been doing. And we will take a stand for Black women political power. And we’re excited because we have political power. We’re holding elected officials accountable to address some of the issues that afflict Black women,” Moore said.

“I’m excited to say that [Black women leaders and politicians] are saying, ‘It’s not enough to be invited to the table, it’s time to create their own table,” the Pittsburgh/ Mon Valley convener added.

“It does not matter whether they try to suppress our vote or not. We will have ways in which we can address those issues and we’ll continue to thrive because we know that Black women makes a difference.”

T:11”

T:10”

This holiday, give more than just gifts.

Loving. Caring. And sharing with family and friends.

That’s what it’s all about. Happy holidays from AARP.® Go to aarp.org/blackcommunity Real Possibilities is a trademark of AARP®

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The Afro-American, December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018

December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018, The Afro-American

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BALTIMORE-AREA

Race and Politics

Facebook Offers Hope for `Team Deandre’ When I entered the gates of the massive Montgomery Park complex on Monroe Street a couple Sean Yoes of weeks ago Baltimore AFRO I didn’t know Editor what to expect. syoes@afro.com I hadn’t been there since a visit to what was then Montgomery Ward (or Monkey Wards as we called it) with my Grandmother in the 1970’s. The 21st century iteration of the white behemoth is an ironic symbol of Baltimore’s evolution over the last 40 years, but I digress.

I was at Montgomery Park on Nov. 29 at the invitation of Yvette Bourcicot, policy and communications manager at Facebook. After a conversation with Bourcicot the night before (and a gentle nudge from AFRO Publisher Frances “Toni” Draper), I agreed to participate in the six hour (!) “structured brainstorming session” or “the Baltimore safety jam.”

The ubiquitous social media conglomerate was in Baltimore to facilitate results oriented conversations about the violence that continues to ravage our city.

So, I’ve been on Facebook for 10 years and what I know about the pioneering social media titan is pretty much what everybody knows; billions of users worldwide and because of that the founder Mark Zuckerberg is a rather wealthy man and in recent years his company has found itself in a bit of hot water politically because of Trump, Russian bots, yada, yada, yada.

But, what I also know about

Local Leaders Rally in Support of Sewell

The `Cruel Reality’ of Baltimore’s Water Rate Increase

By J. K. Schmid AFRO Baltimore Staff

Photo credit: Taya Graham

Carl Snowden, a veteran civil rights activists based in Annapolis is among several leaders rallying support for former Pocomoke City Police Chief Kelvin Sewell.

By Stephen Janis Special to the AFRO

In the wake of a decision by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals to overturn the conviction of Pocomoke’s first Black police chief Kelvin Sewell for misconduct, political leaders and civil rights activists gathered in Annapolis Dec. 11. Their goal was to garner support for their next challenge: dissuading State Prosecutor Emmitt Davitt from trying the case again.

“Clearly an injustice has been done here,” Carl Snowden, convener of The Caucus of African-American Leaders said.

“We feel very strongly as a community we should urge the State Prosecutors office these resources should be used for something other than going after Chief Sewell.”

The group voted to send a letter to Davitt expressing support for Sewell.

During the meeting the group dedicated to advancing civil rights for people of color, Snowden argued the decision to pursue Sewell for misconduct was politically fraught; particularly because the entire case is predicated upon the aftermath of a minor accident involving a moving vehicle and two parked cars in which no one person was injured.

“Although Pocomoke city is on the Eastern shore, this case is part of a broader struggle fighting against injustice,” Snowden said.

The gathering of political leaders and civil rights activist focused on criticism that the criminal prosecution of Sewell came after he filed an EEOC complaint alleging racism in various Worcester County law enforcement agencies.

Prosecutors charged Sewell for failing to arrest Pocomoke resident Doug Matthews after he crashed into two parked cars in 2014 and drove three blocks to his home before calling police. Davitt alleged Sewell’s decision was corrupt because both he and Matthews were members of an Eastern Shore chapter of the African-American Masons.

However, the court ruled there was no evidence of a prior relationship between Sewell and Mathews and that the case relied solely upon testimony that Sewell behaved “unusually,” from two Pocomoke police officers who were on the scene.

The court focused on the decision of a Worcester County judge who denied Sewell’s request to call two expert witnesses to testify that his decision was in fact routine.

Since the case focused on Sewell’s decision not to charge Matthews the court ruled the exclusion of expert witnesses denied Sewell the right to a fair trial.

But in a dissenting opinion Judge Dan Friedman said there was not enough evidence to prove Sewell had committed misconduct, and state prosecutor Emmet Davitt should be barred from trying to case again.

“It is my view that the State has failed to prove any intent

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Former Commissioner Hamm: `The Black and the Blue’

By J.K. Schmid AFRO Baltimore Staff In this city, in the department, it was a war,” former Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) Commissioner Leonard Hamm said of his service. “I had to go in as a war-time general, because we were fighting on several different fronts.”

Hamm, now top cop at Coppin State University, participated in a December 4 book signing alongside former BPD sergeant Lisa Montague and authors Matthew Horace and Ron Harris.

Horace, a 28-year veteran of local, state and federal law enforcement is now a security expert analyst regularly appearing on CNN, MSNBC and BBC to speak on the condition of American law enforcement.

Harris is a National Newspapers Publishers Association journalist and Howard University adjunct professor.

Together, Horace and Harris wrote “The Black and the Blue: A Cop Reveals the Crimes, Racism, and Injustice in America’s Law Enforcement.” Hamm and Montague provided their first-hand experiences in BPD. Hamm’s contribution, as an interview, emphasized his struggles with and as leadership as commissioner of a city with a rising murder rate. Montague provided street-level perspective of the job while also confronting sexism within the department.

“I walked into a police department that was not equipped, or did not have the will to do what it was supposed to do and that was protect you all,” Hamm said.

One of the cases made in the book is to change the culture of policing, one that has become Photo credit: J.K. Schmid embittered and Former Baltimore Police Commissioner Leonard removed from the Hamm speaking at the Enoch Pratt Library . Sgt. Lisa Montague and Matthew Horace are seated.

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It’s a grim picture Baltimore City’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is painting as a possible future for the city’s water.

Rudolph “Rudy” S. Chow, professional engineer and DPW Director, speaking to Baltimore citizens gathered at Walbrook’s Gospel Tabernacle Baptist Church in West Baltimore, laid out what had been done, what needs to be done next, and addressed directly what was on everyone’s mind: What it would cost.

DPW and Chow, personally, are asking for rate increases in water service across the board, approximately nine percent annually for water, sewer and storm water. Each rate hike will become effective each July starting in 2019.

“That’s the cruel reality,” Chow said.

Baltimore’s approximately 620,000 residents sit atop 1,500 miles of pipe, a 100-year-old system. DPW is six years into repairing every length of Baltimore’s water infrastructure at a rate of 15 miles of pipe per year.

The city is unquestionably falling behind with its current revenues.

Walbrook Ave. itself was flooded by a broken pipe until the week prior to Chow’s visit.

It’s now repaired.

Last year saw record rainfall in Baltimore and thusly record service demand to a strained system. Last winter saw 10,000 frozen service mains and, at peak, 600 main breaks in four weeks.

Chow claimed to be going

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Op-ed: Dispatches From Baltimore

`I’m From Baltimore, I’m Already Dead’

By Dr. Kaye Wise Whitehead

At any given moment, there are about a half a million stories that need to be told about the reality of growing up and trying to grow old in Baltimore City. Stories about racial and economic inequality; about predatory policing and structural racism; about health disparities and food apartheid; about some of the people who died, like Freddie Grey and Tyrone West, Taylor Hayes and Wadell Tate; and, about all of the people who are trying to live. In the book of Acts, the apostle Paul tells his fellow shipmates that an angel told him that the ship was going to crash and in order for them to survive, they would need to hang onto the broken pieces and make their way to shore. This is what it feels like trying to grow up and grow old in some neighborhoods in our city—you do everything you can to hang onto the broken pieces and try like hell to make it to the shore.

Life in Baltimore City is complicated.

It is challenging and hard. It is racially segregated and economically divided. It is a tale of two cities—one mostly White

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and the other mostly Black, separate and unequal.

I believe that in order to understand the deep sense of helplessness, hopelessness, and malaise that hangs like a cloud over certain parts of our city, you must intentionally spend some time in both Baltimores. You have to visit the schools, the corner stores, and the churches. You have to catch the buses and walk the streets. You have to try and see what it feels like to hang onto the broken pieces and what it feels like when you do not have to do this. This is what I have been doing for the past five months as I have been conducting my unofficial ethnographic study of Baltimore’s hypersegregated Black neighborhoods. I have been trying to understand what life is like within the Black Butterfly, trying to find some answers to the questions that I have been wrestling with since 2015 when a Harvard University study concluded that out of the nation’s 100 largest jurisdictions, children born in poverty in Baltimore City have the worst chances of ever escaping it.

As much as possible, I spend my time talking to young people, asking them questions and trying to listen to them. I want to see the world from their perspective. I want to hear their stories and in some small way, help to shoulder their pain.

Part of the reason why I do this is because of

5

Past Seven Days

296 2018 Total

Data as of Dec. 12

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The Afro-American, December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018

Sewell

Continued from B1

at all, let alone a corrupt one,” Friedman wrote.

Despite the ruling Davitt told The AFRO he was more than likely to retry the case.

“After reviewing the appellate court decision and speaking to the victims of the accident, it is very likely that we will retry case. Just need to double check availability and status of witnesses,” Davitt said.

The Pocomoke City Council fired Sewell in 2015 without explanation. Later he filed a federal lawsuit alleging he was terminated for refusing to fire two Black officers, who filed EEOC complaints against a Worcester County Drug Task Force.

The complaint accused members of the county’s elite drug unit of the racial hazing of Detective Frank Savage, a Pocomoke City police officer detailed to the unit.

The lawsuit also alleges Savage was subjected to texts with the N-word, and a forced trip to so-called KKK lane, the site of lynchings on the Eastern Shore. Fellow officers also placed a food stamp with former President Barak Obama’s picture on It in his desk, and

someone put a bloody deer tail on Savage’s car.

The Maryland State Police investigated the complaint and sustained charges against the sole state police officer on the task force.

After attending a mediation meeting to discuss the charges, Sewell’s lawsuit alleges members of the Pocomoke City Council demanded he fire Savage, and Lieutenant Lynell Greene who also attended.

The suit is currently in discovery.

One point of contention raised by critics of the case was Davitt’s intense focus on an accident in which no one was hurt amid a series of police corruption scandals in Baltimore, where he also has jurisdiction.

“I’m not sure why he’s spent so much of the state’s resources on pursuing a Black police chief who by all accounts was doing a great job,” said State Senator Jill P. Carter. “Certainly there has to be more pressing cases of police misconduct here.”

Hamm

`I’m From Baltimore’

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community as policing was treated as a “war” on crime, and ultimately criminals and communities.

“There was no trust and there was no transparency and there was none of that,” Hamm said. “In Baltimore City, at the time, there was 263 community associations, and I went to every last one of those community associations and said ‘look, for 48 years, in our arrogance, we thought we knew what you wanted, and we thought that we knew what was good for you. We were wrong.’”

A war mindset naturally leads to aspirations of aggression adventure and the need for a new outlook has shifted

how Hamm hires.

“You want to recruit people who come here with a sense of service and not a sense of adventure,” Hamm said.

“Now, when I have a young person I’m interviewing tell me ‘man, I want to work narcotics,’ I don’t want that person, I don’t want ‘em. Because they’re coming in here with a sense of adventure, you want a person to come here with a sense of service and you can do that by simply asking questions.”

“It’s how you recruit them, it’s how you train them, it’s how you discipline them, and it’s how you supervise them,” Hamm said.

In response to a question about whether police forces should necessarily match the racial makeup of their communities, Horace answered: “When you look at Baltimore and other departments that are predominantly African-American, they are still under consent decrees,” Horace said. “So there’s that, and there’s also the piece that I know very well: The New York City Police Department, 36,000 police officers and full-time equivalents, where do the majority of their White police officers come from? Long Island, New York, one of the most segregated places that you’ve ever lived in.”

`Cruel Reality’ Continued from B1

off script and speaking from the heart when outlining his concerns about the conditions of city infrastructure.

Nevertheless the slides behind him, pictures of collapsed highways and a decrepit concrete sewer pipe punctuated Photo credit: J.K. Schmid his remarks Rudolph Chow, Director of Baltimore about what the DPW addressing concerns about an city and the imminent water rate hike. community are up against.

Independent of the issue of the necessity of rate hikes, one community member asked how she could be expected to pay anything more for water, if she is already five percent above the poverty line and just breaking even right now.

As published elsewhere in the AFRO the rate hike comes with a

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promotion of DPW’s “new” Baltimore H20 Assists Program.

Essentially a streamlining of already available assistance programs, H20 Assists look to Baltimore citizens at or below 175 percent of the poverty line. Such eligible citizens can receive a 43 percent reduction in their water rates, reductions include waivers for both Bay Restoration and stormwater remediation fees.

The program will go into effect July 1, 2019, the same time as the rate increase. Citizens already receiving public assistance in other forms likely qualify for H20 Assists, DPW said.

Further, Chow told the AFRO that based on census data, 40,000 Baltimore residents should qualify, but only a few thousand are enrolled in DPW’s current rate reduction program. Chow hopes to close that gap with the new initiative.

Linda Batts, of Hanlon Park, asked Chow for comparative figures during the meeting, examples of how other municipalities like Washington, D.C and Detroit were paying for and delivering water.

No such figures were provided during the presentation. Batts also asked how with a declining city population, service costs were still rising. Chow did not have an immediate answer.

“We didn’t hear from you what choices we have in case we don’t like what we’ve heard today and want to protest and follow through with an appeal,” she said.

Jason, a ninth grade student from Frederick Douglass High School. I met him in the hallway last year when I hosted a teach-in at his school. I asked him (like I asked all of the students that day) what his plans were for his life and what did he want to be when he grew up. At first, he did not respond. He turned and leaned up against the locker. He sighed and checked his phone. I just stood there, quiet, hoping that he would answer me. “My father is dead.” he said, “My brother is dead. I had two cousins, they got shot. My uncles are locked up. What do I want to be when I grow up?

Nothing. I’m from Baltimore, I’m already dead.”

I did not say anything. He looked at me and then turned and walked away. I wanted to go after him. I wanted to talk to him and tell him that he was going to be ok. I wanted to ensure him that he could make it, that I was going to help him, and that together we could change his future. I wanted to do and say all of this, but I did not. I felt overwhelmed.

Standing in the hallway, it was hard to breathe and hard to imagine a different way forward. His life, according to the data, was being shaped by racially segregated neighborhoods, poverty, poor schools, subpar housing, drugs, gangs and a history of racism; his response showed that he had been listening, he had been watching, and he is no longer waiting for someone or something to come along and save him.

He did not believe that he could be saved and, on that day, standing in the hallway, listening to his story, I failed to tell him that he could. I will not fail again.

Karsonya Wise Whitehead is the #blackmommyactivist and an associate professor of communication and African and African American studies at Loyola University Maryland. She is the host of “Today With Dr. Kaye” on WEAA 88.9 FM and the author of the forthcoming “Dispatches from Baltimore: The Birth of the Black Mommy Activist.”

She lives in Baltimore City with her husband and their two sons.

Race and Politics Continued from B1

Facebook is the company is in the midst of giving away billions (with a B) of dollars and implementing strategies globally to do good. So, I suspect that’s why they decided to launch their national “public safety challenge” in Baltimore one of the most violent cities on earth.

Once I entered the space where we worked for most of the day and recognized some of the faces in the room much of my apprehension began to melt away.

I saw Shantay Jackson Guy of the Baltimore Police Department’s consent decree monitoring team and Ray Kelly of the No Boundaries Coalition sitting together. I also saw Dr. Andrey Bundley, perhaps the last warrior principal of Walbrook High School my beloved alma mater, who is currently Mayor Pugh’s director of African American Male Engagement. There were also several Baltimore City agency heads in the room and we were all charged to identify challenges for (imagined, but oh so real) individual prototypical city residents and come up with solutions to help make their lives better.

My group (which was probably the most raucous, not sure why) was made up of: Alli Smith (Pugh’s director of community engagement), Inez Robb (community leader in Sandtown-

Winchester), Sarah Vieweg (Facebook), Tavon Claggett (Baltimore Fire Department), Freddie Allen (a colleague with the Black Press), Tlee Cooper (a young entrepreneur) Deidre Webb (Pugh’s Office of Employment Development) and Col. Rick Worley (Baltimore Police Department, chief of patrol).

Our job was to help a young man named “D’andre.”

D’andre is a 24-year old Black male who lives in Gilmor Homes in West Baltimore, the same community where Freddie Gray lived and ultimately was mortally injured. D’andre is unemployed. He is a high school graduate, but reads on a third grade level. He is responsible for two younger siblings (feeding them, getting them ready for school), he has two young children of his own, he hustles (drugs, illegal transportation), has a criminal record and is active on social media.

D’andre wants stable employment, he wants safety for him and his family, he’s fearful, he’s paranoid and he has a lack of role models.

Yet, he perseveres the best way he can.

His story is a familiar one.

At the end of a long work day all the groups identified five top challenges facing Baltimore residents including D’andre. And a formal partnership between Facebook and the City of Baltimore will endeavor to come up with cogent, plausible solutions over the next several months.

1. Baltimore residents feel unsafe sharing information about violent crime with law enforcement.

2. City school students are being robbed at bus stops.

3. Despite the most job openings in the state, Baltimore City has the highest unemployment rate.

4. The pervasive peril of vacant and abandoned houses.

5. Getting helpful information to residents about vacant buildings.

If the partnership between the City and Facebook helps eradicate just one of these challenges facing our communities, my trip to Montgomery Park (after a 40-plus year absence) will be one of the best days of 2018.

Sean Yoes is the AFRO’s Baltimore editor and author of Baltimore After Freddie Gray: One of America’s Great Imperiled Cities.

December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018, The Afro-American

“How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me. Things so undeserved yet you give to prove your love for me. The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am and ever hope to be I owe it all to Thee. To God be the glory for the things He has done. With His blood, He has saved me with His power, He has raised me. To God be the glory for the things he has done. Just let me live my life let it be pleasing, Lord to Thee should I gain any praise, Let it go to Calvary.” Andrae Crouch “In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” Khalil Gibran The Harbor City chapter of the Links hosted an evening with Link members and friends at the exclusive Magdalena Restaurant located in the Ivy Hotel for a three-course dinner. Guests were delighted when owner Eddie Brown joined the group of 30 women to take them on a tour of the five star hotel before dinner.

The first course of dinner gave the guests options. There was salad of karma farm greens and shaved vegetables with a green goddess dressing, or butternut squash soup with French curry, Maryland crab and brown butter. The second course options were sautéed filet of Ora King salmon with Yukon gold potatoes, king crab, pickled green tomato or roasted Colorado lamb Denver chop and wild mushroom turnips. The guests anxiously awaited dessert, which was a choice of baked bourbon apple (financier cake, almond streusel and mulling spice ice cream), or heirloom carrot cheesecake.

Link members and guests in attendance were: Dr. Marie Washington, Jackie Washington, Michele Emery, Gloria Parker, Alice Pinderhughes, Jasmine Richardson, DeLace Burch, Judge Yvonne Holt-Stone, Pam Holt, Dr. Pat Schmoke, Karen Bond and Tenyo Pearl, “Give me my flowers while yet I live so that I can see the beauty that they bring.Speak kind words to me while I can hear them. So that I can hear the comfort, they bring. Friends and loved ones may give me flowers when I’m sick or on my sick bed. But, I’d rather have one tulip right now than a blanket full of roses when I’m dead.” James Cleveland More than 250 people joined the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, as they celebrated the life and legacy of chartering president Dr. Anne Osborne Emery at the Forum Caterers in West Baltimore. It was an honor to sit next to my beautiful friend and to experience her delight as former students, neighbors, family members and colleagues gave her verbal flowers in word and song. Mayor Catherine Pugh took a break from her hectic schedule to wish the best to her long time neighbor and friend. Daughter in law and president of 100 Black Women, Michele Emery presided over the event with music provided by Dr. Marco Merrick. Anne’s son Dr. Vallen Emery and grandsons TJ, Ryan and Val, who flew in from Kentucky were the highlight of her evening.

“A baby is God’s opinion that life should go on.” Carl Sandburg Congratulations to AFRO executive assistant Takiea Hinton on the birth of her daughter Karley Angel Stewart.

“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” Christopher Reeve Congratulations to my niece attorney Michelle A. Greer, who was granted admittance to the U. S. Supreme Court on December 3. She is the founding and managing attorney of the Law Office of Michelle A. Greer, P. A. She holds a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Baltimore and is a certified mediator and divorce coach.

“God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.” Voltaire Brenda Baker was elated as family and friends joined her at Ryleigh’s Oyster House on Padonia Road in Cockeysville to celebrate her birthday. Joining in the celebration were Dr. J Laws Nickens, Susan Ellison, Debbie Hawkins, Maxine Turnipseed, Rorye Jordan, Kim DeLaine, Chandra Jackson and Debbie Taylor.

What a great time celebrating Tessa Sheffield’s birthday with her husband Andre, mom and dad Bishop Josephine and Tommy Ridgley and Eric and Lisa Howard –Connor at Sake Japanese Steak and Sushi House. We had so much fun celebrating Tessa’s birthday watching her and Andre participating in the birthday festivities provided by the restaurant staff.

The ambiance was welcoming as we ate sushi at the sushi bar and ordered assorted unique specialty cocktails, before dining in the Hibachi Room and witnessing the performance of our chef as he prepared our dinner. This restaurant located at 7315 Ritchie Highway, is an ideal place for large gatherings boasting a happy hour from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with drink specials and half price sushi.

It’s your birthday make some noise! Happy birthday to Almie McIntire, Dr. Carol Whittington Washington and Sen. Antonio Hayes.

“Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.” Rumi We’re keeping Theron Whitaker and Norva Dancy in our prayers as they mourn the death of his wife and her sister, Judge Bonita Dancy. Also, Robin and Almie McIntire on the death of Robin’s mother Delores Dorsey and Dr. Lavania Fitzpatrick, as she mourns the death of her daughter Dawn Fitzpatrick.

investing in

Good neighbors know that the whole community shares responsibility for the education of its children. At Johns Hopkins, we believe in the great potential of Baltimore’s students, and we want to do our part to make their futures even brighter. That’s why we’ve formed partnerships with several Baltimore City public schools—supporting teachers and principals, enhancing programming, funding innovations, and adding high-tech tools for learning. Sharing resources with our youngest neighbors is important to us because when Baltimore thrives, we all do.

Johns Hopkins. Investing in our community.

What’s happening!

December 16, the Community Concert Choir of Baltimore’s Christmas concert at The United House of Prayer for All People, 3401 Edgewood Road. Free and open to the public.

Monday January 7, 2019 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM an evening with Senator Cory McCray at The Mansion at the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum”, 1649 E. North Avenue. For tickets https://secure.actblue.com/ donate/corymccray2019 Merry Christmas and remember Jesus is the reason for the season. Valerie and the Friday Night Bunch

afro.com •Your History •Your Community • Your News

Johns Hopkins is proud to partner with Morgan State University to support Henderson-Hopkins, a K-8 school serving 550 students in East Baltimore. The Johns Hopkins University School of Education is the operator of the school, which is on a mission to unleash students’ joy and passion while preparing them for academic success and fulfillment in a rapidly changing world.

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The Afro-American, December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018

Kweisi MFume

Bishop Donte L. Hickman Sr. Pastor, Southern Baptist Church

William H. Murphy Jr.

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undreds gathered, Dec. 4, at the Empowerment Temple A.M.E. Church in Baltimore, to celebrate the Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, who, as of Dec. 9, is pastor of the New Birth Church in Atlanta. The program opened with a prayer from Bishop Bryant Martin, which was followed by a poem by author and poet Sheri J. Booker. Mayor Catherine Pugh and Marilyn Mosby Baltimore State’s Attorney presented him with citations.

Former choir members returned to sing together and pastors, community leaders and politicians gave recognition for the work of Dr. Bryant at the Empowerment Temple, which he started, April 23, 2000, in a night club. The spoken word was delivered

by Bishop Donte L. Hickman Sr., pastor of the Southern Baptist Church. Rev. Hickman had the audience standing and cheering when he relayed a message “to stop worrying about what other people are doing and to make yourself a better person so you can give back.” Bishop John Richard Bryant asked pastors and some of the young people to gather around Dr. Jamal Bryant as he offered an anointing prayer for his son. Dr. Jamal Bryant gave thanks for the many years he’d had to guide the Empowerment Temple and announced the Rev. Dr. Ann Lightner-Fuller, former pastor of the Mount Calvary A.M.E. Church of Towson as the interim pastor.

Darnyle Wharton

Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant and Mayor Catherine Pugh

Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore State’s Attorney

Bishop John Richard Bryant

Rev. Ann Lightner-Fuller, Interim Pastor Empowerment Temple A.M.E. Church

Empowerment Temple Dancers Sheri J. Booker, author and poet Myra Cottman and Layla Moore Photos by James Fields Sr.

Marco K. Merrick

Jake Oliver, publisher emeritus, AFRO American Newspaper

Dr. Peggy E. Wall

Tyrone McNeill, Valley L. Emery, Michelle McNeill-Emery, Dr. Anne O. Emery, Vallen Emery III and Ryan McNeill

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he Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter National Coalition of 100 Black Women celebrated the many accomplishments of Dr. Anne O. Emery, Dec. 2, at the Forum Caterers. Friends, family, former students, and colleagues came to honor Dr. Emery’s many years of service and dedication the community of Baltimore. Many community members and leaders, including Mayor Catherine Pugh, City Comptroller Joan Pratt, and the Rev. Dr. A.C.D. Vaughn, pastor of Sharon Baptist church, spoke about and shared experiences and words of wisdom given to them by Dr. Emery.

Antonio Hayes

Councilwoman Sharon Middleton

Karen Bond

Phyllis Reese

Dr. Anne O. Emery, Mayor Catherine E Pugh and Valerie Fraling

Virgie C. Williams and Arnold Williams

Rev Dr. A.C.D. Vaughn

Photos by Keyon Smith

Gerald Abrams presents a check for $2500 towards the Anne O. Emery Scholarship Fund

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter

December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018, The Afro-American

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ARTS & CULTURE

ArtsCentric Musical Retells the Most Famous Story of All

By Renee Foose Special to the AFRO

Courtesy photo

Scenes from Black Nativity.

Literary great Langston Hughes was known for telling stories of everyday life. He captured the life of Black people through poetry, plays, and writings using common vernacular. His work inspired generations of young artists including the founders of Baltimore based ArtsCentric.

ArtsCentric, a well-established and recognized theater-in-residence at the Motor House in Baltimore, is performing Hughes’ Black Nativity.

The musical drama is an African-American version of the nativity story told through song and dance. Based on the Gospel of St. Luke, it pairs the poetry of Hughes with original musical adaptations that change with each performance. It tracks the journey of Mary and Joseph from Bethlehem to the birth of Jesus, and features an array of musical selections influenced Scenes from Black Nativity.

by jazz, soul, gospel, African-American spirituals and traditional carols and hymns. The cast is comprised of a group of talented locals who sing and dance with fervor, according to ArtsCentric news release.

“The show is set up in such a way that it is a vignette of songs that are put together with poetry and texts

by Langston Hughes” said Sequina DuBose, director of development.

“We’ve created a bit of a subplot by telling the story through the eyes of a child who is homeless, and on the street, singing for money,” Dubose told the AFRO. Courtesy photo “Children are growing up in a Scenes from Black Nativity. dark world. I saw this production statement to the AFRO. as an opportunity to bring some light especially According to ArtsCentric, musical director Cedric to the youth. We in Baltimore deal with issues of Lyles has taken a unique approach, quoting original homelessness, poverty, and hunger every day. In this melodies and elements from traditional holiday production, I cast a young child to move throughout hymns and sacred selections and fusing them with the story and watch it unfold through innocent newer, more modern adaptations. “Songs like ‘O eyes. It shows how belief in the nativity story has Come All Ye Faithful” will combine traditional and actually changed lives. It sends a message of hope, modern styles. ‘Little Drummer Boy’ has elements endurance, and acceptance in the spirit of the African of the original, but it’s completely new. Black griot tradition passed down through generations,” Nativity was first a play with sacred songs from the said Director Kevin McAllister in a prepared African-American

Courtesy photo

tradition. We have intentionally made a choice to take text from the original play and re-set it musically for the sake of enhanced storytelling,” Lyles said.

Black Nativity will run through Dec. 29. Information and tickets can be found on ArtsCentric’s web page.

Tariq A-Sabir Talks ‘The Wire’ and Why Stevie Wonder is the Greatest

By Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO

Baltimore born and raised composer and vocalist Tariq Al-Sabir found himself attending Hollywood premieres in high school but wasn’t as fazed by it as his Mom was. After singing the the opening theme for the fourth season of HBO’s crime classic The Wire, he attended the star-studded premiere. “I didn’t understand the magnitude of it,” he says. “I went to the premiere screening and met all these actors I knew but I didn’t get star struck. When I showed my Mom the pictures, she was like, ‘That’s Idris Elba!’” However, Al-Sabir did realize in a real way that music could be lucrative and could become a career. “It put in my mind very early that all the things I saw people who I admired doing, were accessible, that I could do it.”

Perhaps this gives us a clue as to his commitment to the work of creating music rather than receiving accolades.

Spurred by a mother who he says, “Was really good Courtesy photo at exposing Composer and vocalist Tariq Al-Sabir my siblings and I to everything.” It’s a work ethic he cultivated early on. He recalls, “We were always at events; especially if they were free and we could learn something.” With this as a foundation, Al-Sabir almost obsessively composed music throughout his childhood. When asked how he spent his free time, he replied, “I wish I had a better answer but it was always music. As far as singing in the house, my brother and sister would get annoyed at that sometimes but my Mom was always supportive” The time he spent creating his catalogue of songs throughout his youth eventually paid off in the form of acceptance to the esteemed Baltimore School of the Arts for high school.

His penchant for being productive never lagged. He explains, “By my senior year in high school I had already written tons of songs in tons of different styles including classical; I had a gospel group and we would go around Baltimore performing.” This kept paying doing what he loved and the universe responded in numerous ways. Not only did Al-Sabir receive financial compensation in the form of scholarships during middle school and high school, but he says, I was getting calls to sing operatically, and getting calls for jazz, hip hop and R&B.” And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Still attending Baltimore School of the Arts, Al-Sabir was also a Young Arts recipient in pop and classical voice.

With the arts community already familiar with him and his work, he was invited to audition for Peabody School of Music at Johns Hopkins University for music composition. Al-Sabir auditioned for voice and was accepted and awarded a full scholarship.

He encountered a few challenges at Peabody. He cites his experience there as being perhaps the most impactful on his life so far. “It was hard,” he says “Getting people to take me seriously, especially in the classical music world.”

He quickly realized that developing non-musical skills would be key to getting himself to the next level of expertise. “I really learned how to use my words and strategize. I continued to be honest but learned to also be clever to make sure I got the things I needed as far as an education.”

Legendary soprano Leontyne Price is one of Al-Sabir’s top musical idols.

“Her talent and artistry are unmatched,” he explains. “Of course the gift is there and that’s from God but you can see the work that she puts in. It’s like she’s given every note three hours worth of attention.” When it comes to jazz, AlSabir loves the bossa nova tinged stylings of musicians like Sergio Mendes. His all time favorite musician though, is Stevie Wonder. “His music is extremely vivid and I think everyone has something to learn from Stevie Wonder. I mean singers, musician, pianists even actors and dancers. The intricacies of his music are endless and he can make people do myriad things with one song. He can make a musician scratch his head, he can make a listener cry and he can make them dance. The mark he has left on music is everywhere. I’ve heard it in musical theater, jazz, everywhere!”

Al-Sabir will be performing his self-composed show called #Unwanted: A Social Media Song Cycle that focuses he says, on the impact of social media in the African-American community, at Lincoln Center in February and later on as part of The Shed’s inaugural Open Call Program in New York City. In the Spring, he’ll also be debuting a role in the opera Atlas, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

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YOU’RE ALWAYS A WINNER WHEN YOU PLAY RESPONSIBLY.

Playing the Maryland Lottery is fun, but please play within your limits.

For confidential help with gambling problems, please visit mdgamblinghelp.org or call 1-800-GAMBLER. You must be 18 to play.

December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018, The Afro-American

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WASHINGTON-AREA

The Inaugural Urban One Honors Makes History in Chocolate City

By Brianna McAdoo AFRO Staff Writer bmcadoo@afro.com

On Dec. 9 the legendary Cathy Hughes brought the inaugural Urban One Awards to Washington, D.C. bringing a little more soul and music to Chocolate City.

Hosted by comedian D.L. Hughley, the Urban One Honors took place at the Anthem in Southwest, Washington, D.C. The Honors was not only a celebration of individuals in entertainment, education, activism, sports and business, but a celebration of Black Excellence in totality.

The night began with melodies from the R&B singer, Elle Varner. Timeless talented acts performed throughout the night including native Washingtonian, Johnny Gill who serenaded the audience with roses and some of his beloved songs including, “My, my, my.”

Later on in the evening, there was a performance from K-Ci of Jodeci which he dedicated to the founder of Three Brown Girls and model, the late Kim Porter.

Avery Sunshine brought down the house with her tribute to the Queen of Soul, the late Aretha Franklin. This soulful songstress brought everyone onto their feet as they sang along to some of Franklin’s classic songs including “Daydreaming”, “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Loved You” and “Jump To It.” Dr. Michael Eric Dyson presented the Global Continued on D3

D.C. Crowns a New Queen

From Foster Care to Miss D.C.

After all that hard work and establishing the nation’s capital as her new home, Cranshaw witnessed a lot that led to her current title.

Cordelia Cranshaw was “When I was an Assistant crowned Miss District of Director for a nonprofit Columbia USA on Dec. 8, organization focusing on yet her road to queen was not improving the education easy. Having already worked outcomes for foster youth, I to empower young people worked with several youth through her own story and who were from the District. growth, Cranshaw is now I saw so much talent in these using her platform to further youth, yet so much pain that inspire others. was holding them back from Cranshaw, is one out of 18 success,” she told the AFRO. siblings from Alexandria, VA; Historically defying odds however, life was not always and taking risks despite her one big happy family. personal pain, Cranshaw’s “My mother was first pageant was in 2009 sentenced to 10 years in competing as a teen when prison when I was 12 and she was still in the foster (Courtesy Photo) my father was a struggling care system. As an adult Coredlia Cranshaw, who was in foster care until the age of alcoholic,” Cranshaw, 26, seeing the needs of the youth, 21, was crowned Miss D.C. on Dec. 8. More photos on D4. told the AFRO. This resulted she felt pageantry would be in me entering the foster care another way to embolden system and aging out at the age of 21.” young people. Perseverance has been the name of Cranshaw’s Just five years ago, Cranshaw was in the foster care system, game as it’s been almost ten years since her first pageant when and now she has dedicated her work to helping children who she was in foster care. Now she’s a winning queen. face some of the issues she did as a child. She works as an “I first competed in 2015 for the 2016 title and didn’t place Education Specialist at D.C. Child and Family Services and out of 16 beautiful young women. I continued to persevere, has her own organization that assists with youth, traditionally competing for the 2017 and 2018 title, where I left placing 4th considered, “at risk,” by providing them tools to make it runner up during both competitions. I didn’t let that outcome beyond their current struggles. deter me from reaching my goal and I am officially now Miss District of Columbia USA 2019, ten years after entering the “Use your circumstances as motivation and world of pageantry,” Cranshaw explained to the AFRO. With the Miss D.C. platform, Cranshaw is hoping to get her do not let your situation determine where message of perseverance out to the masses. you go in life, especially those “My first priority is to inspire others to persevere. No facing difficult ones.” matter what life challenges you face, no matter how negative –Cordelia Cranshaw the circumstances are, we can always turn negatives into positives,” she said. “I will travel to the local schools, sharing “I am the Founder, President and CEO of Acts of Random my experiences and tools for success. I want to instill hope into Kindness (ARK). ARK’s mission is to bridge the gaps in the those who feel hopeless and motivate those who want to turn community by providing programs and resources to children their dreams into reality. I believe we are all only one resources and families facing life challenges that include incarcerated away from reaching our dreams.” parents, foster care and living in poverty.”

The persistent pageant queen is living her dream despite Some of the programs include, “iCan,” a program targeting difficult life events and has advice for young women hoping to males of color in Wards 7 and 8, and “iWill,” which will follow in her footsteps. launch in 2019 and focus on young women and co-parenting “Use your circumstances as motivation and do not let your programming. situation determine where you go in life, especially those facing The current Miss D.C. moved to the District after graduating difficult ones,” she said. from George Washington University. Then she started ARK “Self-confidence is from within and loving yourself first will and obtained a Masters of Social Work from the University of give you all the hope you need to accomplish your goals and Maryland Baltimore Advance Standing Social Work program. turn your dreams into reality.”

By Micha Green AFRO Washington, D.C. Editor mgreen@afro.com

Stop the Violence

Southeast Man Slain in His Car

By Brianna McAdoo AFRO Staff Writer bmcadoo@afro.com

Since 2018 the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has listed as many as 76 homicides as unsolved/ major crimes in the District of Columbia. The most recent suspect on this list is related to the shooting of a 32-year-old Southeast, D.C. resident.

At 12:18 a.m. Dec. 8 MPD officers responded to gunshots near Pennsylvania and Southern avenues after being dispatched for a motor vehicle accident.

When MPD arrived, they discovered an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Shortly after MPD, DC Fire and Emergency Medical services arrived, confirming the gunshot victim was showing no signs of life.

Jacob Jones, 32, was pronounced dead after

(Courtesy Photo)

Jacob Jones, 32, was killed in his car in Southeast on Dec. 8.

Providence Hospital Keeps Emergency Services but Closes Hospital Mid-December

DCPS Launches New Five-Star Report Card System

By Brianna McAdoo AFRO Staff Writer bmcadoo@afro.com

District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) recently introduced a new report card for young learners attending public schools. This new and improved report card includes a five-star system which allows parents access to their child’s performance in school and gives more information about the status of the school.

District Mayor Muriel Bowser launched the new five-star report card system at Harriet Tubman Elementary School.

The new report card was spearheaded by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and was created in order to implement the mandates of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), an education law signed by President Barack Obama in December 2015.

Families can now find in depth data and information about their learner’s school programs, extra-curricular activities, school logistics (hours of operation, uniform requirements, closest transportation), student populace and the school’s rating on a five-star scale.

Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large), chair of the Committee on Education, shared his optimism about the benefits of the new report card system. “The STAR ratings are just one way to assess our schools at-a-glance. Behind those ratings is detailed data on academic growth, achievement, environment and other important information – such as course and extra-curricular offerings – that provide a more complete picture to education stakeholders,” Grosso said in a statement.

Though the report cards provide information that will be of great use to parents, another benefit of the five-star system is access to data allowing educators and policy makers to see where improvements in schools can be made and how funds should be allocated for those improvements. “School communities on the lowest end of the scale will now be able to access federal education funding and be given the latitude to address their areas of improvement in a manner most appropriate for them,” Grosso said.

According to Grosso there is a minimum of one “four-star” school in every ward but Grosso is adamant that the work for equal and equitable education for all learners in the District is not done. “We can not rest until every student has access to a top-

Continued on D2

By Micha Green AFRO Washington, D.C. Editor mgreen@afro.com

Continued on D2

and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Healthcare, the care delivery division of Ascension. Ascension is the Catholic health care organization in which Providence currently falls under.

When the announcement to close Providence was first made, Council member Kenyan McDuffie (Ward 5) expressed his concern for residents, who counted on the closing hospital.

“I am deeply alarmed by Providence Hospital’s recent announcement to cease all of its acute care services by the end of this year. Many Ward 5 residents rely on Providence Hospital for medical services,”

When Providence Hospital announced its closing in July 2018, residents and Council members alike begged the question of where Ward 5 residents would go for reliable access to healthcare and treatment after its doors shut in December, yet due to the high demand, the facility has decided to keep emergency services available through the current flu season.

Supported by services necessary for emergency care, such as lab, diagnostic imaging, respiratory care and discharge planning, the Emergency Care Center at Providence will remain open until April 30, 2019, even though the rest of the hospital’s functions will end on Dec. 14.

“This decision reflects our ongoing commitment to serving the needs of the community and was reached following conversations with our internal team, elected officials, the Department of Health, the (Courtesy Photo) D.C. Hospital Association and Providence Hospital will keep the Emergency Care members of the community,” Center open until the end of April, although doors said Dr. Patricia A. Maryland, close for other services on Dec. 14.

Executive Vice President, Ascension, and President Continued on D2

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The Afro-American, December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018

Howard Names Prince as New Coach time as head coaches in FBS (Division I-A) power five conferences before landing in Northwest, D.C. They were groomed by legendary lower Division I coaches before stepping into the pressure of leading major college programs on their own.

However, London inherited what appeared to be a wasteland of underachievement Two years ago, it would’ve been hard to imagine any prominent FBS coach would be on the field and dysfunction off it. He changed the culture by installing an atmosphere interested in the Howard University head-coaching job. The program was beginning its of discipline, respect, organization and accountability. The Bison immediately became a recovery from three consecutive losing seasons with the dark shadows of dysfunction winning program while remaining committed to the academic integrity of the institution. hovering as Mike London was set to take reigns of the Bison football program.

As London began having success at For the second time in recent history Howard the quiet echoes of coaches around Howard introduced a former major the country began taking notice. Coaching college head coach to lead them as Ron at “The Mecca” was intriguing because Prince was hired to replace London and of its location and the intangibles that continue the transformation that London come with leading a team who plays in started. Prince, who most recently was the nation’s capital. London changed the the offensive analyst at the University of perception of what could be accomplished Michigan, is no stranger to Howard after at Howard while Prince’s link to the Willie being recruited by former coach Willie Jeffries era – when the Bison first gained Jeffries to play there. In fact, 30 years national prominence – made him the perfect to the day after he was supposed to take fit. an official visit to Howard, he signed his “I know Mike extremely well and if he deal to become the University’s latest hadn’t taken the job before me, I probably head coach. wouldn’t be here right now,” said Prince.

Prince takes over a Howard program Prince was not a desperation-hire by that is ready to win now and contend Howard either. His Michigan offense for a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference finished 10-2 in the B1G despite a championship. That alone marks a disappointing performance in their season significant upgrade from when London finale against Ohio State. His collaboration (Photo by Mark Gray) arrived in 2017. London immediately Howard University’s new head football coach Ron Prince is flanked by athletic with former Howard quarterback and revamped the entire program with an directory Kery Davis and President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick after replacing Mike Wolverine offensive coordinator Pep aggressive recruiting class that landed London who resigned to take the same post at William & Mary.

Hamilton – who reportedly was a finalist two Walter Payton Award finalists – for the Maryland head coaching job that quarterback Cailyn Newton and wide receiver Jequez Ezzard - and with their victory ultimately was filled by Mike Locksley – led to the Wolverines having one of the top over UNLV to open last year credibility was restored. offenses in the nation.

“There are few institutions in America who are positioned to help student athletes Prior to his season at Michigan, Prince refined his skills in the NFL. He was the excel athletically and academically as Howard is,” Prince told the AFRO. “We’re in a assistant head coach, tight ends coach, and offensive line coach with the Detroit Lions great media market. We get to compete in great conference and have a chance to play and offensive line coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Indianapolis Colts. championships.”

Prince was also a head coach at Kansas State and offensive coordinator at Rutgers.

Howard’s athletic department followed the same script when trying to recruit London in landing Prince. Both coaches began as successful FCS (I-AA) assistants then spent

By Mark F. Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com

Providence

Stop the Violence

Continued from D1

McDuffie said according to a statement.

“This impending closure further underscores how important it is for our city to understand and provide for the health needs of its residents.”

However the Ascension Healthcare CEO said prolonging emergency service shows the commitment to District residents.

“Providence and Ascension remain committed to the District and are pleased to be able to respond to the community need for this extended period,” Maryland said.

Having worked with local lawmakers and change-makers, the decision to extend emergency services through flu season, is a temporary solution to the larger problem plaguing the area of where residents will go for specialized healthcare now and emergency services once doors officially close in April.

“We continue to build a new vision for the future and look forward to partnering with key local leaders in collaboratively building those plans,” Maryland said.

When Providence Hospital announced its closing in July 2018, residents and Council members alike begged the question of where Ward 5 residents would go for reliable access to healthcare and treatment after its doors shut in December, yet due to the high demand, the facility has decided to keep emergency services available through the current flu season.

Supported by services necessary for emergency care, such as lab, diagnostic imaging, respiratory care and discharge planning, the Emergency Care Center at Providence will remain open until April 30, 2019, even though the rest of the hospital’s functions will end on Dec. 14.

“This decision reflects our ongoing commitment to serving the needs of the community and was reached following conversations with our internal team,

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elected officials, the Department of Health, the D.C. Hospital Association and members of the community,” said Dr. Patricia A. Maryland, Executive Vice President, Ascension, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Healthcare, the care delivery division of Ascension. Ascension is the Catholic health care organization in which Providence currently falls under.

When the announcement to close Providence was first made, Council member Kenyan McDuffie (Ward 5) expressed his concern for residents, who counted on the closing hospital.

“I am deeply alarmed by Providence Hospital’s recent announcement to cease all of its acute care services by the end of this year. Many Ward 5 residents rely on Providence Hospital for medical services,” McDuffie said according to a statement.

“This impending closure further underscores how important it is for our city to understand and provide for the health needs of its residents.”

However the Ascension Healthcare CEO said prolonging emergency service shows the commitment to District residents.

“Providence and Ascension remain committed to the District and are pleased to be able to respond to the community need for this extended period,” Maryland said.

Having worked with local lawmakers and change-makers, the decision to extend emergency services through flu season, is a temporary solution to the larger problem plaguing the area of where residents will go for specialized healthcare now and emergency services once doors officially close in April.

“We continue to build a new vision for the future and look forward to partnering with key local leaders in collaboratively building those plans,” Maryland said.

being taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. His death was officially ruled a homicide. According to D.C. Witness, an online publication tracking homicides in the District, Jones’ tragic death marks the 157th homicide in 2018.

The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information pertaining to the case leading to an arrest and conviction of Jones’ murderer. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099 or send a text message to 50411.

DCPS

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(Courtesy Photo/OSSE)

District of Columbia Public Schools will now have a five-star point system which will allow parents to access information on their children’s schools and classroom progress.

quality educational experience no matter where in the city they reside,” said Grosso.

State Superintendent Hanseul Kang shared that the report cards were constructed in partnership with families in the District. Superintendent Hanseul Kang said, “OSSE worked with thousands of parents, families and community members to create a tool that presented material in a clear, consistent and meaningful way. The report cards will not only allow us to better support our schools, but they will also allow us to celebrate them.”

The report cards are available in English and Spanish, but can also be accessed in Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean and Vietnamese.

The new report cards can be found on https:// dcschoolreportcard.org.

December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018, The Afro-American

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Judge Rules Against Save Our Vote Petitions in place now allows for workers to make a lot more money through tipping then they would otherwise. If anything maybe the tipping wage should be raised,” she told the AFRO. Damani, a former server at El Centro, shared a different opinion about the initiative.

“Establishment [restaurant] owners tend to negate from the beneficial aspects of Initiative 77 due to it’s supposed “threatening” policies, if it were to be implemented.

From personal experience, prior to the actual vote on initiative 77 my most recent manager would christen every Saturday morning brunch with a quick pep talk, never falling short of mentioning the drastic measures they would face if this initiative were to be implemented,” said Damani. “However, at the end of the day this initiative is a means to uplift and empower an entire demographic of individuals (tipped workers) who’ve continuously been neglected to receive a decent wage. People shouldn’t have to uphold multiple jobs to support themselves or families. So voting yes would be voting yes for more opportunities, empowerment and financial stability.”

While there are many conflicting opinions on the way forward for tipped workers in D.C., the Save Our Vote committee is still committed to their cause.

“We will continue to pursue all available avenues to restore the democratic process in D.C., both inside and outside the courts. We are committed to advancing the interests of tipped workers in D.C., who would benefit across the board from Initiative 77.”

For more information on the Save Our Vote District committee, visit http:// saveourvotedc.org or check out their Twitter at @SaveOurVoteDC.

By Brianna McAdoo AFRO Staff Writer bmcadoo@afro.com

Community organizers furiously worked to gain support with the Save our Vote petition, which would have given D.C. voters the power to put the controversial Referendum 8 on the ballot and take action on Initiative 77- the effort to offer equal wage to tipped workers. However, their hard work was halted on Dec. 12, by the D.C. Superior Court, after a judge ruled in favor of the restaurant association, which filed a lawsuit in order to pause and derail the Save Our Vote committee’s labors.

The Save Our Vote campaign is spearheading the efforts in solidarity and in support of tipped workers and the greater Washington community who are disgruntled at the D.C. Council’s decision to repeal Initiative 77.

“Nearly 50,000 D.C. voters went to the polls in June to support One Fair Wage.

Voters – not D.C. Council or industry lobbyists – will have the final say on whether D.C. joins the seven U.S. states where tipped workers make the full minimum wage plus tips,” said Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) D.C. organizer Candace Cunningham.

A campaign was launched by the Save Our Vote Referendum committee on Dec. 4 in hopes of empowering D.C. voters to make the final decision on Initiative 77 and overturn its repeal. The pressure was on as organizers worked their hardest to get about 25,000 signatures by December 12 at 4:45 p.m.

However, even with over 25,000 signatures by 3:30 p.m. on the 12th, a D.C. Superior Court judge issued an injunction preventing the Board of Elections from processing the petitions gathered and submitted by Save Our Vote.

“The people of D.C. will not be silenced by the restaurant association’s legal tactics,” said Rev. Graylan Hagler, senior pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ. “This month, D.C. voters signed petitions in record time to give the people the final say on Initiative 77.

The people of D.C. proved for all to see in June that they want One Fair Wage in this city. We won’t stop fighting until it has been restored.”

Some people who work in the industry agree with the Council and don’t want to see Initiative 77 go into fruition. Nadia a hostess at MatchBox restaurant weighed in on the new initiative.

“Initiative 77 sounds more harmful than helpful for D.C. workers/ residents that rely on tips. Even though right now the money they’re (Courstey Photo) Save Our Vote worked to fight against the Council’s repeal of Initiative 77, which would raise the making per day is never a set amount, their employer is required to minimum wage for tipped workers. make sure they meet minimum wage anyway so it seems like the system

Urban One Continued from D1

(Courtesy Photo)

District of Columbia’s representative to Congress Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) and journalist Roland Martin at the the inaugural Urban One Honors, held at the Anthem in Southwest, Washington, D.C. to celebrate Black excellence in media, education, music, sports, activism and politics. More photos on D4. presented the Global Ambassador Award to Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, the parents of Trayvon Martin.

“Thank you all for continuing to stand with us. Who knew that 2,479 days ago that we would be in a position to speak for the voiceless. 2,479 there was an injustice that occurred across this country and it’s still happening today,” said Martin when accepting his award.

Baltimore State Attorney Marilyn Mosby presented

Dr.Nadia Lopez with the Education Maven Award. Dr.Lopez is the founding Principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy in New York City where she works tirelessly to create positive impact in the lives of young people; when accepting the award she encouraged listeners to support educators in their fight for equity and equality.

When accepting the Social Change Agent Award activist Shaun King said, “I really think we are just scratching the surface on how we can organize ourselves. I think this past election was a sign of what happens when we organize in really smart ways. There’s never been a problem that we haven’t organized ourselves out of; so let’s take our organization to another level not just in elections but against injustice in powerful ways.”

A common denominator in the honorees’ awards speech was an outright gratitude expressed for Cathy Hughes in everyone’s individual success as well as collective success in many aspects of the Black community.

Bishop Marvin Sapp was awarded the Inspirational Impact Award. When accepting his award Bishop Sapp said, “I gotta thank Cathy Hughes, she has been a crazy support of mine and I just love her with all of my heart.”

Singer-Songwriter, Ray J introduced his sister Brandy as she received the Cathy Hughes Excellence Award. Initially he reminded the audience of some of the firsts that have made Brandy the trailblazer she is today. “[Brandy is] the first Black Cinderella, the first Black singer to be the face of Covergirl, the first celebrity to be Black barbie for Mattel and also the first female artist of the 90s to reach 1.5 billion streams in music and also the vocal Bible to millions of fans.”

“I’m really touched by this moment, it would be a memory impossible to forget and I would like to dedicate this award

to a special vessel, Ms.Cathy Hughes,” said Brandy when she accepted the award. “You are an inspiration, an example, for the culture, for all people and you are the epitome of Black Girl Magic; and you have demonstrated that desires are the proof that dreams are a true reality. And I love you and thank you.”

Journalist Roland Martin presented the Public Servant Award to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. Norton expressed her gratitude for the tenacity of Cathy Hughes which ultimately helped her serve in Congress for 30 years.

“I saw that when Cathy is all in, everybody else better get out of the way. She was all in for Eleanor Holmes Norton and she was very important to my winning that seat- that seat I have held all of these years. So I come to thank you for this award, particularly to thank Cathy Hughes for all she did for me to get me to Congress in the first place,” Norton said.

Hughes presented radio veteran, Tom Joyner with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Among other icons honored were June Ambrose who received the Fashion Icon Award; Benny Pough, Record Executive of the Year; DJ Khaled, Hip Hop Impact Award; April D. Ryan, Media Personality of the Year; Jade Novah, Viral Sensation Award; Rotimi, Generation Next Award; Rick “Doc” Walker, Sports Legend Award and Jermaine Dupri, Living Legend Award.

Reflecting back on the night, Urban One Chairperson, Cathy Hughes, said “I am immensely proud of our inaugural Urban One Honors awards show.

“We exhibited and experienced Black on Black love and appreciation, something that is extremely critical during these times. We are already planning for next year and look forward to creating a rich tradition of celebrating the best and the brightest of who we are.”

The Urban One Honors are set to air in 2019.

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The Afro-American, December 15, 2018 - December 21, 2018

Chapter officers and members about to enter the ballroom

Dr. Alice Howard, Founder/Organizer of the NCBW, PWCC

Shelia Coleman, chapter president, presenting the Political Leaders Award to Del. Dr. Luke E. Torian (D-VA) 52nd District, VA House of Delegates

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Prince William County Chapter (NCBW/PWCC) hosted its Sixth Annual Gala and Fundraiser on Nov. 10 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA. The theme for the evening was Harlem Nights, Celebrating Excellence. There was an elaborate wine reception before the formal program began where guest could mix and mingle, get photos at the Step and Repeat and visit the auction room and bid on some prizes. The program kicked off with chapter members entering the ballroom lighting up the runway with glam and glitter. After the opening remarks, four honorees were presented for their sustained work in the community: Del. Dr. Luke E. Torian; Bishop Patrick O. Thomas; Dr. Carol S. Shapiro and Virginia W. Harris, National President, NCBW. After a special salute to Dr. Alice Howard, the Founder and Organizer of the Let’s dance - Andrea PWCC, the evening topped off with and Cozy Bailey dancing and music by the Secret Society Band.

Connie Andrews presenting the National Leadership Award to Virginia Harris, National President, NCBW

Mary Lively, 2nd VP, Fund Development and Radio and TV Personality, Guy Lambert, emcee

N. King, Kathy Notyce and Vielka Gary

Mary Prigmore, Ron Prigmore and Roxie Curtis, event chairperson

Sonia and Keith Givens

Guests enjoying casino night

Photos by Rob Roberts

T

he Miss District of Columbia and Miss District of Columbia Teen pageant was held on Dec. 8 at the University of the District of Columbia Theatre of the Arts in Northwest, D.C. Former Miss Teen USA, actress and newest co-host of MTV’s Catfish, Kamie Crawford, served as co-emcee alongside pageant coach Chris Saltalamacchio.

Reining queens Madison Chambers (Miss Teen D.C. USA 2018) and Bryce Armstrong (Miss D.C. USA) passed the torch to two new beauties, Jaclyn Davis (Miss Teen D.C. USA 2019) and Cordelia Cranshaw (Miss D.C. USA 2019).

Miss DC Evening gown competition

Miss DC opening number

The Winners Jaclyn Davis Miss DC Teen DC USA and Cordelia Cranshaw Miss DC USA Miss DC swimsuit competition

Chelsea Rodgers, Edna Cummings, Raquel Riley Thomas, Elizabeth Helm Frazier, Pamela Jenkins and Edgar Brookins, AFRO General Manager

Emcees Chris Saltalamacchio and Kamie Crawford with Miss Teen DC 2018 Madison Chambers and Miss DC 2018 Bryce Armstrong

Miss Teen USA 2018 Hailey Colborn (Kansas)

Semi finalists in the teen athletic wear competition Photos by Rob Roberts

Rotimi,

June Ambrose, Fashion Icon Awardee

Gospel Singer Marvin Sapp, Inspirational Impact Awardee

For the first time, Urban One hosted Generation the Urban One Honors held at the Next Singer, actress Anthem on the Southwest Waterfront Awardee and reality in Washington, D.C. The Urban One Media Mogul star Traci Honors celebrated Black Excellence by Tom Joyner, Braxton highlighting several African Lifetime American trailblazers in Achievement the music, film, media Singer Elle Varner with CEO Awardee and sports industries. and Founder of Urban One Media Person Some of the Cathy Hughes of the Year honorees included, Awardee, April April Ryan who was Ryan acknowledged for her contribution to media, Power’s Rotimi, who received the Generation Next award, Shaun King, Social Change Agent award recipient, Cathy Hughes Excellence award winner Brandy and Lifetime Achievement awardee media mogul Tom Joyner. Actor Political strategist and comedian D.L. Hughley and CNN commentator served as the evening’s host Singer Ray-J, Michelle Rice, Vice President of Urban Dr. Michael Eric Dyson Symone Sanders and performers included One Programming and Cathy Hughes Excellence singers Elle Varner, K-Ci of Award Winner Brandy Jodeci and Johnny Gill.

Photos By AFRO Staff